Chatter Boxes

The logs are here! They arrived at 7:00AM yesterday morning. Don't be fooled...I was not there for their arrival so John took pictures.

Okay, you're just going to have to trust us that there are logs in there. It's been raining for a few days here in KC so they tarped the logs for their long journey from Florida.

It feels weird to have someone get in a truck and drive our house to us.

We have a few more things to do before the builder can start stacking these but we'll get there.

The countdown continues...11 more days! Here are some pictures to bring you up to date.

First...the house:

We have basement walls!! It seems so simple but it's taken quite a bit of work to get to this point. And check out that sunset! (The boarded up section is the existing garage.)

Second, the wedding:

My bridesmaids threw a great bridal shower! Check out that food spread. We played games and opened presents. The girls were very creative with their gifts. I'm not showing you any of them...you'll just have to trust me.

Plans are coming together and so far everything is running smoothly. Let's hope that continues. I'm getting excited to get this party started, which makes it difficult to concentrate on the grown-up responsibilities I have.

I told John yesterday that after this was all done, I'm going to write a brochure on how to talk to brides. You should never leave a message that says, "I need to talk to you right away"...alone. It should always be followed by a reason. What we make up in our heads before we get a chance to talk with you is always much worse than what the reason actually is. This is also true of doctors calling patients, babysitters calling mothers, and bosses calling employees.

And while I'm at it...please return phone calls and emails. Even if everything is fine. It comforts us to know that you have heard us and agree with the plan. This may be what you imply by your lack of response but it makes us worry that you didn't get the message, you don't agree with the plan, or you suddenly decided to move to the south of France and forgot to tell us.

And now I'm walking down the soapbox steps.

On my way to work this morning I was stuck in traffic behind a car with several bumper stickers. It's always nice to have something to read while you sit bumper to bumper.

One sticker read, "We belong to the earth. The earth does not belong to us". Then the driver threw an empty cigarette box out the window.

Okay, so things are a little busy. I could give you a list of excuses but thought I would instead give you the slideshow version so you could see what I've been doing all this time.

This is the part of wedding planning where things start to get really fun. Places are reserved, flowers and food are ordered, pictures taken, service planned...not it's time to get this party started.

First up...My first Bridal Shower put on by my friend Hilary. We had so much fun. My mom got me "something black and sexy"...her words, not mine.

The house has finally been moved and to celebrate, John and I went to our first "date" restaurant. "Date" is in quotes because it's still up for debate whether that first dinner was a date or not. He asked...I said yes...I got a nervous stomachache...he opened doors for me and paid for dinner...sounds like a date to me!

Nevertheless, there was no confusing this dinner as a date. I had had quite the week at work and to pull me through, I thought about the molten lava cake I would have for dessert (the inside is gooey, chocolate splendor)...oh and spending a lovely dinner by the lake with John.

Then it was off to Portland, Oregon for some girly fun with my college friends. As a gift to me these girls flew me to Portland for the weekend. We did all the typical girl things like nail painting, and outlet mall shopping, and staying up way past our bedtime.

It was so great to see them and I'm thankful for such great friends.

So there are my excuses. Pretty good ones I think.

Sorry for my blog absence lately. Here are a few updates on life around here.

We finally closed on the sale of our condo. Yeah! I was a little sad to leave "my first home" but it's made a little easier when I remember why.

Speaking of leaving, I was also sad to leave my roommate of five years. We're both excited about the days ahead but it's the end of an era! There's a lot to go through together in five years. Happy things like getting a dog...getting new jobs...graduating from grad school...meeting our muscle-neighbor and asking him to move furniture as much as possible. Sad things like break-ups...losing friends...and killing spiders. Sheena misses her (I do too). We're both moved out and getting moved in to our new "eras".

Speaking of moving, I'm snuggly tucked into my 1 bedroom apartment. It's pretty tight quarters but I'll make due. I'll be here with my dog until November when John will join us (in 44 more days!) I already say things like "our" apartment and "we" bought a new entertainment center. It's not really on purpose...that's just what comes out of my mouth.

The apartment itself is not bad but I have nicknamed the complex, "party cove". I've only seen one person that appears to be older than me. The first weekend I counted about 60 cans of beer (that's cumulative...3 cases here...4 cases there). And there's the noise level to go with it. It's acutally pretty quiet when I go to bed but then the bars close and everyone comes home using their "I'm-loaded-and-I-cannot-control-my-volume" voices. This will make me appreciate my house in Spring Hill all the more.

Speaking of the house in Spring Hill, here's a brief update. The old house will be moved no later than next Monday. We'll then be able to get started on digging the basement and pouring the foundation for the new house. Well, we won't but someone will. John has done a great job in coordinating contractors, schedules, loans, etc. I'd much rather plan a wedding...it's a lot less stressful.

Speaking of weddings, 44 days to go! Plans are coming together and I'm checking more and more things off of my to-do list. I was even able to stay home last night, sit in front of the tv with Sheena at my feet, and not worry about what's not getting done. My mom has been a big help. It'll be a fun day for us and hopefully for everyone else.

Speaking of everyone else, I hope you are all doing well and will continue to check back often despite my infrequent posts.

No more "Kansas" jokes after a story like this.

My favorite line is, "The chicken died on the scene."

I had a very productive Labor Day weekend. I know it’s supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation but it is called “labor” day after all…and labor we did. Okay, so we threw in a little relaxation here and there.

Friday night was another thrilling night as a Royals’ fan. We were ahead 7-0 but no Royals’ fan in their right mind would sit back and think, “we’ve got this one in the bag!” They did win but not without a few tense moments, care of the most consistent bullpen in major league baseball. They’re not good…but they are consistent.

The best part was the seemingly prim and proper grandmotherly lady in front of us who appeared to have had a little too much of the bubbly. She would stand up and shake her booty every time the Royals scored. For those of you keeping track at home, that would be seven booty shakes.

We stayed for Friday night fireworks and stopped at Wendy’s where our tickets were good for two free frosties. Free tickets (thanks dad), free fireworks, AND free frosties.

Saturday (and Sunday), John tackled the “ring saw” beast. It’s hard work cutting through 7 inches of concrete, made all the more difficult by a defective ring saw. The defect was actually a blessing in disguise because John could take it back to the equipment rental place, get a full refund, and have someone else do it. He looked up some tips for using a ring saw and tip #1 was, “contract it out!”. Not to go against the advice of professionals…he’ll do just that!

I spent the time collecting twigs and branches to compliment our “rustic” wedding décor. Don’t worry, we’ll be wearing shoes (for the most part) and using appropriate utensils. John joined the fun after deeming the ring saw officially kapoot. Collecting wedding decorations was not at the top of John’s to-do list this weekend but I appreciate his help.

Sunday night we made our way to Pops in the Park. It’s a free concert (are you sensing a theme?) put on by the Kansas City Symphony every Labor Day Weekend. We packed a picnic…in a real picnic basket! (Aunt Marilyn, I’ve been using the basket you gave me as decoration in my kitchen. Since I’m moving and packing things up, it was finally able to fulfill its purpose of transporting food in style and it worked great!)

Monday, after a half-day of work (hospitals never close you know), my loving and supportive family got together for a “wedding work day”. Mom, Dad, Kelly, John (and Tim who I’m sure did not envision this as part of his “best man” duties) worked on projects with a positive attitude and a witty sense of humor. I so wish I would have had my camera to capture the basement as wedding headquarters and my family enveloped in flowers, ribbons, sticks (part of my favorite wedding project), labels, stamps, and more. This was not my idea. It’s great not to have to ask for help. I so appreciate their willingness to help.

I finished the weekend feeling exhausted but happy…which is so much better than feeling well rested and sad if you ask me.