Just some wedding thoughts

Well, I am taking a break from the mountain of laundry that I am doing after unpacking my suitcase from the honeymoon. I am really irritated that when I got my luggage back, one suitcase had a cut in it on the back, and the other little one was missing a wheel! So it has been dubbed the wheel-less wonder.
But I was thinking back on everything and thought I would share my thoughts while all of you are waiting on more pictures....
A couple of days before the wedding: A huge pile of clothes on the bed while I am trying to figure out what I really want to take for the honeymoon. Wow! Is it really here? Has the year really gone by this fast and I am about to marry my best friend in just a couple of days? I am so glad that all of the planning has made this year go by quickly, and jeez I can't wait to move away from Cheyenne! I think of all my friends that have supported me while I have been doing all of my planning, and remember the jerk-offs at work that have criticized me for taking some personal time for myself. But then I also remember and smile that they are not coming to the wedding and they aren't going to Mexico either. I feel better now.
Trying on the wedding dress again before the big day: Man I am so glad that I have been working out! The dress looks fabulous and I really can't wait to wear it! (This is before it has been fully laced up!) I am very happy with my body and the way I look, I am so glad that I have stayed on top of everything and continued my workouts even though I really didn't want to. And I did tan a month before, even though I knew Keri wouldn't like it. I have gotten pretty light here, there really is no ambient sunlight here and I MISS my TEXAS tan so much! I look so pasty and white for most of the year, that when we do plan a vacation anywhere we usually tan for a month so we won't roast on the trip.
More thoughts....I am really starting to wonder if I am going to have time to visit with everyone! I still haven't managed to finish packing b/c I have been cleaning house! Andy and I have both been so busy that it is really a task to keep our house picked up. I start to develop a basic itinerary to fit everything in, to visit with everyone as much as possible between finishing the last minute details. Oh I just hope everything turns out ok!
Family is here! Everyone started rolling in, and I was really glad that everyone made it in safe. Was a little scared that Andy's family wasn't gonna make it, their flight was delayed and I was wondering if it was going to be too late for the dinner. But they did make it! Got to visit with everyone here at our house for a little bit and show them everything. I hope the massive amount of winemaking junk and the still in the basement doesn't offend anyone! But I can't hide it so it stays. Jeez, Grandma I promise I am not really an alcoholic, I know this doesn't help my case at all! So glad that the families are getting along great! The Dads like each other and the Moms too, oh this is great! You know that;s one thing you always wonder about, I hope the like each other, what if they don't.... but it worked out great!
Night before...Well the girls stayed at Melissa's place and it was nice to be alone and just be quiet and rest for a little bit. I didn't have to think about anything just rest. But I did reflect back on everything that had brought me to this point. I am so happy and still just wondering is this real, is it a dream am I about to wake up? I met Andy when I thought I could never love again and my heart had been crushed. I had started completely over in a new state, and I had no furniture, not even a bed! I went to Walmart when I got to California and bought a $50 hammock and slept in that for 3 months b/c I had no money, and I was too proud to ask my family for help. I needed to recover and do it all on my own. It made me stronger than I ever thought possible. And in the midst of everything I met the most wonderful person in my life. Someone to make me laugh and we make each other laugh so much! I am so happy we have the exact same sense of humor. It is so wonderful to have someone there beside me no matter what, to push me and help me when I think there is no way out and everything is too dark and I cannot see any light. Someone to just hold me and let me cry if I need to. Andy is the love of my life!!!! And tomorrow we are about to be married, I am going to be his wife! I feel honored to have such an awesome husband!
Wedding day!!!! I finally managed to get some sleep but I still feel pretty tired when I wake up. The alarm went off, but I turned it off, so thank goodness Keri came to see if I was up and let me snooze while she was in the shower. Got my makeup all done, it is perfect, and got out hair fixed and we all just look fabulous! Off to the church, now and time to put on my dress! But oh my gosh! I had no idea it was going to be quite that tight all laced up, I really felt like Rose from Titanic! Lace it up! Ok so it is on and we are ready! I can't wait for everyone to see it! Walk down the aisle with Daddy, oh my gosh he just looks so handsome, I am so happy he is here to walk me! Everyone looks fantastic and I can't stop smiling! The ceremony is going by so fast. At one point I almost missed the chair when I sat back down, did anyone see that???! Then the dress is really getting tight, I can't exhale enough to get more air and I really think I am going to pass out in the chair. I was so dizzy, and started seeing sparkles. I keep taking shorted breaths and the feeling finally passes! After pictures, we are off to the reception, and I really can't wait to chat with everyone. All the girls are just in awe of the dress, yes it really was a corset top! Several felt the boning in the sides. I gulp down some water, and am disappointed when I can't eat very much. But that's ok, it is one day, I can eat later. And I am so happy that my tummy can't pooch out in any picture hahaha!!!! So I am pretty happy and smiling to myself that I will probably like all the pictures. We had such a wonderful time at the reception it seemed so classic really like all of us were in a early 1900 movie set. It was such an awesome feeling! I have had such a wonderful time celebrating with everyone, my favorite part was the champagne! I loved that! I hope everyone has enjoyed everything as much as we did, everyone certainly seemed too. And more than a few guests came up to me and commented on how cool the venue was and that they really felt like they were in Titanic! That was a huge compliment to me! After everyone left, it was just me Andy and Eric. Eric played the piano for me, for a bit, gosh he is so good and played my favorite song, Clocks by Coldplay. It reminds me of Andy and when we first started dating and just really gives me chills every time because we have so many memories attached to that song. It was the last song I heard before coming to the church too, in the salon. I just sat there in the chair, and smiled. It was really cool to hear it.
So I have rambled on quite a bit and the clothes are still waiting so I will break. Keep checking back as I will continue to post more updates!

A few wedding pics

Toasting flutes from Amy & Richard

Ceremony w/Fr. Gary

Maid of honor/best man
Keri Brown, Eric Baird

Ok, I know its just a few pics, but this is all I have right now and these are from Eric Chin. I will publish more as I get them, have not gotten any pics from the photographer yet. Had a wonderful time, will update more soon!

A few wedding pics

Toasting flutes from Amy & Richard


Maid of honor/best man Keri, us, Eric



Ceremony with Fr. Gary

OK, so we just got back, and we are trying to get everything back to normal, so here a just a few pics, i will post more as I get them. These are from our friend Eric Chin. Have not gotten any pics back from photographer.
We had a great time, I hope everyone enjoyed themselves, it was really just fabulous!

Snakes on a Plane!

WE LOVED IT!!!!! If you want a really good "bad"movie to see this summer, this is the one my friends! Some great one-liners in it! Spend the muthaf$ckin' dough and watch Samuel L. Jackson in one of the funniest performances of his life.

Arriba! Yo quiero un mas margarita por favor, un grande!

We are going to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the honeymoon, and we are so excited! I think just about every other night at least we are looking up reviews and more pictures on www.tripadvisor.com. This is an awesome website by the way if you are planning a vacation anywhere. You have some losers that are gonna complain about everything, for example there was a post on our resort, Dreams that a coffee table in their hotel room had a chipped corner. C'mon if you are that bored that you notice the coffee table, you've got some serious thrill issues. The table could be broken in half when I checked in, or spontaneously catch on fire and I could care less, YOU'RE in MX on vacation! But you better believe I'd get a picture of it burning!
We are really looking forward to a nice vacation though. We've had to save up leave all year and we are using just about everything on the wedding and then the honeymoon. We'll be in Mexico for a week, and I tell you what, we won't wanna come back. Yo practico mi espanol y esta bien. (Been practicing my spanish, I am pretty good). One of my crew partners is Puerto Rican, and he has been working with me for awhile on my Spanish so I am pretty decent now. I had a good base, I am from TX after all, so I knew some basics, but needed some refreshing. As long as we do not end up in a Mexican prison with the federales we'll be ok!

Pecan Pie recipe

Mom's Pecan Pie


What you'll need:




1- 15oz package refrigerated piecrusts (you'll stack two together)
3- large eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 light corn syrup
2- tablespoons melted butter
2- teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups pecans

Preheat oven to 350F. Toast pecans on a cookie sheet for about 5 minutes or until fragrant, be careful not to leave them in too long. One of the secrets to this recipe is toasting the pecans, if you don't then they are chewy in your pie.
--While pecans are toasting, unfold the 2 piecrusts, and stack them together one on top of the other in a lightly greased 9" pie plate. Push edges down around plate with your fingers.
--Stir together eggs, sugar, syrup, butter, vanilla and COOLED pecans. Put the pecans in hot, and you'll begin to cook the eggs.
--Pour filling into piecrust. Bake at 350F for 50-55 minutes until set. Serve warm, or cool completely on a wire rack. ENJOY!!!!

Homestyle southern cookin'

Well, today my friends you are in luck! Being inspired by favorite
chef, Mrs Paula Deen, thanks Mary for the magazine, we are
going to make a very southern style dinner, which is not too common to come by in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I love to cook, (at one time I didn't & I was actually not very good at all) but tonight I am going to make homemade bread, chicken fried steaks & chicken fried chicken for me, hashbrown casserole, bacon green beans, and you guessed it, pecan pie! Mom truly makes one of the best pies in the world, I always remember holidays, that was one of the things everyone looked too the most. So I took her recipe, tweaked it just a little, and think I have made a Pecan pie even Paula would rave over!

The BAR exam

OK, Dr. Keri, this one is for you! Alas, I don't have a scanner, otherwise I would put your smiling face on here!
For those of you who are checking up on me via this blog, my sweet dear friend Keri has pointed out that I am not putting up enough info on my blog, and well that just needs to change if you are going to have blog. And put something more interesting on it. Ok, point well taken.
With that being said, Keri has just finished taking the BAR exam down in Texas! After 3 grueling days of testing, she will not find out the results until November 3rd, so let's all keep her in our prayers! Keri, you are truly an amazing woman, with an incredible drive to accomplish everything you have. I am truly blessed to have you as my friend and best-lady at our wedding! Love you!!!!

VINO!!!!!!

Well, ladies and gents, my wine supplies should be arriving today. I use a couple of different suppliers, it kind of depends on what I am going to
need and order. Got all the bottles and corks coming in, along with the
labels. So you know what I will be doing this weekend!
I am looking forward to getting to share the vino with you all at the
wedding! I am going to the Nagle Warren today(that's where the reception is at) to figure out centerpieces and decide on a lunch menu.

Maybe one day soon, I could do this full time, that would be my dream job!

Argh finally got my password back!

Sorry it has taken so long to put something back on here, but I forgot my password and couldn't get it reset for the life of me! But all's well now and it is fixed!

Been busier than a one-legged man in a hop-scotch contest with school. Fininshed up today as a matter of fact, and ANDY and I both got an A!!!!! Yippeee! We are officially half way done w/our master's in project mgmt from George Washington now!

Wedding planning is going very well, ordered the bottles today for the vino, yum.... The Chardonnay is finished as well as the White Merlot, and both are just great. I really wish I could do this full time. So those of you who are coming out will get a sample of each.

Gonna go grab some dinner at Chili's. Neither one of us want to cook tonight. Hope everyone is well, hope to see some of you in a little over a month!

The SCREEN!

Ok, so we come home the other day and there is a hole ripped in our back patio door screen! We are so mad and we are trying to figure out how it happened. Then we find a piece of the screen inside under the dining room table and realize that it was Oscar!
What had happened was the night before there was a little stray cat that I saw outside. So being the big softie that I am, I filled a little container up with food and took it out to him and set it on the patio. Well the little stray never came back, but I left it for a day to see if he would. Oscar decided he just couldn't take more food sitting in front of him that he couldn't have so he kicked a hole in the screen with his back claws in an attemp to get it! What a fattie!

In the kitchen

So here is my latest culinary creation. Lemon bundt cake, from scratch. It was so good. I got the recipe from Cook's Illustrated, it is a fabulous magazine. They basically take favorite recipes, and make the best possible creation. They will test things thousands of different ways to come up with the very best version of it. Delicious!!!

Dress arrived!

Yippee!!!! The dress came today and I am soooooo excited! I tried it on, fits great and it just looks fabulous! So very pretty! I was so bummed yesterday when it didn't show, btu now it is here! Yea!!!!!

Argh, dress didn't come yet!

OK, so I waited around yesteday hoping my dress was going to get here, but I checked the shipping info on it, and it made it into Denver last night. So maybe today? I was really looking forward to getting it though. If you wanna see what it looks like, check out this link...
http://www.bridalonlinestore.com/store/caroline.asp It is the top pic.

I tried to post the pic on here, but it is copyrighted, so I will have to wait until I actually get. And then it will just be on the hanger, not on me, no peeking yet!



But here is the cake! Can you say DELICIOUS! It is dark, semi-sweet icing, marzipan fruit, and the cake itself is a dark rich chocolate, with raspberry filling. I tried it downtown at the baker I am using, Ben Appetit, and it was honestly the best cake ever. We are thinking of doing some chocolate covered strawberries alongside it.

Oh honey!

This is Oscar, our beloved 15 pound cat. That is not a typo, he really does tip the scales at 15lbs. Our friend Sammy V came over, and when he first saw him, he asked "Oh my gosh, is that a bobcat?!" No Sam, he isn't a bobcat. We tried to dress Oscar up for Halloween, he was going to be a bumblebee, but the little jacket wouldn't button close, so we had to take it back! Poor Oscar...

Favorite pics

Bahamas, Atlantis hotel, October 2005.

Update on us

Ok, sorry it has taken so long to start posting stuff on here, and it probably won't be too frequent, but alas I shall try!
Work has been really busy, we had our annual code change in the end of April and I had to stay in the field for a week! Arghand I thought going out for 24hours was bad! I shall never complain about going on alert again! But that is done so it is starting to settle down.
Wedding planning is going pretty well. I have my dress, I am waiting on it to get here today, yippee! It is champagne with bronze and gold ribbons on it, just gorgeous. Got the cake done last week, we have our cantor--thanks Hannah! The cake is going to be fabulous it is a CHOCOLATE and I do mean ALL chocolate cake--yum! Since everything is going to be small and very personal we are doing what we really want to do instead of doing things, "because that is what everyone else has done". Honeymoon is going to be in Puerto Vallarta, MX. Pacific side should be safer as far as hurricanes go, which is a concern for us b/c we are going in prime hurricane season.
Still looking at flowers, may do silk bouquets and actual flowers for the centerpieces, not 100% sure yet on that. Check out where the reception is going to be at http://www.naglewarrenmansion.com
When I get more stuff to write, I will!

Cheers and Greetings!

I will be updating this as I have time....come back soon!

Until then, Cheers!