The Big V

Having Marine home is wonderful! 

It still doesn't feel real though that he doesn't have to go back.

On Valentine's day we drove about an hour away to go to the horse sale. Yeah we're romantic like that. On the drive Marine starts grinning telling me he knows where we can stop and pick up diner along the way.

The Big V. A sorta local mom and pop burger restaurant. 

I joked that we ate at the Big V for the Big V.

I'm corny, but at least I crack myself up :)

Tuesday night I decided to play domestic goddess and cook diner. The thought of me cooking diner makes most of my friends burst into fits of laughter. They like to say I can't cook. I mean just because a person makes a few mistakes should they be branded for life? Mix up teaspoon and tablespoon ONE time and they never let you forget it....

Diner was a success considering it is now Thursday and Marine is still alive and showing no side affects from food poisoning. 

Last night was the first night of house sitting for my co-worker that is out of town on a cruise. So far so good. The cats haven't killed me yet but sinus pressure is increasing. The daschunds have multiplied since the last time I house sat for her. She went from 2 to 4. They are cute dogs but give a whole new meaning to spoiled rotten!

PINT ~ Feel The Love

Oh Cupid!

Love is in the air!

At least at my house it is.....

Marine received his golden ticket yesterday releasing him from the Marine Corps. He arrived home a little after 6 and let me tell you his cute smile was a site for sore eyes.

It still doesn't feel real that he doesn't have to go back.

The older I get the less important Valentine's Day is to me...... why is that?

Remember in high school when you could order carnations that would be delivered during class? They did that at my school anyway. I remember anxiously awaiting just hoping that my 'at the moment' crush would send me a flower.

Thinking back I don't really ever remember receiving one of those coveted flowers from a boy. I do remember receiving them (and sending them) from best friends.

I remember my first Valentine's with a boyfriend. Oh the excitement that it would be. And then the disappointment that followed upon realizing he was far from the prince charming I wanted him to be.

Some of my best Valentine's memories are not of boys, but of memories with my friends; Giggles, Blondie, Vivi, and Vixen.

Funny to reminisce.

Cupid knew what he was doing though when he shot Marine with that arrow. Not sure what today will hold for us, but I'm hoping its a night at home making diner together!!

Followed by the German Chocolate 'surprise' cake I made for him yesterday before he got home!

Happy Valentine's Day!

LOL Convo's

Vixen and I on our way to eat Mexican:

Pull up to the restaurant. I reach in my purse and pull out a bag of Chocolate covered pretzels and place them on the cup holders.

Vixen bursting into laughter, "Some things never change."

**********

Nameless person:

"Do you know how much a trans-gendered hooker goes for on Craigslist? I do."

************

Vixen & I:

"Can your wedding dress be taken up?"

"The seamstress seems to think so."

"Thats good cause it was big on me so I know it had to be on you."

Strange look from me....

"What you have things delivered to my house and expect me not to try them on? Come on you know if its there over 2 days I'm gonna try it on."

I burst into laughter.

"Is it strange I tried on your wedding dress before you did?" 

"No it would have probably been stranger if you hadn't," I reply honestly.

*************

Boss to co-worker:

"Sounds like you need a Grey Goose & Cranberry day."

************

Co-Worker text to me:

"Snowday!"

"I'm already at work."

"Well I'm snowed in."

"No your not."

"Ok I'm not. But I'm declaring myself a snow day!"

The Post In Which I Realize I May Not Be Perfect

Life is made up of good days, down days, and everything else in between. Now let's be real I write mainly about the good days because let's face it who really wants to remember the bad?

The same can be said about relationships. Thankfully mine and Marine's relationship is mainly comprised of good great days.

But what about those few, in between bad days?

I realize that Marine isn't....... *Gasp, Shock* perfect....... and even bigger shock --- I'm not either.

Shock I know. I mean here I've been all this time thinking I'm perfect.... just kidding :)

Marine comes home Sunday. We've been counting down to this day for nearly two years now.

He will arrive late Sunday night. I work all next week of course and he has appointments with the VA and other things related to getting things set up for life after the Marines.

So next weekend I was looking forward to some "us" time. Time to unwind and just relax.

Expect did I forget to mention that I'm house sitting next week? Remember the co-worker that I house sat for last May? The one who's cats nearly killed me? { If you don't remember read this post. }

Well she now has two more terrors dogs.

At first I really didn't want to house sit for her again. Mainly because I have so much other stuff going on I really didn't want to make any additional commitments.... and secondly because I really didn't want to suffer the attacking cat allergies again.

It would be Wednesday to Monday.

Marine points out that it's easy extra money. I know he's right and I end up caving and agreeing to do it.

Besides Marine will be there so at least maybe he can recesitate me if the cats do succeed in their attempt to kill me.

So we postponed the "first weekend" home day trip we were going to take and I told co-worker I would house sit for her.

That was weeks ago, fast-forward to last night---------> Marine gets a wonderful opportunity to go to Daytona and work some Nascar race this next weekend. Ok it's not just any Nascar race, it's the Daytona race which is apparently a huge race (or at least from past knowledge I've gained from Vivi).

Marine doesn't follow Nascar but it's still a great opportunity for him to go and make some extra money.

He agrees to go and work it.

Now I get slightly upset cause this is his first weekend home! I know its being selfish but we have both been counting down to him coming home and I have been looking forward to it so much!

I'm not mad at him by any means, just slightly disappointed.

I think I have a right to be disappointed. He see's my point of view and I see his. Plus I know its a neat opportunity for him that he might not get again. I don't want him to pass it up yet for selfish reasons I also don't want him to go.

Yes I'm a crazy witch. That's why I vent here instead of out loud.

Dear, Post It Note Tuesday

Whirlwind Weekend

Whew what a whirlwind of a weekend!

Friday night I went to diner with Red, Hollywood and Hollywood's BF. I hadn't gotten to hang out with Hollywood much lately so it was great to see her! And her new Beau is great! {well maybe not new they've been together nearing a year now I think}.

Red cracks me up. I keep telling her she needs to write a book, even if its only one liners. We have another friend that works with Red who is mid-30's and has a daughter who is about 10. After receiving a text from mutual friend Friday night Red says, "You know your social life has hit an all time low when your sitting in a church parking lot with two ten year olds cause the coupon meeting was to full for you to get in."

I start laughing historically.

Red, "I'm sorry if thats cruel but it's the truth!"

***************

Saturday morning I awoke early to head to the gym.

Yes you read that right. I got up at 8 a.m. to go to the gym!

Giggles has been bugging me encouraging me all week to go to Zubma with her. It was a new class the gym was starting and Giggles was convinced we needed to be a part of it.

I myself wasn't as convinced. I mean I workout everyday at the barn. Kinda, sorta. I mean carrying hay bales and cleaning stalls is really a good upper body workout.

But cardio?? My normal thought would be "oh I'm in good shape I mean I ran Cross Country and Track in high school...." But reality hit a few weeks ago and I now realize that with high school being ten years ago I may not be in as good of shade as my mind would think me to be.

Zumba kicked my booty. BIG time.

Somewhere during the dance to My Elevator I look at Giggles and gasp, "I love you!"

She starts laughing as we sway side to side swinging our arms, "What?"

"Just thought I should tell you in case I die in here!!!"

Lesson learned: Just cause your skinny does not mean your in shape.

***************

Sunday I worked on several projects I have going on (projects meaning website jobs). And then I headed to the basement to start cleaning. It's crunch time people! Marine will be home Sunday and I need to have everything out so that he can start painting and laying down the new flooring. 

I stumble upon a box of pictures that I need to transfer from the old box they are in into a new plastic storage container. 

I get distracted easily......

Very easily.......

Which means I had to sit down and look thru all pictures as I transfered them.

Think of it as self-discovery.

Did you buy that? Yeah Marine didn't either....

Let me introduce you to little E.....

I was stylish even at an early age. Knowing the importance of sunglasses and taking your best friend with you EVERYWHERE. I mean the one accessory that never goes out of style is friends. Except maybe in this case....

And I may or may not have had an attitude:

And I was a book nerd even at an early age.... Proof I've always enjoyed a good read. 

Despite my little trip down memory lane I did get a bunch done.

*************

That was the high point of the weekend. The low point came when Marine called Saturday while I was at lunch with Giggles (yes after Zumba a grilled chick-fil-a sandwich seemed perfectly necessary). He called to say his unit was being recalled. Recalled. I froze.

"What?"

"The unit is getting recalled."

That's right the guys have been home just a little over 90 days and they're already being recalled. Marine explains that he's safe. He's already turned in his gear thank goodness and the majority of his papers have been signed. I could tell he was a little torn between wanting to come home and wanting to go with his guys. 

I understood. 

 (I know I'm vague and that doesn't explain much but can't say more at this time). 

I feel so sorry for the guys and their families. I mean I know thats what they signed up for but still. One wife commented, 'Three and a half years and three deployments. I spend more time missing you than seeing you."

Reading that broke my heart. You just never realize how lucky you are. So many things we take for granted and times spent with loved ones. Think of those that make sacrifices. Not just military families, but police families, firefighter families, etc. All these people make sacrifices for the rest of us. And what do they ask of us in return? Nothing. 

I know I ramble, but this is just something near and dear to my heart. 

Semper Fi

Having A Hay Day

Staying consistent with the atmosphere of the day Marine and I (ok maybe more I than Marine) have decided to use hay bales for seating during the ceremony. 

I just think its a beautifully romantic simplistic idea...... you could almost hear me sigh there in contented bliss couldn't ya?

Just imagine it though the hay bale seating. The aisle is lined with flowers held in Mason Jars hung simply on Shepard's hooks. The blooming vineyard in the backdrop.... 

Marine in his Dress Blues. Me riding in on Miss B. 

Yep totally "us".

Having a hard time picturing the hay bale seating? Here are a few ideas courtesy of Google Images:

I mean isn't it charming? 

Realistically I know that not all guests are going to be able to sit on low-to-the-ground-hay-bales; like grandparents for example. So to the outskirts of the hay bales will be white rocking chairs. 

I am also going to drape something over the hay bales like in the pictures of above. I don't want to cover up the hay completely, mainly just the top so that its not sticking a woman wearing a dress in the legs. I'm not sure yet if I should do just an ivory fabric or a burlap material or what. I was going to do a neutral color so they weren't the first thing that draws your attention when you step out on the back deck and proceed down to the ceremony. 

Or should I use red some in it to add some color? Hmmm.... feel free to give me some feedback!

I just love the hay bale idea. For one it's budget friendly! I mean renting chairs can be quite and expensive, and I have a barn full of hay. 

Marine may not appreciate it entirely but I think I'm kicking wedding budget booty here.

Ok appreciate isn't the right word there..... realize may be a better word. But that's for another post 

Miranda, looking at a bride magazine: Ooh! Cute purse!

Charlotte: No purses! There's no time for purses! This is gown-specific!

Miranda: What's your theme again? A Nazi wedding?

~ Sex and The City ~

What Inspires Me

I know your all like "Omg! Not another wedding post!!!"

Well tough. The topics of my life right now are: wedding, school, VA paperwork, work........ ***crickets chirping*** and yeah that's about it. Trust me you want to hear the wedding stuff versus the other!

So as I've stated before Marine and I are going for a low key simple wedding summer BBQ type theme. Cause in essence, thats us!

If you have read my blog much you know that at the moment I'm totally hooked on Mason Jars {previous Post, or this post or my deployment package cakes in a jar}!

Since Marine's mom and grandma can soups and stuff every year they have a ton of jars I can borrow.

This fits our budget (free) and gives me the chance to be creative. Here are some pictures I have found that inspire me.

My plan is to have mason jars with flowers hanging from Shepard Hooks going down the aisle and then I think I'll place them with candles in them around for the reception. Plus I plan on using them as center pieces on the tables with flowers in them.

The drink table (non alcoholic) will have pretty containers like this with Lemonade and Sweet Tea:

I plan on using plastic cups - for clean up purposes - but thought about putting a few mason jars out that could be used for glasses. Something like this, minus the "howdy straws"

I LOVE this idea but not sure where I could find the barrels......

I also saw this idea this was cute:

We had planned on setting tubs around with ice and having soft-drinks and beer in those but this is another cute lemonade idea.

Now this maybe going a tad over board....... and you can be honest and tell me if it is...... but I'm also thinking of using mason jars as favors. If I have the time. 

While Marine was deployed I made cakes and breads in Mason Jars and sent to him in care packages. Everybody thought that was the neatest thing and would always ask questions.

I enjoyed baking in the jars and being able to send Marine a little bit of home. The packages containing these tasty treats were Marine's favorite (especially the strawberries and cream bread) along with the buddies he would share them with.

So the Mason Jars have a special meaning to me. I'm sentimental, I know. 

Since everybody always thought it was so neat I thought about getting small jars and baking something in them. Then decorating them up with some fabric and tying a ribbon around them with a thank you note attached. I would then place these on the table at the reception. 

What do you think? Cute? Or to much?

I couldn't find pictures of my exact idea..... but here are a few Mason Jar Favors.

This idea with jam is cute...

Let me know your thoughts!!!

Next post I will tell you about the ceremony and then you may see why these are going to tie in so well with my relaxed country BBQ theme ;)

Here's a sneak peak:

Ross: The wedding book? I haven't seen that since the forth grade!
Monica: This baby has got everything. Take, you know, locations, for instance. First, organized alphabetically; then geographically; then by square footage.
Phoebe: That is so smart! [Whispering to Chandler:] Break it off. Break it off now!

~ Friends ~

Post It Note Tuesday