Monday - a look at the week ahead

I'm still playing with a catching title for my Monday posts.  The plan is for the post to be a bit of a look at the weekend adventures that just occurred and a look at what the plan is for the coming days.  I'm open to suggestions!! 

I'm sure you noticed (all 8 of you) that I was MIA last week with postings.  That's what happens when a crazy work schedule (aka, conference) interferes with normal crazy schedule (aka, general travel).  I was in San Diego for three days last week for a conference that the university I work for was a vendor at.  The days weren't as long as some others I've participated in, but when I'm around other co-workers and my boss it kind of throws the days for a scheduling loop.  The conference itself is pretty schedule friendly:  11-5 for two days and 10-2 for the last day.  It's the after hours events that wreck havoc!  But it's always so much fun!  I get to see people I normally only see once a year (I work out of my apartment here in sometimes-sunny SoCal and the main office is in South Alabama).  Depending on who it is, there is usually a good time to be had by all.  This time around was no different.  Tuesday I went to dinner with two ladies I work with and we had a great time.  Wednesday I was at dinner with my booth co-worker, our boss, the manager of our special programs team, and two famous people (more on that in a another post later).  And then Thursday the conference ended, so I headed home after break-down of the booth space.  We met about 10 of our students.  I met a lot of people I've had email contact with over the last three months, so it was nice to finally put a face to a name/email address.  And we met some great new folks too. 

After that, the Mr and I kept the weekend pretty low key.  These events tend to wear me out, so I usually take the weekend to recoup.  This weekend was no exception.  Saturday we ventured out and went to eat at Lazy Dog Cafe then took a loop or two around the mall.  I drug Mr S in to Charming Charlies and found some great ideas for hair clips to make my long do dolled up (I'm trying to decide if I want to try to make them from scratch or just buy them).  While we were at the mall, we also ventured into Game Stop.  The hubs began toying with the idea of getting a Nintendo 3DS.  While we mulled it over, we went to see "This Means War" (funny stuff).  After the movie we decided to find out what Game Stop would give us for our old DS and some old Apple electronics (my iPod Touch 2nd Gen and his iPhone 3G).  The decision to trade was made and we ventured home to gather our old electronics, reset them to factory settings, make sure they work, then head back and make the trade.  We ended up with a Nintendo 3DS and a new game (sonic generations, I think) and only paid about $50 out of pocket!  And we got rid of stuff taking up space we didn't use anymore!

Sunday was another low key day for me, but Mr S went to play volleyball.  After we went to eat at Yard House, took a lap around the mall, and then went home.  Knowing we needed to get groceries (fridge/freezer were looking might bare) we ventured out for that later and it paid off - not many people at the store and we were in and out in under an hour!  VICTORY!! 

Since I'm in office this week, I'm back on a fairly regular schedule.  I'm really trying my hardest to keep to the laundry/cleaning/cooking schedule I start a couple weeks ago.  Obviously, being gone most of last week, it wasn't hard to keep to it as there really wasn't much of one.  We'll see how it goes this week.  And working out and dieting/eating right - total fail last week!!  I seriously need to start planning my snacks better for when I'm out all day.  Here's hoping for a great week on exercise, healthy food choices, and all around greatness!

Hugs...

Life update :)

I can't believe it's been over a month since the last post...and that I only have 32 days until I marry the love of my life!! Where has all the time gone?!?!

Well, let's see if I can fill you all in on all that's happened.

As of Sept 1 I'm officially back with CSU. It started in motion when I was in Atlanta in August and everything was finalized by Sept 1 and the process of re-adjusting started. I'm not in the Learning Partner department, which is great. And while I'll still be doing a lot of traveling (every other week) I'll get to do a lot of that in my local area and be back in my own bed at the end of the day...which will be great as a newlywed. :) Since the switch I've made two trips already: Bakersfield area and Fresno area.

I got an early wedding present from Mr S: a Canon EOS Rebel T3i (Digital SLR Camera)!!! I'm so in love...with the man, of course...but the camera is pretty FANTABULOUS too!!

We bought/ordered our wedding bands. Mine is just a simple band that wraps around my ring. Kind of hard to do anything fancy with mine since it's the design it is. His is a Tungsten Carbide and very nice looking as well.

My parents were here two weekends ago. They came in on the 28th of Sept and left Oct 2. It was so nice having them here, even if I couldn't take time off to spend the day with them on Thursday and Friday. But I take off early on Friday so I could have some more time with them. They went with me for my dress fitting so they could see the whole get up (they'd seen it in May when I took with me, but it looked much better having it on properly and such at the bridal store). And mom helped me pick out a different veil. We also went shopping for mom to get her dress for the wedding, which we found at Macy's! She looks fantastic in it!!

And, while they were here, I had my wedding shower at my future step-mom-in-law's place!! So much fun!! Distant family-in-laws were there as were friends. My Mom was there, which was the best part! I loved that she got to be a part of some of the wedding stuff while she was here. It's been a little hard having her 7 hours away while I plan the wedding. But I'm glad she got to be here for the fitting and the shower. And they'll be back the week before the wedding to help as well.

Last week I was in Fresno, so nothing exciting. Mr. S pre-ordered my new phone on Friday. Yup...I'm finally jumping on the band wagon and getting an iPhone...and I couldn't be more excited!!! It should arrive this Friday and I can get it all set up before the weekend.

Oh, and Mr S is AMAZING!!! Not only did he pre-order my phone. He also bought me roses, that were waiting for me when I got home on Friday. And he bought me "The Lion King" on blue-ray last week and "Dumbo" on blue-ray this week!! He is slowly helping me with my Disney movie collection! I love him!! :)

I think that's it...you are now up to date with my life. :)

Hugs...

It's been a while...

What, like two weeks now. Sorry to those of you that are faithful readers! Here's my updates:

Foodie Fridays: I flew home from Atlanta on the 26th. From the time my plane landed in San Diego to the time I walked through my front door it was just about 2 - 2 1/2 hours (thank you California Friday traffic). Dear Mr S was so kind to have cooked and left me a plate to heat up since had left for work. Therefore there wasn't one on the 26th. And on the 2nd I was cooking for 1 as Mr S was going to be later than usual on the arrival home...so I didn't cook anything spectacular. I am, however, very sorry to say that I managed to eat a whole box of Mac & Cheese by myself (I'm not really proud of that).

Thursday's Through The Lense: *surprise!!* I've not taken any good pictures lately so I've not had anything to share. But I'm hoping to get some up over the next few weeks...probably some oldie but goodies.

Work: changes coming/finalizing. I'm back with CSU as of Thursday. I'll still be doing some travel, but it sounds like I'll be keeping to the West Coast - which is FINE by me after jaunting all over the Central-East US the past 8 months. I'm not kidding when I say all over the Central & Eastern US: San Antonio, Atlanta (twice), Minneapolis/St. Paul (twice), Iowa (Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, & Des Moines all in one week), Orange Beach (Alabama), Tampa, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and DC. Plus two work trips to Arizona and one Conference in San Diego that I actually got to stay IN San Diego for (instead of driving in every day). But the majority of my travel this year has been out of my time zone. Even if I'm gone for a week at a time with the new position, it'll still be nice to be on the same zone has home. There will be more details to come with this as things unfold and finalize.

Wedding (what everyone really cares about): coming right along. Invites went out on the 22nd of August and are slowly coming back in. I know, I sent them early. But after looking over the guest list I think we might be going over our original number and getting them early allows us to make the necessary financial arrangements in time to compensate. I really didn't think there would be as many people on the invite list as there were. I had my appointment with the florist last week: went $160 over budget!! The good news on that, though, is it may come down. I'd really love to do something fun and unique for the boutineers, like this:

but I just don't know what yet. So I went ahead and ordered them for the guys just in case the plan never comes to be. I've just about got the centerpieces figured out...I just need to find out if three of them are going to be too tall and what to do if they are (I don't have the receipts for the pillars...and I bought them late last year?) If they're too tall I might put them on a food table or at the guest book area. Speaking of, I've decided there will be no guest book. I'm going to do up little cards for the guests to write words of wisdom or such on them and either have them hang them on some manzanite (or similar) branches or put in a jar. Still undecided on that part of the detail. But I really like the idea of the guest book being more personalized than just putting your name and address in a book.

Weight Loss: ugh! I've lost about 10 pounds. Yup...that's it since May. How depressing?! But it's really all my fault. I fluctuate on keeping track of my points like I'm supposed to. And I've not been working out. I mean, I can only go so far with just watching what I eat. I was actually doing really good...lost the 10 pounds and then I screwed up a week (a week I was out of town) and that sent me back to fluctuating between gaining and losing. With all the back and forth, the scale says I've lost a total of 10 pounds. This week I'm really getting on the ball though. I've worked out twice this week already and I'm keeping in my points each day. I've got to keep going and lose SOME weight before Nov 13. It's not that my dress doesn't fit...it's actually perfect. But I'd rather lose than gain and it not fit at all (that would be a nightmare!!).

I think that's all I've got, for now. Look for more posts later this week!

Hugs...

Updates

It's been a crazy week or so. I missed last week's TTTL due to being in Phoenix/Glendale for a conference. This week's will come in a separate post (once I upload my latest pics).

Here's the update:

Last week I was in Phoenix/Glendale for a few days. I had some time on Thursday when I flew in (which was so nice to have a late morning flight instead of being up before the sun) that I got some quality time with Mr. Sun in the afternoon. However, due to ridiculously high heat, that didn't last longer than an hour. Oh Em Gee....Phoenix was around 111 on Thurs (90-something after dark), 109 on Friday (inside all day...thankfully), and 108 on Saturday. Yes it's a dry heat...but it's like opening the oven when you're baking and you get hit in the face with that rush of hot air...only it doesn't go away and it surrounds your whole being! Needless to say I was very glad to get back to SoCal (where our highs have only been in the low 90s that I'm aware of).

Monday I got some pictures for a scrapbook I'm attempting (my first), but a couple didn't turn out so great. But that's ok, I'll reprint them local and they'll be fine.

Tuesday my Save The Dates came in!!! WOOHOO!! So that is my project for the weekend. I've been slowly stocking up on stamps for this...now I'm about to drastically diminish my stash and must start again with many more than the original (for those RSVPs). Once I send them out I'll post one...that way there's no spoilers for those followers that are receiving one. :) I'm also trying to think of something to do to spruce up the plain white envelopes. A trip to JoAnn's is in the books for tonight.

Yesterday my fiance' and I spent the day with thousands of strangers - we went to Disneyland and California Adventure! Had a blast...stayed way later than planned...I'm suffering through the day because of it. But it was worth it and I'd totally do it again!! One of the things I love about having annual passes is there is no pressure to have a plan to your day. We've had trips where we've filled the days with rides (and the lines to go with them) and we've had days with only one or two rides. Yesterday was one of those days. We rode our usual: Pirates of the Caribbean (which now features Black Beard instead of Davey Jones). This is a staple ride for us...it's not a day at Disney if we don't ride POTC. We also road the Haunted Mansion and the new Star Tours. Star Tours closed last year for a much needed renovation. They just re-opened in June as a 3D ride. There are over 50 possible "destinations" you can encounter on your ride. This time we joined in the pod races and a battle in space...all on one ride. So much fun! After Star Tours we took a trip down memory lane and walked through Sleeping Beauty's Castle (where Mr. S first said he loved me). Then off to lunch at ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney. Upon our return (via The Grand Californian Hotel...there's an entrance to the hotel from Downtown Disney) we went to California Adventure (there's an entrance to CA from the hotel) where we rode my new favorite ride: Ariel's Undersea Adventure. :) We wandered around Paradise Pier (which was also recently updated) and wandered through some shops and such. Then, of all things, we went to a movie! LOL! Yup, there's a AMC Movie Theater in Downtown Disney and Mr. S and I went to see Cowboys and Aliens (AMAZING!). After the movie, which was a much needed break for our knees and feet from all the walking/standing, we headed back to California Adventure and into the Hollywood Pictures Backlot where they are currently holding ElecTRONica (the TRON event that's been going on since the movie's release last year) for Mr. S to visit Flynn's Arcade (if you know the movie you know what I'm talking about) for a while. As much as I am NOT a gamer girl, I did try my hand a few games...and lost. But it's so much fun. After that was dinner then, my favorite part, shopping!! We always save that for last so we don't have to lug around our bags. Our to stores we hit every time: D-Street (for my crack vinlymations) and World of Disney (think Disney Store at the mall, but about 100 times larger and more stuff).

After all that yesterday, I'm suffering through exhaustion today. One of the downsides of working from home...the bed in the other room calling my name because my body knows I didn't spend enough quality time with the pillow and blanket. Going to try to remedy that tonight!

Today and tomorrow's work relates to focusing on my trip next week. I leave for Minneapolis on Monday morning. Yes, I will be visiting the Mall of America while I'm there. I'm actually going to have some time to myself (away from my team for a change) and plan on doing some wedding shopping...gifts for my ladies and other odds and ends that I'm not sure if I need yet or not! :)

Well, that's all I've got for now. Happy Thursday!

Hugs...

Updates

It's been a while...

Last week I was in St. Louis, MO, for work. I discovered that living in California for even a short amount of time makes one forget the misery of humidity. Well, I was quickly reminded of what I was "missing" when I stepped off the plane in St. Louis. Ugh!! How did I have live in that?! Thankfully, barely, it rained on Tuesday and lightened the heat/humidity combo a great deal for the rest of the week. And I was most grateful!

We booked our venue last weekend and signed the paperwork today! Hearts Home Farm in Hemet. I'm so very excited about this step in the wedding planning process. I feel like I can move forward on everything now. When we give our first half payment I'll get the info for contacting the bakery, florist, and food people. Since HHF is all-inclusive, the list won't be that big and, if I keep it simple, there won't be any extra fees. I think there will be with the florist as the description provided for what is included is NOT what I'd envisioned for my flowers. But I'm hoping the fee won't be too much more.

I've also been talking with our photographer. (this was an included service, but we opted to use one we're familiar with) The contract should be signed with him this week and hopefully get an engagement session planned/scheduled before the end of August. I'm so excited that it's all coming together finally!!!

I joined Weight Watchers last month. I'm down about 7 pounds!! I'm very happy about that. It's hard to keep up with the travel, but that was one of the reason's I chose them. With moderation I can pretty much eat whatever I want (which is what I did last week in St. Louis, unfortunately). I'm getting back on track this week and will be adding more exercise to the mix (there's been a few limitations on that the last few weeks...but that's another story for another day). And I'm going to attempt some new recipes. I'll try to remember to post the ones that work.

Well, that's all I've got for now.

Hugs...

In other news

So I've been in a bit of a book slump this month. I guess reading eleven books in one month will do that for ya. It's not like I don't have anything to read!! I started two books after number 11 last month, but they kind of went no where. And it's not that they weren't interesting...it just wasn't happening. But, thanks to the purchase of a new book, I think I'm back in the "game". I got Private, by James Patterson, yesterday in the airport. It intrigued me and so I thought I'd try it. Maybe because it's fairly easy reading, maybe because it doesn't require a lot of thought to follow the story, or maybe because I'm a bit bore in Indy...I finished it about an hour ago. It's 400 pages. And, thanks to a Borders around the corner from the hotel closing, I also have four new books (to add to the 5-7 at home) to read!

Confession: I dropped my Social Psychology course the other day. I turned in my first three assignments (of 8) three days late (each) and two weren't even completed. There really wasn't any way I was pulling that grade out of the dumpster it took a dive into. And, after finding out I made a D on the last two, I figured it was best this term. I'm in Indy this week, DC next, and two weeks after that I'll be in Atlanta. That's three out of four weeks I'm gone...where am I going to find the time to read 2 chapters a week, do a 64 question quiz, and pull a 4-7 page paper out of no where?? Yeah...so that's why I dropped it. I'm not happy about it, but at least it won't affect my already dying GPA.

Speaking of being gone three of the next four weeks...how is one supposed to plan a wedding when one travels for work??? If we take an October date (which is what I'm hoping for), that give me at least six full months to plan...so about 24 weeks. Of those 24 weeks, I will be out of town for 9 of them. That's really not a lot and I know it can be done. But it stresses me out more than just a little bit. I have four bridal/wedding magazines (obsession) and a wedding book I just bought (about planning a dream wedding for $5 grand or less). I'm looking forward to delving into that one. :)

Speaking of traveling...any idea how hard it is to eat right when you're on the go?!? I think I'm going to have start packing food in my suitcase! Maybe our hotel in DC will have a fridge in the room and I'll stock up some fruits or something.

I HAVE A FIANCE'!!!! :)

night...

Weekend Update

I was doing so good the last two months making an effort and actually posting at decent intervals. And then work blew up (aka everyone came to SoCal for a conference) and I got super busy (not to mention my work laptop is a POS). But I'm back now and will be making a few changes to some of the things I post.

No more Sunday Meme (not like I've done one in a month or anything). I just don't have the time to fill those out when I get on here sometimes. I like quick and easy...for the most part.

Starting a new weekly blog, though...either on Tuesdays or Thursdays: Tuesday's (Thursday's) Through the Lens. I'll be posting a picture once a week on whatever day I decide to do it on...seriously leaning towards Thurs as the next two Tues I'll be in the wonderful world of Disneyland! Anyway...the picture will, more than likely, be of my own taking and I'll include a little description if one is needed and, quite possibly, when/where it was taken if it's not a recent picture.

And that's really all the changes so far.

In other news....I realized why I went crazy with the book reading last month...because I knew I'd not get many in this month. It's already 5 days into March and I've not touched a book (other than my Social Psychology book) other than to move it from one place to another.

And...well, that's really it for now.

Hugs...

Such a horrible poster

Well...time for another apology! I'm getting really bad at this. And it's not that I'm super busy, I just haven't done it. Which is odd because I'm about to get super busy! It's that time of year!! And I'm so excited!

Christmas is my favorite holiday season!! I love snowflakes and snowmen and gingerbread men and all that fun stuff (not a fan of Santa decor, but to each his/her own). I love getting a tree, real or fake, and decorating...filling that green booger with so many white lights you don't know what color the tree is anymore!! And most of all, I love that it's the celebration of our Lord's birth! :) This year I actually have room for a full size tree...but I have no idea how to get it home and up to my 2nd floor apartment. So I may just do another mini this year...especially since Stephen and I may be staying at his dad's Christmas Eve. Another thing I'm excited about...actually spending Christmas day with the love of my life!!! (Last year he had to work so we did Christmas early and I went to AZ). I'm so looking forward to this year!

On a different note...I've discovered my clothes fitting more and more tightly and it's time for me to get back into doing something about that! I can feel the effects of my weight on my body and it's just not healthy for me, at my age, to be this way! So, effective immediately it's time to start! Slowly, though, otherwise I'll burn myself out of this faster than I start. So, first things first...cutting out sodas. That's a hard one for me because I love my dark, carbonated, sugary goodness!! But that's the start. I need to start back into some sort of exercise regime, but that's the next step...we're doing baby steps for now! :)

And, the final new excitement in my life is that class starts today! Two more courses, to make my life busy, have begun today: Critical Thinking and Industrial/Organizational Psychology! I'm working my way to a BS in Psychology. It'll take a couple years, but that is the ultimate goal! And I'm very excited to finally be back on track with that, even if it means taking some fun out of my weekends.

Well...that's about it for now. I'll try to get back into the swing of some of my original posts: Monday's Mug and Friday Fill-In. And I'll try to do more updates as I can too...but you know me!

Hugs!

Lazy daze

No, I didn't spell it wrong...I've been in a daze the last few weeks. As a college rep, October is my busiest month. Between junior college transfer fairs and high school college fairs, plus all the office work that goes with it (emails, phone calls, making sure I'm registered and have my parking permit, after-event forms)...and then my boss tosses in an extra trip that takes me out of town for four days (unfortunately it was a work trip). It's no wonder I'm over half way through this month and have no idea what's going on. It's a miracle I'm able to keep up with my school work too.

Yeah, that's right...I'm taking classes, two!!...on top of the rest of my busy life. I've got an A in one and either a high C or low B in the other. And I've done more writing for these two courses than any other course I've done...and they're not even English or writing classes!!

So what's been happening since my last post...the beginning of September. Well, not too much to be honest. I just had to look at my calendar to see what's been going on. And again, not much besides work and school. There have been two trips to Disneyland...the 26th of Sept and this past Sunday (The 17th). So that's been some excitement. The trip my boss pulled me to was to San Francisco for Fleet Week. Pretty spectacular...but I love that kind of thing: Navy ships, jets, prop plane aerobatics, and the Blue Angels. I got wore out with all the walking we did...three blocks from Fisherman's Wharf area. But it was fun.

Now that I've updated you on my life, I'm going to make a steady effort to be more consistent with this...again. I'll go back to doing the Friday Fill-Ins and the Monday Mugs. But we'll see about the Stealing Sunday Meme's. Those get a little tiresome filling in so much information. And I'm afraid I'm overwhelming with all the same information over, and over, and over, and over again.

And I may add a new topic..."Weekly Weight Watch" to keep myself going on this whole diet and exercise thing. I'll look for tips or recipes that might be beneficial. And keep you posted on my goals. After all...I've got an important event coming up next year that I'd like to look my best for!!! :) But that won't start till after the first of the month...just in time for holiday eating, but life will slow down some and I'll be able to focus more on healthy cooking/eating and exercising without all my running around. This body is in serious need of some physical activity and toning!!

Well...that's all for now.

Hugs...