Little Miss Can't-Be-Wrong...

My own wedding singer! :)

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:51:38 GMT

A new development in our wedding planning: my friend Dawn, who has an amazing voice, is going to sing our first dance song live at the wedding. At this point, I'm pretty sure it's going to be "At Last" by Etta James. It just seems like such a classic, romantic song.

I'm just excited to be having Dawn sing! I envision her in a long, glitzy evening gown, looking like a lounge singer. Heh!

Kylee and I are going to One Enchanted Evening (in Wexford) tomorrow afternoon to look at dresses - bridesmaid dresses and dresses for her winter dance, which is in February. I may try on some wedding dresses, but I promise I won't post them, since I'm sure everyone is tired of seeing wedding dresses, hearing about my wedding plans, etc. I'm pretty sure I've decided on a wedding gown anyways (my beloved Casablanca), but for some reason I'm having a really hard time committing! However, it was the only dress that made me cry. Who cries over a wedding dress, seriously? I think the reason I cried was because when I had that "it's the one" feeling, I felt like my mom was there, and I just HEARD her saying, "This is your dress, baby! I can't believe my baby is getting married!"

Sigh. I need to commit by the beginning of March.

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:15:38 GMT

1. What curse word do you use the most?
I don't know, I only swear in front of Bam and Leah. It's always when I am really mad/frustrated, so probably the f bomb!

2. Do you own an iPod?
Yes, a tiny hot pink Shuffle. The only time I use it is when I go tanning or when I work out. I am sooo not one of those "music is life" people.

3. What person on your flist do you talk to the most?
Gena or Melissa

4. What time is your alarm clock set to?
Right now it is set to 9:00 a.m. for church this morning, but it is usually set for 6 for work.

5. Do you still remember the first person you kissed?
Yep. I was 13.

6. Do you remember where you were on 9/11/01?
Yes. I was away at college, and I believe it was a Tuesday, because I had no classes that day. I woke up blissfully unaware of the events, and my roommate was at class, and I still had no idea anything was going on until I signed onto AIM (college kids were totally addicted to AIM back then!), and everyone's away messages said things like, "WAR!!!!!!!!" I was so confused.

7. Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
I like being in pictures, unless I'm not wearing makeup.

8. What was the last movie you watched?
The fiance and I just went to the movies and saw "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" tonight.

9. Do any of your friends have children?
Yes.

10. Has anyone ever called you lazy?
Yep. My dad tells me I'm lazy all the time and that I chose the perfect career because teachers get summers off.

11. Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep?
Nope...but when I am sick, I take AlkaSeltzer Night-time and just knock myself out. I only take stuff like that when I'm sick and can spend a few days in bed. I have no tolerance at all, so that stuff knocks me out for days at a time.

12. What cd is currently in your cd player?
I think Faith Hill is in my car, which is the only place I listen to music.

13. Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?
I've always loved white milk. My dad and I used to drink a glass every night before bed.

14. Has anyone told you a secret this week?
Hmm. I don't think so.

15. When was the last time you had Starbucks?
I don't go to Starbucks often. The last time was probably over the summer, because sometimes my addicted sister stops on our way home from the pool! (Isn't that odd? Starbucks at like 5 in the afternoon, in July??)

16. Can you whistle?
Not at all.

17. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Teeth. It's always the teeth.

18. What are you looking forward to?
Short term: starting tanning again, getting back into my fitness plan hardcore next week (I was actually starting to enjoy it now that I'm doing it with friends!), New Year's Eve with Bam and my sister and brother-in-law. Long term: our wedding, redecorating our house, and trying for a baby.

19. Did you watch cartoons as a child?
Sometimes. I was more into movies though. I was that kid who would watch The Wizard of Oz and then rewind it when it was over and watch it again...over and over.

20. Do you own any band t-shirts?
No. So not my style.

21. What will you be doing in one hour?
Sleeping.

22. Is anyone in love with you?
Yes. The Bam Man.

23. What was the last song you heard?
When I was driving home, that Reba song came on that goes, "When whoever's in New England's through with you..."

24. Last time you cried?
I'm always crying. I probably get tears in my eyes at least once every single day because I miss my mother.

25. Are you on a desktop computer or a laptop?
Laptop.

26. Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos?
Good heavens, no.

27. What’s the weather like?
It's a cold, clear evening, and it just started snowing when Bam and I left the movies.

28. Would you ever date a girl/guy covered in tattoos?
Nope. I'm not a fan of tattoos. On a guy, I don't mind one or two, but there's a limit.

29. What did you do before this?
Read a few magazines.

30. When is the last time you slept on the floor?
It was so long ago that I can't even remember. I was never one for doing crazy things like getting drunk and sleeping on someone's floor. I bet the last time was when I was a teenager staying at my grandparents' house...I'd always sleep on the floor at the foot of their bed because I was too chicken to sleep in a room by myself!

31. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?
Honestly, if I let myself wake up naturally, my body likes 12-13 hours!! It's ridiculous. But when I can't sleep as much as I want, I still need between 7 and 9 hours to feel like a human being. That doesn't always happen though, working two jobs.

32. Do you eat breakfast daily?
Nope. I'd love to, if I had time.

33. Are your days fast-paced?
Yes. Teachers are always on their toes. My days are especially hectic if I have to run straight from the school to Applebee's.

34. What did you do last night?
I went shopping late afternoon, then met Janette for dinner and a drink, then went to my sister's to hang out for a little while. I chased my maniac nephew around the house, played hockey with him, and attempted to play with him with his new Bat Cave that he got for Christmas, but he kept yelling at me because I was doing it wrong. Apparently I don't know how to play with boys' toys.

35. Do you use sarcasm?
Of course.

36. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
27! OMG.

37. Are you picky about spelling and grammar?
Yes, very much so.

38. Have you ever been to six flags?
Speaking of grammar, I noticed right away that the person who wrote this survey is a moron. Six Flags is a proper noun and should be capitalized. And yes, I've been there. I hate it. I hate amusement parks.

39. Do you get along better with the same sex or the opposite sex?
Eh. I can get along with either.

40. Do you like mustard?
Yep.

41. Do you sleep on your side?
I change positions a few times throughout the night, but I find that my most comfortable is just flat on my back.

42. Do you watch the news?
Not really. I'm usually asleep by the time it comes on!

43. How did you get one of your scars?
I tripped on a lounge chair when I was laying out tanning, and cut my shin.

44. Who was the last person to make you mad?
Probably Bam.

45. Do you like anybody?
Yes. Like five people. Haha.

46. What is the last thing you purchased?
Red & white polka dot pajamas.

47. What side of the heart do you draw first?
Right. I'm left-handed.

48. Can you dive without plugging your nose?
I wouldn't recommend me diving at all. I can't swim.

49. What colour is your razor?
Pink.

50. What is your blood-type?
I believe it's O-positive.

51. Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours?
NOBODY. I need my alone time.

52. What is a rumour someone has spread about you?
I once heard that I cheated on Bam! Haha!

53. How do you feel about carrots?
I love carrots. Cooked carrots have always been one of my favorite veggies.

54. How many chairs at the dining room table?
Four.

55. Which is the best Spice Girl?
Posh, without a doubt. I still like Victoria Beckham.

56. Do you know what time it is?
2:04 a.m. Jeez.

57. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince Theme Song?
Yes. Doesn't everyone??

58. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?
Text people.

59. What’s your favourite kind of gum?
I like mint, but not peppermint.

60. T or F: All’s fair in love and war?
FALSE. You've always got to have rules/boundaries.

61. Do you have a crush on anyone?
Nope.

62. Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning?
I think I know the meanings to all the words I use. I have a pretty extensive vocabulary.

63. Do you like to sleep?
I LOVE sleep. Like I said, my body craves so much sleep.

64. Do you know which US states don’t use Daylight Savings Time?
No. In fact, I didn't even know that some don't!

65. Do you know the song Total Eclipse of the Heart?
I love that song!

66. Do you want a bright yellow ‘09 mustang?
No! I hate yellow cars. My best friend has a bright yellow G6. It's fitting for her (she's a total summer girl), but it would not fit my personality at all. I'm a black person. Err...I'm not actually a BLACK PERSON. You know what I mean.

67. What’s something you’ve always wanted?
A perfect body.

68. Do you have hairy LEGS?
Not currently.

69. Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake?
Um. Neither. I'd rather be on land where I can't drown. :)

70. Do you wear a lot of black?
I do. It's classic. In fact, I have to make a conscious effort to not choose black every time I buy something new.

71. Describe your hair:
Long, blonde with carmel lowlights, a few layers, long side-swept bangs.

72. Do you have Entomophobia?
Yes! I hate bugs so much that I didn't even have to look up this phobia.

73. Are you an adult?
Yes. I'm getting old.

74. Where is/are your best friend(s)?
She's probably at Gregg's. I think she stays there more than at her own house these days.

75. Do you have a tan?
No, and I hate it.

76. Are you a television addict?
No, but I do enjoy CSI marathons, and I must always watch The Biggest Loser and The Bachelor.

77. Do you enjoy spending time with your mother?
I'd give anything to spend a day with my mother. We did everything together before she died. We went tanning, shopping, out to eat...everything.

78. Are you a sugar freak?
No. I don't dislike sugar, and I don't turn down ice cream or cookies (unless I'm on a diet!), but I didn't inherit my mother's out-of-control sweet tooth.

79. Do you like orange juice?
I do, but I tend to get little ulcers on my tongue if I drink it often.

80. What sign are you?
Pisces to the core!

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:54:36 GMT

There is nothing like stretching out in your own bed, in between fresh, clean (Egyptian cotton sateen) sheets, with a freshly scrubbed face and your hair clipped back out of your face...

There is just nothing like it.

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. It never ceases to amaze me how fast the holiday goes by. After weeks, maybe even months, of preparing, shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking...it all ends in a whirlwind of wine, presents, laughter, food...

We woke up early today and lugged our gifts (for each other and for Bam's family) to my future in-laws' house so that we could all open gifts together. Bam picked me up around 9:30, and he had my leather seat in his SUV heated and he had stopped and picked up coffee for me as well. What a lucky girl I am, to have found a man who is just like my daddy in the way that he goes out of his way to make my day just a little more comfortable, easier, brighter. I know that it is such a tiny thing, but I am always so touched when he picks me up in the winter and he has taken the extra second to reach over and turn my side of the seat heater on. It's just so thoughtful of him.

Anyways, we went to his parents' to open gifts and have breakfast casserole. His parents bought me an insane amount of gifts (way more than any of their "real" children got, I might add!). I got dress pants, new black boots, several shirts/sweaters, a new Jillian DVD (30 Day Shred), an exercise ball, wrist weights...I could go on and on. Peg knows I'm trying to get in shape for the wedding, so I got a huge fitness box full of goodies!

Then I opened my gifts from Bam. He got me two sweaters, two seasons of Friends on DVD, a new black & white fluer de lis lunch bag...and that's it. It's not that I was ungrateful, but I was just...stunned. Bam is so big on Christmas, and he always sets these outrageous limits for how much we can spend on each other. I had dropped hints for weeks about these diamond earrings I wanted, and I was disappointed when he told me they were too expensive. After we started eating our breakfast casserole and cleaning up our mountains of wrapping paper, he casually goes, "Oh yeah, did you get your other presents from inside your lunch bag?" AND THERE WAS THE LITTLE BLACK BOX (along with several gift cards to places I love)!!!!!! He loves to surprise me. I should've known.

We went home to get ready, and then spent the day and early evening with Bam's family at his grandparents' house, and then went to my sister's for the remainder of the night. We had a great time visiting with our families and exchanging gifts.

And Nico randomly started calling Bam "Uncle Bam" tonight! :) It was so cute. He made me hide under the table with him, and he kept calling in this sing-songy voice, "Uncle Baaaaaaaaaam, come find us!"

I hope everyone had a holiday filled with joy. Congratulations to my two newly engaged friends, Rachel and Kelly! I am SO excited for you girls!

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:39:38 GMT

Ughhhh. So much to do today...which is why sitting here on LJ is OBVIOUSLY the best place for me right now!

I just finished wrapping all the kids' gifts that need to be taken to my grandparents' today when we go over. I wrapped Bam's last two big gifts that I just bought the other day. I still need to wrap our grab bag gifts for his side of the family.

His aunt told his mom that she was in charge of bringing the cheese tray to Christmas dinner. Peg then delegated that to me. Aaarrrrgh. I text Bam (who has to work today) and say, "Can you please stop and pick up the cheese, pepperoni, and crackers for the appetizer tray on your way home?" He replies, "Why can't you??"

UM.

Because you're already out anyways and I'm still in my pajamas? Because I went and got the stuff for the LAST holiday appetizer we had to make? Because I'm wrapping gifts? Because I'm wrapping YOUR GIFT for your aunt because you don't know how to wrap a purse? BECAUSE I FREAKING ASKED YOU TO GET IT, SO JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!! How about that? Jeez.

Merry Christmas, everyone! :)

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:18:41 GMT

Bam's company Christmas party is TOMORROW NIGHT. When did I find out about this? Not even five minutes ago.

I am going to murder him.

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:17:45 GMT

I just walked in the door from work, and my dad is frantically yelling, "Kara, come here! I wanna show you something!" I went into where he was watching TV, grumbling the whole way. You have to understand, my dad is NOTORIOUS for "wanting to show you" things on the History Channel, or famous people when they are really young as he grins and goes, "Do you know who that is??" I was annoyed and said, "Dad, I've been chasing 22 kids all day. What?" There was a commercial for a laptop on TV and he said, "Do you like that thing?" And I said, "It's a computer. I've been telling you we need a laptop for a year. Of course I like it." And he threw a manual at me and said, "Here. This goes with what's on your bed."

AND IT'S A LAPTOP!!!!! I am as excited as a five-year-old on Christmas. This was so sweet of him. I can't afford to buy my own laptop right now, and I've been bitching that I need one because he's always online talking to Karen. He was so tickled at my reaction. I screamed and jumped on him and smothered his cheeks with kisses. I feel like a little girl, and I don't even care. What father does such nice things for his almost-27-year-old daughter? He is such a wonderful dad. He said he was going to wait until the wireless router came, but he couldn't wait to see my drama. (Haha he knows how dramatic I am!)

The last time I was this excited was when I was about eight years old, and I came home from school only to hear my mother snap, "Get me the sweeper." I argued, but went to get it...and on the sweeper was an American Girl doll. I turned around to see my mother (who I'd thought was in a bad mood) smiling so wide it was like SHE had gotten the surprise.

I couldn't ask for better parents. I am so lucky to have my dad, and so lucky to have had 19 years with my mother. <3

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:33:43 GMT

Last night, Bam and I ventured to a Christmas tree farm. (No, I did not change my mind - a live tree will NEVER see the inside of my house! We went to get his mother's tree.)

It was a miserable experience for me - it was the first and LAST time I will ever go to pick out a live Christmas tree. It was freezing, it was dark by the time we got there, and it was MUDDY. REALLY MUDDY. My shoes are ruined, and I spent the whole time worrying that my cashmere wool coat was going to get stuck on a tree or brush against mud.

I also got Bam's SUV stuck in the mud, and he yelled at me. Well, I told him I didn't want to drive back to the building by myself to get twine while he cut the tree down. He should have just come with me.

Ugh. Peg, of course, thought my experience was hilarious. At least she had dinner waiting for me when we got back to the house with the God-awful tree. (AND she measured the calories out, so it was a diet-friendly dinner!)

Happy Wednesday, you guys!

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:11:57 GMT

Peg called the bridal shop for me today to find out the absolute latest I can order my Casablanca gown for it to still make it here in time for my wedding. The answer? Beginning of March! Yay! I really want to lose some weight BEFORE I order, so that it won't need to be altered TOO much - but I'm not one of those girls who is willing to order smaller and try to fit into it. Whatever size I am when I order, that's the size I'm getting. It can be altered down.

I'm excited that I have over two months to try to drop a few pounds before ordering! Wooo!

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:21:42 GMT

Tonight Bam and I have Nico because Brian is working and Krista has a jewelry party or something to go to. We're planning on taking him out to eat and then to the mall. Bam can take him to the arcade (I despise the arcade!) and to ride the train, and I'll try to get some Christmas shopping done.

Usually my shopping is done at the beginning of November, but I've been so busy this year. Also, Christmas shopping is very hard for me, because I truly have a shopping problem. I buy new clothes or shoes at least once a week. Half the time I leave stores with more things for myself than for gifts. I try really hard. I do. But if I see a perfect pair of heels or boots, I can't pass them up. I've been on the hunt for FLAT black leather boots, and also a pair of boots or heels with a thicker heel (not all-out CHUNKY like the boots of yesteryear, but more of a stacked but still round heel). It's very hard to teach (on my feet ALL DAY) in my four-inch stiletto heels. As I get older, I'm really feeling the effects of wearing heels my whole life. (Oh, the joys of being 5'1.)

I can't pass up bags either. I'm always on the prowl for a new big purse or work bag. I'm so sick of my gigantic black patent Guess bag that I use to tote kids' papers, my lunch, etc. to work. I need a new one!!!!

My winter white Versace coat didn't make it. R.I.P., beautiful coat. I ended up buying a long cashmere wool London Fog coat (camel colored). But I will forever miss my darling Versace that I was only able to wear like twice.

Well, I'm off. I am going to try super hard to not come home with anything for myself.

Oh, P.S. My diet has been going SUPERBLY!! I am so proud of myself, and I think that maybe, just maybe, I might be back in the 150's at my next weigh-in Sunday morning!

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:41:26 GMT

I'm sick. I don't want to go to work tonight.

This is the one time I'm grateful to live in a football town. Nobody in Pittsburgh leaves home when a game is on. We'll probably have four tables all night.

I hope we don't even have one.

Holiday Weekend Recap!

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:22:04 GMT

This weekend was miserable, and it dragged on and on, yet went so quickly. Does that even make sense?

Wednesday after work (Center Grange Primary had a half-day, wooo!), I rushed home to change out of my work clothes, then went to Bam's parents' to help Peg with some Thanksgiving prep. We baked pumpkin pies. We baked homemade butter horn rolls from scratch, using Bam's grandma's recipe. (He MUST have these at every holiday.) When I say "from scratch," I mean it. I used yeast, kneaded the dough, let it rise...ugh. I cubed about a million loaves of bread for homemade stuffing and Peg's traditional holiday breakfast casserole.

Around five o'clock, we went to get some dinner, then came back and did some more prepping. I got home JUST in time for the Biggest Loser special at 8.

Thanksgiving morning, I woke up feeling sick. Second Thanksgiving in a row. Great. Wonderful. I was even considering not going to dinner, but I dragged myself to the shower, took some medicine, and was feeling a little better. Dinner was great, and afterwards, we had dessert and browsed through some of the Black Friday ads. This is where I got the "great" idea to go to Toys 'R' Us at midnight. This was the first year they've opened at midnight, and the ad claimed everything was 50% off.

Bad idea. My sister and I got there around 11:30. People were lined up all the way down to the highway. It was freezing cold. We had to park AT THE MALL AND WALK to Toys 'R' Us. Now, let me just preface this by saying that my sister and I are not bargain shoppers. We'd rather pay the extra money for convenience. However, I figured I could cross the little kids off my list in one night, and I wanted the experience of Black Friday...and I got it.

We got in line right at the front door...but, uh, that was the second layer of the line. We had to wrap all the way around the building and BACK to the front door before we got in. It was a nightmare. Not even enjoyable. You couldn't walk around and browse at your leisure. You had to follow this stupid line, and listen to employees' directions. After being in there for about an hour, we were disoriented - no kidding, we couldn't figure out where the exit was. It was not worth it to us. I said, "What do you say we just drop all this stuff and make a beeline for the exit when we find it??" She said, "ABSOLUTELY, let's go!" So we dropped the stuff we had planned on buying, and started searching for an exit. It literally took us another hour to get out. It was terrible. Krista was getting claustrophobic. Haha...what a nightmare. There was a man screaming at one of the employees, going, "I'm an engineer! I could run this event better! Listen to my ideas!" He was out of control, getting in people's faces...OMG.

We decided to go to Walmart, because their big Black Friday sales didn't start till 5 a.m. We figured we were safe. Wrong. People were already lined up, and we heard some say they had been in line since 9 p.m. We saw a man get arrested. We each bought a few things, and then hightailed it out of there.

She suggested we drive by Toys 'R' Us just to see if it had calmed down a little. It hadn't. At all. And it was probably 2 a.m. by this time. Then we drove by Best Buy, because my dad had asked me to go wait in that line for a big-screen computer monitor. Um, no. There were people lined up already...with TENTS...and GRILLS.

People are nuts. My time (and emotional well-being!) is worth far more than saving a few dollars.

I have never in my life been more happy about my choice to wear sweats, a hooded sweatshirt, NO MAKEUP, and my glasses. By the time I got home, I had a pounding headache, and wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed. (And I cannot get in bed without washing my makeup off...I just can't.)

The rest of the weekend was spent in bed. I've had a headache every few hours since that night. I'm so run-down. Tonight I'm attempting to go see a movie with Kelly...and that, too, will be in sweats and no makeup.

Ugh.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:40:31 GMT

Today is an early day for me. Dismissal for the kids is at noon, and the faculty can leave at 12:15. How nice! I've been counting down to this holiday - I need a break! AND today is jeans day! AND there is breakfast for the teachers in the lounge! Wooo!

Bam usually likes to go out for a few drinks on this night. Robert's is usually PACKED on Thanksgiving Eve, and it's nice to see millions of people we both grew up with. I just don't know if I'm up to it this year, though - I'm exhausted! Plus, I need to make the pepperoni and cheese tray for tomorrow.

Well, I hear the screeching voices of kids coming into the building. That's my alarm that signifies it's time to work! :) I hope everyone enjoys a nice relaxing Thanksgiving! :)

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:01:49 GMT

Okay, I have a confession to make. One of my guilty pleasures is the cheesy holiday movies that play on ABC Family all through December. I was SO excited to be flipping through channels tonight and see Holiday in Handcuffs, with Melissa Joan Hart. (Side note: Has ANYONE other than me ever noticed that there is something weird/lopsided/misshapen about her eyes??)

Anyways, these movies totally warm my heart and make me feel like a little kid again. I watched that and The Santa Clause (the ultimate holiday movie!).

Yay, Christmas season.

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:42:26 GMT

Peg dragged me to the mall today...literally. She said, "I've got to run to the mall. Wanna come?" I said, "No, I have to get groceries." She said, "Oh, you can get groceries later. So I'll pick you up on my way?" Haha! Gotta love her.

The purpose for our trip to the mall was that she "needed" a new tablecloth for Thanksgiving dinner. I ended up getting our first wedding gift out of the trip! :) Peg saw all this beautiful silverware on sale, and she said, "Do you like this silverware?" Thinking it was just a casual question, I looked at it and said, "Yeah, this set is really pretty, and not too heavy. I hate heavy silverware." She said, "Good. It's your first wedding present," and bought it.

Ugh. I'm not ready for the weekend to be over. At least I only have to work two-and-a-half days this week. The kids have an early dismissal at 11:30 on Wednesday, and I believe teachers can leave at noon. Wooo! From there, I think I'll head straight to the future in-laws' to help Peg with some baking.

I am already looking forward to Christmas shopping, baking, time with our families, and seeing Kylee and Nico in their Christmas jammies. Christmas is coming!!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:24:04 GMT

I couldn't ask for a nicer night. Nothing fancy, just a quiet night at home with Bam...but perfect.

I cooked dinner, and he took out the trash for me. We sat down and picked our favorite engagement pictures (I still don't like them, but I had to just suck it up and pick the "least bad" ones). Then we set the timer on my phone and gave each other five-minute back rubs. (He says I always try to cheat him out of time, so we need the timer.)

I'm planning on going to bed early tonight, and I'm sure I'll sleep soundly. :)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:38:11 GMT

I can't sleep. It is almost 1:00 a.m., and I've been up since 6, and I just worked a 16-hour day. Why can't I sleep? Because I just saw a cat walking along the side of the highway on my drive home from work, and now I'm worried about it. It was a little cat - not a kitten, but probably not full-grown yet either.

I thought about pulling over and trying to get it. I could've brought it home, and we'd have a whole week for Grace and Lucky to warm up to it, and by the time my dad got home from his trip next week, everyone would be happy and he'd have to let it stay. Cats are like a catch-22 to me though - if it's a stray, it probably won't let me near it; if it lets me near it, it might not be a stray and I may be taking some little girl's pet.

If I see that cat dead by the side of the road on my way to work in the morning, I'm never going to forgive myself.

Sometimes I think my love of animals is *really* abnormal. It literally hurts me to see an animal hurt or dead. I always wonder if it went through excruciating pain when it got hit by the car that killed it. I always wonder if that cat/deer/raccoon let out a horrific scream. Sigh. I'm such a weirdo.

I honestly feel an ache in my heart right now. I can't bear the thought of stray cats outside, freezing and hungry in the winter we're about to face.

I'm never going to be able to sleep tonight.

I GOT THE HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:14:36 GMT

For those of you that know me in real life, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The hair in my eyebrow. I GOT IT. I've never felt such a sense of accomplishment. Ha!

Here's the deal. I'm a wacko about my skin/eyebrows. I pluck every day, unless I'm trying to grow them in a little thicker. I saw this tiny dot of a hair - I mean, it was under like five layers of skin, and I still couldn't just leave it alone. Usually when I just see a little speck of hair, it's still grabbable (is that a word?), so it's not a problem. (If there's a hair speck, it's gone. I don't wait to let it grow out.) But this baby was REALLY in there. I performed surgery on it EVERY DAY. I dug so deep. My medical procedures went on for three days, but yesterday, I GOT IT.

Do I have a big bloody pit on my eyebrow? Yes. Do I look like a heroin addict who picks at her face in a frenzy? Yes. But do I feel satisfaction at getting the hair? YESYESYESYESYES.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:24:42 GMT

I just had the best date with a handsome Italian guy.

Granted, he's a little shorter than most of the men I've dated... ;-)

Nico and I had a fabulous time at the movies. He was a little scared at times (the movie was a bit intense for little ones!), and he kept saying, "They're coming in here with us???" when the characters came flying at us in 3D. But he really enjoyed it. He wouldn't even put his 3D glasses on until about 30 minutes into the movie because he was too scared by the previews. (Why are most 3D movies so creepy? It always seems like they show previews of the creepiest, weirdest 3D movies.)

He ate an entire LARGE popcorn on his own! He's only three! And he's a little tiny fella, not chubby in the least. But boy, does he have an appetite!

Now I'm settling in for the night. No plans other than to watch Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders later. Kelly, text me when you get on!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:59:02 GMT

Ugh. I feel so sluggish and bored this weekend. I fell asleep before 9 o'clock last night, and my NyQuil pill made me sleep until 11 this morning! (I only take one, because two cold relief pills would knock me out for DAYS!) I still feel a little "blah," but not as sick as I did last week.

Bam is at Thel's doing some drywall work for him, and I've been lounging around watching a Halloween marathon (my FAVORITE horror series!!) and browsing wedding stuff online. My planning has kind of come to a standstill, and now I'm disappointed that I booked everything so soon! Ha!

We had our engagement shoot last Sunday, and now we're on pins and needles waiting to see them! And I do mean "we," even though I normally mean "I" when I say that. Bam keeps texting me to say, "When will our proofs be ready?"

I didn't decide on our engagement picture outfits until the last minute on Sunday. For our dressy outfit, I wore my black "Jackie O." dress and my cream Ralph Lauren 9mm pearls with a pair a bright red ruffly heels, and he wore his black pants with a tiny baby blue pinstripe and a light blue dress shirt. I figured my red heels would pop against his light blue shirt. Pam LOVED the heels and spent a good 10-15 minutes photographing JUST them. For our casual outfits, we both wore dark jeans. I wore a deep raspberry plunging wrap sweater and gold heels, and he wore a chocolate brown zip-up sweater. Pam said the colors looked gorgeous. However, I think the shoot was a disaster. Bam is a mess in front of a camera. His smile is always stiff; he looks like a deer in headlights. Pam yelled at him (only half-jokingly!) all day. He kept saying, "I ruined our engagement pictures." Poor guy! I'm sure that out of the 500+ pictures she took, at least a few turned out good...or so I'm hoping. Come on, now. At least 5 had to have turned out good, right?...even if by accident! We were probably THE most unphotogenic couple she's ever shot.

Right now I'm looking at Etsy trying to decide whether to wear pearl jewelry or diamond/crystal jewelry on my wedding day that is 100 years away. I'm that bored. I would never even order jewelry on Etsy because I have a friend in Massachusetts that makes jewelry, so I'm most likely going to pay her to make my wedding jewelry. I've never been much of a pearl girl (although I do love dressing up a pair of jeans with those aforementioned Ralph pearls!), but pearls just seem bridal. Any thoughts?

Tonight is THE very last Rochester/Monaca football game since the Monaca/Center merger will be complete next year and Monaca High School will no longer exist. This makes me so sad. The Monaca game is the game my high school football team trains for ALL YEAR LONG. It is the game that determines whether the bridge separating our towns will be called the Monaca-Rochester Bridge or the Rochester-Monaca Bridge for the year. (To me, it will always, always be the Rochester-Monaca Bridge.) After tonight, the official name of the bridge will remain the same forever. This is the game that determines it all.

This rivalry has always been so big that our superintendent has always issued a warning to Rochy students BANNING us from the town of Monaca the week of the game. We were not even allowed IN the town that week! Not to go to the mall, not to go to any Monaca restaurants, etc. (We always went anyways, but we would've been in trouble if we would've gotten caught.) For the few weeks leading up to the game, Rochester and Monaca students (mostly seniors) TORTURED the opposing town. We filled their town fountain with bubbles, they burned a huge "M" into our football field, we spraypainted "ROCHY RAMS" on their school, we drove up and down their main street throwing Spaghetti-O's on kids, etc.

I will not leave my house tonight, because I will never get a parking place when I come back home. I live two blocks away from the high school, and people will be fighting for parking spaces for many blocks beyond that. The LAST Rochy/Monaca game EVER will be absolutely PACKED.

In fact, this rivalry is so big that in my Maid of Honor toast at my sister's wedding, I even said, "A Rochester cheerleader and a Monaca football player...what a disgrace to both families!"

So, LJ friends, send hopeful vibes in the direction of Rochester...we must win this game!!

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:25:24 GMT

I went to Alfred Angelo today with Peg and Aunt Carol so they could look for bridesmaid dresses for Aunt J's wedding. I think they looked great in many of them!!

Anyways, posting pictures here for the lovely ladies in my soon-to-be new family! Enjoy!

Berry

Back of it

Carol showing her dislike of the little flap thing

Spice

Lipstick...they loved this color

Wine...just to show Joanne the color

Tea Rose

Back

Berry again

Claret...separates

Claret separates again

More separates

Eggplant...my favorite - so flattering on both of them

Back

And yesterday afternoon, Peg and Kylee and I went to David's Bridal. Here are a few pictures from that adventure! Please excuse the quality of the pictures. They were taken by my niece, who was probably texting with one hand and taking pictures with the other!

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:46:24 GMT

Woooo! Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team is back on for a new season! This is how my Saturday nights will be spent from now on. Screw Bam and his incessant football watching.

I finally got a new purse last night, after carrying my red Jessica Simpson bag for WAY longer than I usually carry a purse. The new one is also a Jessica, and it's a tan reptile print. It's a subtle print though, not in-your-face.

Kylee went to that old jail in West Virginia that's supposed to be haunted. My brother-in-law took her and three of her friends. (Bless his heart.) People around here drive over an hour to get there. I would NEVER go; I've never even been to a haunted trail. I'm just too afraid. But I guess they put you in your own jail cell and lock you in for the night. Kylee is such a thrill-seeker. She's been that way since she was a little girl. When all the other three-year-olds were watching cartoons, Kylee was watching Halloween and Friday the 13th with me. (We had to sneak, because obviously my sister and parents didn't want her watching that stuff.) She went to a haunted trail last weekend too, and while standing in line Michael Myers walked over and handed her "the black rose." Apparently if you get the black rose, you have to walk through the trail alone, not with the rest of the group. I would've turned around and left. Kylee probably loved it though.

Well, I'm off to the mall again to continue looking for clothes for our engagement pictures that are coming up. Wish me luck!

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:09:41 GMT

Yesterday was exactly one year until our wedding day. Of course it was absolutely freezing, gray, gloomy, and rainy all day. I wouldn't really mind rain on our wedding day, and I'm a weirdo who actually *likes* gloomy weather like that (perfect for a cup of hot chocolate, a blanket, and a good book!), but I don't want my gorgeous wedding dress to be muddy for the entire reception. Western PA rain is not clean, pretty rain. Western PA rain is a dirty, muddy mess. Haha! We're planning on doing pictures outdoors on my college campus, so I'd love for the grass not to be a mess.

Of course when Bam and I woke up today and went to get breakfast, it was PERFECT fall weather. Crisp and cool, bright and fresh. Go figure.

I've been dragging around all morning being lazy. Bam and I woke up around 9:00 and headed to the best donut shop around for breakfast. Then he went home to watch college football (of course) and I watched the ending of a movie I had started watching before he suggested going to get breakfast. Now I'm contemplating my next moves. Should I go tanning, or to the mall to visit Leah at work (and conveniently pick up a new purse while I'm there), or continue to lay around? Decisions, decisions.

Another one for Aunt J

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:08:20 GMT

Peggy and I embarked on another one of our "adventures" today. This one involved high-tailing it to the Alfred Angelo store on McKnight Road to try on a list of dresses Aunt Joanne had given us. We arrived about an hour before they closed (because Bam insisted on going out to breakfast after church, and it took forever!), but she was in and out of dresses lickety split, and we tackled the whole list.

Alfred Angelo's "claret"

This one is in "spice"

This is "eggplant"

This is "grape"

This one was tried on only to show Aunt J the color "berry"

Again, only for color - "wine"

And...OMG I think she found her mom dress for our wedding! Doesn't she look AMAZING in this??? I *love* the chocolate brown color on her, although she doesn't.

For Peg & Aunt J

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:29:36 GMT

Posting some pictures of my future mother-in-law trying on dresses for my future aunt's wedding. She is the matron of honor!

And a dress she tried on for my wedding

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:38:22 GMT

Bam and I are going to church tomorrow. Yes, you heard me. CHURCH. Something I never wanted to think about again after going to college at Geneva and having religion shoved down my throat for four years.

I'm dreading this.

I believe in God (I think, although my faith has been tested repeatedly over the years). I pray at night. I am thankful for all that has been given to me. But I hate church. We're doing this because we want to get married in a church. Actually, his mom and grandfather and my sister are the ones who are insisting on a church. I want a religious ceremony, but I would've been happy to get married at the reception venue. I couldn't find a reception venue that has a place for the ceremony too though. Anyways, I do want to have my children baptized, and have a place to take them to church once in a while, so I guess we need to join a church anyways.

But ugh.