Merry Christmas!

Alright, alright, so I am a little late.  I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday.  I had a very nice Christmas and I got a ton of sweet stuff from my loved ones!  First let me tell you about the awesome crap I received.  I GOT A KINDLE!  Which, if you know me at all I have been wanting one for about a year.  So I was pretty stoked to unwrap that Christmas morning, and may I add that my mom rocks.  My mother-in-law (it is down to three days so I can officially call her that right...?) got me a new coat and a fab new purse along with some cute clothes and a rocking ring I had picked out for my wedding.  I got some other stuff from other family on Jeremy's side, and overall it was a really nice day celebrated with family.  Jeremy and I had decided not to do gifts this year, because really, we have enough on our minds. Which, we actually have only bought for each other one year since we have been together.  We are in full swing of wedding mayhem.  It is now only 3 days away.  I think that I have almost everything done, and I just have a few strings to tie up and I will be ready to get my dress on, marry the man of my dreams and dance my tail off.  I am excited to spend a fun night surrounded by the people we love the most.  I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate with everyone.

Going into the new year and through the holidays I also have to add that this year has been a year with a lot of ups and downs.  We moved twice, I started two new jobs and we are getting married.  But, I am so thankful for everything and everyone I have.  I cannot go without saying that my family has also lost a very important part, and I will be think about Grant not only on my wedding day but for every day of my life.  He was a very special person, and he had a bright future ahead of him, and he was taken from us too soon.  We all miss him so much.  My heart is with my Aunt Uncle and Chase at this difficult time of year.

I also want to tell a little story about my first matchmaking success. I worked at Jack's with a girl named Marcelle a few years ago.  One night as we were working together she commented that she thought this guy sitting at the bar was cute, I looked over and this guy looked exactly like someone I would picture Marcelle with.  He was wearing a band tee shirt and was drinking a beer with his friends on a break from the military.  I told her to go get his number but she sheepishly said no way (which if you knew Marcelle you would know "sheepishly" is not a word that describes her).  So, I went over to him, pointed at Marcelle and said "That girl wants your number can I give it to her?"  I think he was flattered and he ended up taking her number.  Now, I guess as they say the rest is history. I have to add that I have a special connection to this couple, I feel oddly bonded to them, and I feel honored that I helped Marcelle, in some twisted way find Eric.  Marcelle and I have kept in touch through facebook and she got married to Eric this summer!!  She showed me her wedding pictures, and has talked to me about their house that they moved into after the wedding in California, where he was stationed for the Marines.  He went to Afghanistan shortly after they moved and Marcelle stayed in California.  On December 22, 2010 she had gotten news that Eric had been killed by an IED, and that his body would return to America in a few days.  She told me of his death and I was devastated. What do you say to console a 20 something year old widow?  How do you comfort her?  As I drive around Lancaster county and see the flags flown at half staff my heart aches for her.  I am going through so much joy and excitement with the wedding and she was just doing this months ago, and now she is burying the man she vowed to love until death do us part.  I am so proud of her fr not only having the courage to marry a military man, but for having the strength to endure what she is going through.  Today he is being laid to rest.  Please pray for peace and understanding for Marcelle.  And, count your blessings this new year.

12 days!

Well, today marks the twelve day point, that's 2x6, 3x4, or in other words, not a lot of time.  My mot dreaded question right now is "What do you have left to do?" I hear it about 58 times a day, and it makes me pretty angry, but I try to control myself.  Now, when people ask me that I cannot help but think a couple things about this question.  One, when I tell you about the hundreds of things I actually have to do what are you going to do about it?  Are you going to help me?  Most of the time the answer is no.  Two, do you really care what I have left to do, or is this a standard question people ask people that are getting married in 12 days.  And three, I have no idea what I have left to do, if you know me whatsoever you would know that I do not keep list, I wait until the last minute, and I forget A LOT of things (which could be prevented if I did either of the previous two things).  Now with all that said, I have realized today that I have about a billion little things to get done, and not much time to do them, and on top of all that I am developing a cold.  Today, I went tanning for the first time, which I had told myself that I would start doing December 1st.  While laying in the tanning bed, probably developing some sort of skin melanoma I could not help but think about the tremendous about of stuff I have left to do, so I mentally noted them, and called my amazing MOH and finally gave in and dictated what I need done, which I did not want to do, but I have no other choice.  Now, I am lucky because she took on the job, and I am thankful for that.  As I write this Jerm is finishing up the Christmas wrapping while watching the Eagles, and Rip is sun bathing, I guess life is good.
Until next time.

A PSA to new brides.

Hello all,
I decided as a free service I am going to write a blog entry to those of you who are getting married in the near future, or for that matter getting married ever, or just read this for your entertainment.  When planning a wedding, everyone tells you what you should do what you shouldn't do, what would look nice, what would look funny, how to handle vendors, what to buy from vendors, what kind of cake you should get, how many people you should invite, where not to seat the people you invite, who they want to sit with. Everyone has got an opinion about EVERYTHING.  But, when planning a wedding, and I suppose this pertains to other things in life, do what you want to do.  In 10 years no one is going to remember the kind of cake you have but you.  No one is going to remember the music that was playing while you walked down the aisle to meet your soon to be husband but you.  So, get an upside down pineapple cake, shimmy down the aisle aisle to Nine Inch Nails, wear your hair in a bow, and wear blue shoes.  Yes, it is important to take others opinions into considerations, but if their opinions are shitty, leave them at that, shitty opinions.  As my wedding in approaching quickly there are things I wish I would have done differently, there are things I wouldn't change no matter how much someone tells me they don't like them.  I am excited for my wedding, but people need to understand that a wedding is not about anyone else but the bride and groom.  So, may the good lord bless me as I struggle through these next couple weeks, and if you are a soon to be bride, may he bless you as you plan your wedding, and remember, dance to the beat of you and your fiance's drums!
Plan on!

Sequin overload!

Is the weekend really almost over?  It seems like I was just getting out of work on Friday night.  So, for those of you who work 5 days a week, I give you props.  Since the last post Jeremy and I went and looked at the house I had put a link to. And...it was amazing.  It was so nice!  The kitchen was fairly updated, the living room had a fire place, hardwoods throughout, a sweet master bathroom, and a walk in closet to die for.  Just one small issue, we are not sure we would dig the payments where they would be.  We don't want to have to just make it every month.  So, we have decided that we might just wait, see if the seller makes another price reduction, or just keep looking, this time at something with a lower price tag.  Which, to put it bluntly, sucks.  But, if that is the biggest of our worries I guess we should consider ourselves lucky. 
I had my bachelorette party this weekend.  It was a lot of fun.  I was with my best friends in the world, how could I have possibly not have had the time of my life.  And, I owe it all to them.  We went to Baltimore, had a delicious dinner and went to the piano bar after.  It was so much fun.  We danced, we sang, we laughed and we drank.  We also got in to trouble.  As soon as we got in there we pushed our two tables together, and we got in trouble.  Danielle sat on the banister, and she got in trouble.  I sat on the banister, I got in trouble.  I danced on stage, I got in trouble .  But, we are badasses, so expect nothing less.  This morning I felt fine, especially after our NOT FREE continental breakfast at the hotel.  I think I ate about 6 slices of bacon.  I am so thankful for my friends for planning that badass party! 
And more good news, my scarf is almost done, I went and bought one last ball of yarn to finish it on Thursday, and on Tuesday I am going to see Sue so she can teach me how to finish it! I will post pics when it is completed. 
Knit on!

As Promised.

Happy Saturday! Today marks 27 days until I get married!  Which is practically 20, which is almost ten, which is close to one, I might as well just say it is tomorrow!  Today, I have wedding on the mind.  Last night we went to our friends wedding, it was beautiful!  We enjoyed ourselves, and I almost vomited.  I looked around as realized all the SHIT I have left to do.  Everything looked so put together.  Warning: My wedding may not.  As the bride (Lizzie) walked down the aisle I could not help but notice how everyone was just staring at her.  Now I get it, its the point but everyone is just...standing there, looking at the bride, what a strange tradition if you ask me.  Anyway, with all of that said we met with our DJ this morning.  We gave him the low down and told him to play some funky hip hop that people can dance to.  So, for those of you attending where your dancing shoes!  I practiced my sweet moves last night, it was awesome. 
Now, if you have been reading the blog you know I started a new job on Monday, everything went well, It was a little hectic the first week, but I don't care, as long as I am getting paid.  The drive there every morning is so great, but it will be better once I am on night shift.
On Tuesday Jeremy and I are going to go look at a house that will be a little closer to work than I am right now, and the house is really nice.  Here (click the "here" for those of you not technically savvy) is the house we are going to look at, I am not sure how much I will like it but, I think it i a good place to start our search.  We are going Tuesday at 4, so hopefully it will still be light enough for us to see the outside of the house. 
Now, "As promised" here are some pictures for your enjoyment...

This is me knitting with Ripken on my lap.  He likes to sit on the yarn, and make it as difficult as possible for me to get any progress done.  And he distracts me with his extreme cuteness. 

I am not good at this picture thing yet, so this is still a little small but this is the scarf I am making for my Aunt Nadine, it still has a little ways to go yet, but it is coming along!  And I will add some fringe when it is completed. 

 This picture is of the pattern of the scarf, I think it will turn out really nice!!

 This is Ripken, it was too cute to resist. I had to add it.

 Here is my sexy new car, it is a 2010 Toyota Corolla S. So far I really like it.

Here is a small sampling of our new engagement pics!  They were taken by our wedding photographer, Edwin Huddle.  They turned out really good, we were pleased with them.

I put this one on here for entertainment purposes, and in case there is a modeling agent out there that may be reading my blog....call me!

And, last but not least, I will overload you with cuteness. Aw.

Until next time!
Knit on!

Happy December!

Well, it is official, and it only took my maid of honor to bring it to my attention, we are now in the month of my wedding.  It is only a measly 30 days away, unbelievable.  I have been so busy with so many other things I really have not had a free second to think about my wedding.  But, I can set your mind at ease, it will be awesome.
I hope that everyone had a very happy Turkey Day!  I was blessed enough to have to work, and I ate a left over Thanksgiving dinner at 2 am.  Luckily, I scavenged about 4 Thanksgiving dinners from food the nurses brought in.  My last day at Hopkins was Saturday, it was bitter sweet.  My friends had a nice going away "dinner" for me and we laughed all night, I will miss that.  I started at Hershey on Monday at 6:45 am, now I know that I am not a morning person, and I have to do days for 3 months more than likely.  I am always so sleepy.  Hershey is going well, I think I will enjoy working there. 
My knitting is going very slow, because I have not had much time to work on it so I have not seen Sue in a week!  I hate that I am not learning anything new, but soon I will have a little bit more free time.
I am sorry I do not have much to update about.
Until next time....Knit on!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know, I know, I am one day early.  But I have to work for 4 days, so I am afraid I am not going to have much time to blog tomorrow between working 12 hours and driving an hour and a half both ways, something I am not so thankful for.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving I am going to do what all people are supposed to do on Thanksgiving, say what they are thankful for.  I am thankful for my wonderful family, friends and dog.  I am thankful that for the most part all entities are healthy and happy this holiday season.  I should add though that this holiday season will not be the easiest for some of my family, and they are in my thought and prayers.  Please send prayers their way as you sit down to enjoy a meal with your family, and feel blessed that you are able to do that.  Also, please pray for Robby on his long road to recovery.
I will not be going home this Thanksgiving, because as I said before I will be spending it at Hopkins, which, may I add I am a little bummed about, not only because I am missing the best meal of the year, but because I won't get to go to Troy for the day.  I have always gone home for thanksgiving, and it is a little sad that I won't be able to spend it with my family this year.  But, while I am on the holiday subject I may add that I have completed damn near all of my Christmas shopping for the year.  Which in itself is exciting considering all that I will have to be doing in the upcoming weeks.
Last night Jerm and I met with our photographer, he is great.  He really put me more at ease about the flow of the wedding, and gave me some good advise.  The big day is only 37 days away and it is getting very stressful the closer it gets.  I am just hoping everything runs smoothly, and if it doesn't, that I do not have to worry about it.  I know that I have an amazing bridal party that will help me get through everything and stay sane in the process (Danielle, that's a shoutout to you sista!)
I know you are all dying to know how my knitting is going.  Since last time I blogged I have had 2 classes, and I am happy to announce that I have successfully talked Sue into letting me start a scarf.  I walked around the shop for about 30 minutes trying to pick out the perfect yarn.  I am making a scarf for my Aunt Nadine for two reasons, one because I love her and I want her to have a scarf and two because if it is not perfect I think she will wear it anyway, because she loves me just as much.  So I finally find the perfect yarn, it is beautiful. It is a cream colored yarn that is 60% Angora, 20% wool and 20% polyamide.  I do not know what any of this means but I know that it feels like heaven on my fingers when I am knitting it.  I literally want to make a bedsheet out of it and sleep on it. Anyway I am well on my way to my first scarf, with about 17 cm done.  I will post some pics when I have a little more time, but I promise this scarf will not disappoint.  I have a few more projects in mind after this one (mainly scarfs, because I have yet to learn anything different).  Yesterday Sue taught me how to cable, so next time I go back I can learn to increase and decrease in hopes to use the cable skills to make something like a hat.  I am really excited, and I already have an itch to make neat things.  Stay tuned!

Stay safe this Holiday!

Knit on!

The Blair Stitch Project

Happy Saturday!  Last night I was able to get a considerable amount of Christmas shopping out of the way, thankfully, because I am not sure I will have that much time in the future with the wedding approaching very quickly!  I just have a few more people left to buy for. Jeremy has his bachelor party this weekend, so I let Ripken sleep with me last night.  He snuggled very nicely.
Yesterday I had another knitting class, and as it turns out I was doing the purl stitch completely wrong and rather than an actual stitch I was just twisting previous stitches.  So, Sue made me practices those for about 5 rows.  Then, another beginner Phylis, who is about 2 classes ahead of me came in, and she started a scarf.  I was so mad. I want to start a scarf.  I am sick of knitting this piece of nothing Sue is making me practice on.  I asked Sue if I could start a scarf too, OF COURSE the answer was no because I had messed up my purl stitches. And, Phylis has to add her two sense about it and tell me that she was two classes a head of me and that I needed to keep practicing to advance.  Well, Phylis, I don't think I would have messed up starting my scarf 4 times like you did, MAYBE I do deserve to start a scarf.  Anyway when Sue told me to keep practicing and that in the next lesson or two I could start a scarf I was furious.  I had to actually leave my lesson, I am sick of just sitting there knitting for nothing.  I know Sue could tell I was really upset because she told me that she was not trying to be an ogre. YOU'RE AN OGRE SUE, I WANT A SCARF. Anyway, I left my lesson, texted Jeremy some obscene things about Sue, went shopping and now I feel better, but not better enough to keep practicing my knitting quite yet.  And quite frankly rehashing the experience is like pouring salt on the wounds.


Until next time!

Knit on!

Knitty Gritty

Blog Day Three I suppose.  Last night I had talked to my (best) friend Danielle on the phone for a period of time, and we had talked about what is going on in our lives, what we are happy with and ideally, where we would like to be in five years.  I didn't give much thought about the conversation until today.  Yes, I may be disgruntled with a few things in my life, and of course it could always get worse, but really what do I have to complain about?  I have an amazing job, and actually I was able to get two amazing jobs, right out of college, that alone is something to be happy about right?  I just bought a saucy new car, and I am getting married to the man of my dreams.  Sure, I am not exactly where I'd like to be, but I have nothing but time for that right?  I've got time to get where I need to be I've got time to buy the things I want to buy.  As I look at myself today, and think of where I was a year ago, I am happy, I am proud, and I am thankful. My glass is half full.

Enough with the sappy stuff.  I know that you are all dying to hear about my knitting progress, am I wrong?  So, I had my first knitting class Tuesday.  Thankfully I went in and Susan was ready to get started right away!  She got me some needles, and let me pick out a ball of yarn.  She told me to pick my favorite color so I picked a nice green.  I am not making anything yet, because like I said before she tells me I need to learn the basics.  The first day of class I learned how to "cast on" and the knit stitch. I sat there for about two hours and she watched me knit and I was slowly getting the hang of it.  Several people came in while I was there and Sue was helping them with their projects, some very intricate, some simple, but, she knew every solution.  This lady is like a knitting goddess!  After each costumer left she game me a little recap of their lives," her husband died 9 years ago, that's when she took up knitting", "her grand daughter lives in Ohio, wants to dance but hurt her back" ect. I loved it! I was learning how to do something new, and I was gossiping with this sweet old lady.  I can't wait to "get to know" all of her crazy customers (which may I add I am at least 20 years younger than anyone I saw there).  I went home and I did exactly what she told me to do practice, practice, practice.  I got a few inches done, and I was learning from my mistakes, just like Sue said that I would!  I was doing a good job, I could do this!  Yesterday I didn't go to class, I went to visit my cousin Jessica and had a much needed girls day (for both of us!).  So, my second class was today.  She was very happy with the progress I had made, and told me I was catching on quickly.  Today I learned how to do a pearl stitch, I could not get the hang of this, and it seemed like with every new stitch Sue was saying "now, is that right?". I wanted to punch the sweet old lady in the face.  I was hungry, frustrated, and she was working on my last nerve.  I had finally got it.  FINALLY.  Now, I supposedly have the basics, and if I keep practicing I can start a project.  She tells me a few more classes and I can start a project, REALLY?  I want a scarf now! Now I get her reasoning, I should be good at knitting before I start something and my scarf is three inches on one end and four inches on the other, but right now I feel like I can't do anything Sue, you're making me feel worthless.  So, I messed up my last row before I left today, Sue taught me how to fix it and I told her that I need to leave, because I was getting frustrated.  She then proceeded to tell me that knitting is like a marriage, when you get frustrated you need to take a deep breath, maybe walk away, but keep working at it, or you will never have something beautiful.  Damn it Sue you've got me again.  Crazy, wise, old bird.

Knit on!

Welcome!

I have decided that since my family lives so far away, and I have a lot of things happening in my life, I should start a blog.  Because I have nothing better to do with my time, right?  Where should I start?  I recently read on some stupid little yahoo article that the five greatest "stress-ers" in life are getting married, buying a house, buying a car, starting a new job and having a baby.  We, very foolishly decided to do 4 of them within two months.  We needed another car, while living in Baltimore we had one car and I took the metro to work, now living in Lancaster, and completely metro-less, we needed another car.  So, last week I bought a pretty new car, it is a 2010 Toyota Corolla S, we went into the car buying thinking we were going to buy a used car, 2 hours, some haggling with the car saleman and 0% interest later we are (not) driving off the lot with a new car, but we had purchased one!  Why, you ask, did we not drive off the lot?  Because we had yet to get our PA driver licenses.  So we had to go to the DMV, get those and the next day I was able to drive my nice new car off the lot. Next, starting a new job.  I officially have 4 more shift of work left at Johns Hopkins.  Which is exciting and stressful all at the same time.  My last day at Hopkins in the 27th and my first day at Hershey is the 29th.  Luckily I have had two weeks off to sort out my life.  I am excited to start my new job, but its always nice to have something familiar in your life, and I had almost gotten to the point of being familiar and comfortable working at Hopkins.  Next, buying a house, I am trying to convince Jeremy we should start looking now, I mean what better time than the present right?  He disagrees, so while he thinks we should wait until after the wedding to even start looking, I am online browsing. And lastly, having a baby...just kidding (mom please don't have a heart attack)!  Getting married...Well is it 45 days away!  People ask if I am nervous, no I am not nervous!  I am excited!  I am excited to spend a fun night with my family and friends, I am excited to marry Jeremy, I am excited to burn a hole in the dance floor, and I am excited to stop planning this wedding!  We actually cannot wait to see all of your family and friends together and for them to be there while we celebrate!
So, with the theme of letting you all know about the exciting things going on in my life I should probably let you all know that I have decided to take up knitting.  My good friend Adrienne from Hopkins knits, and I want to too.  I want to make cool things for people, and for the cool things not to suck, because lets face it, I have no real talents right now (besides the obvious of saving lives...).  So I talked to Adrienne and she told me to go to a yarn store and there will be some old lady there that will be willing to help me.  Now, before going on I should let you all know that I like crazy people, I enjoy talking with them, and I usually find it easy to humor them for at least 30 minutes or so. Anyway, so I google "yarn shops, Lancaster PA" of course I get several shops, I read some reviews and I find the perfect yarn shop to go to.  Reviews for the shop include "messy, but they have yarn you cannot find any where else" and "this place is a damn near fire hazard but the owner knows everything about knitting" .  This is my kind of place.  So I go to the Yarn shop, walk in the doors and Yarn is stacked so high I cannot see over it.  I hear a meek voice say "Can I help you?" so I follow it and proceed to find this little old lady knitting a sweater in the corner of the shop.  I tell her about how I want to learn how to knit and that I would start with something simple, but would first need everything that I need to start.  She tells me I'd need some yarn and a few needles. She then says that I should not start on a project and that I should learn the basics first, and compares knitting to learning how to drive a car, I can dig this.  Thinking that she would soon be getting me the supplies I need I am pretty excited about learning to knit!  She then tells me the history of knitting, how men used to knit while they were hunting, how knitting is therapeutic, how prisoners knit, and how she knits for a charity here in Lancaster (among many other knitting stories).  Now let me tell you Sue (that is the knitting lady's name) is not just a knitter, she is a scientist by trade.  A smart lady, she went to the University of Pennsylvania and has a degree in Microbiology. A sassy little lady, we have a little in common.  She proceeds to tell me about the research she used to do and about her declining health until she did some research online and she is now in complete control of her own health care plan.  ...Needless to say I was at the yarn shop for an hour and 30 minutes yesterday, left with no yarn or needles, and I am going back today so Sue can give me private knitting lessons!

So, there it is, the most exciting things I've got going on in my life! I will try to update often!

Knit on!