Friday, December 22, 2006

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays! Well, the day has finally arrived and I will soon be on my way to sunny Oklahoma (or bitterly cold Oklahoma-I will soon find out). I am so excited and yet I feel like Holly Hunter in "Home for the Holidays" my fave Christmas flick. I am sick as a dog and I am really not feeling the evening of travel that is upon me. I have been at home in bed the last few days and have just resurface to end the week with a half day at work and our holiday party. However I am excited about my actual flight because in a stroke of sweet Christmassy surprisement- Kyle upgraded my seats to first class. I dont think I've ever flown first class so I am rather excited. Although I must say that I do not support a society that segregates its people into classes-(okay, so I just watched Titanic). But, it will be fun to be in front of the elusive curtain on the plane. hee hee. What a sweet boy I have. And I promise to try not to let it go to my head- I also promise after this trip when I fly coach to tell people when I get there that "I flew coach for you". (this is only funny if you are an avid The Bachelor watcher and enjoyed the princesses snide remarks this season.)

Well, as of now I am "off-line" until the first of the year. So please reach me via phone or carrier pigeon. Can't wait to see you all! Have a Merry Merry Christmas!

Love ya!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Its the most vonderful time of the year!

Isn't is vonderful? In just two days I will be on my way to Oklahoma. Home! There's no place
like home for the holidays! It seems so weird to think about being at home on Friday. I am sitting at my desk designing a floor plan for a firestation remodel in Sebring, FL. I have a Christmas party on Thursday and then a Christmas lunch on Friday and then I will be going home. This time on Saturday I will be sitting in a room surrounded by some of the most special people in the world to me. People I haven't seen in months! Although I can't process how I am actually going to be ready in two days to leave for so long (since I haven't given half a thought to packing yet), it's getting so close. I just want it to feel like Christmas! I just don't feel it yet. even though the office is covered in garland, christmas cards, and godiva chocolate - I just can't muster up the seasonal feeling when I am sleeveless. I know I know..shut up about the weather because as soon as you set foot in OK you will be whining to come back to the tropics. But, I love this time of year. It was around February that I would get sick of winter and be ready for summer again.

So, I was watching Bridezillas the other night (of course) and the one that was on was a wedding between two men. And then one who I guess was the bride was all bridezillaesque - now I didnt see all of it - just the part at the actual wedding and I was cracking up b/c this guy was going around yelling for the wedding planner at the reception, I mean yelling really really loud, "Where's Debby..Now! Where is Debby..Now!" and I was thinking, what is the big deal here? The food was cold, the bartender shut the bar for 10 minutes so they could take a break (no one would have really cared but he makes this giant scene and it when the groom is trying to calm him down it looks like the marriage might not make it thru the reception. And the wedding planner is yelling back at him and sooo mean. So, I am vowing to go with the flow on my wedding day to the best of my ability. I think it was worse to watch this guy than some of the women. Has anyone seen the one with the groom whose name was Bart? sooo hilarious-

Clearly I am just blabbing because I am running out of things to do at work today. The holidays have provided for some pretty slow days here at work. So, I have taken to planning the wedding or getting ideas during my work hours...sad I know but, it beats staring into space-

Lots of love-
-L

Monday, December 18, 2006

Stress REDEFINED

Well, another Monday is upon us and for once I am soooo soooo thankful. Not only does it mean that this is the week I am going home for Christmas but, It also means that the crazy insane hectic weekend is over. This weekend was absolutely back breakingly painful. And it started on Wednesday instead of Friday. Despite all the hardwork and stress - it got my mind completely off of the wedding and that recent drama but, sadly it also diverted my mind from Christmas. On a spur of the moment decision - I moved apartments this weekend. It was just one of those things and it happened so fast that no real packing or anything really took place so it was chaos personified. blah blah blah - it really sucked. But, alas it is Monday and the craziness is over - except for the insanity that is my new home. Amidst the chaos this morning I spilled my milk from my cereal twice, tripped over a cord and knocked down two lamps, lost and went searching for different things that were in random unmarked boxes. Next, I hit myself in the face with the door (this clearly has nothing to do with anything but my uncoordinated limbs). So, that was my Wednesday thru Sunday. And if it wasnt for my awesome ex-neighbor giving me this lotion set for soaking feet and little pedicure shoes I might not be here today. I soaked and soaked trying to get rid of the sore muscles. I have half a mind to go get a massage this week. Sadly, I only have half the money...hee hee Where is my youth?
As of yesterday afternoon my body decided it wanted to have a sore throat to match the sore back, feet and knees. So, I have caught a cold (I'm sure it is a moving cold - something you develop from being stressed for too long of a time that your body decides to quit defeating the germs and welcome them in). So, I sit here at my desk, surrouned by DayQuil and throat lozenges, trying desperately to cipher up some christmas spirit and wedding planning bliss that was beginning to descend on me last week- pre-moving crisis.
(sigh) Only the thought of seeing my dear dear friends soon is keeping me going on this hot muggy day. Woe is me! Why must is be so hot? Where is my cool breeze, where is my scarf! O' me! I shall live forever in flip flops and capris!
(sigh)

Monday...................

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Home for the Holidays

Well, it is one week and two days from my Christmas holiday at home. I am so excited! I just know that when I get there it will finally feel like Christmas and I can just wrap up in it! There is so much to look forward to! I can't wait!

Whew! Weddings are hard and frustrating work...I wish I knew a great wedding consultant.....that lived in Florida..or would be willing to temporarily relocate...hint hint....hee hee

There are like one bajillion things to think about and its all for one day. Would'nt it make more sense to spend a year planning for the whole future and not just this one day? But, what the hey! It's fun to obsess over clothes and colors. I just want location and time settled so the other fun can begin! I am really excited about the cake tasting. This sounds good enough to make all the stress of the whole event worthwhile!
Well, it looks like there is some work rollin' across my desk. Better get to it.

lata-

-L

Friday, December 08, 2006

I do!

Wow! I am all about the posting this week! So, today I was thinking........
I'm getting MARRIED! Yikes! I can't believe it - I feel like I'm twelve and just dreaming it all
up and then I get on the phone with my parents and we are honestly talking about my real wedding, not my barbie dream house one! I mean, me-white dress with a veil, chicken or fish?, for better for worse....what is this guy thinking? He's gotta be crazy! But, I think he knows exactly what he's getting into. We have already been through for better and worse and some major life changes and decisions. But, cohabitation and sharing a checking account? DANGER DANGER! j/k, it's just soooo weird. I look at my left hand, mesmerized at least 75% of the time dreaming about flowers and cakes and family and christmases and dare I say it?? kids! It's all actually in the future, right in front- not too far off!
Sigh...I'm so in love.....double sigh.....

How am I going to plan this wedding? I just got a Christmas card from my grandparents that said, "Season's greeting and happiness to you and yours and please get married at home so we can all be there" subtle huh? Well, Kyle and I said we were prepared for the disappointment from family for our decision on a destination wedding. But, like my dad said - it's our wedding and it should be what we want. But, we love our families and want them there - i just think we are willing to sacrifice the presence of some for our dream wedding. That sounded awful, but I think you probably get what I am trying to say. Plus, with my grandparents I was kind of surprised and kind of not surprised to hear that. The thing is that its not about money, because I know my dad would take care of everything for his parents to be there. It seems its the flying thing. My grandpa isnt a big fan and my grandma has never flown before. So, I'm guessing its gonna take some hefty coaxing to get that lady on a plane so she can be front and center for the big day. I guess I'll have to put on my best granddaughter puppy dog eyes for the occasion.

Well, it looks as if the ANNUAL christmas party has once again been put into motion. This time I think we have rented some of the entertainment space at our favorite resort in Prattville. Oh, you know the one! So, I can barely sit still thinking about the fun coming up in the next few weeks.

Lata'

-L

Thursday, December 07, 2006

A post about a post

So, today I am reading Heather's blog wiping away tears....
It's like she said exactly what I was thinking. When I think of my friends I feel like I know
them and all that but, then it's like I don't because so many things have changed and we all have grown apart. Not like our friendship lessened but that it changed. Change - that is what the last few years have been about. Almost nothing is the same as it was 2 years ago.
Life moves so fast. And it's not bad that things changed and life is different and if given the chance I don't think anyone would go back. It is just so nice to reminisce and to sit around with people that bring all of those memories to the front of your mind and suddenly you feel like its not you who have changed but, the world around you. It's a warm comfy feeling that I can't exactly explain, but no lapse of time is too great - that great feeling never goes away.

I have tried to explain this to new people in my life, but I can't without sounding like my life is out of one of those girlie movies or books about girlfriends. But, thats probably becasue in a lot
of ways, it really was...and i guess it still is.

Thanks Heather!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Today

Well, today we got some great news. If you remember, this summer Kyle had some heart troubles that ended up having him in the hospital and then as a side note to that, when they did they CATSCAN they found some spots on his lungs. Well, the doctor wasn't imediately concerned - suspecting that they were calcified scars left from pneumonia or sickness from childhood. So, instead of doing a biopsy they had us wait 6 months, get a new scan and come back in to see if anything has changed. (if they grew we would know that they were active or living.) Well, all of this to say that we went today for the pulmunologist consultation and nothing has changed and everything is fine. So a lot of stress has been releaved, I'm sure you can imagine the different scenarios that had been going through our heads in preperation for this dr. appointment. It was an answer to our prayers and I am glad to report that my fiance' is healthy and hopefully that all is behind us.

Of course I can't blog without mentioning the recent engagement. Although my desire was to wait until after the holidays to even think about the wedding, it seems that we are launched head first into the wedding planning scene. Most of this happened when we started casually looking at places and realized that people are already booking for weddings next year and a lot of places were already booked for the time period we were thinking of. So, this kind of pushed us into the search for the location - and we have been in stress crazy mode with a few of our possibilities here - which all basically means that we were not planning to have to think about so many things so soon. But, we are in and it looks like it's gonna be quite a planning process that we get to go through - planning a destination wedding. Luckily though, some of the cards have been in our favor and we have made some huge decisions already - and if all works out on Sunday (we are visiting a possiblie site for the wedding) we might just have the most important thing settled. So, cross your fingers - hopefully we see this one and we call it good! Da dum da da da dum da da....

I am soooooo ready for the holidays! I can't wait to see family and get to gab with my girls!
I can barely sit still knowing it is soooo soon!
That's all for now-

-L

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Baby, it's cold outside...NOT

Don't you miss everyone saying 'NOT!' all the time? Or 'Psych!'.....gosh the 90's were weird!
Anywhoo - so most of the people reading this are in the middle of some sort of blizzard while I am down here sweating my butt off in this sudden humidity and heat in DECEMBER! Will I ever adjust to this weather? It could easily be 4th of july coming up instead of Christmas. Christmas! Ooooo I love this time of year! I just want to go move into a shopping mall. All the garland and the lights and the sales sales sales and credit card applications...it's just...sniff sniff....so beautiful...
Well, we have been engaged for a week...AND THE HONEYMOON IS OVER! j/k but, suddenly this whole planning thing is upon us and apparently we need to jump on board and get things started. I don't want to be Bridezilla but I am already pretty overwhelmed. It's stressful already because basically what we found out is that we need to decide on the guest list, the venue, budget, and bridal party first and foremost. So, the guest list is easy (especially since we know that only like a tenth of the people will actually be able to come to the wedding) and venue besides being like the most difficult decision ever! is a major factor concerning budget of course and then people b/c ..well, it's in FLORIDA! We have weighed the pros and cons though and we really think that Florida is what we want. We want the beach wedding and we want to be able to plan it here and we want it small and intimate. And wedding party is hard because we don't know if people (especially friends) will be able to make the trip. We have both traveled for weddings before and we know how expensive it is. So, that being said - I am overwhelmed
I have already pondered the words, elopement. I guess we just have to take it one step at a time. The good thing is is that Kyle (my fiance') is totally up for planning and I am really beginnning to appreciate that fact that he wants to be involved (although he did look at me like I was a crazy person when he walked in my door and saw me own the couch with the laptop completely surrounded by Bridal magazines). p.s. i am addicted and can't leave any store without buying one.

So, what else is new? Kyle and I are both completely pumped about Christmas, I feel like a little kid because I am so anxious to get the tree up - but, mostly we are excited to go home for the holidays because there's no place like home for the holidays. For no matter how far away you go, if you want to be happy in a million ways, for the holidays you can't beat home sweet home.

hee hee... We are just so ready to be able to hug family and talk because we didn't get to do all that when we announced our engagement. The only bad thing is is that we won't be together for Christmas. But, it's only a few days I guess and next year we will be married and we will definitely spend it together. As Mr and Mrs. Hall. How does that sound? Leslie Anne Hall? Kyle said that my initials will still sound the same LAW and LAH..I think L.A.H. sounds like an airport. Well, I have a good 11 months to ponder that one. For now I have to think about colors and theme I guess. It is going to be a fall wedding so I will probably stick with that concerning colors. Although it would be fun to pick some awful color like chartreuse or aubergine and a nice fluffy taffeta bridesmaid dress..you know..just for kicks and giggles. j/k I do of course have my wedding parties best interests at heart.

So, 2007! It should be a good year! My prayers are that Kyle and I have a much healthier year than this one has been. I think we will make a pact on no hospital visits. We are both doing much better though-with all of our ailments and hopefully we will continue to do so and get back to being young as opposed to old and sickly retired to Florida.

Alright, I guess that's enough gab for one day. You Oklahomans bundle up and stay warm cuz, baby, it's cold outside and be careful on the icy roads! Lots of Love and hugs!

-L