Thursday, December 20, 2007

Merry Christmas!


A Christmas letter of sorts....
I had decided last year that I would write an annual Christmas letter like so many of my family and friends choose to do. I was newly engaged and planning the wedding and had nonstop ideas and energy. This year I have been back and forth about whether I would actually sit down and write it. Not for lack of things to say but…I am just so worn out from writing things and planning things and doing things…. I am just zapped!
But, as I continue to go home each day and open my new stack of Christmas cards (most with photos this year!) and I read the upbeat informative letters- I keep thinking that I need to write mine. But the Christmas cards were sent out without a letter and I had just about decided to be a Grinch about the it when suddenly on Friday the 21st of December I am somehow inspired.

2007. What a year! We brought in 2006 in Oklahoma with my family, Kyle and I were newly engaged and beginning to toss around possible wedding dates. By the end of February we had a plan and the planning really got going. In April I flew back to Oklahoma to pick out the dress, once more in August and then suddenly it was Halloween and family was arriving in Florida for the wedding weekend. Wow. That sums up the wedding part of it but a lot of other things happened this year too.

Kyle began working on bigger projects and getting more responsibility at his job designing sprinkler systems. We parked cars for the annual Strawberry Festival in our town for the second year in a row – thanks to Kyle’s office’s great location near the fair grounds.

My company had an amazing year this year. In fact it was the best and most successful year in the company’s 32 year history. So it was great to be a part of such a successful year. One of the principal partners retired this year as well. And as always we continue to enjoy ourselves here in Lakeland, especially now as the baskets of goodies keep arriving daily. We are all happy and overloaded with sugar by 5 o’clock. I don’t know if I have been hungry for dinner once this month!

Also this year I studied for and took my NCIDQ licensing exams which once passed will make me a licensed Interior Designer. This will be a huge step for my career. It is a 3 part test taken over 2 days. Once a part is passed you do not have to take it again it is almost identical to the Architecture licensing test just with fewer sections. I should find out my results in January but am being neutral as I know many people take it several times and most of my training has been on an Architectural emphasis and I found myself while studying somewhat less prepared when it came to strictly Interior Design information. Maybe I should just go get my Architecture degree…seriously…
Actually, I am not at all interested in Architecture as a career and I am excited to get my focus more directed towards interiors, and my license will really help me accomplish that.

The rest of the year was mainly spent in preparation for the BIG DAY and when it finally came it was just wonderful.

Lots of things have happened since then. Kyle and I went to Maui and Oahu, Hawaii for our honeymoon. Once we got back we prepared for our trip home for Thanksgiving. And we have been back for a few weeks to wrap up some deadlines, gain a few holiday pounds and now we are off again for a week in South Dakota.

This will be my first Christmas to ever be away from my family. It was hard to think about at first but now I am excited and ready to get to know my new family! They seem like a lively and fun bunch of people, and I am so excited to spend time and just fall in love with the whole big gang. I have told Kyle that when it comes to family Christmases his is definitely a different experience than mine. Where mine is a checklist of whose house we go to on which night until the whole thing is over. He has Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the same group! And as his parents are still together, there is only one set of parents to go and visit. Wow! What a novel idea! Hee hee… I love my big crazy dysfunctional family but I am excited to see how these normal people do it. I can’t wait to pack my bag and travel up to the Black Hills for a very very Merry Christmas!
Talk to you all when I get back!!
Lots of hugs and a Happiest of Holidays to each of you!

Leslie Hall

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Christmastime

My Mom arrived last night and we went to pick her up at the airport. It was so great to see her and have her here with us for a little Christmas. We ended up going to dinner at Maggianos (yum!) in Tampa and then a little light shopping at Westshore Mall. Just a little preliminary before the BIG shopping trip on Saturday.
I am so relieved to get to spend some Christmas time with my Mom. We have really gotten close over the last 5 years or so and having her here is just the best Christmas gift I could ask for. We are going to shop today and then tomorrow we are going to have Christmas together and act like it is Christmas morning with a big breakfast and opening presents!

So Merry Imaginary Christmas Eve!

L. Hall

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Tuesday

Well, it is Tuesday and I have nothing to say really. I just finished eating lunch and decided that I ought to blog. This weekend was spent cleaning house and doing a bit of christmas shopping in Orlando. The tree and stockings are up - there is a wreath on the door and a red holiday scented candle..Hello Christmas! My Mother is coming to visit for the weekend to celebrate Christmas with Kyle and I as we are headed to South Dakota (Brrrrr!) next week. I am so excited to get to have Christmas with my Mom! I can't wait for her to get here! It should be a relief to her as well as Oklahoma is in the middle of an ice storm and she has no electricity. She might not want to leave our 80 degree flip flop weather. It is a joy to wear flip flops all year long. I am going to have to really prepare myself for the cold cold week with Kyle's family in the hills. It will be nice to see snow!
Well, I finally have all my wedding pictures in an album (last night's project after I finally found an album I liked.
Kyle and I are in the midst of fixing up our room. This weekend we bought a new comforter set. It is an ivory and black damask kind of print. It is so pretty! We are going to make a headboard the ole' HGTV way and I am so excited to have a fun project. Although we wont be tackling it until after the Holidays.
We have been seriously considering getting a rental house in order to escape the apartment living but we are on hold until we know how a possible interesting job Kyle has been contacted about fans out. Who knows! We could be moving! But we are anxious to find a cute little rental that doesnt come with screaming children in the breezeway.
My Christmas shopping is almost done. Just a few more little stocking stuffers to pick up. I have always wanted to do stockings and finally!! I get to! We each went and picked out a stocking and a stocking holder and I can't wait to start filling Kyle's with goodies!
I have a big project wrapping up at work this week. I have been working a lot of overtime lately and I will be relieved when the job is out the door (the first time at least...there are always addendums). It is a church that bought an old mall and has completely converted it into their worship space as well as lots of classrooms and a preschool. It is pretty amazing. We are doing a lot of renovations to the areas and really giving it a facelift and more space and security options. The church in total is 330,000 square feet. Now that is a huge job, even for us!

I guess that is all for this Tuesday-
Have a great week and stay warm in Oklahoma!

L. Hall

Friday, December 07, 2007

Things to Do:

Funny YouTube video of Paul Reiser's comedy routine. The beginning is his opinion of list making.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKxk68Evu_k

1. Get Wedding Gown Preserved

2. Buy a Photo Album
3. Buy Christmas gifts
4. Mail Christmas Cards.
5. Have Anxiety attack
6. Run screaming into the hills
7. Do Laundry
8. Buy soymilk

I recently read an article about a “blog of note” about To Do Lists that was a Popular Blog and has now become a Published book about the things that we make lists for and what our lists say about us as people.
www.todolistblog.com

A few days later a friend’s blog approached the topic again.
http://thoughtsfrommillermanor.blogspot
.com/2007/12/for-love-of-lists.html
Thus, my blog.
And I am enticed to write on the subject as I am a
desperate list maker. Yes, desperate.

I sit in almost anxiety when I have things on my mind that need done, it is only when I have the wonderful relief of grabbing a fresh page on a yellow legal pad, word document or post it note and listing the things in my mind that I can be calm. And then I will sit at my desk with the list beside me all day and add things to it. Some things need done immediately, while some are goals, others are hopeful fancies like “Clean out Closet”, “Lose 20 pounds”, “Become a Millionaire”. But I NEED these lists.

My listing habit has become increasingly consuming over the last year as I planned my wedding. Look at the madness: (this was my main list –followed by 5 or 6 other lists- of things that needed done for the wedding and this is completely condensed to what I had to do just before the wedding). I lived by these lists the last month or so before the big day.

The Master List (FINAL): Whitten – Hall Wedding

To Purchase:

For Wedding:
1. Starfish for centerpieces/shells
2. Welcome pails and filler items, saltwater taffy
3. Make-up (get consult and buy colors)
4. 2 palm trees and planters
5. lighter for reception candles
6. Kyle wedding shoes
7. Bouquet to toss – need: roses, green flower tape/wire, ribbon
8. something to hold the matches

For Rehearsal Dinner/ Party:
1. Plastic Cups – for beer and cocktails – 60 extra sleeve of cups
2. Tablecloth
3. Ice
6. Snack food/ Veggie Trays
7. Hawaiian music
8. Bring CD Player
9. Limes
10. Table - $40
11. Balloons for outside the house & Sign

To do:

1. Basket for wedding cards on the gift table (perhaps orange mtrl inside)
2. Need more than 100 chairs for recep and ceremony?
3. Welcome Pails – purchase final items and put together
4. Rehearsal Dinner/Party Invitations
5. Purchase supplies for rehearsal party: drink mix, liquor, food
6. Meet with Mae at Beach house – Final #, napkins, tables, kids $ meal
7. Discuss Birthday cake with Mae – to bring out after cutting cake activities
8. Pack for week at Anna Maria and Honeymoon
9. Meet with Rev. Shook to go over wedding ceremony and certificate

10. Double Check on Chairs, Flowers, Cake…
11. Plan Toast to be made at Rehearsal Dinner
12. Write Vows
13. Pay Nov. Rent and car loan
14. Leave Amanda a deposit slip to deposit pay check Nov.1st
15. Decide on someone to light reception candles and to help with seating chart – finding seats
16. Ceremony Decor


November:
1. On the 3rd - Mail announcements!
2. Check WP into housing– explain check out procedure
3. Take Ribbon and cake topper to Bakery Di Europa
4. Pick up flowers on Friday and take cake flowers to Bakery
5. Final # to Taylor Rental for Chairs – finalize times- final bill
6. Pass out Welcome Pails
7. Bachelorette Spa Day – Nov. 2nd
8. Organize all checks and payment to be dispersed night of wedding
9. Rehearsal @ Beach (outline to everyone)
10. Rehearsal Dinner – Shells – Gifts/ Toasts
11. Rehearsal Party
12. Make Centerpieces
13. Set up for Reception and Ceremony
14. Get hair and make-up done
15. Pictures with WP before Ceremony (B&G separate)
16. Wedding Day
17. Flight to Hawaii early Sunday
19. A woman’s Shopping Day – St. Armand’s Circle – Thursday?
20. Make toss away bouquet
21. Buy champagne, orange juice and snacks for bridal party



December:
1. Christmas in South Dakota
2. Thank you cards for Wedding Gifts.
5. Change Name
6. Cut out engagement announcements and frame/scrapbook
7. Frame invitation

It was my only connection with reality as the whole event started coming into shape throughout the year. And daily I would check things off my hard copy, and then go into my computer and gray out or strikethrough the item on that list. You are probably questioning my sanity now. But, I am being brutally honest. I tried when I returned from the honeymoon to not make any To Do lists and just relish the fact that the wedding planning was done and I could relax and be at peace. 2 days and I had made a list of all the things that needed to be accomplished before the Christmas holiday (this list has been altered and changed many times since and rewritten- I love to rewrite and redo lists to make them neater –this is another blog in itself).

These lists help me to function. They help me to accomplish “things”. To get “things” done. I need them!!! I also have the sickness of adding things to the list that I have already done just so I can check them off – come on folks…you know you’ve done it too!

What is it? Is it really because I can’t remember to do things? Is it to reward myself with check marks near completed tasks? Is it an attempt at an orderly lifestyle? I don’t know. I have three lists sitting at my desk right now. One is for work on a yellow legal pad post-it-note combo ( love em’)

1. Elevation of modeled bar joist –correct height with sketch
2. new millwork section
3. Call Bootsie
4. Typical Bathroom Elevations
5. Plot all Sheets
6. Storefront and hollow steel frame profile on A601
7. Begin Wall Sections

The other is for the weekend on a fresh legal pad from the supply closet.

1. Clean House, clean out fridge
2. Go thru wedding stuff
3. Return snow globe
4. Tree Skirt
………….etc.

The other is for Christmas Cards.

But I have been working on them all day and they are at various states of completion and honestly, it feels good. I love a good old fashioned list! I love cute paper to write on. Sometimes it is just about random tasks to keep me focused, other times my lists are goal oriented, while others are just to feel the calmness when the pen reaches paper and the thing on my mind is good and secure on paper where it won’t be forgotten. I mean…it’s on the list! It has to be done now!

P.S. I also have a task list on my Microsoft Outlook on my computer. It has said “Start Yoga” for going on 8 months. Sad but true. But, I can’t erase it…because it’s on the list and it needs checked off.

Well, there it is guys...a little insider info on yours truly.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

My Wedding



I thought it time to finally blog about the wedding. It seems like so much has happened since then but really it was a month ago and it is still perfectly preserved in my mind and always will be. I will eventually blog about the honeymoon and share with you those wonderful memories but first I must tell you about our very special day. And the days leading up to it as well.

On Tuesday (Oct. 30) my Mother arrived in Tampa, we loaded up the car, checking the list three times to be sure and headed towards Anna Maria for a week of wedding preparation and festivities. Our beach rental was cute and perfect, situated exactly across the street from the gorgeous gulf. We unpacked, oohed and awed over the dress once more and decided to scope out the wedding venue for dinner. While we were there, sitting under the pavilion where our reception would be in just a few days we ordered food and sat back to soak in the year we had spent planning this very week’s events.

Wednesday morning we sat out with a few missions: We had to take the cake topper and ribbon to the Bakery (and while we were there taste the amazing pastries for breakfast at Bakery Di Europa!). Next we had to hunt down some last minute décor. We rolled back onto the island just in time to greet some family who had just arrived and to go hand out some last minute Welcome Pails. The welcome pails were orange pails that had lots of wedding info – printed up on cute paper, sunscreen, bath gel, beach balls, water balloons etc, and maps of the island. Each guest found one in their hotel room as they arrived on the island. That was Wednesday’s mission. That night a large group of us headed to the Sandbar Restaurant for dinner outside on the beach. We had a lot of fun and chatted about the wedding events to come. That night we went out for some dart and pool playing as more family trickled in from the all over the country.

Thursday morning a group of us ladies and a few guys (Aaron and Ashton, hee hee) headed to the Ellenton Prime Outlets for a bit of shopping. After lunch my Mom and I had to head back to the island while the others finished up shopping. We had to meet with our Venue Coordinator at the Beachouse Restaurant and then Kyle and I had to head to the North end of the island to meet with the Reverend who would perform our ceremony. Afterwards, we had to each go our own way to finish finalizing last minute details for the following day. I did manage to swing by the beach rental his parents were staying at and pay a quick visit to my future family who I had been all to busy to visit with earlier in the week.

Thursday night was the preordained night for my Bachelorette Party. The gals got all dressed up and had me wearing a veil and a hat, a feather boa and a light up necklace – all proclaiming me as a bride to be. We headed to dinner at Mexicali Border in Bradenton and we had a great evening. All of us laughing as we tried to figure out the best way to have my funny veil stay on my head.

Friday (Wedding Eve!!!) began with all the women jumping into 3 different vehicles and heading towards Sarasota for the Bachelorette Spa Day. We spent the day drinking Mimosas, getting make-up done, hair curled, mani’s and pedi’s, and massages. We were thoroughly pampered and primped when we left. We all wore our Bride and Bridesmaids shirts that I had made the wedding party. It was a relaxing and fun morning.

The guys planned a Deep Sea Fishing Trip for this time and 16 of them heading out into the ocean to catch some fish and smoke some cigars. Unfortunately it was a rough day at sea and few men were able to fish the majority of the time. (I told them that a spa day is always a safe idea.) Thankfully, they had recovered by that evening. After the spa day my Mom and I set off again to pick up the flowers from the florist and then we headed back to Bradenton to drop a few of them at the Bakery for the cake. A quick costume change and we were off again to the Beachouse for our Wedding Rehearsal. My Mom’s friend Letaza acted as our Wedding Coordinator since she has a lot of experience doing so. She was amazing and took charge starting at the Rehearsal. She had lots of cute ideas for the wedding party walking down the aisle and she put it all together fabulously as we all fought to hear over the noisy wind and waves. Directly after the Rehearsal, we all headed to the Rehearsal Dinner which we were having at a restaurant on the island. They had the room set aside for us with menus printed out especially for our event. They brought us champagne for a toast and really made the evening special. Kyle and I and our parents made toasts and thank yous to family and friends who had traveled so far for the wedding. We handed out our groomsmen and bridesmaids gifts and then a special gift for each of our parents. We had a clock with an engraving from Kyle and I that we had specially made for each set of parents. They loved them and we were so happy! After that, Kyle surprised everyone with a wedding gift to him and me of his and her matching watches. They are Movado and so elegant. He did such a good job. Between the speeches and the gifts, there weren’t too many dry eyes in the place.

After the Dinner we all headed to Kyle’s parents Beach Rental where his parents hosted a Wedding Rehearsal Luau for everyone who was already in town for the wedding. My little cousin Cameron greeted each guest at the door with a silk flower Lei and everyone enjoyed the Visiting with both families and friends. We had Tropical Drinks and Hawaiian Music to set the mood and everyone seemed to have a great time. All the planning was worth it for this wonderful day!

That night was another girl’s night and I headed to the house we rented for the Wedding Party and hung out with my Bridesmaids and talked while we stuffed little white organza bags with bright orange rose petals. After visiting for a while I returned home to get a good night's sleep before the BIG DAY!!!!!!!!

Saturday morning I woke up with so much excitement and anticipation! My Mom and I threw on some clothes and headed to the Beachhouse where the Bridesmaids and their recruited husbands met us to hang the paper lanterns for the reception. This was the only time we had to do it and we had quite a lot of fun watching the guys hang them up all around the pavilion.

After that we headed back home to prepare for the day. My Mom had planned a little Bridal luncheon while we all got ready and she had it decorated so cute. The photographer arrived soon after and we started primping and curling until we all looked perfect. We put our dresses on and headed across the street for some beach pictures and then sent the photographer off to meet the Groomsmen and Kyle to do the same.

Half and hour later it was time to go to the Beachhouse, Letaza and family members had decorated and set up everything while we were getting ready and it looked perfect when we arrived. Our guests were getting their pictures made in the Polaroid Guest book and finding their seats at the ceremony as I snuck into the restaurant with my Bridesmaids to stay hidden until the perfect moment. We started exactly on time and off I went! Over the bridge onto the beach where my Dad was waiting to walk me down the aisle to Kyle. I saw Kyle brushing tears away as we saw each other and we locked eyes until we met him. The ceremony flew by and then suddenly we were married!!! We took pictures and then headed to the Reception to dance the night away! We had our first dance, we cut the cake, we visited with friends and the entire night was magical. After we cut our cake, we had them bring out a birthday cake we had the Bakery make for Kyle’s mother whose birthday was the same day. She agreed to share her special day with us so we had a giant palm tree birthday cake made as opposed to a groom’s cake. It was a complete surprise and she really enjoyed it as right on cue our DJ sang the birthday song. We closed the night with “Now I’ve had the time of my life” from the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack and we hugged everyone and started off on our happy honeymoon.

Whew! That was so much fun to reflect on! I promise to account for our Hawaii adventures soon! Our wedding was so amazing and perfect. The weather cooperated and all of our family and friends had such a good time. They all keep going on and on about every amazing part and Kyle and I feel so very blessed. After a years worth of planning and coordinating the event I left that night feeling as if it all went 20times better than even I could have dreamed it.

Lots of Love!

L. Hall
Est. 11-3-07

Friday, November 30, 2007

T.G.I.F.

Well friends, we made it through another week. Whew! Back at work for the first full week since the wedding. Wow - is it hard to get back in the swing of things. Good thing Christmas is close! hee hee. Well, as you can tell my mood is much better having had the week to settle back in at home with Kyle. And by settling in I mean continuing to wade through our mess of an apartment. It is strewn with wedding things and hawaiian t-shirts, all kinds of food left over from the wedding week. But, it is home and we are happy to be there mess or no mess.
The goal for the weekend is to clean clean clean and then put up our tree and get ready for the happiest of holidays.

I want to do a quick shout out to all the new bloggers out there. A few new comments turned up on my last post and I was happy to find friends who just started their own blogs. One of them had this to say as an intro and I am going to steal her line and post it.

"Greetings friends and loved ones
This spot is where I will write my thoughts. Express myself. If you are invited to read any of these writings do not spread rumors or gossip. These are no one's thoughts and expressions other than my own. Your comments are welcome. Be merciful when commenting."


I think as fellow bloggers we all come to days where we are hurt or sad and want to spill our guts but are ever so careful, trying to tiptoe around things without saying what we mean and that is not why I started a blog. How can I "go overboard" as my blog title suggests without talking about anything that matters? I do not mean that we should post everything b/c our goal should never be to hurt people that we love, but as our online journals - shouldn't we feel that we don't have to constantly censor ourselves? Somethings do not belong in a blog but I believe that we as readers and writers should acknowledge that this should be a safe place to express ourselves. Descent from soapbox.

Well, back to work I go. Please keep my family in your prayers this week as we seem to be going through some tough times.

Leslie

P.S. I am working on a blog about both wedding and honeymoon! I promise it will be worth the wait in reading it! I am hoping to attach some good pictures too!

Have a fabulous beginning to December.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

There's no place like home for the Holidays....

“I'm giving thanks that we don't have to go through this for another year. Except we do, because those jerks went and put Christmas right in the middle, just to punish us.”

-Home for the Holidays (1995)


I am not one that typically blogs in negative tones. I will admit to stress and I will admit to things not being perfect. But rarely do I blog out of pure frustration and annoyance and just a plain bah humbug mentality. Today is the day.

You may take my quote above as rude, but I love that movie and watch it every year right before Thanksgiving as a rule. It is about family and the dread of going to see family that you only see at the Holidays (which has become my life story- minus the dread, I am always happy and excited to go home). The heroine, Holly Hunter goes back to her family’s house for Thanksgiving and is immediately sucked into the drama and insanity that her family that still lives there deals with on a daily basis. It gets bad and then it gets worse as the siblings and family members assemble for the holidays.

I typically watch it because it is funny and is part of my holiday tradition. This year was no different and as I watched it on the plane on Thanksgiving morning I sighed in relief that my holiday would be so radically different than my favorite characters’.
And actually my Thanksgiving Day was nothing but fun and happiness. I was able to spend time with my family in Grove and see some family members whom I had not seen in some time, including my late grandfathers’ brother who resembles him so much. I laughed with cousins and Kyle has a good time playing cards and football. It was a great great day.

Friday we had a nice Thanksgiving with my Father’s family.
Saturday we had a lovely reception for the wedding for family and friends who were unable to attend. One of my bridesmaids came and surprised me with a video of the wedding which we all watched and that was very enjoyable.
Sunday we had lunch with Kyle’s college roommate Ricky who was also in the wedding and then said goodbye to family and escaped to the airport to depart back to sunny Florida.

Because I love my family and because I have a public blog and because I do not encourage rumors or drama that only cause hurt for others I will not post what it is that put such a veil of torture on my Holiday. All I will say is that the quote above is how I feel at this moment. I have never been happier to see my plane leave the ground in Oklahoma and I have never been happier to wake up next to my husband and know that our lives our here and what we have here are jobs we are truly blessed with, a church that we love, friends we adore and a new life together that does not include drama, lies, anger, hatred, or pain over the past. Over a past I did not choose but was dealt.


“We don't have to like each other. We're family.”

-Home for the Holidays (1995)


This post Thanksgiving quote is what is on my heart today. Do not think me negative for the lines I wrote above. Please understand that they are written from a very hurt heart and not from any one person but from a lifetime of drama and issues on all sides that continually go on. The healthiest decision I can make for myself and my husband is to live our lives here and pray for a peace for our loved ones who are suffering in different ways. This is the quote I will dwell on today:

“Thanksgiving is a time of quiet reflection upon the past and an annual reminder that God has, again, been ever so faithful. The solid and simple things of life are brought into clear focus.”
-Charles R. Swindoll


L. Hall

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

"There is something in every season, in every day, to celebrate with thanksgiving." -Gloria Gaither


glitter-graphics.com

Thanksgiving Blessings to everyone! Kyle and I are headed to Oklahoma to spend a holiday weekend with friends and family. We are having Thanksgiving with my Mother and her family in Grove on Thursday and then celebrating again on Friday at my cousin Tiffanie's house with my Father's family. On Saturday my parents are hosting a small reception in our honor for those who were not able to attend the wedding as well as for those who attended the wedding and want more cake! And on Sunday we have most of the day and then we fly back to warm Florida. I am a little nervous at the idea of snow on Saturday - although I am very excited...it just sounds a little colder than I was planning for! I guess I will have to throw in a few more layers and a scarf for the trip! Lots of love and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Take care and God Bless!

L. Hall

Monday, November 19, 2007

A wedding at the Beach...and a Honeymoon in Paradise...




Someday I will blog but I know you would rather see pictures! These are from the wedding and from the honeymoon. Lata'
L. Hall

Friday, November 16, 2007

I now pronounce you Man & Wife, you may kiss the Bride.




Much Much Much more to come!!!!!!!!! Love you all!!!!!!!!!
L. Hall

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Wedding Day!!







Going to the chapel



And we're gonna get married



Going to the chapel



And we're gonna get married






Gee I really love you



And we're gonna get married



Going to the chapel of love






Spring is here (ooo-ooo-ooo)



The sky is blue (sky is blue)



Birds all sing (oh the birds all sing)



Like they do (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)






Today's the day (wah-hooo-oooo)



We'll say "I do" (ooo-oooo)



And we'll never be lonely anymore






Because we're



Going to the chapel



And we're gonna get married



Going to the chapel



And we're gonna get married






Gee I really love you



And we're gonna get married



Going to the chapel of love






Bells will ring (ri-ii-iing) (bells will ring)



The sun will shine (hey hey hey yeah) (the sun will shine)



I'll be hers (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah) (I'll be hers)



And she'll be mine (oh oh oh oh oh oh oh) (and she'll be mine)






We'll love until (we'll love until) (hey hey hey) (we'll love until)



The end of time (ooo hooo) (the end of time)



And we'll never be lonely anymore






Because we're



Going to the chapel



And we're gonna get married



Going to the chapel



And we're gonna get married






See you when we get back from Hawaii!!!!!!!!!!!!


Love,


Mrs. Leslie Hall

Friday, November 02, 2007

It is the eve of the wedding!





So, here we are one day before the wedding! It is actually going to happen tomorrow! All these months..all this planning..and it is almost here! Thank you for all your prayers throughout this year and please think of us tomorrow around 5:30 eastern time!




Lots of love!!!




Leslie




Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Almost There!




The last day before all the wedding stuff really starts to happen! Lots of fun!!



How did we get here??? This is soooo amazing!!!






Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Today's Magic number is.....

I am getting married in 4 (COUNT THEM!!!) 4 days!!!!

Monday, October 29, 2007

5 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






Yes!!! 5 more days and I will be off on my lovely honeymoon



with my HUSBAND!!!!!!!!!!






Sunday, October 28, 2007

Now..10 was fine..but 6 days!!! YIKES!!!

6 littly tiny days until THE BIG DAY!


Saturday, October 27, 2007

Lucky number 7!






7 More days until....Da Dum Da Da! Da Dum Da Da!!!!!!!!!!!




Friday, October 26, 2007

I cannot believe it!!!

Only 8 more days until I am Mrs. Kyle Hall!!!!!!!!!!!!



Thursday, October 25, 2007

The countdown has officially begun!


Nine days!!!!!!!!!!
Only nine more days!!!!!!!!!



Monday, October 22, 2007

The 12 days of Chistmas..ur..of our wedding

(Please try to hum the tune in your head while reading)

On the 12th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "We still need the two palm trees"
On the 11th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "Just 12 more days till we go to Hawaii"
On the 10th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "What more is left to do but get married!"
On the 9th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "You and your lists are driving me crazy"
On the 8th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "I think on Saturday we should go to Disney"
On the 7th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "When can I see what you got at your Bachelorette Party?"
On the 6th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "Why didn't we elope to Maui?"
On the 5th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "I CANT WAIT TO WEAR MY WEDDING RING!!!"
On the 4th day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "We are almost a family"
On the 3rd day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "OKay, now I am getting cold feet!"
On the 2nd day of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "I know we will be so happy!"
On the THE DAY of our wedding my fiance' said to me, "Leslie, Will you marry me?"

Okay, that was super fun to write but it took my whole lunch hour inbetween phone calls and such so I dont have time to write anymore. Hope you thought that was funny!

12 days!!!!!!!!!!

Yikes!!

Wahoo!!

-L

Friday, October 19, 2007

Jane Austen.....on marriage

Today's blog is a conglomeration of quotations by my favorite author, Jane Austen and her take on marriage. In case you are not aware, Jane Austen is the author of Pride and Prejudice as well as Emma and Sense and Sensibility among others.

"I pay very little regard...to what any young person says on the subject of marriage. If they profess a disinclination for it, I only set it down that they have not yet seen the right person."

Jane Austen(1775 - 1817), Mansfield Park


"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. "

"Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then. "

"It is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage. A man always imagines a woman to be ready for anybody who asks her. "

"No man is offended by another man's admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment. "

"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. "

"Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain. "

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. " ( I just like this one)

"To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love. "

I hope you enjoyed Jane Austen's thoughts on marriage and various other things.
I did not know what to write today and that entertained me. Have a great weekend!

P.S. 15 days!!!!!!!

-L

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

17 days till THE BIG DAY

Well, friends it is getting closer than close! I cannot believe that our family will be here next weekend! I mean...WOW!! I have two and a half weeks left to be Leslie Whitten! I have had 24 years and I never truly appreciated my beloved name.... (sigh)

I never imagined I would marry a firefighter from South Dakota. Or anyone from South Dakota for that matter. I have to say that these days before the wedding are interesting. So many emotions and even some cold little feet, stress of the event...but mainly, this completely in awe kind of excitement! Last night we were deciding on our first dance song for the reception and we were dancing to various selections and trying to imagine the evening when we would be in our wedding clothes in front of all our family being Mrs. and Mr. Hall. Wow.....

Well, that is all I got today. Just shock that it is so close and awe that it is actually here and happening!

Shock and Awe!

The Bride to Be!

Monday, October 08, 2007

26 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay.... so its a little early for a real countdown day by day but can you believe it?
We can't! Family will be here in 3 weeks...we walk down the aisle in 4 weeks..and then Hawaii!!!
We are so excited for everything! As we order last minute items, and meet with vendors, it just gets closer and closer!
This weekend Kyle and I went to the island to finalize our Rehearsal Dinner plans with our restaurant. That went fairly well. Then we mosied over the BeachHouse to make sure it was still standing...it was and there were two wedding about to happen and then.....downpour!!
We walked across the street for some of the best ice cream on the island and sat outside watching the rain pour down over the beautiful archway one couple had prepared. We looked at each other and bust out laughing! So far we have seen a wedding there in a Tropical Depression and now just a rainstorm...we aren't superstitious but we both knocked on wood and crossed our fingers that our day is all sunshine and happiness.
So, some of you are probably wondering what kind of behind the scenes drama is really going on this close to the wedding and I have to tell ya that "It's all GOOD!" to quote my pastor from yesterday's sermon. The sermon was on prayer and he told a funny anecdote about the early nineties saying "It's all good" and how we should find the joy in all situations and trust Christ completely and later on that day as Kyle and I were once again talking about this family drama or that little detail, I just said, "Hey, It's all good! Lets not let anymore of this bring us down on any level and lets just celebrate because this should be the most exciting time of our lives!" So that is our new theme, when we get a call about something going wrong or so in so is not coming or so in so wasnt invited but wants to come, etc.... It is all good.

Lots of love and happy Monday!

-L

Friday, October 05, 2007

Going to the Chapel.....

"speak in a summer tone, pause in the afterglow, tenderly whisper my name, tell me once again, Why I am your bride so I can fly... pause in your busy day, look extra long my way, wink at me across the room, kiss me longer, touch my arm when I am by your side, So I can fly... oh how the little things strengthen my tiny wings, help me to take on the world, when you love me there's nothing I wouldn't try, I might even fly..."

My friend Amy has this on her blog and I love reading it. They are lyrics from a Sarah Groves song, "Fly". Amy was my childhood best friend and yesterday she got married! So this is a little shout out to the Happy Couple all the way in Carlos Paz, Argentina!! Congrats Amy and Claudio!!

It's pretty funny that we are getting married a month apart...


Speaking of my own wedding....yesterday was officially 30 days from the BIG DAY! On Tuesday we marched down to the courthouse and got our marriage license. It was very simple and took us about 10 minutes..but it seemed like the biggest thing ever!! So, we have the official documents!
And now we are wrapping up final details....
Rose petals, organze bags, palm trees, programs..... THE NORM.
We have finally got responses from invitations - less than half came via the mail in our prestamped envelopes but, we hunted them all down and I can finally invite my co-workers.

Everything else is going well. We are just taking things one day at a time and checking them off as we go!! So this weekend will be a busy one!

Hope everyone has a happy and safe weekend!

-L

Monday, October 01, 2007

Take NCIDQ test......CHECK!

I thought I would share a few photos of my test taking adventure in Orlando this past weekend. The following two are of the hotel the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort where the exam was held. A view of the insanely big resort - yes it took me a while to find the place I was supposed to be!
This is a picture of a ballroom at the hotel. They quartered a similar room off and that is where we took our exam. Not exactly the testing facility I had imagined.
The following pictures are of the hotel where I stayed.
It was an amazing hotel - I wish I had been enjoying strictly as a vacation - but it was a cozy place to be when I came back after a day of testing to relax and prepare for the next day.

My Hotel - The Renaissance Seaworld Resort
The hotel atrium at night
The sushi bar in the atrium "MIST" - which I ate at YUM!!!!!!!!!
My room!



“What a wonderful God we have—he is…the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us.”
2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4


What a weekend! Thursday night as I drove to Orlando all I could think of was this test and how I was going to do and if I would pass and also..how excited I would be when it was Saturday evening and the test was finished. My nerves were okay on Thursday night and I managed to sleep okay. My hotel was pretty amazing so I was jazzed about that (I love hotels!) - I took a practice run to the place I was taking the test (another hotel a wee bit out of my price range) and was relieved to make it in about 5 minutes. I went to sleep excited about getting it done with and also about the Starbucks I had located right downstairs!

The next day I woke up on time (thanks to three alarms placed all over the room in order to force me awake an out of bed) I got ready and went downstairs for some coffee. Sadly my nerves did not deal well with my coffee and blueferry muffin so I stared at them until it was time to leave. I was a wreck. But, once at the test location I found what would soon be acknowledged by my fellow test takers as unbelievable parking- by unbelievable I mean that I was directed to employee parking which is free as opposed to what the other people had found which was 18 dollars a day. Now the testing site was completely amazing. I probably walked a 1/2 mile through the facility (literally) before I found the testing site. Once there I was relieved to see familiar faces from my test workshop 2 months before. Also very comforting were the similar feelings and anxiety had by all. Friday's session was 2 different sections of the test- one in the morning and one in the afternoon- both 150 multiple choice questions - 3 1/2 hour time limit. And I needed it! Thankfully there were great dining facilities on site so we all grabbed lunch after section one and shared our worries and predictions of our future pertaining to the passing of the test we just took. Next we went back to the ballroom that had been quartered off to serve as our testing room. Nothing cozier to take a test in than a room with 30 ft ceilings and a 30 degree room temperature. Basically 50 women and two men freezing while trying to take the most important test of our professional careers.


After Friday's test I headed to the nearby GAP outlet to hunt down some warmer clothing for the next testing day. I thought I was over the nerves but found myself feeling anxious again later that evening. Saturday i woke up, avoided coffee and food all together and headed back to the hotel for the test. Once there and settled into my table I had plenty of time to lay our all my supplies and feel somewhat relaxed. This is where my quote from Corinthians at the top of the page comes in - I am so amazed by the peace that God gave me during this experience - I was nervous before the test - but once I was there a calmness and readiness came over me. I realized afterward just how much the studying and taking of this test affected me physically and mentally. I was an exhausted emotional mess! Looking back I am so thankful for that peace during the actual testing times - because outside of that room I didnt have a confident bone in my body.


So as I said Saturday was an actual design charette where we were given a problem and had 4 hours to find a solution, sketch it and draft it onto the appropriate plans. I felt prepared but I was definitely ovewhelmed a few times during the test. I finished in the last few minutes of the alotted time but was able to double check my work. The second portion was 3 hours and it ended around 5:30. I could have run jumping and skipping down the halls when I walked out of that exam. It was finished and now on the agenda...A Wedding! 5 week count down starting Saturday.


As far as my feeling on my success on the test - I must tell you that I have absolutely no idea what to expect. It was very challenging but I know that I did my very best. Should I find out in January that I passed- I will be elated, but I have no confidence in passing the whole exam. This is something that many people take several times. Thankfully if I pass one section and not others I do not have to repeat the sections that I passed. It is in the grading juror's hand now and I am putting it out of my mind pass or fail until then. Now, all I have to do is this little wedding thing..


Oh my! It is sooo close! Continued prayers would be appreciated!


Lots of Love and thank you for your thoughts and prayers the last two months as I prepared for the exam!





-L

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Confessions of a Shopaholic, Soon to be Wed, Test failing, Property purchasing virgin who can't sleep.

Did I spell it out clear enough? Well, I have been sick at home in bed the last two days and today I have managed to drag myself to work where I am struggling to emit any sort of productivity. A surge of energy from my strawberry yogurt at lunch inspired me to blog and gush a bit about what I am up to.
Well as some of you might know the wedding is six weeks away. This seems sooo soon I can barely see it or type it without my stomach doing a flip. I am preparing for my test next weekend and so glad it is finally here so I can just take it and stop worrying about it..and then focus my attention on fun wedding stuff and honeymoon preparation. In my last blog I mentioned that Kyle and I started house hunting. We were pre-approved by the bank and are now really getting serious about our home search (actually probably not too serious until next week is over). We have looked at quite a few homes but are both extremely nervous about the concept of home ownership. How do you choose? The whole process is really intimidating us. There is a new show on HGTV starting Sunday called Property Virgins and it is supposed to be helpful tips from a real estate guru of sorts to first time home buyers. I am excited to watch it and see if we learn anything helpful.
I am hosting our lifegroup tonight at my apartment which should be fun- although I always stress at the idea of people being over and things being perfect. I have been on a cleaning war path the last few days despite being almost completely confined to my bed or the couch. Gag.

Yesterday was Kyle and I's 3 year dating anniversary! I cannot believe it has been three years. To celebrate he took me to Chili's for dinner which was the original place of our first date three years ago yesterday. We sat in a booth situated almost identical to the one we sat in in Stillwater. We had a good time rehashing old memories and stories of when we first met and started dating. It felt good to get out of the house as well - its sometimes hard to get well when you dont get out and move around.

Well, Lunch is over and I have to get back to the old grind.

Take care and have a good Wednesday!

-L

Friday, September 14, 2007

Blogging just isn't the same w/o Miz Jeans

Well, as you can see I havent been blogging too much lately and I today I figured out what is keeping me. My dear friend Heather has been unable to blog due to computer problems and I realized that when I read hers all the time it makes me want to blog..but lately I have lacked any motivation. That and I have been completely preoccupied by Kyle and I'd latest obsession: House hunting. Yes, I should be studying, yes there is a wedding in 6 weeks (Ahhhhhh!)....and yet a new thing to think about is oddly consuming.
It all happened when we stumbled across an open house on a Sunday afternoon. We fell head over heels in love with it- decided to get preapproved (simultaneously planning our future furnishings and paint colors in our heads..okay, that was just me - kyle is all finance; no fluff). Well, we started that process and then we thought that we should look at everything else in our price range in the area before we just up and buy a house. So we started looking all over the place. I have been making appts. and we even looked at renting a townhouse...
It has been crazy..and like I said..very consuming. It is nice to have a distraction thought - it seems like for the last 6 months all I have thought about is my licension test and wedding fluffiness.
Hmmmm....four minutes left of my lunch break and then it is back to the old drawing board..literally!
I guess I will close with my desk calendar quote of the day!

"Each day is a little life. Live it to the fullest."

Take care all and have a fabulous weekend!!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Time keeps tickin' away, tick tick tickin' away!

Well campers, it's September. The count down to the Big Day just got serious. We have less than sixty days here folks before yours truly is walking down and aisle in a white dress. Cold feet? Not really- anxiousness beyond all reason and a 24 hour mind blur of possible scenarios and forgotten details...you bet! For example...

I fell asleep last night thinking about my licensiong test..yeah right! Truthfully I was thinking about the Rehearsal Party Luau the night before the wedding - I was debating icicle lights and lanterns for decor....seriously.

So, here is what I dreamt: I am walking to my old school thru the streets of sand springs, ok. After crossing the bridge I park my car at the old KFC and begin my trek to campus. I am walking down a street and I drop something. A voice from behind me says, "Leslie, you dropped this". I turn back and there is this blond guy who doesnt look like James Dean but has thay kind of aura about him (smoking a cigarette, dangerous, etc.) actually he looks kinda like Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Anyways, I take the thing I dropped clearly freaked that this guy knows my name and is walking behind me. Next I walk by my old junior high and a bus is turning the corner and it stops and my sister Rose gets out of it and when she walks by me she says hi and keeps walking with her friends. I continue onto school. When I get to the high school I walk in the auditorium entrance and thru the doors to the front - now I am at the front of a church and there are icicle lights on the wall. The preacher is to my right and clearly getting ready to start the service. I am standing 2 feet in front of the lights just staring when I hear my name, "Leslie," I turn around and its the same guy but this time I know him - he is down on one knee and suddenly he is proposing to me. But, he has three rings. Church is starting and everyone is staring, I take him by the hand and walk around the church (which is now the old church I grew up in) and we sit down in this crowded row. All my friends and family are sitting around me with their families. I say yes to my now fiance' as we are seated in the pew and then he tells me to pick which ring I want. There is a gold one with a small round diamond, and identical white gold one and then a hideous one with tons of small mood ring type stones on it. I look down at my hand to try them on and realize that I already have an engagement ring on and it is my real ring. I try to get it off but i can't so I try the others on over it and none of them fit. Now the people in the row are complaining because it is too crammed on the row. Others are still murmuring about the sudden engagement and out of the corner of my eye I see my friend Heather a few pews back looking at me and she mouths to me "What are you doing?". I shake my head and I go back to dealing with the space issue in the row. I realize that the problem is that my new fiance who is now engrossed in sermon has his bible and theological books next to him in between us taking up all this room. I ask him to move them and he says that he was taught to have them there and cant move them. I look at him oddly and then I look down at my hand and I am still wearing my real engagement ring and I have set the others aside. Tears start pouring down my face and all I can think about is Kyle and how I have to find him. I press the rings into the guy's hand - whisper, "I can't" and run out the door. I get in the first car I see and I drive to the airport, I get on a flight and when I get there I step out the door and see Kyle who is on his way to find me. Then my alarm goes off.

Weird. I'm sure I could try to break this apart and try to figure out what everything could possibly mean like Heather and I used to do....but its too odd, I think I will chalk it up to sleeping too good and having too much stuff on my mind.

Have a great Tuesday - I'll let you know if anything crazy happens tonight!
More later-

-L

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Portrait of a Tiger

Well, if this last weekend had a name it would be called "Leslie vs. her wedding list" - I took the list of all the things left to do for the wedding and I set out on a mission. The mission: to get as many things accomplished (i.e. checked off the list) as possible. I went to SoHo (southern Hospitality), Michaels, Shoe Carnival, TJ Max, Target, PartyPlus, Ross, Bed Bath and Beyond, and then with still more energy I went to...the mall. I stepped into Dillards, Fredricks (woo woo!), The bombay company, back to Dilliards and then I was beyond exhaustion so I took my weary feet and mind home. The next day i battled on! With Walmart and then on Monday it was Kirklands....
This wedding...........
Although my apartment is about to turn into a bridal store with all the junk I have in it - I accomplished a lot and feel relieved to have quite a few red lines thru "the list".

Yesterday in desperation for THE PERFECT PICTURE FRAME for one of the wedding "details" I found myself buying a gorgeous frame with a print of a tiger in it. I was embarrassed to be purchasing the ugly print but it was on clearance and I wanted that frame! So I bravely went up to the counter like the tiger picture collector that I am and made my purchase - almost positive that upon leaving the store - the staff were calling so in so to tell them they had won the pool and some crazy lady had actually bought the hideous tiger picture.

Thats all the gab I have for today- I have to spend the rest of my precious lunch hour with my nose in my book studying for my exam. Yes the exam that I am supposed to be focused on 100% and setting the wedding planning aside for. Oh well..you're only a bride once!

-L

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The worse kind of homesick

Nothing can make you more homesick than visiting home - now, that is a documented fact. Let me tell you about my weekend trip home. First of all, it was wonderful and I had such a great time and yet it was torture - because my flight back on Sunday was always looming in the back of my mind. The trip was just too darn short for comfort. It started this way....

I left work at 2pm on Friday in order to go home and collect Kyle before heading to the airport. Upon arrival at TPA we found our flight was delayed. The instant worry is "Will we miss our connection?". So, we sat down at a restaurant, ordered a glass of wine and waited it out. On our way to our gate we decided to stop at the mini convenience store for a pack of gum and the some magazine I can read to avoid my textbook I brought to study on the plane. Coming out of the store I do not see the giant yellow "wet floor" sign and I fall directly on to my bad knee and my earpiece goes flying across the airport floor. Onlookers see me (Kyle is in the bathroom at this moment) and continue on their way. I scramble up and limp through my almost tears to find him for some comfort. The flight gets into Memphis with just enought time to.....find out that our flight that was to delayed and without a flight crew until 9:30 (note: we were supposed to be in Tulsa at 8:50). So, we settle in to find some dinner as our dinner plans with family are clearly off. Luckily we made it to a diner with 5 minutes to spare before the kitchen closed. P.S. when traveling into Memphis bring a snack as the entire airport shuts down at 7:30 pm. At 10:30 (yes, I said 10:30) we depart. We arrive in Tulsa at a little after midnight - we get home and I completely collapse into bed with exhaustion. Sorry Mom!
Satuday morning I awake at dawn (literally) and several hours later am joined by family. Then my Mom and I are off to the salon while Kyle goes to enjoy a day of golf with my father. After the hair salon we head to the Bridal Salon where I try on my wedding dress and IT FITS! Wahoo! A quick bite to eat and we are off to the my house where my maid and matron of honor are throwing me a personal shower. We had such a good time and it was so much fun to spend time with my friends!
That night - after being forced to go swimming at midnight when Kyle returned from his golf adventure.....I collapse once again in total exhaustion.
Wake up and go to my dad's new house. Get to see my Dad finally. Visit. Eat Lunch. Go to Airport. Sorry Dad!
Our flight is delayed our of Tulsa, we run like maniacs through Detroit's Airport (yes, Detroit) and are the last people on the plane several minutes before the door shuts. Drama drama..bags doesnt fit in overhead compartment...drama drama...unloading..repacking...most hated people on any flight-EVER!....take off.
Arrive in Tampa at 12:05am. Get baggage. Catch Tram to Parking Lot. Drive the half hour to Plant City.
Sleep.
Beep Beep Beeep!!! Alarm at 6:30 Monday morning....Grrrrrr.....

So, I am so homesick because I was home - and yet I was barely there at all. It feels like I just am torturing myself because the trip was too short. Thankfully we will be there longer for Thanksgiving so it won't be so bad.

Tuesday is better - maybe I'll even unpack my suitcase.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Sweet Home Oklahoma

Alabama would be closer but, i am headed to Okrahoma this evening and I am beyond excitement! In a huge decision making process last night my beloved fiance' decided not to cancel his ticket and to come home with me. The process included a pro con list, much discussion, a coin toss, and papers with "go" and "stay" put into a hat. In the end I convinced him that he wanted to go so he should just go! It's a quick trip but it will be nice to get away for a few days and spend some time with family and friends. He is going to play golf and hang out with my dad while we do the previously planned "girl stuff". I can't wait to see my dress! Lets cross our fingers that it fits!

And now to play Tracy's game:
Here are the rules if you are my blog readers and have no idea what Tracy's game is:

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write in their own blog about their eight things
and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

(I'm gonna follow Tracy's lead here and not tag anyone - post 'em and play along if you want!)

My 8 Random Facts/Habits:

1. I have been a Sonic Carhop, worked in a Sport’s store, Served Custard at Shakey’s, Been a preschool babysitter at the YMCA/ this included riding the bus in the morning and afternoon with the other age kiddos, Been a Drama instructor/Counselor at a summer camp where my claim to fame was meeting a rattlesnake, a wasp, and a sharp edge of a pontoon boat all in one afternoon among other outdoorsy things that don’t really sound like me at all. I was a president of my college club-Kappa Phi- where the only answer is “I’d love to!”, the mascot in high school for bit, the editor of the yearbook, a lead in a play, the quiet kid in class, a parking attendant for the Plant City Strawberry Festival (2 years running), and an Interior Designer/Architecture Intern/Gopher/Receptionist/Color and Finish Advisor/ AutoCad Technician. And I am only 24? What else could God possibly have in store for me next? Oh yeah! He is making me a wife on November 3rd!

2. I am detailed oriented to a degree that sometimes scares even myself. My blessing
is that details are the core of my career so that is good. My curse...I live in a world of lists created by me!

3. Hello. My name is Leslie and I am a Shopaholic. Currently undergoing intense counseling from my future money conscious husband.


4. I have lived an interesting life so far. I have seen and felt a lot and I am happy to be who I am even with all my discrepancies. I have been on the in skirts of several divorces – I have learned more about marriage, commitment (or the lack of), courage, and selfishness than most 24 year olds I know (but not all). I also have learned that I know nothing (which is a valuable lesson I think). I have loved and lost but, loved again. I have tried and failed. I have walked away from my faith and almost everything I knew. I have ran back into the Father’s open arms when he opened my eyes. I have seen abuse but not felt it. Sadly I have witnessed alcoholism and drug use. I have lost people I loved. I have moved away from everything that was familiar and comfortable and started anew. I am a dreamer who prefers the streets of Manhattan to a field of flowers. I am a reader who prefers an old classic with the cover falling off to a new novel by the latest and greatest. I am a singer who cannot sing (don’t think that stops me). I am brave – but I am as scared as a mouse. I am happy – but never content to sit still.

5. I know the difference between a Louis XV and Louis XIV chair. I also know how a building is built and how it stands up. I even know how to attach a roof! I can even draw it for you! I comment on tile and plastic laminate finishes as casually as I do the weather –this is a big source of comedy with my friends. I like that I know these things – But I am still a student and I am always learning more. I’m not sure why but, people are afraid to have me see their homes. I think this is funny b/c I have NEVER said anything bad about anyone’s home! I make suggestions only when asked. Someday I am going to walk into someone’s house and start screaming “Ahhhh!! No! Those curtains are awful! Take them down now! O! My eyes my eyes!! That shade of green is deathly!....”

6. I LOVE PICTURES. I had to stop buying frames b/c there is no more place for pictures in my little apartment. I love scrapbooks, photo albums, refrigerators covered with pictures and magnets, Big framed pictures with matting….I love taking pictures and picking them up and seeing them developed for the first time – I love enlargements, black and whites and sepia is my favorite!

7. I could live on cottage cheese and green olives alone. And a nice, crisp Pinot Grigio.
Oh yeah..and the Lemon Passion dessert at Macaroni Grill.

8. I am more excited about getting married to Kyle than I ever even imagined I could be. I have wondered before if I was even the type to get married and now I honestly cannot wait to say I do! – most of the time we look at each other and wish we could just be married right now, I mean we are ready!!! I hope that November 3rd is a great day that we will always cherish – but I am looking forward to the days after (and not just Hawaii).



Okay, that was a little indulgent..but, that is what the blogs all about anyways right?
Happy weekend all!! See some of you very soon!!!

Leslie

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Bloggable

Not sure if I have anything "bloggable" but I figured that it had been a week so, I better update my fans..errr....readers.
So not too much going on... O wait! Actually there is a lot going on in my little world. First of all-I am soooooo psyched because I am going home for the weekend!!!!!
I have a dress fitting on Saturday morning, Mom, Stephanie and Tiff are going to do a practice run on the bridal hair-do and then my maid and matron of honor are giving me a personal bridal shower! I am bubbling over with excitement for it all!
Along with that excitement is this: The invitations have been sent. Kyle and I managed to get ourselves on task and attack the invitations this last weekend and as of yesterday - we handed them over to the good ole' postal service. Making sure to tell my Dad that because of their over sized shape we were able to add a substantial chunk of dough to his retirement. hee hee (in case that confused you - my dad is a postmaster of a post office in Tulsa).
The other exciting thing is....we found Kyle's wedding band last weekend as well and he is sooo proud of it! It is made of Tungsten which is indestructible and exactly what he wanted. It has a diamond in the center (which he swore he didn't want!) and it is really a cool ring.
Kyle and I also managed to figure out separately and together what we were getting each other as our wedding gifts to the other. We are going to give them to each other at the Rehearsal Dinner at the wedding so we are real excited about that.
Now..remember all that jazz I said before about the wedding being on hold until I take my test...Well! it has to really happen soon b/c the test is soooo soon! But, the wedding is sooo much fun and this weekend is more excitement than I can even handle!
I was telling my sister about this dream I had with a wedding cake chasing me and a lime dress that attacked me...and that one is mild compared to what has been going on in my dreams when I close my eyes at night. Whew!

Health report:
Well, as you might know I have in the last few months had several health "issues" and I would like to announce that as off last week, I had my last follow up and am on my way to health and happiness (provided I follow directions, eat right, and take my meds). Now I have a slightly new problem (big surprise) - by the way- have I mentioned that since I retired to Florida my bill of health has been that of a 65 year old? -
Anywhoo- I am joining the ranks of my family with a knee problem. As of my orthopedist's diagnosis this morning I officially have - Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Basically my knee cap in my right leg is tilted to the left. For right now the method for cure is physical therapy (at home), with a knee brace next if that doesn't help. The end is surgery which I hope to avoid at all costs!

Happy Wednesday and more later!

-L

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Spanglish

I read this poem on a friend's blog a million years ago, she is my best friend from childhood and her family are missionaries in Carlos Paz, Argentina. She teaches English classes there and posted this poem about the difficulties of learning a second language when that language is English-


Lets face it
English is a stupid langauge.
There is no egg in eggplant;No ham in the hamburger
And neither pine nor apple in the pineapple.
And while no one knows what is in a hot dog,
you can be pretty sure it isn't canine.
English muffins were not invented in England;
French fries were not invented in France.
We sometimes take English for granted.
But if we examine its paradoxes we find that
Quicksand takes you down slowly.
Boxing rings are square.
And a guinea pig is neither from
Guinea nor is it a pig.
Sweetmeats are candies, while sweet breads,which aren't sweet, are meat.
If writers write, how come fingers don't fing?
If the plural of tooth is teeth,One goose, two geese.
So one moose, two meese? Is cheese the plural of choose?
One mouse, two mice; one louse two lice,one house two hice?
Shouldn't the plural of phone boothe be phone beeth?
If the teacher taught, why didn't the preacher praught?
Or the grocer groce, or hammers ham?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables,what the heck does a humanitarian eat?
Why do people recite at a play,yet play at a recital?
Park on driveways and drive on parkways?
Ship by truck, and send cargo by ship....?
Have feet that smell and noses that run?
How can the weather be as hot as hell one dayand as cold as hell on another
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language where a house can burn up as it burns down, and in which you fill in a form by filling it out and a bell is only heard once it goes!
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
English was invented by people, not computers and it reflects the
creativity of the human race(which of course isn't a race at all)
That is why you get in and out of a car, and on and off a bus.
When the stars are out they are visible
but when the lights are out they are invisible.
And why it is that when I wind up my watch it starts,
but when I wind up this poem, it ends.

Hope you guys thought that was cute! Talk atcha later!

-L