Update

• Projectstupiddress: accomplished and done with (thank God). It zipped, and although my psycho mom basically told a ton of people at home about the issue, and ALL of them HAD to come up to me on Sunday and tell me how GREAT the dress looked, I still pretty much hated it. Oh well...maybe it will make some girl at the YWCA super happy.
• Brother's wedding: ridiculously extravagent, but nice. It's kinda hard for me not to be jealous of them - the parents spent around $30,000 on their wedding, they got almost $17,000 back in gifts/money (probably more), and now they're in Hawaii for 8 days. Hard...very hard...
• Being with the fam: busy and crazy, but priceless. I wish we were closer, but you know...every time we go to Chicago now, God reveals something new to me. The last time we went (around Christmas) I realized that I am a pure-bred Yankee, no question. However, this time, it was as if God confirmed our being in AL...that I don't have to base my whole person on being from the north. I know I wouldn't want to be dealing with their cost of living, the gas (it's around $4.20/gallon or so), the traffic (although that's bad just about anywhere), and the craziness of my family. They're great, but they're crazy. God is good...He knows what we need before we need it.
• Migraines: so not cool! I have been dealing with them just about everyday for the last week or so, and I am not happy about it. The few I had at home made me nausious. Ugh.
• Selling the truck: I don't know when it will happen, but it will. The gas prices are killing us. I wish I could get something even more efficient than my Mazda...
• Preaching in June: yes, I will be preaching on June 22 as part of the Reach, Connect, Send sermon series. I'm pretty sure it's a Connect sermon - it should be interesting.
• Counseling: I had my second appt. yesterday morning, and it was great. She wants me to go to some anger management education classes, and she said we need to work on some [appropriate] assertive skills. We talked about the possibility of me going to school for something, my skills, talents, etc. It was productive (for the most part) and I'm excited for my next meeting - June 19th.

Well, for not being in the mood to blog, I guess this is pretty good! ;)

A List on MY Friday

Yes, today is my Friday. And it's wonderful. The day has gone by kind of slowly, but I don't have to be here tomorrow OR Friday, so really...I'm ok with it. Plus, I'm in our card room for probably close to the remainder of the day. Sigh...sometimes work is good.

Anyway, here's the list:

1. DO NOT eat the Flatbread Melts from Arby's. They are HORRIBLE for you. If any of you know what the points values are like in Weight Watchers, one of them is 14 POINTS. Ugh...and I ate one yesterday without knowing. Not smart.
2. However, if you do happen to go to 5 Points Grill in Southside, their grilled quesadilla is AWESOME. Probably not all that good for you, but still REALLY good.
3. My good buddy Hannah and I went to Sips N' Strokes last night. It was SO much fun! Except for the adult-turned-highschoolers sitting behind us. Oh well. We painted a picture called "Circles", and Paul and I plan on hanging mine up in our new office (once it's finished, that is). Mine doesn't look much like the picture, really, but I wanted you all to have a point of reference.
4. Project stupiddress is in full swing - I lost two pounds last week, and I can tell I've lost some inches. Pray to the Lord Almighty that this thing fits me tomorrow when I go for my fitting. And also pray that I keep this up even after the dress is over and done with.
5. I'm still kinda shocked that my little brother is getting married. He's not really little, per se, and he's only two years younger than me. He's actually a year older than I was when I got married. I don't know...I guess it's just the culmination of the last 5.5 years that's just so...awe-inspiring. Kari is already a part of our family in all aspects, but this makes it official. I guess this is how people felt when Paul and I got married. I know I'll probably be balling on Sunday just like Jim was balling a couple years ago... ;)
6. I'm not looking forward to leaving my house by 5:15 AM tomorrow morning. I'm yawning just thinking about it.
7. We're so going to miss being at church on Sunday! A bunch of people were out this past week, and I wanted to make fun of the burns on the beach ladies...lol... But seriously, I really wish we could be in two places at once.
8. We saw Prince Caspian on Sunday - it was so good. Up to par with the first movie, actually. I really need to read the books...maybe that would be good plane reading. They're just sitting on one of our bookcases, staring at me...
9. So as much as my mind has been on Project stupiddress as of late, I'm also really excited because we're having a huge yard sale at the house on June 7th. We have a ton of stuff to sell, so I'm hoping to make some extra cash. Mama needs a new rug for the new office! Our neighbors (and some of the bestest friends ever) will be helping us - Chris will be making homemade cookies, so come on out to H-town!
10. Paul said something so cheesy yesterday, but it's so true - he said that he loves how when he falls deeper in love with Jesus, he falls deeper in love with me, and visa versa. I think that's such an awesome thought...it definitely puts marriage into perspective, and gives me an even better (if still minute) understanding of what the Marriage is going to be like...
11. Dude...I can't tell you how excited I am that the women's ministry at SHC is almost up and running! Shana did an amazing job on our bookmarks (PROPS!) and I can't wait to see who my "Barnabas Buddy" will be. LOL...we definitely need to change the name...

OK...I guess that's enough for now. I should be doing work...eh, whatever... Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day!!!

Can you believe it's already May 12th?!?

I don't know why, but lately, I'm amazed at truly how fast time flies. I mean, I feel like I was just celebrating Christmas! I'm weird, I guess. Anyway, this weekend was oh so good. Paul and I got to have a date on Friday night (the first time in forever). We ate Moe's and saw Iron Man. It was decent...a lot of build up, and there will most definitely be a sequel, but it was good. Saturday was the gym, NOT getting my wedding rings back (ugh...another story for another day), a Wal-Mart run (not so much fun on a Saturday), making pasta salad, and getting to La Casa de Benz late. Sorry ladies! But girl's night was a success, I believe. Megan was an awesome host, and I think WE ALL realized that we're not the only weirdos around here... ;)

Sunday was weird, but ok. Church was good - I believe Luke preached what God was telling him to preach. It definitely hit me and Paul. Mother's day was dumb...I love Paul's parents, but his brother gets on my every last nerve. He keeps talking about the girl he's basically living with as if their relationship is just as good as Paul or Keith's marriages. NOT SO, SIR. Regardless of how much you may "love" or care about her, you're still not married, so it's still not a good thing. Especially to talk about in detail in front of your parents. You're dumb. I did get to eat steak though... :)

Well, I started this blog earlier today, and am just now finishing it (at 8:55pm). I'm smelling the wonderful odor of varnish on our hardwood floors (first coat - second and last will be tomorrow!), and our neighbor even ate dinner with us. Good times. I got some laundry done, the kitchen (kinda) clean, and this smell isn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.

Update on the godforsakenbridesmaid'sdress...I am shipping it priority mail to my mother tomorrow and her tailor is going to try her darndest to take it out. She's worked with dresses of this (horrific) nature before, and there really aren't any specific instructions - rip the thing apart if you have to, but take it out as much as humanly possible. Also, I won't have to worry about packing it, getting it all wrinkled, and then rushing around to get it steamed or pressed when we get to Chi-town next week. Sigh. I guess I feel better about it...we'll see what happens. Wow...my brother gets married in 13 days. Trippy.

OK...Paul is giving me dirty looks for being on the computer so much. Peace out kiddies!

I'm in a mood today

The day didn't start out well. First, I hate miscommunication. Like, getting back into bed with me this morning and making me want to fall back asleep when your true M.O. is to get me to go to the gym (Paul). Second, the gym is hard. And I don't like it. And I REALLY like sleep, ok? Third, knowing I'm in a bad mood, I take everything out on Paul like an idiot. Then attempt to call and apologize and we're back to the miscommunication. UGH. We haven't spent anywhere near as much time together this week as we usually do, and I think it's affecting me.

Fourth, my work days are long. Really long, this week especially. I'm doing someone else's work instead of my own, and although I really enjoy this stuff a whole LOT more, I have a feeling I'm going to get reemed by my customers soon. I hate being in that position. HATE IT. Fifth, I found out last night that my mom's cousin (so, technically my second cousin?) has cancer. They did surgery yesterday to remove what they thought was a silver dollar-sized mass, but when they got into it, it was softball-sized. We don't know any details yet, but they said they're sure they got 99% of it. Really?? I hate it when they (the doctors) say stuff like that, even though I understand that sometimes, that's all they can say. Sigh. Hopefully we'll know what's going on within the next week. But it makes me so sad, and angry - I hate cancer - it's one of the ugliest weapons the enemy has. Sixth, I looked at the godforsakenbridesmaid'sdress this morning, and cried. I'm running out of options and time, and I'm super stressed out about it.

Ok, no more complaining. God is good, and He knows everything that's going on right now. Jesus, help me to be more like you.

Updates

Well, the DW & Sandra show was awesome last night. If you're a friend of mine on MySpace, you can see some pics. If not, too bad. ;) I might have to do a picture post here soon anyway. Our weekend otherwise was pretty good, I guess. Friday night was interesting - I'll give you details in person if you want them. Saturday was a pretty lazy day (which is what Paul and I both needed). We hung out with friends Sat. night and got some New Chinatown (soooo good - right, Rachel?) Sunday was a bit of a sad day, and once again, if you want details, I'll tell you in person. DW always has a way of making me feel better, though! And we got to hang out with our "concert buddy" Erik. (We told him that we're going to have to hang out next time without going to a show...)

We're hoping to have the hardwood floors done this weekend. Paul (my awesome yet procrastination extraordinare hubby) has still not talked with our neighbor - the one we're paying to refinish the floors. Like I told him yesterday - I understand the man doesn't have a full time job (or part time, for that matter), but that doesn't mean we should only be giving him a few days notice. And look - we're only giving him a few days notice (and that's if Paul talks to him today or tomorrow). Sigh...we'll see what happens. This is really the best weekend for us, so let's pray it's a good weekend for Dave. (Please, Jesus?)

I can't even tell you how excited I am about girl's night. This week is going to be a long one (doesn't it suck when you can already tell - and it's only Monday???) so I can't wait to have some good girl time. And I have no doubt that the Casa de Benz will be a fine establishment to stay in that night! I'm just really thankful for good friends - people who are real with me, and I can be real with them. People who love Jesus and push me to love Him more. People who let me vent about stupid stuff, and don't have to say anything in return because they know I'm only venting. I don't have a ton of these people in my life, but if you're one of them (and you know who you are) just know I'm super thankful for you.

And I'm still freaking out about this stupid bridesmaid's dress - anyone know a great way to lose two dress sizes in three weeks? I'm willing to do anything short of starving myself. I'm doing WW, and that's helping, but it's not going fast enough (for right now - typically, this pace of weight loss would be totally acceptable). I don't want to do anything stupid or rash, but if you know of a specific diet (like, giving up or eating specific things) that has WORKED, please let me know! Thanks!