Teavana

Happy Friday to All! Wedding plans are starting to fall into place. There is definitely a lot more to do than I have ever thought of! Thanks to mom and Bob for helping me out! It saddens me that winter is on its way... my car was frozen this morning. Not going to lie--I am excited for next winter to see how it is not living in a blizzard for four months!!!! I am way too excited for the Packer/Viking game this weekend. It's going to be my first NFL game--GO PACK GO! Nate and I got to view our engagement pictures--it was so hard picking one for our save the dates! It's fun to look through them and know exactly what facial expression means on one another--even though others may not pick up on it. A little over seven months **sigh** I can't wait to start this next path in my life. Nate is chugging through school and doing great! Proud to say that we will be done with Winona in May! WOOT WOOT! Words cannot describe! It's funny though because this weekend is Winona State's homecoming and a bunch of friends are coming into town; and I am now one of "the old farts"..though as a Freshman so kindly told me a few months back "you're pretty hot for a graduate..no seriously you're a 9 out of 10 and only super models get to be 10's"... my first thought: What, once you get your diploma you shrivel up and get old? my second thought: you're 18, are you trying to hit on me? my third thought: I am way too old to be hanging around you. My Final thought: Oh my goodness.. you are close to my brother's age and hitting on me..this is weird. But anyways.. it will be nice to see some familiar faces again, because man have I missed them!

May 26, 2012

Nate and I have picked a date! May 26, 2012. We are incredibly excited to have a date set to join together in holy matrimony. The wedding with be in Elm Grove. AHH! I can't believe it's finally happening! Once we set the date, it all became so real. I am currently: excited, overwhelmed, eager, lost, and ecstatic! Excited: I will be marrying my best friend in front of our family and closest friends. Overwhelmed: So much to do!!! Eager: To feel, even slightly, like I know how to plan a wonderful wedding. Lost: I have no idea where to start planning most days! Ecstatic: I'M GETTING MARRIED!! EKKKKS!!!! My parents are incredibly wonderful, encouraging, helpful, understanding, and supportive. Without them, none of this would be possible. And for that, no words could explain how thankful I am to call them mine. I am so eager to see our engagement pictures that Katrice took of us last week!!!!!!! HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

Red. White. Blue.

To start, today is my Dad's birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Bob! I love you so much. You are such a big part of my life, and I couldn't imagine life without you in it!

(Bob with my mom and my beautiful niece, Claire) And on to 9/11. Everyone seems to be posting where they were when they found out the tragic news on 9/11/01. First off, I can't believe it's been 10 years already; it feels like it was just a few days ago. I walked into my second class, German. I remember being intimidated in that class, being a freshman in a higher level class with upperclassmen *very intimidating*. So i was going through what we had practiced in the class prior, and as I walked in I noticed the tv was on, some girls were crying, and overall there was just silence. I focused my attention to the tv and dropped my bag. I found a seat and was in shock. I went home, where we were planning a nice dinner for Bob and my grandparents were coming over. That was the most quiet dinner of my life. We all sat there pushing food around my plate. Andrew was super young and didn't understand what was going on.

I want to thank all of the men and woman who have fought and continue to fight for this country. I want to pray for nothing but strength for not only the families who were directly affected by this tragic event, but to those who continue to fight this battle of terrorism to keep our country safe. On to a different note, GO PACK GO!!! First game of the season was not only a success but such a fun game to watch. As I was telling Nate, I am pretty sure they practiced their acrobatic and ninja skills...and man it paid off. Nate is on two fantasy football teams for the first time and it's funny seeing how into it he is. He tries explaining it to me, but honestly--I'd prefer to just watch the game! Also, if anyone is looking to get me a present. I would like this:

(Please and thank you!) I have a new addiction:

Unfortunately it is a show Nate and I started watching together, and with school, we have only made it to season 2. But let's just say, that is all we did last weekend. I am eager to watch more!!! I am excited to go home next weekend. We are finally going to be setting a wedding day!!! We have two meetings on Saturday (one with each vendor we're interested in) and one with a pastor on Sunday. I can't wait to have a date set! So exciting!!!! And I get to see my family!!!!!!! If Katrice is available, she is also going to be taking our engagement photos (can I say one more time how excited I am?!?!?!)

TGIF!!

It's been so nice having Nate home..and starting our home together. Things are really falling into place; FINALLY! A girl can't complain when she wakes up to a hot cup of coffee and breakfast on the table before work! And it's been really nice that he's been so helpful around the house--he did laundry yesterday while I was at work--clean sheets, towels, and clothes.. YES!

On another note, Rosey leaves for Germany on Monday for four months (deployment). I am going to miss her, but I think this will be good for her and she is excited to go. I wish I could go.

The date is set (well Nate's and my big move day) he has to be in Mississippi on NOvember 2, 2012. I am actually really excited to go. I am ready for some adventure with our new life together.

Hopefully when we go to Milwaukee September 17-18th, we will be setting a date--fingers crossed! Once we have that date in place, things will seem so much more real.. I cannot wait for the real planning to begin!

I am in a wedding this weekend, my first wedding I am in that I am not a flower girl. I am nervous but really excited. I feel like i should purchase one of those hideous, most uncomfortable things that women wear--the sucker-inners.. but I haven't tried on my dress in a few weeks because Emily accidentally took mine instead of hers. So let's all cross our fingers and maybe by the luck of the draw it will fit just perfectly and I wont' regret wanting a sucker-inner!

I have been reading this book that Emily gave me.. "Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs". It's more like journal entries, but the author writes about different happenings in our generation -- namely pop culture -- and how we just fall into it. It's all an analysis. Now so far we have talked about our romantic views looking at thigns like "John Cusac" and how The Sims allows us to play a life we wish we had, and how the Real World is just ridiculous. I am loving it.. so much so that I may randomly write book reports on them..aka most likely talk quite a bit about it here in my blog.

To be brutally honest, I kinda miss school. Weird, I know. Myself two years ago would have dropped dead if she heard it then. But seriously. I miss the social aspect, the learning, the how-to's in life. I definitely do not miss all the homework and studying, but if all that didn't come with it..man oh man..sign me up! But I have been thinking of taking some online classes to further my education. I think that is something i may do when in Mississippi; I've done some research and St. Cloud is a Top 10 online school for getting your behavioral analyst degree. I would love to work with purely Autism. I feel I have a good background and want to further my knowledge, learn new techniques, etc etc. Time will tell. Granted, I still want to open my cafe someday--but business school does not sound appealing. Maybe I'll do that between jobs though.. work in a cafe and see how much school I'd truly need.

This is MJ, signing off.

Bittersweet

Things are crazy! Emily moved out yesterday; headed back to the Twin Cities.
It was a great five years living with her, and I am going to miss coming home to her every day and having our crazy roomie days. However, I am so excited for her to start the next path in her life. We had a good last hurrah before she left, and it was smiles from ear to ear until our hug at breakfast Monday morning when I left for work.

I received a beautiful surprise today. Nate is coming home on Friday!!!!! God Bless America! But now I have to go into turbo mode before he gets here in getting our apartment in shape. In the past two days I have made great measures.. but still have much more to do! Tomorrow I will hopefully finish up the main areas--seeing as I decided to start with the smaller ones.. and things should start looking homey!

Jack Attack is missing his buddy; but thoroughly enjoyed being groomed today (which is a rarity) as well as the lazor pointer I bought him. But he is being mopey..too bad he can't vacuum!

Hopefully within the next few weeks, Nate and I will be able to make it to Milwaukee to do some more wedding planning and spend some time with my wonderful family! I cannot wait to see them; I miss them so much!

Rose just found out today that she is leaving within the month (date to be determined) on another deployment. I am sad, but I know she wants to go therefore I am happy for her.

Bed time for me.. but more to come soon!

August has come!

August if finally here.. it's quite the month..

--Emily moves out Monday. I am super excited that she got a job in the cities..but I am going to miss her like crazy. It's going to be strange not seeing each other every day.. and we've lived together for almost five years.
--Nate comes home on the 19th!!!!!
--I realized that I haven't spent an extended amount of time by myself..ever.. it's going to be strange and lonely. But I have plans to keep me busy. I have some DIY projects to spice up my apartment that I want to work on, deep clean the apartment, and get it ready for when Nate gets here. So overall, I'll be quite busy.


Emily is packing..and bags are all over the house.. it makes me sad. But I know things won't change.

Rose said she's going to visit me (hopefully) and help me clean; that'll be nice.

Nate got his wisdom teeth out and got a Doctor's Order to have a day and a half off so he got our apartment stuff set in order, put more stuff in storage, figured out things with the University. It's so nice not to worry about it anymore. Because they were all things that needed to be done ASAP that I couldn't help him out with. So big relief off my shoulders!

In wedding news. My mom had me check out some reviews she found on the Enchanted Barn (where Nate and I felt was our destined wedding site) and I was so bummed! Let's just say they were not good reviews. I didn't realize they only had outhouses, recommended vendors backed out last minute, uncooked food, a bride got kicked out of the bride's room and had to change in a garage that was full of windows, and they gave tours during weddings.. the two things that freaked me out the most was the outhouses and vendors backing out..as well as uncooked food--risks I am not willing to take.

So, we decided on having it in Milwaukee. I am excited. dates may change. So it'll either be June or October! Hopefully in a few weeks, Nate and I will be able to go visit home and set up meetings and figure that out for sure.

I am excited and anxious to at least get that set. Because if it does happen in June.. I have to get on it! We need engagement pictures set up. We need to ask people to be in the wedding. I have my bridesmaides and personal attendant set up. Nate needs to finish asking his groomsmen. I still need to ask my flower girls and our ring bearer. So hopefully in the next month and a half that is figured out.

Time for me to get my butt in gear and start getting into better shape again. I promised Nate I would start running with him when he moves in. But since I've said that, I noticed that I have slacked on the current exercise I've been doing... which is no bueno on my end..not going to help me not die when I start running.

Blah! Craziness!

Satan, please take your weather back!

My mom makes me giggle...but it's no joke, soooooo hot! Yet my cat wants to be all up on me--I love you kitty ::BUT DON'T TOUCH ME!::

Wow, it has been a while since I've written in here. Here comes more spurts of my madness.

growing up is exciting,and eventful, and uplifting, and all hitting me at once!
Emily got a job and is moving back to the cities--i am super excited for her.. but it's going to be quite the change from living with someone whom I've lived with for almost five years to living with the love of my life. It will be exciting and completely new, and honestly maybe that's what I've needed..except I'd like the completely new to not be in Winona..but I'll take what I can get--trying to be optimistic.

I'd appreciate it if our government opened back up. Politics how I despise you.

I have a new addiction that I do every day.. read. On my porch (well, not today..too hot!) but I subsituted my beach chair for my couch, smack dab in front of the air conditioning!

More addictions: True Blood and Army Wives. It's nice being able to relate to Army wives, but damn that show makes me cry like a baby! But still it helps me connect to people who technically don't exist..but they really do. Speaking of Army wives..it sounds like Nate and I will be mobilizing somewhere after we are married; rumor has it Mississippi. I have always wanted to live somewhere random, but I can't say I would've chosen Mississippi. PS I remember learning how to spell Mississippi--I was on a roadtrip with my mom and dad. How I remember that? good question..but I remember giggling because I kept ending it with a "y" and then kept asking "why?" when they'd tell me that was incorrect.

Less than a month (officially) until Nate is done with his current mobilization..I CANNOT WAIT! I am so anxious, it finally feels close! Yet, at the same time it feels so far away and makes me miss him even more..weird how that works.

I am very confused in a certain aspect of my life that I don't care to get into a whole lot of detail about.. but I've been picked over..which usually isn't a huge issue, but this one hurts. I don't know how to respond to it--so I have decided just not to respond at all.

I did a disgusting thing this weekend--I left my lunchbox in my car--yes steaming hot car all weekend--and no, naturally it wasn't empty.. had salad makings and blueberries in it--wow did my car STINK! I didn't even dare open it and threw out my lunchbag :( I liked that lunchbag.

I still have dreams about me opening my own cafe. But more recently I've been thinking about how amazing it would be to go get my masters as a behavioral analyst. I was thinking if we do get mobilized, I found that St. Cloud is in the top ten online programs to become a behavioral analyst--and honestly, why not do it? It'd be the perfect time to do so. It's not like I'd find some fantastic job for a year anyway..so why not further my education? It's weird, in some strange way I miss school and writing papers. Definitely don't miss taking tests though. I don't know if it was the routine or what. But I think some online schooling would be good for me--granted I've avoided looking at how much it'd cost me. Time will tell...maybe i will end up going to Culinary School like I've dreamed of and own my own restaurant or cafe some day.

Speaking of restaurants..had one of the most disgusting experiences tonight. Me, Emily, and Michaela went out for dinner at the Green Mill. It's decent, for Winona. Nothing to wow about. well to start--we were starving and our waitress ignored us..took 20 minutes till she took her order..and then another 45 minutes until we got our food. well Emily and I both ordered the Spinach Tortillini (yes I was being bad) but it sounded so good..anyway--pretty sure it was sitting under that heating lamp since we put in our order--it looked almost like pot stickers when we got it. Then we both took a bite--and it had that "I shouldn't have microwaved my leftovers from over a week ago" taste. And it was cold. Sorry, but I don't have th ekind of money to just let a nice meal go. So we complained. Question: Is it annoying to anyone else that after you've been presented a bad meal and you ask to talk to the manager, and they tell you that they don't understand what "tastes like old food" tastes like? Yeah--over and over. Then our waitress 10 minutes later comes back and says how she heard our food wasn't good--which we would have happily told her if she was around.. and that she thought it looked great..well lady apparently for one you don't know what good food looks like--because like i said it didn't even look appetizing (and I've ordered this dish many a times before) and did you taste my food before you brought it to me? I was starving and not about to eat this food..you've given us nothing but terrible service--yes, I am now going to have an attitude, especially since you started one with me...no, we are no longer hungry and don't want to wait another 45 minutes for another dish. and yes, we want the bill..and naturally 15 minutes later she comes back with the bill. Thank god for good company because we were already talking about just walking out--it was ridiculous!

Wow, I sound exciting. ha!

Well, time to pop in my Netflix (yes, I received another disk of True Blood..and it stinks that there are only two episodes per disk) and doze off. Stay cool and hydrated everyone!