Lucky

I have just turned on the computer after going about 36 hours without power - a result of Hurricane Katrina. Due to our generator and no loss of cable TV, I have been able to watch TV non-stop during those 36 hours. For the first time I am greatful that I was only without power. After seeing the devastation and distruction left behind, I realize how lucky we are that the storm didn't move eastward by a 100 miles. I feel lucky yet wish there was away to help the other areas like we were helped during Ivan.

I have been married a little over a week and although I want to change my last name I haven't been able to due to honeymooning and then coming into town just in time for Katrina's arrival. Hopefully our lives will go back to normal soon and I can proceed with what is probably the only change that will be made during my new married life!

Honeymoon

I have had a new last name for almost a day and a half now. Everything went fairly smooth for the wedding. It didn't last as long as I thought it would, but I think that everyone had fun. My friends Mark and Anita came and have spent most of the weekend here with my friends and family. We have had a ball and I can't begin to explain how much it meant to me to have both of them here - it literally tears me up sometimes!!!

We are going to leave for Gatlinburg as soon as Joe gets up and moving. I wanted to leave at 0800 but that doesn't appear to be possible. Joe's had a long drinking weekend with Leo and Mark and he finally crashed last night. Add to that, his Uncle Jimmy passed away yesterday and he had to go see the family and tell them that we wouldn't be around for any of the services. When he went to his Aunt's house, the body was still there and that really upset Joe.

Well I just wanted to leave a quick note so that everyone would know that everything appeared to go off smoothly!

Meltdown

I had my first real meltdown only hours ago. I'm readily admitting that I am overwhelmed and so very afraid that this will not turn out well. I still have a ton of people that haven't RSVP and I have a bunch of people I'd like there, not going to be there. All the girls I grew up with in NY that were going to come aren't. To be honest the only one that contacted my is Amy and I totally understand why she won't be here. I really didn't think they'd come but when I went home to NY in June, they all said they were and I was thrilled! The most exciting thing about this whole upcoming weekend is my Grandma coming and an old drinking buddy, Mark, and his wife, Anita, will be here. I am extrememly excited about them being here!

I flet like I did a little bit of everything today, not just concentrating on one thing at a time. I did laundry, cleaned the kithchen/living room, finished the centerpeices (Casey - it was much easier doing them with you than Marcus!), stamped more pages for the favors, cut Joe's hair, did a little yard work and finally sat down at 9pm. Is the whole week going to be like this??!?!?!?

Dangerously Hanging Limbs and 1 week

1 more week...I think I am ready. Of course I have a lot of things to do, but I think that I have a good handle on them. Today I need to clean house to get ready for the out of town guests. I have to make more centerpieces for the wedding tables. (Casey and I did this together but we didn't make enough; I need you and miss you, Casey!)

Tomorrow I think I'll get up and start yard work. For some unknow reason that I am really greatful for, the county came out to remove our "Dangerously Hanging Limb" that was left over by Hurricane Dennis. Joe and his Dad were unable to get it down so they had planned to just cut the trees down because we had the potential to have more "Dangerously Hanging Limbs" should another hurricane come. Well anyways the 2 wonderful men from the county came out and took care of the "Dangerously Hanging Limbs" plural it turned out to be, and when that was done knocked on the door and asked about cutting both trees down for us - free!!!!! That's a big deal around here since Hurricane Ivan last year. People pay around $600 to have trees cut down! Now of course we've got wood to get rid of but the 2 wonderful men put all the limbs to the road for us. There is some goodness left in the world yet!!

Joe's got another interview with ECUA this week - Wednesday morning. Wish him luck!!!

What am I doing now?

For the past couple of days I have felt like a chicken with it's head cut off - running around all over the place. Trying to make sure I have a good handle on things for the wedding and trying to work and clean house for the guests that are coming. My Mom comes in Monday and I can't wait.

Joe got the pool cleaned today - it's only been a month since the hurricane messed it up, why rush?

That's all I have time to blog - talk back at ya soon!!

2 Weeks and the 5K

2 weeks from today is going to be, what I perdict, the biggest day of my life. I have a ton of things to do and get yet but I am waiting for my Mom to come so that she may be part of it. She'll be here a week from Monday. I also only have 4 working days left until Labor Day - that sounds so cool!! Money of course is running tight but we'll deal. And if I hear Joe's Dad tell me one more time that I am wasting my money I think I will kill him!!!! It's my party and I'll do what I want to!!

I completed the Bushwacker 5K today, as a walker, in 52 minutes! It is the only the second time I have done a 5K and I shaved 2 minutes off of my time. I am proud of myself! I'm also very proud of my friend Laura, who ran it in a little over 37 minutes. She's come along way in her personal fitness. She's lost like 40 pounds and looks wonderful! I'm so proud of her!!

On a sad note we had a supervisor at work pass away. He was the same age as my Mom and that really scares me. I can't even comprehend what would happen if my Mother passed at such a young age! I don't want to think anymore on that.

Got to go - Wedding stuff to do!

Should I have stayed in Bed?????

I'm beginning to think that maybe I should have never gotten out of bed this am!! First lets start with how I went to Albertson's because they had a good meat sale and I wanted to be the first to pick thru the T-Bones. Well when I got there I wasn' the first and the lady that was first took forever!!! After I sorted thru her leftovers got my T-bones and a roast, some broccoli and onions and one of those packet things to cook the roast I waited in line. After I put all of my items on the belt, I then realized that I had lost/forgotton my wallet and no the cashier couldn't dream of taking a check without my picture ID! It doesn't matter I that I have one of those card thingeys with all my pertinent information! So I return home empty handed to do some yard work. I pick up all the pool items that are strewn all over the yard (my soon to be husband has a hard time picking up after himself) and try to crank the lawn mower. It won't start. There's gas and oil in it so who knows!! I change again and head out to pay for my wedding cake; no problems there, Thank God, and go to another Albertson's to get the items that I couldn't get this morning. Well I got them but the meat doess't look as good as it did at the other store.

I take a few mintues to myself then pick up the table and settledown to work on some wedding details. I call the hotel where most of my guests are staying and have found out that 3 more people have booked rooms. I have negleted to include those people in my gift giving that I am doing so now I will have to scramble and work on those. I think I hear my bed calling me!!!

Have I mentioned that I still don't have a marriage license? Maybe today..........

Settling Down

2 nights ago I have slept the best I have in the past 2 weeks. Could it be because my Mom, Belinda and I finally set a time line for the wedding and agreed to the final menu? I'm feeling a little more relaxed about the whole planning process. I feel that the only thing that will really change in my life is my last name. Things are starting to fall in place. Oh, don't worry I'm really not that calm; we still don't have a marriage license yet, I haven't decided on what song to have our first dance to. Thanks to Casey (who I miss a ton) and Shawn, I have decided on the father/daughter dance song: "Daddy's Hands" although "Cat Scratch Fever" was a close second!!! Luckily Marcus outfit still fits and even thought I will not make the diet goal I set for myself, I haven't gained any weight so the dress should still fit!! Although is settling down just fine (for now!!).