The Life & Times of E1

Friday, September 28, 2012

5QF - 9/28

Well, it's 4:40am and I can't sleep...not feeling too great. Blah.

After sitting on the couch, in the dark, for 20 minutes, I figured I may as well make the most of my "awake" time. ha

Don't forget to visit Mama M and link up!

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1. Do you prefer to drive to your vacation spot or fly?

FLY. After a few hundred road trips as a kid with my parents (where we made them suffer through approximately a billion rounds of This is the Song That Doesn't End), a road trip to a bowl game to Florida while in college with friends...I have had it with driving. ha Now that I have had the opportunity to fly as much as I have over the past 10 years, I could never look back! :) I love hopping on a plane and jet setting off to a new locale!

2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

There are so many places that I haven't been, but if I couldn't stay in my own happy little corner of the world (hey, southeastern Indiana in the country is a pretty great place to live), then I would definitely pick Australia. I LOVED my time there! Plus, my dear friend K lives there with her sweet family. I miss them like crazy and being an email away rather than a drive away really stinks. Australia is gorgeous, doesn't really get as cold as it does around these parts, and it's full of fabulous people with wonderful accents. ;)

3. Should grown women wear leggings?

NO. I do not get the leggings trend. I think it reminds me of the stirrup pants that were so popular in the late 80's/early 90's. Besides, not that many women can truly pull of spandex type pants...in public. Give it up ladies. It's not cute. You do not look "put together" wearing an oversized shirt cinched in with a belt over leggings in some atrocious bold print ballet flats or boots. stepping off my soapbox

4. If you could change your name to any other name, would you? What would it be?

It's kind of funny, but I can't picture myself with another name. There are other names that I like, but I don't think they would fit me. Ya know?

5. What magazines do you have subscriptions to?

Okay, now this is random. And it's funny to me, but annoying. I actually pay for no subscriptions. I really don't have time to sit down and flip through magazines. I can't say that I've ever really liked any magazine. Somehow...I get 2 magazines in the mail on a monthly basis. ?!? I am assuming that my grandma paid for them as part of some local kid's magazine sales fundraiser (why, oh why can't schools do something cool like SCENTSY - hint, hint - instead of the same ol' candy and magazines!). So...every month I throw away a copy of Rolling Stone and Marie Claire. True story. ha

Friday, September 21, 2012

5QF - 9/21

Already nearing the end of September...and that is just craziness! I keep telling myself that I'll find time to slow down and enjoy life a little (not that I'm not enjoying it...just need a break), but never seem to find the time. haha Last night, my wonderful fiancee let me take a nap and it was glorious! :)

It's been fairly quiet this past week. We survived another weekend at Friendship and thankfully, I don't think we'll ever go back, but you never know. I tried out a new recipe last night. If you like crab rangoon, you'll love this recipe because they are baked and not fried! YUM! Eric decided it was even better than the Chinese restaurant ones he's had (and trust me, that place does them right). I will definitely be making those again!

And now since I can't log onto any systems at work this morning, I am going to join in on the 5QF fun! One of the questions is mine...so link up!

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1. What is one grammar issue you cannot let go without correction?

You, Your, You're, Their, There, They're - ahhhhhh! Come on people! It's not that hard. Drives me nuts when people cannot use the correct form of you or their.

2. What's your favorite thing about fall?

Crisp cool air, leaves changing color, football, bonfires, tshirt and jeans, apple cider....oh wait, only one? Um, I can't do it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE fall! It's my favorite time of the year and there is not one thing I don't enjoy about it.

3. What's your favorite dish to take to a potluck?

In our house, the usual go-to dish is what we call a 7-Layer Lettuce Salad. It is soooooooo good. My mom and her mom (gosh I miss Grandma!) have been making it for as long as I can remember. It's lettuce, mayo, carrots, cauliflower, peas, bacon, and pretty much any other type of veggie you'd like to throw in. It's one of my faves although the mayo definitely doesn't make it that healthy. ha

4. When do you start Christmas (Holiday) shopping?

Honestly, I usually am almost done Christmas shopping by now. This year - haven't even started. Mom and I did discuss what we thought we should get a few people this year, but nothing has been put into action. I really love trying to find the right gifts for people...things they want, but won't tell anyone or things I know they need, but would never ask for. It will be fun shopping for the new people in my life this year (Eric, the girls, and his parents).

5. Did you move homes a lot growing up?

Nope. I lived in the same house from birth to 3rd grade, moved into the house my parents built from end of 3rd grade until my Junior year of HS, and then moved into my grandparent's home (that mom bought from them) my Senior year of HS. I spent much of my life living in grandma & grandpa's house. It's actually the home I live in now (after moving around up at college and in Indy when I lived on my own). Looking forward to my next move being wherever Eric and I settle down together. :)

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Wedding Madness

If you read my post a few days ago about planning to make plans...you'll love this update! ha It's amazing how much can change in a day or two.

Wednesday night mom, Eric, and I hopped in the car and drove over to the venue we were hoping to get for the wedding and reception. It had a lake for our outdoor ceremony and then a large, rustic looking barn where we planned to have the reception. I was so excited to come across this gem of a place just 15 minutes from my hometown! We got over there, did an unofficial tour and then excitedly emailed the General Manager that we wanted to book the venue for the date she had told me was available. AND...then the next morning, she emailed me back to tell me that she had shown the venue to another couple that night and one of their dates was "our" date. Whoever came in first to pay the deposit and sign the contract would have the date. UGH!

I was decidedly upset about possibly losing our date because we couldn't afford to pay the deposit for another week. I chatted with my cousin, Monica, for a few minutes Thursday morning and she shared a few backup ideas with me. I immediately sent Eric the link for one of those ideas and he was sold...so then I called mom (because my momma is awesome, everyone loves her, and she has connections!) to ask her to make arrangements with the 2 groups we needed to set our wedding plans in motion.

So.........after some phone calls and an in-person visit.....I am thrilled to announce that we have a date, a venue, a caterer, the DJ, and even a few decorations! Yes, people...in about 24-30 hour time frame, we have put MUCH of our wedding plans into place.

May 4, 2013 is going to be the big day! We're getting married in our neighboring town, Versailles, on the "back property" of close family friends' restaurant property. The place is called Crossroads. We'll be putting tents up on the backside around the lake. They have a beautiful wooden arbor bordering the lake and that will be where our ceremony will take place. Another close friend of the family, will be setting up the tents, tables and chairs for us - Negangard Party Rentals. Their son, Kyle, owns a DJ business (and actually dj'd a party of mine waaaaaaaaaayyyy back in HS) and will be providing the rockin' tunes. Crossroads will be catering our reception meal as well. And as for the decorations - well, I've had some ideas in my head thanks to Pinterest, and thanks to being a flea market all weekend, the neighboring booth had some green/teal glass mason jars and we made a trade for them! ha That worked perfectly because I got rid of one of the ugliest warmers Scentsy ever made (it was recently discontinued) and he got one that totally fit his family's home! *shudder* It will be the perfect pop of color against our colors - lapis and champagne. (aka purple and a very light shimmery neutral)

All in all, I'd say we're pretty pleased at the moment! We already have our wedding party in place. The guest list has been started. Now the real work starts...getting my butt in gear to slim down and get healthy!!

I couldn't be happier to know that I'm marrying my best friend! :)

Saturday, September 15, 2012

TIIIIIIMMMMMBBBEEERRRR!

hahaha...have you ever wanted to shout Timber!?! I kinda wanted to do that last night, but I'm thinking mom and Eric would have laughed. So I didn't. Bummer, huh?

The old maple tree in mom's backyard has been dying and was pretty much dead. It was Jen and I's "fort" and playhouse as kids. We would climb into the low branches and just sit and pretend like we had passwords to crawl up in there. haha We spent hours and hours and hours hanging out in that tree and under that tree in the sandbox or on the picnic table.

I'm glad the tree is down as we don't need a hazard like that in the yard. (It was close enough if it fell towards the house, it would hit my room.) But it still made me a little sad to see it come down. Goodbye to a piece of my childhood...

Eric making the first cuts

mom & Eric pushing the tree over

The tree is down!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Yummy Foods

Lately I've been testing out a lot of new recipes. So far, there hasn't been any that I didn't like. Judging by the fact of no leftovers, I'd say everyone else is enjoying it too. haha These recipes were all from Pinterest, so feel free to hop over there and grab them for yourself!

Buffalo Chicken Rolls (great thing is...low calories!)

Cinnamon Roll Cake (oh my gosh - everyone was in LOVE)

Garlic Cheese Rolls (smelled heavenly!)

Creamy Chicken Pockets (went great with garlic rolls, but lots of bread...ha)

Let me know if you give any of these recipes a try! Happy cooking :)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Planning to Make Plans

I'll admit it. I'm type-A, list maker, organizational nut, slightly OCD kinda gal...and yes, I plan to make plans. Silly, huh? Maybe. Maybe not.

The biggest thing I've ever planned to make plans for...our upcoming wedding! :)

Here's the deal: I told myself I wouldn't make any plans for awhile because we wanted to save some money and see where we stood. We're also simultaneously saving for our first place together, probably a rental although we'd love to buy. The other part of it is that I'm working hard to earn this year's Scentsy Incentive Trip (we're aiming for the June trip to Hawaii, but would settle for May trip to Costa Rica). ;) Our goal is that we'd be able to take this free trip as our honeymoon! The downside is that right now we don't know the exact trip dates. AHHHHHHH For all those of you who are with me on the planning and details and list making and control issues...feel free to scream along with me at trying to plan a wedding without a wedding date! See my problem?!?!?! We can't do May as that is Indy 500 month here in Indiana and although it's not a big deal to either of us, my lovely MOH (my sis, Jenna), is an Indy 500 junkie and she never misses a day at the track practically the entire month. All of our local schools graduate the first weekend of June (the date I would love to pick) and then the next 2 weekends would be possible leave/return dates from the Hawaii trip...which leaves me planning a wedding with no exact date...FOR NOW.

I think we've decided on colors. I found adorable dresses for the girls. Jen and I will have to pick out a dress for her yet. The guys will be easy...they're all for tuxes and there are just the Groom and Best Man (BM). And hopefully I'll be getting my butt in gear here again ASAP to slim down before I get to the task of finding a wedding dress I love and feel comfortable in. Cause let's face it...I've always hated shopping for myself and it's usually very frustrating being this size. I want to change that before picking out a dress I'll wear on our special day! It's going to be a small wedding with a large reception for everyone else afterwards. We want to do it all on one day. I think I found the location for both, but once again...can't really talk to them until I have a date because we couldn't sign a contract and I'd be heartbroken if I fell in love with the place in person and then someone else booked our date. Mom told me over the weekend that a family friend of ours is getting married on the date we're seriously considering and hoping will be the big day! Fortunately, it won't take too many of our guests away...they may attend her wedding and then hit up our reception. Whatever works for them. They'll get an invite no matter what because they are my family and only her friends.

Okay....enough of my babbling. If you are Pinterest friends with me...you've probably seen me pinning away lately. I totally need to do a post on all the good food we've been trying from my pins, but that's for another day! haha So much out there in the world of weddings. After we have a date...then comes the task of merging all our ideas into one cohesive and smooth flowing day! Easy peasy. hahah Riiiiiight.