Its Still 78 Degrees in Texas

If I had a dollar for every week I went without blogging or my apologies upon my return, Id be a very rich girl. Im sure most of you will agree that making time to sit down all by yourself and think of something creative to talk about can be tough. Throw in a wedding, the holidays, shopping, alterations on dresses for upcoming events, keeping a clean house, sleeping, bridal and couple showers, work, and the impending arrival home of my mother after 9 months on the high seas- I have VERY little time.

Derek had his bachelor party this past weekend in New Orleans and while he did arrive home in one piece, hes exhausted, going through withdrawals, and overwhelmed with all wedding tasks Ive thrown at him today. He took the day off to recover, but little does he know- it’s a day to help me track down guests and RSVPs and put up all of our Christmas decorations including our tree.

We did manage to make some time to take pictures for our Christmas cards which I was finally able to order today. Im so excited at how they turned out. Have at a sneak peek! Does this many count as a sneak peek?

Nolan Harper Ellis

My most sincere apologies for leaving you guys hanging! I was under the impression the hospital where Erin planned to deliver had wifi and from what I could tell once I arrived, they didn’t. I have so so many pictures to share (seeing as how I took over 100) but its late, and Ive spent over 6 hours of my day in the car… Ill narrow it down.

Nolan was born just after 930 AM weighing in at 6 pounds and 3 ounces, hes a wee thing and loves to keep his legs curled up near his chest and head. I called him monkey man most of the day. He has long thin eyelashes, a perfect round nose and very wrinkled fingers. He was very easy going, laid back and did well being passed around to the nearly 20 visitors in and out of his room.

LOVE

Nolan Is Almost Here! Stay Tuned...

As soon as I wake up tomorrow, my hiney will be northbound on IH35. My best friend Erin is having her first baby tomorrow (a boy, Nolan) and I plan to be there with her family for as long as I can stand the sterile smell of the hospital. Considering there will be a newborn to ooh and ahh over, I have a feeling Ill be there all day long.

If any of you are here visiting from her blog, I will have my laptop and plan to let you all know once hes arrived and I get to cradle him in my arms. I have my camera charged, a completely empty memory card and the best intentions to spoil Nolan rotten until his Mother tells me otherwise.

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty

Guest Room

As part of the game I started last week (the one only I seem to be playing *crickets, crickets*) I planned to show you our guest room. Its missing a little something but I cant quite put my finger on what that is. Alas, because we are planning a wedding and the holidays are right around the corner, it will have to suffice. For now.

 And because theyre ALWAYS at my feet...

Again, I showed you mine- will you show me yours?

Sloppy

I did something to my back earlier this week that seems to be sticking with me. Ive spent every night laying on a heating pad and downing ibuprofen. For dinner last night I really didn’t feel like making a big to do but wanted to welcome the cool-ish weather with something hearty. I made sloppy joes. Sue me.

I was thinking of you all every step of the way and decided to document and share the easiest recipe of all time.

What you will need:

1 lb hamburger

1 chopped onion

1 can tomato sauce (8 ounces)

1/4 cup catsup

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

Brown meat in skillet together and drain

Next, add all remaining ingredients and Simmer for 15 minutes. Scoop onto buns, add cheese if you like. We also opted to toast our buns ;)

Lastly, Enjoy! We did!

Nail Time

Im such a sucker for nail polish. I love to paint them, its the drying I cant stand and rarely escape without at least one mess up. On my most recent trip to the store I unnecessarily splurged on a new color that seems to be all the rage this season. I have been trying to keep my nails looking nice as people still ask to see my ring and a ring on a nasty hand is just a waste.

I loved the color (Commander in Chic) it ended up being a little more grey than purple which was a-ok by me! Any of you think Sally Hansen has an odd shaped brush these days? Am I just that out of the loop? Perhaps I should splurge more often?

Christmas Cards... As If There Isnt Enough On My Plate Already

Despite our wedding looming on the horizon, I cant help but think about Christmas cards this year. I surely want to keep with tradition and send some out. We famously sent cards two years ago wearing our tacky sweaters and have since felt some pressure to live up to the humor. Shutterfly made it easy that year and I know they will do it again this year. For all you fellow bloggers out there that are not already aware, Shutterfly has kindly offered 50 free cards to bloggers this year!


Im a huge fan of monogramming so this Christmas card is an instant favorite of mine:

I really like the idea of making my Mom a calendar with pictures of our family from the last year. Shes gone so many months out of each year that seeing us all on her desk would be such a warm reminder or how loved she is!

And how fun would it be to use a wedding photo to send out Valentines cards like this one:

This holiday season will no doubt be stressful for us but what are the holidays without a few cards in your mailbox each visit? I know how much I look forward to them!

Crush

Derek thinks its weird that I don’t always find the latest and greatest male stars or athletes to be hot. There are, however, a few I really would like to er…get to know better.  Feast yours eyes on some of my favorites. Yes, I am including some females, no I am not a lesbian, Im an equal opportunity crusher.

Who do you guys go weak in the knees for?

Are They or Arent They?

A Real Housewife and I have been going back and forth on this particular celeb couple. Mr Cent has been on Chelsea Lately twice in the last week and they’ve been spotted out at various brunches and dinners. What do you think? Im still not completely convinced.

This one I REALLY cant decide on- they seem too much like a mismatch. The age difference, the career paths-its just too odd.

What do you guys think? I know stars tend to do some wild and unpredictable things but I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt which almost always blows up in my face.

Showered in Love Again

Yesterday was my second dress fitting and my third and final bridal shower. I cant even begin to put into words the gratitude I feel for all the love and generosity weve been shown over the last few months. We have one final couples shower in December and Im excited to not be the only one opening gifts and believe it or not, not be the center of attention. In typically OCD fashion, all our gifts have been washed and put away. All 80+ of them. That’s just how I roll. 51 days.

My Great Grandmother made it out again... so special to have her there!

Lets Play a Game

Derek bought a house a few years ago and lucky me- he let me move in once I was deemed worthy (I kid, it was more romantic than that). Its been a slow process making it a “home” and I joke with him that just when I get it the way I want it, well move. I want to play a game with you, dear readers. Forgive me if you find it uber lame or silly but until you say so, Ive decided to share every room in my house with all of you.

I wish I had before and after pictures to share but alas, I didn’t move in and document how bare the walls were or how it felt like the ultimate bachelor pad.

Im going to start with our kitchen because its one of my favorite rooms. Many of you saw the transformation when we decided to paint, we replaced our island top with a handmade butcher block, and thanks to many wedding gifts, most of our kitchen gadgets are new.

We went to a German fest not long ago, and I am determined to take Mollys picture wearing this hat

(but really, this picture is more to show you our butcher block)

I showed you mine, will you show me yours?

Next up...the guest room!

Wedding Band Bling

They finally arrived last week!

As I mentioned in a previous post, theyre a big snug so they will most likely be sized soon. I hate the idea of parting with them, but better do it now since I cant wear them anyway!

60 Days

Its been a hot minute since Ive written anything on my blog. My fiancé keeps giving me a hard time about it but Ive been busy, and recently, a tad under the weather but as many of you can attest to, Ive been keeping up with all of you in true stalker fashion.

Ive been especially hesitant to write since most of what consumes me these days are thoughts about our wedding. I know you will all say you enjoy hearing all about wedding planning, but it starts to make me feel overly narcissistic. It already consumes so many of my conversations. Most of what people ask me isn’t about anything besides the hovering big day and despite the constant shoveling of Halloween candy into my mouth, Im trying desperately to shred any last (say… 20?) pounds I can. I suspect even our dogs know a wedding will be happening in… oh… SIXTY days.

On Friday of last week we sent our wedding invitations out. Im happy to report that weve already got a decent amount of RSVPs. Considering we sent out 300 invitations, itll be a long time until we have a final headcount. I know I may have to make death threats to some but a very lovely precedent has been set thus far.

My wedding bands are in our possession and Im toying with the idea of getting them sized a tad bigger. Derek got his band about two weeks ago. I have my something old, blue, borrowed and new. I purchased my bridesmaids jewelry and have had their gifts for about five months. Gifts have been disappearing off of our registry and some have arrived on our doorstep. The programs have been written and are being printed this week.

Now is the time… to juggle our showers… the holidays… my “diet” and yoga schedule… planning the last minute details…and you know, maintaining my sanity. Easy as pie.