Gobble gobble

Thanksgiving was fun this year. I made cupcakes that looked like little turkeys. It took hours to assemble everything but it was fun. I also made stuffing, yams, baked brie and a twist on a biscuit recipe. It started off as the Red Lobster recipe. This year I mixed fresh crab meat into the dough along with the cheddar cheese. I then sauteed shrimp in garlic butter. Next I wrapped the shrimp in the crab and cheese biscuit dough. The results were fantastic.
I listened to Christmas music most of the day as I cooked. I managed to down load "Pretty Little Dolly" and a couple of others that have become favorites over the years. Still haven't managed to find this one group my parents always played around Christmas. While its still a little early for carols the songs made it feel cozy in the kitchen as I worked.
We joined some friends for the dinner itself. They baked a 24lbs turkey for about 9 people. It was good but the amount of leftovers were insane. It was nice to take a day and chill and not do homework. I have one final next week, another the week after that, and a presentation the following Wednesday. After that I have a couple weeks of wedding planning and just getting to enjoy my fiance's company.
Can't wait.

22 Weeks To Go

I get married in 22 weeks. This is exciting and surreal at the same time. I have some stuff done. Dress, photographer, location. I still need to complete the music list, pick a song to walk down the isle to, meet with caterer, cake test, get list of formal photos wanted to photographer, pick decorations, pick card stock... The list just seems to be getting longer.
We have done some fun stuff. We began our registry this weekend. Spent 3 hrs or so looking at china patterns. Still haven't picked a formal one. I did get to register for a bunch of cooking stuff I've been drooling over for ages. That part was fun. Kept holding up stuff to my fiance and saying "I want this". He'd smile and point the scanner at it and not really ask what it was. I keep teasing him that I'm only marrying him to get new kitchen stuff. As long as it means he gets to eat yummy food he doesn't seem to care.
He only really wanted a couple things. Like root beer mugs. He registered for a box of four, then decided when we left the store we needed more. His argument is that we need to have back ups so that the root beer mugs are always frosty. I don't see this as something to worry about, and so far more of them haven't magically appeared on the registry.
Most of the time I keep wondering how I'm going to get stuff done next quarter. I don't really have a choice. I have to find a way to do more wedding stuff during school. Winter quarter ends two weeks before my wedding, and I'm not going to be able to cram it all in then. Fortunately my sweetie is helpful so we'll figure it out.
If I schedule things right I may even be able to get sleep next quarter.

Fun with the DMV

A friend of mine just posted a story about how the CA DMV sent her a refund for over paying her tags unprompted. It made me think of a couple fun stories.
The first involves my grandma. She passed away when I was in college. A few months later she got a notice to appear from the courts over some ticket. A violation that was committed after she passed. I don't remember the violation. I do remember watching my dad crack up as he read the letter demanding my grandmother present herself in court. He showed up for the court date and explained to the nice judge that she had passed, but that if he could actually force to appear we did have some questions for her.
The second involves my jeep. After moving out of CA I eventually registered my Jeep in my new state. Then my dad, who had co-signed on the jeep loan, got a notice from the CA DMV that the registration was past due. My dad told them that the jeep had actually been registered in CA, so there was no registration due. They wrote back that the late fee had been increased. He double checked with me that I had new plates and everything and then passed the info onto the CA DMV. They wrote back the late fee had grown again and I was in serious trouble.
Eventually the letter wars culminated in my dad having to take a photo copy of my registration down to the DMV. He found someone that had worked there forever and they figured out that one itty bitty boxed hadn't been checked. The nice guy even figured out how to erase the stupid late fees.
Those are my stories. Nothing too exciting. Must say though when my dad called upset that I hadn't paid the registration my stomach knotted up. I was 28 and had been living on my own for years, but that tone of voice immediately made me think I was going to be grounded. Then I realized I was 28 and lived on my own. Then I realized I had registered in a new state. Go figure.

Simple things in life

School has started and is kicking my butt already. Managerial accounting at least makes more sense than the other accounting classes. Still, its no where near easy. That means I'm up late reading and often rushing from my desk at work to my desk at home. If I'm lucky I get the hardest stuff done before the caffeine buzz wears off. If not I have to debate the benefits of another cup vs how late it will be before it wears off and I can sleep.
Fortunately my fiance is a gamer. This means that as long as he has a game to play (and food in the fridge) and he won't really notice I've been gone until I show up again. He offers to run errands for me so that I can cram in more study time, and he's fed me dinner after class. Usually he feeds me because I have had a coffee midway through class and once again there is no food in my fridge. He knows me well enough now that he knows when to pack me back into my car and send me home so that I fall asleep at home and not in the car.
Long way of saying we have to snatch bits of time together. This past weekend I worked from 8am to 6pm on Sat. That's normally my study and catch up time. So Sunday morning I decided we needed quality time together more than we needed to go to sermon. We grabbed coffee and the Cuban coffee shop across the street from our church (I love Seattle) and went for a walk.
It was absolutely beautiful out. The leaves are turning and the air was nice and crisp. We found a little park near by and played on the swings for a bit. Then we kept walking and found a bridge over this huge ravine. The ravine was filled with huge trees and lush green plants. It was gorgeous. I know it doesn't sound like much, but I had an incredible time on our impromptu date. I got to talk to him and focus on just him for more than a quick break between study sessions.
It was great.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up
In the morning when the day is new
And after having spent the day together
Hold each other close the whole night through

The happy times together we've been spending
I wish that every kiss was never ending
Oh Wouldn't it be nice

He brings me flowers

Months ago I caught the flu. I stayed home from work and slept for the better part of the day. My sweetie stopped by on his way home and brought me a carton of oj, a book, a thing of soup, and a dozen multicolored roses. I felt bad and looked worse, but he still kissed me on the forehead and didn't leave until I had laughed.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I had an absolutely rotten week at work. A huge project wasn't going well, and I was training a new employee (translate not getting my work done). To top it off my coworkers were being brats, and I really wanted to smack one (I didn't) and tell her to grow up. At the end of the week my fiance and I had to meet with the location coordinator to reserve the church. When he picked me up he brought me espresso dark chocolate and a dozen long stem red roses.
This Sunday we went to church with my friend Amy and then to the farmers market. While walking around I played with the edge of the petals of a stargazer lily. I then moved on and started looking at veggies in the next booth. After a bit my fiance walked up and handed me the bouquet I had been looking at.
He laughs at how easily delighted I am by a simple bouquet. I just smile and smell the pretty flowers.

Lots of sparles

Lauren, Abby, Mel, Jess and Amy are all currently engaged. They got engaged in that order. Including myself that is six weddings next year. Lauren's is currently in competition with Abby's for most elaborate. Lauren is Texan (and her mom fills the stereotype) and so far has the largest guest list. Abby is engaged to my fiance's roommate and he's not too big on extravagant which is why my money is on Lauren. Mel wants a very simple out door wedding. Jess wants that as well, but in Mexico.
Amy will have two ceremonies. The first will be a civil ceremony once the fiance visa (he is Canadian) is processed. Turns out you only have 90 days once its processed to get hitched. Tricky part is that there is no way to know how long the process will take (she's hoping for less than six months). So they plan to head down to the court house once they are legally able to and then do a separate wedding later.
Its kinda funny to compare notes with them and see what they are planning. See who thinks what is normal that others think is over the top. Its also funny to see what our fiances care about. Mine is till trying to get an R2D2 cake that is remote controlled and rolls around the reception. I think I'm still winning the odd request contest. The idea is cute but I keep picturing all of our guests with frosting on their legs. That and I picture the groom and my nephews arguing over who's turn it is. To get his mind off of it a friend suggested we get the bat mobile as a get away car. Oh, and she found a guy who rents one here in Seattle. Guess what my fiance now wants?
He makes me laugh, and as school is fast approaching I'm more and more grateful for it. I've actually gotten to spend quality time with my fiance over the last couple weeks. I envy the other brides in that. Once school starts I go back to only getting to see my sweetie on nights I don't have class, a study group, or overtime at work. I've been spoiled in getting to see him almost every night of the week for the past couple weeks. Being away from him stinks, and I'm looking forward to the day that I get to go home to him.

There goes my tummy

We have a location and a date! A beautiful chapel and a hall on the same location. Best part is that both are free. They are at my fiance's alma mater so the only fees associated are the basic clean up and such fees. Even better it has a great catering service that we may be able to afford.
A close and incredibly talented friend is the photographer. We've picked colors and have ideas on flower arrangements. We even have a lead on a place for my family to stay without bankrupting them.
We have a chunk done and still its overwhelming. I've been kinda pushing it to the back of my head, but its starting to get to me. The weird thing is I have tons of help so I shouldn't be stressed. Plus, its seven months away. We have time and big things are worked out. Except my stomach is in knots and its not a happy feeling.
My poor fiance wants to fix it and its sweet. I just have a bad history of taking any and all stress out on my stomach. The up shot is that I get foot massages. Can't knock that.

Location, location, location

My fiancé and I have finally decided on having the wedding in Seattle. Now we just need a church and a place to have the reception. My fiancé was recommended a church about a 30 min away from us. There is an absolutely gorgeous window that takes up the entire wall just behind where you stand to take your vows. The main draw back is that it only seats 40 people, which isn’t near enough. There are other draw backs but the lack of room decided it.

Sometime next week we are going to go look at the chapel at his old high school. If we like it and it is available we can have the wedding there for free. Turns out that is just one perk of graduating from a very prestigious school. His mom has wanted us to check it out since we got engaged but as I’ve had term papers and a final we haven’t had a chance.

Other than that I’m not sure where to look. My fiancé the goober is talking with a coworker that has been to a number of weddings for ideas. She’s the one that told us about the chapel with the beautiful window. There are also a number of small pretty chapels in Seattle for us to check out. Just have to start making calls and checking them out.

Wish me luck!

Going to the Chapel...

My favorite tour guide and I went camping last weekend. His extended family has gone every year to the same site since he was little. His favorite spot is called Hidden Cove and can only be reached by boat. We went out there Friday night with a couple friends. The site is tucked away and is absolutely beautiful. By the time we set up camp it was well after dark so the four of us went out on the dock and gazed at the stars.
That night I didn't sleep well so when I woke up and finally saw that it was light out I got up. My tour guide heard me and encouraged me to get dressed for the day and join him on the dock. It was just after sunrise. After changing from sweats to a casual outfit I wandered down to the dock. He had laid out a blanket for us to sit on. We hung out there for a bit and he told me stories about why the spot meant so much to him.
After a while I got chilled so he suggested we get up and walk the short trial back to camp. I stood up first, and he "slipped" and ended up kneeling on one knee. I thought he was just horsing around. I was completely stunned when he brought out a ring box and asked me to marry him. I said yes of course.
After that we walked back to camp and I discovered our friends had brought a bottle of sparkling wine. They had chilled it by leaving it on the shore of the lake where the glacier water could keep it cold. So we drank wine out of camp mugs and celebrated before heading back to share the news with his family.
Later that day we drove down the mountain far enough for me to get a signal and call my family. Turns out my fiance had called my dad on Thursday to ask for his blessing. Not only that, but he was so excited about this weekend he told absolutely everyone his plans. I was the only person surprised.
I am incredibly happy. We are getting married in the spring and my fiance is already trying to talk me into having an R2-D2 cake that rolls around. I just keep laughing when he bring it up. This is more joy than I have ever known, and I'm excited that I get to marry someone that keeps me laughing at life.

The best is yet to come
Come the day you're mine
Come the day you're mine
I'm gonna teach you to fly
We've only tasted the wine
We're gonna drain that cup dry

Woosh

So yeah. Been a while.

Grad school is kicking my butt. It is very challenging but I'm enjoying it. I have bonded with a couple girls in my finance class over Star Trek and Buffy. As I told my boyfriend "I have found my people." About time. Anyway, I have a final tomorrow and then I'm free for a week. YAY.

The tour guide is doing okay. Still in a job that makes him feel his brain in draining out his ears. He really needs a more challenging job. Worst part is that he is a week ahead in his work, nothing is coming in to work on, and has been going to other depts begging for work. On the flip side his company was just purchased and he gets brand new benefits in April. Things look pretty secure for him so while its not a great job, it is a paying one.

As for me work is insane as always. We held a show and now we are placing orders with weirdly complicated pricing structures. Most of my coworkers are handling it well. Or at least they were until the new fire wall went up and our ability to stream music went away. I'm really tired of them whining about it. I simply switched to listening to cd's or books on cd so I'm not really phased by my lack of access to Pandora.com. For a few people the world has ended and I want to tell them to grow up. So you can't listen to sports radio. Big deal. Go place an order. So you can't' listen to your favorite shock jock. Don't care. Stop describing how you're being abused. You have a job. Be grateful. Ug.

Life here is good. The cold solid white stuff keeps visiting, but lately the visits have only lasted a couple hours. This past Sunday for example it was only here for breakfast. By the time church let out it had left. Then we had radically different weather every 15 min for the rest of the day. Kinda entertaining.

There is a lot more (like my picnic on a boat on the way to Friday Harbor) but study break is over. I'll try to update with better stories soon. For now I get to go memorize how to do amortization. Wish me luck.