Seven On Sunday... Date Night/Wedding Edition

1) Yes.  I missed Thankful Thursday.  It was a stressful, tired, meltdown kind of week and Thankful Thursday just got swept up into the mess I think.  I am thinking I need to get to posting on the old blog here a lot more frequently before ya'll leave me.  But you wouldn't do that right?

2) On a happier note. Date Night.  We had more wedding business to attend to and our first stop was at the alterations place to get Darrel's suit pants hemmed.  Why?  Because a suit pants hemmer... I am not and nope.. not ashamed to admit it! This lady was recommended by my sister.  I knew this meant she was good and yes, we were impressed.  She was fun and funny and judging from the amount of customers and bridal dresses and prom dresses around her shop, apparently quite good at her job.  She was kneeling down pinning the pants and stood back and looked and realized Darrel wasn't wearing a belt and therefore she wanted the pants to hang lower in the back because "he has a nice butt!" Oh my goodness... I couldn't believe she said that.  But, because of her manner and how friendly she was and just her whole personality, it was totally not offensive,  it was funny and we chuckled about it for the rest of the evening.  She also said she "loved my hair" so how could I not love her right? 

3) Next stop?  Dinner!  We were just about to head to the stir fry place when I happened to think of 5 guys burgers.  We had only eaten there one other time but boy did burgers and fries sound good.  I mean look...Oh my goodness.... so good.  We need to go there again.  AND we need to remember that whatever size fries you order?  Well they dump that many more in your bag on top!  But then again... tons of yummy fries for two.  What's not to love about that?

4) Next stop?  Ring shopping.  We tried a few non mall jewelers and found several wedding bands that we liked for Darrel, but not so much for me.  Really liked the stores though and may go back to them for Darrel.  We went another way for me... ordered today... and I am quite excited about that.  It is plain and simple, but perfect.  It's the first thing that I saw that I thought "that's it!"  The jewelers?  One of them had bowls of ice by each door stocked with little mini water bottles with a label on them that was the jewelers logo/name.  Such a cute little bottle... I know.. I'm weird.. but I love little details like that! I might have saved the little bottle just so I could figure out how to use the label or something for project life.

5) Headed to the mall to find my husband a white dress shirt with black stripes and black dress shoes.  Apparently this is not an easy task. Especially when your husband's sleeve length is 36/37.  Not a shirt to be found.  Well, Kohl's had one, but it was not made for my husband.  Did not fit right.  The shoes?  Well... we could pay like $150+ for dress shoes he will only wear to church on Sunday.. and to the wedding.. if that... or we could keep looking and hope we found something more reasonable.  Enter JC Penney.  He might have tried on a few pairs of shoes there..... ya think?

What is there like 6 or 7 boxes there?  Um the shoe department lady should have gotten a tip.  the problem was the shoe size... 12 or 13... Some fit better in the 12, some the 13... some were like boats in the 13... it was getting rather hilarious.  But... success!  We have shoes.  Check one more thing off of the list....And you just know that makes Deanna a happy girl!

6) After the massive shoe endeavor... we needed a comfy seat and some chocolate. This fit the bill.  How yummy does that look.  We hit Red Robin and tried the Mountain High Mudd Pie.  OK.. good stuff. And the perfect end to a date night evening especially for tired mono girl who for right now just cannot do a mall marathon like she used to.

7) And here we have the finishing of the wedding pen.  I have my friend Lori to thank for this idea.  She and her daughter asked Darrel to make a pen for her daughters wedding guest book.  LOVE that and Darrel is so honored!  So of course... we then thought well we need a wedding pen too!  So presto!  White/pink/black wedding pen, handmade by my sweet husband.  He even bought stuff to make a matching pencil!  We now think we must have a guest book attendant, not to watch the signing of the book... but to guard the pen! ha!  Perhaps we should get a tiny little chain and padlock and bolt it to the stand?  ha.  I will post a picture of the pen... as soon as Darrel takes a better picture of it! 

And.. there you have it.  Seven on Sunday.  Heading to bed.  Am going to try to start the week off un tired.. if such a thing is possible and hope that improves the week in general.  Lots on the agenda!  Special music prep for next week, invites ready to mail, getting lots of project life stuff done, wedding details... more wedding details.... you get the idea.  Hope your Monday is awesome!  Blessings!

Project Life Tuesday Week 10

Project Life Week 10.  Yes once again I know its really like week what... 16 that I should be posting?  HOW did I get so far behind.  I remember and it made sense when I was like 2-3 weeks behind.  Where on earth did 6 weeks go?  Since I am on a quest today NOT to lose my mind completely... I am thinking dwelling on the Project Life behindness is not a good plan... so as I run for my happy place, you will pretend with me that I am current and happy.  Right?  Good... So.. lets be happy about week 10.  The crowd goes wild... yay!!!!! No?  Well the crowd was at least happy right?  I thought so. 

Also in the spirit of pretending and clinging to the happy place.. lets also pretend we don't notice the glare on these photos due to the gloomy overcast about to rain just enough so we can't do the desperately needed mowing today sky.  For the left side of the spread I used a Jenni Bowlin bingo card on my date block and once again was pleased to find a number on the card that worked for my title!  Is it sad that little things like that just tickle me to no end?  Don't answer that. 

I also got to play with some new Smash tags and tapes in the date block and on the clean garage picture.  We never have a clean garage so we certainly thought we should take a photo to commemorate the event. 

The scripture card was made by me in photoshop.  Not a big deal to some but I had fun playing with it and was happy with the results and getting to use a favorite scripture.  The Snow day picture was not taken by me.  I meant to get a picture of the snow that day... but sadly failed.  A facebook friend however took this one AND its on the road on my way to work.. so see.. totally worked for me.  Is borrowing a friends FB photo for PL considered stealing? 

On the right side I used a Benadryl box... yes, that is allowed in PL.  It was a bad night that Thursday and Benadryl was sooooo my friend.  If you've ever had severe itching than you understand how one begins to wonder if they might totally lose their mind...

The date night journaling tag was in a kit from Evalicious.  On my Sophie new collar card I actually saved and used a piece of her first little pink collar that she outgrew.  Hey.. I don't have kids teeth to save so I work with what I've got ok?  :) 

Here are some other views.

And with that... we shall say The End.. They Lived Happily Ever After and call it a night.  Seriously.. I have been a stressed out emotional mono girl today so I will spare you further comment this evening.  You will thank me later.  Trust me. 

Oh!  I am linking up again to the great PL work over at The Mom Creative.  Please take a moment and check it out! 

Blessings!

Seven On Sunday

1) Date night pie for two.  It was a nice end to a somewhat emotional and stressful date night... but other parts were good so lets start with the good!  We got to meet with the florist and plan flowers for our vow renewal.  I liked the lady. I love their flowers, her initial estimate was lower than what we thought it might be... all good things.  It was a long date night this week because the florist closed earlier than our normal time to get to the big city so we headed in early!  This made for tired mono girl by the end of the evening.  Dinner had been earlier than normal... so we were ready for a snack!  Enter Grand Traverse Pie Company and a late night little chocolate cream pie for two!  Good stuff!  It was also quite peaceful.  Well.... until pie store girl decided it was also time to vacuum the entire place.  Then not so much. 

2) The stressful... emotional part?  Dress shopping .  I haven't been to a bridal store in 25 years and I am thinking if I wait another 25 years... well that would be too soon.  I was not impressed.  I called both places before I went.  I made appointments.  I asked... do you have this style I like, do you have my size so I can actually try things on because um sorry people... I am not a size 4 and will likely never be.  I'm OK with that and would still like to feel pretty on my wedding day.  It could happen.  Well... store one was overwhelming.  I couldn't seem to get them to understand that I did not want a traditional bridal gown.  I did not want white.  I did not want ivory.  I want pink.  I want empire waist.  I want maybe a wrap style.  I do not want since you are not a tiny girl you should therefore look frumpy style.  I also did not enjoy being put in a little try it on stall with no mirror because guess what... if it looks awful... I do not want to parade around in front of the entire dressing room population to find this out.  Could they not afford a few more mirrors?  I also would like to understand how they think I can get these dresses on by myself.  I have short arms people and am not a contortionist... how is one supposed to reach the zippers and hooks and snaps... Well in this case one takes her husband in with her.  I don't know what I would have done without him.  To all this you can add that nothing quite fit.  Either too small or too big.  The sizing?  Allllll over the place and makes no sense to my normal size.  I felt big and ugly and frumpy.. and so by the time we got back to the car and then to Cleavers for dinner?  Tears.  Sad, worried, scared, overwhelmed and feeling quite like the Frankenstein bride. 

3) Dress store number two?  Better... but still little or no success.  Found one dress that looked OK. This one.  It fit.  It fit well.  It was cute. But it was strapless.  Not so comfy in strapless.  Not sure it looked fancy/dressy enough.  And, they wanted us to order it right now to get it in time.  It came in a pink I liked, but that couldn't get here in time.  There was 2nd choice pink or black, which would have been OK, but it just wasn't what I wanted and for this I want a dress I love.  Like the first wedding.  Not something I settled for.  I did like this bridal consultant.  She liked my shoes.  I told her I have a thing for Jessica Simpson shoes and can spot them across the mall and we were fast friends from there.  I had overnight to think about it and therefore have had dress on the brain since Friday. 

4) Tried store #3 today.  I found them online on Saturday.  They were listed as a retailer for the dress I like the most.  I called them.  They said they did not have that dress but we have others similar.  Yes.  We have your size that you can try on.  Great.  Hope!  We head there after church.  OK.. they either lie too or they also speak some bridal shop language I don't understand because they had nothing like the dress I want.  The only plus, they did have dresses by the same designer and I got to see the colors in person instead of trying to decipher them online. 

5) I came home.  I try to decide OK... go to a few more shops?  Order online and hope from taking measurements the size will fit right?  Do I wait even one more day trying to shop around when all these places are making me panic that nothing can be ordered and come in on time?  I mean we have a few days shy of 8 weeks from today!  My gut kept telling me the one dress I kept thinking about was it!  One site says they can get it on time.  It comes in a fuchsia pink.  It has a retro feel about it.  I measured.  I ordered.  I prayed.  It's done.  Now lets keep praying everything goes like its supposed to from here.  It needs to come in the promised 5 weeks because I am certain it will need a hem if nothing else because mono girl is short.  Should I show it to you?  Or should the big reveal come on wedding day..... hmmmmm

6) The other fun thing from date night?  Jewelery shopping.  We can't decide if we want ring(s) in our ceremony or not.  If we want to do gifts to each other, and how to make it meaningful.  I spotted this ring on pinterest ages ago.  I like the idea of its simplicity.  I like the idea of the 2 stones representing each of us. 

I like the idea of possibly doing our respective birthstones.  I like that its custom made.  All those likes you'd think it was decided... it's not.  We just aren't sure that is what we want.  Couldn't find much in the mall.  Saw one little pink and clear band we like.  We saw one 3 stone pink band that was OK.  But.. its been like the dress.  Nothing was jumping out and saying this is it!  the perfect thing.  So.. .although it was fun looking.... the jury is still out on this one. 

7) Trying to get back on the workout wagon.  Got in several walks last week.  Saturday it was cold.  I was tired.  I thought, OK... I'll do one of the Jillian Michaels DVD's that have been sitting here.  It's only 20 minutes.  Right.  I think that woman wants to kill me!  I did the best I could to keep up with her for the 20 minutes and by the end I wasn't sure if I needed to throw up or pass out or both!  And today?  Oh. My. Goodness.  My legs?  Well they are well aware that Jillian tried to kill me yesterday.  I didn't even listen to her when she said I couldn't rest... I had to stop and rest a few times which makes me wonder if I would have made it out of bed this morning if I hadn't!  Yikes... Now.  All that being said?  I am totally going to try it again, because new Deanna.. even though she is Mono girl, wants to be able to do these things.  I will say though... if its going to make my thighs ache this much?  I better have some pretty stinkin' good looking thighs at the end of this.  Just sayin'

Better head for the bed.  Lots to do these next 8 weeks so mono girl needs her rest.  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

So that you will know I have not vanished from the face of the earth... I thought perhaps I should actually put together a quick post before heading for bed.  Almost talked myself out of it.  Been pretty tired today.  On a side note... did you ever try to unwrap a dove promise with wet nails?  I am talented!  One would think a fresh manicure would give me a reason not to eat wrapped chocolate.  But then nothing should get in the way of good chocolate...

Here they are - the invitations have arrived.  Can I officially be a bride now?  Love the invitations... slightly annoyed with the invitation people.  The box arrived sooner than promised.  Good.  The box arrived open.  Not good.  They put a pamphlet in the box.  Most of said pamphlet was in the box, but the front page was hanging outside so when they adhered the front flap on the box, it got glued to the pamphlet, not the box... which of course left the box open!  Very thankful the invites arrived safely.  The envelopes however?  Not so much.  1/2 of them did not arrive.  So now the hassle of contacting the company.  They responded quickly but then tell me they are sending 5 less than what I asked them for because that's all I ordered.  Um first of all WRONG and 2nd... I paid for 5 extras and THIRD.. Seriously... they goof up my order and they are going to argue with me over 5 envelopes?  This was not a good thing to tired mono girl who did not sleep well last night and had kind of a goofed up day because of it.  I might have sent a somewhat strongly worded email right after a 2.5 mile walk that had me more tired and more crabby.. if such a thing is possible.  Don't mess with tired crabby mono girl....

Hated to miss PL Tues. again this week.  I did however complete week 10 and started on 11.  I will be posting either this weekend, or possibly just post whatever I have done on Tuesday.  I would love to get another week done before then!  I am determined to get caught up.  Having trouble sitting down to work on it.  So tired and behind on everything from being Mono girl that there always feels like 15 other things I should be doing to get caught up or for the wedding.  Trying not to stress and just keep thinking about how I will feel when I am saying vows with my husband again and then sitting on a beach in less than 2 mos! 

Lots to be thankful for even in the midst of stress and fatigue like...

• walking 2.5 miles today and not quitting when I was feeling like everything was against me.  Forgot my car key, one earbud with my ipod quit working, those stinkin' little gnats were chasing after me.  Annoying! But I didn't give up and did the furthest distance and best pace I've done in some time
• a fresh pink sparkly manicure
• Pizza and movies at home on date night.  We watched We Bought A Zoo. Good movie!
• more wedding plans completed or in progress
• a good cup of hot chocolate in my favorite mug
• new Bible Study/Sunday School class at church
• ordering materials for Darrel to make a guest book pen for our wedding (which was a good idea from my very good friend Lori!)
• signing the contract on our 2nd honeymoon condo
• yummy salads
• spending time with Darrel rounding the corners on our invites.  The invite place wanted 10 cents more per card just to round corners?  Instead we had a fun wedding activity together because this girl has several corner rounders and wasn't paying 10 cents per card!
• time to work on project life
• a freshly tuned up central air unit... we are ready for hot days!
• reading for the IRCA judging
• Dinner Darrel cooked on the grill
• being more in routine with eating and working out
• less mono fatigue
• a husband that kills spiders that run at me and make me scream... don't judge... you weren't there. :)
• Mexican food
• OK.. and china wok too
• diet pepsi
• my pink princess tervis tumblers.. yes.. there are 2
• NSD coming up!
• answered prayers!  Especially one for my Mom this week.

Good night for now!  Have an awesome Friday.  Blessings!

Today I Am

viewing....Celebrity Apprentice with Darrel and am appalled at the behavior of this Lisa woman...

thinking.... I have a whole lot to get done this week and over the next 2 months and I am trying NOT to panic!

cooking....a hot dog and some warmed up pizza for dinner.  Is that a nutritious food pyramid type of meal ya think?  Does like ketchup and sweet pickles on my hot dog count as vegetables? 

wearing....black old navy gaucho type pj pants and a blue old navy v neck t-shirt

creating....week 10 for project Life!  go me!

planning....to go to bed soon... after I make a grocery list... and figure out my game plan for tomorrow.

reading....Angel Sister by Ann Gabhart.

listening....to Donald Trump getting ready to fire someone and hoping its not the Chopper guy. 

realizing....Exactly 2 months from today we will have had our vow renewal earlier in the evening and will be in bed sleeping... I hope.. .because we will be getting up early the next day for Hilton Head.

trying....Not to panic about all that needs to be done before said vow renewal.

feeling....excited about going to Hilton Head.  Every time my friends who have been there tell me something else about the beach, every time I see a picture or read something cool about the beach or the activities there... I so do not know how I will manage to be patient for 2 more months! Especially when fun stuff like this comes in the mail! 

Ordered these surf boxes to use when we are in the ocean.  In case you are wondering, mine is the pink one! :)  But I'm thinking maybe you didn't need help with that one. 

shocked.... that I didn't sleep all day after church.  We were awake at 4:30 in the morning by some weird sounding loud animal outside our bedroom window.  Scared me to death! Darrel couldn't find it, but we had no idea what it was and when it first woke me, I would have sworn it was in the room with me!  We think maybe something got hit on the highway out front and came up into the yard...

receiving....the last piece of Texas Sheet Cake from my husband... it's still good a week later. 

still....trying to get over the mono fatigue and get back on track with working out.  I have some big plans for that for these 2 mos. leading up to the wedding.  Let's hope my body gets on board with the plan.  It could happen.

wondering....how crowded it will be on Hilton Head.  It's peak season, but a more private area so hopefully we have a chance of non wall to wall people. 

remembering....great Saturday pancakes with my husband yesterday.  Love Saturday mornings. 

thrilled....that I actually got some project life work done this weekend.  I would love to complete week 10 tomorrow night, get week 11 done, and also plan and print for week's 14 & 15 so I can at least keep current on the planning, printing and pocket stuffing! Kind of sounds like something the Easter Bunny does doesn't it?

probably....should not drink so much diet Pepsi... but I cannot seem to help myself.  If I have to give up calories... and eating too much yummy stuff... can't I just enjoy my diet Pepsi?

seeking....a dress for the wedding.  I know.  I should have that done already.  I am feeling a little more prepared to make up my mind.  I have perused the Internet extensively and I hope to hit a shop or two this week to see what they have to offer.  From there I plan to order/purchase from them, or at least have a better idea of what I want to come home and order.  Who would like to see some of the considerations?  I might be persuaded to share a peek or two.

So how was your day today?  Hope you have a great Monday.  Blessings!
(Today I Am idea borrowed from Lisa Dickinson's blog.)

Thankful Thursday

Because I just knew you weren't tired of Darrel in a suit pictures... I had to show you just one more.  Well.... for now anyway.  One can never have too many pictures of Darrel in a suit. Especially this suit.  THE wedding suit.  What do you think?  Is he smooth?  Stylin? Handsome?  D... all of the above.  I am thinking ... what is D.. all of the above!  Can I be the jeopardy champ now?  I'd clean up in the Darrel category.  :) 

As I believe I mentioned before I am starting to feel like this vow renewal/wedding is actually going to happen.  We are making some progress.  Been playing with a line up for the service and planning some music, etc.  We have sound and video people.  We have a photographer. We have a suit!  We have a 2nd honeymoon.  We have an appt. with a florist.  Calling about the cake tomorrow I think.  Been perusing dresses online and may be doing some shopping next Friday.  I am thinking an important component to the evening will be to have a dressed bride... don't ya think?  Don't ask for Darrel's opinion on that one though... ha! Gotta figure out decorations.  Need to write vows.  Invites are designed, ordered and due to be shipped any second... since I just approved the proof a few minutes ago.  Gotta get those sent.  Have to decide on gifts to each other... which may be the all important 2nd Honeymoon since sadly.... yes... we do live on a budget! ha.  Also need Darrel's pants hemmed.  Anyone know a good suit pants hemmer person?  Hemmer... is that a word?  As in "one who hems pants much neater and straighter than Darrel's wife is capable of doing" OR "to cause to create a sewn up area of the pants so one does not drag one's pants on the ground even when they are 6'2"!"  Bwa ha ha ha... Also, once the dress is picked out and purchased, we need to decide if the groom needs a shirt and tie.  OK perhaps I should reword that... a new shirt and tie, because yes.. he was not planning to wear the coat bare chested or with his favorite fishing t-shirt.  The bride would not be a fan of that idea.  Well... the 2nd one anyway.  ;) Shall we start the countdown on that to do list?  2 months from this Sunday... we will once again be saying the I do's! I was going to say walking the aisle... but we have not decided if we are doing that just yet.  Other ideas are being pondered. 

Other thoughts on my mind today have been somewhat random....

Realized that Darrel's birthday will be on the first full day of our Honeymoon after reaching our destination.  Glad it didn't fall on the driving endlessly day.  Need to figure out a gift... a plan... all the birthday fun and how one makes the all important Carrot Cake during all the vow renewal madness? 

Wanted to go walking but have been tired and lethargic again today.  I am so wanting to get back to regular routine with my walking, eating, etc. over these next 2 mos. especially and am hoping it will be possible. 

Looked for pearl enhancers online.  Hoping I can find one to wear with my 25 yr old wedding pearls, but so far, not much luck.

Finished the book Lost Melody and started a new book called Angel Sister.

Thought about plans for NSD... which is scrapbook speak for National Scrapbook Day.  I used to love going to NSD crops.  The LSS that hosted has gone out of business.  There is another one locally but not sure mono girl is up to the packing and hauling.  May have my own little one girl crop at home and chat with my online scrapping buddies.  Maybe we could do a chat on FB or something?  Anyone cropping online that day?

Thought again about how yummy grilled asparagus is! My friend Lori gave us some for Easter.  Darrel fixed it with some oil, garlic, salt, pepper, etc. and fixed it on the grill.  It was so good!  Need me some more of that!

Managed to do 2 loads of laundry.  Let's focus on that and not the other 2 loads still waiting to be done....

Just had a birthday idea for Darrel... so feeling a little better present wise anyway on point number one up there.  ha!  Shh.. don't tell Darrel.

And yes.. among the randomness.. many things to be thankful for this week like....

• reading! Have read 6 books so far this year and am loving that!
• planning our 2nd honeymoon.  Yes.. there is already a list of things to pack.
• asparagus!
• Easter Sunday with my family
• pretty pink Easter shoes with a matching pretty pink sweater
• date night which included wedding plans.  I am thinking very appropriate for date night!
• Baskin Robbins
• Texas Sheet Cake... are you seeing a food theme here?
• our DVR.. so we could watch all our Sunday Evening shows on Monday!
• finding a Fuchsia, Black and White invitation design!
• yummy salads which always include honey mustard, cheese, bacon, and some kind of meat.. like chicken, ham or turkey.  Well ok.. so maybe I should be thankful for salad toppings! ha!
• seeing my husband in a black suit
• carryout... it has been a staple around here this week
• friends and family willing to help with the wedding
• friends and family that want to attend the wedding! 
• Easter Candy
• walking in the spring weather
• the fact that I still want to walk and work out when its been a rough 4-5 months on that front!
• diet Pepsi
• cuties
• Instagram
• Sophie & Sydney
• my husbands endless patience
• sunshine
• favorite cardi's on cool days
• seeing my parents the first time since Christmas
• naps!
• dove promises
• Saturday pancakes

Thinking I will sign off for now.  No big plans for date night.  Thinking we will be quietly snuggling at home.  Sounds good to Mono girl!  Blessings!

Not Project Life Tuesday... yes.. Again

No, that is not a Project Life layout.  Yes.  I am behind.  I admit it.  If I keep getting a layout done only once every um 2 weeks... well then I am guessing this is going to be a 2 year process at minimum.  This does not make my OCDish self a happy girl.  Must correct this immediately.  Is it actually possible to not only get one layout done in a week, but a second one too?  I am thinking I must give this theory a good test and soon!  To give myself credit... because that is so important correct?  I did plan and print weeks 10, 11, 12, and 13.  I did also place them in their correct pockets in my album.  So technically... I have 4 weeks 1/2 done.  Right?  Well so now I am thinking yay me right?  ha! 

So how was your Resurrection Sunday?  I took this picture of my handsome husband while he was standing out on my parents porch.... pretty cute right?  Not as good as the suit.... ha ha ha ha... but I do like that t-shirt!  We started out our Sunday at church... wearing the required matching outfits... see...

Darrel took this shot before we left church.  You can't see my blue dress... but it was pretty much the color of the necklace.  I just happened to have the matching necklace.. how cool is that?  Are you not loving the pink tie?  I am thinking he pulls off  pink quite well.  We had a good service, lots of choir music, which we participated in, and that was rather exhausting.  Lots of standing to get thru 5 songs with some other stuff in between.  Not my best idea to stand in pretty pink platforms for that long but hey.. if you gotta wear a choir robe I am thinking the pink platforms were the best part! ha!  We had over 400 in attendance.  Very cool to see the sanctuary so full! 

After church we headed straight to my parent's house for lunch.  Mom cooked and we enjoyed!  My sister helped with a lot of the cooking too.  Darrel and I made a Texas Sheet Cake to bring for dessert and it was quite yummy.  Love the fudgy frosting.  We enjoyed our lunch and then Darrel and I went for a short walk... well I guess it might have been more than a mile and there was a HUGE hill.... (I had the sore calves the next day to prove it), but it was a beautiful day and was nice to be out!  My parents live near Patoka Lake so we decided to drive over by the dam. 

They were apparently letting water out for some reason... as you can see by the raging rapids here!  After watching that for awhile I got it in my head to climb to the top of the dam.... another reason for the sore calves.... and once we did that we snapped this picture.

We were trying to get us and the lake... not too bad for a do it yourself shot right?  It works much easier when Darrel snaps the photo because he has the long arms. Me?  Not so much.  Nothing much long on me.. .unless the hair counts.  I was noticing here it is starting to look long again.  Liking that!

At this point it was of course time for round 2 on the food... which means ham and/or turkey sandwich... and ok... dessert too.  Then it was time for a little Kinect action.  Uncle Darrel brought his new Star Wars game so yes.. there were several Jedi's in the room and then my brother and his son did a little skiing.  All in all a good day. 

Monday however?  Well.. .all that activity and hill climbing totally caught up with me... and yes Mono girl was once again wrestled to the ground by the mono fatigue and is still being held there against her will..... So now I am trying to rest up and find some energy... a 2nd wind... something like that would be good real soon!

In the middle of all the Easter activity and post Easter activity we have managed to book a condo for our 2nd Honeymoon.  We are going to Hilton Head!  I am SO excited about that.  A week.  On a beach.  In a beach chair?  Sign. Me. Up!  We also have invitations designed, ordered and on their way.  So... from no progress to several wedding things checked off my list makes Deanna a happy girl.  And we all want that right? 

But for now... Mono girl must bid you goodnight.  I hope to make some Project Life progress tomorrow if I can find my way to my scrap chair.  Have a Happy Wednesday!  I will be back to post on Thursday.  Blessings!

I have 2 words to say to you....

Hubba Hubba.  Yes.  That would be me drooling over how good my husband looks in a suit.  I can't help myself. Men like women in lingerie... I like my husband all dressed up, especially in a suit... make me go weak in the knees it might.  Forgive me if I lapse into Star Wars speak.. there is a Jedi in my living room.  The new Star Wars Kinect game came out this week and my Jedi is currently doing light saber battle in the living room.... I have an urge to duck periodically as I am blogging because I am afraid either me or my pretty pink computer are going to get belted! Ha! But... I digress... where were we... oh yes.. .the suit!

I've always thought he would look quite good in a black suit.  Today... I got to find out.  Why?  Yes... we actually have purchased a black suit for our vow renewal.  First we went to Burlington Coat Factory... kind of on the spur of the moment.  I saw one of their commercials that talked about all these great deals on suits.  Worth checking out right?  Well we found one in his size (48 Long, not easy to find... )that had a matching pants/coat that we liked.  It was $100 total.  Not bad right?  We figured we weren't going to do better than that, so we bought it even though we were slightly worried if we liked the fabric. Felt kind of polyesterish....

Next stop, the mall.  We figure just out of curiosity we will see how much a suit is at Macy's, Dillards, and JC Penney.  You know, so we can pat ourselves on the back about what a great deal we just got.  Well first stop at Macy's... wouldn't you know suits, NICE suits with pants that go with them (not separates like the other store) were up to 70% off.  They had a really nice black suit regular $495 for $230.  So do you stick with the just OK cheaper suit or for your 25th anniversary vow renewal do you take this one time to get the "nice" suit?  Keeping in mind that in the 28 years I've been with this man, he has never bought a good suit.  We usually just do sport coats.  We checked the other 2 stores, everything was too expensive, wrong size, or cheapy looking... So what do you think we did?  He liked and wanted the nice suit and it was a good deal... so one of us went back to Macys... me... to purchase their suit and one of us (him... obviously) ran back across the road to return suit choice A.  And... they lived happily ever after... well... almost.. because the bride in this story is thrilled that we now have a photographer.. and a suit.  Well ok, and a minister (or two possibly) and a church..  The bride is actually starting to feel like this vow renewal may actually happen!  Plans are to get flowers and cake pinned down next week.  It could happen....

So in other date night adventures this evening, we ate dinner at The Outback which was good if you don't count my husband's under cooked steak that had to be sent back.  Other than that there was the suit search... oh.. a PINK tie for my husband for Easter which might have something to do with the pink in his wife's outfit... a stop at Target for the all important Star Wars Kinect game (and some cuties!) and then a quick ice cream at Baskin & Robbins... which was quite loud.  I am old now people... don't they know I'd like to enjoy my ice cream in peace?  Plus.. after the mad dash thru the mall.. Mono girl was zapped out of energy.  Drive thru ice cream probably would have been a better idea. 

Almost forgot.. while sitting at Outback waiting for our food, my husband says to me that if I reach around behind me, on the top of our booth, I can grab a coaster for my project life book.... Now how smart is he?  I've got him thinking in Project Life.  He's good.  And yes... I do have a coaster. 

I bid you goodnight for now.  Mono girl needs some rest.  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Got in a short walk today.  30 minutes.  It was a struggle cause the energy today?  Got up and left before the day even got on its feet.  The fatigue however?  It's here... full strength.  Funny how that works hand in hand. 
Over at the campground there are some beautiful flowering trees.  This little Dogwood is my favorite.  Is it not just perfect?  Makes me smile! 

This was my third Instagram photo!  I mean did you hear the news?  Instagram is now available for Andorid!  Yay!  I downloaded that puppy right quick from google play soon as I heard the news.  Love the little square vintagey looking photos you can get with Instagram and cannot wait to use them in Project Life! This was my first Instagram... brace yourself...

What is up with me posting 2 pictures of myself sans make up and fixed hair in the same week? Must put a stop to this trend immediately... wouldn't want to scare anyone! ha! I just couldn't wait to take my first Instagram with that little negative strip type border...I know.. its part of the scrapping sickness.

Do you other scrappers ever take scrapping classes?  I am always intrigued by them.  Have taken several.... yet never seem to follow thru.  I have done a few at the LSS where I went and made the layout or the mini book and brought it home and put it in my little basket and never managed to put a single picture in it or on it!  I love the classes at the LSS, think they have been fun.... so what is my problem?  I have taken a few online classes.  Did a year long Heidi Swapp class.  Well... was supposed to be a year long.  I didn't last a year and when they offered refunds midway thru (because some were unhappy with the class) I took it.  So WHY am I now considering taking this class? Well because its Amy Tan and I think her stuff is so quirky, eclectic and cute!  I want to be quirky and cute... so might as well join in right? Don't you all want to be quirky and cute? Is it a girl thing?  I was just saying to my friend Jill that I had signed up for a Cathy Z. Big Picture class for this year too.  It's called Move More Eat Less.... I had all these big plans before the mono came see?  Although... when I was just typing to Jill about it I called it Eat More Move Less... Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha Got myself rolling around on the floor laughing about that one.... although as far as life goes here lately... that would be considerably more accurate.  Just not sure anyone needs to see that on a scrapbook page. HA!!  Oh... stop... I'm entertaining myself way too much here. 

Who has a new Easter dress?  Did you see my hand go up there? I have a new dress.  Well I got it at Christmas.  It was a reject among the party outfit choices.  So... assuming it still looks OK (perhaps I should check that out before Sunday) I plan to wear that with a white tank and a little pink cardi and pink shoes!  The dress is kind of a teal blue color and its sleeveless.  I also have a pink purse I might change into now for spring!  Well I might change my purse stuff into a new purse... I wasn't going to actually change me into a purse... but you knew that right?

Finished reading The Mockingjay! SO good. REALLY enjoyed the Hunger Games series and soooo wish I could go see movies to correspond with the 2nd and 3rd books!  It was so cool to finish book one and then like the next day go see the movie.  Loved them.  VERY disturbing sad premise about kids killing each other but you get into the story and the main characters especially Katniss, Peeta, Gale... and you are wrapped up in what is happening to them and them fighting against people that would want to do such things.  I could totally start back at book one and read all 3 again!  So now I am reading Lost Melody by Lori Copeland.  Hoping it will be as enjoyable!

Lots of things to be thankful for this Holy Week!  Such as....

• beautiful spring trees like that dogwood!
• a new feather bed for our bed
• reading
• saved graphics and clip art on my computer.  Internet was down all day at work yesterday.  During Holy Week.  When I had Resurrection Sunday bulletin, etc. to do.  Was happy I am a person that tends to save files... just in case!
• La Carreta lunches with my husband
• booking a photographer (a good one!) for our vow renewal
• Walking in the beautiful spring weather
• Instagram!
• making a layout last weekend
• a fresh haircut... you know... after several of those days when your hair is just Driving. You. Nuts!
• a husband who brings me bdubbs pretzels even if that is not the restaurant we ordered dinner from.
• good friends who brought us dinner twice this week
• all the goodies my husband the bunny has been leaving me this week
• cheese popcorn on date night
• spring shoes
• still loving my newly rearranged scrap room.  So much better the new way
• leftover brownies
• cuties... yes.. .still
• Sophie and Sydney - we have discovered they love love love being brushed. 
• my canon wireless printer so I can sit in my chair and get all my project life stuff printed all nice and neat
• watching movies with Darrel
• my Kindle, the book I am reading now is not on my Kindle which of course makes me immediately miss my Kindle.  How many times can one use the word Kindle in a sentence?
• Sunshine today when I thought it was going to be rainy
• the rest of the evening with my husband

And for now I shall bid you goodnight!  Hope your week has been good. I hope to be back on Saturday or Sunday.  I pray your Resurrection Sunday is blessed!

Project Life Week 9

Yes... its a project life Tuesday and I actually have something to share with you.  Who knew that could happen?

Here we have week 9.  Yes.  I am well aware I should be showing you like umm week 13 I think?  Well don't hold your breath on that one... I have decided to focus on being happy that week 9 is done... mostly... and not being unhappy week 13 is no where near done... as would be the case with week's 10,11, and 12 too.  :)

Our pink shoe picture for this week is once again of the summer shoe variety because I am of the opinion if the weather dictates summer shoes, and you have a cute pedicure... well then one must go with the summer shoes.  I think its like a rule. 

For my date block this week I used a vintage Bingo card that a friend sent to me.  It was just toooooo cool that it just happened to have 2 numbers next to each other that were my Feb. date!  2-26!  How fun is that.  I just had to go with it and am happy with the result! I also included in this week a photo I snapped of my self EARLY one Sunday morning.  I am NOT a morning person.  I have no desire to now or ever be a morning person so here you have me in all my morning glory. Messy hair... no make up... bags under the eyes.... Don't you just feel so special to have this very special peek into the real Deanna?  No? 

Also used a bag from our egg rolls from some Sunday night Chinese food.  The butterfly card came with the dinner that our good good good friends Kim & Ashly prepared for us and brought over.   They took pity on me in my mononess and fed us yummy food.... Yes... mononess... a new word I have created for being all consumed by the mono yuckiness. 

Then we have my first attempt at using a big photo spread out between the larger pocket and 2 smaller pockets.  I saw several people do this, but most recently was inspired by Jenni Hufford's Project Life.  Cool look don't you think?  I used our church logo for Focus 40 which is basically Lent and am also loving the picture of our niece!  First time she drove herself to our house.  First time she ever wrote me a check... She drives and has a checking account.  How did she get old enough to do that when I know I didn't get any older!

Here are some closer shots!

And there you have it!  Week 9.  Hoping to get in some week 10 progress tomorrow night... as long as the mono fatigue cooperates.  It could happen. 

I am linking up to the Project Life fun over at the Mom Creative this week!  Be sure to take a peek over there and see all the gorgeous pages! 

Until Thursday I bid you goodnight!
Blessings! 

Misc. on Monday

-Because "Misc. on Monday" just sounds so much nicer than random on Monday right?  Or maybe its just me.... I'm in rare form today so this is entirely possible.

-the past several days I have had ZERO energy.  Not sure what the deal is.  I was OK if I was sitting.  Well one can sit and scrap right?  So I actually made a layout.  Who knew I was still a scrapper?! Ha!  Did this for a 2Peas product challenge (using Dear Lizzy Neapolitan) contest.  There were 5 winners.  They were announced today.  I am not one of them.  I'm not bitter....but you knew that right?

-I had the idea to use my CM Hexagon punch to see if I could use the punched shapes to make a design that looks like a quilt.  I think I succeeded.  If not, please humor me... It's taken me all day to find my happy place and I know you wouldn't want to disturb me there right?

-I was tired today.  I was tired yesterday.  Saturday. Friday.... are you seeing a trend here?  I went for a walk today anyway!  2 miles, in the sun and warm weather... I even have a tan line.  Yay! The campground has reopened for the season so I had to take a project life picture to commemorate the event.  This was my take on including me and the road where I walk in the photo... I don't know what is up with the squinty eye... It would not seem to go away.. perhaps the stress was still in that eye.. the walk worked the rest of it out! ha!

-my friend Anna hurt her finger weeding in the garden tonight.  She was asking on FB if anyone knew what to do for her injury (something went under her fingernail.. ouch!) and was saying it was throbbing.  I asked if she thought icing it would help... then thought I should clarify as in ice cubes...not frosting .... but then decided a little icing on my finger would help my mood right now so perhaps that was the better idea all around.  Can I get a second on that one?

-do you ever watch PM style on QVC on Monday's? I do on occasion... well OK on the occasion that there is either a) nothing else to watch or b) I am in the mood to shop!  or tonight's reason c) I wasn't quite ready to start watching what I had DVR'd to watch... Anyway.. I caught site of this cute top... it comes in Fuchsia... need I say more?

-my car.  For a few months now its been making a LOUD and annoying noise whenever one needs to use anything that causes the fan to kick in.  Well gee... that shouldn't be a problem right unless one wants to use oh say.. the defroster... or the a/c... or perhaps just have to sit in traffic a little too long.  Not a problem at all.  Well Darrel has looked at it.  Replaced the motor hoping that would fix it.  Nope.  Decided it must be the fan being off balance somehow so we need a new fan.  My brother, who is a Mechanic agreed.  New fan was ordered.  New fan arrived.  Darrel goes out to install the new fan tonight.  As he takes off the old fan, he finds a few of the fan blades have large clods of dirt stuck to them.  Hmmm... perhaps that is what is throwing the fan off balance.  Cleans the fan.  Re installs the fan..... No more loud annoying noise.  Great news right?  Happy ending.  Well... as long as we are able to return the now unneeded new fan because it was purchased on the Internet (because it was 3-1/2 times cheaper than buying it locally... serous). 

-do we want to hear anymore about the Mono?  If you are sick of me... cause I know I am sick of me, you have my permission to go browse over at zappos.. or amazon.. or somewhere equally as fun while I spend a few minutes whining.  Buy yourself something pink.  :) Deal?

The never ending mono.  I suppose it is what is responsible for my crabby, emotional, weepy... not fun Deanna mood today.  Well I guess the mono isn't so much responsible as my letting it all get to me.  Am I doing better than a few months ago?  Yes.  Absolutely.  Am I 100%?  No.  Not even close.  I have good days.  But even the good days include a fair amount of fatigue, little energy and just not being able to have the stamina to do what I can normally do.  I think I am still just supposed to rest.  I think I am doing the right things trying to add and increase activity and exercise slowly... to try and build my stamina and immune system back up.  Honestly though?  1/2 the time I am sooo stinkin' confused!  I feel like people are sick of me or think she should be better by now. She's just milking this thing... Then there is the guilt... every time someone asks, are you doing better?  And I say yes... slowly... but still really struggling with the fatigue.. and then they say "still?" This of course in Deanna language means that all people who have contracted mono since time began got over it and were healed way more quickly than you..... what's a matter with you? You should be over this by now.  My sane thinking side of my brain knows that people that are asking about me love me and are not thinking those things about me.  My not so sane thinking side of my brain, the sick, tired, mono brain side... the side that causes me to be hard on myself and sets high standards?  This is the side that struggles with the stinkin' thinkin' and projects those feelings onto others.  So please.. if you're reading, and you've asked about me, please dont' mistake me for saying I'm upset with you.  I know its me and my head and I really do appreciate the love and support.  What I am struggling with is my thinking and my expectations and what I think others expect of me because that's what I expect of me.  Make sense?  No one's mad at me?  Good...

-the second mono thing I am struggling with?  the confusing.. well intentioned advice.  I have been told everything... such as.. you should be resting more, you should be resting less, you shouldn't exercise, you should exercise more, you should sleep more, you should sleep less, you need to take Swedish bitters, you need to get your immune system in better shape, you need to see the DR again, the DR can't help you this just has to run its course, you should be better by now, and then when I say my mono research says the fatigue lasts for months... then they say, my cousins, brothers, sisters, girlfriends, mother knew this guy who knows this girl who had it and it took her forever to get over it.... And I'm thinking, then why did you just tell me I should be over it? I know everyone is trying to help me.  I love ya'll for it..... I've just tried all those things.. well except the bitters stuff... eewww... and I am currently confused, tired and crabby and doing the best I can.  Be very impressed that you don't see me with my fingers in my ears and singing la la la la la...

- OK... you still aren't mad at me right?  I am soooo not being mad at anyone.  I am just tired, crabby, sick and tired of being sick and tired mono girl... and I needed a moment to whine... You still love me right?  Thank you. 


Perhaps I should close now before I get myself in anymore trouble?  Good idea?  Yes... mono girl will now drag her crabby behind to bed and commit to waking up with a shiny new attitude.  It could work.  :)  Tune in tomorrow for Project Life Tuesday... yes... I actually got a week done!  Blessings!