Saturday, January 24, 2009

It's My Wedding Day!!!!!

I'm sure ya'll are wondering what in the world I'm doing blogging on my wedding day. Well... it's 6 a.m., I just woke up, and there's no chance of me falling back asleep. There's nothing good on TV so after laying awake for 30 minutes bored, I just thought I'd blog. I can't believe I'm getting married today!! It feels like Christmas!
Last night we had the rehearsal dinner. It was so great! Jaclyn cried the whole time which made me cry. Everything at the church ran smoothly and the dinner at the Chenal Country Club was wonderful! We opened up the floor for anyone to give a toast. Everyone was so sweet and the toasts were wonderful. Jake's rhymed. He'll have to post it on his blog for all of you guys to read. (His blog is opened up for anyone to read now that he FINALLY has a job.) The dinner was delish!! Everything was fabulous and I love, love, loved it! At 10, the girls and Jake are coming over to my house to have a brunch and then we're headed straight to the church to start getting ready! It'll be a busy day and I'm most definitely looking forward to it.
I just discovered my mom on the couch. She can't sleep either. Now I have company so I'll stop blogging. We've got lots to do anyway! Here's some pictures from the rehearsal last night. And since I'll be away on my honeymoon until next Saturday, ya'll can just think about me, relaxing, getting a tan, and enjoying life while staying here. http://www.jademountainstlucia.com/



Me and Scott saying bye!!!

Check back with you in a week! Happy Wedding Day!!!!!!!!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Last To-Do List

Well I failed at posting every day the week before the wedding. Yesterday was just a little bit crazy so I didn't have time. Scott came down to Little Rock last night. We've got a few little things to do and then we're done!!!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah! Today is going to be pretty crazy too actually. I'm waiting on Scott to finish eating lunch and then we're off to do some stuff. His tux is in so we've got to get that. I've got to go see my cake lady once more. I need to get some pictures developed. I have to go down to my dad's office. I need to make some CD's then I need to take them to the country club. I need to go for a run but that probably won't happen. I need to meet with the audio guy at the church. I need to get some sacks to put some gifts in. Hmm...I think that's all.
I can't believe it's Thursday! I'm getting married not tomorrow but the next day. I haven't been wearing my engagement ring all week and I've felt naked without it. I'm not doing a wedding band because it doesn't look good with my setting. So since I'm not doing a band, I decided to not wear my ring until Scott puts it on my finger!
Well, just looking at my to-do list today is making me a little anxious so I need to stop blogging and go get it all done! Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration Day

Well, the votes are in and it looks like Sarah and Lily will be wearing a bow! I went to The Toggery (a children's boutique in LR) and found 2 really pretty bows that match their sweet little dresses perfectly! They're huge and will probably be the size of their head which I love! That's how my bows used to be when I was a little girl and I think it's so cute! So that's what they'll wear! Thanks to everyone who voted!
The day has been pretty easy going but I've been incredibly sleepy all day long. I woke up at about 9:00 and turned on the inauguration. Then about 30 minutes later I decided I was sleepy so I fell back asleep and slept until 12:30!!!!! Then, I got dressed and ran some errands with Landon and around 6:00, I decided I was sleepy again and I feel asleep and slept again for 2 1/2 hours!! What's wrong with me?!
I've been watching the inauguration all day. My TV has been stuck on Fox News. I didn't think I would care to watch it but who am I kidding. Whenever anything political is going on I'm glued to the TV. I just love politics!!!! I wasn't in love with Michelle Obama's day wear. I thought it was a gorgeous dress but not appropriate. Laura Bush looked so classy to me. She just screams class in my opinion. I love a lady like that. Jill Biden looked great! She's super cute. Even though I didn't like Michelle's yellow/gold dress, I am obsessed with her white one shoulder evening gown. GORGEOUS! Good job. Oh and how cute are the two girls? Oh my gosh they're so adorable! So precious. I hope I'm wrong about Barack Obama. I hope that he is a great president. I, of course, want the best for America. I do have a feeling he'll only last 1 term though. I dunno why. Just a feeling....
It was sad for me seeing Bush get on that helicopter and leave. I love George Bush. I think he's a great man. He is the first president who I took interest in. I wasn't interested in politics until Bush time and I think that's why it was a little emotional for me. He's all I really know as far as presidents go! Even though some people may disagree with me, I do believe Bush will go down in history as a great president. (Scott's step-sister laughed out loud when I said that to her as she is a screaming liberal) Ab Lincoln was HATED while he was president and he is probably THE most admired president ever. It may take a while but I do believe people will see that George Bush did a lot of good for America. Hopefully Obama will as well.
I'm proud for America. However I've never been one to think that black people are at a disadvantage and can't do what white people can. I feel like anyone who thinks that way is on a pity-party. Anyone can do what they want if they work hard for it. Period. I mean, I saw people on TV today who had tears in their eyes. I'm sorry if I'm insensitive but what's that about? Did you think we would never have a black president? I mean....I didn't. Maybe I have my white goggles over my eyes but I guess I've just never seen why 'blacks' are at a disadvantage to 'whites.' Work hard. Get it done. Have goals and dreams. That's all it is really. It doesn't take much rocket science. Honestly I get so sick of that 'poor me I have dark skin' crap. That's BS to me. Maybe if it was 1950 but it's not. It's 2009. I understand terrible, awful things happened back then but I mean, I didn't do it. My parents didn't do it. Why the hate? Let's put the past behind us and move forward is what I'm thinkin....
Well, now that I've sounded like a preacher with completely different beliefs than Jessie Jackson, I'll get off now and try and get some sleep. Happy inaugural day! Good luck to Barack Obama and America!

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Monday Before...

I'm going to try and blog every day before the wedding. I've always kept a diary. Always, since I was 6 years old. But since I've started blogging I've stopped writing in my diary so I figure I'll just print off the blogs and glue them in my diary one day. So I want to write every day the week of the wedding so I can look back in my diary and remember what was going on. We'll see if I have time but I think I will since everything is basically taken care of.
I did get stressed for about 5 minutes today so I called Jake so he would help me calm myself down. I decided after we got done talking that I would go to McAlisters and get a tea (half and half with a lemon). I crave tea when I'm on a diet. While I was checking out, the jumbo cookies were calling out my name so I quickly grabbed a peanut butter one and checked out. After I took two bites of the cookie, I remembered that there's this bad peanut butter scare deal going around so hopefully I won't wake up with salmonella poisoning tomorrow. I don't know what I was thinking anyway grabbing a cookie. It was a moment of weakness.
Scott just left to head back up to Memphis. He had the day off from work since today might as well be Christmas in Memfrica. He's only working tomorrow and Wednesday and is coming back to LR on Wednesday night to stay. On Thursday, Scott and I are going to get our marriage license. And I'll sign some kind of form to change my name. (tear...still not getting used to that)
I guess tomorrow is supposed to be a big day for America. Maybe I'll tune in to watch. We'll see....
As Jake says until next time.....

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Getting Married This Week!

So I'm getting married this week. Pretty big week I guess you could say! Everything is taken care of so I really don't have to do anything all week. Just sit back and relax. Brad and Jaclyn came down to Little Rock this weekend. They had a wedding to attend last night and came and stayed with us at my parents house. We had a great time. Jaclyn and I went wedding dress shopping for her at Proposals. That was lots of fun! We just ate a yummy lunch at the Flying Fish with them and now they're off to head back up to NWA.
Landon is here! He flew into Little Rock yesterday. He is getting so big he's like a mini-man. He reluctantly tried on his tux for the wedding and he looks soooo cute!!! His hair is like, buzzed off though so I'm going to have to put my hairstyling skills to the test to figure all of that out. I'm really sad because I asked 3 times for it to be kept long and curly. It's very upsetting to me but I obviously can't do anything about it now.....
Now Scott and I are lounging around watching Pirates of the Caribbean 3. We really don't have to do anything today except find my camera battery charger. I'm guessing it's somewhere here in Little Rock because I turned my house upside down looking for it. I can always buy a new one I guess but that's so annoying. Hopefully I'll find it. I guess that's all. I don't really have much to say today. Enjoy your Sunday!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Wedding Errands

I'm taking a breather here. These last few days have been crazy!!! It's all kinds of little things that I have to do that take forever. And there's still so much left. I hate when people are like 'it's getting closer!!!' I'm like 'ahhh! don't remind me. I've got too much to do.' I lay in bed at night and remember all kinds of things that I need to get done and then I wake up in the morning and I'm like 'ok...what was I remembering last night that was extremely important to do that I can't remember now.' And my bank account has taken a serious plunge. I checked today before I had to buy something to make sure I actually had money in there. I was surprised and relieved to see that I did.
Yesterday I drove down to El Dorado of all places to take care of some things. Mom and I needed to get one of my bridal portraits framed and there is a really amazing shop in ElDo so we wanted to take it there. Then, I had to borrow some things from my grandmother that only a grandmother would have. Like an easel to put the portrait on and some ornate all silver wine goblets for communion. Mom had to pick up this mirror in Magnoya (that's how people from there say it) for the house....and I stopped by where I'm registered to see if I had anymore gifts. So...long day in El Do but we ate at the Country Club for din which I love so it was worth it. My parents have still kept their membership there cause we seem to go to El Do quite a bit still and that's the only restaurant that's decent to eat at. I do like Papa Pablanos but that definitely doesn't fit in with my diet right now. So chicken salad and fruit from the CC it was!
Today Mom, Grammy, and I are driving to Fayetteville and staying until Friday. I've got to pack for the honeymoon and there are a few things in Fayetteville I need to do so I'm making a quick trip up there! Plus, Mom and Grammy haven't seen my place yet with all of Scott's stuff moved in so I'm anxious for them to see it. We'll have a fun little girls trip together before I get married! Holly's coming too of course.
I guess that's about all. I need to get back to being a bride. I'm very excited and so ready for it to be here. Oh and I was relieved because I can check the 10 forecast now and it looks like the weather is going to be perfect! Of course that can change. As long as there's no ice I'm good to go. I don't mind rain because that kind of makes it romantic and I think it means good luck too. But so far so good with the weather! Catch up with you later!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Weddings Planning as Usual!

So this weekend has been full of wedding planning! It's just 11 short days away and I think for the next 11 days I'll be wedding planning the whole time. On Saturday, Scott and I went to our marriage counseling retreat. It was awesome. I was actually surprised that out of the 15 couples that were there, I knew 4 of them. A couple of pageant girls, a Kappa sister, and someone from ElDo. At first, I didn't think that I had gotten much out of the retreat. Scott and I both thought we were going to get one on one counseling but it was actually more like a lecture with power point. I left a little disappointed then realized later that night when Scott and I talked for about 2 hours about everything we discussed there that it actually ended up being really great for us. There were a lot of couples there sharing their stores. Some had been married for 40 years all the way between a couple who had been married only 1 year. They shared their marriage stories and all about the good and bad. The dreams they shared and funny things that had happened to them throughout the years. It was really great and really allows you to realize how real marriage is. They prepare you for the tough times and teach you the best ways to work through it. They explained to girls how men think and what they need to feel loved and vice versa. It was just really great and I'm glad we did it.
They allowed the couples who are engaged to sign a form if they wanted to have a covenant marriage. A covenant marriage license basically forces you to stick it out. If you think you want to get divorced they make you have a 2 1/2 year separation before you can get out. The rules are also very strict on why you can get divorced. Seriously, one reason is like, if your spouse commits a felony and has to go to prison! It's pretty hard core and Scott and I are pretty hard core about us so we decided to have a covenant marriage! Marriage is a huge commitment and Scott and I do not take it lightly. We are going to make vows to on another to stay married forever and we will absolutely stick to our promise. The retreat was great for us and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is getting married. It's absolutely worth your time.
On Sunday I met with my florist, Becky. I prepared Scott to be ready to be at the CCLR talking flowers with Becky for a long time. Plans have kinda had to be just a smidge bit redone this last week which is why the other day, I was just ALL THE WAY stressed out. From the beginning of planning our wedding, Scott and I assumed we would have a fairly small wedding. Everyone that we invited has to either drive from El Dorado or Rogers to Little Rock and we knew it was a lot to ask of people so we kinda assumed not a ton would come. So we made plans accordingly. We figured we would have about 150 people. Well....not so much. We have 200!! It's awesome! We feel so loved by people especially that they have to make no less than a 2 hour drive just to come see us get married. It's so sweet and just so amazing. However, since we're having about 50 more people come than we planned, and it's a sit down dinner, we've had to do a lot of rearranging. So things at the reception are going to be a little different than I had been planning on for the past year but it's okay because I think it's going to be even better! So Becky and I had to discuss seating arrangements and do away with the lounge scene (tear) and get everything all squared away. We've gotten it taken care of and this is going to be my dream wedding and then some!
Today, Scott took off work so we could take care of some other things. I have been a miserable bride when it's come to picking out my wedding cake. I just picked it out today!!! I've met with the lady and put my deposit down to reserve the day and everything but that's all. Literally. So we went today to talk cakes. I'm serious I couldn't have been more confused. She sketched 7 different cakes and I was in love with all of them. I turned to mom and told her to pick because I was so confused and she said 'no it's your cake I don't want to pick' so I was like...oh my how will I ever choose. Mom and I agreed on one so we decided to go for it. Scott got his squared away also so we are good to go as far as that's concerned.
After the cake lady, we grabbed a bite at Flying Fish then headed to the church to meet with my church coordinator. She was great and we went over all the details of how the ceremony was going to be. She'll make everything run smoothly and I'm not worried about a thing! Very nice...
So that's all for the weekend. I think mom and I are running down to El Do tomorrow and then we're going to head up to Fayetteville to do some things I need to get done and pack and head down to LR to get married! I'm taking the whole week before the wedding off just so I can be here in LR taking care of things. Crazy Crazy. The day is sneaking up on me! TTYL!!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Wedding Attire!

Greetings from Little Rock! It's actually Thursday still....well not technically, I'm writing at 1:00 a.m. I drove down today to do a little wedding planning. Meeting with lots of folks and tying up all of the lose knots floating around. Scott is coming down tomorrow or I guess it's really today. On Saturday, we have to go to the church and do a marriage counseling retreat. It's from 8:30-4. We are both looking forward to it! We've filled out an 18 page questionnaire and today we took an online compatibility test and had to print out the results and bring them with us on Saturday. Scott and I were pretty much totally even on all of our questions about what we expect out of our marriage. However, we received a very low score on being realistic about marriage. We were 'idealistic' instead of realistic about everything. We know we'll have our up's and down's but I guess we both answered honestly about our relationship now and apparently it's not realistic. Even though it's supposed to be a bad thing that we scored low, I think it's a good thing! We just don't have issues. Period. And we know how to work out our issues if we do. But I'm sure the counselor will spend some quality time with us on that category. It was actually a really cool test and anyone can take it if you like! It's $20 to take it but I think it's a really good thing to do! There's two separate tests: One for couples who are engaged and one for couples who are already married. If any of you would be interested in taking it, all you have to do is go to www.couplecheckup.com and you can take it there. It only takes about 30 minutes and I would highly recommend it!
So I've gotten a lot of texts and facebook messages from people asking me what they should wear to the wedding. Anything you like of course! I will say that since it's an evening wedding and a sit down dinner a lot of people are taking the opportunity to break out their fancy dresses! I know some of my mom's girlfriends are busting out their razzle dazzle outfits for fun and some of my friends have mentioned doing it as well. Some have even mentioned floor length which I was like, wow! okay go for it. So if that sigma chi formal dress is just hanging there in the closet and you're really wishing you had something to wear it to again, Kara and Scott's wedding would be a great place! I know girls want the opportunity to get girlied up sometimes! Or I do anyway. So if you want to wear something like that you most certainly wouldn't stand out in a crowd because I think a lot of people are going to be dressed pretty formal. Same goes the other way around too...if you'd rather be a little more casual I'm sure there will be some of those too. Whatever you'd like! I'm just so excited that everyone who's coming is coming! It makes me and Scott both feel special and loved :)
I guess I should close my eyes now and get some rest. Long weekend ahead of me!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Meal Plan

I'm bored. AND I've had a helluva day but I'm not ready to even go there yet. Maybe tomorrow. Writing is therapeutic for me so even though I have nothing to talk about, maybe my brain will feel a little less heavy once I'm done. This second glass of wine I'm having right now is helping out a bit too!
I took myself on a shopping spree today! I wanted to buy myself a few new outfits for the honeymoon. Scott's Christmas present to me was a Masons gift card because I've talked for a while about wanting to buy new clothes for the honeymoon so he was practical and great in his Christmas gift giving! He was worried that I would think it wasn't very thoughtful but I couldn't have asked for anything better! So I used it all the way up plus a little bit extra. I keep waiting on Scott to call me today about putting some of it on his credit card! ;) We're basically married. I don't feel guilty. (love you baby!)
So I have the best friends in the world by the way. I'll just tell you why. Today threw me a curve ball (maybe tomorrow you'll know why) and it wore me to a frazzle. Whenever I'm upset I call my people in the same order. Jaclyn then Jake. Jaclyn is always the same. Comforting like a momma and all like "awww...babe what can we do to fix this and make it better. Let's talk and discuss. I know we can figure something out and make it perfect." Then, I'll call Jake and all he does is laugh hysterically which makes me start laughing at the situation too. Perfect balance. No surprise at all why I chose those two to be the best friends I could possibly imagine having. So even though today was like 'whoa! I'm just a little confused what's happening here' they were great and made me feel better. Love those two!!!
I'm hungry but too bad because that's just the way it has to be for the next 2 weeks. Back to my 'week of the pageant diet Extreme Hardcore Style' starting on Monday. Right now it's 'week of the pageant diet halfway style' so I get to enjoy hot food for a few more days. This Monday may be a little too soon to be starting that actually...maybe Thursday. We'll see what the scale says these next few days. If it says what it said today I should start starving myself tomorrow. I swear that thing is broken. I told Jake tonight that I'm not losing weight and he told me that I already don't eat much so it's going to take running really hard to probably make anything happen. I haven't picked up great eating habits since I've moved back to Fayetteville which I guess is what Jake is talking about. When I was in Memphis, Scott and I would cook together every night and it was ALWAYS a grilled meat and veggie. Very healthy. I don't have a grill here though and it's hard to want to cook a real meal for yourself. So I usually just eat a lean cuisine for lunch and dinner. I know it's low in calories but it's just totally not healthy. So processed and full of sodium but it's all I have time for and all that works for me with the situation I'm in right now. Maybe I'll go buy some deli meat and bread tomorrow and start eating some sandwiches. That's better than a lean cuisine.
So now that I'm sure you're completely bored with my meal plan, I'll relieve you by saying I'm done!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Yay for Votes!

I'm loving that I have poll votes! I really assumed that my only votes would come from Jake and Jaclyn. I would definitely appreciate more opinions! I don't know who votes so don't worry about your name magically popping up on my blog some how. I don't care if I don't know you or not, any opinion would still be interesting! Thanks for the votes for the few of you who read! Keep it coming!! Your opinion decides!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Sarah and Lily!

Just thought I'd take a extremely quick break from all of the wedding planning. Scott and I are both on our laptops right now typing away. I'm not going to be Debbie Downer anymore with the wedding stuff because it's almost over and my dad tells me I need to savor every moment since this will never come again. We got a few reply cards in today. Nice. Still missing 126 people though so Jaclyn did her maid of honor duty and called up some folks. And I pretended to be Jaclyn and I called up some of Scott's people that I knew wouldn't recognize my voice. HAHA. Then I realized I had to change the voicemail greeting on my cell phone for people I left voicemails to because my greeting says 'hey it's Kara...." So yeah that was fun....
So I thought I would do a fun poll with my little flower girls. I can't decide if I want the cutie pie's to wear a head band or a big bow. Their names are Sarah and Lily and they're 4 and 2. They're Scott's cousins and they are adorable. One is blond and one is brunette. They have hair that's a little past their shoulders. So I'm leaving it up to you guys! I'm sure I'll get like 4 votes but that's alright! Pick if you think Sarah and Lily should wear a silk headband or a silk bow!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Meryl Streep/Miranda

I'm really feeling like my inner Meryl Streep 'Miranda' character from The Devil Wears Prada should be coming through in this blog right now, but today is Sunday which means I went to church so I'll try to act more like Anne Hathaway's character. So...yeah, I'm still lacking a huge amount of response cards from guests that I invited. I mean, I didn't read Emily Posts book from cover to cover but I'm still aware of politeness and proper etiquette. I GUESS I'M JUST CONFUSED. I understand we've just gone through the holidays but if anyone is like me and my friends and family, that's when you have the most free time so that's not a good enough excuse to me. Maybe I should give everyone the benefit of the doubt and assume their invitation got lost in the mail. I shouldn't 'beat a dead horse' as my mom said to me on the phone tonight as we went over the guest list, but I guess I just expected more from people. I should have learned by living life for 23 years now that nothing people do should surprise me.
Now I'm going be as sweet as Pollyanna. Scott's mom gave us 4 place settings of our casual china tonight which made me very excited! I decided to clean out all of my other plates that I've always ate on since I bought this house and put all of my new china in my cabinets since I've gotten so much now! It made me happy. :) I was going to wait until after Scott and I got married to eat on our china but the wedding is basically here and since I finally took all of my china out of the boxes and washed it and put it in my cabinets it was just too tempting! So we cooked a yummy steak and had asparagus and red peppers and ate on our casual china tonight for the very first time! (I told Scott as we were doing it that we were having a moment!) I'll save the fine china until after the wedding....like Valentines Day or something. But I was so excited tonight to eat on our new china and I felt like Monica on Friends when I told Scott he was cutting too hard on the plate. (Careful....CAREFUL!...only Jake or other Friends fanatics will get it)
Actually I've taken a personality test before and my TV character whose personality I shared was 'Monica' from Friends. I totally see it. We are VERY much alike. Hmm...that was totally off track.
Alright I guess I'll get off now and either clean or get ready for bed....Night!
Oh and FYI. Braclyn, Scott and I went to see Seven Pounds last night and it's the worst movie I've watched in my entire life. I had to go to the lobby and play the video games so I could keep myself from falling asleep. Jaclyn was slightly startled when she found me shooting army men with a gun as she was checking on me because I had been missing from the theatre for quite some time. And I'm not the only one who thought it was terrible. All of us agreed it was a waste of money. As Miranda says, 'That's all...'

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I rang in the new year with all of my friends and it was a great time! I didn't make a resolution because I don't do that. If one day I decide to do something good for myself, I just do it. It doesn't have to be the beginning of a new year for me to feel motivated. So no resolution for me.
2009 is going to be a big year for me since I'll be getting married! Only 21 days to go! I'm very excited but I still have so much to do. Normally, days seem to kind of drag along to me, but of course these last few days seem like I'll blink and it's time for bed. The one thing that's stressing Scott and I out the very most is people's lack of politely responding with the response card we stamped and asked for them to send in by the 5th. We're still lacking about 200 people's responses which is all the way frustrating since we're having a sit down dinner and kind of need to know. Scott and I decided last night that if some people still haven't responded by Monday, we're gonna have Jake call them! Haha! I bet Jake's like Uhhhhhh no thanks. No but seriously....get ready Jake. I mean, I guess I just don't understand what's so hard about dropping an envelope in a mail box but maybe I've just always done it wrong and it takes lots of scientific thinking and grand physical strength.
Maybe I should work off my frustration by going for a nice long run. Talk to you later!