Happy 30th B!

Happy birthday to my fabulous fiance B.

Yup..this guy:

 

Here's to 300 more years together.

Love your guts. 

We've Got a Website

It's not perfect...and there's still a lot to add....but it's coming together!

 

Wedding party is a work in progress.  And we're hoping to update some photos to match the save the dates.  Feel free to check it out all the same:  bealeandtheckla.com

Expectations

I know that as a bride-to-be I'm supposed to be overly enthusiastic and positive about all the wedding stuff.  It's the happiest time of my life, right?    Well, I'd like to think that I am generally positive about it all (and I do get giddy talking about getting married to B)...but recently wedding planning has me down and I need to vent, so bear with me.  

While I love what we've planned so far for the wedding, and some of it has been fun, I've discovered that I absolutely hate wedding planning!  Since I love all things wedding, I really thought I would be in heaven planning my own, but the opposite has been true.  I think the planning part is the pits.

If I stop and think about it, I know a big part of it is that I feel a lot of pressure to meet many people's expectations:

- My parents want me to have a nice wedding but expect me to keep costs down
- Some friends expect a super fun event with lots of "really different & cool stuff"
- Other friends expect me to just LOVE the wedding planning and have gotten SO much done by now 
- B expects the food to be good, the booze to be top notch, the band to be fantastic

I also know I put a lot of the pressure on myself, but it is hard feeling like the only person truly accountable for pulling off a spectacular, memorable, fun event.  Thank god for our amazing planner - if she wasn't working with us I really would have lost my mind!  But still, every time B & I have to sit down with my parents and go over wedding details, I immediately get into a funk.

Recently we've gotten to the point where we have to make a lot of decisions and get some things checked off our list:

- We need to meet with caterers and then pick one
- We need to meet with florists and select one
- We need to finalize our save the dates and send them
- We need to find out how much transportation costs and what we really need to provide/when
- We need to tweak the budget and find out what we really have to spend on the fun stuff (eek)

Not only can it be overwhelming, but everyone seems to have a different opinion about "what's right".  If only all of these choices were as easy as the dress - meaning each one was amazing and we just had to say yes to the best one.  I know we'll get there eventually but it just feels like so much is riding on each choice.  We've literally allotted every penny in the budget, so any misstep with one of these choices could totally affect something else.  I feel ridiculous even typing this, but if feels like so much is riding on each decision.

Am I the only one that ever felt this way?  Absolutely not.

And will I totally get over it?  Of course! 

I just wish I could stop feeling so stressed out by all the decisions we're having to make and just enjoy it a little more!

Thanks for letting me vent.  Feel free to send me a xanax ;)

Fingers Crossed

First of all, I forgot my ring today, which makes me feel naked and "off".  I discovered soon after getting engaged that apparently I get VERY hot when I sleep..so while my ring is still too big during the day, I literally sweat it off when asleep.  I'm still hunting for a nice ring holder, but for now my ring lives on a silver jewelry tray every night.  Unfortunately this makes it somewhat easy to forget, especially if I'm going casual and not wearing a ton of jewelry, like today.

I digress...forgetting my ring has nothing to do with the title of this post - my fingers are crossed because we've applied to adopt another dog and I'm really hoping it works out. This dog, a gorgeous yorkie, came to the shelter with terrible wounds on it's back. Like the hard to look at kind.  The pictures are so sad - it breaks your heart to see any animal in this condition, but something about this sweet little dog especially just broke my heart. (I'll refrain from posting pics here, but if you are curious let me know and I can send you the link) The shelter reports that the wounds are healing and the dog is still as sweet as could be, wagging his little tail often.  I sat at my desk and cried, emailed the link to Beale and we both agreed we had to put in an application.  How could we not?

If we are not selected to be his new "parents" it will be okay, I just hope this dog goes to a loving home where he gets the love and attention he deserves, and we will continue looking for another rescue dog that will get along with Tim (the dog needs to be smaller,  not an alpha dog etc).  Ugh..my heart is heavy just writing about this little guy.

Finally..on a more upbeat note.  It's Friday!  For that I'll leave you with a little bit of Friday ridiculousness:  yes Lilly is now making sorority inspired gear.  WTF?  Yup, that's what I said too, then I laughed my ass off.

Here's the schmappa schmappa gamma scarf.  Girls, I think I just found your bridesmaids gift!

Yup, those are keys & owls.  HI-LARIOUS.

Happy weekend everyone!

Proof

If you didn't believe me from my last post that I'm not eating well, here's proof.  This pic is four day's worth of trash in my office trash can (I know this is kind of gross but it totally proves a point):

I am addicted to halloween candy!

AHHH.

I need to tape this picture up at my desk to remind me to stop eating shit!

(PS, my favorite part is that the only un-eaten food is the one healthy item in sight. Hilarious and disgusting all at once.)

Ummm..not so much

So a little while ago I wrote that I was getting serious about getting back in shape. I was hoping to give Friday updates..mostly as a way to hold myself accountable, but this weekend was a little crazy so my apologies.  I'll get back on track next week.

How am I doing?

Well..to be candid...I suck at this. Halloween candy is just TOO tempting.  Plus, the more I work out the more I rationalize that I can "treat" myself.  Nice, right?   I don't have a scale and have never been a freak about weighing myself, but lets just say I'm not feeling any healthier or thinner.

Since we've been in a recipe rut and eating better is part of getting back in shape, I've been cooking more.  Last night, I decided to try something new and healthy.  I found a great cooking light recipe and had B pick up everything we needed at the store.  I started prepping...red peppers, green peppers, chicken, pasta, half a stick of butter, 1.5 cups of half and half.  Wait..what?!  Turns out my "cooking light" recipe was actually from southern living.  Fail!  But...it was delicious ;)  (The recipe, if you want it, is here.  I think you could totally use less butter and fat free half and half)

In more positive news..I'm down to 15 post-its...wooo!   I am a little nervous about staying on track when we go here next weekend for B's 30th b-day.  But let's just take it one day at a time right?   B and I have been trying to walk more and we've made it twice this week.  Walking is one of my favorite things that we do together...we get to exercise and talk and laugh for an hour.  I think it's a sentimental thing, too.  My parents walked every night (and still try to) and I used to join them in high school.  I love that we're able to do that together, too.  (PS - how cute are the post-its..a gift from my maid of honor, love!)

It's all good...I've got

In Glee Heaven!!!

Who else is SOOOO glad Glee is back?

I got so excited that B actually agreed to watch it with me.  Big night...

...we also had a big weekend down here in the QC.

After 3 weeks of bathroom demolition, which meant living in our guest bedroom and having a toilet in our dining room, we finally have our apartment back....at least until the guest bathroom renovations start in another week.  Sigh.

Our dining room, finally put back together.

We also had our first engagement party.  My mom says this means B and I are officially engaged.  So basically we're out of the wedding closet, woohoo! 

The theme of the party was bbq, bluegrass and brews.  We had tons of friends and family there, it was pretty awesome to have so many people celebrating with us, especially those that came in from out of town.  It was a super fun night, but I did feel like I needed it to last a few more hours so I could actually catch up with everyone.  Thank god our wedding weekend will be two nights, otherwise I'd need an 8 hour reception to have enough time with everyone. 

So Cheesy Yet Cute

B had tons of family in town for the party, including his mom, dad,  brother, sister, aunt, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  I spent Saturday with a bunch of the family waiting in line for...wait for it...Jessica Simpson.  It was a labor of love..B's niece was DYING to see her.  I have to say, she looked pretty good:

Hope you guys had a great weekend, too!

Help A Fellow Blogger Out

Hi friends...my college roommate and fellow blogger is working on a cookbook.  She is in the final stages of her proposal and has asked for help filling out a quick survey about cook book preferences.

If you have 2 minutes (it's quick, I promise) would you mind filling out the survey?  Just click here.  Thanks in advance!

Image via

Also, I am entering a giveaway for free LeCreuset cookware.  The giveaway is being hosted on the great blog, Naturally Caffeinated Family.  You can check out all the details & enter yourself here.

Thanks for your help, hope yall are having a great day!

Looking for Healthy Recipes & Tips! (The second part of "getting serious about getting in shape")

I'm on a "get healthy" kick, which I've mentioned before.  In fact, in a previous post, I discussed how post-it notes are going to help me whip myself back into shape.  For the record, I did do a 4.5 mile loop this morning - half walking/half running - but still.  1 post-it down, 20 to go - whoo!

Okay, so fine, I'll get back in shape, but I know I need to be a LOT better about eating healthy too or I'll never lose the dreaded double chin.   This Sunday, for example, I managed to house a cheese danish, fried chicken, a cupcake and lots of sweet tea - and that doesn't even include dinner.  No veggies, fruits.  Yikes.

I am NOT someone who can cut out foods - I'm like a little kid in that respect, the more I tell myself I can't have it, the more I want it and become determined to have it.  So moderation is big with me.

I'm going to have to break up with Chick-fil-a for a while :(

If I were still single & living in NYC, I would simply order out less and cook super simple meals - a veggie burger + steamed veggies for dinner, maybe chicken & veggies.  I'd definitely not keep much dessert in the house and would avoid fries at all cost.  Unfortunately, living with B complicates things.  He needs more than just chicken + veggies.  He wants tater tots, fried, bread, always a starchy side. And don't even get that boy near a veggie burger, things get ugly!

So I'm soliciting advice - what do you eat or cook when you want to "get back in shape".  More specifically, what are some healthy things I can cook that my picky "roommate" will like?  :)   Keep in mind we don't eat red meat in our house, nor do we do anything that is strictly vegetarian (I know, you must be thinking.."what the hell do those guys eat"..we manage, I promise, its just not always healthy).

What are you favorite healthy foods, meals & recipes?  Please share!!!

Major Monday Fail

So much for starting my fitness kick on the right foot...

I slept through my alarm.  BOOOO!

I've got an 8am car appointment tomorrow, so tomorrow morning's out for a workout as well.  I guess I better try and squeeze in a run tonight and tomorrow after work!

This pic pretty much sums up how I feel about all of this!

Getting Serious About Getting Back in Shape (Part I)

This is a little embarrassing to admit, but one of my first thoughts after we got engaged (after the excitement and tears, of course) was "oh crap, now I have to lose some weight!"   I gave it some thought, promised to get back into an exercise routine and then threw back several glasses of champagne.

We spent the next week celebrating and haven't slowed down since.  So not only have I not gotten back into shape, I've actually gained weight, ahhhhh!

I always gain weight in the summers and lose it during the winter - there are just so many more distractions & reasons to eat more, drink more, exercise less during the summer, I guess.  Ranch Theckla, anyone?  Yup, happened during the summer.  That terrible month when I ripped 2 pairs of "too-tight" jeans, yup, that was during the summer too.  This summer has been no exception - my skirts are tight and I'm pretty sure I saw a double chin waving at me in the mirror recently. 

I've decided that starting tomorrow I am going to make a greater effort at getting back in shape.  Research shows it takes 21 days to make a habit.  I know this is true, because when I lived in New York, my roommate and I put 21 post-it notes on the fridge, counting down from 21.  Everytime we went for a run, or hit the gym, we pulled off a post-it note.  The goal was to consistently get up early and exercise, missing no more than 2 consecutive days (supposedly if you miss more than 2 days in a row of whatever habit you are forming, you get out of the routine and have to start over). 

So guess what?  Yup, the post-its are back!  I've got to get back into a work-out routine and hopefully this is the trick that helps me do it.  Not only do I want my clothes to fit, but I want to feel better.  I definitely have more energy when I get up early and exercise, I just need to do it more often!  

I'll keep you posted on my progress in new fitness friday posts! 

Remembering September 11

B and I have been watching several documentaries about September 11 leading up to today, the 9th anniversary of the devastating attacks on New York and DC.  It is almost unbearable to watch the stories of the heroes and survivors and relive what happened that day; I find it impossible not to cry both in sadness of the tragedy and in awe of the bravery that so many exhibited.  The stories of those that survived are amazing and the stories of those that didn't are reminders to the rest of us how precious this life is and how much each of us should be grateful for each day, each moment, each memory. 

Living in New York after the attacks made the attacks more personal in a way; I babysat for a little girl whose father died in the World Trade Center, I knew many others who had been in or near the towers that day, and simply living in the city itself made you realize how everyone was affected that day and the city was forever changed.  You didn't think about it every day, but you were certainly reminded in little ways of the impact 9/11 had on New York.

I am not really sure why, but watching the stories of survivors, and especially the memories of those who lost loved ones has been a lot more difficult for me this year, more so than any other.  I think being engaged might have something to do with it; thinking about those who lost loved ones is harder because it forces me to think about what it would be like to lose B.  Not that I didn't have loved ones before, but I guess I just respond to the survivor stories - especially the testimonials of the wives of people who were on the planes.  Ugh I get chills just thinking about it.

Today, I've thought a lot about those that died in the attacks, those who were affected by them and of course, those that continue to be affected by them.  This has caused me to reflect on the many things I have to be thankful for.  Here are a few of those things (in no particular order):

• Parents who love me and have always supported me unconditionally; they have gone above and beyond in many ways and have enabled me to have many of the things I take for granted.
• A wonderful, loving and thoughtful partner in B.  I told him last night that I am beyond grateful I got a second chance with him and look forward to a lifetime of memories.
• My health and the health of my friends & family
• A wonderful and diverse network of friends, who have been there through good times & bad and shared in laughs, tears & much fun over the years
• The ability to live a fairly carefree life - without fear or major hardships
• The freedom to be independent as a woman
• Good food, including chick-fil-a, truffle french fries, popsicles and peanut butter
• Good wine
• The fact that we live close to most of our family, especially my brother & his family
• My education

There are so many other things for which I am grateful and thankful, but it would be impossible to list them all here!  I am sure many of you have had similar thoughts today; it is hard not to reflect on all the good things we have in our lives, especially on this day.   We will never forget 9/11. 

It's Been A While...

At dinner with friends recently...

...since I last posted on this blog at least! I feel like I've been on overdrive the past few weeks, working late during the week and being beyond over scheduled on the weekends.  It's hard to complain about any of this really - being busy at work is a good thing for a small business, and its great that we've got lots of friends who want to do lots of fun things.  But I do feel bad that I've been neglecting the blog!

So...what are the latest updates?  Well, there aren't many - wedding planning is the first thing to go when we both get busy - but we've still made a little progress:

We met with a great florist, who does great work and had some really unique glass pieces that would be great for the museum.  I'm excited by her work and I really liked her, but we're going to meet with a few other florists just to make sure she's the one.  She charges a fee for her initial consultation, which makes it really hard to compare her to others, but I guess when you're a sought after florist you have the luxury of charging a price for your ideas.  I'm hoping that meeting with other florists will reassure us that this particular florist is going to give us the most bang for our buck and bring the most interesting ideas to the table.  I'll keep you posted!

I'd love to incorporate moss into bright, fun floral displays...

I bought my dress (!!!?!?!!).  I was really beginning to worry about the dress thing because I was LOVING every dress I tried on.  I mean honestly, I probably could have been happy in about 10 dresses, maybe more - they were all gorgeous and I loved each for very different reason.  But when I put this one dress on, I really did have that feeling - I just knew.  It was the only dress that really made me feel beautiful, and like a bride.  And I knew B would feel the same way.  We brought my dad in for the final decision, there were tears, and we celebrated with champagne after - it was great.  I can't wait to put it on again for my bridal portraits - c'mon spring!

We've got our save the dates and hope to have them in the mail within the next month or so.  We've actually had them sitting in our dining room since late July, but I've got to add the finishing touches and then address them by hand (ouf).  We also need to have our website up.  The save the dates are a little non traditional and didn't allow for a lot of text, so we put the date & directed people to the website for more info.  Thankfully we still have a lot of time, but I think they're so cool I'm eager to get them out!

We're also in the process of meeting with caterers.  I only bring this up because in the course of this process, we got the devastating news that we will not be able to have a french fry bar.  The museum won't allow a fryer.  Makes sense I guess...but devastating nonetheless.
 
Sorry for the laundry list...I hope to be back to more regular posting soon...