Bands & Baseball

You've all seen my fantastically gorgeous ring, now say hello to Jay's wedding band.
Pipe Cut, Comfort-Fit, Platinum Band:














BTW, baseball-related question: Whom do you feel worse for:

1) A pitcher that strikes out 16 in 7 innings and gets the loss 2-0 (Jake Peavy)
2) A pitcher that surrenders only 2 hits in 7 innings, hits a homerun to help his cause, and loses 2-1. (Jorge Sosa)

All the excitement of this week's Padres-Braves series...:)

Just ridiculously busy

So much stuff going on. Jay's new job. Which he really likes. Transfering the lease from my apartment to a new one in Springfield, VA. Yep, our new home. As of June 11. Going to be paying out the nose for it, too. Deciding what furniture of mine and what furniture of Jay's we will take to the new apartment. What we'll throw away. What goes to Goodwill. What my parents take home with them. Still need a job myself. Hope to find one in the next month and a half, or things will get interesting! Still writing thank you notes. Oh yeah. And the wedding...still have tons of stuff to do there. And not just the planning. We're getting married soon! So exciting...5 years in the making :) I read over the ceremony last night that our pastor created, and it just made me so darn happy. It's beautiful and meaningful. Love it!

Here's a pic of our floor plan:
New Dixie Chicks CD out today. DEFINITELY picking it up; I am an obsessive Dixie Chicks fan. Seen them twice. You can actually listen to the whole album on http://dixiechicks.msn.com

I will have more news later.

Today is a big day!

First of all, today is my fiance's 29th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! He is in the DC area this week, job hunting, so big thoughts and prayers for him, please! I am so proud of everything he has accomplished, and will in the future. Exciting, crazy times!

ETA: JAY GOT A JOB TODAY! He had been on two interviews, was offered both, and took the one he wanted most! He'll be a graphic artist for a cool political/philanthropic marketing and communications firm in downtown DC, just a few blocks from the White House. He is super-stoked. Next up: finding a place to live! ha! What a great bday present!

Second, we have THIRTY DAYS UNTIL THE WEDDING! I can't believe it! It is almost here, and despite what you may think, I still have a lot of stuff to get done and/or make sure things are taken care of! And if you can find some espresso-colored paper online that we could use for the wedding programs, please send the link my way!

The RSVPs have been coming in pretty steadily! Might I add that my only real bridezilla-tendencies come out when anyone RSVPs "No". Like, shouldn't everyone who has the honor of being invited come to our wedding? :) Doesn't everything revolve around it? (I am just kidding) :) No worries, the list needed to come down from gargantuan size anyway.

The Bridesmaids Dresses FINALLY came in yesterday...one day ahead of the "deadline." They're exactly the color I wanted, and they look pretty darn cool for bridesmaids dresses. I think the girls will like them.

And finally...heard last night from the executive producer himself that my favorite show, the witty and wonderful Veronica Mars, is back for a third season! PLEASE watch this fall (or catch up on Tuesdays at 9); you won't regret it.

Bridesmaids' Weekend

I had an absolutely awesome, fun, hilarious time with my bridesmaids this weekend at the beach. Seriously, my sister went above and beyond in her planning (more details and pictures below) with assistance from my best friend Amie, and the girls just made me feel like a queen all weekend. I was just blown away! I got the cutest "Miss Batchelorette" sash and "Bride to Be" flashing button to mark my status :)

It rained torrentially most of the way there (we're talking 35mph, flashers on, back roads) so we were mighty tense when we got there (esp. my sis, who drove). We stayed up talking and catching up--and my sister gave out goodie bags to all the bridesmaids with sunblock, nail files, a water bottle, etc. She thought of everything!

We were decidedly worried about what the weather might be like the next day, but I was SURE it was going to improve. And it did! We had the most GLORIOUS 80+ degree day, bright blue skies, glimmering ocean--with 6 girls horizontal on the sand listening to the waves. It was perfect, truly perfect. Lots of conversations about memories, marriages, and the future. Great times.

The shower was great! The girls blocked off an area of the lobby with balloons, and set up a table of gourmet goodies to die for. My sister had brought chicken salad, cajun crab dip, pimento cheese, and smoked salmon dip--with homemade pita chips and wheat thins. Plus pasta salad, strawberries, gourmet cupcakes from my future SIL, champagne--the works. It was all delectable. We played several games that, yes, everyone enjoyed--especially the Q&A kind like who knows Emily best (Cindy, my friend from high school), and a game where they asked Jay questions (what was the first movie you saw together? what is Emily's favorite piece of clothing) etc and then asked ME what I thought he said. For every question I got wrong, I had to chew another piece of bubbalicious. Gah! I also got some absolutely gorgeous lingerie--woohoo! :)

That night, we had a fantastic dinner at The Oceanic, a great place with panoramic views of the ocean. We had asked for a good table, and a good table we got--a corner, front row, circular table! I had Super Duper Grouper: Pan-seared in a crust of cashew nuts and sesame seeds, served over celery mashed potatoes with roasted red pepper butter. I also had a bowl of she-crab soup, a coastal delicacy, and plenty of hushpuppies!

It was just a fantastic weekend--even though some of the girls had not spent much time together prior, everyone fell right in like they'd known each other for years. I wish we had an entire week together.














Big hugs and thanks to my sister for putting everything together so beautifully. I love you!

Party all the Time

Okay, so lots of pictures in this post, so enjoy! We had an absolutely fantastic time at the Stock the Kitchen/Bar party on Saturday night. About 50 wonderful friends and family came to celebrate with us-- so many great people drove in from around the state (and even out-of-state) to be there. It was so warm, so fun, so enjoyable--lots of delicious food and wine and great conversation. We arrived at around 7 and had people sticking around after 11:30--it was great.

And we had such great hosts! If you're reading, J and I cannot thank you enough for organizing the coolest soiree ever! One of our hosts has the most beautiful home, perfect for parties. And he even set up a slideshow of pictures of J and I to run on the TV-- baby pictures, pictures from when J and I first met, pictures from our courtship, engagement pictures, etc. Loved, loved that!

And the presents! Such generosity! I feel like a real grown-up now with a kitchen full of matching cookware, top-notch appliances, and some nice spirits and things for Jay (most of you know, I don't drink except for a glass of champagne in the spirit).

Wow, I'm getting married next month! I can truly say that! So exciting.


I also want to thank my friend, the Notorious GIB, who came all the way from DC to be with us, who took all of these photos (and about 50 more) at my request while J and I were enjoying the party. Thanks, you rock!

By the way, my computer is not dead!!! My genius fiance pieced it back together with a spare power supply and video card he had "on hand". He swears it's nothing, but anyone who can put computers together is cool in my book!

***Also, attempting to get on the blog video bandwagon. Since my digital camera can record short vids, I thought I would share one. It's pretty dark (indoor lighting) and kind of far away, but I thought you might like seeing us in "live action" at the party. FYI...we open one of my favorite gifts: An iced tea maker (yippee!), and then Jay "opens" a bottle of Maker's Mark which he's stoked about (you'll hear Jay thank the giver by yelling "Andrewwwwwwwwwwww!)"***