such an overdue post - update on life!

so this post started as a "thursday thoughts" and then moved to a "wedding wednesday" and then went back to a "thursday thoughts" ... now it is just a pretty much all over the place post.

current numbers
days left :: 34
total headcount :: 93
days left to get you're RSVP in :: 5 - oi. i will be making phone calls.

1.  We celebrated Valentine's Day early at Brio. And man did we EAT!!  It was good to have a little dinner and not talk about the wedding or the dogs and just enjoy each other's company.  We laughed and joked and talked about the future.  We planned our 1st wedding anniversay - cabin.FINALLY. and then we talked about our 5th wedding anniversary - i want something tropical!  It was a good time.  We really just enjoyed hanging out together.  We spend so much time just being around each other on the weekends but not really doing things together unless it is errands - so it was a good change!  .....And I have been craving the mushroom ravoli ever since.  Oi. 

2.  Even though we said NO ANYTHING for Valentine's day {since we just bought wedding rings and finished paying off the honeymoon} Kyle still had flowers sent to my office.  He always bends the rules the make me smile.  ....Of course, I sent him a cookie basket.  What can I say, we're rule benders.  We like to live on the edge!

3.  Kyle really is the best future husband.  He is took me to see "The Vow"  and if you know anything about it ... it is a total chick flick.  But Kyle, knowing how much I want to see it has decided to take me. {future} husband of the year.  i do have to go see one of his "excellent" movies in return.  But all is fair in love, right?  ...we were talking after the movie that we both have to start journaling in case something like that ever happened to one of each other.  But overall, the movie was meh.  I would say Netflix it over going to the theater.  But we had coupons and gift cards so it was a fairly cheap date.

4.  I had my work bridal shower earlier this week and {again} Kyle is the best.  He is came to meet everyone and be social.  I really work for an awesome company that is like my family and I am so very very thankful & grateful for them!  And we got lots of fabulously awesome stuff {and a lot of the practical things we really wanted, like measuring cups for liquids and kyle's coveted pizza wheel} and then the whole next day I got to hear about how cute Kyle is and how sweet he was for coming and what a trooper he was.  I think Kyle acted like he didn't want to come, but he really did.

5.  I am beginning to freak out over the RSVPs.  We have 5 days left and SO many are unanswered.  What shocks me the most are the people who recently got married who have not sent them back and the adults who know how important a RSVP is.  I hate hate hate confrontation and am not looking forward to having to pick up the phone and email people to figure out what their plans are.   But then I also wonder if more got lost in the mail... and we just didn't know about those ones that were lost.  I would like to get the programs ordered and made as well.  I mean... I HATE the waiting game!

6. Kyle and I have been finding some "gems" lately in the food category.  We took my brother to a REALLY good low key italian place for his birthday dinner and there was a "taco and tequila" bar next door that we just tried as well and oh my goodness was it good.  We didn't have tacos, we split this thing called a molcajete.  It looks soo weird, but it was soo good.  We for sure left in a food coma and I passed out quickly after getting home.  It has been cool to explore the 'burbs and get out of the city dining.  Literally, best advice ever was from my Mom - to get the Open Table app of my iPhone and then just play and discover and explore.  I now crave italian from Paizanos on like a weekly basis. 

7.  We {and my we, I mean me} are REALLY good at this thank you note thing... we {ahem, I} get the thank you note out within 1 week of receiving the gift.  And I was told earlier that it is impressive that I am even writing thank you notes.  (a) if i didn't my mom just may kill me and (b) say what?  if someone gives you a gift.... you have to give thanks.   But it has made us laugh and joke that ALL of our wedding gifts have come from my side - my family and my friends.  Kyle keeps banking on gifts brought to the wedding because I think he doesn't want to be embarrased.

8.  We are celebrating our 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY next week!! =D  We are doing nothing special but we are doing dinner at one of my favorites "South City Kitchen".  ....hopefully I will remember to take pictures of our date night and post them!  Kyle and I have like NO recent pictures of us.

9.  I hate reading bad books - I am in the middle of one that I just cannot pick up and when I do.... I cannot wait to put it down.  I wish I was able to walk away from books.  Instead I always hold out hope that it will get better.  ....it never ever does.

10.  Things that make me soooo excited.  So, one of my bridesmaids is coming into town a the Thursday night before the wedding {rather than having to drive in from Tuscaloosa Friday morning} and we're staying at the Loew's Hotel in Midtown for CHEAP and doing dinner and then getting up stinking early on the Friday and getting massages {8:30 AM massages - I said early} before the Bridesmaid Brunch.  Seriously, cannot wait for some quality H & B time since I never get to see her and I want to be uber relaxed going into Saturday.

11.  Speaking of the wedding... this is how I am tracking the weather from the Farmers Almanac.  And let me tell you ... things are not looking good for our wedding day.  It has pretty much been spot on ... down to the snow in Tennessee and North Carolina yesterday, with wind and rain every where else.  :: Big Sigh ::  i know that rain on your wedding day is supposed to be "lucky" and I also know that 34 days out, I should not be stressing over this, but I am.  I really cannot think of ANY good photo opportuninites INSIDE the venue.  I LOVE the OUTSIDE of the venue - the potential pictures OUTSIDE is one the main reasons I chose our venue.... and of course I didn't think about rain then.  Yeah... you're gonna see a senior prom on the stairs picture at my wedding.  And this girl is not going to be thrilled.  I need my like 5 day, hour by hour forecast ... NOW.  Or someone to assure me that the Farmers Almanac can be off.  Seriously - I hate the idea of rain.

But.... today is Monday.  Lets hope for a fabulous week full of RSVPs arriving in our mailbox!  =D

:: wedding wednesday ::

Current Numbers:  45 days to go.

Current Guest Count: 82

1. as mentioned before.  we are 100% planned.  and it feels good to really not have to worry about anything (planning related).  we're still having RSVPs roll in ... and I know we're going to have to make a list of calls once the RSVP by date passes by.  But having no stress other than that feels good.  Now Kyle and I just have to sit back and relax and count down the days and read our pre-wedding required reading!

2.  {{confession alert}}  I have a REALLY bad habit of stalking my wedding registy so I pretty much know what is bought when it is bought.  But I am beginning to realize that I am going to need to have a major yardsale post wedding to try and get rid of our old things.  Like my CEO and his wife bought us our Keurig (which I am crazy excited about) so we have our old one cup coffee pot from Starbucks (that dates back to my college days.  And then our blender has been upgraded by someone and so has our hand mixer and our George Forman was upgraded at Christmas.  I think my brother and I should have a joint yard sale this spring.  ...And I really need to quit stalking my wedding registry.

3.  I have my work shower next Thursday and I am really excited about it.  I somehow have talked Kyle into coming which is a good thing since so many people want to meet him -- I know he is not thrilled, but the things you do for love.  I really work with an awesome group of people and for a company that is a true family!  Hopefully, I will get more pictures from that shower and be better about posting.

4.  I got THE VERY BEST wedding compliment ever this weekend. My friend Megan (aka Megster) who will be at the wedding (all the way from Boston!!) sent me a facebook message saying "

So I am totally that person who throws away wedding invitations immediately after viewing once/rsvping. I am so obsessed with yours that I'm keeping it until I get married because I want the exact same." .... that made my heart smile.  Because you see picking wedding invitations was such a chore and such a hard decision.  We ordered dozens of samples - we ordered customized invitations and then sent them back because I was not "in love" with them.  But when the gray and navy came back I was IN LOVE!  And I am soo glad people are liking them.  We have received soo many compliments about how pretty and classic they are and it makes me so happy!

5.  I had a really hard day today in regards to wedding planning and my bridal party.  But I will have to say I am blessed to have an amazing to be husband who can turn any awful day into something wonderful and make me smile.  A bridesmaid who is only a phone call away that can fit me into her crazy schedule right now (she is assisting Michael Oher on his book tour) to let me vent and cry and can tell me it will all be okay.  A co-worker who understands and knows exactly where I am and can (and has) given me some of the best words of wisdom.  And a company full of people who send me text messages after hours to just make sure I am ok.  ....you learn who your true friends are (and aren't) when you're wedding planning and I am so lucky to have so many awesome people in my life.

6.  I am a still at a loss over wedding hair.  I think I am going to pick my favorite one from each row and have my hair lady do all 3 and then make a game time decision.  And by game time, I mean 3 weeks in advance.

But the next 45 days cannot pass by fast enough.  Bring on the wedding.

Friday!!

My wedding is 100% planned!  And it feels good.  I made the decision to stay off Pinterest and not make any changes.  We're 50 days out so I don't need any added stresses of cake changes or ceremony space changes.  The only uncontrollable thing that I have to wonder & worry about really is the weather.  And seeing how we have had 60*+ days for the past week {and predicted for next week} I am hoping for an early gorgeous spring with amazing weather and no rain.

Keep your fingers crossed for me please!

Kyle and I decided on our exit last night - vintage car!  And I am really excited about that because I know it will go with our vintage, romantic feel!  ....so I just emailed the guy who has the cars *at a good price* to make sure he is still free and to make sure we can have him and his car!  =D

Our RSVPs are coming back as you know -- but we're still waiting on a good number.  It appears that some of the bridal party does not feel that they have to RSVP {so they will be getting phone calls, especially since they're plus ones}  .... and Kyle's family also does not like to RSVP.  Granted I can count the parents in for sure -- the grandparents need to give me some sort of indication since they get flowers.  I mean people, when you get invited places RSVP!  those are all due in 21 days.

We also need to handle the welcome bags and programs.  But the Welcome Bags have been started {again this all hangs on the total number of guests in our hotel room block and people keep booking out of the block!!}  .... and Carrie from the Marriott still has not answered my million welcome bag questions.  Our vendors.  Big Sigh. ;)

I have picked out our programs on Etsy, those too hang on the final guest count number.  As does our number of candy buffet candy to go bags.   So, really.  I need those RSVPs.

But I am ready for the weekend.  Ready.  Ready.  Ready.  Not ready to make my $500+ honeymoon payment.  But ready for the relaxation.

:: thursday thoughts ::

I know I already posted today - but this is a tradition that I am trying to keep up with so you get two posts.  Plus that last one didn't really count since you know it was a picture.  Anyway.  Can you believe that it is already February?!  Where is the year going?  Before you know it, I will be married!

1. A few months back I was lucky enough to win a copy of Kristin Hannah's new book "Home Front" before it was released.  And let me tell you.  That was one fabulous book.  I couldn't put it down once I picked it up and I was dying to see how it ended.  If you're looking for a good book - I recommend it - but brace yourself, I was NOT ready for the heaviness of it.  But still.  Read it.

2.  I had my 1st wedding shower this past weekend.  {post to come} and am so blessed with so many awesome people in my life.  Kyle and I raked in some good stuff.  If only I didn't have to wait until AFTER the wedding to use it all.  I will say I was very very thankful that there were no shower games - no toilet paper bride or any of that.  And crazy me - the thank you notes are already done and will be mailed out tomorrow.

3.  Evidently the Georgia groundhog did not see his shadow so we're scheduled for an "early spring" - and to that I say BRING ON THE GOOD WEATHER!!  ....spring wedding, I need good weather.  And hopefully no rain on the wedding day.

4.  Kyle and I walked down memory lane today with pictures of our dog Kennesaw.  When we got her she was so skinny minnie and we fattened her up.  Goodness we love that critter and I am so happy that she got a good home after living on the streets.  We do joke with her though and tell her we understand and know why her family dumped her.  Mean.  I know.

5.  I have a bad habit of stalking our wedding registries and today I realized that someone out there bought us our Keurig coffee machine and I am so so so excited.  Truthfully, I never understood the hype and what the big deal was.  But then I went to St. Louis for work and they had one in the office and I used it each day I was there and immediately knew we needed one.  Kyle has started drinking coffee and I need it when I am REALLY dragging (which is more often than not recently) so I am excited to add that to our counter top! =D  We are going to need to have a yard sale with all the stuff we're swapping out for bigger and better thing.

6.  The RSVPs have been coming in and coming in.  And thus far we're at an 80 something guest list  I think the No's will starting coming in soon since the RSVP by date is coming up.  But... I think I will also be making lots of phone calls.  People, really?  We included a self addressed STAMPED envelope.  Send it back.  RSVPing via text message and facebook is not enough. Send the freaking thing back - don't take my joy.  I like coming home to RSVPs in the mail!!  Post wedding someone remind me to do a post on the etiquette of a wedding RSVP.  Legit.  We got one back with no name on it.  People need a lesson in RSVPing.  Good luck to Kyle's mom with the rehearsal dinner invites. Bless.

7.  But all in all, the wedding is coming together.  We just need to figure out our exit strategy and all that jazz.  I say vintage car.  Kyle says Lincoln Town car.  ;)  Let's see who wins this battle.  I scheduled my last wedding planning meeting, my hair and make up trial, my day of wedding hair (sadly, I have to go into a salon which is gonna take some major planning on my part).  The ceremony space is decided on and decorated. 

8.  Oh and ROLL TIDE! How about that #1 recruiting class.  Alabama just may never lose a game again.  one.can.only.hope.

I am alive.

I know.  I know.  It has been FOREVER since I posted anything.  I was in St. Louis from Sunday - Wednesday and my hotel with "free Internet" actually had Internet that would not work so I couldn't keep anyone posted on anything.  Plus, I was pretty busy with work and dinners that by the time I got back to the hotel I was exhausted.  Needless to say.  I am very happy to be back in Atlanta!

The St. Louis Arch.  I was so excited to see it when coming home from dinner, I snapped a picture at a red light.  Yay for being a tourist. :o)

But bullet form an update on my life & the wedding.

• Kyle and I LOVE our wedding rings.  We got them from my parents and last night tried them on.  His is big, mine is a little big.  But I didn't want to take it off.  So there is a slight chance I wore it around the house for awhile.  Hopefully, that is not bad luck.
• Our minster is no longer missing in action.  YEAH!  Him and his wife RSVP'd yes to the wedding festivities.  So with that said.... we have a minister.  Now Kyle and I just have to read some pre-marital books.  Fun Fun.
• I have my 1st wedding shower this Sunday.  Stay tuned for a picture filled post.  I have 2 friends coming in from Alabama so I am so very excited for that reunion.  I am not going to lie.  I do get worried since our wedding registry has not changed much and pretty much everything "fulfilled" I already have in my possession.  I just wonder why people don't buy straight off the registry - I mean it is a slam dunk.  You know we want it.
• We are also getting RSVPs back and it is so exciting to see who is coming to the wedding.  We are so far at like 56 people.  Sadly, a lot of invites have gotten lost in the mail / people moved and did not forward their mail so I had to order more invites and *hopefully* those will come soon so I can get them out in the mail ASAP.

• 

  A RSVP from my dear friend Heather.  Girl is crazy!

   
• Speaking of my dear friend Heather -- she just took a job in Tuscaloosa with the University so I am so excited that she is closer.  I now think I should make trips to T.Town and see her often and eat lots of bad for you food.  And better yet - Kyle and I can now go to a game or just to town and have a place to stay!! Yeah for friends in Tuscaloosa! =D
• MY DRESS FITS!  IT IS NO LONGER 2' TOO SHORT.  Victory!  But... it is kinda loose now from all my workouts so we will see March 4th how much they need to take it in.
• Non wedding related :: today is my Mom's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  We're doing dinner with her tonight since she is in Atlanta {they really should just move here}
• Kyle and I have a minor "words with friends" addiction and last night we were laying in bed, talking, watching TV and playing each other in Words.  This is where technology is taking couples.  ;)  But at least we're hanging out.
• I actually won a $50 gift card at my company's kick off event last week and I am excited that Kyle and I can have a dinner date somewhere nice soon.  I am thinking our 5TH ANNIVERSARY! Originally, I wanted to get a cabin and we could escape {and of course take the dogs} but it ended up being too expensive and we're really trying to save our money.  So, dinner date it is.

As of today we're 58 days out!!!