Le Bachelorette

Me & Nik
Originally uploaded by cheryl_lynn425.

Event number 2 leading up to Nikki's hitching. After tonight, all we have left is the actual hitching.

As Nikki so pointedly put it, when else in a girl's life can she get all dolled up, where a bright green dress with a veil and be the center of attention and have all that be OK. Well no other day than one's bachelorette party of course. Delicious dinner, great (but expensive) bars. Oh and quite a bit of risque lingerie for Nik-ilicious.

On another note, on this the first day of March (well maybe the second day by the time I am finished writing) I am making a resolution. I am not going to sweat the small stuff and I am going to live every day to its fullest. I feel like when I was in my last year of college I did a particularly good job of this. I embraced the idea that I could sleep when I die - or at least was over 60 - and I went out and was merry often. Now I'm not saying I need to be a lush to be enjoying life to the fullest, but perhaps I should spend more time out with friends than inside doing laundry or crunching financial numbers.

I think I can spend less time looking at photos and thinking "not my best one" and spend more time doing photo worthy things and taking photos of those things. Heck, one or two pics are bound to turn out good!

I can spend less time fretting over finances and so long as I am afloat, spend more time enjoying the inexpensive and free little pleasures in life, such as cheap wine in a bubble bath. For $10 that's one swell night!

I certainly can spend less energy wondering why I am constantly cleaning the kitchen and put some extra pizzazz into my cooking. Watch out Rachel Ray - I am taking your challenge of eating fun and interesting foods often.

However, loyal blog reader, do not think that all I do now is fret over photos, worry about mula and dwell on kitchen cleaning. On occasion, in fact on several occasions, I do take the time to smell the roses. I relish the days when I can drive with the windows down and radio up and I don't even think about the price of gas when doing this. I count my many blessings every time my wonderful smiling boyfriend comes home, even if he distracts me from cooking by kissing me. Really, a gal can't complain about a man who wants to smooch her. And I get giddy just thinking about the beautiful matchy-matchy bedroom decor (for my room with that smiling smooching boyfriend!) that is slowly accumulating.

But I am vowing, here and now, to spend more time smiling, laughing, making merry, being giddy and in general enjoying today instead of thinking about days long past and days to come.

Sneak Peek: La Casa Nueva

New Kitchen
Originally uploaded by cheryl_lynn425.

We did it! We signed our lease for our new apartment!

Ross had the forethought to take the camera when we went to sign the papers so we could get some pics of the new crib. I am in LOVE with my new kitchen (see the pic, ain't it pretty). It has an island and a built in computer desk. First, who doesn't love a kitchen island. Second, now we don't need to buy Ross a computer desk. Sweet. Our kitchen will look a tad different. Remove the red knick-knacks and add some vineyard/white wine inspired decor. Also add maria the margarita machine next to the stove, her rightful location. Oh and the part the apartment people told us, maple cabinet instead of white.

Other awesome aspects to our new abode. We're on the first floor. We have a HUGE walk in master closet. HUGE I tell you. In fact, if we start getting really poor, I'll be taking in a boarder in it. There's a built-in vanity in both the master and the guest bathrooms. Garden tubs in both bathrooms for the resident bubble bath lover (Ross). The dining room is big enough for my table. What else? Washer and dryer connections for his washer and dryer.

In all the excitement I went to make a few new home purchases today. I know 'nesting' is a termed used for the preggars but I feel like I am nesting. I love having a soon-to-be-home with Ross. We have pretty teal towels for our chocolate brown, champagne and teal master suite. Teal sheets too (his idea, very surprising). Am I excited? YES!

Come visit us! But not til about May 15 or so, give us at least a week to move and unpack. And you can even slumber party at our place! We won't have a guest bed but we will have a super comfy guest couch in the spare room and you'll have your own bathroom (with vanity!). Be warned though, you'll also have a roommate - the Duke, Ross's cardboard life size John Wayne cut out.

What a Sham!

A Sham-pagne Reception that is. I had my first RFL meeting today and learned that I am in charge of planning the reception/dinner for cancer survivors at Relay for Life. And then a moment of genius struck me - a Sham-pagne Reception.

Am I pumped? Oh you bet I am. I am going to serve sparkling cider (my shampagne) and attempt to get some fancy foods as well. I want these survivors to feel like prom queens and kings in t-shirts and jeans for an hour or so. If you can donate invitation design, photography (high school prom style), food, shampagne, music or anything else, your contribution is welcome.

Big Changes, Little Changes

It's amazing how our perception of things change.

For example, I look at my bank account and scream "ouch!" but just a year ago the same sight would have sent me to the mall. Strange how these things change.

Or Ross may move into my apartment next month. Seemingly a big change, living with someone, a significant other at that. In reality, a small change.

I can't think of any others at the moment so perhaps this is not quite so insightful as I thought it may be. But nonetheless, strange how simple and relatively unimportant things like dollars can cause me to squeal yet living with my significant other seems like a breeze.

Some Days

Some days are sunny and full of butterflies.
Some days are busy.
Some days are lovey dovey.
Some days are stressful.
Some days are yummy.

Here's to Thursday - a day I hope is full of bliss.

Romantic Dinner for Two

Even if we already had our Valentine's Day I couldn't let my honey eat alone among the many mattresses at MF (Mattress Firm for those of you not in on the lingo). Nothing like a dinner of leftover chicken and rice casserole with a pre-made HEB salad to warm the heart with romance.

Tonight Ankur of the Down Under blog fame is in Austin to visit his brother! I am meeting them for a late dinner and then Ross is going to join us so I can show him off, good man that he is. Hurray for boyfriends who do their duty as arm candy!

And tomorrow Britta comes to town! Double hurray!