So Excited!

A very special prayer was answered today on the Memorial of St. Monica. I can't wait to blog about it in a little while!!! :)

The Battle of the Bulge (and Not the Ardennes Offensive)

Despite general advice to weigh oneself once per week (at the same time of day) in order to maintain weight control, I tend to weigh myself daily in slightly less attire than is shown to the left. My goal before our wedding is to be 5-7 pounds less than I am right now - and to be in good physical condition.

Last month I joined Jazzercise, a program that takes place in my building after work. It's normally a room full of women, who perform a combination of cardiovascular and hand weight routines to popular songs. The routines combine a variety of dances, including ballet, salsa, hip-hop, etc. Each 60 minute class can help one burn up to 600 calories. So far, I've notice a difference in my shape. However, my weight remains the same. (I am writing this while eating a piece of cheesecake.)

Previously, however, I was able to eat desserts intermittently and still maintain a weight less than my current weight. The problem is that I've been traveling so much over the last two months, that my meals tend to be fast and fatty. I lose weight during the week and gain weight on the weekend. However, for the last 52 days (we have 1 month & 3 weeks to go), my schedule is a little slower. I'm determined to get to bed on time, get up early, offer all my desired prayers each day, drink 8 glasses of water each day, and exercise at least 5 times per week.

Yesterday, I had to laugh out loud because a young, immigrant gentleman told me that I "keep nice body." I'm not sure if it was because he saw me carrying two 32-packs of soda at one time, or because he just saw me. Haha, it's the little things that keep me going. :)

How Did This Happen?

We went in for these:

 

And came out with these:

Apparently, this happened to at least 5 other of my engaged and married friends, some of whom I consider quite frugal.

California or Bust!

Off to sunny California for the first time for my ol' roommate's wedding. Hope to stop here for some wine for our upcoming honeymoon.  

Wish the fiancé were with me this time.

I can't wait to live in the same city as he does!

Roommates: Preparing to take the next steps.

Checking Off the List

1. Buy wedding bands - check
2. Pick readings - check
3. Schedule rehearsal - check
4. Pick music for ceremony - check

Final Dress Fitting!

It fits. I love it. And apparently most brides lose up to 6 pounds in the last two weeks. Sweet.

Free To Be Me

I love this song because it reminds me of how God has worked in my life over the last two years and how for the first time in my life, I am in a relationship with a man who loves me and accepts me for who I am. I will never be able to thank God enough for that. 

After I came back from Christmas in Wisconsin, I had a strong feeling that things would move quickly with this old friend. I also had a hunch that he was everything I had been praying for. We had been e-mailing volumes to each other to catch up on the last 4 years since he first contacted me a week earlier. Internet connectivity was sparse at my parents' home and with every e-mail I received from him, I got really, really excited. He shared stories of growing up, music, trips, goals and ideals - all of which really resonated with me. He wrote things that were funny - and so did I - and I realized that we "got" each others humor. It was such a special time for us. I've never before been so excited. I thought that for sure he would be engaged to someone within a year and I was going to do everything in my power to be sure that it was me. :)

The day I flew back, I went early to an evening Mass. When I arrived no one was there and the lights were out. The door was open, however, so I walked in and knelt in front of the tabernacle. I felt called to pray many prayers of thanksgiving. God had been listening to me all that time after all. And, He decided provide a partner perfectly fit for me. Many don't seem to experience that privilege. I am so grateful. Praise God!

Engagement Party in Motor City

Fifty friends and family gathered for this enjoyable celebration hosted by the fiancé's parents. We learned how to feather bowl and met a bunch of family and friends this weekend at Bath City Bistro!

We were really touched by the number of people who came, generously brought gifts, and shared heartfelt best-wishes to us, including several seminarians and a couple of priests. Most of his colleagues came as well - and joined in the bowling.

There was a mini car show in Mt. Clemens that night, so we walked around after the party. We joined his parents in opening gifts in the evening. I was completely moved! We received a bunch of our registry items, even though we didn't ask for gifts. There were many nice notes and cards - one of which we received three times. The fiancé has already started the thank yous. The wedding is so much nearer. We've got just over 2 months now!

Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh

We've been thinking about grammar a lot because of those wedding invites, e-mails, web site, and other items that go out to a large number of people. Last week, I called my mom to verify the spelling of "presence" because it looked wrong on our invitations. I'm now convinced that I had been simply looking at them for too long, haha. However, this article was pretty apropos and hilarious, if I do say so myself! (P.S. I am marrying a "reformed" grammar Nazi. We'll see how reformed he is . . . ;)

Ahhhhhhh . . . :)

Nothing like whipping out 225 invitations in 2 hours! (That is, putting stamps on envelopes and tying them together. We will address them next weekend.) We had a little invitation party over here on Saturday night. The process of preparing these beautiful invitations became a little more labor-intensive than I originally thought because we had to burn the ends of the bows, which were unraveling after being cut. But they do look amazing now if I do say so myself!

What better to offer as a drink than Mike's hard *pink* lemonade? I couldn't resist. Although, I did notice that my sister and I were the only ones drinking it . . . So I'm kicking back with another tonight! :)

The Lord has been so kind to me in the last 24 hours. I'm so grateful for *feeling* back to par. It has been difficult to adjust to a new location over the last month. I'm kind of a nomad between now and when I get married. For 4 years I lived 2 miles from a beautiful church that I could easily get to before or after work. Now I live 15 miles from a church with no convenient daily Masses times unless one doesn't have far to commute. I've also had an irregular work schedule, scattered with travel. It's been difficult to establish a normal pattern, which has really frustrated me. My spiritual director, however, gave me some good advice: don't think about these issues as being insurmountable. So I've been praying to get back my old cheer. One of my colleagues even said last week: "a lot of things annoy you." (Boo. :( ) I read this article, which made me think about taking personal responsibility for my behavior. That and a successful work event tonight, drizzled with compliments on my competence, really helped me to feel back in control of my life. Thank you, Jesus! Now I will begin my new regime! :)