New Years

Brian and I are having a get together at our house on New Year's eve, starting at 9 pm. If you are interested, email me: jenna.paulsen@vzw.blackberry.net. We'll have food, drinks (bring some of your faves too! We'll supply a lot of it though!), pretty sure Rockband/Guitar Hero will be going on, music, games (cards, and some others). Whatever you want to do. Give me a call or email me. We'd love to hang out with everyone!

I got all the christmas presents wrapped last night. Makes it REALLY feel like Christmas. I also though I'd torture Sadie a bit with a santa hat:

Brian and I are super excited about our new phones. We got the new Blackberry Storm, and I love it! I always hate breaking in a new phone with all the new things you have to learn, but it's not that bad. It has so many features, it's amazing. It has an mp3 player on it, and I can listen, and STILL play around on my phone. My old phone you only could listen to music.

Friday we take Sadie in for her teeth cleaning. She really needs it. Some days her breath is just unbearable! Hopefully this will solve the problem!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I most likely won't get back to this until afterward with how busy we're going to be. Everyone be safe, and have fun! Love you all!

New Year's Resolutions

So I've decided I need to blog my new year's resolutions. I always think of them, never write them down. Go me! Seriously. This next year I want a lot of things to get taken care of. So here is my list:

1- Get back into shape. Being on birth control, and not to mention, lack of exercise, I've gained quite a few pounds. I would like to lose 15-20 lbs. Now, don't give me grief about how I don't need to lose weight.....I've gained 10 lbs this year alone, and I am NOT happy with that. I know I'm not as healthy as I could be. When I met Brian, I was a size 3....not so much anymore. I want to get back down to a 4, then I'll be happy. Lately I've just been getting depressed with how I look to myself.

2- Keep the house clean and organized ALL the time.

• This includes doing laundry earlier so I don't have to wait up at night to get the clothes out of the dryer so they aren't all wrinkly in the morning. AND hang ALL of them up in a timely matter
  
• Vacuuming 3-4 times a week (keep the dog hairs to a minimum!)
• Cleaning the bathroom at LEAST once a week
• Mopping the floors a few times a week, not just once a week. I'm going to buy myself the swiffer wetjet! Makes life a lot easier

3- Start getting money saved up. Don't live paycheck to paycheck. This also means stepping up higher at work so I can make more money, in numerous ways.

4- Get Sadie walks in the morning and evening. She plays a lot, but does not get as much exercise as she should. Who knows, this could be with my exercise routine that I'll be starting!

5- On the weekdays, wake up at 6:15-6:30 so we aren't rushing out the door! Weekends, get up so I'm not sleeping away the day. (Hmmm, if I exercise more, I'll have more energy....I think there's a connection with all these!)

6- Be nice and kind to everyone around me. Meaning: try not to be so negative! I've been working on this for a while now, and I hope I'm seeming different in that aspect. I used to have such a negative outlook on life.

7- Start eating healthy. Cut the sweets and fattening foods. I'm going to start having my family over, and haven't talked much to Brian, but maybe his family over too, so I can start cooking from scratch and not out of a freezer, box or cans.

8- Sort of going along with #7, I want to spend time with family and friends more. None of Brian's siblings has seen our place, and we've been there for almost a year. We want to have some get togethers so we can keep up on family and friend relationships.

I'm sure I'll have a lot more. This is more for me, but if I have people helping me out, cheering me on (with the whole exercise thing! HA!), I think it'll be a better strength for me!

Fun in the Snow

Yesterday it snowed about 6 inches (The snow continued off and on all day long, and I'm assuming through the night). First big real snowstorm that has stuck. Brian shoveled the driveway before we went grocery shopping in the morning. By the time we got back, there was another 3 inches on the driveway. I took all the groceries in while Brian shoveled the driveway again, along with the sidewalk around our yard. We bought salt because it's starting to get slick. After I took groceries inside, I took Sadie outside. I grabbed her squeaky football with us, and she was having fun burying it and unburying it in the snow. She was making trails all over the front yard. It seems as if the snow is a surprise to her every year, and she gets so excited about it. Now when we take her out to go to the bathroom, she likes to pounce and jump and eat the snow. It's so cute.

Here's a few pictures, and a video of Sadie enjoying the snow:

Copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped - The Sky Coaster at lagoon. I consider that bungee jumping!
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - I don't remember though
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - Don't remember that one either
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie/commercial
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

98. Owned a cell phone
97. Been involved in a law suit
99. Been stung by a bee

Sadie's Vet Appointment

Last night we took Sadie to the vet. For about 2 weeks now her breath has been smelling "fishy". Now who wants to be licked by that?! Yuck! I wasn't too concerned for about a week or so, but on Friday not, I was on the computer, and I could just smell this "kipper snack" smell in our office. I couldn't figure it out! Then I saw that Sadie was panting (it's not even hot here!). I smelled her breath, and sure enough, it was her. I started to research "fishy dog breath" on the internet, and a few things said that I should go smell her urine (yeah, I know, gross). I did, and it was bad. This could be caused by her glands being infected. I called the vet on monday and asked what I should do, and they suggested to bring her in. We scheduled her an appointment and went in last night. They weren't concerned about her urine at all. They said it was highly concentrated (she said just to have water available to her at all times), but no sign of infection. The doctor suggested that I get her teeth deep cleaned. This requires sedation, and I'm thinking around at least $150. I'll be calling around today to see what vet's are charging. They do a deep cleaning which includes laser removal of the plaque, and they go under the gumline so they don't miss anything. If anyone has any suggestions for vet offices, please let me know. We always take Sadie to the Cottonwood Animal Hospital. I would like a vet that would take the Care Credit credit card, since I have that for medical expenses, and it would help with the christmas season.

Update: Sadie has an appointment set up the day after Christmas. Brian and I can't afford to miss anymore work, and we both have that day off. The procedure is going to be $200, and then if we want to do bloodwork, it's an additional $70, and then if they need to do a catheter, that'll be another $60. I'm glad this vet place accepts the Care Credit credit card.

Tag, You're It!

Tag, you're it! ;)
1. Where did you meet?
HotorNot.com, and then officially at my highschool.

2. How long did you date before you got married?
Well, we were dating 2 years before I moved in with him, and we were together almost 4 years by the time we got married.

3. How long have you been married?
Almost 3 months....lol.

4. What does he do that surprises you?
He always comes up with quirky jokes...they can be the dumbest thing sometimes, but he gets you to laugh. He also is a very talented guitar and bass guitar player. He can listen to a song and he picks up on it the first time.

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
I love his eyes, and his smile.

6. Does he have an annoying habit?
Doesn't everyone? LOL. He likes to drum a lot with his hands....lol. At least he can keep a beat though.

7. What is your favorite quality of his?
He's just generally a nice person. He's very musically talented, and he's so sweet to me.

8. Does he have a nickname for you?
Sweetie.

9. What is his favorite color?
Blue.

10. What is his favorite food?
He's not really a picky eater. I don't think I could just pinpoint one. One that comes to mind though is Chili's baby back ribs....yummy!

11. What is his favorite sport?
He likes to play basketball, but he loves watching it as well as football

12. When and where was your first kiss?
October 11, 2004 at his apartment

13. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
That is an easy answer, don't you think?? (ditto)

14. Do you have any children?
Does Sadie count? She's a handful! Haha. I want to have a baby soon though, shhh! lol

15. Does he have a hidden talent?
He has many talents, but none that are really hidden. He's talented at music (guitar, bass, trombone...), cars, works well with his hands....the list could go on

16. How old is he?
He just turned 27

17. Who said "I love you" first?
He did. That was an emotional night!

18. What is his favorite type of music?
He likes a little bit of everything, but mainly he's into rock like me =D

19. What do you admire most about him?
He's hard working, sweet, funny, and most of all a loving husband

20. Do you think he will read this?
Maybe

I tag Melissa, Kimi, and Sheena

House Remodels

As you all may know, Brian and I bought a house in February. Well, here we are, 9 months after we've bought it, and I have so many projects in mind. I thought I'd type them up so I wouldn't forget.

The house was built in 2001. You'd think that the house wouldn't be in bad shape at all, right? WRONG! We tore up all the carpet (SO NASTY!!! I felt so gross after pulling it up!), repainted (would you believe that they painted the walls true green, and purple? Like Mardi Gras colors?!), cleaned the house from top to bottom! Also, we think that multiple families lived in the house, so it was overall, just dirty. Well, I've been battling bugs too (I've had the house sprayed, and have used numerous bug sprays on my own).

So a list of my projects are as follows:

1- Get rid of the stinking bugs!
2- Paint the kitchen cabinets
3- Remodel both bathrooms (this includes in the master: a new jetted tub, a pedestal sink, new toilet, tile, new paint [again!], new mirror with built in cabinet, and a new cabinet over the toilet since we have limited storage)
4- Finish out the basement (they called it a crawl space, but what crawl space has a 9-foot drop?!)
5- Tile the kitchen, and knock down the "make-shift wall" and continue the tile through there. Also new countertops to replace our beautiful PINK ones!
6- Put in a new banister or just knock the one down (I hate it, and Sadie broke one of the posts when she was jumping for something and fell)
7- Redo the back porch - we want something more open, and something we can put a bbq on
8- Get a fence up, even if it's not a REALLY nice one
9- Paint our bedroom (I'm already sick of the tan/grayish looking paint!)
10- Pave more of the driveway so we can have better parking. Along with up the side of the south side of the house, since grass really doesn't grow there)
11- Build out our porch out front to have an extended feel

Seems like a long list, but some of these things are a few years down the road. I'm just antsy to start on these things. I think I'll be starting on the cupboards soon though! I can't stand the basic oak cabinets. They're so ugly. We have a black table, so I'm thinking of painting them black!

Friday I had my doctors appointment, and can I say that my doctor is pretty awesome! Most doctors don't sit and listen to you (as I found out with Brian's doctor for his leg! UGH!). But Dr. Cutler is so nice and listens to everything I had to say. Anyway, he wants to do a full workup on me, which includes an Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, and blood-work. He had me scheduled for this next Monday, the 1st of December.

I was talking to my dad, and thank goodness he told me to call my insurance to see what they would cover. I've only been on Brian's insurance since September, and we have not met our $1,000 deductible yet (of course we haven't! We've only had 2 doctors appointments since then!), it'll be $1,000 out of pocket. I really don't have that kind of money right now, especially with Christmas coming up, plus debt I'm trying to get rid of. I know it's probably a good procedure to go through to see what's wrong with me, but I just can't afford it. I'm just going to go in for blood-work, and see if that turns up anything. If it doesn't, I'm just going to change my diet around here and there, and see if I can figure something out. I could also try different meds if needed since the ones that I'm on now don't do much for me anymore. I'll then see what I can do next year with the procedure, maybe go through with it. I just couldn't believe that it's $1,000, but I shouldn't be surprised. It doesn't seem like insurance covers much these days.

Last night my mom invited me to one of her church activities. They were etching names into Pyrex dishes, and also doing some little Christmas or Thanksgiving decorations. I had a lot of fun doing stuff with my mom and grandma. Arianne was supposed to go, but she decided to go to something with her church. I wish she would have come. It's nice hanging out with her. Oh well, we'll be getting together this Saturday for the Twilight movie!!!!




The church is the one I used to go to with my parents back in the day. Now before anyone gets huffy, I'm gonna defend myself. The lady that claims that her son had stopped going to church because of me was there. Halfway through the night, she comes and whispers in my ear "I'm surprised you've lasted this long." The gall this lady has to make such snide comments to someone else, it just flabbergasts me! I do say on the defensive side of a few LDS people that I know are some of the most awesome people I know. It's just sad that there are these few who snub other people because they aren't the same as them, that give them a bad name. A good example of a few good people I know are a couple people that I actually work with. Both accept people for who they are, and not what they do. They are, in general, just very nice people, and I appreciate the ones who don't stick their noses up at me.

I just want to know why people think that just because they are a certain religion, or whatever that that makes them better than someone else. It's not true in the least. When I went to church, I did listen to what I was being "taught" (I was in fact, one of the bishops daughters). What I took from that church was that you need to treat everyone as you wanted to be treated. Respect people for who they are, and what the LDS church teaches is to be "Christ-like". This lady, and some of my own family in fact, just don't give anyone else the chance to be liked because they aren't "Mormon". To turn the other cheek because you don't want to make friends with, or talk to someone who is not a "member" is so absurd. Whatever happened to just being kind to everyone no matter what the other person does. I definitely cannot say I haven't been nice ALL of the time, but I try. I'm there for anyone who needs me, and I just want that in return. What I'm really trying to say is hear me out, don't judge because I am not religious, and have left a church. I think that I'm a good person, and my friends and most of my family do to. I understand that you don't agree with everything I do or say, but it's my life. Don't make rude remarks when they aren't warranted. Don't judge me on account of not being something you want me to be. I'm living my life to the best of my abilities.

Since I haven't written in a few days, I thought I'd finally write. Brian has been really busy playing in a band. The band is called The Trip, and they needed a bass player to fill in for a guy that works for Brian's company that has another band. Well, he's practiced a few nights, and then he's played a bar once. This weekend is going to be the busy one though. He's got a show on Friday night, which sadly I can't go because it's at a bar, but on Saturday, the band is opening for none other than Brett Michaels! Sweet, I know, right?! I most likely can go to that one since they normally do all age shows for "big" name peeps. It's up in Park City at the Star Bar, which is also cool. Then lastly, there's one more show on Monday night. *Sigh* it's hopefully going to be a long weekend.

Brian decided that he's needed a new bass. Well, he's wanted one for the last few years, and being in the band I think motivated him. He got a really good deal out of it, too, along with his amp. Getting almost $2500 off is just amazing! And he sounds so much better now! His other bass he's had since he was 14, so it was time for an upgrade. And his old amp, I'm about to go take a bat to it in the street. The one he has now is 250 watts, the old one only had 25....heh. I love seeing what he loves to do, and I'd love to finally go see him play live. He said he had a bit of a hard time since it's the first time since highschool since he's played in front of an audience. He'll get over that quick though.

Today I finally finished Breaking Dawn (For those of you who don't know, that's the 4th book of the Twilight series). Took me 2.5 weeks to finish all four. If I didn't have other priorities, I would've gotten them done sooner. Oh well. I'm just anxious for another book now. I think I'll start Stephenie Meyer's "The Host" this weekend maybe. I do need to start up on my cross stitching again. It's been lacking for a while now. I've gotten a quarter of the way done on it, and I started on it in the summer I believe. It's taking way too long.

Sadie has some stupid obsession with this green football that I got her for her birthday. Boy, that was a mistake. She actually paws at it to make it squeak. She also throws it at us while we're laying on the couch. Brian put it on our ledge in the living room/kitchen area on the edge, and she got on the stairs and tried to jump for it! Stupid mutt fell and broke one of the posts on our banister. I freaked out touching her everywhere on her body to make sure she didn't break anything, but her balance has been off lately. She's been walking into walls, and then Brian threw one of her toys, and she jumped into the wall. She has such a personality sometimes!

Anyway, other than all that, life's good.

Brian's doctor's appointment went ok on Monday. He didn't have an infection (says the doc), which was a relief, but he developed a spider-vein where the varicose vein once was. They gave him an injection of some sort, and I have never seen him wince from pain before. I felt so helpless. I hate how doctor's think they know everything though. I was trying to tell him what was wrong, he wouldn't listen "no, it's a spider-vein". I was trying to tell him he had little lumps down his leg, but no, he wouldn't hear of it. Well, explain to me why there's lumps further down in his leg along the line of where his varicose vein was! He's got one on the ball of his ankle, too, but we'll see if this injection he's getting works.

I go in for testing next week for my stomach. My mom went to the fair for her chiropractor (I don't know why, maybe it was a health fair? Who knows?), and she was talking to this lady there. She was explaining her symptoms to my mom, and my mom thought of me naturally. This lady has Celiac Sprue (aka Celiac Disease). I really wasn't tested for anything when I first had my problems. I just had this unbearable pain in my stomach that started my sophomore year of highschool. Some days I couldn't even get out of bed, and so I stayed home from school. My parents felt so helpless. My mom and dad at one point thought I had appendicitis, but I was having the pain on my left side just under the ribs. My mom said some people experienced the pain there. We went to instacare to avoid the ER. They said my spleen was enlarged, but I already knew that. I had a relapse of Mononucleosis that year, and wasn't fully recovered. Well, I finally got into my pediatrician, and they recommended me to go see a gastroenterologist. They are so hard to get into that we had to wait for 4 months (it still makes me wonder!). When we finally went to her, we explained my symptoms, and she diagnosed* without a single test. I was put on medication, and it seemed to start to help, but up until now, I've just been trying different things left and right.

I've gone off of soda completely (except for the occasional drink), I've changed my diet several different times with different combos. No relief. I avoid really anything that upsets your stomach. I'm thinking my doctor is going to request an elimination diet (which I've read up on, and it's not going to be easy!), or a combonation of a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I have had a new gastroentorologist, and he was curious as to why I didn't have one before, but I really don't want to go through that if I don't have to.

Anywho, enough of our health problems.

*diagnosis being held for "privacy"

Every morning during the week, I am the first to get up because I take longer to get ready. After Brian got out of the shower this morning, he starts looking at his thigh. Out of curiosity, I ask him what's wrong. He said that he thinks his leg is infected. I go and look at it, and sure enough, he's got a few lumps on the inside where he had his surgery.

A little over 3 years ago Brian was experiencing heaviness in his legs, and his feet were swelling. His dad had his veins stripped years ago, and so I think he recognized the symptoms. He went into a vein specialist, and sure enough, the blood wasn't getting back to his heart very well. He was scheduled for 2 separate surgeries. About 2 years ago, his leg was hurting, and had the lumpiness. We went to the ER, and they did an ultrasound on his leg. There was infection in his leg. I think they ended up putting him on broad spectrum antibiotics, and we were there for over 4 hours (that was fun). So I wasn't about to sit back and watch this happen again. If we could catch this thing before it got too aggressive, that'd be great. So I called up his doctor's office, and they had a cancellation today. I didn't know if Brian wanted me to call them or not, but I did because I just wanted a doctors opinion. They wanted him in ASAP, and so we're scheduled in today. I want to avoid the ER if we can.

I always think that it's funny because Brian had an ultrasound way before I ever did, and has had a lot more too. I didn't have one until they did the echocardiogram on my heart a year ago. Fun stuff.

So I'm sitting there playing "What I've Done" by Linkin Park on Guitar Hero: World Tour, and Brian looks like he is shaking his head in disapproval as I end the song. I look at him wondering what he's disapproving, and he starts laughing. "Just my stupid jokes!", I ask him "what?!". He looks at the PediPaw set that we just bought, and grins, "they have Pet-a-Cure, PediPaws, how about Ped-i-file!" I LOST IT! Only Brian would come up with something like that. I love how quick-witted he is sometimes!

The last few days I've been thinking with this election and all. I've decided it seems to bring the worst out of some people. Being in a red state, it's really hard for my side of anything to be heard. People wonder why I haven't registered to vote, and this is the reason. My voice to be heard in this state does not seem to matter (and don't give me that crap about how if I don't register, I don't have the right to talk about politics). Now, I know that the reason behind that is because of the "Christians". Most choose to vote all republican, but when someone has a difference of an opinion, they "don't understand how anyone could vote democrat." Hearing that everywhere I go is no picnic, mind you, and when my own family puts other people down just because they don't vote (or think) republican, is just plain absurd! I just don't understand how a religion who teaches you to accept people for who they are, treat others as you wanted to be treated, and "judge not lest ye be judged" can be so condescending to their fellow friends and family.

I have to say this, because I know that not all people of that faith are like that. For you to accept people as they are is truly a "Christ-like" (this seems to be the best way of explaining it) behavior. To actually befriend someone who doesn't believe the way you, yourself do, is a great act that anyone can show someone.

A great example of a person who shows everyone kindness is my father-in-law. He doesn't claim to be any sort of religion, but he is the kindest person I know. If anyone is in need of anything, he is there for them. A great example of this is his so-called "mid life crisis". He has taken in young women who have had addiction problems with amphetamines, alcohol, and any other sort of addicting habit that usually throws you in jail. His act of acceptance of others is something you do not come across very often in the state of Utah. He went to NA and AA meetings with these girls. He took them in when no one else would. He helped them through there habits, and has made so much impact on other people's lives. He is a person who cannot say no to helping someone out. His father, who is 93 years old, who cannot take care of his yard or other simple tasks around the house, gets helped every week by my father-in-law. To show so much compassion for so many people is just a great thing.

I would not consider myself to be a democrat, but a libertarian. I believe that people should have the freedoms that were written within the constitution that our fore-fathers meant this country to stand on. I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in equal rights to everyone (yes, even the homosexuals), because of this so-called "land of the free". I see our country slowly going into a downward spiral because of someone who has abused his power time and time again over the last eight years. He lied to, and deceived us, and promised so many things, yet here we are, 4,191 of our young casualties who have died because of someone who didn't solve the problems that needed to be dealt with at hand first and foremost! Now don't give me that crap about how those people signed up and knew what they were walking into. Yes, they knew to a point. 9/11 was committed by some Afghanistan people, not by the Iraqi people. There was no evidence of WMD's, so do what you need to do and get our troops back home safely.

I know everyone has a difference of an opinion, but to just outright place the blame on everyone else but yourselves (and certain people in office) is ridiculous. This country has taken a turn for the worse since his reign of terror. I am not afraid of what Obama will bring to this country. He seems to want to make peace with our fellow countries who have lost all respect for us in the last 8 years. I think he is the right person for this, and a large percentage agree with me on that. And to that, I say God Bless America, and let the afraid flee to Canada!

Last night was one CRAZY night! Haha. Normally how keggers are, but it was fun. It's good to see some regulars there, then I don't feel so out of place just knowing Brian and his cousins!

We were some of the first people to arrive at Ford's house just before 10. By the time 11 rolled around, the house was packed. It didn't help that it was raining either, because normally you have people inside AND outside! Ha!

A lot of interesting costumes, and I am surprised to say that I only saw one Joker there. There's really not much to say except there was a lot of drinking, a lot of dancing, and a just a huge halloween bash. It was a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to next year when I don't have to worry about cops.

Brian's been a bit hungover today. He didn't seem to have much to drink last night, but boy were we wrong. I feel so bad because there's nothing I can do. Just take care of him the best I can I guess =). He's finally been up and around since about 6ish tonight. We got pizza, and we've been playing the new guitar hero.

Here's some other pics from last night:

Cade & I on her 21st birthday


Brian (Frylock), Baker & Megan


B.J. the Pimp


Vampire!


Kimi & I


The Posessed Pimp


Lil Jon: "Yeyah!"

Sheena made me this. I think it's adorable! Great website too!

So yesterday after a long struggle from July, I sold my Ranger. I'm so torn about it, that I almost had a second thought not to sell it when the buyer was serious. It was my first vehicle, and I just loved that little thing (just not the mileage!).

Mark called me earlier last week and wanted to know about the vehicle (although I included every little detail that I could within the ad on KSL), and didn't really tell him much more than what was posted. He called me again Friday afternoon, and wanted to come test drive it. He called me the next day with a time. I was a little skeptical with having him come to the house, but thank goodness he was a good guy. As he was test driving it, he scared the living hell out of me! This guy does not signal when changing lanes (that really bugs me for some reason!), he basically braked at the last second, and just was a little aggressive (I know I was probably over-reacting!).

Every comment that I've had on my truck is that it's clean! Whether that's someone just riding in it, or someone prospectively buying it. I just find it so funny because of how much of a neat freak that I am. I'm terrible. I swear I take a good 2-3 hours to clean my vehicles every time. I just hope this Mark guy takes good care of it.

I'm not sure what vehicle I'm going to get. I love the new Toyota Tacoma's (Double cabs), and would just LOVE to get that, but Brian is thinking more along the lines of an SUV (he likes the 4runners or the Rav4s). I'm going to be saving up a lot of money for now for the next few months and do a lot of research. With Brian's dad's accident last year, we want to be as safe as we can be in a vehicle. I know that sounds paranoid, but almost losing someone you love is scary, and you want to take the extra precautions. If anyone has any suggestions on vehicles, let me know!

Sheena Tagged Me

Tag 8

favorite TV Shows
1. House
2. Law & Order: SVU
3. South Park
4. Family Guy
5. Basketball
6. Football
7. My list doesn't go that far
8. " " " " " "

8 favorite Restaurants
1. Spaghetti Mama's
2. Chili's
3. Olive Garden
4. Texas Roadhouse
5. La Puente
6. Applebees
7. TGIF
8. (And what would go here would have been the Bavarian Chalet. Good German food, but was overtaken, and not in business anymore)

8 things that happened yesterday
1. Had a hellish day at work
2. Sold my truck
3. Played with Sadie
4. Washed the "For Sale" off the truck
5. Watched my truck drive off
6. Got Brian's car gas
7. Watched the last of Family Guy season 6
8. Fell asleep

8 things to look forward to
1. Thanksgiving
2. Christmas
3. A break from work
4. Doctors appointment
5. Finding out if I will have a niece or nephew
6. A new vehicle
7. Halloween
8. Cold weather

8 Things I Love about Fall
1. Colors
2. The cold
3. The leaves
4. Smells
5. Halloween & Thanksgiving
6. Snuggling in bed
7. The end of yardwork
8. Candles!

8 things in my wish list
1. Get a gym pass
2. Be a size 3/4 again
3. A raise
4. Go back to school
5. Reading
6. Run a mile
7. New countertops
8. Bathroom remodel

8 people I tag
1. Friends: Melissa, Kimi, Tiffany, Maranda, Jessica
2. Family: Cherstin, Desi, Wanda

No tag backs

Its the game of blog tag!!! I was tagged by my cousin Melissa, who was tagged by her cousin.

For those of you that I tag, here are the instructions. Copy the post, paste into a new post, and fill in your answers. Then you get to tag people!!!

I am... always so tired!
I know... how to do a lot of things
I want... respect
I have... a cold
I wish... my stomach problems went away (yes Melissa!)
I hate... how people disrespect me so much
I miss... my truck
I fear... losing people close to me
I feel... undercut
I hear... Jen & Travis talking
I smell... Nothing........my nose is stuffed up
I crave... watermelon......let's hope I'm not pregnant!
I search... and search to better improve myself
I wonder... why there's so much hatred in the world
I regret... nothing.
I love... my hubby
I care... about my family and friends
I always... care too much
I am going... to be saving up for a new vehicle
I believe... that people should be accepted for who they are

I tag - Tiffany, Sheena, Summer and Kristen

So it's always exciting when Sadie learns a new trick. She's still in the learning stage, but I started this last night, and she is getting it pretty fast. She's so adorable.

Everyone asks me if I'm a dog trainer (lol). I'm not that good! Brian's dad has a Shih Tsu, and he's 11 (I think almost 12), and I taught him to actually just sit on his butt. It's pretty funny. But you "can't teach an old dog new tricks!"

Brian's been sick this past week, and it is just terrible when he gets sick. He always gets it ten times worse than me. His work told him he should take a few days off before the end of the year because he has too many hours saved up that he'll just end up losing by the end of the year. Too bad he can't cash those hours in! (160 hours!!!). One of his bosses one year cashed in like 500 hours, and ended up being able to purchase 2 fourwheelers, cash! They don't allow that anymore sadly.

Lately I've been thinking about going back to school. I really would love to do something in the veterinary field. One of my old coworkers has a daughter that works at a veterinary hospital, and loves it. She keeps telling me to go work there, and then wonders if I could handle it because of my sensitivity to animals. I hate seeing animals in pain. I'm constantly watching the Animal Cops shows on Animal Planet, and I think I'd love to do something like that. To have a voice for the animals would be great. People have suggested I do all the classroom work online, and then do the clinics later on. I think becoming a vet tech would be awesome. I wish I did that in highschool since there was that option, but I opted for dental assisting. Oh well I guess.

It's been getting pretty cold lately. We had a snow storm the 2nd saturday of October! No Autumn in sight! Utah weather is so much fun sometimes. Global warming is among us people!

Ok, here's about the wedding!

Here we are almost a month after being married. I've been getting these questions over and over: "How does being married feel?", "Do you feel any different now?". My reply each time is, I don't feel any different. We had been living together for over 2 years by the time we decided to get married. Anyway, I told everyone that I'd blog about the wedding, so here goes:

I awoke about 9:30 with a call from my mom to make sure I was up (of course she would call!). My day was supposed to start off with a manicure and pedicure and picking up Brian's tux. Brian was supposed to go with me, but he hadn't begun to put the music on his Zune for the reception (I asked him to do it on Thursday while I was doing my Bridals!). I ended up going by myself, which was probably better anyway because Brian can't stand the smell of nail salons for too long. I got a french pedicure and a fill on my nails. I just went with white because I wanted simple, yet elegant.

Following the nail salon, I went to pick up Brian's tux. Thank goodness that took less than 2 minutes to pick up! I was running out of time.

We hadn't gotten the plates and cups for the reception yet because we hadn't had a chance to make a trip to Zurchers. They were the cheapest in the valley for just clear plates and cups! We were originally trying to get everything from Costco, but they ended up not having the little plates or cups. Terrible! I decided to get a few balloons while we were there (in red and white of course!).

After running around, I finally got home to pick up Brian. He had picked up the flowers THANKFULLY! So we loaded everything into the truck that we needed. We had to go buy a few frames for the bridals and engagement pictures, then headed to my parents. They had been setting up all morning long, and I was so thankful for that to take the stress off my back. The centerpieces turned out to be way cute:

Codi, a girl that I used to work with showed up about 2:00 in the afternoon to get my hair done. We didn't end up getting started til about 3:00. I was doing last minute touches, plus people were fretting about how I hadn't eaten. My sister went to McDonald's and bought 18 double cheeseburgers off the dollar menu *gag!*. I choked one down, but I ended up regretting that after. I went up to get my hair done. Codi started off with a lot of ringlets, and we ended up only putting half my hair up. It turned out way cute.

While I was getting my hair done, Jennifer (MOH), Jamie and Kim (Brian's sisters and my bridesmaids) showed up. Jenn all done up in a beautiful black prom dress, and Jamie and Kim had there cute red matching dresses. My hair took about an hour and a half, so we were pushed for time!

Jamie did my makeup (she sells Mary Kay) beautifully. We went with natural colors, mostly browns. Everything she chose went beautifully on me. Finally about 4:30, I was able to get into my dress. I had my mom, my sister, and Jenn there to help me into it so I wouldn't smudge my makeup or ruin my hair. As my mom is pulling up the zipper, the judge comes up "Is she decent?!" I needed to sign the marriage certificate and pay him. My mom was appalled that he came up in the bedroom because she didn't have her room cleaned up. Well, he needed to talk to me alone. We just went over how the ceremony was supposed to go. B.J. then came up for the ring. My mom put my veil on (which my aunt made in a day!), and I was on my way down and outside.

My brother was probably the first to see me downstairs, and he told me how gorgeous I looked. I was then joined by my dad. He asked if he was walking me down the aisle! I told him that he's my dad, and of course he is! We were waiting for the judge's go-ahead, and realized I didn't have my bouquet!!! Erika went and got it for me and we were ready to go. Erika was holding my train, and I had my arm wrapped around my dad's. We start walking the long walk through the backyard.

Along the way, I guess I was walking fast. My dad just kept whispering "take it slow" and "there's no hurry". Well, we finally got to the aisle, and I couldn't believe how many people were there. I wasn't expecting that many. Arianne had said they set up about 40 chairs, and I wasn't even expecting that. The chairs were filled, and a lot of friends and family were standing in the back, and some brought up more chairs.

I finally got up to Brian, my soon-to-be husband. He had the look of adoration in his eyes as I walked up to him. The way the judge had us perform the marriage wasn't that of a traditional one. The marriage was performed with us facing our family and friends, and the judge to the side so we didn't have our backs to them. Unusual, but I liked it.

The judge began with having us acknowledge the people in our wedding party (parents, bridesmaid, best man, etc.). Then he had a person from each side of our family to give some advice. My dad spoke for my side, Brian's dad for his. B.J. (Brian's best man, cousin, and best friend) also spoke. As my dad began speaking, I was watching and listening. I look at my mom, and she is crying! I wasn't expecting that, but I started getting emotional. When I get emotional, my neck/chest starts to get red (really embarrassing!).

The judge started the ceremony. The usual run through on a ceremony... and then we exchanged rings.

Then

he

kissed

the

bride

The reception basically got started after the ceremony.

If you want to see other pictures, you can see them on my myspace page: www.myspace.com/sweetjennavieve

or my facebook account:
http://www.new.facebook.com/photos.php?id=626938314

I am working on setting up a wedding album also, so if you can't see either of these, you'll have access to the pictures.

All in all it was a busy, stressful, yet wonderful day. We are finally husband and wife. I love Brian more than anything, and I was happy to share that with everyone that was there, or was thinking about us. It was a beautiful day. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

100 Classics of all time. How many have you read?

I stole this from Tiffany. It's a list of 100 classics and apparently the average adult has only read 7. I've read 37 (WOW!). I just bolded what I've read.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled
38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte's Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Pitbull Puppy

This picture is of the little puppy I fell into. He's a pitbull that is about 4 months old.

The marathon of a weekend started on Friday morning about 9:15 A.M.. This lady comes running into the showroom at my work and asks me who the truck outside belongs to. Beats me I said, and asked why. Well, there was a puppy basically strangling himself in the back of the pickup. He's tied up with basically the material of a shoelace, but it's at least 5 feet long. He didn't have a collar, and this was wrapped around his neck. He was tied to this metal tool box with a hitch- like thing. He couldn't sit, he couldn't lay down (not including all the stuff that was back there like buckets, cheater-beaters, extension cords, etc.). So I rush out to help this dog that's strangling himself. Sheena at my work thought that I was being over-dramatic, but when she saw how he really was strangling himself, my boss, Travis came out. He didn't recognize the truck, so he ran into the back to the conference room to find out who's it was.

Well, it was this guy that was possibly going to be employed at Caffall Tile. He was filling out paperwork, and Travis says "Who's puppy is in the back of a truck?!" The guy said it was his. Travis then says, "well then why don't you not worry about that damn paperwork and take care of that dog! He's strangling out there!"

In the meantime, I was untying the dog so he could at least sit, and so his eyes wouldn't be bulging and red from not being able to breath. I was also giving him water since the guy was parked in the sun, and the pup had no shade. The guy comes out with Travis, and says that the dog isn't his, that he wondered up to his front door and that he was taking him to the pound. Now this guy has tattoos up and down his arms, and one of his tatts was of a pitbull! He asked if I wanted him, and I didn't know what Brian would think, but I didn't want the dog to not be given a chance. I took him home, and put him in Sadie's kennel (as you see in the picture).

Brian and I went home to check on him. He pooped all over the kennel, the poor thing. I think the guy that had him before either gave him cat food (which you never give dogs cat food...a result is diarrhea!), or something his stomach couldn't handle. I'm so glad to have a house now with a hose where it was easy to just spray everything out.

I had put the dog up on KSL (our local news channel website), and within minutes I had people calling for him, but no takers. I wanted to sell him because then I knew someone would want to take care of him instead of fight him. I tried all weekend, and Saturday, I finally texted a friend with a pitbull, and she said she wanted another puppy. She came and got him, but her mom told her she couldn't keep him....so I was back with the dog again on Sunday. I lowered the pricing for the dog on KSL, but again, no takers. I decided that I couldn't really keep him with already having another dog. I decided to take him to the Humane Society. They had pitbulls there, and I knew they had a "no kill" policy there. Well, ends up that they are overloaded with animals at the moment and couldn't take him. They told me that the Salt Lake County Animal center took in animals. I went there, and they have this form you fill out, and 6 "kennels" to put the dogs (or other animals) in. They check them every 15 or so minutes. This girl opens the kennel, and I give her the puppy. I started to cry. I didn't want this to happen. I didn't want to see this puppy not given a chance.

Not two minutes later I get a text from Brian's cousin, Aaron. He said that his mom was heavily considering letting him have the puppy. That really hit me hard...here I just gave the puppy over to the county, not knowing if they'd let me have him back. I called first thing this morning at 8:00, and they said that "owners" change their minds all the time, and that there would just be a fee of $25 and if I didn't get him before noon, another fee of $8 would be assessed. I didn't care, I went and picked him up at lunch.

Aaron met me over at my house, and the pup and him got well acquainted. Aaron seems to be really fond of him which is what I was looking for.

The puppy's a real sweetheart who deserved a second chance at life, and if I hadn't have been there, I don't know what would have happened. I grew slightly attached to him, but didn't want another dog (especially a BIG one at that!). I get to see him off and on, and that makes me so happy.

I've always had a soft-spot for animals, and I always hate to see animals who don't even get a chance to experience a good life. I just wanted to provide that to him, and I did. I really love that feeling.

I need to post more often

So here we are 11 days after we got married....I know, right? As soon as it's over with, it flies by! I'll write a whole page full about the wedding later....

Anyway, lately at my job I feel a lot more included in things that have been going on. Sad to say, but since our showroom girl quit, it's actually given me room to grow a bit within the company. I can say I am NOWHERE near where my coworker Sheena, or the girl who quit are on an educated level, but I've picked up a lot from the two of them. I felt like I wasn't being given the chance to help out, and I was just the receptionist.

We did however hire a new showroom girl, and she is amazing. She's a designer, and although she doesn't know our product all that well yet, she does far more for our customers than I think a lot of people have. She knows her colors and what goes good with other things. I think she was just what we were looking for, and it was worth the month or so it took my boss to hire someone. She has been in school and only works part time right now, but when she's finally done, it'll be awesome having her around. She's very outgoing and friendly to everyone, and that's always nice to have. It's hard when you don't like who you work with.

Anyway, tonight I get a call from my mom. My brother apparently got married to his girlfriend today. Yipee! I don't know if I can say I'm excited, but she is bringing my niece or nephew into this world, and it'd be nice to have him/her in my life. I don't know if it's good for either of them, but I guess we shall find out, right?

Brian is enjoying Rockband 2 as we speak. He seems to be addicted to that for a while. He is amazing on it though.

I think I'll head to bed now. I've been super tired lately, and it's really annoying. I don't know what's up, but I want to know. It'd be nice to get a full nights rest every once in a while. I am always tired, and no matter what I do, it doesn't make a difference. Ah well...

Bridal Shower

Last night was my bridal shower. I had a good time and it's good to see some family members that I haven't seen in a while.

Brittany (my cousin/host), started the shower off with one of those games with the mixed up words. Pretty fun. She had me introduce everyone and tell how they are related. I started off fine, but when I got to Brian's aunt, for the life of me, I just drew a blank! I felt so bad. It's not like I don't see her or don't know her. I think it was just one of those things where you get put on the spot, and your mind goes blank. But I still feel bad! I just feel like a terrible person!

After introductions we went onto some questions about Brian (she's been asking for his phone number, and I didn't have a clue why!). I missed 12 of them. I know, HORRIBLE! But they were really minute things in about him (I think there was 26 questions).

I got a lot of nice things for the kitchen, and some good recipes! Here's some pictures from the night:

Present time

Tiffany (Highschool friend), Aunt Ronnie, Taylor (cousin), Brian's Aunt's: Ann & Jane, Jamie (Brian's sister she's kind of hiding), and Sue (another of Brian's Aunts)
The Yummy Dessert - Something with different flavors of sherbet
Me, My Mom, Aunt Tina, Grandma Belka, Erika, Brittany & Aunt Julia
Kimi, Melissa (Friends) & Me

So Offended

So tonight I went to one of my friends wedding reception. I went to show her my support as a friend, but I came out with so much more. I have never been so offended in my entire life!

I left "the church" (the LDS Church) because of my own personal feelings. I really don't want to go into it, because I have respect for other people. I was forced to go to church since I was old enough to comprehend what was going on. When I was younger, that's what my family did, so I went with them. When I was about oh, 10 or 11, I figured I wasn't a religious person, and probably went through what every kid does in whether they believe in a god or not. I figured out that this church was not right for me.

I am really appalled at what people have said and done to me. People are so closed minded, and so judgmental that sometimes I just wonder if they actually love me for who I am, not just because I'm their daughter, sister, cousin or whatever. Tonight I had one of the rudest things said to me that I never would have thought could have come out of this persons mouth. When I was in the youth group at my church, I had this leader. She seemed very nice, very accepting of everyone. Well, I haven't seen her in probably 3 years now. I saw her tonight at my friends reception. As I was leaving, she says to me, "My son Zach left the church because of you. He decided that because you said that you didn't have to go to church that he didn't have to." I walked out of the church with my mouth wide open appalled, and didn't even know what to think of what she said. Well, it sunk in.

I have to say, of all the religions out there, Mormonism seems to be the most judgmental, most unaccepting church out there. I just don't understand how a person can just turn their cheek because they don't believe in something that they do. I find religion as a whole very condescending.

I am a person who accepts people for WHO they are, and NOT what they DO. Just because I don't go to church does NOT make me a bad person. I just feel like some family and friends don't love me for who I am. And it's really sad to say. You go to church? Well, good for you. I won't tear you down as a person just because I don't believe in it. I'm very accepting of everyone and everything.

If you really want to tear down a person, blame me for all of your problems. I'm so sick of everyone trying to push religion on me, and that is not what I'm about. I accept you for who you are, so why don't you do the courtesy of returning the favor!

Shopping + Girls = Disaster

Brittany, my cousin, is throwing me a wedding shower. I thought that was very nice of her. I get this call sometime last week, and she asked if anyone was throwing me one. I told her I wasn't aware of any. It's very thoughtful of her to do that for me since I've been running around with my head chopped off!

I spent my entire paycheck this past weekend shopping with Arianne and Erika. You should never let 3 girls go shopping together! LOL. Although, I did get a lot of the things I needed. I found the flip flops (at Claire's of all places) that are white, and have a sparkly white trim on them. I decided I wanted to make my own flip flops since it isn't that hard and would cost me a lot less! We went to Michaels and found some cute little white hibiscus flowers which I'll be putting on the front, and then I got a few rhinestones as well. I want simple, comfort, and elegance. They'll turn out so cute when I finally get them done!

We found shirts for both Arianne and Erika. We went to Valley Fair mall to look for something but we ended up finding both of their shirts at WalMart! I found these cute red flowers for each of the bridesmaids hair at Claire's. Also, I found my tiara ($13.50 compared to the $160 at David's Bridal), and a matching necklace with earrings. I spent a whopping $60 at Claire's! I couldn't believe it! I still can't believe it!

Arianne decided she wants to get red shoes, and we found some that she liked at WalMart, but of course they didn't have her size. That would've been all too easy! We still have to find a skirt or something for Erika, which shouldn't be too hard, but with the way shopping went on Saturday, I'm not pressing my luck! We might just opt for this cute little pair of gouchos (sp?) that we found at Macy's. They were pretty cute, and look like a skirt.

Other than that, we're still scrambling a little with the wedding. 2 weeks from Saturday. I can't believe it!

Dental Appointment

So I had my dentist appointment today. It went better than I expected. They were able to save the tooth, and I'll be getting the permanent crown on September 5 (yes, the day before my wedding...ugh). Oh well, I want to get all my teeth done with! I've always had this fear that I would be 30, and have dentures. The joys of inheriting my grandmothers teeth! She's always had pretty bad teeth, and she was afraid of the dentist, so she's had EXTENSIVE work done. I haven't gotten to that point, thank goodness!

Anyway, all in all, everything went ok. I'm trying to eat, but I keep biting my tongue from being numb!

Wedding Day Traditions (Interesting)

The Wedding Day-
The bride will have good luck if she dreams on her wedding day.

It is good luck for the bride to throw away bread as a symbol of throwing away her troubles. Even better, for every piece given to the poor on the way to the wedding, a misfortune will be averted.

It is bad luck for the bride to drop her handkerchief while entering or exiting the carriage.

It is bad luck to give the bride a telegram on her way to the ceremony.

It is bad luck for the bride to eat anything while getting ready for the ceremony and until after the ceremony is over. (Did Weight Watchers add that in?)

It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding attire before the ceremony.

It is bad luck for the bride to see herself in a mirror completely dressed before the wedding. To get around this, the bride may dress in front of a mirror, but should have a ribbon, flower, pin or other jewelry that is put on just before walking down the aisle without seeing her reflection.

It is said that it is good luck for a bride to cry on her wedding day. All sorrows are washed away leaving room for only happiness.


Going Down the Aisle
The bride is supposed to wear:

Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a sixpence in the shoe.

The something old should belong to a happily married womanto insure happiness.
However, not a handkerchief that was used in her wedding.
That is considered bad luck! (and kind of disgusting!)
The something new is a piece of apparel.
The something borrowed was traditionally a gold object to insure fortune and wealth.
The something blue symbolizes the heavens and true love.
The sixpence, or a new penny in the USA, insures prosperity.

Orange blossoms are lucky in the bouquet or décor.

It is good luck for the bride to carry her mother's prayer book.

Placing a bit of salt in a shoe, pocket or glove will bring the bride luck for several reasons. The Greeks believed salt symbolized loyalty and lasting friendship. Also, devils and witches supposedly hate salt so it keeps them away. (Consider not putting it in your shoe. It sounds a bit uncomfortable)

Bouquets were once combinations of stalks of wheat, corn stalks and leaves to symbolize a fruitful crop. Through the years they have also been made of carefully chosen herbs that were believed to keep away the witches and demons. (Are you ready for your bouquet of chives, rosemary, bay leaves and garlic?)

The bridegroom should wear a lucky horseshoe in his pocket. (Or a replica!)

It is considered bad luck for the bride to walk down the aisle during the rehearsal. The one and only time she should walk down the aisle is on her wedding day. Someone else should stand in for her.


The Wedding Rings-
The circle of the ring, without beginning or end, symbolizes eternal love.

As the wedding ring wears,
So wear away life's cares.

In early Rome, through to the Renaissance, only the wealthy wore rings. The one exception was the wedding band.

In the Anglo-Saxon north, rings were among the gifts given to the bride before the wedding. The word "wed" is from the Anglo-Saxon word for "pledge".

Some believe it is unlucky to remove a wedding ring for one year, others believe seven years. There are still others who believe that it should never be removed. Another belief is that it is good luck to slip the ring off and then on your finger before leaving the church so that you will not have bad luck later if you need to remove it.


The Ceremony-
To avoid bad luck, the bride should always use her right foot first when stepping in and out of the church, and when approaching and leaving the altar. She should also make sure that her right foot is placed ahead of the groom's at the altar to insure her future influence over him.

It is considered good luck if your veil is accidentally torn at the altar. (Or is that just said so that the bride won't freak out on the altar?)

If there are cracks or lines on the floor, the couple must stand parallel to them, not across them, or they will have a cross life. (As if you don't have enough to think about on your wedding day!)

It is bad luck for the ring to be dropped before it is placed on the bride's finger or for the bride to try it .. the ceremony.

The master of the household will be the one who sees the other first at the service (sounds rigged for the groom!) and the one who has their thumb on top when their hands are joined. Or the first one to drink a glass of water after the ceremony is also thought to be the boss!

Giving the clergy person an odd amount of money will bring luck.


The Reception-
If the youngest of the daughters is the first to marry, and the older ones want husbands, they have to either dance barefoot at the wedding or in green stockings. If they want to be insured of their luck, they must dance in a hog's or pig's trough! (How humiliating!)

The tradition of garters being taken off the bride began in England. They were considered to be trophies by the young men. Immediately after the ceremony they would literally assault the bride at the altar, often throwing her down to the floor, to win the garter. To prevent this indecent display, brides began to place the garter in their cleavage and hand it over.

When the bride throws her bouquet, the bridesmaid who catches it will be the first to marry. It is bad luck for the bride if it lands on the floor.

It is bad luck to give away a wedding present.


Wedding Apparel -
White has been a symbol of innocence, virginity and purity as far back as the Greek civilizations and was thought to ward off evil spirits. In Rome, the bridal gown was known as a "tunica recta", which was a plain white woolen dress woven by the virtuous Roman bride herself as a proof of her domestic abilities. The sash of the dress was tied in a complex "Herculean" knot to give the groom a challenge later on. The Roman wedding gown was worn with a flame-colored veil known as the "flammeum".

White was not popularized for weddings until the late eighteenth century. Because it could not be cleaned and could only be worn once, white was a color reserved for the wealthy and very special occasions. Before the late eighteenth century women generally wore their best dress for their wedding. White was first popularized by Anne of Brittany in 1499 and later by Queen Victoria in the 1800's.

Red is a traditional color for Chinese brides and was worn by American brides during the Revolutionary war as a sign of rebellion. In India the wedding dress is traditionally red, for good luck.

Green was the traditional bridal color in Norway but is generally thought to be unlucky. The green gown implied a bride of loose morals; her dress became green by rolling around in the grass. Green is also negatively associated with envy and fairies.

In biblical times blue, the color of the heavens, not white, was considered to represent purity and fidelity.

Black Velvet gowns were traditional in Iceland but, since black implies a sad occasion, it is generally frowned upon for a bridal gown.

Not the case today, but in Ireland, it was once considered very bad luck for the bride's dress to be white or green. The color of choice is blue. Their reasoning...The little people like white and green and will steal the bride away if she dares wear those colors on her big day.

Married in blue, love ever true,
Married in white, you've chosen right,
Married in red, you'll wish yourself dead,
Married in black, you'll wish yourself back,
Married in gray, you'll go far away,
Married in brown, you'll live out of town,
Married in green, ashamed to be seen,
Married in pink, of you only he'll think,
Married in pearl, you'll live in a whirl,
Married in yellow, jealous of your fellow.

A widow may wear black if she wears a rose in her hair but if it falls out, her second husband will leave or die.

If a bride wears red, she and her husband will fight before their first anniversary, or he may die soon.

Wear earrings for your wedding and you will always be happy.

It is bad luck to make your own wedding gown, to tear it or spill wine on it.

A bride must have her hair styled and her headpiece and veil put on only by a happily married woman.

Wearing your grandmother's veil, or having part of it incorporated into your headpiece, will bring you wealth. It is bad luck for the bride to show her headpiece and veil to anyone except her family before the wedding.

Unless the bride approves, it is bad etiquette for anyone besides the bride to wear white.

Most cultures cherish pearls on the wedding day as a symbol of wealth and purity, but according to Mexican traditions each pearl worn symbolizes the tears the bride will cry in her marriage.


The Groom-
Change the name and not the letter,
Change for worse and not for better

It is bad luck if the groom's last name starts with the same last name as the bride.

Some believe that it is bad luck to marry someone born in the same month as you.


The Mother-in-Law -
The bride will have mother-in-law troubles if she breaks something on her wedding day.

The mother-in-law test of the bride's housewife rating is to place a broom on the floor. If the bride moves the broom to the side, she will be a good housewife: if she steps over it, she will not be.


Month to Marry-
Married in the month of June
Life will be a honeymoon

As far back as Roman times it was believed that marrying in June would bring prosperity for the groom and happiness for the bride. Juno, the wife of Jupiter, was the goddess of marriage and the patroness of youth who was celebrated at this time of the year.

Marry when the year is new,
Always loving, kind, and true,
When February birds do mate,
You may wed nor dread the fate.
If you wed when March winds blow,
Joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can,
Joy for maiden and for man.
Marry in the month of May*,
You will surely rue the day.
Marry when June roses blow,
Over land and sea you'll go.
Those who in July do wed,
Must labor always for their bread.
Whoever wed in August be,
Many a change are sure to see.
Marry in September's shrine,
Your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you will marry,
Love will come but riches tarry.
If you wed in bleak November,
Only joy will come, remember.
When December's snows fall fast,
Marry and true love will last.*

In Roman times the month of May, named for Maia, goddess of growth and patroness of the elderly, was a time to honor the unhappily deceased.


Day to Marry and the Weather-
Wed on Monday, always poor,
Wed on Tuesday, wed once more,
Wed on Wednesday, happy match,
Wed on Thursday, splendid catch,
Wed on Friday, poorly mated,
Wed on Saturday, better waited.
(What happened to Sunday?)

There are thoses who think that bad weather on your wedding day is a sign of a stormy marriage but in some cultures rain is considered to be a good omen and means that you will have many children. Snow means fertility and wealth.

Rain on your wedding day is also said to symbolize the tears of all of your ex-boyfriends.


Time to Marry-
Marry between the growing moon and the full moon because the rising moon will follow your fortune. Marry in the time between the full moon and diminishing moon and your fortune will fall with the moon's size.

Marry between the half hour and the hour because the rising hands of the clock will follow your fortune. Marry between the hour and half hour, your fortune will fall with the clock's hands.

Similarly, marry between the rising and the high tide.


The Honeymoon and on-
The honeymoon got its name from the Anglo-Saxon tradition of drinking mead, a sweet honey wine, for the first month of marriage.

Throwing an old shoe will bring the newlyweds luck. The tradition dates back to Anglo-Saxon marriages when the father of the bride gave the groom a shoe taken from the bride's foot to symbolize that he was turning over his authority and ownership of the girl to her new husband.

It is bad luck for the honeymoon if the bride's former sweetheart is not happy for her and then kisses her on her wedding day.

All pins holding the brides apparel together must be discarded. If the bride keeps any, she will have bad luck. If a bridesmaid keeps one, she will be unmarried for at least a year. (This dates way back to when dresses were pinned on.)

When the bride removes her wedding attire a stocking should be thrown over her left shoulder. If it lands straight she will have continuous luck. If it lands bunched her luck will be variable.