6 Days

It is almost time for our vacation. And I honestly cannot wait! So much so, that I packed today. I never pack early. Ever! I am usually the one that is packing minutes before we leave for the airport. Trying desperately to get everything into my suitcase. And trying to remember what exactly I need while I am gone.

But today, I packed our bags. And we are all set to go. Bags, clothes, some stuff to keep us entertained, anything that we might need, and all that good stuff. I just need to relax and wait until Sunday morning. It seems like a million days away...instead of just 6 short days. Maybe I am overly excited because I don't know where we are going.

D is in need of this vacation. Probably more than myself. He just needs some time away from this pressure cooker we call life. Away from his work and all of this. I on the other hand, need this vacay to just keep my sanity. But we are both looking forward to it. After we get back, we will be all work and business until the middle of November. But we are not thinking about that right now. We are 6 days away from the sun and sand. That is all that is on our minds!

XOXO

♥D

Not Ready at All!

At some point in my life, I need to learn how to say "NO!" I still haven't learned. That is probably why I am completely stressed out right now. D and I always have schedules that usually hold 48 hours worth of work, and we are supposed to do it in 12 hours. Can you imagine that we each have a schedule like that? But that never seems like enough for myself.

My close friends are getting married on Saturday. So I am heading home. These are friends that I was super close to a few years ago. I am a musician, and there was a group of us that worked pretty much Thursday afternoon through late Sunday night. Each and every week, plus rehearsals and teaching some local kids. We spent so much time together, usually seeing each other every day. And most importantly, we are like family. A group of young adults, on their own, who are like a family. Most of us were in college at the time. Just trying to survive. And really depending on each othere. But the guys were like my big brothers. The kind of guys that I could completely depend on.

When my friends asked me to be in the wedding, I was so thrilled! They have been dating over 10 years. And were engaged about a year and a half ago. I am very excited. I get to see so many of my friends. It has been a while. Most of them have moved away to pursue a career in music. That alone is exciting. And like a crazy person, I have to work until Thursday morning. Then I am leaving in the afternoon.

When I get back home, I still have a HUGE list of things to do. I have to pick up my dress and shoes. And I am hoping the dress shop will still be open when I get into town. If not, I am in so much trouble! Because on Friday, before the rehearsal and all of that, I am hosting a bridal luncheon/bridal shower/get-together/bridal tea/pre-wedding spa day. Yeah, I kinda wonder why I agreed. Not that I don't love my friend, but because I have no time to prepare for it!

I am working all week. And honestly, I have to wait until I get there to shop. I have my list ready. And I have made a bunch of calls to order things or put them on hold for me. But it still has me stressed out! I have a whole vision of what I want this day to be like, but I don't know if I have the time to get it done. And because my house is an hour away from the wedding location and the dress shop, things have to go exactly as planned. I need to pick up my dress and shoes on Thursday because I won't have any time to on Friday. And I have to keep everyone on track on Friday. Because we can't be late to the rehearsal.

So I am keeping my fingers crossed. My list is by my side and all the calls have been made. I am just anxious to be going home. And anxious to see all of my friends. I just hope I have enough time to get everything done and still enjoy the wedding. For now, I need to get back to figuring out the details of my plan.

XOXO

♥D

Good Change of Pace

Today was a good day. Well, at least so far. I had a good workout earlier. The kind that leaves you weak at the end. Where you know that tomorrow you are going to be moving slowly. But I enjoy the soreness after a good workout. It makes me feel like I really did something good. I also feel more energetic! There is something about a good workout that leaves you feeling good. I think it is because of all the sweating you do.

I am also trying to prepare for a party that I am hosting late next week. I can't buy a whole lot of the stuff right now. Because I am flying out to the location where the party will be. And I just can't see myself flying with a bunch of luggage, filled with wedding type decor and gifts. Until then, I am writing out a detailed list of things I need to buy. But I have been making some items for the party. The individual things that make these type of parties so special. I have also been making some bags for the girls. I want to fill them with some fun gifts and things to remember our "Girls' Day."

And I've been planning out the menu. It is going to be a day long, type of pre-wedding day, "Girls' Day." So I am thinking lots of different kinds of finger foods. I haven't decided if I am going to make a bunch of Tapas or just the regular party finger foods. I kind of want to talk to my friend before I make my decision. I would prefer Tapas, but it about the Bride, not me! I am really excited about everything though. It will be a good time for all of us.

Today I am also planning on going through my closet to see if I can get rid of anything around here. We have so much stuff! And I really do need to get rid of some of it. I have a basket of makeup that I really don't use. Some of my friends will really like that. I am also going through my closet to see what clothes I don't really use. I am thinking about donating a bunch of my old bridesmaids' dresses. Some of them are really cute. Like for a young girl going to a school dance. Because as gorgeous as they are, I will never wear them again. My friends have good taste, they are not your "typical" bridesmaids' dresses.

So, I am really busy. But it is the good kind of busy. The kind that makes me feel accomplished when I have finished everything. I need to pack for this weekend and next. Thank goodness we have some help. Because we also have lots of shopping that needs to be done. How can we already be out of shampoo again? And food? But we will get it all done!

XOXO

♥D

Heading Home

The vacation is over and we are heading back home. We got plenty of R&R. We chilled out and had fun. What else could you possibly ask for on vacation? I've got a crazy work schedule coming up, so I made sure to take it easy while on this trip. It was good for both me and ♥D. I now feel ready and able to tackle work.

Speaking of, I have a work thing later today. It should be fun. I like these types of things. But it can also be draining of one's energy. Good thing I rested during our vacation. ♥D wishes she could go. I think she would really enjoy it. She thinks she is not a people person, but I beg to differ. The woman has got some mad people skills.

♥D has an important doctors' appointment later. I will get out of work just in time to take her. Praying for all the best. At this point of the game, that is all we can do. I remain optimistic and I am sure things will be just fine. Then ♥D is off to have some fun with one of her friends back home. It should be good for her. D

143

Something that I admire about ♥D is that she always shows you how much you mean to her. This morning I woke up to find her gone. I looked out to our private little beach area to find the perfect breakfast set up, ♥D in the most incredible red bikini, and the message she left for me in the sand. 2 hearts, on inside the other, with 143. I send her that message a 1000X's a day. No, really I do. But to see her leave it for me. That was priceless. ♥D...143...D

Mr. Blue Eyes

Maybe it's tropical paradise, the sun, or being well rested...but D's eyes are looking especially blue today. And I'm loving it! Mr. Blue Eyes just has a look about him today. A little sexy, a little playful, and definitely a little devilish.

This vacay has been a blessing for both of us. I guess I hadn't realized just how much the stresses of the world were weighing on us. D has been under a lot of pressure at work. But this is just what the doctor ordered!

Right this minute, D is playing in the water like a 3 year old. Not the grown 30 something year old man that he is. It just makes me smile! :O) He deserves to get away from it all. I just wish he could get the chance more often.

XOXO

♥D

Going on a Vacay

We are going on vacation today! Woohoo!!! OK, we will be gone roughly a week and a half. All I can tell you is that we are going somewhere tropical. Yes, nice and warm. Lots of sun, clear water, and sand. I can already feel my feet in the sand...and we are only on the plane. :O)

We are going to enjoy the sun and the sea...

A few tropical sunsets...

Maybe even playing in the sand...

Oh yeah! We enjoyed a good breakfast with V and her fiance this morning. It was nice to just remember the good times at college. V, E, and myself were interns at the same hospital, in the town we went to college at. We were pretty hilarious! The song Unwritten was like our "Theme Song." It really did fit us at the time. V left for Dallas about 6 months after we initially started our internships. She graduated and had bigger dreams. That and she is originally from Texas.

E and I probably worked together another year. Then she graduated and got married. I was her maid of honor. They had a cool 50s type of wedding. 50s cars included! Then they moved to Florida. Her and her husband were in grad school there. They are actually thinking about moving back to our small college town. They miss it. And now E has a Master's Degree in Nutrition and her RD. Her husband has a PhD.

I think D loved hearing about the silly things we did back then. I am the youngest of the three of us, and definitely got picked on more. D liked hearing about the crazy things I used to get into at work. Especially the story of me breaking my finger when I worked at Hooter's. :O) It was a long time ago, I needed a job, and in a small town...you can't be picky!

And before I could leave town, I had to stop at this adorable stationary shop. I bought a bunch of notecards, pens, and stationary. All of which I didn't need. But it definitely brightened my day! I gotta go people...we are going on vacay!

XOXO

♥D