MOVED IN!!!

We closed on our first condo purchase on Friday. Went smooth. We started moving stuff in, but Saturday was our first night in the new place.

Also, had some house guests. Shaun's Dad and sister came to visit, and celebrate Christmas.

That was nice.

Down side...I got sick.

So I spent most of the time they were here in bed/on the couch. I wish I had felt better, to be a better host, but at least they understood.

Today (New Year's Eve) I worked, but totally should not have. I hate calling in sick. Of course, lesson learned. I got the losing end of that deal. Oh well. Next time I will just call in, relax, and get well. I will not worry about what is happening at the hospital and how much trouble I caused by calling in sick. Shaun said goodbye to our houseguests then went and did all the cleaning at the apt., turned in the keys, and bid farewell to rent. Woohoo!!

We are super excited. We also got some new furniture and are working on getting things put away and some decorative stuff on the walls! I will post some pics once that has happened. Of course, if you want to see pics, refer back to a previous post. There are about 5-6 good pics of our place, just with the old owner's things in it.

Have a Happy New Year! I hope 2008 is great for everyone! We plan to have a nice dinner, cuddle on the couch (while I fall asleep- I am so exhausted from being sick and working all day), maybe watch a movie, and ring in the new year!!

Christmas 2007

We are home in WA visiting my family. I came here on Dec 11, and Shaun got to come out Dec 20th. We are having a ton of fun. Mostly getting shopping done and trying to get it all done BEFORE Christmas gets here. Of course, we are also enjoying the vacation part as well, and taking many naps and just lounging around.
We have gotten to see many of friends. I wish we could see everyone, but I know with the holidays, everyone has their own family to see. Grrr. Just kidding.
Some plans for us...today is baking day. Promised Mom I would help out with the baking since I eat most of them. :) Then, some last minute shopping, we still have a couple things to buy. Hmmm, then what? I guess just more relaxing and enjoying this wonderful holiday season.
I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and the best New Year ever!!
When we head back to MD on the 27th and close on our first condo purchase. Of ocurse we have to move into it too so I won't be writing for a week or two. Will write again as soon as possible.

I have a job!!!

So, I had been thinking hard about what to do next. I wasn't sure I wanted to take another travel assignment, or work as an agency nurse, or become staff somewhere. For weeks nothing sounded like a good job for me. Of course I would have done another travel assignment if I hadn't found something that I really wanted to do.
I have been feeling like I want a change, but I couldn't decide exactly what that was, until this idea came into my mind. I thought about going on to get my bachelor's degree, but I don't think I am ready to commit to school just yet. I thought about getting a certification in Critical Care. I am pursuing that, but it didn't fulfill that want for change.
So a couple weeks ago, I was checking out the local community hospital. This hospital is about 1 block from our new home. I decided to check out the ER job openings. I had been thinking of getting back to the ER lately, so I thought I might apply to this hospital for an ER position. There are several positions open, most of them night shifts. Well, I got a call later that same afternoon for an interview. I was totally excited. I finally felt like I was getting the change that I wanted. So, even if I didn't get this job, I at least knew what change I wanted to make.
Well, I went in for the interview the next week. Met with the HR lady, then met with the administrator of ER. The manager of ER was at a conference, so I met with his boss. They offered me a chance to come shadow a nurse in the ER to find out if this is exactly what I wanted to do. I had worked in the ER before becoming a nurse, but it had been years. All through nursing school I thought I would work in the ER, but sometime during school, I changed to wanting to do Critical Care. Basically knowing it would be a great background, and a great base of knowledge. But, now I am ready to go back.
Yesterday was my shadow day. I arrived at 1pm, and it was very busy. Which is good, because they wanted me to see it "hopping" to know if it is something I feel that I can handle. I had a great day. The nurse I followed was great. She had been a nurse for the same length of time as I, and this was the only place she had worked. Over the last couple weeks when I have been talking about this hospital, I have heard nothing but great things. I knew it would be a good place to work. I personally don't think I needed the shadow, but they like all interviewees to check it out to know for sure.
I met with the manager about half way through, he gave me his spiel, and then told me we would meet again when I was done. I could stay as long as I wanted. I chose to stay 4 hours. Afterward, I went to his office to thank him for allowing me to spend a day in his ER. He asked if it was something that I wanted to do. I said yes, and he said "welcome aboard"
I have a job!!! Woohoo! I feel really good about becoming staff. I don't mind traveling, but since we are staying in Baltimore for a few years...I feel I want to take roots at someplace great. Now, when we decide to move back to the Pacific Northwest, I will have Critical Care and ER nursing under my belt. Looks really good on the resume!!
I start Jan 7 with orientation!! They only do orientation once a month, and all new employees are required to start with hospital orientation before starting on the floor. Good, because it doesn't interrupt my going home next week for Christmas!!
I am so excited!!!

So, we decided last night to head out to the mattress store and check out some mattresses. We have some LR, DR and a bed that we like from Room Store, but we need to buy a mattress to go with that bed. Well, after laying on lots of beds and going back and forth several times, we finally decided on the bed we just both love. Of course....it is one of the most expensive in the store. I guess we have high standards for beds. But, we do spend 1/3 of our lives in bed, so it might as well be a good one, that will last for years.
Well, turns out we liked one of the bed frames at the store too. It was discontinued but the floor model was in good shape, so we decided to get it. After all said and done, lots of discounts later (they were in the middle of a big sale) we got the bed for free. NICE!
So, now all we have to do is get the LR and DR and we are set with some basic furniture. I will try to post some pics of our choices as soon as I can.
Oh, and we get the bed on Thursday. Yeah. See, while I was on contract, my company was providing rented furniture for us. Well, I am done with that contract, so they come to get our furniture. We opted to stay at the apt for one month until we close on our house, but we decided we didn't need furniture. Now, we don't have to stay on an air mattress until we move, we get our bed sooner. Yeah!!
I can't wait, I am dreaming of better nights sleep already....zzzz! You can only imagine how good our rented bed's mattress was. Yeah, exactly!

Countdown

33 days to go!!

36 Days To Go

I bet you are thinking Christmas is only 33 days away. But, this countdown is for closing day for our new home.

We close December 28th.

I will be home for Christmas Dec 11-27th, with Shaun with me the 20th-27th. Then we close. Yeah. We plan to move that weekend. It won't be too difficult. We only have a few things here. TV stand/TV, and a small bookshelf. Everything else is rented or goes in boxes.

EASY!!!

So, we are super excited. I can't wait till it gets closer. I have never owned a house before, and this is so exciting.

Here are a few pics of our new place. We took pics while we were there for the home inspection. Of course all the stuff inside is the current owner's, but you get the idea.



This is from the Master Bedroom. Door to the left goes through closet into Master Bath.


View into Living Room from main entry Hall.


Sunroom


View from back yard. Lots of trails and green grass for Sadie to play in.


Kitchen. Also have a nice desk on the wall you can't see. It is very useful to have.


Another view of LR looking into hall. Room at end of hall is 2nd Bedroom. Master bedroom to the right at end of hall.


Dining Room, with solid Oak breakfast bar as well.

What do you think??

Wow!

I have been so busy lately. I can't believe we are just 45 days till Christmas. I can't wait. I get to go home and see my family Dec 11. I am so excited to go see my babies. I miss them SO much.

So, here are a couple things that have happened:

1) We have decided that we want to buy. We know we will be around Baltimore for a few years, since Shaun is in the ARMY. So, we started by looking on the internet. We met with a Long & Foster real estate broker. Then we started actually checking out these homes that we had researched onine. On our second outing with Pam (the real estate broker), we found the home that we want to buy. Most of the places were really nice and we thought would be great. But, once we stepped foot into this particular home, we knew it was the right home. I knew immediately, but Shaun had only looked at a couple other places, so he needed to see a few more to know for sure. It didn't take long.

So, we went home that night, looked over the numbers, and decided we wanted to put an offer down, we didn't want to let this place go. Sunday we placed an offer. One of the most nail-biting situations ever. Crazy. Well turns out another couple had placed an offer two days ago, and they were in the middle of negotiating, luckily we got in when we did. She asked us for our best offer, and it turns out it was worth it. Of course, we had a very stressful, anxious day of waiting, but we ended up getting the house.

It is a 1400 sq ft condo. Terrace level. Open floor plan, very laid out. 2 BR, 2 bath. nice sunroom, and grass out back. (see #2 for the reason the grass is good) Big kitchen, Big LR. Big rooms, with walk-in closets. 2nd bathroom open to 2nd BR and hall. Laminate flooring thorughout ecxept bedrooms. All appliances included. We are so excited. We have home inspection on Saturday, so we will have photos to post then.



#2) We got a puppy!! Her name is Sadie. We had been talking about wanting a dog for a LONG time, but since we live in an apt it just made more sense to wait. Well, we couldn't wait any longer!! For some unknown reason, I started glancing at dogs online. I bought Charlie for $350 and I thought that was alot, but here the price of Dachshunds are $500-$1000. Plain rediculous. Well, I found a site online that sells dogs, and is a site that verify's the sellers identity through a credit check. Sadie was listed as $495, but I talked the seller down. So, the price was right and the dog was cute...we couldn't stop ourselves.

We talked with the owner on Sunday and she went to the vet on Monday, and she flew out to us on Tuesday. Basically the owner sent her in a crate with food/water, blanket and toy. We just had to go pick her up when the flight arrived. She seemed to take to us really easily. Ate/drank right away. The owner had even started crate/paper training, and she is doing really well with it. She is so little. Her parents were only 6 and 7 pounds. Right now, she is about 1-2 lbs (I put her on my scale at home) See pics below.

So much has happened.

Some photos of good times...

Me in San Fransisco with Mara. It was such a beautiful day. Although we had prepared for a colder day, we were pleased to have the sun.

Per 39. Lots of shopping, food and CHOCOLATE!!

Me and Mara, right before we board the ferry to Alcatraz island. That was the most amazing place. I loved it!!

This is me on the ferry, with San Fran behind me.

This is a typical cell at Alcatraz Island. Of course it is no longer a working jail, they had a few rooms made up like a typical cell in 1963, when it closed. Thye were so small. Inmates had to be in them for 16-23 hours per day. Everything they did there was a priviledge, and it had to be earned. I can't imagine.


Shaun and I in NYC. We had so much fun. My parents came to visit for 6 days, so we took them to all the toursity (is that a word?) spots.

Me and My Dad in DC

Me an Mom in front of the White house. (Actually, I think this is the back)

Me and my parents at a small bar/cafe for lunch in NY

I love M&M's, enough said...

Tagged!!!

I got tagged by Mara. Mostly because I haven't been posting, but I am sure partly because I am so cool. So, here it Mara...
10 useless facts about me, and 5 people to tag to do it too!!

#1: I sing along to just about every song, even if I have never heard it before. Oh, and I suck at singing. I might literally be the world's worst singer, but I don't care. I love to do it!!

#2: I am a chocaholic. Although many might know that, it seems to take control of my life. I get headaches ( I think anyhow) if I don't eat chocolate. Dark chocolate Dove promises are my FAVORITE!!

#3: I collect pigs. I have since I was in the 6th grade. However, I had to throw some out (even after just receiving them) because I had way too many. I don't collect as much anymore, but I still love pig things!!

#4: I love the CW. I watch almost all their shows. However, getting frustrated because they keep cancelling all the shows I love to watch. Currently watching Smallville as we speak!

#5: I go to the Wal-mart at least 4-5 times per week. Seems there is always something there that I need/want. For a while, we couldn't walk in the store without spending at least $25. I swear, I am responsible for most of their revenue. Hehe :)

#6: I have been so busy lately, I haven't been able to post. I swear, it wasn't because I was just lazy. I have been working a lot. Mostly so I could go to California to visit Mara, and then because my parents came to visit me for a week. I will highlight those stories soon.

#7: I check my email about 10 times per day. Is that too much?

#8: I am sitting here in my underwear. That is the glory of the internet. I can surf the web, buy things, and chat with people, all in my pj's or underwear. How cool is that?

#9: I am NOT a morning person. I hate getting up. It doesn't matter is it's at 5 am or 11 am, getting up just stinks. Of course, once I am up, I am fine. If I could go from completely asleep to awake for two hours, and skip the in between, life would be good...I think. Letely I have been getting up at 7 or 8 am, but morning routine is usually lazy time. Get up, go to couch, watch tv, take nap. That is, if I am not working. Grrr, work.

#10: I love what I do, I am a nurse...BUT....I hate working. I am sure most are that way. I work 12 hour shifts, and I hate it. By the time I leave to the time I get home, I am usually gone for close to 14 hours. That makes for a LONG day.

Okay, so not as good as I had hoped, but I hope you have enjoyed the weird, random facts.
5 people to tag...
Brandi, Natalie, Becky, Rachel, and Zoe

Have fun ladies. I would have picked Jeffrey too, but Mara already tagged him.

Life

Crazy how life gets in the way of posting, huh? I seem to have time to read other people's blogs, but never seem to have time to post something. Of course, of the half dozen or so blogs that I do keep up on, it appears I am not the only one lately who have been slacking on the posts. So, I don't feel so bad.
Updates: 7 months to go till the wedding, and Shaun and I have been together for 7 months now, all on October 3rd. Crazy how that worked out. We are having fun planning, but really enjoying the engagement part. We still have so much to do, but we are acclomplishing goals month to month. We have picked out the dresses for the attendants, and we are getting the save-the-dates out, slowly but surely. We have picked a photographer, but they are pretty spendy. Why is it that people charge so much for pictures? I know the answer to that, but still doesn't help my pocket book, or my parents pocket book. Hehe :)
Other stuff going on....nothing. I am trying to work as much as I can. I got an extra job, so I can work extra days a week. My last contract allowed me to work extra to get some overtime, but this contract doesn't. So, in order to get extra money, I got another job. I work for a company that fills in where needed, and I get to go to all the other hospitals in the area. I really like being able to do that, because then I get to see what the other area hospitals are like. To see if I want to join their team eventually. I can't keep "traveling" forever, and since we know we will be here for a few years, then I want to start finding a place that I would be happy working at. So far, most of the hospitals I like. That is good. Of course, I have only worked a few shifts, so I am hoping to get more. I can really only work one shift a week, two if the timing is right. 12 hour shifts really make you tired.
Weight loss: I am still trying, but it seems to be very difficult. I wasn't losing much weight with weight watchers, so I stopped paying. I am still eating healthy and making much better choices, but I don't want to keep paying to not lose. My goal is still 30 lbs by wedding time. So far, I have lost 5 lbs. It's a start!
I just can't think of anything else.

I'm it!!

Natalie tagged me, so I have to use the letters of my name to things that are important about me.
Here are the rules:
Players- you must list one fact, word or tidbit that is somehow relevant to you life for each letter of your first or middle name.When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your name facts etc. At the end of your blog-post you need to choose one person for each number of letters in your name. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Here goes nothing:

K is for Kennewick. I graduated from Kennewick high school is 1997. I missed my high school reunion which was in August because I am in MD, and it is too expensive to fly home that often.

A is for Arts. I was in music growing up. I played the clarinet. I was involved in Marching band (and yes I have many band camp stories), Symphony orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. I loved it. Sometimes I still wish I played, but I am not sure if I still can.

T is for three. I am getting married on May 3, 2008. I can't wait. I feel like it is taking forever, but yet I still have so much to do.

H is for Hospital. I work in hospitals. I love my job. I currently get to go to many hospitals and see what happens at many different places.

L is for Love. I am in love with the most wonderful man alive. He is everything I have ever wanted and then some. He treats me like a queen, and I am so blessed to have him.

E is for evening. We have been trying to take evening walks a few times a week. Walking is a start to my weight loss journey. So far I have lost 5 lbs, but my goal is 30 before the wedding.

E is for email. Seems to be the way I stay in touch with most of my family and friends lately. I wish I could just run over to someone's house like I used to do when we were younger. Crazy how relationships change as you age. Wasn't it great to be kids?

N is for nurse. I am a nurse. I have always wanted to be a nurse, even before I can remember. I feel blessed that I never had to pick a career, it was always chosen for me. I love doing what I do, and how amazing it is to go to work, do what you love and love what you are good at.

Okay, so I need to tag 8 people, since there are 8 letters in my name. I will tag Mara, Brandi, Lacey, Tasha, Rachel, and Zoe. I know that isn't 8, but I don't know that many bloggers. I like to keep tabs on all my blog friends, and if I have too many, it is nearly impossible. Which means those of you that I do keep tabs on...you are special!! Have fun with it!!

Alright...

So, the consensus appears to be between two pictures. Many have stated that you like 8/31st pose. Well, good that you picked that one, since it is the one we used on our webpage. We used a variation of pose #1 for our save-the-dates. Unfortunately, we could not wait for the voting because we needed to get those in production, so we can get them sent out before the end of this month.
We just can't decide what pose to order for our wall/frames. Our personal favorite, it pose #1. We love the way the light hits our heads and we both have a great face on. :) But, we love so many, that we just wanted to hear what everyone else thought and saw. Maybe something we didn't see. Thank you for your votes. Voting will continue for a few more days, but I think we have a clear winner already!
As for other things. Work is going great. I love my new job so far. Everyone has been very welcoming. We love this area and are trying to figure out what we will do while I am not working. The whole your company pay for your rent, only seems to work, when you are actually working. This contract ends Thanksgiving weekend, and I want to take Christmas off, so that means I won't be working for a month. I fly home Dec 11th and come back Dec 27th. I get about 2 1/2 weeks off, and Shaun will be with me for a week of that. Yeah. I am so excited to be off for Christmas!! We are spending Thanksgiving at his Dad's place in New York this year.
Weight Watcher update: I lost 0.6 lbs this week for a total of 4.6 so far. I was a bit dissapointed since I did so well this week. I talked with the leaders, and they feel I wasn't eating enough. I had been below my points requirement, so this week I am trying really hard to eat more points. However, I feel like they have me eating too many points, so I am eating more than I was, but still less than I should. They agreed that is best! I will see how this week goes, and update you all later! I hope for at least 1lb loss each week. Wedding is 33 weeks away, and I want to lose 30 lbs total.
P.S. I thought I would just slip a few more of the pics he took of us.

Vote for your favorite Engagement Pose

#1

#2

#3

#4

A few

There were so many to chose from, but we have about 30 favs out of the 200 or so he took. These were some that he took, that weren't our top fav that we had him crop, and touch up. However, Shaun played with them a little, and wow, they look great now!!
More to come, of course. Maybe when the time comes to see them all, we will post three of our favorites, that you all can vote on to help us decide which one to use for our save-the-dates. Maybe I can get Jeffrey to help me with a posting a poll. What do you think Jeffrey, can you help me?

So, we had our engagement sitting with our photographer. We had so much fun. We got about 200 photos taken, and at lots of various places. Our photographer was great. He is very nice, willing to take pictures of whatever we wanted. Very pleasant. At the end of the evening, he sent us a picture of one of them. We are supposed to have the rest of them today. I can't wait to see how they turned out!! I, of course, will post a few of them here when we chose some of our favorites!

WW Week #2

So, I weighed in today at Weight Watchers. I only lost 0.8 lbs, but I expected it. Of course, week 1 I can't expect to be perfect. I am gonna try extra hard this week, and try to get moving some. I bought a pedometer, so I can join in on the pedometer challenge at the group. I tend to get lots of steps at work, but I want to try hard and get more steps. Maybe, if I keep getting out there, I will start running again. That would be nice. My weight loss goal, and I am going to share it with everyone, so I stick with it...is 30 lbs. I will try to post weekly my progress for the week and overall progress.
Other important things going on. Well, today we are posing for our engagement photos. Yippee! Also, this weekend, we booked our honeymoon. How cool is that?? We are taking a Mediterranean Cruise, 7 nights. I am so excited about that. I will be applying for my passport this week, too. Super exciting. I have never had a passport before.
What else is new? Umm, oh we registered for gifts for the wedding. That was super fun. We had a blast looking at all the gadgets and gizmos, and planning what our house could potentially be like, if we got everything on the registry.
This week for wedding planning, my goal is to start researching photographers, and get an officiant. Those are some major ones, so I have lots to do this week.
Loving the new place, and the new job so far. I have worked a total of 4 shifts so far, and I like it. The people are really nice. I am really looking forward to this assignment. I have been good all week too, I brought my lunch each day. Of course, that reminds me...I need to go grocery shopping, again.
Okay, this post has turned into a to-do list. Sorry about that. Stay tuned for more updates.

Move and then some

So, we are all moved into our new apartment. I started my new job yesterday. We love it here. The area is wonderful, beautiful, and clean. The new job...we'll have to see, but so far so good. Everyone was really nice, and it is alot like Tuality (my old job in Portland), so I feel at home.
We don't have internet yet. Hopefully the cable guy will come today. I am getting a wireless signal from someone, in order to access the internet. I was thinking just keep using the free wireless signal, until we can't anymore, then getting our own. It is a strong signal, and there was only a period of about an hour, that I couldn't seem to get any signal. I think that is a great idea, don't you?
I also decided to join Weight Watchers. I had lost about 40 lbs total last year, but have seemed to gain about 15-20 of those back. I don't EVER want to get back to where I was at the beginning of last year. Way too big for me. So, I joined and weighed in on Monday. Shaun is doing it with me, but from home. I pay and go weigh in, he just weighs in here. I tried to change my gym membership, so I could go to any gym, but they want $300 down and increase to $50/month. I can understand the $50/mo, but not the additional 300. So, I will just use the gym here, and the beautiful outdoors. Which is ok, since I really hate gyms anyhow.
I signed up for Half marathon about 3 months ago. It is coming up Sept 9th. I have decided not to run it, since I haven't ran in almost a year, but Shaun said he would walk it with me. I think we can handle a 13 mile walk, once. Hehehe. I haven''t decided for sure.
Hmmm, not much else going on. Still trying to unpack a few odd things. Trying to find a home for them. I don't get the same furniture, so things fit differently. Plus, we have way more stuff than if I was traveling alone, and planning to move every three months. I know I will be here longer, and Shaun has all his stuff, so it is a pain to move. We are really hoping we can just stay here for the remainder of the time.
I don't have any pictures of the place, but it is nice. Oh speaking of pictures, we have arranged to take professional engagement pictures next week sometime. We are really excited about that. Hopefully they will be good, and we can send them out with our save-the-date cards!
As soon as we get our internet decided upon, I will post more again.

Upcoming Move

We are scheduled to move to the Baltimore area on Saturday. It is really weird though, because we don't get our new address until tomorrow afternoon. It is strange knowing we are moving in less than one week and not know where we are going.

Started packing things up. It is pretty easy to move to a new place when we don't have to deal with furniture. I have a bookcase that we got, but other than that, just clothes, some pictures, computers, and a few kitchen items. Hardly anything at all. But, since I don't have my SUV anymore, Shaun's Dad said he would come to help us.

I start my new contact at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore on Monday. I am really excited to be moving, and starting at a new hospital. It is fun to start new jobs, learn new things, meet new people. Hopefully we live in a community, where there are some other couples close to our age. That will be nice.

Only three more days in Hagerstown. I did pick up an extra shift today. But, after today, only 3 more left. I am so happy to finally be done with this place. I haven't been happy at this hospital for a long time. I just don't like the way things are run. I know there is good and bad at every place, but when the bad over takes all the good, it doesn't make for a good work environment. Here's to good over evil at the next place!!

I am home from Washington. I had a blast. I got lots of wedding details started. I gave each of my bridesmaids a job, and we found a place!! We are getting married at Promise Gardens in Pasco. It is beautiful!! I can't wait.
I also got my dress, but because Shaun has access to my blog, I can't post a pic. Besides, I want it to be a surprise for everyone else too!!
Lots of details of course still needing to be completed. We talked with a caterer, and I have to look at websites of various photographers, so we can narrow down one. We wanted to get recommendations from people in the Tri-Cities, people who have hired photographers, that way we know we get a good one. Too many of my family and friends were not pleased with their photographer, and they didn't get the pictures that they wanted.
Umm, what else...hmmm. Let's see. I have gotten great ideas from so many people, but if you have a great idea that you want to share, I am willing to listen. That is how great weddings come together...take many ideas, and make them work with my wedding. So far our theme is Springtime butterflies. Colors are pink and green. It is an outside, afternoon wedding. Let the ideas flow...

Lightning Storm

Tonight was an awesome thunder and lightning storm. It sounds and feels like it is right over us. It is so loud, and bright. The lights have gone off twice, but came back on right away. It doesn't seem like its going anywhere quickly...it seems to be over us for about 15-20 minutes now! It is raining like crazy out there. In just about 10 minutes of the rain, it looks flooded in areas. Of course, this area has been SO dry lately, its hard to soak in, I guess.
I can feel the thunder in my chest, that's how loud it is! Crazy. I wanted to sit on the porch/deck and watch it, but it is raining too hard, and it's soaked. We just stood with the door open for a while. It is really neat!!

Engagement Pictures

We had some fun taking our engagement pictures. We decided just to do them ourselves. No point in paying a photographer to do what we can do. Well, yeah, they would do a better job, and get way more pictures than us, and could get things that we can't get, but hey...way cheaper!! :)
Here is our favorite, along with some fun shots!

New Car!

We decided that since I kept having problem after problem with my car, that it was time for a new one. On Friday, I went out to my car to go to work, and it wouldn't start. It hissed at me. It was really weird. Last weekend, fuses kept blowing. A few weeks before my drivers side window broke off its track (that was my fault, but still), and the passenger side window doesn't always go up when you push the button. So, instead of dumping more money into it...I decided just to say good bye. I owed more than it was worth, so it was quite a struggle dealing with these car people. However, I finally found someone willing to work with me.
I found this cute car. Its a Mazda 3, 2007. In the used lot, but only with 66 miles on it. Sweet! There is a funny story as to why its in the used lot...but I won't share that. We drove it off the lot tonight, and I am so happy with it. I love it! I will post pictures of me in my new car soon, but here is the internet search photo. It looks about exactly the same but tinting isn't as dark. Ours is white, but a sparkly white. I have never named a car before, but I felt this one needed a name. So...we (by we, I mean, me) named her Pearl!

Okay....ok....

Settle down.

Here is your new post.

The reason I have been off for a while is I worked nights, then after two night shifts, we left straight away for NY Friday morning. Shaun's Dad and sister each had birthdays this weekend.

It was a great weekend, we had a ton of fun, and lots of leisure/rest time. Of course, it is a 6 hour drive from here, so I tried to sleep in the backseat (after working 12 hrs), but it was hard, and I didn't sleep terribly well. At least I got a doze or two.

We went out to dinner, played some games, made dinner and baked a cake for them. We went to church on Sunday, then relaxed. On Monday we drove to meet his 93 year old Grandmother. She is super cute. Then headed off to see his old college and old college roommate. His name is Jason, and he seems pretty cool. Went to dinner with him, and we just got back.

Of course, the first thing I did was post. That way you could get an update immediately! (That's for you Jeffrey!)

Oh...I got a new assignment. I will be working just outside Baltimore. We will find an apt half way between, so neither of us has a long commute. Both about 30-40 minutes. Better than an hour or more. That will start about middle of August.

I love quizzes..

Your Relationship Will Last... A Long Time!

Your guy is ideal, as close to Mr. Perfect as he could be If you took this quiz, you may be doubting that... Don't! No guy is perfect but yours comes really close You guys will last for many years, as long as you appreciate him!

How Long Will Your Relationship With Your Guy Last?

Your Love Life is Like Casablanca

"Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time." For you, love is never finished. If you've loved someone once, you'll always love them. You're an old fashioned romantic... even if your relationships don't end up as romantic as you'd like. Your love style: Traditional and understated Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Complicated and ambiguous

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

You Are Very Happy

Your life is totally together, and you enjoy every day. And you don't need a quiz to tell you that! You know how to find pleasure in the little things... And even when life isn't so great, you have a good sense of perspective.

How Happy Are You, Really?

Your Emoticon Is Smiling

Right now, you're feeling cheerful and content - without a care in the world.

What Emoticon Best Represents You Right Now?

Your Depression Level: 0%

You aren't depressed, and you probably already knew that. Like everyone else, you have ups and downs. But unlike most people, you've mastered keeping your mood stable.

Are You Depressed?

You Are a Good Student of Men

You're pretty good at knowing what men are thinking But you're not dead on 100% of the time Let your guy off the hook sometimes... because you may be reading him all wrong!

How Well Do You Understand Men?

You're an Passionate Kisser

For you, kissing is all about following your urges If someone's hot, you'll go in for the kiss - end of story You can keep any relationship hot with your steamy kisses A total spark plug - your kisses are bound to get you in trouble

What Kind of Kisser Are You?