what i learned on my honeymoon...........

Blake and I went to Riu in Ochos Rios, Jamaica. It was beautimus, and the people were beyond nice. We still had fun, even though it wasn't what we thought our honeymoon would be like--and that brings me to the first thing-- this was us on our first day in Jamaica----and basically blake's last.

Always listen to your wife, she is ALWAYS right. Before the wedding, i kept telling Blake to go tanning. Did he listen? NO!

and this is what happened........well, sorry for the crappy sideways pics but his whole body was completely fried after our first day there! He had such a bad sunburn, and was in so much pain, and eventually developed nasty blisters, we finally made a trip to the 'doctor.' well, we go inside, and there indeed is no doctor, but a nurse. We could give them our credit card and a doctor could be called....yes....anyway, the nurse tells him it's bad, and to stay out of the sun. Great. It's our HM we are in paradise, and he can't enjoy it. So, moral of the story is listen to your wife. And don't go to Jamaican docs.

Since Blake couldn't make it to the beach, I went out by myself, I brought the beach to him. (sorry for sideways pic again, i have no idea how to fix it right now....)

I won a bottle of rum by tossing a ring onto it, and oddly enough i was given a coconut too....i can now say that i have drank out of a coconut. sweet.

Notice, how excited he looks, and how he is burnt in an odd way. I think he might have spelt out something with his burn.........

When you ask other people to take a picture of you, random people, make sure you tell them how to work the camera........otherwise you get pics like this because they had the camera backwards.

Jamaican breakfast is awesome....they had crepes--yum, but my three favorites were right here. Fresh mango's, and fried crap (doughnuts, and hash browns...there's fruit so it's healthy)

Here goes the damn sideways pics again, but i need this machine. Anyone know where i can get me one? They make coffee, but the best part is that it makes this mocha thing that is like the bestest thing in the world.

See....even blake agrees!!

In Jamaica, everything is in English---the people that live there are extremely nice. They definitely are more laid back and have the 'no problem' attitude. I bought this and had to give it to blake. it was too cute!

Now, the next lesson is one that we learned on the way back to the airport, we can thank our bus driver for this one. Avoid riding in buses/cars/taxis that Jamaicans drive bc i thought we were going to die! He was driving a bus with about 20 people on it and not only was he on his cell phone, but he also was fooling with this thing, while driving probably 80+..........no wonder we almost got into an accident. (Seriously, he slammed on his breaks and we all screamed, and luggage went flying. He felt the need to report the car in front of him to the police. Apparently, it is legal to drive like a maniac)

So you ask, what movie was so important he had to watch while driving around scared Americans? well, lucky for us, it was more for his listening pleasure than his viewing pleasure.....it was R&B's greatest slow jams. Yes, you heard me right.

Now, this might be a weird coincidence but this was plastered inside of the bus. what do you think of when you think of Bob Marley?

Speaking of illegal things..........

Apparently, this is where you go if you need to purchase them..........

Food cooked on the beach in a giant pan is really really good..... here he is making Paella. Seafood, and rice.

This one has no real lesson other than don't drink and dress up (this hat has a great story behind it and was a part of our best man's awesome speech), maybe ill share it later.....

This salad was scrumptious.....no lesson learned but it was good

Jiggy coffee is not a kind of coffee, well, it kind of it. it's coffee with rum in it--that's why it makes you feel so silly.......

So, your sunburned, its your last day, and you try to make it outside to enjoy your honeymoon. And you wear this shirt........not only is it nice and dark, but it says "Stand back, I don't know how big this thing gets." Makes great jokes for the Jamaicans!

Jamaica really is beautiful........and i found a spot for my new home....

\

Who wants to go with me???

Lastly, one of the most important things i learned, well, it speaks for itself

All in all, it was a blast despite Blake's 'issues', and we got a chance to act like honeymooners. I stole a kiss from Blake while he ha food in his mouth, apparently the janitor thought it was interesting........

Going home sucks........................

It really is like they say.....

I will have to say, that it is true what they all say, it really was the best day of my life. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and all of my vendors rocked! The Brower's and Meghan went over and beyond....and left looking exhausted (even on Michael's b-day)!!! The ceremony was perfect---i laughed so hard and i choked back tears--i kept telling myself no crying, your falsies (my fake eyelashes) will fall off..... My mom cried like a baby, and somehow i kept it together, even after seeing blake choking back the tears. I was just soooo happy! I was so excited to walk down that freaking aisle...i couldn't hardly wait. It was then that i was like, hmmmm now would have been the time to have a smaller wedding party....lol.

It's funny because i swore that i was going to be a nervous wreck, but somehow i was cool as a cucumber. My flowers were just as i'd imagined, and reception was perfect! Time flew by so fast, even with four hours in between the ceremony and reception we still were running short on time (then again, we got chased out of an abandoned wharehouse by a homeless person and then our trolley barely made it to the reception.......) It definetly makes for a good story and good memories.

We just got back from our honeymoon in the fab Riu Ocho Rios. I will have to go into a whole other post about that.....it was a blast though!!!

I am a wife! I am still getting used to the idea that
a) I am married
b) that im a wife
c) that i dont have to plan anymore......

It's bittersweet...i am so excited that the planning is over, but it's kinda sad. I just want to wear my dress again......hmmmmmmmmm.

here is a sneak peek of some pics. I will post reviews later!

toodles for now!

I am a rollercoaster of emotions....

I am getting married....THIS WEEK! I can't believe it! I seriously cannot believe how time flew. I am happy, excited, nervous, and just plain giddy all at the same time! It's bittersweet because i will miss all the wedding stuff.

I just know that our ceremony is going to be so emotional. Blake admitted to me finally (this is after a year and a half of him swearing up and down that he wouldn't) that he is worried about being able to contain his emotions. He told me that he got teary eyed when we were listening to the organist play! It's why i love him. All of you that know Blake, never doubted in your mind that he wasn't NOT going to cry, but he finally admitted it, and i think it's adorable. I just know that if i see him crying, I will loose it. Hopefully, not enough to loose my falsies (eyelashes that is) LOL!
OH! The limo company called to tell me that our limo bus broke! Yep! BUT---and i say this with utter excitement they are replacing it with this:

Well, not that exact one but you get the idea! I am stoked! We didn't get one before because i was trying to save us money and be cheap, so i am more than happy!

And i spoke with my florist, Rich West, who assured me that my peonies are fine and ready for my bouquet. (He warned me when i booked him that there was a chance that they might not be ready since it happened last year!) I highly recommend him to any brides-to-be!

By the way, please pray for me for NO RAIN. The forecast is very iffy right now. All i want is no rain from 3-7. Please. It can start at 7 or 730 but please don't rain. PLEASE! This is what weather.com says, let's pray it's right. Tomorrow i can get a five-day forcast but who knows, St. Louis weather is nutso!

FriMay 2
Scattered T-Storms
66°56°
50%

66°F
SatMay 3
Mostly Sunny
62°45°
20%

62°F
SunMay 4
Mostly Sunny
69°48°
20%

69°F

With all that has happened to me the last month, I am just so damn excited to walk down that aisle. I might just run....just kidding! I'm not really all that nervous, more excited more than anything! SO FREAKING Excited!

I love my blakey, and soon we are going to be married! WOW! It really is surrel! Next time I post, I will be a married woman!!!!!!

There is a black cloud over me.....

When things get bad, they get worse, huh? I was driving to work this morning, down 270 like i do every morning. Suddenly, i see the truck behind me struggle to stop, and i knew it, i just knew he was going to him me. He did, but what i didn't expect was the second impact---by another car which was 1,000 times harder than the first.

So, it's 18 days before my wedding, and not only do i have hives but now i have whiplash. Both other cars were totalled, and one passenger in the last car had to be taken to the hospital. I luckily drove away. My neck was already starting to hurt, but i knew i had them take me in the ambulance it would be more trouble (and they'd take me to the worst hospital in stl)

The funny thing, and i am glad i am laughing about it (it could be the drugs...lol) but the paramedic who was looking at my neck asked me how old i was. I said, 26! no, wait, 28, i mean 29! Then, he goes, OK...then what day is it? Wednesday. (It's freaking Tuesday!!!) I am lucky they didn't take me away right then and there. Geez. Where did 26 come from? I just turned 29 in March!

Anyway, so i got to work, still ompletely shaken up, and out of it, my white shirt covered in coffee. My supervisor and everyone else basically made me go to the hospital. I have to tell you, that i actually had a great experience in an ER! I know....crazy. They took me right away, and x-rayed me neck and back. They were able to discharge me, and i was sent home! It was great!

This was the worst accident i've ever been in and it really got me shook up. I am thankful that i am okay, and while i might suffer for a few days, everyone was okay! I am getting married, and so excited for that. SO---what can i do...maybe walk around with a few hundred good luck charms, light a candle at church, or donate some money to poor, disadvantaged, crippled kids. I must need to do something, i need some good karma.

Timing is everything......

I swear, I need some good karma. A few weeks ago i started getting itchy. Then it went away and i didn't think much of it. Until, last Monday, it came back with a vengeance. I felt like utter crap since then. I finally got into my allergist on Friday--it's hives! I must be allergic to something, and we haven 't figured it out yet. I need to get some tests run but i am getting married in less than two weeks. SO--he puts me on steroid to knock out the hives. Not working so much.

SO, back to the whole "I AM GETTING MARRIED IN 19 DAYS" thing. Not only does this medicine suck, but it puffs you up. UM--don't people understand i have a dress to fit into?

#2: Blake is at home sick right now with the stomach flu. Awesome--again, bc this medicine lowers your immune system. Just great. I'm not already up to my next in work and wedding crap (not to mention the 9 papers i have due before then)

AND the worst thing about this (well, part of it) is that EVERYONE is saying that its caused by stress. My dr. specifically told me that it is not. It's an allergic reaction. If one more person (and i 've counted today--8 ppl have told me this) i might punch them in the freaking face.

I just have to bitch, moan, and complain because that is all i can do. Any tips on staying healthy?
Other than putting Blake or myself in a bubble. LOL, i did tell him earlier that i needed him to spray the bedroom and himself with Lysol every hour. He didn't like that very much........

I just need some good vibes!!!!!

An open letter......

Dear guests;

Hey, so i spent $1 to mail you an invitation, and even put a stamp on the response card for you. How come you still cannot manage to mail it back? Seriously, is licking the envelope too hard?

Wait? what? You want to know where the wedding is? hmmmmm....well, how about reading the freaking invitation I sent you? If you happen to read it you'd find there is a ton of great information.......



To random people in my life;
Of course i am getting excited.
Yes, i have lots of things on my mind and to do. Stop reminding me!
No, i am not ready yet!
I'd like to think my dress is pretty damn cool. If you want to know what it looks like, well, mail back the response card and come to the damn wedding.
If you didn't get an invite, you probably are not invited to the wedding.

To the groomsmen who have no idea what is going on;
I have told you several million times when the rehearsal is. I will not tell you again
No, you cannot bring a random girl to my wedding.

To my mom,
No, your dress does not make you look fat. Wear it and like it!
No, you cannot invite all your friends to the wedding--unless you'd like to pay for them.
Your stressed? I'm going to pretend it didn't hear that.

To my dear fiancee,
i love you. of course i do, but no, my grandma doesn't like rap.
No, we need more music selections than rap and 80's hair bands.
No, our wedding party is not dancing to 50 cent,


Dear french fries, brownies, and everything yummy,
why must you taste so good. Don't you know that i have a dress to fit into soon? Seriously, just give me one month!

Thanks and leave me alone,
Amy

I wish i could be that blunt all the time, because damn that sure does feel pretty darn good! Anyone else want to sound off?

Since i can't sleep......

I had my first shower March 8th at Villa Antonia Winery in Hillsboro, Missouri. It was a blast! I love my MOH/Future-Sis-In-law for setting it up for me! The wine was amazing! Now, I have to warn you, there was a lot of wine involved (which i still felt the after effects days later....)

Here a closeup of my darling cake!

The monogram matches my invites!
Some of the girls:

Me likey Crate and Barrel:

And me being Vanna:

Then, last weekend I had my hair and makeup trial with Danielle Erb and my Bachelorette party! I definetly felt that the next day!

Before Sake Bomb......

Some of us at the Drunken Fish. Let me warn you fellow brides-to-be....their motto for us is that before you walk down the aisle, you must stumble out of there! I was definetly close......

















Our pimp limo....ha!










My momma...i think she had fun! She is almost 50! Doesn't she look good?



All in all, it was a blast! I love my girls for planning this...especially my MOH! Thanks sis!
My last fitting is tomorrow! WOwZa!

Monday Tidbits

I've been MIA from here for a while! I am trying to keep my head above water!

• Blake started his new job today! WoOT! He was really nervous but excited! I hope it goes well for him! (and i can't wait for the paychecks to start rolling back in! lol)
• The wedding is in 33 days. Yikes! I have had a shower, and a bachelorette party in the time since i haven't posted. I will have to post pics ASAP! Ooooh, and i have a shower this weekend!
• I have become very crabby person lately. I don't know if it's the wedding, school, work or everything. I have stopped putting up with people's bs! We are grown-ups (though i hate to admit) so act like it!
• I want another doggy, but Blake stands firm on saying NO Way! We watched my mom's Yorkie for a week and i feel in love! I am going to steal him back and then hide him from Blake. lol
• Jamaica....here we come! We finally booked our honeymoon! We are going to Riu in Ocho Rios! I am more than ecstatic since we didn't think we'd be able to go on one. I cannot wait. I just requested off today for work and that was a wonderful feeling. No more planning and more more school. Just me, my new hubby and the ocean! I am also excited about the in-room liquor dispensers.
• Crap! I have two projects/papers due this weekend! I still need a PT to interview! Anyone know one?
• I miss the sun. Where did it go? Seriously, i thought i saw it the other day. Which makes me worry about PEONIES! i know weird, but my florist warned me that last year they died because of a late freeze and well, it's not warm yet!
• I am trying to figure out programs and for some reason they have me stressed. I could easily do simple, easy ones but no! My inner Martha says, "that is not acceptable." Stupid Martha!
• Work is definetly gone to the crapper. I have no motivation for anything work or school related. That probably isn't good. There should be some kind of form that you can fill out that excuses you from anything during the last few weeks to your wedding. Actually, better yet, we should be allowed to take a year off to plan it and get paid! It was a good thought......
• Congrats to my dear friend, Jaime! She found out today that she is having a girl! YAY!
• One last thing for today, seriously? How did time fly so fast? 33 days and i will be married. it seemed like yesterday the ring was just put on my finger. Now, i know why all you married gals said to enjoy it while it lasts, because it's gone before you know it! The past 14 months have taught me a lot about life and those in it. It really has and in a way i am happy for all that (even the negative stuff) It really has been a long journey, and there were some really hard times. I am so happy though that in a few weeks, it will be all worth it!

Ok, i'm it!

I was tagged a few times or so! I have been crazy busy so i will post my 7 things...and i am too lazy to tag anyone so if you read this.....YOUR IT!

1. My mom and I have the same birthday. I tell her that I don't owe her any presents because I gave her the best one of all.....am i lame or what? I bring this one up because my birthday was Thursday, and I am still reeling from the depressive fact that i am another year older. My 20's are almost over. That is not cool.

2. I almost died when i was 2 1/2. I was in a coma for a while...and i have a nice scar on my head to show for it. (oh and on my thigh too.) My mom was young when she had me (She just turned 49, and i turned 29) and didn't know about the whole kids can't have aspirin thing. I was sick with a fever on Halloween and later my eyes rolled back in my head. I developed Reyes Syndrome, and a lot of kids don't make it. Luckily, I'm still here today! :)

3. I hate clowns. Enough said. I can thank my grandma for this. Anyone seen Killer Clowns from Outer space? Hmmm...try watching it when you are 5!!!!! I am scarred for life.

4. I love magazines. Love. My obsession is kind of weird. Anything in a magazine form excites me. Catalogs. Anything. Actually, i just love getting mail period. Except bills. Those suck! :)

5. I am in grad school getting my masters and certification in Early Childhood Special Ed. I am so burnt out, and contemplate quitting but i hate not finishing things so ill finish just for that reason. I love my job now, and wonder why i went back in the first place. The sad thing is that before i went back to school, i actually missed it.

6. Speaking of missing things. I still miss college. I love my life here, and i love my friends here but there are times when i would love to go back for a few days or so. I miss my friends that I don't see the most. Email sometimes isn't enough. I have become a huge sentimental sap since leaving college, and i have come to terms with that part of me now. lol. Go tigers!

7. When i was little, I was a big tomboy. I loved to hang out with the boys and get dirty. While I don't mind getting dirty, I am girly girl throughout. I love anything girly--pink, lace, shoes, purses. I love it all. My wost obsession is jeans. I swear i have 6,000 pairs. Well, not really but i have a lot. Hopefully, my ass will get to the gym so that i can fit into them again, lol.

EEEK! Invites in already?!?

Holy moly, talk about fast! I ordered my invites last week, and tada--here already.....

I took a few pics but of course my pic taking skills are way below par, and my camera is craptastic.

Here is the front:

Now that i have these babies in hand, it is really starting to hit home how close it is getting. Most of me is happy, but a little bit of me will be sad when its all over! The funny thing is, what will I do with myself? I'm taking two classses this semester, and working full-time, and planning this wedding in my spare time. Well, when i take the summer off, and the wedding is over, what will i do with spare time? Hmmmm....i might need to take up a hobby. Maybe, just maybe ill have time to read a book, like for fun--NOT a textbook that i am forced to read and makes me want to gouge out my eyeballs. OR maybe i'll enjoy my new hubby for a while! sounds good to me!

Good times...bad times

I have seriously neglected posting lately! I hope to stay more on top of it, but the next few months have basically been planned out for me! I have 3 showers, my bachelorette party, and what seems like a millions papers due! I have had a lot going on the past month or so--life has had its share of good times and bad times lately.....and i think its allowed for blakey and i to grow as people, but also as a couple.

I will spare you all the long, drawn-out drama filled story, but Blake is now unemployed. I know that with the wedding about 2 1/2 months away that this couldn't be the worst time for this to happen. Somehow, I have remained calm, cool and collected. Somehow.

When someone is unemployed, there is a lot of stress, that is a given. While it is scary, since we now have a mortgage to pay, I really think that it is for the best. Blake is one the best people I know. He cares so much about those in his life, and would literally do anything for them. He deserves to be treated with respect, and most imporantly--be happy! this is all for the best! Ok, I am done now! :)

Blake has had a few inteviews already and we think that this whole thing is for the best! It's already so nice to have him home--and without his work phone constanlty ringing! I love it! We have been out to dinner more in the past week than we have in a loooong time!
The wedding plans have been rolling right along! I have accomplished a lot over the past few weeks! Most imporantly I ordered our invites, and they should be here any day now! I cannot wait to see the finished product. Here is the the style, but the colors will be different!



We picked out tuxes too! Blake demanded that he didn't care about the tuxes, and that they all looked the same, but later decided that oh, wait, he really did have an opinion! HA! He picked out a nice little number: black shadow stripe tux.

Ah.....the bridesmaid dresses came in! After a few months, and several bad dreams (in one of them the dresses came in and were hidious--pink, purple and green!!!) Here is a horrible pic of one! I love them! I ordered them through RK Bridal and I will have to say, they turned out great!

I also got my first invite to one of my showers! I am so excited! My MOH arranged for all of my friends to go to the winery in a few weeks! WHOOOO HOOO! I wuv me some wine!

Let the countdown begin!

Today marks.......



100 days....


Holy moly....I better get to planning! We still need to pick out tuxes, get gifts, figure out the ceremony, and 6 million other things!! It will be here before we know it!!!

Random goodies.....

I got these shoes right after Christmas, for a hell of a deal! They were normally 80+ (i can't remember the actual price right now...) they were marked down to 45, and Macy's had a 15% coupon thing going on for clearance items! They cost me $38 total! While this isn't the best picture, but you get the point. I am searching for some clips or a broach of some sorts to put on there. I was originally looking for the green version of these, but they were nowhere to be found. Luckily, a tip from a fellow STLwed'er led me to these! (Thanks Ellen!) My bridal gear is ALMOST complete.

I found a site of wedding-y things that i love! It's called shoplove.com! They have these awesome Ed Hardy flasks, and other Ed Hardy accessories. (I heart ed hardy!!!)

These are adorable for favors!!!

I need this adorable carry-on bag......but the cutest item on this site has to be the baby things. How cute are these shoes?

And every baby needs their very own party pants!

I'm baaaaack....

I have been MIA lately, I know! Life has gotten away from me. There has been a lot of craziness going on but things have finally settled down! I was stalking some of my favorite blogs lately, playing a little bit of catch up and I found this awesome give-away from Blue Orchid Designs.

I'm gonna enter.....are you?

This is from her blog:

2007 was an incredible year for Blue Orchid Designs and to say thank you, we are giving away a Wedding Day Coordination package to one lucky couple tying the knot in 2008! This is our biggest giveaway yet and I am SO excited about it!
So just what does Wedding Day Coordination include?

At Blue Orchid Designs it is so much more than just showing up on the day of your wedding. About six weeks prior to your wedding we'll have a phone consultation with you where we discuss your timeline and vendor contracts. We'll make note of anything you may have overlooked and advise you on how to tie up any loose ends. We'll create a vendor production schedule and timelines for everyone in your wedding party. We'll contact all your vendors to confirm arrival times and contracted services. We'll direct the rehearsal so that everyone is on the same page and your wedding flows smoothly. We'll oversee set up of your ceremony and reception and most importantly, we'll serve as the point of contact between you and your vendors so that you can relax, primp and soak in your day! Every bride deserves to enjoy her wedding day and we allow you the peace of mind to do just that!Because we specialize in destination weddings and love to travel, this giveaway is open to anyone in the United States, not just the cities we have associates in.

All you have to do to enter is send us an email and, in 300 words or less, tell us why you should win! You can nominate yourself or a friend and with engagement season upon us, I'm sure we all know plenty of people who have received rings these past few weeks. What better engagement gift to give them than a stress-free wedding day?I

'll post the top three entries here and then, lovely readers, that is where you come in because you'll get to decide the winning couple! Winners will be announced on Valentine's Day 2008.{what you win}*Wedding Day Coordination package from Blue Orchid Designs {a $2000 value}*Our travel expenses*15 minutes of blog fame (okay, just kidding on that one!){the official rules}*Limit one entry per couple

*Entries must be 300 words or less and include a photo of the couple.
Include the wedding date, location and any details about your wedding. This isn't a Hannah Montana contest, so please, no fake stories!
*Couple must not already have a wedding coordinator
*All entries must be emailed to info{at}blueorchidweddings.com with the subject line "Wedding Day Giveaway"
*Wedding date must take place in 2008 and is subject to our availability
*Entries must be received by midnight PST on January 31, 2008. The top three entries will be posted on this blog and then the readers will vote on the winner. Winners will be announced on Valentine's Day 2008!

2008 started with a bang....

of sorts. Blakey and I along with another couple went out to Remy's for good food, and good wine with some good friends. I had the yummiest food (crab cakes, hummus, lamb shank, and chocolate torte) Their feta mousse is to die for! Anyway, we had the kinda New Years that we were looking for this year!

I got some bad news the next morning though. My little brother was in a car accident. He had suffered head trauma, and they think he had a seizure. This is where we got worried. He started having seizures right around the time he entered high school. No one in our family has had anything like this so it was out of the ordinary and scary. In 2001, he had brain surgery to remove a teeny portion that was causing the seizures. He has one small one afterwards but none since.

He was working on Monday evening, delivering pizzas. We don't know the details of what happened and the police are investigating but he is doing well. He still is kinda out of it, and very banged and bruised but the important part is that he is okay.

While this is a very unfortuate thing that took place, I am beyond thankful he is okay! While i was leaving the hospital tonight, i had my own little accident. While it was just a little fender bender that caused no fenders to actually be harmed, it scared the crap out of me. These things happen in an instance, and so fast. Life is precious, and so are those in our lives!

I wanted to start out the new year on a positive note. My family and friends are so important to me, and I wanted to express my gratitude for having them in my life-safe, happy and healthy!

Here is to a safe, happy, and healthy 2008! (oh and wear your stinking seat belt! Please!)

2007....the best is yet to come!

I will have to say that this was a good year, and i think (well, i know!) that 2008 will be better.

What did 2007 bring?

• I started a new job, and kind of a new beginning. I had struggled with the choice to leave my previous job, and I finally decided to take the leap. I love my job, while i wish it paid better, I'm definitely content for now!
• We got engaged-Valentines Day! I have never cared for that stupid, hallmark holiday, which is why he proposed on that day! I kind of laugh sometimes when i think about it but now i will look forward to it each year! He is so funny-I posted a while back about his lack of ability to keep a surprise or gift for very long....he ALMOST woke me up at midnight the night before to give me the ring. He kept getting it out of the box, and staring at it. He's too cute!
• We bought our house! We could not be any happier about our choice, and one day when we are done with more updates i will post some pics! It will be a labor of love, but its our beginning!

Wow....2008 will be awesome! I am sure of that....mostly because we are getting married! I cannot wait, and i know as soon as Jan 1st rolls around, time will fly and the next four months will be here before we know it! EEEK!

This New Years Eve, we decided to go low key...very low key and i am excited. Good friends of ours and us will be heading to Remy's for a nice, relaxing meal before we celebrate the new year! The menu looks delicious! You can choose from 3-4 courses! Now, decisions, decisions, decisions.
First a la carte $10
Fritto Misto shrimp, calamari & bay scallops w/lemon mustard vinaigrette
Stuffed Grapevine Leaves "a house specialty" stuffed w/ground lamb & rice in tomato cumin sauce
Moroccan Seasoned Crab Cake w/horseradish-stone ground mustard tartar sauce
Crispy Gorgonzola & Apple Flat Bread w/walnuts & honey
Stracci Pasta w/mushrooms, asparagus & white truffle oil
Artichoke, Bacon & Bleu Cheese Fondue w/crispy flatbread
Spinach Cannelloni w/grilled chicken & four cheese filling
Second a la carte $8
Field Greens w/Kalamata olives, garbanzo beans & tomatoes w/house Gorgonzola red wine vinaigrette
Feta Mousse w/truffled roasted red peppers, capers & fresh spinach
Mediterranean Salad w/cucumber, tomato, Kalamata olives & feta cheese tossed w/fresh lemon & olive oil
Hummus "a house specialty" w/flat bread & feta cheese
Lobster Bisque
Third a la carte $22
Grilled Salmon w/Soy & Honey Glaze striped w/ginger scallion aioli
Champagne Poached Cod w/saffron rice, escarole & tarragon parsley butter
Seared Sea Scallops on Smoked Paprika Risotto w/green peas & manchego cheese
Pan Seared Chicken Breast w/fresh mozzarella & lemon butter chardonnay sauce served over broccollini
Bacon Wrapped Porkloin w/apricots & almonds served w/savory bread pudding & roasted winter vegetables
Braised Lamb Shank on Gorgonzola whipped potatoes w/lamb demi-glace
Grilled Beef Tenderloin w/triple bleu cheese butter & cabernet reduction
Vegetarian Entree Available Upon Request
Fourth a la carte $7
Chocolate Hazelnut Torte w/frangelico anglaise & praline crisp
Tiramisu layers of Sambuca soaked pound cake, pistachios, chocolate shavings & mascarpone mousse
Warm Apple & Golden Raisin Bread Pudding w/brandy hard sauce, "a Remy's classic"
Tahitian Vanilla Creme Brulee

I wish everyone a safe, and Happy New Year! I will see you all next year!!!

The holidays...a lil' ol recap

I hosted my first ever Christmas for family. I'll have to say, the little over achiever that i am did pretty darn well. Family was impressed, and the food was tasty! I made the best breakfast casserole involving all the fattiest things in the world! I found this recipe from Paula Deen and we know that woman knows how to cook, but she doesn't do it without a little butter, and fat! I served it without the syrup, but people did not miss it! This is like heaven in a pan! :)


1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces) Butter, for pan 8 large eggs 2 cups half-and-half 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Dash salt Praline Topping, recipe follows Raspberry Syrup, recipe follows
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry Syrup.
Praline Topping: 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread over bread as directed above.

I also made some assorted muffins, french bread for the homemade strawberry preserves that i made as well! If you love strawberries, this is seriously the best! A coworker made it and i knew i had to try to make it at home. It was soooo easy!

The holidays are always good times to spend with family but this year felt so rushed, and went by so fast. This was my last year as a single woman! I will spend my next christmas as a newlywed! YAY!

So they say....WHAT?

Blakey asked me the other day if we had ever got his personal property tax bill. I don't ever remember seeing one. He got the number and called about it. The woman on the phone explained why he hasn't received a bill-get this-

HE IS DECEASED!

He tells me this at work, while i am eating my yummy apple cinnamon zone bar which i ended up aspirating. He tells the woman, 'well, I'm not dead, I'm alive.' I mean, first of all, how does that happen? So, he'll be making a trip soon to prove that he indeed is not really dead after all. Good thing, i don't know how that would go over with marrying a dead guy! The bad part about all of this is that we will finally get our darn bill. Oh snap!

Martha, here we come?

Remember my Martha post? Well, guess what? I got tix to the show! I am in the process of talking blakey to take me to NYC for a few days. I mean, really, like a man is really going to care about seeing Martha. But, oh, my, gah. I will force him to go, if i have to drag him by his ears. Tehehe! The best part about all of this is that not only am i obsessed with Martha's crafty goodness, but I've never been to NYC. I told blakey that i think it would be good for us, a little pre-wedding-moon. Ha, we will see. Cross your fingers for me!::

I did find this interesting though:
SPECIAL AUDIENCE THEME: ENGAGED COUPLE’S SHOW! Recently engaged couples that need help with their wedding plans! Our Weddings Editor, Darcy Miller will be here to help!

What to wear: Please dress to impress. Everyone in the studio audience should be prepared to be photographed on camera.
Women: Dress to impress. Dressy and fun— a chic dress, dressy jeans, or trendy and fashionable outfits are suggested. Bright colors photograph best. Recommended: Dress shoes/heels. Men: Dress to impress. Polo- type shirts or a button- up shirt are best, with or without a blazer or jacket- it's your call. DO NOT WEAR: T-shirts, large printed logos on shirts or pants, white shirts, or wild prints. No hats, sleeveless tops, gym sneakers.

I guess I can't show up in my Budweiser t-shirt, and cheetah pants! Darn!

I saw this dress in the latest issue of Brides magazine. I love the color. If i didn't love my girl's dresses so much, i may have chose this one, and this color! There is something about it i just loooove!

Speaking of my girls dresses...they are ordered and are to arrive 2/12/08!

This is it...Watters and Watters 8464 but in this color: midori.

I'll be stalking my front door for a big package with 9 bm dreses in it! I haven't seen them in this color yet so i am excited to see them!

Random goodness

• I finally started back at the gym and even managed to get up at 5 this morning to go! Way to go, Amy! ::pats myself on the back:: Now, if i could just keep it up so that i can loose 25 pounds, then well, i'll be happy as a kid on christmas day.



• Speaking of Christmas....I have acomplished NO shopping this year as of today. OH, wait, Blakey did get me a gift online for the name i got in his fam this year. (this is our first year doing this...)



• Blakey is in no way good at keeping surprises. Every gift i've gotten from him has been before christmas, my birthday....well, guess what? I got my christmas present on Friday-even after he swore to me that he wouldn't do 'that' this year but golly gee....he had it and couldn't wait! I love it and even though we wern't supposed to be doing gifts this year, i am so excited about it! i have carried it everywhere-which has inspired my lazy arse to get to the gym!

It's the Sirius Stiletto, and I serioulsy love it! My sirius sat. radio in my car pooped out, so this was the perfect gift! You can acess WiFi so when the sat isn't available...and download songs since its also an mp3 player! Thanks babe!

• I hate winter. Hate. Detest. want to move to Florida -hate winter! Dry skin, cold air, snow, ice...it all plain sucks. Ok, that is my one and only complaint for this post!


• I have come to the conclusion several times in the past year that I am in the wrong damn business. While I love my job, and I get personal satisfaction out of it (being a social worker for kids with special needs---how can you not?) but geez, i am missing out on on some good cheese (not the edible kind...the green kind) I am kinda bitter about it, as a lot of ppl in other lines of work make more money. One of these days i will get over it but sometimes it ticks my buttons. Especially on the days when I have worked my butt off, and deal with an angry person. GRRRRR.....okay maybe there will be two complaints today!


• My dog is driving me nuts. (Didn't I say i would stop complaining?) She hates the cold, won't go outside and is eating food off the table. Now, this may be partly due to Blakeys maleness but seriously, he left a whole pizza on the kitchen table, still in the box. He woke up to find that there were 3 half eaten pieces left. Hmmmm....go figure!


• The wedding is about 4 1/2 months away. Wow. How the hell did it come so fast? I've almost been engaged for a year. I still have a crapload of crap to get done, better get my butt in gear.


• I like the song 'ready to fall' by Rise Against but at 7:48 in the morning it's a bit too much. That makes me feel old. Too old for loud music in the morning. Must need coffee.


• I have started listening to more pop-y music lately. That as well makes me old, but i'm loving Fiest, Five For Fighting, and Augustana right now. I'm still obsessed with Ben Harper though. At least, I am not listening to Michael Bolton. Which reminds me of the tidbit of that new reality show about the choirs. I could of watched it but they put HIM on the show.

I love this day.....

Remember my excitement over the gartermaker???? Well, I got home late today because I had a later meeting (jeez, why do i do that to myself on a Friday?) Anyway, I checked the mail, let the dog out, my routine bidness...ya know. ha. I had a package in the mail. A tiny package from a name who i already love....Shelli from Monde Design. This is what was inside....
The pic isn't high quality, but I love love love it! It was incredibly sweet and she wrote that she wanted me to have the first garter from the new gartermaker at Mondedesign. If you need anything monogrammed, or anything (hoodies, ring bearer pillows etc) go to her. She is good, sweet and very detail oriented! Ok, i will stop this ad for the new gartermaker! I am incredibly excited, and thankful!

Oh, and did i mention it matches my ring bearer pillow?

Thanks Shelli!!

Martha, Martha Martha

I want to go to a show. A Martha show. So, I saw a nice little post on WeddingBee, (whom has wonderful posts and i visit quite frequently) about how Martha is taking apps for engaged couples! So, I applied! Cross your fingers for Miss Amy B and her future Mr. B! I'd LOVE to go. I am doing so much DIY, so I need all the help I can get. Anyone else want to go with me? Apply here! Wish me luck! ::crossing fingers::

Speaking of Martha, my next TWO DIY's will be a product of the crafty queen. I'd post a pic right now, but my computer at work is acting like a demon has possessed it, so i will post them later. After making my card box, I am addicted to making things. I want to make everything and now that I am on winter break from Grad school, I can! My photo luminaries will be my next task, but like i said, my computer needs some holy water dumped on it to release it of it's demons. I'll post pics of it later!

I did it!

I bought my ring bearer pillow from Etsy a while back. I fell in love with it, and I've posted it here. I love it. I told Shelli (from MondeDesigns) that I love love love it...but I also told her that she should totally take over for the gartermaker. A week went by and she emailed me back, thanking me for letting her know and that her and the gartermaker hit it off. I didn't think much of it until a week or so later. She emailed me back to thank me again, and tell me that there is some exciting news in store. Time went by again, and i got this email:

Hey Amy--wanted you to be one of the first to know, since you started the whole thing!

Please follow this link:

http://www.thegartermaker.net/

WOW! I am so excited for her, but hey, I'll have to admit, kinda excited that I started it! :) I know that she will have much success because she is wonderful. She was very detailed and accommodating to the designs i wanted and helped me make it the way that I wanted! So, as of the first of the year, she will reopen! Check it out!!!

my fist DIY.....should it be my last? :)

This is a horrible pic because my camera sucks but you get the idea. The pink paper is a pink damask, and the middle tier is lime green big polka dots with a rim of pink tiny polka dots. The bows are light pink but look a big white in the pic!!

Ta-da! I think the bottom might be too neked so i might add some more later on!!!

ok, last one I swear....

A few days ago, I was getting ready to go to bed. I couldn't find Lily anywhere. Naturally, I started freaking out a bit but then i found her safe, sound, asleep and oh so cute...

She must have remembered this cozy place from when she was a baby.....that 2nd pic is my fav, I mean can you get any cuter?

hahahahaha......

Some pics that so needed posting......lol..from the Slumber Party I had a few weeks ago. Here is my mom and Aunt Robin with some embarrassing props!

Do any of you STLwed'ers recognize this face?

Santa looks HAWT...nikki modeling some lingerie! Ha, and innocent little Sandi!

Jaime..notice my sweet nativity set int he background and our cute stockings...but don't mind the bustier and undies in front of my neked Christmas tree!

Finally.....

I booked our transportation for the day of the wedding....i found this 29 passenger limo bus at Primo Limo Service for $132 an hour! It has perimeter seating, and i am tickled to death about the price! I am a bit sad becasue i wanted a trolley but i was going to cost at least $300 more! It's not as nice as one of those cool ones but it will do the job!!! I love checking things off my list!

All I want for Xmas is a...baby pig?

I got this in an email from Miss Staci today....I want one.....

In a zoo in California, a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately, due to complications in the pregnancy, the cubs were born prematurely and due to their tiny size, they died shortly after birth.
The mother tiger after recovering from the delivery, suddenly started to decline in health, although physically she was fine. The veterinarians felt that the loss of her litter had caused the tigress to fall into a depression. The doctors decided that if the tigress could surrogate another mother's cubs, perhaps she would improve. After checking with many other zoos across the country, the depressing news was that there were no tiger cubs of the right age to introduce to the mourning mother. The veterinarians decided to try something that had never been tried in a zoo environment. Sometimes a mother of one species will take on the care of a different species. The only orphans that could be found quickly, were a litter of weanling pigs. The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the piglets in tiger skin and placed the babies around the mother tiger. Would they become cubs or pork chops?
Take a look...you won't believe your eyes

and my favorite pic.......

Let them eat cake......

I am loving this right now as a caketopper. I want to try and make one myself. I guess I am feeing crafy or overly ambicouis, or like I really have time. Tomorrow is my last day of class, and I feel like I might have time to actually plan this wedding now. I did find out over the course of the past week that Prom's are being held the weekend of my wedding! That means I need to get my butt in gear in getting a Limo booked! So this, and my card box will be my tasks for my winter break!

Congrats Steph!

I just got a call, Steph just got engaged!!! Congratulations Stephanie! I am so excited for her! (and I like Adam way better than Matt) I had to post it! (and yes, procrastinating again..a nd no my paper is not done yet!) Stephanie and I went to MIZZOU together, and went through some crazy times together. We both endured the rath of Big Red, and many other lunatics we encountered! (Jesse's in my closet..lol) I have a feeling that the next year is going to be chuck full of weddings. (who's next guys?)

Congrats again, Steph!!!

Tiger pride! M-I-Z

Z-O-U!! Tigers!! Geez whiz, I sure am exited! Who doesn't know that MU is about to make history? I sure as hell do! Tiger pride is rampant everywhere. My mom even called yesterday to see if i had any Mizzou gear. Um, of course I do! I love tiger fans. Why? They are dedicated, they are enthusiastic and most importantly, they are well traveled. I found this snippet in the STL post.

''While an Oklahoma's trek to south Texas is barely half that of many Mizzou fans, the Tiger faithful are here in big numbers, having snapped up their school's 8,000 tickets in less than three hours, then turning to the Internet for more of the Alamodome's 65,000 seats. Steve Barker was a true-believer Tiger who booked his rooms shortly after Missouri thumped Colorado 55-10 in Boulder on Nov. 3."That's when I knew this team is the real thing," said Barker, of Odessa, Mo. "It is good enough to beat Oklahoma. For me, being here is the best feeling in the world. I almost don't know how to act."

I am proud to be an alum. My best memories happened in Columbia. I have a special place in my heart for Mizzou-something that people that didn't go there (like Blake) just don't understand. I haven't been to Columbia in too long. I miss a lot from there.

• Shakespeare's Pizza: i constantly dream about their pizza and am thinking about mail ordering some.
• Flat Branch, especially their Chokes' and Cheese....seriously the best!
• Our trailer park relay events (Staci, you may be one of the only ones that know about this one!)
• Sports events. During my stint in CoMO, i loved sports. Don't get me wrong, i still have a liking for some sports (i.e. Cardinals) but was never a fan like i was there.
• Oh, god, Shakeys. Frozen custard. that's all I've got to say!
• Campus: There is something about the campus that gives me chills-especially the columns. There is so much history, so many memories from years before our time.
• Les Bourgeois Winery. Ok, not really in Columbia but we visited that winery so many times. Wine, cheese and drunken college students. What more could you want? Except the odor lingering around the bathrooms. I don't miss that.
• Deja Vu Comedy Club. I never laughed so hard in my life. It was cheap too. Plus, as an added bonus there was a bar downstairs...it may have been a cheesy bar but it had cheap alcohol.
• Speaking of cheap alcohol.....i mean where else can you go any day of the week and find some kinds of cheap specials. .25 draws at Harpos, Big 12 (i know its legends but its always big 12 to me) What about bottomless cup nights at Field House? oh, the memories. and hangovers.
• You got the best of both worlds, it was a small town but it didn't feel that small. anywhere you had to go was no more than 5 minutes away. Traffic was like, nonexistent compared to the mess we call 270, 44, and 40.
• Southridge. It was home for many of us. We had impromptu block parties. We watched cars catch on fire (ok, just one), garage keg parties... It was Pimlico.
• My job there is a hard one not to miss. I worked at a preschool! It was tough most days an I usually complained daily about it, but it gets me all warm and fuzzy inside when i think about it. I learned a lot there and it makes me miss working directly with kids. I cannot believe Red Room kids are now like 7. just wow.
• This is going to be a cheesy one, but my dear sweet friends. We went through some times together..(Big Red, the Schizophrenic...need i say more?) I miss you guys!

Ok, i rambled enough. Come on Mizzou, lets beat OU!!