Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Goodnight Little Room



This is going to be a very quick post, but I wanted to write today because it is a significant day in my life… a bittersweet one. Tonight is my last night here in my parents house before I get married. I've never moved away from home in the 25 years I've been alive. I've lived with them my whole life. In fact, I've never been away for more than 3 weeks at a time (and three weeks only happened one summer visiting my best friend), so this is a big change and adjustment. For me, I wanted to keep it just like every other normal day. I'm not sure I would have been able to handle making a big deal out of it. So that is what we did… it was just like every other day. I leave tomorrow to start the wedding festivities. It is so crazy to think. Our car is packed, except for MY DRESS!! :) Wow, really!? Am I really a few days away from getting married?! You may hear from me once more before then, but if not, you'll hear from me in October when we are home from our honeymoon. So if I seem to be MIA, don't go anywhere. I WILL be back. Old posts will be caught up on, some of my DIY wedding projects will be revealed and if you are lucky, you may even get to see some wedding pics. ;) So please come back!!!


Friday, September 23, 2011

I'm Still Here

I haven't done much blogging at all lately. Basically, if it isn't wedding related, it doesn't get put on the list for my day. Our wedding is one week from tomorrow. At this time next week, I will be arriving at my hotel, coming home from our wonderful rehearsal dinner (that Mono's Mom and sister-in-law are working hard on!), getting ready for bed! I'll need my rest for the big day! I am so excited and I really wish I had more time to blog. I have a few things that I will eventually try to get posted that I wrote when I didn't have internet, so hopefully I will get around to that.

I just wanted to come on and tell you to please not give up on me... yet!! :)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Cold, Damp Days!

As strange as it may sound, I am really loving this cold, damp weather. It has made me ponder life in a place like Seattle… isn't it like this often there? Maybe this love is just because of a crazy long and intensely hot summer. Whatever the reason may be, I am loving wearing some cozy clothes and even my wellies a few days in a row! Fall, please be long and steady! Stay as loooonnngggggg as you'd like!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Caught A Bug!

I'm going to admit something here… Not sure that I want to, or if it is being too honest and open, but I am.

I've been stressed and struggling with things a lot more than normal lately.
With all sorts of issues.
Wedding related (which I will get to), personal issues, nothing important at all things as well. So weird. I've even seriously thought about closing down Ciao Marezy. I'm not happy with the route it is going. It seems more like a page for my random thoughts than anything going anywhere.

After all these struggles, tonight I feel like I caught a bug… A good bug!  Not like a spider, maybe more like a lightning bug. The creative light kicked on. Not sure how long it will last, but I hope it is here to stay for a long time.

I want to be creative… I want to clean out… and I want to go to sleep… Which will win? Probably sleep and creativity and cleaning out can be saved for tomorrow and Wednesday, along with appointments and last minute wedding tasks!

I cannot believe I am getting married in 19 days! Crazy but amazing!  Unfortunately due to some unfortunate and bizarre circumstances, I've had to postpone a lot of little DIY projects and fun things to get a bigger wedding issue under control. Now that that situation is under control - as best it can be, I have to get movin' on these other little things. I've only got 19 days people!

I want to get back to running. I soooo badly want to be able to run a half marathon, but I know right now, my lungs are not in the right shape… and probably not fully my legs either. Instead of killing myself to make my goal an unreachable amount right now, I am going to run 1 mile at a time. I would like to clear a spot in my garage to open the treadmill nicely and run each day for 1 mile until I can feel I can push it to 1.5, then 2 and so on. And eventually, I will run a half. Maybe not this year, maybe not even next, but I will someday… and I will be happy. For now, one mile at a time…

Tomorrow I have a lot to get done, but I am hoping if all goes well I can keep on track and allow some time for creativity and cleaning out.

For now, I'm going to get just a few things done and get to sleep.
Let's pray this creative bug stays. This tidy bug continues to grow in me. 

And, that some how, some way, I find the perfect niche, for me... and this blog.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

A Drive with My Boys 251.365

Today Jimmy, Mon and I took a drive to our new house.
Mono wanted to spend some times getting things done and hanging out so he picked us (Jimmy and I) up and we took a lovely drive.

It was a beautiful day and Mono thoroughly enjoyed an hours drive with all the windows opened. 
Jimmy loved it too.
So did I... but my hair didn't. ;)

Look at J's face!
He loves going for rides and his best buddy... the best of both worlds!

Jim has lived in our home here nearly his whole life (all but just a couple months) so he is not adjusting to the new house all that well. It is going to take time for him I am sure.
Everyone asks who he is going to live with when Mono and I get married in a few weeks.
I say he has joint custody with Mon and I and my parents. 
It breaks my heart (and theirs) to know that a choice had to be made.
He really will live with Mono and I, but I can't handle knowing he won't have time with Mom and Dad.
There will be lots of visits and lovin' with them!

We had a great day today.
It was beautiful, we got a lot done and have a lot of fun!

Friday, September 9, 2011

You've Got Mail, I've Got Mail... We've Got Mail! 250.365

Today a few packages came in the mail!
One for Mono, one for me, and one for both of us!
I am pretty excited, but none of them can be opened until we are married and until Christmastime.
Mono doesn't know what they are... or that one of these is even for him! 
Surprise Mono! ;)

I can't even give a hint as to who this one is for. 
I don't want him to even have a hint.
It's something sooo small.
Nothing big at all, but it makes me smile.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Sleep 249.365

If you want to know how to get a good night's sleep, certainly stay far away from me!
I don't sleep well at night.
This little guy does though.
He sleeps well at any time!
Any time except when the new change came...

Being that I have problems sleeping, I move around from bed to bed, to floor to couch... which means so does the J. 
He sleeps with me.

I had been sleeping on the couch in my room for a long time, but that has recently been moved to our new house so I am back in a bed.
It's fine for me, but not for my little cuddly boy.
He can't jump up or down and that is a big no-no for him.
The first night I started sleeping on the bed instead of the floor, he went nuts.
He literally flipped out.
So, he now sleeps at Mono's house every night.

During the day, when I am working upstairs, he is perfectly fine and content laying on my our blankets.

He's the funniest little guy and I just adore him, quirks and all! 
They make him the J that everyone knows and loves!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Scents of our Home 248.365

 These shelves are one of my favorite little pieces of our new home.
They aren't painted yet... I haven't had a free moment... what is that by the way?
I have some things sitting on them, not necessarily to stay, but to get a feel of what will eventually find a permanent home there.

Some of my favorite cookbooks are out there and will be staying. They are there for good. I am really going to enjoy cooking in our new home! I cannot wait!
 Mon and I each have a new candle to burn in the new house. 
I haven't wanted to burn them until we move in and can fully appreciate their scents.
I think we are going to have to flip a coin to see who wins for the first lighting!

Along with my candle, I am really looking forward to filling our beautiful picture frame with a picture from our wedding.

Mono's espresso machine has found its home in our new kitchen!
Unfortunately, as much as I adore the smell, I truly can't stomach the flavor.
I look forward to mornings (and evenings; it doesn't effect his sleep - weird) where our home is filled with this wonderful aroma.

This new home is going to fill all of our senses, and today, you got a peek into the scents of our home.

Morning smell: freshly brewed coffee
Noon: our candles burning sweet scents
Night: Home-cooked dinner

Trying Days

The past few days… maybe more than that, but let's go with just a few, have been very trying - to say the least. Our wedding day is nearing (we are almost at the 3 week mark… I can't even believe I am saying that) and on top of the regular day to day duties of life, final wedding preparations, physical therapy 3x/week, I've added new drama to the pile.

We're having a few quite large bumps in the road with some of the very prominent wedding plans. It's making me a ball of very sad nerves. It has nothing to do with the bride or groom…or my lovely dress… Maybe when the day finally comes, and all comes together and falls into place, I will write about this whole issue. I have a fantastic bridal party who have been nothing but helpful and loving - and a few fabulous friends added on - and are getting me over this hurdle.

I know some how it will all work out, but when you dream of your wedding day since you were a little girl, and know that the memories will forever be in pictures, it doesn't make it easy to know things might just not fall into place as I had hoped. All the planning has gone well. Not everything is perfect, but it doesn't have to be. It's going to be a beautiful, holy, fun day! And that is ultimately all that matters, but I just still can't get over this one thing.

So these have been trying days to say the least. We'll get through it… I know we will.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Rain Drops 247.365




After yesterday's crazy rain, this song came back to my mind.
I heard this while I was driving last month, and it just hit me. Have you ever kinda been caught off guard with what someone said, lyrics to a song, just something out of nowhere that meant something deep in your heart at that moment.

Here are the lyrics to Laura Story's song, Blessings.

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching(s) of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Monday, September 5, 2011

Loving This Rainy Day! 246.365


Mono and I had planned to take a drive to spend the day working at our house.
Lee joined us. ;)
This was our drive down... and this wasn't the worst of it. 
You'll see the worst of it a few pictures down.
We made it to our house... 
Got a lot done.
Went out to dinner (southern BBQ!!)...
And came home to no electricity. 
We were basically done at the house anyway so we drove back here.
One of the best parts of the day was my outfit!
I've been dying to wear my wellies!
And I love my little white raincoat.
It was the perfect day for this choice of clothes.
 Here's where you can see some of what all this rain has caused...
I quickly snapped this while we were passing by, but that is a normal road... with cars nearly completely under water!! 
Honestly, I don't know how people can be so dumb as to drive through such deep water!

 Since we lost power at the house, we had to make an emergency stop at a local place with wifi.
Mono had a fantasy football draft that was going to begin and of course that can't be missed! :)
And now, I am listening to the wind and rain while all cozy on my couch, snuggling with the J and sipping some of the best chocolate milk ever made!
Mono makes the BEST.
I don't know what he does, but it's really so good... and I'm not just sayin' that.
He even makes designs inside the glass to make it all pretty when he serves it! 
What a lucky girl I am!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Let There Be Light



 Mono had mentioned to me that he would like to light up our front walkway. While he was in Spain last month, I was strolling through Lowes picking up materials for my projects and I found these babies.
I knew we couldn't do major electrical work to get really nice lights put in, but I had faith in these.
We were at our house until dark last night and before we left I snapped some shots of what they look like all lit up. They don't give off a ton of light, but it is just enough.
They're solar so we didn't have to do anything but pop 'em into the ground!
I love the little designs it makes when they are lit.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Meet Mr. Dyson 244.365

This is one of our purchases of the day.

How can you not love a purple vacuum!?
So far my top three favorite features of this are:

1. I love how it just rolls however you'd like it to go. It makes going around corner so easy!

2. The container that all the junk goes in is amazing! You take it off, with the press of a button, while holding it over the trash, it pops open and releases everything in the container that has been sucked up. Then just pop it back onto the vacuum.

3. Of course the color! Purple and gray!

Labor Day Sales

Mono and I have known this day was going to come.
We prepared financially... and mentally, to spend the money we were going to have to.
The previous owners of our new home took the washing machine and dryer so we had to go on the hunt for new ones today.
We went in and out of stores all afternoon and we finally made our decision around 5:30.

Let me back up a bit...
We started the day at Costco; lunch, gas and pricing around.
We came out of there with 2 of the 3 items on our list...
A set of house phones and a vacuum.
I hate vacuuming.
It's boring and it kills my back (I messed my back up when I was 15 - horse bucked me off while riding).
Well, today we bought a purple amazing vacuum and I love it.
I think I may actually enjoy vacuuming!
Yikes, did I really say that?!
But it doesn't kill my back like a lot of them do.

So after we made our first purchases, we went around to do more pricing.
We ended up with a really good deal on a fun washing machine and dryer.
I think I may actually enjoy laundry even more than I do already!
Laundry isn't such a hassle. 
I was kinda wishing those pedestals that they sell came for free.
Those would make it even nicer on my back so I didn't have a ton of bending.
Bending is what hurts my back.
But they're pricey and we left without those.

 Then we picked up a bed frame for our new mattress.
And home we went.

I came home, set up the new phones, put the vacuum together, played with the vacuum did some vacuuming, scrubbed some shelves and lined them, put stuff in the pantry and tidied up some odds and ends.

Unfortunately we had to dish out a bit of money since these are big items, but they were going to be much needed in the next month or so.
I'm so grateful that we are able to have these items too.

So, Labor Day Sales Hunt = success! 

Besides our shopping around today, we stopped at our house to work on it and let Mono use the high-speed internet for his fantasy football draft he's doing with my family.

I worked in the house, then hung out on my comfy couch watching tv and pinning while I waited. He's done now and we can go grab some dinner!

Hope you all have a very happy Labor Day!


Friday, September 2, 2011

Notes of Thanks 243.365

 My Mom held a beautiful bridal shower for me at the end of July and I am getting the last notes out today.

We received so many beautiful gifts from our family and close friends. 
We are so blessed to be moving into a home full of such wonderful things!


Thursday, September 1, 2011

Do You Know How I Got These Scars? (From Mono's Favorite Movie - Dark Knight)

Mono: What's this?
Mare: A scar.
Mono: How did you get it?
Mare: A bullet.
Mono: Where did you get it?
Mare: In Birmingham.
Mono: Where?
Mare: Downtown.

Makes me seem like I'm living on the wild side or something, doesn't it? 
Sounds like I'm roaming the streets downtown at night, in the not so good areas.

Mono, thanks for making me laugh - scar and all.

P.S. I was not shot... even though Mono's little chat with me made it seem that way. It is just a leftover scar from a hot shell hitting me at the range. And I was not roaming the streets downtown. Just at the range. With Dad, a retired cop. :) And my Mon. :)

Again Mon, thanks for the laugh!!!

Time for Tea 242.365

 Today I bought some of my favorite teas... just the normal kinds. Regular Lipton, decaf, Earl Grey, Green Tea and Chamomile. I need one more. Any suggestions?
They go in here. :) It's really for spices, but I have way more than six spices and I want them to all be together. So I thought this was a perfect little place to hold our tea bags. :)

Tea anyone?