The Beauty and the Mess

My work bridal shower on Friday was great. We got two china place settings, some giftcards, a canister set, and our comforter!! A bunch of co-workers went in together to get it for us. I was so glad and surprised, because it was the most expensive thing on our registry and I doubted we'd get it. Now we won't be comforterless. Yay! When the party was over, I went to my parents' so my mom could alter my dress. After the good weight report last week, I was shocked that the dress was snug in the stomach area. :( My mom said I'm not allowed to gain any more (!) weight because she can't take the dress out. I felt like a whale. So now I have to lose a few pounds, which I am terrible at because I already exercise and eat reasonably. Myla told me about a green tea diet she's trying. She heard that if you drink a cup of green tea per day, you can lose a pound a week. I have just under seven weeks, so if it works even half that well, I'm good to go. I bought some Celestial Seasonings Wellness Tea and had my first cup this morning. It was really good, and it even says on the box that it boosts metabolism. Here's hoping.

On Saturday I went to the homecoming game with Ryan, Luke and Myla, and their brother (Evan was at work). The Tigers played well and we won 41-14! It's the first time we've won homecoming in at least seven years. Go Tigers go! After the game, Ryan went to the fair with me since I hadn't been yet. We completed my short list of things I wanted to do (ride the Ferris wheel, eat pineapple whip, go to the crafts building, and visit the petting zoo). He insisted that there weren't any show bunnies this year, but we went to the barn where they usually are, and they had about 30 bunnies. Some of them were for sale, and I was so, so tempted to take one home. I miss Bun.

Any Smallville fans around here (I already know about you, calypsobard :))? They're showing it on FX now and we watched a few episodes on Saturday night. I think I could very easily get hooked on it.

Sunday was fun, largely because Evan didn't have to work. A whole day together! Our Sunday school lesson was about debt, and we had a good discussion about it on the way to lunch. Later, at home, Evan decided to fix one thing and it turned into a whole afternoon of fixing up the apartment. He easily fixed things that have been messed up as long as I've lived there. We dusted, freshened up, and talked about what we're going to change when he moves in. I felt guilty for doing housework on Sunday, but for once it energized me instead of tiring me out. I look forward to having a home with him. :)

Today is okay. My stomach feels bad - I ate a big piece of leftover cake yesterday and haven't felt right since. Other than that, things are going well. I don't have anything else to talk about, so I now return you to your regular lives.

Yay Friday! This is a good day. It's a free jeans day at work, and I have a sweater, so I'm comfortable here in the meat locker. We're having a free barbecue lunch to celebrate the end of Diversity Week (hey - it means free barbecue!). Then, we're having my work bridal shower this afternoon! It'll be my first bridal shower. I'm very excited. I wish Evan could have come, but even though he asked for today off work, they scheduled him anyway. More proof of how nice and caring his work is: his co-worker's wife had a baby on Wednesday, and on Thursday the guy had to work a double shift. Lovely.

Anyway, this icon is a picture of our china pattern. We're getting the blue plates. It's Noritake.

Tonight I'm hanging out with my mom and we're going to work on my dress! She just called to say she's making baked potatoes for dinner, with mushrooms and onions. I can look forward to that all day. :) Also, I can eat a little more freely for a while, because I got weighed yesterday and I weigh half a pound (hey, no laughing!) under my personal ideal weight. I've been nervous because I thought I was several pounds over it. Never trust a scale off the shelf at Sears.

I've been thinking lately how good it is to be disciplined in certain areas, because then when you don't have to be disciplined, it's so much better. I wouldn't enjoy a hamburger as much if I didn't have to pass it up for salad all the time. I wouldn't enjoy not exercising in favor of sleeping more (which is what I've done all week :P) if I didn't make myself do aerobics all the time. My motivations may not be right, but the end result is the same. :)

My mom got eight RSVPs yesterday. I hope they keep coming! The sooner we know what's going on, the better. Unfortunately, we're having a problem now with single friends (who aren't dating anyone) wanting to bring dates. I'm sure it's uncouth to not do "and guest," but the room can't hold that many people. Plus, all our friends are already going to be there! What more do people want? Now I have to make some calls and explain that if it's just their name on the invitation, then they're the only one invited. It seems like common sense. Maybe I should have used the bridezilla icon for this entry. :( Sometimes I feel like all the wedding is accomplishing is making me seem like an insensitive jerk.

Sorry for all the wedding talk. I hope everyone has a good weekend!

Everclear's "Santa Monica" is one of my favorite songs. I'm not sure why.

So I think I've had it with marriage books. Evan and I have read Reforming Marriage and Each For The Other (we both preferred the latter). Now I'm reading The Excellent Wife. It's stressing me out a little, and Evan suggested maybe I should stop reading it. :P Each For the Other left me feeling optimistic and encouraged about becoming a wife. This book is causing frustration and despair, since I am a sinner and can't possibly attain the perfection that the book models. Also, it seems to be geared more toward women whose husbands are not believers. The main message I'm getting from it is, "Your husband will mistreat you constantly. You must respond in perfect joy and love. The end." It's depressing, especially since Evan is so good to me and so easy to love. Am I supposed to tell myself he's going to turn into a cruel, selfish ogre after the wedding?

I'm also reading a book called Super Foods that I borrowed from Kathy's mom. It's about the fourteen most beneficial foods. I don't usually read diet-y books, but this one is interesting. I already eat most of the Super Foods- blueberries, spinach, salmon, broccoli, and tea are included. Yum! I'm eating so healthily now that I'm on my own. It's great. However, I'll have to start cooking more meat for Evan's sake. I made chicken last night, which I've done maybe three other times in my life. It actually wasn't that hard! Next time I might try Jessica's Sesame Chicken recipe.

My city's government has lost all pretense of sanity. Last week they cut millions of dollars from the county school system, laying off 100 people and cutting out music programs (which always makes me very angry). Yesterday our mayor pulled all funding from the city school system. You read that right- ALL. As in, hundreds of schools now have no money. My boss says he's trying to force a consolidation of the city and county systems, which will mean the official end of Memphis public education. I predict that within two years we'll be like New Orleans, where the schools are so bad that kids have to go to private school to even have a chance. I was sort of planning to put my future kids in private school- now I think I better start saving today. :P It's so discouraging.

Enough hot button issues for one day. :)

It has remained sunny today, which is a nice change. We've been under a "Whatever" forecast for about two weeks. This is the weather report that contains a sun, a cloud, and lightning bolts. Every morning we have brief sunshine, and every afternoon it rains. Then stops raining for a couple of hours. Then rains again. It's impossible to plan anything outdoors, or even to take a walk, because in fifteen minutes Wet Death 2004 could arrive. Evan hasn't been able to work on his truck because the barn where he works on it is completely waterlogged. So frustrating.

At last all my work for the day is done. It's been a busy couple of days. We just had our June birthdays party- it was my month to pick up the cake and ice cream. Tonight Evan's taking me to dinner at Wang's on Beale, our favorite deceptively fancy restaurant (it looks fancy but is actually very affordable). If the weather stays clear, maybe we can take a walk by the river afterwards. :) Many other exciting things are in store for the weekend, like new furniture. Yay!

This week with Kathy has been great. I feel like we'll part as roommates on very good terms. I'm no longer scared that she'll never speak to me again once she moves. The closer it gets to moving time, the more stuff she gives me. Now she's leaving me the rug in her room, which will look very nice with the futon. :) What will my "new" apartment look like? The suspense!

I look skinny today. Maybe all the salsa-ing is working! I've also been working on my own version of my sister's Limited Desserts Plan. When she went off to college, she decided she was only allowed two desserts a week. Frankly, the idea of only two a week makes me want to cry, so I'm trying every other day instead. The problem is that I can't decide what constitutes a dessert- fruit? a Pop-Tart?- so it hasn't been going too smoothly. I can pretend it's making a difference, though.

Have a good weekend, everybody!

Happy 19th birthday to my sister Debra, the best hermana a girl could ask for! The guys and I are taking her to Chili's tonight to celebrate. She's almost done with teenagerhood...it's scary. Wasn't I just nineteen?

Attention fellow Potterheads, and people who enjoy good web design: J.K. Rowling has relaunched her website. She wrote all the content herself, and there's some very interesting stuff! Check it out if you haven't already.

Lately I feel like the only person in the world who's not on a strict diet or exercise regimen. Kathy has begun a Pre-Wedding Exercise Plan that puts me to shame. I'll benefit from it, though, since I'll exercise with her when I have time. Last night we reinstated the infamous LuAnn workout tape that we used to do religiously in college (we even have video of us and Emily exercising to it). It was rough. Even Pilates has been difficult and painful for me the last couple of weeks. I haven't done anything differently, so I don't know what's wrong. Anyway, the topic of weight keeps coming up with all my friends, and I've been thinking it's such a relative thing. Everyone is healthy at different weights. I shouldn't let myself feel like a cow for not conforming to other people's standards. So my new diet-type motto is: Know thyself. The end. :)

Evan came over last night even though it was Monday, which is traditionally our day apart. I felt like I should tell him not to come, but I had missed him all day and my resolve was weak. :) He brought a book, I took out my current book, and we read in happy silence. Our shared love of reading is one of the things I like most about our relationship. I never thought I'd get to be with a guy who was as much of a bookworm as I am. I didn't know such guys existed. :) Right now I have too many books on my plate, mostly due to over-zealousness at the library. Alli loaned me the second and third Shopaholic books, which she'll want back soon. I need to get cracking.

Hello! If I had to speak this entry, I wouldn't be making it. My voice is feeble at best today, so my director has evicted me from the file room until I'm well. Yay for not breathing dust all day and getting sicker.

Room For Squares is such a great CD. It's like a time capsule of the 21st-century twentysomething experience.

Most of our properties at work have nice descriptive names. Like New York/Herald Square, NY. Well, I'm working on a project in Niagara Falls right now, and my boss and I are entertained by the fact that it is not Near The Falls, as several of our other hotels are. The naming people seem stumped, so we have taken to calling it Niagara Falls/Nowhere Near The Falls. It is a sign of how long I've been here that I find this unspeakably hilarious.

Lately I'm realizing some not-so-good things about myself. Like the way I'd feel too afraid to move away by myself and start a new life, but doing so with a husband would be fun and exciting. I think I just don't want the responsibility for such a bold venture to fall on me, in case it goes bad. :P Also, the first thing I think of now when I think of moving is having to start over with vacation time at a new job. Isn't that terrible? In another two and a half years I get an extra week and I'm already looking forward to it.

I'm also frustrated with weight issues. Dieting just doesn't come naturally to me. I mean, I already eat pretty healthily, so the thought of reducing things further is depressing. I get hungry a lot. I like to eat things that taste good. I do not like feeling deprived. I do not want my life to revolve around a counting system. Also, if I exercised as much as I'm "supposed" to, I'd never see anybody. Several times recently when I could have taken a walk, I chose to spend time with Kathy since she was only home for a short time. My problem is that I put Enjoying Life ahead of Being a Toothpick. As long as this is the case, I guess I'll always be a little overweight. Sigh. I hope Evan keeps taking stock of my inner beauty. :P

Have I mentioned lately how great my cat is? I'm so glad I got him. I enjoy his company more and more- he has such a personality. Ryan is his favorite person. It's gotten so that when Ryan comes over, he runs in saying, "Where's my buddy?" and Gandalf bounds in to greet him. So funny.

Debs, home from spring break, is joining Ryan and I tonight for dinner. As Evan says, we're McAlisting.

Sorry this is so long and weird. I guess since I can't talk, I'm running on at the fingers. :)

Yay for Friday! I have a lot of fun plans for the weekend- with different friend groups. Quality catch-up time is coming my way. :) It's my last three-day weekend until Memorial Day, so I need to enjoy it. What are all of you doing?

The other day I found a burned CD with no label and had no idea what it was. It turned out to be my 1991 soundtrack, the last one I burned before I stopped downloading. It takes me right back to sixth grade. Speaking of CDs, I just mailed a batch. The shipping was cheaper than I expected! I still need some addresses- Messa? Kimma? DeAnna? Beth?

I've done so well with the eating this week, and today I'm blowing it right and left. I had a sample of strawberry smoothie this morning, and a small piece of cake just now because it was our monthly birthday party. Tonight I want to make a special dinner for Evan, which needs to include a dessert if he's going to be extra happy. Well...there's always tomorrow. :P I'm starting to believe that sugar really is addictive. Since I've been abstaining, I don't crave it so much. But as soon as I eat one M&M, I'm doomed. It's weird.

I don't think I've mentioned that my annual work conference is coming up- the one that was in Vegas last year. This year it's in New Orleans again. Because, you know, I haven't already been there fifteen times. The good news is, it's only three days, and this morning our senior VP sent us luggage! One carry-on suitcase and two smaller totes for each of us. Our names are already printed on the tags. It was a nice surprise. I like that guy. :) Now I'm reading up on packing techniques so I can use the new suitcase instead of my usual huge one.

Last night I got an idea and wrote something. It was only two paragraphs. Still, it was something. :)

I like candles. I feel compelled to share that for some reason.

My thoughts are with the Northeasterners. Please try to stay warm, guys! I asked Evan if he had called his parents in New Hampshire and he was like, "Why? They're fine." Then I heard that the wind chill in NH was -100 this morning. Yes, two zeros. I don't know how you guys can handle this. If it was ever -100 here, I'm positive that my heater would explode.

Finally, a quiet moment. I better seize it. :P

So yesterday was my four-monthiversary. Evan and I had lunch. We didn't think we'd have any other time together, since he was supposed to have a class from 6-9. It was cancelled, though (on the first day), so he got to go watch Chasing Liberty with Debs and I. (I was surprised that he was willing to see it, but he was determined to have a monthiversary activity.) I really enjoyed the movie. The scenery was beautiful. It made me regret that I didn't spend my college-age years backpacking through Europe. I suggested to Evan that we go to Venice for our five-monthiversary. He laughed. I can't imagine why.

Debra went back to Nashville today. I'm sad. Thus endeth my female companionship.

The other day I started listening to Room for Squares again, after leaving it alone for a few months. I know some of you don't like John Mayer because of his overly breathy delivery. I find it annoying, too, but his songs are just wonderful. I enjoy his romantic songs even more now. :)

Random items I have been pondering: Why do the stars seem closer and clearer in wintertime? What causes deja vu (and don't say when they change something in the Matrix)? Why is my neighboring apartment still vacant after ten months?

My attempt to eat healthier is going well...I think. I had a Doubletree cookie today because they were giving them away downstairs, but that's my first major splurge in a while. I've been eating a lot of vegetables and drinking diet drinks instead of regular. I feel lighter. Of course, I don't own a scale, so I have no way of knowing how I'm doing. What kind of weirdo goes on a diet without a scale? :) Last night I ate with my family at a new restaurant, Firebirds. It gets my seal of approval- the menu items are unusual in a good way. I had a salmon salad that was to die for. Maybe we can go there when the California crew comes to visit.

Finally, why dakoda is one of my favorite people: "Danny and Kitchie came up with this idea for there to be cell phones all throughout LOTR...they talked about how Gandalf, being all old, would have one of those ancient cell phones that are huge, and then when Gandalf says in ROTK that Frodo has passed beyond his sight, he'd say "Frodo has passed beyond my service range." And then Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas would talk about the roaming expenses on their phones, because they're running all over Middle-Earth. And then with Frodo and Sam, Frodo would exceed his free minutes, and he'd be like "Sam, it's all over now....I've used up all of my minutes!" and Samwise will go "Here, take mine Mr. Frodo, I've got free nights and weekends."

Happy birthday by_grace_alone! You are a unique and fun person whom I am glad to know. :) Thus endeth the LJ birthdays for this week.

Last night we saw a preview for The Day After Tomorrow. It's sure to be ridiculous a la The Core, but I know I'll be seeing it opening day. I cannot resist a Natural Disaster Movie because I've always been so fascinated with them. Even in elementary school I read everything I could get my hands on about tornadoes, earthquakes, etc. I guess something in me responds to God's power that's shown in these things.

Having decided I could never go on Atkins, I've been reading about the South Beach Diet, which is a less insane Atkins that allows you whole grains after a certain time. I went home and looked in my cabinet at all the food I'd have to get rid of if I decided to do it. What would I eat for breakfast? Eggs? That would get old fast. In the end I have finally decided to stick with simple moderation. :P Carbs are just the popular diet enemy right now. Twenty years ago, it was all about calories, so basically you could only eat celery and rice cakes. Ten years ago, we were told to stay away from fat if we wanted to be thin. Now they say you will magically shrink if you eliminate carbs. In another ten years it'll be something else. I think Weight Watchers is really the only sane diet plan out there because nothing is taboo. So, since I can't go on that, I'm just going to use my own judgment. Gasp!

Okay, that's everything I wanted to say.

Happy birthday, alissamarie! I'm glad to know you. Have a great day! :)

Right now I wish I was at home taking a nap. Last night Evan came over and we had a happy, companionable time while I did my usual Monday cleaning. At 9:00 I finally finished everything, sat down with him to watch CSI Miami, and suddenly realized how exhausted I was. Despite our best efforts, we both fell asleep in the last ten minutes of the show and were rudely awakened by the news coming on. So I have no idea how it ended. I do know, however, that they must have set a new record for Most Replays of a Man Being Impaled on a Fence. It was horrible and I have half a mind to write and complain. Or I could just stop watching the show.

I have got to get my Halloween candy out of the house. If I don't get serious about losing these few pounds before Thanksgiving, I'm going to be in a lot of trouble after it, and the candy calls to me constantly. Evan is taking care of it for me, but he had so many Reese's Cups last night that it made me ill to watch him. I want someone else to eat it now. :)

Tonight I have a two-hour church band practice. Hopefully people will show up and it won't be just three flutes, two trumpets, and a baritone as usual. The music sounds so much better when you can hear all the parts. I could make a cheesy correlation here to humanity in general, but I don't feel like it. :) And now I'm too tired to say anything else.