The Beauty and the Mess

Last night's dinner was so much fun. The food was delicious, although my pie didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped. Two friends shared some (different) awesome news with me, and I'm so excited for them. Watch this space for future updates. :) The evening ended with a bunch of us singing around the piano while Luke played. By request, he even attempted to play "Summer of '69," but it doesn't work on a piano. It was hilarious. God has blessed me with such precious, amazing friends. It was kind of a bittersweet time, though...some people at this group have indicated that Evan and I are "graduating" from it, since it's supposed to be for singles. I look forward to meeting other couples and stuff, but I don't want to leave my friends. Evan says we can keep going anyway. I told Myla, "I'm sad, I won't see these people again before I'm married." She answered, "Hey...you're not dying!" I needed that. :) On some level I feel like getting married marks the end of my current life, but things really won't change that much, I don't think.

The only thing that marred the dinner was my struggle with the girl who demanded to be my bridesmaid. ( Cut, mostly for length. )

Tonight is my bachelorette party. I didn't want the standard Beale Street party that's been done to death, so my mom and my sister have put together a creative evening. We're going to go to Paint-a-Piece, one of those ceramics places (I suggested that), and, well, paint pieces. Then we're having dinner at Benihana, and after that, doing some karaoke since they have it there. Then we will go back to the house and watch a chick flick while we put the wedding programs together. Also, my mom is coming with us and I'm glad. I think this sounds like a really fun evening and have been looking forward to it for weeks. I mean, I've never been a pick-up-guys-in-bars kind of person, so why start now? I'm sure a lot of girls will think I'm a dork or a freak for doing things this way, but oh well. I'm going to have fun.

My mom really knows how to come through in a crisis. I couldn't have done all this without her. Ever since I had a breakdown at their house about the planning, she's completely taken charge. She's already finished things that just occurred to me yesterday. I feel guilty that she's doing so much, but when I said so, she just said "You have enough to worry about." It's nice to be given permission to let other people handle things for a change.

Sorry this is so long. I just have a lot to say. I may post more later.

Happy election day, fellow Americans! What an exciting day. I'm going to vote at lunchtime. This is only my second presidential election - I was seventeen in 1996 (which really irritated me!). Tonight Evan and Ryan and I are eating out as usual, and then I'll make a pumpkin pie for us to enjoy while we watch the results roll in. If there's another recount, I won't be one iota surprised. This morning on the radio they were explaining that in the event of a tie, it's possible that Bush will still be President, but Edwards will be VP. Isn't that weird? Anyway, Laura, I wish I was in Indiana so I could vote for Hostettler! I'm thinking of you today. :)

This past weekend was busy. On Friday night I went to the corn maze with a bunch of friends. At first it was fun, but toward the end we were lost, muddy, and tired...and suddenly I realized my cell phone wasn't in my pocket. I almost started crying right there among the costumed children and people with (fake) chain saws. Fortunately, Luke was with me and called the phone. Someone answered it and it wasn't far back from where we were. So that was a little miracle. :) Then we went to Chili's, and Myla and I had a great talk about politics that made me feel much more secure in my opinions. I have great friends.

Saturday was full of wedding stuff and then we went to Robin's Halloween party. I went as a butterfly, with blue posterboard wings that I had painted. Evan decided to be a butterfly, too, but his "costume" consisted of a T-shirt on which he had written, "I am a butterfly." Everyone liked his costume better. Talk about unfair! He was cuter, though. :) On Sunday I had some sort of physical breakdown. I haven't felt like myself for a few days - very run-down, achy, and overemotional - and in the middle of playing congregational music, I got really shaky and started feeling awful. I was so hungry. We met my parents for lunch at Olive Garden, which helped, and then I took a two-hour nap. It was a good thing, because later we went back to church to work at our church's Halloween alternative, the Festival of Melons and Gourds, and I spent an hour kneeling over and over to pick up little Frisbees. It was fun (and some of the kids were so cute!), but I was worn out all over again by the time we left. Evan worked the booth next to mine, and I loved watching him kneel down to help the little kids with their game. He's going to be a good dad someday. :) Anyway, I'm still not feeling so great. I have twenty-five days to get back to 100%.

God is really providing for us, and it looks like we'll be able to pay for Evan's spring semester of school without too much trouble. We keep getting checks in the mail and have no idea why: U of M apparently sent a check for $100 to me at my parents' house; Evan got some "back pay" from FedEx, which he left a year and a half ago; my church paid for the repairs that my flute needed. I feel very cared for. So he's going to go to community college this first semester back, and hopefully by then the FAFSA will have taken effect and we can get enough aid to send him to U of M. Maybe this will all work out after all. :) Yay God!

One of my co-workers brought in Sunday's Dilbert strip, which is a timely reflection on our office situation. I really ought to read Dilbert more, just as I need to watch Office Space again now that I've been a cube drone for almost three years.

Em and her Daniel will be proud that I went to the Shelby County Republican Headquarters today with one of my co-workers. I got one of those square black W stickers. My co-worker went a little nuts and bought several stickers, a button, and a hat. :)

Last night after Bible study, Luke and Myla (and this guy Adam, whom we've all been getting to know) came over with their guitars to play the wedding song for Evan and I. Well, as I expected, it was incredible. It's called "Chosen Family" and I guarantee there won't be a dry eye in the church when they sing it. I'm so humbled and moved when I think about it. Before we went to my place, Myla was making up some horrible song and trying to convince me that that's what the song was. "And it has this voice-over in the middle...Baby, I'm so glad we're getting married...Then there's a rap!" Later, Luke announced that he'd also written a song for us, and made something up on the spot that made me turn beet red until Myla pleaded with him to stop. So in comparison, the real song was even better. :) Anyway, they ended up staying and jamming until pretty late. It was awesome. My friends are so talented. I wish their stuff was copyrighted so I could post it for all of you to hear. Luke has a hilarious song about whiskey, which I enjoy despite the fact that I'm not a drinker.

Tonight Ryan and I are McAlisting, and then Debra's joining us for fun times at Old Navy. I'm aware that I shouldn't be shopping, but with these clearance prices I seriously cannot stay away. There's a difference between blowing money on full-price clothes, and investing in reasonable clothes at a great price. Hello, my name is Becky Bloomwood. Anyway, Debs is spending the night, which should be fun. It'll be her first test of the futon.

( Inventory Survey )

My trip to Nashville was a blast. We left Friday night and arrived in town around 10. We met up with Debs and her boyfriend, Andy, at a Cracker Barrel. I went with them, while the others headed to Myla and Luke's grandmother's house in Franklin. Andy drove us around downtown for a while, and then I spent a nice night at the dorm with Debs. The next morning, we slept in and then headed to the Opry Mills mall to meet the others and chocomilkbanana! It was great to meet De Anna- she's friendly and fun to be around. We lunched with Debs and her roommate, and everyone got along great. After lunch, Myla, Luke, and Ryan finally showed up and we all did some shopping. Myla and I bought the same shirt at the Gap outlet without realizing it. :)

In the late afternoon, we headed out to Franklin for dinner at the grandmother's incredible house. Then we sat around the piano while Luke played some of his original compositions. I wish you guys could hear some of the stuff he and Myla have written...they're so talented. After that, we headed downtown to Graham Central Station. Pathetically (?) enough, I had made it to age 24 without ever going clubbing, so it was a new experience. We went to the ghetto club on the top floor, and right away I was uncomfortable. There were tons of creepy guys staring at the few people dancing. So I sat around by myself in the karaoke bar until Debs suggested seeing what was downstairs. The second floor turned out to be a retro club with a much better atmosphere. Myla seemed nonplussed since the patrons were mostly middle-aged, but Debs and I were having fun, so we stayed there for the rest of the evening. Eventually the others came back and joined us. :) It was a lot of fun.

Yesterday we left Nashville fairly early. When I got home, it was so hot. I sweltered for a while before finally turning on the air conditioner. Evan came over and we had a happy reunion. Later we watched Notting Hill, one of my favorite movies. Yay! Overall it was a very fun and relaxing weekend- good times, good friends. Unfortunately, coming back to work was that much harder today. Some days I just Don't Want To Be Here and it puts me in a really crummy mood. Yes, I am blessed to have a job. Repeat to self.

Also, I think we all have Nashvilleitis now. We're already planning our next trip. I'm hoping to go back before May 16 to see the exhibit at the Frist that lilolmehb recommended. They have some famous paintings, including Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party, which I have in my dining room. Debra went to it and said it was really good.

Anyway, a few pictures are here. Sorry this was blathery and boring. I have other things I wanted to talk about...maybe later if I get time.

So.

Friday night was the RUF Barn Party. They had hired a square dance instructor, and we learned line dances and square dances and the Virginia reel. I started out dancing with Luke, but he hurt his ankle somehow, and then aggravated it when he tried to throw me over his shoulder and spin me around swing-style. :) After much coercion, Matt took his place. He didn't have a clue, but at least he tried. Then we went down to the bonfire, and were only there for a little while before the owners of the yard sent us all home. A few of us went to Evan's apartment and watched the Smoking Man episode of X-Files, which Evan had been telling me about. So I now know who killed JFK. And MLK. And a bunch of other people.

Saturday was lovely. I rested, and took a walk, and scrapbooked while watching LOTR. In the evening, Alli and Matt and I went to see Die Another Day (which was not on my movie hit list, but I felt like going somewhere). Debra and her boyfriend met us there. She had planned to come spend the night at the apartment, but the movie was longer than I anticipated, and then she demanded I take her to Wal-Mart and back to the house, so it got too late. At the house, Bun acted very cool toward me. I think he just smelled the cat, but he acted like he didn't even remember me. I tried to cuddle with him, and he kept turning away. Seriously, I wanted to cry. I feel so guilty. Why did I get another pet? Nothing can replace Bun! *sob*

Sunday was another restful day, which was appropriate. :) I spent some time talking to Evan, mainly about the Bond movie. Later I made a lasagna! (Kathy helped, because she was there and couldn't resist being involved, but I made most of it myself!) Ryan came over to help us eat it, and we watched Julia Roberts night on NBC. We saw a Sonic commercial and felt inspired to go there for pecan pie shakes. The shake was great, but I quickly regretted it because Sonic ice cream always makes me feel sick. I wish I knew what caused that. Anyway, on the whole, it was a great day.

And now here I sit. But it's a two-day week for me! Tomorrow night, I am leaving for five whole days. Five days of wearing jeans and sneakers! Five days of eating my grandma's cooking and seeing my family! Five days of relaxation! I am so excited.

I think this building is making me sick. Seriously. I was fine all weekend, but my ability to breathe is decreasing the longer I'm here. Maybe it's the Black Mold!