Proposal Project-Kristen Edition September 25, 2009

This week’s Proposal Project story comes from Kristen who blogs about her life (and her wedding planning) over at Kage.

Enjoy!

Luc and I had been dating for over 4 years when he proposed to me – prior to this, friends and family loved to poke and prod him with comments about whether we would ever get married. All in good fun, of course! We met when I was 20 and he was 21 so we’ve never been in a rush to tie the knot. Although I was excited for the day when he would propose, I wouldn’t say I was in constant anticipation. I never snooped around our apartment in the hopes of finding a ring box, which is a good thing, because he had been hiding it for 5 months under his bedside table! He had bought the ring in January 2009 and soon afterwards our best friends got engaged. After the initial excitement from that engagement wore off, his sister got engaged! Although it was hard to wait (and probably even harder for his poor parents who knew that he had already bought the ring!!), he decided on proposing in May when we would be going on a holiday.

The weekend before our holiday was our 4 year anniversary, and along with my gift, Luc had ordered me a book online (I’m book obsessed…I’m doing my masters in publishing and books are probably the only thing that could rival my love for Luc…OK not really, but I just really love books is what I’m trying to say). The book didn’t arrive on time and I never thought anything of it.

On the second day of our holiday we were doing wine tours and tastings, hopping from winery to winery all day. That morning we packed a picnic lunch and after a tasting at Soaring Eagle winery, we grabbed a table on their picturesque patio and brought out the picnic lunch and some wine.

It was a perfect afternoon – warm, light breeze, great wine, great view and great company. After finishing lunch, Luc mentioned that the book he had ordered online for our anniversary had finally arrived, pulling it out of his backpack.

It never occurred to me as strange that he had hauled this massive book around all day rather than giving it to me at home or in the hotel room! Along with the book, he gave me an anniversary card, which I read, which was beautiful and cute and sweet and charming, just like Luc. Obviously, I started to tear up when I read the card. After collecting myself (sort of), I marveled at the book, telling Luc how fun it would be to pick random pages and plan trips to these places. With his encouragement, I opened the book to a page he had already marked, thinking to myself, “aha, he must have marked something here in Penticton, that’s why he brought the book…”, and when I opened the pages, I noticed that the centre of the book was carved out into a deep square. I was confused. My heart started beating rapidly. I was catching on. I looked up at Luc and he was down on one knee. He reached into the book, took out the ring box that was sitting in the carved out space and asked me if I would marry him. Ohhhh the tears! I fell down onto my knees, wrapped my arms around him and said “yes” about a hundred times. “The ring, put on the ring!” he reminded me. “OH MY GOD THERE’S A RING!!” I shouted! I was pretty excited.

It was all incredibly perfect. We’re planning our wedding for September 5, 2010.

What a gorgeous story, and beautiful ring! And I’ve always loved the idea of hiding something in a hollowed out book, what better to hide than a pretty, pretty ring?!

Congratulations Luc and Kristen!

***send your proposal stories to ablogofherown at gmail dot com ****

**hint hint people whom I know just got engaged hint hint***

Happy Friday everyone!

When I’m Old Wednesday September 22, 2009

When I’m old, I’ll be a “prim and proper” old lady, according to the “What Kind of Demented Old Lady Will You Be?” facebook quiz.

You are offended by most jokes and cannot understand the young people these days. You are always dressed to the nines however in styles at least 30 years old. A little paranoid you always lock your doors and you would never go out without your girddle on. You are a bit quirky and have some odd habits like wearing your nightgown in the shower.

Also, Facebook quiz maker person, you totally ripped off WIOW.

That is all.

This Post Is About Oatmeal, No Seriously, It is. September 22, 2009

I used to be an oatmeal junkie.

In high school I ate it every school day, especially in the winter when I was shooting competitively and attempting to be consistent to an inhuman level. I love it. It’s warm and filling and oh so easy to do bleary eyed at an ungodly hour of the morning.

I’m a Quaker girl, through and through. Even though I’ve heard Lady O-to-the-Prah harp on the miracle of steel cut oats for years now and I’m sure they’re better for me and everything; I am a sucker for the healthy in a hurry convience of Quaker’s just add water preportioned yumness. I’m partial to the  peaches and cream flavor. Yum. Freeze dried fruit.

But my favorite flavor is Vanilla Cinnamon from the Nutrition for Women line.

Which is, unfortunately, no longer sold in stores ANYWHERE.

When it started to become scarce on the shelves my mom and I bought up all remaining boxes in our area. I’ve been rationing it ever since, treating the little packets like gold and threatening anyone who gets to close to my stash to back the eff off my oatmeal.

It is that good.

And now I’m running low. I’m talking a measly six packets or so left. And I’m starting to get antsy. I’ve done the research online. Apparently Quaker still makes it, they’ve moved it to their regular line and called it plain old “Vanilla Cinnamon,” but the Internetz agrees with me that this must be a horrible horrible lie because try to find the stuff on shelves and you’d think you were looking for the holy grail.

And so, after reading that some lucky souls have found it on shelves of stores that exist miles and miles from here I’m about to embark on a area wide search for oatmeal.

I may not return victorious.

I may not return at all.

And if I am successful I will rejoice in the splendor of wonderous oatmeal akin to the magesty of Clear Pepsi.

And if I fail, I swear to god I will cry a little tear over my last packet.

And if you’ve read this far in a post about breakfast I will give you medal. Or a cookie. Whichever you’d prefer.

Why Is Tommy Lee Jones Here and Where The Hell Is My Dress? September 21, 2009

Apparently turkey, bridezillas, and Tommy Lee Jones movies will result in really crazy dreams.

Last night I came home from work to fully prepared Thanksgiving dinner made by my multi-talented fiance. Yes, that’s right kids, not only can he fix all things that need fixin, but but can also cook a turkey and make a mean stuffing. And he has a pension.

I know. Lucky me.

So, anyway, we dined and talked and had a lovely meal together and chit chatted about how we need an electric knife to correctly carve a turkey. And I of course, followed this up by shouting “I’ll add it to the registry!” because adding things to our registry is my new favorite past time since I decided to register us through Wishpot.com. It’s just so much fun! The only problem is my indecision currently has my list twice as long as it should be because I can’t decide between correlle patterns and china patterns and do I really want china or do I want two sets of correlle because The Boy is hard on things and china is expensive but it’s oh so pretty and matching linens and candlesticks and am I really this person and how did this happen….and so on.

After our yummy dinner The Boy fell asleep and I made pumpkin cookies (for which I am famous, because they are 1.) completely vegan, 2.) moist and delicious, and 3) extraordinarily easy) and sipped apple cider because it’s starting to sort of feel like fall in SOVA and everyone knows that apple cider is the equivalent of autumn in a glass. Seriously, I love fall.  I’m a summer/fall girl all the way. The crispness of the air makes me want to decorate in orange, browns and reds and get out the comfy warm socks and sweaters and buy pencils and notebooks and read a history book on my bed circa 2003. Ahhh, fall.

So with the kitchen cleaned and left overs put away and the cookies iced and cooling The Boy and I settled in for Bridezillas and the introduction of The Most Annoying Woman on The Planet–Kirsten. Seriously, did y’all watch this woman? I know I say it after every episode, but what person in their right mind could put up with that for the rest of forever? Also, I’d like to see the divorce statistics for Bridezillas. I’m betting it’s slightly higher than average. Both brides this week had some sort of problem with their dress (invisible stains and shortness and such) this week and I’m guessing this is what made me have a dream that my bridal shop was attempting to convince me that I bought a completely different dress than the one I fell in love with.  And no one seemed to believe that no, really, I never said  I wanted this bedazzled vegas show girl dress they were trying to push on me. Even my mother, who was there in dream world, seemed convinced it was the dress. If I remember correctly, I was more concerned about why everyone suddenly went crazy than my dress.  It’s good to know that even in my dreams I won’t become a bridezilla.

So, after meeting my weekly quota of yelling “Seriously?! Seriously woman?!” at the television, The Boy popped in a movie we Red Boxed called In the Electric Mist, with Tommy Lee Jones. I’m not sure how I feel about it. It seemed a little disjointed at parts. The plot follows Tommy Lee Jones who is, of course, a semi-retired hard nosed detective with a wife who could be his daughter and a daughter who looked nothing like Tommy Lee Jones or his strangely young wife. Mr. Jones is trying to figure out who is killing women and leaving them in pieces around NOLA, and in the end *spoiler alert* he does and things are restored to normal.

The killing women and putting them into containers thing must have registered something with my subconcious because I had wild dreams about a girl who was killed by being roasted like a turkey. In a blue Paula Dean roasting pan.

Proposal Project-Deanna Edition September 18, 2009

This proposal story is definitely unique, both in when I received it (the night Deanna got engaged she emailed me her story!) and the setting of the proposal as well…enjoy!

My finacee (squee!) Steve and I are huge Trekkies. We both grew up watching the show, and recently we have been going back and watching all the Star Trek movies. Well, last week he suggested we go to the Detroit Science Center because for another month or so they have a Star Trek exhibit with the original Bridge from the Enterprise! I sat in Kirk’s chair and everything. It was amazing. We went through the exhibit, read everything, acted like little kids out of excitment, and then as we made it towards the end he was like “I’m going back through again! I paid for this, I’m not leaving so quick.” So, we meandered through, and ended up in the Bridge again. This time there was no one around, it was just us looking out into space on the bridge. We talked for a minute and then right by the Science station where Spock would normally be, he got down on one need and proposed. I was totally not expecting it, it’s completely nerdy, and it was totally perfect. And the ring was prettier than I remember it being when we looked.As we left the exhibit, he said “So, anytime you see Star Trek you’ll know [that I love you].” It was really sweet.

Deanna's Ring

The Happy Couple

The last sentence of Deanna’s email is also worth noting because it is so stinking cute…

And I seriously have no idea what to do with myself right now. I’m all filled with butterflies.

Isn’t that how you should feel after getting engaged?!

Deanna and Steve are planning a May 2010 wedding, congratulations to you both!!

***If you or a blogger you know is currently engaged or married and would like to share a proposal story on ABOHO please email me at ablogofherownATgmailDOTcom, I’d love to feature your stories!*****

Thirty Four Things For A Tuesday September 17, 2009

1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size…is perfect for my body. My boobs are one of my favorite parts of me.

2. I’ve come to realize that my job(s)…are not what defines my life. They are a means to yet another end.

3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving…I discover more about myself than I do at any other time and I tend not to listen to my music as much as I probably should. All self evaluation and no singing makes Jane crazy-pants.

4. I’ve come to realize that I need…to get back into a routine I love. Including weekly yoga. And vitamins (which, btw, have done nothing for my nails.)

5. I’ve come to realize that I have lost…the person I was a few years ago. And I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’ve also lost my ear phones. Again.

6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when…I can’t vocalize what I want/need. And when The Boy doesn’t read my mind and do what I’ve OBVIOUSLY been telepathicly telling him to do for the last three days. The nerve…

7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk…I’m happy and silly and goofy and will undoubtedly feel less so the next morning.

8. I’ve come to realize that money…is a renewable resource, so don’t worry.

9. I’ve come to realize that certain people…talk just to talk and not to listen. I talking to you Crazy Newly Married Co-Worker.

10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always…live inside my head, at least a little bit.

11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s)…are becoming human beings. And pretty decent ones at that.

12. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone…is better left untouched for a few hours at a time.

13. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning…I wasn’t tired. And it was 6:00am. Apparently that’s a good time for me?

14. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep…a good make out session can mend a bad day.

15. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking…I’m in a good place.

16. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook…it’s more to stalk semi-friends and acquaintances than to actually connect with people I miss and adore. Which needs to change.

17. I’ve come to realize that today…is sort of my Friday, woot.

18. I’ve come to realize that tonight…is ravoli night. Glorious deliciousness.

19. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow….my house will get cleaned, my clothes will get washed, and my world will feel a little more right again.

20. I’ve come to realize that I really want to…get back into a routine. A routine that includes yoga and regular blogging.

22. I’ve come to realize that love…isn’t easy. But the pay off is awesome.

23. I’ve come to realize that this past weekend…I was cranky and mean. Again. For no real reason.

24. I’ve realized the best music to listen to when I am upset…is something that makes me more upset, strangely.

25. I’ve come to realize that my friends…are gems. And I’m lucky to have them.

26. I’ve come to realize that this year…is going to be a exciting, bumpy, and thrilling ride.

28. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should…pick up the phone more.

29. I’ve come to realize that I love…having my days packed full. I get grumpy without a purpose.

30. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand…how we go through iced tea so fast. I’m making a whole jug a day.

31. I’ve come to realize my past…is extremely important to me.

32. I’ve come to realize that parties…thrill me, from the planning stages to the clean up. (Ok, maybe not the clean up)

33. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified…of getting stuck in a “comfortable” job beneath my education level. Of choosing the wrong option. Of never feeling content.

34. I’ve come to realize that my life…will never be a carbon copy of someone else’s no matter how much I attempt to emulate them. And that’s a good thing.

 

What have you realized lately?

When I’m Old Wednesday September 16, 2009

This week’s WIOW comes from my dear friend Shana, who has for the last few months been an avid reader of this blog (and emails/facebooks me with the cute old people she sees at her workplace) and exciting news,  she recently started blogging!

Thanks Shana!

In the mornings when I leave my neighborhood, I yearn to be one of the old ladies, usually 2 or 3 of them, that are on the golf course or walking. They make me giggle, with their old lady shorts and big bums, in their pristine white walking shoes and socks. And their hats or visors. Plaid. Lavender and pale pink. The boobs all a wigglin’ as they go. They make me smile.

When I’m old I hope to be one of those big bottomed, lavender clad, walkin’ and wigglin’ ladies who manage to get their daily exercise in before the rest of the world has had their coffee.

Bravo, old biddies, bravo.

Even Bratz Dolls Have A Passion…..For Fashion September 15, 2009

I have a confession. I am extremely jealous of people who know what they want to do with their life. I truly think that those individuals who haven’t changed their career paths since middle school are the lucky ones. Having such unwavering conviction in oneself is commendable, and certainly a lot less stressful than the 20-something quarter life crisis the rest of us face. And I’m not just talking about those people who have been on the course to MD’s or law degrees since seventh grade. I’m also jealous of those weirdos I keep seeing on Oprah or CNN who committed to their life’s passion and made a career out of it. The fact that they have identified their passion, in something, whether it be beekeeping or cupcakes, frustrates me out of raging jealousy.

It seems like I keep hearing about people who have transformed their careers and totally upgraded their quality of life by doing what they love. Then this article from Zen Habits popped up in my reader….

Five things you can do to move toward getting paid to do what you love:

Find your passion. This is all about your great love, and what makes you come alive. To get started here, ask: “What am I insanely interested in?” “What could I talk about for hours?” and “What would I do for free?”

Find your strengths. What we’re looking for are things you’re naturally good at, and the unique strengths you’ve had since birth. This is about contributing your gifts to the world. To get started, interview your friends, family, or peers and ask them what three things you’re naturally talented at.

Find your value. Finding the intersection between what you’re good at and what people are willing to pay you for is what it all boils down to. If you can’t find a way to get paid to do what you love, the other stuff doesn’t really matter. So it’s worth spending some time figuring this out. To get started, think about the benefits you’ll give others by contributing your value. Think about whether or not there is a desperate pain or a deep passion involved in what you’re offering.

Make the commitment. I think, more than any other reason, people fail to succeed is because they fail to commit. Thinking “I don’t know” or “maybe someday” will not get you to the point of doing what you’re passionate about for a living. It takes an uncompromising commitment to make this change for yourself. Instead of thinking “I don’t know,” think “I’ll figure it out.” Remember, paths are made by walking.

Be willing to let go. As much as you might want to make this change for yourself, it can be hard to let go of the old patterns of thinking and behaving. A lot of us have ideas that “work shouldn’t be fun” or “you should just suck it up.” Breaking down those beliefs can be difficult, but moving toward a new direction is most definitely worth it.

What will you give up? You might not think that you have time to take on a new endeavor, and you’re right. You won’t have time until you make the time. There are a lot of things we place in our schedules that we think we must do. But in reality, our world wouldn’t collapse if we chose something else. Make a list of all the activities and time sinks that you’ll give up in order to make time for your new journey

Will you say Yes to yourself? You may want to become a writer, dentist, life coach, painter, or public speaker. If you know that this is what you’re meant to do, then give yourself permission to call yourself that… even if you’re not established yet. And even if you don’t make a full time income from it. Own your passion, completely and unreservedly.

The article is spot on. I do believe people with a passion for what they’re doing will never “work” a day in their life. They may have hours of frustration or unsavory red tape to cut through, but they won’t spend their days looking at the clock tick. I’d love to set these steps into motion, to find out what I really wanted to do and just do it, but I can’t seem to get started.

My problem is I can’t get past step one. I don’t know what my “passion” is.

So I did what anyone would do.

I jumped to step two and asked Facebook what three things I’m naturally talented at.

My answers were: writing, baking, shooting, diving, gymnastics, wedding planning, and The Boy taming.

So, any good ideas as to how I can meld all these Natural Talents into something career worthy?

Preferably something outside the realm of a circus act, though I’m sure a Fiance taming, wedding dress clad acrobatic combination shooting/ high dive act would totally drive in the crowds…..

Especially if I promised them all home made oreos.

My Job Is More Uncomfortable Than Your Job September 14, 2009

Because I bet you don’t have to say the word “anal” an average of fifty times a day like moi’. You see, getting your pet’s anal glands emptied is a service my new veterinary employer offers for a minimal fee. And thus, I get to ask owners of all colors and creeds about their pet’s butt fluids. I also get to calculate dosages and dispense pet medication, which is both fun and scary. While I enjoy playing pharmacist without having to ever take Bio Chemistry, I’m paranoid I’m going to give out the wrong medication.  I take an inappropriate  amount of time behind the pharmacy counter, triple checking my math because I’m terrified I’ll give some puppy too strong a dosage

Such is a day in my life.

I’ve just realized that I can truthfully give the following response to inquiring, judgy people who ask, “So, what do you do?”

“Oh me? I work with a stripper*, talk about anuses, and dole out drugs.”

Shaba=WIN.

*Whom I adore and respect, just so we’re clear.

Wedding Do’s and Don’t September 10, 2009

I’ve decided after reading Katelin blog post today about her wedding do’s (and her previous wedding don’ts) this gloomy Thursday could do with a little wedding talk.

I had intended on writing a post about my new job and my new coworker who nonchalantly told me she met her lawyer boyfriend at her night job as an exotic dancer. But then I realized it’d probably be pretty boring because “OMG I WORK WITH A STRIPPER AND I’M INTRIGUED AND WANT TO INTERVIEW HER ABOUT FEMINISM AND HER LAWYER BOYFRIEND AND I’VE LIVED A SHELTERED LIFE WHERE “NIGHT JOB” IMPLIES  “JANITOR”  SO THIS IS A BIGGER DEAL TO ME THAN IT PROBABLY IS TO ANYONE ELSE” is about all I have to say about it.

While we’re on the topic of Janitors (go with it) The Boy and I watched “Glee” last night along with the rest of the internet and guess what? It wasn’t even my idea. I was resigned to watching the results show of Tuesday’s Worst Ever Semi Final  America’s Got Talent episode when The Boy flipped on Glee and suggested we watch. He’s full of surprises.

Anywho, my wedding dos and don’ts:

Do’s

• A Decent Photographer- This was my one big condition. I wanted a photographer who would give me exactly what I wanted for a reasonable amount. I could have easily, easily spent upwards of 5,000 on our wedding photography and done so happily because the photographic proof is that important to me. I feel like after the photos are our only real “souvenirs” of the day. They’re something we’ll have forever and even though I’ve heard couples say they don’t even look at their photos years later, I know I will have them up all over our house.  I think I hit the jackpot with our photographer who came highly recommended, gave me everything I wanted, and still costs a fraction of what the majority are charging.
• Good Food- This is for everyone else. People remember very little about the details of a wedding. I went to three weddings over the course of a year and I still categorize them by food. If the food is really good, the guests will be happy. We’re having carving stations, pasta, potatoes,  ice cream and pie. I expect people will be happy.
• People- One of the things that makes me happy about our wedding is that everyone on our guest list is someone we really hope to see attend. Keeping our guest list to approximately 100 people makes it possible for us to be a little discriminating but still have everyone we really want there in attendance. And, our wedding party will be awesome. I am so, so happy we decided to stick to our guns and go with 5 each. I can’t imagine a better group.
• Outsourcing as much as possible-Our wedding will be inexpensive as far as weddings go. I’m guestimating we’ll be well under $10,000 thanks to our budget savvy ways. Utilizing the skills and talents and generosity of our friends and family on things such as music, flowers, cinematography, invitations and favors allows people special to us to be involved in our day and keeps our costs and stressors low.
• Photobooths- Everyone likes them. It’s a fact. I want to have one at our wedding but whether it’s a DIY job or a real booth will depend on how much moola we feel like parting with closer to our wedding date.

Don’ts

• Obnoxious dj’s. Outside of bad food I think this is the area where any party has the most possible to go down hill fast. If the DJ sucks you’ll know about it, and often you’ll know about it too late. I don’t want to do the chicken dance, thank you very much. Nor do I want to do anything with “Slide” in the title.  Doing our own music makes sure this doesn’t happen.
• Outrageously expensive paper products. I love the look of letter press. It’s very pretty and very nice to feel and also very expensive. Spending two grand on invitations that everyone will throw away after our wedding? No, thank you.  To me, to us,  and for our budget that just doesn’t make sense.
• Ugly bridesmaids dresses. I don’t really understand the idea behind picking bridesmaid dresses for your maids. I’m not a stylist. I don’t know what you look good in. I don’t know what you feel comfortable in. And for a bridesmaid I think those are the two most important factors -looking good and being comfortable.

Happy Thursday!