20 Amazing Months

20 in 20: Step Four

2009-03-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Measuring? Food weights?

I'm going to be looking towards Cooking light for a lot of recipes as well as Self magazine for good work out routines to keep me motivated to plan better. While I am out in Portland I know it will be hard for me to do all these things, but once I am home Greg and I are really going to have to hunker down and get portion sizes correct. I think this is definitely one of my biggest downfalls - portion sizes. I am just a huge sucker for the whatever is on my plate I will eat it thing ... or you know the whatever size bag of chips I will eat it thing - ugh my weakness!!

Portions, portions portions. One good thing I was doing for a while was opening up things from the grocery store as soon as I got them and putting them into correct portion sized baggies. This worked for a while -- until I started grabbing two baggies! Ha.

Accountability is what this is all about.

20 in 20: Step Three

2009-03-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

Plan ...

This is going to be hard/interesting.

I am a big planner. Really big planner. But I've never planned my meals before. I can definitely plan my work outs, but I think the meals and calorie counting are going to be difficult. I'll hopefully be able to put some plans out here on the blog to be held accountable.

Maybe this planning for eating and exercising thing might help me in planning oh who knows ... my wedding?!?! haha.

20 in 20: Step Two

2009-03-16T15:42:00.001-07:00

Rewards!!

Who doesn't love a reward?!

5 pound reward: Manicure/Pedicure
10 pound reward: Shopping spree! New dress for all the weddings!
15 pound reward: Hour massage

20 in 20: Step One

2009-03-16T15:41:00.001-07:00

Yeah I'm going to do it ... I am actually putting this out there ...

My plan: To lose 15 pounds in 20 weeks
My goal: To reach 158 pounds by August 7, 2009

20 in 20!!

2009-03-16T15:38:00.001-07:00

Or 15 in 20 ... but close enough.

I'm doing the Ashisfit challenge! are YOU!?

Well you should!!

PWA (Public Wedding Announcement)

2009-02-08T09:13:00.000-08:00

From Pam to Mr:

From Pam to our Guests:

*Shamelessly stolen from Miss. K on www.weddingbee.com

Holy Camera Batman!

2008-12-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

So everyone else has been doing it after Anne Ruthman gave her tutorial and I couldn't resist especially not since I got my new camera lens and flash! Here are some pretty amazing (if I do say so myself) pictures of my ring!

Hanging on some holiday holly!

Christmas ornament fun. Beautiful tulips, my favorite.

Checklist Haiku

2008-12-22T12:24:00.000-08:00

(Image source)

I love checklists.
Check check check
I am going to check you off.

(I hate it when it looks like I am spelling a word wrong because I wrote it so many times in a row.)

I need to get my head straight and actually write a check list with actual To Do's on it because the mental lists and lists on the many many different websites are starting to get to me. It's also hard because of the long engagement and they keep telling me things aren't due until next July -- that just doesn't fly with me. I'm a planner. I want this wedding planned a little bit at a time so I can enjoy every step of it. So I'm off to write a wedding check list -- so I can check that off my real life checklist.

Been There, Done That Series

2008-12-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

The Been There, Done That Series will be a series of posts about things that we've already done for the wedding. Seeing as how I started this blog nearly 8 months into our 20 month engagement we have done a LOT!!! I'll be leaving the east coast for three months, being the planner I am, I really wanted to get a majority of things done before I left. Each of these posts will start with "BTDT" "Been There, Done That." These are the successes (and failures!) of wedding planning over a year in advance. Some of the posts will include.

The Engagement: The Preparations
The Engagement: Happy Birthday!
The Engagement: Two knees?!
The Engagement: You can't call your mom yet!
The Engagement: How did YOU get here?!
The Engagement: After the party it's the after party
The Rules of Engagement
The Three Week Wait
The Date Choice
The No Church Decision - and all that comes with it.
The Venue Search
The Guest List
The DJ - Easiest as one, two, three!
The Photographer Search
The Photographer Meeting
The Photographers!!!
Event Coordinator
Contract Negotiations
The Budget
The Dress Search 1
The Dress Search 2
The Dress: Custom Made!
Rehearsal Dinner: The Guest List
Rehearsal Dinner: The Location
Attendants: Who, How many, and where are they!?
Attendants: The Bridesmaids
Attendants: The Groomsmen
Attendants: THE Flower Girl
The Website - Takes 1 through 50
Stationary Searches
Stationary Vendor Meetings
Stationary - The Save the Dates
9 weddings in 2009!
Organizational Tools

Oh wow -- Looks like I have a LOT of things to write about and you have a lot of things to read! This should keep me busy for -- I dont know -- years!?! But it will be worth it so in the future I have it all together in one place.

Aruba? Jamaica? Ooh I wanna take you to ..

2008-12-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

Bermuda? Bahama? Come on pretty mama ....

Nope!

We're going to HAWAII!!!!!!

Heck yeah! We are going to be spending up to two glorious weeks on the island of Kauai. I am so unbelievably excited about this. Soup's parents have been beyond generous in allowing us to use their Hawaiian timeshare for our honeymoon adventure. We have no clue what the exact plans will be but I know they will include a helicopter ride and some surfing lessons.

Now to figure out how I am going to manage taking 3 weeks off from work ... one week before the wedding and two after?? Wouldnt that be nice? Except -- I only have two weeks of vacation for the year. And that would mean I would use all my vacation in January -- which is not okay with me. Fortunately we are financially able for me to take a week unpaid (Soup has plenty of vacation time so we don't need to worry about him) but I just don't know if it's allowed.

What would you do?!

2008

2008-12-09T13:54:00.000-08:00

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

I got engaged.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Maria and I made about 50 New Year's Resolutions over a couple of bottles of champagne last year ... so clearly, I'm not sure what they all were. From what I do remember I did some, I didn't do some. The time I spent with her that night was so perfect. I still laugh about how much fun we had making the resolutions -- and I'd say a year later we are still having fun, so I kept them. For next year, I have a lot of "To Dos" on my list -- I am not calling them resolutions because (as Weight Watchers says) it's a lifestyle change not a diet -- and I think I'm going to go with that, not only in dieting but in life.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

A few cousins, yes, but no one super close. Little Miss Caroline is still our one and only.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, this year we lost Siobhan. One of the most tragic events of my very young life. A loss of life in that manner is something no one, especially not anyone as young, should go through. It is a tragedy but so much strength came from it. We all learned how precious every day is and I still get sad when I think that she won't have the full life she so deserved.

My mom also lost one of her best friends, Patti. She was an inspirational woman and one to not be forgotten. She made so much out of her circumstances - please visit www.ovationsforthecure.com and support Patti's life work.

5. What countries did you visit?

Belize baby!! Soup and I had the most amazing time in Belize. Belize was, is, indescribable. Really. But that was it for outside of the US travel in 2008.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A new house. Gotta get out of this one bedroom condo! I love you Soup but it's killing me!

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

March 29th -- the day we left for Belize - we counted down to that day for a long time!

May 10 -- The proposal day!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

All of the success I have had at my job and all the positive reinforcement I get from everyone there.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Ugh seems stupid but weight loss, or lack there of. I had done a really great job at the end of 2007 but made absolutely no progress throughout 2008.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nope, not that I can think of. And three years strep throat free!!!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

The Wii? For Soup's birthday he got the Wii -- and I got him! (He proposed on his birthday!) Hmm but the best thing I bought for me - gosh this is pathetic that it's so hard. Oh I just got some brown boots that are exactly what I wanted -- so brown boots! LAME!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I have to go with Kerry. 2008 was her YEAR baby. The marathon, the new job, the buying a condo - umm rock on sissy!!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Those are really strong words. Really strong. If the question was whose behavior disappointed you -- I'd have to say there were a few people throughout the year who disappointed, minor things nothing spectacular - but no one appalled me or made me depressed.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Savings -- With Soup and I combining most finances we were able to save a lot more this year -- hopefully that will go to a downpayment sooner then later.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Engagement!!! Planning a wedding. Portland -- as scared as I am ... I am SO excited to go and do something on my own!

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

Cupid Shuffle -- The boys silly dancing and singing while on their vacation to the bahamas.

Lost in this Moment -Big&Rich -- It came out about a month before we were engaged and I really loved it and I couldn't wait to be able to really picture my wedding when listening to it. I smile/cry every time I hear it.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:?
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?

Happier, same - refer to #9, richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Get out of the house. I often get home from work after going to the gym and feel as if I have to stay in for the night. I really need to get out more -- do things on my own, go have dinner with friends, go grab a drink at starbucks (except I dont drink coffee), just go for a walk, get OUT and away from the laptop.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Wasted time worrying -- everything will work out.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Not at Christmas yet -- but the plan is - the big McFam party on the 20th; Christmas Eve with the Soups; Christmas Day with the immediate family. Can't wait.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

I fall in love with Soup every day! (You can stop gagging now)

22. What was your favorite TV program?

How I Met Your Mother; The Hills

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

24. What was the best book you read?

Water for Elephants -- Sara Gruen

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Taylor Swift -- I am such a follower but I love her.

26. What did you want and get?

I wanted to be engaged and now I am.

27. What did you want and not get?

A house.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

PS I love you was good. I'm not really a big movie person..

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

6/6 - Always a wonderful day! This year it was a work day and I was greeted in the morning by Skittle Cupcakes made my Lauren!! It was such a great surprise and so nice that everyone at work then knew it was my birthday. I celebrated that night with dinner at the Cactus club and drinks on Boylston -- a fun birthday as always.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Gosh I feel like I'm harping on it -- but the house thing seems to be a common theme. We were really on track to have a new house by the end of the year and then a whole bunch of things happened and it just wasn't the right timing.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

I wish I had ANY concept of fashion. I would describe it as absolutely NONE.

32. What kept you sane?

Soup, Sissy, Ria, Poomela

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

K Fed -- HA just kidding. I'd have to say David Cook is pretty cute.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

It was an election year! I'm glad Obama won. I'm annoyed at how much of everyone's lives were wrapped around the election. It was so frustrating so often.

35. Who did you miss?

Pammy - why are you so far away? My grandmothers. I spend a lot of time with Soup's Nana and I wish my grandmothers were around to see me engaged and to see me married. My dad always says I am like Nina, I wish I could know what he means.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I'm 99% sure I met her in 2007 but I didn't really meet her until 2008 -- and that would be Lauren. She's super great and super sweet and just all around a great new friend to have.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Good things come to those who wait. And wait patiently :)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Baby, you're amazing, and I want you to see; that you are everything and more to me. - Josh Kelley