The Ring... My Precious

Ok, so my own ring finger feels so very naked. On Wednesday I had to give it up to have the wed band saudered on. I won't see it till next Wednesday and then I can't wear it till next Saturday. That is wayyy too long, but at least I will never have to take it off again. :)

Well, on Wednesday I also picked up my Groom's ring. Very cool looking and the engraving was fun. Well, my dearest one was sick with some fluish type of bug that day and when we tried it on it was so very, very tight and I had to use lotion to get it off. I was very bummed. I called Greenburgs immediately and explained and they said that they would call and see what could be done the next morning. I was on pins and needles.

The next day I took a sick day because I wasn't feeling too good and cause I really really needed a day off to resituate my head and things for the wedding. I went in to Greenburgs and they kindly explained to me that they titanium can't be resized and since I had it engraved they couldn't exchange it either. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I thanked him and left. I did all I could to not think about it till Zach got home.

My phone ringing "I love you so, would you go with me..." woke me up from a nap and Zach announced he was home. After a few groggy moments, the dilema hit me between the eyes once more and I asked if he could come over and try to fit the ring again. He was soon over and to no avail did the little circle of metal fit. I couldn't hold it in any longer and I was crying and since I hate it when I start crying, I cried all the more. He was actually laughing and saying that it was okay and that we would figure it out and that he is usually the one who does things like this. Also since the engraving was part of the red tape, he now knows what the ring says. He wasn't supposed to know till the day of.

So we went back in to Greenburgs that night to see what could be done. I almost didn't go in cause for some most random twist of fate a family from Creston was in there and talking to some dude. I did go in though and greeted them with a chipper "hello". These two little gals had Zach put the sizer on and voila'!! It was a 10 1/2 like I ordered. The 11 was too big. They asked me for the ring and I went out and got it. He tried it on in front of them and even they were wincing as he shoved it on and pried it off. His finger was all red too, poor guy. They saw that the size difference was drastic. So they are going to talk to their manager and see what they can do since it is somewhat their fault. Then they are going to see if they can get a new one for half price, since we have to buy a new one, and see if they can get it in by Tuesday before we leave on Wednesday.

So even now I sit waiting in suspense, praying that we can get a new one with the engraving t a decent price in time for the wedding. You can all pray too!!!!

Totally Legal on Tuesday

At 1 p.m.yesterday, my fiance, my brother, his wife, and I all took off for the Polk County Records Building downtown Des Moines. We found one last little spot to park in and stuck a quarter into the meter and took off across the street. I was reprimanded for jaywalking, but I have never known a cop to pull over a pedestrian for trying to cross the street when the light wasn't flashing the green walking dude, so I didn't care.

Once we finally got to the Vital Records Suite, we turned off our cells phones as the several laminated signs instructed. The clerk came over and very matronly showed us what to fill out, reminding us that this was a legal document and that we needed to be accurate. Watch out! Zach might end up being the one with the name change. I don't think so! Once we filled it out and showed our IDs, then Michael had to step up and fill out the section of the form to prove that I am not related to Zach (not yet). Then with the last flourish of the pen of my confident I-have-been-here-before brother, they took it away to type up in an even more official document. When she gave it back to check over, I was appalled to see that I was marrying a man born Nov. 7, 2007. Apparently, it was her mistake, and she fixed it. Whew! She showed us where to sign at the ceremony and such and then said that it would be valid on Monday the 12th. Then a co-worker reminded her of the holiday and the validity date was moved to Tuesday the 13th. Unfortunately, that reminded the noterary that the other licenses had to have their dates changed as well. Poor peoples who were misled. I wonder if any of the wedding have to be adjusted. Well, we were wished well and sent on our way.

Then last night after Youth Group and most of the people leaving church, Pastor led us into his office for the last session of marriage counseling. I was expecting this to possibly be a long section. I was very wrong. We went over the high-detailed order of service and after asking if we had any questions, and then what the colors were again so he could buy a new tie for the occasion, he told us that was it and we were ready. I sat there a few seconds, wondering where the rest of the session went to. There has to be more to prep for marriage, but I guess you can't solve and attack every possible problem you may have. More advice maybe?

So we had our last MC session and on Tuesday we can legally get hitched...hummm...ok, nah, I will wait. It is rather tempting, but since we only have 16 days left, I will make myself drag through these last two weeks (seems like months still and the reality hasn't hit either). No worries Mom and Dad.

Snow in the Forecast

Okay, so for those who really know me, I usually pray for snow starting the beginning of November or so. I love the snow as long as I can get to where I need to get to. It was especially awesome when Faith closed for a day because of it and I got a paid day off! Then other days were fun with snowdrift busting (trucks trying to get stuck and then unstuck in the snow on purpose).

This time I am not that anxious, as my wedding is in 18 days and I really want all who can come to come. Snow could be a majorly annoying hinderance. So whilst the snow would be a nice accent to the winter themed wedding, I want everyone to be able to come.

Why this sudden outburst?! Well, snow is forcasted in mid-Iowa for this Friday!! Not so soon, Frosty! You can take this oncoming cold with you too, cause I have a wedding to ready for!

Goodbye roomie!!

This weekend my dear roomie is graciously moving out to her own 1 bed-room just a quarter mile away since I get a new roommate in 3 weeks. It is sad to see her leave and knowing she will be by herself over yonder. Kim has been great! We haven't spent a ton of time together, but we have tons of fun times at random times as we pass each other in and out of the apartment.
What is even more sad, is that I will be gone when she moves and so it will be sort of a shock to get used to. She is there and only a little packed and then when I get back on Sat. night...poof, Kim will be out and gone. Crazy!
I will admit that I am anxious to set up house for my future hubby and I and put all our gifts away. It will be fun to have a little more room and get things organized and ready for us to walk in to when we get back early December. Okay, so I am really excited about all of it!!
I will put out a wonderful recommendation for Kim as she was a wonderful roommate and I am waiting for the right guy to snatch her. In the mean time, I will just leave her a bright little gift for her to find in her new place!

Age Doesn't Really Matter, Doesn't It?

So I decided that I was going to finally use my pork loin roast that has been in my freezer for quite a while. Zach had offered one too that he said needs to be used, but I was sure that the age of mine put it in major priority and I really wanted to use it in this awesome plum sauce recipe and I thought that I should be more considerate and use my roast for my pleasure. So I got it started. I was so excited too, cause I got to use my Tru-Thermo thingamajigger. It is great! You set the temp to what it needs to be and then stick the thermo stick into the meat and it beeps when it gets hot enough.

So I mixed the teryaki sauce, fresh garlic, honey, and plum jelly and poured it all over the roast and stuck it in. I went about my business finishing the last two wedding gift thank-you cards that I have left up to this point. I am determined to stay ahead. :) Maybe I am over zealous, but oh, well, I can at least try.

Well, the roast was done to 160 degrees as is the norm for a pork roast and it was smelling wonderful. Even with the burned juices in the bottom of the oven. I really need to get a baster. A spoon doesn't really work. I got the potatoes and peas all done and ready. Zach came on over and he asked what it was. I wouldn't tell him cause he has this hinderance against oriental flavors and the teryaki might put a mental block in his head, so I told him that I would inform him after he tried it.

He was very gracious and honestly, it tasted really good though I forgot to thicken the sauce. I told him what it was and he was nice and said it was good, but it wasn't his favorite. I forced the opinion so I got it. I must have total honesty concerning cooking.

The fun part was that it was pretty tough, like knives needed. Normally, they are tender and easy to cut with a fork. I knew immediately the cause. "So how old did you say your roast was?" I asked. "Oh, from the summer." was the reply. "Haha, have I got you beat!" I added, not in true victory. "How old is it!?" I was asked. I got up to put the dishes in the sink and wouldn't answer. I figure if it isn't bad for you and you won't die, why tell, though it was way to tough for full enjoyment.

"One year?"..."More?"..."Two years!!??" voice getting a little more desperate with each guess. I admitted finally that it was closer to 2 years. "Honey", he said, "next time you just chuck it and we will get a new one." "But I couldn't waste it!" I countered, while thinking that that a tender roast really might have been worth it. Oh, well.

So he ate all on his plate, though he still won't eat peas. I even showed him the color it adds to the plate and how it is rich in iron. Both didn't work since he isn't into culinary presentation or iron since he is a guy naturally supplied with a rich amount. At least the roast is gone. Next is the pork chops of Kim's. They are gaining an age reputation in there as well, but I will not be intimidated and they will see daylight soon.

Prunes of Orange Essence

Doesn't that sound most wonderful? I love refridgerated prunes. I get a lot of very weird and questioning looks when people find out! I actually got Dr. Bob (70 something), Larry, my boss (late 60s), and Brock (20s) to try one, most of them actually agreed on their tastiness though not too many adjectives were used. Dr. Bob did ask what other flavors they made them in.

Here are the top reasons why you should try them and even like prunes:
-- they are very high in fiber
-- they are a great quick snack
-- they come in fun resealable bags
-- they come in reg., orange essence, and cherry essence
-- they taste really good
-- last, but not least, you will have to eat them one day for dietary necessities, so might as well aquire a taste.

(Sunsweet should be happy for the little push for their product, and if one of the company reads this perchance they might sign me up for a free box or something)

Paper Chain Gang

Okay, so the paper chain comment is to be explained. I started it two weeks ago. It is red and white. The white links are the normal boring days and the red ones mark something significant, such as each weekend (6, 5, 4, and so forth), a month's mark (Nov. 8th is 6 months), day marks (Oct. 30th is 25 days!), and then the last 10 days (day 10 is a sad day since I have to part with my ring for 10 days :( !) are all in red. This week is the last week that is a full white link week. So very dull and slow!! Then for the next 4 weeks, there are all kinds of fun stuff to celebrate. The most satisfying is the ripping/tearing sound of links being broken and removed. I do believe that the chain has been torn down about a foot and a half since 2 weeks ago. I love coming back to work from the weekend cause I can tear off two or three at a time. Definitely much more fulfilling!!

If ya'll really want to and time allows at your work or such, making a paper chain such as this one is really quite easy and if you can't decided what goal to have, you can adopt mine and count down with me! You can even do different colors than mine, but since mine is a winterish wedding it just seemed appropriate.

I must also put in an acknowledgment to Jessica VDM since she is the one who put the idea in my little brain. Thanks Jess!!