Bling Story

So, since being engaged I've had many opportunities to show off the ring.

Graduation, Christmas, work friends, friends I didn't see over break who came back to school, people I just met....

While I think my ring is beautiful, I do understand that it's not everyone's taste.

One of the best compliments I received was that "It was the best ring I've seen go through a candle lighting in a long time." (This is mostly thanks for my fiance, because I did not pick it out)

However, the responses I don't like from people (usually ones I don't know) are as follows:

How UNIQUE

How INTERESTING

How PRETTY (Her voice rose which means she was lying. She also looked like she was lying so I'm allowed to say that)

These phrases usually fall from an older crowd (the marquise and yellow gold generation), so I understand.

What you probably don't know if exactly how perfect this ring is for me.

Why yes, it's a beautiful ring, but it has a special meaning.

The center stone is sort of a family heirloom. This is a weird story, but I have a weird family, so bare with me...

The stone has been worn by two women in my family: first, my mom in the form of an engagement ring from my father. Then, by my grandma when she was married to her second husband.

Now, it is in my possession and moving on another generation! My grandma always wanted me to have it since it was from my dad, and it has such a special meaning to me every time I look at it!

Taylor gets credit for the rest of this ring, and he did such a great job! : )

Paying it Forward

So after reading and commenting on Cara's blog, I found myself involved in a bit of a predicament.

Yes, I'll admit I wanted to receive some handmade items.

(Who doesn't love free, hand crafted with love things?)

But I was sucked in. I'll admit it.

"I promise to send something handmade
to the first 3 people who leave a comment here.
To be eligible, you must also post this in your blog,
offering the same thing to 3 other people.
The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it
must be sent to your 3 people *sometime* in 2011."

Who can say no to that, right?

So bloggers, 3 of you can comment and receive some form of craft from me.

It may not be the best thing ever, but I'll assure you I will try my darndest!

Comment away, friends!

Let's Discuss

Fellow brides and past brides, lend me your ears

Well, I'm officially in wedding planning mode. It's constantly on my brain, I just can't help it! I been thinking about this day for so long, and now I can actually act on it - not just dream. Weird concept, because sometimes your dreams don't exactly align with reality, but I'm getting on the ball.

Things I have done:

1. Ceremony venue deposit - MRCC

2. A unofficial date - Aug. 6, 2011

3. A few bridesmaids

4. Tried on dresses

5. Been to a bridal show (and won $250 to a bakery to get my cake done!)

6. Checked into photographers and found a few I like that are within my small budget.

7. Surfed The Knot and WeddingBee entirely too often.

8. We have colors! - black, white, ice blue/aqua

9. A reception venue I haven't put a deposit down for

10. Some honeymoon research has been done

11. Changed my mind so many times not only my head is spinning, but so is my fiance's.

Things I need advice on:

1. Do I really need to do 'save the dates'?

2. How do I pick a photographer? (especially on such a small budget...)

3. How much do flowers cost?

4. What's something cool I can do at my wedding that isn't a photo booth or a candy bar?

5. How do I know when I've found "the" dress? What are good places to shop at that don't rip you off?

6. What costs came up that you didn't anticipate?

Fellow brides and past brides, lend me your ears. Any vendors and advice would be appreciated!

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Well, I graduated college, but...

Now moving onto more important things, like TAYLOR AND I ARE ENGAGED!

Yes, my friends, after years on having this blog and previously hinting (not to subtly) at how unsure I was feeling, and antsy about it all happening, Taylor finally popped the question!

December 14, 2010, Taylor and I headed out on our annual trip to look at Christmas lights and eat cheesecake at the Cheesecake factory. We started out in Edmond moving toward OKC when we stopped by his parents house to "pick something up." Upon walking in, Taylor divulged that while we had agreed to not exchange gifts this Christmas, he has indeed purchased me a gift.

Yep, I knew something was up.

After walking in I found a dimly lit living room, a beautiful Christmas tree and a fire in the fireplace. Taylor escorted me over to the tree where we sat on the floor and he handed me a wrapped box to open.

I then opened three more boxes with very special notes to us, and the last one instructed me to wait for a fifth gift Taylor was about to give me.

Taylor then asked me to stand up where he told me how much he loved me and that I was his best friend, then he said something utterly romantic: "I lied to you."

What?

"Saturday, I wasn't in Stillwater. I drove up to Wichita to have dinner with your parents."

Long pause. Mostly out of shock that he did that. (good shock)

Then Taylor took out a ring box from a stocking hanging on the mantle, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!

I was so excited and relieved at the same time! It had finally happened! The moment we've been waiting for, but (I) we thought would have to wait a few months. After putting the ring on my finger, I was smiling and crying with joy at the same time. Hugging and kissing my future husband and feeling like I was on top of the world.

Taylor's parents were at the top of the stairs waiting for the "all clear" signal, so we went and told them they could come down. Sherry started crying and I started crying all over again. I gave Monte and Sherry both big hugs and they began to divulge the inside information Taylor had told them to keep quiet.

We then called a few family members and then just let it soak in for the next few hours. Needless to say, we didn't get a whole lot of Christmas lights in that night.

It was a wonderful night. I will never forget it.

Now to start the wedding plans... where to begin? Maybe I should find a job first.

See Ya

Things I will not miss about college:

• Buying textbooks that cost an arm and a leg.
• Dealing with Financial Aid every year and filling out the FAFSA.
• Blackboard
• Caf food
• Reading about subjects I'm not interested in or not very good at doing.
• The people that "whoop" during the Alma Mater
• The CAAP test
• Having no free time/social life

Things I will miss about college:

• Countless teachers and staff who have been so helpful, encouraging and wise.
• Free things
• Free IT services
• My friends
• My Pi sisters
• Not having an excuse to sing and dance in a funny outfit on a stage.
• Having basically everything you need within a 1/2 mile vicinity.
• Hearing the same stories over and over again by Dr. Patterson.

College ending is such a mixed bag of emotions for me. I'm ready to move on, but I have so many good memories at OC. I have no doubt that I picked the right college and found a major that interests and challenges me. I've worked hard over these four and a half years, and I am proud of myself for a lot of reasons. Only one thing could make graduating better...if I had a job!

In Summary:

Well it's been a while, folks!

My life has been wonderful and crazy at the same time, but that's how it has been for the last four years. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, I assure you I am not - just in time to graduate.

The Last Semester:

1. I'm working with Eagle Angle - our campus' weekly live news show.
2. Looking for my first big girl job.
3. Finishing my last semester with Pi. :(
4. Working a wonderful internship at St. Anthony Hospital.
5. Still procrastinating on homework. What else is new? This next week will be crazy! I have two papers and a book report presentation due, and an interview to get ready for on Friday.

The fun thing about this semester is that I don't have to take any classes directly involving my major. With the exception of one business class, but it's more entrepreneurial in nature. So it's freed up a little time to explore and concentrate on other subjects, which is kind of nice.

I can also say that I officially graduate NEXT MONTH. It hit me a few days ago. December 17 I will be walking across that stage and out of OC - I place to really don't want to leave, but must. I know it's time, but it's hard to say goodbye to something that's had such a significant place in your life. I never felt nearly this nostalgic about high school - I was glad to say goodbye, but this time I'll have to prepare and remind myself I'm no longer a student.

This quote has been on my mind a lot lately and I'm so happy I found it:

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.”

— Anatole France

This gives me a little comfort in the seasons of life, and I know without a doubt I will leave a part of myself at OC. However, it is only to continue to build a better "me". God's path is undeniable, I've learned. I'm trying to see his plan for my life right now as I'm making so many decisions about my future. It's so tough at this age cause I think I can do a lot on my own, but I know there is a grand plan for it all.

Undateable

It's a lovely afternoon. I'm sitting on my couch relaxing with my wonderful Peach Bellini candle from Bath and Body Works (straight from heaven) and watching at little VH1. Right now they are counting down the Top 100 things that make guys undateable.

I realize I'm not technically on the prowl, but I've had my own experiences with undateable guys (and actually dated some of them), so this is a list for those dating women out there.

Here are a few I agree with:

1. Bluetooth

This is usually how you meet a Bluetooth wearing guy-

You're in 7-11 filling up a Big Gulp cup and you hear a guy say "hey what's going on tonight?" (or something similar) - you turn around wondering who this strange person is and being the nice girl you are, nod and smile to be polite.

This is where the Bluetooth wearer turns on you.

He has the audacity to give you a weird look like "why are you looking at me- I don't know you," and continue filling his cup with a grape slurpee.

Bluetooth is a no go.

Unless you don't have any arms.

2. Vanity plates

I must confess, I bought one of my high school boyfriends a vanity plate. I was 15, "in love" and it was his 16th birthday party. So I went to a mall kiosk (legit) and got it airbrushed for him. What did it say, you're wondering? Well, I couldn't decide at first. He drove this olddddd, white Ford truck. Like 1960's old. It had seen better days, but he liked fixing it up and I was forced to ride around in that "car". He often referred to it as "The White Dragon."

Yes. This is real life.

After entertaining that idea, I quickly decided against it. I went with something much more classy.

Chris (the undateable boyfriend in this scenario) was a big fan of Superman. And by fan I mean he drew the "S" logo on all his undershirts, but instead of an "S" it was his initials: "CV".

So, I said to myself "why don't I put that on the plate for him! Duh!"

To make a long story longer, I did it and he LOVED it.

Two months later he dumped me.

3. Wearing sports jerseys

Boyfriend is way into sports. That's actually an understatement. He visits my apartment merely to steal ESPN, I'm convinced. I sit by his side and am forced to eat endless amounts of Rotel dip and Tostitos during baseball, golf and hockey seasons, Olympic curling and beginning last weekend: college football. He's an avid OU fan, and he shows his pride by wearing an OU jersey.

He refers to the team as "we" on many occasions. He obviously dedicates a lot to the team.

To tell you the truth this doesn't bother me that much. Just give me the Rotel and my laptop and I'm a happy girl. My boyfriend is certainly not undateable, you silly VH1 show.

4. Excessive Ed Hardy.

No one - and I mean no one - should ever be allowed to own, buy or re-sell Ed Hardy. It's bad for the economy, our planet and is probably the cause of global warming.

Ed Hardy = excessive hair products, therefore an excessive amount of hair spray which is made of aerosol, which hereto, destroys the ozone layer.

The answer is always no when Ed Hardy is involved.

5. Man shakes

Boyfriend works in a pretty manly environment. It's competitive, male dominated and requires a suit (a big ego booster). So naturally, he comes home with quite a few tales from undateable men in his office. One in particular chooses a fist bump - but it doesn't end just there. Fist bump, then brings his hand back and makes an explosion noise.

One time Taylor came home and showed me some handshake where you turned your index and middle finger into two legs and you walk them away from the other person's fingers...or something like that. So weird.

Not necessarily undateable, but definitely embarrassing.

Now I know this blog is read by all girls - let's not mince words - so what undateable qualities do you think I missed?

I know you've got stories.