Wedding Prep

As the wedding prep continues, here are some updates!

We've now had engagement photos taken...

And I picked up my practice bouquet this weekend... It was beautiful!

We are adding red dahlias, but couldn't get them this early in the season...

And last Saturday, I had my Bachelorette party! We had so much fun... Here are some of the girls and I,

enjoying some wine and hors devours...

The we went downtown.. And I of course got lots of looks with my veil and sash designating me as the Bride!

We all went to dinner at Ottawa Tavern, which has great food

(just don't ask about the service...)

Then we went to Mojo's the dualing piano bar, and had blast... Lots of dancing and fun times!

And then we ended up back at the hotel for the night.. Here is me and two of my favorite girls!

(Emily and Suzy...)

Spring time!

Hi Everyone - Sorry it has been so long since I've last posted... I've taken pictures with the purpose of posting, they just havn't gotten here yet... So, other than wedding planning, this is what we've been up to!

Grill Master Jim has been preparing some wonderful meals...

We used our new veggie griller to make a great side to go with our chicken. The veggies were marinaded in olive oil, a little lemon juice, and... from our new spice rack... which I had never heard of....

It went very well with all the veggies... I just had never heard of or used it before!

I've also been doing a ton of spring yard work... Just for Dad - Diagonals!

Also, planted some flowers...

Jim already got started enjoying the scenary and relaxing!

We are going to ARUBA!!!!

Jim kept telling me - everything will work out.... Now I finally believe him!

I got a call this morning, and we have finalized our trip to Aruba thanks to Uncle Bill and Aunt Robyn's timeshare club! Yippee!!! The timeshare starts Aug. 28th, so we will be able to use the whole week... We will probably also look into going a couple days before that as well as flying will probably be easier midweek.... So, I bought some sunscreen today, cuz I'm headed to the beach! (in 4 months... haha) The Aruban Resort and Casino (www.thearuban.com) will be wonderful - take a look!




This weekend was also my first bridal shower! It was so much fun.. Everyone who reads this and is female was probably there, so I'll just say that I had a great time, and appreciate all the hard work and wonderful gifts! It is finally starting to feel real - Jim and I are getting married!!!! :-D

The main issue - resolved

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts this week... we got the reception place! I guess the other party was small enough to move to a different room on a different floor... So there will be two groups there at the same time, but we will dominate in number. As long as the other bride doesn't make a scene, I'm fine with it. So yay! Now if we could only figure out the honeymoon......

My Mini-melt-down

I also have failed to blog... I think it is that I feel nothing really exciting has been going on in my life... Except for yesterday. Not one exciting thing happened... but two utterly disappointing things happened...

1st: They double booked our reception hall. I am just drained from the anger, resentment, disappointment, grief, etc. that I feel... It is not yet decided if we or the other party gets the place, but I'll keep you posted... It's a long story of who bought out who, who no longer works there, blah blah blah.. All I know, is that I want my reception there. The only glistening sparkle of hope I acquired today is that our second choice of locations is still available. However.. due to #2, I'm really considering eloping...

2nd:We can't go to Aruba for our honeymoon using my uncle and aunt's gift of their timeshare. Aruba is all booked... If we wanted to go Sept 28th we could.. but we can't.. We are still 2nd on a waiting list for one that starts the 21st, but then we miss 2 days of it :( Very disappointed... We are trying to figure out if we can afford to go without the timeshare, or try and figure out somewhere else to go... A big boooooo there. We have already researched all the activities and everything... augh.

But now I get to go to work. Yay.. Meeting from 2-3, 330-530, 6-7, then work on the floor 7-1130. I would say that at least it will help me to not think of 1 and 2, but these meetings are not the most exhilarating... ::sigh::

I Passed!

I know we haven't been very good at posting.  Sorry about that.  I don't think I will be much better in the short term, considering my schedule for the next couple of weeks (finals season).  But I thought I would take the chance to share some good news.

I finally recieved the results of the Multistate Professional Rules Exam that I took on March 7th.  I'm not sure why it takes a month to get results for a test taken on scan-tron sheets, but what can you do?  The scaled scores range from 50-150, and Michigan currently requires a score of 85 to pass.  I scored a 110.  What this means, exactly, I'm not sure, except that I passed on my first try.  So that's awesome.

For anyone who I didn't explain it to before, the MPRE is sort of like the  first part of the Bar exam.  It covers the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (the law of being a lawyer).  It covers everything from conflicts-of-interest to advertising rules and everything in between.  You have to pass it to be admitted to the Bar in any state.  

Jill 101

To follow Amy's lead... Here is a survey!

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
Open—they are hardly ever close-able..

2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?
I used to, but I don't as often... I usually end up throwing them away anyway...

3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
They start tucked in.. but never stay that way long...

4. Have you ever stolen a street sign before?
Not a street sign, but I do have a "For all your septic needs - 254-POOP" and many "Jill for Congress" signs...

5. Do you like to use post-it notes?
I use them at work.. and make notes on all sorts of things at home...

6. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
I cut out a lot when I had the paper, but now I'm still using my stock pile...

7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?
I agree with Amy on this one.. I'd rather not be attacked.

8. Do you have freckles?
No, but lots of moles.

9. Do you always smile for pictures?
If I know someone is taking it, yes...

10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Hmm.. I can only think of work things... Like when ER sends patients during shift change.. or I get 5/6 isolation patients...

11. Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
Every now and then.

12. Have you ever peed in the woods?
Yup.. and the weeds... Pat tried to get a picture of that one...

13. What about pooped in the woods?
Unfortunately yes... That's what hiking for 5 days will do to you...

14. Do you ever dance even if there’s no music playing?
Not usually...

15. Do you chew your pens and pencils?
Yuck. no.

16. How many people have you slept with this week?
People? None.. Dog - 1.. Cat - not so far this well...

17. What size is your bed?
Full - however a queen is in my near future..

18. What is your Song of the week?
Can't say I have one

19. Is it okay for guys to wear pink?
I'm not usually a fan.. But they can do what they want.

20. Do you still watch cartoons?
Family guy occasionally...

21. What’s your least favorite movie?
LEAST - Not usually a fan of horror stuff, but can't think of a specific one...

22. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?
"I probably wouldn’t bury it. I’d do something boring like invest it." -Agree with Amy... Burying isn't safe...

23. What do you drink with dinner?
Skim milk or Riptide Rush gatorade

24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
Honey

25. What is your favorite food?
Ice cream

26. What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
Wedding Crashers

27. Last person you kissed/kissed you?
Jim

28. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
Girls scout for a couple years (Speaking of which, I just ordered cookies last night! So everyone - find a girl scout! Now is the time!)

29. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
That'd be a negative.

30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?
I wrote Valentine Card's with messages for a few people...

31. Can you change the oil on a car?
Nope.

32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Unfortunately the total is up to 4...

33. Ran out of gas?
No, but I've been close more often than i'd like to admit...

34. Favorite kind of sandwich?
Salami and butter... mmm...

35. Best thing to eat for breakfast?
McDonald's Sausage McMuffin with Egg

36. What is your usual bedtime?
930am... The only thing i'm consistent about is when I have to go back to work the next night... Otherwise I vary - alot.

37. Are you lazy?
Only about little things like picking up the clothes off my bedroom floor... And half-painted bathrooms...

38. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
I don't remember them all.. But I know i've been Rainbow Bright, A #2 Pencil, and a Grandma (wrinkles drawn on and all...)

39. What is your Chinese astrological sign?
Rat?

40. How many languages can you speak?
English only... I understand more Spanish than I ever let my Spanish-speaking patient know about... But can't speak much anymore

41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
Kiplinger's financial Magazine

42. Which are better legos or Lincoln logs?
Legos... although I only ever made spaceships with oven's and couches...

43. Are you stubborn?
About some things yes..

44. Who is better...Leno or Letterman?
I'm either working, sleeping, or doing something more fun...

45. Ever watch soap operas?
Nope

46. Afraid of heights?
Not really

47. Sing in the car?
Sometimes

48. Dance in the shower?
Nope

49. Dance in the car?
No? I usually drive or sleep when in the car...

50. Ever used a gun?
Dad used to let me sometimes growing up.. But I've never shot a living thing.

51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?
Oh my... Summer of 06.. Nursing Graduation photos.

52. Do you think musicals are cheesy?
Chessy? Not necessarily... My thing? No.

53. Is Christmas stressful?
Not really.. more fun than anything :)

54. Ever eat a pierogi?
Emily introduced me to them in college... so yes.

55. Favorite type of fruit pie?
Strawberry, Blueberry, or Rhubarb.

56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
Vet, Doctor, Nurse, Teacher, Gymnastics instructor (from the kid who dropped out because she couldn't do a backwards somersault)

57. Do you believe in ghosts?
Only the kind that chase me from Ghost towns in Colorado...

58. Ever have a Déjà-vu feeling?
Not often.

59. Take a vitamin daily?
Lately - yes. I have a hair and nail one.. I need longer hair before the wedding!

60. Wear slippers?
I got some for Christmas, but I still often forget to wear them

61. Wear a bath robe?
Yeah.. after a shower... and often when I'm just cold.

62. What do you wear to bed?
Long sleeve shirt and flannel pants

63. First concert?
No idea...

64. Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
Don't have a Kmart close, Target is closest, but Walmart has Groceries. Most often - Meijer.

65. Nike or Adidas?
Adidas, although lately New Balance

66. Cheetos Or Fritos?
Cheetos for sure. Don't mind Fritos, but Cheetos are awesome.

67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
Sunflower seeds on salads... Peanuts to eat by themselves.

68. Ever hear of the group Tress Bien?
Uh, no.

70. Ever take dance lessons?
No, but I really wish I would have.

71. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?
I've always pictured my future spouse to do something like my dad - me not having a clue what they do, but they come home at 5 o'clock...

72. Can you curl your tongue?
Yes

73. Ever won a spelling bee?
No, I've always been a horrible speller.

74. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
Yes - When Jim proposed :-D

75. Own any record albums?
No

76. Own a record player?
No

77. Regularly burn incense?
Nope.

78. Ever been in love?
Yuppers!

79. Who would you like to see in concert?
I'm not really a concert person... However Bless You Boys play on Friday...

80. What was the last concert you saw?
No Idea.. probably Bless You Boys (local group.. )

81. Hot tea or cold tea?
Hot only.. Can't stand iced tea.

82. Tea or coffee?
never coffee, occasionally tea.

83. Sugar or snickerdoodles?
Anything with chocolate?

84. Can you swim well?
I can keep afloat... but that's about it.

85. Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
Yes, why wouldn’t I be able to?

86. Are you patient?
No.. i make whiny noises.. and Jim tells me to "use your words...."

87. DJ or band, at a wedding?
Planning on DJ

88. Ever won a contest?
I don't remember winning much.. However I did win $5 from a $1 lottery ticket at the bar the other morning!

89. Ever have plastic surgery?
Not yet...

90. Which are better black or green olives?
Yuck... neither.

91. Can you knit or crochet?
No, but I should learn.. I like to keep my hands busy.

92. Best room for a fireplace?
Don't currently have one, but probably a family room...

93. Do you want to get married?
YES YES YES YES YES!!!! Can't wait to marry Jim in August!

94. If married, how long have you been married?
Negative 6 months!

95. Who was your HS crush?
Had a couple.. but I'll say Phil Treadway

96. Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?
I make whiny noises and thrash around on the couch when tired... haha.. Jim loves it (not really at all.. he is very patient with me...)

97. Do you have kids?
Not yet!

98. Do you want kids?
Sure do! The debate is 2 or 3....

99. What’s your favorite color?
Usually purple

100. Do you miss anyone right now?
Lots of people! Mostly female friends... (Megan, Suzy, Emily... ) I don't get enough girl time.. Not that we were ever all that girlie, but I still miss it...

101. Did you watch, Next Great American Band on FOX?
Who added this stupid question? Never heard of it...