Celebration

To say I'm a little bit of a stressball would be an understatement. 

Most the time I'm handling everything rather well, I think. But, today, I was very close to a meltdown. Mom, MIL to be, and I went up to the Church in Pendleton to get the lay of the land. It was fun to envision everything, but then I started feeling overwhelmed! 

Did you know that there are only 21 days left until November 19th? Well it's true. And so many details to figure out! 

But, within the last week many things have come together. I picked up my dress from the bridal shop, picked up some decor, had my hair practiced on, got paper lanterns in the mail, got my hot PURPLE heels for my bridal beauty, got burlap (yes, burlap) purchased, got the okay for Eric to move in after the wedding, submitted our announcements to three newspapers, got the flowers officially ordered and paid for (I opted wholesale through a florist in Portland) ... we just have a few things left to pick up and then the stress of logistics of it all. Luckily I have capable people behind me. 

What I really need to focus on is the beginning of the CELEBRATING. This Saturday, my lovely sister-in-law to be, Elizabeth, is hosting a Bridal Shower for me. I'm so excited!

The following Saturday my Mother is hosting a bridal shower in our hometown for friends and family on the other side of the mountain.

That Monday my coworkers are throwing a dinner party for me at a coworker's home. The next Saturday is my bachelorette party and then the 20th is the wedding reception - I will be a married woman! Whew! Exciting, crazy, hectic, fun stuff. 

I'm going to try and focus on the fun and celebrating, not on the little, potentially stressful details. I mean, I'm marrying the most patient, loving, giving, sweet, sensitive, goofy, strong, loyal man - who happens to be my best friend and comes from a wonderful and accepting family. What's not to celebrate about that?

Did I mention the 21 days part? That's three weeks.

Any advice for me, my dears?

doragged pumpkin carving

Monday Eric & I had our own little Family Home Evening. 

After converging on Wal-Mart for some finishing touches to our forthcoming thug costumes, and getting so much needed Halloween candy, cupcakes, Cheez-Its and sparkling red grape juice - we came back to the apartment to commence carving our pumpkins. 

Eric was legitimately intimidating in his new do-rag. 

Turns out the guts in a white pumpkin are a 

neon green color.

Don't worry, two seconds later I dared him to put that in his mouth. And he did. And then he kissed me. It was disgusting.

Good girl gone bad.

Unlike my freestyling methods, Eric is a planner.

Look-a-like?

Fer cute!

The happy fam.

We took some awfully bad pictures of us drinking sparkling grape juice .... If you pay me, I'll gladly post them. They were mostly not-so-flattering of Mr. Lougee. We enjoyed our cupcakes afterward and Eric had his first sampling of baked pumpkin seeds. Deprived child! It's our first big holiday together and we're looking forward to many more!

She did it!

My friend, and former Single Sister, Kara Baxter tied the knot with one Brenton Ashley Potter on Friday. This is she, me and our friend Teresa at Kara's parents' home in Union on Saturday for the reception. She looked so great! And so tiny! We had fun test tasting the varieties of popcorn and sending my littlest sister to get cake and water.

I'm so happy for them!

Whilst posing for this picture she said, "This is you in four weeks." Ahhhhh!

Pendleton + Levi = Envy

Pendleton Woolen Mills has announced that is has teamed up with Levi Strauss to produce some beautiful gems like this guy.

I'm seriously salivating with envy and desire. I'm afraid to call the local retailer to find out how much this guy is. They'll go on sale online in November....

Maybe Christmas? My list is starting to get long ... record player, this book, and now this jacket? And it's not even November yet!

On a similiar note, I officially purchased what I hope will be the shoes I wear on the wedding weekend. I have to wait 10 days for them to arrive, and then I'll know for sure. I got them for a great deal, though, and I'll be able to wear them with many outfits long after, so I think it should hopefully be a win-win.

Not counting today?? 28 days to go. And my good friend Kara is getting married tomorrow, almost exactly 24 hours from this moment. Ca-razy!

Pumpkin Patch Kids

Hi, blog universe... so this is actually Lexy's handsome and witty husband-to-be Eric. She thought it would amusing to let me write this entry. So I'm giving it a whirl.

Our latest adventure was little trip down to the pumpkin patch. But first we had to travel through the haunted corn maze and house. I won't say who screamed louder of the two of us. Anyways, after screaming like a little girl we finally arrived at the pumpkin patch and adopted three adorable pumpkins.

And we buckled them in the car, took them home with us, and we lived happily ever after. The End

$5.13 and some change

I went to the Salvation Army in Pendleton on my lunch break today. And much like my Facebook status says, I feel like I made out of there like a bandit! Little did I know they were having a 25% off sale today! I got a bunch of glass stuff for the wedding reception, plus two cute little glass mugs, some frames to paint and nice candlestick holders for a measley $5.13. 

Oh how I love a good thrift! 

Mom came over yesterday evening and we worked on a couple of projects. Including hanging a nice long shelf in the bedroom and trying to make pillowcases for pillows on the couch. Pictures will be forthcoming - my camera broke so everything is blackberry 3.2 megapixel style. And I have to e-mail them to myself.

Today was an all around good day. Our photos we are including in the wedding invites FINALLY showed up in my mailbox. I got 125 quality prints for just the cost of standard shipping, which was about $8 all together. So we're going to get those out this week, and it's about dang time. I'm ready to move on to other fun things. 

My lovely fiance left me these flowers last night, and they look so awesome today! I had to brag. He's picked me flowers once before, but this was the first time I got some fresh from the store ... with the sweetest of notes. I'm glad he's so sweet, because everyone knows just how sour I am.

We also went grocery shopping where Eric made sure I got fruits and veggies, but then picked out Ramen In a Cup for himself, "It's what I like." Don't worry, it's some kind of lime shrimp flavor. He thinks he's Mexican. 

We then spent an hour on the couch, eating and watching the first season of 'How I Met Your Mother.' I was given no other option. It was kind of a perfect evening in it's own way, and I look forward to spending many more in exactly the same way. 

Now I'm off to bed, because it's gonna be a looooooong Wednesday. Cheers! 

i may be the only one who finds this funny.

Love.

Things I Never Showed You

September was probably one of the busiest months I've had in the last year! The weeks were full of work and church stuff, the weekends were full of traveling. One weekend Crater Lake, one Eugene, one Wallowa Lake/La Grande ... Plus, in the midst of all that was the 100th Annual Pendleton Round-Up which drew in over 85,000 people. And yes, I'm pretty sure we talked with every one of those 85,000 people somewhere between September 1st and September 18th.

But, I've been meaning to post pictures of the trip Eric & I took to go see the Ducks play Portland State down at Autzen Stadium. So, enjoy...

(Where we're getting married ... had to swing by, and take a deep breath!)

It was rain rain raining!

 Eric had looked up some covered bridges in the area to take me to.

 It was a pretty little driving adventure.

Are you barfing yet?

Someday after the wedding I'll get back to writing more witty,

 explanatory blog posts.

Maybe.

want to express your love and excitement?

Hey, we registered!

Go here to find lovely items to show your love. Or just to look around. Though, be warned, we registered in-store and so many of the items show that they are "available in store." BUT, at least you'll see what we need and the description usually has the colors.... blah blah blah. Happy Monday!

http://www.target.com/registry/landing?ref=nav_registries



Voice of the Spirit