3 Months To Go!

So time has really been flying by and it has been a while again since I've written in my blog. We have three months to go until our wedding day and plans are in full swing. We still have a ton of little details and things to do and work on, so we've been really busy with all that. Plus Mark is busy finishing up his real estate liscense which he will have completed in just about 2 weeks! We are very excited about that. And his company has taken on some new commercial properties which he has taken on the role of supervisor to them, so that is a big step for him and I am very proud of him! Mark and I also moved into a bigger apartment in March, so that has kept us busy as well, but we are settled and love it! We are in the same building, we just moved downstairs to a 2 bedroom unit. And I took on a new part time job about 2 months ago at a drug and gift shop nearby. It's a family owned and run independent store that is really wonderful! Everyone I work with is so nice and I really do like working there.


Let's see, as far as wedding plans go, a lot of things have recently been falling into place. I was a bit worried because as of a month ago we didn't have a photographer, but we found one this past month that we really clicked with, so we are very happy about that! I'm awaiting my dress's arrival so I can start fitting and alterations. It will probably be about a month or so yet though. One area I've had a lot of trouble with is the bridesmaid dresses. I am hoping that a solution will present itself soon! Ugh! Right now we are finishing up our registries at Target, Crate and Barrel and Macy's and getting going on our invitations that we are making ourselves. Mark and I are both getting very excited about the wedding as we get closer and closer! We are also hard at work on the ceremony and music selections right now. We are meeting with my Aunt Beth next weekend to pick soloist and duet music for herself and my brother.


So that's about it right now! I'm try to update again soon!

Lots of Snow!

Ok, I know, I haven't written in a while. Life has been a little too much lately and I didn't feel like writing much. But now I'm back! I took a little break from wedding plans too, but now we're getting back into the swing of things.

So, we had a bunch of snow last weekend and now we are due to get a bunch more tomorrow and Friday. We haven't had too much this winter, but we sure are getting it now.

I have an appointment Saturday to look at wedding dresses finally! I actually found a dress I love in a magazine, so I'm going to try that one on and see if it is THE DRESS! My Man of Honor John is coming to town this weekend, as long as we don't get too much snow and flights get canceled that is. I'm lookin forward to seeing him! So we will be busy with wedding stuff this weekend. It's also Mark's birthday on Monday, so we'll be celebrating that this weekend too!

I'll write more soon!

My Big News!

I know, again I haven't been able to blog as often as I want to, but I'm going to work on that. Life has been so crazy lately! I feel like I'm on a constant spin cycle! Well, I still haven't announced my big news on my blog here, so I think it is time to do that! Mark and I went to Disney World in September for a week's vacation. While we were there Mark proposed! So I am officially engaged to be married!

The Proposal Story:

On September 6, we were having dinner at Disney MGM Studios at The Brown Derby restaurant. Our friends John and Amanda were there with us. Unknown to me, but everyone eles was in on it, Mark was ready to propose that night. He had it all planned. We had dinner, which was wonderful as always at the Brown Derby. Then during dessert Mark excused himself from the table. I assumed he was going to the restroom. Instead, he was really just going out to get the ring ready. He came back to the table a few minutes later and instead of taking his seat next to me, he came around the table to where I was seated and knealt down beside me. I didn't realize it at that moment, but he was down on one knee. He asked for a bite of my grapefruit cake which I gave him. He was just too cute. He then told me how much he loved me and how he couldn't imagine living the rest of his life without me and then asked "Will you marry me?" and brought out the ring in its box. I was in tears by that time but of course said yes. He put the ring on my finger and kissed me. My friend John knew what would be taking place and was all set with his camera and got pictures of the entire thing. I was very happy about that, being the scrapbooker that I am! It was such a special moment! And so exciting to get engaged at Disney World! After the proposal moment, out waiter brought out glasses of champagne with a strawberry on the side for us to toast the engagement. The next day when we were returned to our hotel room they had sent up several balloons that said "congratulations!" on them and a card from Mickey and Minnie congratulating us on our engagement, with a signed picture of them! Even more Disney magic!

So we have our wedding planned for September 1, 2007 here in MN at my childhood church and the reception at a local country club that Mark's parents' belong to. Most of the big things are booked and we have been busy with wedding plans! So I plan to talk a lot about being engaged and planning the wedding here in my blog, so please keep checking back! I know I'll have plenty to write about!

Ok, so I haven't posted in a very, very long time. Life just took over I guess. But I'm hoping to post a lot more often now. And boy do I have a lot of report since my last post! Where to start...



In May I finally graduated from college with a BA in art from the University of MN! It was a very exciting time for me. It is something I had been working towards for a long time, with several breaks for health reasons, etc... But I went back to school in January, 2005. All I had left were 3 French classes and a senior art project. So I did my work and finished in May! I went through commencement on May 14 and I was very glad I did decide to participate in that. It gave me great closure. My Dad, both Grandmas and my boyfriend all attended. My Mother was sick that week and was unable to attend unfortunately. After graduation my boyfriend and I went out to dinner to celebrate. He took me to Maggiano's and we had a wonderful, romantic dinner.

June was a very hard month. My Grandpa had a stroke and died a few days later. He was 93 years old. It was very hard for the whole family. He had been in good health for the most part and lived a very full life. He was gone so quickly. Grandma is still having a hard time. They were married for 65 years and she misses him so much.

I have more to write but I will save that for next time.

Late Night Post

Just a quick post tonight. I'm just winding down and must get to bed soon. Have two extra cleaning jobs to do tomorrow and have to meet my coordinator at 9AM sharp to get started. I taught a stamp class tonight on cards and I'm teaching the same one tomrrow night at another location. Plus I had French class today and we had a test. Another test on Wednesday. Yuck! But I only have just over a month to go and then I will be done! Life had just been crazy lately. I'm so tired and we've had some major stress lately, but things seem to be getting better. Thank goodness! I've got some extra jobs this week too, some consulting things, so I'll be keeping myself busy with all that and my regular job and school. Saturday is my niece's birthday party and we're hosting it here at our building in the party room. Belle will be 4! Time sure flies. She is so excited about her birthday and party. I need to get out and get her one more present - A Littlest Pet Shop animals set. She just adores the Littlest Pet Shop stuff!

I so need to have some creative time! I just haven't had the time or energy lately. I'm hoping I will have some time Friday night or Sunday to do some scrapping and who knows what other creative projects. I hope to get some of my work posted here soon.

I'll close this tonight with a fun website to check out! http://www.planetsark.com/ I love love love her stuff! She has some wonderful books and have just about all of them! Her website is packed with fun stuff and be sure to sign up for her newsletter!

Scrapbook Quiz: My Results

You are STICKERS!
You like brightening things up in life and
decorating your living space with your own
personal style. You are versatile and able to
get things done with a stick-to-it attitude.
People love your colorful personality and
personal flair! You like exploring new things
and are willing to try anything once. But
Stickers beware - sometimes you like to stick
to someone that you like a little too much
and take them into your confidence a little
too easily. Your personality tends to make
you a steadfast friend, but make sure the
friends you choose are worth your efforts!

What scrapbooking item are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Crazy Weekends

Well, things have been very hectic and crazy in my life the past few weeks. I've just felt so crazed, like I was constantly on the run but could never catch up. I've felt very out of whack and off balance lately in my life. So, I was hoping that this weekend would be nice and quiet and relaxing. And that my boyfriend and I could spend some quiet time at home for a change without having ten million things to do. But things haven't gone according to plan, as has been my life lately.

We ended up hanging out with friends and having friends stay with us for the weekend, including kids. We've gone swimming two days in a row as a big group in our apartment building's indoor pool. This afternoon we went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate one of the kids' birthdays that was just a few days ago. And let me tell you the place was a madhouse! I don't think I would want to set foot in there again on a Saturday! It was nuts! Their salad bar was pretty good though. Last night Mark and I got carry out from Famous Dave's for dinner and did get to eat dinner together just the two of us. Then everyone came over and we've had a crowd with us ever since. Throw in a quick trip to Target in the middle of the day, coming from one activity and going to another, and a late dinner stop at Subway, and we had pretty much a whirlwind day. I was so tired, but now I'm feeling a little hyper, so I decided to check email and blog. Mark is watching some TV or a movie or something with some friends and the kids are all sound asleep. I'm sure tomorrow will be another active day for all of us. And I have a lot of homework to do for French Class for Monday too! UGH! It never ends! But, I will say that it has been a fun weekend. Sometimes it is nice to see friends and play with kids and not have to worry about To Do Lists and dishes all the time.

Here it is, my first post! I'll try to post as often as I can. My life has been absolutely crazy lately, so sometimes I won't be able to post as often as I would like to. But at the same time, taking the time to blog here will help me take a few moments for me, let me clear my head and express myself. In my posts here you will probably find a little bit of everything. Bits and pieces from my life. A glimpse into my world. I'm excited to have a place of my own online to write and record my life and thoughts.

The name: I have always loved princesses and castles and crowns and such. I absolutely adore Disney princess stuff. Disney's Cinderella movie is my favorite. And now that I have finally found my prince I thought the name was fitting. He always calls me his princess, Princess Alli. It's a special name to me and I thought it was just right for my blog.