Jones Reception...

I am EXHAUSTED...but we had such a fun weekend!! Here's a brief rundown of the weekend and a few pics...then, I am off to bed early!! I need some rest before my interview tomorrow...more on that in a bit!

Ok...so, I arrived in Monroe Friday afternoon...just in time to visit my friends at the CVB where I used to work. I always think of them as my "out of town" moms when I lived there. I miss them so much...so that was a nice visit!



That evening, Brandy's sister and brother-in-law hosted a fajita dinner for family and ME who were just in from out of town. Afterwards, Brandy and I escaped the chaos and treated ourselves to a pedicure! The first one I've allowed myself to indulge in this summer...so, that was a nice treat!



Saturday was a long and busy day preparing for the reception. I'm not much on the creative side...but, I take orders well! The reception was beautiful and LOTS OF FUN! Brandy's 3 year old daughter, Larra, entertained us all on the dance floor ALL night! Man, to have that girls energy and DANCE MOVES! She is precious! The reception was held at Aubrey Hall in Monroe. LOTS of dancing and a few drinks later...the limo picked us up and took the bride and groom and 9 of us friends from out of town to Chris' parents house boat. GORGEOUS! We slept on the houseboat and woke up to a brunch cruise on the River with the rest of the family. It was a wonderful weekend and I am so very happy for Chris and Brandy. They are such a sweet couple!


Now to brag a bit. My honey didn't make the trip. He was supposed to come but at the last minute realized he had one last opportunity to qualify for the City Amateur Golf Tournament next month. So, he stayed in Baton Rouge to play. So, I told him if he was going to skip out on being my date for the weekend...he better at least play well! SOO...he just went ahead and placed FIRST with a score of 69! For those of you do not know golf...that is really good! And he even made the headline in The Advocate today!! Here's a link for your reading pleasure! http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/25949434.html


Job Hunt: Now, I am on a job hunt! For my one co-worker who reads my blog...SHHH! :-) I have a few opportunities that I am looking into right now. I just want to see what is out there and what might be a good fit for me. I'm not necessarily looking to make an immediate move...I definitely want to take my time and make the right decision!


Ok...Lucie and I are pooped! She spent the weekend with her mawmaw and pawpaw. She LOVES visiting them because it is out in the country and she can just run free without a leash! So...we are off to get our beauty rest!! NITE!


Soo...wish me luck!

68 Days!!!

Have I mentioned that I'm getting married in 68 days!?!? OK...if not...I'M GETTING MARRIED IN 68 DAYS to the sweetest, kindest, SWEETEST man with the two most beautiful daughters!

I am very excited!! Here is the view in Tahoe from where we will be getting married!

Isn't it beautiful!! We've made all of the arrangements. I love the idea of a destination wedding. I COMPLETELY say that it is the way to go. I made one phone call and the officiant, flowers, photographer and location were taken care of!! NO STRESS!! We are leaving on September 26...getting married at sunset on September 28 and coming home...well, I don't even want to think about that date...not important! :-)

OH yea...and here is the ring! Only a month late...but it's been a busy month!

Not that they read...but congrats to my friends Chris and Brandy!! They are in Costa Rica right now getting married!! I will be in FUNroe on Saturday helping them celebrate!! Soo happy for them and Miss Larra, Brandy's daughter!! I'll post pics when I get home!!

News, News and MORE News...

OK...it has been quite a while since I've written here and it has been a BUSY summer!!

I've been working part time at Victoria's Secret in addition to my full time job. Being that I was averaging about a half day off a week...I don't call that part time! WHEW!! I'm glad that is over. I was going to work until the end of July...but, after taking two weeks off, I guess they thought I quit. So, oh well! Now, I can just enjoy the rest of my summer!

Now for the BIG NEWS!!! David and I are getting married!!!! We've been engaged about 3 weeks. We are SOO very happy and very excited. We are getting married on September 28 in Lake Tahoe! We couldn't be happier and his girls are very excited too!! Oops...sorry, was going to post a picture of the ring...but it must be on my computer at work. I'll post it later.

Ok...what's next?? I spent a week in Boston for work. But, we managed to find some time for fun. This picture was at the Florentine Cafe where the guy running the conference had an open tab! It was a great conference! :-) We also got to see the Red Sox and Diamondbacks play at Fenway Park! Red Sox came from behind with a score of 4-1 and beat the Diamondbacks 5-4! Awesome game!

I came home from Bostin and left a few days later to go to Austin to visit David's parents. We had a very good time. David's nieces from Los Angeles were there and are the same ages as David's girls. They get along soo good so they had a great time! Here is a picture of three of the four. My soon-to-be step daughters are the two on the ends...Sarie is on the left, she is 8, and Emelie is on the right, she is 12 and TALLER and me...which doesn't take too much. The other picture is of all 4 girls being sprayed with water guns at the 4th of July parade in the little town where his parents live. We had big fun. David and I were able to get away by ourselves for dinner and visited a winery near his parents house.

Ok...next news...Lucie just turned 4 years old!! She's such a BIG girl! :-)

This is her birthday cake I made for her. Yep...I did! And she LOVED it! :-) And even shared it with David's two dogs while the rest of us celebrated with cup cakes! :-)

Now, I get to finish enjoying the rest of my summer. It's going to be busy. One friend having a baby in the next month or so...one getting married next week in Costa Rica so we will be in Monroe in a few weeks for her reception...another friend getting married in August and ME AND DAVID in September!! Busy months ahead! Hope you are all enjoying your summer. I HAVE to leave you with a video of what a GENIUS my Lucie is. Please ignore my annoying voice...I can't possibly really sound like that, right?? Ok...hope this works!!

Such is life...

Well...life has been somewhat busy. I just took a part-time job, working nights and weekends at Victoria's Secret! No...not loving it, but it is my punishment for accruing so much debt. I could blame my ex-husband...being as I had ZERO debt when I met him! But, I guess I will have to take responsibility for this myself...no one else to blame! I'll give him a break...today! :-)

Anyway...I just started this week and as soon as they get their act together it may be ok. Long story...but they just do not seem to be all that organized. I'm a little concerned too that based on their lack of organization and the fact that they just hired, at least, 5 new people...hmm...I'm sensing problems but I'll stick it out for as long as I need to. You definitely see some interesting things, that's for sure!! Ladies...let me just give you some advice. #1 We can give you a bra fitting OVER your clothes!! Do not surprise the sales people when they come to your dressing room to measure you! That's all I will say about that! And, #2 It is YOUR body! Wear the bra YOU like and are comfortable in. Don't let some MAN tell you what HE likes!! Some men get WAY to involved in the bra shopping process!!

Lucie is healing well. We had a brief moment of panic this week. I came home on Monday and noticed that there were two little bumps/welts on the side of her leg. I panicked...just knowing that this was her pins coming out of place. I just saw another surgery and another part time job in my future! Two days later we finally were able to see the vet and he says it is just scar tissue around the sutures on the inside. SOO...Yea!! No surgery and no THIRD job! He still says to keep her calm and crated for the next month. HA! We just smiled and agreed. We are honestly doing our best. My baby just has WAY too much energy!

Let me leave you with a cutie picture...

We are going to watch the LSU Baseball game tonight! Geaux Tigers!! AND...the school I work for is in the playoffs too. They play tonight and hopefully tomorrow. Geaux Bears!!

National Marrow Drive Program

In case any of you who may be reading may be interested....

Between the dates of May 5 and May 19 you can be added to the National Marrow Registry for FREE if you are one of the first 10,000 to join online or first 35,000 to join in person!! For those of you not familiar, you can be added for free if you find a Bone Marrow Drive in your area...if you go it alone it is somewhere around $50 or $60. So...if you have ever thought about it but hesitated because of the cost...now is a good time to reconsider!

I realize this is a HUGE, PERSONAL decision...just wanted to make you informed! :-)

http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Events/Thanks_Mom/index.html?src=ThxMGarden413500

Bare Bum!

Lucie is doing good. She has a lot of swelling today but we just iced her down a little and it is looking a little better. If I can just get her to STOP jumping up and down off the furniture we will be doing good! I HATE doing it, but I guess I'm going to have to lock her in her crate even when I am home. :-( I'm not sure I'm brave enough to do that. I also hurt her last night. She was between my legs in bed and I was trying to move her over. I guess I accidentally touched her incision and she screamed...I screamed...and then I cried!! I spent the next hour apologizing and promising her the biggest toy at the pet store next time I go! :-)

Here are a few pics of her incision and her bare hiney! Seriously...I think someone got a little happy with the razor. I don't think it was really necessary to shave THIS much!! My baby has a bald butt!! :-)

Feeling a little better today. Not great though. Still have a scratchy throat and stopped up ears. (Lack of a better description).

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Give to your favorite charity!

Being home sick, I have had too much time on my hands. But, I did come across something interesting that I thought I would share.

www.igive.com.

This is a Web site I found that will donate a certain percentage of your sale when you shop online at participating retailers. Click here for a list of participating merchants. All you have to do is go to www.igive.com and sign up and download the software. You can choose any charity of your choice. I, of course, chose St. Jude. You are not charged extra, it just takes a percentage of your total. SOOO...if you shop online anyway, this is a great way to give to your favorite charity!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Update on Luc and me.
I have a dr. appointment at 3:15. I woke up...well, let's just say I ate breakfast but didn't keep it in long.

I heard from Lucie and was told she is ready to come home and that I could pick her up whenever! Well, I suddenly found a boost of energy and was almost out the door when the dr. said he wouldn't have time to discharge her until 4. SOO MEAN to TEASE me that way! :-) Oh well...I'll go to the dr. and then pick her up. At least I'll only have to get out once.