5 Question Friday 4 Days Late

I'm late with  5 question Friday at My Little Life, but I love answering questions so I figured I'd do it anyway. Besides, once you hear my travel disaster story you won't hold it against me.

1. Is there something you've always wanted to try but just can't muster up the courage to actually do yet?

 Ha. Several things- from skydiving to starting an Etsy shop. Ok the Etsy shop is mostly a motivational/time mangagement problem


2. If you had $100 handed to you in cash without your significant other knowing about it, what would you spend it on?

Hmm...usually I'd say books, but now it'd probably be his wedding gift


3. What was your favorite piece of playground equipment as a child?

Slides

4. Do you prefer a sweet or hearty breakfast? Usually sweet but lately (over the past year or so) I am not able to do sweet things early in the morning. But I always love choclate chip or reeses pancakes. And french toast. Just for dinner.

5. Are you a Neat Freak or a Messy Bessy?
 
I'm in between really. I hate messes and clutter, but I tend to get a little sloppy when I'm busy and then clean  it all up again.

B is for Beach Bum

I love the beach. Offer me the beach and I’m yours. My ninth grade boyfriend promised me that the when he married he wanted to own a private beach. Boy did I try hard. Thankfully it didn’t work out and 4 years later I met the man of my dreams. Ironically, he hates the beach. He’s my mountain man. Good thing I love the mountains too. I just love the beach more.


I mean the beach has the ocean. I love the ocean. I love to get deep enough where I can just drift around, rocked by the waves. Being in the ocean is a humbling experience. It is so big and powerful and I am so small and weak. Sometimes the current is so strong; it feels almost useless to fight against it. Other times, the ocean cradles me gently, holding me safely still. My relationship with the ocean mirrors my relationship with God. The days I try to run or fight his will are the days his strong current of love pushes back and sets me on the right path. The days I am in sync with him are the days I feel cradled in love. Many people debate God’s love and kindness vs. his power, force and anger. I think that like the ocean he is the perfect balance.

On a less serious note, I almost drowned one time in the ocean. I was maybe fifteen or sixteen and had been swimming with my girlfriend and some cute boys and their grandfather. We all started to swim in, but I kept getting pushed back from the current. The grandfather sent the boys back in to pull me out. To this day, my mother accuses me of faking drowning to get the boys to help me.

I thought about posting this under O or W since a lot of it deals with the ocean and water, but there are plenty of other great things about the beach as well. I love to lay out and bask in the sun. I love to read and nap on the beach. I love to take walks and pick up pretty sea shells- always with some craft project in mind that I never start. Maybe I’ll use them on my Caribbean table at my wedding reception.

Go Win Wednesday!

ALL


Ends June 7th: From Mint Green with Envy you can win a cute pair of handmade shoes- of your choice.

GENERAL:

Ends June 1st 2010. From Fantabulously Frugal you can win a pair of Gucci Sunglasses.

From Kitchen Belleicious you can win Cid Pear stationary. Also-use promotion code BELLE when ordering a set of 25, and get 25 free!

From Undomesticated Momma you can win BB blocks- a cute way to help document your children's ages in pictures

From Mint Green with Envy you can win a very cute handbag. I would love to win this.

FREEBIES

Download  10 free mothergoose songs

B is for Boudoir Photos

I want to have these taken and give them to Mr. Groom in a nice album as my wedding gift to him. I love the idea of doing a shoot and have found several images I would like to copy. I've found some great photographers- but most of them are either out of my budget or expects to shoot in my house.

Ummm. I don't have a house. I live in a dorm. Mess, bad lighting and a roommate. I don't want them shot there. I'm having trouble finding an affordable photographer with a studio I can take them in. But- I have contacted a few photographers I haven't heard back from yet- so there is hope. Especially since I don't need to take them until this fall.

Has anyone done this? How was it? Did you like it? Did he? How much did you pay? Did you shoot at home?

I hope to be posting another B is for post this week. I'd like to do two more but that may be overly ambitious since I am flying to South Korea Friday.

An Example of How Irrational My Mother Can Be (1 of 1 million+)

Here's the background:

1. For years my mom has told me that if I keep my grades up in college she will let me drive our outlander, at no cost. She  has also promised a new  to me car at my college graduation.

2. My mother is upset that I'm finishing college in 3.5 years. If I had not studied abroad I would have finished this semester, in 3 years. "I don't know why you can't ever be normal!" She acts like it took me 6 years to get a four year degree. Wouldn't you be proud that your daughter could finish early?

Here is the main example:

My fiance and I are trying to plan out our finances. He brought up the point of "my car". I decided to ask my mom,  that since she was paying for most of my wedding if she wanted me just to keep the red outlander. Here was my thinking- even recently shes talked about getting me a new car, the outlander is already paid for, if i keep it my family still has one car for everyperson that drives and I have the outlander all of the  time anyway. Essentially, she would not lose anything on this deal.

Her response:

Well, I know I'm not getting you a new car because you didnt go the full four years. (Like I dropped out or something). And I don't know if we'll let you keep the outlander because I need a dress to wear to your wedding.

Umm...okay? How does letting me keep the car I've been driving for 4 years affect your ablity to get a new dress for my wedding? Surely, you're not going to sell the car and buy a dress? The car is paid for, so you're not making payments...

Her response: Well. We just have a lot to pay for, so I don't know if we can buy you a car.

Oh boy. Mom I don't think you were listening. I dont want a new car. I'm asking if I can just keep my car.

Her response: Well, what will I drive?

What do you drive now?

Her: The silver car.

Is something wrong with it?

Her: No.

Well, if you want I guess I could drive that one if you want the outlander.

Her: No. The silver car is mine. I'm going to drive it.

So, basically, the outlander will just sit in the driveway?

Her: Well.....I guess.

Have mercy.

Mono Induced Blogger's Block, AKA: I'm going to ramble today

Go figure. I'm expected to sit around and do nothing, so I think I'll have time to catch up on blogging and writing. Wrong. All I can do is eat popsicles and think about how much wedding stuff I'm not getting done.

Well, I'm starting to feel better and sleep less. Which is great because my sleep has been horribe. Interrupted and psychotic. I did dream about blogging. I got so mad with my blog in my dream that I shoved my computer out the window. And then I woke up.

I decided that taking vitamins might help my body heal faster so I've been taking my younger sisters Flintstone Gummies vitamins. Those things are just like candy. I have to make myself stop at the recommended dose of two for anyone over the age of four. I wonder if I'm over five times the age of four if I can have one more?

I maybe sorta kinda possibly found a photographer. He takes great photographs. His package (hehe): 2 photographers from the beginning of the wedding-end of the recption for $400. Amazing deal. He has another wedding at 3pm that day. He's told me he can be at my venue before 7 (ceremony start time) but he's not sure how much before 7. Should I grab the deal and find someone to take my getting ready and posed pictures? Should I turn him down? I've got one more appointment on Monday so I guess I'll be able to make a decision after that.

5 Question Friday with Little Life

Fridays here! Not that I've noticed much because I've been home sick all week. But here is 5 question Friday with My Little Life

1. Do you have an iPhone and, if so, how do you get apps and what are your favorites?


NO

2. What is your fondest memory of K-3rd grade?

Second grade was amazing. I had a wonderful teacher. Whenever my friends and I would get done with out work she would let us pick out and rehearse a play which we would later perform for the entire school!

3. What makes you cringe at the thought of touching?
cockroaches




4. If you could have any celebrity show up on your doorstep who would it be and why?

Oprah- and she would offer to pay for my wedding
Jim Parsons and Jonny Galecki (sp?)- because I absolutely adore them!



5. What would you say is your best physical feature?

Ummm. I always get complimented on my smile, so lets go with that.

MONO

Sucks

                                  Monkey
      

                                                             Ballz.

Ugh. I hada sore throat all weekend. I went to the doctor yesterday thinking I had strep throat, he'd shoot me up with antibotics and I'd be all better in a few days. Wrong. The nurse drianed my finger of blood and then told me I had mono.

I've done nothing but sleep and eat popsicles lately. I've been making myself eat today- yougurt this morning, and chicken soup this afternoon. I'm preparing my throat for a glass of OJ with extra vitamin C& D tonight. I'll be damned if I'll be too sick to fly to see my fiance in S. Korea next Friday. I'm putting most of my wedding planning stuff on the back burner until I'm better. 

Please put me in your prayers.

Introducing Go Win Wednesday

I've decided I'm going to do a weekly post about all of the giveaways I like. If its something ridiculous I won't even bother posting. I know have a least one follower who lives in Europe, so if the giveaway states that is open to all countries I will post it under the "All" listing. If it doesn't say it goes under "General", and if specefies USA only I will post under "Limited".

ALL

Ends May 31st. From Mint Green with Envy you can win a pretty pastel necklace

Ends June 4th. From Audrey's Giveaways you can win a Gold Filled Heart Hand Stamped Pendant Chain Necklace from Sea Babe Boutique:

GENERAL

Ends May 22nd. From Iva Messy you can win a bird in flight necklace:

Ends May 25th. From Etsy it Up you can win cute clothing dividers:                                                           

End date not given. From the Undomestic Momma you can win a gift certificate to the Etsy store

sTuck in the Coop.

Ends  June 2nd. From Mint Green with Envy you can win 20 handmade greeting cards. This is my favorite giveaway! I'm a greeting card addict!

Photographer Search Woes

I'm trying to book a photographer over the next two weeks before I leave for South Korea but for some the prices are ridiculous, and for others I just can't get the coverage I'd like.

Here is my dream photography package: I would love getting ready pictures, posed pictures of all of the bridal party, ceremony pictures, pictures of guests dancing at the recption, picures of our entrance and first dance, pictures of the faughter daughter and mother son dance, pictures of  the cake cutting, bouquet toss and garter toss and of our sparkler lined exit. I'd love to have a bridal portriat taken too. Preferably all for less than $1000.

The real deal?

The first photographer I talked to was someone I'd worked with before. She's taken my senior pictures and has taken family portraits.She's willing to be there from when I get ready until the end of the  But she wants close to $2000. And on a $5000 budget thats not happening.

The second has a basic package starting at $900. The price sounds great. Its a minimium of 125 pictures and 3 hours worth of coverage. Sounds good -if he could be there for two hours, leave for an hour and then come back. I don't want  pictures of the middle of the recpetions as much as I do the special dances at the beginning and the garter  and bouquet toss at the end, as well as our exit through the sparklers.

I've got another appointment on Monday with a photographer friend of my dads. Guess I'll see how that goes and then make my decision. I may have to prioritize my "shot list" and work from there According to the phone book, there is another photographer in ther area but he isn't answering the phone.

A is for Accident Prone

I am very accident prone.

I am so accident prone that I have become numb to the fact. Seriously, I run into doors and don't even notice it anymore. My fiance and I were in Gettysburg once. We were in a cute shop and on our way out I ran into the door and kept walking. My fiance stopped and looked at me.

                       "Are you okay?", he asked.
                       "Yeah. Why?"
                       "Uh...You just smacked into that door."
                       "Oh."

Apparently, I ran into him many times on that trip as well. No clue.

When I was a child my dad would look at me playing and ask me how I got a certain brusise. My response "what bruise? where?"

When I was  or 5 years old  I fell of my mother's bed and broke my collarbone. I fell all of the time as a child and she would usually laught at me until I started laughing back. This time she laughed for about ten minutes straight before she realized something was really wrong.

Freshman year of highschool. I wore my "hooker heels" as my fiance calls them (knee length black boots) and a cute skirt. Cue the rain. I walked into lunch, very confident and flaunting my stuff- or lack thereof. And slid and busted my tail on the cafeteria floor.

I recently registered for wedding gifts at William Sonoma. My friends were very skeptical about this process and about encouraging anyone to buy me gifts from there because everything in the story is freaking breakable. "You know no one on your side of the family is going to get you anything from there, right?". Shut up.

New Blog Challenge: ABCs of a Chocoholic

I'm starting a personal blog challenge- the ABCS of Chocoholic. Each week will be dedicated to a certain letter, and I'll have to post at leasr one letter themed post a week. Please fell free to suggest topics that you'd like to read about, ask about or know my opinion on for any letter. I'll compile a list and write about them when that letter comes up. If you don't suggest anything I'll write about either a topic I have an opinion on, a random fact.adjective relating to me or this blog or something similar. I'll be starting this week off with the letter "A". I hope to post my first post by Monday afternoon.

Kettle Bottom by Diane Fisher

I've read this book twice. It was required summer reading for my freshman year of college and I added it to my senior seminar reading list because of the influence it had on a segment of my final project.

Fisher's collection of poetry presents the tale of a small coal mining town in West Virgina. She transitions between several characters in the town and touches on all of the aspects of peoples lives that coal mining reaches- cleaning, sex, education, death, marriage, parenting.

I love this colllection. I think that switiching speakers really helps to present the full view of the town. I especially love this book because although its poetry there is an underlining story that connects all of the pieces.

I was so inspired by this book that I've begun to write my own series of poems called Westbound Hope, about a woman (Hope) whose family is traveling west (think oregon trail) at the insistence of her husband. So far the series is only a few poems long and is mostly from Hope's point of view, with one poem from her husband's. I'll let you know if the series ever makes it anywhere.

Anyway, if you like poems, but aren't big on having to "dig deep" to decipher..er find... the meaning of things then add this book to your reading list. If you're like me its a mile long already.

Get your copy here:

100th Post!

In honor of my 100th post I want to recap and set some goals.

I've joined 20sb.

I've posted 23 wedding planning related posts.

I've had 17 ATM Favorites- in a total of 6 posts. I want to have at least 20 more ATMs by y 200th post. (7/20)

I've posted about a few giveaways and I'm thinking about starting a "Will you Win Wednesday?"/"Go Win Wednesday!"

I've blogged about baking and tried out 7 recipes. I doubt there will be many more of these until September:(

I've participated in one blog challenge. My next goal is to try the color challenge I've seen other people do.

I've changed my layout once.

I've had one poll.

I have 9 followers. I'd like to double this by the next post. For those of you that are math challenged like me, thats 18 total....I think. (20/18)

I've done 4 book reviews. I want to have 6 more by post 200.

I've won one award. I know, I know, I didn't post it or pass it on. That'll be my goal. By post 200 I want to have posted about the award I won and passed it on.

I'm working on a guest post!
I've been blogging for around 6 months!

Guest Post in the Works!

I've been talking with Nicole of The Plunge Project about doing a guest post about my wedding planning. Right now, we're thinking about doing a two part segement .The first part will be me writing about the planning part and the second post will happen after the wedding. I'm so excited!

Go check out her blog. Stay tuned and I'll let you know when my post goes up!

Wedding Reception Plans in the Making

I am strongly considering doing a dessert reception, with desserts from various countries. The desserts I'm thinking about are:

1Belgian Gingerbread
2Swedish Butter Cookies
3.Australian Bachelor Buttons or
4. Austalian Baby Banana Souffle
5Chinese Fortune Cookies
6. ChineseAlmond Cakes
7. Japanese Sweet Potatoe Candy
8. Dutch Fritters
9. Scottish Tiffins
10. Scottish Millionaire Shortbread
11. English Apple Butterscotch Pie
12. Baklava

With Mexican Coffee and Hot Chocolate (with marshamllows and chocolate sugar and cinnamon and possibly frozen chocolate spoons yay!)

Two Problems:

1. Narrowing down the dessert list to about 7 different desserts. Any opinions on must keeps or must gos? I LOVE both tiffins and millonaire shortbread, but i think more people would live the shortbread. Its going to be so hard to decide. I'll let you know my decision after I talk with the caterer this week. But before then, I'd love some input. Feel free to suggest other desserts for the list too! I'm in the brainstorming part right now.
2. What time to have the wedding. 7pm seems like the perfect start time for the ceremony, putting the guests at the reception a little after 7:30. However, I've been told from a few people that after the ceremony I won't make it to the reception for an hour and a half (taking pictures), putting me there at 9. Please tell me that was an outrageous estimate.

The reception  ends at 1130.  I'd like to be there for a little longer than that. Also, I dont want to take pictures for more than 45 minutes. I want to take as many pictures (me and my ladies, the flower girls and ring bearers, fiance and his men, shots of the parents, shots of groomsman and bridesmaids) before the wedding as possible. Do you think its possible to take all the other pics in 45 minutes or less?

Personally, I'd rather do them all before but I know my mom will have a fit about the bride and groom seeing each other before the ceremony. I don't care because there is a huge chance that we'll be walking down the aisle together holding hands (to Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes).

If the pictures do take that long, is 6:30 to early to start the ceremony if I'm having a dessert reception?

Giveaways?

I'm curious...

Do you like to know about the giveaways and deals I stumble across? Or could you care less?
Do you want to seem them as a find out about them? Or should I compile them on a weekly(maybe biweekly depending on their deadlines) basis?

If you've got an opionion please vote by checking all of the answers that apply in my poll on the sidebar!

Thanks for voting!

Great Wedding Idea

My BFF/Maid of Honor just had the best centerpiece idea yet:

We're going to give each table a city/country/region theme, and decorate accordingly

So far our ideas are:
1. carribean- decorate with shells
2. europe- taxis, eiffel tower figurines
3. asia- fans, flowers

I need at least one more table idea. Good Ole USA? Suggestions? Would also love suggestions for how to deocrate the other tables, or if you think  more specefic ideas, like paris, vegas,changwon (korea), and a carribean city would go over better?

Oh and I want the food table to be decorated with minisuitcases and transportation figurines.

Please share any ideas you have!

Five Question Friday with Little Life

Its Friday! That means its time for Five Question Friday with My Little Life. Oh and my 100th post is coming up soon? What should I do to celebrate?


1. Take your pick...date night, girls night out, or night out alone?

We've been long distance so long, so DATE NIGHT PLEASE! please?

2. Can you touch your nose with your tongue?
Nope


3. What is your favorite flower and why?

Snapdragons. Theyre so unique and come in a range of colors .And when I was a kid I'd make up stories about them coming to life.

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?

Don't listen to everyone's opinion about your relationship. All that matters is yours and his

5. If you won the lottery, what is the very first thing you would do?
 
1. Pay off my student loans.
2. Pay off his student loans.
3. Buy a bug convertible.
4. Take a vacation.
5. Buy somewhere to live in greenville, and a house in the mountains

What are your answers?

Wedding Ideas Wanted!

Put on your brainstorming caps!

I need some help.

Travel is important to both me and Mr. Groom, so I want to incorporate it into our wedding. We both love to travel, we have been on and off long distance during out relationship, and a lot of our family and friends will be traveling to our wedding. I also like the idea of marriage as a journey.

That being said, I need your help in two ways:

1.General:  I need ways to infuse this theme throughout our wedding.

 I've thought about getting some globes to serve as centerpieces, with the addition of some flowers and (sailboat shaped!) candles. But, notthings final yet so, let me know if you have any other centerpiece ideas. Our guest book is a going to be a post card collection, where our guests can leave us sweet messages. Instead of a card box, I bought this cute white tray ($5!) that has the names of famous cities written across it.Again, I would show you a picture my the camera cord is still on vacation. And I really want to take a picture of the two of us kissing and holding suitcases (preferably old ones), to send as wedding announcements! I'd love any ideas you have for decoration as well as for food.

2: Specefic: I really want to tie this theme into our programs. I also would like to DIY my programs. And I would like something different than just the usual.

 I think the programs on wavy sticks and tied with a bow are really cute. But-they are very reminscent of fans, and our wedding is in December. Any suggestions for how I can tie the theme into the programs? I'm thinking along the lines of a road map- but that seems to cheesy. I'm playing with the idea of making them look like ribbon tied passports?

Suggest away! I'm going to go grab a drink (not really- I've sworn of booze and sweets for a while. Since when? Since last night when I didn't like my reflection in the Victoria Secret mirror-So, a screwdriver it is! Hold the vodka please!)

Cafe Europa: Life After Communism by Slavenka Drakulic

I'm going to be honest. I had to read this book for a history class and write a paper on it.

I'm going to be honest. I completely love this book!

Drakulic writes about life in Eastern Europe after the fall of Communism. She touches a bit on her personal life, but this isn't an autobiography. I'd probably classify it as a social commentary, in which the author uses examples from her life to make her point. I like reading "historical" things, but they tend to be on the dryer side so I tend not to recommend them as "for fun" reads, but if your booklist has a histtorical lean, then you might want to give this one a try. Drakulic's sharp wit really adds to the book and keeps you turning the pages. Give it a try and read about a gaudy pink bathroom, how hard it is/was to buy a vaccum cleaner in Easter Europe, American teeth, and the trouble with sales. Through humor and many examples Drakulic takes you through big topics like capitalism, communism, activism, guilt, fear of the other and social responsiblity.

I'm planning on checking out Drakulic's other books: How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed  and The Taste of a Man.

Want a copy?

Giveaway at "I Do" Budget Weddings

"I Do" is having a giveaway for a $15 gift card to the estsy store Dazzling Jewelry and Pearls. I love ETSY and PEARLS so I thought I'd tell you about it so you'd have the chance to enter!

Follower of the Day Award Winner!

*DRUM ROLL*

Goes to Jennifer at ruiz family! Jennifer kindly took the time out of her day to reply to my advice-seeking post on how to write a better blog. She made some wonderful suggestions about putting my archives and labels higher up on my blog so that people stopping by can browse easier! Thanks Jennifer!!

Jennifer's blog is about her life as a wife and mommy to two adorable little girls. She often does outfits post where she shows off what her lil girls are wearing! They are oh-so-adorable!

Jennifer also has a lovely sense of humor that shines through on her blog. I particularly LOVE this part of her blog. For examples, check out her recent to-do list or the hilarious anecdote (titled Maternity Test Results) about her oldest daughter.

How to Win the Follower of the Day Award!

Dearest Followers,
I need your opinions. If you could post a comment answering at least one of the following questions it'd really make my day. Here we go:


1. What made you decide to click the "follow" button for my blog?
2. What's the best thing about my blog?
3. BE HONEST-What do you like the least about my blog?
4. What would you like to see more of?
5. What would you like to see less of?
6. And lastly- What are you general suggestions for improvement? (Would you like me to stick to a certain theme? Post in a more narrative style? Post in a less narrative style? Anything?!)


Love,
Chocoholic

PS: I don't mind answering the questions in return for anyone who replies. If you want, I can do it publically and rave about all the things I love about your blog! Not trying to bribe you or anything. (Really, I'm not, I've only got 9 followers- which is what I'm trying to change here!)

In A Planning Mood

As you may or may not know, I'm spending the summer in South Korea with Mr. Groom. I leave at the end of May and come back at the end of August. I'm getting married December 18th. That means I have a lot to do in the next few weeks. I need to book a photographer for the wedding and for boudoir photos, book a caterer, a DJ and a florist. I also have to order invitations- thankfully I've already picked those out. I also have to address, stamp and mail save the dates. I've looked at photographers already I just need to make and decision (and hopefully haggle down prices). My dad has made DJ and caterer suggestions and my mom has checked out florists- I just have to decide which ones best. I'm not going to have time to catch my breath over the next few weeks. (Thats just the wedding stuff, I also have to shop and pack for the summer- have to take all the tolietries I'll need with me, restock Mr. Groom's supply, buy his birthday present. My sister's graduating n from high school and a beloved mentor is retireing. This is also finals week)

So what did I so today?

Made a calendar! I filled out a lot of dates in  the calendar section of my wedding planning book. But I love love LOVE  to organize and plan, so that wasn't enough. If I could find the cord that connects my camera to my computer I'd show you what I did.

I pulled out an index card for each month and wrote the name of the month on the blank side. I combined June and July since I'll be out of the country and can only do things like look for shoes, buy postcards and keep and eye out for cool decorations and gifts, and hound the hunny to make decisions about his groomsman.

On the lined sides I wrote out everything that had to get done that month. For example, under May I wrote:
- Book a Caterer
-Book a DJ
-Book a florist
-Book the photographer
-Buy the garter I want from Etsy (I'm scared it will get gone!)
-Order Invitations
-Keep an eye on ebay for inexpensive globes (if anyone has one they don't want anymore please let me know!)
-Talk two the 2 bridesmaids I know haven't looked for bridesmaid dresses about what the other girls have picked out
-Start making my ring bearer pillows (I'm making them from the wrap that came with my prom dress!)
-Offically ask my cousins (and their parents) if the can/want to be ring bearers, flower girls and ushers
-Mail the Save the Dates
-start asking around for postcards (since we're doing a travel theme we're having guests write messages on postcards instead of simply signing a book. if you feel the need to send me some postcards just holler!)

Whew! Can you believe all of that fit on the back of one index card?

After I wrote them all out I ordered them and left a blank index card inbetween each month, in case my todo list expands and then clipped them together. Now, they fit perfectly in the pockets of my planner, in my pocketbook or in my pants pockets.

Giveaway at Mommyhood & Wedding Bells

She's giving away a $25 AMEX card because she's reached 25 followers! What a great giveaway. So go enter!

http://miss67c.blogspot.com/2010/05/1st-blog-giveaway.html

Gift Ideas Needed

I am considering asking my two oldest male cousins to serve as ushers in my wedding. Both are in high school. One will probably be helping seat guests and the oldest will be in charge of playing the prelude songs I picked out on a CD.

I can't get them "cutesy" gifts like their younger siblings who are serving as flower girls and ring bearers, but they're not old enough to recieve engraved flasks/beer mugs like the groomsman and older ushers.

Any suggestions?

They Threw Me in the Fountain!

At the college I attend its tradition for the friends of a girl who gets engaged to throw her in fountain. Well, I've been engaged since December so I was waiting on it. Thankfully they waited until it was spring and the fountain wasn't frozen.
My friends planned a scavengar hunt that led me around campus. The last clue led me to the fountain. They had tied red and white balloons to the fountain and laid out a picnic complete with Zaxbys chicken and mini-cupcakes.

When I got to the fountain they picked me up and tossed me in! Actually, the fountains pretty shallow so they set me in the fountain, and then climbed in to take a picture with me. Here are the pictures:

Clue #1 was waiting on the backporch with my friends boyfriend:

He took pictures of me at evey place there was a clue:

They climbed in the fountain with me:

It's not as easy to get me out of my pants as my friends thought:

A Quick History Lesson

I took my History of the British Empire FINAL EXAM today! I loved this class. There is one thing from this class that I will always remember:

During WW2, not long after Pearl Harbor,  Japan tried to invade Austalia in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The United States sent what ships they had available to help blunt the attack. Australia's national language is not Japanese, so we can deduce the results....but Japan was trying pretty hard to make it that way. In fact, the Japanese govenment  paid their troops in Japanese currency only redeemable in  the "Japanese province of Australia". What a motivator!

Not only for the Japanese. When the American troops found the currecny they passed the bills out to Australian soldiers.

Finally Added New ATMS

I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to do all the bloggy things I thought I would. If you remember way back when I used to post abour  my ATM (at the moment) favorites and then add them to the rotating widget at the top.

Today I added:

Bride Magazine- I recieved a subscription as part of my entrance fee to a wedding expo. They've got some cute ideas- that have spurred much less expensive ideas of my own

Merci Chocolate- This stuff is absolutely amazing. When I registered at Target I got a coupon for a free 20 piece box. 7 different chocolate flavors. I'm hooked. Whenever I have a house, all of my guests are getting a box of this on their pillows. Mmmm.....

And A Registering We Will Go

Yesterday was exhausting. I never thought registering for gifts could be so intense, or that there were so many options for can openers.

My bestfriend and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond  (BBB) yesterday, since Mr. Groom is out of the country until this fall. We both love to shop and love the store so we were both pretty excited.

We registered for kitchen, basic cleaning and dining materials, but skipped over what BBB employees refer to as the "Soft side"- meaning bed and bath stuff. I wanted to wait on this because they're is a stong chance that Mr. Groom and I will be heading to South Korea for up to two years after our wedding .We'll always need kitchen stuff and plates, but our bath and defintely bathroom needs have the potential to vary greatly after we're home. Who knows how big those rooms will be or what size bed we'll have our what color decorative pillows we'll need?

I was so thankful to have BBB employee walk around with us, explaining what brides usually register for, the typical amounts and pointing out things in my favorite colors. It was so nice to have him there explaining everything and to have my friend there to help pick things that went together and fit in with my tastes. Thanks girl!  You were a huge help!

Oh- and BBB employees kept offering us drinks and snacks throuhout the entire process. How sweet!

I highly recommend registering at BBB. They're very helpful. BUT I think I'd like to walk around the store once again, on my own, to register for things that the BBB employee didn't take me to- like picnic baskets and ice cream makers.

The funniest part of our experience?

We explained to the BBB team memeber about my best FEMALE friend being the one to go with me, because Mr. Groom is out of thecountry until right before the wedding, but the entire registry team came over at the end and as we left, we heard:

"Congragulations you two!"

Dearest Followers,

I would really love to have more of you. I love blogs that have giveaways and I think I could have one of I had a minimum of 20-25 followers. Sooo..............................

I need your opinions. If you could post a comment answering at least one of the following questions it'd really make my day. Here we go:

1. What made  you decide to click the "follow" button for my blog?
2. What's the best thing about my blog?
3. BE HONEST-What do you like the least about my blog?
4. What would you like to see more of?
5. What would you like to see less of?
6. And lastly- What are you general suggestions for improvement? (Would you like me to stick to a certain theme? Post in a more narrative style? Post in a less narrative style? Anything?!

Love,
Chocoholic

An Internet Browser Designed Specifically for African Americans

Check this out: http://blackbirdhome.com/

WTH?! We can't all use the same internet browsers anymore? DAMN for some reason I was thinking it was 2010 and that we were moving away from segregation. Guess not FIREFOX!


THOUGHTS? OPINIONS? Do you think this is a push forward or a shove backwords? Should there be a Dove browser to balance things out?

Let me hear your thoughts....

5 Question Friday with My Little Life

Once again, this are from My Little Life

1. What is your worst memory of your siblings?


I was sitting on a barstool. My younger sister wanted my seat. She bit my hand and latched on. Then she picked up her feet and hung from my arm. She must've been about 4.


2. What was YOUR naughtiest childhood memory? (Must be something YOU did, no pawning it off on someone else!)

The thing that first comes to mind is kickiny friends older brother in the balls when he came to pick her up.

3. Where do you like to go to relax?

The beach, the pool, the lake....basically by the water



4. What was the last thing you won?
100 save the dates from Vistaprint




5. If you could be on a game show, which would you choose?

Ummmmm Smarter than a 5th grader

Found a New Blog to Follow

I've been wanting to read this book for a long time but I haven't had time to read it. Today I stumbled across Molly Wizenburg's blog. I've only skimmed a bit of it but it looks amazing so far! Lots of lovely stories and ancedotes complete with appropriate recipes.

I can't wait to try her grandmother's version of "cinnamon toast".

If anyones read the book let me know what you think!

I want these:

I found these on A CUP OF JO's blog. I think they're freaking adorable. I want a red pair. Downside? I'm on a college-student budget and can't afford a $55 pair of shoes. I've looked on Amazon ($38 and free shipping!!!)  but have only been able to find them in black and purple. If anyone knows where I can get these for a similar low price please chime in!  

DAMN AIRLINES!

My fiance and I have been waiting for forever for airline prices to drop so I can visit him in S Korea this summer. Well, tonight they did but everytime we try to buy the flight we get a "this flight is not available" message. On several differnt flights and flight times!

Its so frustrating. He had to go off (123hour time differences puts it lunch time there) and I dont have enough money in my checking account to buy the ticket alone so we're done messing with it for now. I guess I'll find out in the morning if he was able to get a plane ticket below our price cut-off.

I'm heading to bed and placing this in God's hands. Maybe this is a sign that the fare will drop more and we should wait....who knows...I guess we'll find out.

Cooking Advice

Has anyone tried any of these cookbooks?




I like the idea of being able to cook multiple servings, freeze and serve later. Especially since it'll be just the two of us. I really really like the idea of spending one Friday afternoon buying groceries and one Saturday cooking and be set for a month. But I'm not sure if its realistic/feasible. Any other cookbook suggestions or reviews of these books/methods would be greatly appreciated.