That time of year again

It's Wedding Season!! One of my very favorite times of year. I LOVE weddings. We have three weddings in April, and one in May. Unfortunately we're only making it to one of the four. That was a very tough decision to make. Not going to the other three weddings makes me sad just thinking about it. However, with this move it was too tough to go to the others. Two of the other ones are in Arizona and the fourth is in Vegas. There is just too much going on with the move and it would be impossible to take more time off due to what we're already taking off for the move. Feel horrible we won't be there for the other weddings. Horrible because we're not going to be there on one of the most important days in our friends lives! Horrible that we'll be missing the wondrous day and memory that is their wedding day. We'll be there in spirit though and wish them the best on their Wedding Day.

The one wedding we're going to is that of one of my best friends, Natalie. We've been friends since we were 5! She was in our wedding and now I will be in hers. Her & her soon to be hubby, Brian, are getting married, Friday, April 16th in San Diego. Couldn't be more excited to be part of their big day! After we get back from their wedding, I'll post a picture from the day!

Oh wedding season, how I love thee, let me count the ways...
1. Two people in love
2. Those people getting married and sharing that special day with those that are special in their lives
3. Fabulous white wedding dresses
4. Wedding Party attire; bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen suites/tuxes
5. Flower arrangements
6. Themes
7. Color coordinated, EVERYTHING
8. Monograms
9. Dancing
10. Toasts
11. Pictures
12. Custom touches on big & small details, alike
13. Wedding invitations
14. First dance songs
15. Everyone dressed to the nines
16. Wedding cake
17. Memories that are gained by all

18. Table settings

19. China place settings

20. ...and the list just goes on

Upcoming weddings:

Brian & Natalie - April 16, 2010 - San Diego, CA

Alex & Kristen Jo - April 17, 2010 - Phoenix, AZ

Tracy & Tina - April 30, 2010 - Scottsdale, AZ

Rob & Kirsten - May 7, 2010 - Las Vegas, NV

Woo hooo. Happy Wedding Season!

Waterpoff Mascara anyone??

I think waterproof mascara needs to be added to my every day make-up regimen until I'm over crying at the every thought of my mother. I miss her tons already, yet I only saw her off at the airport yesterday morning. She literally has only been gone for 24 hours and yet I keep tearing up whenever I go to pick up the phone to call her or even when I think about her. Of course, it is selfish of me to be so sad. And so weird because on the other end, I couldn't be more excited for my mom & dad. I mean after months of living apart, they are finally together again and experiencing living abroad together. I'm happy & so excited for this new adventure they are embarking on. They are living the life so many people can only dream to one day get to experience. Jeff and I can only dream and hope that one day we'll be given the opportunity to move abroad and travel. We feel this is a dream opportunity they have been given. However I'm still going to have to get waterproof mascara ASAP. As happy as I am for them, I am sad both of my parents are so far away. Perfect timing we're in the middle of a move too because when I'm not working, I'm busy focusing on the move so not much time to think of mom & dad living in Dubai. I was this exact same way after my dad left so I know I'll get past the crying but until then, I need to get my waterproof on.

Lots & Lots going on...for all

I know we're not the only ones, I mean it seems to be the theme among everyone, but we're so busy these days. The move is going on. Not just eventually going on, but taking place NOW. We're moving this weekend. We spent four days in Denver; found a place to call home to get us out there and now the movers come pack us up this weekend! It's all happening so fast. We are looking forward to it though. However we're exhausted and we haven't moved yet. Funny, right. We spent this entire weekend, going through ever inch of our house and cleaning (deciding what to keep, trash, or donate) in preparation for the move. Not to mention, setting aside all things we aren't going to have the movers take and we'll take with us. Like the dress I'll be wearing in one of my best friends weddings in April. We've been friends since we were five and she was in our wedding too. Another important things for her big day that will be with me this entire time....the all important rehearsal day ribbon bouquet for my friend. It & the dress, both need to make it to Denver and then to San Diego in pristine condition...carry on style.

Some of the people I've decided to call out and who are in my thoughts as they too have a lot going on right now:

I hope our friend, Julie, is getting through Tax season okay...almost that wonderful day where you get your life back to some normalcy.

Natalie, your wedding is 18 days & counting, you're a lawyer who's busy working, attending Yoga/the Gym every night and getting ready to close on your house with your soon to be husband (all soooo exciting)....hope you are enjoying it all as much as possible and taking some time to relax outside of Yoga...namaste.

We have three other friends getting married in the next 19-35 days; hope their planning is all coming to an end and they too get to enjoy these next couple weeks. We love you all; Kristen & Alex, Kirsten & Rob & Tracy & Tina....soon it will be your wedding days. Don't stress, just enjoy it all!

My mom who is leaving to move to Dubai tomorrow. She'll be there for at least the next year and a half or two years living with my dad. He has already been there since October. We got to see him for a week in November for his retirement but that's it. Now the only time we see him is on Skype. It's been an adjustment. We're just excited for them to be together again and now we have a reason to travel to Dubai to visit them.

Anyway, please don't consider this as me complaining, rather just sharing my thought on how it is amazing that life can get so crazy busy from time to time. No matter how busy we get, it is nice to know none of us are alone. We all have a lot going on, yet no matter what we have going on, instead of being self consumed, we are all there for others, just as they are there for us. It is great to be involved in the crazy busy lives of our friends & family; be part of the memory of their life, just as they are part of our memories of our life. We're excited for all that is going on in our life and the lives of all our friends & family!!

The motto of our friend, Kris Nelson, "Too Blessed to be stressed!!" So true Kris, so true! We're very blessed and no need to be stressed, rather be thankful and enjoy all that is going on.

This thing called life can get crazy from time to time, so hang on kids & enjoy the ride!!

Until our next post...TTFN.

Mom & Dad have a blog...

I started a blog for my parents. I however only started this new venture into social media for them. I mean they both are on Facebook & Skye so time to start blogging. Especially since where life is now taking them....literally. Anyway, it's up to my mom & dad now to maintain and continue down the path of blogging.

Here is the post and their blog....

http://steveandvaughndee.blogspot.com/2010/03/shes-off.html

So excited...but the post says it all so I'm not writing any more!! Can't wait to hear what they have to say and what they're up to on this new journey they are beginning.

TTFN

Lola Tapas & Coffeebar

Last week I met up with a dear friend, Alicia, at a restaurant that although not new to the Valley, it was the first time I'd ever been there. And that's sad. Let's face it, I'm a native to AZ, who loves to eat good food and try new restaurants, yet I've never been to this eatery before even though I've heard about it from various people. Well now I have been there. I also found out that I love the place! We met up at a place called Lola Tapas & Coffee bar. If you guessed from their name, this eatery specializes in authentic Spanish taps, coffee and of course...amazing Sangria.

Normally I'm not a fan of the Sangria at most establishments but I trusted my friend on this one, we got the pitcher of Sangria. How could we not get the pitcher with their great special, which they call, "Sangria Siesta". Sangria Siesta is from 5-7pm and a whole pitcher is only $20. It was delicious and best Sangria I have ever had.

I should have taken pictures of each dish, but it was too good, I was too hungry, focusing on catching up with a friend and I just plain forgot. So above is a picture of our table after we devoured the delicious food. (Alicia took this picture as my first attempt was not as pretty/artsy..thanks Ali!)

Once I whipped out my camera phone I was then thinking of other things to take pictures of to capture this fabulous place and I thought they way Alicia was holding her glass of Sangria made a cute heart. Since I loved the Sangria so much, I thought it was a fitting picture to take and I had to share.

This is how the night ended....it was now dark outside, I enjoyed a cup of espresso & the bill was signed.

Thanks Ali for suggesting we go to Lola's...it will be staple whenever I come into town to visit.

Those of you in Arizona or who are going to visit soon, if you don't know about Lola Tapas & Coffee bar, I urge you to go give it a try or if you do know, to go back and give them a visit.

Sooooo much

There is sooooooo much to update you all on. These things include just about everything under the sun. Insider view on what's to come include, our recent trip to Colorado over the weekend, our favorite breakfast spot in Colorado that we also visited (it’s a must on every trip), a fun dinner had with a friend at a local AZ restaurant and the fabulous food we devoured, latest on the move, my mom’s upcoming move to Dubai in less than one week, all the weddings in April (I LOVE LOVE LOVE wedding season and weddings) and so much more. However I'm currently fighting a very horrible flu bug so I'll have to post later after I take a nap, get in some more work from home and then upload photos and post to our blog. Although I've been a little lackadaisical on posting as frequent as I should, I do love our blog and think often on things to post about. Now I just need to get better about actually posting all those things. I'll get better! Happy Wednesday everyone. xo

Wear your Green today....

Can't believe it, it's already March 17th. That means it is St. Patrick's Day. Although I'm not Irish, nor am I Catholic, I do however like luck, the color green, and fun holidays, and I do not like to be pinched. You probably don't like being pinched either. So remember to wear green today, so no one has the excuse it's acceptable for them to pinch you. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Change is upon us

Change is good. We have a major change we're going through in our life and we couldn't be more excited. Happy to finally "spill the beans" with you all.....we're moving!! We'll be moving to Colorado within the next few weeks.

There is some sadness that comes with this great opportunity because we'll be leaving what we know and all the people we know behind in Arizona. However, it is only a quick flight away and we're planning on coming back to hang out with all our friends and family from time to time and visit. This move also means all our AZ Friends and Family now have a place to visit during winter to get in some great skiing and a place to break away from the AZ heat, during the brutal AZ summers (not going to miss the 120 summer weather).

There are many reasons we're excited about the move and not just excited, but jumping with joy!! First, the reason for the move is Jeff got a new job. It's a wonderful opportunity. He also really likes what he is doing and his team, both very important. Second, we love Colorado. Meghan spent many summers in Colorado among other vacations, because not only is it a great place to vacation year round, but a majority of her extended family lives in various locations throughout Colorado. As for Jeff, he was born in Colorado and spent some time there when he was a kid. Third, Jeff's best friend, wife, their beautiful baby girl (& baby #2, due Aug 2010) are in Colorado and we're so excited to be so close them. Fourth, there are soooooooooooo many other things we're looking forward to, some of those things are... Annual Ski Passes. Experiencing four seasons (this will be new to Meghan to live anywhere that has seasons since she is an AZ Native). First snow fall of the season. Alpine slide. Great food. Amazing sushi (yes, in Colorado...fish is flown in fresh daily from Japan at the Sushi Restaurant, Sushi Den...best sushi ever). Close to extended family. Actually wearing sweaters, scarves, jackets, coats and boots for a reason other than just fashion as that is the current reason 99% of the time in Arizona. Starting off somewhere new, together, as husband and wife. Getting Colorado Driver's Licenses. And so much more, no matter if it is the great weather, outdoor excursions, shopping, skiing, the not so fun things like shoveling snow, we're looking forward to all that Colorado has to offer and experiencing all of it, together!

Keep you all posted.

xo

Spill the beans....

We have beans to spill and not coffee beans, I'm talking news. Although leave it to me to be clumsy enough, I have spilled coffee beans before, all over our kitchen. Those little things go everywhere and are a pain to clean up.

Anyway, we have news to share but we're not quite ready to share just yet. So check back soon to see what "beans" we're going to spill.

Expiration Dates

No matter the item, anything ranging from food, medicine, creams (i.e. Neosporin), tea, flour, etcetera, how do you feel about expiration dates? Meghan is neurotic about sticking to expiration dates, on everything! Should anything be expired, she is not at all merciful on keeping that expired item around. She rarely makes exceptions.

Last week Jeff was out of town and Meghan went on a rampage around the house. She took the time to clean out anything and everything that was expired. Crazy enough, 24 things from our medicine cupboard alone (everything from old Rx's, OTC, Cough Syrup, Neosporin, sunscreen...list keeps going) were expired and therefore thrown out. We're talking things from 2005 and others that just barely expired. As you can tell cleaning out that particular cupboard was long overdue. This is the one area of the house Meghan has neglected. Now of course she hasn't used anything that has been expired but would simply put it back because she knew this was going to be a major project area to get it all "up to code" by her standards. It's now been de-cluttered and everything expired is gone. Feels good to finally have that all cleared out. After that project was completed, Meghan preceded to continue this task and go through the kitchen. Normally with her being so exact when it comes to expiration dates, our kitchen is always up to code. However, the day before, her mother gave us some food items since she is moving. Meghan decided to go through everything in the kitchen again. Did you know Tea has an expiration date? There were about two dozen boxes of tea that were expired. This was tea Meghan's mom gave us. Her mother is a tea fanatic. If you ever need tea and are at their house, you can usually do your tea shopping there because there is just about every variety in stock in her pantry...not exaggerating here. Back to the topic at hand. Seeing that her mom is moving out of the country in three weeks, one person cannot go through the amount of tea she had on hand, so lucky us, we got it all. Perfect timing too, because our tea stash was almost completely out and it was time to replenish. Unfortunately come to find out, it was all expired, as was everything else she gave us. Of course, what did Meghan do with all the goodies? That's right folks, she threw it all out!!! This is something that is normal for Meghan, but Jeff, is still working on getting used to process because to him it is wasteful. Megs does this though because 1) there are expiration dates for a reason, that date is when the manufacturer considers the product to be unsuitable for consumption and 2) when something is expired, the product may become ineffective, the taste can be compromised and things may be growing you don't want to consume (i.e. mold). Therefore we throw out anything once it has reached its expiration date if we have not used it all by then. I mean hopefully you all have heard how important it is to throw out boxed cake and pancake mixes if expired because if you use past expiration date, consuming it can be very dangerous. A particular mold has been found to grow in those expired products and it can cause life-threatening allergic reaction. Craziness, right? Please go check your kitchen to make sure you don't have any cake, pancake mixes that are expired in your pantry.

Is anyone else this exact about getting rid of products once they've reached their expiration date?

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....In fact, we LOVE comments on our blog. We are still newbies to the blog world and we've only posted a couple times, but thanks to those who have already left comments. Please leave a comment when something sparks your fancy that we've posted. We love to hear your thoughts, what you have to share and it is also so nice to know people are actually checking in on this thing.

There are so many things Meghan has been thinking about lately to post and now it all needs to be written down so we can share with everyone. Be back soon to share more on what is going on. Have a fabulous day!

Happy Anniversary

3/8/2010 marked our 2nd Wedding Anniversary! It has been two wonderful years spent as husband and wife. We're looking forward to whatever else may come our way in the future and celebrating many more anniversaries together. Here is a picture to take us back to our special day. Our wedding was such a great, fun, exciting, emotional and memorable day!!

Happy Anniversary to us.

xoxo

Spot on....

After first receiving this in my inbox a couple weeks ago, I shared shared this advice via e-mail. After yet again receiving it in my inbox this week, thought it was only fitting to share with everyone on our blog. I feel this is not only the thought for today, but something that I want to always remember and live every day of my life going forward carrying with me.....

Four Things you can't recover
1) The stone......after the throw
2) The word......after it's said
3) The occasion.....after it's missed
4) The time.......after it's gone

All four things so true & spot on.