The Countdown has begun!

T- 10 hours until "The Day Before Christmas Eve" girls night with Sara, Stef, Monica & Michelle!

T - 1 day until Christmas Eve dinner, specially made by Chef Todd, with sous chef Melissa

T- 2 days until Christmas!!

T- 4 days until the Schwass' are in town/Wizards game box seats!!

T- 8 days until New Years Eve...with *hopefully* another special made dinner by Chef Todd ;)

T- 11 days until Scranton/New York City/Broadway with the Schwass'!

T- 7 months and 2 days until we get MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!

So cute...

my mom just read my latest blog entry and sent me this email note:

...and that song [Wouldn't it be nice] was playing on the radio when Dad and I were actually dating...it brought back memories and butterflies for me, too...I love you.

I remember the first time I played an N'Sync song for my mom. We were going up to PA to pick up my brother from college for Easter weekend. For some reason Dad couldn't go with us so mom and I made the long, winding, cold journey up to Moon Township, just us girls in her mini van. She let me play DJ and I put in my beloved N'Sync CD. I skipped songs quickly to get to my favorite track -- "Everything I Own". Within seconds of the song coming through the speakers, I noticed tears streaming down my mom's cheeks. I had no idea what was wrong and practically yelled "Oh my gosh!! Are you ok??!" My mom laughed and smiled back at me as she said "your father used to sing this song to me when we were dating. It's originally by a group called 'Bread'".

That memory...that pure, real moment of love, has never left me. I look forward to one day, when I have a teenage daughter, that I too can share sweet memories of Todd and I being young and oh-so-in-love. And more so, I look forward to that day when I know Todd and I are still oh-so-in-love. Because I need not look any further than my own shining example of true love, honor, commitment, respect, and friendship -- my parents.

Mid week date night

Todd and I had a Christmas shopping rendezvous last night at Tyson's Corner mall. We planned to meet outside Coastal Flats at 6:30pm, dine in the bar (our favorite bartender/softball cheerleader/mom Faith was working!), and then finish up the last of our Christmas shopping. Well due to horrendous holiday traffic, Todd was running a little behind so I did a little shopping on my own, and we met at Coastal a little after 7pm. It was so great to see Faith. She is quite possibly the most adorable, big-hearted person I have ever met. Sadly, the bar was beyond crowded...I'm talking flowing into the mall crowded...and Faith wasn't closing, so we decided against eating there.

So we wandered around the mall for a little...finished up some shopping...all the while Todd was an incredible sport. (He's already proving to be a fabulous husband...I bet he would've even held my purse if I'd asked) ;) and then we went to subway for dinner (hey, it was cheap!). While we were eating in Subway, I said to T "you know, if you hadn't proposed back in July, I would totally be expecting it to happen next week" to which Todd replied "I think if I hadn't already proposed, it would be pretty obvious that I was planning to do so next week". Which gave me butterflies (the good, head-over-heels butterflies) in my stomach, and I just felt overcome with this lucky feeling. I am so lucky.

After we ate, we got some ice cream (we're cute daters -- Todd will be embarrassed that I said that) and walked towards our cars -- at which point we had to bid each other farewell, as we were both going in separate directions. As he kissed me goodnight, Todd said "one day we'll go home together" which again gave me butterflies...and for some reason had The Beach Boys "Wouldn't It Be Nice..." playing on repeat in my head as I drove home. It was a great mid-week date night with my future hubby :).

Wouldn't It Be Nice

Wouldn't it be nice if we were older

Then we wouldn't have to wait so long

And wouldn't it be nice to live together

In the kind of world where we belong

You know its gonna make it that much better

When we can say goodnight and stay together

Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up

In the morning when the day is new

And after having spent the day together

Hold each other close the whole night through

Happy times together we've been spending

I wish that every kiss was never ending

Wouldn't it be nice

Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true

Baby then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do

We could be married

And then we'd be happy

Wouldn't it be nice

You know it seems the more we talk about it

It only makes it worse to live without it

But lets talk about it

Wouldn't it be nice

Good night my baby

Sleep tight my baby

--The Beach Boys

the ring picture below

If you were curious, and have never seen my ring before, the picture below is what it looks like. 4 prong, round cut, 1+ carats (I can't remember the exact weight...I'll have to check the appraisal), white gold cathedral setting. I love it :) -- no more soap & water baths for this ring!!

PS -- Good stocking stuffer idea for me (ahem...family, are you reading??) jewelry cleaner. I want to keep this puppy sparkling!

A good old fashioned rub down...

...on my ring that is!

It has come to my attention that I am most in awe of my beautiful diamond engagement ring right after I have gone to the bathroom.

Wait, scratch that. What I MEEEEAN...is right after I have gone to the bathroom and then WASHED MY HANDS. Right after I wash my hands (also a good method of preventing the spread of cold and flu germs in winter) my ring seems to sparkle with it's utmost potential. This always gets the little hamster in my head running, making me wonder why there are so many jewelry cleaning products on the market today. And furthermore, with the dwindling economy, why would anyone spend the money on one of these products when good old fashioned soap and water will do the trick?

WELL...au contraire mon frere...soap and water is no bueno for jewelry. (That's right, I just tri-lingualed in one sentence).

According to http://www.lovetoknow.com/:

"Many people believe that simply wearing your engagement ring while washing your hands is an adequate way to clean it. In fact, the soaps and other cleaners used on your hands can cloud and dull your ring, and it should be cleaned periodically to keep it brilliant."

Well I'll be (insert timeless phrase such as "a monkey's uncle" here). I was wrong all along. I feel like I should say a vow to my engagement ring to always care for and cherish it...to always love and respect it...and to promise to always pay attention to the following guidelines for engagement ring maintenance:

General Dos of Caring for Your Engagement Ring:

• Do take your ring off before participating in a sport or other vigorous activity that could involve sharp blows. (hilarious...better remove before participating in all of my high risk sports!)


• Do place your ring in the same, safe place every day to avoid accidentally misplacing it.


• Do clean your ring at least once a week to keep it as brilliant as the day you first put it on. (NOT with soap and water! HA!)


• Do remove your engagement ring before beginning housecleaning or yard work that involves harsh chemicals or rough equipment. (sorry honey, no yard work for me today, I'm wearing a symbol of our love) :)


• Do have your ring inspected at least twice a year by a qualified jeweler to guarantee the setting is secure.


• Do have an accurate appraisal of your engagement ring updated every few years in case of loss.


• Do insure your valuable engagement ring against theft, loss, or accidental damage.

General Don’ts of Caring for Your Engagement Ring:

• Don’t take your ring off or place it near vulnerable places, such as sinks or bathtubs, where it could easily be knocked off and lost. (I have done this...almost went down the drain. WORST immediate reaction feeling of my life. Fortunately the drain was closed.)


• Don’t wear your engagement ring while cleaning with harsh chemicals because they may discolor, dissolve, or otherwise damage either the stone or the metal. (Sorry honey, I can't clean the house this week...I'm still wearing that symbol of our love!)


• Don’t wear your ring while applying heavy makeup, lotion, or creams to your hands to avoid excessive buildup that can dull the stones.


• Don’t wear your ring while swimming in a pool or other open water such as a lake or the ocean when your fingers could shrink, allowing the ring to fall off. (yikes...definitely guilty of this one. I mean, we got engaged at the beach!)


• Don’t excessively touch the stones in your ring – the oils in your hands can cloud the gems and reduce their sparkle. (again...totally guilty.)


• Don’t store your engagement ring with other jewelry where it can be easily scratched or chipped by other diamonds or gems.
  

Here comes Santa Clausinosky

Not too much more wedding planning has been going on lately as we turn our attention to the holiday season. Mom & Dad keep asking us what we want for Christmas or else we'll be getting items off the registry...which is totally fine by us (hey, that's why they call it a "wish list" right?)...but at the same time I keep telling them "all I want for Christmas is a wedding"...and, well, would you look at that? That's what we're getting! My parents are amazing. I hope they truly know that.

This past friday was our annual LLC Holiday Party (my company). It went extremely well, and if we were looking for a caterer for our wedding, I would totally go straight to the caterers our company uses -- RSVP Catering. They are awesome, the food was delicious, the whole office looked beautiful (also thanks to Kate and I...wink, wink), and the staff was fantastic. If you're looking for a caterer, I HIGHLY recommend them. Anyway, the party was exciting because several of our clients and other assistants that we work with, etc. came and most of them didn't know I was engaged and they were all excited and wanted to see the ring and meet "the man"...which fortunately, Todd was in attendance so that made for easy introductions :).

As usual my parents and grandparents came and were the absolute hit of the party (as if there was any question! -- side note, Grampa's debut calendar "The Hunks of Greenspring" came out this past week, which we're all looking forward to seeing in final form -- I'll be sure to blog about that after the Holidays/after I get my copy!)

This year my brother Matt and his girlfriend Marissa came to the party as well, which was awesome to have them join us -- plus they looked stunning in their matching holiday attire! And, Todd's dad, Charlie, came to the party too as he was in town for a meeting. It was great to have so much of my current and future family in attendance! :) After the party Matt, Marissa, Todd and I all went down to Carlyle for dinner (because most of us didn't really eat at the party). Sadly we were too early to use Todd's house card, so now Todd is going to have to put the receipt from dinner in my stocking and claim it as one of my Christmas presents because, let's just say dinner wasn't cheap ;). BUT it was amazing!

Saturday we had a day date...just me and Todd...and the 76,000 other people at Potomac Mills.

We had lunch in the food court...I had Sbarro and Todd had "you like try sample bourbon chicken??" Seriously, I said it right before the lady handing out the samples said it... Anyway, we shopped til we dropped. The blood was rushing out of my hands and sweat was about to drip down my face from the ridiculously heavy presents we bought all over the mall and then carried from Neighborhood 6, all the way to Neighborhood 1. I was trying (TRYING!) not to be cranky, but I got so irritable that Todd had to buy me a Cinnabon to make me smile. If this is what the future holds, I'm going to be a HUGE wife. Fortunately I have a Wii Fit at home. The ultimate in personal training. ;) Anyway, it was a great day as future husband and wife. Fun to picture what the next 50 (or so) years of our lives together will be like when prepping for the holidays. After that shopping trip we were both in agreement that after we have kids one day, the holiday shopping will all be done online, or while the kids are at the baby sitter. :)

Now we're just looking forward to game night with my family this Friday -- mom's homemade chili, lots of game, and LOTS of fun... some upcoming time off work...Christmas...New Years eve (Todd has promised me an entirely homemade meal by chef Todd!)...our 2nd annual New York City Broadway show/trip with the Schwass'!...and a couple more holiday parties....which will all bring us into the New Year. And what a great year 2009 will be...because we'll be getting MARRIED!! :)

Merry Christmas to all...who read my blog... :)

It's the best time of the year!

I love Christmas. Seriously, love it. I have been non-stop decorating my apartment with newly acquired and hand-me-down (from Mom and Gramma) Christmas decorations. Very exciting. I can't wait to have a house and be able to decorate the whole thing. Though that should be a fun family discussion when Todd wants to put up the giant block M for Michigan on our roof ;). That may have to be reserved for the "man cave" down in the future basement.

Anyway, I talked it over with mom and we've decided to wait to send out the save-the-date magnets until after the 1st of the year. Real quick, just wanted to say that 2009 is going to be a great year. :)

We're going up to New York by way of Scranton with Jay and Larissa again this year for our 2nd annual Christmas on Broadway celebration. Jay won't reveal what show we're going to see, but regardless I'm so excited!!!

Just a mini update for now...time to go decorate some more...and shop for all my family and friends :) xoxoxo