notes from all over

hello, all.

I am home today!!  Thank goodness.  Our busy season at work is in full swing and Wednesday and Thursday were both thirteen-hour days.  Some people are workhorses and thrive on long hours, hectic schedules.  They get this sick energy adrenaline rush and just go, go, go.

I am definitely not one of them.  This crap wears me out.

I will be glad when this season is over — I hate the feeling that I’m cheating my family in favor of my job.  Justin’s really great about it, I mean, he shows up at the office with teriyaki and does Sudoku or reads next to me in my cube while I’m feverishly working on my projects, but it’s not exactly quality time.

Enough of that.  I’m off work today, Julie is in town, and it’s going to be a really fun weekend.  We girls will hang out today, and J will join us after work.  I’m excited for these two to meet.  I mean, they remember each other vaguely from back when we were in high school, but circumstances have changed somewhat.    Pretty sure Kevo is driving over tonight as well, so we’ll probably run down to Safeway and grab some China Express and rent a movie.  That, or J and I will introduce them to the glory that is the game of Munchkin.

Has anyone ever heard of this game?  I never had, and I was skeptical at first… but I just have to say, it’s the bomb-diggity.  I’d be curious to see if anyone else has ever played it.

Okay.  Those are my deep thoughts for today.

I am pretty confident that I’m going to be the worst blogger ever for a while.  My to-read and to-write lists are kind of on hold right now, with things being so busy.  Although there is much to look forward to in the next three months, I really look forward to the first full day Justin and I will have, post-wedding, post-honeymoon, post-moving-into-our-house.  I look forward to the moment when I think to myself, “What was I supposed to do today?  Oh, that’s right.  Jack-squat.”  I think we’re both looking foward to things quieting down somewhat.

Then, just maybe, I’ll have something of value to offer.  In the meantime, my apologies to you and cyberspace. 

It’s not you, it’s me.

no bridezillas allowed

So we’re 88 days out (not that anyone is counting) and full-scale into preparations for the big day.  I’m so pumped.  The thought of being Justin’s wife makes me grin ear to ear, and it’s ridiculous, but I’ll happily endure it.  I keep on thinking that I couldn’t be more sure about this, and then we go through a moment when he encourages me, or shows me grace when I’m stressed out, or simply makes me laugh til I have tears coming out of my eyes — and amazingly, I’m even more convinced that this is everything I wanted and then some.  I seriously didn’t know it could be like this.  I am fully myself, and fully loved.

I’m excited for the festivities, excited to make my vows to J (VERY excited for our honeymoon in Whistler!), but still — a question looms large in the back of my head: “Does it really have to be this damn complicated?” Does the big day really have to be so big and daunting?

So… I’m kind of committed to running every detail of the wedding past these two questions as I’m making decisions.

1.  Will anyone remember this the next day?

2.  Will I remember this the next day?  Or even care the next day?

If the answer to one or both of the above questions is “No” or “Doubtful”… then I’ve pretty much decided to not really give a rip (i.e. not stress about it and definitely not spend much moolah on it).

There are a few details I care about — the dress, of course (which I got a KILLER deal on)… who my bridesmaids are, what music we’ll use (not the Bridal Chorus or Canon in D, that’s for sure)… that kind of stuff.  But the rest… dude.  A girl could make herself insane if she cared passionately about every single little detail.  (Not to mention her poor groom). 

Craigslist, craigslist, craigslist.  Delegate, delegate, delegate.

I wish I could tell you that I’ve never gotten overwhelmed.  I’d be a big fat liar.  But I am committed to letting the focus remain where it needs to be: being a wife rather than on being the bride.  The marriage, not the wedding.  That’s what matters, and throwing your party for any reason other than this is foolishness.

Less than three months.  Day by day, we’ll get there.  Can’t wait.

my bro, the luckiest (and unluckiest) mug ever

Some of you will remember that my poor brother, Kevo, has had nothing but bad luck with his car since his relocation over to the wonderful world called Seattle.

He had his car broken into, not once, but twice… having to replace a window each time and losing a stereo, a guitar, an mp3 player, and a gym bag containing his shoes (the thieves needed shoes as well, apparently).

My mom called and left a message on my phone this morning: “Hi Stace.  Hey, listen, if you see a teal Honda Accord, license plate XXX-XXX, go ahead and call the cops.  Your brother’s car was stolen last night.”

No flippin’ way.  Talk about insult to injury.

The story ends with minimal damage, at least hopefully.  Kevin’s car was found less than 5 blocks from where he’d parked it.  The cops described it as “still driveable,” which is a miracle given that we all figured his Honda (as in, Accord — most stolen car in America besides the Toyota Camry) would be reduced to mere parts by now.  It had been towed because it was ditched in a high traffic area, so he’ll have to deal with that.  But still… having been found at all… Christmas miracle.

I’m not sure if my brother is the luckiest (having his car back) or the unluckiest (having his car broken into twice and finally, stolen).  All I know is, the boy better invest in The Club or something.  And he better use it. 

In all seriousness, I was just sick to my stomach over the whole thing today and am grateful that my fearful-to-even-hope prayers for Kevo were answered.  God was gracious, as he always is.   

*** Completely unrelated note: in 101 days, I’m getting married.  That is all.