# 28 Done!

  I can cross number 28 of my 101 in 1001 List:   Spend the entire day doing something nice for someone I love.

One hot summer day in August, I took the day off from work and helped my little brother move into his dorm room and spent the day decorating and adding the "Chase" the room.  We had a blast changing it from a dorm room into Chase's home away from home. Because Chase is a "Peer Programer" he received his own oversized private room! Justin gave Chase all of his old posters from his former bachelor pad...and I think secretly Justin was sad to give them up ;) After a long day of re-arranging furniture, organizing, and decorating we treated Chase to Sushi at RA on Mill Avenue ~ such a fun day!

Love you stinks, I'm very proud of you!

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Hello World, I'm 30....



Dear My Twenties,

I'm sad to see you go....but I'm thankful for all the lessons you taught me...about love, life, loss, and the importance of the individual reponsibilty I have for creating a happy, loving, and full life.  I'm excited to begin this new journey..... applying all the lessons I learned in my twenties....

Dear My Thirties,

We have to get busy right away....no more day dreaming...I have a clear and defined plan.  Let's do this! 

Starting today, with a little self indulgence....including a facial, lunch with Naseem, color and cut with my favorite hair stylist, manicure & pedicure with Addie ~maybe some shoe shopping....and a romantic dinner tonight at the Salt Cellar with my gorgeous husband.

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Happy Birthday Melissa!!

One of my dearest friends Melissa, turned 29 this past August................

and we had so much fun celebrating with her!

Melissa selected this really cute little random restuarant called: Handelbar J's, in Scottsdale...

complete with country line dancing.

I love you Melissa, thank you for being the wonderful loving person you are,

 I hope this year is full of fun for you!!!

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"The Real Thing"....

"You're the one I want and it's not just phase....

You're the one I trust, our love is the real thing"

Have you ever heard a song, and thought to yourself...umm wow I could have written that song, word for word?  Isn't it weird how you can hear a certain song and it takes you back to a certain time period and you can almost feel those same feelings you felt then?  Or a certain song can make you think of someone?

I heard "The Real Thing" by Gwen Stefani quite some time ago and I just love it....I think it just pin points my feelings about Justin.... and how our relationship seems to flow...just thought I'd share.

Happy Monday all!  Hope your favorite songs inspire your day!!

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Oh Baby!!!

 

I swear, my world is "babies" lately.  I remember a time a few years back where it seemed like "weddings" was a common theme...as I was in so many of them for my girlfriends.  Well, we have now officially entered "Babyville".  Where every time I seem to turn the corner...someone is having a baby!  Which makes my biological clock tick so loud, I wonder if people can hear??

Although we have yet to officially start "trying"....we are definitely getting closer to this point....I've realized it's almost to the point where I don't have any more control over this...I actually had to tell myself "that's inappropriate Jennifer, don't ask" when I saw this precious newborn the other day at a wedding that I just wanted to cuddle with.
Mmmm...such sweetness.

Speaking of sweetness, one of my dearest girlfriends...Tiffany just recently had little Ronin Patrick.  I'm so sad I haven't had the chance to meet this little guy yet, but I'll have my chance this Christmas....I can't wait.  I wonder if he'll be a wild as his momma? 

Congratulations Tiffany and Dan, I'm so happy for you three!!!!

See You Soon, xoxoxo!

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August was a great time.....

.....to catch up with friends! Yes, that's right.... I'm now in the process of trying to "catch up on blog again" hopefully I can be all caught up before the holidays:) And now with my new morning coffee & blog sessions....I just might be able to this. 

So, August is a "blah" month to me in general.  In Arizona, it's the time of the year when you're just so dang done with the heat of the summer~everyone is just kind of "zapped".  But, when you're working in the wedding industry, it's the perfect time to get caught on projects and people...and also a great time to work a few shorter days to spend time with friends and industry partners.

Apparently I just wasn't into taking very many photos in August (again, probably due to that "zapped" thing).  So the following events that happened in August, I have no photos from sadly...but I thought they were definitely"blog worthy".

Dinner w/Jeff and Darrah:  Blast from the past!  Recently I've re-connected with a few of my ole CGUHS buds from high school.  Darrah and Jeff, and what I can't believe is that they are still an "item"....engaged actually.  So one hot summer evening Justin and I had dinner with this twosome over at one of our favorite dinner hot spots, Valle Luna, followed by going to the movies.  We saw Inception.  It was so fun hanging out with Darrah and Jeff again ~we will have to do this again soon.  And major props to Justin as he was such a good sport listening to all our high school stories!
Lunch Melissa:  My predecessor at Seville!  Miss Melissa Sprinkle took over my position when I left Seville last December.  I was so happy when she took the position because I knew she would take great care of my brides.  I'm so glad we've managed to keep in touch, being a Catering Sales Director is not an easy job let me tell you...but she's done a great job.  We were able to enjoy a nice lunch together...at the beloved Olive Garden. 
Lunch with Becky:  I love my Beks!!  You've heard me talk about her on blog before, right?  We worked together at Seville a few years ago...and I just fell in love with her!  She'll make you laugh out loud and feel comforted all at the same time!  And if you're ever looking for a great massage, she's a fantastic massage therapist!  We were able to catch up at Pita Jungle (one of my FAVS)...and Becky was able to experience Mediterranean  food for the first time. 
WEN with Erin :   Due to both of our crazy schedules it's very rare that we get to sync up together...but when we do, hours and hours of  conversation  must take place!  I actually took over Erin's position  at Seville many years ago...and we've remained great friends ever since.  We hit up the monthly WEN Event (Wedding and Event Networking) at a new venue called Noahs.  Although we were more interested in catching up with each other, rather than networking with other wedding industry vendors....we had fun!
Dinner Jacquie and Tony:  Our favorite matchmakers and dearest friends!  One of my biggest highlights of the month was getting to spend time with these two.  We had the over for dinner one night to talk the "housing market & loans, as Jacquie is an expert in this area.  But more importantly we had them over to celebrate their recent big news of finding out they're pregnant with their third baby! 

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Baby "Sprinkle"

I'm throwing a "Sprinkle"!  What's a "Sprinkle" you ask?  I wondered the same thing, until my cousin Bri informed me a "Sprinkle" is a Baby Shower for your second child. Meaning that the parents already have many of the big items from their first baby, but still a few smaller items for their new baby....PLUS my thoughts are why not take a moment to stop and celebrate this precious time? 

So Bri had asked me to coordinate this for her (actually...I'm pretty sure I volunteered myself , big surprise I know....any excuse to throw a party :)

So anytime I coordinate a party I typically need my team of MVPs....so Justin took maternity photos of the Provost Family and created this adorable invitation.  And my mom is coming up today to spend the day with to put together all the decor...so we will be spending the day at Floral Supply Syndicate , Mayesh, and I'm sure a Target visit will be in order.  I'm excited, we have so much fun doing these types of things, and we have some interesting ideas in mind.... stay tuned. 

Planning events is such a joy of mine, but planning events for someone I love is even better!  

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I've finally realized something....

Yes, it's true......

I've finally realized something that my mom's been trying to tell me for years......

Twenty days shy of my 30th Birthday and I have realized that:  It takes much longer for a woman to start her day off properly than it does a man... therefore a successful woman must wake up and start her day much earlier than her man. 

I've been fighting this for years......wanting to stay in the nice warm bed until Justin has hit snooze for the very last possible time and then.....
all of a sudden it's as if he puts his magical wings on and flies around the house for ten minutes....getting dressed, eating a quick breakfast, and he finds me (still stumbling around the condo, looking for a warm blanket or robe to wrap around) to kiss me goodbye and he's OUT THE DOOR!!

Each morning I stand there in a daze....wondering how does he do it?  How is he possibly ready to go in ten minutes....and the only thing I've accomplished is getting out of bed, and did he even brush his teeth???  It shocks, amazes, and let's be honest COMPLETELY ANNOYS ME!!!

After he leaves I spend the next hour and half to two hours doing my rituals.....and I'm constantly left wondering.....why I can't seem to ever be out of the house before 9:30am?  I've been spoiled because with my work industry...I don't necessarily have to "be at work" at any certain time....unless I have early appointments.  But it doesn't change the amount of work I have to get done once I'm actually at work, so I'm always left staying at the office into the later hours of the night.

So, this morning......I GAVE IN.   I woke up early....took the pups out for their morning walk, fed them....and now I'm enjoying my cup of Maxell House International Hazelnut Cafe cup of coffee while thoroughly enjoying my blog session.   Yeah me, I'm a grown up?!?

At this rate I will still have time to pack lunches, get in a 30 to 45 minute morning workout, dress, shower, eat breakfast, pick up a little and be out the door by 8:15/8:30...we shall see how this goes :)

On a side note, I had the most fantastic refreshing weekend ever, the house is clean, laundry is done (and FOLDED & PUT AWAY), bills paid, dishes clean, and we even got in a sushi date night....life is good.....

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Still in Recovery....

 

Well October officially kicked our hineys! 

I realized this as I work up this morning to nearly every dish, glass, and utensil in our kitchen stacked up in the sink.....I realized this when I spent nearly an hour trying to choose a "creative" outfit to wear to work today that was "wedding appropriate", because my laundry pile is out of control..... I realized this when I noticed that we hadn't paid our bills in quite a few weeks and the stack of mail was overflowing, I realized this when I saw the stack of over due birthday cards, baby shower cards, and thank you cards in my purse that I've been carrying around all month..... I realized this when I was reaching the back of the cupboard this morning trying to come up with something to eat for breakfast.... I realized this because I have over twenty something past events I need to blog about.....

Ahhhhh.... October, I forget about you each year and then you jump up and hit me in the face!!! 

I'm now in official recovery... trying to get back into gear.  Although I have not one but TWO weddings tomorrow, I'm so thankful that I have Sunday off with my sweet husband.

P.S. and my foot still hurts from Halloween Party last Friday... what move was I doing.... that still causing me pain a week later???

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I miss her already.....

Aimee Sloan.....(sigh)

She's been my friend for many many years....... 

I think we've discussed nearly every topic in the universe.... 

And been through many firsts, many ups, and many downs...

We are probably the most opposite people in the world....but I love her dearly.  

Although she's been living out of state for the past two years, tonight I feel even more sad knowing that she's going to be in other countries for quite some time traveling the world.  But I know this is an adventure that she must take.... and I can't wait to hear her stories, told only in a way she could tell.

Go make some memories my dear friend...and enjoy the journey! 

P.S. Aimee will be blogging about her journey if you want to follow at: /http://traveling-twinkie.blogspot.com/

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Hello November!

  Wow, what a weekend...... we had an amazing 8th Annual Halloween Bash!!!  I can't believe another year has come and gone.  Thank you so much to everyone who attended, I hope you had a great time!  The only bummer thing about hosting a party is that you never really get the "talk" to anyone, because you're running around from person to person all night (or dancing around, in my case). 

So I'm a little sad because I don't feel like I spent any time with anyone, nor did I get to hear what my guests thought of the party..... but I guess that's the small price you pay to entertain. 

I can't believe how sore I STILL am, dancing and running around in four inch heels is quite a workout, my goodness. 

But now life is back to normal, Trevor and Isis have flown home (we sooo enjoyed having them here this weekend) and my sweet little pups are back at home and all cuddled up by my feet.  And I just realized I'm turning ummm.... thirty in 29 days!!!!  Oh wow.  

But seriously thank you again to everyone that joined our "Gang" on Friday night, it will certainly go down in history as one of my favorite parties!!!!


P.S. Photos coming soon, I promise ;)
P.P.S. Why is this song so awesome?  It makes me so happy!!!

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Dear Justin,

  My love, why does choosing your halloween costume have to be such a process each year?  I just don't understand why it is that we can plan a huge party each year....but for some reason can't ever seem to get your costume prior to 24 hours before the party starts.  If I knew you wouldn't be so picky about it, I'd have you all already to go by now, but then remember that I'm married to the "Princess and the Pea"....and everything has to be JUST right.  I'm just saying.....

Love, Your adoring wife

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Adrenaline Rush

  Look out world.....I'm up and running.....so much to do today to prepare for our big "Mobster" weekend ahead......

Had just an AMAZING weekend, my heart is full! 

Mom and Dad so kindly took my "little girls" aka :Sammy Dings & Ollie Dollie down to Casa Grande for the week so I could have more time to get everything in order ~thanks so much M&D!

My sweet husband just left out the door to start his official SECOND ROTATION at Good Sam Hospital in downtown Phoenix, he looks RIDICULOUSLY cute in his chocolate brown scrubs....

I'm so proud of him, the amount of strength and determination he's had to get through this last year of P.T. school....... just blows my mind.  I often look at him and think he must have a little army of angels following him around all day. 


Okay world, let's do this day!

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Making a List

Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use. ~Emily Post

Being around weddings every weekend, and hosting personal parties of my own, and just dealing with people in general...has made me realize something.......

There are several people out there who are just plain rude!  There are liars, opportunist, selfish and just plain inconsiderate people.  What I must remind myself is NOT TO BE BOTHERED & WASTE TIME, THOUGHT & ENERGY by these types of people in my life, instead I must focus on all the wonderful loving people in my life and give them my full attention and love. 

I've started putting together a list of all the things that bother me especially when it comes to event planning...that I'll post soon...it will be fun to see what my blog readers have to say about things that bother them too :)  Until then... Happy Sunday!!  Time to spend the day with loved ones!

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Action Packed Weekend

 

This morning my head is already spinning.... like it is every Saturday morning... I thought maybe if I could get a quick blog in with my weekend agenda, it might help me relax a little :) 

 Okay here we go......

Saturday Morning:
~Work
~Open the lovely Regency Garden
~Take a few tours, answers calls & emails
~prep venue for wedding
~greet bride & bridal party
~corsages, candles, unity table, place cards, run around like crazy dance
~get bride down the aisle
~say goodbye!
Saturday Night:
~"Scrubs" shopping for Justin's next rotation
~celebrate a very special and sassy friend's birthday, fabulously of course
~pick up a copy of "Beauty and Beast" on the way home at Blockbuster
~talk Justin into watching this movie when he gets home from shooting a wedding (romantic huh?)
Sunday Morning:
~Starbucks Sunday & doggie walk ritual
 Sunday Afternoon:
~off to see "Beauty and the Beast" at Gammage with Justin & my Parents....SO EXCITED!
~finish buying Halloween costume pieces
Sunday Night:
~celebrate Mr. Shannon's Starr's birthday ~dinner and possible "boys" movie
Monday Morning:
~clean and scrub house for upcoming weekend & special visitors
Monday Afternoon:
~finalize all Halloween party plans (dj requests, floral arrangements, guest list, catering, "special touches")
Monday Evening:
~Work
~Regency's Open House: tours, bookings, etc.
Somewhere in between:
~grocery shopping
~laundry
~get over due birthday& baby shower cards sent out
~catch up on blogging

Then starts my new week.... WOW, and I'm already tired... I need an assistant and a maid please, any takers???? 

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Today was....

 Rough ....this week has been rough, to put it "lightly" ever since April.... this year has been rough, horrible, and painful. 

But tonight, I found immense comfort in these three things.......

3.)    1/2 of a Peanut Butter Sandwich

2.)  Modern Family..... Sofia Vergara is hilarious, I can't hardly stand it

1.)  My mom, our hearts speak the same language.....

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Dear Blog,

Here we meet again, it's Monday Morning....

The first thing on my mind this morning is.......why can't I be a simple person?  With regular routines, normal expectations, and realistic timelines???  Or at least be married to someone like this???

Octobers and Novembers are always SUCH crazy months for us.....

Justin works 46 hours a week doing his P.T. rotations, plus has homework, plus shoots at least one wedding each weekend....

I'm currently working for two companies while still trying to start up my own, while trying to throw a fab party, keep up with family and friends, and somewhat try to maintain a well kept home life...

So Monday, here we meet again, sometimes I think you are my secret (but I haven't fully mastered you yet)..... this is a day when I'm off and Justin works....so in my mind this is the day to try and get as many things accomplished as possible...so that the rest of the week can be set up for success.... Okay, Let's do this

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Yes, It's That Time the of Year Again......

 

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"Wind It Up"....

  "You will never "find" time for anything.

If you want time, you must make it."

~Charles Bruxton

Just a reminder to myself when I've feeling so overwhelmed, like days like today....in order to accomplish it all, I have to schedule time for it and plan ahead.......weekly planning sessions with myself are a must!!!!  Let's do this day......ready go!


P.S. Happy 30th Birthday Jacquie Tuttle, I hope you and your boys are having a blast in Disneyland~I'll be thinking about you today!!!!

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# 63 Done!

  I can now officially check off # 63 of of my 101s in 1001:

# 63 Blogging: Get caught up on my blog posts from (March of 2010 until July of 2010)!!  Wow, it seemed to take soooo long, but it was important to keep this blog going, especially during this very challenging year for us. 

I started my blog back in January of 2009 mainly because at the time, I felt like my personal life was slipping away... I was a workaholic, working 12 hour days and nearly every weekend... I felt like I was too young to have life slipping by so quickly.  So I thought that by keeping better track of all the fun events happening in our lives it would help me feel better about my hectic work schedule...and I had so much fun with the blog...I kept it going through job changes. 

Earlier this year, I considered ending my blog~I worried that by blogging about all the heartache we've been through this year would, in a way, take away from the massive amount of feeling and love we have for our grieving family.....but after awhile, I realized that it was again, helping in some ways.  It was important for me to keep track of the happy times we have had this year, even though they've been hard at times.

So here I am again, I feel like a new chapter is beginning in a lot of ways... and I hope to keep blogging... life is too precious not to keep track of happy times and people I love.

Now if I can just get all caught up with August and September ;)

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Bamboo Club w/ Adds (Blog Catch Up from July)

Did I mention how much I LOVE Addie living back in Arizona??  Well, let me just say it again.... I LOVE my Addie Jo ~ especially because now I get to go on dates with her atleast once a month or so!!   So Addie, is signed up on "Groupon", ever heard of it?  I'm still not totally sure about what it's all about...but Addie seems to like it, and one of the many luxuries of being her friend is that I get to reap of the benefits!!!  Hmmm......so we had a fabulous date at the Bamboo Club in Scottsdale discussing all the wonders of life.  Life is great when you can ramble and ramble about every thought in your head~and your friend still loves you all the same~BEST kind of dinner date, I tell ya! 

 

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Funky Co-Medina (Blog Catch Up from July)

  One of my most favorite people in this world....Miss Becky Medina turned 30 this past July!!!  I was sooo happy Justin and I were able to swing by her birthday bash to celebrate with her!!  I met Becky at Seville and we soon discovered Justin had some of the same classes together~small world I tell ya!  We've had many fun times together.... and I'm so glad we've stayed close since our Seville days...Love you Beks~
Thank you for turning 30 before me :)

P.S. I owe you lunch!!

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Can I just press PAUSE for one week??

  Just one week is all I'm asking for.... to stop and get caught up.... that would really make me happy....I can't believe tomorrow is October 1st!!!!

I wonder why women put so much pressure on themselves all the time... I could really use a full time assistant to follow me around all day and finish every project I start.

Hmm....maybe I can stay awake tonight to try and cross off at least five things from my list??

P.S. Why is the feeling of a fresh clean house with fall scented candles burning, the best feeling in the world??  Maybe it's because it makes me feel like I'm walking into an "event", love it, love it, love it.... my neat freak husband has officially worn off on me:)

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