Check!

NPZ and I have been talking a lot about all the happenings around our house this summer, one of the things we talked about was fixing up the front of our house.

The garden out front was neglected to say the least. There was a coral bell and 3 randomly placed hostas our there. The garden had no real boundaries so it was confusing as to where the garden ended and the lawn began. Fixing this up was something that I knew would make a big difference, but with everything going on, I really didn't think we would get around to it this year, or at least until late into the end of summer.

But on Saturday, NPZ and I decided to make a trip to Home Depot. We picked up the supplies and began the project around 10 am we were finished and off to a comedy club by 6pm! I think it is a pretty big improvement and I am excited to watch these little guys grow!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

-Liz

Nerves and The Garden Hose

I have my first traditional bridal shower this weekend, and while I am completely flattered at the gesture of everyone wanting to get together for a pre-wedding celebration, the idea of getting gifts for basically doing nothing makes me feel anxious. Probably wont be as uncomfortable as the 'Amelia Bedelia' showers I read about as a kid, but just out of my element I guess.

I'm the middle child, so I'm not used to a whole lot of attention...I am used to getting gifts on Christmas and Birthdays (I say Birthdays with an 's' because when I was little my G-Ma would always get me a gift on my big sister's birthday too since I was cursed with a b-day too close to Jesus' -  My G-Ma was cool that way) But I feel like getting a gift for finding the right guy seems weird. We have already started our life together, and though most of our 'stuff' is not the best we have everything we need to get by on a day to day basis. My Macy's registry consists of 4 items, one of which is discontinued.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for traditions and am very excited to spend the day with NPZ's family. I love all of them and they are always such a blast to hang out with. It's just the idea of being showered upon. Also, the act of sitting in front of everyone and opening gifts one by one. I don't like to have a lot of attention on me at one time, thankfully there is a new baby in the family- I am SUPER excited to meet her, I haven't held a brand new baby in SO long! I cant wait for that!

Does anyone else feel awkward at the concept of the bridal shower? Or is it just me?

Holy Matrimony.

Today is my sister's wedding anniversary. And while I am extremely happy for her and her hubby JJP, I can't help but reflect on my upcoming marriage, selfish, I know.

JJP & LJP have a great marriage and a great family. They are still very much in love and I get a lot of advice from them, not just what they tell me but also what I see them do. In a world of disfunctional relationships, it's a breath of fresh air to see a couple who compliments each other so well. The things that she struggles with he excels at, and vice versa. They are constantly teaching one another new ways to view situations. I sometimes get caught off guard by the amount of loyalty and devotion that the two have for one another. You rarely see that anymore. Regardless of the situation they always try their hardest to put themselves in the other's shoes. I think that is true love.

I am actually feeling a bit emotional thinking about marrying NPZ. In a lot of instances in my life, I have felt like nothing would ever work out or go right for me. But with NPZ, I feel like every other disappointment has been worth it to get the grand prize at the end. I know marriage is tough, and you have to work really hard at it, but I am willing to do that forever with NPZ.

I've also been wondering when I would stop caring about all the little stuff, all the big stuff- well all the wedding stuff in general. And......I think it's here.

The whole wedding planning process I have been aware that this stuff is really just that, stuff. But I still cared. I always care what people think and since I am a judgmental person, I think they will all judge me.

I think that is over now though. I am genuinely feeling like - this is our day, it's no one else's. They can think what they want about whatever, but it is what it is.

It's about us and about us getting married. I'm excited now, not because I have a lot of cool stuff to show people. But because I am going to marry a great guy that I love very much.

I'm sure that LJP & JJP would agree on their wedding anniversary that their marriage and the party they threw afterwards was only a kick-off to the many amazing moments to come.

Happy Anniversary to LJP & JJP! Thank you for all your insight over the years!

This is Gina...

She steals.

http://www.bloglovin.com/m/2352346/233025037/a/0/aHR0cCUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5jcm9jaGV0Y2xvdWRzLmNvbSUyRjIwMTElMkYwNiUyRmxheS1kb3duLWluLWdyZWVuLWdyYXNzLmh0bWw=

Viva Las Vegas

My life is full of beautiful brides. Ms. RS wed Mr.DM in Las Vegas just last night!
Congratulations you two love birds!

Bummed that I was not able to attend, but RS was awesome about keeping me included in her planning. I was able to go with her to all of her dress fittings.

I'm excited to see her actual pictures, but I'm positive that she was a vision in this number!

-Liz

These, Are the Days of Our Lives.

I didn't want to tarnish big sis's bday with a story of next-door-neighbor-dude-drama soap opera. So now that LJP has had 1 day to be 30, I can fill you in.

While I was off sipping mimosas at J&J's gift opening, NPZ and his Daddy-O were at the house starting the fence project. NPZ was able to find only 1 of 4 property line pins so determining property lines was a huge hassle. NPZ and Dad strung a few lines and decided, to be safe, that they would angle the fence in towards our house and make enough room for next-door-neighbor-dude to get his lawn mower between our fence and his garden.

Next-door-neighbor-dude (NDND) came out immediately once he saw there was someone outside, and of course, had something to say about EVERYTHING. This guy thinks he's the king of the neighborhood or something. Finally, NPZ got fed up with his bossy ways when he started ordering NPZ Dad around.

I was not there, NPZ gave me this recap:


NDND -In NPZ's best drunken voice impression: Well, you really gotta have it line up with this pole here (pointing to a pole in his garden that is leaning so far into our property that it could almost be considered ours)

NPZ: No, we can't do that, if we put the fence there, it would like up directly with the side of our house. How would we get into it?

NDND: (pissed now that NPZ has dared to defy him) Well then your just gonna have to get a f-ing survey.

NPZ: (now fuming from previous events+this new one) You know what NDND? Mind your own f-ing business. Leave me alone, leave my wife alone, stay off my property. Dont be coming over when I'm not home, dont come over and tell my insurance people things, just leave us be. F.off.*

NDND: (Walks away)

*Im pretty sure this is the PG-13 rated version for my delicate feminine ears.


Now, NPZ gets all anxious when he has a riff between himself and someone he has to see often, but is feeling good about sticking up for himself. NPZ and NPZ Dad continue on with their plans after reviewing some plats and arial views that city gave us.

45 minutes later. NDND comes out to apologize, and get this, he's crying. YES! Crying! (I never expexcted that twist!) Telling NPZ that he's lonely and stuff. (Personally, I don't think that being lonely is an excuse to come over to our house and tell our insurance adjuster that we don't need anything) NPZ told NDND to go home.

NDND has not bothered us or even come out of his house since the incident. Which, I have to say, is kind of nice.

-Liz

LJP DAY!

Happy 30th Birthday Sis LJP!

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.  ~Author Unknown

I hope you have a great day today and look forward to celebrating this weekend!

-Liz