the little things

lets get listy!

..is tomorrow really November?! my good golly! time flies!

it's Halloween. i'm home alone. and bored. [since my husband is wonderful and did SOOO much packing today! i seriously only have my clothes to pack now, and who wants to do that, when you could blog?!]

i got my baby fix today. twice. yey for co-worker's and their new little ones. :) first, came the new-new one, Braden. He's 11 days old & the first stop he made was to my cube! and oh my word is he cute!  The goofy photo is off my camera phone today..i sent it to Nate as a goof! I held him for 20 minutes and loved it.  too bad my arm didn't!  it still feels like i pulled a muscle. so pathetic! haha. the 2nd baby fix came with Kevin.  he's 6.5 months old & is like a little man!  I got him to smile big & he even giggled. made me all warm inside!

moving day is in 4 days!  i am so excited.  the new place is over twice the size of what we have now...2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a walk in closet, and a PANTRY!! i'm STOKED about the pantry, can ya tell?! ha.

i'm tired.

our apartment is a maze. for serious.

yeyyy for the OC premiere this Thursday! just in time before our cable is shut off Friday.

work is uber busy lately. maybe that's because i can longer access MySpace & am forced to work more?! ha. dOh!

i really, really, really miss scrapping!  i've been trying to just skim two peas, in fear of being so inspired, it kills me not to be able to go create! *lol*

i also really miss shopping for scrap supplies. it has been sooo long! ahhh. thank goodness for Christmas just around the corner!

the diet is so blah right now. i've hit a funk & it's only been 8 days! oh good Lord!

ahh yes. and it's official. i am a klutz. today, while whiting out end dates on medical claims, i somehow, lost grip of the bottle of white out, dropping it right to the ground, but not without a complete mess. i managed to miss myself [thank goodness!], but totally hit the floor mat, the carpet & the whole side of my computer tower! yeah. smooth. it was a pain cleaning it up too. about 20 paper towels, a scruffy sponge, a pink towel, some 409, about 1/4 bottle of pine sol [hey, it's all my crappy office had! *lol*], a slight headache from the pine sol & 30 minutes later, i got about 3/4 of it removed. the rest...well, the rest is just staying as is. the department is moving downstairs soon anyways. so, i'm not worried! ;)

anywhoodles, i must go return a phone call from my dad. should be grand. :)  tomorrow's hUmp day! wooo! i end with this.  one of my fave photos of Nate & I from the honeymoon. not too shabby for taking it ourselves, i didn't think! and with a little editing..liked the effect, i guess!

date weekend!

So, this weekend pretty much rocked my socks!

Nate ended up having Friday night off too, so our plans got switched & gave us a pretty full weekend!

Friday, my hubby made us dinner [salmon patties & baked potatoes. YUM!!], then we caught the mid evening showing of Saw 3.  Now, I have seen both the others & while disgusting & weird, the 3^rd one takes the cake!  I barely watched the forst 30 minutes..it was THAT gross! I seriously almost passed out in the theatre!  I made Nate get me a water & I popped a big piece of gum..and completely just looked away!  The sounds were awful..and the things that went on just grossed me out!  I felt so sick! Haha.  I laugh about it now, but at the time, I was losing it! 

After the movie, we went to Starbucks for my fave: hot chocolate. Mmm.  Fall is in full swing here in

Ohio

, sometimes it already feels like winter! Yuck!

Saturday morning we slept in. no alarm clocks. It was Heaven.  We lounged and slowly packed a bit more. Blahhh. Sooo sick of packing!

That night we had our first date night with another married couple & had a blast!  I officially love,love,love being married!! *lol*

Had a yummy dinner at a local Italian spot…and GREAT conversation!  It was so nice hanging out with such good friends.  After dinner, we got brave & headed to a haunted corn maze, called The Stalker.  It was freezing outside, and I forgot my gloves & went hatless. Brrrr!  We took a hayride to get to the middle of the field. I was a tad sceered!  I’m not a huge fan of fright! Haha.  I must say, we had ball!  It was scary & fun.  I wasn’t a fan of the chainsaws. And I wasn’t a fan of the big dog/wolf things that jumped out like crazy, but it was a really good time!  Had some hot chocolate afterwards & headed back home.

Love me some date nights! J

Yesterday was a chill day. Yeyyy for daylight Savings Time=an extra hour of the day. However, that does mean, that half an hour after I get off work, it will be dark outside. Blah!

Got some more packing done while Nate was at work last night..and have made plans to hang out with Megan this Friday night.  Plus, we sign the lease for the new place Weds! Soooo excited!

I can’t believe it’s almost November. Wow. 

Now, Nate & I just have to decide where we’re going for the Holidays! 

Hope everyone has a great week!!

seriously, what's with the wait?!

still no wedding photos. sigh. i know it's only been a week & a half, but i ca n't track down any friends with photos from the wedding! ack! haha.  it's killin me!  and no word from the photographer with our digi's. bumma.

in other news: my husband now has this coming Saturday off [woot woot!], and has declared a 'date night' with his wife! :) awww!  He said he'll be taking me to see Saw III [oh boy. those movies GROSS me out!] & well, who knows where for dinner. It has to be healthy. I was thinking Panera Bread, but we had that tonight.  Sooo who knows where we'll go. Gee, there's only a zillion places to go around this city! [i'm barely exaggerating!] i'm excited.

Oh, and getting ahold of the Social Security offic to officially change my schtuff around is a nightmare!  After we move, I'm going to have to take a half day off just to get the crap in order..oh blah!

My mom told me that my step brother is officially moving out of the house by Saturday, and my step sister & her fiance just bought a house. Gee, I sure know how to set a trend, don't I?!

Speaking of mom,check the photo from the wedding day at the salon..after hair, BEFORE makeup!! ha. YUCK! love my mom, and it turns out we must cherish this photo even more, as the photographer failed to get any of her & I together! i didn't even know this until AFTER the wedding! i feel rotten for not catching it.  Aside from Nate, my mom is my best friend, so it's a big bummer we don't have any "good" photos from the day of us together. :(

day 3 of the new "diet" [ hate calling them that!] is going well.  i've been eating less & making better choices. i must now get to working out. yuck! work treated us to lunch today..more Panera!  it was good..and I did good, so that's good! ;)

I made turkey nachos for dinner last night, and must say..they were delicious!!  Nate loved them. I loved them.  It's a HIT! :) totally diggin' the Biggest Loser cookbook!

baby news: my friend Kat is pregnant with her 2nd! gets me excited for the day when it will be me.  don't panic! Nate & I have decided to wait a while.  Give some time for us.  Whenever God wants us to, we will.  but, it's exciting when friends are expecting! i love bellies. and clothes. and stories. and then when they get here, they're all cute & cuddly. it's when they cry..or scream, that gets me! haha.

anyways. time for a bubble bath! it's been a while!Hope everyone's week is going swell. :)

oops!

i should be..

-packing. but i'm not. oops.

-calling the Social Security office to "officially" become Nichole Duenke [pronounced 'Dinky' haha. for those who've been trying to figure it out! *wink*]. but i'm not. oops.

-calling the Electric Co & Cable Company to cancel our services here. but i'm not. oops.

-working out, since this is DAY 1 of the NEW journey. but, i'm not. oops.

-cleaning the kitchen. but i'm not. oops.

-cleaning up the bedroom. but, i'm not. oops.

-calling my step mother in-law. but, i'm not. oops.

-throwing this empty, fat free caramel pudding cup that's sitting on its side in front of me, away. but, i'm not. oops.

-washing my face from the busy 1st day back to work. but, i'm not. oops.

-picking out a yummy recipe from the Biggest Loser cookbook Nate & I picked up Saturday for dinner tomorrow. but, i'm not. oops. [btw, i made crab dip from the book tonight & it was delicious!]

-packing my scrap stuff away *pout* but, i'm not. oops.

INSTEAD...i did this.

my first layout since being a married lady!!! all about my HUSBAND!!and i had a blast! especially, not having a paper trimmer, photo tabs, my cutter bees or fave chipboards & letter stickers! haha [they're still at my mom's from the night before the wedding when i was scrambling to finish Nate's little album! ha!] love this man!  he's truly incredible! love this shot from our HM in Cleveland after a large, yummy breakfast last week!

anywhoo..wedding photo update: I have no clue what the heck was up with me in not having someone snap more un-prof photos! i'm dyin without wedding day photos, people! haha.  i'm gettin antsy!  i have not seen one, single one of Nate & I together from the day! *sigh* soon. [hopefully! *lol*]

Thank You guys so much for the sweet words over the past few days!  They mean sooo much to me!  I really did feel like a princess that day.  Just wait til you see the cake & my flowers!!  They were my favorite!  Aside from my handsome hubby in his tux..talk about CUTE! ;) Thanks, again! Here's to a great rest of the week!

a quick share!

dum..dum..dum..

;)

well, here i am still in the salon, with my hair all done [how ya like??!! i totally LOVED it!] after just getting my makeup finished...completely excited & ready to get married!  i can't believe it was a week ago already. *sigh* hope everyone has a GREAT Saturday! i'm off to grocery shop, pack up some more of this apartment & go to lunch with my HUBBY!! eeee! that sounds so wonderful to say!

i'll have more..i promise!  it turns out less photos were taken on my camera than anyone else's..so i'm workin' with very littel right now! HAHA!

lets go in order..

these aren't from the wedding directly yet, as i'm still awaiting many photos from that day [i don't even have one of Nate & I together yet! *lol*] so, i've decided to start with the getting ready/rehearsal dinner photos. 

I first want to say that having all these days off has been wonderful!  Nate & I needed every second we could get before the wedding to finish up things.  We both ended up taking un-planned half-days last Wednesday, as the previous night, Nate got TWO flat tires on his way home from work!  The craziness!  So, we ran a bunch of wrrands Weds & it was great just spending some much needed time together.

We did a lot of packing that night too, as it was my last night staying at the apartment until after we were married.  That was also the night we got the call from the NEW apartment lady stating we GOT THE NEW APARTMENT!!!  Moving Day or week, rather is November 1st-4th! anywhoo..

Thursday, we were up bright & early to head back to my hometown for my dentist appointment.  Had to get my teefers all nicer & sparkly! hehe.  It's always good to get a good report there, and lots of congratulations! ;)  After the dentist, we grabbed breakfast & then dropped by mom & Phil's where Nate & I parted ways for a few hours, while mom & I ran some errands.  We then all met up again to pick up tuxes.  Oh, what fun!  Seeing men who usually consider dressing up jeans & a polo, it was quite humorous!  At Men's Wearhouse we ended up meeting up with Nate's dad, step mom & sister [our flowergirl], Lauren right after getting into town from their long drive from South Carolina.  It was good seeing them again & we couldn't believe it had been since last Christmas since we'd seen them.  After tuxes, mom, PHil, Nate & I had lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Yummmm! alsways love me some of their quesadillas!

The rest of the day was filled with lots of catching up & errands.  and I was totally feeling GOOD about everything!  The only thing we had forgotten were the pretzels for the reception, that were left in the trunk of my car back at the apartment!  We picked them up later that day. Nate went out with a few guys that night, so I stayed with the parentals & we watched Father of the Bride, per my request! :)  That got me even more excited!

Friday morning, I was up & at em...running yet MORE errands with mom.  We picked up the cake flowers & they almost brought tears to my eyes, they were so gorgeous!  The EXACT colors & size I had wanted!  After returning home, I saw Nate for a few, but he had family coming in and wanted to check on everyone, so I didn't get to see him long..which was fine..we were busy! *lol*  Early afternoon, after Megan got out of school, her, mom, Tana & I went to the nail place!  I was so excited to get my nails done & get pampered with a pedicure, I couldn't stand it!  I enjoyed every, single second of the massage chair, the nail techs, the people, the laughter..who knew?  all in a nail salon! ha.

We got out of there just in time to make it back home and get ready for the rehearsal.  All I can say is I am so grateful a rehearsal exists!  The night was craziness.  I have never had so many people coming up to me asking questions..and so fast & so many at a time!  *lol*  Having such a large bridal party didn't make it easy.  The guys looked great standing up front on the steps, the girls..were mushed & uncomfortable. It was kinda funny!  They all got readjusted & accquainted with one another [heck, even I didn't know one of the groomsmen until that night! HA!] & aside from the flowergirl coming in crying, after she thought we had started without her!! all went really well. Especially for not even having the actual Pastor conduct the thing! [our "real" Pastor was at his nephew's rehearsal in Dayton, so we had another Pastor from the church substitute & I ahve to say he was WONDERFUL!  so funny & caring to our needs..we're blessed.]

The above photos are just a couple that I had from my camera from Friday night.  1st: family table at the yummy Amish Door Restaurant we had the dinner at.  Nate's mom was so kind to make sure the restaurant was decorted just-so with our wedding colors. The food rocked our socks! Ham,turkey & chicken breast. ROLLS [which are my fave!]. salad. Jello treat at each setting. Cheesy potatoes. Mashed potatoes & gravy. pie. all kinds of goooood stuff!

2nd photo: Megan opening one her gifts from me.  This was my favorite.  I got her a silver heart locket from Things Remembered with a photo of us from when we were little & a current photo.  She wore it on the wedding day & cried when she opened it & i cried too! ha.

3rd:my silly cousin, Kasey hiding under the tissue paper after opening a funny gift for being our greeter--shotgun shells! haha!  she's a huge tomboy & hunter & LOVED the gift!

4th: Nate with 5 of his  guys at LongHorn after the dinner for drinks. Supposedly, bdub's & applebee's were full?! *lol* But, seriously, how cute are his guys?! and ever, single one of them were so sweet & caring & FUNNY! we had a blast with them!

well, this post has taken me forever [i blame the acrylic nails! haha], and it's after 11..and i must shower!  More photos will be coming, I promise!  along with details from the big day & our honeymoon!

it's official!!

....we're back home & getting settled from our few days away..i'll have some non-professional photos by tomorrow, possibly even this evening.

i can say the day was PERFECT!! and we had a blast! thanks so much for all the love & support, nate & i truly enjoyed reading your words of love & well wishes to us! [ps. how cute is that hoodie??! courtesy of my awesome mom for the morning of as I got ready at the hair salon! LOVE HER!]

getting closer!!

It’s just simply unreal to me that I’m getting married in 5 days..that this time next week, I’ll be a married lady!

I’m in the mood to watch Father of the Bride..BIG time!! J

Maybe after my hair trial tonight. Hmmm…

I’m excited to get with my stylist & see what she comes up with!  I have to clean the apartment tonight too.

Tomorrow I have to start packing my bags..geez.  I’m running out of time!

So glad that Wednesday is my last day of work. I need a break!

I have a lot to get done this week and most can’t even happen until Thursday & Friday.

As far as not having alcohol at our wedding..it was never even a question to HAVE it.  Our families, side from my dad & a few of his side, do not drink.  We will be having several people from church there..it just wouldn’t be right.  Plus, Nate & I are trying to strain that out of our lives too..so it made sense.  I think our guests will have just as much of a good time without it as they would with it.  I have been to 2 weddings this past year who had a whole bar of alcohol..people drinking..and it still was a boring party! Little or no dancing..not much conversation..so, it’s not a big deal to us.

I have to be honest.  I’m getting burnt out with the questions and the stupidity of some of our guests.  I won’t mention the questions or comments I have benen receiving lately, because it just makes me more mad! <<this may just be the Bridezilla coming out in me, so I do apologize!>>  I’m aggravated with some, ok..just one inparticular person of our wedding party…who has failed to attend anything that has been going on with this wedding…it’s just more of a pain than it’s worth.

Aside from that rant…all is going well.  I hope to get here at least one more time before the big day, but I’m not guaranteeing anything.

Nate had to get his wedding band stratched out Saturday.  We knew it was going to be too small when we picked it up, but the jeweler insisted it was the right fit. Ahh whatever!  I had him try it on Sat. morning just in case & good thing I did! The thing would barely go over his knuckle!  We took it back to the jeweler & this time they agreed, it was too small.  All is well, and the my stinker of a fiance was so excited, he wore it on the drive to WalMart! He’s silly! But, it makes me sooo happy to see him so excited for our life together.

Saturday was a big, busy day for us.  Thankfully, nate had a day off work, so we weren’t so rushed.  We met with our Pastor to go over all the details one last time.  After that, we met with the new apartment people & looked at the new ones…which we LOVED!!! Oh my goodness! They are BIG & spacey & NEW!!!  Loved them! We put a deposit down that day we liked them so much. I’m dropping the applications off tonight on my way to the hair salon. *crossing fingers!!*

We officially put our 30 days notice in at the place we’re currently living last Thursday, as I can’t take it anymore!  We’ll have a busy & expensive month ahead of us, but hopefully it will be worth it.

We’re also having a lot of problems with my sister lately.  She has that new boyfriend & it seems that since she’s been with him, she’s facing more troubles.  Just so much stress with her!  Positive thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Anyways, time go very fast!!

Nate & I have also decided to get back into the swing of things with losing weight.  I’ve gotten so out of control with my eating, it makes me sick.  He’s set an incentive for me…lose 30 lbs to get a digital rebel!!!  This was my idea & I needed an incentive…he offered the Rebel…sounds good to me! So, after our honeymoon, the day I go back to work..October 23^rd..I’ll be on a new journey.  We shall see what happens!

Hope everyone has a great week!

shorty one!

lots going on lately, so I haven't had time to post..and thought I better after an email from my girl, jennifer requesting an update! ha.

wedding is officially 11..that's ELEVEN!!!!! days away----only 251 hours away!!!  i am soo soo sooooo ready, you guys!

slowly taking all the packaged bridal party gifts from the apartment to mom's.  the only one left to finish is megan's..have to add one more little thing to it! ;) she got more than anyone..she's my little..so, you can understand she's spoiled! haha.  also, took our photo signature mat & surprise for Nate to mom's over the weekend. and speaking of the weekend...I had my 2nd & final Bachelorette Party saturday night with just the girls in my Bridal Party.  2 couldn't make it, but the 6 of us had a blast..doing just what I had requested: dinner & bowling!!  heeee! complete with some crazy gifts from my sister...a hopping pecker [no, seriously, that's what it was called! *lol*], a game, "52 weeks of naughty nights", some glow in the dark dice...yeah...you get the point! and my step sister got me a less crazy gift; body scrub & cream from B&BW & a pre-made scrapbook from Hallmark..not sure what to do with that one yet...but, I'm sure I'll fill it with misc wedding photos one day! :) we had a great time..i am so grateful for such great girlfriends! love them! photos will come soon, hopefully..i'm at work right now, so no photos here.

Nate & I are currently waiting on response about our lease termination, as we are hoping to move...cuz we...ok, mostly I hate where we live! I feel really unsafe most days, and that shouldn't be.  I have also determined..I don't like the city much.  nope, not a city girl..put me back in the country, please!  Nate & I have agreed to stick with our current jobs for now, but if the landlord tells us what we want to hear as far as leasing fees being less, then we are heading back to my hometown!  Hopefully by Thanksgiving. *fingers crossed*

wedding details:

the dress fits. the photographer & florist are PAID OFF! the favors are done. we aren't doing programs. we paid half of our reception hall this past weekend! gifts are wrapped. half the girls' letters are wrote. all the hair appts are set. can't wait for my hair trial next monday! tanning is going well. i got color! ;) also can't wait for my pedicure & manicure the day before. family is calling for final details. waiting on DJ to confirm song list & such. juice & pretzels have been purchased. alcohol free reception. yeyyy. we're honeymooning not only in Cleveland, but also a resort, who upgraded us for FREE after I told them it's our honeymoon! yeyyyy again! i've decided on a hair style!!! thanks so much for ALL your help! i'll surprise you!! heeee! i'm anxious to pack my bags next week. both, for mom & Phil's...as I'll be staying there Thurs & Fri nights..and for our honeymoon!  i just have to try & remember all the little stuff now...the rings, my makeup, the plastic containers for left overs for my family, the checkbook, my perfume...

OHHH and i'm on the hunt for new black heels...anyone know of anywhere with good ones??!! i really need them for my rehearsal outfit AND for work!  Nate & I looked this past weekend at Macy's & Sears & found ZIP!  any suggestions?!  perferably $50 or less?!

anywhoo...I'm gonna go grab some lunch! hope everyone is well & big congrats to my friend, darcy on her BIG news!!! and melanie: yeyyyy on coming!!!  tell Shane not to worry, he'll be fine! :)