Thoughtful Thursday: Groom's Gift-HELP ME!

I've been pondering what to get my hubby-to-be for his groom's gift. So, I thought I'd ask for some help.

Can you all shoot me some ideas?

Wedding Wednesday: Money Matters

When it comes to planning this wedding of mine, there is one obstacle- money!  I don't have enough of it and weddings cost a fortune these days.  So, we're looking for ways to stash away some money without feeling the pain on our own budgets. 

The first line item of importance was the honeymoon!  We wanted a nice one and needed to look for a way to pay for it.  One day, while perusing through Pinterest, I saw this 54-week saving plan.  The first week, you set aside $1 and each week after that you add a dollar.  At the end of it all, you have well over $1500.  However, by week 54, I think we would feel the pain of having to set aside $54 in a week.  So, we made up our own plan.  Both of us will do this so that will double the amount we have at the end.  It's a 30-week saving plan that will help us save up $930 in 30 weeks.  Since we have enough time, we'll do it twice (60 weeks).  So, in the end, we'll have $1860 to spend on our honeymoon.  Here is how it's done (both the bride and groom need to participate to maximize the saving):

Week:   Deposit Amt:   Total:
1                    $1                 $1
2                    $2                 $3
3                    $3                 $6
4                    $4                 $10
5                    $5                 $15
6                    $6                 $21
7                    $7                 $28
8                    $8                 $36
9                    $9                 $45
10                  $10               $55
11                  $11               $66
12                  $12               $78
13                  $13               $91
14                  $14               $105
15                  $15               $120
16                  $16               $136
17                  $17               $153
18                  $18               $171
19                  $19               $190
20                  $20               $210
21                  $21               $231
22                  $22               $253
23                  $23               $276
24                  $24               $300
25                  $25               $325
26                  $26               $351
27                  $27               $378
28                  $28               $406
29                  $29               $435
30                  $30               $465 x2  = $930 Grand Total

 

My Love Story (Long-Awaited Life Update)

I LOVE my ring!

I'm sure you all have been wondering why I haven't updated my blog in several months.  Things started picking up for me around the spring of last year and I began to see many changes in my personal and professional life.  During that time, I did a lot of praying and searching about where God wanted me to be and doors began to fly open.  It took a lot of courage and faith, but I seized every opportunity I was handed and the results did not disappoint.

I began talking to a long-time friend who lived a pretty great distance away and, after a while, I felt like it was time to reveal some feelings I was having towards him.  At first, I was basically told that those feelings could not be reciprocated.  However, it didn't take long before he became more open to the possibility of a deeper relationship forming between the two of us.  I flew out to see him a couple of times and a few months in, I was given the opportunity to work my current job from home.  I asked if that could be a home from a different state and I was told that we could make it work.  After some talking, we decided that I would make the move out to be with this friend to explore our relationship a little further.  In the summer, he came to meet my family and a month later I loaded up my car, put the rest of my belongings in storage and set out for a 2-day drive to my new home. 

A couple months in my new apartment, I was really enjoying the changes that had been made in my life.  I wasn't homesick, though I missed my family.  The transition just seemed so easy and everything fell into place.  My relationship was really going strong and it wasn't long until I realized I wanted to marry this man!  I never really thought I would ever have those feelings for anyone.  However, when I did, I knew I couldn't deny it.  We talked seriously about the possibility of marriage, but he kept telling me it would be a couple of years until he would be ready to take the next step.  So as much as I hated to wait, I did.

At Christmas, I made the journey both to see his parents and then to see mine.  When we returned back to our town, it was time for New Years!  We got all dressed up and, after dining on a meal cooked by my culinary genius of a man, we went out on the town.  We then came back to his place to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and let's just say he got down on his knee in 2012 and I said yes in 2013!  While I'd love to divulge the whole story, there are just some things that I should keep for myself and those closest to me.  Let's just say, it was the most brilliant proposal and I never could've dreamed up all he did to plan for that night!

So here I am in a new state and engaged to be married.  I really couldn't be happier.  So, I'm sure my future posts will be riddled with wedding planning rants and raves!  The highlight of the whole experience, though, is that God has blessed my life with the most patient, loving, intelligent, incredible man I've ever known.  Not only is he my dearest friend, he's the love of my life.  I don't really think it gets any better than this! 

Share Some Love Challenge

Hey Everyone!
It's been a long time, huh?  Lots of things have happened in my life the last several months!  However, I'm not ready to update you all just yet!  Rather, my first post of 2013 is going to be one of a challenge.

A couple of years ago, I did a challenge called "Share Some Love" on Valentine's Day.  I challenged my readers to do random acts of kindness to strangers on Valentine's Day.  So many people struggle through the day just because they don't have a significant other.  I wanted to do as much as possible to make people feel special regardless of their relationship status.  That year, along with random acts of kindness, I also purchased a dozen red roses and gave them out to strangers throughout the day.  The response was heart-warming.  Not only did I bring a smile to someone's face, but seeing that result brought about such a great feeling in myself as well.

SO, this year, I'm challenging all of you to participate in my "Share Some Love Challenge."  Think about what you're going to do for your random acts of kindness and then share them on here in the comment section below.  Your ideas could help someone else think of something, too!

I'll go first!  I'm thinking about taping quarters to a bunch of parking meters in town.  Lord knows there have been times when I was in need of a spare quarter myself.

What about you?  What great ideas can you share?  You can also tweet about this using the hashtag #ShareSomeLoveChallenge

Kari's Java Chip Frappuccino

I have a tall, java chip frappuccino from Starbucks every morning. Today, I decided to try my hand at recreating it so I can have my own at home whenever I want. What I came up with was pretty legit. I even surprised myself!

Blend the following:
1/2 cup of milk
1/4 cup dark roast coffee
2 cups ice
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon chocolate chips

Pour in serving glass and top with whipped cream and drizzle chocolate syrup.

Voila!