Engagement Party, Vacation...and now...back to reality.

My Engagement party could not have gone any smoother. Both families got along well, the food was great, my parents helped me so much, and everyone had a great time. The only thing that I wished could have been better is that I wish I could have spent time with each individual person... but things were too crazy to do that at times.

My parents bought us a beautiful white cake that tasted just as good as it looked, and a lot of our family members made and brought food. I was very thankful for everyone's help and encouragement. I was so nervous that something would go wrong. I especially get tons of support from Scott's grandmother. She was an amazing help to me, as well as my Mom. I couldn't have been happier with the outcome.

Just 2 days after the party, Scott and I headed south to Maryland. We enjoyed our 4 day stay in Ocean City. The sun rarely came out and it was cold and windy... but we sure made the best of it. We ate at several different restaurants and had lots of seafood! We also tried to jump in the pool once and did some shopping. We went on a huge ferris wheel and also on a speed boat ride. We got to see dolphins and we played 3 games of mini golf.

Now that our vacation is over, I have realized that I have most likely put on 5-7lbs from the past 2 weeks of vacationing and partying.

Now that school starts tomorrow, I plan on buckling down again and getting back in the WW groove. Luckily, we went grocery shopping yesterday and I have to cook all my meals for the week tonight. Everything will be ready to go when needed during the week nights. I love making my life easier by doing that. Cooking ahead of time not only makes life easier, but makes it harder to cheat when it comes to WW.

I'm both nervous and excited for school tomorrow. This was by far the best summer of my life. I spent a lot of time with the love of my life... I moved in with him... our relationship got stronger and better, I was able to go onto the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall, I got engaged, I had a wonderful birthday, I had a fantastic engagement party, and then it all ended with a very relaxing vacation. I couldn't have asked for a better summer.

Today I'm doing tons of cooking, some back to school wardrobe shopping, dinner at the Olive Garden =) .... and then it's early to bed for me. I get up at 5am now. Boooo..

Updates on school to come!

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)

I'm ready for the beach!

Tomorrow is the long awaited engagement party for Scott and I. I'm excited...minus the whole fact that half of our wedding party can't attend. It's going to be weird without them. Three on my side won't be there and two on his side won't be there either. But, we will make the best of this day. It's supposed to be a celebration, and I plan on being happy and having a good time! There will be lots of surprises for some of the guests who are coming, which I'm so excited about. More on that later!

Scott and I have worked so hard on making this day special for the two of us. Our families have both worked hard too. We all couldn't be happier. =) I will post pictures in another post after the party!

Anyway, lots of last minute cooking and other preparations will be made today for tomorrow's party. Sunday will be spent packing away for our vacation to Ocean City. I can't wait! I am sooo ready for the beach.

I got a new swim suit to wear as well, from Victoria's Secret. I love their end of summer suit sales! I got a nice suit at a real good price. I'll probably burn to a crisp out on the beach because I am as white as a snow man. Oh well.

School starts soon. A little too soon. I'll be starting on the 30th. I'll be working 6:30am-12pm Monday thru Friday and then going to school 1-5pm Monday thru Thursday. I will be pretty close to exhausted when it comes time to study and do homework. I'm just praying that I'll be able to find the time to sleep, practice dance, stay healthy, cook, plan a wedding and possibly keep my sanity all at the same time.

I got this.

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)

Reservations? Check!

This weekend was spent laying low and visiting more family. I think Scott and I have officially visited every family member now since our engagement...with the exception of my 5 family members up in Maine. We are thinking of taking a weekend trip sometime in September to see them.

Friday night we got pizza with a gift card I had gotten for my birthday. So, WW went out the window that night. Saturday was spent going to my parents house to visit with one of my great-aunts and to also start preparing for our engagement party this Saturday. We ate a Red Lobster for dinner, it was delicious!! I had a shrimp and lobster dish with pasta and lobster sauce. YUM! But, yet again, WW= out the window.

Sunday was a very relaxing day. Scott and I got some decorations for the party at a local craft store. We even bought 2 white canvas's and finger painted. The painting is now hanging up. It looks so cool! We painted blindfolded, so it was neat to see how it turned out. Definitely looks like Picasso. Haha..

We used the other canvas to make a pretty "signature board" for the party. There is a picture of us on it, along with our names. Guests will be able to sign the board along the outer edge. It will be a nice momento for us.

Now, maybe you are thinking... Ok.... what's the deal with the title of this post??

WELL!!! Scott and I made reservations yesterday for a hotel room in Ocean City, Maryland. I've been there several times before when I was younger. Scott has never been. We are going for 3 nights/4 days. I can't wait! Our room looks really nice. One block from the beach. I can't wait!!! Oh ... wait, I said that already.

We leave one week from today. We definitely need this vacation! The only downside is that, right when we come back, I start school. Booooo... It's been such a whirlwind of a summer and I don't want it to end.

Anyway, this week will be spent trying to lose a few more pounds before vacation, and also getting even more prepped for the engagement party. Oh, and did I mention that I'll also be praying that it doesn't rain on our party....or our vacation for that matter.

Happy Monday!

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)

TGIF!

So glad that today is Friday. I have been working 9-6 shifts all week. Working with children for this long gets very, very tiring and I am exhausted. But, it brought in some good money. I woke up this morning to a very lovely and rather large paycheck. =)

My engagement party is a week from tomorrow. Scott and I have a lot to do this weekend to prepare for it. All my planning has finally come down to this! I'm excited. I'm putting together a slide show on my Mac of pictures of us along with some music that is very special to us. It makes me tear up when I see it.

WW is going well. Scott is doing SO well. I am doing fine too, but I am used to it, where as Scott, isn't. I am so impressed with how well he is doing. He is really enjoying cooking with me too. So much so that he looked into going to school to be a chef. We actually toured a culinary school the other day and he may start in January. I'm happy for him.

WW is hard during that time of the month. I am constantly wanting to eat. It stinks. Thankfully, it only happens about 2 or 3 days out of a month.

Dance starts up again soon. I am SO excited. Wait. Scratch that. I am BEYOND excited. All summer, I feel like I've been cooped up. On my birthday, Scott helped me pull out my wooden dance board that I tap dance on. That was the first time I had danced since my recital. I hate that my dance season is only during school season. Anyway, I re-register for dance on the 21st. This will be my 18th time doing so. =)

My birthday was last Friday. It was a lot of fun. My parents were leaving for Baltimore for the weekend, so Scott and I watched their pets for them. It was nice just being with Scott and relaxing for once. We basically did nothing all day (we both had the day off from work and were exhausted). But, he took me out to dinner to this place called, The Melting Pot. I had always wanted to go... and I am so glad that we went. It was awesome!! It's a fondue restaurant and you basically cook, and dip your food into delicious bowls of deliciousness!!

If you have a Melting Pot near you (they are located in various places throughout the world), then YOU should really consider going! Trust me... you will not regret it!!

The day after my birthday was spent hanging out with my best friend in the whole wide world. We went out to lunch and also got ice cream. It was so nice seeing her again. =)

Sunday, Scott had a birthday party for me with his side of the family. It was so nice. He made the food, and also bought a cake. I don't think I stopped smiling that whole weekend. Scott got me some clothes for "back-to-school" and also made me a nice dinner of lobster ravioli!!!

* * *

In two weeks, Scott and I will be on vacation! We aren't too sure where we are going because our lack of money has changed all of our plans. We may go to a beach somewhere for 2 or 3 days or maybe up to Maine to visit my grandparents.... that is just about all we can afford. We are really focused on saving up for a new place to live and of course, the wedding.

I hope to set a date soon. My plan is to get it set by the end of September. I hope.

Not too much else to post about... except a letter that I wrote to my friend, Dance.

Dear Dance,

My life is boring without you in it. Please come back to me. Oh, and you can invite Inspiration to come along with you. I could use some of that in my life too.

Thanks in advance,

Love Always,

Your Friend,

Karla

Hahaha

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)

Life Lately...

Life has picked up speed within the past week and I have not found the time to blog until now. Lately, I've been looking for apartments with Scott and also trying to plan an engagement party, a vacation, and of course... a wedding.

Money is extremely tight!! Scott and I are saving for our party, our vacation, and now for a place to live. Oh.. and the wedding! Thankfully my family is helping with that. We have become so money conscience... which is great. Very frustrating though. I think I need to win a million dollars.

I wanna be a billionaire, soooo freakin baaaad..

I digress.

I've been slowly searching for that perfect wedding dress. I really like the BIG, white, FLUFFY, tutu material- type wedding gowns. You know, the ones that I'm used to wearing in dance!

You think I could just get away with wearing a white tutu??

Tonight is my family birthday party at my parents house. I'm excited. I miss my family, I don't get to see many of them often.

Friday is my birthday. I'll be 22. My lucky number.

I remember being in my teens and just dreaming about being 22. I couldn't wait. I had so many dreams, so many plans. I look back now, and I am so happy where I am. I have a good job, I have goals, I have a great fiance, and so many family and friends whom I love and count on to support me.

And... I have hope.

I am in love with hope.

Hope for a new day, a better tomorrow, and as much awesomeness in my life that I can cram in.

Because, at the end of a long, hard day... hope is what I turn to. It's healing. It's always there. It doesn't hurt. Have hope. =)

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)