Ew. Yuck.

Yeah, those two words explained my week this week. It was midterms week. Gross. Glad it's over. I think I did okay on my exams. I hope. We'll see.

Here are the plus and minus's of the week:

+ Got a Halloween costume! Scott and I are dressing up this year, for the heck of it. Not really sure if we'll go anywhere to show off the costumes, but anticipate pictures!

- Money is so tight... mostly because we're trying to save a crap ton of it.

+ Wedding reception venue has been chosen!!!! =) WAHOO!

+ I have so much help for paying for the whole wedding!! =)

+ Date has been officially chosen...

*** May 5, 2012***

You know, it's funny... because the date we will be married is 5-5-12... and .. my name has 5 letters, Scott's name has 5 letters, and both of our last names combined have 12 letters. (5/5/12).

Weird??

+ Scott and I are having our engagement pictures taken tomorrow!

- I missed dance class last night... =(

+ I feel confident about my midterm exam grades!

+ I really really love my job and had a fantastic lunch date with one of my coworkers =)

+ I'm continuing to be a really positive person.

I notice that a lot of people who read this often compliment me on how positive and happy I sound in these posts. That's mostly because, I actually am happy and I actually am a positive person.

You know what's interesting... I notice that a TON of people who see that I'm a very happy, smiley person try SO hard to bring me down on many an occasion.

It used to work..

It doesn't now. I have a strong positive outlook on most things. I'm strong. I have an extremely supportive fiance and even more supportive friends and family whom I love dearly.

Lately, certain people in life have been trying to push the wrong buttons, push the envelope, and create unnecessary foolishness in my life.

And to them I say,

Good Luck.

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)

So.

So, one of my favorite Rockette's has written a book. It's been published. It comes out on 10.31.10. Halloween.

I think I'm more excited about buying and reading that book more than I am about devouring as much candy as physically possible on that night.

Rockettes, Rockstars, and Rock Bottom.

Speaking of devouring candy... (yes that was a joke)...I'm trying to steer clear of that whole mess. I hate it when I roll my cart down that deadly candy isle... or just happen to walk by that huge center section of a store that has all the huge bags of Halloween candy at really ridiculously cheap prices.

It's a funny thing, shopping with Scott. He always wants to buy that bad stuff. But once it gets home, he won't really touch it. Whereas, I can't stop glaring at it, thinking about eating it, and relentlessly convincing myself over and over that I don't need it.

Sigh.

I carved a pumpkin with Scott over the weekend. And I guess we'll be doing the whole corn maze, apple picking, cider drinking thing too. Those are a few things that I will let myself conform to for the fall season. It's just that darn candy tradition that I prefer to stay away from.

In lieu of the season, I have been making a delicious pumpkin and sausage pasta meal quite often. I can't take any credit for it, because it is a recipe of Rachael Ray's genius.. but I can say that it is delicious, and that my healthier, WW friendly version is just as delicious.

Google it.

"Pumpkin Sausage Pasta, Rachael Ray"

It'll be well worth your time.

Wedding News: We may change the date. Move it up from May 2012, to late summer 2012. We may need more time to save money and such. No big deal. We don't mind waiting. We both just want this wedding to be perfect. Small and simple. But, perfect.

We will be having dinner with my parents this weekend to discuss the guest list, and the reception venue that we are interested in, as well as budget and so on.

I'm excited. =)

Scott and I have started reading together. We read at night. I read aloud and then he will read aloud at times too. Right now, we are reading a Mitch Albom book called, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven". It's one of my favorites, and Scott hasn't read it. He's enjoying it. We are going to watch the movie after we are done.

Flu shots this weekend. The season is here. Booo.. =(

I get paid on Friday... wahoo!! Love having a job! =)

Lots of "Fall" related things this weekend.

I may be in a photo shoot too on Saturday! Fun!

I leave you with pictures.

Happy Monday!!

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)

Pumpkin Carving.

We went to a lighthouse, too.

=)

Dancing heals all

This week was tough. It was such a long week and I had so much to do at both work and at school. It seemed like it just inched by. Scott is gone for the weekend, so it seems to be inching by even slower. I hate being home alone..

Luckily, I spent a bunch of time with my maid of honor last night and this morning. We did a little shopping and just caught up on life.

It was nice to get back to dance. I went to dance for the first time since May on Thursday. And like I said, I was so glad to be back. We have a new studio, which I loved. It was also good to see everyone. We started 2 dances already. It felt great dancing again. I hadn't danced much all summer long.

Dance for me really is the "cure-all". It clears my head and gets me focused and in a better mood. Dancing has always been able to do that for me. It cures me of all things. There is truly nothing in life that dancing can't make better. There is a certain type of dance for every mood... whether to a tune in your head, or a song on the radio.

Thank god for music... because without it... there wouldn't be dance. Although I am also a firm believer of ... "those who don't dance really don't hear the music"

In wedding news-

Scott and I are deciding between 2 places for our wedding venue. Really, the decision will come down to a matter of less expensive versus more expensive. Both areas are lovely. I do prefer one over the other...but I would be just as happy with either one.

Colors have been chosen, and I have a good idea of what kind of dresses I want for my bridesmaids/maid of honor... and also for myself. No shopping has been done yet... that won't be until later. But, it's nice to think about and prepare for ahead of time! =)

The guest list has been written, and re-written... and will probably be re-re-written. Ha!

We both want a small, intimate wedding. So, we are looking at around 100 people. I don't want anything too extravagant or big...and neither does Scott. It's hard to cut down on guests though as we are both afraid to upset certain people who we may choose not to invite. It's so hard! Never knew that planning a wedding was so tough... but it is also so much fun and exciting.

Congrats to Holly!! Holly- If you are reading this, I'm so happy for you! So glad you bought your dress, I hope you love it! =)

Not too much else is happening in my life. Just working, going to school, and enjoying my crazy life. =)

Keep Smiling,

Karla =)