Closer and closer every.single.day!!!

Happy Wednesday!!

We are definitely getting oh.so.close with respect to counting down days until THEE day!

We leave in 17 days for the glorious town of San Diego!!

We sail in 19 days aboard one of Carnival's Fun Ships!!

And in 21 days, I will be a Mrs! Woot Woot!!

It is absolutely starting to sink in that this is actually going to materialize in like three weeks! All of my hard work, planning, researshing, DIY'ing, and everything else will finally materialize! I have mixed emotions at the moment. I'm not sure if I am excited, estatic, bittersweet, scared, nervous, or anything! I'm just a huge ball of various emotions that I can't even begin to explain!

I still have a very l-o-n-g list of wedding related tasks on my to-do list, and despite the fact that I'm actually checking things off slowly but surely, I keep finding things to add to said list quicker than I can get things checked off!

I've finally decided that I will forego the Umbra Ether Frame for our Sand Ceremony as shown in the photo below. (Which by the way is a fellow DW Knottie / friend of mine who recently married earlier this month!!)

Since we will be including our kiddo's into the Ceremony, we opted for something more convenient for everyone. This is the inspirational photo for what I'm looking at

It just seems so much easier to do it this way! :) Plus, I ♥ Shells!!

I hope you all enjoy this lovely Wednesday! I'm going to Shred with Jillian Michaels and then run some much needed errands so I can cross things off of my list!

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome Bags for our Cruising Guests

We are giving all of our cruising guests Welcome Bags the first day of our sailing. We will have a little 'Welcome Reception' to introduce everyone, you know... Minnesota meets California... :)

We've come to a decision that we are going to fill the bags prior to leaving for San Diego. Originally we thought it'd be easier to haul everything down there and then on Sunday evening fill the bags. Are you kidding me? We will have about 18 other people besides Brian and I on Sunday in San Diego.... when am I going to have time to do that?!?

So, last night I broke out what we have purchased so far to see what we have to play with... this is the result:

Travel mugs, Cabin Air Fresheners (Car Fresheners from Scentsy), California Post Card/Coaster, Tylenol, Kleenex, and Extension Cords (the cabins only have one outlet)

Night lights, Hand Sanitizers, Playing Cards, Sun Block and Handi Wipes

First Aid Kits, Lindor Chocolate Truffles and Juice Packets

We just need to get the snack suff! Yummy!!!

Happy Monday Everyone!!

AT&T = EPIC FAIL

So, what we thought was the end to our internet problems was just a joke! We had service for two days and then "poof" just like that, it was out again. Such is life I suppose. I'm done dealing with AT&T period. It is now Brian's turn to deal with them because quite frankly, I will probably go ape shit on the poor person that answers the phone.

Crazy stuff huh?!? So, with that being said, I'm going to go take a nice l, long hot bath then go to bed!!!

xoxoxoxo,

BACK IN THE GAME!!!!

I'M BACK!!

So, after almost an entire month of having internet problems, I THINK we've finally fixed the problem completely! I don't suppose we will really know until oh...maybe tomorrow or in a couple of hours, or next week, when we lose the DSL signal again. According to AT&T, the problem wasn't anywhere in our home, it was essentialy problems with the lines OUTSIDE. Needless to say, we're up and running (for the time being) and we have....

22 days

before we leave for our cruise!!

YIKES!!!

24 days before we sail and 26 days until THEE day!!

I am so very sorry that I've not been able to keep up with everyone's blogs, and oh how I missed it! I'm going to have to go back and read all of my favorites just to keep up and see what's been going on in the last three weeks!!

As for me and where we are in our stage of WEDDING PLANNING, or lack there of, I've actually gotten a lot done, however I still have a gazillion things on my list!

1. 
   
   Get Brian's ceremony suit pants hemmed;
2. 
   
   Purchase Brian's wedding band;
3. 
   
   Get my dress steamed and pressed;
4. 
   
   Write my vows;
5. 
   
   Get Marriage License;
6. 
   
   Finalize menu choices for both the California & Minnesota receptions;
7. 
   
   GET MY FREAKING FLOWERS FIXED;
8. 
   
   Finish inserts for the Travel Mugs;
9. 
   
   Print, cut and put together AHR Boarding Pass Invites;
10. 
    
    Purchase B-Pic outfits;

And the list goes on!!!

I'm so glad that it's almost here. I'm so ready for a vacation. So much has gone on in the last month it's pathetic! If it isn't one thing, it's another!!

But I'M BACK!! I'm connected to cyber space and I have a ton of catching up to do, which quite frankly, I won't be able to do 100% with everything on my plate at this moment, but WOO HOO for having internet at home again!!

Have a WONDERFUL Friday!!!

THANK YOU

Also for all of the warm comments / emails, your thoughts and care really mean a great deal to me!!

Life's Lessons

Trials and tribulations we go thru in life often suck while you’re going thru them, but how you learn and grow from it makes you a better person!!!

So…let me share with you lovely bloggosphere friends a recent life altering experience my 20 year old daughter is going thru at this point and time in her life. Grab a cup of coffee or a nice glass of wine (depending on what time of the day you’re reading this).

My poor baby’s car was stolen. Yes, STOLEN!! My daughter is going to college, full time. She works three part time jobs and is one of the most trusting person you could ever want as a friend. She recently moved out on her own with some roommates and is trying to be a true responsible adult!

Early Sunday morning her Honda was stolen. She accidently locked her keys in the car ( like anyone does that on purpose ) but they weren’t visable at all. She had just finished an ‘overnight’ set shift at American Eagle in the mall and was headed home at 3 a.m. She stopped at a 24 hour Wal-Mart to get a few things. She grabbed her wallet out of her purse and headed in the store. When she came out, she realized she had locked her keys in the car. (Come on, we’ve all done that at least once on our lives.) So instead of calling her dad at 3:30 in the morning and get bitched at for #1, locking her keys in the car, and #2, calling him at that hour, she called her friend to come pick her up. She went and slept for several hours, woke up at 7:30, called her dad who then picked her up and they went to get the car. When they arrived, the car was gone. STOLEN.

She, thankfully, had her wallet with her, but her purse was in the vehicle, along with all of her school text books…iMac make up…her iPod…a Net Flix DVD she borrowed from her brother, and some other personal belongings. (Yes, my son wasn’t too happy about the DVD).

Could she have made better choices to have prevented this? Absolutely!! There are a number of things she could have or SHOULD have done differently, but we all make mistakes in life and we learn from them!

Monday evening after she worked an 8 hour shift at the doctors office, Ashlee had a friend drive her an hour and a half down here to where I live and she picked up my Honda (Betsy). Brian suggested that Ash use my car for the time being and he’ll start riding Sally (his motorcycle) to work now that the weather is so nice. I am so grateful for such a wonderful man in my life!!! He said its important for Ashlee to have some kind of transportation since she IS going to school AND working three jobs. I agree!!

So, we had a nice evening with Ash and her friend. I made Spaghetti for dinner and then bid a temporary farewell to Betsy.

Anything to make my baby girl feel better!!! It may not bring back her car, but it helps her out!!!

Although Ashlee is very upset about this (she was on the phone with me sobbing profusely for hours Sunday) she WILL bounce back.

It’s so hard as a mother to see any one of her children hurt so much!! My heart aches for her too!

The love of a Mother for her child is never ending nor is it conditional.

25: Engagement Pictures

25 DAYS before we leave!!!

YIKES!!

Here's a few of our E-Pics we took last Summer.

27

From this post forward, I will be counting down the days until we leave! I will still be counting down our “Mondays” as it is a tradition of sort on one of the Forums (Destination Wedding Board of theKnot).


TWENTY-SEVEN days before we leave for our WONDERFUL cruise! I am so very excited and cannot wait!



This vacation is much needed! I will be on vacation with ALL OF MY THREE KIDDO’s which is going to be a first time in YEARS! With the two older ones being ‘on their own’ per say, you know how it is when you’re in your early 20’s, you’re living life and doing your own thing. Vacationing with mom is the last thing on your agenda!

Brian and I have a TON of things to do before we leave, and I WILL BE working with lists. And lists for my lists!

Today we will be going to our good friends’ house and working in their backyard. We will be having our California reception there in May and am excited! We’ll be planting some beautiful flowers today and just sprucing things up.


Speaking of which… I have to share with you all!!

For the reception here in California, we were approached by an acquaintance of ours who recently started their own local brewery.

They will be donating not one, not two, but THREE Kegs of beer! SWEET! (Although I don’t drink beer.)



The Brewery is called “Sandude Brewery Company” and they’ve been Federally Licensed, and will be receiving their State License in about two weeks. They’ve landed about 4 local restaurants where they will have three of their brews on tap! How freaking exciting is that?!?



We attended an “Open House” type of Beer Tasting event at their brewery last night and Brian was totally impressed with their beer!

Right now they have a Lager, a Blonde and a Brown. We will be having all three at our reception!! Woo Hoo! That’s a HUGE check off our list, that’s for sure!!!

Have an amazing Sunday!!!

Thankful Fridays!!

I’m thankful for many things in my life!! Let me just share with you a few of these things:



* My three kiddos! Without them, my life would be so empty! Although they’re older now and we don’t do too much together as a family, they are still a huge part of my life.

* My best friend, Brian! I’m so happy that after going through all these years of my life, good times and bad, I’ve found someone who loves me for being me, unconditionally! He is my pillar of strength!

* My DW Knotties! These women are amazing! I’ve ‘met’ many of these lovely brides to be in a community on theKnot and have formed numerous close friendships over the last year! Without these ladies, I’d have gone bridezilla months ago!!

* My health! I’ve beat the big “C” once, and it was during a time where my kids were younger and my marriage was failing and it was so very difficult to endure but because of my kiddos, I fought long and hard! It resurfaced but yet again, I survived and am going strong now!

* My new bloggy friends! I’ve gained so much inspiration from reading some of my fellow blogosphere friends’ blogs! There is a variety of blogs that I read/follow…some are just personal blogs journaling their personal lives, some are funny blogs, some focus on product reviews and giveaways, but the ones that impact me the most are the more personal ones.

* I’m thankful for the fact that I have the opportunity to stay at home and work. With the economy as bad as it is, I have the rare opportunity to not have to have a 9 to 5, Monday thru Friday job to help us to survive. Granted, doing so would be an added bonus to our income, but doing what I do contributes both $$ and time!!

*I’m thankful that we will be leaving in 29 days because I’m desperate for a freaking vacation!!

Yay for new Modem...& pictures of my flowers...(ugh!)

YAY!

I can not even begin to tell you all the entire story regarding this whole fiasco with AT&T…. I will have to dedicate a whole different post just for that…so stay tuned!



I wanted to post photos of my flowers because so many of you have emailed me about them.

Can I just start by saying I’m disappointed in them very much. There was a lot of drama with the fact that I was quoted 3 – 4 weeks for my order to be completed and shipped PRIOR to me paying the deposit. To make a long story short, it took just about 7 weeks. Yes, 7 weeks.

What got me upset at first was the fact that this seller tried to turn the tables on me insinuating that it was the lack of my responses back to her which caused some of the delay. Clearly not true! I advised her to reflect back to our Convo’s thru Etsy and she would see that I replied to all of her messages within MINUTES. And then she also blamed the inclement weather the East Coast was hit with as part of the delay as well.

Well, here are my flowers.



As you can see, it isn’t very big at all. In fact, can you even see the Gerbera Daisies? They’re in there….just smooshed in with the Orchids. AND, I can spread my fingers out and cover the entire top of the bouquet with my hand.

The next photo shows the BridesMaid Bouquets also. Now, those… those are MINIATURE! They are so small, it would be for like a flower girl. Seriously.





The photo above is a picture of the BM Bouquets in comparison to my neighbors hand. Yes, it’s smaller than the palm of her hand. No joke.



And I know that nobody is going to see the stem of the bouquets where we’ll be holding, but on all of the bouquets, the HOT GLUE is in one big clump. I mean, don’t you generally glue the underside of the ribbon?!? Of all the bouquets I’ve seen, the ribbon is glued on the back side.

Hey….check this one out… can you see the BM Bouquet?!? It’s BEHIND the men’s boutinere. THAT’S how small it is!





Another photo of the BM bouquets…this time along side of the men’s Bouts.

Yes… so this is why I’m disappointed with my flowers. There isn’t anything I can really do because we leave in 33 days. It took longer than that for me to even receive my order!!!

http://shellilynn.wordpress.com

Happy Saturday!!

Since I am still without the internet at home, I'm unable to copy & paste my posts from my WordPress blog to Blogger, so I am encouraging you to check out my WordPress blog today!! Here's the link:

http://shellilynn.wordpress.com

You can also subscribe to that blog by clicking on the "Subscribe" button the right side tool bar!! This way, you won't miss any of my blog posts I post utilizing my Droid Eris HTC phone!!!

So, cllick on the link above (or just copy & paste) and enjoy!!

Happy Saturday!!

Still no internet!!!

So, we've been without internet here at home as most of you may know. Can I just tell you guys how difficult its been without it??? Especially when I work from home and require the internet!!

Thank goodness I have my handy dandy Verizon Droid Eris HTC smartphone!!!! It's been my saving grace!!! Although its difficult to conduct business on this itty bitty touch screen!!!

Well you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!!! Feel free to send me an email if ya wanna chat!!!!

xoxoxoxo,

Jumping on the FormSpring Bandwagon!!!

I am officially jumping on the newest craze…FormSpring.

It’s a forum almost like FB or Twitter, where people can ask you random questions.

My 20 year old daughter introduced me to this several months back, but I really didn’t get into it. It seems to be popping up everywhere now.

I got this idea to open questions up to my readers from a fellow blogger ~ Krysten @ After “I Do”

So, I’m going to jump on this new bandwagon and see what kind of questions you all throw out at me!!

Feel free to go to the above mentioned link and ask away!!!

Here’s a clicky link:

FormSpring for Shelli

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

More thanks to you all!!!!

I am always humbled when I read someone’s blog and see that they’ve so graciously passed on an Award to me!

This one is awesome!!!

The lovely Kelly @ Dare to be Domestic awarded me with this wonderful award and I am, as I mentioned above, humbled!!

The rules with this award is as follows:

RULES: I'm supposed to name 6 things I'm a master of. After listing my 6 master things I am supposed to choose 6 bloggers that I think are Masters of Blogosphere Friendship.

So, here we go!

1) I consider myself to be a master at having mini-freak outs! Yes, in all this wedding planning that’s been going on, I’ve mastered the concept of freaking out when something is not right…. .even if it’s very minor in nature, I totally freak out.

I don’t have a problem EVER in planning my client’s weddings or events, but when it comes to mine, oh my goodness….. I’ve been freaking out often!

2) I’ve mastered the art of being a Type A personality! I have lists. I have lists for my lists. Yes, I do. I am so anal when it comes to being organized, it’s pathetic!!!

3) I’ve mastered the art of BAKING AND DECORATING awesome cakes! :) I love it!

4) I’m a master of loving my kiddos to the best of my ability! There’s always love for them and I will continue to be the master at this specific thing!!!

5) I’m a master at being getting so caught up in things that I sometimes forget to eat! :) Especially nowadays when I’m consumed with wedding related DIY projects!

6) Last but not least, I’ve pretty much a mastered the art of being the future Mrs. Gile!!

Woo Hoo!!

********************************************************

And this awesome award is being passed on to the following 6 Masters of Blogosphere Friendships:

The wonderful Heather @ Namaste-Heather

The amazing Kallay @ Kallaydoscope

The awesome Megan @ Blackberries to Apples

The inspirational Vivivanne @ Vivianne’s Vista

A fellow planning bride @ Perpetual Party Planner

and last but certainly, not least,

full circle back to…..

The creator and newlywed Lauren @ Salt Says

EACH and EVERY ONE of you have been and are such amazing women who I’ve gained inspiration, strength, ideas, and values from!

Your friendships, albeit through the blogosphere world, means a ton to me! :)

I also received the following award from two readers and I wish to pass it on any of my wonderful followers who enjoy reading my blog!!

Happy Tuesday everyone! Here’s to a great rest of the week!!!

Monday, Monday......let me count the days!!!!!!

Six more Mondays!!!!

Six Mondays from today will be the last Monday before we leave!

We leave in 47 days

We sail in 49 days

And THEE day is in 57 days

Ah… how I’m not going to get stressed out over this! :)

Have a Happy Monday and a great week everyone!