Date Night

Brad and I went out for dinner on Wednesday.  He took me to a new pizza place in Cincinnati before we went to church.  He had a meeting and I had a date with addressing envelopes.  I wasn't exactly dressed for a date night, but we went and enjoyed our adult beverages. We people-watched and ate delicious arancini and pizza.

Proof of my date with envelopes.  I still have a few reply card envelopes to address and then the fun task of addressing the invites. I do maintain, however, that starting with return addresses was a very nice way to ease into the task.

Also, please take a look at this beauty.  It is black India ink on white paper, but I like Instagram.  This wonderful creation was completed by one of the students I worked with.  

For those of you who are curious, I updated the Budget page.  Feel free to comment me if you have any questions or if there's something else you want to know/see.  Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to continue my House Season 4 and envelope addressing marathon.

--Melanie

The Weekend

 This weekend we headed to Atlanta, GA for a stateside wedding celebration for Brad's cousin.  This picture was taken as we drove through TN, I think.

We stopped by Chris and Shelli's house after checking in at the hotel.  Brad was put to work setting up some tables and tents.  I got to scope out some of the details inside.   Shelli had done a fantastic job with all the details.  Pictured above is their cake topper that traveled to Italy with them.

 Brad and I went to dinner at a place called The Local Republic.  He had some grouper and I had a burger.  Sounds about right.  :)  We also enjoyed some delicious adult beverages and a cheese tray.

After all, we are nothing but classy.

 Down the street from where we had dinner was a tea store.  Aristeacrats.  Brad sampled and bought some tea to bring home.  

I'm not sure when it will end, but I'm bordering on obsession with these striped paper straws.  I want them with me at all times.

Eight-hour drives in the hot, hot heat make for tired and grumpy people who are so happy when they are home.

We had so much fun and I want to thank Chris and Shelli and congratulate them again.  We are so happy for you both and loved being down there.  Can we do this again soon?

--Melanie

P.S. There was a photo booth and as soon as I see pictures, I'll let you see some pictures.  Deal?

In Which I Procrastinate

School is out next Friday and I'm ready for a break. I say this and laugh, though, for this summer I will continue working at the pharmacy in attempt to pay for the wedding. Also, I will be flitting off to Atlanta for a reception and will be back and forth to Pittsburgh a few times for my dear friend's wedding and festivities. I will be very busy, so I don't know why I think of this summer as a "break". Oh, well. Next summer, maybe.

I have a few more things to finish up before school lets out (hence the title) and I'll probably buckle down and have a very productive afternoon today. (See, Mom? I work. Promise.)

I completed a super secret project this weekend and should be blogging about it tomorrow or Thursday, so please sit tight.

On Friday, Brad and I had a date night that was so fun and almost didn't happen. My dad had dental surgery and I sat with him all day making sure he had fresh gauze, on-time doses of Vicodin, and soft foods in the fridge. So, by the time I felt OK leaving him it was 7:30 PM. But, Brad waited to have dinner with me and I love him for that. We just ran out to KFC/Long John Silver's so it wasn't healthy at all, but it was food and I was starving. Then we headed over to a benefit at Powerhouse Factories where we listened to a performance from Bad Veins, bought a benefit t-shirt, and bought some amazing posters. I'm thinking of enlisting Emily (of Go, haus, go!) to help me redo the living room to include the posters and look amazing, while costing me next to nothing. Again, I'll keep you updated.

[tangent] Brad and I are in no shape to buy a house for a few years, so I want to make our apartment amazing. I have some ideas for the bedroom (money will flow at Ikea), so that will need to wait a little bit. I want to make our living room a little more grown-up (or at least put together). I am growing tired of the hodge-podge of hand-me-downs we have in our apartment. (I love that we have hand-me-downs and I appreciate them; I just want some things that are strictly Brad and Melanie now.)[end tangent]

To bring an end to this, Brad and I enjoyed the benefit, the free wine and beer, and the chance to go out and enjoy a night with each other. In my opinion, it doesn't happen nearly enough. :)

--Melanie

Oh, right. A picture. Here is one of my offices. They are beginning to clean carpet in the Media Center (I'm down the Fiction Aisle.) and all those tables are blocking my way out. Fire Hazard? I think so.

Jewelry?

These necklaces are from this amazing collection and you need to go view them all immediately. The above six are my favorites from the collection, but I need those who have seen my dress to give me their opinions. I think I am really leaning toward bottom left and top right. Swoon-worthy is what they are.

I just asked Brad which one he preferred and he picked the top right necklace. First of all, it's a miracle that he picked anything at all. Secondly, he and I agree on something jewelry related? Good Lord, it is a day after Easter miracle!!

On Good Friday, Brad and I joined my Aunt Mar Mae and Uncle Tony at Olive Garden for some delicious food, wine, and dessert. We also talked about weddings and babies (my cousin Nathan and his wife Meagan have a beautiful little boy). It was so good to catch up and we ended up spending two hours there. They also graciously agreed to be a gathering place for the McBrooms and Coopers for the evening after the wedding. I'm getting so excited about the wedding and I keep dreaming about getting to wear my dress and say, "I do," to Brad. Only 144 days to go!

Other than drinking wine and talking about what we've already got booked, I haven't really been planning much as of late and I don't know why. I did call the hotel today to set up a block of rooms, but they sent me to someone's answering machine. Brad and I have been thinking about invitations and we'll be meeting with Aaron on Wednesday. I continue to take pictures of flowers and dream about which one's I'll end up with. Also, I have taken up a cross stitch. As I get more into it, I'll share a picture, but I think it looks pretty amazing already.

I do need to continue plodding on with planning, so let's hear some motivational cheers for me.

--Melanie