Throwback Thursday: We're Engaged!

Summer 2003

Andrew was living with his parents and I was living two hours away with my parents.  We knew our relationship was headed for marriage.  We were in it for the long-haul.  I had told Andrew I didn't want to know when the proposal was coming and I didn't want to know what the ring looked like until he was ready to give it to me.  

Living two hours apart meant we didn't see each other throughout the week.  We alternated on the weekends who would be the one to drive the two hours to see the other.  

One weekend he informed me that he was hanging out with his guy friends.  They supposedly had big plans to play basketball and do manly things. So that weekend I was hanging out with my family and was in the truck with my dad on our way to pick up pizza when my phone rang.  It was Andrew.  We had a very quick conversation in which he asked me to remind him of my ring size.  That was an odd question for someone hanging out doing manly things to ask.  

August 29, 2003

The day before my birthday.  I had to work that day.  I was working at Sonic and was scheduled to work 6:30 to 1:30.  Andrew was driving up that evening and we were going out to dinner.  I just knew I was getting engaged that evening.  I was so incredibly excited.  

1:30 could not come fast enough.  I was ready to go home, shower, and get ready for the best date of my life.  

And then our computer system at work shut down.  We were sending people outside to take orders by hand.

Right in the middle of our lunch rush.

I remember it being so crazy busy.  

1:30 came and went and I was still at work.  

I don't remember what time I was finally able to leave work but it was much later than 1:30.  

I'm sure I sped home that day.

I got showered and dressed in my white shirt with green flowers and my denim skirt.  

Oh the fashion!

Andrew took me to the nicest restaurant in our little town that evening.

Colton's.

We ate our dinner all the while I was a nervous wreck waiting on him to propose.

He never did.

August 30, 2003

My birthday.

Andrew slept on our couch the previous night.

I woke up and took my shower and got ready for the day.

Then he got up to shower and I knew...today was the day.

I was very nervous.  

Once we were both ready for the day we were sitting in my room and he hands me a birthday card.

I opened and read the card.

Then he says to me...

"I'm only going to ask this one time so you better not say no."

He hands me a box and says, "Will you marry me?"  

I'm pretty sure I opened the box myself and I put the ring on myself.  

 I already had wedding catalogs.

There was no one knee or grand gesture.

And even though I give him a hard time about it now, it didn't matter.

I knew he loved me.

And I loved him.

Since it was lunch time we headed off to town for a nice lunch at...

McDonalds where my newly engaged 20 year old self ordered a happy meal.

And in case you are wondering how my ring fits Andrew...

The day may not have been his most romantic gesture but it was still one of the best days of my life.  

It was the beginning of a life long commitment to my best friend.

Walmart Grocery Pickup

I'm never going in Wal-Mart again!

Yes I'm aware of the boldness of that statement.

I used Grocery Pickup today for the first time and it changed my life.

Seriously...it's the best thing ever.

I went online to walmart.com and added my items to my cart.  You can also do this with the Walmart Grocery app on your phone.  I've already started my second order with the app.

After you add all of your items to you cart you can click Check Out.  You will then be prompted to select a location and a time slot for pick up.

Notice the blue section in the picture below.  It automatically checks to allow substitutes.  This means if they are out of one of your items they will substitute a similar item.  I've not had anything substituted but I've read that if the do this they charge you the cheaper price of the two.

I placed my order early this morning and was able to pick it up this afternoon.  I had scheduled my order for 4:00 - 5:00.  Right before 4:00 when my order was ready I received an email letting me know that it was ready and I could check in.

I was in a meeting all day today so when I finished with my meeting I logged into the app and checked in.  Checking in is your way of telling them that you are on your way.  It tracks your route so that they know when you arrive at the store.  

I admit that's a little creepy.

However I didn't mind when at the exact moment I pulled into the parking spot two employees walked out the door with my groceries in hand.

Corey came to my window and greeted me with a goody bag.

He was super friendly and went over a few details with me while Brittany loaded the groceries into my trunk.  He came around and asked if I wanted my bread in the front so it didn't get smashed.

They were so friendly and it was the best experience.  They did all the work for me.  

I would have loved to tip them, but they cannot accept tips.

Inside my good bag was...

 A recipe book

And...

I have a link for you to sign up.  You will receive $10 off your first order.  Yay!!  Just click here to sign up and receive $10 off.

Five on Friday

ONE.

I've been toying with the idea of bangs for over a year now. Andrew is not a fan so I always talk myself out of it.  Not anymore.  I went to a new stylist who felt like an old friend yesterday and cut over three inches off my hair and got myself some bangs.  I LOVE it!!

Thank you Jen for recommending Kami. :)  She's fabulous.

TWO.

Speaking of hair, I started using a new shampoo a couple of months ago and I can already tell a huge difference in my hair.  It is healthier, thicker, and smoother than it's ever been.  I quickly became a huge fan of Monat products.  I signed up as a VIP so I could get a discount and I'm so glad I did.  If you are interested let me know and I'll get you in touch with my Monat girl.

THREE.

Last night I went to Zumba for the first time in over a year.  Seriously.  I do not remember the last time I went to a class.  I was easily the youngest one there and it was a very small class.  There were seven of us plus the instructor.  The instructor introduced me to the other ladies and most of them are or were in education.  They get together once a month to eat after a short Zumba class.  They were so welcoming and friendly.  Some would even stop during a song to talk to me.  It felt so good and I'm glad I went.  Pretty sure you will find me there every Monday and Thursday night from now on.

FOUR.

I've recently started listening to Podcast while I drive.  Most of the ones I listen to are education related, but I've been loving A Mom's Story by Megan.  It may be called A Mom's Story but it is not just for mom's.  It is stories of women and the journeys God has taken them on in life.  

FIVE.

Have you seen the new craze that is donut walls?  I'm obsessed with this idea.  I want to throw a party just so I can have an excuse to make a donut wall.  So if you receive an invitation from me to some random party just know that there will be a wall of donuts waiting on you.

Boy Bands, Zoo Animals, and Pro Wrestling

In the past week I've had some very rough days.  Actually they've been much worse than rough but this is a happy post so we won't talk about that.

I asked you guys the other day on facebook to send me some random questions to answer in hopes that it might lift my spirits.

It worked.  Some of your questions made me laugh out loud.

And those more serious questions provided me with distraction.

So thank you!

Now let's answer those questions.

What does music do for you on days like today?

I know for some people they go right to music as a method to lift their spirits.  Music can lift my spirits but I'll admit it is not my go to remedy.  However Andrew picked up the guitar this weekend for the first time in forever and listening to him play and sing made me smile which I haven't done a lot of this week.

What is your favorite FRIENDS episode?

Easy!  The One With All The Resolutions.  Rachel resolves not to gossip anymore but then learns that Monica and Chandler are dating.  She wants so badly to tell Joey but he is trying to help her keep her resolution.  He covers his ears, closes his eyes, and screams lalalala.  She leaves and Chandler walks in.  He holds the duck in Joey's face and when Joey opens his eyes to that flapping duck it scares the mess out of him. And Ross in those leather pants!
IT MAKES ME BUST OUT LAUGHING EVERY SINGLE TIME!

What is your favorite teacher moment?  And what is the funniest question you have ever been asked?

I don't know that I can narrow it down to one specific moment, but my favorite thing is when a student tells me I'm like their mom.  I think this is absolutely the greatest compliment they could ever give me.  It lets me know they feel loved and cared for and protected.  There is no more important job in this world than that of a mother so when I can come close to that job with my students I know I'm doing something right.

As far as the funniest question I've ever been asked...hmm.  There have been several.  I had a student one time who was mentally younger than all of her classmates.  She always brightened my day.  She asked me one time if I was a mommy and when I said no not yet she proceeded to ask me if I wanted to know how to be a mommy.  Before I could even answer she told me to take my husband in the bedroom for private time and then I would be a mommy.  Oh she made me smile!

If you were on a deserted island and could have only 2 things from home (people not included) what would they be?

Well I already know if I'm on a deserted island I'm not going to survive no matter what I have with me so forget survival things.  I'd say my cell phone so I could call for help but I'm assuming there will be no signal on this island.  So....

I would want a hammock and a huge bag of good books.

If you were not teacher, what would profession would you be interested in and why?

I would want to work in an eye doctor's office.  I don't know that I necessarily want to be an optometrist but I am so fascinated with eyes, maybe because I'm blind.  And I love organizational things and calendars.

You have been selected to do a commercial...What product and why?

Lush...don't even have to think about it.  I'm assuming I would get a major discount on their products, maybe even free.

If you were in a girl version of any boy band, which boy band would it be?  Who would be your band members?  And which member would you be?  For example, are you the Justin of N'Sync

Umm..Joey in New Kids on the Block!  And for band members...let's get the girls from Bottomland Naturals back together.  Fun memories of us singing while we made birdhouses.

Would you rather never have another duty or never grade another paper?

Oh never have another duty for sure.  I don't even care what duty it is, I hate them all!
Grading doesn't bother me.  Of course I don't teach writing.

If you could have lunch with any person who is no longer living, who would it be?

My Granddad.  I was too little when he passed away to remember him.  But if you talk to anyone who knew him, he was a pretty special guy.

What is your favorite animal to visit at the zoo?

Can I pick four?  LOL.  I like the giraffes, panda bears, kangaroos, and penguins.  But if I have to pick just one...

Who do you admire most and why?

Wow!  Now that's a question!  There are several people that I admire for different reasons, but the first person who popped into my head when I read this question was my sister-in-law Joy.  She has a love for the Lord that is so sweet and genuine.  Whenever I'm around her I always leave wanting more of Jesus.  That's the kind of person I want to be...I want other to want more of Jesus after spending time with me.

If you could host a dinner party for four people (living or dead) who would they be and what would you serve?

Well my husband definitely.  He makes everything more fun.  And we're eating with President and Mrs. Reagan.  I'm sure most people would serve something fancy if they were eating with a former president, but we're having grilled chicken sandwiches aboard The Liberty Belle because they are just so dang good.

What is your least favorite chore?

Cleaning the kitchen.

Why is Jill Averitt your favorite sister-in-law?

Because she is amazing of course!  And she lives close to a Lush store. :)

If you decided to join your brother in professional wrestling what would be the name of your tag team?

Let's be real...like my brother would ever choose me as his tag team partner!  But if we were a tag team our theme music would be something by Aerosomith :)  and our name would be The Bobsie Twins...I know that's horrible but I didn't have an answer and then I rememberd how when we were little we thought it was such a treat for mom and dad when we wore matching shirts for bed.  Mom would always tells us were Bobsie Twins.


What is your least favorite color?

Orange...I don't think I knew that about myself until you asked.



What is your favorite book?

Oh I don't even know.  When I was a kid it was Just As Long As We're Together by Judy Blume.  Lately I've been loving historical fiction - especially WWII stuff.

You have a chicken, a fox, and a bucket of corn.  You have to cross a creek and can only carry one thing at a tie.  How do you get all three across without one eating the other?

I have no idea but I hope the chicken is what's left at the end because I'm going to be hungry by the time I carry all that across a creek.


What drew you to teaching?

I don't have a specific answer to this question.  I've just always wanted to be a teacher.  I never even thought about doing anything else.  I love watching my students grow and mature and gain confidence.

What's your favorite cocktail?

I can count on one hand with fingers left over the alcoholic beverages that I like.  LOL...just not a fan.  Andrew makes me something I like but I don't even know what's in it or the last time I had one.

Which was your favorite question?

All of them...I'm a teacher and isn't our motto supposed to be the only bad/dumb question is the one not asked?  :)