100th Post - Wedding Dress Shopping

On Saturday, my mother, Maggie and I headed to Springfield to do some wedding shopping. The main objective was to pick a dress. Chris's mom was supposed to go, but ended up having to work. What a bummer. I will not share the pictures of the actual dress, but I will share a few of the ones that didn't make the cut.

I am in LOVE with the dress that I picked and cannot wait to wear it on September 24, 2011!!! It is going to be hard to keep it a secret for that long, but I will do it. I want it to be a  huge surprise for all the guests and I'm sure that Chris will  be floored.

A special thanks to McDaniel Bridal and Formal (especially Amy) for helping make the day fantasic and pulling beautiful dresses. And thanks to Maggie for picking "the" dress!!!

Getting to Know You Sunday

I can't believe that it is Sunday already. I am not at all ready for tomorrow to be Monday, but I cannot change it. I had a fantastic day yesterday in Springfield and will post about that later, but for now, it is time for you to get to know me a little better.

1. If you had to choose a country to live in besides USA (or the country you live in), which would it be? I honestly do not think that I would want to live anywhere else. I love our little happy home in the country and cannot imagine being anywhere else. I would like to travel to other places but there is something to be said about coming home


2. Which would be worse, wearing flip flops in the snow or wearing gloves in the summer? Probably depends on what I am doing. I have wore flip flops in the snow before, but not for extended periods of time, so if I was going to be outside for hours, I think wearing flip flops in the snow would be worse than ever wearing gloves in the summer

3. Fried or Bake and why? If I am cooking, things are more than likely fried. I love fried foods and believe most things are better fried

4. If you were an entertainment reporter, which celeb would you love to interview and why? Currently I would like to talk to Bristol Palin and just get out some more info on her current story.

5. What was your favorite book as a preteen/teenager? I was a strange child and was reading John Grisham

6. List your top 3 guilty pleasure television shows. Bridezillas, The Bachelorette and Teen Mom

7. What bumper sticker slogan best describes you/your attitude/your life? I work. Not everyone can be on welfare

8. If you were to join a circus - what performer would you be? The lion tamer just because that is the coolest job at the circus

Want to play along? Head over to MannLand5 and link up!

5 Question Friday

Thank goodness for Fridays. Hopefully today will be a better day for me than yesterday was. I'm anxious to get the weekend started, but have to be stuck here at work until 4:30, then it is off to a weekend of wedding stuff and I'm so excited. So, here it is again, Five Question Friday by My Little Life.

1. Do you collect anything? I don't really collect anything anymore. When I was younger I had a large collection of rocks (imagine that with a dad who owns a rock quarry) and I also collected Tim McGraw stuff (which is all now stored away). That being said, I am a huge packrat and have trouble letting things go, so I have a collection of a lot of junk. I keep everything that I have sentimental attachment to, like the shirt Chris wore on our first date (yes, I am that strange). But over the past 7 years, I have gathered quite the collection of memorable items from our relationship

2. Name 3 celebrities that you find good looking. Matthew McConaughey, Jason Aldean and Brad Pitt

3. Do you have any scars? If so, what's the story behind it (them?)? I have tons of scars. I was a wild and crazy child who was always playing outside. I have one scar from breaking a fish bowl in the swimming pool, several scars on my legs from falling on rocks, one scar on my thumb from a stool that folded up on me, a scar on my head from busting it open, a scar on my cheek from the family cat and many, many more!

4. What is a food that you like to eat, but others might think it's gross or weird? I have always ate some sort of potatoe like chips or fries in chocolate pudding or ice cream. It sounds strange, but it is so yummy

5. Have you ever seen a tornado in real life? Yes. Watching storms has always been a past time of my family. When the warnings are out and people are supposed to get into a basement or safe place in the house, we all headed outside. Everyone had a walkie-talkie just in case you got separated and we would just be out to watch the storm and keep an eye on everything. I saw a tornado once during a storm when I was younger. Luckily, I was a ways from it and it didn't get the house or anything, but it was neat to watch
 
Happy Friday to all!

Survey Time

1. This survey gets a little personal; can you handle it? Have you met me? There are no secrets here

2. If you married the last person you texted, what would your last name be? Upton, which is actually what my last name will change to on September 24, 2011

3. Were you happy when you woke up today? Yes. I rolled over and Dozer was wide awake and gave me a good morning kiss. That pup brightens every morning at 5:00 a.m.

4. When were you on the phone last? And with who? About 30 minutes ago and I called Chris to ask him how many CC's our 4-wheeler was

7. What are you excited for? This weekend. I am meeting with a lady who is making the bridesmaid dresses on Friday and am going wedding dress shopping on Saturday

8. What were you doing yesterday? I was at work then in the evening, went grocery shopping. The rest of the night was low key with having dinner with Chris and relaxing

9. Honestly, who was the last person to tell you they love you? Christopher Lee

10. What’s the last thing you put in your mouth? Minute Maid juice

11. Have a best friend? I have a few actually and they are fantastic!!!!!
12. Are you scared to fall in love? Nope, not at all

13. Do you think teenagers can be in love? You bet! I fell in love with Christopher when I was 16

14. Last person you wanted to punch in the face? My brother in law
15. What time is it right this second? 8:27 a.m.
16. What do you want right now? For it to be a year from now where I have graduated, about to take the bar exam and would be getting married in 2 months

17. Who was the last person you took a picture with? Maggie dearest
19. When was the last time you cried? About a week ago

20. Do you have a good relationship with your parents? Yes, I am very close with both of them

21. Do you find it hard to trust others? I typically trust people easily the first time, but once you break that trust, good luck getting it back

22. How fast does your mind change? Depends on what we are talking about and how important the decision is

23. I bet you miss somebody right now. Yes. That's a no brainer

24. Can you honestly say you’re okay right now? Yes. Life is pretty good right now

25. Why do you think so many people cheat? I honestly have no idea. I have never cheated on anyone so I have no clue what brings a person to that decision. My guess would be lack of committment, responsibility and compassion

26. Tell me what’s on your mind? All the files on my desk that need to get done

27. What are you looking forward to in the next three months? Going wedding dress shopping :)

28. Have you ever worn the opposite sex’s clothing? Yes. I have wore several items from Chris's closet. I did on Saturday to be exact

29. When did you last talk to your number 1 top friend? This morning

30. When is your next road trip? Saturday I guess, if you call Springfield a road trip

31. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell anything to? I share everything with Christopher

32. How’s your heart? Pretty happy

33. Have you ever felt like you weren’t important? Yes, I'm sure that everyone does.

34. Do you think somebody’s in love with you? I know someone is in love with me ;)

35. What are you planning on doing after this? work
36. Next time you will kiss someone? Probably around 5:00 p.m. when Christopher is off unless I happen to see him at lunch. Unless you count puppies in which case I will see 2 puppies at lunch that I'm sure will give me kisses

37. Have you told anybody you loved them today? Yes, all the puppies and Christopher

38. Who do you not get along with? a few people but I won't name names on here (but if you know me personally, you know the answer to this)
39. What does your 3rd recent text say? "I don't want to go to the store" - Chris

40. What are you wearing right now? typical work attire - grey slacks, a white shirt and a black dressy tank top over that

41. You’re locked in a room with the person you last kissed, how is it? Not too bad. Chris and I get along pretty well. Granted if we are stuck in there too long, it might not turn out too pretty, but I think that would be the same with anyone

42. When’s the last time you had a grilled cheese sandwich? I don't even remember, it's been that long ago

43. What’s your favorite boy and girl name right now? Children's names as of now would be McKenzie Elizabeth and Hayden Christopher

44. How did you feel when you woke up? Not ready to get up
45. Do you wish someone would call or text you right now? A few clients need to retun my phone calls from yesterday

46. Do you crack your knuckles? Yes and I really probably shouldn't
47. What were you doing yesterday at midnight? sleeping where I am every midnight

48. What are your LEGAL initials? LRG

49. Who’s the first B in your contacts? Billy (Chris's dad)
50. When was the last time you laughed really hard? Last night

51. Your number 1 top friend walks out of your life, do you go after them? I don't think that would ever happen,but you bet I would chase tem

52. Last awkward moment? Last week in court during an uncontested hearing, my client admits on the witness stand that the agreement isn't going to work
53. Are you afraid of the dark? Not really of the dark. Certain situation in the dark, yes
54. Do you have good vision? Nope, not at all. I can't see a thing without my glasses or contacts. I have astigmatism, Cataracts and need bi-focals
55. Have you ever tripped someone up? not on purpose

57. Are you Irish? I'm not big on family history yet, but I don't believe that we are Irish

58. Do you use chap stick? I always have a stick of Softlips on me
59. Do you have any scars? Yes, several actually

60. Is there someone you will never forgive? Yes

61. Are you dating the person you last held hands with? Yes and happily engaged

62. who is the last person that texted you? Christopher

63. Would you marry someone 8 years older than you? I don't see me getting married to anyone other than Chris who is only 2 years older than me, but prior to meeting Chris, I wouldn't have dated someone 8 years older than me

64. Can you go in public looking like you do? I am in public as I am at work. Many people can see me

65. Have you ever kissed someone whose name started with a J? yes

66. What side of the bed do you sleep on? both, depends on what side Dozer is laying on

67. What’s the first thing you’ll do on your wedding day? wake up smiling and then eat breakfast, hair might be after that or checking on my venues to ensure everything is in place

68. Do you fall for people easily? I did

69. Has anyone put their arms around you in the past 5 days? Yes

70. Do you miss the way things used to be? Nah, everything that is in my past has gotten to to where I am today. There are good memories in the past, but there are great memories to come ahead too

71. Has anyone ever told you they’re in love with you? yes, all the time

72. Song you’re thinking of right now? "Love Like Crazy" as it was just on the radio

73. Want someone back in your life? I wish that my grandparents who we have lost were back in my life physically
74. Will tomorrow be better than today? It will be one day closer to the weekend and hopefully I will be back to driving my car

75. What’s the color of you’re shirt you are wearing? I have two shirts on - one black and one white

76. Has anyone ever sang or played music for you personally? Nope
77. Does it bother you when someone lies to you? Yes,very much so, and you will know that I am mad at you

78. Is there anyone who understands your relationship status? It's not overly complicated, so I'm sure most people can understand y relationship status

79. Are you a naturally happy person? Or is your happiness forced? I am generally a happy person, but there are times when I am not happy, but I try to put on a happy face for work purposes

80. Is there anyone you wish would fall in love with you? Nah, I got the one that I want :)

Weekend Recap

After the crazy weekend a week ago, we decided that this weekend should be a little more low key. We tried to relax and just enjoy some time together.

Friday night when we got off work, we headed to town. Chris was picking up a gun from his grandpa. He wanted to have a spare for Saturday. We sat to visit his grandpa for quite a while. Then Boots and I got pretty hungry so we headed back to Pomona. We got takeout and had dinner at the house. After a busy week, it was nice not to have to cook. After dinner we headed out into the field to practice some shooting. Satisfied with our accuracy, we hit the sack early. We had a big day ahead of us Saturday.

Saturday morning, we got up early and headed north on the highway. We were taking our conceal and carry class. Besides getting a little warm after lunch, it was a pretty good day. And I think that the temperatures could have been warmer, so I guess in a sense, we did luck out. It is July after all. The morning half of the class was review of the laws of Missouri and basic justifications for being able to use deadly force. Having been in law school and previously sat through torts and criminal law, I was ahead of the class. But I sat patiently while watching June bugs fly all around us. We also learned about the proper stance for shooting and how to draw the pistol from the holster. Growing up in the country through, I had been shooting guns for quite a while, so again most of this was a review for me. We practiced drawing the gun and dry firing.

But this time, it is about noon and starting to get hot. We had lunch from Subway and sat in the shade of trees to visit and cool down some. After lunch was the fun part. We shot several practice rounds at cardboard cut out made to look like people. The class was split into two sections, so we did have to take breaks to switch out. We went a couple of rounds shooting for practice. Then it was time for the actual test. In Missouri, for the test, you have to shoot 20 rounds at a b-27 target (just a giant paper target with a orange person on it). In order to pass, you have to get 15 out of 20 rounds on the orange man. Everyone in our class passed. I was really pleased with as well as I did. There were many guys there that I out-shot. I even outshot Christopher. Mine 20 pattern was tighter (closer together) than his. But he did very well too and he was shooting with a gun that he had only shot 2 other times. I wish that I could have taken pictures of me taking the test or even my paper afterwards, but I didn't think that would look very well.

I did have several people jealous of my pistol though. My pistol is what Chris bought me for my 21st birthday. I think that I might have been the only 21 year old that was way more concerned with getting a pistol for my 21st birthday than buying alcohol. This is what Christopher bought me:

It is a Taurus .38 special with pink pearl grips. It is beautiful and has the power to protect me. No pansy guns for me. I sleep with it on my nightstand when I am in Columbia. It is usually stocked with hollow point shells. Just beware if you come into my house.

After the class, we were wore out. We went to town to trade another gun. We came back and had dinner with my parents. Chris and I crashed on the couch while watching TV. I woke up around 10 p.m. and took Dozer back to my mom's house for us to go to bed.

Sunday, we were lazy. We did some cleaning around the house. I organized some papers that were long overdue for organizing. I also balanced our two checkbooks. The puppies were more active than Chris and I. They wrestled and play all day long. We barbequed pork chops for dinner and they were yummy. We finally got some much needed rain too. It was a wonderful thing. The radio this morning stated that we got 1.9 inches of rain. Let's just hope now it doesn't wait another 6 weeks to rain again.

All in all, it was a pretty low key weekend. I'm glad Chris and I both passed our CCW and we got to relax some. Now on to a busy week!

5 Question Friday

Although it has been a short week with having Monday off, I am still just as happy for Friday to be here. We have plenty planned for the upcoming weekend and we are ready to get started. Now, if only 4:30 would get here. But before work starts, it is time for 5 question friday sponsored by My Little Life.

1. What is one food you could eat everyday? I know that I could eat fresh rolls, mashed potatoes and fried chicken every day. I do vary some each time I make fried chicken in the spices that I use, but I love fried chicken and who couldn't love to eat mashed potatoes every day. I did actaully eat it every day when I was working at my grandmother's cafe. Around 10:30, when the mashed potatoes and fresh hot rolls were done, I would grab a plate and dig in

2. Are you working in the career you thought you would be when you were 18? I was about 6 when I decided that I wanted to become an attorney. So when I was 18, I had a plan set out to go away to school and graduate then enter law school and graduate. Although I am not an attorney yet (just one year left), I am right where I thought that I would be. Plus, I'm a quasi-attorney due to my Rule 13 certification and am now able to take up my own cases.

3. What is something that you wish you would have done when you were younger and you didn't? I cannot think of anything right now. I pretty much did what I wanted to do when I was younger. There are some things that at the time I wanted to do, but ended up not doing it. But in the end, those things turned out to be bad choices anyway and I'm glad that I didn't do them

4. What color are your kitchen walls? They are beautiful and freshly painted white. It compliments my cabinets, countertops and decorations perfectly!!!

5. Do you remember what your very first favorite song was? I don't remember what my first favorite song was, but I love Billy Ray Cyrus, Dolly Parton and Diamond Rio
 
Hope you have a great friday and don't forget to link up to play along!!!

4th of July Weekend - Part Two - Sunday through Tuesday

Now for the rest of the festivies of the 4th of July weekend.

Sunday, I was up pretty early like always. Dozer doesn't know how to sleep in for the mornings. But it was good. I had lots to do to get ready. Maggie and I finsihed getting all of our food ready. We packed meatballs and made a sauce for them, made pasta salad, made strawberry jello cake with coolwhip frosting and fresh strawberries and made fruity pebble treats for the kiddos. Chris's mom and little brother stopped by the house on her way into town. Tyler wanted to see us and the puppies. That boy needs a dog. I think Chris and I might get him one for his upcoming birthday.

We headed out to Chris's aunt and uncle's house around noon. We had pizza for lunch. Then Cheryl unloaded some antiques out of her car and had a mini yard sale for the family. Chris and I got a few neat items for our house and I'm pretty excited about it. Chris, bless his heart, even talked his own mother down on some of her prices. Maggie even got a few items.

Maggie and I played with the kiddos most of the afternoon. The rest of the family was not set to arrive until 4ish. Maggie took up with Chris's niece Sadie. By the end of the night, Sadie was telling everyone that Maggie was her best budy.

I don't know how anyone could not love that little girl. She is so full of life. While Maggie was playing with miss Sadie. I was in the yard playing ball with the other kiddos.

After some more of the family showed up, us bigger kiddos played a game of softball ourselves. We only played 4 innings, but with 6ish people on a team, it gets very tiring. We were true rednecks through as we played with bases made from pizza boxes, the guys were wearing boots and the gals were all in flip flops. It was a lot of fun, but very exhausting. Plus my feet got dirty and hurt so bad when we were done. Cute flip flops with no cushion are not the proper shoes for a game of softball.

After our game, we had dinner. Boy was it good. It was family pot luck. I was lucky enough to date into a family of good cooks. We then cleaned up the food. We sat around and talked then for hours. Mike and Doug got out the guitars and we got a little show of some gospel music. I'm not a singer, so I didn't participate in that. Most of us just sat around visiting. We also put on a small fireworks show for the little ones. It wasn't much, but it made the kids happy. Chris's cousin Jackie and her husband Jason are usually the ones who organize the fireworks, are in Puerto Rico. About 10:30 we headed out. But we weren't along. About 10 members of Chris's family (mostly cousins) all came up to our house for a game of poker. I'm not so great at it, so I didn't play. Instead Maggie and I watched wedding shows that had recorded onthe DVR earlier that night. Maggie and I left before everyone else did. We had to be up early Monday morning.

Monday was a holiday too for all in our family. No one was working, so we decided to make the most of the day. I was up by 7 (which to me was sleeping in). We got all packed and all the family met at my mom's house. We headed to Eminence. First stop was Alley Springs. We walked around the spring and had a picnic lunch. Here are a few pictures from there.

After leaving Alley Springs, we headed to the other side of Eminence, arriving at Two Rivers Canoe Rental. We loaded into the vans to go up the river. We had a great float. It was a little longer than I expected, but with all the kids, we had to take many stops. And I got cold towards the end of it. I didn't get any pictures during the floating as I didn't want to get my good camera wet. My cousin Mandy had bought a waterproof disposable camera, so luckily we got pictures there. We got off the river around 5. Ronnie and his kids and JR and his kids left for home from the river. The rest of us headed back to my mom's for dinner.

Tuesday I had to go to work while the rest of the family toured the rock quarry and went to Mammoth Springs. I met up with all of them in the evening at my mom's house for dinner. Chris and I actually spent most of the evening in the shop trying to fix the window on my car, which is currently stuck down and will not roll up. Just my luck. We had a great dinner and said our good byes. It was nice to see all of the family, but I wasn't extremely sad to see some leave. That many people in one house all together is a bit much for 5 days. Next time I will see some of these family members will be when Chris and I tie the knot.

Hopefully the 4th weekend was good to you as well. Now tomorrow starts another weekend and I can't wait. We are hoping to have a calm and relaxing weekend.