Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Halloween, Pneumonia, and Turkey


After much "encouragement" to post on our blog, I have decided to write about a few things that have been on my mind.  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because you get to dress up and eat LOTS of candy.   Moreover, the day after Halloween is even better because you can buy extremely discounted goodies.  Thanks to Publix and Dollar General, I have been on a sugar rush for the past month.  Publix had a 10-pack of full sized Snickers and M&Ms for $1.00!!!!  That is correct...$1, Bob!  I have also enjoyed an assortment of Hershey kisses, air heads, and cookies.  So I'm definitely looking forward to my next dentist appointment.

In addition to my candy fix, I have been trying to keep my distance from my new fiance.  Unfortunately, Erin has come down with walking pneumonia.  Where is this pneumonia stuff going anyway?  Maybe this has worked out well because her time off has given her the opportunity to do some wedding planning.  Is pneumonia a good enough excuse to lay around all day?  I guess so, but the prescription doesn't necessarily prohibit bathing.  Perhaps she will have time to look at some of my wedding responsibilities :)


Like most people (I think), I have not quit craving delicious Thanksgiving food since November 1.  Sweet potato pie, caramel cake, corn casserole, turkey and dressing, squash casserole, pumpkin pie, macaroni and cheese,  and cranberry salad... these are a few of my favorite things!  Geez Louize, I am a hungry hippo now!  More importantly, I am looking forward to spending time with family.  It will be a much needed, relaxing break.  Erin and I are also having to experience our first holiday of shared family time.  I sense the beginning of being pulled in two different directions for many years; but it will be a new, exciting time for both of us.


Finally, there is one last thing that consumes a large part of my cognitive processes--Alabama football.  This season has been incredible, and I am absolutely pumped about the (very good) potential of having back-to-back undefeated regular seasons.  I can't wait to destroy the Aubs again and move on to the most anticipated game of the season against Florida (basically the national championship game).  However, I am quite nervous about the possibility of an upset down on the plains.  We will see how it goes!  Roll Tide!


My First "C" Purchase

I love this Wax Seal Monogram Necklace I found on Etsy! What a neat way to add a personal touch to Christmas Cards, Thank You cards and wedding correspondence. No e-mail signature, tweet or facebook chat can come close to being this classy.  AND, it was my first purchase with the "C" monogram for my new last name, Clark.




P.S. If you have never been on Etsy, it is awesome! If you are crafty you can sell your stuff on there too. I could probably outsource all of my wedding purchases to them... invitations, bridesmaids gifts, bridal jewelry, etc.


Sunday, November 22, 2009

Hydrangeas make Awful Boutonnieres

We don't have a date, a church or a reception site but we do have a flower! I love the deep blueish purple color of hydrangeas. My dad grows the prettiest ones in our backyard. I asked Nathan what he thought about having hydrangeas as our flower. Very seriously (which is rare for him), Nathan expressed his concern that a Hydrangea would not look good as a boutonniere. He imagined a huge hydrangea bloom on his chest. I laughed really hard. It is very sweet that he is playing an active role in the wedding planning.

The more i think about hydrangeas as a boutonniere the better an idea it becomes... If all eighteen groomsmen stood really close together maybe it would look like a large flower arrangement rather than eighteen groomsmen standing next to Nathan?

I haven't found a picture of the perfect shade of hydrangeas but it is somewhere in between these two.




Monday, November 16, 2009

Send your own ElfYourself eCards


Sunday, November 15, 2009

He put a ring on it...

After three and a half years of dating, Nathan decided he liked me enough to put a ring on it. And so the planning begins. For all of our friends and family who don't live close by, we want you to be a part of our journey to the alter. We hope to keep you updated on the wedding and our adventure in becoming husband and wife (we are so lucky to have such great role models... our parents).



But first for the proposal!
November 13, 2009


Nathan and I went hiking at Oak Mountain State Park. Hiking here is one of our favorite things to do together and Oliver gets to join! So our hiking adventure begins with Peavine Falls, where Oliver plays in the waterfall and literally drags me up the hill.

We hike over to a boulder that we like to picnic on. It has a wonderful view and is off the beaten trail to eat our delicious sandwiches that Nathan has packed for us. After lunch we begin cleaning up and Nathan says, "Oh I forgot to tell you that I got Oliver a new dog tag." I look and immediately see a huge carabiner around Oliver's neck. Attached to that carabiner is a red heart shaped, dog tag that says"Will You Marry Me". I turn around to see Nathan on one knee. I am shocked and laughing and Nathan is silent. So for a few seconds I am starring at Nathan waiting for him to find his words (or realize there is no turning back) when he finally asks me to marry him and I say yes, with a huge smile on my face!!


So with seven short months until the big day, day one of planning has already begun with Nathan learning several important lessons...
1. It is tacky to have 20 Groomsmen in your wedding.
2. I am only going to like MAYBE 10 percent of his ideas.
3. His opinion really doesn't count



But he did a GREAT job on the ring!






Thanks Jessica and her mom at Young Jewelers!