Little did I know how drastically my life would change after last Sunday. I realize now that my worries then were pretty insignificant now that I have to become self-sufficient, update a new blog and plan a wedding. On top of that, work has been more demanding lately and I’ve somehow managed to catch a cold. Every night when I come home from work I try to eloquently describe every detail of the proposal. But tiredness overwhelms me.

Yet as the days pass and I come to more fully realize my decision, I couldn’t be more happy. Matt and I make a great team. Every day I’ve learned a little more about how he orchestrated the proposal plan and it makes me feel even more special.

The most excited I’ve been since Sunday I think was when we went to Costco Tuesday night. (My parents often refer to us as the Costco Couple.) As we maneuvered the orange flats around the warehouse, I realized that no longer will we need to split up all the stuff we buy. And one day, hopefully in the near future, I will have a huge freezer to house all my ridiculously oversized food items. One can only dream.

So I hope to have my reactions to the proposal up sometime soon. You know, before I leave for LA for the two graduations (congrats Mike and Megan!) and the wedding (congrats Jeff!). Until then, I leave you with the first “engagement present” I recieved from my grandpa (Papa):

————
This post and others related to our engagement and wedding can be seen on http://emilyandmatt.org/blog.

I’ve tried thinking of creative ways to announce it, but none seem to do it justice. So I’ll just go and say it: I’m ENGAGED!! Those words are definitely worth the double explanation. The proposal was an absolute surprise–from the question popping to the tearful reaction to having family and close friends bursting out the door to congratulate us.

While I sort through everything, check out www.emilyandmatt.org for pictures and blogs by Matt.

This is Cody, a.k.a. Wiggly Butt. He’s almost a year old, but he’s still acts like a confused puppy. He’s finally getting the hang of potty training, but still slips up now and then. Prone to loneliness, he will chase you down if you leave the room and whimper when you’re playing tag too well. And he doesn’t run as much as he does this hopping/galloping thing. But he’s not entirely a goof. He doesn’t tear up papers anymore (since Matt caught him in the act and scared him), and he doesn’t bite or chew up stuff (well, except for that one corner of the new couch).

We’re still working on his Frisbee skills. With the combination of the border collie/Australian shepherd breed and our the love of the plastic disc, Cody has no choice but to be the best Frisbee dog ever. We know we need to get him those doggy Frisbees, but he just improves by leaps and gallops with the regular 175 grams of hard plastic. While the skills may be sub par thus far, he loves the Frisbee. He really loves chasing after it, chewing it (which is fine, since it’s a Wham-O), growling at it and keeping it away from Matt and me.

But then there’s still the whole coordination thing he needs to work out:

But in the month he’s been in Matt’s family, I can’t imagine life without him. I love my little doofy.

ANTM is a bad influence. For those who missed the most recent episode, the girls had to make out with some Spanish models. That night Matt and I had bad dreams. Mine was that we broke up. His was of kissing another girl. We both felt horrible when we woke up. So here’s my dream goal for tonight:

*Matt and Emily living happily ever after
*With a border collie (his) and a goldendoodle (mine)
*Watching Frisbees fly into the sunset…

The above is a receipe for sweet dreams.

G’nite everyone.

As of today, Matt and I have been together for two years. Last night I thought up of thoughtful things to write, but as of this morning, those great ideas floated away with my dreams. But when it’s all said and done, I’m just so thankful that he’s in my life. Every day sees more memories and it’s getting harder and harder to remember what life was like without him. What can I say? Every day is getting better.

Coincidence that when I post regularly my unique vistor count typically drops by about 25 percent?

I chalk it up to mystery. Like with dating, you must not let too much of yourself out there at once. Or else you’ll find yourself begging your boyfriend to ask you questions only to have him say, “Why should I ask you anything when two years’ worth of your daily word count has told me more than I’ll ever need to know?”

Jeni and Bart were engaged. Now, after a beautiful and fun wedding, they are married. As Abigail mentioned already, a glowing happiness was looming in the air.

Jeni and Bart were happily united by vows, cake, bubbly and pink.

The Unit reunited was happily dancing, Abigail especially.
If you can call that dancing.

And I was happy because I caught the bouquet. This doesn’t mean that I want to get married next. I came to win! And I did! Matt and I also won the party — last on the dance floor and last to leave, besides the parents and the DJ.

More pictures, taken by Matt and me, are now up at the working, but still not too cute Kiss My Sass Photo Gallery.

I called my mom today, and she wanted to know how she could pray for me with my online class situation. I asked her to pray for grace from both LSU (the online class provider) and my university. And, also, that mail services be miraculously fast. Even though I was scared to say it, I tell her that this trouble is all my fault and I’m really disappointed in myself. I had to say the last part quickly, because I couldn’t bear to have her say it. Instead, she tells me not to worry, that she and my dad are praying for me and don’t care if I have to take summer school. “Besides,” she said, “it’s not your fault about Katrina. It’s just taking them a while to get back into the swing of things.”

Oh mom. I love you. Thank you for blaming my procrastination on a brutal natural disaster and not my utter failure as a human being.

Today my mom turns 50 (Shh! Don’t tell her I told you!) I’m astounded at how great she looks. Me = lucky. You = jealous. Muahaha.

It goes without saying, but I love my mom. Though I could fill many Web sites with the reasons why, I will just pick one reason … well, several that tie into one. My mom is one of the most caring and thoughtful people you’ll ever meet. Her patience is unmatched and she always considers others before herself. Her life is a testimony of love and loyalty, through actions big and small. So, mom, Happy 50th!

I know this seems like cheating, but looking to the past is a big part of the present. This post was written the night after meeting my current boyfriend. People always say you’ll find someone when you’re not looking. Well, in my case, I was looking in the wrong direction. When I first met Matt, I didn’t gush all over him. (Might have been the weird beard.) I acutally didn’t really think of him, let alone remember him. But I guess all that matters is that he noticed me. And even though he hated how I looked — curly hair and a “puke green sweater” (borrowed from Megs) — he didn’t like that I was with someone else. (I actually wasn’t with someone else. Touchy subject. Case closed.) I’ve never considered myself to be someone a guy would go after. This post means a lot to me, because it shows a crucial curve in my path that led to one of the biggest blessings I’ve ever known.

Frisco Like Crisco - 12.20.03

I don’t know Frisco is like Crisco. But I went there tonight. Tons o’ Fun. I chilled with Erin, Yuri, Alex and Erica. I didn’t know Erica before tonight, but she is cool. One of the only people I have ever really “clicked” with right off the bat. New friends are fun! Too bad we spent almost the entire time at the mall. But the white elephant gift exchange was pretty cool. I wanted that wrapped happy meal. Dang. Haha.

On another note, talking to old friends from high school is a trip. They think you’re the same you were as when you left, and you can’t believe that they’d still think that. However, I arrogantly think that since they have not gone off to college or moved out, that they’re the same people.

So, I never thought I’d hear this from one of my old high school friends. Even though he was a little tipsy, it was nice to hear that I was more than I thought:

“Hey, seriously though, before I go, I always hear you talk bad about yourself as far as guys go. You’re damn desirable, if I was Xian and a good one you can bet you’d be getting calls from me more than you’d be comfortable with. Besides, you’re my friend and at the very least I want to make you feel good in that aspect, because whether you regard yourself as it or not, you are a catch, and a lucky guy will get you no doubt.”

Closing statement: I hate aim express.

——————————-
For more archive blog posts visit www.yourbestshot.blogspot.com.

“Wait!” he said, stopping our walk to a halt. He looks at me and looks ahead to tile walkway enclosed by colorful designer clothes. For once, the crowded mall was clear.

“Let’s walk just like mom!” He yanked my arm and bolted, manuevering through people without being rude or easing the brisk pace. He was laughing hysterically. I looked at the face of a female shopper trying not to break her disgruntled face with a laugh. For once, I laughed, too.

You see, my dad is a goofy guy. (I guess I get my goofy spouts from him.) In the simplist and most beautiful of terms, he loves my mom. Sure, he makes fun of her frantic speedwalking and her particular taste in clothes. But I know he loves her when we go Christmas shopping. We scoured that store, looking for exactly what my mom wants, no matter the cost.

Skirts, size 2 — brown, gray, off-white. Woven. No black.
Jeans — Levi’s 512, size 3.

Too tall for petite, but too small and skinny for regular, it takes couragous shopping warriors to endure the hunt. Every year my dad and I shop for her. Armed with his one-day coupon — the only way my mom would have it — we looked through every rack at our Macy’s and then he headed over to San Francisco to search every rack there. Skirts were not in this season, only gaucho pants. Of course, her favorite style of jeans is now discontinued. This also happens every year. Whoever said tapered pants are coming back, you sit on a throne of lies.

I don’t go shopping like that with my mom, however. I’m too bored with men’s clothing and he doesn’t even make a list until a few days before Christmas. But I know she loves him, in how she shops. My mom, a.k.a. the Coupon Queen, loves to find exactly what he wants for the best price. That way, she can get him more of what he wants. Somehow she has a knack for matching everyone’s personality in each present. And every year there is a story. We’ll open our presents, and my mom forgets to open hers. She’ll watch everyone else open a present, wait for their reaction and burst out with the story.