I'm Engaged!!!

It’s true, Jim and I are sooo excited and can’t wait to build a life together. For people who have been engaged you know what I’m talking about, for those not engaged you have this to look forward to, but the past week has been so overwhelming and exciting!

So, the good part – how it happened…

We did our usual Thursday night filled with softball, friends, Chili and a few beers outside enjoying the weather. Jim was very adamant about me coming home early so I thought I was in trouble. To my surprise, I came home and walked in and on the bed were our suitcases. Jim told me we were going somewhere but it was a surprise and I wouldn’t find out until we got to the airport. So he told me what to pack and we were leaving in less than 10 hours – needless to say I didn’t sleep very much.

I didn’t know we were going to Washington D.C until we got to the gate at the airport. I was thrilled, I had never been and had a hunch that he might be popping the question! As we boarded the plane Jim gave me an itinerary for the weekend, complete with tourist activities, lunch, dinner and breakfast places, free time and a morning of pampering for me Sunday. He informed me he had booked a room at the W Hotel and even upgraded so we could overlook the White House.

Our room was amazing! We could see then snipers on top of the White house we were so close. We also overlooked the United States Treasury building. I’m such an idiot for not taking pictures of the room – I’m mad at myself for that now. Our first stop was to head over to the White House. A friend of ours works for Obama and gave us a heads up that Marine 1 would be landing shortly after we arrived. So we headed over and camped out. Having never been to Washington D.C I was amazed at how beautiful the city is. Everything was well kept, blooming and very friendly. Watching marine 1 land on the White House lawn was breathtaking, it gave me chills and made me very proud to be American and live in a free country. I obsessed about this for the first 4 hours we walked around.

After this we visited some spots where Jim lived when he was in D.C. We went to Georgetown for dinner and out on the town – all the hot spots where Jim used to party back in the day. We woke up Saturday morning, with a slight hangover, ate breakfast at the W Hotel and the got our bikes for a long bike ride along the Potomac River. Our plan was to bike all the way to Vernon Manner, but discovered that it was way further than the lady had told us – 32 miles total. After about 20 miles in the 90 degree weather we decided to call it quits! I wasn’t feeling too hot because of the heat and lack of food so we decided to take it easy in the room.

While back at the room, Jim went downstairs to “check on our dinner reservations” and I took it easy. I didn’t realize he was gone so long since I didn’t feel well, but apparently it took a long time to get the ring out of the vault downstairs. See, Jim had the ring shipped there so that he didn’t have to carry it on the plane and risk me finding it. Once he finally got the ring he came back to the room and it was burning a hole in his pocket.

I could sense he was anxious so got up to do something and that’s when he got down on his knee and proposed. I won’t share all the intimate details, but it was very sweet and it took me about two seconds to say yes! So we called our family and shared the great news. Then up to the rooftop of the W Hotel to celebrate with champagne and each other (this is where the photos are taken from). We were so thrilled and excited it was the best night. We went to a celebratory dinner at Capitol Grill and then out for awhile but were so beat we headed back to the room and crashed out.

I woke up Sunday morning thrilled, enjoyed my massage and paraffin treatment Jim gave me and then we went out and walked around the town some more. Went to the National Archives, saw the Constitution, Air and Science Museum, American History Museum and much more. We had the best weekend and are so happy to begin to build a life together.

The past week has really been a whirlwind, I can’t even tell you what I did last Monday. Between work, seeing people, planning a party for our friends and sports it flew by. I’m sure that the upcoming weeks are going to be even more hectic as we begin to plan. I’m very much looking forward to our wedding and most importantly building a future, children and all that comes with it!

In case you are wondering, Chili is definetely a bridesmaid, see the picture to the right when I asked her - she's thrilled!

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, in case you haven’t noticed the increase in Hallmark commercials or jewelry ads (shout out to Jared’s & Emily).

It is a cheesy Holiday and if you are single you hate it, and if you are with someone you kind of hate it too (at least me). I am with someone and I kind of am annoyed with it because honestly why on earth should I get a gift of love on one day only? I should totally be appreciated throughout our relationship and not need some Holiday to have him remember that. Plus, it’s always this anticipation of “What did you get?” or “Is a ring coming?” and then when you say you got a card and dinner people are let down and it kind of makes you let down…darn society!

Anyways, I’m not looking for an extravagant gift, and know my boyfriend isn’t getting me one. If he was smart he might ready my blog today and know that all I really want is dinner, kind words and a buddy for Needy (our pet dog).

Any who, I read an article online today that said that Senior Muslim Clerics have urged youngsters in Sudan to boycott Valentine’s Day as it may lead couples in the wrong direction. And by wrong direction, they mean taking public strolls in the park. Now, it is a difference in religion and a difference in culture but what really threw me for a loop is the following statement.

"Valentine's Day comes from Western countries. I call on Muslims not to imitate Christians. The money that is spent on Valentine's Day would be better spent encouraging young people to marry, " said preacher Sheikh Hassan Hamid.

WHAT!! Yeah, could you imagine this. I will simply tell my boyfriend not to buy me a Valentine’s Day gift and save it up for that ring he is planning on buying me. HA, he would literally pack up and move out. Could you just imagine the Jared’s commercial “ This Valentine’s Day don’t buy your wife the heart necklace that is so cheesy, but put it towards our fine collection of engagement rings. It could only be Jared’s!”

I also would like to apologize to anyone who reads my blog and receives jewelry from Jared’s. I mean a diamond is a diamond and I would accept it, but their advertising drives me NUTS!

Happy Valentine’s Day

Love Will Find A Way

Because it’s LOVE week I’m sharing a touching story that comes from a lot of tragedy in Australia. If you are not aware, some of the most devastating forest fires have swept across Australia, killing over 170 people and destroying much more. However, amidst all this tragedy a video was released of one touching story of survival and the love that exist in people and animals. I just think it is so cute and reminds me that this is what love is all about.

Volunteer firefighter David Tree was out in the bush and came across a burned koala bear in the woods. Unlike most animals in the wild, this koala bear did not run or in any way seem alarmed by David Tree. I could imagine that it was very confused and just happy to see another mammal in the same situation as itself. As you can tell from the video below, the koala bear warms up to David and actually drinks water from him while holding his hand. David Tree and company rescued this koala bear and took it to a nearby shelter where it has since picked up a boyfriend, another burned koala bear at the shelter. It has been said that the two koala bears have been caught hugging and comforting one another as they share a special bond.

Are You Smitten???

Now this is just absurd, if these people make a lot of money off these I will be angry. It's like the product you think, now why didn't I do that after they make millions??? This couples million dollar idea was to create a pair of mittens that allow you to walk and hold hands inside your gloves and stay warm, I introduce you to The Smitten.

You can tell by checking out the web page that these were created by one of those couples you see walking the streets holding hands and you are thinking "Can that really be comfortable holding hands that long, those people are weird?"

This is like the Snuggy times 20!! You only fall for this scam if you only shop at the As Seen On TV Store. If I had time on my hands and wanted to become a YouTube Sensation, I would totally create a Smitten Parody much like the Snuggy Parody on YouTube. I give it one week before it's on YouTube, and if you stole the idea from me you better credit me!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, better snatch these up! JK, I might be even more annoyed if I got these for Valentine's Day than if I opened a jewelry box from Jared's.