it's been pretty windy here the last day or so.
Husband has been sick since Monday, and I'm hoping the winds will blow the sickness away soon...

Spring is in full bloom, as are many of the "signs of Spring": garage sales, people raking their yards, kids and bicycles on the streets, gray rainclouds, graduation announcements, weddings...

We went to a wedding this past weekend. A college housemate of mine married a college friend. It was a cheerful wedding, with lots of smiles and just the smallest sprinkles. Jen looked beautiful  and Chris was speechless when he was pronounced a husband. It was great!

I've finished my crocheted blanket, and have been working on another one -- a loom-knit one this time though. (It was supposed to be finished for the wedding, but my back has been giving me pains and I had to take a break). Only another couple hours before it'll be ready to send off to the happy couple. Husband and I figured that we enjoyed getting presents after the main event, so we're pretty sure other people will as well, right?

it's almost February already!

Recap...
October: weather was great for the wedding; Noel & I said our lines w/o difficulty and now we're married! We trucked it up the the Upper Peninsula for a week, then unwrapped a bunch of gifts and found places to put (almost) everything.

November: I went to Grand Rapids for the week to do a Cherry Republic Gift Show and came back to a very lonely Noel . The two of us enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving feast together, but missed both of the extended family meals. A cousin of mine died, and we went downstate to be with family and celebrate his life and Faith.

December: People came in and bought tons of cherry products for friends and family -- and i sent out my fair share as well! Noel & I stopped using the Dryer after reading Serve God, Save the Planet and put the TV on a power-strip so we can reduce "phantom electricity" charges. We put up a little Christmas Tree and hosted Christmas Dinner (my parents, one of my brothers, and Noel's Grandma). Sirloin with Cognac-Raisin Sauce? Yes, please!  

January: I had several days off around Christmas and New Year, and now my hours at work are settling into a low-30s average. It's really boring at work now that we're open until 9pm and no one comes in past 5:30! Noel still works 'round the corner at Hagerty Ins. and when we can, we carpool. Our budget is still being fine-tuned, but we're trying to save costs where we can in order to pay down/off our current debts. It's been a good experiment in necessity v. desire, patience, and annoyance (with Quicken 2009 ). Our two favorite budget information sites are Dave Ramsey and Crown Financial Ministries, and we're well on our way to having our ducks in a row -- er, we don't actually have any little ducks to put in a row yet... so maybe, all our eggs in one basket? ha!

I'm planning on re-posting my New Year Resolutions from last year to do an analysis of them and revision for this year, but that'll be my next post. Stay tuned!

 

hey...
i haven't posted in awhile, but that's because i'm busy with wedding planning and appointments and whatnot. did i give the site link yet? either way, here it is:  www.nearlyweds.wedsimple.com
all the updates are on there...

  It's strawberry picking time!!

July until the first frost (November?) there will be fresh, delicious strawberries at Stoney Beach Farm. Go pick some and you'll be hooked!

 Here's a photo of my little elephant.

It's the first project (other than a scarf) that I've completed in crochet. Isn't he cute?

I spent my first night in my new apartment last night... and it was good.

Right now, i'm tired of packing-loading-unloading-unpacking cycle. my room at me parents' is still a disaster area and i have no desire to finish gathering the things i need/want to take to my new room. blech. (the humidity probably adds to that a bit). this afternoon i bought some more of those unforseen and/or make-it-homey items; i feel as if i've been buying and sliding my credit card like crazy the last couple days! I wonder what my checking account says... ?  ha!

Even still, it's good to have my own (shared) place with someone interesting and excited about similar things. I think it'll be a good move -- if only for a short time.

Aside from all that, I was going to go kayaking today, but now the clouds are rolling in and thunderstorms are predicted. hmmm. i guess that gives me no option but to go through piles and pack up more random stuff.