I still am a bit foggy about my name.
I'm still in the middle of changing my name over to my married name. My CCs are still in my maiden name, only one of my bank accounts has been changed over. I finally got one of my jobs to change my name on the HR files, but the other one is still in my old name. I never write checks to pay any of my bills so I never write my new last name. I'm making myself sign everything right now, but it's a tedious transition. At least now I answer to the new last name, I just can't get used to writing it.
Today, I'm in process of continuing to integrate my repair work on Betsy. Because I had to move those little golden motifs around, I had a bare spot in the corner of the chart. Well, that WILL. NOT. DO. So I came up with the brilliant idea of stitching my initials over one in that bare spot. I also always use my middle initial, a habit I picked up working around actors. So, I pulled out my blue floss, looked at the charting of the letters on Betsy and said, "OK, I can start with an L. Easy peazy." My middle initial isn't L anymore. Well, technically, it still is, but legally, it's not. When I went to change my name with Social Security, I took my old last name as my middle. My initials went from "RLS" to "RSH" (which always looks like "rush" to me, but that's a side issue).
You see where this is going?
I'd like to think Left-brain wouldn't mind me using my old name on the piece, but I'm never going to learn if I never start using the right name. I had to pick out that L. And that was the moment I decided I'm not using my middle name on my stitching anymore. So I'm signing this piece "rh" in little tiny letters. It looks really good. I will say that. I think, despite my best efforts, this is going to be a great finish, LOL.
(This post was updated to provide some clarity. I'm cold and things that made sense in my brain don't make sense on paper)
Showing posts with label going to the chapel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label going to the chapel. Show all posts
21 January 2011
07 April 2010
More WIP pictures
I had time to take pictures this morning.
My progress on Shores. You can see the first of my changes to the chart in the words. I'm a little leery about how I'm working from all sides in, instead of center out. I always worry I've miscounted, but I can't just work on large blocks of color. I know it's on a Silkweaver fabric, but honestly don't remember what it was.
This is our wedding pillow, by M designs. I really am enjoying this and I think it will stitch up into a very unique momento of our day. I am glad that I didn't pick something fancy and hardanger-y to do; this is a lot less stressful than all that cutting and such, and, since I'm not really going for fancy and floaty and lacy with anything else in the wedding, I think this is just right. I'd like to find some knotwork buttons, so may head over to the fancy fabric store on the Pike to see if they can help me. But I've got a good start, I think!
I hope the weather is amazing where you are. We are in the midst of a heatwave. It was 80 here at 9PM last night. Not that I'm complaining. You don't have to shovel heat!
My progress on Shores. You can see the first of my changes to the chart in the words. I'm a little leery about how I'm working from all sides in, instead of center out. I always worry I've miscounted, but I can't just work on large blocks of color. I know it's on a Silkweaver fabric, but honestly don't remember what it was.
This is our wedding pillow, by M designs. I really am enjoying this and I think it will stitch up into a very unique momento of our day. I am glad that I didn't pick something fancy and hardanger-y to do; this is a lot less stressful than all that cutting and such, and, since I'm not really going for fancy and floaty and lacy with anything else in the wedding, I think this is just right. I'd like to find some knotwork buttons, so may head over to the fancy fabric store on the Pike to see if they can help me. But I've got a good start, I think!
I hope the weather is amazing where you are. We are in the midst of a heatwave. It was 80 here at 9PM last night. Not that I'm complaining. You don't have to shovel heat!
22 February 2010
I found my wedding dress.
I did not cry, but I got a little choked up.
Because I finally found "The one."
My mother likes it. My mother-in-law liked it. My friend/bridesmaid liked it. It fit like a glove and makes me look slimmer. It didn't feel costume-y. It doesn't look like anything else I've ever put on. And I liked it. I felt like it was a dress that would make HTB cry when he sees it.
And it's not a dress that a lot of girls try on, the salesgirl said. It comes in 55 different trim colors, I tried it on in ivory and black. A gorgeous dress, but I'm not daring enough to go for color like that, so I chose champagne trim. The girl said other girls aren't willing to think past the bold brights and want to see it in a neutral. I guess I'm more willing to go on faith that if it was stunning in black, it would be gorgeous in champagne. And I like that 900 people won't wear my exact dress this year. I want to be a bit different, and this is different without wierdness or costumery.
And so I have my dress. And I can't bear to wait 10 to 12 weeks for it to come in, LOL. But, 10-12 weeks will put me at the end of may, less than 5 months from the big day, and, since I told HTB last night, I can't wait to get married, this is something I can look forward to, knowing I'll be that much closer to "the day."
Because I finally found "The one."
My mother likes it. My mother-in-law liked it. My friend/bridesmaid liked it. It fit like a glove and makes me look slimmer. It didn't feel costume-y. It doesn't look like anything else I've ever put on. And I liked it. I felt like it was a dress that would make HTB cry when he sees it.
And it's not a dress that a lot of girls try on, the salesgirl said. It comes in 55 different trim colors, I tried it on in ivory and black. A gorgeous dress, but I'm not daring enough to go for color like that, so I chose champagne trim. The girl said other girls aren't willing to think past the bold brights and want to see it in a neutral. I guess I'm more willing to go on faith that if it was stunning in black, it would be gorgeous in champagne. And I like that 900 people won't wear my exact dress this year. I want to be a bit different, and this is different without wierdness or costumery.
And so I have my dress. And I can't bear to wait 10 to 12 weeks for it to come in, LOL. But, 10-12 weeks will put me at the end of may, less than 5 months from the big day, and, since I told HTB last night, I can't wait to get married, this is something I can look forward to, knowing I'll be that much closer to "the day."
27 January 2010
One more thing checked off the wedding list
I went out this morning and put the deposit on our reception hall. HTB's brother and sister had their receptions there, and it's a nice place. We had briefly thought about following his family tradition of getting married in the old parish church across the street--his family has been in this county for 150 years, and his grandparents were married there as well as others--but I'm not Catholic and I would have had to go through classes for us to be married there. HTB and I talked it over, and, since he doesn't have a preference, and I have already changed denominations once, from Lutheran to Episcopalian, and I feel a very special bond to my church, we just decided it was better to be married in an Episcopal church. We still have to have some pre-wedding counseling, which he was initially against, but I told him everyone makes you do it, so he needed to suck it up and do the counseling.
It's hard to believe I'm getting married in 8 1/2 months. I'm sure HTB is getting tired of the random outbursts of, "when we exchange rings, we have to repeat the vows to each other" and, "I'm trying to find a dress that you'll cry when you see it." He insists he won't cry. He insists he didn't cry when he proposed to me, either. I know differently; through my blubbering, I do remember he said, "Look, I'm not asking this again" and his eyes started brimming with tears. I know that much.
I started working out again this week. I'd been slacking off, but I have been getting on the elliptical. It's very good to burn off frustration, and I can think clearly. Not stitching much, though. Reversing the way I stitch is slow going. I keep having to frog. But it's worth it.
This weekend, I am participating in a Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Maryland Special Olympics. Everyone thinks I'm nuts, especially because the high is supposed to be 26 and it's supposed to be snow showers all day. But it's for a good cause. I can sacrifice a few moments of comfort to benefit others. And I view it as a challenge to myself. I don't like the cold, I don't like ice. I don't like snow. OK, I HATE THOSE THINGS. I don't like being out of my comfort zone--it's cozy here, we have TV and caramels, the soundtrack to Forrest Gump plays-- but, in this year of momentous changes in my identity, maybe it's time to get out of the comfort zone, and challenge myself. And that's really what this is to me. Instead of avoiding cold and discomfort, I'm going to run at it, yelling, "Woo hoo."
It's hard to believe I'm getting married in 8 1/2 months. I'm sure HTB is getting tired of the random outbursts of, "when we exchange rings, we have to repeat the vows to each other" and, "I'm trying to find a dress that you'll cry when you see it." He insists he won't cry. He insists he didn't cry when he proposed to me, either. I know differently; through my blubbering, I do remember he said, "Look, I'm not asking this again" and his eyes started brimming with tears. I know that much.
I started working out again this week. I'd been slacking off, but I have been getting on the elliptical. It's very good to burn off frustration, and I can think clearly. Not stitching much, though. Reversing the way I stitch is slow going. I keep having to frog. But it's worth it.
This weekend, I am participating in a Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Maryland Special Olympics. Everyone thinks I'm nuts, especially because the high is supposed to be 26 and it's supposed to be snow showers all day. But it's for a good cause. I can sacrifice a few moments of comfort to benefit others. And I view it as a challenge to myself. I don't like the cold, I don't like ice. I don't like snow. OK, I HATE THOSE THINGS. I don't like being out of my comfort zone--it's cozy here, we have TV and caramels, the soundtrack to Forrest Gump plays-- but, in this year of momentous changes in my identity, maybe it's time to get out of the comfort zone, and challenge myself. And that's really what this is to me. Instead of avoiding cold and discomfort, I'm going to run at it, yelling, "Woo hoo."
22 September 2009
Must break out of this funk
I have an ornament that is supposed to go out for the ornament exchange I am in in exactly 8 days. Would you like to know the progress I've made on it? I picked the chart, ordered the beads and floss, bought most of the floss, and I know how I want to finish it. Other than that, I am the President of the Procrasti Nation. But not for long.
I've chosen Brooke's Books Spooky Critters for my partner. They're very whimsical, and I think they would look great on a branch. If the stitching is not too bad, and I don't foresee it being so, I can do a couple for her. I think that would be good, especially since they're small. I figure, since my bead and metallic order was shipped today, I can get the floss part stitched til the other parts get here. Back it with scrapbooking paper, get some seasonal ribbon. It's all good. At least it is in my head. But then again, inside my head is a pretty loopy place, so maybe this is not good. Oh, well, we'll find out.
And I was pretty proud of myself. I am trying to be more money-conscious so as to have money to contribute to our wedding, and our honeymoon, so I'm not using the credit cards. It's been a hard struggle. The logical part of me knows better, the three year old part of me says, "Let's run amok with the Mastercard!" and then throws a block when I tell her we need to save money so I can buy a garter for HTB to fling at the single men. Anyway, I went on the website to order the supplies. I find going online to shop is way better than a real store for me. Keywords are a strong deterrent to aimless wandering around, falling in love with random things. No looking at gorgeous wedding samplers when I type in "midnight blue beads." And yet my wish list was so tempting. I played with my cart, putting things in and out. And then the logical side cleared its throat and advised the three year old side that it seemed like a horrid waste of money to buy charts and fabric I won't do right now when I have tons of charts at home, just waiting to be done, I have tons of UFOs just waiting to be done, and I've sat here for the last week, not stitching. And it would be rather embarrassing to explain to our guests that we have no DJ because I spent the money on nonsense. And, for once, the three year old side of me listened. I am growing up!
The Boo Club flip-its are coming along. I am on Black Cat now. This one has been throwing me for a loop. I have picked out the word at least 4 times, but I'm almost there with it. It might even get done for Halloween . . . but don't hold your breath.
I've chosen Brooke's Books Spooky Critters for my partner. They're very whimsical, and I think they would look great on a branch. If the stitching is not too bad, and I don't foresee it being so, I can do a couple for her. I think that would be good, especially since they're small. I figure, since my bead and metallic order was shipped today, I can get the floss part stitched til the other parts get here. Back it with scrapbooking paper, get some seasonal ribbon. It's all good. At least it is in my head. But then again, inside my head is a pretty loopy place, so maybe this is not good. Oh, well, we'll find out.
And I was pretty proud of myself. I am trying to be more money-conscious so as to have money to contribute to our wedding, and our honeymoon, so I'm not using the credit cards. It's been a hard struggle. The logical part of me knows better, the three year old part of me says, "Let's run amok with the Mastercard!" and then throws a block when I tell her we need to save money so I can buy a garter for HTB to fling at the single men. Anyway, I went on the website to order the supplies. I find going online to shop is way better than a real store for me. Keywords are a strong deterrent to aimless wandering around, falling in love with random things. No looking at gorgeous wedding samplers when I type in "midnight blue beads." And yet my wish list was so tempting. I played with my cart, putting things in and out. And then the logical side cleared its throat and advised the three year old side that it seemed like a horrid waste of money to buy charts and fabric I won't do right now when I have tons of charts at home, just waiting to be done, I have tons of UFOs just waiting to be done, and I've sat here for the last week, not stitching. And it would be rather embarrassing to explain to our guests that we have no DJ because I spent the money on nonsense. And, for once, the three year old side of me listened. I am growing up!
The Boo Club flip-its are coming along. I am on Black Cat now. This one has been throwing me for a loop. I have picked out the word at least 4 times, but I'm almost there with it. It might even get done for Halloween . . . but don't hold your breath.
17 September 2009
Thank you thank you
Thank you for all the comments of well wishes! They mean a lot to me! I promise to be good and keep most of the wedding details off here, except the cross stitch related parts, but I thought I should share the big news.
I didn't talk about what happened the rest of our vacation. My fingers were kinda flippy on Monday--still getting used to the weight of the ring, LOL.
The rest of our trip was lovely. The weather got much better. Sunday we went into Ocean City and walked the boardwalk. We couldn't leave without a tub of Fisher's Popcorn, could we? Plus, my lovely husband to be was jonesing for a sports fix. Our other team, based on the fact that we live not far from their training camp, and we both loathe the Redskins (as all good Dallas fans do), is the Baltimore Ravens, and they were playing, so he wanted to have lunch at a place with a TV. I, of course, had to go to Salty Yarns. It really is a lovely shop. They had a gorgeous display of fall things in the big picture window in the rear of the store. I was good, though. I only bought a few charts that I hadn't seen before, Carousel Charts pendant design for my secret sister, and the Ornament issue.
And I have pored over that issue. It's a good one, at least to me it seems like it is. I have already picked about 20 ornaments to stitch. ANNNNDDDD, I sat my little butt down and read how to actually properly finish an ornament. No surprise . . . I haven't been doing it right. Instead of attaching the fabric to two pieces of foamcore and then glueing that together, I was supposed to sew the front and back together, shove the piece of foamcore in there and sew it closed. Is my face ever red. No wonder my ornaments look so bad. I am so sorry if anyone reading has ever been an exchange partner of mine and got one of my poorly constructed ornaments.
We went back to the campground and spent the evening vegging. HTB asked if I was hungry (I just realized how often we ate this weekend, we were shoving food in our mouths every couple hours, LOL. How will I ever be a slim bride at this rate?) and I asked him to hold off. Well, these cute little Sika deer came walking through the campsite. One little doe was so curious. She walked right up to me. I sat very quietly and very still and she was probably two inches from my hands, so close I could feel her breath on my fingers. A very cool experience, another one that we will keep in our hearts' memories, not in a photo album. It was amazing how many animals visited us while we were there. HTB couldn't believe it. The practical side of me says they were just on their way from here to there, my fanciful side thinks maybe they wanted to give their blessing to us. It's a nice thought, anyway.
It was hard to leave again. We promised to come back every year. Hopefully, one day, we'll bring our children to teach them about the place their parents loved separately from childhood, and where we fell in love as adults and where we vowed to make a go as a family. That would be nice.
Of course we loaded up on good Eastern Shore produce--peaches, nectarines, melons, apples--on the way back. We've had to resort to Safeway produce lately, which is very disappointing, so it was a pleasure to stand over the sink last night and eat a good watermelon.
And now . . . I'm in a stitching funk. I have probably put in 100 stitches since we've been home. I just can't settle in to work on things. I think I did 15 stitches on vacation, but not any more than that. So that means I haven't done much of anything since last Wednesday. I think HTB is starting to worry--he can't believe it's been this long without stitching for me. I know I'll get back into it, I have to, I have ornaments to make for Halloween, but I'm still in a whirling hazy daze right now. Perhaps stitching will bring me back into focus. I'm going to try it today.
I didn't talk about what happened the rest of our vacation. My fingers were kinda flippy on Monday--still getting used to the weight of the ring, LOL.
The rest of our trip was lovely. The weather got much better. Sunday we went into Ocean City and walked the boardwalk. We couldn't leave without a tub of Fisher's Popcorn, could we? Plus, my lovely husband to be was jonesing for a sports fix. Our other team, based on the fact that we live not far from their training camp, and we both loathe the Redskins (as all good Dallas fans do), is the Baltimore Ravens, and they were playing, so he wanted to have lunch at a place with a TV. I, of course, had to go to Salty Yarns. It really is a lovely shop. They had a gorgeous display of fall things in the big picture window in the rear of the store. I was good, though. I only bought a few charts that I hadn't seen before, Carousel Charts pendant design for my secret sister, and the Ornament issue.
And I have pored over that issue. It's a good one, at least to me it seems like it is. I have already picked about 20 ornaments to stitch. ANNNNDDDD, I sat my little butt down and read how to actually properly finish an ornament. No surprise . . . I haven't been doing it right. Instead of attaching the fabric to two pieces of foamcore and then glueing that together, I was supposed to sew the front and back together, shove the piece of foamcore in there and sew it closed. Is my face ever red. No wonder my ornaments look so bad. I am so sorry if anyone reading has ever been an exchange partner of mine and got one of my poorly constructed ornaments.
We went back to the campground and spent the evening vegging. HTB asked if I was hungry (I just realized how often we ate this weekend, we were shoving food in our mouths every couple hours, LOL. How will I ever be a slim bride at this rate?) and I asked him to hold off. Well, these cute little Sika deer came walking through the campsite. One little doe was so curious. She walked right up to me. I sat very quietly and very still and she was probably two inches from my hands, so close I could feel her breath on my fingers. A very cool experience, another one that we will keep in our hearts' memories, not in a photo album. It was amazing how many animals visited us while we were there. HTB couldn't believe it. The practical side of me says they were just on their way from here to there, my fanciful side thinks maybe they wanted to give their blessing to us. It's a nice thought, anyway.
It was hard to leave again. We promised to come back every year. Hopefully, one day, we'll bring our children to teach them about the place their parents loved separately from childhood, and where we fell in love as adults and where we vowed to make a go as a family. That would be nice.
Of course we loaded up on good Eastern Shore produce--peaches, nectarines, melons, apples--on the way back. We've had to resort to Safeway produce lately, which is very disappointing, so it was a pleasure to stand over the sink last night and eat a good watermelon.
And now . . . I'm in a stitching funk. I have probably put in 100 stitches since we've been home. I just can't settle in to work on things. I think I did 15 stitches on vacation, but not any more than that. So that means I haven't done much of anything since last Wednesday. I think HTB is starting to worry--he can't believe it's been this long without stitching for me. I know I'll get back into it, I have to, I have ornaments to make for Halloween, but I'm still in a whirling hazy daze right now. Perhaps stitching will bring me back into focus. I'm going to try it today.
14 September 2009
And then he kissed me . . .
Warning: This is not a cross stitching post, but I can't NOT share it!
I just got back from our long weekend on Assateague Island. Such a momentous weekend.
We loved it there last year, and were so looking forward to some sunny days with just each other. Camping. In a pop-up. SO has been working so hard all summer. SO hard. I've been stressed out.
We were a little miffed to hear that a coastal low was sitting right at the beach. Because rain ruins anyone's day. They PROMISED it would be out by Thursday. It was bright and cheery on Thursday when we pulled out. I loaded up the camper with the new issue of Cross Stitcher, and several projects. Several books, including Pride and Prejudice, came along. I had about 10 pairs of pants for all weather, since last year, we climbed the lighthouse and it was a bit hot as I ascended it in my long sleeve shirt and jeans.
We got to Salisbury and it started dumping. My boyfriend got this irritated look and said, "I am looking SOOOO forward to putting this up in the rain." I told him I would help and it would be OK. I have GOT to stop doing this, especially when it is patently apparent that the situation WILL NOT be OK.
He got soaked checking in. And said the park wasn't allowing people in tents to set up. They said we should be OK because we were in a TENT TRAILER. So we sat and waited for it to slow down. I can take wind. I can take rain. Wind and rain, driving sand, not so cool. Not so pleasant feeling.
We managed to get the camper set up, soaking a lot of the bedding, and the mattresses, and then gingerly handed in the essentials: clothes, my book, and snacks. I didn't bring my stitching in because it was safer in the truck. And we sat. And waited. The park ranger said the storm was supposed to blow out by 8PM. OK, we can handle ANYTHING for 5 hours.
But it didn't stop. That camper pitched back and forth like mad til 9. We took a nap and talked, crammed together on the sofa. SO is a big man, and I'm not exactly a delicate flower (but that will change). SO moans, "I have ribeyes marinating in the cooler. They can't sit in that another night." So he dashes back out to get them, telling me to stay put. We had fried rib-eyes on the campstove with corn and beans. SO was so upset about having to fry those steaks. I told him that they were awesome, and they were.
We went to sleep on the couch, but he woke up at 12 and got up to go lay on a soaking mattress. I told him that I'd go lay there and he could have the couch; he'd worked so hard to get the camper up, but he told me I get the best.
And all through that night, we laid there. I am surprised the camper stayed together; it was that bad. I was scared, but I know SO wouldn't ever keep me in a bad situation. I trust him. I had to change clothes 3 times because going out was soaking them. His pillow got wet. I heard a crash, knew it was a wave and ran around to check to see if we were under water. I couldn't see it, convinced myself it was the neighbor's awning, but SO told me the next morning he'd heard it and it was probably a wave crashing on top of the dunes. If I'd known the water was that high, it would have been bad.
I did manage to drift off to sleep finally, by telling myself that the rain couldn't keep going. When I woke, the wind was more normal and life was going on. I got our fire ring out of the 2 feet of water behind the camper (we were high and dry and set it up. Then took a walk. The campground was flooded. We all came out and congratulated each other. Someone pulled in and said they'd been turned away and they were turning away the pop-up campers; we'd been in a gale and it wasn't safe for pop-ups to be up. The book Stormy Misty's Foal is about a gale and how it devastated little Chincoteague, and we'd been through one. I don't wish to repeat that. I have been in 2 hurricanes and I was never so scared as I was Thursday night.
Friday was our recuperation day. Some ponies came to visit. I learned that, the ones on the Maryland side of the fence are Assateague ponies, the Virginia ones are Chincoteague. I wonder if the ponies know this? They do know how to get in a cooler, as SO found out. Two mares knocked over his Dr. Pepper and drank it, then went in the cooler. SO said he couldn't believe their lips were that strong. I can! That night, SO woke me up to say, "There are ponies outside. One's on one side eating, the others are over on the other side." They were so beautiful, standing in the moonlight. And we quietly watched them. Two lay down to rest. SO was impressed they got between the truck and the camper without knocking into anything. We wanted to take a picture, but it didn't turn out. A lot of pictures this weekend didn't turn out. I guess some things are meant to be remembered with the eyes of the heart. I know I'll never forget that sight.
Saturday, we spent the morning scouting future campsites. Our loop appeared to be the highest point of the state park, because the other sites were flooded, including the loop with the water and electric hookups. Not good. Not safe. We then went on the beach. I read Pride and Prejudice, and kept pointing out stuff to SO about marriage. I told SO it made absolutely no sense that Mr. Collins would be so adamant to marry Elizabeth one day and then two days later go get engaged to the other girl, and how odd that was that one could change affections so fast. Just little things like that.
He asked if I wanted to go to an early dinner. I was like, "but it's really early." SO is not an early eater, and we had had steak at 1, so I was a bit confused, but he wanted to go to Ocean City, and I'm not going to deny him ANYTHING on vacation, not when the man slept on a wet spot so I'd stay dry. We went to a nice place, had some awesome seafood stuffed potato skins. I am SOOO making them here. They were yummy.
We went back to the campground after dinner, and SO wanted to go fly a kite. he grabs his backpack, and I said, "What is that for? You don't need a backpack to fly a kite!" He told me to stop being so nosy. I thought, "OK, if he wants to do it, he has a reason." I said, "My tummy is a little bit achey, so I might have to leave the beach." He then says, "Can you please try to do that before we get to the beach," which is a very odd thing for him to say. He knows my stomach is cantankerous, and has never asked me to please do what I need to do before we go. He ought to know these things can not be controlled, but I wasn't denying him anything.
I met him on the beach and we tried to get the kite to fly. Of course, it didn't. The breezes weren't right. I told him it was still fun. And it was; he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and any chance I get to see him relax and have fun is a pleasure to me. He never will understand the joy I get in seeing him play, but he works so I can play, and I want the same for him. So we walk back to the top of the dunes. And he stops. He says, "I have something for you." He opens the backpack and hands me a card. A romantic card. About wanting to wake up next to me the rest of his life. I read it, and I'm thinking, "What is this? Is he asking me to marry him? Is this an engagement card? Do they make cards for that? Should I ask him? What if it's not and I ask the wrong thing, and it's not and . . .", so I asked, "Is this what I think it is?" Because I want to maintain a bit of modicum and decorum. He says, "Maybe," and that's when I saw the box. And he went down on one knee. And I do not specifically remember him asking me to marry him, because I was shaking and saying yes. I probably looked like a freaking idiot. I could not breathe. I could not look at the ring. He put it on my finger.
And OMG, is it beautiful. White gold, solitaire stone with 14 channel set baguettes on either side and bezel engraving. It didn't look right on my finger, too pretty, LOL. He told me I was glowing. He designed it for me. No other girl in the whole world has this ring. And the fact that he loves me enough to not only work his tail off for months to pay for it, but to wait til he could take me to the place I love more than any other place in the world, the place I realized that I was in love with him, in order to ask me to be his wife is so mind-blowingly romantic.
Our families are happy. My parents weren't home when I called, but I did tell them. My brother is pleased. SO's, er, Darling Fiance's, niece can't wait to be the flowergirl--her mom had to tell her that we have to ask her before she can tell people. Her mom said the little niece was happy her uncle was getting married, but it took a few minutes to get her to connect that he is marrying me, LOL, but she thinks it's awesome I get to be her real Aunt Rachel, LOL. And I think it's pretty cool that she gets to be my real niece :)
Anyway, must run for now. I'll post again tomorrow, hopefully with photos.
I just got back from our long weekend on Assateague Island. Such a momentous weekend.
We loved it there last year, and were so looking forward to some sunny days with just each other. Camping. In a pop-up. SO has been working so hard all summer. SO hard. I've been stressed out.
We were a little miffed to hear that a coastal low was sitting right at the beach. Because rain ruins anyone's day. They PROMISED it would be out by Thursday. It was bright and cheery on Thursday when we pulled out. I loaded up the camper with the new issue of Cross Stitcher, and several projects. Several books, including Pride and Prejudice, came along. I had about 10 pairs of pants for all weather, since last year, we climbed the lighthouse and it was a bit hot as I ascended it in my long sleeve shirt and jeans.
We got to Salisbury and it started dumping. My boyfriend got this irritated look and said, "I am looking SOOOO forward to putting this up in the rain." I told him I would help and it would be OK. I have GOT to stop doing this, especially when it is patently apparent that the situation WILL NOT be OK.
He got soaked checking in. And said the park wasn't allowing people in tents to set up. They said we should be OK because we were in a TENT TRAILER. So we sat and waited for it to slow down. I can take wind. I can take rain. Wind and rain, driving sand, not so cool. Not so pleasant feeling.
We managed to get the camper set up, soaking a lot of the bedding, and the mattresses, and then gingerly handed in the essentials: clothes, my book, and snacks. I didn't bring my stitching in because it was safer in the truck. And we sat. And waited. The park ranger said the storm was supposed to blow out by 8PM. OK, we can handle ANYTHING for 5 hours.
But it didn't stop. That camper pitched back and forth like mad til 9. We took a nap and talked, crammed together on the sofa. SO is a big man, and I'm not exactly a delicate flower (but that will change). SO moans, "I have ribeyes marinating in the cooler. They can't sit in that another night." So he dashes back out to get them, telling me to stay put. We had fried rib-eyes on the campstove with corn and beans. SO was so upset about having to fry those steaks. I told him that they were awesome, and they were.
We went to sleep on the couch, but he woke up at 12 and got up to go lay on a soaking mattress. I told him that I'd go lay there and he could have the couch; he'd worked so hard to get the camper up, but he told me I get the best.
And all through that night, we laid there. I am surprised the camper stayed together; it was that bad. I was scared, but I know SO wouldn't ever keep me in a bad situation. I trust him. I had to change clothes 3 times because going out was soaking them. His pillow got wet. I heard a crash, knew it was a wave and ran around to check to see if we were under water. I couldn't see it, convinced myself it was the neighbor's awning, but SO told me the next morning he'd heard it and it was probably a wave crashing on top of the dunes. If I'd known the water was that high, it would have been bad.
I did manage to drift off to sleep finally, by telling myself that the rain couldn't keep going. When I woke, the wind was more normal and life was going on. I got our fire ring out of the 2 feet of water behind the camper (we were high and dry and set it up. Then took a walk. The campground was flooded. We all came out and congratulated each other. Someone pulled in and said they'd been turned away and they were turning away the pop-up campers; we'd been in a gale and it wasn't safe for pop-ups to be up. The book Stormy Misty's Foal is about a gale and how it devastated little Chincoteague, and we'd been through one. I don't wish to repeat that. I have been in 2 hurricanes and I was never so scared as I was Thursday night.
Friday was our recuperation day. Some ponies came to visit. I learned that, the ones on the Maryland side of the fence are Assateague ponies, the Virginia ones are Chincoteague. I wonder if the ponies know this? They do know how to get in a cooler, as SO found out. Two mares knocked over his Dr. Pepper and drank it, then went in the cooler. SO said he couldn't believe their lips were that strong. I can! That night, SO woke me up to say, "There are ponies outside. One's on one side eating, the others are over on the other side." They were so beautiful, standing in the moonlight. And we quietly watched them. Two lay down to rest. SO was impressed they got between the truck and the camper without knocking into anything. We wanted to take a picture, but it didn't turn out. A lot of pictures this weekend didn't turn out. I guess some things are meant to be remembered with the eyes of the heart. I know I'll never forget that sight.
Saturday, we spent the morning scouting future campsites. Our loop appeared to be the highest point of the state park, because the other sites were flooded, including the loop with the water and electric hookups. Not good. Not safe. We then went on the beach. I read Pride and Prejudice, and kept pointing out stuff to SO about marriage. I told SO it made absolutely no sense that Mr. Collins would be so adamant to marry Elizabeth one day and then two days later go get engaged to the other girl, and how odd that was that one could change affections so fast. Just little things like that.
He asked if I wanted to go to an early dinner. I was like, "but it's really early." SO is not an early eater, and we had had steak at 1, so I was a bit confused, but he wanted to go to Ocean City, and I'm not going to deny him ANYTHING on vacation, not when the man slept on a wet spot so I'd stay dry. We went to a nice place, had some awesome seafood stuffed potato skins. I am SOOO making them here. They were yummy.
We went back to the campground after dinner, and SO wanted to go fly a kite. he grabs his backpack, and I said, "What is that for? You don't need a backpack to fly a kite!" He told me to stop being so nosy. I thought, "OK, if he wants to do it, he has a reason." I said, "My tummy is a little bit achey, so I might have to leave the beach." He then says, "Can you please try to do that before we get to the beach," which is a very odd thing for him to say. He knows my stomach is cantankerous, and has never asked me to please do what I need to do before we go. He ought to know these things can not be controlled, but I wasn't denying him anything.
I met him on the beach and we tried to get the kite to fly. Of course, it didn't. The breezes weren't right. I told him it was still fun. And it was; he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and any chance I get to see him relax and have fun is a pleasure to me. He never will understand the joy I get in seeing him play, but he works so I can play, and I want the same for him. So we walk back to the top of the dunes. And he stops. He says, "I have something for you." He opens the backpack and hands me a card. A romantic card. About wanting to wake up next to me the rest of his life. I read it, and I'm thinking, "What is this? Is he asking me to marry him? Is this an engagement card? Do they make cards for that? Should I ask him? What if it's not and I ask the wrong thing, and it's not and . . .", so I asked, "Is this what I think it is?" Because I want to maintain a bit of modicum and decorum. He says, "Maybe," and that's when I saw the box. And he went down on one knee. And I do not specifically remember him asking me to marry him, because I was shaking and saying yes. I probably looked like a freaking idiot. I could not breathe. I could not look at the ring. He put it on my finger.
And OMG, is it beautiful. White gold, solitaire stone with 14 channel set baguettes on either side and bezel engraving. It didn't look right on my finger, too pretty, LOL. He told me I was glowing. He designed it for me. No other girl in the whole world has this ring. And the fact that he loves me enough to not only work his tail off for months to pay for it, but to wait til he could take me to the place I love more than any other place in the world, the place I realized that I was in love with him, in order to ask me to be his wife is so mind-blowingly romantic.
Our families are happy. My parents weren't home when I called, but I did tell them. My brother is pleased. SO's, er, Darling Fiance's, niece can't wait to be the flowergirl--her mom had to tell her that we have to ask her before she can tell people. Her mom said the little niece was happy her uncle was getting married, but it took a few minutes to get her to connect that he is marrying me, LOL, but she thinks it's awesome I get to be her real Aunt Rachel, LOL. And I think it's pretty cool that she gets to be my real niece :)
Anyway, must run for now. I'll post again tomorrow, hopefully with photos.
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