Welcome Back

{my thinkpad isn't lonely now that the internet is back}

Oh, hello there friends! The SE's are now back in the 21st century. Luckily I had a half day at work, and I was able to meet my knight in shining armor between 3-5pm. Who's that, you ask? The Comcast internet installer of course. We've been living in the dark ages for almost a month now, and I'm sure I came incredible close to losing it several times.

Recently I realized that we're a hash over 90 (92 to be exact) days from the wedding, and I'm beginning to panic. There was so much time spent enjoying our "fiance" glow, and relishing in all that is wedding idea gathering (or researching as I like to call it). But guess what? It's time to buckle down and make some decisions. Ahem- Mr. SE if you're reading this...that means you marching your fanny down to Men's Wearhouse and picking out some tuxes!

Luckily Mama SE is making another trip to Nashville this weekend, sans my dad, and we'll be doing a lot of lists, charts, and timelines. My favorite! Mom and I are going to make a game-plan of how to get different diy projects done, and delegate tasks for everyone to handle. If you are close to me- look out- I might have a task for you too!

So that was a random word vomit of what's been on my mind the past couple days. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some laundry to put in the dryer and a dog that needs to go out.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today I'm celebrating two special occasions: my 23rd birthday, and my 4th anniversary with Mr. SE. How special that they're on the same day!

We don't have any fancy birthday plans. I find it a little hard to celebrate with all the sadness in our city right now. But the rain clouds are gone and the sun is out- so there's the good news!

Engagement Pictures: Getting Ideas

{i forgot where i found this. if you know, tell me. i'd like to give credit where it's due}

Mr. SE and I are excited to do our engagement shoot! We have about a jillion pictures of us on my laptop, but their mostly extremely skilled one-armed self portraits. You know the ones- someone's face is half cut off (normally his). When given the opportunity, we jumped at the chance to get engagement pictures. What a great time to do it- we're recently engaged, still basking in the glow of love (barf), and the leaves are about to get really pretty! I'm not sure where I originally found this picture- but I love it! We'll definitely have to try something like this. Did you use any inspiration when preparing for your engagement or bridal shoots? I'd love to hear from past/current brides on this one!

I Miss Mr. SE

{cheers to you, Mr. SE, you're the best!}

It's funny. We lived near each other at Elon for 1 1/2 years, then we lived apart for 2. I got used to seeing him once a month, and every time it was a little "less" sad when we parted. We've been living together for 1 month now, and I've already gotten so used to it. I flew up to my parents' house on Wednesday morning, and I've been really missing him over the past few days. It's crazy how quickly you become accustomed to being around each other all the time.

I'm about to pick him up at the airport. Luckily he was able to fly in for Kate's wedding, although he did have to miss the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. This trip made me realize just how much I want to be with him.

Forgot My Purse, Bummer

I just arrived at Chez Mom and Dad SE in the big VA. I'll have sporadic internet until Sunday night, so don't plan on many blog posts. During my flight I realized that I left my dressy clutch (for K's wedding) at home. Luckily Mr. SE is flying up Friday night, so I'll have him bring it.

But if I had to pick another clutch right now, I'd choose this one from Etsy. This would be a perfect bridal option too. Something blue? I think so.

Delicious Dinner and One Sleepy Puppy

{take a looksie at my cute Oil & Vinegar set from Home Goods}

Last night I made a delicious dinner that I just had to share. Mr. SE handles the Asia Pacific accounts for his company and works late on Tuesday nights to compensate for the time difference. The good news: we get to sleep in until 11ish in the middle of the week. Bad news: he doesn't come home until 9pm at the earliest. So on Tuesday nights I've been making slack-ass meals for myself. No more. I'm going to try and make a simply, healthy meal every Tuesday from now on.

Last night I picked up some fresh Perdue chicken tenders. Coated them w/olive oil, dried rosemary, salt, pepper and baked them in the over. Used my bagged greens and sliced up a red pepper. Drizzled oil and vinegar on top of the greens and placed chicken tenders on top. End result: delicious perfection! I ate my fancy feast on a tray table and watched the CMT Awards.

One last this I felt compelled to share. Duffie has found a new home in my closet. Our closets are particularly small, so I've started using the one in our 2nd bedroom (office). The closet aligns next to my desk and Duffie now enjoys curling up at the end with my dresses. Too cute to NOT take a picture! Yes, those are my scrapping supplies. We had the carpets cleaned yesterday and had to get everything off the floor. {see her at the end?}

New Links Added

If you're a frequent reader, you might have noticed some changes to the right side. I tried to make up creative names for each category (still working on that one). Two new categories are Chez Moi and Delicious. I think it goes without saying that the first is decorating and the later is cooking. Both cooking and decorating are really prevalent in my life right now, as I'm preparing to move in with Mr. SE (next weekend!!!!). So please, enjoy the links. It's a great way to spend your work day...errr time at home. Let me know if you have some suggestions for sites I should add! Ps- I lurrrrve your comments and I get SUPER excited every time I get a little message telling me there's a comment to be moderated!!!!

Wedding With a Westie

As many of you know, I'm obsessed with my Westie (Duffie). Today's wedding on SMP made me so excited since they used the family dog as their ring bearer. I think we might have found Duffie a dashing boyfriend! Check out the wedding here.

Invisible Children: Rescue Me

Check out this video describing Invisible Children. The children in Uganda don't have a voice, so we need to bring it to the media's attention. Write letters, send emails, and call your representatives. I'm not normally into political/social protests- but this is something that I wholeheartedly support! These children need us to fight on their behalf. Attend the RESCUE ME event on April 25th- they're all over the country.



www.invisiblechildren.com

Sigh of Relief

Good morning! I'm feeling really good right now- especially since I just booked a massage. FYI: I have really bad migraines and have been recommended to get a massage weekly. Luckily my mom is a teacher and we have amazing insurance! The massages have helped keep me calm and not feeling anxious, but it's been awhile since I've had one.

I'd much rather go the preventative route versus taking lots of pills and being reactive. Don't get me wrong- I head straight for a Relpax when I feel a migraine coming on, but I find myself having to do that less and less.

If you're into massages, I'd love to make a recommendation in the Nashville area. Essential Therapy (West End) is fantastic! Last summer I saw Susan every week, and I've continued to get massages every time I come visit. Their tranquility room is OUT OF CONTROL! Honestly, I would probably pay just to relax in that room.This would be a great place to head for a spa day with the girls in your bridal party. Don't forget your guys! Mr. SE had a massage there over Valentine's Day and loved it. Do you get massages? Or what helps you really relax?

Radio Station Advice

Here in NC I listen to K-Love. It's an awesome contemporary Christian station and I LOVE putting it on every day. But I'm getting really nervous about finding a station that is just as good in Nashville. K-Love is heard nationally, but I'm not sure if it's broadcast in TN. Can anybody shed some light on this question? Also, I'd love some recommendations for a Christian station in Nashville. The artists that I'd love to keep hearing: Michael W Smith, Big Daddy Weave, Chris Tomlin, and Brandon Heath.

On another note, the Dove Awards are being broadcast live from Nashville on Thursday. I tried SO hard to win tickets and I really wish I could go. Will you be watching?

Hokie Pride

Being from northern Virginia, I know a lot of people that go to Virginia Tech. Two years ago, on this date, tragedy struck that campus. Two girls who attended my high school were lost in the gunfire, one if them was a friend of mine. The families involved were affected forever. Let's all take a minute to say a prayer for the victim's families and friends.Visit http://www.reemasamaha.org/ to see what you can do to prevent gun violence

Blog Layout

I'm still new to this, so there are a lot of things about Blogger that confuse me. I'd really like to set up my blog as three columns instead of two. Is there anybody that can help me out with this? Please leave a comment. Thanks!

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Mr. SE and I are in the finals for a free couples shoot from Photographix. We need your votes to win. Please take a couple seconds and vote for us!!! Voting ends April 10th and we're couple #4!
Tell your friends and have them vote for us too!http://photographix.bigfolioblog.com/

*Please Vote For Us*

Mr. SE and I are in the finals for a free couples shoot from Photographix. We need your votes to win. Please take a couple seconds and vote for us!!! Voting ends April 10th. Tell your friends and have them vote for us too!

http://photographix.bigfolioblog.com/

I'm Back

Hey Ladies! (I assume most of my readers are females) Sorry I've been MIA this week. It's really tiring a) being on crutches 2) walking around on your own legs when you're supposed to be on crutches. Please check back often today. I promise there will be lots of posts later today! Thanks for reading. xoxo

Job Hunting

As funny as this cartoon may be, job hunting in this economy is no joke! I'm trying to utilize every resource available, so why not do a little self-promo on the blog. Here's the quick and dirty...I promise I'll never beg for a job on my blog again!

I have: BS in Business Admin- Management Concentration; Internship and work experience in Human Resources

I want: A job in Nashville

Aside from HR, I love all things related to event planning (really? no!) and would love a job working with any aspect of corporate or private events

If you, or someone you know, have any information relevant to this request please contact me at garrison.se@gmail.com

Texts From Last Night

Seems like everybody is getting Facebook these days. Here's a funny blog that I found through Mr. SE's cousin. The blog is called Texts From Last Night- it's messages that were sent/received the night before. The texts are void of real names/numbers, but list the area code. Here's one from Sunday night:

(617): when I'm not with you everything just looks like crayon scribble

Posted by TFLN at 3/16/2009 07:19:00 AM 0 comments

Sweet Saturday

I can't remember where I got this picture- it's been in my folder for a long time.

When Harry Met Sally

My roommate and I are having a hot Friday night watching When Harry Met Sally. The couple confessionals are something for us all to aspire to. I hope that Mr. SE and I will have this much love when we're in our 80's. I think we will <3

Spring Break

Coral Beach - by sgarrison on Polyvore.com

Everyone here is preparing for spring break. The gym is packed and tanning salons have their springy waiting lines. Our break starts next Friday, and college students all over the country and planning fantastic vacations to beaches everywhere. Wouldn't I love to be on a warm beach, with my toes in the sand.

(it didn't slow this girl down)

What's that? I can't walk on the beach with these crutches? Oh right- I'll be having ankle surgery for spring break. My 4th ankle surgery! In high school I was a cheerleader and rocked that curly weave like no other. But I rolled my ankle before a competition and the rest is history. I had a surgery my freshman, sophomore, and senior year. It's been awhile since the last one, but I'm still unable to walk minimal distances (read: 30 min shopping) without intense pain and the feeling that I'm going to fall. Oh, and I can't bend my left leg forward at the ankle. Cute.

So I'll be driving home Thursday night and having surgery on Friday morning. What a stellar way to start spring break, right? I'm going to bring home plenty of reading material and cross my fingers that I don't have an allergic reaction to pain medication again. FYI: swollen face and medical observation is not the best way to snag a date with a Hopkins med student. Low point.

Hopefully this will be my last surgery. I'm not trying to be a bionic pentathlon superstar; I just want the opportunity to run around with my kids or enjoy a trip to Europe.