wow it's been a while...

So the blog got away from me again. We had a fantastic trip in MN/ND. Ed’s mom and aunt came out and it was fun showing them around. Met up with the MN crew which is always fun. We also accomplished a lot as far as wedding details. I feel like we could almost get married next month. I know there will be a lot of small details but for now, the big things are coming together nicely. I found my dress; we made some great headway on bridesmaid dresses; we found a caterer that I think we will go with, and we booked the photographer.

ND was fun! My grandma is in assisted living now though so it is harder for her to get around. My cousin’s wedding was nice. It was a high school blast from the past. It makes me part weary and part excited for our high school reunion next summer. I am not sure if I am going; I haven’t decided. We went to the ND State fair and did all the animal buildings, watched the horse judging, and checked out the 4-H crafts. Ed found a blue-ribbon winning rice krispy bar. I guess it doesn’t take as much talent as one would think to get a blue-ribbon. We also walked in the state fair parade for a family friend who is running for state rep.

Last week was just busy and painful to readjust into the real world. I had two classes instead of one in order to make up the one that I missed. Work was fine, but all week I was just not into it. This weekend was just what I needed. Friday night I met up with a friend who is going through some nasty life stuff, so I felt good that I could be there for her. Sat. was book club and I started finished the book in about four days so I was giving myself some mad props. I did some work on my final paper and felt really good about it mostly because I am not procrastinating.

We were going to meet some friends for dinner on Sat. I decided, hey let’s have them over for a BBQ. We had some meat to use up, and I was feeling like entertaining. So we got the house in shape after it being an absolute pit, picked a little more food at the store, and got the outside ready. We worked feverously for about an hour and half (mostly cleaning and picking up), and finally I sat down about 10 minutes before people were to arrive. I look out the window—it’s down pouring. Damn. We ran outside and grabbed the stuff we set out there. Our apartment is so small that I seriously didn’t know what we were going to do. We decided to bring everything—the table chairs etc. in and somehow it all fit! We had five people and us in tiny, tiny apartment. We ate off of paper plates, drank out of mis-matched glasses, and ate store-bought appetizers, but none of that mattered. Martha Stewart would have balked, but then again she could have never been as relaxed as we were. Everyone had a blast. I appreciate low-maintenance friends. They don’t need to be impressed. Good food, good company. That’s what it is really about.

Yesterday I worked a little more on the paper, and we decided to do an impromptu picnic for dinner which was fun. Kept the table up in our apartment because we kinda like it. It leaves us with literally no floor space, but we’ll see. I got to bed early and woke up rested, which is such a nice feeling!