If the shoe fits... sometimes you still can't buy it!

Fashion is one of my weaknesses, especially when it comes to shoes. Unfortunately, money is tight at the moment - and most of the spare money I have, I'm trying to put straight towards that wedding I was talking about.... which makes it very difficult when I come across something like this:



Umm... yes please!

But even with the 25% off coupon I have... these shoes are still WAY out of my price range. *Sigh* The dilemmas of a poor college/low-income girl...

Wedding Bells!

Since I was a little girl I've dreamed of my wedding. Since I started dating my now fiance I dreamed of it even more... And then when the ring came along, well - you can imagine.

Unfortunately, my feelings toward the wedding have been on a roller coaster since my engagement. Mostly due to one thing - money. My fiance and I are both young, with student loans, and not much in the way of "extra funds". My parents won't be helping, and his parents are helping, but they don't have much to spare either. I had so many beautiful plans for my wedding, but as I realized not all those dreams would be coming true, it really put a damper on my enthusiasm. It came to the point where I would hide the bridal magazine(s) that came in the mail for me every month because looking at them made me sad/mad.

Well - I've been engaged for more than a year and a half now, and I'm very tired of not being able to answer any detail questions when people ask. No date, no location, no dress, no nothing. My fiance and I would have been married months ago if it weren't for that one pesky thing - money.

So guess what? I decided I had had enough, gave up on my "dream wedding" and started looking around for other, more cost-effective options. And guess what? I started to get really excited. I've now set up a tour of a location; started researching some DIY projects (thank goodness I'm pretty crafty); and spent most of today on etsy looking at cake toppers, boutonnieres, and save-the-dates. I'm going wedding crazy!

Let me show you some of the stuff that's inspiring me right now:

"Mr." and "Mrs." signs, cute for both an engagement shoot and for the wedding!
From Perty.ful.tings on etsy.

Fabric flower with a love poem printed on it. Alternative to boutonniere?
From Quotes & Notes on etsy.

There are a few other things I'm excited about, but I couldn't find a picture of them to post it on here... sorry. But let me just say this: let the wedding planning begin!!

Hey It's Ok... New Year's Edition

Hey there! Happy New Year's Eve! I hope that 2011 brings you all your hopes and dreams! I know I'm going to work hard to make some of mine come true! Here's a special New Years edition of "Hey It's Ok" for ya!

Hey It's Ok...

• To get excited about the "bubbly stuff", whether that's champagne or sparkling cider.
• To stay home and watch the ball drop instead of going out and partying.
• To love the TEN, NINE, EIGHT... THREE, TWO, ONE!!!
• To not actually make a New Year's resolution.

Hey It's Ok... Christmas Edition

Merry Christmas Eve! Here's a special "Christmas Edition" of "Hey It's Ok!"

Hey It's Ok...

• To shake all the presents under the tree and try to guess what they are (you may want to check if they're breakable or not first though).
• To still leave milk and cookies out for Santa.
• To wake up early Christmas early and feel the urge to run down the stairs and start ripping open presents.
  
• To actually love giving more than receiving.

An Unusual Christmas Poem

Christmas is just around the corner!

Whenever Christmas comes around, it always reminds me of those less fortunate than me. Although I have been through many hard times in the past, I am still very, very blessed. One of the groups of people that always comes to mind this time of year is our people in the armed services; especially those currently overseas, who won't get to spend Christmas with their families this year.

I have sent letters and packages to soldiers overseas before through the website Any Soldier, but unfortunately this year did not think far enough in advance. However, I do plan on sending at least one troop a package after the new year!

Anyway - the point is, I went on their site the other day to look at some of the postings, and on their front page I found a poem that made me tear up. (Especially since my fiance has previously considered joining the military). So I wanted to come on here and share it with you.

'Twas the night before Christmas,
He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house,
Made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney,
With present to give,
And just who in this home did live.

I looked all about,
A strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.

No stockings by mantle,
Just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures,
Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a marine,
Once I could see clearly.

The marine lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor,
In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero
Of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
The floor for a bed?

I realized the families
That Is saw that night,
Owed their lives to these Marines,
Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,
The children would play,
And grownups would celebrate
A bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom
Each month of the year,
Because of the Marines,
Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve,
In a land far from home.

The very thought,
Brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees,
And started to cry.

The Marine awakened,
And I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
This life is my choice;

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life is my God,
My country, my Corps."

The marine rolled over,
And drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still,
And we both shivered,
From the nights cold chill.

I didn't want to leave,
On that cold, dark night,
This guardian of honor,
So willing to fight.

The the Marine rolled over,
With a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a good night."

- Unknown Author

Merry Christmas to all of you! May you have a great day celebrating with your friends and family; and please keep those who can't in your prayers.

Hey It's Ok... 2

So it's Friday - time for another round of "Hey It's Ok" (yeah, I know I didn't do anything for the last few Fridays, bear with me).

Hey It's Ok...

• To have one specific way you eat your Oreos and never waver.
• To get excited when a package comes in the mail; even though you know exactly what's inside, and that it's not for you.
• To help plan your own "surprise ____" (birthday party, baby shower, etc). Or - at least drop major hints about what you want.
• To count snow shoveling as your exercise for the day. (I just did).

Have a great weekend everybody!!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Well, it's Christmas time, and I love all the things that come with that. The music, the spirit of the season, the shopping (and gifts), and especially the decorations!

Unfortunately this year, due to other life circumstances (cars breaking down, house repairs), none of the people in my house had too much extra money to get a Christmas tree. So after debating for several weeks on whether or not to get one, what kind, what we would decorate it with (we also have a HUGE lack of ornaments) - we came to a decision. We walked right into our back yard and cut down our own.



It's definitely not the most traditional of Christmas trees, but we think it's pretty nice. Now if we could just get the tiny trunk to stay in the stand and have it not fall over all the time...