Hey Everyone!  I don’t know about you, but Bryan and I both had a rough week – he was was the ‘on call’ man at work, getting the 3am phone calls that this or that was broken and needed to be fixed. I, on the other hand, had a committee meeting with my professors this week to go over the progress of my project. We both survived without too many scratches, and have not been so glad for a weekend off in a long time! Between all that was going on with the two of us, Rylee and Luckster didn’t get much love – I think that they deserve a car ride for putting up with Bryan and I!

A side note:  the save the date magnets are on their way out the door to those we love!  Hope to see you guys surfing the blog and wedding websites soon!

She’s really quite small:

Here’s her beautiful ridge!

And this is her normal demeanor:

She’s quite the cutie pie! Since she’s arrived she’s killed one computer power adapter, a bag of rice, and has made Sadie sightings scarce!  But we adore her, and enjoy every second of her mischief!

A PUPPY, that is! Yes! We’re getting a pedigree Rhodesian Ridgeback, and we have not a clue what to name her. We pick her up on Sunday, and we’re both very excited about our new addition to the Freddie Family! When she’s grown up, she’ll look something like this:

She’s got blue green eyes, which the breeder told us would turn to a light gold; she has a tan muzzle and ears, which is the recessive phenotype of the breed, and she has a little bit of white on her toes and neck. She’s Adorable! We’ll post pics as soon as we get her this weekend!

However, as of 4pm CDT today we do have:

• a venue – Vintage Villas will be the site of both the ceremony and the reception, complete with an indoor rain plan,
• a dress (which I’d LOVE to show you, because its so darned cute and girly, which is so unlike me),
• and a photographer (who just happens to be the most awesome photojournalist I know, and my best friend!).
• I have a color scheme laid out -claret, black and white,
• the makings of a guest list
• *a cake and bakery in mind*,
  
• been narrowing down honeymoon ideas.

But there’s still a lot I haven’t done nor even begun to think about yet.  I haven’t flushed out my wedding party, I have yet to look into florists, DJ’s nor a set of strings for the ceremony.  Not to mention that my uncle has backed out of playing at (or even attending) my wedding for a Christmas cruise through the Panama canal (can we say OUCH?).  I have looked at one cake baker, but really should taste at least one other place.  Thankfully I don’t have to worry about a caterer, just narrowing down what I want served at the venue (its included in the rental), and of course engagement photos need to be taken, save-the-dates sent out, groomsmen and usher attire picked out, etc, etc, etc until I want to shoot myself.

So why didn’t I listen to my Dad and elope? Heavens knows.  I do know one thing though, and that is that I really need to get off my ass and start working on this!

I have the best boy ever.

Thank God its a lazy Saturday morning.    Sadie, Luckster and I are enjoying the quiet time and a cup of coffee, and are reflecting on the previous week.  Everyone in the lab has shifted into high gear this spring in order to pump out data for Global meetings, collaborators, and even grant proposals.  My reason for be busy in the lab falls under the last cause – my boss wants to submit a joint PO1 grant in May, in which my work with be one of the four legs of it.  While its flattering, there are a lot of experiments I need redo, and more data to “tighten”.  Needless to say, I will give up some weekends for the cause in the near future.  And while my predicament is in no way shaping up to be the hellstorm of last fall, I am still having a difficult time getting myself in gear for it.  This couch is waaaay to comfy… 

In other news, Bryan and I are one step closer toward deciding on a facility for our wedding next December.  We visited a few places last week, and have another one to look at today.  We’ve knocked out one place due to price, but included another one that proved promising.  We’re aiming to pick a place by the end of the month, so that we can move on to more entertaining aspects of the wedding planning (and to get rid of this stress!) On a side note, the two people I carpool to work with are also recently engaged, and I think I may jump from the moving vehicle if they don’t stop talking about wedding stuff.  Its not topic that drives me batty, but the attitudes that the two have about gift giving – they act greedy and entitled about receiving gifts.  Now while I don’t mind getting wedding gifts at all, I don’t feel that every person I INVITE is required to send a gift.  That’s just silly, and reminiscent of a spoiled brat.  And let me assure you, it takes one to know one.

Anyhoo, Lucky’s excited about going to the dog park today, so I should consider pouring another cup o’ joe and getting my behind in the shower.  Merry Weekend!