TWO MONTHS...and counting!

Two months left.
Still need a caterer.
Still need a florist.
Still need musicians.
Still need shoes, jewelry, and accessories.
Still need centerpieces and favors.
Still need to choose a playlist.
Still need to send out invitations.

It's going to be a busy two months.

Who Gave That Man A Gun?!

I did, actually. It was one of the incentives I used to get Chris to come complete our gift registry with me! He was super excited about being the designated scanner, but bummed that I wouldn't let him have 10 minutes alone in the electronics department (for reasons illustrated below):

SO, our gift registries are done (for the most part)! You can find us at the following stores:

TARGET (we've registered for appliances, kitchenware, utensils, and miscellaneous items here.)

WILLIAMS-SONOMA (for all of our formal and informal place settings)

and
POTTERY BARN (for home decor and bedding...though we're still waiting on the new spring merchandise to come out so we can finish this one.)

Adventures in Minnesota, Episode 1

A few weeks ago, Chris and I attended a high school basketball game with some friends of ours. We met up with them at a restaurant just outside of Duluth for dinner. I was sporting my ski-jacket since it was the coldest night of the year to date, recorded at about -17 degrees (WITHOUT windchill!).

Because it felt like ice cubes were affixed to my skin when standing still, you better believe I was running to and from the car! After hopping in Chris' car post-dinner, I noticed that his passenger-side window was rolled down a bit. Trying to correct the problem with the button didn't work, so I called on his help. Soon the window was down halfway, with no obvious solution to get it back up. I braced myself for a very chilly ride to the game.

It took some time to defrost, but the game was great- a real nail-biter between two high ranking teams. (For my L.A. friends that may be scratching their heads right now, YES- that team is ALL WHITE. Welcome to life in Minnesota!)

Chris and I weren't looking forward to the ride home with a window down. He offered to take the backroads so there would be less wind in my face- I opted for the speedier solution. Just gun it and get HOME! I fit as much of my body as I could inside my jacket as we started the drive. Then, on the freeway, THIS happened:

Chris was a champ and put the spare tire on in the FREEZING cold. An hour later, we were home and I regained feeling in my fingers. That little window incident ended up costing about $600 bucks.

And I got initiated to REAL cold. Way to kick my butt, Minnesota, but you can't get rid of me that easily.

Dreaming Big

My mom and I used to look forward to the "Dream Home Showcases" from time to time in our area...we'd peruse giant houses with unbelievable frivolousness, right down to the Hummer parked in the driveway. It was fun to dream like that- imagine it was my house- but we'd soon return home to reality.

I've been watching some TV lately, and noticed that it's "that time of year again" for HGTV's Dream Home Sweepstakes. I entered, just for fun. However, it made me think: IF I were to win, would I be willing to pack up and move to FLORIDA, where the home is located? Would Chris?

Would YOU?

(Did I mention that you would also win a A 2008 GMC® Yukon Hybrid???)

This One Goes Out to All My Girls...

I received the following e-mail and thought I'd pass on the sentiments to you...for ALL my girlfriends, old friends in Stockton, newer friends in So Cal, newest friends in Minnesota...this is for you.

When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
and then I started to become a woman.

And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
you will find the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your
children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say, "Let's cry together,"
another, "Let's fight together,"
another, "Let's walk away together."

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
another your shoe fetish,
another your love for movies,
another will be with you in your season of confusion,
another will be your clarifier,
another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
on whatever the occasion,
on whatever the day,
or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair
pulled back,
or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .
those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman,
but for many, it's wrapped up in several...
one from 7th grade,
one from high school,
several from the college years,
a couple from old jobs,
on some days your mother,
on some days your neighbor,
on others, your sisters,
and on some days, your daughters.

(I searched google for a generic picture of girlfriends to put on this post, but just couldn't bring myself to post strangers! Pictured above are my hollywood gal pals: Sarah, Carrie, Selena and me. Holla!)

Hey....Where are they taking Steve??

Happy Valentines Day, everyone! Pass the chocolates...

Don't send a lame Valentine's Day eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Follow the Signs

Thanks, Michelle, for the chuckle today.
More about this sign here.

I'm not the best with directions, but I know which way I would go. :)

Admit it...this would scare you.

Dear Lord, please give me the opportunity to be a part of this someday.
Amen.


Amaaaaaaazing.

...And There Goes January.

Can you believe it!? I can't believe we have already knocked out a MONTH of 2008! And what do I have to show for it? Well, I'm still knee-deep in paperwork for Minnesota Teacher Licensing. I'm witnessing many wedding details coming together. I'm finding my way around Duluth pretty successfully. And I haven't burnt down the kitchen with all of my experimentation.

It has been wildly fun being a part of Chris' life up close. I love opportunities we have to go places TOGETHER...previously, quite a novelty in our relationship! Here are just a few snapshots of our Minnesota adventures:

We got to join in the retirement celebration for a doctor at Orthopedic Associates, where Chris works. It was a rare opportunity to dress up and eat food that we couldn't pronounce. Very shi-shi, very fun meeting Chris' colleagues.

Chris' brother, Eric, took the 4-wheeler out for a spin on his recent visit. The boys like visiting my temporary digs at the lake for all the 4-wheeling fun...it's like watching kids in a candy shop. Too cold for me, though.


We made a trip down to Minneapolis to visit some of Chris' college friends, and hit up a piano bar- dueling pianos with a mediocre entertainment level. But we were in good company, and the dinner was excellent!

And I've been really good about avoiding hitting these...though quite a few have popped out at me! As I write this, there are a number of kids tobogganing in Chris' backyard. I kinda hate to say it, but I might miss the snow when it's gone...

I'm Only A Month Behind.

Have I really been here a MONTH?! This debriefing is LONG overdue, but I figured I'd crank it out before any more months fly by...

Just over a month ago, my friend, Suzanne, and I DROVE from Stockton, CA, to Duluth, MN. There were crazy storms coming in just as we were departing, but the Lord spared us from needing chains at any point during our trip. The worst weather occured on the summit just past Salt Lake City on our first day of driving, causing our first overnight to take place in Park City, Utah. Suzanne and I got the low-down on Mormons and caffeine from a Starbucks employee in SLC...apparently they make most of their money on hot cocoa since coffee is a no-no for the Smith-following faithfuls.

Day 2 brought the most treacherous driving conditions paired with the most boring flatland sightseeing. Listening to "The Hiding Place" on audio tape helped keep our minds agile through the gusty winds and icy roads of Wyoming and Nebraska. We were more than grateful for the home-cooked meals and cozy beds provided for us by the Hahns in Lincoln, NE. Ah, midwestern hospitality at it's finest.

Day 3 was short and sweet...a sharp left turn in Iowa put us on course for Duluth. Iowa was pleasantly more scenic than it's midwestern rivals, though no Starbucks was to be found near the freeway. There was a disturbing number of "Kum-and-Go" convenience stores, which Suzanne and I avoided on principle alone. As you can see above, my car was sporting quite the coat of mud and dust by time we reached Iowa.

Suzanne and I made good time in Duluth, stopping long enough to put our luggage down and run to the nearest Caribou Coffee (when in MN, do as the Minnesotans do...) and get ready for New Years Festivities.

So I say to you, this February 1st, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Spin Me A New Song, Mr. DJ.

After being cooped up indoors yesterday, I spent some time at Barnes & Noble in the evening and made two new additions to my music collection:

Andy Davis...piano driven mellow rock. I'm diggin' "Brown Eyes". Great for the listener who just wants a feel-good groove.

And, um, yeah. I'm jumping on the Sara Bareilles bandwagon. With all the hype over "Love Song," I hope the rest of the album can match it. After the first listen-through, I give it a "meh".

Any other new artists you'd recommend to this fabulous blogging community?