So Long Single Life

As a wife for over two weeks now, life has definately changed from ye old single days. I thought it would be weird and frustrating living with a boy (and I am sure more things will surface of the next 75 years), but I must say I thoroughly enjoy it. It is a wonderful blessing to get to wake up next to, come home to and fall asleep on the couch with your best friend. Joe has been an amazing blessing and source of strength and encouragement to me it's just been awesome! But of course, what would be a post from me without a few funnies.
1. Coming home to my hubby and every light in the whole house on, including the closet.
2. After a water squirting fight, we knocked over and killed our iron; it still works, it just flops now...so sad.
3. Seriously, where is all of this laundry coming from?
4. Playing "bounce the randomly found golf ball" for all 2 miles or so of our walk
5. Bills? There were bills on the table? No, I don't know where they are...
6. Honey, when are you coming home? I forgot my key!
7. We are buying so much food!
8. Where did all the food go?
9. Singing "What Would You do With a Drunken Sailor" on the way back from church. (We walked to church, it was great! And cold!)
10. Oh, what? That inch left you have on your side of the bed isn't enough? Fine...I'll move.

Just a few, sure to be more, and can't wait either!

Yay! For Weddings!

Here's just a few! Thanks everyone, we had a blast!

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Daniel O'Brien

It's official. We're married. Yes, I'm blogging before we go to the hotel. What a nerd right! Thank you all! Love you lots...and we'll talk to y'all next week!

Love you!
Leanna and Joe

Mishaps and Misadventures

Ok, so that was the sentimental post. Now, here's a few freak-out moments throughout the course of our engagement.

1. Church saying minister was booked and didn't offer anyone else.
2. Church asking us to postpone or call off wedding due to misunderstandings.
3. Dress store being dress Nazi and not honoring their coupon or willing to compromise.
4. Dress not having straps that were ordered with it.
5. Dress straps going to college station instead of to my new house.
6. Receiving wonderful gifts and stacking them to the ceiling because our poor little apartment has no storage.
7. The stupid program is not in the order that the ceremony is in. Jenni! FIX IT!! (at midnight!)
8. Calling to pay off, engrave and ship wedding rings from College Station. What is with that place!
9. Receiving wedding rings from College Station with our inscriptions and our wedding date of 1.7.06!
10. Calling Joe, WE ARE NOT GETTTING MARRIED LAST JANUARY!!! What do we do!!?? Please laugh, Joe, Joe? Why are you not saying anything?
11. Joe calming down and telling me to ship the wedding rings back, me freaking out now...NO!!! We need them! We must keep them! FedEx will lose them!
12. Ordering favors and getting confirmation that will arrive in time.
13. Musicians telling me they are not able to play one of our songs.
14. Rejoicing when soloist says he can play the special song! THANK YOU!!

--Yep, those are just a few, and I'm sure there will be more. Let me know if you have any fun stories about my wedding or others that you feel led to share!

6 Days and Counting...

Wow, I can't believe it. This Sunday marks the week of our wedding. The final countdown. The beginning of the beginning. I am excited, overwhelmed, giddy and thankful. Now, let's go through all of these.

I am excited because it is a moment I have waited for for several years. It is when my love and I will be united and begin our new family. It is also an opportunity to get to see so many of our friends and family that we love and have shared our journey with.

I am overwhelmed because there are still A LOT of things to do. We are getting the programs printed, we have odds and ends to buy, we have to pack, we have to organize and we have to get there and everywhere in between on time. Dear Lord, thank you for blessing me with an organized sister and accommodating friends!

I am giddy because I get to be Mrs. O'Brien. Next Sunday at this moment I can say I am Joe's wife! And all that goes with that... AND we get to go to a tropical beach to somewhere we have never been and have our first grown-up vacation! Fruity fun drinks here I come! (and I giggle when I get tipsy! = giddy!)

I am so very thankful for all of my family and friends that have supported Joe and me through our journey together. It has not been easy and it has not always been fun, but I feel that God has a purpose for our lives and a purpose for our lives together. I am also thankful for those of you that have put up with my frustrations and freak-out moments; you are oh, so kind!

Wow...all this and it will just be over in a few days! No, not really. We have our whole lives ahead of us to enjoy each other, know God and grow! I hope you'll be a part of it with us!

Lace, Laughs and Cheesecake!

This weekend we had tons of fun -- as we are less than three weeks away from the big day, we had a blitzkrieg shower weekend.

It all started in Fort Worth at Joe's Aunt Nancy's at a shower hosted by Nancy, her daughter Julie and my Grandma BG. We had fun, talked, shared insightful wisdom and just enjoyed each other's company. I got all sorts of fun gifts including our pots and pans set from Joe's family and some really nifty hand-painted coasters from Lydia. She's so crafty!!

So then we went on from there to Irving, where I live, for a night of girly fun. We started at Mi Cocina and had some good Mexican food and margaritas. The mothers even came and we had lots of fun. I even had a sparkly veil and a "bride to be" shash to wear proudly -- thanks to Angela.

We then progressed to Joe's sister's house where we indulged in desserts, opened gifts that came in little pink boxes and some that are just fun to pamper oneself with. The highlight was the "homemade lingerie" contest. Now that was a hoot! Who knew ribbons and cotton balls could be so fun!

Girls, thanks for all the laughs and the memories. I am so glad I have so many wonderful friends!

Revenge of the Wedding Vendors

Now we all know planning a wedding can be stressful, but not everyone knows why. Those of you that haven't had to plan or be involved in an affair of this kind for a while or for those of you who have no clue, let me open a window for you so that you may glimpse my most recent stressor.

Dun..dun...Duunnnnnn....

Yes, that's right, the wedding vendor.

We have been planning this wedding since about last December and were fortunate to line up a good list of vendors fairly quickly. We had met with all of them, and all seemed pleasant and well...until about a month before your wedding when they want their money for unperformed duties. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand the business side of needing your money to complete a task.

Take today -- I was berated by the florist who ever so graciously met with us Sunday after trying to get a hold of her on three separate occasions. In a lovely voicemail, she ever so subtly accused me of withholding payment, trying to skimp her, being negligent and I'm sure something else.

So then when I called the florist shop to straighten it out, I was told they were all in a huff because they called yesterday and couldn't get a hold of anyone. I then explained to her that I work later than most and had a meeting and didn't have an opportunity to call until they were already closed. I then informed her that YES, we are still paying the remainder and paying in full and we would have everything decided Thursday, after meeting with the wedding coordinator from the church.

This still wasn't good enough. Because of terrorists, if we didn't get our order in pronto, and we are counting minutes here (she said), that bad things could happen.

So, my mother called and paid the remaining sum and here's hoping the terrorists will refrain from hijacking the plane with my wedding flowers. I mean really! If they like them that much, they can just stop by after the wedding and take some home. It's ok, really!....

Hope you enjoyed the view!

A stamp of our very own...

As a fun commemoration of our one-month pre-anniversary, we received our fun address stamp that I referenced below. It says "The O'Briens!" How fun is that I ask.

So, keep an eye out for enchanted envelopes coming to a mailbox near you in the months ahead!

Avoiding controversy

Avoiding controversy for the time being...I thought I would post about all of these senior living communities for 55+ popping up all over the United States. At my new job, we have three completely different senior living communities that we have done work for. Some communities are houses, some are apartments and some are condos -- all offering specialty features like resort-style dining, fitness centers, theatres and business centers. It sounds like a blast, but many still have high costs.

Although we are a few decades away from this decision, what do you think. Would you want to live in a senior living community with all of your grey-haired homies? Or would you rather live out your days in your lovely house you've had for 60 years? It also depends on the level of care you need, where your family is and how much money you have.

I think I would love to start an "Old Bears Out to Pasture" community where we can have all of our fun Baylor friends and family come. We can hop on buses for Homecoming, sing the "The Good Ol' Baylor Line" each evening, and just enjoy good fellowship again.

What do you think?

Fun New Find

I just wanted to share my latest fun, new find. One of the clients at where I work is a stationary shop. If you know me, you also know my love of and desire to own a stationary store.





So, while we were visiting our clients, preparing their new Web site, www.celebrationsandinvitations.com, I noticed this little gem. It's so great. It's an address stamp that functions like an embosser. You can personalize it with several designs to choose from and I just thought it was the cutest thing in the world. So keep a look out, my letters might start to get a tad bit more trendy.

New Possibilities for Leanna?

Ok, so if we've talked in the last several weeks, you have learned that my new Dallas experience is not all what I was expecting. There are several difficult circumstances combined with work that I am not sure this is the direction I need to be.(or maybe this is where the three or more stressors factor comes in!)

So, I am thinking about the possibility of going back to school to get my masters or teaching certificate. One thing I have enjoyed and haven't done for a while is adult education. I really enjoyed this while I was in college and it might be something I would like to look into more.

I have also considered being an elementary teacher, a librarian, a baker? a stationary/cafe owner and I'm sure some other things I haven't thought of yet.

Any suggestions on any of this?

Sponge Bob

At my new work, I have a Sponge Bob and Patrick mousepad. This makes me happy. I have way to much stress right now and I am not comfortable with it, but I have Sponge Bob here.

Isn't it nice how the simple things can make life a little bit better? I also have a bear that Joe got for me and he wears a Hawaiian shirt. Everytime I see him (Bearett) he makes me happy. And me makes me wish I was on a beach.

What sorts of things make you happy in this hectic world?

What do you find helps you deal with stress best?

And should we really go talk to our HR people if we have three or more stressors in our lives? What if we have no HR???

So you had a bad day....

A fitting song for a not so great Friday. I thought it was unneeded irony when they played the "So you had a bad day" song whenever anyone got booted off American Idol, but sometimes you just need a theme song. And today it seems to be mine.

It all started with FINALLY getting our Internet at home to work after 3 days or so, I thought we were on an upswing. So then I went and took a hasty shower...already running late...grabbed my spiffy new pants to iron them, and they had TWO BLACK SPOTS on the cuff! Sure why not. So I went and pulled another pair of pants that also needed ironing (ill effects of moving!), and as I turned them over to get the other side...MYSTERY SPOTS! You have got to be kidding me. So then I go and find other pants...super wrinkled, but no, I'll wear a dress. But wait will this go over with my new brand of clients, so I choose a more conservative dress and sweater in the 105 degree heat.

So go to work and get there on time...will things be better. Um, no...my first big boo boos for a client. That made me angry and so the day has continued in a downward slump. This is when I could totally use Adam Sandler's remote control to fast forward the rest of this day.

Oh if only 5:30 would come sooner so I can start my 20 minute traffic commute. I need a nap!

Let the Moving commence...

Alrighty! As of Yesterday, Joe and I have a new place. I will be moving into our new apartment at the Vistas at Hackberry Creek in Las Colinas on Saturday with the help of our families.

Apartment hunting was a strenuous task. Lots of apartments or town homes, either for too much, too ghetto, not ready in time or too far away. So when we found our future home, it was definitely a God thing on how everything worked out--location, price and everything else.

I am very excited! A new home! I am not excited, however, about the packing. I loathe packing!

But I am excited that this will now be the Joe and Leanna home in 3 short months. The funny thing is that we are already "married" as far as our lease goes, so we only had to pay one deposit. I found this very funny when the flamboyant lease assistant asked us, 1.) if we were married, "no" says us, 2.) if we were living together, "no" says us. 3.) well just say you are anyways...no one really cares...

Ha! I am glad marriage is held in such high esteem, especially by our apartment office! =)

So now begins the laborious chores of hooking up and switching over all of our utilities, internet, cable. Blah!

BUT as of Saturday the 8th of July I will be a DFW resident! Feel free to stop on by and say hello if you are in the area, I am sure I'll have boxes for a while. But who doesn't!

ps. and Karen, we're going to have a red wall too! We get two free accent walls, and we'll have a red dining room! =)

Moving to Dallas

Well, I have gotten a job in Dallas. I will finally get to move closer to my love! I am very excited about this opportunity. I will be writing copy, and doing some account management along with pr work for some clients. I have an office with a window in a cool green color! How much better can life get.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. We'll still need it though with homehunting, the wedding and, well, the marriage too!

I'm excited. Can't wait to have everyone over to the new pad! I'll keep you posted!

A whole new meaning...

For those of you who just would like a little break or a funny for the day...here's a site that gives a whole new meaning to "Wait til the cows come home." (or don't come home!!!)

http://www.cowabduction.com/
Yes, that's right, cow abductions. Nothing is safe from the aliens!

What about this one?

Well, we continue on our quest for happy wedding hair. This is an idea my mom sent. I'm kind of digging it. Formal, yet loose, Romantic and modern...


Or there's the tight, pulled-back look? Maybe a pretty clip instead of the flower...

Wedding Poll Time!

Ok, as most of you know, my hair is not my shining glory. Atcually I am yet to find out what that is! My stunning wit? my reflective! skin tone? Anyways...I digress.

So I am asking all those out there for suggestions on wedding hair, head piece, so on and so forth. Post your thoughts, make mock photos, send pics. Whatever! Since I have yet to pin down a hair dresser for anything, I can use all the help I can get, or I could end up like this!

Thank you!! =)

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Today I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to my sister, Jennifer and my s.t.b. s.i.l. Sarah! They are both happy that on this day they are not as old as the queen!

RR06 is a Go!

After much deliberation, e-mails, postings, phone calls, calendar checking, calendar rechecking, husband/fiance/roomie checking...Roomie Reunion 2006 is a go!



Our special batch of friends will be heading down to San Antonio for a weekend of fun, friends and fiestas! Arrriiibaaa!!!!

Can't wait to see you all...only 1.5 months to go! =( But we'll get there!

Cheers!