Updates!

Yes...I know! I have completely failed as a wedding blogger.

Honestly, I'm not even going to give you excuses as to why I have been neglecting this blog.
All people care about are the updates anyways...HAHA

1. I found, purchased, and already have my wedding dress. It hangs in a third bedroom with the door shut. Don't worry it's in a dress bag that is NOT see through.

2. Bridesmaid dresses are ordered and are AWESOME! Just got a pic from one of my bridesmaids the other day...she looks so good in it.

3. We took our "save the date" and engagement shots in September. We really are happy with the turn out. You can check them out on our wedding website. www.weddingwire.com/rachaeljeffrey

4. Save the Dates are in the mail (as of yesterday). Before we placed them in the mail box I asked Jeff, "are you sure? This is your last moment to get out of this." He just smiled and put them in the mail box.

5. We've been working out. We started Insanity in August. Can you say INSANE? Jeff and I have really enjoyed doing the videos together and have both seen great results. We will continue with the workout schedule and continue yelling at Shaun T through our TV :)

6. We've been trying venues for the rehearsal dinner but have not decided yet. Still a work in progress.

7. We will start our "counseling" with Jeri (The pastor marrying us) soon. We are both a little nervous!

I'm sure there is MUCH MUCH more to talk about. But, I'll spare you. We have been enjoying the weather cooling off, Carolina Gamecock Football, and of course our crazy dog Matty.

Golf Quotes

Golf is a Game that Jeff is Phenomenal at! I on the other hand take every single piece of advice Jeff can give me. For me - I feel like there should always be something that two people can do TOGETHER. For us, that is Golf. I know that Jeff can probably not believe that he plays golf with his fiance. There are not many men who enjoy playing with their significant others. For some crazy reason; I like to believe it's because I am so coach-able, Jeff and I work together. Because I am willing to learn, I feel this golf relationship works. Jeff is not overbearing when it comes to giving me advice, he patiently waits until I ask. Sometimes; like today, he says "choke up and pretend your chip is like a put." Crazy enough, my shot goes within 4 feet of the hole. Again, I believe it's because I am so willing to learn that Jeff's advice does not piss me off or create a scuffle.

For example, it is Rare to see something like this. For those of you who do NOT know golf. This is called "Surrendering the flag." This occurs when all members of your golf party Birdie a hole. Birdieing a hole is when you are one under par. So, For Jeff and I; we both birdied # 3 and could Surrender the Pin for the upcoming golfers behind us. I'm sure the couple behind us thought we were crazy. We hugged, kissed, then proceeded to take pictures of the flag. hahaha...

A lot of fun Jabber went on between Jeff and I today. 

Quotes of the Day:

#1  - On hole number 9 Jeff told me to "get your head out of your ass!" 

 (Not something normal fiance's say to each other. But, it worked and I had a Great Drive up the middle!)

#2 - On the 11th hole Jeff told me that Yuenling taste's like MAGIC

(Yes, we did indulge in cervezas during this round of golf)

***I won't say that we normally drink during our rounds of golf. But, today was an exception with the fact that it was "Sunday Funday" as well as the day before the 4th of July. Jeff claims that he drank because the "wind was blowing west."*** 

#3 - on the 11th hold I stated "I'm just gonna Grip it and Rip it." 

(Crazy enough, I did just that!)

#4  - On the 15 hole Jeff comments "225 to the pin and the tour star laying up"

 (First, this is a Tin Cup quote, and Second I was in the Muck. I must say my next shot was beautiful out of the rough!)

Crazy enough, Jeff and I have a Great time golfing with each other. It is something that we can continue doing for the rest of our lives! What a Fun Day!

Groomsmen!

Finally - We have the starting line up for the Groomsmen!

Best Man -  Ben Laramee

Ben and Jeff have been friends for what seems like forever. Ben lives in Boston with his Wife Sarah. He works in the Marketing department at MetLife. 

Groomsmen -  Nate Baker

Nate and Jeff have been friends since grade school. Nate graduated from Bentley College in Boston. He lives in Boston. 

Groomsmen -  Kyle Reed

AKA - Rabbit

Kyle and Jeff went to High School together. They lived together after college in North Hampton, Mass. Kyle lives in Connecticut.

Groomsmen -  Matt Madera

Can you believe we can't find a picture of Madera. He will have to remain a mystery until the wedding. Ha. 

Jeff met Madera while attending UMASS. They lived together in college. He lives in Boston and works in pharmaceuticals.

These four men have been a huge part of Jeff's life. Ben, Kyle, and Nate all went to High School together. Actually, they've known each other since grade school. Jeff says he known Ben since he can remember. Nate came into the picture around middle school and Kyle entered the gang in high school. These guys are "true friends" in my books. Although they all live in Boston and Jeff lives here in Charleston, they can pick up the phone and act as if they never missed a beat. 

These guys would do anything for Jeff. I will admit, I am jealous of their friendships because their bond together is so strong.  They are great guys!

Birthday!

First I want to thank everyone who said Happy Birthday to me! My phone blew up all day with Facebook messages as well as phone calls. It's awesome to feel so important for a day! Of course our day started out with our landlord here at 7:30am. We moved all our furniture out of the downstairs and they were on their way. Jeff and I didn't know what to do at first. We sure as hell didn't want to be stuck upstairs all day. So our journey began. Jeff and I went over to the South Windemere section of West Ashley and did a little shopping. We enjoyed a wonderful bloody mary at Med Bistro. I have a co-worker who works there so it was good to stop in and say hello. 

We then proceeded to have lunch. We came back to the house to check on the progress (still a lot to be done) and picked up Matty. There are a ton of places around Charleston that welcomes dogs. So we went to D.D. Peckers for a mid afternoon lunch and drinks. 

On the back patio of D.D. Peckers is a Great deck, tons of seating, and an awesome atmosphere. We didn't even keep Matty on a leash. She was so good. Everyone loved her. They even brought out a dog bowl for her and treats! 

On the way home from lunch I decided that I want to get some feather extensions. I received some money from Jeff's Parents and Grandma for my bday. What better way to spend it! I actually had three different pieces put in. I was told that they last 6 months. So it should be fun!

Since they were still working on the floor when we returned we decided to take a dip in the pool. It's awesome being members of the country club. It was so refreshing to be in that pool. 

By the time we got home we helped put the furniture back in the house and immediately started getting ready for dinner. During our shopping trip in the morning we both got new outfits for tonight's festivities. We went to Wild Olive. It is our favorite restaurant. It's located in John's Island. The greatest part of this place is most of their products are from local farmers around the area. So it's cool that as they are telling you about their menu they call off where all different products come from. 

Both of our meals were amazing. Please, if you ever come to Charleston - GO TO WILD OLIVE! This place has never let us down and we have always tried something new while there. 

In the end, I had a WONDERFUL Birthday! Thank you to Jeff who took me here there and everywhere during the day. 

Ok, I know you have to look at it sideways (not technologically smart enough to fix this problem) but our floors look GREAT. They are a darker color then before. It was great to come home from dinner with everything put back in place and a note that read "Happy Birthday" from our landlord! It's great to finally have our house back to normal. Hell, it's great to finally sit on my own couch and watch TV instead of being locked in my bedroom.  

SodaStream!!!! Awesome!!!!

This is a picture of the birthday present Jeff gave me. I know your thinking....."what the hell is this?" it's a SodaStream. It makes SODA. We'll the truth is that it carbonates your water. Then, you can add soda flavors and natural flavoring to make seltzer water. Right now, I am obsessed with seltzer water. Also, who doesn't love fountain drinks. The gas station down the street sells big gulps for 79 cents. Yes, it is a guilty pleausre of mine. But NOW, I can make anything I want on my own. 

I found it interesting this morning that even the regular coke flavors have less calories and less sodium than regular Cokes. Plus, it saves the environment. One soda flavor from the sodastream makes 12 liters of coke = that equals 33 cans of coke. and....it''s only $4.99. This is going to save us a massive amount of money. 

This is their energy drink. It is compared to Red Bull. Ok so let's go through this again. For 5 bucks I can make 12 Liters of Red Bull. Where as you pay 5 bucks for normally one tall red bull. It's not like I walk around with red bulls all the time....but at least I now have a choice if I want one or not. 

With in 5 min. of receiving the gift Jeff and I made Red Bulls and Vodkas. Seriously, this is going to be awesome for a party. We will never have to buy mixers again. And, if we want to make just one drink we make the soda and we don't have to buy a whole 12 pack or a huge 2 liter bottle. 

I know I'm going on and on. But this gift is AWESOME. Yes Mom, I love the pink skull pool stick you got me as well. But, I like how Jeff is psyched about this gift as well. We are saving money as well as the environment by not buying all those plastic 2 liters and 50 hundred coke cans! 

Right now Jeff and I are stuck upstairs while our landlord is installing our floor. Will have pictures up of the finished floor soon! 

"Moves like Jagger!"

New Song of the Week - Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera - Moves like Jagger. LOVE IT! I wish I had moves like Jagger...hahaha

Yes - This is how our house has looked for the past week....ugh....

Last night's rain definitely came back through the fireplace and water was everywhere. Today, there is a man on the top of my roof as we speak changing out the Chimney Top. Supposedly this will fix the problem? Who knows....Tomorrow (on my birthday) our landlord will be here at 7AM with a U haul for us to move all of our furniture out of the house so that he can work all day putting in our new floor. I mean - it's great that we get a new floor but really, on my birthday? O well, Jeff said we have reservations to our favorite restaurant and I am excited for that!

Last weekend we went to a beautiful wedding in Hartsville. We had loads of fun!

Photo booth = Great Idea for a Wedding Reception! 

I have been working at the school the past couple days. I am actually enjoying it VERY much. There is so much to be done before the new school year. Plus, it gets me out of the house and I get paid. I need as much experience as I can get. I know that there is still a lot for me to learn so I'm just sitting back and soaking everything up. 

 I have enough Chic Literature to last me a good couple weeks. I can't believe I fill my head with this crap, but for some reason the books I brought home from school to read (Example - Yes, your teen is crazy! - Loving your kid without losing your mind & ADD & ADHD Answer Book) don't seem to be catching my attention. I should probably read them for knowledge on children but all of these books are for parents (which I am not, nor will be anytime soon) and those chic lit books get me everytime. HAHA :)

Jeff and I went and saw a band last Friday night. They were good - and we have had some communication with them. They could be a possibility for our wedding. Have a couple other leads though, and will need to check those out first before making a decision. 

Jeff hates having to go to work knowing that I am at home. So me actually working is making him feel a little better. I def. begged him to call in sick this morning. I even tried to use the "It's my Birthday Week" card. Pathetic, I know. Bottom Line = didn't work which is why I am here now working on this blog!

Upcoming events - My birthday, my cousin is coming to stay for a night with her boyfriend on their way to Washington, DC, & of course the 4th of July. 

OMG - I just saw the Chimney cap  - No wonder there is water coming through and into our house......

Can you see the huge rusted out holes in the left corner? Yup - there's our problem. Poor guy outside is trying to put up the new one and it's starting to sprinkle. Pray to God he can get it up there before it really starts to rain and there's a monsoon in my house!  

Seriously? Awesome!

As I sit down this wonderful Thursday afternoon with a cocktail in hand, I can't wait to tell you about our day!

My good friend Laura was in town - it's always great to catch up with good friends. We had a wonderful lunch at Seasame! Laura is my first friend who is pregnant. She looks Great! We sat by the beach yesterday and played cards all afternoon. She was the one friend in Charleston who always played cards with me. I definitely miss that. I'll tell you, I love Jeff, but when he wins at cards he runs around the house with his fists in the air shouting about how Awesome he is. Again, I miss playing cards with Laura!

We had a CRAZY storm last night - which was good since it hadn't rained at our house in over a month, but ended to turn out really bad. When I woke up and walked around the living room to turn on the tube I noticed a squishing sound. My first thought was "Geez, what's up with my shoes." Then as I look down I see water coming out of the cracks in the floor. YIKES. I immediately called Jeff and told him he might want to come home to check this out.

After moving the couches along with the rug we find water all below the floorboard and coming out of the fireplace. Still not really sure what the damage is, but our landlord is coming out Saturday to assess. He has already said he's going to replace the entire floor - which turns our house upside down for the next couple weeks. I was hoping for a birthday party next weekend with good friends but it might not turn out depending on Saturday's assessment. Keep your fingers crossed that it's not too bad.

As you can see the floor boards are already water logged. 

Jeff made me move the couches and wants to move all the furniture tonight...ugh...what am I gonna do until Saturday. hahaha........

As you can see, Matty is perfectly fine with it cause her bed is still available for her :) Isn't her new bed so cute? 

But, On to GREAT news. The day couldn't be terribly horrible, won't let the rain put me down!  WE BOOKED A PHOTOGRAPHER! Super stoked! His name is Michel Berda -  www.kingstreetphotoweddings.com. His photos look great. He has been so helpful, and it was GREAT to finally meet him today. So - even though our morning was crappy, the afternoon has turned out quite nice. Hopefully within the next month we will have shot our "save the date" photos along with engagement photos. 

Still working on a Band though. Going to another wedding this weekend - should be a good time.

I'll keep you updated with the floor and other crazy news on the road to Shagglerock!