Weekend Mania

This past weekend, I took Big Blue (Paul's truck) down to Wichita Friday night for the American Agri-Women conference. I was unable to make the first few days, but I arrived just in time to help put together some awesome decorations... KUDOS to the Bammerlin ladies for working their tails off... along with the rest of the decoration committee! This was my first conference & I am excited to hit up next years in Colorado! After a night of 'taste testing' wines & getting my sleeping arrangements re-located at 3am (I think) I was ready to go home Sunday for a little bit of rest.
Now, I'm taking a break while getting ready to head to the 'The Big High Five' state... Michigan... with Paul. This will be another little test, a 13 hour drive, which I'm confident we'll pass. Saturday, I'm going to get my Blue & Maize on tailgating for the Michigan vs. Nebraska game. Sunday, Paul just informed me they're having a family dinner, including lots of family it sounds like *yikes*- I always get nervous meeting the 'in-laws even though I'm sure it'll be fine. I told Paul I just want to see a lighthouse, as I have never seen one before, let alone been anywhere up in that Northern area. I'm excited!!
I better get back to packing :p

P.S. on an engagement update: I did make a dress trying on appointment this week for when my mom & sister come to town in December :)

Candlelight & Quiz Time :)

I'M ENGAGED!!!

Here's the scoop:

           Friday night after Paul & I spray tanned & ate dinner we came home, only I wasn't feeling very well so we laid in bed. I lit some candles so I didn't have to have the big overhead light shining in my eyes ... we'll just say they were Paul's idea :).  We were playing a quiz game... the kind like 'Newlyweds,' with questions like "What's my favorite color?" & "What's my favorite food?" I had just finished a spiel about how much I love cheese & it was his turn to ask a question, he leans over me & asks "Alicia, will you marry me?" I respond, "what?" he repeats, "will you marry me?" I respond, "Are you joking?" he comes back with, "this is the third & last time, will you marry me?" then of coarse I say yes!!!!

          While laying there giggling I reach for my phone to call the parents & announce it to the facebook world, Paul hastily stops me & says, "now don't go facebooking it just yet! I have to tell my parents first. My mom said she'd kill me if she ever found out through facebook." Well that deserved my comeback of "well, you better call them right now!" Note: it was 10pm our time, 11pm his parents time, & 9pm my parents time. First up, his mom... she was nice & congratulatory. His dad was out hunting & already in bed. Next, my parents, but before I hit the green button I bet Paul my mom would say, "what are you pregnant?" ... sadly, I have tricked her multiple times with the "mom I have something to tell you" line with pregnancy being the answer. That may come to bite me in the butt later when I really am prego. Any who, once she picks up I tell her I have some news... I won that bet! haha. After I tell her that we're engaged her response went something like, "well, bout fucking time!" in a loud, laughing, happy tone. My mom gets in curse crazy modes & I think she was in one that night :) If only we had a swear jar out, we could have paid for this shindig with all her swearing.... huh, I guess that's where I get it from too. my dad was laying next to her with his sleep apnea machine one, which makes him sound like the McDonald's drive through. He had already gone to sleep but kind of woke up &said something happy that I didn't understand. He later congratulated me on Sunday with out the machine. Saturday we got a hold of Paul's dad, he was really excited & happy too. He cried he was so happy for Paul.

        I don't have the ring just yet. It has to be paid off before Paul can take it home. We went & looked at rings a while back to give him an idea of what I likeed. He did tell me what it looks like, it's custom made which is neat that I'll have the only one like it! ... not to brag or anything ;) It's white gold, princess cut, .& around the band is engravings with little diamonds (kind of a vintagy look to it). It's out of Meierotto Midwest Jewelers in Kansas City. I can't wait to see it! Once I get it I will be quick to post pictures!

      Another romantic note to my weekend:

      When we were at Jaclyn's birthday party there was a DJ with karaoke & dancing. Well, Paul is like the karaoke king, especially when he's drinking. He is actually really good too! He sticks to Johnny Cash, Bob Seger, Toby Kieth, & mainly other country guys. A good couple hours into the party, Paul gets up there with the mic & announces, "this next song goes out to my new fiance, Alicia Gettel, I love you!"

The song is:

He also inserts my name into the chorus & finishes it off with an, "I love you Alicia Gettel" then kisses me on the dance floor... yep I teared up.

I love him & can't wait to begin planning this shindig of 2012!!! Stay tuned for more planning stories & I'm sure a web page thing :)

October Love

October is a FABULOUS month!!!

I love the colors.

I love the weather.

I love the candy, cookies, & treats.

I love the decorations.

I love the pumpkins.

I love the costumes!

Paul & I went to a pumpkin patch (a requirement in my book), enjoyed watching the kids, munched on some delicious cider doughnuts, picked our pumpkins, & sipped cider. It was a great day!!! Once home, we carved those puppies up... can you tell which one is mine?!? :) ... I actually got the idea for mine of Pinterest.

Of coarse we dressed up... well, it was my friends' themed birthday party but everyone considered it good for Halloween too! It was a Jersey Shore theme!!! :) Yep good ole Snooki, The Situation & GTL times.... My friend (who's birthday it was), Jaclyn, loves Jersey Shore & this year is her 30th so she wanted to go all out & thought of this idea back in July. Then when I came home from the hospital I thought I would check out this whole Jersey Shore thing. You know to get ideas.... well, I'll admit I got hooked. It's totally trashy & lame but for some reason I tune into it. One thing Paul & I have in common is when we dress up we believe if you're going to do it, you better do it right! I went as JWOWW & Paul went as Ronnie.

Me, Brooklyn, Jaclyn (the birthday girl!), & Misty

Paul actually shaved off his beard!!! I have only seen him with his beard & a goatee, so this was a first for me. It was quite humorous because we both got spray tans the night before, only he shaved right before the party so it was white where his beard was. When we walked in nobody recognized him! People's reactions were priceless. It was a fabulous a night of wigs, fake tans, & fist pumping.

Who knows what next years Halloween will bring?!?

A Little Contest :)

Today at work we had a site breakfast with a themed photography contest. Theme: Shining the Light.

I entered the following photo.... and it WON The Judges Choice & Warm & Fuzzy award. Yippy! It's not a huge contest by any means but it was fun & nice to show off my photo. There were lots of other great photos too... So, Congrats to them as well!

Bulldoggin' It Up!

Three & half years ago I ran accross a flyer of a bulldog. I've always loved them & have a gooshy place in my heart for those dopey dogs. I stopped by, checked this bulldog, Bruiser, out. Turns out the family just had a baby & wanted to get rid of the dog - who was 4 years old by this point (they had him since a pup). He was underweight & bored out of his mind. They handed me his file which showed he was a petland pup who spent more time at his vet then at home (they boarded him just to have 'dog-free' weekends). After that I loaded him into the Jetta.  Dallas didn't approve of this 'adoption,' it took a while for her to warm up to him.

At the time I lived in Manhattan, we would go on walks & Bruiser would take to rolling. Not a gentle romp in the grass, but more of a flop onto his back in the middle of the sidewalk or street, totally regardless of people & or vehicles. Once we moved to the country I discovered his true favorite toy, a 5 gallon bucket! Absolutly loves them, they are his crack! If there's no bucket around he'll settle for a 55 gallon trash barrel too. I like to say he's my special ed & that is his helmet. He also LOVES boxes & water/pop bottles (20oz-2 litre). If you bring home a t.v. turn your back on the box he will have it ripped to shreds in seconds! With the bottles his first goal is getting that darn cap off. You could tighten it with he-man strength & he'll have it off in no time... maybe I should try some JB weld or lock tight :) Stuffed animals are a nice treat, first thing he does to them is chew their eyes & nose off. It's kind of disterbing around the house, we'll have faceless (or headless) stuffed toys laying around. Bruiser won't refuse a car ride either, especially riding shotgun! Water is another great entertainment piece. Him around a fountain, you know the kind that sprise pop out of the ground that kids play in, is extremely halarious. A creek or flooding street with sticks will also keep him busy.

Oh, Bruiser... he has 3 tricks: sit, laydown, & speak. If you hold the treat long enough he will sit & run through his 'routine' before you even say sit.

On his warning lable:

 - When riding in vehicles: he will jump at overhead bridges, semi trucks, loud motorcycles, & hail. Also, bites the air if head out of window... would probably jump if it was far enough down.

 - During rainy season wish for NO thunder & lightning or have a saferoom. He runs from wall to wall barking at lighting & thunder. He gets locked in the basement with the lights on at our house.

 - Wheels: Dangerous. Will take out your bike OR skates. Attacks the lawnmover. Chases any vehicle. (note: has been run over for doing this...twice)

 - Will beg for a place in bed or on the couch...especially if it's cold.

 He's great at kennelling up & dressing up... a real ham! He's a true people lover, even with the little ones, he just walks up, gives a big kiss & sits. That darn dog may make a mess but he also can light up your day with just one look.

.... I may start a Bruiser story or picture of the week... he always has one for me :)