101 Days Away!

I am 101 days away from being Mrs. Abby Bannister! It is such an exciting time in my life, and since I am still taking it easy from being sick, I thought that I would post a blog with a preview of some of the details of the wedding.

Flashback

April 7, 2007

It's a YES!!! Though it wasn't a verbal yes, I think my actions spoke loudly! What a wonderful day!

The ring! I cannot wait to see it complete!

Ok... Now for a little sneak peak into our big day!

Jewelry

Pearls will be the most dominant accessory in my wedding. Pearls will adorn my bridesmaids as well as various decorations. I love how pearls are timeless, and I love how elegant they are. I think they will add a nice touch to the wedding.

In order to tie in the pewter shoes my bridesmaids will be wearing, I have incorporated the look of Tahitian pearls into some of the accessories. They, too, are elegant and add some trendiness to the wedding.

And, of course, there will be rhinestones. What would a wedding be without a little bling? The rhinestones will add some sparkle to the pearls. I am very fond of this combination, and I can't wait to see everything put together!

Flowers

I love the look of this green cymbidium orchid. The wine colored center will look lovely with the wine bridesmaid dresses and wine vests. This will be one of the main flowers in the wedding. Along with these, expect to see the following:

Birds of Paradise

Dark Purple Calla Lilies

Various Tropical Greenery

Potted Palms in Memory of Loved Ones

Colors

Wine... It is a mixture of deep red and purple. It is a unique color, and it will look wonderful with all of the tropical flowers I have in mind!

Gold... It's timeless. It's gorgeous. It's classy.

All of the rich colors of fall. Deep purples, reds, oranges, and golds. With a splash of lime green to pull in the tropical flowers and create a summery feel. Ohh! I can picture it already! I cannot wait to see everything come together!!

The Venue

The Vineyard at Riverbend Chapel! It's gorgeous!

The reception hall

The property overlooks the river.

One more shot of the view.

The venue is a gorgeous estate and chapel. The chapel is filled with ceiling to floor windows. Everything is simple, but elegant. It is a very comfortable place where I am sure our guests will feel welcome and at ease!

Well, I think I will leave everything else a surprise for the big day! I just thought it would be fun to post some of the plans that I have been working on for the past three years!

I cannot wait to marry my best friend in 101 days! It will be the beginning of a wonderful marriage. I love him with all of my heart!

Best Mom Award

... And the award goes to:

MRS. DIANA PRUSIK!!

I am serious when I say that I have the world's best Mom. She is pretty amazing. She has to be one of the most selfless human beings I have ever met. She never hesitates to help someone in need, and she always places other people above herself. She is awesome.

There are so many different things I could brag about... all of her successes, everything she does to help, her talents, etc. But, I am just going to brag about her kindness and willingness to do whatever she can for her children.

Last night, after getting home from Grandpa John's funeral, I suddenly came down with the worst stomach flu I've had in a while. I lost count of how many times I threw up in a 1.5 hour period (last count was 10). My mom, of course, was worried. My fiance, too, was worried. Not a good combination. Due to the fact that Andrew has 4 tests and lots of homework in this short week, he could not make the trip down here. It was simply unrealistic to even ask that of him. But, that didn't stop him from helping.

Mom told me that if I needed her, she would be here as soon as possible. I felt too bad to ask her to drive all the way down here at such a late hour. Andrew finally made the decision that HE would call her if I didn't. I am so glad he did.

Mom arrived at my home at about 1:30... after being sick herself and spending the last three days comforting Steve. She was exhausted, but that did not stop her from coming down to care for me.

While she was here, she did the laundry, washed and put away my dishes, cleaned my disgusting bathroom, bought crackers, Sprite, and two kinds of chicken noodle soup... and slept on a bed with no sheets because I just packed them away.

Never once did she complain. She just kept saying she wasn't doing enough.

My mom truly goes above and beyond the call of duty. She is amazing- and I appreciate her so much. She is such a blessing to my life, and she is the one who holds this family together. I love her with all of my heart, and she simply does not get the recognition and appreciation she should.

In closing, I am going to say what all of my family members need to say to this extraordinary woman:

Thank you for all that you do, Mom. You are an incredible lady, and your selflessness does not go unnoticed. Even though I don't tell you often enough, I appreciate you and all that you do.

 

I LOVE YOU, MOM!!!

amazed

We said our final goodbyes today. It's always a hard day, and I often have the worst time after we leave the gravesite. This was the case again today. But, that is not what I am blogging about tonight.

I am amazed at the lack of respect society seems to have these days. I was raised by parents who pulled over and stopped when a funeral processional was driving through. It is a sign of respect, and sadly, it is something that people aren't doing anymore.

I understand that our processional was going through St. Louis and on the busiest roads- but is it necessary to cut in front of mourning family and friends? Is it necessary to "join" the processional AND put your flashers on just to get you down the road a little quicker? Is it necessary to look at the mourning family and friends with disdain AFTER cutting through the processional and whipping into the other lane before speeding by them?

The answer to all of this is NO!

When did this world become so fast paced that others cannot take a couple minutes out of their day to show respect to a family who is hurting? I know they would want others to show them respect if they were burying their loved one.

Ahh! The audacity of some people.

So, I will leave you with this thought- PLEASE show respect to a family who is hurting. Please at least slow down if you see a funeral procession going down the road. And above all, PLEASE do not cut in line, whip in front of them, or stare at them like they are ruining your day. I guarantee they are going through enough.

celebrating life

This picture means so much to me. Here I stand with all of my grandparents... two of which are no longer here with me. It is never easy to lose a grandparent... no matter how close, or how far apart you are from them.

My Grandpa John (in the tan vest) passed away last night. Although he was an onery man, and often said things that were a little distasteful, I still loved him. I have many great memories of him, and the ones I will remember the fondest are from his house in Gerald. The dock over the lake... the huge living room... the parties. It was so much fun.

He will be missed.

Today I celebrate his life- and I celebrate the lives of ALL of my grandparents. They are all very dear to me, and they have done so much for me. They have helped me grow, and they have helped shape me into the person I am today.

So, today, I am thanking my God extra for all of the love he has blessed me with.

my to-do list...

... is a mile long.

My to-do list literally fills up two notecards; yet, am I working on completing those items right now? No. What am I doing, you ask? Well, I am obviously blogging, but that is only because it's a commercial break. From what, you ask?

The Olympics. Figure skating to be precise. I absolutely adore figure skating. I find it to be truly amazing, and if I could pick one talent, it would be that. It is breathtaking, jaw-dropping, and leaves me speechless. The various pairs skating now leave me in awe.

I am afraid that these next two weeks are going to prove to be detrimental to my schoolwork as well as wedding plans...

The one creature who doesn't mind?

Little gato. Theodore is enjoying my couch time, and I must say that I am enjoying it as well!! Ok, I must go now. I am going to force myself to do homework, instead of blogging, during the commercial breaks. I can be productive... I really can.

lovely festivities

Man, oh man... For a holiday that I've sworn off, it sure has popped up a lot in my blogs lately. So, what's one more?

Andrew and I began a new tradition (well, I hope it's become one!) last year. We spend the afternoon antiquing and follow it up with a delicious dinner at Bella Italia. As you may know, our wedding is 3.5 months away, and before yesterday, I had no clue what I was going to do for "something old"... something "blue." Then, I saw it...

... the most gorgeous pearl and blue stone brooch. I had to have it. I wonder what the story is behind this brooch. I wonder if someone else wore it to their wedding to fulfill the age-old saying. I love the three circles- to me they represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and I love how they interlock- which is what mine and Andrew's lives will be doing on June 5th. I will fasten this brooch to my garter, it matches perfectly. Now... I just need to find "Something borrowed"... I think Mom can help me out there! I'm hoping for a clutch of some sort!

Andrew was also able to find an item to purchase at this local antique store. Take a look at my Valentine's Day card! He couldn't resist, and I love it!

This card is even signed on the back! We couldn't believe how vicious it was! It's my favorite Valentine's Card to date!

The day concluded with a wonderful dinner at Bella Italia where I stuffed myself so full of bread dipped in olive oil, pepper, and cheese to eat all of my dinner. Boy, was it good!!!

I really love the man God has blessed me with... and, like I've said before, I don't need a day marked on the calendar to tell him so. He truly is wonderful, and I wouldn't pick anyone else as my Valentine.

So, there... I posted for Valentine's Day. But, don't think I'm becoming a softie. I am going to leave you with the following picture. I hope it makes your stomach church like it did mine! ; ) Nothing says Valentine's Day like an ice sculpture!!

day FULL of surprises!

Not only did I receive the world's best Valentine's gift today, but Andrew came bearing gifts and UPS added to my day of fun.

Andrew went caving today... and he had to drive through Sullivan. My momma caught wind of this and put together a cheery surprise for me!

Now, now... before you start to think otherwise, this was a GET WELL bouquet... not for that sickenly sweet holiday that I do not celebrate. ; )

Along with this surprise, Andrew also had another trick up his sleeve. Earlier this week he purchased the following treasure for me!

I love my glass rose... and, it perfectly matches my living room decor!

What a good, good day this turned out to be... Now, if only I could get well!

best valentine's gift... ever.

For those of you who know me have heard my rant on Valentine's Day time and time again. Though I am no longer enraged by this overly commercialized day of love, I do not take much stock in it. If anything, I find great amusement in aisles dripping with red and pink hearts, the smell of icing and chocolate permeating the air, and guys frantically trying to live up to their significant other's expectations- and often failing. Why should they have to work so hard? Isn't showing their love throughout the year enough? Apparently not.

I get the comment "But, Abby... you have a fiance!!!" often when I turn my nose up at this sickenly sweet holiday. They just don't understand how I, the princess of a real life fairytale, could despise this holiday so much. One person who does understand me: Steve... my stepdad. He is a wonderful man in so many ways, but at this time each year, he really outshines most. For many years he bought me flowers (which I secretly loved), but last year he really outdid himself.

He found the world's best conversation hearts. They are conversation hearts for the dumped, dejected, and best of all, dysfunctional. They are perfect. With messages such as: "I don't care." "Call a shrink." "Nightmare." "Eat my dust." My life is complete... ok, that's extreme, but I look forward to this package arriving. It did today.

I have thrown myself into many coughing fits because I've laughed so hard at this perfect gift. I love having someone who not only understand me, but also fuels my fire.

Thank you, Steve!!

Popsicles, Yogurt with Granola, and Powerade.

I finally decided to peel myself off of the couch and venture to the grocery store to pick up three things:

1. Popsicles (the true motivation for leaving)
2. Yogurt with Granola (a newfound love for a self-proclaimed yogurt loather)
3. Powerade (always good when I'm sick)

I drug my mismatched self to Wal-Mart in the cold, risking the health and well-being of everyone I was about to come into contact with because of these three measely items.

I arrived at Wal-Mart, walked inside (coughing the whole way due to the frigid air), grabbed a cart, disinfected it (no sense in catching extra germs), and proceeded to pick out the items I deemed important enough to get up for.

After checking out, I thought I had made a successful Wal-Mart run. Without a list. I was proud of myself, after all, I just had to remember three items.

Much to my dismay, when I got home, I realized that my shopping trip had not been as successful as I had thought. I unpacked the following:

1. Blueberry and strawberry banana yogurt with granola
2. Powerade
3. Laundry Detergent

... WHAT?! How in the world did I replace my beloved popsicles with LAUNDRY DETERGENT? Who is their right mind would even THINK about doing laundry... and forget about popsicles?

So, I have ordered myself to take up residence on my couch for the rest of the evening. Obviously I am not well enough to do anything productive.

It's times like these I really wish I didn't live alone- and that I lived closer to my momma. She would have NEVER forgotten to purchase something that one of her children was reeeallllyyy craving when they were sick. Hopefully I get better at this before I start bringing my own into this world.

"F" for Effort

Last post: December. My, oh my! This will never do!

I can throw out a heap of excuses...

Christmas break

Christmas celebrations

Vaca to Punta Cana

2nd semester of grad school (which is the devil)

Planning a wedding

Nursing my gato back to health

... but, none of these excuses cover two months of leave from blogging. I must start up again, and I must be faithful in my endeavors.

Stay tuned... I have returned!!