2008 in review

2008 was great year...here are the people that have made it that way:

Michael-my best friend in the world, you get me, you make me happy, and you love me unconditionally. Being married to you is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I never thought I could be as happy as I am, and it is all thanks to you!

Mom-after Michael you are my best friend. It is so wonderful the relationship that we have. We think alike, sound alike and shop alike. You gave me the most beautiful wedding that I could ever imagine! I miss you every day, but you did give me everything I need to go out and conquer the world...at least my part of it.

Dad-I can't believe I actually got you to dance with me at my wedding! That meant so much to me. I love you so much dad!

Luke-I never knew I could love one little person the way I love you! You are such a sweet baby, it delights me so much when your face lights up when you see me!

Nick & Christy- I miss you guys so much. Nick you chose the best sister I could ever ask for. I just wonder what she sees in you (HAHA). Christy, I love you and as far as I am concerned you are my sister!

Debbie & Joe- I love you more and more each day. Thank you for raising your son to be the man of my dreams. You are the best inlaws anyone could ask for.

Megan Birke-I don't know how I would have made it through all of my wedding emotions etc, without you. You are such a beautiful person and so are you Leigh Ann.

Tawana- You are just one of the most beautiful people alive! I love you aunt Tawana!

Maria Tibbs- You made all of my wedding dreams a reality, thank you for all of your hard work!

CIC- I never realized how much I enjoy coming to church with all of you until I moved 3hrs away. I miss everyone there.

There is a quote that we used to end our CIC new years service with and that is what I will say this year...Next year, in heaven.

I pray that everyone had as wonderful a year in 2008 as I did. My life has been so blessed with love laughter and people to share important moments with. I also pray that 2009 will be a good year for everyone that I know. May God bless you and your family in the new year.

Work Christmas Party & Extra Special date night

Wednesday morning was our work Christmas party. We had a fancy lunch with salmon, shrimp, and a bunch of other things that I don't like. We each had a secret santa gift. My secret santa got me a $10 starbucks giftcard! Just what I had been wanting (I guess that is why I put it on my list and underlined it 2x). I was also nominated for employee of the month! I didn't win, but still it is nice to know I am doing well. Then the hotel gave us our Christmas gift a $15 Walmart giftcard,

They also gave everyone a number when they came in. They drew numbers and when your number was called you got to go up to the table and pick a gift. There were some really nice gifts, like there were several 1 night stay gift certificates at various places in Indiana. I wasn't drawn early enough to get one of those, but I did get something that made last night extra special! There is a restaraunt, La Scala, that Michael had been wanting to try since we first started dating. However, this restaraunt is about $20 per person, which is a little high for us. I got a $20 gift certificate for La Scala. Which brings us to last night...

Yesterday was kind of a hard day for me. My mom was hosting the Smith family dinner last night, and I was unable to attend. I don't get to see that side of the family very often and I really missed getting to see all of them. But Michael was so adorable in trying to cheer me up. He put on a santa hat, and we danced, and sang Christmas songs, maybe that will be our new tradition!

Then, I got all dressed up, and so did Michael. We went out to La Scala and Michael had a dinner with veal and other stuff. He really loved it. I on the other hand...didn't see anything that I wanted. Well, other than dessert. We had a fantastic time at dinner and we opted for tiramisu for dessert, which happens to be my favorite of all time. Michael also was such a gentleman last night. When we first started dating he always opened doors and offered me a hand when getting out of the car. Since we have been married that hasn't been happening as much. It was really great to have a date night out and to feel so special!

Now, if you are wondering what I ate for dinner other than Tiramisu, I didn't eat dinner at La Scala. After Michael ate, and I had dessert, Michael took ME out for a special treat. I have been dying to have some Papa Johns cheestix. That is exactly what I had for dinner last night. We are an unconventional pair, but we sure do have fun!

Michael and I get to come home on Wednesday and I am off until that following Tuesday! We will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my parents and Hammond family, and then we will celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas day with the Carusos on the 26th and 27th. I have pre-planned lunch with Megan Birke, and I cannot wait to see her baby bump! We are going to church at CIC YAY!!!!!!! I can't wait!

Thanksgiving day at work...

Working on Thanksgiving, you would think that would be a major bummer, right? Well, let me tell you what I have done since I got here:

Arrived 6:50 am
Finished everything but end of shift balancing 7:30
Gobbled into the walkie talkie (4x)
Talked to my GM about cats
Watched TV
Watched the Macy's parade
Had a bacon english muffin (gotten especially for me)
Watched more tv
Talked to people on my phone
Read my book
Gobbled into the walkie talkie (again)

The time is currently 11:07am. I am halfway through my shift, and I have to say it really has not been too bad. I cannot wait to get home to see my family and friends!

Slow dancing

Michael and I love to play the card game UNO. Last night we were playing UNO on the kitchen table and Michael turned on some country music, because none of the country stations up her come in very well and I miss my country music. So when we finished playing uno, Michael and I slow danced to some of my favorite country songs. It was so sweet and borderline romantic, except for the fact that I was in my flamingo pajama pants. Sorry to the OMCs (old married couples) that now want to vomit.

Purdue v IU , shopping, birthday gift?

Today in Ross Ade Stadium there is this little football game going on. This game is against Purdue's biggest rival, Indiana. Last night a friend of mine called and told me he had a ticket that was free for my use. Even though it is currently 21 degrees in West Lafayette today, I will be braving the weather, because this is the type of game you just don't pass up! Last I heard tickets were selling for somewhere around $400, yikes! This game also marks coach Tiller's last game. Michael, who doesn't like football very much will not be going as it is too cold and he has lots of homework to complete and there was only one ticket offered. Both Indiana and Purdue are quite...hmmm how to put this nicely...terrible this year, so it really could go either way. Boiler Up!

Other excitement, yesterday I went shopping and found an amazing clearance rack at JCPenney. I bought shoes, capri pants, and shirts, all for 1.58. That is my favorite kind of shopping. Also, I got a birthday present in the mail from my good friend Julie. It is so typical Julie to be late, but it makes her all the more loveable!

I will be in town next Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun. I can't wait to see Luke (he will be 1 on Friday), go shopping with my mom at 4 am, and see my grandparents who have been quite ill here lately!

When Michael gets home...

When Michael gets home tonight I have a very special evening planned for him. We are currently trying to save money, so for right now we have to get creative for our date nights. Today I went to the library and checked out Michael's all time favorite TV show Jeeves and Wooster. I also found a coffee that is supposed to taste like Irish Creme (he loves Irish creme) for 1.00 at Target. Mix that with the fact that I have cleaned top to bottom, and gotten us a twix bar (we are watching our weight) I think tonight should be fantastic!! He will be thrilled!

Please pray for this girl!!!

Someone Michael dated in high school had a baby this week. Her baby was premature and died. I barely know her, but I would like to ask all of the people here in blog world to pray for this girl. I cannot imagine the pain she must be feeling. The baby was a girl and her name was Lillian Elisabeth.

Calling all liberals...

I have expressed my opinion on facebook. My status has stated that I don't believe in abortion. And that I was a McCain supporter. I have had a ton of liberals sending me messages, calling me ignorant, and attempting to twist bible verses so that abortion doesn't seem wrong. I am sure that the majority of the people reading this agree with me on many of these points, I know at least some do.

I understand that people are entitled to their opinions, but when they start attacking my opinion that when it gets ridiculous. I know very well that if you state your opinion you had better expect to meet some opposition, but when someone calls you ignorant for a status (that was not directed at that person) that is too much. I encourage people to think before they comment. It just makes you look silly when you get all hot and bothered by a status update. If intelligent people want to have intelligent conversations, I'm game, but I refuse to be called names or argued with when I have done nothing wrong!


On the first occasion I had written as a status "Laura is wondering when america became a socialist nation. Sorry, I don't want to pay someone else's way because you want something for nothing."

Msg 1
Just to let you know I'm a democrat with a job that pays upwards of $15 dollars per hour and have a management position lined up after graduation starting at $60,000/year. Not so lazy!!! Typical Republican response, hide the truth by taking me off your friends list!!!

**note I will not post names**

My response
"I refuse to act like a liberal and continue the arguing. I don't care what you think. You don't like my status, fine, that's why it is my status NOT yours. I will NEVER agree that Barack Obama was a good choice. But I also find it interesting that so many people that voted for him were people that don't work, and I do realize that many people do work that voted for him. It isn't about money and it never has been. Wow my husband and I will be making $120,000+, big deal! That is irrelevant! My choice is just that, my choice. Your choice is, you guessed it, yours! So congratulations on your choice. Enjoy having Obama in office.

May God bless you and your family! I will be praying for our president and our country, because we can all agree that this country needs help.


Laura Caruso (R) Indiana

On the second occassion my status and I were called ignorant. I decided that I, 1. don't really know the person well (a cousin of someone I am an acqaintance of), and 2. refuse to be called names, so I removed her as a friend. Mind you I had never even said anything to this girl, and this came out of the blue. Today when I got home this message was waiting for me.

Her message:
Yes you are. I, as well as you, have the right to vote for whoever but not the right to criticize other people! Its called class, and you obviously don't have any. You are also extremely mature...deleting me as a friend? really, are you in middle school or what? A little advice in the future, keep ignorant thoughts to youself!

My response:
You are the one that commented on MY STATUS! So why don't you keep your ignorance to yourself. Grow up. If you call me ignorant you better expect to hear about it! It is my opinion, and the reason you are no longer on my friend list, is due to the fact that you are not mature enough to respect someone's opinion. So before you go accusing someone of having no class take a look at yourself. Let the record show that you were the FIRST to criticize. You have no argument here.

Laura Caruso (R) Indiana


There were several other messages from these people calling me a variety of names, that I will not post as they are incredibly offensive. I am sad and hurt (I actually cried when McCain gave his concession speech), but the truth is the people calling names and trying to start fights aren't helping their causes. They only make themselves look worse.

I am a Republican, I believe that babies have the right to be born, I believe that marriage is for 1 man and 1 woman. I believe the truths of the bible. I believe that even though this choice of presidents is not going to help further Christ's will, our Lord and Savior is still in control. He is the best, only leader that has the capacity to truly take care of me.

I am a Republican, through thick and thin. I will vote again in four years for another Republican (hopefully Mrs. Palin!). I pray that president elect Barack Obama will be changed by God, but if he is not I take solace in the fact that Obama isn't really my leader, my heavenly father is!

I pray that God will change the hearts and minds of the people that threw their values out the window because someone told them he could create change, except we haven't been told exactly what that change is. Or because Obama told them he could fix the economy.

Liberals are God's people as much as Conservatives. Please let's treat each other with a little respect, no matter the political view.

I have disabled comments for this post, as people on sites such as this have proven to be incapable of being responsible with their words. (no one on here in particular)

Accepted!

I got accepted to Purdue!!!!

I got a job!

I have a job! After tirelessly searching for a job, I have finally found one! I start working tomorrow at the Lafayette Hampton Inn. I will be working the 7am-3pm shift every day but tomorrow when I go in at 5am!!!! This week will be training and orientation, and next week I will start working my normal hours Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs from 7-3.

Michael and I are so glad to finally have a steady source of income. My moving up here was done with the faith that God would provide for us, and he has indeed.

Please pray for me during my first few days as I am a little nervous.

Does my nephew know me?

One of my biggest fears in moving 3 hours away from home has been that Luke will not know who I am. Well Friday night was the moment of truth....

I walked down the stairs of our apartment complex to greet Nick, Christy, and Luke. As I reached the bottom of the stairs I said, "hey boy, what are you doing here?" Nick was holding him as I said this. Luke immediately looked up wiggled his little legs and held his arms out to me! He wanted ME! It really made my day to know that I am still someone that he recognizes as someone that he wants!

I have pictures and I will put them up when I get a chance!

Michael's parent's visit...Nick and Christy's visit, and my job!

It's nice to be back...at work that is! I am doing another temp job here at Purdue. I am in the same hall I was in last time, just a few floors up. The lady I worked for the first time recommended me. This is a relatively short job. I started Tuesday of this week and it ends Wed. of next week. But Michael and I are glad for the money, and I am happy to be bored somewhere other than my apartment!

I have had a sort of rough week. I hadn't been feeling well for about a week so yesterday I finally went to the doctor. The doctor confirmed what I thought was wrong with me, uti. I got my medicine and now I hopefully am on the road to recovery.

Last weekend Michael's parents came up for a visit. It was nice, a little cramped because they stayed with us, but overall enjoyable. We went hiking, and to a Mexican bakery and groceria. Michael's mom is fluent in spanish and likes to try the food too. We got several dessert items. They also bought fresh steaks from the Purdue butcher, I didn't eat any, but they got rave reviews. I did however, make the sauce for the pasta we had with the steaks. I make this really amazing (if I do say so myself) sauce. It is basically an alfredo sauce with less than 1 tablespoon of flour. I can't eat alfredo sauce at restaurants because they thicken their sauce with WAYY too much flour. I prefer to thicken mine with cheese! Anyway, Debbie and Joe have made that before, but they never like theirs. They loved mine! Joe even complimented me on getting it perfecto. YAY! I also made homemade biscotti for the weekend. It is a family recipe that Joe's mother used to make. They were a hit.

Sunday night after the Caruso's left my brother called to tell me that he was going to come up to visit if we were going to be in town. I was so thrilled! They are in fact bringing my favorite baby in the world...Mr. Luke Hammond himself! Yay! Tonight we are making bragiolle (i can't spell it) it is pronounced bra and like Angelina Jolee's last name. If I haven't explained this before this meal is thinly sliced pork loin rubbed in olive oil rolled with bread crumbs inside (another family recipe of bread crumbs) placed on a skewer and broiled. We will also be making a repeat of the same fettuccine alfredo from last weekend.

I cannot wait to see Nick, Christy, and Luke! Although I am looking forward to a weekend with just Michael and me soon!

Oh, and Go McCain Palin!

For Elizabeth

There is this lady, Elizabeth that I worked with at the Jay C store in Charlestown. She was the type of person that always took up for the person that was sick, always willing to pick up an extra shift and is just a generally great person to work for. When I left the front end at Jay C, I began to see less of her because it was rare that we were in the same place at the same time. When Michael and I got engaged I told Elizabeth, and she was one of the few people who acted like they cared!

Now let's fast forward a bit, the last few weeks that I worked there Elizabeth had not been feeling well. It turns out she had pancreatic cancer. About a month before I had given her an invitation to the wedding. She was excited and planning on coming. In fact she was the only person I really expected to come to the wedding from my work. She bought a new dress for the occassion, but didn't make it to the wedding. She was hospitalized the morning of our wedding.

I was in the Jay C store a few weeks after the wedding, and she told me what had happened. She is still working there, and is still the sweet person that I remember working with! Elizabeth has no family that I am aware of.

It was so rare to find someone working at Jay C with such a positive friendly attitude, but Elizabeth definately did! If any of you can remember her in your prayers I would appreciate it, because she is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever encountered!

Weekend with Luke & family and a political rant

This weekend Michael and I made a visit to Charlestown. We had a great time visiting (and shopping) with our parents. I'll let you guess who went shopping and who didn't :-).

The most wonderful part of the weekend was getting to spend soo much time with Luke! I miss my mom dad, nick and christy like crazy too, but not seeing luke for a month has been tough! I cannot believe how much he has grown! I saw him friday, and then he spent the night at my mom's house on Saturday night, so I got to play with him all night and starting at 4 the next morning! I can't say that I minded being up that early too much though, it is rare that I have the oppurtunity to see Luke so I feel like I really "drank it up" this weekend!

I also got to spend some time with aunt Deb! I miss her so much, and that is a little strage because I didn't really see her all that often to begin with!

Church on sunday was great! I was sad that I didn't get to see Brian, Maria, and Brooklyn but Josh delivered a great sermon! My mom and I both let Megan Birke know that I was going to be in that sunday and would love to see her (my mom and I didn't know that we both had said something to her). Megan and Chris did come to CIC, and it was so great to see her pregnant and adorable self! I have really been missing her! Even seeing her for the 10 minutes that I did was uplifting!

Now...on to another topic completely. This election makes me nervous. It has never been so important that we get someone in the oval office that really knows what is going on. I have been trying and failing thus far to get a job. We are praying dilligently and so are both of our parents. I don't think that my lack of job has much to do me, but more with the fact that the economy is in a really bad way right now. But I would also like to point out that it CANNOT ALL BE GEORGE BUSH'S FAULT!!!!! From the year of his innauguration on, he has had to make decisions that other presidents have not! 9/11/01!!

I also am having a very hard time with Barack Obama. Some of you might remember that I got to meet Obama. Well take it from someone who met the guy, I don't think that he is honest. I feel like he made SEVERAL promises that he had given little to no thought about. I don't like to be patronized, and that is how I feel every time he speaks. He has a better than you attitude that I do not appreciate.

However John McCain and Sarah Palin do not make me feel that way. Governor Palin is definitely the most down to earth politician that I have ever encountered. I also really don't think that now is the time to throw a young LIBERAL into office. Yeah, that is just what our country needs during a crisis, to elect a president who seemingly doesn't have strong moral standards! If people think the country is in trouble with a person of morals in charge, I can only imagine the country with Senator Obama in charge.

ESPM ---Extra sensory perception Mom!

Yesterday my mom called me and told me that Target had a ton of Home stuff on clearance. I was on my way to Target to get some more thank you cards, so while I was there I figured I would check out the sale. I found one of the silicone potholders that Michael and I wanted for 2.48! Michael and I had also been talking about how we really wanted a table cloth. I found one that is brown and gold and very "global" looking. I loved it, and it was cheap, so I bought it.

I called my mom when I got out of Target to see if they had any matching placemats at the one she was at. I told her that I was looking for the things to match the beautiful table cloth that I had just purchased. I said it is brown, and she said, and GOLD? As it turns out we had both purchased the same table cloth.

My mom mentions this in her blog occasionally that we like the same things, and that we really finish each other's sentences frequently. This is a classic example of things we end up doing. I had no idea she'd gotten herself the brown and gold table cloth and she had no idea that I had done the same!

Date & Debate Night

Michael rolling out the dough.

Our candle lit table.

My calzone before it went into the oven.

Dinner is served!

Yesterday morning I decided that I would begin making some tomato sauce for last night. I began making it and thinking that it would be super fun for us to make Calzones. When Michael got home from class we started making the dough for our calzones. This meal was done "Caruso style" aka homemade.

While the dough was rising, and the sauce was simmering Michael and I relaxed and watched one of my favorite tv shows.

Around 5:30 we were ready to start putting together our dinner. However, we had run out of pepperoni for his calzone. I agreed to go to the grocery store, and looked at the ad to see what else we needed. I asked Michael if it would be ok if I got some candy corn, because it was on sale. He said that would be fine.

Well I went in and picked up the candy corn and some pepperoni. I called Michael to see if a certain brand of pepperoni was ok, he said yes but sounded dissappointed with the quality. I got off the phone with him and wandered over to the deli to see if they had anything better. Well they did but it was all expensive. I went to the deli counter and saw that they had one of Michael's favorite calzone fillings, Prosciutto, it is like a very thin Italian ham. We normally don't buy it because it is $11.00lb. I put my candy corn down, and decided that I should buy him enough for a calzone.

Meanwhile, while I was at the grocery store thinking of him, he was at home thinking of a way he could make the night special for me. When I got back he had found some classical-italian restaraunt style music, and it was playing softly in the background. He had pulled out four candles and lit them, so we could have a candle light dinner.

When I showed him the Prosciutto he got excited and it was immediately worth not buying the candy corn! We had a wonderfully romantic dinner at home, and then we ventured out to watch Purdue's improvisation club. It was soo funny and free! After the show we took a stroll through campus (one of my favorite things to do).

We came back home and watched the presidential debate until I couldn't take the sound of Barack Obama's voice any longer. Then we watched the 1975 version of the Stepford Wives.

What a perfect evening!

date day? This week's activities :-)

My mom and dad came up for a fabulous weekend visit! It was so great to see them. We had a big dinner prepared for them on Saturday night, and then on Sunday we went to IHOP with them! After that the four of us went to the mall for a bit. We went to Sears so I could show my mom the winter coat that I wanted. My coats are not warm enough for West Lafayette winters! So then I showed my mom this fall jacket that I loved, but wasn't quite sure about. She bought it for me! It is so adorable! It was a great visit! I love my mom and dad so much! My mom (second to Michael) is truly the best friend I have ever had! She gets me more than anyone else!

On monday Michael came home from classes, which he finishes at 11:20 on Monday. I suggested that we go to a movie, and we did. It felt so outrageous to be at a movie at 2Pm on monday! But it was great, and a little spontaneous for us. The movie we saw was called Ghost Town. It was really really good!

I went back to the mall to actually purchase my winter coat on Tuesday. I got the coat, and got a good deal on it! When I got home Michael and I hung out for awhile, but he had to go back to class at 5PM (YUCK!).

My friend Alicia was up for the day because her boyfriend got a new puppy! So I went to meet the puppy! Adorable! I really miss having a pet, so the puppy was a treat for me.

Wednesday I did some grocery shopping, and went to the library to get some new books. Then I picked Michael up and we came home and made dinner for our friend Forrest!

I did accomplish a new baking feat. I made brownies and whipped cream from scratch! Who knew I could cook!

Today I have a hair appointment at a salon up here, that I have never been to! I am not planning on doing anything drastic, but if I do change the style, I will post a picture

Michael's Facial hair

As some of you read on my mom's blog about coming up for a visit, Michael has let his facial hair grow out. He was an unwilling participant in this photo shoot, however, I thought it necessary that the rest of the blogger world see it! I purposely did not tell my mom and dad about it, I wanted to see whether they would notice. When Michael opened the door the first thing she said was HI! Oh Michael I like your face!

Door to door sales people

When I posted the apartment pictures I explained that the reason for sign on the door. We have had so many people at our apartment complex trying to sell us magazines. It is really starting to become a pain. The other day one of the salespeople was in the complex. Michael was sitting on our couch with the front windows open, studying. The salesperson proceeded to talk through the window to Michael. Michael said thank you, I am not interested. (this was before our sign was put up) The guy told Michael through our window that he needed to get some personality. That same night we had someone come to the door. This time I answered. Yet another salesperson. He went on and on and I finally said I'm sorry but I need to finish cooking dinner and we aren't interested. This guy's name was Zach.

After that, we had enough. We printed out our sign and put it on the door. The next evening Michael got an email (sent to all purdue accounts) from the police. saying that two salespeople were scamming students and other out of credit card information, as well as money. One of the names that the police talked about was a guy named Zach.

I am really glad that we didn't 1 have the money, or 2 have the want for any of his magazines. I also felt very glad that God had given both Michael and me the common sense to refuse people when we need to!

The long awaited apartment pictures

Our Front door Apt 16!

The sign on our front door we have at least
2 salespeople a week, and they come during dinner time
wanting us to pay for their trips to Hawaii
etc, by buying a magazine.
(Note they are not children, they are college students like us)

The TV and tv stand from the front door.

Our dining room table with my birthday cake flowers on it!

The "whole apartment" view.

Living room as seen from the dining room

Again

The desk

The Bedroom

More bedroom

The bathroom

Kitchen

Hello Kitty toaster!

So, now you have seen our humble abode. We really like it here, it is nice, a little small, but perfect for the two of us!

Things I like about my new home, Things I miss about the old one!

Things I like about West Lafayette:
Michael and I have unlimited "us" time
Everything is nearby
College campuses have good deals on pizza
There are tons of places for us to ride bikes
I can buy Purdue hoodies at goodwill!!!!
Purdue football starts next weekend
There is always something to do!
The weather!

Things I miss about home
Mom and Dad
Smokey
Nick Christy and Luke
FAMILY!
Seeing people I know
closet space
Having a dishwasher
Good pizza

Everyone says it is hard and there is a looong transitional period when you get married. I have never heard a statement more true. Michael has his time frame and I have my own. We do things incredibly differently. I use margerine, he uses butter! Haha. It is really neat though to see us blending our lives together. I am starting to see both of us changing to make living together more compatible. We are even that annoying couple that finishes each other's sentences.

This week has been eventful for us. We made steak, macoroni salad, and green beans for our friend Forrest on Sunday. Michael started school on Monday, so he has been busy trying to get back into the swing of things. We are going home this weekend to visit all of the people and animals that I have missed. My birthday is next Thursday, so we are going to the Charlestown Pizza Company on Saturday night for dinner!

I got bored so I played with the text colors...

Working (haha)

So I am currently at "work". Work is in quotations because I have done nothing of note all day. I'm not complaining, if someone wants to pay me good money to sit on my bum all day, I'll take it. However it does get a bit cumbersome after 6 hours of it. For those of you who don't know I am currently temping for Kelly Services and I am at Purdue for 2.5 weeks working as a secretary for the mechanical engineering department.

Other stuff

Michael and I are thrilled that our mugs from Tawana came in this week (they had been on back order) as well as the serving bowl from some of Michael's parent's friends. YAY!

We have finally gotten pretty much everything that we need for the apartment. Michael got me signed up at the Co-rec (gym) at Purdue, so now I can go work out at my leisure. Michael and I are going out on our date night tonight, yay! I think we will end up at Arbys though, as I am pining for curly fries. We had talked about going biking tonight, but it is a rainy mess here. I'm not too disappointed, because Alicia Hedlund is in town for the weekend helping her boyfriend get moved in, and Forrest and some of our other friends are back in town again!

Quick Story
Michael and I have had an almost obsession with making sure that our apartment looks like that of an adult. One of our friends broke some glass in his apartment last year, and for the remaining six weeks of the semester he told people visiting him not to sit in a certain chair because he had broken glass. When we asked him if we could sit there yet, at least a month later he replied "No" because he had yet to take the time to clean up the broken glass.

Here's the feedback that we got about our apartment.
Alicia came by the apartment last night, so did Forrest. Both of them liked our apartment, and commented that it didn't look like a college student's apartment. Forrest said it was classy, comfortable, and inviting. Alicia commented that it looked big, and that we had used our space well and "EVERYTHING MATCHES!"

I have to say that I am proud that we have accomplished our goal and I promise I will try to have pictures of said apartment up by the end of the weekend!

Settling in

Moving in and getting settled has been a huge job for us! It is amazing to me how many things that you don't realize that you need. I feel like the entire first week that we lived here we spent the majority of our time at Target and Walmart. Now things are settling down and I am in hardcore job finding mode.

Over the weekend Michael and I came home to visit, as well as to get some legal stuff done, ie. name changed. I went to the courthouse on Friday and got a legal copy of our marriage license. I had a great lunch with Megan Birke! Then I went to the Social Security office and got part 1 of the name change done. I had a great weekend with my mom and dad. Mom and I went shopping on Saturday, and she bought me the most awesome pair of gray pants! We also got to spend lots of time with Nick, Christy, Luke, as well as Debbie and Joe.

Today I got part 2 of my name change completed, so now legally you may call me Laura Caruso!

Honeymoon Pictures

Our honeymoon on South Bass Island was amazing! The pictures got out of order a bit, but they are labeled, so you should have too much difficulty deciphering what was going on! We arrived there on Sunday evening around six. I showered and got ready to go out to dinner. Michael and I had dinner at The Brewery. MMM...good pizza! We took a walk around the town and had ice cream!

Monday we got up early with intentions of going to the monument (see pictures below) and riding bikes around the island. We made it to the memorial, but by the time we got back and changed shoes for a bike ride it looked like rain so we decided to do some shopping and wait it out. We shopped, and the weather was still iffy, so we rented a golf cart and drove around the island. We went back to the room for awhile and then we went out to a fancy dinner at the Upper Deck on the Boardwalk. We walked around some more and when we came back to Bodee's (where we stayed) the other people staying there were out on the patio, so we decided to go and talk too. I met some nice people, and one of the ladies was shocked to hear that we were there on our honeymoon. It turns out she had gone on her honeymoon there, and had never heard of anyone else coming there!

Tuesday we made the long trek back home, opened wedding gifts, and packed for our move on Wednesday! Move details and apartment pics will be forthcoming...is the suspense killing you yet?

Michael and me at dinner. I kissed him, and the
light did a funny reflection, so it looks like I'm spitting.

Waiting to get on the ferry boat to go home!

The view from the top of Perry's Peace Monument!

The view of us on top of Perry's monument! If you
look closely you can see Canada out there somewhere...

Us on the beach.

The bridal suite at Market St. Inn in Jeff
I was in love with that tub and TV!

On the way to the island!

Where we stayed on the island!
Bodee's Bungalow

Perry's Peace Monument!

Wedding Pictures!

What I have been up to...

Monday
Decorated the church with Maria
gave reception decorations to Deina
went to dinner with Fan and Ghouyu (Michael's parent's chinese friends)

Tuesday
got candelabras for the church
cut my leg on candelabras

Wednesday
Decorated church more
had a nice evening with Michael
counted coins

Thursday
got really really excited about the wedding!
Went with aunt Deb to pick up wedding flowers
Had lunch at Rockys with dad
Got some last minute shopping done

Thats what I have been up to. I am currently wound up and so excited that sleep may not come to me for awhile!

Mom's blog!

I AM GETTING MARRIED IN SEVEN DAYS!!!!!!!!!

On another not I made my mom start a blog, so when I move to West Lafayette I will be able to keep up with her daily life. Check hers out here.

RARAH!

Smokey is our family's pet cat. She is thirteen years old. Over the years she has learned some interesting tricks. When we lived at our old house she stayed in our screened in porch while we were gone, and was allowed in the house when we were home. In the screened in porch she would do a "flip" off of the step leading in to the house on command.

When we moved into our current house she took up residence in our unfinished basement when we were away, but as always was allowed into the house when we were around. We guess she didn't really like the basement because less than a month after we moved in she learned to open doors by jumping, and hitting our lever-style doorknobs.

We have taught her how to weigh herself, by saying, "let's see how much you weigh." She always obliged and was promptly rewarded with a treat.

She comes not only to her name, but also to the word TURKEY!

However, the most interesting thing that this cat has ever picked up on is this:
My mom has always called my name LAURA! when she needed me. About 3-4 years ago Smokey began to pick up on this and began yelling my name when she was hungry, upset, needed to go downstairs, or wanted attention, it sounds like this RAHHHRAAAA!!!! It is always said as an almost scream.

Michael refers to me as RARA when I say or do something silly, and now it seems as if Luke might be catching the RARA fever. I have a feeling I will be known as Aunt RARA to my nephew.

What-a-week!

Tuesday- My mom and I went to the reception hall with our chief reception hall decorators, Marlena and Deina. Michael, my mom, and I had gone to the hall about a year ago, and we loved it! Lots of open spaces, clean walls, and best of all NO SMOKING! That is relatively rare for an American Legion. Anyway, back to the present. We walked in and noticed 5 things right off the bat:
1. Bingo board on left wall
2. Bingo board on right wall
3. Bingo table in front of room
4. Smelled of smoke
5. Walls were terribly scuffed up

We were shocked to say the least! We had no idea that they were using the place as a bingo hall now! I hate the smell of smoke, so I was immediately sent into a bridezilla shock! I was nearly in tears. Then we started brainstorming how we could make the hall what I had envisioned. We have nearly everything covered, and Tawana wonderful Tawana said something today that made so much sense, she suggested that we plug in some air fresheners in the night before the wedding, so that the smell would at least be toned down for the next day. Thank goodness she said that, or I would still be freaking out.

I also got yelled at by a customer at work for something that wasn't my fault...some people!

Wednesday- I slept very little Tuesday night and when Michael called me at 6:20 this morning I knew that sleep was going to be difficult for me to find again, so I went downstairs to see if my mom was awake, she wasn't but her bed sure looked inviting, so I decided to give her bed a try, and it worked I slept until 9:30! Ahhh sleep! Then I called Megan Birke, to finalize lunch plans at Cici's. Lunch was amazing as always...Whatcha doin' next week Megan? :-)

Anyhow, my mom banned me from doing wedding stuff for the day. She told me that we were getting too stressed and that a day off was in order. So other than meeting with Brian for our final premarital counseling session today was weddingless for me!

I ordered my mom's birthday cake and shopped for her present a little bit. Michael and I went to the fair after counseling and I got the BIG BAG OF COTTON CANDY! I got my flip flops that have been pining for all summer! They came in from LL Bean today!

Tomorrow is back to weddingworld around here, but I am promising myself that I won't allow too much stress to build up! Good luck with that...

A real update

So I just posted a fun list of things that a friend sent me for "why people get married," if you need a good laugh see the post before this one.

Since last Wednesday night Michael and my parents and I have been moving things out of my room. We got my mom the new headboard that she wanted in my room, and we are in the process of moving in a new TV stand, and end tables downstairs. So tonight the house was buzzing with activity. My parents got one of those LCD tvs to replace our old, failing tv. The tv is very nice and very different. My dad got surround sound stuff for the new tv and it sounds very realistic. YAY!

Michael and I spent Saturday getting stuff ready to be moved to my parents house, which is the "staging area" for all of the things that will be going to mine and Michael's apartment. We got a lot of stuff moved over and I am very pleased with the progress that has been made. Also, we got our first big wedding gift in the mail. We registered at Dillards kind of at the last minute, so not very many people are aware of that. But we found these plates that are kinda expensive, $8 a plate, I believe, but we both fell in love with them. So, anyway, Michael's aunt and uncle from California bought us 8 dinner plates, and 8 salad plates! I love them, and I am hoping that we will get more from that set! You can see them here, because my pic would not load :-(

Anyway we are less than 3 weeks away and I am more than ready!

Reasons to get married

A Friend emailed me so reasons that people get married:


No one will ever ask you again—so, why aren’t you married yet?

You can bring into this world your future wheelchair pushers.

You no longer have to be the target audience of pet products commercials; you can join a whole new demographic group.

No one will ever try to set you up again with their awkward niece/nephew.

Your parents will only have one thing left to complain about—when are we getting some grandkids?

(10.) A marriage license is a fast track to higher limits on your credit cards.
(9.) The Bride thinks that the Groom has a "cooler" last name than she has.
(8.) You want a free bottle of cheap champagne the next time you register at a hotel.
(7.) It's the only way your boss will give you time off at work.
(6.) You want to receive lots of mail from wedding vendors.
(5.) You've won a free hour of limousine service and can't think of a better way of using it.
(4.) Grandma needs a vacation, and she only leaves her house for weddings and funerals.
Weddings are a whole lot more fun.
(3.) The Bride is tired of being laughed at wearing goofy Bridesmaid's dresses at friend's weddings,
and has decided that it's now "payback time!".
(2.) Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Mickey Rooney have been married eight times each.
You have a lot of catching up to do.
(1.) Lots of free presents!

Just what the doctor ordered

I called Megan Birke today while I was out running a few wedding errands, because I was contemplating where I would get my lunch from. I asked Megan if she was interested in having lunch, she said yes. I felt kind of silly for calling out of the blue, but I am really glad that I did. Megan is one of those people that exudes happiness, and every time I leave her company I leave with a more positive outlook on life. While I won't say that I have been unhappy lately I will admit that my stress level is slightly...elevated.

Spending a few hours with Megan ended up being just what I needed. She knows exactly the emotions and stress that I am feeling. We are both relatively young "brides" who have/had never lived away from our parents. Also, Megan and Chris got engaged only a few weeks before us, so we have kind of been going through the same things from the get go. It was a fantastic lunch and I am so thankful to have such a wonderful friend in my life.

Hammond Family Reunion

July 5th was our second annual Indiana Hammond family reunion. There is a big family reunion in New York State, but as grandma and grandpa get older it is getting harder and harder for us to all make the twelve hour trip. So we decided to keep traditions and such alive we should have a local reunion.

I had never been out to Maria and Brian's before. It is really farrr out in the country. It was really nice! There was plenty of room to roam about, a "zip line" for the kids, and a turkey in the back of Brian's parents house. I was thrilled that I got the turkey to gobble at me! I had never heard a turkey gobble. They are also really not very pretty birds.

We feasted on pork, hamburgers, and hot dogs. There were also a plethora of other side dishes. I personally enjoyed a hamburger and a chip salad.

After the family reunion we back to Michael's house to paint the hallway for Michael's parents. We also got his parent's christmas gift updated lights for the hallway, as the other lights were straight out of a 1976 horror movie, I swear!

Things that make me happy

Lately I have been finding myself happy in different ways than usual.

1. Normally I try to spend as little time as possible in our basement. There is nothing down there other than the cat pan and storage. However, Michael and I are using my basement as a sort of home base for all of the new stuff that we will be moving in just about a month. Lately I have been finding myself in the basement more and more, looking at our new "toys." I have even caught myself sitting on our plastic wrapped couch on more than one occasion.

2. Normally I am not a "neat" person. I don't mind if my room gets more than a little messy. Lately though I find myself longing for things to all be in there rightful places. This doesn't always happen, but I at least have the urge, which should make my mom very happy!

3. I want to cook, and I want to try new foods. For those of you who don't know me very well you probably don't realize that I like only a handful of foods. I have been trying to like new things, because I want to be able to cook for Michael, but also for me.

4. Response cards to the wedding are just about the most exciting things in the world! (If you didn't receive a response card, don't worry we didn't send out responses to family or people that we pretty much knew were coming.)

5. I love having a tan. I can't remember the last time I felt this good about my skin color. I know it sounds superficial, but being just a little dark makes me feel very good about myself, and I'm not really dark at all!

6. As crazy as this sounds...I like packing my things! I can't wait to be Michael's wife, so this shouldn't be as surprising as it is, but I am really enjoying packing my things and labeling them!


I don't know why these things seem so exciting to me, but I have a sneaking suspicion that my upcoming "nuptials" have something to do with all of my slight oddities!

Now on a wedding front I will fill everyone in on what wedding stuff has gotten accomplished...

We picked out our cake design.
We ordered our favors.
I chose what flowers I want to use.
I got some necessary underthings for my dress.
We have complete database of wedding address information.
Invitations are out.
Thank You cards for the shower have been completed.
I am meeting with our DJ today.

I think that covers just about everything!

Bridal Shower

Last Saturday was my bridal shower, and I had been looking forward to it for weeks. I went about last week as usual I worked Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. When I got home from work I ate some leftover Papa Johns cheese stix. I went to bed a few hours later and was rather looking forward to helping Julie (my maid of honor) get things set up at the church the next day. I woke up around 3 AM feeling very ill. I thought it was just nerves or something, but it ended up being much more than that. I ended up being sick all day on Friday with a whole gambit of wonderful symptoms that I will spare you. Anyway I ended up going to the doctor and getting a phenergen shot to stop my vomiting. I got home and slept the entire rest of the evening with a few trips downstairs for Gatorade and crackers. I was so worried that I was going to be unable to make it to my own shower!

I woke up Saturday morning feeling weak but otherwise ok. I got up and went to my shower, which was a miraculous thing in and of itself. Julie, her mom, and my mom had done a fantastic job decorating! I got tons of wonderful gifts, and Michael was really excited to come over and see my loot! We went through everything together that evening, and stored things to be moved to our apartment in August.

Me with my other Maid of honor Alicia

Carpentry part II

Our finished desk!!!

So Michael spent the entire time that I was in Panama City working on our desk for the apartment! It is so exciting that all of our projects are finished. I know that it is a little hard to tell what it looks like but it looks and feels amazing!

Currently I am working on cleaning and organizing things in my room. We finished up all of the invitations for the wedding day. We are finally starting to check things off of the list. We started our premarital counseling with Brian tonight, exciting!

Thats about it for me. :-)