RIP, Carla; TownSqaure & A Peek into my life today!

Yes, I'm a married woman now...WE DID IT!!! And it was absolutely fabulous...but, more on that later......

My 2nd cousin, Carla, died two years ago today. I remember exactly where I was when my grandma called and told me. I remember not believing her, and starting to cry. Then I remember my then-boyfriend, Colin, giving me a big hug and having a really good day because her death put things into perspective. It still does. I miss Carla very much. I wish she, and her mother, Patty, could've been at our wedding; but I think they were--no, I KNOW they were...all of our passed-on family was there; mine and Colin's. Carla and I only got closer the last two or three years of her life, but she was SO cool! I really enjoyed talking with her and getting to know her. She loved the show "Lost," one of my husband's favorite shows...perhaps that's (Carla's loving it so much) why it's tough for me to watch it. (That, at the fact that its title is so aptly put--it makes NO sense and you are LOST no matter how many times you watch it! So frustrating, but fantastic acting--truly! No disrespect to my deceased cousin, or my husband, but I just don't get it!) The last time I talked to Carla was on the Wednesday before died (she passed on a Sunday, I think) we laughed and said "I love you," and she talked about how much pain she was in and how her diabetes and heart problems were giving her trouble. So, perhaps it was a good thing that she only had to suffer a few more days after that. But, still, her death was so sudden, a definite loss and one that affected me deeply. I hope she is resting peacefully--free of any pain what so ever, with the Lord, and her mom, and is getting a kick out of seeing all of us down here try to figure out our way(s) in this crazy life! And I hope she's happy that Colin & I are happy! I love you, Carla, I miss you a lot!

So, Colin and I have been together for two years, 4 months and 10 days today....yesterday, honestly, wasn't so great. But hey, this IS a marriage and not EVERY SINGLE DAY will be candy/flowers.....we got through it, I wrote a great poem about it and all is well! I love writing! Speaking of which, I also applied for some jobs yesterday (I had to write a lot of Cover Letters) and some more today.

Then, I ran my husband's wedding band over to him at work because he forgot it today. He called freaking out about it because he said he felt "funny, naked, weird and not right," without it. Which is nice, I think. I feel the same way if/when I don't have my ring(s) on.

Anyway...we're good.

We were BEYOND BLESSED with our wedding/honeymoon! The amount of love and support that surrounded us and the beautiful weather.....it all went off without a hitch...except for getting hitched of course! LOL! He's gonna hate that I said that. Oh, well, he's not home right now and I can still say whatever I please...

The point is, we had a FABULOUS, GORGEOUS wedding and fantastic honeymoon and are settling into married life pretty easily.

Our first year of marriage will be a heck of a lot happier because we've already lived together for a while and for the most part, know what we're in for--at least with each other.

Anyway, I had a really nice today, after dropping Colin's ring off at his work (and meeting his new bosses) I went to this new place called Town Square. It's so cool. Very upscale, new-age contemporary/historic (both at once) shopping center...it's great! Tons of restraunts I want to eat at....and ALL sorts of shops; BeBe, Gap, Fossil, Juicy Corture, Ann Taylor, Crab Tree & Evelyn....a really cool new company from Canada called Fruits/Passions where everything in the store is made from natural resources. Such fun! I lost all track of time! I must say, though, the highlight of my little stroll/adventure was the Guitar Store I went into....so neat! On the outside of the building, on the storefront, they had a HUGE picture of Keith Urban...WOW! He's one good-lookin' guy...I love my husband and I may be married, but I still have eyes. Besides when he found out Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer broke up (again) oh, the jokes I heard....anyway....the picture of Keith Urban, oh, I wanted to bring it HOME! But, I didn't. He's coming to town July 18th, and I just HAVE to go....pre-sale tickets go on sale tomorrow, so when my husband comes home I'm going to do some massaging and coaxing and begging....I want to see Keith SO bad!

Anyway, the guitar shop was literally one of the COOLEST shops I have ever been in! 1000's of guitars, it was awesome...literally awesome. I had a great time. And I don't feel bad because I did end up changing the sheets today, applying for a job, cleaning the kitchen and making all the necessary phone calls. So, I had a wonderful day that was equal parts work/responsible and fun/play.

I miss my husband, though. I wish he was home. I'm such a newlywed--and you know what, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I'm so happy, so peaceful and so content being married--it's truly terrific! But, right now, I just remembered a FEW more things I need to get done before that husband of mine comes home! So, I'll try and write again soon...especially about the wedding/honeymoon--the pictures (wedding) come in a week from today--I'm SO excited! Oh, and Thank You Cards will be on their way next week!

Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful, blessed life; my husband, our marriage, our numerous family and friends, their love & support, our house, our cars, food, running water, electricity, showers and most of all, our continuing commitment and love! I owe it all to You, and please, keep Carla by your side. I think of her daily, and her mother, Patti, may they both rest in peace and continue to be our Angels!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

Couple's Survey

I saw this on a blog and thought I'd try it out. What I learned by doing this is how very much Colin and I BALANCE each other out. We're both very high strung, emotional people--in a good way and have mellowed one another in a multitude of ways! We're definitely Ying/Yang! I love that!

What are your middle names?
Elizabeth & Andrew (Our names go well together, whether you're talking about our first or middle!)

How long have you been together?
2 years, 4 months & 1 week today! (3/22/09)

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
About a week....he knew!

Who asked who out?
I don't remember exactly, I THINK Colin asked ME out, but I might have hinted at it and let him take the lead....or maybe it was the other way around...he hinted at it and I asked...I honestly don't remember. It seems like such a long time ago!

Where was your first date?
Our first official date was at a fancy Italian Restraunt called "Fiama" at the MGM Grand Casino in Vegas! Very romantic and lovely!

How old are each of you?
I'm 25, Colin is 29!

Whose siblings do/did you see the most?
Both of our sibilngs live far away, but we see his brother more than we see my sisters; in the time we've been together we've seen Ryan about ten times, my sisters once. We both wishes all of our families lived closer in proximity to us! We miss them a lot! Each other's families is one of the nicest, easiest parts of our life together, and thank God for that!

Do you have any children together?
No. Maybe someday, right now, though, we're just enjoying being newlyweds!

What about pets?
Yes, definitely. Miss Nellie Marie...an almost 15 year old short-haired gray tabby cat!

Did you go to the same school?
No, and thank god for that, we would've NOT liked each other in High School...or even a moment before we met, I think...we both had to some maturing to do before we met each other!

Are you from the same home town?
No. I'm from Reno, he's from L.A.....I'm from the biggest little city in the world, he's from one of the biggest cities in the world! Very different home towns that we're just now starting to recognize and respect!

Who is the smartest?
We're both incredibly smart people, we wouldn't have married someone who wasn't smart. I think we both have different strengths. I think I'm spiritually smarter and maybe emotionally smarter. I'm also a better writer, but he's a better, okay, he IS the singer in the family! He's smarter when it comes to history, geography, and definitely computers. We're both smart in the kitchen! I'm the better speller, he's the better seller, and neither of us is great at math but we manage!

Who is the most sensitive?
Definitely me, I wear my heart on my sleeve and feel EVERYTHING--sometimes to the point of annoyance--even to myself! Although, I must admit, I ended up with a very sensitive man. Colin can be a lot more sensitive than I give him credit for. He's definately more senstive than the average man, and I love that about him! I think we're both kindered spirits who have been through a lot and we're both very sensitive about a variety of different things--good & bad.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We don't eat out a lot, we like a certain Greek place here in Vegas, but we don't get there too often. We'll usually pick up fast food on the way to something or end up eating on the Strip when we go down there. "Our" Restraunt, though, is Fiama, where we had our first date...and The Top of the World Restraunt at the Stratosphere...but both of those are not eat at often places because they're too pricey for weekly, or even monthly, visits!

Who does the cooking?
We both do! We'll cook for each other anytime, and usually anything. We've even had arguments about WHO gets to cook on a particular night, it's not a bad arguement, I love it! Again, neither of us would've married someone that didn't know how to, and wasn't good at, cooking--especially me. I grew up in the kitchen with my mom and grandma, and am a Food Network Fantatic! I drive my husband crazy with my FoodTV fascination. But, I really feel that cooking is a life skill and I'm blessed because my husband is an excellent cook--we both are! There again, we are both great at cooking different dishes!

Who is more social?
Definitely me. I think in truth, we're both shy, but we can play it off as being very outgoing. "Outgoing" is a word that has often been used to describe me, but Colin can definately be talkative for a guy! I like that a lot! We take turns being social. I'm more apt to talk to just about anybody and I don't need to be in the "mood" to talk to people, but Colin is definitely socialable and personable--that's what makes him such a great salesman!

Who is the neat-freak?
Again, we take turns. I think he's more picky about some things than others, and I'm the same way. He's a neat freak when it comes to dishes and the kitchen...I'm a neat freak in the bedroom and bathroom! Or I try to be! LOL! In reality, we're both clutter bugs, but I think I'm a bigger one! We both enjoy a clean/tidy/picked up home though!

Who is the more stubborn one?
That's a tough one! Both of us! We're VERY, VERY stubborn and it's gotten us in a lot of hot water with each other! I think we're getting better at it, giving in when necessary, realizing what's worth fighting about and what isn't.. But in truth....the source of most of our fights has been BOTH of our unyielding stubborness. Again, we take turns...I'm more stubborn about certain things than he is, and vice-versa. We each have our issues and hot points. But in truth, I don't think you'll meet a more stubborn couple than us!

Who hogs the bed?
Colin! Definitely Colin! He especially likes to hog the covers! Between him and Nellie, I have very little room, but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way! I NEVER liked sleeping alone! I wrote a poem when I was 15 called "I don't want to sleep alone" and I thank God every night that I don't have to!

Who wakes up earlier?
Usually Colin, he likes his mornings to himself.

Who has the bigger family?
Definitely Colin. He has A LOT of cousins, I have more siblings, but I didn't grow up with them.

Do you get flowers often?
What's often? Every single Valentine's Day and Anniversary, yes....other times....twice was just beacuse...very sweet! I prefer his random massages or little notes in our journal...flowers are beautiful, but he shows his love in other ways! I love it when he helps aorund the house without being asked....and when he is a complete gentleman when we go out. He usually is, but opening my door, pulling my chair out of me...chivilary....all of that is better than flowers!

How do you spend the holidays?
Usually with his family in L.A. Two out of our 3 Christmases together have been in L.A. This past Christmas, though, we weren't able to 'go home' to either of our families in Reno or L.A.. I don't think it really was until then that we both realized that we were home, and we were with family....our own family in our own home, together!! It ended up being a great, stress-free Christmas that we both enjoyed very much! But I look forward to a family Christmas this coming year--we missed them terribly! Family is what the holidays are all about! And we're both big on family--we're fiercely loyal people and it's a trait we both love in each other!

Who is more jealous?
Colin, I can GET jealous, but he's a guy and is more apt to be jealous than me. But I don't think either of us is really jealous...thank God!

How long did it take to get serious?
About a week...we knew...well, HE knew at six weeks in, I think.

Who does/did the laundry?
We both do, but I hate it, so I usually talk him into doing at least his own, and mine too! By the way, him doing my laundry--better than any flowers on earth! :) (That's not, however, Colin, a ticket to never buy me flowers again!)

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Truthfully, our medical conditions and finances. We're not poor or hungry by any means, and we're far more blesed than others. But with me not working and him being the sole provider in our family, it's tough. Really tough. I so wish I could bring in more money or switch places with him and physically work my ass off and earn all the money...but, it is what it is and I think we're getting better at accepting our reality for what it is. I think the biggest money issue for us was/is that we come from two VERY different financial worlds and have had to really meet in the middle. Learning how to do that took A LOT of time, effort, conversation and compromiset! I think I've mellowed him financially and he's shown me the finer things in life! So it's good! And our other biggest issue is that we both have more health problems than the average person, so we kind of have to take turns with who is the "sick,one" of the day. We go up and down with our health, and try our hardest to not be "sick" at the same time. But, sometimes we are and we just managae to deal with it. But definitely, our health is our biggest issue...it takes its toll on us from time to time, and honestly, although neither of us would be with anyone else, ever, I think we secretly resent our medical conditions for taking so much time/money away from us sometimes.

Who’s better with the computer?
Definitely Colin. He's got a degree in Computer Science and sells them at work. I absolutely love having a "techie" in the house. My mom calls him the computer geek, and let's just say, I love being married to a computer geek--saves a TON of money and personal frustration! LOL!

Who drives when you are together?
Usually Colin, but I will at certain times. I prefer it when he drives because I prefer driving alone.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
I think Solvang, CA or Reno, NV....we've not been too far (travel-wise) together as a couple!

Who has the worst temper?
Colin, but let's not kid ourselves and say that I have no temper, because I do. Again, I think we take turns. I think he's more moody than I am, and is definitely getting calmer and much better at controlling his temper...thank god! My own temper has certainly come to the surface in our relationship, but yeah, I think Colin has the worst temper, but then again....I have one too! I think it stems from our stubborness!

Many Blessings,
-Sarah Liz :)