We picked a wedding date...a year ago!

It JUST occurred to me, as I was sending an email to an engaged friend of mine, that ONE year ago today my husband and I picked our wedding date! On April 13th, 2008, Colin and I picked our wedding date! It took quite a while...and we picked one originally back in 2007 and ended up changing it! I'm glad we did, and I'm glad we waited! But I'm also just as glad we're married now! Picking a wedding date is HUGE. It's going to be your anniversary for the REST of your life--it's not to be taken lightly! Colin & I must've started a trend for the coming year because here's who's getting married next:

Colin's cousin, Kevin Jr. & his lovely lady, Carly...in two days...on Tax Day, April 15th!

Colin's best friend, Yoni & his lovely lady, Heather...in just over two months...on June 20th!

Colin's long-time friend, Michelle, and her nice guy, Brian...July 16th!

My long-time friend, Matthew, and his lovely lady, Ming...next year, January 16th, 2010.


Suffice to say, Wedding Season has arrived, my friends! I couldn't be happier for them all and I hope each of them enjoys their wedding day as much as Colin & I did! I'm looking forward to attending them all, except for Kevin & Carly, because we just couldn't afford to go and my husband couldn't get the time off. I'm sorry you guys, we love you and so wish we could be there with you too!

I also know OF the following people GETTING married this year:

My Grandma Joni's other grandughter, Casey & Jeff...they got married the day before me and my Colin did, on March 6th.

My friend Debbie's daughter, who's getting married May 24th, I think!

And here's who's gotten married since Colin & I met:

Sarah & Mike, my friends: February 3rd, 2007

Christopher & Joleen, Colin's cousins (he has a lot of cousins): May 26th, 2007

The Quintal's, our friends: September 1st, 2007

Kari and Ben, also Colin's cousins: August 16th, 2008

And of course, me and Colin...on March 7tth!!!

Amazing! Okay, enough wedding talk, I sure as heck do NOT miss the stress of planning my own! Fun, exciting, lovely and exhilirating, but man oh' man, I do NOT miss the stress of it! When they say it's one of THE 5 most stressful times of your life, they're not kidding!

In all seriousness, it's SO entirely, incredibly and unbelievably WORTH IT! I'd do it again and again and again! No doubt about it!

But, time to go clean the kitchen and apply for more jobs! Oh and apparently talk to my mother, because she's calling me right now!

Here's to wedding season--and wedded bliss all around!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

I met Debra Messing....

On my honeymoon, in an elevator...my husband and I met Debra Messing. Star of the shows 'Will & Grace,' and so it struck me right away that this could very well be THE Debra Messing who played Grace for years!

It was Sunday, March 8th and Colin & I were walking back to our car after having spent the day with my dad, step-mom and sisters! Colin and I don't get to see our family's that often, so to us, our wedding/honeymoon was another chance to catch up with them (yes, we had our own time alone, don't worry!) and when we left my dad/sisters/step-mom, I was crying SO hard my husband had to literally carry me away. It had been a long day, we had been married for just over 24 hours and I was tired, hungry, and sad (to leave my family).

Colin and I get into the elevator at Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade and go up a few floors. The doors open and in walks this GORGEOUS red-headed woman. And I thought to myself "hey, that looks kinda like Debra Messing, from Will & Grace." So I stared at her some more. She had her son with her, and I think her father; some older man that I know was not her husband. Anyway, they were talking and I kept looking at her and then it dawned on me "That is 'Grace,' from Will & Grace, should I ask her, should I not ask her?" Finally I said to myself--in my head--"Sarah, if you don't ask, you'll wonder for the rest of your life!" So I very politely said, "Excuse me, are you Debra Messing?" This woman smiled wide, shook her head and said "Yeah." And that was that. About two floors later she got out, running after her son and racing him and the older man to their car. It was so cool!

My husband and I got off at our floor and went to our car. I said "Damn, babe, that WAS Debra Messing, she sure is beautiful! TV does NOT do her justice!" He replied with a "Yeah, I know, she's hot!" Good thing I'm an understanding wife who realizes that although we're married now, we're not blind! But he's right, she was pretty hot, and I don't play for THAT team! Anyway, I laughed and said "damn, if she hadn't been with her kid I would've asked her for a picture, or an autograph or something. No, not a picture, I look like crap." I opened the car door and got in, I pulled down the visor and looked in the tiny car mirror. "Oh my God! I like HORRIBLE, Colin, just my luck...the ONE time I have a celebrity encounter, I'm not even close to looking human!" To which my husband kindly replied "She was with her son and her dad, I don't think she was looking at you, besides, you had your sunglasses on." I said "oh yeah." The truth is, that wasn't my first celebrity encounter, I've met a few country singers--but it was my first HOLLYWOOD celebrity encounter. My husband grew up in LA, so he ran into celebrities ALL the time--at one time, he worked at Enterprise Rent a Car and even picked up celebrities as clientelle. What a job! Anyway, I'm happy to report that Miss Debra Messing was incredibly kind and nonchalant. She was gracious and unassuming, and not at all acting celebrity-like. I think having kids does that to people. But, still, she was very nice and absolutely gorgeous! I mean, seriously, folks, the TV does NOT do her justice! She had very little make up on and a nice ivory pant suit. She was dressed up in a wealthy mother kind of way, not an "I'm an actress--look at me" kind of way. I don't know why I ran into her there, or what she was doing in that elevator--besides going to her car. But, still, it was cool! It's cool that I can say that on my honeymoon--I met a celebrity. And if I ever have the (fat) chance of running into another one--I'll be sure to ask for autograph--if they're not with their kids. They're people too, you know, and I feel we have to respect that. At the end of the day, they all poop and pee and take a shower just like we do. And Debra Messing was chasing after he kid (although he was well behaved) just like all the other mothers do. But, I learned a lesson in this: when you go to California, be preapred--look the part, at least presentable enough for a picture with any celebrity you might run into! I'm happy I met her, and I'm even happier that I have my husband as a witness! (Technically, he met her too!) So, here's to actors and actresses everywhere, and the everyday lives that they lead! Except for their very cool, well-paying jobs; they're really not that different than us!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

Happy Monday...Morning Walk!

Happy Monday, everyone! Oh it's SUCH a beautiful morning...I literally woke up, came downstairs, said good morning to my husband and said "I'm going for a walk!"

It was that beautiful out!

The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the trees were slightly swaying...and no I'm not trying to use cliche's....it was indeed a gorgeous Monday morning!

I don't dislike Mondays, I never have. It's Tuesdays I really don't care for. But, Mondays are not so bad.

Anyway, as I was taking a walk around my complex, I started humming "Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, the sunshine is sure shining, everything's going my way!" (I'm positive those were not the right words, but oh well) And then I stopped, looked around and said "screw it, I'm singin'"

Sure, the neighbors down the street (the one I don't live on) were looking at me strangely, probably muttering to themselves 'she's either crazy or just got laid!' But I didn't care! It's not like I was singing at the top of my lungs...but the song literally just came to me--so I went with it!

You know the phrase "dance like nobody's watching,' well, I did that too! I didn't sprint up and the down the street mind you, but I did do a little dance along while singing my little song. It was great!

I was breathing deeply, enjoying the fresh spring air, the warmth of the morning sun and the sounds and sights all around me!

I counted five airplanes flying over me and waved to each one. Not as if they could see me, but still, you never know.

I also stopped in the middle of the road (no traffic, of course) and soaked up the sunshine on my shoulders and back...then I started singing "Sunshine, on my shoulders, makes me happy," then I realized that's the only line I know from that John Denver song. But, I digress.

I laughed a little and walked back towards my house. As I turned down my own street, I picked up a pine cone and a smooth dark gray rock. It was almost slate gray, with a little redrock color thrown in! Very pretty!

Then I walked down the middle of my road...and sung a little happy jaunt about "I like walking down the middle of the road, when there are no cars, I know." (It's not like I'm stupid or careless about things!)

And the I just laughed at myself, and I looked up and thanked God for this glorious morning walk!

In a few months, at 9:30am, it will already be 98* and much too hot to enjoy such a walk. In fact, in the dead heat of summer here in Vegas we only function in the late night hours...because it's too darn hot to do anything else during the daytime! But, again, I digress.

I don't mean to sound like a crazy person, just a joyful one! The point is, we don't need special occasions to enjoy life or make time to notice the beauty around us!

Yes, I had a georgeous Easter yesterday, but this walk this morning was just as good!

It's Spring time and just a beautiful life!

This past weekend there were miracles all around: that brave Captain was freed in Somalia, and today, a passenger landed a small plane when the pilot flying it suddenly died. The other night on the news, I actually heard some more good news (what a concept, right?)...houses are selling again. Whether or not the trend continues is another story, but still...the point is that there are miracles all around us--happening each and every day....

Not the least of which is how happily married I'm finding myself these days. I feel better married than I ever did a girlfriend or fiance...no, not because it's easy or always fun, but because it's real and honest and growth-promoting--in a good way!

At the percise moment, I'm typing this blog up while sitting on the comfy couch next to my nice-smelling husband! He usually always smells good, by the way...but this morning, exceptional! We had such a great day yesterday...we started to argue and then let it go, deciding that it was Easter and a waste of time and energy...we do that a lot lately...stop the arguing before it escalates...so far marriage has made us cut the crap--it's great! We've been married a whole 37 days today, but anyhow.

All is well in my world--my family is healthy and so am I!

I'm looking for work, feeling like a part of the world!

Writing regularly, creating poetry in my head (and on paper, occasionally), just enjoying the blessings that run rampant in my life!

My life certainly isn't perfect, but it's pretty darn good right now and I'm happy!

I wanted to share my Monday morning walk because it was just such a fantastic experience! I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was the perfect way to start my day, and my week!

Right now, though, it's time to close this entry, give my husband a kiss and go start my day!

Here's to a great week that's filled with joyous occasions and beautiful experiences!

As always, thank you Lord, for the gorgeous walk this morning, the ability to hear the birds, see the sun and the trees, feel the warmth of the sun, smell my husband--good cooking--the springtime air, and everything else I can smell! And most of all, for the gift of intelligence, creativity and the knowledge of You! Please continue to bless it all! Until next time....

In Light N' Monday Morning Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

P.S. The link for today is one of my very favorite blogs, it's by a hilarious and honest woman named Alisa Bowman who gives the lowdown on REAL married life in a fresh and exhiliarating way! Take a look, it's always a great read:
www.projecthappilyeverafter.com