Welcome Back Lauren!

Since Lauren has once decided to begin blogging again, I figured it was a good time for me to start again. (although we both know my posts will be few and far in between)

I am in my second to last semester in school and cannot wait for it to be over so I that I can finally begin my life. I hate that I MUST attend school the entire morning and part of the afternoon and then rush to work for the rest of the evening. This happens five days a week and leaves me very little time to do things for myself.

With that said, I recently had a friend suggest that I create a Thirty before Thirty list. I have mingled with this idea in my head for the past few weeks, but have failed to put them on paper and have probably already forgotten some. So in attempt to NOT forget I am going to place them here, where even if my computer explodes (from all the porn sites I visit, j/k), they will be salvageable.

30 before Thirty Agenda (in no particular order)

1. Run a Marathon (done)
2. Climb the Big Willy or also known as the Sears Tower
3. Qualify for the Boston Marathon
4. Complete a Century Ride
5. Become a Professional
6. Obtain a Motorcycle License & Motorcycle
7. Attain a Bachelors Degree
8. Complete a Triathlon

To be Continued..............

(told you I forgot them!)

Summer 2010

I wish I was better at finding time to blog, but I just don't. So until I figure out it, expect random blogs with month intermissions.

Michael and I are pretty much settled into the Buckingham. We still have a list of desireable changes we would like to make, but for now, we are content.

We recently had our engagement/house-warming party, even though it was 6 months after the engagement and 10 months after the purchase of the Buckingham, we finally had it. It was a great success and loved all the support and gifts we recieved from our family and friends.

Our next step is to finally start the planning process of the wedding. This will all begin by the end of this week, when I arrive in Puerto Rico. We have some great resorts picked out and I cannot wait to go out there and check them out.

That is all for now. I will return in a month or so. Hopefully in full force of my first steps into being a bridezilla. Wish me luck!!

Commitment

After a hectic semester of school & a chaotic string of holiday events, Michael and I finally found that Christmas Eve was the only day we had no commitments to anyone but each other. We set that day aside and decided it would be our day to spend a Mary Michael Christmas and our first Christmas at the Buckingham. After a call to Wildfire for some carry-out and a bottle of wine, we popped in Four Christmases and exchanged gifts. I was surprise with a French Press, New North Face, & Super Mario Bros. for Wii. When the movie was finished I opted that we talk a walk in the freezing cold snow and sleet with Wrigley to check out the neighbors Christmas decorations. As we returned to the Buckingham and scaled the icy stairs, Michael kneeled down and asked the question ever girl dreams off.


That is Correct. I am engaged!! :)

eeeeEEEEeee!!!!!!!

Oh Christmas Tree

As promised, here are some pictures of mine and Michael's first Christmas tree at the Buckingham.

Tis the Season

Since this will be our first Christmas in the Buckingham, We decided to begin a new tradition of cutting and displaying a Christmas tree that we picked and cut with our very own hands. This was determined after hours of research concerning which was better for the environment, an artificial tree or real one. While something didn't feel right about cutting down mother nature, every article points to a real christmas tree being the greener choice. That is because artifical trees are made of non-biogradeable materials that fill up landfills and if burned produces toxic fumes. This lead us to the 35 acres of IDE Christmas Tree Farm's in Downers Grove. After a half hour stroll through the trees we eventually wandered up on a tree that both Michael and I immediately fell in love with. Michael did most of the cutting, but I did manage to help some....AND at the very end, after the our tree was completely untied from mother earth, Michael ends up nicking his hand with the saw, creating a scene that belongs in a horror film.






The tree is now in our living room fully decorated. Pictures will be posted soon.

The Buckingham

After a roller coaster of a ride to close on the Hawthorne house and it not working out, we soon discovered The Buckingham. The Buckingham was everything the Hawthorne wasn't. It had amazing owners who loved their house and took great care of it. When these owners saw Michael and I, it reminded them of their selves, just fifty years prior when they to were searching for their ideal home. And because they adored Michael and I, they went out of their way to make sure this deal happened. That was at the end of July, now just five months later we are absolutely enjoying every minute of home ownership.

Welcome!