As I mentioned a few days ago, I was asked by a representative of ColumbusParent.com, if I’d consider becoming a Bride to Be blogger for them! I was completely excited over the idea and secretly hoping it would renew my blogging spirit. I happily agreed and now it seems my blog is going to turn into wedding planning central. I feel that I’ve burned myself out on my original work topic and to be honest, I work all day every day and when I come home at night, the last thing I want to do is talk/write more about it. I’m really excited to begin a new chapter. So here we go… 

I always told everyone that when I eventually got engaged, I would be totally fine with a 2 year engagement. Spend the first year enjoying each other’s company and reveling in blissful and then worry about the planning the next year. Well of course, the minute the ring was on my finger all I wanted to do was try on dresses, set a date, and plan plan plan! I was, however, comfortable with our plan of setting our date for New Year’s Eve 2010. Then I found out my stepsister got engaged 5 days after me to a guy she’s been dating for 6 weeks and she is considering planning her wedding for Summer/Fall 2010. Was I irritated? Yes. I don’t do the whole competition thing… So it got me thinking- I don’t really want to wait for 2 years to get married anyway. I was ready to plan NOW. I’ve been with Fiance, who I believe is now worthy of being called by his real name- Christopher- for 6 years. I’m ready to get married. We’re happy, stable, and have an amazing relationship. He’s my best friend and the person I trust more than anyone in the world. He knows me inside and out and vice versa. We want to get married and we don’t want to wait 2 years. 

But there’s a problem. 

Weddings aren’t cheap. So when we decided to move the date up by a year and get married New Years Eve 2009, it dawned on us that it might not be as easy as we’d hoped. Finding a few thousand dollars for deposits on things like venues, musicians, a dress, etc. isn’t exactly an easy feat… especially after factoring in recently purchasing a house and the economy just generally being in the crapper. The parents want to help but at the moment aren’t in a position to. Immediately we our next idea was to take out a loan. But after researching our options only to discover that the only loan even remotely feasible was a home equity line- we gave up. It’s not worth it. It ultimately came down to this- have a wedding half the caliber of what we want but the satisfaction of moving the date up… or we can keep our original date and have the wedding of our dreams. Hmmm… gee tough decision. I have full confidence that we will get married. We are happy and in love and if I have to wait an extra year to throw the party of a lifetime– then New Year’s Eve 2010 it is. And if by chance nothing gets better and I’m forced to get married in a tiny backyard in the dead of winter wearing a dress from the Salvation Army- it will still be the best day of my life, because I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with this incredible person. And anyway, at least my Scarlet Letter has officially been removed! 

“Hunny, I’ve been researching for days on where I could take you for vacation as a surprise for your birthday. But the only thing I found that’s even remotely feasible is Napa, CA and I can’t make these kinds of decisions without running them past you first,” I ranted to Boyfriend. “So… happy birthday! You’re getting a food dehydrator instead.” 
“Well, did you find anything like… coming up soon?” He asked cryptically. 

Internal monologue- we’re totally getting engaged. Holy shit! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG.

Then we began packing. He packed everything in front of me. Not one slightly out of place move. Then when his bag got searched at the airport and he didn’t flinch- my heart sank. It’s not happening. WTF?! But I thought… No Meg. It’s fine. You’re in love, everything is great, it will happen when it happens. You’re going on a vacation to an amazing location and you’re going to have an amazing time. 

And an amazing time it was. We were drinking wine, going to fabulous restaurants, and completely and totally blissfully happy. Engagement or not, It was the stuff cheesy romantic comedies are made of. Cue the sappy music and dovey eyes. Even in the rainy, chilly Northern California weather. 

On Friday the 13th, we woke up really early, still jet-lagged, and taking advantage of the beautifully sunny morning, we decided to go for a hike at a wilderness park just up the street from our hotel- Boyfriend’s idea clearly. If you knew him, you’d know this is a fairly typical activity for him to want to do. We start climbing the muddy trail. Boyfriend in nice shoes and myself in ballet flats, ready for a day touring vineyards and drinking wine, not just hiking up a mountain at 8 a.m.

With all ideas of seeing Boyfriend down on one knee completely out of my head, we kept hiking. The views were unbelievable. I was on a mission to see some wild pigs or mountain lions, which we were warned ran around the park but were seldom seen. Eventually, we get to apoint where we were tired, caffeine deprived and very high up the trail. Taking in the view, I snapped a few pictures on my iPhone and tried posting them to Twitter. Boyfriend asked me what I was doing and I told him and he waited patiently. It was so peaceful and quiet so I figured he was just taking in the moment. I put my phone away and asked him if he was ready to start our trek back down and find some coffee. He said yes, but stalled.”Before we go… this is probably the only time we’ll be alone the whole trip and I just can’t wait…” he got down on one knee on top of that muddy mountain and pulled out the most gorgeous ring I could have ever imagined tied to a scarlet ribbon. He said a few more things that I tried my hardest to listen to through pure shock and tears and he asked me with the largest grin on his face that I’d ever seen him have- if I’d marry him.

It was perfect. Everything. I put the amazing ring on my finger and hugged Fiance (ha!) for as long as it took both of us to stop shaking! We set the camera up on the rocks and took some pictures. I called my immediate family- who all knew already of course because he’d made a special trip home to ask them. (Yes, he really is that perfect.) And then we celebrated all day. Free champagne, free wine tastings, free reserve pours, free chocolate- everyone wanted to celebrate with us! I got a little drunk due to all the generous pours, called the rest of my family, a few friends, and even some of Fiance’s long lost friends too- Ahh the drunk dial when you’re also high on love and diamonds! Napa is the greatest place EVER to get engaged- seriously– it’s highly recommended. And by far the most incredible, romantic, wonderful, amazing, beautiful vacation I could have ever hoped for. 

I promise a new update tonight my lovely readers. However- I’m amazed at how my site hits have jumped astronomically since I haven’t posted in forever. Nothing like a little controversy to make the stats jump! Thanks, guys! Twitter rocks!

A heads up as well– I may have a new blogging gig! Here’s hoping I’ll be a bit more motivated to post than I am on this one! I’ll be sure let you all know the website if/when it becomes official. However if you’re DYING to know now… I’ll give you a juicy hint and an insight to what’s been up lately… I’ve been invited to write as a Bride to Be Blogger…. that’s right- I’m engaged!

More details later. I’ll even post pictures! It was the most romantic, wonderful, amazing day of my life and currently everything is only getting better. I can’t wait to tell you all more!

I have found a new love for two shows: “WifeSwap” and “Trading Spouses.” I am aware that the people they pick for these shows are purposely fucked up or just weird in general to create the type of drama and tension needed to keep the show interesting, but seriously… SERIOUSLY!? Some of the women on these shows make my XX chromosomes shudder with sadness. Some are just plan freakin nuts! The men are generally misogynistic assholes and all around pieces of shit. Currently I’m watching a Kentucky woman, whose mission in life is to keep a clean house and wait hand and foot on everyone around her including her huntin’, fishin’, “I’m the man” dirty ass husband (heavy southern accent included), swap lives with a woman who refuses to lift a hand around the house and has 4 kids but hates children and when asked why she had them, she said “Because I liked sex.” Niiiice.

You can find everything from carnies to massive organizers, pirate families to crazy Christian zealots, hippies to magicians, a Real Housewife of Orange County to the people who ate Clyde (you just had to see it). 

These shows are probably the best self esteem booster you could ever hope for. These are shows that make me feel more normal than I could ever imagine.

Now enjoy the below clip of one of the biggest meltdowns I have ever witnessed in the history of reality television. This woman makes the Real World gang look like a mood suppressant filled version of the Cleavers. 

Hi Everyone,

I know I know. I deserve to be flogged for my treatment of this blog in almost 2 months. I’ve just been enjoying my silence. There really is nothing to report. Playing with pups, watching snowfall, preparing for my 24th birthday (terrifying), keeping warm under the covers with Boyfriend, painting and cleaning house. Very normal. 

There are rants I’d love to post on bad days, but sometimes things are better left unsaid. I’m still reading everyone’s blogs even if I’m not commenting! I promise I’ll start again. I seem to keep saying that. But I do intend to keep the promise. 

Anyway, just wanted you all to know I’m alive and extremely well. I can’t seem to think of a time that I’ve ever been happier. Even my friends are commenting that my usual quippy sarcastic self is losing its edge. I can’t say I’m sad to see it go. I’ll always be a smart-ass, but now I’m just a happy smart-ass. 

Anyway, I’m going to go paint our dining room, play with Peeing Dogs #1 and #2, and watch the snow fall in large fluffy flakes. 

I hope you are all doing well and I’m sorry for being such a slacker! However just look at these pictures and tell me you blame me! Now fill me in on your lives- what have you all been up to?