it's true!

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the day has finally come. I am officially engaged! Woohoo!!! As you can see, my ring is gorgeous and I am blessed beyond belief to be marrying such a wonderful man.

Getting down to the nitty gritty, here's how it happened:
Yesterday was Mark's birthday and he'd taken the initiative to plan a little b-day celebration for himself. Feeling like a terrible girlfriend, I offered to help and was relegated to the measly tasks of making dinner reservations, decorating his house with balloons and streamers, and buying ice cream.




After dinner, we went back to Mark's house for cake and ice cream and presents. The very last present, it seemed, was for me. Mark opened the little white box to reveal a little blue box that held the sparkly, diamond-encrusted promise of our future together. In front of everyone, Mark asked if I'd marry him and of course I said yes!

We are planning for a March 15th wedding, so stay tuned for details!

fall

If you know me even remotely well, it will come as no surprise to you that I sometimes struggle with decision-making on ridiculous, trivial issues such as favorites. It's almost painful for me to pick one single, solitary thing as my absolute favorite of whatever category you choose. I don't know exactly why...but it feels confining to me in an odd way to have to narrow every option down to just one that I love more than any other. Why can't I have them all?!

One exception to this rule: my favorite season. Without a doubt, hands down, my favorite season is fall.

Fall is a glorious time of year when the temperature cools (unless you live in south Texas) and the leaves turn colors (at least they will this year since they didn't burn out in a dry summer) and spicey scents fill the air (thanks to my candle collection). It signals the fun holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving with Christmas not far behind. It just plain makes me happy.

And because it makes me happy, I like to celebrate the first day of fall with its very own party. This year, that included Mark making me a lunch of roast, potatoes, carrots, and such -- topped off with carrot cake for dessert. I loved it!

If you didn't yet celebrate, have no fear. Fall is so fabulous you can celebrate it all season long. Just grab your fall must-haves (pumpkin bread, wassail, a scarf?) and get to it.

"This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

don't worry -- i'm not tagging anyone to do this....

Myra sent this to me via email, but since I was overdue on blogging....here ya go. So thanks, Myra! :)

1. What time did you get up this morning?
The alarm first went off at 7:40...but I snoozed till 8:00

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds, without a doubt

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Rush Hour 3 -- and I don't recommend it

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Grey's Anatomy

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Whatever snacky item is in my desk drawer (see the first question for the reason why!)

6. What is your middle name?
Michelle

7. What food do you dislike?
Most veggies, especially the ones that are "really good for you"

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
The compilation discs of music from Grey's that Katie and Jeff gave me

9. What kind of car do you drive?
Nissan Sentra

10. Favorite sandwich?
The Patriot at McAlister's

11. What characteristic do you despise?
Self-absorption

12. Favorite item of clothing?
My grey "lounge pants" that are super comfy

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Somewhere with a beach!

14. What color is your bathroom?
The boring off-white the apartment chose -- snooze

15. Favorite brand of clothing?
Ann Taylor Loft, J.Crew, Banana Republic

16. Where would you retire to?
Do people really think that far ahead???

17. What was your most recent memorable birthday?
My 28th, which was the day our cruise set sail

18. Favorite sport to watch?
Spurs basketball -- GO SPURS GO!

19. Favorite saying(s)?
Sick me out
Just sayin'

20. When is your birthday?
December 17

21. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night owl all the way

22. What is your shoe size?
7

23. Pets?
None

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
I added 4 pages to my thesis last weekend

25. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Teacher

26. How are you today?
A little on the sleepy side

27. What is your favorite candy?
Kit Kat, Reese's Cup, Junior Mints, Starburst, Twizzler

28. What is your favorite flower?
Gerbera daisy

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
Sept 13 -- it's tomorrow, it's my day off, and I am going to sleep in!

30. What church do you attend?
Mac

31. What is the last thing you ate?
Starburst :)

32. Do you wish on stars?
Every once in a while

33. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Blue

34. How is the weather right now?
Partly cloudy

35. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Dad

36. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Absolutely, she's a great friend

37. Favorite soft drink?
Diet Dr. Pepper

38. Favorite restaurant(s)?
Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden, La Madeleine, Panera Bread, McAlister's....

39. Hair color?
Currently, brown with some highlights

40. Favorite day of the year?
Thanksgiving

41. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I loved my Barbie collection, my Cabbage Patch Kids, my books, and my crayons the most

42. Summer or winter?
FALL!

43. Hugs or kisses?
Both!

44. Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate...unless it's vanilla with hot fudge ;)

a funny

If you aren't in the mood to create a visual image, I suggest you come back another time. If, however, you are rip-roaring-ready-to-go.... Picture this:

I (your dear pal Tams) went to the pool (although I cannot actually swim) with a mask and snorkel and fins (actually, two pairs of fins) and dive toys (cute little squiddy looking things) to practice snorkeling (yes, at a public pool). Even better, I have done this more than once. And surprisingly, I have kinda gotten a hang of this snorkeling thing.

The lady who works at the pool was commenting Saturday night, "She's that girl who is learning how to snorkel. She's getting better. She's even diving for toys now." Does anyone else get the sense she'd been talking about me previously? :)

is this thing on?

"Life in the Fast Lane" is not only a mediocre Eagles song, but also a very apt description of my life as of late. I feel like I'm constantly accelerating, barely having time to check the side- and rear-view mirrors for cops. There's just so much to do, and so little time, and it doesn't seem likely to end. I suppose that's just part of life.

For those on "Thesis Watch," I am happy to report that I took the necessary steps to enroll in a credit hour and am also checking on requirements to apply for graduation. I found out this week that my Thesis Chair has stepped down as she's transitioning into an administrative role at the university. However, my new Chair is a former teacher of mine whom I like a lot, so I feel very blessed in this transition. Also, the official word is that I need to get my paper finished by November 1st so there is time to do oral defense, binding, etc., by December. I'm channeling my very best Engine That Could: "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...."

a quick thought

This summer has turned out slightly more crazy than I originally anticipated, and for a number reasons. But I love that no matter how exhausted I am or how frustrated I get with things or with people, I know God is at work in my life; He works in me and through me and for me, and I absolutely love that!

I may not have received physical rest this summer, but the mental and spiritual kind of rest that comes from joy and peace in Christ is a gift unto itself. Here's hoping you have had a summer of rest yourself, in whatever form your heart desires!

first and last

First Memory - I think it was when I was maybe 4 years old. I had this blue pajama set that I loved. And I remember wearing it to the babysitter's house because I absolutely did NOT want to put on "real" clothes.

First Real Kiss - Brad. It happened in my driveway.

First Love - Jay is the first boy I ever thought I really loved. Looking back, probably not.

First Concert - Wynonna Judd at the rodeo. Stop your jealousy!

First Thought In The Morning - How many times can I hit the snooze and still get to work reasonably close to on-time?

First Book You Loved - My mom says I wouldn't put down the Sesame Street Library as a 3-year-old. I really don't remember that. So I'll stick with the Babysitters Club series. I read them all!

First Question You'll Ask In Heaven - Hmmm. I might want to know how and why mosquitos came to be.

First Thought When Hearing "Vacation" - YES, PLEASE!!!

First Best Friend - We moved too much when I was little to have friends for very long. But when we moved to Victoria for my 5th-7th grade years, I got Stacy and Ivy.

Last Food You Ate - Trix, no milk.

Last CD Purchased - PraiseBaby CD collection for church.

Last Good Book You Read - NEXT by Michael Crichton.

Last Time You Cried - A few Sundays ago when Colton and Sam got baptized at church; I was super excited and happy for them!

Last "I love you" Said - To my friend Deanna

Last Funny Thing You Did - I do ridiculous things all the time and typically inspire a chuckle or two a day. No really. I do!

Last TV Show Watched - I remember the TV was on at 4 a.m. on Sunday as I was leaving for camp. But I have no idea what show was on. Probably an infomercial.

You're supposed to tag people. So Julie, Lisa, Jill, and Jaime -- YOU'RE IT!

Top 9 Excuses My Post Is Late

9. I was in the midst of typing a witty, charming piece when suddenly, out of nowhere, a freak lightning storm hit and BOOM -- it fried my computer.

8. A severe paper cut prevented me from typing.

7. Someone stole my internet.

6. I misplaced my calendar and therefore had no idea what day it was.

5. A nasty case of laryngitis put me on vocal rest.

4. I had to wash my hair.

3. If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

2. My dog ate my keyboard.

1. I've been busy watching the Spurs become the NBA Champs, working long hours in preparation for camp, seeing less-than-Oscar-worthy movies, catching up with friends, and other general merriments.

5 REASONS TO CELEBRATE!

- It's Jeff Cardwell's birthday!

- The Spurs won Game 1 against the Cavs!

- Jaime delivered Briggs Jace on Thursday!

- Dara delivered Aidan Blythe on Wednesday!

- God is good; He meets all my needs!

Sunday 7

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my pal April (June 3)!

2. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my pal Katie (June 5)!

3. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my pal Jeffrey (June 8)!

4. The Spurs are in the NBA Finals -- which, of course, is super exciting.

5. When Marilee was here visiting recently, she asked me who the point guard was for the Spurs. She assumed that when I told her I am a Spurs fan, that meant I am also a basketball efficianado. Only in my world can the two be mutually exclusive. :)

6. Work Camp starts tonight. It really is cool to see so many teens wanting to help others in need by donating their time, energy, and sweat to scraping and painting houses, building ramps, and bonding with homeowners. Have you ever noticed how service projects bring out willing workers in droves? It's kind of refreshing.

7. I ordered some books from Amazon.com and I can't wait to get started. I am trying to do more reading lately -- you know, keep the brain cells active. I'm reading Michael Crichton's NEXT right now. Full review to come!