And Elyse and Bill got married! Wow, what a fantastic weekend! Elyse looked beautiful and the day went off without a hitch.

It was quite the day, starting out early getting our hair and make up done. We then took a limo ride (my first one ever!) out to the church. We even made it on time...two points for punctuality!

"I'm getting MARE-EED!"

 Pictures followed at the church, Kiener Plaza, and Lafayette Park which were all gorgeous locations, especially Lafayette Park. I had never been there before and I loved the pretty trees and pathways. It seemed very southern and old time-y if that makes sense. Of course none of the pictures I was able to take capture that essence but they do capture the bridal party's fun.




The party bus we rode around in was freaking A-MAZING. It comfortably sat 20 people plus coolers and craziness. There may have been a few dance parties.



Have you heard of getting "Iced?" It truly is silly but we have all embraced it. Quite simply it is the act of getting an unsuspecting person to chug a Smirnoff Ice...usually on one knee. There was plenty of "Icing" going on throughout the day, Kyle even managed to "Ice" us all during his best man speech...so sly!

Best Man Iced

The groom may have iced his bride, she took it like a champ!

Finally, to the reception, which was awesome! I finally got to see the boyfriend and do some much need eating, drinking, and dancing.

Highlights of the reception included:

• Elyse being serenaded to KC and JoJo's "All My Life"

• Plenty of dancing.

• Chris catching the garter.

• Fun in the photo booth.

I'm pretty sure we might have broke out a prom pose.

Clockwise from top left: Thumbs Up, Mouths Open. Gangsta. Surprised.

Yes, that is a panda.

• Celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Bill Huber

I had so much fun and wish the best for these two. They are already off enjoying their honeymoon in Mexico. Can't wait for them to get back so we can have some newlywed fun!

The last two weeks have been odd...really busy but strangely have had huge amounts of downtime.

At work I am preparing for our last week of the 2010-2011 school year! Hot dawg it feels good to think about how it is finally here! I stayed after school on Friday prepping my room for the end and for summer school to begin...the walls are bare, the bookshelves have been purged, the clutter has been decluttered. This week is an effort in crowd control which should go well up until Thursday which is awards and field day...prayers for the weather to cooperate because 240 6th graders in the gym will cause insanity.

I have already started thinking about my classroom for next year (ha, next year, more like in three months) Pinterest has given me some really great inspiration for decor and possibly gifts. Like this crayon wreath should be cheap and easy using Dollar Store crayons, styrofoam wreath, and ribbon...I bet it will cost under $4 to make.

Of course I have started thinking about the actual teaching as well, it's kind of hard not to. I am taking two classes towards my Master's this summer so I will be at the halfway mark when we return...holla! And I currently have at least 5 days of professional development scheduled and possibly will be teaching classes as well. So while it is called summer "break" it really is far from it.




On a less professional note, this week is my best friend's wedding! Elyse and Bill will be married on Saturday in what I am sure will be one awesome day. Hopefully Bill can keep his tongue in mouth...haha!




AND...my littlest sister is graduating from high school. Ohmygoodness, I officially feel old. I remember when she was born, I remember holding her as a baby, her calling me "bissy" and watching Rugrats and Lion King on repeat. I can't believe it.

This week will be crazy for sure but definitely a happy one!

Every Sunday I think to myself, "Another new week? Already? The time is just flying by" But by about Wednesday, I am thinking, "Can't this week go any faster?"

Only three more weeks of school left...I can almost hear the Hallelujah chorus playing. There is a lot that needs to be done in the next three weeks and it doesn't seem like school should be ending already. I need to find out what team I am going to be on next year, what room I am going to be in, take everything off the walls, pack all my crap, move said crap, and then prepare for summer school. I am actually really pumped for summer school because I am teaching the incoming 6th graders all about middle school, kind of like a head start on 6th grade so they aren't so worried when August comes. I had no idea the amount of anxiety kids had about school...like I remember being nervous the first day, having a bit of a rumbly tummy but that was about it. Nowadays kids just don't go to school because they are nervous. So hopefully kids who attend this summer will figure out there is nothing to be scared of...with the exception of the cafeteria food (blegh!)

Thinking about summer gets me all excited for plans...I love making plans. And this summer I get to make HOUSE plans..everyday it seems like I come up with something else I want to do or try. Hopefully something I will complete is painting our front door, shutters, and maybe a new awning for the front of the house.

 The exterior looks ok but I am bugged by the too small awning, it really serves no purpose because it covers about 2.5 inches of space and it is down right raggedy.
 The house definitely needs a good power-washing. There are caked on bugs and dirt that gross me out every time I go in the front door. I did change one thing already...the mailbox. The previous one was red, small, and had holes in it. So during the monsoon like April we had, we had to blow dry our mail before opening. We picked up the new black one at Lowe's thanks to a gift card...even installed myself, two points for me!
 Definitely need to clean the weeds out of this areas by the front door...last time I checked there shouldn't be plants growing out of the concrete. Also all the concrete blocks need to be straightened. There are some also some at the front our property that need to be re-stacked as well. The previous owners didn't use anything to hold the blocks together so they shift pretty easily.
Another easy update will be changing out the address numbers and wood plaque. It is peeling and splintered and just overall g-ross. And it will be relatively inexpensive to replace, I priced some satin nickel numbers for about $2.50 a pop, so for around 20 bucks (including a new wood piece) I can make my address look nice and not scary.

I plan to paint the front door, shutters, and stair banister navy blue, which I think will look classic with the yellow siding. I may pull the awning down all together for awhile until I can get an updated navy blue one to match...I think it is definitely something that adds to the charm of our house (many South City houses have awnings) so I don't want to get rid of it completely.

My goodness my summer looks busy already!

The inside of the house is coming together little by little. This week, we finally got our missing dining room chair from Ashley furniture, yay! So I was able to pull the table out from the window and it to its permanent place in the middle of the dining room.

Our oven has been on the fritz and after dealing with two companies (note: never use A & E Appliance Repair, awful customer service) we figured out that we need a new thermostat...yay for home warranty! So hopefully the oven will be fixed this week and we will be able to cook something. I have lived off spaghetti, cereal, and sandwiches for the past three weeks and I am sick of it. Ready for some home cooked goodness to come out of that kitchen.

This upcoming week looks to be pretty low key, just getting ready for my girlfriend Elyse's bachelorette party, gotta find a gift and an outfit to wear. Also, I am attempting a spray tan on Friday so we will see how that goes.

My mom and sister.

Also on this Mother's Day I just want to say congratulations to be my friends Ashley and Derek who just found out they are pregnant with their first child! It is so awesome to hear and can't wait to meet the new addition to the Ling clan in December. And of course, Happy Mother's Day to my awesome momma, I don't know what I would do without her guidance, humor, and support. Love, love, love her!

One of my best pals is getting married in just 28 days. I am thrilled to take part in her big day and stand by her side. Saturday was the first of many wedding festivities to take place over the next four weeks, the bridal shower. Her maids of honor, Kathryn and Mary, did a fantastic job planning and executing a shower for Elyse that included not only her friends but both Elyse's (the bride) and Bill's (the groom) families. Getting 40+ people together is never an easy feat and they did a fantastic job. The theme was April Showers which was definitely fitting considering the 10+ inches of rain we have gotten in the past couple of weeks.

Look at some of the great details they put together.
This cake was made by Kathryn's mom, she crafted all the umbrellas and flowers out of fondant. It was an awesome centerpiece for the dessert and favor table.


We also had mini petits fours from a bakery in Florissant. Petits Fours have a special place in Elyse and many of her bridesmaid's hearts, they were a special treat in college and it was great to incorporate them into the shower. Her new surname will be Huber so that is what the "H" is for. :)

Another great idea from the groom's sister. These flower pots came with a package of flower seeds and candy. I plan on planting mine as soon as I can get some potting soil.

My camera blows but this umbrella banner was adorbs...it says Bill & Elyse. Kathryn and Mary also put different umbrellas around the house with pictures of Bill and Elyse on them from throughout their years together.


This is the bride modeling her new apron my grandma made her. It turned out that the dishes she picked out somewhat matched the fabric I chose for her apron. I heart great coincidences!

I have to admit, Elyse has pretty good looking bridal party ;) We are so excited to be a part of her day and can't wait to celebrate with her and her lucky new hubby. All in all it was a great Saturday afternoon. Now we get to look forward to rocking out on her bachelorette party in downtown STL. I feel some serious shopping coming on, a new dress, accessories, some shoes perhaps? Not to mention an outfit for the rehearsal dinner as well. Oh my pocketbook is going to hurt after this month...but I would happily spend thousands of dollars to support my friend. The countdown has begun and I can't wait!

My title makes me think of Lucas from Empire Records, "Who knows where thoughts come from? They just appear." Anywho...

Have you heard about Pinterest? Oh, I know what your thinking..."another thing to keep up with." But I tell ya this new bookmarking site is just the bee's knees. I first heard about it from Sherry over at Young House Love and then one of my fave organizing ladies over at IHeart Organizing also gave a glowing review, so I figured I should give it a peek.

And I think I'm in love.



Now more than I ever I value inspiration and the world is just filled to the brim with creative people. And Pinterest must be where they all hang out.

Here's how it works:

You see a picture of one the most delicious looking, cleverly created cakes you've ever seen, and you think to yourself, "I must remember this and not only must I remember this but I must share it and look at it all the time because it is so freakin' cool!"

I plan on making about a thousand of these. Not kidding.

 Here is where Pinterest comes in...you "pin" the picture to a variety of different boards for safe keeping. Then, people can explore your pins and vice versa, that is pretty much my favorite thing. It's almost like a Facebook for ideas and creativity.

Yes.

 You should really go check it out. Like now. Seriously. And add me as your friend.