All you Need is Love

The added bonus is when the person you love is an awesome cook. My friends and I have been eating so well recently because the hubs has been flexing his chef muscles and making us some amazing meals. We have a copy of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" that is his new bible, and I cannot complain. Not to mention, we have a slew of new cookware that makes the whole process a lot easier and more enjoyable than before. Our tiny kitchen is no long an obstacle, but a place where magic happens.

Last night we have the classic Julia Child meal of beef bourguignon. It took the hubs hours to prep it Wednesday night and it was absolutely delicious. Lucky for us, we have awesome friends willing to come share it with us, and watch Jeopardy, and reminisce about TV shows of our childhood. Do friends get better than that?

I've never been a very good cook, I do it because I have to. I am not horrible though, and I have definitely mastered the simple things, like meatball subs, fried eggs, and pasta dishes. But having someone at home who actually LOVES cooking, and just understands what herbs and spices would make a dish without reading in a recipe may be the best thing ever. I am so lucky, however, now even more lazy in the kitchen than I was before.

It's Official...

Today I survived the Social Security office and changed my name. Other than having to wait in line for longer than I would have cared to, it was a pretty painless process.

The painful process has already started though. There is SO much I have to change. My health insurance, my car insurance, my bank account, my student loans, my library card! I have a running list of all the things I'll have to change, and people keep reminding me of more. I almost considered not changing my name at all once I realized just how much there was to do. But I sucked it up :)

Wednesday, how do I Love Thee...

Let me count the ways...or just three ways...

1. America's Next Top Model started it's 15th cycle tonight. And ANTM means Wednesday nights with the girls just got that much more interesting. This cycle is much more high fashion and seems like it won't disappoint.

2. The hubs cooked dinner. I usually cook for the girls on Wednesday, but last night when discussing menu with the hubs, he had lots of good ideas and I had none, so he became the guest chef. And delivered a most fantastic meal.

3. I decided on my name. We did NOT, however, get our marriage license in the mail yet, so I still can't officially change it, but I have decided on what to change it to. After a lot of thought, and writing out all the options multiple times, I'm going the more tradition route. I love the name I was given by my parents. They chose my first and middle name to go together, and last names just happen (no one really picks that for us). So now I have a new last name that I also didn't pick, but the important stuff is all still intact. Mrs. First Middle new-last.

...like I said before, I just really like Wednesday. It once proved itself wonderful. Not to mention, September is definitely here and the cool air is coming. I couldn't be happier!

What's in a Name...

I don't know what to change my name to. Some people may think this is ridiculous, but I really don't know what to do.

To clarify, I will be taking the hubs' last name. There was never a question about that, and obviously I'm going to keep my first name the same. But what to do with the middle? Do I just go the traditional route and drop my last name completely, becoming mrs. first given-middle new-last? Or do lose the given middle and become mrs.first maiden new-last? OR do I go all out and become mrs. first given-middle maiden new-last?

It probably shouldn't be such an issue, but I really can't decide which to be. I like the name I've had all these years, and am reasonably attached to it, but at the same time, I'm married and very much want to take my husband's last name. So where is the compromise? I don't like the hyphens, so it's just a matter of me making up my mind.

Luckily, we haven't gotten our certified marriage license yet, so I don't have decide for another day or two...

Who Invited Earl?

I am so glad my wedding is not tomorrow. All those brides and all their planning ruined by a stupid Hurricane. I would be so annoyed. It's not just that it's going to rain on your wedding day, but it's going to be raining and windy, and your guests may have to evacuate. Sounds so romantic.

We will feel the effects of Earl up here on our honeymoon, but it's nothing we can't handle. We're just getting a little extra rain and wind. It is also making the waves SO amazing. We've been hitting the beach and boogie boarding. Turns out, I'm an awesome boogie boarder.

Today is our last full day on vacation. I love being on vacation. I'm not ready to head back to city life or to work. We are going to the Sox game on Sunday, so that is something to look forward to, but it's hard to want to leave the ocean!

Newly Wed

I am a married woman. Saturday was absolutely wonderful, and we successfully tied the knot. The day was not without a hitch, but the hitches were so small, no one really minded.

I loved everything about the day. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, but not a cloud in the sky. My dress and my hair were perfect. I left the decorations and flowers to the hubs and the uncle, and they totally came through. Everything I had envisioned for the day came to fruition and even more.

I started crying when my dad came to find me, and didn't stop the whole way down the isle. I was super nervous and had sweaty palms, but it was wonderful. The service, performed by a long time family friend of the hubs, was short and sweet. He said some beautiful things, and read "Union" by Robert Fulghum.

The food was great, and the keg of Octoberfest was a huge hit. We had wedding pie, and the hub's aunt made her famous doughnuts for us. The major hitch was the loss in the sound system, but we just pulled a suburban over to the tent, hooked up the iPod, and danced anyway. It was the absolutely perfect night, and I couldn't have been happier with how it all turned out.

Now we're in Maine, relaxing away. We went to the beach today and played in the awesome waves, thanks to Hurricane Earl. We went for a run, but the 94 degree weather prevented us from being out too long. It feels great to just sit back and enjoy being married. We've been surprised by champagne and flowers already, and I'm excited for the rest of the week.

I'm so happy and so in love. And if I had only remembered to have my sister check the mail for us this week, I'd have nothing to worry about.

T-Minus Four Days...

Wedding week is finally here. I've got so much to do that I can hardly focus, yet I feel oddly relaxed and ready. Our "To Do" list is short, and most of it couldn't have been done before this week anyway (like laundry and packing). It feels like maybe life should be more chaotic at this point, but I enjoy that it's not.

Tomorrow the hubs-to-be heads up to Vermont, and my bridesmaids arrive in the city. He's going to be there to greet his family, who all arrive tomorrow as well, and I'm going to party like it's my last night as a bachelorette. It's so weird to think that a whole year of planning has going into this. Saturday will be here and gone before we know it, and I'll forever be a Mrs. I'm so excited for all of it!

Things have just over all been going well. I was patient and it paid off. We'll see what happens next, but for now I'm going to enjoy the company of my best friends, party hard (but like a lady. I don't dance on bars or enjoy penis paraphernalia), and take a vacation! :D