"It's going to be easy...like peeling a turtle."

Oh, how I love old Christmas movies!

For the past year, when it comes to movies, we just haven't seen eye to eye. Josh always goes for a slap-stick comedy, and although I do enjoy a little college humor every now and then, I usually prefer something with a little more of a complex storyline; a drama that lets me invest in the characters or even an action-packed thriller to keep me on the edge of my seat. In effort to stave off an hour long search on netflix trying to find a suitable compromise, we started with the claymation classics, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. We both grew up watching them, so there was no conflict here. Besides, with narration by Fred Astaire and Burl Ives, what's not to like?

...and then I decided to take a chance. I set up his DVR to record two of my favorite Bing Crosby classics; White Christmas and Holiday Inn. Cuddled up on the couch with Penny in tow, I talked him into watching one. Imagine my elation as I saw him smiling and swooning along with me to the velvety smooth crooning of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas. It was a perfect evening with my love.

The next day, I was surprised to recieve a voicemail from Josh asking me to come over for some cheese and crackers and "I thought we could watch that Holiday Inn movie". =) Now I don't know if he truly wanted to watch it, or he just knows how much I love the flick but either way, I have an amazing, handsome man who loves to see me happy. What more could a girl ask for?

I've learned many things over the past year; about relationships, Joshua, and myself. Perhaps the most important lesson I've learned...or maybe re-learned, is that even the most love-filled relationships take work...and lots of it! I've learned that I don't mind a little struggle as long as it's constructive, and I have definitely learned that sometimes I need to take a step back and trust that my Joshua has my best interest at heart. He usually does. =)

Right now, this semi-cheesy quote is my mantra of the year:

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it."

-Harvey MacKay

Happy Holidays, everyone! I'm off to enjoy my Christmas Eve!

xoxo,

V

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Songs:

"Snow" from White Christmas

"White Christmas" Bing Crosby

"Here (In Your Arms)" Hellogoodbye

'Tis The Season

...to be THANKFUL.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I spent mine with Joshua's family in the bustling metropolis of Fairbury, NE. It was great to meet his mother's side of the family. They are so different from my family in their traditions and small town upbringing, but on some level, sitting around the living room filled with collectibles and family photos, I felt very at home. In essence, a family is a group of people thrown together in life based on genetics and chance, who love each other...no matter what. His Grandparents have been married for 63 years...isn't that refreshing?

...to act impulsively.

So, I quit my job today. Actually, I gave notice at my second job that has been consuming my weekends, my social life, and my immune system. Why eliminate extra income during the holiday (read: $$$$$$$) season? I'm still trying to figure out if I regret this decision or not. To be honest, I know I can find another way to supplement my income if need be but for now, I would like to invest a little in my relationships.

The only time I spend with my family is the approximately 20 seconds (or less) it takes me to unleash my pup and shove her through the door of my parent's house. They are so kind to puppysit for me during my workdays. My little sister just turned 21 and my brother is a junior in high school. I feel that I check in less with them now than I did when I lived in Texas.

I miss my boyfriend. Don't get me wrong, I see him all the time, but we still struggle to put together enough quality time to be satisfied. Now that we both have our weekends back we can relax a little instead of having to coordinate schedules just to watch a little t.v. and fall asleep. I'm looking forward to sleeping in on Saturdays and maybe actually making it to church on Sunday instead of having to be at work by 7. It's the little things, folks.

"...what's worth the prize is always worth the fight."

I know it hurts now,

but it's just growing pains, baby.

Love is nothing if not a work in progress,

and we are far from over.

The fear is not in the falling,

but in not having a safe place to land.

Lend me trust and I will earn it,

Give your heart to me and I will merge it with mine.

Trust me love, there is no safer keeping place.

Time is slipping away from us, dear one.

Every second flies by faster than the last.

In whatever time we have,

let's make our mark.

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Songs:

"If Today Was Your Last Day" Nickelback

Antici..(SAY IT!)...pation

I know it's been awhile since I've posted on here and I guess my only real excuse is that my brain is so jumbled these days it's hard for me to sit down and try and organize my thoughts into something readable. Lame, right?

The past few weeks in a nutshell:

- I LOVE my job. Working with children, although not with

out its stresses, is what I was put on this earth to do, hands down. It fulfills me and pays the bills...that's what we call a win-win. =)

-While trying to be cute & carving our initials into a pumpkin, I sliced my finger open and triggered Joshua's phobia of small finger cuts. No stitches were required...but it was kinda funny watching him freak out. Good times.

-Josh & I attended our very first midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Halloween. I had seen the flick a few times but never in a theatre...it's a totally different experience, let me tell you. If you're easily offended..its not your scene, but it's lots of harmless fun nonetheless.

-Penny Lane the puggle is cuter (and naughtier) than ever.

-Josh landed a position he's been wanting for a long time. He was able to give notice at his current place of work today...I'll just summarize by saying this is a much needed upgrade. He deserves it. Yay!

We have been so blessed this week, it has us wondering what we did to deserve it. I think the answer is simple; God rewards patience. He is good (ALL the time!).

Welcome, Autumn. What else will you bring? I can't wait to find out.

Date Night Drama: From Bling to Breakdown

Oh, hi there! I apologize for my absence. I was working two jobs and having no social life again, silly me, forgot to blog!

Josh and I are still doing the date night thing, this time we ventured to Granite City here in town. He told me to pick my favorite restaurant, but I over-analyzed (duh) and chose GC because I thought Josh would like it. End result? Neither of us were thrilled. My wine was great but let's face it, I always think the wine is great. After dinner was finished, we decided to skip dessert and get the check.

We headed to Carmela's Bistro and Wine Bar afterwards, and I must say, Carmela's saved the evening. The atmosphere is so welcoming; definitely upscale in prices and service, but I would have been comfortable in jeans and flats. We ordered creme brulee, a bottle of bubbly, and cuddled up at a cozy corner table. Josh couldn't wipe the grin off his face, so I knew something was up.

About halfway through the delicious dessert, he held my left hand and took off the cocktail ring I was wearing. When my confused eyes met his, I could see the candle light reflecting in the tears brimming in his baby blues. Before I knew it, out of my mouth comes, "Don't do it!". He asked what I meant and I blurted, "Don't propose!". He chuckled, told me not to worry and reached into his pocket and pulled out something delicate and very shiny.

A ring with diamonds, but not a diamond ring. I loved it. He told me I have his heart. I adore him. Luckiest girl in the world.

....and then my car broke down.

Life has a way of keeping you humble, doesn't it? I seem to go from floating on clouds to bawling my eyes out in seconds, I'm very stable that way. In any matter, my car is not dead. Tauri the Taurus lives to fight another day...with a brand new water pump expertly installed by Joshua's older brother. I live a charmed life, folks. I am blessed beyond imagination and always provided for.

I have a flare for the dramatic, as evidenced by most of my posts on this blog ;-) I wish I would have handled the the car situation better instead of letting stress and thoughts of dollar signs dancing in my head overtake the happy moment I was given. All I can say is that I'm working on it, I am always learning and trying to improve myself, luckily I have a man in my life who loves me "for [my] mess", as he describes it. That's more than enough for me =)

Here are some photos from our very eventful evening out:

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Songs:

"Maybe I'm Amazed" Paul McCartney