Magician

I should be a magician because I have a pretty awesome disappearing act. Okay that joke was totally lame awesome! But seriously, it's been a while. Why, you ask? I'll tell you why. Because I didn't feel like blogging about my hair being pulled out and the tears coming down my face. Oh, and the yelling. Wedding planning is not a pretty sight. At least for this girl. We were thrown a wrench (luckily early in the planning) but it made us switch up everything.

Here's what went down:

June in a Tennessee valley = HOT. If it's going to be anything like this summer, the pictures wouldn't be pretty because we'd all be drenched in sweat. I'm pretty sure the guests wouldn't even want to move because they'd be cooking like eggs and bacon (ew, bacon.) We came to the conclusion that we needed to have an indoor/outdoor reception venue. 

Here's your challenge: Try and find a place with a big enough indoor facility to seat everyone in one room (~130 guests) but with enough mingling/dancing space outside, in the Sewanee community that fits our budget. GO.

Any luck? Yeah, me either.

We found lots of different options that at first look seemed perfect. Then it came to either price ($3,000 for a barn rental? Really? And all you're going to do is hose it down? AND I have to rent toilets? AND there's no AC in the barn? Yeah... uh no.)

So, finally we decided it was time to look outside of the Sewanee community and we found a place where my parents live AND we got a super amazing deal. Can't complain about that, right? Plus the Catholic church is within walking distance! I think we hit the jackpot here.

So now that I have less hair and rehydrated myself from all the water loss from crying, we can start back up with the planning.

The next step? CAKE tasting! My favorite! :)

Vegas Baby!

"How 'bout that ride in? I guess that's why they call it Sin City! heh"

[via]

A Las Vegas wedding has been the topic of discussion recently in the Mulcahy-Stephens household. While I'm hoping it is all in a joking manner, the thought is becoming more and more appealing.

That girl is one lucky lady! [via]

I mean, who wouldn't want to get married by Elvis? We can walk around in our wedding apparel taking pictures with all of the tourists instead of hiring a professional photographer (whoops, too late. She can follow us around and take the pictures.) Plus, if I continue to hang out in my wedding dress, I'm almost certain people will just hand me money to say congratulations. We can even stick with our baseball theme and invite Pete Rose!

We're bffl's

Plus, we can have three parties to celebrate - one in Texas, one in Tennessee, and one in Virginia. No one would have to travel far (apart from Cydnea who doesn't live in any of those states!) No need for a silly expensive tent or tables or anything! Brilliant!

Okay okay. The gig's up. If you know anything about me you know that I would never get married in Vegas. Even if it were something elegant at the Bellagio or Caesar's Palace. 

With that being said, it is officially one year, one month away from our Catholic church and [hopefully] backyard reception. Sorry, Vegas. Sorry, Dad. [Or really, sorry Dad's wallet.]

Walking in Memphis

I know, I know. It's been a while. I apologize, but there are reasons! I have been so busy the past few weeks that I haven't been able to blog. Here's what I've been up to:

• Two weekends ago, Marshall and I went to Memphis to visit his brother and his brother's girlfriend. 
• I had a job fair on Friday where I met a lot of potential school districts in the area
• Said job fair led me to have an interview the following Tuesday.
• Said interview led me to teach a lesson the next day.
• Said lesson got me a recommendation to be hired as a 3rd grade teacher pending board approval.
• Said recommendation got me board approval which in turn means I am officially a hired teacher!

There is probably no greater feeling than actually seeing your dreams come true right before your eyes. Except maybe seeing how happy your family and closest friends get seeing you fulfill your dreams. My mom started to cry after she found out. My dad cheered with excitement. My sister, Erin, sent me a congratulatory text and has been trying to Facetime me (again... so busy!) My other sister, Jen, made a Facebook status saying how proud she was of me. Marshall took me out to eat with some friends and bought me a congratulatory drink. My friends came to dinner just to celebrate (and continued to text each day to see how my interview, lesson and board approval went). My best friend Cydnea text me saying she can't believe she found out through Facebook and that her level of excitement was just as much as it was the day I got engaged. I think it's pretty safe to say that I have the best family and friends ever.

Now, back to Memphis. This was going to get it's own blog post but life (read: Getting a teaching job) got in the way. So, here's the abbreviated version:

We took turns driving the 6.5 hours it took to drive to Memphis. When I wasn't driving, this was what I was doing: [Video debut!]

Clearly, it's easy to see why he loves me.

After we got to Memphis and checked into our hotel, we met up with Marshall's brother, Tommy, and his girlfriend, Abby. [Unfortunately, I never got a picture of all of us.] We went out and saw the beauty of Beale Street.

My cell phone camera sucks. I apologize. [Seriously, I'm a good picture taker. It's my camera.]

Lots of people!

After a drink, we went back to the hotel and went to sleep and woke up early the next morning to take our own walking tour of the Mississippi. Because there was a concert, it was hard to see the actual river (we were up higher and there was a fence blocking you from seeing the concert without paying). We then had brunch, a nap, a few drinks and finally went down to the concert.

While watching Childish Gambino

At sunset we walked over to the Mississippi and just sat while listening to some music. It was beautiful!

Mississippi Bridge

After the concert, we walked around some and eventually called it a night. We had a lot of fun in Memphis and were happy to get the opportunity to see Tommy and Abby!

Update on the wedding front:

NOTHING. Hopefully, you read about our issues with rentals and saw that everything was super expensive. We have since decided to look at venues to see if we can do a cost comparison. I found one place I really like but really need to figure out costs before I go any further.

We are, however, planning our engagement pictures. Marshall and I have decided on an idea (I can't tell you! It's a surprise!) and we will probably take them in September when it's cooled off a bit.

We also realized it's mid-May and we're still chub-a-lubs so we started running again. SKINNY KIDS HERE WE COME! We shall be fit by September! And fitter come June 2013!

This post wasn't very funny so here:

What do you call a cow with no legs?

wait for it...

Ground beef! 

Surprise!

You guys may want to sit down for this. I mean really, it's something that is going to be a bit shocking to you. Sitting? Ok great. (Although, if you are on the computer while standing up, you are strange. Just saying...)

I finally made the phone calls that I had intended to make right after my parents were here. Yes. My parents were here in February. It is now the end of April. Regardless of how long it took me to get it done, it still got done, right!? Yay me!

But seriously... WHY ARE WEDDINGS SO EXPENSIVE?! People are just monopolizing on other peoples' happiness and excitement. Rude. In the words of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, "I object!" [Yes I did just quote Legally Blonde and no you can not judge me because we all know you secretly love that movie as well. Just stop denying it.] The worst part is that since we are getting married in a small town, there aren't a lot of options for rentals. So unless I take some sheets out there like I was a kid making a fort, I'm going to have to pay the money. [The fort is looking more and more appealing.] Unless anyone wants to lend us one of these:

[from]

Or some of these:

[from]

Great, thanks :)

On a happier note, I received an e-mail saying that my dress has arrived! My friend Racheal and I are going to drive down to Houston on Sunday to go pick up my dress and veil. I am so excited to just put it on again! I ordered it a size larger than what I tried on at the store just in case of weight fluctuation [did I ever tell you I worry a lot?] You can always take something in but you can't take it out! The hardest part about it will be hiding it from Marshall. I have no doubt that Marshall will not peek but it's more me hiding it from him that will be the challenge.

Oh and by the way... 422 days until the wedding. Just in case you WEREN'T counting (I know, nonsense. Everyone is counting down the days.)

This and that

Few things on my mind:

1.) Filling out applications stink. Especially when you've already filled out all of them before and none of them are online applications. Needless to say, my hand hurts. A lot. *Oh the things we do for a teaching job* I'm in the process of applying to 12 different school districts/schools. One of them HAS to hire me, right? RIGHT?! Please say yes. There's only so much "I'm sorry your carrier sucks at life. I'll give you credit for the past two weeks you've missed" that I can handle. I NEED a teaching job.

I work hard for the [potential] money!

I can't help but think that I'm a better candidate than others simply because I am certified to teach in two states. Sometimes I just want to say to the other applicants, "Well, can YOU teach in someplace other than Texas? No? Oh, that's a shame. Because I can." Maybe that will instill some fear into them thus making their interview not go well and giving me another advantage. But alas, it doesn't work that way.

The applications themselves are pretty easy. The best part is that they all follow the same format or are the same application just with a different school district. The worst part is that they all follow the same format or are the same application just with a different school district. It gets so tedious to fill out the same stuff over and over and over again. But the end result is quite nice if all goes well!

2.) I have been reading my friend Katie's blog about makeup. If you know me at all, you know I've never been a huge girly girl. In high school, I only wore powdered foundation. It wasn't until college that I discovered eye liner (now, I feel naked without it.) So, I feel as if I'm moving up in life because I now wear makeup regularly. I would love to be able to experiment more with makeup but I have two dilemmas. One, makeup can be so expensive and it adds up quickly! Two, I enjoy sleep way too much in the morning to wake up earlier to do more makeup. See what I mean? It's definitely a dilemma. Until I solve my issues (well, this one at least) I will continue to read Katie's blog and live vicariously through her. (You should, too! Read it, not live vicariously through her. That's creepy especially if you don't know her.)

3.) Marshall and I became parents to two grown-up kitties yesterday. For the first time, we decided to let the cats outside by themselves. As soon as we opened the door, the cats ran out. We closed the door and ran to the window and watched them. Eventually, we moved outside and sat on the patio and watched them closer. I felt like a parent to a teenage daughter who just went out on her first date and I couldn't leave her alone. Although, it was quite a good feeling when you open the door and yell their names and they come running in as if they've missed you terribly (or that it started raining and it was dinner time.)

4.) Last, but not least, what this blog originally started with: wedding planning. I have been working on our guest list and much like teaching applications, it's a very tedious process. They have sheets to tell you who you should or shouldn't invite to your wedding. Who should be put on the A list or the B list. If it were up to me and money was not an object, everyone would be able to come. Then, with us getting married in Tennessee and living in Texas and being from Virginia, there is a lot of travel. If you invite 200 people, how many of them will be willing to travel? If you invite more thinking many will decline, what happens if more people decide to come? Any married or engaged friends have any insight? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Phew. Long blog. Now it's time to get into wedding shape (HA!) by playing Wii Zumba.

Headliners

Last week, I talked about our first softball game. Unfortunately, it got rained out so last night was our first official game. Marshall was pumped. He couldn't sit still at work or eat dinner! I, on the other hand, took the nervous approach. I couldn't stop shaking my leg or playing with my hair.

After two weekends of working on my batting skills, I was afraid it wasn't going to show. I kept in mind everything Marshall told me to do and hoped for the best. We put on our jerseys and headed to the field.

Play ball!

Since we were the home team, we were out in the field first. I was playing right field and on the second or third batter, someone hit a pop fly right to me. Marshall always told me to always keep the ball in front of you and never behind. My lack of depth perception kicked in and as soon as I thought I had it, I realized I was too far up. I did the one thing Marshall told me not to do while in the field. I let the ball go over my head and past me. Immediately, my eyes began watering. I had just lost two runs for our team with my error. At the end of the first half of the inning, Marshall came out to me and told me it was okay. My eyes were still watering but I decided there was nothing I could do about it now so I just carried on.

I had gotten into the swing of things by the second inning on the field but I had yet to bad so my nerves were still high. When I finally went up, I swung at the first pitch and hit the ball to shortstop. He grounded it and threw it to first before I could get to base. Even if it was an out, I was so happy my practicing paid off!

At the end of the games [we play two], I actually scored a run! In both games, I either hit the ball or it wasn't a good pitch. I never had a strike! I played right field and catcher with no [major] problems.

Nerves? What are they? I'm back to my 8-year-old badass self!


......sort of.

This ain't my first rodeo!

Actually, I lied. It is.

And OH MY GOODNESS was it fun! I can now say that I'm officially a Texan because I went to a rodeo. Oh, and I can say "This ain't my first rodeo" and not be lying. It's a win-win situation for me! A friend of mine even let me borrow her cowgirl boots so I definitely looked that part of a native Texan.

Thanks Amie and Mandy!

I was somewhat apprehensive about the rodeo simply because people told me they're really not that great. I guess if you grow up going to them, it's not as fun to go when you're an adult. Marshall gave me some good perspective about it by saying it's like Washington D.C. for me. Growing up, we went to D.C. every year for fields trips and family outings. When we had friends come from out of town that wanted to visit D.C., I usually dragged my feet because I thought it was boring. 

After getting our seats (luckily Marshall knew that you should sit closest to where the actions happens and not directly in the center like I had thought), we waited for the action to happen. They had a little "pre-show" action of something called "Mutton Busters." They had a sheep in the middle attached to a leash. Said sheep was not thrilled about being attached and continuously tossed around and plopped on the ground trying to get out. I was not happy to see that because I thought the sheep was hurting himself. Marshall assured me the sheep was fine. What happened next still makes me giggle. Little children, aged three to five, jumped on the back of these sheep holding on to extra fur while the sheep ran out of the gate frantically to the other sheep. Sometimes, the sheep would just stop once he got to his friends while the child still clung to him.

After that, the real show began. I saw the rodeo clown roll out a barrel towards the middle of the arena. Next thing I know, the clown is standing inside it! Oh yes, I laughed out loud to this. The first bull was let out of the gate and the rider did a great job and lasted his full eight seconds. Apparently, the point of bull riding isn't to see how long you last. You have to last the eight seconds in order to get a score and if you do, they judge you based on your form. Who knew!? The second bull came out with a fury. He knocked his rider off immediately and then came running after the clown in the barrel! The clown ducked down so fast and once he was hit, just rolled around until it was safe! Did I laugh? Oh yes. If I were him I would've peed my pants, though. Here's a video of the third bull who knocked the wind out of his rider after a few seconds.

We saw some barrel racing (the girl sport, apparently), steer tie down, team roping, bareback riding and so forth. Throughout the show, the rodeo clown provided the crowd with comedy acts. He dressed up as a fat rodeo queen and hit on other men, danced and flopped around. He was also dressed up as Nacogdoches Finest, the NPD, sporting a fake buttcrack and all. Oh yes, I was thoroughly entertained. [It doesn't take much, does it?]

I guess I'm officially a rodeo fan. I told Marshall we should just quit our jobs and travel with the rodeo. He didn't seem so keen on that idea...

Aren't we cute?