helloooo [is anyone out there?] ?

So I have been a member of blogland for a while now, 58 posts to be exact.  And I still only have 8 followers.  Not that I am interested in other people stalking my life...but really, I guess I just don't have it. Perhaps my life isn't interesting enough, or maybe I am not an interesting blogger...because, I assure you, my life IS interesting.  Seriously. I teach Middle School. That in itself is interesting enough, and the stories are definately noteworthy most days, but I suppose with my best shot at professionalism...not blog worthy.  So I resort to wedding jibberish, and random photos that give my best at how things are, well, going.

Here in about 33 days, I will be a married lady and probably not have anything else to blab about [not that I have anything now]... So I suppose I shall evaluate where to go before I get there, right?!

While I think, I will continue to shower you with my online shopping steals & wedding fun-ness.

brown boots.

I have been SEARCHING for weeks.  I want cowboy boots, but I just can't justify the cost, I mean I'm getting married and I need to be on a budget.  I want a nice pair that aren't going to be ruined after one night, helloooo I would have been at Payless months ago [but really their stuff is NOT to die for anyway].  I don't want a heel, well because it's obvious that a 6'+ female does NOT need help.  So the search continued.  I went to Macy's, Kohl's, Belk, JC Penney, Sears & Dillards stores & online to see what I could see.  I discovered that I am WAY too picky selection is limited, at least for size 11.  I made one last stop at target.com before I went and spent way too much to settle for something that I didn't L.O.V.E.
This is what I found:

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and I totally LOVE them! As soon as I found them [& of course ordered them immediately], I rushed to the local Target to check them out [they do not have the "brown" in stores yet].. They are FAB!  Exactly what I was looking for, at an oh-so-reasonable price.

 and that. my friends. is a deal. [and a happy bride-to-be]
[[did I mention that these lovelies will be debuting at my rehearsal dinner with my Vicki's dress??]]
mmmmmyesssss monday :)


.:Ashley.Rebekah:.

splurge..[or not]

I really want to post about lingerie & my feelings on that, but I suppose the teacher in me is very leary... so, I will resist.  However, I am really excited about this cute little outfit that I did purchase...

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and....

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They both come in several colors.  AND...the best part: Less than $12 for the pair. LOVE them :)

I also discovered a fabulous thing that excites me so much I can hardly find the words: LONG ATHLETIC PANTS.  You see, I am a PE teacher and I have a really hard time finding pants that are long enough!  I wind up usually buying mens, which have the longest torso ever! Just because I'm tall does not mean I need a long torso'd pant...hi, I don't like my pants up to my, well, you know....

anyway, these babies were only $14.95, which is a STEAL, plus they are super comfortable, long & perfect!

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Thank you aerie, you made my day :)

.:Ashley.Rebekah:.

What a chilly Monday in SC!

today was pretty...chilly.  I was startled abruptly at 6am by the shuddering puppy next to me.  She had to potty, and was cooooolllddd.  Afterall, she only weighs 10lbs.  So I hopped up and turned on the space heater [yeah, we don't use our heat - expensive + SC cold has NOTHIN on OH cold!] and took her outside.  She did her little deed faster than ever & we both scurried back under the sheets.  Eventually, it was time to get up and I ventured out to my Monday mornin' car line duty - arf.  I stood outside and froze for a half hour. Fabulous Monday.  Anyway, as I stood there, all I could think about is how much I am craving some fabulous vegetable soup.  I will share the recipe wtih ya:

Slow-Cooker Chicken & Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients:

3/4 lb. of skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into 1" cubes

3 small or 2 medium sweet potatoes, pared and cut into 1" cubes

1 large onion, chopped

1 large can (28 or 29 oz.) diced tomatoes with chiles [I use Rotel]

1 can (14.5 oz.) fat free chicken broth

1 tsp. dried oregano leaves

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1 1/2 cups frozen corn (do not thaw)

Preparation:

In 4-quart slow cooker, combine chicken, sweet potatoes, onion, tomatoes, broth, oregano, and cumin.  Cover and cook on LOW for at least 6 hours.  Stir in corn, cook on HIGH until potatoes and chicken are tender, about 30 minutes.

GET THIS: Per serving: 270 calories, 1.5 g fat, 7 g fiber [that is AWESOME, by the way]  --- makes about 4 servings.

This recipe is SO EASY! I usually cut everything up the night before [like I did tonight], so that I can just throw it all into the crock pot before I head to work.  Also, I usually double it all because we really love this soup, and I like to take it to lunch and maybe freeze some [if FH leaves any for the freezin'].  I like to make corn bread muffins as well to go along with the nice warm soup in the belly. MMMmmmMMM...

** I take no credit for this recipe, it is totally a WeightWatchers original that I stole from my mom a couple of years ago...totally worth it**

Anyway -- I had a fab weekend, with two extra days off, it was wonderful!  I got to shop, and pick up some of the necessities from my registry using some of the gift cards that I still have from my shower. 

Finally -- I want to make reference to the wonderful GIVEAWAY going on over at Miss Kriss, I would TOTALLY love to have the cards.  I heart stationary [& Starbucks] :)  Yeah, I know I'm late...but I've been busy, ok?! [hehe]  If you don't make it in time for her giveaway, check her out anyway, her blog is so fun to read, she's a witty one!

Hope everyone is staying warm! It is wayyy too early in the fall to be this chilly, but hey -- who's complaining when we can eat some nice & warm soup!?

.:Ashley.Rebekah:.

accomplished.

Sorry for the .... lack of posts ...

I have been a busy little beaver, crossing things off of the list like a good little bride-to-be.  I am so excited, as the countdown is nearly in the 30s!  Holy fast, I want it to hurry and at the same time, I can't believe it is almost here!

Today was a "teacher work day" and I made great use: wedding thingssss :)  Tomorrow I have the day off for a much needed extra day to the weekend.  My list of to-do's is dwindling & the excitement is mounding.  Some of the things I have done lately:

• Touched base with officiant to finalize times, details & bible verses
• E-mailed the cake designer to let her know when she can get into the venue to set up, day of
• Mailed remaining cake balance
• Typed list of to-play and not-to-play music, reception order & details
• Mailed remaining DJ balance
• Mom bought fall wrapped Hershey kisses to complete the favors
• Wedding & Rehearsal dinner invites are sent & received :) [everyone LOVES them]
• Confirmed Wedding night Hotel room
• Confirmed reservation & remaining balance with limo
• FH got fitted for his tux

Need to do this weekend:

• RE-DO the Sears registry [without FH :( ] off the top of my head
• Find boots to go with my Rehearsal dress
• Find a shawl/scarf/wrap for over my shoulders during our outdoor pictures
• workout
• tan

I suppose I have my work cut out for me.  So relieved to have an extra day this weekend & FH is out of town, so that means I get to do some exxxxtra browsing without having to rush home :)

[random photo from google: thumbs up bride]

have a wonnnnnnnnnderful weekend ;)

.:Ashley.Rebekah:.

Fifty Nifty!

Ladies & Gentlemen...

Drumroll please...

[google images 50]

we have officially reached the 50 day mark.  In just 50 days, I will be a Mrs! I can NOT wait. 

Dear 50 days: will you please hurry fast. thanks.

After a super whacky Friday at school, I was more than excited to come home to my little beautiful....

clutch.

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I am SO excited.  I can hardly contain myself!  I didn't even know when I ordered it...It is the exact same material [satin] and color ["mocha" according to Target, which is really more like taupe to me...] as my shoes! BONUSSSSSSSSSSSS!  Oh, and I only paid $8.49 for it. Yep.  I really love a good deal.  I am just so thrilled with how cute it is.  thankyouverymuch iloveyoutarget.

And, justincase you forgot, these are my wonderful shoes:

Which I also purchased at Target, way back in the spring.  I am so excited, I can hardly wait.  I have been being a very good girl, working out & tanning.  AND may or may not be dreaming the next 50 days of work away. so what?!.

Have a good weekend :) God Bless!

.:Ashley.Rebekah:.

seriously [i'm feeling a little stressed]

Here is the story of my fabulous DIY invitations...

We worked very hard for over 4 hours to complete 230 invitations. That's right. Two hundred and thirty.  Anyway, my FMIL has some fabulous friends.  One of them justsohappens to work at a post office.  As I knew that a couple of my invitaitons were going to be "close" she assured me that if I got them to her, she would hand cancel each of them [how nice of her] and make sure they got sent out with no extra postage.  PERFECT.  Not that I wasn't willing to pay the postage, I'll admit that I was down for saving a few extra cents if I could.  I was completely confident that she knew what she was talking about and had it all under control.

WRONG.

Much to my dismay, my MOH called me today with bad news. Bad, bad news.  I am quite mortified.  This situation was supposed to be taken care of.  Anyway, my MOH's mom received a fancy little sticky note from Miss Post Office. 

You have a package from Ashley.Rebekah awaiting you at the Post Office. 

In order for this package to be sent, you need to pay $.20

Hi.  I'm Ashley.Rebekah and I'm MORTIFIED!!!

What in the WORLD am I supposed to do?!?!

[toast at reception: Hi.  Thank you for coming. First of all we would like to appologize for the fact that some of your invitations cost you $.20 to receive.  Thank goodness you are all our family and friends and obviously realized that the package from Ashley.Rebekah that was waiting for you at the post office was your wedding invitation...] < not really, but seriously. what do you do?

ugh.

My mom is going to go to the local post office [my hometown P.O., no less] tomorrow morning to see if there are any more that require the $.20 so that she can pay and have them sent.   What if there are any at other post offices?!?!

On a good note. They are out [and not all of them require extra postage], my volleyball practice went great & FH's cowboy boots arrived & they are PERFECT.

.:Ashley.Rebekah:.

p.s. FH hates me blogging, what an attention hog! ;)

weekend recap.

As you may know, my parents came down from Ohio for the weekend.  It sure was great to see them.  We watched some football, did some shopping, and squeezed in some sight seeing.  I miss them dearly!  Here are some of our pictures from the weekend.  We explored around Table Rock State Park, and I had mom take some pictures of us together ;) we're cute.

beauuuuuutiful view of the mountains:

such a peaceful drive:

My Mom & Dad [are too cute]:

...and so are we. [I love sepia :)]

I'm not sure that blogger is doing these pictures any justice.  oh well.

.:Ashley.Rebekah:.