The Speech

Yesterday (amid laundry, cleaning and other "going out of town" chores) I realized that I am expected to give an amazing "matron of honor-type" speech at my best friend's wedding luncheon this weekend. Truth be told, I have never done this before and am feeling tempted to re-assign this task to the groom's sister.

A little research on Google has given me several examples of phrases, wording or stupidity I would like to avoid.

Example #1
"Before I start I would like to say that [Bride's Name], you look absolutely stunning today. [Groom's Name], on the other hand, you just look stunned."

Example #2

[Groom's Name]:

1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it. Whenever you're right, shut up.
2. The best way to remember an anniversary is to forget it just once.
3. Never be afraid that [Brides Name] will leave you, she has spent years training you and she won't give that up lightly.

[Bride's Name]

1. You're right. Always."

Example #3

"Some say that marriage begins when you sink into his arms, but it ends up with your arms in his sink.

Some say that when a man holds a woman's hand before marriage, its love, after marriage it is self-defense.

Still others say that before marriage, a man will lay awake thinking about something you said, but after marriage he'll fall asleep before you have finished saying it."

Not too awesome, hugh?

Any pointers on how to do it right?

Home Sweet House

As most of you know, Cole and I are under contract to buy a home a block east of where we are currently living. During our home inspection this week we took a few snap shots of the upstairs. The home was built in the 1940's and is about 1,500 sq feet. The upstairs has an entry way, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a full bath. The finished basement has a laundry room, bonus room (tv/game room), bedroom and 3/4 bathroom. Cole is chomping at the bit to get working on the outside (sorry, no pics yet) and I am very excited to start decorating. We are scheduled to close on June 12. Please remember this is NOT our furniture or color choices...rather a blank slate of possibilities. :)

Maura's 8s

8 things I'm passionate about:
-My relationship with the Lord
-My amazing hubby, Cole.
-Learning something new everyday
-Relationships with my friends and family
-A good deal
-HGTV
-House Hunting and
-My job

8 movies I can watch without getting sick of 'em:
- House Guest
- A river runs through it
- First Wives Club
- Yours, Mine and Ours (old school version)
- Italian Job
- Hello, Dolly!
- Remember the Titians
- The Prestige

8 books (loosely interpreted) I've read recently:
-Atonement
-BOM
-The Memory Keeper's Daughter
-The Other Boleyn Girl
-Real Simple
-Better Homes and Gardens
-Velo News
-Outside Magazine

8 things I say often:
-For Sure
-Woop, Woop
-Word. (Like how homies say it)
-Work it, Work it
-Hmmmmm... (pensive thought)
-So, what's the plan?
-Really, [pause] Really? (stolen from favorite co-worker, Lindsay)
-Who says that?

8 things that attract me to a friend:
-Laughter
-Honesty
-Makes me want to be better (mostly kinder)
-Doesn't take everything too seriously
-Sass
-Different interests (I mean, how else would I ever try new things)
-Chats about everything and nothing at all
-Ladies Night

8 random things about me:
-I used to be afraid of bare feet
-I love all beans, a lot
-My secret desire is to be an event planner (Becca, we should start our own business!)
-I prefer small groups to large parties
-I love "discovering" cute, new businesses/products
-I am still trying to figure out what "style" I am
-I am very scared of dogs
-This post took me days!

8 things I want to do before I die:
- Buy and decorate an amazing home
- Have a family
- See the pyramids
- Travel while we are still young enough to enjoy it
- Sky dive
- Achieve something great (and hard)
- Serve a mission with Cole
- Never break a bone

8 things I've learned this past year:
- Just because the answer is "yes" doesn't mean the answer is "yes, right now."
-See above
-See above
-See above
-Don't try to add milk to the caramel for caramel apples...it won't stick
-Real change is possible. It takes time
-I can do whatever I put my mind to
- Always check your pockets before you put a load in (Sorry, honey!)

8 people who should write about their 8's:
-Alyssa & Briggs
-Katie Cavanaugh
-The Voges
- Nicole and Scott
- Ruth Gough
- Jarad and Ashley
- The Wambekes
- The Logans

Two Years Down...

Cole and I celebrated our second anniversary this week by eating at the Melting Pot. We had never been there before and LOVED it. What a treat! With the big night out meal, we started with a cheese fondue (which we enjoyed with breads, veggies and granny smith apples) and great salad. We chose to cook our meats in a bullion broth and then dipped our chicken, white shrimp, pork loin, sirloin and fillet minion in a number of yummy dips. We rounded out the night with a dessert fondue made of milk chocolate, pecans and caramel. We dipped strawberries, bananas, pound cake, brownies, marshmallows and cheesecake. MMmmmmmmm!

Free Date Night

A quick call to the Sugarhouse Chipotle just confirmed a rumor I heard this morning...

"Couples visit any Utah Chipotle for date night
Friday, May 16th from 6pm - 9pm
show us your wedding rings and
we'll give you each a
FREE BURRITO, TACOS, SALAD or BOWL."

HMMMMM. See you here.

Don't Be Stupid...

and leave a purse in your locked car while you work out at the Sugarhouse Golds Gym. You will most likely work out for an embarrassing 25 minutes and come out to find your passenger side window has been smashed in. Your fake Dolce and Gabana purse with incredibly large zippers that carries your wallet (license, ss card, gift cards, etc), prepaided Weight Watchers card and your-ever important planner will be gone while your husband's passport, checkbook and mp3 player remain untouched in the center console. Regardless, I am blessed that we were able to cancel everything within a matter of moments and my husband's job allows him to monitor my credit history daily. Also, I feel very blessed to have a boss that let me spend the day getting Cole's car repaired and securing new copies of my license and ss card. Needless to say I have learned my lesson.

Animals That Are "Going Out of Business"

Feel free to eavesdrop on the following conversation between my co-worker and I as we were gaga-ing over Coach purses online...

Lindsay: This is an interesting looking purse...holy crap, it is $6,000.

Me: It seems cute but not that cute.

Lindsay: Oh, it is made out of snake skin.

Me: That makes sense, animal products...

Lindsay: As opposed to all the other "leather" products on the site...

Me: You know what I mean. Not just any animal, animals that are going out of business.

Pause.

Laughter....