New Blog

So... I have created a new blog and will no longer be updating this one. The new blog can be found at becomingmrscaroline.blogspot.com, or you can click on my name and it will show you my "profile" which will list both of my blogs :)

My How Time Flies

I've been meaning to update this or make a new blog (which will be happening soon for the wedding planning) but haven't had time to yet. My computer has a virus, and the iPad doesnt seem to like this website so I've had to wait until I had Connor's computer to do anything. A lot has happened in the past 3 weeks since we got home. Most importantly, Zach and I got engaged. I also started working at the country club again, which has been very fun and its nice to be back. I had three days off last week so Zach and I went to Myrtle Beach to visit his grandpa and had a great time enjoying the warmth, beach and golf courses. While I was gone Bielski got out of the house, so we kind of rushed back the next day to try and help find him. Nothing. Sent out an email blast to our community, nothing. Called animals shelters, posted on Craigslist, nothing. Put signs out everywhere, a bunch of calls and supposed sightings, always a different black and white cat, and then HOA told us no signs allowed. I didn't respond very nicely to that, so they took the signs down for me since I obviously wasn't going to. Fortunately for them, someone called THAT night (last night) saying they thought they had Bielski in their garage. Unbelievably it was really him, just a few doors down. It was definitely one of the happiest and most relieving moments of my life. I would go into depth about the engagement, but I've already done that on our wedding website (which I believe is www.weddingwire.com/carolineandzach). As far as the Navy process goes, Zach's waiver for his high school diploma was accepted, and the college diploma is finally in the hands of the recruiter in LA, so that will be submitted for acceptance tomorrow. Since the high school one went through, the college one should relatively quickly supposedly. Once we know all of that, he will fly out to LA to go to MEPS (medical eval) and sign up, which is when he finds out when hes going to boot camp. Once we know that part of the schedule, we can start planning this wedding.. finally. I fly out to LA with my grandparents next week for 10 days. I miss everyone there so much, so I'm excited to see all of them. But I will admit I'm a little stressed at the idea of leaving for 10 days. Plus, I'm going to miss the bridal show at the Expo Center. Devastating. Oh and Cameron moved home Sunday and got a job at Sequoia in DC today because my parents know the owners wife. Its a massive restaurant with an amazing reputation, so it should be great for him. So now we all live at home again. Strange, but usually pretty fun. Its interesting that we all 5 have jobs now, but the jobs are all at such different hours. We had a nice family dinner tonight to celebrate Bielski being back home and Cameron being here and getting this new job. It was great. These kinds of things are why I am so happy to be back where I belong.

We're Baaaacckkkk :)

Well, there's another 2600 miles on my speedometer. Where to start...

Recap of our last weekend in LA.. Saturday we had an amazing meal with Mitchell and Donna at a restaurant called Kings in Calabasas. I was craving sushi, but we had the girls with us so we had to go somewhere they had a more extensive menu. So we went to this seafood place, and low and behold... they have a sushi roll as an appetizer! Well, kind of. They had a crispy lobster roll, and it was absolutely amazing. I scarfed it down before some people at the table had even had more than a bite of their food. Oops. After that we went to Menchies to get my final dose of their deliciousness for a while. Sunday we packed.. and packed some more. Then they had their annual Oscar viewing party, which was so much fun. Because they get so many of the movies in the mail (sometimes before they are even in theaters!) and their friends tend to get whatever they didn't, I was actually able to see almost all of the movies nominated this year. There were some I purposely skipped, but every movie I wanted to see, and then some, I did. I was really rooting for King's Speech, and I also loved Social Network. 127 Hours was also good, but I only got to see the end because I was on the phone with my CCF boss for the first like hour of it. Boo. Oh, and we had watched Black Swan Saturday night and I HATED it, but I thought Natalie Portman did a great job playing her miserable character, so I'm glad she won. But seriously, that movie was so terrible. Uncomfortable to watch and boring.

We planned on packing after the Oscar party so we could leave at 4am Monday morning. That didn't happen. Saying goodbye to the girls and M&D was so hard. I thought I would be able to hold it all in, but then Kyla saw me walking to the car and thought I was leaving so she chased after me saying she had to stay with me as long as possible and walk me out. Stab me in the heart. Both girls were so sweet saying goodbye, and Donna asked us to come back the next morning for a real goodbye. We agreed, but ended up not doing it until later in the day because Zach woke up very sick. So we finished packing up and stuff, got some Thai food with Mitchell and Kyla (out of school "sick") and said goodbye. We didn't hit the road until 5:00, but it was fine. We both miss all of them so much already.

The car ride.. Not nearly as fun as last time. When we did it for Thanksgiving it was crazy but still enjoyable and just an adventure. This time it was much more difficult. We were so loaded that we couldn't even lean our chairs back. Last time we could lay down in the back seat to sleep... Not being able to lean our chairs back made sleeping very difficult. Also, Bielski was very stressed out by the ride so he was walking around a lot. Zuma was perfect and slept in one of our laps at least 90% of the ride, and Kaos is always fantastic in the car. Having three pets in the car made stops last longer, but its all worth it to have all five of us home. It was nice that we left at 5:00 and then slept for an hour early the next morning because it let us see different states than we had last time around. The states we drove through in the dark we could now see during the day, and vice versa. Not that there is much to see in most of these states, of course. Sooo flat and empty for the most part. New Mexico had some great scenery though (also had a lot of nothing in some areas) and Tennessee was fantastic. We liked Tennessee last time we drove through, as well. This time, we were there for the sunrise so I could see a purplish sky coming out of the mountains, with fog in all of the valleys. It was truly incredible. We also saw an awful car accident there where an 18 wheeler somehow T-boned a car, and the car was crushed on the driver side. We were there shortly after it happened because only one police car was there at the time, and I think the driver must have still been stuck in the car, unless he was okay enough to walk away. He may have been, but who knows. I'm still confused as to how you get T-boned in the middle of an interstate at 2am. It was a horrible image and will stay with me for a long time.

You know its a long drive when you're excited to see that you are less than 20 hours from getting there. When it got below 15, we really couldn't believe we were even that much closer. You can imagine how excited we were when it got to 10, and when we crossed into Virginia.. got past JMU, etc. Just get off 40 in Tennessee is exciting because we had been on there for like 2000 miles and you get on 81 after that so you know you are on your final major road. Kaos usually gets excited when he realizes we're close to home, but we were going to my parents new house, and coming in from Leesburg which he has never done, so he had no idea what was going on. When we finally got to my parents place he gets out of the car, and finally sees my dad and starts going CRAZY. It was so funny to watch. You could just see the realization. My mom and Connor got to the house like 2 minutes after us so my mom gave us the tour. I LOVE their new place. It looks very similar to our old house because it is also built by Toll Brothers, and it is so much bigger than I even expected after only seeing the outside over Thanksgiving. Their furniture fits in so well and I love the layout - very open and perfect for our lifestyle the way the kitchen sits with the TV room, etc. Now that I think about it though, many families probably would have put the dining room where our TV room is, and then put the TV room and family room in the others. So, really... its just my mom being a genius. :)

We're settling in very well and had a great night last night with my family, Zach's mom and Kristen. It feels so great to be back. There area also a lot of weird parts to it.. but stay tuned because I think I will save that type of stuff for another blog. Today was just a relaxed day around the house with my dad and Zach. Ran a few errands, but didn't really get anything done, which was kind of nice actually. Just like before...

Goodbye BHLB

Today is my second to last day of work. It is so strange. My coworker took me out to lunch today and gave me a few little gifts and a really nice card. I'm going to miss her a lot, but this job.. well I'm looking forward to being done with it. I feel bad for my boss because the girl he hired, who I was supposed to train today, ended up backing out because her previous job offered her a raise so she wouldn't leave. So now hes stuck with no assistant, and even once he finds one they wont have me here to train them in person. Hes asked me to train over the phone, which I said I would do.. but I don't think I'll be much help.

We sold our couch to Donna's friend today. Very sad day. I loved that couch. I had imagined that couch for years and then had it built. I wanted it forever :( We now have a mattress andddd now much else left in our apartment. Boxes, crap to get thrown away, and a little more to pack, but that's it.

We are so looking forward to going (coming?) home, but I think the reason we aren't more sad than we are is because it doesn't feel real yet. At least for me it only feels like we're going home for a visit. Imagining myself being able to call Kristen and hang out with her whenever I want.. doesn't seem possible. Imagining myself sitting on my couch watching TV with my mom.. I just can't. But those are the kinds of things I am most excited to be able to do again. I'm sure it'll feel very normal and we will be very happy, but I also think maybe a small part of me will feel like it belongs here just as much as it belongs at home. I can't even fathom not being able to go to Mitchell and Donna's for dinner. The fact that that used to be normal (not being able to do that) seems so distant to me now. Keira and Kyla are a part of my every day life.. and shouldn't they stay that way?? Too weird.

Also, I learned today that Filene's Basement does a running of the brides in DC on April 29th. Guess where I'll be then??? Even if I don't get my dress then, I have to go. Even if Zach and I aren't technically engaged yet.. I have to go. But we will be, because now that I know what the ring looks like.. I want it :)

So anyways, our plans for our remaining time here... I work again a little tomorrow. We will obviously be spending all of our free time with Mitchell and Donna and the girls. And eating at Noah's bagels and maybe some more Midori sushi to ease the pain of having to say goodbye to those delicious places. Sunday they are having an Oscar party, so we're going to that.. and then we leave early early early Monday morning.

I texted Kristen this morning saying I'd be home in 130-140 hours (and that I knew I was a nerd for saying that). So now that's -7 hours. And even less until we actually say ta-ta to LA.

Winding Down

Today is the last Tuesday that Zach and I will be living in LA. Weirdddd.


Just a few little tidbits..

I am training the new girl on Thursday and Friday, so today and tomorrow are supposed to be short days. I got here today around 9:15, my boss called and said he would be in a 11. He got here at 1. He was on the phone until 2:30. I was on the phone paying a bill til 3:00. I finally got to talk to him after that, but after about 3 minutes his son who lives in Israel called so they are now on the phone, and will be for a while I'm sure. And there's stuff to do before I leave today. This is longer than many of my normal days have been here. Ugh.

Zach and I went to the jewelry district yesterday. That is all I have to say about that.. for now.

I called Mark, one of my bosses at CCF, Sunday evening. He called back this morning and we talked for quite a while, and he said I could come back there to work! I was so happy. I was kind of nervous about it because apparently there is a shortage of hours there right now. I loved that job though, so I'm glad I left on such good terms and will be able to go back. When we moved to California, I knew I would be sad if I never got to work there again. Now I don't have to be sad :)

We sold most of our furniture this weekend. Somebody PLEASE tell me what the heck people do without TV. The guy buying the chaise asked if we were selling anything else, Zach mentioned the TV. I didn't even know we were definitely selling it. Anyways, the guy bought it, and now we have no TV for our last week here. While waiting for the guy to pick up the bedroom furniture last night I asked Zach if he wanted to play Scrabble and he didn't. We just stood there, and I said, what else are we gonna do all night? just stare at each other. That was pretty much our only option...

We are deciding which day to leave.. whether or not we stay for an Oscar party on Sunday. It'll be a last minute decision.


Boss is off the phone so.. That's all.

Productivity and Karma

Today I feel so productive its ridiculous. Good thing its been rainy and Zach and I did absolutely nothing last night, because I needed all my concentration and reasons to stay indoors today. We woke up and started packing. Didn't get it all done, but did another good portion. Then we came to Mitch and Donna's and Donna and I installed wainscoting in their laundry room. Then we transformed a little alley of wires, insulation and a ton of dust into a great little play room for the girls. We hung fabric everywhere and filled it with stuffed animals. It has this secret little door to it from their bedroom, but it had never really been opened except by utility people before. They were so surprised and so happy. Now I've just made cookies with the girls and we're watching the NBA All-Star whatever it is.

Yesterday (Friday) was a crazy day for Zach.. his now ex-boss (Thursday was his last day) and her boyfriend had a big dramatic problem that the boyfriend called Zach over to deal with it, instead of dealing with it himself. I hate this guy, who is the owner of the Corvette that got broken in to and who expected Zach to pay his insurance deductible for him. Every single person we've spoken to, including my coworker who works for a law practice that focuses on accidents and insurance said hes a scum bag for trying to make Zach pay for it. Karma, Karma, Karma. I believe his boss is now single, and that the Corvette owner is now the ex-boyfriend. He's yelled at my twice (literally yelled) while I was in the middle of agreeing with him or telling him some helpful information from my coworker who knows the ins and outs of the business (he told me she was wrong, laughable). I won't go into the rest of it.. but I hope nothing nice for him.

Oh and my boss hired someone yesterday, so that's a huge weight off my shoulders, because I know I'll be able to leave next week guilt-free.

Clearing Things Up

Okay, so it turns out between a little post on Kristen's Facebook and this blog there has been some excitement/confusion about my life. Understandable, my life is confusing and changes daily. But to set the record straight...

Zach and I have always said, since high school, that after we both graduated college we would get married. Obviously things have gone a little differently for him, school wise, but it would have been around now had things gone that way anyways. Then, since getting back together last September we kind of knew that was it, we were done with all of the questioning and we were either in it forever or we would have to break up again and be done with each other forever. Since moving out here and living together, away from our parents and friends, we've also known that it was coming pretty soon. We had been discussing it, but then once Zach decided on the military path we knew it was more imminent. We now have a reason for the marriage/wedding to be now as opposed to some random time in the future.

So, hes been considering the military since probably early December, and at that point the idea of getting engaged and married was still very stressful for me, and probably him too. I mentioned it briefly to my mom in a phone call at some point, probably closer to January, but wasn't even willing to talk about it too much at that point. Over time we got more comfortable and excited with it, and we've talked about it more. My parents are now fully aware of the situation. Well, my mom is.. my dad thinks I'm still 21 apparently so he might think I'm too young, I'm not clear on whats going on there lol. Zach's mom and probably a fair amount of his family knows, depending on who she has mentioned it to. I recently, within the past few weeks, told Kristen, Bird and Caitlin. Oh and Isabella has known for quite some time because shes out here visiting and she is going through the same process.

Anyways, it seems the cat is now out of the bag. We weren't trying to hide it, just waiting til it was official because that would (I guess?) make it easier to take about about bring up. Kristen and I said something about the venue being in Charleston potentially, because Zach will hopefully be going to school there. I have also mentioned it in these blogs, but since Facebook changed its layout there isn't really a link to this blog, so most people aren't seeing it. Well between the two I got a storm of Facebook comments, messages, chats and text messages in the past oh 18 hours. I appreciate all of the comments and questions, but I figured I would put out what we have figured out so far on here.

Zach and I found "the ring" most likely and now we are going through the steps of when we will buy it and stuff. It's amazing, so obviously we'll be getting officially (if you want to use that word) engaged shortly after... because, well, I want to wear it. We will be home very, very soon, so when we know hes about to enlist, or shortly after, we will go to the Courthouse and get married on paper so everything is squared away on that end. Initially I figured just the two of us would deal with it, because its just a Courthouse, but a few people have mentioned coming, and I actually love that idea. So I'm currently thinking the Leesburg Courthouse.. not just because its close (you can go anywhere in the state) but its also beautiful, and then going out to have lunch with whoever is in the area and we're close with and they want to. Very casual and probably not a huge group, but that may change since both of us have family in the area and our best friends.

Then in September of this year, depending on this military stuff, or maybe not til May-Sept 2010 we will have the actual wedding. If we do it in Charleston, I think I've found the venue. It's gorgeous and exactly what I'm looking for - which is somewhere casual but still nice, where it'll feel like a nice weekend getaway instead of just a 4 hour wedding. So now its just time to plan (dresses, colors, food, etc.) and actually get engaged/fill in people who haven't been so they don't feel like I intentionally didn't tell them but did tell other people. That certainly isn't the case - I haven't told very many people who haven't straight up asked me about it.