And Wedding Pictures Begin!

Ok...Here's my warning!! Be prepared to be bombarded with wedding pictures!! :) First I'd like to say Merry Christmas and I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year!! We have moved into the new house and are getting as settled as we can. It's been a tiring couple weeks but life is great!!

So...just as a continued warning. I'm going to do a couple rounds of pictures and while I was thinking about uploading I figured there had to be a better way. So I'm going the Flickr route. :) This first set are from my sister Fleas' camera. I have the photographers pictures as well...but those will be coming later.

Here is a Flickr badge with a couple pics. Click and check out the others. I've placed comments by most the pictures. Hope you enjoy.

www.flickr.com gnatchat's Rush/Martinez Wedding! photoset

Thanks for checking out my wedding pictures! Stay tuned for more! :)

Gnat

Wedding preview!

Hey, just wanted to say that my wedding day was more than I ever hoped it could be. The weather was perfect and everything went smooth. Here is a picture to hold you over until I can get some more organized to show you! Hope everyone is well.

Thank you for all who left comments and sent their congrats this weekend! Family is still in town and we've begun moving! So....hence I'm a bit tired and life is busy! But I'm happy and grateful!! :)

Love all!

Natalie

It's my wedding day!!

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm very thankful for all the wonderful comments on the last post.  I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to say anything to you back but I just wanted to say I appreciate them all!!

And I also wanted to let you know that we are all doing well.  I'm very excited for today!  We are off to set up right now and then the fun will begin!   You will get to see pictures soon!!

Hope you are all well!!

Gnat!!

PS....Jackjack, Abigail, and Special K say hello as well!!

Wedding week is here!

So, I get married on Saturday!! How crazy is that! I'm pretty excited though! The week officially started yesterday! The weekend was some what relaxing. I did quite a bit of shopping for wedding stuff and gifts. Yesterday I went shopping with my friend Sheryl and we stopped by American Signature...just to "look." Well...since we are moving next week and we don't have a dining room table now...we "looked" at those. SK and I had talked about getting a counter-height dining room table because Jackjack is a counter surfer. Yes, I know that he will still be able to jump up onto this but I'm hoping that it will at least be better than if it was at his nose level. :) And so we came across this:


Yes, isn't it beautiful! It's a counter-height I think Cherry wood table with granite inlays! We looked and they were selling the floor model for cheap!!! It has a couple scratches on the corner of the wood where the leaf is but otherwise it's perfect!!! I didn't have SK with me so I took a picture and showed him last night! He liked it and said I should get it.

So, I called today and they still had it. I ran over during lunch and bought it. Since I told them my being a bride this weekend story and that we are moving next week and have NO room for it, they said it would be ok to store and let us pick up next Tuesday! PERFECT!! So...we have our very own dining room table!! It's the first one I've ever bought and I'm excited we got such a great price!!!

When I went by today I took a picture of it without the leaf!! It's so pretty!!! The leaf folds down inside the table so there is no need to store it!We'll probably buy some stools or chairs for it next week when we pick it up. They weren't on sale so no rush on those! So...more things taken care of!!

My dad came in today so I'm really excited to see him! I miss him and am so glad he's here. I'm getting ready to head to meet up with my sister CZbrats so we can go buy the wine, sangria, sodas, water, and etc at Sam's Club! I'm just hoping we get enough so we don't run out. :) That's the goal. I know quite a few drinkers coming to my wedding so don't want to get them drunk but don't want to disappoint them either. SK is taking care of the beer so don't have to think about that.

Well...I work tomorrow until noon and then I'm off until next tuesday! I'm so ready! I have so much to do this week but am trying to stick with my mantra.."One Task/Day at a time!"

For some knitting news, I cast on yesterday for my Cubbie Wedding Socks. I'll take pictures tonight. They are knitting up nicely and I forgot how fast and fun socks were to knit!! I'm past the 1 in cuff on the first sock!

Ok...well...hope everyone is doing well! Keep in touch and hope you are having a great week!!

Gnat

A Wedding Wednesday/Dogs on Thursday Post on Friday!

This week has been pretty busy. Wednesday night was the Jingle Bell Run and I met my sister Fleas and her family with Abby and we walked it. Abby had a lot of fun and got loads of attention. She's so cute, how could she not? Other than that, I haven't been feeling all that great and so I've been trying to rest and get tons of vitamins in me.

Well..I wanted to catch you up on some wedding stuff. So, first we'll start with some disappointing news. I guess my step-mother isn't coming to my wedding. I was upset at first but now I've resolved to just being disappointed and moving on. I can't let it effect our wedding. Special K mentioned that a lot of his family isn't coming and he's upset about that so I shouldn't let it effect me. He's right. Those who are coming are more important to focus on than those that aren't. It's going to be a great day!!

I still have a couple things I need to figure out this weekend...like the guest book and then trellis for the ceremony. We are heading over to my sister Fleas tonight to paint the decorations for the centerpieces. Just little wooden pieces to paint. Should be fun!

Last but not least, and this is the DOT part too. We got an AWESOME custom cake topper that we ordered from Lynn's Little Creations on Etsy! We sent her some pictures of ourselves and the pups and the first time she had the dogs like this first picture. And yes this is REALLY really cute and I loved it but we thought about how Jackjack would feel being represented like this. We all know that he is a stoic and independent dog and would never let her do this. So, she changed it to this. :) Still cute and much more Jackjack and Abigail. :)
And here's the final design! We both LOVE IT!!! I got my yarn bouquet and Special K got his golf club.
We got it in the mail yesterday and the post office wasn't so great with it and I just need to glue back on the bouquet and the golf club. She packed it really well though and was very cute packaging!! She also does custom ornaments. Please go check her etsy site out!! I already know of someone who's ordered an ornament and it came out great!

Well..last pic but not least as well...is this cute picture of Abigail. I think she is getting tired with all the excitement going on.
Only 8 more days until the wedding!! I can't believe it's come so quick!! I'm very excited and my dad is coming on monday and Sk's Mom on Wed.....YEAH! I can't wait!

Well...I hope everyone is doing well. Have a great weekend!!

Gnat

Thankful Tuesdays!! My bridal shower pics!

Ok...so first off the last post was my 300 post on this blog!! Wow...300 posts in more than a year! That's not bad!

So...This weeks thankful post is one that I should have posted a couple weeks ago..but again life has been a bit hectic. I am thankful for my sisters, niece, and cousin who threw me an awesome bridal shower and for my friends who came to share it with me!! My sisters had never thrown and most had never been to one but they did a fantastic job throwing me one!! We had such a great time!! They had great food and drinks and fun games. Thank you for those who planned and spent the time making it a special day for me!

Here are some pictures.

The lovely desserts and little party favors!

The cute cake they got!

This is when I had several pieces of gum in my mouth for a game. Fleas had emailed Special K questions about himself and I had to answer them and for everyone I got wrong I had to put a piece of bubble gum in my mouth. I ended up with 8 pieces!! Can we all say GROSS!!! I think I did pretty well though...some of the ones I got wrong he hadn't told me.

And last was present opening time.

I had a good time...and am very grateful to my sisters and those who made the day possible.

I know this is wedding related but this is a Thankful Tuesday post! ;)

Hope you can all think of things to be thankful this time of year. I know the economy is not great and the holiday season is coming fast. Please take a moment to look around and see the beauty that God created for us and for those he put in our lives to be a part of the wonder that is this world.

Thank you all for reading and keep posted because there is more to come! :)

Gnat

Monday....a catch up.

Hi, everyone!! How was your weekend? My weekend was pretty jammed packed full of activity. We had planned on packing boxes starting on Friday night but when we got home we were both so tired and just had to chill and relax. It was nice to just hang out! Saturday started with dog walking mine and my friends, who's husband is having back surgery today and I told her I'd stop by and help out by walking her dogs. She appreciated it a ton.

So, after that I came home took a shower and I met up with my three sisters and off we went to my last fitting appointment for my wedding dress!! It looked great! I tried on my wedding shawl with it and that looked great as well!! I took pictures but I can't post just in case Special K sees the blog. I promise to post tons after the wedding! Then the four of us went to lunch and target and it was nice spending time with them!

Then by the time I got home, Special K had been changing our cars oils and his dad's and helping with his dad...so we were tired. So, we put off packing for one more day!

Well...Sunday we had to get packing started!! We spent a while packing up books and my stash!! My poor stash! I thought it would all fit in a big box but comes to find out I have more than I though!! I should have taken pictures but too late now. Most my stash is sock yarn and fiber...both my favorites. It's all packed away other than a few things.

1. My sister's February Lady Sweater, which I'm literally almost done with!! I have 2/3rds of the last sleeve to finish and then sew in the ends. I hope to have this done by Friday!

2. A secret knit....it's a simple knit but can not share because the person it's for reads my blog. I think she already knows something else I'm giving her so I'm going to keep this a secret! hahaha. :) I can be sneaky when I want to be.

3. My wedding week socks!! I picked the pattern which is going to be Tickled Pink Socks by Monica Nappe. They are so cute with little Xs and Os on the side. These are going to be made with the Cubby Yarn! I can't wait to cast on!

4. Some fiber from my stash and my spindle! (I had to keep it out...just in case)

5. misc WIPs....my sister CZbrats' anklets...not going to get done yet. :) Sorry! and I think that's it!

So...everything else in my stash is put away! I'll see it in a couple weeks! The books were so dusty that I had a pretty bad allergy attack which wiped me out last night! I'm feeling better today but just tired. I did go over and walk my friend's dogs again and took her a lasagna and some brownies and cupcakes. I made the lasagna and KnitIdiot or Sheryl made the desserts! They were glad to have some back up food. I hope that his surgery goes ok today!

Well...look out for some posts coming soon!! These will have pictures and wedding catch up info!!

Hope you are all having a great Monday!!!

Gnat

To break things up. A Christmas Meme!

So, to break things up and talk about something other then my wedding. :) I found this cute Meme on Baa Baa Blacksheeps blog. Figured I'd do it for fun! If you want to join in the fun please do!! ;) (The pic is Abby's new favorite spot)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping Paper
2. Real tree or Artificial?
I love Real trees but with two big dogs and to make things easier, we got an Artificial. Actually it was given to us by Special K's boss.
3. When do you put up the tree?
The day or so after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually around Epiphany but this year since we are moving it will be Dec 25 or 26th.
5. Do you like eggnog?
Sometimes...I have to be in the mood.
6. Favorite gift received as a child.
I remember getting the Barbie mansion with the elevator. I loved that thing! :)
7. Hardest people to buy for?
Sometimes my sisters.
8. Easiest person to buy for?
The kids
9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, it was given to me by my Pastor, who is actually marrying us. His father or Her father gave it to them and it was made from an olive tree in Israel. It's small and very pretty.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail but this year might be hard to get them out...so we'll see.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I don't think I remember getting a bad gift.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Big fan of Elf but I have no favorite.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
When it's getting close. :)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not that I can remember.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Love Turkey!! YUMMY!!
16. Lights on the tree?
Yes...all white though. One strand of dancing ones and then some solid ones.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
Little Drummer Boy
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay at home and be with family.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
No.... :)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
I like Stars and have one but SK is a big fan of angels. We dropped the stained glass star I have this year...it's ok but we will probably replace it with an angel for next year.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Only one present the night before and the rest in the morning and at my sister's house.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Too many things to do and people around!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
We have silver and Red ornaments and then a bunch of random ornaments. I bought two this week. A black lab and a golden from Walgreens. :)
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Turkey on Christmas day!

Well...if you'd like join in the fun!! I hope you are all well. Happy Holidays!!

Dogs on Thursday catch up!!! Pictures!!

Hi everyone!!! Check me out!! Posting on Thursday! I totally missed last weeks post because we ended up having 3..yes, 3 Thanksgiving dinners!! So, this is going to be a somewhat long post. I'm sorry now. So....let's start with Thanksgiving. I woke up early...at 5:45am to meet my sisters Fleas, sister CZbrats, my nephew Skater Boy and niece Surfer girl to go up to the Turkey Trot. We had fun walking the 5K Fun Run and chatting it up. After that, I went and took a nap while Special K made Cherry Pies...I won't tell you what happen to them...but he did a great job until the end. I had made the Pumpkin Cheesecakes early.

Our first thanksgiving was at my sister Fleas' at 1pm with my family. We had a good time and it was nice to be with my family. Then we headed over to Sk's step-family for our second round at 3pm. We enjoyed the food and then when we were leaving to head back to my family..I called and they said we are just off to take the dogs for a walk and we'll be back. By the time I got there they had realized that my cousin, who was out of town's dog had gotten out of their backyard and ran off. So...some of us jumped in cars and some on bikes and roamed the neighborhood. We didn't find Diego that night which was crazy but we found him the next day in someone's backyard. The lady had found him soon after he had gotten out and his tag with the number had fallen off so she couldn't call. He seemed well...even though she said he got into some syrup from their breakfast. :)

Well...that Thanksgiving night, while SK was driving around for an hour or more, he found a house he really liked that was for rent in my sister's neighborhood. This is a man who has not wanted to live so close to my sisters, so I was interested in looking at the house! So, after he talked about it more on Friday night at his Dad's Thanksgiving dinner with a deep-fried turkey(which I had never had)...our 3rd, we decided to go find it. It took us 30 minutes to find it but when we did we checked it out. SK still liked it so we decided to call the landlord. We met up with him on Saturday and the house is nice. It's bigger than ours and all tile. Has an actual driveway, a garage, a bigger kitchen and bedrooms! The yard is fenced and not as big as ours now but still a good size. SK really liked it still and I did as well. The house is 2 blocks from my sister CZbrat, 3 blocks from my sister Fleas, 5 blocks from my cousin LD, and about 7 blocks from my sister G. We talked to the landlord on Sunday and told him we'd take it and by Tuesday we signed the lease and paid the deposit and we get the keys on the 22nd. 2 days after we get married. This is crazy but I'm so excited! Wish us luck with the craziness that we have started. I'm packing our first box tomorrow night!!

Ok..so that's my story..now lets get to the Dogs. Pictures!!

Here are the two of them on the bed with me, while I'm knitting on my sister's sweater! Jackjack is the black blob behind Abby's head.

Abby is just too cute...I had to take another one of her watching me.
So...I think I've talked about Jackjack and Abby's love/hate relationship with each other before. But, when I first got Abbs she was very food aggressive because she was mistreated as a puppy and Jackjack had the only dog syndrom. Once they figured out their differences, he still did not like her laying where she was touching him. In the last couple months, they have been getting closer and closer. Last night...IT happened!! Jackjack was laying on the couch and getting pet by SK. Abby came over and laid next to the couch and then decided she was going to squeeze in. So she jumped up and SK said "Abby, what are you doing?" I told him to leave her alone...and he did. Jackjack didn't move either. So, she laid down and got comfy. This was big enough for me.....
but...then she did this!!! We both looked at each other and smiled!! This has never been a sight at our house but they laid like this for about 20 minutes until it was time for us to head to bed and them to go outside for their last potty break of the night. It was so adorable!!
Look at those faces!! I just love it!! My heart melted!!
Well...I hope you enjoyed the stories and pictures!! Sorry for the infrequent posting but life is pretty busy with wedding planning and now packing to move!! Please pray for us and wish us luck!

Happy Dogs On Thursday!! And don't forget to visit all the other lovely DOT participants and say hi!