My Year With Eleanor + Noelle

I finally feel like I actually have something non-narcissistic to post.  Sometimes I feel like my blogs are all about me, me, me and no one wants to know that much about me personally.  [I think]

My new book I'm reading has inspired me in more than one way - so why not brag blog about it.

My Year With Eleanor.

I saw it at Half Price Books and was immediately drawn to it, as the author's name was Noelle - spelled correctly the everything.  After I opened up the front cover and began to read more about this memoir, I realized that her Noelle and me Noelle were basically the same person.  From her former job as a celebrity blogger (a job I WISH I had) to her time unemployed and searching for a job/career/life that is fulfilling and happy and purposeful - she works on conquering her fears after seeing the Eleanor Roosevelt quote in a coffee shop - "Do one thing every day that scares you."
She uses the time between her 29th and 30th birthdays to discover herself, the world around her and  overcoming her worst fears.

I only got through maybe 30 pages last night, as I swear, every other page, I had to write down quotes from the book that I wanted to remember.  Among other things, only 30 pages in, it is already inspiring me to use this time in my life to think, discover, overcome and enjoy every day.  I KNOW I have a million and one things to work on internally and externally - and it is okay to actually work on them and try to change.  I'm keeping a list on my phone of things to do or ways to keep me on track and organize every piece of my life.  Organization is key! Says Noelle Hancock.  And I agree.

Amelia Noelle

There is not much more I can even say - as words are not even close to enough to talk about the birth of my niece, Amelia Noelle.  Not only that, but I'm beyond honored and quite speechless by the choice of middle name.  Needless to say, I had no clue until I found out she was born and boy, did that blow me away.  Good thing I was at work.  lol
In any case, I couldn't be happier and couldn't be more proud of my sister for already being an amazing Mom for the 2nd time around.  Not an easy job by any stretch of the imagination.  Especially with limitations like living in a different state.  

I am only four days away from FINALLY getting to meet Amelia.  And let me tell you, it has been a LONG couple of weeks waiting for my trip to Florida.  But I know it will be worth it and I know it will be great timing to help my sister attempt to fly home with a 3 year old and a 3 week old.  It will be an adventure to say the least.

And now, for your viewing enjoyment...

Don't you think she looks like her Auntie Noelle??

Like Butter

He never ceases to amaze me....never disappoints or let's me down.  I guess there are a few men that I could describe using those words but the man of the hour that I'm talking about is Mr A-Z himself.....


JASON MRAZ.

[I'm pretty sure I use any excuse to post these pictures...]

My love for him has only grown in the 9 years I have been listening to him.  I've seen him live in concert at least 7 times - mind you, each of those shows was at a completely different venue - which only shows how much he has grown in popularity.  Each show is unique in its own right and his voice sounds just as good live as it does recorded. 

Yesterday, Mraz released a new single in which I am HOH [headoverheels] in love with.

Watch, listen and melt away....

Do You Believe?

I couldn't help but watch these videos, as I was doing my daily lunch look-over of People.com.  


This 18 year old man boy was born with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  I can barely say the word, let alone live with such a scary disease.  This young man's lifelong health struggle made him face some pretty tough things from a young age.  The way he so beautifully told his stories through note cards and youtube is just breath-taking.  Unfortunately, the reason for this video to start on its viral journey is because Ben Breedlove passed away on Christmas Day.  These videos are bringing the family a small piece of solace that Ben is okay and that he believes.

Every now and then [more than I would like to admit] I always need something like this to jolt me from my pity party and realize that my life is pretty great compared some so many battles that people fight on a daily basis.

All I can say after tearfully watching Ben's last two videos is - I believe.

It's a Pajama Jeans kind of Christmas

I mean what I said.  2011 was a pajama jeans kind of Christmas as I received a pair of beyond comfortable pants.  They look like jeans and feel like pajamas.  Can't go wrong. 

Here I am sporting the PJs.  Tell me they don't look like regular jeans!

My parents were also beyond generous and bought Rian and I (and my sister and Bryan) an HP Touchpad.  It will be perfect for skypeing when the Pershings are off in sunny Florida for January and February!




Overall, it was such a blessed Christmas and was so happy to spend time with family.  The older I get, the more I appreciate that time and wish we could all be together more often.  Maybe it's on me to start that!

30 Days....

I have 30 days to do something cool.  To live a little more life than I usually do.  That is my goal for June 2011.  I find myself more and more struggling to get through each week...not the weekends, really, but the week days.  I wish away the days during the week...the days I have to work....thinking that they are only preventing me from living a great life on the weekends.  Now I know that has a lot to do with the fact that I'm [still] not satisfied with my job and work life.  BUT, another huge goal of the upcoming months is to dig deep to find out what I might want to do career wise.  Now that my fantastic husband is employed [thank ALL of the Gods that I've been praying to for that] - I feel a little more free to really discover what is going to make me happy in my work life.

Career Searching Tip - I suggest keeping a work journal on your desk for you to write down things you like and don't like about your job - or what some dream/nightmare aspects of a job would be for you.

So as I set out on this 30 day journey...please bare with me.  I may miss a few postings, I may not do extraordinary things every single day, but I will do my best to live a little more and a little better.  I know I have so much to be grateful for and I should treasure every day A LOT more than I do.  Every day is a gift that is never promised to us, but we should acknowledge how special each day is and appreciate the people around us who make our lives worth living.

10

1. Vacations – planning, counting down, taking them, experiencing them [but not coming home from them]  You know those people who say, "it's been a good trip, but I can't wait to get home to my own bed, etc" Well, I am NOT one of those people.

2. Concerts - As you can see from my previous post, I have a thing for live music and entertainment.  There is no other rush like it that I get when the lights completely go dark, the music begins and the show has started.  Nothing like it.

3. Owen - My nephew and Godson is one of my most favorite people in the world.  The closest thing I have to a child of my own and I love him just like that.  Every minute I get to spend with him and watch him grow up and teach him things and hear him call me 'TeeTee' is a blessing.

4. Time with good friends - As I grow older and my world starts to change, more and more I realize the value of friendship.  I am blessed with some amazing friends, some I've known forever and some that I just feel like I've known forever.  Day after day, our lives grow more and more busy, so the time we spend together is limited, but it only makes me appreciate the time we DO get to spend together even more. 

5.  All Things Disney - Anyone who knows me probably knows about my love of Disney.  It started when I was probably 4 years old and has multiplied every year.  All the trips to DW and DL, watching vacation planner videos every Saturday morning, listening to Subsonic Radio every day at work {wishing I was in DW instead of a cube}, sharing information and watching Disney videos with my Dad, taking my husband on his first {of many} trips to DW and seeing him enjoy it and thinking about how happy all things Disney makes me.  

6. My Workout Buddy - Never have I ever worked out and gone to the gym on such a regular basis as I have since I found my workout buddy, Kelly.  Since January, her and I have had a pretty good weekly schedule of what days we do which classes at which YMCA location.  {For me} the motivation for going to classes and keeping to that for a long time has been huge.  Not only has it helped me with myself and taking care of myself, but it has been a huge gift to have a friend supporting you along the way.  It is SO different having someone you can talk to before, during and after class - but most importantly - someone to look over at, roll your eyes and say 'I'm dying!'

And yes...Kelly and I wore our wedding dresses last summer for the Bachelorette finale!

7. Sun - Something that we haven't had much of in the past couple months.  I cannot believe the winter we have had and how much I am looking forward to nice weather.  With sun comes sand volleyball, outdoor patios, backyard BBQ's, outdoor baseball, zoo trips with Owen and of course walks around the lake with my dog and my husband.     

8. My Future - If I have learned anything this year, it is that you cannot completely control or predict your future.  But, I am learning to embrace the unknown and realize that wherever life takes me - my future will be amazing.  Down the road, there are so many adventures that await R and I and I am happy and excited to get there.  

9. My Family - Without the love and support of my family, I would be nowhere.  Every day and I more and more appreciative.  And one thing I appreciate more and more each day is how much I LIKE my family.  I know not everyone does.  But I am lucky enough that I like my family and enjoy the time we spend together. Liking your family and loving your family are two very different things -- I do both!

10. Scrabble - Someday I will beat my husband at this tricky, tricky game...

Popular

It has been quiet a while since I have been this excited about new music and concert tours.  I definitely go in spurts of being an active compact disc buyer (yes, I still buy CDs and don't think I could ever give that up) and concert attendee.  There really hasn't been anything that great out in the last year or so.

Thank God for Pop Music.

No matter how people classify 'pop' music - I will always believe it to be the universal feel good music that is easy to listen to and makes you very happy, even happy enough that it makes you want to dance!

My girl Britney is BACK!  Unlike most people, I never stopped being a fan and listening to her music and KNOWING that she would eventually make it back into the spotlight.  Her new CD Femme Fatale is a perfect example of Britney. Dance. Pop.  It is great for working out, dancing and singing in the car.  I cannot wait for her upcoming tour (with or without Enrique?) Here is just a sneak peak of what Britney has to offer....this song is incredible.  I dare you not to move when you hear this song.

I just love this girl and know she is going to continue to Rock It.  

Took this picture at Britney's Dream Within A Dream Tour in 2001

And then there was NKOTBSB.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this was even possible.  But here it is and in a mere 3 months...I will be seeing them all LIVE!    After our NKOTBSB night last Saturday, I have been rejuvenated with my love obsession.  I've come to realize that is it embedded in me and that I am completely okay with that.  I have people right there with me (kristine) who understand what that love obsession is all about.  

 It will be an unforgettable few weeks in July.  And I will savor every moment BEFORE the shows, in anticipation for a couple of the greatest nights of the year century!

Just a taste of what NKOTBSB will bring....

Over.Whelmed.

Definitely feeling completely OVERwhelmed these days. Sometimes I feel like I can't catch my breath long enough to figure out where I am and what I'm doing. So much has happened/continues to happen over the last six months. Sometimes I forget what it was like to have everything in life nailed down and figured out and not *really* have many things to worry about. {although I usually find a few things to worry about at all times.}

I never quite understood the ramifications of what it means to be unemployed. Certainly never had to deal with it in my life. But man, does that smack you right in the face and make you look at everything COMPLETELY different.

R and I never imagined that only 3 months after our wedding our whole world would be turned upside down. I have never been on a roller coaster like this in my life and it has proved for some real testing of strength and character.

Things that I have learned through this experience...

1 - I will never take for granted having a job ever again. (and neither should YOU)

2 - Sometimes it's okay to ask for help and rely on people who ARE able to help

3 - Many people forget about your 'situation' and do not provide extra support that is needed

4 - Other people step up to the plate and are more than supportive and understanding

5 - Money management. (Do I really need that dress? Well, yes, but I can't afford it right now.)

6 - Playing a game of scrabble (via facebook) against your husband on a friday night is the
best.

7 - Our appreciation for the small and the big things has been beyond enhanced

8 - Letting go of 'planning the future' - we never really know what a week, month or year will bring us

Because of what we have gone through and continue to go through every day - we have a new found appreciate for so many things. We have learned things that we will keep for the rest of our lives and will definitely make a difference in the long run. We have learned so many lessons that some people never learn in their lifetime. We eventually will look at this time as one of the hardest but most influential times in our relationship and in our life. And until that point of closing this chapter in our lives and in our marriage....we wait...we persist....we laugh...we cry...we hope...

What am I doing?

Had a though last week.....

Some of my very favorite music includes boybands, britney spears and broadway...

One of my biggest online news sources is people.com...

I am addicted to horrible reality TV, including the entire Real Housewives franchise...

My favorite vacation destination is Disney World...

What in the hell am I doing working at Minnesota Public Radio?!?

I have had that thought more than once and continue to struggle with it. I'm not sure I'll ever be as "serious" as everyone around me. Not that I don't care about it all or feel that it is important. I just do not bleed public radio - like so many of my co-workers.
I wonder if I will ever find another job that I actually have the fire and passion for. Sometimes I feel like a poser, but I can't help what makes me happy in life!
I can be very serious at times - too serious even - but most of the time I am a 10 yr old girl and those things that made me happy then, still make me happy to this day.
I guess I am okay with that. I just hope people can always accept me for who I am, what is important to me and what makes me happy. I never pretend to be someone I am not - and I hope people can always see that in me.

But for now, I will continue to love pop music that makes me sing and dance, bad reality tv that makes me feel "less crazy" and disneyworld will always be my happiest place on earth.

2011 - Oh Boy...!

2009 - 2010 - 2011 and beyond. I cannot believe how much time flies. 2010 has definitely been a year to remember. So many amazing things happened and I'm very grateful.
But it has also been one of the most difficult years of my life as well. Either way, I'm grateful for all of the things that have happened that have led me to this point in my life and am hoping and praying for an amazing 2011.
Like everyone else at this point in time - I am re-evaluating my life and everything in it. Looking toward the future with hope and fear and uncertainty.
I feel very blessed with the year I had. I planned a wedding in 7 months and married the love of my life on May 22nd. We had a fabulous wedding and honeymoon, and I am so grateful that all of that happened and had so much support from all of the people in our life that mean the most to us. Summer was great. Lots of time with friends and playing sports and busy as ever. Then bad news hit in August and we found out that Rian was losing his job. It was quite a blow, especially after all of the years and dedication Rian has given to the company.
We knew that in the long run this would be the best - but it still was/is a difficult thing to go through. We are still struggling with this, but luckily I was able to find a new (better paying) job and started working at Minnesota Public Radio in November. The bump in pay was huge for us and we are happy about that. We are still plugging away and trying to find something for Rian.

I always heard about people dealing with layoffs and unemployment, but I never fully understood what it was until this happened to us. Luckily, Rian and I have each other for support and also have my parents who have been amazing throughout this tough time. I realize that there are so many out there that have no support and I can't imagine how difficult that would make things.
Trying to look at the silver linings - at least we don't have any children we are trying to support or huge amount of debt (although having to buy a furnace in October wasn't a fun thing to do) and I still have a job and am able to cover both of us for insurance.
Overall, it is a huge learning experience for Rian and I and maybe something that happened to teach both of us and something that will help us for the rest of our lives. Lord knows I will never take for granted having a job ever again. And, I think we will take away some heavy lessons that will benefit us for the future. We have learned (what we already knew) how fun a night at home with movies or catching up on our DVR is instead of going out to dinner or to a bar. We enjoy cooking meals at home for each other or cooking together. We cut out the little things that we don't necessarily need (but sometimes enjoy buying). We have appreciated even more being able to go over to my parents house for dinner and enjoyed their company. I am realizing how lucky I am that Rian really likes my parents and is okay hanging out with them. I know that doesn't always work that way, so I really appreciate that from both sides.
We have and continue to learn a lot about life, our life and our situation. I am still completely keeping the faith that things will turn around for us and Rian will find a job soon. I am hopeful that 2011 will be a positive year full of new beginnings and opportunities.
I am ready to start enjoying being a newlywed and doing all those fun things. Creating our home together and our life together. We are still able to do a lot of that now, I just can't wait when we have more freedom to enjoy this time in our lives. We will get there and we will appreciate it even more.
Professionally, for me, I have started on a new adventure that I'm still trying to get used to and figure out. As anyone who is even remotely close to me knows that I seem to always be looking for a new job and a new opportunity. I do believe I have found a good place to be - yet (of course) I'm still desiring more/something different. Not sure if I will ever be satisifed with any current job, but I still feel like there is something more out there for me. Something that will actually fulfill whatever it is that has seem to have been void in my life all these years. Someday - Somehow!

Who knows - maybe 2011 is the year of the Heaslip's winning the lottery and all of these problems will be behind us.....for good.

Either way, I'm still searching, still hoping and still dreaming - I don't think I will ever stop dreaming.

Fashion is Chaos.

I'm convinced that all of my exceptional outfits, accessories, everything put together can only be done in a chaotic state. Whenever I have an idea in my head of what I am going to where and how it is going to look - it never turns out that way.
Yet, on random mornings when I have no idea what to wear - I seem to just put together a complete outfit and it just works.

Fashion cannot be forced. Fashion is a life style. Fashion is a (my) driving force.

Fashion is ever changing - which is why I can easily get bored of my clothes - yet cannot seem to part with them in case they come back full circle.

Carrie Bradshaw - one of my style icons - taught me to show my personality and my emotions through my clothes, to never be afraid of color and that accessories make the outfit.

When I'm (trying to) put an outfit together, I simply say to myself - WWCBW?

{What Would Carrie Bradshaw Wear}

Married Life....

Is GREAT!

Sorry I haven't updated in forever - but now I'm writing to you as Mrs. Noelle Heaslip. Crazy, I know. I don't have much to say at this moment but I will paste a few wedding pics!

More to follow, but here is a sneak peak!

ENJOY! More to come.....

Hard Work

No one ever said being a woman was easy - but man it is a lot of work. Just last night while I was getting ready for bed and it was taking me forever to do all the things I need to do before bed - I thought about how ridiculous it is and how much work we put into looking our best.
I really am not total high maintenance but with all of the wedding things coming up (ahem*my bachelorette party*ahem) I have been trying to pay more attention to the beauty things I could be doing to look my best.
This is what my "getting ready for bed" ritual has been for the past couple months.
Of course start with taking out my contacts. Then I wash my face with proactiv. I use the astringent and wipe all the dirt off my face. And finally end with the moiusturizer.
On the occasional nights - I will use the biore face strips to get all the crap out of my pours. Or will use the proactiv mask which you put on your face - wait ten minutes and then wash it off. Scared the hell out of Rian the other night when I laid in bed next to him with that thing on my face. lol
Then - because of an odd eczema flare up on my ankle (which I'm pretty sure was caused by stress and apparently likes to show itself on my leg/ankle) I have to put some cream on that spot as well.
Of course add in the q-tips to clean out the ol' ears.
After that - I brush my teeth and then I prepared my teeth molds for my whitening. My very kind dentist gives you (and your fiance) a free whitening kit before you get married as a nice little gift. They take the molds of your teeth and everything. So I had to put the gel in those and stick those bad boys in - giving me an uncomfortable lisp and possible drooling in the middle of the night.

All of that work - just to be somewhat presentable, or at least try to look the best I can. Now I'm not necessarily complaining. I enjoy knowing that I'm putting effort into my apprearence and doing what I can do look nice - but man it is a lot of work.
I won't even get into my "getting ready for a day" routine - with the shower and shaving and lotion and make up and hair spray! Oy! Too much!
Let's just say that I hope men (and women) appreciate the effort put into looking our best!

It's 10 O'Clock - - - Do you know where your manners are?

I'm not going to even apologize for my lack of blogging because I don't feel guilty that I haven't done much lately. I have about a million and one commitments right now - oh and planning a wedding in 6 months. ;-)

Here is my rant though....

Since when did everyone loose all manners and etiquette when it comes to weddings? Or maybe people never had it in the first place. Either way I just don't understand.
I will preface all of this with the fact that now that I am in the shoes of the wedding planner and organizer - I do feel guilty for some of my wedding etiquette in the past. I am guilty of some of it - but not to the extent of what I am dealing with. But I do feel bad and vow to always remember what it was like for me to be planning my wedding and how difficult people can be - and to understand the responsibility that comes with being invited to a wedding. It is not just a given - it is an honor. And I promise to treat it with much more respect than I ever did in the past.

With that said...what is wrong with people?!? I am dealing with stress upon stress when it comes to invitations and guest lists and numbers. I understand there is some unspoken etiquette with invitations and who is invited. I thought everyone knew that if your name is on the invitation - you are invited. If it isn't - then you aren't. And just because your name is written on it alone - doesn't mean that you are automatically allowed to bring a guest.
Apparently, some people do think they are allowed to bring a guest.
And yes - maybe I am starting things right off the bat with me having bad manners with the fact that I'm not able to invite everyone I want, let alone give everyone a guest. Maybe I'm in the wrong with that - but in my heart I just don't think so.
I (we) made a choice at the beginning of this process and picked a venue which does have space limitations. Forgive me for picking a place that unfortunately doesn't hold a crap load of people - but it does hold a special place in my heart for its uniqueness and beauty. I'm sorry that my tastes have offended people because I was unable to invite their truck load of children to my wedding.
ok - i'm getting off course.....
What I'm trying to say is that - I'm sorry I cannot please everyone and that I may have offended people by the limitations of my decisions. But at the same time - I'm not sorry. I'm not sorry that I decided what I wanted for ME and MY wedding - and it just so happened not to work out so well for you.
I have had multiple people write on their RSVP & guest, when the invitation was only sent to one. I don't understand why. If someone had a question - they should come to me and ask - before they just assume and then make me look like the jerk and stressing out more having to tell them that they cannot bring a guest. Or just leaving it as it is and working with the fact that they are bringing a random person that I've never met and I'm having to eliminate inviting a friend of mine. It is altogether so frustrating.
I've also had family members go through different people and channels to ask about their kids being invited. Which, unfortunately, their kids were not invited. I don't have space for my cousin's kids whom I don't even remember their names. I'm sorry - but I'm not okay with that. What I AM okay with is the same people not coming b/c their kids were not invited. All the more room to invite people that I actually WANT at my wedding.

I know this is a terrible vent/rant - but this really bothers me. It really bothers me that other peoples decisions have been bringing me more stress than I already have and it is so ridiculous.
I know I am probably in the wrong when it comes to family things. But at this point, I know who my family is whether they are blood related or not - and my true family will all be at my wedding. Others who may share blood with me but haven't spoken to me in years dont really constitute family to me.
I'm sure I will create some enemies after this event - but whatever. The people that matter are doing all they can to help me and be there for me. And the other people just dont' give a damn.
I just hope that the people who really don't give a damn and would just go to my wedding for the free meal would just stay home. But PLEASE RSVP No SOON so I can invite more of the people who actually matter.

Sorry for the rant - who knew bridezilla could sneak up on you so easily? ;-)

Peace OUT!

Why?

Why is it that I haven't really cried during the "big stuff" for the wedding - like buying or trying on my wedding dress, picking the venue or asking people to be involved in the wedding.....But it's those moments where I just happen to be doing random wedding things or just thinking about the day.
Like reading love poems online at work and crying in my cube or imagining what the day is going to be like and what it will be like to walk down the aisle and see everyone in the world who is important to me all in one place while running on the treadmill and starting to cry on the treadmill but being able to make it look like sweat and can easily be wiped away with my sweaty towel.

Both events happened yesterday. What is up?

You really CAN shorten them and wear them again!

Okay - maybe you can't shorten them, but I swear you can wear them again! My bridesmaid dresses that is! Honestly, I really did pick the one that I would want to wear again. I'm actually kind of jealous that I didn't get to buy one too! lol
The only thing that is really missing is I REALLY wanted pockets in the dresses. Unfortunately, that couldn't really happen and I figured it wasn't worth the hassle of stressing out trying to find the perfect dress with pockets. I can just imagine that they are there.
In any case, I really wanted to find a green dress but the style of dress was more important to me than the color. I figured if I found a dress I liked but it didn't have the green I wanted, I could still go with black. And that is what happened. But black totally works considering we are doing black, white/ivory and green as wedding colors. Very classic. Plus, with black dresses, we can totally jazz them up with accessories! As I always say - Accessories make the outfit!
So, I am on the hunt for some fun and funky green jewlery that my maids can wear and look FAB!
I also know from someone's personal experience that this is a super comfy dress. The material is NOT like the regular bridesmaid dress material, which I think is great. I wanted to get as far away from the "typical bridesmaid dress" as I could. You know me, I like to do the opposite of what everyone else does. lol We're all lucky I'm wearing a somewhat traditional gown. For my first communion, when i was 8 years old, I didnt' want to wear the traditional white dress that all little girls "should" wear for their First Communion - so I wore a colorful, flowery dress. lol It started early and probably will never go away.
But for now...here the the picture of the dress. Remember - it is black and it will be shorter, like knee length. It will be May after all! :-)

Where It's At!

I'll try to do some wedding recaps of planning so far (if anyone really cares. lol)

We will be having our ceremony AND reception in the Gilbert Building at 413 on Wacouta in Lowertown Downtown St. Paul. Ironicaly, Lowertown has become a new hip and happening spot with new bars opening up like The Bulldog and Barrio. A great historic district with beautiful sights like Mears Park and in the warmer months the St. Paul Farmers Market is perfect on a sunny, Saturday morning. I feel really lucky that we will be in such a neat area and also in a vintagey, historic building.
Since I'm kind of a history nerd - here is a little bit about the building where all of these amazing things for us will be happening...

The Gilbert Building is named in honor of its creator – architect Cass Gilbert. Examples of his art are still admired throughout the United States. The Minnesota State Capitol Building. The Woolworth Building in New York City. The United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. Before undertaking these famous projects, Cass Gilbert made a name for himself designing some of the most stately buildings in what is now known as Lowertown, Saint Paul’s warehouse district.
In 1893, Gilbert designed a five-story building at 413 Wacouta Street for the Boston and Northwest Realty Company. Records from the early 1900s describe the building as “one of the best business structures in Saint Paul.” The building is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Cass Gilbert’s achievement is reborn as the Gilbert Building.

I just love the fact that the building where we are getting married has an amazing and rich St. Paul tradition. (now that I have converted Rian to the right side of the river!)
This building is a new space, especially for weddings. They are still in construction building the ceremony suite which is where our ceremony will be held. I'm a bit anxious knowing that I have no clue what that important space will look like, but I'm keeping the faith that it will be beautiful. I think our wedding will be maybe the 2nd or 3rd wedding held in that space, so it will be all spiffy and new for us!
The reception area is in the basement of the building and has its own uniquness as well. It looks very old school and vintage. I love the exposed limestone and the green piping. I also love the pictures all around the walls of St. Paul back in the day. Here is a sneak peak...

I also love all the different things you can do with lighting in a room like that. Not much decorating has to be done when you already have a neat space.
Another part of Wacouta that I love is the bridal suite and getting ready area. That helped to sell me knowing that I would be able to get my hair and make-up done all there. It will help my stress level a ton just knowing that we only have to go to one place and once I am there I can relax (or try to) and enjoy the getting ready process and know that I am set. That is one of the things I am most excited for. lol There is plenty of room for all of my girls to be around, which will be amazing.

This is the actual Bridal Suite...

This is the fireplace room which is off of the Bridal Suite so there is a ton of room to have lots of people hanging out - plus they have a bar area where we can put some breakfast trays and champagne of course!

That is just a little recap of where it's all happening! Wish I had a picture of the ceremony suite - only in my mind I guess. ;-)

Register, Schmegister

Considering that it is exactly 123 days until I become Mrs. Noelle Heaslip - things are really starting to roll and I'm really starting to freak out.
Did anyone freak out about changing their name? I never really thought about it, but its kind of weirding me out now. Just typing it all out freaks me out. lol I guess it is a reality, but it is still a weird thing to consider. Rian will tease me and call me Noelle Heaslip and it weirds me out, yet it is happening soon. Like 123 days soon!

On top of that, I'm just getting weirded out that everything is actually happening. I honestly never thought this day would come and now I'm planning my wedding. I'm also stressing planning the wedding as well. For someone like me who has an INCREDIBLY difficult time making any decisions, you can understand how this would only multiply everything and stress me out even more.

But right now I have a question for all who are reading and could REALLY use the help and advice. I'm just wondering....

*What things about your wedding did you love and are so glad you did?
*What things about your wedding do you wish you wouldn't have spent the time or money on and would not have done if you had to do it again?

And the same goes for registering....

*What are you so glad you registered for and love?
*What do you wish you wouldn't have bothered with on your registry?

I keep telling people how frustrating it is planning a wedding because (hopefully/usually) you only ever plan one, so its everyone's first time doing everything!

Any other advice being four months out? I know it seems like forever away, but of course it isn't and there is much to be done, especially in the next couple months. I know I can't control having a lot to do close to the wedding, but I would like to try and get as much done as I can now so that I can enjoy the months leading up with showers and things.

So.....comment away - or if you are feeling really ambitious - email me! noelle.fastner@gmail.com

Thanks Ladies! :-)

ps: I will try to show pics of some of the main things I have picked for the wedding in my next post!

B-I-N-G-Ohhhh Yeah!

This past summer, we found Bingo. Well, actually, we feel that Bingo found us.
Yes, of course I (we) have all played Bingo in the past and enjoyed it on a random basis - but only this past summer did I truely find and LOVE bingo.

I probably blogged about it this past summer, but one day after enjoying some races at Cantebary - Rian, Dirty Steve, Andy and I decided that we were still itching to drop some money and went over Mystic Lake. Thought we would give Bingo a shot. And ever since then, the four of us have had Bingo Fever!

Although we hadn't met for official Bingo play in a few months, last Monday night the four of us met at the 5-8 Club in Maplewood for some bingo action. It is $1/game and there are 12 games. Let's just say that the Bingo Gods were smiling down upon us on December the 7th because out of the 12 games played - our table won 4 of them!
Steve won twice (lucky bastard!), I won once (a whopping $36!) and Andy finally popped his Bingo winning cherry with a $41 win!
Here is Andy with his big cash winnings....

And Steve with his lucky Bingo move...you must actually see it to truely appreciate it....

Poor Rian was the only non winner at our table. Next time, Rian, next time!
We throughly enjoyed ourselves and can't wait to go back again on Monday. Also - the food is excellent and not too expensive. They are known for their burgers - juicy lucys especially. Both Rian and I were happy with our dinner selections.
Then, we saw someone order a bloody mary and damn did it look good. I think the whole beef stick in the drink was the kicker. So, Andy, Rian and I had to give it a shot. Rian and I are HUGE bloody mary fans - always looking for a good bar bloody since they are hard to find and can often be hit or miss from each visit. Rian's homemade mix is still the best!

In any case - our Bingo adventure was a success and we can't wait to go back and win some more!

here is the whole bingo gang - which we have even made a group page on facebook for our bingo club....very exclusive....