The Story of Liz and Cory Part 2!

Two days ago I posted about how Cory and I met (in a Library, which is so perfect considering we're both teachers and book worms)!

Today--I bring you to our engagement!

---July 2009---

For two weeks last July Cory and I packed ourselves into his Jetta and hit a few major cities in the south. We had so much fun touring Knoxville, Nashville, Macon, Savannah, Charleston, and the Outer Banks that we almost didn't want to come home! I have to be honest, before we left on the trip, I really wasn't sure if I would be able to "live out of a car" for 2 weeks, but by the end, we had definitely found a great routine. The day after we returned home, Cory and I still weren't sick of each other, so we planned an impromptu date night. I knew this was a crazy, crazy sign. How can I NOT be sick of a person who I zero privacy from for 2 solid weeks?!

On Saturday July 25th, Cory was acting a little crazy when he suddenly rushed into the house and said, "I have to go, my sister's water heater leaked all throughout her basement and I need to go help her clean it up!" I asked if I could go, not to help clean, but to lay out by the pool (haha). He said no because he was in such a rush, so I just let him go on without me. (I'll come back to this in a second...)

The next morning, July 26th, Cory woke very early to make me breakfast in bed (we cook breakfast together at least 1 Sunday a month--and it's one of my absolutely favorite things). Before long, I realized that it wasn't even 8:30 and I already had coffee waiting for me. A little annoyed that I couldn't sleep in longer, I struggled to sit up (and I know many of you are saying, geez Liz, 8:30? Get serious...) and prepare for breakfast. Cory brought to me a tray of breakfast with a white envelope on top. I ate my breakfast first (and it was so so delicious) and then began to read his letter. The letter was handwritten and about 3 pages in length and chalk full of private jokes and thoughts. The very last line of the letter, as Cory poked his head around the corner to see if I had finished it or not) was "Will you be my wife?"

I looked at him, shocked, and he came beside the bed and knelt down on one knee. I couldn't move much because the breakfast tray was still covering my lap (haha), but after a few sentiments from him, I finally said yes (as many times as I could)!

We spent the rest of the day going around town to show our parents and friends. We had such a wonderful day celebrating and getting ready to announce to everyone we knew! I honestly had NO idea.

So what does Cory's sister's basement have to do with this? Well, while I thought he was cleaning up gallons of water, he was really going to pick up my engagement ring from Colonial Jewelers (a local, family owned jewelry store) and asking my mother for permission. That sneaky devil...

It's time for some goals!

I know I've been on summer break for about 2 weeks now, but I really don't think my actual summer will begin until after I am married and relaxed from the craziness of wedding planning. So, I have been thinking  a lot about life after the wedding (you know, starting July 11th) and what I want to accomplish before I return to school. So here's what I've come up with...

1. Add 10 new items to Donnas Decembers shop.

Whitney at The Muse has already requested a few items to return for the fall season, so I need to get a head start on all the fall and winter items I have floating around in that head of mine!

2. Read 4 novels.

That's really not much for me, considering I read 22 novels 2 summers ago... but I'll be short on time considering teachers return to school on August 12th!

Here's what I have lined up so far...

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

Since these two are fairly philosophical, I would like recommendations for "lighter" but great reads. Any suggestions??

3. Continue to Journal.

(source)

The 30 Day Journal Challenge has really opened my eyes to a new style of journaling that isn't as time intensive as the old-school method. I really am falling in love with this creative outlet and can't wait to journal all the magical events and memories of our wedding!

4. Yard Sale!

Cory and I are in desperate need of a MAJOR purge. Since we both lived in our own apartments before moving in together (plus we're getting so many amazing wedding gifts) we have TOO much stuff for 2 people (and a catchild)! Would anyone be interested in a community yard sale? Hmm?

I think 4 goals is a great number for now (since it's my lucky number).

*What are your goals for summer?

*What about the rest of 2010 (we only have 5 months left, yikes!)

The story of Liz and Cory part 1

(The first picture of us, ever! We had just changed from taking a tour of the White House with a few of my family members.)

Recently, my Happy Mail partner reminded me that I never posted any of the cute little stories about Cory and I (you know, where we met, how we got engaged, wedding plans, etc, etc.). I realized that I didn't have this blog up and going until after we were knee deep in wedding plans.
Alas, I welcome you back to Summer 2007.

I was freshly graduated from Salisbury University and, at that time, employed with Baltimore County Public Schools to be a middle school English Language Arts teacher. I had headed over to a dear friends' house for a huge graduation party (we both graduated from Salisbury and our youngest siblings graduated from the same high school). It was a really fun evening as I saw many people from the past. My high school psychology teacher (who taught me his very first year of teaching ever) was in attendance with a few other young teachers. We were hanging out, eating the delicious food, and having a really great time.

One of those young teachers was Cory. His parents are the God parents of the friend whom I was visiting. I had known Cory casually over many years, but I saw his parents on a more frequent basis. At this time, on this particular summer evening, I was fresh out of a long-term relationship and he was still currently attached. We had so much fun hanging out and then realized, that we would both be teaching in Baltimore County at the beginning of the next school year! Crazy! We exchanged numbers and went on our way...

Fast foward to April 2008. I am visiting a local high school (my alma mater)to do a little work with another teacher. I had to find something in the school library quickly, and as soon as I was on my way out the door, a handsome young man stood tall and said, "Liz?"

Yep, it was Cory. We briefly said hello, but I was in a rush, so I didn't give the coversation much thought.

Two days later, I received an email from Cory asking me if I was available for happy hour in Frederick. I said sure, since we hadn't seen each other in about a year. We made plans to meet at Isabella's on Friday. When we met that Friday at 4:00, the conversation rolled easily and I was surprised how much we had in common to talk about. Before long a few friends joined us at a different location which only exanded the fun. When I realized that happy hour was over and we were just out having a great time, I checked my watch, and sure it enough, it was 11:00 p.m.

I headed home, and the rest is history!

Want to Learn How to Crochet?

It's pretty obvious that crochet is my favorite craft and hobby. I was lucky enough to have my grandmother near by to teach me and help me through complicated patterns and so forth. However, I know there might be many of you who want to learn and/or improve your skills, but don't know where to turn! Well--I have compiled a few helpful resources for you!
I introduce you to Lion Brand Yarn's Learning Center. This has been my favorite resource as I have been stumbling through various motifs and fancy lingo. Not only are there videos, but also pictures! So it doesn't make a difference if you're an audio or visual learner (or both) everything is right here for you! (Hint: Lion Brand yarn is also my favorite yarn. It's so perfect for nearly every project AND their color palettes are the best to boot.

My second resource, that is also incredible and very helpful in numerous ways is Ravelry. It's a network for crocheters and knitters everywhere (sorta like facebook)! Not only are there THOUSANDS of patterns, but if you pick up a yarn you adore but have no idea what pattern to make--go to the PATTERNS tab, throw in the type of yarn you have and wah-lah, it'll give you a huge assortment of patterns based upon what others have posted! It's a dream world for crafters out there who have found a goldmine of yarn at a thriftstore or various other outlet and have no idea what to do with it!

Bethnitx1over at Youtube also has an awesome crochet channel that you can watch and learn from. She's very slow, which is helpful for beginners. Check her out if the Lion Brand videos aren't working for you!
The hardest part of crocheting is figuring out how to handle the yarn and hook at the same time. Many people find keeping a balanced tension very hard... and it is. But practice really does make perfect, and it's always worth a second go around if you've tried before but didn't have the best of resources to use!
Also, if you have any crochet specific questions you would like to ask, feel free to leave me a comment at any time!
Peace, love, and yarn!

Current Obsession: That Girl!

Ever find something from the past and almost instantly you're hooked once again? It has happened to me. I am so helplessly hooked on THAT GIRL!

That Girl was a popular TV sitcom that aired from 1966-1971. I recently fell upon season 1 about a month ago and have been hooked ever since. Marlo Thomas protrays Ann Marie, a single gal moving to NYC after college graduation. Essentially, Ann is an aspiring actress who is struggling to make ends meet and not lose her mind. She is also hopelessly in love with her boyfriend Don Hollinger, a writer for a local magazine. The episodes are not intertwined, but you do see many of the same characters throughout each season.

Why do I love this show so much?
1) The clothes. Many designers we adore today were just getting started during this time. The clothes are chic, classic, and drool worthy in every way.
2) Ann is a young woman who refused to fall suit to her girlfriends who had married young. While she shows no disrespect, she honors the right to decide if and when marriage is appropriate in her life.
3) There are 5 seasons! Over 100 episodes! YAY!

Feast your eyes:

Love. Love. Love.

What are your current obsessions?

A little glimpse...

I'm a little behind on the 30 Day Journal Challenge... but here are my pages so far!

Day 1: Introduce yourself!

Day 2: What is the BEST part of your day?

To Be Completed:

Day 3: Write a Letter to a Special Person

Day 4: Draw a Picture of your Heart

Day 5: What are your favorite blogs?

I have big, big plans of grabbing an iced green tea and sitting outside and finishing up those last three prompts! I'll be back soon with picture updates, promise!

I have been a very bad blogger.

Oh my heavens. I thought I would have so much time to blog once school finished last week--but alas, I have not! I am in full throttle wedding mode! Fortunately, I have also had some time to veg in a few new ideas as well.

For example, Janel over at Run With Scissors is hosting an incredible 30 Day Journal Challenge. She is an elementary art teacher who has the summer off and has chosen to spend her first 30 days of summer vacay inspiring use to journal a page based upon a specific theme each day. We're only on Day 5--so you have to join! Go check it out! She also has a flickr account where we have been uploading pics of our journal pages!  It's a must do--especially if you aren't as skilled with a pen like me!

I know I promised you a USA Scarf DIY--but to be perfectly honest, I'm just not in a place to focus on details. I'm scared if I type it out--I'll rush, and it'll be no good. I'll try better later in the week.

My bridal shower is tomorrow and I'm getting excited! Lisa is coming to town tonight--so my evening will be spent in Baltimore. As I was strumming through my daily blogs--I did find this:

Perfect! I might dirve down early and hang out in Hampden until it's time to go downtown to pick up Lisa! What an awesome idea!

Also, last night, I finished my very first crochet project of the summer:

A giant granny blanket that I made for an extremely deserving student. On the last day of school, a different student stole my wallet and cell phone. A student that I taught 3 years ago returned the wallet after finding it on the side of the road. I know she'll love this blanket (and hopefully the colors, too)! I really hope it shows my gratitude for her kind act of service. With a lot of travel time and down time in the evenings--it only took me 6 days to complete this giant blanket! I was thrilled!

Right now I'm working on a baby gift for a close friend who is expecting... I'll post more later.

Have a fab day!