Engaged!

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon when Heather arrived home from work, slightly tired, but happy that the weather had turned sunny. Josh was outside and greeted her with open arms, suggesting they take one of their many walks, as the weather was perfect for it. They would walk down to the lake and watch the water shimmer as the sun touches it and the air is cool. As could probably be expected it was a busy day at the lake - families out with fishing poles and boats and coolers, so they walked past the bench where they sometimes sit and watch the water and headed down a path that follows the lake. They followed the path, brushing aside cobwebs - Heather saw her first sunfish, or at least what was part of one, passed a family train laden with poles and coolers and chairs until they finally reached a quiet spot. A low hanging tree trailed its branches in the water and they watched the water just beyond. Josh turned to Heather at this point and said, "So, I have a question for you." He dropped to one knee, and Heather may have cried, "No way!" as tears started forming and he asked her to marry him, to which she replied, "YES!" He opened the box, the diamond sparkling, and said, "I really hope this fits," as he slid it on her finger and wouldn't you know - it fit perfectly!

I am giddy and loved and feel like I'm walking in the clouds.

Live List

Inspired by The Polished Pickle Here is my Summer Live List:

*Go camping!
*Go for long drives ending in picnics by lakes
*Learn to use my sewing machine
*Make at least one dress from acquired 50's patterns
*Take more photographs
*Bake a layer cake
*Attempt to grow sunflowers
*Throw an outdoor dinner party
*Make a travel scrapbook
*Catch a fish and make a meal for my honey (he may have to do the yucky parts, though) :p
*Start furthering my education with a summer course
*Meet new people
*Go on an adventure in the city
*Have more movie/slumber parties with Josh

*Find the perfect recipe for pots de creme and actually make it!
*Come up with a longer list! :)

Ho hum

It's so hard to come back to reality when you've been on vacation for over a week. I'm slowly getting back in the swing of the things, but yesterday was difficult - my first day back at work at both jobs. As can be expected I had a full inbox and I'm still working through it. I did, however, have time on Monday to put together a slide-show from our trip to Colorado. I may go back and tidy it up a bit, but for now, here is the link.

2009 Road Trip from Heather Pennington on Vimeo.

We had such a good time and I wish we could have stayed longer. I didn't get to see half the people I wanted to and didn't get to spend enough time with those we did get to see. It was also nice to do a few things I hadn't done before and Josh got to see some new sites and do some touristy things he had never gotten the opportunity to do before including going to Mesa Verde, the hot springs in Pagosa and riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which thankfully we decided to only do one way. I had forgotten what a long trip it is.

I don't think I've cried or laughed so much in a while, though. What a mix of emotions on this trip! It looks like my little brother might beat me to the altar, but I couldn't be happier for him and Crystal getting engaged. I wasn't expecting that surprise when we stepped out of the car! I cried - what a girl! Then sadly, Buddy the family dog was put to sleep a couple days later, so that definitely put a damper on things. He was a good dog and had a long life, though. That is the worst part about having pets - watching them go. On the plus side, after spending as much time as we did in the car we didn't have any arguments - just me getting irritable at times or plain crazy after being couped up in a moving vehicle for so many hours. I got pretty squirmy towards the end. :p

It's pretty amazing that we've never had an an actual "argument" or "fight" in the almost two years we've been dating. We might have come close once or twice to arguing, but that's it. Mostly Josh is just awesome and lets me have space when I'm irritable or grouchy or tries to make me laugh which may or may not work. :p He's definitely had a calming effect on me, and my mood swings are less frequent, or at the very least they don't last as long. I'm a lucky girl to have found such a good man. He's calm and doesn't get angry or yell and doesn't take his irritations or frustrations out on anyone else (something I need to work on a lot), he's understanding, and fun, and everything a girl could want. Josh - I love you. :)

Back in Minnesota

We have returned home after our much too short trip back to Colorado. I shall write a proper post later with links to more pictures from the trip. It was wonderful and much needed, but I'm sad it's over - not nearly enough time.