Monday, June 30, 2008

good news on the gimp!

I woke up bright and early to make phone calls to the referred orthopedic doctor at MCV and they were able to squeeze me in at 11am. After a look at my X-rays, they decided that the broken bone was lined up correctly and have me in a removable knee-high boot.

When I told him about the wedding being less than 7 weeks away he said that at the very least he thought I would be able to go a night without the boot, I would just have to wear hard-soled-flat shoes. So, I guess that isn't too bad. It definitely could be worse! I could be in a hard cast that I can't shower in and makes my ankle itch like crazy!

After my doctor's appointment, Rick drove me to my first day at my new job. My bosses were very understanding and very appreciative that I made the effort only 3 days after I broke my foot to begin my orientation and training. I am so excited about this job, I really think it is going to be a good fit.

And although it is my right foot that is broken...my doctor said if I was up to it and would be very careful, I could drive.. I just had to take the boot off and wear a shoe with a hard sole.

So overall... very good news. I am not in as much pain and the boot makes it a lot easier to walk and the best news yet.... NO CRUTCHES! (this might be better than no boot for the wedding!)

Well, I hope this finds everyone happy and those of you at the beach, I hope you have a great time!

Love,
your still-half-gimp richmonders.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

i am so blessed.

My parents got back into town Friday afternoon from their drive to Charlotte to help with Delaney and all of her doctors. They brought Delaney back with them so Rick and I got to hang out with her. Rick even put her to sleep at one point (he is crazy about that little girl!). Bill dropped my sister off Friday evening and continued to Northern Virginia to visit with his family.

Saturday, my maid of honor, Shannon and my other bridesmaids Heidi, Jacqui and Justine threw me a fabulous lingerie shower with yummy food including my mom's chicken salad. It was so nice. Then, afterwards we all went out for my bachelorette party! Heidi's 18-year-old brother drove us around in a decorated 15-passenger van. He was a very good sport. Especially with me being a gimp.

Yes, that is right, I said gimp! I rolled out of our 3-foot tall bed early Saturday morning and fell on awkwardly on my foot. Spent the later morning at Patient First only to discover that I have a broken foot! So I spent my "last night single" on crutches. I don't know much more than its a metatarsal that is broken towards the outside on my right foot. Yes, my right foot so I can't even drive! I have been referred to an orthopedic surgeon to have him look at it more and figure out what is next.

Bad timing though let me tell you! I start my job tomorrow. But I am a trooper, I will make it work.

But on a happier note... My mother, sister, cousin Lizz (from Tennessee) and many girlfriends from New York, Northern VA and around Richmond helped me get around town and all things considered we had a pretty awesome night out. I didn't drink too much considering I was on crutches but had just as much fun!

I am constantly reminded by the fact that I am absolutely and utterly blessed to have such amazing people in my life, even the ones I didn't choose (i.e. my family) are amazing!

I hope this finds everybody happy and healthy. I will post more when I meet with the doctor, hopefully this week!

Love,
your half-gimp richmonders.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

good always follows bad.

Yesterday, my niece Delaney had an MRI. The MRI came back with not such good news... She has Hydrocephalus aka "water on the brain". She had another appointment this morning with a surgeon to see what needed to be done. And It seems nothing needs to be done right now because Delaney shows no symptoms. They even think it might take care of itself. Apparently all the praying our family did worked!

God is definitely watching over my precious niece.
Life is good.

Love,
your very blessed richmonders.

Ps. I also beat all the boys in the poker tournament last night!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

i got a job!

Well, as I mentioned before I decided to start job searching and today the search ended!

I was hired with the Primrose School, a private preschool in the West End. It is more like a school, including an accredited curriculum. I will be helping in a preK class for the rest of the summer to learn the curriculum and how things run and then in September I will have my own class. I am very excited as this is really an amazing opportunity.

Unfortunately, this means I am going to have to skip the family beach week next week because they want me to start on Monday. But, I think this is going to be the best thing for me!

Hope this finds you all well and happy.

Love,
your half-employed-richmonders.

Monday, June 16, 2008

life in the richmond lane.

So in a previous blog I questioned whether the lack of blogging equaled life in Richmond is boring or more interesting...

It is definitely more interesting. I am sure it has more to do with the fact that we have more people around to hang out with, friends and family, but we definitely live a busier life!

The past few weekends, we have made it a point to go to the river. It has been extremely hot and humid and this has been the only way to enjoy the sunshine Portland lacked without melting. Whether is taking a 6-hour trek in our multiple tubes and raft or just walking around the rocks, we definitely have a greater appreciation for what the James has to offer.







So... I have decided to get a job. I don't think the art studio idea is going to work out as quickly as expected. I really cannot expect to make a living off this at least in the beginning, so it might need to be a side job to start.

Plus, this will provide a lot more time to make sure every detail is perfect so the government will approve our non-profit status. This does not mean I am not on board for the idea at all! I really am! I am very optimistic that this is going to work out.

But to be quite honest I am getting a little stir crazy as the wedding is all planned.

I haven't decided what I am going to do exactly. I have applied to some preschools like where I worked in Portland but I have also posted an ad about doing a nanny gig. I am just going to see what kind of response I get and see where that takes me.

As for Rick... he is going to meet with an advisor from ITT Tech where they offer a degree in Construction Management, which is where he would like to take his career. He is also putting his feelers out to find a job that might pay for him to go to school. No matter, we will make it work cause education is uber-important, especially these days.

We are very excited to be settled in Richmond. I think we are going to plan to get our own place starting August 1 or September 1. As much as we love living with our friend, Matt, we think it is important to have our own place as we are going to be a married couple in 2 months from today!

We love you all and can't wait to have everybody there for our special day in August.

Love,
your settled richmonders.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

wedding information.

Seems that some people were a bit confused as to what was happening during our wedding weekend in August...

Our wedding website has most of the information you need, but I will also mention some other things to make sure everyone is clear.

There is a luncheon on Saturday, August 16th at 1pm that EVERYONE is invited to. It is going to be on the beach (look for a large white tent) with bbq chicken, pork, cole slaw, watermelon, etc etc etc. My suggestion is that everybody wear bathing suits as it is going to be warm and we are going to be steps from the water.

Saturday evening is the actual ceremony. This will be held a little before sunset beginning around 730pm. As for the dress, it is casual. Think luau... Jimmy Buffett..Beach Boys concert... We want everybody to be comfortable in the heat of August. (SPORTS COATS, TIES, PANTYHOSE AND ANYTHING OF THE LIKE IS PROHIBITED!) The reception is inside with air conditioning so bring your dancing shoes!


Other things not included on the website...

I am planning a spa day for all the ladies on Friday. August 15th. I found a salon in Norfolk that can accommodate large groups and since we have 10+ ladies that want to go, they are going to provide a conference room with complimentary cheese, fruit, wine and cappacino. And because there are so many interested, I have decided to get a couple of sandwich platters from a local caterer as well since we will probably be there for a few hours. If you are interested and have not heard anything about this please email me: eshelton269@yahoo.com

My aunts have also decided to throw a cookout on Friday evening that all wedding guests are invited to as well. I will post details for this as we get them organized.

I hope this clears everybody up on the details. If anybody has any questions at all feel free to email me. Our hope is that we create a situation for everybody to have as much fun as do cause that is the fun of weddings!

We love you all and can't wait to see most of you at the beach in a few weeks!

Love,
your soon-to-be-wed richmonders.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

we are family people.

We had a bit of a busy weekend but it was fun and great to see both of our families.

Rick's youngest sister, Careyann, graduated from high school on Friday afternoon. Then,
early Saturday morning we caught a flight to Nashville to go to my cousin Chris's wedding. We welcomed Mollie into our family after a beautiful outdoor ceremony.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at the hotel when we went to the wedding so I don't have any pictures of the beautiful bride and her very happy groom, but I am sure pictures will start circulating soon.

I did, however, fill my auntly duties by taking some adorable pictures of our niece Delaney.

On the car ride to lunch.


Oakley baayyy-beeee!!! (We brainwash young!)

Splashing in the pool with Granpa.


Trying unsuccessfully to eat Granpa's cross

Passed out.

She was absolutely enthralled with Rick's shoelaces.

Cuddling with Unc.

Well, hope you enjoyed the pictures. It was so good to see everybody this weekend. Can't wait for the next family function since they are always so much fun!

We love you all very much!

Love,
your family-filled richmonders.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

sorry we are slackers.

We must apologize for being lazy with the blog. I won't make up excuses... BUT it is either one of two things...

Either, our lives in Richmond are just lame and boring we have nothing to report....
OR, our lives in Richmond are so entertaining we have no time to fiddle with our silly blog!

Who knows... I think it is probably a mixture of both.

Needless to say, we are finally posting again.

We have finally gotten settled. Took a couple of weeks but we are starting to feel like this is home. We are living with a friend until probably after the wedding and then will probably start another apartment hunt. I think we might hold off on buying a house until we can decide where exactly we want to live (although I am sure it will be in Richmond.)

We have mostly been seeing friends and family and getting adjusted to the east coast humidity.

Rick's youngest sister graduates from Freeman on Friday and then Rick and I are flying to Nashville for my cousin Chris's wedding on Saturday. We are both very excited to get to see all of our family.

Other than that we don't have much to report.

Hope this finds you all happy and well.

We love you.

Love,
your finally settled richmonders.