I'd Kill for Some Chocolate Ice Cream

In case you haven't heard, the Summer of 2009 is being renamed. To "PrattTastic '09!" Learn it, live it.

Alright here's the lowdown:

Wedding Planning
This weeks tackle: Dress.
Max Amount: $2.50
Status: Screwed

Austin Far Away
This Weeks Tackle: Portland, OR
Reason: Dancin with Illinois!
Feelings: COM-A-NU-YEEEAAA-HAAA!!

Mom's Presence in the Planning
I'll sell her to you REAL cheap Amy

Job Search
Freakin boo...

In other news, we got our Engagement Photos back finally. Here's a touch:

Thank you, Sarah Timmons of Spectra Designs in Nashville!

If you want more, all the good ones are on Facebook. Go!

Happy PrattTastic '09 Everyone!

She's Baaaaack...

For now at least. I make no promises after this post. So you better enjoy it.

Actually, I really am going to try and return to this. I'm sure you've all missed me more than as much as I have missed you. However, know this: Pretty much the only thing I have to report on is

1. Wedding Plans
2. The fact that Austin is far away whilest #1 is occurring
3. The fact that my Mom helping with #1 makes #2 suck even worse
4. I need a job

So, if we're all ok with hearing about these things in every post from here to June 26, let's do it!

Ok, so #1: So far, we have (drumroll please) a venue! It may not seem like much to you simple minded folk but to those of us who have endured the torture of attempting to find a place that's not only beautiful but will also keep you from having to file bankruptcy, this is a HUGE victory! Check it out: The Grand Loft

Please don't freak out that, yes, it is in Osawatomie, KS (where?!). I promise, once you walk into this place, you'll forget.

#2: Austin is still truckin along in his internship at WKU. So far, no job prospect has reared it's beautiful head. Booo. But, right now he's livin it up conference style in Memphis. In case you haven't heard, the Hilltoppers are kickin some major Sunbelt rear end. Go Tops!

Needless to say, he's missing out on all the planning. Lucky? Maybe. But he DID get to plan our honeymoon. Wanna guess where we're going?! Here's a hint: It's NOT cold there!

#3: My mother and I have NEVER agreed on anything in my entire life. So, if you think my wedding is going to be any different...stop sniffing glue. But, we're making it. And, because it's her tax refund that's paying for this wedding (the same tax refund that was supposed to pay for her anniversary trip to Hawaii), I'm allowing a few things to slide in her favor. I am, however, drawing the line on wearing her wedding dress from 1979. For 1, I don't wear a size 2. And for 2, the veil makes me look like the Virgin Mary and, well...we won't go there.

#4: Ok, for the first time ever, I'm going on record with this: I admit it. Leaving W&R may not have been the wisest decision I've ever made. Although planning a wedding has been much easier with only a part-time job to get in my way, I get my last W&R paycheck at the end of the month and I have no new job lined up. (Yikes!) So...if any of you need a personal assistant, hit me up! I'm super excellent, I promise.*

110 Days!!!
-Mandy-


*You can't afford me and NO I will not do that.

Smiling = Ugly

Text conversation I had with Romeo this morning:

Him: How are you feeling this morning?

Me: Well I was feeling pretty blah but I just read a comment on my blog that made my day.

Him: What was it?

Me: Remember that post about the face analyzer that said I was ugly? The creator commented.

Him: The creator? What did he say?

Me: "I am Rhee SC, BAPA developer. You seems to landmark facial point or fiducials incorrectly. The calculated attractiveness in general, 60-90 for average peoples. You'd better try to analyze your face with more standardized photo and follow guiding description for better define facial landmark. Thanks."

Him: Haha, nice. Why did that make your day?

Me: It gave me something to blog about.

Though, I gotta tell ya, I'm not completely sure what to blog about. Nothing about that comment really makes me look good. I mean, according to him (or her), I'm not the 25 points BELOW the average on the attractiveness scale.

Instead, I'm so freakin dense I can't even figure out simple "put that pointer here and click" instruction. Is that supposed to be better than being ugly? It's not really working out all that well for Jessica Simpson.

And what does "standardized photo" mean exactly?* I thought it just meant "try and keep people out of the picture that are prettier than you."

Sigh.


*UPDATE: I went back and read the instructions a little further on the site (pardon my moment of male-ness) and wouldn't you know it, there's a link for good tips of a "standardized photo." Tip #2: "Your face is relaxed and lips are closed smoothly." So, that explains the lip index issue. Too bad I don't own a single photo of me without either my mouth wide open or flashing those pearly whites. So basically, if I could keep my big mouth shut, I'd be freakin gorgeous.

What If I Didn't Even Have A Blog?

Things That Are Awesome About Today:

• Romeo is coming home
• Trophy Wife gets to go see Brittany somehow. That would be like me getting to make out with Tony Romo. Except the girls probably won't make out. Well...maybe. Cool. You go Brittany.
• I'm turning in my Voluntary Separation Package application
• I get off at noon just 'cause I want to
• I get to cook dinner tonight
  

Things That Are Not Awesome About Today:

• It's 36 degrees outside
• I had to take a cold shower
• I'm probably not going to make out with Tony Romo
• The fact that 90% of my readers won't leave a comment
• This post

I Won't Really Burn Your House Down

John (a coworker): What are you eating?! That smells horrible!

Nicole (my boss): It's pea soup. Nutritious and tastes just like cat vomit. Want some?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I guess no one cares about my injury last week. Or you were just too shocked and appalled by the intensity of it to comment. Or you hate elephants. Rude. If you're going to hate large mammals, you should hate camels. They stink and spit and are uncomfortable at Jewish bar mitzvahs.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Romeo and I visited the great state of Kentucky last weekend (by way of Tennessee). Two states I've never been to before and am looking forward to returning to. The people there are nice and have accents that make me seem smarter than I really am. I like that.

Romeo met his new family (the Western Kentucky University men's basketball coaching staff) and I got to shop a little and enjoy the fantastiosity of not having to work 2 jobs for 4 whole days. Glory was mine.

Due to his amazingness, Romeo and I got prime seats at the game that Saturday where, for the entire first half of the game, I got to stare at this:


Annoying. But, luckily for me, there was a student in the stands who decided that he was the WKU Pep Squad and spent the entire second half utilizing the power he must've received from drinking 28 cans of Red Bull during halftime:

Awesome.

Other than that, Romeo and I relaxed as much as possible. Here are some candid photos of your favorite couple from the game and Date Night in Nashville:

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In other news, my birthday was last weekend. If you forgot to tell me "Happy Birthday," you have exactly 24 hours before I burn your house down.

Caption Contest!!

You probably won't win anything but see what you can come up with. =) Good luck!!

When you're done with that, say a little prayer for us dorks. We fly out tomorrow morning at 7am for Kentucky!!! Yeeeee-haw!!!

Oh, and if you just can't stand the pain my absence leaves you with, check out this blog. It's my new favorite.

Be good my babies!
Mandy ><>

It's Fall Ya'll!

Yup, sure is. I took that picture myself exactly 2 years ago with the crappiest camera known to man but that didn't stop those colors from showing through. Whoo-wee, that's purty!! I think God likes to think of Kansas as His little coloring book.

Though I usually prefer the summer to any weather that requires the use of pantyhose, there are quite a few things that make fall worth enduring. Those colors you see above are #1. Here are a few extras:

#2 - Football
You had to know that was coming. However if you know this Romo-lovin' girl at all, you may be surprised not to find my Cowboys holdin' fast at the #1 spot as in years past. Well, in case you've been missing out, I'm more than just a little peeved at the stench that's been wafting all the way up here to KC from the Dallas-Ft. Worth area (not Jackson's diapers, Cara. It's much worse than that). And...to be honest, I have to (reluctantly) admit that the football-lovin' girl you all know and love has been dutifully attempting to attune her ear less to the glorified clashing sound of helmut to helmut and more to the gentle squeek of the size 13 Air Jordan on maple.

#3 - Fall Break/Maple Leaf
My brothers were home last week for their Fall Break which just happened to fall at the exact time of Baldwin City's MapleLeaf Festival. A household tradition since my family moved to the B.C. back in 1998, we spent a few hours rummaging the craft booths and eating our body weight in funnel cake. Unfortunately, I didn't get a single picture. ='( I keep meaning to take more pictures but, for some reason, I just can't remember to take the stupid thing out of my purse. Anyway, we had a good time. Besides the festival, and sticking with fall break tradition, we hit up The Beast and Edge of Hell (2 huge-mongus haunted houses in downtown KC) and were also blessed to witness the union of 2 of our good friends: Lindsay McKinney and Nicolas Sayre. Fantastic fun and much needed vacay for this overworked honey.

#4 - Hoodies
Self-explanatory. You know you love 'em. I don't so much love to wear them myself but I've discovered that they sure look cute on some people and feel good to cuddle with. Who knew?! =)

#5 - Holidays
Here's the countdown (in reverse order of importance):

Halloween: 9 days
Christmas: 63 days

Thanksgiving: 28 days

My birthday: 24 days

Everyone say it with me: "Good luck Austin." =D

#6 - Travel

For most people, this comes with the holidays but, in my extensive background of (usually) working retail during this time of year, this benefit has never graced my Top Faves of Fall. Seeing as how this year happens to be a repeat of my fall tradition (i.e.: my 2nd job is at a Christian bookstore), traveling will be out of the question yet again this holiday season. However, before the holiday season begins (Nov.7-10), my handsome and talented boyfriend has asked me to accompany him to the great state of Kentucky for preview of his internship life to come. I'm so excited!! We're going to visit not only Bowling Green but Nashville! AND I'll get to celebrate my birthday with two of my very bestest friends who live there! Yippee!! I promise to have pictures of that!

I think that about covers it. I'm mucho excited about the weeks to come and trying hard not to let the 2nd job blues or my S.A.D. get in the way. God is in the rain!

I love you all and miss you like ca-razy! Tell me a funny story or clean joke. Go!

Mandy ><>

Definition of an Awesome Weekend:

In case you can't tell, that's my Daddy baptizing my boyfriend. Currently the two men I respect the most in this world. God is sooo good! =)


"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

NEWS NEWS NEWS!!!

It's official, my boyfriend will be a Hilltopper!!
(Whatever that is...) =)

Austin got a call on Friday afternoon from the coaching staff at Western Kentucky University. As soon as he signs the internship contract, he'll be their newest addition! Wahoo!

Now all I need is that call from American Idol and both of our dreams will be within reach. =)

I hope this week finds you all counting your blessings, too!

Love love love love!!

-Mandy-

Meet Austin

This is Austin:

Austin was born in Salina, KS:

He has 2 beautiful baby sisters, Micah and Katie
(that he loves more than anything in the world):

Austin is really, really cool:

He loves all things Basketball:

But especially this guy:

And will one day he will coach one of these teams:

(Boo...)

(Please oh please oh please!)

Sometimes Austin reminds me of this guy:

Because he's white but just a little bit gangsta:

Even in his taste in music:

But what's my favorite thing about Austin?
The fact that I'm wearing the highest pair of heels I own in this pic:

And that he's responsible for the smile on my face.

He looks forward to meeting all of you, too.