I can't believe tomorrow is MAY

I didn't get to go down to Columbus to visit Gia. Wednesday I woke up with a stuffy nose. It progressed into a full blown head cold, so no newborn babies for me. Today I am finally feeling better. Not back to full health, but better. Hopefully I am over it completely by Friday so we can head down and visit.

Today is the first day of finals week. The last finals week of my full time student career. I have 2 summer classes and 2 classes in the fall and then I'm finally freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!


Now I have to find a job. To pay back my loans.

I can't believe how things are finally coming together. Seriously. After my last final on Wednesday this semester is over. As I said, hopefully we'll visit Gia this weekend. Matt's birthday is Saturday. Then I have a week long summer class next week. Finally few weeks off. This time will be full: pack, clean, dress fitting, Memorial Day camping trip, pack, close on house, move, bridal shower, nest nest nest, dress fitting, nest, dress fitting, WEDDING, life. Things are moving fast and falling into place. In four short weeks (honestly, I don't remember 4 weeks ago) we will be closing on the house. We will have keys and start creating our home together.

Matt and I have spent plenty of time cohabiting in our 8 years together. Once college started we spent a lot of our time together and eventually shared living space with roommates. Currently we're living together with my parents. We've never lived together alone. I can't wait to take this step. I miss doing the grocery shopping and cooking for the two of us. I miss playing music while I make dinner or breakfast and he taps away at whatever he is doing on the computer. I miss burning candles while I clean. I miss the freedom and autonomy of running my own life without the judgement of my parents. I'm so ready to be done with roommates. Except for Matt, he isn't a roommate. He is a continuation of myself.

Bursting with love

House news: I am told from my secret sources (aka my aunt who lives on the same street and Grandma who live a few blocks away...) that the yard has been freshly mulched and the new roof has been put on!! I'm shocked and pleasantry surprised to see them continue the upkeep of the yard. Can't wait to get in and take some more before pictures.

Before we know it we'll be on the other side of things and looking back at how far we've come.

Baby Girl!!

I'm an aunt!!!!!!!!!!!! Matt's brother and sister-in-law just welcomed their brand new baby girl into the world! I don't know any details yet.  All I know is she is a girl. She is beautiful and you bet your bottom dollar I'll be down to meet her as soon as possible! Darn out of town relatives! I can't wait to touch her tiny toes and sniff that sweet baby smell. I can tell this is the beginning of a beautiful new world! First grandchild to Matt's side of the family. What a glorious day!!

Happy birthday little one, I love you!!!!!!!!

A good day

Yesterday I woke up with a knot in my stomach. Yesterday was the day.

The day I would try on my wedding dress.

For those of you who don't know, I'm a fluffy little lady. Busty. Apple shaped. Lets add a good dose of stress eating to the looming deadline of "The Dress" coming in and requiring you to try it on and you wake up with a knot in your stomach.

IT FIT!!!! Actually. it needs to be taken in at the bust. And majorly hemmed.  But it zipped. And its so beautiful. It's almost my dream dress. Unfortunately, it is strapless. Wah wah. I contacted the company and lucky for me I was able to order extra yardage of the overlay to construct some sort of sleeve situation. We'll figure that out in alterations.

Since the appointment was so early and we didn't have a chance to eat breakfast first Mom and I grabbed some coffee and muffins and headed home. I changed into something more fashionable and we headed out to run a few errands and find her an appropriate mother-of-the-bride dress. Mom is on the younger side and has a hard time identifying with conventional matronly mother-of-the dresses. Her original plan was to wear a vintage tea length dress but it didn't really fit in with the rest of the wedding. It was too shiny and verged on costumey. 

The girls are wearing navy cotton dresses. Dessy style 2823 in midnight. They came in last Friday and honestly, they are awesome!!!! A crisp classy cotton with pockets and a sweetheart neckline. Mmhm. The girls love them as much as I do, win!

The boys are wearing dark gray pants with white shirts, suspenders, and slim navy ties. Matt is wearing dark gray pants, a grey and white striped shirt, dark gray vest, and a navy bow tie. He is so handsome in his wedding suit. Dreamy.

So anyway, Mom tried on about a billion dresses ad wound up finding two contenders at Dillards. They're both light/medium gray, a little sparkly, and knee length. Both pretty cute. She has to decide which to wear.

As for my dress, well... you'll have to wait a few months. I'm not sharing that until the big day.

Introducing: The Roost

This is the future Honeypup Roost headquarters, aka our new home.

She was built in 1908. Most of the charm from the house has been suburbanized in a 2001 renovation, but we plan to re-inject some character and turn her into our home. I will say though, tilt in windows, forced & central air, and a dishwasher are much appreciated modern day conveniences.

Would you like a tour? Of course you would! Come on in off the sweet covered front porch and into the living room.

Living Room: The woodwork is original to the house

Dining Room: Coved ceiling and beautiful wood built-ins.

Acres of green carpet stretch from the living room going up the stairs and into the dining room. I can't wait until its soiled enough to justify ripping out and exposing the hardwood floors underneath. Can you hear the pitter-patter of my heart?

The area by the back door is a really cool pantry.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and ours seems to have fallen into a suburban builders grade vortex. That's okay: a little yellow beadboard along the walls, paint the cabinets white, butcher block counter tops, a white farmhouse ink, black and white tile on the floor, buy matching appliances, throw some pretty cafe curtains up and we'll be in business. Goodbye grape wallpaper boarder.

Lets go upstairs.

The bathroom is pretty nice. The tub surround is a slightly awful almond color, but I can live with it for a good while. It just needs some cleaning, recaulking, and accessorizing and it will be perfect to accommodate our needs. Someday I would like to switch out the light fixture, paint the frame of the mirror, and other cosmetic touches.

The future temporary master. Lucky for carpet hating me this room smells like a cat box so I have full permission to rip the carpet out. That will be a glorious day. Fingers crossed the culprit of the cat stink hasn't ruined the floor.

We really want the master to be this ever so slightly larger room across the hall but it has no overhead lighting or light switch, and the only outlet in there is polarized wrong. I hear what you're saying. Only one outlet when I count 4 in the previous photo alone?! Yep. That room got the short straw I guess. The whole house is FULL of outlets except for that one room. Oh well. Once we figure out the cost and get an electrician to come remedy the situation we'll be living in there.

 Third and final bedroom. Future nursery (Like... give it a few years.) Will probably act as a guest room or office for Matt in the mean time.

I can't wait to get the keys!!! And update with some in progress and after pictures! And see the status of the hardwood floors that lurk beneath all that carpet!!!!!!!!!!!

How nice to meet you

Hello there. My name is Melyssa. I'm a twenty-something finishing up college and embarking on the next chapter of my life. This is so exciting for me because I'm finally getting to the place in life I've wanted to be for so long!

For starers, I have a wonderful guy in my life named Matt. We've been together since we were 15 and are about to get married on July 7, 2012. I can't wait! I'm loving wedding planning and making this the best celebration of our lives!

Matt and I just purchased a house and we plan to close in June. Currently living in my parents basement we are more than ready to get back above ground, throw open the curtains to let the sunlight in, and NEST NEST NEST!!!! Matt is very analytical and practical so he tries to keep my fanciful dreamer tendencies under control. If it were up to me I'd bust down the door, paint brush in hand and go to town. He prefers we make a list, prioritize, and accomplish our projects in an orderly fashion. That guy I tell ya... he keeps this ship on course. I love him dearly and appreciate the balance he brings.

We have a beautiful fluffy cat named Chocolate Thunder, affectionately referred to as: Tuna, Thundy, Meemers, and many more. You'll get used to it.

The current plan is to settle into the house, get hitched about a month later, settle in some more, and adopt a dog in August.

As I start out I see this blog being a place for me to share house progress, wedding updates, and share our young and eventually growing family. Welcome!!!