I’m not 24, not until this afternoon, but today is my birthday.

Maybe I will try to do this every year. Maybe not. I tend to forget things. Sometimes I’ll put reminders in iCal and then when the reminder pops up it’s usually two or three words that make up a really cryptic message that I can’t decipher. Need to work on that one.

Here’s my list of 23 Things That Happened in My 23rd Year. I tried to hit most of the high points.

1. Got engaged. That’s a big one. Kevin and I had been dating just one year, 6 months, and 19 days when he proposed to me on June 28, 2008.
2. Graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in English – Writing. And I will be sitting behind a desk for the rest of my days.
3. Kevin’s parents met my parents. It wasn’t as scary or uncomfortable as I thought it might be. I don’t know why I was worried, really. It’s not like either side has a rhinoceros horn growing out of their forehead or a propensity for violence.
4. My love for politics was reignited.
5. Started writing for The Lost Ogle.
6. Quit writing for The Lost Ogle.
7. Got a temp job working for a company in OKC. Met some of the greatest people there.
8. Started blogging with aforementioned great people at Kick the Anthill.
9. Got a new job closer to home. Still working there.
10. Decided to obtain my teaching certificate. I’m still working on that one, but the decision was a really big deal. Kevin is going to be a teacher and it is a really big deal to me that we get to have vacations that we can spend together. My current situation does not allow for this.
11. Got those stinking wisdom teeth removed, thank You, Lord!
12. Found out what the issue was with my weight gain and lethargy.
13. Got that issue under control and lost 27 lbs!
14. Stood by one of my best friends as she got married.
15. Stood by another one of my best friends when she did the same.
16. Stood…just kidding. Passed Spanish 2223, woohoo!
17. Was the victim of multiple instances of vandalism. (Including one yesterday. Umm…do you think you folks might be able to take a break for my birthday?)
18. Unfortunately had to deal with friends choosing their politics over personal relationships, burning bridges, blocking me on Myspace, letting me down, and (at this point) appearing to step out of my life completely. Let me reiterate that this was one of my very best friends. I am numb.
19. Met Jolene (who admins GodlyGals with me) and had a wonderful weekend getting to know (in person) someone who has become a very dear friend to me. If I hadn’t thought it would be a tremendous burden on someone who lives thousands of miles away, I would have asked her to be a bridesmaid in a heartbeat.
20. Got to know more wonderful sisters at GodlyGals, dealt with our usual share of drama, and started a podcast for the ministry.
21. Became a member of a church.
22. Experienced my first Crumpler Christmas in Pennsylvania, then visited North Carolina and met some of Kevin’s extended family.
23. Became mildly e-famous for a few months after posting something about Sarah Palin and having people point out my resemblance to the governor.

There you go. My twenty-three things. A list of things I am thankful for might have been a little bit more appropriate if I’m going to be trying to make this list longer every year. Well, who knows what I’ll do tomorrow.

Updated the Wedding page. If you aren’t into clicking on links, here’s the update on the reception:

Like the rest of the wedding we are going for a southern feel here. Right now the plan is to set up a large tent inside the youth facility at the church and create a garden look. The rough plans are to create the illusion of sitting beneath a large tree with lanterns, lights, and crystals hanging from the “limbs.” There will be a head table for the wedding party, a few reserved tables for immediate family members, and a few dozen tables for our wedding guests.

I really hope all attending are able to stay for the reception because as we’re planning it now, it is going to be gorgeous. While we had been planning on using the reception hall and the lawn, it was looking like there were going to be a few snags in setting up the tent outside. The tent inside the building does sound a little odd, but I think we’re going to get the perfect effect–a really beautiful, nighttime atmosphere.

Oh, you didn’t hear? I’m getting married!
Next year!
If you want, I can flaunt the things you can get your
Lizzy dear!

(English degree being of some use in my life after college — check.)

1. Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker CGX5 – I am sold on having a timer on my coffee maker.
2. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, Onyx Black – It’s not a wedding registry until you have a KitchenAid mixer on it.
3. Bodum Glass Teapot – There is something about being able to see the tea brewing in the pot. I think these things are gorgeous.
4. Molcajete = GUACAMOLE!
5. “Fiesta” Dinnerware in Scarlet – This stuff is so pretty. Planning on using it as our casual dining ware.
6. Cuisinart “SmartPower Duet” Chrome Blender/Food Processor – I need one that doesn’t leak out my Avocado Soup.
7. Glass Mixing Bowls, Set of 10 – Again, I just love the clear glass and being able to see what you’re making.
8. Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop – Have you seen these things in action? They are amazing. I will use it to scoop my low-carb ice cream
9. Shun Classic Kitchen Shears – Mine gave out a while back and I was trying to put off buying new ones, in anticipation of my wedding shower, but I just couldn’t. So I’m using cheapies again. I give them a couple of months, tops.
10. Glass Domed Cake Plate – Seeing a trend here? I like to be able to enjoy the beauty of the food I make.
11. Tarnow Trifle Bowl – And, umm…yeah. Again. I can’t think of a trifle though without thinking of the episode of Friends when Rachel makes one.
12. Williams-Sonoma Casual Pitcher – I’ll make lemonade in this puppy. Sugar-free, most likely. But lemonade, still.
13. Anniversary Bundt® Pan – Kevin! I’ll make you a Bundt!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Following Ronnica’s lead.

I AM … a lady.

I WANT … a farmhouse and kids and some animals and a big desk on the porch and a vegetable garden and clothes on the line.

I HAVE … a mild headache today.

I WISH I COULD … do something fulfilling on a daily basis.

I HATE … having to deal with people who are discouraging.

I FEAR … dying in a violent car accident.

I HEAR … the hum of computers and a printer.

I SEARCH … for my keys more times per week than I’d like.

I DON’T THINK … The Wedding is going to be as stressful as I had anticipated.

I REALLY … want some dinner. And I am really super content with my life right now.

I REGRET … a lot of things that I said and didn’t say to people when I was in high school. I regret being the person I was back then.

I LOVE … spending time with my family. And acquiring a new family

I ACHE FOR … the next 9 and 1/2 months to be over, but I know that I need to enjoy this time of engagement.

I ALWAYS CRY … whenever I see a baby being born on TV. Doesn’t matter that I don’t know them. I always cry when there is a robot with a (almost) soul involved with something I’m watching.

I AM NOT … a tidy person, but I am the CLEANEST person I believe you’ll ever meet.

I DANCE … around the house whenever I see that I’ve lost another pound.

I SING … every day. Mostly showtunes.

I NEVER … spend time with friends anymore, it seems. It’s like I started working and the majority of them stopped calling.

I RARELY … watch anything other than PBS, Discovery Channel, and Fox News. Can I just purchase those 3 channels? And ABC for LOST in the spring?

I CRY WHEN I WATCH … The Notebook, AI, A Walk to Remember, The Way We Were, The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid.

I AM NOT ALWAYS … on time, but I try to be.

I HATE THAT … I am so bad at maintaining relationships with girl friends. I try to put forth the effort, but it is so hard when you don’t get any response back. Seriously. So discouraging.

I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … what the future holds in regards to my work. I just want to be doing something that brings me joy.

I NEED … a pedicure, a good back massage, to tan, Kevin to be home, and some food in my tummy.

I SHOULD … spend more time with God, more time learning to be a good administrator under His authority, study some on how to go about starting a non-profit, work on trying to find staff members who are committed to working in this ministry, and spend time learning how to be a good wife and home manager.

Stay tuned on Twitter today as I keep you all updated on my search for a wedding gown.

MissWisabus

EDIT: Didn’t have time to twitter with all the Superman arms and 75 lb dresses they were cinching me into. Plus side of yesterday (other than it being completely AWESOME)…totally girdled into a size 4. YAY.

My oldest friend, Delisa, got married this weekend. It was a precious ceremony, the reception was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen at my church (so gorgeous I’ve changed my mind about having the reception at some nearby gardens and will be using the fellowship hall and lawn at the church), and a good time was had by all. Congratulations and best wishes to the bride and groom!

Umm…I got engaged this evening! Story to follow soon.

I told her from now on I’m calling her Coates-Kreeger, just ’cause.

And this is my obligatory post-wedding mirror photo, featuring my “I’m so glad they’re finally married after 7 years of dating!” face:

Today, my college roommate/best bud/second cousin is getting married. *tear*

I meant to link to this post on Friday, but forgot. So, I’m not so stuck on the date anymore (hello, Bedlam), not even the year. Haha. But this is one of my most favorite posts that exhibits just how crazy I can be and it tends to draw attention from women who want to lecture me about how awful marriage can be (or something like that…it was hilarious. I’ll post the comments sometime). So, enjoy. And don’t worry, I’m past that now.