Puppy Names

The afternoon the puppies were born I called Andrina to let her know. The conversation went like this:

Andrina: Hello?

Me: Hello Andrina, this is Auntie Audrey.

Andrina: Hi.

Me: Guess what!

Andrina: what.

Me: No, really guess!

Andrina: uuuhm, I don't know!

Me: Opie had her puppies this morning!

Andrina: OH!

Andrina: MOM! OPIE HAD HER PUPPIES!

Andrina: When can I come see them?

Me: I don't know yet, I will have to talk to your mommy.

Andrina: What are their names?

Me: I don't know, how about you name them!

And there you have it.

Andrina has named the puppies.

(all but fat head, I named him.. mostly because he has a fat head, but also because my grandpa bob used to call us that)

They are also in the order of birth.

So adorable.

Want one?

we're gunna get there soon

I am so am so amazing.
Seriously.

Andrew's email account at St. Cloud state was being deleted due to the fact he is no longer a student there. So we had to create a new one. With the upcoming wedding and all we decided we would just create a joint email account... mostly because I am sick of my old one. It was great in high school and all, but lets grow up now.

It was late, I had to work the next day.. I was staying up.. we had just made a run to the cities (and all day affair) got our engagement photos done (AMAZING)..
I was pretty pooped, but we HAD to get it done. His account was being deleted that very next day.
Mind you we had few weeks notice..

I was super excited, and got ahead of myself..
again, I was tired.

So now we have two accounts. One because we had already emailed a very important person and we will deal with deleting it later. And the second one because I screwed up the first one.

ameister@gmail

It works for both of us (Andrew, Audrey in case you didn't get it!)
of course that was not available.
so we added numbers...
I had the perfect ones in mind. The upcoming wedding date. Month and Year.
Like I said.
I . Am. Awesome.
0530
perfect right?!?

except

we defiantly ARE NOT getting married in 21 days.
guess who didn't figure this out until my lovely mother pointed it out to me the next morning?
yep.
BOTH of us. SAD.
I had already created and AWESOME new blog and everything.
ameisters.blogspot.com
I loved it.
I had to delete it.
It was connected to the wrong email account.
An email account that is being deleted ASAP.
Oy.
I thought that by deleting it I would have released the URL into the internet heavens free to be used again by me. Guess again!

I hope that when we delete the wrong email account that THEN I will be able to use that. Until then I will continue on this. One would say that I could just come up with another one. Nope.
 I. Don't. Want. To.
Most likely it will come down to me waiting until I delete the email, trying it again, and failing. Then and only then will I accept defeat and come up with something stupid. Blog.com suggested andrewandaudrey.blogspot.com. No Thank You. I could do aameister.blogspot.com and sound like we are recovering alcoholics. No Thank You. I really don't want numbers. oy.
Maybe if it doesn't I can make a plea to the internet blogging gods to release the URL and give it back to me.
maybe.
Until then I will keep updating you on our oh so wonderful lives.

Here is one for you.
Sit back and enjoy.

********************************************************

May 18th 2011

Andrew and I spent the later part of the day hanging out in St.Cloud, something we have not done in a LONG time. If we are not working, we are not driving anywhere. Unless of course it is for wedding stuff or a cute little Gross baby.

So for us to go into St. Cloud to just hang out is kinda a big deal.

We packed up Roque and a very pregnant Opie and headed off.

After a quick stop at the vet (a few follow up questions regarding Roque) we were off!

First stop,

FOOD.

After working an overnight, and going straight to bed until noon, showering and getting ready, a quick nap in the car, I was STARVING.

Jimmy Johns was lunch of choice and since it was an amazingly beautiful day we headed to Whitney park to walk the dogs.

We headed to my work to visit some friends and patients then headed of to the only stores that allowed pets. Petco and Petsmart. My two favorite places.

We were on the hunt for some halters for our awesome dogs. They pull to the point of hacking.

Right after we headed to Calvary Frisbee golf course with our friend Jerry.

18 holes with lots of sunshine and happiness.

Oh and walking.

Lots and lots of walking.

Remember how Opie is Prego?

She did great. Walked all but like 10 feet.

Then we went to dinner.

They sat in the car.

Why did I tell you about my whole day.

so I can tell you this...

as a result....

5 puppies.

FIVE!

two girls

three boys

...

I think it may have been all that walking.

not but 5 hours after we arrived safely home Opie started panting like crazy.

We walked those babies right out of her.

No worries.

She was a bit overdue.

We thought she would not allow Roque to be around her during or after delivery... let alone around or touching the puppies, but she did.

It was freaking adorable.

let me show you.

Eventually Roque got right down into the middle of the action and was helping Opie clean puppies.

awww...

It was such a long night but so exciting! We can't wait until the eyes are open and they start waddling around!

want one?

seriously.

Puppies??

Yep.

Opie is pregnant.

We are thinking about 6 weeks along, give or take a week.

She is due around May 15th - again, give or take a week.

I guess we will get about a weeks heads up.. when she starts producing milk.

I love the puppies, the mess though... that's Andrew and Opie's department.

Fat Girl.

Seriously.

Opie is SUPER cuddly right now.

Its her raging hormones.

I love it.

For a while she has made underneath our bed her hangout/hiding spot and lair.

We just blocked it off yesterday.

I think she is mad, or depressed.

now she just lays there staring at the boxes that keep her from her sanctuary.

Its sad, and a bit pathetic.

She also groans every time she moves, its pretty awesome.

I get to cuddle and play with these cute puppies for 6-8 weeks,

then (hopefully) hand them off to loving people in exchange for some green.

Puppy anyone?

My whole heart for my whole life

Four months and eighteen hours until one of the greatest days of my life. And things are going great!

We have a florist, no a GREAT florist for many reasons. 1-They are right down the alley fro the Ballroom. 2- She is creative and really easy to work with. 3- I got what I want at a really reasonable price.

We have a caterer, the food is not all picked out.. but we loved what we tried.

My flower girl and nieces dresses are here, and oh so adorable!

My shadow band is done and paid for, and looks great with my ring!

We have a Photographer, who is amazing.

We have almost decided on a DJ.

I'm not as stressed out as I used to be. I would stay up thinking about everything I have to get done, and how much money it would take and how/when I was going to accomplish all of this. And now I sleep like a baby.
Don't get me wrong, we still have a lot to do, its just not as daunting.

I can't wait to see all the people we both love in one big room sharing our day with us!

Roque, Roquer, Al Roquer, Alberto

The first day we had Roque.

We just happened to be walking around the lake with Opie when a girl came up to us asking if she was the one that was at the pet store. Nope, had her a while! She said there was a long haired little boy there, and that he was so sweet!

I had to have him!

Andrew said no right away.. but at this time I was crippled and on crutches and I got my way.

We raced over there, and asked about him.

The stupid place didnt even remember they had him, he was on the side wall of kennels.

And he was on sale.

Why?

They said he was ugly.

well they were wrong, he was adorable, and cheap.

They lost out on such a good sale.. because I would have bought him anyway.

So we got a super good deal, and took him home right away.

but..

When we got him we didn't realize he was sick.

Well kinda, he puked on the way home, and drooled for what seemed to be forever.

We thought he wasn't used to being in a car and summed it up to be carsickness.

wrong.

The poor little guy had kennel cough, and laid around like this for nearly two weeks.

We had to rush him to the vet one night because he wouldn't stop drooling or hacking/puking. I felt so bad for the little guy. We found out that night that he hates needles, and cried the whole time.

He also would hardly eat.

After taking him to the vet, she suggested we wait for a bit, and if he got worse then she would test for kennel cough. Andrew and I tried waiting, but two days later we called her (on our way to Duluth, with the puppies) and told her we are certain kennel cough was what it was. She sent a prescription to the Walgreen's up there (I didn't even know I could get it from there!) and we started him on that right away.

At first it did not go well at all.

And the meds were barely working.

So I called again, and she prescribed something different.

Oh and by this time Opie started coughing too.

Awesome.

The second medicine we gave them smelled like butterscotch and they both loved it. 

Opie would even sit pretty for it. 

She also hated him the moment we brought him home.

But with my persistence and a bit of force I got this picture, and she grew to love him.

So did we.. well Andrew

 And now little Roque is 1! and almost as big as Opie.. although much harrier and cuddly then her, and crazy submissive. But we are working on that.

Look, I KNOW they are "just" dogs, and kids are waaay better and blah blah blah. But right now, I don't have kids. So I am just going to enjoy them, baking them treats, and blogging about them.

 Just think how awesome of a mom I will be!

Beautiful morning, sad day

I will be the first to tell you that I hate winter. I only enjoy it from when it starts, until just after New Years. After that it can go away. But here in Minnesota it likes to stay nearly year round. I hate the cold, I hate the ice, I hate the sand and snow that get into my car. I hate how my car gets dirty so freaking fast.

At this time of the year there is very few things I can say I like. Sledding-which only happens once in a while, if not just once. My very pretty hats and scarves. And this...

I loved my drive home this morning. It was so beautiful. I wish I would have been able to capture the sunrise, but it was a bit cloudy in Milaca. I absolutely love the frost on trees, it makes everything look so clean and peaceful , and definitely put me in a good mood on the long drive home despite the horrific things happening in Japan and all over the different coasts. I could not even begin to imagine what it would be like to have your world shaken down around you, then to have it washed away. Such sadness and pain. The anticipation of what is to come has got to be the worst. Not knowing when and if a tsunami will hit.. one of the scariest things. I just hope that through all this people will pull together and realize there is much more to life then fancy things, and status and that its about family, friends and enjoying life as much as possible.

Running in circles

Today was a good day.
Shopping, lunch and a long long nap.
I loved it.
But mostly I love Meister.
He made the day so wonderful, just being around him.

We have such an amazing relationship. It really helps that we were friends first. (However short the friendship was prior to dating). Being around him makes me happier then I could imagine.
Gross huh?

**

As always I am constantly working on wedding.

Tonight its Save The Dates.
They look so awesome, and I love that I only have to enter in the addresses and they do everything else.
And I must say, I really am a crafty person. But I think this occasion I may just sit this out. Not completely of course. I have a few little projects that I am working on... but I love, and will love, not having to stress the details of certain things.
a) Flowers, centerpieces, decor. Yes I could do it myself, yes I would enjoy it. AT FIRST. Have you ever made Christmas cards? They are so fun to create and do yourself. For about the first 5. And let me tell you.. when you are sending out over 100.. they lose the novelty and quickly become a chore. Something I really do not want for the wedding.
b) Food. I am so excited I don't have to worry about when something will be ready on time, or how one of my family members is slaving over a hot stove when they should be enjoying the company of the ones they love and cherish the most. Catering really is the answer. For me at least.
c) Music. There WILL be a DJ. I do NOT want to worry what to play next, if people like it, and who will make sure the "first dance" goes well. That is a professionals job. Not mine, or my friends/family. If only My dear buble could show up.
d)Addressing. I HATE it with a passion. And someone else is going to do it for me. And its going to look good.

Also. If I have asked for your address. PLEASE get it to me asap. I need to get these to you.

My darling, you look wonderful tonight.

I don't like it. One bit.

I feel like it has consumed my life.

I don't want to make decisions. I want them to be made for me!

Only 4 Months 21 Days and 23 Hours before I become Mrs. Meister.

Whoa.

Well,

Enough about that.

***

Today I woke up at 2:00 pm. Late, I know. But when you have worked an overnight like I had, and then not been able to fall asleep until 9, that's a bit too early.

Why may you ask did I wake up that early?

To take these two darlings sledding. Not a picture from today (because I am a bad auntie) but they looked about the same. Adella was not, and has not been a fan of sledding. Yet. She only went down with me once, while saying the whole time "no, no, no, no". Did I listen? Nope! She liked it a little I am sure.
 We had picked up Andrew's little brother Matthew up from school and brought him along. I tell you, best idea ever. Andrina is one active little girl, and I was so tired, that well Matthew was heaven sent! They ran up and down that hill more than I wanted to count. Of course we took Roque and Opie with us, and Andrina chased after them to her hearts content. We found the dogs LOVE snowballs, and after getting them would carry them off to be torn apart. I loved watching that.

After they played to their hearts content we headed back to Grandma B's house for some hot cocoa. YUM. I swear, it can come out of a canister, packet or what have you... my mother makes some good cocoa. You should try her home made stuff. She is amazing.

I really love those girls. I love being around them as much as I can, and I can't wait for little Axel to join the fun! The downside, being around them makes me miss my other nieces (Nelyana, Zaniyah, and Annabelle) so much more. I think they should all move here, we can live on the property dad has for us, we can call it "Braman Row" and be able to see each other all the time. And of course, live happily ever after.
It sounds good to me.

I shouldn't be awake right now.
Really.
It's 3:15 am.

Good Grief.
Good Night.

Cinema Ballroom

You are going to love this place.

I do, so very much.

The date is coming up so soon! 5 months, 14 days, and 17 hours!

CRAP!

 Over by the "bar".. where the tables will be set up

 View of the second floor balcony.

The back wall (with mirrors) and the red wall will be covered in fabric as well.

The bar area..

Upstairs behind the wall of mirrors.

This red room will be a kid room the the families kids..

The balcony back room and view.

The drapes along the far wall will be closed.

Balcony

Where part of the tables/ chairs will be set up

Wall of curtains. I LOVE IT.

outside!

I cannot wait until the day comes. Its going to be so pretty and amazing.

♥

5 Months 28 Days 11 Hours

I have lots to do, and not a lot of motivation. There are lots of decision, details and money that has to happen in the next little bit. 5 months is not a long time at all. Heck 5 months ago we got engaged and that seems like just yesterday. I'm freaking out just a bit. I have a guest list made up, hopefully no one was forgotten. Invitations have to be made and sent out pretty soon, and I have not even started. When does it start to get warm? Because we still have to take engagement pictures and Andrew doesn't do well with taking pictures in the cold, we tried. I need to win the lottery.

The night shift is kicking my butt. Mostly on my days off. Don't get me wrong, I really like not having to be at work every single day, but my sleep schedule needs overhauling. I should have gotten up today at like noon so I could sleep at night, but I didn't. I dragged myself out of bed at 3:40 and now I am wide awake at 4:20 AM. Sick. Really I should be scouring over websites for caterers, Photographers, Florists, and trying to find somewhere to do our invites through. Procrastination. I am a pro. Too bad this is one thing that will go very badly if I do just procrastinate. I need a game plan, or a free wedding planner. Where is David Tutera when I need him?

So long, I am off to plan a wedding.

And these, well they are for my enjoyment.

But you can enjoy them as well.

♥

It's official! We have a date!!

After searching a million places online, picking a handful that met our criteria, and then numerous trips to the cities to look at venues ( hold onto your britches here..) we have finally decided on a date AND a place. Shocked the pants right off me I can assure you that! It all happened within minutes. About a week ago i had emailed the coordinator for the venue inquiring about some dates that were available. And as of today had still not heard back from her. A little annoyed i called and asked to whoever i was talking to to just tell me. I got three dates, looked at what worked for us, and picked! Literally all happened within about 10 minutes, which if you know me, is very rare. I hate deciding on things.


Are you ready?


Save this date! Black it out! Don't allow anything else to happen on that day. Ok?


The date is:
Saturday, July 30,2011

The venue: Cinema Ballroom in St. Paul mn! Be there!!

A change.

I'm a sap for the tear jerking chick flicks.
Not just for the love story.
But for what it reminds me.

Life is short, and oh so precious.

True Love is stronger than anything, intense and everlasting.

Remember only the good.



I feel like I should watch these types of movies everyday, at least one. So as to remind myself that I should be living in the moment, enjoying every second, and everyone in it. I know.. it sounds so cheesy, and unrealistic. But what else is there? What is the point of having a bad day? What's the point in trying to have more than someone else, to be better then them.

My goal this year is to find good in everyday, and to focus on that. To not say or dwell on the negative thoughts or feelings. To find love in everything.

Life is so very precious and can change in an instant.. And I for one no longer want regrets.