A weekend that I needed

37 hours. 37. Hours. That is how much time I spent from Saturday to Thursday last week working on my thesis. I don't know if you know me and my study patterns, but applying that much time and energy in a single week to an academic endeavor just isn't how I roll. As I get older I've done a lot better about procrastinating my projects, but I just don't take 37 hours to do anything. When I get to work, I get focused and I generally get things done pretty quickly. I think this stems from 2 driving forces from my childhood.
1) I procrastinated so I had to get things done quickly and I had to do them well so I didn't get bad grades and my dad wouldn't take away my ability to go play. He's a strict old man.
2) I always preferred playing to homework so I worked quick, efficiently, and got my butt out the door and up some tree that I didn't pre-plan how I was going to get down so I would yell and yell for my dad to let me jump into his arms and free me. He's a soft old man.

I tell you all of that so you can understand that when I say I worked 37 hours in 5 days on my thesis, I can impress upon you that this is completely out of the ordinary for me and utterly exhausting. I went to Stillwater the Friday before last and my advisor said a few choice words that lit a fire under me to get cracking on my thesis. I was under the impression I had been following the time line appropriately (especially since I created it). I was slapped back into reality and told to get with it if I wanted to graduate (which I do!). I spent every iota of energy working on this project so I would have something worthwhile to present this past Friday. I was tired, grouchy, and overall not that much fun to be around.

I also missed my honey. So we planned a weekend to meet up at his parent's home. It's about a 3.5 hour drive for me and a little over 5 hours for him. He likes driving more (or hates it less) than I do, so we'll call it about half way for each of us. I got there before he did and went with his parents to the best Italian restaurant outside of Italy there is. Or the best I have experienced. I threw my simple carb ideals out the window and ate straight carbs and loved every minute of it. We watched the Thunder go into double overtime and WIN and about 30 minutes after Matt arrived I went to sleep (remember, long week!).

On Saturday we registered at a couple local shops in his hometown for the shower we are having in April. Seems a little early, but I have no idea when Matt and I will both be in town at the same time again. The shops didn't seem to mind a bit. Registering really is awesome for stores, because we're advertising for them. Even telling people specifically where to go. I really wish I could make a list of all the random places I wish people would go to get us gifts (if they were so inclined) but I can't just register for a single item from 10 stores. I also don't think people want to buy us random stuff off of my Amazon wish list (see how I cleverly slipped in "us"?). 
After lunch we went through about a gazillion (seriously!) baby pictures of Matt for a slide show I am putting together. We got some great ones, but we worked for it! Now I have to take all of these prints to Walgreens to put on a CD. Oh the digital age.

I got to see my precious puppy who is getting so big! Do you realize how many people would buy dogs if they would stay tiny puppies (house broken, of course) for ever? I guess that's genetically unfair and doesn't help promote the survival of the species, but man I wish he would stay tiny.

The weather could not have been better this weekend. It was just absolutely wonderful to get a break from all of the awful weather, but sadly it's coming in strong for the next couple of days. Maybe the school will actually close and we'll get a snow day without having to take vacation. I'm stingy with my vacation hours.

I took some pictures of his hometown signs and his church that he grew up in. I have a fun idea for a guestbook at the wedding. I really need to stop all of these "DIY" projects, but they're fun and I think will make the day more special. Ask me if I still feel this way after I put ribbon on each of the wedding invitations.

This weekend I didn't think about my thesis at all. I just enjoyed good company and worked on wedding stuff. Oh- we had to assemble our wedding favors which I guess it must have been in the fine print that they didn't come assembled! A little team work got it done quickly though.

Hope the week treats you well. Stay warm!

Posted in: Being Engaged,Travel