Honeymooning Confessions

So I confess that I never actually posted about the honeymoon really (only a photo here and there) SO here we go! Confessions with Kathy honeymoon edition!

When we woke up that morning to head to Barbados I was dreading it. I hated flying but I couldn't get enough of being called "husband and wife" and it still makes me all giddy and tingly inside. It's okay if you feel like vomiting right now. I'm sure a lot of people felt the same way if they ever overheard our conversations during that time period.

+ I confess that we didn't go snorkeling, go on crazy island adventures or go on any expensive yacht sunset cruises but ya know what we did do? Each other. A lot. Deal with it.

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+ I confess I was really envious of the old retirees who could go on aforementioned sunset yacht cruises, but the ocean view with the hubs was enough for me! Oh and many colorful, alcoholic beverages.

+ I confess that we DID however go on a historic walking tour and we were the only ones on said tour...the rest of the people on the bus from the other resorts went on a booze cruise on a pirate ship. Really right now? It sounds lame, but we learned a lot of interesting things and we got to go visit some of the island's oldest buildings and churches. So there. We also stopped off at a bakery and got DELICIOUS coconut scones.

+ I confess that I will be a fish snob for life after having the BEST fish there. I've had salmon since the honeymoon and it's just not the same....#snob. The food there was overall just so amazing and fresh!

+ I confess that I drank more rum than fricken Captain Jack Sparrow that week. Perfectly acceptable to be tipsy on a Tuesday...at noon right?

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+ I confess that I took full advantage of social media outlets to make sure my coworkers and friends knew that I was relaxing in front of the ocean while they were slaving away at work throughout the week. Because holy hell on earth...planning that wedding was like running a marathon I didn't train for.

+ I confess that the one thing that did suck was that our trip wasn't all-inclusive....and the food was $$$. The food on the resort was amazing, but we made sure to eat elsewhere like everyone else did and went shopping to cook some of our own meals. Of course Josh was in heaven when he ordered hot wings at a nearby cafe. Look at that face. Happy hubs.

Our first morning in Barbados we got up late and wanted breakfast brought up to the room...although it was all delicious and fancy...$50 each boom. No, the eggs were not laced with gold shavings...but damn that coffee was good.

We made a little bird friend and named him Pringle since we kept on feeding him Pringle crumbs from our balcony. Smart bird....we paid up the ass for groceries and here he is condo-hopping for snacks. He had the right idea...

I confess that I even liked the beer there (I'm more of a wino).

+ I confess that since Josh and I have been together for 8 whole years, I didn't think we would go through that "honeymoon phase" but oh man we hit it hard and it's still going! I get so whiny and annoying when I'm not with him it's ridiculous. Swimming in the ocean with him for the first time was absolutely HEAVEN despite getting loads of salt in my mouth. Damnit, I'm such an amateur. Oh and just throwing it out there that I'm SO proud of my fitness progress. Not going to lie, I think I look pretty solid here. Thanks kettlebells!

I confess I rocked some pretty mean tan lines when I switched bikinis. #vacationproblems...bloody hell...

On our last night, we went with some other people to go experience some nightlife and had Marlin for the first time! Oh and more rum. SURPRISE. I swear, two of those small cups will knock you on your ass.

Right before we were going to leave for the airport, it rained for the first time! It was gloomy and depressing...foreshadowing to what was to come with the four-hour flight delay and missing our connecting flight.

I can't believe that it's been close to two months since we said our I dos and I can't wait to see what's in store for us!!

I'm also linking up with the amazing Liz at Fitness Blondie! Hop on over there while you're at it!

Chasing The Sun...and My Sanity

Holy effing lord I felt like kissing the very ground I walked on when we landed in flippin' Chicago Sunday afternoon. Before I get into the pretty photos from the honeymoon, this experience must be shared.

So the hubs and I woke up Saturday morning, packed and headed off to the airport to leave sunny Barbados. Sad face. We eventually boarded our flight, sat down...and waited for lift off...and waited...and waited....ahem...yeah apparently there seemed to be a "maintenance issue" and the pilot reported that he would keep us updated in 15 minutes...yeah half an hour later...there was a "computer system problem" that needed to be fixed...2.5 EFFING HOURS LATER as I was on my last thread of patience...

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I could have used some rum punch after the first half hour of that full flight...the flight attendants gave out gross granola bars and zero complimentary drinks (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic) or actual food.

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So since it was four hours to Miami, we were on that damn plane for a little over six hours...in which I asked myself, what circle of hell am I in right now? Josh was pretty confident that we could still possibly run to our connecting flight to Chicago...and then the pilot announced that someone was occupying our gate and we had to wait until they left...I was ready to smack a bitch. Seriously? What else could go wrong?

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 After everyone took exceptionally long to gtfo of the plane, we got our luggage, ran off that plane, went through customs and several check points to still try and make this damn flight.

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However...when we got to the last check point...which was a huge line...we finally realized that there was no way we were going to make that flight home. #killme. Why in the world does Miami have to be so huge? I want a Finishers medal for that flippin' run with my luggage! Josh & Emily: 0, Miami airport: 1.Can I just at least get a sympathy applause for the strong effort?

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 The airline hooked us up with a new flight, hotel accommodations and food vouchers for the severe inconvenience...we checked into our hotel, ordered pizza since we had nothing but a packet of hummus and pita chips all day, stuffed our faces and passed out on the bed until our 9am flight and it left ON TIME!! See ya, Miami!!

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After a few hours, we landed in Chicago and boom we were home. Josh and I rejoiced, danced in our seats and fist pumped in the air for good measure.

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It was a smooth transition weather-wise since it was a hot 80 flippin' degrees when we landed! Wahoo!! Josh's Dad picked us up and away we went back home to celebrate Mother's Day. I hope you all had a great one!! I sure wouldn't know what I would do without my mom. She always goes above and beyond for the family and she helped make the wedding go so amazingly well!

 

Now that the wedding and honeymoon are over though, time for our next big adventure! HOUSE HUNTING!

Meet Mrs. Guenther!

So I thought I'd drop in tonight to update you lovelies as to how amazing the wedding went and how the honeymoon is paradise...seriously. I might not leave. I want the ocean in my backyard always.

Of course I need to wait until the official wedding photos come in... But here is a sneak peak..

              

The only downer was that it was raining so we couldn't take photos at this awesome Arboretum...BUT I wouldn't have wanted to get my dress all wet and nasties before the ceremony anyway since it was raining all flippin' week! I'll just called it good luck and got over it. I can't believe I got through the ceremony without breaking down in tears. Major win. 

This was moments before getting into my dress! It really did go by fast, but I made sure to take a step back and take it all in several times throughout the night.

Everyone came up to Josh and me saying how great of a time they had and I couldn't have been happier. Seeing all of our friends and family together in one room was the most fabulous thing ever. We danced, some drank too much..., laughs were shared, advice was given and some of the most heartwarming speeches took place. Josh's younger brother had everyone in tears. I'll go into more detail later.

The first flight to Miami was a nightmare. We had to circle around in the air for an additional effing hour until the weather cleared more. Poor Josh threw up. It was bad. BUT we luckily caught our connecting flight in time to our final destination. The fricken taxi driver was a maniac...and that's really saying something considering the drivers I've encountered in Chicago...

We landed late that night so we couldn't see the view from our hotel room or anything.....but that morning...I woke up to this. It was like Christmas morning.

Needless to say, we made our way down to the beach...ASAP.

This is my first time sinking my feet into the ocean so to say I was acting like an untraveled child would be accurate.

My first drink was vodka out of a fricken coconut. Now THIS is living. And I get to experience all of this with my hubs! And nope I never get tired of hearing, "anything for your husband?" While ordering drinks at 11am. 

They're going to have to drag me onto the flight back home....this is just too good. I have yet to run into Rihanna...until next time...signing out Barbados style! And yep I did burn already and aloe is "illegal" here because it ruins the hotel's towels...my solution...more rum?

I Have A Confession....I'm getting married!!!!

So you're probably thinking...WHERE DID SHE GO? Well I'll tell you....I've been swallowed up by all things wedding! I'M GETTING MARRIED ON FRIDAY! TWO DAYS! Right when you think you have all of your shit together, well yeah you find out that you don't and you're missing all sorts of small things. I.e. a cake topper. Oops.

Let's do a quick rundown of my confessions with Kathy...wedding style.

+ The Knot's seating chart tool will save you a world of frustration. USE IT FELLOW BRIDES. You want to save yourself from accidentally cussing out your in-laws for changing seating arrangements at the last minute because it's such a hassle moving people around? Not with this handy website!

+ Never use Crest 3D White FlexFit whitening strips. You want to know why? Because you'll end up crying to your dentist at 7a.m. saying that your teeth are splotchy white and in my case...getting married in two fucking days. Luckily he's positive that a normal cleaning will even everything out. Apparently these types of strips were only available to dentists a little while ago since you're only supposed to use them directly after a professional cleaning. Yeah definitely doesn't say that on the directions or packaging. I hope they're prepared for the verbal assault I'm about to throw down on them.

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+ I've been so stressed out and anxious, my hips shrunk a little. Doing my kettlebell workouts have helped with all of that business too though. I just plank my way through the stress. #sweatingforthewedding.

+ Josh and I are planning on not having to check our bags at the airport so that means measuring out every effing little fl. oz. and only having ONE quart-sized bag each...apparently TSA thinks I'm a magician. I mean come on, at least two bags? All of that space will be taken up by flippin' SPF 70 so I don't turn into a lobster one day into being in Barbados. Rihanna can't see me like that.We'll see how packing goes tonight after the rehearsal...one week's worth of stuff in one carry-on....challenge accepted.

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+ People keep on asking me if I'm nervous and I have to say I'm not. At least not for the reason they're thinking about. I mean come on...after 8.5 years I'm pretty positive about my relationship with this guy...I'm more so freaking out about face-planting down the stairs in my dress.

+ Despite all of the last minute hold-ups, freakouts, and the "omg I forgot about that" moments, my team of people have been UH-mazing and reassuring. I can't wait to breakout those dance moves on the big day.

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+ I confess I am SO flippin' ready for this wedding to go down. I'm ready to be a Mrs.!! Bring it!!

P.S. I'll try to make a last shout out on the wedding day before I go on a week-long hiatus with the hubs!

Are We There Yet?

SO one year from today, I will be getting married to my binks, my honey bear, my sweety, my honey bunches, (how's that gag reflex going so far?) I'm beyond excited and now we've FINALLY agreed upon a honeymoon destination. I swear my in-laws are THE BEST ever. They pretty much gave us the option to go ANYWHERE we wanted. My brain went into overdrive as I mentally took note of every amazing place I've ever heard of on the Travel channel. Josh's one requirement was that it had to have a beach where he could sit back and lounge....but then that one requirement morphed into other excuses to opt out of my ideas such as "no that place is TOO far away, look...it's just a dot on Google" to "ummm no, you'll get kidnapped and then I'll have to save you and then they'll kill me." (He's watched Taken too many times). Just when I thought it would be next to impossible to settle on a place we'd BOTH like, we found a resort in the Canary Islands that looked like Paradise.

However....I looked up reviews to the place and what did I find? Reviews filled with lovely comments stating cockroach sitings and rude staff. NO THANKS. I then continued my search and found a couple of resorts in the Virgin Islands. It looked promising. The resorts even had those huts that stretched out into the ocean where you can get massages. Count me in! I notified Josh asap and he AGREED. Looks like this pair of soon-to-be newlyweds will be hitting up the Virgin Islands folks. May turns out to be a great month to go there too since we'll be missing their hurricane season.

I'll also have to make sure to tan before too so I don't spend my honeymoon looking like a fried lobster. This fair complexion is nothing but trouble in the hot sun. But seriously...is it next year yet? I need to squish my feet into that white sand and splash into the ocean asap. I'm hoping there won't be too many kids there since afterall it WILL be our honeymoon...the last thing I want is to have a romantic moment ruined by some asshole kid who decides to splash us with water or screaming in the next umbrella site over. Am I jerk for saying that? No I don't think so. I want the honeymoon to be peaceful and romantic...not inundated with mini floaty devices and cannon balls. Trip Advisor is great though and while it seems to be a family-friendly place, it is also great for young couples such as us. Win. I can handle a kid or two as long as we can get away from the Brady Bunch crowd.

I feel like the most important wedding plans are pretty much set....the venue, dress and the honeymoon destination haha. In a few weeks we will have our engagement photo session which I'm really excited about.I feel like I'm missing something...I'm not totally tearing my hair out about this whole wedding planning thing...or should I say...yet? Being a journalist I'm used to making appointments, keeping multiple schedules and adhering to crazy deadlines so maybe that's it...that and my unlimited access to coffee. Who am I kidding? It's only a matter of time until my head explodes.