It's just one of those days...

The wedding is less than a month away, and preparations are really in full swing. Invitations were sent out this last week, and in no time, Tyler and I will be heading down to super sunny California for the wedding. I know the engagement time and wedding planning is stressful, but last week has just been particularly frenzied. On Monday, my parents told me they'd shipped my dress overnight, which was bought and altered in California, and that I should be expecting it the next day. So Tuesday, I hurried home after my morning classes (and a quick lunch, I confess) only to find that the UPS guy had stopped by hours earlier and my roommates had not answered the door. I think they can't ever hear when someone's knocking. Anyway, not their fault. So I called the 800 number to just tell them I'd come pick it up, since I knew I wouldn't be home the next day, or ever, between 8 am - 5 pm. The automated lady voice said someone would call me within the hour to confirm. This was true, and I agreed to pick up the dress that night, sometime after 7 but before 8:30. The biggest scare? I was meeting with the wedding photographer at 7 that night. So, running a bit late, I met with Bethany (at Spoon Me, a frozen yogurt place, yum!) and we chatted. We were done by 8, so I jumped in my car and was on my way to Orem. The UPS place in Orem, holy cow, is in the middle of nowhere, by Geneva Rock. It was a little scary. And way farther than I'd anticipated! So I was racing the clock, and made it there by 8:25 or so. I picked up the package, and the dress is now hanging safely in my room.

The next mini crisis involves my engagement ring. Tyler and I had stopped by the jeweler to pick out his wedding band, and while there, the guy helping us noticed my ring was a bit loose, so he said they'd resize it. Okay, no big deal. But they took it right then and there! I was a little shocked and had separation anxiety, but I put on another ring in the meantime. I went in Monday (the day before the dress fiasco) to pick up both rings, only to find that they'd made mine WAY too small. Trying not to cry, I told them the problem and they said they'd make it bigger, that the goldsmith had sized it on the smaller side of 5.25, which was what they had determined was my size. My ring was originally a 6. So I continued the week without my precious ring. Thursday, they called again saying it was ready, so I hurried over, only to find that it was still significantly too small. Fortunately, one of the girls who works there is an old friend from EFY about 8 years ago, and she was working that day and took pity on me. She said they'd resize it to slightly larger than a 5.5, and she'd rush it so I could pick it up the next day, since I was taking my bridals the next Tuesday. God bless Sara from EFY. Friday, I went in and it fit like a glove. I'm finally reunited with my ring and I'm so glad. I'd really become attached to it in these last few months.

If only it ended there. But no. The next day, conference Saturday, I'd told Tyler I wanted to make dinner for him and our friends at whose house we were watching conference (Tyler's old place). He said ok, and that steak would be nice. I agreed to give it a try, since I've never pan-fried steak before. Although I had the meat, I wanted some other food to add to the meal, so between sessions, I took Tyler's car and headed off to the grocery store to pick up some potatoes and rolls. I headed back to my place to get some salad and condiments, but in my rush, when I'd grabbed my keys to get into my apartment, I'd set down Tyler's keys... on the car seat. I then proceeded to lock the car and run up to my place. I grabbed what I needed and was halfway down the stairs before I discovered I didn't have his keys. I searched everywhere to no avail, and finally accepted the fact that they were locked in the car. So I took the food I had and drove over to pick up Tyler, then headed over to his house to get the spare, then back to the car where I'd locked the keys inside. Good thing Tyler was so patient with me. I was able to prepare the meal adequately once we got back to our friends' house. But my goodness, it was difficult to get there.

The good news is that Sunday was my birthday, so I got to relax a bit. We watched conference at that same friend's house and Tyler made me my requested birthday lunch (French onion soup with mozzarella cheese and sourdough bread, perfect on a rainy day). I took naps and tried to catch up on my reading for class. Tyler presented me with the cake I'd picked out at the store the day before, and he gave me a very nice present. He framed my giant picture of the Newport Beach Temple. I admit, it made me cry a little thinking about how we'd be getting married there in a month. I'm such a sap. And once things have settled down a bit, Tyler's promised me a trip to the mall to pick out some birthday clothes. He's so nice, even when I'm falling apart at the seams. Hopefully this last week will mark the end of these shenanigans!

Also, I promise a more uplifting and less self-centered blog entry on our Tara and Tyler Allen blog. In the meantime, check it out and see how awesome Tyler is and browse some of our pictures!