>Tonight, I found out that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, all three songwriters that I signed while in Nashville are coming to sing at our wedding! How cool is that? I am so honored. You will love them and their amazingly talented and kind-hearted selves.

The muscles in my neck and shoulders are about as tense as they have ever been. Thankfully, it has nothing to do with wedding planning. All of that is going quite well. It has to do with trying to be an effective kindergarten teacher, administering state-mandated testing, attending graduate school, AND weaving in planning a wedding with all of the above. I have not been able to see Chris in over a week, and he asked me out on a date for Saturday. We are spending the afternoon at Grapevine Mills mall to use some Christmas gift cards, then going out to eat and then on to a place called Love & War In Texas, to hear my friend Austin Cunningham play a show. It will be big fun. I’m just excited to get together and just chill out with Chris.

It looks like things are coming together for the downtown reception — we appear to have the blessing of both county and city officials. Now, we need to get the paperwork and applications and permits all set in place. I am very “get everything in writing”-oriented, so I am looking forward to closing that deal with as few speedbumps as possible.

It also looks like we have decided to have the Dallas fiesta at what will be “our” house by March 22nd! We are going to kick home cleaning and improvements into high gear over the next little while (I told Chris that although “domestic goddess” is not a term anyone would use to describe me, I can definitely play house when I am under the gun!). I love it!

Today was my last day with students until Tuesday, and I have to say that I am beyond thrilled about that fact. We have a teacher work day tomorrow, and Monday is a holiday for MLK Jr. Day. I learned tonight that it looks like I am going to be reading a chapter or two from about six different textbooks over the course of the semester, but I believe I am going to really enjoy both classes (Elementary School Counseling and Counseling The Diverse Client). The second one is very experiential, and three of our assignments actually are to watch movies and write papers about them. Movies and writing! Two of my absolute favorite pastimes.

Does anyone ever watch “The Real Housewives of Orange County”? I do. There, I said it. And now, there is a “Real Housewives of New York City.” All Greek to me. On the OC one, there is one wife who is spending more on her wedding dress than our entire wedding will wind up costing. Out of my realm of comprehension. Interesting.

I am going to look at a book now. And highlight some key points.

Then I am going to sleep with the knowledge that I only have to be around grown-ups tomorrow! Hooray!