Meant to beeeeee

Sooo...my love (Happy Pants) and I have a few cute stories about times where we've either been "married" or "engaged" according to someone or something.

It's like the universe is trying to tell us something.

That or everyone is crazy.

That or we just look like an old married couple.

That or I have this giddy glow about me.

OR it's just in the cards that we're meant to be. (and I don't believe in cards, I believe in God, but I'm just sayin'...)

Anyhoo. The first time Happy Pants brought me home to his mom's was Christmas of 2008. It was too early by all my standards to be going to meet mom. And at Christmastime of all times! But I went anyway because I'm nuts. On Sunday morning at church, his grandfather (who already loved me, I just know it) announced to the whole church, "This is my grandson and his fiance." Granted, he was 78 at the time. He's allowed to have a brain fart. My boyfriend's brother turned to us and quietly joked, "When were you going to tell the rest of us?"

Recently, a magazine along with a few pamphlets showed up at my house from Sandals resorts. It was their wedding and honeymoon information. I don't know who or what caused these to arrive in my hands. I may or may not have thumbed through each of them. ;)

About a month ago, while in Arkansas for a wedding, my boyfriend and I were patiently waiting for an elevator in our hotel. While waiting, a charming little 8 or 9 year old with a huge grin on her face approached us. We smiled back at her and asked if she was going up. She just looked at both of us a little longer, analyzing. Then she finally spoke, "You've got a nice wife!" to which Happy Pants replied, "Thank you!" Then we got on the elevator (alone) and giggled at the little girl's odd remark. We didn't feel the need to explain to an 8 year old. Just go with the flow on that one.

And at work, there's my boss who constantly checks my ring finger and calls Happy Pants my "future husband to be."

Then you count the multiple people and multiple times Happy Pants has heard "When are you going to put a ring on her finger?" and "Never mind how the weekend went, did you propose?" Poor guy. He gets it from his co-workers too. Even ones I've never met. It's awesome.

I guess he doesn't need any pressure from this girl. He's got all the "hints" he could have ever asked for. Personally, I can't wait. Each weekend I spend with him I feel we grow closer.

I can, however, wait to plan a wedding [shudder]. Talk about stress.

My 30 Before 30 List

I decided to take a great idea from another blogger and create my own "30 Before 30" list. Let's clarify...I only have approximately 2.5 years before I'm 30 (ugh!), so this might be a stretch (financially) to get it all done in that amount of time.

Note: I reserve the right to edit this list as time goes on. If I decide I want to sky dive and/or develop a terrible fear of dolphins, then there will be some editing. Just keepin' it real.

Anyway, it's neat to create this list. You should try it.

Before I'm 30, I will...

1. Play in the rain
2. Sing in front of someone other than my steering wheel
3. Get engaged
4. Become a Big Sister (big brothers big sisters)
5. Adopt/rescue a golden retriever/lab
6. Move to a new city
7. Visit Europe
8. Wine tasting in Napa Valley
9. Jet ski
10. Swim with dolphins
11. Give a public speech without losing sleep
12. Find a church and happily attend
13. Take a pottery class
14. Join a gym
15. Learn one song on guitar
16. Attend at least one Operation Kindness gala
17. Give blood
18. Run a 5k or 10k
19. Ride in a hot air balloon
20. Experience a TRUE spa day
21. Learn to shoot a gun
22. Go skiing
23. Take my parents out for a fancy dinner
24. Take my first cruise
25. Visit family in Chicago and explore downtown
26. Be able to say, “Yes, I golf.”
27. Learn a new craft
28. Let go of the stuff that does me no good to keep
29. Get a quilt made of all my keepsake t-shirts
30. Become a kick-butt sales rep

To loft or not to loft

Ya see, I've been looking for a place to rent for a long time. A very long time. I am not exaggerating here.

Since I started my new sales job in early February, the wheels have been a-spinnin' and I'm probably getting ahead of myself (again), but I continue to shop around. I think it makes me feel better. (sigh...)

I have pretty much been set on living in Forth Worth (aka Cowtown); as close to downtown as possible.

I heart Fort Worth. It's a feeling similar to your favorite pair of designer jeans that you've worn so much that you ALMOST have to throw them out, but can't bear to do it because you still look great in them. So what if there's a hole in the back pocket? It's got a comfy side and a fancy side. It's definitely not Dallas, which is a good thing.

Anyway, I got uber excited about this (surprisingly affordable) loft and then I was sorely disappointed when I realized it was too soon and I couldn't do it and the unit would go fast.

Then I visited the usual boring old cookie cutter apartments (about 20 of them). After looking at (and daydreaming about) lofts, it's a total snoozefest in comparison.

They all have the same things in common:

1) Close quarters (i.e., creeps you don't want to live near)

2) Fat, ugly deposits (esp. for pets) and hidden "admin fees"

3) overpriced, overpriced, overpriced!

4) Total lack of uniqueness

Oh, and another good one - pet rent! Pets don't have jobs!!!! Why should they pay rent? This bothers me.

Then I looked at a few more lofts. Most of which I cannot afford. Crap.

So I'm back to square one. I desperately want to live downtown and I'd love a loft setting while I'm young(ish) and childless, but I don't think I can swing it financially.

Looks like Pookie is going to have to get a job.

BUT I think I've narrowed it down to three. Which of my top three would YOU pick:

#1) Lofty loft near downtown, true studio (no separation), historic building, renovated, artsy, unique.

Biggest cons - no washer/dryer hookups, limited availability. Not in the greatest neighborhood, but it's not the worst either.

#2) Townhome-style apartment w/ attached garage, views, dogpark, friendly.

Biggest cons- Smallish

#3) Regular nice apartment with river access. Good street.

Biggest cons - Not really digging the complex itself. A little busier/cramped feeling.