So the wedding hoopla is over.. with the exception of finishing up the scrapbook, getting pictures, the video, and writing and sending Thank Yous...

Now it's on to the house!

We close on our house tomorrow at 10am!

And then the big projects begin.  We're going to keep both places through the end of October so we can take our time and get most of the major work we want to do to it done before we move in.  These items include:

Removing wallpaper from almost every room in the house
Painting all walls and ceilings
Removing, stripping, refinishing and reinstalling the base and trim boards
Removing the linoleum in the bathroom and installing tile
Install carpet in the bedrooms
Strip and refinish the hardwood floors in the living spaces
Install louvered doors at washer/dryer closet
Replace glass transfers at the front door
Replace window blinds and treatments
Replace cabinet hardware in the kitchen
Install crown molding in the master bedroom
Paint exterior trim at the windows

Somewhere soon after we move in, the rest will have to be done:

Ripping out plants and getting garden beds ready for next year
Distributing a couple tons of top soil around the perimeter of the house for positive drainage
Hang drywall in the garage
Pressure wash and stain the decks (repair some parts)
Paint or remove the shed in the backyard

Seems like a long list... but I'm looking forward to every bit of it!

So we're in Aruba now.  It was a wonderfully uneventful trip - no problems with flights or customs.  The taxi driver from the airport to the hotel was great - he answered all my questions about the best way to get around (rent a car), the local driving laws (interpretting funky shaped and colored signs), the good places to eat, the local languages (spanish, dutch, english and the local mix of portuguese and dutch called "papimiento") and some sites to see (the natural bridge, the caves, etc.).  When we got to the hotel, we immediately got upgraded from a limited view room on the 11th floor to an oceanview room on the 13th floor thanks to my dad's "status" as a preferred customer.

I was looking forward to seeing the first sunset over the ocean (because we face west) but Pete and I slept through it.  Peter seems to have a cold/flu.  He's been running a really high fever and feels like crap.  And, to compound it, his right ear won't pop after the flight.  That eardrum burst at some point during his Marine Corps days and he always has issues with it when we fly.  We ordered some room service and I've been forcing him to drink lots of water (you're supposed to feed a cold, right?) and he seems to be getting better.  His fever broke earlier this evening so, with any luck and another dose of night time comtrex, we should be ready to get out and about tomorrow. :)

We were assured by the funny bellhop that the weather never changes (high of 92 and a low of 82 every day/night).  And that, if we're good at doing nothing and just relaxing that we're in the right place. lol  I'm realizing how horrible I am at doing nothing... the suitcases are unpacked and I've been facebooking and internet browsing all evening.

We came with no agenda and no idea how we were going to get from the airport to the hotel, let alone anywhere else. LoL  So we'll just relax and do what we want when we want.  This may include some driving, some lounging on the gorgeous beaches, some casino hopping.. and maybe some sailing.

I'm glad we decided to take this week long honeymoon.  It will be a nice transition between the stress of the wedding and getting back to "normal" life.  Or at least a nice break between the stress of the wedding and the stress of closing on a house, renovating and packing and moving!

So says my nose..  One of those evil sores is popping up again.  Bleh..

I suppose I should be.  Lots going on.

I'm putting on Lisa's baby shower this Saturday and trying to get the finishing touches for it done.

Then, immediately after that, starts the preparation for the 4th of July festivities..

Complete with a visit from my 10-year estranged older sister.. who just popped back into the picture out of nowhere.....

And we're house-hunting now that we've been preapproved.

And I'm trying to wrap up things for the wedding -- invitations, accessories, appointments, teeth whitening, tanning, etc.

Constantly trying to find time to finish up Thank You cards from the bridal shower -- 10 done and 18 to go...

And I should be studying for more exams..

But I compulsively fill my time with things like personal training, yoga, bowling, cake decorating, card nights, etc..

I'm kind of burnt out and want a break.. but I don't feel stressed... if that makes any sense.

You know what's strange?  I've gotten to the point where I no longer dread going to work out with my trainer...  In fact, I look forward to it.  I want more!  It makes me happy because I feel better.. and I'm stronger than I've ever been.  I'm feeling muscles I didn't know were there.  It's like discovering my body all over again.  It's fun.   I just wish I had the discipline (and time) to put in the effort outside of yoga and personal training...  I really like feeling healthy.

Lots left to do... Waiting for the cakes to cool a little bit so I can wrap them up and get some shut-eye..