49 DAYS/12 DAYS!!!!

Hi!

As many (well, all) of you know, we have two countdowns going on: one for the wedding day, and one for my move to Boston.  I can't believe how fast this school year has gone, but tomorrow is my last day of teaching in Poughkeepsie (final exams begin on Tuesday).  This has been perhaps the one dark spot on an otherwise blissfully happy time - I do not want to leave my school, my students, my colleagues, and the colleagues who have become my very best friends!!  This week, Nicole arranged a surprise shower for me (which our friends in turn made a shower for her as well, since she is getting married on July 16th), and I can't believe how kind and generous people were.  Teaching in Poughkeepsie hasn't always been easy, but I have loved the students and the amazing people I work with!  Friday was a rough day for me because I finally let it hit me that I'm not coming back.  There was a lot of crying and tears, but when I attended a dinner that evening (since I got tenure!), a retiring teacher told me I must be destined for something in Boston if my life is bringing me there, and I have faith that it is true.

This weekend, Justin came and took more boxes with him, and my Dad and Pat came and spent time with us and took some furniture back with them as well.  As my apartment gets more and more empty, I'm grateful for the three years I've lived and taught here even though I wished most of my days and weeks away wishing I was in Boston.  I will always have this time to look back on, and stories to tell my children about the crazy country house on the winding road, and amazing friends who will always be in my life to reminisce about these days with!

In other wedding related news, we were sent a CRAZY long document from The Colony Hotel, in which we must list all the minute details that will be involved in our wedding.  Some of the questions I don't have answers to, and I'm a little confused as to how I am supposed to know how long it takes to serve a buffet dinner to 125+ people.  Isn't that why we're having the wedding at a place where they always have weddings?  On a positive note, we found out they serve chocolate covered strawberries with the (cup)cakes - yummy!

Our RSVP date is coming up this Wednesday, and we hope to know by the end of the week who is and isn't able to attend.  If you haven't booked a hotel room and are planning to come, I would urge you not to wait much longer!!

My running and hula hooping has paid off - I am now under my goal weight for the wedding!!! I'm very excited about this, and all the comments I have received (though I did have to promise one co worker that I eat).  I'm interested to see how much will have to be done to the dress I bought in October, 15 pounds ago, but I'm pretty sure every penny will be worth it!

That's all for now.  Wish me luck on staying grounded for the next 12 days, and I will keep you posted!