Three of the more talented contestants were cast off the show last night. Crystal Bowersox's single biggest threat was Lilly Scott and she left way before her time. I hope an indie label picks her up ASAP because I would love to hear an original album by her. I was glad she stood up for herself and the others kicked off last night by pointing out how much great talent America did not vote for. I really can't believe Paige and Katie and Lacey and Tim made it into the top 12. Paige and Katie have not performed up to their potential on any of the live shows. Lilly was consistently STRONG and the most unique contestant they have ever had. I am fully convinced now that America just has awful taste in music.

Ok, my ranting is over.

Wedding details are all coming together! Not much left to do now other than wait for the big day and enjoy my last shower tomorrow! (Wedding shower that is, not actual shower. Those will continue daily!)

We're getting a lot of RSVPs in. Remember, the deadline is April 1! We have to have a final headcount to the facility for food purposes one week before the wedding.

I'm getting excited to see a lot of friends and family I haven't seen in awhile. I'm a little sad that it will all likely go by entirely too fast. But it will be a blast and I'm so excited for the day to get here so Chris and I can start our lives together!

On a sad note, neither of my grandparents are able to come. One due to health reasons and the other due to her stubborness and rifts between family members. I'm still going to work on her some though. I only have two living grandparents and I will be really sad if neither are at the wedding.

I hope you all are doing well! Drop me a note, I'd love to hear from you!

I find all the teenagers annoying. Can we just give them the boot already? Namely haely and Katie. Bubblegum pop not gonna work this season.

Maybe I can replace Simon next season. Where do I apply?

Well this year is off to a busy start! The wedding planning has kicked into high gear and I have multiple projects to launch at work this spring/summer in addition to keeping existing projects running smoothly. NOT an easy task. It doesn't help that my sinus problems have not been resolved so I'm constantly coming down with infections thanks to the wonderful roller coaster that is Texas winter weather. All of this culminated a couple weeks ago when I realized that I just do not have time to get everything done that I want to do and that something had to give. No, I'm not quitting my job or calling off the wedding! Those are necessities. But I did make the difficult decision to pull out of my master's program for a couple semesters so I can get acclimated to married life and get past some big projects at work. The program advisor was going to let me stay idle in the program for a year since all I have left is one 3 hour class and my comprehensive finals, but thanks to Sam's ridiculous college bureaucracy, since I already put a payment down on the semester I had to officially resign from Sam in order to not harm my transscript with an F. So when I'm ready to go back I'm going to have to reapply. :-( Hopefully my credits will stay good for awhile. They haven't cut me off from my school email or anything, so I think that's a good sign. I'm glad that colleges are more lenient with grad students and understand the challenges of going to school while working and balancing family life.

So that's my big news. I'm a college drop out. BUT I have every intention of going back. As bad as I want my master's degree it's not worth my sanity and I'm not about to let school stress ruin my wedding planning and start of my new life with Chris! Some things in this life are just more important, and he's at the top of my list.

In other news, did any of you FC alums get a yellow postcard in the mail asking you to update your information for an alumni directory? I got one yesterday and I called in and updated my info. Then the guy on the phone tried to get me to sign up for some "free magazines." I turned that part down, but Chris got to thinking that I had just gotten scammed into giving out my personal information. We found out the company is legit, but sometimes has some shady business practices. I emailed Ralph Walker to let him know and see if FC had indeed hired this company, Harris Direct, to put together an FC directory. He emailed me back today and said that it was legit, they are putting together an updated directory. He said he would look into the magazine offer bit though since they didn't do that when he updated his info.

So if you got the postcard rest assured it is FC sanctioned and not an unsolicited scam. If you purchase the directory and want to look me up, I will be listed as Penny Wilson instead of Buchanan since it will be published in the summer. Hope to see your listings in there as well! I think the directory will be especially useful when I travel and need to find a place to worship. I just love how FC and camp have connected me to other Christians all over the country! I hope to keep those connections strong so my children can benefit from the FC network like I have my whole life.

Hope you are all doing well! If you got your save the date for the wedding, be sure to check out our website for more details on the big day: Penny and Chris's Wedding Website You can now even RSVP online if you already know whether or not you can attend. Formal invites and maps will be coming the first of March.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... :-)

Merry Christmas everyone!

UPDATE

*Order invitations - check!


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Thank you all for your kind words and prayers during my family's difficult time. I am so blessed to have known my grandmother and to have had the chance to say good bye. It still doesn't feel quite real that she's gone, but we all know she is in a much better place than this sinful world. I pray that I am able to fight the good fight and keep the faith so that we can be reunited some day.

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October and November didn't see much wedding planning activity, but December is already making up for the lost time.

*Select bridesmaid dresses - in progress, 90% done
*Schedule dress alterations - check!
*Book photographer - check!
*Schedule bridal portraits - in progress, 90% done!
*Order invitations - in progress, 90% done!
*Order save the dates - in progress, 75% done!
*Beautification appointments scheduled - one down, 2 to go!

It feels so good to have some things done. With each decision I get a little less stressed. I'm so glad we got an all inclusive wedding venue. It definitely makes this whole planning thing easier! I can't wait to sit down with our consultant next month and nail down all the little details.

I hope you are all doing well and had a great Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be thankful for, especially for our Lord and Savior's sacrifice for us.