Sweet Nectar

For those of you who may not know, I have some type of strange succulent sweet nectar flowing through my veins. Seriously folks, where ere there be a mosquito he will find me. When no one else gets any mosquito bites in the evening I usually get about five.

So anyway, two days before my bridals I was accosted by my arch enemy... the mosquito. I vowed not to give that mosquito the satisfaction of watching me scratch that bite. It took every ounce of self restraint, but knowing my pictures were up and coming I did not scratch.

Ironically when I woke up in the morning this is what I found. The fruits of my efforts had NOT been rewarded!!

(picture coming)

All I have to say is Benadryl. And being doped up on that for a day wasn't a pretty site either.

Bridals

Sorry I've been MIA forever and then some. I've been busy planning my wedding and trying to keep my head above water :) Here is a peak at some of my bridals. Stay tuned for my monster mosquito bite!

The soft smile

Out in nature...

that shot was actually taken at the edge of a parking lot and I'm pretty much standing on a couple of beer cans.


Off with the shoes!

The bouquet I kept fretting over.

I like to call this the Jane Austin backdrop.

Frolicking!

Rustic fence post.

Laughing hysterically...when I did that the photographer said, "Woah, do that scrunchy thing with your nose again." (Chris' favorite picture)

Toe shot.
My mother said, "good thing your toes were done", ha, ha... as if it was by accident.
Also I was thrilled with the purchase of my shoes for only $16 at Target!

Photos

Hey friends,
Me and Chris posed as the "models" for a photography class. For those who know, the girl teaching it was actually an old friend of some of the Ivy's from Helaman Halls. You can check out our pictures on her blog here.

I was so impressed with Chris. Without me even asking he dropped off his shirts to the dry cleaners to be starched and pressed, he got a hair cut, he showed up on time, and didn't complain about having his picture taken! Having grown up with three brothers I am still in shock!

Back From the Surgeon and Tonsil Free

This is me in all my glory post surgery.


I was very anxious to bring you pictures of my new throat! So don't scroll down if you don't want to see. But you can definitely read my run down of the surgery.

I arrived at the surgical center nice and early at 8am. After some paper work I stripped down to my skiv-vies...(cotton panties) and put on my XXXL hospital gown. I have to say it was a little exciting never having had surgery before...but at the same time I was scared. I didn't let myself dwell on it too much. The nurse didn't get a good stick in my arm the first time so re stuck my hand. She felt so bad about it but it was no big deal to me. It felt like a full circle moment after all that I've put my research subjects through...giving a urine sample, sticking their arm a few times, making them take their clothes off and run around in spandex shorts.

After a few minutes Chris said goodbye and the anesthesiologist and scrub nurse wheeled me down the hall. It felt just like ER...my eyes got a little moist leaving Chris but I held it together. The operating room was HUGE, but the little operating table was narrow. I had to fold my arms across my stomach or they would fall off the sides of the table! I wonder how anyone bigger than me would lay on the table? It was also very cold.

The anesthesiologist was very nice and social. The surgeon was kinda anti-social...not mean, but just interested in getting down to business. That's okay, I myself am not always a people person...I understand. They first put some lidocaine in my IV to numb my arm...it didn't work very well because when he put the other drugs in my arm hurt so bad! I was unaware that happened but seriously the pain was quite intense. They told me to count down from 10 and see how far I got. I thought to myself, "I better count slow because it doesn't seem like anything is happening". I think I got to 5...that stuff is amazing!

After the surgery and 45 minutes into recovery I woke up. My eye lids felt very heavy and I was having a hard time opening them. I thought I had a down blanket over me but it was really this cool blanket that looked like large air packing space fillers you put in boxes you're shipping. The blanket was being filled with warm air...most excellent. I wouldn't mind having one of those on my bed at home. Super light weight but still warm and toasty!!

For some reason the meds made me a bit emotional. As soon as the nurse left my side I started with the erratic breathing that accompanies uncontrollable crying. There were no tears but it took me a while to calm myself down. I kept asking myself, "Why are you crying? You're not even in pain, you're totally fine". I felt like I was being a big baby and I did not want to be that weird scared hysteric patient. (I've broken down in uncontrollable sobbing about 8 times today...poor Chris) The doctor came and asked me how I was doing and I asked him two questions:

1. Was I a good patient? I think this caught him off guard and somewhat strange. In retrospect I guess it is?? (I'm sure he'd lie to me even if I wasn't but for some reason this is important to me. It makes me feel sensible and tough.)

2. Did you remove my adenoids? Yes, he did. He said they were a bit scarred up, the left one especially! He asked if the left tonsil usually swelled up more than the right? Why yes, this was indeed the case. In loving memory of my golf ball sized tonsils I have re posted my first concomitant infection of Step Throat and Mono from Nov 07, you'll see what I mean...check out ol' lefty.

They finally brought Chris back it was so good to see him. He was such a sweetheart. He spoon fed me a snack pack chocolate pudding cup and refilled my ice water about seven times. I think it took me about twenty minutes to eat that little pudding.

I've been feeling pretty good today Unfortunately all the nurses kept telling me I can expect to feel progressively worse as the days go by up until about day 5. Wah! I'm scared to go to bed tonight. The meds are however making me nauseous and I ending up throwing up about a liter of ice water this afternoon. Since I had drank so much water there was no acidity and it didn't hurt my throat at all!

That's it for now...except for something weird happened. Check out the picture when I just got home from the clinic. See my uvula? Now check out the picture I just took several hours later in the evening...I was searching frantically for my uvula in the mirror...I couldn't find it!! Then I realized it is the massive slug like protuberance slowly inflating in my throat!!! It has for some reason it has bloated to about 4-5 times it's original size! Enjoy or don't enjoy the pictures. Scroll down...









































Okay in loving memory of my blasted tonsils behold the reason I got them removed! This was actually taken in like Jan/Feb '08...the second attack. Just some virus following the first mono/strep incidence.




This is right after I got home from the clinic around noon today. Please note my adorable little uvula hanging down in the middle of the photo...you know, your hangy down ball thingy. Those massive holes to either side are the void of my tonsils and adenoids.


Okay not check out those red dots spots above my large holes...they have gotten increasingly red. I think maybe that's where he gave me shots of lidocaine?? I really have no idea. Now check out my nasty slug of a uvula! I can't even locate the bottom of it looking in the mirror!! I hope I don't suffocate tonight. Pretty gruesome eh? I'll keep you updated.



However I have to admit it's pretty nice being spoon fed and tucked into bed like a baby my sweet fiance!

Going Under the Knife and Wedding Plan Updates

GOING UNDER THE KNIFE:

I'm getting my tonsils removed tomorrow morning. Yes, I am nervous...not for the procedure but for the ensuing pain to follow. Actually I'm quite curious about the surgery. I wish there was some way I could consciously watch the procedure but still be under the magnificent powers of general anesthesia. Seriously, aren't you curious as to what your removed tonsils and adenoids look like? I am. If I could, I'd keep them in a jar next to my wisdom teeth. Maybe I should incinerate them and keep the ashes...ha, ha. JK

And now I shall quote directly from the pre-operative information sheet. (okay not directly because I don't have it with me at the moment...I'll paraphrase)

Expect a sharp down hill spiral in you recovery 3-4 days following the surgery. It will feel like someone has taken a sharp knife to the back of your throat, oh wait...WE DID. You may also experience a foul odor and taste accompanying your agonizing pain. Your attempts to shut out the stench with Listerine shall be futile as the swift burn to your open wounds will be more than mere mortals can endure...don't plan on kissing your fiance for at least a week :(

Sound like fun?? Yeah I didn't think so...so STOP telling me it's going to be awesome because I can eat ice cream. Guess what, I can already eat ice cream, I've been eating it since I was two! Besides, I getting married in August and the last thing I want on my conscious is a half gallon of rocky road ice cream!

WEDDING PLAN UPDATES:

Which leads me to wedding plans. Planning a wedding is NOT fun!

a) Deadlines...to be more exact the deadline of all deadlines August 15th! Obviously I am anxious to get married. But all the stuff I have to do before then feels like an 18 credit semester of marriage prep!

b) Planning a wedding might be fun...but planning a wedding on a budget is not fun! It's hard.

c) Dress shopping is the worst! You know when you go shopping for something specific like a brown knit vest to go over your blue and white striped button up shirt? Do you think you're going to find exactly what you're looking for? NO...it's a universal law of shopping! Of course you will find many other great things but not what you're looking for...and if by chance you get lucky you will realize it's $150.00 at Banana Republic, all for a dumb vest! Yeah, that's what dress shopping feels like...I have to buy a white dress that I'm supposed to look exquisite in! So far it ain't happening.

But I don't want to be a total downer...it will make Chris feel bad, and probably my mom too. We have pinned down the location of our reception, our photographer, and our honey moon destination. So some progress is better than none right! Besides, I'm a self proclaimed procrastinator so I'm sure it'll all come together in the end.

My boyfriend bought me a ring!

Yes, I am slacker. Or as Yoda would say...slacker I am. The rumors are true I am officially engaged. It is a miracle even I thought would never happen :) ...and yes, to the very same boyfriend who did not care for my body spray.

Background deets on the fiance:

For those who don't know I met Chris in my research lab. He came in to earn $50 by sacrificing his body to science. Needless to say he thought I was totally cute from the start. As I was verbally encouraging Chris to run through the next stage of his VO2 max test one of the Doctoral students said, "yeah, if you make it to the next stage Crystelle will go on a date with you". I started blushing when I glanced over at Chris and he pretended to start running faster in order to secure a date with me. I was totally embarrassed!! Here I was trying to act all professional and scientific like and it was being turned into some flirt fest!

Well, shortly after this incidence Chris approached my friend Stephanie and told her he was interested in asking me out. Stephanie agreed to "feel out the situation"...which just meant she'd just ask me if I was interested. Seriously, boys are so naive.

To be honest I was having a bit of a stress disorder at this time in my life...please see my previous post on trench mouth for details. I wasn't opposed to going out, it was just bad timing. I was slaving like 14 hours a day in the lab and having sporadic emotional break downs. But being a 25 year old single co-ed at BYU did I really have a choice?? So Stephanie gave Chris the green light.

On Chris's next visit to the lab he attempted to strike up a conversation with me about snow boarding. I was pretty sure he wanted to ask me out but I was just not feeling it at the moment. So I played the avoidance card. I started acting distracted and busy with my research. Yeah, he basically didn't think I was very cool at this point...and lets be honest I wasn't.

Christmas break came and went and for whatever reason when we got back to school Chris still wanted to ask me out! He started to gmail chat with my friend Steph one day as I was working in the lab. He told Stephanie he's like to take me snow shoeing. I told Stephanie to tell Chris, "she'd probably really like that." I proceeded to direct the conversation from Stephanie's end un-beknown to Chris. By the end of the conversation I had set of a lovely double date with my best friend and knew Chris would be calling to ask me out later that day. Go me! I must say he was quite fooled by my acting skills as he called later that day I pretended to be totally in the dark.




So there you have it. We went snow shoeing on our first date...it was awesome. The only weird thing was he was still my research subject. When he came into the lab three days after our first date I had to ask him to take his shirt off and provide me with a small urine sample in order to ensure his hydration status! Don't worry, I played it off very professionally. From then on we went on a couple more dates spaced a few days apart. Chris finished my research study and then kept frequenting the lab to say hi. We were pretty much inseparable by the fourth date.

Chris proposed by sending me on a totally cute little scavenger hunt. I was supposed to meet him at his apartment for dinner but instead I found his roommate with a rose and a message leading me to the research lab where we first met. Once I got the rose I knew Chris was proposing. After all we had already picked out a ring together, I caught him in the act of sneaking my father's phone number, and I knew he was chomping at the bit to pop the question. I proceeded over to the research lab where I met my roommate Annie with another rose and clue. Her note sent me to the grocery store as it holds some sentimental value for our early courtship...Chris being sick...then me being sick...then Chris being sick again...then me being sick again. Stephanie and her husband met me by the cough syrup.

You may ask yourself what I was thinking at this point. It was like I was being proposed to in slow motion...it was happening but very slowly!! I had a 10 minute commute between destinations and still no Chris or ring! The nerves finally got to me and I had stop and use the restroom at Macey's. Not because I had to go to the bathroom...just out of fear I might wet my pants when I finally saw Chris and he got down on one knee.

The next destination was Goodwood BBQ, the location of our first date. Here I was given the clue to my final location. Southfork park up Provo Canyon. We had gone snow shoeing there on Valentines day and it is serenely located in the mountains. As I was driving up the canyon I kept thinking:

"This is so surreal, what should I be doing? Should I be crying? Perhaps it's a little premature for that and I don't want to force the tears, I think those should come naturally. Well, what should I be listening to? Surely not Lady Gaga...she will NOT be the soundtrack to my engagement!"

Well after changing the radio station about 15 times I decided Lady Gaga WAS the soundtrack to my engagement because there was nothing else worth listening to and I felt awkward turning the radio off. Luckily half way up the canyon Beyonce's new song Halo came on and then the radio cut out.

Finally I turned into the parking lot of Southfork. I was frantically searching for his car or perhaps a candle lit dinner? I found neither but finally spotted a lone ranger standing by the side of the road. It was Chris, I pulled over and gave him a hug. He took me on a little walk through the park to a little footbridge where a bouquet of flowers awaited me with one more card. As I read thought it the water works started and when I finished Chris got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was totally sweet. We relished the moment with hot chocolate and a blanket in the grass. It was perfect.

Behold the Ring:

So there you go. Sorry this was a very long post I will try to frequent some shorter nonsense in the near future. Sonja's got the wheels a turning in my head from all her postage.

My Boyfriend Thinks I Stink

This is my newest favorite scent from Bath & Body Works...Black Amethyst...check it out.

Okay people, we have a topic to address. Let me fill you in on the situation...

As some of you know I have been dating a really great guy as of late. Last night, as we were on our way out, I mentioned that he smelled really good. I was quite taken back when he quickly responded with a slight tone of concern, "Oh, is it my shampoo or cologne? Is it too strong? I hate when smells are too strong." To which I responded, " Well, without sniffing you like a dog I'm not sure that I can distinguish if it's your shampoo or cologne. And I wouldn't have complimented you if I thought it was too strong...it's good".

Then I secretly had a waive of concern flood my thoughts...

Uh, I can barely catch a whiff of Chris unless I take a deep breath...I'm sure he used like one spritz of cologne at most, perhaps even a half spritz if that's possible. When I use body spray or perfume I use at a minimum three pumps...perhaps more. I mean especially body spray which is less concentrated than perfume...let's be honest, if I use only one pump, within two hours I don't think any one's going to smell anything. If Chris is afraid he smells too strongly I've definitely far surpassed a faint scent. I like people to catch a whiff when in a relatively close proximity without having to give me a close and lingering embrace. Anyhow, is Chris totally over powered when I wear perfume?

A second hint of evidence:
Once we arrived at my friend Stephanie's house the topic of conversation again turned to smells. Chris noted that he is particularly sensitive to smells especially as of late, (he's been sick). So much so that the box of dryer sheets lingering in his closet had to be removed from his bedroom in order to avoid induction of the gag reflex.

Hmmm...I'm thinking I wear a little too much scent for his taste. As I reflected more on the topic I do recall finding it odd that Chris has never told me I smelled good??? Not to be conceded but I really do like my body spray and pride myself on smelling good.

Well, if you know me at all you can probably guess what came next...that's right people, rarely can I avoid a good and pressing CONFRONTATION. So I asked Chris last night, "So uh...do I wear too much perfume? I mean, does it totally overpower you?" There was no need for a verbal response because the pained wince upon his face said it all! And a confession soon followed, "Sorry, don't hate me but I really don't like any of your body sprays".

Wow, uh...thanks for tip toeing around the issue! Jk...naturally I cannot be offended. I mean seriously, Chris can't help the fact that he is repulsed by my scent, just like I can't force myself to laugh at something that's not funny. I'm more just super bummed and slightly embarrassed. Here I am trying to allure my boyfriend by my sweet smelling nectar and now I'm having visuals of him running home to shower and strip himself of his contaminated clothing. It's like I've been hosing myself down with insect repellent before we go on a date! I mean seriously...he does NOT like the way I smell.

Not a big deal...except for the fact I really like the way I smell and I don't want to give it up! Furthermore I am now feeling rather self conscious...does he like the way I dress? What about my make-up? Are my eyebrows plucked too thin? Does this shirt accentuate my luv handles? Do I smack my food when I eat? Do you like my hair color? Do you the way I style my hair?

Obviously I'm going a little overboard...I mean, he must like something about me right? After all it was him who asked me out first!

Well, we're going to go scent shopping together to see if we can't find something we both like. I'm not too optimistic but I'll let you know how it goes. In a form of subtle rebellion and retaliation I dowsed myself in my favorite scent before heading to the dance last night and was not disappointed to receive many compliments :)

Has this or anything similar happened to any of you? If so how did you resolve your dilemma? Oh, and do any of you like Sensual Amber from Bath & Body Works?? Because I love that smell and it's perhaps the one Chris hates most.