November 10th

We. Are officially. In the single digits people.

Eight. Days.

Can you believe it??  We might still be in denial (we can't tell at this point) but all in all, we're just really ready to get married.
I've been handing over a lot of the main preparations to my mom, because I don't want to have to deal with them, and maybe because it's the ebb before the tidal wave, I've been losing motivation to do a lot of things. Even Atlantean has been pushing for us to work on the dance, and I just have no desire to. I think it's the procrastinator in me finally coming through.

Other than that (cuz for some reason my mind's not really on the wedding all that much, though it totally should be) things have been good :) We mentally have to start wrapping our heads around cutting off certain things and beginning other ones soon. Like for instance, we recently made a trip back to the apartment and finally made the bed. Like, we'll be sleeping there soon. Atlantean's been working on his Green Lantern shrine next to his bed and of course he picked green as the first sheet we sleep on lol. I also heard very sad news about cousins of mine who are getting divorced and I started getting a little down about marriage - and that it seems so hard. Atlantean of course listened to my fears and comforted me, telling me we'd fall in love a million times if that's what it took. We'd nurture our relationship and learn that the trials God sends us are to bring us together, and that we literally probably couldn't completely them without each other, and that's what marriage is all about. He's amazing Atlantean. And everyone keeps telling me I'm seeing him through rose-colored glasses, but heck, get me the duct tape, these rose colored glasses will become my contact lenses for all I care, I think he's wonderful in SO many good ways. All the important ways especially, and all I want in life is to be eternally sealed to him so that I can have him for eternity.

I recently got back from a night out with a friend I hadn't talked to since high school. I don't really see her enough to give her a code name, but we had a very good time last night. I was actually initially kind of nervous to see  her again after so long, and worried we wouldn't have anything to talk about, but that was not the case. She authentically wanted to hear Atlantean and I's story since she had had no idea of it even happening. I told  her all about what I knew about our high school friends (including Dryad and her boyfriend whom I introduced to each other) and she was shocked to hear we'd all grown up so much. She, funnily enough, was exactly the same as she was back in high school, characterized by her general disdain for most things, her absolute enthusiasm for pop culture movies and books, love of reading and her petrification of dating boys. (She's basically never had a good experience) She told me she's finally ready to admit that she has anxiety regarding the last one, but other than that, she told me all about her new job, which is fixing leaks in woodwinds or musical horns. She has friends there and generally enjoys it. She is also going to school at SLCC. Then she and I went to the mall to go and check out the Harry Potter and the Wizarding World event going on there, which closed just about as soon as we got there, but it was the first day, so we're sure we'll both have a chance to go back down. Then she followed me around while I looked at shops and bought some new golden hoop earrings I think I'll wear for the wedding (and I miss my old hoops 😭) and then we parted ways.
One thing she said did stick with me though. I told her I had other friends with anxiety when she admitted she might have it and she said something to the effect of, "Well it makes sense you have so many friends with anxiety - you're so approachable." And that really meant a lot to me. I told her I wanted people to feel like they could trust me. Also, did I mention she agreed to take me out to Red Lobster and paid for the entire meal and told me I could get whatever I wanted (that was where we discussed all of this). GUYS. Red Lobster is my FAVORITE. And Red Lobster leftovers are the bomb diggity shiz.

It was actually that morning (before work) that my mom and I went on a crazy Winco/Costco/Orson Gygi/Smith's Pharmacy. And let me tell you, my mom and I make a crazy good team. We SLAYED. (More like she slays and I get to follow) First we went to Orson Gygi cuz it was farthest and picked up matching shakers for pasta toppings and then candy dish scoopers which actually look pretty cool. I also spent a little of my fun money to buy these hilarious silicone muffin cups that look like jeans (Muffin TOPS) that I'd been eyeing since our first trip there. Then we headed to WinCo to grab the rest of the pasta, sauce and candy, which was no small feat. We needed 10 cans of each sauce and 10 more pounds of each pasta. And then five pounds of each candy - the selection of which I'm very proud of. They are all multicolored little balls, so they all match :D We  have jellybeans, sixlets and buttermints, so that's fruit, chocolate and mint for anyone who wants any of them! I think it's a perfect arrangement. I sometimes look at all this food and ask my mom if it will actually be enough, but she assures me it will. My mom also started buying us some stuff for our honeymoon basket, mainly candies and fruits, and it looks like it's gonna be pretty chock full ;)
Next we rushed over to Costco, and I called Smith's Pharmacy to get my pills set up and ready to go, since we were cutting it close on time. Costco we got all the rest, including some of my mom's shopping done. This included mainly paper goods. I budgeted about 500$ for food and so far we have spent about 280$ and I think the only thing that we haven't bought that is major is the chocolate milk, which we actually want to buy by the gallon, not in a mix. I think we're doing pretty darn well budget wise and might even walk away from this with even more than we expected :) Also, my mom kept spoiling me and buying us things, like soup cups and things. I kind of got sad thinking that this was one of the last times I'd be doing this with my mom like this. Things change I suppose.

Speaking of the wedding and my family, I do want to mention one thing that struck me and I think future me would like a record of. I went in to talk to my parents about somethings one night - and my dad just kind of said, "Nymph, we want  you to know that we've actually really admired you and Atlantean have handled this engagement thus far." And I was just really shocked and kind of honored to receive his praise.

Other than that, Atlantean and I have been really getting excited. I also recently saw my friend - at all places - at my work. But she's my friend who is getting married this Saturday (so tomorrow) and a week before me. It was weirdly ironic. But we chatted and I got to meet one of her bridesmaids that was with her and apparently works with her. She's really excited to get married, but she said this has been the slowest week of her life. Not excited for next week then...

Tonight Dryad is taking me out lingerie shopping again (we just didn't find anything at the mall) and apparently the books I ordered from Amazon arrived at my house!
Also, I've been finding it pretty easy to pass the time at my new job. In fact, I'm almost worried that when and if I get a new job, I'll be spoiled by this one, in not wanting to do anything but what I want to do for five hours.
I have a cushy life, I'll tell you that.
But I'm sure God will change that eventually. Till then, I'm sharpening my blade by continuing to read and study - the books I'm currently working on and started today are Butchering Small Game and Birds and Homebuilding. Learned all about the kind of knife needed to puncture a rabbit's abdomen. I want to do great things with my life. But I have to be a great person to do them, so I'll keep working on me and keep having faith that God has great things in store.

Excited for what's to come,
Nymph