Life as a new wife...observation 1 - man laundry

Let me preface this post by stating that I have never lived with a man before (other than my dad). I don't even have a brother. I have helped Chad fold his laundry before, but I have rarely had to handle dirty man clothes until we came back from our honeymoon this weekend.

Man laundry is different than girl laundry. I am used to how large my own piles of clothes get before they make a good sized washer-load. If you add man clothes to my clothes, all of a sudden the piles get much bigger, much faster. Man clothes are bigger and therefore add lots of bulk to a load of laundry.

I found that sorting the clothes is now a different process. Darks no longer consist of all colors (including a towel or two)...there would be way too much. Jeans have now been given their own load unto themselves. The white load has almost split into two as well.

One observation of mine is that man underwear is so much bigger than lady panties. Seriously, if you take undershirts and underwear, they might make their own load. I took advantage of this and finally gave my delicates the delicate cycle they deserve instead of just throwing them in with everything else to save loads. I mean, if we're going to have to wash these gigantic man clothes, then my lacy stuff might get lost in it all.

It is kind of a funny thing that I had never thought about, and it will definitely take some adjusting to. Laundry at the Jones house might have to be done more often than once a week now.

(I am not in any way complaining...just one of my first observations as a new wife.)

Set-Up & Rehearsal Dinner Pics

My Picasa Page is updated here.
Wedding day pics probably won't be posted for a while. Honeymoon pics have all been loaded, but I am adding captions to them before I make them public.

What's in a name?...Sadie Selima

I had the original name 'Sadie Selima Barrs' for 30 years, 5 months, and 4 days. When I was growing up, I rarely ran into another person named Sadie. I never heard of anyone with the name Selima. There were times where I was so embarrassed to say my middle name because it was so different and I thought it sounded slimy. It was hard as a kid having a name that is never on a coffee mug, pencil, or license plate that you find in gift shops. I never had the pleasure of being mistaken for the 'other Jennifer' growing up. If they said Barrs or Sadie, I knew they were talking about me.

Today I was able to remove Selima from my official name. I am now officially Sadie Barrs Jones.

No more Sadie Barr. No more Sadie Barnes. No more Sadie Bairs.

Now people can just say Sadie Jones. (or Sandy Jones, or Katie Jones, for the folks that can't handle 'Sadie')

We're Back!

Chad and I are back from our honeymoon. We got in really late Friday night (Saturday morning) and have had a day to recuperate. Thanks for all of your well wishes!

I am excited to share photos and video with you guys from the rehearsal/wedding/honeymoon...it's definitely going to take me a while. I asked for a really large memory card for my birthday last year, so using it resulted in lots of video and over 850 pictures to share from France. I am also compiling pics from friends and family from the wedding, so if you happen to have any and I don't already know, please send 'em my way.

This is my to-do list for the next week or so...
1. Edit pictures and upload to Picasa website
2. Print pictures at Wolf/Ritz Camera and create photo albums
3. Write thank you notes for all wedding gifts and move boxes out of living room.
4. Clean house top to bottom.
5. Officially change name with Social Security and proceed in changing it on all other documents.
6. relax and enjoy being a wife

Wedding Day!!!

Today has finally arrived! I waited a very long time to find the man of my dreams. I'm so happy that Chad and I found each other. Since I met Chad, life has been easier. He constantly brings out the best in me, and I hope I do the same for him.

Today we will wed in front of family and friends and our new life together will begin.

I'm having trouble sleeping! Part IV

Well folks, the last night before the wedding was a no-go in the sleep department. I managed to get to sleep around 10:45 just fine, but then woke up on my own at 2:30. I spent the next two hours resting in the bed, trying to will myself back to sleep and quiet the thoughts in my head.

At some point after 4:30 (the last time I looked at the clock) I fell back asleep and woke up for real at 6:45.

I'm pretty tired, but I'm hoping that some food will pick me up.

Heard Around the Lake...I made the gossip column!

Very cool! Jennifer and I made Wish's 'Heard Around the Lake' column for RunTex. I never thought I would make the column. Here's our blurb...

The AT&T Austin Marathon has been over and done with for a month now, but the important results—the King or Queen of the Pacers—has finally arrived. And the winners of the pace team competition are (pause for trumpet blare)… five-hour pace group leaders Sadie Barrs and Jennifer Limbaugh. In the fiendishly convoluted scoring system devised by Danny Spoonts, grand poombah of the pacers, Sadie and Jennifer finished closest to their pace goal through all the checkpoints (or something; I can’t figure it out) to win. Kate McLaughlin was second with the 4:15 group and the dynamic duo of Paul Terranova and Scott McIntyre, who headed the three-hour group, finished third. Actually, each one of the 28 pacers who selflessly sacrificed their marathons to pace other runners, wins in my book. Thanks to Danny and his crew.

Unfortunately, our friend Dan Schellenberg got slighted, as he was Kate's pace partner for the 4:15 group. We still love you, Dan-O!

Best Wedding Gift Packaging So Far...

This one cracks me up. Seriously, someone at Macy's needs to be fired. I opened my door to find a carefully selected gift for us waiting on the porch. Whoever boxed this totally spoiled the fun of opening it...Gee I wonder what it is? :)

Surely there was a bigger box somewhere.

Even the cats aren't too sure...

Top Chef Premiere!

I almost forgot!!!! Tonight is the premiere of the new season of Top Chef! Can't wait! Anyone else out there watching tonight?

I'm having trouble sleeping! Part III

Wasn't tired until about midnight. Felicia woke me up at 4:00, 4:30, and 6:30 playing with the ball. I swear each time I got up, secured the ball from her, and put it under the pillows and blankets on the bed so that she could not play with them.

Turns out Felicia is a very smart cat, because I realized at 6:30 that she was on the bed in the exact spot I 'hid' the balls, pawing to try to get them free. Ugh! Next time I will put them in a drawer, but then again she might have incredible drawer-opening skills, too.

I also was having this crazy dream where I was running a race with only 6 or 7 other ladies. My pacing partner, Jennifer, and I were running together, and for whatever reason we could not get up a hill. We had to get on our hands and knees and crawl up the hill. I actually felt the extreme muscle fatigue and exhaustion while I was dreaming. I know we were running down Rain Creek Parkway at some point...very bizzare. The other ladies were turning around and watching us crawl up the hill and were waiting for us to try to catch them. They also kept trying to cut the course.

Seriously, I don't do well on lack of sleep. Naps don't cut it, either. I have worked out every day and have been trying to eat well. I didn't have any caffeine yesterday, either. Tonight I have got to do a longer run or something to wear me out! Help!

Weather Watch - 4 days + Honeymoon

What a gorgeous day today is...Things are looking good for this weekend!

Austin
Friday, Mar 14 Sunny, windy and warmer Low: 54 °F High: 85 °F
Saturday, Mar 15 Mostly sunny Low: 46 °F High: 76 °F

Paris
Tuesday, Mar 18 Mostly cloudy with a shower Low: 45 °F High: 55 °F
Wednesday, Mar 19 Rain Low: 41 °F High: 53 °F
Thursday, Mar 20 Partly sunny Low: 32 °F High: 47 °F

Reims
Friday, Mar 21 Mostly cloudy Low: 41 °F High: 42 °F

Paris
Saturday, Mar 22 Plenty of clouds Low: 29 °F High: 42 °F
Sunday, Mar 23 Rain Low: 34 °F High: 43 °F
Monday, Mar 24 Snow and rain in the morning Low: 40 °F High: 44 °F

Avignon
Tuesday, Mar 25 Mostly cloudy Low: 33 °F High: 54 °F

I'm having trouble sleeping! Part II

It is 12:30am early Tuesday morning and I am wide awake. Maybe it is the time change that is adding to my minor insomnia. That, or the wedding.

I'm not stressed anymore...I'm just excited and ready. Everything is falling into place.

Umm...maybe I'll go workout tomorrow morning to force myself to get up early. Perhaps by late tomorrow night I'll be tired.

UT Basketball - My Favorite Fan with Video

Thanks to Mike for sending me the link to this video...AWESOME!

Daddy's Girl

I've been going through all sorts of details before our big final meeting with our coordinator tonight, one of which is the song that my dad picked for our father-daughter dance at the wedding.

My dad picked it. He has not really wanted much to do with the details of the wedding, so it surprised me to find out that he had been thinking about our dance and already had in mind the song he wanted. He wants 'I Loved Her First' by Heartland.

I honestly don't know how I'm going to hold it together dancing to that song. I am sitting here at my computer in tears (happy ones, of course). I think I'm gonna have to listen to it over and over and over until I can control myself a little better.

I love you, Dad!

Weather Watch - 5 days + Honeymoon

Umm...I'm packing my handwarmers for France. Brrr...At least there are tons of places to visit inside in Paris!

Austin
Friday, Mar 14 Sunny, breezy and very warm Low: 56 °F High: 87 °F
Saturday, Mar 15 Partly sunny Low: 51 °F High: 78 °F
(On both of these days it is supposed to be very breezy...not good. At least the temperature is pleasant!)

Paris
Tuesday, Mar 18 Times of clouds and sun Low: 39 °F High: 43 °F
Wednesday, Mar 19 Periods of rain Low: 34 °F High: 46 °F
Thursday, Mar 20 Rainy Low: 38 °F High: 47 °F

Reims
Friday, Mar 21 Cold with rain Low: 35 °F High: 46 °F

Paris
Saturday, Mar 22 Mostly cloudy Low: 32 °F High: 46 °F
Sunday, Mar 23 Cold with rain Low: 44 °F High: 44 °F
Monday, Mar 24 Warmer with rain Low: 37 °F High: 54 °F

UT Basketball - My Favorite Fan

My absolute favorite thing about going to UT Mens Basketball games is the student dancer that dances in the aisle late in the game with the Pom girls to 'Wabash Cannonball'. He is a favorite for many folks as he dances in sync in the aisle while the girls dance on the floor. I really believe that most people watch him instead of the girls.

Tonight was the last regular season game and they gave him the honor of dancing on the floor with Texas Pom. In their formation, they even let him be the point at the front. Here are some pics...Look for the guy in the jeans and the burnt orange shirt dancing on the floor. Most of my shots are kind of blurry.

Here he is moving into formation...


In sync with the girls...


I love this one at the end because you can see some of the faces in the crowd (as well as the OSU basketball team) thoroughly enjoying his performance!

Weather Watch - 6 days + Honeymoon

Austin
Friday, Mar 14 Sunny Low: 52 °F High: 73 °F
Saturday, Mar 15 Sunny and pleasant Low: 51 °F High: 76 °F

Paris
Tuesday, Mar 18 Rain Low: 42 °F High: 48 °F
Wednesday, Mar 19 Rain Low: 39 °F High: 52 °F
Thursday, Mar 20 Rainy Low: 40 °F High: 47 °F

Reims
Friday, Mar 21 Rain Low: 44 °F High: 48 °F

Paris
Saturday, Mar 22 Mostly sunny Low: 45 °F High: 53 °F
Sunday, Mar 23 Sunshine Low: 43 °F High: 59 °F

Pacer Queen

As hoped, Jennifer and I were crowned 'Queens of Pace' this weekend for our work pacing the 5:00 group at the AT&T Austin Marathon. There is a competition amongst the pacers that involves being the most accurate consistently over all of the timing mats in the marathon. They compare what your chip time is at each mat with what your official time should be according to a perfectly even pace. For every second you are off, you are penalized with time against your score. Different timing mats are worth different values, but apparently it would not have mattered anyway...Jennifer and I rocked!

Our friends Dan and Kate (the 4:15 group) came in 2nd place, and they are definitely worthy competitors. The entire pacing group did an outstanding job this year, and I feel very proud to have won.

The prize for winning this year was a sweet Suunto T3 watch with heart monitor. Woohoo! Here I am accepting the watch with our leader Danny Spoonts...

Happy Birthday Avery!

Let's all sing along and wish my niece a Happy Birthday (She turns 1 today!)...

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Avery!
Happy birthday to you!

She is so precious! We love her...

Whatcha doin' this weekend?

I'm/We're -

• going to Avery's (my niece) 1st birthday party!
• going to the marathon pacer party (where hopefully Jennifer and I will become the pacer queens)
• painting at Chad's house
• printing/assembling wedding programs
• going to a UT basketball game
• gathering wedding/honeymoon items and planning what to pack

Weather Watch - 8 days + Honeymoon

Austin
Friday, Mar 14 Plenty of sunshine Low: 51 °F High: 70 °F
Saturday, Mar 15 Windy in the afternoon Low: 58 °F High: 66 °F

Paris
Tuesday, Mar 18 Mostly cloudy Low: 32 °F High: 42 °F
Wednesday, Mar 19 Partly sunny Low: 37 °F High: 46 °F
Thursday, Mar 20 Clouds and sun Low: 34 °F High: 49 °F
Friday, Mar 21 Sunny intervals Low: 29 °F High: 46 °F

Weather Watch - 9 days + Honeymoon

Oh my gosh we are now in the single digits on the wedding countdown!! Things continue to be somewhat stressful as the days approach and I am still not sleeping well (or enough). I think I may be due for a nap today.

Dear Mother Nature,
I realize that you think we are due for some cooler weather in Texas as evidenced by the weather you have brought us today. I also noticed that you changed your mind a little more dramatically about next Friday and Saturday and for our honeymoon. Did I do something to hurt your feelings? I will try not to worry so much and trust that you will come through in the end.

Warmest regards (literally),
Sadie

Austin
Friday, Mar 14 Sunny Low: 49 °F High: 67 °F
Saturday, Mar 15 Mostly sunny Low: 48 °F High: 66 °F

Paris
Tuesday, Mar 18 Rain Low: 47 °F High: 50 °F
Wednesday, Mar 19 Rain Low: 42 °F High: 51 °F
Thursday, Mar 20 Mainly cloudy Low: 30 °F High: 53 °F

Weather Watch - 10 days + Honeymoon

Please continue crossing your fingers for us!!!
Austin
Friday, Mar 14
Mostly sunny and very warm
Low: 49 °F
High: 84 °F

Saturday, Mar 15
Sunshine
Low: 55 °F
High: 76 °F

Paris
Tuesday, Mar 18
Partly sunny
Low: 44 °F
High: 59 °F

Wednesday, Mar 19
Sunny
Low: 29 °F
High: 55 °F

I'm having trouble sleeping!

Apparently I am stressed out. I am not getting good sleep. The stress could be about wedding stuff...you think? I also was upset with Chad yesterday for stuff that would normally not cause me to flip the way I did and I have been extra bitchy for about a week. I have no patience for things that interfere with the peace that I want to have in my mind.

Sorry to bore you people with wedding-related stuff. It is obviously the main thing on my mind right now. Here are some fun details...

My dress fits (perfectly, but I would still like to lean out another 3-5 lbs.)
My bedroom has become a Crate and Barrel warehouse. We are keeping our presents in their boxes so that they will be easier to move into our new place.
Chad and I changed 'our song'. We like our new song better, and it should be easier to dance to at the reception.
For those of you who don't know, we are going to France for our honeymoon...All of our plane, train, car, and hotel reservations have been made. Now all we have to do is have fun!

How quickly can I make 10 days pass?

Weather Watch - 11 days

Dear Mother Nature,
Wow, yesterday sure was windy! Your winds were tossing me around on my run yesterday, so I spent the whole time thinking about how hard it would be to manage my wedding dress in a 20 mph wind.

Thank you so much for the beautiful day today. I also appreciate that you have considered my requests for a warm Friday, March 14 and a slightly cooler March 15. I noticed today that you have been working on that for me. I will continue to be patient while you do your magic, and I thank you again for listening to my request for nice weather.

Best regards,
Sadie

Friday, Mar 14
Sunshine
Low: 52 °F
High: 80 °F

Saturday, Mar 15
Mostly sunny
Low: 57 °F
High: 79 °F

Weather Watch - 12 days

Dear Mother Nature,
I have a special request or two that I hope you will hear. I would like to request a warmer Friday, March 14, please. Also, can you please make my wedding day a little cooler? I know that I probably should not be so picky and should be very thankful that it is as pleasant as you have made it. However, my attire on these two days would be much more comfortable if you could switch the temperatures.

Also, I would really appreciate it if you could reduce the amount of wind on both days.

Thank you for considering my requests. I will be thrilled to marry Chad in any kind of weather.

Warmest regards,
Sadie

Friday, Mar 14
Sunny; windy in the afternoon
Low: 45 °F
High: 70 °F

Saturday, Mar 15
Sunshine and warmer
Low: 55 °F
High: 81 °F

The Don

I would like to take this moment to thank the bartender at Guero's for mixing me 'The Don' last night. The first one you made me was out of this world...I swore to Chad that someone had slipped some drugs into it. The second 'Don' that you made was delicious as well.

I've blogged about this particular margarita before...Don Julio Silver, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice. If you are like me (a bit uptight and always processing things in your mind), you should definitely drink one (or two) of these now and again.

Weather Watch - 14 days

According to Accuweather, there is a day of rain on Thursday, March 13. I hope that it does not shift 2 days later.

Friday, Mar 14
Sunshine
Low: 48 °F
High: 72 °F

Saturday, Mar 15
Sunshine
Low: 47 °F
High: 75 °F