If only it were this easy...

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Taking the Audit section of the CPA exam two weeks from today.  After narrowly missing a passing score last time, I have broken out the big guns this time.  It also helps that I now work for an awesome company who will finance these big guns, of course. :)

I went the self study route the first time because there was no way that these ($3,000) big guns were in my budget at that time.  Do I feel in anyway more prepared?  I'm not sure.  I think that anyone who has experienced this CPA exam challenge would agree with me that it's impossible to ever really feel prepared.

I do know three things though.
1) I've already studied a ridiculous amount and am extremely tired of all topics audit but..
2) Starting tomorrow, you will find me studying at least 3 hours of each day between now and the 20th and..
3) I would love to try this osmosis kitten's method of study.

Must take photo

Yep, pictures with my childhood dog and the first love of my life Rascals are definitely on my list.


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Studying fail

I swear to you this is the only reason I find CPA exam studying so difficult.  Well maybe there are a few more reasons, but for sure this one is key to my problem...

Only four months left!

Boy has it been a long time since I've posted!  This is actually my first post of 2010!  That's not to say that I haven't tried before now but unfortunately CPA studying has gotten in the way. (lame, I know.)

Since we are getting married exactly four months (!) from today, I thought a wedding planning status update might be appropriate.

Items we should have done already

Settle on a budget  - Done, and by my estimation we will be significantly under!
Create a wedding binder - I don't exactly have a binder but I do have a folder as well as a box. (actually by now it is several boxes. :)
Hire wedding planner, if needed - Done, she was one of the first vendors I booked and is mentioned repeatedly in my wedding related posts here.
Decide on a guest list, compile addresses - This did not come without some fighting and frustration, but done.
Secure venues & date  - This too was frustrating and not easy but is done.
Select wedding party  - Done from the very beginning, I always knew the three awesome girls I would want!
Book ceremony music, DJ or band  - I finally just did this yesterday, four months late according to OneWed.
Book photographer - Done, and would have been my first vendor booked if I could have booked her any more than 18 months out!
Book videographer - Done for a long time as well.
Book florist - I'm loving having a florist in my new family to be!
Plan & book honeymoon - When Doug got rehired from the layoff at his job, he wasn't allowed to get his vacation back so the jury is still out on whether we will be going anywhere.
Book caterer  - Comes with the reception site and we will be having our tasting in February!
Book officiant or clergy  - Done, we specifically chose a ceremony site that would allow the pastor from my home church.
Select invitations & stationery - Many posts to come on my DIY invitations plans.
Mail save-the-date cards - Created, labeled, and mailed.
Find & order "the" dress - Oh the drama on this one.  See my collected works.
Develop a fitness plan - Constant task, down 9.5 pounds so far, but what I'm really interested in is toning.  Strength training here I come.
Buy shoes, veil & jewelry - Shoes, done and post to come.  Jewelry, done and post to come.  Jury is still out on the veil question.
Register for gifts - Done, Macy's and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Order tuxes - No tuxes for us, Doug's suit is bought with each groomsman's to follow soon.
Order bridesmaids' dresses - Done, to arrive March 15th. Somehow can't link to the post  but it was on 6/16/09.
Order cake - Baker is booked, tasting to come, already know the general design.
Reserve wedding night accommodations - We will probably stay at home?
Secure wedding day transportation - I know what Doug and I will be taking and everyone else is on their own.
Secure rehearsal dinner venue - Done, cute restaurant open just for us a few blocks from the chapel!
Schedule salon & spa appointments - Was done, until my wonderful Maid of Honor and sister Kristi changed her mind about growing out her hair.  Will be calling and begging to fit her in my stylist's schedule. :)
Pick a signature wedding scent - No clue.
Purchase rings - I'm not sure if we will be getting me another ring but we need to go look for Doug soon.
Order favors - This will probably be a donation to animal shelter where we got our girl Halo.
Make your "must play" and "do not play" song lists - I know two songs, need to work on this but I'm going to use the just-booked-the-dj-today excuse for now.

 
Items not "due" yet

Write vows, select readings - Vows, done.  Readings to come.
Plan day-of timeline - Bits and pieces done.
Have dress fitting - Have appointment February 13th.
Mail wedding invitations
Send photo wish list to photographer - Clary totally doesn't need this except for our family groups which I hope to keep to a minimum.
Mail rehearsal dinner invitations
Submit newspaper wedding announcement - Sort of not happening since I discovered the paper where Doug and I live charges $100!  My hometown newspaper submission (for free!) is in progress.
Test make-up application - Really need to talk to Jenn about this one.
Obtain marriage license, request copies - Got the application info and is on my list for May.
Print programs
Buy wedding party gifts - 25% complete.
Assign seats - Sort of dreading this one unless I pawn most of it off on our parents.  My practice attempt was a disaster
Make seating cards, menus 
   
                                        

Being a dog Aunt will have to do

I have talked several times here about how I would like to have a dog, see my collected works for the background story.  However, lately I have been thinking that for the time being "borrowing" a dog is a good option.  I love coming home to visit my childhood dog (and maybe my parents too) whenever I can.  Also, my sister (and MOH) got a beagle puppy a few months ago.  Even though he is a crazy little puppy with an extreme amount of enthusiasm for life (aka- running around like a psycho for long amounts of time) I think being his Aunt (favorite!) is great.  He makes me laugh hysterically and is a real lover when he's not being insane.  On Tuesday my sister and I took a drive to scout out some houses for Doug and I to look at (we're moving!) and we took Copper with us.  The whole way home he slept in my lap with his head nestled on my arm, while I was driving of course. :)  My heart majorly melted.

Here are some pictures I took of him while working on a Christmas project.  Hi, my name is Copper and look what a cutie I am.

I don't really understand why you are trying to make me sit still and nice with this stupid hat on, but since you're my favorite Aunt I will try to go with it.

You can only ask so much though woman, because I would much rather eat this hat than wear it.  This is the one that I framed for my sister because I think it is the most representative of the true Copper spirit.

I fully intend to make him my running partner when the weather isn't so yucky and when we have moved (!) closer to my family.  And because he is way too cool and important to be left out, here is a nice picture of the first love of my life, Rascals.

I call this Mr. Ace's "I'm going to kill you in your sleep for ruining my life" look.  If a glare could kill, I would definitely be dead as many times as I have seen it.

Merry Christmas from everyone in our house except the aforementioned angry feline!

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 This just made me smile after another very long day.  It reminds me very much of seeing my niece and nephew, the greyhounds, licking every last drop from the bottom of my sister or brother-in-law's ice cream cup.

A couple wedding developments this week to come this weekend when I actually have time to write!

There once was a girl

And she met a boy. And the boy was great and they liked each other very much.

But the boy had a cat. And the cat, he didn't much like the girl.And so he tried to hide from his feelings and from the growing affection between the boy and the girl.And he tried to use male bonding to drive the girl out.And he tried to have a heart to heart (or head to head) with the boy about the girl.But the boy's mind could not be changed and so they got engaged and then the next year the girl brought her things to the house of the boy and his cat. And the cat expressed his displeasure.But the girl did not leave. So, the cat laid in her freshly laundered towels.And he again expressed his displeasure. He said, "Why are you here and ruining my life?"But the girl did not leave. And eventually the boy and the girl decided that it was time to once again bring balance to the house. And so, in their most spontaneous and least thought about decision of the year, they adopted a girl kitten.
And she was happy and cuddly and wonderful.And they named her Halo after the boy's favorite video game at the time. And she kept the girl company through long nights of Xbox.And she served as a guard of the girl from the cat, albeit sometimes a sleepy one.And they all lived happily ever after. Except the cat who is suspected to be incapable of happiness. The end.

A quick trip to Victoria's and now it is just left to deciding between...

matching our wedding colors
or something blue.