Hi there my beautiful People!!!!!

Holy Moly!!!  I can’t believe this day has come… I’m so excited I can’t stand it… My FIRST OFFICIAL Blog Post off my own website!!!

       Wow…. Ok… where to begin..??

Hmm… well.. This year has started off like a DREAM!!! I still feel like I haven’t woken up.. SO many wonderful experiences.. moments…. ones that I will NEVER forget. Ok, so let’s recap,refresh for those just joining us!:

Work First: Still working at Chasens Business Interiors; a Herman Miller dealership… been here since August 26,2006.. I love my job. I work in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. My office overlooks the Potomac River and Skyline of Washington D.C. I love where I work, and (for the most part) who I work with!! After so many attempts to find the place where I excel at my career, working as a Systems Furniture Designer is not where I saw myself but definitely where I’m supposed to be. I have designed hundreds, maybe thousands of “cubicles” or “stations” as we call them in the industry. Not to mention that I am happy with my income.. that.. also brings me peace.

Then Love: If you don’t know.. I’m getting MARRIED!!!!! Saturday, September, 26th, 2009 I will become Mrs. Kerilyn Russo! After what? TEN years.. my prince Peter and I will turn the chapter in our story to Married Life.. children.. and the Lot. More on this on my “Into My Soul” page on this site.. but I am so happy…. Peter is seriously like my other half… he is the opposite of me… Tall/Short… Spontaneous/Planner…. Book Smart/Street Smart… but one thing we definitely have in common… We Love each other very much.. I can honestly say that as of 2009s beginning.. I find myself falling more in love with him everyday… Just being near him.. being silly and funny with him (which happens OFTEN) or.. the rare occasion when we are quiet in the silence…. I really wish I could send God a Thank You letter.. for bringing him back to me in my life. (No, like really buy one and send one somewhere.. hmm.. maybe I can do that….) . Like my dad says Perfect only exists in the dictionary, Kerilyn. A relationship takes work… daily dedication to our goal of staying connected, communicating.. and keeping the feeling of love alive. And as I am not perfect, I am still learning how I am of value to Peter and how he brings value to me…

So.. with that said.. We are in the midst of planning a wedding.. All of the Big stuff is done.. the where/when/ food/drink/photographer/ coordinator (oh yes!)/who.. etc.. I am so excited to report that I found a dress last Saturday at Macys (Have become such a BIG Macys Fan this past year! Dang it!) I look and feel beautiful and as my sister can attest.. It was “the one”, the dress… from the moment I put it on!!! Our Save the Dates are out… so next is Flowers and Invitiations.. the fun stuff.. (Also right now is the payments.. whew! Weddings are EXPENSIVE!!! ) ALSO planning the Honeymoon/Kerilyns Dream Trip of my LIFETIME – TWO WEEKS IN ITALY!!! If you know me.. (and many of you do) you know how this trip is an answer to a time when my grandfather and I had plans to go back when I was 13… but we never made it because he got sick. Already it’s like my Grandfather is working with my blessed friends and loved ones to help me make this happen. I have to stop or I’ll cry.

So… started running last August.. started with 1/2 mile…3-4 days a week.. now I’m up to 2.25 miles/day.. working up to my goal of 3 miles a day (been stuck a while) The weight it starting to come off nicely.. with the help of my Thyroid who helps speed my metabolism along. A little secret.. I have an inner athlete determination inside of me.. I always have.. And I love running (ok.. I am at an 11.5 minute mile so it’s more like jogging but it’s running TO ME) Now let me say.. I did not start running to look schnazzy in my dress (ok.. i won’t lie. i did think of it.. but it wasn’t my initial intention) I ran to help heal.. to be “so much myself” … Running is like meditation… I run in the little gym in my office building.. facing a full length mirror.. and I stare at myself in the mirror.. stare into my soul.. I can’t say that there haven’t been moments running when my pain (NOT the physical kind) comes out and I find myself tearing up on that thing… But I’m in transition.. and naturally there is a purging of the past that is going on. You know the metaphor.. like a caterpillar.. I am in that little cocoon… writhing around…

and people…. what a HOT butterfly I am becoming!  I have NEVER felt this beautiful in my life… (it doesn’t hurt that I am in a relationship with someone who thinks I’m one sexy woman and tells me EVERY DAY!!! Talk about incentive!!)

So yes.. Guess the only thing that isn’t quite right (YET)  is my kitty girl Pez.. MY HEART….and Peters cat Bella do NOT get along.. I will not risk my girl being under stress; she’s going to be 13 this year and I will not risk her being under stress or injured… so she’s been at my parents since Christmas… I miss her terribly.. it makes me cry sometimes thinking of her. I know my mom loves having her there.. and I am at peace knowing she is taken good care of!!!  I am hopeful this situation is working it’s way out (God.. can you help a girl out here?) and I will be with her again soon.. listening to her purring in my ear.. waiting for me to get out of the shower  in the morning… Soon.

So.. like traditional fashion.. I will continue and end with my favorite way of keeping you up with what’s happening with me.. 3 things 2 things:

3 things that make me happy:

• I feel really good in my green striped shirt with green sweater vest.. goes well with my green glasses!Wearing the necklace Roxanne gave me!
• I bought a Shamrock Plant for my desk at work and I love looking over at them!
• Love hearing the responses from People receiving our Save the Dates!!! Permagrin!

2 things I am looking forward to today:

• Running (of course!)
• Getting my VERY overdue nails done tonite!

2 long term things I am looking forward to:

• March 27th – Going to see Elizabeth Gilbert  (Author “Eat Pray Love“) speak at National Cathedral
• March 29th – Our Engagement Photography Session with our AMAZING Photographer!!!!

1 person I am going to appreciate:

I can’t really just name one person… I have some amazing friends, family, neighbors. SO many things inspire  me.. music, art… I appreciate it all.. Even the yucky stuff. For it’s made me who I am; and I really do… Love who I am.

Well that’s it!! My FIRST POST!!!! WOW!!! I can’t wait to see how this looks!!!
Have a GREAT Week my lovely ladybugs!!
MUCH love,
Kerilyn