Well, Rich and I just got home from the competition I was in. I came in 3rd, but you had to be 1st or 2nd to go on to the final. Funnily enough, the final was on November 18. Our flight back to the US is for November 14 and we won't be back until December 2. So, I guess it all worked out for the best :)

Tomorrow night, Rich and I are going to see the movie Van Wilder: Party Liaison. I'm really looking forward to it. It just looks as though it will be really funny. We don't usually see funny movies (we tend to see more thrillers than anything else), but it was my choice this week :D

Spoke to my Mom today. She's getting some more information for us about wedding stuff :) She's going to speak to someone about catering the reception and also about renting a venue for the wedding. We had originally planned to have it in my sister's back yard, but she doesn't live in the town we're getting our marriage license in, so we're checking into some other places. On Wednesday night, we're going to have some photos made so that we can put the wedding announcement in the newspaper in my hometown.

Got to do a few odds and ends sometime this week before Thursday. Rich's Mum and brother are coming over to have a meal with us on Thursday night, so I need to make sure I have everything for that. I hope everything will go okay.

Well, off to get some sleep now!!

Yay!!!! Great news!!! I got my engagement ring today :D :D :D Rich and I went shopping at Meadowhall today for wedding stuff. We were having a look around at rings and other things and I saw this ring and fell in love with it. Rich asked if I liked it and I said yes, so he said, "well let's get it then." So we got it :D and just before we were going to eat tonight, he took the box out, got down on one knee, and asked me if I would marry him!!!! Of course, I said yes, so now its officially "official", lol!! And on November 23, we'll be getting married :D

On a less happy note, after we ate, Rich and I went out to the pub to play a game of pool. When we finished and were walking home, a car came by and threw an egg out the window at us. It hit Rich in the back of his knee!! It really scared us both, because we didn't know what had happened!! Rich thought he had been shot with an air pellet gun and I thought he'd been hit with a beer bottle, but it was nothing as bad as that. He will, however, have a bad bruise there and I'll have a time getting egg out of his pants. I was very upset and angry with the little punks who did it and Rich was just angry, but what can we do?? Nothing. I just wish I was able to do something about it. It'll be okay though.

I have to sing tomorrow night in a competition!!!! I'm nervous, as well as excited. It'll be my first heat. If I go through this one, there'll be more, but I just need to get through this one first. I have to be there by 8:15 pm tomorrow night. Rich and I are going and are going to see if some friends want to join us, but I feel it may just be the two of us. Wish me luck!! Going to get some sleep now, though :D

Oooh, kewl!! I just found this at Juls' blog. Its called What's in your name?

For Lynn, it says:

Your first name of Lynn has made you a sociable person who appreciates the beauties of nature and the refinements of life, and is moved by music and the arts. You are very idealistic and romantic within yourself and may have tried to express your beautiful thoughts through poetry or writing. Crudeness and vulgarity are very repulsive to you and you are very particular about little things. You suffer greatly with lack of confidence and self-consciousness. You crave affection and understanding, yet because you can be so easily and deeply hurt, you have learned to keep your true nature hidden; therefore people do not really know you. You always wonder if you are doing the right thing, desiring to express yourself but afraid to. People may consider you haughty and aloof because of your sensitivity and reserved ways. You may find some expression abut it would usually be light conversation, rarely daring to reveal your deeper thoughts or take others into your confidence for fear of criticism or ridicule. You have a very kind and gentle nature, and although you may be in a position in contact with the public, you will still be a lonely and reserved person. Thus, you live much within your own thoughts, often finding your escape in reading, which you love to do. This name could cause you to suffer through a sensitivity in the fluid functions, causing female disorders, swelling of the legs and ankles, or general blood debility. There is also a weakness in the region of the heart and respiratory organs.

Those who know me can decide for themselves whether thats closer to the truth or if Vickie (my first name) is closer to being right:

The name Vickie gives you a strongly independent and highly creative nature, with drive and ambition to have experiences and accomplish things out of the ordinary. You can work intently at whatever is new and holds your interest at the moment, but your interest wanes quickly when drudgery and monotony set in. Obstacles to your progress or restrictions on your freedom to act create a sense of frustration which may cause you to feel resentful and even rebellious. You can then become intolerant of others, and caustic and belittling in your expression, thereby imposing stress on your personal relationships. Although you have a clever, quick, capable mind, your progress in life is restricted by instability in your affairs and misunderstandings with people. Your impulsive nature can lead to actions which you later regret taking, or to accidents. Relaxation is elusive, and depletion due to nervous tension can develop to the point where you become subject to moods of depression and morbid thoughts. Nervous tension centres in the solar plexus, with nervous indigestion and stomach ulcers a possible result.

Hmm.....

For Rich, it says:

The name of Rich creates a very passive, easy-going, friendly nature. You love people and desire to get along with everyone you meet. Your desire for sociability and the pleasant things in life makes you too easily influenced through your associations. You have imagination and many ideas but you lack the drive or initiative to put these into effect. It is difficult for you to say "no" and mean it or to carry through with any commitments you have made. This name makes you too lackadaisical. The influence of this name is to lack practicality, system and order, organizing ability, astuteness, and the ability to make decisions and act upon them. Due to procrastination you have many unfulfilled desires. You often lean upon the strength of those around you for guidance. You appreciate the finer things in life such as good clothes, pleasant surroundings, and friendly companions. You find it difficult to tolerate circumstances that are not up to your particular standards. The physical weakness created by this name affects the fluid functions of the body.

And for Richard:

The name of Richard gives you a very individual, reserved, serious nature. You stick stubbornly to your ideas or decisions, in spite of any appeals or advice; you are not willing to accept a compromise. You prefer to be alone with your own thoughts, rather than in the company of others. This name restricts spontaneity in association and the fluency of your verbal expression. When you are required to express yourself in personal matters requiring finesse and diplomacy, you feel awkward and embarrassed. Although you realize perfectly well what is expected of you, you are unable to find the right words, and hence you end up saying something inappropriate in a candid way. You can express your deeper thoughts and feelings best through writing. Your friendships and personal associations are rather restricted, being limited to those of a similar nature who can understand and accept your rather straightforward yet reserved manner. You are steadfast and loyal, and do not allow gossip or anything belittling to be said against those whom you accept in friendship. You find satisfaction in being outdoors or in getting out into nature, or in dealing with the products of the earth. There is originality and depth of thought contained in this name, particularly along practical and mathematical lines. This name can adversely affect the health of your respiratory organs, the heart and lungs. Also, you are prone to suffer from weaknesses centering in the head.

I think he's more of a Rich than a Richard, but then I've always known that ;)

Grrr!! Internet has been playing up all day, so I haven't gotten anything done online that I needed to. Rich and I went to have a look at the shop I mentioned this afternoon. I saw a few dresses I liked, lots I didn't like, and the ones I did like were out of our budget. So, we'll keep looking. I'm just feeling really exhausted, weepy, and just wanting to go sleep for a few years!! I know its just wedding jitters, but I'm beginning to think this will never happen. Just let me get through this!! Maybe I'll be more excited when things start looking more promising!!!

So, its another Saturday and here I am online, because Rich is at work. I really hate being home alone. Especially on a Saturday. I guess I could get up and go somewhere, but I don't really want to, not without Rich. Knowing my luck, I'd get lost, lol. At least Rich should get off work at about 2 pm. Then we're going to have a look at a wedding gown shop. I should be way more excited than I am, but I just can't seem to get into it. There's so much to do and I feel like I'm doing everything by myself!! And that's really hard to do from another country!! It will get done though. I just have to relax and start working on getting it done. And this afternoon will be a good time to start. Hopefully, we'll find a gown that I like and then we'll get it and go on our way. It can be done. And maybe it will. Going to try to finish moving our website now. I should probably finish it today. *fingers crossed*

Yay!!! My blog seems to be working better today. I was nearly ready to completely give up yesterday. But then good things started happening and it seems to be on a roll!! Just keep it coming. I really need something to make me feel better. I've been feeling very very homesick lately. Like I told Rich, I would never leave him, but I might take him with me, lol! I just want to see my family and be back where things are normal to me. Its not the big things here that are different, its the small things. But they make it seem like I'm from a different world!!! And, in a way, I am. I'm from somewhere where things are done differently, sometimes better, sometimes worse, but differently. Also, this is the longest I've ever been away from my family. I really really miss them!!! But I'll be back in the US in about a month and a half. At least for a visit, then we'll be back here for a while. I don't mind being here, really, its just an attack of missing things I'm used to. Also, after I've been home for a week or so, I'll b ready to leave again, lol. That's just how I am. But I would never want to leave Rich. Wherever I am, I want him to be with me. I do at least feel a little comforted by the fact that I have Rich here with me. It makes me feel as though I do have someone in my family with me. And, in a way, I do. Rich will be part of my family in only ...... *Lynn counts on her fingers, lol*....... omg!!! 57 days!!! I really have to start getting things more organized!!! Having said that, I've got most of it organized. Its just a matter of getting everyone on the same track. Which shouldn't be too hard. Anyway, must go now and try to finish moving my website!! Maybe more later!!

This afternoon, Rich and I went to the kennel that we've been trying to adopt a dog from. So far, both dogs that we've chosen have not been able to come home with us, the first dieing after her vaccinations and the second being claimed by his owners. However, we've chosen another pup today. Its another little girl, but she only came in yesterday. It will be a week from Sunday (October 6) before we can pick her up. I hope we'll actually be able to get her!!

Since we got home, I've been working on a signature blinkie for my blog. I've got to learn how to get it to upload to my blog and I'll then be using it. I think it looks pretty good myself :)

Hmm....I'm trying to figure out how to upload images to my blog now. I've been working on my website lately, trying to move it from Angelfire to Geocities. I've come across loads of blinkies I like, but now I just have to get them uploaded. Oh, well, plenty of time. Got to go in a few minutes and get a shower and fix some lunch so that I can meet Rich. We're going to try to go this afternoon and pick out another puppy, since the last 2 puppy adoptions we've planned have fallen through. I hope everything goes better this time. All I want is a dog, is that so much to ask?? I think it would be easier to adopt a child in this country than to adopt a dog. We will get one though. Another worry at the back of my mind is getting my Visa to come back to this country. Don't know why I'm worried, but I am. Just scared with having to deal with IND. Everything will be fine though. I just need to calm down, lol! Back later to write some more!!!

Alright, so now I have a Blog like everyone else. I finally fit in!!! (Okay, so that's never actually going to happen, but humor me). For those who don't know me, let me introduce myself. My name is Lynn, I'm 23 years old (nearly 24), and I'm originally from Georgia, USA, but I'm now in the UK with my fiance' Rich (aka, the silliest Englishman I know, lol). Rich and I met online in August 2000 and we've been together ever since. We'll be celebrating our wedding on November 23, 2002 (the day after my 24th birthday). So this Blog will be all about my life in the UK, the silliest Englishman I know (aka, Rich, lmao), and life in general. There will be laughs, tears, and plenty of rants, so if that appeals to you and you want to see how a Southern Girl fits into life in the UK, keep reading and check back often!!