You know what's awesome? Friends, that's what. Or, maybe it's that's who. My Masters in English is serving me well, apparently.
Anyway, ever since we started planning the wedding, friends have been generously offering to help in any way they can, even saying two or three times that if we need them, they're ready and willing. I feel so loved and supported. Since I am trying to keep this as simple as possible (and on the small side) there hasn't been too much we've needed help with yet. But it's wonderful to know that our friends want to be there for us.
* And now you have that song going through your head for the rest of the day. You're welcome.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Checklist
Today I:
1) Finished buying everything for my centerpieces.
2) Decided that we will be doing the flowers ourselves, even though I may regret it the night before the wedding, but I know I can count on at least 3 good friends helping out, one of whom I just found out today used to work in a nursery making corsages and boutonnières. Score!
3) Bought gifts for 3 babies because, oh my gosh, everyone is popping out the babies lately. There are still 2 that I need to buy presents for. Sure, I enjoy trotting around the baby department at Target, but I just have to say there are a LOT of babies in my life lately.
I still need to:
1) Order a cake. I have to go into the bakery at 8 AM on a Saturday morning because I need to get in there before the crowds descend, and seeing as how it's a super popular bakery in the North End, the crowds, they do descend. I was going to do it a couple of weeks ago, but wow, do I need to get up early to make it to the North End by 8 AM. On a Saturday.
2) Get my dress altered. It's official that the dress will need to be let out. My amazing adventures in weight loss hit a snag in about June when I started working real jobs and Jason got in an accident and I bought a new car and I started spending more time down in Providence and the wedding planning kind of took over my spare time and thoughts processes. So I believe I've gained back a few pounds. Boo! However, I gave Jason a reality check a couple of weeks ago when I made him stand on my scale and I have a feeling that once the wedding is done and I am moved and we're living in the same place and not doing this driving an hour to see each other thing and I am doing the shopping and the cooking, we can get the weights under control.
3) Buy a guest book. Why are all guest books tacky tacky tacky? I can put together a classy and simple wedding, but heaven forbid someone make a classy and simple guest book. They are usually padded with lots of bows and glitz and sometimes feathers.
Jason and I spent Saturday night printing out invitations and they look great, if I do say so myself. The invitation itself has a pretty gold leaf at the top, to go with the whole Autumn in New England feeling of the wedding, and Jason put a watermark of the church we're getting married in behind the print. However, due to some issues with the envelope printing that were partly my fault and partly Word's fault, we only got half of them printed. So if there are any family members who hear about, say, the Escos or the Blooms getting their invitations, while say, the Szabos did not, rest assured that you will. This weekend we only made it through the R's.
1) Finished buying everything for my centerpieces.
2) Decided that we will be doing the flowers ourselves, even though I may regret it the night before the wedding, but I know I can count on at least 3 good friends helping out, one of whom I just found out today used to work in a nursery making corsages and boutonnières. Score!
3) Bought gifts for 3 babies because, oh my gosh, everyone is popping out the babies lately. There are still 2 that I need to buy presents for. Sure, I enjoy trotting around the baby department at Target, but I just have to say there are a LOT of babies in my life lately.
I still need to:
1) Order a cake. I have to go into the bakery at 8 AM on a Saturday morning because I need to get in there before the crowds descend, and seeing as how it's a super popular bakery in the North End, the crowds, they do descend. I was going to do it a couple of weeks ago, but wow, do I need to get up early to make it to the North End by 8 AM. On a Saturday.
2) Get my dress altered. It's official that the dress will need to be let out. My amazing adventures in weight loss hit a snag in about June when I started working real jobs and Jason got in an accident and I bought a new car and I started spending more time down in Providence and the wedding planning kind of took over my spare time and thoughts processes. So I believe I've gained back a few pounds. Boo! However, I gave Jason a reality check a couple of weeks ago when I made him stand on my scale and I have a feeling that once the wedding is done and I am moved and we're living in the same place and not doing this driving an hour to see each other thing and I am doing the shopping and the cooking, we can get the weights under control.
3) Buy a guest book. Why are all guest books tacky tacky tacky? I can put together a classy and simple wedding, but heaven forbid someone make a classy and simple guest book. They are usually padded with lots of bows and glitz and sometimes feathers.
Jason and I spent Saturday night printing out invitations and they look great, if I do say so myself. The invitation itself has a pretty gold leaf at the top, to go with the whole Autumn in New England feeling of the wedding, and Jason put a watermark of the church we're getting married in behind the print. However, due to some issues with the envelope printing that were partly my fault and partly Word's fault, we only got half of them printed. So if there are any family members who hear about, say, the Escos or the Blooms getting their invitations, while say, the Szabos did not, rest assured that you will. This weekend we only made it through the R's.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Flowers
This whole time I have been planning on doing my own flowers for the wedding. It was going to be very simple, which has been my mantra throughout this entire planning process. Simple. Simple. Simple. Maybe a couple of bouquets in the sanctuary, but nothing major, bouquets for me and my three ladies, boutonnieres for Jason and his guys, 3 corsages and 5 more boutonnieres. I also planned to use flowers in the centerpieces, however this weekend I came up with a design that is simple and incorporates candles (which I wanted) and, in fact, does not involve flowers.
So now after totaling all of this up, I'm thinking maybe I should just suck it up and go to a florist since I don't know if buying 100 wholesale flowers is really necessary. The thing is, all of my flowers are roses and I bet the florist will charge a ton for roses. I can get 100 roses and filler for $150 from the wholesaler. It's called Wedding in A Box, and I think it's brilliant.
But then you have to factor in wire and ribbon and the labor time. But then I could also distribue the excess roses amongst my friends, which is kind of fun. Thoughts?
On Saturday I drove out to Burlington, MA to what I thought was a flower wholesaler. I guess technically he was, but not a very useful one.
Basically I walked up to the store, where a burly man was talking on a cordless phone. I went to pull open the door and he said, "Hold on. What do you need, hon?"
I said I wanted to talk about wedding flowers.
He asked, "When's your wedding?"
I said "October"
He guffawed and said, "I don't know from one day to another what I'm going to have in stock. I jsut get overflow from folks."
I said, "Ok, well I want particular flowers so I guess this won't work."
Then he said, "Yeah, you can go to one of those other guys to get 'what you want'*, but they'll charge you an arm and a leg."
"Well...yes...maybe so. But I kind of need to know what flowers I'm going to have for my wedding."
He shrugged as if to say, "suit yourself" said thanks for stopping by, and went back to his phone conversation.
So that was kind of a pointless drive, except for then I went to Michael's and made up my centerpieces. I also discovered a new route to Burlington that bypasses the highway and winds through these really pretty, woodsy neighborhoods. Nice.
*This was said with a sneer in his voice. Like I was being absolutely ridiculous wanting particular flowers and in particular colors for my wedding.
So now after totaling all of this up, I'm thinking maybe I should just suck it up and go to a florist since I don't know if buying 100 wholesale flowers is really necessary. The thing is, all of my flowers are roses and I bet the florist will charge a ton for roses. I can get 100 roses and filler for $150 from the wholesaler. It's called Wedding in A Box, and I think it's brilliant.
But then you have to factor in wire and ribbon and the labor time. But then I could also distribue the excess roses amongst my friends, which is kind of fun. Thoughts?
On Saturday I drove out to Burlington, MA to what I thought was a flower wholesaler. I guess technically he was, but not a very useful one.
Basically I walked up to the store, where a burly man was talking on a cordless phone. I went to pull open the door and he said, "Hold on. What do you need, hon?"
I said I wanted to talk about wedding flowers.
He asked, "When's your wedding?"
I said "October"
He guffawed and said, "I don't know from one day to another what I'm going to have in stock. I jsut get overflow from folks."
I said, "Ok, well I want particular flowers so I guess this won't work."
Then he said, "Yeah, you can go to one of those other guys to get 'what you want'*, but they'll charge you an arm and a leg."
"Well...yes...maybe so. But I kind of need to know what flowers I'm going to have for my wedding."
He shrugged as if to say, "suit yourself" said thanks for stopping by, and went back to his phone conversation.
So that was kind of a pointless drive, except for then I went to Michael's and made up my centerpieces. I also discovered a new route to Burlington that bypasses the highway and winds through these really pretty, woodsy neighborhoods. Nice.
*This was said with a sneer in his voice. Like I was being absolutely ridiculous wanting particular flowers and in particular colors for my wedding.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Papers Papers Everywhere
One of the things I do not like about having two lawyer jobs is that I have two separate sets of piles of papers. Maybe one of my sets would just be doubled if I worked one of these jobs full-time, but I'm not so sure.
My little cubicle at the health care company is getting overrun with papers from various projects I have worked on, I am working on, or I will be working on when the stuff I am working on is done and assuming that other items haven't come up in the meantime to supplant them. I have done my best to organize by topic and into different colored folders, but the papers are taking over. It's even migrating to my house because I usually take a couple of those colored folders home with me, ostensibly to work on, though that hasn't really been happening much lately because of the wedding planning and the qoing away parties for friends* and Jason's family visiting, etc.
At the firm I have more space because I have my own office, but even though I haven't been there nearly as long as at the health care company, I already have a formidable set of papers since I got thrown into two huge projects almost immediately. Earlier this week when I had a slow moment, I went through the piles and organized and labeled them, but since then, more stuff has come in and now the piles are migrating to the floor.
Plus not only do I have 2 different sets of piles to keep track of physically, but I also have to keep track of them in my head. I can be right on top of things at one job, but then the next day I'm at the other job and every time I'm asked a question, I have to crawl back into the recesses of my mind where I stored that information two days before and I'm just hoping that doesn't make me appear completely scatterbrained. It's there, it's just not at the forefront of my brain right now.
* Everyone is leaving! Tonight I have a going away dinner for one of my roommates, and tomorrow I have a going away party for three other friends.
My little cubicle at the health care company is getting overrun with papers from various projects I have worked on, I am working on, or I will be working on when the stuff I am working on is done and assuming that other items haven't come up in the meantime to supplant them. I have done my best to organize by topic and into different colored folders, but the papers are taking over. It's even migrating to my house because I usually take a couple of those colored folders home with me, ostensibly to work on, though that hasn't really been happening much lately because of the wedding planning and the qoing away parties for friends* and Jason's family visiting, etc.
At the firm I have more space because I have my own office, but even though I haven't been there nearly as long as at the health care company, I already have a formidable set of papers since I got thrown into two huge projects almost immediately. Earlier this week when I had a slow moment, I went through the piles and organized and labeled them, but since then, more stuff has come in and now the piles are migrating to the floor.
Plus not only do I have 2 different sets of piles to keep track of physically, but I also have to keep track of them in my head. I can be right on top of things at one job, but then the next day I'm at the other job and every time I'm asked a question, I have to crawl back into the recesses of my mind where I stored that information two days before and I'm just hoping that doesn't make me appear completely scatterbrained. It's there, it's just not at the forefront of my brain right now.
* Everyone is leaving! Tonight I have a going away dinner for one of my roommates, and tomorrow I have a going away party for three other friends.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Anniversary
Today is a big day. For one, it’s Jason’s and my two year anniversary! Happy anniversary to us.
For two, it’s exactly two months until our wedding.* And it is starting to feel very real, at least for me. Something clicked in my brain this weekend. Probably because Jason’s parents are in town and I feel like now that Jason and I are getting married, I’m getting accepted and welcomed as a future family member. On Saturday there were some impromptu family pictures and Sarah’s brother-in-law posed us by saying, “Okay, the wives stand behind the bench…” and I thought, oh yeah, I’m going to be one of the wives.
I also found myself eyeing my friends’ babies** and thinking about how that could be us in a few years. I mean seriously thinking about it. I’ve always wanted kids in this abstract sense, but to actually look at the babies and think, ‘we could do that,’ was sort of a new step for me. I think it helps that Jason is completely adorable with Sarah’s 5-month old nephew, although he did tell me that if our babies aren't as awesome as Sarah's nephew, we may have to send them back. I suppose mulling over these big life events and feeling like they are actually possible is what this whole starting a new life and a new family thing is all about.
* For those of you keeping track, no we didn’t get the invitations out today. Jason promised me we’ll get them out sometime this week.
** Seriously, almost everyone we know is having a baby right now.
For two, it’s exactly two months until our wedding.* And it is starting to feel very real, at least for me. Something clicked in my brain this weekend. Probably because Jason’s parents are in town and I feel like now that Jason and I are getting married, I’m getting accepted and welcomed as a future family member. On Saturday there were some impromptu family pictures and Sarah’s brother-in-law posed us by saying, “Okay, the wives stand behind the bench…” and I thought, oh yeah, I’m going to be one of the wives.
I also found myself eyeing my friends’ babies** and thinking about how that could be us in a few years. I mean seriously thinking about it. I’ve always wanted kids in this abstract sense, but to actually look at the babies and think, ‘we could do that,’ was sort of a new step for me. I think it helps that Jason is completely adorable with Sarah’s 5-month old nephew, although he did tell me that if our babies aren't as awesome as Sarah's nephew, we may have to send them back. I suppose mulling over these big life events and feeling like they are actually possible is what this whole starting a new life and a new family thing is all about.
* For those of you keeping track, no we didn’t get the invitations out today. Jason promised me we’ll get them out sometime this week.
** Seriously, almost everyone we know is having a baby right now.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Los-er
In case you were wondering, I am the losiest loser that ever was. Jason and I planned to watch the Perseids last night. Since he lives right near the Brown University observatory, which has a nice big lawn in front of it, we trekked out there with a picnic blanket and lay down, fully prepared to be awed by the vastness of space.
Instead, I fell asleep. For the life of me, I could not keep my eyelids from drooping down. We went out kind of early, so at the beginning it wasn't that big a deal. I think Jason saw 3 or 4 during that first hour. But then things really picked up and I would lay there, willing my eyes open, and just when I gave in to the crushing force of my eyelids and gravity, Jason would go, "Whoa!" or "Wow!" or "Did you see that one?"
No, no I didn't see that one. Because I'm a loser who can't manage to stay awake past 12 despite being a self-proclaimed night owl. Stupid regular day job with stupid regular hours has killed my ability to rock the house* until 4 AM.
So I saw about 3 meteors last night. I was so excited to go out and watch them too. Sigh.
PS I have no idea who the guy in the picture is, but I liked his Loser L.
* You know, for a Mormon girl.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Shower
Saturday my roommates held a bridal shower for me which was so fun. Really hot and sweaty, but so fun. We had the AC on in the living room all day leading up to the shower, but it just couldn't compete with 20+ women in one room and the 90+ degrees outside. I felt so loved as we all sat and sweated together. My roommates and I have been dining off of the leftovers of chocolate fountain chocolate, pretzels, fruit, brie, hummus and ice cream ever since.
We got some items off of our registries, plus some scandalous items that embarrassed me more than I ever thought they would. I am pretty up front when it comes to, um, honeymoon items, and my roommates know this, so I think I shocked them by turning bright red and giggling like a 12 year-old boy when I opened up three boxes from them containing 3 pretty negligees. Not to mention the sensual massage book and massage nectar from another friend.*
Everything made me so happy. The flower-shaped appetizer tray, the lime squeezer and avocado slicer, the pitcher with the school of fish etched on it, the good knives and ALL the towels and the bath mat I registered for. It kind of makes me feel like a grown up, knowing that we will be somewhat coordinated. I'm excited about the prospect of living in a space that feels more like a home and less like an interim stopping point. We'll see how it goes considering I'm moving into Jason's bachelor pad.
***
On a side note - or maybe it's right on topic. Whatever - I'm getting tired of wedding planning. I don't know how those people who are engaged for 1 year or more do it. Because, okay, sure, I want to be the pretty, pretty princess for a day. And yes, it's fun to think about getting presents and setting up house and having loved ones around to cheer us on. But it's just all the planning and arranging and thinking about things that's wearing me out. And I've only been doing this for two months. My momentum is kind of waning and I still need a cake and flowers and to get all creative with centerpieces. Actually, I saw some centerpieces on a photographer's site that I might steal so I don't have to be all that creative. And we have to do invitations. By August 20th, so say the etiquette books. Have we started? Um...no.
I'm just kind of tired of thinking about it. Maybe I'm not as much of a girlie girl as I thought I was.
Not to mention, now that we know we're getting married, I kind of miss Jason on the evenings when we're not together. I mean, I like my alone time, but it feels like now that the decision has been made, we should be together. We know we're getting married, so why don't we just go do that then? Instead there's this whole "engaged" period. It's hard to explain, but the whole waiting period after we've decided what we want to do just seems kind of silly.
* Any bets on how many seedy hits the blog will get now that I've typed the words sensual massage?
We got some items off of our registries, plus some scandalous items that embarrassed me more than I ever thought they would. I am pretty up front when it comes to, um, honeymoon items, and my roommates know this, so I think I shocked them by turning bright red and giggling like a 12 year-old boy when I opened up three boxes from them containing 3 pretty negligees. Not to mention the sensual massage book and massage nectar from another friend.*
Everything made me so happy. The flower-shaped appetizer tray, the lime squeezer and avocado slicer, the pitcher with the school of fish etched on it, the good knives and ALL the towels and the bath mat I registered for. It kind of makes me feel like a grown up, knowing that we will be somewhat coordinated. I'm excited about the prospect of living in a space that feels more like a home and less like an interim stopping point. We'll see how it goes considering I'm moving into Jason's bachelor pad.
***
On a side note - or maybe it's right on topic. Whatever - I'm getting tired of wedding planning. I don't know how those people who are engaged for 1 year or more do it. Because, okay, sure, I want to be the pretty, pretty princess for a day. And yes, it's fun to think about getting presents and setting up house and having loved ones around to cheer us on. But it's just all the planning and arranging and thinking about things that's wearing me out. And I've only been doing this for two months. My momentum is kind of waning and I still need a cake and flowers and to get all creative with centerpieces. Actually, I saw some centerpieces on a photographer's site that I might steal so I don't have to be all that creative. And we have to do invitations. By August 20th, so say the etiquette books. Have we started? Um...no.
I'm just kind of tired of thinking about it. Maybe I'm not as much of a girlie girl as I thought I was.
Not to mention, now that we know we're getting married, I kind of miss Jason on the evenings when we're not together. I mean, I like my alone time, but it feels like now that the decision has been made, we should be together. We know we're getting married, so why don't we just go do that then? Instead there's this whole "engaged" period. It's hard to explain, but the whole waiting period after we've decided what we want to do just seems kind of silly.
* Any bets on how many seedy hits the blog will get now that I've typed the words sensual massage?
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Decision
Well, it's been a week and after discussing the situation at length, Jason and I have decided to have our wedding as planned in October. We will hopefully be able to visit my parents and spend time with them at Thanksgiving. There are several reasons we have decided this. One of them is that by focusing solely on my mom, we may end up excluding other family and friends who are also important to us. Also, based on what my dad has told me, it sounds like even if we tried to do something in Chicago, my mom may still not be able to sit for any length of time or enjoy herself. There are other considerations as well, and this is what's best for us right now as we start our new life together.
I do like the suggestion a couple of you had to videoconference/webconference them in. I have no idea if that would be possible from the church, but it's something to look into. At the very least, we will videotape the event.
In the end, I know there's really no way to make everyone happy with our decision, but we think this is best for us in this situation. We aren't getting married in the temple right now, so my hope is that my parents will be able to come to our sealing when that happens.
I am glad that I could get out some of the rolling, spinning thoughts that were rattling around in my brain last weekend.
So the planning continues.
I do like the suggestion a couple of you had to videoconference/webconference them in. I have no idea if that would be possible from the church, but it's something to look into. At the very least, we will videotape the event.
In the end, I know there's really no way to make everyone happy with our decision, but we think this is best for us in this situation. We aren't getting married in the temple right now, so my hope is that my parents will be able to come to our sealing when that happens.
I am glad that I could get out some of the rolling, spinning thoughts that were rattling around in my brain last weekend.
So the planning continues.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Not Really Sure What To Do...
My parents will not be at my wedding. My mom is too sick and my dad can’t leave her – not that I would want him to leave her all alone to sit and be sad, knowing that she was missing the wedding.
There are many things wrong with my mom, all of them degenerative so they’re not getting any better. She turned 51 yesterday and she is completely disabled. The main problem right now is the arthritis that has basically destroyed all of the cartilage in all of her joints. When I have talked to her recently she has told me how she can’t move her arms anymore.
Earlier on in this wedding planning process she talked about getting one of her shoulders operated on, having a couple of months to recuperate, and then coming to the wedding. As far as I knew, while my mom and I discussed the plans, they were planning on coming. However, the surgery has been postponed a couple of times and after meeting with her doctor last week, they determined that she would not be able to travel in October.
So basically I’m still planning and still trying to feel excited for the sake of my amazing roommates who are throwing a shower for me this weekend and for the sake of the rest of our family and friends who are so excited for us. But my excitement is tempered with a deep sadness. My dad won’t walk me down the aisle, my parents won’t be in the pictures, all of those standard wedding things won’t be what I thought they were going to be. We have put down nonrefundable deposits and other people have bought nonrefundable tickets. I talked with Jason last night about calling things off. I mean, still getting married, but not doing the whole big thing. Right now at 12:47 AM that feels like it might be an option again.
But today I was trying to think of ways to make things a little better somehow for them, even though I know it really won’t be. Ways like getting everything on video.
And really it’s not even the wedding that is the worst part of all of this. It’s that my mom is so very sick. I know she would be here if there was any possible way. I am their only child. Yesterday I broke down to Jason and one of my roommates. I thought I could talk about it, but while I was explaining my parents' situation and why they couldn't come I just started sobbing. It makes me feel so completely helpless to think about what is going on with them. I have watched this happening for, well, for my whole life really, and sometimes the sadness and the frustration overwhelm me.
I have felt it all day. My body feels like one giant clenched muscle and I am weary.
There are many things wrong with my mom, all of them degenerative so they’re not getting any better. She turned 51 yesterday and she is completely disabled. The main problem right now is the arthritis that has basically destroyed all of the cartilage in all of her joints. When I have talked to her recently she has told me how she can’t move her arms anymore.
Earlier on in this wedding planning process she talked about getting one of her shoulders operated on, having a couple of months to recuperate, and then coming to the wedding. As far as I knew, while my mom and I discussed the plans, they were planning on coming. However, the surgery has been postponed a couple of times and after meeting with her doctor last week, they determined that she would not be able to travel in October.
So basically I’m still planning and still trying to feel excited for the sake of my amazing roommates who are throwing a shower for me this weekend and for the sake of the rest of our family and friends who are so excited for us. But my excitement is tempered with a deep sadness. My dad won’t walk me down the aisle, my parents won’t be in the pictures, all of those standard wedding things won’t be what I thought they were going to be. We have put down nonrefundable deposits and other people have bought nonrefundable tickets. I talked with Jason last night about calling things off. I mean, still getting married, but not doing the whole big thing. Right now at 12:47 AM that feels like it might be an option again.
But today I was trying to think of ways to make things a little better somehow for them, even though I know it really won’t be. Ways like getting everything on video.
And really it’s not even the wedding that is the worst part of all of this. It’s that my mom is so very sick. I know she would be here if there was any possible way. I am their only child. Yesterday I broke down to Jason and one of my roommates. I thought I could talk about it, but while I was explaining my parents' situation and why they couldn't come I just started sobbing. It makes me feel so completely helpless to think about what is going on with them. I have watched this happening for, well, for my whole life really, and sometimes the sadness and the frustration overwhelm me.
I have felt it all day. My body feels like one giant clenched muscle and I am weary.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Engagement Photo Shoot Outtakes
Brandon and his lovely assistant Sarah took some pictures of me and Jason on Sunday. We got some nice ones, but here for your viewing pleasure are some of the not no nice ones:
Right off the bat there was some bad lighting going on. As you can see, we were not pleased.
Looking adoringly at that man of mine.
Waiting for our close up.
We were trying to look like we were having fun.
Maybe if we look pretty no one will notice the headstones behind us...
Kissy poo
Jason's standard reaction to kissing me while I'm wearing lipstick
Sassy!
Since Brandon took over 400 pictures in an hour or so, there are points where you could make a virtual flipbook of the action.
What should we do next?
I don't know, what do you think?
How about smug and haughty? Can we pull off smug and haughty?
I think we succeeded.
Trying not to laugh.
Honestly, we did have a lot of fun
Like I said, there were several really nice shots. We look so photogenic, like a magazine shoot as my MOH Jenn said, but honestly I think if you take 400+ pictures of anyone, there are bound to be a few good ones. Kudos to Brandon for his patience and for taking some really nice pictures.
Right off the bat there was some bad lighting going on. As you can see, we were not pleased.
Looking adoringly at that man of mine.
Waiting for our close up.
We were trying to look like we were having fun.
Maybe if we look pretty no one will notice the headstones behind us...
Kissy poo
Jason's standard reaction to kissing me while I'm wearing lipstick
Sassy!
Since Brandon took over 400 pictures in an hour or so, there are points where you could make a virtual flipbook of the action.
What should we do next?
I don't know, what do you think?
How about smug and haughty? Can we pull off smug and haughty?
I think we succeeded.Trying not to laugh.
Honestly, we did have a lot of fun
Like I said, there were several really nice shots. We look so photogenic, like a magazine shoot as my MOH Jenn said, but honestly I think if you take 400+ pictures of anyone, there are bound to be a few good ones. Kudos to Brandon for his patience and for taking some really nice pictures.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Saving Money
We're on a tight budget for this wedding. I have been doing my best to bargain hunt, sending out scores of emails and checking out hundreds of websites for reception venues, caterers, photographers, cakes, bridesmaid dresses, etc. I have enlisted the assistance of my mom in the quest to have a relatively inexpensive wedding, while still trying to pull together something classy. Most of the vendors have been very nice when I've politiely informed them that their particular service doesn't fit into our budget. However, there have been a couple of rude people, that kind of make me want to tell everyone their names so no one who I know or who reads this blog will use them. Even though I'm strapped for cash, that's no reason to be rude to me.
Rule Number 1: Generally, if the reception venue/caterer doesn't list their prices, that means I can't afford it.
So about a month ago I called this one venue that actually seemed to have decent prices online. I got on the phone with on of the venue's wedding coordinator. We discussed the packages and it became clear that I could not afford them. She asked me what my budget was and then gave a snort and told me that I was crazy if I thought I could have a reception for under $10,000.
She was wrong. And a snot. And if you're planning a wedding in Boston I will tell you who it was.
Rule Number 2: Surprisingly, even if a photographer doesn't list their prices, they might be affordable.
The photographers have generally been very nice. However, the other day I shot off a form email to a photographer asking for her wedding rates and I mentioned my budget for photography just to put it out there so we would both know if we were even in the same ballpark. This is the response I got back:
Um, I think my priorities are fine, thank you. They include not going into massive debt for what is basically a one-day party. I have found several photographers with packages starting at half the price of yours and whose websites are just as pretty as yours. I also think that you should invest in a spell checker for your email program. Or at least proofread.
I have my own Rule Number 1 for photographers: GET A WEBSITE. Seriously. It's 2007. No really, it is. The brides of today will be surfing the internet looking for their vendors and you are missing out because I guarantee the majority of my generation has an aversion to making phone calls and listening to sales pitches over and over and over again.
Rule Number 1: Generally, if the reception venue/caterer doesn't list their prices, that means I can't afford it.
So about a month ago I called this one venue that actually seemed to have decent prices online. I got on the phone with on of the venue's wedding coordinator. We discussed the packages and it became clear that I could not afford them. She asked me what my budget was and then gave a snort and told me that I was crazy if I thought I could have a reception for under $10,000.
She was wrong. And a snot. And if you're planning a wedding in Boston I will tell you who it was.
Rule Number 2: Surprisingly, even if a photographer doesn't list their prices, they might be affordable.
The photographers have generally been very nice. However, the other day I shot off a form email to a photographer asking for her wedding rates and I mentioned my budget for photography just to put it out there so we would both know if we were even in the same ballpark. This is the response I got back:
Thank you for inquiring about our wedding photography. Unfortunetly we are
unavailale on that date. Our wedding photography priceing starts at
$3000.00. I wouldn't know where to direct you in relation to your budget. Keep
in mind, that the photography is all you will have left after the wedding.
Everything else is just for the moment. You should porbably give your priorities
anohter thought.
Um, I think my priorities are fine, thank you. They include not going into massive debt for what is basically a one-day party. I have found several photographers with packages starting at half the price of yours and whose websites are just as pretty as yours. I also think that you should invest in a spell checker for your email program. Or at least proofread.
I have my own Rule Number 1 for photographers: GET A WEBSITE. Seriously. It's 2007. No really, it is. The brides of today will be surfing the internet looking for their vendors and you are missing out because I guarantee the majority of my generation has an aversion to making phone calls and listening to sales pitches over and over and over again.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Birds Will Sing As If They Knew
Well, I think all the people we know in real life who might be offended if they found out this way know, so now we can tell everyone.
Jason and I are getting married!
In October. I love October! It's the perfect Autumn in New England month and I'm hoping for nice weather because Autumn in New England can also be really rainy and blah. The wedding is 10 days after my birthday, 2 days after my parents' anniversary, 6 days after my uncle's birthday and 1 day after my late Nana's birthday. All reasons why October has always been my favorite month, even when I didn't live in New England. Not to mention the apples and the pumpkins and foods tinged with nutmeg and cinnamon and cloves.
The plans have been in progress since around Memorial Day. I have a dress, we know where we're having the ceremony and reception, we're pretty sure which caterer we're going with*, I found a flower wholesaler, I have 1 maid of honor and 1 bridesmaid so far, family and friends are coming from far and wide.
We need a cake and a photographer. On the cheap. Any recommendations in the Boston area?
*Had a tasting last week. The food was great and the caterer is really nice and pulled together her own wedding on a strict budget five years ago. She has lots of ideas for me.
Jason and I are getting married!
In October. I love October! It's the perfect Autumn in New England month and I'm hoping for nice weather because Autumn in New England can also be really rainy and blah. The wedding is 10 days after my birthday, 2 days after my parents' anniversary, 6 days after my uncle's birthday and 1 day after my late Nana's birthday. All reasons why October has always been my favorite month, even when I didn't live in New England. Not to mention the apples and the pumpkins and foods tinged with nutmeg and cinnamon and cloves.
The plans have been in progress since around Memorial Day. I have a dress, we know where we're having the ceremony and reception, we're pretty sure which caterer we're going with*, I found a flower wholesaler, I have 1 maid of honor and 1 bridesmaid so far, family and friends are coming from far and wide.
We need a cake and a photographer. On the cheap. Any recommendations in the Boston area?
*Had a tasting last week. The food was great and the caterer is really nice and pulled together her own wedding on a strict budget five years ago. She has lots of ideas for me.
Monkey Arms
I have a casual black jacket from H&M that I keep at work because it is always, ALWAYS freezing at work. I can drink tea all day long, but I will still be frozen by mid morning.
As I was putting on the jacket today, I wondered what sort of disproportionate freakshow this jacket was actually made for.
First of all, I have the sleeves rolled up about 3 inches because the jacket was made for a woman with very long arms. Even with the sleeves rolled up, I can still pull the sleeves down enough to tuck my fingers inside when they’re especially cold. The actual sleeves are a little baggy now that I’ve lost weight, even though my upper arms are still not what you would call “small”. Laps and laps of freestyle have not helped as my triceps, while toned, are also formidable.
Now here’s the thing. It is made from a heavy knit fabric, but it’s shaped like a blazer so there is a collar and buttons up the front. I can’t button the buttons. Actually, I can button them over my chest (which isn’t teeny, even though it’s not what it once was), but then I struggle to get the button to close around my waist. The finished product has the button straining at the waist, while the fabric over my chest is a little loose.
So apparently this jacket was made for a woman with large, sturdy monkey arms, a 38DD rack and a 20 inch waist. Of course.
As I was putting on the jacket today, I wondered what sort of disproportionate freakshow this jacket was actually made for.
First of all, I have the sleeves rolled up about 3 inches because the jacket was made for a woman with very long arms. Even with the sleeves rolled up, I can still pull the sleeves down enough to tuck my fingers inside when they’re especially cold. The actual sleeves are a little baggy now that I’ve lost weight, even though my upper arms are still not what you would call “small”. Laps and laps of freestyle have not helped as my triceps, while toned, are also formidable.
Now here’s the thing. It is made from a heavy knit fabric, but it’s shaped like a blazer so there is a collar and buttons up the front. I can’t button the buttons. Actually, I can button them over my chest (which isn’t teeny, even though it’s not what it once was), but then I struggle to get the button to close around my waist. The finished product has the button straining at the waist, while the fabric over my chest is a little loose.
So apparently this jacket was made for a woman with large, sturdy monkey arms, a 38DD rack and a 20 inch waist. Of course.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Road Rage Repository
To the big mother Buick that didn't signal that he was turning right as I was trying to merge into oncoming traffic: "Thanks for the signal, Buddy!"
To the woman who decided she just had to make that light and then got stuck right in front of me, looking all nonchalant: "Don't block the box!"
To the woman who honked AND yelled at me with wild arm gestures as she practically merged into me: "Yeah, I've been following this truck for 2 miles and you had a Yield sign back there. B***h." I really wanted to roll down my window for that one.
I have a bit of a problem.
To the big mother Buick that didn't signal that he was turning right as I was trying to merge into oncoming traffic: "Thanks for the signal, Buddy!"
To the woman who decided she just had to make that light and then got stuck right in front of me, looking all nonchalant: "Don't block the box!"
To the woman who honked AND yelled at me with wild arm gestures as she practically merged into me: "Yeah, I've been following this truck for 2 miles and you had a Yield sign back there. B***h." I really wanted to roll down my window for that one.
I have a bit of a problem.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
How Embarrassing
Last night Jason, Brandon and I had a slumber party at Jason's apartment. Brandon came because he needed to retrieve his car, which he had loaned to Jason when Jason's car got all smashed up, and I came because Jason's my boyfriend and I do that sometimes.*
So this morning I woke up before anyone else and spent some time reading a HILARIOUS book that some friends of Jason gave him as a gag gift several years ago. After an hour or so, I decided it was time for Jason to wake up and entertain me so I moseyed into his room, snuggled up next to him, and promptly fell back to sleep.
I woke up a little while later, screaming. Scared the crap out of Jason and apparently Brandon and Tiny in the next room.
I was having a dream, see. In the dream it was my first day working a new job with a bunch of other people. Outside of the room where we were all sitting, was a little food store.** After awhile, I went over to the cashier and asked him where the bathroom was. He said, all smiles, "Oh, I'll show you, little missy," or something to that effect.
Then he took me on this roundabout route through the next couple of rooms, and just as I realized it was getting darker and more remote and started feeling a little worried, he turned on me and cornered me and starting trying to kiss me. I fought him and kept trying as hard as I could to yell or scream because everyone else was just a couple of rooms away, but I couldn't get any sound out. I kept trying and trying and finally I summoned all my breath and strength and let out a blood-curdling scream.
Which woke everyone up.
I was so embarrassed and couldn't stop laughing at myself.
I'm kind of a vivid dreamer. I've only ever screamed myself awake once before. At least I don't sleepwalk anymore.
* You know, in the good Mormon girl sense.
** This has nothing to do with the rest of the dream, but there were signs all over the shelves saying things like, "Silent concession stand", "No talking", "If you talk you will be asked to leave." Weird.
So this morning I woke up before anyone else and spent some time reading a HILARIOUS book that some friends of Jason gave him as a gag gift several years ago. After an hour or so, I decided it was time for Jason to wake up and entertain me so I moseyed into his room, snuggled up next to him, and promptly fell back to sleep.
I woke up a little while later, screaming. Scared the crap out of Jason and apparently Brandon and Tiny in the next room.
I was having a dream, see. In the dream it was my first day working a new job with a bunch of other people. Outside of the room where we were all sitting, was a little food store.** After awhile, I went over to the cashier and asked him where the bathroom was. He said, all smiles, "Oh, I'll show you, little missy," or something to that effect.
Then he took me on this roundabout route through the next couple of rooms, and just as I realized it was getting darker and more remote and started feeling a little worried, he turned on me and cornered me and starting trying to kiss me. I fought him and kept trying as hard as I could to yell or scream because everyone else was just a couple of rooms away, but I couldn't get any sound out. I kept trying and trying and finally I summoned all my breath and strength and let out a blood-curdling scream.
Which woke everyone up.
I was so embarrassed and couldn't stop laughing at myself.
I'm kind of a vivid dreamer. I've only ever screamed myself awake once before. At least I don't sleepwalk anymore.
* You know, in the good Mormon girl sense.
** This has nothing to do with the rest of the dream, but there were signs all over the shelves saying things like, "Silent concession stand", "No talking", "If you talk you will be asked to leave." Weird.
Friday, June 15, 2007
We Rock the Body, Rock the Body
Got my new car.
Love. It.
My life is so much fuller now that I have a sound system with awesome bass.
Love. It.
My life is so much fuller now that I have a sound system with awesome bass.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
New Car!
My blog is turning into a car blog. Starting Anew: the blog for your compact car enthusiast.
So I bought a new car today. Eeeee!
I've never bought a brand spanking new car before, but I think I did it the best way possible. I emailed dealers ahead of time, got price quotes, and went from here. No big haggling session. My salesman was a nice guy and I feel like I got a pretty good deal.
Ooooooo
Aaaaaaaah
And here it is next to Bunny, who I traded in.
Bunny was a good car for awhile and then she started breaking a lot. Right now she needs new brakes and tires, there's a leak in the brake fluid line, and I think I need to replace a CV boot. Given that I just put $1500 into her last fall, I thought it was time to move on.
I get to pick the new car up in a few days after the insurance and registration is all set up and after they install the sunroof.
Sunroof!
Yay!
So I bought a new car today. Eeeee!
I've never bought a brand spanking new car before, but I think I did it the best way possible. I emailed dealers ahead of time, got price quotes, and went from here. No big haggling session. My salesman was a nice guy and I feel like I got a pretty good deal.
Ooooooo
Aaaaaaaah
And here it is next to Bunny, who I traded in.
Bunny was a good car for awhile and then she started breaking a lot. Right now she needs new brakes and tires, there's a leak in the brake fluid line, and I think I need to replace a CV boot. Given that I just put $1500 into her last fall, I thought it was time to move on.I get to pick the new car up in a few days after the insurance and registration is all set up and after they install the sunroof.
Sunroof!
Yay!
Friday, June 08, 2007
So...What's New With You?
Here's Jason giving the world a thumbs up in front of the back of his smashed-up car:
Here's the front of Jason's smashed-up car:
Here's me holding the side mirror that I found on the side of the road that was ripped off of Jason's smashed-up car:
Jason had a bit of a car accident on Wednesday night.
I have learned two things: 1) I am definitely going with the Hyundai Elantra seeing as how the car rolled and all Jason wound up with were about a million scratches from all of the shattered glass and a sore shoulder from where the car roof hit him when it caved in, and 2) ALWAYS wear your seatbelt. This story would not be as happy had Jason not had his seatbelt on.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Using Your Brain Is Hard Work
So now that I have two real jobs and not one day a week of real work and 4 days a week of mindlessness, I have to actually use my brain every day.
I know. It's rough.
I am amazed how after my short three day week wherein I actually did some constructive thinking all day long (and wrote words like wherein and whereas and therefore), I am beat. I think it may take me a little bit of time to remember how to use my brain for long stretches of time on endeavors not related to blog and message board reading.
One side effect of all this, you know, work is that I am woefully behind on my blog and message board reading. After staring at a computer all day, doing Westlaw searches and trying to figure out how my new boss wants me to word something in a contract, the last thing I want to do when I get home is turn on my computer. I'm sure eventually I'll figure out some sort of work/life/blog balance, but until then, I'll just have to play catch-up at random times, like Friday nights when Jason is in Providence and I'm in Cambridge with nothing to do except sit on my couch in my pj's, especially since there's no new TV to watch anymore. Oh sure, I could be doing something constructive like reading, but, I'm not.
I know. It's rough.
I am amazed how after my short three day week wherein I actually did some constructive thinking all day long (and wrote words like wherein and whereas and therefore), I am beat. I think it may take me a little bit of time to remember how to use my brain for long stretches of time on endeavors not related to blog and message board reading.
One side effect of all this, you know, work is that I am woefully behind on my blog and message board reading. After staring at a computer all day, doing Westlaw searches and trying to figure out how my new boss wants me to word something in a contract, the last thing I want to do when I get home is turn on my computer. I'm sure eventually I'll figure out some sort of work/life/blog balance, but until then, I'll just have to play catch-up at random times, like Friday nights when Jason is in Providence and I'm in Cambridge with nothing to do except sit on my couch in my pj's, especially since there's no new TV to watch anymore. Oh sure, I could be doing something constructive like reading, but, I'm not.
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