Scott & Sara 08.15.2009

[caligal85]

In the past couple of days, I've come to realize that I don't really have anyone to share my wedding things with. Mom isn't thrilled about the man I'm marrying while being worried about my dad's health, dad doesn't have the strength or energy, my two best friends are 2 and 5 hours away and busy and FH is three hours ahead and three thousand miles away. I love my roommates but they're young and not people i feel comfortable talking with. I do have one very good friend here but I feel like I'm boring her to death if I'm talking about my wedding, which is how I feel when I talk with any of my friends. So I decided to start a journal here, where I've noticed an overwhelming support for all brides of every walk of life. Just what I need. :D

I guess you could classify FH and I as high school sweethearts. The guy who gave me a ride to school every morning introduced me to his best friend so I would have a date for my junior formal. We had our first official date the next week. We went to see a movie and while I can remember most of the details of our dating life, I can't for the life of me come up with the name of that blasted movie. We continued to date through our senior year (he's five months older than me) and after we graduated. I moved to California with my parents three months after I graduated. We were fine for a little while, but young and on different sides of the country. Our relationship ended. We stayed in touch but it came to the point where he was trying to replace me and I was busy with school. Finally after a huge argument, we decided not to speak to one another.

Two years later, at the end of my sophomore year of college, I received a call and lo and behold, it was him. I was shocked. He was very blunt and told me straight up that he didn't want me to be the one that got away. Over the next three years, there were tears and laughter and frustration. About six months ago, we began to talk about marriage but I was convinced it wasn't what he wanted.

When I went home this past August, I spent four days with him. On the first day I was there, he handed a ring box and inside was the ring I had mentioned six months ago. After our conversation, he had gone out and bought the ring. However, I didn't actually get the question until the next day. Needless to say, I'm kind of hoping for a redo. ;)

His family is thrilled, mine, not so much. Mom is convinced I need someone to take care of me and she's certain he's not the one. We go round and round about this every day. I'm the baby, the only girl, and my dad has told me that she's be feeling this way no matter who the man is. This does not alleviate any of my stress.

Wow that was long and boring. Wedding stuff isn't much better. We debated about the date of the wedding for awhile. I wanted a date during the week because in our area we found that it was SOOOOOOOO much cheaper to have a wedding during the week. FH was convinced none of his family would come (to which I said then they don't have to, which didn't go over well). After looking at the size of our guest list, I conceded that we could do a weekend wedding. I found the cutest little log cabin chapel and campgrounds for the wedding and reception. FH offered to look at it before I suggested it. We decided it would work, so I've been waiting for him to go and put the deposit down. He works crazy hours, sometimes 20 hour days, so I didn't want to push. Well he just plain forgot last weekend and when he called me today, he mentioned that his mom wants to pay for it and that she'll be calling me later today because she had some questions. Oh boy. Oh boy.

Well that's it for now. I feel much better now that I've gotten something out.

[PGDesigns]

Congrats on starting a journal! They really do help with the planning! My friends are so spread out, and I don't want to bore them with wedding details either. The ladies here never get tired of details, so share away! :D

[caligal85]

So much has happened in the last twenty-four hours! Well maybe not a lot, but it felt that way to me. Our save the date cards arrived! I love them. I can't stop reading the part the says we're getting married! It makes my heart all bubbly every time I read it. I've already addressed all of mine and will be mailing the rest for him to take care of.

I talked with FMIL and it wasn't bad at all. In fact, she wanted to ask if she could take care of the deposit for the chapel and wanted to tell me FH's grandmother, who is one of my biggest supporters, would like to pay for our flowers. I was floored and did a lot of stammering. I had already decided that flowers were way too expensive and was going to go the wooden flower route. I never dreamed I'd have real flowers at my wedding. When I told FH, he was stunned too. It was cute.

After all that, FH texts me at 6 something this morning (dratted three hour time difference) to tell me the deposit has been paid and the chapel is booked! We're getting married!!!!! Sorry just had to throw that out there. He calls me twice at 8:30 but I spent the night at a friend's house and there's no reception at her place, so I called him back when I got home and FH was very cute on the phone, all attentive (I think he was proud of himself for procurring the chapel-more power to him). His mom's best friend emailed me pictures of the chapel, so when I have a chance I'll have to put them up.

I'm so glad that the chapel is booked and out of the way. Today I'm going to start looking at plane tickets for my girls and for FH's Christmas visit. This is turning out to be an excellent day. :)

[PGDesigns]

Wow! You're right; it's definitely a great day for you guys! Congrats on getting the chapel knocked out and how cool about the flowers! I can't wait to see pics!

[Qtpie]

Yay, congratulations on booking your chapel. Thats such an exciting time.

[caligal85]

I'm so excited about booking the chapel. FMIL's best friend took pictures and sent them to me. I posted a thread about it. Seeing it makes me soooooooo homesick.

http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?p=328917#post328917

[Kay]

Hi! Just wanted to say Hello... I also got on here so I would hopefuly not bore my sister and friends to death with wedding stuff!

So, you are in California ...and he is... where??

Are you in school so that is why you can't be together now? That sorta sucks, huh??

Where are you going to live once you are married??

O! I'm full of questions tonight! ha

Your chapel is totally cute, btw!

[caligal85]

I'm in California, he's in Michigan. Three hour time difference and three thousand miles. :)

I moved out here with my parents after I graduated high school, took a year off went to school, and I just graduated in April. I'm not financially able to move back to Michigan yet. The move date is July 15th, one month before our wedding.

Once we're married, we'll live in Michigan. He's looking for a better job right now. The one he has currently is good, it just doesn't have very good benefits. Hopefully, I'll be able to find something before I get there.

I don't mind questions! That's how people get to know each other. I'm usually the first person at a party to ask questions to get conversations rolling.

[caligal85]

So last night I had the dreaded conversation with my dad about FH and my financial situation. It turned into my mom yelling at me on the phone. I don't think it ever escalated to her screaming but I was crying pretty hard and couldn't really tell. She pretty much told me that I was a disappointment and completely irresponsible and demanded I move home. Aw the joys of being the baby girl.

I called FH afterward just crying, barely able to talk and he was so wonderful. It wasn't a matter of him saying the right thing but a matter of him finally just listening and not trying to offer a solution. Just listening. He's extremely upset with my mother and said that if she's looking for a fight, that she could deal with him.

I truly understand why my mother was angry and frustrated with me. It's never easy to see a loved one mess up. But she kept saying statements like, "well this is because you never listen to me" and "well what am I supposed to do?" She kept making it about herself, when all I needed her to say was, "Wow honey, I'm sorry that you've made some bad choices. I still love you, though." That's it. I told her I knew they couldn't help me but I at least expected some sort of grace, which is one thing I didn't learn from my house. Definitely learned about grace in college from others.

Anywho, my dad just texted me a little while ago to say that he knew exactly how to help and had already begun to. I apologized for what happened with mom (I was at work so I couldn't call him) and he said, Don't worry. You're mom always goes off. I love you. My dad may be an emotionally distant father but he's grasped the concept of fatherhood completely.

I'm feeling much more relieved and will possibly enjoy my day now. I've been second job hunting like a mad woman. I'm picking up a job application at Victoria's Secret today. Hopefully something works out soon.

Sorry this was kind of non-wedding related but it was affecting me and I just kind of needed to get it off my chest.

[FutureKelley]

Wow, beautiful chapel!!

I'm sorry your mom went off on you. I've gotten myself into some financial mess (or, FH rather, but since we share our income and bank account, if effects me just as much). My grandma, who is normally very supportive suggested that we take the money for the wedding and instead pay off debt. Yeah, it would probably be smart, but it hurt really bad and made me feel like she didn't want me to have a wedding. Of course, instead of doing that, we decided to sell off some luxury items to help pay off the debt FH has built up. We still have a way to go until we can dig ourselves out of this mess, but what else can ya do?

Keep your chin up! Things always work out in the end (and from the sound of it, it's looking up!). :)

[Kay]

There are an average of 10,000 home foreclosures A DAY in the U.S. right now. I know very few people that are independently rich. We've all been there, done that. It seems like the mothers are always stricter with the money....

..and I feel for you... I'm job hunting, too... desperately so! :sob:

Extra money to put toward wedding things now and then is nice but a REAL job with a salary is what is REQUIRED before I can start planning ANYTHING. So, I get ya.. I soooo get ya!

[caligal85]

Ah yes furious job hunting is being done. It's great. I hate job hunting. It's such a pain to sell myself. I wish it could be based solely on references. I have great references.

Anywho, enough about that. It's getting old and we're getting it taken care of.

Haven't gotten much wedding planning done lately because FH is back to working obscene hours. Yesterday he didn't get off until late and then he went to a friend's birthday celebration and I was over at my friend's house watching UFC with her husband. I don't get reception there so when he did call we couldn't really talk, plus it was already midnight his time. Needless to say we have quite a few days like this. I try to communicate with him through email but he doesn't always have time to check that either. Hopefully, today he will.

I did do a weather check, though. We've been kicking around the idea of an outside reception right next to our chapel. We would get a big tent and everything but I'm still nervous about the weather. Michigan is known for great summer storms. So I went to weather.com and they have a whole weather wedding planning section. I was able to look at the weather the past three years and it has been in the 70s and 80s all three years, mostly sunny, some clouds. I thought that was really promising and made me super excited.

Now I just need to mail the rest of the STD's to FH so he can address them and get them out.

[caligal85]

So I'm preparing for my trip home for the weekend. It's my mom's birthday, so I feel badly not going home, even though I know I'm in for it. My dad actually sent me two really sweet text messages this morning, telling me that he loves me and is proud of me and knows how hard it was to ask for help. He's going to pay everything off for me and then I just owe him. Every ounce of my being sighed a collective sigh of relief.

As for wedding stuff, FH suggested an alternate place for the reception last night, which I was pleased with. Apparently there's a fire hall right down the road from the campgrounds were the chapel is that is a nice place. In the surrounding area of my small town, that's what people do, rent the fire hall. The price to rent the building would be the same to rent a tent, so I think we're going to go ahead and do it. I have a few questions about it that I need answered but we didn't really have time to go over them. I have an hour and a half drive to my parents' house today, so hopefully we'll be able to discuss some of the logistics then. I can't believe how fast time is going. It's almost October! Two more months and FH will be here to visit. Then it will be seven months till I move, and then a month till our wedding. Wow. Wow.

[caligal85]

Finally things are getting done! FH and I had a rather lengthy talk about how overwhelmed I was feeling by things not getting done. On my lunch break yesterday I sent him an email with the things that I needed help with, which included securing the reception site, information about the reception site, confirming the caterer and the dj, honeymoon plans, and getting the addresses for the guest list. Ask and ye shall receive.

He was actually really great about things. I've been kind of frustrated with his attitude lately. He works super long days (sometimes 20 hour days) and he works hard. He had other stuff going on and I finally told him, look I'm tired of walking on egg shells with you. You don't like it when I get all cranky, well the same goes for you. FH apologized and we went on with our merry conversation.

FH is going this weekend to check out the fire hall and get all the pertinent information about it. He was a little resistent when I said we needed to get something in writing with the DJ because the DJ is a friend of his and I can understand that kind of talk can be awkward but I'm not about to take that risk. The one apprehension I have right now, is that he gave the caterer free reign within the budget we have. She's going to come up with the menu, which is fine, FH loves her cooking. I'm just going to have to keep on top of this to make sure that it will actually be stuff that I will eat. I'm not super picky, which is why I'm not too freaked out, it's just that it's a big part of the reception and I want it to go well.

The big thing right now is FH is looking for plane tickets for his visit at the end of December which I cannot wait for. He'll finally get to meet all my friends and I get to take him to all the places I love. I'm hoping the weather won't be too nasty and we can make a trip to Ashland, Oregon, where they have a wonderful Shakespeare Festival. It's one of the cutest little towns ever and who knows when I'll be able to go again once I move back to Michigan.

[PGDesigns]

Your dad sounds like a really great guy!

And congrats on working with FH to get wedding things done long-distance. I'm having a hard time, and my wedding is only 2 hours away, so I can't imagine how overwhelming it must feel sometimes! It sounds like you two are definitely on the right track and have a lot of things in the works!

[caligal85]

Your dad sounds like a really great guy!

My papi is a wonderful man. He's really enjoying playing my protector. It's not something that I've let him do much in my life and I kind of wish I had let him more. He grew up in a super strict gender role Latino household, though, and the married my mother who is an extremely liberal German. The blend of the two cultures didn't always work.

You are so lucky to only be two hours away! I envy you more than you know. The other night, I seriously laid awake for hours thinking about things that I have no idea how they're going to work. This is definitely a growing experience for me.

[caligal85]

So FH put up put up some pics of us on his Facebook and I stole them to put up here. They're both from last summer. The first one is of us at Cedar Point, the world's best amusement park. The second one is of us on his Harley, his other baby. :)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/us.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/usandharley.jpg

[caligal85]

So FH was super sweet on the phone last night. Very loving and cute. Which further proves my theory that men PMS, because just last week he was crabby and obnoxious. And nothing has changed! He's still working ridiculous hours at his job; in fact, last night I get a call at 11 o'clock from him. He was driving home after being called out to take care of a house. That's 1 o'clock his time! And he wasn't grumpy at all. He even texted me this morning to tell me he loves me. I'm telling you men PMS.

In wedding related news, I went last night and picked out the stuff to do our invitations. They are going to be ivory with pearl accents. The ink will be a dark gray but I'm still trying to figure out a way to incorporate our other colors, navy blue and emerald green, into them. Any suggestions?

In non-wedding related news but kinda sorta still wedding related, I hit the gym today for the first time in months. That was brutal. I may have to start another journal just to encompass all my ranting against the gym. I'm glad I went but my abs will be sore tomorrow.

Back to the wedding related. I'm still trying to decide on centerpieces. I know I don't want to do flowers, at least real ones because I think that's a waste of flowers. I know I want to do candles (I'm also thinking of candles as favors as well). There's one idea I like particularly well.

http://weddings.*******.com/ODB/themes/realweddings/detailview.aspx?id=6104&type=3&colors=Blue&pageIndex=14

I like the idea of colored water but with no flowers in the vases, just the water. Is that a good idea?

[Jacobs_Girl]

So FH put up put up some pics of us on his Facebook and I stole them to put up here. They're both from last summer. The first one is of us at Cedar Point, the world's best amusement park. The second one is of us on his Harley, his other baby. :)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/us.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/usandharley.jpg

he's a hottie! LOL you guys are cute together. My husband is into motorcycles as well. Not really Harley's, he's into sport bikes! Thats actually how we met.

[caligal85]

Hehe thanks! I have the hardest time not smiling when I'm with him.

FH is obsessed with the harley. He's constantly planning how to upgrade. He also collects shirts from all the harley stores. Whenever any of his friends or family go on a trip, they bring him a new shirt. I think he told me he has like over 50. I don't even have 50 shirts period.

I'm slowly coming around. I love riding with him. He bought me my first helmet and riding glasses while I was their as an engagement present. It's white with pink flames and I love it! I was more exited to send pictures of to my friends than I was of my ring.

[caligal85]

FH got the rest of the Save the Dates in the mail today! I didn't think he'd get them until Saturday, so that was fast. I mailed him the rest because he wanted to take care of his side of the guest list. I told his mom that's what we were doing, so hopefully she'll help him out with that. He texted me to ask what kind of stamps I used. I was like, the kind that don't need licked. I think he wanted to know if I used fancy ones but I still have 39 cent stamps (they were my Christmas present two years ago), so I used those. I don't think he appreciated my humor.

[caligal85]

Well I finally got around to taking pictures of some of the things I purchased when I first got engaged. One of my best friends was in town, so she and I hit Michaels and I found these adorable letters.

http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=21221

And our save the date cards. Not really great pictures of them, but you can get the gist of them.

http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=21222

I also took some pictures of flowers that I liked while I was there, just to give me an idea of colors and what I liked.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/Pre-Wedding%20Pictures/CIMG0725.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/Pre-Wedding%20Pictures/CIMG0726.jpg

This last picture is just of me being cheesy and possibly a bit too excited to be getting married. I can't wait to register for these coasters!

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/Pre-Wedding%20Pictures/CIMG0727.jpg

Sorry I look ridiculous. I just got done kayaking with our crew.

[EarlyBird]

too cute.. i love evrything with my "new" last initial too

[Kay]

Absolutely luv that color of blue! Is that what you are going for??? Sooo pretty!

[bichonlvr]

Just caught up on everything...so far so good! Where are you in N Cal? Keep up your hard work!

[caligal85]

In all actuality, I have no clue what I'm going for in the flower department, so I thought those flowers were a good place to start. I like the look of them and the color is nice. Since FH's grandmother has offered to pay for the flowers, I'm trying to figure out what I want for the bouquets, since those are the only the flowers I really want to have.

Just caught up on everything...so far so good! Where are you in N Cal? Keep up your hard work!

I'm up above Sacramento. And thanks! It will get easier once FH books the reception space. That's my big worry right now.

[bichonlvr]

I am in sac tooo...there are a few of us!!! NICE! What BBB is that???

[caligal85]

I'm actually up above Sac, in Redding. I couldn't survive in Sacramento, I'm too much of a Midwestern girl.

[Docsgirl]

Just read through your journal. Looooove your little chapel. :grinhappy:

[caligal85]

Just read through your journal. Looooove your little chapel. :grinhappy:

Aw thank you! Right now, FH and I are in the great photographer search. I have emailed roughly fifteen photographers. So far, only two fit within our budget. I'm still waiting to hear from three. We decided that we only want our ceremony and our formal pictures taken by a professional. His mom's best friend has a great eye and amazing camera and will take the beforehand pictures and the key reception ones. I've been thinking about providing disposable cameras for people to take pictures with during the reception. I understand that having those memories is important, but I wasn't raised in a famly that really gave a hoot about pictures so I'm having a hard time giving a hoot. I don't really like to be photographed and my family will probably look at them once, so I'm beginning to feel like were doing them just for his family. That's reason enough, I suppose, it's just so diffifult to wrap my head around.

Anywho, Friday I'm driving down to Sacramento to stay with one of my MOH's and then, Saturday, we're hitting David's Bridal and then doing wedding shopping. And then, MY OTHER MOH is joining us for dinner!! It will be the first time the all three of us have been together since, well graduation, which was in April. I can't wait to spend time with them. Hopefully, after this weekend I won't feel like I haven't gotten anything done.

[Jacobs_Girl]

good luck this weekend! Remember to take a camera with you and take lots of pic sin your dress so we can see and help you decide too :D

[PGDesigns]

We are only using a pro for formals and the ceremony, too. That's all we could afford, and we have two amazing friends who have both the eye and the gear for photography. They have both volunteered to shoot the getting ready and the reception pics.

[caligal85]

I definitely have my camera! My friend's husband told me not to forget my camera last night. It was kind of funny. My purse has a pocket for it luckily, although most of the time I forget it's there. But my MOH is really great at remembering to take pictures. I'm so excited to see my friends and have some girly time.

I'm also spending part of the weekend with my mom. My dad is in the Philippines, so he's not there to mediate, but things should go well. I think my mother was caught somewhere between thinking she'd failed me as a mother and being angry with my stupidity. She refuses to talk to me about FH but that's not something I'm willing to budge on, so too bad.

Anywho, I can't wait to come back and tell you guys all about the adventure!

[caligal85]

We are only using a pro for formals and the ceremony, too. That's all we could afford, and we have two amazing friends who have both the eye and the gear for photography. They have both volunteered to shoot the getting ready and the reception pics.

Were you able to find photographers who were willing to work with you on this? There have been a few who haven't been able to, but there are quite a few who've turned out quite reasonably. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of falling in love with one who is on the higher end/possibly out of our budget. She's really great and I noticed that she did a friend of mine's pictures and when I talked to my friend, she had nothing but great stuff to say. So now I'm stuck. FH will probably veto her but I can hope. *fingers crossed*

[caligal85]

So am back from the weekend. It was rather disheartening and other than seeing two of my best friends, I'm not really sure I enjoyed it. Oh well. Every day can't be sunshine and roses.

[PGDesigns]

Were you able to find photographers who were willing to work with you on this? There have been a few who haven't been able to, but there are quite a few who've turned out quite reasonably. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of falling in love with one who is on the higher end/possibly out of our budget. She's really great and I noticed that she did a friend of mine's pictures and when I talked to my friend, she had nothing but great stuff to say. So now I'm stuck. FH will probably veto her but I can hope. *fingers crossed*

I found out photographer on craigslist. In the ad, I was very upfront about what I wanted and expected of a potential photographer. She had no problems with my friends shooting any part of our day as long as they understand they are 2nd and 3rd shooter to her during the time she is there.

[PGDesigns]

So am back from the weekend. It was rather disheartening and other than seeing two of my best friends, I'm not really sure I enjoyed it. Oh well. Every day can't be sunshine and roses.

Sorry your weekend was disappointing!

[Kay]

Sorry to hear about your bad weekend. Any pics?? :bbredface:

[caligal85]

I do have pics. I haven't actually been home yet but I'll put them up when I have time to edit them. Maybe I'll like them more after I edit them. *sigh*

[caligal85]

Well I haven't put any pictures on my computer but I thought I'd share a little about my weekend and our plans so far.

It started out fine, except for the getting insanely lost part. I'd never driven done to my MOH's before so it was familiar but not really. I added an unnecessary forty minutes to my trip. That was a little stressful but then my MOH and I went to dinner at this great little Italian place and I officially asked her to be my other MOH. Afterward, we met up with another good friend and her soon to be fiance. That's right, my friend got engaged and it just so happened that it was on the weekend that I was visiting which I thought was kind of cool.

The next morning I was in pretty high spirits. I was really excited to start trying on dresses. I felt like, finally it feels like this is actually going to happen. We only went to David's Bridal, which I'm really glad we did, because after one store, I was drained. Everyone told me to be open minded and try on everything because you never know what you're going to fall in love with. For other people this might have been good advice; not so much for me. I knew exactly what I wanted and could have saved myself some heartache if I had stuck with it.

Also, I know I'm kind of a big girl. I'm 5'3, 150 pounds. My mom calls me her 'little linebacker' because I'm pretty built. I have big shoulders, a little waist (exactly two sizes smaller than my hips) and the hips and a butt. I work out and lift weights so I'm solid. I've always liked being muscular and curvy; that is until I started trying on wedding dresses. It was a little disheartening. My MOH was great, though; she kept the tone light and took pictures and was just a doll. At the end, I finally did try on two dresses that I really did like but I was wiped out. The girl kept bringing these dresses and I was like, weren't you listening when I said I didn't like this and this? She kept bringing dresses that were copies of the last dress. I just wanted a simple, ivory tealength dress with sleeves or a halter. Apparently it does not exist.

After this, we did a little bridesmaid dress shopping. We found one that I really like. It's grey and just so simple. It was fine until we had kind of this awkward moment. We were trying to coordinate with my other MOH for dinner, so I was reading my friend's texts on her phone. Well one of the texts read something to the affect of, I wonder how Sara will feel since we didn't do anything special for her engagement. Backstory: My friend's boyfriend organized this shindig as a surprise for her after he proposed. It was all her closest friends and family, which I thought was great because I think that's the one thing I regret, not being able to have my friends close by to celebrate with. In fact other than dinner with FH and one of his best friends, we never really did anything.

Fast forward: at first the text didn't bother me. In fact I joked with my MOH that I probably wasn't supposed to read that. But as the night went on, and the more I thought about it, I was sad. I knew when FH and I first got engaged, my friends weren't thrilled but I know they've come around. I began to miss him and then when we got to the party, I was completely overwhelmed. There were way more people than we were anticipating and I only knew two of them, my MOH's. On top of that, a third friend, who I'd lived with for two years was there. I can barely tolerate this girl and she was there acting like one of my BFF's. She's not invited to the wedding, which is an entirely different aggravation, and did I mention this was a dry party? I would've given my first born for a shot of tequila. FH ended up calling and rescuing me. I felt badly because it really was such a wonderful occasion but after the day I had, I just wanted to be curled up under the blankets with a cup of hot chocolate.

The rest of the weekend was fine. I spent Sunday and Monday chillaxing with my mom, just the two of us. We had fun and are going to spend this coming weekend together again since my dad is still in the Philippines.

On top of all that, we had reception hall drama. When FH went to go check it out, it ended up being $650 for just the hall for out of town residents. His mom was going to talk to her friend to see if we could put it in her friend's name, which would take the place to $450 with tables and chairs. I said that's fine but is this place really worth all the hassle? He said it was so I told him to keep me updated and let me know what he found out.

Well I texted him today while I was at work and asked him if he was able to find out anything. He said yes and oh yeah his mom put the deposit down. What?? What happened to letting me know what was going on?? I was and am extremely grateful, I was just kind of thrown for a loop because a decision was made without me knowing. I really do appreciate his mom's generosity, I just don't want to push it too far. Is this making any sense?

Anywho, all this to say, it was a very long weekend. I was hoping to go from overwhelmed to on course. Instead, I feel like I went from overwhelmed to baffled. Grrr.

[Kay]

*Hugs* for you having to go through that. Kudos to you for keeping your cool. I don't think that text would have made me happy, either. All this "drama" and who-makes-what-decision and who-pays-for-what is the only reason I don't want to have a wedding.... but HE really does... so, I'm going to pay for everything myself and make all my own decisions, with OW help, of course. That way, maybe minimum drama.

Anyway, this is about you... and I'm glad you spent time with your mom and you realized you have your FH there for you when you need him. :hug:

[caligal85]

FH really has pulled through and I'm extremely blessed. The joke in my family is that I'm going to need someone to take care of me. He takes that very seriously. :)

[caligal85]

So I wanted to show you girls kind of the idea of what I'm looking for. I'm not thrilled that it's strapless but it's close to what I want.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/Pre-Wedding%20Pictures/CIMG0772.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff232/pidge85_2007/Pre-Wedding%20Pictures/CIMG0773.jpg

I'd really like something with little sleeves or a halter. If you'd like to see the other pictures, they are here. (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=21526)

[RosieAngel]

Sorry about your weekend. :(

Since I'm sick right now and have little else to do, I decided to do a search for short ivory wedding dress with sleeve ideas!

Nordstom:

I LOVE THIS DRESS. I wish I could have a do-over so I could wear something like this.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2962569/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=3

This one has a more 1950's appeal, and I think it'll look better on someone with boobs than the model.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2962653/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=4

Love the texture!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2971652/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=3

I think this one would flatter your shoulders.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2960592/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=2

This dress is both sassy and romantic!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2999490/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=1

Hee, this is fun! I hope you like some of them!

[caligal85]

Sorry about your weekend. :(

Since I'm sick right now and have little else to do, I decided to do a search for short ivory wedding dress with sleeve ideas!

Nordstom:

I LOVE THIS DRESS. I wish I could have a do-over so I could wear something like this.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2962569/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=3 (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2962569/0%7E2376776%7E2374327%7E2374331%7E6014155?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=3)

This one has a more 1950's appeal, and I think it'll look better on someone with boobs than the model.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2962653/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=4 (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2962653/0%7E2376776%7E2374327%7E2374331%7E6014155?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=4)

Love the texture!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2971652/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=3 (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2971652/0%7E2376776%7E2374327%7E2374331%7E6014155?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=3)

I think this one would flatter your shoulders.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2960592/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=2 (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2960592/0%7E2376776%7E2374327%7E2374331%7E6014155?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=2)

This dress is both sassy and romantic!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2999490/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=1 (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2999490/0%7E2376776%7E2374327%7E2374331%7E6014155?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014155&P=1)

Hee, this is fun! I hope you like some of them!

OHMIGOSH! The second and fourth ones are perfect. Thanks so much for taking the time to look at those. I'll definitely add those two to my list. You're a peach!

[EarlyBird]

okay sara.. im going to be honest.. i think the LONGER strapless dress makes you look less square (something that as you say broad shoulders can do) I think the long dress makes you look more at your whole body instead of just the part thats covered. of course this is just my opinion but i like the longer dresses on you..

[EarlyBird]

but.. here ya go
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?sfc=164&sp=sales&pid=2436

[caligal85]

okay sara.. im going to be honest.. i think the LONGER strapless dress makes you look less square (something that as you say broad shoulders can do) I think the long dress makes you look more at your whole body instead of just the part thats covered. of course this is just my opinion but i like the longer dresses on you..

The look of the longer dress is growing on me, even the cupcake dress. :) The only thing with the long dresses, is that they just feel too formal. And I love the dress that you posted. I had actually looked at that and inquired but they didn't have it at the store I was at. They actually didn't have anything but strapless tea length and when I asked about ivory bridesmaids dresses, she refused to look, saying they wouldn't be right. That kind of ticked me off but it was getting toward the end of my appointment, so maybe that's why she said it.

[EarlyBird]

the one i posted was in the clearence section so i would assume you will have to call around.

I looooove the cupcake dress on you by the way.. iknow your not too into it but its gorgeous, flatters your figure..

i might have missed this, but what is the feeling/formality/outside/inside of the wedding ??

[EarlyBird]

also, if your dead set on a short dress, try BRIDESMAIDS dresses. they come in ivory, alot of them have some embroidery detailing.
Also, if you LOVE the strapless dress why not get STRAPS ADDED. any decent seamstress can do it... work with what you have and what you love.. the straps are a moot point b/c you can
a. have them added
b. wear a jacket if you would like
c. buy cap sleeves that you like (there are tons out there on the internet)

[caligal85]

I've been looking at bridesmaids dresses. I think some of them are perfect. When I asked the girl at David's Bridal if I could try some on, she was like, that's not a good idea. I'm pretty sure I rolled my eyes at her.

I'm actually hoping to find a halter before I settle for adding straps to a strapless. As far as formality/theme/etc. goes, we're getting married in log cabin chapel that's quite small, and then the reception is at the local fire hall. Everything is pretty laid back and relaxed (men in slacks, ties, shirts no jackets, girls in tea length simple dresses). I feel like the shorter wedding dress on me will keep better with the feel of the wedding, especially in the ivory. Those white wedding dresses are just so glaringly white! They weren't something I felt comfortable in. I should see if I have a picture on a disc of my senior prom dress. It was perfect, just in red. If I could find it in ivory, even white, I'd be set.

[EarlyBird]

I AGREE with white dresses being too WHITE sometimes.. i hated myself in white, but the good news is most of them come in a champange color or many other colors.. so you would be pretty good with getting a different color if you needed to.
Just a little insight though. If you feel comfortable in it, longer lacey type dresses look wonderful in a laid back atmospher. or i guess the shorter lace would look nice too if you like short :)

Did you try the destination line at alfred angelo? they are gorgeous. i found alfred angelo to be MUCH nicer as far as staff :)

[Kay]

Those white wedding dresses are just so glaringly white! They weren't something I felt comfortable in.

LOL! I totally agree! It's perfect for some people but not me... I'm actually looking for an all-pink bridal dress. I have found some beautiful ones so far. It is YOUR day ~ do what YOU love. :grinhappy:

[caligal85]

I've decided to move on from the dress thing. Right now, our communication isn't great and FH and I had kind of a tiff. Apparently, when we first talked about the night of our wedding and I told him we'd be apart, that came across as just an idea. So when I mentioned it again last night, he was like, why would you do that? FH and I aren't living together before the wedding, although, we might spend a few nights in our apartment together. I'm not really comfortable with the idea of us spending the night before our wedding together, a) because I feel like it takes away the element of surprise and b) I'd like to spare my family's feelings. I was just really taken back that he was opposed to me staying with my MOHs.

He doesn't think his GMs will want to stay in town (they live forty five minutes and an hour and twenty minutes away) and he doesn't necessarily want to go stay with them. He could stay at his mom's but he's not really keen on that idea. I suggested he get a room with the boys but that's not really in our budget. We need to make these kind of decisions now because of the whole race factor, so rooms are starting to get booked. I'm beginning to feel like nobody listens when I talk.

[EarlyBird]

well do you live with your parents now? if not, is your place in town or out of town? Can he stay in your place and you stay with bm or do you have a cousin or something he is close to that he could stay there???
will any of his family be in town where he could possibly stay in a hotel with them.. fh is staying at his brothers the night before the wedidng. we will not be in our house the night before the wedding.. apparently the plan is that family is staying in my house,im staying with my parents and i wont come home to a messy house, mom promised she is getting it cleaned

[caligal85]

I don't live with my parents but my parents and I live three thousand miles away from where the wedding is taking place. They will most likely stay with my brother or some family friends. None of my family or friends are in the area. I'm hoping he'll just stay with one of the boys. I'm guessing his mom's house will be full with relatives, as will his grandparents house. I want him to start thinking about that now, rather than the week of when other people are already expecting to stay with his family.

Also, the other hard part right now is that we don't have a place yet to live. He's living with his mom to save money so it's hard to plan who's going to stay in a hypothetical place. I need him to get started on that too. Way too many details.

[EarlyBird]

man that stinks. would his parents be willing to help him out with the price of the hotel?

sucks

[Kay]

My humble opinion...

*Breathe. You have until AUGUST 2009.
*Having said that, I'm sooo like you ~ I'd want plans "now"
*I agree, it is important that you spend the night before your wedding apart. I can't imagine doing it any other way. And, if it is important to YOU, then you need to stick to that ~ or you will regret it.
*Have him talk to friends or just tell him he HAS TO find a friend that will let him stay with him (he'll ask a guy friend the week before the wedding, if he is a "typical" guy) and that you are staying at "XXXXX" place. Just tell him. That may sound mean, but let him know this is important to you and he'll respect it.

Now, if I may be nosey ~ what is the "race" issue you are talking about? I'm sooo confused. If there is a race difference between you & him or your families, well, you are going to be a NEW family and everyone attending your wedding ~ especially both of your close family members ~ need to set aside their issues and be happy for the two of you, period.

It sounds like your FH has been very accommodating and helping you when you need him... tell him this is important to you... he'll work it out & understand you need to spend that night apart. :D

[caligal85]

So after a weekend spent doing NOOOOOOOO wedding planning, I'm feeling so much better.

To answer the race question, while we are a biracial couple, I'm actually referring to NASCAR. The Michigan Speedway is only about forty-five minutes to an hour away from my hometown where the wedding will be. Race weekends are a huge deal in my town and my wedding, ta da!, just happens to be on a race weekend. Hotels, restaurants, stores, everything will be PACKED. People have already started booking rooms for that weekend because of the race. I'm contending with grown men who are willingly hurtling themselves around and around at speeds most mothers would have a heart attack over. Life just isn't fair. :)

FH was amazing this weekend! On Friday, I sent him an email before I left work to visit my mom. I don't get reception at her house, so I asked him to do a few things. He went above and beyond. I asked him to look over the photographer information and tell me which one he liked and then to get me details about the reception venue. While he wasn't able to get reception hall details, he started working on a contract with the DJ, he called the photographer we liked and got her to send me references, and started thinking about apartments. My man rocks! When I told him so, he was like, well I was bored. I'm not sure when he had time to be bored! He visited both of his best men (one lives like an hour and a half away), hung out with one of his other buddies, and helped another friend build a wood burner. I think I may be marrying a male Martha Stewart.

Needless to say, I'm back to being thrilled to be planning a wedding because I'm marrying an amazing man who was dead serious when he said he wanted to take care of me. I almost don't want to disappoint him by not spending the night before our wedding together. Almost. ;)

[Kay]

HA!

And the male Martha Stewart??!! TOOO funny! :D

[caligal85]

Okay maybe not Martha Stewart but with his penchant for helping people and his handy man ability, I have my own personal Ty Pennington. :)

[caligal85]

So slowly but surely I'm making decisions. I decided on what our favors would be. I've decided on navy blue and emerald green votive candles that we'll wrap in tulle like this (http://www.yankeecandle.com/cgi-bin/ycbvp/freestyle.jsp?category=%2fRetail%2fPersonalized+Ca ndles). We won't do labels since the votives will most likely be unwrapped but we'll put little tags on them. I also want to make bubbles available but haven't found the ones I like yet. Now I just need to order the candles.

[caligal85]

Today is the day! I swear I'm going to call the photographer's references. It's hard to pick a time, though, because of the three hour time difference. I don't want to call during the day because people are at work, but I'm worried about calling in the evening and interrupting people's dinners. Aggggghhhhhhh!

[amisteratwisterandme]

I'm so excited about booking the chapel. FMIL's best friend took pictures and sent them to me. I posted a thread about it. Seeing it makes me soooooooo homesick.

http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?p=328917#post328917

I just looked at your chapel. Is it near Gaylord? I have a friend who just got back from a wedding there and the inside (if it's the same chapel) is absolutely stunning. At the back of the chapel is a cross in glass, and you look out and see all the beautiful trees.

[caligal85]

I just looked at your chapel. Is it near Gaylord?

I don't think it's near Gaylord (I'm so bad with geography) but the chapel you described sounds amazing.

[amisteratwisterandme]

I don't think it's near Gaylord (I'm so bad with geography) but the chapel you described sounds amazing.

The outside looks identical to the one you posted earlier. My coworker has a brochure on it at home that she is going to try and get the name off of it. She thinks it is by Gaylord but not positive.

Anyway, I envy you that chapel. It is gourgeous

[caligal85]

Okay I checked a map and it's not near Gaylord. I'd be curious to see what the other chapel looks like, to compare.

[amisteratwisterandme]

I will try to get her to send me a picture of it.

[caligal85]

I will try to get her to send me a picture of it. Awesome. Am looking forward to seeing it.

Right now I'm trying to take care of some details, so I've got my eye on a card box and place card holders on ebay. I'll let you know what I come up with. :winktongue:

[caligal85]

Today's shopping trip was not quite as successful as I would have liked. I did, however, make one really great purchase: I bought our toasting glasses! We both liked the beer glass idea. Now I have to decide if I want to get them etched or not. If we get them etched, they'll say Mr. & Mrs. but I'm thinking that I'll find little Harley charms and tie them with ribbons in our wedding colors, that way we can untie the ribbons and put them in the dishwasher.

Also, today was another realization of what a wonderful family I'm marrying into. About a week ago, FH's mom's best friend told me that his great aunt wanted to throw us a shower when I come to town. I completely floored by this and extremely thankful. Well today I checked out wedding web site because I got an email saying we had someone sign our guest book. It was FH's great aunt and she wrote how happy she is that we're getting married and that she can't wait to get to know me better. It was just so sweet and nice to know that there are people who are happy about this marriage. I can't wait to be a part of his family!

[NOTKT]

Aww, that's awesome! You are doing a great job with everything!

[caligal85]

Aww, that's awesome! You are doing a great job with everything!

Thank you! I'm trying, slowly but surely. :D Right now I'm bidding on a card box that I just fell in love with. It has 22 minutes left on it, so here's hoping I get it! *fingers crossed*

[NOTKT]

Looks like it ended, hope it was you!

[caligal85]

It did and it was! I'm so excited!

[caligal85]

Um I may be slightly addicted to eBay. But I swear it's helping me get stuff done. I promise. ;) I've made a firm decision on favors (votive candles in organza bags that are our wedding colors) and centerpieces (lanterns with tealights in them).

Still haven't made a decision about invitations (whether we'll print them ourselves or have them printed), my dress, or just about anything else.

On non-wedding related news, FH COMES TO VISIT IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS!!! I can't tell you how excited I am. We desperately need time together and I'm so ready to start registering for stuff. ;) The only down thing right now is that it looks like one of my MOHs won't get to meet him. She'll be spending the holidays with her parents eight hours away. If she doesn't get to meet him then, the next chance she'll have is two days before the wedding.

[PGDesigns]

What kind of lanterns are you using? (Sorry if I missed them somewhere.)

I ordered my lanterns for about $3 or $4 each through JamaliGarden.com. I got 20 for less than $100 including shipping. I imagine I'll be able to resell them after the wedding, too.

[caligal85]

I haven't really decided what kind of lanterns. Probably what ever is cheapest and still looks super cute. I want to put tea lights in them and them sprinkle rose petals around them.

[PGDesigns]

These are the ones we are using.
http://www.jamaligarden.com/pID_19583.asp

[caligal85]

Oh I looked at those! They're so cute. When I get home I'll have post the ones that I'm thinking about.

[Kay]

I think lanterns are an awesome idea. :D

[caligal85]

Here are the lanterns I'm thinking about. I also sent them to my MOHs to get their input since they're feeling useless. Sorry the first one is so big.

http://www.candrelite.com/products/img/SMLANTERN8/SMLANTERN8_800.jpg

http://www.joissu.com/images/22-531.JPG

http://whitebarngifts.com/images/37440.jpg

[caligal85]

FH got our card box in the mail today! I'm so miffed he gets to see it before me. I'm trying to coerce him into taking a picture for me.

[gwenshack]

Cool! Just found, and am happy to start reading, your journal. I'm so bad about checking to see if there are journals - that's like the one part of this site I always seem to forget about. There are so many categories in this forum!

I can't bring myself to keep one of these things, but I always love reading everyone else's planning stuff! :)

[caligal85]

Went dress shopping again today and...I found two dresses I love! How's that for a turn around?? ;)

[Kay]

Awesome news about the dresses.

I like the first and the third lanterns the best.

[EarlyBird]

hmm, you found two dresses and you took NO PICTURES?!?!?!?!?1 you know the rules... no dress shopping without pics..


ohhhh i love the white latern. think it would look so nice with a color pillar candle and black river rocks around it... so contrasting, soooo beautiful....

[caligal85]

hmm, you found two dresses and you took NO PICTURES?!?!?!?!?1 you know the rules... no dress shopping without pics..

Lol! I did take pictures I just haven't put them on my computer. I also did more shopping on ebay. I got our pie serving set and our pie topper.

http://biggerbids.com/members/images/9259/thumb/472796_ab806.jpg

http://i5.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/17/4b/d990_1.JPG

[gwenshack]

I love the duckies! :)

[caligal85]

I love the duckies! :)

ME TOO! I sent a text to him, just joking around about it and he was like that's kind of funny. I also mentioned we could still put a little harley behind them and he liked that idea. I was kind of surprised. I thought it was going to be harley topper or nothing. Although, he was surprisingly okay when I suggest the zebra print bathroom. A little cranky that I was already thinking about what I wanted our bathroom to look like, but still okay with the plan. I'm not sure he quite understands "nesting instincts."

[caligal85]

Okay so we are now the proud owners of a super cute guest book. Man, I made it sound like we bought our first pet. Anywho, I also got our programs off ebay. I'll put up pictures later.

[caligal85]

Okay, the pictures of dress trip number two are posted here (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=22009). Please excuse my hair. There was much rain involved.

[EarlyBird]

i love both actually.. i really like the halter... if you really are insistent on shortening it you could add some lace or something to the bottom if you wanted :)
I saw someone do this to a dress they shortened it and loved it :)

[caligal85]

I think we're going with the halter. I think I might have to wait until my lunch break tomorrow to pick it up because they close at 5. Maybe I'll call and see if they can hold it.

[EarlyBird]

yayay!!! you will be a proud owner of a wedding dress soon!!!!

[Kay]

You look great in that dress! So excited for you!!!

Now, let's see pics of the new "baby" i.e. guest book! HA

[caligal85]

Now, let's see pics of the new "baby" i.e. guest book! HA

Can do. The pictures are here. (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=22004)

The inside looks like this.

http://i11.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/17/f0/a290_1.JPG

I love it!

[Kay]

Luv it! And I luv that link! I'll have to post my response on there ~ I'm an EBAY PRINCESS, too! :) You've had some great finds lately!

[caligal85]

So tonight, I came to the realization that FH and I have different wedding expectations. This was already known to some extent, but sometimes I need to be beaten over the head with various objects from wet noodles to anvils in order to drive a concept home.

Anywho, FH and I were talking and he mentioned the dj (who was gracious enough to waive the deposit but FH wants to pay him something in advance), the photographer and the caterer. The first two weren't such a big deal. The third is going to take some good old fashioned compromise. The caterer is the wife of one of FH's good friends. She asked us to come up with a menu and then she'll basically do the food at cost. Great. I love her already.

We wanted something super casual and we wanted to serve people a meal since we're asking people to spend time with us during dinner time. I had mentioned to FH that I'd really love to do BBQ. I love love love BBQ. Anything grilled and/or slathered with sauce makes my eyes roll back in my head. I told him this many, many, many times. I'm not going to mess around with food. I love food. Not going to take any chances.

Bunny trail. I had a rather lengthy conversation with FH about having rubber duckies on our pie as the topper. They're cute, they're dressed as a bride and a groom, and I wanted them. This conversation went on for awhile and FH agreed. He even said it was a fun idea. Fast forward to today when he asks me how many more packages he should be expecting. I listed them and when I got to the ducks, he said what ducks? I explained them to him and then I explained our conversation to him. His response? "Was I drunk when I agreed to this?" What? No! I know better than to have conversations with an inebriated person. "Oh. Was I just trying to make you happy?" Apparently. Apparently.

Anywho, FH brings up the menu thing and I told him that we could talk about it tomorrow (it was already 1 am him time). He said fine but wanted to tell me what he was thinking. He's thinking pot roast, cheesy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole. Not entirely different from my BBQ chicken, potato salad, and baked beans but enough for me to say, huh (more as a statement than as a question). Our budget is pretty limited, so we won't be able to do both. Actually, I'm all for him picking the menu. He had me at pot roast. Maybe I'll be able to do the BBQ for our rehearsal dinner. Either way, I'm having me some potato salad dang it!

We talked for a little while longer and after we hung up, I was like, wow. He's thought of a menu. He's thought in terms of a reception. The reception comes after the wedding. WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!

[EarlyBird]

So tonight, I came to the realization that FH and I have different wedding expectations. This was already known to some extent, but sometimes I need to be beaten over the head with various objects from wet noodles to anvils in order to drive a concept home.

Anywho, FH and I were talking and he mentioned the dj (who was gracious enough to waive the deposit but FH wants to pay him something in advance), the photographer and the caterer. The first two weren't such a big deal. The third is going to take some good old fashioned compromise. The caterer is the wife of one of FH's good friends. She asked us to come up with a menu and then she'll basically do the food at cost. Great. I love her already.

We wanted something super casual and we wanted to serve people a meal since we're asking people to spend time with us during dinner time. I had mentioned to FH that I'd really love to do BBQ. I love love love BBQ. Anything grilled and/or slathered with sauce makes my eyes roll back in my head. I told him this many, many, many times. I'm not going to mess around with food. I love food. Not going to take any chances.

Bunny trail. I had a rather lengthy conversation with FH about having rubber duckies on our pie as the topper. They're cute, they're dressed as a bride and a groom, and I wanted them. This conversation went on for awhile and FH agreed. He even said it was a fun idea. Fast forward to today when he asks me how many more packages he should be expecting. I listed them and when I got to the ducks, he said what ducks? I explained them to him and then I explained our conversation to him. His response? "Was I drunk when I agreed to this?" What? No! I know better than to have conversations with an inebriated person. "Oh. Was I just trying to make you happy?" Apparently. Apparently.

Anywho, FH brings up the menu thing and I told him that we could talk about it tomorrow (it was already 1 am him time). He said fine but wanted to tell me what he was thinking. He's thinking pot roast, cheesy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole. Not entirely different from my BBQ chicken, potato salad, and baked beans but enough for me to say, huh (more as a statement than as a question). Our budget is pretty limited, so we won't be able to do both. Actually, I'm all for him picking the menu. He had me at pot roast. Maybe I'll be able to do the BBQ for our rehearsal dinner. Either way, I'm having me some potato salad dang it!

We talked for a little while longer and after we hung up, I was like, wow. He's thought of a menu. He's thought in terms of a reception. The reception comes after the wedding. WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!

You know, FH and i have MANY different views on the wedding stuff. there have been so many "trial and error" runs with fh and me. some that cost me the money of getting some stuff. Sometimes i just have to say to myself "can i compromise this item or is it something im going to fight for?" i have really learned to pick my battles!

Also, as an idea, how big is your reheral dinner? If your not having 50 or so people it would be even better to do the bbq that night! You will get more potato salad and get to enjoy your dinner more (most people say brides dont eat so much the day of their wedding)

As far as the duckies, if your not dead set for them, maybe use them as your bridal shower topper for a cupcake or somehting :) or you can ask him how much he doesnt like it and see what kind of chance you have to get it on that pie :)

Thats a pretty cool feeling you got at the end there... i love those feelings. i find them just the most amazing thing whenever i get them :)

[caligal85]

I'm actually not sure how many people will be at the rehearsal dinner. I have not given it much thought. But if I don't get it for my reception, I'm darn sure having it then! ;)

And the duckies are going on the pie. We had a conversation about. I remember it. Stupid selective memory. :)

[caligal85]

I bought my dress! I bought my dress! I bought my dress!

[Kay]

We talked for a little while longer and after we hung up, I was like, wow. He's thought of a menu. He's thought in terms of a reception. The reception comes after the wedding. WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!

Soooooo sweet!! :) Congrats on the wedding dress purchase!

[caligal85]

The dress is hanging in my closet. It looks even better than I remember. As I was paying, one of the sales girls brought over a garter with a blue ribbon and they gave it to me for free, just for buying my dress there! Now I have my something blue and my tossing garter. Score!

[gwenshack]

Nice! Free is always good!

I really think you made the right decision on that dress - I think you look so nice with the halter. :)

Glad you're excited!

[caligal85]

Quick update because I'm exhausted. The duckies are a no go, my car was smooshed and I'm driving around in the batmobile, money issues suck, my parents are moving houses tomorrow, Passion Partys rock!, and I miss FH so much it hurts.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[amisteratwisterandme]

Quick update because I'm exhausted. The duckies are a no go, my car was smooshed and I'm driving around in the batmobile, money issues suck, my parents are moving houses tomorrow, Passion Partys rock!, and I miss FH so much it hurts.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Take a nap. Bye Bye Duckies. Poor car. Where's Robin? Money Issues do suck. Good luck on the move. Never been. You get to see him soon! YAY

[EarlyBird]

im sorry about missing fh.. luckily soon you will get to be with him forever ;) it will go faster then you think - hang in there!!!!

like i said, maye you can use the duckies somwhere else if you like them :)

::Hugs::

[caligal85]

Take a nap. Bye Bye Duckies. Poor car. Where's Robin? Money Issues do suck. Good luck on the move. Never been. You get to see him soon! YAY

This made me smile. This weekend was rough. I helped my parents move for twelve hours and my body is killing me. I have a job interview tomorrow. Mom bought me a new button down shirt to wear. I'm also kind of overwhelmed by how much I miss FH.

Neither of us has the resources to move across the country to be with the other one, but man if we did. I had to be completely honest tonight and say to myself that I would not do this again. I'd elope first. Being three thousand miles from each other is painful. I miss everything big and small, from holding his hand to arguing over what we're going to have for dinner. I'm dying to be his wife and know that when he gets on the plane after our visit in December, I'm going to be a mess. But listen to me! I'm planning life without him again and it's still a month and half till he visits. I'm still so excited to see him but now I'm plotting dragging him down to the courthouse and making him permanently mine. :icon_barbar:

[EarlyBird]

aww its probably a mix of PMS and having one of the most emotional weekends but your post made me cry. For some time i had very little contact with michael (long story but he wasnt in jail we can just say that) and i know that sometimes the pain is overwhelming, just try to keep busy. :hugs:

[caligal85]

aww its probably a mix of PMS and having one of the most emotional weekends but your post made me cry. For some time i had very little contact with michael (long story but he wasnt in jail we can just say that) and i know that sometimes the pain is overwhelming, just try to keep busy. :hugs:

No! No tears! *Hugs* I hate PMS, stupid hormones.

FH and I have a "date" to talk after work, because he's having a hard time understanding where I'm coming from. It's one of those things that's so hard to explain too. Hopefully, I'll come up with something when we talk.

[caligal85]

And I came up with nothing and frustrated FH further. Due to a mix of stress (over everything) and PMS (I'm so glad I'm on my last month of this birth control-I've never had worse mood swings!), I had FH's head spinning. And now I'm crying because I didn't get that job (more PMS and frustration) and have to go to another interview. I'm exhausted and sooooo don't want to have my period in three days. I'm also over everything wedding. I'm over people pushing for certain kinds of this or that, I'm over my family not being that enthused and it really doesn't help when FH puts his honest pants on and says, I don't really want a wedding. ARGH!!!!!!

[caligal85]

This little piggy has a job!!!!!!!! I start Monday. It's like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. But it means we have to decide whether I'll be moving there or if FH will be moving here. Decisions, decisions. I'm so thrilled, I can't sit still! My current office is having a good bye lunch on Friday and I'm going to miss these people so much. It kind of hurts my heart but I know they wish me all the best.

[gwenshack]

Yay! Glad you found a job. Super happy for you! One less thing to worry about...:)

[PGDesigns]

Congrats on the job!!! What a huge relief that must be for you right now!

[caligal85]

I feel so light I could float. It was such an answer to prayer, especially since I was discouraged yesterday. FH was like, well I'm moving to Cali.

[EarlyBird]

I hope that you guys can get over the obstacle of whos moving where without alot of challenge (its one of those oh-so sensitive subject i know!)

congrats on the job!!! it will help you pass the time between seeing fh now too :)

[caligal85]

congrats on the job!!! it will help you pass the time between seeing fh now too :)

I know! I'm kind of worried about how much time they'll make me work during Christmas, though. I can't take any time off for the first four months, so I'm hoping it will be light work because FH will be here.

Last night we looked at places on line through Craigslist (ah the beauty of MSN messenger), just to get an idea of what we will be looking at here. We also did the whole pros and cons thing and the list is dead even, so we pitched that. We'll just have to keep discussing it.

[kdj0029]

Congrats on the new job. I am sure you will work out who gets to move. It sounds like you are taking the best approach to the situation.

[caligal85]

So I realize I haven't posted anything wedding related in awhile. With the whole job search going on and dealing with the out of control hormones, the wedding was put on the back burner. The only wedding related thing I've done lately is (finally) contact photographers about engagement pictures when FH is here visiting. I'm waiting to hear back from a guy I went to college with who I hung out with frequently. Here's hoping that he'll be around and can work with me.

[caligal85]

I love a productive day. The only thing that tops a productive day is one that follows twelve hours of sleep. Yeah Saturdays.

So I've heard from both photographers, the one here for engagement pictures and the one there for the wedding pictures. The e-pic photographer is going to call me this weekend so we can talk. I have a feeling it's going to be difficult to find a time since FH is only here over Christmas and I may have to work because of the new job.

The wedding day photographer sent me a beginning contract and a checklist of pictures that we might want. She also asked us to send her images of pictures we like, so she can get an idea of what we like. She even suggested things we should bring to the chapel since she's taken pictures there before. So far, so good. She's been great to work with and is super reasonable which is such a blessing. It makes me so excited to talk about pictures of our big day. From today we have...

EXACTLY NINE MONTHS!! I can't believe it. In a little over one month, FH will be here, which has me so excited. In seven years, it will only be the second Christmas we've spent together. He's so excited to visit and keeps saying that he hopes he likes it enough to move out here. We're both looking forward to some cuddle time.

[Kay]

Congrats on your job!! I have TWO now (two in the same day) so I'm not on here as much as I used to be ~ but yes, they are blessings.

How did I miss the fact that your FH is MOVING to CALIFORNIA??!! WOW!! How/when was THAT decided??!! Awesome. Awesome. WHEN will he move?? SOON? BEFORE the wedding??

[MrsDM]

Everything is looking great! I too want to know how I missed your FH moving to Cali!!!!

Hope the job went well today!!

[caligal85]

Lol thank you! The job went well. I wrote about it here (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=22349).

We're not a hundred percent on FH moving here, but we're strongly leaning that way. His trip here in December will weigh heavily on that decision. If that is what we decide to do, he'd like to move out here before the wedding, maybe a month or two before, about the same amount of time as I had planned on moving there. He was so cute the other day. I said something about spending the holidays together for the rest of our lives (Thanksgiving makes me super sentimental) and he said, yeah and Saturdays too! Melted my heart.

[caligal85]

So I haven't posted nearly as much as I was because of the new job. It's very intense and other than my lunch break, I don't have access to a computer with the internet. But the job is going well. We're on day three, middle of the week and it was hard to get out of bed.

As far as wedding stuff goes, that has taken a back seat to job stuff and FH's and my relationship. We're trying to talk more, especially about the moving situation. He's sick again, so we talked on msn messenger last night because he was so tired. I think he works too many hours and doesn't eat right, so his immune system is low. He gets eight hours of sleep but without the other stuff, he just digs himself a hole. But soon, he'll have me to nag him about eating right and giving up smoking. Ahh the joys of marriage. ;)

[Kay]

Awwww Well, I get this post sooooo much. Just want to say, I sympathize ~ I'm working CONSTANTLY with two jobs now and never even think about the wedding or getting married or anything ~ I'm hoping I can start to breathe after the holidays maybe. My FF had a root canal this week so he's down, too. Men are such babies when they are sick ~ wonderful babies ~ but babies never-the-less. :o

[caligal85]

It's been so long since I've posted on my journal! I've been so busy working and when I get done at work, I eat dinner, talk to friends, talk to FH and then to bed to start all over. The past couple of weekends I've been at my parents, helping them move, Thanksgiving, etc. There has been NO wedding talk. We don't have the time or the energy to put into it.

FH will be here in twenty four days and then we've got wedding errands to run, including registering! I'm so excited. If I had thought about it, I would've registered earlier because a lot of the people we know do Black Friday shopping. Drats. That's it for now.

[EarlyBird]

word of advice.. start the registration ONLINE if possible.. like register your date and stuff, and THEN when you get to the store, you and fh can just get the guns and go shooting.. otherwise, that paperwork stuff gets boring to them.. thats where i lost fh :)

[gwenshack]

I just saw you posted to that BM dress thread and I realized I hadn't seen too much of you around lately...

Still busy with the job? Everything's cool? :)

Just checking on ya! :)

[Moon.Dust.]

word of advice.. start the registration ONLINE if possible.. like register your date and stuff, and THEN when you get to the store, you and fh can just get the guns and go shooting.. otherwise, that paperwork stuff gets boring to them.. thats where i lost fh :)
I do A LOT -most of the registry upkeep online too. Saves time & it's something to do when you want to relax & feel you're being productive.
It's like window shopping!

[caligal85]

I have been super busy with work and then the holidays happened and my dad's health is not good, so I try to spend a lot of time with my family and I'm preparing for FH's visit, so I'm not on here nearly as much as I'd like to but I am taking your guys' advice and doing the "paperwork" for registering online. I actually ran the idea by FH and will be taking care of that today. I'm going to pop in a movie, do the registering stuff and catch up on my OW girls.

[caligal85]

We're officially registered! Only one registry has anything on it, but we'll remedy that when FH is here. Now that we have that done, though, I don't want to do anything else. I mean, yeah I want to do the actual registering, but after that I just want to be married. I just want to snap my fingers and be married. Maybe because I can't even think of what I'm supposed to do next. Once FH gets here, I'll pick up momentum but until he gets here, I feel like I'm skulking a little bit.

[Moon.Dust.]

do you have a to do list?
I just updated mine so that there is a new to do list of things to do every month. That way it's not so overwhelming, but I'm still on task.

[caligal85]

I do have a to do list but I'm kind of at a stand still because I need FH's input and he's putting in a lot of hours so he can take time off to come see me. He'll be here in fifteen days for a week, so we'll be cramming a lot into that week.

[Moon.Dust.]

how exciting!

[EarlyBird]

just remember to enjoy each other in that week too.. make a schedule for when he is there so your not just doing wedding planning stuff.

[caligal85]

just remember to enjoy each other in that week too.. make a schedule for when he is there so your not just doing wedding planning stuff.

Lol that's Christmas Day and the day after Christmas when we can't do anything anyway. I have to work the Monday thru Wednesday after Christmas so we only have the evenings together. We'll be going apartment hunting, registering, visiting/introducing him to my friends, and hopefully getting pictures taken.

[caligal85]

TEN DAYS!! FH will be here in ten days. He texted me last night at 1 o'clock his time and I asked him why he was awake. He said he was too excited to sleep. I can't tell you how happy that made me. FH is a man's man. He gets excited about things but does not do outward displays of emotion so for him to say that means a lot.

[kdj0029]

That is too cute. I hope that you have a great time together.

[Docsgirl]

Awww. That's so cute! :grinhappy:

[caligal85]

8 days!!!! FH texts me every morning with the update. I love it. It's so close and I'm so stressed about it. I just want him to have a great time but I have to work part of the time and a lot of my friends will be out of town. I think I just got overwhelmed last night and ended up in tears. Poor FH. He hates it when I cry and just kept telling me that whatever we do, he'll have a good time. It made me feel better. Especially when he said he was talking birth control with the secretaries at his work and kept calling an IUD a cork. I was laughing so hard, I started crying again. I really do love that man.

[NOTKT]

That's so cute! I remember when DH went away for 6 months, we did the same thing. It's hard to believe we made it, but it was the best thing for us. I appreciate him so much more...

[gwenshack]

I'm so excited for you - FH went to Europe for the summer (for school) and counting down until I'd get to see him was agony! But when I finally got him back it was the best feeling.

You're going to have such a great holiday. :)

[caligal85]

You're going to have such a great holiday. :)

I know! Tonight we were talking about how this time next week, he'll be on a plane and I'll be running around in a fury getting everything perfect for him. AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! I'm so excited. Now I just need to get rid of this cold and the weird tummy upsetness. :buck:

[caligal85]

So I've got breakfast and dinner planned out for Christmas day. We're also going to see the movie The Spirit and hopefully drive around and see Christmas lights. I have a feeling we'll be sleeping in because his plane lands at 11:30 pm, a half hour to get his luggage and then a two and a half hour drive home. That puts us at home around 3 o'clock.

I really really really hope the weather isn't too bad. I've never driven to the airport, let alone by myself, so I'm a little nervous. It's right off I5 on the outskirts of Sacramento which is really nice and it should be pretty dead traffic wise since it's Christmas Eve.

[Moon.Dust.]

We want to see The Spirit! But Bill's being all huffy about the fact that we'd have to go to the mall the day after Christmas and suffer the crowds. We really don't get to do anything on the weekends since his work schedule has him working Sat -Mon *SIGH*

[caligal85]

We want to see The Spirit! But Bill's being all huffy about the fact that we'd have to go to the mall the day after Christmas and suffer the crowds. We really don't get to do anything on the weekends since his work schedule has him working Sat -Mon *SIGH*

We'll since it's only the two of us, we'll be able to see it on Christmas day. I am taking him out the day after Christmas, though, to give him a tour of the town. That will be an adventure.

I can't believe I'm going to be picking him up in three days! This time in three days, I'll be getting on the road, praying for good weather. FH was complaining that half his suitcase is stuffed with presents for me from him and his family. I just giggled. He went yesterday to his buddy's house to get a portable hard drive. When I asked him what he was going to put on it, he was like, you know, games, movies, wedding stuff. I said, wedding stuff? He said, yep. I sure do love him.

We're staying in my friend's guest room because she wants me to house sit, so I had her get out the queen air mattress for us. That'll be comfortable. We might be staying a few nights at my house. :snide: Three more sleeps!

[caligal85]

So I have so much to do. I didn't get nearly as much cleaning done yesterday as I should have and I still have to go pick up FH's Christmas presents. I need to get my cleaning done today because tomorrow I'm spending the night at the other house and will be getting it ready for FH's arrival. I thought I had come up with Christmas dinner but that back fired and I need to come up with something else.

I also need to hide my wedding dress in my roommate's closet, so FH doesn't see it when we're at my house. I can't believe I have to wait through two more sleeps before he's here. I want him here now!!

[caligal85]

Okay so FH's Christmas presents are complete but my house is still in shambles. I'll probably come here right after work because the guy from this post (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?p=359561#post359561)will be at the house setting up my friend's husband's Christmas present. I think I'll avoid the drama of he and I being alone in the same house. It makes me very uncomfortable even though I know nothing would happen. Just feels disrespectful.

So my list includes CLEANING LIKE A MANIAC, grocery shopping (must get list from FH of what he wants) and getting gas in my car. Also, wrapping presents and finding small, cheap tree to put up for us. Holy mittens, he's going to be here tomorrow. I get to see the love of my life in 34 hours. Man, my heart just started beating so fast.

[gwenshack]

How did it go!?!?!?! :)

[caligal85]

So FH has come and gone. I've been actually kind of avoiding my journal because in a way I didn't want to relive the wonderful time we spend together because I've been so sad since he's been gone. Other stuff has hit the fan, so I felt the need to share.

Christmas was wonderful, spectacular, fantastic even. I left my house early on Christmas Eve to pick him up because 1) I didn't know what traffic would be like, 2) I didn't know what the weather would be like 3) I didn't really know where I was going and 4) I was just plain excited. It's a good thing I did because he and I totally misread his flight information and his plane got in at 10 and not 11. When did I show up? 10. 5 minutes later he was coming down the escalator toward me. My heart was literally dancing. So good to see him.

We drove home and chatted and it was so good to be 3 feet from him instead of 3000 miles. When we got to my friend's house (we house sat while they were away), he gave me my Christmas presents. I made him wait for the morning for his. Christmas morning I got up and made breakfast (hash browns, bacon, eggs, the whole shebang). FH was impressed. He also kept saying that he couldn't believe how well he was eating and loved that I was a good cook. Again, heart pulled out the tango.

After breakfast (which was eaten after only three hours of sleep-darn jet lag!), we went and saw a matinee showing of The Spirit, which wasn't worth the price of admission. Definitely a rental, unless you've read the comic book, which neither of us had but the director did Sin City and I loved that movie. I digress.

We spent the next couple of days just hanging out which was exactly what we needed. We went shopping, I took him around town, there was cuddling and lots of episodes of CSI. The Sunday gathering of friends was...awkward...but we survived. FH drank a lot of beer and was very quiet but kept his arm wrapped around me and leaned over in five minute intervals to kiss me. Cracked me up. Of course he was still recovering from registering at Bed Bath and Beyond. Yeah, that, not so much fun.

Registering at BBB was painful. FH made it very clear that he was bored and not into it. At one point I got so frustrated, I sent him away. I think he finally got the message and we got on with it, but by the end of the trip, I needed a beer.

I had to go back to work the Monday after Christmas, so FH spent from 8 to 5, Monday thru Wednesday by himself, except when I came home for lunch. He played a lot of Guitar Hero and watched even more CSI. There was also much napping with my friend's cat. They were very attached to each other. We registered at Target on Monday and that went soooo much better. I had him pick out camping stuff, sheets, the tv, even the dishes. Yes the dishes. By this point, I had learned to pick my battles. We got out of there sufficiently less scathed.

The rest of his trip went way too fast. New Year's Eve we were in bed by 11:30 and then New Year's Day we went to the airport. I wasn't quite a mess but I was close (that wasn't until I got home). FH kept pulling me close and I hated it when he went up the escalator to security. I've missed him every second since he's been gone and cannot wait for him to come home. It won't be soon enough.

[NOTKT]

I'm so happy that you had such a great time with him! He is almost with you for good!

[caligal85]

My poor neglected planning journal. Well lets change that.

We've chosen a caterer! My favorite restaurant from home, Basil Boys. They do great Italian/Greek food, mostly Italian now that I think of it. Anywho, we're doing lasagna (the best I've ever had, even when I make it myself!), ziti, salad and bread sticks (the kind that are solid bread thru and thru, not half air, half bread). Haven't decided on appetizers yet but yeah! people won't go hungry.

Um apparently my guest list went up. Not really sure how but when we were registering at BBB, the girl asked how many people we were inviting. I said 125, which was actually a little over, since I had a list of 118. FH was like, well actually it's more like 175. 175?!?! Where the spacemonkey did that number come from???!!! Needless to say, I still don't know how he's coming up with that number because he won't send me the list. Or maybe he has. I should really check my email. Either way, our chapel only holds like 100, 110. You're killing me smalls.

My girls still haven't found dresses. That makes me a little nervous. They haven't found tickets, either which makes me nervous, but then again neither have I. OH and did I mention one of my girls starts her last semester of student teaching, the week BEFORE my wedding.

So now I'm working on invites and I'm stuck in between printing them myself and having them done. Will keep you posted.

[Moon.Dust.]

lol!
Sounds like you're having a time of it all.
It'll get wrapped up.

[Kay]

We've chosen a caterer! My favorite restaurant from home, Basil Boys. They do great Italian/Greek food, mostly Italian now that I think of it. Anywho, we're doing lasagna (the best I've ever had, even when I make it myself!), ziti, salad and bread sticks

We are doing Italian too! Yummmmm!!

[caligal85]

So I had a nice chat with FH's mom yesterday and we exchanged email addresses. She's so excited to help and wants to keep it all about Scott and me. I just love her. We talked about the guest list, which she told me hadn't gone up and today I emailed her the pictures I was thinking of for the flowers, since his grandmother offered to pay for them. I'm so blessed to have such great in-laws.

Now, I still need to decide about invitations and I've made no decisions about the ceremony whatsoever. I think after talking with FH's mom, though, I feel so much better about things.

FH got called into work this weekend, so we haven't talked much. He's been searching for a job hardcore here, though, and I'm so proud of his tenacity. I'll be so happy when he's finally here.

[caligal85]

Alright, let the wrist slapping commence. However, in my defense, I never dreamed that I'd be so busy once FH got here and he's been here almost three weeks and our whole lives have changed. It's nice to have that affirming feeling every day of why I'm marrying him, even when he's driving me absolutely out of my mind and enjoying every second of it. So on to the updates:

April 18: Date of our civil ceremony. We've decided that this is the best course of action. Civil ceremony now, big wedding still in August. We're both out on the street from our respective dwellings at the end of this month, so instead of paying two rents until August (no I'm not going to live with him before we're married-it would break my dad's heart), we're going to be realistic and make it legal. And I bounce off the walls every day when I think about it.

The rings: I ordered FH's ring! The lady told me it would be about a month, so I ordered it within plenty of time. One week later, I get a call that his ring is in. Whoa, talk about fast. FH also surprised me with a ring. We had decided that I would wait until our one year anniversary to buy me a wedding band. I was kind of bummed about it but I knew it was prudent planning. Well when we were at the mall picking out his ring, I showed him what I liked but it was way over our budget even on sale! I talked about maybe finding a jeweler who could do the same thing but without all the bling in white gold, so it would be cheap. About a week later, we're in the mall and FH disapears. When I find him, he won't tell me what he was doing. Later when we were driving around looking for places, his ring place calls, tells me the ring is in. He's like well, you're going to have to wait a little bit. I'm still making payments on yours. I was floored. I'm going to get a ring! Although I'm a little worried about him paying for it since money is tight for us.

I hate apartment hunting. I hate filling out applications and the endless selling of myself to people. And we haven't even started yet. We've only looked at one place, which I loved and FH did not but did not feel it was necessary to tell me this until after I told the people we'd take it. Needless to say, huge messy situation and we need to work on our communication skills. So today after FH gets off work, we're pounding the pavement for a home. And I'm really excited. I have to really stop myself from planning ahead and decorating a place we don't even have.

The wedding itself is coming along swimmingly. Flowers are ordered, bridesmaid dresses are ordered (of course I forgot to take a picture but I'm hoping one of the girls will get me a picture soon), reception music chosen. My biggest concern right now is where out of town guests are going to stay. I've checked with all the hotels in my town and they're ALL completely FULL. Why didn't someone mention race weekend to me before we started this shenanigan? I'm not even sure where FH and I are going to stay. Maybe his old room? Even the B&Bs are full. If it's a sleeping establishment, it's full. And the majority of our guests are from out of town. Hopefully most will stay with family but there's a huge handful that don't have family or friends to stay with.

Other than that, life continues on. I'm officially gone from a temp worker to a full employee at my job and am working on training my third co worker and I'm not sure she's going to last. Not a real multitasker and super chatty. And not the type who can chat and work at the same time, which is a must in our job. FH works six days a week and likes his job but since he's at the bottom of the totem pole, doesn't get many assignments. That will change, though. That's it for now. I'll try and be a good girl and update more regularly.

[gwenshack]

Sara!

Soooo good to have you back! :) So your technically going to be a MRS in 2 weeks?!? How exciting! Glad having your FH in town is working out and you are settling in to your job.

I don't know what to tell you about the hotel thing! Sounds like you're going to have to expand the perimeter of your search and see how far out people will have to go...:(

But, yay! You're back!

[Kay]

I was wondering where you were at ~ nice to hear from you! Good for you for having your civil ceremony and your big wedding! How exciting!! Good luck apartment hunting and we'll be waiting for picks of the bridesmaids dresses!

[f77g4]

Hey Sara - my date twin.

Haven't seen you around in a while so I thought I would see how things are coming along and how you and FH are making out?

[gwenshack]

Hey Sara - my date twin.

Haven't seen you around in a while so I thought I would see how things are coming along and how you and FH are making out?

Good thinking Ashley! Let's harass her out of hiding! :winktongue:
Sara! How's it going?!?

[Docsgirl]

Sara.....we missss you! Come out, come out, wherever you are! :D

[amisteratwisterandme]

So you should be married by now!

Congratulations!


We sure do miss you around here.

[MrsDM]

So you should be married by now!

Congratulations!


We sure do miss you around here.

Ditto!!! :)

[MrsDM]

I was just looking at the upcoming weddings and your "big" wedding is coming up!! We miss ya around here, please let us know how you are doing! :)

[f77g4]

I was just looking at the upcoming weddings and your "big" wedding is coming up!! We miss ya around here, please let us know how you are doing! :)

I agree!!! Hope everything is going well Sara!

[gwenshack]

I agree!!! Hope everything is going well Sara!

And another ditto from this corner! :)

[NOTKT]

Over here too!