Sara and Mike, June 16, 2007

[SaralovesMike]

Hello ladies and welcome to my journal... part 2.

I started a journal back on UW and was very disappointed to see it go. One day it was there and the next gone. What can you do but start again? So here goes......

[SaralovesMike]

About Us

Mike and I met last year on June 16. Yes this is why we chose our wedding date. When we get married it will be 2 years that we have been together. A lot of people ask why we had decided on such a long engagement. Welllllll June 16 THIS YEAR was on a Friday but not enough time to put it all together. We got engaged in December last year, more to that later. It just seemed the thing to do since we wanted to get married on the day we met so 2007 it is!

We met online thru match.com. We started talking thru email a few weeks before we actually met. I believe the first contact was on June 3. The emails got to be longer and longer, it was almost like we had known eachother forever. There was a sort of chemistry that was hard to deny.
Phone calls followed the email and then we decided that we should meet. On Thursday June 16 I met Mike at Starbucks. We stayed there for a good couple hours talking and then we decided to go and find somewhere to eat dinner. The date lasted close to 5 hours!
We said good bye that night and so began the "I wonder if I will hear from him again?" That night I got the sweetest email from him thanking me for a great night and asking if we could get together again. And so it began....

[Smile1Jen]

Congrats and welcome to Onewed! I was a tUW too, but this place is great too!

[SaralovesMike]

That in a nutshell is how it all began.

About us, we're both 34, he is about 3 months older than me. This is the first marriage for both of us. Mike is an accountant. He was recently promoted to office manager and eventually will become controller and CFO of the company he works for. He works for an automotive consulting company. In the fall, probably next year he will go back to school to get his degree in finance and after that he will become CFO. I am store manager for an upscale retailer. I've been there for 5 years and have pretty much been in retail my entire life. Currently I am looking to make some changes, this job is getting too stressful and to be honest I'm burned out! Hopefully I will have some good news with that situation soon. So lets move on!

[hummingbird521]

congratulations and welcome. I too met my husband on a dating site.

[SaralovesMike]

Congrats and welcome to Onewed! I was a tUW too, but this place is great too!

Smile1Jen: Thanks for stopping by! I'm getting used to this place but so far so good!

[SaralovesMike]

The Proposal:

When I met Mike he told me he LOVES Christmas, in fact he has been referred to a not-so-crazy version of Clark W Griswold in the Christmas Vacation movies. Just think about how he decorated the house and that is my sweetie. I had met my match. I didn't go that crazy with lights but I collect snowmen and around Christmas it always looks like a snowman threw up in my apartment. They are everywhere! I get it from my mom except her obsession is with Santas. I think I even out-do her now.
But anyway, our first trip together was to Frankenmuth and of course we had to visit Bronners the Christmas store. We spent 3 hours there. That weekend we talked about moving in together and getting married.

In December we went back up to Frankenmuth. It was December 8, we actually ended up going up a day early b/c we were expecting a huge snow storm. I had an idea that he was going to propose that weekend. Little did I know when and where or the fact he bought my engagement ring almost 2 months prior!

As soon as we got up there the first stop was Bronners. It was about 8 or 9:00. It was snowing like crazy! We left home a little ahead of the storm, we stopped for dinner and it caught up with us. Bronners has a great light display so we drove around until he told me that his uncle told him that there was a neon light display at the Silent Night Chapel that we really needed to see. We're walking around in the snow looking for these so called neon lights, it was so peaceful with the snow falling and Silent Night playing in the background. We walked around the front of the chapel where there is a nativity scene, it almost felt like we were sent back in time to the very first Christmas. Mike asked me if I remembered the last time we were here and how I said standing in this very spot gave me chills. I said I remembered and he said he bet he could make it happen again. I turned to him and he was down on one knee asking me to marry him. Of course I said yes!

[Kacie_bride]

That is a very sweet proposal story! I got engaged around Christmas too! I can't wait to hear more!

[SaralovesMike]

We came back from Frankenmuth on Saturday and began what he calls "The Mike and Sara tour 2005." This was our trip around telling various family members the good news. The only person that knew was Mike's sister Caroline. She went with him to buy the engagement ring and she knew he was planning on proposing on our weekend.

First stop was my mom and dad. I called them on the way home to tell them we were stopping by but wouldn't say why. When she found out the news she ran and hugged us both saying "I knew it!" Then we went to his parents, they were NOT suprised at all. In fact his dad had already been asking him if we were getting married for MONTHS. The next stop was Mike's Aunt Annabelle and Uncle Bill, this was the first time I met them and even THEY were not the least bit suprised. I got the biggest hug from Uncle Bill when we walked in the door and he didn't even know the news yet. Then the last stop that night was Mike's roommate, even HE wasn't surprised! Mike called his 2 brothers that night to tell them and the next day the tour continued to see my Grandma and some other important people.

What a weekend!

[SaralovesMike]

kacie_bride and hummingbird521: hi and thanks for stopping by! Congrats to you both as well:D

[SaralovesMike]

The Wedding Party

The best part of all this is we originally wanted a small wedding with just family and close friends. Our wedding party was just going to be us, my sister Amy as MOH and Mike's roommate Vichit as best man.
Well, now the guest list is well over 150 and our wedding party has grown to 14 including Mike and myself.

This is how it goes:

Maid of Honor: Amy. My younger and only sister
Bridesmaids: Angie (my cousin) and Caroline (Mike's older and only sister)
Flowergirl: Mya, she's 3. I just met her last week on our vacation. She is the granddaughter of Mike's brother's girlfriend Mary Jo.

Best Man: Vichit. Mike's best friend since elementary school.
Groomsmen: Mike's brothers (both older) Bill and Jim.
Jr Groomsmen: Zachary and Jacob (Angie's boys)
Ring Bearer: James. Mike's 3 year old and only nephew, Caroline's son.
Ushers: Drew (Angie's hubby) and Jim (Caroline's hubby)

Basically everyone in the wedding party is family with the exception of Vichit. Mya is pretty much family, Bill and Mary Jo were engaged and still may be, not even sure at this point if they will ever get married. They have been together for about 8 years anyway.

We picked Mya for the simple fact that everyone I know has boys. That was Mike's suggestion to have her because she and James are the same age and would look adorable together. As soon as I can post pictures I will put some pictures of the little ones.

[SaralovesMike]

Where we're at.... everything done is in pink!

6 To 12 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Establish type of wedding (formal or information) and choose a date: beach wedding, semi-formal, June 16, 2007
* Select Wedding Gown: David's Bridal, will post pics as soon as I can!
* Discuss gown colors and styles
* Choose attendant's dresses
* Visit the clergy and review church/synagogue requirements: Don Magee
* Compile size of the guest list: 170 is the max the place can hold, our list has close to 200, yikes!
* Determine your budget and discuss expenses: a lot more than either of us EVER imagined!
* Find a reception location and make reservations early: St Clair Inn, St Clair MI. Both wedding and reception will be held here.
* Select a wedding consultant: don't need it, so I guess that would be ME!

4 To 6 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Choose your attendants
* Select men's formalwear
* Choose a color theme: periwinkle and silver
* Buy wedding rings
* Book your caterer: comes with venue, haven't picked out menu yet
* Book your photographer: Mannino Photography, Royal Oak, MI
* Book your videographer: Mike's uncle Bill
* Book your dj or band: "DJ Shine" aka Donald Schuster
* Have physical examinations
* Decide your honeymoon plans
* Plan ceremony and reception music
* Compile names and addresses for guest list: also sent out Save The Dates

2 To 4 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Plan wedding decorations
* Select a florist: Susan Wolan, The Bride's Bouquet
* Order invitations and party favors
* Shop for bridal party tuxedos
* Finalize arrangement for the church and ceremony
* Make transportation arrangements
* Plan honeymoon; visit travel agencies, make reservations
* All deposits should be made and contracts signed
* Put together ideas for bridal registry


THREE MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Order the wedding cake
* Choose gifts for attendants, parents, helpers
* Buy cake knife, toasting glasses, guest book & garter

TWO MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Make plans & reservations for wedding rehearsal & dinner
* Reserve rooms for out-of-town guests
* Address invitations/announcements
Invitations should be sent 4-6 weeks prior to wedding; announcements after wedding

ONE MONTH BEFORE WEDDING
* Obtain marriage license
* Confirm details of every aspect of your wedding
* Finalize honeymoon reservations
* Contact all contracted services to confirm arrangements
* Have final fittings for you and your attendant's dresses
* Ask a friend or relative to take charge of guest book at reception
* Pick up wedding rings
* Purchas gift for fiance (not mandatory!)

TWO WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
* Review reception seating and order place cards
* Prepare wedding announcement to send to newspapers
* Contact guests who have not responded

ONE WEEK BEFORE WEDDING
* Pick up your gown, attendants' dresses & accessories
* Confirm details with all participants and inform them of any changes
* Give final guest count to reception facility or caterer
* Pack for honeymoon
* Make sure you have all wedding attire, rings & marriage license
* Have rehearsal and dinner

WEDDING DAY
* Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is to begin
* Have hair & make-up done
* Take marriage license and rings to ceremony site
* Relax
* Have physical examinations
* Decide your honeymoon plans
* Plan ceremony and reception music
* Compile names and addresses for guest list

[AngelinLove]

Congratulations and Welcome to Onewed!!! Finally there is another Michigan Bride!!! Yay!!! I am from Farmington Hills, what about you?

[SaralovesMike]

Too funny!
Not only are we both in Michigan, we're both in Farmington Hills.

We're at 9 mile and Drake, what about you????

[AngelinLove]

OMG...That is tooo much..we are at 9 mile, between Drake and Halsted...closer to Drake!!! Wow...how ironic!!! We may have to meet sometime...just to say that we did..lol!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Small world!

We are on 9 mile bet Drake and Gill, where they are tearing up the road right now. You're right, maybe we should!

[AngelinLove]

Yuck...I hate that piece right there...it has totally effed up my route home..now I gotta get off of M-5 at Halsted...lol!!! Luckily we are rigt beofre that so it only effects my route home and any trips to Farmer Jack or Hallmark...lol!!! It is soo cool to have run into someone on here that is literally right up the road!!! I have seen other brides on here that live close to one another, but never anyone close to me!!!! We really should meet sometime and maybe talk about wedding stuff.....mine is in 5 weeks, but still...plus I will be around here long after my wedding!!!

[SaralovesMike]

It is totally a disaster!

We were on vacation up north last week so we were able to avoid it but now we're back and it really does mess things up! We can use Drake as a way around it (we live at Fairmont Park).

5 weeks, you must be getting excited! Where are you getting married?

[SaralovesMike]

Ramblings:

Well, this is going to be the last post of the day. I have spent pretty much my entire day off on the computer. Some may say I am addicted, lol!

I was actually supposed to be searching for jobs online, I did a little bit earlier sent out some resumes and made some follow-up calls. I've been feeling a little overwhelmed with my current job and really anxious to get out of there. Mike keeps telling me to leave and I really want to give my notice but I'm scared to since I don't have anything else right now. My dad always told me that it was always easier to find a job when you have a job. I guess I am trying to do the right thing. Mike makes pretty decent money and I will have vacation time and whatnot that will be paid out when I do leave so it would be ok to just walk away and save my sanity.
At any rate since I've been feeling so bad lately Mike decided to send me flowers today. He is such the romantic. It was a nice suprise too.

Tomorrow I have jury duty. After 5pm today I get to call the court and see if I have to go. I think it might be somewhat interesting to get picked for a jury but its the waiting around that makes me not want to go. I wish there was a better way to do the selection process. The last time I went I got to get up very early, drive in a snowstorm to get there and spend most of the day in the jury room waiting to be called. At about 3:00 they decided that the people in the room were not needed so we got to go home. If I have to go I will be sure to bring lots to do since the same thing may happen again.

[AngelinLove]

We currently live at Green Hill!!!

Our ceremony and reception are gonna be at the Pine Knob Mansion in Clarkston!!! You can check out my journal for all teh wonderful little details!!! I am getting very excited and anxious...as well a nervous...I just wish that it would hurry up and get here...lol!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Someone told us about Pine Knob when we were looking for a place to get married. We ended up at the St Clair Inn near Port Huron.
I will definitely have to check out your journal!

It will be here before you know it! :)

[SaralovesMike]

Dresses
(with pictures, yay!)

This is a picture of my dress. I have 2 that I got off the David's Bridal website. They aren't the best pictures simply because you can't see the dress. I think that means I have to get a live picture on here pretty soon.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/wedding%20stuff/dress.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/wedding%20stuff/dress3.jpg


We haven't picked out the BM dresses yet. I am waiting to hear back from my sister (MOH). She is in med school so she is pretty busy. She has a small window for the next few weeks where Saturdays she isn't at the hospital so we are going to take a day where she is free and at least get some ideas if not get them ordered. I've decided to let the girls pick out which dress they like and have 3 different dresses all in the same color of periwinkle. I have some ideas of what I'd like to see, maybe I'll post them later.

As far as the flowergirl dress this is what I picked out for Mya. She is 3 with shoulder length blonde hair, fair complexion. I think she'd look absolutely adorable in this dress! http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/wedding%20stuff/flowergirldress.jpg
with this in her hairhttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/headpiece.jpg

I guess the other pictures will have to be in the next post!
But at least it worked!

[SaralovesMike]

More dresses

These are 3 dresses that I like. My 3 girls are very different! My MOH is very conservative so she will be the most difficult. The other 2, one is probably 5'2" and very skinny, the other is close to 6'0" and one of those that EVERYTHING looks good on. She lives in Minnesota so she may be the hardest (or easiest?) to dress.

Anyway, here they are:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dress5.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dress4.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dress6.jpg

I like the last dress but now I am wondering if it doesn't really go with the other 2 and perhaps it is even too dressy. I guess I have to see it on someone to decide, it may not even look good. I also wanted to go with the darker periwinkle so I suppose this all depends on what they have in that color.

The guys next!

[SaralovesMike]

The guys

I really think that Mike wants a tux with tails. Somehow I'm thinking that either it's too dressy or too outdated. He likes the old fashioned look about it so I may have to let him have what he wants.
I was orignally thinking that all the guys will have black tuxes, Mike would have the white vest/tie and the others would have the peri vest/tie. I thought that our ring bearer would match Mike with the white vest/tie since the flower girls dress will be white as well.
Then I had the inspiration from this picture that maybe to fall into the peri/silver combination the guys with the exception of Mike and JW will have silver vests/ties like the picture below.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/groom.jpg

If not this is the vest/tie combination that I like in the peri.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/vest.jpg

We have to go and register the wedding party. The guy at After Hours told me that if we go in and Mike picks out what he likes then he will hold the price until next year. Right now the groom's tux is free and all the other guys get 20% off theirs. They will give us that or better depending on what the offer is when we go and get the guys fitted.

[SaralovesMike]

The big stuff is done! We booked our ceremony/reception site, we hired a minister, we booked our photographer, we even ordered the cake. Which reminds me I still have to send our cake lady a picture of the cake we want. We also hired our florist.

Now we can kind of relax... ok well not really.

Everything is costing A LOT more than I think either of us imagined. The biggest example was the photographer. We went with Mannino Photography in Royal Oak. Mike's sister referred us to Ann Marie as she has done a lot of work for her in the past. Ann Marie in return gave us a free upgrade on whichever package we chose. The photography package will cost us about $3000. Yes she is a little on the pricey side but at the same time we really didn't find anyone better, her quality of work was 1000x better than anyone we talked to.
The next sticker shock was the flowers, this will cost us abou $2000. Susan's daughter is a friend of Mike's. She is letting us use vases and mirrors for the centerpieces, lighting for the outside, and the ceremony arch for free. Otherwise add another couple hundred to that one.
The only thing we didn't pay a lot for was our cake. We ended up going with Party Cakes in Berkley. We are doing a 3 layer square cake with a fake layer in the center and a sheet cake in the kitchen, it should feed about 180 people. The cake itself I think now is going to be periwinkle colored frosting with white detail and fresh white roses on the top. I have a picture of my inspiration and Valerie is going to create it. If I find the picture I will post it later on.

I think that I am heading to Michaels later to check out some ideas that I saw online for the cake table. Jury duty didn't happen today so I just took a sick day at work. Can't do that too often, and if I am leaving there I better burn it up anyway!

[cowboysbride]

I love your dress! Your colors are so pretty and I think any of the BM dresses are fine...I actually like the last one the best, I think it would look amazing as they come down the aisle!

You're doing a great job, keep the pics coming!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Ellen!

I know I'm really starting to like that last dress too and may end up changing my mind with letting them all have different dresses and just go with that one depending on how it looks live and in person as well as on!

[hummingbird521]

The dresses and tux is just beautiful. You are doing an excellent job of picking things.

[cowboysbride]

Thanks Ellen!

I know I'm really starting to like that last dress too and may end up changing my mind with letting them all have different dresses and just go with that one depending on how it looks live and in person as well as on!

I adore the idea of setting a color and letting the girls pick the style. I saw David's Bridal had that option and it's so cute, not all body types look good in the same style and that really makes for a cute and happy BM!

[AngelinLove]

I just wanted to say that everything looks beautiful and you have a lot more planned then I did at this point. I really like all the BM dress choices. I too have a bridal party where everyone is different...so they will all be wearing different dresses!!! One has something very similiar to the last one you posted!!!

As for the siticker shock...yeah...I know what you mean!!! We went into this with a budget of $10,000....lol..lol...since then we have passed the $20,000 mark and we are paying for it ALL by ourselves!!! It is ridiculous!!! Anyways...the best advice that I can really give you is to not try and question whether it is worth it too you. I mean if you want your dream wedding..get it and enjoy it...do not regret your choices later!!! I love everything that I chose to have and I plan to enjoy every little detail of my day!!!

I was just gonna add that i had jury duty on July 31st and when I called I was excused!!! I had already scheduled the day off, but since mine was on a Monday I found out on Saturday....so I ended up going to work anyways...but I think that Oakland County just sucks...they are way too unorganized...in my last job I had to deal with them ALL the time...adn usually it is the damn Prosecuters fault...lol!!!

Good luck with Michael's today!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Ah Angel, The wedding budget! I totally can sympathize with the starting at a certain amount and then go way over. Our # was $15000, my parents gave us $10,000 which was a huge suprise to get that much, his parents haven't given up their bucks yet, his sis only got $2500, but she and her now hubby paid for everything else (their choice). We're thinking that is what they will give us. ANYWAY, now we're up to almost $25000! OMG!:velo:
My parents did give us some more money since my dad insisted on an open bar for the reception. Since they charge by consumption we are paying $3000 up front and the parentals are kicking in the rest.

We're trying to go easy on everything, but we did decide that we will not max out the credit cards for the event. FH is an accountant and very budget conscious, if it was totally in my hands we'd have spent a heck of a lot more! lol

[SaralovesMike]

The dresses and tux is just beautiful. You are doing an excellent job of picking things.

Thanks Treasia! :)

[SaralovesMike]

The St Clair Inn

More pictures! This is the ceremony site at the St Clair Inn on the north lawn. I wanted to be more on the water but the other place to have the ceremony is way too small! We thought of placing the arch at the water's edge but the grassy area is on a hill soooooooo this is what we're going to do. I really loved this place for the wedding so those little things I can let go.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/wedding%20stuff/birdhouse.jpg

These pictures are right outside the banquet room, we will have this patio for the reception as well. The ceremony site is to the left, you can see the tree where the birdhouse is to get an idea of how close everything is.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/wedding%20stuff/reception3.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/wedding%20stuff/reception.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/decorations.jpg

This is a picture that is on the website for the St Clair Inn. We are doing similar decorations with the exception of the balloons. We are also adding white lights and possibly some tulling. The centerpieces on the outside tables are just going to be simple, small ivy bowls with blue marbles in them and a small candle.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/reception1.jpg

This is the inside of the banquet room. Sorry the picture is kind of dark. There was a bridal shower going on and we were trying to not make it obvious we were taking pictures!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/reception5.jpg

This is another view of the banquet room. We can hold 130 people in this room including the head table. There will be another 4 or 5 tables in the pool room next door (which we get to decorate as well, just nothing in the pool bummer!) It's gonna be a tight fit if all 180 people show up! Thankfully we have the outdoor patio, hopefully it doesn't rain!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/reception6.jpg

This room is adjacent to the actual banquet room itself. The food will be served in here as well as the bar. I also think that the cake table and gift table will also be in here. The DJ will be in the main room.

[hummingbird521]

Very beautiful site for the wedding. It will be very nice and enjoyable for you I am sure. Can't wait to see more pictures of it.

[SaralovesMike]

James, our Ring Bearer

I had to post a picture of the little man. How could I not? He will be 4 when we get married. He is Mike's nephew. This kid is so awesome!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/bday.jpg

This is Mike and his little buddy. The picture was taken at James' 3rd birthday party back in January at FIL's.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/bday1.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

I adore the idea of setting a color and letting the girls pick the style. I saw David's Bridal had that option and it's so cute, not all body types look good in the same style and that really makes for a cute and happy BM!

I wish someone would have thought of this idea YEARS ago! I'm sure I'm not the only one who can look back and remember all the hideous BM dresses I had to wear, lol!:D

[AllyM1]

Everything sounds and looks great so far Sara.

You said you guys got engaged on December 8th? Of 2005? That's when my husband proposed to me. We were only engaged for 6 months before we got married on June 24th.

Congrats!!

[SaralovesMike]

What a coincidence!
We only knew eachother 6 months before we got engaged as well!

Congratulations to you!

[SaralovesMike]

10 months to go!

Today is also 14 months that Mike and I have been together. I feel like we are at a stand still with the wedding plans right now. We've gotten so much done there really isn't much to do for a little while.

We are possibly going to shopping for the BM dresses on Labor Day weekend. It all depends on my sister (MOH) and her school. She started her rotations for medical school this summer so she is pretty darn busy. I'm letting her pick the day we go in order to keep the peace. I know we don't all have to go together but I think it may make it easier. I know my mom wants to go and possibly even FMIL.

We did start our registry at Bed Bath and Beyond. We went online first and then I dragged Mike to the store. He was not looking forward to this! I wanted to see live and in person some of the things we registered for. Good thing b/c some sheets we picked I ended up not liking them. I'm spoiled I have to have soft sheets and even though these had a high thread count they felt terrible! Anyway, we were just going to look around and make note of things we wanted. One of the sales people came up and asked if we were doing our registry and then asked if we wanted a scanner. I thought Mike was going to die at that point, he hates shopping. After he got into it I think he had more fun that I did! He was scanning everything! We're still not done yet. They told us you should register for 3 times your guest list we're not even half way there and we got a lot!

We also have to meet with Don our minister. He asked if we wanted to do some counseling sessions with him prior to the wedding. I'm not sure I want to do this so we're still talking about it. Let me say that Mike and I do not belong to any church. He was raised Presbyterian and I was raised Catholic. My sister has joined a Christian church, Baptist actually but they don't admit its Baptist. Anyway, she got us in touch with her minister who agreed to marry us.

Well, time has run out for me here today. Time to get ready for work!

[Kacie_bride]

Your ceremony site is beautiful. Nice choice.

[MOB Karen]

I love everything you've chosen! That is a beautiful sight for a wedding!!! Your pictures are going to be amazing!! :D

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks girls!
I can not wait!!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Has it really been that long??

We've been without a computer for the past couple weeks. You never really realize exactly HOW MUCH you are on the computer or online until you don't have one. Our old computer was about ready to crash, we had nothing but problems. We decided that it was finally time to buy a new one. Mike had one of the tech guys at work set everything up so its all nice and secure. Apparently anyone could have hacked into the old one, that's a scary thought! Now we're all good and I have my computer back!:D

The only wedding stuff we did was pick out the tuxes. We went to After Hours to get registered and next thing you know they were getting measured. We went to dinner with Mike's brother Bill (groomsmen) and his girlfriend Mary Jo. We dragged them to the tuxedo place. It's done and out of the way.
I will post pictures of the tuxes later, once I am sure that we can download/upload pictures on this thing. Mike still has to install a lot more stuff!
We picked out the notch tailcoat for Mike and James, our Ring Bearer. They will each have a paisley platinum colored vest and bow tie. The rest of the guys will wear the same notch jacket minus the tails with the paisley periwinkle vest and bow tie. We even picked out the shoes. I never thought that was part of it but it was. The rest of the guys have to go in between now and December to get fitted. They can also go in up to 3 weeks before the wedding to be refitted just in case. The kids go a month before for the first fitting.
I still haven't really picked out the dresses yet! It seems odd to have this part done but oh well!

As far as the dresses go we were going to go the weekend before Labor Day. I finally got everyone committed to the date and then I had to work. My sister (MOH) the 3rd year Medical Student is the one who has the difficult schedule. She just started her surgery rotation and is working 13 hour days along with 24 on-call shifts. We'll hopefully see her sometime around Christmas at this rate! Poor thing! At least we still have about 9 months to go and aren't really in a hurry. I'd love to just knock another something off our list ya know?

Anyway, gonna go and see what I've missed around here then I'm off to a Mary Kay party.

[SaralovesMike]

As Promised...

Here are the pictures of the tuxes we decided on for the wedding.

This is the one that Mike and James will be wearing and the platinum vest. Mike wants bowties like in the picture below so you will have to use your imagination when you see the pics of the vests.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/tux1.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/vest1.jpg

This is the tux that the rest of the guys will be wearing. Same cut, no tails. And of course the vest and bow tie in periwinkle.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/tux2.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/vest.jpg

Now comes the task of the bridesmaid dresses.

[SaralovesMike]

All Right!!!!!!

I've been pretty frustrated with my job situation lately. I've been in retail many many years and up until the last few months I actually liked my job. I've been halfway looking for another job, not really spending lots of time but looking all the same. I've gone on some interviews that didn't really pan out and still keep looking.

Caroline (BM and FSIL) got me in touch with a doctor that she worked for many years ago. She was running her own dog-grooming business up until about 6 months ago when she sold her business and just started doing a couple dogs part time. I'm not sure on the whole story but I think a huge part of it was to let her stay home with James her 3 year old son.
Anyway, this doctor she worked for was bugging her to come back to work for him. She doesn't want to. Well Labor Day weekend as Mike and I were driving up north he asked me if I would want Caroline to call this doctor and ask if he still needed help b/c she could probably get me an interview. I've wanted to work in a doctors office forever so of course I said yes.
I went in this past Thursday to have the strangest "not really an interview but an interview" interview and walked out with the offer of: the job is yours if you want it.:whoohoo:

I'm still in shock!

The pay is not all that great. I am actually taking a paycut. Moneywise we'll be fine.
"The beauty of a partnership," according to my cousin. She's right b/c I know that if I was on my own there would be no way possible to survive! I will get a raise after a month and then again in 90 days, more if I don't need benefits. The benefits thing is frustrating, I will be eligible after 90 days. Mike was trying to add me to his insurance but can't b/c we're not married. We live together and are getting married in 9 months!
Starting something completely different and brand new scares the heck out of me but at the same time I am getting my nights and weekends off, holidays and whatever things I've missed working in retail. Pretty darn cool! I think I can call that quality of life.
I will miss some of the girls I work with, it will be hard to leave after being there 5 years. I think I will get over it though...
Monday I get to drop the bombshell of this on both my assistant managers as well as my boss. I know my assistants have no idea it's coming. Should make for an exciting day!

Mike's at a Tiger game tonight. One of his good friends is here from New York specifically for the game. Mike grew up with this guy and with the exception of one guy the guys that are going to the game are all married. They can't get into too much trouble! lol

[Panthers Bride]

That's great news! Let me tell you, the nights and weekend is ok, but what is really nice is having a "set" schedule. Keep us updated!

[SaralovesMike]

I'm pretty excited about it myself. I was just looking at the office hours for the drs office. Mon-Tue 8:30-6, Wed-Thur 9-5, Fri 9-1:30. I called the office today to accept the position. I go in to work today and resign.
Can you say bombshell?????

2 weeks to go... lol

[AngelinLove]

Good luck with resigning!!! Congrats on the new job!!! I wouldn't worry too much about your assistant manager's, it just means that one of them will probably get your job!!!

[SaralovesMike]

I feel like we are at a standstill as far as the wedding planning goes. We've got everything done as far as booking things. I've been working on something for the cake table. I saw a picture from another wedding site that closed. I wish I would have saved the picture! Oh well I will take a picture and post it here later if I can figure it out. This new computer is a little strange. We both have our own passwords and then we can only download things in the admin, which I think means pictures as well. I can't find the admin password!

Anyway, try to get a visual and I promise to put a picture on later....

The cake table will be similar to this
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/weddingcake.jpg
Our cake is going to look somewhat like this. Our cake is going to be square. Supposedly it feeds more this way and we will have a sheet cake in the back. The middle layer is fake. We're trying to decide if the cake is going to be periwinkle with white decoration or white with periwinkle. Mike ordered his parents a periwinkle cake from the place we ordered our cake from for their anniversary dinner this coming Saturday so I'll let you know how it comes out. The more I think about it I like the idea of the periwinkle cake. The rest will be pretty much the same, the airbrushing on each layer will depend on how hot it is that day. Valerie (cake lady) said it would melt!
It may just be frosting on the top of each layer if that is the case.

Ok so back to the cake table. The table cloth will hopefully be periwinkle and there will be tulling either covering the whole table or just around the cake like the picture. Then I got big wooden letters that say "I Do" painted in periwinkle and then little tiny hearts that will be painted silver and some periwinkle (probably half and half). The "I Do" will be placed at the front of the cake and the hearts will be scattered around the table. The hearts will probably just say "Sara and Mike" but maybe some will have "June 16, 2007."
I haven't quite decided yet. I was going to do little tea light candles and rose petals instead of the hearts. My mom suggested to do both. We'll have to see how it comes out, I think it may be too much. I've got time to play!

[SaralovesMike]

Good luck with resigning!!! Congrats on the new job!!! I wouldn't worry too much about your assistant manager's, it just means that one of them will probably get your job!!!

Thanks!
I'm not too worried. The one that is there today will be mad b/c she won't be able to take her vacation on October. They aren't going anywhere so I don't feel too bad. The other will be secretly smiling since she wants my job and so far has been unlucky at overthrowing me. I'm sure now that she will get it. Then she will have the entire staff quit on her. Now that is sweet revenge! :)
They both have been sort of a pain, esp now since they have teamed up. I don't feel sorry for them. Now hopefully they get a manager that will start kicking them in the ass or the one will become manager and gain an assistant that will be exactly like she is. One things for sure, they both may start to realize how good they had it. I think that is also karma???? lol

[SaralovesMike]

Tuxedo Frustration

Yesterday I went up to the tuxedo place on a break from work to add my dad to the list. Mike's dad doesn't want to wear a tux, no big deal. Well at first mom and I thought that since that was the case we'd have both dads in just black suits. My dad said he'll wear whatever I wanted him to.
Last week when I saw my mom to get some highlights at the salon she told me that dad wanted to wear a tux, he's doing more at the wedding than Mike's dad is, he just doesn't want to wear tails. Ok so that's why I went there yesterday. I went up to get a coffee and After Hours is right across the hall. That's where I encountered Burt. Burt is the salesman that helped us before but let me tell you what a goofus! This process that I thought would take 2 minutes to put someones name in the computer took almost 25 minutes!
First he added my dad which bumped out Bill (GM). Bill already paid for his tux and now it showed that my dad's tux was paid for and now that I think about it probably had Bills measurements! THEN Mike was bumped from being the groom and somehow Bill became the groom. Mike was first completely eliminated until he found him as an usher. Hopefully this guy didn't screw this up!
We're going to take my dad up there over the weekend if he wants to get his fitting out of the way. They have until December to get fitted and then they can all get refitted if needed a couple months before the wedding. Now Mike's afraid this nut got all the measurements wrong. God I hope not!
He's going to check that out when we go in there Sunday.

[SaralovesMike]

The latest on the job situation....

I dropped the bomb yesterday! I told some of the other salespeople over the weekend, they were just sad. My assistant, she behaved exactly as I thought. They better find a way so I can still take my vacation!
Ok so that was her statement when she asked when I start my new job. I was a little angry that she would say that, afterall this was the woman that used to tell me that I was the only reason she was working there (I recruited her) and that if I left she was gone too! I know there is no loyalty when it comes to this stuff, people say that **** all the time. I've heard them all say that they were giving their notice. We'll see!
Then she got mad and said she was going to take her vacation next week. Yea! I told her we don't have a staff, and what I didn't say is I'll be damned if I am going to work 6 days next week and close 4 nights. No way in hell!

The other assistant will find out today, although I bet she already knows. I asked the other not to say anything for the simple fact I wanted her to hear it from me but I'm 99% positive that she was on the phone the minute she walked out the door.

It's such a good feeling though, the weight has been lifted. I only have 8 more days of this drama and start my new job. It scares me to death starting something completely new but at the same time I'm really excited!

[MOB Karen]

Sounds like a huge weight has been lifted, Sara!!! Good luck with your new job!!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Karen!

I can't believe it, 4 more days and I am free!

[Jopet]

I agree with Karen sounds like a change for the better!! Goodluck with your new job hun :).

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks bunches Naomi!

I am getting excited about it. You're right, change for the better. I can't wait for the nerves to start though... starting something completely new and something I've never done before. Aaaaahhhhhhh! :chicken:
Maybe they are starting already. LOL!

[SaralovesMike]

Father Daughter Dance

I think I've picked the song for my dad and me to dance to. I told my mom that he could pick it out but she said that he has no idea. They're funny, the gave us a whole CD the other day with Al Green songs, my FH really likes Al Green and their suggestion for our dance was "Let's Stay Together." We both like the song but not enough. Mike said that one of his friends used that song for their first dance and he didn't want to copy. I guess we're off the hook with that one.

Anyway, this is the song for me and my pops. He will probably say, "Oh no, not a country song!"
It is "I loved Her First" by Heartland. Everytime I hear this song it makes me tear up. I'm such a sap! ha ha
http://www.myspace.com/heartlandcountry

These are the lyrics:

Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first

From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first

[NicksBride]

I LOVE THAT SONG, its so perfect for a father/daughter dance!!

[SaralovesMike]

I'm free!!!!

Well, no more job drama and I am officially done. I am on somewhat of a vacation until I start my new job on Monday.

Go Tigers!!!

Sunday we went to the last game of the season down at Comerica Park to see Mike's beloved Tigers try to clinch the division. It was a pretty exciting game and we were actually winning for a while. The game went into extra innings and we lost it all in the 12th. Caroline (FSIL/BM) and I were totally done with that game once it went into extra innings. We were just like "c'mon SOMEBODY please end this game now!"
5 1/2 hours later we left with sunburns and the rest of the disappointed Tiger fans.
Tonight they start round one of the play-offs against the Yankees. It doesn't look good for the Tigers, everyone says they are gonna lose. Mike is going to his ex-roommates house to watch the game. Thankfully no baseball will be watched here tonight. I don't think I could take much more after Sunday!

Wedding Stuff

The registry is complete. We finished up at Bed Bath and Beyond. I want to go to Target and add more to that registry for picture frames and lamps and stuff like that.
I ordered the invitations today and they should be here by Friday. I can't believe how fast they are shipping. I did get a call that kind of worried me though, there was a glitch in the printing and they screwed it up. They are reprinting it and hopefully that fixed the problem.
Kinda scary!
My sister should be done with her surgery rotation in a week or so which means we can actually go and shop for the BM dresses. I feel like we are at such a standstill right now and am anxious to get some more stuff done!

[Kacie_bride]

It sure is fun to register for gifts!!!!!

[SaralovesMike]

It sure is fun to register for gifts!!!!!

He had more fun than I did!

When we first got there he really wasn't into it. Then we got the scanner...
The 2nd (and last time) we went there the first thing he says "I want the scanner!"

And who said guys don't like to shop...lol!

[SaralovesMike]

We had a dinner a couple weeks ago for Mike's parent's wedding anniversary. Mike thought it would be a good idea to "try" our wedding cake so he ordered the cake from Party Cakes (where we ordered our wedding cake).
I have been going back and forth trying to decide on a periwinkle cake with white, or white with periwinkle. We ordered the periwinkle cake to see what it would look like for the anniversary.

Does anyone else see a BLUE cake and not periwinkle??????
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0787.jpg

Caroline (FSIL and BM) suggested we give them a piece of fabric and try to match the color if they can do it. Either that or tell her we need a lavender cake.

I'm thinking about doing a white cake now anyway.

We got our wedding invitations today. That was kind of exciting to see that package when I came home from work today. Which reminds me, I started my new job today. BUT Mike is home with dinner so I need to sign off. I will post pictures of the invites as well as fill you all in on my new job later!

[Goin2thechapel]

Umm,,,I see blue too... :)

PS...I loved her first is mine and my dad's song too!

[MOB Karen]

We had a dinner a couple weeks ago for Mike's parent's wedding anniversary. Mike thought it would be a good idea to "try" our wedding cake so he ordered the cake from Party Cakes (where we ordered our wedding cake).
I have been going back and forth trying to decide on a periwinkle cake with white, or white with periwinkle. We ordered the periwinkle cake to see what it would look like for the anniversary.

Does anyone else see a BLUE cake and not periwinkle??????
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0787.jpg

Caroline (FSIL and BM) suggested we give them a piece of fabric and try to match the color if they can do it. Either that or tell her we need a lavender cake.

I'm thinking about doing a white cake now anyway.

We got our wedding invitations today. That was kind of exciting to see that package when I came home from work today. Which reminds me, I started my new job today. BUT Mike is home with dinner so I need to sign off. I will post pictures of the invites as well as fill you all in on my new job later!

A week before Amber's wedding, we took a sterling rose to the cake lady so that she could match it to the color we wanted on the cake. She matched it perfectly. You have to help the baker out sometimes. LOL!! :laugh:

[Panthers Bride]

Looks blue to me. Like the other ladies have said, maybe they don't really know what color periwinkle is. I would definitely bring a swatch of fabric or something to match it with.

[SaralovesMike]

We all saw blue. We will have to get a swatch of fabric once the dresses are ordered and see if they can match it. The cake lady did however say that periwinkle is different to everyone. I suppose this is true, but this cake is not even close. It's blue!

I'm thinking white cake now but will give her perhaps one more trial with a piece of fabric to see if she can match it.

[MOB Karen]

I think with the fabric swatch, she should be able to match what you perceive periwinkle to be. Good luck!

[SaralovesMike]

I'm pretty sure I posted this picture before. Anyway this is the cake we are going to do for the wedding. I picked it because I loved the white cake with the subtle color on it, ours wouldn't be teal obviously.

Should we do the white cake with the peri design or peri with white? I am going to get our cake lady a piece of fabric to see if she can match it. If for some reason she can't then we're going with the white.
OR...
would the blue be "as blue" if it is just a little?
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/weddingcake.jpg

Something to think about....

Alright, off to work. We have James, Mike's 3 y.o. nephew all weekend. Mike is picking him up after work tonight. Wish me luck! :)

[hummingbird521]

I think if what you liked about the cake to begin with is the subtle hint of color then that is what I would stick with. I feel as if it would look much prettier that way. It is a beautiful cake.

[SaralovesMike]

Umm,,,I see blue too... :)

PS...I loved her first is mine and my dad's song too!

Good song!! I tear up everytime I hear it.

[SaralovesMike]

I think if what you liked about the cake to begin with is the subtle hint of color then that is what I would stick with. I feel as if it would look much prettier that way. It is a beautiful cake.

You're right, actually the more I think about it the more I think the white cake would be better. I wish I would someday learn to go with your first choice and not be so darn indecisive! I am still going to see if she can make the decoration closer to periwinkle.

[hummingbird521]

You're right, actually the more I think about it the more I think the white cake would be better. I wish I would someday learn to go with your first choice and not be so darn indecisive! I am still going to see if she can make the decoration closer to periwinkle.

I would see about the color being closer to the correct color as well. I think it will turn out beautifully.

[SaralovesMike]

Well, my first week at the new job is finished. I only worked 3 days due to the fact that I had jury duty. Talk about bad timing! I accepted the position then remembered that I had to go on the 5th for jury duty. I'm sure they were not too happy about it when I called them back to tell them I got seated on a jury and the trial would be 3-5 days. But like my dad said, jury duty is the best reason next to a death to get out of work. Hey, wasn't that one of those top 10 questions??? lol

So the trial lasted 3 1/2 days. Some of us on the jury thought it would go much longer due to the case. It was interesting, but can you say bad timing? It also reinforced in my mind that people are very quick to sue other people (this guy sued his son in law!) and are very very greedy. The plaintiff wanted $5 mill for pain and suffering from the accident as well as another $5 mill for future pain and suffering. His wife wanted 2.5 mill for pain and suffering (loss of services from her husband and yes they brought up their sexual relationship, or lack thereof) and another 2.5 mill for future loss. Then he had almost $80K in medical bills. We're talking over $15 million! I couldn't believe it!
We had to decide on whether or not this man was an employee of the company, he did work under the table for his SIL as he was retired, which we found he was not. And then we had to decide if the defendant was delinquent, it was a bad accident, which they weren't. This guy that got hurt was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and did something stupid. It was not the companies fault. So needless to say he got nothing. Not even workers comp. That's where you feel bad, but honestly how can you feel bad for someone so damn greedy. $15 million!!

So I started work on Wednesday morning. Things are going well, it is a very busy office. The doctors were out of the office yesterday and the office was actually closed. I did get some training on how things are done and how to answer the phone etc. I got flustered just once, 5 lines were ringing and I have no clue how to answer these peoples questions! I have no experience working in a medical office. I felt bad but I know I will learn.
Today I actually dealt with patients, checking them in and put lots of people on hold. The day went pretty fast because it was busy. Fridays the office is only open until 3, today I got to leave at 1. Nice! Even better, I don't have to go back to work until Monday! :)

Mike is picking up James tonight after work. This is our test. We have him all weekend, however we've got Mike's parents and older brother Jim on standby in case we need a break and want to drop him off for a few hours. I borrowed an air mattress from my mom for him to sleep on. Caroline's been prepping him that he is spending the weekend with us. The little bugger said he didn't want to sleep here b/c last time we made him sleep on the couch. What a 3 year old remembers!

Well, I'm off to catch up on anything I've missed here then I gotta vaccum and run to the store.

Have a great weekend!

[SaralovesMike]

Some pictures
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0835.jpg

This is what we are going to have on our cake table. We may do something similar for the head table but as of right now I'm not totally sure. I saw this on another wedding website and thought it was a neat idea. We're doing the same table that is on the previous picture of the cake. Periwinkle table cloth, and white tulling.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0836.jpg

I'm thinking about doing it with these hearts. We will probably have more scattered around the table. I only bought a few just to see how it would turn out. Sorry the picture isn't that great. I also thought about tea light candles as well but still haven't made the decision. It may be too cluttered.

These are just close up of the hearts. Some will have the wedding date, some will have our names, and some will be just plain silver or plain peri. It just depends on how many hearts we use, if any at all.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0838.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0839.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

The invitations are here! Ok, maybe early but I needed something to do with myself while I was off work last week!

It was pretty exciting opening them up and seeing it all in print. Somehow it made it real or something. Now I just have to learn how to tie a nice bow on these darn things. I don't know why I thought they'd be already tied for us?

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0840.jpg

I'm not sure which will come out better, this was taken with no flash which probably means its just dark!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0842.jpg

The inside... again dark.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0843.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

This is the vendors website photo, notice the nicely tied bow. Argh!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/weddinginvite.jpg

I guess I need to remember that once they go in the envelopes they won't be so pretty anymore huh?

Of course if anyone has any suggestions as to how to tie the bow and keep it looking like that I'd love to hear it!

[HalloweenBride]

I had bows on my invites as well, and I found out that I tie a better bow...upside down. Maybe that will work for you as well!!!

[SaralovesMike]

I had bows on my invites as well, and I found out that I tie a better bow...upside down. Maybe that will work for you as well!!!

I'll have to give that a try, thanks! :)

[Kacie_bride]

Love your invites!!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Love your invites!!!!

thanks! :)

[SaralovesMike]

Scary!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/James.jpg

This picture is just too funny! This is our nephew James when we had him a couple weekends ago. This kid loves scary monsters! He is totally into the old classic scary movies: Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolfman and we just got him Creature from the Black Lagoon. I've never seen a 3 1/2 year old that was this obsessed with monsters!

We had a Halloween birthday party for Caroline (FSIL) over this last weekend. We requested for everyone to dress up. Almost everyone did, although the costumes lasted a whole 15 minutes. The best was Caroline her husband Jim and little James. Again you can see how into monsters this kid is! And you can see where he gets it!
Caroline is the headless one and Jim is "Daddy Ghoul"...
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/halloween.jpg

James' costume was perfect for the little monster. She also had to buy a different costume for him to wear for school. She thought people would think she was messed up sending him to school like that so he was Spider Man. Too bad people are so judgemental! This costume is perfect for him!

Good News!

We found out yesterday that Caroline is pregnant! It's so exciting. She is freaking out about maybe not being able to be in the wedding. When she was pregnant with James she had fibroid tumors that grew as he did and ended up on bedrest. We've got time and I'm not stressed out nor am I going to be stressed out about it. It's so much bigger than that!
She is going for some bloodwork today. I guess she took something to stop her period when she and Jim went away a couple weeks ago. Then she didn't know she was pregnant! Because of that there is risk she may miscarry and she will know today after her appointment. Hopefully there is no problem. I know she really wants this!
Send her good thoughts!:heart:

[hummingbird521]

Cute pictures.

[SaralovesMike]

We met with Don in the summer to discuss the possibility of having him do our wedding ceremony. Mike is Presbyterian and I am Catholic but neither of us are "practicing." Kind of hard to find a place to get married since neither of us belong to any specific church.
Mike had only 2 requests about chosing a minister, he didn't want to take classes (Catholic church) and the other not joining a church. He is not religious at all. Me, I would have liked to find the priest of the church we belonged to when I was younger but that turned out to be a failed attempt. So, if it wasn't him I guess I was pretty much open to whatever and agreed with FH, I didn't really want to take classes nor did I want to join a specific church.

The first minister was from Mike's Aunt Annabelle's church. Mike's sister used this guy when she and her husband Jim got married. They were in the same boat as we are, not belonging to a church and not wanting an overly religious ceremony. We never heard from him so another lost lead.

My sister set us up with Don. She is what some might call a "Born Again Christian." She got involved with this church and has become somewhat radical. It's almost like a cult. Anyway, there was a time she was distancing herself from her family for "the church" she even skipped out on a few family get togethers saying we were disrespecting her Sunday. It had gotten to the point where I was even afraid she would not come to my wedding and she is my MOH!
There is another side to this and what has actually made things 1000X better. She is currently in medical school, which means she is very busy. So busy that we all hope she is going to be TOO busy for all the nonsense. That is actually starting to happen now, and she is starting to act more like herself again. THANKFULLY!
Well, my dad kind of stepped in and suggested Don as our minister as a way to get my sister to "buy into" the wedding. He was right! She is soooo happy that we picked Don and is so much more cooperative and open it isn't even funny.

Our first meeting with Don went well, he agreed to perform the ceremony "as a favor" since we don't belong to his church. He said he will help us plan out the ceremony and be open to giving us counseling in certain areas (sex, money, communication, kids). We left him that night with some homework to discuss for our next visit.

We met with him on Sunday, ready with our answers and came across a "new" Don. He was 15 minutes late for our meeting, the first time almost 10, and this time we both felt "preached to" and that he was trying to make us buy into his beliefs.
It was just a different experience, like he was a different person.
I know Mike is ready to tell this guy to shove his bible, but won't due to the circumstances. We're not going to cancel Don, but we also decided that we aren't interested in the counseling. He can do the ceremony and that's it.
I guess my thing with this guy is I don't trust him b/c of the situation with my sister. I don't hold much faith in what he says. I'm trying to stay positive though, and maybe this is all in our imagination.

[Panthers Bride]

I hope everything goes well for you. I would keep my eye on this Don fellow, and maybe try to find a back-up "just in case"? Of course, that's just my cynicsm coming out, but religious radicals scare me.

[SaralovesMike]

I hope everything goes well for you. I would keep my eye on this Don fellow, and maybe try to find a back-up "just in case"? Of course, that's just my cynicsm coming out, but religious radicals scare me.

He is a radical that's for sure!
I really think this is the reason we are having such "issues" with this nut. I know I am based on everything that has happened with my sister. I mean I really don't trust him I just want to ask him, "what have you done to my sister you wacko!"
It's tricky b/c if we go with someone else I know my sister will be very angry, for the wrong reasons of course. I'm still thinking about looking into a backup.

Anyway, trying to keep an open mind. Mike and I figure if we tell him that we DO NOT want to do any sort of counseling with him and we just let him perform the ceremony things should be ok. Although when we talked to him about the rehearsal he made a point in saying, "I will be in charge of how the rehearsal dinner will go."
I don't think I've ever been to a rehearsal where the officiant WASN'T in charge of everything. Now I just don't know if they tell you that in advance or is it this guy just being wacko???

[hummingbird521]

If I was having weird or bad feelings about him now, I think I would look for someone else to perform the ceremony. Regardless of who I might be upsetting. JMO

[SaralovesMike]

If I was having weird or bad feelings about him now, I think I would look for someone else to perform the ceremony. Regardless of who I might be upsetting. JMO

You have no idea how many times I've thought about that since Sunday.
I mentioned something to my mom yesterday and she didn't really have much of an opinion. We're gonna wait and see what happens. We have a meeting scheduled with him on Nov 14. I want to see how that goes before we make any decision.

[SaralovesMike]

This is just an update. We're still pretty far ahead of the game, except for the dresses. That will be done hopefully this month (November)
Everything we've accomplished is pink!

6 To 12 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Establish type of wedding (formal or information) and choose a date: beach wedding, semi-formal, June 16, 2007
* Select Wedding Gown: David's Bridal
* Discuss gown colors and styles
* Choose attendant's dresses
* Visit the clergy and review church/synagogue requirements: Don Magee
* Compile size of the guest list: 170 is the max the place can hold, our list has close to 200, yikes!
* Determine your budget and discuss expenses: a lot more than either of us EVER imagined!
* Find a reception location and make reservations early: St Clair Inn, St Clair MI. Both wedding and reception will be held here.
* Select a wedding consultant: don't need it, so I guess that would be ME!

4 To 6 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Choose your attendants
* Select men's formalwear
* Choose a color theme: periwinkle and silver
* Buy wedding rings
* Book your caterer: comes with venue, haven't picked out menu yet
* Book your photographer: Mannino Photography, Royal Oak, MI
* Book your videographer: Mike's uncle Bill
* Book your dj or band: "DJ Shine" aka Donald Schuster
* Have physical examinations
* Decide your honeymoon plans HAWAII baby!
* Plan ceremony and reception music: hired bag piper for ceremony
* Compile names and addresses for guest list: also sent out Save The Dates

2 To 4 MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Plan wedding decorations
* Select a florist: Susan Wolan, The Bride's Bouquet
* Order invitations and party favors
* Shop for bridal party tuxedos
* Finalize arrangement for the church and ceremony
* Make transportation arrangements
* Plan honeymoon; visit travel agencies, make reservations
* All deposits should be made and contracts signed
* Put together ideas for bridal registry


THREE MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Order the wedding cake
* Choose gifts for attendants, parents, helpers
* Buy cake knife, toasting glasses, guest book & garter

TWO MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
* Make plans & reservations for wedding rehearsal & dinner
* Reserve rooms for out-of-town guests
* Address invitations/announcements
Invitations should be sent 4-6 weeks prior to wedding; announcements after wedding

ONE MONTH BEFORE WEDDING
* Obtain marriage license
* Confirm details of every aspect of your wedding
* Finalize honeymoon reservations
* Contact all contracted services to confirm arrangements
* Have final fittings for you and your attendant's dresses
* Ask a friend or relative to take charge of guest book at reception
* Pick up wedding rings
* Purchas gift for fiance (not mandatory!)

TWO WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
* Review reception seating and order place cards
* Prepare wedding announcement to send to newspapers
* Contact guests who have not responded

ONE WEEK BEFORE WEDDING
* Pick up your gown, attendants' dresses & accessories
* Confirm details with all participants and inform them of any changes
* Give final guest count to reception facility or caterer
* Pack for honeymoon
* Make sure you have all wedding attire, rings & marriage license
* Have rehearsal and dinner

WEDDING DAY
* Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is to begin
* Have hair & make-up done
* Take marriage license and rings to ceremony site
* Relax
* Have physical examinations
* Decide your honeymoon plans
* Plan ceremony and reception music
* Compile names and addresses for guest list __________________

[AngelinLove]

I just thought that I would let you know that our officiant is a Reverend (non-demonational) and a chaplain for the Oakland County Sheriff's Dept. He was awesome, not preachy and very easy to work with. If you need someone let me know!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Angel, I will definitely keep that in mind and let you know!

[SaralovesMike]

I'm getting ready to go on our trip. We'll be back tomorrow but this weekend is pretty packed and I don't know if I will be back online until Monday.
In fact right now I'm already running behind on everything I have to do before FH comes home and we hit the road.
I have to go get my nails done, run to the bank, finish up the laundry and then pack all by 3.
So what am I doing on the computer???
Good question! I guess you could say feeding my addiction??? LOL

Anyway, have a good weekend everybody!
Until Monday!

[hummingbird521]

have a wonderful weekend full of fun and good times. Make many memories of it. Enjoy!!!

[BriansBride07]

Have a great weekend I hope all goes well for you and your FH.

[SaralovesMike]

I'm back and trying to do this fast. I'm actually supposed to be getting ready to go to a baby shower for my cousin. So like me always running late, and I wonder why!

The weekend was ok, too darn cold and it rained pretty much until we got home last night. We took our time getting there stopping at a very old cider mill. It was pretty cool, almost looked spooky it was so old. We were the only ones there which made it more creepy.
We got up there, checked in and went out to do a horse and carriage ride. Mike and I have been there many times and keep saying we wanted to do the carriages. Believe it or not it was actually disappointing. We didn't see a whole lot and then the last part of the tour was thru a parking lot. We paid $50 for a 40 minute ride. We were all a little disappointed. :(

Then it was on to dinner. Yes, we saw the game on tv. The guys made sure to ask for a table where they could see. Mike was joking about sitting there all night but he knew how I felt about watching the game. I didn't want to make an issue and resigned myself to just going with the flow. After dinner we walked in the rain back to the lodge and this is where the fun started. The other couple we were with wanted to go to the lounge to have a couple drinks and watch the game. Mike and I were actually feeling sick. Nick and Nikki went down and we told them we'd be down in a few minutes. By this time for me the room was spinning and I felt nauseous (sp?). I was gonna stay put for a few minutes to see if it passed so I told Mike to go down and I'd be there in a few minutes. About 15 minutes later he was back and in the bathroom getting sick. Needless to say that was how we spent our night. I never got as sick as he did, thankfully! We went to bed about 10 and that was it!
Nikki was sick the next morning and we're all still trying to figure out what happened. The only thing all of us ate was the nachos, and Nick was fine. We all had different things, so it was kind of weird. The next morning Mike and I were both fine and after her little episode, so was Nikki. Weird!

On the way home we stopped at a farm that had giant pumpkins, I kid you not one of these things weighed close to 200 lbs. They were supposed to do a pumpkin toss but the weather was yucky so they would wait and try to do it today. Too bad we missed that, it would have been kind of cool to see them throw a 200 lb pumpkin.

So, that was our weekend. Today is a baby shower for me and Mike is planning on carving pumpkins at his folks house and clean here later. Other than that pretty uneventful Sunday.

Well better get moving so I'm not any later! :)

[mariaandmanish]

I'm so sorry that you all ended up sick!! That's horrible!! One of those things where it's careful what you wish for right!! I'm glad to hear that you made it back safe and sound though, and that the illness didn't last too long!

[SaralovesMike]

I'm so sorry that you all ended up sick!! That's horrible!! One of those things where it's careful what you wish for right!! I'm glad to hear that you made it back safe and sound though, and that the illness didn't last too long!

Thanks!
We're glad too, just not too excited about eating at that place EVER again. We're going back in December to do some Christmas shopping, you can believe that we won't be going to the Brewery for dinner. We just have to find someplace else to go.

[ladymelissa]

Sounds like you had a pretty good time despite your worrying! That sucks you got sick, but Mike probably would have been a little under the weather even if he had watched the game.

I am glad all of you felt better in the morning!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Melissa, that's me anxiety and worry! LOL
You're right, he would have felt worse if he would have watched them lose. He took it well though and was happy for the simple fact that his Tigers made it to the World Series.
Everyone's better and no worse for the wear!

[SaralovesMike]

It's true, the test results came back. After all the worry and anxiety (not me this time! lol) the results came back good for my FSIL Caroline and her hubby Jim.
Caroline found out yesterday she is 100% pregnant! She is also well past the time where whatever it was she took to stop her period would have a negative effect on her. In other words there is no risk of a miscarriage from that. Of course there are still risks (she just turned 40 a couple weeks ago) but we're just gonna send good thoughts and soon little JW will have a little brother or sister.
Her due date is still July 1. As far as we know she is still planning on standing up in the wedding. Mike and I made sure to tell her that we want her to be in the wedding but it is her choice. We also have decided that our wedding party will sit during the ceremony, with the exception of MOH and BM. This will hopefully make her not feel so self conscious if for some reason she had to sit down during the ceremony because every one else is.

I'm so happy for her. As long as I've known her she has said she wanted another baby. But since her hubby wasn't too thrillled about trying for #2 she was starting to be ok with it and made sure to tell Mike and I that she expected many cousins for JW to play with.
We're going to see them tonight. They are bringing JW to Mike's parents house for Trick or Treating, and Mike and I are going to either pass out candy or go Trick or Treating with JW. I think this is the 1st year he really understands what Halloween is about. I better dig out the costumes for us just in case!

[SaralovesMike]

Last night was Halloween and we went over to Mike's parents house to pass out candy and to see JW dressed up in his ghoul costume. From what we saw he didn't have the mask on long. His dad took him to a couple houses on their street and he was done. They said not many people had their lights on. They had about 30 kids come to the door, 10 times more than my parents get that's for sure! And they said it was considerably less than in previous years. We were happy it was mostly little kids although we did see a group of teenagers walking around with bags when we left. I'm sorry but anything over elementary school is just too old! That's when Mike told me he and his old roommate used to buy dumdum suckers and "pre-lick" them and give them to the kids that shouldn't be trick or treating. Ugh! Can you imagine? Gross, but funny.

It was also a good communication night for Mike's mom. Let me explain. She had a stroke about 8 or 10 years ago. She was very very lucky, I hear stories from them all the time that they didn't think she was going to live! But from what I've seen she is a fighter. Anyway, she has aphasia. Basically she speaks nonsense. She knows what she wants to say in her head but what comes out is different. I've never heard her say any of her kids names. No I take that back, she says "Mike" but that could mean any of them. I've also learned that "way gone" is a long time ago. I always feel bad because in the past year and 1/2 I have a hard time understanding. I know it's frustrating for her as well, especially with Mike and his one brother always trying to finish her sentences. She also has anxiety which makes it hard because she gets self conscious. When she is relaxed it is easier for her to communicate.
This is what I am really starting to see, at least around me. I think she is starting to relax more around me and it's getting easier for her. That and the fact that I feel like I am starting to understand her better. Like last night, she and I had a conversation without the help of Mike's dad or Mike. I was pretty excited about it. Like my dad said to her once, "I speak your language!" That's kind of how I felt.

Not much wedding stuff going on. Caroline and I were talking about my shower last night. I think it's too early now? We do have to figure out the dress situation. I still can't believe that the boys have their tuxes and we still haven't found the dresses yet!

Today I will be working on my DVD project for my mom for Christmas. Hopefully we can get it done! Mike put together a dvd the last couple years for his mom of family pictures and it is set to music. It is so awesome! We thought we'd do the same for my mom set to Beatles music. That wil make it more special for her since she is such a Beatles fanatic. The tricky part is getting other family members (her brothers/sister and my cousins) to contribute pictures. I enlisted the help of my dad getting pictures out of their house without her knowing and I have gotten some pictures from one aunt. I feel like a big pain in the butt pestering everyone. I'm almost to the point of if you don't send anything then you won't be in the dvd, and I know that will tick some people off. The next and longest part is scanning in the pictures. Ah, I'm frustrated already, maybe today isn't the day for this.
If I want it for Christmas then I better get working on it! Right?

[BriansBride07]

I hear ya about with the older kids trick or treating that was half of our prob. last night fist fighting on a corner I mean really bad. People doing drive bys and shooting paint balls guns. And then one house that was throwing eggs into the kids candy. Thank god we were warned about the house with the eggs and we stayed away.

I hear what you mean about your FMIL, my grandpa is the same way and it is alot easier for him to communicate once he starts to relax, Yeah on gaining her trust to be able to make it easier to communicate.

I also have done the DVD's for people for x-mas last year. I made my mom one of me from a baby all the way up to currrant and also one of my sister she cryed like a baby. I have my moms house key so when she wasnt' home I would just sneak in and grab the pics I needed scan at home then bring back. LOL she never even knew...Best of luck to you on your DVD presants.

[SaralovesMike]

I sent emails to my cousins hoping that they will help us out. I am pretty sure one will, not sure on the other. Too bad that's the one we have the least pictures of his kids. I asked my aunt the other day at my cousin's shower. She will help me get pictures from grandma, hopefully. It would be easier to just go and get them myself from her but I'm afraid she will open her big mouth and tell my mom what we're doing. If my aunt does it she can tell her it's for her. Of course she has a big mouth too so we'll see...

Can't work on the project today, the scanner won't work for me.:chair:
I guess I will have to have Mike take a look at it when he gets home from work tonight. Darn it, and I just talked to him too, I should have asked him then! Oh well!

[BriansBride07]

I guess I will have to have Mike take a look at it when he gets home from work tonight. Darn it, and I just talked to him too, I should have asked him then! Oh well!

LMAO I do this all the time.

[SaralovesMike]

Mike spent most of the evening last night cussing at the computer. We get some sort of error message every time you turn it on. It was an HP error (how did he figure that out?) so he had to uninstall everything HP related which means no printer, no scanner. How will I ever get this project done? If it continues then he will take this thing to the tech support guy at work to see if he can fix it. Last time this guy wiped our computer and I lost everything! Yes Mike backed everything up but I lost all my email addresses. I finally got it all back. I'm hoping Mike can figure it out himself. But, if he doesn't and I disappear you know why. No computer!
I did print out all the email addresses this time so I am ready.

Mike's BIL Jim was in a car accident this morning. Apparently he pulled off to the side of the road (freeway) and as he got back on he was hit from behind by someone going 70 mph. Jim hit the guy in front of him and luckily walked away from this with bruised ribs. His truck is totalled.
To make matters worse he doesn't have collision insurance so they will only get $500 for the truck. Needless to say tensions are running high in their house today.
Caroline stopped working full time. She had a dog grooming business which she closed last year. Something about the landlord, not totally sure the details. Then she went and leased space from someone else who went and changed her hours. Caroline did dogs on Saturdays so she could be home with James during the week and Jim was home on Saturday. All of a sudden this lady tells her she can't work Saturdays anymore and they are back to square 1. I think now Caroline does a couple dogs from home but for the most part doesn't work. The problem is Jim is bad with money so this really makes things difficult for them now that they are having another baby. I wouldn't want to be there today!
Look at the bright side is my advice, Jim is ok. The money issues, they will just have to work through. Maybe my FH can teach Jim a thing or 2 about the budget, ha ha!

The company Mike works for is changing over their health insurance carrier. We took out a short term policy for me so I don't have to take Cobra from my other job. When we get married he will put me on his insurance. Well they are switching to BCBS from MCare and they had an insurance rep come in to answer some questions. Mike asked him about adding me to his insurance. My insurance (BCBS) from the other job would have allowed me to add him, being my "domestic (opposite sex) partner since we live together and have for over 6 months." Makes sense they allow it for same sex. His will not, and that is kind of annoying. Why is it that same sex partners can be carried on each other's insurance but not us? It doesn't seem right. Mike's dad suggested we go and get married now so he can put me on his insurance. "No one has to know" and we can still go through with everything in June. I think we're both thinking its a good idea but then we want to do it right. I wish the insurance company would just cooperate!

I'm off to get my haircut and lunch with my mom.
Until later!

[SaralovesMike]

Well, the new job was horrible. I hate to admit being such a dork but I gave up and quit. I have never done anything like this before. I've always listened to my dad when he said "it's always easier to find a job when you have one!"
This time I didn't listen to him and maybe have made a rash decision.

My background is retail and took a job in a drs office. I had no experience, they knew this when they offered me the job. I thought how hard could it be? It was hard! It was pretty stressful because I was given very little training. Sure, answering phones and setting appointments, that was the easy part. I guess I should have read the writing on the wall when I was told that there were 19 people that had my job in the last 9 months. That's pretty bad, something must be wrong with that picture! From what I understand most of them resigned. The office manager was horrible, granted she does have a stressful job. It was a busy office. She had temper tantrums just about every day and had absolutely no people skills. It was just terrible.

God love my FH, he is very supportive. He was the one that told me to let it go if I want. He just wants to see me happy. He said he wasn't convinced this is what I wanted to do when I accepted the position. I think I took it without really thinking about it, I just really wanted to get out of the situation I was in before.
Now it's back to pounding the pavement. I am going to pursue this medical office thing but I am going to do it the right way. In January I am going back to school. In the meantime I have to find something. When school starts I will work part time about 25 hours a week. That will be a change, I've always worked full time. I can take my time finding something I want to do, but since I've always worked it's difficult not working. I really don't want to go back into retail, especially with the holidays coming. I've gotten used to having my nights and weekends off and I'd like to keep it that way. So I'm just trying to be patient and trying not to let it frustrate me too much.
Argh! Why can't we just go back to kindergarten?? Ok maybe not.

[ladymelissa]

Wow! What a day for you! Jim and his family are in my thoughts.

Why is it that same sex partners can be carried on each other's insurance but not us? It doesn't seem right.
The only reason I can think of is b/c same sex couples are not legally allowed to marry in most states.

Best wishes with your job search.

[Panthers Bride]

Wow, you've had a crazy day.
Since Jim was hit, the *hitter* should be the one who pays for Jim's truck, and the other person's vehicle. Or was it a hit-and-run? Have him check into the police report. If the other driver was charged, he can have his insurance company go after the other person's.

Good luck on the job search.

[ladymelissa]

Wow, you've had a crazy day.
Since Jim was hit, the *hitter* should be the one who pays for Jim's truck, and the other person's vehicle. Or was it a hit-and-run? Have him check into the police report. If the other driver was charged, he can have his insurance company go after the other person's.

Michigan is a no fault traffic law state, meaning that no matter who hit whom each party must pay for their own damages.

[hummingbird521]

Michigan is a no fault traffic law state, meaning that no matter who hit whom each party must pay for their own damages.

boy that sucks bigtime.

[hummingbird521]

Hope you find a job real soon. Got my fingers crossed for you.

[Jacklynn]

Goodness girl! I hope things start looking up for you. I am sure they will, I hope everything gets better with the job situation

[SaralovesMike]

We had to laugh last night, there was so much bad news yesterday today had to be better!
Darn the no fault laws here in Michigan! Mike was talking to his sister last night about the accident. I was cleaning kitchen after dinner so I missed it. For me aside from all the money drama they have the biggest thing is he is ok. He could have been seriously hurt smashed between 2 vehicles at 70 mph and he only walked away with a couple bruised ribs. You can replace cars, you can't replace people.

Thanks for all the good job vibes ladies!
I really should be spending my time right now on careerbuilder and monster. Shhh don't tell! lol.

This weekend we are going to start the Christmas decorations. We really go all out. I collect snowmen and that tends to be my theme thru out including the tree. Mike is into lights. When I met him I had no idea he was as into Christmas as I was. He joked saying that he could be compared to Clark W Griswold from the Christmas Vacation movie the way he goes all out with lights. He's not so bad, but he loves it! So much that we have to start early this year because he also has to do his parents house and his brothers. Next weekend is his brother and the following weekend is his parents. His parents house takes about 3 days. Last year he made his light display there a snowman theme for me.
I have blue and white lights on the tree with only snowman decorations and that is pretty much what he did at his folks place, the front anyway. Blue and white lights and a giant blow up snowman on the front yard. The snowman got ripped up last year so who knows what he is planning.
He really does this for his mom too. He puts lights up inside and outside front and back for her. She likes to sit in her room and look out at the lights. This way she can do it from any room of their house and feel Christmas.

This week he's been testing and fixing lights, most people just buy new I thought. He's gone thru about 30 strands and still has more to go. You can only imagine how crazy this is going to be! I'm excited though. Later I might start getting out all my snowmen and figure out where they are going to go. I love this time of year!
I will have to take some pictures of the finished project once we're done. It's a shame we didn't last year.

Still no printers on the computer so the scanning of pictures have to wait another day. He scanned in over 1000 pictures for his project. I only have about 300 so far!

[ladymelissa]

Sweet! I love Christmas too! I can't wait to see your decorations! We reuse lights every year, unless we can't get them to work!

[BriansBride07]

[quote=saralovesmike]

The office manager was horrible, granted she does have a stressful job. It was a busy office. She had temper tantrums just about every day and had absolutely no people skills. [quote]

argh I hear ya about office managers I don't blame you then for quitting this sounds just like my last job. I hurt my back really bad and all she had to say to me was walk straight. Duh I have 3 discs out that is not possible. I ended up being layed up for over 7 mo. and she refused to give me back my job. But that's ok I was ready to leave anyway.

[BriansBride07]

I LOVE Christmas also and we go all out. LOL FH will come home the scrooge he can be and be like OMG what did you do it was only Thanksgiving yesterday. I love it though. We also reuse our lights everyyear unless they don't work. Can't wait to see your pics

[SaralovesMike]

Since we're starting the Christmas decorating this weekend I went on a search for some things that we are missing. Okay, missing might not be the correct word how about things that I WANT.

The first, my mom has this really cool throw that she puts on her couch during the holidays. She has a Santa "obsession" that way out does my snowman obsession, but I'm getting there. She has been doing this much longer than I have. Anyway, I have been EVERYWHERE looking for something similar with my snowman on it. Even Bronners, the Christmas store doesn't even have anything. I never thought to look online. Thankfully I did and this is what I found. I absolutely love this!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/keepsakes56_1919_115738923.jpg

The other, I think I may have to settle. I tried the internet search which came up empty. Again, trying to steal from my mom (ever hear CASE?- Copy And Steal Everything?). I have been looking for a fiber optic snowman to put on the top of the tree. Apparently they make everything fiber optic, stars, angels, snowflakes and even Santa's. No snowmen. I had a sort of glass, it wasn't glass but it was breakable, snowman with wings for the top of the tree. Then he met his demise when my cat Ginger decided the best place for her to sit was on the top branches of the tree. Now this snowman sits on top of a table with wings that need to be glued every year.
I found this topper today, fabric so he won't break at the hands of little miss kitty. Last year we got a real tree and she didn't try to climb it as she did with the artificial ones I used to have. We're hoping for the same luck this year. Or at least maybe she remembered being told that she ruined Christmas when she knocked the tree over every year before that. Maybe not.
Anyway, this is my latest find.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/snowman.jpg

I am such a Christmas fanatic, and this is only the beginning of November! Look out!

[SaralovesMike]

argh I hear ya about office managers I don't blame you then for quitting this sounds just like my last job. I hurt my back really bad and all she had to say to me was walk straight. Duh I have 3 discs out that is not possible. I ended up being layed up for over 7 mo. and she refused to give me back my job. But that's ok I was ready to leave anyway.

Oh that's awful!
My mom's had 2 surgeries over the last 10 years to correct her back problems. The last was pretty bad, 3 herniated discs. They said she shouldn't have even been walking AND when they first saw her MRI they thought it was a tumor. She's better now but I can totally sympathize. Glad you're better!

[BriansBride07]

I was searching and found some of the fiber optic snowmen (but they are not tree toppers)
Here is the site www.homebrite.com (http://www.homebrite.com)

Here isa couple of the ones I found.
http://www.homebrite.com/images/seasonal/61193.jpg (http://www.homebrite.com/images/seasonal/61193_b.jpg)http://www.homebrite.com/images/seasonal/61204.jpg (http://www.homebrite.com/images/seasonal/61204_b.jpg)

[SaralovesMike]

I was searching and found some of the fiber optic snowmen (but they are not tree toppers)
Here is the site www.homebrite.com (http://www.homebrite.com)

Here isa couple of the ones I found.
http://www.homebrite.com/images/seasonal/61193.jpg (http://www.homebrite.com/images/seasonal/61193_b.jpg)http://www.homebrite.com/images/seasonal/61204.jpg (http://www.homebrite.com/images/seasonal/61204_b.jpg)
Too cute!!!! Thanks!
You're feeding my obsession! I think I'm in trouble now. Either that or my FH is, there goes the budget! ha ha

[SaralovesMike]

Here I am back online!

This is supposed to be our weekend of doing nothing. For the past month we have had plans every Saturday and every Sunday, except this one. Like I said earlier it will time to put up the decorations minus the Christmas tree. That we will get on December 2nd when we go to a tree farm with Mike's family. They go every year and cut down real trees. The men go trouncing thru the snow picking out the "perfect" tree while the women stay in the lodge and drink hot chocolate. I didn't go last year because I had to work so I am really looking forward to it.
Pictures will be coming as soon as we start the decorations I promise!

Tonight Mike went over to his folks to drop off something for his dad and then over to his ex roommates. They are going to see a friend of the guy that was killed on his bike the other day. Apparently this guy has no family and it appears that alcohol was involved in the accident. Meaning the biker was drinking. It's really an unknown at this point in fact the local police station is asking for anyone with information. That's sad. Mike's old roommate Vichit (also his best man) knew this guy thru his brother. Mike said they all used to play football when they were younger. This is the guy that apparently broke Mike's nose.
So, he's out until who knows when. He says he'll be home by 9. I think later. He left work late and its almost an hour drive to his parents from there. That puts him there close to 6:30. He will probably spend time visiting at his parents, not just run in and out like he says. Then over to this person's house with Vich, grab something to eat and probably shoot the sh-t. He doesn't see Vich very often so I'm pretty sure it won't be a quick visit. I'm betting he's home closer to 11 so we'll see.
I'm just home watching bad tv. I got addicted to "The Duel" on mtv. It's those challenge shows where they pit Real World and Road Rules people against eachother. I am a reality tv junkie what can I say?
Other than that I'm here on the computer seeing what's new and debating on whether or not I will put my wedding invitations together. It's early but I need a project.

Yea, that's what I'm gonna do. Decision made. Have a great weekend everyone if I don't find my way back here until Monday!

[SaralovesMike]

Mike and I kind of came to the decision yesterday, after much procrastination, that we were too overwhelmed to put up decorations. This past weekend was supposed to be our weekend of not doing much. Which we accomplished somewhat. Saturday we went to FIL's so he could clean out the gutters then ran some errands. We got up early, he cooked breakfast then we took a nap. We kinda did it backwards the nap was supposed to be after the gutters not first. Oh well who cares! We also went to Lowe's to see what they had i terms of decorations just to get some ideas. I can't believe we didn't spend a dime!
Sunday, again not much by choice. We had breakfast with my parents, he went to his folks again to drop some stuff off. When he got home he asked me if I really wanted to do the decorations. I told him I did but it was gonna be a big mess. He agreed so we decided to wait. I might start pulling stuff out this week and getting organized. We have so much stuff and he hasn't really added his stuff to mine yet! It's gonna be a project in itself.

Mike's brother Bill's girlfriend called over the weekend as well. She wants to have a family portrait taken to give to Mike's parents. Apparently she pissed everyone off because it has to be on her time schedule. They all think this should have been done months ago not now during the holidays. The family really doesn't like her. She is somewhat of a manipulator and a huge factor of why Bill is drinking again. Too sad and a story for later.
As it stands right now, we're getting pictures taken but that could change at any second.
I personally would like to get an engagement picture taken of Mike and I.

We're cooking a roast tonight for dinner and Mike should be home from work soon. Tonight starts our working out. We're going down to the fitness center in our apartment complex or going for a walk. Maybe both. His cholesterol was pretty high so we're trying to eat better and get some exercise. I also want to get in shape for the wedding.

We did this before, hopefully we can keep at it this time!
Until later...

[SaralovesMike]

Yes today is the day! Thankfully all those horrible commercials will be OVER after today. I don't know about anyone else but I am so sick and tired of those dang commercials!
Mike played a joke on his dad last night. I think FIL's are the last people without caller id. Anyway, my FFIL has been complaining about the number of "are you gonna vote for..." phone calls. Mike called him 3 times last night pretending to be someone looking for votes to support Dick DeVos (he's running for governor here in MI and a Republican). The first time he called FFIL said that he wouldn't vote for him if Adolf Hitler was running against him and hung up. The 2nd time he said, "You already called me and I said NO!" Again he stated his Hitler statement and then Mike asked him why. He said "because he is a bible thumping jack ass!" and again hung up.
The last time Mike called he was himself and was going to fess up. Immediately his dad started telling him about these calls he was getting to support DeVos. "That was you?"
He got a good laugh out of it. I'm still trying to figure out how he didn't recognize his voice. I'm sure there will be pay backs.

We are going to vote tonight. It will be my first time in quite a few years. We just decided it was the right thing to do. I guess my vote will have to go for the lesser of 2 evils. I really don't like politicians! But, it is my civic duty! I served on a jury this year AND I'm voting. I think I've fulfilled it this year huh?

[BriansBride07]

OK that was to funny what you FH did to your FFIL I couldn't imagine how you didn't burst out laughing while listening to what was going on. Glad that his dad found the humor in it. Yes it is you civic duty to vote. Well I should vote also today but im not going to b/c I didn't stay involved in the people running I usually only vote for the Presidents.

[SaralovesMike]

http://www.party-cakes.com/weddingcakes/index.html

I can't save the image so this will have to do. This is where we are getting our wedding cake. This is also the place where we got the blue/periwinkle cake. I'm thinking I might actually like this cake better (#3) but of course it would be some how periwinkle.

This is the cake that I originally picked out:http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/weddingcake.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

This is the cake top I am thinking about using instead of the fresh flowers:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/caketopper.jpg

And more cakes:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/send_binary.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Aug0602.jpg

[ladymelissa]

Ohhhh! I love the #3 cake from party cakes!

That is too funny about Mike calling his dad! :bblol:

[SaralovesMike]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Mar13001.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Wed_cakes576.jpg

Of course they all have fresh flowers for the cake top. I kinda like the one where they put a bride and groom topper in the middle. I haven't seen that before. So many decisions!

[hummingbird521]

All the cakes are really pretty and I love the cake topper you have picked out. That is just too funny about what your FH done to your FFIL. I will have to remember that for the next election. We have been swamped with calls and well and we to are one of the last ones on earth without caller id. I let the answering machine screen them. Everyone knows to say something if we are to talk to them.

[SaralovesMike]

Yep, everyone in my FH's family is somewhat of a jokester. Mike is the worst one of all though. One of these days I want to be in on when they get him back.
He sent a subpoena to his brother in law, who to this day still has no idea who sent it. He sent one to me a couple months ago. It took me about 5 minutes to figure out it was him. It took him longer to admit that it was him! I told him he shouldn't tell me all of his evil plots.
I tried to get him back with a coworker of mine over the summer. She was another one that was a victim. He sent her an email as someone else saying that he and his wife were really excited about coming to visit and that they were planning on stopping by the store where we worked and possibly go have coffee after they checked into the hotel.
I can't keep things like that a secret. Not to mention I can't keep a straight face. She saw right thru ME but we didn't tell Mike. She started emailing this particular alias a couple months later asking if she met him on match.com or meetanditalian.com. Mike got scared thinking that she was cheating on her husband! Of course he couldn't resist and kept talking to her (even when he said he was gonna stop!).
For Christmas a couple years ago Mike being his normal smart a-s self said he wanted a naked picture of Schemp (3 Stooges) for Christmas. Well his brother Jim got him one. Well he had one made anyway, the most disgusting picture you've ever seen. It's some naked guy with Schemp's head. It is in a frame in our computer room, face down. He hid it from me when we were first dating the first time I was over at his place.
Anyway, my friend and "Reg" were exchanging emails and making a place to meet so they had to send pictures to eachother. Mike pulled up some guys picture from who knows where and I scanned Schemp to give to my friend. We thought we had him. I still think we did get him but he won't admit it. He said he knew what was going on for a while (thanks to me!). He said he'll get us back.
God I would love to get him!

It was hard to keep from laughing when he called his dad. I almost had to leave the room. It was just too funny!

[SaralovesMike]

This one has to be my favorite!
We were thinking about doing something with some more color like the last picture with the pinks to make it seem more summery. Now I am thinking just the blues and purples will be more elegant?
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dsp_maid_1154971218.jpg

I like this one too. The bows for the bouquets would all be slightly different for each of the BM's. Mine would be a little bigger than the rest
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/lilac_bridemads.jpg

This is the one with all the color. I still like the look of it. Just not sure if this is the way we should go.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/blue_dendros_bridal_bouquet_lg.jpg


For the centerpieces I'm gonna try to explain until I can get a picture. They will be hurricane vases in 3 different sizes. Inside will be the periwinkle marbles all the way to the top. On the top of the vase there will be a blue hydrangea with some greenery. This is the part that is hard to explain. Our florist had this clear beading on a twisty wire. It reminded me of christmas lights actually. These beads will come out of the flower on the top and wrap around the vase all the way to the bottom. I think I'm gonna call my florist to see if she has or could take a picture. This is also another reason why the flowers might have to be somewhat the same colors (blues and purples).

[Panthers Bride]

My personal opinion? I like your original cake the best.
Also, I think the top picture of the flowers is gorgeous.
My opinion, but this is YOUR wedding, so my opinion should mean diddly squat. tee hee.

[SaralovesMike]

Wow, jury duty and voting all in the last couple months. I do have to say something about the people that run these polls though! Mike got home early and we ran up to the elementary school to vote. There wasn't too much of a line and we may have waited a total of 20 minutes from the time we got into line to the time we left. Mike's friend Vichit (also his best man) called to say he waited in line over an hour. I would have had no patience for that!
Anyway, the people working there with the exception of one were all over the age of 70! I guess that's good that they are giving their time to volunteer. I saw something on the news about people talking about the average age of the volunteers somewhere else being "already dead." We got a good laugh out of that because omg, very true!

We get there and have to fill out an application. I guess this makes it easier for these people to find your name? The next lady finds your name and you move to the next person to get your ballot. So, the name finder was totally out of it! The guy in front of Mike, she gave him the wrong name. Mike went thru ok, then it was my turn. She couldn't find my name. She was looking on one page, obviously the wrong one, and kept saying "you're not in here honey, are you sure you're supposed to be here?"
I even gave her my voter registration to prove that yes I am supposed to be here but to hopefully speed it up. Finally the lady next to her turned the page and found my name right away. The name finder almost gave me the person listed above me until I pointed it out.
God love her, she's doing something but come on! That's a long day for these people. I wonder how many other people the messed up before the night was over.

Today is errand day for me. I have to take my car in for an oil change, go to the grocery store and some other things that are slipping my mind. I also have to get my Christmas list done for my FIL's. I've got most of it done but I feel like it's too much. I'll have to have Mike look at it later to see what he thinks. He'll probably tell me I need to put more on it!

[Kacie_bride]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dsp_maid_1154971218.jpg

I think you are right about this one being more elegant. I love this bouquet!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks for all the opinions ladies, you're the best!
I had Mike look at pictures of flowers last night. Just what he wanted to do. Even better he's color blind so I'm not sure he was seeing things right!
This was the bokay he liked the best:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dsp_maid_1154971218.jpg
So it looks like we will do something similar (or at least something with these colors.)
I have to get in touch with our florist and let her know we want to change gears. She will be putting our order for flowers come March or April and she told me if I found anything I liked to send her pictures. Hopefully its not too late.

The cake, I'm still debating. I should stick with my first choice and not try and change things. We've already kind of ordered it. I still have to send her a picture of what we want. Which is why I was thinking I might change my mind. I still might, just not totally sure.
I think I'm feeling this way because of the blue icing/periwinkle icing mess. I really need to ask her if she can match the color to the dresses and then decide if we will change the cake or not.

[hummingbird521]

With regards to your talking about the elderly being at the polls last night ours is the same way. My mother started working them a couple of years ago and she is 65 now. However she doesn't volunteer (at least I don't think she does). she gets paid for it. not to bad either for one day of work. They couldnt' find me on the sheet as well. I had sent the paperwork off over 2 months ago for name change and address change. But they finally called and was told I was registered to vote. Still don't know if I will get my registration card or not. Small town though and no one asked me for any ID at all. But everyone knows my husband so maybe this is it.

[SaralovesMike]

I think its really great that these people will give up their time like this. I've even thought about it myself in the past. The lady where we went was just totally out of it! It was mildly annoying but at the same time I felt bad for her.
I was worried they wouldn't find either of us because we just moved a few months ago. Mike was ahead of me and she found him right away. Me, she just looked on the wrong page. I pulled out my voters registration just to show that I was in the right place.

Maybe someday they will figure out a way to make this work everywhere. I even heard on the news last night that there was a guy somewhere that hit the wrong button (he was one of the workers). They lost everything! I wouldn't want to be that guy!

[SaralovesMike]

I finally was able to set up an interview today! It was getting frustrating with all the applications and resumes I've sent out lately. But I got a call from a bank. This branch will be about 15 minutes from home and pretty much across the street from the school. I am going for an interview on Tuesday. I am so excited! The hours will be great as they are only open days M-F. Saturday they are only open until 1. The position is only a part time position (up to 25 hours a week) so it won't interfere with school.
They offer full medical and dental, even for part time. I get 10 paid holidays and 2 weeks vacation.
I was starting to get frustrated thinking I would have to go back into retail. Hopefully now that won't be the case.

I turned down another position yesterday. It was a clerical position at a furniature store. The position I applied for was about 20-30 minutes from home. This one was supposedly filled. Another location called. This one was over an hour away. I had to say no. I have a leased car and for a part time job, that's just too far!

Wedding update, I am waiting for a picture of the centerpieces from Susan our florist. I also told her about the latest change in the flowers.
I was shopping around for favors today as well. I think I am heading out to a discount craft store in a little while to see what they have. I want to find something cute for the place cards as well as something to hold the table numbers. I'm thinking double hearts. I also want to find some bubbles with the double hearts as well.

I also saw tees for the bridal party. I was thinking about getting t-shirts for all the girls that say "bridesmaid," "maid of honor," and even one for the flower girl. I don't want to spend a whole lot of money. I just thought it might be cute for our spa day and rehearsal dinner. Just a thought at this point until I do some more research!

Well, I better take a shower and head out to the stores. It's in the 60's and sunny today. Probably the last warm day of the season so I want to get out and enjoy it!

[SaralovesMike]

Yep, it's true. I pulled everything out yesterday while Mike was at his folks house putting away the Halloween decorations. He was supposed to put up lights over the weekend as his brother's house. That didn't happen since Saturday it rained and yesterday they called to cancel. His brother and his girlfriend/fiance are pretty much raising her grandson right now. Justin's mom is one of those people that shouldn't have kids! She uses Justin as a pawn to get what she wants from her parents. She just had another baby with her 28 yo "never had a job doesn't want a job does nothing but drink beer all day" boyfriend a couple months ago and will more than likely do the same with this one. As soon as the novelty wears off that is. It's pretty sad. Justin's only 3 and a good little boy. Anyway, he just had his tonsils out last week and wasn't feeling good so they told Mike no and wanted to reschedule.
I know he does this to help everyone out and that's awesome. But he really stretches himself thin. Every weekend from now until Christmas we have plans and he is going to try and get it done in between. He also loves decorating. Up until they cancelled he kept saying that this was the only weekend he could help them, now he's gotta figure out another time. I guess his brother is afraid of heights which is why he can't do it.
ANYWAY, while he was gone I pulled everything out and we got to work as soon as he got home. It only took us about 2 hours to get everything out and placed. He put lights up inside and still has a few more to do. We also want to put lights up facing outside in the kitchen window and the doorwall in the living room. I'm out of lights here, except for what is for the tree. Mike counted yesterday what he had at his parent's house. 22,000! I think we will be able to take some of theirs. 22,000 lights, now I am sure you understand just HOW BIG this lighting project of his is. He doesn't use them all for the simple fact there isn't enough "juice" at their house. I can only imagine what our house will look like someday! We live in an apartment so he cant' do anything outside (no power). I will post pictures later as soon as I get them off the camera and onto the computer.

I love Christmas! Only 43 days to go!

[SaralovesMike]

I had some problems resizing these pictures so hopefully they aren't too big. It wasn't photobucket this time either!

This is our front door. We can't put him outside b/c we don't want someone to steal him. We will probably hang our Christmas cards here as well.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0868.jpg

The biggest part of the collection. These were taken with a flash so you can kind of see the lights. No flash was just too dark!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0859.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0860.jpg

This is the fiber optic guy Mike bought me last year along with some others.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0861.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

Mike bought this guy the other day.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0849.jpg
These might be harder to see without the flash. Kinda dark, sorry!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0854.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0855.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0857.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

The snowglobe Mike bought yesterday as a suprise for me.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0864.jpg
The dining room, the santa is also new.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0856.jpg

The dining room again.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0865.jpg
and close up of the chandelier:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Xmas/100_0866.jpg

Doing this I realized there are more pictures that I have to take. I will wait until we get the rest of the lights up tonight.

Enjoy the pictures!

[Jacklynn]

haha the Christmas lights are amazing! I can't wait for Christmas....

[WhiskeyGirl]

You must be another snow man lover like me!!! I love snowmen too but had to leave more then half of them packed up this year because of lack of space! lol. Looks great!

[BriansBride07]

you have a good collection of snowmen started they are all so cute.
I just love the way you have your x-mas lights inside the house. Too cute. Thanks for sharing, you have done a wonderful job.

[SaralovesMike]

Ok first I wrote everything down and by the time I was done I got logged out. I've had that happen before but it still posts. This time it just disappeared. Argh!

I guess that means I should just start again, maybe this time not so long! I apologize in advance if the other one shows up and you have to read my ranting twice. LOL!

Ok, here goes. I started the first of 2 posts about my sister who is also my MOH. We have had a pretty stressed relationship the past year or so. She's 5 years younger than me and for the most part we've gotten along. Sure we had times but as we got older we became closer. That is until she got involved with what I can only say is a cult. Pretty scary huh?
It started when she got in touch again with a guy she dated freshman year in high school. She was head over heels for this guy, they were friends thru-out hs and just drifted apart. She was going to go to prom with him until one of her so called good friends asked him before she had the chance.
Anyway, she started talking to Sean again and they eventually started dating again. He is a youth minister and very involved with his church. She was afraid that he was as she put it a "bible beater" and pretty much avoided any sort of conversation about religion with him. I guess he was always trying to find out where she was in her "relationship with God" and wanted to show her the way. I think it really freaked her out at first.
We were both raised Roman Catholic. We went to cathechism, were baptised and confirmed. We were just not from a real religious family. My mom pretty much said she did her job by showing us religion and what we did after that was up to us.
My sister started going to church with Sean and started to hang around his friends. This is where she met Dayna. This girl is probably the one that is the most radical and got her into this cult. Sean convinced her to see religion the way he did and things only got worse from there.
She got involved with a church and then she was baptised. Sean moved on and she just became more and more radical. She started conversations with me telling me if I didn't follow her ways I was going to h*ll. She said that she was going to show my mom and I the way since we were both smart enough to see the light. My dad on the other hand was so ignorant (in her eyes) that he would never see the way and would ultimately burn in h*ll.

Well she gave up on trying to get her family. She actually distanced herself. Her thoughts were we don't accept her therefore she will go where she is accepted. There was no reasoning with her and that was the scariest part. It even got to the point where I actually thought she was going to be kicked out of our parents home. She constantly was disrespecting my parents and stopped attending family gatherings. When my parents met Mike for the first time she wouldn't even come by for 10 minutes just to meet him. We were going out to dinner but she had service to go to. We were disrespectful to even ask her. She goes to church twice on Sundays once in the morning and once in the evening. We went to dinner during her break and the only thing she was doing was hanging out with her church friends. She couldn't and wouldn't even give that up. It made me mad and I finally asked her, why do you put your church and your friends above your family. I even looked up a passage in the bible that stated you just don't do that. She came back with her own interpretation of how yes she should.
The ultimate insult was Mother's Day this year. She told my parents that they were disrespecting her Sunday and she would not be coming to celebrate with her family. It nearly killed my mom. My mom asks her all the time, "why do you hate your family so much?"
She would never answer. She would only scream and yell about how she is constantly being attacked and persecuted for her beliefs. She would never see how her actions were affecting her family.
Now our family just hopes that now that she is in medical school she will just become "too busy" for those people.

This seems to be happening, which is good. She met a guy over the summer and they have been pretty serious. He is of her same religion but from what I've seen not even close to being radical. Between him and school she seems to not be spending so much time with the others. She even seems to be happier. She and I are starting to get along again. Little by little anyway. My parents on the other hand, she is still mean to them. I fear one day my dad will finally say enough and kick her out. But I know at the same time they are afraid that will cause her to become a missionary and go to Africa. She's so much smarted than that!
She and my mom used to be close, they're not. It's really sad. Hopefully one day my sister will come to her senses and go back to normal. We can hope right?

[SaralovesMike]

You must be another snow man lover like me!!! I love snowmen too but had to leave more then half of them packed up this year because of lack of space! lol. Looks great!

Girl, you have NO idea. This has become somewhat of an obsession! I'm actually running out of space for them.

[SaralovesMike]

Well now you know the background why me and my little sis have "issues."
Now comes the wedding frustrations with her.

It's been a huge fight getting her to cooperate. Sometimes I wonder why she even agreed to be part of the wedding. After Mike and I announced our engagement she mentioned to my mom that she would be really hurt if I didn't ask her to be my MOH. Our relationship had gotten that bad! My sister and I have always said that when either of us got married we would be eachother's MOH. I never thought differently, even with all the drama.

The biggest fight is trying the dresses. She of all my girls is the pickiest and the most conservative. I am more than likely going to let them pick their own dresses and have 3 different ones all the same color. She is in medical school in her 3rd year currently doing rotations. She's really busy, I get that and I respect that. I've been trying to nail her down for almost a year now and one time she actually cooperated. The rest of the time is a different story. She used to say, "it's over a year away what's the hurry!" My biggest fear is she is going to tell me at the last minute that she can't be in the wedding. We will somehow disrespect her and she will just not come. My parents and Mike also agree that this is a real possibility. I don't even want to think about it!

The last time we actually set a date to shop for dresses I blew it and had to work. I'm trying to let HER pick the date and time when she's available, this way she doesn't feel like she's being attacked. Time is running out, not really but I just want to get it done or at the very least STARTED!
So I talked to her this morning and judging by her mood I asked her to figure out some days that she would be available (no school, no church) to go shopping. Again I want it to be her choice, then I can pass the info to the other girls. One of my BMs lives in MN and may be able to figure out a way to come here for the weekend with enough notice. My FG lives about an hour away and for her to come with her mom might not be easy at the last minute. I figure with a couple dates everyone could come to a decision what's good for everyone.
NOT SO! My sister snapped and said she is just too busy and can't do anything. I guess what irritated me was she was off this past weekend but didn't say anything, she never does. I know her school is demanding but I also know she isn't in school every day 7 days a week. They do give them some time off. In fact I know she hasn't been in school any weekend since mid October. I just kept my mouth shut.
She then told me that maybe I should call her school and tell them that I need to take her out of her program so she could go shopping. Maybe they could work something out. And don't I understand that she is a doctor and her time is not her own?
I kept cool and tried to tell her I just wanted her to figure out some time where she could go. She told me no, and that she wanted no part of it and that I will have to do it without her. "just pick something out for me!" she says.

Arghhhh! I did finally get a date out of her. She has a week off for Christmas break. Dec 22- Jan 1. Why didn't she just say that in the beginning? Why does she have to be so difficult??? I wish she would just lighten up. I'm gonna try to get something planned with the others for Dec 30. That's the only Saturday we've got. After that who knows!

Sorry for the venting, just have to get it out.

[SaralovesMike]

you have a good collection of snowmen started they are all so cute.
I just love the way you have your x-mas lights inside the house. Too cute. Thanks for sharing, you have done a wonderful job.

Thanks!
FH loves his lights, imagine what our place will look like when we have a house. We may have lights up in every room as well as outside! :)

[SaralovesMike]

I've been searching and searching for ways to do my hair for the wedding. So far I have only come up with 2 and even these I'm not totally sold on.
My hair is somewhat short, about half way to my shoulders. It is very thick and naturally curly. I'd love to put it up, supposedly short hair is much easier to put up and I'd like some curl to it. I have a cathedral length veil and a tiara already purchased.
I'd rather not just let my hair go "normal" I want to do something different.
Anyway, this is what I've found so far. The first I like the best I'm just not sure how that would look with the tiara.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/bonny4.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/3017.jpg

The 2nd I may have to grow my hair out a little to make it work or maybe even use hair extensions if needed. My mom's a stylist so we'll be able to use her place as somewhere to practice for little money (hopefully).
I'd rather mom not do my hair because I don't want her being stressed out that day. One of the girls at the salon offered to help us practice with the first hair style. I'm thinking it may not be a bad idea. Maybe she could even give some more suggestions.

Back to the search!

[AngelinLove]

Wow, jury duty and voting all in the last couple months. I do have to say something about the people that run these polls though! Mike got home early and we ran up to the elementary school to vote. There wasn't too much of a line and we may have waited a total of 20 minutes from the time we got into line to the time we left. Mike's friend Vichit (also his best man) called to say he waited in line over an hour. I would have had no patience for that!
Anyway, the people working there with the exception of one were all over the age of 70! I guess that's good that they are giving their time to volunteer. I saw something on the news about people talking about the average age of the volunteers somewhere else being "already dead." We got a good laugh out of that because omg, very true!

We get there and have to fill out an application. I guess this makes it easier for these people to find your name? The next lady finds your name and you move to the next person to get your ballot. So, the name finder was totally out of it! The guy in front of Mike, she gave him the wrong name. Mike went thru ok, then it was my turn. She couldn't find my name. She was looking on one page, obviously the wrong one, and kept saying "you're not in here honey, are you sure you're supposed to be here?"
I even gave her my voter registration to prove that yes I am supposed to be here but to hopefully speed it up. Finally the lady next to her turned the page and found my name right away. The name finder almost gave me the person listed above me until I pointed it out.
God love her, she's doing something but come on! That's a long day for these people. I wonder how many other people the messed up before the night was over.

Today is errand day for me. I have to take my car in for an oil change, go to the grocery store and some other things that are slipping my mind. I also have to get my Christmas list done for my FIL's. I've got most of it done but I feel like it's too much. I'll have to have Mike look at it later to see what he thinks. He'll probably tell me I need to put more on it!


In Farmington Hills they actually get paid $10.00 and hour...it is not volunteer and on seniors with a fixed income...well that is a good chunck of money...but I know what you mean because we were probably at teh same place to vote. Well, I was at teh middle school, but same difference...they are right next to each other...lol!!!

[BriansBride07]

I like both styles I think that they would both work great. Thanks for sharing.

[SaralovesMike]

How frustrating was that? Mike took the computer to work last week. We were having network problems AND the tech support guy there was going to install accounting software so Mike could work from home. Welllllll, to make a long story short we just got it back yesterday. We were going to be without until next week until Mike had an AH HA moment.
He brought the computer home last night. He hooked everything back up and it wouldn't connect to the internet. He was extremely irritated because it worked during the day from work and then he brings it home, NOTHING.
I called a friend of mine who is also a tech support person at her job. She was working at her pt time job. I called my dad who suggested calling the cable company. Mike wanted no part of it so that was my plan today.
I called Mike at work this morning to tell him I thought it was working (it wasn't). We have a wireless connection. The computer recognized it but wouldn't connect to the internet. Grrr! He called me back wanting me to try something first before I called Brighthouse. This is the AH HA! moment. Turn off the computer, go unplug the cable modem for a minute then turn it back on. You guessed it. AH HA!!!
It worked. We both knew it was going to be something silly like that. So we're back online.

I didn't get a chance to send out my secret santa gift yet because I didn't write down the address of my buddy (duh!) before the computer was gone. So I'm hoping to get to the PO today. If not it will go out on Friday. Mike ordered some flowers for my grandma's birthday tomorrow and had them delivered here. I don't want to leave until they are safely in the apartment. Which means I am pretty much stuck here at the mercy of the delivery guy! I do have to go to the store to pick up a few things for tomorrow. The store's open til midnight so I figure I have lots of time.

I was offered a new job over the last week which I accepted. I start working for Fifth Third Bank on Monday! I'm really looking forward to it. This staying at home thing is just not fun!! It's only part time (up to 25 hours a week) but it will be perfect once school starts in January. Even better, the school is literally seconds from the branch I will be working at. It couldn't be more convenient.

Mike's happy. My FH, the accountant, figured out our finances up until the wedding. He was worried we might have to cut back some things if I wasn't working after the first of the year. We're right on schedule! Figuring from what we've already commited to as well as what we've budgeted for the rest of the stuff we will be only about $800 short. I'm pretty sure we'll be fine since he was very generous with what we would potentially pay for the reception. Even better, everything for this wedding is going to be paid for, no credit!
The only thing we realized is we can't do a big honeymoon. Which means Hawaii is out. Not out of the realm of possibility, but later. We're probably just going to go somewhere within driving distance for a few days after the wedding. Then perhaps after the first of the year (2008) we will go somewhere warm (when it's ugly and cold here!). Of course if I am pregant by then we may have to wait. We are planning on starting a family not long after the wedding so if we're lucky I will be.

On the BM dress front, we've got plans to start shopping on the 30th of December. Hopefully we will have one more thing knocked off the list then. Next thing is an engagement picture!

I'm gonna sign off here for a while and get some things done around the apartment. Like the dishes from last night! Hopefully the flowers come soon.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanksgiving is over and done with. We were talking last night about how there is almost a "let down" after a holiday is over. You run around from place to place and then it's over.
It was nice though. First stop was to my parents house. My cousin Ben and his wife Trina brought over their baby. Isabella was born last Friday. 6 days old. She is absolutely precious, and what a good baby. I have a couple pictures that I will post later, as soon as I get them off the camera.

Afterwards we went to Mike's parents. It was chaos as normal. The chaos being JW, Mike's 3 year old nephew. He definitely keeps you running. He wants to play, he wants to go outside, the kid doesn't stop! I wish I had his energy! Of course if he doesn't get his way, look out! His new thing is calling everyone a "jackass" if he gets mad. Thanks to Poppa! We were all jackasses at one point or another yesterday.
But it was a good day, lots of good food. We even took home some turkey. Mike won't eat it so it's all mine! :)
He's over at his folks again today tackling the Christmas lights. It's a 2 day project. He's hoping to be done by tomorrow so we can have Sunday together. He won't tell anyone what his plans are for the decorations. We will have to wait until his birthday party on Friday for the unveiling. He's got 22,000 lights to play with- all I can think of is that new movie "Deck the Halls"
I can only imagine what our house will look like someday!
Tonight we are supposed to go to the movies. We've had gift certificates from last Christmas we're trying to use. We're going to see "Deck the Halls" or "Bobby"
Alright, gotta fill up my coffee. Until later...

[SaralovesMike]

Isabella was born on Friday, Nov 17. This is her with daddy, my cousin Ben. She is the 7th great grandchild on my mom's side, the first grandchild here in MI. My other cousins that have children all live out of state.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/Isabella_0420.jpg

These were taken yesterday, and yes that is a Detroit Lions cheerleader outfit. That is Trina (Ben's wife) holding her.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0896.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0901.jpg

My mom was saying yesterday how she was the youngest in her family, the first to have kids but the LAST to become a grandma. Let the pressure begin!!
Mike and I told her she has to wait until June after the wedding and then hopefully she will be a grandma soon after that!

[MOB Karen]

She's beautiful!!! Congratulations!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Karen!
She's a sweetie, and now I think I'm suffering from baby fever! lol

[mariaandmanish]

She's a gorgeous baby, Congratulations! Sounds like you had a fun Thanksgiving, even if it was a bit hectic!

[SaralovesMike]

I've spent the last couple hours online! I think this is an indication how the rest of the weekend is going to go??
I have been doing some searches for wedding stuff. I did find some things so I am sure you will all be sick of my posts by the end of the day, lol.

Anyway, Mike and I have come to the decision that Hawaii is just way too out of our budget. As much as we would LOVE to go, it's just not realistic. We are thinking about somewhere that would be within a few hours driving distance, he hates flying. But also something that won't tire us out driving to get there. We both like driving so we figure we've got a lot of options.
He went on a search the other day at work and found this.

http://www.deerridge.com/

You have to click on the slideshow to see pictures. It is in Gatlinburg, TN right in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. The only problem with Tennessee is he has a lot of family there. He said we would have to keep our destination "secret" so as they don't expect us to come for a visit.
Would that be something people would want us to do knowing we were on our honeymoon? I wouldn't think so. Besides maybe a lot of them will be up here in MI for the wedding anyway.

We've talked about other options, Mackinaw Island actually. We would actually stay at a B&B right on the island. We've both been to Mackinaw (which would be why we would choose to go somewhere else) but I've never stayed on the island. I don't think he has either.
Again, not too far away (less than 5 hours) and definitely within the budget.

[SaralovesMike]

She's a gorgeous baby, Congratulations! Sounds like you had a fun Thanksgiving, even if it was a bit hectic!

Thanks! We did have a good day, hectic and all!

[SaralovesMike]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/americanbridal_1925_160279942.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/images_products_placecards__tnpcwhi.jpg

These are some ideas for our place cards at the reception. We would use the silver bells. The cards would be silver as well with our names and wedding date printed on it. The writing would be as close to periwinkle as possible. The website I found these at had cornflower blue and lilac. I think cornflower would work better. I like the monogram which might be easier as a DIY project, but I also like the double hearts. We would handwrite the guests names on the cards, it would be way too expensive to have them printed.

I'm also thinking that this would be a DIY project. I just need to enlist the help of someone that could figure out how to print the cards on the computer. I am just not good at that stuff! I'm sure it's not hard, I just don't know if I have to patience.

[SaralovesMike]

I found this basket for Mya. I'm thinking this would be perfect with her dress! I am going to get with my mom and aunt (the creative ones in the family!) to see if they could put something like this together.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/5816-L.jpg

I would love to add some periwinkle to this, I'm thinking the roses on the basket that would match her dress.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/flowergirldress.jpg

I still haven't found a dress for Mya that I like better. Although we may end up putting her in all white since JW will match Mike with his little tux. We're going to start the dress shopping in December. Hopefully.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/1223-L.jpg

Again, the pillow will be sent on to the creative ones. I'm thinking of adding periwinkle to the RB pillow as well. Maybe the bow or part of the bow? It looks like this one has a couple different ribbons on it. Maybe the smallest ribbon so the peri doesn't over power it.

[mariaandmanish]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/americanbridal_1925_160279942.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/images_products_placecards__tnpcwhi.jpg

These are some ideas for our place cards at the reception. We would use the silver bells. The cards would be silver as well with our names and wedding date printed on it. The writing would be as close to periwinkle as possible. The website I found these at had cornflower blue and lilac. I think cornflower would work better. I like the monogram which might be easier as a DIY project, but I also like the double hearts. We would handwrite the guests names on the cards, it would be way too expensive to have them printed.

I'm also thinking that this would be a DIY project. I just need to enlist the help of someone that could figure out how to print the cards on the computer. I am just not good at that stuff! I'm sure it's not hard, I just don't know if I have to patience.


That's beautiful! I love those!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Maria! :)

I just got off the phone with my mom and she is so excited about putting together the basket and the pillow! I sent her the pictures via email and she couldn't wait to go look at them.

Now I just have to go and look at the flower order. I think our florist is doing a basket for us (at a charge) and making this ourselves might save us some bucks!

Yep, $20 for the basket handle decor and petals.
Now I will just have to see how much it would cost us to do it by ourselves. Darn, I should have looked at the website I found it on to see how much they would charge.

[SaralovesMike]

Since I was on the subject of our florist...

We are going with "The Brides Bouquet" by Designing Nature. Susan was the first person we went to figuring we couldn't get much better. Susan's daughter Kristen is a friend of Mike's and Kristen referred us to her mom. Susan does weddings by appointment only and our wedding is her only wedding. She gave us a lot of stuff to use at no cost which is why we didn't think we could do much better.

We will pay about $2100 for everything. By letting us "borrow" some things it will save us about $1500.

This is what we are ordering so far:

Round Bo-kays (blue colors as in previous post): $110 for bride, $90 ea for MOH and BM
would like to use hydrangea, stephanotis and roses for sure. Each bo-kay will have silver ribbon streamers. Mine will have more white flowers
Toss Bo-kay: no charge
FG basket with decor and petals: $20

Wristlett corsages: $38 ea
will have corsages for both moms, 2 grandmothers, 2 aunts (FH) 1 godmother (mine)
Bouts: $84 total
includes: groom, BM, GM's, RB, dad's, my godfather and minister

Ceremony Flowers:
Garden Arch: no charge
arch decor: $65
2 Pillars: no charge
Decor for pillars: $275

Reception:
Cake top: white roses (fresh) $22
Lights and garland tuling for cake table: $60
Head table: garland, lights, swag: $125
we are also using the pilars used during the ceremony at the ends of the head table.
centerpieces: $275
we get to use her vases at no charge

deck decor:
lights and tuling: no charge

set up and delivery: $340

We have another meeting set up with her after the first of the year which we will have to put down some more money so she can start to order everything. She said she would like to start ordering stuff before Valentines Day and Easter. Otherwise the prices will most definitely go up due to the holidays.
I also need to get her swatches of fabric from the BM dresses so she can start to match color.

[SaralovesMike]

We loved Ann Marie from the very beginning. We met with a couple of other photographers after meeting with Ann Marie and not one came close to the quality. She is a little pricey but I am 1000% sure she will be worth it.

Mike's sister has done a lot of work with her. And because of that Ann Marie told us that whichever package we decide to go with she will upgrade us to the next level at the lower level price.

Our package will cost us $2500 and that includes:
unlimited hours, locations and films
photojournalism
album
proofs

36 8x10s
or
18 8x10 and 24 5x7

We can also mix different sizes of photos and more pages if we want and she will adjust the prices as needed.

You can see her website at www.manninophotography.com (http://www.manninophotography.com/wedding.htm)
In the maternity section gallery II is Mike's sisters maternity photos she had taken before and after JW was born. As you can probably tell Ann Marie comes very well recommended!

[ladymelissa]

Congrats, things are really coming together! I have to agree that photog is worth it! Excellent photos.
I love the FG and RB stuff!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Melissa! I am starting to feel like I can start doing some wedding planning again now that it's getting closer.

Her photos are awesome! I only hope she can do the same for us!

[SaralovesMike]

Mom's on the case!
I think I mentioned yesterday that I was going to enlist my mom and aunt to add their creativity genes to some projects for the wedding. So far being the RB pillow and the FG basket. She called me today ALL excited.
She told me that she wanted to take me to what used to be Minnesota Fabrics (it has a new name now which she couldn't remember, Hancock maybe) so we could look at their bridal section. I guess they have all kinds of stuff and making the basket and the pillow would be very easy. We may even be able to add the bits of color to each one. We're going to do that after Christmas and maybe catch some sales.

I also sent her the place card ideas. Her suggestion was to buy the paper in whatever color we decide and then buy some clear labels to do the printing and just stick the labels on the cards. I think that sounds like a good idea but I'm hoping it won't look cheesy. Maybe we'll have to try one out just to see. If we do print them ourselves then we might as well print the names out as well.

Mike's out doing lights at the folks again. I dropped him off over there this morning and his dad took us out to breakfast. I have to pick him up later so we can go to dinner with his brother Bill and his girlfriend Mary Jo. They want Mike to finish doing lights over there which he is trying real hard to get out of. I think we're also playing games over there. MJ and I want to give the boys another a** kicking at "Scene It."

Last night we didn't end up at the movies. We tried and the place was absolutely packed! We're gonna try and go tomorrow afternoon. We went to Meijer picked up a few things and went home and watched the 1951 version of "A Christmas Carol."

Well I'm off to find some more wedding stuff. I'm gonna post some BM dress pictures in a little while. Be back later!

[SaralovesMike]

Because my FSIL is preggers (due 2 weeks after our wedding!) we are probably going to go with each girl having a different dress. Caroline REALLY doesn't want a maternity dress. I found these so far that I like...
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/s05_8567.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/s05_F4962.jpg
and maybe this one for Caroline...
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/s05_8534.jpg

Now I wonder if they should all be the same fabric?

[SaralovesMike]

Here's another option. This is the same dress maternity and not maternity.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/eyo.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/s05_8022.jpg
Why do the maternity dresses have to be so darn ugly??

[SaralovesMike]

Since I don't have a picture of me in my dress (I don't know why I didn't think to bring a camera!) I went searching for hopefully a better picture. The picture on David's Bridal's website is kinda small. I can't believe I actually found one! Even better there was a view of the front, the back and a close up of the detail. Amazing! I know, I still really need to get a picture of me in my dress. Maybe I will remember when I go to have it altered.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/1101246276986_241Front-1.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/1099551991191_241Back-1.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/1101194289091_241Closeup_003R.jpg

[ladymelissa]

Your dress is beautiful!

With the preg BM, anything with an empire waistline should work.

About the placecards, if the labels don't look good you could just print directly on the paper. Or have the names on the files save them to some sort of disc and take them to a local printer or even a Kinkos and they will print them right on your paper and even cut them for you. It's not too expensive either.

Have fun tonight!

[SaralovesMike]

Your dress is beautiful!

With the preg BM, anything with an empire waistline should work.


Thanks!:)

I like the empire waist dress but was worried that this particular one looks too much like my dress?

She is normally a very thin and petite girl. She probably weighs close to 100lbs before she got pregnant. I'm also wondering if she could get away with something else kind of flow-y and light that would be ok too.

[ladymelissa]

I actually thought the empire waist would be a great compliment to your dress. Besides your dress is still the white one and has lots of beading and other details.

So she will be up to what, a whole 125 lbs? LOL

[JennF]

I used the non-maternity dress in burgundy for my wedding. The bridesmaids loved it. We got lots of compliments on them. :) That was a hug relief, because more than anything I wanted to purchase dresses they would like.

Here's another option. This is the same dress maternity and not maternity.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/eyo.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/s05_8022.jpg
Why do the maternity dresses have to be so darn ugly??

[SaralovesMike]

I actually thought the empire waist would be a great compliment to your dress. Besides your dress is still the white one and has lots of beading and other details.

So she will be up to what, a whole 125 lbs? LOL

I saw that one originally when I bought my dress thinking it would be ok. Maybe make it easy on myself and put them all in it!

Yes, EXACTLY 125 lbs- maybe 130, lol

[Kacie_bride]

Here's another option. This is the same dress maternity and not maternity.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/eyo.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/s05_8022.jpg
Why do the maternity dresses have to be so darn ugly??

My MOH is wearing this maternity dress. She will be about 8 months pregnant at the wedding. It actually looks very elegant on to me. You can always compliment it with jewelry. As for the empire waist, be careful. We looked at those options as well before selecting a dress for her. Most of them did not have enough give for a pregnant person.

[SaralovesMike]

My MOH is wearing this maternity dress. She will be about 8 months pregnant at the wedding. It actually looks very elegant on to me. You can always compliment it with jewelry. As for the empire waist, be careful. We looked at those options as well before selecting a dress for her. Most of them did not have enough give for a pregnant person.

I'll keep that in mind, thanks Kacie!
I'm sure it probably looks better on a real person as opposed to a picture as well.
She asked me what we were going to do in terms of a dress for her and my first suggestion was they do make some maternity dresses. She wasn't too thrilled about it. It makes no difference really to me what she wants to do. That's why the 3 different dresses seem like a good idea.

[BriansBride07]

I love the simplicity of your dress its beautiful congrats

[SaralovesMike]

I love the simplicity of your dress its beautiful congrats

Thanks! That is the exact reason why I picked it out. It's also pretty light weight, some of the other dresses were so darn heavy I couldn't imagine wearing them for the whole day!

[BriansBride07]

YW.. I hear ya about the weight of some of the other dresses I also chose a dress the was simple yet elegant to me at least and was very light in fabric.. I don't want to cart around an additional 20po. of dress on that day.

[SaralovesMike]

I don't want to cart around an additional 20po. of dress on that day.

Right on sister!

[SaralovesMike]

Well, today was my first day at the bank. Employee Orientation! Actually it was not bad AND we got out at 1:30 in the afternoon, so that was a nice suprise.
I have to go back for the next 2 days for more orientation and then Thursday starts the next phase of training. That is "Fundamentals of Banking" for about a week and 1/2. After that I will go to a branch other than my own and work kind of hands on with someone before I will go to my own branch. I guess doing it this way it makes it much easier to learn how to do your job before you actually have to do it.
So far so good, and wow such a different feeling all together than the disaster at the last place. I wasn't nervous going in this morning and no anxiety. Yay!
They really talk about how they want people to like their jobs there and how they create an environment that promotes that. I guess everyone (companies) does that in their own ways, but it was just nice to hear. It's been a long time since I could say I like my job. I want to feel that way again.

So starts another busy week. Thursday is Mike's birthday and we are going to celebrate with his family after work. Saturday we are going to get Christmas trees (again w/Mike's family) and then to dinner with my family for his birthday that night. Sunday starts the Christmas shopping as well as putting up both our tree and Mike's parent's tree. I still have to get Mike a gift for his birthday. He told me not to ("it's not in the budget!") but how can I not get him SOMETHING???

Well, I gotta get some paperwork stuff done for work and get the kitchen cleaned up to start dinner (we've been lazy this weekend!). Then it's time to do some laundry. Ah, it feels good to be busy!

[ladymelissa]

Happy early Birthday to Mike!

[hummingbird521]

I love the dress you have picked out. Very pretty. Sounds like your job is working out and that's great. It is nice to go to work and not dread it.

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Melissa! I know he's dreading it AND he isn't telling anyone at work it's his birthday.


Thanks Treasia!
It is a good feeling isn't it? A little overwhelming today but it was kind of fun.

[SaralovesMike]

3 days into the new job and boy I'm exhausted!! I finished off my first 3 days of training at the affiliate HQ today. 8 hours of Diversity Awarness and Sexual Harrassment. Can you say boring??? Although there was some interesting conversation about things today I did find myself looking out the window a lot. We were up on the 15th floor and it was dark and gloomy out. I was trying to figure out if it was truly as dark as it seemed or if it was just the windows.

Tomorrow starts another week of training. I think this may actually be CSR training, or at least the beginning of it. We'll be in another location that is about 10 minutes from home. I can actually sleep in a little bit! I probably won't but just the thought that I can makes me happy!
I do have to say I am pretty impressed with this company though. I have at least 3 more classes to take after these first inital 3 weeks and a bunch of web based learning to do. They really put a lot of time into training. I think that's great. I may actually feel pretty good about getting out on my own when that day finally comes.

Wedding news of the day, I've locked down my girls to go dress shopping! I'm still waiting to find out about Mya (FG) and her mom coming down but other than that we're set to go BM dress shopping on December 30! Woo hoo!! :)
Thankfully I got in touch with my sister today to set it up. She was planning on going to Chicago that weekend with her boyfriend for New Years. They can still go, they just have to go later!

Well, I better get going. I have to run out before Mike gets home from the final decorating of his parents house. The unveiling of all his lighting will be on Friday when we celebrate his birthday with his family. It's his birthday tomorrow and I want to get a cake or something so I don't have to stop on the way home from work tomorrow.

[ladymelissa]

Don't forget your camera when you go dress shopping!

[SaralovesMike]

Don't forget your camera when you go dress shopping!

Yeah not like I did when I got my dress! :)

I will TRY VERY HARD to remember. :)

[Jacklynn]

Bridesmaid dress shopping was a blast! You will have a ton of fun. It is def. a nice day spending time with your bridesmaids

[SaralovesMike]

Bridesmaid dress shopping was a blast! You will have a ton of fun. It is def. a nice day spending time with your bridesmaids

I can't wait!! My mom and FMIL are also going as well as FG's grandma. We're gonna make as much a day out of it as we can.

[Kacie_bride]

I can't wait!! My mom and FMIL are also going as well as FG's grandma. We're gonna make as much a day out of it as we can.

I bet that will be fun!!! I could never get all of mine together to do that. Oh well! I'm sure you'll have more success at that than me! Let us know how it goes and take pictures! You know how we love pics!

[SaralovesMike]

I'm really looking forward to it. I just hope it all works out. The only one who may not be there now is my FG and her mom. They have plans to go to Wisconsin for New Years. And of course one of my BM's- my cousin who lives in MN. She may even find a way to come out for the weekend, just depends on what they have going on.

And yes, I will most definitely take pictures!! :)

[SaralovesMike]

I have to post these pictures!
It was Mike's birthday last Thursday. On Friday we went over to his parent's house to celebrate with his family. Every year FMIL pulls out this little outfit that Mike wore when he was a baby. It's a little Santa suit that he wore when he was about a month old. This year we took pictures...

Mike holding his little outfit-notice he's "wearing" the hat...
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0906.jpg

and again... just doesn't fit 35 years later does it???
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0907.jpg


and finally, with his mom...
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/100_0908.jpg

Too cute!

He's gonna kill me for posting these pictures!

[SaralovesMike]

This of course is me and Mike. I can't remember if I posted this one of us earlier in our journal? My dad took this picture of us at the St Clair Inn where we are getting married. We had another picture of us on our web page on the knot and he wanted a better one. This is it:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/pic6.jpg

This is my sister (with my mom) Amy, who is my Maid of Honor:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/87AmyMom.jpg

This is Mike's sister Caroline, who is one of my 2 bridesmaids:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/CD2001.jpg

That's also JW our Ring Bearer.

Darn it, I thought I had the other pictures on photobucket already. I guess I need to do some uploading so those will come later.

[ladymelissa]

Very cute pics!

[SaralovesMike]

Very cute pics!

Thank you! :)

[Kacie_bride]

I love the pictures!!!!

[NicksBride]

That picture with the baby outfit is hilarious! What a good idea his mother has!

[hummingbird521]

Loved the pic with the santa suit. to cute.

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Ladies!

FMIL pulls that little outfit out every year. The best part is she has a hard time communicating (due to her stroke and her aphasia). She pulls that out, looks at Mike and says "remember?" Then she pretends to cradle a baby in her arms and hums. It's so cute! This time she hummed "Here Comes the Bride"
Then she keeps saying "remember? remember?"
Like he's supposed to remember being that little! He of course always says yes and then she says something to mean she can't believe that he is getting older.

Yes, I am marrying into the Beaver Cleaver family!

[brewsells]

LOL, that's too cute that she still pulls it out every year. Too bad you don't have any pics with him in it as a baby..

[BriansBride07]

Ok what a good sport he is to do that for his mom even after all these years. I find that so wonderful..

[SaralovesMike]

LOL, that's too cute that she still pulls it out every year. Too bad you don't have any pics with him in it as a baby..


There is a picture, one or 2 actually of him wearing it. I was looking for it the other day. He has it for his DVD project I just don't know where!

[SaralovesMike]

I've been searching for some things that have a double heart theme. Things like the guest book, photo albums etc. This is what I've found so far and like. Now the trick is to find it again!

The first is something I saw months ago and really liked the idea. It is a book of wedding wishes. The guests write down their wishes for the newly married couple and put it into a sort of "wishing well." Of course the one I found originally I can't find, then I came across this one and even better I found a place to hold the wishes.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/W04756_114blr.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/DD48619lr.jpg

This is the guest book and album. Don't really care for the pen though!


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/22919.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/48906.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

I have to post the picture of the cake topper again. We could use this instead of the fresh flowers. I'm still debating whether or not to use the fresh flowers on the cake (white roses) or this topper. You'll have to scroll back to see my cake.
I found today a place that would engrave our names and wedding date on the topper. If I decide to go with this topper I would like to engrave it, that is if the engraving will fit in the almighty budget! LOL

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/caketopper.jpg

For the toasting flutes I want something elegant. I found these which I really like! Again we would have these engraved as well.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/000569729.jpg

[SaralovesMike]

I don't remember if I posted these. This is what started the double heart theme. Our Save the Date cards had the double hearts on it. With those we also sent out a small card.

The cover:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/STD1.jpg
and inside:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/updatestd.jpg

and the actual Save the Date itself:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/a0cdd55f-1.jpg

I would like to keep the heart theme since we've already used it so much already. I like consistency!

[BriansBride07]

I love the double heart ideas they are all great.

[SaralovesMike]

I love the double heart ideas they are all great.

Thank you Christina! :)

[SaralovesMike]

Ok what a good sport he is to do that for his mom even after all these years. I find that so wonderful..

He really is wonderful (and I'm not just saying that! lol). Actually I have to say all of his family is good to his mom. Each one of the kids either call or go over there every day. They are so close, it's nice to see because nowadays it's rare that a family is like that.
I wish my family was that close!

[Mrs.B_08]

I have just sit here and read all of your journal....very good!! That is cool that you met Mike online and that you talked just a few weeks before you met. You are a lot like Adam and I. We met on Yahoo Chat, and we spent the weekend talking and then I was brave enough to meet him on June 20, 2005....and since then we can't get enough of each other. We are getting married a month before our 2 year anniversary. I am so excited...I just wish it would hurry and get here.

I know that I need to start a journal....it just seems like I never have the time to sit here and think of everything that needs to go in it. I guess I could go little by little and get it done! I hope to hear from you soon!!

I also like the double heart theme....that is what we are doing!!

Amy

[SaralovesMike]

Hi Amy, thanks for stopping in!

I know what you mean about wanting the wedding to "just get here already." I've felt that way for months. The next 6 months will go fast I'm sure-for both of us! :)

Meeting online was pretty scary, but only because I have met some real losers in the past. I almost cancelled our date! Back then if someone would have said "you are about to meet your FH" I would have laughed in their face."

Hopefully you will start a journal, its fun to do and everyone around here is great. Where else can you talk this much about your wedding? No one else wants to hear it but other brides ya know? LOL :)

[Mrs.B_08]

Yeah I know what you mean! My mom has banned me from talking about the wedding till after Christmas....but we seem to get it in there everyday still. Ha ha!! There is always something wedding to talk about! I plan on adding more to my journal...but I was getting tired last night. We will have to try to chat her sometime if we can find the time!!

Amy

[SaralovesMike]

For the last week and 1/2 I've been in a training class for my new job at the bank. Today was the last day of the 2nd part of my training. Today was also the day of THE TEST!

This was probably the most stressful thing I've had to do in a long time. The training has been pretty easy, I've almost mastered everything when it comes to my job. With more practice and repetition I'll ace it. The scary part was the test. I've spent every day looking over notes and reviewing material, not spending a lot of time but doing a little each day. No stress right? Yea right! When I was in school no matter how long or how much I studied I always did 'not so good' on tests. Something about taking tests just made my mind go to mush. I know this now, back then I just didn't really care.

Add this to my anxiety and I was a mess. I think Mike got a little frustrated with me last night. He kept telling me to be positive blah blah blah. Anyway, today up to and during the first part of the test I was feeling pretty good, pretty confident. We had to get a score of 85% or better to pass. If you don't pass you get one more chance to take it again. I was good until I missed 5 questions. There were a couple I knew I got wrong, the rest... I over thought it and when the answer came back it was a case of I should have gone with my gut. I knew I was getting some wrong b/c it told you right away. There were supposed to be 65 questions so we figured we could miss no more than 6. Here I am on question 35 with 5 wrong. Can you say panic mode? Then 3 people finished at the same time. One got 100% (the first ever) and the other 2 missed 1 or 2 questions. The one that missed 2 was one who struggled thru pretty much the whole class. Now I was really feeling stupid! Here I was on the verge of failing this test and the dumb girl (not really but that was what was going thru my mind!) only got 2 wrong! Here come more mistakes, I was losing focus and on the verge of throwing up. I didn't want to be the only one (out of 5 in the class) to fail!!! Then I got 2 more wrong. Yep, my fate was sealed. I just had to be okay with it. I failed the test. I got my concentration back and finished the test. I pressed send and got my results. I PASSED THE TEST!!!
I wanted to cry and throw up all at the same time! How on earth did that happen? I think they add more questions at the end so one does pass. One of the instructors did say that its a random bank of 80 some questions and it varies what everyone gets. Something tells me that I was "saved" by getting a few more. The instructors also told us that no one really fails. Again, why I thought I was saved. Ay- I'm done, I passed. I'm happy!:jphappy:

Tomorrow starts the last part. I actually go to a branch and sort of shadow someone for a week. The first day I just hang back and observe, Monday I will work and my "coach" observes me, then Tue-Thur we work side by side. The following Monday I will report to my branch and should be 100% A-OK.

I was worried about my schedule for next week. Mike and I have reservations to go to Frankenmuth next Friday. As tomorrow is exactly one year since he proposed and he proposed up in Frankenmuth. He made these reservations months ago. Now it's to the point where if we cancel we lose our money. He took Friday off from work and we'd go there and come home on Saturday. That was still going to be the plan this year as long as I don't have to work on Saturday. We'd just go after I got off work. We got our training schedules today and I not only don't have to work on Saturday but I have Friday as well! I never said anything in the interview/hiring process (frankly I forgot) so if I did have to work it was my own fault and we'd just have to deal with it. Now I don't have to and we can still go on our weekend. Again, another phew!

[ladymelissa]

Congrats on the test! :whoohoo:

Have fun in Frankenmuth! How romantic!

[mariaandmanish]

Congratulations on your test!! I'm thrilled for you that you passed it!!! Also, glad you get to go to Frankenmuth!! Have a great time and enjoy your "anniversary"!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Melissa and Maria!
I am so relieved! I'm not even stressed or anxious about going to a 'sort of' new job tomorrow morning. The real test begins...

I can't believe it has been a year since he proposed. Time flies!

[hummingbird521]

Congrats on passing the test. Yippee. Have fun this weekend.

[Mrs.B_08]

Good job on passing the test!!!! Hope you have a really good time this weekend. I know that time flies by to fast we have been engaged almost 10 months....before I know it, it will be a year for me too!!

Amy

[NicksBride]

YEA!! Tests are the devil aren't they???? GOOD FOR YOU!!!

[SaralovesMike]

YEA!! Tests are the devil aren't they???? GOOD FOR YOU!!!

Yea, they sure are!!

Thanks! :) I'm just glad it's over and done with!

[SaralovesMike]

Just a training update today!

I've been with my "coach" the last 3 days. The first day I got to sit back and watch her process transactions. Can you say BORING? I felt bad just sitting there while customers were waiting. I kept telling myself I can't wait until I get to go to my branch!
Yesterday was a different story. The roles were reversed. I processed transactions while my coach watched. It was nuts in the afternoon. I was processing transactions for thousands of dollars. It was not only stressful b/c I wasn't totally comfortable but also b/c I was handling so much money. I made it thru the day and balanced (yay!) but came home with a splitting headache and stressed out.
I didn't sleep much last night worrying about today, not to mention thinking about the recent family drama. I may have gotten 2 hours sleep??

Today was much better. I did have minor anxiety this morning but the day went on and I felt more and more comfortable. It was a pretty good day. And again, I balanced! woo hoo!

I get to spend 2 more days at this banking center and Friday I go to my branch. Yay! The only thing I thought I had the day off. I talked to my mgr this afternoon and I only have to work a half day. I told her I misunderstood and thought I didn't have to work so we made plans for Frankenmuth. She was VERY understanding and I get to leave about 12 or 1:00. I think she was just glad that I wasn't leaving her totally stranded. She has been waiting over a month to get myself and another person starting. It's a real busy branch and they are severly short handed. So we will just leave for our weekend a little later. No big deal. Mike told me today that he may have to come home early on Saturday for a meeting. Oh well, what can you do? At least we can go for a little while. It's only about a 2 hour drive to get there.

I also confirmed that I'm not working on the 30th so I'm calling to make our appointment for the BM dresses tomorrow!

[Kacie_bride]

Just starting a new job always stresses me out too! I will be going through that soon enough hopefully. You sound like you are doing a good job though!!!

[ladymelissa]

It sounds like it is going pretty well, congrats!

[SaralovesMike]

I haven't been on much this past week. It's been a little crazy. I started at my branch on Monday and just getting ready for Christmas has taken pretty much all my time. I always look forward to Christmas but this year I am just ready for it to be over. It's been a hectic month starting the new job, getting used to the hours and then add all the running around we've been doing.

Our weekend in Frankenmuth was fun. We would have liked to have some snow or at the very least for it to be cold. It was pretty festive up there with all the decorations. We had to cut the weekend early due to the fact Mike had a meeting on Saturday morning. He found out at about 4:00 that he was required to attend and could not take it by phone. Bummer but what can you do? We still had a good weekend anyway and that's all that matters.

On the wedding note, with 6 months to go we are going to start working on things again. We have a meeting with the florist to order flowers the first week in January. She says it will be cheaper for us after the holidays but before Valentine's Day. She's saving us money, can't beat that! He daughter came over the other night and was telling me about the things she's been working on for the wedding and she said it looked great! I can't wait to see it!

We are going Bridesmaid dress shopping next Saturday. I saw a picture on David's Bridal's website of an idea I think I am going to try. I am going to have Amy my MOH in a navy (or marine is the color they called it) dress that has a sort of periwinkle sash and have Caroline and Angie in periwinkle. They have some more maternity dresses as well so maybe we can get Caroline in a cuter maternity dress. We'll hopefully have a better idea of the dresses after next week. The marine and peri together I think will look even better with the blue toned flowers we're going to use. In fact I think that I will call my sister here and have her look at that website and see what she thinks. She is the pickiest of the 3 girls!

We're also going to look into getting an engagement picture taken, hopefully in January. We don't have a formal picture of us yet and I really want to use the sig board at the reception.

I've come up with an idea for Mike's gift as well. I've mentioned before that we were putting together a DVD for our moms for Christmas of family pictures. He's done it for his family the last 3 years and we finished the "preview" one for my mom last night. It's only a preview because I didn't get a whole lot of cooperation from my other family members adding pictures. I got some from one aunt and that's it needless to say some people have been either left out completely or there is only 1 or 2. It turned out really good, and I can't wait to give it to mom on Christmas. ANWAY, for Mike I want to put together one of just us. I'm thinking about using pictures from when we were little all the way up to now. Nothing too huge maybe 20 minutes or so. Caroline said she'd help get some pictures. I think he'll love it.

Anyway, just a quick update tonight. I have to get back to the wrapping of the presents. Mike went to take his dad for an MRI on his knee tonight so I really should take the opportunity to wrap his while he isn't here. Right? Right!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend!

Merry Christmas!

[MOB Karen]

http://www.simply-baby.net/forum/images/smiles/ornament.gif Merry Christmas to you too, Sara!!!

[SaralovesMike]

http://www.simply-baby.net/forum/images/smiles/ornament.gif Merry Christmas to you too, Sara!!!

Thanks Karen! Same to you, I know its a few days late. Hope yours was wonderful!

[SaralovesMike]

Well today is the day that we are going to hopefully pick out the BM dresses. Originally all the girls in the wedding party with the exception of my cousin in Minnesota was going to be there, including my mom, FMIL, FG's mom and also her grandma.
The first thing that happened was MJ (FG's grandma) other grandson Justin was very sick for Christmas. He had a fever, basically the flu. She wouldn't cancel Christmas at her house because she was having people over. This woman is very selfish. Justin's mom is equally dumb, she got mad when everyone wanted her to take Justin home before he got everyone else sick. Well one of MJ's other grandchildren got really sick and we just found out the other day that Bill (FH's brother/MJ's significant other) has the intestinal flu.
Right away Caroline (FSIL) called me and said she had her doubts about going if MJ was gonna be there. #1 she's pregnant and #2 she didn't want James or anyone else to get sick.
We were bad and told MJ that we were gonna reschedule and it was just gonna be me, Caroline and my sister and probably my mom. Then the almost miscarriage with Caroline happened and now it's just me, mom and sis.
I didn't want to cancel it all together for the simple fact my sister is probably the hardest one to nail down and commit. She is in medical school on rotations. We picked this weekend because we knew she was off for the holidays. I figure I can get her done and go another time when Caroline is feeling better. I just hope my sister is going to be a good sport and try on lots of dresses so I can see what to pick out for the others.

I've decided on 3 different dresses for them. The latest being similar to something I saw on David's Bridal's website. On the page with the seperates they showed 2 girls wearing periwinkle and the 3rd (guessing MOH) was wearing a color called marine. It is kind of a navy or royal blue. I loved what it looked like! Especially since I'm thinking about going blue tones with the flowers. I tried to get the pictures and this is what came up. These are the favorites so far, and it will really depend on how they look on.

For Amy, my MOH:http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/1.png
I'm thinking about having some kind of sash on hers to tie in the periwinkle. This picture was off the dress your wedding page and why the girls look so wierd!

For Angie, BM #1:http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/2.png

For Caroline, BM #2:http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/get_image.png
I was so glad to see that they actually added a couple cute maternity dresses!
The next post will be the 2 dresses (not the marine) that were the actual dresses on their website.

[SaralovesMike]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/color_81143_10020.jpghttp://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/color_M81211_12895.jpg

These are the 2 pictures for the BM's there isn't one that I can copy for MOH. Of course this may all change by the end of the day after we go. This is just a preview of some styles I'm thinking about.
Don't worry I am going to bring my camera and hopefully will have some pictures later tonight.

[SaralovesMike]

It didn't take nearly as long as I thought with my picky picky sister. I was getting worried there for a minute just because this particular David's Bridal had nothing in terms of sizes or if they did have the size in the case of a 2 pc the colors didn't match. We also had a girl help us that wasn't nearly as helpful as the first girl I worked with when I got my dress. I guess she is no longer with the company. I did all the work with this one, this girl was just too busy helping everyone else.
Oh well, now we just have to get the dresses ordered in the right size for the girls and that part will be done!

For my sister, my MOH, this is what she chose:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dresses/amy.jpg

Angie gets this one:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dresses/angie.jpg

Caroline gets this one:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dresses/caroline.jpg

They will all wear these shoes:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/bambi219/dresses/shoes-1.jpg

I will post Mya's dress later as well as the real pictures of my sis in the 3 dresses, including the maternity one. She even wanted a pregnancy pillow! Too funny!

[ladymelissa]

Those dresses are lovely! Congrats! I can't wait to see the pics!

[lea m]

There lovely!!! i cant wait to get mine!!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Melissa and Leanne!

[SaralovesMike]

Mike was up pretty early this morning. Nothing unusual really as he is out of the house in the morning by 6:15 to go to work. The other night we sat down and made a list of all the wedding related things we need to do this month. Little did I know he was planning on knocking a lot of it out today. I don't know about anyone else but my FH has done so much in preparation for the wedding. Sometimes I wonder if he's done more than I have! I can't complain though, at least he is taking an active role in all this.

This is what is on our list so far:

1. Get in contact with St Clair Inn (figure out menu and other details)
2. Start to plan ceremony
3. Meet with Susan (florist)
4. Contact rental company (chairs, tent, table, aisle runner for ceremony and rehearsal)
5. Contact bag-piper
6. Research more songs for bag pipes for ceremony
7. Picture of Cake to Party Cakes
8. Swatch of fabric from BM dresses to baker and florist
9. Get with MOH and BM to work out golf outing (bachelor party) and spa day (bachelorette party)
10. Figure out Fathers Day tribute for reception
11. Pick songs for reception
12. Honeymoon
13. Wedding rings
14. Favors for reception
15. Plan rehearsal luncheon
16. Contact key people (photog, cake, DJ)
17. guest list for shower to mom
18. Finalize wedding guest list
19. Engagement photo

**what Mike did this morning

We are going to try and get with Susan our florist by the 15th as we have to place our order. Hopefully I can get that swatch from Davids by then. I totally forgot to ask about it when we were there on Saturday. She wants to start placing our flower order now to beat the Valentines day and Easter rush, they also jack up the prices too. Right now should be a little cheaper. Now I'm off to look at some boquet ideas. I have no clue what I want other than blue tones with hydrangea and roses.

[NicksBride]

oh those dresses are gorgeous. Great picks!

[SaralovesMike]

oh those dresses are gorgeous. Great picks!

Thanks!
The girls all like theirs too!

[SaralovesMike]

I gotta do this quick since I really need to start getting ready for work. I was scheduled to go in later today and of course spent the time online!

We have a date for my first bridal shower! Or at least a preliminary one. My sister (MOH) has to check with her church to see if we can use one of the rooms at the church on that day. As of right now we are having it on March 24. I think another friend of mine who I used to work with is throwing me another one but as of yet I haven't heard when.

We've got close to 50 people on the invite list. I don't know but I think that just sounds like way too many people! I'm sure they won't all come but still. I guess using the room at the church will be more than fine then. I don't know anyone that could fit up to 50 people in their living room.

Mike spent his day off making some more calls for the rehearsal. We are having a luncheon in his parents backyard and then heading up to the Inn for the actual rehearsal. I guess you could say we're doing it backwards. It just made more sense that way instead of driving back and forth. His parents backyard is huge 50 ft by 150 ft so the tent will more than likely fit. We have to go to this place on Saturday to look at what they have and possibly put down a deposit. The tent and tables should cost us around $200.

Alright I better get going and get ready for work so I'm not late.

Until later!

[hummingbird521]

I absolutely love the dresses. They are beautiful.

[NicksBride]

Oh a bridal shower what fun, I cannot wait until we have one. :) The backyard sounds perfect for a rehearsal dinner/lunch. I think that is a great idea to have it backwards, hmmmm.. Great idea actually. ;)

[ladymelissa]

Wow! You are super organized and things are really coming together.

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks! I wish I could say it was all me but I have to give some credit to my ultra-organized future husband. He's an accountant, make sense?

As far as the backyard BBQ, my cousin did that when she got married 10 years ago and I thought then it was a great idea. We can have more people (out of towners and family) because we can somewhat control the food as well as the booze. No booze for this one as a courtesy to Mike's brother who is battling alcholism.
In fact Mike is meeting a rental place this afternoon at his folks place in order to get a quote for the tent rental, tables and chairs. Again, so organized! LOL.

Ok, gotta run back to work. I will try to catch up more tonight as I haven't been on for a day or so due to problems with our internet!

[SaralovesMike]

As I posted earlier Mike had a guy from a party rental place meet him at his folks place this afternoon to get a quote. It sounds pretty good, he wants to check out a few places before we commit to anything. Mike was pretty impressed with this place, even more so when he found out that his sister used this place when she got married 10 years ago.

Anyway, since we are having it at home we are able to invite more than just the wedding party and their significant others. We figure if the list doesn't get too outrageous we can also invite some out of town guests. For me that would include my mom's 2 brothers that live in Arizona and their families, and a couple cousins. I am also thinking about some important family members that live locally as well. On Mike's side it would be about the same. He has an aunt that lives in Tennessee and friend from New York as well as some local family (aunt and uncle). We think total guests would be around 50, no more.
Mike's parent's backyard is HUGE! We would be able to get a tent large enough for 8 round tables (seating 8) including chairs and 2-3 tables for the food/desert. They provide linens. They would come out on Thursday before the wedding and set up the tent. We have to set up tables and chairs and take them down after it was over. The whole thing would cost us about $600.
Mike budgeted about $700 (including food). We may come under budget on something! Woo hoo! I was beginning to wonder if that would ever happen. We're planning on doing hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. Hopefully we don't need to spend all that much.
Mike's brother Jim, also a groomsman volunteered to cook as well as his BIL Jim.

I can't believe that we are actually working on wedding details again! It's gonna be a crazy 5 months.
Now I gotta run, Mike's gonna be home any second and we're going to grab something to eat.

Until later....

[mariaandmanish]

Sounds like a great deal, and a great plan, Sara!! I hope that it works out and you can go with this company and then invite everyone that you want to invite!!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Maria!
I think we are pretty much going to go with this place. We found out that they also do rentals for the Detroit International Auto Show. What more of a reference do you need?

[SaralovesMike]

The rental place I talked about in the last couple posts have come back with a quote. 3 banquet tables, 1 tent, 8 round tables, linens and chairs all for about $600.
Not bad huh?
Well to make it more confusing for my dear FH. His brother Jim called him and said that he knew someone who worked for a rental place and could probably get us a deal. SHE came back with the same thing INCLUDING silverware and plates for, shoot I can't remember. I hate when that happens! Ok well what I do remember is without the silverware and plates she would charge us $300. I told Mike to jump on this one. He of course being the organized and detail oriented one wants to see the place and see if they are "right."
He is also going to find out if they would also supply the chairs we need for the wedding ceremony up at the St Clair Inn. SCI only supplies 30 chairs for the ceremony and we need at least 100 more.

We've also changed the date for my bridal shower. Now it is April 21. My mom is too funny. This gives her more time to plan. She ordered our personalized M&Ms for the shower as well as a few shower games online. She is so excited, I am suprised she pushed the shower back a month and didn't just do it now!

[Kacie_bride]

The personalized m&ms are super cute. We had them at my wedding and everyone loved them. I think April will be a good time for your shower. Pushing it back a month seems like a good idea because March seems a little early IMO.

[Goin2thechapel]

YAY! Your wedding is comming up! You are very organized. I have to agree with Melissa on that one!

Bridal Showers are soo much fun especially when it's yours!

[SaralovesMike]

I think April will be a good time for your shower. Pushing it back a month seems like a good idea because March seems a little early IMO.

I thought so too, but I didn't want to crush my mom. She is soooo excited about planning this shower. I just wish my sister (MOH) was a lot more helpful...

[SaralovesMike]

Thanks Amanda. We're organized and for that I have to thank my FH. He keeps saying how he doesn't want us (me) stressing out about everything right up until the last moment. We are just knocking off things bit by bit b/c June 16th will be here quicker than we know it.

I can't wait til my shower. I'm also throwing a baby shower for my FSIL probably around the same time and I can't wait for that either!