Didn't come to my house!! We live in a HUGE apartment complex and we only got ONE SET of trick-or-treaters! What's up with that? We bought lots of candy and we were all set!
I got bored sitting around waiting for the knock on the door that just did not come... so... I went shopping from the comfort of my own couch (Yay e-bay!) I bought some new earrings for me (perhaps for the wedding?... check them out below) and then something for my bridesmaids... which I won't reveal here 'cause at least two of them read this blog! (Sorry guys... you'll just have to wait until AUGUST! haha!)
Last night I went to bed a little after 11. I wasn't so much tired but it was bedtime... so I decided to try to get some sleep.
About an hour later I reach up and knocked on the bedroom wall (this is what I do to get Jacob's attention when I'm in bed, since the wall behind my head is the wall he shares with his computer, and, quite often, that's where he is). So, I knocked on the wall, he came in and I said, kind of pitifully, "I can't sleep" *big, sad puppy dog face goes here*.
The loving, caring, fiance that his is knelt down, gave me a kiss and said, "Why? What are you thinking about?"
My response?
"I'm thinking about whether or not we should have table numbers and assign seats!"
Seriously... it's nine months+ before the wedding and I'm losing sleep over seating options?? lol That wasn't it though! I was also running the time line through my head and questioning whether we should have the wedding earlier!
Here are my two dilemmas (and the thoughts that kept me up last night).
1) "Assigned" seating. If you were to ask me last month if I wanted to figure out a seating chart and assign our guests specific tables, I would have said, "No, that can sit wherever they want... I'm not that controlling!" (This actually happened... lol... ask my MOH what my response was when SHE asked me! lol). However, after attending two weeks over the last couple months, both of which had free-for-all seating, I'm starting to question this.
The first wedding I went to had a LOT of space. It was an outdoor reception with probably about 25% MORE seats that needed. Free-for-all seating worked just fine here. However, the second wedding I went to had less space (it was held indoors), and only enough seats for guests (maybe even a little less). People were wandering around not really sure where to sit and it was kind of a big, crowded mess.
Jacob and I are having an indoor reception, and, chances are, we won't have a lot of extra seats. So, what was filling my head last night was that a family of four and a family of three would sit down at a table, leaving one empty seat... which would have at a number of tables... and finally a family of four would be looking for somewhere to sit and not be able to find a place together! This thought was really upsetting me! lol
2) Time of the Ceremony. Jacob and I have been figuring that our ceremony would happen at 6 PM with dinner being served directly afterward at the reception. However, here is the problem that I'm seeing. If the ceremony starts at 6, lasts about 30 minutes, and then we have a half hour or so to take pictures (I am dead set NOT to do first look shots... I'm not an overly traditional bride, but I want to retain this one), Jacob and I won't arrive at the reception site until a little past 7. I worry that with a buffet style meal for 100 people that this may be a little too late to serve food. (I'm not worried about my guests being there for half an hour before us, as we'll have a bartender up there... so I don't foresee any problems! lol).
Jacob and I talked about this and we came up with a few options:
a) We can have the food be ready at 6:30 and guests just start lining up/eating when they get there (though this means that the bride and groom will probably eat last, and I don't know that I like this idea),
b) We can move the ceremony to 5 or 5:30... but something else that we're worried about is the lighting on the beach and how sucky it's going to be for photos that early (not that 6 is ALL that better).
c) We could have food served at 7:00 whether we are there or not (in order to get the line moving) and then Jacob and I could just cut in line when we get there.
I think I like option b or c.
So... what do you guys think?? Seating chart?? Timeline?? Help! lol
I just had my first experience ordering shoes online.
I've ordered plenty of clothes before, but never shoes... I had a revelation! I think I really enjoy shoe shopping online! And here's why... I know EXACTLY what size I wear! lol When shopping for clothes, I'm always guessing, as I typically fall between two sizes, or one stores size may be smaller than another store's size (or, perhaps I ate a little more cake than I thought I had. lol). But with shoes, I can go in, buy a pair and they fit perfectly every time. It kind of makes my day. =)
So, anyhow... back to the reason for the post! =)
I always knew that I wanted to wear flats under my wedding dress. My fiance and I am the same height (I may be a BIT taller, but don't remind him of that! lol) and I don't want to be towering over him in heels. So, my thought was some simple white ballet style shoes for the reception, etc. (since I plan on being barefoot on the beach for the ceremony!).
When I went bought my ugly rain boots the other day, they cashier asked me if I wanted to register my e-mail address for a 15% off coupon. Always looking for a deal, I said sure. I figured I'd need new shoes someday, may as well have the coupon around for then.
I got it in my e-mail the other day, and here's the kicker... it had to be used online and within the next four weeks. lol I don't buy new shoes every month! But, I figured I'd take a look at their online selection... particularly in white flats.
That's when I found these:
I kinda fell in love! lol I see wedding photos all over the place with brides with cute, vibrant colored shoes. For example (care of wedshare.com),
So... I did it. I bought my wedding shoes. I haven't even really shopped for the dress yet, but I bought my shoes... my aunt would be proud! =) (And 15% off to boot! lol)
Chocolate Lover (who's blog name I LOVE--and totally relate with!) bestowed upon me the "Sugar Doll" award! =)
Apparently, in order to accept this award, I'm suppose to write 10 facts about myself and pass it on to 10 more blogs... so... here goes nothin'! =)
1) I was in a spelling bee in the fourth grade. I got the word "arithmetic" and somehow messed it up, eliminating myself from the competition. The next word was "toward". EVERYONE that was left got it wrong... so they went to the next word. The WHOLE time I'm sitting there screaming in my head "I KNOW HOW TO SPELL THAT WORD!!!" I was so mad! lol
2) I am the oldest of four kids... my three younger siblings are ALL brothers. I've wanted sisters for SOOO long. I always hoped I'd marry a guy with sisters so I'd have them by proxy. Jacob has one sibling. A brother. *sigh* My brothers better marry girls that I like! lol
3) I have lived in 14 different homes. I am only 27 years old. That's a LOT of moving. When someone asks me where I'm "from" I get confused and don't know how to answer! (The longest I've ever stayed in one place was about 7 years (and I spent about that same amount of time in TWO different places... so where am I "from"?)
4) I started my undergrad planning to become a journalist. I took a year's worth of journalism classes (which I hated) and about two criminology classes (which I loved). So, I switch my second year... and now I'm working on my Master's in Criminology! =) I think I made the right choice.
5) On top of this, I was on the high school newspaper staff for 3 years. When I didn't made editor (and was quite upset about this), the yearbook adviser pulled me aside and asked me to be the editor of the yearbook... something I had NO experience with. So, I jumped ship, edited a FANTASTIC yearbook, and was quite happy to have had that opportunity (though I'm pretty sure that I pissed off a few yearbook veterans who were expecting the job!)
6) I have a goal to travel to every state in the country (on top of any international traveling I can do), so far I'm about halfway there!
7) I played the piano as a child and the saxophone in middle- and high school. I think it taught me a lot and I'm glad my parents forced me to do it. lol
8) Jacob is the third boyfriend that I thought I was going to marry... lol... I guess third time's a charm, huh? =)
9) If I was stuck on a desert island and could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be pizza!
10) Even though I have a love for Italian cuisine, I also LOVE southern style food. I overheard one of my coworkers describe me as a "black woman stuck in a white woman's body"... lol... this was right before he introduced me to fried catfish... umm!
ok... now... 10 more blogs.... that's a tough one (because I follow SOOO many!)
Here is my shout out to 10 more bride-to-be's (if you've already gotten this, than congrats! You get it again!)
If you haven't read my proposal story yet, you really need to do so to understand this post. lol
Jacob's parents went out to their beach house on Sunday to do some repairs and updates... one of which was to the replace the toilet. Unbeknown-st to me, Jacob's mom, knowing our story, jokingly asked if he wanted to keep the toilet as a memento. He told her no.
He didn't mention this to me until a couple days later. When he did, I thought of how funny it would be had we saved the toilet seat and made a photo frame from it using a picture of the two of us from that weekend. lol Wouldn't that be a GREAT conversation starter? =) You know... a little something like this:
This is not wedding related at all, but I just want to vent about the last couple days that I've had.
For the last week or so my contact lens have been giving me issues. I wear gas permeable lenses, so they aren't disposable. I've had my current pair for about two years now. I figured that, because of this, maybe they needed to be replaced. As of two days ago, they drive me SOO crazy that I am no longer able to even wear them... therefore I set out to order some new ones.
I went to Costco yesterday since that's where I got my last set, and asked for a reorder. Apparently, because it's been over a year I need to get a new exam. *sigh* I do not have health insurance that covers vision, therefore I need to pay for this out of my own pocket. It's not an incredibly expensive purchase (a little over $200 for exam and lenses) and it is something that NEEDS to be done, but I SOOO don't want to be spending my money on things like this right now. Nor do I want to wear my glasses for the next week and a half until I get an appointment and get my lenses ordered. I hate how I look in glasses... bah.
Next topic... lol... on Monday I took the train to work as usual. And, as usual I have to walk about 10-15 minutes on each end of the train ride. When I left my house in the morning it was overcast, but not yet raining. But the time I started my trek to work from the train, it was POURING! I brought an umbrella, so I was covered in that sense, however the torrential downpour created HUGE puddles... for which I was not wearing rain boots. AND the wind was blowing pretty strong directly into my face. So, by the time I got to work, the front of my pants and my shoes and socks were SOPPING wet. The pants I wasn't so concerned about; I knew they would dry... but spending the entire day in wet socks and shoes?? I don't think so! So, I called my wonderful fiance and he brought me a fresh pair of socks and another pair of shoes to wear. lol I love him!
So, Monday night when I got home from work, I went shopping for rain boots... I was NOT going to let it happen again! I went to Target... they had some rain boots, but they were all out of my size (I have pretty humongous feet... for the longest time they didn't even carry my size! lol). There just happened to be a Payless Shoe Source nearby so I wandered over there. They had ONE PAIR of boots in my size... they are these ugly AE boots that were apparently left over from last season. lol But, they were on sale for 50% off... and I really didn't want wet feet again the following day... so... I bought them. Sometimes you need to go for practicality and price over prettiness... lol
I won ANOTHER giveaway! lol... I'm pretty good at these random drawing things! =) Thanks to The Roddy Bride and Uprinting I am the soon-to-be recipient of 250 custom stickers. I think I'm going to try to use them for my DIY invitations.... I'll let you all know if it works. =)
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had the chance to attend another wedding this last weekend. My fiance's best friend, AJ married his girl on Saturday in a (cold) outdoor ceremony in her aunt's backyard.
Jacob was a groomsman, which was an interesting experience for me, but had it's benefits. I've never been to a wedding before in which a person I was involved with was in the wedding party. It's kind of lonely! Especially when you don't really know anyone else there (except your fiance's ex-girlfriend... but, for some reason, I have a bit of a hard time conversing with her lol). I sat by myself during the wedding (since he was up front after all), and then had to roam around the reception solo off and on while he was doing groomsmanly duties. But, the benefit was that I got some behind the scenes stories shared with me. =)
Apparently the groom somehow misplaced his pants right before the wedding. Not really sure how his pants got separated from the rest of suit, but, well, it happened. His Best Man was also going to wear a suit (the rest of the groomsmen were just in shirts, slacks and ties), but since the groom needed something to cover his CK boxer briefs, the Best Man let him wear his suit. But, you see, here now is the problem... now the best man has no pants!
Thankfully, there were enough male relatives roaming around the house that the best man was able to find an uncle of the bride who had a similar fit and an extra pair of black slacks... so the day was saved! And, while the story was amusing enough, I would have loved to be there to see the hilarity as it unfolded. =)
Now, here are a few photos from the evening... a couple by me, and a couple stolen from the pro's photos (some of which are already up on FB... amazing!)
Check out that smile! So happy to be seeing his to-be-bride!
Jacob and I enjoying the reception (and the open wine bar!)
Ok... so I know this is my third post in about... oh... 10 minutes... lol, but hey! I didn't post anything yesterday, so I'm allowed to go a little overboard today, right? ;)
I just had to share something. Jacob called his bank and made me an authorized user on his credit card... it just showed up in the mail... anyone wanna go shopping? ;)
As you can tell by the title... I am VERY excited! lol Our engagement photos are in!!! =) Our photographer, Justin Koeppen at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography did an EXCELLENT job. Here are a few of MY favorites (I say "MY" because there are some that Jacob isn't fond of... lol.. but I like them (becasue I look good! lol), and it's my blog, so they are going up!). You can see the rest here at Sky Blue Iris's website.
Last night my fiance and I went to a rehearsal dinner for the wedding of a friend of his (who is getting married today... so I should have pictures of another "real wedding" soon!). Jacob and this friend have known each other since they worked together in college and have been really close for quite some time. He is going to be Jacob's best man next summer.
Last night Jacob introduced me to the mother of the groom as his "fiance", so, of course, questions about our wedding started as well.
Then she asked me a question that I was NOT expecting...
"Is this your first or second marriage?"
I feel old.
Is this really what people think now when they meet a 27 year old getting married? Must they really clarify this fact?
We were quoted two weeks... and it hasn't been two weeks yet so I don't have any room to complain... but it's HARD! lol. In this digital age I'm not use to having to WAIT to get pictures back! Usually I just go home and load them onto my computer right then and there! lol
I've been checking our photographers website like, every day(!) to see if I can get a sneak peak... and yesterday he posted photos from a wedding he did the DAY BEFORE our engagement photos... so it's getting close! =)
I'm really excited to see them though. I was really happy with the location that we chose and just can't wait! =)
Jacob and I went shopping at Ikea today for a new bed frame. He finally got tired enough of the one that we had that he sent me a message work today asking if I wanted to get a new tonight! So... anyway, we're at Ikea walking through the decor section and I see tea lights... 100 for $3... so I bought two packs to go with my newly acquired candle holders (which I also saw... and figured I saved about 50% buying them used from the chick on CL!... I also saw some jars that are a possibility for our unity sand ceremony... I'll have to keep those in mind for later).
Then, on our way up to the checkout after gathering our bed supplies (4 boxes for one bed!) I saw a pack of large dinner sized paper napkins... 100 for $3! The quote we have for 100 linen ones is NINETY DOLLARS!
We are having a low-key, beach wedding with picnic style reception food... can I get away with buying some nice, PAPER napkins???
I feel soooo much better right now! I've been slightly stressing the last couple of days about my reception venue. It's going to take place in the banquet room of a hotel in a small town on the Oregon coast... because it's a small town they have the small town mentality that "we don't need contracts... our word is good enough". Which is SOOOO not good enough for me! lol After MANY e-mails, a lot of price comparison Internet shopping, and MANY drafts of a proposal/contract between myself and the event coordinator at the hotel, I FINALLY managed to get, sign, and receive a copy of a contract that looks good and legal! lol It includes room rental, possible menus AND a block of hotel rooms at a discounted price. **sigh** I feel about 20 lbs. lighter right now! AND I feel like I got a good deal on everything... and UNDER BUDGET! A full BBQ "picnic" dinner for $10/person! Don't really feel like I can beat that! =)
The wedding showcase I went to this past weekend helped a lot with this process because I was able to see what other options were out there, particularly with catering. Having information on other caterers prices/packages to present and haggle with was VERY helpful in the end.
Went to my first bridal show today... the Oregon Wedding Showcase. It was an interesting experience... not what I was expecting at all. The vendors weren't pushy (which was fantastic!). And there were a LOT of samples and giveaways! Would be great if I won something! =)
There was also a fashion show and about four bridal boutiques were there with sample dresses to try on (at discounted rates). So, I tried on my first wedding dress today! I found some things that I liked... and some that I didn't. I don't think I found THE ONE, but it was nice to try some stuff on finally and get a feel for what looks good on me.
There was also a company there that rented out photo booths... so my mom and I tried it out! =)
ALSO... lol... I got invite lists from both sides of the family today... so we have a solid invite number! After I told both mothers that it would be great if they could weed out which friends/relatives would be happy just to receive an announcement after the fact, our invite number went down by about 30 people! VERY happy about this!
We should get our Save the Dates soon and can mail them out! Woo hoo!
Wow... this is my 100th post... That seems like a lot in 3 months... but, well, there it is. lol
I talked about all the things I'd marked off my checklist in a previous post... so I won't bore you with that 'cause nothing really has change... Except....
I had to plan my bridal shower and bachelorette party today.
Well, at least, I had to kinda plan the dates and locations.
See, two out of my three bridesmaids won't be in the state in the weeks leading up to the wedding. My MOH lives in Iowa and will be in Oregon two times in the next 10 months.... once to pick out dresses in December, and then back the week leading up to the wedding. And one of my bridesmaids is planning a cross country bike ride next summer... which she'll interrupt half-way through (when she gets to Iowa haha) to fly home a few days before the wedding. What does this mean for me? I'm going to have to get some good concealer for those bags under my eyes on the wedding day!
Looks like the bachelorette party will be the Thursday night before my Saturday wedding... with waking up somewhat early and traveling on Friday to get there in time for an early rehearsal dinner at the coast. And the bridal shower is either going to be the weekend before (and not have my biking bridesmaid in attendance) or the Tuesday or Wednesday evening before...
I don't know what my employment situation is going to be around the time of the wedding. Currently I'm finishing up my masters degree and HOPE that I'll have a job before then... but I also don't want to have a brand new job and take so much time off work. It's a difficult situation. So, it looks like, as of right now, that the bridal shower will have to be in Portland (where I live) so I can make it to work the next day, and the bachelorette party will be in Eugene (where my mom and friends live... maybe taking advantage of some 80's night action at John Henry's!) since it's closer to the wedding location (by about an hour)... but that means I'll probably have to make the two hour drive after work on Thursday and take Friday off (which I was planning on doing anyway).
I guess this is what happens when you're friends are just too damn independent, huh? lol
I know there are others out there who have maids all over the country... so how did you work it out?? And how did you all work out your work schedules? Anyone get married right after getting a new job??
My Bridesmaid, Holly, and I at a John Henry's 80's night last summer... things get a little crazy even on a normal day! lol.... she's gonna kill me for posting this out there in cyber space ;)
Sometimes I really wish I was a guy. I LOVE dressing up boys... I think it's SOO much easier to look good in guy's fashion than it is in women's. Hence, I am looking forward to picking out outfits for our groomsmen... hopefully Jacob lets me in on this! lol
I really love the vest, slacks, tie and rolled up sleeves look... much like this picture (minus the skinny jeans... not a fan) and with a yellow tie (to match our wedding colors):
I found a set (vest and pants) on the JCPenney's website for $80!
Totally do-able! And, with the Tie Bar website that everyone is talking about (and I'm really excited to try for myself), I think we can make our groomsmen stylin'! =)
Oo oo oo! Check out this tie! I love it! And with a gray pinstripe vest.... ahhh... fantastic!
I was perusing my daily wedding item sales on craigslist today and ran across this ad. It made my heart melt and so want to be a help. So, if anyone in the northern Oregon/southern Washington area knows of any possible resources for this couple, please send them along!
Affordable or donated place for small weddingandreception PLEASE READ (Clark County)
Date: 2009-10-14, 1:39PM PDT Reply to: sale-bzhhz-1421552468@craigslist.org[Errors when replying to ads?] I'm trying to help a young mentally disabled couple achieve their biggest dream-to get MARRIED after 11 years together. Problem is they live on SSI and simply cannot afford 100.-500. for a few hours to rent a church, community room, grange, etc. That would be their entire months rent. Is there any church or public/private place in Clark County that would be willing to donate 3-4 hours? We expect about 50-80 people, and only need something where we can keep potluck food warm and tables to eat at afterward, and obviously an appropriate place for a small wedding ceremony. We would leave it cleaner than we found it, and not take the kindness for granted. They just want to be like everyone else they see and have a special day to cherish. If there is a kind person that would like to donate the time to officiate we'd be very grateful for that as well. We are hoping for an early spring wedding, providing we can get supplies together by then. I donated my $600. wedding dress and am having it altered to fit her.Thank you for reading. Don't they look like they're in love??
I had a random thought today that I should be sure to write a blog post on my 100th day of being engaged. Then, I started to calculate when that would be and I realized that it was coming up soon. So... I took a look at my calendar and started counting...
I"m really really frustrated with wedding stuff right now... and what makes me even more frustrated is that I still have TEN MONTHS! I shouldn't have to be stressing about the stuff that I"m stressing about yet... it's TOOO SOON. Grrr
Bride on a Budget is sponsoring a new giveaway! 250 custom business cards (or thing business card sized! lol) from UPrinting! Go visit her website to get in on the freebie action! =)
Jacob and I got our engagement photos taken this morning! We were done (and freezing) by 8:45 AM... it was an early morning! lol Hopefully I'll have some shots to show you all in a couple of weeks. We decided have them taken downtown at the Waterfront Park. It was perfect I think... urban and park-y all at the same time. I'm glad Jacob suggested it! =)
So, now for the announcement that you've all been waiting for.... our photographer selection! We signed the contract and paid the deposit this morning, so I feel o.k. letting the cat out of the bag! =) We went with Photographer #4, Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography. We got along well with him, he seemed "real" and genuine, and his price couldn't be beat. We checked references and they were good, we did a little bit of web-stalking, and we kept an eye on his ever growing portfolio... which just happened to include a beach a wedding. =)
I need some advice. I don't think I'm a fan of the traditional ring bearer pillow. I want something a little more original and a little less girly! lol We're going to be having two ring bearers. I want something simple and classy. What do you guys think?
Apparently I can't get the permit for my 2010 beach wedding under 2010... I can't even get any INFORMATION about the permit process/costs until January because the woman who handles that isn't back in the office until January 5th! The state just doesn't understand. I am a PLANNER. I NEED this information. How much is it going to cost? How far in advance do we need to get the permit? Do we NEED the liability insurance if the reception is held somewhere else? How much is the ticket if we just say f*** the hassle and just randomly "meet" our guests on the beach for the ceremony?
January is 3 months away. Which means every night for the next three months I'm not going to be able to fall asleep because I'm going to have "worse case scenario" counter-planning going on in my head.... *sigh*
I got my paper samples today for invitations! Which means I actually got to play and SEE what my concept is going to look like! So, I went to Target and had a copy of my photo/invite printed.
Bad News =(
The print job SUCKED. lol They only had the option of glossy (I much prefer matte) and they printed it REALLY dark. I'm starting to think I'll have to take it to a print shop rather than going the cheap way and getting it photo printed... or, may have to just print them out at home... the problem with that is that I'll have to figure out how to adjust our printer for paper size... and I don't know how much the ink will cost us! lol
Good News!!
While I was at Target looking around I found the PERFECT photo album to use as our "guest book"! lol So I bought it... and I hope Jacob likes it... and I have one more thing to add to my PWC(With 10 months to go! lol). See, for the guest book I have this idea. Instead of doing an actual wedding Guest Book, I want to have a photo album with a selection of index cards. The photo album will be half full of photos of Jacob and I (interspersed throughout) and then each guest will sign and/or write a note on the note card and slip it into one of the empty slots in the photo album! I think it's going to be fantastic! =)
And did I mention that I LOVE the album that I found? It's a faux tan suede...
With both horizontal AND vertical 4X6 photo (or, in this case, photo AND index card) slots!
AND, what makes it even better, is that I used a gift card that we got as a house warming present last weekend... so it didn't cut into my wedding budget AT ALL! =D
Now I just have to do something about those invitations...
I enjoy reading my horoscope sometimes. I don't RELY on it, but I find it entertaining. =) Recently I stubbed across this Cosmic Wedding Planner and had to take a look! You can find your signs "characteristics" in planning a wedding, how you will get along with your mother-in-law, and what areas you and your mate will do well in and where there will need to be some work. It was actually quite interesting... I really enjoyed the Virgo Wedding Planner.... it soooo describes me! Everything from my obsession with sticking to a budget, to wanting to get with my toes in the sand, to designing my own invitations and have an "unconventional" guest book.... kinda cool =)
I see these little "awards" on blogs all the time and wonder how they get divy'd out and passed around... well... now I know! lol
Thanks to Jillreigh over at Once Upon a Dream for passing this Kreativ Blogger award to me.
It's funny, because I don't consider myself a "creative" person... at least in terms of crafty sort of stuff. I'm more creatively minded... I LOVE thinking of ideas... just not always the best at implementing them! With the exceptions of words and images. I love photography and the written word (reminders of which I'm sure you've seen and will continue to see in my blog postings).
So, if I understand this right, I'm suppose to now tell you 7 things about myself and then pass the award on to 7 other KreativBloggers. I think I'm going to do the pass along first (give me a little more time to think of 7 things to tell you about myself! lol).
I didn't check to see if each of these blogs is a "new" one to be awarded, so if you've already received one of these, then just be doubly excited. =)
Ok... now for 7 things about me.... hmm...
1) I am doing this on my lunch break at "work". I say "work" because I am a full-time, 40/week, UNPAID intern... at least until the beginning of December. This is what I get for wanting to get my master's degree in a social service arena =)
2) I met my fiance AND one of my bridesmaids on Craigslist. I love "the list" and am very thankful for it for a number of different reasons (i.e. loves, jobs, apartments, furniture, etc.)
3) I am the oldest of 4 children... and the ONLY girl. I was a bit of a tomboy growing up... hmm.. I wonder why? =P
4) All through high school I was involved in journalism... writing, photography, copy editing... even my middle school English teacher that I was going to be a reporter... two terms into my freshman year in college I decided I wanted to study crime instead. Hence, my BA and (soon to be) Master's in Criminology.
5) I lived in Canada for a year... and am currently a student at a school up in BC... even though I live in Oregon. =) BC is gorgeous, but I'm happy to be "home".
6) My high school friends all scattered as far as possible after graduation... the UK, Taiwan, Texas, Iowa, California, New York... hence, I was forced to make some new friends who lived in the same area code! =) Which, was actually quite difficult for me and I'm still REALLY working on creating a supportive social circle.
7) My nickname as an infant was "poopy"... ok... it's out there! My mother can't use this as blackmail any more!! =)
You guys tired of me yet? lol... third one today... geez =)
I found this event on (drum roll... ) Craigslist! =) I think it's fantastic and I really hope to be able to attend. They have these charity dress sales nationwide, so check out their calendar to find one near you!
Many, many members of my family (on both sides!) have died from and survived various forms of cancer (I am trying to make peace with the fact that I will have to fight my own battle some day, it just seems to be in the cards for me). So it really is important to me to support this cause.
We're getting our engagement photos taken on Sunday! Yay! I know I haven't revealed who we chose for our photographer yet, but I'm a bit superstitious and would like to have the paperwork signed before the reveal (which will also happen on Sunday, so I'll let you all know soon!).
I need your help however... what do I wear for engagement photos?? lol Especially when we're meeting the photographer at 8 AM (bah), when temps will probably be in the 50s or 60s. I have a cute new dress I was thinking of wearing, but this is when I thought we were going to do it in the evening. Now I feel like I have to dress in layers and wear something a little warmer.
How did you brides out there pick your clothes for your pictures? Should I just bite the bullet and sacrifice hypothermia for cute pictures in a summery dress? lol
Apparently the Obamas celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary this past weekend. I found this link to a story about Barak's wedding proposal, and it made me smile and think of my own. =)
A week or so before Jacob proposed we were living in separate countries (Canada IS a different country, I swear! lol) and had been apart for the majority of the prior 2 months. I had a pretty major freak out on the phone with him on night. We had been dating for almost a year and half at that point and I wanted to get married (I waited 6 years for a proposal in my last relationship and it never happened, so I had some issues to begin with! lol)... but he had told me weeks prior that he wasn't "sure" (whatever that meant). After being alone for weeks at a time and mulling this over, I finally broke down. He just kept trying to convince me that everything was going to be o.k., to stay calm, and not to freak.
And then, a week later, he proposed... lol... I felt like an idiot. =)
My PWC** cherry has officially been popped! Today I bought glass tealight candle holders for my centerpieces. 111 of them to be exact. For (get this) $20! I Love Craigslist!
My fiance and I had a housewarming party today (it lasted nine hours... I'm exhausted). One of my bridesmaids was able to come up and brought with her my belated birthday present... I love them! lol
The attached card read:
I know of your plans to be a beautiful barefoot bride... but in case you wanted something festive for the reception, you have these for an option! =)
I had my first bad wedding dream last night... I blame it on the fact that I was working on my invitation design until 12:30 last night and TOTALLY blew off the wedding curfew! lol.
In my dream, the weather was kind of overcast at the coast. It wasn't raining, and I was still willing to go for it, but someone in the family convinced us to hold the ceremony under a picnic shelter thing... that wasn't even NEAR the ocean. Plus, for some reason, the shelter was really short... so everyone head to sit down during the ceremony... including Jacob and I!
Then, my brother (the who is going to officiate) had a cold and was sucking on cough drops the whole time and had a scratchy/weak voice... PLUS, he hadn't rehearsed what he was going to say, and his notes were all out of order, so it went REALLY poorly.
Halfway through the ceremony people started whispering and talking to each other... not a bad situation in itself, except it was EVERYONE. Then , someone on Jacob's side of the family decided that the ceremony was taking too long and said, "let's just get this party started!" and the ceremony just kind of ended!
I was not happy AT ALL. Suddenly we were at the reception (which was taking place in the picnic shelter) and the sun came out from behind the clouds. So, I grabbed Jacob, my brother, and the photographer, and dragged them out onto the sand and made my brother go through the ceremony again so that I could get married on the beach! lol
So I got bored tonight and decided that, even though I still have MONTHS before this needs to be done, I wanted to play around a little with our invitation mock up. I'm designing them myself to save on the funds. I had a mock up put together a few weeks back, but wanted to add one of the "engagement photos" we took on the beach to personalize it a little bit. Plus, my Photoshop skills are a bit weak after YEARS of not using it (and all the updates and stuff they have done over the last decade), so I was VERY proud of myself for figuring this out!
Obviously I've taken out the location information... I don't need any weird wedding stalkers! lol
But look what I did! lol I managed to steal the colors of our clothes so that our text matched (It looks a LOT brighter here than it did on my screen! I'll have to do a test print and see if I need to tone it down a bit). I also erased the lower right corner of the photo 'cause I didn't like it sticking out of the "B". I think I'm going to take it in and get it printed as a 4X6 photo and then do some sort of photo insert card with additional information on the inside (lodging, maps, registries, website RSVPs, etc.). I'm looking at something simple like this, or something a little more interesting, like this. I'm hoping Micheal's or some other craft store will have some things for me to peruse.
Now I just wish it was 5 months later and I could get to work assembling everything! lol
Chocolate Lover (who's blog name I LOVE--and totally relate with!) bestowed upon me the "Sugar Doll" award! =)
Check out that smile! So happy to be seeing his to-be-bride!
Jacob and I enjoying the reception (and the open wine bar!)
with sample dresses to try on (at discounted rates). So, I tried on my first wedding dress today! I found some things that I liked... and some that I didn't. I don't think I found THE ONE, but it was nice to try some stuff on finally and get a feel for what looks good on me.
I"m really really frustrated with wedding stuff right now... and what makes me even more frustrated is that I still have TEN MONTHS! I shouldn't have to be stressing about the stuff that I"m stressing about yet... it's TOOO SOON. Grrr
The beginning of my **Pile of Wedding Crap
