So, I just ordered our Save the Date cards (or StDs, as they are known to the wedding-wise. There are a lot of sexual innuendo'd phrases in the wedding world. But I digress). It was arduous.
Between personal malfunctions (could not find an appropriate picture *anywhere*), font frustrations (why does NO ONE have an ornate font THAT INCLUDES ORNATE NUMBERS! why?!?), the technological one almost sent me over the edge.
I was seriously contemplating handwriting each note, then tying it to a rock and throwing it at our invitees. Seriously. The Vikings would have wanted it that way....
I was using PSPrint, which is an overall good website with Excellent Customer Service. I know, because I spent about 20 minutes talking with their help line or whoever answers the 1-800 number trying to figure out why my uploaded photos would not show up. The employee was fairly patient with me, was able to research exactly what was going on, then hand-hold me through the rest of the process. I *really* appreciated that!
We should receive them next week, then we can address & stamp them (sorry, you are all getting computer-printed address labels on these!) and get them in the mail. The #1 downside is that apparently PSPrint will NOT put our blog address on the cards. Sooo, guess who gets to stick little labels on all the postcards with our blog address??? (hint: his initials are E J)
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
::ugh::
Had my third wedding-related dream last night. The first to qualify as "bad dream".
It centered around things that are out of my control, and that I can't ultimately change. Kinda helpess (like those the-bell-rang-and-youre-late-to-class-and-getting-detention dreams I had in high school).
Woke up feeling disappointed and worried; sure hope these don't continue!
((The other two were also circumstances outside my control related, but I woke from those thinking, "oh well!" And feeling pretty OK))
It centered around things that are out of my control, and that I can't ultimately change. Kinda helpess (like those the-bell-rang-and-youre-late-to-class-and-getting-detention dreams I had in high school).
Woke up feeling disappointed and worried; sure hope these don't continue!
((The other two were also circumstances outside my control related, but I woke from those thinking, "oh well!" And feeling pretty OK))
Monday, May 17, 2010
Crafting Update
Inspired by a project on The Long Thread, I spent some time two weeks ago at a Quilt Retreat making a ribbon wreath for the wedding.
Ribbon bought on sale (70% off!) at Tall Mouse going out of business sale; 12" foam wreath bought 40% off at JoAnns; completed wreath. I followed the directions completely, but I did end up using a LOT more ribbon than reccomended. I wanted a very full wreath.
I think it will be hung on the front door of the Wedding House...
(I also worked on our string of pennants, but wasn't able to get them sewn up by the end of Retreat. Planning on finishing them and posting a few pics within the next week or so!)
Ribbon bought on sale (70% off!) at Tall Mouse going out of business sale; 12" foam wreath bought 40% off at JoAnns; completed wreath. I followed the directions completely, but I did end up using a LOT more ribbon than reccomended. I wanted a very full wreath.
I think it will be hung on the front door of the Wedding House...
(I also worked on our string of pennants, but wasn't able to get them sewn up by the end of Retreat. Planning on finishing them and posting a few pics within the next week or so!)
Friday, May 14, 2010
Proposal, Redux the Second
It is interesting how *different* people's perceptions can be of the same event! Luckily we have it on video (Mom video'd the entire event, minus the dog pooping part at the end)
First of all, I will say that my freaky spider-sense went off about 5 minutes before he actually proposed. And I attributed it to brunchtime revelry and faint paranoia (brunch was accompanied by mimosas - and Brian makes them heavy on the 'mim').
Secondly, I had no idea Karen was ready to burst into tears if she looked at me - I figured she had had a bad morning. She also gave herself a mild allergy attack by breaking open walnuts; it was a clever ruse to mask her anxiety LOL. When I did find out (much later) *why* she was anxious, I felt very bad for her!
Thirdly, Rachel and Dougie were NOT there - they weren't even in the country. Not sure how EJ thought they were; the only people present were: me, EJ, John, Karen, Jen, Brian, Mom (FMIL), Francie (Mom's BFF), and Francie's grandaughter. No English people.
Fourthly, EJ technically did not kneel, he squatted down about 4 feet away from me. When I finally noticed (see "mimosas" above) I said, "why is everyone suddenly so quiet?" And EJ said, "Because I'm about to propose to you." Then he stood up, choked me with the necklace, I kissed him, said "nuh-uh!" Then said "Yes!" Then there was laughing and crying and celebrating.
And when we went outside to take pictures in the backyard, Jen+Brian's dog Bear decided to join us and celebrate by crapping directly behind us in the pictures, which is why I am cracking up *so* *hard* in the pictures LOL!
Mom still swears I said an affirmative when I kissed EJ, tho...!
First of all, I will say that my freaky spider-sense went off about 5 minutes before he actually proposed. And I attributed it to brunchtime revelry and faint paranoia (brunch was accompanied by mimosas - and Brian makes them heavy on the 'mim').
Secondly, I had no idea Karen was ready to burst into tears if she looked at me - I figured she had had a bad morning. She also gave herself a mild allergy attack by breaking open walnuts; it was a clever ruse to mask her anxiety LOL. When I did find out (much later) *why* she was anxious, I felt very bad for her!
Thirdly, Rachel and Dougie were NOT there - they weren't even in the country. Not sure how EJ thought they were; the only people present were: me, EJ, John, Karen, Jen, Brian, Mom (FMIL), Francie (Mom's BFF), and Francie's grandaughter. No English people.
Fourthly, EJ technically did not kneel, he squatted down about 4 feet away from me. When I finally noticed (see "mimosas" above) I said, "why is everyone suddenly so quiet?" And EJ said, "Because I'm about to propose to you." Then he stood up, choked me with the necklace, I kissed him, said "nuh-uh!" Then said "Yes!" Then there was laughing and crying and celebrating.
And when we went outside to take pictures in the backyard, Jen+Brian's dog Bear decided to join us and celebrate by crapping directly behind us in the pictures, which is why I am cracking up *so* *hard* in the pictures LOL!
Mom still swears I said an affirmative when I kissed EJ, tho...!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
How I popped the question Pt 2
So where was I? Oh yeah, I remember now.
Saturday morning. It started out like any other day. Coffee, boys talking to us, and me trying to get the engagement necklace & ring in the cargo pocket of my pants unnoticed. So that last part isn't so typical, but I did manage to pull it off. So far, so good.
Now to J&Bs pad.
There was more coffee waiting for us when we got there, and a bottle of champagne sitting out amongst the various bottles of wine that tend litter their dinning room area, from time to time. It blended in well, and I wouldn't have noticed it if Brian hadn't told me about it. But moving on.
Coffee and aebleskivers, made by yours truly, was the morning meal. Im not sure, but I think I might've started Irishing up my java a bit early that day. I honestly don't recall, but I know I was thinking it at some point. Now we are on stage, waiting for the rest of the players.
J&K are the first to arrive, coming in shortly after the food is gone and the second pot of coffee was put on to brew. Now comes the first tricky part, engage John and Brian in a long winded discussions about D&D stuff, food stuff, and almost anything we can think of that will not bring up the idea of actually brewing, as brewing wasn't the real reason for us all being there. Thankfully my cohorts are quite clever on their own and this was no problem. There was drinking involved at this point, which helped. I think the fact that plans have been known to get put aside for my drinking and eating and talking did help the overall credibility of the moment.
So we're all talking and drinking, and Bodi is chuffing at everyone with a vengeance. Now comes the time to call Mom and tell her the time is nigh.
In no time at all, mom and company (Rachel, Doug, and Francie) show up. Oh by the way, did I mention that Karen has managed to avoid eye contact with Nessa all day? Cause she did. It was the only way that she could keep from spilling into tears.
Remember, Ren is not our normal go to gal for keeping secrets.
So after some more hand grabbing, hugging, and petting of dogs we all manage (with only a few sly nods) to get into the dining room with Nessa sitting in what would be center stage. Dogs come in handy by the way.
I love dogs. They are a great excuse to get down onto the floor unnoticed. You see, normally when a guy tries to do what I did, the dropping to the ground is usually out of character and automatically suspect. But when there are dogs around, it’s not even note worthy.
So like I said, here we are in the dining area, Nessa sitting on a high chair (all the dining room chairs are high) and me crouched on the floor in front of her playing with the red dog, palming the engagement gift, and waiting for the perfect moment. Not that I knew what it would be, but I knew it was coming soon. And there was everyone else standing around (where did those cameras come from) looking at us and getting quiet.
I think that's when Nessa's danger sense kicked in, causing her to ask the best thing she could've asked.
"Why is everyone looking at me?"
That is what she said, cause they were.
Like I said, I knew the perfect moment was coming up. So that is when (while still kneeling on the ground) I looked up at her and said, "Because I'm about to ask you to marry me."
Now exactly what happened next I'm a bit fuzzy on the order of events. I know I stood up and let the necklace drop from my palm, letting the ring on it dangle. I told her that the ring was there as the historical symbol of engagement, and that the necklace was a symbol of the actual necklace that would become hers (once I made it). I did actually say the words, "Vanessa, will you marry me?" while I was holding the necklace & ring before her.
In response I got a great big kiss (I like those). Now while we were kissing my mom chimed in with, "I think that's a Yes." And while still kissing me, Nessa shook her head and... grunted? mummed? hummed? Whatever the name of the noise she made, it came out as kind of a two syllable negative.
Shortly after that, we stopped with the kissing (for the moment) and then she said yes. I then proceeded to place the necklace around her neck, a bit tightly if I recall, and then there was merriment all around.
Now that big bottle of champagne came into full view and now finally Ren could look Nessa in the eye.
So without going into the revelry that followed, that people is roughly how it all happened. Give or take a few small details.
Saturday morning. It started out like any other day. Coffee, boys talking to us, and me trying to get the engagement necklace & ring in the cargo pocket of my pants unnoticed. So that last part isn't so typical, but I did manage to pull it off. So far, so good.
Now to J&Bs pad.
There was more coffee waiting for us when we got there, and a bottle of champagne sitting out amongst the various bottles of wine that tend litter their dinning room area, from time to time. It blended in well, and I wouldn't have noticed it if Brian hadn't told me about it. But moving on.
Coffee and aebleskivers, made by yours truly, was the morning meal. Im not sure, but I think I might've started Irishing up my java a bit early that day. I honestly don't recall, but I know I was thinking it at some point. Now we are on stage, waiting for the rest of the players.
J&K are the first to arrive, coming in shortly after the food is gone and the second pot of coffee was put on to brew. Now comes the first tricky part, engage John and Brian in a long winded discussions about D&D stuff, food stuff, and almost anything we can think of that will not bring up the idea of actually brewing, as brewing wasn't the real reason for us all being there. Thankfully my cohorts are quite clever on their own and this was no problem. There was drinking involved at this point, which helped. I think the fact that plans have been known to get put aside for my drinking and eating and talking did help the overall credibility of the moment.
So we're all talking and drinking, and Bodi is chuffing at everyone with a vengeance. Now comes the time to call Mom and tell her the time is nigh.
In no time at all, mom and company (Rachel, Doug, and Francie) show up. Oh by the way, did I mention that Karen has managed to avoid eye contact with Nessa all day? Cause she did. It was the only way that she could keep from spilling into tears.
Remember, Ren is not our normal go to gal for keeping secrets.
So after some more hand grabbing, hugging, and petting of dogs we all manage (with only a few sly nods) to get into the dining room with Nessa sitting in what would be center stage. Dogs come in handy by the way.
I love dogs. They are a great excuse to get down onto the floor unnoticed. You see, normally when a guy tries to do what I did, the dropping to the ground is usually out of character and automatically suspect. But when there are dogs around, it’s not even note worthy.
So like I said, here we are in the dining area, Nessa sitting on a high chair (all the dining room chairs are high) and me crouched on the floor in front of her playing with the red dog, palming the engagement gift, and waiting for the perfect moment. Not that I knew what it would be, but I knew it was coming soon. And there was everyone else standing around (where did those cameras come from) looking at us and getting quiet.
I think that's when Nessa's danger sense kicked in, causing her to ask the best thing she could've asked.
"Why is everyone looking at me?"
That is what she said, cause they were.
Like I said, I knew the perfect moment was coming up. So that is when (while still kneeling on the ground) I looked up at her and said, "Because I'm about to ask you to marry me."
Now exactly what happened next I'm a bit fuzzy on the order of events. I know I stood up and let the necklace drop from my palm, letting the ring on it dangle. I told her that the ring was there as the historical symbol of engagement, and that the necklace was a symbol of the actual necklace that would become hers (once I made it). I did actually say the words, "Vanessa, will you marry me?" while I was holding the necklace & ring before her.
In response I got a great big kiss (I like those). Now while we were kissing my mom chimed in with, "I think that's a Yes." And while still kissing me, Nessa shook her head and... grunted? mummed? hummed? Whatever the name of the noise she made, it came out as kind of a two syllable negative.
Shortly after that, we stopped with the kissing (for the moment) and then she said yes. I then proceeded to place the necklace around her neck, a bit tightly if I recall, and then there was merriment all around.
Now that big bottle of champagne came into full view and now finally Ren could look Nessa in the eye.
So without going into the revelry that followed, that people is roughly how it all happened. Give or take a few small details.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Getting Wedding-Ready
So, I had never really given a wedding/being a bride much thought. I was never one of those little girls who, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, said, "A mommy!" I never dressed up as a bride for Halloween. (I was Princess Leia once, but it was against my will and was not pleasing to me at all)
So now that we're planning this big party where-we-just-happen-to-be-getting-married, I have to start using a Bride-Brain; and part of *that* is deciding on a dress.
Which I have done, and pretty easily (it helps that I'm making it myself).
HOWever, I also have to think about who/what is going *in *to that dress, and that is where this post and the following magazine comes in.
So now that we're planning this big party where-we-just-happen-to-be-getting-married, I have to start using a Bride-Brain; and part of *that* is deciding on a dress.
Which I have done, and pretty easily (it helps that I'm making it myself).
HOWever, I also have to think about who/what is going *in *to that dress, and that is where this post and the following magazine comes in.
"Shape" magazine might come out with these every year; I do not know, I have never looked for, noticed, or thought about it until this year. But this issue (which is March 2010, with a "sell until" date of May 16, 2010) was snapped up in a hurry. It is one of the two three wedding-related magazines I've purchased to date (I also picked up a Bride mag from 1991 at the thrift store - the dresses are So Much Better! gah can't believe I'm saying that about late 1980s fashion!).
I am overall confused by the magazine as a whole; it gives three full-body workouts as well as an eating plan to get 'dress ready', which is nice, and the main reason I picked this mag up in the first place. The exercises are all pretty much geared toward already-fit and/or already-extensively-exercising folks, but that is OK, I can adapt. It has a couple articles typical of bride magazines ('the right dress for your shape' (where have all the sleeves gone???), two 'beauty countdowns' so you look fresh and glowing by your Big Day).
But there is an article in here that has me deeply disturbed. In a magazine about Health and Fitness, one of the Beauty Countdowns focuses solely on cosmetic surgeries to make you 'look your best'. This is very disappointing, especially when it talks about skin care (botox!) and firming up (lipo!). It just seems completely counter to the other 85% of content, and even counter to what I've been reading in other mainstream bridal mags (InSty!e, M*rtha Stew*rt, even the Kn*t).
I am enjoying the exercises in the magazine (although I have NOT bought the $200+ of 'required' equipment to do the workouts, thank you very much), and am curious to try some of the recipes; so I guess it was a worthwhile investment.
That 1991 Brides magazine still has this one beat, though! LOLZ
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Five Month Freak Out
Today marks exactly five months to the day we have scheduled for our wedding to take place.
I'm freaking out a bit.
Over EVERYTHING that still has yet to be done.
But instead of losing it in such a public forum (Hi, FMIL! Hello, coworkers!), I am choosing to focus on what *has *been *accomplished so far:
I'm freaking out a bit.
Over EVERYTHING that still has yet to be done.
But instead of losing it in such a public forum (Hi, FMIL! Hello, coworkers!), I am choosing to focus on what *has *been *accomplished so far:
[X] All flatware has been purchased
[X] All dishware has been purchased
[X] Menu (apps and main) are set
[X] All linens have been purchased
[X] People are volunteering right&left to help out with the organization, prep work, and day-of stuff (thank you! we love you ALL!)
[X] Karen has been one busy woman; she's taken this:
And turned it into this:
Table markers!
And totally puts my crafty endeavors to shame at the current moment.
HOWever, I am going to a quilt retreat this weekend, and am planning to come back with no less that one and most potentially FOUR finished projects!
And EJ and I sat down tonight over dinner and did some schedule wrangling and division-of-labor stuff to figure out what we can get done this month while he's still away at Faire for the next 3 weekends.
Lucky me, I get to wash 140 cake plates, 110 full-sized plates, and over 200 pieces of flatware in the next 29 days. Anyone want to volunteer to help me with THAT??? Lolz!
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