Mission Unaccomplished

I made a killer zucchini bread for the reunion today! It was scrum-diddly-yum-shis! While I was out there I was supposed to look at the building I was considering having the wedding in. Nope. Didn't do that. Instead I had fun with family I haven't met before. And some I've known for a long time. I did get some invitations out to people. That's a plus.

Isn't that horrible? It's practically September and I still haven't sent out the invites. Oh well, I'm doing it now aren't I?

I really need to figure out where we're having this thing. To do that I need to call out to the Park and ask how much it is to rent the building. Does that include tables and chairs? How many tables and chairs? Then I need to go out there and look at it. Is it pretty? Are there places for us to enter? etc.

Then, finally, we need to make a decision. Why do I have to call? I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one getting married here. Perhaps I'll make Honey do it.

Location dilemma

Awhile ago I mentioned our location. The Elks Toketee Illahee Park. We were going to have the ceremony outside in a gazebo. A little bit of explanation for you: Looking at the gazebo opening (the back half is a wall...it's a pretty large gazebo) the guests would be seated at 6 o'clock. The aisle is 9-10 o'clock and is a natural path through tall alder trees so everything is easily visible from the guests seats. The guests would be seated at tables during the whole event. Or maybe we'll have the tables set up behind them? The food would go inside the gazebo (12 o'clock) and be blocked from sight by decorations until the ceremony is over.

That was the original plan. Now we are seriously considering renting the building located at the park instead. In the long run I'm hoping (haven't checked yet) that it will be cheaper. With it outside we have to rent tables and chairs for everyone and it would just be a hassle, not to mention worrying about the Oregon weather that changes every 5 minutes. Having the building, we're guessing it probably comes with some tables and chairs and it would keep everyone dry.

Lucky for me there is a family reunion out there this Saturday. I hope to have the location finalized and paid for by the time it's over.

Why are weddings so much hassle? Maybe it's because I procrastinate...

My dress!

I found my dress!! It's perfect! It's beautiful! It makes me feel AMAZING!! I love love love it!!

We went to Eugene today to go dress hunting. Justin's best friend lives there. He and Justin went out to the movies and just hung out (they don't see each other much anymore) and Ira's (the friends name) wife went dress shopping with me. My Mom was busy with work, so was my sister Steph. And I'm not sure what Sam was up to but I doubt she would have went with me. We asked Justin's Mom to go but she was busy with paperwork. So Jessica (Ira's wife) and I went to David's Bridal and found the most perfect dress ever!

I was SO glad that she went with me. That was the second time I have ever seen her and the first I've ever "hung out" with her. She's really nice. Too bad she doesn't live closer. Maybe I could have a friend *sad face*. I don't have very many friends. Actually, I don't have any around here. And other than that I have acquaintances. So sad.

I have a dress! I can't get over how happy I am now. This whole not having a dress was stressing me out. Not anymore. CHECK!

So when we first went into David's Bridal they made me sit down and register with them...blagh. Then showed me to my size area and let me look. The person helping me came over and said people usually get through about 5 dresses in an hour and a half. My eyes got huge here. Only 5 in an hour and a frickin' half? She said that usually people like to get all accessorized with each dress to get the "full look". I said I'd like to get in and out of here as quick as possible. So I picked some dresses, went to my little cube (changing room), stripped down (awkward!), put on the little poof skirt, covered my boobies with the bra-ish thing, and then had the sales lady come in to eye-hook me all up (extremely awkward!!). I was put into the first dress. Felt like a two year old, "raise your arms" so the sales lady could put the dress over my head. It was helpful but humiliating. I hate being in any sort of attention. Anyways, the dress...So I tried on the first one, they made me go out and stand on the podium with all those mirrors around (AHHHHH). It was a very lovely dress. But no choir of angels could be heard.

Next I was strapped into the second dress. I loved it! But I noticed the boob area was actually too big! Weird. I mentioned this weirdness and she said yeah look at this, then proceeded to grab a nice handfull of the back of the dress. I changed out of that particular one into a size smaller and viola! Magic! Cue the choir of angels singing a high note. Perfect fit! Who knew I would end up getting a size smaller. That made my day.

It's a halter top that comes down the tummy area to a "V" below the *ahem* gut. Then it poofs out. No train or anything, just poof. It has tons of bead work all over the upper half. The dress is extremely slimming. Did I mention I love it?

I plan on wearing my hair down and curly. My hair curls right up with a little bit of product. I have a veil to go in my hair and then a pretty tan colored rose to go right next to the veil.

I'm actually starting to feel more excited about getting married and less stressed about getting everything done. Today was very much about enjoying the experience. Woo Hoo!!! But I did realize during all this, how the heck am I supposed to spend the whole entire day being part of the center of attention. I didn't even like being helped trying to find the dress. I felt like I was a nuisance. "Please do up my bra thingy and put a dress on me because I couldn't possible do it all on my own. I must have assistants." Snooty falooty. So. Not. Me. I'm a sweatshirt and jeans girl through and through.

The wedding should be interesting.
Do you think I mentioned the word dress enough? I love it!

Cake Topper!

Well, let me start out by saying YEAH! Tomorrow I am going to David's Bridal and I am coming out of there with a friggin' dress! I'm bringing my trusty plastic (visa) for support.

After I got over my initial blegh-ness of today I was fairly productive. I made and completed the Moms' flowers. Completed the fella's boutonnieres (added ribbon). Finished the bouquet toss flowers. Completed my bouquet (added ribbon). Now all the flowers are finished completely 100%! Can I hear a, "check!"?

And for the grand finale I made our cake topper! It was extremely easy. I bought pumpkin salt and pepper shakers from Ross. A while ago I bought wine covers (I think that's what their called) from the dollar tree that were a bride and groom set. With a little bit of cutting and some handy dandy glue dots...(drumroll please)...I got these!! Ta-Daa!!!!

Cute Huh?

Here's the groom!

And the bride!

I love my pumpkin people. The day is looking up!

Ahhh!

I am getting so darn frustrated! My Mother and I went out to Corvallis yesterday to try on a wedding dress. I saw this wedding dress on craigslist (gotta love it!) and called the girl and arranged to try it on and all that hoopla.

So we found the place rather successfully. My Mom is not great with directions and tends to get very aggrevated and...nasty...when we have a little trouble finding things. I was very happy it didn't come to that.

I met the lady, she was VERY nice! Tried on the dress... and again no such luck. There was no way it was going to zip up past my breastisess. DARN IT!!!!!

Is there a mass conspiracy out there that I can't find a single dress that's doable?

The search continues for a suitable wedding dress. I'm starting to lose hope I'll ever find one.

Birdy

Justin's Mom recently went to the pet store and while she was there she fell in love with a bird. It was a lovebird with a sad story. It has rejected every mate offered to it. Justin's Mom felt for the bird, she too has lost a mate and knows what it is like to be alone. The pet store owner gave Justin's Mom a huge discount on the bird and with the help of Justin, moved the bird into her home a few days ago.

We went over to visit and it's the cutest bird. A black head, white chest, blue body and dark blue almost purple on its tail area.

Justin called his Mom last night to check on her and see how she was doing. She says she think she got the bird for the wrong reasons. On Monday she will decide if she is keeping the little guy or not.

Turns out, we might get a little lovebird.

These boots

With every passing day I realize how likely it is that it will be raining on us at our wedding. I refuse to by a tent. I like the rain, Justin likes the rain. If the family doesn't like it they don't need to show up. Besides, there are trees to stand under if it gets too bad.

Since I would bet some big bucks it's gonna rain, it led me to my next thought. I was going to wear flip flops. It is after all outside in the grass. But with it raining my feet are sure to get soaked.

Soooo...I'm pretty sure I'm going to get these bad boys!

Rain boots! Friggin' cute right?! And what do you know...my something blue. I'm going to target to try them on in a couple days. But I absolutely love them. I can see the picture now...us kissing, my foot popped up out of my dress, and an umbrella keeping us dry(ish). Yep, I love it!

Our wedding is going to be pretty darn strange. I can't wait!

A Wedding and A Reunion

Today was a family reunion. My Mom's Step-Mom's Side. We consider her my Grandma but I thought a clarification was in order. It was a side of my family that I rarely see. The first time I started to realize that I was related to them was last year when my Grandmpa was in the hospital before he died. Not happy times. It was nice to see them under better circumstances.

While there I went around and had everyone write down their names and addresses. One step closer to mailing out the invites which me and my sister Sammi put together.

On Saturday my cousin Cyle was married to his long-time girlfriend/fiance Jessie. It was nice to go to a wedding. I've been to three total now. The first two happened when I was younger and we never went to the receptions (if they had them). So when I went to this one I was very observant. Any details I wanted to copy? Or not copy?

For starters, I did not like the location. It was a church...a creepy church...with a creepy painting of some landscape in the background.

Just so you all know, I am not a fan of any organized religion. I think that, Yes, there is something bigger. No, people should not conform to rules and beliefs written long ago and passed down through the years changing slightly with every re-writing and swaying with current popular beliefs. I think that to have ideas about higher powers, a bigger concept and Gods etc. are great! But to believe that poof and then there were is ridiculous, even childish. People should take pieces of each religion that make since to them and have some ideas from there. You should not be constricted and bound to words others tell you and ideas that are not your own. My religion is a belief that there is something more. What that is I don't know, but I love my ideas of it.

So you see, I'm not a fan of churches. Places to worship (not a fan of the word) one of the Gods people created. The ceremony was close to a sermon, therefore, not a fan. The end of the ceremony made me almost tear up. When they kissed. It was the only part that was very personable of the whole ceremony. It was the only part of the ceremony we saw emotions. That part was great.

By the way, in his preachings the pastor said something along the lines of Jesus called the church is bride. He loved the church even though it was imperfect. Then he likened the church to Jessie (the bride) but that Cyle still loved her anyways. Did anyone else catch he called the bride imperfect? Ouch. *eyeroll* Why if a woman has a child and she is not married is she imperfect? I feel ready to hulk up when I hear such stupidity dribbling out of high and mighty, holier than though, usually Christian (sorry I don't actually have anything against Christians...it's all organized religion. Christian is just what people around here tend to be.) assholes. All of them.

Her colors where yellow and black. Her bridesmaids wore black and white dresses. Yellow bouquets all around. Two flower girls (their daughters) very cute! No ring bearer. We had the reception at the local golf course. It was nice and sunny for the wedding all day. The cake was amazingly beautiful. The bride was prettier. I loved her dress and it made me sad to realize I don't think I'll find the one perfect dress. The cake was actually made by a relative of theirs. It had three tiers each set on a plate thing with columns. It was about a 5 year old high off the table. It had yellow roses all around each layer and the table itself. The top layer had a bulbous vase with yellow flowers and ribbon. The middle layer had pictures of the bride and groom around it. It was a great cake.

In another corner was a money tree. I was iffy on doing this at my wedding. I'm not a fan of asking people for money. But I have to say, both sides of their family loved it. They had stickers to put on the bills, then people got creative with how they could tie it to the tree. They were laughing and having a great time just tying money to the tree. Justin's Mom actually insisted we have one of these. She said we have to, it's just something people do at weddings. Then the dreaded word...tradition! Well, I'm all about getting free money and after I saw that people actually enjoyed it...why the hell not?!

They only had about five small round tables I think that they decorated. Just some plastic table coverings in black and yellow. And then some black tulle in the center with tiny plastic wine classes and yellow stuff (candy?) inside. A round vase with one candle tart in the center and those little plastic bubble blower things so we could blow bubbles. It came off very nicely. But different than what I had invisioned for my wedding so nothing I could really copy.

It was a great day. I can't wait till our wedding day. Only 62 days left! Holy cow!

The Darn Dress!

So I just got back from my "fitting" with Alma. She's a sweet old lady my Aunty is long time friends/neighbors with. To sum it all up my current wedding dress is no longer my current wedding dress. Alma, the magnificent seamstress (seriously she is), says there is nothing she can do to fix it.

Might I make a suggestion to people. Do not order your wedding dress from China over ebay. It is a very pretty dress (when it's not on). It is very pretty material. But they DO NOT listen to you when you tell them your various, very specific, sizes. Not only that but Alma says that they also laid the material wrong or halfhazardly when sowing it, making it lay against the body wrong.

This was the most unflattering dress I have ever put on. I hated trying this dress on. I didn't want to touch it. I stored it in a black garbage bag all wadded up.

I think I had a hint this dress wouldn't work out.

This time I'm trying the dress on before I buy it.

So the search continues for a suitable wedding dress...

Weekend blues...

Why can't everyday be the weekend. Wouldn't that be dandy? I want a vacation. Yippee for me I have that crazy thing coming up. What is it again? Oh yeah, my wedding! That should be a pretty fun vacation! But I really wish this last weekend could've slowed down.

My parents, Sam and her fiance Wade are out camping for a whole week. I don't get to go this year which SUCKS! So me and Justin thought we'd go up there and hang out for the day with them. It was so much fun. I was sad when we had to return home. We went swimming in the freezing cold river. I didn't get to roast any marshmallows. So very bummed. I thought I'd be smart and lay in the sun to tan (it's been pretty yucky here weather wise lately. The sun was a shocker.) By the time I thought to myself, "Yeah! That should bronze me up pretty good" I was a pretty shade of lobster red. Damn. Break out the aloe vera.

While nursing my sweet ass "tan" after we got home, I did manage to print out all of the invitation crud. The invites, reception info cards and rehearsal info cards. I got up to 40 maps printed I do believe, but for some reason the program used to make the maps does not communicate well with my printer so each map took about 3-4 minutes to print (too long for little miss impatient). I quit those. I'll do more later.

I maple leaf stamped the invites, invite envelopes and rehearsal cards but gave up when it came to the reception info cards. I had had enough for one night.

There is so much to do in the next couple weeks I'm starting to go berserk. I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

3 Day Weekend

I get to have a three day weekend! Yeah me! You see, this Monday is the opening of blueberry picking. And since my boss is a very nice person, I get to go pick blueberries on Monday!!

Oh how I love blueberries. They are so yummy. I think I might have been a little jealous when I saw the horrible kid Violet turn into a blueberry (just kidding, I have no desire to be a blueberry). Then off she went to get juiced. Ha ha, serves her right.

Can you believe Justin hasn't seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?! We are huge movie buffs so this is INSANE!! I'm planning a date night on Monday after blueberries. I believe this movie will be included in my plans. I wonder if he's seen the original? Could you imagine? I had fantasies about this movie when I was little. That huge golden egg. I would put up a tent in the eat everything land (not the actual name I'm sure). How could he not have seen this glorious movie? A poor kid growing up and not licking the wallpaper in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, you might get a little hint of yumminess. Oh the memories...

I like date nights. We try to have them at least once a month. This time it's my turn. I get to plan the whole day for us. It's really going to be a whole afternoon for us. First, we are picking blueberries. Then, Justin is working on his truck.

*He traded his old truck for a new truck his friend had that he liked better. This new truck has needed lots of work but should get better gas mileage and like I said...Justin likes it better. Good thing my Honey's a mechanic...excuse me...automotive technician. (I'm rolling my eyes) Either way he's a grease monkey and I LOVE IT!! Dirty men are my cup of tea! Who wants a frilly boy anyways. Yuck.

Anyways, I get to plan our activities. I'm looking forward to surprising him. Oh the possibilities...

My Ring!!

My ring came in today! Woo Hoo!!! I love it! It's sparkly and fits perfect (I was worried). Ahh. One more check off my long list.

This was the first time we got our paychecks and paid all the bills since we received the loan. Instead of having maybe $200 extra for groceries and gas. Now we have $900. Huge difference. I'm so glad we did that.

I don't know how many of you have tried the Wii fit. I haven't, it sounds fun. I read that for every day you work out with it, you get this cute little foot stamped on a calendar showing you which days you were a good kid and worked out. Well, I took that idea and made my own. I had an extra calendar that wasn't being used for anything. We went out and bought some cute cheap teacher stickers from Walmart. And now I get to put a fun sticker on the calendar everytime we go to the gym. Not that I need some kind of incentive. I love the gym. I really love to sweat...as gross as that sounds.

Isn't it friggin' cute. I love this idea. I can see my progress. Ooh ooh! Speaking of progress...Since working out at the gym I have lost a total of 3lbs!!! I am ecstatic! I didn't expect to see any changes yet. It will be fun to see what a month there does. Everyone is so encouraging. I can't say enough good things about this place.

I'm off to kick Justin's butt in the Lego game! We just discovered cheat codes. I heart cheating (only sometimes, I swear).

Another check!

Yesterday I made a mock-up of the invitations! Now I just need the Mom's to check it, address them, and out they go. Piece of cake!

Speaking of cake...my sister decorated this cake the other day and sent me a picture. I love the flowers on it. I'm hoping she tries to do a maple leaf with the same colors. That would be perfect for the top cake we cut. She's super! She came over last night and we had a couple glasses of wine. Oh boy, was that fun! Who knew after one glass it'd feel like I'd had a whole six pack! Great friggin' wine.

My other corset came in the mail today. You know, the size 5X one? 5X! 'Cause I guess I'm a whale. Anyways, it fits perfect!!!! I am so in love with it!!! And it came super fast from Hong Kong. It was here in about one week. Amazing huh?

We sent my ring away to be sized a while ago. It was so sad. We paid it off. I held it for about 1 minute while the lady filled out paperwork for it to be sized and then it left me again. So, so sad. It should be here any day now. I'm excited. I don't have an engagement ring. I have a promise ring. And this was supposed to be my engagement ring. But with money issues I decided, why do I need two? This one is more than I need. So no wedding band for me. This ring serves as both. I can't wait for it to get here.

Isn't it pretty?! I'm in love!

Talking about love (do you see how I get so distracted? One thing always leads to the next.) Where was I? Love. I can't resist posting this picture of my honey.

He likes this pic of himself and I do too! This will be our before picture for our gym. Can't wait to see the after. I might get a before of me up here. Probably going to wait until I have some visual results first. That way I can say, "here's what I used to look like but not anymore."

Nightie Tighty Whities! Justin is making me go to sleep now. Butthead.

The Concert

Cuthbert Amphitheater

I have to admit. The concert was great! It was at the Cuthbert Amphitheater. I thought I wouldn't have much fun but I did. Queensryche sounds so good live! I'm still not a huge fan. Just a partial fan.

We went over to Eugene for the concert and stopped by Bridesmaid, and best cousin ever, Micah's apartment. It's so cute (and a super good price for rent!). She has two cats Diesel and Mara Jade. Mara Jade is a kitten and is the cutest kitten ever. It makes me want one very badly. We don't have the time for one now though. Maybe after the wedding.

This is Mara Jade

This is Diesel

Aren't they so cute? Mara Jade is my favorite. Cute kitten with a sweet personality and I love the name.

I'm almost finished with our invitations. I just need to do some little details like where I want the stamp to go.

*About the stamp. I purchased a maple leaf stamp from the great and powerful ebay. And a stamp pad from a local craft warehouse that is going out of business. I got really lucky with the whole going out of business thing. Everything in there is 20% off and it will go to 40% off this month. On top of that there are huge slashes in the prices. It's like they planned it just for me. I'm such a tightwad. I hate spending lots of money.

Back to invitations. So I just need to finalize some little details and then do a mock up invite. Then I'm going to show my Mom and get her okay. Then show Justin's Mom, My future Mother-in-law, Debbie and get her okay. I know I don't need the okays. My wedding, my way. But it's nice to have their input. They might see some changes it needs that I didn't think about. Plus, I'm pretty much doing this wedding all on my own. Sure I talk to people about it. But when it comes to anyone actually helping me with things...nope. I'm on my own. So it's nice to include them a little.

It would be nice if my Mom wanted to be more involved with my wedding. Or my sisters for that matter. MOH Stephanie is getting married in December. She hasn't gotten much planned out yet. I try to help but I'm not sure where to begin. She's coming over tonight so maybe we'll work on it then. Yes, I like that plan. I suppose my Mom is busy with home improvements and work. Plus, MOH Sammi is beginning college in the fall. I suppose that takes up time too. No big deal.

Lego's

Lego's were the greatest toy, weren't they? You were able to be super creative. All the fun colors. I loved 'em. We bought the game Indiana Jones The Original Adventures for our PS2. It's entirely Lego people. So much fun! We got too sleepy last night to get very far on it. I'm gonna go play again in a minute.

Today was another gym day. Thursday morning I woke up (not a good wake up...) and I wasn't too sore from Wednesday's workout. A little fatigued, but not sore. All that changed by the end of the day. I got progressively more tense, sore and achy as the day went on. When I woke this morning...Ouch. But I was still looking forward to the gym. Ready to get my workout on. Well, now that we are finished with the gym and at home relaxing for the night it's starting to set in. Double ouch. I must be a masochist because I can't wait to go back Sunday. I'm addicted. The people there are great. The equipment is great. I feel great when I'm there. Love it, just love it.

Justin's doing well. Downhearted but not consumed. His Mom left a message on our answering machine while we were out. It's starting to really hit her I think. We need to go over there more often. Death sucks.