Where, exactly, did the time go?

a week. technically 6 days because we're chilling from this hour on, for the day.
I'm pretty much in the zone of "what will be, will be" and not screaming anymore whenever someone says, "gosh, it's coming up soon!" Really, I screamed every time. You can ask anybody.
And how 'bout that forecast huh?

Number 9? Number 9?

9 days. It is to the point where we can look at the 10-day forecast and see our wedding date on there:
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/tenday/WALKRMLK:13

And, dare I say it? It looks good.

Are you stoked? We are.

Yes, 15 days away!

I don't know what else to say. 15 days. That's not that much time.
AIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!
:)

Cathartic Wedding Planning

I've identified one of several issues with "registering". And, since the "registering" process seems to rest largely on the bride's shoulders, I'll be the one to write about it.
Basically, the issue is this: it feels too much like writing a list of things we wish we had, rather than a list of things we feel so fortunate to already have. And, really, the list of what we have is lengthy.
Yesterday my mother was wrapping a gift for me. Instantly, I reacted, "Mom, no! Don't get me anything!" and then blah blah blah, bridezilla, bridezilla, bridezilla. She blew me off and said, "Oh come on, it was fun! Giving gifts is fun!" I forgot about that side of the equation. Giving gifts IS fun! So, anyway, we're registered at REI and Target. I dabbled with some Macy's registry stuff and Uncommon Goods. We still toy with the idea of registering for a honeymoon. What I'd really like to do is register with the universe and all I'd ask for is a bunch of free time. :) Of course the greatest thing we could ask for is what you've already given, and we are very thankful for your friendship!

"What Should We Wear?"

Well, I've been asked that a few times.
First, we won't be ALL that dressed up. Oh, we'll definitely be distinguishable as "ceremonious types", but bustles, trains, veils, shiny shoes, suits and the like will not be making an appearance.
There is a potluck/BBQ, firepit, and a scavenger hunt planned. So, build your wardrobe around practical shoes. I'm really hoping that the "dancing" portion of the reception has people shaking their booties in ways that make them look possessed by jumping beans.
Wear layers and I'd bring a jacket or sweater. It could get cold.
If you plan on staying any length of time, other than for the ceremony, bring clothes for every conceivable type of weather.

Requests? Dedications?

Here's your chance to either a) commit someone else to doing something that could make for some black-mail worthy photo ops, or b) show us all your hot stuff on the dance floor. It's really a win-win proposition.
We are filling out the playlist for the dancing, and need your input? Got a special request? If you request it and it is played, you MUST PROMISE to dance to it! Want to dedicate a song to a special someone? Pick a song, pick a recipient, and let us know why you're dedicating it. You know -- just like back in 7th grade when you'd call in a request to the radio station....
Example: I, Teresa, will dedicate the song "Making Whoopee" by Eddie Cantor to Jeff. Mainly I'm dedicating it because the title is ridiculous... but also because it's probably appropriate honeymoon music. :)
Another example: I, xyz, promise to shake my cake if you play the song "Boogie Man" by kc and the Sunshine Band.
Okay, now go!

Trigger Pulled.

I bought a dress. Yeah. Seriously.
and that's that.
Oh, and yes, the invitations will be coming soon, I swear it.
Or at least, I swear a lot... ;)

Dressing the Ladies

In a previous post I said that I had a skirt and top picked out. I also pointed out that, if left to dress myself, we might ALL be sorely disappointed -- envisioning a wedding with a presentable bride and instead having a giant white tulle-ipop (little stick legs supporting an enormous puff-ball of white tulle) come down the aisle.
Thank heavens that last night some of the bridesmaids, mom, and I went shopping for their dresses. It hadn't even occurred to me to try on dresses, but at the last minute I did. WHOA!!! I tried on a dress that looked a lot like what I'd envisioned for mysef (at least on the rack). Major fashion-decision shift. The dress from the rack, on me, was at best hideous.
Re-group.
And here's the lesson that we should take away from this: enlist professionals. The saleswoman wisely grabbed a dress unlike the atrocities I kept cooing over, and hauled it into the dressing room as well. It was the last one I tried on. It's not one that I'll wear, but no kidding, I looked just like a cake topper. A really CUTE cake topper! The kind of cake-topper that would NOT burn her wedding photos while wailing, "I'm an albino beluga whale!"
And, while I'm babbling on about dresses and whatnot, get a load of this. My bridesmaids (all much better dressers than I) tried on the FIRST dress they picked out and they loved it! And it was SO pretty! They just looked smashing! So, they bought it.
Then we went out for some Thai food.
Whew! that was fun!

The Fun Run

I am SOOOO Excited about this!!!

To Register or Not To Register?

The question has been asked. Multiple times. So, here is what we are thinking.
1. Please, really, we just want to see you and have you come to the wedding. Your friendship is really the most important gift, and you've already given it. Our knee-jerk reaction to the "registering" question is that we really, truly, do not expect anything.
2. But then, some savvy recently-wed brides told me that some people just bring gifts, and WANT to bring gifts. I'm even guilty of arriving at a "no gifts please" party with a gift, once or twice. I've also been told multiple times that those who want to bring gifts also really want an idea of what to bring.
With that, we've decided that we will register with a couple of places, maybe REI or Target. I'm also toying with using "wists" as a registry. When we register, we'll post a link on here to where we've registered.
But please know, really, we don't expect any gifts. We just want to see your smiling faces having a really good time. A wedding is one of those events where you have all those nearest and dearest to you in one place at one time, and that never happens often enough. So, truly, your presence is presents enough.

A Little Wedding Game

This game is "What the heck is THAT?" For each picture up there, let me know what you think it is. Just take a guess. Whoever gets the most answers correct (there are 5 things up there) gets a prize at the wedding. I don't know yet what the prize will be. I'm not even positive I'll remember on the big day. But, we'll try really really hard.

And, there is another category, "What the heck is that FOR?" (because, here in eastern Washington we end our sentences with prepositions.) So, if you have a brilliant use for any of the items above, let's hear it!

To play, just enter your guesses in the comments for the blog.

Economic Stimulus Package

I spent yesterday stimulating the economy. There is just so much stuff to buy, even for the "Nice Simple Wedding". Yikes!

Wedding Trivia - Marrying in June

According to an old legend, the month in which you marry may have some bearing on the fate of the marriage:

"Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true;
When February birds do mate, you wed nor dread your fate;
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know;
Marry in April when you can, joy for Maiden and for Man;
Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day;
Marry when June roses grow, over land and sea you will go;
Those who in July do wed, must labor for their daily bred;
Whoever wed in August be, many a change is sure to see;
Marry in September's shrine, your living will be rich and fine;
If in October you do marry, love will come but riches tarry;
If you wed in bleak November, only joys will come, remember;
When December snows fall fast, marry and true love will last".

Wow, I'm glad we didn't pick May or July. Looking forward to some travelling in our future though!

Many Hands Make Light Work (and Much Fun!)

Huge Thanks to the crew who came out to Krista's Playhouse (aka the clubhouse) for an evening of invitation assembly, pizza, and fun. Clockwise from the top left: Barb, Katie, Deanna, Dawn, Krista, and Carla all assembled on a Wednesday night to put together the invitations. Yes, that's a sewing machine and some denim you see there. No there are no pictures of the bride working. We made a huge dent in the workload and had a great time. (At least, I did!)
There will be more events like this in the near future.
Thanks again ladies!

Another Event

Well... we met with our dance instructors Sunday. You know, it is expected that the Bride and Groom have a dance. The only moves we have are Frankenstein imitations -- you remember, like in 7th grade? When you both tilt from one foot to the other, holding each other at stiff-arms' length, and looking over each others' shoulders at some distant point on the wall, remember THAT dance? (And then in 10th grade I believe it was replaced with a bear-hug in which the male attempted to rest his hands on the girls' backside, only to have his sly moves thwarted by a math teacher/chaperone.) The other moves I have mostly involve a combination of butt-wiggling and convulsing. Think "Elain" on Seinfeld, but with less kicking.
Nobody wants to see that. So, we are taking dance lessons. As a bonus, our dance instructors suggested a "wedding day crash course" at the campground! Yeah, so at some point on Saturday, everybody can gather 'round and learn a few cake-shakin' moves to bust out on the dance floor!
I don't know about you, but I think this is going to be the funnest day of our lives!!! I hope you have fun too!

BLING, YO!!

I went to sign my taxes yesterday. The Gorgeous Ring performed it's intended purpose, as it has faithfully since September 1. The receptionist gasped, shielded her eyes and said, "OH! I love your ring! It's so pretty!"
Well ~blush~ shoot. Thanks. :)
Engagement is fun.

Dressing Teresa and the Bridesmaids

Well, Teresa has a skirt and top picked out. Finally. And you know, if you think some days it's hard to get dressed so you look presentable, imagine trying to dress yourself so you look presentable... for pictures, and a crowd who actually will be there to watch you stand up and do something! (In our case, get married.) This may come as a surprise to you, but I'm not exactly a natty dresser. I've often been caught wearing pearls with sweats. My favorite shoes are Italian -- Italian ski boots! It is only because of my distance from a major metropolis that I haven't been photographed as a fashion "Don't" for Glamour magazine. So, with all of these factors working against me, it is quite a surprise that I've found something to wear for the wedding. Brace yourselves.
Fortunately for the Bridesmaids (let's include Lacey as a Bridesmaid, even though she's the Groom's Best Girl. As far as attire, shopping, input on dresses, parties and functions, chatter, she's a Bridesmaid. If anything, she has a tougher job doing double-duty!), I am trying to completely opt out of picking their dresses for them. Well, almost.
Really, all the bride wants is for the groom to see her for the first time in her dress and be speechless. Okay, and she wants pictures that she doesn't have to burn, too.

Outdoor Wedding Mantra

We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather. We are not worried about the weather.
Whew.

Wedding Week Events -- a Fun Run!

On Sunday, June 7th, the Yakima Hardcore Runners Club is having their annual Clear Lake 5 mile run. Clear Lake is very close to our wedding site. But, the run is a Sunday.
A pre-wedding run really sounded appealing. Apparently we'll be very stressed and nervous. So, a run would be great. I thought that the Clear Lake run was on Saturday, but it isn't. Well, I don't want to run the day AFTER the wedding! We want to be L-A-Z-Y! We don't even want to change out of bathrobes (if we even roll out of bed!).
Creative minds gathered and pondered the dilemma: we wanted to have a run on Saturday, and have it be something festive. The brainchild behind this is none other than Emily -- Teresa's twin separated by 10 years. Teresa and Emily have the same birthdays, exactly 10 years apart. They both love peanut butter and gummy bears (sometimes even at the same time). Naturally, Emily understood Teresa's desire to have a fun run before the wedding. And Emily suggested the coolest thing ever -- an open-invite, out-and-back fun run on Saturday before the wedding! She will fill in the details, but can you believe how cool that is? You can run or walk, or hand out water. You don't have to run or walk the entire course. You can sit in a lawn chair and cheer for everyone else! With an "out-and-back" run, everybody sees everybody else because you end up passing each other. There will be themes and whatnot, and Emily will tell us more when she has the details all sorted out.

Invitations -- too much, too little, and more

For the love of pete we've been through about 6 iterations of the invitation.
Today, however, a thought struck me... I like to write, I like books... why not make it a book? Just a handy little book with all of the information (and the map). And so, this weekend, Jeff will lay eyes and hands on my attempts at this. Hopefully he digs them.
It's important that this is done, now. You know how most of us are "deadline driven"? How mothing seems that important until the proverbial "11th hour" and then suddenly you have a creative rush of energy and miraculously complete the task in JUST BEFORE IT'S DUE..? Or, if you don't complete it, you sweep the entire idea under the rug and pretend it never existed. I do that too. I gave myself a deadline of Wednesday (next week), invited my girlfriends to an envelope-stuffing party, and THEN the invitations will be done, whether they are perfect or not!
I have an acquaintance who was married a while back. You know what they sent out? A bunch of pages of information, typed in Word, stapled in the corner and plunked in a manilla envelope. Not even so much as clip-art peeped from those pages. I bet that they didn't even use some fancy font. They had about 7 days worth of events planned, so there were a lot of pages. It was one of the most memorable invitations I've received, seriously. No frills, just pure focus on the fun. I wonder where they are now.