The drive down to Bristol was prettier than I remembered it being. Granted, it was an absolutely amazing day - crystal clear sky, no humidity, everything bright and cheerful and just out of a postcard. We arrived at the farm just after 5 - not long after the groomsmen did. As I saw kilts moving across the opposite end of the field, I quickly scooted over to the cocktail hour cabin to hide from Erich (given that I was a bit obvious wearing white and all). We gushed over the beautiful bouquets my florist had created (all I'd given her were the colors I'd prefer - I was amazed... but more on that in a little while). We stood on the deck and admired the view, took a few pictures, and just relaxed until it was time.
Through all of this, I was feeling very calm. Oddly calm. As in "I'm here to witness someone else getting married" calm.
But then we lined up to make the walk up the aisle. And then the music started - Storybook Love from The Princess Bride, and we started walking - my dad on one side of me, and my mom on the other. And my brain just shut down. I barely remember seeing people along the aisle. My knees were shaking, and my anxiety was blown full open, and all I could do to keep moving was stare at Erich (who was beaming back at me). I know I gave my dad a kiss, and then everything began.
And it was a swirl of words. Our friend Tony had hand-written the entire ceremony we'd emailed him the week before into a beautiful little journal (which he presented to us later). All I could do was smile at Erich. I'm very thankful that I knew I'd never remember my vows if I'd decided to memorize them. As it was, I started repeating them early because of my nerves (getting a chuckle out of everyone). That, oddly enough, was what finally calmed me down.
But for those curious, here's our little wedding ceremony, in its entirety:
Tony: Welcome. We are gathered here today on this beautiful fall evening to witness the joining of Melissa and Erich in marriage. Melissa and Erich, have you both come here willingly?
Us: (together) Yes.
Tony: Today is a celebration not of a beginning, but of a bond that already exists between you. In many ways, your lives are already joined. Today you declare your intention to make this joining deliberate and permanent.
Tony: (to the guests) Melissa and Erich desire to be united in marriage surrounded by you, their friends and family. All of y9ou are here because you have played some part in bringing Melissa and Erich to this moment. Let us all remember those who cannot be here today, but who are with us in spirit always: Melissa's grandmother Mary, Erich's grandmother Miriam, Erich's grandfather Norman, and especially Erich's mother Deborah.
Tony: Melissa and Erich have chosen as a couple to perform a box, wine and love letter ceremony. This box contains a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a love letter from each to the other The letters describe the good qualities they find in one another, the reasons they fell in love, and their reasons for choosing to marry. The letters are sealed in individual envelopes, and they have not seen what the other has written.
Tony: (to us) Should you ever find your marriage enduring serious hardships, you are to, as a couple, open this box, sit and drink wine together, then separate and read the letters you wrote to one another when you were united as a couple. By reading these love letters, you will reflect upon the reasons you fell in love and chose to marry each other here today. The hope is, however, that you will never have a reason to open this box. And if this is the case, you are to open this box to share and enjoy on your ten year anniversary! Melissa and Erich, please seal the box.
Tony: (to me) Melissa, please repeat after me.
I, Melissa, take you Erich, to be my husband - my best friend, my partner in life, and my one true love. I give to you, in the presence of these witnesses, my pledge to stay by your side as your wife in sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, as well as through the good time and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you forever.
Tony: (to Erich) Erich, please repeat after me.
I, Erich, take you Melissa, to be my wife - my best friend, my partner in life, and my one true love. I give to you, in the presence of these witnesses, my pledge to stay by your side as your husband in sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, as well as through the good time and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you forever.
Tony: (to Elizabeth, our ringbearer) May I have the rings?
(to us) Melissa and Erich, I invite you now to exchange your rings as a symbol of the vows you've just spoken.
Erich: (to me) Take this ring as a symbol of my love, as this ring has no beginning and no end, as is my love for you.
Me: (to Erich) Take this ring as a symbol of my love, as this ring has no beginning and no end, as is my love for you.
Tony: And now, by the power vested in me by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, I now pronounce you Man and Wife. And in the immortal words of Mel Brooks, "Good! You're married! Kiss her!"
(we kiss)
Tony: And I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Erich and Melissa Krueger!
We bounced away down the aisle to the Monkee's I'm a Believer (because really... it practically was written for the two of us, recent Shrek usage aside). And as we got halfway across the lawn, I finally exclaimed "Holy shit we're married!" Much to the amusement of those who were in earshot, of course. I specifically remember Michelle cracking up.
Now, here I'll stop for a moment and gush about my bouquet - because it was absolutely perfect. Everything was in deep reds - a center Calla lily, with four of those beautiful deep red (with almost a purplish edge) roses, a blend of seasonal mums, all surrounded by reddish-purple (!) hydrangeas. No filler in any of the bouquets - all were full of flowers! Melinda hung mine up to dry afterwards, and it will take a carefully guarded place behind glass here in my office as shelf decor where the cats can't get to it. :)
Everyone went off to the cocktail hour, while Erich and I were off for formal photo shoots with our bridal party and parents. There's one particular shot that I'm looking forward to seeing from our photographer - the Scots on a Rock shot (with all of the kilted men in a row on the rock). We have lots of shoes pictures and hopefully a good chunk of silly pictures as well. I was laughing for the better part of the rest of the night. :)
The two of us opened the clambake at 7 by ringing a big dinner bell hung on the side of the tent, and our amazing caterer had everyone gather round the big cooking pit to describe how everything was done - over rocks and seaweed and steaming. And then we were introduced, went into our first dance (which revealed to everyone how Erich and I just do not dance) to In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, and then we sat down for two beautiful toasts by Tone (best man) and Melinda (maid of honor). After that - the feast of clams, mussels, lobster, johnnycake bread, smoked codfish, sausages, corn on the cob, and potatoes commenced.
Oh yes, we feasted. And it was all good.
The dance floor opened, and as expected, there was no need to encourage this crowd to get up and dance. We received a bunch of compliments all evening regarding our DJ, who played a fantastic mix of classic standards and more modern dance songs to keep everybody moving. The floor was jumping all night. :) I danced a bit toward the end of the evening, but for most of the night both Erich and I were flitting around talking to people (as. IMHO, all good bridal couples should do at their receptions). Between the two of us, I don't think we missed anybody - but I'll be dropping everyone a note in the mail over the next few weeks anyway just to make sure.
Dad and I then danced to the song he selected - which is one of my lifelong favorites... What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. My dad, ever being my dad, was singing and being a bit goofy as we danced. It was perfect and very us. :)
Our cake was soooo delicious. We picked a vanilla cake with strawberry and whipped cream filler layers, all covered with buttercream frosting. Oh, god it was delicious. We did our cake cutting to Love and Marriage by Frank Sinatra (famous for being the theme song for Married with Children... as soon as it was recognized, we got a LOT of laughs). We were both well-behaved. No cake smooshing here!
After that, it was lots of dancing until around 10:30, when everything had to wrap up. The final dance of the night was, as tradition for me since high school, The Dance by Garth Brooks. I've had a few people ask why I picked a song about breakups (both in person and livejournal), so I feel the need to explain this one a bit. First - it was always the last dance of the night for every formal dance in high school (of which there were many... because we had nothing else to do). And also, it's never been a song about breakups to me - it's been a song about accepting the hardships in your past and embracing them as lessons that carry you into the unknown - and hopefully brighter - future - very fitting for Erich and I, considering our lives during this past year. The entire song is summed up to me in these lines - "Our lives are better left to chance. I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance."
Your viewpoint may vary, of course... but yeah, that's my take on it. And it's just a pretty song.
As the music died down, the group of Tau Beta Sigma sisters still in attendance carried on the Boston University pep band tradition, starting up a rousing round of "Hey Baby" to end the night. My dad was highly amused (having watched the BU band in action a few tims), and many of the other relatives looked on impressed. And then all of the Sisters gathered together, and we sang the TBS National Hymn (with harmony, even!) It's the first time I can recall ever singing it outside of a sisters-only event. Absolutely tickled me. I hope it becomes a tradition at all future Sister weddings. Really, truly. Needs. to. happen.
And then we all said goodbye - hugging everyone as they went off to their cars or back to the vans. Erich and I got into the Bentley and were whisked away to our hotel for the night...
where we collasped in bed, reading our guestbook pages and absently watching Crocodile Dundee on the midnight movie for about an hour before passing out.
It was an absolutely amazing day. Neither of us could have asked for better - we know that Erich's mom was looking out for us by giving us the beautiful weather. And we're still bopping around the house in amazement that we pulled this wedding together!
Thus ends the recap... but for all of the photos added to the photoshare to date, pop over here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/melanderich/
:)
Yay!
27 September 2007
When Geeks Get Married: Wedding Recap, pt. 1
Four days later, I’m still swirling through everything that happened this weekend and just keep looking at it in awe. Seriously – I cannot believe everything went so well. Nor can Erich, for that matter. After months and months of planning, frustration, and unexpected hardships – the entire weekend went without a hitch. Well, except for the hitching that was meant to happen. That hitching went as intended!
So sit back with a cuppa – because it was a long, busy weekend full of fun and insanity. Lots to tell.
If I were to give one piece of advice to an upcoming bride who is planning her wedding on her own, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to choose bridesmaids that can help you with delegated planning and provide you emotional support as needed through everything. I would never have gotten through it all if I hadn’t had Melinda, Ivanna, and Maria by my side. Whether finding resources for vendors (photos and hair especially) or just providing emotional calming or hugs , all three were incredibly helpful.
The weekend festivities kicked off on Friday with a girls’ day out and my bachelorette party. Morning full-body massages, followed by lunch at the pub, followed by manicures and pedicures. I desperately needed that massage – it turned out that Ivanna found a holistic massage place only about a mile from my house! (yay… somewhere to go back to!) Quite heavenly. I was very worried about having my nails done – being the tomboy geek that I am, I’d never had my nails professionally done in my life. No idea what to expect. The result is very pretty. It looks very strange to me to have fingernails, as I am a chronic biter. I’m still wearing them, although I find it fairly difficult to do things and really do miss having sensation in my fingertips when I touch things. I think the lack of touch sensation is probably the most disconcerting. But at least for big events, I know I can do this. And Erich really likes them - so for now, I'll deal. :)
The bachelorette party was a very wild evening at the house. There were nine of us present, and the evening was full of fun but very silly games like “pin the penis on the man” (John and Rodney nicknamed the guy on the poster “sad boy” and gave him some chest hair with a sharpie). We had a penis piñata, a yummy cake from Sweet and Nasty cake shop in Boston, and after everything else – a crazy round of karaoke on my wall on the X-Box. One of the funnier events (that I’m comfortable sharing photos of, anyway) was Fizzy grabbing one of the penis whistles from the piñata horde and whapping it around the dining room. She managed to pick it up in her paws and lick it – sending the entire party to the floor laughing.
Saturday was the Unrehearsal Dinner in my backyard. We had 40 people over – family, friends, and the wedding party. It was the first time all of my relatives had seen my house – and so many people loved it. I was thrilled! We had tons of good food for everyone – lots of family favorites from both families were blended. So we had ribs and potato salad and chili mixed with pierogi and galumpkies, plus desserts and the obligatory shots of celebratory vodka. A good time was had by all with chatting well into the evening.
And then Sunday arrived with a brilliant blue sky.
I spent the first hour of my wedding day sprawled out on my bed, staring out the window at the trees, not really thinking about anything in particular - but making sure that I didn't allow myself to fall into the "omgimgettingmarriedtoday" freaking out that easily could have taken place. I was oddly calm. It felt like just another day.
By 11 a.m., the girls and I were on our way to Providence Place, where I popped over to the Laura Mercier counter at Nordstrom. Maria popped over to the MAC counter, and both of us got our faces put on. :) By noon, we were on our way over to my mom's hotel where we all got our hair done by my wonderful new hairstylist, Lynda. My photographer, Michelle, arrived at two and was just everywhere, taking fun pictures and laughing over the scrapboook that the girls had already put together of the Friday festivities.
3:30 p.m. came, and it was time for me to start getting ready. With my mom watching, Melinda helped me get into my dress in about 15 minutes. Back to the secondary room for some quick final touches on the hair, add a veil and tiara, plus a bit more lipstick, and I was ready to go.
I walked down the hall to find most of my family standing in the lobby, waiting to board the limo and shuttle bus we'd rented (dark windy roads + unfamiliar drivers + open bar at wedding is not a good mix).
And that's when the nerves hit. All of a sudden, reality just slammed me and I got all fluttery. Everyone boarded the transportation. Mom, Dad, and I got into the '57 Bentley, and off we went toward Mount Hope Farm.
Part 2 coming soon... just typing it now!
So sit back with a cuppa – because it was a long, busy weekend full of fun and insanity. Lots to tell.
If I were to give one piece of advice to an upcoming bride who is planning her wedding on her own, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to choose bridesmaids that can help you with delegated planning and provide you emotional support as needed through everything. I would never have gotten through it all if I hadn’t had Melinda, Ivanna, and Maria by my side. Whether finding resources for vendors (photos and hair especially) or just providing emotional calming or hugs , all three were incredibly helpful.
The weekend festivities kicked off on Friday with a girls’ day out and my bachelorette party. Morning full-body massages, followed by lunch at the pub, followed by manicures and pedicures. I desperately needed that massage – it turned out that Ivanna found a holistic massage place only about a mile from my house! (yay… somewhere to go back to!) Quite heavenly. I was very worried about having my nails done – being the tomboy geek that I am, I’d never had my nails professionally done in my life. No idea what to expect. The result is very pretty. It looks very strange to me to have fingernails, as I am a chronic biter. I’m still wearing them, although I find it fairly difficult to do things and really do miss having sensation in my fingertips when I touch things. I think the lack of touch sensation is probably the most disconcerting. But at least for big events, I know I can do this. And Erich really likes them - so for now, I'll deal. :)
The bachelorette party was a very wild evening at the house. There were nine of us present, and the evening was full of fun but very silly games like “pin the penis on the man” (John and Rodney nicknamed the guy on the poster “sad boy” and gave him some chest hair with a sharpie). We had a penis piñata, a yummy cake from Sweet and Nasty cake shop in Boston, and after everything else – a crazy round of karaoke on my wall on the X-Box. One of the funnier events (that I’m comfortable sharing photos of, anyway) was Fizzy grabbing one of the penis whistles from the piñata horde and whapping it around the dining room. She managed to pick it up in her paws and lick it – sending the entire party to the floor laughing.
Saturday was the Unrehearsal Dinner in my backyard. We had 40 people over – family, friends, and the wedding party. It was the first time all of my relatives had seen my house – and so many people loved it. I was thrilled! We had tons of good food for everyone – lots of family favorites from both families were blended. So we had ribs and potato salad and chili mixed with pierogi and galumpkies, plus desserts and the obligatory shots of celebratory vodka. A good time was had by all with chatting well into the evening.
And then Sunday arrived with a brilliant blue sky.
I spent the first hour of my wedding day sprawled out on my bed, staring out the window at the trees, not really thinking about anything in particular - but making sure that I didn't allow myself to fall into the "omgimgettingmarriedtoday" freaking out that easily could have taken place. I was oddly calm. It felt like just another day.
By 11 a.m., the girls and I were on our way to Providence Place, where I popped over to the Laura Mercier counter at Nordstrom. Maria popped over to the MAC counter, and both of us got our faces put on. :) By noon, we were on our way over to my mom's hotel where we all got our hair done by my wonderful new hairstylist, Lynda. My photographer, Michelle, arrived at two and was just everywhere, taking fun pictures and laughing over the scrapboook that the girls had already put together of the Friday festivities.
3:30 p.m. came, and it was time for me to start getting ready. With my mom watching, Melinda helped me get into my dress in about 15 minutes. Back to the secondary room for some quick final touches on the hair, add a veil and tiara, plus a bit more lipstick, and I was ready to go.
I walked down the hall to find most of my family standing in the lobby, waiting to board the limo and shuttle bus we'd rented (dark windy roads + unfamiliar drivers + open bar at wedding is not a good mix).
And that's when the nerves hit. All of a sudden, reality just slammed me and I got all fluttery. Everyone boarded the transportation. Mom, Dad, and I got into the '57 Bentley, and off we went toward Mount Hope Farm.
Part 2 coming soon... just typing it now!
25 September 2007
Stitching Rotation #1
While I wait anxiously for friends to start uploading wedding photos (because I have none of my own... ack!), I've started getting my stitching stuff organized and sorted so I can get back to my hobby. I really have been missing it a lot over the last few months.
It's been so long since I did a stitching rotation that I'm just starting over with my numbering. Here's my current plan...
Rotation #1
8 slot rotation. Work 10 hours on each project, then move on.
Two slots in rotation for focus piece. Two slots in rotation for Teresa Wentzler pieces, since I love so many of them. One slot in rotation for backstitching, since I always have a ton to do.
Goals:
- Push's sampler forward
- One fresh start (wedding planning reward)
- One small piece finish
Rotation Slots:
1) FOCUS: Apache Wedding Blessing
2) TW #1: Floral Bellpull
3) CAT: Home is Where the Cat Is
4) FOCUS: Apache Wedding Blessing
5) NEW: Astrology Sampler
6) TW #2: Egyptian Sampler
7) BACKSTITCHING: Apache Wedding Blessing
8) SMALL: Spirit Dragon
Hope this works...
It's been so long since I did a stitching rotation that I'm just starting over with my numbering. Here's my current plan...
Rotation #1
8 slot rotation. Work 10 hours on each project, then move on.
Two slots in rotation for focus piece. Two slots in rotation for Teresa Wentzler pieces, since I love so many of them. One slot in rotation for backstitching, since I always have a ton to do.
Goals:
- Push
- One fresh start (wedding planning reward)
- One small piece finish
Rotation Slots:
1) FOCUS: Apache Wedding Blessing
2) TW #1: Floral Bellpull
3) CAT: Home is Where the Cat Is
4) FOCUS: Apache Wedding Blessing
5) NEW: Astrology Sampler
6) TW #2: Egyptian Sampler
7) BACKSTITCHING: Apache Wedding Blessing
8) SMALL: Spirit Dragon
Hope this works...
We have success!
Holy crap I'm married! :)
More details will come later... BUT... it went beautifully. Amazing weather, fabulous food, fantastic guests - it was an amazing evening.
I'm farking EXHAUSTED. So the longer recap will come probably Wednesday or so. Our last guests are leaving tomorrow, and Erich will be filling the house with the sounds of Halo 3 (he's out buying it now)... so I need some recoup time first.
But yeah... so weird. :)
Oh, and for my friends/familly who read my blog and who came? I've set up a Flickr group for photosharing... Please friend http://www.flickr.com/groups/melanderich/ and send your photos.. 'cause I'd love to make a real blog announcement 'n stuff.
heading to bed now...
- the old married lady
More details will come later... BUT... it went beautifully. Amazing weather, fabulous food, fantastic guests - it was an amazing evening.
I'm farking EXHAUSTED. So the longer recap will come probably Wednesday or so. Our last guests are leaving tomorrow, and Erich will be filling the house with the sounds of Halo 3 (he's out buying it now)... so I need some recoup time first.
But yeah... so weird. :)
Oh, and for my friends/familly who read my blog and who came? I've set up a Flickr group for photosharing... Please friend http://www.flickr.com/groups/melanderich/ and send your photos.. 'cause I'd love to make a real blog announcement 'n stuff.
heading to bed now...
- the old married lady
22 September 2007
This sums up the bachelorette
Even my female cats had a blast with the penis whistles at the bachelorette party last night.
Had a blast. Slightly hung over. Will sum up Tuesday.
OMG... 24 hours!
Had a blast. Slightly hung over. Will sum up Tuesday.
OMG... 24 hours!
19 September 2007
Hamlet and Loves Labor Lost
Oh. Yes.
Ordered.
10/14 for Hamlet
10/15 for LLL
And if I'm reading my seating chart of the Courtyard Theatre correctly - holy SHIT we have great seats for both.
I'M GOING TO ENGLAND NEXT AUTUMN!!!!!!!!
I'M GOING TO SEE DAVID TENNANT in BOTH PRODUCTIONS!!!
AND PATRICK STEWART IN HAMLET!!!
AHHHHH.... GEEK EXPLOSION!!!!!
(pop)
Ordered.
10/14 for Hamlet
10/15 for LLL
And if I'm reading my seating chart of the Courtyard Theatre correctly - holy SHIT we have great seats for both.
I'M GOING TO ENGLAND NEXT AUTUMN!!!!!!!!
I'M GOING TO SEE DAVID TENNANT in BOTH PRODUCTIONS!!!
AND PATRICK STEWART IN HAMLET!!!
AHHHHH.... GEEK EXPLOSION!!!!!
(pop)
12 September 2007
*shying away from calendar*
So…
Ten days out now.
My mom will be here in less than a week.
Things are moving along quite well, actually. It’s been weird to see things falling into place after months of frustration, freaking out, and stress. Barring any last minute complete panic issues, I think we’re in relatively good shape.
I've made my final order to the caterer. Dropped my dress off at David's to be pressed/steamed and made sure to make the pick-up appointment for when's dress is ready next Wednesday. Contacted the local Maids office for Rhode Island to see about having them come out to do a final cleaning of our house. Erich contacted the guys who came out to prune trees earlier this year regarding yard cleanup. And we've just been doing some bits and bobs that need to be done.
Things that have kind of fallen by the wayside:
- a garter. I'm not tossing one, so really I don't need one. David's doesn't carry plus-sized ones. If I find one at Michael's or JoAnns, great. Otherwise, eh.
- a memory box/letter box for cards. It's my mom's new fixation point that she keeps asking about. So... fine. When she's up next week, we'll go get one at Michaels or JoAnns.
I'm still waiting on my dad to get back to me with our father-daughter song (I'll be calling him tonight if I don't hear from him). Erich and I need to get in touch with our friend who's marrying us so we can review what we're doing. Our actual vows ARE written, but the ceremony isn't quite hashed out. Not that it's going to be long, of course. But we definitely will need to discuss it with the rest of the wedding party, too.
And we need to get the rest of the upstairs cleaned up - get rid of the stuff in boxes and put my bookshelves back together. I need Erich's help on this solely because I have absolutely no spacial relations ability at all, and he seems to get bookshelves whipped into shape very quickly.
But yeah... almost there.
*crosses fingers*
My biggest worry at this point is just fatigue. It’s not really the insanity of getting things done, but how I’ll hold up over days of celebrations:
Thursday, all day – “The Old Lady Day” (coined by my mom, not me). Spending time with Mom & my adopted aunts, doing the lingerie shopping, hopefully having some good, strong drinks.
Friday, all day – “The Girly Day” Spending the day with my bridesmaids doing spa stuff and getting spoiled, followed by my bachelorette party in the evening.
Saturday – Unrehearsal BBQ dinner at the house, 4 p.m. “until”
Sunday – The wedding
I’m very glad we’re taking the full week off afterward. I imagine it’ll be Thursday the 27th before I feel like myself again.
Ten days out now.
My mom will be here in less than a week.
Things are moving along quite well, actually. It’s been weird to see things falling into place after months of frustration, freaking out, and stress. Barring any last minute complete panic issues, I think we’re in relatively good shape.
I've made my final order to the caterer. Dropped my dress off at David's to be pressed/steamed and made sure to make the pick-up appointment for when
Things that have kind of fallen by the wayside:
- a garter. I'm not tossing one, so really I don't need one. David's doesn't carry plus-sized ones. If I find one at Michael's or JoAnns, great. Otherwise, eh.
- a memory box/letter box for cards. It's my mom's new fixation point that she keeps asking about. So... fine. When she's up next week, we'll go get one at Michaels or JoAnns.
I'm still waiting on my dad to get back to me with our father-daughter song (I'll be calling him tonight if I don't hear from him). Erich and I need to get in touch with our friend who's marrying us so we can review what we're doing. Our actual vows ARE written, but the ceremony isn't quite hashed out. Not that it's going to be long, of course. But we definitely will need to discuss it with the rest of the wedding party, too.
And we need to get the rest of the upstairs cleaned up - get rid of the stuff in boxes and put my bookshelves back together. I need Erich's help on this solely because I have absolutely no spacial relations ability at all, and he seems to get bookshelves whipped into shape very quickly.
But yeah... almost there.
*crosses fingers*
My biggest worry at this point is just fatigue. It’s not really the insanity of getting things done, but how I’ll hold up over days of celebrations:
Thursday, all day – “The Old Lady Day” (coined by my mom, not me). Spending time with Mom & my adopted aunts, doing the lingerie shopping, hopefully having some good, strong drinks.
Friday, all day – “The Girly Day” Spending the day with my bridesmaids doing spa stuff and getting spoiled, followed by my bachelorette party in the evening.
Saturday – Unrehearsal BBQ dinner at the house, 4 p.m. “until”
Sunday – The wedding
I’m very glad we’re taking the full week off afterward. I imagine it’ll be Thursday the 27th before I feel like myself again.
09 September 2007
The weekend, and the future
14 days. Eep!
The bachelor party was easily survived. I, as planned, spent most of my evening on the couch. I did not, as planned, get anything else done. My brain needed a complete break from all things wedding last night, and so that's what I did. I just shut off the phone, took a break, and had a very needed evening to myself.
The unedited Graham Norton episode had me laughing so hard that I went into a coughing fit (and had to stop watching it for a while). Funny stuff. Sometime around 11:30 or so, I threw in my Blackpool DVD and settled down, fell asleep somewhere into episode 1, and woke up when the guys came home - right as the scene in Funny Girls starts. :)
Erich and the guys returned just a bit after 2 a.m., and amazingly, the party broke up immediately- apparently the guys were just exhausted on the bus on the way back from Foxwoods (and most had sobered up by that time). I guess this is the sign of a bachelor party when the guys are mostly in their 30s! Most of the guys went home. I ended up with only Matt, Jason, and Erich's Dad crashing out at our house.
Got up this morning, had coffee and breakfast, and then just relaxed for a while. Some of the guys came back over to watch the Pats game, play board games, and just hang out and plan out characters for Erich's new d20 game he'll be kicking off at some point.
The last folks left around 7:30. Erich and I have just been relaxing since then - I have some laundry going, but otherwise, we're chilling out. We got a LOT of housework done. Other than the kitchen, the entire downstairs is put together and ready for family to see it. The upstairs just needs some work done in my office, and then we'll be good to go.
One very productive thing for today? We bought our full membership to the Royal Shakespeare Company. So as soon as tickets go on sale online for Hamlet? Oh yes, we shall purchase. :)
The bachelor party was easily survived. I, as planned, spent most of my evening on the couch. I did not, as planned, get anything else done. My brain needed a complete break from all things wedding last night, and so that's what I did. I just shut off the phone, took a break, and had a very needed evening to myself.
The unedited Graham Norton episode had me laughing so hard that I went into a coughing fit (and had to stop watching it for a while). Funny stuff. Sometime around 11:30 or so, I threw in my Blackpool DVD and settled down, fell asleep somewhere into episode 1, and woke up when the guys came home - right as the scene in Funny Girls starts. :)
Erich and the guys returned just a bit after 2 a.m., and amazingly, the party broke up immediately- apparently the guys were just exhausted on the bus on the way back from Foxwoods (and most had sobered up by that time). I guess this is the sign of a bachelor party when the guys are mostly in their 30s! Most of the guys went home. I ended up with only Matt, Jason, and Erich's Dad crashing out at our house.
Got up this morning, had coffee and breakfast, and then just relaxed for a while. Some of the guys came back over to watch the Pats game, play board games, and just hang out and plan out characters for Erich's new d20 game he'll be kicking off at some point.
The last folks left around 7:30. Erich and I have just been relaxing since then - I have some laundry going, but otherwise, we're chilling out. We got a LOT of housework done. Other than the kitchen, the entire downstairs is put together and ready for family to see it. The upstairs just needs some work done in my office, and then we'll be good to go.
One very productive thing for today? We bought our full membership to the Royal Shakespeare Company. So as soon as tickets go on sale online for Hamlet? Oh yes, we shall purchase. :)
07 September 2007
wedding hair
One pin got loose on my drive home (which is why there's that weird big loop on the left), but here's the trial hair run photo. :)
Basically, it's two low ponytails with all of my hair sprayed and placed into pin curls.
I also had a cut (3 inches!!) and recolor (highlights and lowlights) to balance everything out.
More photos coming soon - my camera died, so my stylist took some photos on her camera, and will be emailing them later tonight...
Basically, it's two low ponytails with all of my hair sprayed and placed into pin curls.
I also had a cut (3 inches!!) and recolor (highlights and lowlights) to balance everything out.
More photos coming soon - my camera died, so my stylist took some photos on her camera, and will be emailing them later tonight...
04 September 2007
Reality
Last night, I drove back to Boston after a weekend of couch-lounging, storage box sorting, and general slackerdom.
I dropped her off, and then headed back to Cleveland Circle in Brookline to grab a dinner burrito at Boloco. (because I don't eat there enough during my workweek already). Munched it down, gave Erich a call on my cell, checked my messages (one from from Friday... *sigh* no, I'm horrid with my cell phone), texted her back, cranked my "dance mix" on my iPod, and started to head home.
By taking a right back onto Chestnut Hill Ave, and then a right onto Comm Ave.
No idea why - but that just felt like the right way. Okay. I recognize those weird little "don't know why..." thoughts, and entertained them.
Windows down, music thumping, I drove my way down Comm Ave - swinging by the old apartment on Egremont. Then I continued back down Comm Ave., passing by HamiltonHouse Hell - now private apartments instead of a BU dorm. Through campus- where life was VERY active with the students who had just returned this weekend. Then by Warren Towers, where I spent two odd dorm years. Through Kenmore Square, which looks nothing like it did when I was a student. Down through the back swing of the Fenway, to St. Botolph Street, to the dead end street, and I stopped...
Got out of the car, and looked up at The Beast for just a bit.
The lights weren't on, but there are colorful drapes in the windows. And there was a cat, resembling how Colley would sprawl, enjoying the beautiful evening weather in the kitchenette window.
And that's where I lost it. Really, honest to god lost it. I sat on the wall where I'd brought Colley so many times to explore outside, and released them.
Holy crap, I'm getting married. Three weeks from today, I will be married, starting a new life (which isn't much different than my current life, yet I know it'll be entirely different). The crying, the depression, the loneliness, the thoughts of ending everything in that one room apartment - all in the past. So far in the past, so foreign.
If you'd asked me seven, eight, nine years ago that I'd have sat there last night, staring up at that three-windowed apartment with a little fear, a little melancholy, a little pride, and then a really fucking huge smile, I'd have laughed insanely at you and told you off. I was the one who would never find someone. I was doomed to be a miserable nerd loner for the rest of my life.
It's a bit overwhelming, honestly.
I dropped her off, and then headed back to Cleveland Circle in Brookline to grab a dinner burrito at Boloco. (because I don't eat there enough during my workweek already). Munched it down, gave Erich a call on my cell, checked my messages (one from
By taking a right back onto Chestnut Hill Ave, and then a right onto Comm Ave.
No idea why - but that just felt like the right way. Okay. I recognize those weird little "don't know why..." thoughts, and entertained them.
Windows down, music thumping, I drove my way down Comm Ave - swinging by the old apartment on Egremont. Then I continued back down Comm Ave., passing by Hamilton
Got out of the car, and looked up at The Beast for just a bit.
The lights weren't on, but there are colorful drapes in the windows. And there was a cat, resembling how Colley would sprawl, enjoying the beautiful evening weather in the kitchenette window.
And that's where I lost it. Really, honest to god lost it. I sat on the wall where I'd brought Colley so many times to explore outside, and released them.
Holy crap, I'm getting married. Three weeks from today, I will be married, starting a new life (which isn't much different than my current life, yet I know it'll be entirely different). The crying, the depression, the loneliness, the thoughts of ending everything in that one room apartment - all in the past. So far in the past, so foreign.
If you'd asked me seven, eight, nine years ago that I'd have sat there last night, staring up at that three-windowed apartment with a little fear, a little melancholy, a little pride, and then a really fucking huge smile, I'd have laughed insanely at you and told you off. I was the one who would never find someone. I was doomed to be a miserable nerd loner for the rest of my life.
It's a bit overwhelming, honestly.
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