Finally a Valentine...

It was hard for us to schedule a time to celebrate Valentine's Day this year. We didn't even see each on February 14, although we talked several times during the day. We were planning to celebrate it on Friday, (2/16). But then that was the Friday night to begin the long President's Day weekend and everyone is trying to get out of town - including those, like Ron, who work in Orange County. It took him 2-1/2 hours to drive home! By then it was 8:30 p.m. and even though he stopped by on his way home, he was too tired and it was too late to celebrate. Saturday night is Sarah's 1st playoff basketball game... Sunday night I've got scrapbooking...how about Monday night? That works, we're both off ... So, finally a Valentine!

He arrived at my door at 6:00 with a beautiful bouquet of pink flowers, a really cute card, and an extra little surprise in his pocket ... no, not the engagement ring - but a beautiful Opal and Ruby necklace (how cute is that - red and white on Valentine's day?). I gave him a 'date in a bucket.' No, the date won't happen in a bucket. Inside a plastic 'paint' bucket, all decorated for Valentine's day with hearts and ribbons were the makings for a date. Gift certificates to the movies, After shave so he'll smell good (not that he smells bad...), and candy! A few pictures later and we're on our way to Outback for a scrumptious steak dinner, yummy! Finally a Valentine ... and worth the wait!

Ordering Bridesmaid Dresses...132 Days to Go...

The wedding is beginning to seem more and more real, especially as I start paying deposits to the various vendors! Today, Ron, Sarah (his daughter), and I went shopping for Bridesmaid dresses. There was a President's Day sale at the store where I had decided to get the dresses...and since Sarah's out of school today, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. Too bad Melinda (my daughter-in-law and the other Bridesmaid) couldn't be here - but she lives in Oregon. Anyway, you know how it goes - you know exactly what you're looking for...then you get to the store and it's not at all what you wanted! That's how it was today. I knew exactly what style I wanted for the two girls, but when Sarah tried it on - neither one of us liked it! Hm-mm. So now we start from scratch. I knew the color I wanted (eggplant) and I also had decided I wanted cocktail length dresses ... but other than that, let's see what you've got. Sarah, who would much rather wear her blue jeans and only wears dresses to Prom and Homecoming, was a good sport about trying them on - as long as her Dad stayed away. So, I left Ron up front guarding my purse and going over his part of the guest list. Meanwhile, the sales clerks keep bringing the dresses. Sarah and I have a good time ... and after about seven different styles, and an hour and a half, we finally settle on one. And, hip-hip-hooray - it's also the least expensive! Then it's measuring and paying and we're ready to go! One dress down, another to go - but it's one more thing checked off of my list, so I'm feeling good. I call Melinda with the new style number we've chosen so she can check it out on the website ... Now, we just have to find shoes (Sarah wears a size 12!) ...

138 days and who knew?!

Well, I knew and you knew...but not many other people knew that I was getting married for sure (or when). Partly I was waiting for the ring to be on my finger - it's in lay-a-way... but while waiting, I'm in the planning stages. So, knowing my boss - who is also my minister was going to be out of town on the day of my wedding, last week I asked the new youth minister, who happens to be one of my younger son's best friends, and someone I've known since he was a toddler if he would be willing to perform our wedding ceremony. He was delighted! But how was I to know he and his wife were so delighted and honored that they would include a little tidbit on their blog! So, you can imagine my surprise at the congratulations email in my inbox when I signed in on Tuesday. I guess I need to officially announce my upcoming marriage since it is now part of the wonderful world wide web! Once I got over the surprise, I was honored that he was so excited he wanted to share it as one of the good things in his week. So, save the date...Sunday, July 1, 2007.

Points to Ponder

"Nothing's easier than believing we understand experiences we've never had." (Gwen Bristow)
I love that quote, because it's so true. Why do we think what we've experienced is equal to or more than anyone else has experienced or is experiencing? Or that we understand how it is for them. I think that all came to mind while thinking about the tragedy of Anna Nicole Smith's life ... and death. Just another example in this crazy beginning to year 2007, to stop sweating the small stuff, more importantly to realize it's all small stuff. A reminder I always need...

144 Days to Go...

Yes, only 144 days to go until my wedding day. And, according to my wedding website's checklist, I have 176 things to do - 54 of which are overdue! Oh, sure - no stress here! Actually, some of the to-do items can be checked off my list. They've been checked off of my mental to-do list - but as time grows shorter, maybe I ought to convert the mental list to one that's more reliable (feel free to chuckle!).

I'll be honest, the concept of getting married again is frightening and overwhelming to say the least. And while I am enjoying the planning stages, I find myself looking beyond the actual wedding day, and honeymoon - to that true "first day" of my new married life...that day when I wake up with four other people in the house...kids to get off to school...kids to pick up after school...and my job in between...and that ever baffling question of 'what's for dinner?!' It's probably a good thing that during all the fun and excitement and romance of wedding plans, I'm remembering and thinking about the fact that after the wedding comes a marriage...