Lock in Your Votes!

Last weekend, my mom, Matt, Emily, and our wonderful DOC, Aletha, visited the reception site to finalize some details. I'm going to need to slightly modify our centerpieces since the tables are smaller than I was imagining, and there will be more of them. Originally I was going to use square glass vases, filled with several types of white flowers: roses, hydrangeas, and peonies (everyone tells me tulips are difficult to keep nice for that long--boo). I'm still planning on using these flowers, but I'm looking at smaller containers. This is where you come in. I've got a few ideas, but I'd like your opinion. Which of the following do you like? Or do you like a combination?

Choice #1: Southern hospitality: the mint julep cup

Something I love: silver mint julep cups. How elegant would these look with white flowers in them? I could still place larger arrangements on the big tables.

Choice #2: Stay with the clear, square vase

I will still use the square glass vases, but instead will get smaller ones for the little tables and a couple larger ones for the head table and the tables that seat more people.

Choice #3: Stemless wine glasses

How cool are these stemless wine glasses? Wouldn't the black look glamorous? They could easily be used as flower vases.

Choice #4: Old half-pint glasses

I love the clear glass and the simplicity. Looks appropriate for a vintage garden wedding, doesn't it?

Choice #5: Hobnail vases

I've always loved the look of these vintage white vases. I'm pretty sure a few are floating around my grandmothers' houses, and I know I could find more at antique stores.

So what do you think? Your ideas are appreciated!

A Taste of the Tropics

Since my wedding is coming up, and since we're headed to Jamaica for our honeymoon, I thought it might be a good idea to tan a little bit. For one thing, I don't want to be as white as my dress, and for another, I still had swimsuit lines from last summer on my back and shoulders.

I was a little nervous to go to a tanning salon. I have never, ever been, and I don't normally promote regular use of tanning beds since they can harm your skin. But I figured a little temporary use wouldn't hurt. Plus I've heard that the benefits include a better mood. And who couldn't use that when West Michigan can go weeks at a time without seeing the sun?

So I asked around and then worked up my courage to go buy some tanning minutes. The high school girls working there were very nice to me, but I did get one strange question: "You mean you've never been tanning? Not even when you were little?" I was puzzled, picturing a five-year-old in a tanning bed, so I said, No, I haven't ever been. As I walked out that day (didn't tan the first trip--one step at a time) with my 100 minutes, I thought, "I bet they were referring to high school!" How old do I look? I know I've got some lines in my forehead from squinting and wrinkling my face up, but seriously?? I'm less than ten years removed from high school, thank you very much, Miss Teeny-Bopper.

My second trip to the salon, I actually went to tan. I was certain I would do something wrong and make a fool of myself. I was right. I wanted to use the stand-up bed for my first visit. I thought it would be better than laying in a bed. Who knows how many other people have been in there? I know they sanitize them after every use, but I wasn't going in there the first time.

The highschooler working that day led me back to the stand-up booth, which I learned is called "The Hex." (Don't I sound like I know what I'm talking about??) She explained that the timer would go for seven minutes, giving me time to change and apply lotion. Then I could step in and push two buttons if I wanted to start it on my own. Otherwise, the seven minutes would run out and it would just start automatically. She gave me my goggles and was on her way. I managed to change with one minute remaining, so I just figured I'd let it start on its own. I stepped into the booth, shut the door, and waited. I also pressed the goggles to my face, because I could see a little light out the sides, and I was afraid that the rays would burn my retinas or some nonsense like that. So I'm standing there waiting ... and waiting. I had thought that the bulbs would be at least as bright as a regular lamp, but I was still standing in the dark. Okay, I thought. Maybe my perceptions were wrong. Perhaps these lights don't "light up" but instead they give off UV rays without looking like they're on. My mind went back and forth between wondering if this was truly the case or if I was doing something wrong. At one point I peeked out the door to see if the timer was working. It had gone down one minute, so I knew it was on. But I had taken off my goggles to see it, so then I worried that some rays may have gotten to my eyes. I stepped back in, held the goggles to my eyes, and kind of moved around to pass the time. The time ended, I stepped out, and I didn't really see any difference in the mirror. I had no idea how soon color would show up, so I dressed and walked back to the counter. And I sure didn't see the appeal of tanning yet. They asked me how it worked out, and I did have enough courage to say "Ummm. I don't know if it worked." They asked if the bulbs came on, and I said I didn't think so. Since I had never been in one before, maybe I just didn't know what they were supposed to be like. Bless the girls' patient hearts, they took me back, turned on the bed, and asked if it had looked like that. I was blinded by the light (mind you, the girl had NO goggles on as she did this, and I was standing in a dark booth worried that my retinas were dissolving). Nope. I did not see those lights. I'd like to believe that it wasn't my fault that the bed didn't start on its own, but it probably was. They were nice enough to let me try again, and the second time around, I definitely had some color starting. I was pleased with that result, and the warm feeling really was very nice.

After another time in The Hex, I've graduated to the regular bed and actually like it quite a bit. I've only worked up to seven minutes at a time, but I think I'm now ready for eight! That will be nice since I could lay there and sleep for about an hour--not an option though.

So I'm not a tanning novice anymore, but I was probably the source of amusement for the salon's employees. Anyone else ever do this? I'm seeing some color that I'm very proud of, and I've now been 5 times (6 if you count the time without the lights on). One step at a time, people ...

Delinquent Blogger

Yes, that's me. I'm a blogger with special needs. Somehow I can find the time to look at every other blog known to man, but I lack the motivation to update my own. But I'm trying, really! I have lots of pictures to post and everything. My friend Anne gave me a good idea--when I get a bunch of posting ideas, don't post them all at once--save them to feed to people throughout the week. I probably should have thought of that, huh?

But those following the wedding plans will be happy to know that we're making huge progress. And the wedding day is only 95 days away! Can you tell I'm beyond excited? Our minister sent us a proposed order of service, I think I've found a string ensemble, my mom is coming up this weekend to address invites with me and to visit the reception site, the bridesmaids' jewelry is in process, I'm working on a map for the invites, I made a mock-up of our program (give me a break--I was snowed in), I purchased my earrings, I've almost got the flower situation under control, I've been tanning (stay tuned for another story on that), we've been furniture shopping, I have several showers coming up in the next weeks, and ... I think that's it.

Now I just need the snow to go away and to find a place that has cherry blossoms in May. More updates coming soon--I'll really try. And this picture has nothing to do with anything. But isn't the dog cute?

Skating, Wedding, Work

Yep, that's pretty much what I've been up to lately. That and thinking I'm crazy for thinking I can work, plan a wedding, and pretend I'm a teenager trying to become an elite figure skater.

At the urge of several of you, here is your update (I'm slacking on this blog thing)! Christmas was fun but very busy. We saw both families and my grandparents, driving the great Midwest triangle that is Michigan-Ohio-Indiana-Michigan. The Friday before Christmas, I also drove over to Detroit for a skating test. I got lost and was late, but passed anyway (phew!) I think I spent about 15 hours in the car between the 21st and 25th.

I'm testing two other tests on Friday, so I've been busy preparing for those. These ones are biggies, and I'm really not sure how they're going to go. After that (if I pass) I can take a "breather" and prepare for a competition in February and then adult nationals in April. Just this week I sent in all my registration forms.

On the wedding front, I've been scrambling to find a florist who isn't super expensive. I had someone lined up, but she recently backed out. I guess I'm thankful that it's been the only snafu in the wedding plans so far.

Other wedding news:

I have my dress (It's hanging in Matt's closet, though it's in a bag and he's promised not to look.)

We ordered our invitations.

I have the 1949 typewriter from my grandparents (picture coming soon).

My mom found a steal-of-a-deal dress.

My junior b-maid's dress is here.

Things I need to accomplish soon:

Flowers

Craft projects

Guest lists for showers

Have veil made

Music

So those are the updates. Hope everyone's 2008 is off to a good start. Also, big congratulations to my cousin Jill and her fiance Dustin who were engaged on December 23. I think my mom's enjoying sharing mother-of-the-bride details with her twin sister. :)

Pomp and Circumstance

Matt graduated last week! He is finished with school FOREVER. Well, unless he decides to go back to school someday for a master's. But right now, we're just basking in the reality of evenings and weekends without homework. I'm so darn proud of him, and I thought I'd take this opportunity to share some things I love about him.

1. Above everything else, he loves and trusts God.

2. He prays for us.

3. He helps me out in so many little ways like grocery shopping, taking out the trash, shredding papers in my "shredding box" (his favorite), cooking, unloading the dishwasher, and so much more.

4. He likes to surprise me.

5. He's not very good at surprising me sometimes (neither am I good at surprising him). But I like this because he gets so excited that he just can't keep it in--it's very cute.

6. He does funny voices to make me laugh.

7. He's very passionate about baseball and Motownsports.com--a great community.

8. He never ceases to be patient with me when I'm, say, a little moody :o

9. He's a hard worker and has great ambition--one of the things I fell in love with early-on.

10. He gets excited about life, loves his family, his pets, and just like me, can't wait to spend a lifetime together!

Congratulations Matt! I love you!

Red Rover, Red Rover!

This is really a game of tag, but Red Rover was one of my favorite recess games. I'm not sure why, since someone usually gets hurt and it's a little embarrassing when you can't break through the line and instead get clotheslined, but I always loved it.

I've been tagged by Aletha at Pearls Events. I've never been tagged before, so this is a baptism or rite of passage of sorts into the blogging community. It's like they called my name to run on over! Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven random/weird things:

1. I learned to ice skate when I was 5 or 6. My dad froze our backyard most winters. When I was 10, I started begging my parents for skating lessons, which were not easy to come by since the nearest ice rink was an hour away. Finally when I was 14, the dream came true and I took my first lesson with a real coach and all! I've now been taking lessons for 10 years and am heavily involved in the adult skating community and competitions. I'm also working toward my Novice tests, which will qualify me to compete at the Eastern Great Lakes Regionals, which feed into the U.S. Nationals.

2. Matt helped me with this one: A few things I love: black and white photography, Speedway slurpees, lab and golden retriever puppies, nice kittens, the color pink. Things I don't like: cooking, crooked picture frames, mean people, tornadoes. (Does #2 count for more than one thing?)

3. I've told Matt that if we ever have a son, I want to name him Orlando. The name is after our friend, Orlando Perdomo, who is a pitcher with the Detroit Tigers (in the minors). He is from Venezuela and is one of the kindest people we know. Matt isn't so sure about naming a child after him though. :)

4. My last name is so stinkin' long that before I went to kindergarten, my mom made me sit inside at the kitchen table with a pack of colorful markers in front of me. I had to write my name in color after color until I learned to spell it, and I couldn't go out and play until I did. She says she doesn't remember this. But that's how I remember it, Mom. :)

5. My family celebrates St. Nicholas Day (December 6--today) because of our German heritage. The night before the 6th, you put your shoe outside the door, and in the morning, there is a little present from "St. Nicholas." My mom still sends a package for the day, but I have to put it in my own shoe. Matt and I plan to carry on this tradition. It's probably my favorite holiday ever.

6. I love being by the water and spent many summers at my grandma's lake. We stayed in a very rustic cottage (mice, water snakes, the whole deal). But it was very secluded and peaceful. I dream of someday owning a cottage on Lake Michigan.

7. My latest hobby is Adobe InDesign. I took a class at the local art school and now have the software loaded on my computer. I'm spending this weekend experimenting with it in attempts to create awesome stuff for our wedding!

Ummm, I'm supposed to tag 7 people now. I don't know who reads my blog that hasn't been tagged, but Anne feel free to consider yourself tagged!

Move Over, Martha

Here's Matt with our latest craft project. We picked up three of these letters at JoAnn Fabrics over the Thanksgiving weekend. The others are a smaller "R" and an "M"--for our monogram, of course! I plan to paint these and hang them up somewhere, probably above the typewriter/guestbook.

Inexpensive, easy, and hopefully elegant (once the cardboard color is gone).