Well I had a very enjoyable bridal shower a weekend ago. I could not believe how many people we could fit in my sister's house!
I am really not full of words today. And I dont actually have any pictures from my shower, but I know someone who does!
Mostly, I just wanted to say "Thanks" to all the ladies who were able to make it! And also, thanks to the ladies who were there in spirit!!
Special thanks to all of you who helped decorate and take down, especially Kristina, who planned the shower! :D
I am so happy to have such a wonderful support system!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Bacardi, the Gourmet
This is the first post in a 3 part series. (that is how many I foresee in the future...but there could be more these girls are always surprising me!)
First of all, my dogs are my babies....you probably know this if you've been following my blogs for a while, or if you know me on a personal level. I talk to them like children. Sometimes, I swear, they understand exactly what I'm saying. Other times I know they haven't a clue what I'm talking about, but they are trying. These girls are mighty fine actresses. They can sense when I'm sad, or angry, and they attempt to make things all better. Most of the time they succeed.
But these girls are definitely not perfect. And so, I present to you the first in the 3 part series:
Bacardi, the Gourmet
My youngest pup has a very refined taste. She skips over chewing on perfectly good dog toys for some of our most prized possessions. And some, not so prized, possessions.
I thought for sure that I had posted previously about something she did that horrified me. I was going to a conference for Oncology nursing, and accidentally forgot my cell phone at home. I missed it a lot, because I was bored frequently during the conference and wanted to text/check my email/play games on it. Well, the first thing I saw when I got home, was the back cover of my phone on the kitchen floor, with my two barking dogs. I knew that was not a good sign. My stomach dropped. And I paused at the door. I didn't want to look. But what I found, was my cell phone, with 3 critical hits. Bacardi had bit hard on 3 of the buttons that control the phone, so that the phone was now confused and would not turn on. I cried. It was traumatic. My $300 phone was ruined. Now I am using my old Samsung Blast, and it lacks, well, everything.
The reason I started this post is because it seems that Bacardi knows what to eat to make me the most upset. It is her way of saying "Mom, stop leaving me home alone. I miss you too much."
She has begun targeting certain items, specifically, measuring cups and spoons. We used to have some nice silicone measuring cups and spoons, and now I am left with only the 1/2 cup measuring cup. That's it. Jamaal had some measuring cups from when he lived in an apartment at the beginning of our relationship, and the only one surviving is the 1/4 cup measuring cup. That means yesterday when I needed 2/3 cup of flour, I had to estimate. I wish that at the very least I had a 1/3 or 2/3 cup. At least that way I could be closer when I'm trying to estimate...no treat making here for a bit. The worst part of all is that she has learned how to open the drawer. She knows where the measuring cups are kept and specifically opens that drawer!!
I'm hoping that I'll receive a new set today at my shower, I hinted to my mom, and we registered for some. At the time, we had most of the cups, they just had a few nibbles on the handles and such, but since then she has destroyed the majority of them all. She also enjoys nibbling on pancake turners and ladles etc...and any new cups/spoons we get, will be stored in a cupboard far away from Bacardi's little nose....
First of all, my dogs are my babies....you probably know this if you've been following my blogs for a while, or if you know me on a personal level. I talk to them like children. Sometimes, I swear, they understand exactly what I'm saying. Other times I know they haven't a clue what I'm talking about, but they are trying. These girls are mighty fine actresses. They can sense when I'm sad, or angry, and they attempt to make things all better. Most of the time they succeed.
But these girls are definitely not perfect. And so, I present to you the first in the 3 part series:
Bacardi, the Gourmet
My youngest pup has a very refined taste. She skips over chewing on perfectly good dog toys for some of our most prized possessions. And some, not so prized, possessions.
I thought for sure that I had posted previously about something she did that horrified me. I was going to a conference for Oncology nursing, and accidentally forgot my cell phone at home. I missed it a lot, because I was bored frequently during the conference and wanted to text/check my email/play games on it. Well, the first thing I saw when I got home, was the back cover of my phone on the kitchen floor, with my two barking dogs. I knew that was not a good sign. My stomach dropped. And I paused at the door. I didn't want to look. But what I found, was my cell phone, with 3 critical hits. Bacardi had bit hard on 3 of the buttons that control the phone, so that the phone was now confused and would not turn on. I cried. It was traumatic. My $300 phone was ruined. Now I am using my old Samsung Blast, and it lacks, well, everything.
. . .
The reason I started this post is because it seems that Bacardi knows what to eat to make me the most upset. It is her way of saying "Mom, stop leaving me home alone. I miss you too much."
She has begun targeting certain items, specifically, measuring cups and spoons. We used to have some nice silicone measuring cups and spoons, and now I am left with only the 1/2 cup measuring cup. That's it. Jamaal had some measuring cups from when he lived in an apartment at the beginning of our relationship, and the only one surviving is the 1/4 cup measuring cup. That means yesterday when I needed 2/3 cup of flour, I had to estimate. I wish that at the very least I had a 1/3 or 2/3 cup. At least that way I could be closer when I'm trying to estimate...no treat making here for a bit. The worst part of all is that she has learned how to open the drawer. She knows where the measuring cups are kept and specifically opens that drawer!!
I'm hoping that I'll receive a new set today at my shower, I hinted to my mom, and we registered for some. At the time, we had most of the cups, they just had a few nibbles on the handles and such, but since then she has destroyed the majority of them all. She also enjoys nibbling on pancake turners and ladles etc...and any new cups/spoons we get, will be stored in a cupboard far away from Bacardi's little nose....
Monday, April 6, 2009
2 months to go!
Well unfortunately I did not make that April 1st deadline to send off our invites. But we are really close now. My dad has been addressing envelopes and getting things ready to be sent out. Jamaal's mom wanted to send his side of the family's invites out, to help with the cost of postage. It was very nice of her. My mom thinks we have enough invites to go around...it was looking like we were going to need to make some more...which we were not looking forward to! (After embossing and stamping for 120 invites...it was not going to be fun doing it all again...)
I have settled on a bartender so now I will be looking for alcohol to serve. We are going the classy way and serving drinks in keg cups. If we're lucky our champagne toast will be in plastic flutes, but only if I can find them for cheap. Otherwise little plastic cups here we come! Heck grab a bottle!
Jamaal and I are paying for the booze, so it should be interesting....
Now I need to look into party rentals and flowers. And that is pretty much it on the big stuff that needs to be rented in advance. Jamaal's dad is working on the sound equipment.
I'm starting on designing my thank you cards and working on the wedding favors. I'm pretty excited about that.
TWO Months to go!!
I just cannot wait to go to Disneyland! :D
And...in other news. We've pretty much decided that we are buying a house this year. With the $8000 tax credit my mom thinks we will regret it. It is a buyers market after all.
Videographer,Officiant, Caterer, Tuxes, Flowers, Decoration rentals, Sound equipment (a friend of Jamaal's dad will be our DJ), Invitations, Honeymoon accommodations, Dress, Venue, Wedding party, DJ, wedding cake, White lights for decorating the venue, Photographer, Bartender
I have settled on a bartender so now I will be looking for alcohol to serve. We are going the classy way and serving drinks in keg cups. If we're lucky our champagne toast will be in plastic flutes, but only if I can find them for cheap. Otherwise little plastic cups here we come! Heck grab a bottle!
Jamaal and I are paying for the booze, so it should be interesting....
Now I need to look into party rentals and flowers. And that is pretty much it on the big stuff that needs to be rented in advance. Jamaal's dad is working on the sound equipment.
I'm starting on designing my thank you cards and working on the wedding favors. I'm pretty excited about that.
TWO Months to go!!
I just cannot wait to go to Disneyland! :D
And...in other news. We've pretty much decided that we are buying a house this year. With the $8000 tax credit my mom thinks we will regret it. It is a buyers market after all.
Videographer,
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Oh how I love to cook on the grill!
Just a mild rant...
Jamaal used to work with a guy named Slavo. He is a mechanic and a very good worker (most of the time). Jamaal made an agreement with Slavo, allowing him to use our garage, to work on a car or two, in exchange for working on a couple of our cars for Jamaal. He did a few of the jobs that Jamaal could do, but didn't want to because of how much work it was.
Well Slavo has been walking all over us. He was showing up at our house at 2 AM, driving loudly up the driveway, that goes right under our bedroom window. Working on cars all night. Revving engines at 4 AM...it was awful. Jamaal told him that "business hours" are from 9 AM to 9 PM. Which Slavo followed for a few weeks, but slipped a couple times so Jamaal told him that he had a month to get his stuff out of our garage, yard, and storage shed.
Now to my rant....
Jamaal has a heater that is powered by propane tanks in the garage. Jamaal made the mistake of telling Slavo he could use it one night when it was really cold. We have two tanks, one for the garage, and one for the barbecue. Well, one day I noticed that the propane tank was missing from the barbecue, and Jamaal said "I told Slavo he could use it, because it was cold out." And of course both tanks were empty. I was upset because I had planned to use it, and so Jamaal was guilted into going out to fill a tank for me.
Well again the other day I noticed the propane tank was gone from the barbecue. The one we had filled for ourselves. This time Jamaal did not give him permission. Well a day or two later, the propane tank that had previously been in the garage was hooked up to the barbecue.
I asked Jamaal if he had done it, and he said, "No." So I asked, "do you think he refilled it and put it back?" Jamaal of course, did not know.
Well tonight I wanted to cook some brats on the grill, and so I opened the propane tank, and lo and behold it was empty! What kind of person takes a basically full tank, and replaces it with an empty one?? I was very upset. Jamaal knew I wanted to use the barbecue, so he had gone into the garage to get the second tank, and stored it in the house. Fortunately it was not empty. But now the tanks will be stored in the house.
Jamaal used to work with a guy named Slavo. He is a mechanic and a very good worker (most of the time). Jamaal made an agreement with Slavo, allowing him to use our garage, to work on a car or two, in exchange for working on a couple of our cars for Jamaal. He did a few of the jobs that Jamaal could do, but didn't want to because of how much work it was.
Well Slavo has been walking all over us. He was showing up at our house at 2 AM, driving loudly up the driveway, that goes right under our bedroom window. Working on cars all night. Revving engines at 4 AM...it was awful. Jamaal told him that "business hours" are from 9 AM to 9 PM. Which Slavo followed for a few weeks, but slipped a couple times so Jamaal told him that he had a month to get his stuff out of our garage, yard, and storage shed.
Now to my rant....
Jamaal has a heater that is powered by propane tanks in the garage. Jamaal made the mistake of telling Slavo he could use it one night when it was really cold. We have two tanks, one for the garage, and one for the barbecue. Well, one day I noticed that the propane tank was missing from the barbecue, and Jamaal said "I told Slavo he could use it, because it was cold out." And of course both tanks were empty. I was upset because I had planned to use it, and so Jamaal was guilted into going out to fill a tank for me.
Well again the other day I noticed the propane tank was gone from the barbecue. The one we had filled for ourselves. This time Jamaal did not give him permission. Well a day or two later, the propane tank that had previously been in the garage was hooked up to the barbecue.
I asked Jamaal if he had done it, and he said, "No." So I asked, "do you think he refilled it and put it back?" Jamaal of course, did not know.
Well tonight I wanted to cook some brats on the grill, and so I opened the propane tank, and lo and behold it was empty! What kind of person takes a basically full tank, and replaces it with an empty one?? I was very upset. Jamaal knew I wanted to use the barbecue, so he had gone into the garage to get the second tank, and stored it in the house. Fortunately it was not empty. But now the tanks will be stored in the house.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Honeymoon here we come!
Jamaal and I decided that Disneyland would be a good honeymoon for us. We were debating on that vs. a cruise. (I also wanted to go some place tropical, but Jamaal isn't sure that he would enjoy that. Jamaal is someone who likes to do activities. He doesn't want to do nothing. I want to just lay on a beach and relax and talk, and drink...but that is not his idea of fun.) I think eventually he will want to do that with me, but he's not at that place right now.
So we were trying to figure out Disneyland vs. a cruise. Both options have a lot of activities to be done. And both can be about the same price. (Usually the cruise was a bit more expensive). The deciding factor was that we realized that on the cruise we would be paired with other couples at dinner. We would have to sit with random people, and actually talk with them...we did not want to be forced to be social....
Sounds terrible, but we aren't interested in being nice to other people and making friends on vacation...if it happens that's fine, but we don't want to be forced into that situation. So Jamaal and I decided we would go cruising with friends later on instead. We think it would be more fun that way.
Since we decided on Disneyland, we also decided that we wanted to stay someplace nice. But that meant that our 8-night trip became very very expensive very quickly. So I had an idea, we would stay at someplace cheap for 4 nights, right across the street from Disneyland, and then the last 4 nights we would stay at a nicer place right on the ocean. However travelocity was not allowing me to do this. It was very frustrating and annoying...and all of the decisions were very tough. SO I decided to speak with a travel agent. I went to DougFox in "the commons" and talked with a travel agent, and booked our honeymoon just like that. I was so relieved to get what I wanted...and now we have a vacation planned!! :D
So we were trying to figure out Disneyland vs. a cruise. Both options have a lot of activities to be done. And both can be about the same price. (Usually the cruise was a bit more expensive). The deciding factor was that we realized that on the cruise we would be paired with other couples at dinner. We would have to sit with random people, and actually talk with them...we did not want to be forced to be social....
Sounds terrible, but we aren't interested in being nice to other people and making friends on vacation...if it happens that's fine, but we don't want to be forced into that situation. So Jamaal and I decided we would go cruising with friends later on instead. We think it would be more fun that way.
Since we decided on Disneyland, we also decided that we wanted to stay someplace nice. But that meant that our 8-night trip became very very expensive very quickly. So I had an idea, we would stay at someplace cheap for 4 nights, right across the street from Disneyland, and then the last 4 nights we would stay at a nicer place right on the ocean. However travelocity was not allowing me to do this. It was very frustrating and annoying...and all of the decisions were very tough. SO I decided to speak with a travel agent. I went to DougFox in "the commons" and talked with a travel agent, and booked our honeymoon just like that. I was so relieved to get what I wanted...and now we have a vacation planned!! :D
Package on my doorstep
One of these arrived to my front door the other day.
I knew it was coming. Jamaal told me that he ordered it from a website, because they were on sale.
This boy has wanted one for a very long time. They are made by the same company that makes racing car seats. He says that he would drive around with one in his backseat even without a baby...
Unfortunately they only had it in Pink, so now I know that we are jinxed. Boys boys boys only for us. Since he did get it for pretty cheap we could sell it, and make money on it. But I secretly love it. It is gorgeous, comfy and Jamaal likes it so I do.
Looks like he's getting okay with the idea of having babies now huh?...
I knew it was coming. Jamaal told me that he ordered it from a website, because they were on sale.
This boy has wanted one for a very long time. They are made by the same company that makes racing car seats. He says that he would drive around with one in his backseat even without a baby...
Unfortunately they only had it in Pink, so now I know that we are jinxed. Boys boys boys only for us. Since he did get it for pretty cheap we could sell it, and make money on it. But I secretly love it. It is gorgeous, comfy and Jamaal likes it so I do.
Looks like he's getting okay with the idea of having babies now huh?...
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wedding Bells are ringing....
Goodness me! I only have 2.5 months to plan this wedding! Fortunately I have accomplished some things since I last updated this blog.
You might have read on my artsy blog that we have been working tediously on my invitations. Mostly now we just have to print the text part for the RSVP cards and for the main invitation. (I got the final shipment of supplies yesterday, and will deliver them to my parent's house which is where we are printing at). I also have to cut the paper for the RSVP cards which I will do today. After that we just have to assemble and add embellishments, and stuff the envelopes. They should be sent by April 1st, no problem.
On Sunday we (Jamaal, two of the groomsmen, and I) went to The Tux Shop to pick out the tuxes. It was way more stressful than I ever expected. I did not want to do it, and for some reason every little detail was a very hard decision for me to make. But it's over and done with and hopefully it all looks good together.
Jamaal and I decided that we wanted to have a friend or relative officiate the ceremony. Neither of us have any special connection to a minister/priest/person of the church etc. So, at least for me, I felt awkward about asking a random person to marry us. Mostly I was concerned about what they would say, it would all be generic marriage talk, and would have no meaning behind it. Any stories that the minister would mention about Jamaal and I would be stories we had told him or her before the ceremony. And most likely it would be just before the ceremony.
I thought about our family and friends and who would be willing to do this for us. I immediately thought about D, Jamaal's cousin, mostly because he is hilarious. Jamaal asked him, and D said that he would be too nervous, and was worried that he would say something he shouldn't. I understood, he is a very funny guy, but most of the time he says things under his breath. He is quiet and doesn't say things so everyone in the room can hear, he says things so only the few closest to him can hear. It was funny, after we had asked D, Jamaal's mom called and said, "I think D is confused. He told Lamar (Jamaal's brother) that you guys wanted him to marry you. I told Lamar 'He can't do that'"
That's when I explained that there are ministries online that you can become an ordained minister, which is one of the only requirements for being able to marry people. (It's either that or a judge of some kind).
I had pretty much given up on a family member after this.
A few days later, Lamar called Jamaal and I'm not sure how the conversation went. But basically, Jamaal said that we wanted someone in the family to marry us, that it was simple to become a "minister" and I'm not sure if Lamar offered, or if Jamaal asked him, but....Lamar agreed to marry us! He said that he would be nervous, but he'd do it.
Also, we've decided on a caterer. He basically charges for food, and tax and gratuity. That's it. There are no random fees added in. Best of all, he cleans up after himself! Which makes it all worth it!
I've decided that I want a Videographer, but I am going to ask a family member or friend to do it. Jamaal can edit it later. So at the moment I need a nice video camera and someone to be the director!
Our list is getting smaller and smaller! :D
(But this is only the big stuff...you should see the list I have hanging in my kitchen...it makes a girl want to elope!)
Officiant, Caterer, Videographer, Tuxes, Flowers, Decoration rentals, Sound equipment (a friend of Jamaal's dad will be our DJ), Invitations, Honeymoon accommodations, Dress, Venue, Wedding party, DJ, wedding cake, White lights for decorating the venue, Photographer
You might have read on my artsy blog that we have been working tediously on my invitations. Mostly now we just have to print the text part for the RSVP cards and for the main invitation. (I got the final shipment of supplies yesterday, and will deliver them to my parent's house which is where we are printing at). I also have to cut the paper for the RSVP cards which I will do today. After that we just have to assemble and add embellishments, and stuff the envelopes. They should be sent by April 1st, no problem.
On Sunday we (Jamaal, two of the groomsmen, and I) went to The Tux Shop to pick out the tuxes. It was way more stressful than I ever expected. I did not want to do it, and for some reason every little detail was a very hard decision for me to make. But it's over and done with and hopefully it all looks good together.
Jamaal and I decided that we wanted to have a friend or relative officiate the ceremony. Neither of us have any special connection to a minister/priest/person of the church etc. So, at least for me, I felt awkward about asking a random person to marry us. Mostly I was concerned about what they would say, it would all be generic marriage talk, and would have no meaning behind it. Any stories that the minister would mention about Jamaal and I would be stories we had told him or her before the ceremony. And most likely it would be just before the ceremony.
I thought about our family and friends and who would be willing to do this for us. I immediately thought about D, Jamaal's cousin, mostly because he is hilarious. Jamaal asked him, and D said that he would be too nervous, and was worried that he would say something he shouldn't. I understood, he is a very funny guy, but most of the time he says things under his breath. He is quiet and doesn't say things so everyone in the room can hear, he says things so only the few closest to him can hear. It was funny, after we had asked D, Jamaal's mom called and said, "I think D is confused. He told Lamar (Jamaal's brother) that you guys wanted him to marry you. I told Lamar 'He can't do that'"
That's when I explained that there are ministries online that you can become an ordained minister, which is one of the only requirements for being able to marry people. (It's either that or a judge of some kind).
I had pretty much given up on a family member after this.
A few days later, Lamar called Jamaal and I'm not sure how the conversation went. But basically, Jamaal said that we wanted someone in the family to marry us, that it was simple to become a "minister" and I'm not sure if Lamar offered, or if Jamaal asked him, but....Lamar agreed to marry us! He said that he would be nervous, but he'd do it.
Also, we've decided on a caterer. He basically charges for food, and tax and gratuity. That's it. There are no random fees added in. Best of all, he cleans up after himself! Which makes it all worth it!
I've decided that I want a Videographer, but I am going to ask a family member or friend to do it. Jamaal can edit it later. So at the moment I need a nice video camera and someone to be the director!
Our list is getting smaller and smaller! :D
(But this is only the big stuff...you should see the list I have hanging in my kitchen...it makes a girl want to elope!)
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