We didn't die and contrary to the appearance of my limbs; I didn't get mauled by a mountain lion.
We've been moving into our new house. Well, that's kind of an understatement -we've been cleaning, repainting, cleaning, repairing, cleaning, shopping, and well more cleaning. Then we moved boxes. Heavy boxes. In which I came tothe realization I'm not very good at packing because large boxes full of textbooks is a bad, bad, bad idea. Also, I found the only conceivable daw back about my love of hardback books and reading is moving them. Oy.
Anyway, on top of all that he started his new job at the hospital and I started my pre-med classes (hells yes). Which made wedding planning take the back burner. Albiet in the midst of this we did sign the contract for The Ribault Club (mentioned in a previous post) and the deposit will be mailed off in the next day or two (thanks mom!).
We've also written a tentative guest list. We're right at 75 people for several reasons; it's ridiculously cheaper and we want to keep it intimate with close friends and family. It also makes the DIY stuff a little less daunting.
I've narrowed it down to about three photographers I want for the wedding. They all share a common candid style that we like. It's just a matter of who will fit into the budget better with who's personality is better. The photographer is one of the last people I want to butt-heads with.
The rest is kind of up in the air to an extent. And one of the most exciting parts (besides wedding dress shopping of course. Which, I keep delaying since I keep making things like gluten free honey peanut butter cookies from scratch at 11pm. Ah, it's moments like that I'm glad I'm a runner) will be food and cake testing! We've got to hash out a few days and coordinate appointments with local bakeries (my mom found one that makes a gluten free wedding carrot cake! Hello, heaven) and caterers up there. We know we want more of comfort food type food, no tiny portions on big plates that you have to tackle like playing jenga- with a fork. And we want a small cake (gluten free) for mostly him and I and then a lot of various flavored gourmet cupcakes.
I'm looking forward to this because not only is it going to be full of great food and putting more nails in the coffin (ha, bad but none the less humorous reference) in this wedding shin-dig, but it's a miniature vacation for him and I.
Oh and Ireland for the honeymoon.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Flowers and budgeting
I've been reading a lot of DIY ideas for our wedding, which I'm excited for several reasons:
a.) I'm kind of a perfectionist (that's a lie, I am)
b.) I'm frugal, which I get from my dad (otherwise known as cheap)
c.) Not to toot my own horn but I'm pretty crafty and I'm pretty good at being crafty
d.) I'm also a speed crafter. This is good since I'll be in pre-med whilst doing all of this. (toot, toot)
I've been looking at flowers a lot lately becuase I think next to the dress, they'll be the hardest decision. I just love fresh flowers. Thus, if you've ever been to our house you've probably seen a vase of fresh sunflowers on the coffee table more than once. (They go on sale at Publix a lot).
I want the flowers to be pretty and for a lack of a better word, different. Not your run of the mill wedding flowers.Something like sunflowers mixed with others like gardenia's, dahlia's, ranuncula's, etc. I'm really hoping to have gardenia's in our wedding especially because I associate them with my grandfather. From as early as I recollect they have been apart of almost every memory of him. He had and still has a large tree next to his front door that has the most amazing smell. I would pick a few and carry them around, periodically sniffing. Sometimes we'd leave them in a bowl of water on the table. They're pretty, elegant, and have this unique, enticing smell that would blend perfectly with a fall breeze.
I'm over thinking things a bit.
a.) I'm kind of a perfectionist (that's a lie, I am)
b.) I'm frugal, which I get from my dad (otherwise known as cheap)
c.) Not to toot my own horn but I'm pretty crafty and I'm pretty good at being crafty
d.) I'm also a speed crafter. This is good since I'll be in pre-med whilst doing all of this. (toot, toot)
I've been looking at flowers a lot lately becuase I think next to the dress, they'll be the hardest decision. I just love fresh flowers. Thus, if you've ever been to our house you've probably seen a vase of fresh sunflowers on the coffee table more than once. (They go on sale at Publix a lot).
I want the flowers to be pretty and for a lack of a better word, different. Not your run of the mill wedding flowers.Something like sunflowers mixed with others like gardenia's, dahlia's, ranuncula's, etc. I'm really hoping to have gardenia's in our wedding especially because I associate them with my grandfather. From as early as I recollect they have been apart of almost every memory of him. He had and still has a large tree next to his front door that has the most amazing smell. I would pick a few and carry them around, periodically sniffing. Sometimes we'd leave them in a bowl of water on the table. They're pretty, elegant, and have this unique, enticing smell that would blend perfectly with a fall breeze.
I'm over thinking things a bit.
Dahlia's
Gardenia's
Ranuncula's
And of course, sunflowers
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Venue No. 1
Alright, so I'm a little behind updating but it's finals so cut me a little slack.
We checked out our first venue! We're both completely smitten with the place. It's in Jacksonville, actually it's Fort George Island to be more specific. It's arestored 1920's home and part of a state park (love and love). Not only is it gorgeous but it's nestled in the back of the woods on the water with a winding scenic road to take you in and out. Along the cute route is gorgeous forest, historic remains of a fort made from seashells (what they used to make buildings long, long, long ago here in Florida), an adorable little church, and well, peacocks.
Anyway, We met with the coordinator who was nothing short of absolutely sweet and she showed us around. The place is lined with gorgeous french doors that let light dance on the old wood floors. The rooms have numerous large windows which allow you to see how gorgeous the surroundings are. The halls are cute and lined with lanterns. Not to mention the small museum nestled in the northwest wing (the historical geek inside me was giddy with excitement at this part). There's two large oak tree's to pick between for having your ceremony under and there's a trail to the water front. There's plenty of trees to string lights from for an outside reception and decorating is completely up to us, although I don't know how much we'll even need to do since the building itself offers such a classy aesthetic.
They have two full kitchens for caterers. and I really can't not mention the adorable staircase that takes you upstairs to rooms for the bridal party and planning. The bridal room has wood floors with mirrors, our own bathroom, chairs and tables for fruit, snacks, and well obviously, cookies. The groomsmen have a similar room with a tv and cable. These people are smart.
We love the place.
And then we talked prices. I was half tempted to leave the money right then when we found out not only how feasible the place is but how down right of a steal it is.
But, we still hadn't hatched out a budget yet and for the sake of being fair we knew we should look at a few other places. Although, I don't think anything will make me fall inlove like that place did.
Alright, let's set up this whole budget thing and get to booking!
We checked out our first venue! We're both completely smitten with the place. It's in Jacksonville, actually it's Fort George Island to be more specific. It's arestored 1920's home and part of a state park (love and love). Not only is it gorgeous but it's nestled in the back of the woods on the water with a winding scenic road to take you in and out. Along the cute route is gorgeous forest, historic remains of a fort made from seashells (what they used to make buildings long, long, long ago here in Florida), an adorable little church, and well, peacocks.
Anyway, We met with the coordinator who was nothing short of absolutely sweet and she showed us around. The place is lined with gorgeous french doors that let light dance on the old wood floors. The rooms have numerous large windows which allow you to see how gorgeous the surroundings are. The halls are cute and lined with lanterns. Not to mention the small museum nestled in the northwest wing (the historical geek inside me was giddy with excitement at this part). There's two large oak tree's to pick between for having your ceremony under and there's a trail to the water front. There's plenty of trees to string lights from for an outside reception and decorating is completely up to us, although I don't know how much we'll even need to do since the building itself offers such a classy aesthetic.
They have two full kitchens for caterers. and I really can't not mention the adorable staircase that takes you upstairs to rooms for the bridal party and planning. The bridal room has wood floors with mirrors, our own bathroom, chairs and tables for fruit, snacks, and well obviously, cookies. The groomsmen have a similar room with a tv and cable. These people are smart.
We love the place.
And then we talked prices. I was half tempted to leave the money right then when we found out not only how feasible the place is but how down right of a steal it is.
But, we still hadn't hatched out a budget yet and for the sake of being fair we knew we should look at a few other places. Although, I don't think anything will make me fall inlove like that place did.
Alright, let's set up this whole budget thing and get to booking!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
That's right, we're getting hitched.
First off, let me fill you in from how we met to the proposal. I'll make this short and sweet since everyone knows reading blogs (much less following one) is painful. (But thank you).
We met in 2009 working at a private ambulance company that was more or less just a paycheck until something bigger and better came along. Don't get me wrong, I owe the place a lot because without it we'd probably have never met and still be following the beat of our own drums, leaving broken hearts behind us resembling that of a civil war battle field. In fact it was our emotional disconnection and sarcasm that we initially liked about each other (fairy tale right?). Alright alright, I thought he was pretty attractive too (vice versa). We were partners which progressed quickly to friends, after work buddies, me ending a relationship, and quasi dating. See, we both detested relationships, in fact we not only detested them we bonded over the fact we had both sworn to never get tied down, hitched, the end of your sex life as people say, the beginning of a sweat pants drawer, whatever you want to call it. It wasn't going to happen, no way, no how, nadda. (Ha).
Eventually, despite our valiant efforts feelings started to emerge around the time we were split up as partners. So we backed off; sure we talked but feelings, they were bad and they only lead to bad things (insert sound of wedding bells here). So, we both tried seeing other people who we didn't really like as a bad attempt at a distraction. Despite the attempts my truck left me stranded on more than several occasions where he was there to fix it and get me on my way (or give me a ride). Daylight, moonlight, rain, whatever. Not a knight in shining armor or anything. nope. Not happening (besides, I'm the one with the horse). Distractions failed and finally, we had an honest talk about feelings.
Not too long after that we made it official. Attempted to dodge the countless I told you so's and it's been snowballing since. Somewhere in there I adopted a brindle mastiff mix from the pound. It was an impulse buy that I conned off as legitimate because I needed a running buddy and protection in case someone tried to you know, break in or something. After all I was living on my own with two female roommates. Although honestly if the robber made it past the schizophrenic roommate on the right he'd definitely bail once he made it to her tarantula room. Walls of spiders, leering, crawling, and caniving.
Anyway, the dog had rough edges in the beginning but alex fixed his destruction's and we loved him all the same.We were living together at this point. Not officially but he had a drawer at my place and well, that's a big deal. It's a practical I love you.
Eventually the dog, named Tank straightened up to be the best dog I am sure we'll have and will ever have. We moved into our own place, which is where we are currently, in the real estate limbo waiting on a short sale that's anything but short. Its too small for our stuff, it's horribly hot in the summer and bitter cold in the winter, it needs to be painted, the lawn guy sucks, but it was ours and more importantly, I have three lakes at me fingertips to lap in my running shoes from our front door.
We both made it through paramedic school which, if any of you have a clue how that's like, I assure you unless you actually went to paramedic school and worked full time (especially my paramedic school) you don't. Not only were we both in hell all for the sake of education and jobs neither one of us are making a career, we went to different schools on opposite shifts. I went on A shift (in fire/ems there are three shifts; A,B,C. Each is 24 hours and they repeat. A,B,C,A,B,etc). I worked for the county on B shift and he went on C shift. He also worked nights. Sometimes the only way I knew he was still living there was by the dirty laundry (and dishes).
But we made it through, surprisingly well. In fact, paramedic school is notorious for not only being responsible for break ups but for divorces. Instead, we got engaged.
Now onto the proposal.
For a month prior he had been teasing me with a birthday surprise. No clues, no guessing, and bound and determined not to give me an inch. See, I like to think of myself and kind of a Nancy Drew. Which in reality probably the only things we have in common is hell bent determination and the inability to quit (we also like to call that stubbornness). So, on my birthday we picked up one of my best friends and my older brother and on we went. We kept going actually for well over an hour on the interstate. Destination? Helicopters. Not just any rotar aircrafts but the rotar aircraft to end all aircrafts (in my heart), the UH-1 Huey helicopter and this bird was a 'Nam veteran much like her pilots. They were all more than nice and I probably couldn't ramble enough about how great they all were. Anyway, I figured this was just a birthday gift. I had no idea that they were putting him in a monkey harness because he was going to unbuckle his seat belt to get down on one knee. Which, he did, in mid flight. At first I thought he went crazy when I saw him unclip his seat belt, after all, the doors were wide open (which we were sitting next to the opening) and at some point there was going to be emergency "war" maneuvers. Not a good time to be unbuckled.
and then, well and then he got down on one knee and pulled not just any ring, our ring, the ring we picked out months and months ago. I hadn't seen it since and I couldn't quite remember what it looked like but when I saw it I knew it was the most gorgeous ring I'd ever seen in my life and it was mine with the stipulation I had to spend the rest of my life with the most amazing man I'd ever laid eyes on. Alright, you don't have to twist my arm.
Anyway,
that's the short and sweet version.
First off, let me fill you in from how we met to the proposal. I'll make this short and sweet since everyone knows reading blogs (much less following one) is painful. (But thank you).
We met in 2009 working at a private ambulance company that was more or less just a paycheck until something bigger and better came along. Don't get me wrong, I owe the place a lot because without it we'd probably have never met and still be following the beat of our own drums, leaving broken hearts behind us resembling that of a civil war battle field. In fact it was our emotional disconnection and sarcasm that we initially liked about each other (fairy tale right?). Alright alright, I thought he was pretty attractive too (vice versa). We were partners which progressed quickly to friends, after work buddies, me ending a relationship, and quasi dating. See, we both detested relationships, in fact we not only detested them we bonded over the fact we had both sworn to never get tied down, hitched, the end of your sex life as people say, the beginning of a sweat pants drawer, whatever you want to call it. It wasn't going to happen, no way, no how, nadda. (Ha).
Eventually, despite our valiant efforts feelings started to emerge around the time we were split up as partners. So we backed off; sure we talked but feelings, they were bad and they only lead to bad things (insert sound of wedding bells here). So, we both tried seeing other people who we didn't really like as a bad attempt at a distraction. Despite the attempts my truck left me stranded on more than several occasions where he was there to fix it and get me on my way (or give me a ride). Daylight, moonlight, rain, whatever. Not a knight in shining armor or anything. nope. Not happening (besides, I'm the one with the horse). Distractions failed and finally, we had an honest talk about feelings.
Not too long after that we made it official. Attempted to dodge the countless I told you so's and it's been snowballing since. Somewhere in there I adopted a brindle mastiff mix from the pound. It was an impulse buy that I conned off as legitimate because I needed a running buddy and protection in case someone tried to you know, break in or something. After all I was living on my own with two female roommates. Although honestly if the robber made it past the schizophrenic roommate on the right he'd definitely bail once he made it to her tarantula room. Walls of spiders, leering, crawling, and caniving.
Anyway, the dog had rough edges in the beginning but alex fixed his destruction's and we loved him all the same.We were living together at this point. Not officially but he had a drawer at my place and well, that's a big deal. It's a practical I love you.
Eventually the dog, named Tank straightened up to be the best dog I am sure we'll have and will ever have. We moved into our own place, which is where we are currently, in the real estate limbo waiting on a short sale that's anything but short. Its too small for our stuff, it's horribly hot in the summer and bitter cold in the winter, it needs to be painted, the lawn guy sucks, but it was ours and more importantly, I have three lakes at me fingertips to lap in my running shoes from our front door.
We both made it through paramedic school which, if any of you have a clue how that's like, I assure you unless you actually went to paramedic school and worked full time (especially my paramedic school) you don't. Not only were we both in hell all for the sake of education and jobs neither one of us are making a career, we went to different schools on opposite shifts. I went on A shift (in fire/ems there are three shifts; A,B,C. Each is 24 hours and they repeat. A,B,C,A,B,etc). I worked for the county on B shift and he went on C shift. He also worked nights. Sometimes the only way I knew he was still living there was by the dirty laundry (and dishes).
But we made it through, surprisingly well. In fact, paramedic school is notorious for not only being responsible for break ups but for divorces. Instead, we got engaged.
Now onto the proposal.
For a month prior he had been teasing me with a birthday surprise. No clues, no guessing, and bound and determined not to give me an inch. See, I like to think of myself and kind of a Nancy Drew. Which in reality probably the only things we have in common is hell bent determination and the inability to quit (we also like to call that stubbornness). So, on my birthday we picked up one of my best friends and my older brother and on we went. We kept going actually for well over an hour on the interstate. Destination? Helicopters. Not just any rotar aircrafts but the rotar aircraft to end all aircrafts (in my heart), the UH-1 Huey helicopter and this bird was a 'Nam veteran much like her pilots. They were all more than nice and I probably couldn't ramble enough about how great they all were. Anyway, I figured this was just a birthday gift. I had no idea that they were putting him in a monkey harness because he was going to unbuckle his seat belt to get down on one knee. Which, he did, in mid flight. At first I thought he went crazy when I saw him unclip his seat belt, after all, the doors were wide open (which we were sitting next to the opening) and at some point there was going to be emergency "war" maneuvers. Not a good time to be unbuckled.
and then, well and then he got down on one knee and pulled not just any ring, our ring, the ring we picked out months and months ago. I hadn't seen it since and I couldn't quite remember what it looked like but when I saw it I knew it was the most gorgeous ring I'd ever seen in my life and it was mine with the stipulation I had to spend the rest of my life with the most amazing man I'd ever laid eyes on. Alright, you don't have to twist my arm.
Anyway,
that's the short and sweet version.
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