With a little distance

AND trying not to be so picky ... the photos that the professional took and put up are really pretty nice and I shouldn't be so hard on myself. The link to them is HERE. These are 66 that he picked out of over 800 that he took and considered to be okay. He did pick most of the good ones. There are a few more in there that I like that I'm going to print along with his 66 and then he made sure to get a few pictures of all of the guests either with us or on their own and there are quite a few there that I'd like to print out and give as special gifts and also have in my album. And that's quite a job there but I know myself and I know if I don't get on it like right now it's never going to happen. My MIL gave us a beautiful picture album and I'm going to do my best to fill it!

Pictures!!!

I got a CD from my nephew today and a link from the professional photographer to his photos. I like my nephew's better at this point. The professional has some very cool shots but there are a couple in there that I think are less than flattering, so I will post this slide show made from the photos my nephew took and then more later from the professional when I can choose which ones to show. His pictures really point out the flaws in the make up ... which is really starting to bug me but , that's a story for another day. For now here are the pictures:

Post event

I really don't have the time nor the energy to do a big post on the event. Suffice it to say that it was just beautiful and fun and H-O-T! And I don't remember m any details because it was so ... so intense! So much going on! I nearly went bridezilla at the salon where we went to get our make up done but it's still too close for me to go into details without getting mad. I am going to write a letter to them about it.

Anyway ... still waiting for pictures and when I get some I'll do a nice long post. I spent my honeymoon week looking for houses and sleeping. DH was working his tail off, which is what he does. I found the house, we looked at it together yesterday, made an offer and had it accepted! We are going to close in 3 weeks. Astonishing but true. When is the dust going to settle?

Getting down to the wire

Oh man .... counting down now. It's just about details details details!

Saturday my FMIL gave me a bridal shower and it was SO much fun! I thought it would be a little uncomfortable. I have a hard time sometimes being the guest - but everyone was so nice and we just had a great time! So many of my friends showed up, lots of S's relatives as well. I am sorely missing my friends in Europe - I wish they could have been there too. I know they were in spirit anyway.

All weekend, except for the time I spent with movers putting my odds and bobs of furniture into storage pods, I was trying to get all the details nailed down. I got all of the gifts for the attendants, except for my ring bearer, purchased [still have to wrap them], I got the containers to hold the large flower arrangements, got ribbon for the bouquets and cake topper ribbon (I think I'll have the flower lady wrap up some spray roses in ribbon the color of the flower girl dresses), got some tights for the flower girls, and I THINK the guest list is done. It has to be because the caterer needs the final count this morning.

Things left to do: Finish writing the ceremony, pick the music for the ceremony and first dance, teach S to dance [going out dancing didn't last long - it's so hard to fit it into our schedule!], make the wine and beer order, remind S again to get the banquet license. My sister is coming in Wednesday and unfortunately that's the day the flowers need to be picked up and delivered to Sue and the flower lady. Maybe I can get S to handle that for me. Sure would make my life easier.

Now, if I could just quit obsessing about my body shape I'd be a happy girl. I am just crazy about this and I can't help myself! I am wearing a size 6 and I still see a much bigger person every time I look in the mirror! It's crazy. I know it's crazy and yet I can't help myself. It's truly an obsession. As if I don't have a million other things to worry about.

My lists have lists again

I am feeling a little anxious. So many details to take care of!! It doesn't feel like I'm out of control though so that's good. I just want to get all of the details ironed out so I can relax and enjoy this! My sister is coming up next Wednesday afternoon and by that time I should have everything in order so we can relax. I already made spa appointments for us for that afternoon. I have to pick up the flowers in the morning before I pick her up at the airport, take half of them to the woman who is making the wearables, the arrangements and, I have decided, doing the bouquets. I wanted to do them myself but then I started to get realistic. As in - when would I have time? It's crazy not to pay her to do it. Then after picking my sister up we need to take the rest of the flowers to the woman who is going to do the centerpieces. THEN I will be able to relax because, in theory anyway, I should have already finished up the ceremony and music questions. Uh huh, really. S is working ALL weekend and the rest of this week but then Monday until after the wedding he is letting his employees take care of stuff so he can be running things and I can take a rest. I will come in to work Monday and Tuesday to finalize a few things but it won't be too stressful.

I have been sleeping, which is amazing really. When I do wake up I just try very hard not to think about wedding things. Thank goodness work isn't very demanding right now.

This Saturday my FMIL is giving me a bridal shower. Sweet. Then I need to get the rest of my stuff out of my house. I have had delivered 3 storage pods. I am thinking I can get away with only 2 but it's better to have the 3rd one there in case I need it. I'd be sunk if I did need it. The house will close on July 3 so I have to get it all emptied by this weekend because I am running out of time. See above.

I'm starting to get nervous

Little flutters in my stomach ... things are starting to get more and more urgent. We finished up choosing the wording for the ceremony last night and I sent that off to the officiant. Tomorrow I'm going to be working from my iPhone and laptop because we're getting the license, meeting with the caterer about the rehearsal dinner and going to order the flowers. Then I've GOT to sit down with the invitation spread sheet and get the errant RSVPs which unfortunately are quite numerous. I guess putting a self-addressed and stamped envelope in with the response card isn't enough incentive. Maybe my FMIL would like to handle that, since I don't know any of S's non-responders. I only have 3 on my list that haven't replied and 2 my aunties who I am sure are wrestling with the choice - my wedding or my cousin's son's. Talk about timing, eh? Oh well, can't please everybody. Then I guess getting the music down is the last big chore. I still have to choose something to walk down the aisle to. Non-traditional.

My house is sold. I had to let the furnace man in yesterday to do the annual service and the "sold" sign was up. And funny thing - I walked all over that house trying to raise a few ghosts or feelings or something and I just couldn't. I thought I'd feel panic or nostalgia or sadness or something. Nada. I guess that's a good thing.

Less then 3 weeks to go

And so much stuff still to do!! I tried on my dress Friday - they did a great job with the hemming and the bustle. I am a little nervous about getting into it on the day, but S's daughter was there with me and she was watching, my sister has also seen how to get me into it so I guess I shouldn't worry. And the bustle thing doesn't seem too hard. Of course I couldn't see exactly how it was done but I hear the woman telling her how to tie up the under bustle, the satin part, and how to button the over skirt. It looks great - oh, except for that little bit of extra pudge. I am going to have to be super careful and lose about 3 or 5 pounds her in the next couple weeks. It's not a huge deal, but I can see it and it's going to make me crazy.

I picked up a few little odds and ends this weekend - ring bearer pillow, guest book and pen, place cards. I ordered the favor bags. I still have to find some paper or card stock for the programs, I still have to order the flowers ..... I know there are a bazillion other details to take care of as well. Oh - yeah the ceremony, music, and the license. It's all very nerve wracking. There is never enough time on the weekends to get anything done! Oh well - it'll get done.

I think the house is sold - I never did hear back after they submitted a list of 14 nit picky things they wanted done after the inspection, which came back very nearly perfect. yay Tomorrow I've schedule the furnace to have its annual cleaning and that should do it. Fingers crossed. I want to get out of Bothell ASAP! I am NOT a country girl by any stretch of the imagination and Bothell is just too country for me.