MommyLynda's biography
My daughter isn't just my daughter. My daughter is my inspiration.
It was the most important day of MY life. Of course, I cherish the birth of both my son and my daughter, but it was a day that I along with family, friends, and even skilled physicians, feared that I'd never ever get to see. My baby, Jessica, was born with a severe heart abnormality 24 years ago, and had to be flown from Southern California to Boston where immediate open heart surgery could be performed. At the time, her prognosis was very bleak, but thanks to God and wonderful perfect hands of some of the most skilled surgeons in the world...Jessica got married on September 12, 2009...
If you all understood the magnitude of what she has been through, you'd also know that when my baby went on to become a 52 time National Dance Champion, she became an inspiration to all who know her. Her surgeons often flew from wherever they were to watch her compete. Her dance career is a testament to her strength, her focus and will to be alive and to be the best that she could possibly be. She is, quite frankly, a miracle! Her smile is all that one needs to see to understand her spirit, her soul!
I have been privileged and blessed to plan her "perfect day." How fortunate I am that she gave me that gift! There were times when I complained...I know...but in my heart of hearts, I was always thankful! I know that you all know that. I can hardly believe that her wedding day is here
Saying "Thank You" to the ladies of Project Wedding is certainly not enough. I'd be lost if it hadn't been for all of you. In particular I need to thank...
Marinag, Mrs.Fink2be, Kristinkay, Kristeen, Blondebunny, Smooreswifey, Rinamae, Starg8zer, Pinkgerbers, Goingtbegoff, Wmforever, Candicethetatooist, Lilivati...that's just to name a few. And of course, Dirty too!
Everyone has been fabulous! Okay, maybe not everyone, but certainly almost everyone. Besides, I know I can be a "Royal Pain" too! LOL! I am so thankful that you all allowed me to steal a piece of your joy here on PW. Project Wedding isn't really "for" me. It's for you. But it has been a pleasure posting with you, chatting with you, meeting some of you, sending and receiving private messages with you...You've wowed me with your style, your ideas, your DIY's and your vendor suggestions. there are some talented, beautiful women on project Wedding, some educated with great jobs, some not; some with enormous wedding budgets, some not; some large, some small, some young brides, some older...and a few moms to boot!
So my baby became a "Mrs." I remember once, when she was four years old, I was driving her to pre-school one day. She looked at me with giant, hopeful blue eyes and said, "Mama, I'm gonna be a bride someday." That made me cry! She, of course, didn't know why...but it was because she still had another very big open heart surgery ahead of her...a long road...and I just wasn't sure that I'd be making her wedding someday. Looking back with years of experience I now know that God intended us to live each and every day to the fullest because none of us knows what God's plan is....So my words of wisdom to you are, "live each and every moment to it's fullest!!!!"
Congratulations to all of you and Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Mommylynda;)
******originally written as a post the night before the wedding...tense has been changed.
It was the combining of two cultures. A Jewish Wedding with a bit of an Asian Flair!
Pre Ceremony
The Venue: Tustin Ranch Golf Club, Tustin Ranch, California
The Reveal and The Wedding Party:
Let the Ceremony Begin!
I've got a feelin' that tonight's gonna be a good good night...
I'll begin at the beginning...Jess and her bridesmaids spent the night before the wedding at my good friend Betsy's house. She catered a lovely breakfast of quiche and fruit. The hair stylist showed up right on time and began doing the MOH's hair. Then the MUA did her makeup as the next BM had her hair done. Around 12:00 he started my hair and then he started Jessie's hair. I had way to much sticky product in mine!!!! I don't like that!!!! But Jessie's hair was Perfection. We had our MU done and the Limo showed up. We left for the Golf Course right on time.
I was, quite frankly, surprised that I hadn't heard from my DOC's (the Project Wedding Divas) all morning. They had EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL...But, of course, I got to the Golf Course, and began barking out orders at them anyway. It looked more beautiful than I ever fantasized that it would. All I have to say is WOW. Marina, Mitch, Gina, her hubby, Dirty, Nolan and Kristin Kay did an unbelieveable job. Okay, I apologized...and took more Xanax...which wasn't working all that well.
The bride and groom decided on a "reveal." That was a very lucky thing, although my daughter didn't love the idea. It made it possible for them to have pictures on the Golf course and to take advantage of the scenery prior to the sun dropping!
Jess came up from the Golf Course and "DISASTER"...a 6 inch mud spot on the train of her dress. So the Bridesmaids madly worked to get it out with Club Soda...then used a stain remover pad...worked like a charm!!!!
The Harpist played "Erev shel Shoshanim," a traditional Hebrew song as our honored guests and grandparents walked down the aisle. Then the Groomsmen, Bridesmaids, Maids of Honor and Best Man followed to "Sunrise Sunset" as the huge sun in the sky began to drop...it was like a commercial!!!! The Groom Followed with his parents and then I walked and waited at the bottom of the stairs. The Soloist began "Somewhere over the Rainbow" and out walked the Bride with her Father. I met them at the bottom of the stairs and My husband and I escorted our daughter down the aisle. When her father was asked "Who supports this woman?" he responded, "We do, her 'beautiful' Mother and I." Very nice.
Nick came and escorted her to the canopy and then she circled him as is Jewish Custom...3 times as I joined my husband under the spectacular Chuppah...all lit up with crystals falling...just gorgeous!
The bride and Groom drank the wine and Nick stepped on the glass to a huge roar of "Mazel Tov." It was so very nice! Then the Blacked Eyed Peas "Gotta Feeling" was appropriately played and the entire wedding party, including parents and even the Rabbi "Rocked" down the aisle.
The reception area was transformed into a magnificent forest of Manzanita, Crystals and flickering votives...what an awesome site that was.
Everyone PARTIED...and we ALL had a wonderful time!
One of the highlights of the evening was the "Advice Dance." The DJ announced that everyone...everyone needed to be on the dance floor. Then he asked that anyone married less than five hours leave the dance floor. Then anyone married less than 2 years...and so on. My Mother and Father have been married 60 years and were the last couple on the floor. Then...the song that they danced to on their wedding night, "Golden Earring," began! At the end, the DJ asked them for their advice for the bride and groom. My father said, "Two words...Yes Dear!" My outrageous mother said, "You MUST have lingerie night once a week!" OMFG...everyone lost it!
I absolutely CAN NOT wait for the PRO PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWWWWWWWW! SO CUTE!!!
THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY
I'm the mother of a beautiful beautiful beautiful 23 year old who is getting married on September 12, 2009. I am planning her wedding for the most part, but she, of course, has final say.
You may have said to yourself, "my mother would never get on some wedding blog/site to chat with young brides about anything." Well, all I can say is this mom is different. I am planning and coordinating my daughter's wedding. She has placed her trust in me to not only do so, but to make sure that her wedding is tasteful and appropriate. I have learned what is tasteful and appropriate to young brides on this site. I have agreed with most, but it makes no difference if I disagree. What I have learned is that this day is mostly personal preference combined with budget. One thing is sure...there's a lot of creative young women with fabulous ideas here on the PW site
All Photos by Kenia Cueto/Cuetovision
It was the summer of 2000 and I was 14 years old. I had just started High School and, man, did I think I was grown up! I was tall and thin but still a child never-the-less. I had just finished another 10 am dance class at Pace
All-Stars Studio in Huntington Beach. I walked out of the gym, my hair in a pony tail, water bottle empty, when Nick walked through the door. He was just 18, newly graduated and thought it was the perfect day to fit stunting and tumbling
practice in. He was extremely good looking and I thought that my mouh was going to fall on the floor. Of course, there was some sort of introduction that I don’t remember, but I know that I thought he was amazing. But to Nick I was just a little
girl.
Over the next few years our paths crossed quite often and each time I saw him I ran up with my cutest little girl smile and said “Do you know who I am?” With no hesitation he would reply with a chuckle, “Of course I
do. You’re Jessie Stones.” When he walked away I would turn to my little friends and announce “That is the guy I’m going to marry!” Well, needless to say I was consumed with the image of this “older man”
with beautiful lips and this amazing face, and he, of course, had different things on his mind then a little girl with a childish crush and a mouth full of braces!
We saw each other here and there at competitions and between
practices. Years went by and it turned into the summer of 2003. I was, of course, much older and arrived on the Orange Coast College campus where they were holding “senior days” and where Nick was on the Cheer team and attended school. I
had just made the cut for the Orange Coast Dance Team and I was there to watch the previous team’s final performance. I was sitting with my cousin Lauren when I glanced over to the right. There he was again, Nick Davis, although then I
couldn’t remember his name. We were both much older and both led very different lives. I definitely grew into my lanky body and my hair was much darker. He had some sort of different hair cut (as usual) but we still remembered one another. For a moment
we glanced in each others direction, quickly and softly smiled and then disappeared in different directions.
It was April of 2004 when our paths crossed again. I was finishing at dance practice one afternoon, hair in a pony tail and
water bottle empty, when he pulled up in the parking lot next to the field. He was there to meet up with some old cheer and dance teammates and meet some girl that he ended up not having any interest in at all, when our eyes met again. There was nothing
really said but a quick “hi, how are you” from a distance but as I walked in the other direction I turned to a friend, as I did when I was a little girl and said “That’s the man I’m going to marry.”
A few months later I was surfing Myspace because it was extremely popular and was the cool thing to do, and I came across a friend’s page. I noticed a picture of a familiar face. I quickly clicked and realized it was him. I rushed to his
e-mail but found myself sitting there trying to think of what to write. So I wrote what came naturally.
The e-mail read:
"Nick, Do you know who I am?"
Immediately he replied:
"Of course I do. You’re Jessie Stones! "
Through a series of e-mails there was a phone number exchange but my mother always told me “Girls don’t call boys” so for weeks I waited.
Finally
on July 4th 2004 my phone rang.
The next day was our first date.
After almost a month of causal dates and getting to know one another I flew to New York for a 3 week dance camp. We were on the
phone every moment we could be and until all hours of the night. Our relationship had began to blossom. 3 weeks went by and I stepped off the plane to Nick patiently waiting for me with a smile on his face. I knew then what I always knew. This was
the man I was going to marry.
Jessica and Nicholas are having their ceremony and reception at Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Orange County, California. It's a lovely setting with a beautiful water spray in the lake just behind where the ceremony will take place.
The Jewish Ceremony will take place as the sun drops on Saturday evening. We have placed a deposit on a magnificent Chuppah, wedding canopy, which is entirely lit up with lighting in the columns themselves. It will be very impressive. Go to ilovechuppahs.com to see examples of the canopies. They are truly amazing!!!
WHY DO I THINK THAT MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER LOOKS PRETTIER THAN THE MODEL??????????
Jessie's very simple dress is a Priscilla of Boston Vineyard Collection dress called "Lucy." I always thought that because Jessie is 5'10" and wears a size 4 she'd want a mermaid style gown with loads of beading. She could absolutely pull a dress like that off, but when I saw her in this "sweet" gown my heart melted. There isn't a single bead or Crystal on the dress.
About three weeks ago, and unbeknownced to Jessica, I started looking at other gowns...just to be sure. Jessie danced for years so I even grabbed her costume designer to get his input on the Priscilla of Boston gown. He actually loved it for her! So...what do I know? The dress has a "sweetheart" neck so at her cleavage we'll be adding a simple crystal pin or adding some crystals directly on to the dress. To set it all off her father bought her a "special something" for around her neck which he will give to her on her wedding day.
Above Pro Photo is from Priscilla of Boston Website
This is what my beautiful Princess will wear on her wedding day...5.5 Carats of Invisable Splendor! She received it on her Birthday, June 3rd, from her father and I. The beautiful black diamond and white diamond antiques style brooch will be worn legthwise in the middle of the sweetheart neckline. Here's her wedding band
Walking down the aisle to "Somewhere of the Rainbow" We added some Swarovski Bling to the knot on the bow! Very Sweet! She has to wear flats so she won't be taller than the groom (shrimp!!! lol...just kidding)
The Tux...some inspiration!
Above Tuxedo Photos are from the Men's Wearhouse Website
Jessie decided on a birdcage veil the moment she saw them. She is very tall and for some reason the long veils and fingtip veils make her look like a "nun." So...Birdcage it is. Now she just needs to decide on a flower with feathers or a comb with crystals. Ah, decisions, decisions...
We "saw" and the LIGHTINTHEBOX.COM dress was HIDEOUS. So I purchased this dress from PW Bride Maritter and here it is on Jess
The wedding canopy is being provided by ilovechuppahs.com. Dina Benmoshe and her husband make these incredible canopies. This is the one Jessica chose. Ours will include the aisle pedestals all lit up as you see, but we will use 24" tall cylindrical vases which will have submerged orchids, crystal rocks and a floating candle. Notice, if you can that the back of the chuppah is all hanging crystals. Suspended from the top is a very large tallit or prayer shawl. Jessica and Nick will get married just as the sun is setting. It should be lovely
This is the stand that will hold the wedding Ketubah, contract, after it is signed. Jessica and Nick haven't picked their ketubah yet, but they are beautiful, illuminated pieces of art, so we'll have the frame "ready to go" as soon as it is signed. It will then be displayed by the escort card table next to the wish tree.
This is the Wedding Ketebah It is a paper cast.
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The Orange County Klezemers will play during the Cocktail Hour. They play traditional Yiddish, Music...think "Fiddler on the Roof!" It is said that this notes of this musice, with it's Russian Roots, are fashioned into Hebrew Letters that go directly to God's Ears!
JESS AND I LOOKED FOR A YEAR FOR THIS 8" SQUARE INVITATION. WE FINALLY FOUND IT ON NOVEMBER 5TH. THEN WE REALIZED THAT "ELITE" THE COMPANY WHO MAKES THE INVITATION WAS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. WELL, AFTER 3 WEEKS OF SEARCHING, WE FOUND SOMEONE WHO COULD DUPLICATE THE INVITATION AND THE BOX (WITH THE BRIDE'S AND GROOM'S NAME ON THE LINING). SO EXCITED
One of the ladies on the Project Wedding site posted this fabulous arch. We have decided to incorporate it in the wedding decor. Our idea is to use it outside at the aisle entrance and then pull it inside for use at the "sweetheat table." Thanks PW ladies for the idea!!
Jessie would like to bring glass into the room and definitely use it outdoors. We are considering using tall glass cylinders with orchids either submerged on the inside or flowing out of the top on each lighted colomn going down the isle. Jessie also likes the idea of using the cylinders indoors too...but where????
(alex.tebow.designs@gmail.com) was able to reproduce it for us when KristinKay's Etsy Seller wasn't taking orders!!!! LOVE THIS!!!!
The Dinner will be at Darya Restaurant in Orange. It's a fabulous Persian Restaurant owned by the family of one Jessica's bridesmaids, Darya herself!!!
The centerpieces will be a cluster 3-5 wine bottles with Jess and Nicks Labels with Calalillies...
So, here are the pictures! Thanks to Darya and Sassan Vadat (the last photo). Darya owns Darya Restaurant in Orange where the Rehearsal Dinner took place. The food was FAB!!!
These are Jessie's two Shower Dresses and her Shoes all from MaxStudio in the Irvine Spectrum!!!!
The First Shower will be July 19th at Waters Restaurant on the Lake in Irvine (Pictured above) After tons of deliberation with myself (that means I talk to myself) I've decided on a tropical theme for the shower. We're going to have these cupcakes instead of a cake!!!
The picture and cupcakes are from www.onceuponacupcake.com....Kelly has been great!!!! Oh, they'll be in the hot tropical colors...Magenta, purple, turquois, yellow, lime green, and orange! Sooooo cute!!!
And Here's the REAL DEAL!!!!
This is a picture of the dress only the one our Jessica's Bridesmaids are wearing are BLACK and the shoes are RED
The dress is Melissa Sweet and the shoes are Max Studio.
AND Here is Elena, one of the Bridesmaids, trying it on with the shoes
And all of the Groomsmen will wear...
and look what I found for the Ring Bearer
So far heres what we've got:
Bridesmaids: (pics to come)
- A Red Tank Shirt with their names on the back and crystaled
- A Pair of Black Shorts
- A Pair of Red flip flops
- A silk purse
- A sachet and a candle
- A Bridesmaid hat
- A Silk Pashmina
Groomsmen: (more pics to come)
- A Silk striped tie
- A Pair of Argyle Socks
- A Crystal Beer Mug
- A six pack of beer with the following labels and collors in a custom box
THE NEW LAST NAME IS "DAVIS" THE WRITING SAYS THE FOLLOWING:
Davis-Schmavis Beer traces it's origins back to the Shebangazuela (his mother's maiden name is Valenzuela). All hell broke loose when Nick met a Jewish Princess named Jessica. In November 2007 they formalized their partnership and eventually renamed the Brewery Davis-Schmavis in 2009. Nick's smoothe moves, charm and committment to quality led him to his Princess Jessica and this is his legacy to those who will follow.
Here are my newly finished arches!
Oh, that reminded me! I never posted the "Thank You Parasol" Oh...and the BM's aren't carrying flowers at all...they're carrying parasols...all with feathers and crystals on the finials like the Thank You parasol.
- Nick/Make arrangements for engagement photo 6/1
- Nick/Make appointment w/florist and Lynda
- Buy shower invites
- Contact MOH regarding lingerie shower for young invites Kristen Morgan
- Jess/Letters out to bridesmaids Kristen Morgan
- Jess/ contact bridesmaids for shoe $$$$ and pick up Kristen Morgan
- Go to Blooms and Branches to talk to Kole
- Begin looking at shower favors "Let Them Eat Cupcakes!"
- Jess/ contact limo companies 2/1
- Jess/hire a limo company
- Order BM dresses 11/15
- Get Guestlists together ASAP
- Make DIY Wish Cards, Menus, Programs, Table Numbers, In Lieu of Favors Sign. Purchase Paper for all.
- Nick/ 2nd photo payment
- Nick/ 2nd Floral Payment AUGUST
- Lynda/ Order Invitations 1/15
- Lynda/ Order Garter 3/25
- Order Tallit 4/15
- Lynda, Jess/order veil 4/1
- Lynda/2nd deposit for Chuppah
- Deposit at "Waters" for shower 1/15
- Jess/ chair Rental deposit 1/15
- Jess/ linen Deposit 1/15
- Go for Tasting Regular Menu 1/15
- Lynda/Nick/ Dwight/ pick up Marina's Manzanitas
- Make Pomanders for Aisle
- Add ribbon to lanterns for the aisle (?)
- purchase flowers for aisle vases
- Purchase Material for aisle runner (sides) and bottoms of arrangements 3/21
- Make Aisle Runner 3/22 begin
- Make Sashes for BM
- Jess/ begin collecting gifts for BM baskets
- Jess purchase hand cream for baskets
- Lynda purchase basket contents for Tasia (shirt/shorts,shoes?), Daegan, 2 JrBM and 2 FG's
- Order Rose Petals for Aisle, Sweetheart Table, Cake table, Reception Card Table, Aisle 5/1
- Get Stand for large fan (Reception Card Table)
- Get Easel for Ketubah
- Jess,Nick/order Ketubah JUNE
- Order batt op lights for escort table votives 4/1
- Order batt op lights for tree votives
- Order votives for escort cards
- Buy bubbles 5/1
- make cards and ribbons for bubbles 5/15
- Order shower favors and decor. make tags for each order 50 stands
- Jess/Extensions 8/20
- Make arrangements for hair trial 3/24
- Make arrangements for makeup trial ASAP and get contact info.
- Lynda/ Order Kippah for Nicholas
- Lynda/ Order Kippot for guests
- Jess/Nick Cake Tasting...Order Cake 3/21
- Decide upon Honeymoon destinion
- Jess/Nick decide on Cake CO.
- buy ribbon and hang votives in trees/wrap bottoms in satin/purchase moss 3/28
- Jessica/ DJ second payment 3/1
- Jessica/pay off loan 3/1
- Jess/order parasols 4/1
- Nick Photographer 3rd payment 8/12 JUNE
- Jess Final DJ payment AUGUST AND MEET W/ HIM IN JULY AND IN AUGUST
- Lynda Final Chuppah payment 8/12 JESS GIVING ME 1,000 FOR JUNE...JULY $458 AND AUG $458
- Nick Florist Final Payment 8/12 AUGUST
- Lynda/ order cake knife and toasting flutes 6/1 ENGRAVE FOR JESS ASAP cake knife
- Lynda/ order wine goblet to break "Mazel Tov" 4/1
- Wine goblets for toast? 7/1
- Nick/ 3 Florist payment 4/12
- Lynda/ 3 Chuppah payment 4/12 SEE ABOVE CHUPPAH PAYMENT #59
- Nick/ Tux and Groomsmen Attire 5/1
- Nick Order Shoes for Groomsmen 5/1
- Lynda Print Programs 5/1
- Purchase Red and Black paper and wide ribbon for menus and programs ASAP
- Lynda/Jess/Eva/Nick Put programs together
- Dwight/Eva Large 2nd Deposit for Reception 6/1
- Lynda Print Menus 6/1
- Jess/Lynda/Eva Put Menus together 6/1
- Jess/ order/ make Thank you's LYNDA DO THIS WHILE ON HONEYMOON/TAKE PHOTO
- Dwight/ Final Payment and Pick up gown 6/1
- Jess/ Gown Fitting 6/1 call Mahtab
- Take Invitations to be weighed for postage
- Order Stamps for invitations
- Lynda/Jess/Eva Stamp and Send Invitations 6/15
- Lynda/ Assemble powderoom baskets
- Make sign for powderoom basket
- Make sign for wish tree
- Make sign for Programs
- Make Reserved Seating Signs
- Have Wedding Bands Made 7/1 PICK UP WEDDING BANDS IN JULY AT THE END
- Jessica/ Lynda make up gift baskets for BM and GM PURCHASE CELLOPHANE FOR GIFT BASKETS
- Lynda/make final payment to harpist 8/1
- Nick/groomsmen gifts 8/1 JULY
- Lynda/Dwight Finalize arrangements for Sunday Brunch FINALIZE THIS WITH EVA
- Nick/shan finalize arrangements for rehearsal Dinner
- Lynda/Purchase send mail invites for rehearsal PAY FOR ON WED. AND SEND JESS LINK FOR ENVELOPES
- Nick/Final Payment for florist 8/15 SEE ABOVE THIS WILL BE DONE IN AUGUST
- Lynda/Final Payment to Rabbi 8/15 AUGUST / MEET WITH HIM THE SAME DAY
- Lynda/Arrange for food for night before wedding/morning of wedding at Betsy's house
- Final Gown Fitting 9//1 FIRST GOWN FITTING JULY 6TH
- Reception Seating Votives/Velum ESCORT VOTIVES WITH VELUM END OF AUGUST
- Order Flower Girl Bracelets and JBM Bracelets
- Meet w/Rabbi SEE ABOVE
- Bach Party
- Lynda Order Cake for Bach Party
- Boudoir Photos Kristin FrancyMID AUGUST
- Purchase Floating Candles for aisle decor
- Jess Work on Wedding website 3/28 CONTINUING
- Purchase Honeymoon lingerie
- Make Arrangements for Dress Alterations
- Design Stamps
- Order Jun+io/r BM Bracelet and flowergirl bracelet
- arrange for Sweetheart Table and Order rocks for cake table/ small votives
- Schedule Rehearsal Dinner SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 6:30PM
- make rehearsal dinner invites
- Send out invites
- Make Day of Emergency Decorating kit to include AUGUST
- Glue gun/glue
- glue dots
- extension cords
- Staple gun
- small tools
- E6000
- Tapes (double-sided scotch/regular scotch/white duct/
- Ribbons
- wire
- Nails
- Extra Material, moss, tea lights
- Scissors, Exacto Knife, box cutter
- Nails
- Extra Rhinestones, ribbon
- tacks
- Pins/straight floral and safety
- short hose
114. Make Emergency Kit for bride, groom AUGUST
- Needle
- thread
- tape
- floss
- toothbrush/paste
- tylenol/advil
- little scissors
- body tape
- deoderant
- soap
- nail polish, file, clippers
- deodorant
- hair pins, hair spray, comb, brush
- eyelash glue, eyelashes
- lip gloss and extra makeup
- tampons
- safety pins
- tide pen
- tums
- Xanax
For Him
- Tooth brush/toothpaste
- tylenol/advil
- little scissors
- deoderant
- soap
- tide pen
- Tums
115. Buy 1 24" cylindrical vases
116. Buy more vases for cocktail hour and flowers
117. baskets for programs,
Kippot packets, and bubbles
118. fill out forms for and Meet with officiant
119. buy satin frames for "In lieu of
favors"
120. order fans for shower
121. order/stone (w/crystals) parasols
122. order FG dress
123. get marriage license JULY
124. Purchase Wine ceremony AUGUST
125. buy rehearsal dinner dress and shoes
126. buy shoes for white dress, peach dress
127. buy wine for welcome baskets
128. OOT
welcome basket contents
- Cookies
- Nuts
- wine
- flutes/glasses
- order the gable boxes/ MAKE THE LABLES OR ORDER LABLES
- ITINERARIES
129. buy welcome baskets to put contents in
130. Pay Klezmer Band JULY
131. Pay Harpist SEE ABOVE WILL BE DONE IN AUGUST
132. Purchase Bathroom Basket Contents
- Ladies hate bad breath so breath mints, gum. No toothbrushes though. That sounds like a big mess to me.
- Tampies. I personally don't have to worry about such things, but I know the younger set does.
- Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin.
- Deoderant
- Band Aids
- Hair Spray
- Hair Pins
- Antacid
- Sewing kit(s)
- Nail clippers, file, super glue, clear polish
- Love the idea of contact lens solution
- Hand Santitizer
- Hair Elastic Bands
- Tide Pen
- Lint Roller
- Hand Sanitizer
- I like the idea of allergy pills like benedryl...except people will be drinking...I'll have to think about that one
- Safety Pins
133. Tall Letters for Betsy's front door
134. Purchase Cellophane for OOT visitor baskets cookies/nuts wine
135. Order envelopes for Rehearsal dinner Invites
136. Order invites for Brunch
137. Make up weekend itinerary
138. contact MOH's and BM, Sean, Dwight, Jason...Toasts.
139. Double check that all groomsmen placed orders/ Nick's Dad. Dwight clean Tux pants and check shoes
COMPLETE BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN BASKETS WITH THE FOLLOWING
1) Sachet
2) Diffuser purchase additional diffuser to replace the one that broke!
3) Flip Flops (probably terry cloth)
4) Towel with monogram or a spa wrap from a cheap site
5) Body lotion, spray
6) An asian embroidered silk tote that I got when I was in China
7) Premixed Alcholic fun drinks
For the men
1) Tie (that I had made in China)
2) Shoes (high tops for the wedding)
3) Black sunglasses
4) A six pack
- NAIL DOWN THE TIMELINE WITH DJ. SEND A COPY TO EACH HELPER AND VENDOR
- NAIL DOWN THE CHAMPAGNE TOAST
- GO OVER TABLE LAYOUT EXACTLY/ FLOORPLAN
- SWEETHEART TABLE
- CAKE TABLE/TOASTING FLUTES/CAKE CARVING SET
- GO OVER THE TABLES NEEDED FOR THE ESCORT CARDS/BUBBLES,KIPPOT, PROGRAM/WISHTREE AND CARDS
- CALL LINEN COMPANY TO DOUBLE CHECK THE LINENS AND DECOR/ GIVE HER CHAIR SASHES AND MENUS
- Votives on cake table
- Bring in arch/so purchase stands for arch
PHOTOGRAPHY: JEREMY LUCERO. www.lucerophotography.com
PICTURES IN THE NOT SO NON PRO PICTURE SECTION: MITCH RUTHERFORD
VIDEOGRAPHY: www.lucerophotography.com
FLOWERS: DEBBIE JACOBSEN http://www.flowersetcweddings.com/site.html 714-839-5295
17151 Newhope St.
Fountain Valley, Ca 92708
DJ: INVISABLE TOUCH DJ:VICTOR http://www.invisibletouchevents.com
9781 Irvine Center Drive,
Irvine, CA 92618
Toll Free: 800 564-3472
Phone:
949 450-9950
Fax: 949 450-9975
Email: info@invisibletouchevents.com
DRESS: THE WHITE DRESS www.thewhitedress.com
SHOES: MAX STUDIO www.maxstudio.com
VENUE: TUSTIN RANCH GOLF CLUB www.tustinranchgolf.com Brian Penny
CHUPPAH: www.Ilovechuppahs.com Dina BenMoshe
HARPIST: Julie Roy (951) 549-0662 www.socalharpist.com
KLEZMER BAND: Orange county Klezmers www.ocklezmers.com Barry Ph: (714)754-6975
LINENS AND RENTALS: Dress My Chair www.dressmychair.com Jennifer 626.226.9102
OFFICIANT: Rabbi Barry Tuchman http://www.weddingswithspirit.net/ get number from Jess
DAY OF COORDINATIOR: MARINAG PW BRIDE!!!
KIPPOT: MAZEL TOPS
TALIT: Refael Yanovsky
Talit.com Sales Department sales@talit.com" rel="nofollow">
RINGS: GEM JEWELRY (714) 785-0861
MOB DRESS: Jessica McClintock
TUXEDOS: MENS WAREHOUSE
SHOWER: WATERS ON THE LAKE IN IRVINE
GARTER: Petrene (Etsy Seller) The Stanhopes
<thestanhopes@comcast.net>
BIRDCAGE VEIL: Purchased from another bride. She purchased from birdcageveils.com $40
HAIR ORNAMENT: http://hautebride.com/flowers_and_feathers.htm $240
EARRINGS:
DIAMOND CUFF: GEM JEWELRY
MANZANITA: MARINAG PW BRIDE
HANGING VOTIVES: CRYSTALIER
SILK ORCHIDS: PIER1 IMPORTS
HANGING CRYSTALS: shopwildthings.com
Large 24" cylindrical vases: Michaels Crafts
RUNNER Downtown LA $2 per yard for satin
OTHER MATERIAL Downtown LA $1 per yard for black Satin
PETALS: www.dollartreedirect.com
JUICE SIZE VOTIVES/RECEPTION SEATING ARRANGEMENT: www.RESTOCKIT.COM
LIMO COMPANY: ULC Limo Fullerton, CA. 888-766-RIDE
MONOGRAMS: www.pinkdesignevents.com
FLOWERGIRL'S JEWELRY: Alexdesigns Etsy Seller.
MORE CHIAVARI CHAIRS FOR CEREMONY: Chiavari Chairs 4 Rent
9 Orchard Road, Suite 101
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 235-8767
(949) 455-1286
(Fax)
info@chiavarichairs4rent.com (E-Mail)
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AISLE RUNNER, COMPLETED MANZANITA TREES, ARCHES, AISLE DECOR, RECEPTION DECOR, TABLESCAPES, ESCORT VOTIVES AND ESCORT TABLE DECOR, PROGRAMS, MENUS AND ALL PRINTIED MATERIAL: DIY BY ME, MOMMYLYNDA
Today was my day to go to Shinoda's, the local WHOLESALE flowermart. Jess and I have decided on 5 foot manzanita centerpieces. The only potential problem is that a 5 footer takes a ton more flowers, crystals and hanging votives. So I decided that my first stop should be Shinoda's to buy some "mock up" materials. Those things cost me $100 for one freaking tree! And by the way...the flowers aren't really that great! On the way home I stopped at Michael's and the flowers there were much nicer. Anyway, be that as it may, I'm totally going nuts here. I was really hoping to avoid spending $200 per centerpiece! Only because we have 20 of the darn things! Sooooooooo tomorrow we're headed off to Blooms and Branches to look at a 5 foot branch just to make sure! Then I'll do my mock up and post it.
I want to thank all of my girls for their help on these trees. There are some big "sweethearts" on this site!!!!
JANUARY 10, 2009
Hooray...I'm finally moving forward with my manzanita! Last weekend the family went out to "Blooms and Branches" and got pricing on the branches for Jessie's and Nick's wedding. We ended up buying two so that I could begin a mock-up for the centerpieces and a mock-up for the arch. Today was the day Dearest Husband set the two branches for me.
It started out a fiasco really. My husband is OCD and a bit Anal Retentive. He over-engineers every single project he does. In his quest for perfection he usually makes big mistakes because he's so busy with the small unimportant things that the big obvious things go by the wayside. For example: He got the water and the cement measurements reversed. Believe me, the work area was organized, the tape is always pulled off exactly straight, the holes in the flower pots are plugged and taped very neatly...But when I ask him to complete a task like this I just have to chalk it up to his quirkies and I just need to leave the room!!!
So Tree #1, the one we will use for 1/2 of the arch is now set. We didn't really get to the second tree, the one being used as a centerpiece mock up, because of the cement/water measurement mishap. We ran out of cement. As soon as the second tree is set I can begin the fun part which is decorating the tree. I'll take pics and post when that happens.
I have begun order so many things its hard to keep straight what's coming and what's arrived. I've ordered 100 dedrobium stems that went on sale for $.048 cents each. Good Deal!! I ordered the hanging votives, the crystals, the regular votives for the table seating assignments, Dearest daughter's new shoes...sent the ones that didn't fit to another bride...Ugh............the house is filled with wedding stuff. Tonight I will order the monograms...I'm having fun, but I could get burnt out soon at the pace I've been going...
Oh Yes....and Save the Dates are OUT. I ordered the stamps from Zazzle...really cute...and sent them out on Monday! Hooray for Vista Print.
I started the prelims on my invitations order. They're being made special by a print company. This is going to take some time. But I really don't need the finished product until June...I'm way, way ahead of the game.
January 18, 2009
This new week will be probably the most historically "moving" week in our country, the inauguration of Barack Obama! I'm am so happy to be able to witness this event! I am also happy that my children will witness such an important time in the United States of American. I am so proud! I realize the significance of it all, I am humbled...and the wedding plans are really put into perspective for me! No matter who you voted for, no matter what your party affiliation, change has certainly come! I remember as a child in the 60's, families being unable to buy houses in certain developments because of the color of their skin and their religious beliefs...history is in the making and we are all so blessed to witness it!
Meanwhile, I have sent all of my verbage to the printer for the wedding invitations. I wanted to be very sure that everything was worded appropriately. Nick's parents are divorced and they will appear on separate lines, yes, but beyond that I found myself using very traditional wording on the invitation. "Mr. and Mrs. kindly request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter.....to....son of Mrs. (on one line) and Mr. (on the subsequent line). I'm excited to get the proofs this week.
The big project for the week was to do my manzanita "mock-up." It wasn't difficult at all. But I hate ruining my nails with wire, hot glue, and nippers. After I finished the manzanita I did the three flower girl baskets. My daughter has been really busy at work and hasn't seen them yet. I'm a little bit disappointed about that...I'm excited and I want her to be. I know how appreciative she is, I know that she trusts me totally, and I know that she's busy so she hasn't had the opportunity. But I can't wait for her to see them...and I want her to tell me what a great job I did!!! LOL
We're having a Jewish wedding ceremony and trying to incorporate Nick's Filipino culture. I now believe that we will name the tables after the 13 coins in Tagalog adding 7 more. Nick's mom loved the idea. So I believe that will be next week's project.
We are also getting excited about the possibility of getting our manzanita branches for free. It isn't for sure and won't be until we have them, nevertheless, I'm excited at the prospect of saving so much money! By the
way, the gentleman, Kole, at "Blooms and Branches" is so nice and so helpful. If you get the chance to use "Blooms and Branches" do so with confidence.
I find myself wanting to incorporate EVERY DIY PROJECT THAT YOU GIRLS POST. I know I can't, but I want to...whether they make sense for Jess' wedding or not. I often find myself making my plans to do them and then saying, "why?" I have to stop myself from going in a thousand directions.
January 25, 2009
We had the best week ever! First of all, thanks to Nidia for her help with my "Publisher" problems. After being super frustrated I was finally able to get Daughter's Monogram (from Pink Designs) on to her wish cards. I hated the cutting part, but I went to Michael's and purchased the Cadillac of paper cutters at 50% off. It took two days to get everything cut and ready for my daughter and her FMIL, Eva, to layer, punch holes in and ribbons on. Hooray...160 are finished!
I also made two pomanders. I don't know quite where we'll use them, but they're done. I didn't realize that the darn things used SO MANY FREAKING FLOWERS! I was originally going to make them for the aisles, but I just don't want to spend that kind of money on the aisle decorations.
But here comes the very best part of the week. I finally got to meet Marina G and her husband, Mitch today. She was really adorable and super sweet. Her husband is a manzanita "animal" and along with help from my husband and daughter's fiance (and Marina---whose a "stud manzanita lady") cut down enough manzanita to fill 1/2 of my 3 CAR GARAGE. I felt like Paul Bunyon up in the mountains with the snakes, bears and mountain lions. Yikes....What a great adventure!
So tomorrow we will begin setting some of the branches. I need to make 20 of them so starting 7 mos. ahead of time isn't so out of line.
Nicks truck stuff to the gills with Maring's famous MANZANITA...Packing thanks to Marina's husband Mitch, a former boy scout...obviously!
February 1, 2009
Okay, I'm at post #935...I think I need a life!
Earlier this week husband and I set some more Manzanita. Do NOT try this at home if you're married to my husband. OMG. Bottom Line...we set 5' Branches a per instructions with insulation foam and by morning they had all fallen over. All MY fault. So we reset every branch (all 6 that we had completed& previously set...now we only have 14 more to go) into cement. Cement hurt Momma's back. So I spent all afternoon on percoset because we had to decorate the six branches we had set. Not good.
I had the pleasure of meeting starg8zer yesterday. I bought her 4 cylindrical vases. Such a deal. She showed up just in the midst of my daughter's fiance cutting manzanita to size and the ladies trimming the leaves off of the trees. You should have seen the house! I was a bit embarrassed, but what the hey???
The trees are taking shape and now I've decided to wait until the week before the wedding to put all of the crystals and votives on. But the 411 orchid sprays from Peir1 for $0.48 each are going on now. Wow I love giving that Peir1 stat. I was really depressed the day I thought that they'd be $5-$7 per spray. But now the total cost of each tree is right around $40. That's way better than what I was quoted ($135 each tree) just for the florist to put the orchids on...not including the TREE, VOTIVES, OR CRYSTALS.
I continue to be way below budget, but of course the big expenses haven't happened yet. I'm talking about the dinner. I wish that we would have considered other locations...but we were in such a hurry. Our dinner including the liquor, tax, and gratuity is about $200 per person. It's a lot of money! and I'm slightly unerved by it.
My daughter's future MIL has been a huge help with our DIY's. I know...huh? I've invited her for a massage, lunch and a movie on Valentines day. She's recently divorced and my husband will be out of town again (hooray) so it should be a real big bonding day for us...or whatever. I'm really trying to be nice to her because she's going to be my daughter's MIL, but she too has done some pretty questionable things. As MIL's go, I know my daughter could have worse...but.................
February 10, 2009
DH left again for some track meet or other in Boston last weekend. I was planning on Jess, Nick and Eva coming over to set the rest of the trees and to help put the flowers on, but my daughter said that I was "stressing her out." What???
DH decided that it was time for another meeting so everyone came to my house for dinner tonight and we discussed the house hunting ideas, the wedding budget and the time line. As a result of my being on this site I've saved close to $13,000 total. Of course, we didn't save anything on the dinner which remains a constant. My DH wanted me to save more of what he's responsible for...the dinner...but that isn't happening...LOL. I am saving money on the undergarments, the veil and headpiece, all of the printed items, the garter and so on...but not the dinner. I saved the bulk of the money on the flowers...like $5,000 so far. So I'm happy.
Jess hasn't been feeling that well. Lot's of pressure at work. It's all my fault because I'm the Mom and that okay. I just want her to be healthy. It scares me when she doesn't feel well.
One of her bridesmaids found out she was pregnant so she'll have a huge belly by September. That is no problem for us, however, this is her second pregnancy in 2 years and she's not married. Both pregnancies were with different men. Whatever is your pleasure, I suppose.
I'm getting ready to take a short break from all of the wedding stuff. I'm hitting the wall! I'm going to Minnesota for a dance competition on the 19th and I'll be happy to get away. I don't care how cold it is...I just need a break!
February 15, 2009
Well, I finally took a much needed break from the wedding planning. I still chatted a bit on PW but I didn't do any planning and not a single DIY. I was worried about Jessica and thank goodness she was able to take 3 days off of work. She sounds like she's back to her ol' self...but I get worried when she gets pale, tired, and sort of sounds generally icky.
I'm doing a bit of "bonding" with the FMIL. Not that she's my best friend, but I'm trying. She's far younger than I and really beautiful. She's Filipino and doesn't show her age anyway...but even so...she's built great and very pretty! She's also very strong minded and Nick is not only her son, but her only child. So there's some built in stuff that my daughter deals with...including the fact that he's with his mother daily at work.
Yesterday FMIL, Eva, and I went for 80min. massages, lunch, coffee, a movie and to work out. It really was a fabulous day and probably the best Valentines Day I can remember. Dwight, DH, was working for ESPN I think in Arkansas. So here is why I got so angry with him this week. He's been setting the manzanita in cement for me. I bought him a face mask, of course, because I didn't want the dust flying up into his face. He makes a living with his voice, so one would think that he would protect it, right? Wrong! There was the mask, laying on the floor of the garage while he set the trees. So I read him the warning label
"This product contains silica. Silica dust if inhaled may cause respiratory or other health problems. Prolonged inhalation may cause delayed lung injury, including silicosis and possibly cancer. N95 approved dust mask, eye protection and rubber boots and gloves are recommended when using this product."
So, he arrives in Arkansas with no voice...uh, not a good thing for a sports announcer. He's such an idiot! Sorry, but he is. This is how the man makes a living for crying the freak out freakin' loud!!! So I was so mad at him I couldn't even imagine spending Valentines Day with him. He didn't get home until 7pm anyway...but this is what drives me crazy. The man is OCD...reads every instruction, sets up like a surgeon and then doesn't follow the instructions that he insisted on reading cover to freakin' cover!!!Ugh!!!!!!
So, it's back to work on DIY's this week. Hopefully I'll get closer to finishing up my manzanita. I'm leaving for Minnesota Thursday for a Dance Competition. My daughter hasn't danced since 2004, but I still go to this one competition. Her coaches are good friends and I love hangin' out with my gay boyfriends! My husband thinks I'm whack job...lol...but he's never hung out with gay boys so what in heck does he know. I have a blast when I go and I've gone for the last 10years.
I'll be glad when the manzanita are done. Then it will be full steam ahead on the programs and menus.
March 4, 2009
Last week I was went to Minnesota for a dance competition. I needed that. By the weekend I was home and back to setting manzanita. I've now put all of the orchids into the trees...Except the arches which I'll do next weekend. So now comes the crystals.
I went ahead and asked Marinag to help me as a DOC! A brilliant move, if I must say so myself. She is such a lovely person, and she is such a worker...in fact, I get her husband too. With all of these DIY projects, I'll need someone to set them up, put centerpieces on tables, light 140 electric votives, light seating card votive candles, fill vases with water for the aisle, put ribbons on the railings leading to the aisle and to place the aisle runner and the petals. She's going to be invaluable! I'm very, very happy with my choice!
My dear husband doesn't travel this week, so we're going to dig in a organize the garage. House can't get organized until the garage is.
On my planet the countdown has begun. We have 6MOS. and 8DAYS until my baby becomes a "Mrs."
March 8, 2009
Well, this week we finally got all of the crystals on the manzanita. We won't be working on the trees for a couple of weeks, but, I am going to resume again on March 28th. We'll get the votives tied to the branches and the moss/satin on the bases then.
I've been feeling like I'm in the financial middle of this entire wedding operation and it's been really hard. We're 6 mos. out and everything is now getting paid off. My daughter has a few things that she's responsible for and so does her fiance, as do I. My husband is paying for the bulk of the wedding, of course. Well, I seem to be the bearer of the bad news..."Don't forget the deposit at the venue is due May 11th which is half of the total for the dinner," "Remember to transfer funds, DD, because the invitations are complete and need to be paid for," "Fiance, remember the meeting with the florist on March 28th at which time she'll need 1/3 of the total." And EVERYONE is stressed and B*TCHING AT ME! Okay, I'm the mom, and I can take it...but when daughter forgets to transfer funds and the visa card is declined...I get a bit po'd myself! When DH looks it me like a doe in the headlights and insists that I haven't been telling him for the last year that May 11th is when 1/2 of the total is due for the reception...I GET UPSET! So today was one of those days!
The brightest spot was angiela53 showing up to get the boutineers that I made. It was so nice to meet her. She's a lovely young lady! I'm ready to trade my daughter in .... LOL!
I'm just glad that we're well down the road on the Manzanita. I can't wait until that's behind us!
Next weekend I'm heading up a charity fundraiser so this entire week will be devoted to that. I'm going to try to sneak a ski day in if at all possible!
March 17, 2009
Okay...fundraiser...done! It was a charity costume thing.
Anyway, a whole lot has happened since Friday regarding the wedding of weddings. Jess got her invitations! They turned out incredibly well!! Jess' BM dresses came in and I picked them up today. I took them down to her at work and one of her employees (yes, she's ruthless...hired her best friend to work for her and pays her well!!!) who is a bridesmaid tried it on with the shoes. Pretty darn nice for a plain black dress if I must say so myself.
Jess hadn't been feeling well and I had her pediatric cardiologist whom we've adopted since his retirement and who comes to dinner every Thursday, talk to her. He told her to go to her Doctor up at UCLA. Unbeknownced to me she made an apt. for last Friday and went. She had some tests...the important ones...and everything was fine. We're all agreed that her issues are stressed related...so that's it! She won't be doing one thing for this wedding...I'm all done with that!!!! Ugh!!!! My mother didn't tell me that being a mother would be so difficult. I worry about her every single moment...every single day! Oh, and I worry about my son too! A brilliant young man who can't figure out when the deadline is to apply to freakin' law school...LOL! We lovingly call him "Bart" (Simpson).
I'm posting the invitations below BTW. I'll post the dress pictures when I have a camera when the girls try them on.
I'm looking forward to meeting my PW friends this Saturday downtown. It will be fun...and I need to spend some serious money on so much!!!
March 22, 2009
This week I finally purchased some very important things in downtown LA and today I'm going to begin painting the aisle runner
1. Satin for the aisle runner
2. Satin for the bottoms of the Manzanita
3. Brooch for dress, brooch for Jr. Bridesmaid's pomanders, tiny brooch for the bussle
4. Paints and brushes for the monogramed aisle runner
Jess and Nick had their cake tasting. They picked out a cake with orchids all over it. It wouldn't have been my choice, but it's their and, quite frankly, Jess and Nick haven't picked out much! LOL
Meeting some more of the Project Wedding Ladies yesterday was a thrill. I have met quite a few now. It's funny to put the name with the screen name! We had a lovely lunch after spending the morning at Moskatels and then continued shopping. Here's a few pictures of us all.
Tonight I'm going to work on the Monogramed aisle runner! We'll see how that turns out. I finally purchased publisher. Hooray!!!
March 28, 2009
Well, I finished the aisle runner!!! That was really time consuming and to tell you truth, I'm not a person with a ton of patience, and this project really tried mine...but here it is:
This past week was also Jessica's hair trial #1. As most of you know from my post about it, it was awful!!! I compared it to H.Smith's birdies...but look, there really is a resemblance
See what I mean????
So Jessica very quickly booked with another hair stylist...and here was the result:
Wayyyyyyyyyyyy better!
Well, were almost done with the manzanita. Man, this is taking a really long time. We're just now hanging the votives (frames only, not the glass) in them and putting the moss and satin on the bottom. Then we'll just need to wrap them and put them away until September. I'd say that we'll be done in about 2 weeks or so.
A small disaster this week. I found out that the Rabbi that I put the kids in touch with, the one we gave a deposit to, isn't a Rabbi at all. And now I'm not only furious, I'm looking for another Rabbi!!! It's like looking for a priest who will marry a Catholic and a non Catholic with full mass off site...if you get my drift. It's pretty hard to find someone. So that's our current project.
We met with the florist today and made our final flower determination. It was also the day that florist found out that she wasn't doing $5800 worth of florals because Mommy found project wedding and DIY'd about everything for very little. So the final on the florals is $1300 and I already paid a deposit of $550. So Nick, Jess' fiance who is paying for the flowers, is very happy.
This week I need to run downtown again to get more ribbon. I also need to pick up some smaller rhinstone bracelets for the Brides bouquet.
So that was my week. This week I'm going to re-do the table #'s. I thought of a better idea for them. I will be ordering the parasols as well so that I can get started on them. All in all a productive week.
I also must mention that I had quite a scare over blondebunny the past few days. But now that I know she's okay...I can breathe again!
April 6, 2009
I didn't get a thing done this past week. My Mother had a heart attack last Tuesday and I've been with her daily. If you knew how young she really seems you'd be as shocked as I was. I didn't like it at all!!! And thank you everyone for your prayers. She's doing well, thank God.
I'm afraid that I won't get much done this week either. Passover is Wednesday and I'll be shopping and cooking all day tueday and cleaning until Sunday.
The big news...I had my 28th wedding anniversary on Sunday. That's BIG!!! We went for dinner at the place where Jess and Nick will have their rehersal dinner, "Darya." The food was super good.
Booooo...now I'll have to play "catch up" with my wedding timeline. Ugh...a lot of work left to do!
April 12, 2009
Okay, well I managed to get the centerpieces FINISHED and couldn't have done it without the help of my daughter! I really hit the wall at the end. Now I have to decide what to do about the arches as the bridal party enters at the head of the aisle. I have One more 24" vase to buy and I'll wait for a Michaels Coupon for that.
I've also utilized the new PW feature "Checklist." I love it! I loaded everything into it and I'm off to the races. I still don't feel totally secure with it yet so I've kept my "To-Do" list here in my bio and I have a checklist in my "Works" program too. But this new feature seems to be really good. We'll see.
I now need to organize the garage so that the finished trees can be wrapped in plastic and put away.
Tomorrow I'm supposed to start training at 24 hour fitness. I'm pretty excited about that. I really need to take the "getting in shape" thing seriously now. If I don't my dress just may not fit!!! Not good. Oh, did I say that I got my dress?
I also ordered pearls and earrings for all of the Bridesmaids. I got them from topearl.com. They were really inexpensive so I'm happy. It's tough when you are dealing with 8 Bridesmaids, 2 maids of honor, 9 groomesmen, a best man, two flower girls, one ringbearer, two junior bridesmaids and 2 sponsors...Ugh!!!
Jessica also booked her friends dad's restaurant for the rehearsal dinner. It's called Darya and she happens to be bridesmaid. It's delicious Persian food!!! DELICIOUS!!!
I also managed to purchase all of the baskets for the Kippot, the wish cards, the programs and bubbles, bathroom baskets.................a lot of stuff!!! This is all becoming overwhelming! I just don't know how the PW ladies are doing all of this on their own!
April 24, 2009
Well, the inevitable has finally happened. My daughter and I haven't been getting along. She's turned into a person that, quite frankly, I don't know. I've been less than excited to work on anything at all for the wedding. I have felt really unappreciated, but more than that, like I'm spending all of my days working on something for someone who is just plain mean.
I managed to order her cake topper, which she didn't really want...but what's new, she doesn't really want anything I suggest. I just do it and then she likes it. She's very young. I also ordered her garter.
I've not been very happy at all. I'm not having fun anymore. I don't want to work on anything else because it's not fun anymore. I have heard from so many of the gals on PW that they wish they had someone to help them like I've helped my daughter...well, I'm available!
Smiles!
May 5, 2009
The last week was interesting at best. We did complete a lot of DIY's and, in fact, have very few left.
- All of the trees have been wrapped in plastic and put away until the big day
- All of the Chair Signs (approx 40 for indoors and outdoors) have been done. We did them for all of the BM's and GM's
- All of the cards attached to the Bubbles are finished and attached
- All of the signs for the baskets for the programs, kippot, bubbles, bathroom basket and flip flop box have been done (still figuring how to attach them)
I just may make some labels for the flip flops, but I don't know...We need to paint the flip flop box, I need to assemble the BM's gift baskets and a few other niggly things.
I met with the florist this past week and got nailed down exactly what our needs are and have a final bid of $1400. That's a far cry from the original bid of $5,600!!! Thanks to PW and DIYing!
Now, on to my daughter. Sunday here was a fiasco and got me to questioning just why in heck I have given every waking moment to this wedding. I do it because I love this girl more than life itself...and I worry so much about the stress of planning this wedding on her. I believe that she feels better to be in control of the budget, time line, and getting everything paid off (informing us when things are about to come due and making sure that vendors are paid). Nevertheless, she seems to be overwhelmed to see how much this costing and it scares her. She can't even fathom the amounts that are being paid to vendors...
Daughter's fiance still hasn't sat down with his father to determine a couple things
- Just what exactly his last name is!!!!! No I'm not kidding. No one can determine whether or not paperwork was filed for his stepfather (a gorgeous cop/hunky/studmeister...and 43 yrs. old!!!) to adopt him. He's been using his last name on his Social, Passport and so on...but we don't think that it was legally done. So this is kinda hanging out there!
- Also the stepfather (who FI loves, idolizes and is the only father he ever knew) has divorced his mother FOR another woman and wants to bring the other woman to the wedding. FI's mother is FLIPPING out and said, "absolutely not." Now FI HAS to tell his father, who has committed to pay for the rehearsal dinner and may renege...regardless, FI wants him there. It sucks for him!!!
This causes my daughter a lot of constrination in and of itself. So I feel bad! Please God just let her stay healthy!!!!!
On the upside! SHE is scheduled to come in on May 11th! I'm excited to see my daughter try her on!!! I can't wait!!!
Jess had a little BM's luncheon at her house for her BM's to try on their dresses and shoes! So far everything fit everyone! How happy am I? There was some grumbling about the $100 shoes...but hey, daughter had her "vision" too!
So that was last week! Just tying up a few loose ends this week and then I'll post some pictures!
May 11, 2009
Last week we got so much done! I've now printed all of the programs and I'm punching holes in over 1100 sheets of paper. We'll start putting them together this weekend.
Next...the dress came in and it fits daughter like a glove. Unbelieveable! So this week I'll be call Mahtab to do bustle duty.
Mother's Day was nice...but get this...I fell! Right on the effin floor! There was some liquid on it and I went flying in the middle of the expensive restaurant. It was like one of the moments that are in your bad dreams where everyone, I mean everyfreakinone, is silent and looking at you! I was so, so, so, annoyed with myself...All dressed up, high heels and all and I go flyin'! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OMG!
If you get a chance, check out the DIY's so far...I'm really proud of myself!
Here's a pic of Mommy and Daughter on Mother's Day...Post Fall...what an idiot!!!!
May 23, 2009
Well, not only have I finished all the manzanita centerpieces, I have now finished selling them to 3 different brides. I also sold the arch (which I haven't completed yet), the cylindrical vases and the crystals! Yes! I'm not going to concentrate on selling the rest until after the wedding...
I started decorating the parasols. We're putting feathers on the outside and crystals on the finials. That will be fun. We also finished 100 programs. Only 55 more to go!
We also are waiting for our addressed cards. We decided to have the printer go ahead and print the addresses on a layered card that will be attachedd to the front of the invitation. We'll start putting those together as soon as they come.
We're well on our way and I can actually see the finish line! Or the wedding, I guess. This has been so much fun for the most part! How lucky am I????
Tomorrow I'll have a houseful of "OLD" Olympians over to play our semi-annual game of Whist! That will be fun...it's always very competitive, as you may imagine!!!
June 3, 2009
We're almost finished putting the invitations together. I only need to take them to be weighed and to buy the postage...ouch! I've also finished the invitations to my daughter's shower on July 19th at Waters Restaurant on the Lake in Irvine.
I read a Thread last night about the amount of "declines" everyone seems to be getting. I'm really hoping that the 30% rate applies to my daughter's wedding...LOL Our original list was 150 now we're at 178. Hmmmm...perhaps if I don't get on the phone and call all of those who are too rude to RSVP! There's an idea!
Today is Jessica's Birthday. 24 Years ago she came into this world. Of course, our joy turned to fear when we were told that she'd require immediate open heart surgery which was only done across the country at Boston Childrens Hospital. I would have not even dared to dream then what I dream of every single night now...her wedding. Believe it or not, I almost "welcome" the pre-wedding nightmares in comparison to what thealternatives are.
So, I've now included a counter at the top of my bio page...because the countdown is actually going on. I haven't missed a day of training. Okay, I've cheated a bit on my diet...but I'm actually beginning to see the results of my hard work. June 10th I'm having my face and neck lifted "again." I'm doing it again because I don't think that the Doctor pulled me tight enough. So I'm excited about that!
June 9, 2009
It's a blogging VENT!
My daughter has turned into Bridezilla and it's not funny. She's become very tempermental. She can be very nasty! It's kind of, well, embarrassing.
Now I know that this is mostly my fault. I've planned the and executed everything so far. She has no clue because she doesn't need to...she has me. But there is more to planning a wedding than registering, posing for pictures and spending a few Saturdays (after 12:00pm because "princess needs her sleep") putting a few flowers together and stuffing envelopes. I mean, honestly, think that after I asked for two weeks and sent her the contact info she could call Mahtab for dress alterations? No...she's busy! Think that she could have more hair trials or at least call my stylist? Nope, no time...princess is busy. Think maybe she might be able to take the invitations to be weighed? Uh, nope! But she does manage to talk to me in that biting awful tone, walk 25 paces ahead of me in the mall, and roll her eyes and then shout, NO! to everything that I suggest. Last night was a fine example!
Our videographer was supposed to provide me with a video similar to one that I had showed him. He said, no problem! I didn't know what to call it when I hired him well over a year ago, but now I know it's High Def. So last night we go to his office, which my daughter didn't want to do because she was tired. He tells me that his normal fee for high def is $1600 more...which I know...I was online checking out renting the damn HD camera...they aren't cheap. Well, he finally gets back to me and says that he'll do it for $700 more. That's not bad! My daughter won't hear of it! Not that she's paying for it...but she doesn't see the difference. The reason is because I'm on PW everyday and I've seen good videos and bad videos...KWIM??? She's never seen any freakin' videos except last night!
It's like she doesn't care and I know that she does! It's insane! Today we went to Bloomingdales to register...Well, the girl has NEVER BOILED WATER! She honestly doesn't know the difference between sterling and stainless, crystal and glass, china and ironstone! It's not like she didn't grow up with nice things...She just doesn't know the difference between a blender and a Cuisinart! I'm trying to tell her to register for everything because it can all be exchanged later...I'm telling her 12-16 placesettings and I swear to G-d she's telling me that it's just her and Nick and they only need 4! Well, not exactly like that...but Damn Near like that!
Then she gets hungry. We leave Bloomies to grab something to eat. First Place on the Left "The Corner Bakery." She says..."fine, we'll eat there...but it makes me sick!" So I say, well, honey let's go someplace else! She say..."no let's just stay here." WTF???? That's when I turned on my heals said "have a nice day" and left her standing there! See, I have to get home to grab the freakin' invitations so that they can be weighed, stamps bought, affixed and mailed. She just has to go home, kick her feet up and pet her dogs when they jump on her lap! Whatever!
Never made it to Bed Bath and Beyond...LOL....I just had to get away from her! It was seriously stressing me out! I had 6 polyps biopsied from my stomach on Wednesday and my belly was beginning to ache from being around her! Good Luck, Nick! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Poor Guy!!!!!
Okay, I'm glad that I got that off of my chest...Time for a nap! I've had a big day!
BTW...wish me luck...facelift in the morning!
I'M LIFTED!!! HOORAY!!!
June 19,2009
Well, well, well. Face lift really went okay. When they loaded me into the car post-op I pulled down the mirror and looked in horror when I saw that one side of my face would not move! I'd smile and the right lip curled up and the left hung limp...and I mean hung. I actually began practicing smiling holding up the lip with my top teeth as a "just in cast" for the wedding photos. My husband was like, "What the h3LL are you doing?" When the stuff wore off and I was firmly on pain killers (which I didn't really need but thought I'd take anyway) I went to the bathroom mirror to make sure that the left side was curling up! LOL
On Friday I went on the Invitation weighing/hand canceling wild goose chase! That was a real goat f***!!!! How can an invitation weigh and be measured and then cost between $1.31 and $2.44 to mail depending upon which P.O. you go too? And would someone like to tell me how all of the sudden when I go into the original PO and lose my temper loudly...stitches and staples having just been taken out of my head...the supervisor tells me no worries on the hand canceling? Oh and everyone in SoCal had their invites within 19 hrs.!!! And the cross country folks had their invites within about 54 hours???? Go figure!
But the nice news is that we've gotten comments like..."The Postman delivered the invitation by knocking on the door and handing it to us asking who was it from the Pentagon?" Okay...they ARE nice and should be for $28.00 before postage. Definitely not "Platinum Weddingish" because I've seen and received those invitations...like written on acrylic in a satin box...But our invites are very nice nonetheless.
I'm really beginning to freak!!! 85 days left and daughter is coming over tomorrow to organize not only our stuff, but the to do's, timelines, stuff for all of the DOC's, vendors, bridal party....Ugh!
Oh here's a good one. My husband just signed a contract with Universal Sports, owned by NBC who he's contracted to, to do an event on MY DAUGHTER'S FREAKIN' WEDDING DAY...HE'S SAYS, "OH I'LL BE DONE IN TIME." UH.....NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've actually seen that movie. I was pregnant with our first Child and my husband, in all of his wisdom, went to do an event for CBS on my due date in Minnesota!!!!!!!!!! Okay...he was going to be gone for about 48 hours...and no first babies come on their due date........................EXCEPT MY FREAKIN' SON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yup DH missed the birth of his first born!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE WILL BE NO EVENT ON HIS DAUGHTER'S WEDDING DAY OR I'M GETTING A DIVORCE AND I'M NOT KIDDING.
I worked today and was able to take a picture of Daughters Wedding Band and the Brooch I purchased for her.
IT'S A WIDE ISH BAND
THOSE ARE BLACK DIAMONDS AND WHITE DIAMONDS
I also took some Pics "One week out on my little face." Now remember, I hada facelift in Sept. This was just a bit of a neck tune up...and it's still all "swolled!!!" LOL
I just realized that I made it sound as if I purchased the wedding band as well as the brooch...I didn't! Of course Nick purchased the band!
June 28, 2009
What a fun week I had! On Tuesday I attended an LA GTG in the Valley. It was so much fun meeting some of the girls. I feel like I know them well...and they know me WELL! What a lovely person Kristeen is!! She has been so helpful this week, but more about that later!
So I got to meet everyone and nobody seemed to mind that some "old lady" wanted to horn in on their good time!!!
I've gotten more done this week. Another disastrous hair trial...WTF??? Decision has now been made that Jess will wear her hair down! Ugh!!!...And the 2 birdcages I already have wouldn't work. So Kristeen, forwarded me the website of veil websites unveiledbridal.com... We ordered a custom veil, but it was yet another goat F*** for me! Dear Daughter is becoming a Pain in the A**!!! So I asked Kristeen to tell me what she thought. Within minutes, she PM'd me her choices of base flowers, accent flowers, brooch, and accents stones. I'm so excited I tell daughter to go to website and look with me. I'm on the website, talking to her ear to shoulder (holding the phone) and getting more and more frustrated by the hour...yes the hour...not the minute!!! Dear Daughter decides she wants a thing that looks like a hat!!!!! A HAT!!!! what the F***!!! "But I don't want it flat to my head!!!!" Okay, well can we meet in the middle somewhere???? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL...I couldn't take it anymore! So finally Saturday morning I said to Jess, what about these flowers and so on...and she said I love them.......get it.......okay.......it's what Kristeen originally sent!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Then I ordered the extensions. I had to! My daughter has UGLY hair and it's thin. She was getting up-dos at her hair trials and she looked ridiculous...so I ordered extensions. Long story.....She always wears extensions...permanent extensions! She pays close to $1000 to have them done....But now that she's getting married for some reason she won't get them! It's not money....she just bought a Lamb Handbag! So I ordered extensions because I can't stand it anymore!
I've gotten nervous about the timeline! Organizing vendors, bridal party and reception elements is making me stress. I'm going to get my act together on this. Well, I have to, don't I????
July 5, 2009
Sixty three days left and I'm really nervous! Jess seems to be holding up better.
She and Nick moved to Anaheim. I wasn't particulary pleased about that on a number of fronts.
- Can someone please tell me how moving saves money in the short run???
- They are now locked into a lease for a year and won't be buying anything
- Jess grew up in a freakin' gated community of 135 homes and doesn't even know what "playing in a street" really is, let alone what walking from a parking structure in Anaheim is like...
- They sold all of their furniture bought a year ago and purchased a new living room set and a new wall unit. W T F!!!!! Remember***read above***my daughter took over everything that was left to be paid on my side ($2,400) and also took the $10,000 from FMIL and left her dad to pay for the entire reception/bar...what....$40,000??? LOL...Ugh.........And now she's "out of money!" W T F?????
Jess and Nick have lived there a month and she's been "bugging" me to visit. So we went there to celebrate the 4th! It's really lovely!!!! the Ceilings are all 12' flat/high...floors are all this bamboo stuff and carpets in the bedrooms...two full baths, all gorgeous new appliances and granite...brand spanking new/they're the first renters...Okay...But 1-4 still applies!!!
We went swimming...Mommy doesn't even wear shorts, let alone a bathing suits...but two "Mai Tais" later I was in my suit! Can you all give me another "WTF?"
JESS AND HER DAD, JESS AND NICK, JESS AND ONE OF HER BRIDESMAIDS, KRISTEN AND JESS AND THE MOMMY...MOMMY "DON'T SHOW NO SKIN!!!"
The "facebook" thingy is now the other thing in my life that drives me crazy but a neat thing happened this week. I taught at Santa Monica High School from 1977 until 1983. My "Old" students have been searching for me. Because Santa Monica High School is the High School for Malibu, Palisades High is LA unified, Santa Monica isn't, a lot of very famous kids graduated from SAMOHI and went on to go into the Movie/Television industry as their parents did. In 1977, my first Class I taught, I had Emilio Estevez and later his brothers, Ramon and Carlos. Carlos took his fathers "Stage" name Sheen and became "Charlie Sheen." I also had Rob Lowe in my 12th grade English class in 1981 (I think that's when it was). That's when Charlie Sheen "didn't" graduate too. Couldn't...I flunked him...long story...liked him...but he never came to class. Anyway, Ramon contacted me on facebook and brought me up to date on everyone. Emilio is directing and full time gardening and wine making. Ramon now works at Warner Brothers in Burbank. He manages a TV development satellite company that his brother Charlie is head of. He develops and pitches ideas for television. Anyway, it was nice to catch up and I'll be connecting up with him soon. Fun!!!
I couldn't decide what to do about decor for Jessie's first shower. I allowed the venue AND Dollar Tree dictate the decor!!! (LOL...can you tell I'm running out of money???) It's coming together nicely in the "hot, tropical colors. The venue is on the lake in Irvine and the inside is done in those colors. It will be fine!
The hair extensions arrived. Hopefully, they'll help!
So here's another bit of fabulous news....I received a gorgeous diamond bracelett from my very wealthy friend. It's right around 11 carats...and I'm not letting Jessica wear it!!!! LOL
Here's the bracelett "Princess will wear! It's good enough for her...mines nicer...LOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLOL...and too bad!!!
Her's is diamonds too but I win!!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 13, 2009
Husbands yearly camp is OVER, thank the LORD! It was hotter than heck on that track and one girl passed out. Other than that...no big casualties. What I do love is when my husband tells me two days before to expect
16 for dinner on Friday and be at the hotel to register kids at the same time. Then I love it when on Sunday he tells me that it will just be himself and his best friend for dinner after the camp and he shows up with six more people! I
felt "split in half" all weekend and the shower for 56 is next weekend, Sunday. Not to mention that there's some Olympic Tribute to John Williams at the Sports Arena to mark the 25th anniversary of the LA Olympics (everyone will be there) a
private reception afterwards...I have NOTHING to wear and I hate those kinds of things AND it's the day/night before the shower!!! I can't get the cupcake girl to communicate, I had 10 people RSVP late, I don't have enough favors, and I have to
make more layered menus and finish nametags! My heart is leaping out of my chest, and my husband (in all his wisdom) decided to store 12 cans of paint on a shelf above all my DIY's...it collapsed and 2 cans of flat paint opened an spilled all
over the place! Luckily there only a small dent in the card box and the front door monogram is full of paint. So not too bad, considering the aisle runner was sitting there!
Oh...and my husband tells me that I have "anger management" issues! LOLOLOLOLOLOL...Ya think?????????
I was able to save the site fee of 1700...but we'll need to rent our chairs. Which is good...because I can get Chiavari chairs for the ceremony for 1/2 that amount!
July 22, 2009
What a totally awesome week! Started off on Monday with huge plans of finishing the shower arrangements and I got involved on Facebook. I hooked up with someone who was not only a Sorority Sister, but she was a bridesmaid in my wedding. I haven't seen her for 23 years! I had invited two other Sorority Sisters that I connected with to dinner on Friday and we just added Nicole, my long lost bridesmaid! We had a fabulous time! It was like I saw her yesterday!
On Saturday Dwight was asked to take part in an Olympic event at the Coliseum commemorating the 25th anniversary of the LA Olympics. Some very, very famous athletes were there like Mark Spitz, Rafer Johnson, MaryLou Retton, Nadia Comaneci, you name an Old Olympian...they were there. They introduced all of them individually and many people gave my husband a standing ovation as he was introduced. After all these years sometimes I forget how amazing he was as an athlete and all that he accomplished, 19 National Championships, 10 world records, 3 Olympic Teams and 2 medals...yeah, we regular people can't relate to the kind of amazing drive, dedication and focus these people have to have. Quite an impressive group...much before "young bride's" time...but pretty unbelievable!
Okay, "Mommy compliments husband"....duly noted!
Sunday Morning was the "big" shower! It was so nice! Jess got a lot of really beautiful gifts including a lot of Waterford and tons of Nambe. She got 1/2 of her china and some lovely intimate honeymoon
apparel. Such a lucky girl! Everything went without a hitch. Nick and the guys ate in the main dining room of the restaurant. Nick came into the shower at the end and presented Jess with a bouquet and a balloon that was for a baby
shower! They both had 50 of us women goin' for awhile. My son saw it and announced that he had to go home to take a shower because, I'm quoting him now, "I cr@pped my pants!" LOL Wow...what nobody realized is that I about "cr@pped"
mine too!!! OMG!!!! Not so funny!!!
August 6, 2009
As the wedding approaches, things are getting crazy. Lots and lots of loose end to tie up and events to attend. Jess had her second shower given by her bridesmaids. It was really lovely. There were about 20 people it was both guys and girls.
Again, loads of nice gifts and a ton of love and friendship!
On Tuesday I attended another wedding. Dirty and Nolan finally tied the knot at Zucca Ristorante in Downtown LA. Again, great meeting a lot of PW gals...Oh, Mommy so cried during the vows!
Jess, Nick and I met with the Rabbi. She got permission to "Rock down the Aisle" as a Recessional. She's excited about that. Then last night we met with DJ. My time line, the all consuming, terrifying timeline, is now complete...Well, almost. Just a few details needs to come together.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeck...I'm getting excited!!!
August 10th
Another big week for my husband. He threw out the first pitch for the Dodgers on Friday Night. The kids were much too young to know their Dad as an athlete. Yes, they've both been to the Olympic Games, but not to see their Dad compete. I think that they saw him jump only once that they remember. It was back in NY at Madison Square Garden. But pretty much that's it. They know that he's on television a lot, and they don't much care and don't really watch him...he's their dad, it's what he does. But they LOVED going to Dodger Stadium, being led through the bowels of the stadium onto the field. Standing on the field and watching their Dad. My son liked watching the game as did Nick. I liked eating the free food in clubhouse and chatting on PW during the game. It was really fun and a total departure from wedding plans. Thanks to the PW girls who shared in the excitement with me!
As I posted in thread just today, with 33 days to go...I "think" I have it almost all wrapped up. The stress is that I can't find much to do. I feel like I must be missing something huge! I just can't figure out what it is. I have to send out the rehearsal dinner invitations and I have to contact the rude invitees who did not send in the rsvp's. I will need to do the table assignments, print the velum for the votives (in lieu of escort cards). I still need to have a big pow wow with my DOC, Marina...who has been great, BTW. That's about it.
I'm so glad that I have such a long written record of the planning of this wedding. I actually read the whole thing. Man, I can be pretty direct, huh? It took me like an hour to read the whole damn thing...but I did it! It's funny how I've heard from so many ladies after they've read it. Who would take the time??? LOL...But I mostly did this for me.
I've been on facebook for a few weeks and I've been contacted by a load of old high school friends. I'm heading up the committee to plan my 40th, yes, 40th High School Reunion starting just after the wedding.
One last thing. I was moved by two threads this week. One was LynneeaAlicia and the other was HolyMolyMatrimony. Lynneea was being a supportive friend to a girl who had triplets. One had already been lost and another was not doing well. I was moved to tears just feeling the pain of the whole situation. And then the happy tears. HMM had her baby boy! I wrote to her and said "don't blink...it goes quickly...he'll soon be walking down the aisle like my baby." I just can't believe that it's almost here. Every time I think about it I get very emotional!
June 16, 2009
I think that I'll start at the end. I was up with my daughter's FMIL finishing up most of our DIY's that are still left to do. Before everyone arrived yesterday I designed the labels for the OOT baskets. I'm very happy with the way they turned out.
Jess and Nick showed up first and Nick went to sleep on the sofa (as usual) and Jess and I went to Walmart. Yes, the Princess went into Walmart for only the second time in her life. It just amazes me how she has no problem going to Walmart when she's paying for it! LOL!!! We purchased the "rest" of what will go into the FG's and RB gift baskets and we purchased Pocket trays to lay on their chairs at the reception with activities in them. We had to fill those up. We walked out of Walmart and it looked like freakin' Christmas!
We headed over to Joanne's and found callalillies on Sale for really cheap which we needed for the rehearsal dinner! I bought pens for the wish cards.
We came home and dove in!!!! We finished wrapping 10 BM baskets, 9 GM gifts, 2 FG gifts, 2 Jr. BM gifts, RB gifts. Then we proceeded to wrap 200 little cello bags with Salt Water Taffy. Although we aren't doing favors (Donation in Lieu), I thought that each place should have a little something sweet. Then we glued the labels onto the OOT bags. That was all a lot of work!
On Friday I decided that I needed to set up a "snapfish" account so all of the guests can upload their photos after the wedding. I had cards made and they were delivered yesterday. A special Thank You to "em724" who totally helped me with this! I used her exact words!!!
On Thursday I went to the Dentist. I freakin' HATE the dentist and I KNOW that he hates me. I had a crown on my front tooth for 40...yes 40 years and he is replacing it. I now have an ugly temporary. I have another appointment tomorrow. I don't want to go at all. I HATE him. That drilling sound and that smell...are you kiddin' me with cr@p??? Ugh!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is the color match and fillings. I want do NOT want to do this! He's a Barbarian!
On Wednesday Dwight left for Berlin to do the World Championships of Track of Field for NBC. I'm SOOOOOOOO glad that man is gone. I'm telling you all...he got out of the car in the "white zone" at the airport, I jumped into that drivers seat and I didn't even turn around to say goodbye. In fact, I looked in the rearview mirror and saw him standing there with his jaw open I drove away so fast!!!! Now I can get things finished for the wedding. Oh, and the house is very clean! Not that he intentionally makes it dirty...his presence just dirties up the house...wait, well....you know what I mean.
Last Sunday was my nieces shower. It was lovely. My daughter is one of her Maids of Honors and my niece gets married a month after my daughter. That part is nice. Here are the 2 Brides and 2 MOH's w/Bride
Actually...and this is funny...Jess and Rebeccah are Lauren's MOH's and Lauren and Rebeccah are Jessica's Maids Of Honor...So here's all three of them!!!! Cousins!!!!!
I have confirmations that KristinKay, MrandMrsfink2be and Marinag will be at the wedding. I'm so thankful I can't even tell you! How lucky am I?
September 5, 2009
Life is becoming crazy nuts. Not the wedding...I'm trying to prepare the damn house for company. Everyplace I look there's wedding cr@p! Piles and Piles of crap! There's nothing I can do but clean around the cr@p! The good news is that everything for the wedding is done!
We got the proofs for the TTD session. I can't post 'em until I have them in my hand. The Photographer hasn't sent any too me...only the copywrite proofs...Jeesh! Hey...he's an "arteest." Not that paying the man what we paid him wasn't enough...may I make a suggestion...don't let him negotiate his hourly fee. Someone photographing a wedding should photograph the damn wedding...the hourly stuff is ridiculous! We're paying him about $8100 so far...in total which includes the video. But the photographer hasn't been very accomadating at all. Not on my planet. At this point, I just want the photos and to be done with it. He's talented...he's just impossible. And he's a bit artsy fartsy for my daughter...but whatever!
I'm excited to have met with Marinag, Mitch, her husband, her son...oh and Issac...who's still in her belly. She's going to do a great job! I know it.
My husband leaves again tomorrow morning...oh yay!!! He'll be gone for two days...yay, yay!!!
Oh, so my tooth...it became my toof. The temporary feel out last Friday night and then I lost it! I was "toofless." I'm not kidding. Uh...dentist isn't open on the weekends so I was holed up in my house looking as if I was product of what happens when first cousins marry. But I got it replaced on Wednesday. Hooray. Lucky thing...could you seen me walking down the aisle in my gown with no front tooth? LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Well, this will probably be my last blog post until after the wedding. I'll post non pro pics as soon as I can.
:)
