Wedding Wednesday (on Sunday)

Ah, so much gets done as the weeks progress! We are almost done :) This coming week our plan is to order the favors, get in touch with our priest, make the centerpieces, and attend our marriage class on Saturday. Oh yeah...maybe we should book our honeymoon? Yeah...let's do that.

We have selected our photographer, purchased Bobby's suit, booked a florist, ordered invitations, applied for our passports and marriage license, and done our dinner tasting at the Hilton.

Thanks to Molly and Lindsay, my shower and bachelorette party planning is underway and coming along nicely! Gosh, I think we only have like 80-some days left until the BIG DAY! I'm sure this updating of the blog will become even less frequent, but whatever. I try.

Looking forward to Friday night...Pesto's, wine and centerpiece making with some of my girls :) Oh and then there's Bunco Saturday night!

Wedding Wednesday

Wow, what a busy summer is has been! So busy that I haven't even blogged about this lovely wedding planning. Ugh...never again!! I guess it really isn't THAT bad, but still nothing I ever want to do again. I've had my ups and downs with this planning business. It's so awesome when I accomplish something or actually make a decision about something. Ah the relief. Too bad their are so many decisions to make...damn you Libra!

So let's just do a quick recap of what I have actually gotten accomplished (maybe this will relieve some stress this evening).

Church booked (but I have to change the time of the ceremony now...5:30pm sunset, who knew?)

Reception venue booked (And I've seen it all set up for a wedding...beautiful)

Dress purchased (Gorgeous!)

Matron of Honor and Jr Bridesmaid dresses purchased (Lovely!)

Photographer interviewed (may interview a couple more...need to get a better deal)

Cakes tasted (still want to try one more, but may just skip it and go with the first lady)

DJ definitely decided on (Awesome guy who wants to help me!!)

Yeah...maybe that's it for now. So on my to do list:
Invitations, favors, flowers (I have staged out the decorative flowers, know how many poinsettias I need), cake for sure, photographer for sure, suit for Bobby and Jason (best man), Dinner selection at the Hilton (yummy tasting time)

Bobby and I have a Marriage Prep class in September that's ALL DAY LONG! After that, we have to meet with the wedding coordinator at church to discuss the mass, what songs we want, etc.

Guess we should probably get passports, a marriage license, and book a honeymoon too! Blah!!!

One day at a time.

Update!

Wow, a month is a very long time to wait for a "Wedding Wednesday" update. Let's just say, it's been a crazy month. We've had our ups and downs and I think most of the hard stuff is accomplished.

I didn't even look to see where I was the last time I posted, but I'm assuming it was somewhere around...nothing was done! Pretty sure I hadn't dress shopped and was hopeless about the Hilton.

Where we are today: We have the Hilton booked for Friday, December 4, 2009 now. And I've found, purchased, and ordered my dress!

How we got there: Ugh...such a exhausting story. After back and forthing with my parents over how much to spend...we settled on an amount. Basically I just threw my hands up in the air and said "fine...whatever". I contacted the Hilton via email to see if there was anything the sales manager, Eileen, could do about helping us out with the price, since the current amts were just out of our budget. After a few emails back and forth, she offered me 10% off the menu prices and let us include bar revenue into the minimum we had to spend. Perfect. Fine. Oh but one catch...you have to move the date to Friday. Grr...This totally messed our 12/5 relation up. (Through marriage prep at church, Bobby and I discovered that a few of our sacraments were made on either 12/5 or 5/12 so we saw this as a cool "sign" type of thing.) Ok, fine, we're flexible...

So I called the church...and called...and emailed...and called...etc to try to get ahold of the deacon to see if we could switch our day. Finally after like 5 days he calls me back. Yes, the church is available, yes we can move our date. Great, let's do it. I call Eileen, tell her it's a go and we'll be down there Friday or Saturday (June 6) to sign the contract.

Friday, my parents and I go down there...happy, excited...whoo hoo, something's getting done! La-dee da, I sign the contract. Eileen says, "Are you going to the Bridal Show tomorrow?" I say, "Well, we were thinking about it." She replies, "Oh great, we'll have a booth set up, stop by and say 'hi'". Well, isn't that nice...sure, let's go! Mom, Brielle and I decide to go to the Bridal Show on Sunday.

About 30 minutes into walking the aisles at the show, we come across the Hilton's booth. Big neon flashing sign on the LCD screen, posters everywhere....30% OFF!!!!! Uh, what? I casually ask the man standing in front of me...ha haha "What if I just booked 2 days ago?? Can I get this deal?" "Hmm...I think you'll have to talk to Eileen." Eileen walks up...."Hi...so glad you came!" Uh yeah. "Hey...we just booked 2 days ago, we want this deal too!" In an 'office space tone' "Yeahhhhhhhh" *shrug of the shoulders* My mother and I are furious. We get a "we'll talk" from her and storm off. The rest of show was a complete waste...all I could think about was how this woman knew that 2 days after we booked she was going to give everyone else 30% off. Oh and it was supposedly a "bridal show" discount only. Meaning you had to book there or at least book a site visit and if you booked the room you'd get the discount...but only for bridal show peeps. Whatever.

My mom tells my dad, my dad freaks out. Monday morning my dad calls Eileen and explains how this is horrible business...yada yada yada...we get the 30% off. But we still have to meet the minimum sales amt...so basically we get to host 2 hours of bar service now for FREE! Super! We go down Wednesday morning, sign a new contract...all is well. SIGH OF RELIEF. Oh but I did notice a sign up in the lobby of the Hilton. The same sign from the Bridal Show. 30% OFF...guess it wasn't Bridal Show only. Games.

The same day I originally signed the contrat, my mom, dad, and I went back to Uptown Bridal in Chandler and purchased my dress too! Yay! I got to try it on again...yep, still love it! So it should be here in September.

I've been looking at ideas for favors online. Just need to make a decision! I have a flower lady I need to contact to get a price estimate. Although, my grandmother used to work in the flower business and has offered to make my bouquet. Wouldn't that be special? She says I can just give her a picture and she can make anything. I'm sure she can make the other bouquets and boutaneers (sp) too. Don't know about decor flowers though...trying to keep that very simple. Bobby and I need to go to Cathy's Rum Cake and sample and order our cake. I think I have the guest list done though. Gosh, The Knot.com really helps keep me organized!

Ok, I'll try to be better about updating this now...had a rough, busy month!

Wedding Wednesday

Ugh. I can tell this wedding stuff is going to get stressful. I really hoped it wouldn't. But, with my parents, I can see that it will. Right now we are trying to book the reception site, and with the economy the way it is and everyone's financial status...it's gettin' a little rough. Today we went to the Hilton so my parents could see the room and place the deposit. Long and short of it, the deposit wasn't placed because my parents feel we need to come up with an exact amount that is going to be spent and make sure there aren't any cheaper places to hold the reception. We need to trim the guest list and come up with the closest approximation of total cost as possible. Giving them a budget wasn't good enough. I guess that means I'll be looking at some other venues. Even though I love this place and really want to hold the party there, it isn't good enough for them.

I hate to sound like a snot or like I'm being spoiled, but I'm really frustrated. I feel like we are being totally reasonable with the amount we want to spend, but I guess that's not good enough. I understand financial hardship, so it makes me feel very torn when I want to spend this money that I know doesn't really exist. Eloping is sounding like a wonderful plan at this time. I just feel like I deserve better. But I know that we don't always get what we want or deserve. I really wish I could get into a better state of mind...or that my parents would. Today was a classic scene from "Father of the Bride", ironically, my favorite movie. "Who else can we ask not to eat? My parents...your mother...".

I seriously don't mind cutting costs. I don't need or even want a fancy wedding. I'll do my own invitations. I'm not having a bridal party. The Hilton has their own centerpieces that I'm totally willing to use rather than spending the extra money on my own and lots of flowers. I'm paying for all the church costs myself. What else? Oh I can't think of anything else...but I'm totally wanting to be flexible. I think they're just freaking out. This too shall pass...

Wedding Wednesday

K....this is starting to become real. Bobby and I made the visit to the Hilton Mesa today to make sure we still liked it, to get prices, and to reserve the date. The room we will be having our reception in is called "The Pavon Room". It is downstairs and WE LOVE IT!!!! It's just so different from the traditional wedding ballroom. It's not a ballroom! Maybe when I get home I can post a few pics. The room wasn't setup for a reception today, so we had to use our imaginations, but ahhh....I can totally imagine it. It's multi-level and has awesome chrome-looking railings. The bar is like an actual bar and not just a movable cart. It's so cool. There are these cool high-top tables around the dance floor for people to sit at while others dance...I just love it.

Right now, we have the room on hold for one week so we can get my parents down there and make sure everything money-wise is ok with them. We feel that they are very reasonable with pricing. We will probably do the buffet-style dinner, it's just deciding how many entrees we want to offer. One of our top priorities is having an open bar. So, we'll see if we can swing that ;) We just want to have fun, and for our guests to have fun. Guests...that's another thing we worked on today.

We started the guest list. Let's just say, I have a lot of friends and little family and Bobby is the opposite!! So, I guess it kind of balances out. We wrote down everyone we could think of including those that we are sort of "obligated" to invite and even included those people from Connecticut that probably wouldn't make the trip. The total was 107. Not bad!! We were aiming for 100, so I think this will work out splendidly! We really just want our closest family and friends there for our day.

Ahh...I feel like things are getting accomplished. And I'm not stressed yet...though I know with the photographer, cake, flowers, dress...things are going to get crazy! Next Monday my mom and dad are meeting us at the Hilton to officially reserve the space! Yay! Next Tuesday we do our FOCUS thingy...whooopdy do. Linds and I are planning on going dress shoppping in a couple weeks when I have some time off. Yes Lo, you can come :)

Oink Oink

Sitting here in OB Triage on a lovely Wednesday night! I saw a pt earlier who came in with all of the Swine Flu symptoms and had been to Mexico in the past week! Yikes! Utilizing Droplet Precautions...I'm pretty sure th risk of contracting this new influenza A virus is very small for me. But, I was exposed in a way. My manager called and advised me that since I was exposed that I would need to go home immediately and not return to work....NOT! Would have been great if she were serious. Ha ha ha. Oh well. The glories of working in a hospital. What is interesting is if any of us spike a fever, have a cough, sore throat...any symptoms we cannot come to work and have to be cleared through Occupational Health before returning to work. Hard core! I mean, people do get sick with other things...it's not always going to be the Swine Flu. Oh well, better be safe than sorry. What's nice about this pandemic is that we are on respiratory alert...meaning children under 12 are not permitted in the hospital! Yay!

Take your vitamins people!

Nurse Carly says look out for these symptoms: Rapid onset less than 72 hours, fever 100 degrees or greater, and cough. Additional symptoms that could indicate the flu are...sore throat, myalgia, headache, and/or stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Wedding Wednesday

It's official! Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 2pm, Bobby and I will be married! It's about damn time.

No other exciting news regarding the wedding. FOCUS session take2 is May 12...shut up Lindsay.

Wedding Wednesday

As I sit here in the Recovery Room at Good Sam...patiently (ha ha) waiting for my patient's room to be "STAT" cleaned (it's taken over an hour now...grrr, so not STAT), I guess I'll attempt to write my weekly blog. And try not to wake my patient with my rapid typing :)

Yesterday, Tuesday, Bobby and I went to St. Andrew for our follow-up FOCUS assessment thingy. Basically, we pay this lady $50 to read the results of our "assessment" and talk to us for an hour about how we plan to solve some "problems" before we enter into marriage. I have to say, I actually really liked it. However, ha ha ha ha shockingly enough (not), Bobby and I are going to require at least one more one hour session. Which means another $50. Yuck. Oh well, we did see a lot of benefit in the first session and agreed to go to the next one. Kinda like cheap counseling (and who couldn't use a little of that these days?). The next session isn't until May 12, so I probably won't have a ton to write about until then, but we do want to check out the reception place (Hilton, Mesa) again to make sure it's what we still like.

Through this first session, we have come to a few conclusions. First, we need to start making joint decisions. Seems like right now, I make most of the decisions in the house (except for where to eat...I hate that one!). So we've (I've) agreed to be better about that.

Secondly, we have to divide up the household chores. We both work full time. I work 36 hrs at night 3 days a week and then have Brielle the other 4 days. Bobby works 2 part time jobs and goes to school full time. Neither of us is EVER enthusiastic about cleaning...anything. But, I'm usually the one who sucks it up and does most of the chores. Bobby will do them...when I nag him to death or if he's having an extraordinary moment of self-motivation (rare). So, we have decided that we are going to do a "draft" of sorts. We are going to write down all of the household chores (inside and out) and then choose one at a time which we will do on a weekly basis, mostly to maintain my sanity as I get extremely stressed out when I'm tired and the house is a wreck! Thanks Mom.

Finally, we have decided that we need some mutual friends. Now this is no offense to any of our current friends (my side or his). I tolerate his friends and he gets along with all of mine. The problem is really that our friends are so different. My friends are married with kids (mostly) and his are all bachelors with no promising prospects for wives or children in the immediate future. My friends are very straight edge (boring, square...whatever...not to me of course because I, myself, am boring and square). And before you take offense friends, these are not Bobby's words...so don't hate...playas. And his friends are...well...into recreational (and sometimes habitual) usage of substances that some may not consider exactly "legal"...if you get my drift. These are not the type of people I have ever chosen to associate myself with. The guys are pretty nice, yes. And I suppose what they do with their own time and body is their decision...I just don't like to be around it or like Bobby around it. Seriously....grow up already.

I guess this is it for now. I'm still waiting on a room...grrrrr...let's see it's been oh...1 1/2 hours now...great. So much for STAT. Pt doesn't seem to care...she's snorring away!

Heart U....

Wedding Wednesday

Yes, I'm aware it's Thursday, but I work nights...so technically it's still my Wednesday night.

So. I thought maybe this blog could be a good place to talk about all the wedding plans. I'll give it a try. That's all I'm sayin.

A couple of weeks ago we made it down to church to submit our requested wedding date. December 5, 2009 for those that aren't aware. We got the whole "To-do" list as per Catholic law or something like that...assessments, classes, certificates, a urine sample, a drop of blood...you get the idea ;)

We started out by doing the FOCUS assessment. This is basically 150 questions asking all about the many things partners SHOULD discuss BEFORE gettin' hitched. And, if the couple hasn't discussed certain things, it gives them the opportunity to start. For example: Do you want children? Do your partner's habits (alcohol, drugs, etc) concern you? Do you and your partner agree on who will handle the finances? Get the idea...? So we took this assessment and the facilitator suggested we jot down the questions that we felt we may need to talk to one another about. And we did. Although I can't remember the specifics at 0550 in the morning, it did get us discussing. Yay. Next Tuesday evening we go and actually sit down with another person at church and officially go over the results. Though we have discussed a few things with eachother, apparently we have to have someone tell us how the results were interpreted (ie. should we really be getting married?) Ha ha...no I don't think it's really that. But the really exciting part is that we get to pay $40 for her to tell us. Blah. Isn't anything free?

Speaking of nothing being free...2 years ago when we were starting to plan this blessed event, the total cost of the church ws $300 (which I paid and thankfully they honored this time around). However, the price (of course) has increased. No we do not get "grandfathered" in to the old price! Now it's $200 more. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Next is getting our baptism, first communion, and confirmation dates. Got Bobby's info from his mom. Now I have to find mine. Which is kinda silly considering communion and confirmation were done at St. Andrew but yet I need to find the dates. Whatever.

As soon as the date is confirmed with the church (meaning there are no other activities planned in the church for the date/time we want), we can contact the Hilton and get the reception stuff going. Yay! The fun part? And then on to the dress...

Natural Family Planning Intro is this Sunday. I'm an OB nurse...do I get a pass? Or maybe I can test-out? NO.

Yeah, so the diet and exercise thing kinda came to a hault. But you'll be happy to know that I'm back on the wagon! I've done the Wii Fit every other day for a week now. And I've stocked the pantry and fridge with tons of good-for-you food options. My gym membership has officially expired, so that's no longer an option but for $10/mo I may have to rejoin.



So I got to thinking yesterday...why was it that when I was 21 (besides the obvious faster metabolism reason)


And this is how much got saved when my internet went down....No, I am not motivated to rewrite the whole thing, at least for right now. Maybe later tonight at work...if I get a chance....maybe....we'll see.

Something. Just for you Linds.

Workin' Wednesday

Ok----so I suck at this blogging thing. Maybe I'll get better. Who knows? It's like learning something new, you gotta get used to it. It has to become a habit, a norm.

So, over the past two weeks, I've done very well with my diet and have slightly improved on the exercise factor. Hey, at least I'm trying...even if it's only 1x/week. I brought workout clothes with me to work tonight and I fully intend to go to the gym in the morning. P.S. The Wii Fit kicks your ass! So, I've lost about 5 pounds this month. Slow going...but at least something is happening.

Guess it's time to return to OB Triage.

My first post

This is always the most difficult thing about starting a blog, whether it be myspace, facebook, whatever...the first entry. I know that I need to get it started but really don't have anything brilliant or remarkable to post about. But, hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?

It's 2216 on a Wednesday night in triage. Thrilling. Not like I want to be running my butt off, but I definitely need the patients to keep comin' so we all retain our jobs! Kind of bittersweet. Yeah, boring.

Let's see...something more interesting...I've decided that my stress level is starting to get out of control and I'm probably heading toward some sort of mental breakdown. I've started eating healthier and fully intend to start exercising in hopes that this will help. I've recently talked to one of my friends who has confided in me that she has been suffering from depression for the last couple years. She described her symptoms pre-medication and they really sound a lot like what I experience. She thinks the meds have helped her, although the dosage keeps needing to be increased in order to keep her "normal". I do not want to go on medications, and I really don't think that's the answer for me anyway. I feel like it's more a matter of me taking more time for myself, especially when I'm having an especially "bitchy" day. Bobby thinks I have a lot of issues that I've never really delt with and I just keep adding more and more on to my mind and it's finally showing itself. Sounds good.

So, I guess I'll just take this one day at a time. I really want this to be a good year and I think I just need to make some life changes that will support that.