Wow, a LOT of stuff is done.
--Site, check
--Dress, check
--Cake, check
--Honeymoon, check
--Music, check
--Officiant, check
--Cardstock for invites/announcements, not ordered but located (considering buying new printer - found great deal on one)
--Supplies for centerpieces, not bought, but located (need to know how many I have to make)
--Food, decided on (decided against BBQ; we're going with a Polynesian restaurant in Orlando with food that is omg to die for), and will probably be ordered this week.
I need to:
--GET RINGS OMG
--FIND DECORATIONS OMG
--finalize guest list
--write... something out for invites/announcements
--write vows (oh, that should be interesting -- yes, I think that's something I'm going to procrastinate on just a little longer)
--get Tora-kun's outfit squared away
...and other things I can't think of right now.
EDIT: ....Like the marriage license. *headdesk*
A call for quotes and proverbs!
Jun. 5th, 2006 08:44 amI have decided to be a productive bunneh and work on the wording for the invites and announcements. I went searching on the 'net to find some ideas, and I did get some ideas, but I think I'd rather write the wording myself. At the moment, I'm looking through a huge collection of quotes and proverbs on love, but since my friends-list (all of whom are teh awesome) are a bunch of ecclectic people with different experiences and backgrounds, I'm wondering if you'd mind sharing your favorite quotes and/or proverbs with me.
D'oh! and Whoo-hoo!
Jun. 4th, 2006 09:50 amOkay. So... the inn I reserved for the honeymoon? Turns out, it has some reeeeally bad reviews at Trip Advisor. Like, really bad reviews, including issues with the smell of the place and cleanliness. So I'm like, "Crud. What now?" Because, really -- there are some things I can overlook. Cleanliness? Not one of them.
Turns out there's more than one pet-friendly B&B in Amelia Island! And this one's got some GREAT reviews at Trip Advisor. They ask you to check with them before booking if you want to bring your pet, and I've just replied to the innkeeper's email (she got back to me really quickly, too, which I so appreciate). This place is a teensy bit more expensive than the other one, but the only negative review it got came from someone who got a Swedish massage and complained that the room was too cold, and the masseuse hadn't drawn the blinds all the way. Since I have no intention of getting a massage, this does not bother me.
So I can cancel the reservations at the other place and make reservations here, and ... okay, a little more expensive, but will probably be worth it. And, holy crap, the rooms look beautiful at this other place. Squee!
In other news, we brought Darwin to visit our friends R and C yesterday. We weren't entirely sure how well such a visit would go, since Darwin's experience with kidlets is a bit limited, and R&C have the new baby as well as two lil'uns, aged.... three and four? Three and five? I'm not sure -- I think she just turned five. And the younger one will turn four... soon. Next month, I think.
Anyway.
We were a little worried, because he is still a puppy and can be pretty rambunctious, and Tora-kun was afraid I wouldn't have any fun if I was constantly keeping an eye on Darwin. Luckily for us, not only do we have awesome friends who have a very dog-friendly household, Darwin was on his best behavior. He also had A LOT of fun. Like, a lot. He played with their Jack Russell terrier (who, apparently, loves to be chased), and even went in the pool without very much coaxing from C. He was going, going, going, from 5 until we left at about 10:30, and today? Today he is wiped out. I have never seen him so completely tuckered. He follows me from room to room, and once he figures out I'll be there for a while, he flops down and falls asleep.
Ah well. A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy! XD
*runs off to see if Innkeeper-Lady has replied to my reply yet!*
Turns out there's more than one pet-friendly B&B in Amelia Island! And this one's got some GREAT reviews at Trip Advisor. They ask you to check with them before booking if you want to bring your pet, and I've just replied to the innkeeper's email (she got back to me really quickly, too, which I so appreciate). This place is a teensy bit more expensive than the other one, but the only negative review it got came from someone who got a Swedish massage and complained that the room was too cold, and the masseuse hadn't drawn the blinds all the way. Since I have no intention of getting a massage, this does not bother me.
So I can cancel the reservations at the other place and make reservations here, and ... okay, a little more expensive, but will probably be worth it. And, holy crap, the rooms look beautiful at this other place. Squee!
In other news, we brought Darwin to visit our friends R and C yesterday. We weren't entirely sure how well such a visit would go, since Darwin's experience with kidlets is a bit limited, and R&C have the new baby as well as two lil'uns, aged.... three and four? Three and five? I'm not sure -- I think she just turned five. And the younger one will turn four... soon. Next month, I think.
Anyway.
We were a little worried, because he is still a puppy and can be pretty rambunctious, and Tora-kun was afraid I wouldn't have any fun if I was constantly keeping an eye on Darwin. Luckily for us, not only do we have awesome friends who have a very dog-friendly household, Darwin was on his best behavior. He also had A LOT of fun. Like, a lot. He played with their Jack Russell terrier (who, apparently, loves to be chased), and even went in the pool without very much coaxing from C. He was going, going, going, from 5 until we left at about 10:30, and today? Today he is wiped out. I have never seen him so completely tuckered. He follows me from room to room, and once he figures out I'll be there for a while, he flops down and falls asleep.
Ah well. A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy! XD
*runs off to see if Innkeeper-Lady has replied to my reply yet!*
I. Just got. Reservation confirmation. For the honeymoon. OMGWTFBBQ.
Holy crap, this is actually happening. I still can't quite believe it. It's actually happening.
Eleven years and eleven months after our first date. Heh.
Here's the place.
And, yes, you saw that right: pet-friendly. Yes, really. The D-bear is coming with. Will we regret this decision? Possibly. Possibly not. I'm going to step up the leash training this month, and work him into more heavily populated areas. There's a nice little historic district nearby that should have decent enough foot-traffic to practice on.
I'm still stunned that after all this time, we're actually DOING THIS. Yipes!
My mom came over today for an impromptu wedding-planning session. She has been notified that the guest list has gone down a little. She's okay with it.
So far, we've got my outfit ordered, and I've got to drop a check off to reserve the clubhouse.
In light of Tora-kun's parents not being there, I am tempted to give the par-tay a fun, whimsical Chinese zodiac theme, because, yes, I am just that much of a pathetic Furuba fan. I'm a little concerned about being able to find appropriate stuff with which to decorate, though -- does anyone have any suggestions/ideas that won't break the bank? This is still casual and low-key -- that hasn't changed. I'm just doing a little brainstorming here. I want to have some ideas in mind when Mom and I go hunting for decorations.
So far, we've got my outfit ordered, and I've got to drop a check off to reserve the clubhouse.
In light of Tora-kun's parents not being there, I am tempted to give the par-tay a fun, whimsical Chinese zodiac theme, because, yes, I am just that much of a pathetic Furuba fan. I'm a little concerned about being able to find appropriate stuff with which to decorate, though -- does anyone have any suggestions/ideas that won't break the bank? This is still casual and low-key -- that hasn't changed. I'm just doing a little brainstorming here. I want to have some ideas in mind when Mom and I go hunting for decorations.
This is a note to the artist-types on my f-list. There are a few of you who I know are wildly talented. :)
( Cut for convenience... )
( Cut for convenience... )
Well, damn. It's about time.
Apr. 10th, 2006 03:04 pmIt appears Tora-kun and I... may have set a date.
July 1, 2006.
Yes, really. Maybe really possibly, anyway.
This obviously means no time at all to plan, but since by this point we just want something to get the legalities over with so I can get on his benefits and so he will cease getting screwed by taxes. Looking like about 20-25 people, a small, informal ceremony on the beach (an uncle's friend has a huge beachfront house), and a small, informal reception (I'm saying just wedding cake and champagne; Mom is pushing for a modest-but-nice buffet set up -- of course she is, because who do you think would be in charge of organizing it? Three guesses: not her. Bitter, me?).
I need to organize a to-do list, I guess.
Anyone who knows the history of this situation probably has a decent idea of why I'm kind of "meh" on the whole thing.
One thing I'm absolutely sold on: putting the rings on a ribbon and tying said ribbon to Darwin's collar (of course he's going to be involved -- are you kidding?) and dubbing him our "ring barker." (This is all provided I can train him enough. We shall see. He's already making huge strides with leash training.)
So... yay? I guess?
July 1, 2006.
Yes, really. Maybe really possibly, anyway.
This obviously means no time at all to plan, but since by this point we just want something to get the legalities over with so I can get on his benefits and so he will cease getting screwed by taxes. Looking like about 20-25 people, a small, informal ceremony on the beach (an uncle's friend has a huge beachfront house), and a small, informal reception (I'm saying just wedding cake and champagne; Mom is pushing for a modest-but-nice buffet set up -- of course she is, because who do you think would be in charge of organizing it? Three guesses: not her. Bitter, me?).
I need to organize a to-do list, I guess.
Anyone who knows the history of this situation probably has a decent idea of why I'm kind of "meh" on the whole thing.
One thing I'm absolutely sold on: putting the rings on a ribbon and tying said ribbon to Darwin's collar (of course he's going to be involved -- are you kidding?) and dubbing him our "ring barker." (This is all provided I can train him enough. We shall see. He's already making huge strides with leash training.)
So... yay? I guess?
amazing what you unearth when you write
Jan. 13th, 2004 06:42 pmEvvie's coming back from Europe this week! Yay!
Seriously, I had no idea how MUCH I talked with her until I didn't. Of course, I was surprised to learn that I procrastinate just as much when she's not on AIM as when she is. I figured I'd get all sorts of work done (like, real work, as opposed to OGAM work). But I've found new and interesting ways to avoid doing work. So if nothing else, I'm resourceful in my timewasting skills.
Witness one such timewasting outlet: This blog.
Well, the Brit Lit class had it's first actual class yesterday, and it was AWESOME. They were already discussing the book before I'd even started taking attendance! (Attendance, by the way, consists of quickly counting to see if there are actually eleven bodies warming the chairs.) It was so freaking fantastic. The class flew by. Class never flies by for me. I'm always struggling to make it stretch, and... all of a sudden I looked at my watch and realized that class was OVER. It was kinda cool, actually. At no point did I ask a question and get the glazed-over-roadkill look in return. Maybe this is positive karmic payback for last semester's hell classes. Because THIS is what I dreamed of when I decided I wanted to teach.
*happysigh*
Maybe if I offered to bear the campus president's child I'd get to keep the class. Hmm. Of course, campus president is bald and somewhat resembles a Muppet... Well, I'll find out tomorrow if I get to keep the class or not. I'd like to think that they'd tell me before NOW, but I've learned not to put anything past these yahoos.
One small problem, and I don't know if it's due to work or what, but I've been having a beeyotch of a time doing anything that has anything to do with fic or writing. I know I've got a chapter to write, but I can't seem to make myself think about it, much less write it. I've got a few other small things I want to write as well, but inspiration seems to be at an all-time low. Sometimes stepping away from it works, other times making myself write and working all the garbage out of my system works too. We'll see what works. I just know I'm having a hard time thinking creatively. Maybe it's the school semester starting up, maybe it's worries about the PhD applications, and maybe -- just maybe, coming back home has finally worn on me. I love my mother, I do -- and I get along with her. But I think I need to love her at a distance. Because you CAN be too close to the ones you love.
The wedding is a perfect example. I told her in JULY that I didn't think it was the right time to have a wedding. George and I hadn't saved up anything, and I knew I wasn't going to have time to PLAN the damned thing. Besides which, I'm so freaking disorganized, it's not funny. So Mom, being the Virgo that she is, said she'd plan everything. Sounds great, right?
Wrong.
Mom's got a bad habit of making promises like that to get me to go along with whatever she wants. So, she said she'd take care of the planning, and I agreed. This was July. NOTHING -- and I repeat: NOTHING has been done. Nothing. At all.
And she's still telling people George and I are getting married in May? WTF? HOW? WHERE?
So, eloping has been the hot topic of the month between me and the boy. We've been dating for going on ten years. It's kind of ridiculous NOT to get married. But what's even more ridiculous is what's unfolding right now. We agreed to getting married in May after Mom assured us (practically crying, mind you) that everything would be taken care of. I gave her names of vendors, people to call, what have you. Nothing. Nothing's been done. And when I brought up putting it off for six months? She nearly broke down into tears.
I think I'm being manipulated, and I have no freakin' idea to what end. WHY? What does she have to gain, here?
If I'd known it was going to turn out like this, I would've put my foot down in July. Either that, or I would've gone into this knowing I'd be doing every freaking thing MYSELF. And I would've done it myself.
Actually, being a firm believer in "If you want something done right, do it yourself," I can't believe I agreed to let her handle it. But, ya know, it's my mom. And I should be able to trust my mom, right?
But she's done this my whole life. She's made these great pie-in-the-sky promises ever since I was a kid, and she so seldom follows through with them. I usually just deal with it, and I usually find a way to make things work on my own, but I just didn't think she'd slip back into the same old M.O. when it came to her only child's wedding.
But, when all is said and done, it is my wedding, and if George and I want to elope, we're damned well going to elope.
It just pisses me off, because all of this time that's passed could've been USED to freaking PLAN. I can't tell you how many times I've sat down with her to talk/plan about wedding stuff, and got blown off.
Grrr. I'm never, never letting her talk me into anything again. I mean, yeah, it was a given we were going to get married. But instead of standing our collective ground and saying, "Not this year," we were both suckered in by a teary-eyed guilt trip.
And, wow, I think I've discovered the root of my inability to concentrate on writing.
Normally I'd say, "I'm going to sit down and talk with her about this." But I know it's not going to do any good. I can't frickin' count on her.
So, elopement -- sounding good, no?
Seriously, I had no idea how MUCH I talked with her until I didn't. Of course, I was surprised to learn that I procrastinate just as much when she's not on AIM as when she is. I figured I'd get all sorts of work done (like, real work, as opposed to OGAM work). But I've found new and interesting ways to avoid doing work. So if nothing else, I'm resourceful in my timewasting skills.
Witness one such timewasting outlet: This blog.
Well, the Brit Lit class had it's first actual class yesterday, and it was AWESOME. They were already discussing the book before I'd even started taking attendance! (Attendance, by the way, consists of quickly counting to see if there are actually eleven bodies warming the chairs.) It was so freaking fantastic. The class flew by. Class never flies by for me. I'm always struggling to make it stretch, and... all of a sudden I looked at my watch and realized that class was OVER. It was kinda cool, actually. At no point did I ask a question and get the glazed-over-roadkill look in return. Maybe this is positive karmic payback for last semester's hell classes. Because THIS is what I dreamed of when I decided I wanted to teach.
*happysigh*
Maybe if I offered to bear the campus president's child I'd get to keep the class. Hmm. Of course, campus president is bald and somewhat resembles a Muppet... Well, I'll find out tomorrow if I get to keep the class or not. I'd like to think that they'd tell me before NOW, but I've learned not to put anything past these yahoos.
One small problem, and I don't know if it's due to work or what, but I've been having a beeyotch of a time doing anything that has anything to do with fic or writing. I know I've got a chapter to write, but I can't seem to make myself think about it, much less write it. I've got a few other small things I want to write as well, but inspiration seems to be at an all-time low. Sometimes stepping away from it works, other times making myself write and working all the garbage out of my system works too. We'll see what works. I just know I'm having a hard time thinking creatively. Maybe it's the school semester starting up, maybe it's worries about the PhD applications, and maybe -- just maybe, coming back home has finally worn on me. I love my mother, I do -- and I get along with her. But I think I need to love her at a distance. Because you CAN be too close to the ones you love.
The wedding is a perfect example. I told her in JULY that I didn't think it was the right time to have a wedding. George and I hadn't saved up anything, and I knew I wasn't going to have time to PLAN the damned thing. Besides which, I'm so freaking disorganized, it's not funny. So Mom, being the Virgo that she is, said she'd plan everything. Sounds great, right?
Wrong.
Mom's got a bad habit of making promises like that to get me to go along with whatever she wants. So, she said she'd take care of the planning, and I agreed. This was July. NOTHING -- and I repeat: NOTHING has been done. Nothing. At all.
And she's still telling people George and I are getting married in May? WTF? HOW? WHERE?
So, eloping has been the hot topic of the month between me and the boy. We've been dating for going on ten years. It's kind of ridiculous NOT to get married. But what's even more ridiculous is what's unfolding right now. We agreed to getting married in May after Mom assured us (practically crying, mind you) that everything would be taken care of. I gave her names of vendors, people to call, what have you. Nothing. Nothing's been done. And when I brought up putting it off for six months? She nearly broke down into tears.
I think I'm being manipulated, and I have no freakin' idea to what end. WHY? What does she have to gain, here?
If I'd known it was going to turn out like this, I would've put my foot down in July. Either that, or I would've gone into this knowing I'd be doing every freaking thing MYSELF. And I would've done it myself.
Actually, being a firm believer in "If you want something done right, do it yourself," I can't believe I agreed to let her handle it. But, ya know, it's my mom. And I should be able to trust my mom, right?
But she's done this my whole life. She's made these great pie-in-the-sky promises ever since I was a kid, and she so seldom follows through with them. I usually just deal with it, and I usually find a way to make things work on my own, but I just didn't think she'd slip back into the same old M.O. when it came to her only child's wedding.
But, when all is said and done, it is my wedding, and if George and I want to elope, we're damned well going to elope.
It just pisses me off, because all of this time that's passed could've been USED to freaking PLAN. I can't tell you how many times I've sat down with her to talk/plan about wedding stuff, and got blown off.
Grrr. I'm never, never letting her talk me into anything again. I mean, yeah, it was a given we were going to get married. But instead of standing our collective ground and saying, "Not this year," we were both suckered in by a teary-eyed guilt trip.
And, wow, I think I've discovered the root of my inability to concentrate on writing.
Normally I'd say, "I'm going to sit down and talk with her about this." But I know it's not going to do any good. I can't frickin' count on her.
So, elopement -- sounding good, no?
stuff and things
Jan. 11th, 2004 10:03 pmJust finished watching BtVS "The Body" from my Season 5 box-set. I can never get over how... well, not disturbing exactly, but how surreal (and, strangely, realistic) that episode is. The acting by everyone is so above par -- it's extraordinary.
And no matter how many times I hear it -- or even read it in episode transcripts, Anya's words always succeed in making me tear up. Because Anya -- with her complete lack of tact, her complete... un-sugar-coatedness of everything... doesn't understand. I mean, how could she possibly understand? She's an 1100 year old ex-demon. How the hell should she understand human mortality? And that is conveyed so beautifully. Crap, I'm getting all sniffly and weepy again.
"I don't understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I mean, I knew her, and then she's, there's just a body, and I don't understand why she just can't get back in it and not be dead anymore. It's stupid. It's mortal and stupid. And, and Xander's crying and not talking, and, and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well, Joyce will never have any more fruit punch ever, and she'll never have eggs, or yawn or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why."
For some reason, Anya just makes me come all unglued.
On a somewhat cheerier note, the house is now completely, 100% clear of any and all things remotely Christmas-related. Yay!
I have to start seriously considering a wedding dress. It's kinda difficult, because we're not having a super-huge formal wedding -- it's small, and is going to be fairly casual. So, I was thinking why bother with an actual wedding dress at all, right? I could spend just as much on an off-the-rack dress from Neiman Marcus or Saks (places I drool in, but never shop at) and actually get to wear it again. Something ... light, and flowy -- maybe in an off-white or pastel grey? After being with the same guy for going on ten years, a traditional wedding dress just doesn't feel.... normal. I mean, miles upon miles of taffeta, only worn once before getting packed away never to see the light of day again? I don't think so. And what some of these things cost?? Yipes! I can NOT in good conscience see spending thousands of dollars on a DRESS. A dress. Fabric. Okay, fabric sewed and draped in such a way as to make the wearer look like a princess, but still -- fabric.
What I'd really love is something like what Dido's wearing in her "White Flag" video. Empire waist, spaghetti straps -- maybe with a wrap or shawl of some sort? *sigh* I'm starting to give serious consideration to finding a seamstress to just make me what I want, but how the hell do you FIND a seamstress? I tried searching online, but, again -- how do you decide who's a good seamstress? You can't tell how good a person is just by looking in the phone book or searching online. And my sewing ability? Pfft. Seventh grade home-ec class is the last time I sewed anything. So, hmm... almost fifteen years ago. Yeah. Right. Let me get right on that.
A friend suggested asking around at bridal shops, which I may start doing this week. Mom's still having a coronary over the fact that I don't want a headdress. You'd think by this point she'd realize that she's got the anti-traditional daughter, but no, apparently not.
Well, I should really start putting lecture notes together for the Brit class tomorrow. And hopefully it hasn't been cancelled yet. I should really check on that before I draft out any lecture notes.
And no matter how many times I hear it -- or even read it in episode transcripts, Anya's words always succeed in making me tear up. Because Anya -- with her complete lack of tact, her complete... un-sugar-coatedness of everything... doesn't understand. I mean, how could she possibly understand? She's an 1100 year old ex-demon. How the hell should she understand human mortality? And that is conveyed so beautifully. Crap, I'm getting all sniffly and weepy again.
"I don't understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I mean, I knew her, and then she's, there's just a body, and I don't understand why she just can't get back in it and not be dead anymore. It's stupid. It's mortal and stupid. And, and Xander's crying and not talking, and, and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well, Joyce will never have any more fruit punch ever, and she'll never have eggs, or yawn or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why."
For some reason, Anya just makes me come all unglued.
On a somewhat cheerier note, the house is now completely, 100% clear of any and all things remotely Christmas-related. Yay!
I have to start seriously considering a wedding dress. It's kinda difficult, because we're not having a super-huge formal wedding -- it's small, and is going to be fairly casual. So, I was thinking why bother with an actual wedding dress at all, right? I could spend just as much on an off-the-rack dress from Neiman Marcus or Saks (places I drool in, but never shop at) and actually get to wear it again. Something ... light, and flowy -- maybe in an off-white or pastel grey? After being with the same guy for going on ten years, a traditional wedding dress just doesn't feel.... normal. I mean, miles upon miles of taffeta, only worn once before getting packed away never to see the light of day again? I don't think so. And what some of these things cost?? Yipes! I can NOT in good conscience see spending thousands of dollars on a DRESS. A dress. Fabric. Okay, fabric sewed and draped in such a way as to make the wearer look like a princess, but still -- fabric.
What I'd really love is something like what Dido's wearing in her "White Flag" video. Empire waist, spaghetti straps -- maybe with a wrap or shawl of some sort? *sigh* I'm starting to give serious consideration to finding a seamstress to just make me what I want, but how the hell do you FIND a seamstress? I tried searching online, but, again -- how do you decide who's a good seamstress? You can't tell how good a person is just by looking in the phone book or searching online. And my sewing ability? Pfft. Seventh grade home-ec class is the last time I sewed anything. So, hmm... almost fifteen years ago. Yeah. Right. Let me get right on that.
A friend suggested asking around at bridal shops, which I may start doing this week. Mom's still having a coronary over the fact that I don't want a headdress. You'd think by this point she'd realize that she's got the anti-traditional daughter, but no, apparently not.
Well, I should really start putting lecture notes together for the Brit class tomorrow. And hopefully it hasn't been cancelled yet. I should really check on that before I draft out any lecture notes.