The snow is still coming down heavy. I love it! I hope to make it downstairs to make some cards. You have to love Colorado!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Spring in Colorado
Yesterday there was heavy rain and hail. Here are some pics of the hail, which happen to look far less impressive in pictures:
This morning I awoke to Bryan yelling Holy Cow, it is snowing! What? Here are the pics from today:
Corona still needs to go outside and use the bathroom. She was not too happy with me:
She has had a rough week. She lost here sister, it poured all day yesterday and she hates the rain so she peed in Bryan's office, and then today it is snowing. Poor dog.
The snow is still coming down heavy. I love it! I hope to make it downstairs to make some cards. You have to love Colorado!
The snow is still coming down heavy. I love it! I hope to make it downstairs to make some cards. You have to love Colorado!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Easter-a tad bit late
On Friday Nana and Papa came over and we dyed eggs then went for pizza. The boys had so much fun!
I love that they love my parents. It is as if they are their biological grandparents. They get so excited when they know Nana and Papa are coming over. I am thankful for that, and for them spending time with their future step grandkids.
The boys got some candy and some toys. Camden got a Lego car with a man he says is called "Odd." We find this odd. Torrin got a ton of Army Men which he refers to as "Bad Guys."
After they went through their baskets, Torrin kept shaking it thinking more would come out:
That afternoon we headed to Nana and Papa's house for dinner. My brother John, his wife Noelle and their three kids joined us. Torrin and Camden love their future cousins so it is fun to see them get together. Torrin adores Mikaya. He always tries to kiss her:
She usually just ignores him and then eventually warms up to him. During dessert they were having a lot of fun:
After the pictures, we headed home. Torrin obviously had a rough day and just wanted to chill:
Monday, April 19, 2010
Goodbye Sadie
When I met Bryan he told me he had two dogs, two big dogs. I am not a big fan of dogs unless they are tiny, like my niece dog Sophie. She sits in your lap and on the couch. She is simply cute. Big dogs+me=Not a good combo. I don't like dogs that shed, or that have poop the size of a small country. Here were Bryan's dogs:
Sadie is on the left and Corona who looks super angry is on the right.
As time passed, and I spent more time at Bryan's, the dogs drove me a tad bit crazy. They shed, they passed gas all the time, and they followed me everywhere. When we would watch TV, Sadie would put her head in my lap or Bryan's lap and growl as if to say, "Pet me you people! Pet me!"
About two months ago, I noticed Sadie having issues walking. She would come upstairs and slide all over the place, but I attributed it to the hardwood floors. Then in the past few weeks, her right leg seemed to be doing it too. Bryan took her to the vet last week and the doctor said it is as if her foot is always asleep (that is how it feels for her). He said her brain is not able to tell the leg what to do. He gave her some pain pills and said we might have to do an X Ray. We scheduled the X ray for today and then things took an unexpected twist on Friday night. She had not stopped panting for two days and she suddenly lost all bladder control. She was leaking urine all over and Bryan decided to take her to the emergency vet. He came back without her at 1 a.m. and told me she was gone. I sobbed. I really did not think it was that bad and that I would never see her again. Sure she annoyed me, but I was not expecting it. Plus I have never had a dog before so I did not know how to go through this. Bryan was sad as I was, and we worried about how we were going to tell the boys. The vet had said she probably messed up her vertebraes and she is in a lot of pain (hence the panting). She could give her pain meds but she should not go up and down the stairs. I was not there, so I am not quite sure, but Bryan made the decision to put her down. The MRI would have been $1,800 and then if it showed anything, there might be a surgery but it also might be something that can't be fixed. There was really no way of knowing. It was sad to hear.
We eventually fell asleep and in the morning the boys woke up and came into our room. Bryan told Camden that Sadie got sick while he was sleeping and she died. He burst into tears and it broke my heart. He asked Bryan if he was with her when she died. He cried and cried. So did we. Torrin did not understand. We decided donuts might make us feel better and they did for awhile. The boys went in their jammies, Camden wore Sadie's dog tags :( On the way back, it came up that Sadie was in heaven with Bryan's mom. Camden said, "But she is dead." We told him people and dogs in heaven are alive and he then asked us when they are coming back if they are alive. How do we explain this to a 5 year old? Again, so sad.
Torrin asks us where Sadie is. He tells us Corona is sad because she misses Sadie. Corona was in hiding the first day. She is starting to follow me again, and seems a little better. We took her to get groomed and now she smells better, looks better and has two new toys. I think she is wondering why she is getting all this attention. She cries every now and then, and she looks for her sister. It still has not hit me Sadie is not coming back.
Last night Corona was on her bed and looked so sad. I started crying and said, "I miss Sadie too and I didn't think I liked her." Bryan found this funny. Camden has already asked for another Sadie. For now, we are going to stick with Corona.
We will miss you Sadie!
Later in the day Camden hugged Corona and said, "Even though you are stinky, we need to give you love because you miss Sadie."
As time passed, and I spent more time at Bryan's, the dogs drove me a tad bit crazy. They shed, they passed gas all the time, and they followed me everywhere. When we would watch TV, Sadie would put her head in my lap or Bryan's lap and growl as if to say, "Pet me you people! Pet me!"
About two months ago, I noticed Sadie having issues walking. She would come upstairs and slide all over the place, but I attributed it to the hardwood floors. Then in the past few weeks, her right leg seemed to be doing it too. Bryan took her to the vet last week and the doctor said it is as if her foot is always asleep (that is how it feels for her). He said her brain is not able to tell the leg what to do. He gave her some pain pills and said we might have to do an X Ray. We scheduled the X ray for today and then things took an unexpected twist on Friday night. She had not stopped panting for two days and she suddenly lost all bladder control. She was leaking urine all over and Bryan decided to take her to the emergency vet. He came back without her at 1 a.m. and told me she was gone. I sobbed. I really did not think it was that bad and that I would never see her again. Sure she annoyed me, but I was not expecting it. Plus I have never had a dog before so I did not know how to go through this. Bryan was sad as I was, and we worried about how we were going to tell the boys. The vet had said she probably messed up her vertebraes and she is in a lot of pain (hence the panting). She could give her pain meds but she should not go up and down the stairs. I was not there, so I am not quite sure, but Bryan made the decision to put her down. The MRI would have been $1,800 and then if it showed anything, there might be a surgery but it also might be something that can't be fixed. There was really no way of knowing. It was sad to hear.
We eventually fell asleep and in the morning the boys woke up and came into our room. Bryan told Camden that Sadie got sick while he was sleeping and she died. He burst into tears and it broke my heart. He asked Bryan if he was with her when she died. He cried and cried. So did we. Torrin did not understand. We decided donuts might make us feel better and they did for awhile. The boys went in their jammies, Camden wore Sadie's dog tags :( On the way back, it came up that Sadie was in heaven with Bryan's mom. Camden said, "But she is dead." We told him people and dogs in heaven are alive and he then asked us when they are coming back if they are alive. How do we explain this to a 5 year old? Again, so sad.
Torrin asks us where Sadie is. He tells us Corona is sad because she misses Sadie. Corona was in hiding the first day. She is starting to follow me again, and seems a little better. We took her to get groomed and now she smells better, looks better and has two new toys. I think she is wondering why she is getting all this attention. She cries every now and then, and she looks for her sister. It still has not hit me Sadie is not coming back.
Last night Corona was on her bed and looked so sad. I started crying and said, "I miss Sadie too and I didn't think I liked her." Bryan found this funny. Camden has already asked for another Sadie. For now, we are going to stick with Corona.
We will miss you Sadie!
Later in the day Camden hugged Corona and said, "Even though you are stinky, we need to give you love because you miss Sadie."
Friday, April 16, 2010
Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do....
Alright, I hate that song but it IS the song for the show COPS so it is fitting to what just happened.
Those that know me well, know I love crime shows. I will hopefully never be on, or be the subject of one of those shows, so I feel like I just had a tiny little thrill. Let's go back an hour to when Bryan was trying to sell a TV on Craigs List. He asked me if a guy could come over and look at it. Strange man coming to the house while I am alone did not sit well with me, but hey, Bryan had his phone number and his son's phone number which would make finding my killer quite helpful (had he chosen to whack me). He came over, nice older man, and we chatted. He was all about the dogs, and then he said he wanted to hook the TV up to the cable. I think I look pretty honest and I promise we would not sell anything that did not work. He wanted me to prove it. I told him that we could hook it up in the playroom, and I would just take the cable from the wall, into the TV. He said no, that was wrong, we had to run it through the DVD player. Um, no you don't. He moved the TV stand, unhooked all the wires, and still nothing worked. I then convinced him to just let me try my way, and what do you know? It worked. Shocker. He was having a hard time lifting the TV (and I certainly can't) and he told me him and a utility knife got into a fight, and the knife won. He then took off the splint his thumb was in to show me where he sliced his thumb off. He told me he got the cast off yesterday and showed me all the scars, his range of motion, etc. This happened several times. Poor Larry and his thumb. At least it got reattached. Larry bought the TV (no more huge TV on the dining room table-YAY!) and he left.
After he left I went on to my domestic duty of emptying the dishwasher. From where the dishwasher is, you can see the driveway. Out of the corner of my eye, I see something. I think it is Larry coming back because he forgot something, or just wanted to talk about his thumb some more. Nope, two creepy looking men headed towards the house. I ran to make sure Bryan's garage was locked since they were headed there. I looked out the window and I did not see them so I thought they were going into the backyard via the side door. I froze again, and did not see them. After awhile, I looked out the window and this is what I saw (and yes, of COURSE I took pictures....with a zoom lens from far away while hidden behind a wall.)
I think they are saying "Sh*t dude, we are screwed" (I am sure it was much more vulgar than that.) Then they started arguing with the cop, although I am not sure. At that moment I wish I had that thing for hearing I see on TV. You know the one, where they say you will be able to hear your neighbors talking from far away. I so wanted that! I pressed my face up against the door but all I could hear was the wind and birds chirping. Damn you Spring!
Look at the body language. Arms crossed, pants falling down (it is called a belt. Get one.) I definitely think there was a quarrel. I love that word. Quarrel. So fun.
Then I see this pull up:
One cop car is bad, but with two cop cars I was hoping to see some handcuffs and throwing people against the car. No such luck. Our neighbor Don was walking up the driveway, I assume Bryan called him since it was right after I told Bryan about what was going on. I asked Don what was happening and he was going to go talk to the cops to find out. I told him I think they were trying to get in the backyard. A few minutes later the doorbell rang. The cop asked me what I saw, so I told him about Larry (I did not tell him about the thumb incident) and how I thought it was him. Then I said I thought they were trying to get into the yard. We walked over there and he said "I see no evidence here." Suddenly I hear the Law and Order theme song in my head. This is getting good. We walk back to the driveway and he said they were probably just peeing. Um, what? He then tells me they were walking the neighborhood putting out flyers, and he points to the garage where the flyer was. What was my VERY first thought after he told me this? Ooh, I wonder if it is a flyer for a new pizza place. I love pizza. But no, it was for landscaping. Suddenly I was bummed for two reasons: 1)No new pizza place in Parker (with coupons) and 2) No scandalous story to relay to people. Then he tells me, "Those guys are NOT the people you want in this neighborhood. Trust me." I say, "Oh really?" Then he says, "Trust me. I can't tell you too much but those are not the guys you want around here." Of course I am dying to know what they have done. Rob a bank, rob a house, get arrested for indecent exposure due to lack of a belt? Oh tell me, tell me. He then asks me if I am a mom. I tell him I am going to be a step mom and he goes on to tell me women have an intuition, and I need to listen to it. Thanks Dr. Phil Cop. He tells me "In a complete PC way, I told them to get the hell out of here." He even did a hand motion while stating this. He told me if I ever see them again, to call him right away (yet he never told me his name). He then said, "Someone else called, we have been called on them before and we want you to call if you see them again. Call us, we are paid by the hour." What the heck does THAT mean?!
The two cops stood in the driveway for a few minutes. I took a far away bad picture as I hid in the dining room trying to be sly:
Were they talking about the incident? What those two guys have done in the past? How insanely dirty that window is? How hot of an almost step mom they just talked to was? I would like to think it was the hot step mom thing. :)
Those that know me well, know I love crime shows. I will hopefully never be on, or be the subject of one of those shows, so I feel like I just had a tiny little thrill. Let's go back an hour to when Bryan was trying to sell a TV on Craigs List. He asked me if a guy could come over and look at it. Strange man coming to the house while I am alone did not sit well with me, but hey, Bryan had his phone number and his son's phone number which would make finding my killer quite helpful (had he chosen to whack me). He came over, nice older man, and we chatted. He was all about the dogs, and then he said he wanted to hook the TV up to the cable. I think I look pretty honest and I promise we would not sell anything that did not work. He wanted me to prove it. I told him that we could hook it up in the playroom, and I would just take the cable from the wall, into the TV. He said no, that was wrong, we had to run it through the DVD player. Um, no you don't. He moved the TV stand, unhooked all the wires, and still nothing worked. I then convinced him to just let me try my way, and what do you know? It worked. Shocker. He was having a hard time lifting the TV (and I certainly can't) and he told me him and a utility knife got into a fight, and the knife won. He then took off the splint his thumb was in to show me where he sliced his thumb off. He told me he got the cast off yesterday and showed me all the scars, his range of motion, etc. This happened several times. Poor Larry and his thumb. At least it got reattached. Larry bought the TV (no more huge TV on the dining room table-YAY!) and he left.
After he left I went on to my domestic duty of emptying the dishwasher. From where the dishwasher is, you can see the driveway. Out of the corner of my eye, I see something. I think it is Larry coming back because he forgot something, or just wanted to talk about his thumb some more. Nope, two creepy looking men headed towards the house. I ran to make sure Bryan's garage was locked since they were headed there. I looked out the window and I did not see them so I thought they were going into the backyard via the side door. I froze again, and did not see them. After awhile, I looked out the window and this is what I saw (and yes, of COURSE I took pictures....with a zoom lens from far away while hidden behind a wall.)
Then I see this pull up:
The two cops stood in the driveway for a few minutes. I took a far away bad picture as I hid in the dining room trying to be sly:
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Bubbles
When it gets to be over 60, the Forrest men love to be outside. Bryan puts on shorts and flip flops, and it is go time. When the boys got home from school today, they wanted to play with bubbles. Ah, the simple joys of being a kid. Soapy water and a wand. Torrin had a very hard time understanding the concept of not blowing with all his might. It took him awhile but he eventually got a few bubbles. I have no pictures of Camden because the neighborhood kids came out and he wanted to play with them.
Torrin took a minute to say "Wassup peeps"
He kept trying to get the bubbles to work and was eventually successful.
Then Daddy got to try:
That bubble toy is pretty cool. It is much easier than the wand that comes with the bubbles. Torrin was much better when he used that:
Then we tried together. Obviously, this was not going to work but he thought it was fun:
While he was next to me, I went in for a kiss. In this picture it looks like he is thinking no way Dani, but he did kiss me. Bryan just did not catch it.
He then went back to the wand and trying far too hard:
He had such a great time. I love his picture of him. Pure happiness:
Love that kiddo!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
It is Gone....
I did not shed a tear. I am sure the water works will come eventually, but I was strong. I took a few pictures and off it went. Here are the last shots of me and the Mazdarati. This is me turning the key one last time. The last place it went was the gym. I feel horrible. It should have gone someplace cool with me, like Little Caesars, or Hobby Lobby. Not the place of evilness and pain....
Then we brought it home. Here are some more pictures:
Holding onto it for dear life. It looks a little scandalous. Normally I would NEVER post, or keep, a picture of my backside, but this one did not make me look too much like a heffer, so I posted it. Now the plateless pic:
It looks so naked. And now the final pic with the car:
Bryan was so excited about the money that he had to take a picture of me. Here I am, smiling on the outside, missing the Mazdarati on the inside:
I love Bryan, I do, but pay attention to the windows when taking a picture. It is so bright. Plus it looks like we only got $800 for the car with the way I am holding it.
I don't think reality has set in. I will miss my car. Sure, I love the BMW, but the Mazdarati was with me for a long time. RIP-September 28th, 2002-April 14th, 2010. I know it did not die, but it left me, so I have to be a little dramatic.
On a happier note, my oldest nephew is 15 today. Where the heck did that time go?! I was a freshman in college when I got the phone call that Denise was in labor. Now he is 15. Seriously? I wish I had digital images of him but I would have to scan some of his birth, and well, I just don't feel like it right now. So I will put a picture of the two of us on our road trip last summer:
We jokingly say he is my son because we have so much in common. We pretend that I was just too young to take care of him, so I gave him to my sister. We order the same things at restaurants. I love this kid. I have so many memories of him. He was a huge part of my college years-I was so thankful they lived 5 miles away. I got to see him all the time. My favorite story was when my parents came up to visit and after they left I went find my keys, and they were nowhere to be found. Quinn had just started talking so I went and said, "Quinn, where are Tanta's keys?" He looked at me and said, "In Nana puuuurse." So cute, but I did not believe him. He repeatedly told me they were in Nana's purse. Remind you, this was back before cell phones, so I had to wait until my parents got home 2 hours later and ask them if my keys were in my mom's purse. Sure enough, Quinn was telling the truth. I could not get into my apartment and I had to wait until my parent's mailed me the keys. Awww, kids. I miss those days! Happy Birthday Quinn! I love you!
I don't think reality has set in. I will miss my car. Sure, I love the BMW, but the Mazdarati was with me for a long time. RIP-September 28th, 2002-April 14th, 2010. I know it did not die, but it left me, so I have to be a little dramatic.
On a happier note, my oldest nephew is 15 today. Where the heck did that time go?! I was a freshman in college when I got the phone call that Denise was in labor. Now he is 15. Seriously? I wish I had digital images of him but I would have to scan some of his birth, and well, I just don't feel like it right now. So I will put a picture of the two of us on our road trip last summer:
We jokingly say he is my son because we have so much in common. We pretend that I was just too young to take care of him, so I gave him to my sister. We order the same things at restaurants. I love this kid. I have so many memories of him. He was a huge part of my college years-I was so thankful they lived 5 miles away. I got to see him all the time. My favorite story was when my parents came up to visit and after they left I went find my keys, and they were nowhere to be found. Quinn had just started talking so I went and said, "Quinn, where are Tanta's keys?" He looked at me and said, "In Nana puuuurse." So cute, but I did not believe him. He repeatedly told me they were in Nana's purse. Remind you, this was back before cell phones, so I had to wait until my parents got home 2 hours later and ask them if my keys were in my mom's purse. Sure enough, Quinn was telling the truth. I could not get into my apartment and I had to wait until my parent's mailed me the keys. Awww, kids. I miss those days! Happy Birthday Quinn! I love you!
Saying Goodbye....
Today is the day I did not think would come. I mean, I knew it would, but I wasn't planning on it happening so quick. When Bryan and I got engaged, there were talks of me needing a bigger car. I said I was fine, the two car seats fit, and we don't have another kid yet, so we are fine. Plus my car is paid for. It was idle chatter, but then Bryan decided to get rid of his baby-the Camaro, and he traded it in for his new baby, the Audi (or as the kids call it, the Owie) This was his car he was going to drive all the time, unlike the Camaro that sat in the garage. When he got the Audi, this left the BMW SUV available, which we decided would become mine. No, it is not a ton bigger, but it is nicer. It has heated seats and a heated steering wheel which is pretty cool. We agreed upon it and put my car up for sale on Craig's List. Here is a picture. I feel bad it is kind of dirty.
We immediately got calls on it. A guy named Tim came by and looked at it. I felt like it was cheating on me. Someone else was driving my car. Last night someone named Mike came by. Mike bought my car. He is coming by in a few hours to pick up the car.
Last night as I lay there in bed, the wedding thoughts were overrun with thoughts of my car. I got this car on September 28th, 2002. It is a 2003 and it just hit 56,000 miles. I have never had a car this long so it has been a part of me. It was the car I drove to New Jersey when I moved. It was the car that took endless amount of trips to Boston, Philadelphia, and places all over New Jersey. It held the friends I met in New Jersey and my Colorado friends. It was the car that I would take naps in during my lunch break when I was teaching. It was the car that I went to and sobbed in the day I found out I lost my job. It holds some very good memories (and some bad ones) but it has been with me for almost 8 years and today I have to say goodbye. I am going to let Bryan deal with it as I will probably break down. We are taking it for one last drive before it leaves me forever. I will take pictures of course. Yes, I am happy to have the BMW SUV, something I always loved but I knew I would never be able to afford. Bryan has given it to me and I do love it, but I will miss my car. My "Mazdarati."
Last night as I lay there in bed, the wedding thoughts were overrun with thoughts of my car. I got this car on September 28th, 2002. It is a 2003 and it just hit 56,000 miles. I have never had a car this long so it has been a part of me. It was the car I drove to New Jersey when I moved. It was the car that took endless amount of trips to Boston, Philadelphia, and places all over New Jersey. It held the friends I met in New Jersey and my Colorado friends. It was the car that I would take naps in during my lunch break when I was teaching. It was the car that I went to and sobbed in the day I found out I lost my job. It holds some very good memories (and some bad ones) but it has been with me for almost 8 years and today I have to say goodbye. I am going to let Bryan deal with it as I will probably break down. We are taking it for one last drive before it leaves me forever. I will take pictures of course. Yes, I am happy to have the BMW SUV, something I always loved but I knew I would never be able to afford. Bryan has given it to me and I do love it, but I will miss my car. My "Mazdarati."
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wedding Stuff
What am I going to think about when this wedding is over? I don't sleep, I am wedding obsessed. I am Disney Weddings Message Board obsessed.
Being a planner, I love doing this, and I tend to rush to judgment on things. I immediately started looking for a dress and within 3 weeks of being engaged, I bought one. I just hope I still love it when it comes in. It has been two months now so we shall see. I stumbled upon my bridesmaid dresses accidentally. It is not the color I want but the deal was too good to pass up, the girls all love it (or they are lying), can wear it again, and it looks fabulous on them! I have our invitations narrowed down to 3 designs. I would love to look online for lots of invites but I will be overwhelmed. Thankfully there are Disney ones, so I am sticking with the three I narrowed it down to. Bryan has his favorite, I have mine so we will see.
Bryan has decided he wants to plan the rehearsal dinner. I am trying to let go of wanting to control every aspect of the wedding, so it has been passed on to him. He has the guest list, a list of suggested places, and is running with it.
I booked the photographer and videographer awhile back and now I am having MAJOR issues with it. I booked the first photographer I heard a good recommendation for and was so afraid he would be booked so I booked him. Deposit paid, deals were made in conjunction with the videographer and all was well. Then I became obsessed with the Disney wedding board and learned of all the other AMAZING photographers. Crazy expensive photographers. BUT photos (minus the groom and my family being there) are the most important thing to me so I feel I need to switch.
I am stressed about the budget. I am SO incredibly grateful for every penny my parents are giving us. I never want to ask for more then they are willing to give because they are already giving us so much. I pray I can keep it within the amount that was given to me while still having a great wedding.
There are so many things that add up. 21% service fee, cake that is $9 a slice (the cheapest and I dont even like cake), ugly chairs that I desperately want changed but don't think we can afford, 6.5% sales tax, $4 sodas, flowers, etc. There are things I really, really, really want but I don't think it is in the budget. Like the Cinderella Coach. Call me crazy, but it has been a dream of mine but I don't think $2,700 for a carriage is going to go over well with the parentals, nor is it financially feasible. Will I regret this? Will I wish I had it? I know want and need are two very different things, but I really want that.
The reception sites had to be switched because of the amount of people that plan on attending. Therefore we will have our ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, then we move to BoardWalk, then we move to Grand Floridian for the dessert party. This stresses me out like you would not believe. People are not going to have cars so I feel we need to provide transportation which of course is lots of $$$$. Also, I don't want people driving drunk in between the reception and the dessert party. When does it end?
I have dreamed of this wedding for as long as I can remember. I want it to be everything I ever wanted but that is a lot of money and can't happen. People tell me I am nuts, as it is one day in your life, but at the time of the wedding I will be 34 and I waited a long time for Bryan and this day. I want it to be great!
We have a planning session booked for July 16th. We get to go to the Bridal Design area, pick what we want, customize our menu, see the location, etc. A lot will get answered then-I hope. I wish I could have everything I want, but we need to win the lotto. I guess I should start playing the lotto....
Being a planner, I love doing this, and I tend to rush to judgment on things. I immediately started looking for a dress and within 3 weeks of being engaged, I bought one. I just hope I still love it when it comes in. It has been two months now so we shall see. I stumbled upon my bridesmaid dresses accidentally. It is not the color I want but the deal was too good to pass up, the girls all love it (or they are lying), can wear it again, and it looks fabulous on them! I have our invitations narrowed down to 3 designs. I would love to look online for lots of invites but I will be overwhelmed. Thankfully there are Disney ones, so I am sticking with the three I narrowed it down to. Bryan has his favorite, I have mine so we will see.
Bryan has decided he wants to plan the rehearsal dinner. I am trying to let go of wanting to control every aspect of the wedding, so it has been passed on to him. He has the guest list, a list of suggested places, and is running with it.
I booked the photographer and videographer awhile back and now I am having MAJOR issues with it. I booked the first photographer I heard a good recommendation for and was so afraid he would be booked so I booked him. Deposit paid, deals were made in conjunction with the videographer and all was well. Then I became obsessed with the Disney wedding board and learned of all the other AMAZING photographers. Crazy expensive photographers. BUT photos (minus the groom and my family being there) are the most important thing to me so I feel I need to switch.
I am stressed about the budget. I am SO incredibly grateful for every penny my parents are giving us. I never want to ask for more then they are willing to give because they are already giving us so much. I pray I can keep it within the amount that was given to me while still having a great wedding.
There are so many things that add up. 21% service fee, cake that is $9 a slice (the cheapest and I dont even like cake), ugly chairs that I desperately want changed but don't think we can afford, 6.5% sales tax, $4 sodas, flowers, etc. There are things I really, really, really want but I don't think it is in the budget. Like the Cinderella Coach. Call me crazy, but it has been a dream of mine but I don't think $2,700 for a carriage is going to go over well with the parentals, nor is it financially feasible. Will I regret this? Will I wish I had it? I know want and need are two very different things, but I really want that.
The reception sites had to be switched because of the amount of people that plan on attending. Therefore we will have our ceremony at the Wedding Pavilion, then we move to BoardWalk, then we move to Grand Floridian for the dessert party. This stresses me out like you would not believe. People are not going to have cars so I feel we need to provide transportation which of course is lots of $$$$. Also, I don't want people driving drunk in between the reception and the dessert party. When does it end?
I have dreamed of this wedding for as long as I can remember. I want it to be everything I ever wanted but that is a lot of money and can't happen. People tell me I am nuts, as it is one day in your life, but at the time of the wedding I will be 34 and I waited a long time for Bryan and this day. I want it to be great!
We have a planning session booked for July 16th. We get to go to the Bridal Design area, pick what we want, customize our menu, see the location, etc. A lot will get answered then-I hope. I wish I could have everything I want, but we need to win the lotto. I guess I should start playing the lotto....
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Bad Idea
Only a few people know what I have done, but now it is time to announce it to the world. Or the 5 people or so who read this.....
Those who know me, know I would never get a tattoo. I love them, I do. I think they can be beautiful and cool, but I never like the same things for very long, so I can't see putting a tattoo on me that I would love 60 years from now (if I live that long!)
One thing I do love is the look of black eyeliner, perfectly lined on someone's eyes. I have tried countless times to perfect this technique to no avail. Then I was talking to the ladies at the spa and all of them had permanent eyeliner done. Um, what is that and how do I do it? Well, essentially you get your eyes tattooed and apparently I thought this would be a good idea. I thought if I could look like this, I would feel and look much better. Although they told me I should get permanent lip liner, I said no way. I don't want to have to wear lipstick every day!
Let's flash back several months to Operation Permanent Eyeliner Try 1: I was relieved to know there is a numbing cream that is put on your eyelids so you don't feel pain when the needles go in. I wondered why tattoo parlors do not use this. Anyway, Laurie puts the cream on me and guess who has an allergic reaction to it? That would be me. I swell up like a balloon, it stings like a mo fo, and they do not understand why as I am the ONLY person they have ever had who had a reaction. I decide to live with the stinging and go on with the procedure. I laid there for 3 hours, having needles poked into my lids and then I was done. I was told I would be swollen and SOME of it would fall off but it would still look good. Of all the people I have seen who had this done-they look great. Well, not me. It fell off in flakes and chunks and I had to have it redone.
Operation Permanent Eyeliner Try 2: Laurie said touch ups within 3 weeks are usually necessary so I say ok, let me go back, deal with the stinging and burning, and put myself through hell again. Guess what? It fell off again. So what do I do? Do I give up? No, I go back for....
Operation Permanent Eyeliner Try3: May I remind you I am unemployed and can't afford to do this, but I am already partially tattooed so I feel like I HAVE to do it. I swear this is the LAST time. If it does not take, I am done. Well, it kind of takes, but parts are missing, the bottom looks like I did not wash my makeup off the night before, so I go back yesterday for....
Operation Permanent Eyeliner Try 4: I SWEAR this is the last time I am doing it. When I get there, I swell, I sting, but I hope that this works...finally. Laurie asks me if I tan. I tell her no, not at all. She tells me that is why it is probably not taking. My skin has no mellanin (spelling?) She uses different needles on me than before and all I can do is wait and see. She did it a lot thicker but that means nothing. It always looks good and dark when I am finished, but then a few days later-it leaves me. So here I sit, super swollen on the right eye, hoping this time it took. I have to wait and see but when I woke up this morning, I was not happy to see flakes of black on my cheek. I refuse to have it done again, so I am really hoping this works. Fingers crossed. One of my ultimate bad ideas.
Those who know me, know I would never get a tattoo. I love them, I do. I think they can be beautiful and cool, but I never like the same things for very long, so I can't see putting a tattoo on me that I would love 60 years from now (if I live that long!)
One thing I do love is the look of black eyeliner, perfectly lined on someone's eyes. I have tried countless times to perfect this technique to no avail. Then I was talking to the ladies at the spa and all of them had permanent eyeliner done. Um, what is that and how do I do it? Well, essentially you get your eyes tattooed and apparently I thought this would be a good idea. I thought if I could look like this, I would feel and look much better. Although they told me I should get permanent lip liner, I said no way. I don't want to have to wear lipstick every day!
Let's flash back several months to Operation Permanent Eyeliner Try 1: I was relieved to know there is a numbing cream that is put on your eyelids so you don't feel pain when the needles go in. I wondered why tattoo parlors do not use this. Anyway, Laurie puts the cream on me and guess who has an allergic reaction to it? That would be me. I swell up like a balloon, it stings like a mo fo, and they do not understand why as I am the ONLY person they have ever had who had a reaction. I decide to live with the stinging and go on with the procedure. I laid there for 3 hours, having needles poked into my lids and then I was done. I was told I would be swollen and SOME of it would fall off but it would still look good. Of all the people I have seen who had this done-they look great. Well, not me. It fell off in flakes and chunks and I had to have it redone.
Operation Permanent Eyeliner Try 2: Laurie said touch ups within 3 weeks are usually necessary so I say ok, let me go back, deal with the stinging and burning, and put myself through hell again. Guess what? It fell off again. So what do I do? Do I give up? No, I go back for....
Operation Permanent Eyeliner Try3: May I remind you I am unemployed and can't afford to do this, but I am already partially tattooed so I feel like I HAVE to do it. I swear this is the LAST time. If it does not take, I am done. Well, it kind of takes, but parts are missing, the bottom looks like I did not wash my makeup off the night before, so I go back yesterday for....
Operation Permanent Eyeliner Try 4: I SWEAR this is the last time I am doing it. When I get there, I swell, I sting, but I hope that this works...finally. Laurie asks me if I tan. I tell her no, not at all. She tells me that is why it is probably not taking. My skin has no mellanin (spelling?) She uses different needles on me than before and all I can do is wait and see. She did it a lot thicker but that means nothing. It always looks good and dark when I am finished, but then a few days later-it leaves me. So here I sit, super swollen on the right eye, hoping this time it took. I have to wait and see but when I woke up this morning, I was not happy to see flakes of black on my cheek. I refuse to have it done again, so I am really hoping this works. Fingers crossed. One of my ultimate bad ideas.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Saying Goodbye
As I may have mentioned before, when Bryan and I went on our first date, he told me that if the weather was nice he would pick me up in his Camaro. I was a little worried as I thought he would have faded denim jeans, a concert t-shirt and possibly a mullet. He never informed me that it was the new Camaro so I was pleasantly surprised when he arrived. Sure, it is not my style but he loves that car. Love, love, loves it.
In the past he mentioned selling it when we talked about money, but I did not think it would ever happen. The other night he came to me and told me he made a decision and was going to trade it in. I repeatedly asked him if he was certain of his decision. Did I mention he loves this car? He said he was sure. The boys can't fit in it (car seats will not fit), his golf clubs won't fit, he can only drive it maybe once a week, and it costs a fortune, so he was sure this was the right thing to do. As long as he was ok with giving up something he worked so hard for, I was ok with his decision.
Last night we went to look at cars. Originally, he wanted another BMW but they would not work with him so we went to look at Audi's last night and he found one he liked. He made his decision, and today he is on his way to get the Audi and to say goodbye to the Camaro. Before he left, the boys went for one last ride. We took pictures of course:
Yes, they hugged it goodbye. I am proud of Bryan for making this decision. It had to be a hard one but I think he really likes the new car. It is fast (even if it is a 4 door) and he said it is a lot of fun to drive. I am a little sad that the car we went on our first date is no longer with us though :(
In the past he mentioned selling it when we talked about money, but I did not think it would ever happen. The other night he came to me and told me he made a decision and was going to trade it in. I repeatedly asked him if he was certain of his decision. Did I mention he loves this car? He said he was sure. The boys can't fit in it (car seats will not fit), his golf clubs won't fit, he can only drive it maybe once a week, and it costs a fortune, so he was sure this was the right thing to do. As long as he was ok with giving up something he worked so hard for, I was ok with his decision.
Last night we went to look at cars. Originally, he wanted another BMW but they would not work with him so we went to look at Audi's last night and he found one he liked. He made his decision, and today he is on his way to get the Audi and to say goodbye to the Camaro. Before he left, the boys went for one last ride. We took pictures of course:
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About Me
- Dani
- Parker, Colorado, United States
- Taking it one day at a time while sharing the events of my ordinary and random life!