Dave is out of town on business for almost 5 days. I haven't been home alone this long in a long time and I can't say I like it! LOL
I'm sitting here thinking it's like I'm single again. I'm eating crap, drinking a glass of wine, at my computer with the TV on...all on a Saturday night. Yep...just like when I was single.
A Facebook friend who knew me during the time I was contemplating meeting Dave in person reminded me of how we'd be in a trivia chat room on a Saturday night chasing obnoxious teenagers out of our chat room. Oh, what fun we had! But, I certainly enjoy having Dave here more. Even if we're just sitting here watching TV...we're doing it together and I'm WITH someone.
I can't over-estimate how fortunate I am to have found Dave...or he found me online I guess. I'm so lucky he wasn't an axe murderer (as my family had feared) or a rapist, or married, or a convict. He's "Good Dave" and I'm lucky to have him in my life.
I'm really looking forward to becoming his wife and continuing what we started way back in June of 1998 when Dave first sent me an Instant Message. Who knew!?!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
1st Gown Fitting
Had my first gown fitting today at David' Bridal in Portland. I've never gone through professional fittings, so I wasn't sure what to expect or do. It wasn't a problem though and Denise guided me through what needed to be done and I informed her of a few things I wanted done.
One of the other seamstresses gave me a great tip so my bustier bra wouldn't show in the back because the gown sits low. She had me undue the bottom five hooks and slide it down slightly and I THINK she left the top hook undone too. Just on the bra, not the dress. I'll still need help with those darn hooks. I can't reach them all.
Everyone loved my shoes and thought they were a great idea for comfort. There was another bride having her fitting as well. She is getting married in warmer climates on a beach. She had a beautiful gown and had her white flip flops on. We shared some "bridal camaraderie" while in the fitting room. Was fun.
Denise said the gown looked great on me and two other women, who did NOT work there, also told me it was a great gown for me. I'm assuming they meant for someone slightly chubby and older. LOL
It took a lot longer than I was expecting to hem up the main dress and then the lace overlay. They're also taking in two areas around the chest and sewing the panel in permanently that's just snapped in at the moment.
Unfortunately, they were unable to get the right color ribbon and size ribbon to put inside the lace overlay. I wasn't too upset about it. I think it would have been a nice touch, but not a big deal and after seeing how expensive the dress is to hem and make the other alterations...it's probably a good thing!! WOW! I had no idea it would be that much.
One of the other seamstresses gave me a great tip so my bustier bra wouldn't show in the back because the gown sits low. She had me undue the bottom five hooks and slide it down slightly and I THINK she left the top hook undone too. Just on the bra, not the dress. I'll still need help with those darn hooks. I can't reach them all.
Everyone loved my shoes and thought they were a great idea for comfort. There was another bride having her fitting as well. She is getting married in warmer climates on a beach. She had a beautiful gown and had her white flip flops on. We shared some "bridal camaraderie" while in the fitting room. Was fun.
Denise said the gown looked great on me and two other women, who did NOT work there, also told me it was a great gown for me. I'm assuming they meant for someone slightly chubby and older. LOL
It took a lot longer than I was expecting to hem up the main dress and then the lace overlay. They're also taking in two areas around the chest and sewing the panel in permanently that's just snapped in at the moment.
Unfortunately, they were unable to get the right color ribbon and size ribbon to put inside the lace overlay. I wasn't too upset about it. I think it would have been a nice touch, but not a big deal and after seeing how expensive the dress is to hem and make the other alterations...it's probably a good thing!! WOW! I had no idea it would be that much.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Dave's Wedding Band
I met with a new hair stylist this morning and had her give me a hair cut. I've worked in Winslow for 9 years and had no idea there was a spa and salon just across the river. I've passed it many times, but apparently was paying more attention to the road and cars to notice.
Jamie came recommended by a co-worker, so I made an appointment. She did a good job and the price was right. I've scheduled a appointment for full-highlights and a trim about a week before the wedding and I may take advantage of their close proximity to visit the spa some day soon and check it out.
Dave came with me, so once I was done with the hair appointment, we drove over to Main Street and decided to stop at some jewelers to see their men's wedding bands.
We stopped at Day's Jewelers first. Dave found a beautiful Celtic design ring. We hadn't seen one like it before and were both sold on it, even though the price was more than Dave had wanted to spend. But, Dave wanted to shop around, so we told her to hold that ring out for us and we'd be back.
On our way up the street and over to visit Larson's Jewelers, I just happened to notice as we were waiting to cross the street that we were standing right in front of a jeweler, so we stopped in and found ANOTHER ring we both really liked. Now we were torn, but still wanted to shop, so we walked over to Larson's. They had one that was very inexpensive and fit Dave well, but he just wasn't sure. So....we went back to Days' to check theirs out again. The quality was much better, but it didn't have that something special and it was mass produced.
We went back to L Tardif Jewelers, where Dave ended up buying the handmade gold ring with a beautiful design made from a mold from Victorian England call Vineyard created by Ed Levin. The neat thing about this ring, other than it was handmade and had a neat story to it, was that it fit Dave perfectly from the get-go. Dave, like myself, has very thin fingers and hardly any of the rings we've look at fit him. I think it was kismet that I just happened to turn to my right and see this store, that we went in and looked at that one first and it fit him.
The gentlemen in the store were terrific. Very funny, helpful and pleasant. Dave is a sucker for home-grown, family-owned companies, as this is. There's something to be said for skills and knowledge being handed down through the generations and we both felt they knew what they were talking about and sold some beautiful pieces.
We went out for lunch after wards and did some minor shopping for the wedding on smaller items we'll be needing. When we got home the stakes I had ordered to hold our name cards had come. Yeee haaaw.
At least we were able to check some things off our checklist today.
Jamie came recommended by a co-worker, so I made an appointment. She did a good job and the price was right. I've scheduled a appointment for full-highlights and a trim about a week before the wedding and I may take advantage of their close proximity to visit the spa some day soon and check it out.
Dave came with me, so once I was done with the hair appointment, we drove over to Main Street and decided to stop at some jewelers to see their men's wedding bands.
We stopped at Day's Jewelers first. Dave found a beautiful Celtic design ring. We hadn't seen one like it before and were both sold on it, even though the price was more than Dave had wanted to spend. But, Dave wanted to shop around, so we told her to hold that ring out for us and we'd be back.
On our way up the street and over to visit Larson's Jewelers, I just happened to notice as we were waiting to cross the street that we were standing right in front of a jeweler, so we stopped in and found ANOTHER ring we both really liked. Now we were torn, but still wanted to shop, so we walked over to Larson's. They had one that was very inexpensive and fit Dave well, but he just wasn't sure. So....we went back to Days' to check theirs out again. The quality was much better, but it didn't have that something special and it was mass produced.We went back to L Tardif Jewelers, where Dave ended up buying the handmade gold ring with a beautiful design made from a mold from Victorian England call Vineyard created by Ed Levin. The neat thing about this ring, other than it was handmade and had a neat story to it, was that it fit Dave perfectly from the get-go. Dave, like myself, has very thin fingers and hardly any of the rings we've look at fit him. I think it was kismet that I just happened to turn to my right and see this store, that we went in and looked at that one first and it fit him.
The gentlemen in the store were terrific. Very funny, helpful and pleasant. Dave is a sucker for home-grown, family-owned companies, as this is. There's something to be said for skills and knowledge being handed down through the generations and we both felt they knew what they were talking about and sold some beautiful pieces.
We went out for lunch after wards and did some minor shopping for the wedding on smaller items we'll be needing. When we got home the stakes I had ordered to hold our name cards had come. Yeee haaaw.
At least we were able to check some things off our checklist today.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
Today is Mother's Day. I've sent along a gift to mom and I'll be calling her today, but it's not the same as being there and giving her a hug.
Although she won't be as involved in my wedding as a lot of mothers are in their daughter's wedding, she will have had a hand in the type of wedding I'm having whether she knows it or not.
My mom has always been a very practical woman...mostly out of necessity. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, so we made do with what we had and we had fun and laughed. Balloons were always a big part of any celebration. Not necessarily hanging them, but hitting them back and forth to one another and not letting them hit the ground. We'll see if we can incorporate some balloons into the ceremony. It's simple, inexpensive, and fun.
I'm TRYING to be practical for my wedding. The most important elements for me were that my family could all be there and we'd be comfortable. Mom and I both love the finer things in life, I'm not sure we'd know what to do with them all if we got them though. LOL We both enjoyed fantasizing about having a life style of the Rich & Famous (and yes, we used to watch that show together) and we both enjoy traveling to nice hotels and being waited on, but when it comes right down to it, as long as we're together, have a good time and things aren't TOO tacky, we're just fine with that.
I have overspent on a few items, but I think they're items that are worth it. My wedding dress was very inexpensive compared to what others spend, but I love it. Could I have fallen in love with a $2,000 dress? Oh, I'm sure I could, but practicality (and my mother's voice) tell me that the cost of my wedding dress isn't important, it's how I feel in it. No one will remember my dress, but they'll remember how much fun they had and hopefully we can arrange that in some fashion for our wedding.
THE most important thing for me at my wedding was to have my mom give me away, or rather walk me down the aisle. I think being "given away" at 46 is a bit much. Since my dad isn't with us to walk me down the aisle into the waiting arms of the man I love, my mom is the next best choice. Since she can't travel, having the wedding in NY was a necessity. I would have loved a sea-side Maine wedding, but I would have been missing having my family be a part of it and regretted it. Mom will turn 84 on June 2nd and I want to make sure she sees her youngest daughter finally tying the knot!
So, thank you mom, for giving me my practical side. Thank you mom, for giving me my humorous side, and thank you mom, for giving me your love.
Although she won't be as involved in my wedding as a lot of mothers are in their daughter's wedding, she will have had a hand in the type of wedding I'm having whether she knows it or not.
My mom has always been a very practical woman...mostly out of necessity. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, so we made do with what we had and we had fun and laughed. Balloons were always a big part of any celebration. Not necessarily hanging them, but hitting them back and forth to one another and not letting them hit the ground. We'll see if we can incorporate some balloons into the ceremony. It's simple, inexpensive, and fun.
I'm TRYING to be practical for my wedding. The most important elements for me were that my family could all be there and we'd be comfortable. Mom and I both love the finer things in life, I'm not sure we'd know what to do with them all if we got them though. LOL We both enjoyed fantasizing about having a life style of the Rich & Famous (and yes, we used to watch that show together) and we both enjoy traveling to nice hotels and being waited on, but when it comes right down to it, as long as we're together, have a good time and things aren't TOO tacky, we're just fine with that.
I have overspent on a few items, but I think they're items that are worth it. My wedding dress was very inexpensive compared to what others spend, but I love it. Could I have fallen in love with a $2,000 dress? Oh, I'm sure I could, but practicality (and my mother's voice) tell me that the cost of my wedding dress isn't important, it's how I feel in it. No one will remember my dress, but they'll remember how much fun they had and hopefully we can arrange that in some fashion for our wedding.
THE most important thing for me at my wedding was to have my mom give me away, or rather walk me down the aisle. I think being "given away" at 46 is a bit much. Since my dad isn't with us to walk me down the aisle into the waiting arms of the man I love, my mom is the next best choice. Since she can't travel, having the wedding in NY was a necessity. I would have loved a sea-side Maine wedding, but I would have been missing having my family be a part of it and regretted it. Mom will turn 84 on June 2nd and I want to make sure she sees her youngest daughter finally tying the knot!
So, thank you mom, for giving me my practical side. Thank you mom, for giving me my humorous side, and thank you mom, for giving me your love.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Wedding Shoes
I'm home alone...with wine. Never a good thing!! I'm breaking in the wedding shoes. I guess tipsy is the way to do it! Love these shoes. VERY comfortable and the added bling just makes them very special and I won't be towering over Dave with 3" heals. And hopefully I'll be able to walk stable and steady.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Ceremony, Vows & Handfasting
Dave and I had wonderful day out on the water on Saturday. The weather was stunning, especially for May 1st. We anchored on an old downed tree and took upon the task of arranging our wedding ceremony.
We want something meaningful and personal for us, slightly traditional, but not overly so. Sounded simple, but it really involved a lot of work between the two of us. We worked passages we liked and added our own spin to them, keeping in mind the civil ceremony script that the JOP usually follows. We'll need to send him our "script" to make sure he's comfortable with it and it can be used legally. We think it can be, but we'll need to make sure.
We came back to the house, then sat out on the back deck. Dave recited passages and I typed them out on my laptop to complete our "script" including a modern twist on a Scottish handfasting ceremony. I think it will be very special.
Now we need to work on the bar arrangements and how much alcohol and other beverages to get and where and how we'll put our music.
A tentative restaurant has been picked for a family dinner the night before the wedding. We won't be having a wedding rehearsal since there are no attendants and we should be able to relay our service and the order of it to our wedding-day planner and the JOP. At least, that's my hope for the moment!
Lots of bills coming up in the next two months and it was NOT a good time to have my debit card compromised. I had to cancel the card, get a new one and set that one up with a new pin #. I just remembered I need to get my car registered too!!
We want something meaningful and personal for us, slightly traditional, but not overly so. Sounded simple, but it really involved a lot of work between the two of us. We worked passages we liked and added our own spin to them, keeping in mind the civil ceremony script that the JOP usually follows. We'll need to send him our "script" to make sure he's comfortable with it and it can be used legally. We think it can be, but we'll need to make sure.
We came back to the house, then sat out on the back deck. Dave recited passages and I typed them out on my laptop to complete our "script" including a modern twist on a Scottish handfasting ceremony. I think it will be very special.
Now we need to work on the bar arrangements and how much alcohol and other beverages to get and where and how we'll put our music.
A tentative restaurant has been picked for a family dinner the night before the wedding. We won't be having a wedding rehearsal since there are no attendants and we should be able to relay our service and the order of it to our wedding-day planner and the JOP. At least, that's my hope for the moment!
Lots of bills coming up in the next two months and it was NOT a good time to have my debit card compromised. I had to cancel the card, get a new one and set that one up with a new pin #. I just remembered I need to get my car registered too!!
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