Happy Halloween!

Our plans for Halloween are to carve our big pumpkin, toast some pumpkin seeds, and pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. First, I have to get through a school day with 31 amped up fourth graders. Halloween is a bit crazy at school, but at least tomorrow is a modified day - that means they'll go home around noon. Thank goodness...

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Girls' Day Out

Last Saturday, my sister Julie and my sweet friend Teresa (my bridesmaids) took me to Laguna Beach for a day of shopping and lunch. Our original plan was to spend the day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs, but the air quality out that way was really bad after all the fires last week. So, we will use our tickets there another day.

Once we arrived in Laguna Beach, my sister made me wear a makeshift veil. That drew a lot of attention. Since it was right before Halloween, I'm sure there were those who thought I was sporting my costume a few days early, but most people seemed to get it and they asked me about the wedding. For lunch, we went to Las Brisas where we sipped margaritas and shared some cerviche and quesadillas. Las Brisas has a really nice patio with a great view of the ocean. It was the perfect setting.

After lunch we drove a little further south to the Montage resort. I had been there a few months ago for a dinner party, and I wanted my sister and Teresa to see it. We checked out the amazing view from the lobby, and then walked the grounds. It really is a lovely property.

I had such a good time - even with the silly veil in my hair.

Heartfelt

What my sweetie told me yesterday:

"I'm so happy. I can hardly wait to marry you. We should have done this a long time ago."

What I told him:

"Yes, we should have. I knew you'd be happy."

Sigh...

Two Weeks To Go!

Now, I'm really excited!

Our final guest count came in at 65. That had been the most stressful aspect of the whole planning process. It's good to have it figured out and the numbers called into our venue and catering company. My mom has offered to take care of the favors for us. Thanks, Mom! So, that's one less thing for me to do. I do need to make a check list of the last few tasks we need to get done in the next week-and-a-half, but I think everything is right on track.

We had a wonderful dinner up at Michael's parents' beautiful home on Friday night with my parents, his Aunt Sally, and his Uncle Jerry and Aunt Marian. They were just so excited for us and they lavished us with gifts - it felt like Christmas. Michael's mother made the best dinner - now I know from where he gets his talent for cooking. It was such a fun evening.

I had more fun yesterday, but I'll wait to post about that until I get the pictures from my sister.

Shower Recap

Yesterday's shower was so much fun. It was held at the home of one of my fellow teachers who is always up for hosting a bridal or baby shower. Bless her heart! Upon arrival, I was poured a glass of champagne and given the royal treatment. My mom and my sister were there, too, and mom took the pictures.

First gift, and it's a good one from my mom and dad - a Cuisinart food processor!

Oh, my! What's this?

Well, yes... It does seem to fit. Where's the matching top though?

My sister and me. She's busily making a bouquet with all the ribbons for the rehearsal dinner. We're not having a rehearsal, so I'm not sure it will get much use.

My coworkers were so excited for me, and they were just so generous. We received many items from our registries, including a Cuisinart blender, two sets of flannel sheets, and a chip and dip set. The back of my SUV was packed when everything was loaded in. Then I got to go home and have just as much fun showing Michael all our new goodies.

Tomorrow...

My coworkers are throwing me a shower after school.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Mom, would you bring your camera?

Southern California is On Fire

I'm sure you're aware that there are a dozen fires blazing from as far south as San Diego county to northern Los Angeles County, and inland as far as Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. I have lived in Southern California all my life, and I've never seen it like this. I have never heard of 500,000 people forced to evacuate due to wildfires here. The sky is very hazy and thick with ashes, even in Long Beach where we are miles from the nearest fire. Temperatures are in the 90s even at the beaches, and the fierce Santa Ana winds are relentless.

I hate this time of the year because of these damn winds. If you have never experienced one, let me just tell you that they are ugly - even when they aren't fanning flames. The air gets so dry that my skin crawls and my eyes water. When the winds are their strongest, they howl and shriek around the corners of the house. The neighborhood is littered with tree branches and debris. I find these Santa Ana winds to be very disturbing. I am always on edge during a Santa Ana wind episode.

My favorite auntie emailed this morning to let us know that they are packing up in case they have to evacuate. They live in San Diego county, and they are close to an evacuation zone. I started my day with a prayer for the firefighters and families affected by this situation, and I prayed for rain - something we have had very little of this year.

I am also home for the day nursing a lame Buffy. Michael though he'd be a good doggy daddy yesterday and take his girl for a walk. Unfortunately, he also ran her and played fetch with her. Not good. Buffy had double knee surgery when she was just ten months old, and after her surgery the doctor told me that she was to stay lean and fit for life, but no running or jumping ever! My sweetie did not know this when he took her out yesterday. He just knew that she has a lot of energy, and he was hoping to help her burn some of it off. I am hopeful that with some rest over the next couple of days, she will resume the use of her sore leg. Otherwise, we'll be visiting the veterinarian to see what he thinks.

A Trip Down Memory Lane, Sort Of...

I remember the night I first met Michael. It was at the Blue Beat in Newport Beach on a weeknight. A friend of mine, W, knew Michael from the church we were going to, and he had invited her to come down and sit in with his trio at the Blue Beat that night. A couple other friends of mine joined us, too. I knew who Michael was, but I'd never talked to him before.

Anyway, W had a huge crush on Michael, so the main reason we went down there was so she could nurse her crush. I was just there for moral support, I suppose. W sang John Lennon's "Imagine" - not a personal favorite of mine. The place was practically empty, but it was the middle of the week. At some point in the evening, Michael came over to where W was sitting with me and my other friends and we were introduced. Much later on, Michael told me that after we'd been introduced, he'd asked W about me, and her curt response was, "She's not your type!" Once we got to know each other better, he thought that was pretty ironic of her to say that. Then he said, "I guess she doesn't know my type!"

A few months later, I started singing with the praise band at the church, that's when I began to get to know Michael. I was sort of dating someone else, though, and so he really wasn't on my radar the first of couple of years that I knew him. But, I always enjoyed talking to him. He was funny and personable. So, even though we met in a bar, our relationship really started at church. I was there as a member of the worship team, and he was hired to play guitar (and sometimes bass) in the band.

I left that church eventually, and it split apart and was absorbed by Mariners Church. The church I knew had been called a mega-church, and it was for its time, but it was nothing like what Mariners has become. Michael played in the band there this weekend, and so I decided to attend one of the services to see all the changes, see him play, and, of course, worship. I was amazed at the size of the auditorium:

The building that we used to be in, is no longer their main auditorium. Michael thinks he heard them say they would be converting it into a gymnasium. Adjacent to this huge auditorium (it must seat four or five thousand), is a bookstore along the lines of a small Borders, and a full-on cafe. It's pretty amazing! They have created a place where people can hang out and visit after the service. If it weren't so far from where I live now, I'd be hanging out there!

As Michael introduced me to some of the other guys in the band this morning, he said, "This is my fiance, Joannah. We met here about fifteen years ago!"

It was sort of like everything came full-circle this morning.

Dirty Dancing UK - Julia and James First Dance

This just makes me smile. What a fantastic idea! So sweet.

The Latest

Shiny Goodness is now residing on my ring finger, and she's getting a mate (read: wedding band)! I'm so excited! There's something about wearing a ring on my finger that makes me feel more bride-like, and I'm liking that feeling very much. :-)

Michael's playful comment after we decided on this together, "You sure do get your way a lot."

My wise co-worker's response when I told her what he said (while she admired Shiny Goodness), "Tell him to get used to it!"

Hey, happy bride = happy groom, right?

Shiny Goodness

That's what I'm calling my wedding ring! I wish I could show you a picture of it, but my camera takes blurry pictures of shiny little things. But, believe me, I've tried! Hopefully, we'll get some good shots of it on the wedding day.

I wear it around the house. Michael lets me - for awhile, and then he says, "Okay, I think you should take it off now."

Then I pout a little, tiny bit. But I obediently put it back in its box - for awhile.

The stone is .61 carats, G in color, and SI1 in clarity (neither we nor the jeweler could see any flaws through a 10x loop, though). The cut is excellent. It's such a pretty stone! It has a lot of fire! The setting is a vintage style in 18k white gold with lots of pave diamonds. It is shiny goodness. :-)

We went to the local jewelers today to have Michael try on a ring I put on hold for him. He preferred a slightly different style than the one I chose for him, and we've ordered it. We'll go back on Saturday to see if he likes the way the one he ordered fits, or not. We're looking at a 4mm white gold ring, with milgrain edges. I really like it. It's just a matter of getting a fit he's comfortable with.

I had a vintage ring of mine sized there last week, and I was able to pick it up today. It's such a special ring. I wish I had a picture to post! I found it in an antique store in Houston several years ago. I bought it because I loved it, and found out about its history and value afterwards. It's about a hundred years old. It was made by the Belais Brothers, who were jewelry designers in the early 1900s. They held the first patent for the process by which white gold is made. My ring is made of white gold filigree in the shape of a dragonfly. Two aquamarine stones are the wings. It's just lovely, and I plan to wear it as my "something blue" on my wedding day.

Now, I must put Shiny Goodness back in her box and straighten up the house before the cleaning lady comes tomorrow.

The...

... is apparently too much to ask for. As of today, the stated date by which response cards were to be returned to us, there are still 25 responses outstanding - twenty of them from Michael's guest list. For a relatively small guest list, I think that's a lot. I have to admit that this is something that REALLY bothers me. I just don't understand why people find it too difficult to write their name down and check whether they are coming or not on the postage-paid postcard that came with the invitation, and put it in the mail. If that's too much for them, then how about a phone call or an email? Quite honestly, I just think it is terribly rude to not respond in a timely manner. Terribly rude...

Fortunately, we have some time to follow up with these wayward invitees (all of whom are dear to us - really!). Hopefully, we can get in touch with everyone this week. I need to order our favors, but I don't have a clear enough idea of how many people will be there to do so yet.

People are so "funny" (funny-peculiar, not funny-haha) about wedding invitations. A single cousin of mine asked if he could bring a buddy since the girl he is dating can't make it - but, he wasn't invited with a guest. He was really nice about it when I explained that it is going to be a small wedding and that we want to share it with our closest family members and friends, so it wasn't a good day for him to bring his buddy. He'll be coming with his immediate family instead. Another guest (on someone else's side of the guest list...) added a guest to her response, although she hadn't been invited with a guest - no phone call to ask if that would be okay, or not. And, at the family reunion over the weekend, in talking with a cousin of my sweetie's (a grown woman), I realized that she and her family thought that their whole family was invited because her father (Michael's uncle) had received an invitation. That was one very uncomfortable moment for me, but it was resolved amicably.

Now, if I'd done these sort of things to other brides and grooms over the years, I'd say this was karma. But, I have always been one to respond within the first week of receiving an invitation, and I have never neglected to RSVP at all.

In talking with my coworkers about these things, I realized that every bride and groom have to deal with these sorts of things. One woman I work with said that when her son got married a couple years ago, he invited his neighbor and his neighbor's wife. Apparently, this neighbor had just been the go-to-guy for all things home improvement related, and they'd struck up a friendship. However, when they received his response card, he RSVP'd for his mother and a friend of hers - people the bride and groom had never met. I guess he thought the invitation was like free tickets, and that if you can't use them you give them to somebody else - why let them go to waste, right? The groom went over to the neighbor's to politely explain that the invitation was for him and his wife only. But, in doing so, that was the end of the friendship. The neighbor was so offended, he hasn't spoken to the couple since.

Another teacher I work with, was married about four years ago, and she said that in addition to the guests who didn't respond, the ones that really made her angry were those that sent their regrets, and then showed up anyway! She said she was like, "What the aych-ee-double-hockey-sticks are you doing here?!" Knowing her, I can totally see her doing that, too! I should have her at my wedding to run interference for me.

Anyway, I think people need to follow some basic etiquette rules once they receive an invitation to a wedding:

• Respond in a timely manner, and if you can't get your response card in the mail on time, then make a phone call to the bride or groom.
• Understand that the names on the envelope indicate the invited guests. If you are single, and it doesn't say "and guest", you're on your own - like it or not. If you really need to attend with someone for some reason, then call the bride or groom and talk to them about it.

It's all about communication, really. Just let us know what you plan to do. Please!

Four Weeks To Go!

Wow! Just four more weeks until I'm a married lady - until Michael is my husband. :-)

It will be here before I know it!

We returned early this morning from a quick trip to the Bay Area for Michael's family reunion. We ran into Michelle and Joe, and Michelle's sister, Lisa, at the airport in Oakland on Friday night. It's a small world, isn't it?

I was very happy that we had time to start our day yesterday by taking a quick trip into the city to meet up with my dear friend Teresa for breakfast. It's always good to see sweet Teresa, and we had such a delicious breakfast together. Then we walked over to Chinatown to purchase some pork for the family reunion. I wish we'd had more time there, but it's good to know that we'll be back in just a few weeks because we're spending two nights in San Francisco after the wedding.

The family reunion was good. There were many of Michael's extended family members there, and he was so happy to see them all. They are a warm, inclusive bunch. The food was delicious! Michael is of Filipino descent, via Hawaii, and I am quickly becoming a fan of some of the Filipino dishes I've tried like chicken adobo and lumpia. I also liked the traditional dessert recipes we had yesterday, too. We ate so much, and we stayed and closed the party down as the sun was setting.

We returned to the city in the evening for a little shopping (Macy's was open late), and drinks and pomme frites at a posh little hotel bar. It was very nice and romantic.

Then we drug ourselves out of bed at 4:30 to make our 6:25 flight this morning. Ugh!

The last exciting thing we did this weekend was open three boxes of wedding gifts that had arrived last week while Michael was still out of town. We received a lovely vase from my mom's cousin Ken and his wife Catherine; two cookie sheets and a cake pan from some good friends of mine, Heather and Richard (we are sad that it looks like they will be unable to attend our wedding); and a roasting pan from a sweet blogging buddy. Before we opened the gifts, I reminded Michael that when the gifts are from my "peeps", I write the thank-you notes, and vice versa. Guess who wrote her thank-you notes right away! That would be me! I don't want to get behind on those at all. I plan to write them as the gifts arrive.

A Close Encounter with Bridezilla

Yesterday, on the phone, my sweetie casually told me that he might not be coming home on Friday as planned. There were some things being discussed that might keep him out on the road until Monday or Tuesday. I nearly lost it. I was thinking:

• We have a wedding to finish planning here!
• We have plane tickets to Northern California for Friday night, and you've booked a hotel room and a rental car!
• You have jury duty next week!
• You have a doctor's appointment on Monday!
• You need to pick up my ring!
• You need to get your suit pants hemmed!
• You need to try on the wedding band I put on hold for you!

And, because I know my sweetie so well, I can tell you he was thinking something along these lines:

• Cool! Three or four more days in London - my favorite city - in a posh hotel. And it's all paid for!!!

So, despite him telling me not to get all worked up, I did. I fumed and mentally stomped my feet and pouted. I complained to my dear mother, and my sweet sister, and to any coworker who made the mistake of asking me how the wedding plans are coming along.

All for nothing, apparently...

I just woke him from a good night's sleep in his fancy hotel room. After a quick, "Hi, Honey! How are you?", I asked the all important question that would either put me over the edge into Bridezilla territory, or put me back to a state of happiness and wellbeing.

"Sowhenareyoucominghome?"

To which he groggily replied, "I'll be home at 2:40 pm on the twelfth."

Whew! That was close!!!

The Card Box

After attending my cousin's wedding earlier this year, I realized that it would be a good idea to have some sort of container for the cards that some guests might bring with them to the wedding. I used the internet to look for a card box, but was really disappointed with most things I found there. They were either really cheap and cheesy looking, or really extravagant and expensive. Then I came across this site, and I got really excited because I thought I might be able to have something made just the way I wanted it.

Sure enough, Karen took my ideas and has painted this lovely card box and keepsake for me:

The box is a hat box with a slit cut in it for people to slide their cards in. Karen (the designer) took my idea of painting a hummingbird on the box (for the hummingbird garden in which we'll be married), and then went above and beyond by incorporating the same flowers from our invitations on the box as well. I just love it, and I plan to keep all the cards we receive and other small tokens from the day in the box in our living room.

Sweet Sunday

We had such a good time at our friends' wedding on Sunday. It was a beautiful day for an outdoor event. The bride was lovely, of course. They were married by the shores of a lake in a park, and the reception took place at the groom's mother's home. A jazz trio played while guests dined. I know Michael was itching to sit in with the band, but he never got the chance to. The cake looked like a set of drums! Very creative.

The groom and Michael have been friends for about thirty years. In addition to being such close friends and fellow musicians, they are both getting married for the first time (at 50-something!), and leaving their bachelorhoods behind them. The groom from Sunday's wedding will be in our wedding, too.

We really enjoyed our time at the wedding and it was great to see each other after three weeks - even if it was just for the day. After spending a little while on the dance floor with Michael (which was so much fun), I think we need dance lessons before our big day! Ack!

Five Weeks to Go!

Today I had my first dress fitting. The seamstress agreed with my mom and me that the dress requires no alterations, just a three-point bustle and a good steaming. We'll go back to the bridal salon in two weeks to try out the bustle. Then the dress will be steamed to get rid of the wrinkles, and I'll pick it up the weekend before the wedding.

After the dress fitting, my niece Rebecca and my grandmother joined me for a quick trip to my favorite craft fair. I make a point of visiting this craft fair every year, mostly for the delicious apple pie they serve there. I always enjoy looking at the vendors' wares, but rarely buy anything. Anyway, it's a nice tradition this time of year. The apple pie did not disappoint, and neither did the tri-tip steak combo I had for lunch. Very tasty!

Later in the afternoon, I went to have a manicure and decided I would go ahead and get the silk-wrap treatment for my nails. I was planning on doing this for the wedding, but decided to give it a try today in case I didn't like it. I stressed to the nail technician that I wanted a very natural look, and I think she achieved that. I figure I'll be asked more than once on the wedding day to show someone my ring, and I want to have pretty fingers when I flash my "bling".

Tomorrow, for one day only, Michael comes home! Yippee!!! I have to pick him up at the airport very early in the morning, and then we have to be at a wedding by eleven o'clock. Michael is a groomsman in this wedding, and the groom is a groomsman in our wedding. I think it's going to be a really fun day. Unfortunately, Michael leaves again on Monday morning. If you like to watch that talk show on which a bunch of crazy ladies share their views, you may see my sweetie doing his thing there on Tuesday.

Then he's home Friday afternoon, and we leave Friday evening to go up to Northern California for his family reunion. I didn't think I'd be able to go with him until today, but I'm very happy that it's worked out because I'm really tired of being apart this long.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Favorite Photo Friday

A beautiful day in Madrid - July 2007.

Missing My Girl

When I came home today, there was only one tail wagging to greet me. Sigh...

October is Here!

Today was the first time that I was able to say, "I'm getting married next month." I like the sound of that very much!

Thank you all for your condolences about Taylor. I appreciate the love and support you've sent our way. Buffy and I are doing really well. She's just crazy about that new toy. It's getting on my nerves, but she loves it. That's all that matters for now. She seemed to do well on her own at home today. Nothing seems to be dug up or chewed up. I don't know what she did all day long, but she wasn't naughty. We had a nice walk earlier this evening, and she's just decided to settle down at my feet. I'm doing well, too. I think already having another dog is helpful right now. If I were coming home to an empty house, I think it would be much harder. Buffy is hard to ignore, and she is a good companion. We are keeping each other company.

Check out Buffy's eyes! She looks like an alien, doesn't she?

You'll be happy to know that I'm not eating cereal for dinner tonight. I'm having shrimp cocktail instead. Michael doesn't eat shrimp (or beef). So, I've got to eat those things when I'm dining without him. The good thing about having eaten cereal so often lately, is that I've lost four pounds! I'm thrilled. I wonder if I can lose four more pounds in the next couple of weeks. I'll have to stock up on Frosted Mini-Wheats and Smart Start!

Thank you, iCon!

Doesn't she take good care of us, ladies?