Portraits

We walked around the city to take portrait shots.  I wanted to go to the art institute, and we went though Millenium park.

 

 

Outside the Art Institute.

 

I bought Brendan these socks the day before.

 

 

These last ones were taken back at the James right before my Bridezilla moment (more on that later)

1

 

 

And we’re back!

The first look:

All photos courtesy of Laura Meyer Photography.

I called a local record store the week before the wedding to make sure we could do the first look there.  They didn’t mind.

I had the boys call when Brendan left, then I waited 10 minutes before we caught a cab.  We beat Brendan to the record store, and everyone was confused how we had beat him.  I knew it though, he walked.  Gotta get that excercise.

Me waiting

patiently waiting to go in.

Our first look at each other…………….

Let’s buy some records.  So casual!

Some of the other patrons wanted to kill us!  Oh well.

Ahh, on to portraits!

Nostril Piercing

Recently, I started a new job (I know, you are all sick of hearing about it) and I am no longer allowed to wear my nose piercing at work.  I have had my nose pierced for about 7 years, so it’s a part of me.  But now I am liking not wearing it, sometimes.  It’s nice not to have to push it back in when it sticks out, and in terms of cleanlliness, well, maube that thing is why I am so prone to sinus infections.  So here’s the conumdrum:  Do I wear it for the wedding?  I have worn it for so long, and it seems like it’s part of me.  But also, maybe I am moving on to a new time in my life where I don’t wear it anymore.  If you don’t know me, it’s not huge, it’s just a little silver dot.  Most people don’t notice it.

Suggestions?

To Do:

The final things to do (in 13 days)
Get hair highlighted/trimmed

Get waxed in all the right places

Pick up dress, figure out bustle

Drop floating candles off at florist

Meet with caterer for final details/payment

Meet with deejay for final details/payment

Don’t eat any chips or fries for 13 days

Finish writing vows

Escort Cards (sister hipster homeowner will do this)

Make OOT bags, distribute

I am worried about forgetting something.  If you could open the fire escape of our house (it’s enclosed and we use it for storage) you would see it is PACKED with stuff to be taken to the wedding.  Packed.  I already packed one bag with the rings, lingerie, etc.  13 days, yo!

Bad Hipster Homeowner. Bad.

Hey, ya’ll.

I started a new job this week.  It’s pretty awesome.  I don’t feel like I’m going to vomit from worry, which is how I felt for approximately 5 years constantly, at my old job.  I don’t know what to say except- I am so happy.  I have NEVER been happy at my job.  I am tired, but it’s a good tired, a “I worked hard” tired, not a “oh s—” tired.

I’ve been a bad blogger.  But I will get back to it.

List to do (25 days out):

1.  Take vases to new florist

2.  Menu/Placecards

3.  Programs (printed, but need to be cut in half)

4.  Write Vows

5.  Definitive music for Cocktails/Dinner/Dancing

6.  Out of Town Bags

7.  marriage License

8.  Seating Charts (I will never finish this because my mother started inviting more people)

9.  Honeymoon

Uh oh.

The weirdness of the Cook County marriage license.

Directly from the site:

Applying For A Marriage License

Before getting married in Chicago or suburban Cook County, couples must obtain a marriage license from the Cook County Clerk’s office.

We can do that!  My notes in italics.

Eligibility

Under Illinois law, only eligible persons can marry. Both the bride and groom must:

• be 18 years of age or older Check.
• be of opposite sex Check.
  
• not be blood relatives I am still a little worried about this, no biggie.
  

But don’t worry, there are exceptions!

Exceptions

• Under state law, first cousins older than 50 years of age may marry. Goody!
  
• Under state law, applicants who are 16 and 17 years old may obtain a marriage license with parental consent.  Sick.
  The End.

The Week in Numbers

Time it took me to get home Friday after work                20 minutes (v. good)

Number of handouts I made for my classroom                23

Number of hours I was at work on Wed                                11.5

Number of questions I answered for new teachers         569

Number of Xanex it took to get me through the week    2 (v. good)

Glasses of Wine                                                                                9

Number of workouts                                                                     4 (n. bad)

Number of days off this weekend                                             3

Level of worry from 1-10 about B’s bachelor party          6

Number of vendors fired                                                             2

Number of new vendors hired                                                   2

Level of confidence in said vendors                                         10

total:   661.5

Breaking up with my Florist

I can’t do it anymore.

My florist is a lovely woman, but she is so disorganized.  I met her when she gave me a facial at a spa, I was newly engaged, you know the drill.  What a great person!  What a great deal!  Yay~!

At our first meeting, she was an hour late.  She had floral design books from the mid-8o’s.  But she seemed to know what she was doing.

She was very slow on the contract (I am embarrassed to say this) Eventually, I got fed up and wrote the contract myself.  And she raised her prices.

She revised it, 2 months later.  She is slow to return emails, phone calls, at our last “meeting” she just pulled up her car for 2 minutes in the street.  I was expecting to sit down and discuss contract changes, and sign the contract.   But she just gave it to me.  And I mailed it, and it got lost with our check.  Then on Friday, she promised to stop by our house, then never called.  It was the last straw.

As I discussed here,  we have a $600 check floating around, and Brendan is cancelling it right this minute.  Another $35 down the drain.  I am going to fire her today.  Wish me luck.

Thank-You Notes

When I was a little girl, my Grandma loved thank-you notes.

Once, my sister didn’t send her a thank-you for a gift, and the next time we had birthdays, my sister didn’t get a gift.

My Grandma said “little girls who don’t write thank-you notes don’t get a present next time”

I never forget my thank-you notes.

Master List

Guest Book
Photographer
Escort Cards
Bachlorette Party
Shower
Photo Booth
Confirm Guest List
STD’s Out
Groom’s Gifts
Bride’s Gifts
Wedding Bands
Day of Coordinator
Ceremony
Vows
Programs
Schedule
OOT bags (DOC)
Candy Buffet (DOC)
Flowers
Rehearsal Dinner Space
Transportation
RSVP cards
Accomodations Cards
Cake topper
Cake tasting
Food tasting
Ceremony Musicians
Deejay
Officiant
Dress
Alterations
Tuxedo
Register at BBB and C and B
Register at Macys
Venue
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen
Hair trial/Makeup
Std’s ordered
Invites out
Card Box (birdcage)
Candy Buffet Containers
Candy and Scoops
Menus
Photo Upload Cards

New Nightmares:

Florist

Videographer