photos and food

It's been a while since I've updated this - sorry. If there is anyone out there reading this, I've been sick, and then got a case of the guilts updating this at work. I'm over it now!

Since I last wrote, we have signed a contract for a photographer and the caterer. Deciding on the photographer was not as hard as I thought it was going to be. We met with 2, and I thought I was going to love Tom. His coverage of a wedding was in a magazine (The Knot), and his website had great pictures. I thought I was going to love him, although I knew going into it he was over my budget. We met with Len, too - and this meeting turned out really impressing both Scott and I. He seems to be in the business because he truly likes taking pictures, and not because he wants to make money. He actually doesn't even sell albums or make the prints himself. He goes through a web photo site - and he says in the long run it will save us money and the control is really in our hands of what we decide to get. He just takes the pictures. Another thing that really turned us on was the ability to make these books, like a childrens storybook, rather than getting an album. I really liked how it turned out - and it seems much more practical than a bulky album that I will only look at a couple of times in my lifetime. So we went with Len, and I am thrilled about it.

Things are going well at work, I'm starting to feel like I know what I am doing and have the tools to get things done. And Scott and I are looking forward to heading out to San Diego to scope out the housing market next week. I think the whole marraige and move will start to seem a little more real after this trip. The only downside thing of this trip is that poor Bear is going to be in a kennel for a week. I'm sure he's going to love that!! I don't know who to feel more sorry for, Bear or the vet who is kenneling him!

Catering we go

Last night Scott and I went to a tasting held by the caterers. It was interesting seeing the people that were there with us. Most of them looked like couples getting married- some young and some old. Some were there with what looked like parents, but most of them did not mingle at all. I overheard one person saying that this was the second tasting with this company that she has come to. I think at that point, it's all about coming for the free food. I know the menu at the tastings are about the same at all of them - and how much wedding planning time do you possibly have? We're lucky we were able to squeeze one in!!

I am totally in love with one of the Event Captains that was there last night, Jim. He had a sense of humor, he knew the details of the food and could answer any question that we had. I really want him to work our wedding. Maybe if we can't get him, I might just invite him!!

Early Arrival

I started dress hunting before right before Thanksgiving. Every store that I visited stressed me out, saying that I had to place an order in the next week or two in order to have the dress arrive in time for alterations prior to the wedding. So I chose my dress, and went ahead and placed an order at Macy's. They said that I could expect to receive the dress in April.

Yesterday, I got a message on my vm at home saying that my dress had arrived. What is this crap?! This is starting to make me think that they were just trying to make a hard sell and pressure me into buying this dress, rather than taking my time and looking for a dress that I love. Don't get me wrong, I really like the dress that I got - it is by far the best dress of the 20 or so that I tried on.

When I tried to call them today regarding picking up the dress and scheduling a fitting for alterations, no one answered the phone. Whatever. So I am waiting until they call me back again. I am also not going to have a fitting until April, because I do plan on loosing some weight before the wedding. All this stress for nothing - the bridal industry really is taking advantage of people and emotions.

Bridesmaids dresses

I found my bridesmaids dresses. Here's a picture of them, although the color scheme is the exact opposite of what is shown. They are Jessica McClintock dresses, and they are rose colored with an ivory bow and trim at the top. We are also looking into getting ivory shawls to go with them, since they are strapless dresses. Thanks to Susan and Tricia who spent Saturday afternoon trying on dresses for me.

http://www.jessicamcclintock.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=73530&categoryId=10107&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10103

Bonding

I think there was true bonding going on this weekend with the dog. On Friday night, we sat down to watch Harold and Kumar go to White Castle (hilarious) and the dog jumped up on the couch and watched the entire movie with us. He had his head on my lap for the majority of the movie!

Yesterday, he chilled with me all afternoon, and even took a nap with me on the couch. He must not be feeling very well...

I hate the dog

About a week ago, Scott got my car brand new windsheild wipers. Thanks Scott!

Yesterday, on my drive to work, a huge rock hit my windshield and ended up putting a crack in the windshield and busting my driver side wiper. The rest of the way to work, I was driving with the rubber piece going blub-blub-blub up, blub-blub-blub down, not wiping a darn drop of rain off my windshield.

After work, Bear and I went for a ride to go run some errands. Auto Zone: new wiper Grocery store - peanut butter for the dog, and dog food. When I got back to the car, the stupid dog had opened the wiper box, ripped apart the instructions, and ate my new windshield wiper. I tried my hardest to put the thing back together, but when we tried it out it did not work. So at 9:30pm we are driving around trying to find a store open that sold windshield wipers. Finally - good old Target.

In the past week, we have bought 3 new windshield wipers for my car. This morning, I also heard Scott yelling at him because he jumped up on the counter and ate a whole stick of butter. I hate the dog (not really).

Pictures and jobs

So, this is day 3 of my new position and I feel like I have not done a single thing. Things will get better. I have a trip coming up on the 18th to observe a kick-off meeting, and I am sitting in on conference calls this week. I just don't feel like I have the tools that I need to get started doing my job - just lots of ideas floating around in my head.

I spent this morning setting up meetings for next week with wedding photographers. There is one called Bella Photography, which seems like a photographer mill. I'm not so sure how I feel about not meeting my photograhper until the day of my wedding. I get to see their website and examples of their work, and talk to them on the phone, but I just need that warm and fuzzy feeling you get from meeting someone. The cost savings are pretty big, but I also think that it might be a little risky going this route.

I am also considering switching to the Cingular/ATT GSM network. If anyone has any comments on this service (good, bad, funny) I would greatly appreciate it. My current plan is almost up, and I could get a free phone and 2 year service with them, or try to go a family plan route with Scott and his Sprint PCS service. Hmmm...

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!
2005 is going to be a great year. There are many life changes happening this year, and I thought it would be a great idea to start a blog (although I said I would not start one of these, because I didn't think I knew anyone who would actually take the time to read it) . At least it's a place where my mom can come and look to see how the wedding planning is going, since she's not here to experience the craziness with me...

So here are the things that I have to look forward to this year (so far):
I am starting a new position at work with the start of the year
Scott and I are getting married this May
Scott and I are moving this summer

So now that I have some things to talk about, let the new year and the blog begin!!