Dear Dad,

In case you read this and are wondering what to get me for a wedding present (you know, besides your love, support and that financial help), I thought I would supply you with this pictoral representation.  Now, I know you might wonder how the heck this is possible at your house.  And, well, that's a really valid point.  But, seeing as how you're "dad" - I figure you can work some magic.  So, I know you might be trying to be in denial about the lighting of this wedding....sadly, I'm trying to break through that denial.  Because, check out this picture - I'm pretty sure you'll agree that it makes for a lovely wedding reception.  So, if you can somehow make this happen (for a super small amount of money) - that would be swell.

You're the best.

Love,

Trish

Excitement!!!

Today, Crissy and I spent some time discussing food and a menu for our reception.  We're pretty fortunate - her boss has offered to prepare all of the food for us.  Cheri is amazing, needless to say.  So, Cheri came prepared with far more ideas than I would have thought of.  The menu is bound to be fabulous - and I can't wait!  It will be a wonderful blend of cold and hot hors d'oeuvres, seasonal tastes and just pure deliciousness.  One suggestion I made were for these stuffed baby squash.  The picture to the left isn't stuffed as ours would be - but aren't they just so freakin' cute?!?!  Also, thanks to Cheri, I now have it in my head that we need a chocolate fountain at our reception - complete with fruit and pound cake....and delicious, beautiful, flowing chocolate. 

The save the date cards are almost done.  We have most of them assembled - and the fun magnet making will take place next week.  We're SOO excited for the engagement party next weekend!

I found some wedding pictures of a couple on the big gay wedding website today that are really just lovely.  I don't so much care for the "portrait" pictures of the whole family - but the ones of the two brides are wonderful.  They make me think of some of the space out at my parent's house - and I'm just thinking of the possibilities for pictures - I bet they'll be gorgeous.  Our delightful and wonderful friend, Ariel, has agreed to take our pictures - and I have no doubt that she'll find a way to capture all of it beautifully.


Check out this picture I found for an idea for a guest book.  I love it!!  Each guest paints a square - to make up one larger picture. Doesn't it sound great to have something artistic that can capture and represent all of the friends and family who love and support us?

Man, we have some great parents!

Yesterday was a day to be thankful for our parents.  Not that there aren't other days, but yesterday was one of them.  Crissy's family spent the day doing Spoon River Drive, which means loads of garage sales and flea market like activities.  We didn't go along, but instead put her mom on a hunt for aqua mason jars.  Clearly I need to put her on more such "hunts" because check out what she managed to get for us for only $10:

While Crissy's family was Spoon River Driving it all day, we went and visited my parents - just to catch up since it had been a while and also to take some pictures, check out where we might want things set up, etc... My parents were pretty great and discussed the amount they'll be donating to the wedding (which wasn't entirely expected, so it's pretty spectacular that they're helping out) and also took us to dinner.  Plus, we shared a few ideas with them - and they (well, technically, Linda) were pretty excited about some of our plans.  Linda is in love with the hairstyle I want for the wedding (yet to be divulged to the blog world) and told me I have to do it!  We also decided on where in the yard we'll have the wedding, which is pretty exciting.  Before you take about 3 steps down into the yard, you'll see this:

And, this is the lovely little spot we've selected for the ceremony location.  It's pretty much straight in front of you once you walk down the few steps - but we love the two trees and will stand between them.

We tentatively also discussed where we'll be placing tables for the reception - and I think it will mean that some people are spread out, but everyone will still be in pretty close proximity to one another.  Having a pool in the middle of all of this will be beautiful - but also means we can't seat people TOO close to the pool....I'd hate to have someone scoot back their chair to get up and inadvertently fall in.  Ooops.  Here's a pic of one of the areas where tables will be set up.  The pool is to the right - just on the other side of the shrubbery - and the wedding will be to the left, on the other side of the fence.

Yesterday was big for other reasons, too.  We decided to change the date of the wedding - thankfully before we printed the save the date cards.  We're moving it to Labor Day weekend - for a few reasons.  The primary reason being that we just don't want it to be too cold.  While yesterday was a week after when our wedding would be, it was freezing out at my parents even in late afternoon - which means people would be freezing all kinds of things off come 5:00 when we'd planned on the ceremony starting.  So, Labor Day makes more sense for the weather being a smidge warmer.  Beyond that, it's a long weekend - it means we'd always get extra time for an anniversary weekend - but more than that, we figure it means people might be able to celebrate with us a little longer and I might be able to do the fun Sunday picnic idea that I posted before.  To top of the reasoning for Labor Day, my mom and dad were married over Labor Day weekend about 33 some odd years ago.  While their marriage didn't work out so well to one another, not having my mom physically be able to be there makes me feel like maybe she'd be more connected to the wedding if it's the same weekend as their wedding.  It might not really make any sense to others - or really be the case, but it's how it feels to me.....so lots of reasons for Labor Day - hooray!  

We also decided to nix the margaritas from the drink list.  Okay, so you all don't know what the original drink list was - but after much discussion with my parents yesterday and then discussion on the drive home, endless margaritas, cranberry & vodka, and beer might just do us in financially with the friends and family we have.  :)  So, we're going to substitute wine for the margartias - which I know will make at least a few people who love wine very happy.

Happy Sunday!!!

"Okay, you ready to get pizza?"

Believe it or not, this post will be describing the day that Trish asked me to be her "forever lady."  Yes, I said, "Forever lady."  In case you didn't know already, we are not exactly what some would call traditional.  Having said that, we had previously discussed how we both felt awkward at the idea of asking the other the all too traditional "Will you marry me?"  Hence, "Will you be my forever lady?" developed. 

Okay, back to the topic.  It was July 30th, the day before my birthday and honestly, I had been wondering if Trish would be proposing to me on my birthday.  I had an inkling that she had already purchased the ring about a week earlier, when we went to look at rings and the one I had picked out was no longer there.  But as said, it was Friday, July 30th and we made plans to have a nice, relaxing evening by picking up a pizza and renting a movie.  Interestingly enough to me though, was when she received a call and said she needed to go somewhere and then would be picking me up to go get the pizza.  I wondered if she was getting the ring, but by no means was I expecting her to ask me that night.  So she picked me up at home and we were on our way to pick up the pizza...and then she placed an envelop on my lap.   I am certain I looked at her with a confused look on my face as she told me to open it and to read the cards aloud.  There were 8 cards and each one had a question about us on them.  Fortunately, I got all of the answers about us right :)  Honestly, as I was reading and answering them, I felt an emotion come over me that I don't think I've ever experienced before.  I felt so incredibly happy...that feeling that everything had fallen into place like it should and of being so happy that I felt like crying.  Then I read the last card, which asked where we were when I traced the trapezius on her back (it's a large back muscle and apparently as we were getting to know one another, I was lame and tried to impress her with my random knowledge...yep you guessed it...I'm smooth like that)  As I read this, she pulled up along side Franklin Park and parked.  This is where I not only traced this muscle on her back, but is where we would meet and go for walks as we got to know one another.  When we got out of the car, we walked just as we had in the very beginning of what would become "us."  We walked to the center of park and at this point, Trish took my hand, and honestly I don't remember exactly what was said because I was overwhelmed with happiness, and asked me to be her forever lady as she placed the ring on my finger.  Of course I said yes and we hugged and sat on the bench for a bit while I admired the beautiful bling on my finger...I never thought I'd be so excited about bling :)  Honestly though, I couldn't be happier. 

Here's a picture of the ring...

So many things

First - it's only 364 days to our wedding.  Yes, that's right....our wedding is one year from yesterday.  I guess I should've blogged this momumental piece of information yesterday, but clearly that didn't happen.

With that said, it's a damn good thing that there's a year before the big day - because my head is swimming with ideas and plans.  Just when I think I have something figured out, I change my mind.

1.  While I go back and forth between the type, length or style of dress I want to wear, I do know that I want some killer shoes.  I love the idea of awesome footwear that screams "Trish."  I love shoes - and I love heels.  Here are some that I just love:

These are just fun - and incorporate all of the wedding colors.  Plus, a wedge is so
much more practical since the wedding will be in the grass - and heels will just sink. 
But, oh how I love actual heels....

2.  Crissy and I will be using mason jars for lots of things at the wedding.  So, this idea really won't change over the course of the next year - but we are pretty excited about finding the jars and accumulating our "stash."  We went to one of the thrift stores today and bought all 7 jars of varying sizes that they had.  Soooo....if you have any old mason jars just sitting around (specifically in a blue/aqua or green glass) and want us to use them, let us know.  :)

3.  I found this necklace at Target recently that I'm dying to have.  I'd love it to be able to wear in everyday "real" life, but I am in love with it for a wedding necklace.  The colors are perfect, it has leaves....and did I mention that I love it?  Here's the thing, though....there are clearly some dresses that this type of chunky fun necklace just wouldn't go with.  Hmmm.....

4.  I saw this idea on some backyard wedding blog recently and love it.  Crissy and I will be having various drinks available for people, but they'll all be in some type of large "jar" or something of the sort.  This couple used old wine bottles for things like water and lemonade.  I don't think we have any plans for lemonade - but water for sure.  What a fun and economical way to serve the water than have it in a bunch of old wine bottles!

5.  Today is a day that I miss my mom.  Granted, I miss my mom most days - but some days it's more conscious than others.  It makes me sad to know that my mom won't be there for this really big day in my life and see me make a commitment to someone that I love so much.  Oh, I know my mom will be there in spirit and looking down on me - and all of that stuff - but we all know it's not the same.  I wish my mom would get to see what I think will be one damn pretty wedding, if I do say so myself.  I'm sure she'd hate the outdoors if she would get bitten by a bug or if it was too warm, but she'd love to see me happy, having fun and all of the other great things that go along with a wedding.  I'm really glad my mom got to meet Crissy shortly before she died - and I'm really glad Crissy got to meet my mom; I just wish they could have known each other better.

Okay, enough of the sadness with that part.  I also found this recently - pay particular attention to the tree with ribbons....I just think it would be so pretty.....

Gleeful

Crissy and I have become sucked into the Glee crazy-ness.  We rented the first season on Sunday and now are on Disc 2.  After eight episodes, we are just as into it as virtually the rest of America.  Good thing we're original.  :-/  Oh well.  Here's what this episode has taught me:

1. I would like Matthew Morrison to give me dance lessons for our wedding (my wedding to Crissy that is, just to clarify - I have no plans to leave her for Matthew Morrison).  
2. I would like to learn how to swing dance like Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch did in this episode.  How awesome would that be?!?!
3. Young MC's "Bust a Move" must be played at our wedding - well, technically, our reception.

In other news - once our blog becomes more "public," I want to have weekly polls for you all to choose songs to be played at the reception.  I can't wait.  October 16th needs to come soon!

Hallelujah!!!

Cue music of praise!  No, Crissy and I are not singing praise hymns at home in our free time.  Instead, you're imagining "Alleluia" because the save the date picture is done!!!

Isn't it fantastic?!?!  I LOVE IT!!!  After weeks (or months) of deliberating on an idea, we have it!  Our original idea incorporated two trees twisting together, but remaining individual - with the Chinese symbol for love in between the two trees.  However, after it being drawn - it just wasn't quite right.  So, after looking at other ideas, I loved one in a post before and Crissy made it into our own.  Fortunately for me, she puts up with my high maintenance-ness and my requests for new things to be drawn....and more flowers....and more leaves...and a branch here or there....or whatever.  So, even after she thought she was done on Sunday, she kindly listened to my requests/suggestions for slight changes and finished it tonight.  I'm so freaking excited now that it's done!!!  Now we just have to print the save the dates and make the other fun save the date stuff for the engagement party!

Engagment Pics?

You know, originally I didn't think I'd want or care about engagement photos.  When this whole "we're going to get married!" thing started, I didn't want traditional things.  More than anything else, though, I just wanted to do whatever felt right to both of us.  The more that I've looked at the big gay wedding website, the more I feel compelled to have engagement pictures.  Granted, I don't have any type of thought to do something insanely formal - or pay a billion dollars.  Instead, I'm in hopes that one of our talented friends will be willing to take a few pics of Crissy and I....something in the spirit of the pictures posted here. 

And, this one is above all others - my absolute favorite: 

Dress Obsessed

So, I love love love looking at wedding dresses.  I know I won't love trying them on, so maybe that's why I like looking at them online so much.  Who knows.  Irregardless, I love looking.  In all of my wedding planning mayhem and bridal magazine perusing, I came across a line of dresses from a designer who does an organic line.  As the website quotes, he "harmoniously combines rich, organic fabrics and stunning, natural accents."  I wish I could say that Crissy and I are completely "green," but we're not.  However, I've gotten her to recycle now that we live together and she pretty easily got on board with my "need" for bamboo plates for the wedding and my argument for why sporks are so necessary.  Plus, we went electronic with our engagement party invites.  It's the little things....a little conservation surely goes a long way, right?

So, I'm in love with Justin Alexander's Pure Bridal Line right now and have sucked Crissy into loving it, as well.  So, there's a good chance that one, or both, of us will be wearing one of these dresses.  They clearly require some serious working out between now and then, but we'll get there.  I just think the dresses are so elegant, while still seeming so natural and looking like something that would make sense for our outdoor wedding.

The picture above is the close-up of one of the dresses I love.  The rest of the dress is somewhat flowy - it just seems so natural and earthy, while being elegant.  Here are a few other contenders, too, though:

These are the ones Crissy likes.  The back of the first one is pretty awesome - and the second picture is of the back of another dress, actually. 

 

Broken Grandmas

Isn't this cake great?!?

I have found myself so dedicated to this diet Crissy and I are doing, that I broke down and made low GI pecan brownies....made with black beans.  That's dedication.  I hate beans; as in, despise them more than anything else.  Gross.  However, they add a massive amount of fiber and protein to brownies - and allows them to be healthy.  If that's the only way I can consume something sweet, then I guess that's what we've come to.  In an effort to stick to this accountability thing, too....I was weighed at the gym today (9 days after the first weighing) and was down about 2.5 pounds and 0.5% body fat.  Not too shabby, I guess.  To further add to the weight loss efforts, Crissy and I did a 20 mile bike ride today while supporting Kristy as she ran 20 miles for her marathon training.  Kudos to Kristy for such a long run! I, instead, ended up feeling like a broken grandma after this bike ride and a trip to the gym afterwards.  Holy achy body!

Crissy's ready to kill me, as I continue to change my mind about what type of design I want used for all of the save-the-dates, wedding invites, etc...  She's an artist, so it makes sense for her to do the design - not to mention, it's what we both want.  Well, I'm a little particular, so that means I keep changing my mind.  We've transitioned through a few ideas and had settled upon one.  Crissy's drawn it....I think it's great, but it still doesn't seem quite perfect to me.  So, now there are other ideas.  Here are a few of the inspirations/ideas I've been looking at:

This one is by far one of my favorites, though it would clearly be done in our color scheme - and without the cheesy sing-songy lovebirds.

This is by the same designer as above - just a slight variation.

I love the variations in green in this one.  But, I think I really prefer the simplicity, but elegance of the two above designs.

There's probably little to no way that we'll do anything like this - I just like how a bunch of different leaves are used.

Of course, by the time any of you read this - you'll have seen whatever design we decide upon and Crissy creates.  :)  We can't wait for it all to come together - and see you all (well, most of you) at our engagement celebrations!

shhh....

Today is Day #4 of our new diet and we've made it so far.  We survived the typical Wednesday night/pizza night/Crissy-doesn't-cook-night and the crankiness that ensued....and we're sticking with it!  We've even managed to have some really good, new, low-fat and very healthy meals out of it all.  Like tonight, I made this pasta dish with some tomato/carrot/spinach pasta, a bunch of veggies and a low-fat sauce.  But, Crissy won't allow me to talk about what's in said sauce.  She knows, but it contains a food that she despises....so, shhh.....

With that, the scale was finally encountered this morning...by me only, of course.  Crissy doesn't do scales.  Thanks to my friend who happens to also be a personal trainer, I started a new workout routine this morning.  Needless to say, she's pretty great.  I'll disregard the fact that I think she enjoys torturing me and instead focus on the fact that she's helping me get in shape and be happier with me along the way.  So.....I will not be posting what the scale said (you must think I'm crazy if you thought I would).  But....I will announce the goal.  I figure stating it surely has to keep me more accountable.  Because if I keep it to myself and don't follow through, no one knows - but if I say it out loud and don't follow through - then you'll all look at me next fall and wonder if I was sneaking Hostess Cupcakes into my whole wheat pasta dishes, when you see me no different than now.  So....(this is where some type of musical interlude would be nice....alas).....my goal is to lose 65 pounds.  This is by far the healthiest goal or thought I've probably had about my weight or weight loss in 20 years.  It's not my long-term goal, but it's enough to make me know I'd be happy with myself on my wedding day.  That's what is important.

And, because no post would be complete without something wedding related - I love looking at wedding flowers.  Our colors are green and brown (a color scheme will be posted at some point, I'm sure) - which means we are either limited in our flower choices or we can select nearly anything we want.  We've talked a lot about having mostly green flowers/herbs/plants, though to keep with the color theme and to be more consistent with the whole outdoor feel of things.  But, I really like these because they just scream outdoors and fall:

But, I also like these - I mean, they're so simple (and are more consistent with the green thing):

And, in yet other news - we sent out the engagement celebration invites last night!  Hooray!!!  It's been exciting to see people respond who will be there - we can't wait to celebrate with you all, share our excitement and give you all save-the-dates and this blog info.  :)

p.s. - Crissy says she'll write her post some day soon....

Happy Labor Day (and stuff)!!

In honor of a day of not working, Crissy and I took some time and went to Comlara Park today.  We packed a picnic, drove out there, and found a spot to lay a blanket down and enjoy the weather.  Here are some pics of our afternoon:

I'm not sure there's anything better than being able to lay and relax in the sun, with the wind blowing....it probably could have only been better if it had been on a beach.

Crissy lounging in the sun

This was the view up from our blanket while lounging...

Happy Labor Day!!!

Two exciting things!

I just discovered Paperless Post!  If you've never checked it out, it's pretty swell.  By now most of you probably have since it's where your engagement party invite originated.  But, I love that it let me create an invite like something I'd want to actually print....and pick an envelope liner! 

In other news, when wedding planning, these idea boards are all over the place!  I think they're a pretty great way to see lots of things put into place at once.  I love the potted herbs for possible centerpieces, BUT most especially - the very natural looking napkins.  I want those.

Being EnGAYged

Crissy will hate me when she sees this title.  So, let's all be clear about something before I get too far into this post:  Crissy and I don't like labels.  Neither one of us likes to be defined as gay or a lesbian - or anything else really.  We are who we are.  With that, neither one of us is really into that whole "gay" thing...we don't wear rainbow jewelry, display rainbow flags or do anything else overly obvious to show gay pride.  So, we certainly wouldn't title something "enGAYged;" however, it happens to be part of the title of a new blog/site that I've found and like (http://www.soyoureengayged.com/).  When you're part of a group that isn't the majority in society - and live in a state that doesn't recognize same-sex unions/marriages, it's kind of nice to feel like you're not alone.  For me, it's been nice to see other couples like us - and it's refreshing to see that there are couples of all types on this website.  Crissy and I are both pretty girly and will be wearing dresses...there are couples like that there, too.  I know that all of these things exist, but when you flip through a bridal magazine and see heterosexual couples because it's the societal norm, seeing something else sometimes is nice. 

Beyond that, there are some crafty people on this website and people with some really great ideas.  So, take the whole "feeling like you belong" thing and pair it with my love of all things wedding and planning - and I just like the site, plain and simple.  Like this post:  Happily-ever-afterparty made me think that Crissy and I should have some type of to-do the following day.  I haven't shared that with her, yet, though.  We both like "gatherings" and I know from experience how fast a whole wedding can go and feel like it just wasn't enough time.  I think something low-key the next day would be loads of fun!  Who knows, though.....

I mean, other couples do a brunch the day after the wedding.  Why not make it into a day-brunch-picnic-party to celebrate just a little bit longer?  Who wouldn't want to spend part of a day hanging out on blankets in the grass (or swimming if it's hot enough)?!?!

What I'm Currently Excited About!

Bamboo Sporks!!!  I mean, how awesome is that?!?!  It's a fork and a spoon in one....which is clearly the definition of a spork.  However, these are far classier than the KFC variety of days of yore.  These are bamboo!  Which makes them great for so many reasons - they're much more eco-friendly than plastic - and they're basically trees.  I love trees!  Plus, did I mention that they're a spork?!?!  This means less waste - no need to buy people forks and spoons for the big day - just one utensil!  Hooray!!! 

(ps - we also have bamboo plates for the big day - that makes me super excited, too!)