Have I mentioned how excited I am to marry Crissy? Because I am. :-)

Silverware Transformation

Remember how way back when we blogged here about our love of sporks?  You know, those cute and fun little bamboo utensils?

And, then....we were faced with the reality of the size of these things!  They're super small.  It was nearly impossible to hold one without your thumb taking up the whole "spoon" portion.  I mean, they are adorable and bamboo and easily compostable, but that wasn't enough to make up for the fact that they would irritate the heck out of almost all of our guests.

We then moved on to the idea of larger bamboo utensils.  Like these:

But, then we decided to consider other compostable utensils.  Stuff like this:

These are actually really cool - they're made from biodegradable starch.  You can buy them here.

We had some people make recommendations about the "Reflections" disposable silverware - you know, the plastic ones that supposedly look real.  Well, I'll be honest - tonight is the first I've ever looked into it...because they're plastic.  And, that's just not what we're (okay, we'll be honest again - *I'm*) going for.  But, I'm pretty impressed with how they look.  They really do look real - at least in pictures.

In the end, I totally lucked out, though.  I've been on the hunt on Weddingbee Classifieds for silverware (of the real variety) that some already married bride might be selling for super cheap.  Not to mention, I'd been checking places like Sam's Club and other places for affordable silverware.  And, then.....I lucked out last week.  I found a listing for someone selling something like 200+ sets of mismatched silverware - AND - they hadn't sold it to someone else yet.  So, for only $0.50 a set (yes, for a real knife, fork and spoon), we got the silverware we need for the wedding.  Plus, because Priority Mail ships for a flat rate regardless of weight....shipping wasn't horrendous either.  Hooray!!!  Crissy isn't nearly as excited as silverware as I am - but she does like that they're mismatched because it appeals to her whole eclectic/weird side.  :-)

So, we've now been spending the last few days running all of the silveware through the dishwasher for what is likely only round one of cleaning.  We're also pretty excited for when we buy the last thing needed for the silverware/napkin combos for the tables...so we can put it all together. 

I want this bedroom

Crate and Barrel

Holy Moly!

I think my "updates" status was a little premature.  I should have waited, really.  Because, while I was off of work this afternoon, Crissy and I spent some quality time at Michael's shopping for wedding goodies.  Crissy has told me stories about when she and Darci would go run errands and only one would be mentioned prior to going, but really....so many more would await one of them.  Somehow this was called "playing games" (or something like this - I can't remember every story I've heard).  So, I didn't hide any of my agenda items from Crissy today, but as we were walking out of the door is when I told her all of the things that were on my list to look for while at Michael's specifically.  To top it off, because of how our paychecks have fallen currently...it all also meant she had to pay today.  I think she wasn't a fan of "games" today.  She was a super trooper though.  Even after what may have been an hour or more in Michael's.

We picked up flip flops for the "flip flop basket" for only $0.80 a piece!!  Between a sale they were having today and a coupon I had, $0.80 is totally justifiable for this extra little thing we wanted to do.  Plus, I've wanted all of these cute little mini chalkboards to write the names of foods and desserts on, so people know what they're eating  - and what's gluten free.  But, seriously - those chalkboards are so stinking expensive, based on what they are.  So, Michael's had these little rectangular pieces of wood for $0.29 plus my 20% off coupon on everything - and I picked up some chalkboard paint....and (one day) voila!  We'll have mini chalkboards.  Not to mention, we picked up larger rectangles for the same process to take place - to use as table numbers/names. 

We also picked up more ribbon - we needed more to finish ribbon wands, more to use for big bows on the "drink tent," and some to use to wrap around the napkins/silverware.  Crissy and I spent some time tonight finishing up ribbon wands.  Check out all 80 of them:

I mentioned earlier that I've been on a hunt for labels in a very particular shape.  Well, before playing shopping games with Crissy today, I had decided that it might be more frugal of us to just buy a large scrapbooking punch and use the same shape for labels for the invitations and for the chalkboard labels for our mason jars for drinks.....plus anything else we might need that fun shape for.  Michael's had nothing.  Well, they had one mondo large scalloped circle.  But, boring, really.  So, we checked out Hobby Lobby, too.  And, Crissy is a savior.  Because in the midst of my grumpiness....she found a shape that is almost exactly what I was looking for.  Almost.  But, it's so exciting.  Check out the new shape with the chalkboard labels.  I can't wait to punch all of them out!

Last, but not least - the state of affairs in Crissy's office.  Her office has become wedding central for the time being and has been completely taken over by wedding goodies.  Here's proof:

Seriously, check out how many jars we have just sitting - waiting for candles and a glorious outdoor wedding:

I also have to apologize for today's lame posts.  Disregard the complete lack of originality and wit.  I must have used it all on the "FAQs" page I created on the blog....because these two posts have been complete and utter lamesauce.  But, at least you know we're alive - and doing something wedding related. 

Update

Okay, so we've been a little MIA lately.  Which seems to be the trend since I changed jobs....which is somewhat ironic since I'm actually done at work earlier than I typically used to be.  Oh well.....no one sent any search parties, so I guess you all weren't too worried.

Here are some updates:

• We bought my necklaces for the wedding last weekend.  I'm SOOO excited to get to wear them - and to see them with my dress when it finally gets in.  I'm going for the whole layered necklace look....and it's absolutely not traditional for a wedding.  But, I LOVE it!  I had found a necklace on Etsy that I loved and it served as the inspiration...
• We are slowly acquiring more mason jars.  Seriously, I should have taken a picture of all of them sitting out in Crissy's office at home.  We still need a ton more - but there's a decent amount of floor space that has been taken over by mason jars.  :)
• We've been on the hunt for affordable drink dispensers for a while now.  Originally, we were going to continue to use wine bottles for water, as well as the cranberry and vodka...until we realized how many MORE wine bottles that would require us to prepare.  So, drink dispensers it is.  We found a couple at Gordman's and with my handy dandy coupons, they were each only about $16 AND 3 gallon size AND glass not plastic.  Seriously, for drink dispensers....that's exciting!  So, with them being glass, they're a bit more consistent with the whole feel of the wedding (you know, the mason jars, wine bottles, etc...)
• A date was finally picked for the bridal shower and bachelorette party - August 6.  You know you want to come party with us.
• And, to appease the people who have asked if we're registering - and for those people in our families who we know will want a registry - we registered last weekend.  It took Crissy some warming up to the idea....I'm not sure she saw the "fun" in it until we were actually doing it.  But, it was a lot of fun to walk around and pick out things we either need, want, or need to replace.  
• Ribbon wands are "almost" all made.  I think we have about 55-60 made currently - which means only another 20 or so to make.  Hooray!!!  I love finishing projects!
• We received all of the stuff we need to make the invitations (except some pretty scalloped/bracket shaped labels that I'm still on the hunt for.  Ariel found me some lovely ones, but they're a smidge more than we want to spend....so, I'm still searching!)
• Clare started to handwrite the invitation so we can figure out exactly how it will be worded, angled and written.  She's awesome.  Seriously....just wait until you see her fancy writing on the invitation you receive.  You'll be jealous your handwriting doesn't look like that.  Well, unless it does....and then kudos to you too!  :)
• A few new tabs will be added to the top of the blog soon....so you should check them out if you want answers to FAQs (aka things you just might want to know) or if you have a burning desire to buy us a present.  Which, by the way, is not required, mandated, necessary, or otherwise an expectation.  We just want to have fun on our wedding day.  
• There are probably 8 million other updates, but I'm blanking on them right now.  So, instead I'll leave you with this adorable burlap bunting that really may have adorn our sweets table....but perhaps with the phrase "Love Is Sweet" instead.  It would be super easy to make.  :)

Oh, and ps - the wedding is 71 days from today.  That's INSANE!!!  There's still kind of a lot to do.  Good thing Crissy and I don't have major plans for the weekend....maybe we can get some stuff done!  Can't wait for you all to help us celebrate!!!

Ribbon Wands, Part 1

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my Saturday evening:

Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with tasks that need done.  They bring me anxiety because they're not done yet.  I am very much aware, however, that there is no need for most of these things to be done right now.  The thing is, though, that if I do them now - I know it's one less thing I'll have to worry about later.  Hello, crossing things off a to-do list is pretty great.  I know you all agree with me.  Nevermind the fact that Meghan was right when she asked me what I would be doing with them between now and the wedding and why they couldn't wait to be completed sometime around a shower later this summer or something when other people would be around to help.  Pish posh, Meghan.  I know you love to-do lists and crossing things off, too.  :)

So, craft night it is at our house.  I guess in lieu of the art fair we were planning on going to, we are being the "artsy" ones instead.  I mean, if you can call making ribbon wands "artsy."  I don't really think so...."artsy" might be a stretch.  Oh well.  It's creative.  Or something.

I knew I wanted ribbon wands, mostly since I first saw someone blog about them.  But, I didn't realize just how much I wanted them until I actually started making them.  I LOVE them!!!  They're so fun - and I have no doubt that they'll help facilitate beautiful pictures at our wedding.  Not to mention, being something people can hang on to, if they choose.  And, really....they're just fun.  Plain and simple.  Beyond loving them for what they'll do and how they look - they make me love our wedding colors even more.  The addition of eggplant couldn't be more perfect!  And, the original chocolate brown, apple green and peacock....LOVE.

Here are the whole whopping 4 ribbon wands I have made so far:

Sadly, the eggplant ribbon gets a little lost in the pictures

It's hard for pictures to really capture the fun-ness of them.  And, for you to really understand how great they'll flow when waved around.  You'll love them.  Trust me.

You're dying to see what they look like while being waved?  Yeah, I figured as much.  So you don't have to wait any longer, here you go:

Oh man, I just can't wait for it to finally be here!!!  105 days to go - holy crap!!!

Napkin Rings

I bet you're sitting there wondering why anyone would take any time to blog about napkin rings.  Well, my question back is: Are you really sitting there reading about napking rings?  The answer to both is clearly yes.  I won't bore you, though.  Know how in a recent blog I offered up some ideas for napkin rings?  Well, then I stumbled across pinback buttons and a site where you can create your own.  The fantastic thing about pinback buttons as napkin "rings" is that they would require virtually no effort on our part and they wouldn't be all that expensive.  Two completely awesome things.  So, we'd use ribbon to wrap around the napkins and pin the two ends of the ribbon together.  We could create our own design or we could use something like these:

We're nerds, so these seem fitting since we're both therapists

These clearly stay within the green color scheme

These are just fun

Buttons that promote being earth friendly seem pretty fitting with our day.....

Taking Care

You may have noticed by now that our blogging has slowed a little.  And, by "a little" I really mean that it has slowed to a turtle's pace.  We're sorry.  Well, I'm sorry.  I guess Crissy could have picked up the slack...but she's been a little busy taking care of me.

A while ago, I posted about big changes going on in our world.  One of those big changes was my change in job.  April 4 was the official first day - and well, things since about mid-March have been just a little bit nutty.  Preparing to leave ABC was difficult on many levels.  I love that place.  Not past tense...totally present.  Love.  That was a big factor as to why it was difficult.  But, beyond that - I just had a ton of shit that needed to be done before it could actually be my last day.  Case noting?  Not exactly my favorite thing to do.  Nor is closing files.  Good thing Lynn loves me despite these flaws.  So, as my days at ABC came to an end, I was spending lots of late nights at the office.....and not blogging.

Speed up a few days to the start of my new job at SIU.  And, well, it's been something of a time warp - or a time slug.  It's really hard to say whether it has flown by - or if it has taken for.freaking.ever.  Needless to say, I haven't felt like life is normal yet.  I think it's slowly starting to get there, but I just don't quite think we're at normal yet.  I now get up at 5:30 in the morning.  Every morning.  If you have EVER met me, you know this isn't exactly something I'm fond of.  My ideal working hours?  10am to 2pm.  Those are my prime waking hours.  That or about 8pm to 11pm.  Either way - 5:30am is not it.  Beyond that, there's the driving.  The anxiety.  That's a whole other paragraph, though it could be its own post, really.  There's the lunch making the night before.  There's the outfit picking out the night before.  There's really just about everything crammed in before bed.  Ugh.

Here's the deal.  I hate change.  I think I've mentioned this more than once.  Change brings me anxiety.  Not feeling confident in what I'm doing?  You guessed it, anxiety.  Driving in bad weather?  Yep, anxiety.  New social settings?  Anxiety.  Fear of failure?  Anxiety.  So, you know what this job change has done to me?  Brought on a hell of a lot of anxiety.  Seriously.  I'm not kidding.  I'm not sure I've ever needed Xanax like I do now.  But, since I hate meds...which is ironic since I now work for the psychiatrists.....I'm not going to do anything about it.  It will get better.  It has a little.  It's just slow moving.

More anxiety?  Picking out clothes.  I HATE picking out clothes.  And, subsequently....Crissy now hates picking out clothes with me.  :-/  Sorry, honey.  She's pretty great, though.  Nearly every night, we go upstairs early (so we can actually get to bed at the desired time) so we can find my clothes.  I never know where any of my things are - and she's brilliant and always finds them.  Man, I would literally be lost without her.  Or, well, I guess more technically - my clothes would be lost without her.

There's been no time for blogging because I've been so wrapped up in dealing with all of these changes and still trying to have a seemingly normal social life, all while Crissy has been taking care of me.  Which leads me to what will likely be a sappy moment.  Consider this your warning.  You can choose to either scroll past the cute bulldog puppy and read the sap....or just stop here.  Again, your choice. You've been warned.

(This pic is special for Crissy - she'll love it)

Okay, here's the deal.  I'm in Farmersville staying with Crissy's parents right now (gas conservation, people), so this makes me typing all of this less weird.  No worries.

I've always known Crissy was amazing.  I mean, it's exactly why I want to marry her.  But, sometimes things happen in life that just reaffirm what we've always know, you know?  Crissy has always been supportive....amazingly, crazy, supportive.  Of everything.  Crissy shows her love in many ways, but since I started this new job, it's been in ways I never expected.  Crissy helps me find clothes nearly every night - even though she hates it - because she knows it will keep me from freaking out at some point.  Crissy peels my oranges, as we make my lunch for the next day together....even though her hands are *too sensitive* for the cold of the orange.  She's learned to make coffee and sometimes gets it ready at night, instead of me.  She goes to bed early with me.  She doesn't complain *too* much when bedtime ends up being later than planned because of aforementioned freakouts over clothes.  Crissy has taken care of me in ways I didn't know I needed taken care of.  I can only hope that I give as much to her as she gives to me.  Because, man, I'm one lucky lady and I love her tons.

Fun Stuff

Crissy and I definitely want a classy event.  There's really no doubt about that.  But, we also really want people to have fun.  Lots and lots of fun.

I mean, what else says fun, than something like glow sticks?!?!

See?  Fun!

And, neatly arranged before people grab them

One of the reasons I really like them, though?  They could be used to help light the way back to people's cars (or tents) at the end of the night.  I mean, I know they're not a flashlight....but they might help.  Humor me, here.  It will make people safer, I'm sure.

OMG!!! It wasn't my plan to post yet another picture of a gorgeous backyard in this post, but when you find one.....well, you just have to post it.  It's that simple.  Check it out:

Dad and Bill - I hope you're taking notes.  I'm not really sure how to make that happen...but there must be a way.  And, it will be gorgeous.  :-)  And, I'll buy you a drink that day as a token of my appreciation....hahaha...

More fun stuff?  The idea of a one-man piano show.  Think dueling pianos...but, well, not dueling.  We're not really committed to this one yet, but we know it would be fun.  Thanks, Bill, for adding more to the "dream" budget.  :-)  I can always count on you to spend more money.  Really, though, we'd love it.  We're just not sure we're going to have the money to spend.  So, you'll have to actually show up to find out if we have live entertainment or the ever-so-trusty iPod entertainment.  You'll love it and dance either way.  Guar.an.teed.  I'm not kidding.  You WILL dance.

We've already shared that people can camp out at my parent's house in the yard if they want to.  Or, maybe we haven't.  Maybe I was saving that for its own post.  Who knows.  But, the deal is:  if you can't pay for a hotel room, love camping, or just don't think you'll be able to walk at the end of the night....my parents have a large yard that you can put a tent in to sleep off your drunk in.  Just don't puke in the pool.  Or be too loud.  Or leave gross bathroom-like-remnants in the yard.  There, those are the rules.  For now.

I figure the backyard will look something like this

It seems like somewhere along the way Crissy and I channeled our inner hippies...with the whole camping, burlap, recycled bottles, glow sticks, and such.  But, we're really excited about it.  Plus, Crissy has always claimed she has an inner hippy.

Another fun idea?  Owl cake toppers.  Crissy loves owls.  I think they're pretty cute, too....but I'm not nearly as obsessed as she is.  But, owl cake toppers at one of our events would be pretty swell.  These are from Claylicious on Etsy (of course).  One in the "grape purple" and "robins egg" would be super cute together, don't you think? 

Napkin rings/napkin holders.  Yes. I'm serious right now.  I don't know that we're actually doing any of these things, but check 'em out:

And, then, I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this:

Source

Thanks to the site for that lovely little wooden inspiration board, I think we just found a wine box for the wine ceremony.  :-)

They have so many things!!!

Ok.  I think I need to stop.  But, seriously....there will be loads of fun stuff.  Or, well, let me rephrase.  There will be loads of stuff that I (we) think is (are) fun.  :-)

I've thought of having things like ladderball (or whatever other people call it) and bags.....but then, I fear people wouldn't dance with us.  We want dancing.

Tempting, though, right?

Happy ________________ Day!!!

You know, most people have things like "Happy Mother's Day" posts....us?  We're having a "Happy (fill in the blank) Day" post.  Why?  Well, because we're not normal, I guess.

I mean, we have moms....but we have more than that.  And, May 8, 2011 was more than just a day for moms.  So, here we go:

Happy {Grand}Mother's Day!

To our grandmothers, we say "You're swell."  Thanks for your love and support and just being "grandmas."  You know who you are.  :-)

Happy Mother's Day, Ladonna!

This would probably be more touching if it were actually written by your daughter, so it will have to do from me.  Thanks for everything you do for us, for your love, support, and concern.  Even when that concern is over a measly little cough.  :-)  But, seriously - we're both thankful for you.  And, thanks for letting me invade your house once a week like I live there.

Happy My Linda Day!

I don't like the term "stepmom" or "stepmother" or anything of the sort.  And, I've just not come up with anything else to call Linda...but she does often get referred to as "My Linda," so this one's for her.  :-)  Even though you decided to bail on Mother's Day and spend a week in Mexico with dad, I hope your Mother's Day was fantastic.  Though, I'm sure it was something near tragic without us kids around.  In all honesty, thank you for being you.  Thank you for being such a fantastic woman in my life and a wonderful role model.  Thank you for your love - and your support.

Happy Mother's Day!!
This could get real sappy, so I'll spare you all.  But, it was Mother's Day yesterday....which means my mother, while she's no longer here to be celebrated in person, was certainly thought of.  I miss her a whole heck of a lot.  But, I was lucky to have her for as long as I did.  So, Happy Mother's Day to you, Mom. 

Happy Kristy Day!!!

Nope, Kristy isn't a mom.  But, it was her birthday yesterday!!!  Which means she gets celebrated, too.  Birthdays are just as cool as things like days celebrating parents.  And, yesterday was all hers.  :-)  So, to my bff - thanks for being you, for being great and supportive.



This is sad that this is the only picture I readily saw of the 3 of us.  We need more!

Sooooo....to all of the moms, the Kristy's, the birthday people, the soon-to-be-moms, the new-moms, the wannabe-moms, and every other person celebrated yesterday.....I hope your day was as fantastic as possible and that at least one person celebrated your greatness.

Mooning the Honeys

We're back people...at least for the evening.  First up on the agenda?  A recap of the one decision that was made this weekend.  The honeymoon.  The all important after-the-wedding vacation destination.  We had some options.  First option?  To go absolutely nowhere.  As much as we like our house, it's not really all that exciting.  I mean, if you could spend a week after getting hitched, would you really want it to be here:

Yeah, probably not.  So, then there's the expensive option.  I mean, the expensive option could be just about anything, really.  But, we had decided if we were doing expensive we wanted to go here:

These lovely pictures are from Oxygen, what appears to be a spectacular resort in Costa Rica.  Seriously, there is not a hotel with a hallway full of rooms.  It has jungle villas.  And, only 12 of them.  The resort never has more than 24 guests at a time.  A-ma-zing.  You absolutely must check out the website.  But, you've been warned.  Because you will certainly want to go if you take a look.  And, honestly - it's not that crazy expensive really.  Room rates for September through November are cheaper than what I've paid for hotel rooms in Chicago before. 

And, while there are ways Oxygen could be an option for us, we're not sure we want to bank on those options.  I mean, we could establish a fund for our gift registry, allowing people to help pay for a honeymoon rather than buying us a tangible gift.  Or, we could hope that I get my first potential clinical incentive bonus August 1.  Or, who knows what else.  But, we're not really sure we want to get our hopes up in thinking we'd be able to go somewhere like Costa Rica and then be disappointed when I don't get a bonus or something (because I wouldn't have had enough clients for long enough to make that bonus happen).

So, instead we're going with the middle-of-the-road option.  Well, not really middle-of-the-road.  Because from what we've heard, it's a pretty darn nice place.  And, right on a beach.  So, I think those things make it far closer to our expensive option....just not somewhere that sounds exotic like Costa Rica.  Or Belize.  Or Bora Bora, Fiji, Tahiti, or anywhere else like that.  Because Florida.....well, it sounds so....American.  haha.  But, seriously - we're super excited about this option.  You see, Linda's sister, Jean, has what is rumored to be a delightful beachfront condo on Pompano Beach in Florida (near Ft. Lauderdale).  I've heard it has a wall of windows and is steps from the beach.  That's my kind of place to veg in for a week.  Best of all?  Jean is AWESOME and to our knowledge, is only asking that we pay the fee for it to be cleaned after we leave.  I mean, okay.  So, it's looking like our honeymoon will cost us airfare, food, fun stuff, a cleaning fee and a thank-you gift to Linda's sister, Jean.  We're all for that.  We have no real pictures of the place, but here's what I envision:

And, these are legitimate pics of Pompano Beach....just not from Jean.  And, I have no idea how they compare to exactly where her condo is:

So, hooray for a decision being made!!!  And, hooray for what will undoubtedly be an amazing time in a beautiful spot!!!  (as long as there are none of those pesky hurricanes around....but I already know that Mother Nature will appreciate my prayers to the universe for weeks of beautiful weather for the wedding and our honeymoon).  Hooray for sticking to budgets!!!

Oh....and hooray for us already knowing where we want to spend our first anniversary....because we're going to save our pennies for Costa Rica.  :)

Welcome!

We have a new addition to the wedding fun!  What is it???? A new color.  Meet the new and improved color scheme:

This green might technically be a bit brighter than our actual green

The lovely peacock and the new addition of eggplant

And, of course, a chocolate brown

Why the late-comer of eggplant?  Because Darci is so high maintenance.  :)  Not really.  But, we all did pick bridesmaid dresses on Sunday.  Woo-hoo!!!  Even better, I think both Kristy and Darci are happy with their selections.  We're not going for the standard everybody matches kind of wedding....primarily because people are different.  So, everybody gets a different dress.  Check 'em out:

Darci's dress

Kristy's dress

Back of Kristy's

 We really do swear we'll blog about life - and wedding stuff - again soon.  Hope this tides you over in the meantime, though.  :)