Real Life Wedding Crashers

Kent was watching a news story about real life wedding crashers. He said that the crashers found the weddings by "googling" for them. Does this put me at risk? Will there be internet wedding crashers at my wedding because I have a website on The Knot? Maybe I should post a phony date on my website and phony times so to protect myself. On the other hand, are wedding crashers like free entertainment?

I went to see the movie Wedding Crashers in Moline at the Super Savers a while ago. They portrayed wedding crashers as fun, dancing, and interesting guys who pleased all the ladies. There may not be many ladies at my wedding to please. All my friends and relatives are married, soon to be married, gay, or gay-in-a-committed-relationship. So my wedding may not be the one to go to, wedding crashers. No hot hotties and smoking barely legals to terrorize at my wedding. Sorry.

My 100th Post!

Well, I'm still writing on this blog so there must me something very therapeutic about it for me. I've been using the time off from working at the school this winter break to work full time at the Bread Garden (my other job). I think I should be able to pay off a few things with the extra money I'll make. I got one of my paychecks today. I don't know what I would do without this job!

Last night after worked, I cashed in one of my X-mas coupons from Kent. I received one of my massages.

When I met Kent he gave the worst massages but I must say I have trained him pretty good. I like to think of myself as a massage enthusiast. In art school, my roommates and I were always willing to exchange back rubs. They were especially important after spending long days traveling and hiking in Europe.
I have been told by my friends and fellow waitstaff/co-workers both at Micky's (when I worked there) and at the school that my true calling is massage therapy. It must be my big strong german hands and my robust stature. My massages are not for the weak and flimsy, however. You gotta like some deep tissue rubbin' to endure one of my massages. Kent is ticklish and can be a little too sensitive for my rubs but I can tone it down to suit him alright.

Anyway, my back rub last night was juuuuuust right. I've been having trouble sleeping lately again and my legs get twichy and stiff. Its absolutely maddening when you are trying to sleep.

I'm trying not to take advantage of Kent's new found free time while he looks for another full time job. I can get lazy, tho'. Its so easy to let him take Olivia out to go potty and have hime cook and do the dishes. I have to remember to make the same amount of effort. However, I could get used to a house husband. Today, I made sure to take out trash, do dishes, take out Olivia, ect. so he knows I'm trying to keep house too.

I was looking at honeymoons on the Wedding Channel website today. There were pictures of a spa/resort in Greece that started me dreaming. It looked positively decadent. I hope we can have a honeymoon someday. I'm not sure we will have the resources/time to enjoy one right away. Maybe we should take a honeymoon to celebrate our first year together or so. I would appreciate any suggestions on cheap yet nice locations, ect. For a week long honeymoon. I think it would be a nice reward for all that planning and moving stress.

The Day after Christmas...

Above is my favorite gift this Christmas from Kent. You know I'm going to enjoy this one... Because I can put together a super night. I've had a few ideas. So far I'm thinking of some kind of theatre, dinner at the Lincoln Cafe in Mount Vernon and then some kind of dancing at a ballroom... Very exciting. I actually got tears when I read them. Kent and I decided to do stockings this year but then Kent got fired- I ended up doing most of the stocking/presents work. To make up for it Kent included four coupons in my stocking- the one above, two for massages with soft music and candlelight, and one for a dinner at home of my choice with soft music, romantic atmosphere at the kitchen table with place mats, ect. We had a very relaxing and loving Christmas as just the two of us.

This was the first Christmas that I didn't see my family since I was abroad in Italy. Therefore, my family and I sent gifts in the mail to each other. This turned out to be somewhat of a fiasco. Things got mailed to the wrong addresses and things were consequentially double shipped. Also, shipping on gifts turned out to be just as much if not more than the price of the gift alone! Also, I'm very confused about return policies and return shipping. Will I have to pay for this too? Maybe in the future I will just send gift cards and/or money. Now I understand why my aunts and uncles just sent us money growing up. Everything turns out to be very complicated.

I have today, the day after Christmas, off. I know I need to avoid the stores. There are a lot of things I need to do over this break. On one hand I feel restless to do things and on the other I feel just a little too lazy to do them. Maybe I just don't really want to do the things I need to do and I want to do funner things like go see the movie Rent. That brings me to another problem- I need to stay away from another thing I like to do: Shopping. I can't spend any more money.

That's a problem with Christmas. It reminds you how much fun it is to shop. Then the stores have even bigger sales after Christmas to capitalize on this fact. You spend a lot of time shopping for other people and looking at things that you hope to get for Christmas without getting them for yourself. Then Christmas happens and you don't get the things you saw for yourself and then you somehow feel justified in shopping for yourself after Christmas and you've already spent too much anyway! This holiday has a serious darkside. For example, I decided I wanted an ipod for Christmas. Instead of buying me an ipod Kent bought me some very lovely black pearl with little diamond earrings. Now I want to go buy myself an ipod. Would I want an ipod so much if it wasn't Christmas? Probably not because I know that I can't afford such a luxury. Its alright though because I know my birthday is coming and Kent will have a new and better job by then and we will be alright.

I do think it was really very heartless to fire someone right before X-mas. What if we had kids? Think about how hard that would have been. Kent was really counting on his paychecks this month. How cruel. Kent has only been written up at his work one time and was one of the hardest workers this restaurant had. He didn't do anything that warranted immediate firing: he didn't steal, work under the influence, harass anyone, ect. He simply did what he understood to be his job as a manager. Kent simply made too much money there and the establishment was entering the slowest season of the year. However, Kent seems happier without this job. I just hope he can find a job that makes him happier to replace it. So everyone, give us your prayers, we need them. It may be hard to find a job with a move so close on the horizon.

It's almost Christmas. Kent and I are staying in Iowa and saving our pennies. The last couple of Christmas vacations my family has gone down to Arizona to stay with my brother, Mike, and his family. Above is a picture I took near a very famous spot. I think it was the Okay Corral or somthing. I can't actually remember.
Isn't it pretty? We also went on a horseback ride that year that was very nice. Kent was unable to accompany on these trips. It was always a little hard spending time with my family without him there.
Tomorrow we are going to Cedar (c)Rapids to spend the day with Kent's parents. We will probably go to mass and have a nice dinner. Kent's family is Lutheran so I'm able to follow the service well enough from my Catholic background.
I generally go to church for the music above all else. I love to sing at church. I should join a church choir one of these days. Iam also often moved my the sense of community one can find at church.
Yesterday, JR and I were walking dogs and discussing how we've been craving church and, still worse, Catholic mass! This is very hard to comprimise with our steady pro-choice and pro-gay views. However, it is comforting and retrospective to attend catholic mass like putting on a security blanket. I go time to time when I'm not working nonetheless.
Happy Holidays everyone!

Anyone who thinks it kinda sucks that kids can't celebrate X-mas at school anymore should watch this cartoon (compliments of my Uncle Bernie). I knew there was something good about going to Catholic school!

A night just for me...

Well, Kent is working at his part time job right now and I get the house to myself a bit. This is very nice. I did my final stocking stuffer shopping today. It was actually very warm with sun so it felt good to break out from the cabin fever.

I went to the new gourmet store here in town called The prairie Table. Damn, that's a fun store. They have all kinds of gourmet meats, cheeses, olive oil, and wine. They also have all the fancy schmancy cooking supplies. When I make my fortune I'm opening a store just like this one. I hope it does well. God know people in Iowa City can afford it. I wish I were one of them.

Well, looks like I was invited to eat sushi with my friends Rich and Genevieve tonight so I better go get ready.

One thing I'm really looking forward to about Seattle is the fresh fish and the sushi opportunities. I know Chris will be a happy to go with me any time I get the craving. Only, he likes me to get things that even I can't swallow. I think sometimes, for men, eating sushi turned into a battle of the taste buds. Who can swallow the strangest things and then say, "Yeah, that's not bad!" When Kent and I were in Seattle a few years ago Chris got me to eat sushi with huge fish eggs in it and I almost couldn't do it. Chris looked at me while I ate it with the shittiest grin on his face. He really gets pleasure from the strangest things... Gotta love him for that.

International Geo-hits

hooray! I got hits in China and in Spain! I had a geo-hit in Australia but I know that was my friend Kara checking up on me :).

Mulled Wine disaster

Well, I actually got a couple of friends to come over last night. I had homemade jalepeno jelly over cream cheese with crackers, the accumulated bottles of beer in my refrigerator, a few bottles of red wine, and some mulling spices my parents bought me on their visit.

We watched my favorite show, Project Runway. Then we watched the Being Bobby Brown X-mas Special. The challenge this week was to group into teams and make lingerie lines consisting of three outfits. Santino (the show's golden boy) bombed his line because of his inability to work well as a leader. It just goes to show that you can have all the skill in the world but if you're a cocky and rude you won't necessarily be a good leader. You have to be a good team leader, delegator and communicator to succeed (that turned into a slight rant, opps...). The guy who was out this week was the better leader and shouldn't have been cut. When asked who from his team should be out he responded that if it came down to the chopping block that he would take the heat and nominate himself. Santino did the cowardly thing and nominated Emmett, one of his team members. Damn, I love this show. It reminds me of art school.

Anyway, I digress, I read the directions on the mulled wine spices wrong and used apple cider vinegar instead of just plain apple cider. The mulling process turned into a stink bomb making process. The smell was so offensive that Kent's eyes were watering and he got a headache. I was a little too tipsy from the beer to notice. Or maybe it was my problematic nose that kept me from being affected? Whatever, Dr. Jeckyl turned into Mr. Hyde so we had to go somewhere else to have our fun.

We tried to go somewhere new but that didn't really work out. So the Deadwood it was... It was pretty fun. We helped Melissa write a poem that I will publish for you after she gives it to her girl (if she lets me). I really would love for all the bars in Iowa City to go smokeless. If I'm in smoke I just want to smoke myself. I get sicker from the smoke than I do from drinking. My olfactory system is so sensitive anyway. I would not smoke as much if at all if it the bars were smokeless.

In wedding news I received my ring pillow, wedding cameras, cake serving set, and bubbles in the mail yesterday. I was a little disappointed because I was initially excited at the possibility that my brothers' gifts found their way to my door. But it was also exciting to start collecting things for the wedding. I hope the cameras stay ok till next September. Any suggestions? Oh yeah, in case any of you missed the e-mail about my move last December and still have the 2001 Kountry Ln. Address for me please contact me so that I can update you.

Olivia got to see Santa. Unfortunately, Santa turned out to be a disheveled sweaty girl with dead eyes. I got the picture though.

I have been spending most of the night scanning from photo albums that Kent's mother entrusted to me. Here is my favorite one. It encompasses some of the things I love about him: The way he furrows his brows and sort of puckers his lips a bit when he's concentrating, his individuality, a bit of his vulnerability, his love of nature, how sometimes he seems his own best company, and most of all this image encompasses his quiet. Kent generally a very quiet person. I have learned over the years that he says more with is eyes and body language than he can say with words.

Psych Test Tonight!

I've been reading my psych getting ready for tonight's test. I love this stuff because I have always been enthralled my human behavior of all kinds. I have always been interested in how people get to be the way they are and why. Tonight I read about Erikson's (1950) Psychosocial Stages Model and I think they are very interesting... I'll skip over the young ones that are pretty basic. For example, when you are born you develop the ability to either trust or not trust based on your parents abilities to look after you.

In young adulthood we deal with intimacy vs. Isolation. This determined if you isolate yourself from intimate relationships. I have seen how far this can go and I flirted with isolation before I left for Italy and again after I returned. I am so happy I found Kent (and likewise he found me) because I think we were both on the path to isolation.

During middle adulthood you have generatively vs. Self-absorption. Here people need to decide what they can "give back" to the world. The alternative is possible meaninglessness in life.

In later age, humans major conflict is Integrity vs. Despair. This one really spoke to me as my fiance was just fired by our boss who is now entering this stage of his life. It is a time in life when one must reflect back on their life. The choices they make in life with contribute to a worthwhile sense of existence or feelings of despair and fear of death.

My moment in the sun!

Once upon a time, I went to an art school called SACI. One of my fellow SACI classmates informed me that I have a role in SACI's promotional movie on their website. If you have a fast internet connection you can watch it. Just click this link. You may even catch a glimpse of me, the artist, creating!

Cool new link!

I would like to draw everyone's attention to the new link I got that records my last 100 visitors' locations. So nice to know I'm not the only one who knows about my blog.

Consumption

I remember learning about times of American settlers in grade school. We used to play "Oregon Trails" on our Apple computers and sometimes when you would set your pace at grueling and your rations on meager your little sister would die of Consumption. I never understood what that really was.

Today, in the 21st century we have a whole new kind of consumption. The consumption of products marketed at us 24 hr.s a day. When my Momma asked me what I wanted for X-mas I didn't have anything planned out because with all the help she's giving for the wedding I didn't think it was appropriate to ask for extra crap on top of this very expensive one day. She convinced me to think of something.

I went on Amazon and thought, "Oh, well, I do want these expensive running shoes!" and then, "Oh yeah, I would also love this DVD or this PS2 game." Before I knew it I racked up almost 20 things on my list. Now, I really want those things while before I was mediocre about wanting them. The expectation of getting makes the want worse I think. Maybe, in a year from now I'll wonder... Did I really want those things or was the expectation making the desire so strong?

Maybe having a wedding is the same... Before this whole wedding thing I wanted to elope to Greece with Kent. My father said, "You wouldn't really do that would you?" Well... Yes, I would have. Then I got to thinking... Will I regret not having the wedding? Maybe. Now that I'm planning and running around trying to figure out this and that, I'm caught up in it. The expectation of it makes it more alluring.

I've been to probably 40 weddings in the last 5 years. I have seen some of the worst and some of the better weddings in the corridor area. I know they are a real pain in the ass. Yet, suddenly I'm excited about the prospect of my own upcoming event.

The point is our desire to consume is like a forest fire. It grows with oxygen. The more I talk about my desires and give them "air time" the more my need for them grows. I need to remember to slow down... Breath slower and think slower. When it comes to consumption you cannot submit to it.

Our "Knot" wedding website

I updated the link to "The Knot" (on the righthand side bar) so that anyone is interested in reading about Iowa City/Cedar Rapids and any progress on the wedding can go directly to our website.

Things are starting to get exciting!

X-country skiing and love (in general)

Well, X-country skiing with the dogs went VERY well. In fact, I think that Ben (the psycho crazy dog) was a great asset to the endeavors. He is a natural born pulling dog. When I hit the big hills I hooked him on his leash and coaxed him with, "Good boy, good boy" all the way up the hill. This dog pulled my fat ass up the hill! I think I will purchase a harness and make a habit of X-country skiing with his assistance. In fact, Knicky a lazy fun loving collie mix, who actually looked after me and check up more often, was more of a hindrance on the hills. He did not like to pull me up the hills. Ben acted like it was his mission in life.
After X-country skiing with the dogs I made my way to the Deadwood. This bar the place I can go and always either find someone I know or meet someone to be my friend for the night. Well, I spent the night drinking with "New" people that I never met before in my life. We played '90s Trivial Pursuit and watched the Simpsons. I divulged that I will be getting married in a year's time. Boy, everyone's got their story.
I can say this... People can change. Close friends will tell you that Kent and I were never perfect. But today, I can honestly say, I have nothing to really complain about. I love my man.
We bought his ring this weekend. A classic gold band reminiscent of my father's gold band. It's classic and will never go out of style. Kent was actually pretty excited about it. I will have to give plasma for a few months to pay for it but.. It's done!
I'm going to go out on a limb and say, "Men do change!" For the first couple years of our relationship we struggled. Big time. Kent had been a bachelor for many years. I was naive and new to love. But now we know despite our own hangups, we love each other and we are family together. To find home in someone's arms is the greatest indication of "true love." I can safely say, "I am marrying someone I love and look at and see my very own sense of family in his eyes". With him I will never be alone. He looks at me and I see all the pain of life melt away in his eyes.
Maybe I've had a few too many but I wonder if everyone experiences this. Love isn't easy and magical as the movies portays it. You really have to work to get there! My friends used to say that instead of a thesis I should have written, "Kent, 101," because I spent so much effort and time figuring us out. I think its paid off. I have a man who loves me without question and will be there for me no matter what.
Love to everyone... Including some family who just had a heart attack in their family. Uncle Jim... Take the strength of some of this heart. We're thinking about you.

Day of Snow and Doggie fun!

Its my only day off and I am awake and ready to enjoy the day. All my friends are out of town so it will have to be a Katy loves Katy kinda day. I just cleaned the kitchen and am on my way out the door to cross country ski. One of my favorite sports that I'm sure I will miss sorely when we move to Seattle.
I am debating whether I want to take JR's dogs, Ben and Knicky with me. I know Ben is going to be psycho and run some other skiiers over. If I feel strong I could hold him on a leash but that might ruin the experience. Later today, I'm thinking about taking all our dogs and having their picture taken with santa. Above is a picture of the infamous "Daisy" (Chris' dog that he left with Mom and Dad when he moved to Seattle) with Santa. Its at Petsmart today for $5 a picture. All proceeds go to a good cause.
Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful day in the snow or the sun (where ever you all are).

Belle You scored 61 Independence, 61 Romance, 63 Loyalty, and 63 Practicality!

You are Belle! As the Ultimate Disney Female, you have a bit of everything! You are brave, happy to face beasts and wolves and evil men to save those you love, and exploring dark rooms with a wonderful sense of curiosity. You are loyal, looking after family and friends in any way that you can. You are loving, able to look beyond appearances and love someone for their personality, only happy with romance if you are treated like an equal. You are also brainy, loving books and culture, trying to invent things and improve your life, bored by dull routine people. You are everything an modern, intelligent, courageous, kind, romantic, and independent woman should be. You won't settle for less than what you dream of, and you won't let injustice go on around you.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 32% on bravery You scored higher than 63% on love You scored higher than 60% on family You scored higher than 32% on brains

Link: The What Disney Female are you Test written by lu-mina on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Obi-Wan Kenobi You scored 84% wisdom, 35% aggression, 60% power, and 84% morality!

You are one of the wisest Jedi of them all, and have had a very eventful career full of failures and successes. You are a skilled fighter, having defeated many powerful opponents in your time. You are not overly aggressive, though. You are more reserved and collected. Your sense of morality is without question, and you are a model Jedi.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 75% on wisdom You scored higher than 28% on aggression You scored higher than 44% on power You scored higher than 75% on morality

Link: The Famous Jedi or Sith Test written by SarumantheMad on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Quite a lot has happened since my last post I hardly know how to focus it. Since this is a "bridal blog" I think keeping it up to date on wedding information is the best start.
After deliberation with the married women I know from work I found that Hy-vee is where to go for flowers. This was something I was surprised to find I could get excited about. There are a lot of things to consider with flowers. Buttonieres, pew pieces, nosegays (to the delight of my bridal party, he he), my bouquet, table centerpieces, petals, ect. I'm very excited about the choices I made. I am on the lookout for 20 cheap candle lanterns. Please everyone! Make a fun "hunt" if you are out and about and find a lantern to either mail it to me and I'll reimburse you. I don't want asian or morrocon lamps. I'd like just a nice standard looking lamp.
That same day (I woke up on my day off at 6 am to go to Cedar Rapids and get things done) I met with my bridal party to dress shop. I found my dress and got if for half off at Heart to Heart. All my bridesmaids and tuxedo rentals will be through there in order to have this deal. I'm pretty much letting my bridesmaids pick out their own dresses because frankly, I don't really care what they wear. I just want them to be color coordinated and match. I did like my dress and everyone agreed that it was the best looking dress. The maid of honor was screaming, "Its the one!" in order to hurry matters a bit. I am happy with it but I did not have the crying, "...its the one" moment. I think that is Okay, though.
It was "friend Thanksgiving that day" and my maid of honor was cooking a turkey so they all had to leave after dress shopping. JR, my male attendant/best man, was able to hang out with me afterwards for lunch and then over to the rental agency. We had a great lunch at a pizza place called "Leonardo's". This was a really fun place. It had a 50s decor with Elivs, James Dean, ect. and the walls were covered with black quilted vinyl and the booths were blood red quilted vinyl. Jr and I had a pizza with mushrooms and stromboli and Hannah, Jr's foster daughter had taco pizza.
The rental agency was a real boring and long process. There is a lot of crap to consider. I'm happy its over with. I do have to go back and confirm and pick out the details but it was a process too annoying to even retell.
I've also been taking with caterers and pastry chefs, ect about food and cake much nothing is in stone yet. I also need to sort out hotels with the help of my sister in law, Angie. In case you were wondering, I haven't been doing everything by myself. Kent has put a hand in here and there with decision making.
A few birthdays have passed by... Yesterday Melissa turned 30, Mom had her birthday on the 4th of November, and Mike and Angie Obert (brother and sister-in-law in Arizona) had theirs on the 23rd and 24th. Jr will be celebrating his 30th birthday tomorrow on the plane to Vegas with his friends Melissa, Sara B, and his partner Andy. I cannot join them regrettably because I have to work and save my money but I gave them all the cash I had to gamble for me. Andy has been researching and practicing so I gave him $20, Melissa and Jr each got $5 to gamble for me. Maybe they'll win me some money to put into my credit card. If it wasn't for debt and wedding I would have probably gone. I also have put some restrictions regaurding Las Vegas and strip clubs on Kent so it would have been a double standard if I went.
Work has been getting very festive. We made "hand wreaths" with the kids at school that look very nice and christmas colored chains to hang from the ceiling. We are able to celebrate Christmas unlike a lot of other classrooms because we have a limited number of kids and we sent out a notice to the kids' parents letting them know and asking what they'd like included during the season. I put up the garlands and the lights at the Bread Garden but my brain almost exploded because of the malfunction of a few lights. It was the kind of lights where if one goes out they all turn off. Kent and I have all our decorations up at home and it looks very warm and cozy there too.
Mom just informed me they will be coming to visit during a house hunting trip. Yes, they finally got word that they are moving back to Waterloo (in the dead of winter, no less). Poor Pop-o... I will be so happy to have my momma here to help me.
So thanks for reading this huge update! I'll have to post something else that is fun for gettting through it all! Everyone be safe out there traveling in the snow!

Kermit the Frog You scored 41% Organization, 56% abstract, and 69% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables. First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean. Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type. Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself. You are mostly organized, both concrete and abstract, and more extroverted. Here is why are you Kermit the Frog. You are both somewhat organized. You have a good idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Kermit is also reasonably tidy. He'll even dress up for interviews. You both are sometimes concrete and sometimes abstract thinkers. Kermit spends a lot of his time as a reporter collecting facts, but he is also the author of the dreamy song "The Rainbow Connection." You have a good balance in your life. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course. You are both extroverts. Kermit gets along with everyone. Sure a few folks annoy him, but that's just because they are annoying. Kermit likes to meet new people when he does his job as a street reporter. You definitely enjoy the company of others, and you don't have problems meeting new people... in fact you probably look forward to it. You are willing to take charge when necessary or work as part of a team. Oh, and in case you were wondering, Kermit starred on Sesame Street years before The Muppet Show. The other possible characters are Oscar the Grouch Big Bird Snuffleupagus Ernie Elmo Cookie Monster Grover The Count Guy Smiley Bert If you enjoyed this test, I would love the feedback! Also if you want to tell me your favorite Sesame Street character, I can total them up and post them here. Perhaps your choice will win!

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 9% on Organization You scored higher than 56% on concrete-abstra You scored higher than 65% on intro-extrovert

Link: The Your SESAME STREET Persona Test written by greencowsgomoo on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Here is some information about the reception hall we were penciled in for at Squaw Creek in Cedar Rapids:
The Prairie Oak Lodge was opened in July of 2003, and is approximately 4,000 square feet in total size. The main lodge floor area is 1960 sq. feet, with a secondary area of 686 sq. feet for a total of approximately 2,646 square feet for event set-up. A 3,000 square foot patio is located adjacent to the south side of the lodge. Approximate seating capacity is as follows: 250 (Theater Style), 200 (Classroom Style), 175-200 (Banquet Style). Additional features of this lodge include:* 250 folding chairs - metal frame w/plastic back & seat * Thirty 8' X 30" folding tables* Table and chair storage closet* Full kitchen with a 7' serving window* Interior men & women's restrooms* NO AIR CONDITIONING - a ventilation system and 6 ceiling fans are in place* Parking for 150 cars/4 handicapped spaces* Catering and service entrance with two double outdoor cooking grills adjacent* 3,000 sq. foot level turf area adjacent for tent set-up or field sports activities (west of lodge)* Lighted downhill sledding - 1/4 mile* Large fireplace with some wood provided

Kent and I strongly recommend camping while here! That way you don't have to drive and can drink as you'd like before crashing. I think for the night we might just get a cabin to stay in. Everyone will have to be out and cleaned up by 10 pm so there will definitly be oppertunity for afterhours fun where ever your heart desires. I think a bonfire is in order!

Kent and I made our trip over to Solon to see the chapel last night. Being there with him and seeing his approval and interest really sparked me back into a better attitude about things. We figure we will be able to swing the chapel retainer fee and our picture package so I can stop worrying about money a bit.
The lady who organizes the tours and the chapel rental is named Luanne. She was very sweet.
Some fun things about the chapel are that it was originally a catholic church so it has the illusion of a catholic wedding for my family's sake. I can bring in my own officiant so I won't be put in an unethical situation.
Kent and I are allowed to ring the bell after.
Here are the things that I need to remember about having the chapel on the day of our wedding:
1. I need to assign someone to be the last one out and to have all the flower petals swept up and garbage taken out, ect.
2. We can bring in our own unity candle if we want.
3. There are multiple entrances to the facility if Kent and I decide we don't want to see each other before the ceremony.
4. We can decorate and bring in flowers but we can't use tape or nail anything so everything will need pipecleaners tied on or rubber bands or string.
5. As of now, we can have a runner if we want.
6. The chapel has plenty of white candles if we want.
After our trip to the chapel Kent and I went to get a bite to eat and a beer at Baxa's Sutliff store and tavern right across the street from the Sutliff bridge. That was a really cute fun place. We walked out on the bridge and looked at the stars after.
When we got home Kent and I went over the engagement pictures again to get ready to order today.
So now that Kent has spent a little more time with me about things I don't feel so bad about not having support. I just can't feel alone doing this stuff. I have too much on my mind on top of making trips to look all over for wedding stuff.

Here is where I'm at with the wedding thing. Either I'm going to go with Elaine's idea of just having coffee and mints in the basement of the chapel or Kent and I are eloping. I'm pretty frustrated with the lack of support that I have. I can't see how this is going to work out. How am I goint to plan a move, apply to grad school and plan a wedding without a scrap of cash to spare?
I tried to convince Kent last night of my new idea to take our money on the road to an elopement. This way we can celebrate our relationship as we always have-between the two of us.
\

Living in the present and planning for the future...

Well, here we are! These will probably be the two shots we choose. There were some alright outdoor shots but we really wanted a nice, "family portrait" and an official "engagement pic". There is a softer version of the "engagement picture" that I'm also looking at a lot.
I'm starting to really feel like I'm actually going to get married. Talk is cheap, right? But getting to a point where you start owing people? That's when you start feeling like, "IT HAPPENING!"
Anyway, I haven't been writing very much. When your life moves at a certain pace you are mostly thinking in the present. People who meditate say its important to think in the present. In order to do that you need to achieve absolute mindfulness. Aren't we living in the presence when we are moving so fast we are living moment to moment and don't even have the foresight to write to our loved ones and have lunch with our friends? This is what I like to call a bit of a slippery slope.
Or are you only really living in the present when you can eliminate all the cares and worries of our daily life. Has anyone actually done this through meditation? If I have achieved selflessness I'm not aware of it. My friend Sara said she thought she had during our final posture of yoga once and she ruined it by saying to herself, "I'm doing it! I'm actually meditating!"
I have become very relaxed. I've slowed my pulse and lowered my blood pressure but I don't know about selflessness.
Perhaps I'm too immature in my practice and it is something I'll achieve with a greater wisdom. Anyway, this is what I'm thinking about as I post these previews of Kent and my engagement pictures on my night off.

Chapel: CHECK!

Kent and I have been penciled in for Sept. 2 at Sts. Peter and Paul Chapel. Very historic church built in 1861. Click on the link to see more about it!

Engagement pics are done! I will see the proofs on Saturday! Hooray, Hooray! I've been so busy I think that I'll see Kent in those pictures before I get to see him in the flesh! Anyway... more to come on those. Maybe I'll even scan them in!

How is your international food etiquette?

Test yourself here.

Miss Olivia's Debut

Kent and I got our engagement pictures taken yesterday. It was raining but we were able to get some outdoor shots in her yard. I think they will be nice.
We took some more formal shots inside with Olivia, our dog. It was funny because Olivia was a perfect model. She really loved the camera and the attention. There is one picture where she is perfectly posed on Kent's arm- a perfect family picture. She whined and cried when we were taking shots without her. The photographer seemed to really like her too despite the fact that she made a tootsie roll on her floor. She kept saying that is was, "Miss Olivia's debut."
I think that they are going to be very nice. We will get the proofs back next week sometime. You may put your orders in the comment line if you are interested in a couple of things. I will try to scan them in when I get them but I'd like to get an idea of what everyone wants.

I learned about my brother Mike today!

Something I like to do for fun is Google searches. I found my brother Mike on the web today and read all about him law practice. I thought that was pretty cool. Follow the brother link above and you can learn too!

Blasted RAIN!!!

Rain in the forcast all day for thursday! Argh!!!

Wedding Photographer- Check!

Well, I have a lot to report, thankfully, on my progress this week. As some of you know that I had quite a struggle last week. This week was much more rewarding. First of all, I met with a photographer and liked her very much. She will be taking our engagement photographs next Thursday (10/20). Iowa's autumn is peaking at the moment and we plan on getting some very nice outdoor shots as well as the formal engagement session indoors. Her name is Bonnie Stover and she operates out of her home in Cedar Rapids.

My package includes an engagement session, a pre-bridal session or love story of the couple and seven hours of wedding day coverage. Formals, prewedding candids, ceremony, after ceremony candids, and reception coverage will all be taken care of! She will take color portraits, candids, and black and white photojournalism. A teacher at Mark Twain referred her because she is so in love with her pictures and the album that she made for her. The album is 28 pages with all the best pictures from the day. Everything has a lifetime guarantee. Isn't that nice?

So, I'm very excited about our engagement session. We are going to take the day and go around some possible reception sites in Cedar Rapids. I know I have been talking a lot about the Art Museum in Iowa City but Kent wants something a little more rustic. Our relationship has thrived so much through travel and the outdoors that he and I really think it would be nice to incorporate this into our marriage. So there are I few places we can look into that could work. I want this to be Kent's day too. What makes him comfortable takes the pressure off me so I'm all for making him happy. We are going to stop by Palisades park, Squaw Creek (which is a golf course) and someplace called Touch of Class. We'll see how it goes.

I think most of all I'm thankful to have a little insight from Kent on the wedding, finally. In the hour that we talked about it I was able to settle on a color idea and really pull together a concept for the wedding, "Rustic Italian". So even if I don't get married at the Art Museum I think there is something out there that can make us both happy.

Getting to know you question of the day...

What was your childhood lunchbox? Mine was the Cabbage Patch. I loved it. My brother had the Star Wars one... Please post your lunchbox as a comment... Even if it was a brown bag. There is no shame in that!

When life plays dirty tricks

Do you ever think about what ironic yet cruel timing life can have? I was excited about finding my diamond earring not even a week ago but today I have lost my debit card. I didn't lose my wallet- just the card. I'm going crazy trying to find it. I last used it at Fareway foods store so I don't think it was sucked into a machine. I think its in my apartment somewhere. Anyway, the cruel timing thing is that I desperately need to deposit my paycheck today but bank out of town. Oh the cruel irony... I'm really wigging after the schedule of my last week.

I had appointments and classes up the hoo-ha. I have reached my out of apartment threshold and am experiencing withdrawal from cuddling up in a blanket with my honey at home.

So much is happening I can barely remember all my appointments. Luckily, I learned to schedule everything into my phone. An hour before each engagement an alarm goes off to remind me what I need to do next. Here are next weeks engagements:

1) Visit with photographer to review her Portfolio for engagement and wedding bookings. I am pretty confident with this one though as I have already seen her work today. A fellow Mark Twainian showed me her wedding pics and they were very nice. What I liked best was her candid shots. They showed the brides sense of humor and was sensitive to the bride and grooms personal importances.

2) Stamping Party! (Yes, I will plug your website, Brad, at the party).

3) A BBQ for a few of us Mark Twain employees! (hurray, stress relief)

4) Sadly, Kent's mom broke her hip in a tandem bicycle accident. I want to send her cookies and maybe make it up there to visit her. Get well soon, Elaine!

5) Doctor's appointment, yuck.

6) Regular scheduled classes and jobs, more yuck. Write a paper. Go to library to check out resources.

Here are the things I have on my mind:

1) Need to change oil in car and get brakes fixed.

2) Need to know when and where the hell my parents are moving in order to arrange the wedding. (Don't be surprised if I start thinking about pushing the wedding back or just getting hitched in Greece again. I mean, work with me people!) P.S. Kent doesn't like the idea of getting married at the art museum. Apparently, he doesn't have confidence that his friends will be able to behave themselves there. Sure... his friends.

3) I'm not seeing enough of my honey and I'm sad about it!!!! :(

4) Checking account in serious danger of being overdrawn.

5) Being poor... Forever.

6) Doomsday. The oceans are over flowing. The tectonic plates are moving. The economy is collapsing. The Bible belt is growing. Volcanoes are erupting. Forests are burning. The weather is destroying. The world is ending and everyone keeps smiling and making more babies. Argh. (Did that sound like the Willy Wonka boat song) AND THE ROWERS KEEP ON ROWING!!!!!!

On a positive note, here is what I'm looking forward to:

Thanksgiving surrounded by my big ole Ohioan family. "Weekend at Bernies" only Uncle Bernie will not be dead. I plan on really relaxing with my sweetie for this long weekend. I will enjoy the fall Ohio colors and drink some red wine with my family and eat good food. I will talk and laugh over pictures with my Grandma. I will get my toes done with my cousins Sam and Aileen. I'm pysched! I'm picturing Norman Rockwell only everyone is wearing harley shirts and is talking really loud.

That's really the only thing I'm looking forward to for the moment. My immediate family (Mike, Chris, Mom and Dad) has pretty much decided to not get together for any holidays. Pretty soon we will probably only see each other at 10 year reunions. See ya'll at the wedding!

Well, this blog is swiftly making its way to blah blah blah land so I better stop while I'm ahead. Did I sound over-exhausted?

I was a Garbage Pail junkie

Ok, who of you among us is willing to admit how much they loved collecting these tacky cards. I personally was addicted. My cousin Joey and I would trade and buy them all summer. We shot off cap guns, chased each other around my Grandma's trailer park, and looked at Garbage Pail Kids.

I hope you enjoy this little flashback.

Here are Lin and Bri with me at the site of first Beatles venue 

Gifts from Liverpool

I grew up believing that I had an aunt and an uncle living in Liverpool, England, named Lin and Brian. Although they weren't really blood family, every year they would send me Liverpool scarves, banners, and other various knick knacks. This was before I actually understood what made someone an aunt or uncle as opposed to just being a family friend. We would get cards and letters with long letters written in them with that very European way of writing where everything is in print but in a special, almost bubble-like, penmanship.

When I did my study in Italy I found myself without any family or anywhere to stay for Christmas. At the young age of 21 that was a very vulnerable place to be. Although I had never officially met Lin and Brian before they welcomed me into their home without so much as a breath of hesitation.

Lin is my mother's pen pal. Mom won the Scouse penpal on a coin toss with one of her Beatle-maniac friends when she was still very young. Her whole life she wrote to Lin through grade school, high school, graduation, marriage, having children, growing older, children growing older, moving, working, crying, laughing, and through saying goodbye to loved ones. Until pretty recently, they had never met. In fact, I think my mother had either just met Lin in Florida or was only about to meet her there the next summer (I can't remember). Anyway, the point is, I was to go to their house, where even my mother hadn't made it to yet.

Today, I received yet another gift from my family in Liverpool. I say family because by all my purposes they are family. They sent me a very nice black t-shirt with the child faces of Paul McCarteny and John Lennon on the front with the title, "The Long and Winding Road" printed underneath. What a nice reminder of their relationship with my family. I actually found it quite meaningful and put it on at once. I even got a compliment on the t-shirt from the woman who repaired a couple of skirts for me as I picked them up.

Lin and Brian are going to try to make the trip to be at my wedding. They actually were mostly enthusiatic about the possibility of it being in Greece. Perhaps, we will just see them on our honeymoon.

I was also given another gift today- Iowa City was visited by a bright and beautiful double rainbow today. Isn't that nice?

Anyway, it must be my lucky week.

P.S. Kent and I had dance class again today. That means we've made it through the waltz, the slow dance, and the swing dance. Today, we learned the Rhumba. To be honest, we were finding it hard to connect today. I suppose as a couple we still have a lot to learn about reading each other's cues.

Lost Treasure Found

The most mysterious and amazing thing happened to me today. After I put the quarters in the washing machine I bent down to load the dryer with wet clothes. When I popped back up the diamond earring that Kent gave me and that I lost was sitting on top the quarters for the washing machine. How bizarre? This earring is VERY important to me. I wore the set everyday. The back was difficult to keep on as they get loose from constant wear. I had lost the one earring once before and, after making plans to go to church with Gen, I looked down after hanging up and saw it in the corner of the floor in my bathroom. I thought that might have been a message that I need to go to church more often. I was thrilled then but am double thrilled today. I swore that it must have washed down my shower drain. Then out of nowhere in the hallway of my apartment building it pops up like the prodigal son? I swear it must have been on a trip to Europe and just climbed up on the coin slot to get my attention!
Well, this week came to a screeching halt as I'm home alone trying to collect my thoughts about everything that I need to do. As I see it they are:
1.) Research Seattle and determine good living areas.
2.) Write my Psychology paper
3.) Type and print out stickers for my slides for Antioch
4.) Laundry - done
5.) Dishes - done / clean apartment
6.) Research Art Therapy
7.) Sort through an entire foot tall pile of papers sitting by my desk (where does this crap come from?)
Moving to Seattle thing is really messing with my head. I wish there was something I could do to get my head in the right place. With everything that goes on in my day to day I feel like time is speeding past me and opportunity is swept away with it. When I get a day off as I have today I feel like I don't really want to do anything even though I know I have to.
I woke up with an allergy attack from hell this morning. To make myself feel better I took an allegra, sprayed my nose, took a shower and did what every girl needs when they are as tense as I am at the end of a hard couple of weeks full of work... I got my toes and fingers done. Gold for our Hawkeyes on the toes (that was actually unintentional) and pink on the fingers to stay girly.
I'm also looking in to going back to the gym to work out again (something else to fit in my schedule?!?!). We will see what they offer me. I e-mailed my request and I hope the return offer is in agreement with what I want to do. God knows that its going to start getting colder and colder and that bikeride to work is going to look less and less appealing.
So guys keep me in your thoughts and show me your support because I need to do this move! Kent and I need to step our lives up and this will not happen in Iowa City.
May all of you experience finding a lost treasure this week!

In my Italy dreams I'm simply walking the streets of Florence going the places that I loved so much 

Preparing my roomates dinner.