**Giggle**

They say opposites attract...

Ever heard that?

Opposites attract, that is?

First off, before I go further, it's the 30th which means we're 10 months from W day and Lenny is back in control of the blog for his once-a-month entry.

The concept of opposites attracting has some validity. I'm sure you know some people who are completely different. He's a sports guy. She's into - well whatever girls are into that isn't sports. He likes fried chicken. She likes sushi. He likes beer. She likes cosmos. He's into t-shirts and workout shorts. She's into prim and proper at all times. Just examples, this isn't us.

The cool thing about Amanda and I is that we have a little bit of both.

For certain things, we are totally opposite people. For one simple example, I am perfectly content going home after work, watching just about any sporting event known to man or stupid "Will Ferrell" style movie. (And falling asleep while watching it generally.)

Amanda, on the other hand, is content going home after work, watching just about any female TV channel known to woman or a black and white movie on AMC/TCM.

So we don't like the same things, that's great because it exposes to what makes us individuals. I, for example, purposely watched about 30 minutes of a silent film from 1922 last month. Why? Because the TV was already on TCM. She, just this week, got the pleasure of watching "Old School" (ironic eh? think on it) for the first time...because there was no sporting event on I wanted to watch.

See, we broaden each other's horizons. There are many better examples, however I can't think of them right now.

Amanda has introduced me to art. The chances of me going to an art gallery before Amanda were about that of a zebra taking residence in the backyard here in Converse Heights. Possible, I suppose. But not very probable.

I would say I introduced Amanda to the fine art of baseball, but we met at a baseball stadium so that can't work. I would like to think I have helped her understanding and enjoyment of sports in some way.

Take this to another level. We have lots in common, such as we enjoy our work. We are both event planners.

So...get two event planners together and thankfully they have accomplished much toward the wedding so that now - for the next few weeks - we can satisfy our workaholicsm.

Amanda is involved in no less than 17 things at once right now and I am wrapped up in getting ready for another year of college athletics.

But as two event planners forging down this path together, we understand our limitations. We understand the time contraints and the pride we take in our work. Most importantly, we understand that our work is important...to a point.

That is what we have in common. So by having so much in common, we can understand how exposing each other to our differences make us more well-rounded people.

Remember, before you're a couple, you're just two individuals who happen to meet. And if you can figure out a way to keep your individuality while co-existing (and enjoying) life as a couple then you're onto something.

We're onto something.

And have been for 8+ years...

So it was a Pina Colada

So I can't always be right...an e-mail from my mother....




Love the story about your Dad and me, but there is a couple facts that are wrong…….the drink was a Pina Colada . By the way I won this month’s “I love you” Day!!!

Love ya,
Mom

Allposters.com

R.S.V.P.

The four letters that bring a joy and a dread to any host throwing a party, bridal shower or better yet – wedding reception. The word, French for “Respondez s’il vous plait” also means in simple English “please reply”, a task that has proven difficult for some.

All the guest has to do is let the host know if their showing up or not so they can indeed plan better. Every host wants to ensure they have enough food, spirits and favors for their guest. Sounds easy enough right?

I am amazed by the people who forget to do this. The letters are not a secret code that you have to take time to figure out. It’s a simple “yes” or “no” and does not require a long, elaborate and sometimes boring story of why you can not attend. A simple, “I am unable to attend to prior commitments” will suffice and not a “Well…see…I have this Wii game that I need to improve on and so I simply can not make the party.” The last line is an attempt at a joke but I was reminded again over the last few weeks at how silly people can sound on the other end of the phone.

And you know that they’re praying to go to voicemail. “Dear cell phone gods, please let the phone go to voicemail so I can leave my message and not tell the host some white lie that I’ve been making up for the last hour.”

But alas, my favorite so far of the wedding season happened Sunday at 11:45 a.m. It was from a girl who was invited to the bridal shower who could not (shocker) make the event because she had things to do. It would not be a big deal if not for the fact that the party started at 1 p.m. and she lived over an hour away. Had she left at that moment she would have still missed the shower but she felt the need to call and make up an excuse for her slackness. To be frank, I probably would not have noticed her missing except when I counted people for games but now…her story has become a blog entry due to her tackiness.

Rule of thumb people – R.S.V.P. at least one or two days after receiving the invitation. You will look like a star to your friends and save yourself from many jokes in the future.

348 “I Love You” Days.

My parents are celebrating 29 years of wedded bliss today. Their love story of course if my favorite and which I love to hear again and again.

They met in college at East Tennessee State University in 1978. They both were in an evening business class since they worked during the day. Dad was a radio disc jockey and my mother worked for in the accounting office at a local department store in Johnson City.

They had seen each other over the semester and then one day my dad decided to bring a margarita to class in which he offered a drink to my mom. One thing led to another and they had their first date at the fall homecoming football game. They dated rest of their senior year until graduation, a whole seven months, until my dad moved away to Kentucky for his first post-graduate job.

Dad realized after a few days that mom was the official woman for him and so he traveled back to Tennessee to propose. She said “yes” and they were married in five weeks!

It all came together. Her bridesmaids wore the same dress in different pale colors of pink, mint, lavender, blue and yellow and the guys were in white tuxes (hello – it was the 70s) with matching ruffles. She was able to find a dress and veil, which I plan to wear on my big day, a photographer and someone to make her cake. I even have a copy of one of their favors saved in my jewelry box. No detail was missed.

Then my dad moved my mom to Kentucky the next day and they later on honeymooned in Las Vegas. I came along three years later followed by Jessica in 1984, Samantha in 1986 and Charlea (pronounced Charlie) in 1988. All four girls, all two years apart and we shared one bathroom growing up.

My family and I at my sister’s graduation this past May.

The sweetest thing about my parents is that they celebrate “I Love You” day every 28th of each month. It’s a competition of who says those three words to each other first. Sometimes my mother would wait until 12:01 a.m. to wake my dad up to say it. And other times my dad would get lucky and win. They always celebrated the day – all 348 of them so far. My sisters and I would ask each month for a full report of who won and how. To be truthful, I think my mother’s winning by a landslide.

While it may appear to be a trivial thing, I have and will always view it as a true characteristic of my parent’s love for one another. There is nothing artificial or showy in their affection as a couple but just simple, sweet romance which I love about them both.

Here is to another 348 more “I Love You” days Mom and Dad!

Headed to Charleston!

This weekend, I'm throwing a shower for a sorority sister and wondered (randomly) where this wedding tradition originated. Thanks to our friends at Wikipedia, they enlightened this bride on the history of the beloved bridal shower.

Bridal Shower:
"A bridal shower is a gift giving party given for a bride before her wedding. The custom originated in the United States, although the first stories about these events have been known to originate in Brussels, Belgium around 1860. It remains a primarily US and Canadian practice. Showers are usually coordinated by the bridesmaids, who invite guests to offer gifts for the home of the bride and groom.

The custom of the bridal shower is said to have grown out of earlier dowry practices when a poor woman's family might not have the money to provide a dowry for her, or when a father refused to give his daughter her dowry because he did not approve of the marriage. In such situations, friends of the woman would gather together and bring gifts that would compensate for the dowry and allow her to marry the man of her choice. A frequently quoted legend traces the origin of this practice to sixteenth or seventeenth century the Netherlands. However there are also parallels with many dowry practices and the US Colonial or hope chest (trousseau) custom.[1]

In the United States bridal showers started in urban areas in the 1890s, mainly among the upper middle classes. By the 1930s bridal showers had spread to rural America.[2]

The earliest use of this sense of the word in print may be in the Grand Rapids Michigan Evening Press 22 June 4, 1904: "The ‘shower parties’ that through mistaken hospitality the wedded couple are forced to attend..." And may derive from the custom in Victorian times for the presents to be put inside a parasol, which when opened would "shower" the bride-to-be with gifts.[3]"

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A little Old School.

For him.

A little different but then again...maybe that's why I like it.

Found it at: Tinarie21's Shop

Back on the saddle again....

I’m back! Did you miss me?

I splurged a little in the food department than I intended while on vacation, so I am now back on my exercise routine. Hopefully the rain will stop soon so I can ride a few miles on my bike before nightfall…

Road Trip!

Since the last time Lenny and I had a summer vacation together was 2005,

we decided to skip town on a whim till Tuesday. See you in a few days!

Bridesmaid Newsletter

As a PR professional, I am slightly obsessed with communication even when it comes to our wedding. Hello…I have a blog for Pete’s sake.

So being the wedding dork that I am, I created a little bridesmaid newsletter for everyone telling them to save the date for our upcoming engagement party to an update on their bridesmaid dress as well as other important dates such as birthdays, weddings and wedding anniversaries.

Overall, I think it came out pretty well for my first time and yes…I’m still looking for that bridesmaid dress ladies.

The Save-The-Date Debate...Part II

Continuing the search in our Save-The-Date Debate, I came across Atlanta based company, Blue Blanket Productions and saw one of their many “Save-The-Date” videos that I had to share.



The voice is fantastic and it is a neat solution on how to save money on postage and stationary. Thoughts?

Going to the Chapel...

Today was a big day for Lenny and me as we went to our first per-marriage counseling session. We decided to start early since his busy time of the year will kick-off in a few weekends with the Carolina Panthers coming into town. One thing I have learned over the years is not to mess with a man and his sporting events. So on a pretty day in July, we sat down with our minister, Rev. Luther Rickenbaker, to discuss our future as a married couple.


Can I tell you that I was nervous?


Even though we’re both members of the church and we adore Rev. Rickenbaker, each Sunday, I felt that this particular meeting was much bigger than a typical meeting with your church minister. Like I was ending my “childhood” and entering a new stage of life but this time I wasn’t alone as I was when starting college or my career.


This time I was with someone.



So there we were, sitting in our 171 year old church office recounting the last eight years like a love story scenes from when “Harry Met Sally” and it hit me that “Wow…we have done a lot in the last eight years!”

I guess you don’t realize how far you have come, until you take a minute to reflect on the moments that have made you the person that you are today. Only 317 days…..

Ring Bearer Idea

Photo Credit:Strasburg Children

Reminds me of a little JFK. Thoughts?

A fresh look...

So my florist research as begun and while I still have no idea what I want the flowers to look like for the big day Seriously - Martha Stewart would be disappointed in me.

However,I do know that I want Hobnail vases at the reception...like on the table in all shapes and sizes.


A little odd, I know but I think it’ll a fresh look to the reception design. If you have one of these hanging around your house and you would like to sell it, please let me know (scnearlywed@gmail.com)…I might be interested.

A good laugh...

Photo Credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7O9eKPOM1-YScpNvqZ_VJmK7SAPei7fpt9q32U2LvBKjqe5zTpnaROnatf8XtL-9HiEs-0dPW_6mE2litF9lzi6XLXKeFbK_zTf-H2qtfgqFWozBpjLvYPZ1YBg1T4v4-qEw3bUwhnE/s1600-h/BizarroVows.jpg

Flower Girl Dress Idea

Photo Credit:WaWa Design
What do you think?

Paging Wedding Diva Paper Gods

Dear Wedding Diva Paper Gods,

I signed up for your free $100 gift certificate for free wedding stationery today and would like very much to win. As I drooled on my desk over your pages and pages of exciting but not-to-over-the-top stationery…




I could not help but think just maybe (maybe) you’ll take a moment to smile down from your fabulous Northern California office and pick this little southern belle as your big winner.

Thanks every so much,
Me

Kermit and Miss Piggy

The chickens at the beginning crack me up. Enjoy!

On the bitter bus...

Today, the bitter bus showed up at work and I decided to hop on after my phone call to the city of Greenville.

A little background for you all on what turned my smile upside down. I had my heart set on taking my engagement pictures in the Greenville Municipal Stadium since that was where Lenny and I worked together nine years ago.

So I have called the city off and on over the last few weeks trying to locate the person in charge (more importantly the person with the key) that could let us in to take a few shots. Unfortunately, I was transferred to unromantic individual who got up on the wrong side of the bed today. I was informed that I was “insane” to want to use the stadium since the city decided not to take care of it and it’s been “wasting away” for the last three years. (Note – her words not mine)


Insane? Hopeless romantic yes….baseball fantastic (more my Fiancé than I)…okay agreed but insane…umm not so much.



So thank you city of Greenville for squashing my dreams of some cute engagement photos in a stadium that was a help to the Mauldin community and not the eyesore that you have let it become. Needless to say I’m a little bitter and have added “engagement picture location” back to my always growing “to-do” list.

My little Excel sheet...

The daunting task of building the invitation list began a few weeks ago. Trying to be the organized bride, I put everyone in a perfect little Excel spreadsheet with their name for the outer evenvelope, inner envelope, address and supposed number of guest attending.

Then, for fun, we decided to add up those guest and our conversation went something similar to that similar to this scence from of “Father of the Bride.”

327 days to go...

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
When Harry Met Sally (Movie)

Amen! 10 months, 3 weeks and 2 days (thank you Daisy Patch wedding ticker) from the official big day and thought brings the biggest grin to my face. While I have some serious time to plan the small minor details that I know only I will notice…I do enjoy the creative side of planning our affair.

Last night, I sent an e-mail to a friend in South America updating her on I’ve accomplished and what indeed is still left on the to-do list. Let’s see, I’ve taken care of…

Church & Minister (most important of all checks)
Reception Venue & Caterer
Hotel Block
Photographer
Baker (or SCL as I affectionately call her)
DJ
Dress
Veil


This month I’m deciding…
Florist (2 meetings down…2 more to go)
Event Rental Company
Engagement picture location


Left to Do:
Everything else

We’ll see if I’m able to take care of a few more checks this month. Keep your fingers crossed.

Out and about...

I'll be out and about this weekend attending a.....




for my sister. Don't have too much fun with out me. Happy 4th!

For a good chuckle...

Shower time!

Last Saturday was Jessica’s kitchen shower and I think it was a great success if I do say myself. Maybe because I helped hosted it…maybe because we had good weather…maybe because there was Champaign and chocolate…none the less, we had a ball. Below is a favor that we gave out with a little saying…

"Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat
To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet.
Five wishes for the new husband and wife -
Health, wealth, happiness, children,
And a long life!"