Wedding Stories...Part 1

I'm still trying to play catch up from the wedding, but I wanted to do a post to update you on some of the wedding details!  After all, you were along for the ride every step of the way so I wanted to make sure you got all the juicy details!!

I wake up Friday to find a lovely surprise.....my period!  Yep it decide to show up 10 days late and the day before the wedding...sigh....I guess I wasn't kidding when I said I'd have to squeeze tampons into my little clutch purse!  The rest of the day was spend doing last minutes things for the wedding and at 5:00pm we headed off to the church.  The rehearsal went as planned and we all headed to the restaurant.  Joe had called there and spoke to the event planner there and told her that we did not want to have alcohol....cash bar only...when we got there, she had a table set up with wine and beer!  Yikes!  I quickly took her aside and told her that Joe had called and said no alcohol!  She said, "oh...none?".....ummmm yes....no means none!!   So she quickly started tearing down the table and put it all away....next thing I knew people started asking for the wine list!  I had to go seek her out again and told her that people were ordering alcohol.....she said she would go tell the waitresses.   Next thing I knew, Venti comes up to me and asks why we weren't having alcohol....I told him that we decided not to.  He looked disappointed and I felt badly about that!  I find out later that someone picked up the tab for all the alcohol....we have no idea who that was.  The dinner was delicious and everyone enjoyed it....the bill was $893.00 and can't imagine how much more it would have been with the alcohol as we saw lots of people drinking!

I asked Venti where he was sleeping that night and he said at Mocha's house because he didn't have a bed at our house and they did at her house and Mocha was staying at the hotel with the bridesmaids.  I was sad that he was staying at our house...he could have slept on the couch but I guess he wanted a good nights sleep!

On Saturday I arrived to get my hair done at my appointment time of 9:30am....when I get there, they didn't have me in the book!  I was no where in their system and they couldn't figure out why!  I had the appointment card with the time and date and yet they didn't have me scheduled!  I just about had a panic attack!  They said that the girl that scheduled me was new and must not have saved it in the computer!  Ugh!  No worries they said....they started calling all the scheduled appointments and bumped everyone up an hour!  Another thing that I had to stress about!!   The girl took over an hour to do my hair and I was very happy with the way it turned out!  I headed home to finish getting ready....

When I got home I was very surprised at what I saw.......

To be continued......

A Preview!!!

The rehearsal dinner was delicious and everything went well.  Venti hair doesn't even look bad!  No one even noticed!  I just wanted to post a couple of pictures for you!   I will post more when I get a chance!  Hope everyone has a great weekend and I wanted to thank you all for all your support you have given me!!  I am off to the church! 

2 More Days!!

Its hard to believe that there is only 2 more days until the wedding!  Boy did that time ever go fast!  I'm excited for it to get here but then again it will be all over....sort of like Christmas Day in a kids mind.

We gave the final count for the rehearsal dinner today...19 Prime Rib and 18 Chicken Parmesan...plus one Chicken Tenders (for Grande's girlfriend who requested that!)...and 2 kids meals.  We made the decision to not have an open bar.  I know Venti isn't going to be too happy about this, but we talked about it and decided that we are having a nice dinner for everyone and its not a night to be drinking and possibly drinking too much and then having a hangover the morning of the wedding!  Our thoughts are that if they want a drink (other then soda, tea, coffee), then they can get it themselves...besides the fact of the cost involved!  We are already racking that bill up at $25 a plate + tax and tip!  What do you guys think about that?  Should we have an open bar...or no?

 Tonight I printed up the place cards for the rehearsal dinner...that way the servers at the restaurant will know who got what dinner!

Joe is taking the boys tomorrow to pick up the tuxes...I have to work and so I can't go....:(
That's another $500+!  I just hope everyone's fit and I'll be anxious to see them!

Speaking of work...well you know about how my boss quit last Friday....Well yesterday the boss of the boss called me and offered me a promotion!  Well sort of a promotion...she offered me a $1.00 an hour raise (woot!) and the opportunity for advancement....in 90 days.  She is giving me a Mentor that will show me the ins and outs of the "manager's" job and then in 90 days if all goes well I will be the Assistant Manager....then after another 6 months if all goes well I'll be offered the Manager's position....the store will not have a manager until I become the manager....but hummmm....I was just wondering how can I be an Assistant Manager if there is no Manager??   I am running the store now and doing everything the manager did....for a lot less money.....but I'm looking at the future and hoping that I'll be reciprocated for all my efforts.  I guess time will tell!  One more day of work and them I am off on Friday!!

Can anyone tell me what one gets their child for a wedding present??  I am at a loss...do I get a gift.....gift cards....money....and if I give money...how much?  I really have no idea!!  If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!

Weddingness

9 days until the Wedding!  Its hard to believe!  I remember back at the beginning of the year when they told us and how far away October 16th seemed at the time! 

My dress is hung in my room all ready to wear.  My purse and shoes sit near by.
I bought a pair of silver flats to change into at the reception if my feet start to hurt!

I made my appointment for my hair to be done the morning of the wedding!  The girl that does my highlights doesn't do up-do's and so I had to find someone to do it.  Little did I know that wasn't an easy task!  I had no idea who to call since I've been going to the same person for years and have never had to go to anyone else.  I called the bridal shop for suggestions and they didn't have any so I started looking online.  I am VERY particular about my hair...I am mean VERY!  Finding someone was going to be very difficult because I had no idea how good...or bad they were.  I was hoping to find someone that was experienced in doing up-do's but yet I didn't want to look too "made-up"....I thought probably someone a little younger would be best because they would be more up to date with the current styles.

I found a place called Looks Unlimited and spoke to a Terri.  She suggested I stop by with the picture of what I wanted my hair to look like for the Wedding.  So the next day after work I stopped by to see Terri.  When I got there this tiny older lady was sitting at the desk....her hair was bleached blonde and teased and sprayed into this high bouffant...."please don't be Terri"....
Hi, I'm Java here to see Terri...
"Hi-ya!  I'm Terri!"....
Ohhhhh...hi!

"Come on back to my seat and lets see what you have!"
Okay...
So I sat down and handed her the picture of what I wanted my hair to look like.  I looked around and seriously thought I was back in the 1970's.
"Oh yeah...I can to that"...
All I could picture was looking like Flo from Mel's Diner!
Okay...well thank you and I'll call you when I get home because I'm not sure what time I want to make the appointment....
I ran to my car...
I drove away as fast as I could...
As I was headed home I remembered a salon that I had been in before when I was doing sales for the Nail Polish company and it just happened to be on the road that I was on and decided to stop in and see if anyone there could do it.
I went in and spoke to the receptionist Lori who said that Carol is really, really good at up-do's!
Yes!!
"What date is the Wedding?"
October 16th.
"Ohhhhh....Carol isn't here that day"....
Ugh!!
"Lisa is here that day and she is good too!!"
Ummm okay...is she here by any chance so I can meet her?
"She is!  Let me go ask her!"
"She will be done with her client in about 10 minutes if you want to wait?"
I sure will!
So I sat patiently waiting...
Lisa pops her head around the corner and said "hi!"
Whew...she doesn't have a bouffant and she looks like she would be "good"....
I showed her the picture and she said, "no problem at all!"
Yipee!  I made the appointment and out the door I went!

But then I got to thinking...what if she isn't any good....its not like I'll be able to re-do my hair after its done because it will be too late!

So I started fretting about this...."what if my hair looked like crap?"....I was driving myself nuts!

Well don't you know that yesterday I ran into the regular receptionist at the salon that I'm going to and we started talking because she couldn't remember where she knew me from and I told her that I used to come into her salon with the Nail Products....she then remembered me and I told her that I was in there the other day but she wasn't there and I told her what I was there for.  She said that Carol and Lisa are both equally good at Wedding hairdo's and that Lisa is actually more particular then Carol is!  She said that I won't be disappointed!  Whew...I was so relived and happy!   One more thing I can check off the list!

Friday is the RSVP date for the rehearsal dinner and as of today, we still haven't heard from 2 of the bridesmaids, 3 of the groomsmen and 3 others!  We sent these out 3 weeks ago.  I made it easy to RSVP with either a phone number or email.  Why is it so difficult to get an answer?  They were supposed to let us know their dinner selection...pretty soon they aren't getting anything!  I always respond right away for things like that and can't understand why other people don't.   They all are obviously coming since they will all be at the rehearsal....so why won't they respond??

I am going shopping Saturday morning for something to wear to the rehearsal dinner!  I'll let you know what I find!

Dress Shopping!!

I'm so excited its the weekend!  After a very long and tiring week at work, I am really looking forward to 2 days off!  My boss had her interview on Thursday for another job but they didn't want to pay her enough so she is staying....sigh...I'm not sure how much longer I can put up with her.  I do almost all of the work while she does nothing.  Its very frustrating.  Joe says that next week I shouldn't do the things that I've been doing and then she will realize how much I do, but it is hard for me to sit back and not do the things that need done!  Oh boy...guess I have a lot of thinking to do!

I'm heading out to go dress shopping with my Mom!  She hasn't gotten a dress yet for the wedding and asked me to go with her!  I'm excited to see her try on some dresses!  I'm taking my camera!!

Its hard to believe how quickly the days are going by and that 3 Saturday's from now it will be Wedding time!  We haven't gotten all the rsvp's back for the Rehearsal Dinner and so we aren't sure yet how many we will have.  Venti and Mocha are home for the weekend and we are going to do the seating charts for the reception later today!  That should be fun trying to figure out who is sitting with who!!

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!  I have an awesome giveaway coming up in Thursday's post!!

See you tomorrow for Meet Me On Monday!

I'll try and post the pictures from dress shopping later on today!

A Wedding Update!

In case you missed it, you can read part 1 of Debi Scissorhands HERE and part 2 HERE.

As of last week, I had not heard from Debi Scissorhands and I was getting worried because 43 days had gone by since I had last heard from her!  I emailed her and asked her what the status was on my dress.  She wrote back that the dress was "fine".....hmmm...fine??  That isn't what I wanted to hear...so I wrote back asking her if the dress was done and if so, could I come and try it on?  She wrote back that the dress was not done, but she could "get it done" and that I could come over on Monday.  I was a little worried that she was going to rush to get it done.

So Monday Joe and I went over to Debi's....I stepped into the entrance of her apartment building and climbed the stairs to the second floor.  I reached my hand up to knock on the door but before my hand touched the distressed door, it magically opened and Debi was standing there smiling and ushered us into her home.

Right this way.....I walked around the corner and there was my dress hanging on the door jam as Debi was finishing steaming the wrinkles away.

There you be....let me know when you are ready....she said.

I looked up at the dress and it looked like a whole different dress. I almost forgot what it originally looked like!!

I slipped off my shorts and shirt....slipped the dress on....then I slide my shoes on...

Joe pulled the zipper up for me...

I twirled around to look at myself in the mirror...

It looked...

Perfect...

Well almost perfect...

It was a bit loose at the neck line....

I called for Debi to come it...

She appeared instantly like magic...

I said that it was loose at the neck line....no problem! Come back tomorrow and it will be all ready!

I said that I had to work, but Joe could come and pick it up.  She said she would have it ready.

The next day Joe went over to pick it up...paid her the remaining balance and she handed him my dress.

He text me at work telling me that he picked up the dress.

I couldn't wait to get home and try it on!

When I got home, I ran right upstairs so I could try it on.

Perfect...

Just perfect....

And to think I was worried...

Now I just hope it fits the same a month from now!

Its hard to believe my son....my baby...is getting married....in one Month!

The rehearsal dinner is all planned...

Invitations are sent:

 In 29 days....

I will be a Mother-In-Law!

The Shower!

For those of you that missed it, Mocha's (my oldest son's fiance) Bridal Shower was this past Saturday.
 I was to make my Strawberry Salad for 78 people!
And I did!
I bought 6 bags (3 lbs in each bag) of the chopped romaine, 4 pack (2 lbs each) of strawberries, 10 packs (1 lb each) of parmesan cheese, 3 large containers of mayonnaise, 1 quart vinegar, 1/2 gallon milk, sugar and poppy seeds. Whew!  It took me awhile to put it all together and when I was all said and done, I had 4 very large bowls and prayed that I had enough to go around!

When I go to the reception hall, the bridesmaids and some of her family were buzzing along getting the room ready!  Her Mom made herself "in charge" and kept telling me, "Java do this"...and "Java do that"...hmmmm that didn't go over to well but oh well....she always seems to treat me like this and I'm guessing its because she is older them me.

(Click on any picture to enlarge it)

So anyway, we had 1 1/2 hours to get the room ready!  And we did.

And before long, the room looked like this:

The food was ready to be devoured!  My salad was first on the table...I filled that pan up 4 times!!

The rest of the food was pasta salad, mozzarella skewers with tomatoes, chicken wraps, turkey wraps, baked ziti and fruit kabobs.

Everyone LOVED the salad and kept coming up to me for the recipe!

For dessert, there was a table full of homemade cupcakes in 3 different flavors: carrot cake with cream cheese icing, chocolate with peanut butter icing and vanilla with chocolate icing.

We ate first and then it was time to open the presents!  And boy did she have presents to open!

They did the strangest thing to open up the presents.
First they cleared off the table that the food was on.
Mocha stood in the middle...
....while one bridesmaid brought over a present....
....and handed it to another bridesmaid....
.....that UNWRAPPED it AND OPENED THE CARD....
....she handed it to another bridesmaid to write it down on a tablet who it was from.....
....who then handed it Mocha so she could hold it up and show everyone and thank that person...
....and then it was handed over to another bridesmaid to stack it on the table!
80+ presents were opened in less then a half an hour!
I have never seen anything like it before!
If you blinked...you missed 5 gifts!
It was unreal!
Mocha didn't open ONE SINGLE present!
Not one!
Strange huh??

Here is the end result:

Venti came at the end...to help carry everything!

Mocha and the flower girl:

After the shower I went back to my parents house where my Dad threw a "Man Party" for all the guys while the girls were at the shower.
There was an intense game of volleyball going on when I got there!

Venti and Grande

Tall:

Venti and his Groomsmen (including Grande and Tall)....3 are missing...including Short who didn't want to be in the picture!

All in all it was a great day! 

Did I have enough salad?

I sure did!  Even some left over!

Next on the list....

The rehearsal dinner!