There was a birthday. I made a bird.

My friend Gwennie turned one whole year old a few weekends ago.  In celebration, her mom and dad had a fun and festive birthday bbq.  To commemorate her first year, and to have an excuse to break out my new sewing machine, I made a bird.  It looks more like a penguin, but it doesn't really matter.  He is so ugly he's cute and I'm quite proud to say it took me one morning, three bobbins of thread and not too much cursing :-)  I shall continue.  Beware of stuffed toys from me on YOUR next birthday!

Wedding Update

Lots of happenings lately! In recent wedding news we have: 

• picked out and purchased wedding bands
  
• picked out and reserved tuxedos
  
• decided on favors (again!)
  
• picked a menu for the rehearsal dinner
  
• picked a menu for the wedding reception
  
• decided on an engagement photo session location
  
• nailed down all dates leading up to the wedding (showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc.)
  
• picked out invitations 
• called and reserved the Fendor Sound System and microphone for our "DJ" to use with my iPod
• cleared it with the art studios to let the table guy set up and tear down the day before/after
• decided on final decorations for the reception

Now to execute a few of these things and start on the DIY projects that are looming.  I've only got three or four weekends between now and the wedding that are fairly calm, so it's crunch time for sure.  I find myself making decisions about things I never thought I'd need to think about and with each one, I am simultaneously more excited and more nervous about pulling this giant event off.  Every once in a while,  I wish it was someone else's wedding I was planning - I think I'd be a little more clear-headed.  

This morning, instead of grading my stack of student research papers, my project is to start compiling a list of all the things we'll need for our DIY bar.  I haven't even begun writing yet and I've got cups, and lemons and limes and corkscrews and napkins and ice buckets and coolers and kegs and alcohol all swimming through my brain.   We're hiring three of Matt's students  - two to tend the bar and another to clean up empties and run out for more ice if we need it.  I will feel better when there is a list.  For some reason a list makes me feel like it's done, even if there is still a lot to follow through with.  

By the end of this, I'll be available for hire if anyone wants me to plan a wedding.  Maybe if this actually goes as planned, and when I'm tired of this thing they call teaching,  I'll join the wedding industry as a wedding planner extraordinaire!  

Easter

My mom called me today.  I said "Hello?" and she replied with, "Well, all I know is that you must be way too busy."  She of course, was referring to the fact that I had not yet updated my blog with an Easter post.  I am behind and have a lot going on in all areas of my life.  It's funny how those are the times when I blog the least - when there is actually more to blog about in the first place.  That, after all, is the purpose of this blog.  It is to be a virtual scrapbook to keep all the memories in one place and to share with those who might want to take a look.  Well, in the interest of using this blog for its intended use, I add an Easter post and a promise to update again soon with wedding/life information.  

We spent our Easter weekend in Saint Peters this year with the Chipleys and extended families.  We had a wonderful time of Egg-dying, movie-watching, feast- eating fun. 

 

Easter Eggs!

Visit to Grandma French's House!

East Morning Candies!

Visit to Grandma and Grandpa Chipley's!

Too much sun makes for an awkward family photo...

Before and after?

  

To all who celebrate, we hope you had a Happy Easter :-)