This has got to be a first

I have a wedding venue that not only won't respond to numerous phone messages, but also has ignored a tweet from my fab planner! Now, I'm just not sure this is something I can support.

In other news, I need some feedback here. If our ceremony site's rules state : "The following activities are not allowed on University property: ..... 3. Posting of signs on trees, lampposts, fences, buildings, street signs, etc." That still means I can get Doug to make us a cute sign like this and be perfectly legal, right?Source

In other, other news, my sister and I had a nice chat tonight about possibilities for my bridal shower and I am really excited! We don't always get along, as with most siblings I think, but I am so happy that she agreed to be my maid of honor. Love you K!

Words of wisdom

Wedding guest list advice straight from the awesome Clary: Don't invite anyone who you wouldn't have over to your house for dinner, because that's what a wedding is, really, just a big dinner party.

A girl after my own heart, for sure. :)

So what else does this mean? Engagement pictures can be checked off of our list! And the weather was gorgeous, and we had a great time, and Doug really likes Clary (extra yay!), and my feelings that I booked the perfect photographer are only reaffirmed/strengthened! All in all, a good night, wouldn't you say?

Priorities

I spent today home sick and pinned to our couch by two cats who with a human present to nap on could find no piece of furniture suitable to them. Therefore, while I should have used this extra time to study for my upcoming cpa exam or graduate class, I was hardly in a physical (by both definitions) position to do so. Instead I spent the day cuddling with my kitties and having a bit of a long overdue conversation with myself.

Lately I have been in a very "Hey world, I see you passing me by, but there's nothing I can do about it because I'm too busy" kind of mood. My daily routine begins with getting up for work after not getting enough sleep, working, and then coming home and either studying or falling asleep on the couch because I'm too tired to do the studying I need to be doing. I feel like I am never catching up on things that need to be done. I feel guilty when I fall asleep and should be studying or when I choose not to study and instead do something I want to do. And I'm tired of it. I've decided that I need to prioritize and simplify.

While it's still a work in progress, I think these are what I've decided to focus on:
1) Work - pretty obvious
2) The remainder of my CPA exam sections - Credit for my first passed one will only last so long, but I'm not going to rush myself either
3) Wedding planning - our countdown stands at 229 days and there are so many things left to take care of
4) Getting healthy - I haven't worked out in at least a month and let me tell you it does not feel good. My eating habits are in a similar state of disarray. I'm not necessarily concerned with losing weight but definitely getting toned and just overly more healthy.
5) And certainly not last, Doug, family and friends - I'm sick of not having enough time for them and/or feeling guilty for spending time with them instead of other commitments. There are also some people who I haven't been making time for at all and that's going to change.

And what's going to go:
1) My master's degree - The class I am currently in ends the end of this month. I will definitely be taking time off until the middle of February and am considering waiting until May or later to begin another class. I just don't feel that I need to immediately get this degree. It certainly isn't immediately necessary in my current position and it will be a while before it will be needed for me to move up. I definitely want to pursue it and I don't want to wait forever to do so, but I think a break is justified. So it's going for now.
2) The lack of a positive schedule - My current routine sucks. I want to wake up well rested. Go to work. Come home, work out and eat dinner. Followed by an hour or two of studying comprised of a specific study plan. Not studying all night and not studying whatever I can tolerate that night. Then I want to do stuff I want to do- recreational reading, tv, time with friends and family, blogging!, and working on wedding stuff. And I don't want to study and catch up on household chores all weekend either.
3) Dealing with other people's random drama that seems to be forcing itself into my life and wasting precious time that could be devoted to other things

So, what do we think? Anyone have to do something similar to get their life back under control? Anyone see something I'm missing or not thinking properly about? Thoughts, please!

A nice reminder

While shopping with my wonderful mom (who now reads my blog- Hi Mom!) yesterday, we of course talked about Doug a lot. But, kind of out of the blue she said, "You know Jamie, you really got a good one." While I obviously know this and thank God every day for the great gift he has given me, it is always nice to get a little reminder/confirmation.

I am also so thankful that my parents love Doug. I think this line from the Edwin McCain song my dad and I will dance to illustrates how they feel: "And I can't help thinking that I'm the lucky one, You're still my baby daughter and now I've gained a son." Coming from a few past relationships where my parents were, let's say, less than thrilled with my choices this is completely refreshing. It's so nice to be able to spend time with both Doug and my parents at the same time and to really enjoy each others' company. Most weeks this is comprised of at least one weekly dinner and sometimes more and I love it.

I have a couple of other posts swirling around in this head of mine but for now they must wait as I fight with my camera to get decent pictures of some of the recently developed "small" wedding details.

Ain't that the truth

While listening to Pandora just now I heard an ad that went something like : "Marriage: It is the only family member you get to choose and it gives you a second sane person at the dinner table."

Given our recent experiences with a couple family members, I would have to say this is a fairly accurate statement.

Anyone have any terrible inlaw related stories to share, because they would sure make me feel better.

Progress and Anti-progress

One lunch break trip to the Post Office and our save the dates are officially in the mail! The USPS lady did not seem to appreciate my request for stamps that were not ugly forever stamps and I was not entirely thrilled with any of the other options, but they are in the mail either way. So now, as if the approx. $4,000 dollars in deposits and other related expenses we have already put out weren't enough, we are definitely committed to do this wedding thing!

Unfortunately, due to a counting error on my part, my parents and my maid of honor as well as a couple other random people won't be getting theirs in this round. Enough labels and envelopes but not enough actual save the dates printed = mini save the date disaster for this girl. When you consider the fact that I'm accountant this becomes especially comical, at least I think so. :)

I will post more detailed pictures of the official finished products once I give the ol' postman a few days to get them delivered to our guests. In the meantime, let's talk about the attire of someone who I followed back into the building after my successful USPS adventure. When did a 2004 Cardinals World Series t-shirt become appropriate to wear to work? I am all about supporting the boys (as you have seen here and here) but isn't this taking the idea of casual Friday a bit far?

Cubs Suck

I don't think kneeling is part of the United Methodist wedding tradition. However, if it was we would so be copying this gesture made by one of Seelen Photography's grooms.

A nice contrast

What I should have been working on tonight & what I actually did.


Save the dates ready to mail! More details on this fab paper product I've worked so hard on to come. Not promising when though because I am finding it very hard to let my beautiful babies go!

Why we want a small wedding

Now I know small is a relative thing, but I consider our hope for the guest list to be as little over 115 as possible to be small. Especially considering we have 75+ in family between the two of us.

And yes, it's partially a budget thing but for the most part it's not because there are so many other good reasons!

1. We want to spend this incredibly important day with those that are most important to us. Our families and close friends are both incredibly important to us and we want to share our wedding with those we love and who love us. Random people that aren't actively in our lives could only detract from that experience.

2. Less random extra people = less anxiety. Both in the planning and execution stages as well as the actual events. Being immersed in a day spent celebrating with good friends and family, where everyone (and us especially) is completely comfortable. We want our day to be a joyful celebration of our marriage, not some sort of big show or spectator event. A small group promotes a closeness where emotions can flow naturally and comfortably.

3. We want to be able to spend time with our guests! The smaller the group, the more time per guest. We don't want one of those weddings where the bride and groom can't even remember who they saw or talked to. I want our guest book to remind me of the good time we had with each individual, not whether they were there or not! Also, we want to spend time with people who we are actually interested in spending time with. No use wasting precious time making conversation with people out of some forced obligation when we could be enjoying the most important day of our life so far with those most important to us.