My Weekend in Review!

This past Saturday was "the wedding". I have never been to such an emotionless or boring wedding in all my life. However, I didn't have much time to be bored due to the fact that I had to do two readings during the ceremony (I didn't do too bad... just read a little too fast toward the end!)... and also had to take a picture of every single thing that went on with the Groom's mom's camera. (It's a 35mm by the way, so I was constantly having to change film... and will have no idea how they turn out until they get developed!) I must admit, I was beyond annoyed ALL DAY with having to take pictures. And I didn't realize that it was going to be a 2 hour photo shoot from the time the wedding was over until the time they made it into the reception. I barely had time to think... let alone enjoy myself. My 4 pieces of lunch meat before I left the house didn't take me very far into the afternoon, and I missed out on the appetizers due to the grueling task of taking pictures. Needless to say, I was getting pretty cranky! (Never again will I take pictures for someone at a wedding unless it's for myself with my own digital camera!).

I have mentioned before that I am a pretty negative person... and I could go on about many negative things (from my point of view) that happened during that day... however, I shall spare you my complaints. Instead, I would like to share a couple of funny little stories that made me chuckle...

As people were being seated at the ceremony... I had gone to a back pew to say Hello to my in laws. My husband was seating people (he was a groomsman)... and on his way back the aisle, a woman held out her hand to stop him. I was observing, but couldn't hear everything that was said. Later on he told me that she asked him if his name was Chris. He said, "No, it's Cory." And she went on about how her husband had insisted that he was Chris Daughtry and the woman just had to ask! LOL! Cory laughed and said sometimes he wishes he was Chris Daughtry making all of that money! But apparently the woman's husband had been teasing her about a number of things lately... and she was sure he was teasing her about Chris Daughtry being in this wedding... but she just had to ask to prove him wrong! We got a laugh out of that! And ironically, it's not the first time people told us that Cory looks like him! I think it'd be more believable if Cory would wear some black eye liner! LOL... but I'm sure if you put them side by side, they look nothing alike!

Another funny thing... after the bride and groom's moms walked down the aisle at the beginning of the ceremony to light the unity candles... they walked back to their seats and a little boy in the crowd yelled, " It's OVER!" The whole church laughed... lol! Little did he know, it had only just begun.... and it ended up lasting an hour!!

I don't feel that it's appropriate that I reveal the faces of the bride and groom... since, you know... they annoyed me so much... however, I will share a pic of me and Cory from outside the reception (after I pawned the camera back off to the groom's mom--which I felt guilty about the rest of the night!)... and also a pic of the arbor when it was dark outside and it glowed (although the pic is a little chaotic with all of the reflections of the white lights!)!


I am so glad that's over!!! Truly, I have never been more relieved to get a wedding over and done with. Cory and I did more for this wedding than our own!!

Then, last night... the Teen Center in my hometown where I volunteer hosted the band DISCIPLE. I helped out with dinner... and then took ticket money and later helped out at their merch table. We had a pretty good turn out... about 100, which in that little town, is pretty darn good! This is about the 8th time we've had them... but this was probably my favorite show of theirs so far. At the end, the singer Kevin gave a GREAT message that really spoke to me about my attitude regarding that whole wedding situation over the weekend (my pastor's message at church really spoke to me in that regard as well... think God's trying to tell me something???). It says a lot about a band when they aren't afraid to get up there and give the Good News during their concert... and the best part was that it wasn't cheesey. People weren't rolling their eyes... they were following along and responding really well. Anyway... it was a good night! I was in charge of taking pics for the teen center, and I just happened to snap this shot of the singer during one of the songs and thought it was funny!

Tired much?? I think so! If you ever have a chance to check these guys out, I highly recommend them! Even if you aren't really into their kind of music, they are definitely worth taking your youth group or own kids to see!!

I am going to get caught up on some cleaning around the house and then hopefully take it easy this afternoon. It's supposed to start raining so I think it will be a nice time to curl up with a good book!! Enjoy your Monday!!

For the Love of Decorations!

Well... today is the day for the big "wedding".... the one I've been helping with. I know that as soon as I take a shower and start getting ready, I won't be back on the computer. I thought I'd share a little about yesterday with you!

We were to meet at the reception place at 10:30AM to start decorating. I got there and unloaded a ton of stuff from my car... then went and parked it... and waited... and waited... and waited. It was after 11AM and I decided that I might as well go get some lunch since I knew once they got there with the rest of the decorations, we'd be rockin' and rollin'. Off I drove across town, in horrible traffic to Subway. It was the healthiest I could get, unless I had time to sit at a restaurant and eat from a salad bar (Although, for as long as I ended up waiting, I probably could have done that!). Subway was swamped. I knew as the girl kept putting sandwiches by the register, that they were getting mixed up..... but I took what they gave me (even smelled it on the way out... and it smelled like turkey!) then got in my car and drove across to the mall parking lot to eat it. I didn't want to eat in the crowded restaurant... and didn't know if the Country Club would appreciate me bringing it in to eat there (since they have a restaurant right there). So, alone in my car, I unwrapped the sandwich. It was turkey alright! And ham and tons of weird peppers (YUCK!). So I had to take it back and then wait in the ever growing line for a new sandwich! On the plus side, I got a free 6" sub coupon for my troubles! However, having texted the "bride" earlier, I then got a call to tell me that they would be late.

I drove back to the Country Club, after eating my sandwich.... and passed a lovely butt crack on a bike (ok, it was more like disgusting-*shudder*---don't you think you'd wear clothes that fit when you're riding your bike in public?)... only to wait some more. I started trying to get some lights undone and make sure they worked... and then my mom came to help. 12:30 rolled around.. and finally they got there to help!! I didn't even bother to help carry the stuff in from their cars.. LOL. I had other things to tend to!

Oh yes, I might mention that the bride flat out lied to my face about them being late. There were major issues with the tuxes... and one of the groomsman said he had to go try his on at 10AM... and she had just woken up. But she told me that she "didn't know why they were so late, they were ready by 10!". UGH--Whatev.

Anywho... once things got going... we definitely pulled things together. My mom and I were the last two out with finishing some things up, as everyone else had left to get ready for the rehearsal. I took some pics to share (before people get in there and start messing it up)... just don't mind the light coming in through the windows. The white lights look so much nicer once the sun goes down!

It's all a wine theme.... this is the table for the favors and place cards.
(The place cards are set in corks)

This is the cookie table for when people first come into the reception... I made some mean chocolate cookies!!

This is the gift table. The lights on the wine stand twinkle.. which is so pretty! And the little barrel is going to be used for cards!

And last, but certainly not least... is the arbor. This is what we used at my wedding... however this time instead of flower garlands... it's decorated with ivy garlands and grape lights.
I hope to get a better picture this evening when the sun is down!

The wedding is at 2PM and I'm hoping I don't trip up at the alter or mess up my readings. It's a Catholic wedding, so there are some things the priest wants me to do... like bow at the alter and say certain things before and after my reading.... we'll see how it goes. Don't think I'll be bowing... but I'll at least try to get the readings right!

Oh, and I must mention, the grooms mom... who has been planning this all, she has been very very appreciative and kept tearing up yesterday when we were pulling all of the decorations together. That's what makes all of this trouble worth it! I know they are going to love it when they walk in this evening!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

PS: My husband is awesome because he gave me a foot rub last night after we got home. My feet hurt so bad!!

I Just Need to Vent!!

*Warning, this is a complainy-bum post!*

I woke up at 1:40AM. I couldn't get back to sleep for quite some time due to some stewing that was going on in my active brain. You may remember THIS post... where the Bride-to-be of a friend totally dissed the shower gift I made her... AT her shower... in front of everyone. Well... I had seriously thought about NOT helping with their wedding anymore.

That was 2 months ago... and since that time, I have seen the Mom of the Groom (who is pulling everything together) struggle with trying to get everything done. Since Cory and I are closer with the Groom's parents than we are with the actual Bride and Groom... I couldn't just sit back and watch her floundering. She has been walking on egg shells with everything, trying to let the Bride make all of the decisions (even if they are dumb ones). So, I recruited my mom to come in and help us put their mish-mash of decoration supplies into one cohesive idea for the reception. My mom is a decorating master when it comes to this stuff. My reception was beautiful! (Considering we did it all ourselves--no paying people from a country club or anything)

(Here is a shot of the arbors my mom had built to go over the head tables... once it got dark outside, the white lights made such a whimsical atmoshpere!)

We decided to use one of the arbors (that has been in my back yard since my wedding) for the upcoming reception, which works out since she wants a Wine Theme. Her centerpieces are absolutely hideous.... but we aren't even touching those. We are going to use wine barrels and grapevines, ivy, white lights, etc. We went to the country club a couple of weekends ago to see the layout of the room, etc... and the bride conveniently felt faint when there was actual work to be done (measuring) and had to go sit down. She conveniently has headaches or is sick anytime there is work to be done... (this has happened with other things--not just the wedding). It's really irritating, but it's actually nice when she keeps her nose out of stuff. (I'm horrible, I know) The problem with this though, lies in the fact that she keeps changing her mind or won't make decisions until the last minute... and when she does have a decision to make... she has to lay down because her head hurts.

Seriously, if she has this many medical problems, she should go see a doctor and not stop until they figure out what her malfunction is.

I could go into more annoying detail... but the latest thing is what really set me off this morning. I was at the Groom's parents house on Tuesday evening to go over a few things I was going to help with. The Groom's mom didn't get home until almost 8:30 because she was working on getting all of the programs printed, etc. So Cory and I waited and waited... finally she came home, only to tell me that she didn't have all of the info for the seating charts (I am supposed to hand write all of the place cards). She had tried calling the Bride, but her phone was off... "She must have a headache." I tried to nicely reiterate the fact that I would need the list ASAP so that I could get it done... so she said she would email it to me yesterday.

8:24PM yesterday... still no list emailed to me.

So I wrote a brief email to her and just let her know that I would need it this morning at the latest or I don't know that I'll have time to get it all done (hey, I have a life and things to do!--but I didn't say that part). I heard nothing until this morning... the time on the email was 1:53AM.

Here's what it said:

"We'll get them to you. [The Bride] fell asleep last night & I didn't get the names until late tonight." (Which means, she still had to get them organized before she could send them to me).

SERIOUSLY?

The bride fell asleep? She couldn't keep her eyes open for 20 minutes to finish the chart? Where are her priorities?

The Groom's mom has been staying up until 4AM for the past week (plus still going to work!) trying to get everything done! This is getting utterly ridiculous!!!

I am beyond irritated. I know I shouldn't let it get to me... and even though I am normally a negative person.... I have been trying to be better. But I am SO done with this girl. However, I can't be... since she told me I was reading in the wedding (I should've said NO... but I was trying to be nice)... and I offered months and months ago to take pictures of the wedding for the Groom's mom so that she would have more than just what the professional photographer will give them. Also, I committed to help decorate the reception.

The only thing (besides Cory & GOD) that is keeping me going... is knowing that in 3 days, this will all be over. OVER. And hopefully I won't have to deal with this girl again.

**Taking a deep breath!!** and **Exhaling!**

MAXED.

**Warning: This post is a little out of control!**

I am feeling quite maxed out today...

My dog had to go to the vet on Tuesday to get her ear checked out (all is OK)... but we did her yearly exam, shots, etc... and the bill was OUTRAGEOUS. Not to mention that the drive to the vet is like 45 mins one-way. CHA-CHING!

Wednesday, I went out to clean at my dad's garage (an hour drive one-way... plus all of the annoying government construction)... and things were hectic with people and trying to clean and get things done. I just felt kind of crazy yesterday... and I was so glad to come home and relax.

Well, today I had to drive to my hometown AGAIN because my great grandma passed away (it's not really a sad thing because she was 95 and ready to go! We're happy she's up dancing with Jesus!!!).... the memorial service was today. Well, I have already been feeling maxed and wiped out... and on the way there ... I got behind a vintage-antique-whatever automobile that didn't go more than 35 mph. If you've ever been to PA... it's not the flattest of places. So between following this geek and the 2 log trucks and 3 other cars in front of me (but behind him)... it was all I could do to not get road rage and try to pass them all at once while honking my horn uncontrollably!!!! If your car doesn't go more than 35 mph going DOWNHILL... you probably should be pulling it on a trailer... not holding up a line of 20 cars behind you (with construction every 2 miles or so). UGH... Then of course at the service... it wasn't really a sad time... but sometimes I have very little patience for other people's kids. They let them run around and act wild... in a funeral home. Very inappropriate... and I had a hard time not wanting to grab the kid(s) and make them sit down and BE QUIET!! STRESSSSSSSSS! After the service, a bunch of us went to lunch... but I don't really have the money for that. (Stressss!)... The service at the restaurant was horrible (waiting 20 mins for you drink is just unacceptable)... and THEN they wanted to charge me TWO DOLLARS for having a bill under $20 and using my debit card. I think that's illegal... but whatever. I walked outside and across the street to an ATM (which was luckily my own bank so I didn't have to pay a fee) and just came back in and paid with cash. THEN... I drove another 20 miles or so out of my way to check out a store that had something that THE BRIDE (I am such a sucker, I know) was hoping to use for her reception. I pulled into the store and got out of my car and "SMACK! BOOM! CRASH!"... there was an accident only two cars behind me on the road!! I was thrown into panic mode... and rushed out to see what happened. Meanwhile one of the cars was driving out of control (the car wouldn't stop until the lady finally turned off the key) and coming right toward me..... so I moved the heck out of the way and called 911. Have you ever had to make a call to 911?? This was the first time I did... and I still am feeling stressed!!! My arms and legs still feel like jelly! Luckily, though one car was totaled, I think everyone was generally OK. After all of that... I did what I needed to do at the store and headed back home... only to realize that I had left my sewing machine at my mom's from earlier (I had to leave early today to take it to her because she needed to fix something on her pants before the memorial service). CRAP. Not to mention, we have no money left in our budget for the month... I have to drive BACK out there on Saturday because I am volunteering at a Literacy Fair and also at a concert for The Teen Center................ and I am just COMPLETELY maxed out!

All of the driving is making me CRAZY! Plus the lack of money in the budget... BAHHH!

I just need to go to bed already.... Sorry for sounding like a complete complainy-bum!

Also--Cory has been having some confusing medical issues that we are concerned about... so that is factoring into my mental instability of the week!!!! Please keep him in your prayers!

Seriously?

I have debated on whether or not to post about this... but decided that I would so that I could vent a little.

The past couple of days I have been busy preparing a few things for the Bridal Shower of one of Cory's friend's fiancee. We know each other and aren't all that close, but I have been helping them with some wedding things when she is in the area (visiting the soon to be in-laws). I've addressed her Save-The-Dates, Shower Invites and Wedding Invitations. I've also helped with some other miscellaneous things.

Anyway, my mother-in-law and I decided to go in on a shower gift together. We got some baking items (cake mixes, icing, and these really cute decorations--star sprinkles, purple nonpareils, sunflowers, and sea critters--stuff that you can't just buy at Walmart). We got a basket and some basket filler to arrange it all in. Then, I spent a lot of time yesterday sewing this really cute apron. I wrapped the apron in a box, placed the basket with the other items on top and then put them all in a gift basket bag and tied it up with a bow.

(Excuse my poor photography)

I also baked some cookies to take to the shower, which they had asked me to do... and which I had no problem doing! (Although the recipe was not as easy as I had expected and ended up turning into quite the headache! haha)

So, today... I head on over to the shower. I knew a few people, but most of it was the family of the groom. After a few minutes of finding a seat, etc... the groom's grandmother came over to get me and introduce me to some of her sister's and her daughter and granddaughter. I felt awkward as she fussed over how I'd done all of the "beautiful handwriting" on the invitations. But I smiled.

Then.

The one lady said, "Well, when you don't have anything else to do..."

(SAY WHAT?!)

I could feel my face burning. I was kind of in shock. What was THAT supposed to mean? I don't even know these people!

So, I just kind of smiled.

One of the other ladie's said, "Oh, don't you work?" and I said, "No..." (unless you count the cooking, cleaning, sewing, crafting and oh, that's right WEDDING STUFF that I have spent hours on for this upcoming wedding.... But I didn't say that, of course.)

Another lady said, "Just for the short term, right?" (Am I supposed to have a job? Cuz it sure was feeling like it.)

I explained that my husband works and we decided that I would stay home (though I didn't mention it was because we had expected to conceive fairly soon and wanted me to stay home--which obviously hasn't been the case. But that heartache is none of their business). I also said that we live within our means and don't need a lot of extras. I tried to be nice and act like it was no big deal. They promptly started going on about where they worked... meanwhile I smiled and nodded, all the while feeling like I had just been handed a big sign that says LOSER. Luckily, the activities started shortly thereafter and I was able to escape to my seat.

Fast forward to the time of present opening...

The bride-to-be starts to take the plastic wrap off of the gift basket I had made up. After pulling the basket out of the plastic and people start asking what is in it, she promptly makes the comment, "Baking stuff... Oh. Except I don't bake."

(WHAT?! Then why did you have a bazillion cupcake tins, cookie sheets and cake pans on your registry??)

I thought that our gift basket (to go along with the apron) was a cute idea. I was excited about the specialty cake decorations we got her!

It just kind of hurt my feelings and made me wonder why I put so much time and effort into it all when she had that kind of reaction. Yeah, maybe the cost of some cake mixes aren't all that expensive... but you can hardly put a price on the time, effort and money that it took to sew the apron. And thank goodness my mother-in-law helped pay for some of the items because I wouldn't have had the money to put it all together myself.

*sigh*

Perhaps the bride-to-be and the lady from earlier on didn't mean to sound so rude... but I've spent most of my day stewing over it (much to Cory's chagrin) and I really don't know how to just blow it off. I know I will... eventually. It might just take a few days...