This weekend I’m heading to Florida for a few days for my cousin’s wedding. True, I haven’t actually talked to this cousin face-to-face or on the phone, well, in 15 years or so, but his mom is a loyal reader of this blog (Hi Aunt Sandy!) and one of my favorite people so off Darling and I go for a few days of family, fun and sun. A mini family reunion of sorts.
It’s also a rarity that I’m not somehow involved in this wedding in a way other than attending since I’m pretty much a perma-bridesmaid. Or if not a bridesmaid I tend to be the executive bride’s helper as was the case with the last few weddings Irish & I attended.
I thought that just for fun I’d take you through the last few weddings I’ve been in.
My college roommate’s wedding, circa 2005 (worst tan line known to man…):
My childhood friend’s wedding, circa 2007, in St. Thomas (most beautiful setting ever):
My (other) college roommate’s wedding, circa New Year’s Eve 2007 (complete with chipmunk cheeks):
My best friend from high school’s wedding, April 2008 (I’m on the far left, in case you couldn’t tell):
and most recently, my best college friend’s wedding in September 2008* (probably my favorite dress out of all of them and I have seven dresses total as we had two dresses for the one above!):
(I was in my cousin’s wedding in 2000 but that was pre-digital camera and I can’t readily find a photo to post so you’ll have to do without.)
If you know of anyone who needs a professional bridesmaid feel free to pass my name along. It’s been a whole year since I’ve been in a wedding and I’m actually itching to be in one which is rather shocking!
Current Book(s): Work in Progress: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles, Haruki Murakami;
Finished: Dead as a Doornail, Charlain Harris (I’m in a bit of a reading slump still! I blame work.)
Current Music:
Bon Jovi
Journey
Pretty much anything from the 80s
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:
Homemade chocolate chip & oatmeal cookies
Current Colors:
Purple
Current Obsessions: Rediscovering my Domestic Diva
Raking leaves; odd, I know but the green of the grass is much prettier than the dead, brown leaves all over the lawn
Current Drink:
Water
Peppermint Tea
Current Songs:
I honestly can’t think of a single song right now that’s my favorie or that I’m listening to over and over again. Unusual for me!
Current Movie: The Last Kiss
Casablanca
Current TV Show:
Color Splash, HGTV
Dawson’s Creek (I’m rewatching them because, well, I feel like it)
Current Wish-List:
Less pain and suffering amongst my friends; there’s been too much of it lately
Current Needs:
Clarity
Current Triumph(s):
Well it hasn’t happened yet but I’m taking a whole week off of work this month and will be disconnecting my work email from Blackberry. First time in three years I’ve done NO work on a vacation so if I can pull it off, it will be huge for me.
Current Bane(s) of my Existence:
I signed up for NaBloPoMo but no idea if I’ll make it
House Hunters on HGTV because the demographic of people on that show bothers me. First homes that cost $350,000? Seriously? And don’t get me started on House Hunters International; I wish I could have a second home in Italy!
Current Goal(s):
Three more pounds to go to reach my weight loss goal
Pull off NaBloPoMo this month so I can improve my writing
Current Indulgence:
Target shopping trips
Afternoon naps on the weekends
Current Blessing:
Each day is a blessing. I know, corny, but lately, it’s so very true.
Current Slang or Saying:
I’ve been dropping the F-Bomb a lot as of late. Terrible, I know.
Current (Fav) Outfit:
Comfort is what I’m going for lately, at work, at home, at the gym
Current Excitement:
Trip to Florida this month for my cousin’s wedding
Thanksgiving & lots of family time
Considering this winter is fast & furiously upon us, I’ve gotten a tad cozier with my Netflix movies lately. (Which is a good thing since I have over 130 movies on my queue right now!)
Last week I received Confetti, a BBC mockumentary about weddings and wedding planning. It’s very clever and evidently it was mostly improvised which I suspect is true of most mockumentaries. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You may or may not wonder what your life would be like if you had a musical wedding complete with dancers and singing vows. If you’re looking for 95 minutes of something different, give this one a try.
What’s your favorite mockumentary? Any movies (or TV shows) I must add to my Netflix queue?
Current Book(s): Work in Progress: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles, Haruki Murakami;
Finished: Club Dead, Charlain Harris (I’m in a bit of a reading slump currently)
Current Music:
The Beatles
The Supremes
Marvin Gaye
Stevie Wonder
Current Colors:
Sunflower yellow is quickly growing on me
Current Obsessions:
Cleaning/organizing
Baking
Reading cooking magazines
Thinking up crafty projects
Current Drink:
Water.
100 calorie Coca-Cola if I need one
Slim Fast
Current Songs:
A Little Less Conversation, Elvis Presley
Current Movie: Duplicity.
Can’t wait to see Away We Go
Current TV Show:
Sons of Anarchy
Current Wish-List:
I’d like my hair to grow faster and stop growing gray hairs
Believe it or not, more hours in the work day
Current Needs:
Sleep, always sleep.
To plan my week long vacation at the end of October
Current Triumph(s):
Slaying work projects left and right.
Conquering new dishes in the kitchen.
Staying in better touch with friends and family.
Current Bane(s) of my Existence:
Not enough time in the day to read books, catch up on blogs
Current Goal(s):
Lose five pounds by December (I’ve lost a few in the last two months)
Read a memoir by one of my favorite political figures or actors/actresses by end of the year
Current Indulgence:
Homemade chocolate chip cookies
Current Blessing:
It’s fall!
Current Slang or Saying:
I’m not sure what I’ve been saying a lot of lately.
Current (Fav) Outfit:
I’m digging the preppy look: black pants, white blouse, argyle sweater/vest and lots of fun jewelry to go with it
Current Excitement:
Birthday celebration with the family this weekend.
A fun, graphic desinger wedding to attend in two weeks
Visiting my BFF and her husband in three weekends for winery trips, a pumpkin patch & corn maze excursion and lots of relaxing
The lovely Erin put this special event together for one of my (newest!) most sincere, hilarious, honest and beautiful blog friends, BelleRenee. Since we couldn’t all gather together to throw her a shower, there’s no better way to celebrate her upcoming nuptials than with a Virtual Shower, right? You can view a list of all the bloggers who participated on Erin’s blog.
BelleRenee,
Okay, so we know I’m not married so clearly offering my own marriage advice is not possible. Thanks to the vast internet I found some great tidbits of wisdom that I thought I’d share since it struck a chord with me:
* Always try to outdo each other in kindness, that way you are concentrating on the positive
* Remember your vows and remember that often we don’t know we’re making a mistake unless we are told so speak up without being rude and hurtful.
* The secret of a happy marriage is a short tongue (or so they say).
* Marriage should not be so much about looking at each other but looking in the same direction together. I believe the message from this is to remember the positive things that brought you together and then to concentrate on positive goals to achieve as a couple.
* Marriage is not always 50/50. Some days you will wake up and may have to give 90% and your spouse will give 10%. Other days you may wake up and give 25% and your husband will have to put in the 75%.
A bit of marriage advice you may want to share with your husband-to-be, from Dustin Hoffman:
And lastly, I have several of Kahlil Gibran’s poems taped to my fridge because of the intense, raw emotion I feel when I read his words so I’m sharing this one I found from him with you:
Thoughts on Marriage
You were born together, and together you shall be forever more.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your
days.
Yes, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness.
And let the winds of heaven dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love.
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but each one of you be
alone–even as the strings of a lute are alone though the quiver
with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not in each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the Cyprus grow not in each other’s shadows
- Kahlil Gibran
And now for the cheese!
Wishing you and your man nothing but the best in life, Renee. I know from the way you talked about him in Vegas, eyes dancing and mouth unable to resist smiling, that this man makes you incredibly happy and full of joy. Enjoy all the days leading up to the wedding and all the days after. Speaking as an infinite bridesmaid, I know that weddings can be stressful but just remember that what doesn’t get done for the wedding, doesn’t matter. The small (or big) details will not change the meaning of your union together in the eyes of your friends, family and most especially, between you and your husband.
Many hugs and of course, best wishes for a lovely marriage,
Since Irish and I have been dating we have been to approximately six or seven weddings and receptions.
Each time we have been seated at the table with the odd couples/persons out. Our friends tell us this is because we are such a dynamic and versatile couple that we can clearly handle anything. Most of the time we make the best of the situation sharing sneaky glances and winks with each other, supressing our laughter and of course, doing a post-mortem of the event on the way home and possibly the day after, depending on how interesting/weird/wacky the stories are.
Saturday night we had yet another wedding reception to attend for a couple that we have been getting to know more of; they live in MWood just a few blocks from me, same age, a lot of fun, etc etc. We were both looking forward to the party as it was at M&K’s house, outside, low-key, beer on tap and really, what could be better?
As soon as we arrived the only people we knew (Irish’s co-workers) left.
We scanned the crowd for other people we may know and this being the StL I of course knew several people from my Mizzou days but not necessarily people who would remember me and/or people I felt like talking too. (I have my reasons, I promise.)
We wandered from room to room, making idle small talk with a few people here and there. And then we were cornered.
Girl: Excuse me, may I ask you two a question?
Irish: Sure. Girl: Are you guys from somewhere other than StL, like another country? Irish: What were you thinking? Girl: Um, Korea? Nora & Irish in unison: KOREA?
(Side Note: Irish occasionally is asked if he is from Spain. I don’t really see it but it happens. I’m usually asked if I’m from Italy/Greece if this comes up.) Girl (smacking hand to head): No, I meant California. Are you guys from California? Irish: No, I’m born and raised St. L. Nora: Can’t say that I am. Born in NYC and moved around. Girl: New York? If I could visit one country I would love to visit New York. Are you two engaged? I love weddings! (Yes, the girl really did say country, not state.) Irish (shifting uncomfortably): No, we aren’t engaged. Nora (nervous laughter): Haha, no. Not at this time. Girl: Oh, I thought you were. I love your dress! So pretty. So how did you two meet?
Irish looks to me for help. Nora: Through a friend/blind date situation. Girl: That’s what everyone says. So much better than going online. Why would you do that? Go online to meet crazy people? Nora/Irish: I don’t know. It’s probably not a smart idea! Girl: Hey, why don’t you (points at Irish) take her to New York and go skinny dipping or something? Irish: Well that’s an idea. We’ll have to keep that in mind. We were on our way to grab some food, do you need anything? Girl: Oh, no. Thank you! You two have a great evening. Great to meet you.
The rest of the party went on in the same fashion. We talked to the strange cousin who looked like Frank from 30-rock, a really sweet Aunt of M’s who had one eye that wandered around while you were talking to her (I never know where to look!), and K’s mom who told us about her very random and unsuccessful blind dates.
As much as I’m a proponent of weddings and parties I’m really glad we don’t have another wedding to attend until October.
Last week I was in one of my super social butterfly moods which had me out every night of the week, crawling in bed anywhere between 11pm and 1am. Of course I chose to be my social self on the one week where I had to be up at 6 am everyday for a 7am start at the office.
The week was buzzing along just fine, Monday-Wednesday with just marginal sleepiness during the day since I was smart and avoided beer and any other form of alcohol the first two nights.
Except for last Wednesday: First Base tickets to the StL Cardinals game + Irish + our friends who are newlyweds + a gorgeous night in terms of weather that didn’t have me sneezing + the ballbark environment = MUST have beer. And so I did. Two, lovely, perfectly poured Bud Selects (I think). Irish and I split some of my favorite nachos at the game, cheered the Cardinals on and of course I got to hear all about the wedding from K in between innnings and when the boys were on beer runs.
I should clarify that I rarely drink anymore; when I’m consistently going to the gym like a good girl alcohol often seems like empty calories. (I prefer chocolate if I’m giong to indulge.) If I am drinking it’s because I’ve had a really long week and need to get a buzz of some sort. I can’t be casual about drinking for whatever reason. It had been a long time since my last “drinking,” event.
During the game I felt my mood improve drastically, my worries about work melt away, and I started singing to all the songs they played at the Stadium. Out loud. Which is something I rarely do in public. Next thing I know I asked M&K if they wanted to go to a bar after the game! And that I would buy beer!
We left the stadium after a strong win against the Mets and headed to a complete hole-in-the-wall bar where the music is too loud, the waitresses are about 10 years behind in fashion and the drink specials are cheap.
I was dancing, singing and skipping around the bar. I drank two more beers. I reminisced with K about our days at Mizzou and twittered a bit too much about the upcoming Vegas trip. I sang Buckcherry songs at the top of my lungs when they echoed throughout the bar.
A short hour later we were home, I had devoured a cold piece of black & green olive pizza and I passed out. 6 am came awfully early on Thursday. And my lovely hangover was right there with the darn alarm clock. I felt like crap all day. Headache. Not hungry. Completely exhausted. Foolish. Had I really thought that staying out late on a week night was a good idea? Did I really think I could push through the inevitable hangover? Evidently I did. I was incredibly wrong.
I felt old.
I realized that I’m no longer the carefree college girl who could drink until 3 am and still make it to the 8am class. I’m not even the college graduate who insists on going out three nights a week despite her full-time job without feeling the slightest bit sleepy.
I am now a corporate American, working from 8-5 (at least), five days a week. I need my sleep. I need different means of relaxation like the gym, girl time, reading, time with Irish and etc. I need non-alcoholic drinks if I’m out during the week. Or I need to suck it up and learn how to party again, I’m not sure which.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy with my life as it is but it’s an interesting thing to wake up and realize that you and your body aren’t the same person they were a few years ago.
I am aware that today is 20SB Blog Swap Day, however my swap partner and I just found out last night (thanks to Mandy!) that we were supposed to swap today with no time to prepare a blog. We will be swapping tomorrow. My Blog Swap Partner is The Melodramatic and I know she’ll dazzle you with her writing.
Onto a few other random topics and answers to questions my readers have asked me:
* Dreams. Over the last few weeks I’ve been having insane dreams/nightmares in which our late family dog, Bear, is present. Sometimes in the dreams he hasn’t yet passed on, other times he’s a ghost dog but only I can see him. In either case I wake up with tears in my eyes. It’s been rather disturbing. I suppose perhaps it’s Bear’s way of letting me know he is still around? Or that he’s okay and happy in Dog Heaven? I just wish that my dreams lasted a bit longer or that, as cliched as this is, they came true.
* Social. A friend once asked me who was more social: Irish or me? Honestly it’s a hard question for me to answer. I’m inclined to say that I am because I’m a planner, I have lots of friends to catch up with and I love going out on double/group dates with our friends. However, there are those nights, especially when work is insane and my brain is mush come 5pm, where all I want to do is take Jack for a nice walk, have a cup of tea and watch a movie, do something crafty or read a book. Lately though I’ve been a social butterfly. Come Friday I will have been out every single night. I’ve been catching up with friends, hanging out with family, on the phone all the time. I suppose I’m trying to get it all in before grad school courses start on June 5th. As for Irish? Well, he has a weekly “Man Night,” with his buddies at the pool hall and kickball games every weekend so he’s automatically social. I have learned that he enjoys staying home with video games/books/movies/internet surfing just as much as, if not more than me.
* The Teeth. I am almost 100% back to normal. I am allowed to go back to the gym this week (likely not until Friday due to my insane social calendar). I am eating most foods that I love unless it’s something that is super crunchy. My jaw is only marginally sore and I have all of my energy back. It’s always the minor surgeries that seem to take the longest to recover from.
* The Killers. Irish and I are going to see them on May 4th. I am pumped. That is all.
* Gram. I have mentioned in passing that my Gram moved to StL in November of last year. It’s been a tough road at times, especially for Darling, but I think everyone is getting used to it. Gram is a character, probably an entire post (or two) just for her would be wise but today I’m focusing on the good things. Monday night Gram gave me about five vintage cookbooks including a Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook from 1956. It’s totally incredible and in really great shape. I can’t wait to try out some of the desserts and other tempting recipes. Gram is also going to teach me how to knit. My first project will be a blanket of some sort.
* The Buzz. Irish and I have been dating for 10 months (tomorrow, actually) and so people have started asking THE QUESTIONS. You know ones like “when are you going to get married?” or “You guys plan on moving in together anytime soon?” The questions come randomly from our couple friends, my single friends and even family on occasion. I don’t really mind but when we go to weddings? It’s terrible. Everyone asks. While I know that I want to be with Irish for the rest of my life, can’t I/we take our time? And yes as much as the e-word and m-word appeal to me, we have a few other things to sort out first like living arrangements, budgets and yadda yadda. I won’t lie, I have turned to Irish and suggested we elope and then other days I want to enjoy things and take my time. But one thing is for sure, I’m crazy about the guy. I still hate it when we don’t see each other for a day or two. It feels like an eternity. So my answer when people ask me those questions? “I love him and the rest will happen when it’s right.” Or if I’m feeling snarky, “I love him but it’s only been 10 months! We have time.”
* Allergies. Many people have asked me what kind of food I can eat since I have so many awful food allergies. It all boils down to this: dairy (non-soy); meat (turkey, chicken, red meat); limited vegetables (broccoli, green beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions. The first three must be cooked); grains/wheats (pastas, bread, whole wheats, cereals), condiments are all fine so far. The main offenders that are big time allergens are all fruits (though I can have fruit juice in moderation, jellys), tree nuts (peanuts/peanut butter are okay), seasame seeds, celery, and all the other vegetables (peas, carrots, etc). It can be very difficult sometimes at dinner parties, restaurants or social events like concerts/baseball games but I’ve learned to find a few key things I can order no matter where I am and I stick to it. If I ever develop an allergy to dairy, meat and grains, well, that will just kill the inner-Italian in me!
I’m back on Facebook and frankly, my dears, I’m not loving it. No, I’m not talking the new layout or anything like that but I’m talking about feeling like I need to respond to people, to reconnect with folks I haven’t talked to in a long time and of course seeing info on people you just don’t want to hear/see about. It’s not that I don’t want to reconncect but it seems I’m the one always doing the reconnecting. Why can’t other people reach out to me? (I’m cleansing my friend list again). It was also, as I mentioned, a great social experiment. Some of my friends refuse to talk to me in any form BUT facebook. Others don’t email (oh, I wish they would. I know this is terrible but I am not a big phone person anymore). Others don’t do phone calls or email. I’m keeping it for now, I’m not going to obsess over it anymore, but I’m not sure I like it. It feels like another intrusion/interruption. And yes, I realize I can make it all go away with a click of a button.
Wedding season! Irish and I attended a lovely ceremony and reception Saturday afternoon for one of his long time buddies. The bridesmaid dresses were not pretty… at all. But the bride was amazingly gorgeous. I still don’t know why she’s not a model. It turns out I went to high school with her brother (it’s a small world after all, it’s a small, small world!). The reception was good boasting some pasta that I could indeed eat, albeit at the pace of someone with dentures, a decent DJ, yummy cake, and a full dance floor. Oh, and a photobooth! (I scanned the pictures in and they aren’t super fantastic, but thought you’d like to see anyway. In the third picture I have my head down as we thought we had gone through all four flashes already. It’s quite artistic so I’ll have to find a better way to share them with you. The fourth one is bad so I cropped it out. Editor’s rights!) Random Side Note: We only have one other reception and one other full wedding to attend for all of 2009 so far. I’m kind of excited about that… perhaps a little too excited.
Easter. Irish and I did a marathon day. My parents, then his. Food and dessert at both. I did manage to eat a little bit though my jaws/sockets/other teeth hate me today. I’m back on my mush diet for a few more days as per my doc’s orders. Darling gave us both awesome, unexpected Easter baskets, my Gram only asked me twice what foods I’m allergic to (I’ve told her at least six times) and we all laughed a lot. At his folks house we watched the end of The Masters, made a fire, and then I tuned out the talk about politics (I have to keep my mouth firmly closed when there) until we called his sister who lives in Australia and talked to her for a few minutes. Now? I want to go to Australia.
The rest of the weekend: Wii, sleep, read. Walk Jack, grocery shop, drive to my house to pick up clothes I forgot for wedding and then on Sunday for the dessert I forgot to pick up on Saturday, questioned myself for being so forgetful lately, quality family time, quality Irish and Nora time, Tumblr time, enjoyed a day off, wished I had more days off, and stared at a few episodes of Friends Season Five before I drifted off to a blissful sleep while Mother Nature pounded StL with rain on Sunday evening.
