600 Hits!

We'll reach 600 today. Glad you are enjoying our wedding blog. Here are some lovebirds whose video we liked.

Moving and Marriage

Moving is a right-royal-pain-in-the-ass! Literally! Tyrone and I are walking like Fred Sanford. I'm covered in bruises from the boxes and heavy things. It looks like I'm either doing smack or getting roughed-up by my future hubby. Tyrone quipped that the music for our ceremony will have to be changed to the Theme from Sanford and Son as I limp down the aisle in my wedding dress, covered in bruises. He's made me promise not to move heavy stuff tomorrow. "Take a day to rest," counsels Ty.

I might just do that.

Just imagine how we'd be walking, were it not for John. Our angel, our saint, our friend who arrived at the storage place ready to kick some ass and take some names. He unloaded, heaved, and hauled until the truck was empty. The rain didn't stop him or even deter him. Thanks, John.

If anyone is interested, in November, Ty and I would like to get a care package together to send to John's old battalion in Iraq. There's no other way to thank him for his help with the move.

Which one is your favorite?

The sound to this video music only. Its audio is work-safe. Enjoy!

The Cake is Ordered

We sent the request for our cake. Smooth frosting with autumn leaves cascading down. We'll have three layers, and miniature wedding crowns will adorn the top.

Love CDs

We will be driving up to Maine for our honeymoon and need some tunes for the drive. I have some Barry White and Teddy Pendergrass, but just 3 songs. There must be some funny and sweet songs that would be good to have too. If you like, make us a CD with the tunes you think most appropriate for Ty and me to listen to as we transition from our party to our honeymoon.

Please label your CD with your name so we know who thought up that particular mix. You can give them to Darren or Dorinda for placement in our car.

Bridal Shower

Pictures, CLICK HERE!!!

We had my bridal shower! Hurray! It was a cozy, intimate group. The following people were in attendance.

Christina Ryan (Suzanne's friend, and hostess of the event)
Suzanne George (bride)
Carol George (bride's mum)
Christine Gonsalves (Tyrone's mum)
Dorinda Korlacki (Tyrone's sister)
Audrey White (bridesmaid)
Maria Isaak (bridesmaid)
Anne Salloom (Suzanne's Goddaughter)
Margaret Boisvert (bridesmaid, attended via skype)
Melody Smith (Suzanne's sister in-law, sent an edible arrangement, but could not attend)

Christina laid out a very elegant spread of crustless tea sandwiches of cucumber, smoked salmon, chicken salad, and tomato/mozzarella. She also made fabulous scones and cookies. Audrey brought her famous meatballs, yum. There were elegant teas, served in very elegant, silver gilded cups and saucers. Anne brought some fruit, and Dorinda and Christine brought a huge cake which was elegant and delicious.

The gifts ranged from practical to slightly naughty. All were generous and greatly appreciated. Ladies left with a mum in the color of their choice. All the "mums" got a mum, thanks to Mria. Guests also received favors of tea bags in mini pastel chinese cartons, thanks to Christina.

Thank you all for treking out to Medford and spending your afternoon with me. It means the world to me. You are precious.

Suzanne

Cell Phone Pledge

Yesterday, the husband of one of Ty's close friends was killed when a person on a cell phone ran a red light. My prayers are with Ty, Christine, and all who are close to Marta. I can't imagine what you all are going through. My dearest friends were safely with me at my shower, their husbands were at home.

I spend way too much time on my cell phone in the car. I don't pay attention to the road all the time. If I ever did this to someone, I would have trouble ever living my life with joy again. No phone conversation is worth that. So I pledge the following.

• I will not dial my phone in the car
• I will not fiddle with my phone without pulling over

Please take this to heart and consider making a similar pledge.

The importance of reply cards!!!!

Reply cards are an important part of planning our wedding. This is the journey of a reply card to Suzanne and Ty's wedding.

1. Ty picks up the card in the mail.
   
2. He notes the name and the number of people accepting or not accepting the invitation.
3. He hands the card to Suzanne when he sees her.
4. Suzanne mixes up her inks and chooses a painted "leaf" that will fit the name well.
5. Suzanne writes each name in calligraphy on the leaf (place card)
   
6. Each leaf has a toothpick affixed to it and is catalogued in alphabetical order for later.
7. The leaves are used to make seating plans

The caterer needs solid numbers because final payment for the wedding is due next week. After that time, no new names will be added to the guest list. If you have a response card and plan on attending the wedding, PLEASE get it in within the next few days. We want to be able to have a meal for you, but we need that card to do so.

400 Hits!

Trash The Dress

My photographer has offered to do a "trash the dress" session with me. The premise is that I would wear my dress again, a week or two after the wedding, and pose in a place that would normally "trash the dress" and not usually be appropriate for wedding pictures.

My first thought was to have pictures taken on the playground of my school with my students all around. I think that my playful side should be stressed. I'm now thinking about Watson State Park in Taunton. I could have the kids in my wedding pose with me on the playground equipment, in the pond, by a campfire, etc.

Have any of you done this?

God as Caterer

Tyrone and I were musing today about Jean's Catering and how they are such a gift to us from above. We agreed that God is indeed the best wedding professional. Here are some examples.

The Liquor: . . . mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” . . . 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you." . . . Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

The Flowers: Eden

The Catering: Manna

The Music: Baby laughter, a lover's sigh, guffaws among friends, birdsong

Wedding Night: Guess who designed everything?!!!

Kevin, the florist

I sent a picture of my dress to Kevin, my florist. He's a delight. This was his response.

Oh soooooz ... that dress is gorgeous gurl !!! i love it !!! the crowns are simple and fabulous !!! wow..just a sweet picture in my head now !!! Keep in touch toots !!! talk soon !! kev oh yeah... LOVE YA !!!!!!!

When you see Kevin at the wedding, give him a little hug and some praise.

Bittersweet Apples, Rocks, and Songs

This morning, Tyrone said, "One month and two days."

I smiled.

On September 11, we will sweetly look forward to our wedding, just one month away. We will also remember the day of the attacks, when all our lives stood still.

I remember what I was doing when I heard. I was teaching Mrs. O'Roake's Kindergarten. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, the kids were finally into the swing of school, and we had just had lots of fun in our class.

This September 11 looks to be very similar. The weather is great, the trees are just beginning to change, the kids are getting into the swing of school, we'll have fun. I'll have recess duty, so a search for pretty rocks will definitely be on my docket. The kids know about the term "September 11," but they are so consumed with each moment, and have such short attention spans, that they don't dwell. They also know about my wedding, but a moth is a very long time when you are 4. October is a long way away. They neither look forward to the future, nor dread the memory of the past. It's quite therapeutic to be near them while planning a wedding.

This month is bittersweet.

• We'll be deciding who we'll support for president while examining new approaches to the concepts of feminism, race, age, and experience.
  
• You'll choose something to wear to the wedding, decide how you'll make the trip to Worcester, and generally finalize plans.
  
• Your children and students will begin their school year, and your relief in or dread of this year's teachers will become clear.
  
• Great bunches of you will celebrate birthdays this month. Happy Birthday!
• We will remember September 11. Some of us will remember people we knew who had an office in the tower. Some of us will sing around the school's flagpole. Some of us will simply pray alone.
  
• We will taste the first apples of this year's bumper crop.
• We will enjoy the last of this year's peaches. Yummmmm.
• We will hunt for pretty rocks.

Enjoy your September. Godspeed as you negotiate the solemnity and joys of the next week. I hope you find more pretty rocks than tears.

A Symphony of Pictures

Ty and Darren chose a tux with a lapel similar to this one. It's not a 1970s Dracula notch, but a smoother, more modern look. The two-tone is nice. I don't think the ones they chose werre double breasted.

Our rings will look like this.

Our crowns are engraved with a reference to a letter of Saint Paul.


Little bitty crowns will top our cake.




We'll honeymoon here.

Wedding Preparation Update

Dresses:

Bridesmaids: So far, none of them are hideous, in fact, they are quite beautiful. Anne has found a nice one in cranberry, Margaret has found a nice one in navy blue, Maria has a lovely burgundy number, Dorinda found a satin sheeth in burgundy satin, Cidalia will wear brown/copper satin. Audrey and Lisa are still deciding.

Since the men are wearing silver vests/ties, most ladies are opting for silver or metallic shoes. Dyed shoes are also being considered.

Mothers: Carol has chosen white/black linen for her dress. She will carry a small black evening bag which will be adorned with flowers. Christine is still deciding.
Flower girls: These young women have decided to wear pink, purple, and blue. They also have their own vision of the duties and responsibilities of flower girls. They want to hand people flowers as they walk down the aisles. (It was either Sophia's or Sage's idea, I forget which.) The florist will honor this wish and make their baskets full of flowers to hand out. The photographer loves this idea. "That's great!," she said. "Most of the time, the kids go too fast down the aisle." Ted may need to help the girls with this task.

The bridal gown: is ready!

Suits:
The men have chosen a dapper tuxedo. The shop is, Tuxedos by Merian, and the person to contact is Peter at 508-824-3777. Most have been measured. Thanks, guys.

Decorations: We need some information from you. Please call or leave a comment below.

• What is your favorite flower?
• What flowers did your wife carry in her bridal bouquet?
• Please send us pictures of you for the blog.
  

Tyrone found nice centerpieces at The Christmas Tree Shop. These will be surrounded by fresh autumn leaves and apples. There will also be a bumper crop of apples this year.

Suzanne has bought a silk flower each weak that she has exercised 3+ times since last year. These will be used by the florist to decorate the pews. Icons will also be decorated by the florist.

Music has been chosen for key points. "Love Theme" by Barry White will hail the entrance of the wedding party into the reception hall. It's a blast from the past. If you don't think of The Love Boat when you hear it, you must be under 35.

200 Hits!

Wow!
It took us a month to get 100 hits and less than 2 weeks to get the second hundred.
Awesome!

O my God! They chose Maryanne!

Ask any man, "Who do you prefer, Maryanne or Ginger?," and they will choose Maryanne 10 to 1. She's got that hometown girl aura. She's approachable. She's friendly.

Recently, I overheard two men discussing John McCain's selection of running-mate. "She's sexy," said one. "Yeah, she's got that school-teacher/librarian thing goin' on," said the other. They smirked and continued to drink their sodas.
I butted in. "O my God! She's Maryanne!"
The men smiled and nodded with satisfaction. "Yes, she is," they said together dreamily.

One of those men was Tyrone.

My thoughts returned to the 1992 campaign when Dan Quayle was chosen to add sex appeal to the GOP ticket. This backfired because Bill Clinton and Al Gore were much sexier than either of their Republican rivals.

Now we have two campaigns using sex appeal to full advantage. On the democratic side, Obama. He's a gorgeous hunk of man with big ears (physical imperfection helps make the person more accessible. This is why Ginger is not as hot as Maryanne.) On the other side, Sarah Palin, the librarian-type that many men would like to "take a walk with, behind the stacks."

Why is this on their wedding blog?, you might ask.

Well, a few weeks ago, Tyrone and I were going over the basic personality types via Gilligan's Island. We both agreed that I'm more like Ginger and he is more like the Professor.

Now, I'm a wee-bit jealous of Sarah Palin.

(Also, I love politics and wanted an excuse to post about it. This also gives me the opportunity to put Ty's picture next to Obama and Denzel Washington. He's so dreamy!)