Wedding Wednesday: The To Do list

Well it's February 1st and I made some promises last month, figured this was the time to check in.

* LIMO, LIMO, LIMO: Yeah. There are honestly no words. I don't know why this is so difficult!

* Favours: I am in contact with the company and the order should be placed latest tomorrow. I'm counting this one.

* Tuxes: Yes! We got an amazing deal on our tuxes at Moores. The guys can go get fitted anytime between now and April and I absolutely cannot wait to see how they all look.

* Alterations: I also did this one. We have a place to do the alterations for a reasonable price and I am in the process of getting all of the girls there.

Bridal Party Gifts: Can I give myself half a point?? I have been researching, but I have not done any purchasing

*Flower Girl Dresses: We are going on Saturday. So close??

* Shopping for my mom's dress: We did this! Her dress will be in at the beginning of May and it is gorgeous

* Go for my first dress fitting: This one is totally not my fault. Stupid shoes that are coming from flipping London

* Find a Card Box: Nope, Nope, Nope. It would probably help if I could decide what I actually wanted.

* Book hair and Make Up Appointments: My amazing mother took care of this one for me. Good thing because my hair dresser (who has been doing my hair for as long as I can remember) booked her vacation to leave May 25th. Luckily, she loves me (seriously, she's invited to the wedding. We have a good relationship) so she moved it. My girls and I will be getting both our hair and our make up done at her Salon. I'm happy with this situation because we will all be in the same place and it will cut down on the running around which will cut down on the stress.

* Get Invitations ready to be sent: There they are. All addressed. I need to add maps and hotel information and put stamps on the last few and they will be good to go.

* Decide on an engagement print and order it: I also did this. We picked it up on Saturday and I love it.

Now for February:

* Find perfect hair pieces for MOH and Flower Girls: This is something I don't want to leave until the last minute and then be panicking about or scrap it all together.

* Find cake serving set: This shouldn't be difficult

* Get Favours filled and wrapped: This doesn't NEED to be done by the end of the month but I'm hoping to at least have it started

* Set appointment with Venue to set the meals: I'm excited for this one. I haven't been at my venue in a long time. I can't wait to see it again

* Find a Cake Topper: I actually really need to do this and soon so my cake lady can judge the weight.

* Find a rehearsal dinner dress: I would have forgotten about this one if I wasn't just texting the bestest (and MOH) about it.

* Frame my engagement photo: This should be easy.

* Find Flower Girl Baskets: They are throwing flower petals so the need baskets.

* Meet with the Minister: Our church has three, so I need to find out which one will actually be marrying us and meet with them.

* Decide what to give Chris: No clue. Seriously no idea. Suggestions are being taken

* Mail Invitations: This is so exciting!

* Write Speeches: I write parts of it randomly, in my head during the day. I need to start getting it all on paper.

* Work on Slideshow: This needs to happen. Like months ago.

It looks like a lot, but it's a lot of little things so it can be done!

10 Day Challenge - Day 8: Fears

8 Fears. This could get interesting.

1) I said it in a post a couple of weeks ago. Spiders. They terrify me. I can't really explain why.

2) Sharks - This probably more of an ocean fear as I refuse to get in one, but sharks are a major contributing factor. Don't get me wrong, I think they are beautiful, fascinating animals, and I watch Shark week as avidly as the next guy, but I prefer to study them from the beach.

3) Driving in Snow: The first time I ever drove by myself in a snow storm, I slipped, hit a curb, and watched on coming traffic coming at me. A nice man helped me off but I swear it traumatized me because I haven't driven in the snow since. I live in Canada. I need to get over this.

4) Horror Movies: I'm a big chicken. I scream, jump, occasionally swear, have nightmares. Going to horror movies with me is probably very amusing.

5) Sleeping Alone: I love being home alone during the day and I'm normally completely fine at night. For some reason I'm terrified to actually sleep alone in the house.

6) Choking: Lack of oxygen seriously freaks me out. I am CPR certified and yet if someone is choking I am typically freaking out and running in the opposite direction.

7) Death: Yup. I'm one of those. I know it happens. I know it's gong to happen. I prefer not to think about it.

8) Complications: Being a diabetic and growing up surrounded by bad diabetics my biggest fear is probably the complications that surround the disease. Amputations. Kidney failure. Blindness..

I proud (and maybe feeling a little pathetic) that I actually managed to come up with 8!

Day 9: Loves

Here they are in no particular order:

1) My Fiance: Obviously. Even though there are days that he drives me crazy, he is still the one person I want to talk to after a long day and the only person who can make me smile no matter what.

2) My Family: My family and I are super close. My mom and my sister are my best friends and I can't remember a time where I didn't tell them absolutely everything. My brother is going to be the best man in our wedding and my daddy is my daddy. Enough said. Every single one of them has always supported me in every decision and I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without them.

3) My Friends: These girls are like a second family. I have been friends with most of them since the 9th grade and we have survived pretty much everything together. I know that if I need anything it would take one phone call to any one of them and they would drop everything to be there.

4) My Nieces: I know they technically count as family but I swear I had no idea what love was until I met my first niece. I would literally throw myself in front of a bus for either one of those two.

5) The Puppy: I still say Brady was the best decision Chris and I have made. I love coming home to someone that is excited to see me every single day.

6) My Wedding Dress: I know that sounds a little superficial but I love my wedding dress. I was terrified that I bought it way too early and I was going to find another dress that I liked more before the wedding. Hasn't happened. I still love my dress just as much as the day I found it.

7) Long Drives: I love being in the car. Chris and I have always gotten in the car and driven anywhere, whether its a road trip, or driving just to see where we end up. We get along in the car and I find it less stressful than flying.

8) Bubble baths and Candles: Best way to relax after a crazy day. It's become a bit of a routine, and something I need to have a least once a week to help me de-stress

9) Lazy Days: As much as I like going out and catching up with friends, there is nothing I love more than lazy days where I can wear my comfy clothes, cuddle with my boys and watch movies.

The bestest posted this a couple of days ago and I decided to steal it because I am suffering from major bloggers block and can't think of anything significant to write about. So 10 days of pre planned posts works for me.

Day 10: secrets
Day 9: loves
Day 8: fears
Day 7: wants
Day 6: places you want to go
Day 5: foods
Day 4: books
Day 3: films
Day 2: songs
Day 1: picture of yourself

Day 10: Secrets (I don't know how many of these qualify as secrets but whatever)

1) I LOVE getting mail. It's probably the highlight of my day and if I am home I will go check every hour until it comes. I even like getting bills and I'm secretly disappointed when there is nothing there for me. (This is going to make getting wedding responses back very fun)

2) I have to take a hot bath and read at least one chapter of my book every night before bed or I can't sleep (I guess this says so much more about my obsession with routine)

3) I have never been a "city" girl. I have always been more interested in a big country home, with a white picket fence, a couple of kids and dogs.

4) I am not a traveler by any means. I would much rather be at home than anywhere else. I have gotten better but taking trips are still not on the top of my list.

5) If Chris and I were ever financially secure enough I would love to be a stay at home mom.

6) I love surprises but I hate waiting for them. I'm the type of person that will ask what my Christmas present is and then when you go to tell me I will tell you not to.

7) I am a control freak. Lack of control drives me crazy and I will try to take over every chance I get

8) I take 2-3 needles everyday but I still can't watch anyone else get one. That includes on T.V. I will close my eyes every time.

9) I'm a big believer in first impressions. I will decide if I like a person or not normally within the first 10 minutes, and if I decide I don't there's normally no going back.

10) I have a writing degree with no real desire to write. I feel like University killed my love of writing by forcing me to think of everything in essay format.

Survey

I realized Nathan tagged me in this last week and I never did it.

So, seeing as it's Friday, I'm tired and have nothing relevant to blog about, I figured I would do it now.

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about "you are tagged if you are reading this." Legitimately tag 11 people!!

11 Random things about me:

1) I am deathly afraid of spiders. I'm not talking like ew that's gross and leaving the room. No. It's like paralyzing. I have been known to stand in the center of the room, with a broom, in a stare down with said little bug and I physically cannot bring myself to kill it. I know I'm 26 years old. I know it's irrational. I can't help it.

2) Speaking of irrational fears, I have a few more. Sharks (well maybe we should just make this the ocean in general because I won't get in it). I could go on

3) I was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes when I was 8 years old. It's not something I talk about a lot. There's nothing really to talk about, it's become a part of everyday life. I struggled a lot, mostly through highschool, with being "like everyone else" and not needing to watch what I eat or take insulin. Obviously, eventually you need to figure out that your not "like everyone else" and make adjustments accordingly.

4) I have quite a few OCD habits. I am meticulous with my things. I line my books up by height, my movies are in alphabetical order. I like even numbers (for example, if we are making mozzarella sticks, and Chris only makes 5, it drives me crazy...there are 2 of us, so you make 6 or 4...not 5).

5) I would love to own my own business one day

6) I have had the same three best friends since the 9th grade. We have literally been through everything together, and they have become more than friends and are now extended family. Later this year all three of them will be right beside me when I marry Chris.

7) Chris and I will be celebrating our 10th dating anniversary in March

8) I hate cooked carrots but I love raw ones. I also can instantly tell the difference between frozen vegetables and canned ones.

9) I am superstitious, but only over certain things. I won't change the calendar until the first day of the month. I also make everyone I am with stay up for midnight on New Years Eve, including the dog, who I woke up just before it happened.

10) I'm very shy. I normally won't talk to a person until they talk first. But once I get to know you it's pretty hard to shut me up

11) I absolutely LOVE pigs. I think they are the cutest things ever and if Chris would let me I would totally own one.

Now for Nathans questions

1. What was your favorite old Nickelodean tv show? Why?

Not going to lie, I had to google Nickelodean because I haven't watched that channel in years. I found out that they apparently make Degrassi, so I'm going to go with that. Degrassi has been a guilty pleasure of mine since middle school.

2. What was your favorite part of the 90's?

Boy bands. Hands down

3. This question was already asked by Jill but I liked it so I'm keeping it. Why did you start blogging?

My friends and fiance were doing it, so that's really why I started. I was also in University for a writing program and really needed to write as much as possible.
I continue to blog because I need to write, and I also have started to look at my blog as a journal. I am documenting my entire wedding process, which I will probably forget if I didn't.

4. If you had your choice of any vacation destination at this very moment, where would it be?

Venice, Italy. Followed closely by Hawaii and Ireland.

5. Does anybody remember the Pizza Hut clock? You know, the one that would go really really fast that said, "it's always pizza time". 24 hours would go by in five minutes. If you could apply that clock to any part of your life, i.e. work, church, school, etc. what would you apply it to? Why?

I do not remember this clock. I guess I would have to apply it to work, but life already goes so quickly I'm not sure I would want any of it to be gone in 5 minutes.

6. If you could change a few things about yourself what would they be?

I'm actually pretty happy with myself. Sure, like every girl, I'd like to lose a few pounds, but it's not the end of the world if I don't. Other than that, maybe become more forgiving and less judgmental.

7. I love life, life is good is not just a trademark for me, it's a fact. What are you most thankful for in your life?

I could make a very long list. I have a fiance who loves me. Friends who are always there no matter what and a family that would do anything for me.

8. What does the car you drive say about you? Does it say anything at all, or is it just a car?

I don't own a car, so I will get back to you

9. What annoys you the most?

Cockiness. Confidence is one thing. Cockiness is another. It drives me crazy.

10. Do you have any pets? If so, what do you have and why?

Meet Brady.

He's part German Sheppard and Part Collie, just over 1 years old and the absolute love of my life.

We researched a lot when we decided to make the commitment of a dog. We looked at tons of breeds, but Chris really liked German Sheppard's and I really like Collies.

But really, Chris went to go look at the puppies and pretty much fell in love (I mean who couldn't fall in love with that face)

11. As we begin another year, do you have anything special you're looking forward too?

2012 is a big year for me. We have the wedding, I'm moving out, hopefully starting a new job at some point, so there are lots of things to look forward too.

Here's the part where I'm going to cheat. I've been writing this post since I got up this morning, so I'm pretty much done. SO, I'm going to recycle Nathans questions and I'm going to tag everyone to do it.

Ready, GO!

Happy Friday everyone!!

Thoughts on Thursday

* I'm exhausted! This week has been dragging, and I am ready for it to be over!

* I'm so excited for this weekend. Chris got me tickets to American Idiot for Christmas, and the show is on Sunday. We are going to lunch at the Spaghetti Factory (yum!) and then heading to the play. It's been a while since I have seen a live show so I can't wait.

* My life is turning into one gigantic to-do list. I have a constant stream of alteration schedules, last minute details, vendors and payments running through my head at all times.

* We have quite a few deposits due this month. Things are starting to get very real!

* Pinterst is NOT helping my problem with lists. I am literally on there ALL day pinning crafts I will probably never do, recipe's I will never make, and finding more and more wedding ideas that I never even thought of. This is sending me to etsy trying to find all of these wonderful things cheaper.

* I'm starting to wonder what I'm going to blog about when this wedding is over? Maybe I will magically find some money and I can start blogging about house renovations. One can hope right?

* I have to go back to work, so I guess that's it for today

Happy Thursday everyone!!!

Wedding Wednesday - Tuxes!

That's right people, we did it!!

Now I know in my last blog, I said that the tuxes would be checked off the list by the end of the week. Well we did it on Monday, I'm still giving it to myself because it's done! (and technically in less than a week from when I set the goal)

When we firts got engaged, we joined out friends Steve and Vanessa for a wedding show, and for some reason ended up signing a contract with Moores which we thought only guaranteed $30.00 off of each tux.

While Chris was searching the internet he found a new deal, that still offered $30.00 off of each tux but the groom could choose between a free tux rental or a credit for a $400.00 suit.

We decided to go in on Monday and see what we could get, and we were lucky enough to be dealing with the manager who has amazing customer service.

He walked us through the process, and we ended up deciding on this Calvin Klein tuxedo for all of the boys to wear, as well as Chris, our fathers and the MC (with different coloured vests and ties).

The tux is originally 179.99, but the manager was nice enough to offer us the current wedding show deal, which was $40.00 off each tux as well as the credit for a suit for Chris. Sold.

At this point he handed us off to his associate, who he said was better at computer work. She came over and started typing and after a few minutes looked at us and said the original deal that we had from the original wedding show was better because it not only offered $30.00 off each tux, it apparently also held the 2009 prices.

So in the end we ended up getting an 180.00 tux for 119.00 a person, and to top it all off, because the manager felt bad for steering us in the wrong direction (which he didn't, he was just trying to help) we are still getting the 400.00 credit for Chris's suit.

I am so excited that we got this done, and got it at a price that was reasonable.

I Pin-Caved

I have been hearing about Pinterest for months now from both blog friends and real life ones.

All I have heard is that I need to join this site, but I resisted, saying that the last thing I needed was another addiction to yet another social networking site.

Well last night, after much convincing from a work friend, I caved and I am now officially on Pinterest.

...and yes, less than 24 hours later, I am addicted.

So I'm there (putting my social network count to 5, seriously time to stop).

I'm learning. I THINK my user name is Ashley R, so if your on there come find me!

Wedding Wednesday: To Do List and Check in

Happy Wednesday!

First of all, I have to wish my bestest a very happy 27th birthday!!

So it's officially 2012, which means that it is also officially my wedding year! This means that as of January 1st, I have turned into a crazy bride who needs to get everything done NOW.

Since I barely did anything in December (Christmas break....for the whole month..) I figured I would use today to look at the to-do list that I made in November and figure out what I actually did, and what still needs to be done.

* LIMO, LIMO, LIMO: This really needs to be done. If I don't have a lime by the end of the month there are going to be problems.

* Invitations: I did this! I got them from Invitation Styles and I absolutely love them. Now I need to get them all together and addressed so I can send them out in mid February

* Favours: I swear I know where to find them and I know exactly what I want. It's just the ordering that seems to be the problem. Another must for this month.

* Tuxes: Yeah there are no words. This isn't a monthly goal, this is a weekly one. My boys WILL have tuxes by the end of this week.

* Alterations: I'm working on it!

* Guestbook: Something I actually did! My guest book was ordered from Shutterfly and it's perfect.

Bachelorette Weekend: I'm making this one blue to help with my pride. I did my part of the bachelorette weekend. The second last weekend in April, my bridesmaids, mom, sister and a few close friends will be heading to Blue Mountain to spend the weekend in a beautiful chalet. I nailed down the date, guest list and venue...my work is done.

Bridal Party Gifts: Yeah not even close. I have ideas. Lots of ideas actually. My problem seems to be execution.

So I have managed to accomplish 3 things on my list...since November.....

And of course the list keeps growing, so here is what I hope to get done by the time February rolls around

*Flower Girl Dresses: This is probably the one thing I have been excited for since I got engaged, other than buying my dress. I can't wait to see the two cutest little girls all dressed up in their pretty white dresses. We have been putting it off because they are 7 and 3, and growing every single day but I think we are finally at the point where we can buy them and they will still fit at the end of May

* Shopping for my mom's dress: She's the one who has been putting this one off, but it needs to be done

* Go for my first dress fitting: My dress is in. As soon as my shoes get here I am making an appointment for my first fitting. I absolutely cannot wait to put that dress on again.

* Find a Card Box: I think I want a card box that holds pictures, I just need to find one that isn't going to cost me a fortune. I know you can make them, but the tutorials look a bit ambitious for this girl.

* Book hair and Make Up Appointments: This one is easy. I see blue in my future

* Get Invitations ready to be sent: I want to have them addressed, in envelopes with stamps, sitting and waiting to go.

* Decide on an engagement print and order it: I do really need to do this. My photographer wants to work on it and he's going to start getting mad.

I'm sure there is so much more that I am forgetting but I think all of this grouped with all of those daunting little red tasks above are going to keep me busy enough.

2011 in Reveiw

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I took a slight break from blogging for the holidays.

Our Christmas was wonderful. Busy, but wonderful, and I was spoiled rotten.

New Years was a quiet one for us. We stayed in, ate junk food and watched movies, but to be honest I wouldn't have had it any other way. I rang in the New Year with my almost husband and our puppy and after the craziness of the holidays I think it was the perfect way to do it.

I know I'm doing this late, but I still wanted to do it.... SO here is my top 11 of 2011

11) Quitting my retail job: On March 1st, 2011, I officially handed in my resignation for the job that had been making me miserable for around 8 years. Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot from this job, I met some amazing people, but overall the job wasn't for me. After 8 years of abuse from both customers and management (my boss and I got to the point where speaking wasn't an option) it was definitely time to go! I appreciate everything the job gave me, including the ability to put myself through four years on University, but I have never been happier now that it is a thing of the past.

10) Family Traditions: Every year we have a few family traditions. We go to the cottage on Easter for an annual egg hunt in the forest that my MC and his family host.

as well as Tree Hunting in December

Although these are yearly "staples" so to speak, this year they were so much more special because it's my last year at home. Will Chris and I still participate in tree hunting? Of course! but next year we will be buying and decorating our own tree, so doing it this year with my parents and brother was pretty significant.

9) Cottage: Another staple! I don't think I need to say again how much I love the cottage. I love it even more each summer, when Chris and I head up there for 5 days with all of our friends. There are new memories made every single year, and I learn more and more about the people I was pretty sure I couldn't find anything else about.



8) Halloween Party: Again, all of my favourite people in one place. This year we did a decades theme which made it so much fun, and because I went to a different party last year and wore a decade theme costume I didn't have to buy anything. Stress free costumes are right up my ally!


7) Buffalo: In May, my mom, sister, niece and my mom's best friend headed to Buffalo for my niece's dance competition. The dance competition was only one day, but we stayed all weekend, giving us enough time to shop. The weekend was so fun, I don't think I have laughed so hard in my life (starting with the hotel clerk thanking us profusely for helping with the economy because they needed it to my niece's horrified cry of "but we went to Walmart yesterday!!!! When we pulled up to the second Walmart in two days). On a side note, she can also now describe Target's logo perfectly to anyone who asks, showing you just how much time we also spent there.

6) Sister Pregnant: Finding out my sister is pregnant again is definitely a 2011 highlight. Yes, she had to drop out of my wedding, and yes, it put a small damper on the plans but there is nothing I want more than another baby! She is going for her ultrasound to find out the sex on Wednesday and I cannot wait! (Everyone keep thinking boy for us!)

5) NKOTBSB: Part 1:

And Part 2:

I went to the first concert thinking it would be such a joke. It wasn't. The concert was amazing, so much so that my friends and I bought tickets to the second show a few months later, which probably turned out to be one of the best concerts of my life. It was so much fun reliving my teenage years with the same girls who went through it all with me and I am so looking forward to doing it all again!

4) Engagement Photo's: Even though we went through a bit of crap with being forced to change photographers a month before out pictures were scheduled, the actual picture taking was perfect. The day was gorgeous, our photographer was so friendly and we connected with him instantly and I absolutely love my pictures. Looking forward to doing it all over again in a little under 5 months (!) for the wedding.


3) Graduation: Even though 4 years of University has yet to pan out in the way I may have hoped, I'm still proud of myself for doing it. Graduation was a lot of fun, as much as I didn't want to go to commencement, I'm glad I did as it gave me the chance to say goodbye to the friends I made. I also have a wonderful family and group of friends who spoiled me with not one but two graduation parties.


2) New York: Honestly there are no words. Not only did I finally get to go to New York in 2011, I got to do with my bestest and my mom. I never thought I would ever fall in love with a city the way I fell in love with New York. There is no specific memory from this trip that stands out, the whole thing was amazing and I am so glad that I got to do it with the people I got to do it with. Trip of a lifetime.


1) Dresses: 2011 brought the year where we not only found the bridesmaid dresses (which are in and I could not love more) but I also bought my dress! My dress is in and as soon as my shoes get here I will be going for my first fitting. It's been almost a year since I last had it on so I cannot wait to put it on again. This time my bridesmaids will be with me, none of which have seen it yet which makes it that much more exciting.

The end of 2011 is a bit bittersweet for me. It marks a lot of "lasts." List Christmas morning in my bed, last time decorating my tree with my family. On the other hand 2012 marks a lot of firsts. It's my wedding year, It's the year I move out, it's the year I essentially grow up. It's left me feeling both overwhelmingly nervous and unbelievably excited.

I do know that this is going to be a busy, busy year and I'm excited to see what it brings.