tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64386923881220839992024-03-13T12:06:58.149-04:00Geeks in LoveKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-50015203326665223632011-07-14T00:51:00.000-04:002011-07-14T00:51:34.714-04:00It's getting really realSince we got engaged, Jay, our parents, and I have all been teasing each other by asking "so, does it feel real?" after we do something wedding-related. Buying my dress was when it started to feel real for me, and for Jay, the "real moment" was when we started playing with the scanning gun at Target.<br />
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But, with 15 days to go, things got <i>really </i>real when we went to apply for our marriage license.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2AJ4QXsvddie4BhxaW_vg_np9vqsyiuNJXlG9HxfYKF3ekyNtZGXuH7g0EnvTJPimNXEo_xCawUjX8_RkhL_6cMQF20N9mYYscv9_S2SgzqEbR_6IR89mQf0rY9wT1TEOBIRzTbfMiY/s1600/July+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2AJ4QXsvddie4BhxaW_vg_np9vqsyiuNJXlG9HxfYKF3ekyNtZGXuH7g0EnvTJPimNXEo_xCawUjX8_RkhL_6cMQF20N9mYYscv9_S2SgzqEbR_6IR89mQf0rY9wT1TEOBIRzTbfMiY/s320/July+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yes, I was feeling lame enough to insist on this photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As a side note, our county courthouse is really beautiful. I made Jay head up all the way up to the top floor to look at the architecture and artwork.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlryA-yn2_fQH7j3Ond77oSvEi70vrFprAjM_nZnLIAm-VDIabmExSTE8t3BqUj7-6CL0H7671rWwOtPjYefRnFOIU2OuOh5RWexMxQXHuVYMeAnQpqzsZABjnnnc8_9X4R4JdZ86vYoM/s1600/July+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlryA-yn2_fQH7j3Ond77oSvEi70vrFprAjM_nZnLIAm-VDIabmExSTE8t3BqUj7-6CL0H7671rWwOtPjYefRnFOIU2OuOh5RWexMxQXHuVYMeAnQpqzsZABjnnnc8_9X4R4JdZ86vYoM/s320/July+002.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Forge of Vulcan, aka Youngstown Steel Mills.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeohzpDfrcPmwE1fZtjAOeRjcPkXO-SGr2CJZb6D5ZFNCOEpVTL0laoC1A8GU-qt2Ullbat_61aJ7V79pWX5HFEIY7NyAzQLIJ-wMytRLje9f3sSpsg6VwLpDWPbQhb3VZcQ39R0Kp3I/s1600/July+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeohzpDfrcPmwE1fZtjAOeRjcPkXO-SGr2CJZb6D5ZFNCOEpVTL0laoC1A8GU-qt2Ullbat_61aJ7V79pWX5HFEIY7NyAzQLIJ-wMytRLje9f3sSpsg6VwLpDWPbQhb3VZcQ39R0Kp3I/s320/July+004.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanternman's Mill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfEPSnaPJVu0uLuM5_iEzt9mk8_UnRhHKKq40qHOp6YvIPNlEbcFlOt7BnHo0zbutqoVWeqvOZNYPpv-D5B6TM1D5NhMJlsgDXQxG9BL2Veg3r_mJPQpReVUCEYY0C7ekziBG81_hKfM/s1600/July+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfEPSnaPJVu0uLuM5_iEzt9mk8_UnRhHKKq40qHOp6YvIPNlEbcFlOt7BnHo0zbutqoVWeqvOZNYPpv-D5B6TM1D5NhMJlsgDXQxG9BL2Veg3r_mJPQpReVUCEYY0C7ekziBG81_hKfM/s320/July+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rotunda is decorated with the names of the municipalities in the county.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sadly, we didn't have a legit reason to wander into any of the courtrooms, where there are murals of different places around the county.<br />
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Yesterday morning, with our five-day waiting period officially over, Jay went back and picked up our license packet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gwkKdJFLsjvSksAbyMyZG70YLCdrudK1VO2a1-T6iwhyphenhyphenF0sCd8Z_0jVPskjTHy5KWadOFT0wgJQSRcIC-6dqTwKZ_SI2nJQgmwCU7hCklw1dBDALCStojlwUmH92u8n557S4mdZR-p8/s1600/JulyII+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gwkKdJFLsjvSksAbyMyZG70YLCdrudK1VO2a1-T6iwhyphenhyphenF0sCd8Z_0jVPskjTHy5KWadOFT0wgJQSRcIC-6dqTwKZ_SI2nJQgmwCU7hCklw1dBDALCStojlwUmH92u8n557S4mdZR-p8/s320/JulyII+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Judge Belinky!</td></tr>
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We had needed our birth certificates to get the license, and I always get a good laugh out of comparing them. Because Jay was born in India, most of his is devoted to proving his parents' citizenship--and it's signed by the Vice Consul!<br />
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I'm just relieved that tomorrow we can hand our packet off to Fr. Maturi and ensure that our marriage is well and truly legit.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-39272195232523943262011-07-06T10:00:00.000-04:002011-07-06T10:00:14.242-04:00One of my favorite things:Seeing my new last name in print.<br />
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(I got a Hallmark membership card, and decided to just give them the new name since I'd probably have a heck of a time getting it changed).Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-36365316916678378272011-07-05T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-05T08:00:06.154-04:00Henna ExperimentOne thing about the wedding rehearsal that I'm especially looking forward to is the Mhendi. Early in the afternoon, the bridesmaids and any other women coming in from out of town will meet up at the Welches' to decorate our hands with henna.<br />
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I love the Mhendi--it was one of my favorite parts of Rus and Heidi's wedding. All the women get to sit and talk....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SNvmnEpJp_TeYoro_V1-ngIDCw8pFXRuSwhYBeDL4TJWG8fsny26c8pNYdu1Qa4pcxZ1D9msUlRW2R6HObqLma8iXIqiLkszyamXojarVEQzT71l8ehBSdVMCRguKS7ShWsG4LE1Xhg/s1600/Anniversary+and+Wedding+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SNvmnEpJp_TeYoro_V1-ngIDCw8pFXRuSwhYBeDL4TJWG8fsny26c8pNYdu1Qa4pcxZ1D9msUlRW2R6HObqLma8iXIqiLkszyamXojarVEQzT71l8ehBSdVMCRguKS7ShWsG4LE1Xhg/s320/Anniversary+and+Wedding+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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...and the end result is beautiful:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJBItTds9rCIdmazQDNUIraE7U-zkCFj93LobfWJj29byO8UpV-kGMP9MOkPZqxLANduacQ9R5CYM6lb8RQoFlEJyfxYk2e0_YqeJhUaKwXPNR4Lv-TZLcIDKkJ3Lspmh8zqi3wSNs84/s1600/Heidi%2527s+Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJBItTds9rCIdmazQDNUIraE7U-zkCFj93LobfWJj29byO8UpV-kGMP9MOkPZqxLANduacQ9R5CYM6lb8RQoFlEJyfxYk2e0_YqeJhUaKwXPNR4Lv-TZLcIDKkJ3Lspmh8zqi3wSNs84/s320/Heidi%2527s+Hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(c) <a href="http://www.studiobash.com/">StudioBash</a></td></tr>
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The only downside of the Mhendi is that we have a limited number of women who can really work with henna and a large number of girls who want to wear it. To make things easier on everyone, Mama Peg suggested that we try using henna stencils.<br />
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I wasn't 100% sure how the stenciled henna would turn out, so I tried it for myself. I made a cheater batch of henna (I didn't let the paste "mature" and I only kept it on for about 30 minutes) and tried one out.<br />
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The stencil didn't actually fit, so I wrapped the thumb piece around my hand to keep it secure.<br />
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Here's the design after I removed the stencil, but before I scraped off the henna. I think that it would've looked a lot better if someone else had put the henna over the stencil, but I'm not sold. I'm not wild about the henna staining the negative space of the design.<br />
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BUT, the stencils are unbelievably easy to use. No denying that. Maybe I just need to find a stencil design that I like.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-3882989658579694902011-07-03T19:45:00.000-04:002011-07-03T19:45:40.022-04:00Bachelorette Party and Bridal ShowerI'm pretty late in talking about my super pre-wedding weekend, but I've been working on my teaching applications, non-teaching job applications, and unpacking, organizing, and repacking all my crap.<br />
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But, back in June, my bridesmaids (with major help from our family friend Cathy) threw me a bachelorette party and wedding shower. My bachelorette party ended up being pretty low-key, but I loved it. Originally, Sara and Heidi had worked on taking me to a nightclub for a drag show. Unfortunately, the best night for the party ended up being a "no show" night at the club. We talked about going dancing after dinner, but since I managed to sprain my ankle (falling five inches off of our back deck) the night before, I wasn't really in the mood.<br />
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We ended up being served an amazing multi-course dinner by Heidi's husband. Jay went out and picked up wines to go with the meal and Rus picked a few more that paired better with his dishes. After we ate, we sat talking under a canopy of party lights before moving to the fire pit. It may not have been the crazy, wild night that Sara threatened, but I really loved being able to catch up with my far-flung best friends (minus Nicky, who we totally owe a night of wine and cheese!) and sisters.<br />
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The next afternoon, I met up with the girls at Cathy's house for the shower. I was so happy to see more of my friends, many of my mom's friends, my Grammy, and my fabulous aunts:<br />
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And I was only forced into one crazy party game!<br />
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Jay stopped by to help open presents to be, by turns, sweet and ridiculous.<br />
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I was so excited to see all three of my "dance sisters:" Cristina, Miranda, and Juliana.<br />
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All in all, I had an amazing weekend.<br />
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PS--Love these girls:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaFZdKGwFQY3tgnWVQ_LtwMxHsbk_q_zOyfSrOEuh4AUUsR8m-FJkrqf_KAfO6kdNYej3W9UzYV_MstKYg5TEzPfp-hFoz9BPUBGCePsPOM0uXIbUECke6przKnfuyv573ZzmC04NkBo/s1600/Shower+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaFZdKGwFQY3tgnWVQ_LtwMxHsbk_q_zOyfSrOEuh4AUUsR8m-FJkrqf_KAfO6kdNYej3W9UzYV_MstKYg5TEzPfp-hFoz9BPUBGCePsPOM0uXIbUECke6przKnfuyv573ZzmC04NkBo/s320/Shower+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-98499650497303872011-06-24T11:46:00.000-04:002011-06-24T11:46:40.675-04:00Aenigma ColaturI'm interrupting the wedding updates to bring you this other, life-altering news:<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbkxijL3Bpgf8n0yu1ylkMU3vAgrUh7mjTbzf1fxZShBUC5n3b7EG1LQp5HZRaJqF1r5MLkgpxKbxgGBTe5deh9v-n6_jpuxrOsD41HqNdd_q01kfo7PusKndJ5Dw40bY27kOZH-Kb9Q/s1600/Commencement+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbkxijL3Bpgf8n0yu1ylkMU3vAgrUh7mjTbzf1fxZShBUC5n3b7EG1LQp5HZRaJqF1r5MLkgpxKbxgGBTe5deh9v-n6_jpuxrOsD41HqNdd_q01kfo7PusKndJ5Dw40bY27kOZH-Kb9Q/s320/Commencement+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I graduated! With both of my degrees!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Jan Hodson summed it up pretty well at the HTC Graduate Dinner:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwWLrCdacxYrUpqnRu-j8hRJuWXXZFvv2pv1UnhVnC5L8C8GtxYWOQuH51eiNxV24BoY3wcfaHvvX01KZlxpA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br />
</div><div>So, in brief:</div><div><ol><li>I passed both my Praxis II exams (I actually did this last July, but my score reports were lost in the mail during my move).</li>
<li>I convinced the College of Eduaction that English Lit tutorials are, in fact, English classes, thus finishing the course requirements for my ILA degree.</li>
<li>I spent eight weeks teaching the best group of tenth graders I've ever met (other than my sister of course).</li>
<li>I wrote my thesis examining the development of feminism in young adult literature--and you can read it here: <a href="http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi?acc_num=ouhonors1307377432">http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi?acc_num=ouhonors1307377432</a></li>
</ol>I feel like this post has much, much more bragging in it than I'd like, but I'm just so relieved to have finished all my coursework! Now, if only the university would send me my real diplomas...</div></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmy8SMXlroRQmehoUjPAFy6CT0LPNZsobFBiEndrjhrurE-xp2Lpptk9KeAnlJ2noWs6cZdHncq6JLGqHiQ1JT74WN3pGHez0nc2_2Vp1YtqnJAZaYcBNdKB5uq9-8NZOLYM9YAjDia4/s1600/Commencement+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmy8SMXlroRQmehoUjPAFy6CT0LPNZsobFBiEndrjhrurE-xp2Lpptk9KeAnlJ2noWs6cZdHncq6JLGqHiQ1JT74WN3pGHez0nc2_2Vp1YtqnJAZaYcBNdKB5uq9-8NZOLYM9YAjDia4/s320/Commencement+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(We return to the scene of the proposal!)</span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-34718919609190372902011-05-01T22:52:00.000-04:002011-05-01T22:52:01.270-04:00April Showers Bring More FittingsEarly in April, I drove back to Youngstown (and on to Niles) to pick up my altered dress.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQOdzS1fH57vnKhx_BLwN5cWwKqu5QLdph0BCAlVQwtBEJK6-sGkaPGR_x-N3z6GmNWLPoHAzCxpc2wl6B8D24adUTshFyhmoyqPylXjYn45w6Kg4WJhwJrybMBfb6YDgtirbi7H5RPQ/s1600/Pics+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQOdzS1fH57vnKhx_BLwN5cWwKqu5QLdph0BCAlVQwtBEJK6-sGkaPGR_x-N3z6GmNWLPoHAzCxpc2wl6B8D24adUTshFyhmoyqPylXjYn45w6Kg4WJhwJrybMBfb6YDgtirbi7H5RPQ/s320/Pics+004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Love it!<br />
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Then, for most of April, I had to put wedding plans on the back burner while I started my student teaching. This past weekend, I was back in town for Vijay's senior thesis premier and wrap party. On the drive home on Friday, Mama Peg called to tell me that my sari had arrived!<br />
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Like most fancy blouses, mine has a plain front and an embroidered back. My petticoat is satin instead of cotton--already I felt like a princess!<br />
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Even though I know how to put on a sari by myself (okay, with backwards pleats), I let Mama Peg do it whenever possible.<br />
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Here we are post-pleating, pre-pallu arranging:<br />
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The finished look. I have to dig out my box of old photos to find the 2004 version of this photo--high school me in a pale blue sari for the first time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TU0gl9YVWCgmcSrpmmVRTZMkYgUA4056cSIuzHYOhQzSzVarfEBDYhiQJJx-Z42gJE3SbHgLEt5_NFPQT2zvwEWTNgsgpqreo7qKrEjb20hLTEWKwkWjXxGlNmS_nGnHSo0iD6P3NE0/s1600/Sair+Fitting+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TU0gl9YVWCgmcSrpmmVRTZMkYgUA4056cSIuzHYOhQzSzVarfEBDYhiQJJx-Z42gJE3SbHgLEt5_NFPQT2zvwEWTNgsgpqreo7qKrEjb20hLTEWKwkWjXxGlNmS_nGnHSo0iD6P3NE0/s320/Sair+Fitting+011.JPG" width="216" /></a></div><br />
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A close up of the jacquard and the embroidered peacock.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoceqLMJ_y8UK57EOSywawVT23-yuglYjhQVmcNsdhFiXFEbsu_Vyga7gzYCgVkALioGFAl9cJhqeeTDV_iVAeFrmEhCy_T8oHWNsl_l64kyX7TyyaODMwcW5MKPFtE2gC8aoKsk_ugc/s1600/Sair+Fitting+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoceqLMJ_y8UK57EOSywawVT23-yuglYjhQVmcNsdhFiXFEbsu_Vyga7gzYCgVkALioGFAl9cJhqeeTDV_iVAeFrmEhCy_T8oHWNsl_l64kyX7TyyaODMwcW5MKPFtE2gC8aoKsk_ugc/s320/Sair+Fitting+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-8733972081130841342011-03-25T13:30:00.003-04:002011-03-26T00:46:49.900-04:00First FittingTuesday was my first dress fitting. Mom, Emily, Mama Peg, Heidi, and I all descended upon David's Bridal to watch women poke me with pins. This was Mama Peg and Heidi's first time seeing my dress.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9Z_-WeorP1KtdN4yaLFuZI6hP5UsYEz94ExqE5p3Ev0GZGOUOJIoXeNf4VK5eD7kHOALMQOTpkip2mOLWZW_dLbJ8OWkPKQMbz1KAXJEOQm4iFn5m4h0Tz2g6QEaEm0tALvKSiYPU98/s1600/Weddingy+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9Z_-WeorP1KtdN4yaLFuZI6hP5UsYEz94ExqE5p3Ev0GZGOUOJIoXeNf4VK5eD7kHOALMQOTpkip2mOLWZW_dLbJ8OWkPKQMbz1KAXJEOQm4iFn5m4h0Tz2g6QEaEm0tALvKSiYPU98/s320/Weddingy+008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Emily was official photographer of the afternoon.<br />
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It only took three David's employees, but we managed to figure out the awesome bustle that Chrissy showed me when I first tried on the dress.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1p9jNrK0S8_-3Kg_DJOA0lBuXeUkRQPrsh2RWPiu1Q33A26LkkuOEeuPy1J7QwuAdFeVNJPOWgNFCFu49VfEMFe-teNGqgiiRZoar3Mq8RYVGVjxRbhHFkQ2nPYdMPJMfLROwgupY8I/s1600/Weddingy+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1p9jNrK0S8_-3Kg_DJOA0lBuXeUkRQPrsh2RWPiu1Q33A26LkkuOEeuPy1J7QwuAdFeVNJPOWgNFCFu49VfEMFe-teNGqgiiRZoar3Mq8RYVGVjxRbhHFkQ2nPYdMPJMfLROwgupY8I/s320/Weddingy+020.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It got a little awkward towards the end ("Everyone! Stare at me! Stare at meeeeee!") but I had a lot of fun. After the fitting, the five of us went for coffee--and I always love hanging out with my moms and sisters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONU9uLDMk7ufm0PCYi4sfiu_anJ8oH8GTi1uV1VUIbai1NCfyRK2fIWZnJPHG408V6NaQXhYepG7ZPo2-8uGBAIhdNGfIzajYDqNkE1dcEHBVuFzftqZdJdIfKJn4R34mTw_-JWKX7eY/s1600/Weddingy+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONU9uLDMk7ufm0PCYi4sfiu_anJ8oH8GTi1uV1VUIbai1NCfyRK2fIWZnJPHG408V6NaQXhYepG7ZPo2-8uGBAIhdNGfIzajYDqNkE1dcEHBVuFzftqZdJdIfKJn4R34mTw_-JWKX7eY/s320/Weddingy+023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-72144617639052916932011-03-24T10:30:00.001-04:002011-03-24T10:33:12.970-04:00Sari Party!Mama Peg and I finally found my wedding sari! She sent me a link to a beautiful, non-traditional red sari with with green and purple trim and embroidered peacocks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitPEWa_eLsGiGOkMeKI1PoFvONEfSHkVzk5QELo5rS9qlPoVqMTmDZG-jHYOCEeQ2AvZIL5KRa26srAGVTy1Y0XqxAixbqpHKg2Z-3ywZURza-fU5LOR2nAA4M6L6-1Q9WgemqjazqmU/s1600/Wedding+Sari.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitPEWa_eLsGiGOkMeKI1PoFvONEfSHkVzk5QELo5rS9qlPoVqMTmDZG-jHYOCEeQ2AvZIL5KRa26srAGVTy1Y0XqxAixbqpHKg2Z-3ywZURza-fU5LOR2nAA4M6L6-1Q9WgemqjazqmU/s320/Wedding+Sari.JPG" width="196" /></a></div>I'm in love.<br />
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<i>Quick side note for anyone who hasn't heard me (or someone else) explain the sari:</i><br />
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<i>The sari is a traditional women's garment in India. You start by putting on a cropped blouse and a petticoat, t</i><i>hen wrap six yards of beautiful fabric around yourself:</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7S7DiHTtUzt45vNP0KXHUNi0SIcsCrIRk7oFqM1GgQNB87c99Gl9tD_p1Di0e1TLWOD8g-B8QId7PZSUPi5_6hVmf0wBBnLmS70q9Mtizp2H50AA6zs3D8fX4_JW8vlg53wzvja_9XcM/s1600/sari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7S7DiHTtUzt45vNP0KXHUNi0SIcsCrIRk7oFqM1GgQNB87c99Gl9tD_p1Di0e1TLWOD8g-B8QId7PZSUPi5_6hVmf0wBBnLmS70q9Mtizp2H50AA6zs3D8fX4_JW8vlg53wzvja_9XcM/s320/sari.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Because the blouses need to fit like a second skin, Mama Peg had to take many, many measurements. Including some awkward ones:<br />
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With my order on its way, Mom, Emily, and I decided to start picking the wedding party's saris.<br />
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Like Rus and Heidi, Jay and I decided to have a semi-traditional Indian rehearsal and dinner. The girls will wear saris and have the opportunity to get henna . Jay and some of the other men will be wearing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurta">kurta pajama</a>.<br />
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So, Mama Peg pulled out as many of her saris, blouses, petticoats, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salwar_kameez">salwar kameez</a> as she could find. I promptly made a sari pile.<br />
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Emily tried on a couple and settled on this gorgeous one that Mama Peg wore on her birthday:<br />
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Then I started pulling out other saris for the rest of the bridesmaids (I took pictures of the pallus--the end that goes over your shoulder--because they have the most detail).<br />
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I've known for years that I would have Sara wear this green and pink chiffon one:<br />
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And I think Katie Ya would look stunning in this pink floral chiffon:<br />
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Since Emily's is so bold, I tried to find a similarly striking one for Nicky and spotted this sheer royal blue:<br />
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I'm hoping that Mama Peg's gold blouse and petticoat set will fit her.<br />
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Heidi wants to try to wear her wedding salwar again. It's beautiful and she hardly ever has a reason to.<br />
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My mom tried a few and eventually picked a deep maroon one. It was a real stroke of luck because the sari still has the blouse piece attached (at the end opposite the pallu is some extra fabric that can be cut off and used to sew a matching or contrasting blouse).<br />
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</div>When we have (a bit) more time in the summer, the three of us will have a sewing party so that we can make sure everyone has a blouse that fits.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-54892971414531253932011-03-23T12:49:00.000-04:002011-03-23T12:49:54.510-04:00Spring Break--Making Impressions...and I'm back! Winter quarter was especially tough on me, hence the lack of wedding planning/posting. I'm currently on spring break and will soon start student teaching which will (oddly enough) leave me with more free time in afternoon than usual--of course, there will be lesson planning and thesis writing, but at least I can in comfy pants!<br />
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Anyhow, I've been at my parents house since Thursday and will be staying until Sunday morning. While I've been home, we've really hit the ground running with wedding prep. One of the first things I did was to make impressions for Jay's wedding ring.<br />
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Before we even got engaged, I found what would eventually be Jay's ring at an etsy shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fabuluster?ref=pr_shop_more">Fabuluster</a>. Jess and Brent Williams make cast impressions of fingerprints and incorporate them into their jewelry. Jay really liked the idea and picked this ring:<br />
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I ordered it and received my impression kit in the mail. All I had to do was follow Brent's instructions and send him my fingerprints.<br />
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So first: boiling water in a pot and sticking my hand in a hot (but not boiling) sink.<br />
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Once the water on the stove boiled, I poured it into a bowl and took its temperature.<br />
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When it had cooled to 140 degrees, I dropped in an impression strip.<br />
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After thirty seconds, the water had softened the black side of the strip so that I could make my impression.<br />
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Then I just had to cool it until the black side stiffened again and peel the strip off my finger.<br />
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And repeat three more times!<br />
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As a side note, the funniest part of making these impressions was when my brother came home from class starving and started making pizza. Of course, the pizza was ready to come out of the oven at the exact moment my last pot of water boiled, so for a few minutes, we had to dance around each other while holding a variety of very hot objects.<br />
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The impressions are in the mail, so soon enough Jay's ring will be here. Cross that off the list!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-15961505167288258072010-12-02T04:28:00.001-05:002010-12-07T17:47:42.551-05:00Flower CodeIn order to prepare for the meeting with the flower people, Mama Peg sat down with Jay and I to hash out our basic ideas. Jay's input was pretty simple:<div><br /></div><div>"No Tuberoses. NO. TUBEROSES."</div><div><br /></div><div>While we were talking, though, we decided to start looking into the "meanings" of flowers. Whenever we couldn't make up our minds about something, we decided based upon the meanings we found. So, if you too speak Flowerese, you will know that our blooms signify:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>"Thee only do I love" (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbutus">arbutus</a>)</li><li>Innocence, loyal love, purity, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k29xy5C62Og">"I'll Never Tell"</a> (daisy)</li><li>"Your friendship means so much to me," faith, hope, wisdom, valor, (iris)</li><li>Love, beauty, refinement, many children (orchid)</li><li>Gracious lady (snapdragon)</li><li>Happiness in marriage, and desire to travel (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanotis">stephanotis</a>)</li><li>...and much much more!</li></ul>And if, even after this list, you are not versed in the language of flowers, you will know,</div><div><br /></div><div>"Hey, there's a bunch of white and purple flowers."</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-18140847104206224482010-12-02T04:13:00.000-05:002010-12-02T04:27:31.531-05:00Still Alive, Still Engaged, Still CrazyIn a belated update to my last post, a jeweler in Parkersburg fixed my ring in four days at a very reasonable price. So, no more giant fake bling.<div><br /></div><div>As I anticipated, I didn't get much wedding-related business taken care of during Fall Quarter. School is mostly devoted to preparing for life after the wedding, when I (fingers crossed) get a real job with health insurance. Hence the radio silence.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I am back in Youngstown and things are picking back up. Sometime next week, Mom, Mama Peg, and I are going to see the flower people. And listen to what they say.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwHga2xANXe9Dw0r92QiSUg4KBB2IlBBcAGaUEDhQMmZiyKtgpF0ppQsNDSiVYsBh1LZhZSsxmHvuAVPNY5Mw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-9856161853088697932010-09-29T03:11:00.000-04:002010-09-29T03:20:20.510-04:00Sad Face<div style="text-align: left;">The pearl fell out of my ring last night. This isn't a big shock as it's an old ring and jewelry does that sometimes, but unfortunately for me (and those around me), I have a bit of a complex about rings.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the one of my depressive episodes, I lost a stone out of a ring Jay had given me. That was sort of a "final straw" for me--I was really freaked out by it for a couple of days.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Also, since I wore my Christmas ring on that hand (starting in 2005), it's been more than a little strange not to have anything on that finger. I was particularly annoyed last night when I realized that I'd left the Christmas ring in Youngstown.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, this is an easy repair, and I'll have the ring back in a few days, but I was having trouble overcoming my sudden hand nudity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So, I went to WalMart and picked out the lamest, fakest, cheapest plastic solitaire I could find to tide me over:</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X5bg1pjMK2ek74tGwsZlqVgZFIVJHPG5ZmwKREsCwh339JfQNT4eckXoSYXjXue5bqOv5sH3C1PIfa3wDsMz9ZwIdHvMEmEbYZ5bsrXRVLt6XFcJbPHG72jpOO_XC7t_-YTUVTfcero/s320/fakering.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 272px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522231655321294626" /></div><div><br /></div><div>It doesn't look half bad in a blurry cell-phone photo!</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-11417245512588496362010-09-27T22:43:00.000-04:002010-09-28T00:18:01.737-04:00Drum Roll, Please!<div style="text-align: left;">And the winner of the Bridesmaids' Dress-Off Challenge is...</div><div><br /></div><div>David's Bridal 83312!!!</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SV1gCp1HkW-G3XukCfHg2YpKAwjnXcahq4bi_tq5ABDng1yvcKyBQQxBbehzEPlBjZVy95hO4GxliZacfBWApSkgR0wW85fIvwlAKUCojAJ4qpAQhoB0l0IAw8rbumuL2ROPMI3_ULA/s200/David'sBridal83312.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 94px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521813059771702754" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This dress was a unanimous favorite of the bridesmaids. I thought that I would choose something more elaborate, but what was most important to me was that they were comfortable for the marathon of July 23 (Plus, do you know how difficult it is to find a dress that not only flatters five very different bodies, but all five like as well?).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This dress is a great basic that I hope each of the girls will dress up in her own way. It also has pockets and (according to Sara) will photograph better than our other contenders might have.</div><div><br /></div><div>So while my dress is pretty elaborate, this one is sweet and simple. And according to David's Bridal's <i>Dress Your Wedding</i> tool, they look pretty darn good together.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4AqvioIiIk6J5sXhIUmZ_mOSyhD2dKOgDD3ssAMfGfebP8oocvJ34ZQKa-XGX-3wy3aGw5DCJ2CmbaYFL9ZLWC-VJpblzxf5YApSs2WJH20Dx0JKwWPP1VYrKmXV4n254X0aj6-QEtQ/s200/83312Party.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521813053674879746" /></div><div><br /></div><div>They even have drapey shit!</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUAHJQQykNGZKWL37biJx_elRMRnxorsQJYpXe5ZNVoGOFHhhy-FlcOX1s9gYSMFRSgrir20KJ7K5vdXT3T-bvsqd9BxUwvM25l1YM7OTMfdIXdWvovDeJcocpKROk5yjLTbWq8o6THU/s200/DrapeyShit!.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 171px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521813053749038322" />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-63689491631881159942010-09-01T18:20:00.000-04:002010-09-01T18:45:59.280-04:00More Bridesmaid Dresses<div style="text-align: left;">I <a href="http://toomanymms.blogspot.com/2010/09/post-migraine-updates.html">broke the keyboard</a> on my laptop a while back, hence the lack of posts. During my hiatus, I made another trip to David's Bridal with my best high school friend, Katie.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiuCe8Lv1HnEbHuJwiibIoBkShvD6lYwVIFO1M5n5jBPNcANnQnGRdU5hnU1LUB-oAPD4iwB5pBzAGxpRO23iyX_hGS0BiyLVjWD7tkpV3xQjPJyDlgPQ46YymvGl_UplacIe9o2SOpc/s200/Prom+2006+02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512079034569871618" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Katie and I were close for most of middle and high school. I was glad that it takes about half an hour to drive to David's Bridal--we got plenty of time to catch up. Katie's studying to be a vet in Michigan, so we don't get many chances to hang out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Katie tried on the same dresses as Heidi, Sara, and Emily, then we found another:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHs8AfaLZUM5Vt_NdaKAcRGPPzlx1WftxlUpyNkclUxZUY9mgLEbQl993dws-NZF92QHYzK2P4wdmP2mZqSgviNFz-r-SRnlQVj4imlKaboDllgmh5Afz4LaelY0lk4RVZjhnd8yMD4w/s200/001.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512077632556217474" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I really liked the lines on this one, but it has a bow in the back. That screams, "OMG, Bridesmaid!" just a little too loudly for me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Nicky and I are going to make one last dress trip before she leaves for France this month. I think we're going to look at this jacquard dress--I keep seeing it out of the corner of my, eye and most of the bridesmaids seem to like it.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEBYuGtZaTXYAvtwAiTwso8lzpXo4ax4ASEC5cCrf3KKnYmx9qI7BG-DPtJi1EwxgNSGbuVhhKOHkchphvZElVKdyjW9qAc5I_iCXae3WjfzD5G8uYQNbF6ZjVlDG2LvGSvwrpVNhMcE/s200/F14018.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 96px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512077643026743698" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRRT5XisJusrIly_m4v9IQx7GKw6x7718Z6Tht1ikhZ15lwXG61kdNpQOvGN6EPw9Fekw6ZUdciQkenGD4_ixHKhwDpZYXg8j-znb9PtfI9MBF2IhgoXR4HsAcZnrxY4eIuBwFXwcYVU/s200/F14018+Detail.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 167px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512077971864683074" /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-53427094827629500222010-08-23T14:07:00.001-04:002010-08-23T14:19:27.018-04:00Engagement Photo Preview<div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday's shoot went really well. Jay and I had a ton of fun with Jimmy. We started off in the auditorium at our high school. Jimmy tried to get some dramatic shots of the two of us on stage. We sang a little and posed a lot.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs180.ash2/44275_433701292400_285300677400_5480831_7292864_n.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 480px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs286.snc4/40630_433720157400_285300677400_5481253_6285541_n.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 480px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div><br /></div><div>After we shot in the high school, we went to Boardman Park and goofed around for a while.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs371.snc4/45400_433702737400_285300677400_5480880_4243853_n.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 480px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" /><br /></div><div>About halfway through the shoot, I started to feel really self-conscious. I guess it's that I like being in the spotlight, but only for short periods of time. Jay tried really hard to keep me relaxed--I think it worked for the most part. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs149.ash2/40765_433719542400_285300677400_5481242_6983758_n.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 480px; height: 319px;" border="0" alt="" /></div><div>I can't wait to see the rest of them!</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs137.ash2/40174_433703007400_285300677400_5480888_1386508_n.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 480px;" border="0" alt="" />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-75701893644366575182010-08-22T22:56:00.000-04:002010-08-22T23:06:39.619-04:00DIY Apparel<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm continuing to finish some-scale DIY wedding projects. <div><br /></div><div>I just finished a honeymoon nightie:</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNIz5rB9LIYoBuc7wJwDfz0JBAFxXBrD7czK7Pq9k4utcXglA68blZIoYSS8UKMRPWe6hbxd9H5IT0BaFI225T0lIwL_2pQcujhkXnldFnKbD7iSO45aegAAQytd0Umct7lRB1a7JjSA/s200/stuff+002.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508435945952042370" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I bought the silk-screened slip, then adjusted the fit with black and white polka dotted ribbons.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0dJfAKodllcQ-5N8sHdSmD-yArgjFHatCEr_lApjKsW71Pm1OuVh3Jv3dZFr9h3CTr_B_HrrNrMb7FQeTRtUM4tE7aksimHCCfTuCyvtmY0fiXBJfuw3KgwetBA762VThruzeZ8KbGc/s200/stuff+003.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508435952245213522" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also bought my wedding shoes! I plan to make clips with peacock feathers and pearls to cover up the striped ribbon on the toes.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitY7qx8rj-UD5MvjENtKsIzXG6R4w8rUU5EWfvOC7_6FACgmSsFKpPbrNh5AiRKxEF67tgO7kn0DRupeWYPYY5smJVgWwVSlrnEBAPTAN7FOOuxENBzJUNarTFpKzxBxJJx5YT8FZMW9k/s200/SHOES.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 172px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508435955314431170" /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-23592273072773926562010-08-17T11:34:00.000-04:002010-08-17T11:45:14.318-04:00Photography CrushA few weeks back, Mom, Jay, and I met at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Panera</span> with Kristy and Jimmy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Taafe</span> of <a href="http://www.limelight-images.com/">Limelight Images</a>. We hung out for about an hour and a half, while they showed us their portfolio and asked about our plans.<br /><br />We'd had every intention of shopping around for photographers, but Kristy and Jimmy seemed like a perfect fit (personality and price-wise)! So, as soon as we got home, Mom emailed Kristy to say, "YES! YES! Please shoot my daughter's wedding!" Okay, she may have phrased it a little differently.<br /><br />What I like best about Kristy and Jimmy is that, while their photos are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fabulous</span>, their personalities fit us perfectly. I love that after every event--consultation, engagement session, or wedding-- one of them hops on Facebook to write something nice about the couple:<br /><br />"It was great to meet up with Katie and her mom Jenny and her fiance Jay Yesterday. You take a theater major and an English teacher, throw in Deep purple and shades of green, a little star wars and some Iris, and what do you have? A kick butt wedding next July. Looking forward to it guys!!!! Thanks!"<br /><br />Our engagement session is Sunday, so check their Facebook page for previews early next week.<br /><br />And for a good, not completely off-topic laugh: <a href="http://offbeatbride.com/2010/07/dear-wedding-photographers">Off Beat Bride: An open letter to wedding photographers regarding their websites.</a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-41097701770993035762010-08-09T17:05:00.000-04:002010-08-09T17:17:20.044-04:00"God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage"Yeah, the retreat went about as well as I had anticipated.<br /><br />I got a lot out of some of the sessions. It was interesting to talk about marriage as a metaphor for Christianity. Also, there was one session devoted solely to what I wanted to know: how do I make sure that my marriage "counts" in the Catholic church?<br /><br />The afternoon consisted of three talks all pushing the abstinence/natural family planning perspective. Lucky me, I had heard all of this during my confirmation classes, so I didn't feel too bad about zoning out.<br /><br />What upset me was that my worst fear about the retreat came true: the leaders made Jay feel judged. Not intentionally, but he still felt uncomfortable for most of the retreat.<br /><br />We tried to stay positive and open-minded, and we did get some great things out of the day. Still, every time we had a break, I found myself doing Catholic-Methodist damage control.<br /><br />Our religious differences never seem so complicated when it's just the two of us and God...Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-78670248946975108382010-08-06T08:39:00.001-04:002010-08-06T14:53:50.542-04:00"Everyone has a vocation to love. What's yours?"<div style="text-align: left;">Tomorrow, Jay and I are going to our Church marriage retreat. To prepare, the retreat coordinators (one of whom was my 7th grade CCD teacher) sent us a DVD produced by the Knights of Columbus called <i>Everyone Has a Vocation to Love. What's Yours?</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, we settled into the family room to watch the marriage section of the DVD. And while I didn't have high hopes for the movie (I mean, just check out the title screen!), I was surprised by just how uninformative it was.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTb_1ecG6WpRgreSOshbeK9XZKsZNuerVCRXl7SGvYORowQbWsbMR4WdCB_ywEPVlSLvJ9zf0BuyS0_XLQxULUDw7nct8uw-sGuyKoLn-wLRvFhgXpNbUEoDmRVdpoH-w-WT1OqQprKQ/s320/VocationVideo.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502290554631903746" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it's just that Jay and I were raised in fairly traditional Christian families, but I thought there would be more to it than a bunch of couples saying how great their marriages were because they prayed together, were open to children (read: no birth control), and saved sex for marriage. That was it. No history of marriage in the Church. No expectations of engaged couples. Not even an explanation of the very detailed requirements for a Catholic wedding.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only thing Jay learned was the term "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatify">beatify</a>."</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glad that I know one of the retreat coordinators so well. I just hope she's prepared for some intense discussion from me. If the Church is going to make me jump through hoops to get married, they had better make it informative and thought-provoking.</div><div><br /></div><div>My questions are, "How do we develop a spiritual relationship as a couple?" "Why are openness to children and the use of birth control considered mutually exclusive?" "How does a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_marriage">'mixed marriage'</a> couple integrate and honor their different traditions?" "How does the Church support couples and families?" "Why is Church culture so obsessed with having children when the Catechism itself says that childless couples have spiritually fulfilling and valuable relationships?"</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-70362424236985350422010-08-04T05:56:00.000-04:002010-08-04T06:25:06.389-04:00Bridesmaid Dresses!<div style="text-align: left;">Over the weekend, I started looking for bridesmaid dresses. Unfortunately, Katie was moving to Michigan and Nicky was teaching in France, but I had my trusty sister, sister-in-law, and Sara by my side.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Admittedly, I was a little nervous because this was the first time Sara would meet Heidi and the rest of Jay's family. Fortunately, they caught on pretty quickly to the fact that she is, in fact, made of awesome.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The four of us hit the three stores I'd looked at for wedding gowns. I'm not sure how torturous the trying-on was, but I think the fact that I'm not a "okay, now put the other one back on" type of person might have improved things.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>We found three dresses that we all really liked. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeOb8uj3AJCIB7qPzxZAmXnuUWnzLgmHTdIh_pmJC7xpvWdY7PCRpFMKHVhU3t_HKQ30A4WoUEtMpJeHILEo3uSUl9MOo-z6prPr_oIHI4YWzdhRDD1jUfYzJwXN87WgU4lua3FeY9uY/s200/dressfair+001.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501496458615606914" /><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztrl69mSHPgZgGPF_KBnJnRwPOXXGSQswo1HpBU5V903lXofei-4WKS2U-AjN5AUfQmfEpMMNyxPrLPFRqe-_TFLFDi2_gChLYQdG8wzpNYPaIkqyrE7C7u1RgOrWlt1_aIyTyfAwHfI/s200/dressfair+003.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501496467257959394" /><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx5fQgvix6B-nnZU3YlYXCKqMeKeECOyk1l2cfYqxZK8aCMABxCqlQ19EqOqColanOc081GAMNkq_jQv_7ljDVdygkhQ25MmOqZJCLM6hVpqhyphenhyphenuZPWupjudE7yE2lxjy8nFcr-hbyCwk/s200/dressfair+005.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501496472582355170" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>We also found a bunch that were just plain pretty.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPUrNGSezo1IKl7Ycj_AllVhtaOnfQZYXlaAg-UcsmMADj6CnbHO692q2T4BUpQMKD_00LBe01t2fWPWOL-ItRvGy-4P95n3QJVSaiTZjSYni_hkbPPmAZxuSjt65PloTbSHoZnLaSNc/s200/dressfair+006.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501498021869609842" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>And some...</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnPc0ncXa5Vi0eftJZHJWaVSBgaRORZtzH-qWDa7OL0YyCLiI19f7ZCO0Lq4J2Qjjy-2RoqnZsw8sUvv4Gnwhb3m-WmFWIj5sox0Hlm-fkP26Frp4Oiv-7aslSz3Uo81XHAtCDWbsIt4/s200/dressfair+009.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501498030165668178" />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-45067978378424093482010-07-30T11:46:00.001-04:002010-08-04T07:15:48.292-04:00The PRAXIS and Great Date FourI've taken a bit of a break from blogging (or doing anyhting productive, for that matter) because I'm just so thrilled that the PRAXIS is over. The test itself went a lot better than my test-anxiety-ridden mind thought it would be. I finished both sections with time to spare; I felt confident about my work.<br /><div><div> </div><div>The best part of taking the PRAXIS, though, was how well Jay took care of me while I freaked out. I had tried to make Friday (our "Pre"-nniversary, as he called it) about him. So, I surprised him with dinner at Mike's Place in Kent.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499733380313715890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhAikj2ptUR7kYTAmS0UaDh3c6TWTxxdssyphOO8lYL0Z3eSmNIgLIKp2zcdMmYdrIQR6QzIW5oRKOpg4Et65Wpw_PF_Oa33ED82EtWdeN1x8nGqizQymjIal64us9gxVZU55u1RpzLA/s200/m0243469.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>It has a model <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Xwing">X-Wing</a> in front of it. </div><br /><br /><div>But Saturday morning, Jay had a surprise for me: he learned how to make coffee. This was a spur of the moment thing because he couldn't sleep, but still, I was touched. Jay doesn't drink coffee, so he never saw the need to learn how to make it. He knew how much I rely on coffee to jump-start my brain (I really am my parents' daughter), and that morning, I <em>really </em>needed it. It meant so much to me that when he shook me awake, he did so with promises of pre-made coffee.</div><br /><br /><div>And my first cup of Jay-brewed coffee was deliciously strong. </div><br /><br /><div>After the test, I took Jay to the Akron Zoo for Great Date Four.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499731156180754898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Gq1bccmN3RJ99j_vJ_HhxfN43CWhTwJzJ8latzhUmvCJ5eF7LOjkfcfglF-xu0lrdJD9-2CFfwrOxDo4GtUEadqNUscdThCAIl8Q7hxsqFoGts4jUkkOciAf3HfTrnabPf4HHCw-9-o/s200/m0243466.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>It was so hot and humid that after about an hour, we retreated into the gift shop to have our discussion about resolving conflict. This chapter has been the most helpful yet--we try very hard to communicate about our disagreements, but this chapter identified two ways we could improve. Already our fights are taking less time to resolve.</div><br /><br /><div>All in all, a fabululous "just the two of us" weekend with my hubby-t0-be.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499731153528805298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7KuHr3BbUPp8V1aLQzpTXwRWps8RqLMhH2Tqs-rTgnACl4MqBYH6qByfOcIOGDB6FY1mFNWfxMcUXZaOYZv2hVTzLnoZ1udCfh5r_zKwsd-8EAhWbjMecpXZVCVpn0eQxDWP2kRkRus/s200/m0243467.jpg" border="0" /></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-22476852727085210012010-07-23T14:30:00.000-04:002010-07-24T17:58:03.568-04:00365 DaysIt's official. We're getting married in one year.<br /><br />Jay and I will be gone for the weekend celebrating (and taking the PRAXIS. Well, I will be). When we get back, let the madness begin!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-27566120990260146032010-07-21T15:00:00.000-04:002010-07-22T00:51:30.425-04:00"I've got a list of the women I've slept with..."<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4vlL6MOo2tvE9by2uGVgwpkpHkuAfJs7WU02b4p8__Hct17Ldyp-YYSjdK-saMO9qXouiylKn76Ul8NaXQK552KpaQ44WJ5UHf8upqrVp6r633dhvmTbtv6H9olv990FkkG_gZMrm3c/s320/MyMarriageLicense.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 274px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496167706938156146" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>(from <i>How I Met Your Mother</i> 03:14, "The Bracket"<div><br /></div><div>So, around New Year's, I started saving spare change in a counting jar. My first goal was cash for the marriage license.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi843f9HhNg2xIeUZMDrWIIpBaLzdGjYZ0qfRKFV4z8jg2EEx205aDiRUv9A1RBTmEDVQ_2xq3qtKa5Dnnrq03a0h-sTc_dJLqBaGNWqC-gLagD0OoCTJlT9TEocZG_MWtUJEc-gMTnzhE/s200/My+Marriage+License+002.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 147px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496170054680600962" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We did it! (It's $50 for just the license)</div><div><br /></div><div>And see how much room is left! By the time we actually <i>need </i>to buy the license, maybe we can buy...something else...</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg290FJXCoZGnqzrO8ao2GPYk3Ak7OqKB5Sb4cBQaxtni89sZyi5aFXFKcJEWJWvXjoipnASWjzchdkLO9rXUaEO6mHgvTP8ySriKPiATmtzZ3NP-jUl-USb5iBLbVXo-R6W_sD_GGMvPg/s200/My+Marriage+License+004.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496170065301097330" /><div><br /></div><div>Step 2: Acquire new savings goal.</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-2461405878404442652010-07-20T21:13:00.000-04:002010-07-22T00:51:19.726-04:00Great Dates Two and Three<div style="text-align: left;">I've been reluctant to write about my last two "great dates" with Jay because our neuroses have been butting heads again. So, even though we had a great time on each, afterward, one of us would get set off and a huge fight would ensue. Like I've said, Bipolar II dating OCD is hard.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, bottom line, I've had a great time on each of these dates. Plus, we've had some really great conversations on them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So, two Saturdays ago, I surprised Jay with a trip to Pittsburgh to "appreciate our differences." We were headed to the <a href="http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/">Carnegie Art and Natural History Museum</a>s because, as I like to joke,</div><div><br /></div><div>"Political differences? No problem! Religious differences? We'll deal! But art opinions...holy hell..."</div><div><br /></div><div>I was excited to see two of Van Gogh's works, as well as Monet's <i>Water Lilies</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ioViF_p6-zR5v4OxsSWl24QCeySPl7DXfx-jGqrXW2h7yzFxzTFhWOqYfgPOg-PCkNojRaZIjoe9Wr8CGBtbZ16lmMUkBituNdQOAHfAb-J3NbKFv5lJqsdUKuPRSqosXOIpKBMoSRk/s200/Date+Two+02.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496165865661335522" /></div><div><br /></div><div>My camera died while we we're looking at Jay's favorites. I swear, I did not plan this!</div><div><br /></div><div>We got batteries at the gift shop, then headed over to see something we always agree on:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>DINOSAURS!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwWHFUr7bVi9d3at02rFg5pB5MDhJfLi2-VEGsMepNLeMr1IgRsmSUk4cEFVZlynd8AU4KJDd7OmhUuOhymQ9d9HFnMszm7RE_VjsbLsEFRzkH16JYd3KGsQJS7I10W4q0a7GqMqH9s0/s200/Date+Two+14.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496165860764512354" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay was in charge of our next date, "Communicating and Connecting." He decided to go a little more laid back and took me to the West Fork Road House. We got to draw on the table with crayons! Also, they have 32 oz draft beers.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, proof of our differences:</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB_mTAXNPnnYjBYkr5WfR0KjayU3E9Yl-G8fBkesM-fmM0zJNf7km82ZZ3rmIVqsd7SJqu6hBb9kGTqdUdRgCjpGJtorjHpGEWYRhX6TUcrqgzqv3uXvyU6maewvVI7i8y2X00WCsTaM/s200/GreatDateThree+001.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 45px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496165856216142610" />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438692388122083999.post-11349919191631168602010-07-05T00:18:00.000-04:002010-07-22T00:51:08.583-04:00Om nom nom nom<div style="text-align: left;">We've started cake tasting.</div><div><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcfx5-7oJ8GtjccLt51uliAS3lMIfl0QsssFsZUuDZZjZJ4HsiVIQpV5Hy5-hsDLjJdP5xtr7iHhFBj2XatjVIzVekXUMWI7HM9cDMO6NGY3-avSQ9Nqzw-mH22t8weaWrfbSuE34G0M/s200/Random+005.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490274382194539154" /></div><div>It's not going well...</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGYZgYJYIaBtbIJetAGA1Cf_8dLBwlW9XCiHZMTyVXwe-29-mBSQZprnOWRjbmfZ12Kmvp6PAeeM5ekgEdbAuRMdAdRP6e2Jyizs_Zb80jASUTFVDp5RuLzgQVW7-NWJOqpWwrr1nHZ4/s200/Random+006.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490274385856664850" /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02012011826973515956noreply@blogger.com0