Check out the new blog:
http://ablilland.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-really-dont-know-how-she-does-it.html
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2011/09/25
New Life, New Blog
Mood: excited
So I'm married! Pics will appear soon on the new blog!
Which you can check out here.....
http://ablilland.blogspot.com/2011/09/hello-my-name-is.html
Please read. Follow. Subscribe. And share!
So I'm married! Pics will appear soon on the new blog!
Which you can check out here.....
http://ablilland.blogspot.com/2011/09/hello-my-name-is.html
Please read. Follow. Subscribe. And share!
2011/09/09
The Perfection of Imperfection
Mood: it's Friday, Friday...
As you are aware, I am getting married. The wedding is now 8 days away. Right now I'm sitting next to the fiance...talking about how insane this all is...and thinking about all the stuff that needs to be finished in 8 days. Well....7 really. Okay....6 to be perfectly honest. Day 7 is head to the venue and set everything up day.
Since I am currently without a job, I've been doing wedding work during the day. As Jeff usually keeps me company while I'm doing work...it gets kinda lonely when it's just me. So while he and I text I turn on the tv. And I find Bridezillas to be the most motivating wedding show to watch while I'm doing fun and crafty things for the wedding. Though, to be fair, My Big Redneck Wedding is a close second.
Watching the show makes me proud of how very unBridezilla-ish I am. And have been. This morning Jeff was telling me that when he went and purchased my wedding gift the people in the store asked if I was freaking out yet. I'm not. Which he told them.
People keep asking me the same thing. I'm aware that marriage is a HUGE commitment. I understand completely that this is a life changing event and that I will, from September 17th onward, be a wife and (step)mother and always have a companion to stay true to and love and honor and respect. I get it. And I couldn't be more excited.
The thing that makes me so calm and happy and not freaked out...I know this is right. There is not a single atom of me that says "don't do this." I have to admit that I've always had an obsession with weddings. I have been watching Bridezillas since it first premiered (anybody else remember the old beginning with an actual song and human as the bride?). Mom and Caitlyn and I would cram together and watch it...in Mom's bed...in Caitlyn's bed...in the living room. And we would all look at each other and murmur about how that was going to be me. I'm a drama queen. I like attention. And I used to be obsessed with having the perfect wedding.
It's just...it's not me as an actual bride-to-be because I'm just not stressed. Am I a little worried about details? Of course. But they'll get done because I genuinely am having so much fun adding these personal touches to our wedding day. Am I worried about a music malfunction or the wrong color roses? Maybe a little. But overall...there is nothing about this day that will be imperfect...in it's own imperfectly perfect way anyway. Yeah...read that sentence again. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Jeff and I have no pretenses that this is THE be all and end all of days and that it must go PERFECTLY.
The nicest thing we've done...and that I keep reminding myself of every day that I do wedding planning...is to keep this as low-key and simple as possible. The centerpieces are not the focus. The bouquets are not the focus. Hell, even myself and the dress are not the focus. Instead, we want people to walk away from this wedding knowing how deeply we love each other, having had a fun and relaxing day, and knowing that they just witnessed something awesome...true love.
And nothing can ruin the feelings that we have...and the emotions that will be running high on that day.
Even the rain that is now being threatened....that's good luck anyway, right?
Ps.....I'll be starting a new blog once married....follow it here: www.ablilland.blogspot.com
As you are aware, I am getting married. The wedding is now 8 days away. Right now I'm sitting next to the fiance...talking about how insane this all is...and thinking about all the stuff that needs to be finished in 8 days. Well....7 really. Okay....6 to be perfectly honest. Day 7 is head to the venue and set everything up day.
Since I am currently without a job, I've been doing wedding work during the day. As Jeff usually keeps me company while I'm doing work...it gets kinda lonely when it's just me. So while he and I text I turn on the tv. And I find Bridezillas to be the most motivating wedding show to watch while I'm doing fun and crafty things for the wedding. Though, to be fair, My Big Redneck Wedding is a close second.
Watching the show makes me proud of how very unBridezilla-ish I am. And have been. This morning Jeff was telling me that when he went and purchased my wedding gift the people in the store asked if I was freaking out yet. I'm not. Which he told them.
People keep asking me the same thing. I'm aware that marriage is a HUGE commitment. I understand completely that this is a life changing event and that I will, from September 17th onward, be a wife and (step)mother and always have a companion to stay true to and love and honor and respect. I get it. And I couldn't be more excited.
The thing that makes me so calm and happy and not freaked out...I know this is right. There is not a single atom of me that says "don't do this." I have to admit that I've always had an obsession with weddings. I have been watching Bridezillas since it first premiered (anybody else remember the old beginning with an actual song and human as the bride?). Mom and Caitlyn and I would cram together and watch it...in Mom's bed...in Caitlyn's bed...in the living room. And we would all look at each other and murmur about how that was going to be me. I'm a drama queen. I like attention. And I used to be obsessed with having the perfect wedding.
It's just...it's not me as an actual bride-to-be because I'm just not stressed. Am I a little worried about details? Of course. But they'll get done because I genuinely am having so much fun adding these personal touches to our wedding day. Am I worried about a music malfunction or the wrong color roses? Maybe a little. But overall...there is nothing about this day that will be imperfect...in it's own imperfectly perfect way anyway. Yeah...read that sentence again. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Jeff and I have no pretenses that this is THE be all and end all of days and that it must go PERFECTLY.
The nicest thing we've done...and that I keep reminding myself of every day that I do wedding planning...is to keep this as low-key and simple as possible. The centerpieces are not the focus. The bouquets are not the focus. Hell, even myself and the dress are not the focus. Instead, we want people to walk away from this wedding knowing how deeply we love each other, having had a fun and relaxing day, and knowing that they just witnessed something awesome...true love.
And nothing can ruin the feelings that we have...and the emotions that will be running high on that day.
Even the rain that is now being threatened....that's good luck anyway, right?
Ps.....I'll be starting a new blog once married....follow it here: www.ablilland.blogspot.com
2011/09/07
Super Sparkle
Mood: sparkly, happy, excited
The wedding is now 10 days away. I just got off the phone with the maid of honor/sister and just when I think I can't get more excited about this wedding....I get more excited. I spent the morning working on more crafty little personal touches for the reception decor. One of the things that I absolutely hated about planning this wedding was searching for a guest book. Jeff and I couldn't find one we liked that we wanted to spend $50 or more dollars on. Even the cheapest ones are near $20 and they just have lines for people to sign names. Since our wedding is not huge,and is small and intimate, we wanted to keep this very "us" and very personal. So we decided to make one. Using a $10 artist sketchbook and $5 in lettered stickers and some stones I had laying around already....I've crafted this:
Though the iphone picutres aren't the best...I'm in love with how sparkly it is. I've done some candles that have the same feel...and now will be running out for another $4 box of rhinestones.
I have to say....while it feels totally weird to be unemployed, and it's more than a little scary...I'm loving the time that I have to actually be able to put these personal touches on our wedding. I was really afraid that I'd have all these awesome ideas and no time to pull them off. In terms of crafting I tend to start a million epic projects and finish maybe 2. For the wedding thus far...it's been so much fun doing all of this that none of it has felt like work. It's been....playing. For the vast majority Jeff has been sitting next to me or doing other things for the wedding while I'm crafting. This morning? Bridezillas was my companion....while Jeff worked and we texted.
What all this rambling leads to is the better thing I did for myself today: I realized that I am not only capable of finishing things...but that it feels great to see something through to the end. Granted, I'm not done with wedding preparations at all...but I may actually be a little sad when I am since it's been such an awesome experience.
The best thing about the wedding being in 10 days....even though I'll be finished planning a wedding....I'll be just beginning my life as Mrs. Lilland.
10 days and counting....
The wedding is now 10 days away. I just got off the phone with the maid of honor/sister and just when I think I can't get more excited about this wedding....I get more excited. I spent the morning working on more crafty little personal touches for the reception decor. One of the things that I absolutely hated about planning this wedding was searching for a guest book. Jeff and I couldn't find one we liked that we wanted to spend $50 or more dollars on. Even the cheapest ones are near $20 and they just have lines for people to sign names. Since our wedding is not huge,and is small and intimate, we wanted to keep this very "us" and very personal. So we decided to make one. Using a $10 artist sketchbook and $5 in lettered stickers and some stones I had laying around already....I've crafted this:
Though the iphone picutres aren't the best...I'm in love with how sparkly it is. I've done some candles that have the same feel...and now will be running out for another $4 box of rhinestones.
I have to say....while it feels totally weird to be unemployed, and it's more than a little scary...I'm loving the time that I have to actually be able to put these personal touches on our wedding. I was really afraid that I'd have all these awesome ideas and no time to pull them off. In terms of crafting I tend to start a million epic projects and finish maybe 2. For the wedding thus far...it's been so much fun doing all of this that none of it has felt like work. It's been....playing. For the vast majority Jeff has been sitting next to me or doing other things for the wedding while I'm crafting. This morning? Bridezillas was my companion....while Jeff worked and we texted.
What all this rambling leads to is the better thing I did for myself today: I realized that I am not only capable of finishing things...but that it feels great to see something through to the end. Granted, I'm not done with wedding preparations at all...but I may actually be a little sad when I am since it's been such an awesome experience.
The best thing about the wedding being in 10 days....even though I'll be finished planning a wedding....I'll be just beginning my life as Mrs. Lilland.
10 days and counting....
2011/09/04
Happy Anniversary....(Mom and Dad)
Mood: ...awkward pause....
So here's what I've learned during the engagement process. People love a bride. They love a groom. They love seeing a couple in love. People love a wedding and offering advice and congratulations.
And they will ask when the wedding is, sometimes they will ask where the wedding is, and 95% of the time....how long the bride and groom have been together. Thusly I have learned the following: people have no idea whatsoever how to react when they hear the bride and groom will be getting married six months to the day from first setting eyes on each other.
The inevitable response that follows is "well (awkward pause) I guess when you know, you know." It's true. And it would be cooler without the awkward pause...but I can't say that I hate the response. And I can't hold it against people. In a world of extended adolescence and subsequently stunted maturity...it's not unusual to hear of the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 year relationship that started in or around college and just...never ended. Do those end in marriage? Some do. Some don't.
I'm not saying that's wrong. But either is getting married in a short period of time. My parents made it from first date to altar in 5 months. Is their marriage perfect? Far from it. But today, 13 days before Jeff and I commit to a life together my parents are celebrating 28 years of marriage. I admire that. And I hope that Jeff and I will celebrate 28 years....well....28 years from now.
There is certainly more that I've learned from the engagement process. I've loved every (okay...almost every) second of it. And I can't wait to be a bride...but mostly...I can't wait to be officially married and be Jeff's wife. It's completely surreal at this moment that this IS all happening...but I couldn't be happier.
So here's what I've learned during the engagement process. People love a bride. They love a groom. They love seeing a couple in love. People love a wedding and offering advice and congratulations.
And they will ask when the wedding is, sometimes they will ask where the wedding is, and 95% of the time....how long the bride and groom have been together. Thusly I have learned the following: people have no idea whatsoever how to react when they hear the bride and groom will be getting married six months to the day from first setting eyes on each other.
The inevitable response that follows is "well (awkward pause) I guess when you know, you know." It's true. And it would be cooler without the awkward pause...but I can't say that I hate the response. And I can't hold it against people. In a world of extended adolescence and subsequently stunted maturity...it's not unusual to hear of the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 year relationship that started in or around college and just...never ended. Do those end in marriage? Some do. Some don't.
I'm not saying that's wrong. But either is getting married in a short period of time. My parents made it from first date to altar in 5 months. Is their marriage perfect? Far from it. But today, 13 days before Jeff and I commit to a life together my parents are celebrating 28 years of marriage. I admire that. And I hope that Jeff and I will celebrate 28 years....well....28 years from now.
There is certainly more that I've learned from the engagement process. I've loved every (okay...almost every) second of it. And I can't wait to be a bride...but mostly...I can't wait to be officially married and be Jeff's wife. It's completely surreal at this moment that this IS all happening...but I couldn't be happier.
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