More planning updates.
Okay, first I have to explain the ring situation. When we got married we couldn't afford bands and might not have exchanged rings. My parents offered us their original bands until we could afford to buy our own. Things were so ugly with them that we charged bands when a local jeweler had a buy one get one free sale. Since that time, we have replaced my original engagement ring and Howard's wedding band. I had a wrap around my diamond and then a baguette band that I now wear on my right hand, so we've never replaced that original sweet band with anything else (I actually wear it now on my right hand behind another ring to keep it on and I sometimes wear Howard's original band as a thumb ring.
). Sooo, in 1991 we saw a gorgeous diamond ring that Howard wanted to buy me. By the time he went home to get a credit line checkbook to pay for it and had made his way back to the mall where I was waiting, I'd come to my senses and said there was no way we should spend the money on that extravagant diamond ring. Instead within months we bought our first home.
11 years later, Howard worked with our favorite jeweler and re-created that ring we'd seen in 1991 and that is what I wear now. Because it was custom created, there is no band that fits it.
Whew! That was a lot of background.
So, on Saturday, Howard and I met with the jewelers who designed and executed that diamond ring that he gave me for our 18th anniversary. We all talked a lot about what I want (very simple band with a few diamonds, perhaps in a vertical channel setting) and they are going to work up some design ideas. I am so excited about being involved up to a point and then leaving it to Howard to finalize and for me to see it for the first time on January 12!
I think we have decided to rent an owner's locker, too. I could take down a lot of our stuff when I go down in May for the Minnie 15k and then maybe take more when we go down in June for our PS/cruise or whenever I get down there for hair & makeup trial.
Heard from Randy that he got all our paperwork. His emails are so endearing.
Heard from Veronica at Beaute Speciale about appointments for me and for Jenn on event day.
So, stuff that is done:
1. Initial meeting with jewelers
2. Paperwork to Randy and acknowledgment of receipt
3. Appointments set with Ana/Veronica
Yesterday we made all our flight & hotel reservations for the few days we'll be in WDW before our 4 day
Disney cruise. Now that I have that all finalized, I want to see if Joe can tentatively pencil us in somewhere for a planning session on 6/26 in the afternoon. I know that is really early compared to our event date, but we might not get down there again together later. I also want to contact Carolyn Allen's to make an appt for that day for DH and DS to get fitted for tuxes. Howard wants to wear the tux he owns, but I'm just not sure it will go with my gown if I end up wearing ivory or champagne or candlelight color. I'll ask their advice.
Knowing I want to take some stuff down in May will probably motivate me to do some of the welcome bag stuff early, including the wine stoppers and the pens/tags.
You are going to LOVE being part of the excitement race day, even if you don't love every minute of the training. You both need to download some awesome music and use mp3 players when you train. 
Sorry I don't remember what else I might have said. Nothing too profound, I'm sure. SO you didn't miss anything! 
We still haven't figured out if we need the studio and the 2BR Monday night, but I figure it is better to make the ressie and decide later. SOOO glad there is no uncertainty now about accommodations for DMIL and DSIL.
