Kristen & Doug's Wedding: 5.5.12 - TR Day 3 (Updated 6.14)

[yourgypsy]

More of a life-y update than a wedding-y update, but I do have some wedding-y bits I can toss in

-The invites are going out tomorrow morning! We pretty much know who's coming already, since it's such a small wedding. There are a few people we aren't sure of - Doug's aunt and uncle (who've been nice enough to offer their house/yard for our at-home reception) and a friend of his from CA. This makes me laugh, in that sort of 'it's a small world' sort of way, so therefore, I'll share it. One of my best friends, Amelia, lives in an apartment complex in the east bay of the bay area of CA. We've been friends for... seven years? Eight? Anyways. A friend of his that he met online through Starcraft years and years ago, they finally met in person when Doug and I went out to CA back in 2010. Tim and Amelia lived in the same apartment complex at the time. How funny is that? Just thought I'd share that. Even though Tim, his gf, and their daughter have since moved, it greatly amused me. (if anyone didn't already realize this, I tend to be really easily amused )

-Doug's Star Trek cufflinks and LOTR lapel pin are on their way. I'm still working on a way to incorporate my love of things Tudor-esque. Maybe with my hair? Since I have no clue what I'm doing with that still.

-Tomorrow we're heading up to Maine for my belated birthday weekend. It's a much needed time away from here, and I am SO looking forward to that hot tub. Like, if I could apparate myself there RIGHT NOW, I would.

-Waiting to hear back from our planner. I should be able to ship down our aisle runner ahead of time, right? My mom is already wicked stressing about the plane ride down (it's her first plane ride ever), and, really, one less thing for me to worry about on the plane would be fabulous.

 

[MrsDuck]

Woohoo for sending the invites out tomorrrow!

Oooh, I love the idea of doing a Tudor inspired hair style! That would be GORGEOUS! Time to rewatch the Tudors series..

Aww! I hope you have a blast in Maine!

Hope all is well, girl!

 

[MrsDrewsky]

Happy belated birthday! Enjoy your trip to Maine!

I can't wait to see all the personal touches incorporated into your wedding. That's awesome you're right on budget. You're getting so close!

On a side note, I tried to send you a message on facebook. I was wondering how long it took from the time you sent your contract in to receive your AP vouchers?

 

[yourgypsy]

Woohoo for sending the invites out tomorrrow!

Oooh, I love the idea of doing a Tudor inspired hair style! That would be GORGEOUS! Time to rewatch the Tudors series..

Aww! I hope you have a blast in Maine!

Hope all is well, girl!

Thanks! I'm super excited. It's a life goal to make it all the states one day, so it's one more off the list.

I'm sure Doug would be thrilled by that! Thankfully there's enough Tudor/Natalie Dormer love on Tumblr, so I should HOPEFULLY find something on there. *crosses fingers and toes*

Happy belated birthday! Enjoy your trip to Maine!

I can't wait to see all the personal touches incorporated into your wedding. That's awesome you're right on budget. You're getting so close!

On a side note, I tried to send you a message on facebook. I was wondering how long it took from the time you sent your contract in to receive your AP vouchers?

Thanks!

Hmm. I think I may have it set up that you have to be already friended to message me? I don't remember. (Feel free to friend request me, if you'd like. ) I want to say maybe a month or so? Month and a half? I even just came across the note Pam had sent, but she didn't date it. Oh, wait! It has the date on the back! We sent the contract back in August, and they have a September date on the back. I love when my brain works properly!

 

[MrsDrewsky]

Thanks for letting me know. I also got your message on facebook. I am terrible with the facebook, I have only had it for a couple of months, so I assumed I didn't send it properly.

I want to see your hair ideas

 

[yourgypsy]

And we're back from Maine! And we're 89 days away from the wedding! There's no smiley that accurately does my mix of happy/flail-y!

Before we left, I had emailed our planner to see what our current balance was, just to get a general idea. And not counting the added flowers to my bouquet, we're $7588. Only $88 over the minimum expenditure! Woohoo! I am SO proud of myself on that one!

Let's see. I had spoken to Disney for my parents the other day (my mom got flustered while giving them the flight info for the Magical Express, and handed me the phone ), and long story short, the CM rebooked them at the CB using my uncle's military discount and added the dining plan, so they're paying the same amount as they were before, but staying there instead of PC. But at least they won't be right next door to us. Whew! And I set up a character breakfast for them at Chef Mickey's, so my mom is now telling like everyone she knows that she has a breakfast date with Mickey. (She's wanted to meet Mickey since she was five years old, so... it's cute. For all that we don't always get along, I really am excited that they're finally getting to Disney World)

I didn't see any moose in Maine. I guess it's not the right season. But I get to eat at Cracker Barrel, and that made me happy, because I love their biscuits. (It was Doug's first visit to one, and he was quite happy with it, too)

In depressing news, it's very likely, unless the new primary care doctor can come up with some sort of miracle next month, that I'll be stuck in a wheelchair for most of the Disney trip. After about 40 minutes of walking around, I could barely stand.

Let's see... the invitations went out on Friday morning!

Oh! An addendum to the to-do list!

-Make Doug's groom ears! Using a bit of Lurkyloo's tutorial, we'll ideally put some ears on a plain black baseball cap AND add the tuxedo part of the current groom earhat to the front of the cap. Did that make sense? I think I'm getting a cold, so the brain's not functioning at peak capacity at the moment!

 

[MrsDuck]

89 days?! So exciting!!

$88 over the minimum is AMAZING!! Awesome job!!

Glad things worked out with your mom and that she's pumped for her breakfast date!

Too bad about the Moose. I love moose-- they are so cute! And, Cracker Barrel is amazing! I used to work there as a hostess (it sucked) and got to eat the food all the time.. delicious!

I'm so sorry to hear about the wheelchair! You will still have a wonderful time (and heyyy- you get to skip the lines!! Silver lining, girlie!)

Woohoo for the invites out and I can't wait to see Doug's ears!

 

[MrsDrewsky]

Can't wait to see the groom's ears

That's awesome you're only $88 over the minimum.

Ugh, I hate that you have to look into a wheel chair. I'm so sorry Kristen, but I promise it will be just as magical. It will definitely help you enjoy your trip Have you looked into any of the outside companies for an ECV? We're doing some research as a safety net for our trip in May.

 

[yourgypsy]

89 days?! So exciting!!

$88 over the minimum is AMAZING!! Awesome job!!

Glad things worked out with your mom and that she's pumped for her breakfast date!

Too bad about the Moose. I love moose-- they are so cute! And, Cracker Barrel is amazing! I used to work there as a hostess (it sucked) and got to eat the food all the time.. delicious!

I'm so sorry to hear about the wheelchair! You will still have a wonderful time (and heyyy- you get to skip the lines!! Silver lining, girlie!)

Woohoo for the invites out and I can't wait to see Doug's ears!

I take comfort that what we're getting down there price-wise is what one of my best friends paid for her wedding at a place in CA a few years back. And I feel like we're getting a whole lot more for our money. Plus, Disney.

It's probably good that I JUST learned that there's a CB less than an hour away from us in RI. Else all those biscuits...

We had to get a wheelchair for two of the days on the trip last year. Of course the benefits are nice. And hey, less pain is always good. I just hate being invisible and having people walk into me all the time. I had a grown man nearly fall into my lap because it's too much effort to actually pay attention to where you're going. I guess I was just hoping I'd be more "normal" health-wise for this trip.

I so hope the ears come out good! I think I'm going to have Doug do most of the work; I'm too nervous that I'm gonna make a mess!

 

[yourgypsy]

Can't wait to see the groom's ears

That's awesome you're only $88 over the minimum.

Ugh, I hate that you have to look into a wheel chair. I'm so sorry Kristen, but I promise it will be just as magical. It will definitely help you enjoy your trip Have you looked into any of the outside companies for an ECV? We're doing some research as a safety net for our trip in May.

I've thought about it, but I remember back on the last trip, how much everyone glares and complains about the ECVs on the buses, how much longer it takes to get going and what not. I fear that would put the anxiety through the roof. (And this is where Kristen starts mentally lamenting how she wishes she could just be normal for a change. Blargh!) I'm sorry. I generally try to remain upbeat and optimistic, but today's just not being a good day mentally and it's invading everything.

Okay, let's think happier thoughts. Food! Yummy restaurants! Sparkly objects! Books! Dancing bananas!

 

[tric8783]

88 days!! EEEEEE!!!
Can you believe it!! We had to submit our 20k minimum yesterday... ahhh!
You are amazing for being only $88 over budget!! Maybe I need your help... lol We're a couple thousand over! I've got 2 more months to figure it out!

Yay your invites went out! We're still working on ours since my mom forgot about the invoice-- oooopsy! lol

I totally agree the wheelchair will make it easier for you and you'll get to skip the lines- even though it's not ideal, think of all the perks!!!

 

[yourgypsy]

88 days!! EEEEEE!!!
Can you believe it!! We had to submit our 20k minimum yesterday... ahhh!
You are amazing for being only $88 over budget!! Maybe I need your help... lol We're a couple thousand over! I've got 2 more months to figure it out!

Yay your invites went out! We're still working on ours since my mom forgot about the invoice-- oooopsy! lol

I totally agree the wheelchair will make it easier for you and you'll get to skip the lines- even though it's not ideal, think of all the perks!!!

It's starting to freak me out that we're in February already! Like in that, "Wait, wasn't it just like a month ago that I first called and was waiting to find out if we were even going to GET the location?!"

I think a lot of it comes from knowing that what I've got in my bank account is all that I've got unless some sort of magic money tree starts growing in the backyard! Plus I've always been rather frugal. And we so desperately want to move out, so any extra money that can be put towards that... (is there a smiley that has its' fingers and toes crossed?

I do love the perks, but the strange men winding up nearly in my lap! I have visions of someone walking and tripping over me and spilling their drink all over whatever cute top I have on. (I blame my worrying nature on the Portuguese side of my family history )

 

[tinydancr06]

Just finished reading through your pj and I have to say that everything looks great! The invites are beyond adorable and I LOVE that you're making your wedding a celebration of the 2 of you. I totally agree with that thinking of what a wedding should be. The unique touches of you will make the whole day that much more special

 

[MrsDrewsky]

I've thought about it, but I remember back on the last trip, how much everyone glares and complains about the ECVs on the buses, how much longer it takes to get going and what not. I fear that would put the anxiety through the roof. (And this is where Kristen starts mentally lamenting how she wishes she could just be normal for a change. Blargh!) I'm sorry. I generally try to remain upbeat and optimistic, but today's just not being a good day mentally and it's invading everything.

Okay, let's think happier thoughts. Food! Yummy restaurants! Sparkly objects! Books! Dancing bananas!

I hadn't even thought about that, definitely not worth the headache

Yes, happy thoughts

 

[yourgypsy]

We got our first RSVP card back!

And it was a no.

Which I knew it was going to be anyways, but it was a family member, and ya know... *shrug*

I am impressed at how quickly the post office got that to and back, though.

 

[yourgypsy]

Just finished reading through your pj and I have to say that everything looks great! The invites are beyond adorable and I LOVE that you're making your wedding a celebration of the 2 of you. I totally agree with that thinking of what a wedding should be. The unique touches of you will make the whole day that much more special

I don't know how I missed this earlier. Thank you so much!

 

[tric8783]

We got our first RSVP card back!

And it was a no.

Which I knew it was going to be anyways, but it was a family member, and ya know... *shrug*

I am impressed at how quickly the post office got that to and back, though.

yay for your first reply!! that is so speedy!! booo that it was a no, but hey, that leaves more funds for the people you want there even though you're only $88 over budget!! haha so jealous all around!

 

[yourgypsy]

yay for your first reply!! that is so speedy!! booo that it was a no, but hey, that leaves more funds for the people you want there even though you're only $88 over budget!! haha so jealous all around!

LOL Yeah, I was able to send the first of the "round two" invites out on Friday. I'm hoping that Bonnie can come out. She was my "second mom" when I was out in CA, and it'd be really nice for her to meet Doug and my family. That and I haven't seen her in FOREVER.

Medical update - still no MRI because the health insurance hasn't approved it yet. I've never been on an HMO insurance before, and I'm really not impressed. I do have a referral for a neuropsychiatrist (sp?) about my forgetfulness and loss of words midsentence and what not. (Which really freaks me out. I've always had a good brain, and to not have that? That's just not an option!) But the good news is that I don't have another doctor's appointment until March 23rd as of right now! Woohoo! (Little victories, I tell ya )

Not much new in the wedding department. I really need to get Kenzie's measurements to Doug's mom to get her FG dress made. I've just been lacking motivation to do anything lately! Someone put some dynamite under me or something!

Oh! I bought new shoes! I realized that being in heeled sandals for an extended amount of time is gonna be killer on my feet, so while we were at the mall on Friday, I decided to look at Payless and totally lucked out.

They didn't have them my size, but I learned that size 7/7.5 in women's is equivalent to a size 5 in girl's, so I even saved $4. And they're sparkly!

So, yay, some sort of accomplishment. Though now that I'm thinking about it, nearly everything that I bought originally for the wedding, I've replaced. Oops!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Excellent!

 

[yourgypsy]

I probably should warn you guys - this one could get long!

In typical Kristen fashion. I'll start out with the not-so-positive, so as to end with happier things.

-I'm not sure if I've mentioned it on here, but Doug's mom is insisting on staying off-property. She finally decided on a location (since they're no longer bringing the incontinent cat, they don't have to worry about finding one of the timeshare places that allow pets. And yes, you read that right). So of course this means we have to figure out how we're getting them to and from the wedding. Added to this, she has MS and lupus, and usually uses a wheelchair in public. I asked her last night about this, and got a rather roundabout answer. (Which is...normal ) But her idea now is that on the Friday (which I plan on spending at the parks with my parents since it's the only day that I get to since they're leaving on Sunday) is that she'll bring the electric wheelchair to OUR hotel room at CB, so that she can go by there after the wedding (oh yeah, she expects one of us to give her the key) so that she can go get it. I explain the whole park ticket/hotel key thing. And then she starts talking about one of the cats. (They have 13.)

I should be happy that this is my only main stress-inducer about the entire wedding, right?

I'm just going to have to email her and explain that time is going to be super tight that day. After the cake ceremony, we're going to take some extra pics at the Boardwalk, then we have to hurry our butts back to change, then head over to Epcot. She's not exactly known for being time efficient.

Tentative schedule:

Wedding and cake cutting - done by 1:30. Pics with Randy - done by 2:30. Hurry back to CB to change (here's where those years of dancing school and show choir will pay off ) Dinner at Le Cellier at 4:30.

-I'm really struggling at, well, life these days. While the headaches are somewhat at bay with the medication, the being stuck at home with my parents mostly in one room (they smoke and with it being winter, I can't breathe, so I'm stuck in the den with the door closed all day) is really taking a toll on my sanity. I'm very depressed and it's getting harder and harder each day to just keep going. The stress of living here, of the missing period, of my health, of the lack of money, of the feeling so useless is really getting to me, and I just don't know... I just don't know. It hasn't been this bad in years.

-Spent about two hours of the wee morning wide awake making notes on my phone only to realize that one of the things was already taken care of! Doh! I need to email Karen about transportation for Doug's family, since at least we know where they're staying know. Little victories, right?

-The dress is here! All hail Deena! I don't have a full length mirror here to take a picture of myself, but I'll be at Vicky's house this weekend (The ringbearer's 5th birthday is this weekend! He's five and he's nearly up to my shoulder already!), so I'll bring the dress and have her take pictures for me. It very much brightened my day yesterday. I definitely need to get it hemmed, since I can't pull off heels!

-Doug's cufflinks came in. He's quite pleased with them

Still waiting on the LOTR pin. And I still have no idea what I'm doing with my hair. BUT my friend Amelia did send me her tiara that she wore at her wedding (it'll be my something borrowed), so I do have that.

The 'bride' and 'maid of honor' rhinestone iron-ons are FINALLY on the way from the etsy seller. I sent the payment in on January 26th. I still need to buy the garter; hopefully that process will go better. In non-Etsy related purchases, I printed out a 50% off one item at Michael's coupon, so hopefully I can find a sand ceremony thingie there this weekend. Then I think I might be done buying stuff? Maybe? I can't remember things very well these days. I should go back and reference my original to-do list on here.

I feel like there was something else? *sigh* If anyone finds my brain, if you could mail it back to me, I'll make you cheesecake, okay?