A Sneak Peek....
So, my mom sent me some photos from her camera. Really, I'm posting these because Amy keeps telling her husband, "Kelley hasn't posted photos yet."

Amy.
Here are some photos.

Clearly I still need to work on my posture. You would think with all the foundation garments I was wearing that would help. Apparently, not so much.

Here are some details about the photos:
Jake--my camp friend and officiant. We were his first wedding. I made him hold my bouquet. He then said, "Always an officiant, never a bride."



Us, in the garden, taking photos. No, the Big Guy isn't crying. Just rubbing his eyes.



Me and the BFF, Julie, sitting on the couch in the Visitors Center of the Arboretum. Really, by this point, I was done. D...O...N...E, done.




More to come!

It's on Facebook, So It's Official!
As the Big Guy and I were driving home on Sunday he said, "We can now change our facebook status from 'engaged' to 'married'."

Yes, it's true.
We got married over the weekend.
And it was perfect. The weather was great. Everyone looked lovely. We couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

I thought it would be more fun to detail the day in a blog post with photos, so we'll have to wait until we get them (should be this week!). Until then, here is the only photo I have on my camera of my bouquet. It was made with hydrangeas, purple roses, and herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage (we were married in an herb garden!). How creative, huh? And yes. There is a story behind the pink ribbon.

I know. I got married and photos are on every camera BUT mine. How did I let THAT happen?

And here is a photo of the cake my sister in law made for us. This will be the death of me.

(Work people...this is coming into the office on Tuesday).

One More Sleep...

Tomorrow is the day.

I'm getting married.

Next week I'll have lots to share with you I'm sure. I've been asked 5674 times if I'm excited, looking forward to it being done and if I need any help with anything. Why is it that we feel those are the only questions we can ask a bride or groom? *sigh*

I leave for the airport in exactly 1 hour to meet my dad....who I haven't seen since 1999. Should be interesting and yes, a story for another day.

With that....I'll leave you with a view of my dress (yet to be pressed, by the way). It's tea-length and the green sash matches the maid of honor dress.

Photos to come next week!

(Deep breaths.....)

My New Favorite Song....
One of my favorite shows is Army Wives. This week, the show focused around a USO show coming to the base featuring Five for Fighting as well as Wynona Judd. Five for Fighting sang a song that I promptly downloaded and have been listening to on repeat for 2 days.

The song is called Slice. You can download it from iTunes for 99 cents!

Click the youtube video and check it out. I think you'll like it too.

Stream of Consciousness (#3)....
Here is what has been on my mind the last week.

*We had a slight melt down on Wednesday night. Now, you would think I have children when I talk about a "melt down." Nope. The melt-downer? Me. Yep. Me. The melt down was over my wedding dress. My mom and I talked before she came out to MN about the silk overlay and how it would be attached. She said, "Do you want it sewn into the seams?" I said "yes" thinking the seams going around my waist and at the hem. Nope. It was in every, single, seam. My dress looked like a quilt.

My mom is fixing the dress.
I'm working on asking clarifying questions. Which, you'd think I'd be good at considering that I work for an online university and never see my students face to face.

*Speaking of outfits, my mom got hers for the wedding. Cool huh? It's a fun jacket and wide leg trouser pants!

*Last week I gave my mom a treat: I paid my hair stylist, Tricia, to give my mom hair highlights. This is the first time ever that she has had highlights in her 60 years. She looks pretty sassy don't you think?

*For those who were picked for the Pay it Forward Challenge, I promise you I haven't forgotten about you. Promise. I have your fun items, but due to lack of time to get to the post office, I have yet to mail them. I hope to get them out next week. Cross my heart, pinky swear.

I blame this on getting married.

*Did you know I get married next Saturday.

*I'd do some deep breathing exercises to get over the panic of marriage but I'm still battling a cold, which is now just my sinuses. Since it's been 2 weeks, I visited the doctor. I have been told, "Sudafed around the clock, lots of fluids." She also feels I might have the start of an ear infection, and has antibiotics on hold at the pharmacy should I need it. I blame it on the spring weather.

*Speaking of weather....10 day forecast says 82 and sun for the wedding. I'll believe it when I see it as it has been gray, cloudy and raining for a week and a half.

*Silent Auction for the 3-day is shaping up nicely! More to come but mark your calendars for June 14th!

*And 5 years ago today, the Big Guy and I had our first date. *sigh*

I'm off to take some sudafed, drink a big glass of water and hope that this crap takes a hike before next Saturday.

Cuddles....
Look who made an appearance at my shower this weekend.





I mean, he's just so darn handsome!

Tracy, Please Send Photos....
I had a very traditional bridal shower this weekend with most of my aunts, future-mother-in-law, one cousin who is getting married and had never been to a shower, friends and my mom in attendance.
My mom took photos.

I love my mom.
But this is what was usable.

The cake
(which I've eaten at least 8 pieces in 2 days)
(OK, it was 4)

Me sitting pretty and waiting for the party games to start
(my mother-in-law won the "guess how old Kelley was in this photo" game)
(she beat the pants off my aunts)
(my aunts were there when most of the photos were taken)
(my aunts also know my birthday)
(except my Auntie Karen who thought I was born in 1969)
(I was not born in the 60's, thankyouverymuch)


Me holding up the cool shower curtain that Amy got me
(thanks Amy!)


That's it.
That's all that came out.

Tracy, you took photos. Please send photos, stat!

Anyone Got a Paper Sack?
Today I had a mini-panic attack.

I logged into The Knot to look over the check list. At the bottom of the website there is a "dashboard" with quick links to various Knot things.

On that dashboard is a countdown clock to your wedding date.

As of today, there are 17 days until our wedding.

Seventeen days, people!

I started to have concerns like, "Maybe I should have moved my maiden name into my middle name" and "Even though the Big Guy's last name has the same initial as my maiden name, why does it feel odd to sign his last name?" along with "What are we going to do if it rains? Are there enough umbrellas?" to "What if I don't like my dress that my mom made me."

Is it too late to elope?

I Bet This Isn't in a Boy Scout Manual.....
You know the Boy Scout's motto: Be Prepared?

Well, this weekend, that was never more true! I was working on a project for my camp friend, Andre'. He's one of the directors for Camp Lincoln, and he specifically works with the Leadership Training (LT) program.

At camp, one of the traditions for the LT's is when you finish your LT program, you get a canoe paddle personalized with your name, camp years, and a quote specifically picked out for you. Andre' has asked me to make these paddles over the last few years and I enjoy doing them.

But we ran into a small snag this weekend.

I traced the letters for the word Tradition & the 100th year anniversary logo.

But nothing prepared me for this on the other side....

A logo for the canoe paddle company.
Right where the camper's personal quote was to go.

How did I miss this?
How did I not see this?

While Andre' was at the Kentucky Derby (yes, he went to Kentucky for the Derby), I sent him a text. A little back and forth of ideas he suggested turpentine to take it off.

I don't have any turpentine. But what did I have?

Nail polish remover.
That stuff stripped that logo right off.

Granted, I went through about 30 cotton balls and paper towels....

But we are free and clear!