Friday, July 31, 2009
No Bridezillas Here
Matron of honor and my sister Kim, me!, very good friend Deanna (who bought her dress about an hour before the ceremony!), friend from college who married my brother so now she's my sister in law-Kristin.The theme of our wedding was "simple." If you read my post from last week, you saw that I bought my dress on eBay for 30.00 and so on. . .
For my bridesmaids, I let them pick out their own black dress (so they REALLY COULD wear them again). My sister, Kim, was my matron of honor, and she actually wore a deep purple dress with yellow flowers on it. We were married on October 30, 2004, and had a fall theme, so her dress actually matched.
The flower girls were 4 of my nieces, 3 from the same family. Because I knew that my sister-in-law would be buying matching dresses for their Christmas card just weeks after my wedding, I asked her if she could find something that would work for my wedding as well. I may be able to dig up a picture later, but for now, just know that the little girls wore black velvet dresses and were adorable. Now that I think of it, I can't think of ever seeing a wedding wear the flower girls wore black. NO, we're not GOTH. :)
For my bridesmaids, I let them pick out their own black dress (so they REALLY COULD wear them again). My sister, Kim, was my matron of honor, and she actually wore a deep purple dress with yellow flowers on it. We were married on October 30, 2004, and had a fall theme, so her dress actually matched.
The flower girls were 4 of my nieces, 3 from the same family. Because I knew that my sister-in-law would be buying matching dresses for their Christmas card just weeks after my wedding, I asked her if she could find something that would work for my wedding as well. I may be able to dig up a picture later, but for now, just know that the little girls wore black velvet dresses and were adorable. Now that I think of it, I can't think of ever seeing a wedding wear the flower girls wore black. NO, we're not GOTH. :)
I made all of the bouquets and boutonnieres myself. I couldn't afford to buy the craft book from Hobby Lobby, so I stood in the aisle and read it for about 20 minutes, then bought my supplies and got to craftin'. My in-laws bought me a bouquet of white roses the morning of our wedding, and they were beautiful. I would have been fine with my homemade silk bouquet, but their gesture really touched me.
For our "re-do" I had a bouquet of fall flowers. My one bridesmaid was my aunt Nellie, and I let her pick out her own outfit. During our premarital counseling, our pastor really emphasized how, though the wedding ceremony should be special, all the hooplah was not a requirement. Since we couldn't afford hooplah, I very much agreed with what he said. I still feel that way, though. Some of the shows on TV now, with huge budget weddings and so much SO MUCH just seem to overlook the real point of the day. And, as for bridezillas....don't even get me started on those gals!
For our "re-do" I had a bouquet of fall flowers. My one bridesmaid was my aunt Nellie, and I let her pick out her own outfit. During our premarital counseling, our pastor really emphasized how, though the wedding ceremony should be special, all the hooplah was not a requirement. Since we couldn't afford hooplah, I very much agreed with what he said. I still feel that way, though. Some of the shows on TV now, with huge budget weddings and so much SO MUCH just seem to overlook the real point of the day. And, as for bridezillas....don't even get me started on those gals!
P.S. Our music was meaningful to us, but I won't mention it all here. Instead I will say, I wish I had the guts, creativity and talent to do this. . .
Monday, July 27, 2009
Personal space, proxemics, and post traumatic library experiences
I can use big words like "proxemics" because of my recent educational endeavors (it's a big word kind of day) into the communications field. Which (and I apologize for this) I didn't even really consider a field prior to choosing this major. I just knew it didn't require a statistics class (except NOW IT DOES) or business law or some other class where the books cost over 100 bucks each and the syllabus can be used to replace the "PM" in Tylenol PM.
What? Was I telling a really long story? Oh, yes...I was.
So, in a couple of different classes we have discussed "proxemics" (distance between people) in relation to nonverbal skills, comfort level and a bunch of other boring stuff. We even did experiments in "expectation violations" which really just amounted to us going out in groups and making people uncomfortable by standing too close to them and other "violations." Did I mention that this is a great major?
ANYWAY. . . TODAY I am at the library working on some homework before an appointment for class (because home = sleep). I am at a table in the general public and some guy comes and sits down at my table, plugging in his laptop as well. That's ok, it's a free country and it's a bit busy in here today. But instead of sitting diagonally from me, he sits directly across from me. Whatever, the tables are several feet wide, so it's not like we are up in each other's 'bid-ness. But now I am so disturbed by the PROXEMICS of him, of that peripheral eye contact thing, that I couldn't work any longer (lucky you).
And before you start mumbling things like "paranoid" and "big whoopdeedoo" let me tell you something. This library is a nice library. BUT, once upon a time, before I had my own lap top, I was using the public computers. And the young man next to me was using his computer in an entirely different and, some might say inappropriate, way. Talk about an expectation violation. It was so unexpected that at first I didn't catch on to what was going on. Nothing on his screen gave an obvious indication to the self expectancy-violation that was occurring next to me.
What would you have done in this situation? Turn and speak directly to him, in a loud and non-library voice, saying "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING??" and "STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!" in your best old-lady voice, inform the male librarian several times and point out the many children running about, leave the library and call the police on the way out the door? If you chose all of the above, then we agree.
So, when the guy sat across from me today (he's gone now, I must have scared him off with my mumbling and twitching), I couldn't help but take you on this long, awkward flash back with me.
You're welcome.
What? Was I telling a really long story? Oh, yes...I was.
So, in a couple of different classes we have discussed "proxemics" (distance between people) in relation to nonverbal skills, comfort level and a bunch of other boring stuff. We even did experiments in "expectation violations" which really just amounted to us going out in groups and making people uncomfortable by standing too close to them and other "violations." Did I mention that this is a great major?
ANYWAY. . . TODAY I am at the library working on some homework before an appointment for class (because home = sleep). I am at a table in the general public and some guy comes and sits down at my table, plugging in his laptop as well. That's ok, it's a free country and it's a bit busy in here today. But instead of sitting diagonally from me, he sits directly across from me. Whatever, the tables are several feet wide, so it's not like we are up in each other's 'bid-ness. But now I am so disturbed by the PROXEMICS of him, of that peripheral eye contact thing, that I couldn't work any longer (lucky you).
And before you start mumbling things like "paranoid" and "big whoopdeedoo" let me tell you something. This library is a nice library. BUT, once upon a time, before I had my own lap top, I was using the public computers. And the young man next to me was using his computer in an entirely different and, some might say inappropriate, way. Talk about an expectation violation. It was so unexpected that at first I didn't catch on to what was going on. Nothing on his screen gave an obvious indication to the self expectancy-violation that was occurring next to me.
What would you have done in this situation? Turn and speak directly to him, in a loud and non-library voice, saying "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING??" and "STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!" in your best old-lady voice, inform the male librarian several times and point out the many children running about, leave the library and call the police on the way out the door? If you chose all of the above, then we agree.
So, when the guy sat across from me today (he's gone now, I must have scared him off with my mumbling and twitching), I couldn't help but take you on this long, awkward flash back with me.
You're welcome.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Two weddings and a health scare
The sunglasses were given to me as a joke from my father-in-law. Little did he know that I would actually wear them. They have appeared in various photos throughout the years. I love bloggy listy picturey type posts. I think it's a really fun and easy way to see new blogs and learn things about people I've never met. It relieves my inner-nosey-neighbor urge without any awkward moments. Kelly's Korner is a blog I've enjoyed for many months now, and every Friday she has a new topic. I think this is my first time to participate, not just check out everyone else. And since I've been on a blog-fast (or lazy drought), I knew this would be an easy way to stretch my legs.
This Friday's topic is our wedding dresses. When it came time to find my dress, I wasn't sure what would happen. I knew that something super froofy and lacy would not work for me. I also knew I couldn't afford to spend too much. Believe it or not, my dress was $30 on eBay and was so new that it still had the tags on it. No joke!
On their way to my wedding (in the next state), my dad went into the hospital. Literally on the way. My parents stopped at a gas station about 30 minutes from their home because he was in so much pain, and he went by ambulance to the hospital. We weren't sure if we were going to postpone the wedding or not, and it was a stressful several hours while my mom waited to hear what was going on with him and while we waited to hear if she wanted us to come home or not. We finally got the word that, though he was very sick and in a lot of pain, it was not life-threatening. We went ahead with our simple ceremony, my brother lit the unity candle with my mother-in-law, my uncle gave me away (with my dad speaking on the speaker phone of someones cell phone), and we were relieved that everything was OK on the health issue.
The one problem that remained was a photographer. My mom is a photographer and was going to do the pictures for our wedding (as she had for several of my siblings). We were unable to find someone at the last minute and so made do with friends and family using their own cameras. Frankly, at this point, with stress and lack of sleep and excitement and relief and worry and all of that, I was on autopilot. So, while we have pictures and video of the actual day, I was always a little sad that my parents had missed out on my day and that I didn't have any professional pictures of it. Fast forward to our first anniversary. We decided to renew our vows on my parents' front porch. I had always joked with my dad when he built that house that I would just get married on the front porch. We strung some lights, ordered some flowers, pulled the dress out and repeated the ceremony.
And one of the most meaningful parts? We got to have pictures. We were married and renewed at the end of October, and in my hometown there is a park FULL of amazing trees, blazing with color.
A couple of weeks after the renewal ceremony, my husband showed up unexpectedly at my work. He had taken four of our photos and had them printed and framed. Real wedding pictures!
Oh...how long did this little story get? SORRY! haha...without further delay. . .
This Friday's topic is our wedding dresses. When it came time to find my dress, I wasn't sure what would happen. I knew that something super froofy and lacy would not work for me. I also knew I couldn't afford to spend too much. Believe it or not, my dress was $30 on eBay and was so new that it still had the tags on it. No joke!
On their way to my wedding (in the next state), my dad went into the hospital. Literally on the way. My parents stopped at a gas station about 30 minutes from their home because he was in so much pain, and he went by ambulance to the hospital. We weren't sure if we were going to postpone the wedding or not, and it was a stressful several hours while my mom waited to hear what was going on with him and while we waited to hear if she wanted us to come home or not. We finally got the word that, though he was very sick and in a lot of pain, it was not life-threatening. We went ahead with our simple ceremony, my brother lit the unity candle with my mother-in-law, my uncle gave me away (with my dad speaking on the speaker phone of someones cell phone), and we were relieved that everything was OK on the health issue.
The one problem that remained was a photographer. My mom is a photographer and was going to do the pictures for our wedding (as she had for several of my siblings). We were unable to find someone at the last minute and so made do with friends and family using their own cameras. Frankly, at this point, with stress and lack of sleep and excitement and relief and worry and all of that, I was on autopilot. So, while we have pictures and video of the actual day, I was always a little sad that my parents had missed out on my day and that I didn't have any professional pictures of it. Fast forward to our first anniversary. We decided to renew our vows on my parents' front porch. I had always joked with my dad when he built that house that I would just get married on the front porch. We strung some lights, ordered some flowers, pulled the dress out and repeated the ceremony.
And one of the most meaningful parts? We got to have pictures. We were married and renewed at the end of October, and in my hometown there is a park FULL of amazing trees, blazing with color.
A couple of weeks after the renewal ceremony, my husband showed up unexpectedly at my work. He had taken four of our photos and had them printed and framed. Real wedding pictures!
Oh...how long did this little story get? SORRY! haha...without further delay. . .
I can't remember exactly what was going on, some kind of stocking malfunction, I think. One of my favorite pictures though.
This is my favorite picture. It's actually a class project I did in photoshop. The pic started out in color etc. . . but rest assured, it is not too terribly altered because I really do NOT understand photoshop. :)Monday, July 13, 2009
Three things you didn't know
***Blog Hopping!
First.
My sister is one of my favorite people in the world. (She is one of MANY, no favorite playing here, no sir!). She is not on my top list just because of her beauty, she doesn't realize she's beautiful! She's not on my list just because she's smart and super driven and hard-working. Or because she can out-procrastinate me. Or can communicate entire volumes to me with just one word and a raised eyebrow. Well, actually it IS JUST BECAUSE of all those things, with the following added bonus:
Nobody cracks us up as much as we do!
Second: Baptists CAN dance. Just not me. Though, that's no secret.
Man, I love that kid! She cracks me up and makes me want to take my job as her Aunt SO SERIOUSLY. I consider it one of my greatest honors to talk to her about Jesus all the live-long day. Plus, girl can DANCE.
And Third:
Finally. . . after a 8-year long "semester off," I will be graduating college!!! In 42 weeks!!! Sure, you may say "But 42 weeks is longer than it takes to grow a baby!
Why are you telling us NOW?"
I tell you NOW because I am excited NOW. I can see the tunnel. And I'm working hard to get to the tunnel so that I can see the light at the END of the tunnel, you know? And it's been HARD. And INCONVENIENT. And of course, if I could go back in time, I'd have napped less, studied more and maybe even, you know, GONE TO CLASS the first time around. But I didn't. So this is the opportunity God has allowed me to complete that task. And I am SO grateful. And who knew being AWAKE could make such a difference??
Why are you telling us NOW?"
I tell you NOW because I am excited NOW. I can see the tunnel. And I'm working hard to get to the tunnel so that I can see the light at the END of the tunnel, you know? And it's been HARD. And INCONVENIENT. And of course, if I could go back in time, I'd have napped less, studied more and maybe even, you know, GONE TO CLASS the first time around. But I didn't. So this is the opportunity God has allowed me to complete that task. And I am SO grateful. And who knew being AWAKE could make such a difference??
That's it. Three things. All of them are a huge part of my life and heart.
Glad I could share them with YOU.
Glad I could share them with YOU.
P.S. I think this last picture will go on my graduation announcements.
How proud will our Mama be??
How proud will our Mama be??
***
Monday, July 6, 2009
Favorite Pics
First time attempt to join a link party...over at Kelly's Korner, or actually EVERYWHERE with this new fancy link-a-majig...I'm sure I didn't do it just the right way, but I'll work the kinks out and you enjoy the pictures.
We're doing a blog hop of our favorite pictures. I have 14 nieces an nephews, plus 2 on the way...but for TODAY (and today only) this is my favorite picture. Lane Michael is 6 1/2 months old, red hair, blue eyes, squishy cheeks, and all around great guy. Come find me in another 18-20 years and we'll see about some arranged marriage plans.
**update** it turns out I can't post this until midnight. So I decided to kill time and wait to actually post it (b/c I don't even KNOW if it's possible to delay a linky post), and then I was overwhelmed by a wave of aunt guilt. So, following Lane are some pics of his cousins. I think I got them all (minus the two who are "in hiding"). He's the star (this time) so I won't do all the names. . . because who has that kind of time? But, look and see, I have been BLESSED to share some wonderful children with my siblings and my husband's siblings. I'm doubly blessed because I can sugar them up and send them home. Yes I did say that out loud!
***Replace this line with your content. This week, on TUESDAY, 7/7/09, the theme is A FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPH. Post up one of your favorite photographs and a caption that tells the audience about it. Here is a sample: http://mcklinky.blogspot.com/2009/07/mcklinky-photo-blog-on-tuesday-sample.html Do not change any part of this snippet of code except for this paragraph only.... replace the text that falls between (and includes) the opening and closing asterisks. Be sure to enter your own link to your own blog hop post as soon as the blog hop starts!***
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