Settling In

Wayne and I have been married one month as of today! So far, so good! As Fay, a church friend, jokingly said, "Oh, you're still in the stage where you like each other." Haha, thankfully, yes. And hopefully, we'll continue to do so!

Wayne went back to work last week, with yesterday being the first day of school. And what have I been doing? Well.......... I have been unpacking and organizing our house—supposedly. From the LOOKS of things, it doesn't seem like I've gotten anywhere, and I guess given that I've had over a week, the prognosis would seem fairly accurate. But see, it's not just a matter of putting things away, but ORGANIZING and evaluating the stuff we already have and figuring out where best to place and store all of my stuff plus our new stuff. And often, a bigger mess must be made before everything is tidied up. That's where I am right now. In the middle of a BIG mess!

Cleaning, though, has been entertaining, as I often come across things that are unexpected and make me laugh... Like when Angela came over to help me clear the kitchen last week, and from the depths of one of the lower kitchen cupboards, she fished out a GIANT bowl of pennies! (???) And just now, I counted 21 cans of chicken broth while organizing the pantry! What did a bachelor who doesn't cook need 21 cans of chicken broth for? I also found a half-eaten bag of Costco trailmix that had a sell-by date of November 2005! (ew. toss!)

And so this is how I've been spending my days. Oh, that, and searching for bedding online. I really liked this comforter duvet from Haven by Hotel Collection, but it retails for $270!!! yikes. Yesterday, I found it on ebay (brand new) and got it for $49 including shipping! Yay, for ebay! I hope the duvet works out (I only briefly looked at it in the store).

Today, my goal is to finish the pantry and dresser.

our disheveled house

Thank You All for Coming!

It's Today!!!

YAY!!!!!! :)

I KNOW cognitively that I'm getting married today, but I'm still so strangely calm. Except for the first couple of days when I first moved back home and was faced with the enormity of work we still had to do for the wedding, things have been (surprisingly) pretty much stress-free! Even on Thursday, production day, when we made and put EVERYTHING together, the mood was light, energetic, and cheery! ... and now it's here! I am so thankful for today and the many blessings that have led up to this day! I can't wait to see all of you! And for you to enjoy all the details that went into planning this event! I hope you all have fun (and that I remember it! I hear from so many brides that the day is such a whirlwind that it becomes a blur).

See ya'll soon!

BYOB

Breathing Yucky Onion Breath?
Baking Yummy Olive Bread?
Bathing Your Outer Body?

Bring Your Own Beer?! YES!

We will have a bathtub full of ice with sodas and beers for all of our guests, but feel free to contribute to the community stash. It's going to be a nice, warm evening, so the more drinks, the merrier!

Oh! And if you know others who are going to the wedding, please feel free to spread the news!

Always saw at Costco, never thought I'd ever purchase...

Yee-Haw!

For all you twinkletoes, here's a simple line dance for you to learn! We'll be dancing this one for sure during the reception!

What Did I Sign Myself Up For?

Four days until the wedding... and there is still MUCH to do! Last night, I had a slight internal panic attack as my sister reviewed with me how much ingredients we'll need for the cupcakes and brownies that I so wanted to make (and thought I had so much time to make!) for the wedding. Just cocoa alone, I will need about 35 cups, and sugar, more than 30 pounds!!! Really... why did I do this to myself?

Thank goodness there's Costco...

I guess I'm getting my wish about opening my own bakery!

Directions to Boaventura Winery

Just a quick reminder: the directions to BoaVentura are listed on the right-hand frame, linking you to directions on google maps ==>

If you've got a keen sense of direction, here's the short on how to get there:

1. Get to Livermore on I-580.
2. Exit Vasco Road and go SOUTH until it ends at Tesla Road.
3. Go EAST (left) on Tesla Road.
4. You're getting REALLY close when you encounter a fork in the road (Cross Rd)...stay to the RIGHT on Tesla Road.
5. The address is 9309 Tesla Road, and there will be a sign that says, "BoaVentura Winery". Don't be detered by the "closed" sign underneath; go ahead and drive through the open gate.
6. If you reach Reuss Road, you've gone too far.

Please be there promptly! You may not be able to drive into the parking lot once the ceremony begins, so be there or be square!

Buon Giorno Principessa!

The scene in "Life is Beautiful" where Guido (main character) finds an unattended intercom mic in the concentration camp and broadcasts a message to his wife, who has been separated from him and their son, to reassure her of their safety and remind her that he loves and thinks of her constantly, is my favorite part of the movie. "Buon giorno Principessa!" (good day, Princess) is his special greeting to her, and each time I watch this scene, it still moves me to tears.

After watching this movie with a group of friends our freshman year, I gushed and raved about it all the way home, especially my favorite scene! That night, Wayne decided to surprise me the next morning with a note that read "Buon giorno Principessa" that he would surreptitiously slip under my door while I was sleeping. From his building, he could see my window and he waited until my light went out. One o'clock, my light was still on. Two o'clock, still on... three o'clock, STILL on! He finally decided to go to bed and wake up at 5am to groggily dropped off his note before returning to sleep for the rest of the morning.

Poor Wayne had no idea that while he was on his dutiful watch, I was actually sleeping soundly in bed—after forgetting to turn the lights off! Still, I was pleasantly surprised by the little note I received in the morning, and was even more touched by his effort, considering, as many of you might know, he is NOT a morning person!

Wayne says that each time he hears the song, "Buon Giorno Principessa", he thinks of me... and his sleepless night! And so we thought it would be fitting to choose this song as the song I walk to down the aisle... :)

much better!

The right equipment is essential (youtube instructionals are helpful as well)! I could also use a star tip... but I kind of like the cow pie look!