Less than Two Months Out...

Folks, we are entering extreme countdown mode.  I have 60 days until the wedding a TON of things to get done!  Take a look:

• address invites
• punch holes in invites
• mail invites--will be mailed this morning!!!!!!
• cake topper
• music
• do/do not play list
• ceremony music
• card box
• flowers
• alter dresses
• bridesmaid dress for Kerry's wedding
• my wedding dress
• centerpiece "plates"
• jars
• favors
• order supplies
• construct
• hair trial--scheduled for July 28
• makeup trial--scheduled for July 28
• set appointments for wedding
• engagement pictures--scheduled for July 28
• guestbook
• supplies
• frame
• signs
• Krippendorf
• guestbook
• other
• Krippendorf layout
• parent gifts
• bridesmaid gifts
• ring pillow
• jeweler
• bathroom basket
• finalize cake design

Are you feeling as stressed as I am?  I also have to clean the house this week because Kerry arrives on Friday in order to throw me a shower on Sunday.  I'm so excited. Also, since invitations are going out as soon as I finish this post, I feel a huge weight off my shoulders.  Some items on the list are actually being completed by other people and I just have to cross them off the list when the time comes.  That is a great feeling.  :)

In order to keep me accountable, my goals for the week include cleaning the house, working on the ring pillow, and gathering supplies for the guestbook and bathroom basket.  Engagement pictures, trials, and setting appointments will be tops on the list for next week.  

Finally, as you'll recall from previous crazy posts, I need to figure out what I'm doing for flowers.  I saw a picture in a magazine and I really like it.  I'm hoping that I can recreate that bouquet, maybe throw in a daisy or two and be done with the flower insanity.  

Anybody up for a night of wedding planning?

--Melanie

Date Night

Brad and I went out for dinner on Wednesday.  He took me to a new pizza place in Cincinnati before we went to church.  He had a meeting and I had a date with addressing envelopes.  I wasn't exactly dressed for a date night, but we went and enjoyed our adult beverages. We people-watched and ate delicious arancini and pizza.

Proof of my date with envelopes.  I still have a few reply card envelopes to address and then the fun task of addressing the invites. I do maintain, however, that starting with return addresses was a very nice way to ease into the task.

Also, please take a look at this beauty.  It is black India ink on white paper, but I like Instagram.  This wonderful creation was completed by one of the students I worked with.  

For those of you who are curious, I updated the Budget page.  Feel free to comment me if you have any questions or if there's something else you want to know/see.  Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to continue my House Season 4 and envelope addressing marathon.

--Melanie

The Weekend

 This weekend we headed to Atlanta, GA for a stateside wedding celebration for Brad's cousin.  This picture was taken as we drove through TN, I think.

We stopped by Chris and Shelli's house after checking in at the hotel.  Brad was put to work setting up some tables and tents.  I got to scope out some of the details inside.   Shelli had done a fantastic job with all the details.  Pictured above is their cake topper that traveled to Italy with them.

 Brad and I went to dinner at a place called The Local Republic.  He had some grouper and I had a burger.  Sounds about right.  :)  We also enjoyed some delicious adult beverages and a cheese tray.

After all, we are nothing but classy.

 Down the street from where we had dinner was a tea store.  Aristeacrats.  Brad sampled and bought some tea to bring home.  

I'm not sure when it will end, but I'm bordering on obsession with these striped paper straws.  I want them with me at all times.

Eight-hour drives in the hot, hot heat make for tired and grumpy people who are so happy when they are home.

We had so much fun and I want to thank Chris and Shelli and congratulate them again.  We are so happy for you both and loved being down there.  Can we do this again soon?

--Melanie

P.S. There was a photo booth and as soon as I see pictures, I'll let you see some pictures.  Deal?

Busy Bees

I know I owe you guys pictures of Kerry's shower and I will get to those early next week, I think, along with pictures from the weekend we're about to have.  You see, last weekend I was in Pittsburgh for Kerry's shower and Brad and I head to Atlanta tomorrow for an awesome post-wedding/post-birthday bash.  I don't get to unpack my suitcase for very long and that is why I am a slacker.  So, next week we'll have pics of both awesome events, maybe my office redo, too.  Anyhoo, I'm sorry.  I have been noticing this summer-slacker trend among other bloggers, so hang in there.

--Melanie

Recap

This summer has started off crazy-busy! I don't even know when that happened (or why!), but I feel crazy and pulled in a million directions. Last night, I crawled into bed at 11:30 and told Brad I missed him. It feels like we're on different schedules lately and I don't like that at all. I'm hoping June is crazy and then it calms down, but with 88 (!!) days to go, I doubt we'll calm down before Christmas. Here's a quick recap of what I've been doing lately:

Mom had a cookout for Memorial Day and we made sure these lovely ladies got some swimming time.

School ended and this guy took me to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate.

We went to this beautiful wedding for Brad's cousin.

He proposed in the pictured canoe.  :) Lots of sweet touches and details for their day.

Barn reception.  I swooned.

She is so gorgeous.

Oreo truffle.

First dance.

Vows.

One of Brad's uncles made hangers for the above wedding and made me one, too!

On a recent dinner/movie night, Brad ate baby octopus.  Gross.

I had dinner for my dad and grandma.  I bought these blooming branches and alstromeria from Kroger.

It's an old picture, but this is my grandma and me.

Mom and I took these ladies to see butterflies.

Brad got our City Passes in the mail.

I made a father's day card complete with dinosaurs.

I also painted some flower pots. More on those later.

Told you I was busy.  There's so much on the to-do list and more is added every morning at 4 AM.  Soon I need to schedule engagement pics, throw Kerry's shower, go to Atlanta for a reception, finalize some details and start construction on others.  If you see me and I look crazy, just feed me chocolate and remind me that we have a dress and an officiant.  We are good to get married.  :)

--Melanie

Crazy

Guys, this week has been crazy and fun. Hang in there and I'll update either later tonight or tomorrow.

Promise.

One Hundred Seven

107.  That's how many days there are until I get to marry Brad and I'm a little bit freaking out.

I second-guess every decision and obsess over details.  I'm afraid to let go of things and cross them off the list.  I don't know why.  It could be that I just want this day to be magical and wonderful, when I know it will be flawed and still beautiful.

It could be that I have a touch of cold feet. Please don't get me wrong--I want to marry Brad and make beautiful dark-haired babies and sit with him when we're 80.  I wonder, though, how I know he's The One.  What sets him apart?  It's enough to cause a slight freak-out in anyone.  Talking with Kerry helps and she's been wonderful.   Since we're both getting married, she's right with me on all my freak-outs and we support each other through them.  (I have lots of supportive people around me and don't want to discount them.  You know who you are and I love you.)

I guess I'm finally starting to feel like a grown up.  I'm getting married.  We've talked about babies and mortgages.  I'm 26 years old and I wonder if I'm ready to grow up.  I think I'll be OK as long as Brad and I grow together and embrace the adventure we're officially starting in September.

--Melanie