Fat Man's Squeeze

Good quick trip to Colorado for a bit of skiing over the holiday weekend

I had a bit of a disappointment this morning. Other than "I hope that it will be corrected in the coming months", that's all I am going to say about that.

I was also reminded today about my negativity in last night's blog...and thought I would elaborate a bit. I think I was just a bit scared by the twinge of wanting a child - it's a defense for me if I keep reiterating how much I do not want one, cannot have one, etc, etc. If I say it enough and say it passionately enough, I can still keep convincing myself.

Otherwise, life is grand. We have wonderful plans for this week and I cannot wait to get to enjoy them.

I bought a china cabinet yesterday. Thank goodness I found one - it was getting a bit old storing our china in the boxes on the dining room table. I've been needing more storage for all of my serving pieces for years, but could never convince myself to buy one until I was married and had china.

My dining room table doesn't match, but I need to buy a new one anyway. I do love this one but I was unable to get one with a leaf in it at the time, so we will quickly outgrow this one in the coming years. (That doesn't mean I want children - instead, I mean that I want family to visit us on the holidays for a proper meal at some point.) The china cabinet is dark walnut (goes much better with all of my dark walnut everything else than the current light cherry one), so now I have to decide if I want to get the matching table or if I want to just get another walnut table & chairs. They didn't have the matching table at the store we went to, so I had to look at it online today. It's ok. I think there are some at Crate and Barrel that I like better.

I feel sort of shallow for blogging about this. There are so many more in depth thoughts constantly racing through my mind, but it's hard to allow others into my most private thoughts. So much is controversial, too. I've never been one to back down from my beliefs, but at the same time this was intended to be a light-hearted blog about a wedding...not a dissertation on how I would run the world if allowed.

In reference to the sentence above, I have actually had some motherly feelings arise in me in the last couple of weeks. But, I'm still far too selfish for children. I'm even selfish in my motherly feelings - they are arising because of a need for a subject for me to photograph. I am wanting to get a nice digital SLR, but Ben keeps discouraging it because he doesn't think I will use it. Hence the motherly feelings. If you have children, you always have a subject to photograph...and unfortunately, the cat does not make a good replacement.

*But* you also have to go through that whole pregnancy thing which seems downright miserable - and oh, yeah, the ruin of your stomach, thighs, breasts...well, you get the picture....to deal with. And no sleep or time for yourself, constant crying, screaming, dirtiness, expense, zero freedom, etc, etc.

Yes, I am very selfish. Maybe someday I will change. It's going to take a lot more than the desire to take photographs, though.

Random...

Has anyone else noticed on the Sonic commercials with the two guys talking in the car that they are wearing seatbelts as part of their costume? Let me explain - the "seatbelt" is just glued to their shirts...it's not actually a seatbelt - it just continues over their shoulder and down their back. So when they bend forward, sideways, etc, it moves with them. Ben pointed this out to me...and I just saw it for the first time tonight. Weird. Doesn't seem like making it real would hinder their movements.

Do you guys see the same people driving home everyday? We live in a fairly large city - there are between 300k and 400k people here I think - and I think it's funny that I see the same people driving in to work and back home again fairly often. Oh yes, I see you "3GR8KIDS" and "DODD2". Lady with the white sentra that has the nasty exhaust stains on her bumper, oh yeah I pass you too - I always think that you need to clean your car. I read the "BUSHIT" and "You can find dirt under every bush" on a couple of cars regularly. There is this one smallish SUV that has a tiny sticker on the back supporting a candidate and I always try to read it, but alas it was not a smart marketing expense - I have excellent vision and cannot figure out what the name is or what they're (were?) running for. There's jacky, a guy that I went to college with - I pass him in the mornings, usually. Sometimes, I wave - it threw him for a loop when I got my new car.

Oh, speaking of vision, did I ever put on here the troubles with my eye and the fact that I had to wear glasses for a few months? Well, anyway (knock on wood), I *think* I'm finally back in contacts for good. I've gone almost two weeks now. Thank goodness. I was having an identity crisis while in glasses. Plus, I couldn't see my food when I looked down below my frame to spoon or fork it up. That sucked. What especially sucked was the one day on my honeymoon when I couldn't wear contacts out on the beach, but couldn't go without sunglasses, so I just had to be blind. Yeah, that was not so fun.

And now it's time to go to sleepy-town....

From Battle of the Jaywalk on Leno...

JL:"What is a Venetian?"
Guy:"A hotel on the strip."
JL:"No. What is a Venetian?"
Girl:"Blinds."

Hehe. Technically, they were both right.

JL:"Who is the only President elected to four terms?"
After about 7 wrong answers, including Bush (both of them), Clinton, Van Buren, Cleveland, etc...
Guy:"It's a trick question...there's never been one."

Hehe.

PS I just switched to the blogger in beta and i saw for the first time that some people had left comments - but for some reason it didn't allow them to post.

Anyway, feel free to comment if you want - and I'll try to get that figured out.

Watching the second star wars movie right now...

...and Ben always comments on how hot the aliens on that rainy planet are...and I always say back that it's because the media makes us believe that you have to be extremely tall and anorexically thin to be hot.

PS I think the photographer will be able to put the pics online - she hasn't done it yet but I'll let everyone know when she does.

So that next year we know what to buy...

Mexican heather - plant quickly - gets quite broad
Evolvulus - Blue Daze - plant quickly - gets quite broad
Potato Vine
Lavender
Ice Plant (Ben's pick - arid - pink flowers whose petals are sort of spiky)
Calibrachoa (very small plant)

I was being a brat the other day

But I erased it.

Just got done doing a thorough going over of the pics from Stephanie and there are so many that I love that I'm in a bit of trouble. Financial trouble that is. :-) We get to keep the cd and we get 56 prints in a book. The problem is that I absolutely love about 200 of them. I can maybe get it down to 160 or so. Let's hope so.

You just couldn't take a bad picture at this place. And we were fairly photogenic that day.

On top of the wedding ones, our engagement ones were super awesome, too. Signal Point really provided such a beautiful backdrop.

Decisions, decisions.

It's Veteran's Day! Thank you veterans! I love random holidays such as these (especially when it works out that they fall on a friday or monday)

Ahhhhh.....so what do I want to do today? I have a whole list of things to do but just can't seem to get started on anything. I didn't even go work out. I think I am mentally exhausted.

Isn't it funny how your body is so accustomed to its internal clock that you still wake up early on days off?

Mika does have his annual appt today, though. Poor guy, I guess I should buy him some canned food to make him feel better afterwards. We now live quite far from his vet so he becomes a very sick kitty on veteran's day every year. I could change to a closer vet, but they know him - they know the angst he has been through. So we still go there.

I had one crazy week at work. Well, really it's been more like 3 crazy weeks at work. I'm hoping that things will not be so stressful next week. I have learned so much in the last 6 months...I really do learn at least one new thing a day. I know I've said this before, but leaving engineering was the best career move I could ever have made.

Did anyone watch the office last night? Oh, my gosh - the opening scene was the funniest thing I've ever seen - watching Dwight lunge towards Stanley's coffee made me "heehaw" as ben would say so loudly that Mika got scared and ran away.

Oh....had dinner with Dave & Shanon last week and they are engaged! How wonderful. They are so happy and we are just ecstatic for them.

I'm very excited for Christmas this year - usually I don't get like this for awhile. Could be bec I'm used to studying and preparing for finals and this year I don't have to or could be bec I felt like I missed Christmas last year bec I got so horrifyingly sick. I dunno. But I can't wait to start buying presents!

So how do I feel today?

Well, it's definitely a mixture of emotions. Hatred and ignorance were not overcome in this state, nor in 6 others. But thankfully, a few states did the right thing as far as amendments go. A few.

As for *the* election? Well, I was pretty certain that it wouldn't go the way I wanted it, so I was not heartbroken this morning. In all honesty, that was a difficult one for me anyway. I did vote my usual way, but almost didn't vote in that respect at all. I was quite happy to see it so close, though.

Overall, there is such an air of optimism! No single party needs complete control - because then, even checks and balances can't control things. So, *hopefully* we will see some change.

And how wonderful is it that Nancy Pelosi is the first woman speaker of the house? Congratulations to Ms. Pelosi! Make all women of this country proud!

And, back to the hectic life of finance....

Mom and Natie came in on Saturday and I snapped this pic - thought it turned out pretty cool.

Ben and I took our "engagement" photos up there (Signal Point) on his b'day - yes, they were late, but we were supposed to do those in August, and it was just too darn hot. Thankfully, she let us take them when it was a bit cooler. They turned out nice - we got the cd of them tonight. We also got the official wedding cd.

Anyway, things are good. Job is soooooo extremely busy - it creates a very worn out Stacey.

We went to Knoxvillage yesterday and I got to see Catherine's house which is very cute. Did a little shopping - got some fall clothes. Very much needed. Did the cropped pants and stiletto boots combo today - hope that stays in through the rest of the winter bec I felt cute.

Realized today that it's only 7 weeks until Christmas - it sure does come quick , doesn't it?

Ben is asking me when i'm going to go to sleep, so i guess it's time to sign off.

over and out.

I am Stacey ******* and I approve this blog...

because I assure you my very cold fingers typed every word of it. :-) Oops, should I say "I delightedly approve this blog because I worked so hard to educate myself throughout the years and now can reap the rewards by being able to read, write and type"? My original approval didn't seem to have enough flair.

So we did our civic duty yesterday. Stood in the cold and all of that. Here's hoping that it helps this time...although, I fear that the optimism is foolish. *Maybe* enough people are fed up this time. And maybe ignorance and hatred will be overcome.

And that's it for now....

OOPS!

In my 50 things list I accidentally said this:
4) People feel that returning a “No” RSVP will hurt the couple’s feelings. What it really does is anger the bride.

What I meant was this:
4) People feel that returning a "No" RSVP will hurt the couple's feelings. What it really does is anger the bride when they either 1) don't return the RSVP, even if it is to say no so she has NO CLUE how many people are coming, or 2) return it with a yes even though they know they aren't coming.

I apologize for the confusion.

How could you not love this place? Beautiful aqua caribbean water, lush green landscaping, and what a gorgeous sky!

Again...isn't my husband hot?

We had the best view of the sunset at our resort.

We saw Paris on our private beach! Hehe. Just kidding. So that's me on our honeymoon. I stayed really lathered up, since my skin is so crazy sensitive. I tan, but geez...you never know what's going to happen to me. By day 5 on the beach, I got heat rash on my chest. I don't even know what heat rash is, but the gay guy at the pepper shop told me what to do to help it. he was cool.

We had a really great time just chillin'. I wish I had brought a better book, though.

Jess and I think this pic is funny bec after a full day of smiling for the camara (and boy do your cheeks ever start hurting!), I was already posed for this but everyone else is getting ready.

Who's that hot girl?

Beautiful Family!

"It's the end of the world as we know it...

it's the end of the world as we know it...it's the end of the world as we know....and I feel fine!"

:-)

Oh, yeah - I guess I could blog about other things, too.

We went out with Chris & Amy and Dave & Shanon last night. Good times, good times. We went to tbones and and saw some people we were in graduate school with which is kind of cool. I'm used to seeing work people out, but this town had always felt a little weird bec it had a university but I felt I didn't belong in that respect, and now apparently, I belong in that respect, too.

We have been worthless today.

Anybody know about picaboo? Is it ok to download their software?

50 Things I learned from my wedding/advice for future brides

1) Waxing hurts like hell, but is highly effective.
2) You really learn who loves you.
3) One fourth of the people who tell you they are going to come do not come. It makes you really mad because you have spent $50 to feed each one of them.
4) People feel that returning a “No” RSVP will hurt the couple’s feelings. What it really does is anger the bride.
5) I apparently cannot sleep when I have loads to accomplish. But I can live on little sleep.
6) A wedding is what you make of it. Even with all of the disappointments – people not showing up, running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to accomplish last minute tasks, the expense, the headache of your fiancé changing *big* things without telling you, etc – it can still be fun..it's just all what you make of it. From 3 PM on Thursday afternoon on, I was so happy – and if I can speak for my new husband, so was Ben.
7) If you are not affiliated with a church, it is hard as hell to get officially married in Chattanooga.
8) If I ever hear that it’s easy to go to the courthouse and get married ever again, I will scream. Judges are public servants, yet they apparently do not feel as if they should actually serve the public. They will not return your phone calls and will not marry you. End of story.
9) The Tennessee River Place was the best place in the world to have a wedding. I could talk at length about them but will leave it at that.
10) It is very helpful to know local people. My manicurist set me up with the perfect florist. I love you Jim O’Dell!
11) People will surprise you - in both good ways and bad.
12) I don’t have to give amazingly terrific gifts anymore. I have been spending too much money all of these years.
13) What they all say is true – no matter if you schedule pics to be taken before the wedding or not (like we did) – you will not be able to eat your dinner. Period. Tell the caterer to set aside two complete meals for you and your groom. I’m so glad we did this. I ate around midnight, I think...and by that time, I really needed it.
14) Your cake can be super cute AND taste good.
15) Taking 2.5 days off before the wedding is a grand idea. Shoot - make it three - I would have if I could.
16) Welcome bags are a fun way to start the event.
17) Funny koosies have a dual purpose – not only are they a great favor, but the come in handy at the reception.
18) It’s difficult to part with your centerpieces, but you’re leaving town for over a week so you must give them away.
19) Writing your vows (compiled from friends & family vows, as well as a little bit of book help from The Knot) is the best idea in the world. So was having someone very close doing the ceremony.
20) I walk very fast.
21) Always have a back up plan - including a backup dress. Thank you White House Black Market for providing me with the dress I put on after the hook on my real dress broke!
22) A white dress is a magnet for stains -and my dad apparentely can’t keep a beer straight up.
23) Being photographed is fun.
24) Making a wedding suit you is the only way to go. I picked interesting invitations, an interesting cake, different flowers, etc – and that’s what made it so much fun. And so me.
25) No matter what you plan, something is going to go wrong. Nothing drastic went wrong with us, but I never did get to put the picture in the sign in frame, Roger accidentally played that horrible Lonestar song, the bartender showed up later than planned, and we forgot to do the toast. But ultimately, who cares? We had a fantastic time.
26) Without live music, a ceremony really loses a certain feel. It is well worth the few hundred that you will pay to have a live musician(s) play. And the local university is the place to ask around.
27) Dancing to “our song” was sweet. That was one tradition I'm glad we did.
28) Being able to say no to certain traditions is ok. You do not have to toss a bouquet, take off a garter, etc if you don't want to. Just do what feels right - not what modern convention tells you you should do.
29) Bring your laptop so that you can download photos during the afterparty or the next morning’s brunch. Otherwise, you go on your honemoon wondering how you looked.
30) Traditional dresses are more appropriate for even our location and our offbeat style. Save the beachy, informal dresses for the beach (unless it’s your second wedding).
31) We are incredibly lucky people with pretty darn awesome friends and family.
32) Ben is not much help in planning things.
33) The end of September in Tennessee is the most ideal time of year to get married. We could not have asked for better weather - we were so fortunate in our beautiful day.
34) Someone's feelings are going to get hurt - some people just want to take offense to things - so you have to overlook their pettiness. It's not about them or making them happy - it's about making you happy - it's your wedding day.
35) Excel is your friend. You will make many lists throughout the planning process (obviously a budget, but also - a list of music you want played before, during & after the ceremony, song you'll be announced to, music played during dinner, music played during dancing, your seating chart, who you invited & who has responded yes and no, what's left to take care of, what needs to be taken to the sight the day of, what's coming home the next day, etc, etc), but the most important spreadsheet will be your thank you list. Have cells for who it's from, what it is, when you recieved it and if you have sent the thank you card yet.
36) The most important thing is staying organized.
37) Plan your wedding in the town you live in -unless you are willing to give over control of things to someone else. If you want to be involved in every detail, then you should definitely have it where you live.
38) The night after the wedding you will crash. I was asleep at 9:30.
39) You will go overbudget. In all honesty, we did not go overbudget by very much at all...but we still did. That's just how it goes.
40) Renting a few colorful table linens to jazz up the plain white ones is expensive - so just tie ribbons around every other chair and put colored cloths down on every other table. It looks cute and it's half the price.
41) Do not schedule very many things for you or friends or family to take care of the day of the wedding. Pay premiums to vendors if you have to so as to have them arrange for things - unless it's a ridiculously priced premium. You as the bride will not be able to be there for most of the day (and when you do get there, you will be getting ready), so idiot proof what you need taken care of. And back up is having your best friend know how everything is supposed to be. Thanks, Jess! :-)
42) Write all of your checks & put them in thank you cards in the days leading up to the wedding bec there will be some people you will pay the day of. Write the person's name and what service they are providing on the envelope, then entrust with a responsible person. Again, thanks jess!
43) If you are having an evening wedding, don't forget to eat something for lunch. One more time, THANKS JESS! :-) She made me sit down and eat when I wanted to take care of things.
44) Be prepared for people to comment on the things you picked - especially if you do things a little off the wall like we did. They're not all going to be nice comments. Some people think that anything outside of cookie cutter weddings is weird & therefore disappointing. But the pleasure you receive from the people who "get it" far outweighs the negativity.
45) When it's all over, and you return from your honeymoon, there will still be tons of things to do. Thank yous to write, gifts to clean and put away, etc. About 2 weeks later when things calm down, your husband will turn to you and say, "Things seem so boring now." :-) There has been so much excitement and enthusiasm from friends and family for months leading up to the event that when it's all over going back to the normalness of regular life takes some getting used to.
46) Those brides that lose all kinds of weight and say it's due to anxiety are lying. They are starving themselves or working out excessively or both. A husband and a mom recently ratted out some brides I know.
47) It feels good to be married to someone you love.
48) It is difficult to change your name. I have decided that I am not going to for now.
49) Saying your vows to one another is an emotional rush - it truly, truly is. I thought the whole thing would be just a recitation - but in fact, you feel every word down to your core.
50) Having children around makes things so much livelier and fun.

I am so glad we did it. There were many, many times in these last few months (and the days leading up to it especially) that I thought, “I wish we had just run away to get married”. But ultimately, I am sooooo glad we did the whole thing. We would have missed out on a very special event in our lives had we not. I am glad that we have the memories and the photographs. I'm surprised the spine on the book hasn't broken yet, I've looked at them so many times! Hehe.

Wake me up when September ends...

...oh, yeah...that's right...it has ended.

August & September passed like a fleeting dream. Obviously we had a wonderful wedding and a wonderful honeymoon. Oh...I forgot to post pics of the honeymoon. Well, no one is missing much - we didn't take too many photos on this trip - it gets a little old taking pictures of us on the beach. Here's us with this grain of sand. Here's us with this other grain of sand. Hehe. I'll still post some eventually. Maybe tonight. If I get a little crazy.

We had girls night out/happy hour this evening. It has been quite some time. We stayed way longer than any of us thought we would and it was an excellent time. love my girls.

Oh...we were bad...we did have one man around this time. :-) Little Evan came for just a few mins. It was so good to see him...he is so cute!

So, what else is going on? Well, not much. We have some b'days next week. Ben's is approaching and I had been so wrapped up in the wedding details that I was totally unprepared for it once the wedding was over. Usually I know exactly what I'm going to get for him and have purchased it or ordered it or whatever. I'm at a loss. Hopefully, I'll get it figured out this weekend.

The Office was just classic this evening - although I think the convention one was the best one ever.

Umm...what else? Oh, yeah - totally unprepared for Halloween this year, too. I usually have the bags for the kids filled and waiting in the cutesy bowl by the first week of October and this year I haven't even bought the candy, bags, pencils, etc yet. We did buy pumpkins last weekend and I think we'll carve them this weekend. Maybe we'll be dorky and cook the seeds. :-) We tried to be dorky and go to a pumpkin patch again, but they've all closed in this area.

It has been a monsoon in Tennessee lately. Most definitely one right now.

I have no idea what we left to - what it sounded like. She told me the name of it and she hummed it for me, but at that moment, I really remember not much. Hehe. Except, I remember seeing Ben's friend Robert when we were walking out. He's the only one. Ben says it's because he was in the very back.

The music was lively, though. A great piece for a recessional. I'll have to buy it so that I'll know.

We didn't have a videographer, so we'll never know the truth, but I keep asking if I'm the only person that heard one wrong note when I first came out...no one else seems to have noticed. I'm surprised there's not a pic of me with an agonized look on my face because of it! Hehe. But from what everyone says, the flutist (flautist - we wiki'ed it the night before for the program and it actually said flutist was more proper) was quite wonderful. I could vaguely hear her while I waited....and from what I could tell she really did sound quite good. Not too shabby since I only just hired her two days before the wedding, huh? Thank goodness for living in a town with a music department in the college!

I've retitled this pic "My crazy cake". :-)

I hope the real photographers got a good closeup of the cake jewelry...so far I've not seen a pic that has captured how beautiful they were.

Isn't this a sweet picture?

Isn't my husband hot? And check out that cool pink tie I picked out for him! Smashing!

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness...

One of my new nieces..isn't she cute?

Rick and Catherine

Good pic of Sarah

The dinner tables were lovely.

Sooooo.....we've been back for a week now. Things have been good. Am just now starting to get the house somewhat picked up. Got all of the silverware washed yesterday and ate my cereal with my new cutesy crate and barrel tiny spoon just now. There is still so much to do - so much to clean and put away and take to Goodwill and so forth. But, I am so much happier now that we're not on a strict schedule any longer and can do all of these things at my leisure.

Have been able to work out again which has been therapeutic. Those first couple of runs went horribly, but it picked up by the end of the week and I had a great run this morning. Well, ok, not great by the standards I set earlier this year, but great considering how long I took off. Unfortunately, Eliza Doolittle pre Henry Higgans was also working out. She's an incredibly fit older lady with an accent so necky that it doesn't sound like English. I was able to understand "buy-uck" as "back" and "die-oon" as "down". Now, you're probably thinking, "Geez, Stacey was listening in on someone's conversation at livewell..." but no, I must clarify. EVERYONE in livewell was listening to Soddy Eliza bec she was SO FREAKING LOUD. She made horrendous animal grunts and groans - and these were just in the middle of her conversation with some random man - not grunts and groans bec she was lifting something incredibly heavy. Someone needs to teach her to use an inside voice. And proper speaking.

The weather here has been beautiful this week. What a wonderful weekend to have the holiday. Ben started doing some landscaping to the front of the house - he's putting in a retaining wall and a flower bed. I think it was very creative on his part. Maybe when it's done I'll post a pic.

I tried to add a few more pics just now of the honeymoon but blogger is misbehaving. We don't really have many - how many pics of us lying on the beach can we really take?

Had a very much needed shopping frenzy on Saturday - did obtain new knee high black boots to replace my worn out ones, but failed in the chocolate brown boot category. Thank you Ann Taylor for the black ones, though. Saw the cutest black velvet military style cropped jacket - but sometimes it's so hard to spend as much as they want, isn't it? Anyway, need to put in an order to J.Crew, as well - and I thought that my expenses would die down after the wedding was over!

Ah, but isn't it lovely to be free? I was driving home from work on Friday afternoon staring at three wonderful guilt free, stress free days ahead of me and smiled. How wonderful it is to just be back to normal - with no school and no wedding planning hanging over my head. This is the first Columbus Day that I have spent not doing school work in years. Oh, happy times!

If only it could stay this way forever! Beautiful weather and a beautiful life (because I do understand now that there is in fact a newlywed phase that is complete bliss). Unfortunately, though, the cold is coming. :-( I had to wear shoes - actual shoes with actual socks - on Saturday. Yuck! My feet were suffocating by the end of the day. I wish I lived somewhere that flip flops and sandals were the norm year round.

Ben doesn't want to do any hiking this year. That also gets a :-( . Even though I don't particularly care for the fall (bec it leads into the winter), I must admit I've rather enjoyed all of the hikes we've done in the past years - such a great workout, and the views are amazing when you climb a moutain, aren't they? Unless the smog comes in. Hehe.

Uh-oh...dryer stopped...must get to the laundry...

That's me walking down the balcony aisle...

We are back from our honeymoon...we had a splendid time. Much needed rest.

I will post more about it as well as some photos soon.

*Yawn*

Ok....I have many, many more but want to share a few of my favorite memories from our wedding....so here goes:
1) Ben telling me how beautiful I looked while we danced to City Love, our song - even though he forgot most of the words! :-)
2) Dotting Ben's nose with pink buttercream icing after we fed each other cake
3) Jeter's ranting at the "after party" on the balcony in front of our room. The mouse story was the best - oh, yeah, it had become a holy war.
4) Seeing my mom at the bottom of the steps before I came out. She was so happy.
5) Walking in after my hair was done and seeing Heather & Keith & Iris and the tables were complete and the cake was arriving and everyone was in such happy spirits
6) Gracie grabbing my hand and pulling me to Ben - repeatedly - to encourage us to dance together
7) Ben looking so GQ, and asking the photographers is they would like for him to model for them on a regular basis
8) Jeter strolling over to me & my girls during our picture - oh, yeah - he was on the prowl
9) Jeter telling me that he had decided pre-wedding that the first girl who commented on how nice he looked was the one to be after, and then me commenting on his nice pink combo to match the wedding as soon as he walked out of his room - that was just wrong!
10) Ben picking me up....but then struggling to hold on....
11) Yelling across the lawn - quite some distance I might add - to stop that horrible Lonestar song that we had all danced with too many strangers to at the Joe
12) Ben very carefully taking all of the pins out of my hair at 1:30 in the morning, after much wine & beer...and with swollen, tired eyes. It was very sweet.
13) Heheehee....yelling at Jess while I was dancing "I think I just popped open my dress" and then us both madly rushing to the changing room to get into the after party dress.
14) Ben fumbling over the last line of our vows, and then me too! It was long and hard. But I loved those vows - they were unique and fun and perfect!
15) Rushing down the aisle - I have such a hard time slowing down! - and looking from side to side at everyone there. They said I was bobbling my head sideways.
16) Breakfast! Greg is amazing - we had fresh strawberries and grapes alongside pineapple & coconut pancakes and scrambled eggs. Yummy, yummy!
17) Climbing into the incredibly comfy, incredibly huge bed with the canopy thing untied - Ben was super cute about that
18) Coming out and seeing the super cute job Jess had done with the white mums - set around our rings on the plant stand
19) Seeing all of my flowers when I first arrived, then the pleasure of seeing the cake 15 mins later - everything was so beautiful and perfect - I was in Stacey ecstasy
20) Discussing with ben this morning all the details of the day while we were apart. I found out why he was late to the altar (I told Jess that he couldn't back out since we were already married!) and other things that were fun to know, since I was hidden away from the world.

I'm sure there are many, many more details that I want to share, but am in need of a nap at this moment!

But before I go, I would like to thank all of our friends and family - for coming from so far away, for helping to organize, decorate, plan & execute, for wonderful gifts and best wishes, but most importantly for being there for us and for helping to make our wedding day so fantastic! We love you all!

Ben, Mom, me & Dad

Hugh, Heather, Iris & Keith.

A very warm and special thanks to Uncle Keith for his reading of The Prophet on Marriage.

Cake by day...

Let's cut a very fun cake!

I had the coolest, funnest cake ever - and it even tasted good! Tanya did an amazing job - she made it so perfect and I'm so glad I got the cake "jewelry" instead of a topper. It was a piece of art!

The back of the house - we were walking to go take pics of just us, and they lasted FOREVER.

One of our tables

My florist was great. I told him I wanted every centerpiece to be different....So we had yellow tulips on one table and orange gerberas on one, fushia gerberas on one, fushia roses, orange dahlias, etc, etc. They were fabulous, as was my bouquet! I don't know if I have a pic yet of just my bouquet, though...

Waiting on the bride (who was waiting to hear Trumpet Voluntary played by a flutist -hehe - so she could come out)

Our kiss before friends and family

So, we're married both officially and unofficially now!

:-)

A pic of my new husband and my new father in law...

We are five minutes away from...

...our wedding day. Hooray!

Oh, did I mention the fact that we're actually already married. Legally, that is. Even already have the marriage certificate. Crazy.

I have lots to say, but the benadryl is kicking in - i've been in super crazy non stop mode for the last few days and just can't settle down. so i thought i better take some benadryl for tonight. but am still running around and it's almost midnight. must.go.to.sleep.

happy wedding!

It's a hell of a lot easier to get married in Florida than in Tennessee.

Me and Jess

Did I mention they made me dance on the bar? Hehe.

Oh, yeah, I forgot...we encountered another bride...

The guy who gave me free cake and shortbread...

...the guys didn't really like signing the toy....hehe.

Me and my girls...

We're in the Chatty newspaper today - how exciting to see.

So, we had my bachelorette party last night and I had the best time! We ended up doing it here in Chatty which turned out well. Kara made a veil attached to a tiara - super cute pink and white tulle - it was so pretty! We started the night at Hennen's having dinner on the patio, and opened lingerie shower presents there. Hehe....people (including children) were watching - that was slightly embarrassing. One man threw a $20 up on the glass (he was inside) and said I could have it if I tried it on for him. Hehe. We saw his wife in the bathroom and she said that it was her idea and she hoped it didn't embarass me too much. People were walking by - some saying "Don't do it!" and others giving their congratulations. Little girls were amazed by the tiara and veil - one little girl stopped dead in her tracks to look - super cute - her mom smiled when she saw the item I was carrying around. Another little girl walked over from inside the restaurant and stood a foot away from me, just staring - not saying a word. Jess had gotten a stuffed, um, penis. Hehe. It had a pen with it, so they all signed it, and for the rest of the night everytime we encountered someone we had them sign it too. Ben had previously answered some questions and there was a bag full of "to do items". I had to answer the questions correctly, and for each one I could throw out a "to do". I can't remember how many I had to do, but I did accomplish quite a few - I kissed a bald man's head, reported a dirty joke - and boy was it ever disgusting - back to the girls, licked someone (it was salty), got marriage advice from a married couple, got 3 sex tips from a guy, and many more that I'm failing to recall at the moment. After Hennen's we made it over to the Tortilla Factory, then to Bluewater, then Taco Mac (Cindy wanted some queso), then onto the Mix. I had so much fun dancing - it's been a long time. Tracy accidentally took some video of Jess and I dancing which is funny - Sexyback by Justin is so fun. Along the way to Taco Mac, K and I stopped in at Greyfriars so that I could get a piece of cake and some shortbread for ben (our downtown tradition when we eat down there) and the guys gave it to us for free and a girl outside making henna necklaces gave one to me. That was so nice. I felt like a princess all night long - everyone was so nice - I got so many well wishes, many ring admirers (I must admit that it is the prettiest one i've ever seen :-) ), stares, questions, admiring glances, etc. It was such a fun evening. I'll post some pics in a few mins.

Thanks to my girls for giving me such a fun bachelorette party - for staying out so late (when was the last time I strolled in at 3am?), for dancing, for the gifts, for just an amazing night all around. I love you guys!

I am so lazy...

Happy Labor Day - love to celebrate it with absolutely no labor at all. It's great.

We went to Atlanta on Saturday - did I already blog this? We got Ben's tie for the wedding. It's pretty.

Yesterday we cleaned a bit, but otherwise we did nothing. Oh, I read a chunk of Cat Among the Pigeons - yes, I am lame - I <3 Agatha Christie and Brit chick lit.

And today I made mango salsa which I have to say was superb. Yummy.

All in all it was a great weekend. Got a very few number of things done but I'm just enjoying life right now, and that's really all that matters.

Have to pay site/caterer on Thursday and must turn in lots of info, so I really shouldn't have taken such a break this weekend, but oh well. I'll just have a few hectic days this week. But I'm used to those, so no biggie.

I cannot wait for this honeymoon wherever it may be.

So much to say, so much to say...

....actually that couldn't be further from the truth - I've not much to say, but thought I'd blog anyway.

What is this beta blogger? Maybe I should look into that.

So, I think we're really going to atlanta today.

I had lunch with an old friend yesterday - she was passing through Chatty on her way home to Nashvillage. It was really great seeing her - it's been a very long time.

Must make some decisions this weekend as final money and decisions are due to vendors on Thursday.

I love to watch Mika play - the little patter of his feet is music to my ears.

See...I said I had nothing to say....hehe.

A day in the life of a soon to be bride...

6:45 Get up, get ready, go to work.
8:15 - 11:30 Work hard
11:30 Go get marriage license and scarf down lunch. Find out officiant idea won't work. :-(
12:30-4:15 Work hard
4:15 take off early and go to seamstress for dress fitting. Am told am tiny but have big bones which is a problem but get dress taken care of.
5 head to new florist, get lost due to bad directions, then eventually find it around 5:45
5:45-6:45 Have very pleasant meeting with florist and think he's "the one"
6:45-7:30 Drive back to my part of town
7:30-8 Return some things to Target and buy present for friend who just had baby
8-8:30 Drive home
8:30-9 Scarf down lean cuisine
9-10:30 Write thank you notes
10:30 - 11 Wrap aforementioned present
11-midnight too wound up for sleep (don't seem to be getting much these days), so read book
midnight pass out from sheer exhaustion.

I'm very sleepy. *yawn* Today's schedule is just as packed, but with different items.

What a find! I was so excited to find a 2Petite amazing dress on the clearance rack at the Loft.

What a great lunch! I have amazing friends and future in laws.

What a day! Fun pics, wonderful party, then we showed the site to Heather & Catherine. Ben and I both were in such great spirits this evening.

Kara and Jessica did an amazing job - the flowers were beautiful, the food was excellent, and the champagne punch was delicious. Thanks, guys!

Hooray! We have an officiant!!!!!

Plus, I got shoes today and realized that my pearls will be great. What a great Christmas present from my wonderful future husband.

Will post pics from today's events later.

And to mark the celebration of my 100th blog...

....I'm posting a pic of a portopotty...
but come on...this is hilarious...this had to be on purpose...

We saw this in a neighborhood that's being built close to the house a few months ago.

This is post 99..what an achievement

So, we have people coming over today and we must clean the house before they get here - and what am I doing? Writing a blog.

Went to Bluewater again last night. So.Yummy. Seared Tuna is the best I've ever had.

But must note fashion again. Fashion currently is meant for very skinny girls. Very skinny girls. Yet, lots of girls seem to be wearing this stuff. Very bad. Not only are the clothes meant for very skinny girls (I rank myself in the skinny girls category, but not the very skinny girls category, so there's no way I'm wearing this stuff), but they're just ugly. Ugly colors - grays and army greens and too much black. Yuck. Fashion = bad right now.

On a brighter note, we've got to return a gift to targ. that we got two of and I have lots of gift cards to targ., as well. I wish I could use those at dill.s - haha - we've gotten hardly any of our silverware or china. I think from now on, I'm going to purchase china for friends - K said she hardly got any of hers either - and it's so expensive to have to complete once the wedding is over. Guess we know what I'll be asking for for Christmas! :-) My theory about getting hardly any of the china is that people wait until very close to the occasion (be it shower or wedding) and you must order the china....but they want to bring something in hand & wrapped up...so they go elsewhere instead. I know this would have deterred me in the past - bec I usually wait until pretty close to the event to get the present.

We received another present yesterday on the front door stoop. That was so much fun!

Think we might go to the ATL tomorrow and look for a tie for ben to wear. we saw some really pretty ones back in the spring and are hoping that there will still be some cool ones around. Plus, I want to eat at the Cheesecake Factory, as I never have before. He showed me his suit the other night and he looked fabulous. In review, this was sort of a random paragraph. Sorry, readers.

Less than five weeks now....this is wild.

Oh, the season premiere of my favorite TV show is on our wedding night. :-( Chris & Amy said they'd take care of it for me - I hope they remember.

Oh, speaking of - I can't wait to see C&A as well as dave & shanon today. I hope Brenda brings by Evan for a little bit.

Must run to grocery store & pedi appt before massive clean....

Sent an email to future mother in law this eve, and started realizing many things to do.

- make music list (ongoing project, as I'm adding songs as I think of them to spreadsheet)
- find officiant
- get off of fence and decide on florist
- get off of fence and decide if I want additional linens
- do i want a sign in frame table? sign in tables are so 1986...
- get together some pics for heather to put together for display (on sign in table?)
- plan honeymoon
- take engagement pics
- send in applications & pics for maryville, knoxville, and/or chattanooga newspapers (not nashville, bec it costs $175 - insane!)
- decide on groom's dessert table decorations & what to display/serve (had some help on this - pretty much think i'm straight here)
- programs? have cards, but what to put on them?
- get dress hemmed
- get new shoes (before dress hemmed)
- figure out how want hair
- buy any hair ornaments required
- send out thank you notes for most recent presents
- give final count to caterer (SEND IN YOUR RSVP'S!!!!)
- discuss menu with caterer
- figure out who's sitting where at dinner
- give TN RP the diagram of how we want things set up
- ben to take care of wine & beer
- ben to take care of bartender
- get marriage license
- get some sort of musician for ceremony music? Where? UTC? Flamenco guitar to go with site? If not, what kind of music? And where do we put them on the balcony?
- Decide if want Terry's fam to video
- get items for welcome bags
- decide on favors - must get off of fence here, too
- invite recent new friends that we've become close to?
- many, many more things but i'm too tired to think of them *and* ben is wanting me to drive him to sonic for tator tots - but this discussion has been ongoing for the past 20 mins, so who knows if it will come to fruition...

But really, what does it all matter? I think this is why I keep putting things off (besides that whole work thing getting in the way): at the end of the day - whether we have favors or not - whether there's a flamenco guitarist playing - whether it's video'ed - whether it's announced in the newsaper - proper wedding dress or j.crew halter - we will be married.

I enjoy the details, but I've been enjoying my evenings at Livewell more now that we no longer have school. I'll knock some things off the list next week. :-)

It is so much fun...

...to come home to presents and fun RSVP's!

Should we open the presents? We weren't sure - so I'm going to email the sender to check.

I'm so glad I went with creative RSVP's - it has been so much fun to receive those.

I ran for the first time in over a week tonight - it was a surprisingly good run considering the break.

What a fun day!

Had the fam shower on Sat. Good times. I have some super fun great aunts and aunts. Mom did way too much - the place settings are beautiful! I even loved the silverware that Ben picked out - it's so shiny. I hope we get the rest of the silverware if nothing else, bec I'm not looking forward to having to buy it myself. Ben picked pricy stuff.

I'm flaky. That's that. I won't elaborate.

Also, I got a get out of jail free card with my mom this weekend which is super awesome - I don't ever have to worry about guilt trips again.

So, week 1 of not having school has been amazing.

Did the wake board tourney on Sunday - hung out with some of Ben's friends - everyone is fun - which means I did not pay one bit of attention to the wake boarding tourney.

Having people over on Sat for finishing MBA celebration - should be a good time. Must clean house every night this week. Which usually leads to a sinus infection for me bec I let it get so dusty, then clean, and dust is my bad (is 4 the highest they go?) allergin. Bad Stacey for letting the house get dusty. However, it should stay clean now that we have all the time in the world to clean.

Ben got his suit for the wedding on Friday - he's picking it up tonight. I'm anxious to see it. I'm sure he'll look hot. :-)

Must decide on florist. Must decide on ceremony music (and procure ceremony music musicians). Those are the two big things on my mind right now.

Oh, and Ben must find an officiant - that's a super big thing. We're only 5 weeks away - we can't exactly get married if we don't have an officiant. I guess if nothing else we'll get married at the courthouse the day before and just celebrate on the 21st. That was Ben's idea...

We are done!

Finito! Finished! No more! The end!

No, Ben didn't call off the engagement, again - we're done with the MBA. No more school two nights a week. No more papers to write...no more presentations to give...no more tests to cram for...no more cases to do...no more MBA. Period.

Big sigh of relief!

I got my invitation to the shower on the 26th today! Oh, my gosh, they are the cutest invites ever. Thank you so much Jess & Kara!!! :-)

Now that school is over, I can focus on finishing up some details (plus work on the five pounds I gained during Crisis 2006).

Hooray! We are done!

Be afraid...be very afraid!

Of Hurricane Chris!!!!!!!

It's so nice and quiet...

We've had our lights and the water fountains downstairs turned off since Monday and it's so nice and quiet at work. The bad thing is the increase in temperature, though - usually they freeze us but during peak periods they make it pretty hot.

It was thundering this morning while I was getting ready, and I thought it might help the valley some. However, it was just a tiny storm (and the only one on the whole radar for tn) - so no luck. Another hot day in the valley...but i'll stop there. I'm afraid I'll start rambling about business sensitive stuff.

I will say this, though - I don't like hearing people complain about rolling blackouts and what not. This country is addicted to electricity - deal. We do what we can.

Oh, the first response cards are coming back! It's exciting to check the mail everyday. Trace & Richard were the first to send theirs. Maybe I'll give an award for "Most Creative"! hehe. Chris & Amy had many, many creative ideas for theirs - it was hilarious. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

A Eulogy...

It is with much grief and sorrow that I accept the loss of dear friends today. Yesterday, in a horrific accident capable of snapping one in two, the pair of friends were lost. It will take some time to recover from this terrible loss.

Yes, I loved my summer buddies. We hung out several times a week all spring & summer long for years - when the weather turned sour, they went their way and I went mine until we were reunited once again as the grass turned green and the tulips bloomed. They stood with me throughout boyfriends...throughout long hours hunched over Autocadd and the CAPM....throughout domestic trips and abroad...throughout stormy moments and sunny days.

Yes, I am going to miss my favorite black flip flops. Yes, indeed.

So, yesterday we came off the lake and I drove immediately to the grocery store. In a bathing suit and cover up, red nosed and on fire from the heat, I entered the grocery store to get items needed for tacos. Two steps into the grocery store, the left black flip flop toe thong broke in half. I attempted to walk in them anyway which was a complete and total failure. I pondered going home to get new shoes, but ultimately decided that I live in Soddy Daisy and that I am not going to get thrown out of the grocery store if I walk around it barefoot. I was so uncomfortable - it was beyond embarrassing. No joke, I walked around the entire grocery store with no shoes on. The worst part was getting the white american from the deli - because the deli is right by the front entrance and it took what seemed like a decade - and every 10 seconds someone entered the store looking me up and down. Yes, I was Soddy Daisy trash yesterday. Good times, good times.

Oh, so we went to dinner at a new place (new to us) on Fri with Amy & Chris. The Meeting Place was ok. I had some sort of potato crusted trout and Ben had lamb. Ben's was pretty good - mine was "eh". But I have to postscript with the fact that I'm not actually a huge fish person (yet have found delightful dishes at other restaurants). We will go back bec the atmosphere was fun and there are plenty of other items to try.

I'm still craving a repeat visit to Bluewater.

Only 12 more days of school...how awesome is that?

I am so excited for not having to carry around a heavy bag all the time. Well, sorta. Ben told me the other day that no matter where we go, I always carry a heavy bag. I do for workout days, I do for school, I do for the lake, and I do for work when I want to do school work during lunch. My massage therapist had a fit the last time i was in bec my neck was in such bad shape - if I turned my head certain ways extreme pains would shoot through my neck and shoulders and I feared that it would get stuck. No more! I can't wait.

We're thinking about having a graduation party on the 19th - just a cookout here at the house - bec we deserve something.

Let's see - what else?

Stephen Colbert is awesome. Love him. How did we ever live with just the "God Machine" blips on the Daily Show?

So, 8 weeks from tomorrow we're getting married. That's wild. Everyone should be getting their invites in the mail anyday now. Chatty folks got theirs yesterday - hopefully other TN folks got them today.

I've been busy with the details - very, very busy. I hope we get everything wrapped up soon. And I also hope this thing doesn't turn out tacky! Ha-ha. That's my biggest fear. I've been to way too many southern tacky weddings in my life.

Ok...moving on. Oh...saved the fake shoe company from sheer destruction...that was cool. Next week will be busy with writing my last paper & preparing for the last presentation while making the last 2 decisions. I'm glad that ben and I decided to not be in the same group this time bec I met two really great girls.

Life is good!

So, we're gettin' hitched...

We bought our wedding rings last night.

Umm...what else. Oh, yeah - Mom's shower - I'm thinking we may have to move that date back. It's only 3.5 weeks away and no invites have been sent. I think Karen is going to help, and I'm so grateful!

Must add towels and silverware to Dillards registry. Ben is supposed to pick out the silverware (it was his only request), so I must get him back into the mall.

My list of things to do is getting longer and longer. Every time I mark one thing off, I add 3 more. Buying the car did not help my to do list. It did help my comfort when driving around trying to mark off things on the to do list, though. :-)

Tomorrow I have appts with a table linen guy and a florist - spoke with the table linen guy yesterday and he sounds fun.

I have a gazillion little details floating around in my head right now, and I love it. I revel in details (opposed to Ben's "big picture" perspective).

So, I bought a car yesterday...

...and I get it tomorrow. This is a HUGE thing for me bec I had the Ranger for over 7 years. I don't rush into buying cars, as you guys well know - I've been contemplating this decision for about 4 years, and I finally did it.

Anyway, so what did I get? I got a new Honda Accord Coupe in white, 4 cyl, EX with leather. My only concern was that I wanted heated seats to make the winter more bearable, so now I have them. If I didn't have the wedding to pay for, I think I would have gotten an Acura TL or a Lexus IS 250 (or 350), but c'est la vie.

Anyway, Ben says people have been asking, so I'll say it on here: invitations will be sent out this week. I've been working on them when I get free time and I hope to finish today. My etiquette guide says you're supposed to send them out 6 weeks before the wedding, but since some people have to travel, I'm sending them out 8 weeks before. Crazy. We're getting married in 8 weeks and I don't even have a florist. Oh, yeah - and just to let everyone know why I'm being tacky and printing the envelopes - my handwriting sucks. I wrote the first one out, it looked horrible so I showed it to Ben and explained the situation, and we both agreed that they should be printed instead no matter what the rule is.

I think I'm gonna take a day off this week and Mom is going to come in so we can plan my family shower (and hopefully get a few things done for the wedding, too). That'll be fun! We've picked Aug. 12th for that. Jess & K and I discussed a friend one, and I think we'll do that on Aug. 26th. I'm so excited!

We've been trying to decide if we wanted to have anything for anyone who might want to come in a day early or leave late-ish - like a cookout or a dinner/lunch/some other event/etc, but we don't think anyone is going to come in early or stay a day late, so I guess we won't do that. For those that are staying at the site, there is a breakfast but we have to leave by 10AM (I think) so that will be rushed.

We had dinner at two new places this weekend - Blue Water on Friday night and Fox Cay last night. Bluewater (not sure if one word or two) was FABULOUS! Seared tuna appetizer came with thinly sliced cucumber - who knew that cucumber was so wonderful in wasabi & soy? I never thought to take it out of the sushi and eat it on its own. I had Grouper Piccata which was pretty good, but Ben had some sort of pesto flavored fish which was addicitive. Anyway, we recommend that one. Fox Cay was pretty cool, too. It used to be a horrible restaurant at a great location - it's on the water at the marina in Harrison. Crazy cool decks - just a great feel to it. Glad to know the food is much better now.

Well, my list of things to do is growing out of my control, so I guess I should stop typing and get some work done. It's been a whirlwind weekend. :-( Wish I could stop time so that I could get these other things accomplished.

Happy 4th of July!

So, what are we doing today? We don't really have anything on the agenda, and that is quite nice. We might drop by Jess & Terry's later on today - but it feels amazing just leaving everything unstructured for once.

We've had a wonderful weekend. Friday night we rented The Producers (okie slash dokie!) which I was happy to discover that Ben loved (and I must note the closing credits might have been the best part). Saturday, we went out on the boat on Chickamauga - it was like an ocean at some points even though there weren't too many boats out. Sunday, Ben went to see his dad, and I went shopping (ATL had the cutest yellow flip flops that I just couldn't resist - but everything else is too chocolate brown right now - I wanted some fun new work clothes but had to settle for boring new work clothes - and I have a feeling that the next round of new stuff will be fallish - which means no more summer brights :-( ). Yesterday, we went out on the boat again - to Nickajack and hung out around downtown. They have pops in the park on July 3rd every year the symphony plays to the fireworks so we hung around for that. Docked the boat and went to some new restaurant called the Blue Plate. It was "eh" at best. Cute decor, but my food wasn't very interesting - Ben said it was because I didn't order anything interesting, which could be true - I ordered side items - but I did expect more. His hamburger was pretty good, but I don't really see us going back there. They did make a pretty good Tequilla Sunrise, though - I'll give them that - and I have to say that was the first time in my life that I could order mac and cheese and a gin and tonic at the same place which was kind of cool. Anyway, then we went to this other new restaurant called Bluewater (what's up with all the blue names???) just to have a drink at the bar. Looked at the menu (and at our neighbors' food items) and I think we'll be going back there for a proper dinner. Then we tried to get ice cream before going back on the boat, line was crazy long, saw Nate and Ben, invited them on the boat, and we all hung out for the rest of the evening. Fireworks were cool - we were right underneath them which was awesome - wish we had been close to the symphony, though - ever since I've been here, I've always wanted to go to the Pops in the Park. Almost every year, I've had class on July 3rd - actually including this year - but since this is an unusual class (no teaching) and since we convinced the teacher to make nothing due - the whole class decided to not go. It felt nice not having any responsibilities for a few days.

So that was us - we had an excellent (long overdue relaxing) weekend.

Umm...I had a dream last night that I went to work on July 5th and was told "You would rather be a teacher, so we're transferring you to a local high school to teach math". They told me where to go, I went, and showed up to a Calculus class - brief moment of panic as I took Calc I in college 10 years ago this fall - but it seemed to work out fine. My dreams are usually rooted in the normal - not strange unbelievably weird flights of fancy - so I guess they're really not interesting enough to write about. Although, I did have that one dream last week that I was homeless again and I didn't have anywhere to go, so I bought a cot and a sleeping bag and was spending the night under the overhang at a gas station. Hehe. I woke up one morning to a car horn beeping at me to get out of the way - the guy wanted to use the pump I was sleeping by. I thought, "I don't have to do this too much longer - I'll have a new place to live soon."

We got some good news and some bad news this week.

It was good to see Ben Sch. I hadn't seen him in - gosh who knows how long? Ben Sch. was like my brother for so long - wherever Nate and I went, he went - and I have such a soft spot in my heart for him bec he is such a terrific guy.

Oh, and our deck is so full of color right now which makes me wonderfully happy. My lilies (stargazers and some plain pink ones) are blooming right now, the jasmine is getting huge, we're gonna have to cook with some of the herbs bec they need to be cut back, and the new plants that I tried this year are in fantastic shape! The hisbiscus adds such a tropical feel - although the Japanese beetles were having a feast until we took some beetle annihilating measures, the blue daze is fun and cheerful with its bright blue blooms, and the jasmine has the most intoxicating smell - paired with my lilies, it's like a perfumery on our deck. The front of the house is in such bad shape - we just don't care about landscaping - but we sure do love container gardening in the back...

So, what's been going on with us?

Ummm....started our last class. It's a strange class - a game of sorts. Anyway, the game is that each group owns a fictitious athletic shoe company. We must all make detailed decisions about our company and our competition is the other groups in the class. We have two practice rounds before the real competition starts. This is more of a "ben" class than a "stacey" class - I tend to like textbook learning over real world application - hence I would like to pursue a doctorate someday. Teaching sounds more fun than the stress of making real decisions - haha.

Ben went to Maryville tonight to have dinner with his dad, so it's been a nice quiet stacey evening. I cleaned up my computer a bit and have had some show called the 4400 on - it's weird - I don't really get it.

Two more hours of dish washing today - I hope that someday the house will get back into shape.

I am SOOOOOOOOOO happy for a four day weekend. I have a list of like 30 things I want to accomplish - both fun and work.

Anyway - I'm boring - guess I'll go - Ben is home...

"Why bother? It's gonna hurt me...

...It's gonna hurt when you desert me
It's happened to me twice before
It won't happen to me anymore..."

Listened to some Weezer while trying to get the house back into shape this evening. I washed dishes for 5 hours straight (the dishwasher is still a bit inoperable).

I own a lot of stuff. The house has been such a wreck and not all of the boxes are unpacked yet. We've been focusing on having fun which means unpacking and keeping the house clean has gone to the wayside. This weekend, I am fixing this situation. I cannot live like this anymore.

So, we finished the first summer term this week...that gets a huge HOORAY! Ben is finally done with being in school four nights a week - this is such a relief. We both have only one class (2 nights/week) left (which we'll finish in 7 weeks) and no more school for us. (At least for the time being - who knows? I'd still like to maybe pursue a doctorate someday. We'll see. But at least it won't be in addition to my work schedule.) Lots of parentheses. Anyway, another A. I unfortunately made a B in my first class that I took for the MBA program - the only one of the 15 I've taken so far. :-( Too bad the teacher was a sexist pig. Too bad I'm going to have him again for my last class.

Pilates today was awesome. She promised to make it super tough next week, which is cool. I guess the week before a holiday she does really hard routines. Anyway, I can feel my arms and chest strengthening from it. Those side planks are about impossible 45 mins into it.

I got back into my regular workout routine this week, thank goodness. Life is settling down a bit. Now, if we could just get the house back into shape.

Work is going great. I can't even describe how happy I am to be out of engineering. Yesterday, I was on the phone with a guy in Knoxville and he asked, "So how are you liking the new gig?" and I replied, "Oh, it's amazing - what's great is you guys are so normal!" I only wish I could have made this move sooner. What a waste of my time it was to stay so unhappy in that horrible engineering group for so long.

That is one thing I definitely owe to Ben - he is the one who encouraged me to put my resume in for this position. I was sure I wouldn't get it and would never have had the courage to do it without his insistence.

I am in terrible, terrible pain right now...

I may complain when I am in pain
but when I'm not I am hot!

That is our poem for the evening.

Yes, I said "our".

So, I guess Ben and I are back together. We've been for over a week now.

That's that.

We've been having a good time. Last week: 2.5 hours of sleep on sunday night bec of reconciliation. Mon: date on boat where ben wanted to make out passionately while i was sitting on the back. Tues: school & dinner. Wed. nothing. Thurs: school & I don't remember. Fri: Tried to go to riverbend, ben got a ticket, riverbend was packed, instead went to mellow mushroom then big river then rhythm & brews (ever noticed that rhythm is one of the few words in the english language with a syllable without a vowel in it?) for breakfast club. home late. sat: Lake all afternoon - went to see wedding site from the water. Sun.: lake again for riverbend festivities. we've been having a good time.

School is out for first summer term in one week - hooray! Only one more class to go.

I love my cat.

I also love my heineken!!!!

With 112 days to go...

...Ben has called off the wedding. We are going our separate ways and I am finding a new home.

It was fun having this blog, but obviously I will not be making anymore posts here. It's a little bit painful.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do next or where I will be, but I'll let you guys know that I know read this. Some people this past weekend were trying to get me to join myspace, so I may do that - or I may just leave blogging alone. I don't know yet.

Please be thinking about me, as I am quite upset. I think these next few weeks will be quite tough.

And I guess this is the end of benandstaceywedding.blogspot.com...

Hello Friends!

Nothin' much to say, really. Had the test last night - it was essay, so who knows how it will turn out, but I feel pretty good about it.

Did pilates again today - I started having a muscle spasm in my neck in the first 10 mins or so - my back is in super bad shape. Guess I need to make a massage appt. I'm starting to think I should go to a doctor ...it doesn't seem like other people have this much trouble with their backs.

Ummm...what else? Oh, yeah, I have to pack tonight. Am gonna try to go for a run before leaving tomorrow. We'll see.

And that's about it. If I'm super bored in the hotel tomorrow night, I guess you might hear from me again - otherwise, Bobby's reception is great and I've probably had a few too many beers!

one more thing...even though I think it will post this below the first post for today

Has anyone noticed how the conservative machine makes up things to upset the American people when they want to take attention off their inability to lead the nation? Am I the only one who sees this? I mean, c'mon people! You were blinded during the presidential election by talk of gay marriage. Gay marriage. In the grand scheme of things - with men dying everyday, corruption in big business at its worst, global warming a real threat, and the government spying on normal everyday people - who cares? Really.

Anyway, people - have you noticed that when the approval ratings started dropping the conservative machine started making a big deal out of immigration? This was not coincidence - it was a carefully planned event - they must have this sitting on the back burner for awhile waiting to use it at the most opportune time. Immigration has been a problem for years, but suddenly - just when attention needs to be taken away from low ratings due to an impossible war - this is *the* most important item in the country? It is? Really? Because I thought that the government spying on my phone calls was important - more important than whether or not the guys at my favorite Mexican restaurant (love their hearts, they're such good guys) are illegal. If you ask me, the fact that we're suddenly finding out that this administration thinks it's above the law - that they have the right to prosecute journalists for breaking stories - that they are spying on me and my fellow Americans - and no one is doing anything about it (including the Justice dept) is the most important topic in this country right now. Even more important than the war.

The naive say, "It doesn't matter - I'm not doing anything wrong - let them get my phone records." But the naive don't understand that it's just the first step towards the end of democracy. I believe the KGB listened in on phone calls, didn't they? If we allow these freedoms to be taken away, the next evil leader will come along and take another, and then another...until we have none left. Our system of checks and balances doesn't seem to be working right now, so yes - I have little faith for what's in store for the country.

Sorry this is not very eloquent - I'm just in a rush....this has been on my mind for awhile and I'm just now thinking to say anything about it on here.

Am I the only person in America upset about this?

Weddings! Weddings! Weddings all around!

I've got wedding on the brain - partly bec I've been to three and a reception in the past 7 or so weeks and am going to another this weekend.

Bobby's getting married! And to a great girl!

(Bobby is my brother for anyone who doesn't know.)

Anyway, I've mentioned before that I will be cutting it close - my flight arrives at 3:36 and the wedding is 45 mins away at 5:30. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get stuck in the air, circling Dallas. I think I'm gonna have to take a cab to Garland bec I don't want to make Mom and Dad late for the wedding. They definitely need to be there on time even if I'm not.

I will be on a tee-iny plane which is interesting. It's so small that I picked a seat on the right side of the plane because there's only one seat on the right side of the plane and I'd really rather not have to sit by anyone. Tiny.

So, for the MBA, I'm pretty sure I only have 2 tests left, one of which is tomorrow. So, I left work a bit early to come home and study....and it's now 7 PM and I've yet to study. I think I actually left work a bit early bec I truly needed some Stacey time at home by myself. I turned off my cell phone, there has been no tv, I took a nap, I didn't go work out, and I just lounged. I tried on my dress and it is amazing - I love it so much. *insert tangent* I'm not sure why I keep thinking that maybe I want a different one - this one really suits me and my personality. I saw a girl on theknot the other day that wore the same dress for her wedding...that was kind of cool. With as many choices as there are out there to see someone random wearing my dress is sort of neat. *Back to flow of thought* I've been listening to a bit of music trying to decide what to have played pre-ceremony and while I walk down the aisle - I think I've decided on a recessional. I petted the cat and I looked through a Pottery Barn catalogue. Just quiet stacey stuff. All afternoon. It's been nice.

I'm wondering how long it's going to take me to walk down the aisle. I have a few pieces in mind now (real pieces - not the police or the pretenders or some such) but I'm not sure how long it will take.

I have decided that my favorite piece of music - going back to that guy and Every Little Thing She Does is Magic from a few weeks ago - is the slow part from Jupiter of Holst's The Planets. Some music really strikes me and that is a piece that always does. What is great about that piece - and I do believe that Jupiter is the bringer of Jollity - is that I always imagine a huge party going on. And when it gets to the slow part, I always think that everyone is getting tired at that point or there's a serious conversation going on between two people amongst all of this gaeity or the host is giving a sentimental, thankful speech - I seem to make up some new scenario everytime I listen to it...but then the party picks up again. Anyway, I always tear up during the slow part - it is so amazing. If you've not heard it, I highly recommend it. Probably the most famous piece from The Planets, though, is Mars - but I'm not too keen on Mars. He's the bringer of war, I think, and it's a very war like piece. The Planets is sort of the basis for most modern movie music, and you can definitely hear it in Mars - everytime I hear the music from The Gladiator I think "Oh...it's Mars...shoot...no it's not...it's The Gladiator music...fooled again!"

I have to start deciding on the little picky details of the wedding now. This is way harder than picking the big stuff, I think. Or maybe it's just difficult bec I want a few non traditional things - like the fact that we have no attendants. Now I'm starting to think that if there are no attendants, there will be no ushers and thus everyone trying to get into chairs will be chaotic. Also, since there will only be two chairs on each side all of the way down, what if someone is single? Who will they sit with? And with Mom telling me that so many more people are coming, can we even still do it on the balcony like we want? Or will the people in the back get upset bec they are so far away? K says to have the late arrivers just stand in the back - if the number gets too bad, I may just do that. (Ben suggested we just have the late arrivers stay down on the lawn and watch from there even though they won't be able to hear.) Also, since there are no attendants and I'm walking down the aisle by myself, and since I hadn't planned on having the parents walk out in front of me or any of that nonsense, how do I reserve seats for them? How long do I have music playing before the wedding? How do I word the RSVP's? What do I put on the program? What do I do about table linens? What do I do about centerpieces? I actually have some ideas about most of this stuff, I just haven't 100% decided on anything.

Anyway, there are many, many questions still left unanswered. Ben would say that I'm stressing out - but he doesn't know me very well apparenatly bec I'm not - working out all of these little details is a game for me - a fun way to spend my time thinking. (I spend enough time thinking about serious things like how a turbine works or how to calculate modified NPV.) For the first time in a long time, I'm really interested in this thing - and I want to start working out all of these details right now...it'll be fun. Hehe...but I'm just putting off studying.

And on that note, I guess I'll go...go study that is...

Started my Kashi paper - will be good when I get that over and done with. Also have a midterm - yep, already ... summer terms go very fast - on Thursday. Must study for that at some point.

Had a great run last night.

Took some clothes back to AT loft the other day and ended up buying 20 bucks more than what I returned. But I have a great skirt on today because of it. :-)

I have been so hungry today - don't know why. On class days I bring an extra banana for a snack before class but I ate that at 3 and now I'm really hungry again. What sucks is that it seems this teacher (most marketing teachers do this) think only of food items as examples - so on class nights, I spend a couple of hours listening to a lecture about food. Lovely! Just the way to make my tummy growl a little louder.

Wanted to make it to a weight training class today during lunch, but I decided to work on the paper instead. I guess I'll work on the paper some on the flight this weekend, so maybe next week I can work out during lunch.

I have a mani & pedi scheduled for Friday evening. Thank goodness! I'm in serious need. Was also thinking about scheduling a facial sometime - but I've never had one and my skin is so super sensitive that I'm actually a bit afraid of doing it. But K says she had one and it was great, so maybe I should schedule a few before the wedding.

I think today was the first day that we didn't have rain in weeks.

Maybe I'll do pilates at home tonight. My back is in such pain right now....it will do me some good...

Oh, took a break from Midnight and started reading chick lit Jemima J - it was going pretty well until something really weird/disturbing happened at the climax. I think there are ways to be creative without being disturbing. I still like Jane Green as the best chick lit writer out there, though.

From K & B's reception last night...

...which was beautiful - held in the new part of the art museum. We were a bit late as we had been to Knoxville to Jeff & Jessica's wedding. It was nice to see so much happiness everywhere yesterday!

So, here's Jess & Terry, me & Jess and me & Ben last night. Wish I had taken more pics of the art musuem...

It's a sad day....

I just discovered that Conviction will not be renewed - what did they expect? They aired it only on Friday nights. Anyway, I'm sad....I really liked it - maybe I'll buy the dvd if they put one out.

Did a Pilates class today at Livewell and that was awesome. I'm really glad I did it - I almost chickened out bec I didn't think Kara would be in it and I was a bit nervous going over there by myself. Turns out Patty - Jess's boss - wanted someone to walk with and she came over to ask me - she ended up going to the class with me and boy am I ever glad - I really might have chickened out. I've done pilates at home to a dvd, but it was really nice hearing the trainer give out instructions - it helped my form tons. Anyway, I've a long way to go! My arms are super weak. For the most part I could do it, but there were a few things that I had a hard time with - especially at the end! It kicked my butt, but boy did my back ever feel wonderful for the rest of the day. Stick - is that one of them? Oh, my! That is difficult - especially 45 minutes into the routine. Isn't child's pose the best stretch ever? Oh, and Kara and Michelle and Dee were in the class, so that was awesome, too. They're all great girls. And Dee was kick butt at Pilates - I was super impressed.

I'm thinking about doing some strength training classes during lunch too. Our Livewell is the best - what a wonderful benefit. I've not ever done anything at Livewell during lunch - it takes me too long to shower - but I didn't sweat too much with this....so I'll be back next Friday.

Have I mentioned the fact that I'm eating Kashi these days? I've replaced my Raisin Bran and Life with the Kashi for the soluble fiber benefits to fight this horrid cholesterol. Anyway, after a lecture on brand packaging the other night, I came home to a bowl of cereal for dinner and realized that Kashi is the perfect brand to do my project on for this class. The heart is emotive, the colors are fresh and "healthy" and there's tons of relevant information on the box. Anyway, here's hoping that I can find lots of information on Kashi, the brand.

Tomorrow is a wedding and a reception - get to wear a cute but kind of formal dress which is fun. Hopefully I'll get in a run before the festivities.

Am thinking about changing the pic on the website. We'll see.

No new updates on the wedding, but K and I did discuss a shower this week. We might do it at Mia Cucina - the cooking store. I'm not sure if we'll be able to or not for several reasons so we'll see. Looks like it will be quite small.

Pat Robertson is an idiot. Complete and total lunatic idiot.

We're probably going to Aruba for the honeymoon. Working out details now.

So don't rent The Family Stone because it is horrible. Absolutely horrible. SJP really let me down.

So I'm watching "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" and it's really sad. I don't know what it is about weddings that brings out the "ugly gene" in everyone involved but somehow it happens.

I'll be in Dallas for Bobby's wedding next weekend. I'm actually pretty excited about that. I wish that Ben could have gone with me but flying to Dallas wasn't in the cards for both of us right now.

Always thinking of gazillions of things to blog about but can't think of any of them right now...

So it's been a whirlwind week...

I'm having terrible allergy problems this year...my nose just doesn't want to stop dripping.

Work was pretty wild this week - I thought my head was going to explode with the introduction of so much information. I'm really enjoying it, though...I'm trying so hard to get up to speed, but I think it's going to take awhile.

I have not been working out regularly still. Things have been a bit weird with school starting and sickness and work being pretty wild. I guess I'm really just making excuses - I could make time to work out if I really tried.

Started the new class this week - it's a seminar in marketing elective on brand management. Don't think it's going to be too tough which is nice for the summer semester. We have to write a paper on a brand and I can only think of boring ones. For some reason I keep thinking of UPS's "brown" campaign - I guess I'm interested in studying it bec "brown" just doesn't have good associations for me and I'd like to know if it's working out for them. I can say, though, that while it does not have good associations, I do think of UPS before I think of FedEx.

We got out on the boat for the first time this season yesterday. What a beautiful day for our first trip out. I can't wait until it's warm enough to wakeboard again. There were a couple of diehards doing it yesterday.

There is always so much to do, isn't there? Today is clean the house day, I guess. It's in dire need.

Watching formula one racing while I write this - it's so fun to watch. Hopefully we'll get to go to a European race someday.

I think it's time to declutter....so maybe there will be a big trip to Goodwill today. When I was on my own, I had a hard enough time as it was making room for my stuff. Combining mine with Ben's is starting to get a bit crazy. So, I think it's time to shed some extraneous material.

No new updates on the wedding.

Wrote this on last Sunday's drive home but just now have time to post it....

What a good weekend!

We officially have two more friends that are married. K&B said their vows yesterday evening at 6PM on the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. It turned out to be a wonderful evening for the wedding – there was a bit of drama earlier in the day as K had to decide where to have the chairs set up knowing that there was a 60% chance of rain. But the rain held off and K got her beach wedding! Yea!

I must say that this wedding ran like a well oiled machine. K thought of everything – she put so much time and effort into the planning of this thing, and she and B took care of their guests. This is how great she took care of us – on her wedding day she cooked a brunch for all of the women. Can you believe that? And she did it without rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off (like I would have been). So, I must take note of the way K had everything under control….I was so impressed.

It was a slow start for us – we were going to try to leave on Thursday so that we could wake up in the beach house on Friday and help if need be. But my sickness did not cooperate (along with hair and nail plans) and we decided to leave on Friday instead. Unfortunately, I woke up feeling more miserable than I had been and we decided to hit the dr before we headed out. Ben was actually saying that he didn’t think we should go at all bec I looked so horrible, but I was determined to go no matter how bad I felt. We finally got out of Chatty at about 12:45 and Ben got us down to Seaside in 6 hours – this is no small feat. We arrived to a rehearsal dinner cooked by K’s dad – from here on out known as “daddy”. Daddy has cooked for us before. He is from Iran and he cooks the most wonderful non greasy foods in the world. His specialty (at least in my opinion) is this rice dish – I’m not sure what seasons the rice, but on the bottom of the pot he puts potatoes which come out so crispy like my mom’s fried potatoes, only no grease so they are not greasy. Oh my gosh – they are the yummiest potatoes in the world! I love them. Anyway, on Fri eve he also made some sort of chicken dish with apricots and raisins in it and I’m not even sure what else. He made his famous spicy shrimp for an appetizer and baklava for dessert. All I can say is that it was delicious as usual and we were so grateful to him for putting on such a huge production –he’s the father of the bride! He deserved to have everything cooked for him! But like father like daughter, I guess since the next day K was cooking for us…

K&B had rented 5 beach houses. We stayed in one of the two large ones that were right next to each other and intended for friends of the bride and groom. We were right on the beach, and also had a pool, and this is where Friday night dinner was served. So everyone stayed around afterwards and thankfully I had slept for most of the drive that day bec we stayed up late playing a wonderful little role playing game called Werewolf. One of B’s friends introduced us to it and we had a blast. I think the general sentiment at first was “A role playing game…uh…I don’t really want to do that.” But in the end it was quite fun and I have a feeling Werewolf will make its way back to Chattanooga.

Finally, we slept! And on Sat. morning, we women went over to K & B’s beachhouse for the brunch. They were located away from us, right across from the pavilion where the wedding was to take place. This house was super cute. It had covered decks surrounding it – and we even brunched out on one of them. K thought of everything! Down to the mimosas and the super cute tableware. No detail was overlooked.

The boys were on their own back at the rest of the beach houses and were supposed to be having ribs during our brunch. But boys just don’t seem to have it together as well as girls – K in particular – and didn’t get to eat until 3 or so. I bet K could have organized our brunch and their lunch and had them both pulled off before 3! J

So, then we hung out by the pool with David and a very cute & pregnant Stephanie until it was time for the wedding. The morning’s rain worries were forgotten as we watched K&B marry in front of the ocean. They were so happy. We then moved to a room in one of the buildings somewhere in the town for dinner. K&B danced to “I Love You Just the Way You Are” which was super sweet.

Anyway, a synopsis of my favorite moments of the weekend:
By the pool, Stephanie asking B if he was worried that K would bail on him and him replying that “Yeah, it has crossed my mind…I mean, she’s lost all this weight for the wedding - she’s so hot! And look at me…” hehe.

Brye’s dad starting his speech before dinner with, “Becky will cry and then I will too,” before proceeding to croak out the rest of speech through tearful pauses. It was very sweet.

Avi – B’s cousin - telling B’s dad that they – that is to say Avi and B’s dad – had done it – they had done a wonderful job in raising B. Hehe.

Avi and Tyler’s wonderful air rock band – Avi on drums and Tyler on guitar – and then switching instruments mid song.

As Werewolf trying to keep a low profile and then emcee B saying, “I need for the werewolf to open her eyes.” Thanks, B! They lynched me immediately after!

Ben’s video-ing everyone on the dance floor. I can’t wait to watch the footage.

K and Hayley and Big Al telling college day stories during the brunch – yuck! What a nasty room they must have had.

I know it’s old school now, but BA putting “Hey Ya” on and EVERYONE dancin’. Avi’s got some good moves.

Pregnant and cute Stephanie in her adorable light green maternity dress yelling at David, “You dumba$$!” when he backed into the pole on the way to the wedding.

David continuing to bring up the topic afterwards even though the rest of us were trying to avoid it.

K&B singing the lyrics to “Just the way you are” to one another.

Everyone double fistin’ whatever it was they were drinking bec the bartender was a bit psycho about gettin’ us hammered.

Seeing BA and another girl in the same bright green Anthropologie floor length dress. That was a bit strange – I mean, who would think that two people out of 30 would show up in the same dress – and from Anthropologie at that – to K’s wedding? But they both handled it so gracefully.

Daddy telling me about the wonderful 35 years he had with K’s mom. I hope I have love like that for the rest of my life.

Forcing Ben to throw his red wine on the roof of the white tent below us bec I told him he was a girl if he didn’t.

Kiki and Stephanie talking about breast feeding during dinner and David’s face turning redder and redder.

B’s tshirt that he wore before the wedding – orange of course! – with “Would you marry a man who” on the back of it. A few of those that I remember: feeling comfortable enough to tell a priest that the wedding was f***ing beautiful”, carrying around a pitcher of his own vomit, & and peeing on his passed out friend. I’m sure those were some really good times. At the bottom it said, “K would.”

David diving into the pool, walking to the shallow end and Ben ratting him out. Hehe. We all knew what you were doing, Dave.

And finally…
The look on B’s face when K joined him at the altar. What a great smile that was. That was pure love.

Thanks guys for allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful event in your lives. We’ve always known what a wonderful host and hostess you guys are, but you really blew yourselves away this time. It was amazing to see two people that love each other as much as you guys do getting married. We love you both.