Very Zen: Honeymoon Day 3

We went to the Chinese Classical Gardens and after drinking tea and strolling along a perfectly beautiful garden, left feeling impossibly relaxed and chill. 

To counteract this, we immediately headed to Voodoo Doughnut, a Portland staple wherein you can purchase doughnuts covered in Fruit Loops, or shaped like voodoo dolls (stabbed with a pretzel stick!)

There was also POWELL'S WORLD OF BOOKS, which is a 3-story bookstore quite literally larger than a city block, and Pittock Mansion which, despite being closed, offered us a beautiful view of Portland with Mt. Hood in the background.   

Today's Breweries included Rogue (which was impossibly delicious), and Widmer (which was frankly disappointing).

Breweries:  2
Samplers:  7 
Pints:  6
Unique Beers:  10

After failing to hit enough breweries, we changed the game plan.   

Learning is Fun: Honeymoon Day 2

On day two we expanded our knowledge by going to OMSI (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) which was fun and visiting the Zoo which was lovely but lemur-less.  Of course we took that new knowledge of science and animals and drank it away at three more breweries. 

And thanks to Greg for making us a delicious dinner.

Pint Count: 8
Sample Count: 6
Unique Beer Count: 14
Brewery Count: 3 (Rock Bottom Portland, New Old Lompoc, Lucky Labrador)

The Plane! The Plane!: Honeymoon Day 1

Well, we're in Portland... and no one is surprised it's raining.  We couldn't be happier.  We hit 2 breweries (one before we even got to Portland!) and a bar already, and making plans to hit what we can while we are here.  Wish us luck.

Pint Count:  10
Unique Beer count: 8
Brewery Count:  2 (Rock Bottom Minneapolis and BJs)  

...and now for Something Completely Different: -1 Days to Go

Everything went fantastically.  It was a hectic day, and it went by in a snap... but we took away many memories.  Don't worry, this does not spell the end of this blog, not yet.  We still have a honeymoon to post about and also pictures and videos and other such aftermath.  We'll keep you posted in...

The Honeymoon Parts 1-7 

and 


Where's Our Memories At? 

Married!

Right.... about.... now.

I'm Gettin' Married in the Morning: 1 Day to Go

Well it's upon us.  Everyone is in town.  The Rehearsal Dinner is done (thanks Mom & Dad!) and everyone is well and rehearsed.  The only thing left is to try to get something resembling a reasonable night's sleep.

See everyone tomorrow!

Wedding Part-ay: 2 Days to Go

Thank you to everyone who could make it to our knock-down drag-out wedding party.  Thanks to all the non-karaoke people who braved karaoke and to the festive people who came in costume.  We love you guys.

It was really useful in unwinding, and we're so glad people got to meet each other before "The Event"

I took pictures, but you're likely not to see any till after the wedding.   

Massage in a Bottle: 3 Days to Go

In honor of the last stretch before the big day Rob and I went for a couples massage tonight, courtesy of his parents.  It was much needed.  The lady who did my back commented about how my lower back was "all knotted up" and recommended I put some ice on it to reduce some of the inflammation.  I am currently complying whilst getting a few things done.     

At any rate, the massage has done wonders.  It has given us new resolve to get everything done what needs to get done.   

Cut the Red Wire: 4 Days to Go

You know those scenes in movies where the timer on a bomb is ticking down and the person trying to defuse it is desperately trying to do ten things at once to prevent the explosion?

We're still assembling all the pieces for the reception, putting in the last minute details with the caterers and designer and DJ, finalizing the rehearsal dinner, cleaning the apartment for a small shindig we're having on Thursday, picking up packages, etc etc etc...

And if we don't get it done on time.. KABOOM!  Wedding all over the place.

Copy and Paste: 5 Days to Go

Pretty much everything is getting set in stone now.  Time to print and assemble all the programs and table signs and escort cards, set up the guest book, flower girl basket, and so on and so on.  Simple tasks but time consuming and last minute.

Oh and I got a call today... my tux is in.  This just got real.

Dead Man Walking: 6 Days to Go

Yesterday was the day of my Bachelor Party, the celebration of the end of my wild ways.  Yes it's all gray skies from here on out.  Appropriate pictures can be found here. 

Ten of my best boys and I started off at Sullivan's Irish Pub where they were having a pig roast (manly!) and improved beer selection in honor of Cleveland Beer Week.  Upon arrival I was told to pick a beer so I qchose a tasty (and high in alcohol) IPA without realizing they were serving the beer by the boot-full.  Not that this dissuaded me from having a few more.

After that we moved on to The Beer Engine where, predictably there was more beer drinking (including a Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale which was amazing) and eating of fine fine health food, like whole burgers dipped in butter or burgers with grilled cheese sandwiches for buns.

There was much toasting, celebrating my impending loss of freedom and mourning Ohio State (though the less said about that the better).  Many thanks to Vin for organizing the whole thing and Nathan, Dave, Peter, Tim, Justin, Jeff, Garrett, Nevin and Matt H for attending.  Oh and Matt G and Aimee for crashing and presenting me with a wine cork with some strange T&A.  It was a fun and suitable adieu to my bachelorhood.

I Feel Pretty: 7 Days to Go

The days leading up to the wedding are filled with primping and pampering the likes of which I have never experienced.  I am not, as I'm sure it is clear, in any way girly.  But a wedding is a special time, so  I had a hair appointment today to get my first professional highlight ever.  Tuesday is my brow appointment, which I'm dreading.  There's a massage Wednesday and a hair trial / nail appointment Friday.  A girl's work is never done!!! 

Don't Forget Your Booties: 8 Days to Go

We're finally close enough to get some idea of what the weather will likely be like on the day of our wedding.  Sure, we know what to do in the event of cold or rain (except where our photos will be taken), but it's a different matter entirely to make that decision.  Here's about 7 different forecasts for you so you can experience a bit of what my current manic state is like.  Enjoy!  

Weather.com:  Sunny , 61F 
CNN:  Sunny, 61F 
Cleveland.com:  Partly Sunny, Showers, 66F
NOAA:  Partly cloudy, low 60s
Accuweather: Periods of Rain, 67F
Yahoo:  Sunny, 61F
Intellecast:  Sunny, 61F
  

 

A Match Made in Bacon: 9 Days to Go

My fantastic work associates, boss and staff threw me a "man shower" today at Great Lakes Brewery, complete with bacon roses and gifts of tools and grilling stuff.

After a year and a half it still feels weird that people are gathering to celebrate us.  As someone who has always been content to blend into the background, it never ceases to amaze me how many people have gone out of their way for us through this whole process.  I'm not sure I could really fully express my gratitude.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to my awesome work shower today!  You guys are awesome!

The Lost Art: 10 Days to Go

Real bow ties... no one uses them any more, no one sells them.  It's sad.  Not that I plan on actually using one in terms of tying and wearing it, but just to drape around my neck half way through the night as if I'd slickly undone the tie I was wearing earlier.

I thought it would be easy to walk into a men's store, walk up to the counter and declare, "One bow tie please."  But alas, it it a lost art.

Gem is Outrageous: 11 Days to Go

I had a meeting at Timeless Moments today, and I'm totally getting a bracelet made from my flowers after the wedding.  The one I ordered looks like this, but will be purple and white.  Tell it I love it. 

Well that Was Easy: 12 Days to Go

Erica and I had been fearing the process of assigning the seating chart for some time now.  We even blogged about it a while back, joking that it would require 500 attempts.  So we've been putting it off, or at least gave it a spot on our "to do list" that was as late as possible.

Turns out all that fear was unfounded.  While working on some early seat assignment prep we kinda accidentally slid right into it and within no time at all we had all the tables pieced together.  I'd say it was one of the easier things we've done in this entire wedding planning process.

We're hoping the good luck sticks with us.

Gourd For You : 13 Days to Go

Had a wonderful time today at the pumpkin festival with Vin, Jodie, Charlotte and our little flower girl, Lucy.  We practiced her leaf-sprinkling routine, which went very well.  She's such a sweetie!

We also attempted to go shopping for honeymoon clothes, which did not go well.  I blame poor timing. 

Coffee Now, Damnit!: 14 Days to Go

I had my second dress fitting today, and it went pretty well.  The dress fits me beautifully, and there's just a few adjustments to go.  Best of all, I learned two things today.

1)  Dress fitting appointments are EARLY!
2)  They really frown on bringing coffee into a shop filled with white dresses.    

Good Day Sunshine: 15 Days to Go

How about that weather eh?  I know I know, we picked Fall for the Fall weather, and this is too darn summery.  But you know what, with an outdoor evening wedding, we'll take it.  Also its waylaying our fears about the leaves changing too soon.

Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for October 23.

Raise Your Right Hand and Repeat After Me: 16 Days to Go

We went and got our marriage license today.  When the woman at the counter told us to sign the form and raise our right hand, we both thought she was joking.  She clarified "seriously, raise your right hand."  We had to comply and swear that the information we provided was true and that we loooove each other (actually they don't care so much about that last part, just that you have an ID and know your mother's maiden name, for the sanctity of it all).  Like so many of these experiences lately we had to stop and remind ourselves that for the rest of our lives, we will never again do what we did today.

To do or die: 17 Days to Go

We spent the night assigning to do items for every day from here on in.  To say it looks daunting is an understatement.  It looks, in a word, terrifying.    

We have Picture & Sound: 18 Days to Go

Final meetings with our photographers and DJ's went well and serve only to underline how close the big day is getting.  Name pronunciations, picture locations, wedding schedules and more rule our lives right now.  Along with everything that's ruled our lives before.  It just piles up.  And then on October 23 we can throw off that pile and par-tay!

Just for Us?: 19 Days to Go

Have you seen the Terminal Tower lately?  It's colored a beautiful purple.  I assume that's in honor of our wedding.  It is, after all, a celebration the whole city needs to be aware of.

Thanks City of Cleveland... It's nice to know you care!

Tale as Old as Time: 20 Days to Go

After dancing with dad, I've determined it's going to be very difficult not to be blubbering with tears the entire day of my wedding.  I have no idea how I'm going to make it through intact.  

Daddy's Girl 21 Days to Go

In Coshocton for our lovely county fair... and to practice the daddy / daughter dance with my daddy.  It's going to be adowabwle.

The Month it Happened: 22 Days to Go

It's officially October... and therefore the month of our wedding.  It's easy to get into he mindset of having this big looming far off date - that always seems like it's never really going to happen.  It's easier, it seems, to have that complacency blasted away. 

Tonight, as the clock turned over from 11:59:59 to 12:00:00, Rob turned to me and said "Well, Sweetie, it's October."  That's when it slammed into me like a truck - I'm getting married.  This month.   In 22 days.