tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7971795030456304342024-02-20T02:42:11.531-08:00Eyes Open, Feet FirstSMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-26101284775195137222011-02-09T05:47:00.000-08:002011-02-09T05:58:13.363-08:00Moving is hard, yoPacking up 6 years of life, 3 floors of apartment space, 2 nervous but snuggly kitties and a huge bucket full of sentimental memories is hard work. <br /><br />We've said good-bye to my family. My 7 year old niece wouldn't stop with the hugs and made us promise we'll skype. My 71 year old aunt can't hear too much about the details of our new beachside cottage without getting teary-eyed. <br /><br />We've said good-bye to our friends. Tons showed up to say "see you later" and make promises that they're already planning their left coast vacations. All insisting we stay with them when we come home to visit. <br /><br />The Pod is 24 hours away from being picked up and beginning its journey across the 2,800 miles. Though strategically selecting what we will be taking and not taking, as well as what we need immediately and what we don't has been challenging. <br /><br />There are still way too many items in our apartment that need a home .... or a dump, before we can drive off into the sunset on Sunday morning. <br /><br />But through all of this - I've got Marrv by my side, and watching us go through all of this change, stress, emotionally exhausting good-byes but still coming out with smiles and smooches for one another at the end of the night and first thing in the morning brings me so much joy. We're going to make it through this, we're both excited for what's ahead of us and we're both realizing how strong our relationship and partnership is - going to be a rather amazing journey.SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-73312233244538651762011-02-01T06:11:00.000-08:002011-02-01T06:28:59.547-08:00Oh yes...We got our photos back and they are ah-ma-zing. Our photographer (my dear friend <a href="http://summergibbs.com/">Summer Gibbs</a>) captured every single moment of joy, laughter and love throughout the day. Just looking at them, we instantly feel like we're right back in the middle of it - and that's a very good thing. I couldn't be happier. Now...to get to the recaps, and work on the photo albums (how do you possibly pick 100 photos out of 800 stunning shots!?) --- all while packing up and organizing for a cross-country move? We'll get there...we always do. <br /><br />In the mean time though, I have to share a few. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TUgYlN_gvxI/AAAAAAAABlM/m6e-LecLvn4/s1600/me.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TUgYlN_gvxI/AAAAAAAABlM/m6e-LecLvn4/s320/me.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568727966933892882" /></a><br/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TUgWCzSp_BI/AAAAAAAABk8/L5xMSGye2SM/s1600/andy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TUgWCzSp_BI/AAAAAAAABk8/L5xMSGye2SM/s320/andy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568725176627624978" /></a><br/><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TUgWHV_YM5I/AAAAAAAABlE/8AcsU8d3u78/s1600/us.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TUgWHV_YM5I/AAAAAAAABlE/8AcsU8d3u78/s320/us.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568725254661485458" /></a>SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-36632420851196038182011-01-25T11:56:00.000-08:002011-01-25T12:01:48.423-08:00And the delay drags onSo remember how I was all "I'm totally recapping but need some time to just breathe and relax"? Yeah, well instead of time to breathe and relax, Marrv and I have decided let's just make this newlywed time as manic as possible by up and moving. Across the country. <br /><br />Big news to share. In just four weeks from now, Marrv and I are going to bundle up our little kitties in our new car (new used car that is. and that we haven't purchased yet) and drive from our comfortable life in Philadelphia to start a new adventure in a new apartment (yet to be obtained) with two new jobs (these we DO have) in San Diego, CA. <br /><br />So much is still up in the air - we only just accepted the positions this past weekend. What we do know is that we're leaving the ice scrapers and winter jackets (well we'll take one...you know for when we CHOOSE to find snow in the mountains somewhere) behind. <br /><br />I'm sure by the time I'm back on here regularly anyone who ever listened/read my rambling posts before will be gone but I do promise to be back. And lord knows I think I just gave myself A LOT to write about on the other side of the whole wedding thing!<br /><br />Keep our sanity (and bank accounts) in your prayers!SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-87246781462051579282011-01-13T12:15:00.000-08:002011-01-13T12:53:55.504-08:00A New ChapterSure, most would say that committing out loud in front of family and friends to love, honor, and cherish one another til death do us part is a pretty big "new life chapter" signal. And I do agree. But you know what really brought it home for me? Filling out a little form called SS-5: "Application for a Social Security Card". ie. changing my last name. <br /><br />I've spent a great deal of time over the past year thinking about this issue. And I went back and forth on what I thought I wanted to do several times. On the one hand, I felt so tied to my birth name - more specifically, the feeling it gave me of connection to my birth family. With both my parents deceased, there was a part of me that felt keeping my name would keep me tied to them. Plus, throw on top of that the feminist argument raging around in my head asking "why does the woman have to make the change?" I don't think I really need to go into too much detail here on that argument, because I'm pretty certain anyone reading this blog has had a similar debate at one point or another and are familiar with where I'd go with that one...<br /><br />Then of course there's the whole hyphen two name solution. This was actually Andrew's favored solution. But even for as much as we kept coming back to it - it just didn't feel right to me. And when he pressed me to explain why I didn't want to have both, when that seemed the perfect solution to all my wavering...I simply knew that this was one of those "wedding/marriage" aspects that I fell into the traditionalist category.<br /><br />And that really shocked me. And it still does. I officially changed it and am now known to the US Government (and my work) as Mrs. Marrvelous. And yet, it is still so incredibly strange to me. Seeing my new name on my work email makes me do a double take. I tried to tag a photo on Facebook and typed in my maiden name and when "I" didn't pop up anymore wondered "What the hell! where am I!?" until it dawned on me, oh yeah - that name no longer exists. And all of those tiny moments of confusion continue to hit me with the enormity of this change (at least for me) and each time I'm left wondering again, so why did I change it? <br /><br />Now after breaking down and telling you how I got teary eyed filling out the social security application...I do want to say that for every moment of sadness I feel when it dawns on me that the old name is out, I have ten moments of happiness thinking about creating this new family with Mr. Marrv. I know my brothers and sister are still just that...whether we share a last name or not. And I love the connection I now have with my parents in law. <br /><br />So for those of you who have gone this path before me, it becomes more comfortable, right? And am I the only one who instantly feels 10 years older being called a "mrs"?SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-4431439245270885402011-01-07T06:35:00.001-08:002011-01-07T07:00:59.774-08:00Settling InSo even by my on and off blogging standards, I've been awfully quiet the last few weeks. Following the wedding weekend we were off to Florida for the holidays with family. And then when we returned we had a few days remaining before my in-laws flew home to Scotland. We spent a great deal of effort trying to absorb every minute we could with them as we know we won't see them again until Christmas 2011 - and that's a very hard realization. <br /><br />Top it all off with a cold and trying to find the motivation to return to work after such an amazing few weeks off...well, I'm a little at a loss for blog writing at the moment. <br /><br />But I will be back soon and hopefully with photos! We're still waiting on the professional ones and I'm going to wait for those for recaps though I'll start with events before the "big" day since I have my own shots of those events. <br /><br />Here is my favorite from our first night in Florida though... a beautiful south Florida sunset as husband and wife! This is the image I keep going to in my mind - it's where my head is at the moment ... content, comfortable and happy. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TSclwsOlq3I/AAAAAAAABbE/MnVDeewa3vE/s1600/fla.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TSclwsOlq3I/AAAAAAAABbE/MnVDeewa3vE/s320/fla.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559453783448464242" /></a>SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-15437961238666637252010-12-20T16:05:00.000-08:002010-12-20T16:19:27.657-08:00Introducing Mr and Mrs MarrvelousNot a lot of time to write but just had to post a little "Yippee! We're hitched!" <br />The weekend was perfect - mishaps occurred and it was still the most perfect 72 hours of celebrations. Better than we imagined and so full of laughter, tears and joy. We're off to Florida in the morning with family for the holidays (not the real honeymoon but man am I looking forward to sleeping in, reading my book in the sunshine, eating a lot of cheese and drinking a lot of wine, and not having to coordinate anything!). When I'm back I'll definitely do recaps because not only do I really want to share but I want to preserve all of our memories and feelings before they escape. <br /><br />I also really wanted to send a huge Thank You to the many wonderful women who comment here from around the blog world ... to say thank you for all the support in getting to this day - during those "oh my I'm so overwhelmed and if I have to be responsible for one more thing I might shout and storm out" moments, I simply thought back on the many emails, comments, posts exchanged back and forth. That's all it took most of the time to remind myself to take a deep breath and ... smile. So thank you. <br /><br />In the meantime, I'll leave you with one of my favorite (non pro) photos: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQ_xIBYpvqI/AAAAAAAABaE/ZzQBTzy_Ueg/s1600/IMG_4087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQ_xIBYpvqI/AAAAAAAABaE/ZzQBTzy_Ueg/s320/IMG_4087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552921985684192930" /></a>SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-49208662141110125262010-12-13T13:17:00.001-08:002010-12-13T13:33:00.517-08:00I Caved...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQaPqcDVc5I/AAAAAAAABZ4/fWANGXEKovw/s1600/clothes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQaPqcDVc5I/AAAAAAAABZ4/fWANGXEKovw/s320/clothes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550281550028174226" /></a><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;">(<a href="http://www.kokoleo.com/main.html">via</a>)</p><br /><br />and totally gave into the "but it's your special weekend so you deserve to have new shiny, fun clothes". I got to a point where I kept looking through the closet and dresser and couldn't think of anything I wanted to have immortalized in photos for the rest of my life. <p style="font-size:small;">(No, this isn't actually my closet, but true story - my best friend/matron of honor and I did buy matching tiger t-shirts that look surprisingly like this one while backpacking in Brazil. Hot.)</p><br /><br />I didn't go overboard, but originally I had told myself that with a smaller, more laid back weekend planned, I really didn't need to go over the top with new clothes. It would be kind of silly to show up in a fancy (even if super cute) new dress for the "rehearsal" if said rehearsal was at our house and I was chowing down on cheesesteaks. <br /><br />And then this weekend I was in and out of shops doing some holiday gift buying and then I came home with a few new items for me. It was inevitable. <a name='more'></a><br /><br />But it's justified, right? Friday night we're doing dinner with the in-laws and 3 other couples - pretty much all the Scots and a few American wives. Going to our favorite BYO restaurant (thank you Philly food scene for being so amazing) and I <span style="font-style:italic;">AM</span> the bride. I know. Saying it out loud sounds icky to me - I've dreaded coming across anything like a Bridezilla that I realize a part of me was taking it to the other extreme and trying to play everything down. When, damnit, it is special and it is going to be fun - and if ever there was a good reason for a cute new top and pants this is it. <br /><br />So two new cute tops and one pair of cute new black pants that are kind of like jeans but super stretchy (I refuse to call them jeggings even if that may be what they are) later and I am set to stand out a little bit while staying fun, informal weekend appropriate!<br /><br />Did you spend a great deal of time planning the outfits for the "other" wedding related events?SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-61698361330703423092010-12-10T09:34:00.000-08:002010-12-10T11:47:05.314-08:00Philly Represent!I've mentioned on here once or twice the deep love Marrv has for Philadelphia, his "adopted" home. He started coming to the suburbs of Philly back when he was still in university. He'd come for the summers to coach golf at a rather prestigious summer camp. Upon finishing Uni back in the UK, the same camp offered to employ him full time here as director of the golf coaches. So he packed his bags and set off by himself to move to a new country. He's been here ever since (2005). We could have an entirely different and long discussion about what it takes to even make that move - but suffice to say, those same necessary characteristics are some of the ones I admire and respect about him and make me love him every day. <br /><br />I grew up outside of Philly and have lived in the city on and off for the past 10 years (wow. nothing like putting it down on "paper" to make yourself feel old!). And although I wander away every few years, and plan to wander away together in our future, it will always be home. <br /><br />It's funny because we've been calling the night before the wedding 'International Night' as it is when both sides are meeting for the first time. But we thought our "rehearsal" dinner would actually be the perfect place to highlight our city - through its food. As a way to maximize mingling (and keep costs down!), we are having everyone to our home the Saturday night before the wedding. Now, with a small guest list (35 in total) it makes it a little more doable, even with a city apartment!<br /><br />We made our calls over the past few days to order the food and we're both so psyched. The menu is Philly to the core. <a name='more'></a><br /><br />Ok, so cheese is universal. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQJ_HIkK0rI/AAAAAAAABZQ/NsxkB6NHUOE/s1600/cheese.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQJ_HIkK0rI/AAAAAAAABZQ/NsxkB6NHUOE/s320/cheese.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549137451408872114" /></a>But I love it. And I love our local high quality cheesemonger - <a href="http://www.dibruno.com">Dibruno Brothers</a>. The original is down in our <a href="http://www.phillyitalianmarket.com">Italian Market</a> but we have a bit of a superstore just around the corner from us and my jaw drops each time we go in. I want to buy it all (but can only afford a few splurges here and there). So a "Crowd Pleaser" full of gouda, cheddar, spreads, pepperoni, dried & fresh fruits, pecans and more was a mandatory starter. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQJ_WdAzesI/AAAAAAAABZY/Oo8dJCJNjKE/s1600/rivets.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 201px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQJ_WdAzesI/AAAAAAAABZY/Oo8dJCJNjKE/s320/rivets.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549137714595723970" /></a><br />Soft Pretzels. I remember as a young girl, coming to the city with my mom and buying soft pretzels from the guys on the side of the street out of their shopping cart. Yes, that's right. Guys stand in the middle of South Philly streets (and stadiums of course) selling pretzels to cars as they drive by. I am positive it wasn't hygienic at all and I'd never buy it that way now (except when drunk coming out of those stadiums), but they're a Philly staple. <br /><br />It's a hoagie. Not a sub or submarine. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQKAMaI-XZI/AAAAAAAABZg/BUXtLHGQ6EU/s1600/hoagie_tray.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQKAMaI-XZI/AAAAAAAABZg/BUXtLHGQ6EU/s320/hoagie_tray.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549138641537621394" /></a><br />And when it comes to hoagies, it's all about <a href="http://sarconesdeli.com/">Sarcone's Deli</a>(again, in the Italian Market). Any good Philadelphian should tell you - what makes our sandwiches great are the rolls, and the best come from Sarcone's (ok, Amoroso's is also top notch). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQKBIAvKPkI/AAAAAAAABZo/EIr2WcfzT_E/s1600/cheesesteak.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQKBIAvKPkI/AAAAAAAABZo/EIr2WcfzT_E/s320/cheesesteak.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549139665510612546" /></a><br />So what is a Philly menu without the king of Philly sandwiches...the cheesesteak. Honestly, we don't actually even eat them often (we save it for when people visit), but with so many out of towners (and a few Philly newbies!) we knew everyone was already trying to coordinate when they could get their fix so we figured we'd make it easy for them. <br /><br />Ok, now for the creme de la creme! Dessert. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQKCTC7-2hI/AAAAAAAABZw/mq5TAHDYArU/s1600/tastykake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TQKCTC7-2hI/AAAAAAAABZw/mq5TAHDYArU/s320/tastykake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549140954591451666" /></a><br />If you've never heard of <a href="http://www.tastykake.com/">Tastykake</a>, well you're missing out. Krimpets, chocolate cupcakes and my personal fave - the peanut butter kandy kakes...are a local treat. I remember sending care packages of Tastykakes to our family on the west coast because they missed them so much. To be fair, they're not necessarily the best dessert, but we're both fans and it's a local company that we wanted to highlight - plus it's just fun to have tons of individually packaged, totally processed, and high calorie sweets on our table! <br /><br />As much as I love all this food and I love that it really plays up Philly, I think we're both happiest that it really reflects us. There's a reason we chose this menu, and we have memories together with either the stores or foods themselves and that matters. I'm pretty sure the guests are going to eat it up as well (ha! See what I did there...) Plus, with the boxes and boxes of wine, beer and liquor we also got for the night - I think they're all set. <br /><br />Did you cater your menu to where you were hosting the event or in another personal way?SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-51319153619825615072010-12-03T08:57:00.000-08:002010-12-03T09:28:43.771-08:00The Calm Before the StormWe're in the final stretch. Yesterday was the 2 week mark until my in-laws <span class="Apple-style-span">(teehee, I love having in-laws. I know, who says that? But mine are awesome...more on them to come in another post)</span> arrive. Marrv woke up yesterday and did a little jig on his way to the shower, calling back to me over his shoulder "Two weeks! Two weeks babe 'til mum and dad arrive". Talk about one super excited guy - going a whole year without seeing family will do that to you for sure. <div><br /></div><div>I feel like there is just so much left to do tho I've been able to stay rather calm. I get comments daily from random people about how calm I am. I definitely take it as a compliment, but it also makes me a bit sad that it seems so odd to people that they feel the need to comment. That the "normal" bride is always so frazzled and crazed that anything less than shouting and sobbing is considered "different". I do fear that I still have a few sobs left in me though, like I said - still a bunch to get done and as much as I want to have it all out of the way before I pick up my in-laws <span class="Apple-style-span">(happy face again) </span><span class="Apple-style-span">I know there are some things that just can't be done until the wedding weekend - cake pick ups, taking said cakes and other decor to the restaurant, flowers (</span><span class="Apple-style-span">I've decided I'm going neighborhood market day of route because I can't be bothered trying to find a reasonably priced florist who doesn't drop their jaw when I say I need just two bouquets and a wrist corsage in less than 2 wks - lord help me). </span><span class="Apple-style-span">And I'm a bit fearful of who I may turn into smack dab in the middle of 15 errands on Saturday morning. But I'll deal with that when and if it happens. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">We took care of our seating arrangement the other night while laying in bed. It got heated quickly which I knew it would and which is why I tried to suggest not doing this just before bed. I think it shocked Marrv though that who sits next to who actually matters or that someone may actually be upset by not sitting with another particular person. After several deep breaths, we scribbled it out and everyone is going to have a seat and plenty of booze so hopefully they're all happy. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">And of course, walking around the city the past few blustery, chilly days it has finally hit me - I'm going to be one COLD bride! Eek. We were hoping to walk from ceremony location to reception restaurant as it's only about 6 blocks and you have to walk through our favorite city park to get there (pictures!). Now besides the fact that I'm a bit terrified of my 4.5 inch heels</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> (they're so gorgeous tho) </span><span class="Apple-style-span">I'm thinking I'm just going to use my normal winter dress jacket. Um, tell me that's ok, right?!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Well, hasn't this ended up as one rambling post? I started with the idea of expressing how I feel calm even with a ton to do and knowing that we'll just keep plugging away day by day. And even with the fear of the potential </span><span class="Apple-style-span">(and most likely, inevitable)</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> stress... I'm still so freaking excited! Excited for the in-laws, family and friends to get here! Excited for the dinners, showing off my dress, for people to see our guest book </span><span class="Apple-style-span">(yes, tiny bit victim of the 'pretty details') </span><span class="Apple-style-span">and excited to stand up with Marrv and say I Do !</span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TPkoNGRZMWI/AAAAAAAABY4/c8LL3kiXIQ0/s1600/us.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TPkoNGRZMWI/AAAAAAAABY4/c8LL3kiXIQ0/s320/us.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546508621570453858" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;"><style="font-size:small;">(an early photo of the two of us...on a pretty fun special night. someone may have said I love you. and someone may have said it back. and of course we may have happened to be our local pub.)</p>SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-15125212709555134152010-11-23T08:34:00.000-08:002010-11-23T08:43:11.156-08:00Giving ThanksSunday night, lying on one section of our L shaped couch with book in hand, snuggled under big fluffy blanket. Marrv lying on the other section of the L shaped couch intently watching football, snuggled under really plush blanket with both kitties snuggled right in there with him. <br /><br />He turns to me and asks "What are you thankful for this year?" - just a hint of a smile on his face. <br /><br />I say nothing, and simply point at him, then at his chest where Reina is curled in between her papa and the couch, then lower at his feet where Sammy J lies comfortable in his position as king of the house. <br /><br />The moments of stress - wedding related, career related, finance (or lack thereof) related all fade out of mind as I think about our family (not solely by blood). <br /><br />The family on one side that has instantly welcomed me and accepted me as one of their own. Made me feel comfortable and loved like they've known me forever. The family on the other side that has supported me through some devastating lows and a lot of really wonderful highs for the past 30+ years and make me who I am today. <br /><br />And this year...for my baby family that's just really starting to take hold and blossom and grow. I'm a happy, and deeply thankful, girl.SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-76040323844161405272010-11-12T10:41:00.000-08:002010-11-12T11:22:01.517-08:00Eye on the PrizeThe prize is a loving, healthy, challenging marriage and life together right? <br /><br />Wrong! It's the honeymoon! (ok, no. I don't really think that a vacation is more of a prize than our loving, healthy, and challenging - as in challenge each other to be better people - marriage and baby family BUT I do really like vacation too)<br /><br />And even though we're only 5 weeks away from the big day and there are still plenty of wedding-related chores and decisions to be made....we've been overly focused on the whole 'let's take a trip' part of it. <br /><br />As I've mentioned before, immediately following the wedding we are jetting off for a week of sunshine in Florida with my in-laws (yay!), my sister (another yay!) and my aunt (the final yay!). This was always the original Christmas 2010 plan and then we decided to throw the wedding onto the beginning of all that - and we're pumped for this (I keep working on my facial and full fist pump/knee on the ground reaction so that I'm totally prepared when I get my wand from the Wizarding World of HP!). However, it is NOT the "honeymoon". <a name='more'></a><br /><br />To make it just a tad more complicated (of course it's always more complicated...), we need to make a trip to Scotland next year to have a festive celebration with the rest of Marrv's family who can't be with us this December in Philly. I know, woe is us. It's pretty rad and we're pumped for that too. When we originally thought about this, we said - ok, why not just fly to Scotland and party, then get on a flight for somewhere else in Europe to be all romantical together, then return to Scotland for a night and fly home. And we came up with Portugal. <br /><br />Well now that we are actually trying to sit down and discuss timing and of course, money (I hate you money. Or rather I hate you money that I don't have), it's even more complicated. Basically because of our work schedules the best (maybe only?) time we can travel is the June/July time frame - Hellllloooo high season. Now I'm a pretty crafty traveler, and I've been spending the past few days working all sorts of mojo but I just don't see us getting to Europe those dates for less than $1200 PER ticket. ouch. <br /><br />Which has made us do a little reconsidering...perhaps after the party we can hire a car and travel in Scotland? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TN2SqOzS0dI/AAAAAAAABX8/apiy4_1h-Js/s1600/skye.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TN2SqOzS0dI/AAAAAAAABX8/apiy4_1h-Js/s320/skye.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538744370960978386" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;"><style="font-size:small;">(I mean...really? Yes please.)</p>I would love this, and even had suggested it to Marrv back in the day. And though he actually doesn't know Scotland backwards and forwards, it's still "home" to him. And not to mention, not the hot weather that he really wanted. All that said, he is a bit excited about the idea. <br /><br />There's still always the possibility of just jumping on the plane to Portugal as originally planned. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TN2Sy-FbMZI/AAAAAAAABYE/WDyesLPeU1g/s1600/algarve.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TN2Sy-FbMZI/AAAAAAAABYE/WDyesLPeU1g/s320/algarve.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538744521092444562" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;"><style="font-size:small;">(I could stay here for months)</p> Then of course, while considering other flight routes to help with pricing, I mentioned flying in and out of Rome and you should have seen the look in Marrv's eyes. I've been to Italy a couple of times, but he's never been. And when we were originally planning it out we thought Portugal was nice because it was new for both of us. But then this past week I realized how much he really wants to go to Italy, and like any good little partner...now I really want us to go there so he can see how fabulous it is. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TN2TBWSzqlI/AAAAAAAABYM/zg1XDrCE_fc/s1600/rome.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TN2TBWSzqlI/AAAAAAAABYM/zg1XDrCE_fc/s320/rome.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538744768109193810" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;"><style="font-size:small;">(Not going to lie - it's pretty romantic here)</p>But none of that really changes the fact that our jobs suck in terms of finding good vacation time that doesn't cost an arm and a leg (and an ear...). Yet, I feel so fortunate that THIS is the biggest problem we have currently ...choosing between three (and who knows how many else we'll end up throwing into the mix) amazing trips to spend our first big vacation as husband and wife - I guess that really is a prize in itself.SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-66108989954325597962010-10-29T08:08:00.000-07:002010-10-29T09:54:11.898-07:00AvoidanceWe've been cranking through our to-do list. Still on the high of being so close and feeling productive (I'm sure it'll crash and burn soon and I'll be near hysterics and screaming "but what about stickers for the out of town boxes" at a high pitch squeal and hopefully I'll remember to just let it all go...but anyway....)<br /><br />There's just this one small issue I've been avoiding - avoiding thinking about, avoiding creating a plan, and even avoiding writing about here. But then today's <a href="http://apracticalwedding.com/2010/10/ask-team-practical-honoring-lost-loved-ones/">A Practical Wedding</a> post happened. And I realized, I have to start confronting it. <br /><br />The "IT" you ask? The IT is that on a day when Marrv and I will be surrounded by the most important people in our lives and to show our commitment in building our family together, three of the most important people in my life won't be there. My mother went first. She passed away when I was 15. Next was my brother, the second oldest in the family, bringing my siblings count from four to three when I was just 27 years old. Then, about two weeks after I turned 30, and just before he turned 72, my dad died. <br /><br />I make jokes that the wedding isn't that large because my family keeps getting smaller. We're all dying off. I won't go into great detail about the impact this has had on my relationship with Marrv (I'll save that for another post), but I have noticed that now that I have my partner, he is certainly the target of a lot of my worry, concern and fear. He and I both know that every time I nag about how much red meat he eats and how it's bad for his heart (usually as I am also trying to sneak a bite of the very same bacon cheeseburger..) that it's really my fear of losing him, my need to control the relationships in my life that is the cause. Every day when I harp on the need to take daily vitamins, we know why.<a name='more'></a> <br /><br />And although I have thought of my parents and my brother every day since they've passed, planning a wedding - especially a small, intimate family and close friends only wedding - puts it right up in your face a lot more. I know the day of the wedding I'll miss them tremendously, even though I know I'll also feel full of joy and love. I get more upset when I think about how none of them got the chance to meet Marrv and see how happy I am. And even more, it breaks my heart that he never met them - to never meet three individuals who helped shape who I am today. I know they would have all adored one another - my mom was sassy and fun, and full of love - she would have doted on him especially as his mom is so far. My brother, well, he was a handful- sarcastic, brilliant, and could almost squeeze the life out of you with one of his tremendous bear hugs. And I can just hear the conversations Marrv would have had with my dad about the Phillies, they would have talked for hours - with a few completely and totally politically incorrect jokes thrown in for good measure. <br /><br />So rather than face all of this, and especially face the large absence that is going to be blatantly obvious to everyone at the wedding, I've been avoiding thinking about it. Until I ready today's post and realized I should be thinking about it - and I want to be thinking about it. For me, I think it's going to come down to carrying/wearing important mementos that will serve to remind me that my family, my whole family, is there with me - and always will be. I also like the idea of including them into the ceremony in such a way that we can all reflect on the joy that they brought and the impact they had on my life - not the feelings of loss and grief that so many in my family still feel. Because I know all three of them were full of love, and they would be happy for me and for Marrv. The day is for celebrating, and that includes celebrating those that have come before us.SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-397553763717826712010-10-19T06:40:00.000-07:002010-10-19T06:50:49.480-07:00Oh Snap...Did someone say two months? TWO MONTHS! <br /><br />And where is my mind currently? Pretty much in that "Throw some cash at it and hope it gets done!" crazy state of holy moly in two months exactly we're getting married in front of our family and friends!<br /><br />There is still so much to do but right now, we're dealing with it and I'm feeling ok. I'm picking invites up from printers tonight, my wedding band is being cast as I type and should be finished shortly, kilts are practically ordered, and we've agreed on table top decor. Now, you know, to write the ceremony, figure out the whole flower situation (I am so lost on that one that I've barely thought about it), pick piper songs, and create our iPod playlist for the restaurant (oh yes - when I went to the reception restaurant to drop off contract and deposit they let me know that our floor has its own sound system and we can bring our iPod to play whatever music we want!!! It was just one more bit to make me love the wedding we've chosen/created). <br /><br />And more than all this - I think both Marrv and I are so excited it's only 2 months away because it means only 2 months until we see all of our best friends (both those coming to the wedding and those incredible individuals helping us out even if they're not attending...our magic wedding fairies). And most importantly - only 2 months until Marrv's parents arrive from Scotland! Fortunately, I've got pretty outstanding In-laws. Unfortunately they live across a big fat ocean. It's hard only seeing them once, maybe twice, a year. We skype most Sundays, but it's not the same and this time each year is when Marrv gets especially cranky/antsy -- he knows he sees them soon which is good because he is basically at the point where he can't take seeing them much longer. And now that I've been so lovingly wrapped into this family, I feel the same way. <br /><br />So yeah -- Two Months! Bring it!SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-38246456438116849532010-10-08T07:15:00.000-07:002010-10-08T07:40:59.276-07:00Surprise!I think I've talked on here before about me and surprises. I love to give them but have a horrible time pulling it off. I always seem to buy something special for Marrv as a little surprise, and then have IM'd him on our blackberries before the day is even over to tell him what it is. I buy Christmas gifts and then ask if someone wants it early. Even planning his birthday party this year was so hard because there were times I just wanted to say "Guess what is going to happen!!" And I think I've been rubbing off on him because he seems to have a hard time keeping things from me anymore as well.<br /><br />Except this time he did!<br /><br />As I mentioned in my last post, I was up in Boston a few weeks ago for a big work conference that took up a lot of my (and my department's) energy and focus for the past few months. So in our debrief meeting, when our director told us that we were having a pizza lunch Thursday the 7th as a "thank you" for all the hard work - I simply thought "awesome, free lunch". Which in my world, free lunch is pretty sweet and especially when it's good gourmet pizza from the shop down the road. and it's free - did I mention that?<br /><br />So when I walked up to the conference room yesterday to find a closed door, I wondered if I was in the wrong place - until I opened the door to a loud chorus of "Surprise" and saw bridal shower decorations and gifts everywhere.<a name='more'></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TK8pav9ZNXI/AAAAAAAABRg/2-r8sUKarUM/s1600/Shower+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TK8pav9ZNXI/AAAAAAAABRg/2-r8sUKarUM/s320/Shower+008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525680807334196594" /></a><br />I was in such shock and so overwhelmed, I nearly got teary and the first thing I actually managed to say was "There's still pizza, right?". And there was! Along with a ton of salads and goodies brought in by coworkers and a huge table of desserts (um, oreo truffles?! Anyone else ever had these because this was my first time and I thought I died and gone to heaven)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TK8tLsefyfI/AAAAAAAABRw/im5_2-tNAGM/s1600/Shower+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TK8tLsefyfI/AAAAAAAABRw/im5_2-tNAGM/s320/Shower+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525684946747771378" /></a><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;"></p><p style="font-size:small;">(Deliciousness in the form of a Wegman's sheet cake! God I love Wegmans!!)</p><br />It was such a great afternoon filled with delicious food (with so much leftover and I was forced to bring home bags of it to Marrv so that he could share in on the fun), great conversation and some pretty wonderful gifts. I mean, I know we registered for them but it's so much more fun when you open the wrapping paper and the new fancy Riedel wine glasses are actually YOURS to keep and use and enjoy!<br /><br />They all started to mention how they were sorry Marrv couldn't be there and I smiled, and said I'm sure he's going to be shocked and thankful, but yeah, his work schedule doesn't really permit for a lot of mid-afternoon time off. And that's when they told me "Oh, but he already knows". And I had my second huge shock of the day. A friend of mine at work had already reached out to him, told him all about it, prepped him, invited him, got his input on things...and that little bugger had kept mum about it. Of course when I got back to my desk and could call him he was so excited to hear everything and was so happy that I had been surprised and happy to hear that I felt a bit spoiled by the generosity of everyone. I've been at my job for just under a year, so honestly, it was pretty incredible to have so many people there and get so many hugs and smiles and cheers for me and Marrv and what we're about to embark on. Especially after what I've felt over the past few weeks - this was awesome, and feel so on track again!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TK8qxaKpJtI/AAAAAAAABRo/Dr2LAJNWo7k/s1600/Shower+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TK8qxaKpJtI/AAAAAAAABRo/Dr2LAJNWo7k/s320/Shower+012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525682296132806354" /></a><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;"></p><p style="font-size:small;">(What to give the girl marrying a Scotsman? His and Hers kilt towels of course!)</p>SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-8698678195076433712010-09-30T16:44:00.000-07:002010-09-30T17:41:25.206-07:00Bad BloggerSo the last time we were here, we saw the heroine of this story in the middle of a melt down and feeling as if she was sinking into the many demands of life and so scared she would continue sinking until smothered her. <br /><br />Well I'm here to tell you....I'm baaaack. (you know, until the next time it all becomes too much that is!) <br /><br />It was certainly strange there for a bit. I'm not sure I can even adequately put into words how "overwhelmed" I was feeling. And it wasn't just the wedding. It was life. The wedding simply was that final straw that always seemed to push and push and push on everything else. It just fully dawned on me how much was going on with work, keeping up with my friendships, travels and then the wedding too. And one day it really hit me - both of my parents are deceased, my in-laws live in Scotland, my matron of honor lives in California and as much as Marrv may want to be involved, he works 8am to 9pm most days - making for a not overly involved groom. That leaves little ol' me. But Marrv was there through it all, took the brunt of my harsh reactions and emotional melt downs (had a few of his own) and here we are, on the other side of it and feeling way more excited and happier. <br /><br />And I had a birthday this week! We celebrated by jetting off to the mountains with friends for a few nights. We kicked ass in a "sangria-off" among the group(Or maybe it was the sangria that kicked our ass....) and partook in hilarious games of Cranium where there are no other words to describe my ability other than "On Fire! Huzzah!" (Yes, I may have shouted that a few times. And again, I blame the sangria). Marrv spoiled me rotten, and I probably got the best gift from the in-laws...in the card they mailed over, they included a photo of little Marrv on his tricycle, with a little red rain slicker, little blue wellies (this was Scotland after all) and just the cutest little look on his face. It now resides on the table next to the bed - something for me to glance over and help to put a smile on my face at times when I may need a reminder of what it's all about. <br /><br />To wrap up this long ramble ... tomorrow I'm taking a lunch time trip to a jeweler! To discuss wedding bands and other possible new fun jewelry! And I am SOOOO excited. There are so many bits and pieces to the wedding and some of them are cool but honestly, you could probably go 10 different ways on the decision and be ok with it. Or some things that you do because you "have" to - for whatever reason. Then there are the things that you can't stop thinking about because to you, they're the things that really matter. And for me, this is one of those things. I know objectively that a ring doesn't make a marriage. But I cannot wait to slip on that band. When I think of it, to me, all I think of is the commitment and family that we are busy creating and building. <br /><br />Fingers crossed these jewelers are "the one"!SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-71962825795225864462010-09-09T06:01:00.000-07:002010-09-09T06:14:25.429-07:00Mini Melt DownsI have been quite remiss in blogging lately. I feel like I have a lot of things to talk about (is it possible to have TOO many things to talk about?) but just don't feel like I have a minute to myself lately, let alone to write. I've been traveling every weekend, work is uber busy at the moment with a conference in Boston coming up at the end of the month, trying to fit in happy hours/dinners/drinks/walks by the river with friends who I haven't seen in weeks, not to mention that football is about to start so there go our Sundays. I admit it, tailgating Eagles' games is way more fun for me than debating the value of wedding favors. true. <br /><br />But in any case, there's just been so much going on that I feel like I'm losing myself a bit. <br /><br />We are officially, today, 100 days out from the wedding! (people are always astonished I know the exact number, and then I remind them I have a countdown on my blog - which right now is helpful but I think when it hits 50 I may have to put a big black censor bar over it) I am so freakingly excited for being so close - 100 days out means 97 days until Marrvelous's marvelous parents arrive, 99 days until we're sipping on cocktails and local cuisine with family and friends at our house watching most of them meet for the first time, it means 102 days until we take off with the in-laws, my sis and my aunt for a week in Florida and it means 108 days until Wizarding World of Harry Potter!! (comes a close second behind big days I'm excited for in the next few months :)<br /><br />I've started working on the invites. A bit of a DIY endeavor with the help of a good friend. And thank god for her because if not, let's just say I would have had the printer and the computer (along with the blasted Illustrator software) out the window and on the curb out front within 10 minutes. Then quickly followed by a drain on my wallet as I whipped out the credit card to pay several hundreds of dollars for invitation suites made off-site. We made progress though, and hopefully finishing the deal next week - and will certainly share after they go out. <br /><br />Still debating about having them printed professionally -- could use some help, is this something Kinkos/Staples could do? Or should I find a little mom and pop printing shop in Philly? It's probably no more than 80 pieces all together so I'm hoping the fee wouldn't be too bad. Thoughts?SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-66368453018480469052010-08-26T17:37:00.000-07:002010-08-30T16:56:05.662-07:00Off to North CackalackyOff to Pinehurst, North Carolina for a nice four day vacation with a few of Marrvelous's friends - including our best man! Yay, I get to meet our best man. finally. I know, strange that I haven't met such an integral part of our extended family, isn't it? <br /><br />Two of Marrv's best friends from Scotland live here in the States as well (Pinehurst and West Palm, FL), both are golf pros as well and are married to American women. The friends from FL will be there (as well as the Florida Scotsman's parents ... from Scotland. And yes, the father is a golf pro in Scotland. Over there they just put golf clubs in their hands as wee boys!) <br /><br />I'm really looking forward to a long weekend with a group of people Marrv considers family. We spend so much time with my friends or friends he has made here in Philly since moving to the US, but these are the friends who have known him since he was a youngin' and will be the ones with the truly obnoxious, yet hilarious toasts at the wedding. <br /><br />Needless to say I'm looking forward to it - but the best part has been the look on Marrv's face every day this week. He's like a child at Christmas, so excited to be on vacation, play golf and more than anything - spend time with his best mates. It makes me so happy to see him so happy. <br /><br />Enjoy your weekend y'all!SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-78944565714096360192010-08-23T16:01:00.000-07:002010-08-23T16:33:22.988-07:00A Place to Celebrate!As mentioned <a href="http://eyesopenfeetfirst.blogspot.com/2010/08/lovely-weekend-recap.html">previously</a>, a few weekends ago, Marrvelous and I checked out yet another restaurant location as possibility for hosting our brunch reception. We had a long list of places to consider (Philly really is a great food town), but I think we were holding this one out for last just to be able to confirm to ourselves that this was the right choice. <br /><br />From the get-go, the owner has been brilliant to work with - quick replies, creating multiple personalized proposals for menus, and just an overall attitude of being sincerely happy to host our celebration. <br /><br />I knew I needed a place that had good food. Our city has too many fabulous restaurants to settle for anything less than deliciousness. Although I admit, I was a bit worried that even though we are going the brunch route, some restaurants may be out of our budget. But with those personalized proposals, the owner has also provided us several different pricing options as well. And as far as the food goes, all I have to say is that the menu will have jumbo lumb crab eggs benedict on it and so this going to be one happy little bride! <br /><br />Finally, not only is the location perfect (just about 6 blocks from our ceremony venue and those 6 blocks take us straight through our favorite park which will be perfect for photos) but the look of the restaurant is spot on. We are taking over the 2nd floor, and the ceiling is made up of three extra-large skylights - so we'll have tons of light (fingers crossed for a bright wintery day - or even snow!) and you can also see the restaurant's gardens atop the skylights (from which they pull their vegetables and herbs). <br /><br />So without further ado...please meet the restaurant where we will be toasting, laughing, and basking in the love and support from our family and friends...<a name='more'></a><br /><strong><a href="http://www.noblecookery.com/">Noble: An American Cookery</a></strong><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/THMA5RzFiVI/AAAAAAAABL0/OX8Gcg0grjk/s1600/noble.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/THMA5RzFiVI/AAAAAAAABL0/OX8Gcg0grjk/s320/noble.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508747753234467154" /></a><p style="font-size:small;">(Those rows of tables on the left and right will be filled with our family and friends - and just look at those skylights! <a href="http://www.zagat.com">via</a>)</p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/THMEHC5AItI/AAAAAAAABL8/tP_AK_z8YbA/s1600/noble1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/THMEHC5AItI/AAAAAAAABL8/tP_AK_z8YbA/s320/noble1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508751288285799122" /></a><p style="font-size:small;">(The front of the restaurant - which makes for a great happy hour spot in the summer <a href="http://www.zagat.com">via</a>)</p>SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-69869030142097612102010-08-20T12:12:00.000-07:002010-08-20T12:32:17.444-07:00Weighed down with GuiltOk, so now that we're only roughly four months away I've been putting more thought into the logistics for our guests. Wondering when they'll arrive, where they'll stay, what meals we should provide, all of that. And now this huge weight of guilt has fallen on top of my shoulders and I can't seem to shrug it off. <br /><br />Our wedding may be on the more intimate side, but there is still a group of out of towners and we're asking them to travel the weekend before the Christmas holidays. And with a Sunday morning wedding, I wonder if they'll have to stay over night until Monday as well. <br /><br />I start thinking about how much it will cost them for flights. For hotels. For drinks and meals that they may need other than the two "times" we're providing. Taking time off work. Some of these younger couples have babies or infants and may even be leaving them with grandparents so they can travel a little lighter. <br /><br />And all for our little, tiny, insignificant marriage celebration. <a name='more'></a><br /><br />I know no one would say anything, fortunately we don't have to deal with any obnoxious obvious behavior (as far as I know...so far). But I can't help but be consumed with how bad I feel to make these people travel, pay hundreds of dollars, take time off...and all just to watch us say I Do at a small, morning ceremony followed by a small, brunch reception. Perhaps if we were having the blow out evening extravaganza that most people have - with a live band, passed hor d'ourves, photobooth, seated dinner, and open bar (though yes, our brunch reception will have an open bar, but how much can people drink at brunch when they may have to fly out that same day!! Ack. This is how my brain throws even more guilt onto my shoulders - worrying about people not properly abusing our open bar!)<br /><br />We're going to see two of Marrvelous's closest Scottish friends next weekend and their families on a mini vacation to North Carolina. The one is our best man. And yet, I'm so nervous to bring up the wedding with them and to ask when they think they will fly in/out because I feel so bad that they have to spend that money and worry about that travel expense especially at the holidays - and also with these two, then worrying that because of our wedding, they won't be able to be with their families in Scotland because all of their extra vacation money went to being in Philadelphia with us. <br /><br />Sigh. I hope I can get to a point where I not only tell myself to be ok with this, but that I really am ok with this. I know that it's small because it's our family and handful of closest friends. So these are people that really want to be there, but instead, right now - I just keep thinking, "Really? All of that for our little old celebration?"SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-7359551057506443102010-08-12T10:56:00.000-07:002010-08-12T11:19:58.192-07:00Look Out Oprah!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TGQ6FOgxJvI/AAAAAAAABLs/Agqa2aU9IoI/s1600/chicago.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TGQ6FOgxJvI/AAAAAAAABLs/Agqa2aU9IoI/s320/chicago.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504588506022881010" /></a><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;"></p><p style="font-size:small;">(And yes. There will be Cheezborger! Cheezborger! involved. And no pepsi, coke!)</p><br /><br />I'm coming to your house! Or rather, one of your bajillion houses all over the world. <br /><br />Heading to Chicago tomorrow morning for a quick mini girls' weekend away! My group of girl friends from college, who I've talked about on here before - see <a href="http://eyesopenfeetfirst.blogspot.com/2010/05/home-away-from-home.html">here</a> and <a href="http://eyesopenfeetfirst.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-york-city-recap-otherwise-known-as.html"> here</a> - are spread out all over the country (and actually world...we've got one who currently resides in India with hubby and baby). Close friends for over 10 years now and I feel so lucky every day that these 5 fabulous women are still in my life. <br /><br />With age though comes a)being spread out all over the world b)marriages c)real jobs that require us to actually work and not take as much time adventuring as we'd like d) multiple babies (!). We all decided at the beginning of this year that we could use a girls only weekend - it's been so long since we've done something like this and then it became a question of where. Since there is a west coaster and many east coasters, we settled on Chicago. And just as it took forever to find a weekend that worked for all of us, well, what started as a 6 person trip is now down to 3. Oh well, life happens. <br /><br />But us 3 are planning on totally living it up with deep dish pizza, booze, bike tours (Oprah's house!), dinner at one of Rick Bayless's restaurants (I'm counting down the minutees), plenty of good old fashioned mid-western charm and more booze. <br /><br />Enjoy the weekend!SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-90459741899625861722010-08-03T11:45:00.000-07:002010-08-12T11:03:50.915-07:00Lovefest Weekend Recap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TFhqT9SbgII/AAAAAAAABLY/jo1Kw4-U754/s1600/Elephants-Holding-Hands.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TFhqT9SbgII/AAAAAAAABLY/jo1Kw4-U754/s320/Elephants-Holding-Hands.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501263835934982274" /></a><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;">(<a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/02/human-vs-animal-mating-rituals-were-not-so-different-after-all.php">via</a>)</p>After a rather terrifying wedding-related nightmare last week, followed by high levels of anxiety for the rest of the day, I managed to have one of the loveliest weekends with Marrvelous in a long time. It was the kind of weekend that helps to remind us crazy kids why we are doing this in the first place!<br /><br />In addition to what feels like entering crunch time of wedding planning, Marrv works some pretty crazy hours. Not only does he work Saturdays (as a golf pro, I'm just happy he has Sundays off), but he doesn't get home until close to 9pm on most nights. And then throw in that he's had juniors' camp added on top of his normal set of client lessons over the past few weeks - well, he's been a bit of a grump working on limited sleep. Pretty sure this weekend was what we both needed.<a name='more'></a> <br /><br />It started Saturday afternoon when after dropping off my dress at my aunt's house (and trying it on and twirling in it and walking around like it's totally normal to wear your wedding dress 5 months before the wedding in a house all by yourself) I picked Mr. M up from work. We quickly found ourselves settled up at the bar at one of my favorite beer bars in the 'burbs - <a href="http://www.teresas-cafe.com/TNDEvents.htm">Teresa's Next Door</a>. The bartender was super helpful (super helpful in providing several free tastes of many beers - just how I like my bartenders!). We enjoyed a healthy share of <a href="http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/">Great Lakes Erie Monsters</a>. (seriously peeps, try Great Lakes' beers...they're so good. And we would love to make a road trip soon to visit their brewery and drag some <a href="http://fancynotion.blogspot.com/">fun people</a> with us!)<br /><br />And it's a good thing we did because we paid up our tab and ran around the corner to catch an early show of Dinner for Schmucks with Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd and Zach Galifianakis. The beers probably helped to make the first 15 minutes funny. Then the buzz wore off and we still had to watch it. I knew with a cast like that it would either be horrible or hilarious. It was horrible. The "funny" lines were so obvious, and you knew they thought the audiences would just bust out laughing, and yet our theater stayed quiet. The entire movie. Not good. <br /><br />Our date night dinner in the 'burbs more than made up for it tho. While cleaning out drawers a few months ago, we came across a restaurant gift card that Marrv received from an old job and hadn't used yet. SCORE! 100 Free Golden Dollars to a pretty swank establishment. Cha-ching! Our car (I should say our borrowed car. We don't even own a car) was most certainly the oldest and most un-Mercedes like in the parking lot. But we enjoyed our filet and martinis (or rather my martinis) with the best of them. <br /><br />Sunday just continued the lovefest with an early morning game of tennis. Though I'm not sure you can really call it a game when it was only the 3rd time I've held a racquet and when I try to hit the ball with a backhand I end up doing a 360 degree full body swing around. This is even hard for me to admit - Marrv and I are so competitive and this is probably the one "sport" where we are so miserably mismatched (ok, well except for him being a golf pro and me playing lacrosse at a DI College). But actually I think that's what made it so fun. Marrv is a really fantastic coach, and he still had fun, didn't get frustrated with me and instead was able to laugh at my flying leaps, my horrible depth perception and miscalculations of timing Honestly, I think I should videotape our next outing. I'd be a youtube sensation. I'd go viral like <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/07/14/double.rainbows/index.html">Double Rainbows</a> guy. <br /><br />Anyway. After I wore both Marrv and myself out running all over the court, we met friends for Sunday brunch. My favorite meal of the week. And I'm happy to say that after this outing, we now have a brunch reception locale for the wedding in December! We've been trying places out over the past few weeks and had been saving this one sort of as the "hopefully all the other places will fall to the wayside after we eat here". And they did! I'll post on that later - I want to finalize details with the owners who I emailed last night to relay the good news. (I mean, who <span style="font-style:italic;">wouldn't</span> want to host our brunch reception?!)<br /><br />So once they write back with how giddy they are to sign the contract with us, I'll be sharing that news too! Yippee.SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-88670530464309074332010-07-30T11:17:00.000-07:002010-08-12T11:03:10.772-07:00The Horror<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TFMotZFEq9I/AAAAAAAABLQ/FL2pTeuF6TM/s1600/bride.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TFMotZFEq9I/AAAAAAAABLQ/FL2pTeuF6TM/s320/bride.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499784330240895954" /></a><p style="text-align: center;" "font-size:small;">(<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1190253/easyJets-flight-weddings-plans-rejected-Luton-Council.html">via</a>)</p><br />Alright everyone, it's happened. I had my first wedding nightmare. <br /><br />The dream opened with me in a locker room style setting surrounded by several girl friends and it was time to get ready. Why it was a locker room with benches and tall lockers rather than the pretty bridal suite at the Colonial Dames, I have no idea. Maybe I was drawing on my many years of competitive sports. But that definitely set the tone - something in the milk ain't clean. <br /><br />Instantly I realize that it's the morning of the wedding and I don't have a slip or any proper undergarments for my dress. Cut to me breaking and entering into some lingerie store (and for some reason I now realize it's still dark out...which perhaps is because we're having a morning ceremony in the winter...) I was instantly caught by the shop attendants, but they decided to take pity on me and gave me the one extra large full body girdle apparatus left in the store. I say thank you, grab it and race back to my locker room where there are now 20 more people that aren't suppose to be there or even invited to the wedding. Some young girl I don't know comes up to me and tells me that somehow she's managed to soak the bottom half of my dress. (Yes, now my dress has become detachable. Which seemed oddly normal in the dream). I start screaming bloody murder at the trollop who has appeared out of nowhere and destroyed my "skirt". <br /><br />This is when my friend, who is a <a href="http://www.touchofblush.net/">make up artist</a> and will be prettying me up on the real morning, shows up and tells me it'll be ok. She can fix the dress. But let's get my hair done so she can start the make up. And it hits me. I don't have anyone to do my hair. And in the middle of this horror, it just feels like the worst thing I could have forgotten. I mean, how can I possibly walk down the aisle with my thin, stick straight hair?<br /><br />The end of the dream was the absolute worst. All of a sudden it's the next morning, I'm standing with Marrvelous and I turn to him and say "I can't remember any of it". And I realize that I went from locker room debacle straight to the next morning. And I try and try and try to envision the ceremony, the reception, anything, and realize I can't. <br /><br />The wedding happened and Marrv is showing me photos and I don't remember any of it and now it's done and I have no memory of the day with our family and friends. <br /><br />It was a horrible, horrible feeling. And when I woke up, I instantly rolled over to get a hug from Marrv and remind myself that it was only a nightmare. The first one; hopefully the last one! But if I happened to spend a few hours today trying to sort out a few more of the items on the "To-do List", that's not necessarily a bad thing. Right?!SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-89723558980537307652010-07-27T12:32:00.000-07:002010-07-27T12:44:53.201-07:00Random Dress MusingsI got the call. My dress has arrived at the shop. I was told it would take 6 weeks and it took 2. And now I have what feels like 1000 thoughts running through my mind as I get ready to go pick it up Saturday. <br /><br />1. Where the heck do I store it? Besides the fact that we only have one closet that is full-length and that happens to be the coat closet under the stairs (our clothes are stored in a wall to wall custom built wardrobe style thingy), I don't want Marrv seeing it pre-wedding. I know more and more couples are doing things differently, but this is probably that one small tradition I'm choosing to hold on to. <br /><br />2. With that said, I immediately thought to take it to my aunt's home (the aunt I went shopping with) out in the 'burbs. She just also happens to be out on the west coast for the next month visiting my sister. So then I started to wonder, will it be ok in a closet in her home with no air condition going on for another month? I don't even know if that's a ridiculous thing to be concerned about or not. But I am. So what do you think - does a home with no air condition turned off for the next month and a much warmer than average summer happening have the possibility of destroying my newly purchased dress?<br /><br />3. Is it wrong to be eyeing shoes that cost almost as much as the dress? How soon did people then buy their shoes? Should I definitely have "the pair" ready for when I go for alterations? <br /><br />4. And alterations! Is it just easiest/best to do it at the store where I bought the dress? (the thought of scary Russian alteration lady fussing on me again certainly doesn't have a calming effect) <br /><br />5. Alterations also means I need to get my act in gear related to the bits that will go on first, underneath the dress. All those fancy pull, lift, squeeze, smooth bits. (and that's as far as I go discussing that since I know the in-laws read this from time to time - Hello Marrvelouses!)<br /><br />6. What else do I need to consider, think about, stress over, freak out on?SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-41534486803700722702010-07-23T09:45:00.000-07:002010-07-23T06:49:11.217-07:00Summer 2010 Girls Getaway #1 (or the weekend I got heatstroke)Every summer for the past 5 years, a group of girlfriends and I pick a weekend to get out of the city and go camping. The campsites have varied over the years from middle PA to the past two years when we were in Henlopen State Park in Delaware. This was the ideal spot because it also had beach access! Not sure how many of you have camped before (and no, we're not badass and doing backwoods camping - I'm talking car camping where you drive up to your spot and pitch up your tent), but it's always ideal to have something to spend your day doing so that it's not just 48 hours of sitting by your tents. So Henlopen was great - we could be on the beach during the day, it's a state park so there was some hiking around too, cook our dinner over the fire back at the site, sometimes they'd have nightly ranger talks (though we pretty much got kicked out of the one we went to) and then a little midnight moonlight beach trip as well. Good times.<a name='more'></a><br /><br />Well this year it took us a bit longer to get our act together and find a weekend, so by the time we tried to book Henlopen again it was all booked. Instead, we're headed up towards Harrisburg and hitting up the campsite that also hosts the annual PA Renaissance Faire (if only it was going on right now! Turkey legs for everyone!). <br /><br />I admit, I'm a bit concerned about this heat wave we're experiencing. Marrv turned to me the other morning after watching the weather on the local news and solemnly said "Hon, can you promise not to die from heat?" and last night he sat me down and had a very serious "Please promise to drink 2 jugs of water each day" talk. He also came home from work with this fan for my tent - <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEmbu7JKjvI/AAAAAAAABKc/ziowdLvPVTU/s1600/fan.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEmbu7JKjvI/AAAAAAAABKc/ziowdLvPVTU/s320/fan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497096050634821362" /></a><p style="font-size:small;">How sweet! This is why I love him</p><br />Anyway, besides being a bit terrified of heatstroke, I'm so pumped for the weekend. The girls are so much fun and such good friends - the weekend will involve a whole lot of nothingness but I am 110% certain there are going to be at least 5 moments each day that I can barely breathe because I'm laughing so hard and there are tears coming down my face. I love those moments. <br /><br />And it's going to involve a whole lot of food and booze. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEmcUv3-QMI/AAAAAAAABKk/NLoR4PyOiu8/s1600/camp.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEmcUv3-QMI/AAAAAAAABKk/NLoR4PyOiu8/s320/camp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497096700444950722" /></a><br /><p style="font-size:small;">Here's our food tent one year. Notice the classy boxed wine. There are also three large coolers filled with food that you can't see. And there's only 5 of us going</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEmdOiz297I/AAAAAAAABK0/YH1zT7LK15o/s1600/smore.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEmdOiz297I/AAAAAAAABK0/YH1zT7LK15o/s320/smore.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497097693370447794" /></a><br /><p style="font-size:small;">Um, I'm particularly fond of eating smores</p>SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797179503045630434.post-71726522331676455442010-07-22T07:29:00.000-07:002010-07-22T12:16:36.686-07:0020 Random FactsSo I saw this on other local Philly bride Dana's<a href="http://www.loverswaltz.com/"> Lover's Waltz: Our Low-Key Philadelphia Wedding</a> site, and I thought - hmm, we're not all about our weddings and our honeymoons. Why not talk a little bit about all the other stuff that helps to make me who I am. Both of those ladies wrote 25 facts, but I had to weed it down to 20 so as not to bore myself to sleep!<br /><br />1. I love surveys. I'm a sucker for them. Exhibit A: this blog post<br /><br />2. I have been an aunt since I was 13 and now have 6 nephews and 1 niece - all of whom I adore. Here I am, about to get schooled in Guitar Hero by my 7 year old niece! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEiRzzd44JI/AAAAAAAABKU/0m1m1MY-1uQ/s1600/katie.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEiRzzd44JI/AAAAAAAABKU/0m1m1MY-1uQ/s320/katie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496803664380616850" /></a><br /><br />3. I have a ridiculous, insane fear of birds. I typically clench up as I walk by pigeons on the sidewalk and have been close to hyperventilating in places like St. Mark's and Trafalgar Square. <br /><br />4. I really love watching pelicans soar in a line, dipping over the waves though. <br /><br />5. I have been to 6 of the 7 continents. Antarctica anyone? <br /><br />6. My Africa, Asia and Australia continent exposure could use some boosting tho!<br /><br />7. I could read every book by Jane Austen over and over without getting bored. The same goes for Harry Potter 1-7, for sure. <br /><br />8. I'm 50% Lebanese, have studied Arabic in classes, workbooks and cds. And can still only say a minimal amount like "hello", "Yes", "my name is", "I'm lebanese" and "Kiss my ass". You know, the basics. <br /><br />9. Losing my mother at 15 is the event in my life that has had the most impact - both good and bad - on me. And it's something I still deal with 17 years later. <br /><br />10. I could eat Mexican food every day for the rest of my life and be happy. Marrvelous has frequently asked me if I'm totally positive that I don't have some Mexican ancestry and noted that he has eaten more tacos, flautas and tortas in the 17 months we've been together than in his whole life. <br /><br />11. Madonna Like a Prayer is my go-to karaoke song. <br /><br />12. I insist on seeing all Oscar nominated films and those that have the actors/actresses nominated before the Oscars - even if it means seeing two movies back to back to fit them all in before the big night. <br /><br />13. I am the biggest texter you'll ever meet. I know several people who have had to up their monthly texting capacity since meeting me. If you want an immediate response, text me. If you call, I'll probably screen it and just text you later. Sorry, nothing personal. <br /><br />14. I played competitive sports growing up, including Division I lacrosse in college and really miss playing competitively. It tends to come out instead in any other sport-related activity in which I participate. As seen here in a wicked game of water balloon toss (look at that form, that determination...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEiQqa3CoxI/AAAAAAAABKE/Nc_GutggcTE/s1600/wb.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEiQqa3CoxI/AAAAAAAABKE/Nc_GutggcTE/s320/wb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496802403644777234" /></a><br /><br />15. I love a sporty guy - so it's a good thing Marrvelous is also competitive and athletic. He is currently helping me with my golf game. He's a professional golfer and a great coach. And I admit, the first time we went together and he hit the ball 300 yards long and straight...my knees got weak. <br /><br />16. I really want to live overseas again at some point. I'm hoping to use Marrv's golf career as a means to end up at some fancy beachy resort in Central America. He can be the golf pro while I lounge beach side. A girl can dream. <br /><br />17. I've recently (like the last 6-9 months) become a lot more conscientious about my eating habits. I don't know if it has to do with reading Michael Pollan's works, getting older and starting to think about my health differently, or consciously thinking about <span style="font-style:italic;">someone else's</span> health as much as mine...but I now frequent the farmers' markets regularly, look for the grass-fed, no anti-biotics, organic labels, and ask about where my food is coming from. <br /><br />18. If I could have anyone's job in the world it would be Anthony Bourdain. I always do extensive research on local food and top restaurants when I plan for a trip. Mmmm, chowder bowls in SF! Look at that expressiveness - I'd be a natural on camera!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEiROxBy-nI/AAAAAAAABKM/HuiB5ww9Ar8/s1600/sf.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEsbVFlhybw/TEiROxBy-nI/AAAAAAAABKM/HuiB5ww9Ar8/s320/sf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496803028070759026" /></a><br /><br />19. Introducing Marrvelous to National Lampoon's Animal House may be one of my proudest moments. <br /><br />20. I can never seem to choose in the "beach house" or "mountain home" debate. I love an early morning walk along the beach, followed by a few hours on the beach cruiser, drinks with the sound of the ocean in the background, and wearing your favorite hoodie at night while you sit on the balcony watching the stars. But I love long hikes, and getting out on lakes to kayak or canoe. And I love building a good fire and being bundled up with great big trees all around. Soooo, I'll just take both. Thank you very much.SMKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12146785833753763163noreply@blogger.com5