This is ngrasho's Red Wedding!

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05/15/2009
storm
storm
   
NWR: I'm back! It's been awhile..
Craziest week ever!
So, for those of you who are not in the midwest, you probably didn't hear about the crazy storm system that hit Southern Illinois last Friday, since the national media ignored it for some reason. Well, over 60,000 homes and businesses lost electricity, millions of dollars worth of damage, and hundreds of trees are down. My fiance` and I lost power last Friday and just got it back today, that's right 7 days with NO power! We also have a tree down in the backyard that took out our fence (thank goodness it missed the house, though).

Anyway, the storm hit right when I was taking my last final for my second year of law school and delayed it by an hour since we had to seek shelter. Then the power went out in the law building and we had to take our final in the dark. It was crazy.

After the storm was over, it turned out that it wasn't just tornadoes like the meterologists thought, but something worse. They cannot seem to agree on exactly what happened (since they don't think it has really happened before) but they are calling it an "inland hurricane" or a "derecho" depending on the local news source.

So, between finals, then a week with no power I haven't done a whole lot of wedding things, except update my RSVP list as they come rolling in- 61 people are coming already!

Is anyone else on here from the area and get hit by the crazy storm???
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05/06/2009
mail
mail
   
Wedding Invitation
Finally got them mailed!
So, hopefully my guests will be able to meet the RSVP date because I just got my invitations sent out today and they are due back by May 25! I didn't mean to wait so long to mail them, but my inserts didn't arrive until yesterday so I couldn't even stuff the invitations until last night! Not to mention the ongoing battle I was having with the post office (stupid stamp price increase). Anyway, they are out and I am now anxiously waiting for my RSVPs to start coming back! Yay!
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05/01/2009
Pontoon boat
Pontoon boat
   
Honeymoon Substitute
We bought a boat!
So, we cancelled our honeymoon because of all the hoopla that is going on down there. We couldn't figure out what to do instead, it was kind of short notice to try to arrange another international trip, so we thought we would just go somewhere in the States.

We then thought, instead of going somewhere, why not purchase a pontoon boat? It's something that we have ALWAYS wanted. So, we started looking and found one that was everything that we were looking for. Plus, we got it for a steal- no money down and low monthly payments. It actualy freed up the money we got back from the honeymoon to put towards the wedding. And this will last a lot longer than a trip!

We are so excited!
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04/26/2009
30 day shred
30 day shred
   
30 Day Shred
Day 5
So far so good!

Today was my 5th day soing the 30 day shred and I actually think it is working! I'm still sore after I do it, but I get through it much better now and am not nearly as worn out afterwards. I'm thinking in two days I might be able to move up to the next level work out!

How's everyone else's workout going???
30 day shred, work out
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04/26/2009
disappointed
disappointed
   
We cancelled our honeymoon
UPDATE: US Govt is preparing travel advisory
****************************UPDATE***************************************

The federal government is preparing a travel advisory instructing Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico, according to the acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

****************************************************************************

We had booked our honeymoon in Mexico this January, but have been getting increasedly uneast about it. First, the US Government advisory warning about going to Mexico due to all of the drug violence that is going on. Since the main locations hit by it wasn't where we were going, we decided we'd keep the trip.

However, now with the swine flu pandemic that is breaking out, we just can't justify taking the risk. So last night I called Book It and cancelled our trip. It's sad, we were both really looking forward to it, but we think it is for the best. We're thinking about using the money to put a down payment on a pontoon boat (something we both have always wanted) in lieu of a honeymoon. Or we might just put the money towards the wedding and go to a cabin at Kentucky Lake for a week. We're not sure yet.

Anyone else changing their plans due to the problems in Mexico???
mexico, honeymoon, cancelled
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04/23/2009
coloriffics carmen
coloriffics carmen
   
Ordered my shoes!
Coloriffics Carmen
******************************UPDATE*************************************

They came in today and they are perfect! They fit too! I love them!

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I finally got around to ordering my shoes! I fell in love with the coloriffics carmen shoes because they are really cute and have a small heel which was a must for me. However, I was really having a hard time paying around $75 for a pair of shoes, especially since I will probably only wear them once. So, I kept looking around and could never find another pair of shoes that I liked as much so I went ahead and ordered the coloriffics.

I did get lucky, though, and found them on Amazon (sold by Amazon, not a seller) for $56.90 with free shipping, which made me feel a little better!
shoes, coloriffics
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04/21/2009
30 day shred
30 day shred
   
30 Day Shred
Day 1
****************************UPDATE***************************************

Day 2 was a lot harder because I was so sore. I'm not sure if I will be able to lift my arms tomorrow!!!

****************************************************************************

So, I am about 2 months out from my wedding and I have not been working out as much as I should, so I ordered Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. It boasts that a person can lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days. It comes with three different 20 minute work-out levels, 1 being the easiest and 3 being the most difficult.

Well, today was my first day and I started with the first level and it KICKED MY ASS! My arms are still burning! Now, I am not new to working out, even though it's been awhile. When I was in undergrad, I played collegiate soccer on a full scholarship. I was truly shocked by the intensity of the work-out.

I plan on posting on here every couple of days (or more if I got the time) to update everyone on how it's going and to help hold myself accountable, so if you don't see something new on here for a couple of days you can yell at me! :)

If anyone else is starting the Shred or other work-out plan and wants to just comment back and forth for moral support, feel free to hit me up!!!
work out, 30 day shred, diet
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04/13/2009
gift
gift
   
Ask a Question
What should I do?
Ok, so every wedding I've ever been to the bride and groom get the parents a gift of some kind and give it to them at the rehearsal dinner. Well, I was talking to my FH about what to get our parents and his mom overheard us. She came in and asked why we were getting the parents gifts. I replied that it was a gift to thank the parents for all of their support of our relationship and help with the wedding. She told me that she's never heard of the bride and groom giving the parents a gift and that she does not want us to give them one. She thinks it's a waste of money.

Now I don't know what to do because I want to get them something to say thank you, but she was so adamant about it I don't want to make her mad about it either. Mybe if I just got them something small (like one of those embroidered hankerchiefs for her and a flask for FH's dad?). And I want to get me parents something, too.

Any suggestions or thoughts???
parent's gifts
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04/07/2009
hospitality
hospitality
   
Filling the gap...
the time between the ceremony and reception
The absolute latest that the church would allow us to have the ceremony is 1 p.m. and our reception doesn't start until 6 p.m., so we were trying to think of something for our guests to do during the in-between time. Well, we decided to have a little hospitality room in the hall next door to the church. My FH's grandma is the caretaker at the church and as such we got the hall for the whole day for like $50 (we're using the smaller room as the groom's area to get ready before the wedding).

FH's aunts are going to make some simple finger foods and provide drinks (non-alcoholic, there will be plenty at the reception!) for people to kind of sit and mingle before heading over to the reception. Also, We're going to set out some of the scrapbooks I've made of our relationship throughout the years out for people to see. Hopefuly this will keep our guests entertained until the reception!
hospitality room
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03/30/2009
bridal_shower
bridal_shower
toasting flutes
bridal_showertoasting flutes
   
Bridal Shower
It was wonderful!
My bridesmaids truly went above and beyond! It was absolutely gorgeous! They hadmade beautiful centerpieces and decorations and the food was superb! The only downfall is that my matron of honor couldn't make it :( She lives in Colorado and her flight was cancelled due to the flippin blizzard that went through that area and she couldn' get another flight! I felt so bad for her because she was so upset and had put in a lot of hard work.

Besides that, though, it was a really nice time! I got to see a lot of family and friends I haven't seen in awhile (law school kinda makes you a recluse). Also, my mom got me a really neat gift, my toasting flutes! They are exactly the ones I wanted and they are beautiful (second pic).

Plus, my other matron of honor told me that she wanted to get me my garter and that her mom is going to make my flower girl basket. I am so appreciative because that's two more things off my checklist (actually 3 if you include the toasting flute!).

All in all, it was a great weekend!!!
bridal shower
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ngrasho

4 years since wedding
Nikki
Scott
Jun 20, 2009
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
St. Mary's in Madison, IL
Hendri's
Natural Aspects
Red
We are having a black and ivory wedding with red accents and hints of damask.
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