1.22.2009
1.20.2009
Retreat.
Wow. P & I just returned from the Tobit weekend, the Catholic marriage preparation retreat. We were required to go as part of the pre-canna process. And on Friday as we were packing to leave, it was clear that neither of us were really thrilled with the idea of spending a weekend listening to talks. We had so much to do! We were so tired! It would be so boring!
We were wrong. Tears are seriously springing up right now, remembering the feeling I had on Sunday at our closing ceremony. We needed 36 hours away from TV, e-mail, cell phones, clocks, cleaning, driving, etc. The details are private and between us, but let's just say we remember why we're getting married and what a marriage is. The messages hit home, and we are both grateful for having gone.
One song we heard stuck with me: "The Prayer." I think its lyrics are appropriate for today's inauguration celebration and for the new beginnings we are afforded every day.
I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer
As we go our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your Grace
To a place where we'll be safe
I pray we'll find your light
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night
Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
We ask that life be kind
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
1.16.2009
Hairy situations
Taking an informal poll of blog-readers:
1) Which of the two hairstyles below would you choose for me? Or do you have another cool idea... (Picture the hairstyle with a cathedral veil during the ceremony and without a veil for the reception. Dress that is not really the ball-gown style, much more old-Hollywood meets vintage lace).
2) Anyone know a good place to find non-tacky hair jewelry/pins online or in a store? I don't want to look like rhinestones are attacking my hairdo, but I'd like a little bling in the back or something simple that will not die like a real flower would.
TGIF!
1) Which of the two hairstyles below would you choose for me? Or do you have another cool idea... (Picture the hairstyle with a cathedral veil during the ceremony and without a veil for the reception. Dress that is not really the ball-gown style, much more old-Hollywood meets vintage lace).
2) Anyone know a good place to find non-tacky hair jewelry/pins online or in a store? I don't want to look like rhinestones are attacking my hairdo, but I'd like a little bling in the back or something simple that will not die like a real flower would.
TGIF!
1.12.2009
My Dad=VERY talented
Check out this miniature sneak peak of our invitations suite, created by the one and only Kirk Preuschl (a.k.a. my dear old dad)!! I can't describe the thrill of seeing this gorgeous concept for the first time. Being in the publishing field, there is some sense of realness and finality in seeing the words "the marriage of Sarah Jeanne to Patrick Dale" in ink. And knowing that my father really listened and understood exactly how I wanted the invitations to feel was so touching. Thanks Dad!
Letting go of dad's arm to take Patrick's four months from now will only be hard because I love him so much and because he shows his love for each of his children so well.
Letting go of dad's arm to take Patrick's four months from now will only be hard because I love him so much and because he shows his love for each of his children so well.1.10.2009
"Cool it chick"
So. When the ball dropped to mark 2009 and the four-month marker hit, a little switch went off in my brain. "Flip," it went. And so started my brain. Like a little furry hamster in a very small wheel. Spin, spin, spin, and so forth.
At the risk of feeling like a negative nellie instead of a positive penny, I am going to vent about this brain-on-overdrive feeling. It's always been a serious and very dangerous personality flaw that I claim. When an event or major project is on my plate, I get nearly obsessed (note the word "nearly") with the lists of things to do. I get worried about all of these timelines and deadlines and details. I think it comes from being in journalism. Deadlines are the most important element. Anyway, so poor Patrick has had to deal with these random outbursts of wedding-related information and decisions. They come without warning.
Here's a scenario: We're driving on I-65 on the way home from Indianapolis:
P: (singing to the radio, looking out the window...we're talking about a billboard or the additions to St. Francis Hospital or something)
Me: "So, where do you usually rent a tux? Do you want to wear brown, gray, black, a navy suit? Cause you'll have green on your lapel and you have blue eyes and blue would look nice. But then can you rent a suit or do you have to buy one?
P: "Where did that come from?"
Me: "I don't know, I was just thinking about it."
P: "You're ridiculous."
Me: "The wedding is only like 119 days away..."
P: "Why do you KNOW that?"
For the reasons above, I'm trying to put a speed bump in the wheel. I also discovered recently that rather than getting him excited, the constant talkign and questions build anxiety up so that the day-of is something scary. Ah-ha! moment! The spinning makes me exhausted and Patrick worried. Not fun. So, I made a new rule last night for myself. When I feel the spin starting...take 5 seconds to breathe deeply and think 'is this the right moment to discuss such a silly detail?' Then if necessary, I can say to myself "cool it chick!" Good plan? Am I going insane? Ha!
At the risk of feeling like a negative nellie instead of a positive penny, I am going to vent about this brain-on-overdrive feeling. It's always been a serious and very dangerous personality flaw that I claim. When an event or major project is on my plate, I get nearly obsessed (note the word "nearly") with the lists of things to do. I get worried about all of these timelines and deadlines and details. I think it comes from being in journalism. Deadlines are the most important element. Anyway, so poor Patrick has had to deal with these random outbursts of wedding-related information and decisions. They come without warning.
Here's a scenario: We're driving on I-65 on the way home from Indianapolis:
P: (singing to the radio, looking out the window...we're talking about a billboard or the additions to St. Francis Hospital or something)
Me: "So, where do you usually rent a tux? Do you want to wear brown, gray, black, a navy suit? Cause you'll have green on your lapel and you have blue eyes and blue would look nice. But then can you rent a suit or do you have to buy one?
P: "Where did that come from?"
Me: "I don't know, I was just thinking about it."
P: "You're ridiculous."
Me: "The wedding is only like 119 days away..."
P: "Why do you KNOW that?"
For the reasons above, I'm trying to put a speed bump in the wheel. I also discovered recently that rather than getting him excited, the constant talkign and questions build anxiety up so that the day-of is something scary. Ah-ha! moment! The spinning makes me exhausted and Patrick worried. Not fun. So, I made a new rule last night for myself. When I feel the spin starting...take 5 seconds to breathe deeply and think 'is this the right moment to discuss such a silly detail?' Then if necessary, I can say to myself "cool it chick!" Good plan? Am I going insane? Ha!
1.09.2009
Trends, schmends...
Bulletin: I just got my "hot trends for 2009" e-mail from theknot.com. Ew. I would not consider myself a trendy person. More of a classic and timeless kind of person. So imagine my surprise to find out that things I decided to do all on my own are, apparently "hot new trends"... patterns on the tables (our runners), "rustic, homespun details" (birds nest flower girl basket, moss covered pomander, home-cooked style food, etc.), jewel tones and bright pops of color (navy, green, and orange!), two-tiered wedding cakes with other desserts to accent (Ugh...our small cake and pies!), and non-traditional centerpiece vessels (ball jars). I guess I'm either trendy or a trendsetter, then?
This whole time of planning I've been pushing against the idea that things have to be a certain way. My two maids of honor and something blue girls are one example. I don't want to be trendy, but I'm trying to make the wedding about "us" rather than about the wedding industry. But, as we move closer and closer to the date, I surprise myself by reverting to things that are traditional: I will probably hire an organist after all; we're getting married in a church; etc. At first I thought there might be something wrong with that, but I'm coming around. These kinds of things are comfortable, tradition (in many cases) is good, and life is too short to worry about the perfect non-traditional song by which to float down the aisle. I guess that life is too short to worry about being too trendy, too, right? Why am I worrying about any of this....sigh. :)
This whole time of planning I've been pushing against the idea that things have to be a certain way. My two maids of honor and something blue girls are one example. I don't want to be trendy, but I'm trying to make the wedding about "us" rather than about the wedding industry. But, as we move closer and closer to the date, I surprise myself by reverting to things that are traditional: I will probably hire an organist after all; we're getting married in a church; etc. At first I thought there might be something wrong with that, but I'm coming around. These kinds of things are comfortable, tradition (in many cases) is good, and life is too short to worry about the perfect non-traditional song by which to float down the aisle. I guess that life is too short to worry about being too trendy, too, right? Why am I worrying about any of this....sigh. :)
2009 is HERE!
Hello everyone! Sorry for the lapse in postings. It was vacation time. And now it is officially the YEAR of our wedding. 4 months to celebration time. Hooooray!
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