NATASHA

I LOVE that resort. We spent a week there as part of our honeymoon. It would make for a beautiful small wedding. How many people are you planning on having? There are a number of spots where they could host the wedding, but it would depend on the size. FYI - staff is GREAT (really). Food is also quite good. It's expensive to stay there, but I'm sure they'd work with you on the cost.

Quote: Originally Posted by lambert13 3. One time in college I tried to drive my car using "the force". I put a motorcycle helmet on backwards so I could not see and started driving through a parking lot. Of course it ended badly, and of course I was not in my right state of mind while doing it. That's hysterical. And thanks, everyone, for the kid comments. It's very helpful hearing from people. Glenda - I think more people should talk openly and honestly about their thoughts on whether or not kids are a good idea for them. It's a stigma to even say you're not sure. And you certainly can't go to your mom or MIL! I did a book search - OMG - there are few people who even write about this topic. It's so helpful hearing the opinions of people who didn't grow up always thinking we were going to be moms who actually did become them! OK, I've hijacked the thread (sorry).

I also did this. I had my DH's cousin take responsibility. She was great - she got everyone (including our friend Tom who hides from cameras).

We're going to Italy in September. I've been, DH hasn't. I LOVED it. I went to Rome, Florence, Venice, and Portifino. My DH wants to go to the same places and I really do want to as well. I want to spend time with him touring wineries, etc. The problem that we're struggling with is finding places we can augment the trip with that I didn't go that we can easily access on this route (like places in Tuscany). Does anyone have any advice or some really great places that we should check out whether as day trips or as stops we should make?

Oh - Kelly - I'm so glad I saw your post... One of mine was going to be: a) I'm not sure I want to have kids b/c I'm scared that my identity will have to change and I REALLY don't like the idea of hanging out with crazy moms who want to talk about PTA things, what color their kid's poop was last night, or how much they hate their husband because he won't help out. I'm glad to know a successful mom who feels the same way - maybe there's hope. Here are the other things I though of (how sad that it's so hard to come up with interesting things!): -I do a lot of public speaking and am invited to testify in front of state and federal legislative committees about 2 or 3 times a month. What I didn't connect up until recently is that my first stint in this area was when I was 13 and helped a Senator from CA and NASA lobby for a Space Camp in CA (was killed by an insane/awful rider). After that, I was asked to speak about solar issues, various environmental things... I was just a kid but I thought nothing of it. I never intended to do this with my life, but with every job since college, there's been a need for me to testify about somethign so now, I've just been doing it for most of my life! -I was a dancer. It's really my only artistic talent. Most of my family members are very talented artists and I've always felt feeble next to them b/c I can't draw ANYTHING that is recognizable, I don't have the patience to make elaborate works of art in my yard or sew my own clothes, etc. But, I miss performing so much that DH and I now do argentine tango, ballroom tango, and salsa (but we only perform the tangos) - it was his idea so that I could get my creative outlet back and I love him so much for it. -Here's something I never even told DH - I saw a psychic in 1999 who told me several things that are out of the ordinary that have come true - including my very bizarre illness (that she said I would conquer so that's good). She also told me that I would only be married once and I would have 2 daughters but that my husband would die and an early age. AHHH! That scares me and makes me sad and I think about it at least once a month. I just can't envision my life without my DH.

Where did you find it?

I have to travel with herbs - some that are liquid and some that are capsules that have to be kept cold which means I have to travel with ice packs and a cooler bag that I take on the plane with me. I travel all over the US on a bi-weekly basis and have been back and forth to Cabo 4 times in the last year. I have never had a problem and frequently I take the tablets out and stick them in a ziplock so they're not in any kind of identifiable packaging. If you're really concerned, you could have your practitioner write a statement about them on letterhead. I wouldn't check them - if your luggage gets lost you will miss doses.

Our joint hobby is Argentine Tango and it's what we danced at our wedding. We do American Tango and Salsa as well, but they're all a blast. You'll love it. It's so much better to go to a dance class together after dinner rather than plop down on the couch and watch TV! You learn a lot about each other as you learn to dance together.

Oh - Kash, ask Maye if she can do the Gerbers but with some greenery and some of the little ball-like things that are in that picture. Basically, tell her you're looking for something with Gerbers in the theme - but with more in-season flowers/accents and see what she says.

Nope- I think you should go with the Gerber on your FI - it looks really cute! I've met your FI - he's friendlier than a rose.

Another thing to think about is burning a CD for your guests. It doesn't have to be weddingish romantic songs - it's just really nice to get to your room and have some music to listen to (most of the hotels have CD players - check first) while you're on your vacation. We did our own and we made these very cool labels for them - it was easy and looked professional but cost very little. If you go this route - do yourself a favor and buy the little label sticking kit - it makes it a lot easier to put the label on the CD. Give these to your guests with some water and crackers in lieu of a welcome bag if you're looking to keep it simple. We had an insane welcome gift package put together by my sister-in-law (included towels, sombreros, all kinds of food and water, etc.). The things everyone used were the CD, water, crackers, medicine kit (aspirin, pepto tabs, etc.), and mini cookies. You can buy the crackers, water, and cookies at Costco when you get there.

Yep - her backup plan is to go to her grandparents if she gets over budget. She's a very sweet person, she's just one week into planning. Yeah - the signing of contracts is scary. Not just because of the budget issue, but there is so much to learn about how to negotiate and you only learn as you meet with multiple vendors. Lesson for the newbies on the board - it's ok to plan early, but meet with tons of people before you sign that contract!

I know - her response was, "well, we're not paying for the wedding so if we're over budget it shouldn't be a problem." There is no way to explain the drama that will go on for a year throughout this process when you don't have your eye on that ball!

One of the young women in my office is getting married. They just picked a venue and a date last weekend. She came to me tonight looking for advice. It's technically a DW as most guests will be traveling (as will she and her FI). Also, she is the first of her friends to get married. So, I was trying to explain room block issues to her (what to negotiate in the contract, what gets added in at the last minute relative to the penalities if you have guests who flake or who don't try to book their room until the week before) and she kept saying, "Oh - that won't be a problem. Our guests will do their flights and hotel really early." She's already booked a $6000 photographer, has the vision of what her flowers are going to be like, is interviewing bands, has the trio booked, etc. It's really cute - but so not going to even come close to the budget that she's targeting (and she's already entering into contracts before she has a spreadsheet going). It's nice to see her fresh and clean and her unbridled enthusiasm. It's also funny to anticipate how frazzled she's going to be when she comes in my office next year and says, "I can't believe my mom's cousin is sticking me with a $200 room fee bill!" Well - we all went through it. We all thought there was no way we were going to argue with our FIs about anything related to OUR wedding. That surely it didn't cost that much to put together a wedding. That our friends and family would all get along and they wouldn't come up and ask me (the bride) to take them to the airport THE DAY BEFORE MY WEDDING as I'm trying to get my errands done so they could get a rental car even though I told them before we left that they would want one so they should! I'm so glad I'm married now.

So funny - I had the same pile of stuff set aside for my "don't forget to take" items. Except - my cleaning lady put all of it away!!! I got home from LA five days before we were set to leave and my jaw dropped! Since I had put everything to the side, I didn't have the items written down on a list so I had to carefully remember WHAT was there and then go searching the house for where she put it. SO much for my trying to plan ahead.

This weekend, we just decided to reinvite everyone back to Cabo for our anniversary. The invitation is going out as, "Come watch us trash the dress." and we're going to do a TTD session. Fun! Juan - are you available the weekend of November 11th?

Congratulations! I was in Maui last Wednesday! Where did you get married?

Oh - and btw - if your local Whole Foods doesn't have Digest-a-lac, most will order it. If not, any smaller health food chain will definitely order it for you. It's expensive shipping because they have to keep it refridgerated. Also, you might consider taking probiotics, too while you're stopping BC. I'm always really hesitant about recommending medications to people so you should check with your doctor, but I'm amazed at how much it helped me. The Trinity mix from Natren is a comprehensive combination. Alternatively, you can eat natural yogurt (don't get yoplait - it has a ton of crap in it).

You can get great aloe from Whole Foods too. I think they have Aubreys but you can ask them which one they think would be best. They don't deviate from each other very much.

Also - if you want to be right on the beach - go to the Sheraton D Cortez restaurant. Beautiful - great food - and they typically have a trio playing on Fridays and Saturdays. When you call to reserve - say you want to be on the patio outside but I wouldn't tell them it's your wedding - they'll just charge you more money! Confirm that they will have live entertainment. You'll love it there - really, promise!

Yay! OK - I have to say, Don Emilianos was the best food (world reknowned chef) and environment of everywhere we ate. They don't have live music, but the environment is so great that i don't think you'd miss it. There's an outdoor eating area that they can set up just for you which would be nice given the size you're quoting. The chefs son's name is Angel Salinas (his email is [email protected]). VERY nice guy. Here's our menu (the Vermicelli soup was amazing): Adult Menu Price per person $ 40.00 USD (Tax & Service not included) Ensalada Verde. - Organically grown greens with seasonal citric Supremes. Or Fideo Seco.- Traditional dry Vermicelli soup with Tolucan chorizo & aged cheese. * * * Pescado en Tikin Xic. - Yucatan style Catch of the Day, wrapped in banana leaves. Or Filete Nicolasa. – Dry chile crusted beef tenderloin with hibiscus flower sauce & tequila caramel apples. Or Crepas de Pollo en Mole de Pistache – Soft Chicken crepes with pistachio mole. * * * Tarta de Chocolate. – Stone ground chocolate tartlet with almond crust. Or Mousse de Limón. – Frozen lime mousse in warm broth of citrics & thyme. Kids Menu Price per person $ 18.00 USD (Tax & Service not included) Fideo Seco Corazón – Dry vermicelli with butter, ground pepper & fresh cheese. * * * Flautas de Pollo – Crispy tortilla flutes stuffed with shredded chicken. Or Filetito de Pescado. – Lightly breaded catch of the day with white rice. * * * Flan de la Abuela. – Traditional cheese cooked caramel custard.

I just got back from my facial (for you San Diegans - Ana Maria at Beauty Kliniek is amazing!). I have used some really great products recommended by Ana Maria but I recently learned where one of them is manufactured so I thought I would pass this along. A great way to get breakouts under control - especially for those of you who are detoxing (drinking more water, working on eating healthier, modifying your medications, etc.) is to use Epicuren Bulgaricum Probiotic Mask Powder - but you can easily make it yourself for much less! I'm giving you the ingredients that I've tracked down versus spending $50 for the Epicuren products I've been buying. Get Natren's Digest-a-lac (you can get it online here at Natren Inc. - Official Site for Natren Probiotics or buy it at Whole Foods. Mix one capsule (or about 1/4 teaspoon if you buy the powder) with about the same amount of pure aloe vera gel (I like Aubreys but it doesn't really matter as long as it doesn't have chemicals in it). Mix enough to cover your face lightly. Make it into a paste and use it as a mask left on for 15 minutes. You can do it 2 or 3 times per week as it's really gentle. IMPORTANT - make sure you refridgerate the probiotics. Basically, as Ana Marie explained to me - as toxins are eliminated from your body through the skin (the largest organ), the toxins can get trapped in your skin causing temporary breakouts. Regular use of probiotics on your skin will help it flush the toxins out. Natren's Digest-a-lac is used in a few Epicuren products (they actually source it from Natren which is known to have very stringent controls in place); however, if you buy it from Natren instead of from Epicuren you will save about $40 per bottle. You could probably try a different brand of probiotic as long as it's L. bulgaricus (2 billion cfu per gram). Ana Marie told me today that you can also put plain yogurt on your face (again, only if it doesn't have other stuff in it - it should have only 3-4 natural ingredients so you have to buy it at the health food store) with kind of the same effect. You can even put just a little bit of honey on your face, wash it off, and then put the yogurt. Note - I haven't tried this yet, but this woman really knows her stuff. Anyway - these are two good ways to get the benefits of the expensive facial products with less cost.

We wrote ours after we got there! We didn't share them with each other which was really special. I recommend it. You'd be amazed at how touching it is - even after you've been together for a long time. We both wrote our vows on the hotel stationery (didn't consult with each other first he he). Our photographer shot a close of up each of our vows as we were reading them so we have a dual picture of what we said to each other which is sweet and I really like that it's on hotel paper!

Oh Tammy - I want to cry. You look so beautiful! Everyone looks beautiful - that came out wrong. It's just amazing to see you as mommy!

Maye was my coordinator - I asked her and I also asked my photographer directly.