MrsWtobe

No, they didn't come with the palm tree. We had to get a scrapbooking punch with the palm tree and then punch out the co-ordinating trees. Kind of a pain in the butt, but we were pretty happy with the result!

Just wanted to share my bridal shower invites with everyone. My MOH and I made them over the weekend. Sorry if the pics are a bit blurry, I'm having some problems with my camera. My colours are turquoise and brown, but we bought an assorted box of cards from Michaels and just used tropical colours for each.

Thanks everyone! We're going to keep it a secret from everyone...I just don't want any one getting upset if they missed it (not that I think it would be a huge deal, but just in case). It didn't even feel like anything special anyways (which is what I wanted!) my real wedding will be when I'm wearing the dress, exchanging vows, etc. Thanks again!

My FI and I decided to do the whole legal thing here and then do a renewal of vows/symbolic ceremony during our July wedding. And well...we actually got married tonight! My FI was waaaay more excited about it then I was (this is NOT my wedding day!!)...but he's managed to calm down and realize that other than the legal stuff, it really wasn't our "wedding" day. None of our families know as of right now, and I'm really trying hard to keep it a secret! (ok, maybe posting it ONLINE wasn't the best idea!!)...but just thought I'd share the news!!

Thanks everyone for all of your kind words. I just feel so bad for him, and I'm really trying to supportive for him, and he's pretty adamant about this whole shower thing. I really don't know what to do at this point....this is stressing me out beyond belief! I always knew getting married would be major stress, but never did I think it would be like this!

Disclaimer: this is very long, and I am extremely sorry, but need to get it off my chest We have been having some serious issues with FH's parents. It all started when we got engaged and his dad was actually mad that FI bought me a ring and proposed instead of paying back the $15,000 he owes his father for schooling. (ok, obviously my ring did NOT cost that much, but I guess his dad figured that he could have put that money towards his debt to him) His mother actually agreed with his father and thought the money should have been paid back first. (I'm not saying he should not pay the money back, but if he did we probably would have had to wait another 5 years to get married)There was no congratulations offered by his father, and when we went over to show them my ring, he actually sat and watched tv instead of talking to us and asking what we wanted for a wedding. Then we bought a house because the apartment we were living in had mold growing in the walls and we had to get out...we were just going to go to another apartment, but my parents gave us money and said you could use that towards a down payment on a house or a wedding. We chose a house. FFIL did not like the fact we were buying a house b/c we "had no idea what we were getting ourselves into". This is when FH decided to start to distance himself from both his parents. We actually have sat and talked to them about the way they speak to us,(how stupid/irresponsible we are with money) and they had a huge problem with going us going away to get married in July (we are both teachers and there was no other way)...becuase they take an annual trip to DR during January and didn't want to have pay/go twice...then they had a problem with the resort, etc, etc, etc. My FI finally had enough in probably the last month or so...we rarely mention the wedding anymore, hoping they may be excited enough to ask questions. Anything that is said is a major put down, or problem for them. I was really excited to tell FMIL that I had purchased my dress, and all I got in response was, "where did you buy it" and "oh". This all leads us to yesterday, when we had one final "discussion". I have been censoring my FI from saying mean or hurtful things to them (I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I really don't know what to do anymore). He said he had decided that he was going to say everything that was on his mind and that was that. He got into some pretty heavy things, esp about being an only child, and essentially an "accident" and he knew it all along by the way they treated him over the years (he was actually quite upset). There were no apologies offered by the FILs, rather a suggestion that he seek counselling since he seems to have some major issues. I have to be honest though, FMIL did mention that all she wants in life is a relationship with him (but said nothing about a relationship with me, who was sitting right across the table from her during this entire conversation). We left on extremely bad terms...with FFIL asking as we walked out the door if he should even book the trip to come to the wedding at this point. I could not believe it, but I swear its the truth! I feel so awful for FI, and I feel awful myself. I don't know what to do about the situation at all. My shower invites need to go out within the next week, and at this point FI does not want to invite his mom or his side of the family. I just know that I will be blamed for this, and I really don't know what to do. FMIL has done nothing to contribute to the shower, hasn't even gotten in touch with the MOH or offered to even bake a cookie. I am so upset right now and I don't know what to say or do to FI, or with this entire situation. I can't believe people can be selfish, ignorant and awful and I'm having an extremely hard time dealing with this. WHEW! Thanks so much for reading...I know this was sooo long, but really needed to get it off my chest. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for their help... I just looked on our hotel's website and they have renewal of vows/symbolic ceremony listed as the same thing. Does anyone know what the symbolic ceremony is? Would this mean I would be getting a judge? Sorry if I seem so ridiculous about this---I know I have a ton of time, I'd just like to get this decision sorted out sooner than later!

Here's my major problem--we opted for the "free" wedding package at our resort (it suited what we wanted perfectly). This package can be used for a civil ceremony or a renewal of vows package. I'm worried that: a) there won't be a judge there doing the ceremony, it would be someone from the hotel staff...which might start to look fishy We won't be signing anything...which would again, look fishy I really want to ask my mom or MOH's opinion, but I really don't want to offend anyone. (Plus my mom has a huge mouth and it would only be a matter of time before I heard from my father about this...who wouldn't understand and I'd have to tell him 54 times before he could even fathom it) Argh...I am stressed...I feel really torn with this decision!

I'm really torn about what to do here. Are you telling anyone else that's what you're doing? I've heard that at the hotel I'm having my wedding at if you opt for the "renewal of vows" ceremony it's just a hotel employee that performs the ceremony. I'd just like to try and keep it as "real" as possible if I could as not to alert the other guests. And I feel really bad/guilty about doing this....is this ok

I'm hoping that someone can help me out with this. My FI and I have decided that we might just go for the renewal of vows ceremony and do the whole legal thing back here in Canada. I do not want to let anyone in my family know and I'm wondering how hard it is going to be to keep this a secret. If we opt for a "renewal of vows" ceremony, will it be the same as a regular "legal" ceremony?? Will papers be signed, etc.?? Obviously we'll still have to pay for the judge to be there, but we're hoping to save a little bit on the translation fees. At this point, I'd rather spend that money that we save on something for the guests...any help would be great!

They look so nice! Great job!

Thanks so much for all the help guys! I have my 40% coupon so I'll have to get to Michael's this week....thanks again!

Probably a really stupid question---but I would like to do shot glasses with the monogram we got from aylee. I know there is transfer paper for fabrics and that, but is there something similar for glass? I haven't really looked into this, but thought someone here would have an answer!

Ha ha ha I know what you mean Courtney! Frank was only about 12 weeks old then. He's 5 months now...he's actually going to get fixed next week---it'll be so weird without him for a night!

Oh I totally missed this post! These are my two kids, Frank (the black one) and Lucy (the black & white one).

Hey Melissa, The only thing I was thinking that could be an explanation to her behaviour is maybe she's nervous Does she know anyone else at the wedding/bachlorette/bridal shower other than you? Maybe intially she doesn't want to hurt your feelings by saying no, and then realizes as the date gets closer that she just doesn't want to go if she doesn't know anyone else What about her cash situation? Maybe she's really tight with money and is too embarrassed to explain it to you I don't think she's doing it to hurt you deliberately (since she is intially saying yes to all these events)...but maybe that's the only way she knows how to handle sticky situations if she's too embarrassed to tell the truth. Those are the only explanations I can think of! Hope it helps a bit.... Jen

So cute! Were they expensive to mail?

I love that kimono Melissa! It's so cute! You could totally wear it with jeans or even white bermuda shorts with wedge sandals. So cute!

Very cute sandals....I wonder if they ship to Canada....

I made these this morning for FI and I....they were delicious! He loved them. They were so filling as well! Thanks for the recipe Tammy!

Oh--and it'll be a good source of calcium!

That's exactly what I use and you get the same yummy taste!

Four cheese spinach dip It's not low fat, but it's soooo good. I've made it many times and have gotten rave reviews! Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt) 1/4 cup (scant - not packed at all) freshly grated parmasan cheese 1 tablespoon (not packed) freshly grated romano cheese 1 tablespoon (rounded) very finely chopped sweet red pepper 1 green onion (scallion) white and green finely chopped 1/2 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1/2 cup grated medium cheddar pinch of cayenne pepper Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix first 4 ingredients with hand or stand mixer on medium until softened and well mixed. Add next two ingredients and mix on med-low until just incorporated. Add spinach and mix on low until just incorporated. Transfer mixture to a small ovenproof dish and sprinkling cayenne on top to taste. Top with cheddar. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes or until bubbling around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to set for 5 - 7 minutes before serving. Serve with fried or baked pita wedges and tortilla chips (nachos). At Kelsey's this is served with deep fryed pita wedges. I found that oven baked (400 degrees for 5 minutes) were just as popular and substantially less fatty. For either you MUST use greek style pitas as they are far softer and more substantial than regular pitas. Greek style pita have little or no pocket in them.

I think they'd be fine with the substitutions...I use light butter all the time. And I've heard that the Splenda Brown Sugar is good for baking too. Good luck!

These are just like the regular old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies, but with a bit of cornstarch the cookies come out really chewy. I've made them many times before and my students made them recently and they turned out amazing! (I'm a Family Studies teacher). Enjoy! Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Preparation time 15 min Cooking time 8 min per sheet Makes 3 dozen 2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour 2 tsp (10 mL) cornstarch 1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt 1 cup (250 mL) chocolate chips 3/4 cup (175 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup (250 mL) brown sugar 1/4 cup (50 mL) granulated sugar 1 egg 2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla 1. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). In a medium-size bowl, using a fork, stir flour with cornstarch, baking soda and salt until evenly mixed. Measure out chocolate chips. Place butter in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth, about 1 min. Then beat in brown and granulated sugars until fluffy, about 2 min. Beat in egg and vanilla. Using a spoon, stir in flour mixture and chocolate chips just until evenly mixed. 2. Lightly spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil. Scoop out about 1 tbsp (15 mL) dough and place on sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing at least 2 in. (5 cm) apart. Don’t press down. They will spread as they bake. 3. Bake, one sheet at a time, in centre of oven until cookies are golden around the edges, from 8 to 10 min per sheet. Remove sheet to a rack and let cookies stand on sheet about 2 min. Then remove cookies to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough. Once cool, cookies will keep well in a covered container at room temperature up to 2 weeks - if they last that long.