BillysBride

Just a head's up... I'm working with these peeps for my TTD. http://stores.shop.ebay.com/gianinar...__W0QQ_armrsZ1 Their Ebay feedback is insanely good (almost 100% with close to 2,000 dresses made!) and they get rave reviews. The response time was great (within 24hrs) to my inquiry, and get this; they actually allow you to order your dress production with only half down. THEN, they send you photos, of the actual dress they have made you and leave it up to you whether you think it's worth completing the purchase! For a Maggie knock off gown that's retailing at $1600 to be replicated, they are charging me $100, plus $59 shipping to the U.S. I can't NOT try 'em out for that price! I looked a long time before deciding to try one of the overseas manufacturers because even while it's not a lot of money, I don't want to waste it and end up with something I won't use even for the TTD. Those pics are important! I'll definitely post when they send me the dress pics.

Jean-Marcus, I have no idea what you speak of....shame on you for your implication sir! teehee!

Quote: Originally Posted by JaimeLynne Oh no, I was *just* reading today that the Radioactive Iodine treatment can cause permanent Hypothyroidism I'm so sorry to hear your struggles with this!!! In the book I'm reading it says that symptoms of hypOthyroidism can be mistaken for hypERthyroidism. I found it interesting that the book and the medical articles online seem to disagree with this. But then again I find that many doctors are usually fairly stubborn in going strictly "by the book" (i.e. what they learned in college that has since been outdated). On the flip side some of the holistic docs freak me out some too because they are so far on the opposite side of the spectrum. I'm looking for something in between but have yet to find the right doc. Your symptoms are almost identical to mine! I can sleep 10 hours at night and then after I come home from school (30 min drive each way + 2 hrs in class) I am completely exhausted. I also almost always get a slight (99-99.5 degree) temperature with this exhaustion. I also tend to gain weight easily, have the muscle fatigue and horrible pains in my joints and bones from my lower back down, sensitivity to cold... Like you said, the list goes on... I definitely recommend the book "Hypothyroidism Type II" by Dr. Mark Starr. It really opened my eyes. I can't wait to read through the entire thing once my Dad finishes with it. Again, I'm so sorry to hear you've been struggling with this for the past 2 years. I know what it feels like, and you're definitely not alone! I just wanted to jump back in here seeing as how I just had my total thyroidectomy. RAI CAN be a bugger. My aunt, who is a nurse, had it 7 yrs ago, and wishes she hadn't. She wishes she had gone for the thyroidectomy. Thing is, RAI doesn't always kill all of the thyroid...and therein lies the problem. Regrowth can occur, which makes the "moving target" of finding the right dosage all the more hard. The dosage you need is forever changing (which it will from time to time anyway, even with total thyroidectomy), because there are parts of your thyroid still pumping out hormone. To be honest, with anyone whose had RAI and is still having a lot of problems, I'd almost start asking about having a removal surgery. Just researching, finding out if your doc can tell you how much of your thyroid is still active and if surgery is an option for you. ANYthing that removes or kills the thyroid results in being hypo for life. BUT...that gets a bad rap. You can be what is known as euthyroid after both RAI and thyroidectomy...and it is where you want to be if you have thyroid disease, ladies. lol There is almost never a "cure" if you have hyperthyroidism OR hypothryoidism. I had mine out knowing I'd be taking a pill every day for the rest of my life...and I can say, now only 8 days later, CONCLUSIVELY that it saved my life to have it done. The main thing is to get treatment. For something like 50% of patients, being hyperthryroid(overactive gland) can be treated with meds for about 1 1/2 yrs and resolve itself. ANYone outside of that 50% is going to have to deal with it via another avenue. Being either hyper or hypo can lead to serious health complications, believe me..I have been there. I didn't take it seriously enough and I am thankful I lived to tell the tale. If i had it to do all over again, I'd have dealt with it aggressively and definitely right out the gate and maybe my suffering and the toll on my body wouldn't be so high. This even began to affect my vision....it's that serious. The thing is, doctor's are so used to seeing and treating patients on both ends of the spectrum. It's so important to find a physician who is willing to LISTEN to you and for YOU as a patient to pay attention to your body. Anything that doesn't feel normal isn't. Regardless of what anyone tells you. If you're on the right dosage, you should not feel constantly fatigued, so regardless of what the doc says, stay insistent and start shopping around if they refuse to listen. The "normal range" numbers aren't necessarily normal for everyone, depending on what your symptoms are. Just as a for instance, in most cases, they will tell you that normal is anywhere say, under 4.0 for hypo patients. But if you are sluggish, and gaining weight, that is not normal. To be able to properly metabolize fat you need to have a TSH of 1.0 or less. I'm still new to the "game" and believe me...I am educating myself like I'm going for a ph.D in this stuff. It's my life and I am going to know all there is to know as a lay person so that I can walk into appts secure in what I'm being told vs. what I know to be true. It's unfortunate we have to do this as patients, but thats the sad fact of it all. I start my replacement hormone (levoxyl) tomorrow. They had me wait til all the EXCESS hormone I had in my body from being WAY hyperthyroid dropped...so now, as of today's bloodwork, I am officially hypothyroid; on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. In ONE week's time, my vision has changed 100% for the better, my face has changed....my mom walked in to see me the morning after and nearly started crying she said I looked so much like my "old" self again. Treatment is good. Don't be afraid of doing something to change what's happening to your body. I was soooo desperate to hang on to that damn gland, thinking I didn't want another surgery, and that I was afraid it would make things worse...ultimately, the thing was KILLING ME, literally. I feel positive about the choice I made, even if it took me two years to make it.

Whoa, baby! Those are both HOT! Love, love LURVE those shoes....if I could walk on stilts like that, I'd be trying to track down a pair! Nice finds!

Quote: Originally Posted by mummergirl i did not personally end up buying from david's, though i could have. LIW, my dress is allure as well! i had to order it in a size 22 and have it altered quite a bit on top. will be wearing it a week from today! don't fret, girls ... there are beautiful dresses out there for us. just be real about what styles look best on your shape (i would have loved something slinky, mermaid, or especially trumpet, but those just don't work with my hips)! And this is what I get for not reading the current pages posts before posting. You look AMAZING in that dress!! Va va voooom, caliente! Is it un-pc to say that I think that women with curves do better justice to form fitting gowns? *ducks head as the skinnies come swinging*

Well, just to update...bought the dress today!!!! Since it's coming from the UK, not sure how long it will take, but the main thing is the deal is done and I can relax (kinda). lol As soon as it's in, y'all know I'll update pics and all. And I've just about decided to just have one of my original favorites custom made by one of the Ebay overseas manufacturers. These folks have like 6K dresses under their belt with 100% feedback! They seem pretty amazing, AND they allow you to submit photos of whatever dress you want, put down a deposit (half) and then they SEND YOU PICS OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT SO YOU CAN DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO PURCHASE IT!. Start to finish, the whole thing will cost $159...for a TTD, that's not bad!

Oooh, that dress is just stunning! Love it. And how insanely cool that you guys are doing this together! This is a first, and I thought I'd seen it all here on BDW! lol Good luck and you know I cannot wait to see the finished product! (sigh)..I wish I could do something like..sew, or knit, or ..heck, walk and chew gum.

You girls are FABULOUS, ya hear me? FAB-U-LOUS! The lovely MarieSam pm'd me saying she had an extra she's willing to part with, so I'm going to take her up on her offer. Thank you SO much...my lazy butt wasn't finding it in the couple of clicks I took perusing the net. You BDW girls are some resourceful divas!

First off, with that much incentive...gorgeous locale, surrounded by friends, eating, drinking and lounging in the beautiful sun...at barely any cost to them, WHO do you think is gonna flake on ya? lol Seriously. If i could pay for my bridal parties rooms outright, they would have all said yes before I could even get the question out of my mouth. The fact is, a few took their time, thought it through and asked questions because we live in the real world with kids and bills and responsibility. I admired them for it instead of knee jerk responding to me. I actually think I "get" it as far as why you would want them to. You're...extending quite a bit of additional expense on their behalf. BUT...it's actually YOUR behalf when all is said and done, y'know? You said you think it's tacky to ask people to be a part of your day and then expect them to pay everything...I can accept that as a personal opinion. I don't question it because after being in my share of weddings, it just is what it is..as soon as I accept being a BM, I do it knowing "OK, wonder how much this is gonna set me back." and I've even REFUSED a couple of offers at times in my life when I was struggling financially because I didn't want to put a good friend in the position of counting on me with the potential of me not being able to come through for them. Show your attendants the courtesy of having that faith in them. BELIEVE they won't promise to be there and back out for any other reason than something they truly cannot avoid. I don't think it's tacky to expect people to pay for their dresses/expenses. But it IS VERY NICE if you can help them out. Absolutely. Would that all of us were in the position to do so...but did I mention I ain't tacky just because I can't? lol Having said that, you are doing so of your own volition. And most of these girls, if they are truly close friends of yours, would do this without the financial coverage. So, if you're worried about it, give them the option. ASK them to please put a lot of thought into whether they will truly be able to make it, and let them know why...because you love them enough to want to cushion the financial aspect for them to be part of your day, but you'll be out a lot of money on top of the wedding expenses if they just don't show. Stress that you understand ..life happens. I think people can understand a request like that, but not when you want to get it in writing. lol Hey, better yet...take that photography money you're spending on them, and put it into their trips. If they cancel, chances are (depending upon how you're booking and with whom) you should still get your money back or credit toward another trip YOU and FH can use at some point. I don't see a reason to...worry and stress over trying to..entice your bridal party with free photos if it's going to put you in a position of potentially offending some of them. It just seems like the pics are bait and you want insurance that your line won't get cut before you hook a fish. lol

Well, at least I know now that Fate is not just conspiring against ME specifically. haha I'm doin' pretty good, Tami..thanks for askin! FH is constantly lookin at me asking how I feel..methinks he is suprised to see me bouncing back so quick. But ...wedding stuff makes me feel good, what can I say? lol They should put this stuff in syringes and administer it in hospitals.

Hey ladies! For swimwear that is actually constructed well and cut RIGHT, try: Women's Clothing, Swimwear, Shoes, Accessories and more at Newport-News.com I actually bought a suit from there right after the kids were born, and it was too big in my regular street size. That normally does NOT happen with the Venus' and Victoria's Secret's of the world. lol The material is well made and they have some really cute stuff that just so happens to come in bigger sizes..not the ho hum bullshit they normally try to force on women over size 10. lol They even have this ShapeFX stuff...cut to minimize some problem areas and STILL cute! lol

I actually walked my post surgical behind into Michael's today because I didn't believe FH when he told me they only had the one kind that he brought home last night. True enough, all they had stocked was this teeny tiny one that barely punches out a half inch lil' palm. Thats what I get for doubting I guess. So, does anyone have a bigger one I can buy? Just wondering since bride to bride might be a lil' faster than trying to hunt down a bigger one online and get it here. Hoping to have these things out early part of next week.

Quote: Originally Posted by carly Cool, glad we could help! But something you just said, got me thinking... Did you try posting in the buy/sell/trade section here that you are "LF: Maggie Phillipa dress size x". If several brides on here wore it, you might get lucky and find something that wants to sell it. Oh, and gorgeous dress, btw! Girl, I have worn out the BDW search engine with the name of the gown. That's half what sealed the deal, seeing some of the other gals who had worn/tried it on. I hadn't really givin much thought to it before that, though I had it under my favorites on my pc. I think someone is wearing it soon...but it's like a size 8, which will not work with what's following me around at the base of my spine. hahahaha! I think someone else was looking for it in like a 16, so that won't really help either...I'd thought of maybe finding someone else who wanted it and splitting the cost and just sharing the gown as long as our wedding dates worked. But this will work out just as well...then at the end of it all, I can either sell it or pass it along. I don't think I'll wear it as my TTD...mermaid gowns just aren't meant to be hiked up for climbing all over new hubby's. lmao

I agree...check out some maxi dresses. Seems like almost everywhere has them, from Old Navy to Gordman's, even stores like J.C. Penney and Walmart. Somethin simple, but spring-like and beautiful..you'll look great and they are so perfect for occasions like this. Even just a nice, flowing sundress. I'm sure you'll find something you like. And congratulations!! You've gotta be so excited!

Thanks so much girls...as always, you guys make total sense and when I read through your posts, I'm like "true...true". lol Funny how it takes someone ELSE saying it.... Quote: Other people are seeing our wedding in pieces, not as a whole picture like we do This REALLY rang true to me and makes sense...hadn't thought about it that way so thanks Carly! The dress is gonna cost $467, with another $35 for shipping. Insurance is only like $5. So I'm still coming in at quite a nice chunk lower. It's funny cuz the damn thing just keeps resurfacing in my searches, and at first I kept dismissing it because of the white thing and the timing. Thought I'd have time to find one in ivory or gold...that hasn't proven to be true. This is the Phillipa dress which is waaay popular, especially in the single digit sizes, so finding one in a 12 or 14 is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I know there are a couple girls here on BDW who have worn it! I've only gotten to try it on once, and that was last year..I've checked every shop within 75 miles of us and nobody has a sample anymore. My local shop sold theirs this past January and haven't bothered replacing it. The one I tried on was a 12, and it was fine...a lil' restricting, just because of the cut, but I was still pretty comfortable in it. They have a "Grace" which is like a plainer, A-line version...I tried that one on too, and thought "I like it, but wish it had a lil' more 'oomph' to it" I think I'll keep a seamstress on tap and have it let out an inch in the hips regardless, just to make movement easier and as a "just in case" measure. Here's the dress... Here she is, in all her glory...

Quote: Originally Posted by lil_miss_frogg Wow.....you guys are princesses. Our budget is really low compaired. Here's what I got so far: Invites/STD: $200.00 Dress: $300.00 (no alterations yet) Groom Attire: $60.00 Travel: $2000.00 (including honeymoon) Photographer: Free (Friend of the family - but a professional) Destination Reception: $300.00 OOT Bags: $350 for 20 At Home Reception: $500.00 (BBQ style) DJ for AHR: $300.00 (Got a deal, we are friends with a local radio station DJ) Total: $4010.00 Man I feel so cheap now! LOL..I soooo feel you. I've had to revise since changing our date, but believe me..."cheap" is a relative term and when you have kids, paying more than you have to for a LOT of things is simply not a smart thing to do. You can still have a dream wedding on a "low" budget...I've seen it and know it can be done. I'm doing it! And I don't feel like mine will be anything less than what we want it to be or even some that I've seen that were twice as much. And I am NOT a good DIY'er..lol. Here's my revisions so far: std's/$150 and thats including the DIY aspects I added after getting the passes from Ana. Invitations: tbd but aim to keep them under $200 Wedding Attire: his- $150/mine $500 w. shipping TTD dress: tbd Rings (wedding only, not e-ring)-$400 Ceremony: symbolic including flowers for decor/$800 No formal reception, just dinner/cocktails: tbd Photography: $900 which includes Ceremony + TTD session. Videographer: FREE!! My BIL is a pro wildlife photographer and videographer for many of the Chicago pro-sports teams (and has even done shot the Oprah show!). So he's shooting our welcome dinner photos and doing the wedding video. My bouquet + parasols for BM's: $221 OOT bags for 20: approx $100 Wedding trip + 5 nts honeymoon @ resort: $1400 Welcome dinner: unknown/MIL/FIL picking up the tab For us, keeping the cost low simply hinged on location and number of guests. We're doing everything we want, in a way that we want without having to scrimp too much because we picked a resort that's a 3 star instead of a 5..that freed up a LOT of cash and helped up not feel so guilty about asking the family and friends to join us. So far, I've found that people are more excited about going to Mexico and not going to a luxury resort in Mexico. For the type of people we are and the type of people we have as family and friends, that works. We're determined to bring this thing in around 5K and we're on track for that so far!

Thought that title might grab ya....I'm such a perve. OK, so here's the thing. I found the dress I've been looking for....for about half of what I could find it ANY place else after this past 2 months of scouring the net. Y'all know I'm cost conscious and love to find a good deal. The dress is a Sottero and retails in the shops for about $1400. The lowest online/wholesale deal I've found has been $1,044.00.....and I found a lovely lady in England who has it, at $467 with the current exchange rate. This is it, it's the only one I haven't had any reservations about or just wanted because of a good deal. I think it's perfect. So..the problems I'm dealing with are: a.) It's white. Not diamond white, just white. My colors are supposed to be Ivory, Chocolate and Gold. b.) it's also my exact street size, which is a 12. Now I've had a couple of Sotteros come and go in my life and not had a problem with 12's or 14's...I find that they run pretty true to size unlike a lot of bridal manufacturers. BUT, since I've had my surgery and expect all the accompanying hormone fluctuations I'm worried if I gain even 5-10lbs thats gonna be a problem. It's a corset back though, so theres some comfort and I can always have it taken out a bit at the hips if necessary I guess. So...it really comes down to the whole white thing. If I go with a white dress, should I change the other touches of Ivory I've incorporate so far in my planning/stationary? The std's are done so thats out of my hands...but as far as the invites, flowers and decor, stick with white accents?

I SEE!!! Aww....you guys were glowing! You looked absolutely stunning girl....beautiful. Congrats, Mrs!!

Again, I'm older...lol. And without sounding condescending, I've learned that my mother knows best in just about every matter that's ever come up in my life. I love him, we are in support of each other in every way, and raising a family together. I plan to be with this man for the rest of my days.....and I plan to keep some money seperate from his and "ours" for just as long. lol

Again, I'm older...lol. And without sounding condescending, I've learned that my mother knows best in just about every matter that's every come up in my life. I love him, we are in support of each other in every way, and raising a family together. I plan to be with this man for the rest of my days.....and I plan to keep some money seperate from his and "ours" for just as long. lol

Ahh..damn Yolanda. I need to go read up through all the posts for an update, but I just wanted you to know how sorry and just plain pissed I am on your behalf. This is just freakin messed up and wretched..I can just imagine the stress you are feeling. That's a violation and to make it worse to endure, you're trying to keep it from DH..bless your heart. Hang in there sweetie. I'm rooting for a good resolution for you with this. I know it's hard but try not to think terrible things.

I'm waiting for prelim rsvp's....we are putting those in with the std's, and emphasizing the fact that it's just prelim so we have some idea of who might be coming. From that, I'll decide what to do as far as how many products to buy for OOT bags. I think, when you have potentially large numbers, thats definitely harder cuz you want enough, but MAY end up not needing near as much as you buy. But when you are only sending/inviting a small number of people, ofcourse it's easier. I'm thinking we may end up only having 15-20 peeps at most, so I'm ok buying enough for that even if we end up not needing them. One benefit of keeping things small I guess. lol

This is great news....I agree with everyone else though. So sad that so many had their plans ruined.

Hey girls! Feeling in better spirits today...I think it's mostly due to FH. He's been a trooper and when he's smiling it's REAL hard not to as well. Had my follow up appt yesterday which turned out pretty shitty. lol HOW am I laughing at this? I guess it's better than crying.... Anyway, I've developed a mild hemotoma above the incision...thats basically blood gathered in the tissue, so it's causing swelling. They say they don't do anything about them, that they resolve on their own and aren't dangerous unless they grow to the point where it starts to restrict breathing. Just uncomfortable as hell. They stuck me with various needles about a dozen times, trying to see if they could drain anything...no dice. It was lovely, believe me. lol I almost passed out and I NEVER get queasy over medical stuff, but I got really lightheaded and broke out into this sweat. Billy said "Yea, you were goin under." But I got through it after they laid me back and I started doing some deep breathing. They give you "topical" numbing solution....before sticking these 5" needles in your neck repeatedly. yea, that works. Then they wanted to check my airway....so that entailed a lovely tube with a light on the end of it up my nose and down my throat. I'm tellin y'all, it was splendid all 'round. They DID take my tube out, which was a definite highlight...painful highlight, but still a great thing. At any rate, my pain is actually way less today, and I'm taking it on faith than the swelling will come down....the doc's say the incision looks "great" and they think it will heal really well. They've all been warned that I'm a bride and going to be wearing a strapless dress, so I threatened all kinds of personal vengeance before surgery. So other than LOOKING like Jabba the Hut today, I feel pretty good. Might have found a deal on the Maggie I've been wanting...so if that pans out, it just might be a decent week all things considered. Hey, I'm alive!

Here ya go girls....I fell asleep in my drug induced haze last night (seems to be developinging into a habit. lol). Apologies. Here's this chick's ebay store...she does custom stuff too, so if you see something you like not in a size that will work for you, then she can hook ya up. There are a couple of sarongs I'm gonna get from her as well. Love all the rich colors. eBay Store - hiladytrade: Long Maxi, Buckle Skirt, Pants