becks

OMG!!!! She is soooooo kuh-yooot!

Congratulations Erica!!!! It's so exciting - and how fabulous have found THE dress so early! Hurry back and show us pics!

Alyssa I am so sorry to hear about your aunt. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Big hugs!!!

FI and I were visiting FSIL a while back and I was snuggling with Bailey, the french bull when he let out the most mind-bogglingly foul smell I have EVER encountered in my life. Holy Moley!!!! But he's soooo cute. We lit a couple candles and went back to having a nice lounge on the sofa.

Hi Calia - I'm sorry your week was so chaotic. And I was sorry to hear about your grandmother. Big hugs!!! Funny, I read the book in less than 24 hours. I really enjoyed it! It was eye opening in so many ways. I'd heard about the civil war in Sierra Leone, but like many of the foreign things that are reported on by the US media, there really wasn't much information. The book gave me a much better understanding. I was surprised at how detached Ishmael's writing was - it was almost purely narrative with so little emotional attachment for someone who went thru those events. I don't know if it was the effect of editing, or if that's a coping strategy that he employs. But it did strike me as peculiar somehow.

Glad to know you're okay. I hated earthquakes when I was in LA. Seattle had some, too, when I was little (before Mt. St. Helens erupted). You have my sympathies. And good thoughts and such!!

Hi Jenn - I have a few - what sorts of photos are you looking for? Beach? City? Miscellaneous Mexico-ness?

I'm torn. I really like the idea of #1 - versatile, cute, etc. but it doesn't exactly scream this is from my wedding!!! Maybe it's the colors, or whatever... The other one, I like really well, too. But it's more work, and more cost. All things considered, unless FI says he hates them, I'd say go with #1, and make some cute little hang tag to go on it. Less work, less cost...

Happy, happy birthday! I hope it's wonderful!!!

That is such a great story!!!! How totally fun! ... Even if you weren't prepared for it!

Very cute and great price!!! I may make you get some for me!

Hi Glenda!!! This is so exciting! Okay, so you've got about 15 offers of dresses, a couple of veils, music, and even a groom. I don't have much more to offer, but I am in the area and can make a mean cocktail or carry a tray of hors d'oeuvres! So if you need a bartender and/or wait staff, I'm your girl. I'm also a very good cook, so if you decide you want to go the DIY meal route, count me in to serve as soux chef!

Those turned out so nicely! Your guests are going to be so excited to receive them. Well done!

Quote: Originally Posted by Alyssa wow becks this is amazing!! as much as i love it, i am totally stressed by all the things that still need to be done LOL THANKS! Hmmm... I need to figure out how to write the code so that every time we open the file, a pop up appears reading "Stop... Breathe... okay, go ahead."

Hi Melissa - I'm glad answers are there. Not that they completely resolve the fears, but it helps to know. It sounds like your cousin and my sister have a whole lot in common. And just to reiterate, she leads a TOTALLY normal life. Three kids, happy marriage, college degree... We really don't think much about the tumor. I expect your cousin will have some minor side effects to his meds, like my sister's absentmindedness, but as long as he recognizes those for what they are and develops a coping mechanism, he'll do just fine!!! I'm glad this news is good. And thanks for the update.

Quote: Originally Posted by carly Becks, you are awesome. How many times this week do i need to say that?? Ok, I am sure I totally missed this somewhere else, but what do you need to prepare to change your name? I thought I would just change it when I got back... I don't know about PA, but in NY you can opt to change it when you register for your marriage license. I figured that out by googling "marriage license NYC". Try the same for PA and see what comes up.

I've purchase several things and also had a bunch of repair work done from Norman Landsberg. His prices are fair, their quality is excellent, and Norman is one of those sweet old men you just want to hug! Norman Landsberg 212-391-1980 66 W. 47th Street GIA Diamonds,GIA Certified Diamonds,Diamond Rings,Designer Jewelry,Jewelry Designers-Norman Landsberg Inc. If Norman's not there, Jacque's really good too.

I've probably e-mailed this to at least 8 people in the last few weeks. And today I did one of these: Duh! Just post the little monster! So, for your planning (or amusement at how totally A/R I can be), attached is my 105-item to do list. I set it up so it reminds you about things. When you've got 2-weeks to complete something, it turns yellow, when you've missed your deadline, it turns red. Pretty easy to use; put your wedding date in cell C1, the rest of the dates are calculated based on 120 days out, 90 days out, etc. If you want to add anything, just insert a row. It won't automatically calculate the deadline, but you can hand-key it into column D. Also, there are check boxes and tickmarks - they are dingbats - the box is a (lowercase) c, and the tickmarks are a (lowercase) a. Happy planning!! Wedding To Do List.xls

Oh no!!! Stupid rain! Doesn't it know you had plans?!?! Hope you can reschedule soon!

I'm sure it will all work out - it's a bridal shower, so it's not as if there is anything that should arise that would ruffle feathers. Worst case, if something does come up, have your hostesses pull people aside and suggest that it's an important day for you, so maybe it's best to have the discussion on another day. They'll get it.

I am openly a points/miles whore. I travelled non-stop for work for nearly 4 1/2 years and had so many points and miles. Now that I'm not travelling much anymore, I miss them. I took FI and his parents to Italy last year for the FIL's 50th anniversary - 4 tickets bus. class, 5 nights in hotels in Rome and Venice - all courtesy of United and Starwood. LOVED it. We're using Delta points to get to the wedding, and my Continental points and more Starwood points to fly to Tahiti for the honeymoon. Yup. Total points/miles whore.

Yay!!!! Congratulations Mel!!!! It was so great to book our photographer, I'm sure you're giddy with it, too!

OMG! I seriously would have had the little monsters' father paged and handed them over and told them the story. What a little rotten brat! I'm pretty sure that if it had been me, I would have looked at her and said, "do you want to know why they say I beat children?"

Honestly, I specifically opted for a hotel that only did one wedding per day for this very reason. I can't imagine how I'd feel, as I was gettting ready to walk down the aisle, only to see another bride and groom taking photos or something. Some of the hotels book the weddings on even hours. So, in theory, I guess you don't see them, but if I'd picked a popular day, I wouldn't want to chance it. I know it's selfish, but like you, I want it to be my day.

I don't think you're in the wrong. But I do think you need to have a conversation about it. If this guy is THAT awful at a party, can you imagine how bad he will be for several days? And once he's there, it's not like you can ask him to leave. He's got a plane ticket; he's there for the duration. Maybe you should suggest to FI to think about how his mom/grandmother/aunt/sister/etc. are going to feel when he starts behaving this way and he has to explain to them that Randy is his guest.