KLC77

Oh, and when I'm being really good, I track my food and exercise at FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal I love the site. Its really easy to use and gives a lot of info.

Quote: Originally Posted by deefalvey nobody is very chatty on this thread anymore....I have been SO good, down 2.5lbs and now my period started today and I have the munchies SO BAD!!! All I want to do is EAT!!!! AHHHHH I know. This thread has been so slow. We only post on weigh in day. I'm going to try to be better and post more often for the last couple of weeks. The munchies suck! Especially when its that time of the month and all you want to do is snack. I drink a whole glass of water and brush my teeth. I never want to eat after just brushing my teeth, so sometimes that works. I have REALLY clean teeth that week! lol Quote: Originally Posted by mummergirl so what is everyone doing to stay motivated? did you slap a "before" pic on the fridge? do you have a goal outfit or a BD shoot coming up? do you have a workout buddy? what have you done to kick it up a notch for the second half? For motivation I book trips to warm places. lol I booked a trip to the Bahamas in 10 days. So, I have been eating really well because I gained weight since we first started the contest. Oh, and I invited my super skinny, in great shape friend to come with me. The thought of having to lay next to her in a bathing suit is all the motivation I need! I have to set short term goals to stay motivated. It way easier to think, ok I have a trip in two weeks and have to eat well and workout, than it is to think I have to do it for the rest of my life. Even though I want to do it for the rest of my life, the thought of that is just too much for me. So, after the trip to the Bahamas I think I'm going to look into a 5k in my area in about 2 months. Then I can just think of what I need to do until then. Quote: Originally Posted by Sapphire723 if you have chocolate munchies, try either chocolate whipped cream (you can spray it out and freeze it for a low-cal ice-cream like treat) or a really good quality piece of chocolate. I've found that I appreciate my chocolate more if I substitute a better quality smaller piece instead of lots of cheap chocolate, although AF still makes me want to eat an entire back of Flipz in one sitting. Ooh, good tip on the frozen whipped cream! Sounds yummy. And, I could eat every bag of flipz in the gorcery store! They are soooo good.

Congratulations! He is so cute.

hahaha, that is cracking me up. Especially because there wasn't any problem with him that led up to it. lol

Quote: Originally Posted by Freckles Hi Meredith and all other PRC brides I apologize Im not that active on this thread, I dont have access to a computer alot of the time but I still like to check it out when I can. We are experiencing the same situation with Luis from Swank. We initially emailed him asking for a quote in which he sent us one that was compeltly out of our budget. We then proceeded to look at an outside vendor and contacted Carlos from Mannia DJ services. They were in our budget and we confirmed with Perla the outside fee was 300$. We then informed SWANK we were not going to be using him and he proceeds to tell us we owe him 15% of his original quote plus taxes and he is charging us an ampage fee based on consumption and a charge for him to be there. We think this is completly unfair as we feel we should have been advised of a quote charge before he issued us that quote. If we knew we were going to have to pay for it then we never would have asked! Never in this entire wedding process planning have we had to pay for a quote. We also think that when we confirmed it was 300$ for the outside vendor we feel we should have been informed about these other fees. We have explained the situation to Perla and she is looking into it for us. I will let you know when I hear back from her. Hopefully she will be able to sort something out!! Just for the record, I got multiple quotes from Swank and DID NOT pay for them. Nor would I have if he asked. That is ridiculous! I did not use him. Did you tell Swank you were using another dj instead? Maybe he got mad... but its not right and I wouldn't pay.

Oh, and as for the issues my DH and I have been having, we did talk last night. Turns out he's afraid to buy something because of the economy. I understand this, sort of, but don't agree with him. Now is the time to buy. The economy will continue to get worse if people don't spend money. We can get a GREAT deal on the condo we are looking at. Right now, I'm only working part time (paying all my own bills) and going to school. He will be the one soley responsible for the mortgage for the next year. So, I get his fear. But, I'm not someone who will fail. If we start to struggle I would quit school and get a second job, then just take classes as I could fit them in. I would work at a fast food restaurant if that's all I could find. There are jobs... just not as many. Not to mention that he works for his dad's company in a good area of CT. He would never get fired. The business would have to close first and they've been in business since like 1910! Plenty of recessions since then and they didn't close up shop. So, while I understand his fear and I'm glad he told me, its not something that I think should stop us from buying.

Quote: Originally Posted by DWandMJ I have more or less an opinion poll...and please be completely honest if I'm far off in left field.... FI stated that once we're married, he will modify his $500,00 life insurance policy to include me as a beneficiary, however, he said he would make me 50% and each of his parents 25% to ensure that his brother and sister were taken care of. When I expressed my opinion that he has a responsibility to me and his subsequent children, and I wasn't fond of the idea because after taxes consume 50% that would leave me about $125,000 toward a mortgage, funeral expenses, his children's college, help out with the loss of 2/3 of our household income, etc... meanwhile his brother and sister look at it as an opportunity to go on a shopping spree on someone else's dime, he told me that it really bothered him that I felt that way and asked how selfish could I be that I wouldn't want his siblings to receive something. Sure they would lose a brother and his parents - a son, but their futures wouldnt come to a screeching halt the way his widow's would. I realize this is a terrible thing to think about, but realistically, is my perspective on the whole thing entirely warped? It sounds to me like he doesn't have enough insurance coverage for what he wants to do. I used to sell life insurance. The number shouldn't be random but based on expected costs/ needs in the event that he passes away. There is real math involved. Mortgage payments should be taken into consideration, other monthly expenses you will have, funeral/burial costs, your income etc. I don't think you're being selfish or unreasonable. If you don't currently have children, its not totally necessary that he have that much coverage today. But, when you have them you should update coverage and adjust beneficiaries as needed. There's nothing wrong with him wanting to provide for his other family members, but not at your expense. JMO. Also, I agree with others that the percentages he suggested seem off. How old are his brother and sister? Is there a reason that each parent needs to receive 25%? Can't they receive a total of 25% and use it toward his siblings? Also, there is no guarantee they would even use it toward the siblings if they aren't specifically listed.

I can't help but notice how short the list of names is for weigh in since we first started! I'm glad I actually lost something this week. Congrats to everyone!

Quote: Originally Posted by cac239 Hey, Do you by chance have a picture of the lanterns hung up? Also where did you get them and how many did you buy, enough to cover the entire terrace? Last question haha did you get the ones that plugged in or did you put the LED lights in the inside of the individual lanterns. Sorry for all the questions. They were battery operated. I had about 20 total, half blue and half white. I bought the blue ones at Christmas Tree Shop and the white at Bed Bath and Beyond. I brought down fishing line to hang them up.

Hey Meredith, I just double checked on the Paradisus site and each ceremony location includes a sound system option. Maybe Perla was confused with what you asked her. Here's what I copied directly from their site: Ceremony Locations Beach Site The beach site is located on a secluded part of the beach at the end of the resort. Location: outdoor Capacity: 100 people Events: Ceremony & Reception Options: Electricity, tables, chairs, sound system, white carpet, catered food, live music, and arch of flowers, tent, torches, and dance floor. Gazebo The gazebo site is located in the middle of the main pool it is a beautiful white area for small weddings. Location: outdoor Capacity: 15 people Events: Ceremony & Toast Options: Electricity, chairs, sound system, white carpet, Floral Arch, romantic dinner 2 pax. Beach Terrace The beach terrace site is located on a secluded part between the beach and the main pool. Location: outdoor Capacity: 210 people Events: Ceremony & Reception Options: Electricity, tables, chairs, sound system, catered food, live music

Quote: Originally Posted by Meredith Julie, The hotel dj SWANK gave us a quote to use the projector/screen and it was almost $800. He said if we bring a projector ourselves the cost would go down (which it clearly should)...he quoted us $150 for the screen alone. I am thinking we can use a wall or put up a sheet. Girls - I asked Perla if we could have a sound system/mic for the ceremony so people could hear. She said we would have to talk to our photographer about that...but they don't provide this. What should we do? Go back to Perla? Help! Thanks, Meredith Really, for the ceremony she said that? The sound system, which was used to play cd's I had burned for the ceremony and a microphone to be used during the ceremony were provided for us and we're included in our costs. They didn't even charge anything extra. I did ask about a microphone for the reception and it wasn't available for a reasonable cost, but for the ceremony it was included.

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride Awh Kelly...that sucks. I hope you guys can work through this. Just in the short time we've chatted I know you are a wonderful person & you deserve to be happy. I really wish we could get into our guys' heads every now & then. I truly believe that sometimes they just don't get it. I know you've talked to him, but have you maybe tried writing him a letter? Sometimes it may be easier to write everything down - and that way you'll get everything out that you want to instead of being interrupted with his thoughts/opinions. He may take you a little more seriously if you give him a letter?? I don't know...I just hope it works out. If you need to chat I'm here! Thanks Amanda. I might try that. He might take me seriously if I take the time to write everything down and like you said he can read all of my thoughts and they won't be interrupted. I know that a huge part of the problem is our living situation. I feel unsettled because I know we aren't going to be in the apt I live in long. I just don't feel home, ya know? There are things in boxes, its not decorated in a way I like and I'm not going to put in that effort when we're not going to live here long. I'm the type of person who if I feel unsettled in one area then it throws off everything else. I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact that there is someone else involved in my decision making and I have to WAIT for that person. I think we are going to try to talk tonight. Hopefully we get somewhere.

Quote: Originally Posted by yamille Kelly- I'm so sorry that you guys are fighting. I would be totally frustrated not living together as well. You have a right to be and in some way I am guessing that your DH is feeling guilty- since you are married and all that. Not living together definately make it easier to avoid "resolving" anything. Have you sat down and really had a heart to heart about this with him? You are not holding grudges the next day (or at least not saying anything about it) so that leads me to believe that the argument topics are not important and the fights are really about something deeper. My only suggestion is to really sit and talk and tell him that things HAVE to change. I know you really want to live together and maybe make some sort of rule that if you have am arguement you can't just leave or avoid it- both of you. There may not be a resolution each time but at least you won't have the awful, frustrated feeling. It sucks. Relationships are hard. I am having a tough time over here too- but that's another post... Quote: Originally Posted by Duchess Yeah, marriage is really hard! I love it, but find it somewhat challenging too. DH is in school full time and got a big shot new job on top of it, and I think his priorities are not in the right order. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and talking through stuff has really been good for us. Kelly, you have to talk to him. I hadn't seen an update in a while, but last I had heard, he was dragging his feet. He has to know that the time for that is over! Thanks for the support ladies. Lately I really feel like I'm always waiting around for him. Like, I'm not at the top of his list and I should be. Its kind of like he can deal with me last because he knows I'm not going anywhere, if that makes sense. Its just frustrating and I've mentioned it before and he just says I'm crazy and its not true. But to me, it is true, which is what he doesn't get. I'm thinking about looking for a therapist. I don't think that either of us knows what we're doing.

Oh Jen, I'm late! But I hope that you had a wonderful day and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!

I voted for you!

Wow, I would never have thought to tip on a tattoo. It has been ten years since I've gotten one, but it never crossed my mind to do. I guess I always figured that since they charge you based on what you are getting they are charging me enough. Not like getting your hair done, where the salon sets the price for a haircut, kwim. I have one that needs to be recolored... now I know to tip!

I rinsed mine out in the tub and then hung it from one of the lights in our room to dry. Was dry in a day or so.

Quote: Originally Posted by Fanny Quick question - does Paradisus provide sound system for the ceremony or should I include that amount of time for the ceremony when reserving dj services? They did provide a sound system for our ceremony and there wasn't an extra charge for this.

Kate, those are awesome!

Damn I wish I invented this! What a great idea.

I confess that DH and I have been fighting (more like bickering) fairly often recently, but when we fight we don't actually discuss anything or solve anything. Either he leaves or I tell him not to come here and then the next day we act as though nothing happened. Its so frustrating. We're still not living together 100% of the time and that makes it so easy to just avoid the situations. I'm so frustrated.

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 I have those too but it is just for decor. So if i'm serving dinner at night it should be fine right? Plus i have three candles on my centerpieces. Yeah, you will be fine with lighting. Quote: Originally Posted by LAURENANDBILL kelly where did you get your centerpieces from? did you have any trouble carrying everything down with you? I got them from Pier1. It was no problem getting them down there. I just wrapped everything in tissue paper and had two suitcases dedicated to wedding stuff. I checked my bags since we had a direct flight. Even if for some reason they didn't make it to Mexico it wouldn't have been that big a deal to me. I had my dress and that was really the only necessity.

I would absolutely email and call the general manager. If she was just informed of this policy change in January, does that mean that the info she gave you about it being ok was from before January? To me, that would mean that anyone she spoke to after January this rule might apply, but not if she told it before then. They are going to have to honor what they originally said to you. I'm sorry you're going through this. How stressful!

Quote: Originally Posted by sandra1976 I have read on here that the lighting on the terrace is good...is this correct? The lighting is good, better than I expected. I brought down paper lanterns that were hung from the ceiling and ended up telling Perla that is wasn't necessary to actually turn them on. My guests ended up turning them on anyway, but it wasn't necessary.

I walked 3 miles and did 30 minutes of YogaX. Just needed to do something to keep my muscles loose since I did so much yesterday.