"It's got a nice curve to it"

Now, at my current job, we rarely talk about curves in a postive light, however, talking to someone today they mentioned how they love the numbers 9 and 10 next to eachother because "It's got a nice curve about it".  After thinking about this, yes I do see that. 10.09.10...the nine kinda curves into the first ten in an artistic way. ( haha, if only the person knew that I could agree with an odd statement like that, maybe I'm losing my mind with all this stress).  While listening to my 100 bizillion vmails from work, I doodled the date and looked at the curves.  OK, remember when G, talked in her blog about how I am obsessed with Pink, well after looking at this picture, I would appear oddly obsessed.  Yes, you are seeing clearly, my keyboard is pink (my father got that for me), I have pink silly putty for stressful moments (my mother got that for me), I have pink heart post-its (gift from my office roomie), and more pink post-its and a pink sparkly ball (gift from my boss).  Here's the thing, when you love something as much as I do, people will see it and think of you.  I think that's how I have been lucky enough to get all these great things.  Ck would say this is too much and tacky but hey, everyone is amazed when they come into my office. :)

While we are discussing dates, I came across this calender necklace which can be found here.

How awesome,right?! It's by this vintage company that is titled something to do with an italian grandmother. (perfect, I heart vintage things and italian gmoms) You can get it in silver too, with a pink saphire, even more perfecccct for me :)

What date would you pick for your dream wedding and does it have a curve to it?

Finalllllly....

I have been super busy with packing, moving, hospital visits with CK, interviews for doctoral programs, work, amongst the many other things but I have made a big move on the wedding planning as well....10.09.10 the date has been set.  I know some of you may be thinking, October?? I know I know, I thought of myself as a summerish bride as well, but I would like to have some time to actually breathe and have fun with this and not be some manaic trying to plan everything in a few months.  Plus its really hot in the summer and nobody likes a sweaty bridal party!  Now don't get me wrong, I'm well aware that October is not that far away either.  Hopefully this will give CK time to get out of a cast and time for me to work on our house a little, as I am finallllly moving in this week, and time to figure out if I get into school or not. Time...what a fabulous thought.  Time to actually think. Time to just relax, if only, a girl can dream :)

Anyway yes October 9th.  I would have said something earlier but as you read above I have been busy.  It is going to be at a local country club and the place kinda could look a little castle-like.  It's unique and thats what I wanted.  Our ballroom will have a deck off it, the entire length of the room, with numerous grand french doors (and a great place to get some air when needed).  It also faces the 18th hole where the sun will set with greens and bright colors from the trees turning for the fall.  It will be nice plus the food will be spectatular too. You can kinda see the building and our deck in this picture.

The nice thing about this date is it is the Saturday of Columbus weekend so maybe people that wouldnt typically be able to come because they are coming from far away, might be able to now? I hope, but I know its tough, especially when we have another fabulous wedding to go to at the end of September :)

When did you invision yourself getting married? (Wonder if life will alter you choices like it did me, I am actually super excited about the pretty fall colors now because they should make for awesome photos)

ER contact part 2...It was more serious than we all thought.

It's been awhile since I have wrote on here...remember when I said it comes a point in your relationship when you become eachother's "contact in case of an ER"? Well, if you have been following you would know that CK broke his wrist 2 weeks ago.  Due to the snow, his follow up with the doc had to be rescheduled twice, but we knew the doc was going to say surgery may be needed. What we didnt know is that, he wasn't going to give CK and option, he hadddd to have the surgery. Grrreat. (I'm going to try and keep the story short-one so that we "dont worry anyone" and two because of time). 

Basically, the surgery took longer than anticipated, which was nerve-racking as you can imagine.  Apparently, it was more serious than we all though.  CK did not just break his wrist, he broke it in a few places and it was worse than the doc and his team expected.  He had to put a screw and numerous pins in CK's arm as well as graphed some bone from higher up in his arm, to ATTEMPT to secure his writst back in place.  (there are no guarentees that he will have full motion back).  The team asked CK to stay the night in the hospital, and if you know CK, you would know that as soon as he could figure out what was going on, he said to my mom, Let's go. Of course he didnt stay over.  We had a very long night, sleeping possibly 20 minutes at a time.  If we weren't so worried, we probably would have broken his other arm for not listening to the doctor!  There were some complications and we have to go back to the hopsital the next day to talk to the doc and get some things re-evaluated. 

 He was in a lot of pain, more than I think he may of realized.  My mom luckily had off from work so she was with us the whole time and we owe her a big thank you  :)    CK is doing much better now, three days later, and he will have his 72 hr. follow up on Tuesday where he will hopefully get a hard cast.  So, our busy lives, had to come to a hault for a few days.  They say to love someone, God puts you through certain random tests and we've been through a lot all these years.  However, this would be considered a large test.  CK doesn't like to ask for help or be babied, so it has been a long weekend but I think we can finally breathe a little now.

Amongst, all of this, I had my first interview for a doctoral program and the other one will be this Wed., I have to move out of my apartment (without CK's strong abilities) by the end of this month aka this week, missing work, and plan, oh yes, a fabulous wedding....ha, simple.

Has your relationship ever been tested and pushed to the limit?

"It's you, It's always been you..."

K, so don't laugh, but I heart Edward Cullen.  If you don't understand what I am talking about, no, that is not the true name of my fiance but of a character in the Twilight series (4 books made for teens).  I've never really been a reader, because I have horrible ADD.  If fact, I think my natural listening skills and cliff-notes is how I managed to graduate high school. But...I caved in and began reading the twilight series last year.  This is all because my co-workers at both inpatient facilities were reading it, and all of them were older than me, so I didn't feel bad reading a book made for teens.  So, twilight, it's addiciting.  I'm almost done book 3, and this is strange, because most people quickly read through the 500+ page books in a like a month, my sister in a weekend!  (I told you, its addicting and I would know because I am certified as an addictions therapist).  As we all know though, I am super busy so, I have been unable to read for fun unless you count all the wedding mags. They are in the process of making the 3rd movie now and I            (Green Wedding Shoes)

can't wait.  Poor CK, I have made him go to both movies.  The first one, wasnt as good as we thought it could be, but the 2nd one was much better.  Problem is, we went on opening night and there were tons of pre-teens screaming everytime Edward came on, or Jacob for that matter.  In case you don't know, Edward is a vampire and Jacob is a werewolf.  Now, Jake really likes Bella too, but ehh, he's not the one she loves.  (clearly I am team Edward because I think you need to go for the one you love and not settle).  CK, tells me, at the end of the movie, that he likes Jacob.  I told him he's crazy because he is EDWARD! duhhh! In one scene, Edward says "its you, It's always been you".  Of course, CK says this is "retarted".  (I told him I am putting that line in my vows, hahah).  In conclusion, though I have not read the 4th book yet, I see, while looking through my wedding blogs this week, that there was a wedding!- So here's to Team edward and some of the inspirations.  (don't worry I am not having a Twilight wedding-CK would not go for that and I am not that obsessed).

(source)

 Would you ever plan a wedding around a book you are reading?

Valentines day

"Hallmark holiday" is a disparaging term, used predominantly in the United States, to describe a holiday that is perceived to exist primarily for commercial purposes, rather than to commemorate a traditionally significant religious or secular event....Do u see where I am going with this??? CK claims that Valentine's Day is a Hallmark Holiday, (boo!)  I love this day, because its the one day I can wear pink and noone thinks anything of it.  Surrounded with pink hearts and love, what's a girlie-girl to do but smile!? 

Ohhhh, Valentines day (still smiling when I say it).  This year, we spent the day visiting our first venue Open house (yes that's right I still don't have a place yet).  I thought this place was "the place" but being a princess in an old mansion castle-like, turned into poor lighting, few dingy bathrooms, and strict guidelines.  Hmm, oh and I forgot to mention that it cost $9000 just to rent the place and then you have to use all their preferred providers that were not really our style, maybe too upscale? I mean the food was some kind of fish with raspberry dressing and roasted almonds pieces.  I mean sounds upscale but, I really only eat chicken and CK eats beef, so I guess that makes us old fashion.  However, My parents and CK and I had a fabulous breakfast and picked up lots of great stuff....look at all these bags!  One of the things you need to know about my father, is that he realllly enjoys free stuff.  There was a ton of vday chocolates and other goodies, including a bottle of wine we won in the raffle (pretty exciting).  Soo maybe it wasn't the place but it wasn't a total waste of time (at least in my eyes).

We went to two other places which seemed ok, but lacked that wow factor.  My parents went to a County Club after we left and my mom called loudly saying it's THE PLACE.  Now I just have to find time to check out THE PLACE and confirm this.  Oh yea, and guess what? It's snowing again. Boooo....

Is valentine's day a fabulous holiday or invented by Hallmark?  How many places did you think were "the place" before you actually found "the place"?

Where's my Ring?

Well, incase you haven't heard, were snowed in again and we're getting a ton of heavy snow.  Can I tell you that CK is never sick, and the one time he breaks his wrist, is the time Philly decides to break records with snow falls (no pun intended in that sentence at all).  Oh well, what's a girl to do??  However, I have realized that shoveling, isn't fun. Ok, I mean I already knew that, but in additional to the back aches, time, coldness to the bones, is that my ring is too big to pull my gloves over. Now, not being able to wear my ring, umm that's not fun.

My mom says that she neeeever took her ring off when she first got it.  However, she says one of her good friends takes it off when she goes to bed at night.  I don't take it off when I sleep, but when I shovel :)  Sometimes when I am doing the dishes too, because who wants cheese stuck in their ring?  I am always concerned that something is going to happen to it though.  I have this awesome bay window facing out from the kitchen sink so I place it there, but you never know.  Then, I got a present today from a close family friend, in a pink package of course.  And to my surprise.....its a ring holder!

Pretty perfect, since I have been contemplating what to do!  From this picture, you can kinda see the fabulous pink ring.  Also, you can see that we have a ton of cards.  CK and I have had a lot of big-cardworthy things happen to us in the past 6 months.  We bought a house at the end of November (hence the house card).  I also finally got my Master's degree (hence the graduate card), plus the obvious, we got engaged. Besides, the white wash of snow from the window, you may also notice the sparkley train.  I mention this, because you may need to know this for later.  My group of friends from college went everywhere together, therefore at times we appeared to be train-like.  Trains will forever have a place in my heart now and I hope they will all be able to see me marry the boy I love since we are all scattered throughout the US now :)

When do you take your ring or rings off?

Snow, trumps Venue picking

So, incase you are not on this coast, we got a ton of snow! At one point, I walked outside and it was up past my bellybutton!! (I'm not lying, I think it was a snow drift and the tree, I dont know).  Remember that CK has a broken arm too, so guess who did the shovelling?!? yes this girl, however, how lucky am I...our neighbors came and helped me because they saw CK in cast. It was soo nice of them and I have to think of something to do for them.

However, we were supposed to look at venues this weekend. Snow, trumps venue picking.  So, stuck in the house with a hurt fiancee, I began using my time to play on the computer and look through my zillion wed mags.  I start to think about what my dream wedding would be.  Haaaa, this will never happen, however, for those of you who know me, wont be surprised when I remind you that Barbie is my idol.  She's the only bitch who can drive around in a pink car, and not get negatively talked about! So, I spent time on google...and, wait for it...a PINK BARBIE CASTLE!!!!

Yea, Yea, I know...it's not even in this country so dont worry, but hoooow awesome :) We shall see what I actually get, all I know is, if we can afford it, I would like something unique and vintagey since I'm artsy and all.

What's your dream venue?

"well you were my emergency contact soo..."

Every year on the Friday before the Superbowl, philly fans gather at sometime very early in the morning and attend Wing Bowl.  A place where they watch contestants try and eat a gazillion wings and other rediculous things happen.  It's a Boys thing, I dont go, nor have a desire too, and they have been doing this since High School.  Its kinda cool that they have a tradition.  If you have no clue what I am talking about, you should check out the above pictures.  This year was no exception....

Around 3:15pm I got a miss called from CK, which I thought was weird because I knew he should probably be sleeping by then sicne they have been up all night and day.  There was a vmail from his P, his coworker, telling me there has been an accident, were at the hospital, CK has broken his writst, and may need surgery, call us back ASAP.  Not what a fiancee wants to hear, right?.  I called and of course no one answers.  I talk to CK when he calls back to find out that he may need to have pins put in his arm, but he doesnt want to. (Its a long story so I wont bore you with the details) However, I drive a fabulous convertible thats not good in the snow and we have a huge snow storm beginning to start.  Luckily he had his P there to support him and he got home.  No pins yet, but a cast, and we will have to see next week, if pins are needed.  Now I was called at 3:15, but would it shock you to hear that they had been at the hospital since 11am?! They didnt want to bother me at work. Though I would have liked to know, I see where they are coming from I guess.  Why was I called at all then?  "Well you were my emgerency contact sooo...if I had to have surgery then.." Ahhh, being the emergency contact.... Wish us luck as we are snowed in and in pain.

Are you anyone's emergency contact?

"Do you believe in soul mates?"

Today at work we decided to have an insightful conversation at 8am (I have no clue why but thats the benefit to working with all women).  My Boss told us about a book she read during jury duty called Soulmates and I butt in, while she was talking, and ask the ladies "Do you believe in Soulmates?"  We didn't come up with a distinct answer except to say that certian people are brought into your life for a reason and that you can have more than one soulmate, like a husband and a best friend who could be your soulmate too. 

Ck and I have been through so much together over all these years.  We have been seperated by other people, or by a move to Texas in high school, going to college in totally seperate states, and then the same city, a lot of stuff.  We continue to somehow find eachother when the dust settles.  When something really good happens or something terrible, hes one of the first I run to.  I couldnt imagine my life without him. He's without a doubt the mac to my cheese :)

When I googled soulmates it said: One theory of soulmates, presented by Aristophanes in Plato's Symposium, is that humans originally consisted of four arms, four legs, and a single head made of two faces, but Zeus feared their power and split them all in half, condemning them to spend their lives searching for the other half to complete them...(interesting, right?) And it also had this picture.  Apparently in a chapel in Italy, young girls of the town come and put needles at the foot of this statue in hopes to find their soulmate.  (man, noone told me about this!)

I may not have a statue to put needles in, but we have some amazing angels up there, that are looking out for me and CK, and I know they are definetly planning our "happily ever after" business.  My mommom and CK's mom passed away within a few years of eachother and both were extremely important people in our lives (so much that I can even give it justice).  I just know they are up there smiling high fiveing eachother.  But can you have other soulmates, that are people that you may not be romantic with, but you have such a connection with, that you know when somethings up before they do?  I think I have a couple of them too...I'm a lucky chick,

So do you believe in soulmates?

"When you're stressed, I get irritated"..."Oh its from P"

What a long day we had yesterday!  CK and I went to get my ring appraised by my mom's gemologist (cool title, right?) Nice guy but super busy and you need to schedule and appointment ( duh, I've been too busy to think about obvious things like that).  Then went out to eat at one of our favorite places to eat, La Tolteca. If you ever come to WC, Pa you must go there for their chicken nachos, they are to die for!  Then we went to my parents to discuss the dread venue issue still. 

On our way back to our house, (at 10pm on a work night), CK told me he hates when I'm" stressed because then he becomes irriated".  hmmm....I was silent.  I have my masters in psychology, I can handle a little stress, I think.  When he opened the front door there was a big box which he hit with the door and then cursed something.  I was so excited as it he said "oh, its from P."  yay!!!

I might forget to mention this enough, but I have awesome friends, who totally know when I need a pick me up.  One of my closest friends from college, who I referred to as P, sent me this box of magazines, candy, tums, etc. I'm a very lucky girl and it helped to remind me that this being engaged thing is supposed to be fun and exciting.  (though my mom said thats a lie people just tell you).  It's the little things that matter these days.

Have you done anything today to pick someone up? Who do you have in your life to keep you sane?

Babe did you know you could get married at the Aquarium? (picking the venue)

Soo...apparently if you are getting married in less than a year, you must pick the venue (if you can find one that's not booked) and that ultimately this is how you get your wedding date.  Hmmm, good to know.  Task for this week-find a freaking venue so we can get married this year! Grrreat so everything is booked and my parents are text messaging me 5 times in an hour, while I am at work in the middle of a session, to tell me how it is very important that I start calling places to find a spot.  Grrr...So I call CK and ask him nicely what he thinks.  He says of course "whatever you want dear".  Although I understand that this is super sweet of him to allow me to have whatever I want, what I really want from him is to help me.  I tell him that we will go with this place then, because it is extremely nice, and my parents like it.  Then he says, well it is really nice but we should look at a few places.  (Totally agree-however then we need to pick these so-called places and look at them this weekend).  K, so I breathe and then tell him (as calmly as I can), "ok babe, I need you to do some research then too and send me the links".  He says he wasn't planning on going on the computer but "fine" and hangs up.  (maybe he thought he was getting out of helping me with this?) He emailed me with two "great ideas"....The Camden Aquarium and Harrah's Casino in Chester....(then he sent some other ones)

Wedding with the turtles?

Although, both of these would surely surprise our guests, and they would def. have something to tell their co-workers about when they are asked what they did that weekend, but umm naa, not for me (though I am sure very cool).  CK tells me, he was joking, that I just needed to laugh, and that he's sure it would be too much $$, but idk.  Even though I was an art major in undergrad, I guess I am more traditional?? Maybe he's right and I should think outside the box??  All I know is, once we find a place, I may actually get to breathe again ( for atleast a week-anyway). 

I did however, find this site, that shows you local venues and has their availability for each month. How awesome right? Now I can check before I even fall in love with a place, if it is even an option.  (if you had to find a place you will know how awesome this feature is.) Off to create a "real" list of places to check out...

How long did it take you to find a venue? Did you pick the place or the date first?