Once in a Lifetime

We are officially, but not traditionally*, engaged!

That is to say that we are planning, I have bought bridal magazines (3 magazines are a combined 4 1/2 inches thick... Geez.), and we are going to be sending out 'save the date' cards soon. (Homemade, of course, and part of them will be 30% post consumer recycled paper!)

*Not traditionally, meaning that we didn't do the ring thing. We have been talking about getting married for so long, and we really liked the date we picked out, so we just figured, hey, why not!

I have some questions to ask some people, and hopefully, everything works out as planned.

HOWEVER, I am hoping that I can plan a bash as fun as C & G's was, as relaxed and casual as J & M's was, while still having my own ideas and take on things.

My thoughts, so far: (some of them, don't want to give it ALL away...)

- Sage Green and Light Cream. (Those are my colors. I like that they rhyme, too... heh.)

- Going to be in this area, while I understand that it will mean almost all of my guests will have to travel at least 300 km, I am kind of thinking of persuading everyone by saying, "hey, when was the last time you saw the mountains?" Use it as a mini vacation, by all means. Come out early, stay late, go up on the tramway, for gosh sakes. (You can see it in this picture, come on, who doesn't want to go up to the seemingly little shack on the mountain?). *

- Easier for us to plan it when it's where we live, and since it's just over 10 months away (decided on a date before we decided we were going to do it) and kind of but not really already feeling stressed and rushed...

- Probably going to be about 40-72 people. I know it's a wide range, but it really depends on the rsvps. I am expecting a minimum of 40, because there are certain people WHO ARE GOING TO BE THERE. I will make sure of it. You all probably know who you are. if you don't, I will make sure you know soon enough.

- Trying to plan it so that it will be the least environmentally destructive as possible. Most people don't know it, but Chris and I are greenies. Not as much as we'd like to be, but we are getting there, and we are planning to offset the carbon emissions for our entire wedding, including our guests' travel. And then some.

- I am going to talk to caterers about the possibility of organic/local foods, if possible. Hinton is small enough that it might be difficult, but at the same time, there might be some people out of Jasper (Major Green Town) that would be more than willing to work with us.

- I already have ideas for centerpieces and 'other' cool things... but not disclosing those to anyone who doesn't need to know, yet.

- I already know who I want my flower girls to be. I just have yet to ask... You'll get your calls probably on sunday...

- I intend to honour the flower girls, but making them 'princesses' for the day, and I have other plans, too.

- I think I need to make a trip into Cold Lake in November at the latest.

- I need to find a good time to go to the lady in Cold Lake ish area to do a cake tasting. I loved the pictures of all the cakes she'd done, and I think she could do what I want done with my cake. And she made Joy's.

- I need to ask certain people for the name of the DJ company they used... I will be calling.

- I still have to find a good place to have the wedding. Of course, places in Jasper are gorgeous, but at a day rate of $17.80 PER VEHICLE to enter the National Park, it will be as a last resort, only. I would feel way too bad asking my guests to travel this far, spend as much money as I estimate it will cost, just to have to spend that much more.

- I like the idea of a day after brunch/open house. Am considering it. (Of course with all sorts of twists from the regular stuff. Hee hee hee.)

*I can offer several amazing places to go for beautiful views that aren't listed on any travel maps, too.
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HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY, CHAIR! Hope it was a good one, even if you had to eat pink icing....

Sorry I missed it, I thought about you on it, and hoped you were having a great day!
:)
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I can't stop thinking about wedding stuff. I can't even sleep at night, I am so excited/anxious/nervous/freaking out in a good and bad way.

Trying to block it all out while I am at work, but it is so NOT working, especially on a rainy day like today, where in the last 3 hours, there has been 1 customer, and I've already cleaned just about everything there is to clean. Inventory is done, floor's mopped. Blaine is turning into a puddle.

Gah. So much to do, so many people to call. So many things to print and cut and paint and glue and send. And I guess I have to address envelopes, too.

That reminds me, I need stamps.

I also have 4, no, 5 library books about weddings to read, and 6 more on hold... oy.

Where do people find the time to do all this stuff?

I think my head might explode. I need to have a long relaxing bath tomorrow night, and read mindless Archie comics I've read thousands of times before. (Can't have one, tonight, get to go over to C's parent's house tonight, because it is his Mom's birthday! If I'm not mistaken, we get to have another delicious cake made by Kellie... can't wait to see how she decorated this one! She makes some pretty interesting cakes, very creative!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bernie! I hope that you had a good day, I know you had to work until 9 p.m., but we taped Survivor for you, so hope that helps! (It was good, too).
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Chris's Mom has already offerred her services if I need any help with anything for the wedding, and I already have an idea for something... No, I'm not going to tell you!

Oh, yeah, I am more motivated than ever about getting into shape. Going to do it, one of these days, too.

:) Blaine

Not Moving.

For Sure.

Chris is arranging a home terminal transfer from Edson to Jasper.

So, long drives in the winter will prevail, BUT, he won't be working 6 days each week, and be forced out to random places from Thunder Bay, Ontario to the West Coast EVERY WINTER until people start to retire anywhere from 5-15 years from now.

And, if he really wanted to go back to Edson in 5-15 years, we could always try. (It might be hard to get back into, but the pros vs cons came up with this being better overall.)

:) And, in Jasper, he will be qualified as a conductor sooner, and not be the bottom of the seniority for the terminal.

So, yeah.
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Mark 8.8.8. on your calendars, and cross your fingers it works for then.

:)