Catch up!

Whew, it's been a busy few days! I haven't posted since Thanksgiving, I think. We had family up from North Carolina and we had one heck of a weekend. So much has happened since my last post, I don't know where to begin. On top of everything else, I'm back to work and playing catch up from being off since last Tuesday.

Let me see, I'll start by saying that I am now bridal party drama free! Haha. It feels good to have the negativity away from me. I'm not going to go in to detail but it was definitely for the best. When you realize people are not for you, they must be against you and I don't need that mess around me. Peace to the haters!

On another note, Mai ordered her dress! Can you believe it? Everything that girl has been through over the past 5 months and regardless to my protests, she still made it her business to order her dress and be a part of the wedding. I'm amazed, happy, ecstatic, all in one. She really wanted to be a part of our day, no matter what. I love her =) Awww, let me not get emotional here.

Next, I went shopping with Mike's niece and his nephew's girlfriend over the weekend. I was able to get their tank tops from Old Navy for $5 a piece! I plan to use the rhinestone iron-ons to individualize each tank. For instance, his sister is married, so hers will say Mrs. XXX. His niece calls herself "Ms. Boss", so that's what her tank will say. I'm so excited! Hopefully, the rhinestones will come in soon so I can get started. I also purchased them the mini reed diffusers. They smell great; I'm just going to give them a goodie bag, basically with a bunch of stuff in it and then get them each something else. I don't know. I'll keep looking and see what I come up with.

I also received a coupon from eBay for 40% off on December 1 only. I used the coupon to get my garters. Total price wound up being $12! They are Philadelphia Eagles garters, one keepsake and one toss. Mike should really like them =0)

My invites came in, both sets! The VistaPrint invites as well as the 13 bottles that the lady replaced for me. They all made it in one piece, thank goodness! So this weekends' project is to put the boxes together, address and stamp them, and get them ready to be sent out on the 13th. Everything is right on schedule.

I designed my rehearsal dinner invites but I haven't ordered them yet. Well, actually not invites but menus. Next project is the brochures to go in the out of town boxes, which I'm purchasing from another knottie for an excellent price.

Whoo! That was a mouthful! I'm done for now and I'll return on Friday with pics of everything new. Goodnight. ^-^

Oh, I almost forgot, I received my My Publisher photobook. Love it! I used our engagement pictures and I got 2 for the price of 1! I'm thinking about gifting one to my parents. The quality is amazing and so many knotties recommend them. I see why. Definitely making a parent's wedding album with them. I'll post pics of it in the near future. Goodnight, seriously this time.

Turkey day!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for today; so much that I can't be mad at those who try to bring me down. Thankful that we are truly blessed, no matter what happens. Family has arrived and we are cooking something up! All in attendance are Mike's brother, his wife and their grandson from North Carolina, my MOH's son (MOH had to work, :( ), Pops, Mike's brother from Florida, and his cousin Jr. Unfortunately, my mom came down with the flu, so my parents are unable to attend :( I'll save you guys a plate, don't worry!

Mike started the turkey and homemade stuffing this morning and he should be on his way back from picking up his other brother from the airport. In the meantime, I'm working on the cabbage with smoked turkey, baked macaroni and cheese, and the potato salad is DONE. Whew, I can't wait.

The only thing left is the yams with pineapple and the cornbread, which I'll start last.

On another note, I decided to call shiit starter bridesmaid and let her know there was no need to think about whether or not she wanted to be in the wedding. I was making the decision for her; I told her very nicely, just come to the wedding, if you still intend to do that, and have a good time. I wished her a Happy Thanksgiving and told her to enjoy her family before ending the conversation and that's that. I feel relieved because the women I have left truly want to stand next to me and they belong there. If you have to think about whether you want to participate, like you're doing me a favor when you started all the drama, thanks but not thanks.

So on to enjoy the holidays with loved ones and true friends. To all of you, Happy Thanksgiving!

Home sweet home!

I called Mai on Friday and gave them the security code as usual in order to speak to her. A few minutes later the woman who answered the phone comes back to tell me they don't have anyone there by that name. Yippee, my girl is outta there! It's about time! I called her sister after I hung up with the hospital to confirm, and she told me that it was true. I am so relieved.

I haven't called her yet; I want to give her a few days to settle in and then I'll reach out. I just pray that everything works out for her. I'm not even going to bring up the wedding unless she does; I don't expect her to be able to still be my MOH, but I hope, as I said before that she can at least be in attendance. In the unlikely event she still wants to be in it, we are going to have to see what magic we can make happen in order to rush her a dress. The other girls ordered their dresses almost 2 months ago, and they aren't even due in until January. Yikes. We'll take it one day at a time.

Don't take it personal

I arrived in North Carolina early Friday morning Sep 12, after driving all night and working 8 hours. Around 12 noon, I decided to call my MOH to see how she was doing and if I could come and see her. The first woman that answered the phone asked my name, which they never did before, and then put me on hold. After a few minutes another lady comes on the line, asks me my name, then says Mai isn't taking any calls. I quickly asked her to tell Mai who was on the phone and that I was in town and wanting to come see her. After all, Mai would LOVE to see me, right? The lady returns to the phone after a few minutes only to tell me I should try back later. What? Fine. I hang up. Confused, I don't know what to feel.

The next visiting hours are after 5pm so after I take a quick nap I call back at exactly 5pm. After two transfers I'm told Mai isn't taking any calls. Okay. Again, I hang up, confused. Angry. Not at Mai, but at the situation. It stinks.

I decide to call Mai's sister, Jo, so I can let her know about this latest convo, or lack of it. Jo assures me what I came to realize prior to calling her: Don't take it personal, she loves and would love to see you. It's them (the hospital staff) that insist she doesn't want to be bothered. I feel in my heart that this may not be the case, but I decide I am marching straight up to the hospital before I head hundreds of miles home. Empty and without a visit.