Ready or not, here it comes

The intensity of a large wedding is unbelievable.  So many people and details.  But I keep reminding myself that people are coming to celebrate and have a good time, and it will be okay.  The to-do list is as long as my arm right now but everyday sees a few more things crossed off.

Nick is working his final week in Fredericton this week, then home for next week to visit with his brothers.  As I write, Jonathan is driving across Canada, towing a trailer.  I will be very glad to see him back in Carleton County, and I know his family will be too.  I have not seen my sister Morgan in almost two years so it will be awesome to have her home too.  She is bringing her longtime boyfriend Dave, but leaving her moose-of-a-dog, Titan, in Alberta.

Looking at the guest list, I get the sense that this is going to be a farm-family wedding - lotsa food and big extended families.  My only sad note is that three of my grandparents have passed on and will miss the festivities.  But there are people flying across the world to make it and others giving up vacation days and many more hitting the road to see us married. I think the city kids are going to see a real Carleton County get-together and it will be a good time.

We had a fabulous wedding shower in Debec on Monday evening and we have one final shower Sunday after church.  Then it will be visits, haircuts, thank-you cards, hugs and parties.  Finally! It is hard to say whether I have time to do anymore updates - my computer quit this week too.  But eventually I will put a few photos up here, for people not on facebook.  Thanks for reading.  See you soon :)

Calling all friends!

I have no clue how many people are reading this, BUT....

We are going to have a "friend choir" at our wedding.  Adam Sandler was unavailable so what better way to include our musical friends than by having them provide free entertainment at our nuptuals?  The song is going to be "When I'm 64" by the Beatles and rumour has it my fantabulous music-everything sister Tracy is arranging a real band with real instruments played by real musicians to accompany the singing.  Excited yet?  I am!

So, we'll have one brief rehearsal next Friday afternoon, Sept. 3rd, time TBA.  We welcome anyone and everyone who likes to sing to participate.  The goal is to sing well in unison - no fancy parts, no solos.  Just some friendly friends adding their special touch to a great song. Just think of it as singing along to the radio in your car - the more people who join in, the better we all sound!

If you're interested (family members too!), leave a comment or send me a message.  Please spread the word to anyone you know that sings in the shower.  C'mon, why pass up a chance to be in the most unconventional wedding Carleton County will see this year?? Besides, it's the Beatles!

100 % chance of showers

Sorry for the bad pun, but it's true. The kind ladies in Debec are holding a shower tomorrow night, Monday, at 7:30pm at the United Church in Debec.  Come and bring best wishes and have a snack.


And Saint James United is celebrating with Nick and me after church next Sunday.  Presents are not necessary - just nice to do some introductions and have a chat.

Kindness

Well, we got the Dooryard all looked after, it was a blast.  Now back for the final countdown.  Here's where we stand today:

Wedding Musicians: almost ready
Wood-fired pizza oven: ready
Food: ordered
Reception Band: prepared
Dress: hemmed
Wine: bottled
Bridesmaids: Stunning
Groomsmen: on their way home
Tents: rented
Photographers: ready
Courthouse: newly painted
RSVP's: if you haven't done this you're on my 'naughty' list.  But if you haven't done that, you're probably not reading this, either!

So, pretty good.  Just a few details (like flowers and transportation) left to go.  I have tons of great help so hopefully we'll have time to visit with all of the family and friends headed this way.  That's the best part of all this, knowing that so many thoughtful and kind people will be there to share the day with us.  And especially with having just brothers and sisters at the front.  Feels very old-fashioned, I like it.

Received a card today from a special lady who goes 'way back' with our family.  Love seeing that proper cursive writing - I'm pretty sure they won't let you into a WI group without it....the card says "Best wishes for a long and happy life together from your Grade Four teacher, Mrs. Sanders."  Thanks, Mrs. Sanders, Grade Four doesn't seem that long ago but I guess it was.

Also had the privilege of picking out a handmade afghan from Nick's grammie Joan's collection.  I'm ashamed to admit this is the first year I've seen her garden, but what a thrill!! Vegetables of all kinds and the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen live in the ground.  Truly.  If you have time when you're home for the wedding and want to see something beautiful, ask for a tour.  Beautiful.  Here's the afghan, promise me you won't look too closely at the junk in the background :)

Hard to believe after nearly a year of talking about it, we're going to be hitched soon.  We're ready, I think, and the details will be done by the time guests arrive.  Remember, if you're coming, you need flat shoes for the reception (it's outside) and probably a sweater.  Nights are cooling down quickly and we wouldn't want you to catch a chill!  

You Can't Serve Two Masters

not forever, anyway... 

But as I've been planning a wedding, I've also been part of a great team of people getting the second annual Dooryard Arts Festival ship-shape.  We've got tons of cool stuff going on, and I thought I'd be totally nuts right now trying to get everything wedding and Dooryard looked after.  

As it turns out, they've been very yin-yang for me.  When I get sick of one, I plan the other, taking occasional breaks for beer, laundry, sleep and visiting.  Pretty good, really.

We have nearly all the RSVP's now.  Looks like a crowd of approximately 150 celebrators-in-chief.  Thanks everyone for all your well wishes - it's been a huge encouragement when the planning and emails don't show any sign of stopping.

The countdown is on!

Four weeks today when I wake up I will be married :)  I'm excited about that, especially after spending the better part of a year preparing.  Most of the plans are in place, now we just have to look after the devilish details. 


Our Pampered Chef order arrived last week - we are going to have one of the most well-equipped kitchens in town.  It has really made us think about that kitchen reno we keep putting off.  Right now our kitchen is too awkward for us both to cook simultaneously, which is a bummer since we both love food.


But now we've got the right tools for the job, as they say, and we can look forward to a new design sometime next year or maybe in 2012 (assuming the world doesn't end, of course).  Some photos of the kitchen goods:

Lots of possibilities for meals and treats now! Thanks everyone who helped us replace some of our old junk with beautiful cookware.  We really appreciate it :)