tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82006778860100462672024-02-19T06:37:32.206-05:00The Sea PigMatt and Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12396402931513387600noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-31032622354096267532009-08-11T14:39:00.005-04:002009-08-11T14:53:01.275-04:00That was AWESOME!We're married! After being together for 14 years and surviving two years of engagement, the big day has finally happened. Woohoo! The weekend at the inn was surreal, but we had an incredible time and we know at least a few other people had fun, too. There are various pictures on Facebook already and we should have the website for the "official" pictures in a few weeks. I'll also be setting up an account on a photo sharing site, so people can upload their pics. If you want to see the pictures from our "engagement session," then you can check them out <a href="http://www.pixelperfectfoto.printroom.com/event.asp?domain_name=pixelperfectfoto&group_id=11">here</a>.<br /><br />A huge thank you to all of our friends and family who made it out to celebrate with us. We're very lucky to have so many fantastic people in our lives. We hope everyone had as good of a time as we did.<br /><br />We're off to Curacao on August 15, so expect some stories and pictures when we return. I may also be posting some random wedding memories on here in the coming days. But maybe not. This is one of my few remaining weeks of vacation, after all.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-77425545423395093632009-07-11T12:46:00.011-04:002009-07-11T14:32:34.792-04:00Food of the Outer BanksThis post is somewhat overdue, but I'm on vacation, so time is of little concern. Anyway, here is a quick review of the food that Briana and I ate on our Outer Banks pre-wedding expedition. Disclaimer: All photos were taken with the crappy cameras on our iPhones.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday Dinner:</span><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBu9Uo8hyuYsA00NAYsoeDag7J_1HwhUAG6gTlEuESvK43gKIRHmOGLyALFcavENjieDH18PGHPXJsbA6OY2NQ2bs1R672mMHzPawoEqM-G5dSj0N_fj8WZ_Mk3wEKRV0wZnPzAM0RMO3/s1600-h/IMG_0161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBu9Uo8hyuYsA00NAYsoeDag7J_1HwhUAG6gTlEuESvK43gKIRHmOGLyALFcavENjieDH18PGHPXJsbA6OY2NQ2bs1R672mMHzPawoEqM-G5dSj0N_fj8WZ_Mk3wEKRV0wZnPzAM0RMO3/s320/IMG_0161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357256048068092994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blue Moon Beach Grill</span><br />Matt ate the Mahi Mahi BLT and Briana ate the Voodoo Pasta.<br />If you are coming to the OBX, then you MUST come to this restaurant. It was fairly small inside, but the food was fantastic. The Voodoo Pasta was made up of grilled pork, veggies, and a slightly spicy marinara; it was very tasty. The Mahi Mahi BLT--see picture--had a big slab of Mahi Mahi, ample bacon, and an herb mayo. I had to smash it down in order to take a bite out of it. I will be eating another one of these when we head back to the beach in August because it was, in the words of Will Ferrell, scrumtrulescent.<br /><br />In addition to great food, Blue Moon also had Fat Tire beer on tap. This was a wonderful surprise because before March of 2009, Fat Tire wasn't available anywhere on the East Coast. Even now, it's only in North Carolina. If you have never tasted Fat Tire before, then let me inform you that it is freakin' delicious. I'm certain that angels' sweat is included at some point during the brewing process.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday Lunch:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pigman's</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bar-B-Qu</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">e</span><br />No stay in the OBX is complete without a visit to Pigman's. We had the traditional lunch of Pork BBQ Combo Boats (pulled pork sandwich, fries, cole slaw, and hush puppies). Their BBQ is the North Carolina vinegar-style, so don't expect any sissy tomato-based sauce.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTEiwGVMOmlneuU_Tc0iCxb_klW5kj4Zzlry8KrjNXwGAQzvEOHgYzK9Eta06dZRrA8t-z752WPE5r-z5ttqPLu53kFhk1V8Xz-xRA6f7ULbxqjKa0iMvwg4rFX9_O9_Rp294RQRXRmfT/s1600-h/IMG_0162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTEiwGVMOmlneuU_Tc0iCxb_klW5kj4Zzlry8KrjNXwGAQzvEOHgYzK9Eta06dZRrA8t-z752WPE5r-z5ttqPLu53kFhk1V8Xz-xRA6f7ULbxqjKa0iMvwg4rFX9_O9_Rp294RQRXRmfT/s320/IMG_0162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357257984530114642" border="0" /></a>It's like a present waiting under a Christmas Tree.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRmFrHMzlUNzGddWA2C_V0UHx_Whht6tcIsqpx-kxkaRlH931GxCorw3Yxhz4C2OUNSMOEKiZIPRVGX9zy3L_TlYJTYgoa7T3Zf77EzEG8bv8D-GZ3aDUCMtGPLkVW9lP1pEebjs8SzWq/s1600-h/IMG_0163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRmFrHMzlUNzGddWA2C_V0UHx_Whht6tcIsqpx-kxkaRlH931GxCorw3Yxhz4C2OUNSMOEKiZIPRVGX9zy3L_TlYJTYgoa7T3Zf77EzEG8bv8D-GZ3aDUCMtGPLkVW9lP1pEebjs8SzWq/s320/IMG_0163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357258478389340978" border="0" /></a>I managed to pause long enough to snap a picture of the actual sandwich.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday Dinner:</span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPgXBVyDYCHU-8berwnoeCQjGv4MNEvdLmfqce1nghHGpajOJDs3FQ4dCSNk0KAZOWWnuThQzACvJt3zSSfSS14czMNoCkCznqf-V0Zlp_Ryc_EBMK5PuhjCj-tqw_tgmX-J9sbKIWdoW/s1600-h/IMG_0166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPgXBVyDYCHU-8berwnoeCQjGv4MNEvdLmfqce1nghHGpajOJDs3FQ4dCSNk0KAZOWWnuThQzACvJt3zSSfSS14czMNoCkCznqf-V0Zlp_Ryc_EBMK5PuhjCj-tqw_tgmX-J9sbKIWdoW/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357262355173928834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kelly's</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Restaurant and Tavern</span><br />Since Kelly's will be the caterer at the wedding, we figured we would check them out. Briana ate the Fettuccine Alfredo with crabmeat and Matt ate the Tuna something-or-other (it was the day's special). The fettuccine was creamy, not too oily, and had some pretty sizable chunks of crabmeat. Since Fettuccine Alfredo is just macaroni and cheese for adults (according to Mitch Hedberg, anyway), it usually falls into one of two categories: awful and good. This was good.<br /><br />The tuna was tasted fine, but it wasn't anything special and was a bit undercooked. I still liked it, but I've had better. Tom, the innkeeper at First Colony, says Kelly's catering is better than the food at the restaurant. We'll see if he's correct very soon... [Editor's Note: We forgot to take a picture until Matt had already eaten his tuna.]<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday Lunch:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcthdQC3dwMjYl6a8qfi4F1fnbiophyGip6mGz7EiHN6MiWnDtUx8cHSqrcgVhX5L0WUto9_QGqiXNGsrKZIRL2-QR_tMXQBtrIsUy1l1ZeqRztRezXK0fKhD2T_fO0cQXInXPZtCG-Vej/s1600-h/IMG_0171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcthdQC3dwMjYl6a8qfi4F1fnbiophyGip6mGz7EiHN6MiWnDtUx8cHSqrcgVhX5L0WUto9_QGqiXNGsrKZIRL2-QR_tMXQBtrIsUy1l1ZeqRztRezXK0fKhD2T_fO0cQXInXPZtCG-Vej/s320/IMG_0171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357267996761751442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New York Pizza Pub</span><br />Despite all those vacations to the Outer Banks, I couldn't remember eating at this place, so Briana and I checked it out. They had, of course, lots of pizza options, some pastas, and a bunch of sandwiches. We opted for the paninis; the Classic Italiano for Briana and the Pollo Mediterranean for Matt. Both paninis were excellent and the fries were good, too. I'd like to try their pizza on the next visit. Oh, and they had Fat Tire. It was bottled, which wasn't as good as on tap, but still like liquid sunshine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMX8Gl2vamRrs4A7pwYhRgLWspMW2hpozZke58LA4xqYCWBDLexxMxptI6p3cQFQAq88X4fHKcrmqLHGz2ers0kJa1Jg3LQzxWNISiMM1rAadKM2_fGrgfav2aGPE4PBrErcqbvlvunwvd/s1600-h/IMG_0170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMX8Gl2vamRrs4A7pwYhRgLWspMW2hpozZke58LA4xqYCWBDLexxMxptI6p3cQFQAq88X4fHKcrmqLHGz2ers0kJa1Jg3LQzxWNISiMM1rAadKM2_fGrgfav2aGPE4PBrErcqbvlvunwvd/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357268319619286306" border="0" /></a>Mmm... Fat Tire.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday Dinner</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">La Fogata</span><br />We needed a cheap dinner on Sunday, so we hit up La Fogata, the local Mexican restaurant. It was what we expected: good Mexican food at a decent price. If you want Mexican while you're at the OBX, then this is the place. I honestly can't remember what we ordered and the picture is of little help. Not that it really matters because Mexican food is all the same: tortilla, cheese, meat, and vegetables. [Editor's Note: That's a Jim Gaffigan joke.]<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4inZKk2jtS6_QJ9AGG-zK5vx6oTY-NB2Z1k2m15eF6eBR9Fv0MK-QZAnv_sFpZuLdhJFokhvBmAyuUeQ5WBsK2iG434fN_CODSCR7RAQgL9Q2FI9UFP4tOhlmtm6CxBEIsMgkQk_Oh2V/s1600-h/IMG_0172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4inZKk2jtS6_QJ9AGG-zK5vx6oTY-NB2Z1k2m15eF6eBR9Fv0MK-QZAnv_sFpZuLdhJFokhvBmAyuUeQ5WBsK2iG434fN_CODSCR7RAQgL9Q2FI9UFP4tOhlmtm6CxBEIsMgkQk_Oh2V/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357270702895737746" border="0" /></a>Tortilla, cheese, meat, and vegetables. Yup.<br /><br /><br />Matt's final thoughts:<br /><ol><li>Eat at the Blue Moon Beach Grill</li><li>Fat Tire beer = incredible.</li><li>Patronize the local food establishments! If you eat at Outback or Applebee's while at the OBX, then you're a moron.<br /></li></ol>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-28630004939651044732009-06-17T11:21:00.014-04:002009-06-17T14:37:57.374-04:00The Invitation SagaSince the invitations have finally been sent, I figure it's time to tell the story behind them. The story starts like this: Briana and I found the perfect invitations, but they were going to cost $600. We--trying to stay within budget and sticking to the DIY theme of our wedding--decided we could make them ourselves. And so we did. Even with the assistance of Penny, Tamisha, and Brianne (our intrepid helpers), the invites took a ridiculous amount of time to finish. The following is a photo essay of the process.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DAY 1</span>- Creating the sandal invitations.<br />1. Matt gets frustrated easily. Especially when trying to format text on sandal-shaped invitations.<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs1RtNaHaAw6pOChyHnh1S9krkSKjnm_Nd0Q4KjoF5TeTIZKwiAIYFNqE65V1HqpENL_bxjwUJ6eGLSH9IJjlBVa6dOcF5PbquaSo-wH5h9z33zCsirZoFsDEkZGXP1BwD3SrSEwHzjDo/s1600-h/IMG_1182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs1RtNaHaAw6pOChyHnh1S9krkSKjnm_Nd0Q4KjoF5TeTIZKwiAIYFNqE65V1HqpENL_bxjwUJ6eGLSH9IJjlBVa6dOcF5PbquaSo-wH5h9z33zCsirZoFsDEkZGXP1BwD3SrSEwHzjDo/s320/IMG_1182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322309217463506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />2. Every invitation was handcrafted by our expert craftsmen. Matt's thumb still has nerve damage from the scissors. This is what the invitations looked like before the trimming process.<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymKbBbBwEjeqq4q6h9TJVwR0iWtPnlJ5hZLfESC8GcN-j9C6pTNwDQVAEPOk5ZvNQjcgzjfbvEyVdgeXDlN2r08rBaVTt_efpTPXjdvOEwZr8x0HlDL0iI8psWCEVbrfbgJXzb1fEFXz4/s1600-h/IMG_1187.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymKbBbBwEjeqq4q6h9TJVwR0iWtPnlJ5hZLfESC8GcN-j9C6pTNwDQVAEPOk5ZvNQjcgzjfbvEyVdgeXDlN2r08rBaVTt_efpTPXjdvOEwZr8x0HlDL0iI8psWCEVbrfbgJXzb1fEFXz4/s320/IMG_1187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322325911900994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3. Brianne expertly folds the invitation prior to cutting.<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzib-qoSo0vbECswvzlwDQm5XPSgbaQFCdwAUC8giYF08q1RSaEjdbLIN6A3WmBFAKEMCIWKuQVasVBIE5mjqQtS0hMrch8PXoiYcxj7TSUc2y_qVemugti-qfokqht_BiQ1zSo0drAdu3/s1600-h/IMG_1190.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzib-qoSo0vbECswvzlwDQm5XPSgbaQFCdwAUC8giYF08q1RSaEjdbLIN6A3WmBFAKEMCIWKuQVasVBIE5mjqQtS0hMrch8PXoiYcxj7TSUc2y_qVemugti-qfokqht_BiQ1zSo0drAdu3/s320/IMG_1190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323117452679938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. Tamisha adheres the sandal strap using glue dots. (Side note: Glue dots are awesome!)<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4DBqXhcYsM8bkAfXz7PF2ZyGjZvxVult_eP1PDVnDiBcENwQ8eHhyHmq_Cle9Tyqp-d46fO2VupUy43uprlm3k7G6EBepH9ZpOv_ccXhU_tg4Ybr8pJOWIK2J_i5jDWsJFrHW2rVX85O/s1600-h/IMG_1189.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4DBqXhcYsM8bkAfXz7PF2ZyGjZvxVult_eP1PDVnDiBcENwQ8eHhyHmq_Cle9Tyqp-d46fO2VupUy43uprlm3k7G6EBepH9ZpOv_ccXhU_tg4Ybr8pJOWIK2J_i5jDWsJFrHW2rVX85O/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322331893483970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5. Penny manages to wound herself while cutting the ribbon for the sandal straps.<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvRYAro4QQzq6bzEMDF6WJ2rK6Wr3zQeN74Tlymrn66iBH5QmsV9iRHvjUBZu7GfPWdctZmAYnXvDaadCfrPXY1MN39vvE4xtc9qeIfGAjXoS4oLDbpB-gelAkfrqJ52QYr8Yb8qQtQzV/s1600-h/IMG_1192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvRYAro4QQzq6bzEMDF6WJ2rK6Wr3zQeN74Tlymrn66iBH5QmsV9iRHvjUBZu7GfPWdctZmAYnXvDaadCfrPXY1MN39vvE4xtc9qeIfGAjXoS4oLDbpB-gelAkfrqJ52QYr8Yb8qQtQzV/s320/IMG_1192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323123306554114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. Everyone working at her respective post.<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0aRgEa_JPki4OlaZfdWg2cKQd-RxH1w5pNMiVPqfSjGdUvVeM-Cpeis4aqxRNcH0QwTNDqQ5lHNpsWWqov_bIbkFAdP67Gw04lsA-3I7tbkLemLFLr157lt73JokBtG6kIdoO43a_lYN/s1600-h/IMG_1184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0aRgEa_JPki4OlaZfdWg2cKQd-RxH1w5pNMiVPqfSjGdUvVeM-Cpeis4aqxRNcH0QwTNDqQ5lHNpsWWqov_bIbkFAdP67Gw04lsA-3I7tbkLemLFLr157lt73JokBtG6kIdoO43a_lYN/s320/IMG_1184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322317027353970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5. Brianne and Tamisha work diligently. Matt eats chips and queso dip.<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1GpJ4B-a_L9YfWJtzgAHakPM6-5Wv_RZ5z7lwEm6Ka5goxCDSV68_qpuy2WqTQYGsRMu106pk0DMa-hAJPiWv_9iEpBWrhoLIxEdhN8y0_XH-fWzvNRRmcHiGn8tteMhTzy-uP-smw1m/s1600-h/IMG_1183.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1GpJ4B-a_L9YfWJtzgAHakPM6-5Wv_RZ5z7lwEm6Ka5goxCDSV68_qpuy2WqTQYGsRMu106pk0DMa-hAJPiWv_9iEpBWrhoLIxEdhN8y0_XH-fWzvNRRmcHiGn8tteMhTzy-uP-smw1m/s320/IMG_1183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348322311581173650" border="0" /></a><br /><br />6. The mess.<a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxHeM1bhMNkCV020cDCTfbfgwjz4l38WUwlv1WOTK6CklA7iHx3XXe18eiI151eroypUGN9_zE0pRZJPcGqOUfqUEruliaunIpfcWuBH-Ym-vOd9L2tZKlDMewX0zJybu0wBbyCPSI2Tr/s1600-h/IMG_1194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxHeM1bhMNkCV020cDCTfbfgwjz4l38WUwlv1WOTK6CklA7iHx3XXe18eiI151eroypUGN9_zE0pRZJPcGqOUfqUEruliaunIpfcWuBH-Ym-vOd9L2tZKlDMewX0zJybu0wBbyCPSI2Tr/s320/IMG_1194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323128703955954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />7. A stack of lovely invitations.<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KxwNoAhiBgCpt9Vsx2G3SEwvSzuxZYV7d_7t79kZbQvLNUaW7B-xevc9EZO9Bl8tk9uEBaRuKSvlZ18NivTFgMG0Kka-59c87UVsDJnchbTUiT24xBTRoDSG20TORS1AGhUe-plCHYhc/s1600-h/IMG_1197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KxwNoAhiBgCpt9Vsx2G3SEwvSzuxZYV7d_7t79kZbQvLNUaW7B-xevc9EZO9Bl8tk9uEBaRuKSvlZ18NivTFgMG0Kka-59c87UVsDJnchbTUiT24xBTRoDSG20TORS1AGhUe-plCHYhc/s320/IMG_1197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323132856206050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DAY 2</span>-- Creating the FAQ sheet and RSVP cards.<br />1. The happy couple makes important decisions about the wording of the RSVP cards.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRu8QfJvxzP2BJ-T2Mdo3GZjNXfX_rM10N7I7Q64cld0CxIxJQJMFg3ma0KipEyvBgL__hRQ46K4RkkOVoA02m7C00yzg8WeCYORVwPfwSM2IqP4IxW8WxnCjQu7DA6q-NtieiJU9kqKm/s1600-h/IMG_1236.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRu8QfJvxzP2BJ-T2Mdo3GZjNXfX_rM10N7I7Q64cld0CxIxJQJMFg3ma0KipEyvBgL__hRQ46K4RkkOVoA02m7C00yzg8WeCYORVwPfwSM2IqP4IxW8WxnCjQu7DA6q-NtieiJU9kqKm/s320/IMG_1236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348367190829536002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />2. Matt gets frustrated because the FAQ page printed on two pages instead of one, thus wasting 40 sheets of paper.<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gBwjk838ZnK3VaKw38IU2qkjaq3DxwMKlKWPNYRcJUzpxzZriepxobmiIjUvDIazGuarX1wU_Ns_9l-sIBedyHtWcfJa1-i1mbycnVFJCEv9wKLum0O9iMJ_cpc4VUWLuvCoACBsXS76/s1600-h/IMG_1241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gBwjk838ZnK3VaKw38IU2qkjaq3DxwMKlKWPNYRcJUzpxzZriepxobmiIjUvDIazGuarX1wU_Ns_9l-sIBedyHtWcfJa1-i1mbycnVFJCEv9wKLum0O9iMJ_cpc4VUWLuvCoACBsXS76/s320/IMG_1241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323791987686002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3. Briana expertly stamps the backs of the RSVP cards.<a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmZUwjTcVYM5yVLSir5A262dtYdsnnH62yK0dWzZ_1L4KoD2uv_OznSttxvUE1KgHM516qhS0gZUTRR7M94dKIZcP5nwITjyeS1e6OwHrjaVTKuX-tzhyF8wVKtvkIgGckEweg1qlW0ew/s1600-h/IMG_1247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmZUwjTcVYM5yVLSir5A262dtYdsnnH62yK0dWzZ_1L4KoD2uv_OznSttxvUE1KgHM516qhS0gZUTRR7M94dKIZcP5nwITjyeS1e6OwHrjaVTKuX-tzhyF8wVKtvkIgGckEweg1qlW0ew/s320/IMG_1247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323804569472946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. Briana shows off her handiwork. Kona looks outside for squirrels.<a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1jRTf7VeCIV1-fadxC_odVGRdis1WUIz7c8LKZOqaquzNHwFsDBzERbaPCOnuQZzBffmYcHDSB6pkuAUtWp_8N-CFLiMaY6oMaBdiD15vJpc68AhczR0YhgIvBSl0x72C5QFul8RurTU/s1600-h/IMG_1244.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1jRTf7VeCIV1-fadxC_odVGRdis1WUIz7c8LKZOqaquzNHwFsDBzERbaPCOnuQZzBffmYcHDSB6pkuAUtWp_8N-CFLiMaY6oMaBdiD15vJpc68AhczR0YhgIvBSl0x72C5QFul8RurTU/s320/IMG_1244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323798932297554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5. Matt attaches address labels. (Side note: He was forced to do this job because the invitations he made looked terrible and had to be thrown away.)<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xbheJJnGB2qj4G14EXs_mw_2xaDwccjM_dwUK6rixIwErYywzPNyDX-JGxfGhw2ByVPn5GXNmAKa5TQq6Em8N0_8AiNQy2CXko2FkbgwiI14waGovFX2mv-ZTLVYR5m6B9MjJLgrXwkN/s1600-h/IMG_1260.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xbheJJnGB2qj4G14EXs_mw_2xaDwccjM_dwUK6rixIwErYywzPNyDX-JGxfGhw2ByVPn5GXNmAKa5TQq6Em8N0_8AiNQy2CXko2FkbgwiI14waGovFX2mv-ZTLVYR5m6B9MjJLgrXwkN/s320/IMG_1260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323813881948770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />6. Briana tests out her skills as an aeronautical engineer. (Side note: I witnessed the test flights and I wouldn't recommend flying in any planes that she designs.)<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZPhL4xaSqtv4DPT5iTEzWCdV1XmcpmiwzrzgmOsIyEe3qLTM7j5YrOx9t_Qb6wj_0n255AWumvhDDGcDaTTa-mg3ISTE6H9xKVwWNnyn0NZ4w_eYSwwNB4yXJnS5X8kHn-rJA_4iFnSD/s1600-h/IMG_1238.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZPhL4xaSqtv4DPT5iTEzWCdV1XmcpmiwzrzgmOsIyEe3qLTM7j5YrOx9t_Qb6wj_0n255AWumvhDDGcDaTTa-mg3ISTE6H9xKVwWNnyn0NZ4w_eYSwwNB4yXJnS5X8kHn-rJA_4iFnSD/s320/IMG_1238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348328983666886162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />7. The dining room table serving as a drying area. (Side note: Make sure any ink is DRY before stacking RSVP cards. We learned this one the hard way.)<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZGeR-y7P1GL-1FpJg_l1bJPpNc-6aNrA9Ktufj1X_HCTctEDs0wmuTweH7otN0VGXBoa6U6UcjZNWcx2slxy9UU2RiYL-A3FL4A91gvwKXfkq_8FvwJRr6Zr1jDQJMZA-XDujZHkn1JV/s1600-h/IMG_1249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZGeR-y7P1GL-1FpJg_l1bJPpNc-6aNrA9Ktufj1X_HCTctEDs0wmuTweH7otN0VGXBoa6U6UcjZNWcx2slxy9UU2RiYL-A3FL4A91gvwKXfkq_8FvwJRr6Zr1jDQJMZA-XDujZHkn1JV/s320/IMG_1249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323809274199842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />8. Done!<br /><a display="" style="" border="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV44MIDPLfoX02MiopFPuBoC8jPp8FfJGHjldqEdBlXEgYvydekzVu6TaXD3XuoLUqihxhC9kwXb90VbkLxAG24HQZlDQJbeFbWrzZUf_eKPew4oJt_fN1QgxB3w4hHE-QTa75zD1p8-5/s1600-h/IMG_1266.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV44MIDPLfoX02MiopFPuBoC8jPp8FfJGHjldqEdBlXEgYvydekzVu6TaXD3XuoLUqihxhC9kwXb90VbkLxAG24HQZlDQJbeFbWrzZUf_eKPew4oJt_fN1QgxB3w4hHE-QTa75zD1p8-5/s320/IMG_1266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348323927544255282" border="0" /></a><br />If you want to test your relationship before your marriage, then I recommend making your own wedding invitations. Not killing each other during the process is a sign that you were meant to be together.<br /><br />We're really happy with the way our invitations turned out and saved a ton of money by doing it ourselves. I'll have to check the receipts for the total, but stayed under $200 for sure. And, of course, we couldn't have done it without the help of Penny, Tamisha, and Brianne. Thank you!Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-74246802000024597452009-06-14T13:47:00.007-04:002009-06-14T14:03:53.853-04:00The Ben Franklin IncidentIn case you haven’t heard the story yet, the authors of this blog—your favorite soon-to-be-married couple—almost met a tragic demise in Ben Franklin last Sunday. While I’ve done a lot of stupid, dangerous, and potentially life-threatening things over the years, I never thought that an arts and crafts store would be the scene of my near-death.<br /><br />As we were perusing the wall of ribbon at Ben Franklin, there was a tremendous crash from the front of the store—about 20 feet to our right. At first I thought some shelves had collapsed, but then I heard the sound of a car horn croaking for life. It was then that I realized what had happened: someone had driven their car into the front of the building. Needless to say, Briana and I ran out to investigate and/or help. When we got out of the store, we saw this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyWcn1hPvl5gckucOMG_bb-EgBlUM5KZLjHhiw-Nus6_2e72a051PtEjuzQw6AxjUlZ2EEGSINMiZmBBN2EP8SbmCditJAF3F51GjpTDtL2_KAIcCfENLyHfC2iS3uKz4UNDvAg9Eb2ha/s1600-h/BF1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyWcn1hPvl5gckucOMG_bb-EgBlUM5KZLjHhiw-Nus6_2e72a051PtEjuzQw6AxjUlZ2EEGSINMiZmBBN2EP8SbmCditJAF3F51GjpTDtL2_KAIcCfENLyHfC2iS3uKz4UNDvAg9Eb2ha/s320/BF1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347242624599791250" border="0" /></a><br />Well, when we first came out, there was someone helping the elderly driver out of the car, so imagine them in the picture, and then you can properly visualize what we first saw. The driver was disoriented but otherwise okay. Driving through that wall was no easy feat. There is a curb and sidewalk in front of the store and the parking lot attached to store is pretty small. She must have jammed down the accelerator to get enough momentum. Briana and I are lucky that the parking lot wasn’t any bigger; otherwise, she might have gone further into the store and smashed us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAlt8LnDNVnPXM3CKIV96cgQ3dLMwcSRr1fHz8SPvJYW3bFdQnr1v_Y8HnRSQsu_whBLvTQIkun_r7bN_qi_xwwDXdNBRK_Ft8ZQAYJhtnjzXXWSgQi_qo9I5-SQTeNYfj-137LHs2kwy/s1600-h/BF2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAlt8LnDNVnPXM3CKIV96cgQ3dLMwcSRr1fHz8SPvJYW3bFdQnr1v_Y8HnRSQsu_whBLvTQIkun_r7bN_qi_xwwDXdNBRK_Ft8ZQAYJhtnjzXXWSgQi_qo9I5-SQTeNYfj-137LHs2kwy/s320/BF2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347243202237151042" border="0" /></a>The picture to the left is the scene from inside the store. Notice the employee who was experiencing the most exciting day of any Ben Franklin employee in the history of the store. Briana and I were standing just to the left of this picture against the far wall, which was directly in the car's path.<br /><br />So, that’s the story. We almost died buying ribbon for our wedding invitations, thus proving that we should have just paid for the pre-made invites. Oh, and speaking of which, check back tomorrow for the full story on the DIY invitations.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-25537260221016252872009-05-18T18:39:00.002-04:002009-05-18T18:46:00.433-04:00My brain hurtsWith the completion of the Freedom Fest invites, Briana and I decided we should probably get to work on our wedding invitations (priorities!). She, not surprisingly, loved the most expensive invitations we could find. Here’s how the conversations went:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briana:</span> These are my favorite.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Matt:</span> Yeah, those are cool, but, uh, I don’t think we have $600 to spend on invitations.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briana:</span> But these are so perfect.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Matt:</span> I forget, which kidney are you selling to pay for this wedding?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briana:</span> (angry face)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Matt: </span>You know, we could totally make these ourselves.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briana: </span>How?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Matt:</span> I don’t know, but I’m sure Tamisha could figure it out. She’s craft and whatnot.<br /><br />Low and behold, Tamisha was indeed crafty and whatnot. She tossed out some ideas, we got to work, and it has since been a serious pain in my butt. This whole do-it-yourself wedding invitation thing is going to save a ton of money, and I’m sure I’ll have a warm, fuzzy feeling about the end result, but right now it’s making my eye spasm.<br /><br />Briana and I spent 30 minutes last night scouring the Internet in hopes of finding cardstock with a hibiscus print on it. It couldn’t be just any hibiscus print, though; it had to a very light color so the invitation’s text would still be readable. Keep in mind that Briana was ready to settle on a different print, but I was being stubborn. I eventually had to go with the DIY route, taking this graphic:<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMIAKRNlNyBPeT41pQSez4LaUHuWwFYGBz-bw-kRE_4krE7U1rzie2K-hiV7RMPZAbTZ4p6ppB2qpd-nm6wfV_ssj_TN2yUXjozagusAy0BZ3F7ff-_PfGUBIZqz-4hCaeGmDRqhUr0rG/s1600-h/hibiscus-background-green.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMIAKRNlNyBPeT41pQSez4LaUHuWwFYGBz-bw-kRE_4krE7U1rzie2K-hiV7RMPZAbTZ4p6ppB2qpd-nm6wfV_ssj_TN2yUXjozagusAy0BZ3F7ff-_PfGUBIZqz-4hCaeGmDRqhUr0rG/s200/hibiscus-background-green.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337298006327775970" border="0" /></a><br />And turning it into this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvHKsVnwL2eOx1KidFieTZTuJunat-JgvuYPDckXOozsRqY1T3L7Zs6MGlzBhqVgS8TduvMkQbeXMMr7Jos9VNHDcquthyphenhyphenyrijVBcZcEdNh4bHkdHeYGH8FUQ43xeI6K7UgDAZbzQLOMo/s1600-h/hibiscus-background-blue+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvHKsVnwL2eOx1KidFieTZTuJunat-JgvuYPDckXOozsRqY1T3L7Zs6MGlzBhqVgS8TduvMkQbeXMMr7Jos9VNHDcquthyphenhyphenyrijVBcZcEdNh4bHkdHeYGH8FUQ43xeI6K7UgDAZbzQLOMo/s200/hibiscus-background-blue+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337298242079698226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Why I didn’t think of doing that in the first pace is beyond me.<br /><br />All the pieces are starting to come together, and I’m beginning to think the invites will turn out really well. Plus, they should cost less than $100. Of course, we still have a long way to go before they’re ready to be sent out; I’m just being optimistic for once.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-22807424752131362072009-05-07T10:58:00.001-04:002009-05-07T11:00:45.647-04:00The End Is Nigh<p>In a sure sign of the impending apocalypse, Creed has reunited and is recording a new album. Why do I care? Because Creed represents everything that sucks about rock and roll. Specifically: </p><ul><li>Terrible lyrics</li><li>Wannabe Eddie Vedder vocals</li><li>Uninspired and unoriginal song structures</li><li>An undeserved sense of self-worth (watch ANY of their music videos for Scott Stapp’s Jesus Christ pose)<br /> </li></ul><p>I think of Creed as the waste product of a giant, music-eating monster that consumed all the elements of 90s hard rock, digested it, and pooped it out. The resulting steaming, musical pile of crap—named Creed—was the undigested remnants of great bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Tool, and Metallica. It was awful, yet they somehow sold millions of albums.<br /><br />Creed is a lot like Nickelback (another bunch of no-talent-ass-clowns), in that no one ever admits to actually liking the band. No one, that is, except for the guy I parked next to last summer at a triathlon who was BLASTING Creed from his car’s stereo. I’m sure this moron will be calling Tickmaster the second tickets go on sale for Creed’s upcoming tour where they make tons of money that they don’t deserve.<br /><br />In short, I hate Creed. Please do not support this terrible, horrible, no good, very bad band. Perhaps only then will they fester away into the obscurity they deserve.</p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-49572099871270132062009-04-28T10:44:00.007-04:002009-04-28T10:53:20.856-04:00Way Off Topic: The Extinction of the Dinosaurs<div>An asteroid didn’t kill the dinosaurs? Say it ain’t so! A recent article from The Journal of the Geological Society (Time reports on it <a href="http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1894225,00.html?cnn=yes">here</a>) claims that perhaps an asteroid wasn’t the cause of the mass extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jBRmMYodXsT-TBXEzONbzIE8tRQrtVfxebJed1L9xtvm7LivsgOvoSaFEabZy7gxtq3Q3YT1vHoZpSOilSt0SJYei6a6Ou2ezTazvS8zMlc3v6yySjuUVJJ4D0X8TkYfwtGSZ8ma9q6w/s1600-h/Chicxulub_Crater.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2SznHjn9xlri2lhRsOTIYxe7RbUVfL3aN4bTkFzfxpDVEdE1dGSv3D-o0aLnvVgQGFw7onwYkHWz05aEt30JN1Gyih0UgWnl8JpMtqaltbF6AIk0Q1_bNK38DPDRbcAn1m15-50EV53q/s1600-h/Chicxulub_Crater.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329755396253066690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2SznHjn9xlri2lhRsOTIYxe7RbUVfL3aN4bTkFzfxpDVEdE1dGSv3D-o0aLnvVgQGFw7onwYkHWz05aEt30JN1Gyih0UgWnl8JpMtqaltbF6AIk0Q1_bNK38DPDRbcAn1m15-50EV53q/s320/Chicxulub_Crater.jpg" border="0" /></a>For those less familiar with the death of the “terrible lizards,” the common theory goes like this: 65 million years ago an asteroid hit the Yucatán peninsula resulting in a massive dust cloud that cooled Earth, thus killing the cold-blooded dinosaurs. There’s lots of proof for this theory, including a telltale 65-million-year-old, 112-mile crater on the Yucatán peninsula. There’s also a layer of iridium in the sediment layer at the 65-million-year depth; iridium is rare on Earth but common in asteroids.<br /><br />Geoscientists Gerta Keller and Thierry Addate—don’t laugh, they’re Swiss—did some digging around the Yucatán and discovered that just below and above the layer of iridium were the same 52 fossilized species. These findings would indicate that there wasn’t an immediate, massive extinction caused by the asteroid. It was only after they looked at sediment 30 feet above that they found species disappear. According to Keller and Addate, that 30-foot layer of sediment would have taken 300,000 years to accumulate.<br /><br />The research by Keller and Addate is controversial because it contradicts the findings of other digs from around the world. According to the article, theirs is the first survey that looks at the sediment record so close to the impact site. They claim that their research is more accurate because it was close to the impact, but, of course, other paleontologists say that its proximity makes it less accurate. Wait, the experts disagree? Shocking.<br /><br />So what does this mean for amateur dino-nerds like me? Unfortunately, not much. Until there is further disproof of the asteroid extinction theory, it seems to make the most sense. Although I think Gary Larson figured it out a while back:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329754847208437298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfYfPpwKMOgkeWHJTERilTfXgrvNOkcBW47Sw3okINbhaaYnCnpJISmmJGLBgi8i5P2RX0Zgj7vdTNi9BE4N8b4OfXmiyFRqOaH4yOpP3YgQMF4Ov0cNH9amUXn-V0tRJJj-8Au6XF9Gn/s320/Dinosaurs_Extinct.bmp" border="0" /></div>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-27216748389324553792009-04-22T10:36:00.003-04:002009-04-22T20:06:04.710-04:00Inn Reservations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cTm5DGHkesKaObWaM_BzLR8Ej4JaP7aJ_hJG7cPEFCMMcgxsKWNaSLJ7BYDd3hWYBcNK9RZimEfUF1oLfVSdoHhgFb3HlartfHObtD3XQHtR3ZW6UAKijTEq-Ryk1DCnTtqSGRBjgko4/s1600-h/IMG_0342.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cTm5DGHkesKaObWaM_BzLR8Ej4JaP7aJ_hJG7cPEFCMMcgxsKWNaSLJ7BYDd3hWYBcNK9RZimEfUF1oLfVSdoHhgFb3HlartfHObtD3XQHtR3ZW6UAKijTEq-Ryk1DCnTtqSGRBjgko4/s320/IMG_0342.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327671320167740930" border="0" /></a><br />Ok kiddies, there are officially nine rooms left at First Colony Inn. If you haven't reserved your room yet, then you'd better better do it soon. The following rooms are still available: 3, 7, 8, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23, and 26. You can get the details about each room here: <a href="http://www.firstcolonyinn.com/Rooms/">http://www.firstcolonyinn.com/Rooms/</a>.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-48332346252503133972009-04-20T11:17:00.001-04:002009-04-20T11:17:43.151-04:00'Bout TimeThe Sea Pig is back! You know it! It’s getting to be about crunch time in terms of wedding planning, so I’m starting to get motivated. Since I often rely on procrastination as a means of getting my work done, it’s only fitting that I would wait until the last minute for this as well. Plus I’m running out of things to do since my student teacher is essentially doing my job right now; all I have to do is come to school. My students aren’t happy about the arrangement, but I am.<br /><br />After attempting to determine all the stuff we’ll need to rent for the reception, I quickly learned why couples hire wedding planners. I much preferred when planning for a party consisted of deciding which keg to buy and where to put Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson” on the playlist. In addition to those two crucial aforementioned elements, I now have to think about things like what size tables we’ll need and whether we have to provide our own trashcans. Apparently hanging trash bags off the poles of the tent is unacceptable—even if the trash bags are white. I mean, come on, they’ll match the tent! Maybe if I decorate them with flowers…Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-29935274789252352182009-03-02T10:57:00.004-05:002009-03-02T11:20:09.060-05:00Snow!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwly3-oqhmY-kmxYaUKm3BTq3JRIZcFjbfZflwJ6K9UEN7vv-6e34VeWyclLXFH9QYC2a3G0h5qEhQR4QysagCMA6FmR1TcRMwrbzCxDMD9cI8KckE5EbkRMOsaqTkVnQp0EMdzT7H-8PN/s1600-h/IMG_0939.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwly3-oqhmY-kmxYaUKm3BTq3JRIZcFjbfZflwJ6K9UEN7vv-6e34VeWyclLXFH9QYC2a3G0h5qEhQR4QysagCMA6FmR1TcRMwrbzCxDMD9cI8KckE5EbkRMOsaqTkVnQp0EMdzT7H-8PN/s320/IMG_0939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308625055326064546" border="0" /></a>Snow?!?! In Richmond? Surely not! Oh yes, my friends. It is a sign that all is right in the world.<br /><br />We have about seven inches in our backyard and it appears that even dirty ol' Richmond is beautified by a blanket a snow.<br /><br />Kona is having the time of her life. This is her first real snowfall and she has been spending as much time as possible outside. I'm pretty sure she would have enjoyed sleeping in it last night. We went to the dog park this morning where she roamed in her natural habitat. She is currently passed out at my feet; even sled dogs get tired sometimes.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-75693974100297872222008-12-14T08:47:00.002-05:002008-12-14T08:57:57.006-05:00UpdateAll has been quiet on the Sea Pig Front lately. Why, you ask? It seem that the main contributor--and I won't mention her name for anonymity's sake--has become addicted to World of Warcraft. That's right, I'm calling her out.<br /><br />Please stand by because we may have to stage an intervention shortly. I'm getting worried. She has attached fake ears to herself to more closely resemble her Elfin character in the game*. Occasionally she will attempt to cast spells on me**, which, as of yet, have not been successful.<br /><br />We may or may not be able to pull her away from the computer long enough to finish wedding plans. Stay tuned..<br /><br /><br /><br />*ok, so that it hasn't gone that far just yet<br />**I can neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of this statementMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-18913933251929705952008-11-05T15:27:00.008-05:002008-11-05T15:48:30.435-05:00This is America the Way It's Supposed to BeAll photos courtesy of the Huffington Post<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIDQAdzAnI/AAAAAAAAAHY/VsYOzLmuhfY/s1600-h/slide_598_12382_large.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIDQAdzAnI/AAAAAAAAAHY/VsYOzLmuhfY/s320/slide_598_12382_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265274487887299186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRICVfpZbaI/AAAAAAAAAG4/AamFTYAPmi4/s1600-h/slide_598_12432_large.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRICVfpZbaI/AAAAAAAAAG4/AamFTYAPmi4/s320/slide_598_12432_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265273482645171618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRICjlBqr7I/AAAAAAAAAHA/0ITjKeiJ4_o/s1600-h/slide_598_12379_large.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRICjlBqr7I/AAAAAAAAAHA/0ITjKeiJ4_o/s320/slide_598_12379_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265273724607311794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIC3POcN5I/AAAAAAAAAHI/GgeicOOnMGI/s1600-h/slide_598_12380_large.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIC3POcN5I/AAAAAAAAAHI/GgeicOOnMGI/s320/slide_598_12380_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265274062352693138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIDDW0I39I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/5ekAtuaZe2Q/s1600-h/slide_598_12381_large.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIDDW0I39I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/5ekAtuaZe2Q/s320/slide_598_12381_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265274270548287442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIDfR-2o6I/AAAAAAAAAHg/YAj8LTRwKks/s1600-h/slide_598_12429_large.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIDfR-2o6I/AAAAAAAAAHg/YAj8LTRwKks/s320/slide_598_12429_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265274750287389602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIDtvkgUTI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wj3N0K0hL0I/s1600-h/slide_598_12456_large.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRIDtvkgUTI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wj3N0K0hL0I/s320/slide_598_12456_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265274998748107058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p><em>"Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose - and you allow him to make war at pleasure. "</em></p> <p><em>"My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth."</em></p><p><em>- Abraham Lincoln<br /></em></p>Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-51395889097302355822008-11-04T15:19:00.000-05:002008-11-04T15:20:21.152-05:00What Are You Doing Today?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRCudXG1aII/AAAAAAAAAGw/hpwaIeMa5Lw/s1600-h/300x250_lazy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SRCudXG1aII/AAAAAAAAAGw/hpwaIeMa5Lw/s320/300x250_lazy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264899783838230658" border="0" /></a>Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-41527772537210770962008-11-03T21:18:00.004-05:002008-11-03T21:40:01.151-05:00Polling Place Photo ProjectI'm kicking myself for not posting this earlier. The New York Times is doing a cool <a href="http://pollingplaces.nytimes.com/content.cfm/home">polling place photo project</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pollingplaces.nytimes.com/content.cfm/home"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQ-xnLw5MaI/AAAAAAAAAGM/FcEs85kfnWU/s320/preElectionHome1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264621776150278562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is a bit of info about the project from the NY Times site:<br /><a href="http://pollingplaces.nytimes.com/content.cfm/home"></a><blockquote><a href="http://pollingplaces.nytimes.com/content.cfm/home">The Polling Place Photo Project</a> is a nationwide experiment in citizen journalism that encourages voters to capture, post and share photographs of this year’s primaries, caucuses and general election. By documenting local voting experiences, participants can contribute to an archive of photographs that captures the richness and complexity of voting in America.<br /><br /><span id="BugEvents">We are especially interested in photographs that document your voting experience, including what works and what could be improved. If you are wondering what to photograph, take a picture of that! We're looking of photos of interiors, exteriors and other views that are part of your voting experience. Obviously, you need to follow the rules at your local polling place, and you should be respectful of other citizens who may not wish to be photographed.</span></blockquote>On a related note, if you have any voting related questions or need help, please visit the <a href="http://nass.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1">National Association of Secretaries of State website</a>. This nonpartisan site was created by state election officials to help eligible voters figure out how and where to go vote.<br /><br />Have fun voting tomorrow!Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-37040415324756707252008-11-01T16:07:00.005-04:002008-11-01T17:00:38.733-04:00Photo to Comic EffectHappy November! I hope everyone had a fun Halloween. Matt and I saved our energy for playing Rock Band tonight at a friend's house. I'm going to try making mulled apple cider. I bought mulling spices from <a href="http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html">Penzey's</a> (warning: the store will convince you of the need for spices you've never even heard of). They recommend heating a pot of 1/2 apple cider and 1/2 cranberry juice with 1-2 tablespoons of mulling spices. You can also add a splash of spiced rum or brandy. I'll let you know how it turns out.<br /><br />Let's jump subjects and talk about Photoshop again. I have the 7.0 version and I love it (thanks Dad!). I recently found a <a href="http://pshero.com/archives/comic-book-photo-effect">tutorial on how to turn a photo into a comic book panel</a>. While I was working on it, I got to thinking how cool it would be to make a comic book with photos of how Matt and I met, and what our life together has been like. It would be a neat way for guests to get to know us better.<br /><br />Then I mentally slapped myself (yes, I can do that). I think DIY has turned into DIYUYD (Do It Yourself Until You're Dead) for me. If I do all these projects I have sitting in my head, Matt and I will wind up having to get married sometime in 2088.<br /><br />But that doesn't mean someone else can't do it. Here is the picture I used for the tutorial before the modification:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyeqWrrGj7PNaq_ogtPFiJwb9TltjiYTEFpWu88Nj9VyY1qBYM9QnY0llLygiMXo-xJqoUW2K3XruDA_80Ra6-3WK2stXODRJ6mp36nhUXwUTgnCg-77C4fOn9mMBEN1geEECeGl2k-ds/s1600-h/MattBrid.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyeqWrrGj7PNaq_ogtPFiJwb9TltjiYTEFpWu88Nj9VyY1qBYM9QnY0llLygiMXo-xJqoUW2K3XruDA_80Ra6-3WK2stXODRJ6mp36nhUXwUTgnCg-77C4fOn9mMBEN1geEECeGl2k-ds/s320/MattBrid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263793450177303794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You can't tell, but Matt has black and red hair in this picture. These were his rock and roll glory days before becoming a responsible adult (no sniggering). Here is the end result:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z6Tofg7k12zQm0ywpdTH5vbCgON_YiIf2W4FYygVw2f0wxyDzeNkitnIQslRsiH3p4ItJT_b15tbH0KHTaqH3AabL_34VvVf6CEyHJfuSquh9kmNStYMBtprlZpOanBiKycG_gGMrR5n/s1600-h/MattBri2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z6Tofg7k12zQm0ywpdTH5vbCgON_YiIf2W4FYygVw2f0wxyDzeNkitnIQslRsiH3p4ItJT_b15tbH0KHTaqH3AabL_34VvVf6CEyHJfuSquh9kmNStYMBtprlZpOanBiKycG_gGMrR5n/s320/MattBri2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263794584309493506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nifty, huh? Most printing companies should be able to take your modified photos and print them in a comic book format. If anyone winds up doing this, please let me know so I can look at it and feel insanely jealous.<br /><br />Here is a <a href="http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-blog/2007/09/13/give-your-photos-a-retro-comic-book-effect/">link to another comic book effect tutorial</a> for a slightly different look.Matt and Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12396402931513387600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-62564674788608563632008-10-30T19:53:00.013-04:002008-10-30T20:32:12.134-04:00Oh, Young Love...Ummm, I'm not quite sure what to say about the wedding I'm going to show you today. All over the internet, you can find elegant, beautiful, inspiring weddings. This is not one of them. I figured other blogs have the market cornered on those. Let's spice things up a little.<br /><br />Meet 16-year-old Missy Quinn and her husband, 17 year old Thomas Moghon, both from the UK. Click <a href="http://www.closeronline.co.uk/RealLife/Reallifestories/teen-wedding.aspx?dateonline=Monday+27+October+2008">here</a> to read an article about them from Closer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpL-i1i88I/AAAAAAAAAFk/FIQe8X5ZTYQ/s1600-h/gorgeousbride1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpL-i1i88I/AAAAAAAAAFk/FIQe8X5ZTYQ/s320/gorgeousbride1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263102652411212738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpLDQ1hs-I/AAAAAAAAAFU/EXVCIRbbYAU/s1600-h/glamourwedding2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpLDQ1hs-I/AAAAAAAAAFU/EXVCIRbbYAU/s320/glamourwedding2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263101633967010786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Her dress weighed <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">336 pounds</span>!!!! This completely blows my mind. I assume it's due to the glacier attached to her rear end. Missy accessorized her dress with a £500 crystal bouquet, sparkling choker, tiara, belly-button jewel, hair clips and garter, plus fake tan, false eyelashes and body glitter. Whew, I'm a little impressed.<br /><br />Oh, but it gets better my friends. Meet her bridesmaids:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpOKDMtYPI/AAAAAAAAAFs/kBRxurJyX58/s1600-h/glamourwedding3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpOKDMtYPI/AAAAAAAAAFs/kBRxurJyX58/s320/glamourwedding3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263105049100116210" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This gives me all sorts of ideas... *evil smile*<br /><br />Want to meet some guests?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpOyNFDAgI/AAAAAAAAAF0/gitqWUaDM2Y/s1600-h/glamourwedding7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpOyNFDAgI/AAAAAAAAAF0/gitqWUaDM2Y/s320/glamourwedding7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263105738947101186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpO_qn1O2I/AAAAAAAAAGE/nwY0tJscoiM/s1600-h/glamourwedding5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpO_qn1O2I/AAAAAAAAAGE/nwY0tJscoiM/s320/glamourwedding5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263105970215926626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yes those are fur coats, Chris Hansen would be alllll over this.<br /><br />Maybe you're wondering how these kids came to have this particular sense of style? Meet the parents:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpO6BOBNJI/AAAAAAAAAF8/tCgzZeW0dQE/s1600-h/glamourwedding6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQpO6BOBNJI/AAAAAAAAAF8/tCgzZeW0dQE/s320/glamourwedding6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263105873202459794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I might have to copy that little boy's suit for Matt.<br /><br />Want another example of why people should not get married at such a young age? Here is a quote from Missy, “Thomas might expect me to cook and clean, but I’m not going to. He can look after me as far as I’m concerned!”Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-57050520217352585822008-10-28T20:45:00.005-04:002008-10-28T20:57:15.330-04:00Breaking News - Drop Everything!Ladies and gentlemen, we have had a Palin sighting. Please keep your voices down and no sudden movements- she packs heat and has "palled around with" Cheney.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQeygpLUy8I/AAAAAAAAAFE/nTcMgjM9V4A/s1600-h/100_0093.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQeygpLUy8I/AAAAAAAAAFE/nTcMgjM9V4A/s320/100_0093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262370963484625858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here again is her best bud Obama:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQezgHoJyNI/AAAAAAAAAFM/pOD0UmTBAus/s1600-h/Halloween+08+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQezgHoJyNI/AAAAAAAAAFM/pOD0UmTBAus/s320/Halloween+08+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262372053990361298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Brings a tear to the eye...Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-21368443481676393502008-10-26T16:20:00.011-04:002008-10-26T17:14:36.635-04:00The Great PumpkinOccasionally I would like to post something non-wedding related. Especially since I think this blog will remain in use once the wedding is over.<br /><br />Last night Matt and I went to an awesome pumpkin carving party at our friend Tamisha's house. Every year she has a get together with fantastic chili, cold beer, and lots of candy. However, I should mention that this is a very serious event for Matt. Last year he discovered the joys of pumpkin carving. He attempted an ambitious pirate ship design that turned out looking pretty cool:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTVl2nqwTI/AAAAAAAAAD8/frxXOabI6FM/s1600-h/Pumpkin07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTVl2nqwTI/AAAAAAAAAD8/frxXOabI6FM/s320/Pumpkin07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261565110969352498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This year he stepped up his game. Here he is at work on his masterpiece:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTWJQz-E4I/AAAAAAAAAEE/xs0J094vwD0/s1600-h/Halloween+08+001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTWJQz-E4I/AAAAAAAAAEE/xs0J094vwD0/s320/Halloween+08+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261565719295693698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another shot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTZqLjzPiI/AAAAAAAAAEM/xQvLb-9gHMM/s1600-h/Halloween+08+002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTZqLjzPiI/AAAAAAAAAEM/xQvLb-9gHMM/s320/Halloween+08+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261569583356263970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Finally after a little more than 2 hours of work, here is this year's pumpkin (get the smelling salts ready):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTaCqmVLiI/AAAAAAAAAEU/k1GMMuD50po/s1600-h/Halloween+08+003.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTaCqmVLiI/AAAAAAAAAEU/k1GMMuD50po/s320/Halloween+08+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261570004005236258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here it is at night, the "I Can't Believe I Spent 2 Hours Carving a Pumpkin" pumpkin:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTa1wX95vI/AAAAAAAAAEc/Of88MbKi8ZU/s1600-h/Halloween+08+011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTa1wX95vI/AAAAAAAAAEc/Of88MbKi8ZU/s320/Halloween+08+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261570881728931570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here it is posing with its pumpkin posse:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTbSsJbYwI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DoUTvi8YEdg/s1600-h/Halloween+08+010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTbSsJbYwI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DoUTvi8YEdg/s320/Halloween+08+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261571378810413826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />No, you are not hallucinating. Senator Obama graced us with his presence last night. It was uncanny how much this carving looked like him:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTb4HDEGFI/AAAAAAAAAEs/awXR-ML3w3M/s1600-h/Halloween+08+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTb4HDEGFI/AAAAAAAAAEs/awXR-ML3w3M/s320/Halloween+08+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261572021686638674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A Sarah Palin pumpkin is rumored to be in the works, we will keep you posted and alert the AP to any developments.<br /><br />Matt even won a much coveted prize for his pumpkin skills:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTcz85FDFI/AAAAAAAAAE0/D2QNYHq0yK4/s1600-h/Halloween+08+012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTcz85FDFI/AAAAAAAAAE0/D2QNYHq0yK4/s320/Halloween+08+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261573049752554578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yep, a new t-shirt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTdHtC55tI/AAAAAAAAAE8/jfr89EalPL0/s1600-h/Halloween+08+015.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQTdHtC55tI/AAAAAAAAAE8/jfr89EalPL0/s320/Halloween+08+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261573389096183506" border="0" /></a>Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-82903213786182723182008-10-23T22:21:00.016-04:002008-10-24T00:14:58.225-04:00The Dress (Options)I've been asked by more than a few people if I have gotten my wedding dress yet. The answer is no. Procrastination is a beautiful thing people!<br /><br />But of course I have been looking into what styles I like. I refuse to spend a ton of money on a wedding dress (if you've gotten married recently you can stop laughing now). There are actually lots of options available.<br /><br />I'll start with the ubiquitous David's Bridal. I won't lie, I went there with my Mom a while back and it creeped me out. It was crammed with cranky brides and their crankier families. Girls in wedding gowns stood on carpet covered platforms that marched in rows down a hallway that reminded me of a back storage room in a warehouse. It must be what Wedding Barbie feels like at the Mattel factory.<br /><br />But whatever, a dress is a dress right? Here are some I liked:<br /><br /><img src="file:///F:/DOCUME%7E1/BRIANA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-8.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///F:/DOCUME%7E1/BRIANA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-9.jpg" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQE817vbReI/AAAAAAAAAC0/bghCEJLz3Ao/s1600-h/db3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQE817vbReI/AAAAAAAAAC0/bghCEJLz3Ao/s320/db3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260552737012794850" border="0" /></a><br />Very pretty. I think it's one of those dresses you have to try on to see how you really feel about it. It's style <a href="http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3746&prodgroup=10">ST9505</a> - no name, they're sentimental like that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQE5MWl1rHI/AAAAAAAAACk/f75upngE1y0/s1600-h/db2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQE5MWl1rHI/AAAAAAAAACk/f75upngE1y0/s320/db2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260548724130950258" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQE5uuBzhQI/AAAAAAAAACs/-V1nUTkBbSg/s1600-h/galinaback.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQE5uuBzhQI/AAAAAAAAACs/-V1nUTkBbSg/s320/galinaback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260549314537817346" border="0" /></a><br />This dress appeals to me much more. I'm into the Grecian, flowy look since I'll be outside all day. I'm really digging the back. Style is <a href="http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3744&prodgroup=245">SRL9499</a>.<br /><br />Moving along now, lets look at Alfred Angelo. There were a lot of his dresses I thought I liked, but getting ready to post them here I realized that they didn't do anything for me. Only one dress really did it for me:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQE2sh2IsmI/AAAAAAAAACU/RBbCo0V_uhc/s1600-h/favdress.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQE2sh2IsmI/AAAAAAAAACU/RBbCo0V_uhc/s320/favdress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260545978373026402" border="0" /></a><br />This dress makes me swoon (do people still do that?) I might have issues with the neckline, but we'll see. This is <a href="http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=7ae7a259-81ed-4857-877e-185b1470dad2&categoryID=32e5a88c-cbf1-498f-afcf-dbfca138c5d3&pg=5">style 755</a>.<br /><br />Now lets play the alternate universe game where if money was no object, what dress would I wear? The answer is almost anything from <a href="http://www.pronovias.com/index_entrada.asp?idioma=us">Manuel Mota Pronovias</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFEvRpYlRI/AAAAAAAAAC8/8vVAImxN_t4/s1600-h/luvdress.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 303px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFEvRpYlRI/AAAAAAAAAC8/8vVAImxN_t4/s320/luvdress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260561418726970642" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFI5wB_16I/AAAAAAAAAD0/Qu9tCn5XRsw/s1600-h/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-salem-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 303px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFI5wB_16I/AAAAAAAAAD0/Qu9tCn5XRsw/s320/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-salem-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260565996728473506" border="0" /></a><br />If I could design the perfect dress for me, this would be it. This is called Salem, and it gives me the angels singing and heavens opening moment. It's also around $3000.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFGnTO9MpI/AAAAAAAAADE/YASAn3mWzck/s1600-h/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-selene-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 303px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFGnTO9MpI/AAAAAAAAADE/YASAn3mWzck/s320/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-selene-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260563480737297042" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFG7wJuGcI/AAAAAAAAADM/8oWbUVVMNCc/s1600-h/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-selene-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 303px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFG7wJuGcI/AAAAAAAAADM/8oWbUVVMNCc/s320/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-selene-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260563832097348034" border="0" /></a><br />This dress is called Selene.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFHymHhQ7I/AAAAAAAAADU/4NIR9IkeTj0/s1600-h/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-silueta-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 303px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFHymHhQ7I/AAAAAAAAADU/4NIR9IkeTj0/s320/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-silueta-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260564774296568754" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFH-kOY01I/AAAAAAAAADc/u62fc9fI-bc/s1600-h/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-silueta-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 303px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFH-kOY01I/AAAAAAAAADc/u62fc9fI-bc/s320/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-silueta-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260564979946935122" border="0" /></a><br />This is the Silueta.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFIX9klVOI/AAAAAAAAADk/dGr_mG3UzuI/s1600-h/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-sadur-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 303px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFIX9klVOI/AAAAAAAAADk/dGr_mG3UzuI/s320/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-sadur-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260565416247645410" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFIiiqxexI/AAAAAAAAADs/IhMfwJU7kJ4/s1600-h/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-sadur-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 303px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SQFIiiqxexI/AAAAAAAAADs/IhMfwJU7kJ4/s320/coleccion-manuel-mota-pronovias-2009-modelo-sadur-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260565598004411154" border="0" /></a><br />And finally, this is Sadur. *Sigh* Now I need to find a rag to wipe the drool off my keyboard...Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-57163401234550081492008-10-20T23:03:00.003-04:002008-10-20T23:09:13.372-04:00Heehee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SP1GsBVLo0I/AAAAAAAAACM/WLMMSmI7DUw/s1600-h/heehee.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SP1GsBVLo0I/AAAAAAAAACM/WLMMSmI7DUw/s320/heehee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259437661924074306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I found this on <a href="http://www.someecards.com/">SomeECards</a>. I wonder if I can make this our page banner...Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-62506501624542933852008-10-20T15:43:00.006-04:002008-10-20T16:43:55.622-04:00Slap Some Candles Down and Call it a DayFirst off, sorry for not posting in the past week. I'm a financial advisor, and the market has decided it wants to turn all my hair gray before I hit 30.<br /><br />Anywho, lets talk centerpieces again. My thoughts on this have run the gamut from, "I'll do all these gorgeous, extravagant decorations by myself, how hard can it be?" to "Forget this nonsense, I'll just hire someone", which led to "You want HOW much?!?", which has now led me to "People sell sacks of flowers right? What if I just dump a sack of stuff on the table, slap some candles down, and call it a day".<br /><br />It turns out that this last idea of mine can actually turn out looking quite pretty:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SPzi39cKY0I/AAAAAAAAAB0/hp63OJ1f4ik/s1600-h/center.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SPzi39cKY0I/AAAAAAAAAB0/hp63OJ1f4ik/s320/center.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259327915875263298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Super easy and it actually has a beach vibe too. Here is a night shot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SPzjO8CFW2I/AAAAAAAAAB8/wS3CkHCTYEk/s1600-h/center2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SPzjO8CFW2I/AAAAAAAAAB8/wS3CkHCTYEk/s320/center2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259328310634437474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The only change I think I'll make is to have light blue petals instead of white.<br /><br />Unsurprisingly, I got this idea (and photos) from the lovely <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/07/24/diy-details-centerpieces/#more-27880">Mrs. Lemon over at Weddingbee</a>. The photos were inspiration for her own centerpieces:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SPzr49v3gmI/AAAAAAAAACE/7qrJRKzKHtc/s1600-h/center3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SPzr49v3gmI/AAAAAAAAACE/7qrJRKzKHtc/s320/center3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259337828742431330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She used plumeria blooms instead of petals, which I imagine must have smelled amazing. Does anyone know of light blue flowers that smell fantastic?Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-52363402446999504722008-10-13T13:04:00.007-04:002008-10-13T13:36:51.097-04:00Hey Crafty LadyThe crafting bug has not just bitten me, it's clamped down with steely jaws and I'm afraid there is no escape. In one of my more and more frequent periods of wedding insanity I decided to make our wedding invitations. Yup, by myself. By hand.<br /><br />Thankfully there is a lovely site called <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/">Weddingbee</a>. More to the point, an awe inspiring blogger named <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/author/miss-lemon/">Mrs. Lemon</a> (all their bloggers are named after foods). <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/author/miss-lemon/">Mrs. Lemon</a> is a crafting goddess. Seriously, I'm convinced she has crafted her way to deity status. She has also convinced me I need an embosser. That's one of these babies:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBM9e6fqL-SW2Hxso-CQl8FohU1y2fjhw5_dFYSd_01LRKFJ1om6yziS2kiP1HUVI8ZTqcIjT0kBYaQZY20cUX4otWfddov3wl5ZwMegZSaxFO29z5Qsrwwkhq9DqALvfhejMB0Z_Mx99/s1600-h/embosser.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBM9e6fqL-SW2Hxso-CQl8FohU1y2fjhw5_dFYSd_01LRKFJ1om6yziS2kiP1HUVI8ZTqcIjT0kBYaQZY20cUX4otWfddov3wl5ZwMegZSaxFO29z5Qsrwwkhq9DqALvfhejMB0Z_Mx99/s320/embosser.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256689367413330946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She got hers from <a href="http://www.wgpress.com/">Wilshire Graphic Press</a>. You can submit your personal monogram (easy to do, just see my previous post) and they will turn it into an embossing plate. Here is <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/author/miss-lemon">Mrs. Lemon's</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizBxih4E7CyC3Xr5HOZNtqE9BUEvw89mHevb87j1S6S7JiSB2nFMSCt7GdVPvOsEuMjE0-g9PT0IHSW2VfnE0-YdqNan7GHKBZZ3v01JVDy_UnE3kFRwNQ9MvgiGwuSjbKPqs9RE8-QvS/s1600-h/emboss2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizBxih4E7CyC3Xr5HOZNtqE9BUEvw89mHevb87j1S6S7JiSB2nFMSCt7GdVPvOsEuMjE0-g9PT0IHSW2VfnE0-YdqNan7GHKBZZ3v01JVDy_UnE3kFRwNQ9MvgiGwuSjbKPqs9RE8-QvS/s320/emboss2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256691148811698034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is the result:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGLszok_Cu-HDQeixWuMhBh5EKX90rObwAHFhBYJMDwMaazcn-32l__8Mt99rkWtskzpVsSBA9-JB7bCdwigwy7GbtgoLFzQApBWqKdhQs5gmV_NgWYjJFP6sqHqhjdI2m5myxEyontDH/s1600-h/emboss.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGLszok_Cu-HDQeixWuMhBh5EKX90rObwAHFhBYJMDwMaazcn-32l__8Mt99rkWtskzpVsSBA9-JB7bCdwigwy7GbtgoLFzQApBWqKdhQs5gmV_NgWYjJFP6sqHqhjdI2m5myxEyontDH/s320/emboss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256691463287979458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The embossers are $49.95 each, which includes both the embosser itself and the plate that you design. The custom embossing plate is only $10 more ($59.95 total). Additional plates (I'm thinking our return address) are an additional $29.95.Matt and Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12396402931513387600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-80343897948364512052008-10-09T21:31:00.005-04:002008-10-10T13:15:30.930-04:00Monogram GoodnessWell. Well, well, well. I'm feeling rather smug at the moment because I finally learned how to work Photoshop. I found some awesome monogram tutorials on the web, so I gave it a whirl and this is what I came up with:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SO6xYCdZOTI/AAAAAAAAABM/vEfogscQyNc/s1600-h/monogramfav2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_awBRd-TWY_o/SO6xYCdZOTI/AAAAAAAAABM/vEfogscQyNc/s320/monogramfav2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255332841723083058" border="0" /></a><br />I really can't take any credit since I just followed the tutorial, but I can give credit to an awesome blogger who showed me how to do this. Go check out <a href="http://weddingmonograms.blogspot.com/">Brianna Nichole's blog</a> for amazingly easy instructions on how to make your own. Here are some other sites that offer monogram tutorials:<br /><br /><a href="http://boards.weddingbells.ca/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=940068&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1">Weddingbells</a><br /><a href="http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/link/linktut.htm">myJanee</a><br /><br />I'm going to print my monogram on blank labels and use them on the backs of my invitation envelopes.Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645634625303313144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-25399164002836591512008-10-08T20:26:00.003-04:002008-10-08T20:52:08.331-04:00Matt tries bloggingSo, this is our blog, huh? Fancy that. I've heard a lot about it--seems like a happening place. Since I haven't contributed anything to this page yet, or really to any of the wedding planning, I thought I would say hello. Hello.<br /><br />During the past few weeks I've been a participant in some strange conversations. I'm still not exactly clear on the concept of centerpieces, but, despite this, I am expected to have opinions about such things. It doesn't help matters that I'm often not totally paying attention during these discussions (I claim ADD).<br /><br />Apparently weddings are a lot of work. I assumed the planning would equate to the effort of throwing a college party--get a keg and some cheap booze and *poof* our friends would show up. I have since learned that this is not the case.<br /><br />I have also noted some other differences in the way Briana and I are approaching the whole wedding thing. Here are some of my observations:<br /><ul><li>She downloaded an application for her iPhone that tells how long it will be until our wedding (down to the second).</li><li>I downloaded a game for my iPhone called “Space Monkey.”</li></ul><ul><li>She spends time deciding on the palette of the wedding.</li><li>I have no idea what this means.</li></ul><ul><li>She regularly updates the wedding blog.</li><li>I browse the classified section of a triathlon website looking for sweet deals on bike parts.</li></ul><ul><li>She knows the name of the designer who will make the bridesmaids’ dresses.</li><li>I wonder if I can get away with having the groomsmen wear board shorts.</li></ul><ul><li>She creates blog posts about wedding dresses.</li><li>I knows she’ll choose a great dress and will look beautiful in it. I also hope we can sell it on eBay after the wedding. Or Craigslist. I'm not picky.<br /></li></ul>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08702495322005674743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8200677886010046267.post-5872765601544400362008-10-08T19:59:00.006-04:002008-10-08T20:16:35.207-04:00Hairy SituationSo the beach is windy. Like really, really windy. And I have long hair. This is a real kick in the pants because I want my hair styled like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XdX_RK2lSN4a8DjFblk8r8Aw-vOh-cmBmGLiiSaKdaA3dXQNC1v3TlOHA30LFGIWoZ3SN8k9HJ828J_GT7R-2khcMwsn3a6nzpJjZkK_NXx56KMLX1uynphp1S7n-XQHy1rtaulER8Il/s1600-h/hair1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XdX_RK2lSN4a8DjFblk8r8Aw-vOh-cmBmGLiiSaKdaA3dXQNC1v3TlOHA30LFGIWoZ3SN8k9HJ828J_GT7R-2khcMwsn3a6nzpJjZkK_NXx56KMLX1uynphp1S7n-XQHy1rtaulER8Il/s320/hair1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254939496100726818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Or like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVvmBVB2dBDde7eV2grzUF6EIxCpu7wUaS_zsy_t6sRuGf_yCjWztXIymB66toqNMKqoubF1ULPPewY7VTvoaXkJFC1McwqgPBnNOCO3hqZBgt2DabjIY8UA1APb2YuiOd88DTbRMFhBR/s1600-h/hair2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVvmBVB2dBDde7eV2grzUF6EIxCpu7wUaS_zsy_t6sRuGf_yCjWztXIymB66toqNMKqoubF1ULPPewY7VTvoaXkJFC1McwqgPBnNOCO3hqZBgt2DabjIY8UA1APb2YuiOd88DTbRMFhBR/s320/hair2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254939672374486370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With maybe some flowers or a hair vine worked in like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtFi3FLvH1a3fjdJIzAjmaGnQKn6H7BwpnkjC7HAvuR76tWV0i2Ler7HETROyltTETpy9ufPq3qoNFm5nymcs2nkOi93iWs3PsA_KGpskTzuKP_9SSGXFKMM4E_OGglUj_U3Ikyr_ByEv/s1600-h/hair3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtFi3FLvH1a3fjdJIzAjmaGnQKn6H7BwpnkjC7HAvuR76tWV0i2Ler7HETROyltTETpy9ufPq3qoNFm5nymcs2nkOi93iWs3PsA_KGpskTzuKP_9SSGXFKMM4E_OGglUj_U3Ikyr_ByEv/s320/hair3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254939918678531698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Or this (except with my hair down and styled like above):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfNQ5ZK5no1ToX77z0N8wnXd-reQuLp1yrj686m2KKH8L-zyDaouat8iuk-bUL-SKdJoXsTchOlRwuUVeavyLYQPGg8UCmfrWknwjmp3xApzAQ5AnTEUJtR3khwopiCwwWuL-REHkRSWq/s1600-h/hair4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfNQ5ZK5no1ToX77z0N8wnXd-reQuLp1yrj686m2KKH8L-zyDaouat8iuk-bUL-SKdJoXsTchOlRwuUVeavyLYQPGg8UCmfrWknwjmp3xApzAQ5AnTEUJtR3khwopiCwwWuL-REHkRSWq/s320/hair4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254940047129632690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But I just know by the end of the day this is what my hair is going to look like:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih44bfHR2SkDICwhRA2xWYhG5V624D1NPQVj-E0N39oaTfNymQ9OPEsZyE3PJ86KRcCdUiUqzPTHfv-UeEw8JHevJ_hX89z6tclCd-Tg7Li5-wxJLtNZi7iwXgdZ1bBVQYvUfw1hykdmPW/s1600-h/hair5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih44bfHR2SkDICwhRA2xWYhG5V624D1NPQVj-E0N39oaTfNymQ9OPEsZyE3PJ86KRcCdUiUqzPTHfv-UeEw8JHevJ_hX89z6tclCd-Tg7Li5-wxJLtNZi7iwXgdZ1bBVQYvUfw1hykdmPW/s320/hair5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254941201779179378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />*sigh*Matt and Brianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12396402931513387600noreply@blogger.com0