Jewelry

I did some shopping around for wedding invitations today. That's going to be one giant hassle, I can see. And expensive. Between the invitations, save the date magnets, RSVP cards, announcements (for those who aren't invited to the wedding-relatives from far away), and envelopes, we're looking at $300. Not fun, but essential considering the fact that Mom has now had a few people ask her where Nick and I are registered. We aren't. So during Nick's three-day this week we'll be going to Macy's and Target to register. I've heard this is fun, so it's something to which I am secretly looking forward. Don't tell Nick though; he just thinks it's going to be a hassle (my word of the day).

Anyway, beyond the invitations, I did some jewelry shopping today too. I've found that I love the estate, vintage, and antique jewelry, so enjoy the photos of a few of the pieces with which I'm enamored. 

Check out this gorgeous cameo ring, circa 1890. I've always wanted one of these. I find them to be incredibly romantic and the style fits my personality and fascination with a bygone era.

Here is some of the estate jewelry I've fallen in love with for the wedding:

Victorian, circa 1880

Georgian, circa 1800

And this last one is perfect with the color scheme of the wedding: garnet, circa 1880

And there's more!

Let me just add programs and favors to the list of things to do. Apparently I have to have programs because people will expect it. Really? Nick and I don't have any attendants or a flower girl or ring bearer. So here's the program:

Nicholas Pritchett and Stephanie Welsh are getting married. Food to follow.

There, I did it. Check one off my list. Facetious? Yes.

And, since I told every one I wanted to MAKE my favors (what the heck was I thinking?), now I feel like I have to do that too. I still want to do velvet bookmarks, and I'll have the summer to finish them, but it's just another thing I have to do. 

I watched Bridezillas last week and the bride and groom had a murder mystery-themed reception. How about we just add to the massive amount of stress a wedding already heaps on us by adding some ridiculous game into the mix? No. This week the bride insisted on a choreographed "funny" dance. Stupid. Just get married. Say thank you to the people who came and love you, and eat some food. Why do we have to make everything so convoluted? Is that part of the American culture? No wonder we can't slow down and enjoy life. We're too busy making it as difficult as possible! Go us!

(Sorry for the sarcastic nature of this post. It's a mood, what can I say?)

Stress . . .

We are less than 5 months away from the wedding and I'm starting to realize just how much I have left to do. I've put off all of the smaller "stuff" (and some of the bigger "stuff" too) while I was still working and now that school's over in 4 days, I'm thinking that maybe I shouldn't have waited so long to complete some of my to-do list.

2 weeks ago Nick and I went to see the priest, who will be marrying us in front of our families at the beginning of September. He was very nice and I apparently made a good impression too, according to Nick's mom (this is her priest and church in which we are getting married). In order to complete this process, we need to bring in copies of our baptismal certificates, our moms have to go in and sign that we are free to marry, and we have to take a 150-question compatibility quiz and discuss the results with a successfully married couple in the church. We also have to choose all the readings and various other pieces of the ceremony the priest will be performing. All in all, it's not too overwhelming and I'm doing this to make Nick and his mom happy, so it is very important that we complete this item on our list. That also means we will be married in September, which is not too far away.

Some of the other things we need to get done:

1. Invitations! Yes, I still need to get my invitations, address them, and mail them off.

2. Veil and wedding jewelry

3. Dress cleaning and altering, if necessary

4. Join the gym and lose 15 pounds this summer 

5. Tuxes

6. Flowers

7. Script and readings for Weston

8. Finish paying the caterer

9. Figure out the seating chart (or decide if we're going to have one)

10. Order the wedding cake

11. Get our engagement photography session done

12. Reserve a room for the night before and the night of the wedding at Thornewood

13. Something new, old, borrowed, and blue

14. Music

15. Figure out all the times (start of ceremony and reception) before I can print the invitations . . . (no wonder I haven't ordered them yet!)

Isn't it lovely when you sit down and write out your list in an attempt at organization and freak yourself out completely? Nice.

Other than that, Nick and I have decided that we are going to try to buy a house this summer. We were planning on waiting until after the wedding, but the market is right to buy now and waiting seems ridiculous at this point. We are looking in Bonney Lake and are preparing to talk to my parents' financial guy and a realtor as soon as school is over and I can focus solely on this project. Let me tell you, it is the scariest thing I've ever taken on in my life. It's also frustrating and nerve-racking (a slightly different adjective than scary, as it causes heart palpitations). So many things are changing and I'm excited, but truly scared. This time next year, I'll be married, a homeowner, and possibly pregnant. Wow! I'm growing up!

26 Years

Today is my 26th birthday. I remember when birthdays were exciting and fun, but now that I am on the downhill slide toward 30, it isn't so great anymore. I used to demand that my birthday celebration last at least a week (I know, I am a spoiled brat), but today was almost just like any other day. A few of the kids brought me gifts, which was so sweet, but at home it was simply a Friday. It's interesting how much life changes as you get older.

Nick's working tonight too, which added to the calm nature of the day. We (as in Nick and I) aren't celebrating until Monday, which is his first day off. We'll probably spend it doing some furniture shopping and going to dinner. He better get me a card too . . . 

Wedding stuff, which I find to be very funny: I decided that I am going to invite a few students to the wedding, as long as we have the room. The other day, I told two of them about it and they about came out of their skin. These two are supposed troublemakers at the school, but I just love both of them. They are constantly cracking me up. One actually choked on his sandwich and threw up in his lap in front of our principal while he was observing me. He will be forever known as Vomit Boy. In addition to a small group of other students, these are two that I hope to stay in touch with over the years. Although I know that leaving this job is the absolute right choice for me, I am thankful that I have had the chance to be in these kids' lives for a short time. Everything happens for a reason. If I didn't truly believe that, I would have gone crazy long ago.

6 Months!

We are only 6 months away from the wedding date! It's so exciting and crazy! When we first got engaged we decided to plan the wedding for over a year out, September to the following November. I remember thinking that it was so far away and feeling that the date would never come. And now, it's only 6 months away! I can't believe how quickly time passes and how much I want to be Mrs. Pritchett. I'm so lucky!

P.S. I've been thinking that it's probably a good thing that I'm not going to be teaching anymore. Can you imagine the nicknames Pritchett would incur if I continued in this profession? Funny, but not appropriate. Now, the question on everyone's mind is . . . what is Stephanie going to do for a job after June? Sub? Maybe. Look into continuing education courses at the local community college for fun? Definitely. Maybe one day get a real estate license? Could be. Write a book? Hopefully. Have lots of mini-Nicks? Yes! (So much to look forward to!) 

Hmm . . .

For the first time in the two years I've been teaching full time, I came home this afternoon and had a beer. No joke. I never drink, but all I could think about when I walked in the door is that I need some kind of booze to calm my nerves. I didn't want ice cream or cookies or anything salty, I wanted a nice, cold beer. And it was good. And now I feel much better.

If I continued to teach, I think it would drive me to alcoholism. I'm kidding, of course. But only somewhat. I am so tired of the attitude of the kids, the ridiculous parents, and the total lack of follow-through and support we get from our administration. When a kid spends a whole class period muttering obscenities beneath his breath and I can do NOTHING about it, that's freaking ridiculous. What bothers me the most is the fact that I expect nothing less from this district. I wouldn't put my kid in that school if it was the last educational institution on earth. 

Ahh, now that I am done ranting . . . Dad got a puppy! She won't be ready until the end of May, but I'm so excited! Her name, as of now, is Phoebe. She is a liver and white springer from a second litter of a female in Oregon. Dad drove down and paid for her and will pick her up the day before my birthday. He's excited, but also seems to have realized that we will now have 3 springer spaniels. Insanity. And I will be adding to that total in June with little Joey (you know, Phoebe and Joey . . . yes, we're weird). At that point, we will have 4 springers. It is going to be crazy and fun!

Now I just have to get through the last 34 days of hell, better known as school. I am so done with this job! 

Caterer, Check!

We have officially paid our caterer the down payment for their services, meaning they will now hold our date. This was our last really big thing to deal with, thank goodness. Although now I'm worried about invitations, which I haven't even really thought about. I also really, really want to include save-the-date magnets, something I think is just the cutest idea. Who doesn't love a magnet?

In the same thread as the invitations, I have decided that I really do want to invite a couple of my students. Our guest list is already at capacity, but I know at least a few people won't be coming. There are a handful of kids I'd like to have there on this day simply because they are amazing and I've bonded with them. Now that the end of the year is fast approaching, I'm starting to get a little melancholy about the thought of leaving them. Along with the hard times, it's also been a lot of fun. I hope I don't lose touch with all of them. I do, however, hope to never see a few of them again, haha!

Back to the wedding . . . I still need a veil, jewelry, and our wedding bands. I was thinking chocolate pearls maybe, since our colors are chocolate, burgundy, and ivory. And I really want a little bit more ostentation in my wedding band too. A girl can never have too many diamonds . . . Oh wow, I also need to have my dress cleaned and steamed since it was a sample at Marcella's too! I totally forgot about that.

One last thing: Joey. My dad and I are getting puppies this summer, so Dad has been obsessed with finding pups and emails or texts me whenever he sees a new listing. We're going to wait until June to get our babies, but he's all excited about it and has started "shopping" now. I have to say though, I absolutely cannot wait until I get my little Joey Tribbiani Pritchett! He'll be Nick's and my first baby. Anyone who knows my family knows just how much we love our pets, so this excitement should come as no surprise. Yay for a new puppy!

Only 41 days of school left!

Only 199 days until our wedding! 

(Wow, time is flying!)