Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

freak out, fun

I am in overload. O-Ver-Load.

Proposal draft went through to revision, just need to make fixes, add missing info, spell out certain ideas i.e. footnotes.

Article for journal is late. I hate it.

wedding freaking me out. I wish I had more money.

Moving on Monday. FREAKING OUT.

Good point to focus on: my brother in law secured tickets (and possible backstage) for J and I the Tuesday before the wedding. It's jack's favorite band, and he's so excited. I overplanned the week, so I cancelled stuff (well, cancelled it in my head). The only 'move' that I'm still pondering is this:

Tuesday before:
Original: Drive 2 hours to home town, see my grandma, and go to cemetery for my dad. Drive home to ma's house, dinner with my ma, go dancing (for practice) at a Cougar/MILF coctail lounge near her house.

Revised: Go to cemetery after wedding, on way home to TX. Spend day doing whatever, then pre-party, Dave Mathews, stay at my sister's House. J prefers this because there's no 2 hour drive involved. Or wedding planning.

I know it doesn't seem that big of a deal. It's just that I used to envision my wedding would be like this: My ma would still live in hometown, so wedding would be at my childhood church. Groom and I would leave ceremony and drive to cemetery, then to reception (without people knowing). It's different now because she lives 2 hrs away, and I know the logic isn't the tightest on that. I know visiting the cemetery is an empty gesture, and only I get something out of it. But all I'm gonna do is bawl at his grave probably, so I probably shouldn't do it the day of the wedding. And I get that maybe that logic would suggest we don't visit his grave until after the wedding. I've never thought of my dad as connected unalterably with the cemetery-- so it's not that I need to be there to talk to him, there's just something ceremonious about it that I used to think I needed.

Ah, the wierd issues of a bride with a dead father. Well, my uncles will walk me down the aisle, and we aren't doing any of those 'dances' at the wedding. We're doing one, what I call a 'start dance'. It's the first song, J and I twirl about for 30 seconds, then he dances with his mom, I dance with mine (she laughed and said I shouldn't). We've got an idea of who goes first. But I want to ask my dad's friend to dance with me. He was always my partner for the Girl Scout HoeDown in grade school. Funny, that dance job is more important to me than a lector in the ceremony.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Good Morning Stress!

Last night I really enjoyed myself, SATC movie and cocktails at a restuarant I hadn't been to yet, and still home before the 'dark hours' of the morning. J is away on an impromptu bachelor camping party. He woke me up at 730am this morning to say hello, and tell me about his night.

He then proceeded to talk about wedding stuff. He is camping with the Best Man. The BM asked that instead of a free hotel room for two nights, if we could just give him cash. Now, I understand-- really, I do--- the price of travel. And I understand that if the BM is able to get a free hotel room at the same hotel, then it's an alright plan to give him cash towards plane tickets instead. That's logical.

But I felt bad because I recently denied someone else that similar strategy for stretching a buck--- because--- this is the really really important reason--- we are collecting the hotel reward points to use for a honeymoon (because we can't afford one right now anyways). And if we don't pay for hotel rooms, then there are no points. And we would have to pay for housing not just for the wedding party NOW but ourselves later. In fact, most of our money is going to that hotel.

But as Carrie said last night, sometimes decisions are made with emotions, not logic. I kinda freaked out, and this is why...

I feel like I screwed up, and nobody wants to come to my wedding, and I expect too much of people, and nobody really likes me anyways.

This whole hotel thing is so frustrating, I'm even starting to cry again now! Northern Wedding Town is big, and the 3 closest hotels to the church and reception didn't give amazing prices, because they don't need the business that bad. So it's $99 a night, but it's a Hilton. I feel like everyone thinks I chose the wrong hotel-- And I know that it's VERY logical reasons for the BM to ask for cash instead, because their plane tickets cost them $890 dollars, and he does have a free stay available to him. And J arranged for another friend of his to take over the old reservation, pay us cash directly, so we can still get the Hilton Points, which makes the honeymoon still possible.

But beyond that, the groom's family isn't even staying at the hotel. They're staying at a La Quinta to save money, because they are paying for 12-14 nights at the 'fancy' hotel for other people, but don't want to splurge on themselves. So I chose the wrong thing.

And THEN, MOG is still a little miffed because our invitations say "WE, along with our parents" rather than name our mothers directly, because HELLO I'm almost 29 and I"M PAYING FOR MOST OF IT, and since my fiance has a different last name than MOG, her family and friends won't know who he is, when they get the invite in the mail (NOT MY PROBLEM) . She's made sure she figured out how to solve that problem- by writing everyone letters and explaining my invitation before it shows up. As if she has to apologize for my error.

AND I HAVE RECEIVED THREE ADDRESSES FROM HER TO DATE. I asked for addresses A YEAR AGO. I feel like she doesn't think our actual ceremony is as important as the little reception she's throwing for us here in September.

I feel like nobody cares about us enough to want to come. I know that we all have our own agendas, and own problems, and own schedules and such. I know that the price of travel makes everything very difficult. But the fact of the matter is that none of J's friends have actually gone through with throwing him a bachelor party-- even the guys he's thrown ones for. This weekend, it's just a camping trip organized by the BM, and so J told him that it will have to serve this purpose. But none of the groomsmen have the time right now to do it, I get it. But J does not feel special whatsoever.

I have fabulous friends who threw me a very special bridal shower. I felt special. And I resigned myself to understanding that a bachelorette party was never really possible, that's why I kinda started organizing my own version for the thursday before the wedding, because my little sister who is MOH, more because she's family than because she's helpful or loving to me, doesn't really care. She hates the dress, is irritated that I'm asking her to fly home from her new schedule of grad school, and probably won't even care enough to get a gift.

I don't need a gift from her but really--- she stopped celebrating my birthday almost 8 years ago. The problem with my birthday, is that my birthday is 3 days before my dead father's birthday. So nobody really thinks about me, just him being gone. The last time I had a real birthday, with all my family, was the year before he died. I turned 13. For the next 6 years, my older sister was always on vacation with her best friend. And I'm not cool enough for the youngest. And my mom just gets a little too drunk and sad on my birthday anyways--- because I remind her of him, and of what's gone. It actually really hurts that my sister doesn't care about my birthday, and that she forgets it. I WAS BORN ON JULY 5th! I ALWAYS CELEBRATED ON THE 4th HOW CAN YOU FORGET THAT!

Now I'm freaking depressed about my stupid birthday. I never should have gone there. This post was about the wedding, and about how I feel. I know that I'm just stressed, and that all my feelings are not logically true. But it doesn't mean I don't feel them, and feel like I screwed up.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

5 x 5 (balance our your gripes)-

When it hails, there's tornados.

Five things that piss me off right now:

1. I screwed up my financial aid paperwork, and now my loan will be 1/2 what I though, and a week late.

2. Due to the lower loan, I have to cut out some wedding expenses AND ask my mom for help. I don't do well asking her for help with money. Sometime, ask me about how she sold my car to cover credit cards expenses when I left the country. She says I was running away, I said I had it all planned out, with minimum payments covered and everything, until I got back.

3. J earns $66 a day. In asking a raise, he has been forced to leave the place-- on principle. He works for Bif and his gang, who think that insulting a manager will make him stay.

4. My car is screwed up. we spent 236 on 2 tires wednesday. I need 2 more next month. AND brakes. AND a battery.

5. My desktop got a nasty virus, which I spent $150 'fixing' by wiping the harddrive, and as such, all programs and many files are gone, including WORD!. I can't find disks for that. I guess I will no longer type on that computer. Atleast I have a laptop.

6. I need to spend $100 on an external hard drive, so I don't have this happen again.

Five Good Things (must balance karma):

1. We are not angry about J's situation, just dissappointed in the stupidity of said owner. Apparently, when J gives word today, 3 servers, the bar manager, and 2 cooks will put in 2 weeks notice. They can get the same job elsewhere, and don't want to deal with BIF yelling at them without J to intercede. BIF and his gang will finally learn what they need to do to make a good restuarant, alone. (I Hope).

2. Wedding is two months away. If I think about the fun, its exciting. Otherwise, I'm kinda scared. I kinda want to hop on a plane and runaway for a weekend. It's not because of the wedding, I just want to run away from my life for a week, or so. Go 'find' the piece of my soul I left in Africa, and bring her home. Ok, well, I'd leave her there, but I want to go visit.

3. Syllabus is done for summer.

4. I feel hopeful about diss. proprosal.

5. Fancy Women's Studies Journal I was supposed to write article for last year, asked for the article again! (complications with J and life made it impossible for me to finish it last year) So hopefully, I can get a fancy schmancy publication in the fall!!!!!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

what next

So I've been having some health complications, that I chalked up to stress before exams, but it's apparently more.

Monday, I have an 11am ultrasound for gallstones, and my oral exam at 230pm. This sucks. And I was going to drive home for the holidays on Tuesday. I have to plan 'just in case' I have to have surgery. Great. fantastic. super. ergh.

And J found out that he has 2 blown discs, and a slipped disc in his back. The chiropracter is pretty much in charge of treatment now, and he has to do disc decompression. If that doesn't work, a neurosurgeon will stick huge needles in his back. And if that doesn't work, they will have to remove part of his spinal stuff!

Reminder: ALWAYS SIGN UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE!

I couldn't help but cry at J's appointment. I'm fine with my own crap, but my first thought was that it's selfish of me to ask our families to dish out so much money for a wedding. And the responsibile thing to do would be to postpone the wedding, or have a very small, private wedding-combined-honeymoon. I didn't want to say anything until we were out of the office, because I desperately was fighting the logical half of me--- knowing that it usually wins--- and I realized that it is really, really important to me to have this wedding, to have my friends there, my family there, a priest and a church and a party, etc.

Blame it on Saussuer. I'm changing my signifier, and I need my collective public to agree to my new assignation. Plus, my dad died so early, that many people became a part of my life, and I want them there. And I want a church wedding. And a cake, and be back home. I didn't know how important it was to me, until I considered giving it up and doing a Sandals weddingmoon thing.

Of course, J disagreed, and said not to worry, that this was a little thing and we can have it all. Actually, he said, "Being adopted three times, and being returned twice is hard. Having your fifth birthday show up without your mother or your birthday cake is hard. Living alone when your 5 is hard. This is not hard. This will not end up in surgery."

I know he's right. And the thing is that this pain won't keep him from work much longer. He'll be able to do work stuff. He just needs these therapy sessions to help him in the long run.

Yesterday was just crappy. We're both broken. But at least I met my insurance deductible already.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Witch of Honor

IN what world is your SISTER the MAID OF HONOR supposed to tell you that the dresses make her look ugly--- you can make your friends look ugly but not her-- and that payback's a bitch? What a freaking spoiled brat.Sadly, what follows is the email I just send my older sister, so she could read it to my younger fashion-natzi-selfish-rude-unconsciously hurtful-sister. She was supposed to go home this weekend and help my mom pack up the house. My mom is getting a divorce from my stepfather, who selfishly wants out of the marriage. I can say that because selfishly, he didn't see the problems 11 years ago that I saw before their marriage began.

Anyways, I just have to share, because there's nothing I can do about this, and it pains me greatly. I know I acted childishly, but I really wish my sister was a better person. She's just so self-centered, and can't see that she is being a vapid creature............

_____________________________________________________________

Dear sisters,

I am so thankful that you two are there to help mom and I can't. (older sister), I know that you have been a big help through out all of this. You can't avoid it :). You also have always been good at being there for family when we need it. Always.

(Younger sister), this is the guilt trip to make sure you spend time helping mom. Because I know that you won't spend any saturday in (home state) helping her. Enjoy football. And don't you dare yell or say anything to her. Your priority this weekend is mom. NOT yourself. That said, if you call me and are anything irrational, I WILL call you the spoiled brat you are. That does not mean we can't talk about all that I'm going to say, but I will not have a conversation of raised voices.

This world does not revolve around you. God forbid you have to wear the dress I CHOOSE to MY WEDDING. you should have said 'it's lovely' and I'll wear it" not PAYBACKS A BITCH. I don't organize my wedding to make YOU happy. Just the same, You don't lie and say you are going to help someone when the truth is that you are using the excuse to drive home to see a football game with Mike, or fly home and avoid helping.

I know mom is difficult. I know she's awful at asking for help. But a blind man can see that she needs someone to help. It's not just a matter of taping a box, it's being present as she dismantles the life she once had, and has to mentally deal with the emptiness left over. She had her life crushed. Let her bitch. Let her cry. Be a good daughter and BE THERE. You do not get to act like the youngest anymore. You are an adult. I understand that your life may not be all you wish it to be right now, but sometimes selflessness is what is needed when it comes to family. When you need me, I am there, completely. But when I need you, you send text messages that I make you look ugly with a bad dress and I should feel bad. When mom needs you, use it as an excuse to go play with your friends. grow up and act responsibly. If I had money, I would have been there this weekend, in the garage, marking boxes and packing mom's LIFE away to move. Even if I just SAT there and watched her work, she should have the option of NOT BEING ALONE when she has been PROMISED companionship.

So if you think paybacks a bitch, remember it when you have to move from chicago to somewhere else, or when you get married and want my cooperation, or when you just plain need your family to be there, without question, at your side. You get what you give. On that note, if I EVER act selfish, I expect you to be there to remind me that I shouldn't. But, if i'm just acting selfish to remind you that you are selfish sometimes, well, I'm off the hook.

Too bad you didn't answer the phone. We could have had this fight the right way.

By the way, thanks for fucking apologizing for your hysterically unsupportive, unloving, self centered, babyish attitude about the dresses. If you don't want to wear one, don't stand next to me. A Maid of Honor is above all SUPPORTIVE. You should SUPPORT me. But I see, as long as its in the pretty dress, you will.

And being the baby, you try to get off the hook of not apologizing, instead of sending picture texts of shoes. Buy all the fucking shoes you want. We are not picking any bridesmaid shoes until next year. Unlike you, some of the bridesmaids DON"T have a disposable income for 50 $ shoes. It's Payless baby. So deal with it.

That being said, have a nice weekend. See you in November.