To Do List Shortened

It's been a productive weekend here in wedding-fest land.

Friday Jon and I took a half-day from work in order to visit City Hall (motto: "Come on in and stand in line.") and apply for a marriage license.

We also went wedding ring shopping (the people at DePrisco Jewelers thought we were nuts to order rings so late, but how long does it take, really, to make a simple white-gold band?)

Despite spending about 1 hour total in various lines at City Hall, the whole process was very quick. Jon and I had plenty of time to visit the New England Aquarium. We're trying hard to do non-wedding-related activities to keep our lives in balance. And nothing is less wedding related than a sea cucumber.

At least, I'm having a hard time thinking of anything less related. Go ahead and try.

I went for my first dress fitting on Saturday morning. KellyM came with to help me put on all the gear. The woman at Threads in Roslindale is fabulous. She is so quick and calm. We were there barely half an hour if that.

And today Jon and I purchased groomsmen gifts.

And no, they're not sea cucumbers.

It Smells Minty

A big part of my wedding plan strategy has been "simplicity." As Thoreau-like as possible, within modern reason and accommodating my wish to have FUN (it's always good to capitalize FUN for extra emphasis). But, you know, no ice sculptures or mini brides 'n grooms (hello, creepy), or string quartets, or a full camera crew. No stretched Hummer limos, or wreaths of exotic flowers. Black tie is not encouraged and there is definitely not a professional wedding planner.

HOWEVER (more emphasis)

Because of Mother Dearest (who is wonderfully wonderful and wondrous and sometimes just causes wonder) and her desire for us to have a bookish theme (everyone dress up like your favorite author! - just kidding), all guests will receive:

THE PROGRAM BOOKLET TO END ALL PROGRAM BOOKLETS

Or rather

Jon and Jenny's Super-Awesome-Wedding-Fest-A-Palooza: The Novel

Mother has even learned book binding techniques (an elementary school teacher can retire from teaching but not from being a teacher) in order to make The Novel more bookish.

And of all the myriad materials one could use to bind a book, what does Mother like best?

Dental floss. "It's thicker than plain thread. And it smells minty!"

Summoning up my inner Bridezilla, I refused the dental floss and asked her if she couldn't use gold or silver thread instead.

And Mother, being the most wonderful of mothers, agreed.

The End.

Busy

I'm not sure when I last posted. I've been too busy working on the wedding to write about it!

ONE MONTH AND 14 DAYS! EEEK!

Last night Jon and I picked out two readings, and we each choose someone to read. I won't spoil the surprise by saying what readings we have chosen, but I will say that one is by Shakespeare (and, no, it's not the sonnet you're thinking of) and one is by ee cummings (and yes, it's one of the readable ones).

As to ee cummings, I will say that it's not:

• "she being brand"
• "kitty"
• "next to of course god america"
• "nOw"
• "l(a"

Although, I love all of those (go look them up yourself if you're interested. Lazy people!)

Also, we did not choose "Walking Through the Woods on a Snowy Evening," a Robert Frost poem proudly on display at the function center called Promises to Keep which is up in New Hampshire, and where I Jon and I attended a wedding last year. The phrase "promises to keep" appears in the aforementioned poem, but that same poem - which I love, by the way - is one of the most depressing poems ever. The gist of which I feel is "my life sucks; but nature is peaceful; if only I could just lay down and die right here in quiet and solitude; but I've got too many things pulling me on; I have no choice but to trudge on, exhausted."

But this is about weddings, not literary criticism.

And I'm at work, not home, thus I shouldn't be writing this at all!

(P.S. I scheduled a meeting with Frank-the-DJ to discuss what to play and what not to play. Music requests gladly accepted, although I will not promise to honor them!)

Oooh! Mail!!!

The reply cards are rolling in! How exciting! Not only are we getting "real" mail every day but I get to make a spreadsheet to keep track of everyone's answers.

I love spreadsheets.

Slowly Jon and I are whittling away at the LIST OF THINGS TO DO. It's really the only thing I still use The Knot for - it is a handy reminder for all those little things (oh yeah .... we need to get a marriage license ....).

And I'm about half way through the thank you cards for the second bridal shower. Whew.

Jon and I also survived our first camping trip together. We managed to set up camp, weather a storm, and break camp without any shouting or bloodshed. I think that pretty much means we ace the compatibility test.

Less than two months to go (eek!). I have a lot of paper flowers to make .....