Jon and Jenny

Who Knew?

2009-04-19T19:51:00.002-04:00

Today I learned something new about Jon:

He does an excellent imitation of the "Mah-Na Mah-Na" guy from that Muppet Show song. Cleaning up the kitchen after dinner was never so much fun .....

Would You Like to See Our Photos?

2009-04-14T17:30:00.003-04:00

I've been complaining - while, perhaps "complaining" is too strong a word. "Lamenting" is probably more accurate - that we've run out of people to show our wedding photos to. Even my grandparents in Florida have seen them.

So this past Easter Sunday, we were all excited (OK, I was all excited) because we were going to visit relatives who have not seen the wedding photo book. (To be fair to Jon, he does enjoy looking at them, but it's not in the forefront of his mind to show them off to others.)

And I forgot to bring the book.

Doh!

Soon enough, though, we will be in Wisconsin, for Super-Awesome-Wedding-Fest-A-Palooza Part 2 (Part Deux) where there will be scores of people (how much is a score? 20?) who will be only too delighted to see them. Or at least they'll pretend to be delighted because I'll be in my wedding dress that day (might as well get some use out of it) and most people are culturally programed to humor brides/girls in wedding dresses. Maybe men in wedding dress too, I don't know.

Married and On Vacation

2009-02-16T13:29:00.004-05:00

Jon and I went to Florida for a week (glorious, glorious sunshine! and not a speck of snow) at the end of January.

From Florida

We were with my grandparents and parents most of the time - well, actually all the time. I'm ridiculously close to my family, and we get along great; thankfully Jon fits in perfectly and doesn't mind that my grandparents spend a lot of time talking very loudly about pills and doctor appointments. Grandma makes the best breakfasts ever, so she's allowed to do as she pleases as far as we're concerned.

I went snorkeling for the first time, and absolutely loved it. Jon and I spent a lot of time gurgling and pointing to all the colorful fish and coral. It was fabulous.

Shortly before leaving Key West, Jon and I found a bar with $2 mojitos, but before you get really excited - yes, they tasted exactly like $2 mojitos. Still, I was in Key West drinking a lovely, tropical drink at a cozy bar ... I won't complain.

We would, however, like to offer this dare to anyone going to Key West: go around and find a bar that has live music that's not just an overweight white guy with a guitar. We dare you.

Because it was Florida, I took insane amounts of pictures of alligators, anhingas, herons, and flowers. Special bonus photos: manatees! I highly suggest visiting Manatee Park in Fort Meyer on a "cold morning." The Manatees take refuge in the canal because the water is much warmer there than in the river or gulf. We saw dozens of manatees. Jon and I were mesmerized and had to be dragged away by my parents.

J & J on Holiday

2009-01-26T15:33:00.002-05:00

The Hartwell newlyweds (almost 4 months!) are off to warm climates tomorrow.

We will try our best not to get sunburned and spend a glorious week in sunny Florida. Manitee watching is on the top of my list, while our weekend in Key Largo is a close second. Weather and water-temperature permitting there will be snorkling in our future! :-)

There will, of course, be photos.

Stay tuned!

2008-10-18T22:11:00.000-04:00

Our mini-moon was so wonderful. I love looking at our pictures - and playing with all the fun features on Picasa!

Post Wedding Update

2008-10-06T09:48:00.002-04:00

We still have a living room filled with boxes (much to Charlie's glee).

But we did purchase a kitchen cart/island (which now stores are new kitchen appliances), and I did manage to organize half the pantry. Including our new tools! Wahoo.

I see a lot of shelf-building in my future. Good use of the new miter saw, and good winter weekend projects. I can't wait!

Mini-Moon

2008-10-01T19:52:00.003-04:00

Our too short stay in Ogonquit, Maine was wonderful!

Mini-Moon

Mr. & Mrs. Hartwell

2008-10-01T19:30:00.005-04:00

Well, that's it, then. We're married. I probably don't have to say that it was a fabulous day.

Clearly it was.

But .... Now what? For nearly a year we've planned and plotted and looked forward to September 27, 2008. Despite the fact that our house is filled with boxes, something feels a bit empty, you know?

There's nothing to do now but ....

... plan the Wisconsin part!

Yeehaw!

Just wait until Summer 2009.

Jon and I can also get down to the business of planning the trip to Budapest.

In the meantime, of course, there's all the name-changing things for me to do.

Jennifer Jean Hartwell: It's going to take getting used to.

Almost There

2008-09-25T10:12:00.000-04:00

Wow. 2 Days. That's all.

Crazy!

Bachelor Party

2008-09-15T13:46:00.000-04:00

Jon was whisked away Saturday for a man-tastic afternoon. Jeremy arranged for them to all go F1 go-carting followed by dinner at Fire & Ice (yummy) and beer and baseball at some bar somewhere (for reasons of national security, apparently, I wasn't told which bar exactly).

So Jon has had his party and had a great time, even though he came in second-to-last (his dad - the guy down in front - came in last).

But as far as I'm concerned, Jon always wins.

Except at wii bowling. I totally kick his ass at wii bowling.

And Guitar Hero.

And Boggle.

And Scrabble.

Come to think of it, I'd probably beat him in a go-cart race too.

Is There a Fire Fighter in the House?

2008-09-11T12:36:00.008-04:00

I'm all about safety and not burning buildings to the ground, but - honestly - sometimes you can get carried away with precautions.

Jon and I decided we wanted a unity candle ceremony. It's pretty and symbolic - and yes, there's a tiny flame involved.

Apparently, strictly speaking, The City of Boston does not allow "open flames" (oh my god! a lit candle!) in any buildings without a fireman on guard or complicated, hard-to-find-self-extinguishing-wear-little-hats-candles.

Give me a break. Last time I checked, most churches use candles. Are they exempt due to a God clause or something?

HOWEVER, all is not lost.

Jon and I considered replacing the unity candle ceremony with an interpretive dance accompanied by Enya, but Rich-the-event-guy says we can get away with it.

Hey, I'm willing to light it and then blow it out. I don't care. I decide when the symbolism begins and ends after all. This is not an eternal flame (The Bangles, anyone?)

Hooray for reason and good sense. And for Rich-the-event-guy. He's awesome.

Oh My

2008-09-08T15:29:00.003-04:00

These were the words that slipped out when my google count down gadget greeted me on my home page.

19 days.

Oh god.

I'm not stressed, really. I'm not worried. I just can't believe the day is finally at hand.

OK, I lied.

I am stressed and worrying, but not for any good reason. It's just what I do before any event. At work, just as everyone else in the office is calming down, I get stressed. And then, a day or so before the event, a great calm comes over me. While everyone else is suddenly plagued by last-minute worries, I float by, competely serenly. I worry about the planning, not the execution.

In fact, back in high school when I did theater, I didn't suffer from stage fright until I walked off the stage.

Jon is fine, I think. He participated in the last big planning session: the ceremony. We now know what happens when and who says what. I think Jon feels the event could happen tomorrow and we would be perfectly ready.

This is not true, of course, but I'm glad he has that much faith in my planning skills. (Of course, I am the one who got really excited about camping because it was a chance for me to make lists. And my friends will never let me live down the "road trip binder" from our senior year spring break trip. Hey, we were prepared. That's all I'm saying.)

I'm taking lots of deep breaths. And trying not to look at my count down gadget.

19 days.

Oh boy.

The Count Down Rolls On ....

2008-09-04T12:42:00.004-04:00

There were two delinquent groomsmen I had to harass on Tuesday for not ordering their tuxes. I didn't like having to send them threatening emails (I believe the phrase "plague of locusts" was used in one case), but things are getting serious, people.

I've scheduled hair appointments for 6 (one bride - ahem, me - and 5 maids) and convinced Dear Mother to do likewise (well, just 1 for her, that is). Mom also finally decided on her outfit - and she looks smashing, I must say.

This Saturday I'm doing the trial run of hair and makeup. What do I do for the rest of the day after being made to look so pretty?

Next Wednesday Jon and I meet with Rich-the-event-guy to finalize the plans for the ceremony and reception.

Speaking of the ceremony ....

I've decided that I will walk down the aisle to Handel's "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" and Jon and I will walk back down the aisle to the fourth movement from Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

It's all so exciting! We can't wait ....

To Do List Shortened

2008-08-24T19:44:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-20T15:37:00.004-04:00

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

2008-08-13T12:25:00.005-04:00

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!!!

2008-08-04T20:24:00.003-04:00

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 .....

For me? Thank you!

2008-07-28T11:21:00.006-04:00

I'm getting used to this bridal shower thing. It's not a bad gig, really.

Anyone want to throw me another party?

Also: invitations are in the mail! Such a sense of accomplishment!

And: the woman at the clerk's office who answers the phone "Marriage!" in a sharp, curt tone might want to improve her phone skills. I felt like apologizing. "I'm sorry we want to get married. Is it OK if we come by and apply for a marriage license?"

The Great Invitation Invitational

2008-07-25T09:17:00.002-04:00

Yes, creating and mailing wedding invitations might just be the most hectic part of the whole wedding-planning process.

Not only do you have to make sure you invite your cousin and his wife and make sure you don't accidentally forget to send a Save the Date card to your godmother (ahem, Jon), but when your on-a-budget, diy-ers, you have to print them. You would think this is the easy part, and I wrongly assumed that too.

Getting a new printer and then having the wedding invitations be your first project on that printer - not recommended.

However, last night I finished printing out everything and have them almost all set. (So much crap that goes into an invitation: the actual invite, the response card and (stamped) envelope, information about the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner (for those who qualify), and then our after party invite.

I just need to pick up a few more stamps, and we're good to go!

Wahoo!

Am I Worried? A Little

2008-07-16T12:40:00.003-04:00

I counted out 10 weeks until the wedding (approximately). 70+ days.

I've had a couple dreams about the wedding day. In both of them, Jon and I arrived at the "alter" and discovered we had never planned the ceremony. Oops.

I need to get busy to assuage these anxieties, and number one is to get the invitations in the mail.

Number two is to plan the ceremony!

Presents!

2008-07-07T11:11:00.004-04:00

I enjoyed the bridal shower immensely, and the whole weekend was simply a blast! I didn't realize that wearing a tiara/veil out dancing would garner such attention. I enjoyed all the attention for a little while, and then it got overwhelming. I like to be in control when I'm the center of attention, and I was losing that control.

Jon and I are loving our presents. The bathroom looks stellar with the new shower curtain, waste basket, and matching towels. A model luxury Kohler bathroom we are not. But at least we're color-coordinated.

Cooking is more fun while wearing an apron, and the olive oil mister is one of the coolest kitchen gadgets ever. Really.

I have all my thank you notes written. I just need to get stamps (doh!)

I will then be more than prepared to receive more presents!

Just What I Always Wanted!

2008-06-28T13:07:00.001-04:00

I'm waiting to be taken to the DePere Community Center for the WI bridal shower. I'm kind of nervous. Which is silly.

But - I look really cute.

I'm pretty excited over all. And there will be dancing later!

Mini-Moon

2008-06-17T14:35:00.003-04:00

Despite pangs of work-related guilt, Jon and I went ahead and scheduled our wedding smack in the middle of the busiest time at Hearth: Annual World, which consists of the annual appeal, the annual report, and the annual meeting.

But I could not bring myself to also schedule our honeymoon during that season. I would be crazy-busy before the wedding/honeymoon and probably spend too much time worrying about work while on the honeymoon, and then be over inundated with catching up upon my return.

It just didn't seem like a good idea.

However, neither did returning to work the Monday after as if nothing had happened. Saturday: wedding. Monday: office meeting! It just didn't feel right.

So we decided to take a "mini-moon" right after the wedding and hold off the "real" honeymoon (which will last at least a week if not more) until the following spring.

Qualifications for the mini-moon location included:

not more than 3 hours from Boston

an in-room jacuzzi

not more than $200 a night (preferably for less!)

not a Holiday Inn, Super 8 Motel, or any hotel/inn with a jingle

So where are we staying?

The Hartwell House in Ogunquit, Maine. We are staying in the Polly Reed room. Not only do we have a jacuzzi, but we have "French doors opening up to a balcony with views of the garden." And the inn is only steps away from the The Marginal Way (a 1 mile walk way along the coast) and the beautiful Ogunquit Beach. Not to mention we get breakfast and afternoon tea.

Sounds good to me. Can I go there tomorrow?

Because if I have to wear uncomfortable shoes, so do you!

2008-06-16T11:39:00.005-04:00

Jon and I picked out tuxedos on Saturday.

We shall not be renting them from the Men's Wearhouse, as we were both thoroughly underwhelmed by their service and selection. I'm sure they're not all the same (then again ... they probably are) but they didn't have actual tuxes to show us, just a catalogue - which I had already looked at online. They did have samples of the vests/ties/bow-ties, but accessories be damned, if you ask me. Doesn't matter if Jon has the most beautiful vest on if he picked the wrong tux from the catalogue (a double-breasted pin-stripe suite on Jon: I think not).

Thus we are renting our tuxes from Classic Tuxedos. They have locations all over New England, but we went to the Boston location on Newbury Street (yes, aren't we posh?) for our appointment. They have an entire store of tuxes - and they let you try them on. Wow.

The chocolate brown Calvin Kline tux was $160 plus tax to rent. As that was about $50 more than the bridesmaids' dresses, I thought that was unfair. And Jon is a cheapskate as well, so no hunky men in chocolate brown tuxes (I was informed, though, that my choice was at the very forefront of fashion - and let me add that the Men's Wearhouse will not be offering a chocolate brown tux until late fall).

Jon chose a basic 2-button tux with a notch lapel cut in the American style. He and the dads will wear a black vest and bow tie (Jon was very insistant on the bow tie .... I thought a regular tie would have been OK for our "casually formal" event). The groomsmen will wear a chocolate brown vest (I can't be sure I've chosen the right swatch color from, the online catalogue... but trust me, in person it's the right shade of brown!) and tie. Both colors will be in a herringbone-pattened material, which looks quite snazzy (see swatches).

Piece of cake - er, cobbler

2008-06-09T16:19:00.002-04:00

This wedding planning stuff is a breeze! I don't know what everyone gets so worked up about.

Mom's in town. She flew in Friday while Jon and I were at The Harvard Book Store listening to David Sedaris read from his new book (I'll have to post more about that on my other blog ... it was hysterical!).

Together, Mom and I have:

finalized flowers with Karen-the Amazing-Florist (who is not named Kelly but at least her name begins with a "K") at Dandelions
picked out invitations, (box of 50, including envelopes, and response cards/envelopes) at Staples for $29.99
printed out invitations
addressed envelopes (in Mother's best teacher handwriting)
started creating paper flowers for the reception centerpieces (they're wicked cute!)
booked Doyle's for the rehearsal dinner (best part: no deposit necessary!)

Aren't we productive?

Power Tools!

2008-06-06T11:33:00.003-04:00

No one has bought me any power tools yet off our gift registries. Come on, people. What could make a better bridal shower present than a 10" compound miter saw?

I could make such wonderful things .... a coffee table, shelving, a jewelry box exactly the way I want it to be ....

::sigh::

I mean, we all know that I registered for the tools, not Jon.

Why, yes, he is a penguin

2008-06-04T10:47:00.007-04:00

Ah tuxedos ..... What a pain ....

Jon and I (he actually doesn't know this yet, I forgot to tell him yesterday - sorry, honey!) have an appointment with Classic Tuxedos on June 14. They called me out of the blue, and since I haven't done anything about tuxedos yet, I figured I might as well make an appointment.

I checked their website today and found the most beautiful (and probably woefully expensive) chocolate brown tuxedo (by Calvin Klein). So sexy! (Well, it's easy to make a tux look amazing with a ridiculously handsome male model wearing it.)I doubt we'll end up with this tux - I'm sure we'll choose some boring black-n-white inexpensive combination (although hopefully not with a god-awful shiny vest ... I hate those).

But isn't it va va voom?

Bridal Fixins

2008-05-25T08:09:00.005-04:00

Yesterday Kelly M took me to Carbonneau's in Worcester to look for shoes and a veil. It was the fastest, easiest shopping trip ever. One of the sales ladies handed me a shoe and said, "I don't know if you like bows, but these are the most comfortable shoes."

Thankfully the embellishment on the shoe was more of a knot than a bow. And she was right. They are rather comfortable (for a dress shoe, that is. Let's get real. There's a limit to how comfortable a strappy, 2 1/2 inch kitten heel shoe can be).

Then we look at veils. In under ten minutes we found exactly what I was looking for - and for only $35.

Nice.

(Shoes + veil) X under one hour = success!

Gift Registry - the FINAL Decision

2008-05-17T08:56:00.004-04:00

OK, folks, here we are:

Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Sears

Target

Jon and I would love if you did your shopping online through the GoodShop portal. Choose Hearth as the charity and every purchase equals presents for me and a donation to Hearth and homeless elders who need your help. Awesome.

(Unfortunately, BB&B is not part of GoodShop at this time ... bummer.)

Never Fear: There WILL Be Bacon

2008-05-08T18:58:00.000-04:00

When I declared in an earlier post that there would not be bacon-wrapped hors d'oeuvres, I upset a lot of would-be wedding guests with a strong affinity for bacon.

Let it not be said that Jennifer Jean Hibbard dislikes bacon. Jenny loves bacon - just not wrapped around other meats.

Wednesday Jon and I met with Richard, the event planner at the Courtyard Marriott, to launch the strategic plan for our SUPER-AWESOME-WEDDING-FEST-APALOOZA! (copyright 2008) Richard is awesome and has great horror stories about bridezillas (the computer's spell check does not recognize that word and suggests "defibrillator" as a replacement. Excellent). I plan not to be one of those, so I think we will get along well. Jon was running late, so we talked about the dull stuff (table placement, decorations for the fireplace in the oval, oak-paneled room were the ceremony will take place).

We spent most of the time discussing food and have come up with a great feast: brunch! Since the wedding takes place in the morning and crosses into the afternoon, we thought that combining "breakfast" and "lunch" would be perfect. We're calling it "brunch" and I think it's really going to catch on.

So, during the hour or so (hopefully less, but I should be realistic) of "mingly time" between the ceremony and the start of the main reception, there will be fruit and yogurt, coffee, teas, juices, water, and soda, along with mini-bagels topped with smoked salmon or cream cheese. Jon is really looking forward to the smoked salmon mini-bagels.

Then, once we are all ready to eat (which may or may not come after our introduction and first dance), the omelet station and dim sum station will be unveiled.

That's right, no regular straight-lined buffet for us! Fancy pants "stations" will keep things interesting!

But, you're asking, where's the bacon?

Never fear, Jon made sure bacon would be present. It will have a place of honor at the omelet station. So rejoice, bacon lovers. There will be bacon.

Presents!

2008-04-24T09:35:00.003-04:00

As the bridal shower draws nigh (look for your invite from Mom in mid-May) Jon and I realized that we had to at least decide where we wanted to register for gifts. Jon rallied hard for Newbury Comics (DVDs, CDs, and all the Dr. Who action figures we could ever desire) but I nixed that idea. I wanted to register at AC Moore crafts for a lifetime supply of yarn and craftiness, but Jon nearly toppled over in a coma of bordeom, so that was out.

Target is definitly on the list.

Bed, Bath, and Beyond is 99% on the list (Linen 'n Things being the alternative ... is there any actual difference between the two?).

The third option ..... yesterday I told Mom it would be Amazon.com (so we could ask for random items like a bocce ball set or Twister). But then last night on the way home from running errands, we drove by Lowes and Home Depot, and the idea of registering for power tools was quite attractive (to me, anyway).

Although I suppose we can just as easily register for power tools on Amazon.com. Heck, we could just register for everything on Amazon, but that would confuse Grandma, and we don't want to do that.

OK, I just convinced myself: Target, BBB, and Amazon.

That's it. The end. Although ... there is that pitcher from Crate and Barrel that I love (Rebes got one for a wedding gift from my mom!).

So, Mom, maybe you shouldn't commit the gift registry list to stone just yet ....

Checkmark!

2008-04-17T11:51:00.003-04:00

One of the major pieces of our wedding that had yet to be planned was not a what but a who: Who would marry us? Who would be the officiant?

Well, check that box 'cuz it's complete!

Greg Ansin, who I know through Hearth, has accepted my request and will take on the challenge of getting Jon and I to actually plan our own ceremony (and I will take on the challenge of not letting Jon include too much about hockey, sharks, badgers, or Dr. Who in his wedding vows).

So.... wow! A big week for the Fest-APalooza. Save The Date cards are in the mail, my wedding dress is in the mail, and we have an officiant (although he is not in the mail, he is male).

Addresses, Oh Boy!

2008-04-14T16:41:00.002-04:00

The postcards have arrived!

They are just as beautiful as I thought they would be (I made them, after all). Jon and I will label and stamp them tonight, and they will be in the mail tomorrow morning.

Hooray!

The e-version will also go out tonight (because you can never remind people too often).

Maybe this weekend Jon and I will start registering for gifts.

And speaking of dresses (well, kind of ... "dresses" is part of "addresses"):

My wedding dress came in! Right now it's in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin (say that three times fast!) but soon it will be boxed and shipped to Roslindale, MA.

Then comes the arduous part of making it short enough for little ol' me.

Progress!!!

2008-04-10T10:55:00.003-04:00

After tweaking the Save the Date file 3 times and getting nowhere with it, we finally decided that we'd have to pay to have the cards printed.

Sigh.

When I got to work this morning I called my contact Paul at Hanson Printing - Hearth uses them for most of their print needs. I wanted an estimate on printing 80 postcards. Well, Paul wouldn't give me an estimate - he said he would print them, and I shouldn't worry about it.

So, thanks a million, Paul and Hanson Printing!

Funny coincidence: Paul's wedding anniversary is September 27.

Hitch in the Press

2008-04-03T17:04:00.003-04:00

Attempts to print the Save the Date postcards have been hindered by the crooked, misaligned prints produced by our printer. So, ya'll just hold your breath. They'll come eventually!

Join me for a shower

2008-03-07T14:11:00.000-05:00

Bridal shower, that is. What did you think I meant?

Mom has booked a room at the Community Center in West De Pere (take that, East De Pere!) for Saturday, June 28th. There will be presents - for me - and food for everyone.

That's about all I know right now.

Of course, with that day looming in the future, Jon and I have to start thinking about where we want to register for gifts. I wish we didn't have to, but everyone expects it now. If you don't, they panic, and you end up with picture frames, vases, and candles. And we don't need any of those. Well, maybe one or two.

Think anyone would buy us a Keurig? (We have one at work right now - somebody gave us one to "try out" for a week. The highlight for me is the chipper message of completion it displays at the end: "Keurig Brewed. Enjoy!")

Save the Date

2008-03-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

Jon and I are nearly finished designing our Save the Date postcard which we hope to mail out soon (that wonderfully amorphous time designation!).

The joys of Adobe InDesign CS3 allowed me to capture the online representation of the color of the trim on my wedding dress (did we all follow along that chain of relationships?) and use it for the background color of the postcard.

All together now: oooooh!

For the truffle/chocolate brown color I was not nearly so precise. It just so happens there is a deep brown saved in my work color swatches, and I thought complimented the celedon green very well. And then I created the burgundy-ish shade for a splash of contrasting color.

All together now: ahhhhhhh!

Thus, the resulting color pallet looks something like this:

And, one more time: oooooooooooooh! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Everybody's Going to Want One

2008-02-19T14:06:00.000-05:00

I have my very own Jon. I'm the front runner of a trend. Soon everyone will be trying to get on this band wagon.

But you can't. I got him first.

Not only does Jon empty the dishwasher, do laundry, iron, clean the bathroom, pay bills on time, and make a fabulous pot of chili, he can even be talked into coming into work with me to organize the reams of paper piling up in my office.

And all had to to do was agree to marry him and buy him lunch.

Wow.

What a deal.

Decision!

2008-02-12T17:20:00.001-05:00

Yes, we are still getting married! Neither Jon nor I have really felt like doing much decision-making lately, but my bridesmaids have been dutifully urging me (and Mom too, of course) to at least pick out the bridesmaid dress.

So, after playing with David Bridal's entertaining "Dress Your Wedding" feature (it's like online paper dolls!) far more often at work than is advised, I think my ladies and I have come to a consensus (or, more accurately, they have begged me to stop giving them options and just pick something already!)

And thus:

Peridot/Truffle and Truffle/Peridot

The Three Kell(e)ys will wear the first combo, and Laura and Rebes will wear the second combo. Fun, fun, fun!

I ordered fabric swatches for $3.50 from Alfred Angelo (maker of my dress) so that I can go to David's Bridal and find the green hue that most closely matches (I believe it will end up being the Peridot, but for a measly $3.50 I might as well be sure!).

The fun of these dresses is that the peek-a-boo-skirt is separate, so in the future, if they ever want to, they can wear the dress with or without. And everyone loves a sash ... it's the posh version of a big bow-on-the-butt.

It's the first decision I've mad about the wedding in quite awhile (not that I've been concentrating all that hard on the blessed event). Ah, relief.

I shall now procrastinate for several more weeks ....

Yes, Christopher Walken, I will Marry You

2008-01-23T14:46:00.000-05:00

Last night Jon and I were watching Superman II (Charlie, our new family member, was sleeping under the rocking chair).

No, Christopher Walken is not in that movie (and more's the pity), but the actor who plays Zod (a.k.a. "the bady guy") bares a slight resemblance, and I mentioned to Jon during the movie that Walken would have been a much better Zod.

Jon then starts quoting Zod's lines from the movies, a la Christopher Walken. I had no idea he did a Walken impersonation, and it made me laugh so hard.

Jon endlessly surprises me with little tricks like that. I absolutely love it.

I also love that he cleans the litter box.

Wedding Planning ... on and on and on

2008-01-15T16:21:00.001-05:00

Jon and I have taken a bit of break for wedding planning. I know we really need to find an officiant and a DJ (what's more important: getting the right person to perform the ceremony, or finding the right person to trust with music selection? Truly a tough call), but I really don't feel like dealing with it!

Sure, Jon and I got a lot accomplished quickly - but that's because those decisions were all so easy! They just fell into place. I know nothing of DJs or wedding officiants, hence more work and hence my reluctance.

I do have a clear idea of what I want for center pieces (not ready to reveal that yet) and I am almost finished creating our custom guest book on Shutterfly (thanks again, Rebes, for the idea!). Oh, and I did reserve all six rooms at the Taylor House B&B in Jamaica Plain. At $160/night they are far more affordable than any other place within a five mile radius of downtown Boston.

Aw... we're so cute

2007-12-28T14:29:00.000-05:00

During this week between Christmas and New Year's, work is pretty slow (apart from processing donations and writing thank you letters). I took the time to today to read this entire blog to date.

We're a pretty cute couple. Down right adorable. How do people stand being around us? :-)

I'm also happy to report that I'm used to my rings now (the Zanotelli ring has become the "second" engagement ring rather than the wedding band) and haven't taken them off in days.

We've officially booked John Heymann as the wedding photographer, and I just emailed a woman about officiating our wedding (find the right person for this prestigious task could be the hardest part!). The Wedding March moves on ....

During my pre-Christmas vacation, Mom, Aunt Nancy, Jon, and I discussed The Food. Both Mom and Nancy nixed the Fajita Buffet which is a bummer - although probably a sound idea (as even my own father would not be able to eat it ... much to his dismay). Right now we're debating Brunch Buffet vs. Italian Fiesta Buffet. Of course we haven't even talked to the caterer at the hotel yet, so who knows?! Either option could be really tasty or boringly bland. But we are darn sure we want apple crisp, ice cream, and hot apple cider.

Mmmm .... apples .... (If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, how many days away would an apple-food themed wedding keep the doctor? - hello, awkward sentence syntax! Or, would there just be a really large doctor-free zone around our wedding? That would be kind of funny ..... You know, I don't think I know any doctors .... I mean, except for my doctor .... we don't have any doctor friends - oh wait, we do. Hmmm .... maybe he can get a free pass or something ... This pass allows one doctor into the apple zone. Have I gone insane? Should I stop taking this cold medicine? Or maybe I should just back away from the keyboard?)

The other task I'm avoiding is the DJ/music. There must be music at the ceremony and reception (everyone practice the polka!). There's got to be a good, inexpensive answer .... right? (Ipod! ... oops, more Apples)

Dress Shopping, Part 2

2007-12-15T11:12:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Mom, Laura, and I went on the dress quest. We started in Kakauna (city motto: "What's that smell?") at the Bridal Staircase which is a great store. The woman who runs it is very friendly and laid back. She left me and my small entourage to all the dress choosing and trying on by ourselves, which was great.

We spent over 2 hours there - I don't even know how many dresses I tried on. At that store we narrowed it down to 2 favorites: this one and this one (both with celedon color accents).

After that we drove back to Green Bay (stopping first for lunch, of course) over to Elaine Bridal. They were the more traditional style of pairing you with an attendant to help get the dresses on and off. We were helped by an older woman named Carol who was wonderful! She was so much fun, and good at giving compliments (I have a "tiny waist" - comparatively speaking to other attributes, that is - and "very long eyelashes" and "beautiful shoulders." Hey, I'm not adverse to compliments!)

I tried on a Googleplex more dresses, but in the end I kept going back to the very first one of the day. The one that caught my eye back when I started looking at dresses on-line back in October.

We hadn't planned on buying a dress, but Elaine's had made a mistake and wrote down a really low price on the dress tag. So, I bought it! THE DRESS.

No pictures yet. I'm not ready to reveal it. But I bought it (for nearly $200 less than in other stores!)

I'm Ready for My Close Up

2007-11-29T21:45:00.000-05:00

Tuesday night's trip to meet photographer John Heymann was a misadventure with a happy ending.

Jon agreed with me that John's photos are beautiful, and John is going to be wonderfully cooperative with our tiny budget, so it's going to work out swimmingly.

Getting to John's office was another matter.

Since Jon was working from home on Tuesday, I left him in charge of the "how are we getting to Somerville" question. Many convoluted conversations later, we decided that I would take the Red Line to Porter Square and walk a few blocks. John would drive there, and we would all live happily ever after.

The Red Line was so crowded that I couldn't get a hand on anything for balance, so I practiced subway surfing - feet planted firmly in the aisle, and concentrated zen-like on staying up right and not knocking over a whole subway car-load full of passengers. I did very well. Yoga pays off!

I emerged at Porter Square and walked quite happily up Upland Street until I reached Raymond Street. When I got to the house/office, though, it was dark, there wasn't a sign, or anything - in fact the only thing visible was a sticker of a crossed out handgun. Well, good, I thought ... he's anti-fire arms. Still, I thought this was odd.

So I called Mom (what would I do without Mom?) and asked her to Google John Heymann and make sure I was in the right place (what would I do without Google?).

Turns out I was supposed to be at Raymond Avenue, which is Somerville (where I thought I was) and not at Raymond Street in North Cambridge (which is where I really was).

In the meantime, Jon was stuck in traffic, and then he took a wrong turn and was thus lost.

Great.

So I had to call John-the-Photographer and explain our misadventure. He very nicely insisted that we come anyway instead of rescheduling. Jon found his way, and then both Jo(h)n's picked me up from the Davis Square T Stop.

Whew.

After that everything went smoothly. We haven't signed the contract yet, but as far as we're concerned we've got one more John involved in the wedding.

The Wedding Machine Rolls On

2007-11-27T09:15:00.001-05:00

This evening Jon and I are meeting with our photographer. At least I hope it will all work out and he'll be our photographer. It would be one more thing done - one less thing to worry about.

The photographer is John Heymann, the son of my Grandma Zanotelli's best friend. Grandma used to take me to Mrs. Heymann's house when I was little. I remember playing with toys on the living room floor while they chatted. I may have played with John's toys. How funny is that?

Anyway, I came across his website looking for his phone number, because Grandma wanted to call him when she was in Boston visiting. I was so impressed by the photos on his site - they're absolutely beautiful.

(Keep in mind Jon hadn't actually proposed at this point.)

I didn't think there was anyway we could afford him - and we may found out that to be true tonight - but he told my mom that he would be "honored to photograph the wedding of Ruth Zanotelli's granddaughter;" so I hope it all works out!

The Ring!

2007-11-16T19:03:00.000-05:00

The official ring is now here. It's pretty and sparkly, but it will take time to get used to it. I'm scared to death I'm going to break it somehow.

The Date

2007-11-14T19:19:00.000-05:00

It's official: Jon and I will be married on Saturday, September 27, 2008.

Mark your calendars!

White Dresses ... Even Bows ... But No Poofy Sleeves

2007-11-13T19:03:00.000-05:00

Yes, on Sunday Kelly (not Molly) and I went to David's Bridal in Natick (Land O' Commerce) to try on dresses. I wasn't overly impressed by the customer service, but I didn't expect to be. Other than that, it was tons of fun.

This dress was too heavy (but pretty)

Too sparkly

Too complicated (lace up back and big gaudy bow?)

I like this dress! Of course, I like the Alfred Angelo dress better (it has pretty embroidery). But I want my trim in green - peridot, to be exact.
This dress was a surprise. It wasn't even my idea to try it on. It was Kelly. Way to go! I'm not convinced it's "the one." But it's definitely in the running.

Prettier, Sparklier Things

2007-11-12T13:07:00.001-05:00

Friday Jon and I took the "family jewels" to DiPrisco's to find out about cleaning, resizing, fixing, etc the two rings.

I wasn't sure what to expect - in fact, I was a little afraid that the Diamond Guy would be a bit snooty about our less-than-stellar rings.

But, in fact, Diamond Guy was great (I should have known. My contact at DiPrisco's whom I order award plaques from for work is the nicest woman in the world. Of course she would set me up with uber-nice Diamond Guy).

Learning about our rings and diamonds was really fun. He could tell right away that the diamond from Jon's grandfather was not from the USA. When I told him it was most likely from Ireland, he said, "Ah, that explains it." Turns out that while the shape was very European, the cut was a bit unusual. But I guess in Ireland, that's how they cut diamonds back in the early 1900s.

And I thought that the Zanotelli ring was just a "cheap" silver ring from the 1920s. Turns out it is white gold, custom made, and maybe even older.

I get to pick up the "new" rings on Friday. :-) Most exciting.

Pretty Sparkly Things

2007-11-01T20:34:00.000-04:00

No I do not have an engagement ring yet. But I have my "practice" ring of which I've become very fond.

In fact, if I didn't have families throwing heirloom rings at me, I wouldn't ask for anything more

My practice ring (thank you So Good Jewelry)

From Rings

My Aunt Nancy has very generously passed on the Zanotelli Family ring to me. My hope is to use it as the wedding band. It's the ring my Great Grandpa Zanotelli gave to my Great Grandma.

From Rings

This weekend I will finally get to see the ring from Jon's family (which will probably become The Official Engagement Ring.

Stay tuned ...

(my goodness I have chubby, wrinkly fingers .... )

The Dress

2007-10-30T21:29:00.000-04:00

I've been looking through magazines and online incessantly looking at dresses. I can't believe how I've turned into this person who obsesses over dress silhouettes (A-Line), necklines (probably strapless), and color (white with green accents). Of course even with all this thinking, I could put on my "favorite" dress and find out it looks ridiculous on me. But until that happens, I have photos. Which one do you like?

1. (except green trim of course)

2. (white with green ribbon, or maybe even in green!)

3. (the long version of the above dress ... but it is only boring white)

So ... anyone have an opinion?

Ceremony

2007-10-30T21:09:00.000-04:00

Saturday Jon and I are going to look at the Library Room at the Courtyard Marriot. It will be set up for a wedding ceremony, so we'll get an idea of what it will look like.

We're pretty sure we want this room. Did I mention it's oval? Oh yeah. Oval, baby.

But as for the reception - we've got no idea. Or, rather, we've got tons of ideas.

The Engagement

2007-10-18T22:28:00.000-04:00

The Date: Sunday, October 7, 2007

Jon was going about his usual Sunday routine: watching football, doing laundry, making his lunches for the week (I know, he's so organized!). I was knitting and "watching" football with Jon (he was watching in between tasks. I don't really pay that much attention to the game). I had pulled a muscle and my back was sore, so I asked Jon to put in a load of laundry for me. Because Jon's such a swell guy, he did.

Jon came back up from the basement, and I went over to thank him. But before I could say anything, Jon said, "I have a question I've been meaning to ask you for a long time, and I'm just going to ask it: Will you marry me?"

Obviously I said yes.

And then we hugged and jumped up and down and celebrated. "That was fun!" I exclaimed with a big smile. "Do it again!"

So he did. Jon got down on one knee and asked, "Will you marry me?"

Again I said yes, and we celebrated all over again.

We enjoyed themselves so much that after work the next day, I came home from work, got down on one knee, and proposed to Jon - just to see what it was like.

It was good. Jon said yes, of course, and there was more jumping and hugging and laughing.

We were still enjoying the proposal event so much that on Tuesday we performed Synchronized Proposing (copyright 2007, Jenny&Jon), both getting down on one knee and simultaneously asking and answering the big question.

We feel fully engaged and will now move on.

How We Met

2007-10-18T22:12:00.000-04:00

I was using an online dating service and through it met a guy named Mike. We went to Union Station in Worcester to see Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson and had fun, but the magic wasn't there.

Mike thought I had a lot in common with his friend Jon, so he asked me if he could give Jon my email address. For some crazy reason, I said yes. I still don't know why. But thank goodness I did!

Jon wrote really great emails: funny, personal, and grammatically correct. When we decided to exchange phone numbers I was hesitant. I liked his emails so much! What if he was a big dork? What if he had a squeaky voice? Turns out he was just as great on the phone. He had such a nice voice.

When he suggested we met, I was so nervous. What if this great guy with a great sense of humor and a mellifluous voice was hideous and awkward in public. Or, what if he was so amazing, I acted like a gibbering idiot?

OF course none of that happened.

We met at the now nonexistent Tatnuck Booksellers (that was such a great place). We had lunch and wandered through the aisles of books until the store closed.

The rest is history. Or, rather, ourstory.