Today was a good day. We purchased our beautiful gold wedding bands. We really wanted to get the traditional gold bands that both our parents had, as it seemed like the quintessential sign of the wedding. Last week however we had to have a change of heart when looking at the budget, we could not afford the bands we wanted. But then five days ago -- WOW! the cost of gold sky-rocketed. We stopped in at the jewelery store tonight to see if the ring prices had also changed. No they were doing that in TWO days. We looked at a couple of rings, then decided it was something that we really did want to have, so we took the plunge, even though the final bill would be over 700 dollars.
When Doc was just about to press OK on the debit pad to purchase our beautiful 5mm 14K gold rings, I looked down... What was that??- a sale on gold wedding bands. 20% off the last ticketed price which was already 50%. The price was right, and I mean really right. We had to give up a mm of gold for about 250 dollars less per ring. So in the end, the final bill for our beautiful 4 mm bands (which there was two identical ones, which was just good luck) was about $500 less that what Michelle was about to press OK for. It was meant to be!
Team Stray Dog!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Team Stray Dog
Doc and I go for an evening constitutional (walk) as many evenings as we can. It is always positive time for us-- even though we have to get past the fact that we look like an old married couple in our sneakers, jeans, and kleenex in our sleeves to catch the drips from our noses.
Tonight though something incredible happened. Well, first we saw a falling star, sparkling, beautiful, and quick- but that was not the incredible part. Immediately or simultaneously after the star, we saw a small black stray dog. It looked and felt old, and clearly was not supposed to be wandering the streets alone. We decided that we must find its way back home. With the help of some very nice neighbours who let us use the phone, we were able to call the city and find the phone number of the owner through the dog license number. Well, when the man answered the phone, you could tell he had to be a century old. He was so upset that his dog was missing and so freaking relieved (weepy relieved) that the dog was found. I promised we would walk him home safely.
As we approached the house an SUV was pulling up, it was the man's daughter who was rushing over from the other side of the city to help her ailing dad find his dog. Well, to make a long story short, we were able to return the dog to Mr. Rivers who was 87 years old, lives alone, recently had a stroke, and his best (and perhaps) only friend got out of the yard when he went out for a pee.
It was a good night.
We are now--- Team Stray Dog!!!
Tonight though something incredible happened. Well, first we saw a falling star, sparkling, beautiful, and quick- but that was not the incredible part. Immediately or simultaneously after the star, we saw a small black stray dog. It looked and felt old, and clearly was not supposed to be wandering the streets alone. We decided that we must find its way back home. With the help of some very nice neighbours who let us use the phone, we were able to call the city and find the phone number of the owner through the dog license number. Well, when the man answered the phone, you could tell he had to be a century old. He was so upset that his dog was missing and so freaking relieved (weepy relieved) that the dog was found. I promised we would walk him home safely.
As we approached the house an SUV was pulling up, it was the man's daughter who was rushing over from the other side of the city to help her ailing dad find his dog. Well, to make a long story short, we were able to return the dog to Mr. Rivers who was 87 years old, lives alone, recently had a stroke, and his best (and perhaps) only friend got out of the yard when he went out for a pee.
It was a good night.
We are now--- Team Stray Dog!!!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Bridezilla
By looking at Doc and I, you would never guess that I was marrying a Bridezilla, but I was surprised to learn that I may just be marrying a butch-version-bridezilla. All the characteristics of those brides you see on TLC, only in butchy form.
Who knew that she had such a clear idea of her dream wedding? And perhaps even more surprising,--who knew that she could pout like that if we strayed too far away from her "ideal". That pout would have made Tyra say "fierce".
The good news is that in the end, we had a tonne of good laughs over it all, and I think we have made decisions that take us both closer to our dream wedding.
Who knew that she had such a clear idea of her dream wedding? And perhaps even more surprising,--who knew that she could pout like that if we strayed too far away from her "ideal". That pout would have made Tyra say "fierce".
The good news is that in the end, we had a tonne of good laughs over it all, and I think we have made decisions that take us both closer to our dream wedding.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Not a registry. Not a wishlist.
Doc and I have been talking about what we should ask for for our wedding. We actually feel kind of strange asking for gifts but my understanding is that you get gifts anyways, so you might as well as let people know what you would like. And by the way, you cannot ask for money--Although I think that gift cards will be quite plentiful as we have to travel between provinces.
I want to be clear that we are not getting married for the presents. We try to avoid talking about it at all costs--- So I guess then it is a little strange that I have decided to break the ice by talking to the world wide web about it.
Anyways, we are very open to suggestions. This is what we have come up with:
--- four slice toaster, any small contribution to patio furniture, a push shovel----
Do you think those ideas will suffice?
I want to be clear that we are not getting married for the presents. We try to avoid talking about it at all costs--- So I guess then it is a little strange that I have decided to break the ice by talking to the world wide web about it.
Anyways, we are very open to suggestions. This is what we have come up with:
--- four slice toaster, any small contribution to patio furniture, a push shovel----
Do you think those ideas will suffice?
A snow day. The perfect day to plan a wedding.
Today is a snow day. I actually never knew what a snow day was until I moved to Southern Ontario. As far as I can tell, a snow day occurs when the snow is above your knees, the snow covers the door handles of the car, and the snow is still coming down fast enough that makes you dizzy and discombobulated.
Unfortunately, the snow day was on a Saturday. Now, that is unfortunate.
Also unfortunate is the fact that we had no food in the house. No food! I had to go to the Hasty Market and pick up supper. I bought two packages of frozen french fries, two bags of potato chips, M & Ms, milk and eggs. I think that should keep us alive for a little while.
Unfortunately, the snow day was on a Saturday. Now, that is unfortunate.
Also unfortunate is the fact that we had no food in the house. No food! I had to go to the Hasty Market and pick up supper. I bought two packages of frozen french fries, two bags of potato chips, M & Ms, milk and eggs. I think that should keep us alive for a little while.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Invites versus guests are two very different numbers.
The guest list is set, we think.
Figuring out how many guests to invite, who exactly to invite, and how to find balance in the guest list, has been challenging.
First, the prairie versus Atlantic challenge. It was difficult to decide where to have our wedding, and in the end we decided on the prairies-- where I am from. The problem is that it is expensive to have people fly from Eastern Canada to a little "town" in the prairies, so sadly, many of Doc's people may not be able to travel so fewer people may be coming from her list. This imbalance is further complicated by the fact that I come from a big family, and Doc comes from a small family.
We have talked about who to invite. At one point it was a handful of people, but the problem is, we want to have a party... a serious celebration. We do not want a wine and cheese, we want a party. So in the end, we just went nuts and invited everyone (cousins, friends, family, colleagues...) --- whoever comes will be welcome and will be shown a good time, and we will miss those who cannot attend.
In the end, I think we invited 140 people!!! I think only around 60 or 70 will be able to attend. If they do all attend, we have the room but we may be serving coleslaw to everyone for dinner.
Figuring out how many guests to invite, who exactly to invite, and how to find balance in the guest list, has been challenging.
First, the prairie versus Atlantic challenge. It was difficult to decide where to have our wedding, and in the end we decided on the prairies-- where I am from. The problem is that it is expensive to have people fly from Eastern Canada to a little "town" in the prairies, so sadly, many of Doc's people may not be able to travel so fewer people may be coming from her list. This imbalance is further complicated by the fact that I come from a big family, and Doc comes from a small family.
We have talked about who to invite. At one point it was a handful of people, but the problem is, we want to have a party... a serious celebration. We do not want a wine and cheese, we want a party. So in the end, we just went nuts and invited everyone (cousins, friends, family, colleagues...) --- whoever comes will be welcome and will be shown a good time, and we will miss those who cannot attend.
In the end, I think we invited 140 people!!! I think only around 60 or 70 will be able to attend. If they do all attend, we have the room but we may be serving coleslaw to everyone for dinner.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Wedding Music
Choosing music. That is not my task, but Doc's. She has a music collection that puts HMV to shame because Doc loves music... Doc loves loud music. My only music related job is to give the final approval.
Doc has a wonderful sense of music, and I love learning about music from her. In the last four years, I have learned to love music (still limited to quiet music, however).
Wedding music... a whole new arena. We have the perfect song for the first dance...we have the perfect entrance song.. but tonight we sat down and listened to her short list of music for the big exit after the ceremony.
I will start by saying I loved some of the seven songs that Doc short listed for the exit, however some of the shortlist was surprising. Doc, like me, is excited about getting married, and knows that we will be so exuberant after we have been hitched. As such, she chose to reflect that excitement in the music. Two of these such choices were "Cherry Bomb" by Joan Jett and "Break Out the Make Out" by The Maynards. Although both of these songs are likely to reflect our emotions, I thought it was best to reflect more accurately the emotions of the "congregation", as indicated by my final approval.
Doc has a wonderful sense of music, and I love learning about music from her. In the last four years, I have learned to love music (still limited to quiet music, however).
Wedding music... a whole new arena. We have the perfect song for the first dance...we have the perfect entrance song.. but tonight we sat down and listened to her short list of music for the big exit after the ceremony.
I will start by saying I loved some of the seven songs that Doc short listed for the exit, however some of the shortlist was surprising. Doc, like me, is excited about getting married, and knows that we will be so exuberant after we have been hitched. As such, she chose to reflect that excitement in the music. Two of these such choices were "Cherry Bomb" by Joan Jett and "Break Out the Make Out" by The Maynards. Although both of these songs are likely to reflect our emotions, I thought it was best to reflect more accurately the emotions of the "congregation", as indicated by my final approval.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Two Dresses
Not one, but two dresses. Imagine having to find two perfect dresses!!!
Well, we actually have been successful. I am so freaking excited. Our dresses are perfect.
The two dresses match one another, are complimentary, are flattering, are the right about of "fancy", and best of all both are the right amount of "us". One a little formal, the other a little retro.
Thank goodness for the little store on Richmond!
Well, we actually have been successful. I am so freaking excited. Our dresses are perfect.
The two dresses match one another, are complimentary, are flattering, are the right about of "fancy", and best of all both are the right amount of "us". One a little formal, the other a little retro.
Thank goodness for the little store on Richmond!
Friday, February 22, 2008
"Save the Date" or No "Save the Date"
So the Berbanks wedding is in the middle of the "Great Plains" of Canada--- in my hometown. Unfortunately, my other half, Doc is from the Atlantic provinces--- many many miles away, and we actually live somewhere in between. This poses a lot of challenges with invitations, because everyone has to travel. [this begs the questions, why the prairies... it is a long story...]
One of the things that I thought might help was if we sent out "Save the Dates." This seemed to answer a couple of our challenges, letting people know they were invited even if we had not figured out all of the details, and also allow people to make their travel plans as soon as possible.
After "some" discussion, the decision was made, we would send them out---
I created a number of prototypes of design. It took a few attempts to find the one that Doc approved of. Others were deemed too "ostentatious", too presumptuous, too "straight", by Do. Finally, we found one, simple, clean, and within the colour scheme--- black and ivory (again, something we could both agree on. Everyone knows black is slimming).
But then it started. Doc asked me "who do we send these to", I answered "anyone we are asking". Doc then proceeded to provide me with a list of exceptions: People who weren't going to come, people who she did not want to pressure, people who would think it was strange, people who had never heard of save the dates....
It sounded something like this: "What about Aunt Joyce, she has bad arthritis and would never come?", "What about our butchy friend "Hoops"- she'll just laugh?", "What about cousin Carl -- he would wonder where the rest of the invitation is?" It went on and on and on.
In the end, I sent them to everyone I was inviting--- Doc went with a more selective approach.
PS: We called ours "reserve the date" --- we are a big fan of acronyms and no one wants to receive an STD in the mail.
One of the things that I thought might help was if we sent out "Save the Dates." This seemed to answer a couple of our challenges, letting people know they were invited even if we had not figured out all of the details, and also allow people to make their travel plans as soon as possible.
After "some" discussion, the decision was made, we would send them out---
I created a number of prototypes of design. It took a few attempts to find the one that Doc approved of. Others were deemed too "ostentatious", too presumptuous, too "straight", by Do. Finally, we found one, simple, clean, and within the colour scheme--- black and ivory (again, something we could both agree on. Everyone knows black is slimming).
But then it started. Doc asked me "who do we send these to", I answered "anyone we are asking". Doc then proceeded to provide me with a list of exceptions: People who weren't going to come, people who she did not want to pressure, people who would think it was strange, people who had never heard of save the dates....
It sounded something like this: "What about Aunt Joyce, she has bad arthritis and would never come?", "What about our butchy friend "Hoops"- she'll just laugh?", "What about cousin Carl -- he would wonder where the rest of the invitation is?" It went on and on and on.
In the end, I sent them to everyone I was inviting--- Doc went with a more selective approach.
PS: We called ours "reserve the date" --- we are a big fan of acronyms and no one wants to receive an STD in the mail.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Tracking the Fun and the Frenzy
Well, I have decided to keep a blog tracking the fun and frenzy of two fabulous women as they plan their fabulous wedding.
I have never thought that my relationship was any different than anyone elses', until I started planning a wedding. For the first time, I started to understand why women choose to marry men. Men rarely have any strong opinions on the subject of weddings-- no strong colour preferences, no strong style preferences, no huge hang ups on how their wedding attire hang on their bodies.... the list goes on and on and on.
So this is going to be where I will keep track of how two strong headed women will plan the most fabulous wedding of the new millennium (or at least the "prairie-lesbian wedding" of the decade).
I have never thought that my relationship was any different than anyone elses', until I started planning a wedding. For the first time, I started to understand why women choose to marry men. Men rarely have any strong opinions on the subject of weddings-- no strong colour preferences, no strong style preferences, no huge hang ups on how their wedding attire hang on their bodies.... the list goes on and on and on.
So this is going to be where I will keep track of how two strong headed women will plan the most fabulous wedding of the new millennium (or at least the "prairie-lesbian wedding" of the decade).
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