Happy (and soggy) Friday!

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Rain.  It's become a four letter word to me (I know, it technically is a four letter word).   The "It-That-Must-Not-Be-Named" for our wedding. 


But on a gray and rainy day like today, I can't help but be thankful for Wellies.  

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And as I come to terms with the fact that I can't control everything on on our wedding day (or in life), I find myself admiring pictures like these.  Pictures that are beautiful despite, or maybe because of, the rain.  

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So here's to the rain: may it stay far, far away on our wedding day.  And if it decides to pay us a visit, may we remember to keep our Wellies on hand, along with our good spirits. 

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Cheers! And happy (soggy) Friday!

Friday! Snowed In

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Happy Friday!  And if you're on the east coast, happy snow day to you!  Not to me, because I'm not exactly the biggest fan of snow and cold weather, but I do look forward to wearing my coziest sweater to work.  Casual Friday here I come!


And as I was getting ready this morning, looking for my favorite Winter boots, I glanced over at my collection of Chuck Taylors and thought about how much I want Summer back NOW.  And I thought of the Ramones, yeah it's random, I know.  So I'm sharing this with you all, a sweet love song from a kick ass punk rock band as a way of ending this week on a good note (har, "note"). 

Or maybe this is my little way of flipping the bird to Old Man Winter.  

Have a great weekend!

Happy Friday! Saying 'Thank You' for The Holidays

Happy Friday to everyone!  This is such a busy time of year!  And I suspected, wedding planning has slowed down while I ramped up for the season. 


So in the spirit of the holiday season, I wanted to pass along these amazing programs that help us all say thanks to the men and women who are serving our country.  

• Let's Say Thanks - 

(How cute?)

This program, sponsored by Xerox, is as easy as it gets.  Visit the site, choose a card design, fill out or select your greeting, and hit send!  Easy peasy, no?

• Holiday Mail for Heroes

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The American Red Cross has teamed up with Pitney Bowes for another year of "Holiday Mail for Heroes."  You can send a card service members, veterans, and their families to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD
20791-5456

Unfortunately all mail must be postmarked by TODAY.  So if you have a couple extra holiday cards lying around, get them in the mail ASAP!

• A Million Thanks

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A Million Thanks is an organization that sends letters to military members (past and present) year round.  You can send your cards and letters to:

A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861

So there you have it!  A couple easy ways to send a message of thanks, hope, or even just "hey, be well," to someone that may really need it.  

And by the way, I want to take second to mention that a couple people have send me emails that recommend writing to Walter Reed Medical Center and addressing letters/cards to "Any Wounded Soldier" or "A Recovering American Soldier."  Sadly, this is not true.  The WRAMC and the Postal Service do not accept these letters and packages.  So if anyone passes that info onto you, let them know that there are other ways to send thanks! 

Have a great weekend!

Friday - Light A Light

I came across this desktop calendar today,

(available for download here)

"Light a light, 

light a light for me,

bring me back home again" - Janis Ian

So appropriate for the month of December.  Up until now, this deployment has been pretty smooth for me.  Yes, there have been some bumps in the road, like say, changing the date and then not changing the date, feeling overwhelmed and alone, and consequently changing the venue.  But here I am today, writing about it from the other side.  


The hard part is now.  When I feel like all I want to do is see his face.  What I wouldn't give to have him home for Christmas this year.  Underneath all the holiday madness; the holiday parties, the shopping, and trimming the tree.  I'm wound up with anxiety.  Stuck between the urge to scream and go home and get into a comfy pair of sweats.  Guess that's just me feeling powerless in this mess.  


And in the end, I know I should be easy on myself.  This is my first time, and there's no wrong way to feel.  And if this is the hardest time so far, then there's hope that come January 2nd, it will go back to being a day-to-day experience.  


So, I'm taking the time to hang out with friends this weekend and try to push through December. 


Here's the song above that the quote above is pulled from.  Enjoy!     








Happy Friday! And have a great weekend!

Happy Friday! Taking It Easy

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I woke up in a bad mood today.  Yes, it's Friday!  I should be happy!  Thrilled!  But I'm feeling a little indifferent (which, is NOT like me at all). 

Plans have changed, again.  AGAIN.  And you know what?  I'm not frustrated, I'm just a little sad. I've grown to expect these bumps in the road and not allow my emotions to get too effected by it.  

But, I'm not perfect.  

So far this year, there have been quite a few changes to our plans, caused by his schedule.  And you know what?  Despite my fears that these changes would steer our wedding plans off into a ditch, they've actually kept us on course.  So when I heard him say "I have some news, brace yourself," my heart sank a little, as it always does.  And then I replied "I'm sitting down, that's as braced as I can get.  Tell me."

More changes in plans.  More events shifting around.  More disappointment. And still, we're on course to be married on the day we chose and then changed, and then chose again!  I should be relieved! But I'm actually shocked that I'm not calling everyone up today and moving our wedding--and a little sad that things aren't lining up quite exactly the way I had envisioned.  

The important thing is that he comes home safe.  The next important thing is that we get married.  

So I'm going to let myself feel a little "meh" for a bit, and then I'll move on.  I may even finish up some really fun posts to lift my spirits!  And I'll get excited again.  So, I got thrown a curve ball?  It happens, right?

Have a great weekend!  

Happy Friday! Halloween!

I stink at Halloween.  I have no idea what I'm going to wear this weekend and I have two occasions to dress up!  Eep!  

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If I had a mask lying around I could do this.  It's cute, and most important, it looks warm and cozy!

So what are you going to be for Halloween?  Do you have any last minute ideas for this procrastinator?

Happy Friday! Write About Love

After the wedding is over I am going to buy myself a million cameras!

(via Forever is Today)

Or maybe just one great digital so I can get to work.  I spent way too much time studying print photography and pretty much no time on digital.  I'm thinking that will keep me inspired and busy after the wedding...


But for the record, I wish I had the camera pictured above right now.  It's such a gorgeous time of year in the Northeast.  And I'm sad because I don't have much more than my iPhone to record it.  How did this happen? Sigh...


Anyway, the new Belle & Sebastian album is out next week, and I'm ready to hear it.  Here's a little taste, if you're interested:








Happy Weekend!

Friday! Opa!

Yeah!  We've made it to another weekend!  You know what that means...well, it means a lot of things.  The numbers are slowly getting smaller on my "Bear comes home" countdown(!!!!), I'm free for the weekend, and it's time to have some fun!


This weekend is jam packed as usual.  Highlights of my weekend include dress shopping (fingers crossed), and good food with amazing friends.  And the part I'm so sooooo excited for??  Sunday night--Greek night!!  Opa!  My buddy "Beth" is holding Greek dancing lessons and I'm soooo IN!!!!  Grab your bottles of Ouzo folks, it's gonna be a good weekend.  


And so, there can be only one song for the soundtrack of this weekend.  The quintessential Greek wedding song.  It's called "Orea Pou Ine I Nifi Mas," which loosely translates to "How Beautiful Our Bride Is." With Cuz's wedding only a month a way, I get all excited when I hear it!  Beautiful bride, indeed.  






How beautiful our bride is, and so is her dowry
Beautiful is her company that brings her joy
I will sing a song to you on the guitar
Three cheers for the bride, the groom, the best man and best woman (lit. may they live happily ever after)

I will sing a song to you over the lemon
Three cheers for the bride and all her kin

I will sing a song to you over the cherry
May your family grow in joy as it grows in number


Side note:  There is actually a dowry involved in our weddings.  True fact. ;)

Friday! Roadtrip to Maine!

Woohoo!  Heading up to Maine for a wedding!  I remember the night my friend got engaged, and here I am getting ready to hop in the car and celebrate!

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This is also the first wedding I'm attending without Bear.  He will sorely missed.  I had hoped that he could be there, but it wasn't meant to be. 

But nevermind, I'm focusing on the positive here people!

A little roadtrip music, 

and I'm off!

Have a great weekend!

Friday! Hip Hop Love

I was inspired by the concert this week, to make a playlist of Hip Hop love songs.  And while I'm working on it, I wanted to share what is my favorite love song on the list so far. 


"You're All I Need" - By Method Man ft Mary J. Blige






Like sweet morning dew
I took one look at you
And it was plain to see
You were my destiny
With you I'll spend my time
I'll dedicate my life
I'll sacrifice for you
Dedicate my life for you




MJB made an appearance at the concert that damn near brought me to tears.  Call it nostalgia, call it a deep admiration--but I have been a huge fan of her since grade school.  Her talent is unparalleled.


I remember choreographing a dance when I was 7 to her "Real Love" remix at Summer camp--it must have been awesome, of course.  She is just amazing.  As is this song.  It's not your standard love song, and   I don't know if would work as a first dance at a wedding.  But listening to it brings me back to dances in the school gym, baggy jeans, and happy times.  


Enjoy and happy Friday!

Happy Friday: Uptempo Love

Here's a love song that's a little different from the norm.  Try not to tap your toes to this one, I dare you.  

Get a load of some of the lyrics:

Home, Let me come Home
Home is Whenever Im with you
Home, yes I am Home
Home is wherever Im with you


Lalalala Take me Home
Mama Im Coming Home


I follow you into the park, thru the jungle thru the dark
Girl aint never loved one like you
Moats and boats and Waterfalls, Alleyways and payphone calls
I been everywhere with you
Laugh until we think we'll die, barefoot on a summer night
never could be sweeter than with you


The song is called "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.  It was released in 2009 by Vagrant Records/Rough Trade Records, on the album titled "Up From Below."

Enjoy!  And have a great weekend! 

Happy Friday!

August is the month for birthdays in my family.  I have two sisters and we're all born in August.  We'll be celebrating Lil $is's birthday on Saturday and Big Sis (Big C?) next week.  Diets be damned!  There is no avoiding cake and refreshing beverages. What this month lacks in caloric modesty it makes up for in sheer fun.  I couldn't think of a better way to enjoy the dog days of Summer.  

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Have a great weekend!

Happy Friday! Movie Poster Inspiration

(image via JustJared)

I'm loving the movie poster for The Romantics, the bold typeface and color combination is altogether modern and sweet.  It would make for some gorgeous wedding stationary.  Actually, it reminds me of something like this:

(studio on fire via oh so beautiful paper)

(These would make some amazing "Out of Town" bags)

All wedding thoughts aside, I'm actually exited to see this movie.  Sure, it takes place at a wedding, but it's certainly not your average "love story" unless your average love story involves self reflection and cynicsm (hmm...).  Any movie that reminds me of The Big Chill and combines the acting prowess of Candice Bergen with Anna Paquin AND Adam Brody must immediately be put on my "see this in the theater" list (as opposed to the other lists like, "rent and watch at home," or "wait until it's on TV and there's nothing else on" and so on). 

Have a great weekend!