I take it back.

RoyBoy will not be moving up here. He really, really doesn't want to. So he's not going to. And I won't make him. He will be visiting soon, so that's nice. And I will be going down there, so that's nice. I am going to try to find a job that can lead to a career, anywhere, and then maybe we can work stuff out. We'll see.

...and how does that make you feel?

My uncle, who is the owner of the house where RoyBoy and I will wed, is also going to be our officiant. I am very excited about this. His only caveat is that we get pre-marital counseling, which I (and I think RoyBoy) believe will be a good idea. It will help us become a strong couple, I think. RoyBoy wasn't comfortable with my uncle doing the counseling, so we are having my local pastor, Pastor GD, do it. I called him recently to learn more about it, and it seems pretty simple.

Basically, we fill out a 178-question survey, which assesses our relationship in 11 different areas. Then the pastor looks it over, and basically we have a SWOT analysis of our relationship. We can look at what are strengths are, and discuss what our weaknesses are. There is also some reading. It takes 5-6 sessions. Luckily, RoyBoy is moving up here. It was going to be really, really annoying to do this other wise.

The next step is talking to my uncle, so that he touches base with my pastor.

Christmas and Holiday Greetings!

I hope you all had a great Christmas/Hanukkah/Festivus/whatever. Personally, I celebrate Christmas (and love it). I was blessed this year- I got some $300 from various relatives and a family who is basically my own family, the M-Os. The money from the M-Os was given to me for one purpose: to go to see RoyBoy. Why?

BECAUSE ROYBOY IS MOVING UP HERE! AND GOING TO LIVE IN MY GUEST ROOM!

WOooooo! This is very good news. Thus far I have only seen him for handful of days since we graduated college in May. He has been trying to get a job (and hasn't been successful) while I've been working up here and living at home. RoyBoy has been invited to live in our spare room, and we have decided it's the best idea. Hopefully he can get a job in this area, at least for now. Although he wants to design rockets, he doesn't have the GPA/experience that most positions require. My boss recommended that he try to become a techinician, then try for the engineering jobs. I am disheartened that he doesn't have a job (he's pretty depressed about it), but I understand that it's a tough economy, and know that things will be better. Until then, he will be living with me! Yay!

In January I will be flying down to Florida to help him move up here. All the money from Christmas is going towards that, so I'm grateful to my relatives and the M-Os.

I also recieved $75 to A.C. Moore and Michael's, which is awesome- I am making a scrapbook right now as well as the jewelry for my bridal party, so all that money is going to come in handy. I also have money for WalMart, which I am saving until I decide what to get. I'm leaning towards the glass beads/marbles for vases, but we'll see.

Happy Holidays!!

Hair Games

I am thinking that, with a little patience, a large-barrel curling iron, and a lot of hair styling products, I can have my hair done for my wedding by a friend. Why? Because what I want is very simple and low maintenance, yet nice… and because I happened to put a lot of mousse/gel in my hair this morning (not on purpose) and I think it looks pretty fantastic. The curling iron would be for the few curls at the back of my head that like to pretend they are straight. Then I want my hair pulled away from my face with some daisies at the crown. I mean, I can do that for a friend, so surely a friend can do it for me! A few lose braids would like nice (see post “Down or Up?” from 8/8/09). That look is simple, and I can already do the basics. (Plus, my hair has natural volume, so it wouldn’t be that hard to make it poofy like that model’s hair.) The little wisps of hair by my face could easily be controlled with a small-barrel curling iron… HM. Yes, I like this. It’s simple, it’s fun, it’ll be a bonding experience, and I don’t see how it could go badly, honestly- what I want is so simple and easy, I could do it! (Not the back, but you know what I mean). Now to find the girl to do it…

Results are Excellent

Like I mentioned a few posts ago, I started exercising and eating better a while ago. I also started going to classes several times a week, or at least making a point to exercise on my own if I couldn't make it to the classes. Well, guess what? Apparently, I've made some headway.

Although I can't tell, my mother and sister can tell that I am smaller (my mother was actually alarmed by this, until I told her my weight was roughly the same, I was just more toned)! That's nice. I can't really tell much, other than some days my belt buckle is tighter than normal. My face is thinner according to my sister as well, which is neat- it's hard to lose weight there. My arms tend to bulk rather than slim down, but at least it's defined muscle.

The crazy part? I don't have to diet to fit into my dress. I'm between a size 2 and a 4, so I ordered a 4. It will have to be altered no matter what. So, no pressure to squeeze into a tiny dress! Still, it is very satisfying to know that I am being whittle away, the healthy way, just by doing all-over toning and exercises. It's also because I WANT to, and because it's good for me.

How gratifying. :)

Thoughts. Hm.

An old friend, HollyBerry, commented on a past post ("Moons of Honey"), which got me to thinking. She mentioned that the next few years will be filled with more payments than I ever thought about (mortgage, car insurance, loans, etc.), and that RoyBoy and I should try to get away for a honeymoon before that craziness starts, or we may never get around to it (or won't have the money to). She also mentioned timeshares... I know at least one couple with a time share, and the only reason I know is because they go every year to Orlando.

I do agree with her. I think it would be really nice to at least take off for a weekend, or a later holiday weekend, so that RoyBoy and I can have our time alone in a far-off (or secluded yet nearby) place. The only constraint will be money, but even going to a sweet B&B or to the Cape will be fine as far as I'm concerned. As much as I would LOVE to go to Europe for a week or two... we won't be able to afford it.

But, she has gotten me thinking about this again... Thanks, HollyBerry! :)

To Do, To Do.

Sorry I haven’t updated lately- I don’t have much to say. I haven’t done a lot lately. So much has been done, and so much I can’t do yet!
-Invitations, etc. have been printed; Save-the-Dates were sent a while ago.
-We have a contract for the baker and caterer, and both have deposits.
-The hotels have blocks set up, and contracts signed.
-3 bridesmaids have bought their dresses, and I have as well.
-RoyBoy has to pick his groomsmen and call an aunt to see if we can borrow their kids for flower girl/ring bearer duties.
-The photographer has been chosen, though no contract signed- we’re doing things differently, so there’s nothing standard to sign.
-The rehearsal dinner location has been chosen, and the menu as well, but I need RoyBoy’s mother to call me.
-I have an idea for punch bowls: get really big, wide, cheap, glass vases from places like Marshall’s, and use them. I love how this looks in my head. I want to just go and buy them, but wedding websites kind of discourage that. (Just going out and buying, I mean—it’s a good way to go over budget.)

Remember that super optimistic post I made about money and stuff? Well, my job is up in a few weeks, and we will see if I am still hired. Otherwise, I will have to find a job ASAP in order to pay for anything. I really, really hope they keep us- I’d like to give my father’s bank account a break.

Once the Christmas season is over, I’ll get back on the planning wagon.

What's in a Name?

There are a lot of women out there who are very partial to their last name, or being recognized as part of a couple. For example, if you say “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith” they are offended, and would prefer something like “Mr. John and Mrs. Jane Smith.” I guess that that is the “PC” thing to do. Then there are women who don’t take their husband’s name. I think this makes sense if they have an established career in medicine or something. Beyond that, I don’t see what the big deal is. I mean, I love being a Gill, and I’m proud of it, but I’m joining the Fussells now. Maybe I’m old-fashioned. Maybe I like the thought that RoyBoy and I will be one, with the same last name to prove it. I also don’t think it’s good for kids: “Mrs. Smith, I want to talk to you about Johnny,” “Ok sure, but I’m Ms. Jones, not Mrs. Smith.” This then makes me wonder if a) the parents are divorced, b) she isn’t the kid’s mom, or c) if somewhere there is a child going through an identity crisis: “Mom’s a Jones, Dad’s a Smith, WHAT AM I?” It just raises so many questions that aren’t your business, but that confuse you!

You know what else I say? If you get offended because I write “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” then you are too high maintenance for my wedding. The only married couple with different last names invited to my wedding is RoyBoy’s aunt and uncle; she is a doctor who chose to take her maiden name, and I’m ok with that; besides, it’s done, and I can’t change it. To the rest of you, tough cookies.