Satin Flower Hair Accessory

I mentioned in the last entry that I was going to play around with ideas for a flower to put in my hair. While Patrick was at the kickball field tonight (in the cold weather), I was warm and relaxing at home. I watched Beauty and the Beast and did my best to make a pretty flower out of white satin material & some feathers.

I've gone through a lot of pictures online to find my favorites, and this one was the leader - thus my project for the night:

Hobby Lobby had some teal-colored feathers that I liked more than the regular type of feathers and a wire/metal hair comb for the backside. This was attempt #2 (I made each petal individually from small circles of the satin - as compared to starting with one big circle and trying to separate the petals):

Not too shabby, if I say so myself! I really like it but am not completely sure that I'll wind up wearing it the day of the wedding (it'll depend on my hairstyle and if I find/make another option), but it's ready to go just in case. Any ideas for the next project I should work on??

-Lisa

Jamaica, Here We Come...

Well, technically, here we come in a little less than 6 months... but we'll be there soon!

I'm so excited b/c we booked our Honeymoon today! Patrick called the travel agency, and we were able to take advantage of a couple of specials they were running (that end today). We're going to be staying at the Grande Riveria Sandals Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Ahhh!!

We'll be the first ones to admit that we realize that it's COMPLETELY over the top, but we're splurging and getting a room with a butler. "Jeeves," as Patrick is referring to him/her will be at our service for the week, and it's an experience that we'll probably never have again... Since our initial thought is to start talking about starting a family about a year after we get married, this isn't a trip we're going to be taking often (if EVER again), and since this is our honeymoon, we're going all out.

Wondering what Jeeves will do? From Sandals.com...
 Before You Arrive, Your Butler Will:

• Ensure your preferences are in-suite upon arrival
• Arrange transfers

When You Arrive, Your Butler Will:

• Provide you with all information regarding tours and spa services
• Unpack your luggage
• Provide a private orientation of the property
• Press your first nights clothes complimentary
• Provide you with a cell phone so you can keep in touch with each other throughout your stay

During Your Stay, Your Butler Will:

• Make all dinner reservations, tour bookings, on property activities and spa treatments for you
• Serve you your favorite drinks while you lounge on the beach or pool
• Serve you lunch on the beach or on the pool
• Liaise with housekeeping re servicing of your suite
• Ensure that your suite is kept in perfect condition and arranged the way you like during your stay
• Expedite all room service orders for you
• Arrange a perfect romantic dinner for two in the privacy of your suite on or your patio. Unlike our competitors, our butler level guests can order from any resort restaurant menu for dining in their room or suite
• Shine/clean your shoes for dinner
• Tend to your wardrobe
• Collect and return all laundry for you

Yesssssss. I think we'll get along really, really well. ;)

Here are some pictures of the resort, beach and type of room we should have:

Yep, I'm ready to go! In the meantime though, I put together my inspiration board for our decorations meeting (whenever that's going to happen). Ta daaaaaa:

This makes me want to find new projects to work on. I think the next one will be playing around with ideas for a flower for my hair, but we'll see. I'm headed to bed now with visions of sugarplums Jamaica and decorations dancing in my head...!

-Lisa

The Firepit Looks HOT

We finished this weekend with potentially the biggest one-time progress so far. 20,000 pounds of rock was transferred and distributed into the backyard, eight (50-300 lb) boulders were brought into place, the wok bowl for the firepit was moved into place and the firepit was assembled. We even had our first fire! It's 45 degrees out, so I admit that I didn't last long outside, but we know it works!

Our friend Charpei came over this morning to help finish off the pile of rock, and we were able to get through it pretty quickly. She and I also raked/thatched the lawn, and it's now ready to be reseeded. Patrick's friend Aaron came over to help set up the firepit. He's the one who put together the plans for the backyard and has been amazing with helping with referrals/suggestions/etc. I'm happy to say that he took the LoveSac (the gigantic foam-filled bean bag) with him as a 'thank you' for all his help; his son is going to ADORE that thing. It was such a comfortable piece of furniture, but the living room looks much more spacious without the 6ft bag in the corner.

The firepit is definitely functional, but it's not to the point where Patrick is satisfied. He still wants to find a place that has large pieces of lava rock. Right now, the bowl is filled with 3 bags of sand covered by 3 bags of small lava rock. Once he gets the big lava rock pieces, the small pieces will be laid out to cover the sand, and the big rock will completely cover the metal ring. Apparently that'll make the fire dance more and it'll look more natural (as compared to seeing the places where the gas comes out of the metal ring).

Our massages were well-deserved, and we splurged and went to Delux Burger for dinner tonight. It's not the most healthy place (partly b/c we can't pass up their sweet potato fries), but I think we worked hard enough this weekend to burn the calories to make up for it.

As far as wedding stuff we accomplished this weekend, we've been working on tying up the loose ends we haven't finalized. We sent an email to set up a meeting with a member of the strings group (guitar/violin) for the ceremony, emailed the owner of Aldea to set up the decorations meeting (centerpieces, linens, flowers, etc) and we have a couple new ideas about an officiant for the wedding. Hopefully those ideas will be definite and revealed soon.

ALSO, it's probably a long shot, but I sent an email to the TV station TLC to apply for their show 'Four Weddings.' If you haven't heard of the show, it features four weddings (thus the name), and the other three brides attend as guests. They rate each others' weddings based on dress, venue, food and overall experience; then, the bride who has the highest score wins a free honeymoon trip. I read that they're searching for 2012 brides who are getting married in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, so I thought I'd kick myself if I didn't at least reach out to the casting people. Someone on TheKnot.com message boards said they're only looking for weddings until April 2012, so we'll see if I hear back and if they want to move us to the next step. My mindset is that if it's meant to be, it'll happen! If not, that's one less thing to stress about on the big day.

Overall, it was an amazingly productive weekend, and now it's time for me to relax.

-Lisa

Holy Exhausting (but Productive) Day

Here's the breakdown:

8:30am: Patrick decides it's time for me to WAKE UP. I tried the 'pretend to be sleeping' idea from yesterday... No luck; he didn't fall for it.

9:00am: We leave for ACE Hardware to get a wheelbarrow and another shovel. Necessary stop at QT to get coffee and a bite to eat for breakfast.

9:45am: Arrive at Patrick's house ready to move some rock. Patrick loads the rocks into the wheelbarrow and brought them to the backyard where I shovel/rake the rock into place.

The progress at lunchtime

1:35pm: With tired muscles, we decide it's time to take a break for lunch.We escape to Gallagher's for their awesome baked buffalo wings.

2:45pm: Return to work. Reassume the same positions in front- and back yard.

4:00pm: Finish covering the backyard with rock... only to realize we have a lot of rock left. Time to re-distribute the rock on layer 2 (and eventually 3).

5:20pm: Sun sets and it starts to get dark. We move three of the boulders to the backyard using a dolly and a lot of determination ;). With the deep layers of rock, that definitely wasn't an easy task b/c the wheels sunk in much more then we expected. I tell Patrick I'm really close to being done.

The backyard at the end of the day

5:45pm: I'm FINISHED - mentally and physically. We sat down on a couple of the boulders, and I admit to Patrick that I'm so exhausted that I felt like I could just start crying for no reason. He laughs. I assure him I'm not joking. He smartly stops laughing. I give him a kiss for understanding.

6:05pm: We call to order Chinese food b/c it was the only thing we can think of (other than pizza) that would deliver - and not make us move from the couch.

6:55pm: Chinese food arrives... finally. Sooo good.

7:30pm: After Patrick takes a shower, I decide I want to take a hot bath to help my muscles. It feels fantastic.

7:45pm: We agree that we deserve to go get massages after we finish putting out the rock tomorrow (!!!).

Now: Time to relax. We just put in the new Smurfs movie, and even though I got it (and another movie) from redbox yesterday, not having to leave the house is definitely worth the couple dollars for another night's rental.

---

I tried to take a picture of the latest (small) pile of rock, but it was dark and raining by the time I got outside. I'll take a picture tomorrow when it's light out.

Patrick was incredible; I realize he probably had the tougher job (I helped him load the wheelbarrow from time to time, so I know it was tiring). Today, more than ever, I realize how lucky I am to have him. He loves me for me, accepts - and gets along really well with - my friends/family, brings out the best in me and is an incredible partner in any challenge/project we face. I know for a fact that not everyone is as lucky. Even though my muscles might be sore tonight, I'll sleep well just knowing that.

-Lisa

Rocks, BBQ Research & Microwave Success

Last night, we started our research for the BBQ for the rehearsal dinner. BBQ #1 was a new place near Patrick's house, Texas BBQ House. It may be a winner! The food was awesome, and we were really impressed at the level of customer service we got. As we were standing in front of the counter reading the menu board, one of the workers noticed us, laughed, asked if it was our first visit and gave us samples of their "moist brisket."

Halfway into our meal. Note the "plates" and "tray"

We asked a couple questions about their catering, and over the next few minutes, the owner came out and gave us samples of their turkey, pork loin, cutters choice brisket, creamed corn and beans. Sooo good. We ordered some of the cutters choice brisket, pork loin, a jalapeno sausage and cole slaw. I would be great with getting them as our caterer, but I think it'd still be fun to try out some other restaurants - for research's sake, of course!

The microwave is now up and running! Patrick thinks I'm ridiculous for being so excited about the two shelves (note: I found the 2nd shelf for $2 - brand new), but it looks really impressive if you ask me!

This weekend is going to result in some sore muscles b/c Patrick had the rock for the backyard delivered today. There's a huge pile of little rocks and a few  boulders on his driveway just waiting to be distributed. Do you think he'd catch on if I pretended to be sleeping as he works on putting out the rock? No, I don't think so either ;)

-Lisa

Figured That One Out Quick

After an evening full of crafts with my friend Rachael, I found a solution for the placecards! Michael's Craft Stores apparently carry thick foam sheets in black and white; I thought the black would look the best and wanted to try out my vision. I think the idea's a keeper:

Because I randomly chose Melissa's name, I'm giving my favorite Irish lass (I think that's what girls are called) a shoutout - I can't wait to see her! 

Also, on a similar note, I found out today that my dad's coming out to Phoenix when my mom and Patrick's parents are visiting in late January. He was keeping it a secret - that punk ;). I'm very happy he decided to join us!

This is my artsy shot from above. Can you recognize any names?:

 

-Lisa

Pinetop & Placecards

This weekend, we had a great getaway for Patrick's birthday. We drove a few hours to Pinetop, a little town about 3 hours northeast of Phoenix. The weather was much cooler than what we're used to (37-50ish degrees), and we were able to just relax most of the time there. The exception of the relaxation was us going for a 3-mile jog; I forgot how much harder it is to run in the cold, and the fact that we were at a much higher elevation didn't help either!

It really was nice to get a change of scenery where we didn't have to think about anything but just being with each other & the dogs. Crazy to think about, but coming back from Pinetop, Patrick is now 31, and we're under 6 months until the wedding!

While Patrick was driving on the way home, I was playing around with my idea for the placecards... You can see the names I've made so far to the right. I still don't know what the next step for them will be, but turning the ends of the wire to make the names stand up on their own is my leading idea.

I've also thought about making a frame out of cardstock, hanging them on a shepherd's hook made of wire, making them stand up on a base of some type (wood/clay/foam/foamboard)... I have no idea, but for now I'll just keep making names and playing around with ideas! I love the thought that some people might take it home as something they'd want to keep.

Thanksgiving made me realize how much is going RIGHT in my life, and I hope everyone is able to step back and think of the good things in your life, too.

-Lisa