Register For Your Life

Oh man. I am suffering from registry fatigue. The other night I sat down on the computer and signed up for an online registry and started clicking away! But the thing is, I don’t even really know what I’m doing….or if I even want a registry. There is nothing that we really need. As a couple, we have all the things that we want and need already. I know, I know, everyone says “Think UPgrades! Register for FUN stuff!” Well, that’s nice and all,  but, we just bought a house. We haven’t even moved in yet. I’d like to register for stuff that I can decorate my new house with, but how am I supposed to know what I want my house to look like if I can’t even decide on paint colors yet?

So, I tried the registry thing, and literally filled the page with tons of stuff. Pretty much anything that struck my fancy. Looking back, it was probably a stupid idea to even start my registry right now. I should wait til after we move in and I make a couple DECISIONS! Luckily the great thing about online registries is that I can change them anytime I want! So after I decide what I want my house to look like I can go back in and add whatever I want, and delete all the stuff I didn’t really want that much.

Okay, so I know this post is kinda random and not really organized, but I have had A LOT on my mind lately and not a lot of time to let it all out.

Good news-I took another step in the wedding planning and bought ENVELOPES for the invitations. Haha, I was randomly in Wal-mart the other day and spotted invitation envelopes for like $4 for a 50 pack. I was like, hmmm, why not? I gotta get moving on this invitation stuff. (Though, mind you, I did NOT buy any supplies to MAKE the invitations! Oh boy.) But at least now instead of going back and forth about what the invitations should look like, I can just plan the invitations around the size of the envelope. I know, backwards thinking.

More good news-my caterer finally got back to me! The price quote he gave me was lower than I expected. I guess its the classic underpromise-overdeliver kind of thing. Now all I gotta do is get the paperwork signed and that whole aspect should be smooth sailing (hahhaha thats what I think! Things are never as smooth as they seem. I guess we will see when the time comes!)

Okay, I guess I’ve done enough random ranting for the day. Hopefully I will be back on to post again soon. This weekend I am heading out to visit my family and see some of the bridesmaids! Yay! Then next week when I return I have  A LOT of work to do, both at my day job and my video work.

Operation Beautiful

Well this is surely a cause I can get behind. Operation Beautiful is a campaign to help end negative self-talk. The founder of the website says “I began Operation Beautiful by leaving positive messages on the mirrors of public restrooms — at work, at the gym, at the grocery store.  I scribble down whatever comes to mind — “You are beautiful!” or “You are amazing just the way you are!”  My personal goal is to leave as many Operation Beautiful notes as I can. Maybe some people read them and just smile, but I bet some people are truly touched by the effort of a random stranger.”

How did I find out about this amazing campaign? At work today, I walked into the bathroom and there was a note on the mirror!

And then another one in the stall!

I think it is a fantastic idea, as low self esteem, dieting, unrealistic models and messages of perfection flood our media and our minds. Women (and men!) need to have these positive reminders that they truly are worthy and beautiful and perfect-just the way they are.

One of my goals as a videographer is to help change mass media for the better. Someday I hope to be able to influence the media and use REAL men and women as models, hopefully putting an end to negative self images everywhere.

Go on, take a look for yourself: www.operationbeautiful.com

Ohhh American Politics

OMG American Politics are annoying. In a time previous to that of today, I tried to take an interest in the great governing world. I subscribed to Newsweek and did my fair share of research into political parties and related issues. However, with much frustration and the passing of yesterday’s elections, I have finally come to the conclusion that all modern politics is about is doing whatever it takes to prove the other person wrong. Like, politicians find it glamorous to go toe to toe with the politician next to him/her and duke it out to the death. They’re kinda like gladiators in the great Coliseum of politics. Except that in this fight to the death, nobody has died yet.

Now, not only do we have these barbaric politicians, we have the fans on the sidelines cheering and egging them on. Yep, you got it: the American People. Seriously people, are you so cynical that you must complain about EVERYONE? I feel so bad for the politicians, especially the presidents because it doesn’t matter who they are, what ideas they have and what they have accomplished, they are always going to lose. Someone is always going to complain, and nothing will ever get done.

Do you remember when Bush was in office just a few short years ago? Remember how EVERYONE gave him crap for his presidency. By the end, even his own party, the Republicans, were rooting for the democrats. Now that Obama the Democrat is in office, we have both parties turning their backs on him as well.

I just don’t understand it. It just doesn’t make sense. How can the people in our country turn our backs on our leaders, yet still completely disagree on every single topic that comes up to the podium for discussion? I think what it comes down to is, we all just want something to complain about.

Growing My Own Wedding Flowers

Beautiful Yellow Tulips

One of my goals for my wedding is to reduce the amount of waste I create. Not only to help the environment but also to help out my wallet. One of the ways I intend to do this is by growing my own flowers. I made my life easy by choosing flowers that are relatively easy to grow and are predictable. They also happen to be my favorite flowers and were originally what I wanted at my wedding. Tulips! (and daffodils) I even got lucky and my mom bought the tulip bulbs for me and came out here to help me plant them. We originally were going to plant them at the campground. We thought it would be a great way to beautify the area (although it’s already nice to look at) and then when I was ready to make my bouquets I would just harvest the ones I needed.

We ended up planting some at the campground, but most of them are at my new house. My mom and I decided that since we’re moving, it would make more sense to plant them at the new place so that I could enjoy the flowers for years to come. I think its brilliant! Now I just can’t wait to make my bouquets. I’m a little bit nervous that the flowers won’t be up in time for the wedding. In that case I have my own back up plan: Go to the local store and buy whatever bouquets of flowers they have on sale! Once I decided that I didn’t care too much if my wedding was super matchy, relief washed over me when I realized thousands of options were suddenly open to me, and choice of flowers was one of them! And if the tulip bouquets do indeed workout then I will have awesome flowers for my wedding.

Pretty Daffodils

I really like the tulip idea because its like the gift that keeps on giving. They are not just flowers that I have for one day at my wedding, but they are flowers that will continue to pop back up every year, right around the time of my wedding day, and may possibly provide a powerful memory. On top of that, I know how to make my own bouquets (I used to work in a flower shop and it isn’t very difficult) so I completely save on the cost of fresh, arranged flowers! (That can cost a bundle!)

T-Minus SIX Months!

Saturday was the 6 month mark until the wedding day. That’s right, SIX MONTHS! I feel like it has gone by so fast already! How fast is it going to go now that I need to hunker down and actually get plans set in stone? I feel like I have so much left to do, though many things are already decided, it is just a matter of actually DOING them.

I get more and more excited to be married as the days pass. Fred asked me just the other day if I think I’m growing up too fast. Though sometimes it feels like everything is happening at once and I wish I could spread it out a bit, I also know that this is what I really want. I told him that I’ve spent my entire life waiting and wishing to be an adult and now that I am one, I am so thrilled and excited to be doing these adult things like getting married and buying a house.

I think our wedding day is going to be fantastic. There are some things that I’m worried about, but I know that when the day comes I will be filled with joy and love that they won’t matter or I won’t even notice. I can’t wait to stand up in front of everyone with Fred while we say our vows, promising forever to each other. I already know that I’m going to be so giddy and laughing hysterically as I walk up the aisle with my parents, and as soon as I get up to the front I’m going to BURST into tears. It is going to be so silly.

I also can’t wait for the little suprises I have planned. Some of the suprises are meant for my groom and many might not notice, and some are for all the guests and I think everyone will be amused.

Six more months and I’m bursting out of my skin in excitement!