Our musicians have agreed to rehearse this weekend, and they're meeting at our house tonight and tomorrow. We'll make dinner for them--chicken pot pie, which they all love--and then we'll take off so they can rehearse in peace. We're going to Warner Robins to watch "Fever Pitch," a movie about romance and baseball! This is one of those rare movies that Jennifer has seen and Keith will see for the first time tonight. Mark it on the calendar, everyone!
One of the best things is that Jennifer and Lynne get to have some time to hang out and catch up this weekend. Lynne is staying at the house with Jennifer, so they'll get to visit between rehearsals. Sleep?! Maybe, maybe not!
Hope y'all get to have at least as much fun this weekend as we do!
2.27.2009
2.25.2009
Our evolving home-improvement project
The study is still empty except for a floor lamp. Keith has taken on this room as a project to perfect soon. He has installed a ceiling fan and painted the door. Together, those improvements make the room so nice! He still plans to clean and paint the window soon.
Then, we'll move the stuff back into the room and empty the guest room. It's bright blue with some "clouds" where the previous painters missed covering the walls. The trim got painted blue, too, so we've got a project ahead of us in there! Before Keith's furniture makes it to our house in a few weeks, we'll repaint that room, too. We already have the ceiling fan for that room, and I'm willing to bet the windows get cleaned and painted while we're at it. We won't know for a while whether the door needs to be painted. It'll depend on the color we choose for the walls.
The best part about all of this is that we really do have a good time working together on these things. We really like the sense of accomplishment, and we learn each time that we work great together. If you've seen our house before, you won't recognize some of it after we're married! We're excited and proud of ourselves!
Then, we'll move the stuff back into the room and empty the guest room. It's bright blue with some "clouds" where the previous painters missed covering the walls. The trim got painted blue, too, so we've got a project ahead of us in there! Before Keith's furniture makes it to our house in a few weeks, we'll repaint that room, too. We already have the ceiling fan for that room, and I'm willing to bet the windows get cleaned and painted while we're at it. We won't know for a while whether the door needs to be painted. It'll depend on the color we choose for the walls.
The best part about all of this is that we really do have a good time working together on these things. We really like the sense of accomplishment, and we learn each time that we work great together. If you've seen our house before, you won't recognize some of it after we're married! We're excited and proud of ourselves!
2.23.2009
Happy Birthday, Connor!
Connor, I can't believe you're three! You're so big and smart! I've enjoyed playing dishes with you--you're never shy about pouring me more juice. :) You're learning about sharing and cooperation. It looks like you're enjoying art, too. See you soon. I hope you have a great birthday!
2.21.2009
I've got mail and phone calls!
Checking the mail is fun these days because we're getting one or two response cards each day. I've heard back from eleven of the sixty invitations we sent out. (As with any event like this, we added some more guests after the big bunch of invitations went out.) At this rate, we'll hear back from all of our family and friends just before we need to know who to plan on.
The phone is ringing a little bit, too, with details about a few showers that folks want to give us. There are three showers in the works, so if you want an invitation to one, please let me know. If you live out of town, chances are that I didn't put you on a list so that you wouldn't feel pressure to come to Macon twice. BUT, if you're up for it, I'd love to see you!
We've got six weeks till the big day, and things are coming together nicely. Count them: 42 days! If I can just stay away from serious sickness, I'll be delighted!
The phone is ringing a little bit, too, with details about a few showers that folks want to give us. There are three showers in the works, so if you want an invitation to one, please let me know. If you live out of town, chances are that I didn't put you on a list so that you wouldn't feel pressure to come to Macon twice. BUT, if you're up for it, I'd love to see you!
We've got six weeks till the big day, and things are coming together nicely. Count them: 42 days! If I can just stay away from serious sickness, I'll be delighted!
2.19.2009
On this day last year
Jennifer was trying to decide what to wear on their first date.
Keith was hoping he'd get home from work in time to get ready for their first date.
Tomorrow will be a year after our first date to Chili's. Guess where we're going for dinner tomorrow?!
What a difference a year makes!
Keith was hoping he'd get home from work in time to get ready for their first date.
Tomorrow will be a year after our first date to Chili's. Guess where we're going for dinner tomorrow?!
What a difference a year makes!
2.17.2009
1100 hours!
Yesterday was a very productive one for me, and it's a good thing since we're closing in on our wedding date.
I found the CDs that we're using in the ceremony, and I washed the vases for table decorations. I was also able to add some accessories to Keith's bike. Then, I was being so productive that I was inspired to tackle the pile of stuff that came out of the study and is sitting all over the place in the guest room. I filed financial documents, threw away old papers that I don't need anymore, and discovered some things that were stuffed away in boxes. Keith really doesn't have this much "junk," I'm sure, and I hope he's proud of my efforts. I left the trash pile out in the hallway for him to see my progress in case it's not obvious by looking at the room.
Oh, another thing I did yesterday that wasn't so great was hooking up my digital TV converter box. I lost my favorite channel of the four that I get, so I'm not sure what that means. I don't know how we're going to watch Jeopardy tonight..... Any ideas?
I found the CDs that we're using in the ceremony, and I washed the vases for table decorations. I was also able to add some accessories to Keith's bike. Then, I was being so productive that I was inspired to tackle the pile of stuff that came out of the study and is sitting all over the place in the guest room. I filed financial documents, threw away old papers that I don't need anymore, and discovered some things that were stuffed away in boxes. Keith really doesn't have this much "junk," I'm sure, and I hope he's proud of my efforts. I left the trash pile out in the hallway for him to see my progress in case it's not obvious by looking at the room.
Oh, another thing I did yesterday that wasn't so great was hooking up my digital TV converter box. I lost my favorite channel of the four that I get, so I'm not sure what that means. I don't know how we're going to watch Jeopardy tonight..... Any ideas?
2.15.2009
Keith said, "If I'm coming in, the purple room is going out!"
Before
Yes, it really was purple!
The machine on the left is the infamous treadmill. We'd already moved some things out of the room before we took the picture, but there's lots of wedding stuff left in the corner. The desk is Jennifer's "catch-all."
More filing systems, and a closet with boxes that haven't been opened in a few years. But also, more purple walls!
The Transformation
On Friday night, we bought a drop cloth, a brush, rollers, and a paint tray. We also bought a gallon each of Kilz, ceiling paint, gray satin, and white semi-gloss. The work on the room started on Saturday. We emptied the furniture and wedding stuff and put down the drop cloth. Keith painted the ceiling, and we learned that the 8-foot ladder wasn't a good option in a room with 8-foot ceilings. Then, we started painting Kilz on the corners and edges of each wall as well as around the window, door, and electric outlets. One coat of Kilz helped cover the purple, but we could easily see through it. So, we put another coat of Kilz on, and we got to the end of that gallon. Then, we cut in with the gray paint and rolled one coat on the walls. It looked nice, but we decided to go ahead with the second coat just to be sure. On Sunday, Jennifer painted the closet with the ceiling paint, and Keith painted the trim with the semi-gloss. Altogether, we dripped paint on the carpet once, and it was in a hidden corner in the closet. After some touch-ups, we are finished.
After
We're already thinking about what to do to make the room even better. We're going to install a ceiling fan, clean the screens and windows, and work on the closet door. We're calling this the study, where we can have quiet to read a book or a comfortable place to watch TV.
Now, the house is in acceptable condition for Keith to move in! He'll be doing that in about six weeks.
2.14.2009
Six months of engagement
Today marks six months of engagement for us. We're painting a room in our house (we'll post before and after pictures when we have the "afters") and working on dinner plans for later tonight.
Valentine's dinner is strip steak, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, and rolls. Keith brought Jennifer chocolate truffles earlier this week, and Jennifer got Keith a card with the yellow bird Woodstock holding a paint brush to paint "Happy Valentine's Day" on the wall. We like doing something a little different for the day but not going broke trying to show love that we hope to show all year.
We hope you are having a good day, too!
2.12.2009
Strato of Warner Robins
Now that my dress alterations are complete, my dress needs to be cleaned before our wedding. The previous owner told me she didn't have it cleaned, but you can hardly tell. There are a few makeup marks and slight dirt where the skirt dragged on the ground when she wore it, and I want it as good as it can be for April 4.
So, I asked around town, including the owner of Ingleside Bridals, and a couple of folks said Strato in Warner Robins is THE place to have cleaning done right. In fact, the bridal shop owner said, "I don't know anything local, so you'll have to drive a little bit for this one, but I've had lots of happy customers say they used Strato's." I didn't think Warner Robins was very far, especially because we're down there so often already.
So, on Tuesday, I took my dress in. I asked the clerk at the register about having it cleaned. She said my dress is considered a "basic" design and that the rate for "basic" is $85. (I'm glad I was prepared for that by some folks I'd talked to.) But, the owner was nearby, and motioned that the price should be less. So, the clerk asked him how much, and he suggested $25-30. She said, "$30," and it was settled. The owner mentioned that he knows we need to save all the money we can and to tell people about the shop. I told him that the owner of Ingleside Bridals sent me, and he was pleased. Then, he gave me his business card.
So, folks, especially those in middle Georgia: Strato is located at 1836 Watson Boulevard (just east of North Houston Lake Road). Their phone number is 478-923-4225. They also sell men's clothing and have tuxedo rentals. I'm confident that I'll be happy with their work, based on the good referrals I've had already.
That's just one more way we've saved money and added value to our wedding experience. The best cleaners in town for a great price! Give them your business, if you've got any cleaning to have done.
So, I asked around town, including the owner of Ingleside Bridals, and a couple of folks said Strato in Warner Robins is THE place to have cleaning done right. In fact, the bridal shop owner said, "I don't know anything local, so you'll have to drive a little bit for this one, but I've had lots of happy customers say they used Strato's." I didn't think Warner Robins was very far, especially because we're down there so often already.
So, on Tuesday, I took my dress in. I asked the clerk at the register about having it cleaned. She said my dress is considered a "basic" design and that the rate for "basic" is $85. (I'm glad I was prepared for that by some folks I'd talked to.) But, the owner was nearby, and motioned that the price should be less. So, the clerk asked him how much, and he suggested $25-30. She said, "$30," and it was settled. The owner mentioned that he knows we need to save all the money we can and to tell people about the shop. I told him that the owner of Ingleside Bridals sent me, and he was pleased. Then, he gave me his business card.
So, folks, especially those in middle Georgia: Strato is located at 1836 Watson Boulevard (just east of North Houston Lake Road). Their phone number is 478-923-4225. They also sell men's clothing and have tuxedo rentals. I'm confident that I'll be happy with their work, based on the good referrals I've had already.
That's just one more way we've saved money and added value to our wedding experience. The best cleaners in town for a great price! Give them your business, if you've got any cleaning to have done.
2.10.2009
Welcome (again) to our blog!
In our invitations, we included information about how to find our blog. If you're new to our blog, welcome! We've been posting since last summer, so there's a lot to read.
I'll try to give you some information to help you navigate the site.
The posts that we write show up with the most recent first. So, if you want old posts, you can scroll to the bottom of the page to find the link "Older Posts."
If you want to know about specific things that have happened, you can probably find them in the links on the right. Lots of new readers will want to read about Keith's proposal, and you can find all of those stories by clicking on "proposal" on the right. Some of you want to know what's going to happen at our wedding, and you can find that information in "details" and "what to expect." "Everyday stories" are a way for us to keep everybody in the loop on our weekend adventures or other things that have happened while we've been blogging.
I encourage you to read "what to expect" so you can learn about the style we hope to achieve with our ceremony and other events.
Finally, below each post is a link called "hoorays" where you can post comments related to that post. Other readers can read what you've written, but we like it that way because we're trying to build in a sense of community for those who come to our wedding weekend.
With all of that said, you might have more questions. We invite you to post your questions here, or email us if that's more appropriate. (Jennifer's email address is on your response card.)
You'll find this post at the top of the blog for several days. Be sure to read below to find new posts until this one moves into the archives.
Again, welcome to our blog! We're glad you joined us in cyberspace!
I'll try to give you some information to help you navigate the site.
The posts that we write show up with the most recent first. So, if you want old posts, you can scroll to the bottom of the page to find the link "Older Posts."
If you want to know about specific things that have happened, you can probably find them in the links on the right. Lots of new readers will want to read about Keith's proposal, and you can find all of those stories by clicking on "proposal" on the right. Some of you want to know what's going to happen at our wedding, and you can find that information in "details" and "what to expect." "Everyday stories" are a way for us to keep everybody in the loop on our weekend adventures or other things that have happened while we've been blogging.
I encourage you to read "what to expect" so you can learn about the style we hope to achieve with our ceremony and other events.
Finally, below each post is a link called "hoorays" where you can post comments related to that post. Other readers can read what you've written, but we like it that way because we're trying to build in a sense of community for those who come to our wedding weekend.
With all of that said, you might have more questions. We invite you to post your questions here, or email us if that's more appropriate. (Jennifer's email address is on your response card.)
You'll find this post at the top of the blog for several days. Be sure to read below to find new posts until this one moves into the archives.
Again, welcome to our blog! We're glad you joined us in cyberspace!
$3.71
The washing machine is fixed. We bought a tool to test the lid switch, and we fixed the switch for $3.71. Then, we ran a test cycle to make sure the water seals were good and the machine would drain. All is well!
2.06.2009
For the weekend
We've got some things to tackle out of town this weekend. Keith is going to Alexander City with his dad, and Jennifer is going to Columbus with her mom. Both of us have laundry on the priority list because Jennifer is still investigating the problems with the washing machine. We're hoping to catch up with each other on Sunday, but we'll see how it works out. Here's hoping this weekend marks the end of the insanity that started last weekend!
2.04.2009
58
Keith has written enough invitations for 58 envelopes plus the ones we'll post at work and in Jennifer's Sunday School class. The inserts have been printed, and the envelopes are stuffed. Today, I sealed all 58 envelopes, and I wondered to myself how some brides manage invitations that number in the hundreds!
The internet tells me to send invitations six to eight weeks before our wedding. We've got about half of our guests coming from out of town, including our families, so we're going to aim for the long side of that window.
That's one major task completed!
The internet tells me to send invitations six to eight weeks before our wedding. We've got about half of our guests coming from out of town, including our families, so we're going to aim for the long side of that window.
That's one major task completed!
2.02.2009
our latest opportunity to spend money
Keith and I have had our share of laundromats. We've both lived in apartments without owning washing machine and dryer, and we've lived in places where we had them. Right now, Jennifer's house has a washer and dryer, and Keith's apartment does not. A few months ago, we got in the habit of Keith doing laundry each weekend at Jennifer's house.
In the recent weeks, Keith periodically told Jennifer that the washing machine stopped in the middle of the cycle. He opened the lid and closed it again, and it started running correctly. Jennifer didn't have any experience with the machine stopping in the middle of the cycle, so it didn't bother her even though she was curious.
A month ago, MO and PO replaced their washer and dryer, and we talked about getting theirs because they seemed like an upgrade. Turns out, according to MO, they're duds that never performed like they were advertised. So, we abandoned the idea of upgrading.
Then, on Saturday, Keith's load stopped mid-cycle, and Jennifer wanted to witness the event. This time, though, opening and closing the lid changed nothing. We tried other cycles to no avail. We looked up prices for washers online, and we also checked out the cost of repair. Since repair is one-third the price of replacement, we decided new is better. We got the clothes out and took them to the machine at Keith's apartment.
But, Jennifer kept thinking about it. On Sunday, we talked about the possibility of repairing the machine ourselves, and Keith revealed his prior experience with washing machine repair. He was successful! So, we're going to try it. Keith also talked to his dad about washing machine repair, and Keith said the likely problem isn't too hard to fix. The worst that happens is that we go back to funding laundromats for a few weeks (while we're 60 days from getting married!).
So, our first step along the way is to bail out the several gallons of water that are currently in the machine. (Our water bill would go down if we didn't do laundry at home, that's for sure!) Then, we'll test Keith's dad's theory that the water pump is not working. Assuming he's right, which he usually is, we'll remove the bad water pump and find another one for this particular machine. After we install it, we'll test the theory for real. Here's hoping for success!
(If anyone else has experience with these issues, we'd be glad to hear your stories for both encouragement and information.)
In the recent weeks, Keith periodically told Jennifer that the washing machine stopped in the middle of the cycle. He opened the lid and closed it again, and it started running correctly. Jennifer didn't have any experience with the machine stopping in the middle of the cycle, so it didn't bother her even though she was curious.
A month ago, MO and PO replaced their washer and dryer, and we talked about getting theirs because they seemed like an upgrade. Turns out, according to MO, they're duds that never performed like they were advertised. So, we abandoned the idea of upgrading.
Then, on Saturday, Keith's load stopped mid-cycle, and Jennifer wanted to witness the event. This time, though, opening and closing the lid changed nothing. We tried other cycles to no avail. We looked up prices for washers online, and we also checked out the cost of repair. Since repair is one-third the price of replacement, we decided new is better. We got the clothes out and took them to the machine at Keith's apartment.
But, Jennifer kept thinking about it. On Sunday, we talked about the possibility of repairing the machine ourselves, and Keith revealed his prior experience with washing machine repair. He was successful! So, we're going to try it. Keith also talked to his dad about washing machine repair, and Keith said the likely problem isn't too hard to fix. The worst that happens is that we go back to funding laundromats for a few weeks (while we're 60 days from getting married!).
So, our first step along the way is to bail out the several gallons of water that are currently in the machine. (Our water bill would go down if we didn't do laundry at home, that's for sure!) Then, we'll test Keith's dad's theory that the water pump is not working. Assuming he's right, which he usually is, we'll remove the bad water pump and find another one for this particular machine. After we install it, we'll test the theory for real. Here's hoping for success!
(If anyone else has experience with these issues, we'd be glad to hear your stories for both encouragement and information.)
2.01.2009
Before Groundhog Day
We found out that it would be somewhat warm today, so we thought it'd be a good day to ride our bikes. Then, we remembered that Jennifer's mom told us that Callaway Gardens is offering free admission for the rest of this month. So, we took our bikes to Callaway this morning. We also packed sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.
We rode a total of 15 miles over a period of several hours. We stopped to see the Chapel, the Butterfly Center, and lots of plants. We also bought a magnet to add to our collection of "places we've been." We made sure to get home in time to see the SuperBowl at Keith's apartment since he has a better TV for those kinds of things.
The day was not as warm as we expected, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Maybe the groundhog won't see his shadow tomorrow. We sure would enjoy an early start to spring!
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