81...this story is fun and neat.(White Bible Ceremony)

http://www.southernladymagazine.com/whitebible/bibleprint.htm

Have you ever heard of this? The White Bible ceremony. I had never until recently and I am mesmerized by the story behind it. You should really click on the link and read it, before you go any further...

I have been wanting to do something VERY personal for my kids at the wedding. They are already in it as attendants, and they are either singing or reading, but Mr. Chad and I wanted to give them something that connected them to us, as we start our new family. In the past, I had thought about those medallions, but when I came across this...well, I broke down and cried as I read it. I, also, knew it was something I could modify and create to specifications the exact feelings I have for my children.

In the ceremony, which is normally held for the bride-to-be after her engagement is announced, most times at a tea or shower, she is presented with flowers and a white Bible with words of wisdom from it to help guide her as she marries.

Since, it appears to usually be for younger, maybe first time brides...I wasn't sure it applied to me. So, with that thought in mind, I decided to adapt it for the wedding as a time to honor the girls.

It will, also, allow me to create an heirloom for their future families. Mr. Chad and I are going to buy them both white Bibles and personalize them with their names and have the reading of the white Bible ceremony adapted to our situation. Close to the original as possible, but with the fact that these gals won't be bride-to-be material for a long, long, long time.

81,80,79,78,77...and so on. I hope you will stick with me.

82 and this ferns for you, I mean, me.

I am not having flowers for my wedding. I wants ferns and plants. I want nature to be my "green" accent color. I have probably said it a dozen times already, but people seem to think it's rather odd. What's odd about getting what I want?

Of course, I don't want silk ferns, and I don't want ferns in urns. I want the centerpieces to be lovely and living...and able to be used at my new house, even if I won't have a front porch by then...LOL :o)

Not much else today...just wanted to rant. Also, if you have any ideas about other plants that would be great as centerpieces...just leave a comment.

82,81,80,79,78...and so on. I hope you will stick with me.

mild dilemma # 83, groom's gift...

I am no where near the gift giver that my little man is...

Each year at Christmas, Mr. Chad gives me gifts that take my breath away. Gifts with so much thought and love put into them that I am truly humbled. I can only imagine what his wedding gift to me will be...and knowing that, I am scratching my head, probing the internet, and praying that something for him will "come to me". Something that would let him know just how much I love him. Isn't that what's it's supppose to be about...not the gift, but the the meaning behind it?

It's not going to happen. I'm not that good!

Here's what I'm talking about...just to name a few of his wonderful gifts to me...a cross worn by the crusaders during the holy wars (yes, a real one), a cartouche from Egypt with my name on it. He also, bought me a spot a land, in the home country, so that I may have the title Lady, a lamp with my favorite picture of my girls sculpted into it, and a Wollemi tree-a living fossil.

He has everything he could want, except for a race car, and I'm not saying, EVERYTHING, b/c he has me...it's just that he's a simple kind of man. I bought him Hazelnut trees for Christmas and he was happy as he could be had I bought him an H3. So, for the next few weeks, I need to really focus on who he is, so that I can figure out what I WANT to get him. I may have to ask my sweet children for some input, but somehow I think, they will either say he needs a "new" cell phone or a "new" computer...LOL, of which he will be getting neither one.

83,82,81,80,79...and so on. I hope you will stick with me.

Atomic Number 84

Polonium. Yes, you're right. I had no idea what it was...I think I'm doing well when I get to 4th grade questions on Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?.

Yet, some days when I am doing this I "Google"(one of my fave things to do in this world...Damn You, Sergey Brin and Larry Page) the number I'm working on...and today it was very interesting, and I learned something. If I asked 10 people what atomic number 84 on the periodic table was, I would say 9 out of 10 would ask, "what the EFF is the periodic table?" I have made my point, right?

Back to Polonium, there were some neat things on WIKI (my other fave thing to do...I know I lead a very simple life at times...LOL) about it. I thought I would share how it kind of pertains to me and Mr. Chad. Here it goes...

1. rare and highly radioactive...that is us. Our love is rare. I am 100% positive that I have never loved a man the way I love him and I know he loves me, too. Like NO ONE has ever loved me. He is honest, caring, and smart. I love all those traits. Our love is, also, radioactive. Sometimes very borderline explosive...and we are working through this-daily. He could tell you some stories about this, pertaining to me...most after I have taken my children back to their Dad( a good guy, has nothing to do with him)...I just feel such a sense of loss that I take it out on him, and like he always does, he lets me...Sorry, babe!

2. has been studied for possible use in heating spacecraft...Not really about us, but we, and the girls, love space and the space program. So, I just thought this was a neat little bit of info.

There is some other stuff, too...and I could go deeply into the comparisons of it and marriage in general, but I'll save you...LOL

There is much more about Polonium out there, like the Russian "former" KGB guy that was poisoned with the stuff a year or so ago...I never knew, until today, that it was from atomic number 84. Thank you Google...and thank you WIKI.

In closing, you never know what you may read here...so it may just seem like 84 days until my wedding, but if you want to be surprised about what you can learn from a wedding blog...come on back.

84,83,82,81,80...and so on. I hope you will stick with me.

85 and Stayin' Alive, Stayin' Alive...

I started Atkins this week, but I need to join weight watchers and make a lifestyle change. I am getting horribly out of shape. I currently weigh more than I ever have, with the exception of the 2 times I grew human beings inside of my body...LOL. ***Since I started working at my current job (July 12, 2007), I have gained 25 pounds.

I would like to blame work, and it is partially responsible...I sit all day, high fat food vendors are brought in, it's dark when I come in, it's dark when I go home...but... I could still go to the gym, I suppose, after work, but I'm normally exhausted by day's end.

Losing weight is fine on Atkins, but I do not want to go my whole life without bread and pasta...and that's what it is...let no one tell you differently! I have been inspired to quit soda, but am scared that I'm going to become a coffee addict...Coffee Mate "flavored" creamers, and my God, they come in so many awesome flavors, are the work of the devil...LOL, just ask Mary she drinks the stuff.

With all that being said, the next few weeks are going to be dedicated to getting in shape. I have 2-wedding dresses and neither zip...LOL...and Mr. Chad said that if I get another wedding dress...it's because I'm marrying someone else... I love him-he's such a realist!!!!!!!!!...LOL

For the last few weeks, I have been trying to organize myself into losing weight. I have cleaned out bad and old foods from my cabinets and fridge. (I will be, in a very nice way) asking my future mother-in-law to quit buying me Ale-8 Ones (a local drink full of caffeine), temporarily...LOL. I will be starting a food journal next week. I will spend some time trying to find the exercise equipment that I own----to use while watching waaaayyyy to much TV (I need to quit watching all those weight-loss shows that should inspire me)......... I need to get off my lazy bum and JUST DO IT!

Wish me Luck...I need it.

85,84,83,82,81...and so on. I hope you will stick with me.

86 and working the cd mix!

I want to make a CD favor for my guests, but am having the inner debate of whether it is right or wrong to do this, even though, I BOUGHT the music to begin with...I mean, am I knocking a "studio mixer" out of health care benefits?...LOL. It's not a laughing matter, I know, but since those piracy commercials started coming on in theatres and Mr. Chad was singled out by Napster several years ago...i have mixed emotions on this issue. We buy all music from Itunes, I think...LOL...i mean, I know I do. :o)

The fun part has been finding out songs that have a meaning to our families-aunts, uncles, parents. Some have cracked me up. My Mom and Pap Jeff, well, their song is Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf...and I can't imagine it being that, but I can't imagine it being anything else, either...LOL.

My one aunt, Wee, told me that her song and Donnie's was a song called Patches. Now, folks, I'm a borderline savant when it comes to music and I had never heard that song before in my life- EVER. Funny thing, though...Mr. Chad and I went shopping and I picked up a cheap 4-cd set of 70's songs...and there it was...Patches by Clarence Carter. I started laughing uncontrollably. My aunt and uncle are Pentecostal. He is a Pentecostal preacher and "their" song is by the same guy that sings Strokin'...do you see the irony?...LOL. Anyway, they have probably never heard the one song, since they have belonged to church for many, many years...and, pardon the expression, but that in itself is a blessing.

The saddest thing, so far, has been that Mimi Carolyn, Mr.Chad's mom, said that she and Mr. Chad's dad, Roger, didn't have a song. WHAT?! That almost broke my heart. As much as music has played a part in our courtship, how could they not have one song that takes them back to the time when they were falling in love...I have to work on this. I have to jog their memories, put Mr. Chad in charge of finding one that maybe his dad can remember...I would love to see them dancing together to that song, whatever it is, at our wedding.

Must give CD favor idea more thought...Yes, the rehearsal dinner is a pirate theme, but this would make it way to literal...LOL

86,85,84,83,82...and so on. I hope you will stick with me.

87 napkins...WTF?

I have been looking at napkins forEVER. There is cocktail, and dinner, and luncheon, and guest towel...LOL. I am not kidding you.

Does anyone ever really use them? I guess the purpose is to be cute and to serve as a reminder of the day. (Yes, I always keep one from weddings and put them in a box{we all take one, and you know it}...one day, I will make a scrapbook with napkins and the photos of the couples...or that is my intention...lol.)

The funny part to the napkin story is this...i mocked up a few and sent them to the groom-Mr. Chad, and to some friends...and no one agreed on anything...LOL.

The above is one of my faves b/c of "Let it B" being the last song at the wedding and the last song at the reception...so those will be ordered!!! I will, also, get some that Mr. Chad picked out...the rest will probably just be plain black and white...they are much cheaper...LOL.

I must tell you that the website that allows for a mock-up is:

http://www.foryourparty.com/

It's a neat site to see what you are ordering before you do...

87,86,85,84,83...and so on. I hope you will stick with me.