Aukristen's Blog

I hate shopping but I'm ready to do the Cha Cha Slide

2008-08-11T17:24:00Z

Howdy,

My sister insisted that we hit Tyson's Corner (Seriously she single handedly rebooted our economy)! I'm beat but at least we:

1) Finished the favors

- Yes these are my favors!!!!!

2) Finished the shopping for my attendants and wrapped gifts.

I'm ready I'm ready I'm doing the cabbage patch dance right now...Oh yeah

Dad? This is not Proof of Life and I'm not Russell Crowe!

2008-08-07T14:34:00Z

Yesterday, I reflected per my supervisor's instructed (actually I finished my Chelsea Handler book) then started on preparing lunch for today (Tuna salad, ymmm) and popped in frozo pizza. I thought I was in for a night of relaxation before my sister got here, I was wrong:

My fiance gets home and starts perusing the mail I had dropped on the front table which included a collections summons from five years ago. Apparently, he owed $300 to DirectTv because of his former roommates.

**Which leads me to this aside: my fiance came out to DC in 2000, broke as a joke, with no living accomodations and no friends really. This family (a mom, a daugher and her kids, and a brother) took him into their trailer home (which is not a judgement but a reality) and let him live there for a small portion of rent (for a room without a door) and food.**

So when my fiance moves in with his roommate (the one who I had a hard time seating), he asked that this family just pay the satellite bill - THEY DIDN'T! The bill is in his name and he can't cancel it until he pays the balance which is now (what bad timing). I haven't seen the fiance this mad in a few weeks - it was bad, he kept fussing with the representative trying to rectify the situation (my fiance offered a payment plan - they took the bait). But really? It upsets me to see him taken advantage of - he lived on a reservation (seriously) until he was 18 then moved to a college town then back home for another year - he has been sheltered. Did I mention that these credit ruiners are coming my wedding? Oh this is going to be interesting.

Next, after my fiance cools down and eats - we talk about divorce laws. Why? one of his coworkers wanted to make sure I wasn't a money grubbing whore - I can assure I am not (I'm more educated - 2 degrees by 24 and will make money). I move to my MAC and start working on my wedding bubble labels. Why did I do this or agree to do this? It was a waste of time. I said "F it" (sorry I was frustrated) and moved onto to placing my last two guests' name cards into their silver holders (please Lord don't send more people our way).

Then, I chilled out while waiting for my sister to arrive which by the way was a interesting situation. I kept looking at the clock during dinner and during my "craft time" to ensure that she had indeed made it to Atlanta, got checked, got thru security, and got to her terminal. My parents had other ideas - they checked in and insisted she eat in front of them then my mom told my sister not talk to strangers (she's 19), keep her bag with her at all times, and go to the bathroom. I seriously fell out laughing when I heard this.

My sister had no problems and got on the plane and landed early. As I was waiting at Reagan National (the world's smallest functioning airport), dad called and asked what the deal was with my sister's flight to which I replied "I'm actually waiting in Crystal City - the cell phone waiting area is full and the fiance doesn't want to pay for parking" - Why did I open my mouth? He hung immediately (he such a drama queen) and I hightailed it back to Reagan jumped out the car and physically stood outside of arrivals until my sister arrived (I'm responsible sometimes). My sister came out and we in search of bags and while we were searching for this really cool explorer pack, I called dad back and said "I got her" (like she's a fish) to which he replied "let me speak to her"....HUH???? Dad really, why would I lie about this? I compromised, and say we'll call after we get her bag (we did) and called again when we got to the apartment (how many conversations can you have?).

Today, we got up and walked around the Mall (from Lincoln to WWII) because I didn't feel comfortable letting my sister wonder around by herself until she was on the main tourist trail. We even got compliments on our attire (very chic Southern belles I must say).

More later.

I work with nuts (the good kind)

2008-08-06T18:57:00Z

Me: What's up? Can I talk to you for a sec about leave etc?

Supervisor: Nothing. I really don't care as long as you come in and work (said jovially)

Me: Oh, okay cool. I was wondering if I can come in early and leave early for this week and the next. Friday I was wondering if I could take a longer lunch becasue my fiance's office is throwing him well us a party.

Supervisor: What for?

Me: Our wedding

Supervisor: Yeah, I was going to ask you about that. When are you getting married? How old are you?

Me: Next Saturday and I'm 26

Supervisor: I want you to take 59 minutes (code for free leave) and reflect about if this is a good choice for you.

Me: Hmmm. Okay, do want this reflection in a report? And if you're ofering - can I have 59 minutes all this week and the next week too?

Hey! I had to ask.

We would be honored if you came to the ceremony but unfortunately the reception has been closed to further guests.

2008-08-06T16:43:00Z

Okay,

I had to conference with the bank manager about missing funds. Nothing major. I then headed upstairs to my fiance's office, tell him the situation (and make a lunch date too), catch up with a former coworker (I used work in the same office before I entered my leadership development program).

While I was laughing, another former coworker who still works my fiance walks by and says "I'm coming to the wedding and I'm bringing a guest" My internal reaction was WTF? but my external was "umm okay what's your guest's name?" - good recovery huh? I find my fiance and berate him on this oversight (its my dad's wallet therefore it must said over and over that I/We cannot screw up).

My fiance got equally upset because this guest didn't RSVP (I know because I'm OCD and haved scour through my electronic RSVPs and she didn't call either because I had one guest do that). So I had to scramble and call my mom who is at work and my catering rep who is at home. Easy peasy - its more money and another table (which needs to be there anyway). Unfortunately this guest will not be able to sit with her friends (should have RSVP sooner then I would have made two BIA/Indian tables).

Granted its not that bad but still I'm kinda getting agitated because this should have settled already. I really shouldn't have to micromanage this issue but has gotten how do you say "mucky"? I would describe the situation as that. But from today forward the official line is:

We would be honored if you came to the ceremony but unfortunately the reception has been closed to further guests.

For more adventures of a DC Bride go to:

http://coachpursesandstarwars.blogspot.com/

Lost, Thank You Notes and My Lil Sis is coming to town!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Don't Stop Believing!

2008-08-06T13:45:00Z

My sister is coming to town. I cannot believe it. My first family visitor to my hood. This operation is seriously about to take off now. I'm getting married.

Here I am - working away at trying to change my name to various banks, memberships and what not. I sitting here listening to the Lost podcast from Comicon 2008 - totally funny. You should try and download it if possible. It takes my mind away from the idea of doing this paperwork (federal and state governments are not reducing our carbon footprint with all this paper I'm printing out).

By the way - changing your name is a mixed bag of tricks. Some places are easy (video memberships and other sundry items) to do whereas others are not (my bank back home).

I have already set aside typing out thank you notes (I have been told my handwriting is soooo bad - people have to look twice to read it).

Notes and envelopes individually thanking people are done (including my mom, future mother in law, my bridesmaids, and vendors). I just have to stuff the tips envelopes with cash and checks.

One more thing to knock off that list (I'm rocking out to Legally Blonde the Musical's "So Much Better" right now - my theme song to get this wedding). Woo Hoo!!!!

For more adventures of a DC Bride go to:

http://coachpursesandstarwars.blogspot.com/

Rory Gilmore with piercings? Nope, my DJ and his assistant/girlfriend

2008-08-06T13:44:00Z

Despite my near financial ruin and identity theft, I managed to enter the land of the living and meet with the DJ and I met his girlfriend (and yes this girl looks like Rory Gilmore with piercings (nose, lip, cheek if I remember)).

They seem excited although I had to nix the fog machine and lights (who want's come out like Tommy T on game day?).

His plan: play about 2 minutes and 30 seconds of a song before moving on because of audience boredom. Are you kidding, I could rock out to Journey's Don't Stop Believing all nite long.

Ohhh Lionel Ritchie! See maybe he was right about the 2 min rule - my attention span is shot for good because of this wedding.

I can't wait for my reception!

For more adventures of a DC Bride go to:

http://coachpursesandstarwars.blogspot.com/

The World should be ending...why don't I feel so bad?

2008-08-05T13:02:00Z

This weekend was not fun by any means. I found out Saturday afternoon that someone has been jacking my personal checking account for the last month - how could I miss that? Its easy, if you don't notice $60 here and there it can pass you by. The only mistake was this jerk zeroed out my bank account friday and had the audacity to walk in the bank several times, sign my name and walk out with cash but here's the catch - the bank doesn't believe its fraud.

Yeah so I was extremely mad yesterday. To the point of blinding nausea and pain - I put my head on my desk and took a "seven up nap" (think arms folded and your head in the middle inhaling your armpit fragrance). After my breakdown yesterday, I laid low reading blogs, reading my news reader, scheduling bill payments (hey despite not having access to my checking I have to pay my bills, I'm responsible), and researching a cheap digital camera to have during the honeymoon. I even had a phone call from the organist who informed that Mendleson's Wedding March cannot be played in a Catholic Church (read "We don't play your secular music"). Seriously, I really didn't know Catholics had so many rules until I decided to marry one. But even that hiccup seemed like small potatoes compared to my bigger financial debacle.

I went home and started helping my fiance cook for guests we had last night. By the way, "Get Yo Man Chicken" is DELISH! Google it and it should pop up a recipe from the food network by the Neeley's. Anyhoo, chicken and rice later, we were laughing and talking with our guests who came over to see the new house and insist on helping with the wedding (they brought me cheesecake - I'm so digging in tonight with some chocolate sauce). Seriously. They insisted on helping. I was touched and shocked. No one other than my mom, my sister and my future mother in law has said "okay, what can we do?". These are good people; I mean who else can laugh my fiance when he walks into a screen door? Which by the way he did last night and couldn't stop laughing all night.

So despite being destitute (zero balance and a closed checking account) and serious desire to beat the crap out of this thieving single celled organism- my wedding seemed like a piece of cake.

What's wrong with me?

For More Tales of a DC Bride go to:

http://coachpursesandstarwars.blogspot.com/

Place Cards - STOP ADDING GUESTS!!!

2008-08-03T21:24:00Z

Okay,

My place cards are 99.9 percent done! I'm missing one guest's name for correct spelling but I'm seriously peeved. My fiance's former roommate decided FRIDAY that she needed to invite her ex-boyfriend (can you say "Are you kidding me?") yeah so I had to move people around.

I seriously wanted to fight that "addition" to which my fiance added that "we said" I literally went off - "we said July 15 for RSVPs" which means not July 30 not July 16 it means July 15. It costs serious cash to throw a wedding (at about $50 a head) and I need a head count for guests by a certain hence the July 15. I'm really tired of this girl's bull. Oh well. Any other requests from my fiance's former roommate (such a rehearsal dinner invite) are no go.

Saturday night at Mass, a church acquaintance told me that she needed to bring her children. Yeah.

So I'm adding a table (more money - I'm telling my parents to blame the fiance because its his fault) more money more money more money....August 16 is almost here.

Anyhoo - aside from this, here they are!

I'm tired beyond belief.

For more tales and adventures of a DC Bride go to:

http://coachpursesandstarwars.blogspot.com/