I have a dream

MLK had a dream, and I think I can have a dream, too.

I have a dream that weddings can one day take full advantage of technology.

You see, weddings are a lot of work as it turns out. So was communicating overseas, but then technology came along and engineers laid cables across the vast ocean. Now we can all Skype and get along. I'd like to metaphorically lay the cables across the oceans of wedding planning.

We're off to a good start. We have this entertaining, informative blog. We can email to set appointments. But I have a dream that we realize the full capacity of technology to make the process easier end-to-end...

I have a dream that Amanda can easily design exactly what she wants her dress to look like, share that on a wiki for her Mom and friends to edit and then be able to send that directly to the designer.

I have a dream we can just send an Evite or Facebook invitation rather than send a tree worth of expensive, paper invitations in the mail.

I have a dream that we can livestream the event on the Web so that people who can't make the trip to Indiana can watch it from the comfort of whereever they are.

I have a dream that we can fill out a survey online, which will automatically determine which flowers and color scheme we should use, according to geography and season.

I have a dream that my Facebook friend list will automate into a guest list prioritizing immediate family and then most viewed friends.

I have a dream that we can just play a Pandora playlist for the reception.

I have a dream.

I Am Going To Do It

I have never been a crash dieter and I have never been the girl who is determined to fit into the size 6 dress. And believe me, I won't ever be. Out of my friends, I have always been a bit larger in all areas. My friends compare what they eat and how much, etc., but that's not me.

On occasion, there is a pair of jeans that I can squeeze into with the wonderful number 8. I am realizing the older I get the more I need to pay attention to what I eat and how much I exercise. Thankfully I am an active woman, but I love to eat so much. I recently bought a pair of Guess jeans from a second hand boutique. They are my motivation jeans.

My goal for these next 10 months is to get in shape for the wedding. I want to tone up and possibly drop a few. I act like this is impossible, yet I have 10 months. That is why I am blogging about it. Everyone will know I am a failure if this Mission becomes Impossible.

The Neighborly Cat

So far, Fabrizio has managed to meet almost all of our neighbors. We usually let him out at 5:30 a.m., and he strays across the street and meows at our neighbors' front doors. Thankfully, two neighbors have brought him back concerned that he got out by accident. They were also probably annoyed with the noise. I tell them, "He's an indoor/outdoor cat, but not by my choice. Thanks for bringing him home and I hope he didn't wake you."

So, it's true: My dreams of having an indoor cat were shattered when the boys decided that Fabrizio needed to be an outdoor cat. Sergio calls him "A warrior" and Paolo swears he was an outdoor cat already. Basically they couldn't deal with the meow-noise.

I drove to Petsmart, in tears, the night the boys decided Fabrizio's fate and purchased him a cute Seattle Mariners name tag. I am glad I did. Last night I felt a little better after talking to the neighbor boys. They told me how he has made a lot of friends and how he comes over every night to say hello. They love him and I have realized he is just a neighborly cat.

Engagement vs. MJ

Away We Go

Last night, Amanda and I saw Away We Go.

Good movie. Great date movie.

I was expecting more of a romantic comedy, but it was a fairly serious film that showed the variety of ways people build families. It was a sweet film to us because -- like the main characters played brilliantly by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph -- we are looking at how best to build our family from the ground up.

Our date night concluded a really wonderful weekend. We explored Washington, worked hard on the yard, ate well and did it all together. Here are some pictures:

Hood Canal

The Date

May 15th, 2010 is the official wedding date.
So far we have the reception facility picked out and I am so excited. Leave it up to my mom to find a spot that would fit us perfect and also light on the budget. The average place was costing around $700 and up, but our choice hit quite a bit below.

In August we go to Indiana for my class reunion. I will be trying on dresses, meeting with different caterers, and tasting different types of cake;) Sounds like an amazing time.

Here is my favorite website for ideas.
Barn Receptions
Thrifty Fun

Until then we will continue planning for our special day.