Do You know How Much a Bail of Hay Weighs?

I didn’t. At least until this week, when I met Lindi’s relatives from South Dakota. It’s the Family Reunion, and I have got to meet her hick family from her mother’s side. They are actually a bunch of crazy, friendly, wonderful people, who amount to over 300 descendants of her great-grandparents.

I attended the “adult” dinner with her on Wednesday. Unfortunately, it was in an LDS Chapel and it felt more like a Family Home Evening deal. Trust me, more than just our table wanted a little wine, beer or coffee at some point.

The Funny of the Week:
Lindi’s cousin Michelle (Manager of the Old Spaghetti Factory in Trolley Square) is a vegetarian. She and her mother Carol requested a vegetarian plate at our catered dinner. So, the vegetarian dinners arrived, next to our chicken and roast beef plates. The plate was nice, consisting of a baked potato, corn and veggie-burger patties. Nicely presented and looking almost better than my chicken cordon bleu that resembled a chimichanga from the outside…

Anywho, the second cousin Tammy (who was in charge of the meals) came by the table to check the vegetarian plates… she to make sure everything was okay. Michelle smiled politely and said it was fine.

Then Tammy asked her, “Would you like some gravy on your patties?”

Michelle, not missing a beat said, “Is it vegetarian gravy?” The only gravy we’d seen was on the roast beef.

All of us chuckled politely as we realized Tammy was going to serve vegetarian soy patties with beef gravy. Niiiiiiice. Michelle gracious declined and we are continuing the joke to this day by offering her beef gravy with everything we serve.

Tonight is a family picnic, tomorrow is a huge picnic and Sunday is Wendover for the “heathens”.

Oh, and a bail of hay can weigh up to 1,600 lbs. Goodness!

Is There a Correlation?!?!

Strom Thurman died yesterday at 10:00 am… the same day the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute that banned gay couples — but not heterosexuals — from engaging in sodomy, ruling that the law was an unconstitutional violation of privacy. Coincidence or a final irony?

And Finally…

Wedding plans are great. We received the correctly engraved cake server, we should have our invitations today, matchbooks tomorrow, and all plates, cups, knives, etc next week. My attendants are solid on their clothing choices, I have my slip and shoes (no veil yet, tho)… Chug, chug, chuggin’ along!

I will be crushed by a giant duck!



How will you die? Take the Exotic Cause of Death Test

Maybe This is an Omen…

or just a clerical error.

We received our engraved cake server and knife from TheKnot.com. Simple pearl handles and white ribbon, beautifully presented in a display box… Connie & Lindi, Ocotber 10 2003.

Wait.

Ocotber? Who the hell get’s married in OCOTBER???

Needless to say, it’s going back. Now we know why we order personalized things early.

We have ordered our invitations, and found our wedding theme. We took a trip to Expedex and found invitations with the same graphic as our matchbooks, including Thank You cards, RVSP cards, napkins and toasting glasses. We looked at each other and knew it was absolutely perfect. I won’t reveal it here, but it’s simple, beautiful and even a little biblical. Plus, I know TheKnot.com has the cake topper in the same theme. I am so ecstatic, and so pleased we came to it together.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENISE!!!

Hope your day is filled with well-wishes and love!


Naw, It’s Okay, I Didn’t Want Food at my Reception Anyway…

I hate my car. I love my car. It’s a seemless battle I’ve been having with myself.

Vanna II decided not to start this morning, and it was, as I correctly diagnosed, the Starter Motor. I’ve been living on borrowed time for a bit, and I knew it all along, so it doesn’t come as any great shock. $313.14 including labor. Whut Whoo. At least it’s not the Transmission. *knock on wood, knock on wood*

So, Lindi dipped into our Wedding Savings account. Luckily, I get paid Friday, so I can replenish it. But it’s just $300.00 I did not plan on, and it hurts all the way around.

On the lighter side, my bridemaids and I will be looking at dresses on Monday. Contrary to some people’s ideas, they will not be dressing as any of the following:
Ferengi, Klingon, Alien-Monkeys, X-men or Super Heros.
They will not be wearing:
Tube tops, miniskirts, masks and capes, burgundy feathers or boas, pasties, tiaras, strobe lights, twinkle lights or have any sort of super power.
Call me traditional…

YES, THERE ARE GUARDIAN ANGELS

My father and brother returned from deep-sea fishing off the coast of Garibaldi, Oregon late Friday night. They had a wonderful 10 days fishing, crabbing, visiting my grandmother and shopping. The Dad even purchased my first “Marilyn Merlot” at the Oregon Wine Shop, a beautiful 2001 bottle already put in the china closet for safe keeping (you can’t imagine the money he spent on that). We put away 90 pounds of beautiful halibut, red snapper and crab. My brother caught a 60lb Halibut on an 8 lb pole – quite the feat since halibut that size are never found where they caught it, and the US Fish and Game department met them on shore to check the validity of the catch! It was valid, and he got to keep it. Home and tired, we put them to bed at midnight.

At 7:45 am on Saturday morning, the charter boat they had been fishing on all week , the Taki-Too, capsized off the coast, killing 9-11 people, including his friend, the Captain.

I don’t think I have given up such prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude in my life. I truly don’t know what I would have done without my daddy and my brother, losing both at the same time would have killed my mother.

Please, for me, Say a prayer, spell, chant, well wishing thought to the universe in thanks for allowing me to hug my father on Father’s Day. Had they stayed an extra couple of days, like planned, he may not have been alive.

The Whole World Has Gone Crazy...

My ultra-straight high school friend is now a lesbian… and my ultra-lesbian friend is dating a man. I get so confused sometimes…

And, Jennifer is a Goddess...

Can I just say how completely proud I am of Jennifer? On track in school, finances and her goal of health, she inspires me and makes me happy for her with every goal she attains. She is phenomenal. This year is a great year for Jennifer, as I predicted. Maybe she should listen to me once in a while…

We're Here, We're Queer...Where the Hell Were You??

Pride was wonderful. We ran into just about everyone we could imagine and I was able to catch up with Jason Dimick, who was in town visiting Mom. He looks so wonderful, San Fran really agrees with him! Jennifer walked with us for about an hour and then we caught Jason, and walked some more, then hung out under a tree with some friends. Relaxing, tiring, a sunburn waiting to happen, but a wonderful Sunday none-the-less.

Saturday was quite fun, too, heading to the Moon for Lisa's b-day. Highlights, accidentally molesting a girl who I thought I knew... but was a complete stranger, Lindi finally meeting lap-dance Kelly, and watched Kelly flirt with me outrageously right in front of her... jell-o shots of a straight girl's belly - and from what Lindi said, straight girl could have been easily converted after I was done with her - apparently her eyes rolled back in her head. Hey when you got it, you got it! A great time, not too much booze and time with my girl.

We ordered our personalize matchbooks, cake knife and server, and bubbles for the wedding. Lindi wanted bubbles. I am okay with that. This month, I am buying the rest of my clothing, paying of my dress, and getting my attendants together to look at clothing. I need to get fitted, too. Argh. Oh, and we are ordering the invites, too. Next month will be pictures and flowers and cake!!

SOOO EXCITED!

It's PRIDE weekend and I can't wait for the festivities. I have a bunch of friends who will be working the gathering, one who's co-ordinating a lot of it, one who in charge of the entertainment as manager of some of the bands playing, and I am so happy to be out and proud with my friends. I am also very happy straight-but-not-narrow Jennifer will be joining us this year, and hopefully, we will see Toni & Rob there. With our shirts, we will be stylin'! Lindi and I will be joined at the hip this weekend, with Ms Sarah spending time with Jan overnight tonight and leaving for Nebraska on Sunday morning, it will be good to be close with the one I love!

Tonight I have an eye appointment to get new contacts and spare glasses. I don't want to hide behind my glasses anymore, and I certianly don't want glasses for the wedding. Lindi hasn't seen me without glasses - she's gonna be blown away. I am very proud of my ever-changing eyes, I think they are my best feature.

Lorene, Jenn, Steph... the world goes on, and with it, I am stronger. From this, as everything, I will learn and grow. I will not succumb to anger, for I AM BLESSED with a true love and friendship unconditional. This morning is a wonderful morning and each day to come with be amazing, for I am blessed with an open heart and a learning mind. I thank God for you, and am grateful to have you in my life.

Catching Up...

First of all... THANK YOU to TONI & ROB for the wonderful Meat Fest on the 24th. I can't say how much fun the 3 of us had basking in Rob's incredible teriyaki and loving the conversations going on in all directions. While time changes, our friendships grow stronger, and I am blessed with all of you.

This weekend was incredible! Sarah was confirmed in the Catholic Church on Saturday, and the mass was beautiful and moving. Lindi and I traded time in the "Blubbering Box" while watching her. Lindi gave her the most beautiful Amethyst Rosary and I gave her a Sterling Silver Holy Spirit medallion, which she loved. It was also wonderful because she got to meet the Bishop of the SLC Archdiocese. She was confirmed with Michael Stockton, son of John Stockton, who was late to his own sons confirmation! That's okay, we forgive him... Dinner at The Spaghetti Factory and an evening of movies rounded out a great day for everyone... except Lindi who had to wake up at 4 to be into work at 5. That's okay, she let me sleep in...

My Dad is heading to Oregon tomorrow for 2 weeks of deep sea fishing with my brother, and can I say how jealous I am? I love Oregon, and have been craving the sea something fierce. Soon, I am sure.

Wedding plans are starting to come together. Goals for this month: Secure the photographer and minister and pickout/order the invitations. We decided we wanted someone close to us to officiate, so I asked a special friend for the honor, to which she happily agreed, barring unforseen events. The photographer is a friend of Lindi's sister in law, Beth, and since she is wanting to expand her portfolio, she is willing to do the pictures for practically nothing, including the invitation pictures. Turns out, Amy, the photographer, used to play softball with Lindi's ex-wife Karen. Argh. The world is getting smaller. Next month will consist of wedding favors, wedding cake and clothing for my attendants. Little by little.

And how was YOUR weekend?