The fiasco involved with booking our plane tickets is far too long a complaint-ful to take your time with. But first, let me share with you my recently found wisdom.
1, I would suggest NEVER using Cheap O Air as apparently they're booking technique involves presenting a few ridiculously cheap flights, when you book them, say "Oh No! they're no longer available! But here's a $5 off coupon for your loss." After repeating a couple of times, it develops a panic in you that you have to buy the plane ticket now, even if it's $500 more than the first one you tried to book because they're all getting bought up!!! But I am no fool! Not that many people are trying to get to PNG! so I refresh the page and guess what!?!?! Those "sold out flights" are listed again!!!!
Don't do it friends.
2! Beware 3rd world country airlines. They will arbitrarily decide to cancel flights even though it'll mean you'll miss your connection and they WON'T pay to put you up in a hotel. So wait to book your tickets if you can. Less chaos.
And 3, select your seats as late as possible. Especially if you have to pay. Because the Terms and Conditions of paying to request seats says that if you change your itinerary for ANY REASON the purchase will not be credited to another flight.
But most recently in this chaos, Qantas Airline said I had to fill out information on the site, but every time I tried it gave me an error! Many times I tried! Over many weeks!
Finally I called Qantas (using the number I'm only supposed to use if my flights in the next 72hrs. I know, such a rebel! But there were no other phone numbers on the site!!) And the lady, in a very soothing Aussie accent, told me that as an American, that's not mandatory. And that they'd just scan the chip in my passport when I arrived at check-in.
"Ok, but what if one of my passports doesn't have a chip?"
"You're traveling on two passports?!"
"There are two people in my party..."
"Oh, well I think worldwide, you have to have a chip in your passport. You'll need to call the Australian Embassy and ask them so you won't have any problems on arrival."
(She also booked the seats I requested free of charge even though Number 3)
But now (in theory) are flights are good to go. I just need to see if my husband is allowed to make the flight!!
Calling the Embassy tomorrow!!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Bonding with the Housemates
Well, we have acquired our housemates. The Stocktons moved in last week and will be staying in our apartment as they look for their own and as we are out of country. They will be keeping our cat fed and loved in our absence.
We met Shad when we were interns and Jacob had the pleasure of venturing out to Africa in his company while I was in Papua New Guinea. His wife, Rachel, who neither of us had previously met, turned out to be a delightful woman, a choice expected from a man like Shad.
As a bonding experience, the four of us took a trip to the King's Spa and Sauna a few days after their arrival. It was an experience to say the least. The first segment was a communal soak where gender specific rooms expected us to get quite undressed to soak in tubs of varying temperatures and herbs.
From there, we were given uniforms (of which the men's were significantly more attractive) and were able to venture into co-ed rooms with an array of properties. The favorite of our husbands was the Fire Sudatorium, known for it's 200 degree temperature. Rachel and I braved it for a total of 60 seconds. The men held out until they departed drenched with sweat. Rachel enjoyed the Ice Room which was a bit to frigid for the rest of us. The men went to watch Korean movies in the theatre while Rachel and I went to the Air Room, which featured that perfect temperature where you don't know where the air ends and your skin begins and the scent of oak, where we took an hour nap.
It was definitely fun and Rachel and I will not hesitate to return. And thanks to the Fire Sudatorium and the theatre, our men will be willing to take us back!
We met Shad when we were interns and Jacob had the pleasure of venturing out to Africa in his company while I was in Papua New Guinea. His wife, Rachel, who neither of us had previously met, turned out to be a delightful woman, a choice expected from a man like Shad.
As a bonding experience, the four of us took a trip to the King's Spa and Sauna a few days after their arrival. It was an experience to say the least. The first segment was a communal soak where gender specific rooms expected us to get quite undressed to soak in tubs of varying temperatures and herbs.
From there, we were given uniforms (of which the men's were significantly more attractive) and were able to venture into co-ed rooms with an array of properties. The favorite of our husbands was the Fire Sudatorium, known for it's 200 degree temperature. Rachel and I braved it for a total of 60 seconds. The men held out until they departed drenched with sweat. Rachel enjoyed the Ice Room which was a bit to frigid for the rest of us. The men went to watch Korean movies in the theatre while Rachel and I went to the Air Room, which featured that perfect temperature where you don't know where the air ends and your skin begins and the scent of oak, where we took an hour nap.
It was definitely fun and Rachel and I will not hesitate to return. And thanks to the Fire Sudatorium and the theatre, our men will be willing to take us back!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The Trick to Menial Tasks
So, the trick to spending hours on menial tasks, like finding each chapter number in 25 Old Testament books, putting your cursor after the number, and then! Listen closely now, this is the important part, hitting "enter", ( yeah, that's my job right now, and let me just point out, The Old Testament doesn't have pansy books like the New Testament. No letters split into a handful of chapters, if any (ahem, John!) Not even beautiful books of narrative with a fair share of chapters. No. The Old Testament wrote EPICS! And Epics have a lot of chapters! And the books that aren't epics... well, think of how great going through Psalms is going to be!) Tasks like these can drain life.
But there is a trick! Find an appropriated analogy and think of this as you work (because it's a menial task, you don't actually have to think about what you're doing!)
Example:
We are mid-quest as my companions and I ride through the mountains at full gallop. A war is at hand! Stealing the souls of the young and the old. And only one thing can save them! But the message is in our satchel, slapping against the haunches of our steeds. We must get it to the front lines!
But then! springing up from all around us, an ambush! The Menial Task Force has us surrounding, pulling their weapons, they cry a war cry and attack. I leap off my stallion, tossing my satchel to another rider and drawing my sword. "Run!" I cry . "I'll hold them off!!"
"No!" They protest. "We won't leave you behind!" They pulled their weapons to join the battle.
I engaged with my first attacker.
"Go! The message is too important!" I dispatched him easily but his friends fell on me heavily catching up. "Too important to be delayed by the likes of these! Go! The war needs you! The people need you! Go!"
Seeing the wisdom of my words, they pull their horses about.
"Run!" I cried. "Gallop! Fly! Fly on the wings of the Lord!"
My speech had my attention divided and I found myself to consumed with the defensive to make an attack. But knowing that the message was on it's way I turned my attention back to the task at hand.
"FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD!!!!!"
Thrusts, cuts, drop kicks, handstands, and noogies, I annihilated that task.
I slumped down into the dirt. Exhausted. Menial Task Forces are an exhausting force to be reckoned with! Exhausted by victorious! for the task was dealt with but the message was not delayed.
"Ride on my friends. We will prevail."
I found my horse grazing nearby, completely disinterested in the epic battle I just won.
"Stupid horse," I muttered, mounting up.
If you are thinking up such a story in your head, the task will be much more interesting, go faster, and, depending on how long your task takes, you could publish a novel afterwards!
But there is a trick! Find an appropriated analogy and think of this as you work (because it's a menial task, you don't actually have to think about what you're doing!)
Example:
We are mid-quest as my companions and I ride through the mountains at full gallop. A war is at hand! Stealing the souls of the young and the old. And only one thing can save them! But the message is in our satchel, slapping against the haunches of our steeds. We must get it to the front lines!
But then! springing up from all around us, an ambush! The Menial Task Force has us surrounding, pulling their weapons, they cry a war cry and attack. I leap off my stallion, tossing my satchel to another rider and drawing my sword. "Run!" I cry . "I'll hold them off!!"
"No!" They protest. "We won't leave you behind!" They pulled their weapons to join the battle.
I engaged with my first attacker.
"Go! The message is too important!" I dispatched him easily but his friends fell on me heavily catching up. "Too important to be delayed by the likes of these! Go! The war needs you! The people need you! Go!"
Seeing the wisdom of my words, they pull their horses about.
"Run!" I cried. "Gallop! Fly! Fly on the wings of the Lord!"
My speech had my attention divided and I found myself to consumed with the defensive to make an attack. But knowing that the message was on it's way I turned my attention back to the task at hand.
"FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD!!!!!"
Thrusts, cuts, drop kicks, handstands, and noogies, I annihilated that task.
I slumped down into the dirt. Exhausted. Menial Task Forces are an exhausting force to be reckoned with! Exhausted by victorious! for the task was dealt with but the message was not delayed.
"Ride on my friends. We will prevail."
I found my horse grazing nearby, completely disinterested in the epic battle I just won.
"Stupid horse," I muttered, mounting up.
If you are thinking up such a story in your head, the task will be much more interesting, go faster, and, depending on how long your task takes, you could publish a novel afterwards!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
5 Date Ideas for Long-Distance Relationships
I HATE it when I want to know something or get ideas for something and the internet leaves me wanting!! So I've decided to leave the internet a more informative place for those who come after me with the same questions. (which is why, soon, I will posts "Bush Recipes! Delicious food that you might have the ingredients for in your foreign country!")
But for now, 5 Date Ideas for Long-Distance Relationships.
Long-distance relationships can be really great in some ways. All there really is to do together is talk. And when you're not face to face it can be a lot easier to open up about ...everything! It's great for really getting to know your honey.
But, as anyone in them knows, long-distance relationships can also be rough. Perhaps it's "I just want to text her all the time" or "I'm trying to plan a wedding I can't keep stopping to answer "So what are you up to texts?"!!!!!" or maybe its the awkwardly nightly phone calls of "how was your day" "good, yours?" "good" "................"
My husband and I started our relationship off with 3 days together in bliss! and 2 months apart :(
But we found some great and fun date ideas and I will share them with you ....
....
.......
Now!
1. Yahoo Games.
There are a BUNCH of multiplayer Yahoo Games. Just make an account, sign in to a game, get a "table" (tell your honey which table you're at), and sit down and play. Also great for this is Skyping! Get Skype. It's free. And video chat while you play.
2. Coffee date.
Find a restaurant (Starbucks, Panera Bread, McDonalds) that you both have in your area that has wi-fi. Bring your laptops. Order something, maybe the same thing! And have a coffee date. (I recommend earbuds with the built-in mic in the cord. $10 Walgreens. It's one thing to talk to your computer in public. It's another for it to talk back. Really. Have you ever been out and overheard a Skype conversation without earbuds being used? It's obnoxious. Bring them.)
3. Tour the Smithsonian.
This will take a bit more coordinating. First google virtual tours. (I'm sure other places have them too!) ONE of you pull it up. Then use the Screenshare feature in skype. Now your honey can see the Smithsonian on her screen. But if you have it maximized then that's all either of you will see and this is no fun without seeing each other!! So narrow the screen so you have a empty left (or right) hand column or your screen. Now fit her pretty face there so you can see her. and either using the window skype already has up, by going to tools; options; video settings, or by opening another program for your webcam, put your face over there too. Now! You can tour the Smithsonian. By sharing it on a single computer, the "navigator" is being attentive to the "passenger" listening for where she wants to go. and the "passenger" is being attentive to the "navigator" because she can't do it herself. Which means you don't get caught up on clicking things and forget the date part. (I HAD a picture to go with this...)
(also check out googleartproject.com! Wish I had known about this back in the long-distance days!!)
4. Watch a movie together.
Same set up as above, but with a movie! You could also try to both rent the movie and hit play at the exact same time but that can get obnoxious. ESPECIALLY if you can hear their movie a few seconds behind your movie. Which is why I advise putting it on your computer AND using earbuds, so you won't get that horrible feedback.
5. DrawSomething. WordswithFriends. And other multiplayer smartphone games.
These can be fun breaks throughout your day. You're probably not both free at the same time but when you are you can take your turn in the game. And then you can have something to talk about on the phone that night. I favor DrawSomething. It starts great conversations.
Example:
"What in the world was that? It looked like a bleeding stomach that then exploded"
"It was Orlando! I drew Florida and then in red marked Orlando. ...My finger might've slipped a little!"
"And the explosion."
"I decided you might not get it with FL so I drew a Bloom."
"Seriously?"
There could have been more but the internet certainly didn't try and help!
Comment other date ideas!!
But for now, 5 Date Ideas for Long-Distance Relationships.
Long-distance relationships can be really great in some ways. All there really is to do together is talk. And when you're not face to face it can be a lot easier to open up about ...everything! It's great for really getting to know your honey.
But, as anyone in them knows, long-distance relationships can also be rough. Perhaps it's "I just want to text her all the time" or "I'm trying to plan a wedding I can't keep stopping to answer "So what are you up to texts?"!!!!!" or maybe its the awkwardly nightly phone calls of "how was your day" "good, yours?" "good" "................"
My husband and I started our relationship off with 3 days together in bliss! and 2 months apart :(
But we found some great and fun date ideas and I will share them with you ....
....
.......
Now!
1. Yahoo Games.
There are a BUNCH of multiplayer Yahoo Games. Just make an account, sign in to a game, get a "table" (tell your honey which table you're at), and sit down and play. Also great for this is Skyping! Get Skype. It's free. And video chat while you play.
2. Coffee date.
Find a restaurant (Starbucks, Panera Bread, McDonalds) that you both have in your area that has wi-fi. Bring your laptops. Order something, maybe the same thing! And have a coffee date. (I recommend earbuds with the built-in mic in the cord. $10 Walgreens. It's one thing to talk to your computer in public. It's another for it to talk back. Really. Have you ever been out and overheard a Skype conversation without earbuds being used? It's obnoxious. Bring them.)
3. Tour the Smithsonian.
This will take a bit more coordinating. First google virtual tours. (I'm sure other places have them too!) ONE of you pull it up. Then use the Screenshare feature in skype. Now your honey can see the Smithsonian on her screen. But if you have it maximized then that's all either of you will see and this is no fun without seeing each other!! So narrow the screen so you have a empty left (or right) hand column or your screen. Now fit her pretty face there so you can see her. and either using the window skype already has up, by going to tools; options; video settings, or by opening another program for your webcam, put your face over there too. Now! You can tour the Smithsonian. By sharing it on a single computer, the "navigator" is being attentive to the "passenger" listening for where she wants to go. and the "passenger" is being attentive to the "navigator" because she can't do it herself. Which means you don't get caught up on clicking things and forget the date part. (I HAD a picture to go with this...)
(also check out googleartproject.com! Wish I had known about this back in the long-distance days!!)
4. Watch a movie together.
Same set up as above, but with a movie! You could also try to both rent the movie and hit play at the exact same time but that can get obnoxious. ESPECIALLY if you can hear their movie a few seconds behind your movie. Which is why I advise putting it on your computer AND using earbuds, so you won't get that horrible feedback.
5. DrawSomething. WordswithFriends. And other multiplayer smartphone games.
These can be fun breaks throughout your day. You're probably not both free at the same time but when you are you can take your turn in the game. And then you can have something to talk about on the phone that night. I favor DrawSomething. It starts great conversations.
Example:
"What in the world was that? It looked like a bleeding stomach that then exploded"
"It was Orlando! I drew Florida and then in red marked Orlando. ...My finger might've slipped a little!"
"And the explosion."
"I decided you might not get it with FL so I drew a Bloom."
"Seriously?"
There could have been more but the internet certainly didn't try and help!
Comment other date ideas!!
Friday, May 25, 2012
My Wedding Day
So I guess I should write about my wedding. But what to write?
That day seemed to be the fastest of my life.
We were at the reception to set up at 8 am.
At 12 we left the almost finished site for lunch and showers.
My tiara had turned yellow for some reason so we stopped by walmart on our way to the church to get ready.
Everything else took longer than expected.
But my hair looked fabulous. Thank you Kimmi!
My photographer was amazing to work with. Amy Bonner.
My only moment of cold feet was when I saw Jacob at the first look and this all became very very real. The feeling was quickly overcome.
The ceremony was done at Colonial Heights by our PBT coach, Archie. And the ceremony was lovely.
During the exchange of the rings, during my turn, Archie said, "Elizabeth, repeat after me. 'Jacob.'"
But I was still trying to get that ring on Jacob's finger. He has large knuckles. After a moment of silence, I realized I had missed something.
"Oh! 'Jacob.' ...can you put the ring on yourself....?"
After Jacob FINALLY managed to get the ring on, I resumed.
"Ok. 'Jacob.'"
The reception was outside at the lovely McKendree United Methodist Church. With string lights over the dance floor, a wispy canopy net over my wedding cake, (made by my mother, Patricia Vahey, who I had to rush to the ER the day before since, as she was trying to level out a layer of the cake, cut her thumb to be deserving of 4 stitches), picnic blankets for seating, do-it-yourself dessert bars featuring s'mores, cheesecake sundaes, and cupcake fondue, pictures of childhood photos hanging from a tree and dancing in the wind, a mason jar chandelier hanging over our guestbook tree. The reception was beautiful.
Our first dance was to Frank Sinatra's Come fly with Me. And we executed the second twirl and the dip perfectly. Thanks to Maan Di, our wonderful dance instructor.
It was a perfect day and I can't wait to see the pictures!!
That day seemed to be the fastest of my life.
We were at the reception to set up at 8 am.
At 12 we left the almost finished site for lunch and showers.
My tiara had turned yellow for some reason so we stopped by walmart on our way to the church to get ready.
Everything else took longer than expected.
But my hair looked fabulous. Thank you Kimmi!
My photographer was amazing to work with. Amy Bonner.
My only moment of cold feet was when I saw Jacob at the first look and this all became very very real. The feeling was quickly overcome.
The ceremony was done at Colonial Heights by our PBT coach, Archie. And the ceremony was lovely.
During the exchange of the rings, during my turn, Archie said, "Elizabeth, repeat after me. 'Jacob.'"
But I was still trying to get that ring on Jacob's finger. He has large knuckles. After a moment of silence, I realized I had missed something.
"Oh! 'Jacob.' ...can you put the ring on yourself....?"
After Jacob FINALLY managed to get the ring on, I resumed.
"Ok. 'Jacob.'"
The reception was outside at the lovely McKendree United Methodist Church. With string lights over the dance floor, a wispy canopy net over my wedding cake, (made by my mother, Patricia Vahey, who I had to rush to the ER the day before since, as she was trying to level out a layer of the cake, cut her thumb to be deserving of 4 stitches), picnic blankets for seating, do-it-yourself dessert bars featuring s'mores, cheesecake sundaes, and cupcake fondue, pictures of childhood photos hanging from a tree and dancing in the wind, a mason jar chandelier hanging over our guestbook tree. The reception was beautiful.
Our first dance was to Frank Sinatra's Come fly with Me. And we executed the second twirl and the dip perfectly. Thanks to Maan Di, our wonderful dance instructor.
It was a perfect day and I can't wait to see the pictures!!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The Day My Wedding Dress Almost Burned
One would asssume that my first blog post after my wedding would be about my wedding. But I'm afraid my life is too fast paced for that to be the most recent major event....
Jacob, my husband (!!!!), and I were headed back home to Dallas, excited to be home tonight! Little did we realize the adventure that would interrupt our plans.
Driving down the interstate, I heard an odd clicking sound. "Jacob," I asked, "Did you hear that?"
"Yeah, I don't think it's anything to be worried about."
At THAT moment, my car started losing speed. To the point that I was cruising off the interstate at 25mph.
"Hey Jacob. I think that clicking sound WAS something to worry about!" I teased.
We stopped at a gas station and Jacob excused himself to the restroom before we got to the car problems. "Jacob," I called him back, "there seems to be smoke coming from under the hood."
"Well go ahead and pop it."
As we peered over the engine, we saw fire!
I ran into the gas station screaming "MY CAR IS ON FIRE!!!!!"
The man brought me a fire extinguisher to which I replied, "PUT IT OUT PUT IT OUT!!!" By this time the small flame had erupted into something that if on firewood surrounded by stones in the setting in which you would desire a bonfire, would be exciting, out of my engine, however, terrifying.
Jacob grabbed the extinguisher and put out the fire.
But it came back.
So Jacob put it out again.
It did not come back.
Jacob sprayed it again for good measure.
Apparently something had been wrong with the fuel line and the fuel was squirting out under the hood and igniting as it went.
But when we took it to the mechanics, he said that was the only damage and replaced our fuels line. $200 and 5 hours later we were back on the road. Lucky, huh?
Never before have I driven being afraid of my car. Afraid of the road, the rain, stupid people, yes, but never my own car.
After all the stress of the day, I didn't want to stop for the night but get back to Dallas and be home already!!
So we decided to stop at BestBuy to get a new stereo for my car (it had broken a few weeks back) so we could have some entertainment to keep us going.
Pulling off the interstate, we came to a stop getting ready to turn for best buy when flames started billowing out from under my hood.
We jumped out of the car. There was no gas station near by. Jacob ran to a nearby store hoping it would have an extinguisher. It didn't. They called 911.
Meanwhile I grabbed my purse and my wedding dress out of the car and got back.
When Jacob returned he sent me further back.
Sirens punctuated my hysterical sobs.
When the police arrived, I cried, "Why isn't he putting out the fire?"
When the fire fighters arrived, I repetitively sob, "I want it to go out. Make it go out."
After the fire fighters got the flames subdued and tried to get into the hood to saturate the inside, I stopped sobbing and said, "why are they attacking my hood with axes? Are they trying to get inside? I can go pop the hood if they don't know how..."
The firefighters said they were able to save most of our stuff, that we were lucky our stuff is fine and that we are fine.
I will never forget that fear of my car. Those flames. Sitting from afar, I could see lit gas dripping onto the asphalt and chunks of my car falling out as it's supports burned through. And I will also not forget a single one of those idiots who pulled up right beside my BILLOWING, FLAMING, EXPLODING car. Stay back until the light turns, people! Come on!
Sobbing (I did a lot of that), I asked Jacob what we were going to do. He said he didn't know yet. Then I remembered that I am the planner in this family! So I pulled myself together and said, "Officer, we're going to need a tow truck and car rental place."
A few hours later, after my very first police car ride, Jacob and I had reloaded our stuff into our rental (being frequently amazed and grateful at all the things not burned, like my guestbook tree, and the canvas painting my sister made for me) and were on the road again. We stopped for the night in Monroe, LA and arrived in Dallas without further incident noon on Thursday.
The Puterbaughs came over to help up unload our car and now I have a very full living room and no more road trips on the horizon. Thank God.
Jacob, my husband (!!!!), and I were headed back home to Dallas, excited to be home tonight! Little did we realize the adventure that would interrupt our plans.
Driving down the interstate, I heard an odd clicking sound. "Jacob," I asked, "Did you hear that?"
"Yeah, I don't think it's anything to be worried about."
At THAT moment, my car started losing speed. To the point that I was cruising off the interstate at 25mph.
"Hey Jacob. I think that clicking sound WAS something to worry about!" I teased.
We stopped at a gas station and Jacob excused himself to the restroom before we got to the car problems. "Jacob," I called him back, "there seems to be smoke coming from under the hood."
"Well go ahead and pop it."
As we peered over the engine, we saw fire!
I ran into the gas station screaming "MY CAR IS ON FIRE!!!!!"
The man brought me a fire extinguisher to which I replied, "PUT IT OUT PUT IT OUT!!!" By this time the small flame had erupted into something that if on firewood surrounded by stones in the setting in which you would desire a bonfire, would be exciting, out of my engine, however, terrifying.
Jacob grabbed the extinguisher and put out the fire.
But it came back.
So Jacob put it out again.
It did not come back.
Jacob sprayed it again for good measure.
Apparently something had been wrong with the fuel line and the fuel was squirting out under the hood and igniting as it went.
But when we took it to the mechanics, he said that was the only damage and replaced our fuels line. $200 and 5 hours later we were back on the road. Lucky, huh?
Never before have I driven being afraid of my car. Afraid of the road, the rain, stupid people, yes, but never my own car.
After all the stress of the day, I didn't want to stop for the night but get back to Dallas and be home already!!
So we decided to stop at BestBuy to get a new stereo for my car (it had broken a few weeks back) so we could have some entertainment to keep us going.
Pulling off the interstate, we came to a stop getting ready to turn for best buy when flames started billowing out from under my hood.
We jumped out of the car. There was no gas station near by. Jacob ran to a nearby store hoping it would have an extinguisher. It didn't. They called 911.
Meanwhile I grabbed my purse and my wedding dress out of the car and got back.
When Jacob returned he sent me further back.
Sirens punctuated my hysterical sobs.
When the police arrived, I cried, "Why isn't he putting out the fire?"
When the fire fighters arrived, I repetitively sob, "I want it to go out. Make it go out."
After the fire fighters got the flames subdued and tried to get into the hood to saturate the inside, I stopped sobbing and said, "why are they attacking my hood with axes? Are they trying to get inside? I can go pop the hood if they don't know how..."
The firefighters said they were able to save most of our stuff, that we were lucky our stuff is fine and that we are fine.
I will never forget that fear of my car. Those flames. Sitting from afar, I could see lit gas dripping onto the asphalt and chunks of my car falling out as it's supports burned through. And I will also not forget a single one of those idiots who pulled up right beside my BILLOWING, FLAMING, EXPLODING car. Stay back until the light turns, people! Come on!
Sobbing (I did a lot of that), I asked Jacob what we were going to do. He said he didn't know yet. Then I remembered that I am the planner in this family! So I pulled myself together and said, "Officer, we're going to need a tow truck and car rental place."
A few hours later, after my very first police car ride, Jacob and I had reloaded our stuff into our rental (being frequently amazed and grateful at all the things not burned, like my guestbook tree, and the canvas painting my sister made for me) and were on the road again. We stopped for the night in Monroe, LA and arrived in Dallas without further incident noon on Thursday.
The Puterbaughs came over to help up unload our car and now I have a very full living room and no more road trips on the horizon. Thank God.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Bride Problems. Featuring: "What Kind of Bride Loses Her Wedding Dress!?"
I wish I blogged more.
But this wedding planning is NOT helping. I've been running around like the Energizer Bunny on Duracell! (I'm still going but it's getting a little sluggish)
It's getting to the point where I've become known to shout/beg, "I DON'T CARE DO WHATEVER STOP ASKING ME QUESTIONS!" almost arbitrarily.
Like when it was time to decide what we would get the bridal party for dinner right before the wedding. The options on the table were Chic-fil-a, Subway, or an 8-foot sub. And I was supposed to decide on that information alone right then.
I DON'T CARE DO WHATEVER STOP ASKING ME QUESTIONS!
Or even worse faux crises. Those things that you thought was THE END. But then it turned out all right. But my problem with these things is you tell people about them, the stress you had, the dilemmas, the horror, and they say, "Yeah but it all worked out right?" and give you this look like, "So why are you telling me about this thing that isn't a problem?"
"Uh- I- bu- wh- no- IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR ME! EMPATHIZE WITH ME!!"
Oh! And even worse! I LOST MY WEDDING DRESS!
Who does that!?!?!?!
6 months ago we had picked it up from the alteration shop, and thrown it in a black plastic bag until it would get pressed two weeks before the wedding.
Two weeks before the wedding, I went to gather my things to take them for the final fitting and pressing. And I asked my mom where my dress was. She gave me this blank look which you could tell she thought was funny. But it wasn't. When asking where my wedding dress is and your mother gives me a blank look that say "Oh no i have no idea where her dress is but if i say that she will kill me" with the undertone of a smile because, like I said, she thought she was being quite funny or cute or something, rage began to fill my chest. So I constricted my throat so my following words would not burst forth but come slowly, "where. is. it."
"Well, we would have probably put it in Andrea's closet."
So I stormed out of the room, irritated that she had antagonized me so, to Andrea's closet where no such black bag of wedding dress could be found.
Our hour long search began during which I tried very very hard to not lose my composure and break down crying. Because crying never helped anything. Except maybe getting out of a speeding ticket...
It ended with both of us sitting in the living room and my mother saying, "I just don't know where it is."
"But I don't have time to get a new one and get it altered."
"We'll have to go to the store and find something."
And then I lost it. "Someone threw away my wedding dress!" I choked out between my sobs.
I could picture the dump treasure hunter open the black plastic trash bag and pulling out my pristine white wedding dress. A bit of lovely amidst the trash heap.
The sobbing intensified. Probably to the point where we could call it crying.
But crying never solved anything.
So I pulled myself together and said, "it has to be in this house somewhere," banishing the image of the dump.
"I want closets to be COMPLETELY emptied!"
And the search began again. But slowly and without much in the way of hope.
And then a mysterious JC Penney bag surfaced.
Could it be?
It was! My lovely wedding dress!
So it all worked out in the end...
Stupid faux crisis.
But this wedding planning is NOT helping. I've been running around like the Energizer Bunny on Duracell! (I'm still going but it's getting a little sluggish)
It's getting to the point where I've become known to shout/beg, "I DON'T CARE DO WHATEVER STOP ASKING ME QUESTIONS!" almost arbitrarily.
Like when it was time to decide what we would get the bridal party for dinner right before the wedding. The options on the table were Chic-fil-a, Subway, or an 8-foot sub. And I was supposed to decide on that information alone right then.
I DON'T CARE DO WHATEVER STOP ASKING ME QUESTIONS!
Or even worse faux crises. Those things that you thought was THE END. But then it turned out all right. But my problem with these things is you tell people about them, the stress you had, the dilemmas, the horror, and they say, "Yeah but it all worked out right?" and give you this look like, "So why are you telling me about this thing that isn't a problem?"
"Uh- I- bu- wh- no- IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR ME! EMPATHIZE WITH ME!!"
Oh! And even worse! I LOST MY WEDDING DRESS!
Who does that!?!?!?!
6 months ago we had picked it up from the alteration shop, and thrown it in a black plastic bag until it would get pressed two weeks before the wedding.
Two weeks before the wedding, I went to gather my things to take them for the final fitting and pressing. And I asked my mom where my dress was. She gave me this blank look which you could tell she thought was funny. But it wasn't. When asking where my wedding dress is and your mother gives me a blank look that say "Oh no i have no idea where her dress is but if i say that she will kill me" with the undertone of a smile because, like I said, she thought she was being quite funny or cute or something, rage began to fill my chest. So I constricted my throat so my following words would not burst forth but come slowly, "where. is. it."
"Well, we would have probably put it in Andrea's closet."
So I stormed out of the room, irritated that she had antagonized me so, to Andrea's closet where no such black bag of wedding dress could be found.
Our hour long search began during which I tried very very hard to not lose my composure and break down crying. Because crying never helped anything. Except maybe getting out of a speeding ticket...
It ended with both of us sitting in the living room and my mother saying, "I just don't know where it is."
"But I don't have time to get a new one and get it altered."
"We'll have to go to the store and find something."
And then I lost it. "Someone threw away my wedding dress!" I choked out between my sobs.
I could picture the dump treasure hunter open the black plastic trash bag and pulling out my pristine white wedding dress. A bit of lovely amidst the trash heap.
The sobbing intensified. Probably to the point where we could call it crying.
But crying never solved anything.
So I pulled myself together and said, "it has to be in this house somewhere," banishing the image of the dump.
"I want closets to be COMPLETELY emptied!"
And the search began again. But slowly and without much in the way of hope.
And then a mysterious JC Penney bag surfaced.
Could it be?
It was! My lovely wedding dress!
So it all worked out in the end...
Stupid faux crisis.
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