Wedding Detail - Bridesmaids dresses

As a general rule, bridesmaid's dresses are awful. We found such a great solutions for Meg's wedding.

We talked about me making them, but with her large wedding party, I would have had to charge them, and I really didn't want to do that. So, we looked around at different wedding boutiques, but in the end, we found the perfect dress at Macy's (of all places).

It's a cute, knit,blue, knee-length dress with beaded straps. There were a lot of them, so we bought them all, let all of her girls try them on, and returned the ones that we didn't use. It's so much nicer dealing with a local store instead of trying to order something.

The price was one of the best parts. They were originally $160, but we snagged them for $50, due to a sale and a coupon. There is no way I could have made them for that price. And they were so cute. I think that everyone was happy with this solution.

Dishwasher - Fixed

My working dishwasher....exciting, huh?

So, remember how I said that the week after Meg's wedding wasn't the best week? It started with my car breaking and grew when my dishwasher broke and air-conditioner started acting funny.

I really do love being a home owner. Really. Until weeks like this where money is flying out the window and everything seems to be broken and in need of attention. Some things (like the yard) never seem to stay kept up like I would like.

Anyway, when the dishwasher broke, I really hated the idea of calling a repairman. I mean dishwashers aren't that expensive, and it would cost $ just to get someone out here. So I decided to take a shot at it.

I knew what was wrong: no power seemed to be going to the dishwasher. The lights wouldn't light and it wouldn't operate at all. So, I checked the breaker, checked to make sure power was actually going to the dishwasher (it was), and then started searching on-line. I just typed in my problem, did some research on my model, and found a couple of things that it could be. I opened the control panel, tested those parts and decided I had a blown thermal fuse (please don't ask me to explain more than that...I can't). I went to a parts supply place, got a new one for $18, rewired it, and viola, it works!

I'm always amazed at what you can do when your willing to put in the time and are brave enough to try. I was really quite proud of myself. So, now I have a working dishwasher and my days are going much better.

New Car!

My NEW Honda CRV in Glacier Blue

So, the week after Meg's wedding wasn't be best week. First, during the wedding, my car decided to start overheating. I figured it'd be an easy problem to fix, but after more coolant, a new thermostat, a new fan (i.e. $300 later) we were informed that we had a blown head gasket and a cracked head. I think that's what he said. Anyway, it cost around $1000 to fix.

We took the car to another mechanic and got a second opinion...and yep, same thing. $1000 and other possible engine problems that can't be determined until we get it fixed.

My car's barely worth that much money as it is, so we decided it was time to bite the bullet and get a car.

Jay was really busy last week, so I did most of the car shopping on my own. I knew basically what I wanted (a small SUV type car). I thought I wanted a Subaru Forester, but after looking around I decided on a Honda CRV.

I was going to get a late model used car, but I really couldn't find any, and the only ones that I could find practically cost as much as a new one. So, in the end I wound up with a new car. This is the first car that I've ever bought. I don't think that I enjoyed the process as much as I could have, considering I was shopping for a car I hadn't planned on purchasing. But, I'm really enjoying driving it around.

I actually bought the car in Easley, SC. We were visiting Jay's family in Greenville last weekend, and I spent Saturday shopping for a car. It seems that the farther from the city you go, the nicer people are and the better deal you get. I went from Atlanta to Greenville to Easley. My sister-in-law (Betsy) and niece (Morgan) helped me shop. I was so glad that they were there. I really needed a second opinion, since Jay was busy helping his family work on house stuff. And Morgan kept me from getting stressed by being cute.

I feel so excited and privileged to be driving around a NEW CAR!

I am, indeed excited about my car. However, my dreams of being a showcase model are dashed.

Saturday

Saturday was such a beautiful day. Everything fell into place nicely. Here is my quick summation of the events. I have a limited number of pictures right now, so I'll post more pictures of the dress and such later.

We went to the hair salon bright and early to get Meg's hair and make-up done. Isn't she lovely.
Then I ran back home to pick up the dress and the rest of my stuff. This is a picture of me shaving the dress. The satin was very delicate and picked very easily. So, I just used a razor to shave off any picks.
This is Meg in the dress and me trying to steam it with out burning her. This picture makes me laugh. I think it sums up the morning nicely.

Meg and Kyle got married! The preacher did a excellent job.

Me and the bride at the reception at Maggiano's (yummy)

Meg and Kyle on their way out. Time for a honeymoon!
Mom saying good-bye to Meg. Now they can drive off into the sunset in the Ramblin' Wreck.

Thanks to all whose pictures I have stolen (probably Leah, Ashley, Maria, etc)

Friday's Festivities

We started with lunch at Fellini's (l to r Mom, Stephanie, Meg, Me, Kristin, Laura Ann, Leah)

Then we went to Sugarcoated to get our nails done. What a cute nail salon!

Meg at the rehearsal at the church

Then off to Fogo de Chao for dinner! (Meg and Kyle at the rehearsal dinner)

Mom and Dad at dinner (It's one of the few places that Dad will actually eat at!)

Jeremy and Katie (They're next to get married. Not long until October.)

I don't know what's wrong with Jay. He has issues.

A Wonderful Wedding!

The wedding is over! Everything was perfect and the day was beautiful....hot, but beautiful. I'm sure that I'll have lots of fun pictures to post and details to relay soon.

This is my view from the couch. I think I will be spending the rest of my day here. I'm pooped.

A Wedding Tomorrow!

There is a wedding tomorrow! My Meggie is going to get married. We just returned home from a wonderful rehearsal dinner and I am primed and ready for tomorrow's events. It's going to be a beautiful day.

This is a video that Jay helped me make for my parent's 25th wedding anniversary. Meg is easy to spot because she is the only one with blond hair.

New Tool

Today on Lifehacker.com I learned about a new website, idee Multicolor Search Lab. You can pick colors and then watch as it searches Flickr to find pictures that match your color specifications.

I have yet to figure out how to apply this new-found ability, but it's totally cool. Right?

That's Right, I'm Posting a Funny Baby Video

But it's our niece, so I feel I have an excuse.

I don't think that Morgan is a big fan of her new toy.

Peachtree Road Race - Year 1

Today I ran the Peachtree Road Race! I've been running the past 4 or 5 months to get ready. I met all of my goals (which consisted of running the whole way without feeling like I was dying) and had a really good time. Maybe next year people won't bail on me and I won't have to run by myself. :)

Here's my synopsis:

Pre-race - Oh my gosh this takes forever. Next year I'm not getting there until after 8:00. We didn't start till after 9:00

Mile 1 - Yay finally we started...wait now we're stopping...now we're going again. Too many people and everyone is passing me

Mile 2 - Going strong. people are still passing me. Keep running right past the doughnuts being handed out by Publix

Mile 3 - Cardiac Hill...this is a piece of cake. What is everyone complaining about? The hill in my backyard is bigger

Mile 4 - Okay, now everyone around me is walking. And people keep stopping in front of me. Grrr. But a man in a banana costume game me five.

Mile 5 - Feelin' good. People keep getting in my way. I think this is my fastest mile. Finally the finish line!

Post-race - Found Jay, who asks me if I want a Krispy Kreme. He knows me so well.

Candy Cookies for the 4th

These are Jay's favorite. We had an argument early on in our dating life as to whether they were candy or cookies (I said candy since they were mostly chocolate and Jay said cookies). Now we just call them "those cookie candy things". I'm sure that they have a real name, though.

2 (5oz.) cans of crunchy chow mien noodles

1 (12oz.) can of peanuts

1 (11oz.) bag of chocolate chips

1 (11oz.) bag of butterscotch chips

Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in microwave, stir and pour over noodles and peanuts. Spoon onto wax paper and allow to cool.

That's it. Have a great 4th of July!

Meg's Bridesmaid's Luncheon

On Saturday, I attended a Bridesmaid's luncheon that my Aunt Pat hosted in honor of Meg and all of her attendants. It was at the Swan Coach House in Buckhead. It was so girly, fun, and relaxing.

Grandmama, Meg, and Aunt Pat

Most of the attendants (l to r Kristin, Tricia, Leah, Meg, Me, Corrie, Katy, and Sallie)

Pretty Meggie at the luncheon

My beautiful Mama. She looks so happy (maybe because she's almost got all of her children married off)