Friday, June 17, 2011

Eight Weeks from Tomorrow

Can you believe it?!? I am still touring in DC, and although my group is dear and I am enjoying them, at this point, I am excited to get home and GET GOING!

Actually, I think most of it is taken care of. I still need a videographer, and to nail down my programs, but the CONTENT of the program is largely set (just needs a sentence of two edited, etc).

I have my Jobs for people/Timeline for Wedding Party taken care of.

I need to get the candy for the Candy Bar, and make one more trip to Hobby Lobby, and contact the musicians to get them their music, but other than that, pretty much all is well.

I was going to self address all of the 200+ invitations, and then realized, that's DUMB, when it can be a great excuse for a get together with some dear friends. (And wine)

My Bridal Shower is set, my Bachelorette party is underway, and both of my Matrons of Honor have already worn their dresses to events.... (yes, I win in picking the best Bridesmaid dress ever, and I wasn't even trying.) I take this as a VERY POSITIVE SIGN that my Wedding, is indeed, going to be wonderful.

I plan on working 25 hours a week, the rest of the summer, so I can work out, visit with friends and enjoy the summer. (oh, and pack) Of course, COWBOY, sweetest man that he is, told me that I didn't have to work at all this summer if I didn't want to. But... I need to know that I'm covering my mortgage for the next couple of months, so not working would cause more stress than working.

My house gets ready to go on the market by the end of June. Not thinking about it, just doing it. I want to be with Cowboy, and so selling my house is just part of the Bigger Whole.

New Daughter just had her first Camp experience. Five nights, 2 1/2 hours away. School for the Blind, and apparently she loved it. Well, when she called me, she was talking to fast I couldn't understand a word she way saying, so I take that to mean she loved it. And.... she called me. All on her own. From her cell phone. Which means she thought of me in the midst of it all. That makes me really, really happy. (I won't even tell you that she didn't think of calling Other Mother from camp... that would seem like gloating, which I'm sure falls into a sin category somewhere... )

And she used her whole disposable camera. Can't wait to see THOSE pictures... It always cracks me up what kids take pictures of.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

In Case You're Counting

In 72 days I will become Mrs. Sohailah Stou*t. Crazy.

How do I know it's 72?

Well yes. I've always been a counter, but there's actually a different reason.

When it was 150 days before our Wedding, we started reading the Psalms backwards, together. So, today we are reading Psalm 72. My good friend, Bob, gave me this suggestion, and I LOVE it. I have two other couple friends who also did it, at his suggestion. I'm so thankful to the friends I have made over the years of my life. Friends like Bob and the two couples who also did it.

And so many others. I've often heard, "To have a friend, you need to be a friend." I can only hope I'm as good of a friend as mine have been to me.

Honestly, it's a bit difficult to think of myself as the center of attention for the Wedding. Not that I have a hard time running the show. It's just odd to me that the "Show" is actually about me. And my wonderful man. But, honestly, me. Because I'm the bride. And, truthfully, aside from meeting with my florist, and picking things up and finishing and addressing invitations and following up with my musicians, everything else is in place.

And it hasn't seemed like that big of a deal. Aside from my two meltdowns with my mom about how expensive everything is... but she has been her typical self - no-nonsense and supportive and encouraging. (As is my dad, only he's not the one on the phone).

So... we'll see. I feel good right now about everything. Except trying on my dress. Can't bring myself to do it. Not sure why. It's just sitting in my closet. Waiting. I still have time.

72 days.