I am starting to fear bridal shower games.
Now, I need to mention, that I really love games. In fact, a larger part of my job over the past 7 years has been adapting "get to know you activities" into "Ice breaker games" for the students I supervise and work with. So, I have always had a good attitude about these games. Someone needs to like them...
But, lately I am having nightmares about embarassing bridal shower games. You know, the ones where your faimly tries to test your knowledge about your furure husband. Quizzing about every detail so you can mess up, look foolish, and inevitably have to shove another piece of pink bubble gum in your mouth. I don't care much for pink bubble gum...
And here is the reason for my fear:
As we were walking tonight - and we don't do this every night, but we did tonight (it's as if we know summer is coming to an end, and so is some of our free time) - AHB starts to announce the different trees we are passing.
"Oh, look at that ginko tree."
"This one is a red bud."
"Oak."
"White Maple."
Puzzled at the traveling science lesson, I asked how Captain Boy Scout knew so much about trees all of the sudden.
"Oh, this isn't unusual. I was in the ecology club."
(One piece of bubble gum)
"You were? What does one do in the ecology club."
"Well, you needed to know your trees, so I had to memorize based off of leaf and bark..."
(two pieces of bubble gum)
"You had to take the bark of the tree and reference it to this book so you could figure out the leaf, even if you knew the bark...."
(three pieces of bubble gum)
And as he talked about trees and leaves, and which was a red bud (and there were a lot of red buds...) I couldn't help but smile at my Quiz Team, Student Council President, FCCLA president and district representative, musically inclined, ecologist-fiance.
If we have a red bud problem, I know who to call.
And I think I fell in love with him a little bit more. If that was possible.
mmp
Sunny North Carolina in October 2010
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
108 days to go
Well, it's hard to believe that we have nearly 100 days until our "I Dos". I was telling AHB the other day, that I am actually starting to get very excited. Not that I wasn't before...but how can you NOT be more excited as time gets closer.
The things I am most excited about might seem unusual. Not the typical wedding day things, but bringing our two fabulous families together. I can not wait for the Berry/Lynch clan to meet the Pawsey clan. And although it isn't like our life will be completely overlapping throughout time - I am excited about this celebration for our families.
This week I have spent time in Kentucky with AHB's brothers and their families, his mom and step dad, and us. It has been a blast. A welcome break from work and a great way to celebrate the summer days with a family I am excited to be a part of. AHB had to head back to work yesterday - so I am hanging out in KY with people I love...even if he isn't here. And before we headed to Kentucky, we spent Friday with AHB's dad & Darlene. We are so blessed.
But before we look to the 100 days ahead, I look into next week and a great celebration. Best Friend will be gearing up to celebrate her big day in just under two weeks. Two weeks! Looking forward to a grand celebration!
I will upload pictures from our mini vacation when I get back home. Hope these long days of summer find you well. :)
mmp
The things I am most excited about might seem unusual. Not the typical wedding day things, but bringing our two fabulous families together. I can not wait for the Berry/Lynch clan to meet the Pawsey clan. And although it isn't like our life will be completely overlapping throughout time - I am excited about this celebration for our families.
This week I have spent time in Kentucky with AHB's brothers and their families, his mom and step dad, and us. It has been a blast. A welcome break from work and a great way to celebrate the summer days with a family I am excited to be a part of. AHB had to head back to work yesterday - so I am hanging out in KY with people I love...even if he isn't here. And before we headed to Kentucky, we spent Friday with AHB's dad & Darlene. We are so blessed.
But before we look to the 100 days ahead, I look into next week and a great celebration. Best Friend will be gearing up to celebrate her big day in just under two weeks. Two weeks! Looking forward to a grand celebration!
I will upload pictures from our mini vacation when I get back home. Hope these long days of summer find you well. :)
mmp
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Poems we will not be reading in the wedding
So, we are trying to find great readings for the wedding that are reflective of the both of us. We have asked two different people to read, and so we are tring to find two different readings.
A few weeks ago I met with Claire Minnis to talk through a few different poems. Claire is a student at MU and has always been very interested in poetry and is someone who really embodies the complexity of a good poem. I knew I wanted to talk with her and see if she had any ideas.
So, we met over coffee downtown at this new (and lovely!) coffee house/bakery and talked for about an hour.
Things I love about Claire:
1.) I could sit and talk with her for a very long time and not notice a single minute tick by. She is a person who can pull you in.
2.) She really loves poetry. Good Poetry. And she is willing to share with someone like me to is looking for something pretty speciffic. I think when you share good poetry with someone, it is like you see into their soul. You have to be vulnerable to share a piece of yourself.
3.) The list could go on...
So we talked poems. A lot. And she shared some GREAT things with me pertaining to love and life, and a little of other things too. She just shared with me. I walked away with some great ideas. And let them "sit and grow" for a few weeks. Just the other night I sat down with AHB and read some to him. (I knew this could go one of two ways...)
These comments came after each poem I read. Please know that I went into this KNOWING what would be said.
Comment #1: "Well. Ok. I mean, that's nice."
Comment #2: "Uhhh. Ok."
Comment #3: "Why do all of these poems talk about lips and other places..."
Comment #4: "I just don't get it. I mean, it's about produce. What does that have to do with anything...?"
After it was said and done, I had to laugh. I know these are not appropriate for a wedding. Well, not for our wedding. :)
So, here are poems (I LOVE) that we will not be reading at the wedding.
For Good Reason. :)
A Dialogue of Watching
Let me celebrate you. I
Have never known anyone
More beautiful than you. I
Walking beside you, watching
You move beside me, watching
That still grace of hand and thigh,
Watching your face change with words
You do not say, watching your
Solemn eyes as they turn to me,
Or turn inward, full of knowing,
Slow or quick, watching your full
Lips part and smile or turn grave,
Watching your narrow waist, your
Proud buttocks in their grace, like
A sailing swan, an animal,
Free, your own, and never
To be subjugated, but
Abandoned, as I am to you,
Overhearing your perfect
Speech of motion, of love and
Trust and security as
You feed or play with our children.
I have never known any
One more beautiful than you.
— Kenneth Rexroth
-------------------
Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Leaves of Grass. 1900.
44. When I heard at the Close of the Day
WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name had been receiv’d with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night for me that follow’d;
And else, when I carous’d, or when my plans were accomplish’d, still I was not happy;
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health, refresh’d, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn,
When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and disappear in the morning light,
When I wander’d alone over the beach, and undressing, bathed, laughing with the cool waters, and saw the sun rise, 5
And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover, was on his way coming, O then I was happy;
O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day my food nourish’d me more—and the beautiful day pass’d well,
And the next came with equal joy—and with the next, at evening, came my friend;
And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters roll slowly continually up the shores,
I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands, as directed to me, whispering, to congratulate me, 10
For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover in the cool night,
In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face was inclined toward me,
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was happy.
---------------
Feasting - by Elizabeth Garber
I am so amazed to find myself kissing you
with such abandon,
filling myself with our kisses
astounding hunger for edges of lips and tongue.
Returning to feast again and again,
our bellies never overfilling from this banquet.
Returning in surprise,
in remembering,
in rediscovering,
such play of flavors of gliding lips
and forests of pressures and spaces.
The spaces between the branches
as delicious as finding the grove of lilies of the valley
blossoming just outside my door under the ancient oak.
"I've never held anyone this long," you said,
the second time you entered my kitchen.
I am the feast this kitchen was blessed to prepare
waiting for you to enter open mouthed in awe
in the mystery we've been given,
our holy feast.
--------------------
After Love
Afterwards, the compromise.
Bodies resume their boundaries.
These legs, for instance, mine.
Your arms take you back in.
Spoons of our fingers, lips
admit their ownership.
The bedding yawns, a door
blows aimlessly ajar
and overhead, a plane
singsongs coming down.
Nothing is changed, except
there was a moment when
the wolf, the mongering wolf
who stands outside the self
lay lightly down, and slept.
Maxine Kumin
--------------------
Hope you enjoy. :)
mmp
A few weeks ago I met with Claire Minnis to talk through a few different poems. Claire is a student at MU and has always been very interested in poetry and is someone who really embodies the complexity of a good poem. I knew I wanted to talk with her and see if she had any ideas.
So, we met over coffee downtown at this new (and lovely!) coffee house/bakery and talked for about an hour.
Things I love about Claire:
1.) I could sit and talk with her for a very long time and not notice a single minute tick by. She is a person who can pull you in.
2.) She really loves poetry. Good Poetry. And she is willing to share with someone like me to is looking for something pretty speciffic. I think when you share good poetry with someone, it is like you see into their soul. You have to be vulnerable to share a piece of yourself.
3.) The list could go on...
So we talked poems. A lot. And she shared some GREAT things with me pertaining to love and life, and a little of other things too. She just shared with me. I walked away with some great ideas. And let them "sit and grow" for a few weeks. Just the other night I sat down with AHB and read some to him. (I knew this could go one of two ways...)
These comments came after each poem I read. Please know that I went into this KNOWING what would be said.
Comment #1: "Well. Ok. I mean, that's nice."
Comment #2: "Uhhh. Ok."
Comment #3: "Why do all of these poems talk about lips and other places..."
Comment #4: "I just don't get it. I mean, it's about produce. What does that have to do with anything...?"
After it was said and done, I had to laugh. I know these are not appropriate for a wedding. Well, not for our wedding. :)
So, here are poems (I LOVE) that we will not be reading at the wedding.
For Good Reason. :)
A Dialogue of Watching
Let me celebrate you. I
Have never known anyone
More beautiful than you. I
Walking beside you, watching
You move beside me, watching
That still grace of hand and thigh,
Watching your face change with words
You do not say, watching your
Solemn eyes as they turn to me,
Or turn inward, full of knowing,
Slow or quick, watching your full
Lips part and smile or turn grave,
Watching your narrow waist, your
Proud buttocks in their grace, like
A sailing swan, an animal,
Free, your own, and never
To be subjugated, but
Abandoned, as I am to you,
Overhearing your perfect
Speech of motion, of love and
Trust and security as
You feed or play with our children.
I have never known any
One more beautiful than you.
— Kenneth Rexroth
-------------------
Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Leaves of Grass. 1900.
44. When I heard at the Close of the Day
WHEN I heard at the close of the day how my name had been receiv’d with plaudits in the capitol, still it was not a happy night for me that follow’d;
And else, when I carous’d, or when my plans were accomplish’d, still I was not happy;
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health, refresh’d, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn,
When I saw the full moon in the west grow pale and disappear in the morning light,
When I wander’d alone over the beach, and undressing, bathed, laughing with the cool waters, and saw the sun rise, 5
And when I thought how my dear friend, my lover, was on his way coming, O then I was happy;
O then each breath tasted sweeter—and all that day my food nourish’d me more—and the beautiful day pass’d well,
And the next came with equal joy—and with the next, at evening, came my friend;
And that night, while all was still, I heard the waters roll slowly continually up the shores,
I heard the hissing rustle of the liquid and sands, as directed to me, whispering, to congratulate me, 10
For the one I love most lay sleeping by me under the same cover in the cool night,
In the stillness, in the autumn moonbeams, his face was inclined toward me,
And his arm lay lightly around my breast—and that night I was happy.
---------------
Feasting - by Elizabeth Garber
I am so amazed to find myself kissing you
with such abandon,
filling myself with our kisses
astounding hunger for edges of lips and tongue.
Returning to feast again and again,
our bellies never overfilling from this banquet.
Returning in surprise,
in remembering,
in rediscovering,
such play of flavors of gliding lips
and forests of pressures and spaces.
The spaces between the branches
as delicious as finding the grove of lilies of the valley
blossoming just outside my door under the ancient oak.
"I've never held anyone this long," you said,
the second time you entered my kitchen.
I am the feast this kitchen was blessed to prepare
waiting for you to enter open mouthed in awe
in the mystery we've been given,
our holy feast.
--------------------
After Love
Afterwards, the compromise.
Bodies resume their boundaries.
These legs, for instance, mine.
Your arms take you back in.
Spoons of our fingers, lips
admit their ownership.
The bedding yawns, a door
blows aimlessly ajar
and overhead, a plane
singsongs coming down.
Nothing is changed, except
there was a moment when
the wolf, the mongering wolf
who stands outside the self
lay lightly down, and slept.
Maxine Kumin
--------------------
Hope you enjoy. :)
mmp
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Olive: 1 Molly: 0
Have I mentioned that I gave my cat away for the love of my life?
I think I have.
When we get home we do a "sweep" of the kitchen to see if we had any accidents while we were at work. We keep the puppies in the kitchen with all the other doors shut while we are gone. If they have an "accident" it is in easy clean up territory. I am happy to say we haven't had an accident in weeks. They have really adjusted well to the new place!
AHB got in the house before I did, and when I entered I asked, "any accidents?"
"Nope! But...you aren't going to be happy..."
"What. Did they tear the stuffing out of the puppy bed again?"
"Nope..."
My lovely Bennett lives in Ohio now with "Tia-Nana" until "Tia-Anna" can take him to Pittsburg. Well, there are a lot of things Bennett would do. Lay around all day. Binge eat. Try to escape the apartment. He even peed on an occasional coat (Dan Stuby still gets a little bitter about this one...). But one thing my Bennett never did was this:
Or this:
However, this little dog does do these things. Especially when I am not home, and the door to the shoe room/computer room/"cat room" (as AHB calls it) is not shut tightly. Even if I could ignore the teeth marks, and the CHUNK missing from the middle plate, I can not wear shoe #2 as the thong section has been completely severed from the base...
Guilty. As. Sin.
Olive Berry has a facination for my shoes. I have lost 2 pair of flip flops, and my favorite red shoes have teeth marks in them, not to mention my casual tennis shoes. And now, my blessed silver thong things (that I wore everywhere) are in the trash can.
I am not sure why Olive prefers to chew on my things over AHBs. I am not sure why I traded my Bennett for Olive Berry. I do love her. She sleeps on my head at night. She has a lot of energy. And she knows how to "sit and shake". But she doesn't know how to keep her teeth away from my shoes. Shoes that were seemingly safe in the other room while I was at work all day. These dogs possess magic.
Well, she did get a stern "talking to" from Dad.
And then ignored him:
And we asked the "big sister" why she didn't stop Olive from doing the bad things to my shoes.
Well, she didn't care. I think she was napping...
I am still adjusting.
And I am now searching Payless.com for a lovely pair of silver thongs...
mmp
I think I have.
When we get home we do a "sweep" of the kitchen to see if we had any accidents while we were at work. We keep the puppies in the kitchen with all the other doors shut while we are gone. If they have an "accident" it is in easy clean up territory. I am happy to say we haven't had an accident in weeks. They have really adjusted well to the new place!
AHB got in the house before I did, and when I entered I asked, "any accidents?"
"Nope! But...you aren't going to be happy..."
"What. Did they tear the stuffing out of the puppy bed again?"
"Nope..."
My lovely Bennett lives in Ohio now with "Tia-Nana" until "Tia-Anna" can take him to Pittsburg. Well, there are a lot of things Bennett would do. Lay around all day. Binge eat. Try to escape the apartment. He even peed on an occasional coat (Dan Stuby still gets a little bitter about this one...). But one thing my Bennett never did was this:
Or this:
However, this little dog does do these things. Especially when I am not home, and the door to the shoe room/computer room/"cat room" (as AHB calls it) is not shut tightly. Even if I could ignore the teeth marks, and the CHUNK missing from the middle plate, I can not wear shoe #2 as the thong section has been completely severed from the base...
Olive Berry has a facination for my shoes. I have lost 2 pair of flip flops, and my favorite red shoes have teeth marks in them, not to mention my casual tennis shoes. And now, my blessed silver thong things (that I wore everywhere) are in the trash can.
I am not sure why Olive prefers to chew on my things over AHBs. I am not sure why I traded my Bennett for Olive Berry. I do love her. She sleeps on my head at night. She has a lot of energy. And she knows how to "sit and shake". But she doesn't know how to keep her teeth away from my shoes. Shoes that were seemingly safe in the other room while I was at work all day. These dogs possess magic.
Well, she did get a stern "talking to" from Dad.
And then ignored him:
And we asked the "big sister" why she didn't stop Olive from doing the bad things to my shoes.
Well, she didn't care. I think she was napping...
I am still adjusting.
And I am now searching Payless.com for a lovely pair of silver thongs...
mmp
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Love.
Kaitlin Powell.
Love this woman.
Thanks for your ever creative eye and talent. Can't wait to see the final invitations.
Love this woman.
Thanks for your ever creative eye and talent. Can't wait to see the final invitations.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A summary of events
Well friends, we have a lot to catch up on! Hold on! It's going to be an adventurous post....
Engagement Pictures. Well, we got the rest of the engagement pictures from our photographer and we love them! Honestly, I wanted 5 good pictures I was happy with, and I think there are many more than 5 that I would be thrilled to print.
So, here is the link!
http://www.alidaduff.fotki.com/pawsey/
Password: berry2011.
Enjoy as you flip through. 1,2,6,7,9,12,13,20,21,24,41,42,47,50,52,56,62,64,68,76,80,82,84,89
(My favorites...just to name a few.)
Again, I can not mention enough how much I loved working with Alida and Hugh. I even saw them out in Decatur last week, and we hugged and chatted like we had knowing each other forever. If you need photos in the Macon Co. area, this is your go-to duo! Couldn't find two people more down to earth, and FUNNY! Can't wait to shoot the wedding with them.
Another great thing that happened within the last few weeks is meeting with Cindy and Bean at Events Plus. Bean is a great friend to AHB, and works for a special events planning business (Events Plus) owned by Cindy Deadrick. Wanting to look for ways to give the reception splashes of color, we planned a meeting with these wonderful women to talk about options. Now, I need to be frank...I was pretty nervous about this meeting! We are on a budget (who isn't!?), and I really was worried that I would be talked into something way out of my price range, and (knowing me) I would have a horrible time saying "No". But, that wasn't the case at all. We were right at home as we chatted about the day, and what we invisioned, and what we could afford that would bring the most bang for our buck. I left the meeting feeling really optimistic and excited about what Cindy and Bean could come up with! Very excited for meeting 2!
I would work with these women to plan ANYTHING! It just seems to make life a bit easier. So, a HUGE thanks to Cindy and Bean at Events Plus - even though we haven't even really decided on anything! The first meeting was just THAT simple.
For your viewing pleasure: http://www.eventsplusdecatur.com/index.html
One last big thing to talk about:
A HUGE shout out to Best Friend for pointing me in the direction of Cards and Pockets! (cardsandpockets.com) I love this site! For the DIY (Do-it-yourself) people out there, this is a GREAT website with step by step directions on what to look for and how to browse. Last night I had a mini-freakout (a roller coaster of emotions) in roughly 10 minutes. High to low to high again. Sorry AHB.
Anyhow, in the split second of a panic attack over invitations and what we wanted to do still, I remembered this site that Best Friend used, and stumbles upon the greatest paper sampler ever! And we ordered samples to see the exact colors (which shipped today!), so we can go back and order the full set soon. Wedding Invite assembly, here we come...well, as soon as they are finished. :)
So, if you are in need of paper - and other really crafty things - check out their site. If you get overwhelmed, might I suggest the top left part of the page that says Start Here (or something like that).
Annnnd, I can't wait for you to see the Save the Dates. They get shipped on Saturday - and I think you will love them. If I do say so myself. Kaitlin Powell is a lovely designer, and I am so lucky to get to work with her creative self. Shoot, she is practically planning my wedding! Every week she sends me something new she found that she thinks I will like. It's like she lives in my head. :) Thanks Kaitlin.
Words to leave you with:
On Saturday we went to Chicago to visit my dear friend, Daniel. While at Dan's AHB said the following:
Me: You love me for this cake. (referencing the 4th of July cake I made)
AHB: I love you for the free apartment. I only like you for the cake.
Sweet. I smell a pre-nup!
mmp
Engagement Pictures. Well, we got the rest of the engagement pictures from our photographer and we love them! Honestly, I wanted 5 good pictures I was happy with, and I think there are many more than 5 that I would be thrilled to print.
So, here is the link!
http://www.alidaduff.fotki.com/pawsey/
Password: berry2011.
Enjoy as you flip through. 1,2,6,7,9,12,13,20,21,24,41,42,47,50,52,56,62,64,68,76,80,82,84,89
(My favorites...just to name a few.)
Again, I can not mention enough how much I loved working with Alida and Hugh. I even saw them out in Decatur last week, and we hugged and chatted like we had knowing each other forever. If you need photos in the Macon Co. area, this is your go-to duo! Couldn't find two people more down to earth, and FUNNY! Can't wait to shoot the wedding with them.
Another great thing that happened within the last few weeks is meeting with Cindy and Bean at Events Plus. Bean is a great friend to AHB, and works for a special events planning business (Events Plus) owned by Cindy Deadrick. Wanting to look for ways to give the reception splashes of color, we planned a meeting with these wonderful women to talk about options. Now, I need to be frank...I was pretty nervous about this meeting! We are on a budget (who isn't!?), and I really was worried that I would be talked into something way out of my price range, and (knowing me) I would have a horrible time saying "No". But, that wasn't the case at all. We were right at home as we chatted about the day, and what we invisioned, and what we could afford that would bring the most bang for our buck. I left the meeting feeling really optimistic and excited about what Cindy and Bean could come up with! Very excited for meeting 2!
I would work with these women to plan ANYTHING! It just seems to make life a bit easier. So, a HUGE thanks to Cindy and Bean at Events Plus - even though we haven't even really decided on anything! The first meeting was just THAT simple.
For your viewing pleasure: http://www.eventsplusdecatur.com/index.html
One last big thing to talk about:
A HUGE shout out to Best Friend for pointing me in the direction of Cards and Pockets! (cardsandpockets.com) I love this site! For the DIY (Do-it-yourself) people out there, this is a GREAT website with step by step directions on what to look for and how to browse. Last night I had a mini-freakout (a roller coaster of emotions) in roughly 10 minutes. High to low to high again. Sorry AHB.
Anyhow, in the split second of a panic attack over invitations and what we wanted to do still, I remembered this site that Best Friend used, and stumbles upon the greatest paper sampler ever! And we ordered samples to see the exact colors (which shipped today!), so we can go back and order the full set soon. Wedding Invite assembly, here we come...well, as soon as they are finished. :)
So, if you are in need of paper - and other really crafty things - check out their site. If you get overwhelmed, might I suggest the top left part of the page that says Start Here (or something like that).
Annnnd, I can't wait for you to see the Save the Dates. They get shipped on Saturday - and I think you will love them. If I do say so myself. Kaitlin Powell is a lovely designer, and I am so lucky to get to work with her creative self. Shoot, she is practically planning my wedding! Every week she sends me something new she found that she thinks I will like. It's like she lives in my head. :) Thanks Kaitlin.
Words to leave you with:
On Saturday we went to Chicago to visit my dear friend, Daniel. While at Dan's AHB said the following:
Me: You love me for this cake. (referencing the 4th of July cake I made)
AHB: I love you for the free apartment. I only like you for the cake.
Sweet. I smell a pre-nup!
mmp
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