Ziggin and Zaggin....

I thought this was THREE sisters blog.....where are you my dear sisters?

Life is continuing here in Moses Lake, wedding plans are ziggin and zaggin. Got a new best lady, her name is Marilyn, she is in our blog two years back when BGF Kate left Moses Lake. Marilyn is kind of a mom to me, she serves on the board at work, and we have become good friends. She's a firecracker, leaving the house every morning by 8:30 a.m., off to Jazzersize, lunch with friends, community meetings, etc.

FINALLY got in touch with our pastor, he is unable to perform the wedding ceremony because of VBS, which is a very big event in our church. Kind of like me taking time off for a haircut before CB which is fast coming up. He suggested the new pastor, who is big on the bible, which I thought would make Big Guy uncomfortable. So, yay! I asked a former board member, who did the service when Chris and Deena renewed their vows, to perform our marriage ceremony, and he agreed. I thought he did a nice job at C & D's vow renewal, and he is also a member of our church.

I've had dismal success in losing weight, so started a new exercise program at the T-Zone, which basically shakes your, ummmmmm......jiggly spots........into shape. I thought I could throw a few bucks at them for a month, and see what - well, shook out, so to speak! I've been pretty successful in losing some inches where I very much needed them, so I am back into wedding dress #1. Yeah, the sexy, showy one. I have the name of a seamstress to change the neckline, maybe add some sleeves, so we will see what happens.

Other than needing some addresses from my sisters.....life is so darn good. Especially when I think of my life two years ago. I keep thinking - is this really happening to me - I feel like Cinderella at the ball. Twenty two years of single life, as a woman and parent to three sons, really changes a gal. I know you can't relate - take my word for it. I am SO looking forward to being a real twosome with Big Guy - he's the best thing that has happened to me in a very long time.

I still stop and say prayers for the family of my friend A who passed away last year - they have so many challenges and stresses in their lives. Also, a friend and classmate who broke his neck a month ago.......so I guess we grow our gardens while we can. Love you both - please post - Mo

Bridezilla I'm NOT!

I'm happy to report that I am NOT a Bridezilla - at least not yet. Hopefully, never....

I did an inventory on my silk flowers I purchased months ago, and discovered for the vases I planned on using, I wouldn't get the bang I was looking for. Time for Plan B - but I didn't have a Plan B for a day or two. I really needed a seriously skinnier vase for the flowers I had. Talking with my co-worker Kay, I decided to use milk glass vases. A quick trip to the thrift stores in town, and I found a total of 9! After a trip to Spokane tomorrow, I think I'll have that problem ironed out. In case you find any, they round out at the bottom, are about 7 inches tall, and you can stick at least a thumb in the top. I found six at the Calico Cat, and they gave them to me for 49 cents each! Thanks Twyla!

I want to have two arbors - one at check in, and the other one where Big Guy and I get married under. The hops are here, and they are so beautiful! I'm borrowing two arbors from a co-worker who just got married, but they are the simple kind you have to put in something to hold them - or the ground. I wanted to put them in a planter filled with hens and chicks, and thought I would add an annual to give them a bit more color. But I didn't have enough h & c's, and SOOOO didn't want to go begging friends, sisters and neighbors for more. Enter the Calico Cat - when I walked in they had a whole box of them sitting by the front door! Twyla gave them all to me for FIVE BUCKS! Okay, I'll be a little short, so I'll come begging soon.

The flowers for the cake came today, and they look very nice. I added some BURGUNDY (not red, sorry Kate) and it will be quite colorful - big green orchids, burgundy calla lilies & a bit of burgundy baby's breath, then pink roses & pink baby's breath, with maybe a few white orchids and baby's breath. Wooo, (hand wiping the dew from my forehead) I'm glad that's all been decided! I'm using ribbons instead of pearls in the cake I showed you earlier, and no fondant.

Also, I walked through the Peterson Gallery and decided we could have the wedding in there in case of bad weather. So I'm starting to feel pretty good.

Big Guy has a best man, I have a new best lady, and life is SOOOOO good I want to pinch myself!

The flower beds still need to be whipped into shape, I have purple tulips blooming in the front (north side), the phlox and candy tuft is beautiful also.

That's my week - how was yours? Love to all - Mo

Closer and Closer

Just a short note to let you know wedding plans are still flowing around here! Invitations are printed, Trudy I'll give you a call and we can get together next weekend to write them out. I have to invite the whole foundation board - we may have a quorum! I need addresses from you two!

Faye is getting cold feet about standing up for me - she's afraid she will fall or something. I find out this morning if she's changed her mind.

Small details - here is the vine I'm using for the arbors - it's hops, pretty fitting right?

Haha, we'll have to keep Dennis, Casey and Larry away from them. They are silk.

I have to make the final decisions on my cake this weekend - I have two sides of me, formal and elegant, and kicked back and colorful. Hmmmm......

I think I kinda like this one the best....it will be pretty for an afternoon wedding. Thoughts anyone?

Gotta run - love to all - Mo

Interesting Times!

Big Guy and I have been talking about buying a "house-in-common" to live after we were married. Maybe I was talking a bit more, and he was nodding his head - big mistake on his part. Of course, I was visioning something like our Phoenix home - pretty new, granite counter tops, all on one level.

Instead.....I found a house in pre-forclosure (short sale). I showed Big Guy the information, we made an appointment, long story short - the bank accepted our offer. It is subject to inspection, but I think I may be moving in a month or so!

The house sits on 5.44 acres, with about 4 acres in pasture. Can you say Horses! Goats! Maybe more like "race-track" for four-wheelers or go-carts?

It's an older (1953 - hey the same year I was born!) house that was added on in the 80's. Four bedrooms, 2 baths, a den, an office, a great-room, a formal living room, and get this - TWO kitchens! They left the original kitchen intact! It has a sink and is very small, but I'm thinking it will make a great walk-in pantry and will be helpful when the horde comes over for those big family dinners.

Here's the kitchen - blue countertops, blue floor..... but great big windows looking over the backyard and pasture. And we know I can paint countertops, and laminate flooring is pretty inexpensive.....

Unfortunately, they painted the cedar beams and ceiling, but I'm hoping that can be undone fairly easily......
This is the "formal" living room - I'm putting the Cook family table there. Guess I'll have to rename it after June 19th, huh?
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms that share a bath:


JETTED TUB!! YAY!! Finally, after all these years, I get a jetted tub. With lovely skylights to watch the stars at night!
This is the shop - it is really big, over 1500 square feet. I think Brady and Larry will be fighting over it. I'm hoping they leave the truck - I can see it planted in vines and things.

It also has a great play area for the kids! And a fort! I am SO looking forward to family times here. The lawn is already in, so I just have to plan the gardens. There isn't very much landscaping, so it will be easy. And there is a big patio off the french doors that will be perfect for barbeques, maybe an outdoor kitchen? Hmmmm........

Believe it or not, I am looking forward to moving, I have TOO MUCH STUFF and it needs a thorough editing. I'll have to invoke the 45-minute rule (okay, originally it is the 15-minute rule, but I don't think that will work in this case) and start sorting and editing right away. I'm looking forward to losing a couple hundred pounds of stuff, maybe more.

It appears Brady will be moving in for a few months, and this house will be perfect for that - he can have two of the downstairs bedrooms for bedroom & sitting room, and also the downstairs bath. We'll have to make rules about the bathroom though...

Enjoy your Easter - and remember the reason we celebrate please! Love to all - Mo