Please Reset Me

 I am most definitely in panic mode. 

With only two weeks left until the wedding date, I'm starting to freak out a little bit here. It hit me last night that we haven't even gone to get our marriage license! {oh dear...} Plus, I haven't finished Christmas shopping. AND, to top it all off, our house had a carbon monoxide leak that lead to our heat having to be turned off which means that we're obviously not living there right now which means that I'm not able to get some wedding things finished up...unless I decide to brave my house which is probably 40 degrees inside. Also, we're expecting Mr. GrapeJuice's family to stay with next week (if we have heat by then)! WHY NOW??! And because all this craziness if going on, I keep eating junk so now I might not even fit into my dress!!!!!!! Please pray for my sanity as I live with my parents, buy last minute Christmas gifts, finish up all the last minute details of my wedding, and hope that I fit into my gorgeous dress. Hopefully, I'll be back with better news tomorrow.

source :: inspirationfactor.com

Life in the Past Two Weeks - Pt. 2

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF RAIN!

If you haven't been following the weather in the Southern states, then you've missed some serious craziness!

The weekend before (April 24th), we had some torrential down pours in the Nashville area. It was so bad that at some points you couldn't see two feet in front of you.

However, I had to go out into the rain, and I'm so disappointed that I did. I had to head to my school for our Spring Festival. On the way, I hydroplaned. It was, what I thought at the time, the worst experience I'd ever had. I wasn't the only one in the car either; my nine year old brother was with me. Without going into too much detail, I crossed all four lanes of I-40E and hit the retaining wall. I completely totaled my car.

Here's what it looked like after it happen. Please don't worry though. Both my brother and I are okay; just a few bumps and bruises!

So, now I'm looking for a new car. I've found one that I really like. Now, I just need to find it in my price range. Or, at the very least, something that I can reasonably finance.

And, now, we are currently battling floods in Middle TN. There is a creek near my house, and I'm supremely nervous that we'll obtain some water. Right now, we're okay, but anything could happen. Our town square is under three or four feet of water. All I can say is that it's just simply unbelievable. We need prayers, desperately!

A Request

On this beautiful Friday, I have a quick request to make of all you lovely ladies {and gentlemen?}.

Times are tough, and the school that I teach at is feeling that burden.

We are not a public school; we are private and rely heavily on tuition and registration.

So, during this Easter season, if you could take just a moment to pray {or think, if you're not inclined to pray} about our little school.

If we don't get many more students, I may be out of a job and the school I once attended as a child might slowly drift away.

Mr. GrapeJuice and I are worried because we are closing on our house one week from today, and now, we don't know if I'll be employed in 3 months.

I'd really appreciate just a little thought up to God about keeping the school in good graces so that we can continue to teach children.

Every little bit helps!

photos : we your people, ours the journey & big government

Surprise Wedding Reception

I was clicking around YouTube this morning and found a wonderfully sweet video. It's by a group called Improv Everywhere, and they stage scenes in random places at random times. This scene really touched my heart because not everyone has the luxury of throwing a wedding and having all the amenities that come with it. I hope you enjoy the video.

Possible Date Change...again

Originally, Mr. GrapeJuice and I had picked the all-typical Saturday night wedding.

photo : southwest airlines spirit

Our original plan was to have our wedding on a three day weekend so that all our OOT family and friends would be able to make it and have an extra day of travel. We are still highly considering this, and it will most likely be part of date picking. [See? Trying to be considerate of the guests! No bridezilla yet.]

 photo : gretchen b photography

The first weekend that was spat out was Memorial Day weekend. While I thought it would be a good idea and good timing, it won't be possible. I'm a teacher, and that's the end of the school year. Talk about stress!

 

photo : naomi win

The next 3-day weekend suggestion was 4th of July. I jumped on that bandwagon quickly. It was the perfect time because the 4th will fall on a Monday in 2011, which will give people an extra day to travel home.

photo : barrie downle photography

Now, here's where the possible date change comes in. Mr. GrapeJuice and I had originally chosen July 2, 2011 as our wedding date. It hadn't been set in stone because - obviously - we still have time to make that decision. But, we've seriously been struggling with where to hold our ceremony and reception. We're both Catholic so it's a no brainer that we'll be getting married in the church. But...which church? That's been our struggle all along. Don't get me wrong. I love the church that I'm a parishoner of, but, the new church is horribly designed. Hello! No center aisle = epic fail! [for me at least] Below are some pictures of the new church I found on our facebook group.

Picture One: A view of the whole church from the side

Picture Two: A view of the altar from the center aisle

Picture Three: A view of the baptismal font and door I would enter through

It's a beautiful church, but I always pictured my self walking down a long center aisle to my one true love. Could I suck it up and get married in this church? Absolutely! My grandmother is the wedding coordinator at the facility. My grandfather is a deacon at the church. Definitely some bonus points and freebies heading my way. But...the reception facility leaves a LOT to be desired as well...if you have your wedding on a Saturday that is.

On Friday, Mr. GrapeJuice, my parents, my grandparents, and myself all went to the church Christmas party. The party was held in the old church. And, let me tell you, it's gorgeous! It was originally a barn that was remodeled into a church. It has stunningly stained wood for the ceiling, and the lighting can be adjusted from bright, bright, bright to a sultry, romantic feel. Plus, it easily and comfortably fits 200+ people with a more than adequate dance floor, as we discovered on Friday.

photo : facebook

The only downside is that if we want to use this gorgeous space for our reception, we'd have to have the wedding on a Friday. There are pews and other knickknacks that have to be moved out and moved back in before Sunday mass. Totally doable though!

So...here's a recap:

1. we still don't have a for sure date

2. i could compromise and settle for my church even though i hate the logistics of the design and it cost millions of dollars to make it look like that

3. a friday night wedding gives us a prettier more spacious reception venue

4. i hate being indecisive

5. this would be VERY easy on our budget
6. but, now i'd have to rent tables, chairs, linens; find a caterer; etc.

p.s.

Merry Christmas Eve!

A Bridal Luncheon

So...

I totally promised Mr. GrapeJuice that I wouldn't spend any unnecessary money as we are attempting to buy a house soon.

But...

I think it would be super cool to attend the bridal brunch hosted by Her Nashville and the NFocus magazine on January 31, 2010.

Are any fellow Nashville brides planning on attending?

Let me know.

Maybe we can meet up!

photo : flickr [kylie lambert]

If I Could...

This is where I'd get married!
...but it's 30 minutes from the reception site we are seriously considering...
Is it okay to ask our out of town guests to travel the distance??

A Little Baggage

Please excuse my emotional instability...

I love R - no matter what I say or how I act towards him. But, I fear that I'm in that phase where I'm trying to push him away to see if he'll stay. And, truth be told, I hate it. I want to get over it - if that's what it truly is.

We've been together for 1 year, 6 months, 11 days. I'm very proud of that. It's the longest relationship I've had and by far the best!! From the moment I met him, we had a special connection. {{We met on a snow day, which is significant to me because I was born during a freak snow "storm" in March of 1987.}}

But, I want to laugh with him again. I don't want to be annoyed by simple little things and then start a fight because of it, which even I know is ridiculous. I want him to consider me "fun." I don't want to be the boring girl who sits at home at night. I want to be the girl that goes out to a bar at night to grab a drink.

I know I have anxieties toward trying new things, but I've been out to a club - sans R and with R. Neither were that great. I'm slightly claustrophobic. {{Thanks, Mom!!}} But, maybe if I started slow, like at a nice, clean bar in an open, classy place??

I don't know. I think I'm just rambling. Shame on me for drinking a Long Island Ice Tea tonight. {{You can thank it for my whiny-ness.}}

But, really, we have good conversations, and there's no doubt that I absolutely, positively, without a single doubt in my mind love him!! I just want us to stop saying what we don't like about each other. I want us to be happier - like we were when we began dating...when I did the cooking and laundry for him and he spoiled me with little trinkets.

Any suggestions???

I totally plan on marrying him still, and I know a relationship takes work...but I want it to be better than it is right now. {{Maybe the stress of not having jobs is/was taking a toll on us??}}

Whatever the case my be...what can you suggest to make it better??

Dilemma for 'Maids and 'Men

So...I'm a little concerned. I like things to be even...like the same number of things on each side. Symmetrical, I guess you could say. For my sister's wedding recently, she had three 'maids and her hubby had three 'men. It looked great in pictures.

Photo Credit: My Mom!!

My dilemma is that my FH has FIVE 'men and I only have THREE 'maids. I'm sorry worried that our pictures will look...not how I want. I know have some time to make new friends and put them in my wedding since I'm not getting married until 2011, but I still have reservations.

What do you ladies think? Should I push myself to find two more 'maids so that it's even and symmetrical? I am not about to tell my FH that he can't have is 5 guys. That's just awful. I'm so confused. This is probably the one thing that has been plaguing me the longest about our wedding.

What to do?

Please help...

*~Sassy Bride~*