Married Life

I am so loving married life!!!! I've never been happier- it feels so natural!!!  Daniel and I were just saying over lunch how it feels like there wasn't a time we weren't married and it's only been a day!!!

We've already had some unexpected adventures as a married couple-nothing we can't handle and I guess they make for good stories! First we went to lunch after the ceremony, which was nice but oh, the service was terrible. The waitress was nice enough but everything was SO slow!!!!! We were ready to bang our forks and knives on the table!! I thought Daniel was going to die of thirst before she remembered to refill his water glass. But we made it through and the food was delicious!!!!

After eating we went in search of our hotel, The Pine Inn which was absolutely gorgeous! We checked in, got fawned over by the receptionist who figured out that we'd just gotten married, and settled in. Despite the fact that the room had a floor that was uneven we loved it. We had a basket of fruit, cheese and champagne. Our first little story for the kids is when Daniel opened the champagne. There we were a happy newly married couple who were giddy with excitement. Daniel proceeded to open the champagne and broke rule #1- never open a bottle of champagne unless it's facing away from you!!!!! The cork popped before he even had the little wire unwound and the cork hit him square in the cheek- not a half an inch away from his eye!!!!!!!! He got a nice little bruise from that. We were so grateful that it didn't get his eye!!!!!! No one wants a hospital visit on their honeymoon!

We had a great time in Carmel- bought lots of honeymoon souvenirs and wedding gifts for each other- a Coach bracelet for me, -Vintage airplane statue and a rocket lamp for Daniel. All in all Carmel was a great success!!! We had an amazing breakfast at Il Fornaio- the restaurant below the hotel and a REALLY good mocha from their bakery.  We left on a high note!!!!

It was sooooo hot today!!!! The drive was a bit miserable but we made it to Santa Cruz without melting. We had lunch on the pier after shopping downtown. We drove up Hwy 1 to get to our next accommodation- the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. It started off so promising- the lighthouse is amazing close up and we had a cottage all to ourselves. We dropped our stuff in the room and proceeded to drive to Half Moon Bay for coffee and sandwiches. We brought the food back to the room where we were horrified to find a mouse run across the floor of the kitchen. We took our food and barracaded ourselves in the room. That was the first of our bad feelings about the place. It was extremely isolated and creepy. I was on the computer when I got this creepy horror film feeling- we're isolated with just the groundskeeper and no one to hear you scream. We've seen too many horror films and I just kind of freaked out. We knew we were never going to sleep and we certainly didn't want to take our normal clothes off to go to bed. Then while we were huddled on the bed reading we heard mice above us in the attic and thought screw this, we're leaving!!!! So we packed up the car and drove back into Santa Cruz and we're staying at a very expensive, very nice hotel on the beach. It's our mini honeymoon afterall!!!!!!!! So tomorrow we'll head back to the lighthouse and check out and give our key back. Unfortunately we'll lose our money but we've both decided that it's worth it. So there's our adventure so far. Tomorrow it's back to the lighthouse and then fun in the sun that will involve the hotel pool!!!!!!

Yay for married life!!!!!!!!!!

1 More Night!!

Tomorrow is my wedding day. I am sooooooo excited about it!! I'm nervous but I know it will go really well and we'll be happy no matter what.

We met with Pastor Norm today, he is adorable and I'm really glad that he's marrying us!! He's short, soft spoken and really gentle. He was very excited to be marrying us, and he really put me at ease. He explained exactly how the ceremony will go and it's just how I wanted it. I get to get ready at the church with my mom and then my dad will come get me to walk me down the "aisle" into the garden where Daniel will be waiting.  I can only hope that my mom feels comfortable taking the photos because I really want some good ones of my dad walking me there and giving me away.  I also hope someone gets a good pic of Pastor Norm standing on the boulder that he needs to stand on in order to be closer to our heights!! Daniel questions whether he's sincere but I think he's precious and I just want to squeeze him!!!! Daniel says that as long as he puts me as ease he's happy.

Our drive up the coast on Hwy 1 was really lovely but it took forever because we stopped alot!!!!!! But since we were in no hurry it was okay. In fact we got in a little earlier than we thought so we were early for our appt. with Pastor Norm. 

I'm not quite sure it my in-laws are enjoying their time here- we've been forcing them out of their box, but I'm hoping they go home with fond memories. Today has been a really long day but a nice one. I can't wait for tomorrow to be here and gone just so I can breathe again!

Here's to a fabulous day and please be thinking good thoughts for us tomorrow at 1pm!!!!

9 Days to Go!!!!!!!

Wedding countdown time!!!! 9 days to go!!! The in-laws arrive on Monday, the dress is getting back from the dry cleaners wrinkle free tomorrow, and I'm talkin' with the BEST baker in all of California!! (nay, the country!! :) ) for my sweet little cake with my grandma's wedding topper. Fortunately I'm not nervous at all, but I'm guessing by this time next week I'll be singing a different tune!

Daniel and I talked about it last night and we're sooooo ready!!! Bring it on! 

An Historical Day!!!

Today I can finally be proud of my country again- it's been awhile, so this is a new feeling for me and I'm getting used to it. Now I'm not embarrassed in front of my European in-laws- and yay, I can travel again without saying I'm Canadian or letting Daniel do all of the talking. :)

ps...... I just had to walk to EVERY newspaper kiosk in the downtown area and I got the LAST San Francisco Chronicle- which was the last newspaper except a few Tribunes in the WHOLE downtown area.....one row of kiosks was SOLD OUT OF EVERY PAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've never seen that in my life!! What an amazing historic day!!!!!!!

Wedding Hair

the finished result!!!


This is Bianca! We love her!

The millions of foils in my hair!! This pic should be at the top...

It's that time! After a million foils it's time for wedding hair!!! My stylist extraordinaire, Jenn, had the unenviable job of making me lighter as well as the pressure of it being "wedding" hair. She's up for the job and I know the finished result will be glorious!!!! 

While I'm luxuriating under the dryer Daniel is home with his new love, Bianca, his brand new Bianchi road bike, that cost a pretty penny but soooo worth it, cuz it saves his sanity. 

BEST Bridal Shower EVER!!!

Today was my fabulous bridal shower, which my dearest friends threw for me!!! It was exactly how I wanted it, casual, no games and no strippers hee hee!!! Oh, and nothing that required batteries!

The day started out great- the sun was shining, the heater was working, and I had plenty of time to get beautified. I opted for no breakfast, knowing that there was going to be tons of food and alot of it stuff that's bad for you so I figured if I skipped breakfast then I could have a cupcake AND cake!!

I arrived a bit late but that didn't matter because so did everyone else!! Once everyone arrived, it was wonderful to see some of my most favorite people in the world all in one room. We sorely missed Danielle (who had a good reason not to be there),  Julie (who was out of town), and Candice (who was also out of town). You were all there in spirit and I think we all ate enough food for you all too!! In fact there were so many leftovers that you'll be enjoying the food too!!!

We talked, took tons of pictures and ate, ate, ate!!! Maggie insisted that I have a giant pink champagne cake from the Madonna Inn, because every girl needs a giant pink cake at some point in life and  Jenn made me special cupcakes because she knew that I wanted them!!! I have such amazing friends and it was such an honor to have everyone come together for me!! I'm not used to being the reason people gather so I was a bit nervous to be the center of attention, but I'm so glad Maggie and Rudianne made me do it!! I know that all of my salon girls had a hand in this day and I'm so grateful!!!! I LOVE my co-workers!!!!!! I wanted to cry happy tears when I read all of the cards and just felt the love. It's not often that a girl gets to be surrounded by all of her friends and sees her support system right there in front of her cheering her on. 

I have to take this moment to publicly say thanks to all of my ladies for coming today- some of us have a long history and it was such a blessing to have you all there. Some of you travelled long distances, more than one of you took time from your family tragedies to celebrate with me, some were there in spite of recent illness and some were just there in our hearts. I love you all, and cherish each and every one of you! You have all been there for me at one time or another, celebrating and experiencing different stages of this journey I've been on- some have been there since DAY ONE (geez that was a LONG time ago) and some are more recent friends witnessing the "final" stages of this long journey to the altar. You are all important to me and I just want you and everyone else to know it!!!!!!

Thank you friends!!!!!!!

Co-workers are the BEST!!!!!!!

My co-workers happen to also be my friends and I'm super lucky!!! I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for!!!! Rudianne (who will never read this but still needs the credit) is throwing a co-worker/hairdresser (+my mom and best friend Megs & her momma Donna) bridal shower and I'm super excited!!! At first I didn't want one because I didn't want to be the center of attention but she talked me into it and I'm glad she did. I'm so looking forward to spending a non-work day with my gals, enjoying food and pressies. I was very specific that I didn't want anything crotchless or that required batteries cuz you know 1. my mom will be there and 2. that's just not my kinda thing. I know that if I got super sexy or trashy lingerie I'd end up laughing if I wore it. It's just not me and Daniel would agree. He prefers me in a tank and undies so fortunately I won't be needing to get gussied up in lace, mesh or a g-string (thank god!!!! my bum is not meant to have dental floss anywhere near it!)

Anyway I'm really looking forward to it. I'll get some photos posted from it once it happens so I can share the good times!!!

Taking a cue from Amy

Okay so I just read Amy's blog and was inspired to mention my favorite TV show. I just started watching it by downloading the first season on iTunes. I LOVE, Pushing Daisies!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's as if this show was made for me in mind. It has everything I love!! An incredibly handsome leading man that's slightly awkward, the beautiful but you don't hate her leading lady that the leading man is endearingly in love with, the Tim Burton-esque sets and storylines, a little macabre but silly and whimsical. I LOVE IT!!!! Oh and did I mention the increasingly frustrating fact that the the leading lady and man can't touch EVER or she'll die? So tragic and I love it.

Lovin' the house.....

*(note on photo above: the striped chair is not staying so ignore it and the fact that it clashes horribly with my other things! )

I love, love my little house!!! I never thought I'd enjoy living alone but I'm loving it! I thought I'd be jittery and jump at every noise but I'm surprisingly calm about everything and just blissfully happy. Daniel's a bit worried that I've already gotten used to "spinsterhood" as he calls it but I'll be just as blissfully happy- in fact more so- when he moves in and completes my life. 

Daniel will be here in just under 2 weeks and I'm OVER THE MOON about it!!!!!!!! I'm so excited that I keep forgetting that we're not done with the immigration process and still have a lot of crap to get through before it is a sealed done deal. But I'm choosing to ignore all of this so I can fully enjoy this moment in my life where everything I've been wanting and dreaming about for the last 8 years is finally happening!!!

On another note, I've been getting emails from my future father-in-law and they are just too witty! Daniel and his father are more alike than I think I knew. Daniel has always said they have the same sense of humor and silliness gene and he's right. His dad is charming in that totally English eccentric way. I think Daniel lives a bit in fear that I'll love his dad, because their family has a lot of issues that are years old and they haven't worked them all out. I became great friends with his mother much to his horror. I eventually understood why he didn't want us to be friends, which we no longer are (a very long story which I think Daniel would like me to keep to myself for the time being). My loyalties will always be with Daniel and he knows that but I can't help but like his dad. I'll find out for sure how I feel because after 8 years of being with Daniel I'll finally be meeting his dad (and stepmom). And to make it even crazier they are staying with my parents for a week before the wedding!! At least if things aren't totally rosey my in-laws live 6000 miles away, but I know I'll be charmed with "Dad 2" as he refers to himself.

Planning a tiny wedding...how can that be sooooo stressful?!?!

Daniel and I are getting married in November in a teeny tiny ceremony (only our parents) up North, so you'd think it being so small would make for easy planning but you'd be wrong! I think any wedding no matter how small, unless you just go to the courthouse in jeans is stressful! I've been in contact with the chapel wedding coordinator a millions time and still feel like I don't know anything or what to expect. I've been in touch with Pastor Norm- who seems like a dear man that I'm looking forward to meeting- but again I still feel none the wiser. We are meeting with him the day before the wedding so I'll feel better then but being a control freak I hate leaving so many things up in the air- especially my wedding!!!!! I really should be concentrating on finding the restaurant for the wedding dinner but I just can't be bothered right now. I'm kinda wedding-ed out right now. I've made all of the reservations, booked hotels, fixed reservations and gone back and forth over having a professional photographer or not and I'm just kinda done right now!

Plus there is the added stress of Daniel's father and step-mom coming from the UK the week before the wedding and I have no idea what to do with then while they're here. I'm working like crazy up til the day before the wedding so I can't really do anything for them, can't drive them around and I'm stressing about whether I'm expected to make dinner for them or not. Did I mention they're staying at my parents house??? AND, no one has met before- including me!!!! I'm more stressed about this than the actual wedding. I'll be so grateful when it's all over!!!! I hope I remember to enjoy it while it's happening- cuz Daniel and I are only doing this once!

Patience rewarded!!!

After almost 8 years of patiently waiting Daniel and I are finally planning our wedding!!!! Daniel's visa will arrive next week and a ticket will be purchased! Sometime in October he will arrive for the last time in San Luis where I'll pick him up and keep him hostage in marital bliss forever!!!! I have to say as hard as it's been waiting for this immigration process to get moving we are very lucky because it's gone much faster than anyone told me it would go. It's been relatively smooth sailing, but I suppose that we're a pretty open, shut case and were able to prove that we're indeed in love and not committing immigration fraud. 

This is gonna be a short blog, although I have a lot more to say on the subject but unfortunately I have to actually get back to work!! So keep watching this space.....

Things are moving!! finally!!!

So life just started moving at a fast pace for me. After years and years of waiting and being patient I've just been greatly rewarded. The granny unit that my parents have been constructing for the last 5 years, which I helped to design, is finally done and I've moved in!!!!! That was the best feeling in the world! It's a bit overwhelming trying to pack all of the things I've accumulated over the years, deciding what goes and what stays and eventually where it's all going to go!

I've been in since Saturday and it's been blissful! The only thing missing is Daniel, but he'll be here soon. It's been so strange but incredibly nice to be getting the house ready to be a home with my soon to be husband- which is a whole other blog. I'll keep updating as I continue moving in. 

ps.... Oh but let me complain a second about something on subject-I ordered a slipcover for the couch, as the current fabric clashes horribly with everything else. I wanted the slipcover to arrive asap so I paid a hell of a lot extra for expedited shipping. I ordered the slipcover on the 19th, and when I tracked it is said that expected arrival is the 26th. Now that's 7 days, I paid way more than normal shipping for 1-3 day shipping!!!! I'm super pissed!!!! I just had to share that. 

Figuring this all out

So I finally decided it's time to start a blog. Everyone wants to know what's going on with our immigration process and what we're up to in general- so here we go!

Daniel finally got his interview date at the US Embassy in London!!!!! We're super excited about that because it feels like we've been waiting for an eternity! His interview is 9am (UK time) on September 24th, so be thinking good thoughts for us next Wednesday!!!! If all goes as planned he'll receive his Fiance Visa in 2-5 days!

This is a terrible first blog but I'm just trying to figure out how to use this before I get all into it. It's time to call Daniel so I'll start afresh tomorrow and really get down to the nitty gritty!!!

I've got to figure out how to post photos.........