Junior College Visit

This morning we're off to CMU because Jacob was invited to a Junior Day visit from the football team. Apparently they've seen some of his highlight film from last year and liked what they saw. It's very exciting to have Jacob experience some of the recruiting process like his two older brothers went through. Truth be told- he'd prefer being recruited for hockey...but that is pretty tough to get into since there are half as many players on the ice than on a football field, cutting your chances in half. Anyways...this is just a visit. No committments. They just want to get a look at him, (all 6'4 of him) and want him to see the campus.


Then we race back home to jump on the bus to go to his hockey game. Phew. Busy day ahead.

Holey Moley!

OH.MY.GOSH! It's a mountain of gifts!

All the gifts from the shower are stacked in my living room until the moving truck takes them all away. It looks like Little Macy's! I must admit, I have pan envy! I wonder if Jen would notice if I tried out all her new stuff?( Ha ha. Just kidding, Jen.)

So we went to meet with the wedding planner, florist, and printer and put Jennifer's mind to rest. She had a little conflict with the invitations and figured it all out, the invitations are going to print today! There is also a little conflict with one of the bridesmaids (she has to take her state exam for Optometry the same day and may not be able to attend.) Jennifer is so bummed because Sarah has been her BFF all through high school and beyond. She wanted to ask Shelby (Ryan's girlfriend) but Shelby is going to be studying abroad in Scotland and was leaving the day before the wedding. Ryan was pretty bummed because he really wanted Shelby here...(since he met her at Jordanne's wedding and they've been dating ever since).

ANYWAYS... Shelby talked to her professors and worked it out so she can fly to Scotland the day after the wedding so she won't miss the wedding. And now Jennifer asked her to be one of her bridesmaids. It all worked out beautifully...if Sarah can still be in the wedding, Patrick's brother Peter will stand up with one of the girls. (Peter will be wearing a tux regardless.)

I was so happy for Jen to get those little details figured out. All that extra stuff floating around in your head makes a girl crazy!

It's our final HOME HOCKEY GAME tonight! Woot! I can't believe how fast this year has flown, yet I'm not sorry to wrap up the season. It's a lot of work and stress on our family and considering we have another wedding in two months, we could stand to eliminate some of that hockey stress out of our lives.

Better go plan the festivities for after tonight's game.

Post PARTY Crash!

My mom and brother left yesterday...it was so nice having them here for the shower. I didn't want them to leave so soon...but when I woke up this morning to a lot of wet, slushy snow, I was relieved they didn't have to drive home in it. The roads are awful today.

As usual, the Monday after a big party, I'm sitting here in the middle of a Little Macy's... (boxes piled up everywhere) unable to get anything done. I'm considering taking a nap... I'm exhausted. Of course, the bronchitis after effects have been lingering. I'm so tired of blowing my nose and coughing and still have 4 days left of my antibiotic.

In the spirit of the gloominess outside, I'm feeling a little sad and melancholy inside too. I know it's all happening so fast...I'm trying to slow.it.down. and enjoy the ride. Putting it all in God's hands because everything is out of my control. Perhaps a long nap will help my case of the blues.

Bridal Shower Memories

Jennifer with her "Bow"quet.

The Bride to be before the shower began.

Diane setting up the food.

Jennifer and her future Mother-in-law.

The Kitchen Ladies. Observe the matching aprons I made for them to color coordinate with the theme from the shower.

Me and Jen and Diane.

Beautiful food.

The towel cake and presents.

Opening gifts.

and more gifts...

and more...

...and the overflow gift table.

Details...

The sweet details.

The lovely cake.

...the flower boxes.

Table details...

Update

Little details for the dessert table...

Jewelry I made for shower gifts.

flower boxes stacked up and ready to go.

mmm, yummy Paczki.

the process...

{ stupid blogger...I can never get these to upload in order correctly.}

Well I've been busy scurrying around the past few days with last minute details for the shower, doing hair, grocery shopping, etc. I feel as though I've been pushing myself to get past this wretched bronchitis only to find myself completely exhausted and depleted of any ounce of energy. It was a very full day yesterday, it's no wonder I crashed the minute my head hit the pillow last night.

Tuesday was "Paczki day" or "Fat Tuesday"... Paczki are a Polish treat to eat on Fat Tuesday... While no one in our family is from Poland, we have adopted the tradition of making (and eating) Paczki from our dear sweet elderly neighbor, Vickie. (now deceased.) Since we have moved into this house 15 years ago, Vickie has sent over Paczki that she made...my kids embraced the tradition wholeheartedly. One year Vickie decided she was too old to continue making them (at the time she was like 93 or 94) so I came over and was her "student". She taught me how to make the Polish treats and ever since that year, I too, have made them. It is a fond memory I will cherish always.

My mom and brother are coming to visit today. I really need to get some groceries in this house. (Yeah, I know...I did go grocery shopping all day yesterday, but it was all for the SHOWER!) Eating is overrated ya know...

Back to work.

More bridal shower details.

click on picture to view the quote. I love this quote. Thanks for doing this for me, Jen! Gosh, I love the internet...Jennifer is hundreds of miles away in Chicago but she whipped this up for me, emailed it, and I printed it out to frame for the shower.

I was incredibly useless today... sick with bronchitis, coughing, sneezing, and aching all over. I didn't even go to church. Everything I tried to do was such a major production. I finally just laid back down and took a nap. My nose is chapped, my lips are chapped, and if I continue sitting on my butt, that will be chapped soon too. Peace out.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Yep- this picture is exactly how I feel right now. YUCK.


This is no time to be sick, but I knew when Ryan, Pat, Jake, and Josh all got sick with that nasty upper respiratory crud...eventually I was going to get it. Of course it has to be exactly one week before the bridal shower.

*gross alert:

I seriously just sneezed so hard I shot a snot rocket and nearly peed my pants. I need some Nyquil and benadryl and a hot cuppa tea and my mommy.

In the meantime, I made cream of celery soup and buttered saltines, just like mom used to give me when I was sick.

update on my broken branch

{photo courtesy of Jennifer Skog Photography}
This photo is our inspiration color scheme. Of course, done in plastic and paper and stuff. When I saw this, I knew it screamed Jennifer. Since I already have the damask runners from Jordanne's shower, all I needed to do was get the green tablecloths. Hello Dollar Store!


I cannot believe I have such a seemingly small and insignificant pathetic little life that my all consuming concern is about a broken branch and what color to paint it...but I digress.

This is it...the week before the shower and I'm pleased to say, Blooms and Branches is sending me a new branch! It's expected delivery is on the 17th...gosh, they're not giving me much time to spray paint it and mount it and decorate it.

I met with Diane today to discuss the final headcount. We are planning for around 72 people (12 at a table...6 tables.) I am really expecting only around 50 or 60 people though.

but... "We shall see"...

Anyways...the plans are coming along. I have my week-long timeline to follow so I stay on track. Wednesday afternoon I plan to do all the grocery shopping and drive out to Diane's house 20 miles away. Thursday I bake and frost cookies, Friday we set up, make fruit kebobs, and Saturday we prepare and have the shower. Woo hoo!

I decided I am not going to wear a dress to this shower simply because it's darned cold and my legs are chicken white. Nobody wears pantyhose anymore these days! Yikes. I wish I knew that last year when I wore a dress to Jordy's shower.

Life's lessons while making dinner

Sometimes life has a way of humbling us.

You see, with Pat being a high school hockey coach he has made a lot of enemies over the years. From opposing team's players and parents, to players and parents on our own team who want to elevate their son's role above the needs of the entire team. Many parents just don't understand that little "junior" isn't quite mature enough (in skill, body structure, and emotionally) to play a varsity sport. Most of the time these players are underclassmen and their parents seem to think they are the next Wayne Gretzky.

Well one of these parents who has pretty much made Pat's life miserable (as they have 2 sons who play) suddenly took ill. In a very serious way. Ironically, a few years ago I finally couldn't take much more from this family that I got into a very heated exchange with the mother after she continually bashed my husband and son. (mother bear instincts kicked in.)

Needless to say, it was a tearful exchange and we pretty much ignored each other for the remainder of the season.

I must say, I am a very forgiving person by nature. Slowly I started to engage in conversation with this family again and have put the unpleasantries behind me. Their son, who is a senior this year was appointed one of the team's captains and has done a good job as a defenseman.

With all that being said...my husband came home yesterday and asked me to make a dinner for this family since the father is in the hospital and the family is devastated. While I baked lasagna, garlic bread, corn and brownies, I thought of these people, and prayed for them. I am humbled.

Life is too short to hold grudges and make record of wrongdoings. If we could only learn these life's lessons without having tragedy strike.

For it is in giving do we receive...

~St. Francis of Assisi

Love this, but not for the shower...

The black and white damask with lime green theme does not really go with this more natural color scheme. I really love it in my living room, but not for the shower. Gonna scrap it and grab the black spray paint. I am looking for more dramatic effects than this "natural" look. Will post the finished look when I finally LOVE IT.

Dear Blooms and Branches:

I received my order today and was very disappointed in the condition of my manzanita branch. It was smashed into the box, resulting in two broken branches. Please consider using a little larger box when you ship your products. I await your reply. Thank you.

Unhappy 'lil me.

Jen's happiest birthday EVER!

Happy 25th birthday to my firstborn, Jennifer Kaye! Yesterday Jen had the best birthday gift ever- their offer on the Chicago condo was accepted! It was just like an episode of House Hunters! They knew they had to look at condos while she was there visiting and after looking at several condos, they found THE ONE, made an offer and found out it was accepted the next day! (on a Sunday, no less!) Gosh, this is happening so quick. The condo is in a Chicago high rise in Lincoln Park... on the 9th floor! The view is breathtaking. I can't wait to actually get to see it!

So not only does she have less than 3 months to finish planning the wedding, they also have to move all her stuff from Michigan to Chicago and set up their new home. As happy as I am for her, I'm really getting sad to think she'll be moving away. Oh I know I'll still talk to her all the time, but it just won't be the same. Her new life is just beginning. What an adventure. I guess I'll be hopping the Amtrack a lot in the near future.

Last night I stayed up until 4 am making jewelry for shower prizes. I realize I'm bordering on crazy...but I just want everything to be perfect for her. She deserves it.

Waiting for a package to come

Yep, it's official...I'm NUTS!

I have been in love with Manzanita branch centerpieces and I've decided to just take the plunge and order one of these beauties to hang my "words of inspiration" on. I know, I know...the last bridal shower I just used branches out of my yard...and it looked fine...but I'm totally obsessed with these branches and just had.to.have.one.

I got a great deal- they were on sale! And of course, when you register, they send you a $5 off coupon to use towards your first purchase. I could not resist. I will post pics when I create my centerpiece.

Goin' for my walk now. After all, I've gotta keep this heart healthy.

Where its all been happening...

This is the place I've been spending a lot of my time lately. Unfortunately my "craft studio" has not been finished before its been put to good use. Time is of the essence right now, and like most projects I undertake...I rarely finish them before I need to use them. ANYWAYS... I've been needing to store stuff for the shower and this room is available. (formerly Jordanne's bedroom...one day I will show the before and after pictures of this room's transformation.)

The baskets in the above picture are filled with goodies from Victoria's Secret, hand crocheted dishcloths, hair products, etc. I still have to finish all the custom jewelry we are using for prizes too. The picture leaning against the wall is an art project my son Ryan did in high school. I just love the dog, he makes me smile, so I felt it needed to go in my happy little craft studio.

On these shelves are some of the finished projects for the shower as well as craft room supplies. (some fabric to make aprons is sitting there waiting for my attention.)

The spare bed which often ends up being where I crash after a late night of crafting. I have plans to make a fun retro inspired quilt for this bed...in the meantime this duvet works.

This is our old dining set we brought up from the basement...it is serving the purpose to craft on for the time being. I do have plans to paint this set white. FYI the opened jar of gourmet jelly beans is being used for bridal shower favors, not sustenance while I craft. (okay, maybe a few have been eaten.)

Behind those doors and drawers are my fabric stash and supplies. A girl can never have enough hiding spaces and this room is full of great storage.

These are the colors I intend to use in that quilt on my "Bucket List". Gives the room a retro vintage feel. I can't wait to actually organize this space...in the meantime it serves the purpose.

This armoire was found abandoned on the side of the road...I wish I took a before picture. It truly was perfect for this room...more storage for craft supplies. I am storing the towel cake and a candle set we are using in the tablescape up on top. (yes, I found it at a garage sale and spray painted it!) Don'tcha just love that vintage fan I found in my great uncle's attic? (I am not using that in the shower by the way...)

...and beyond the table in that far corner is a pile of projects I have going on. A girl can never have enough projects on her "to-do" list. So there you have it! My work in progress work room! I hope to actually finish the room before the wedding, but on our timeline, I'm not seeing that happen any time soon.