Ridout Photography - there is no-one better!

We picked up our wedding photographs this weekend, and let me just say, we are happier than I thought I could be! So here's a plug to our photographer! www.ridoutphotography.com

I may have even mentioned him before, because I remember seeing his work before I even got engaged and I said (to myself of course) THAT guy is doing my wedding photos! His talent and eye for detail and endless imagination is second to none. Check out his work!

Also - he created an amazing slideshow DVD of our wedding day set to music, and it's viewable on photodex sharing website. The link is below if you are interested in viewing. The only thing to note is that it will tell you to install "Active X Photodex Viewer" so that you can see it - it's 100% safe and doesn't take up space on your computer.

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=3009719&alb=0

Hope you enjoy! I will try to post a few of my favourite pictures once I have some more time! So hard to choose!

G.T.V.P.

My cleanse is done! Yay! Felt good to do it, and feels good to end it! Now I feel fresh and detoxed!

Okay - so - one of the things that I knew I would miss as a vegetarian is my hubby's family's tradition of Garlic Pork at Christmas and Easter, or "G.P." as they call it. It's not just pork with some garlic seasoning - oh no - its cubes of pork, marinated in a mixutre of vinegar, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt and scotch bonnet peppers (aka - HOT!!) for anywhere from 5 to 7 days!! It sits in the marinade on a counter and soaks up the heat and vinegar. You may think it sounds crazy - but it tastes soooooooooooooo good! (after the setting period, it's boiled, then broiled, and eaten with tasty Anise seed bread - ahh - just thinking about it now makes me smile...

However, I don't want to eat poor wittle piggy's anymore, but I also didn't want to miss out on the G.P.! So - I invented a veggie version of it! With TVP, or textured vegetable protein! They look like dog treats when they're hard (appetizing eh?) ... but they soak up the flavour of whatever liquid they're immersed into, and become softer with a 'chewy' texture. They look just like pieces of pork tenderloin medallians would look. So I gave it a shot - prepared the marinade - put in the TVP medallians - let it sit for about 24 hours - and voila!! G.T.V.P.!

I was a little scared to try it. After broiling it until it browned on the edges....I gave it a try...and... I liked it! Granted - it's not as good as G.P. - but Rich tried it too, and his words....??..."It's not horrible!".

So there you go - a little imagination and creativity and I can still enjoy Christmas and Easter with my in-laws -- even though I'm sure I will be subject to some roasting at the table!

Who Knew?

Still cleansing. So far, so good. I’ll have a bit of a challenge this weekend though when we head to “Taste of the Danforth”…a celebration of Greek cuisine where there is a street festival of all the Greek restaurant vendors who come out with their tasty tasty treats!! We have gone the past few years and it’s always been a great time. However, I’m unable to partake in it this year as my cleanse goes until Monday! And actually, I’m not sure how much non-animal items they would have there other than maybe perogies and French fries (which I can’t have right now).
But I’ll still go with Rich because he really enjoys the food, and I can always spend my money on something else….like jewellery and sunglasses (which they also have a lot of!).

And speaking of tasty food – I made a really good dinner last night that was ‘cleanse-friendly’, vegan and very very tasty! As I mentioned on an earlier post – the cleanse is pretty strict on food that you CAN’T have….no dairy, no alcohol, no salt, no sugar, no wheat, no bread, no pasta, no preservatives, no oranges, no mushrooms….so although there are still food choices, it’s a bit tough to make them flavourful, and also – you have to get certain amounts of Proteins, Grains, Fruit and Fats in at each meal.

So for dinner last night – I made some Quinoa (a high protein whole Grain), with lentils and chickpeas (my protein!), and sautéed a bunch of onions, green and red peppers, zucchini and garlic (my veggies!) in some sesame oil (my fat!). All was mixed together in a deep pan, and I added some ginger and cinnamon to the mix for a flavour twist (which was really nice with the sesame oil!) and tossed a few walnuts on top (I was allowed two fats – so the nuts were my second one). It was SO good! I couldn’t believe this was “cleansing” food. I have the same thing for lunch today (leftovers) and I’m actually excited to eat it!

So although I’ll be happy when the cleanse is over, it hasn’t been as bad as I thought. 5 days to go!

A Lovely Weekend Away - Now onto the Cleanse!

This past weekend, my hubby and I stayed at a really quaint and romantic Inn in the wine region of Prince Edward County (www.devonshire-inn.com). We were given a gift certifcate from my in-laws for Christmas last year, and we decided to wait for the warmer weather before using it.

It was a beautiful location - overlooking the lake, with a private beach and muskoka chairs all about. We had a nice cozy room with our own bathroom and a view onto a little stream with trees and birds. The stay was great. Very relaxing and rejuvinating. The food at the Inn was really good too (we only had our breakfast there - which was served on a big deck overlooking the water). I was able to find tasty vegetarian options wherever we ate, which was great, as this was our first trip "away" since starting my new lifestyle.

And, while in the County, one must of course visit the wineries that are abundant and sprawling across the region! And we did! Two in fact - and one cider house as well. We ate, we drank, we slept, we ate and drank some more...and spent one of our days on a beautiful sand beach in the area. Just thinking about it now .... I want to go back!

But here I am - it's Tuesday - I'm back at work and back to reality! With the drinking and the pancakes and the blooming onions and the sunchips and the desserts, my body is wondering what the heck I did to it!

So, today I started a 7-day herbal detoxifying cleanse. A mix of supplements and specific foods to help clean me up and get me feeling good again. Truthfully - much of the permitted foods on this cleanse are what I eat daily anyway - but there are some foods (mushrooms, flour, bread for example) that are not allowed.

I've cleansed before - it's tough in the beginning, and usually I feel a little weak the first couple of days, but I'm hoping I'll get through it and feel better and begin the latter half of 2008 with a fresh start. The first half was the most wonderful year of my life! That's a lot to live up to! But I'm pretty sure I can do it!

As a post-script....I partook in an Ashtanga Yoga class last week. It was a level 2 (i.e. - not a beginner class) but I wanted to try it out and see how I liked it. Well...let's just say that everyone in the class looked like Madonna, and I had to keep taking breaks (and at one time thought I was going to be sick!) ... but I persevered and was actually able to do a lot of the moves, and felt soooooooo good when I was done! It was a 90 minute class in a heated room - so a little much for my first time - but at least I know that it's something I definately want to pursue and man oh man! What a workout!! I felt like an elastic when I was done and was so relaxed yet energized at the same time. Hard to explain - but I will definately be going back for more!

The Missing Link

With my new found love of the vegetarian lifestyle, I am feeling pretty good these days. Not just physically, but mentally too. I feel like I'm doing something good for my body, good for the environment, good for the animals, good for my soul, and that makes me happy!

I've also been exercising 4 x a week to improve my cardio and burn some calories. I'm taking a healthy "green" supplement (a superfood as they say!) and things are falling into place. However - there is one thing missing that I want to incorporate - a form of meditation and relaxation.

So - I'm looking into yoga classes. There is a studio just down the street from where I live, with classes led by a certified instructor who works out of her home - a young girl - very active and fit (from what I can see and read on her website) and who sounds very knowledgable. We've been in touch and she's said I can come and do a drop-in class and see how I like it before committing to a program, which I thought was great.

She offers Ashtanga yoga - which is more intense, will burn more calories and give me a tough workout; and there's Hatha yoga, which I believe is more relaxing, breathing and stretching type of yoga. Both I think would be great, but I think I'm leaning towards Ashtanga. (and it's in a heated room too).

I did buy a Yoga DVD (haven't tried it yet) that looks great and allows you to do several different Yoga workout combinations. The DVD gives me the benefit of doing it whenever I want to, in my own home, on my own schedule and in my undies if I want to (sorry for the visual, but you know what I mean).

But I think the classes will give me a better workout with a qualified instructor who's there to help and guide me to reach my full potential and will teach me more about the art of Yoga, which I am very interested in.

Who knows...maybe our next vacation will be to a mountain top in India for a yoga retreat! Namaste.

God's Pharmacy

My mom sent this to me and I thought it was pretty cool!

It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish - all before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. We're such slow learners...God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body. God's Pharmacy - Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.

There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them). Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Pretty cool stuff!

Update on the Vegetarian

In all the reading I've done on vegetarianism it says "the most common statement people make is 'how will you get your protein". That is so true!! Case in point- the "anonymous" commenter on my blog post from the other day saying "make sure you still get all the daily requirements to stay healthy....u still need protein and milk for strong bones and teeth..."

I do appreciate any comments, so thank you. But, it really is a misconception that vegetarians don't get the protein they need. I think I am getting MORE protein now than I did when I ate meat! Beans, lentils, soy milk, tofu, whole grains, fresh veggies, quinoa, brown rice, ...all vegetarian and all loaded with protein! I eat them and I love them!

With respect to milk (dairy) giving you strong bones and teeth? "xxxx" (that was the sound you would hear on a game show when a contestent gets the answer wrong". It really isn't the case. Dairy has so many negatives associated with it when it comes to your health. I didn't know this either until I began educating myself. I've read about numerous studies that have been done and when you see who actually "promotes" the dairy industry...(dairy farmers and milk producers/sellers)....it's just not needed in the human diet. It's needed for babies when they are first born and growing -- but that's their Mother's milk - not a cow's - and....they are weaned off eventually right?

BUT! I did say I was not going to preach to anyone about my choices and what I believe. This is just something I am doing for ME - I'm not out there to change the world (even though I'd like to!) and I know that when people make comments that they just care about me and want me to be happy and healthy. Which I am! So don't worry about me kid...I'm gonna be just fine!

A Few Photos In!

Our Photographer did a little schpeil (sp?) about us on his blog. We should have all our pictures by next weekend and our slideshow too! (can't wait for that). In the meantime - here's just a sneak peak at a few pics...

Saying Good-bye to Meat!

I recently read a book which opened my eyes to some really awful animal cruelty that goes on in slaughterhouses. It made me cry my eyes out. I'm not kidding. I was bawling like a baby! If you know me, you know how much of an animal lover I am and how I can't handle any stories or discussions (or anything basically) about animal abuse.

I feel like I've been a hypocrite my whole life because I love animals so much - yet I'm happy to wear them and eat them. Well - it has to stop for me. If you read what I read and learned what I learned, then you too perhaps would stop.

But I'm not here to preach or to tell you to stop eating meat - I only want to let you know that I've decided to give vegetarianism a try. No meat, no chicken, no fish. No dairy if I can help it either. It's going to be hard but it's important to me to try. Oh, and no more leather either. (the shoe stores should anticipate a big drop in sales)

I've always thought "one person can't make a difference" - but did you know that one vegetarian can save 100 animals' lives a year! 100 lives a year!! To me that's a huge difference and it's all I need to know.

Wish me luck and bring on the tofurkey!

The Honeymoon’s Over? Not a chance!!

Well, it’s been two weeks back at home and work since our honeymoon. I have to admit – before we got married, I was a little worried that I might have a bit of ‘depression’ once the wedding and honeymoon were over and we were back into the swing of normal everyday life. Just all the build up to something so huge – I didn’t know if I would feel sad when it was “over”.

But I’m not sad at all. And it’s not “over”. Sure, the actual events are over, but each day is a new opportunity to experience life as a wife! And I am happier now than I’ve ever been. I wake up with a peaceful, happy outlook each day, and when I look over at my husband (gasp!) still sleeping, I am in awe that I’m lucky enough to have this wonderful, handsome, gracious man to call mine.

My love for him grows every day, and it excites me in ways I didn’t know were possible. To think of our future together warms my heart and tickles my toes, and sure…it’s new and fresh and we’re still in the “honeymoon” phase, but it is what it is. This is my life. My beautiful, wonderful, magical life that I get to spend with the man of my dreams.

Nothing will ever be any better than that! (okay – winning the 649 might add a little zip), but until then…Life is grand!

Here are some pics from our Honeymoon in France (the French Riveira).

I'm Baaaaaaaack.....New and Improved!!

Well... I am now a Mrs. and couldn't be happier! I can truly say that my wedding day was the most wonderful experience I've ever had and it was absolutely PERFECT and all I imagined it to be! The weather pulled through for us and I had a hot sunny day for our outdoor ceremony and pictures.

The day was magical and I made sure that I took it all in and treasured every.single.moment. I feel so blessed to have had such an amazing experience. Our honeymoon was beyond our expectations too. Two glorious weeks in the south of France in the Riviera. Stayed in Nice and had a top floor room with a terrace facing the Mediterranean Sea - just unbelievable. The weather was beautiful and sunny everyday and we drank wine and ate like royalty and it was more than we could ever ask for.

I've posted a link below to some pics taken by family. Our photographer we hired is literally world-renowned, so once we get his professional pics, I will post some of those, because I'm sure they will be amazing!

Thanks to all of you for your help and support along the way - I had a beautiful magical wedding day and am sooooooo happy with my new gorgeous fabulous husband and look forward so much to our lives together as husband and wife!

I'm hoping this link will work to take you to the pictures I posted on the bridal forum I belong to. http://forums.canadianbride.com/Topic413419-11-1.aspx

Catch up and a Wrap Up!

We’ve been really busy over the past few weeks. We attended another wedding a couple weeks back, which was lovely and held in gorgeous botanical gardens. The day after that we were lucky enough to have another wedding shower hosted by Rich’s family. This one was co-ed and it was great because “the guys” were able to hang out with us and we had a BBQ with fabulous food! Lots of people came out for it and Rich got to open some gifts and we just had a really great time. The atmosphere was so relaxed and the weather was gorgeous! So thank you to Christine, Bernadette, Robin and Claire for doing that for us. It meant a lot!

We also had a 50th anniversary party and 50’s dance with a real rock ‘n’ roll band playing to honour my sister-in-laws parents. They are a great couple and we were happy to be there to celebrate with them. Rich and I both dressed up in our best ‘50s attire – him in jeans rolled up with white socks, black shoes, and of course a tight white t-shirt! Me in my polka dots and flats and scarf around the neck with a big old ponytail – we looked great and had SO much fun “twisting the night away”.

The day after the 50’s party was the 25th anniversary of the Logan/Xavier/De Abreu inter-provincial Golf Tournament!! (i.e. – Rich’s family’s tourney). I am sad to say I did not three-peat this year! I did not bring home the trophy. But….I still had a lot of fun and didn’t play too bad of a game and enjoyed celebrating with everyone afterwards back at the cottage for a BBQ and awards ceremony! (it’s very professionally done!).

This is my last day at work as a single girl!! I am off tomorrow and Friday and then Saturday is our wedding. Gosh…I honestly am baffled by how fast the last few months swept by. I am excited and anxious and nervous and happy and eager and joyful and happy and thrilled and feeling so many different emotions right now that it’s probably good I’m at work and am busy (relatively speaking) so that I can stay sane! lol…

But tomorrow is packed with a manicure and a massage. I pick up my dress and veil (which is being steamed), will try to get my engagement ring polished up and then it’s our Rehearsal and Dinner tomorrow night too. Excited about that! Then Friday my girls and I are getting our pedicures, then going for lunch, then off to the venue to take all the “stuff” there so it can be set up and ready for Saturday. Hoping for nice relaxing and quiet evening on Friday night at my house. (although…I do still have to pack for the honeymoon!)

So! This is it - I’m off to get married! Next time I post I will be a “Mrs.”! Whoo Hoo!

Just the way I planned it!

We’re sitting with about 2 1/2 weeks to go and I think we have everything done! Rich picked up his wedding band yesterday; my dress is with my seamstress still – but that’s all under control; all my “stuff” is in boxes and ready to be taken to the venue on the Friday before to set up; things are looking good!

A lot of people throughout this process have commented on “how organized I am” and how “I’ve been planning every detail to a tee”. I think I've blogged about these comments in the past, as sometimes it bothered me the way it was said, but this is the very reason why I planned in advance. So that we could relax for the few weeks leading up to our wedding day.

Also, knowing that literally every-single-weekend in May is booked with us attending something or being out of town (as was much the same for the month of April), I wanted things done and out of the way so that May wouldn’t be too hard on us. And guess what. It worked out great! I knew I knew what I was doing. ;)

Just some new fun pictures from the recent events

Wow...I wish I could get married all the time! (to the same guy of course). It really has been a lot of fun!! We're down to days now!!

The Rehearsal before the Rehearsal

Last night Rich and I went to meet with the officiant who will be marrying us. She’s a lovely woman who lives out in the country with her golden retriever and two cats. She has a beautiful garden in her backyard where she often performs small marriage ceremonies as well.

We met at her house where we were greeted by Morgan (her Goldie) and he plopped himself on the couch beside me and never left our sides!

We discussed the basics….who’s walking down the aisle with me – who is standing up with Rich – timing of the day – what Rich has to do, etc. It was pretty cool. She showed us how to stand and when to turn and what to say. At one point Rich and I were standing there looking into each other’s eyes and we were holding hands, and I started to laugh a bit because it was just a dreamlike moment for me knowing this is really happening – in fact – it’s happening in one month from today!

Rich was cute too, when we went thru’ the motions of the rings, he was told to place the ring on my finger and he kind of held my hand and paused and didn’t know what to do because my engagement ring was still on and…how does he get the ring on before it? (once I explained that I’d have my e-ring on the other hand it all made sense to him).

So, the rehearsal was good and we will in all likelihood forget everything she told us, but I know she’ll guide us thru’ the day and it’ll be great. Plus, when we go for our formal rehearsal and dinner with the wedding party, we know what to tell everyone and we’ll have a better picture of how the day will go. It was a pretty cool night!

A Wedding Weekend

This past weekend we headed to Ohio for Rich’s cousin Jenn’s wedding. It was set in a beautiful state park (Burr Oak Resort) about an hour or so out of Columbus. We all had rooms at the lodge and it was on a hilltop overlooking a beautiful lake. The setting could not be more gorgeous for a wedding.

The drive there for us was a long one – 8 hours! We left on the Friday morning and (after a few pit stops along the way), arrived at the lodge around 5pm that same day. We were greeted by Rich’s family (some of whom came from South Carolina, Florida and even London, England!), and then went to one of their cabins for a good old country cook-out!
It was really relaxed and a lot of fun and we munched on burgers and dogs and then the bride-and-groom-to-be, and all their friends came and joined us in the cabin, accompanied with banjos and guitars and mandolins! It was a great night before the great day ahead.

Saturday morning we awoke to cloudy skies unfortunately, but the temperature was warm and after a yummy breakfast, we put on our boots and set out for a hike along one of the many trails at the lodge. The wedding ceremony didn’t start until 4:30, so it gave us time to enjoy our beautiful surroundings.

After lunch we went for a rest, then got ready for the wedding and joined everyone in a big room to await the bride and groom. As the music started, the sun appeared and lit up the room, which was a big A-frame style with a huge picture window overlooking the lake – this is where they stood for the ceremony and it was truly lovely!

The happy couple are very much “outdoor” people. In fact, their honeymoon is being spent hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail, and instead of an engagement ring, Andy proposed to Jenn with a kayak!

Even though our weekend was short (we left for home Sunday morning – with of course another pit-stop at the Prime Outlet mall in Pennsylvania!)…it was great to see Rich’s family and celebrate with everyone. There was one point during the night of the wedding when Rich and I shared a dance, and it was a surreal feeling knowing this would be us in a just a few more weeks!

Congratulations to Andy and Jenn – your wedding was great and we’re so happy we were there to celebrate with you.

My Parents Are Funny.

Last night was my second dress fitting. I asked my mom to come with me because I want her to be part of this – so my dad brought her down (they live up north) and he decided to come with us too. My seamstress is a lovely little Portuguese woman (Grace) who is very gentle and easy going and gives brides her undivided attention. In fact – she only sees me after hours so that we’re not disturbed and she says that nobody is allowed to come to the dress fittings with me because, in her experience, people tend to give ‘too many opinions’ and it puts pressure on the bride to maybe not say what she really would like to have done with the dress. But because my parents were here from out of town, she said it was okay for them to come.

So, I told my parents that they’d have to sit there and not yell out their opinions cause Grace knows what she's doing. She’s been making and altering bridal gowns for over 35 years and she knows what looks good, what doesn’t – what will help, etc. Plus – my dad is a very honest man and he hadn’t seen my dress yet, so I was a little apprehensive in case he didn’t like it on me. So, my parents promised me that they’d “be good” and wouldn’t say a word and they would just sit and watch.

So we get there and they say their hello’s and mom and dad sit down (it’s one big room). I go into the change room to put my dress on and no sooner do I come out of the room and step onto the pedestal, does my mom hop out of her chair and runs over to the mirror to look at me and then my dad gets up and comes over too, and then my mom asks Grace if she's going to shorten the hem and my dad says “don’t cut the train” and then my mom says “she won’t cut it hun…she might shorten it – right Lise?” and then my dad says "are you wearing a crown"...and then my mom is like “it's not a crown hun - it's a veil" and then they banter back and forth about it cause my dad actually meant a head band not a crown or a veil and he pulls a sample one out from one of the cabinet displays and puts it on his head and says "like this I mean"….and meanwhile poor little Grace is standing there looking up at me cause she's 3 feet tall and I’m on the pedestal mouthing the words “I’m sorry” to her, and so I had to yell at my parents and tell them to "sit down and not speak".

So back they go to their chairs, and they pull them a little closer to where I was standing so they could see me better. Grace continues to pin and tuck and we discuss the neckline and the straps and I can see my dad fidgeting…and ‘lo and behold…he stands up and says “oh no...don't do that...it's looks better like this….leave it like this…I like this"...and then mom jumps up and comes over and says "wait hun – what about this way” and I'm like "IT'S NOT DONE YET” and little Grace is just humming and pinning and trying to ignore them.

And then, nearing the end, when I put on the veil (which a very kind friend at work is lending me – thanks G!)…my parents lit up like the sun! I think I literally heard them "ooohh" and “aaahh". It was hilarious. They were like "wow – now you really look like a bride" "we LOVE the veil"..."use that veil!!".

So that was my night for about 45 minutes while my dress was adjusted. I love my parents more than anything, and was so glad they were there with me – but…they didn’t listen to the rules! I guess after years and years of me not listening – it was payback time!

Oh, and by the way, my dad loved my dress! (well….at least he told me he did – which is really all that matters). And he looked great in the crown! :)

Showers of Happiness

I don’t really think of myself as a princess, but you wouldn’t know that from the beautiful bridal shower my aunts and sisters-in-law put on for me this past weekend.

It was a surprise shower – the plan to get me there was that I was having a luncheon with my aunts and sisters-in-law and my mom. But who lunches at 3pm? And why is my sister-in-law’s mom in the van (she picked me up) - and what’s with all the gift bags? So I figured it out quite quickly, but I was still super-stoked to get there and start my fun afternoon!

In I walk to my Aunt’s house, and I was expecting a huge yell out of “SURPRISE” and I was practicing my ‘surprise face’ but when I walked in, nobody was there! The room was completely empty – I kid you not! I could hear everyone downstairs laughing and talking, etc. I guess nobody was looking out the window for me! It was kind of hilarious really!

I took a minute there by myself to look around me. The foyer of my aunt’s house was full of pink and white organza and tulle and ribbons and the banisters were covered the same and the lamps and chandeliers were all sparkling and dangling and covered with organza too…it was like a wonderland of sorts.

So downstairs I go…and then after standing there for a few minutes once people realized I’d arrived – I hear “Surprise!”….and the fun began. My chair was a huge puffy loveseat covered completely with organza and beads and jewels with white hearts dangling above it from the ceiling, and the 60 odd inch (HUGE) tv screen had an image of a beach on it with waves going back and forth and I felt like I was in a different world! It was really beautiful.

We played games, I got beautiful presents, and the food was delish! (thanks Auntie Lin!). My future mother-in-law and sister-in-law were there too, which meant a lot to me, and my awesome bridesmaids helped so much, and of course all of my family.

All of the decorations and gifts were beautiful and wonderful – but what meant the most to me was the people that were there to share in that day, and knowing that everyone is truly happy for Rich and I. That’s what counts and that’s what made the day so special. With all the planning that has been done over the past year, I have to admit that it’s kind of fun to sit back and enjoy these special events that are taking place now!

Oh What A Night!

Oh what a night is right! Saturday was my stagette and boy did we do 'er up right! My evening started with much anticipation, as I was due to be picked up around 5:30 pm to head to Shannon's condo downtown. As the time ticked away, it was closer to 8:00 when I finally arrived! But no sooner had I stepped inside, I was given a shot glass and a huge "cheers" from all the girls and the fun began!

All of a sudden I had a p*nis necklace draped around my neck, a p*nis drinking cup and of course, p*nis straws to make it all go down that much smoother! And I was crowned Miss Bachellorette with a sash and all!

There were about 15 of us I think, and we had a pre-bar party at the condo. Shots were had, laughs were abundant and the music was great thanks to a bachellorette mix made for me by the Tobemeister. (thanks Toby!) But something was up. Shannon turned to me and said "ok...for now you can do what you want...but at 8:30 I tell you what to do".

So of course - red flag - not sure what's going on, but I continue to drink and dance and be merry. Then I said I wanted to change my shirt, but apparently I was not allowed in the bedroom to do so. Right away I thought for SURE they had a stripper locked up in the bedroom just waiting to come out! I threatened to jump off the balcony (of the 33rd floor) 'cause i told the girls 'no strippers' - just not my thing!

So 'lo and behold - I'm told to sit in the chair and I'm anxiously waiting, and then out of the room come bags of presents!! my bridesmaids and friends had a surprise shower for me! It was amazing because I found out about my family showers that are coming up, but I had no idea the girls were doing this for me. It was really amazing and a total shock! I was finally surprised! So good job ladies!

But of course, no bachellorette party is complete without a trip out to a club for some good old dancing! Off we went to Devil's Martini - an older club in Toronto, but it was renovated not too long ago. Apparently it's pretty well known for it's stagettes too! So off we all went and we were on guest list so we got right in.

Before I could turn around, I had drinks in my hand and shots being poured down my throat and the boogie-woogie night had begun! (And note to self - you are not 19 anymore so the "go down low" dance is why you can't walk today). I must say... Yaggemeisters (spelling?), mixed with Goldschlagger, mixed with Apple Sours really don't go well together - but at the time I didn't really care!! If you put a shot in front of me, I was doing it!

But boy oh boy - the next morning I sure paid for it! Not a pretty sight and I'll spare you the details. But I had a fabulous night - we danced and drank and sang and laughed. I was pretty sloshed! But that's the point right? It was my stagette and my night to party with my girls. Here are just a few pics from the condo. I don't have any from the bar yet, but once I'll get I'll post those too. So thank you everyone for a great night! I won't forget it.