This past weekend Laurie and I made the most important wedding-related decision--choosing a wedding cake! No seriously! Laurie contends that a good wedding cake really isn't that important but for me it is key. While some people focus on the dresses, flowers, reception hall, dinner, etc, my focus is the cake. I always remember whether or not the cake was good at weddings. Is anybody else like this?
Anyway, on Saturday we went to Paielli's--a local Kenosha bakery--to find a cake. Like most other couples we looked through some pictures to determine what we wanted our cake to look like. Surprising we both liked the same type of cake--a traditional three-tier cake. The baker we met with also had three mini-cakes for us to sample--something Laurie had arranged beforehand. The three types included carrot cake, chocolate cake with a raspberry filling, and yellow cake with raspberry and buttercream frosting mixed together as a filling.
Rather than digging in ourselves we decided to take the cakes home to Laurie's family for the true test. After much taste-testing from multiple members of the Herzog, Saladis, and Murphy families, first place went to the carrot cake (which was rated as "breathtaking"), second place went to the yellow cake (which was rated as "sensational"), and third place went to the chocolate cake (my personal favorite). Since Laurie and I don't like to discriminate--and since all three tasted so good--we decided the we would go with all three flavors--one on each layer. What a deal! We even had enough leftovers of the sample cake for Jack--Laurie's dad--to have cake for breakfast, lunch, and dinner over the next week. [For those of you that don't know, Laurie's dad can go through some serious cake--or any other sweets for that matter.]
So...with the biggest decision behind us I declare we are finally ready to get married!!! Oh...and by the way...if you don't like our wedding cake pretend that you do or just tell Laurie! Until next time...
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Conference for the Engaged
Dan and I attended the Conference for the Engaged this weekend. It was a lot different than we expected. I guess going into it we thought it would be a lot of group discussion, with maybe 10 other couples present. Oh, no no, nothing like that at all – which I must say, was a good thing. I wasn’t really in the mood to have touchy-feely talks with strangers. There were about 75 couples there and we sat through a series of lectures for nearly 8 hours.
We heard from a priest and two married couples – one married for 43 years and the other for six. The topics ranged from intimacy to finances to parenting, but primarily focused on Jesus and God. Actually, the couple that has been married for 43 years – Bev and Bob – were fantastic. And Bev reminded me of my Aunt Peggy. Although, Bob didn't bear too many similarities to Uncle Ralph. Bev and Peggy sort of look alike in a way and Bev is very active in the church, as is Peggy. They teach CCD and marriage prep together, very sweet couple. At one point, Bob shocked us a tad. I think his comment actually snapped us out of our after-lunch nap we were secretly taking with our eyes open. He was talking about the importance of communication and never going to sleep at night without resolving a fight and he said, "If you really want to resolve a fight, fight naked." Come again, Bob? Wasn't expecting that one - and that is why he doesn't remind me of my Uncle Ralph! I can't imagine him standing in front of a room full of couples talking about communication and fighting naked. Hmm...next topic!
We had to wear name tags at this function with our names, parishes and wedding dates. As you can imagine, there were tons of 7-7-07 brides (and grooms). It's actually a cult I think. I was tooling around on The Knot's Web site the other day and reading some of the message boards. I noticed a ton of postings "calling all 7-7-07 brides" and those brides were posting with these fancy graphic signatures with the date. It is a pretty cool day, but I think we have some brides getting a little crazy over it. Today, my coworker told me that she saw a segment on the morning news about one 7-7-07 bride that is getting married at 7:07 p.m. and had seven bridesmaids, seven groomsmen. Whew, that's tiring. And it's funny because last year everyone was fearing the spawn of satan on 6-6-06!
I think that we have the "sleeper" date, 9-8-07. After July 7 passes, that is the second coolest day of the year:)
Also - Dan is out of town until Thursday. He says he'll give everyone his take on the Conference for the Engaged when he gets back.
We heard from a priest and two married couples – one married for 43 years and the other for six. The topics ranged from intimacy to finances to parenting, but primarily focused on Jesus and God. Actually, the couple that has been married for 43 years – Bev and Bob – were fantastic. And Bev reminded me of my Aunt Peggy. Although, Bob didn't bear too many similarities to Uncle Ralph. Bev and Peggy sort of look alike in a way and Bev is very active in the church, as is Peggy. They teach CCD and marriage prep together, very sweet couple. At one point, Bob shocked us a tad. I think his comment actually snapped us out of our after-lunch nap we were secretly taking with our eyes open. He was talking about the importance of communication and never going to sleep at night without resolving a fight and he said, "If you really want to resolve a fight, fight naked." Come again, Bob? Wasn't expecting that one - and that is why he doesn't remind me of my Uncle Ralph! I can't imagine him standing in front of a room full of couples talking about communication and fighting naked. Hmm...next topic!
We had to wear name tags at this function with our names, parishes and wedding dates. As you can imagine, there were tons of 7-7-07 brides (and grooms). It's actually a cult I think. I was tooling around on The Knot's Web site the other day and reading some of the message boards. I noticed a ton of postings "calling all 7-7-07 brides" and those brides were posting with these fancy graphic signatures with the date. It is a pretty cool day, but I think we have some brides getting a little crazy over it. Today, my coworker told me that she saw a segment on the morning news about one 7-7-07 bride that is getting married at 7:07 p.m. and had seven bridesmaids, seven groomsmen. Whew, that's tiring. And it's funny because last year everyone was fearing the spawn of satan on 6-6-06!
I think that we have the "sleeper" date, 9-8-07. After July 7 passes, that is the second coolest day of the year:)
Also - Dan is out of town until Thursday. He says he'll give everyone his take on the Conference for the Engaged when he gets back.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Habits
Bad habits. We all have them - although the degree of "badness" (I know, not a word) is how I classify them. Smoking, that's a really bad habit, it can give you cancer. Picking your noise is a bad habit, because it is gross. Biting your nails is a bad habit, because it makes your fingernails jagged and you could really be chomping on germs.
I think Dan and I have pretty much discovered each other's bad habits. And while I don't think they rank high on the "badness" meter - we're both trying to help each break them. I am a perpetual hair twirler. It's really more than that. I pull my hair out of my head and twist it into a ball and then toss it on the floor (of sofa or bed). This one has escalated over the years, and Dan is pulling out all the stops to help me break it. Now that we are living together (and he does the vacuuming), he is noticing this one a bit more. And to help me break it, he is instilling fear. "You'll be bald in five years if you keep up that pace." It's working somewhat...he might need to tweak his strategy though. Now, I've been pulling from the back and bottom of my head!
Now, Dan is not bad-habit free. He cracks his knuckles. This is one of those annoying habits. This is a tricky one to break. I've been using the "your rings won't fit you if you keep that strategy" for awhile. And, finally it might be working! Dan doesn't really wear rings, but now he's got to get ready for the wedding ring! If his knuckles are too big, he might not be able to get in on or off, right?
Hopefully we can both kick our bad habits, otherwise I might end up prematurely bald and Dan might always look like a Bachelor!
I think Dan and I have pretty much discovered each other's bad habits. And while I don't think they rank high on the "badness" meter - we're both trying to help each break them. I am a perpetual hair twirler. It's really more than that. I pull my hair out of my head and twist it into a ball and then toss it on the floor (of sofa or bed). This one has escalated over the years, and Dan is pulling out all the stops to help me break it. Now that we are living together (and he does the vacuuming), he is noticing this one a bit more. And to help me break it, he is instilling fear. "You'll be bald in five years if you keep up that pace." It's working somewhat...he might need to tweak his strategy though. Now, I've been pulling from the back and bottom of my head!
Now, Dan is not bad-habit free. He cracks his knuckles. This is one of those annoying habits. This is a tricky one to break. I've been using the "your rings won't fit you if you keep that strategy" for awhile. And, finally it might be working! Dan doesn't really wear rings, but now he's got to get ready for the wedding ring! If his knuckles are too big, he might not be able to get in on or off, right?
Hopefully we can both kick our bad habits, otherwise I might end up prematurely bald and Dan might always look like a Bachelor!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Marriage Preparation, Round III
Hello. I am on marriage preparation blog duty again. Yesterday, Laurie and I attended our third marriage preparation session. Unfortunately neither of us were at "full strength" for this session. I had a very long day at work and Laurie had two root canals 8 hours before our meeting. You all should have seen Laurie...chipmunk cheeks and all!!! Hey, you know what they say..."there is no excuse for missing marriage preparation!"
Anyway, the session got off to a bit of a rough start because we gave the deacon the four affidavits (to show we are "free to marry") signed by our parents and then found out that they have to be notarized. He failed to mention this requirement....sooooo...it looks like we will be repeating this step. Fortunately we were able to redeem ourselves by telling the deacon we had booked our "Conference for the Engaged" date and had picked our readings.
The rest of the session was filled with a discussion of the "three pillars of marriage"--permanence, fidelity, and openness to children. I got a good education on how these three pillars resonate from the scriptures and the deacon made sure to emphasize that Laurie and I not wait too long to have children. Wow, he is starting to sound like Laurie's mother Marilyn! If anybody was wondering, our deacon has seven (7) children!
Well....that about sums it up. Next stop--the full-day "Conference for the Engaged." Want to hear how it goes? You'll have to stay tuned! I know, the suspense is almost too much to take...
Anyway, the session got off to a bit of a rough start because we gave the deacon the four affidavits (to show we are "free to marry") signed by our parents and then found out that they have to be notarized. He failed to mention this requirement....sooooo...it looks like we will be repeating this step. Fortunately we were able to redeem ourselves by telling the deacon we had booked our "Conference for the Engaged" date and had picked our readings.
The rest of the session was filled with a discussion of the "three pillars of marriage"--permanence, fidelity, and openness to children. I got a good education on how these three pillars resonate from the scriptures and the deacon made sure to emphasize that Laurie and I not wait too long to have children. Wow, he is starting to sound like Laurie's mother Marilyn! If anybody was wondering, our deacon has seven (7) children!
Well....that about sums it up. Next stop--the full-day "Conference for the Engaged." Want to hear how it goes? You'll have to stay tuned! I know, the suspense is almost too much to take...
Monday, May 7, 2007
Hometown Visit
We're back! Dan and I were in Columbus this past weekend, and so were both of our parents. What a great weekend. It was so nice to be with both of our parents at the same time - the first time they have met in five years. We figured it might be a nice thing to arrange before the wedding:) We grilled out one night, had dinner out another night, watched the Kentucky Derby, ladies did some shopping - just an awesome weekend. Although...seeing as our parents read this blog, I probably wouldn't tell you otherwise! Kidding! With all sincerity, it really was a good weekend.
And....I got a rose. I mean, I knew I would. The other three girls had nothing on my hometown visit. Haha...those tv shows are interfering with reality again! I'm talking The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman. I don't want anyone to give me crap for watching this - because many of you do as well, even if you won't admit it. And, if you aren't watching it this season, you have in the past. I gave it up for a few seasons, but I'm back on the Bachelor train - and I am ashamed no more.
The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman vs.
The Bachelor: An Analyst and a Baseball Fan
In tonight's episode of The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman, we have the hometown visits. He's down to the final four. I have new appreciation for this show given that I am now going to be married. When I first met the Leopold family (and when Dan first met the Murphy clan), there was no pressure of proposing in two weeks. I really think Dan and I are lucky - we have great parents - but it can still be weird to meet the parents/family for the first time. (Hello - took Dan 4+ years to decide to "become a Murphy!!") Besides, imagine getting that final rose, having to wait until the tv show airs to finally be together, and then planning a wedding with this almost stranger, really?
This episode should be a good one. I really am kind of curious to know who else watches this? Certainly - more than just me and my sisters??! My fellow tv addicts - give me some support!
Oh - and on tonight's episode of The Bachelor: An Analyst and a Baseball Fan: After eating a fantastic dinner prepared by his number one girl, Dan goes to bed early because he has a presentation to give early in the a.m. And the Yankees, now celebrating the return of Roger Clemens, are battling Seattle in the last game of a three-part series.
And....I got a rose. I mean, I knew I would. The other three girls had nothing on my hometown visit. Haha...those tv shows are interfering with reality again! I'm talking The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman. I don't want anyone to give me crap for watching this - because many of you do as well, even if you won't admit it. And, if you aren't watching it this season, you have in the past. I gave it up for a few seasons, but I'm back on the Bachelor train - and I am ashamed no more.
The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman vs.
The Bachelor: An Analyst and a Baseball Fan
In tonight's episode of The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman, we have the hometown visits. He's down to the final four. I have new appreciation for this show given that I am now going to be married. When I first met the Leopold family (and when Dan first met the Murphy clan), there was no pressure of proposing in two weeks. I really think Dan and I are lucky - we have great parents - but it can still be weird to meet the parents/family for the first time. (Hello - took Dan 4+ years to decide to "become a Murphy!!") Besides, imagine getting that final rose, having to wait until the tv show airs to finally be together, and then planning a wedding with this almost stranger, really?
This episode should be a good one. I really am kind of curious to know who else watches this? Certainly - more than just me and my sisters??! My fellow tv addicts - give me some support!
Oh - and on tonight's episode of The Bachelor: An Analyst and a Baseball Fan: After eating a fantastic dinner prepared by his number one girl, Dan goes to bed early because he has a presentation to give early in the a.m. And the Yankees, now celebrating the return of Roger Clemens, are battling Seattle in the last game of a three-part series.
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