We interupt the maddness for this important message

Okay. I know I know. You don't talk politics, religion or sex if you want to keep and have good friends. I know it. Remember, my resolution this year was to shut up? But clearly, it is a genetic abnormality for me, so.

Because I just crafted a 2 hour masterpiece in response to two emails I received this morning, I figured I might as well post them here eh? It is long. It is tiring. It isn't spoken or inspirational. But here is why. Here is me. Tell me you. Tell me why.

Peace. Love. Happiness.

Let us begin.

___________Why Barack Obama is my choice__________

Let me begin by saying that this is so important to me that I not only sat here for an hour responding (only to have cyberland eat it up and me cuss a whole storm at work about it), but I'm now in my second hour trying to recreate this. Bear with me.

My apologies for my liberal friends trying to get me on board for the first really viable female candidate. And my apologies to my conservative friends trying to get me on board witha candidate who will finally look out for my family's financial interests. I'm notoriously undecided about who I will end up voting for in the general election, but I'm supporting Barack Obama right now.

I'm really excited about a candidate who can really finally unite America with a message of hope and inspiration to get back to being a great country based on global respect and admiration as opposed to fear and hate/disrespect for those who don't believe exactly as I do.

I think the only way we are really going to progress as a country is to find common ground rather than focus on that which divides us and resultingly fight for the least common denominator. I'm excited about a candidate who is inspired (and has been focused) from day one on the next generation of voters as opposed to counting them out as lazy and uninspirable. I'm excited about a candidate who does what he believes because he believes it, not because it might "look good" (or not) to do what others say will increase voter turnout.

As a black woman, everyday I'm asked if I'll support Hillary or Obama. Never mind the fact that I'm marrying a banker and might just finally vote Republican after all! I struggle everyday with what I think is a more telling statement of progress in America--is it more telling that a black man could become president in this country? Or more telling that a woman could become president? Or that a Mormon could be president? I struggle with that mightily. But what has constantly pushed me towards the Obama camp is that as obvious as a black president would be in him or a woman president would be in her or a Mormon president would be in Romney, Obama doesn't have to remind people that they would be making just as much history by voting for the first black president as they would be by voting for the first woman president or a Mormon president or a former baptist minister as president.

Again, it is just a difference in philosophy--one that I perceive isn't about the messenger but about the message. In a country still deeply and sorely divided along gender, class, race and polical lines, I have never in my life seen a candidate who can cross all those divdes and inspire hope. I get chills just thinking about that. I get chills thinking about what we can accomplish when "We can all disagree without being disagreeable". THAT is the kind of change that I look forward to. Because from there, we can begin the discussion with everyone at the table. When half the parties involved don't show up to the table because they just can't stand the messenger--for whatever logical or illogical reason, I don't see that as change. Change that benefits me personally perhaps in having a democrat or republican who does as I want, but not change at the root level that leaves us with a legacy for our children and policy decisions that are not the number one order of business once a "change" in the guard comes back in to reverse those decisions. A legacy. One of those once in a generation legacies. Deeply rooted meaningful change to our core. Not just to tweak a policy or two in favor of whomever got me to where I'm going by raising the most cash.

I'm passionate about this. And it feels GOOD to finally be passionate about politics again. I first voted in the '96 election and (for better or worse) got to put Bill Clinton back in the white house. Though I hated what he had done to his wife and made her endure as governor of Arkansas and I continued to grow disgusted with his not so personal "personal life" and Hillary's (to me) endorsement of that behavior by continually standing by a man who clearly didn't respect her to the degree she deserved to be respected, I appreciated what he was doing for our country. I even, maybe in some jealous, envious way, appreciated her resolve to do as she did and respect that marriage was for no matter what.

Then I became disenfranchised in 2000 when though a series of debacles as a college student, working the night shift, my vote almost didn't count because of the arcane voting set up in Ithaca, NY. Then I completely lost faith in American government at the federal level in 2004 when everyone had a say and at the urging of two highly vested parties, another branch of government decided that America's voice didn't matter...we just needed to end it already. There was a glimmer of hope for me in 2006 with the US Senate elections, but when I look back, that hope was all about "I want my party to win to show "them" something" and I cared less about the deeper issue at hand--the deeper issue of the divisiveness that was eating us whole. This time, I'm excited. I'm inspired. I'm donating and I'm canvassing. All because someone gave me the audacity to hope. All because someone said that change is possible. All because someone said that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you're a woman or a man, black or white, rich or poor, republican or democrat...we can all make a difference and not just "wait our turn."

Just my two cents. You can be inspired by the man himself at his website here http://www.barackobama.com/index.php and you can become a part of the movement towards a new kind of country (and make history as part of the largest political grassroots fundraising movement ever) here at my personal site where I am looking to raise $1,000. Even with a $5 donation, you'd be a part of this and (smile), you'd be my first donor (smile). That link is here http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/Bernadette


And for those of you not yet tired of reading...my fave email is making the circuit again and really...really. So for the love of all things great...some easy peasy snopes.com research for all that care. (original in white, snopes in red, my personal commentary in orange).

Who is Barack Obama?
We checked this out on 'snopes.com'. It is factual. Check foryourself.

Please. Do go to http://www.snopes.com/ as this email IS listed there as FALSE.

Probable U. S. Presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama
was born in Honolulu , Hawaii , to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr.,
a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel , Kenya and Ann Dunham, a
white ATHIEST from Wichita , Kansas . Obama's parents met at
the U niversity of Hawaii. When Obama was two years old, his
parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya. His mother
then mar ried Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia .?
When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocate to Indonesia.
Obama attended a MUSLIM school in J akarta. He also spent two
years in a Catholic school.

From Snopes: Barack Obama [Jr.] has an unusual and interesting background which the quoted piece draws on to paint him as a dangerous, camouflaged radical Muslim. NO EVIDENCE SUPPORTS A CLAIM THAT OBAMA IS CURRENTLY, OR EVER HAS BEEN, A MUSLIM(RADICAL OR OTHERWISE).

Personal commentary:On Obama Sr. snopes and Obama’s family history show that he was an atheist or agnostic in regards to his Muslim faith when he married his mother. Meaning, he was no longer a practicing Muslim.

On his mother, she was an anthropologist with a healthy respect for religion as a manifestation of culture and cultural beliefs—a ways for human to find meaning and purpose for that which couldn’t tangibly be explained.

If any of ya’ll have ever seen the movie Contact with Jody Foster and Matthew Mcconaughey and the greatest movie line ever when Jody, the atheist space traveling scientest is telling Matthew the man of faith that she doesn’t believe in God because “he can’t be proven” and then Matthew throws it back at her and asks her if she loved her dad (who died when she was really young) and she says yes and then he says to her “prove it” and she can’t…that is the difference between faith, belief and religion.

Obama’s mother wasn’t “religious” in the way most of us use that term, but she wholeheartedly believed in the power of religion to do lots of good, and unfortunately (think radical Islamic thoughts as the most extreme example) to do bad as well. She understood that dynamic and made sure that Obama growing up understood it. She had faith and she believed and she made sure that Obama had a solid foundation in understanding that it isn’t only about knowing what you personally believe…it is also about understanding the foundation of what others believe. More than ever, this country is in need of a President who gets that you can’t fight a religious war against half the world by either killing them all off or converting them to what you believe. It just isn’t possible. What IS possible is to bring everyone to the table when they believe they will be heard and understood. To this, Obama’s religious upbringing I think is the MOST qualified to deal with the global situation currently at hand.

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a
Muslim. He is quick to point out that, 'He was once a Muslim,
but that he also attended Catholic school.'

Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear
that that he is not a radical.

Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and this
influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama
returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had
any direct influence over his son's education.

Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann
Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in
a Wahabi school in Jakarta.

From Snopes: When the younger Obama was six years old, his mother married again, this time…an Indonesian oil manager. Barack and his mother moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where Obama spent 4-5 years attending both Muslim and Catholic. THE SCHOOL BARACK ATTENDED IN INDONESIA WAS “MUSLIM” PRIMARILY IN THE SENSE THAT THE PREPONDERANCE OF IT’S STUDENT BODY WAS MUSLIM (BECAUSE INDONESIA IS A PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM COUNTRY), NOT IN THE SENSE THAT ITS MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO INCULCATE STUDENTS WITH MUSLIM RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS.

Personal commentary:Wahhabism can be researched more on Wikipedia (gotta love that site) and I think of particular interest (although Wahhabi supporters wouldn’t agree with this statement) is that to be a Wahabi muslim is to be a specific TYPE of Muslim. Just as to be a Southern Baptist (what I was raised) is to be a TYPE of Christian.

Just as I wouldn’t ever say all Christians hate blacks because three Christian men from Jasper, TX killed one black man by dragging him behind a truck, I would also never say all 8 year olds at Obama’s Wahabi school in Jakarta were radical Muslims plotting to kill all Americans just because certain people who claimed a belief in the same truths they did happened to do some atrocious things in the name of their religion.

Additionally, (according to Snopes) the notion that the school Barack attended in the mid 60’s was a Wahhabi school is false in that Wahhabi didn’t even reach Indonesia until the 1970’s. Both CNN and the Associated Press visited the school and interviewed prior classmates and noted that if anything, the school is actually very mixed and rather western leaning given the context in which it operates. So much so that teachers were western clothes, and kids where uniforms. That would absolutely not be permissible in a “radical Muslim” environment.

Furthermore, “public” education in that part of the world is very different from here. There, students compete to get into schools and money talks. His mother, married to an oil manager who worked for a U.S. Company with (likely) connections, was able to get Obama into the best “public” school in Jakarta as her only concern was that he get the best education possible. That is why he started at a Catholic school, transferred to the public school and then, finally, was sent back to the United States to attend school.

Barack has also NEVER claimed to have been a Muslim. I think this is where confusion between Barack Sr. And Barack Jr. comes in. Barack Sr. was once a Muslim (well before Barack was ever thought of, let alone born), Barack Jr. was not.

Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the
Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western
world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN
when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack
Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an
attempt to downplay his Muslim background. ALSO, keep in mind
that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy
Bible, but instead the Koran.

From Snopes.com:…his association with the United Church of Christ began over 20 years ago, long before he contemplated a political career (Obama was first elected to the Illinois state senate in 1996, but had been involved with the United Church of Christ since the mid-1980s).

Snopes goes on to note from Obama that his deepening of faith from an academic understanding into a more spiritual one began when he was working in the 80’s as a community organizer in Chicago. There, he was working within the church (black churches in particular as he was working mostly on the south side of Chicago which is predominantly black) on their phenomenal capacity to provide for the community when the government (city, state, federal) could or would not.

As he was working with the ministers of these churches on providing job training and after school programs and seeing how people’s faith in something better was what kept them going, his own faith deepened into a more spiritual than academic manifestation.

As to the Koran/Bible for his swearing into office—completely FALSE.

Personal Commentary: You know me, never one to miss the “I know we all look alike” joke, but it was (African American and muslim) Keith Ellison of Minnesota who said he would do this. Never mind the fact that in the House of Reps (which Ellison was sworn into) they don’t use ANY religious text or book of any sort for swearing in—it’s all for show and photos after the fact, but they just raise their right hand (some, by personal choice, may carry a bible or other sacred text with them). In Ellison’s case, he could carry a Qur’ran and he did pose with photos of Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the text after he was sworn in). And no...Ellison actually doesn't look anything like Obama (smile).

Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegience
nor will he show any reverence for our flag. While oth ers
place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to
the flag and slouches. Let us all remain alert concerning
Obama's expected presidential candidacy.

From Snopes:Senator Obama drew some criticism over a photograph that showed him standing without his hand over his heart during the playing of the U.S. national anthem (TRUE), but the claim that he “will not recite the Pledge of Allegiance” is false.

Personal Commentary:All said. We’re all very smart people who understand the importance of context, honesty and fairness. The internet is a huge place with lots of information—some of it believable, some of it not, and some of it just false. I go back to once more why I’m so passionately behind Obama—it isn’t the messenger, it is the message. We are better and we are smarter than this. Every last one of us.

Well it is 2008...

...and I still stalk, I mean "read a lot of" Chris's blog so...from her blog to your's. I'll link you over just as soon as bloglines stops acting a damn fool.

What did you do in 2007 that you have never done before?
Got on an international flight. Or two.

Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Can't remember what they were so let's say probably not. Didn't make any this year. So been there, done that.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Uhhmmm...my ex-landlord had a cutie. As did my boss. But most importantly, my brother's wife gave him his first kid. A little dude. How cute is that??

Did anyone close to you die?
I don't think so...

What countries did you visit?
Canada, China, Tibet, India, Nepal

What would you like to have more of in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
perspective. peace. simplicity.

What date in 2007 will remain etched in your memory?
October 5, 2007 (smile).

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
winning Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame

What was your biggest failure?
missing the call (perspective)/resigning - quitting because I couldn't take the drama

Did you suffer illness or injury?
injury like you wouldn't believe. But for the first time in a long time, no illness

What was the best thing you bought?
airline tickets to El Paso for the two of us.

Where did most of your money go?
the trip of a lifetime, paying stupid overnight postage, car payments, school loans...life

What did you get really really really excited about?
thinking about how I'm really REALLY going to get to be his wife

What song will always remind you of 2007?
Kanye West - Stronger

What do you wish you had done more of?
enjoying the silence

What do you wish you have done less of?
talking.

how did you spend Christmas?
in Palm Desert enjoying the sunshine and family

did you fall in love 2007?
more deeply and fully

fave TV show?
of 2007? Either Everest Beyond the Limit or Meerkat Manor...I know...I'ma dork

Hate anyone now that you didn't hate last year?
just a bit wiser and less gullible for the wear.

What was the best book you read this year?
what are books? Sister of My Heart is the one I still remember. Time to break out some David Sedaris again...always gives me more perspective.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
no "discoveries" so much as just good new stuff from old faves.

What did you want and get?
engaged

What were your favorite films this year?
* (these are films I SAW in 2007 given we watch almost everything at home on the 110 screen and all) Babel, I am Legend, Blood Diamond, Children of Men, The Pursuit of Happyness, The Last King of Scotland, Little Miss Sunshine, The Departed, The Devil Wears Prada, Perfect Stranger, American Gangster, Mr. Brooks, Ratatouille, Transformers, Into the Wild

What did you do on your birthday?
went to Icon for mac and cheese and saw Titantic in super rich detail. Also got a phone that works and got to hang out with my fave person in the world.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
less drama

Personal fashion concept of 2007?
step it up...suburbia here we come

What kept you sane?
he did

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Will Smith. Still and always. Well and Denzel of course.

What political issue stirred you the most?
[lack of] government accountability. the prospect of a woman or black president becoming a hard reality.

Who did you miss?
my brother. Alex. Rachel. my mom. my nephew Q and all his brothers. my sister. him. All the time. my grandmother.

Who was the best new person you met in 2007?
during the drama that was HOF gate, there was one woman who genuinely took the time to say "and what" and put it all in perspective for me. Chris S was a godsend right when I needed one. It might seem tacky to say this and I hope it doesn't make it sound like she's ancient or anything BUT, if my grandmother were not gone, I'd SWEAR I had had her on email the whole time I talked with Chris.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007?
Perspective notes that being "right" means nothing if you can't realize how "wrong" you are.

What are you most excited about in 2008?
Being all his.

What are you the least excited about in 2008?
the hard times I know are coming for lots of folks close to me. Just hope I have the stamina and resources to help them all through it all.

So here I sit...

...on the verge of 2008. Blogging. Ish. I packed. I only have 7 more things on my to do list that I might do...onlky one of them that I have to do before this year ends. The rest can wait. Like making a resolutions list to resolve to not "wait" on forever to get things done. Yeah.

So life is great. But let me tell you this...if ONLY Comcast had some competition in my hood.

Today, I took one step closer to officially becoming Mrs. We combined our phone plan back on my birthday but I just got around today to cancelling it. I was with Sprint for almost a decade. So they were shocked beyond all shocked that I would out of the blue want to cancel. I mean Ms. Henderson...you've put up with our jacked rates, crazy new fees on text messaging and refusal to give you a new phone because you were an old customer for gosh...almost a DECADE now. Why don't we give you a new lower plan and a new phone and clall it good? Yeah...no. I've tried for EVER to get a new phone from you folks for nothing but my loyalty. Even offered to pay out of pocket as a gesture of further loyalty so long as you'd reimburse me. Nope. Only new suckers...I mean customers...get that pleasure. So...he flipped out that I said "yeah no, I'm gonna be a Mrs. and he likes his service (bold faced LIE--all cell service state side SUCKS) so we're family planning up over there. With my new phone. And his new phone too." Are you sure? We can give you more minutes or something. Yeah, cause all the minutes I've NEVER used on my plan because I have an old OLD phone that doesn't work or take a charge anymore will work well with all those extra minutes.

And then there was the car insurance.

Progressive is pretty upfront about the fact that they stick it to you. And they try to make you feel informed with other insurance quotes from other similiarly pricey folks who will also stick it to you. When I called to cancel with them, they were all "but why?" well...I'm getting married and it is significantly CHEAPER for me to get coverage through his policy. Well...you weren't a 3 year customer when we quoted you back in October so now you are and we can really drop it down. I told him he couldn't get it low enough. He said "well how much were you quoted?" A number you can't possibly match. Because if you COULD and you charged me for three years at the RIDICULOUS rate you charged me and all of a sudden a phone call to cancel results in anything near what I WILL be paying now, I'm just going to be even more mad and you'll have gone through all that work for nothing. Finally got off telling him I'm paying closer to $0 than $100 per month (I suck at math by the way) and that I preferred not to tell him with who. Did end up telling him I got the same amount of coverage and I was fine. That burned him up. So I said sorry and have a great day. He was pissed.

Now to call the cable company and move on from them. Unfortunately, there is no one "else" to go through so they'll just say "have a nice boring no tv life...enjoy that HD DVD player" when I tell them I'm going elsewhere. Maybe I should read more...

Happy new year early!

And I quote...

" Well. It depends on how stupid you are."

Did I mention I love him and I can't stop laughing about that one line?

You see. He is a "let's do it now and get it over with" kind of guy. I'm a "I need to get to that eventually" kind of girl. Which means that when I ask him to impart some of his super genius on me, yet I'm in the middle of planning out a "reception" meal, when he asks "Do you want me to show you now?" and I respond "Well...how long will it take?" these are the kinds of responses I get.

And I love him for it. Cause you don't know this, but it was said in the same loving way that he tells me things like how ducks mate for life and how "Pirates" are cool and how I look up and he's doing something he shouldn't be and he has this look on his face of "Uhhhmmm...nothing dear!" that I know means trouble. Maybe tonight. After my heart is broken at the slightly within budget place.

I think we have a photographer. I think we have a church. I know we have at least one reception option on lock. Really...it's coming up so soon!

So plan C

On the photographers. One of your faves (and our's too) Cory is no longer available for our date.

That's right...our date (smile).

We FINALLY set a date for 2008. Want to know it? I know...such a tease.

In any event, Cory isn't available, but he suggested we look at Joe & Jill. To that, I think a new poll is in order.

We're meeting with the Pope's (Gerald and Arika) tonight I think. I've got a call into J&J and I'm waiting on the last photographer to get back to me as well.

As for the reception, with the date we finally got, WTC wasn't available so...alas. I think I also mentioned that Palace Ballroom has a minimum equivalent to our entire budget for a July wedding so we're not going with them either. Off of our original list there, that leaves Canlis (probably also not available by about now, but maybe) and we've revisited Kaspars. Views are not great, but it all of a sudden looks more workable. Funny how that works out eh?

Anyhow...photographers. I'll add a new poll to the right. You can check out Joe and Jill and click on their site. Lots of great eye candy going on there.

Every Scrapbooker's Dream...

...part of wedding planning that is. Photographer selection. This poll won't be so set in stone because of that whole pesky date thing, but if a girl is dreaming...we might well have fun right?

So the photography choices so far are thus:

Cory Paris (click on weddings--he has flickr stuff you can find via google too)
Gerald Pope (click on the website link to go to the gorgeous photos)
Glen Johnson (bit cumbersome, image shows are in upper left corner tab)

We've met with Cory and he's the coolest dude--totally excited about wedding photography, passionate about it and it shows.

Robert found Gerald and I have to say I'm totally in love. Budget aside of course.

And in a qucik search because I wanted to post three options (smile) came across Glen. Really attracted to the details and read one wedding story which is pretty much what we're doing...non traditional stuff so know he'd be comfy in the setting.

Course, once we add the church into the mix and everything, we'll likely have to have another photographer poll (smile), but till then...pick away!

I do thee wed

So the choices are starting to get a bit out of hand. At least I FINALLY got through to the coordinator at our church (she was out from surgery and doing much better now) and have a bit more sense of control over what is going on there. But in typical retentive fashion, I need options.

That said, We can do our church if it isn't on the 26th. Otherwise, here are potential other options. Of course, you know this means poll time.

Our first choice place, but last choice date (June in Seattle, can you say rainy??) would be our home church which is Trinity Episcopal:

You can see great photos of the exterior here and here with great overall shots by Dale here.

Another choice we're thinking about is Fauntleroy (really great shot here and a really great sketch of the exterior here. Note the photographer...that's another poll to come).

And another choice is Bastyr (great overall shot here).

We go to see Bastyr this Sunday before church. We go to Trinity and I've been by Fauntleroy and think a West Seattle wedding would be totally cool. We shall see.

I think this calls for a poll. Take a peak, pick your pickings. So far you've helped me pick colors and I've narrowed reception options. Might need to research a couple more reception spots with holds falling off as we try to get the ceremony place re-settled (thought it was a done deal at Trinity only to see...), but so far, I'm kinda calm about it all.

Take the poll. And I'll even throw up another before this one ends so you can confirm, I mean (smile) help me pick a top choice for photographer.

Yeehaw to 30!

So you'll get TWO (maybe, dare I say it...THREE) posts today.

Of all birthdays, I think today will be my fave. Cause there is a three in it. The big 30. I can't believe I've made it this far. Not like I grew up with nightly gun fire hissing through my window or anything like that, but there have been some moments. And since what I really want to blog about is wedding planning stuff and post a couple more polls there, instead, I'll do a list of some of the greatest moments of the past 30. In no particular order (but numbered so I don't fall out and give you like 12 or 13)...

10. Graduating from Cornell
9. Reading that one profile on Match.com
8. Saying yes at the Golden Gate bridge
7. Falling for those two polar opposite guys in the 7th grade.
6. The trip to Coca-Cola World in 1996
5. Flea market Sundays with my grandmother, the menudo paycheck was all I needed.
4. The Can't let Go C/O 1997 "You Rock my World" PHS alumni/grad dinner (I think I can!)
3. Jersey bagels and tea w/milk at the home of the kindest guy I know during a school break
2. Christmas circa late 80's stretching my brother into his limp, probably ruined him for life.
1. Meeting my nephew Quantae for the very first time

Here's to 30 or so more of amazingly good times!

And really...

...just when I was going to give up hope (and, admittedly faith) we had a chat session, some emails went out and some pretty quick responses came back. Now to just figure out what really can and can't be done. I'm giving it until the end of the week and then I'm moving on.

In the meantime, last night, when we were in Target wonderland watching his eyes light up at all the choices for Christmas light timers and dimmer switches, we stood in line to hear one of the clerks practically scream out "Oh my God it is snowing!"

And by golly it was. Pretty hard at that. It was a beautiful sight. The grocery bill at safeway, not so beautiful, but I love produce. Love it. And love cooking for him too. So we had (I know I know...the food entry) Bison meatloaf, mashed potatoes (extra creamy because we managed NOT to get milk but had a ton of cream--light and heavy--on hand) and steamed asparagus. With hollandaise sauce.

Curled up so that I could watch 7 years in Tibet. Of course I fell asleep. But I did watch Meet Joe Black today. One of his fave movies. That was good.

I've needed some good lately. Bit of a heavy heart for some family folks who I wish that I could do so much more for. How I wish.

Fastforward to Sunday night. I learned how to tie a Windsor knot, saw him dressed up totally spiffyfied for church today, got some really cute little ATC cards done for some really cute (and special) gals, made green chicken (and green onion) enchiladas with the fixins, happy that the Seahawks beat the Eagles (hiss Philly--go cowboys!). Kind of heartbroken that Washington lost the way they did. Football has been kinda blah for me lately. In a "good" way if that is possible. Didn't get to go out to see the Thursday night game cause of some other stuff we were dealing with but with all the uhhhggg, there came some amazing stuff out of that too so no complaints anymore. Thanksgiving's Cowboys game was sad...hard to watch them whip up on a team that ain't that good and we don't have a long held hatred of.

Anyhow...thanks Traci for the Packers card (smile). And you know what? I didn't even think to ask you but you know how I missed the Thursday night game for some amazing (stupid) stunt? I should have asked you if you had a working VCR you could spare (smile).

Bed time. Ish.

And the winners...

...all three of ya from the bloggiversary post. No...not twice Traci...slow your roll lol. I got a bunch of email posts too but I think it only fair to separate out the winners since I didn't make it totally clear how to respond via email or here. So Email winners, you should have an email from me if you're the quiz winner (ahem...Beckster--going back to high school old school days lol) or if you're the random winner (Mr. Close but not quite rhymes with Cigar superstar #2 in my life...sorry...someone else claimed the official title first), ya'll have emails so just be sure to respond.

But here on the blog...Christina you win the quiz part, Traci you won the random pull and Tara I'd love to send ya something just because. Blog winners, shoot me an email at henderso@seattleu.edu with your mailing addys (you too Traci just in case) and between Traci and Christina let me know your preferences between the Target card or the scrap stash. Remember, if you both want Target, you'll split it; if you both want scrap, first one to claim it gets the book in it. But I've got more than plenty scrap stuff to share.

Thanks for playing!

A few decisions...

...in list format because well you know why (smile).

10. Brooklyn - get a life lol. Girl you know what I'm talking 'bout. lol
9. Ms. Jourdan. I got the spinach, I got the pine nuts, I got the penne. Where are YOU at?
8. Customer service is still very alive and very well at Canlis.
7. I didn't want to, but I had to DQ Palace. That they don't know their own minimums, that they can't send you a general price list, that they want to charge you HOW MUCH per person and not throw in some complimentary service? Does, hell go with no? I thought so.
6. Two days on, five days off. I might manage.
5. On really being grown. Don't know about the sexy part, but definitely growed up.
4. Dummies are great! I've finished the most major one (of the invite).
3. Photographers are better. Especially when they shoot with the same goods you do.
2. Holy Trinity. Get back to me already. I know I know, but it eases my slowly developing ulcer.
1. WTC on hold. Officially. Making progress, making progress.

Its our Bloggiversary

***UPDATE*** Yes of course you can still answer the quiz. Just because someone has a response for every question doesn't mean they have the CORRECT response for every question. Hence why it is so long (smile). The first person to get them ALL right is one winner. Then I'll do a random pull of all the responses for the other winner. So do play along! ***UPDATE OVER***

Well...yesterday was. And I like to celebrate for long bouts of time so...

So let's have fun and go down memory lane shall we? Prizes are involved of course. And you'll even get a choice! Since most of the folks I know in my life are all about the scrappiness or about Target love, the choices are as follows:

If you are one of two winners (one for the fastest most correctest person on the quiz, the other from a random pull of commentors for the week), you can have either a big old box of scrap goodies (new stuff...I need to purge in a big way to pack up the scrap room already--even throw in an autographed copy of the "infamous HOF Volume 9" for you) OR you can have a $50 gift certificate to Target (hey...a dollar per question...that seems fair...or for just being really lucky).

The fine print:

If you both choose the Target gc, it will be split ($25 each) and I only have one copy of the HOF book left so first to claim that one once I declare the winners (I'll post winners at the same time) will get that.

So let the fun begin!

50. What was the name of the Seattle-based race I was the sore 3rd place loser in?
49. The highlight of any Portland trip is a journey over to what bookstore?
48. By what mode of transportation did my mom and my nephew return to El Paso after their summer visit to Seattle?
47. Where did Robert and I get our first Christmas tree from?
46. Where did I go on my "trip of a lifetime"?
45. What are the names of my other two public blogs?
44. What high school milestone did I reach and help plan out in 2006?
43. When I'm too lazy/busy/tired to blog, but HAVE to write, what do I do?
42. According to the other recruiters in Mississippi, how many MPH should you go on the Trace?
41. When is my birthday?
40. My boyfriend knows how to make me click. What camera did he get me for my 29th bday?
39. Who is Double Stuffed Oreo (no…not me!)
38. What kind of bed do I have (hint: think Hotels...)
37. On the camping trip with Robert and the ex-roommate we forgot an ax and something else. To haze the roommate, we stopped at McDonald’s and each picked up some what?
36. What is my favorite lunch meat?
35. Crisis management solidified my belief that money is to be spent not _____? [fill in the blank]
34. Running red lights is bad. On what date did I get krashed into?
33. You’ve never seen a sunset until you’ve seen an ______ _______ (two words) sunset.
32. What is the exact name of the wedding color combo that won out on my first ever blog poll? 31. Excluding Tibet, name three of the top 10 places I want to visit before I die
30. Which one of my family members is "far less likely to read my blog"?
29. What does a “vegetarian” such as myself eat at Daniel’s Broiler? (one of the four items noted in that post is fine)
28. What beach did I get proposed to on?
27. When I am on the road travelling for work, what collection of Robert's do I add to?
26. Why was I looking to move out of my apartment in 2005?
25. Am I an essential worker at my job?
24. I asked "Does Hell go with No?" when my car dealer quoted me $350 to fix what on my car?
23. What is the name of the restaurant (two words) that I call over to almost every day to order the exact same thing for lunch from David?
22. I once had a Christmas tree up until April fools day. List one of the dates in 2007 that I blogged about my neighbor’s tree that was still up.
21. After a dinner in Portland at Harrisons, what is the name of the place we listened to live jazz and wrote crayon incrypted love messages to each other playing hangman at?
20. What did we almost do all because we didn’t go to a puppy show?
19. In what airport (airport, not the city) could I not find a "mail slot" in?
18. The theme of my Tibet trip was: “OH my goodness!! There’s a ____ _____ and _____ _____!!” (two words for each).
17. On April 11, 2007, I went off the grid to do what?
16. If Janet Jackson had to do American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance or America’s Top Model…which one of the three did she tell Tyra she would do?
15. What is my favorite drink?
14. I told R if he loved “it” so much, he should just marry “it.” What is “it”?
13. At Bumbershoot who was the performer who had been my fave concert of the year up until that post?
12. How many other public blogs do I have?
11. During the August 24 crisis of hope, I was absolutely, most of all too ________.
10. What is Robert’s first choice for a reception venue for our wedding?
9. My first husband thought it was necessary to ______ and to get ______ to create art.
8. On what date did I get engaged? (be careful on this one…)
7. In the battle of Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, do I prefer Starbucks croissants or Dunkin Donuts croissant sandwiches?
6. What do I love abou the three hour time difference on the east coast while I'm there?
5. What are the two cities we are deciding between for New Year’s Eve (NYE) 2007?
4. My blog byline is “Just some color in some ________”
3. What shoes do I wear with my orange wooly jumper to the fancy ball?
2. What is my Chinese zodiac year?
1. Name one of my two fave authors (listed by name, not inferred from a book) or two of my favorite movies

You have until next Sunday to play. Even if you just answer one of the questions, you'll be entered for the random drawing. I'd suggest you copy and paste the questions into like a word document, get all your answers that you're going to attempt together and then post in one posting so that:
a. other's won't poach your answers
b. I can see that you did more than one or two questions.

Regardless, be sure to leave in your post your full first name and last initial and to come back and check next Sunday evening to see if you won just in case I can't track you down via blogger.

Good luck! Have fun. Learn something new!

Seriously...

...they finally turned off the water. Out my back window, there's the UFO (aka water tower). There's this long long LONG stretch of hose they have rung up out there that had water pouring from it for the past half of forever. I looked out today and finally it is off. Hmmm.

But I digress.

Sad to say it but it is looking like one of my fave options is going to be a no go. I mean, I don't understand why it is so hard to do the simple things (ie, a price list so that I can even figure out if you are in my budget) so I'm quickly warming to some other ideas.

Today, I go on a scavenger hunt for the oh so ellusive bit of something for my invites. Yesterday, we got two breaths away from locking in a date. Talk about exciting!

No more recruiting for me for the year, lots of time to be home and get stuff done. In Mike's the other day I found the CUTEST centerpiece dealio. I'm so going to rock that...you just wait after Christmas sales...I know where all the Mike's are. But speaking of post holiday sales--I just scored a bunch of stuff (for all of $12) on the after fall sale. Brown and blue...brown and blue. Just have to wait for the after spring sales for the blue part.

Back to cleaning. This room is a hot mess.

You know...

...it is probably not a good idea to think about taking your iPod anywhere NEAR your reception if you can't even figure out how to turn up the !(#*#) volume on the thing. Or it takes you half an hour to figure out how to hook it up to your speakers at home.

I'm just saying.

So...we went and looked at places to do the reception. You know...to narrow it down from fourhundredtwentyseven choices to like two? Well. I think we pretty much accomplished that.

While this would be a great place to get married on the water (literally!)

It really is not an option because of the stairs.

Alas...accessibility not as huge an issue for them since they are technically a vessel, not a building. Sigh

While I kind of liked the intimacy and set up of this place:

The location and the view were pretty attrocious for being so close to the water:

Maybe if we have to find an off site cater. But even then, they didn't have any more space for Thanksgiving seatings so I don't even know if the food would be worth it.

This one was his favorite:

and I'm warming to it because they actually do have a blue option as well

That and the fact that the connections and the price are just so right. Just about enough space to have a dance floor if necessary (I'm thinking not). Bar would be pricey but hey...and he loves it because it is totally Seattle. View, location, etc. Very convenient for folks coming in to stay at the Marriott right next door.

So far my fave has been:

Which of course could have been because they were already setting up in my colors. But really, I loved the location (westin for guests...or King's Inn or even the Ramada for those on a bit more of a budget). AND it is right by the monorail (not the train) AND it is right up the way from the Space Needle AND there are so many urban photography options for wedding photos and...okay. Clearly you know my fave. But it would be, I'm starting to think, about TWICE the cost of his fave space. Sigh.

One last option is Canlis:

But that is some serious budget sacrificing. Which means I need to go and look at the guest list again...small wedding, small wedding...small wedding.

Lots of great interior set up shots with no appointments cause I am attached at the hip to that guy who is all about "Just tell them you're thinking of doing a wedding here and they'll let you in while they're setting up." And of course they did.

Good looking out.

Well then...

...that was easy. Painful, but easy. Dropped two places off definitely--one he wasn't feeling, the other not accessible (though a really REALLY cool wedding on the water option...sigh).

There are 2-3 that could be backups...didn't go into one and didn't really feel it on first glance anyhow, another was still under renovation and the last he's convinced I won't like, but location wise, I think it has potential.

But then there were two. One is the one he told me about. Like it. It's small. It is very Seattle. The other is one I found. LOVE it. So much potential. Intimate, but with enough space to invite everyone I know and really hope they show up.

So...the list will determine the space. Fun times there...pictures to come soon. Then we get to do it all over again with the Phoenix potential locations. Yeah. Not.

Three Whole Days

I've no idea what I'll do with myself. I know what some of ya'll WANT me to do with myself and I'm getting there, I'm getting there. Really I am. But more pressing matters are at hand. Like...giving myself a sense of accomplishment by narrowing down some reception sites. But first...last night.

So he and I both got off at a decent time. We were potentially going to go back to the scene of the crime--where we first met--for dinner but I was really REALLY feeling for some mac and cheese. So of course that meant Kingfish Cafe.

You know a restaurant is the shiznit (smile), when it won't take reservations and there is a line of folks waiting at the door to get in. Never mind that they have a whole second room that I have close to never seen anyone dining in. I told him that we should have our rehearsal dinner there and that would get his friend's talking about "Oh he done done it now." and he was all "Dear, you think they don't already say that?" Touche.

So.

Today.

Hope to dearness that a package is still at the post office. Deposit a check that was a bit of a surprise but who am I to question good money? And then lots of driving.

In no particular order:

Stone Manor
Lake Washington Rowing
Lake Union Crew
World Trade Center Seattle
Palace Ballroom
Artic Club
Kaspars
Fauntleroy

One of my faves (well, actually, as is becoming usual, both of my faves) are not up on that list. One has open houses that we just need to find the time to make (and it is turning out to be a bit farther out than I thought) and the other I just have to seriously get serious about and then have my heart broken over. But it would be a perfect little non-traditional spot. Very worth it. Very "us" but in the same breath "not us."

We shall see.

Photos to come so that you can help with interactive wedding planning #2. In the meantime, be sure to cast your vote to the left for interactive wedding planning #1.

Color Me What?

Oh that oh so fun time has come. Time to choose wedding colors. No. Still don't have a date. Or a theme. Or a place really yet. But I feel like I might have a bit of a sense of accomplishment (and be able to narrow down the bagillion choices out there) if I had some direction. Without further ado...some swatches. Played around on colorlovers and here are a few combos I was feeling:


Deep chocolate brown & sky blue

Brightly bold red & caramel brown

Pure black & carribean blue

Wheat & Sailor Blue

Deep blue sky blue & grass green

Pure Black and Scarlet Red:

For the moment. And my favoritest color isn't anywhere in sight. Nor is my fave color combo. We shall see. What's your pick so far? Take the poll to the left and be counted!

It really isn't an ode to UPS

Yeppers. Still here. Still there (smile). Need proof?

So it really isn't an ode to UPS so much as I just really love the color.

Brown and orange as wedding colors?

For a non-fall wedding?

No?

Oh but why not?

Brown is NOT the color of death or dying.

Nor is black for that matter.

Sigh.

Happy birthday big time NYC woman Rachel! What are you...21?

Oh to be young again...

Really?

Is it really an update if you don't really write much more than enough to call it an update so that you can check off blogging from your to do list? I think not. So I'll give you a list (since it is all about lists today):

In no particular order:

10. I LOVE to scrapbook
9. I love when my bills are paid and I still got money in the bank
8. I love being home. More specifically, in my Westin bed.
7. Window Live Beta. I LoVe it. But I'm not using it this moment.
6. Wedding planning is swell. Uh huh.
5. Philly or NYC. For NYE. Guess that one turned out to be a no-brainer after all.
4. I still have LOTS of clothes to fold.
3. But I finally dropped my suits off at the drycleaners
2. Just a tiny bit more real work to do tonight.
1. I get to be part of the "voice" of america. Better hope I'm shopping right.

And How it went down (real life)

I know...so long ago I said I'd tell ya how it went down. And to that, here we go!

So...I was out in upstate NY and he had planned to come out to the Bay Area last weekend so that we could see each other sometime between August 31 and November 5. Of course, I get to the Syracuse airport on Friday morning at o' dark 30 and they tell me my flight is delayed and bordering on canceled. I'm weeping cause that means less time with Robert, but I finally get on a plane and get to SFO in time to still fulfill his Friday night plans.

He's there to meet me and in hindsight, totally freaking out. I mean he's in touch with his emotions and all, but he's more the logical, have fun, don't get all mushy type. He was all loving up on me, huggin' me, staring at me in the car...to the point that I actually say "WHY are you looking at me??" and he's like "Dude, cause I miss you."

So we try to go to lunch at his fave place downtown, they're closed won't open again until dinner, I suggest we come back, he says not an option. Okay Mr. Flexible is being really rigid...clueless, I think nothing of it. We stop into this other Chinese food joint and my shiny forehead makes an appearance.

We finally find some food and then we do the whole "this is where I lived/worked tour" and finally we get all set and head over to Baker Beach to take sunset shots of the Golden Gate Bridge before going out to take some photos of the city on Friday night before most of the lights go out in the office buildings for the weekend.

We're snapping away, working our way towards the bridge--him doing his thing, me doing mine. Finally, he puts down his camera, comes over, hugs me and is all "I so totally love you and you have to promise not to laugh". which of course, every time he says that, I get a huge grin on my face cause I know that means he made me something. I promise, he sits me down and it goes like this:

Him: You know, travel season has been hard on us this year and I just really wanted you to know how much I love and appreciate you so...please don't be mad but I went into your scrap room.

Me: You must TOTALLY love me if you dared to venture into that place.

Him: I know huh? Anyhow, I made you this scrapbook. [totally all shy about giving it to me]

Me: [totally and utterly SHOCKED, tear probably glistening in my eye] WOW! [opens up the book] WOW! You are just too adorable and I can't believe you made me a whole scrapbook!

Him: I know it is nothing like your scrap skills, but I hope you like it. Why don't you read it out loud to me.

Me: [still psyched that he friggin got out the actual scrap supplies and made me a scrapbook] Okay...starts reading...

Him: [probably a bit agitated that the sun is totally going down and I'm taking like 4 hours to reminisce over every picture in the book...]

Me: Get to the last page. It reads "Will you marry me" [think to self, I must love this boy to not even care that he just used up my last Thickers to make this page...oh this must be a hypothetical question...I mean, we've kinda talked about this before...oblivious to the fact that the guy is actually in FRONT OF ME, with this gorgeous ring in front of him] Finally look up, see him. See the ring. He says I threw the book at that point. I contend that I gently placed it down beside me so that I wouldn't get tears and snot all over it cause I freaked out when I realized this was "for real."

Him: "Will you Marry me?"

Me: "Are you serious?!"

Him: "Uh yeah, I'm serious"

Me: Crying like a big old baby (I'm totally NOT the emotional type, no idea WHAT came over me)

Him: [wondering if those are tears of joy, tears of despair...what is going ON here?!]

Me: [finally] Yes, of course I will. Babbled something else that I don't recall at all.

No, we got no pics of this (he got a pic of me before, I got a pic of him the day after telling his mom...but no during although there were a bagillion photographers on the beach).

Yes I still have the scrapbook. Nope, I promised not to share it for less than 20 million dollars. Or something like that.

That's how it went down. I still smile ear to ear just THINKING about that Friday night in October at sunset. See...I told you I loved October Afternoons (wink)!

He's a keeper. Totally. I'm so lucky to be in love with such an amazing person. And to be loved in return. Man even almost a month later I still can't believe we're actually going to be married. Really!