Countdown to 04/16/11 - Two

So Julie and the girls went dress shopping today.

They started the day by going to a local "formal wear" shop that had some dresses, but from what I understand, the selection was, shall we say, limited. Most of the gowns were "as-is", with only a handful of custom order gowns available.

Unsatisfied, they decided to go to David's Bridal to see what they can see.

Mind you, I didn't tag along. I don't believe the groom should see his bride-to-be in her gown before she walks down the aisle. Bad luck aside, it's just not proper. He should be at the altar, waiting for her, and his jaw should drop along with everyone else there when he sees her for the first time in the gown.

I drove Julie and Hailey up to Rockford while Brad drove Jessica and Jackie. They went in looking for dresses for Julie and Jess while I went off geeking. The Best Buy in Rockford is so much bigger than the one here in DeKalb...it's more of what I'm used to, and when I get the chance to get my Geek on, you know where I'll be.

I also spent a little time in a used CD store. Those things are getting harder and harder to find, but I did get a few good bargains...but I digress.

I got back over to David's while Julie was changing back. Apparently, after several misses, she got a good one...one she and the girls liked.

After ringing everything up, the whole enchalada will cost under $1,000. We told them to hold the order, and that we'd pay next week.

During the drive from Rockford to DeKalb, Julie was very quiet. At first, I thought it was because she was tired (it was close to 10 at night), but then I knew...she was thinking about something.

She told me that what was suppose to be a simple dress for a small wedding turned into a gown for a big event. This was what neither one of us wanted, and she was having trouble justifying the price.

God bless her. She was willing to go and spend a LOT of money on a dress just so I'd be knocked off my socks when she saw me coming down the aisle. I told her...she needn't do that. I'd be wowed if she wore nothing, because...here is a woman who loves me, heart and soul, and wants to be my wife. That alone...means more than I can say.

I told her I'd be happy if she wore a gown from Fashion Bug (the one of the right is kinda nice). I don't need something big and fancy. I just want to marry her.

She might cancel the order from David's tomorrow. We've got a bit of time...she can keep looking a little longer.

Countdown to 04/16/11 - One

So it's 2010. If I haven't wished you a Happy New Year yet, well, I'm only about 16 days late at this point. Given my track record with procrastination, I figure I'm in good shape.

I'd noted in my last blog post that my production here has really dropped off as of late, for various reasons. I haven't felt like bitching about the inability to sell an old house, the fact that my job is going to end as of this Friday, and my debt is now approximately that of a small Third-World Nation.

Despite that, I've been enjoying my life. Julie is, as I have told her many times, the best thing to ever happen to this old fool. In 455 days as of this writing, we are going to get married, and we've started to talk about...and plan...the "big event".

In an effort to jump start my blog (and my writing abilities) again, I figure...what the heck...let's talk about it. See how long this lasts. I figure I'll chronicle things here as to plans, decisions and the what-not until I either get bored, or those few stalkers of mine who visit this site (and you know who you are...and so do I...since I track all visitors) get tired of it and decide to hunt me down once and for all.

If you are stalking me, please feel free to comment and say "hi". Julie would love to talk to you.

So, since this is the first installment, let's cover some of the basics that we've discussed so far:

• The wedding date is set for April 16th, 2011.
• We've decided we want a small, intimate wedding with just family and a few close friends, but we're gonna have a big reception. Hell, it's gonna be one big party.
• I've already decided on my best man, my best friend Tim. Julie's daughters are going to be her maids of honor.
• Her kids are all in the wedding party, and they're giving her away. It's still unclear if they're going to give her to me yet.
• I told Julie I only want one thing from her for the wedding: She had to wear a dress. I told her sweatpants were not an option, and she has agreed, albeit reluctantly...at first. Now, she and her girls are enjoying looking for wedding dresses.
• In fact, Julie, Jessica and Hailey are going dress shopping on Monday.
• I will be wearing a tux, but it will be simple. They're worried I will pick out something with tails or something ridiculous (which I wouldn't, although it'd be fun to shock the shit out of them), so the decision of which tux I will wear may be decided upon by committee.

Right now, that's all we've got. We're looking at places to hold the wedding, where to have the party...er, ah...reception, and how the Hell we're going to pay for everything. That last point will be the most interesting. I'm wondering how many body parts I'm going to have to sell to fund it all, or else who I have to pimp out.

When we know more, we'll share here (or maybe Julie will post something in her blog for the first time in nearly a year...hi, baby!). If you're curious, please feel free to read. If you're bored already by the thought of this, please let me know. Won't say I'll do a damn thing about it, but it's nice to get feedback on this blog...