For some reason, I have spontaneously jumped into full-fledged Paris Planning mode.  I started by looking at rental flats in Paris for our first week (www.vacationinparis.com) and then I moved on to planning our second week in Belgium and the Netherlands.  I have to say that Rick Steves is a GOD.  His books are so informative and helpful.  I cruised through "Amsterdam, Brugge and Brussels" and now I'm working my way through "France".  I did some serious research on places to stay, so we're going to try booking hotels this weekend.  Woo hoo!  I can't wait to eat mussels and french fries (and drink some great Belgian lambic) in Brugge while contemplating chocolates and lace!

 

On an unrelated note, I am officially coming down to Portland February 17-19 to hang with my favorite ladies and spend some gift cards.  I'm gonna try really hard not to buy clothes - just kitchen stuff, towels, sheets...etc.

 

 

When they said on the news last night that it was going to snow (again), I had little doubt that we would have yet another snow day.  I was right.  This brings the total number of snow days for the 2006-2007 school year to five (or six, I keep thinking that I've forgotten one).  Seeing as how Brandon and I are leaving for Paris the day after school was supposed to get out, I'm getting concerned.  What if they won't let me go?  What are we supposed to do?  I'd ask my principal now, but it's that time of year when staffing and budgets are being discussed, and I really don't want to rock the boat in any way (ie lose my fabulous job).

 

In other news, Brandon has been sick since Saturday night.  We spent all of Sunday in bed - my excuse for doing so was a slight hangover from too many vodka/lemonades with the Gachets.  Yesterday (Monday - MLK Day) was all about nursing Brandon while cleaning the apartment.  Somehow we managed to forget about the laundry since that week between Christmas and the wedding.  During my cleaning spree, I found that my red shirt (the one in my new photo) had a stain on it.  I treated the stain, and in doing so caused some of the fabric to pill slightly.  I got out my sweater shaver to remove said pills and proceeded to put a hole in the aforementioned shirt.  I was furious.  Luckily, I found my red shirt was still at the Loft (and on sale) so I bought a replacement.  I will be much nicer to this one, I promise!

 

Mid-Winter break is coming up in February.  I think that we should cancel it and use the week to make up for some of these snow days.  Somehow I don't think that will happen.  If we do have the week off, I'm thinking about coming back down to Portland for a day or two.  We'll see...  Maybe I'll have photo albums together by then.  Speaking of which, if you want to see the photos Chantelle took, go to

 

Just a week ago Brandon and I were leaving for our honeymoon!  Two weeks ago it was Christmas morning!  Oh my, how the time has flown!  It's going to be really difficult to "get back to normal" after all of the excitement of the holidays, our wedding and a fantastic week in Vegas.

 

What can I say about the wedding?  Well, it wouldn't have gone quite so well if not for Ella and Ashley and Kerry.  Ella and Ashley kept me sane and occupied for those crutial days before the wedding.  Kerry (with some help from Darren) worked double duty, helping both me and Brandon with everything leading up to the big day.  Once the rehearsal dinner started, I really began to enjoy myself.  And the big day?  Just a blur at this point.  I can't wait to see Chantelle's photos - maybe they'll jog my memory.  I do remember having a fantastic time on the dance floor.

 

Our week in Vegas was great.  I've composed a whole list of things to remember the next time we're there.  Most importantly: wear comfortable shoes.  I was more concerned about fashion than functionability on our second day and I have two huge blisters on my heels as a result.  Another important item: you must have dinner at Delmonico in the Venetian.  Amazing!

 

Today is my last day of freedom before going back to school tomorrow.  I'm going to head down to the courthouse to file my petition for a change of name this morning.  Then maybe I'll work on the mountain of laundry that we have created and finish cleaning up the apartment before Brandon's dad comes over for dinner tonight.

 

Enjoy the honeymoon photos!