Brandon and I are sitting at the dining room table working on wedding odds and ends.  Our "to do" list is shrinking, which I like.  It seems so weird that it's almost Christmas... I haven't thought about it as much as I normally would because of all this wedding hubub.  We're leaving on Sunday morning for Portland.  I haven't been with my family on Christmas since 2000.  Wow, I can't believe it's been that long. 

 

I had a dream last night that I gained nine pounds.  I'm worried about weighing in on Saturday.  I haven't been good all month and I'm just waiting for it to catch up to me.  I'm so afraid that my clothes (and wedding dress) won't fit anymore.  And yet, I don't want to go to the gym today - and I won't.  I went for the last three days in a row and I don't want to go today.  What is wrong with me?

 

This afternoon we are taking a whole bunch of old dishes to Goodwill because we've been receiving all of the place settings that we registered for!  We're also picking up our programs and information packets from the printer.  Woo hoo!  Even better - we just talked to our coordinator and she said that we're the most organized couple she's ever worked with.  Yay, us!

I hope I haven't forgotten anything.  We're heading to Boise tomorrow afternoon and I left all of my packing 'til tonight.  Not smart.  Now I'm plagued by feelings of having overlooked something.  I guess we won't know until we get there and I realize that I didn't bring socks...must check to see if I packed socks...

 

Yesterday was great.  The folks at school threw me and Brandon a bridal shower.  It was so nice and everyone was so generous.  I was touched that these people would buy gifts for someone they'd only know for a few months.  And then we met up with a very cool DJ who is going to do our wedding.  I am so relieved!  They're doing the pre-ceremony tunes, ceremony music and the reception.  We don't even have to think about it.  As proud as I was to "be my own DJ" - I realize now that it's more important to just be the bride and drink it all in without any extra responsibilities.

 

Tomorrow is my last day as Miss Smith, Multi-Arts Specialist.  When I see these kids again next month I'll be Mrs. Baker, Multi-Arts Specialist.  Whoa.  That's pretty exciting.

 

Unless of course this storm picks up, we lose power, and school gets closed.  Then my last day was today.

There are 21 days remaining until the wedding.  I'm a little stressed, but, all things considered, I'm doing pretty well.  Our coordinator, Michelle, is taking over all sorts of tasks and offering invaluable advice.  One such bit of wisdom: a DJ can do a much better job of playing music and keeping a party going than an iPod.  As much I hate to admit it, I think she's right.  She found us a DJ in our price range and we're going to meet up with him next week.  She's also found us a town car so that we don't have to take a cab over to the hotel at the end of the reception.

 

I'm heading down to Portland tomorrow so that I can do my second fitting at Ania and get my veil.  (More things I can check off my list!)  I haven't gained any weight since the first fitting (despite a few eggnog lattes and gingerbread cookies) so hopefully this will be my last fitting.  I'm working on a list of odds and ends to buy while I'm down - sales tax free - like black ballet flats, a belt, and a Christmas present for Brandon.  I also get to see Ashley and Ella - woo hoo!

 

Four more days of school for me until winter break!  It's going to be agony!  I do enjoy teaching dance, but it's exhausting and can be quite difficult to do with the older kids.  I can't forget to write up lesson plans for the sub while I'm in Vegas...  The folks at Maple are so nice that they're throwing me a shower next Wednesday after school.  That should help the week pass a little more quickly.