Kitchen aid mixer magic

Mom sent us a Kitchen Aid mixer 600 series!!!! It's awesome and big enough to be professional. I need to start making wedding cakes. Tonight, however; I made one of Craig's and my favorites-lemon bars. It was sooo easy with the new mixer-and very yummy!!
I have to help set up tonight for the swim meet tomorrow. Starting at 7 and hopefuly ending shortly there after. Craig, not wanting to stand out in the hot humid weather decided to catch a movie with Pete and Sandy.
At least I get to look forward to tomorrow. We are going out on the lake after the swim meet. Hopefully I won't be bunt and dehydrated by that time. haha!
Jackson has been doing awesome at swim lessons, and even wears goggles now-I'm so proud and can't wait for tootie to be swimming too. I just wish we lived closer so I could swim with them all the time.

Potty time

I reserved our porta potties and a handwashing station for the reception. Don't ask me why, but I am super excited about this. haha! I recently sent out an email about housewife necessities and here are some of the responses.
Good non-stick pots and pans
great knives-bread,chef, paring.etc
frozen meatballs
can of chicken
wet dry vac
pet hair remover from walmart
plan recipes on a calendar
clean floors and restroom for a quick pass
There were some other, but they slipped my mind. I actually printed out the emails so I could save them and look at them when I get tired of being a housewife. haha!Thanks for the emails ladies.
Craig and I are going to look at tuxes today. I'm going to try to get him to try on an Ivory tux-haha!

plugging away

Being part of the swim team in both shelbyville and Sullivan has been an amazing experience. I have learned alot and had some great times. The Sullivan team is always looking for ways to inspire and motivate their swimmers-this year, in October-2x Olympian Matt Greivers is coming to Sullivan to be part of a swim clinic. How lucky are we to have him come and swim in our pool. The best part~the more swimmers that sign up, the more olympians that come with him. Tickets are a little stiff-$75 for kids, $100 for adults, but what a great experience and you get autographs and stuff I'm sure.
We are plugging along with wedding stuff. Craig ordered our table clothes and votives with holders last night. I need to call the guitarist that I met a couple months ago and see if he would be willing to play for us. IT's kind of funny. I subbed for his high school class. He wanted to play guitar instead of study, so I told him to use his notes and write a song he could play for the class-and voila' ! He was really good. I asked if he played at weddings-he told me he was an ordained minister. Turns out, his dad was the minister who had his firetruck tricked into a wedding chapel on Trick my truck. Anyway, I thought I'd give him a call and set up a time to meet, and work out a contract with songs and such.

Too Early??

So, yesterday and today I woke up at 5:15 and decided to get some stuff done. Yesterday I worked on a few wedding things-like ceremony readings and music. Today, with the idea placed by my loving FH, I decided to do laundry. I started a load, hooked up Rem and headed out for a walk. When I got back home at 6:15am I realized-"oh $*!t, the laundry room is flooded." When I stepped in the water covered my toes. I had to use every towel I had in the house to try to mop up the mess-and it was still pouring out the bottom of the washer. That's right folks-the bottom. So apparently it dumped two whole tubs full of water in our laundry room-wash and rinse cycle. So I'm staying home from Shelbyville's practice today to finish cleaning up the mess-heave the soaking towels to the laundro-mat and then, go about my daily business. My question for you, "is 7:30am too early to start drinking?" haha

June showers bring lots of --presents

Christi posted the pictures of the shower, so I borrowed some to show those of you who don't see her blog. It's so hot outside-and I am so lucky to just be sitting at home in the a.c. working on wedding stuff. Ordered the invitation pieces today. yay!

2 down...

Shower number 2 is over and it was a lot of fun. The guests had to play gift bingo-so they actually had to pay attention to what I got. We had everyone vote on my cake-liked it or didn't care for it too much-it was pretty unanimous that the raspberry buttercream was awesome-but the chocolate was just ok. I got tons of stuff-and had great brunch food.
After the shower I got to swim with J-man, Caroline, and Christi. J is getting so good at floating and today even swam freestyle halfway across the pool. Little Sophi screamed at me twice this weekend. She cried so hard the first time I started thinking, "oh my gosh I pulled her arm out of socket." As soon as she saw a glimpse of Christi-she was fine. Definite momma's girl there. Caroline is becoming quite the little talker-she has so many words in her vocabulary it's awesome. She's a little buttercup and she even walked up to me today at the shower and in front of everyone said, "Kiss." She has a nack of making everyone feel good about themselves-and she's just a toddler. haha!
After all that, I am home and putting away all my gifts and Harmony called. I got to talk to her for probably longer than an hour. What an awesome way to end my day!
I better turn in-I have to leave the house at 5:10am for a swim meet in Springfield.

That's what a bride is supposed to do!

These are words I never thought I would hear uttered by my future husband. Apparently he's been waiting for me to do stuff-but wait, I can't do anything without his approval. DOn't even get me started on what a groom is supposed to do...haha! Today I am going to the florist to get some stuff figured out, and I'm going to check back with the liquor store since they never called me back. I also made an executive decision on the rehearsal dinner place-but Craig isn't so sure about it. I am also going to make a list of everything I want on our candy table-sorry sugar lovers-not everything will be candy. I want nuts, and maybe even some homemade fruit rollups, and some various things like that. I just want people to be able to enjoy what's on it and not just pass by another container of m&m's. I thought maybe I could recruit the grandparents to make some heat resistant treats. I am going to make up some signs too for the street-"Hendry Wedding->" I need to drive the streets of Shelbyville and see which way to the lake is the easiest. I'm thinking around the dam would be cool because it's scenic and they can see the wedding tents from the top of the dam. I think that is awesome. THe day after tomorrow is my shower-can't wait to see everyone.

Gettin a little crazy

So, I wanted to play with make-up today. It's been so long since I've done that. Usually I just slap on a little bit and go, if I put any on at all. So today I busted out my old makeup bags and did my face. I tried purple eyeshadow today. I did each side of my face a little different to see which way I liked, then tried eyebrow pencil, then tried lipstick-that's why there are so many face shots. I got a little carried away when I tried to make my veil. I just played around with it today-and it kept getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger each time I tried it. Then I looked at the picture and was like-Wow, so I pretty much tripled the size of the veil. I need a stationary head so I can put it on something else besides myself. Any volunteers?? I had a lot of fun, by myself-a little silly but whatever!

95 days!

Craig is ordering our tent today. Woohoo! I received two more family wedding photos, and am still waiting on a couple more. I received another box in the mail today-jumbo paper lanterns to hang at the reception. We had some small ones-and now we have some jumbo ones too. I won our flower girl baskets. I think they are so cute and can't wait to decorate them with pretty little flowers. I think tomorrow I am going to work on a slide show to play at our rehearsal dinner of Craig and me. I've seen this done at weddings and thought I'd do it for our rehearsal instead. Craig gave the OK for dance lessons, so I'm going on a hunt for a place close to here. There is a dance studio here in town, but I'm not sure if it's just for little kids or not. ha ha! I can't wait. Craig said he would actually practice at home with me-so cute. Other than all of that, I'm going to work on our invitations this week and in a few more weeks they will be sent out-yikes! Everything is going by so fast. I'm looking forward to my shower this weekend at Cindy's.
I visited my family in Iowa this weekend and had a blast. It was a long drive but well worth it. Dad and I spent 6 hours just the two of us on sat. We went to breakfast and then the Aquarium/steamboat museum. He helped me take pictures with my new camera, I touched a real live sturgeon, and we just got to talk which was awesome. The sturgeon felt like wet suede in case you wanted to know!! I will attach photos a little later. I need to get motivated and off this computer.

Candy Cones??

Last night I created a demo of our candy cones. I like the purple one the best. I am thinking I need to make them a little smaller and figure out how to get the seam to hold. I like the idea of them being hand-made, it's special that way. Here's my dilemma~that's a lot of paper to waste, and I can see them being thrown on the ground and I'd have to beat some people up after having spent numerous hours making them. Still in the process of deciding.
The secret shopper struck again. Every week or so we get a box in the mail-from ebay-and I think to myself "what in the world can this be?" Last year Craig bought 10 vats of tulle, paper lantern balls, Eiffel tower vases, and lots of wood veneer and wood blocks-- without me knowing. This year he purchased tall round vases, about 6 clear glass (mini) candy dishes, and then yesterday 200 icicle lights--without me knowing. He knew he was busted when I said "what's in the box?" Before he opened it he looked at me with a smile and said "are you mad" My response was "I can't be mad at you because you can't help the way you are, but I am very frustrated." With that he opened the box, I just shook my head and went about my business. At least our front porch will have extra light this Christmas.
I also posted a picture of a bouquet that I love. So pretty, but probably expensive-I'll have to ask the florist.
If you want a good laugh, zoom in on Berkley's face. He was not happy I was working on "HIS" counter.

I got a picture from mom from her wedding to Vince. I am going to set up some wedding photos on our sign in table at the reception. I saw a picture of this in a magazine and thought it was just beautiful. I made a sample of a paper cone for our treat table, but haven't downloaded the picture yet. maybe I will put it up after I go for a walk with Remy. Tuff decision. So you think you can dance, or go for a walk with my chunky doggy?

bejeweled

I went shopping today and found my jewelry for the wedding. My diamond earrings will go along nicely with the diamond and pearl drop earrings I bought today. The necklace is a simple pearl and sterling silver. I would also like to get a diamond cross to carry with my bouquet or wear along with the pearls.

Time to start running

Tomorrow marks the end of no return, the final countdown, the last leg of the race, the beginning of the end, etc... Tomorrow there will be 100 days until the wedding. That means I need to start running....around getting stuff done. I am going to go get the rest of the flowers, I bid on baskets for flower girls, reserve tent, order tuxes, make veil, pick out food, order kegs, wine, and champagne, make hair appt., pick out first dance song, and everything else. In the mean time our house is getting appraised today- so I helped Craig clean(like that's what they are looking at) and made sure the basement was dry.
I am going to Iowa this weekend for my cousin's high school grad. party. I'm so thankful it's only a few hours drive so I can go to things like this and not have to spend a fortune getting there.
All my girls have their dresses ordered-yay! and we are all set to go in that area-assuming they arrive before the week of the wedding. I can see why bridezilla is a popular show. I don't think I'm there yet-but that's because I have awesome family and friends. If it weren't for that I could easily slip into a funk and be "not so pleasant". Craig might see some of that-but that's what husbands are for right? They are like a coffee filter-they catch all the gross stuff so what comes out for everyone to enjoy is a caffeinated delight!

dresses and headaches and storms oh my!!!

Yesterday I met up with my college friend Jen to get her fitted for her dress. It was a good time-except the sales girl who helped us was a little dingy and didn't know what she was doing. Jen said, I need an 8,9,or 10. So the girl walked away and said, "all we have is a 14 and 21 so we'll just have to try this on and guess what size you are." So, I walked over to the back wall and pulled off an 8, 10, and 12. When I took them to the girl she said, "oh, haha, you should work here." EXACTLY. When are we going to meet some sales people who know how to do their job. Jen had to order her size from D.C. and they said if she needed any other size it wouldn't be in until after the wedding. YIKES! I posted a pick of her in a yellow dress in our style. Ours will be Victorian Lilac. For any of my girls reading this, I recommend a slip underneath unless you want to go commando! :)
Craig and I took Remy for a walk to the lake last night to see how the water situation is doing. It's going down, and should be dry for the wedding. Today, however, it is storming and guess what--RAINING! DRought, drought, drought!please. If you look at the picture of the two trees and the water behind it. Well, that water behind it is covering our reception site. Common July 1st.
I checked on kegs for the wedding, and so far, it looks good. Only like $86 a keg. Not bad. Now I need to check on champagne and wine and our drink situation is set. I ordered a cute little girls longaberger purse for my flower girl-Whoever that may be!! It's still up in the air who gets that position.

Never underestimate the damage fear does to faith. When we are afraid we focus on self. When we focus on self we are unable to love.

God is love and love is God’s presence.

This is a quote from last weeks sermon at our church. I cried pretty much through the whole service. Which happens almost every Sunday.

Well, plans are coming along -talked to the hotel in town yesterday-TOTALLY BOOKED! So I've been hunting down B&B's, little motels, and maybe even neighbors to help accomodate our out of town guests. I think we are pretty much set-some are staying at the Huschuh House B&B, some are staying at the Country B&B, and some are heading to Effingham to stay the night. I figure since our party is over at 10pm most people shouldn't be that intoxicated as not to drive home if needed.
We are going boating tomorrow-I CAN'T WAIT!! I'm literally elated.
I talked to a restaurant that I thought I wanted to host our rehearsal dinner-THe Firefly Grill. This is where I had my College Grad dinner. She quoted me 2,000. Haha! She must have lost her mind somewhere in Chicago. So the hunt is on for another restaurant. I'm still partial to a BBQ or Monicals Pizza.

Bridal Party? Check!

Well, I enlisted my last bridesmaid. Her name is Jennifer and She and her husband live in Catlin, Il. We went to college together-and well, I think we are a lot alike. We have a some fond memories and some scary ones. During our last semester of college we went to a barcrawl for our class. Jen and I stayed till closing and then walked to Craig's old house on broadway-mind you, this was about 2 in the morning. On our way a car stopped about 15 feet in front of us, so we stopped. Then we ran! It was just someone getting dropped off at their house, but still-it scared us. Pretty sure neither one of us ever wanted to walk the streets of Charleston again. She is the friend having the interview today-I can't wait to see how she did-she was a nervous wreck-join the crowd right?
I am so excited to have everyone come together from Craig and my many lives. Friends from California meeting Craig's childhood friends. Friends from college celebrating with family-it's going to be so much fun. Does anyone have a large barge we can borrow for our reception seeing as how our lake is STILL flooded?
I painted our stairway yesterday-it's the same color as our kitchen-trying to cut back on costs and we had extra paint. It looks so good though,and I'm so happy to see color up there-getting closer to being done. YAY!

Monday

Well, I'm starting my morning coaching gig this week. We don't start till 10:45, lucky me! I'm hoping to get a call from Eagle Creek Golf Resort today about the application I turned in last week, I think I would enjoy working there over the summer. I got a text from my cousin Kalyssa yesterday and she ordered her dress a couple weeks ago, yay! Two down, three to go! My good friend Jen has an interview Wed. please pray for her-although I think she's got it in the bag.
So Craig had some friends visit this weekend,and Cole was kind enough to enlighten us about our coffee maker. It has a reusable filter, and we've been buying filters haha! Maybe we should have read the directions. I'm going to try to make my veil this week. we will see how that goes. Oh, and in case I forgot to mention it-we booked our DJ. Triple yay!!