Music

I officially have the organist from hell.
Her ego is so large I am not quite sure if the doors at the church are large enough for it to fit through.

She can only play with my trumpeter and soloist if they are professionals. She can't work with ameteurs.
Umm not only are they professionals, but also we booked them first, sister.
so she wants to chanrge extra for not being the only musician. bah-hahahahahahaahaha

the best part....
she wants to choose the music she plays.
"that is how it works"
yup. that's what I was told. that she picks the music for my wedding.
last I thought, I was the client.
I am open to suggestions and all, but themusic we picked was off the pre-apprioved CD form the church.
She thinks she is doing a performance at the Philharmonic, but afriad not.
you're a wedding organist.
not that there is anything wrong with being a wedding organist, there is obviously a need and demand for these.
however, there is not a need or demand for the ego.
check it at the door.
or don't bother coming.

after I find a new organist, I will add her name here so you all can avoid the evilness.

Hannelore's Bridals

Hannelore's Bridals (or as Candy, my Garmin, says, Hannelore's Breedals)
Where doI begin....
They have a ton of great wedding dress designers. So of course I went there for my dress.
I requested some styles that I found on the various designers' websites. I evenpaid $250.00 for one particular dress to be shipped there for my shopping day!
I showed up...and my dress wasn't there. STRIKE ONE.
I was able to find a dress I liked, though. Success.
Although I still dream about another one I tried on, but said no to. It was twice the budget and although mom said she didn't care...I did.
The manager there is plain awful. During the dress purchase process I had my sister's veil with me since I would liek to wear it as well. She had the audacity to pick it up, put a price tag on it, and try to sell it!!! Ugh.

So my dress finally comes in and I go for my fitting.
Picked and pulled here. I request for a custom piece to be added. My goodness you would have thought I asked for the moon. The scary manager comes in  - wearing see-through clothing I might add - and is beign allkidns of bossy telling my her preferences but she is not trying to sway my thinking. then why are you telling em what YOU wold want?! are YOU getting married?! yeah I didn't think so, Klassy.

I talked to my seamstress in Richmond who I love, Patti P, and she said when I got it back she would make it work.

Fitting #2. better. they FINALLY understood what I was tlaking about with the boning. I'm short. I don't need boning as long as someone a foot taller than me! I asked to see my custom piece. and they had not done it - It wold be ready at my third fitting when I picked up the dress.

Fitting #3. whatever. Ia m so over this place. I have fallen out of love with my dress. but it's one day so whatever. I should have gotten the other dress. maybe it would have fit me better. I think my dress puts ten pounds ON me. not the look I am going for on my edding day. but again - the dress is not the center of the day, the marriage is. I ask for my custom piece. again, not done. but i hae to pick up my dress!!! next weekend is my portrait. so I have to go shopping on King Street while they make it. Retail Therapy.

the dress is home.

now comes the Brdesmaids dresses. Again, we bought them from Hannelores b/c of the selection.
When we placed the order, we were told they would arrive in March. Perfect.
they finally came in April 8th +/-. Everyone caled in as they requested to confirm their shipping addresses. We were told they would be shipped on Tuesday April 13th.
Well come Friday April 16th, only one had received it.
So on Saturday April 17th, in person, I asked the status of them. I was told to my face along with the manager of the department, Vicky, Sharee told us they all went out on Wednesday April 14th. Takes two-three days. Umm okay 2 days if Friday. I will wait until monday.
Monday comes.
Monday goes.
Tuesday comes.
Tuesday goes.
A week later and no dresses! WTF!
so BM Monkey-Si gets on the phone with manager Vicky and finds out...
Sharee did not put ANY addresses in the computer
Sharee only shipped one dress.
WTF?!
All dresses were overnighted promptly by Vicky and we received tracking numbers to follow.
So glad i have an attorney as a BM.
I sure hope sharee gets a stern talking to.

Once all dresses are reeived and I am done dealing with this Breedal store, I will be sending al etter to the owner. This whole process has been a COMPLETE nightmare. If they didn't have such grat lines, they would be like so many other Bridal stores...out of business.

So if anyone suggests Hannelores Bridals in Alexandria, VA. RUN! FAST!

Recent News in the Land of Fave

Wedding season is in full swing!
I had my first bridal shower hosted by two of my dear friends and they planned an amazing shower! I must brag for a minute - I have some pretty awesome friends. yes, you should be jealous. they all rock. ALL of them. I feel bad for people who don't have friends liek I do. they are all so remarkable people. they have good hearts, personal goals, and are so supportive to everyone.

My mom (the trditionalist) hosted a lovely engagement party for IronGreg and me. Complete with a cupcake buffet. Both families made it in town for the occassion. thanks, mom.

The dress is at home and hanging up at "the farm" (my sister's house) where IronGreg can't sneak a peek! now I muse say as the alteration process went on, I fell out of love with my dress. I like it. mostly. I think it's pretty, I jsut don't think it's very flattering on me. maybe I jsut need a flatter stomach (yes, I finally got the over 30 belly). Can i please have my body from 28 back? Just for one day?

this coming weekend is the bachelorette party! yee-haw! the irls are heading west for some good times.
What happens at the bachelorette...stays at the bachelorette.
Wait. I don't want that rule for the bachelor party...or maybe I do!

I haven't seen the insie of a gym much recently. I am trying to get in one swim a week. you read that right -= only ONE swim. last year i was doing 3/week.
Last week I went to track practice. first time I ran in three weeks. I had a leftover cupcake from previously mentoned party prior to track. in the words of julia rpoverts in pretty woman, "big mistake. big. HUGE. well i have to go shopping now." okay so maybe I don't have to go shopping (although i bought two fab pairs of shoes on saturday), I did have to jog during track. I was "vurping" the whole time. it was awful. never again will I eat a cupcake BEFORE running. afterwards, however...
I am hopinh to actually run tongiht. i wonder if I can find m,y shoes under the layer of dust.
and maybe while I dust them off I will also unearth diamond. oh how I love my bike. but man I sure have neglected her.
It is hard watchign everyone train religiously and make PR's. i jsut have to come to terms that now I have different goals. I am not racing this season. I don't know when I will do an Ironman again. it's sounds good and all, but it jsut doens't fit in life right now. something about marriage and babies. sigh. why can't I do it all?

oh so ask me why I went shopping on saturday? b/c the wedding dress place didn't make my custom piece. even though i was there to pick up my dress. when the tough get mad, the tough go shopping! i mean I was in old towne alexandria after all. so I spent 90 minutes on king street with friends and then went back and picked up the not-so-fabulous-anymore dress.

oh! i did go on a 50 mile bike ride a few weeks ago. It was SO mush fun. GO TEAM LOLLYGAG!!! Love those girls. Muah!

When am I supposed to breathe?

Saturday:
- rode outside for the first time since IMAZ. rode 55 miles. moving average was 17+
that works for me.
- went to dinner with another couple. during dinner Greg got a call and 30 mintues later his house was sold.

Sunday.
Easter.
- watched Big D, my nephew, find Easter Eggs. so precious. he loves his auntie! and his auntie sure does love him.

monday
- made offer on house.
- received counter-offer on house.

tuesday
- made counter offer on house.
- received counter offer on house.
- accepted counter offer.
- had dinner wiht mom in town for one night.

wednesday
- rode outside. hard gear up hills.
- feel asleep on massage table post-ride.

thursday
- deadline at work.
getting mani and pedi after work.

friday
- mom and grandma in town for weekend.

saturday
- bridal shower
- engagement party

I really need to get my brows done.