Pretty weeds

The tall mystery plant in the front yard is blooming now. I think it's a keeper.

Wedding Design Thoughts

I got to look at the not ready for primetime secondary building where we might be able to have the reception. Not too bad. There is overhead lighting. This is a relief because I thought it was such an empty shell that I'd have to figure out a safe way to light from above and below. It is definitely an industrial, even steampunk, space. That would work fine with an industrial modern theme.

No plumbing and no wall outlets so I can see why it does not meet code for occupancy but certainly solid enough. There is one small spot that is a possible tripping hazard on the floor about the size of one large sheet of plywood that we would have to find a way to keep people away from, lest they trip or stub their toes.

I have been visualizing this project as much as I can by myself. I had this idea today: Wouldn't it be great to fill that patch with a huge scale model of a safety cone - bright orange and shiny, that would more than cover the footprint of the area - kinda a la Jeff Koons?

How could I/we/you build that? It would have to be very lightweight materials to make it easy to move in and out of the space. Anyone need an art project? That would be a great thing to put on the wedding registry... large format artwork.

Another thought came to me today about the cake. Rather than the common roses and ribbons, what about a mid-century modern Eames-style cake. Or a creature from the black lagoon, holding the bride as a cake topper?

sick

All day Thursday,  I fought back a mild nausea and lack of energy. By Friday, I was too ill to work. I was still fighting the sickness in the morning, planning to work as usual. I got up, showered, and swung by job #1 to pick up a paycheck on my way to job #2. As soon as I got out of the  car and the heat hit me, the nausea kicked in harder than ever. I barely made it into the store to pick up my check and back to my car again. I tried to phone work before leaving the parking lot but after two tries and now answer, I gave up. I drove home and spent the next hour in the bathroom. I had MonsterMustDie phone job #2 to let them know I was not going to be there. He finally got through to let them know and I spent the rest of the day in bed trying to sleep myself to wellness.

I spent Saturday trying to recover and avoiding solid food. I am still on the Ensure diet. MonsterMustDie made pasta for dinner last night, which I was able to keep down. I went to bed early and woke up this morning with aching back and neck. My esophagus hurts too, probably from being violently ill.

I hope today is my last sick day and that I can feel back to normal tomorrow.

Wedding Planning

MonsterMustDie is still reluctant about places and spaces even though our wedding is less than four months away. Thus, I have not been free to have invitations created, other than just using social media. He won't ask if we can use space in the building for a reception and/or rain day and he won't say its okay for me make other arrangements.

I still need to figure out the cake thing. I do not want plain layer cake with buttercream icing. 

I haven't really started looking for a dress locally. I have been looking at Pinterest for ideas on dresses. Don't know any place here other than Belk to source a wedding dress and, for all I know, they might have some okay dresses. I am doing all of this alone so motivation is less than if I had friends physically here to inspire me. For all I know, I might still end up wearing the black dress I wore for my niece's wedding and my mother's funeral. It's the only nice dress I have. 

I plan to serve tapas-style food at the reception. Real food in small bites that can be eaten casually rather than a sit-down dinner, although I am planning to rent chairs and tables for the wedding. He is dragging his feet on even asking if we can have the reception at his workplace, The Mill. This week, it looks like we will most likely be having any reception in our little house and for that I am just planning to clear out the living room and put up folding tables. I won't use the rented chairs or tables if it's at our house. 

There is no budget for a restaurant dinner the night before. I am probably paying for all of this out of my savings. He has not offered to help with any of this and if it were up to him, we would just go to the courthouse to sign a marriage license and be done with it. I'll leave the marriage license to him. I'll have to handle everything else. 

My family has not come forward with any offers to help make this happen. This is ironic since they have been so hot for me to marry John since my mother died. 

I'm okay with working on the cheap but I do think I should at least get a wedding out of this arrangement. Is he trying to find a passive way out of it? I don't think so because he has also wanted us to marry for a long time. Any social situation causes him a great deal of stress and the idea of spending money on me also makes him anxious. He's been very unhappy with my inability to make a living here for a long time. If he has to endure a wedding, he will be happier if I can put everything together and just have him show up for it. 

It appears I am engaged.

Him: I don't want (groomsmen) to have to rent a tux for the wedding.

Me: Agreed. How about we ask them to just wear gray suits?

Him: I don't want to ask anyone to wear a specific color.

Me: Fine. Let's just have everyone wear jeans and a T-shirt that says "I'm with stupid." 

 

I was able to actually join MonsterMustDie on a business trip to Atlanta last week. I spent every day visiting friends and family while he worked for the Boutique.  We had dinner with my brother and sisnter-in-law at my favorite restaurant. We were in our cups a bit. MonsterMustDie said he would like to be married under the arbor he built in the community garden. Someone mentioned June weddings. I said if I was getting married, I'd prefer an autumn wedding. Brother & Sister-in-Law reminded me that they like to travel in November and will be out of the country again this November. I said October is a good month for a wedding - it's the month of my birthday and my favorite holiday, Halloween. MonsterMustDie said he would not be married on Halloween. I said I would not be married on my birthday. Thus, the week between would have to be the one to do such a thing, if we were ever going to do such a thing. Sister-in-law said, whether I like it or not, I am essentially already married (without any of the protections of law) because we've been together so long. Meanwhile, my brother is looking at this year's calendar on his phone and lets everyone know the saturday between my birthday and Halloween this year is October 22. The table agrees that October 22 will be the wedding day. 

This year. 

 

That's not much time to prepare or make real decisions on anything. The family is alerted. My friends are alerted.

I am hung over the next day. 

Nice package detail

The inside lining of a plain brown box.

My mother 's refrigerator still has several ancient bottles  of sparkling wine.  I doubt any of it is still drinkable but I wish I had time to open some of them to find out.

Alas.

No Traffic

I am completely surprised by the lack of traffic we had driving into Atlanta today. I must remember this next year after the fourth of July.  I can only assume Independence Day means a lot of people travel out of the city to the beach or other parts less crowded. 

Good news!

My other manager had a change of heart and now I will be off work for a few days to join MonsterMustDie while he is working in Atlanta Wednesday, July 6 to Saturday morning, July 9.

Right after I got the news of my time off, I had more good news of a visit by B&G to Winston-Salem this week on a business trip. We got to meet up with them and a few business associates at Sweet Potatoes Restaurant in Winston-Salem. It was an absolute joy to see them. They're both looking good and their chums from work were interesting people as well.

MonsterMustDie will be working for Buzzi Boutique. We're taking just one car and, depending on if he needs the car for work errands or not, I might need the help of friends to get around town.

Still, being in Atlanta even without a car will be a good break from NC. I hope some friends will have time to hang out. I'll have the entire day free while MonsterMustDie is working. Early evenings, he will be available for dinner or other socializing as long as he can get his beauty rest before work in the morning.