Dress Dilemma

Look what arrived yesterday! The first of the four bridesmaid dresses. I was told they were backordered until the end of June, but since Robin ordered a petite (she's like 4 feet tall) they had hers in stock.

I was SO excited to open the box. I made Christopher come downstairs and watch. He wouldn't stand too close to me because, as he said, "I don't want to be near if you if you don't like it." Of course I made a huge deal out of it since it was the first thing for the actual wedding that arrived in the mail.

Have you ever gone to take a sip of what you thought was pop to find out it's water? It doesn't necessarily taste BAD, it's just not what you expected so you're a little bit shocked. Yeah - that was me. Although named "clover" the dress is not actually the color of any clover I have ever seen. It has more of a yellow undertone. The actually style is GORGEOUS - lightweight and breezy - I just wasn't impressed with the color. Bummer.

It's a good thing we ordered early because it has a snag in the silk too so we'll have to return it no matter what. Luckily J.Crew lets you return to the store free of charge and just order another no big deal. I just have to decide if I want to stick with the color. Robin really likes it and it's not that I DON'T like the color, I do - it's pretty, it is just NOT what I was expecting/hoping for. I looked online at some other places and didn't find much - especially much you could wear again so we may just stick with these. It just kind of takes my "vision" of the colors and turns it all around.

Anyone have thoughts? It looks darker in the photos (which is what happened online). Sigh. Silly J.Crew. Or silly Kristi's computer monitor.

Girls Night Out

School is a complete Debbie Downer these days. My anxiety has been horrible and I know I only have to get through the next few weeks until graduation, but the thought that I'm leaving UVA without a job lined up is quite unnerving.

Therefore, back to the wedding fun! Tonight Suzie, Stephanye, and I are going to see Bride Wars on grounds at the UVA theater. Since the movie is out on DVD already, the tickets are only $3 - hooray! I have been waiting to see this since it was released, but I have issues spending $10 for a regular movie theater ticket.

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering. I tried on the dress that Anne Hathaway wears at Vera Wang. It looked hideous on me - good thing I couldn't afford it. :-)

Heaven Must Be Front Row DMB

Dave Matthews Band - Friday, April 17th
Taken with my cruddy camera phone

For those of you who frequent Facebook, this is old news. For all others - boy did I get lucky this past Friday. My good friend Suzie and I attended the Dave Matthews show in Charlottesville. The band originated in Charlottesville - actually the mother of one of my tutees said she used to listen to him in people's backyards - so his shows at home are always extra special.

Suzie's husband works at John Paul Jones arena and secured us tickets for the show. We thought it would be a great way to spend a Friday night - a few $6 beers and a jam session. Little did we know how the night would end up for us. Let me just say this, God bless Joe.

We got to the arena and waited in the lobby for Joe to come see us. He told Suzie that he had a "present" for her so we were playing a guessing game of what it could be. Suz figured it was a set list - it's always fun when Joe can get these little things for us - we turn into giddy high school girls again. He came out and we chatted for awhile and Suzie said, "hey - where's our present?" And Joe hands her two tickets.

She handed one to me and we kept staring and then looking at each other, then back to the tickets. "Um... honey, these say Floor, Section 1, Row A." And Joe just smiled. WE HAD FRONT ROW SEATS TO DAVE. After asking several times if it would be inappropriate for me to kiss her husband, Suzie and I made our way down to the floor. As the usher walked us closer and closer the stage, the harder we giggled. We knew those were our seats but had a hard time believing it. He finally said - here we are, seats 23 and 24. CENTER STAGE. There were 20,000 people at this concert and Joe had gotten us the best seats in the house. NOW THAT IS WHAT MARRIAGE IS ALL ABOUT!!!

We immediately sat down and started text messaging every person we knew. My mama had the best response with, "Congratulations! Stay off the stage and out of jail. Have fun." We decided we better use the bathroom and get some more beer/fries/pop because after DMB came on, we were NOT going to be able to leave for 2.5 hours. We came back, sat down, and started chatting with the security guards, asking when Dave was going to start. There was a black curtain surrounding the stage. We knew we were close, but I don't think we had any idea HOW close until that curtain opened.

Seriously - we were less than 15 feet from him. We could see the sweat falling down his face. We witnessed all of his facial expressions. We screamed and jumped and screamed and jumped. It was an incredible show and I cannot thank Joe and Suzie enough. It was, no doubt about it, a once in a lifetime experience.

Oh, and... I caught Dave's guitar pick at the end of the night. SWOOOOOOOON.

Team Seth

TEAM SETH

Because we had two soon-to-be-eight-year-olds that are very special to us (my cousin Seth and Christopher's nephew Gabriel), we decided to forgo the idea of a ring bearer and have mini ushers. We will have four ushers total (note: not groomsmen, these are real ushers - in charge of seating guests) - 2 on my side and 2 on Christopher's side. I could not ask for a better team of people to seat my large family than TEAM SETH.

"Big Seth" has been one of my very best friends since we starred in the kindergarten circus together. We attended elementary school, junior high, and high school together. We went to our senior prom together. We have attempted to see the Yankees/Red Sox from box seats only to get a 40 degree rain out. He is, by far, the person I miss the most from high school. And although we rarely get a chance to catch up with one another, not a day goes by that I don't think about him. (If you couldn't tell the "white hair" similarity, Seth's sister Morgan is one of my bridesmaids). I wanted to make Seth a bridesmaid (along with Burk) but both got angry and said they wouldn't wear green dresses. Men these days...

Be sure to click the images for a close up shot!

Kindergarten Circus - 1988
Seth is the cute tiger in the bottom left.
I'm the huge head with a little bow and red outfit in front of the ringmaster.

No green dress but apparently blue hair is just fine.

Senior Prom - May 2000

"Little Seth" has been keeping me laughing since he learned how to talk. My little buddy who knew more about dinosaurs at 3 than I do now, he would always relay reliable information such as the ones that have "a bony neck frill to scare off predators." (Seth, which one was that again??) Seth and Burk became fast buddies and doubting the validity of a UVA master's degree, asked if "Bert could read." Upon realizing that Burk COULD read, Seth schooled him when he mispronouned a dinosaur name saying, "let's find one you can pronounce." SMACK. Well little Seth is quickly becoming big Seth and is finishing first grade this year so by the time we are married he will be a SECOND-GRADER. Whew, time flies.

Now that is some cousinly love!

Hanging with Uncle Barry - GO HOOS!

Jedi Master

It will be difficult to tell these two apart. Little Seth wanted to know Big Seth's middle and last name to make sure things don't get REALLY confusing. Rest easy, little guy, they are different. Although you both have the initials SR!!

These are two of the most important guys in my life - definitely the most important Seths, and I could not be happier that both of them agreed to work in tandem to seat the enormous and neverending bridal family. I love you Big Seth! I love you Little Seth!

Blogs on Christopher's usher team coming soon!!

TOO Cute

Julie sent me this picture and, although I have posted a TON from Running of the Brides, this one was too cute not to put on the blog. I think I may have the most adorable flower girl in the history of the world - but then again, I am a little bias. ;-)

Reception Hall on Hold

This afternoon, Christopher and I went to look at UVA's Alumni Hall for our reception. The regular reservation coordinator won't be in until next week, but we got a good idea of the space and what the gardens and terrace will look like at this time next year. We have a hold on the date (WOOHOO) so nothing is finalized yet, but I feel better just knowing we HAVE THE DAY if we want it. Christopher liked it and said that if it's what I really want, that's all that matters to him. :-) Isn't he the best?? Having the reception at UVA would be really special to me because I spent five years of my life at this school and during my graduate years my life did a complete 180. The church is basically on the historic downtown mall and then Alumni Hall is on UVA's grounds so the combination would really bring together the essence of Charlottesville. So we'll see, still deciding, but I feel 8,000 times better knowing no one else can take it. :-) YAY US!

Off to do some reading and then meeting my Matty Wade for Good Friday mass. No matter how beautiful the day, the sun always disappears at 3:00... and now it's raining. God sure does have some interesting ways of reminding us of the importance of today.

365 Days and Counting...

HAPPY -1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO US!!

Cripes all Friday, can you believe it? We still have an entire YEAR until we get married!! Today is the one year mark until our big day and we would be so blessed to get the weather next year that we had today. It was beautiful out - upper 60s and sunny. Unfortunately Christopher is sick, and working tonight, so no celebration but I'm still excited. Tomorrow we (if CGH is feeling up to it) are going to take a tour of a possible reception hall - woohoo. Once we get that booked we will have the church, the hall, and THE DRESS. Yes, I bought a dress. No, you will not see pictures on here! But if you do want to see photos, send me an e-mail and I'll invite you to the super-secret-invite-only website where I'm holding them hostage. :-)

This week is spring break for the public elementary schools so I had my little Annie yesterday and today. I've been tutoring Annie for the past few months and with her mother out of town this week, she came to hang with Christopher and me. It was a lot of fun having her here - she's more picky of an eater than I am if you can believe it! Yesterday we painted with tempera paint and today with watercolors before heading to the park. A quick view of my masterpieces (Annie loves when I make things for Christopher!)

Tempera Paint Love Note

Watercolor Get Well Card

Blowing Bubbles in the Park

How can you not love that face?!?

Annie is so excited that Christopher and I are getting married. Sometimes during tutoring I have to snap her back to reality because I find her staring at my ring and not paying attention to what we're working on. Each day she says, "you still have your wedding ring on - that means Christopher still loves you." :-) When we first told her we were engaged she replied "Soon you'll be married then I can be your daughter!" Her mother was ALL about that. And yesterday, the sweetest thing... We were putting jackets on to go outside and play with sidewalk chalk on the driveway. I put on Chris's sweatshirt and she said "Christopher lets you borrow his jacket. That's because he's your boyfriend... And he's a good guy - you got one of the good ones."

Yes I did, baby. I got one of the great ones. :-D

Happy Opening Day!

Today is opening day for the Red Sox since yesterday's game against the Rays got postponed due to weather. Opening day is one of my favorite days of the year (obviously besides my birthday, and now April 9th) and I'm hoping to catch some of the game during class.

I woke up very tired and very cranky so I'm hoping that a big Sox win will improve my spirits. I did want to mention how lucky I feel today to have Christopher. There are days when he has the uncanny ability to make my heart happy and put a smile on my face - even when I don't feel like being around anyone. :-)

More From Running of the Brides

Just a few more photos from Running of the Brides thanks to Morgan. :-)

Waiting in line - look at teeny tiny Robo!

AK and Morgan FINALLY meet!

Creating the initial pile of gowns.

AK directing bartering while prepping a dress for me to try on.

According to Morgan, "this is not where or how you should buy your wedding dress."
Ugh - I was so exhausted and frustrated.

Waiting to be seated for our post-run Cheesecake Factory lunch. Mmm...

ROTB - Fail. Dress Purchase - Success.

Despite our best efforts, the Minstermaids did not find a dress at Running of the Brides. We had a fabulous time and were completely EXHAUSTED by the end (11:30 am). Mama still looks fresh because she had just arrived.

AK took the 5:35 am metro from DC to Rockville to hold our place in line. Morgan, Robin, Joey and I had stayed in Warrenton the night before so we traveled separately. We got up early - Morgan had bagels for us, we each had 10 cups of coffee and we were on our way. Before we were even out of the neighborhood, we realized we forgot AK's team shirt and had to turn around. Naturally I had to call and wake up my mother so she could unlock the door for us - oops. Then we had to get gas. Then we got stuck in major traffic. We pulled into Filene's at 7:45 on the dot and the sale started at 8. AK was really close to the front of the line and had a bedazzled hat for me that read BRIDE. They opened the doors and let us start up the stairs, closer to the racks.

I have never seen anything like this. EVER. When that man said go and people started running it was insanity. They had a course roped off with caution tape through the store to where the racks were. Cameramen were everywhere and store employees were holding up the racks. I almost went down but because of my running pants (thank you, Mo) and my hurdling prowess - I skipped over a fallen soldier and got to the dresses.

They were SO HEAVY. To hold 5 bridal gowns was a complete chore. I should have trained better for the event. So I grabbed a bunch and started looking for the rest of the girls - we needed a spot to gather and start trying. Thank God I had my bedazzled safety whistle (thank you, Robo) and I started blowing on it in short, sharp tweets. I ended up on some newscast because I came around the corner tweeting, all bug-eyed, dragging gowns. Finally I spotted AK and together we tried to pull the dresses but apparently we had them at the top and people were stepping on the backs - so we had to quickly pause and regroup. That's when we saw Robin and Joey and found Morgan jumping up and down in the shoe area with her pile.

We dumped all the gowns and everyone was completely out of breath and sweating. Time check - 8:02 am. The racks were empty and people were already beginning to barter dresses. I had to continuously try on because we could use the rejects to trade for something I may have wanted. Especially when we found a Lazaro - that puppy was worth big bucks.

While AK helped me dress, Morgan, Joey and Robin went out trading. Morgan's back is featured on "ROTB Raw" - Fox 5 DC - I think it's the 4th video down. Robin made WTOP as pictured below.

Photo from wtop

We traded, I tried, the girls traded more, I tried on more. Half naked girls were all over the store. One girl wanted a dress I was hording and she camped out in the lingere section of the store for hours until my mom got there. Finally I gave it to her, she hugged me, said she loved me, ran into another room screaming "I GOT IT! I GOT IT!" and the room erupted in cheers.

My girls were amazing. They worked so hard and everyone was absolutely exhausted by the end. Unfortunately, we didn't find a dress there despite the piles and piles we went through. Julie, Sadie and Mom got there around 11:30 and that's when we gave up and went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. I was disappointed but just exhausted more than anything. We decided to stop at a bridal Salon in Gainsville on the way back to Julies and ended up finding a few fabulous dresses; one of which I purchased earlier today - WOOHOO! :-D More on that later. So overall, amazing and exhausting weekend. I wouldn't trade those first 120 seconds of the run for anything though - we had a blast.

Final Preparations before Warrenton

It's a shame there is no room in my office for actually WORK to be done because the couch and floor are covered in materials for Running of the Brides. I finally got all the shirts done and they are laid out drying. I had to go get another white marker and t-shirt (looks like Jules is going to be able to come too!!) and I had JUST enough white paint to get through the shirts.

Then, of course, I had to make signs to let all the other people in Filene's know what I'm looking for. Apparently this is a way of bargaining with teams that may have what you want. So here are some of the size signs and the Minstermaid Station sign. Hopefully we'll be able to stake out a spot to gather so we can prop this up there.

Talked to Morgan today - she is DEFINITELY coming. That means EVERYONE will be at the sale: Mama, AK, Jules, Robin, Morgan, Joey, and Sadie. :-D I really really hope that we find something, but even if we don't it will be great to have everyone together for the first time. Heck - Morgan hasn't even seen my ring yet!!

Time to go pack up some coffee and other supplies for Friday morning. We're leaving tomorrow as soon as I'm done tutoring for Julie's. We have the 7th season of Friends (thanks to Robin) and are planning to watch the one where Monica gets her gown at the big "Kleinman" sale while we're going over a gameplan. I can not WAIT for my bridal party sleepover!! AAAAAAAAH!!

WISH US LUCK!!
xoxo,
The Future Mrs. Hartwell
(Robin was mentioning that I never write that)

Team Jerseys

Tonight after class, I decided it was high time I made the team jerseys for the Running of the Brides... since the sale is this Friday morning. So I went to Michaels and got some hot pink t-shirts (2/$5 - beat that!) and some fabric pens and went to work. Mine is in silver glitter (so is Sadie's) and the rest of the ladies' are in white with their name in the back in black. Sadie won't attend the event of course - she'd get trampled most likely - but as part of the bridal party she needed a shirt.

Sadie's itty bitty shirt (it will still drown her - the smallest size was a 6-8, she's 3)

AK's - I think her's turned out the best since I did it first.

Everyone is getting very excited for the sale, especially now that Morgan can come!! (Most likely). She got called for JURY DUTY - can you believe it?!? I told her to look as bias as possible so they wouldn't choose her, but that plan failed. Lots of prayers that the trial ends Thursday morning like it's supposed to so she can get to Julie's by Thursday night.

Since the sale starts at 8 am on Friday morning in Rockville (YIKES!) and all the cool kids get there uber early, AK is going to metro out from Sam's house and hold our place in line. Do I have a fabulous best friend or what? She said, "give me a cup of coffee and I can do anything." Heck, give me a cup of coffee and I can barely roll over far enough to be able to drink it without spilling on myself. The rest of us (me, Mama, Joey, Robin, and Morgan) will be coming from a sleepover in Warrenton so we have a little further to go. Fingers crossed we find something!

It's going to be a mad house - Robin is buying safety whistles and AK is encouraging elbow throwing... Pictures to come. Definitely.

(Oh and that paper due Monday? Yeah, we got a week's extention - it's still not finished).