It was all very Donald Trump, if you ask me...

Or, not really.

It was more like a train wreck.

We fired our ring designer on Friday evening. More accurately, we attempted to fire our ring designer on Friday evening. He would not be fired. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it was how it went down.

I called him, and told him he should just give our diamonds and gold to Rick or my Mom, and that we were going to take them someplace else. His reaction was anything but professional. It ranged from self-righteous indignation to him accusing me of being unrealistic to him saying he was "closed for the weekend" and that it would take longer for us to "get lawyers and police involved than for him to just finish the ring".

It boils down to this. He yelled at me. He told me that he treated me like family, and that he couldn't believe I had so little faith in him. My response was that we started this process in November, and that every time he gives us a date for something to be completed, when that date comes, he pushes it back a week.

Because he yelled at me, I am done. I will not speak to him on the phone again. If it is ever necessary for he and I to communicate, it will be done in writing. Marmee to the rescue. She is going to be the one to do the talking with him from here out. I don't want Alex to do it, because I honestly think this guy will purposely try to provoke Alex into a fight. So - Mom is going to get either a finished product, or all of the components by this coming Wednesday.

What we've decided is that we're just going to take the diamond and have it set in a plain solitaire for now. When we can afford to, we'll go through a new design process with a different designer. For now - we just want our diamond back, and we want it to be on my finger where it belongs.

I can't tell you how awkward it is to say, "my fiance..." and then people look immediately at my finger. Then, I have to explain at least part of the whole bitter story.

Suffice it to say, Alex and I aren't planning on using any more family friends for anything. Wedding or otherwise. The reason? If something is unsatisfactory - we need to be able to NOT worry about the relationship, and just worry about getting what we have paid for.

This ring thing has been a NIGHTMARE just almost start to finish. We both hope that this was our huge obstacle - and the rest of the wedding planning will go smoothly. :) We can dream, can't we??

-b

Now that I have an audience...

Ehem..

Well - now that I've let you guys know that this blog exists - I've been hearing complaints about not keeping it updated. Okay, okay...

We've booked the photobooth for our wedding! Those of you who were at Brian & Jennifer's wedding last summer got to play with the photobooth, and realize how much fun it is! We decided it was a non-negotiable.

We are working on booking our DJ. We're really hoping to get Powerhouse to do it, since that was the DJ company I worked with for about 5 years off and on. The owners are close family friends, and I know that they would do a great job.

STILL

WAITING

ON

THE

RING

No, I'm not joking. I am, however, EXTREMELY disappointed, and upset about the whole situation. I've contacted another custom design studio, and told them about our misfortune in this process. They are willing to take the gold and diamonds from the ring we get, and turn it into something we actually like. At this point, I think even looking at the ring that this other guy designed will make us both too angry to ever enjoy it. I am ready to fire him. I just don't know how to handle the situation. Which is strange, because normally - ESPECIALLY with customer service situations, I am the person who will take no crap. But since this guy is a friend of Rick's - even though Rick has said not to worry about it - I don't want to be a complete beyotch.

At the same time, we started this process on November 23, and it sure is April 13.

There are a few details popping up here and there - chair covers, seating arrangements, etc... But really, the big things will be booked after we get the DJ squared away.

Coming up in the next month or so - we'll go in for a food tasting to the hotel. I'm thinking the "chipper chicken" will do fine. :) But I am intrigued by what they will have for the butler passed hors d'oeuvres. YUM-O. :)

Otherwise, we are moving at break neck speed toward an event that is still SEVEN MONTHS AWAY. :)

Which is necessary, because April 25th may indeed be the day we find out for certain if we are relocating to Norman. (And I imagine, we will be) So everything needs to be planned before then.

Okay, campers - I'm off to bed now. I promise to keep you better informed.

-b

A dress! A song! We're moving right along!

Over spring break, my mother, maid of honor, one of my bridesmaids, and I made a pilgrimage to OKC to look at dresses.

I am happy to report that all 4 of us found one!!! I can't give any details... That would be cheating, but I can say that the dress I settled on is the most beautiful thing I've ever worn, and I looked AWESOME in it!

What is the magic of the bridal gown that can transform any woman into a beauty?

In other news - Alex brought a song to me that blew me away, and we have decided to use it for our first dance. :) Again - telling what it is would be cheating, but it is perfect for us!!

I'm getting to the point of having just about everything booked and ready, and looking at my calendar, I'm thinking - SHEESH! Will December ever get here??

We're still more than 200 days out....

...

.........

I'm so ready to be Alex's wife. I'm so ready to have him as my husband! The anticipation is starting to really get to me.

I've got to change my focus.

b

It happened! I was there!

After weeks and weeks of using our intense address gathering detective skills, we sent out our Save the Date cards last week. And, aside from Amber calling them the STD cards at one point, it went very well.

Until yesterday.

When one CAME BACK!



-x

I aim to take over the world.

Tomax and Xamot should watch out.

-x

The ring's the thing

Alex said "gettin' married is awesome!" I know he was being sarcastic, though. Because that's his natural habitat.

We STILL don't have the correct version of the engagement ring on my finger. We're both at about our wits' end.

Our designer called us Friday evening, and put us off yet once again. We don't know whether to fire him or not, because he is such a good friend of my Mom & Stepdad. But holy gads... It's been since November already.

In other news - we have booked our cake. It is going to be fabulous and super yummy!

I'm on spring break this week - so I'll be working on getting those Save the Date cards out to each of you!

xoxo

In Case You Missed It

Here is the speech I gave at the Engagement Party last Friday.

There is an extended remix version that may or may not include the official proposal.

It might be on the Director's Cut.

-x


I have a plan.

A scheme. Thoughts on ideas on theory based on fact and observation. Hatched in the dead of night, examined in the daylight of warm afternoons.

I have a plan of the past. I have felt betrayal. I have known the pain of loss. I have see joy jump from face to face. I have lain awake nights dreaming of missed opportunity and broken connections. I have been with people. I have been alone, lost in the sea of myself. Overwhelmed by History, but knowing my ancestors have all conspired to bring me to this moment.

I have a plan of the present. Living in this moment. Capturing the memory of now to pass down to my future.

I have a plan of the future. I know where I'll be December 27th. I have talked of flowers and invitations, of music and types of cake. I have spoken of children who we will raise to be citizens and patriots, members of the world who know how history of self and family are necessary to understand everyone and everything around you.

I have a plan of commitment. Of sacrifice and longing for each other. A plan of family and being a branch in a much larger tree. Of watching children start their own lives with others and grandchildren in turn start theirs.

And so we stand here tonight, holding hands, faces turned toward the Sun.

Tonight I thank each of you for helping Amber and I in our journey here. You have touched our lives in important ways. Your thoughts and ideas have allowed us to come together tonight and look toward the future. And so we celebrate each of you as you have celebrated us.