Day 61 ~ Wow!

Our icing for the roses was a little soft so the petals aren't as perky as they should be...but we're impressed! Hey Jacquie...Rachael & I want to practice our rose-making...how about on a cake for the shower? By the way - we highly recommend the Wilton Cake Decorating classes - check out your local ACMoore store!

Day 62 ~ after 4 hours of mixing and measuring and blending and baking....

I finally produced a decent-looking cake to take to decorating class tomorrow night! You know how it is sometimes...no matter how closely you follow a recipe, something happens and the thing explodes in the oven. OK - it doesn't really explode, but for some unknown reason, the 2 layers of cake batter turn into 2 mounds of slowly growing lava-like blobs that flow over the sides of the pans and produce an amazing amount of acrid smoke that hovers near the ceiling in the kitchen. I turned on the exhaust fan and composed myself...Steve said he was sorry (it wasn't his fault...was it?!) and I started all over again. I finally have a nice lemon pound bundt cake waiting to be frosted...and to be adorned with lemon yellow roses tomorrow.

Day 63 ~ those of you who had faith....

...thank you for hanging in there with me! I had promised that I would get back to the sewing...and look at this! I did! This morning, Steve & I went to Long John Silver's to pick up some fish & fries for my mom. We had lunch & spent a couple of hours with her, then we headed back home. While Steve sorted through his golf bag & boxes of balls and tees (he's going on his annual golf trip in a couple of weeks), I ventured upstairs to see if I could finish Stacey's dress. First I made the shoulder straps narrower and then I fixed the sash & bow (are they the right size now, Jacquie? They are about an inch wide now). Then I put in the zipper under the arm. Pressed it a bit...and then I made one of the bags...the girls will need some kind of bag to put their tissues, cell phone, etc. They won't be carrying them during the ceremony but at least they'll have something to use later... All finished! (except for the hem...)
closeup of bow

Day 64 ~ the end is near...

My goal today is to finish this proofreading so I can get back to sewing tomorrow. I can do it...I know I can!

Day 65 ~ the rolling hills of PA

Every morning, I am greeted with this view of Williamsport and the Susquehanna River from the top of the mountain coming into the city on Rt. 15. During the winter months, there is usually fog settling into the valley or there is a snow squall brewing in the higher altitudes. But sometimes, the sun is out and the valley is clear - like it was this morning. Beautiful!

Day 66 ~ frantic day #2

...don't even ask

Day 67 ~ frantic day

too busy to think...
too tired to write...

yum yum!

Tonight in class, we learned how to make the shell border, cute little bear faces, swirl flowers, and drop flowers (with dot centers). We also practiced our stars...
Next week? ROSES!

Day 68 ~ The Tally..so far

Responses for the wedding:
21 - yes
1 - no

Day 69 ~ "Please accept this letter..."

Yes, I gave the Pastor my two weeks notice. It's not easy leaving a job that was fun and different every day, one that kept me busy, one that I enjoyed...a lot. I really won't like not seeing my co-workers who became my friends (but we will get together for lunch!). I have to get used to working full-time, though, 'cause that's what I'll be doing, starting March 6.

Day 70 ~ Cupcakes for class

For our decorating class on Tuesday, Rachael & I baked some cupcakes, frosted them with the pure white frosting (the trick is to use CLEAR vanilla when you make the frosting!), and made little containers of pre-colored icing. This should make it much easier (and faster) during class when the instuctor says, "take your brown icing and make a circle for the teddy bear's head..."

Day 71 ~ Woo Hoo!

In the words of one of Jacquie & Dan's friends from Colorado (on his response card for the wedding):
Woo hoo!

Day 72 ~ the winds of change...

Today it's been a blustery day with the temps steadily falling. Quite a change from the last day or so when I actually opened the sunroof in my car (and it stayed open, too)! Yesterday and today, some things in my life started changing, taking different directions...which is something I am kind of used to...but stressful, still. Many of you have heard about the Holmes Rahe Scale that helps you determine how much stress you have by looking at what's happening in your life. Check it out & see how stressful your life is! http://www.markhenri.com/health/stress.html
Over the next few days, you'll see exactly what will be changing for me...and add that to the fact that I will be turning 50 (gag!) in about a month...

Day 73 ~ no sew nite

Yeah - so I thought I would do some sewing last night but...nope, it didn't happen! With the Olympics on this week, the regular shows are doing reruns. We watched Still Standing, I remember, but then after that, I'm not sure. I woke up at one point, not sure what time it was...oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Day 74 ~ R.S.V.P.s

I received 4 responses in the mail today...and they were all "yes." I guess we're having this party! I haven't had time to work on Stacey's dress this week. I have been working on a proofreading job - and its deadline is next Tuesday! Maybe I can sneak some sewing time in tonight...we'll see...

Day 75 ~ true love

In these days of IMs, text messaging, and cell phones, I like to imagine the days when postcards were mailed with a 1 cent stamp - just to let 'a friend' know that she is planning on 'coming down' soon. This card was mailed by my grandmother to my grandfather in 1913.

Day 76 ~ Cake Decorating, class #2 (before & after)

Before...

...and after.

We spent more time tonight practicing on a wax paper-covered board than actual decorating our cakes! Next week, we'll go prepared with cupcakes (for quick decorating) and little cups of colored icing (to eliminate the mixing time at class).

Day 77 ~ movie marathon...

The big snowstorm did not make it to Montgomery so (after I worked on my proofreading and made cakes for decorating class tomorrow night) Steve & I went to see The Pink Panther with Steve Martin, one of my Steve's favorite comedians. The movie was very funny...we were quoting lines from it as we walked out of the theater! And then we came home and watched Wedding Crashers - another funny movie! Our selections today were much better than our choice last night when we did a pay-per-view on TV - The Forty-Year-Old Virgin. What a waste of two hours and $3.99! Horrendous!

Day 78 ~ "wanna come out & play?"

The time is 12:35 p.m. Saturday, February 11. The temperature is currently 36 degrees. The temperature is expected to reach only 39 degrees today. There is a snowstorm brewing along the coast, which is forecast to miss central PA. However, with the possibility of a dusting to 2 inches of snow, Steve and his friend, Terry, are now (at this very moment) teeing off at the golf course. After all, if the snow does come, they may not be able to play for the next few weeks. Yes, these guys are a little nutty...but since there's no longer any football to watch on TV, what else is there for them to do??? Yes, they can watch golf...you are right!

Day 79 ~ just a few adjustments, please!

Jacquie reported back to me this morning...the bow & sash needs to be smaller. Right now, they are an inch and a quarter wide...I'll try three-quarters of an inch wide. Also, the shoulder strap also needs to be made smaller. Give me a couple days, Jacquie...I'll see what I can do.

a bow...for your approval, Jacquie.

Let me know what you think, Jacquie.

Day 80 ~ things are coming together...

Jacquie...does this look like the way you envisioned it? Is the sash too wide or about right? Do you want the bow to look like the one in the picture you gave to me? Or do you want something different? And do you want it attached at the same place as the one in the picture? Let me know...
NOTE: the last of the invitations went out in the mail today. Check that one off the list!

Day 81 ~ a big, big box...

A few weeks ago, I was trying to figure out where to get a box big enough in which to store the gown...but small enough to fit into Jacquie's car. Well, I found a box (actually Lou had it in his office at the church...but please don't ask him about the broken sink..). It's a little too long and about 2x too wide but I can cut it down to size...

Day 82 ~ cakes and cars...

Well, today was a busy day...
After work this afternoon, I stopped in at our local Hyundai dealer to pick up my new car! We have been looking at cars for the past few weeks and we finally were able to come to a decision about which one and how much...what a process! But I am now driving a new 2005 4-wheel-drive Hyundai Santa Fe. I feel like I am behind the wheel of my old mini-van - the"pagito torpedo!" And that 'new car aroma' is quite intoxicating! And that's not all! Rachael & I started our cake decorating course tonight! At our local AC Moore store, they are offering a 4-week (one night a week) class on beginning cake decorating. Since she is interested in perhaps pursuing a career in culinary arts, we thought this would be a terrific way for her to really find out what is involved in pastry cheffing! Seems like it should be a fun month! Stay tuned for examples of our culinary talents!

the top is together...

( Dee Dee's bust is kind of pointy...)

Day 83 ~ Dee Dee gets naked (and dress #2 begins!)

As the wedding gown lays deflated (it does look deflated, believe me!) on the bed, Dee Dee gets some adjustments. Compared to Jacquie, Stacey's figure is a lot more elongated between her armpits and her waist! 3 whole inches! So Dee Dee had to get stretched in the torso area and her height a bit more (2 inches). That's about right, since Stacey is 5 inches taller than her big sister!

In case you've forgotten, this (below) is how Stacey's dress will look, with a sheer organza (like the wedding gown) over the skirt.

...and here it is - cut out and waiting for assembly...

...here are the pieces for the bodice...

Day 84 ~ Driving practice & a stop at Dunkin' Donuts

Originally, the plan was to take Caleb up to school this afternoon but he made other arrangements at the last minute...

We wanted Rachael to practice driving on the highway (Although she's only been driving for a couple of months, she is doing very well! Her mom's been taking her out quite a bit!). So we headed out and Rachael drove on the beltway. Not much traffic, though! I guess everyone was at home getting ready for the game. We stopped at Dunkin' Donuts - one of Rachael's favorite stops (after Starbuck's, that is!) to get a drink...the light latte was pretty good...and Rachael's french vanilla frapp-o-whipped cream was fine with her!

Day 85 ~ County Employee Awards

For those of you who do not live in "PA" - (and, yes, we do say "pee A") - counties are a very important way to specify where you are from...or in some cases, who you work for. When I lived in Connecticut, we rarely said we lived in Tolland county. We just lived near Hartford...and the state wasn't that big anyway. But here in PA, when you listen to the local TV news stations, they always tell you in which county the fire, the accident, or the shooting was. Maybe it's because PA is such a large state...and there are a zillion little towns. Our county - Lycoming - is smack, dab in the center of PA. Lycoming County also employs a high percentage of workers in a variety of jobs...and Steve is one of them. Tonight was the county's annual awards dinner. It was fun affair with an hour at the bar, a couple of hours at dinner & awards presentations and short, amusing speeches, and then another hour back down at the bar, where Steve & his co-workers fired up the cigars. We came home, hung up our clothes to air out, and watched SNL.

Day 86 ~ Play it again, Snoop!

Jacquie called this morning to give me a few more last-minute names and addresses for the invitation mailing. She seemed calm...which is good. She & Dan celebrated their "Three more months until we are married" anniversary a few days ago. Yep - only three more months to go. Things are pretty much on schedule. Hopefully, there won't be an "OH-NO! WE FORGOT ...." moment. I just hope she & Dan call someone soon to tune the camp piano. Otherwise, we may have some interesting melodies during our meal. We can only hope!

Day 87 ~ more than half finished...

Yes, I've been plugging along - working on the proof- reading job. It's one of the more interesting books - "Insiders' Guide to the Outer Banks." Lots of reference to the wonderful seafood and relaxing atmosphere there...
Hmm...I think I need to do some fact checking. And to do that, I must go to North Carolina and personally check things out! What do you think, Josh?

Day 88 ~ Untapped talent...

Back in Connecticut, there is a young man sitting in a cubicle by the large plate-glass window (at least he was there when I left 2 1/2 years ago...) at a publishing company in Guilford. Josh periodically emails a newsletter to the freelance copyeditors and proofreaders to keep us abreast of miscellaneous changes in policies and house styles. He always injects humor into this publication...and I always find quite a few things that make me chuckle. For example, the newsletter I received today had this gem:

THAT MAN IN THE BROWN PANTS TOOK ALL MY MONEY!

To bring our policies in line with other companies, we are now covering some of the cost of shipping packages back to us. Rather than paying separate shipping costs, we’ll compensate for shipping by paying you for additional hours. Here’s how the process will work... [he goes on to explain the procedure...]
He adds:
Also note that we are still unable to reimburse you for gas, supplies such as pens and sticky notes, packing material, boxes, snacks, rubber chickens, voodoo dolls, or other necessities—though some of the above may be itemized on your tax return with guidance from a certified professional.

[And who is the man in the brown pants?? The UPS man, of course!]