One month since I said yes

Notes from Rob.... (edited!)
September 27th marked the one month anniversary of the day I asked Andrea to marry me. Of course in my busy life the date flew by me. Andrea on the other hand did not forget. OF COURSE SHE DIDN'T! Bless her heart, she sent me a special delivery right at work. The delivery consists of a gift box filled with:Scorned Woman cheese sticks, to give you an idea of what this fine snack has in store for the person who eats it, on the package reads, "Hell hath no fury like a scorned woman." These things have very little do with cheese and have everything to do with burning a hole in your throat and stomach. These things pack alot of heat and I love them.Reeses Peanut butter cups, a perennial favorite of mine. It also had caramel popcorn, coffee and cashew nuts. Andrea definitely knows me. All my favorite indulgences. If she could've put cigars and cigarettes in the gift basket, I personally would've been in heaven. OH and one more thing, she had a single rose included in the whole thing. When I was signing for it my fellow sales people were clapping and making cat calls.A bit of bad news was Andrea took ill this week, some kind of weird flu. She's been coughing, running a fever and has been achy. So I've been trying to be nurse man. I did manage to return her delivery by sending her a get well basket. Which included flowers, chicken soup, a teddy bear and a mylar I love you balloon.Throughout the whole week of pure f*cking chaos, Andrea came through. Everyday that goes by, my decision to marry her becomes more and more the best f*cking decision of my life.

September 27

8 months, 14 days.
Save the Date magnets with letters have all gone out, folks!
(Many of you are just now seeing this blog site for the first time, so welcome! Feel free to look around! Click on archives to view from the very beginning. You can also "sign" a comment. :)
I went with MOB and MOH to look at dresses yesterday for MOH. MOB has her dress, which is a gorgeous royal blue. Found a lovely one, appropriately the color is "sand" for MOH. Will be going to look at dresses with MOG shortly.

Oh by the way, members of the wedding party all have abbreviations. Here are all their names "up in lights".

BRIDE: (B2B) Andrea Jeffrey
GROOM: (G2B) Robert Haskell
PARENTS OF BRIDE: (FOB and MOB) Peter and Kathy Jeffrey
PARENTS OF GROOM: (FOG and MOG) Darlene and Robert Haskell
CO-BEST MAN: (CBM) Derek Plourde
CO- BEST MAN: (CBM) Bob Hogan
USHER/GROOMSMAN: (UG) Timmy Haserlat
USHER/GROOMSMAN: (UG) Dave “Bubba” Devlin
USHERETTE (USH) Jenelle Haskell
MAID OF HONOR: (MOH) Stacey Fassi
MAN OF HONOR: (HM) Eddie Parsons
BRIDESMAID: (MB) Sharrie Covell
JUNIORT BRIDESMAID (JB) Jessica Michelson
FLOWER GIRLS (FG) are Trinity Covell and Chloe Kefauver
RING BEARER (RB) Charlie Kefauver

This day is going to be such fun. I just can't wait. I realized today that it is one month since we started this journey. And so much has been done! :)
~B2B

week in review

8 months, 17 days to go.
Notes from B2B. The week has been fairly uneventful so far as planning goes.
I have ordered, and this week received my toasting glasses as well as the save the date magnets (!) I also ordered all the components of the centerpieces I am creating.
OH! I also got Rob's wedding ring... and gifts for Stacey, Sharrie, and Jessica :)
I have completed the insert that will go with the save the date magnets, and made up a preliminary contact sheet for the whole wedding party. (Am I being a touch obsessive?( Don't answer that. :)

I'm glad we're not in Turkey!

I found a hysterical site today. How can I work this into the wedding weekend: "Turkish wedding traditions: ....When the party arrives to fetch the bride, the men and women are entertained separately. The men may be allocated to different hosts in the girl's village, if the wedding is on a large scale. Dancing, foolery, coffee and cigarettes abound. The visitors are said to be `under the orders' of their hosts. There is much talk of singing publicly for the company, with threats of beating with cushions for the defaulters, and the guests are made the butts for a variety of practical jokes. At this point a form of dance practiced in Sakaltutan and immediately neighbouring villages reaches its climax. A dozen or so men dance in a circle. One man goes into the circle and braces himself with his arms folded behind his back, and another jumps in and, with wild leaps and fierce shouts, punches him in the middle of the back. The puncher then takes the place of the victim, and another volunteer leaps into the ring, to deliver a punch and in his turn to become a victim. Mostly, the punching is moderate, and if anyone punches to hurt, he can expect the next man to do likewise. But, on one occasion, just before the bride left her home, the young men on the two sides were leaping into the ring alternately and punching as hard as they could. The village has stories of men's backs being broken at this game. In Elbashï it was regarded as typically uncouth, and unsuitable for civilised villages. " Too funny

The Odyssey... 262 days (8 months 20 days) to go

So last night we were invited aboard the Odyssey cruise ship in Boston to try and woo us to having our reception aboard their beautiful ship. Talk about top notch service! WOW! There was a martini bar, hors d'ouvres, a chocolate fountain (Rob's favorite) and a full buffet. There was a band on one deck and a DJ on the other... what a magical evening. Best of all it was free. One of those oft-talked about "perks" of being newly engaged. :)

address list and anuersyms

Rob's notes.....
The big Sunday meeting between POG, G2B and B2B
I guess I'm going to have to post about this considering my Bride to be (B2B) is unable to get to a computer till tomorrow (feel free to copy and paste this one Andrea). We had a big meeting with the Parents of the Groom (POG, here's a hint, my mother and father) this past Sunday. First of all the meeting happened later than thought due to all kinds of wierd f*cking traffic problems. It took me nearly and an hour and a half to get from Comm ave in Allston to Broadway in Somerville, normally a 30 minute ride. I love the Red Sox, but I can't stand trying to drive through the mess they cause during a game. So I battle my way through all kinds of horn-happy, road-raged, wacky, fun-loving pricks the game of baseball lets loose throughout the Fenway and Kenmore Square. I take the exit for 93N rather than fight my way through the mess that is the McGrath highway. WRONG, I get myself into a mess on the leveret connector. I think great, no matter where I go, I'm f*cked. I reach 93 and zoom to Andrea's house. I finally get there thinking, well it's only a half hour to Lynn. So I hit RT 16. BOY was I ever wrong. all of a sudden RT 16 is a T Station parking lot. There was some kind of Brazillian festival going on. There were all kinds of people walking down 16 wearing yellow Brazil t-shirts. It looked like a Soccer game exploded on 16, excuse me Futball. There were cars that were worth $100.00 blasting Bazillian tunes out of $1,000.00 dollar sound systems. I was driven insane because I couldn't drown them out with ICP because Andrea doesn't care for them too much. Again it took me an hour and a half for a 30 minute journey. By the time I reached my mother's house, my right foot was cramped from all the stop and go crap.So finally we arrive at Casa De' Haskell. We ordered Chinese food and began light-hearted chat. The food came, I proceeded to make a complete pig of myself, then it was down to business. We were there to compile info about the guest list. So my mother and Andrea begin to tear into the list. Name after name, address after address and phone number after phone number were tossed back and forth, written down and checked off. All the while I fell asleep on the couch. I broke my dozing only to be given a complete tongue-lashing. It was unfortunately noticed that most of my friends' names did not have addresses next to them. Well, what's my excuse??? I say to Andrea, well I work twelve f*cking hours a day, when do I have time. I thought her head was going to explode off her shoulders. She says, "so are you saying all I do is sit on my ass all day and not work? My list of addresses is complete." she says to me. All I could do is sink further down in the couch. I kind of felt like Al Bundy when something bad was or is happening. OH GOD NO! Finally I just did what my dad always said, "yes dear." I joke about her being "Bride-zilla" and this was most definitely a "Bride-zilla" moment. But it was a deserved moment on my behalf because I did say something incredibly stupid.These next nine months are going to be fast-paced, full of ups and downs. Not to mention pretty f*cking fun and yet scary all at the same time. Who am I kidding, these next 8-9 months are going to be f*cking CRAZY!!! I know there will be moments where I'm going to go "GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!" BUT In the end, it will all be worth it. If I didn't think so, I wouldn't have asked her to be my wife.Here's to fun, excitement and pulling my f*cking hair out of my scalp. "George, George, George of the Jungle watch out for that......
SLAM!!!!
......tree
I just love him more every day, there's nothing more I can say but that. ~B2B bride to be

Note to all: Please don't ever let this happen!

Police Charge 11 in Wedding Party Brawl

NEW YORK (Sept. 15) - A groom spent his wedding night in jail with his father, his brother, his father-in-law and seven other members of his wedding party after the group allegedly brawled with another bridal party and police, according to a published report
Police arrested the groom, Joseph Fortunato Jr., 29, and the ten others after officers were called to break up the melee at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in White Plains, Saturday, according to an article appearing in Thursday's editions of the Daily News.
The altercation reportedly began with a case of mistaken identity. A member of the second wedding party confronted Fortunato's best man, believing him to be a wedding photographer, who had absconded. The best man allegedly responded with force sparking a bench-clearer.
"Everybody's fighting everybody," White Plains police spokesman Martin Gleeson told the Daily News. "And both brides are kind of walking around helpless like, 'This is my wedding? I can't believe this is happening!"'
After police intervened by arresting Fortunato, the other members of his wedding party objected violently, leading to their arrests. The eleven suspects, all from Fortunato's party, were charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and first-degree riot, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.
They were released on bail Sunday.
Police said the melee caused $2,000 of damage to the hotel.
"We believe the event may have been alcohol-driven," Gleeson told the Daily News.

the weekend in review

First, from Rob's personal blog:
"Me and my friends have had this little hole in the wall bar we hang out it. I call it our Cheers. It’s the bar for the American Legion Post #6 in my hometown of Lynn. Keep in mind this bar is actually housed in the basement of a function hall. But this place is our hang out. I feel proud that they allow a group such as ours to rub elbows with the heroes of this country. The bar is affectionately known as Post 6. Me and my lovely future wife Andrea were finally in position where we had the time to announce to my friends that we were engaged (full story at http://robandandi06.blogspot.com/ ). I was a little nervous I have to admit because my friends always viewed me as the perennial single guy. They knew my past. They knew I’d been engaged twice and both of those relationships ended in sort of a religious fiery death. It was an explosion of atomic proportions. To which a chorus of “I told ya sos” were always given. This time my woman was welcomed into a group of rag-tag friends that I view very much as family as my mom and dad. I was so proud of that. A good time was being had by all. It is karaoke night every Saturday night at the Post, so I sang my signature AC/DC song, then I sat down and continued to drink. My next song came about 45 minutes later. Which by the way was by design, I felt a few relaxing cocktails were warranted before I was going to do what I was about to. I got up there, I announced the engagement and wedding date and then proceeded to sing a song. The song I sang was not even something I’d normally listen to. It was Amazed by Lonestar. Unfortunately they don’t make many love songs in the style of music I normally listen to. I got a standing ovation. I am no American Idol but I didn’t do too badly if I may so. It was a fun night but this will be the longest 9 months of my life. I am an impatient person by very nature. Waiting to June kind of sucks but we needed time to plan a wedding in which would fit certain budgets. "
Now the BTB's notes. ("BTB= Bride To Be")
The reception hall has been booked. Holiday Inn - Tewksbury/Andover line. June 10 2006.
Registry is thisclose to complete. (By the way, Rob is totally into the gift registry thing.)
Next to book - limo, and save the date magnets. :)
Now about this weekend... that song Amazed... was a favorite of mine, and in fact was the song that my cousin Kim and her now husband Ray used as their first dance song last year. Beautiful song. I would use it myself, except we already have a special song picked out, and besides, it's been used alot lately. Induldge the sappy bride to be for a moment and read the words. They're rather sweet. Those of you who know Rob will know how out of character this was for him to sing...and not many will be surprised that there were tears in my eyes as I watched him sing this to me.

Lone Star – Amazed
Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

Chorus:
I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you, it just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life, with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby I'm amazed by you

The smell of your skin
the taste of your kiss
the way you whisper in the dark
your hair all around me, baby you surround me
you touch every place in my heart
oh, it feels like the first time every time
I wanna spend the whole night in your eyes

Chorus:
Every little thing that you do
I'm so love with you
it just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life, with you by my side
forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
oh, every little thing that you do baby I'm amazed by you...

9 months...

Until we say "I do." Tomorrow I have the goal of looking at, and subsequently booking, the reception site. Leaning heavily towards Tewksbury. After the site, I think next critical to lock in are the photographer, and the DJ.
Saturday night is the casual party and announcement to all Rob's friends, which his sister is thrilled about because she's been holding this secret in for like a month.
I've been working on the guest list. Yikes, it's such fun. I did a tentative seating plan and ya not so much fun.
But you know what? I wouldn't trade any of this for the world.
Funniest thing this week for me was when, last night at like 1:00 AM I was writing up the sheet for the DJ - what songs I want played at what times, as well as phonetic pronounciations. So for example I write "the flower girls Chloe and Trinity" and what song I am considering. And so forth through the list. Then I get to the introduction of the bride and groom and what we are playing as our "entrance music" <> and like a dolt I write my full name and Rob's full name... then it occurs to me that it will be Mr and Mrs Haskell. WOW
I wish I could fall asleep after all my plans had been made, and wake up with only two months to go instead of 9. I know it will go by quickly, but I am just so excited.

From Rob......

God I just love this guy. ~AJ

....I could never possibly be happier than I am now. I met my current girl actually while I was dating the red-headed, psycho-b*tch from hell. It was about 6 or 7 years ago when I worked at this place called Cross Country motor club. I remember the day, I was reading a book in my cubicle, I took a phone call and bang... All of a sudden my tooth starts killing me. Literally it felt like a bomb went off in my mouth. I finish the phone call, talk to my boss, who noticed that the side of my face was swollen, then proceded to go home. I walked toward the exit when I heard, "are you ok?" I look and managed to mumble, "no!" I turned and saw a woman, who I didn't notice was beautiful because of the car wreck that was in my mouth. I took the next couple of days off after the offending tooth was yanked from my skull. I went back and walked to my cubicle. The same voice asked if I was ok again. At that moment a conversation was started that I didn't know at the time would eventually change my life. This is when I met Andrea. Andrea and I started to click almost immediately. We started dating and for whatever reason it didn't last. I ended up back with "she who shall not be named." Me and Andrea went our seperate ways. Fast forward to My sh*t thrown all over the lawn. I drove home to Lynn that day and for a couple of months I was a useless pile of crap. Finally I decided to pick myself up. I cleaned my car and my tiny room. What I found in that room was a bunch of stuff from Cross Country that I had forgotten about. That's when I found Andrea's phone number. I said wtf, lets try it. And got her voice mail. I left a message and never expected a call back. My cell phone rang about a day or two later. Me and Andrea proceded to catch up. She told me stories of what happened to her since we last spoke. I proceded to tell he the sad story of my life. We've been together ever since.
What can I say, the last few years with her have been great. She has had to put up with so much from me. It took me awhile before a commitment was made... She stood by patiently. It took me alot longer to get myself in a position to even ask her to marry me. Now we're engaged, the date is set for June 10, 2006, and I've never been happier. Every other woman I have ever been involved with found someway of f*cking with my head, treating me like shit and finally hurting me. Andrea has never taken me for granted. Never has taken advantage of me. Never fails to be there when I need someone. She has had to put up with my various insecurities, me taking so damn long to make her the bride she deserves to be, and at times really bad explosive gas. (WAY too much info! ~AJ)
Still she has stood by me. June 10th, 2006 will be a day I look forward to and can't wait for. She is everything to me. Back to the phone call I made that day in my room. It turns out that was the last day that line was going to be on. Talk about your f*cking destiny. If I had waited one more day. I might not have gotten through to Andrea and I would not be writing this. Our future shines bright and our star is high in the sky. See you in June Mrs. Haskell. Remember, I Love you Andrea..... always.

and here we go!

9 months and 4 days.... exactly 277 days.
I have a dress, and a veil. I cannot wait for everyone to see it.
Had the reception and budget discussion... and have some choices to make. Appointments were made for Saturday at Tewksbury Holiday Inn, Radisson Chelmsford, and Crestview Woburn.

My first week as a fiance

And the planning is underway with a vengance. :) My binder is virtually stuffed to the gills with ideas, quotes, printouts and options to consider. The church is booked, we're down to three choices on reception halls, and I am going dress shopping tomorrow. (!!!!!!)

I can't stop staring at my ring. :)

I came into work this week to find roses, signs everywhere, and congratulations all around. I also learned that not only did my parents know in advance, almost everyone at work knew as well. Too funny. I've started an engagement scrapbook for the cards, emails, and other related items. Advice from friends perpetuated this... they all say to enjoy the events leading up to the actual wedding, because the day goes by in a virtual flash.

9 months and 6 days, which is exactly 279 days to go. Not that I am counting or anything. :)

We're getting married!

I thought I would start out with the engagement story.

I'm going to free type in what I wrote on a piece of paper."August 28, 2005 - It's 6:30 AM, and I just can't sleep. It's my first full day as a fiancée, you see.Yes indeed. At approximately 2:30 PM yesterday, August 27, 2005, I agreed to become Mrs. Robert Haskell.To set things up, Rob did start this story with a lie. He called and told me he had a flat tire. We had plans to go up to New Hampshire (Hampton Beach) and see George Carlin in concert. I had arranged an ocean side hotel. So I waited for him until about 12:30 when he came to get me.We got to the hotel around 2 and checked in. Room 110 is the front of the hotel with an amazing view of the ocean. When I walked into the room, he said "I gotcha again" for there were rose petals on the bed, a heart shaped box of chocolates with chocolate roses on the table, and I noticed his boom box was set up. (The "gotcha" is in reference to the romantic hotel set up in May.) It was only then I realized there was no flat tire! He's a sneaky one! :)Then he said he wanted to play a game, and proceeded to lay out these little tiles on the bureau. Walking over behind him, I noticed they were heart shaped. Each little tile had a letter on it. He told me my job was to put the letters together to form a word, or a series of words. He was standing behind me, and as I started to realize what the letters spelled, I realized it spelled "Will you Marry Me" I started to cry and laugh at the same time, my knees were knocking, and my hands were shaking. I turned around to him, and he hit play on the CD player. As I heard the opening notes to "All I ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera he dropped to one knee in front of the picture window overlooking the ocean. He pulled out a little black velvet box, and the most exquisite ring I have ever seen. Looking up at me with tears in his eyes he said, "Well, what's your answer? My knee is killing me!" All I could repeat was "YES!" over and over again. The ring is a marquis cut diamond with 3 diamonds on either side and 2 enhancer bands fused together on either side, both with diamonds. As it went on my finger, he said, "the center band is from me, the top band is from Mom, and the bottom band is from Dad. I know you wanted your grandmother's ring, but it's not mine to give. I wanted to give you this." He went on to say "It's taken me a while to come to this. Do you know how long I've had this planned? I asked your parents three weeks ago, and I was going to rent a hall and have all your friends there, but then I decided to do this. " Wait a minute. I thought. "You said something to my parents three weeks ago?!?!?" He answered me "Yes, I went up there for pizza and I brought wine, and we talked and I told them what I wanted to do.All I could do was laugh and cry at the same time, just stunned. We opened a bottle of Champagne, interlocked arms while holding glasses, and said: "To you, to me, and to us."OH MY GOD I AM ENGAGED!