Smile for the camera!

I've created a blog just for pictures.

The address is

http://haskellwedding.blogspot.com/

a couple of pics... many more to come....

eve of rehearsal day....

We are here. The day we've been planning for for just over 7 months. How ironic it is that it was New Orleans was the first trip we took together as a bona fide couple... and that the very day we were engaged was the day that Katrina ravaged that beautiful city. But Katrina cannot break the spirit, and they have found a way to rebuild, to make a future for themselves. As have we. And on the eve of the day that we begin to build our own future, I guess I am feeling a bit introspective.
Am I ready? Is everything done? I feel like one feels when the car pulls out of the driveway for a vacation.... did I turn off the iron? Did I set my out of office notification? Did I pack everything I need? Oh don't get me started on the packing saga. We're in Jamaica for 5 days and there is a stack of clothes as tall as my hip.... lol....I cannot wait to be there... the forecast shows 89 degrees every day with only chances of showers 3 of the 5 days. To eat jerk chicken, to sit on the beach, to watch the sunset.... such bliss!
I cannot wait to see everyone in their fancy attire and to see my guests in their tropical finery. I cannot wait to dance, to give our wedding parties the gifts they so richly deserve. To dance with my friends and family and laugh with them. I cannot wait to dance with my new husband and be the one who has to kiss when the glasses are clinked. I know that I must get rest though my mind and my heart are racing a million miles a second.
We thank you, dear readers... for laughing with us, crying with us, for your prayers, wisdom, advice, and just listening. You've made this journey so much more than we ever thought possible.

3 days....!

Oh my god.....in like 75 hours I will be Mrs. Andrea Haskell.

Of course it's like a monsoon here today in Boston. Let it rain all it wants today but please please please pretty please let Saturday be the partly sunny 72 they predict it will be.

PS I'm already mostly packed for my honeymoon. :)

5 days to go...

OK so I had a true bridezilla moment today. I dropped off the programs at a print shop near my work. Explained I wanted program details on left, wedding party on the right. Copied onto programs. Insert 1/2 page for directions, and a 2 sided 1/2 page for another insert I am using. Put this on top of that, and put them all together and fold in half. No problem, says the little Indian man.
He even has me do it again so he makes sure he understands the order I want. Very impressed, I drop them off and say I will pick them up Monday morning. I remind him these are all I have and that I am getting married in a week. No problem, he says again.
So here we are on Monday. I go skipping into the store and am met with a different little Indian man. I give him my name and he hands me a big cardboard box. That will be $89.00 he says. I ask to see them and open the box to find the 1/2 page directions all wrapped in an elastic. The other insert is two sided, but it's a full page. So all the components are there, but nothing is put together. My pulse racing and blood pounding in my ears, I ask him what this is, it's not done, and that I want to see the service clerk who took the order. He is on vacation for two weeks, I am told. "Why wasn't this collated?" I ask. "What is mean that word collate?" is his reply. I just lose it. I am standing there literally shaking and asking him how a guy who works and a freakin' printshop cannot know what that word means, these are for my wedding in 5 days, I thought by leaving them on Friday with this shop it would be one less thing to worry about and I have more than enough to do last minute without having to have a folding and stuffing party.
"OK lady OK," he says, backing away from me. "I will give you money off. I will make you happy. Please do not cry in my store. I am sorry. I will make it better, OK?" He promptly takes $30.00 off and asks if I would mind just putting them all together. I pull it together, thank him for understanding and pay the terrified little man. I calm down on the walk to work, and get to work and find this email from Rob.
HE: Did you get the programs? 5 days. I love you.
ME: Yes I got the programs. We have work to do tonight in collating them, it was not done at all. I had a wicked Bridezilla moment this morning at the copy place, but I got $30 off the price which was cool.
HE: What is collating?
ME: putting them together.
HE: I guess I'm an idiot LOL

...sigh This book is going to be a best seller. All brides to be will worship me. :)

June 4

6 days to go..............

I am SO ready. This time next week I will be Mrs. Andrea Haskell. Has a nice ring to it, dontcha think? I do. :)

Place cards DONE
Table cards DONE
Wedding party gifts DONE
Surprise items ordered DONE
Favors delivered to the reception site DONE
Family arriving shortly from hither and yon.... PRICELESS

Little shout out to Uncle Brad, who turns 90 today. We shall be celebrating next week!

NINE DAYS

Travel documents are in.

My god... this is really happening.