Found this article and thought it was interesting. Glad we're not going the traditional route! J and I are paying for our wedding ourselves and I don't really care much for who does what. I figure that this is going to be a celebration and we're just throwing a big party for all to enjoy. I'm not really for all the stress and headache :) Que sera sera...whatever will be will be... and I'm sure everyone will have fun anyway! :)

Wedding Etiquette
Cultural backgrounds and individual convictions heavily influence the decision-making in Wedding Etiquette. Nevertheless, the following is a general guide that should be construed as such... and adopted as you deem fit:
Who Pays For What?
The Bride typically pays for
The Wedding ring for the Groom
Gifts for the Attendants
Accommodation for out-of-town Attendants
The Wedding gift for the Groom
The Groom typically pays for
The Bride's rings including the Engagement ring
The honeymoon
Wedding gift for the bride
The marriage license
The Groom's men gifts
Accommodation for out-of-town groom's men
Flowers for the Bride
The going-away corsage,
corsages for mothers, special ladies;
The boutonnieres for men in wedding party
The gloves, ties and accessories for the men in the wedding party
Fee for clergyperson or judge
The Groom's Family typically pays for
Clothing for the Wedding
Travel and lodging expenses
Rehearsal dinner
The Wedding gift for the newlyweds
The Bride's Family typically pays for:
The costs of the reception.
The Bride's Wedding attire/trousseau
Invitations, announcements, thank you notes
The seating assignment chart, napkins and mailing costs
Photographer
Videographer
Ceremony costs
Bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer flowers and accessories
Transportation for bridal party on Wedding day from ceremony to reception.
All gratuities for all services: parking, security
Bridesmaid luncheon
The Attendants typically pay for:
Their Wedding clothes
Travel expenses
Wedding gift for newlyweds

Maid/Matron of Honor responsibilities
The maid or matron of honor is usually a sister or very close friend. Choose some dependable. If you choose, you may have both a maid (single) and a matron (married) of honor takes precedence at the ceremony, signs as you legal witness and carries the groom's ring.
Advance Help
The maid of Honor may plan your wedding and take care of details for you. If she lives nearby she might help address invitations, plan pre-wedding parties, make favors or table decorations, and keep track of gifts received and thank you cards sent. The maid of honor usually hosts a bridal shower. The bride can delegate care of bridesmaid's fittings and details. She attends pre-wedding parties. She attends the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
At the Wedding
The maid of honor helps the bride with dressing and assists with the, train, veil and holding the brides bouquet during the ceremony. The maid of honor wears the grooms ring on her thumb (or carries it in some other safe manner) until it is time for the blessing and exchange of rings in the ceremony. She is responsible for having an emergency kit with miscellaneous items such as a needle and thread, extra nylons, a roll of tape etc. The maid of honor holds on to a duplicate list of desired shots for the photographer and videographer as well as a song list for ceremony musicians and a copy of any special prayers or readings to be used during the ceremony. She walks in front of the bride in the processional and with the best man in the recessional and stands near the bride at the altar. She makes sure that all of the bride's clothing, make-up and personal belongings are removed from the changing room at the ceremony site and taken back to the bride's home. She helps to line up bridesmaids for formal photographs.
At the Reception
The maid of Honor stands next to the groom in very formal receiving lines. The maid of honor is seated at the head table or table of honor. During the reception, she mingles with guest.
She dances with the best man at the reception. She helps the bride with her train, fastening it to floor length so it is out of the way for dancing, if necessary. A duplicate copy of the list of names and pronunciations for the bridal party announcements is kept by the maid of honor. She also keeps a duplicate song list for the reception musicians or disc jockey. If the bride needs assistance in tossing her bouquet or in gathering single women to catch it, the maid of honor can help out. If requested, she helps the bride dress for the honey moon and makes sure the bridal gown and other personal clothing items are returned to the bride's home after the reception. She takes the bridal bouquet for preserving and may take the gown for heir looming while the bride is on her honeymoon.
Expenses
The maid or matron of honor pays for her own dress and other attire. If travel expenses are involved, she pays for her own dress and other attire. Although she may attend several pre-wedding parties, only one shower gift and one wedding gift are to be expected. She may share the cost of bridal shower.
Bridesmaid Responsibilities
Bridesmaids are usually close friends or family members. When inviting them, make them aware that there are costs involved as well as a time commitment. It is an honor to be asked, but may also be a financial burden. Make friends feel special when you invite them to be part of your wedding.
The number of bridesmaids usually depends on the formality of your wedding, with a dozen being the maximum for any wedding. Girls between 8 and 16 are considered to be junior bridesmaids. Junior bridesmaids are not expected to help with details as much as bridesmaids.
Advance Help
Bridesmaids help take care of details for the bride such as running errands, and making table decorations or favors.
Bridesmaids usually join the maid of honor in hosting a bridal shower.
Bridesmaids attend pre-wedding parties.
Bridesmaids attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
At the wedding
Bridesmaids walk in the processional and recessional, either single file, two together or with an usher
They stand near the bride during the ceremony.
They are in formal photographs of the bridal party.
At the Reception
Bridesmaids pay for their own dresses and other attire..
If travel expenses are involved, they pay their own cost involved in getting to the wedding and staying in town during the celebration.
Although bridesmaids may attend several pre-wedding parties, only one shower gift and one wedding gift are to be expected.
Bridesmaids share the cost of the bridal shower with the maid of honor.
Flowergirl Responsibilities
You may choose one or two little girls to be flower girls. The best age range is between four and eight. (Although younger ones are cute, they can create some real challenges during a processional or ceremony.) If you choose two girls, it looks nice if they are about the same size, but that may not be possible. It can be a special honor for a child to be chosen as part of you wedding. Advance Help
Flower girls attend the shower and some pre-wedding parties.
They attend the rehearsal and may attend the rehearsal dinner with their families. At the Wedding
Flower girls walk directly in front of the bride in the processional and in front of the maid of honor in the recessional.
As flower girls walk down the aisle, they may scatter flower or rose petals. If petals are not permitted, sometimes flower girls will hand out single flowers to guest as they walk, or they may just carry a bouquet, a ring of flowers or a pomander ball.
During the ceremony, flower girls may stand near the bridesmaids or may sit with their families. Younger ones probably will do better sitting with their families.
They are in the formal photographs of the bridal parties.
At the Reception
Flower girls do not usually stand in the reception line.
Flower girls usually sit at a table of honor with their families rather than at the head table.
Flower girls may dance with family members, friends or other members of the wedding party if they choose to do so.
Expenses
Families of flower girls are expected to pay for dresses and other attire.
If travel expenses are involved, the girls' family pick up these costs.
Flower girls are not expected to bring a gift to pre-wedding parties they may attend. If their parents attend, gift expectations would be the same as any other guest. If they attend more than one shower or party, only one shower gift is expected.
Flower girls are not responsible for helping financially with bridal shower.
Groomsmen & Usher Responsibilities
The number of ushers is usually determined by the size of the wedding. One usher can comfortably seat about fifty guests.
Ushers are usually brothers, relatives or best friends of the groom. In inviting people to serve as ushers, make sure that they are aware of the expenses involved.
While it is not necessary to have an equal number if ushers and bridesmaids, it does balance nicely if they walk in pairs in either the processional or recessional.
Advance Help
Groomsmen usually help the best man plan the bachelor party for the groom.
Groomsmen attend pre-wedding parties.
Groomsmen attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
At the Wedding
The main Job of the usher is to seat guests. They should arrive at the ceremony site at least one hour in advance and should have clear instructions on the seating plan. In Christian Ceremonies, the bride's family and guest sit on the left and the groom's on the right. In Jewish services, the seating is opposite, with the bride's family on the right. Female guests are escorted by having the usher offer his right arm to her. Her date or spouse walks behind. Male guests are lead to their seats. If there are pew cards being used or a special reserved section, ushers should pay special attention as they escort these guests to their seats.
Ushers distribute any programs or ceremony handouts at the ceremony. Ushers direct those bringing gifts to the ceremony to a gift table.
If there is a guest book at the ceremony, ushers direct guest to sign it.
After all guest are seated, the ushers escort the groom's parents to the front row on the groom's side (Unless they are part of the processional.) Lastly, they escort the bride's mother to her seat, unless she is a accompanying her husband in the processional.
Once everyone is seated, the groomsmen unroll the aisle runner in readiness for the processional.
The Groomsmen may be part of the processional or they may take positions in the front with the best man or groom.
They stand near the groom during the ceremony.
They are in formal Photographs of the bridal party.
They Escort the bridesmaids from the ceremony in the recessional.
One of the ushers should be responsible to roll the aisle runner back up after the ceremony and have it cleaned and returned.
One of the ushers should collect any leftover handouts or programs and see that they get returned to the couple who may want to send them to family or friends who were unable to attend. At the Reception
Ushers may be part of the receiving lines in the very formal or formal weddings.
Ushers may be seated at the head table or a table of honor at the reception.
During the reception, groomsmen mingle with the guest.
Groomsmen dance with the bridesmaids at the reception.
They assist by encouraging single young men to participate in catching the garter.
Expenses
Groomsmen or ushers pay for their own formalwear and accessories.
If travel expenses are involved, they pay their own costs involved in getting to the wedding and staying in town during the celebration.
Although groomsmen may attend several pre-wedding parties, only one shower gift and one wedding gift are to be expected.
Groomsmen may share the cost of the bachelor party with the best man.
Responsibilities of the Wedding Party
Maid of Honor/Personal Attendant:
(Usually special friend or sister of the bride.)
Helps bride with shopping, invitations and other details as requested.
Attends all pre-wedding events
Pays for own wedding attire
Takes charge of groom's ring during ceremony
Witnesses, signs wedding certificate
Helps bride in arranging veil and dress at ceremony and reception
Returns bride's gown to designated place after wedding.
Bridesmaids:
Purchases and completes fittings of gowns
Performs tasks as assigned by bride
Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Best Man:
(Assists groom with all details of the wedding day.)
Pays for own attire
Transports groom to the church.
Supervises the grooms men, regarding their dress and duties at ceremony
Takes care of bride's ring until ceremony.
Presents the clergyperson with fee.
Signs and witnesses the marriage certificate
Offers the first toast to the bride and groom.
Dances with the bride after the groom and both fathers have danced with her
Prepares the honeymoon car, packs suitcases in car.
Holds for safe-keeping, any tickets, keys, etc. for the groom.
Returns groom's tuxedo to rental shop.
Groomsmen:
Pays for their own wedding attire
Attends rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Attends bachelor dinner if there is one
Escorts bridesmaids during the ceremony
Ushers:
Pay for own wedding attire
Make sure principles have flowers before being seated. (Unless this task is
assigned to another)
Distribute wedding programs. (Unless this task is assigned to another)
Seat guests on appropriate side of church.
Assist elderly guests to seats.
After all guests are seated, unroll aisle carpet.
Check church or synagogue for any items left behind.
Ringbearer and Trainbearer Responsibilities
Neither of these is required positions and may be boys or girls. Usually only one ring bearer is used, but two with one ring per pillow will work if you have and abundance of four or five year children that you would like to have involved in the ceremony. Although the rings on the pillows are usually not he actual wedding rings, you could have two ring bearers if you are having a double ring ceremony, one for the bride and one for the groom. Trainbearer or pages usually walk in pairs but a single trainbearer can be used.
Advance Help
If ring bearers and trainbearer are little boys they are not likely to be interested in any pre--wedding parties. If they are girls, they might want to attend the shower and some other parties.
They attend the rehearsal and may attend the rehearsal dinner with their families. At the Wedding
The ring bearers (s) carries a pillow with a ring or rings sewn to it. (These are usually not the real wedding rings but symbolic ones for show only.)
The ring bearer (s) walks either directly in front of or besides the flower girl (s) in the processional and the recessional.
If real rings are tied to the pillow the ring bearer takes the pillow directly to the maid or honor and the best man who will remove the rings. The trainbearers follow the bride in the processional and recessional, and carry the bridal train.
During the ceremony, the ring and train bearers may stand near the ushers or sit with their families.
They are in the formal Photographs of the bridal party.
At the Reception
Ring and train Bearers do not usually stand in the reception line.
Ring and trainbearers usually sit at a table of honor with their families.
Expenses
Families of ring and train bearers are expected to pay for attire.
If travel expenses are involved, the children's families pick up these costs.
Ring and train bearers are not expected to bring gifts to any pre-wedding parties they may attend. If their parents attend gifts expectations would be the same as any other guest. If they attend more than one party, only one shower gift is expected.
Rules of Etiquette for Mother’s Attire
1. Tradition holds that the mother of the bride chooses a dress first, followed by the mother of the groom. Their dresses should complement each other, as well as the bridal party. For instance, having one mother in a floor length dress and another in a mini-skirt is a major no-no. Likewise, your mother wearing an orange dress next to your bridesmaid’s light green ensembles are bound to make your wedding pictures look tacky. While your moms shouldn’t be wearing the same style and color, their dresses should coordinate.
2. Generally, at formal weddings, your mother and mother-in-law should be in floor or tea-length dresses. Semi-formal or informal weddings allow them to get more creative with the length, but they still need to make sure they are complementing one another.
3. Unless your bridesmaids will be wearing black, a mother of the bride or groom should avoid this color. Until recently, black at weddings was considered a social blunder and many guests will still look at the color choice with suspicion. Steer them away from choosing a color that will raise eyebrows as to whether or not they approve of the marriage.
4. Don’t forget to finish the look with a matching corsage or a small bouquet.

Had a meeting today regarding tourism on the island. It was very productive. I'm working with a great bunch of people, all of whom are very talented. We're doing the official unveiling of the project in May. I'll post more then, since we'll have some media coverage at that time.

Today, tons of thoughts have been swimming in my head...totally unrelated and random thoughts.
A) parents and in-laws: Who does what regarding wedding preparations? Who pays for what? This is all such a touchy topic. J and I have been making all the plans since we're the ones paying for the wedding. At the same time, we don't want to leave anyone out because like I said, it is a touchy subject. I know traditionally it's the bride's day and the mother of the bride gets to help out with all the preparations. I also want to include my mother-in-law-to-be though.

B) Who to invite and not invite? I know it is our wedding and it's ultimately our decision on who to invite, but seriously, this is a political and personal thing. Certain people get mad because certain people are not on the list or some people may be upset that certain people are on the list. How do you please everyone??? Initially, it was supposed to be a small and intimate affair for only those closest and dearest to us...and not distant, distant, distant relatives who you never hear from ever. Why spend this special day with people we hardly know or don't even know for that matter? *sigh*

C) How do you treat a puppy wound? Hey, I told you this was random!! Chance, my puppy, got bit by J's mom's dog. They were playing and I guess Kia nipped Chance a bit harder than anticipated. He now has two welts each the size of my pinky's fingernail. They're a bit raw and I just hope he doesn't keep licking them. Anyone got any ideas on how to treat an open wound on a puppy???

D) Recipe Sharing- Typically, I don't share family recipes as they've been kept in the family for ages. I used to be very weird about sharing my secret recipes. I've since let go a bit of that weirdness and have posted recipes or given them out when friends have requested them. I really don't know why I was so anal about sharing recipes before. Weird.

E) Again, totally unrelated: Celebrities and their not so secret lives- I'd like to think that normally I wouldn't give a rat's a$$ about famous people and their lives. After all, what's everyone fixated on anyway? They're human beings too and they do have their own lives. Plus, we don't know them personally, so why should we care? Eventhough I would like to think I don't care, I do find myself guilty of sneaking a peak at the tabloids while I wait in line at the cash at my local grocery store.

F) Sort of related to the above- I mentioned that I don't give a rat's a$$ about celebrities (sort of) but I cannot hold back on the idea of infidelity. Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but I think infidelity is as much a cardinal sin as murder. Okay, I'm extreme sometimes. I had this messed up dream last night that John was Brad Pitt and I was Jennifer Aniston and there was a very seductive Angelina Jolie there too. We were sitting at a picnic table on the beach and I remember feeling very insecure. I know, dreams are sometimes funny. You either perceive them as the mind's garbage can or a reflection of the world as we see it. Anyway, I awoke from the dream and John was surprised because apparently I asked him, "Honey, you wouldn't cheat on me ever, would you?". I know the answer to that question already though, because unlike all the other people I've dated, John's a very sincere, genuine, loving, wonderful man. Dreams are weird. I know for a fact that I think infidelity rates right up there with murder for me. So, when it comes to celebrities, I'm totally on Team Aniston.
Again, who actually knows the whole story behind the Brangelina thing...ah well.

G) euthanasia - what do you think of mercy killing? Is it a sin to relieve someone of pain and suffering if they are terminally ill? Hmmm...growing up Roman Catholic, I have some strong views on this, yet at the same time, I don't know how I'd deal with the situation were I to ever be presented with such a difficult choice.

H) premonition and extra sensory powers- This can be an entirely separate blog post in itself. In my family on my mother's side, all the females have a sixth sense that has been passed down to generations upon generations of females. The other night, I awoke from my slumber because I all of a sudden smelt roses! I got soooo scared and called my mother because everytime a woman in our family smells roses out of nowhere, it signals death. Pretty freaky. Anyway, turns out one of our favorite people on the island is very ill and is on his last hours. He's the old man I call my island grandpa because he reminds me so much of my late grandfather. Apparently he has been in the hospital for a week and may not even make it to my wedding :(

Like I said, today's blog was totally random. I'd like to know your thoughts and opinions on some of the topics though :)

Wedding planning can be a lot of fun, but there's a certain level of stress in wanting everything to run smoothly and perfectly. So far things are in order. We still have a few odds and ends to tie up before the big day, but for the most part, all is well.

Cake- to be created by the amazing Rose Diebolt, owner of the Garden's Gate Restaurant.

Ceremony- to be officiated by J's pastor on the beach at Carter's Bay.

Reception- to be held at the Manitowanning Curling Club (next to the golf and country club).

Wedding dress- simple yet classy (you'll see it on the wedding day!)

Bridesmaids and maid of honor dresses- champagne color, Chinese motif (in honor of my father's heritage)

Groomsmen- black tuxes with champagne ties

Flower girl and ring bearer outfits to match the rest of the bridal party. Toooo cute!

I asked J this morning if he was getting nervous. He laughed and said, "Of course not". With little over two months to go, I'm not feeling nervous. Perhaps a little anxious, but mostly excited. I can't wait to be J's wife :)

As quoted by British Pete from my days teaching in Japan, garlic has a very important role when it comes to cooking. Good friends, good times, good conversation, good music, good literature, good movies, good food...that's what life's all about- being able to enjoy your time and spend it with people you care about.

We had a dinner party tonight and I was worried that our guests would be offended by my very liberal use of garlic. I love the stuff! I always use the excuse that garlic's good for your health, but in actuality, I just plain love cooking with it.

Tonight's menu included:
-shrimp cocktail
-baked salmon
-wild rice with mushrooms
-muslix salad with my homemade balsamic vinaigrette
-fruit salad

Our guests brought some lovely red wine, but like my mom, the tanin in the red wine makes me very drowsy and sometimes headachy.

Since I love garlic, here's a recipe for my balsamic vinaigrette that I hope you'll enjoy.

*1/2 c extra virgin olive oil
*1/2 c balsamic vinegar
*minced garlic (I tend to go a bit heavy on the stuff- like 3-4 cloves, but use your discretion and add only as much as you like)
*1 tbsp Dijon mustard
*1 tbsp honey
*salt and black pepper to taste

Mix all of the ingredients and use with any salad. This works extremely well with spinach salad and mandarin oranges or muslix salads.

Woke up early since we had another day in the bush. 8:30 and we were in the woods. John dropped a few trees and I loaded them into the trailer. I've been learning a lot up here. City girl is finally learning some new things!

-a trailer has two wheels and a wagon has four
-white ash is a lot lighter than maple
-cedar burns fast
-newborn calves have very sharp teeth!
-oak is a very hard wood to cut
-my dog is scared of almost every animal that crosses his path! He's a cutie though!
-my dog doesn't even notice there are a dozen deer on the property, since he's always in his own little world
-don't mess with a mama cow when she's about to give birth or if she's got a calf!
-I really appreciate the off-season so I can rest and do house-wifey duties, but do love the rush of busy-season with all the tourists and motel guests at our little inn
-I miss teaching when I'm not teaching and though I needed these few months to prepare for the wedding, it'll be nice when the next bunch of students come :)

Who on earth would have ever guessed that I'd be living the rural life and loving it?? Today, after a morning of working in the bush, we invited my Dad for lunch. It was so nice to just sit in our kitchen looking out our huge window to see eight deer in the valley, munching on grass. What a wonderful life! J and I really enjoy eating our meals in our bright kitchen, overlooking the gorgeous fields. Sunsets are absolutely stunning too. I just LOVE being able to see deer in our yard EVERY day! Sooooooooooo gorgeous! I can't wait for summer either. I'm going to get John to put up some hummingbird feeders. He said we may not need to, since the hummingbirds seem to really like the bleeding hearts he's got in the garden. We'll see.

Oh, one of our pressies from my bridal shower last weekend was a Cuisinart GR4 Panini Maker. This is one of my new favorite toys!!! I haven't used our stove all week, since I've been griddling, grilling and panini-ing all week! This griddler is AMAZING! It's so multifunctional and so easy to clean! I LOVE it! For lunch today, I grilled a few burgers and tossed some thinly sliced potatoes on the griddle and served it with a garden salad. You don't need to use oil and the drippings are collected into drip cups. Very neat! No oil, no mess, and easy, quick meals all the time! Imagine, easy to make home fries that aren't even fried!! Thanks Sel and PJ for the wonderful gift!

Mmmmmmmmmmm...
Baked Salmon
Sometimes I feel like we ought to be eating less meat (beef, chicken, etc). There are nights when J and I just want to eat salads for supper. That's fine, and we do sometimes eat only salads, but I really would like us to be getting some more omega3 and good stuff that one gets from eating fish.Here's an easy recipe that's delish.

Fish:6 1" thick salmon steaks OR 2-3 pounds salmon filets
Marinade: 2 tbsp brown sugar packed4 tablespoons melted butter or margarine3 tablespoons soya sauce2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice2 tablespoons dry white wine or water

In a small bowl combine all marinade ingredients.
Place salmon in a glass baking pan that holds fish snugly in one layer. Pour marinade over fish.
Cover and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes to 6 hours (longer is better). Uncover pan.
Place on middle rack of pre-heated 400ºF oven. Bake 15-20 minutes or until fish is done. Do not turn fish. Serve immediately.

Nah, get yer mind outta the gutter! This is a G-Rated Blog! The bush I'm referring to is the woods, the forests, nature, etc. Today was a lovely day spent in the 'bush'. It was just the two of us- Johnny (my hubby to be) and me. John's got about 50 chords of wood to cut for his customers. Being the doting wifey, I decided to be helpful and together we trudged through the woods so he could cut the trees down and I could pile them into the trailer.

Lemme tell ya, it's not easy work! My arms feel like they're about to fall off! There were some benefits though. The blue skies with wispy white clouds, the fresh smell of the crisp air, the sunshine, being with my baby, and being watched by a handful of does and a really inquisitive buck! Yes, the deer were only a mere couple of feet away, watching us as we were hard at work.

Being the city girl I am, I was mournful as Johnny cut down the trees. The cracking sound of the trees hitting the ground and the sap pouring out of their trunks made me sad. John kept explaining to me that he does 'selective harvesting' and only takes the mature trees and the ones which are diseased. Anyway, he thought I was funny when I slumped down to the ground, mourning the poor tree and saying, "Oh...look at its blood dripping from its limbs! You've just taken away life from this earth!" Yes, he thought I was funny indeed. Hmph. City girl needs to toughen up and learn about the cycle of life. LOL

Now for the big ass TV. For my bridal shower, we got a slew of wonderful gifts. Thank you to everyone who was there. Love you all! One of the gifts we received was a brand spankin' new flat screen TV!!! Yeeeeehaw! John and I just love, love, LOVE it! (Thanks girls, for getting it for us!). Now, the only prob is that it's SO big that it won't fit into our entertainment unit!!! Aaaargh! LOL. No worries though. I'm sure we'll come up with a plan to get it to fit somehow!

Anyhoooz, time for bed. It's another early mornin' for us with more fire wood to cut (I think we've only done 5 out of the 50 chords needed!) and fixing some rail fences around the hundreds of acres Johnny has. Yikes! So this is what married life is gonna be like when I'm not teaching or helping manage the motel!! LOL

MY BRIDAL SHOWER!





My bridal shower (hosted by my wonderful maid of honor, Donna) turned out to be a hit. The girl is soooo organized and sooo creative! I really needed that time spent with good friends and close female relatives. We should get together more often, shower or no shower!

Here are some pics...
Sharon, Elisha (my sister-in-law) and me. We're all wearing the same color! LOL





Trying on their dresses:

My maid of honor, Donna and my bridesmaids, Jenny and Elisha...minus Kelly (but she will look gorgeous in her dress too!)




With friends and my sister-in-law-to-be at my shower.







Playing 'pin the kiss on the groom'. My poor hubby-to-be was fondled and groped all night!













This was supposed to be our 'sexy pose' LOL!

First off, a very special thank you to my wonderful maid of honor for organizing and planning my bridal shower! I know she put A LOT of work into the event and I am so thankful.

Thank you to my mom, aunts, bridesmaids, friends and my cousins' girlfriends for a wonderful time. I love the presents and I'm sure John will too. Thank you again, sooooooo much!!

I will be posting photos as soon as possible. It was great being able to spend time with all my favorite girls!! Thanks to everyone who drove to Toronto from Montreal, London, Kingston, Barrie and elsewhere. You girls are the greatest! I love ya and I realize what a lucky girl I am to have all of you special people in my life. Can't wait to see you all in June at the wedding!

Donna, Sharon, Elisha and Jenny: thanks for the slumber party. I haven't laughed like that in ages!! Sharon, you're a hoot! I never realized how funny you are!

It was great seeing my very good friend, Dina, who looks absolutely stunning! Pregnancy really agrees with you. You look lovely! Jill, you look fab as always! Soooooooo happy to see you. Sel and PJ, let me tell you how surprised (and thrilled) I was to see you two!! I hope my future sister-in-law doesn't think my family is nuts after they witnessed all the crazy things they got up to on Saturday night!! Shhhhhhhhhh! Sel...don't tell your mom! :)

I was also very happy to see a good friend from my college days. Tarah, it was so nice to see you. I'm happy we got to catch up again. Heidi, you and Ivy are awesome. Thanks for coming. Sam, it's been such a long time! It was great spending time with the "Elmhurst girls" again. Can you believe how much has changed since we were living together??

Amy and Mel, you girls rock. My cousins are lucky to have such wonderful girlfriends :)

I won't be blogging until early next week because.......I'll be in Toronto this weekend with mah girlies!! I'll be spending time with my bridesmaids on Saturday. We'll be spending the morning in Chinatown. In the afternoon I think my maid of honor's having a shower thingy for me. Not sure who'll be there, so this should be exciting!!

I haven't even left the island yet, and J and I are already suffering from separation anxiety! LOL! Sad, eh? This is also the first time I'm leaving Chance in his care for a whole weekend without me! I know..sad when you have separation anxiety with your puppy too! ;)

I'll post some pics from the weekend when I get back to the island. Till then...smoochies!

You've gotta love it! The above photos were taken from www.engrish.com . It's a site I peruse whenever I need a good chuckle! I must have a terribly warped sense of humour because I practically make myself pee in my pants laughing. When I was teaching overseas, I used to take pleasure in going to stores just to look at all the merchandise so I could show or tell folks back in Canada! Ohhhhhhhh...all the delightful things I saw (and had to buy!!) that just tickled me pink! I absolutely love 'Engrish'. Some of the things people come up with...LOL You've gotta see it to believe it! :)

After a day filled with heaps of work, I finally have time to sit down and think. Hmm...sometimes that's a dangerous thing! Today, I don't know why, but my mind has been plagued with the strangest thoughts!

1. Would you, if you had discovered that your unborn child were to be born with any abnormalities, deformations, serious ailments, decide to terminate the pregnancy or raise the baby as you would have otherwise raised it?

2. If you were pregnant, would you want to know the sex of your baby?

3. If unable to have children of your own, would you ever consider artificial insemination?

4. Would you consider adoption?

5. If things could be different, what would you be doing as a profession and where would you be living?

6. Would you ever entertain the thought of plastic surgery?

Hmm...I have no idea why those thoughts just popped into my head, but there they are. What do you think?

Wow. I have discovered that I am a very easy girl to please! When I was younger, I used to want to have all of the latest, coolest things. The thought of expensive linen, dishes, cookware, furniture, and everything else, were all things that I imagined I'd want. I'd think of how gorgeous and Martha Stewart-ish or 'Home and Garden' my house would look. I'd have a gorgeous bathroom that I wouldn't want anyone to use and I'd have the most beautiful bedding in the guest room...that I wouldn't want guests to use!

Yikes. What have I become. I don't want any of that anymore! Of course I want a gorgeous house. Doesn't everyone want to be surrounded by pretty things? The only thing that's different now is that I feel like I want things a lot simpler and practical. I want things that will endure the test of time and that will be classic.

I opted to paint our living room vanilla ice cream white, while my darling husband to be chose to have our bathroom in a 'wine' color. He just loves that rich, velvety red color. I would have loved the bathroom to be in white and different shades of blue, but I can't have it my way all the time, can I? :)

I guess I'm also thinking of kids. If we do have children, I'd want the house to be child-friendly. Meaning, our furniture has to be that which we know we won't worry about getting bumped, scuffed, stained, or spilled on. If I had the light, cream colored linen and tan leather couches I wanted, I know I'd FREAK if there were little handprints all over them. Expensive crystal...like when on earth would I be using it??? Wow. Sooooooooo weird how ideas and wants change sometimes!

Yes, sad to say, but I have become very simple in my wants. Today, I got soooooo excited when John decided that he's going to build me an island for the kitchen!!! Wahoooooooo! Totally made my day! Sheeeesh! So easily pleased, eh? LOL

Oh, and au lieu of getting new sofas right away, I wanted to get slip covers for the sofas. John's sofas are wayyyyy too comfy to throw out right now. The only thing is that the cat has turned the sofas into her scratching post. I was debating on a kind of gingham/checkered pattern or a floral pattern, since our home is very cottage-like. The floral won, since I couldn't find a color I liked in the checkered pattern that was available. We needed something simple and since we will most likely have the girls over a lot (Courtney, 8 and Elizabeth, 10), something that won't show a lot of stains or dirt would be necessary! Floral, hands down. Hmph. Never was a floral kinda gal. Funny how things change.

Oh, those of you who know me...you know I've got those that leather sofa and loveseat set, right? My mother has informed me that my sofa set is not leaving her living room since it looks so good there! LOL


Today I'm Thankful for
- being able to share a quiet moment with my wonderful fiance
- a warm quilt on a cold day
- living only 4 minutes and 40 seconds from my parents
-the news (otherwise I'd feel like I were living in a bubble not knowing what was happening in
the outside world!)
- my little brother, PJ

Thanks again, Kelly, for suggesting years ago that I take the time to make note of things I am thankful for. It really makes one realize what is important in one's life :)

Normally, I don't like to make fruit salads because there's usually more than one serving of fruit involved...which means a heck of a lot of sugar. However, every now and then I just crave all that sweet, juicy, yummy fruit--and boy, have I got a delicious recipe!

You need: 1 large pineapple, ripe
2 Royal Gala apples
2 oranges (I like Sunkist best)
1 cup of blueberries
12 strawberries
20 grapes
(and whatever other fruit you like)

First, halve the pineapple and hollow it. Try to cut the pineapple into chunks.
Cube the apples. Peel and cube the oranges. Halve the strawberries. If the grapes are big, you can halve them too. Place all fruit in a bowl and make sure they soak in the pineapple juice. Mix the fruit concoction so that everything is well coated.
Scoop the fruit and arrange it in the hollowed 'pineapple boats'. They make great center pieces and I guarantee you that whoever eats this fruit salad will want seconds!! ;)

Our wedding day is fast approaching. Luckily my nerves are settled. Now it's my mom I have to worry about :) She keeps freaking our that there's only 3 months to go. She's more stressed than I am!!! Bless her heart! The poor thing!

My latest project is fixing up the house. John's been a bachelor for quite some time, so he and I decided to paint the living room walls to make it look brighter. The color we chose? The same as his mom's new kitchen walls! I am in love with Benjamin Moore's paint in Vanilla Ice Cream white!! It's just so creamy and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I've done two coats of primer and two coats of paint and the room looks amazing!!! I just LOVE making the house look all nice and pretty! It's so much fun being a wife-to-be!!! Anyway, if you're thinking of painting your walls, I highly recommend Benjamin Moore paint. It goes on very nicely and you really don't need too many coats. I love it! Oh, and who knew that there were soooooooooo many shades of off-white! Unbelievable!!

I've turned into a regular Betty Crocker with all the home improvement I've been doing (I am a master at plastering and sanding! I can even lay shingles down on the roof!). I also love cooking everything from scratch and baking bread and goodies for my hubby-to-be. He works so hard so it's nice to be able to prepare nutritious and nourishing food for him. I love cooking John's meals, I love helping him with his work, I love washing the dishes, I love spending time with him. Don't get me wrong, I do know that a woman needs to spend time with her friends as well and that it's not healthy to hole yourself up with one person once you've gotten hitched...but the truth is, I just LOVE being with my hubby-to-be. I can't wait until the ground thaws and all the snow melts completely so John can till some land for me to plant my garden! I am super excited about growing our own fruits and veggies. I can't wait to plant some flowers too. He's already got strawberries and raspberries that grow in the summer. This is so much fun!!!

Last summer I participated in the Women's Outdoor Weekend at Gordon's Park on Manitoulin Island. My friends (and neighbours), the Gordons, own and operate Gordon's Park (hence the name) and each year they put on a fabulous weekend for women to learn, bond, relax, and enjoy themselves and their friends. It's just a very fun weekend for busy women who need to get some R&R.

On the line-up were: nature crafts, outdoor cooking, hiking, moonlight hikes, swimming, campfires, singing, yoga, pillates, and many other activities. The one I enjoyed the most was the reflexology. I swear...I have never felt so goooooood and so relaxed in all my life. Any ailment or pain I was afflicted with just melted away. I didn't tell the reflexologist that I had a few health problems at the time and was experiencing knee pains because I didn't want it to be that placebo effect or self-fulfilling prophecy...but she knew! She just knew that I was experiencing the pain from a messed up, mashed up, poorly treated knee!! She knew that I am asthmatic. She knew that I had been experiencing terrible headaches. Amazing. Of course, for her to properly assess me, she'd have to see me a few times and do consultations, but I thought it was pretty neat that the human body could be so telling if you knew what to look for. The same goes for the idea of iridology, but that's a whole new blog entry all together!!

Oh, I passed on the raindrop massage therapy, but my friends Heidi and Ivy say I should not have passed it up! Darn! Maybe next year.

Anyway, here's some info on reflexology that I thought was very interesting. Personally, I'd rather go the natural router before getting medical prescriptions. I'd sooner sniff lavender or citrus oils than take a Tylenol or Aspirin. No offense to either company that makes those pills, but I really would rather not take any sort of meds if I can avoid it.


Facts About Reflexology
WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY ?
Reflexology is a science which deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Stimulating these reflexes properly can help many health problems in a natural way, a type of preventative maintenance. Reflexology is a serious advance in the health field and should not be confused with massage.
IS REFLEXOLOGY NEW ?
The idea behind Reflexology is not new - in fact, it was practiced as early as 2330 B.C. by the Egyptian culture. Reflexology as we know it today was first researched and developed by Eunice Ingham, the pioneer of this field. Her first book on the subject was published in 1938. And since 1942, Reflexology workshops have been conducted year round.
WHAT IS THE INGHAM METHOD™ ?
It is the combined work of the late Eunice Ingham and her nephew Dwight C. Byers, the world's leading authority on Foot Reflexology. Mr. Byers, director of the International Institute of Reflexology®, and/or his hand picked instructors conduct on-going workshops on a worldwide scale to both laymen and professionals.
WHAT DOES REFLEXOLOGY DO ?
The Ingham Method® of Reflexology is used primarily for relaxing tension. Doctors agree that over 75% of our health problems can be linked to nervous stress and tension. Reflexology improves nerve and blood supply, and helps nature to normalize.
WHAT SPECIAL EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED ?
Only the hands are used, making it a safe, simple, yet effective method without the use of gadgets. Let your fingers do the walking.
CAN REFLEXOLOGY MAKE A CONDITION WORSE ?
No, it will not make any condition more acute. Reflexology helps to normalize body functions. A Reflexology session relaxes the stress that can affect your health. It is a safe effective way to Better Health.

DISCLAIMER:
The International Institute of Reflexology® wishes to make it perfectly clear that it does not purport to teach medical practice in any form; or is the Ingham Method® of Reflexology intended to replace conventional medical treatment.
Reflexology is a unique modality in the health field. Its purpose is not to treat or diagnose for any specific medical disorder, but to promote better health and well being in the same way as an exercise or diet program. Its practice should not be compared to massage or any other kind of manipulative procedure.

Alright. Many of you have asked me "where in the heck is Manitoulin Island anyway?". Well, it's a tiny island in the middle of Lake Huron, in the province of Ontario in Canada. The Island, as Islanders call it, is located approximately six hours from Toronto by car.

The funny thing is that a lot of Europeans seem to know about this hidden gem of a place--or what many call "a piece of heaven on earth", but so few Canadians know this place exists. I won't lie--I had never heard of the island before I moved up here. We just happened upon an internet site one day while perusing properties for sale. Some of my friends in Toronto have said, "Oh, I didn't know you were moving to British Columbia!". Ummmm...the island's not quite that far from Toronto!! Amazing how little we know about our own country, but I guess one rarely does do much sight seeing in one's own backyard, right?

In the summer season, the island is crazy busy with tourists from all over the world--mostly Germans, Belgians, Dutch and Americans though. Last year we had quite a few Italians and French tourists stay at our humble abode. There's tons to do here in the summer. This place is really gorgeous with its white sand beaches, sand dunes, hiking trails, cycling, stargazing, wildlife viewing, and if you're lucky, you can even experience a pow wow at one of the many First Nations reserves. Breathtaking sunsets, friendly people, and hospitality beyond compare- the island is truly an ideal vacation spot for those who love the outdoors and just want to get back to nature and enjoy some peace, quiet and relaxation.

Do I sound like a travel brochure or what?

Hope this helps some of you in getting an idea of where I live :) You can also check out www.ourmanitoulin.com

They say that women turn into their mothers when they grow older and men take after their fathers. I never thought I'd live to see the day that I *gasp* turned into my mother!!! Girls always say that when they get older, they'll do things differently from the way their mothers did things. I remember uttering the words, "I will never be like her when I grow up!". All of a sudden, I woke up and....oh my gosh!!! I AM my mother!

I wasn't aware of this before, but my darling fiance so happily (I believe innocently) pointed out that:
*I love making lists! My mother has the obsessive need to write lists...and lots of them. She has a zillion "to-do" lists and places them all over the place. They're in her kitchen, her office...everywhere!
*I wipe down the shower and tub each time I finish taking a shower. This is something I thought was ridiculous before. I used to think this was slightly 'obsessive compulsive'...and now I'm doing it!! I often justify it with "oh, we have hard water so if I don't wipe the tub and shower down then the calcium will build up and I'll never get the stains out." Holy crrrrrrrrrap! I've turned into my mom!
*I repeat myself...often. This is something my little brother and my father have pointed out. My darling hubby-to-be would never utter such a thing..LOL Yes, it turns out that I have the tendency to say things more than once. I admit it. It's pretty bad. Most of the time it's because I forgot that I said it in the first place or it's also because if I need something done I just want to remind whoever I'm talking to that it needs to be done. Urgh.

I admit it. I've been caught. I have turned into my mom. In the end, I guess it's not necessarily a bad thing. I guess it's only when you hit your 30's that you realize that your mom is the best role model a girl can have (granted, not in all cases, but generally speaking). I sure am lucky to have the wonderful mom I have :) My mom...my first friend, my best friend, my worst enemy, my biggest critic, my number one fan, my role model, the strongest, most courageous, most amazing lady I know.

Dina, if you're reading this...remember when we lived in that house on Elmhurst?? You and Sam used to think I was the neatest and tidiest of the lot? Then one day you discovered that all of my junk was conveniently stowed under my bed or jammed in my closet??? Hahahaha! Welllll...sadly, those days are over. I've turned into my mom!!! Not quite OCD level, but close to it! PS. Thanks for the present you sent me in the mail a few months ago! Totally made me laugh thinking about the time you went into my room and discovered how I was able to keep it looking so neat! The look on your face must have been classic! :) Love ya!

Did you notice that people who don't have children tend to talk about their pets as though they were their children? I say this from experience. I catch myself doing it all the time. Hey, I used to even carry photos of my baby Chance in my wallet and flaunt them for all to see. I kid you not- when I was teaching in Toronto, my co-worker would show me the cutest photos of her two year old daughter and I in turn showed her photos of my adorable little mutt!

Seems like everyone I know is having babies now. I am soooooooo excited for all the mommies and daddies-to-be! You're all going to be amazing parents. Please keep those updates, blogs, and photos from ultrasounds coming!

For now, here are a few photos of our babies! From oldest to youngest: Chloe, Boswell and Chance. They're all so precious, aren't they???





Chloe: she's a sweetie. She's getting quite old now and the little girl in me hopes she never dies. I swear, if/when any of my pets die, I am never getting another pet because losing them is too hard to bear!!!









Boswell: the newest member of the family, but he's up there in age as well. He's a cutie, but he can be a little demon when he wants to be. Usually he listens, but at night time when he's outside, he's a totally different animal. He's got a mind of his own and will run away! But's he's so cute, don't ya think?





Chance: at 3 years of age (in human years!), Chance is the baby in the family. He's very sweet and friendly. He's still a very playful boy. He knows his spot in the pecking order, and though he's the biggest of all the fur balls, he knows that Chloe and Boswell can and will kick his butt if he doesn't succumb to them. Poor thing. I honestly don't know what I'd do without Chance. He's a dream dog and very protective of me. He will never stray, as he needs to make sure I'm in his sight at all times. Too cute!

Makes sense, doesn't it? Even if I weren't marrying a farmer, I'd still support the Farmers Feed Cities campaign. It just makes sense to me- after all, if you have eaten today, shouldn't you thank a farmer? I mean, the produce, meat, dairy, grain products and virtually everything you consume come from the hard work of famers.

What many people seem to forget is that the food they eat comes from a source and when that source is no longer to support itself, then what happens?

I recently saw a photo in the newspaper of a bunch of farmers with this huge sign that read: "Dear consumers, we apologize, but we can no longer afford to grow your food. Sincerely, Ontario Farmers". It made me realize that more agriculture awareness is necessary. People (consumers as well as the government) need to be aware that agriculture and the rural economy are important to everyone in this province and in the rest of Canada. Presently, many "farmers are facing an income crisis due to circumstances beyond their control. This vibrant industry needs immediate help to fight foreign government intervention. Without it, our future is uncertain." People (consumers) need to inform themselves and remind the government of how crucial farmers are and that they need more help.
"Our government needs to increase its financial investment to all of agriculture, and invest in Ontario's 60,000 farm families. Farmers are asking the rural and urban communities for your support in helping to remind the government how essential farms are to Ontario citizens." Those quotes were taken from the Farmers Feed Cities website: www.farmersfeedcities.com .

Hmmm...now there's some food for thought, eh?

Many people who know me, find it hard to believe that I'm now living in the country and still insist that I'm a "city girl". Some have said that I would never even last three months. It's been almost two years since I left Toronto! Though I do miss some of the luxuries like being able to dine at a Greek restaurant one night and at an Indian restaurant another, I don't think there's much I'm lacking in being up here.

Yes, the occasional night out with the girls for a chat and a drink or taking in a good movie on cheap Tuesdays are sometimes things that I crave, but all in all, I am very happy up here. There's always something new and exciting waiting for me. Plus, when I was in the city, going out and having fun were rarities, as my life revolved around commuting, work, commuting, housework, sleep...and the cycle repeated itself with what seemed like an endless pattern. Too tired and mostly grumpy, I didn't exactly enjoy living in the city. I dreaded those long commutes with all those unhappy, grumpy commuters--who were very rude, might I add!!

It struck me one day, when I looked at my reflection in the subway window on my way home from work--wow, the person looking back at me in the reflection looked so tired, sad and completely worn out.

Anyway, now I'm on the island and exciting things are happening! Since it's off-season and the motel isn't so busy, I have been able to help my fiance on the farm and with his other work. In between that, I've been unpacking all my stuff and fixing up the house.

Some of you have asked me what exactly it is that my hubby-to-be does. Well, he farms. He's got A LOT of cattle and a few hundred acres of land. He also owns and operates a saw mill and does custom work for people on the island. He's also a firefighter and a first responder. He's president of the Island Co-Op and is a member of the board for several committees. So, it's hard to really narrow down what exactly he does since he does so many things.

Hmm..let's see. Today, J carted over loads of slabs and after he split them, I stacked them. Hopefully this load of firewood will feed the outdoor wood furnace for a while. After that, he did chores and I cleaned our house. J's got a sick heifer in the barn and when I saw her the other day, she didn't look too good, but I was praying that she'd improve. Anyway, to my dismay, when I went to the barn to check in on her, I saw her on the ground. She had passed away in the morning. The poor thing. I am really going to have to learn to toughen up a bit, because when you live close to the land, as farmers do, life and death are things which are all too familiar.

Sadly, the heifer I'd been hoping would live had passed away. The good news is that in three weeks it'll be calving season, so hopefully the new calves will make me forget about the poor heifer. It honestly made me feel as sad as I was when I was a kid reading Charlotte's Web, only to find out that Charlotte died.

There you have it--just a regular day on the farm.

Here's a pic of my darling husband to be. It isn't the greatest pic of us, but it was taken on Carter Bay--the beach where we will be having our wedding ceremony at. The sand is fine and white, and the sand dunes are breathtaking. Sunsets on Carter Bay are the most picturesque ever!

Sorry for the bad pic. I'll try to get my hands on our engagement photo and post it asap. We're both so windburnt in this photo. We just went hiking at the Bridal Veil Falls and then went to the beach in time to catch the sunset and a walk on the shore. I love living on the island!!




Okay, here's another one. John looks good in it, but I look crrrrrrrrrrrappy! What can I say, I'm just not very photogenic! LOL!

As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, I've got a very unusual condition. I haven't been able to get much information on it, so if anyone out there knows more about it, please let me know.

Coffee has an adverse effect on me. Instead of giving me that extra jolt of energy, it puts me immediately to sleep. It knocks me out cold. To my disappointment, I experience this even with the mildest coffees. I love the smell and taste of coffee--the aroma is so inviting. The only problem is that as soon as I drink it, I immediately feel a wave of warmth inside me and my eyes begin to get heavy. My entire body just feels it right away.

My poor hubby-to-be! We were on our way to Sudbury and we popped by Tim Horton's. Of course we wanted to grab a cup coffee (and see if we could win me a Rav4 in the "Roll Up the Rim tp Win" contest). Knowing I have this "condition", I asked for a "half hot chocolate/half French vanilla", thinking that this would be okay. After all, it wasn't all coffee and I thought that the hot chocolate part would dillute whatever chemicals or properties of caffeine from coffee that makes me sleepy.

Ooooooooof! Was I ever wrong! The hot drink was wonderful, but J looked over at me in the passenger seat and could see that it was hitting me. I passed out!!! Right before his very eyes! It's the weirdest thing ever!

I read somewhere before that most people become wired when they drink coffee and can't fall asleep. The article said that there's something like less than 5% of people who become sleepy when they consume coffee. I have lost the article and can't seem to find much else on the subject.

The funny thing is that caffeine consumed in other forms like hot chocolate, tea, iced tea, and pop have no effect on me. I don't drink the stuff much in the first place though--maybe a handful of times a year. My drink of choice is water, but once in a blue moon it's nice to have a little variation. Oh, I have tried Iced Cappucinos and coffee flavored ice cream before and did not fall asleep. I'm wondering if the cold factor has anything to do with things? Do the chemical properties of the coffee become altered and is that why cold caffeinated products don't have that effect on me?

Urgh. Maybe I'm just a freak? Anti-caffeine Girl or Coffee Sleeper Girl should have been my nickname options!!

If anyone out there knows anything about my strange coffee condition, please let me know! Thanks!!

Oh my goodness! Where does the time go? It seemed like only yesterday that John proposed to me. I was thinking that I had heaps of time to get ready for the wedding and now we've only got three months to go!

The good news is A) I'm pretty much ahead of the game with all the planning and booking and taking care of details and B) I seem to have relaxed more in the past week or so with regard to all the wedding anxiety. For some reason I don't freak out as much. It's not just because of the wedding though. I have always been the type of person who gets overwhelmed easily and panics about everything. I have that terrible, incessant need for things to go as planned all the time. Yeah, I can sometimes be a bit obsessive about things. Hey, I learned from the best! lol

Anyway, this whole wedding stuff is starting to become a lot of fun :) I am looking forward to it and I'm sure everything will turn out well.