Hold me! I'm scared!

Byron and I went to our very first, and last, wedding expo. It was free, which was the only way we would go to such a thing. But it was 30 minutes of my life I will never get back.

It was pointless, really, for us to go. We have all the big things booked for the wedding. And we have the little details like tags for the favours or attendents' gifts lined up in our heads. We did not need to see a ball cap with pink embroidery that reads "So Loved". Or some glass trinkets trying to pass itself off as a diamond necklace. Byron and I were stunned and shocked, and sickened.

It was almost precious. Someone actually greeted me with a "Congratulations" instead of saying hello. The idea of being a princess on your day was heavy in the air. Women were catered to and acted like they had won a prize for getting engaged.

I did get a prize in Byron. I got a wonderful gift in knowing him, loving him, and now marrying him. I don't need some second-rate vendors to tell me that. And this whole idea of being a princess of "your big day" drives me mental. I am not a princess, never have been and never will be. And to me, it's not "my day". It's our day, as in my and Byron's day. It's our day to share and cherish forever. And wearing some tacky tiara isn't going to make it any more special.

During the fashion show, we bolted. The dresses were heinous. All glittery and backless and sparkles and strapless. It was ugly, and our wedding is going to nothing like the load of crap they tried to shovel onto us yesterday.

I no longer fear hell for I have been to a wedding expo.

Conqueringly Yours,
xoxoSally

Growth Spurts

My family is growing.

Jane and Craig are having a baby in December. My brother will be getting married to Nicole, someone he met in New Zealand. I can't wait to meet her - the woman who makes my baby brother so happy. Byron's family feels like mine, now, too. His brother and sister feel like my brother and sister now... without all the history. You know, decades of quarrels, animosity, childhood traumas, and fist fights. Even Byron's aunt and uncle feel like family to me now. It's shockingly nice.

Jane and I have talked about this before, and we would both like to live closer to each other now that she's starting her family. We never grew up around cousins or aunts or uncles. Well, in all honesty some aunts and uncles of ours deserve to be in local loonie bin. We would like to be near each other so our babies can grow up knowing one another. I'd hate to have my nieces and nephews be strangers to me.

Babies and marriages and in-laws... oh my!

Expandingly Yours,
xoxoSallyt

I'm Gonna Call It...

Mark my words, Britney Spears will be dead within a year.

After much consideration, and after years of celebrity-watching, I am going to go out on a limb and say Britney is going to go the way of Anna Nicole pretty soon.

Foretellingly Yours,
xoxoSallyt

Heinous!

I walk past a tailor everyday on my way to and from work, and everyday I wonder what they might be able to do for me and my wedding dress. (You see, I am back to the drawing board with the dress. I have a tattoo across my back that, although I love, I want to hide. Plus mid-September in Alberta might not be the warmest and I don't want to be a blue goosebump in all my photos so a strapless dress might not work best. But I digress.)

So I stopped in yesterday. I was greeted by a semi-friendly gal, who asked me right away how much I wanted to spend on my dress. "$1000, $5000, $10000". I lied and said a grand. She asked why I wanted a dress made and I said I have a very specific idea in my head of my dress and I cannot find it, but I have a pattern.

Then, a weasely old bat from the back came flying out of nowhere and pounced. She said they don't "do" patterns and they make their own on site. And if I took my pattern to a dressmaker, I will only end up with a "homemade garment", she said. And she said the last phrase like she was spatting bile.

I wanted to say to her "what do you think your homemade garment is", but I didn't. I just spat out a vitrious thank-you and huffed out. I was just inquiring, and if you want business, hoochie, you need to be nice... is what I wanted to say.

I found some lovely dresses online and some nice patterns. Now I need to find a nice dressmaker who won't spat at me.

Come home, Cuteness! I miss you!

Nakedly Yours,
xoxoSallyt

Happy Birthday, Sweetness!

It's Byron's birthday today. Sadly, he's in Alberta working, so we can't celebrate yet. I know he doesn't read this very much, since his computer is in Victoria now, but I wanted to put it in the ether that I wish my Love a very Happy Birthday and that I love him.

Bonne Fete! J'adore Sugar...

xoxoSally

In one year

This time in one year, I will be Mrs. Byron Stuike. How exciting! Right about this time, in 364 sleeps, I'll be dancing with my new husband and enjoying one of the greatest nights of my life. I cannot wait!

People say this next year will whiz by, which spooks me. There is so much to do before the wedding... picking a dress, booking a venue, getting a florist, picking flowers that won't make Stacey sneeze, and on and on and on. But that'll all come into place. I'm marrying the love of my life! All is well.

I went for dinner with my cousin, Katie, her daughter, Mae, and her boyfriend, Kyle. She wondered if someone could be too independent for a mate, and at one time in my life, and not too long ago, I thought so. I figured since I had been alone for so long and taking care of myself, I didn't need anyone. Shortly after meeting Byron, I knew I needed someone. And that someone was Byron.

Come back soon, My Love! Our home is empty without you...

xoxoMrs. Stuike

Alone Again... Unnaturally

It's rainy and cold and lonely today. Byron had to go back to Alberta for a few days for work. Which is great, since he can make some quick and good money. But it blows, since I miss him. Today was my first day alone, and it was so so so sad!

In such a short amount of time, it's shocking how much you get attached to someone. The house seems empty and hollow. The day crawled by since there was no one to be with. Boo hoo! Poor, poor pitiful me!

Ten more days to go... I hope. He should hear soon when he can get back here. Hopefully it's soon. I miss him!

Come home, Cuteness! I miss you!

Longingly Yours,
xoxoSallyt