The Point of No Return, Part II

Well, it is official, the invitations are out! For those of you that read the last two posts, you know that we have entered the realm of "The Point of No Return, Part II."

JC and I made our second wedding related trip to Vermont last weekend. On the agenda were various appointments ... hair and makeup (for Lauren), our tasting at the Equinox Hotel, a visit to the rehearsal dinner venue, etc. My Dad had called me earlier in the week, because he wanted to spend some one on one time with his future son-in-law and needed some recommendations on possible activities. JC suggested that they go and get their hair and makeup done as well. Dad opted instead for either a hike or target practice.

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon when the boys, Monnie (the dog) and I set off for a hike on a piece of property my Dad owns in Pawlet, Vermont. The first five minutes of the hike was great ... then the flies came out. I don't know if any of you have ever experienced Vermont deer flies, but they are deadly (Note - fly swatters are an important item to put on your packing list for the wedding). Further complicating the situation was the fact that JC, former Eagle Scout, has an allergy to GRASS. So we are hiking along (swatting flies, itching legs) and Dad is showing us the various building sites when we come to the edge of a cow pasture. Noticing that we would need to climb over an electric fence I decided to test it to see if it was on (standard Eagle Scout training) ... it wasn't. So Dad and I both climb over and continue on when we hear a yelp from behind. Yep, JC had been electrocuted and was clutching his arm, trying to regain feeling. Dad got a good laugh out of that one, he called us "city folk" for the rest of the day.

I distinctly remember the last time I was electrocuted by a cow fence. It was Prom Night 1996 and I has just gotten my car stuck in 2 feet of mud in a cow pasture behind Wilcox Dairy. So, I set off (in my white prom dress) into the pastures to find Adam Wilcox who would help me pull the car out with his tractor. While walking back to the farm, I had my run in with said electric fence. It isn't a pleasant experience, but you haven't really "experienced" Vermont until you've been electrocuted.

Stay tuned, because I think JC is going to post his version of this story ... should be rather entertaining.

It was an eventful weekend to say the least. Below are some pictures we took on the trip.

JC and I visited the rehearsal dinner venue, Mio Bistro

The wedding site, Equinox Pond Pavilion

Fourth of July at the Beach!

JC and I haven't been tending the blog much recently. Between finishing graduate school, planning the wedding, selling houses, looking for a new house, work and travel ... we haven't had much time. But my future sister-in-law's blog inspired me. I figure that if she has three wild and crazy kids and still finds time to post new entries on her blog, so can I!

JC and I were in San Diego with the Sandberg family for the Fourth of July. JC had flown out a few days before me. While left to his own devices, he and his nephew, Ryland, hatched a little "Welcome to San Diego" surprise for me. I started getting nervous when Ryland told me repeatedly while waiting for my baggage in the airport that he and Uncle J. had a surprise, but that I had to be in my bathing suit to get it! The next day I came out of the bathroom, swimsuit clad, to a spray of super-soakers. Welcome to the family Aunt Lauren!

Super-soakers aside, we had a great time in San Diego! JC thought it would be fun to bury Ryland while were at the beach one day. I think Ryland thought it was pretty fun too! Here he is completely buried ...

The Point of No Return, Part I

I’m a firm believer in pacing myself, but Lauren has informed me in her kind and loving way (translated - threatened with a large stick) that blogging once a month is not acceptable.

Much has happened since I last put my long digits to the keyboard. On June 21, 2008, our dear friends hosted an incredible engagement party for us. Lauren and I fondly refer to this event as the "Point of No Return, Part I." According to Lauren, we are now "really committed" to getting married. The "Point of No Return, Part II" is the day the wedding invitations go in the mail (this happened last Tuesday), followed closely by the "Point of No Return, Part III," the actual wedding day (remember to stand with knees bent to avoid fainting).

As we've observed our married friends, we've also become aware of another momentous day in a couple's journey together known as the "Day You Completely Lose Your Mind" or "Serenity Now!" more commonly referred to as the day child number one arrives.

We are grateful to our families and friends, some of whom traveled a long way to attend, for celebrating this special occasion with us. I'm especially grateful my other girlfriend Lady Jane (aka the Bronze Goddess) came. Here she is with Lauren ...

It was a wonderful evening, creating memories for a lifetime. And best of all, no one fell in the pool. Special thanks to Tom and Linda for hosting the event.