Looking back

Hello folks!

It's been a while, haven't posted in almost half a year - apologies for that :)  I've been off being married and whatnot.  And before you ask, no, it's still just the two of us for the moment! 

It's funny, people ask questions about your child bearing intentions as soon as you get back from honeymoon, but I heard a lesson before I got married from a colleague who put her foot in it quite badly, so I tend to avoid the jokes/digs.  She asked if there was going to be a pitter-patter, of another colleague who had got married around the same time as her.  Little did she know that all sorts of complications and difficulties were being experienced, and it all came flooding out.  Needless to say, colleague #1 was rather embarrassed and now carefully doesn't ask anyone, ever, if they have baby making plans.  On a happier note the difficulties for colleague #2 have been overcome and there is lots of pitter-patter since, but still. A lesson worth hearing. 

There are so many new websites out now, helping brides-to-be through their planning process.  I have found a few while helping others which I hadn't seen when preparing for my own wedding last year - well done to all who have taken the initiative.  I think B2B's need all the help they can get! 

Lots of trends in the DIY aspects of weddings this year, even more than in 2010.  Bring your own favourite music to give the DJ, make your own invites, your own cake, your own cake decorations, ask friends to do video/photography for the day - all great ideas.  It does obviously put pressure on your pals to get it right since it's your big day but once you are aware of that and don't expect perfection (or anything resembling a professional finish!) then you are totally sorted.  Looking back, sure who needs perfect *things* when all you really need is to commit to your new spouse - that's what it's all about! 

DIY weddings are just as beautiful, and in my opinion, even more so.  They hold that personal touch that you just can't get anywhere else.  YOU made the favours - over a glass of wine with your bridesmaids perhaps. YOU picked the flowers in your bouquet - from the garden you tended with your betrothed.  YOU helped your mum or favourite aunt bake your most favourite cake and got icing on your nose finishing it off.  YOU had a hand in what type of music would be played at your party.  I love it.  So much personal taste going into weddings.  It seems that the trend is far less the one-up-man-ship it was becoming during the naughties and much more about the creation of a solemn bond between two people, and the celebration of that union with the couple's nearest and dearest. 

I'm so happy to see this transition.  I have felt for so long that too much fuss was made of the wedding and not enough of the marriage.  Materialism does not a happy union make.  Well done 2011 brides :) you rock!

Volcano Threat

How did I miss this last week? 

News that the dragon may be done to sleep for another little while.  The Eyjafjallajökul Volcano seems to have gone quiet - this could mean...  That our guests will be able to fly, and that maybe possibly hopefully our honeymoon can happen....  Dare we hope?

It has been adding to the stress, I must admit.

Goodness. Me.

So you know about skeletons in closets and all that sort of jazz. You possibly have a few. It seems that the "normal" in normal families is that we each have our strange and wonderful different things about our heritage and backgrounds.

I've been fretting for months about a possible explosion at the forthcoming nuptial bash. It happens in families, although most will put a sock in it for the sake of the bride and groom.

It seems that my family is no different. An RSVP arrived this week from the black sheep of the family. We've rowed over whether to invite this sheep because they rub my parents up the wrong way. Our concerns were personal, so rather than create an issue for the rest of the clan (imagine: "where's so-and-so?" then it would all come tumbling out...) we decided to invite everyone, try to keep as many people as happy as possible and hope for the best.

The RSVP arrived in the negative, but with a long letter of explanation attached. Lots of lovely words of kindness for The Handsome One & I, and then the explanation: they can't stand the rest of the clan (those for whom the invitation was primarily extended) and with the auld vino flowing at the party, couldn't guarantee that there wouldn't be a brawl. OK I'm paraphrasing for dramatic effect but that was the gist of it.

Who'da thunk it?

It's so strange. I'm both relieved and puzzled all at the same time. It means we can relax and not worry about fits of anger (woo, we sound like a bunch of crazies, honestly we're not *that* bad) but seriously. Who knew?

I think I must have been an ostrich in a past life. I've no idea what's going on...

Families, eh?