Couples' Choice Award 2016

Thank you to my wonderful couples for this honor!

So excited to have received this award for the 7th year in a row. 

What I Do When I'm Not at a Wedding....

As you probably know, I'm a big geek at heart. And so, today, I joined my friends from Aw Yeah Ladies' Night at C2E2! It was so much FUN!

Some of the ladies from Ladies' Night 

Death & Dream from Sandman

The Cyberman offering me an upgrade

My Walking Dead friends

New Reviews from my Couples!

Just received my 53rd review on WeddingWire. Wow! A huge THANK YOU to my wonderful couples! Feel free to click on the badge below to see what they said.

  

It's our Anniversary!

He looked at me, tears in his eyes, and said, "I do." I smiled and replied, "You better!"

And, yes, he still married me. That was 20 years ago - today.

Happy Anniversary to the most amazing husband I could ever imagine. We are having the best Happily Ever After.

Cheers! 

Had a little trouble cutting the cake..... until someone told me about the cardboard between the layers. 

Why Chicago Weddings are so Great

Today, I spent the day downtown with my family. We strolled around a bit and walked around the Blues Festival. My husband was convinced he saw Billy Corgin walking by, but I have my doubts. (The guy in question was sporting some pretty cool cowboy boots, though). 

And then, we ran into one of my favorite couples, who will be getting married this fall! So, we stopped and chatted with Rashonda and Steve and then continued on our wandering. 

We made our way through Millennium Park and dipped our toes in the Crown Fountain. And there, between the the two spout-faced structures, this happened....

I'm not sure if this was a post-wedding "Trash the Dress" session, or if this couple just decided to let loose on their big day. Either way, it was pretty cool!

After this surprise, we had dinner, followed by a stop at Garrett's for some popcorn (cheese & caramel mix, of course), and then headed home. 

Even though I'm a suburbanite now, I'm still a city girl at heart!

BYOB Painting Party!

Eliane giving me some painting tips

If you live anywhere in or around Chicago, you know all about the flooding we've endured. If you live near the airport (like me!) you have horror stories of nightmarish commutes for the past week. Therefore, it was a lovely distraction from the weather woes to enjoy a girls night last Friday. Organized by my sister, I joined a group of lovely ladies for a BYOB Painting Party at  The Art Station Studio in Park Ridge.

It was so much FUN!!!! 

Here I am with the owner, artist Eliane Balsewich, getting some pointers on my technique (or maybe the lack thereof).  

The great thing about this (besides getting to drink wine and eat goodies with friends) is that you don't need to know how to paint. Eliane and her team of artists will provide you with as much help as you need. Heck, they're even willing to do the finishing touches, if you like!

Moni & Rosemary with their finished work

The happy artists!

Everyone picks their own project to paint - our group leaned towards flowers and booze. You can also choose to stick with a theme for the group. Eliane mentioned that a local book club had their meeting at the studio and each person painted something related to the book they read. I love that!

I think this would be a great outing for just about any group, for any occasion - bachelorette party, birthday, you name it. Wouldn't it be fun to have a baby shower where everyone paints something for the nursery? 

Whatever the reason, I highly recommend contacting Eliane at The Art Station Studio to organize your own BYOB Painting Party. 

And she'll even let you pain something like this:

My octopus dutifully guarding the bookshelf

An Evening in Nerd Heaven!

Last night I was in nerd heaven, or as my husband called in, "Nerdvana." We went to Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson's lecture, "Cosmic Perspective," which was offered as part of the Elmhurst College Roland Quest Lecture Series. 

And I even wore my blue galaxy scarf. (Hey, don't judge)

It was great! His presentation was funny, enlightening, and passionate. One of the highlights of the evening was when he discussed the demotion of Pluto. Neil (well, we are on a first name basis - in my fantasy life, that is) discussed the reasoning behind the decision to remove Pluto's planet status. After a lengthy discussion, he said, "Pluto had it coming."

He asked if there were people in the audience who were still upset about the whole Pluto issue. Several folks raised their hands (including my hubby). He then walked over to his computer and clicked to this:

Pluto defenders: "Get over it."

During the lecture and the Q & A that followed, he touched on topics ranging from the inarguable genius of Newton (and if you do try to argue with him, he'll tell you to "shut up forever"), killer asteroids, science education, the Higgs boson particle (explaining it with a Hollywood party analogy) and his views on the existence of God. See..... nerd heaven!

And now that I have confirmed my nerdiness, I'm going to go read The Space Chronicles. (Yes, I bought it at the lecture.)

2013 Bride's Choice Award!

T

I'm very excited to announce that I've been awarded Wedding Wire's 2013 Bride's Choice Award!

Thanks to the wonderful couples who made this happen!

Addicted to Love Letters

I have been enjoying the 12 Days of Love Letter Writing so much! 

This past weekend (days 6 and 7) were dedicated to writing to people living in the Rockaways area of New York, which was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Sandy. 

This writing project has even inspired me to write a few love letters to be left at random spots around town here at home. Now I wish I would have taken one with me when I went to a doctor's appointment today. Who couldn't use a love letter while waiting in a doctor's office?

In any case, it's so wonderful to spread a little love and cheer! It's becoming addicting. But in a good way. 

I Know That Voice!

I don't brag about many things, but I am very (unashamedly) proud of one unique skill I possess. I have the ability to identify voices.

You know, you're in the car and you hear a commercial and you think, 'I know that voice.' Well, I almost always DO know it! Okay, so maybe everyone could tell that Morgan Freeman was the velvety voice behind the summer Olympics. But did you recognize Julia Roberts for the AOL ad and Nationwide Insurance??? Hmmmm..... did you? 

Sorry, I told ya I would brag.

So, now that you know this about me (and that I may or may not be a little cocky about it) imagine my delight at this news: I am going to be doing voice-over work! 

No, it's not a commercial or a feature animated film. My gig will entail the narration of an educational film for doctors. (I saw you just roll your eyes.) 

I'm pretty darn excited about it! I've been practicing my "mad scientist" accent for days. I hope they like it.

Just kidding. Really.

I'm just hoping they give me a pronunciation key for all those medical terms.  Wish me luck!

It's Our Wedding Anniversary! Looking Back 19 Years.......

Mom's creation

Today, my husband and I are celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary. Tonight we'll go through our wedding album and reminisce. 
In honor of our celebration, I thought I'd share a few pages from our album - and some wedding day memories

1. My mom made my wedding gown. This led to many debates (okay, arguments). I wanted a flowy, hippie-style dress. I wound up with a straight skirt and a detachable train. It was beautiful - but completely different than what I planned. And what was with that cap/veil thingie?
2. When the flowers were delivered to my house, we realized that we forgot to order corsages for the moms and grandma. I wound up ordering them from Jewel & Dad went to pick them up. 
3. I went to a friend's house to have her do my make-up before the wedding. I looked like a circus clown when she finished. ("But you need to have more color for the pictures.") I rubbed off most of it off on the way home. 
4. My brother drove me to the ceremony with my sister and his date. We were early, so we went to Winberie Cafe, a restaurant with a bar. People kept buying us drinks! (Brides, use that wedding dress to your advantage!) 
5. When I was walking down the aisle, a friend of my husband's stepped forward and high-fived me. Classy.
6. My nephew (age 2 at the time) was the ring bearer. My sister bribed him with candy to "walk nicely" down the aisle. When he got to the front he yelled out, "Can I have my Tootsie Roll now?!" 
7. During the vows, after my husband said "I do," I whispered, "You better." I didn't think everyone would be able to hear me. Of course they did.
8. We did a receiving line at the reception venue. By the time we finished, all the appetizers (that WE picked!) were gone.  And I was hungry. Really hungry.
9. My parents wanted a German band, I wanted a deejay, so we had both. All my friends danced to the German band. The Deejay played everything EXCEPT the songs on my playlist.
10. We had a really hard time cutting the cake. No one mentioned that there would be cardboard between the layers. I know that now.
11. Another thing about the cake. I wanted fresh flowers on top. The bakery said that wasn't possible. What?!
12. The server that waited on the head table was really mean. She rolled her eyes when we asked for more butter. Nice.
13. Despite some mishaps, it was one of the best days of my life. 

Other couples make cake cutting look so easy!

If I could do it over again I would: 

1. Hire a real deejay & play great dance music.
2. Get a good photographer
3. Serve cupcakes!
4. Wear a different dress
5. Marry the same wonderful man.

So..... I guess next year we may need to have a 20th anniversary party. This time we'll get those details right. 

Happy anniversary, sweetheart!

My New Octopus Tattoo!

Okay, so I admit that I've thought of getting a tattoo since I was in college. But I also admit that I'm a chicken. And....it's too much of a commitment for me. The perfect solution? HENNA! 


This morning, my daughter and I went to MahRose, a salon in Des Plaines, where I've gone several times for henna designs. Shaheen, one of the owners, is absolutely brilliant! I said I had a weird request - an octopus. She graciously complied and this was the result.

I just LOVE my octo-henna!

And while I adore my new design, by next week it will be gone. And then I can go do it all over again!

101 Things About Me That You Didn't Know - and Maybe Don't Want to Know

I recently noticed that several people on Facebook have posted "101 Things about Me" and I thought it was a cute idea.

However, I can also see how some folks might thinks it's presumptuous for me to assume that anyone really cares to know anything about me. You're right. So, if you don't want to know anything else about me (and I don't blame you), please feel free to move on. I have many other posts that have absolutely nothing to do with me.

Otherwise, here you go.....

101 Things About Me

1. I only came up with 66. I didn’t want to bore you to death.
2. I hate mustard – the smell, the taste, everything. Blah.
3. I have a huge collection of beads. There’re waiting to be turned into jewelry that I’ll never wear.
4. I finally officiated a ceremony at Brookfield Zoo – now I want to perform a wedding ceremony at the Shedd Aquarium.
5. I love Portillo’s hotdogs – topped with tomatoes, pickles, and ketchup. Yes, ketchup. I’m not ashamed.
6. I had no idea how happy I could be until I met my husband.
7. I miss Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We have a poster of the musical episode on our living room wall.
8. I have two children – a son and a daughter. They are my greatest joy.
9. Joan Cusack came through my line when I worked at Jewel in college.
10. I kissed a hermit crab when I was on the beach on Saipan. Don’t ask me why. It was funny at the time.
11. Even though I was born in Chicago, German was my first language.
12. I officiated my friend’s wedding on Halloween and all the guests were in costumes. My daughter was the flower-girl, dressed as a witch. It was as fun as it sounds!
13. Peonies are gorgeous. Even with the ants.
14. There’s nothing as delicious as homegrown tomatoes.
15. Megamind was a great movie. I still say "Metrah-city."
16. I’m addicted to The Tudors. Thank goodness for Netflix.
17. I have a tiny crush on Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. I have a thing for nerds.
18. There’s nothing better than ordering a pizza and watching a good movie with my husband and kids. Except maybe when they agree to do a jigsaw puzzle with me.
19. My desk chair gets mysteriously switched with my husband’s chair at least once a week. This drives me crazy. That could also be why it keeps happening.
20. I love coloring. Dover coloring books are the best. No one else gets to use my special stash of markers. Or else.
21. I miss Krispy Kreme’s lemon filled donuts. Why did they leave me??
22. I like reading comic books & graphic novels. FABLES is my current favorite.
23. I have never watched American Idol. Or Desperate Housewives.
24. Typos in signs make me insane. Especially the rampant abuse of the apostrophe. (I really hope there are no typos in what I’ve just written.)
25. I was so excited when I purchased a food processor last summer. It’s still in the box – with the instructions.
26. Sun-dried tomatoes make just about everything taste better.
27. The Office almost never fails to make me laugh out loud.
28. I am really good at making brownies – from a mix. The secret is adding things. But I can’t tell you what things, or it wouldn’t be a secret.
29. I like to be the first one to get to the Sunday paper so I can divide up all the sections, get rid of the ads I don’t want, and get first crack at Ask Amy.
30. Give me a hot beverage and a book store to roam, and I’m a happy camper.
31. I would love to meet Clarence Darrow. It would help if he were still living.
32. I don’t care what anyone says, cupcakes are fantastic!
33. I once drove through Nebraska and knew the words to all the old country songs on the radio. It scared everyone in the car - including me.
34. I love fresh, juicy peaches in the summer.
35. In the past year, my favorite books have come from the young adult section of the library. Hunger Games, anyone?
36. I married a couple on the 4^th of July - in my back yard.
37. I collect Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer figurines, even though Santa, the head elf, and most of the reindeer are all jerks. Still love the movie.
38. I plan to take a trip with Bead for Life to Uganda within the next five years.
39. I have a pussy willow tree in my yard named Miss Yvonne. I’m a big fan of Pee Wee’s Playhouse.
40. I love cephalopods. Who else can change color – and shape – and texture?!
41. My family celebrates Christmas in July - we even put up the tree.
42. I really want pet chickens. Just three hens – that’s all I ask. One would be named Henrietta.
43. I saw U2 in concert in March of 1985. The show ended with the song “One,” which everyone kept singing as we left the arena, even into the parking lot.
44. I really like cookbooks. But I need pictures of the recipes.
45. When I was a kid, I had a crush on Speed Racer. Yes, I know he was a cartoon.
46. April Fool’s Day is great – especially when I can pull off a good prank on my family. One year I made “cupcakes,” which were really little meatloaves topped with colored mashed potatoes. I crack myself up.
47. I have a dog named Krypto. He has the sweetest “puppy eyes” and floppy ears. It’s impossible not to love him.
48. My first record (before cds!) was The River by Bruce Springsteen.
49. When my husband proposed to me, I said, “Yes.” Then I said, “Can we go eat now?” I was really hungry.
50. I like to break off the ears of chocolate bunnies and dip them in peanut butter.
51. The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies.
52. I love singing in the car – really loud. Even when the windows are open. Especially to my 80’s/90’s mix tapes. Yes, that’s right – mix tapes.
53. At a recent wedding, the Best Man commented on my preparedness by calling me the Wedding MacGyver. I like my new title.
54. My favorite Saturday activity is going to garage sales.
55. My kids are two of the funniest people I know. Today they made a video of the cats and did voices for them. It cracked me up.
56. My living room is green and my bathroom is purple.
57. Peach pie is the best kind of pie.
58. Oversized mugs are essential for tea. Dainty cups are for the birds!
59. I used to teach jewelry-making classes at a community college.
60. Zucchini is delicious!
61. I love Lego people. I’m dying to get the guy in the gorilla suit.
62. I once had a groom ask me to begin the ceremony by using a line from The Princess Bride. “Wuv. Twu Wuv” was a big hit with the guests.
63. You can never have too many pairs of earrings. Or socks.
64. I can’t fold over the corner of the page to mark my place in a book. It feels wrong.
65. Band-aids make real and imaginary injuries feel better.
66. I have the best job in the world!!

What I Did During My Summer Vacation

Let me begin by telling you that this post has nothing to do with wedding ceremonies. Or cupcakes. Or any other baked goods for that matter.

Let's just call it, "Getting to Know Your Friendly, Neighborhood Celebrant."

You see, I have had a month off of officiating wedding ceremonies. I don't know how this happened, but I've had a little "vacation" right in the middle of the summer. And I'm not complaining! While I have been working on writing and researching, I've also had time to pursue other interests on the weekends.

Since we have become such good friends, I am now prepared to reveal some of my secrets desires to you. But only to you.

Secret #1 - I really want some chickens

I don't mean for dinner. I mean, as pets. And for eggs. I even have a name picked out for one of them: Henrietta. I also like Penelope, but I gave that name to my GPS. (It seemed to go with her accent.)
I want to have a little coop in the yard for up to four hens. That way, there would be one for each of us. (But we all know they'll really all be mine.)
The problem is that, where I live, backyard chickens are not allowed. They're permitted in all the surrounding suburbs, as well as the city of Chicago, but not here. Have the people around here not heard of urban farming!?!? Go figure.
I'm planning on working to change this, but haven't had the time to formulate the battle plan. Yet.

City Council members be warned - I will be taking up the good fight some day soon. And if you try to thwart me, I will not share any eggs with you. So there.

Secret #2 - I love watching the Demolition Derby
I developed this taste back in college when my friend Julie took me with her family. I always cheered for the car that had "Faith No More" emblazoned on the back. Okay, it was roughly painted, but it was still a tribute to a band I liked, so it worked for me. My other favorite had a huge barbie doll in a wedding dress attached to the back.

In any case, I love watching cars smash into each other. I also want to be the driver that's smashing into the other cars. Enough said.

The highlight of this month was going to the DuPage County Fair, where I was able to revel in my secret pleasures!

I have no reasonable explanation as to why a city girl like me has these interests. But I do.
And now, you know a little bit more about me than you ever needed (or wanted) to know.

P.S.
I swear to you - that chicken in the picture above really was talking to me! Really.

17 Years and Counting!

Today, my husband and I are celebrating our 17th Anniversary! Yay for us!!

We rang in the occasion last night by staying up past midnight watching the fabulously bad movie, Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus, starring none other than Debbie Gibson (oh sorry, it's Deborah Gibson now) and Lorenzo Lamas. It was as bad as it sounds - and we enjoyed it immensely!

Today, we're dropping the kids off at their grandparents' house and spending the day hanging out together, trolling garage sales and going out for lunch. A perfect day with my hubby!

And to share the love with you, here are some pix from the big day back in 1993.

First, there's me, walking down the aisle at Unity Temple in Oak Park. Notice the guy standing to the left (the only one standing, for some reason)? This photo was taken right after he high-fived me as I was coming down the aisle. Classy.

The next photo is the ring exchange. Look how cute my hubby is! He was pretty nervous that day, and I doubt that my cracking jokes helped much. Such as when I said, "You better." after he said, "I do."

I know. I make no excuses for myself, I can only hang my head in shame.

But, I'd also like to point out the dress. It was beautiful and a labor of love - my mom designed it and sewed it all on her own. We spent lots of time discussing (arguing) the style of the dress. She won.

It did have a nice detachable train, which went over the long, narrow skirt. But what's with those puffy shoulders? And that poof of netting attached to the cap?!?! What was I thinking?

Mind you, the dress I had been dreaming about was a long, flowy, hippie-chick style. Imagine a long-haired girl in this dress standing in a field of daisies. That was my vision. As you can see, not even close to what I wound up in.

Oh well. It was all well worth it.
Happy anniversary to my wonderful Hubby, who continues to be the best thing that ever happened to me. XOXO