But a sweaty princess, under all of those layers!!!

Amanda

Oh Amanda.....

*sigh*

Just like a princess - especially with the veil. *sniffy sniffy*. You look gorgeous with the veil over your face.

Maybe I should rethink the veil.....

Go the chicken fillets I say. I know I'll be padding up on the day

Kathy - no luck in Brissie? I'l be up there this weekend and next weekend... I'm going to keep an eye out in case I find any good dress shops.

Actually, not sure if mum will need an outfit or if she will have time to make her own as originally planned. I think my dress is coming along now - she's taking Thursday and Friday off work to get a move on with the dress in time for my visit on Saturday.

Jo... Alex has quite a few middle names so not sure if his initials would work... He's one of those good catholic boy with many special names in the middle... I was wondering if 180306 would be something nice to engrave on the cufflinks (wedding date - just in case he forgets huh?! hehe)... Not sure though....

Kaygee - oh no.. shame about your best man. Do you have a replacement in mind?

Beck no big plans for V-day. We try not to celebrate too much as we think its a bit comercialised. We might try to have an extra special cooked dinner at home and some hugs. Actually, think we have a dance class....

Laurette - forgot to congratulate you on your lodging the notice of intent! That's it then! Lock it in eddie. No turning back now....

Time for dinner - Alex's brother is cooking steaks. Yumm YUmm... wonder if we'll get on that cross trainer as planned tonight.. doubt it.

Chloe XOXO

Hi girls just a quick check in before I head out.

Kaygee sorry to hear about your bestman - is it too late to replace him with someone else?

Amanda - you look so beautiful Only 37 days and we can wear our dresses for our wedding day How scary.

Chloe Im relieved to hear your dress is coming along.

37 days!!!!! AGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Just booked mum her present....but had to tell her about it so she didn't double book anything....so she is getting a pamper pack with the following:

1 Hour massage
Express Manicure
Express Pedicure
Express Light facial (very light as day before wedding)
Brow shape, brow tint, lash tint

Of course, I'm booking in the same thing! HEH!

Amanda

Amanda - NOice! very noice!!!!

Last night we booked our paris accommodation. Yay!

Still don't have any accommodation for the wedding night yet but I'll play that by ear...

So far:

Booked Eurostar train from London to Paris return
Booked accommodation in Southampton
Booked Miss Saigon tickets in Southampton
Bookd Paris accommodation

I want to go on a honeymoon every year. This is the best part of the wedding so far! That and buying the rings

37 days and still no dress!!! BM's have no dresses either!!!

AHHH!!!

OH and just picked up the fat boys and waist coat for the groom and groomsmen. They look HOT!!!! (The custom-made fat boys and waistcoast, not the groomsmen...)

PMSL at your Chloe! You are funny

Seems that we are all having a good day - my chocolates arrived and they are beauitful! have managed to resist tasting them so far...

Your honeymoon sounds amazing. Gawd I cant wait to see your photos.

Amanda, wow, you are certainly getting organised! yipee!

Ok Laurette - Hand over the chocolates now, and no one needs to get hurt.

And they look soooooooo gooooooood.....

so so purdy.... it's almost a sin to take the paper off them... gulp.

Hi girls,

Amanda,

Can you make sure that the makeup girl has extra heavy duty waterproof mascara for the day of the wedding *sniff sniff*

You look stunning in your gown ( I know i say it everytime i see you ion it)



Chloe,

I havent been up to Brisbane yet I know I will get an outfit there so im not panicking yet.

Laurette,

At least taste one of the chocolates and give us a taste by taste description (plus photos)

Michelle,

Hows everything going with you???


kathyxxx

Amanda - your pamper pack sounds devine. I'm also doing something similar with my Mum and BM's the day before. Gotta love that pampering

Kathy, I can't wait to see your face when you see Amanda all dressed, and primped, preened and ready to walk down the aisle

Chloe, glad to hear your dress is coming along. Hopefully your Mum is feeling a little less stressed now. Your fatboys and waistcoats sounds great (I'm sure the groomsmen are too ). I also think the date engraved on the cufflinks would be lovely

Laurette, purely in the interests of saving you the temptation of keeping all those chocolates in your house, I'm prepared to come up and take delivery of them for you. Of course, I'll return them a couple of days before the wedding.....although naturally I can't be held responsible for any 'accidents' that may occur in transit

Chloe, your honeymoon plans sounds like they are coming together beautifully. How exciting. You are going to have such an awesome time I can't wait to see the photo's either!

I just got back from my second last facial before the wedding. I'm going to miss having an excuse to get one every month. It's just sooooo relaxing. The only thing I hate is having to wake up afterwards and go back to work

Oh, funny story (well to me anyway). I got a phone call from my new make-up artist last night asking me if he can put some 'before and after' photo's of me and my two BM's on his new website We'll probably do it. It'll be a laugh if nothing else! (hope i don't scare potential clients off ).

Jo.
xx

Amanda, the dress looks lovely on you. Pamper pack sounds fantastic. I want to do something like that with my mum and sister (bridesmaid) too, We don't see each other often so it would be a nice bonding thing.. maybe..

Laurette, back away from the chockies now Glad you got them soon-ish.

Chloe your honeymoon sounds wonderful. I've always wanted to go on the eurostar but I never got around to it. My company used to make the TGV trains in France (before they went bust and sold us off that is..) but I'v enever been on one of the very fast trains.. I'm glad I'm not the only one here not having a veil. I *might* borrow my mum's old one, but I'm not sure I feel right with one on (I keep batting it away from my face when I'm wearing it..).

Jo,ooh - is there no excuse to keep the facials coming??

Nothing more on the best man situation. It's not too late to find a replacement so there's no rush there.

Oh gosh.. waterproof mascara.. I reckon I might need that.. I cried when H2B asked me if I'd marry him.. in a good way, of course

Oh Karen... (I hope that's your name really... I keep calling you that) I know what you mean about crying. I cried when we got engaged. I cry whenever I think about getting married. It's quite mad, really!

I am sorry to hear about the best man situation... that really sucks, actually. I hope that you will find someone to do it really soon! I woudl volunteer Glenn, but he's tied up in the month of March!

Jo, great news about the website, by the way! You will have to give us all the link when they are up so that we can all have a sticky beak, OK!

I have put all the chocolates in the boxes, now just to tie all the ribbon! Yay!

Will share photos very soon!

Michelle, where are you today?

Laurette, you've got a great memory for names. Yep - it's Karen. I just keep forgetting to add it at the end of the post

Well done with the bombonierres by the way.

How come everytime I write "bonbonnieres" it looks different?

Cheers
Karen

Woot! As of last night, i have finished 94% of my order of services, 94% of all my placecards, and >90% of my menus!!

The other 6% of order of services and placecards are for people who haven't given us a definate 'yes' or 'no' as to whether they're coming or not.

The remainder of the menus that need to be done are for the larger tables and i just need to figure out exactly how many extras i need.

I've also 95% completed our first aid kit for our honeymoon, just need to add some antihistamines and get some more asthma medication for me.

15 days 'til my 1st hens night.

19 days 'til we leave for Melbourne.

22 days 'til 2nd hens.

29 days 'til our wedding.

Wow!

Beck

Howdy girls.

Beck it sounds like you are really organised 29 days to go wow. I hope everything is going ok for you (the rsvp's etc)

Laurette your chocs sound yum. Cant wait to see pics of your little boxes.

I dont have much to report but Im trying to keep busy. Ive had a few bad days but such is life. Ive been to the gym a few times and to the pool, I always feel heaps better after working out.

My neighbour and I went shoe shopping yesterday - there are no wedding type shoes in Darwin. Although the winter stock is coming out (ridiculous) so they said to come back in a few weeks they should have more enclosed shoes then.

Apparently the BM dresses are coming along nicely. I still havent seen a pic of them though Oh well. The flowergirl dresses are looking good too.

Our cake was organised and paid for today, the organisation of that consisted of mum at the cake shop on her mobile having a 3 way chat with me and the cake lady. I trust mum that it will look ok.

I sent off for some quotes to get fresh flowers, will wait to see what the quote is then decide what Im doing. (whether keep the original or not)

Mum has her MOB outfit (she has 2 actually she couldnt decide what one she liked better so she bought both)

I think that is all. Hope you all have a great weekend, happy 1 month to the 11th girls for tomorrow

Michelle, you know where I am if you need me - home on email all weekend except for the work xmas party on tomorrow night.

I like your quote of the day. Do you like mine?

Tonight i went shopping with a friend for all my hens night stuff, it was sooo much fun.
We spent in excess of $100 and we didn't even get any nibbles!!

We got naughty balloons, a naughty ice cube mould, a game of pin the appendage on the man, a flashing tiara, a "bride to be" sash, a 'hens party in progress' banner, phalic shaped straws, we even got a free small viabrator coz we spent over $50 in one shop!

I can not wait 'til my hens party now, it's going to be such a blast!!

Tomorrow we're going shopping for nibbles.

Beck

Beck- sounds like you going to have a great time at your hen's night. I'm not having one.

Beck it sounds like you purchased some great things! Im sure your going to have a great time, cant wait to see your pics

Warning whinge ahead-

Well today mum sms'd me a pic of the bridesmaid and flowergirl dresses. I like the flowergirl dress, but someone (NOT me) made an executive decision to add a brown sash with pink over the brown to the flowergirl dresses. Its been sewn on so too bad if the bride doesnt like it

One of the flowergirls has been made into a junior bridesmaid (NOT by me) because she is too old to be flowergirl (she is 8, pfft I was a flowergirl when I was 10) And so therefore she is getting a different dress (once again NOT chosen by me) to the FG's. Oh yes this dress has already been cut out and started too *takes another sip of alcohol*

The bridesmaid dresses look horrid, like potato sacks. If I knew how to post sms's onto here I would. I appreciate the help Im getting but I cant handle not being in control *starts gulping from the bottle of alcohol*

I have told Neil if I dont get the job I have applied for (find out next week) I am going to book tickets and go to Townsville as early as next week. I need to be there to make decisions for myself

OMG! I almost hope you don't get the job... I haven't seen my bridemaid's dress either (am only having one - my sister) so I hope the dress is OK. Could a (different) dressmaker look at the sashes and work out how to get them off? It's nice that people are trying to be 'helpful' and not bother you too much over the details,,, but yeah... I hope you can get things working to your satisfaction..

I'm feeling lazy. I need to send photos to the florist of bouquets and things I like.. Can someone give me a kick up the pants? I think I've decided on lilium.

Also H2B and I went out for a Valentine's Dinner last night in Parramatta. It was lovely.

Karen

Yesterday I booked the hairdresser and make up artist. I also booked my nails to get done. I just have to let them grow without biting them so they can do my nails 2 days before the wedding. I'm slowly but surely getting there with the wedding. I can't believe I got less than 5 weeks to go to the wedding! Still haven't got many RSVP's back.

Ellorson: Good luck on the job interview!

Kaygee *kicks you un the bum* send your pic to the florist. I did this last week and am just waiting for quotes, I really hope they are within budget. I am glad you had a nice Valentines dinner

Good work on booking the make up artist and hairdresser Rochelle.

Hi girls,

Michelle,

I can understand you not being very happy about the dresses and hope everything works out ok.I want you to get the job but i also dont want you to get it so you can fly over to Townsville and sort everything out.


Rochelle,

Sounds like everything is coming together for you.As for your nails dont leave it too late to get them.When i do nails for brides its usually the week before so they can have time to get used to them.

Karen,

*kick,kick,kick*Hope it didnt hurt

Beck,

Your Hens night shopping sounded like fun and i hope you have a blast.


kathyxxx

I have to let them grow so they can do them 2 days before the wedding.

Actually I would happily hand over complete control to mum/sister/whoever if it meant I had a job. I wont hear until at least Wed if I even have an interview though, so please cross your fingers for me I am quite prepared to fly to Townsville on the Friday night and fly back to Darwin on Sunday if thats what it takes to convince these people I really, really want the job.

I am feeling much better, it does help to get it out of my head and onto paper (or the screen) Im just sorry you guys have to read about it all.

We went to 2 BBQ's yesterday, one was army wives I have met off a military support site, the second was Neils army mates (and their gf's) We just had our neighbour (well they live across the park from us) just come and invite us over for dinner too. Ahh to be loved again its amazing how some people take friendship for granted, I know I did until we moved around and lost them all. We have met so many new people here its awesome.

Goodbye from a much happier Michelle

Hi Girls,

Laurette and Beck...HAPPY (belated) ONE MONTH TO GO Sorry I didn't get in here on the 11th.

Laurette, I posted on your other site, but just wanted to say your boxes look great

Michelle, I wanted to grab the bottle with you when I read your post. How very frustrating for these "executive" decisions to be made without even asking you. I know people just want to help, but it is your wedding and I can understand that you would like to actually be consulted about decision like this BTW, I'm pretzelling, pretzelling, pretzelling like mad for you for the job next week

Beck, it sounds like you are going to have a ball on your Hen's night. Make sure you post us lots of pic's Great work also on your placecards and OOS. That's another big job nearly done

Karen, here's another *kick* coming your way

Rochelle, well done on organising your hair and make-up. A couple more tick's off the list!

We spoke to our minister today and got our OOS 'approved' (he wanted to check readings and hymns first) and also met with the organist at our Church and decided on two hymns and the Recessional. So, now I can start printing OOS which is good. We've received @35 RSVP envelopes out of 94 sent which isn't too bad for 2 weeks. We still have another 2-3 weeks before RSVP due date.

I also bought some tiara's home with me this weekend to try on with my dress and jewellery and have chosen one that looks perfect with my dress. It's funny, because had I not have been able to take them home, I probably would not have chosen this one, but once you add the dress, voila...perfect! I'll take them back tomorrow and put in my order (they then custom make it to your design - colour, bead, stones etc). So, now my wardrobe complete.

That's about it for me. Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. I wish I was on holidays now

Jo.
xx

Hello Ladies,

Michelle, what a sh*&$er!! You poor bugger! Hopefully you can sort the situation out!

I saw my first BM dress today, I've been so nervous about it....thankfully they looked fine....actually I was happy with it, she has done a good job. Couldn't get a pic but will post one when available.

Karen....lilium is pretty....I'm having white asiatic lilies and pink double lisianthus. Good luck with your BM dresses too...I think its something you forget about cause you are focussed on your own wedding....then you remember you want them to look good too!

Jo, well done on the OOS....I got mine done on Saturday. Only did 65 of them, I figure that people can share them! I had to see the priest on Friday to get clearance for them....at which time we discovered we needed to do a new Notice of Intended Marriage! Apparently the form has changed since we filled it in last! ARGH! The Priest is saying "Oh we have plenty of time" and I'm thinking, errr, we have one month and 5 days....and the notice needs to be done one month one day before! Anyway, we got Paddy from work and managed to get a new one done. Crisis averted.

Anyway, better go. Need to make dinner music CDs!

Amanda

Helllllooooo Chloe....I can see you lurking!

Jo great news on your tiara. I bet you look like a princess with it on

Amanda I hope that your NOIM got lodged. Does that mean that everyone who had the older style forms needs to redo it? I hope not.

Hope you gals have a great day today..

Wow girls, you have all been so busy!

Amanda, I am glad to hear that you got your NOIM sorted out before the cut off date! Your minister was very flippant about it though, wasnt he!

Jo, that's great news about your tiara! Well done!

Amanda, I am happy to hear that you are happy with the BM dresses!!

Michelle, I am sorry to hear about yours! I do hope that you get the job that you wanted, but also hope that you can get up there to sort the dresses out. I am sorry that they havent included you in on all the organisation! Let me know if there is anything that I can help with.

We have run out of chocolates that were left over... oh, they were so yummo... and as a result didnt last long. Though Glenn did eat at least as many as I did.

Well girls, my news is that I have actually had to resort to accepting a credit card offer that I got in the mail the other day from my bank... I was hoping that it wouldnt come to this! Promise that it will be paid back within 3 months after the wedding and honeymoon though!

I am trying not to beat myself up over it, I figure that it is the most important day of my life thusfar, and if I have to fork out a couple of hundred dollars in intrest to make it happen, then I am willing.

I didnt show you girlies my cake picture - it's here now for you to see. Mine will be in pink though, where the blue is, and I may end up getting something else done with the bottom layer, not 100% sold on the stripes, unfortunately. Only 26 days until I get to eat it... oh, and see it in its final form! he he

Hi Girls!!!

Wow. How busy we have all been!

Happy belated one month to go March 11 bridetobe's!

Laurette - I can't believe you didn't hand over those chocolates while you had a chance. Now you'll just have to suffer the consequences - I'm coming over to open up your boxes!!!!

Hang in there re credit card debt. Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! I think it will all be worth it We're onto our second credit card now. It's a bit of a shame considering we cleared all our debt before christmas and now are back to where we began, but I have faith we'll get back in the black soon after the wedding. At least you won't regret not having forked out that little extra to get exactly what you wanted for your special day:)

That cake looks fantastic. And very yummo. I loves it!

Amanda - umnn you mayhave gotten a few of us a little worried -there's a new form? We signed ours (without a date) ages ago - before Christmas. Our priest was going to hang onto it until about a month before the wedding and then lodge it for us. Hope we don't have to arrange new ones... Could be tricky!

Jo congrats on your OOS! We've sort of almost finished ours. Spoke with the priest on Sat and he's pretty happy with it except we forgot to put in a section. I've also made up all the book covers - wow, reminded me of all that invitation making... Think I may even miss it after this is all over...

Can we see a pic of your tiara!?!?! Pretty please?!

Michelle - Ahh! can't believe what you wrote about your bm dresses! Must be really frustrating (actually, a colleague of mine have concocted a new word - fu@kstrated). Glad to hear you're feeling better about the whole thing. I'm sending all my good vibrations your way for the job - hope you get it. Actually, I hope you get the job AND get a chance to fly back to organise some wedding stuff!

Rochelle - congrats on your dress (saw your post in the main section). We want pics!!!

Beck you go girl! Have a fantastic hens!!! I don't think I'll be having one either. Maybe a pamper sess with the bm's just before the wedding as we're all flying in from different parts of the country.

Kaygee - looks like everyone's given you a bit of a kick so I might give you a gentle pat instead. You've probably been kicked too much already

Something rather large happened today....

But I think I'll do a second post

Chloe XOXOXOXO

I have a dress.

Hi girls,


Jo,

Good that you decided on a tiara,I think a tiara tops of the outfit you have on for the day.

Michelle,

I have everything crossed for you and hope you get the job and also sort out your bm's dresses.


Laurette,

As Chloe said a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.If it means you have the day that you want go with the credit card.

Chloe,



YEAH!!!!! YOU HAVE A DRESS!!!! PHOTOS NOW NOW NOW!!!!!


kathyxxx

Hooray for Chole! We want pics!

Rochelle, want pics of yours as well.

Laurette, big congrats on all that ribbon tying for your boxes! I can't believe that we're getting married at exactly the same time!! How many minutes late are you going to be?
Also, love your cake! looks really cool!!

Amanda, you've had me a little worried about the whole form thing too, we signed ours way back in October, it'd better still be valid as we won't be down in Melbourne until 10 days before the wedding, which will be way too late to lodge a new one!

Jo, i'd love to see what your tiara looks like!

15 sleeps 'til Melbourne!

Beck

Whoop Whoop!
Warning! Warning! Long Post Ahead!!!

Well, went to Brisbane on the weekend and tried on the corset mum had remade again (yes, even after our large disagreement and realisation that the dress was not coming along as planned, and our agreement to just alter what was currently made, rather than make it again for the 5th or 6th time, mum made another 2 corsets over the last week and half).

And no, the remade corset (2 of them) did not fit me. We were back to square one. again. I forced her to do what I had hoped she would do which was alter the corset that was closest to fitting which she finally did and working all weekend, she was finally happy with it.

We got started (late sunday) on the lining of the dress (which goes over the corset but under the silk) but mum got stuck on that too. She's exhausted by now and is very stressed, I'm crying and one of my bridesmaids is over trying to make suggestions of how to cut the fabric but I don't think she is helping. I think mum's having panic attacks as she can't really breath. She says again for like the 4th or 5th time, can I go and order a dress now from the dress shops in Melbourne - no mum, I say, its too late, we're on month out. No one will make a dress with less than a month...

I got back to Melbourne this morning and after doing a bit of work, I decided to give the Mariana Hardwick clearance outlet another try - I have been in there before. They're only open Monday, Friday and Saturday so I thought I've nothing to lose. I found something similar to what mum was trying to make. It was a size 12 (far too big for me) but I was convinced to try it on and it wasn't as big as I feared. Needed adjustments - hem, taken in at the back, strapless bit a little too big under the arms - but not a reconstruction of the dress completely.

Spoke with mum and she told me to buy the dress as a back up. In other words, I would take the dress back to Brisbane this weekend (yes another trip!) and see how mum goes in the next couple of weeks. I could get it altered down to my size if needed for the actual day, or if mum's dress works out I will try to sell the MH one. I won't alter it just yet as it would be easier to sell a size 12 than a size Chloe.

So sorry for the long post. It has been an exhausting roller coaster long day. I think mum is a bit disappointed that I actually did what she asked and looked for another dress but I also think she is relieved that there is a dress if hers doesn't work out. I won't be walking down the aisle neked as feared. It's an expensive insurance policy but hopefully it will all work out.

I will try to get pictures of the dress tonight - will have to ask alex's brother to take the pics and I don't want alex to see me in it of course

Thanks girls for listening.

The Back




(It's too big and needs to be altered...)

The Front (again much too big at the mo!)

Laurette - Dont worry about the credit card, after the wedding you will have plenty of time to pay it off, Id prefer to go into a little debt and get what I reaaallly want then to miss out (this applies only to wedding we usually only purchase big stuff if we have saved for it) Your cake is so beautiful. I like the stripes it all comes together really well.

Beck - only 15 days and you are jetting off to Melbourne how exciting!!

Chloe - OMG!!!! You have a dress! How lucky are you, wearing Alex Perry and Mariana Hardwick I am very jealous. You will have no problem selling the dress if you end up not requiring it, it is very very nice Have fun in Brissie this weekend.

Well news from me - we have a full day of marriage couselling tomorrow with the army padre, should be thrilling what a great way to spend V day.

Another thing in the comedy of errors of my life - Mum posted me all of my baby/childhood pics so we could complete the slideshow for the reception, she posted them express post last Tuesday or Wednesday, and they havent arrived here yet Now I know Darwin is in whoop whoop but they should have been here Friday, today at the latest.. I am so scared that they have been lost. Mum didnt peel of the barcode on the envelope (good work considering she works for Oz Post) so they have no way of tracking them. I am pretty devistated at the moment, If I have lost all my baby pics inc. all the pics of me and dad which upsets me the most. Oh well.

Michelle - good luck today with the counselling. I'm hoping with all my heart that your express post arrives today. C'mon Aussie post - you can do it!

OMG, Michelle, I really hope that your parcel turns up today! I am sure that it will arrive at some stage – even if it is in another week or something – it will eventually find its way to you! She didn’t put your old address on there by accident or anything, did she?

CHLOE! You look amazing!

That dress is very beautiful! You look gorgeous in it – I really hope that your mum can get the dress made for you that she’s working on, I really do – but if she doesn’t, then that’s OK. You have a gorgeous dress to wear, regardless. How lucky are you – getting to wear Alex Perry and your own mother’s creation – or if not, getting to wear AP and MH on the same day! Wow!

I am sure that it will all come together in the end!

Michelle, I hope that you enjoy the counselling session! We have a meeting with the minister tonight, so we will see how that goes. I hope that he’s doing a bit better now – you could tell last week when we saw him that he wasn’t 100%.

We still haven’t decided who to ask to do the readings yet – we wanted my brothers to do it, but they said no. Little shits – I couldn’t believe it. They are going to be the ushers, so that’s OK – they will get their name in the OOS regardless.

Question – are you lovely ladies including the names of your drivers in your OOS booklets? We are having 4 very close friends (ie the next in line for GM duties) doing the driving, and I really want them to be listed on paper, so that people are aware they played a part in our day? Do you think that that’s OK – to put them in the list? SO it will go BMs, GMs, PB, FG, Readers, Ushers, Drivers in that order on the list. Well, that’s what I’m doing, anyway.

I have to send out the invites for my kitchen tea/hens night this week, as it’s coming up very quick (ie 2 and a half weeks away) and noone knows about it yet.

Also, just got a call from mum. My grandfather has been in a nursing home for the last two years, hanging on with his mind OK, just his body failing him. His mind has also been going over the last couple of months, and he’s like a stick figure – really really horrible looking, the last time that I saw him – mum put her finger on it – like something that you would have seen coming out of a concentration camp after the end of the war.

So they’ve moved him into the hospital last night. My stepdad (it’s his father – so I am not a biological granddaughter, just a ring in) has gone to Wollongong now to see him today while he still recognises him, before they put him on the morphine tonight.

It’s hard to realise that you wont see your grandfather ever again – I want to go down there, but there is nothing that I can do, and I know that all my cousins don’t see me as a ‘real’ cousin – it’s always been like that.

So mum said that there is a chance he will hang on for a week, or a couple of days, but in a strange way, we hope that he doesn’t, because it would be best for him to be at peace.

He’s 90, so had a pretty good run, I think. My aunty wanted Fred (my stepdad) to take one of my brothers down, but they had already gone to school for the day when we found out, so my stepdad just went without telling them – they will find out about it when they get home tonight I guess. Mum is going to ring me tonight after Fred has rung her.

Either way, he will have to come home tomorrow, as my parents are on a farm – they are hand feeding all of their sheep still every day because of the drought/lack of feed and they have sheep going to sale on Thursday that need to be organised tomorrow. Neverending life I guess, and it annoys me because my family in Wollongong (where we moved here from) wont understand how busy he is – and that he cant just stay down there for a week or something. Of course, once something happens, we will all be down there for the time leading up to the funeral to organise things, but I just feel so useless, and it makes me cranky to know that they will be cranky that he’s not staying there.

Does that make sense?

I am sorry that I had to let all this out. I am still at work today, because I guess that it’s better to keep busy where possible. I rang Glenn to tell him and had a bit of a cry, and then he was going to warn his boss that he will have to go away for this funeral, when it happens, and I have also spoken to my boss too.

I feel sort of numb, like waiting for it to happen – and hoping for it to happy quickly – is a bad thing. I might get home tonight and Glenn and I might decide to go down there tomorrow – I don’t know. One of my cousins just had her first baby, so I am glad that Grandie (my grandfather) got to meet Alicia, and one of my other cousins, Karen, is due to have her second any day now.

Righto… well, I guess that I will keep you all updated. Thanks for reading if you got this far.

Much love
Laurette

Hi girls,


Laurette,

Im very sorry to hear about your grandad and hope that everything works out ok for him and he isnt in to much pain.

On a more happier subject your cake looks yummo i think i put on a couple of kilos just looking at it


Chloe,

Your dress is beautiful.I bet your mum is relieved that the pressure is off her a bit now.


kathyxxx

Hi Girls

Laurette, I'm sorry to hear about your Grandfather. It is so difficult losing someone. I work at a nursing home and see it all the time, and it's always sad. But know that he will be at peace and no longer suffering. I also lost my dad 2 and 1/2 years ago, and there are so many mixed feelings that arise. I guess that your feelings could also be compounded with the approaching wedding. One one hand there is so much excitement, but on the other, it's tinged with sadness. Hang in there. If your grandfather passes beforehand, know that he'll be watching over you.

Sending hugs your way.

Thanks so much Kathy and Carolyn. Much appreciated.

Glenn just rang me... he's talked to his HR boss, and he can have the time off whenever he needs... which is excellent, because in his job it's really hard to get leave, you have to put in for holidays 6 months in advance...

xx

Hi Girls,

Laurette, I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandfather What a very sad time for you and your family. If you feel that you want to go a see him before he passes, just go. Don't worry about what your cousins think. He has been a special part of your life and you deserve the chance to say goodbye to him if you want to. If you don't go because of other people's opinions, you may regret it when it is too late. Just follow your own heart. I'm thinking of you.

Michelle, has your express post parcel arrived yet? I'm pretzelling for you that it arrives soon. Is there any other way it can be tracked down without the bar code - from a receipt or something??

Chloe, your dress is beautiful You look gorgeous! Fingers crossed that your Mum can still finish the dress she has started because I'm sure you'd both love for you to wear something she has made, but if not, then at least you have a stunning back-up to wear And, very importantly, you now don't have to be stressing every day

Laurette your cake is beautiful And don't worry about the credit card, it is the one very special day in your life where you can spoil yourself! You only get to live your life once and can't take your money to your grave!

Michelle, hope your counselling today is going well

My tiara is being made up at the moment (the one I tried on was in Gold, so they are making it up for me in silver), but when I get it, I'll post pic's

I had to get FOUR vaccine shots yesterday for our Honeymoon. Yuck. So today I'm feeling like crap. My arm is sore, my head is sore and to top it off, I got my AF so have killer stomach cramps and back pain I'm feeling very sorry for myself and just want to go home! okay, grumble over

jo.
xx

Oh Jo, sorry to hear that you arent feeling 100% - I hate needles, so I can sympathise with you! Hope that you feel better soon.

I got a parcel post card in the mail today so I went straight to the PO hoping that it might be my shoes. No luck - it was something Glenn got off ebay for his bucks party.

HI Ladies,

You turn your back for a few minutes and POOF! There are about 1,000,000 new posts!

Ok....so to the NOIM stuff first. If you are worried, I would suggest you contact your celebrant. We filled ours in at the end of our counselling last year, so approximately August. The form was a single sheet, double sided blue form. The reason there is a new form (2 page double sided white booklet) is because some of the laws have changed about what certificate the celebrant must give you. So - I wouldn't be too alarmed, but if you are, then call the celebrant!!!

Chloe, love the dress. It is absolutely stunning and should look great. How is your mum feeling now? I cannot believe you both went through all that stress! When I asked Paddy's mum if she would make the BM dresses she said 'no, but I will pay for my friend to do them'. I think now I know why!

Laurette, I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather. It is a real shame. Paddy's grandfather is sick too, so won't be able to make the wedding which I think he is disappointed about. I also think it is a good idea to have the names of drivers in your booklet, I have seen this done before and I think it is a nice touch.

Michelle - has the parcel arrived yet? What are you planning to do with the slide show? I would have loved to have done something similar but the technology escapes me and I'm sure I wont have time to operate it.

I forgot - Laurette the cake is awesome! Incidentally, our new cake toppers arrived...apparently the woman (who offered to redo them no less) was really rude to my BM. What a cow! Anyway, here they are:



Girls, I'd better fly and get back to work. cellar tea is on this weekend, so I will keep you posted. We have already received one bottle of wine (a nice penfolds bin 389) and a $40 voucher for liquorland! Woohoo!

Anyway ladies, chat soon.

AW

Just after I posted my last reply, we got word that he'd gone.

My stepdad didnt make it in time - he was 15 mins too late.

Annoying thing is that he got held up with roadworks on the way for half an hour...