Just a few short days now...

I woke up this morning filled with excitement for the day's activities - I'm going to take my bridesmaids, sister in laws, and mothers to have high tea at the cutest, sweetest little tea room followed by mani/pedis, some reception setup activities and last minute projects, and finally a small cozy bachelorette party over wine and dinner later tonight. It is going to be an amazing day, I can't wait to have all these amazing ladies surrounding me. Their love and encouragement have definitely helped me through all those years of dating duds, lonliness, and now to finally being with the man of my dreams, they have each taught me how to be a more loving and considerate partner.

Here's to all of my special ladies, I love you! Cheers!

Ps. I finally am so EXCITED!! What took so long??

Eight Days A Week...I Love You

Many of you know that I have been feeling a little on edge, nervous, cold feet, anxious, overwhelmed, etc...with the realization that my upcoming nuptials are just a few days a way. I think the tipping point was last Saturday at my friend Joni's wedding when I realized in fullness, the magnitude of this decision as I listened to their wedding vows up close, and in person.

I'm happy to say that my nerves have cooled down and I currently "feel" so in love and ready to be married. With only 8 days to go and nearly one week away, I am experiencing more clarity than I did throughout the entire engagement period. I guess it's mostly because like many brides, I became obsessed with the planning (which I had a great time with) and the details, that I started to feel a bit distant and I started to lose perspective of the things that really matter.

It was so refreshing to walk through everything with my parents last Friday (in a 6 hour cram session before I had to rush over to Seattle for Joni's rehearsal) - they have really picked up the last minute odds and ends and have made my heart feel so at peace, I am such a lucky girl. I got to see all the TLC that my dad put into making adirondack chairs, a cake table, a coffee table, ends tables and even an arbor (which I didn't get to see)...all to add an extra homey, crafty, unique experience for the guests at my wedding. But mainly just for me. Because he loves me so much. That's how it has always been. My parents, doing things for me and my brothers, sacrificing their own desires for me and my brothers.

I'm feeling really loved right now. Now if only I had my dress. Wait...back to what's important!! I'm feeling really loved right now.

I'm feeling so in love with Adam, my family, my new family, all of my friends who are coming into town for the event...Trish & Hans flying all the way across the country along with several of Adam's groomsman, my friends from California, Jesse and Kelly who I haven't seen in forever and would've never thought that they could make it...there are so many people are going above and beyond to say they love us and support us that I am just floored and totally humbeled by all of this love and generosity. My friends Lindsey, Laura and Jess who have driven me to Priscilla of Boston 6+ times to support me, shop with me, and encourage me when I have a melt down.

I'm not entirely sure what the Beattles meant when they wrote the song, 8 Days A Week - I'm guessing by the lyrics that they wanted even more time with the person they love - 7 days/week was not nearly enough. I want a lifetime with Adam - 8 days a week aren't enough for me :) And one wedding day will not be nearly enough time with all the people I love, but I'm really looking forward to it. I will be there. Thanks everyone - I can't wait to see you.

Yeah, I'll Just Suck It Up & Go With UPS or...What's In A Last Name?

All - after serious discussions this morning with my colleagues (most of which are Navy guys and Government employees), I decided to suck it up and pay the extra $$ to have my breakables shipped via UPS. One of the guys was telling me a few of his Grandma's horror stories with airlines damaging things in her suitcase...apparently she won't even travel without sending her things via UPS ahead of time. It does make the prospect of heading for the airport via public transportation so much more appealing. I'm still bringing a lot of extra stuff with me, but it's a manageable amount. Anyhoo, just wanted to give you an update in case the last email was seriously alarming. I was tired and venting. The sun rose this morning and I felt so happy because I know the next couple of weeks are going to fly by and then I will be Mrs. Melody Cook. It's kind of fun to have a name change, right? I was having some serious reservations about ditching "mathews" - it has served me really well and does seem to be so much more special now that I have decided to take his last name. Mrs. Melody Mathews-Cook is just too long and I don't want to lose my middle name, Joy. It was funny to see so many people raise their eyebrows when I told them I was considering keeping my last name - what's the big deal anyway?? So much of our identity is tied up in the last name - it's really difficult to pull off the whole switcheroo. I still call some of my closest friends by their maiden name. It wasn't until I changed their info in my address book that my brain clued in to the fact that they had new names. I guess it takes some brides nearly a year to officially change all of their records. Yikes. I have a hard enough time notifying everyone when I move...

Maybe I should rethink the switch...What do you think?? Are you raising your eyebrows as you read this? No offense or anything, I'm just curious because it doesn't bother me and I always wonder why it bothers some people.

Ps. I'm so happy that I don't have to lug a huge suitcases to the airport and worry the entire plane ride that everything is broken. Now I can just sit back and enjoy several hours of P&Q along with a few episodes of the Closer (new fav). Homeward Bound!

11:30 PM, WORK IN THE MORNING, FLIGHT IN THE PM, 3 EXTRA HEAVY BAGS...

Why did I decide to get married all the way across the country? This decision has made planning our wedding so difficult in more ways than I originally imagined and tomorrow will be another frustrating obstacle as I attempt to fly with three suitcases that are overweight, full of glass and breakable items - and land in Seattle without any damage. Sure, just like any bride planning a wedding across the country, I used the Internet for several purchases, especially the extra large ones...but, you can never account for all of the little items that you will stumble upon as you wander in and out of your favorite stores and must purchase because they will definitely make the decor THAT much more preppy-chic! Or what about the 10,000 little votive holders that you had to buy in Virginia because the Seattle IKEA was all sold out and oh how delightful, IKEA does not ship glass...So, instead of sleeping, I am merely taking a break from packing to grumble about this unfortunate and daunting task ahead to the two readers who occasionally check my blog. Notice - it is nearly 12PM - and yes, I am feeling quite sorry for myself. Although I shouldn't be. I had an amazing day which included a stop at Tiffany's where I purchased this incredible necklace to wear on my wedding day and hopefully pass on to my daughter someday. I have a feeling a necklace is a little more classic than my dress leaving her more inclined to participate in my sappy tradition. The question now is, what earrings do I get? I'm not all about the matchy-matchy; I like things to look like they naturally go together without looking like a set. Anyhow, I sort of got sidetracked there - the point of this post is to say that getting married across the country is hard, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a full time coordinator.

Well, I'm going to finish packing - wish me luck with the airlines tomorrow :) Can you just imagine me on the metro with all of my bags? And yes, for all of you who are wondering why I didn't just mail everything...duh, I thought this would be the least expensive way to go and the safest - after all, who would you trust more with your breakables? USPS or the Airlines?

Shabby Chic Signage with a Personal Touch

I honestly love Etsy.com - I really can't sing it's praises enough! It has come in so handy for adding personal style elements to the decor that I honestly don't have enough time nor enough creative juices to pursue myself. Since my reception is at a private residence, we knew that it would take bringing in a lot of our own style to make the venue say preppy-chic. This has been tricky living across the country - thank goodness for the internet, right? Now, if only I could avoid the shipping costs...Anyhoo, I was thinking a lot about including signage around the property that welcomes, thanks and again, adds a personal touch to the layout. I was originally planning on finding a few pieces of old wood, making a sign and painting myself (this would be fine if I wasn't a perfectionist and didn't have only one day of free time before all of the wedding festivities start) - instead, I found a solution and a lovely artisan on Etsy.com called The Back Porch Shoppe - I think I was actually hunting for picture frames when I found their sweet list of items. Anyhow, I asked them to do a small collection for me and they were so easy to work with and friendly. I haven't seen the signs in person yet, but here is a sneak peek that they just sent me (*the lettering is navy blue). I'm excited to use these signs (a couple of them) as decorations in our house after the wedding - I think they make a nice keepsake!