Day 167

Rob bought the most beautiful bouquet of flowers for me, for our 2nd anniversary. With everything else that has been going on the last couple days, I am just now snapping a picture of them - but they are truly the prettiest flowers he has given me yet.

And to his credit, he remembered that my bouquet from our wedding had peonies in it, so he made sure the one he brought me this weekend had some too...and roses, and carnations, and beautiful big spider mums...all in varying hues of pink. Thanks Bean...and Happy Anniversary!

Day 166

Rob and I with Father Champoux for our Convalidation Ceremony - or our Marriage Blessing. It was a beautiful way to celebrate our second wedding anniversary...with family and friends this time!

Day 165

Here's the finished product. A dozen little glass jars wrapped with a navy blue bow for our BBQ after our Marriage Blessing.

It's going to be a really informal affair, but I thought about what I could do to add just a small touch of color and decor to the tables. I came up with the idea to do these short, squatty 1/2 pint canning jars. They are the perfect size to hold a tea light - which in this case happens to be citronella to ward off bees and bugs and such - it's a twofer! Mom, Billie and I were out shopping yesterday and I picked them up, and then today I added a sheer ribbon bow for a decorative touch...voila party decorations!

Day 158

And on to more fun Anniversary / Vows Renewal / Convalidation Ceremony details.  Today I went to Desserts by Kelly and ordered the cake. I soooo wanted a really nice cake. Let's just be honest, it's the wedding cake I never had.

I found a cake I really liked on Kelly's webpage and so I went in to order one just like it. The one pictured was a three-layer cake, so I cut it back to just one (rather large 12"!), but kept the look basically the same. I chose a lemon cake, with lemon filling, and a white chocolate buttercream frosting. I also ordered a dozen of her petit fours - which are almondy and delicious! I'm so excited - I think it's going to be my favorite part of the gathering afterwards.

And just to get a little preview, and because I was there amongst all of her delightful goodies, I brought home a couple petit fours and this little lemon bundt for Rob and I to share. If this little bundt is any indication how our cake is going to taste - it's going to be one tasty cake!

Day 157

It's all about the bride, right? Since I found my dress yesterday, I decided to use it as inspiration for our theme for the day...I'm going with navy and white. Today after work I stopped at the Hobby Lobby and picked up all the paper products we will need...dinner plates, cake plates, napkins, cups and table covers.

There is only a hand full of people coming to our blessing and our gathering after, so there is far too much stuff here, I know that - more than we will ever need. But my idea is to to be able to stack everything in a blue-white-blue-white pattern, so I needed a package of each thing, in each color.

Finding something to wear was the tough part...putting all of these other details together is the fun part...I'm getting excited and my wheels are turning now!!

Day 156

So here it is. I found a dress for our Marriage Blessing. It's been the thing I've been most nervous about since Rob and I actually decided we were going to do it. Anyone who knows anything about me knows I'm not a dress kind of girl...I can stretch out of my comfort zone to a skirt and top, but dresses are usually out of the questions.

I wanted to try though...I wanted to find a nice, but yet kind of summery dress - not a wedding dress, obviously, but just a nice dress. I was just about to resort to slacks and a blouse - much to Rob's dissatisfaction, when I found this today at Macy's on my lunch hour. Score!  It's just a simple, sleek tank dress with a very wide lace accent down the front, paired with an angled, open sweater. It's probably a little shorter than I would have liked, but those maxi skirts just don't work on me. So, voila...just like that I'm ready...as soon as I find shoes!!

Day 155

A couple months back I was having a casual conversation with Tom. I was telling him how Rob and I have been wanting to have our marriage blessed in the church, but I that didn't want two different 'wedding dates'. And, unfortunately, this year our anniversary is going to fall on a Sunday. And Tom, ever the positive and optimist, said - that's NO PROBLEM.

Rob called the church and inquired, and found out that it really was no problem. So on May 1st, we met with Father Champoux to get all of our paperwork in order, and to put ourselves down for a Convalidation Ceremony at church on our second anniversary, June 15th! We both are very excited, and we want to keep it relatively small, but we want to make a bit of a to do of it at the same time. We have been tossing around ideas, and I think we've narrowed it down to the ceremony at the church, followed by a BBQ gathering over at Mom's in her backyard with a few friends and family.

Rob is a pretty easy going guy when it comes to things like this...he just rolls with the punches, just like he did with our actual wedding. But there was one thing he took a stand on. For the ceremony, he wanted me to have the anniversary band that I had wanted on our 1st anniversary, but unfortunately, we were too broke at the time to buy. He said he wanted to be able to slip something new on my finger, in commemoration of our renewed commitment to each other. I argued with him a little, said I didn't need it, etc., but he was pretty stubborn on this point.

So yesterday, I went out and got a match to my wedding band. Would you believe they had one...two years later...in stock??  And would you believe it had almost doubled in price from three years ago, when we picked them out...BUT, it was going on sale today?? What are the odds? So I made the purchase last night, and then was able to pick it up tonight after work. It will just create a sandwich of my engagement ring - wedding band on the bottom, anniversary band on the top. The only problem is that the ring is not in my size, and sending it off for sizing would take three weeks! And we don't have three weeks to wait, so Rob will be putting the ring on as best as he can, in a ceremonious way, rather than actually getting it onto my chubby little finger!

Day 356

Tonight, we dined...and boy did we dine!

A couple weeks ago, my Aunt Angie and Uncle Mark gave Rob and I a belated wedding gift.  A very generous gift of cash, but along with a gift certificate for the Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla.  We decided rather than use it toward lodging, we would make reservations in their restaurant, The Marc.

So, late this afternoon we headed to Walla Walla.  We got into town about an hour before our reservation and just dinked around downtown.  Then we headed over and checked out the historic hotel for a few minutes before heading into the restaurant.  I wanted us to have the full fine dining experience, and that we did.  We started of with a glass of wine and split an appetizer and a salad.  Then we each had a delicious entree, followed by a shared dessert.  We are so very full we won't need to eat again until Christmas dinner!

After dinner we checked out the hotel a little better, and ran into this cute Christmas display.  It's kind of hard to make out in the photo, but its a wagon all decorated up and packed full of Christmas gifts, surrounded by decorated Christmas trees, old fashioned street lights and Santa Claus...very fun and festive.

Thanks Angie and Mark for a lovely evening!

Day 225

To be honest, two months later, I am still working my way through a few items from my bridal shower that I have slowly been trying to make room for or find them their perfect spot. Today I was doing my regular Sunday chore thing, and cleared off our table, which seems to be a magnet...mostly for paper; unfortunately the mail stops here!

Anyway, I decided to put out a serving tray that Bre made for me in the middle of the table...yes she MADE this tray!  Her grandmother owns a pottery shop, and well...she owns all the talent...enough said.  For right now, I just put my peace lily in the center of it, but I'm hoping to find something better, or to find a spot for the plant and just let the tray stand alone.

She also made us one of those wine bottles melted down flat into a little serving tray for cheese and whatnot's.  It's back on our little bar, with our wedding champagne glasses from Mom, and our etched wine glasses from Katie and Ryan. 

Voila...four more bridal shower gifts with homes!

Day 223

I checked out Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day List for August...and today was Ring.  I suppose that could mean many different things, but for me, I took advantage of an idea that's been in the back of my mind for some time.

This is a picture I have been meaning to take since Rob and I got married.  I got the idea from Pinterest, and had Mom save the newspaper for us from that day. But with me first losing my wedding band, then finding it, then sending it off for sizing and soldering...well, I just hadn't taken the photo yet.  But today was the day.

So here it is...a cool little, slightly fisheyed photo of Rob and my wedding rings on the wedding day newspaper.

Day 219

Isn't it pretty?  It's an ivory wedding candle my mom bought for me...for my wedding...24 years ago!  Can you believe it?  For 24 years she hung on to this little gem...the poor thing probably thought I was NEVER going to get married!!

When I opened it at my bridal shower, she asked if I remember it.  I do remember the blue one that she bought just like it, that was a decoration in our home for years...but I have to admit I did not recall her buying one for me as well.  It was quite a surprise.  And even after all these years, it still smelled good!  Now that I finally have possession of it, it sits on display in our armoire.

Day 199

To Have And To Hold Forevermore...

On Saturday, I shared that I put away all of the 4th of July decor, which made a little room for a few new, fresh additions...like this one.

Tonight I thought I'd share this little Precious Moments that is actually the cake topper Mom bought me (us) for my bridal shower.  There are so many Precious Moments bride and groom figurines out there to choose from, but this one is perfect...To Have And To Hold Forevermore.  I love it so much, and will treasure it always! 

Because it's new, and because Rob and I are still 'just married', I thought it needed a little time on display before joining all of the others inside the curio cabinet.

Day 196

Today I put away all of the 4th of July decorations.  It kind of made me sad...I love filling the house with those little displays of patriotism...and summer.

It is nice to get the house back to {normal} though.  And as I put away the decorations, I realized I had a little room for a few new, fresh additions to our decor.  Like this picture frame we received as a wedding gift from Craig and Wendy. 

It's a very cool wood frame, etched with our names and wedding date on it.  I found a wedding photo to fit inside it, and now it sits on top of the DVD rack for display.  Perfect.

Day 187

So, exactly how many photos do you have to endure of my wrinkly hands and wedding rings??  Well, I think this will be the last!

Last Wednesday I posted that I had lost my wedding band.  But LOOK!!  It has been found.  I just KNEW it had to turn up somewhere, and it did.  And it was in one of the four places I knew it had to be...the parking lot at work.  Can you believe it?  A week later and it was still there!

This morning Shauna came in to my office to ask how much I loved her.  Kind of an odd question, I thought...until she handed me my wedding band!  She had been in the ladies' room when a women from the office next door asked if anyone in our office lost a...before she could finish Shauna blurted out how I had lost my wedding band.  The woman, Marcy, told her she never parks in the spot she did, but today she drove her husband's vehicle, so she parked his big truck out at the end of the parking lot.  When she got out of the truck she spotted something shiny...my ring!  YAY!!  It's a miracle!!  It's just a little scuffed but I don't care, I got it back, that's the most important thing!

I immediately put that ring back on my finger, and then snapped this photo with my phone to send to Rob to tell him the good news!

I think tomorrow I will take over a thank you card along with a Starbucks card to Marcy, to thank her for her kindness!

Day 179

...and on the Twelfth Day of Marriage, I lost my wedding ring...

I don't mean to make light of it.  It really isn't funny, but what are you going to do?  As I sat on the floor of the bedroom panicking and sobbing earlier tonight at the realization that my ring was gone, it didn't feel the least bit light or funny.

Ever since our wedding day, having both my rings on has been causing fits with my finger.  I really have just been too puffy to wear them.  (And NO...haven't had them soldered yet, haven't had them sized yet...)  I had them both on today at work, and felt like they were too tight and took them off.  On my way out the door at 5:00 I grabbed them and threw them in my pocket.  I know, I know...DUMB!  I left my office, got in the car, picked up Rob and went straight home...but I made it home with my engagement ring only...the wedding band is gone. 

I haven't quite given up hope just yet though.  I really feel like it has to be in my office building, the parking lot, the car, or the house...somehow it's going to turn up...I hope.

Day 172

And the gifts, they just keep coming!

Today, I went back to work, and to my surprise there was yet another wedding gift for us, this time from my co-worker Arliss.  It is a three-picture easel frame. 

It very sleek and nice, and I'm sure we will put it to great use with some photos of our wedding.  The only frames we had received were the two we asked for...Mr and Mrs, one each for Rob and My's desks, and then one that Sheila gave us that is for a picture of our honeymoon.  So this frame will be perfect.  Thanks Arliss!

Day 171

We received another wedding gift today!

I took today off to regroup, unpack, do laundry and all that stuff you do after a trip...not that I got much of that done.  Hanging out with Mom and going to lunch with Billie was way more fun!

Unfortunately, Rob did have to go back to work...and while he was there, his co-worker Vikki gave us a wedding gift...this Weird Washington Book.  It's a great gift for us, especially Rob.  We'll be able to use it as we take little road trips around the area, and check out the odd and unusual...and to help Rob get to know his 'new' home state.  Thanks Vikki!

Day 170

Shoot...it's over...today we said goodbye to the beach!  Honestly, it has rained all night, it's very dreary, wet and cold.  So I suppose if we had to go, today was a good day to do it.

Before we left, the very nice gal that had manned the office at the Inn asked if she could take our photo for their Facebook (Distinctive Beach Lodgings...check them out!), so this was a pic she took of us.  Not really one of my favs...but here we are, just before heading home.

We left the place pretty hungry, and wanting to stop for breakfast, but we didn't get the memo that everything shuts down at the beach on Mondays!  We finally settled on Pig'N Pancake in Astoria, then we hit the road for home.

I have to admit I wasn't really anxious to get back to the real world, but I sure was happy to see those pups of ours...I really missed them!

Day 169

Happy Father's Day to you all you dads out there!  I have to admit, I woke up this morning, feeling a little meloncholy, and missing my dad.  It is such a shame to scroll through Facebook and look at all my friends who are missing their dads...too many of them are gone!

Despite feeling a little blue...it's still my mini-honeymoon, so...on to brighter things.  When I woke up this morning I threw on some clothes and headed across the street in the drizzle to get coffee and pastries for Rob and I.  So, we ate and drank, and got ourselves ready for the day.

In my online search of 'goings-on' in the area, in addition to the Muscles and Chrome in Seaside, I discovered Ocean Park was having their annual Garlick Festival this weekend as well.  And, I also noticed that Astoria has a Sunday Market...so this became our agenda for today.

We hit the Astoria Market first, and basically just did a walk-through.  There was some cool and intersting things, but not much we needed or wanted...except a new collar for Lucy.  Then we crossed over into Washington and headed up the Long Beach Peninsula.  It was a nice drive, and one Rob is pretty sure he'd never seen, so it was good that we did it...and I was able to show him a few of the things I'm familiar with.  When we arrived at the Garlick Festival, it was a bit of a bust...rather small, not a whole lot going on - I mean Garlick Ice Cream...really?  But that was ok, 'cause the little bit of sight-seeing and the drive itself was enjoyable.

By the time we headed back down the Peninsula, Rob and I were getting hungry, so we stopped in Long Beach at Castaways and had a late lunch/early dinner.  Another good meal we had!  Oh, but wait...before we ate, we did the MUST of Long Beach and took a tour of Marsh's Free Museum...home of Jake the Alligator Man!

After we ate, we headed back to our room...both of us a little sad because tomorrow we leave.  It has all gone by too quickly, and we both really love it here...hopefully we'll be back soon.

Day 168

Today was a great day on the Oregon Coast!  Rob and I started our day a little slow and leisurely.  I'm sure the traveling and events of yesterday, coupled with a little too much celebratory champagne are to blame for that!  But hey...it's our very first day of married life...and we're on vacation - no hurries.

Once we were finally up and moving, we grabbed a late coffee at the bakery just across the street from the Inn, then headed to check out the couple shops in 'downtown' Gearhart.  That took us no time at all, so then we headed down the coast to Seaside, just in time for lunch.  We enjoyed dinner so much last night at McKeown's (and we happen to get an eye full of their fish and chips!), that we bee-lined it right back there.

Seaside had blocked off their downtown area to hold their annual Muscles and Chrome show, featuring all kinds of vintage and classic cars.  After lunch Rob and I strolled the streets, taking in some of the awesome restored cars, and stopping in a couple shops to do a little touristy shopping.

Then we hit the road again, and headed down to Cannon Beach.  First we strolled their main strip, doing a little more shopping...mainly for snacks and treats.  I mean who can go to the beach without picking up a Tillamook ice cream cone and some salt water taffy???  Well, we couldn't at least!

Then...finally, we actually hit the beach.  We put all our stuff in the car, grabbed our jackets and new Bride and Groom flip flops and headed down to the beach.  We just strolled, just the two of us for quite awhile, stopping a couple times for photo ops.  We would have probably kept on strolling if not for the drizzle that started.

At that point, we decided to call it a night, and headed back to our Inn.  Later we grabbed some Chinese for dinner...not really what you would expect while staying at the beach, right??  But, it's all good, because we had more wedding cake for dessert!