Kapachino

Making It

I wish I had more time to update you, but my goodness life is a whirlwind right now. Last night I went to David’s for the evening and it was the first time we’d seen each other in four days. We watched DVDs of “The Office,” indulged in chicken fried rice, and worked on wedding favors. I really needed a night like that.

The wedding is in eight days - wow, my heart just started pounding - and somehow I think everything is going to come together. There are still a bunch of details to get out of the way, but thankfully I have this weekend off. Although I do have to work three days next week.

Speaking of work, it has still been really tough lately. Everyone is saying that our patients are sicker than ever, we are almost always full, and we don’t have enough nurses. Some days it feels like an ICU, except that in the ICU each nurse only has two patients, while we have four, five, sometimes even six. At the beginning of this week one of my patients died who I’d been with for three months. Yesterday another one I’d become attached to was transferred to hospice. She was in so much pain that she couldn’t even concentrate to say goodbye.

My days “off” right now are not restful; they are chock full of errands and tasks to complete. Here is what I did on my last day off, Tuesday, for example:

• Final gown fitting
• Pick up ring
• Pharmacy
• Buy makeup
• Work on favors
• Haircut and updo trial run

Not to mention that the traffic since Ike has been exponentially worse than ever due to many stoplights being out and free tollways. Sooo…

All this to say that I can really use a vacation. Luckily I have one coming up!

Seeking Beauty Advice

If you have gotten married recently, or if you’re just really good with makeup, I’d like your help please. I’m not sure what to do about makeup for my wedding.

First, let me tell you what I do now:

Face: after washing my face and moisturizing, I apply a translucent powder and light foundation to my T-zone, just to even out my complexion. I have this blush by Nars in the shade of “Madly,” but I usually only put it on for special occasions.

Eyes: I use a primer by Benefit called F.Y. Eye, then use this duo eyeshadow by Nars in the shade of “All About Eve.” It’s very natural looking. I apply the matte shade all over the lid, and the shimmery one to the corners. Then I add mascara.

Lips: Mary Kay’s Satin Lips, or just chapstick.

The whole look is very natural and subtle. Take this recent conversation between David and me:

David: You look different today. What is it?
Me: I’m not wearing makeup.
David: Oh yeah, that’s it.
Me: I’m going to look like this sometimes. You know that, right? Do you still think I’m pretty?
David: I couldn’t even tell what it was that was missing! You always look the prettiest.
Me: OK, thank you.

David hasn’t asked for many things regarding the wedding, but one thing he has mentioned several times regarding my appearance is that he wants me to look like myself. The other week I went in to the spa and had a facial (because I’ve always wanted one and figured this was a good time to treat myself - and yes, it was very nice but I’d take a pedicure any day over another one of these) and while I was there I had a cosmetic application to see what I would look like if I had my makeup professionally done. Outcome: I looked fake. Did not like it at all. So, I’ll be doing my own makeup thank you very much.

Any recommendations? If you’re married, what did you do for your wedding?

Father-Daughter Dance

One of the hardest things about planning this wedding so far has been choosing the music. I had never really thought about what music I want at my wedding before, and since music has played a big part in my life it’s been difficult to find the perfect songs. My dad has been looking forward to our dance for years, and so I really wanted to choose a special song for him.

The other day I was working on my computer, and I set my iTunes to shuffle. After hearing “One” by U2 and “Fields of Gold” by Eva Cassidy, a song that I had never heard before played. It was just background music to what I was focused on at the time, but about halfway through I had to stop what I was doing to see what it was called, because I realized that I really, really liked it.

It was a song called “Easy Silence” by the Dixie Chicks, on their latest album. I played it over again, and then I looked up the words. Here are the first couple verses and the chorus:

When the calls and conversations
Accidents and accusations
Messages and misperceptions
Paralyze my mind

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

I played it a few more times, thought about it, then took my computer straight downstairs to my dad. When I told him it was by the Dixie Chicks he wasn’t too excited because of their politics and the way they said they were ashamed to be from Texas. (But he loves Bruce Springsteen, so see how far that argument goes?) Anyway, he humored me and we listened to it together. I could tell he liked it, and when the violin came in he said so.

I guess this isn’t a typical father-daughter dance, but I think it fits us. When we dance to this at my wedding, I will be saying to him, “The world is a crazy place, and through it all you have protected me and provided me with a home, a place of comfort where I can rest and be myself. We aren’t talkers, you and I, but we understand each other. Thank you for bringing me up safely through all the hazards of life so that I can live this very moment, the happiest of my life, and marry the man I love. He will protect me now, but I know that it is because of you that I am here.”

To listen to the song, click here.

Start of a Day

My first wedding disaster dream: It was the day of my wedding and I had left the flowers and centerpieces up to my mom to figure out. I arrived to find that the flowers were hot pink and the centerpieces were doll figurines.

Sorry to anyone who hates reading about other people’s dreams, but I felt it was a duty to myself to chronicle that one.

I love my day off during the week. Today I plan to have lunch with David at his work, buy my brother a birthday gift, and shop for bridesmaid shoes and other things. I’m also thinking about taking Cleo to the dog park. Thinking about it. Poor girl, I haven’t had as much time for her lately.

What I have done so far this morning is eat a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats, read today’s entry in My Utmost For His Highest, and browse the first 75 pages or so of Real Simple’s September issue. A good start, I think. Up next is a shower, and then I’ll consider whether I have time to make it to the dog park and back in time to get to Chick-fil-a before their breakfast menu closes. David loves the chicken biscuits for lunch and I promised I’d bring them to him.

Any Ideas?

Hello internet,

I have absolutely no idea what music to walk down the aisle to in 53 days. Due to the location and my lack of planning, it will be recorded. We need songs for the wedding party processional, bridal processional, and recessional. Your thoughts?

Also, what are some good dancing songs? And what songs should I tell the DJ not to play?

I appreciate any ideas at all. I am sure I will be begging you for more advice soon enough.

Day Off?

I worked all weekend, then had a frantically busy day yesterday. Last night I was tired through and through, but could I rest? No, there were cake consultations to attend and invitations to design. Luckily I had today off, so I could get rested (or so I thought).

Despite being an emotional wreck for most of the day, I did manage to accomplish some things. First, I got fitted for undergarments at Nordstrom and OH MY WORD if you haven’t done that, go. It will change your life. Purchased all my underwear for the wedding and then some.

Second, I finally found a paper store that had what I wanted: plain white, smooth finish, thick paper without a watermark. You would think that such a product would be easy to find, but you would be wrong. The store is FasClampitt and today I am in love with it. We also got envelopes there.

Third, went shopping with my mother-in-law-to-be and found her a beautiful outfit to wear to the wedding, then took it to be altered.

Fourth, to kill time I stopped by Old Navy and bought a cheap swimsuit for our honeymoon.

Fifth, I met David at the jewelry store where he bought my engagement ring and discussed wedding band options. It seems that if I want the band to fit against the ring and look like a set I will have to get it custom made, which will cost $400-500. If I don’t do that, I will be wearing two mis-matched rings. What would you do?

Finally, David and I had dinner at Mama’s Cafe, and it was very good. And when I said goodbye to him (since we were in separate cars) I almost cried because we hardly ever get to see each other, and I have another looooong day of work and errands tomorrow. That would have made about the tenth time I cried today (only slightly exaggerating). See? Emotional wreck.

It’s not my impending marriage that is doing this to me, though - it’s the combination of hormones (the perfect scapegoat), wedding planning, and above all: MY JOB. Are there any new nurses out there who can empathize with me? I seriously love it and wouldn’t want to be doing anything else, but I just can’t explain how physically and mentally draining it is. I know I’ll get used to it, but I haven’t yet.

Anyway, if I’m going to be asleep by 8 p.m. I better get going.

I Don’t Know What I’d Do Without Him

David: Kathleen, have you figured out all the flowers and favors for the wedding yet?

Me: Well, I don’t have every detail together yet, but I’m working on it. There are only so many things I can do at once.

David: But you do know that we need all that stuff?

Me: Yes David, I am aware.

***

How cute. He overheard women at his office talking about wedding details the other day, and before that he didn’t realize that we needed things like flowers and favors for a wedding. He thought that maybe I didn’t know either. 

A Classy Wedding

After my mom and I got home from a meeting with the wedding planner from House Plantation yesterday, we told my dad that we’ve decided to use their caterer. My dad immediately said, “I would like some input on the menu!”

“Dad, I already know that you want fajitas.”

“Well, fajitas would be nice, but I’m holding off judgment until I see what they have to offer. If there’s pizza, I’d go for pizza.”

He was completely serious.

(Hi, Dad! I love you!)

Decisions…They’re Being Made!

I guess after months and months of a hiatus on wedding planning, I finally realized that it’s not gonna get done unless I do it! This past weekend was really my first chance to work on stuff, so I took advantage of it. David and I did the bulk of our registering, I bought his wedding band, and we picked out tuxes. The latter was by far the easiest and most fun part of planning so far. Just get my fiance and my brothers together in general, and it’s bound to be a good time. I have also been promised some high quality reception entertainment, and the words “spoken rap” and “cane and gloves” definitely made an appearance. Should be fun!

The thing that had been weighing most heavily on me was picking out the bridesmaid dresses. I had no idea it would be so hard. I finally found affordable, cute dresses that I liked, only to find that they come in very limited sizes. But after a lot of research, Courtney and I finally chose a dress today. I am so relieved. I have to place the order by Thursday so that they’ll arrive in time for alterations, so I’m really glad we went to see the dress today! I barely made the cutoff.

So that’s what I did over the weekend, along with some churchy stuff thrown in for good measure. See our wedding website for more information!

Wedding Website

Hey everyone, just want to let you know that we finally launched our wedding website at davidandkathleen.net. My brother David designed it, and I think it rocks. It has some things missing in places, but we wanted to get it up and running. So when we add information we’ll let you know in the blog section.

By the way, I’m feeling better and thanks for your prayers. My test is tomorrow, and I plan to relax tonight after work. I’ve prepared well, and I’ll just do my best.

Talk to you after it’s done!