Monday, August 31, 2009

Working for the Weekend

We had a WONDERFUL weekend packed full of time with friends and family. Friday night was Erik's first time playing cymbals for an "away" varsity football game. We sat with the band parents and cheered all night. Had a great time and the Knights won 50 to 7. We crawled into bed close to 11:30 and the next morning our alarms started going off at 4:45.

Saturday morning we got Erik up at 5:15, fed him a good breakfast and loaded him into the car. The reserve Lincoln Southeast Knights played Creighton Prep in Omaha at 9:00 and the kids had to be dressed, packed and on the bus by 6:30. This was their first game of the season and they were able to beat the Bluejays 21 to 13. The boys were exstatic, the majority played last year on the undefeated freshman team and they are coming along nicely.

In the afternoon Brian and I ran errands and worked on homework and wedding projects and in the evening the ladies took their "Bride Ride". We wore purple veils and there are a number of cute and fun pictures. (Don't worry, we'll get some posted soon!) At the end we toasted with pink champagne and cheesecake from my mom and then I went to see the band D Funk with two of the bridesmaids and we nearly shut down the bar.

Sunday morning we were once again up with the sun getting things ready for the Groom Zoom. Brian and I got the master bedroom finished off, I engaged in a little shoe shopping and then the boys started to arrive. Once they were on the road I did homework and when they got back Brian tested out our new grill. The boys had a nice dinner with steaks, baked potatoes, salad, girl scout cookies and beer and then we spent most of the evening with our guests.

Now we're to the "final countdown". Five days to go. Don't blink, you'll miss it! Tonight we're having dinner with Brian's parents and then working on wedding and homework details. Maybe we'll even be able to do a little mowing. Can't believe it's just around the corner.

Friday, August 28, 2009

So You Think You Can Dance

Last night I worked a short evening shift as part of our new physician reception. It was fun to see all the doctors enjoying themselves. Then we met up with Sheree, Brian S. and Brian's wife Lisa for a dance refresher. Brian (the groom) and I learned to waltz and two-step and we have tried the fancy twirl in the two step but don't expect to see that at the reception. Then we practiced the Time Warp, the Electric Slide, the Macarena and the Cupid Shuffle. The first time I watched the Cupid Shuffle I thought it was the Electric Slide... and it's similar but there are those little kicks before you turn. Lots of fun.... The cat hasn't had that kind of excitement in a long time.

Today I'm working a few hours at the hospital and then working the rest of the day at the house. Lincoln Southeast has their first varsity football game of the year tonight so we're packing up to watch Erik play the cymbals and tomorrow morning will be his first reserve football game. Watch for updates on the Bride Ride and Groom Zoom from this weekend. We're planning to have lots of fun =)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Tick Tock

Last night between my allergies and the exhaustion of running so fast these last few weeks I took some Benadryl and climbed into bed shortly before 9. I feel much more refreshed and I was doing quite well until the radio station this morning reminded me that it is only nine more days until the wedding. Will I be ready in 9 days? Will the house be ready? Will everything go as planned? Will the wedding be as fun and whimsical as I'm hoping? Hopefully everyone will arrive safely and have a great time.

Tonight I'm working the new physician reception and then we have a dance lesson with another one of the groomsmen. Hopefully we'll be able to get to bed early again. Friday I'm only working a few hours and then spending the rest of the day on homework and housework. Saturday is the Bride Ride, Sunday is the Groom Zoom and the we'll be at the end of our countdown. Hard to believe that very very soon I'll be "Mrs Moock".

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Christi's Horoscope

Your idealistic tendencies have evolved into your own full-fledged philosophy.

How stinking cool is that? For several weeks now I've been saying "I'm just not that kind of bride" I haven't been stressed, I've kept everything moving forward, the groom and I are working well together, and the stars knew all along!

Yawn and Stretch

We finished meeting with the DJ last night at 9:45, and then did homework until 11:30, it was not the best assignment I've ever turned in. And now I'm SLEEPY!!! Tonight we have field practice with the marching band (we're going to be trying out the band props) and then we have to get things ready to send to family in Florida for the celebration there. After that we HAVE to do the program so it can be reviewed by the church secretary and minister and then printed this weekend...

I stopped on the way home and finalized the catering for the rehearsal dinner and Brian is finalizing with the reception hall this morning so everyone will be fed... and deep down in my DNA I'm a Kirkegaard so having everyone fed is REALLY important =)

Can't wait to see everyone! 10 more days!!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Hey Mister DJ

So here we are, eleven days til the wedding. My dress fits and its going to stay at the bridal store until the day of the wedding, the RSVP's are counted, the showers have been held, we're trying to get Erik off the football field in time for the rehearsal dinner and tonight we're meeting with the DJ. The good news is it's our new next door neighbor Tom and he's the preferred DJ for the Champions Club in Lincoln. He's a REALLY nice guy and has a lot of experience doing weddings. Tonight after we finish our homework we'll head to their house with beer and pizza and take care of the last of the planning for the reception.

Cross your fingers for us, Brian is battling a cold and I am trying my hardest not to catch it. Silly airports anyway =)

Monday, August 24, 2009

Oh Wow

12 more days!!! This afternoon I have my last dress fitting appointment. I remembered to bring the shoes this time so that's a step in the right direction! The next two weeks are going to be fast and busy at work, school and with the wedding. Yesterday we had to divide and conquer to get through our to do list but it was worth it. Everyone that I talk to remarks on how "not stressed" I sound. I'm not sure if it's because we're really ready to get married, or if we're prepared for the wedding, or if we're just not close enough for the stress to have hit all the way. I guess we'll see how the next few days goes.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Day of Rest?

13 days until the wedding. I wonder if this is how it feels for NASA engineers. We are on a tight countdown, with a to-do list a mile long and we know we just have to keep moving as fast as we can! This morning we are both working on homework and getting all three yards mowed. This afternoon we're entering the rest of the RSVP's, making the list for the golf outing, counting RSVP's for the rehearsal dinner, and the family brunch and hoping to get Erik ready for another week at school. I am sure that we're on track, at least most of the way. As I type Brian is taking out the garbage and changing the cat litter. This week will be over before we know it and then it will be time for the Bride Ride, the Groom Zoom, the wedding.... and the beginning of our lives under one roof. There is never any doubt that we live life to the fullest =)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Grin and Bear It

This morning didn't go exactly as planned. We were both tired from a long week and being vice presidents of the band boosters is busiest right at the beginning of the season. We met with three engineers and a few woodworkers this morning to develop the props for the band. I'm neither of these, for those of you who don't know, I was nearly ejected from home economics, wood shop let me stay for a quarter, but I wasn't what you would call welcomed back. The project took longer than we had planned and after lunch we voted for naps and homework. Now we have to run to the fabric store to get the materials for the ring bearer pillow, go to the grocery store to get the ingredients for a few things we're trying tonight related to the wedding and then come home and work on cooking, dishes, laundry, homework and getting Erik's book covers done. With any luck we'll be in bed before midnight.

14 days until we're Mr and Mrs, hopefully the days will allow us to get everything done before we get there!

Friday, August 21, 2009

The Groom's in the Air

Brian is on land for the few minutes that I'm typing. He had some delays in Indianapolis and is waiting for the tram in Minneapolis to get him to another terminal. I can't wait for him to get home!!!

Today we'll be doing homework and updating the RSVP database. If you haven't let us know and we really think you'll be coming don't be surprised if we call to confirm and get numbers from you =)

Tomorrow we're working on all three houses and making band props in the morning. I think the phrase is no rest for the wicked.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Don't Worry, We're Serving Cake

I wanted to share something with all of you. While it is definitely "novel" that we are having a bicycle theme wedding, complete with bike rides, we're serving real cake... and not this:

http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/i-dowith-an-omelet/100856/Jun-13-2009_8-40-pm/

Booster Bash

Does that make anyone else want to sing Monster Mash or is it just me??? Tonight I'll be working the Booster Bash from 5:45 - 7 and spending the rest of the evening on homework and trying a few new recipes. Last night we made french lentil and brown rice casserole and it was really delicious. Tonight the refridgerator pickles will be done so cross your fingers for me.

My personal attendant Marla and I ran to Sam's Club last night to pick up paper products for the bridal party dinner, the rehearsal dinner and the brunch. I think we're covered =)

Tomorrow morning I have an early morning meeting and some typing to take care of at work and then I get to go pick up Brian in Omaha =) So excited!!!!

16 more days until the wedding!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Maybe I'm Getting Old

Last night was incredibly busy, and I'm not exactly sure how we made it through getting everything done. I got off work, ran an errand, took care of the cat and got the mail, picked up dinner, did homework until 6:45, packed up and ran to Southeast to serve as the vice president of the band boosters, left southeast at 8:45, took my quiz, got Erik dinner, came home and finished typing my paper, did a load of laundry, did the reading and discussion post for my other class and finally slid in to bed at 11:45. This morning when the alarm went off at 4:45 I wished and prayed for an extra hour and then gave up and got ready for work. This evening is just as busy and Thursday night I'll be part of the concessions crew for the Booster Bash. Having a high school student is twice as much work as I thought it would be. Fortunately he's a great kid =) and we're blessed to spend as much time with him as we do.

17 days until the wedding! 5 days til my last dress fitting, 6 days until I get my teeth cleaned for the wedding, 13 days until Brian and I go for Poolside Cabana massages, at least I know there is relaxation ahead!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

All DRESSED Up

The bridesmaids dresses are in =) The girls can go get fitted and get their dresses picked up. How exciting!!! Today is going to fly. I'm in meetings most of the day and Brian is continuing to work behind the scenes in Indy. Tonight Erik and I will be with the band and then I have a bunch of homework to take care of.

Unbelieveable that we're down to two and a half week's. Guess we better practice dancing this weekend too!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Gumming up the works

Here's our engagement picture from the paper =) http://www.journalstar.com/app/celebrate/index.php?fid=AN4a84e738b9e04

Yesterday was the last of the bridal showers, my bridesmaids (thank you ladies) threw a wonderful event at Sheree's house and we played two games. One of the very traditional toilet paper wedding dress games, and one in which Brian gave the girls preset answers, very much like the Newlywed Game. For each answer that I got wrong I had to chew a piece of gum. At the end of the game I lost =) 30% correct and I had a mouthful of gum to show for it! It was a wonderful afternoon and I really enjoyed getting to see everyone. It's hard to believe that we're down to 19 days until the wedding.

This morning Brian and I got up at 2:00 am and left Lincoln at 3 to get him to the Omaha airport. His company has an annual customer conference in Indianapolis. In years past Brian has driven the 13 hours but fortunately this year he found flights that matched up with when he needed to be there. Friday morning I'll leave work early to pick him up. While he's gone I'll be working on the house, schoolwork and wedding projects. When he gets back we'll get him moved into the house and then the wedding will be upon us.

Today and tomorrow are the last two days of band and football camps for Erik and Tuesday and Thursday night I'm helping with the booster clubs. Tuesday night is Band Boosters volunteer sign ups and parents night and Thursday night is the LSE Booster Bash. Lots of excitement!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

It was... Fantastick

Today my mom and I headed down to Brownville, Nebraska to see their presentation of The Fantasticks. They did a wonderful job and we really enjoyed ourselves. We were able to talk about the wedding, work, and Erik and I moving into the new house. Had a great mother/daughter day and got to relax. Before the performance we went to Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard and sampled almost all their whites and one of their reds. The wine was surprisingly delicious. We came home with two bottles and snacked on Husker cheese, summer sausage and crackers on the deck. There is a beautiful man made waterfall and it was VERY peaceful. For those who have never been, Brownville is a historical little town on the Nebraska/Missouri border. There are adorable antebellum homes, a bike path, the vineyard, a music performance hall, a repertory theater and a Lewis and Clark Museum housed on a steamboat. It was well worth the 90 minute drive from Lincoln and we'll likely turn it into an annual ritual.

We counted our RSVP's today and came up with a lot of unknowns. The RSVP date is August 19 so hopefully we'll see a lot of action this week. Otherwise we'll have to call our reception hall and get their advice on an estimate.... If you're reading this, please let us know if you can make it, even if it's tentative. We want to make sure to have enough chairs and food =)

Now we're off to Ribfest. Tomorrow morning we'll stop at Great Harvest Grain Company to support their annual Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser and then head to church to meet with the minister and run through how our ceremony will go. In the afternoon I have a bridal shower with my bridesmaids and friends and Brian, Erik, Greg and Roger will be heading to Men's Warehouse for their tuxedo fittings. We are planning for early bedtimes since Brian is preparing to leave for Indianapolis for a week. Off to drink beer and listen to live music =)

Friday, August 14, 2009

Hip and Trendy

Last night the girl who did my facial told me all about her wedding planning. For a few moments I felt like I had lost all sense of hip and cool. She isn't getting married for another two years and they have already broken up three times, and he hasn't given her the ring yet, just told her what he wants to buy her.... so maybe it'll happen and maybe it won't. But... her groom and his men are doing to wear black converse sneakers and suits with no vest and no jacket. I thought that "suits" with no vest and no jacket was just pants and a dress shirt but evidently I am mistaken. Her bridesmaids will wear a jersey (t-shirt) material wrap dress with a colored sash and a peacock feather mixed in with their bouquet. I am so glad that my bridesmaids decided on something fancy... and pretty. I know that stylists are artists. Does this flow over to estheticians? Our wedding will be pretty and FUN. We want everyone to come and enjoy themselves. While it appears we won't be a part of the new wedding "scene" hopefully it will be wonderful for everyone involved.

Yesterday afternoon when I got a few things out of the downstairs freezer I noticed that the poor thing was completely covered in frost and was starting to feel rather desperate so I started the defrosting and Brian finished it. At least we're ready for Erik's next fundraiser =) Playing in a cold freezer on a hot day isn't as much fun as your would think.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

For Your Entertainment

We needed a good laugh this morning, thought you might need one too:

http://www.weddings.sc/blog/2007/11/12/funny-wedding-photos/

Get With The Program

Last night after an especially delicious dinner of whole wheat spaghetti and fundraiser breadsticks Brian and I sat down and picked out the programs for the wedding ceremony. We went back and forth maybe a dozen times over the last few weeks and finally realized they're about 10 days to ship.... and the wedding is in 23 days. So we had to get them done. We finally decided on a black and white option. We looked at all the color options, went over verses, stared for hours and and hours at pages of options. Finally we decided that the black and white went better with our wedding than any of the color options and then we narrowed things down with verses. The one I loved best as far as the cover picture was entirely written in Spanish and I had no idea what it said so we decided that many of our guests wouldn't be able to read it and it was probably dangerous for us to order it not knowing what it said =)

Erik got done with band right at 8 last night and spent an hour or so cooling off and getting food and Gatorade into his body. There are only four more days of two a day band practices and one of them is the picnic so at least he'll have some fun.

Today Brian and I are going to pick up the wedding bands during his lunch hour. I'm getting off early and then going for a spa treatment. I think I'm doing really well with wedding stress, and I have managed to not channel Bridezilla in any way, but, every once in awhile I get nervous about what I may have forgotten or what has been neglected on the to do list so this afternoon I'm going to try for a little relaxation.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Game... What Game? I came to see the band!

As many of you know Brian and I have been abducted by the band parents =) We like to volunteer and we're having a lot of fun. (Brian likes to tell people that I couldn't say no to volunteer work if I was on fire!) This link will take you to this year's music for the marching band competition and it is a lot of fun. Last year Erik played the vibraphone and this year he and his friend Mark are playing Marimba. You can hear what his part will sound like at several different parts in the introduction. The piece is taken from a work about the Plains and it is a lot of fun to listen to. In high school I was "too cool" for band but Brian marched all three years. Erik is going on the band trip to San Deigo as part of his Christmas break so we're really involved. Hope you like this =)

http://www.lseband.org/music/score09/audio.html

Is It Fast Enough to Walk to?

Last night we met with more musicians for the wedding. Brian and I have both been involved in different kinds of music through our lives and we decided to have a lot of live music during our ceremony. The group last night did a fantastic job and we were so excited to see them. I think (everyone cross your fingers) that all the music has been selected and rehearsals are set up, and the musicians are as excited as we are.

Tonight we have to order the pew bows, a few things for the rehearsal dinner and get the RSVPs into one location. Once the wedding work is done all three yards REALLY need to be mowed and we took a vote for early bedtimes so with any luck that will work out.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

We Made the Paper

This Sunday the "Celebrate" section of the Lincoln paper will have our engagement picture and today our marriage license is in the paper. Check it out: http://journalstar.com/news/local/records/marriages/article_1ca2c040-8620-11de-8423-001cc4c002e0.html

Yesterday Brian made a surprise trip to western Nebraska to resolve problems after a lightning strike in the area. Christi did homework and Erik had two rounds of football camp and two rounds of band camp. Today is a little calmer except that we're signed up for treats for the band at the end of the night =) The forecast for today is 91 so I'm sure they would love to see us with either popsicles or COLD bottled water.

There is also a new billboard on one of the main street near my office. It is an electronic one and has a countdown til the first Husker game of the season. As many of you know we are getting married 2 hours before the first game. In Lincoln college football is almost a religious experience. At any rate, this morning it was happy to inform me that there are only 25 days left until the opening game. Can that be right???

Monday, August 10, 2009

Don't Be So Melodramatic

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at Mahoney State Park going to the melodrama. The show running this week is called Two Gun Junction and it was VERY cute. Erik laughed most of the show and there was a cranky bride behind us.

Last night I had nightmares about the reception. The food order was late, and not just a little late. The cakes that are supposed to be delivered by 2 on the day of the wedding didn't make it until 9pm. The DJ didn't get set up before the ceremony so there was only a boombox when I got there and things were so far behind that I had to leave the church and not get pictures taken. The other interesting thing was that the reception wasn't at Crooked Creek, it was at a strangers house and they had a skateboarding park in their backyard that we were using for a dance floor. I fell asleep watching Bridezilla's, that is honestly my only defense... here's to hoping that all our planning will make things work out better than they did in my nightmare.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

We Are Legal!!!

And Christi's mom Nancy is 60! Friday I got off work early and Erik and I met Brian downtown to get lunch and our marriage license. So now we're official!

Friday night we did our homework and yesterday found us flexing our new responsibilities as Marching Band Booster Vice Presidents. Brian learned how to paint the lines on the marching field (it was actually a lot of fun!) and Christi got a refresher on the Pythagorean Theorem. We also took a few minutes to meet with the wedding coordinator at the church and work on logistics. I think we are a little more prepared every day. Erik had 8 hours of music practice with the "pit" and is excited to be playing the marimba part this year.

Today we're heading to Mahoney State Park to continue the birthday festivities with the afternoon melodrama and we have to get the invitations out for the Bride Ride and the Groom Zoom. What a wild ride these next 3 weeks and 6 days are going to be!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Sad day for cyclists

When I started getting into cycling heavier, I started "hitting" some cycling community sites. One of my favorites was the "Clydesdales/Athenas" forum on BikeForums. Right off the bat one of my favorite submitters was Ben Dinger, of Lincoln. Ben also who has a blog Chubby Super Biker Ben has several links on his blog roll. One of them is for Fatty or Fat Cyclist. Fatty has captivated the cycling world lately. His wife Susan has been battling a very long, very hard case of Breast Cancer. Fatty (his real name is Elden), responded by not only supporting Susan, but also raising money for the Livestrong foundation. As of last posting he had raised $500,000 for the fight against cancer!!! Yes, you read that correctly, and yes I typed it correctly! To show you how much publicity Fatty has been getting lately, Lance Armstorng has tweeted about him on a regular basis for the past several months, and cyclingnews (the Wall Street Journal of cycling) had an article about one of Fatty's fundraisers earlier this week.

Ok, now that you have some background, here's why I'm writing this. Susan passed away yesterday (August 5th) at 7:25pm. Christi and I have both been deeply touched by Susan's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Elden!!!! While we've never met your blog updates have touched both of us in ways that are hard to comprehend.

Please go to his website and read their story. I will warn you though, if you do, make sure you have a box of Kleenex nearby, because you're going to need it.

In closing I want to leave you with two thoughts:

1. LIVESTRONG

2. FIGHT LIKE SUSAN





We Really Tied One On

Ok so we actually tied on more than 700 =) Last night seven of my girlfriends came over and we tied bows on the wedding favors and the wedding bubbles! I estimated that there would be 800 bows to tie and we came darn close. At the very end we ran out of ribbon but the last of the work shouldn't take more than an hour. We celebrated at the end with beer and pizza. Erik and his friend Jeremy played in the basement and the back yard and Brian got lots of work done outside. Tonight we'll get some exercise and do some homework and finish deciding on and ordering noisemakers... the wedding is right around the corner.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

A Month Ahead

In a month we will be married!!! Tonight I have plans with a few girlfriends to work on some special things for the reception and the ceremony. Hopefully we'll get through our projects and have lots of fun! Brian and I moved over some folding chairs, lawnchairs and lamps to help with our efforts. The cat is a bit miffed but she'll adjust.

The RSVP's are continuing to come in and we're getting more and more excited about our big weekend with friends and family. Hope to see you all soon!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Hustle Your Bustle

I went for my first dress fitting after work yesterday. The woman at J Marie's who does the alterations was happy to tell me that I picked the perfect dress. She is adding a bustle, adjusting the button on the halter and checking over all the beading. Who knew that I would be almost exactly the perfect height for wedding dresses??? Now I have to begin hunting for jewelry and other accessories for the dress. We're getting closer all the time.

Last night we both worked on homework and Erik went to the Y with his friends. He is looking forward to drum and frontline practices starting tonight and band and football camps starting on Monday. We're almost up to full speed again. If you call and miss us it means that we're either shuttling, studying or sleeping =)

Monday, August 3, 2009

Housework

I finished up all the edging in our bedroom yesterday afternoon while Brian put together our new grill =) Unfortunately the second gallon of paint has a very slight difference in tint between the first gallon so I'm going to have to do some more roller work and get things evened out. I'm sure it will look lovely once its done.

We spent yesterday morning on homework and the afternoon on housework getting the lawns mowed, and such. Then we had a nice dinner at our friend Roger's with steak from Chicago, fresh corn and all kinds of picnic salads.

Tonight I'm going to work on the paint while Brian finishes the grill and a few things that need to be put together for the wedding and then we'll get back to working on homework. Can you believe that we started on the bedroom back in March and here it is August and we're not done yet?

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Showered in Love

Yesterday afternoon Brian's grandma Drabant and his aunts Jenny and Kris threw a fun, happy, whimsical and loving Bridal shower for the two of us. We had almost all of Brian's mom's family, an aunt from his dad's side and then members of the bridal party. The day was wonderful, the company was superb and the gifts were thoughtful and will be of unbelievable use at our new home. Brian's aunt Kris set up games for our guests to play and they had a blast. All were bicycle and outdoor themed included a pipe cleaner competition which will be remembered by many =) His aunt Jenny designed the cake and it was absolutely adorable. There were two bikes, a lake, and edible chocolate rocks which were a big hit with the guests. All in all it was a great day with those close to us that we will remember for years to come.