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18 Sep

The cultures meet. Mom and I have decided to have a Polterabend 13 Oct. The tradition is that those who come bring porcelain to break and the couple gets to sweep it up. This is supposed to bring good luck and keep evil spirits away. Breaking glass or ceramics brings bad luck. Ward and I will also have to be quick about sweeping it, as 'nice' guests may wish even more luck and spill the shards again. This is an evening for socializing, sausages, German potatoe salad and beer. Maybe some pranks, stories and dancing. Diane has been great and offered to hold the rehearsal dinner at her place. We were thinking about pot luck. How about haveing different cultural food for that as well? I liked Diane's idea about Sangria. No hangover involved there. ;)

1 Oct

Oh boy. Time sure flies!! I am so glad that I took the week before the wedding off. Things are falling into place. Well, the bigger stuff. Our parents have met and survived. (They even outlasted us.) My ring is in the works and our dance classes are coming along well. "Hey Ward, what comes after 5,6,7,8 start and when do I finally get to dip?" I just finished writing the ceremony and program.As soon as it is approved, I'll send it next door to the "printers". That would be you Ward. It is great how he is helping out. "Ward, I don't feel like doing....You can do it now and I need it a day ago." No pressure there. What is the difference between a bridal shower and a stagette except for the gifts? Both have something to do with dressing and acting silly, don't they? Speaking of parties, they all seem to be coming at once. A bridal shower, Polterabend, a night on the town, stagette and rehearsal dinner. I know that hockey has to fit in there somewhere on Fridays as well. Yes, I will take my digital camera and post the pics soonest so you can have a laugh. On that note, this site is not big enough to hold a lot of pics. Anyone know a good host? Email me!

10 Oct

Woohoo!!! I got my dip! (dancing, that is.) Kate threw me a shower at work. Excellent food! The guys were great to come to a bridal shower. One of the things that I got was a cookbook for rookies. With that came the comment that it also contains desserts and that I could always use some practise. Our house rule is that I can bake as much as I like (usually desserts), but it has to end up at work the next day so that we don't eat it all. The gathering didn't last long as we ended up on pararde. I got my CD. A medal for twelve years of "undetected crime" in the army. Sorry, no blackmail pics of the shower, but I have one of the food spread and their wishes for our future. Oh, yeah, Also a funny one of Kate. Ok. I'm starting to get a bit nervous. So many little things to do and so little time to do them. The best advice that I am getting every day is that this is my wedding and I should not stress about what others think. Easily said, but true.

15 Oct

Who ever mentioned German efficiency has obviously never been to a Polterabend. We had a combined bride/groom party at my parent's place last Sun. Here I thought that all that happened is that everyone gets to break dishes at once. But NOOOO. That would be too easy. Each guest breaks one dish. We, the bride and groom, must sweep it up completely and throw out the shards before the next dish can be broken.(It is now official, Ward and I work well together. Either that or we were just freezing out there.) I would like to thank those who couldn't attend as there were less dishes and more beer. I will put up the pictures as soon as I get a bit more organized. In case the clothesline has you wondering, it is just a wish for couple that is typical in Germany, as is the stork. The decorations get to stay up at till the wedding. Just a way to inform the neighbourhood that there is a wedding going on at that house. The things you learn. My Maid of Honour has arrived and plans are in full swing. I have 1/2 a sword party and am shopping tomorrow for all the ingredients for decorations and favours. The radio station mentioned today that it should be sunny through Mon. That makes me very happy. The mess is sorted out and if we can find the extra wine glasses and bowls, I will be even happier. My mom seems to be stressing more than I am and she doesn't even have to do anything. Go figure!

17 Oct

Ok. Whose bright idea was it to close all of the big crafts supply stores within a 50 km radius? I couldn't find anything I need for the favours. Well, at least I found the candles and gifts for the parents.Our dancing is coming along and with two more lessons I am sure that we will stop stepping on each other's feet and I won't land on the floor during my dip. Basically all that is left to worry about is who is supposed to be where at what time, chairs for the ceremony, the seating plan, whether the mead is drinkable and connecting with the photographer. Ward is taking care of the rest and the weather forecast is for sun. Boy, are we going to luck out!

3 days before the wedding

Everything was going smoothly till Fri evening. In short, the mead wasn't ready, we couldn't find enough wine glasses, the menu cards still needed to be done and renting a tent was starting to look worse and worse. It would cost $1000 and if we cancelled, we would only get $500 back. To those who prayed for sun, THANK YOU! It was the day of the wedding and things were going much more smoothly, or I was too tired from staying up doing seating plans and menus (Alexa and Ward actually did menus) to notice. I almost fell asleep at the hairdresser and didn't start to fret till it looked like the time to get to the hotel to change was getting tight. Well, we made it on time. The guys were late..... We all changed there, took some pictures and headed to Jericho for more photos. The day was the best in Oct. It was sunny and reasonably warm. The leaves glowed in gold and orange. Afta arrived (the horse) and we took more pictures. She seemed a bit scared of my long and poufy dress and didn't really want to stand still. I had a great time cantering up the hill to where everyone was for the ceremony. I just wish that I had stayed on her a bit longer, as I was having a great time. Ward and I were piped in.Everyone was standing in a circle for the ceremony and I could look around at everyone. It seemed so peaceful and pleasant. I even remembered most of my lines. We had placed our candles on the altar so that our hands were free. A friend pointed out later that of the candles on the table, ours were the only ones that didn't blow out. After jumping the broom (those who were sitting within view giggled as I lifted my skirt to jump. Underneath the dress I was wearing sports socks and comfortable cream shoes) we walked down to the mess following the tunes of our piper. Inside quickly to pay the piper and to sit down to a hot tomatoe soup to warm up. At the first clinking of glasses, Ward requested that instead of clinking, those wishing us to kiss, would have to sing a song with the word love in it. We heard some really nice voices. Although Ward isn't fond of the limelight when it comes to dancing, our first dance went very well. I just need to remember that it is difficult to dance backwards when wearing a long dress that you can trip over. The party went on till 1130pm as most people had to work the next day.