Emmys

Did you watch the Emmy's? It was kinda awkward at some points? Like when all the hosts were trying to just wing it!? WEIRD!!! But there were some great comedy moments from Don Rickles, Steve Martin and Jimmy Kimmel.

My favorite part was obviously Josh Groban's tv show melody ensemble thingie.....he was just so good!!!! With all those different accents and voices...true talent!

Venue: Check!!!!

We have finally come to a decision on our venue for the wedding! After almost 2 months of looking and number crunching, we fell in love with the Martinelli Event Center in Livermore, Ca. It is in conjunction with the Garre Winery which is down the hill from the ceremony/reception site.

This is the lawn and ceremony site that is to the left of the banquet room, where the reception will be held inside. I love the trellis with all the greenery hanging from it, and the view of the livermore hills and wineries is beautiful. It's so quiet and peaceful.

This is the courtyard area with a fountain and a fireplace. When these pictures were taken, they had everything set up for quite a large wedding, and the dance floor was placed outside. I am pretty sure we will have the dancing inside. I am pretty sure that I want to string lights across for a European/Tuscany cafe feel. I would also love to add places for people to sit and mingle since this is where cocktail hour will be right after the ceremony. At the end of the courtyard (in this picture) is the banquet room.

Its a very nice, spacious, clean room with great chairs (yes, the chairs were a big selling point for me) and plenty of space for creative imagination with decor. There are drop down screens to show picture slideshows and it is air conditioned or heated (which was a big selling point for Casey....coz God knows he needs to be comfortable!)

So this place is perfect for us. There is a lot of sprucing up that I would like to do to add my own flair...its just trying to figure out all the details.....but that's the fun part!!

So exciting.....now its actually starting to feel like I am going to get married! Yeah!!!!

Casey- "I'm the happiest fat ass right now."

So after going to tour another possible wedding location (things are looking up by the way).....Casey was about to eat his own arm. So driving through Livermore/Dublin area, we pull into the big shopping center off of 580. There is tons o stuff in there! A movie theater, Taxis, Mimi's cafe, Macaroni Grille, On the Border, Coldstone and Fuddruckers. Since neither of us had never been, and had always heard about it we chose.....

And boy what a trip that was. I have never seen that boy so happy and overjoyed over a burger and fries. I gotta say, they were pretty delicious, the burger was perfect size (since you got to pick between 1/3, 1/2..etc) and it was not greasy at all, the bun was perfect and toasted- we got the Southwest burger with bacon, pepper jack cheese and guacamole so the flavor was outstanding. And the fries/onion rings were great with either ketchup or this delicious jalapeno cheese sauce. I know, just about enough to give you a heart attach but yumm.........but no seriously....Casey would just not shut up about how great everything was! It was "the best decision we may have ever made"! And he kept referring to how unbelievably happy he was.....about being such a fat ass. It was quite a hoot to see.

I think he wants to move to Dublin now. (No, not seriously, but he was in heaven.)

WTF?

Why do you need to be 21 to go onto a winery's webpage?

Seriously.....you're not gonna get drunk by licking the screen? Either way, you can easily lie about your age to get into the site anyway.

For Shits and Giggles

Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

I sleep with them closed, due to the fact that Thornton will push them open during the middle of the night which wakes Casey and I up. If I forget to close my closet door...oops! Mad Casey!

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?

Sometimes, if they are good quality or scents that I like.

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

Haha.....they are always un-tucked, but I am for sure a "sheet Nazi"....they have to be even on both sides, with no wrinkles and Casey can't be lying on top of them or otherwise I can't adjust them in the middle of the night.

Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

No I don't think so. Maybe when I was in junior high in little ole' Podunk P'ville.

Do you like to use post-it notes?

Yes, I use them a lot at work! But oddly enough have a hard time finding them when I want to! That place is so unorganized at times!

Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?

No, I don't use coupons.

Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?

Oh geez.....I guess the bees, even though i would hate dealing with all the stings/bites, but a bear could probably do some much bigger damage!!

Do you have freckles?

Umm, no. I have some small birthmarks here and there, but no freckles on my face.

Do you always smile for pictures?

Pretty much I am always smiling.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Oh, there are too many to list right now......a couple of them being rude customers, arrogant/oblivious "rich snobs" and messy people.

Do you ever count your steps when you walk?

No, I have better things to think about.

Have you ever peed in the woods?

Yes, I believe so, when i used to camp with my parents.

What about pooped in the woods?

Yes, see above answer.

Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing?

Well, sometimes, if there is music in my head.

Do you chew your pens and pencils?

Umm....I might bite, but not chew.

How many people have you slept with this week?

Just one, Thornton isn't really a person.

What size is your bed?

California King.

What is your Song of the week?

Hmm.....probably something michael buble/frank sinatra-ish

Is it okay for guys to wear pink?

Sure! Some of them can pull it off!

Do you still watch cartoons?

No...unless its an animated cartoon movie. Some of those are so great!

Whats your least favorite movie?

Ugh...probably Ghost Rider. That was awful....so awful that we turned it off in the middle.

Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?

I wouldn't tell you!

What do you drink with dinner?

Normally just water.

What do you dip a chicken nugget in?

Umm, I try not to eat those too much, but either BBQ sauce or ranch.

What is your favorite food?

Oh I have so many. As a category I would say Breakfast food. As a single item, I would say gnocchi. I dunno....it changes all the time.

What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

Probably Little Miss Sunshine. That movie cracks me up everytime, and I love the soundtrack.

Last person you kissed/kissed you?

Casey

Were you ever a boy/girl scout?

No

Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

No

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

Umm.....probably in February...thank you notes from my birthday.

Can you change the oil on a car?

No...I usually have my dad or brother do it. Maybe they should teach me!?

Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

Hah, not yet....Casey thinks any day now.

Ran out of gas?

Nope, thank God.

Favorite kind of sandwich?

Mmmm....an italian combo on sourdough bread

Best thing to eat for breakfast?

Pancakes or french toast.....or crepes!!!!

What is your usual bedtime?

Lately 11:00....but I am trying to make it earlier than that.

Are you lazy?

I can be when I don't eat right or exercise.

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?

Oh lots of things, an artist, a sunflower girl, a goth, superman, a nerd, britney spears.

What is your Chinese astrological sign?

I have no idea...I think an Ox.

How many languages can you speak?

Just one.....and I can speak a little french.

Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

Yes, Entertainment Weekly.

Which are better legos or lincoln logs?

I played with both when I was a kid, but now I would probably go with the lincoln logs.

Are you stubborn?

I can be I guess.

Who is better...Leno or Letterman?

I don't watch either that much, but I think Letterman.

Ever watch soap operas?

No, ick.

Afraid of heights?

No, unless I get close to an edge and just start picturing myself falling over, then I freak out.

Sing in the car?

Yes sometimes.

Dance in the shower?

No, ever since I fell in the shower one morning, I stay pretty damn still in there.

Dance in the car?

Hahah....yes.

Ever used a gun?

I have used my brother's BB gun.

Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?

Um, probably my senior portraits....but engagement/wedding pictures coming up within the next year!

Do you think musicals are cheesy?

Yes I hate most of them except Chicago, Sound of Music, Sweeny Todd and Moulin Rouge.

Is Christmas stressful?

It can be, but I try to not let it get that far. It is my favorite time of year.

Ever eat a pierogi?

Yes, they are delicious!

Favorite type of fruit pie?

Blackberry, Raspberry or Apple

Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?

Artist, Veterinarian

Do you believe in ghosts?

Not really....spirits and energy sure.

Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?

Lots.

Take a vitamin daily?

No, but I should. I have a hard time keeping habits like those.

Wear slippers?

When it is cold yes.

Wear a bath robe?

When I get out of the tub from a bath, or its cold.

What do you wear to bed?

A tee and shorts, or pajamas of any other kind.

First concert?

Kenny Loggins

Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?

Target

Nike or Adidas?

Adidas

Cheetos Or Fritos?

Cheetos

Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?

Peanuts

Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?

No

Ever take dance lessons?

In PE

Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?

Something in business, marketing or advertising.

Can you curl your tongue?

Nope

Ever won a spelling bee?

We came in second place.....a couple other times we came in third or fourth.

Have you ever cried because you were so happy?

When Casey proposed, I couldn't stop crying!

Own any record albums?

No

Own a record player?

No

Regularly burn incense?

Not anymore, used to a lot in highschool

Ever been in love?

Yes I am

Who would you like to see in concert?

Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Coldplay- I'd like to see them all again

What was the last concert you saw?

Michael Buble

Hot tea or cold tea?

Hot

Tea or coffee?

Tea

Sugar or snickerdoodles?

Snickerdoodles

Can you swim well?

Yes- well, it depends on what you consider "well"...I took 6 years of swimming lessons when I was a kid....that doesn't make me Michael Phelps, but I don't drown!

Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?

Yes

Are you patient?

I can be.....I also cannot be.

DJ or band, at a wedding?

We are going with a DJ

Ever won a contest?

I have won various art contests.

Ever have plastic surgery?

No

Which are better black or green olives?

Ick..neither.

Can you knit or crochet?

No, my mom has tried to teach me but I never picked it up.

Best room for a fireplace?

The living room.

Do you want to get married?

Yes I am!!! Hopefully within the next year or so!

Who was your HS crush?

I had boyfriends all through-out highschool, 3 to be exact, Dustin, Zach and Jay.

Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?

No....I am not a child.

Do you have kids?

Not yet

Do you want kids?

Yes, but not for another 4 years or so

Whats your favorite color?

Blue

Do you miss anyone right now?

I do....Johanne seems so far away.

An Afternoon in San Francisco

The morning started off with taking a look at 5 different venues in Fremont, Livermore and the Concord area, which 3 of the 5 were definite possibilities. I didn't take any pictures since they were pretty much "drive bys". But I will post more on them later after taking second tours....hopefully one of them pans out.

Anyway, we made our way into San Francisco, where we were going to meet my parents for dinner and the Giants game.

My parents don't really know their way around SF very well so after dropping off our car at the parking garage they were going to pick us up outside of the big Westfield Mall.

Surprisingly, Casey had never been to this mall, and he was just amazed with the layout. He wanted to go all the way to the top...yeah, he's such a little kid at heart. :)

He wanted to take this picture, but was really scared to drop his precious iPhone. Hah!!!

So after finally meeting up with my parents, navigating around town, my father getting furious at traffic, we had dinner at Scoma's. Now, not being a fish eater, this place just doesn't live up to the hype for me! I have no idea what is so special about this place....its not in a fancy location, its not luxurious, its crowded and the food isn't all that amazing...and they just charge you up the butt for everything!!!!!

So after dinner, we found our way over to AT&T park where we went to our CLUB level seats! Great seats and awesome view!

I barely ate much at Scomas...I was secretly pining for ballpark food!

The first food purchase was this delicious caramel corn....and I mean, it really was caramel corn! Dripping and oozing with caramel....sooooooo good!!!! Then I was of to find this great fried bread that I kept hearing so many great things about! And of course, I got it with Nutella

And....these are my warm nuts! Thank god I was able to find them! Casey and I walked all over the stadium trying to find them!!! They were totally worth it!

Grilled Cheese Night; Garden Tea Party

Every so often, the girls who used to/still work at UA all get together at Jaya's house for grilled cheese goodness. This time, a beautiful tent was constructed outside to have an evening Garden Tea Party. We were all supposed to dress up in costume...only a few of us did, but for those unable to, there was plenty of used old lady jewelry to go around!

We had plenty o' beads, bobbles, broaches, bracelets, pins and clip-on earrings to choose from.

Nimisha decided to put on everything that was made of wood. She is very earthy you know.

Annie chose every god-awful pin and broach she could find....she was the royal one of the group.

Jaya invited one of her dear chickens to the party, the poor thing did not wear the necklace for very long.

Rachel came dressed as one of the ladies who teaches at UA (one day this woman came into the store, wearing some tights similar to Rachels, and had a pink, lacy bra hanging out of her butt.) It was quite a hoot.

Johanne looked badass with all of her chains and Canadian earrings. Her hair just added to the flair.

And you could say that I went a little overboard. After putting together quite a mismatch outfit (because you know, some ladies seem to get dressed in the dark) and borrowing a delightful hat from my great friend Wendi, the mound and mounds of beads just added to the effect. AND! I smelled like an old lady too, after dousing myself in perfume!

So after playing dressup, we finally had the infamous grilled cheese sandwhiches. Mmm, delightful!

So after the booze had kicked in, we began story telling and started to re-arrange our jewelry ensembles.

Annie and I had quite a good time laughing.....

...while Johanne seemed content on the swing by herself. I think she was still hungover from the night before. :)

I think I was a little far gone when taking this picture....and Rachel can tell.

All in all, it was a great evening. I am a little unsettled this morning and these pictures are beginning to jog my memory. I don't think I have it on my camera, but I seem to remember lying underneath the stool/table at one point. I think I was just looking for a cozy place to lie down!