Santa Speedo Run 2011 Wrap-Up

I just realized I never updated you all on the Santa Speedo Run. My apologies about that! Here's how it all went...

Morning of the race, I woke up and started baking breakfast (my oh-so-famous sour dough stratta with tomatoes and greens). I wrangled Dana out of bed and Kelley showed up. We hung out for a while, had some mimosas and a a great breakfast. Then around 10:00 a.m. we headed downtown to Boston. When we arrived, we checked into the bar and entered the sea of bodies in speedos singing Christmas carols and getting merry. We mingled, ooed and awed at the costumes, and made a game plan to be one of the first ones out of the bar this year.

Last year, we pre-gamed in the basement of the Lir. The race started and there were so many people in the bar that we were one of the last ones out and the race had already started quite some time prior. The BEST part of the race is the beginning of the race when everyone piles onto Bolyston street and jumps up and down in the cold singing Christmas carols before the gun goes off.

So this year, at 10 minutes prior to the race start time, we (Erin, Dana and I) headed to the entrance of the Lir. While waiting there, we met a lovely gentleman named Steve who asked to join us during the run. The more the merrier! At 5 minutes to the race time, they hadn't started sending people out into the street yet so we decided to just do it. As we walked out of the Lir, the typical shock of cold did not overwhelm me. It was chilly, but not COLD like usual. I believe it was 43 degrees that day. Which is not bad at all. Being the first ones out, the media went crazy. We were being photographed by a swarm of "paparazzi." They were more thrilled that it was a bunch of girls hanging outside (sorry Steve!) in their bikinis and went crazy taking photos of us. At the start time, a few more people came outside (5 or so) and we hung out in a circle dancing and singing Christmas carols. I believe this went on for another 20 minutes. The race hadn't even started yet! There were some problems with the police arriving late and blocking off the streets. All the while- we hung around outside having a ball and egging on the crowd. Finally, after a police officer arrived, a few more people started piling out of the bar- and we decided to take the initiative and start the race without the gun. There wasn't an official start or anything set-up it seemed. So off we went! At the red lights, we'd stop and do push ups or jumping jacks. We high fived the crowds that lined the street as we went by. We chanted Christmas carols to the people in the crowd and the shoppers on Newbury Street. Along the route Kelley and Courtney waited. The caught some photos of us and I gave Courtney a full bodied bikini jump hug. And then we finished the race.

Unfortunately, I lost Steve somewhere on the run but later connected with him over e-mail. We will have a new addition to our group next year!

It's such a blast and we had so much fun. Then we all went to lunch afterwards. Here are some photos from the run. We were also featured on the main page of Boston.com for 2 days straight! I'm telling you, the cameras loved us! :)

Grandma's Cats & a New Addition to Our Family!

Happy Holidays! We have some exciting news.... we have a new addition in our pet family! While we currently have two cats, Alta and Targhee, we have adopted the third and final member of our pet family, TomCat. TomCat comes from Farmville, Va from my Grandma's home. Grandma passed last month leaving behind three sweet little kitties. Zimba, Tinkerbell and TomCat. Zimba and Tinkerbell are 18 years old and 20 years old and are still looking for homes if you are interested. Please let me know!

And now for TomCat's introduction: TomCat was a stray that my grandma took in sometime in 2009. When Courtney and I met him in October 2010, we couldn't get over how sweet of a cat he was and personable for being a stray, and we also couldn't get over his "problem". He had previously been hit by a car (or so the vet thinks) and his jaw and teeth were all screwed up and infected. He couldn't really eat, but somehow managed to get enough food in him to stay alive. Even while at my grandmas. Grandma didn't really know what to do with him even though we suggested taking him to the vet. It wasn't until this past summer after my dad frequently visiting grandma while she was getting sicker and sicker, that dad decided to do something about his "problem". Dad took TomCat to the vet, who eventually underwent surgery and had all the teeth on the left side of his mouth removed. He is no longer in pain, and has healed up nicely! TomCat, all the while had no name. So it wasn't until shortly before grandma died did she (or my dad?) named him TomCat.

After grandma's passing, I knew how much this cat had helped grandma in her last moments here on earth being there for her when she was home alone recovering, and I knew how much my dad took a liking to him and really cared for his well being, so we decided to explore the option of adopting him. He is 8 years old (not too much older than our cats- now 1.5 years and 1.3 years old) and he was so personable and sweet so he will likely get along with them. So the day my dad told me he had TomCat in the car and was driving him to PA where he would live for 3-4 weeks in the basement (dad is allergic to cats), was when I called SouthWest and booked TomCat his first ever (and hopefully last) flight home with us from our Christmas vacation to PA.

And so, what I consider one of our best Christmas presents: Welcome to our family, TomCat! It is a pleasure to have you!

DIY- Lace, Twine and Satin Ribbon Candle Holders

I'm going for a vintage, rustic, romantic look for our wedding. I've seen a lot of DIY candle holder ideas on the wedding blogs, but nothing that was unique. As I got day dreaming about candle holders (yes, candle holders) and the look of a candle shining through the glass, I came up with the following candle pattern.



Supplies:
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Wide Lace Ribbon (this is from Michael's and found in the wedding supplies aisle and cut it in half lengthwise)
5/8 inch ribbon of choice of color (these are 3 yard spools from Michael's $1 ribbon crate)
twine (any)
clear glass votive holders ($34.87 USD for 72)






Start by wrapping the lace around the candle holder to figure out the size to cut for the lace. Allow a small portion to overlap, this is where you will glue later. Do the same for the ribbon for the amount of candle holders you want to use ribbon on. Cut as many pieces as you need.



Measure out twine long enough to tie a bow around it. I cannot give exact measurements because everyones candle holder could be a different size. Cut enough pieces of twine for as many candle holders as you would like to use it on.



Take the candle holder and apply a small zig zag of glue going from top to bottom on the candle holder (or high enough for how you cut the lace). Immediately place the end of the lace on it. Be careful not to burn your fingers. Wrap the lace all the way around the candle holder and apply more glue over the overlap of the lace in a straight line and glue the end of the lace down. Apply the same technique to the ribbon.

If using twine, simply wrap the twine around the candle holder and tie in a bow. Apply a small amount of glue to the back of the bow to either the candle holder or lace. Hold down for a couple of seconds (and be careful not to burn your fingers on the glue).



And there you have it. Gorgeous rustic lace votive candle holders.



Now, I am trying to figure out to go with the battery operated candles or real tea light candles.... Thoughts?

First Dance

When Courtney first asked me the main things I wanted out of our wedding day, the traditions or events I wouldn't want to give up, one of my answers was the first dance (along with a father/daughter dance). Every girl dreams of that first dance with her prince charming after tying the knot.

Courtney and I kind of have "our song". When we first started dating, we went to Las Vegas to attend a wedding of Courtney's childhood friend, Kim. It was a beautiful wedding, with good company and a beautiful setting. During the reception, the first slow song that came on was one of my favorite songs- Eric Clapton, wonderful tonight. Through the corner of my eye, I peaked Courtney getting out of his chair and was so excited for him to ask me to dance- but instead, I watched him stroll across the dance floor and ask Kim to dance. While I sat there, I enjoyed watching him dance with Kim (it was really sweet), but inside my heart was breaking because all I wanted to do was to have my first slow dance with my boyfriend. Let alone to one of my favorite songs. But all was good. A little later Courtney asked me what was wrong (because then I didn't really want to dance) and I told him that I had hoped he would ask me to dance to that song. A little while later I came out of the bathroom down the hall from the banquet room and the hall was empty with Courtney standing there, as I came up to him he put his hand out and asked me for this dance. As he pulled me in close to him he told me to listen, and there it was- the muffled sound of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" coming down the hall. We slow danced in the hallway, my first slow dance with my love and it was so perfect and sweet. He had requested it to be played again. After our moment was over, we walked back into the banquet hall and the DJ then saw Courtney and played it AGAIN! Apparently Courtney told him the story and told the DJ to play it when he saw me come back from the bathroom but ended up playing it right after Courtney asked while I was in the bathroom. Now whenever this song comes on no matter where we are, we drop everything and slow dance to the song.



But I'm not 100% sure I want this song to be our "first dance" song. I would kind of like to start a new tradition. With that being said, I'm trying to talk Courtney into one of these three songs:

1. Van Morrison- These are the days- This song makes me think of Courtney- it's so beautiful and talks about the moment being here and now. And to appreciate what you have. Love, love, love it!



2. Rob Thomas: Little Wonders - another beautiful song



3.Christina Perri- Thousand Years- No, this has nothing to do with Twilight's Wedding scene. Well, okay, maybe a little. It is a wedding scene after all so it must be a good wedding song, right? Well first off, it's a beautiful song, and second off, Christina is an old friend of mine so it has more meaning to me.





Anyhow, these would be my top 3 picks. I'm not 100% sure what Courtney's are, but I guess you won't find out what we actually pick until July 7, 2012!!

Processional Songs/Recessional Songs

Finally, the fun part of the wedding planning is here! All the fine details, the decorations, the cake, the songs, the food, the drinks, the officiant, the ceremony spot, the lighting, and all the other fun things!

This post, however, is about the ceremony songs.

Besides my heart being dead set on Pachabel canon in D performed by my brother, Stephen, on a piano for the bride processional, I've been considering some other songs for the wedding party processional and the recessional songs. All these songs have some sort of meaning- whether it was Courtney playing the song to me and telling me it makes him think of me. Or the spontaneous slow dance in the living room, or the song Courtney played in bed before going to sleep or waking me up with.

Let's meet the contestants!

1. Processional: City and Colour- The Girl



2. Jack Johnson: Better Together



3. Joshua Radin: Only You



4. The Pixies: Here comes your Man (no personal meaning behind this one)



5. Fergie- Finally



6. Mick McAuley & Winifred Horan - To Make You Feel My Love




Recessional:

1. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: Home



2. Queen: You're my Best Friend (no personal meaning behind this one)




3. Ingrid Michealson: You and I (no personal meaning behind this one)



This is the tentative list and we may add some more- but I have a feeling that it will end up being one of these songs for both the processional and the recessional.

What were your processional and recessional wedding songs? The more inspiration the better!