Just six months...

There isn't much going on in my Wild World of Wedding these days. P is just deciding on a vineyard for the wedding. I'm scouring the internet for a dress. (When the time comes, I will go scouring the Metroplex for one, but until then, I just look around via the web.) I guess maybe this is the calm before the storm.

It's hard to believe that just six months ago, P and M met. When she told me about him the very first (okay, maybe second or third) time I knew he was something special. There was just a difference in the way she talked about him. It was a calm I'd neve heard in her voice before when she described a boyfriend. It was kind of neat to hear that.

So, here we are six months later planning a wedding. Wow, the things that change in such a short time. Who knows, maybe I'll have a date for her wedding! Hey, stranger things have happened!

So much to do, so little time...

Okay. Maybe there isn't "so little time" but remember, we're planning this 1500 miles apart! I just found a website (see links) that lists all of the Maid of Honor (henceforth known as MoH) duties. Gosh, I'm going to be a busy gal! But, I already knew that. The hard part, I think, is going to be doing the things that "traditionally" the MoH does without stepping on any toes, i.e., Mom, Sis, other Bride's Maids.

Except for Mom, everyone else is out there with P. I can't say I'm not a little jealous about that. I want to be there for her the whole time. I want to get to go wedding dress shopping and help with ideas about flowers and everything... I miss P most of the time, but now more than ever. I wish I could meet M. I hope he realizes that he doesn't have any choice but to become my friend, too. I just want her wedding day to be perfect and I feel like I'm not going to get to be involved except in having the title. I guess that is important, because I've known her longer than any of the other BMs (with the obvious exception of Sis). It just doesn't seem fair that they are going to get to do the things I want to do and I should get to do!

::: everyone stop while the MoH has a small pity party for herself :::

Pity party over for now.

Weddings have gone high tech...

The date has been set. August 5 somewhere in CA. P has count them THREE websites. In all fairness, she's trying them out to see what one she likes the best. And the Maid of Honor has a blog about the wedding. See, weddings have truly entered the 21st century. I wonder if it would be possible to plan an entire wedding via the internet. I'm sure someone has done it.

I am really excited about this wedding. I never thought I'd actually get to be in another wedding because P didn't really want a big wedding but M does so they're going to have a smallish one, I think. But because she didn't want a wedding, I thought I'd be just going to Vegas or some island somewhere. Instead I get to do all the bride's maid things. How cool is that?

Oh, by the way, I didn't start the exercise thing. The upper respiratory infection I had when I found out about P's engagement is holding on and I'm still coughing... darn. Now, I have a date and I have to get my hiney in gear!!

I love the smell of bluebonnets in the spring...

Whew! Dodged a bullet on this one. P has several dates picked out. One was to have the wedding in mid April so she could get married in the Austin area among the wild flowers and bluebonnets. Darn that drought. There won't be many bluebonnets this year, I'm afraid. The others were both in August and September in Napa Valley, CA. I vote for those (see previous post for reason). My brilliant sister, C, suggested that I suggest having engagement pictures done in the bluebonnets in April. Then I added and suggested to P (a thought she and I had already discussed) having a "meet M" engagement party here in big D so we can all meet the lucky fellow. I think now that this is going to be the plan.

So, the workout plan starts on Monday. I am not looking forward to it, but I've got to lose this butt before I put on any sort of a foofy dress as a bridesmaid. They say a camera adds ten pounds, I think bridesmaid dresses are designed to add at least 30. The bride is supposed to be the one everyone is looking at, but as potentially the only single bridesmaid (there is a chance there will be one other one) hopefully there will be a single guy or two at the wedding who might be looking in my direction. Hmmm... I wonder if it is in poor taste to request that I be 'escorted' by a single guy as opposed to someone married. Hey, a girl has to look out for herself.

I think P has decided on colors. I know her favorite color is purple and so I was a little afraid of the colors she would choose. Don't get me wrong, she has great taste, but there is something that happens when a girl becomes a bride that lessens her ability to make sound color choices. If you don't believe me, go to www.uglydress.com and check out some of the atrocious dresses that people have been forced to paste a smile on and wear! There are some REALLY ugly ones there. All I can say is that there are some really good friends out there.

P is letting me choose my own dress so at least I can pick a flattering style. She wants it to be in a grayish lavender color. I don't think that sounds too bad to be honest. Actually, the whole thing has been kind of fun so far. P an I have gushed and giggled and are making plans and I think it's all going to be okay. Check back in about 4 months and we'll see, I guess.

Let the Weight Loss Begin...

Okay. Why is it that suddenly I feel the need to lose that extra weight I've been whining about losing for longer than I care to admit? I guess it is time to take the gym membership off of hold and actually USE it? Yuck. Well, since it is Wednesday, maybe I'll start on Monday. That's the new plan. I will start going to the gym on Monday.

P sent pictures of the ring and a photo of M and herself at the "exact spot" the engagement took place and it was taken just a few minutes after he asked. I have to say, the boy did good. The ring is very pretty as far as I can tell from a picture e-mailed to me. Three rows of pave (Pronounced: paw-vay) diamonds and a big, honkin' rock on top. He chose well.

P also sent pictures of wedding dresses she likes. From those I am guessing this is going to be a pretty formal affair. I thought she wanted simple and small. This is why there is the sudden need to lose weight. There isn't a style of bride's maid dress I can think of that looks really good on anyone over a size 8. I hope to be down to a size 10 or 12 by the time this wedding rolls around so that I at least look decent in a fancy schmancy gown.

Yikes. I just had a thought. What is stylish here in Texas may not be quite so hip and happenin' in Northern California. I'll have to ask her about that.

I also need to ask her exactly what she wants me to do. What are my 'official duties'? So many stresses being a bride's maid. At least I'm in a better state of mind than yesterday. I think a lot of the negativity yesterday was the fact that I was sick as a dog all weekend and still felt all yucky Sunday when we talked. Well, that's my story, anyway, and I'm going to stick to it!

So, my current plan of action:
1) lose weight

Okay. So it isn't much, but I've got to start somewhere. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps.

And the Award Goes to...

NOTE: I was SICK when I found out and therefore overly whiney and emotional.

I guess it was appropriate that I should find out my best friend is getting married on the day the awards season kicked off. By the time this wedding happens in July or August, I have a feeling I am going to have logged enough acting hours to qualify for my SAG card and earn nominations for various awards. Let’s see, is there a category for Best Portrayal of a Happy Bridesmaid? Maybe that would just fall under the category of Best Supporting Actress.

So, this will be trip number three down the aisle for me. Most likely it will be my last one. Both sisters are married now. They were trips one and two. Now, my best friend is getting married and since this officially makes me the oldest never married girl I know, it will probably be my last. It is kind of bittersweet, I guess. Anyway, here’s to one more dress I’ll never wear again. One more round of wedding showers I smile and laugh through. One more wedding I pretend to be excited about.

Notice I very deliberately didn’t say “pretend to be happy about.” I am happy for my friend. There is no pretending about that. She is marrying a great guy – I suppose, anyway. I’ve yet to meet him. I don't think she'd be marrying him if he weren't great. I am happy for her, I’m just not excited about the prospect of one more wedding where I am bombarded with questions like “When are we going to do this for you?” and “Have you met anyone new?” Worse yet are the platitudes of “Don’t worry, you’ll meet someone someday.” and “You’ll meet someone, don’t worry.” and my favorite “I’ll happen for you. Just be patient.” PATIENT!? Job and I are quickly becoming synonymous for patience. Besides, I’m 35 years old – almost – and it is my understanding that in order to marry someone you actually have to date. But that is a story for another blog on another day.

I don’t want to sound bitter. I’m really not. HONEST! Frustrated? I’ll admit to that. A little sad about the end of an era? Yes, that too. I mean, we’ve been friends for nearly 25 years and she is the last person I know, and sometimes only person I know, who understands what I mean when I lament being single still at my age. Disillusioned by the fading prospect for my own nuptials? Yes, yes, that, too. Bitter that my friend is marrying and I’m not? No, not at all.

So, the wedding planning begins in earnest. I get to pick out the dress, I::shudder:: plan a shower, I paste on a smile and I muddle through somehow. Oh well.