January 27, 2007

For those that don’t know where we moved, here’s a hint:

It was the first really heavy snowfall here in Utah (or so I think).  We’ve had snow several other times over the last month, but this one seemed pretty thick.  We’re definitely looking forward to the weather in Scottsdale.  Is it wrong that we miss it already?  Honestly, we’re very happy here, because you can’t throw snowballs for the dog to catch in Phoenix:

We also took some time yesterday to get our third Christmas tree together up.  Our first two trees, Buckwheat the first year (it had an afro) and Chris the second year (named after the young man at Target that helped us pick it out), were nice, and is followed this year by the beautiful Snowflake (it had little patches of snow on it).  We spent the evening decorating it.  We cuddled on the couch with the fireplace lit and listening to Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong CD, it really was the picture-perfect evening.

Looking forward to some nice Hawaii weather in late January/early February!

Like most brides-to-be, Gail was looking to shed a few pounds before the wedding.  To date, she has lost 15 pounds.  While this took improvements in many areas such as her diet and exercise, do you want to know where she places credit most recently?  The answer: her vehicle.  As with most quality GM machinery, her vehicle has its share of problems (okay, in return, so does Jonathan’s Lexus).

However, the problem that has blessed her the most is the fact that she cannot depend on her driver’s side window to roll down.  She pushes the button and sometimes it goes, and sometimes it does not.  While for most this would be seen as a huge inconvenience, leave it to Gail to find the positives.  It has stopped her from visiting numerous fast-food restaurants with a drive through window.  So, that desire for a Cherry-Limeade from Sonic on the drive home is now out of the question.  The same is true for any other quick stop for something less than healthy.

Night after night, Gail is forced to keep on driving until she can get home and enjoy a nice, scrumptious, appetizing, healthy salad.  Which, of course, she is forced to make for herself, as Jonathan doesn’t need any because he stopped at Oregano’s for a late lunch with friends enjoying pizza and a huge loaf of garlic cheese bread.  His weight?  On that, he follows the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

But Gail isn’t worried, she was smart enough to require checking of the box for the extra protection on the honeymoon reservations, so she has the opportunity to replace him with somebody else if necessary on the trip.  Just in case the weight gets the best of him and she needs a replacement.  Mai Tai anyone?

UPDATE 12/17/2006: Gail stated today that her previous vehicle also had a faulty driver’s side window.  The interesting fact: it too was a GM.

Looking for a few good ways to create some stress?  Try the following:

1.  Get engaged.

2.  Set a wedding date almost two years later thinking you have plenty of time.

3.  Work hard to plan for the wedding.

4.  Take a break thinking you have plenty of time.

5.  Leave your job for a new job only to find out it isn’t that great.

6.  Leave that job for another new job.

7.  Have your significant other change jobs too.

8.  Move to Salt Lake City, Utah.

9.  Realize you have a ton of work to do before the wedding.

10.  Start the house buying process.

We can verify that those steps work very well.  Through all of it though, we’ve done quite well.  We’re very happy with everything, and we’ve had plenty of support.

We did, however, try very hard as soon as we both were here to get the invitations completed and sent.  We knew we wouldn’t look good if they were sent after the respond by date.  But we had to have the date as it is because of the various needs for the guest count.

Here’s a quick guide on where to place blame if something is incorrect:

Inner and outer envelopes: Groom

Contents within the envelopes: Bride

Crooked stamp on the outer envelope: Groom

Crooked stamp on the inner envelope:  Bride

No stamp on return envelope: Bride