>Chris is right. At the first mention of a “wedding,” the price goes up 200%. When it’s just a “party,” there is room to negotiate. We are currently trying to decide if we want to do the reception in a separate site other than the church. There are legitimate concerns that we might actually be blessed with a warm, Spring day on the first day of Spring when the full moon should be rising, and we will be stuck inside. So, I am researching tent, tables, and chairs rental, which shoots the price of doing things up but will ultimately be a much groovier party. My practical side, the one that tends to rule when I am “project manager,” shrinks back in horror. But my creative, romantic side is all aflutter. Chris figured out that we can get it done if only we can find a way to save $18.75 each day between us until the date of the wedding. Clever, huh? Yesterday, he gave up drinking his usual several Diet Dr. Peppers and figures he’s saved $6 already. I asked him what was I to do when I was already skating dangerously close to very little in my bank account this month, and he said, “That’s when you ask me to save for your part, too!” Sweet, huh? I am very blessed that he thinks that way and that having a great wedding and a great party is just as important to him as it is to me. Blessed indeed.

I am finding it difficult to concentrate on much these days — I could use another week of vacation. Julie made me smile yesterday when she pointed out that there are a series of four-day-weeks coming up. Perhaps those will substitute nicely for an extra week of vacation.

I have to decide if I am going to take some days off after the wedding. I bet it would be the sensible thing to do. It would give me time to move out of my house correctly and to really make sure I do it right. And that I move INTO Chris’ house in a nice, orderly fashion. Garbage in, garbage out. I must take only the bare minimum with me. I have no idea what it will be like to merge households and lives. Well, I have some idea, but everyone says it is quite an adjustment.

I am so not looking forward to the mega-commute between Dallas and Mesquite. But I love my job and the people for whom and with whom I work, and I figure it’s worth the drive to spend the bulk of my waking hours with people I enjoy. I believe that even if you live next door to your job but dislike going, it is not worth the gas you save.

So, back to the wedding “industry.” It’s ridiculous. I know what all these things cost to make in China, and the markup here is just criminal. I’m not saying that I believe that every factory in which these things are made is filled with people who are earning what they deserve, but good grief! If a shop can afford to “discount” a dress from $3500 to $990, the markup has got to be completely out of hand. (And no, I would not consider paying even a fraction of either of those figures for something I would wear one time — unless Oprah was paying for it, of course!).

It’s 6:41, and I should officially be in the shower, but the coffee is still hot, and it’s winter again outside, so the world will just have to wait for me. And forgive that my hair will not be all that organized today when i get to work. I think I should be allowed to wear blue jeans on any day that starts out at less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now it is 6:49, and I REALLY should be in the shower. But I’ve used my time wisely. I know exactly what I am going to wear today, and I know where all the components of that outfit are. Except for warm socks. Or socks, period. They seem to have all disappeared into the ether. Another of life’s great mysteries.