january filers!

[IrieCat 2]

See what having my SO 5,000 miles away does to me?! I'm going to the hair salon tonight to do something drastic

I hope he still likes me when he gets back

I'm your quiet, dorky engineer, with, long plain, light brown hair... I'm going to layer and highlight it tonight.. Well here goes nothing. I'll either be unbelievably depressed tonight or pleasantly surprised... wish me luck!

I am sure it will look great and not as drastic as you think! I have had RED, Blue and many colors in between! :-) I had the big 80's bleached thing going on in HS. Well now I just have light on top and dark underneath.. its is my "grown up funky" LOL!

Never let your hair get you depressed - it always grows back!

YOU WILL LOOK GREAT AND HE WILL STILL LOVE YOU! YAy!

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

See what having my SO 5,000 miles away does to me?! I'm going to the hair salon tonight to do something drastic

I hope he still likes me when he gets back

I'm your quiet, dorky engineer, with, long plain, light brown hair... I'm going to layer and highlight it tonight.. Well here goes nothing. I'll either be unbelievably depressed tonight or pleasantly surprised... wish me luck!

I'm sure it will look great!!!!

[IrieCat 2]

YAYAYAY! Louis just got an e-mail from the consulate in Barbados! His interview is May 27th!

I am so happy!

So now we will really celebrate when I see him Thrusday!! wooooo!!!!

[Sal and Jay 2]

YAYAYAY! Louis just got an e-mail from the consulate in Barbados! His interview is May 27th!

I am so happy!

So now we will really celebrate when I see him Thrusday!! wooooo!!!!

Good luck to you both.

[KitEEgirl 0]

Wahoo! Congratulations!

YAYAYAY! Louis just got an e-mail from the consulate in Barbados! His interview is May 27th!

I am so happy!

So now we will really celebrate when I see him Thrusday!! wooooo!!!!

[dbears 1]

I never looked up the price of Duke Garden, I have a friend who has a year-round pass to there. I'll have to re-check with him if there are any fees to have a civil ceremony there

here's the rental fees:http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/facility_rental_fees.htm but if you have a friend there, who knows it might be free for you guys. The place looks so serene and beutiful.

As for spending for the wedding, it first wedding for both of you, you still don't have kids so there is really no worry about spending a little more on it.

For us, this will be my 2nd (though technically the first was deemed null and void from the start, it was like kids play, done at our garage with a minister who had no license to officiate ) and I'd be his 4th wife . He's had the big fancy wedding decades ago during his first wedding, he's had a courthouse wedding, and his had a small chapel wedding. So for his 4th (AND DEFINITELY THE LAST, unless I die first) I just want something intimate and memorable for both of us and for our kids: a family wedding where we could also exchange vows with our kids. And I just want God to be a very big part of the wedding since He was the missing element in the past weddings we've been part of.

See what having my SO 5,000 miles away does to me?! I'm going to the hair salon tonight to do something drastic

I hope he still likes me when he gets back

I'm your quiet, dorky engineer, with, long plain, light brown hair... I'm going to layer and highlight it tonight.. Well here goes nothing. I'll either be unbelievably depressed tonight or pleasantly surprised... wish me luck!

SHOW SOME PICS!!!

I am sure it will turn out great! And besides he didn't love your hair, he loved the total package.

[Amanda+Stephen 0]

here's the rental fees:http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/facility_rental_fees.htm but if you have a friend there, who knows it might be free for you guys. The place looks so serene and beutiful.

As for spending for the wedding, it first wedding for both of you, you still don't have kids so there is really no worry about spending a little more on it.

For us, this will be my 2nd (though technically the first was deemed null and void from the start, it was like kids play, done at our garage with a minister who had no license to officiate ) and I'd be his 4th wife . He's had the big fancy wedding decades ago during his first wedding, he's had a courthouse wedding, and his had a small chapel wedding. So for his 4th (AND DEFINITELY THE LAST, unless I die first) I just want something intimate and memorable for both of us and for our kids: a family wedding where we could also exchange vows with our kids. And I just want God to be a very big part of the wedding since He was the missing element in the past weddings we've been part of.

Well we thought, since we were going to do photos there, we'd just sneak the minister in with us, the civil service we are just doing for government reasons, it would only be us, and my parents (to witness) and the photographer, because Stephen's mother wants some photos of the "official first service". So we wouldn't be renting the facility at all, just take the two minutes standing in the public garden area to say "I do" ... but I'll have to check with my friend to see if we could do that. If not, we'll just be having the civil service at a local park close to home, with my parents and the officiant. In the end, that's just the technical service, the family one in September is much more important to us. There are plenty of pretty public parks around here, or even the Arboretum at NC State University, better yet Pullen Park (close to NC State University) in Raleigh. It's beautiful and has places for the children to play. I believe if you wanted to have a function there it is rentable. I guess it depends on what you are looking for, in terms of outside vs. inside. There's lots offered in this area, in lots of price ranges. I'd be glad to put together information if it would help you I am sure you will find something that suits the two of you and accomplishes what you want!

I tried to get away with just having a civil service, but my parents wouldn't have it. And after the planning started, I even said it would be so much easier to go to Vegas, but my mother immediately put an end to that. Being the only daughter has some challenges in the easy department for weddings!!! The other problem is I am the youngest "grandchild" as well, and I come from a rather large family, both my parents each have 5 other siblings, so my extended family goes on and on for miles!!!! When it came down to trying to create a guest list, it kept growing by family members In the end, we will be happy to share it with friends and family.

Do let me know if I can offer any of my knowledge from living here in this area ....

YAYAYAY! Louis just got an e-mail from the consulate in Barbados! His interview is May 27th!

I am so happy!

So now we will really celebrate when I see him Thrusday!! wooooo!!!!

Yay!!! Congratulations!!!

See what having my SO 5,000 miles away does to me?! I'm going to the hair salon tonight to do something drastic

I hope he still likes me when he gets back

I'm your quiet, dorky engineer, with, long plain, light brown hair... I'm going to layer and highlight it tonight.. Well here goes nothing. I'll either be unbelievably depressed tonight or pleasantly surprised... wish me luck!

I'm sure it will look fabulous!!!!!

[Alex & Rachel 78]

I agree with dbears, KitEEgirl - you should show us photos of your new 'do! I bet it looks gorgeous! Oh, and if you feel that it's too drastic a change at first, don't worry - I usually find that my hair looks best a week or so after it's been cut. Oh - and good luck at the interview tomorrow!

I tried to get away with just having a civil service, but my parents wouldn't have it. And after the planning started, I even said it would be so much easier to go to Vegas, but my mother immediately put an end to that. Being the only daughter has some challenges in the easy department for weddings!!! The other problem is I am the youngest "grandchild" as well, and I come from a rather large family, both my parents each have 5 other siblings, so my extended family goes on and on for miles!!!! When it came down to trying to create a guest list, it kept growing by family members In the end, we will be happy to share it with friends and family.

Bolded for 'applies to me'! I'm in pretty much the same situation - only I'm not the only daughter, but I am the eldest grandchild and the first to be married, which comes with its own pressures!

[dbears 1]

There are plenty of pretty public parks around here, or even the Arboretum at NC State University, better yet Pullen Park (close to NC State University) in Raleigh. It's beautiful and has places for the children to play. I believe if you wanted to have a function there it is rentable. I guess it depends on what you are looking for, in terms of outside vs. inside. There's lots offered in this area, in lots of price ranges. I'd be glad to put together information if it would help you I am sure you will find something that suits the two of you and accomplishes what you want!

This will be greatly appreciated Amanda .. but maybe just after Stephen's interview... I know you already have your hands full as of now and I would feel guilty if I'd be adding to your stress dear.

I tried to get away with just having a civil service, but my parents wouldn't have it. And after the planning started, I even said it would be so much easier to go to Vegas, but my mother immediately put an end to that. Being the only daughter has some challenges in the easy department for weddings!!! The other problem is I am the youngest "grandchild" as well, and I come from a rather large family, both my parents each have 5 other siblings, so my extended family goes on and on for miles!!!! When it came down to trying to create a guest list, it kept growing by family members In the end, we will be happy to share it with friends and family.

Bolded for 'applies to me'! I'm in pretty much the same situation - only I'm not the only daughter, but I am the eldest grandchild and the first to be married, which comes with its own pressures!

If you were both my daughters, it won't matter whether you're eldest or youngest or only daughter or just one of the daughters, I would want to see you both in a beautiful wedding gown and to have the most beautiful wedding... especially since this will be the first time (and hopefully the last time and only time) that both of you would be getting married.

Seeing even one of her daughters wear a wedding gown is one of my mother's greatest frustration... and I will yet to fulfil it when we have our wedding (ceremonial wedding which will be a renewal of vows sort of thing) in the Philippines in 3-5years from now.

When you have daughters of your own, you will fully understand why mothers are making such a big fuzz about their daughter's wedding (in the same way that we only came to fully understand the immigration process now that we are going through it). Your wedding is not only a gift for yourself but also a gift for your mothers. So bear it all and be the most stunning bride ever.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

If you were both my daughters, it won't matter whether you're eldest or youngest or only daughter or just one of the daughters, I would want to see you both in a beautiful wedding gown and to have the most beautiful wedding... especially since this will be the first time (and hopefully the last time and only time) that both of you would be getting married.

Amen to that! I love thinking of being able to grow nice and old with Alex. I have dated guys where the whole focus was on the present and who I could not see myself growing old with, but with Alex this is certainly not the case.

Seeing even one of her daughters wear a wedding gown is one of my mother's greatest frustration... and I will yet to fulfil it when we have our wedding (ceremonial wedding which will be a renewal of vows sort of thing) in the Philippines in 3-5years from now.

When you have daughters of your own, you will fully understand why mothers are making such a big fuzz about their daughter's wedding (in the same way that we only came to fully understand the immigration process now that we are going through it). Your wedding is not only a gift for yourself but also a gift for your mothers. So bear it all and be the most stunning bride ever.

I really hope that you can indeed fulfill your mother's desires and I am sure you will look stunning in a wedding gown when you renew your vows in the Philippines!

You are right...I've been thinking of the wedding from a rather selfish point of view and I forget that I owe it to my parents, particularly my mother, to look good, too...I'll do my best to look happy and beautiful (even if I am surrounded by slimmer, more beautiful friends!)

[dbears 1]

You are right...I've been thinking of the wedding from a rather selfish point of view and I forget that I owe it to my parents, particularly my mother, to look good, too...I'll do my best to look happy and beautiful (even if I am surrounded by slimmer, more beautiful friends!)

Rachel, you WILL be the most beautiful girl on your wedding day! Just remember that Alex would be marrying you not anyone else! And being really slim does not equate to being more beautiful than all the rest... You are BEAUTIFUL, NO IF's, NO BUT's!

[KitEEgirl 0]

It's actually not as drastic as I'd hoped! It looks good, but the highlights could definitely be lighter...As my Mom would say... you get what you paid for.. it was pretty inexpensive, so I'm ok with it!

Is it lunch time yet? I'm starving!

See what having my SO 5,000 miles away does to me?! I'm going to the hair salon tonight to do something drastic

I hope he still likes me when he gets back

I'm your quiet, dorky engineer, with, long plain, light brown hair... I'm going to layer and highlight it tonight.. Well here goes nothing. I'll either be unbelievably depressed tonight or pleasantly surprised... wish me luck!

I am sure it will look great and not as drastic as you think! I have had RED, Blue and many colors in between! :-) I had the big 80's bleached thing going on in HS. Well now I just have light on top and dark underneath.. its is my "grown up funky" LOL!

Never let your hair get you depressed - it always grows back!

YOU WILL LOOK GREAT AND HE WILL STILL LOVE YOU! YAy!

[Amanda+Stephen 0]

This will be greatly appreciated Amanda .. but maybe just after Stephen's interview... I know you already have your hands full as of now and I would feel guilty if I'd be adding to your stress dear.

Not a problem at all. I'm not too stressed at the moment, or should I say today. Now tomorrow, it could all be different, considering yesterday was a panic day!!!! Any my head is spinning about dress choices. I've got it down to 3 dresses, but I can't seem to make the "final" decision!!! Anyone interested in viewing the pics -- I'm willing to take input I can post the dress pictures .... most everything else has already fallen into place, at least I think it has!

I'll ask my parents too about places around here, let me know what your "ideal" place is, if it's just for you and Ricky and the kids, or others, etc.

[KitEEgirl 0]

I wanna see, I wanna see!

This will be greatly appreciated Amanda .. but maybe just after Stephen's interview... I know you already have your hands full as of now and I would feel guilty if I'd be adding to your stress dear.

Not a problem at all. I'm not too stressed at the moment, or should I say today. Now tomorrow, it could all be different, considering yesterday was a panic day!!!! Any my head is spinning about dress choices. I've got it down to 3 dresses, but I can't seem to make the "final" decision!!! Anyone interested in viewing the pics -- I'm willing to take input I can post the dress pictures .... most everything else has already fallen into place, at least I think it has!

I'll ask my parents too about places around here, let me know what your "ideal" place is, if it's just for you and Ricky and the kids, or others, etc.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Sure, show us the pictures!