Day 439

Wow.  Yesterday was long.  Kimmy and I met with our families at 9 to open gifts.  And we ate some breakfast because our hotel didn't have a free continental breakfast (that we saw).  So we opened gifts and cards and everything.  Then we got ready to go.

I stopped at the bank to deposit some money before we left.  The teller working there was the same one who's been there since I was in high school, so she knows me.  One of the checks had something getting married on it, so she wanted to hear all about what our plans were and everything.  It was cute :)

We finally got on the road around 12:40... So only an hour after I'd planned!  It wasn't too bad.

It was a very long trip.  A little over 10 hours.  And the last half (Pennsylvania) was way hilly.  Pegasus doesn't like hills.  Most of the way we listened to music and talked and things.  It was good.  Way long, but good.

We got to Nick's a bit before 11. Once we got all settled we discussed our internships in silly detail, then he gave us a fantastic over view of new york. So we actually kind of have a plan now!

Well.  I think that's about it.  Let's get this party started!

Day 438

I will do my best to summarize all of the events that went on yesterday.  It was intense.


It started with breakfast.  Mom made breakfast of eggs and baked oatmeal.  It was really good.  I really enjoyed being able to just have breakfast with my family before everything got crazy.


I got to the church around 10 to help set up what I could.  There wasn't a lot, so I just milled around for a while.  Jeremy got there around noon so we figured out what the plans for pictures.


So Jared (my best man) and I got ready around 1 and Jeremy took pictures.  Then Jeremy went off to take pictures of Kimmy getting ready.  So Jared and I just hung out for a bit.  Then around 2:30 Jeremy got some pictures of Kimmy and me.  Kimmy's dress was WAY pretty :)


AJ was our first person to arrive.  I hadn't talked with him since New Years, so it was good to catch up.  People began to trickle in slowly for our pre-reception.  I started a game of Euchre, but as other people came I let someone else take my place... that way people could start to get to know each other.  The pre-reception was exactly what I hoped it would be.  Actually, it turned out even better than I'd imagined.  It was a chance for us to see our friends and family before all of the big events began.  It was amazing.  Kimmy and I also taught some swing dancing!  I wish I could list all of the people who came... but there were a lot.  I was so happy that some many of my friends and family could make it.


There was a small hiccup.  Dinner ran a bit late.  Like... an hour late.  But thankfully Jeremy was able to help facilitate things and keep everything running smoothly.  We got family pictures and Jared made announcements as necessary to keep everyone at bay.


We did end up eating, thankfully.  Everyone was amazing at keeping everything running.


Then... we had a ceremony!  It was great.  Dave did a really good job.  And then we were married!


After the ceremony we got pictures with Jeremy.  Then some dancing.  And more fun!  Many funs were had.


We stayed a little bit after to sign our marriage license... you know.  Silly things.


Then it was bed time.  We'd had a long day.  But it was an amazing day!  And I am, again, so glad that I could see so many friends and family members and talk with them, even if it was only for a little bit.

Day 437

Everything seems like it's in a whirl of chaos and motion.  I don't really feel like I have any idea what's going on, but I suppose I just keep on pushing through it?  It's funny... when Kimmy and Krissi and I were heading back from getting my tux today, I commented how strange it is that people typically spend so much money on weddings but can't wait for the wedding to be over.


Anyhow, the day was spent running errands, getting things done, and trying not to freak out.  We had a rehearsal and everything was fine.  I think it will all work out.


This has all been very hard for me to handle.  On one side, I have a wedding where I have largely not been involved with many details but am still part of the main event.  I am in charge but not in control.  On the other hand, I have everything going on with the house (which has been made much easier because of my family and our future landlord who has been so very helpful through all of this), between figuring out all the utilities, our financial situation for next year... and all of that.  I am control but not in charge.  Admittedly, I like being in control and in charge.  It's safe.  I know how my brain works and if I have to plan something, I trust myself to get everything done.  I have a difficult time putting a lot of trust in people when I'm not sure how they work.  I'm coming to realize that this is one of the reasons I so enjoy trying to truly understand people.  It's easier for me to feel close and trusting with them.


We've also had a few more people cancel this week.  I think in the past week I had 8 people say they wouldn't be able to make it to the wedding.  Which makes me sad.  There are a lot of things I wish I could have been done differently.  But I guess it's about over now.


I guess this will be my last update as an unmarried man.  I can't describe how excited I am.  But it's going to be a crazy transition.


I don't know.  Something will happen.  There's just a lot going on right now.


I'm going to bed.  And we'll see how tomorrow works out!

Day 436

Well.  I think the stress level is approaching the maximum.


Yesterday morning Kimmy and I got coffee with Becky, Marci, and Miles.  We had fun.  Then Kimmy and I met with Dave for our last counseling session.  We talked about budgeting and the schedule of events for the ceremony.  I believe that everything is going to work out somehow.


When we got back home we had lunch, then I had a haircut.  It was pretty standard, I suppose.  Everything seems like it's in slow motion and in a dream.  So it's hard to recall many details.  And each day feels like it goes on forever.  After haircut I went to the store to get some milk.


When I got back...I did a little packing, then looked at car insurance.  I am pleased to announce that it's about half the price of what I had anticipated.  It's not great coverage, but it will work for a year.  Then I went about contacting different utility companies to get everything turned on.  It was sort of confusing, but I think everything is working?


After dinner I think I did more packing.  Or cleaning.  Or something.  I really don't remember.  Something exciting probably happened.  Jessie and Richard came.... Amber got back from her trip to see Jesse's cousins.  And then later on Kimmy and I went to Becky's to compile some music for the wedding.


And now it's the day before the wedding.  It still hasn't really hit either Kimmy or me that we're getting married.  This summer has just been so busy and weird.  Well, we'll see how today and tomorrow go!

Day 435

Quick update.


This morning started with breakfast and talking with family.  Then I went to go cut the grass.  It didn't take very long, but since I was doing the part by the house there was a lot of maneuvering to do.  But it's done.  We're going to be having people park in the back since there will be lots of cars, so I really needed to get that done today.  So yay!


After lunch Kimmy and I went to the court house and got our marriage license.   I think that means it's officially going to happen!  It was a lot easier than I had imagined it would be.  Except Kimmy couldn't remember her SSN... so hopefully she has the right one!


When we got back I filled out the application for our rental house next year.  Then I went to a doctor's appointment.  That was fine.  It was just a standard wellness physical.  He said that I was tied for the healthiest person he'd seen today.  So that's good.  He recommended using Cortizone cream for my eczema.  If it starts getting bad again I'll probably have to look into that.


After the doctor's I came back and did some stuff around the house.  Amber got here around 5, so we helped her unpack then ate dinner.  Kimmy and I went to the store after dinner and she got new shoes!  She was in need of some good walking shoes, especially since we're going to New York for a few days.  And there will be much walking.


So we came back home, did some wedding things (surprise)... then went to Becky's to hang out with her and Miles.  We watched a movie, then talked about life, the universe, and everything.  It was pretty grand.  Ummm... it's bed time.  Yeah.  Good night!

Day 434

I briefly considered blogging last night, but I was far too tired.  I'm coming to realize that every day this week is going to be long.  Woo.


After I got up I cut the grass.  I was only able to cut half of it because I had a dentist appointment.  So I'm going to finish the grass in a little bit here.


I already spoiled the surprise, but I had a dentist appointment.  It was fine.  As usual, they got all grumpy that I don't floss enough.  Flossing is silly and far too easy to forget.


After the dentist I came home, had lunch with Kimmy, then left for Muncie.  We took a load of Kimmy's things and some wedding presents that we've received.  Since I had to be out of Windermere by today, Jessie and Richard were generous and allowed us to use their spare bedroom to store our nonsense until we can move into our house.  After we unloaded the van and went to Windermere to pack up everything that I had over there.  I generally don't use the word stuff because it makes me feel so overly wasteful and unappreciative.  But whilst moving the word stuff is simply too appropriate.  And there was lots of it.  To be fair, there were a few larger things (like chairs for our dining room table) that just take up a lot of room.  And I have many kitchen-ware items that will most likely be replaced with wedding gifts.  But since I don't know what all I need, I felt that it would be wise to keep them for the time being and give them to Goodwill when they get replaced.  Yarg.  And we had to clean my apartment.  I thought it would take about an hour.  2 hours later we were mostly done.  Then we went to Jessie's for dinner, unpacked the van, and went back to Windermere for the last load.  It would have been wonderful if we could have moved into our new house yesterday, but as timing, as I've learned, is rarely perfect.  So we make do with what we have.  We got everything cleaned out and moved to Jessie and Richards by 9, then Kimmy and I left for Findlay.


I talked with cousin Nick on the phone for a few minutes to get some plans down for when we're out in his area of the country.  We're going to be staying with him Saturday night on our way to New York and then Wednesday night on our way back.  I'm excited.  It's going to be fun.  Like... ALL of the fun.


Anyhow, we made it back to Findlay around midnight and then went to bed, for I was tired.  The end!

Day 433

Oh goodness.  Today was a long and busy day.


My body decided to wake up around 7:30.  I stayed in bed for a little longer and tried to convince myself to fall back asleep, but I had no such luck.  So I got up and ate and all of that jazz.


I really enjoyed the sermon at church today.  I wish I'd had a pen with me to take notes because I don't remember everything that was discussed.  The main topic was Jesus' transfiguration and the significance of meeting Elijah and Moses on top of the mountain.  I remember pastor Craig saying something that made me think "Wow, that's a really good point that I'd never considered before!"  But I have forgotten it, and now I am sad.


After church we had lunch and left for our adventure!  Mom, dad and I went to Muncie to see a house that Kimmy and I had considered renting.  So we met Kimmy there, met the landlord, and walked through the house for a while.  It was pretty nice.  The last tenants haven't move out yet, so there was still some... stuff.... left behind.  But the landlord assured us that everything would get cleaned and fixed before we moved in.  It's a little more expensive than I had wanted to pay for housing, but we get a lot for the price and we really need a place to stay.  So we're going to live there.  The landlord was very easy going and incredibly helpful.  I'm pretty excited.  We didn't get any pictures, but we'll be sure to document when we move.  It's pretty fantastic.


When we'd finished looking at the house we drove past a house that some of my parents' friends from church own and rent out to people, just to see how it looks.  Then mom and dad went on home.  Kimmy and I went to go see Kathryn for a little bit, since she was in town at the time.  She was in Muncie over the weekend moving into her new apartment, so we stole some of her time for a bit.  That was fun.  We just talked and caught up on life and everything.  Even though grad school is really hard and things, I'm excited to move back and see all of my friends.


After that we came home.  We got back around 8:20.  Then we packed the van up for our trip tomorrow (back to Muncie......).  Aunt Kathy and Beth are here, so we talked with them for a bit.  But mostly we packed the van.  It's going to be a busy week....


And now it's time for bed.  Good night, all.