Once Upon a Time...

Pinterest, evil bitch website that it is, led me to this hat. I was immediately and inexplicably taken with it and, in so being, decided that I wanted to wear something like it (in a crazy, ideal world, IT) for my bachelorette party. Anglophile that I am, I've long wanted to have a proper Hen Party on that far off day when I found myself getting married... this hat made me think, "OH! We could all wear fascinators and be adorable!"

And today I got a text message from Erika with a picture attached... of my hat! This hat! I could cry! It's just entirely too special.



So, you are all on notice: Fascinators are requested for the Hen Party! I will not be the only one with a head foofooly adorned! Of course, because of Princess Kate, even Michael's carries fascinator-making materials, so you have plenty of time to locate one on Etsy or concoct some lovely, brilliant, affordable version for yourself. And then we will all be *FASCINATING.

Not that we all aren't anyway.

When it comes to the Hen Party, Sarah Ressler is taking the lead in its organization because she is the only one of you who is local, knows how to get in touch with all of my friends who are still local, and knows her way around Delaware, Ohio (because Jenny and I really wouldn't recognize the place anymore). I have NO DOUBT that she would happily accept/like/appreciate/crave/greatly desire input from the rest of you, so if any of you have ideas, requests, concerns, or questions, she's your girl!

Thank you all for letting me know which dresses you have ordered! You will all look spectacularly beautiful (would do, even if I had made you wear Mango... and it's a shame I didn't, because then you could all slap your asses periodically and declare, "SUCH is Mango!" ...something I've already trained my stepsons to do...) And I love Katie's dress... I was wondering if any of you would end up with it!

And apparently I need to start looking for coordinating, pocket-sized flasks...

For those of you who were interested in the house, you can check it out HERE!!!!!

We got it for about $15K less than the asking price and Trevor and his dad Gary are headed over there tomorrow to do the official inspection (and for those of you who didn't know, Trevor and Gary are both licensed building inspectors). We're going to have to rip the deck off the back because it was improperly installed and is causing stress to one of the basement walls. We think we're just going to put in a proper patio and--inspired by that wonderfully inspirational Jenny DeJongh and her Raphael--possibly a ramada! The basement is unfinished, but what with their combined 50 or so years in construction, Trevor and Gary will be able to do that for us themselves, saving us a ton of money. Apparently, I'm also destined to learn how to hang drywall. Huh. Yeah, right. There are no neighbors across the street; instead, a creek, where Trevor and his boys will fish together and recreate the opening credits to the Andy Griffith Show. I may start calling him Pa. It is a gorgeous neighborhood and the house is located at the end of a long street which dead-ends at the Madison County Gun Club... our neighbor to the left. They have an enormous piece of property (acres upon acres), which does include a shooting range, but rather far from (and certainly not pointing in the direction of) the residential area. And it is not a facility that is used too terribly frequently, thus the boys can play a bit in the street without any worry and, as Trevor knows most of the people who belong to the Gun Club (naturally), he had absolutely no hesitations or concerns whatsoever. It's apparently a very, very exclusive group with high membership dues.

I do have one piece of business that I put before you at this time.

I need a count from you guys for two things:

1. Who is interested in going for manicures and/or pedicures on the Friday before the wedding?

and 2. Who is planning on getting their hair done with me on the day of the wedding?

I need to make appointments, especially for the hair thing because we're doing it in West Jeff and they may have to just book the shop for my party, exclusively, that morning. And I need to do this now because, you know how it is with small towns... the little old ladies make their appointments months and months and months in advance.

You are NOT REQUIRED to do either of these things. Also, if you would like to tag along for the hair adventure, but have no desire to have yours done, that's okay too; just let me know.

My intention at this time is to have a slumber party with you all at my house the night before the wedding, so that the FunBus (Word, yes, we got one... and THAT'S what it's called!) can just pick us all up, take us where we need to go, etc. Also, so you guys can save some hotel money. And if anyone is coming into town earlier than that and needs a place to stay, I will have you covered!

Okay, so... let me know, y'all! Mani/pedis? Hair? I'm pretty sure champagne can be involved with both...

Much love!


*spoken in a breathy voice