Last Call!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the next time you hear from me, I'll be in Ireland!  I'll be setting up a separate blog for pictures and stories so I don't interrupt our wedding planning.  Speaking of, the wedding planning has taken a back seat these past few weeks: I've been busy getting ready for my trip, and Seth has been in class from 8 am till 5 pm every day PLUS hours of homework (WHEW!).  Not much has been done, but you guys keep paying attention because Seth is working on rehearsal dinner locations and music while I'm gone.

I hate that we haven't revealed much information yet - I know this blog is pretty boring so far (except for the polls!).  As soon as we can make some concrete decisions, and after we let those in the wedding party know, we'll let YOU know! 

Thanks for reading :)

Shelley

A Matter of Preference

This new poll and the almost-results are very interesting to me (and to some of you, I'm sure!)  How do I say this nicely?  Hmm...

I'm just not a classic, black & white kind of gal, Seth is just not a classic, black & white kind of guy, and we just do not have a classic, black & white kind of relationship.  It's sweet that some of you imagine a nice, classic wedding for us.  Maybe after we're married we'll turn into that couple.  Actually, I'm sure our parents would like it if we suddenly became a simple, classic couple, because it'd be a lot easier to plan the wedding!  Anyway, I'm working on a new question for the poll; I have to admit that if this poll stays the way it is, we won't be following the results. 

We haven't done much else planning.  These days, with Seth in Maymester at CIU, planning consists more of just me looking for things on the internet and emailing them to our joint address for future reference - things like linens, invitations, music, etc.  We had a good time yesterday in Hilton Head and shopped for wedding rings, but we didn't decide on anything specific other than we both have excellent taste in jewelry.  Uh oh.

I hope that if you voted for classic, you know I totally don't mind!  These polls really are more a way for me to figure out what you're thinking.  Thanks for reading and please keep voting.  More of you could start commenting, too.... ;)

Well, well, well...

So, Savannah at my church WON.  Congratulations to all of you who voted (maybe more than once?) for that venue!  The only thing that surprised me is that Columbia and the beach were tied.  Hmm... I guess we'll just have to have two extra parties! 

There's a new poll out, so remember to vote for your favorite.  If you have any suggestions of new polls, let me know. 

Finally, there was absolutely no point for me to write this new post.  Hope you enjoyed!

Things I have learned from CIU

There are so many things that I have learned in one semester at Columbia International University that I could not possibly include everything. I am going to actually include some bigger picture ideas and maybe discuss small details later.

1. I have learn to think through everything.

Hermeneutics and Philosophy have taught me to take everything I read and hear and take it through the Bible and think about it.

2. How cool is the Bible?

I have known this fact but taking NT and OT Survey have just taught me more about the Bible. It is just cool to look at how God used ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

3. Prayer

I know how important prayer was going into school but never saw it implemented in such a big way. CIU's prayer days are awesome. It is also cool to have the teachers constantly praying for the students.

These are just a few things that I have learned this school year. CIU is an awesome school. If you are thinking about what school to attend then CIU should be the one.

Seth

Unbelievable

OH MY GOODNESS! 

In the past 24 hours, I have found out not only that Waterford (see previous post) is made in Ireland but also that you can tour the BRAND NEW facility beginning in June 2010. 

I'm sure some of you are thinking "Fantastic, Shelley; good for Ireland.  Your point is..?" 

Well, yeah, I think that, too.  Except, I'M GOING!!  I'm going to Ireland in June for study abroad, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm going to make it to that brand spanking new facility. 

AAAHHHHHHH!!

Top Ten

1-Cuisinart Programmable Model Em-200 Espresso Machine

I am going to go out on a limb and say that this is definitely my favorite. I mean, anyone that knows me knows that I love my coffee.

2-Wilton Armetale Flutes And Pearls 6" Dipping Bowl

Anybody that knows me knows that I rather enjoy some chips and salsa. This bowl is a special type of metal that stays cold for at least an hour. Mmmm. Cold Salsa.

3-Tortilla Warmer

To go along with my yummy chips and salsa is a great warmed tortilla to make a great taco. How truly amazing.

4-Olde Thompson Stainless Steel 20-Jar Spice Organizer

I love to cook, and a spice organizer that have 20 spices would make me incredibly happy. I love to throw in a random spice or two.

5-Dkny Boucle Bath Towel-Lime

It is lime green and I love lime green. These towels are also very soft.

6-Coffee Cup Wall Clock

It would look perfect in the office. I enjoy coffee greatly and would love a clock to remind me that it is coffee time.

7-The Sharper Image Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Speaker System

Shelley just got me an iPod for my birthday so this would be awesome. Something to listen to my music while hanging outdoors.

8-3 Gallon Beverage Dispenser With Cooling Cylinder

I could see many Arnold Palmers being poured into my cup.

9-Calphalon Contemporary 17-Piece Knife Block Set

The steak knives were incredible. They had a really nice feel and were sharp so less time cutting and more time preparing the steak marinade with my spices.

10-K-Cup Samplers

I love my coffee like I said. And this is a ton of coffee for 25 or 30 dollars. Amazing.



This was a lot of fun but I am really excited about my next blog........I am thinking about doing a non-wedding blog about some of the coolest things I have learned from CIU in one year or the top things that I am looking forward to in wedding planning. If you have any preference to which one comes first leave a comment.

Seth Stone

Registry

I just wanted to add on with what Shelley wrote. I had a blast registering. They gave me the handy dandy gun and let me scan whatever I wanted....sometimes I started to get carried away and Shelley had to reel me in.

It was awesome, but it was different at the same time. I always thought that we would not register for a lot of items, but the lady who helped us told us to register for a lot of items. She said our guest would love to have many options. She also told us that we should register some inexpensive stuff as well as some expensive stuff. It was one of the most fun things ever.


Coming soon......My top 10 items from bed bath and beyond (in case you really like me)

Seth

Our First Registry

Seth and I registered at Bed Bath & Beyond today.  It was crazy.  It took us 3 hours to get through one half of the store.  Luckily, the second half only took 1 hour (however, we did kind of stop making decisions just so we could finish).  Good GRIEF do we have expensive taste.  Well, really, it's just me (except for anything coffee-related for Seth).  And it's just for a few very specific items. 

For example, if you would like to know what I absolutely, positively want from my registry,  I want anything on there that is Waterford (the crystal glasses, the pitchers, and the toasting flutes).  I totally understand that none of these items would be used on a daily basis, but that doesn't mean I want them less.  I have some Waterford pieces that my parents have given me.  I don't use all three of them everyday, but when I do use them, I remember my parents and the reasons I received them. 

The rest of the stuff we picked is all good and fun and cheaper.  There are a few things we missed; there are a few things they don't have.  Anyway, that's all I really wanted to say - our first registry has begun!  YAY!  (Oh, and yes, Seth did have control of the gun and yes, he was happy).

The Dynamic Duo

Can I just tell you what my favorite part of planning this wedding has been?  How involved Seth is and wants to be!   I love it.  He's the one that wanted to go get a wedding planning book.  He loves going on websites and asking for information on... everything!  He is excited about the website and this blog - he thinks it's cool. When we're together, we plan.

Here's what we have planned:

Seth and I are getting married on June18, 2011!  The wedding will be in Savannah.  We have a location, but I'm still looking for something that fits my vision a little better.  Mr. Craig, Seth's dad, will be marrying us.  Dabo, my grandfather, will be praying over us the same prayer he prayed over my parents and my brother and sister-in-law.  Bebe, Seth's grandmother, will be making a very special red velvet groom's cake.

I've got a wedding website coming soon, but all of the details aren't finished yet, so you can't see it!  I'll keep you updated, though, and you'll know when it's viewable.  


Let me know if you have any ideas for us.  We like suggestions and more inexpensive DIY tips.