I have to thank Carrie for the help she gave me recently. I was freaking out because we are not having a typical wedding with reception afterwards. Well kinda, the big reception will be in Sandusky, Ohio, with all my friends and family, family friends, and hopefully some of Isak's friends if they are here. So, i wasn't sure how to send out invitations. She came across a website that had some really great sayings. Then based on that I did a broader search and voila! I have compiled several pages of 'verse' as they call it so Isak and I can write the best one we like and write something. Then, I will order it like a wedding invitation to send out right after we get married in September. The reception is in November. For the ceremony in Chicago, I can print out something easy to send to those I know will be coming. This Monday I will start looking around for cakes. I want a small cake here and then can worry about getting a bigger one later. So far, I have dress... check, flowers... check, photographer....check, wedding location and reception...check, rings....check, registry at Target and Phaltzgraff...check, I still need cake, tux, i feel like i am forgetting something else, haha. i stopped to think a few minutes. OH food for reception here, we are trying to find a place to do the catering, something small and simple. otherwise maybe cookout? We don't have a grill (it is on the registry) so unless we can borrow one, that might not be possible. Hotels for family that is coming in. I need to start looking for someplace check and nice adn easily accessible. OH and Isak's mom is coming for sure, so I need to figure out how to get my parents here. I asked my sister in law for help in that area. argh, time for bed, i hate working the late shift. my boss asked me what I wanted to work, I told him I don't mind Tuesday thru Saturday but I want the 8-430 slot. They had a manager teleconference so I hope it changes soon!!!
Time for bed, i need to start making a list so i know what else I feel like I am forgetting

Guess what! We finally got them!!! Our wedding bands!!! It was so strange and surreal, Isak leaving back for Sweden today and picking up our wedding bands. It is hard to imagine that in a few months we will be getting married. We looked for a few wedding spots but they were all either too public or too hard to get to for individuals without vehicles, we decided to have it here at the house :) Strange I know but, it will be simple, cost effective, and relaxed. That is the most important part. We will have the reception afterwards, a mini one at least. The big reception will be in Sandusky, Ohio. We also registered at Target.com and pfaltzgraff.com. Just search for either name and you will find it. We were kinda rushing around at Target and it didn't scan everything we wanted so I have to play with it online to so everything shows up. I just wanted to write a quick note and post the pictures of the rings.

I finally did it. On Monday I went to a florist up the street to ask about flowers. The shop had been in the owner's family for 60 years and he was very insightful. I gave him an idea of what I want and it should cost about 200 dollars. They also had a pamphlet, the saleslady had just been in the shop, for freeze framing the flowers. I went ahead and ordered the corsages for the parents, in the event that they cannot come, I can create something for them that they can remember for always. Oh, and when i asked him about the throw away, he said he would include that for free since I am new to the community. The owner also had some recommendations for wedding locations. Next Sunday, Isak and I will be busy running around checking them out.
Isak is leaving next Monday. We will hopefully pick up our wedding bands before he goes. Then we need to decide on dishes, i want a new set! and register at target for some other small things.
I just wanted to give a fast update, I need to get ready for work now.

well, it has been a month since I last wrote. i haven't done much until today. I ordered thank you cards, napkins and matchbooks with our name and date on the last two. I still need to find a location.

Recently I changed shifts so I work Tuesday to Friday 1030 to 7pm and Saturday 8 - 430. It wouldn't be so bad but I really do hate the later hours during the week. by the time I get home, it is almost 8pm and then we cook dinner and it is practically time for bed. I told my boss I wouldn't mind Tuesday to Saturday if it was all 8 to 430. I was also recently promoted last week as well. Before, I was still considered a 'trainee' for the first 6 months. Well, it has been six months and I am an official claims rep, which basically means claims adjuster. I investigate the accident to determine liability, who is at fault for the accident. It is a really interesting job. Hopefully, we will be getting a little more money and we can save after the wedding.

I was suppose to look for flowers today but it is already 6pm and I cleaned the house and did laundry so I am tired. Isak is also leaving in a couple weeks so I want to spend time with him before he goes back. I need to see if he has a baptismal record because we need two forms of identity for him to get a marriage license. A friend at work suggested he get a state ID and that would be a lot easier than anything else. I just think you need a lot of identity forms as well to get that so... We will see. All he has right now is his drivers license from Sweden, passport, and school ID. He gets very little mail here so please send him something haha. :)

Just before Isak leaves, we are going to go to Target and get a wedding registry going. I already have one online at fortunoff.com. This way, it will be easier for some since Targets are located all over the country. The hard part is thinking about what we need!!! The only things we really want are a deep freezer, a grill, and I saw this on QVC so I am sure Target has it, a hardwood floor cleaner/vacuum. You don't know how hard it is to keep hardwood floors clean. I am dusting them almost every other day and the hair and dust that accumulates.... it is amazing. If anyone has suggestions on things we may need, let me know

ok, that is about it so time to get dinner started. Ciao for now :)