tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50705420118303538542024-03-05T20:20:33.008-08:00To Each Her OwnLove, Life and a Lesbian WeddingM.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-4317147072827804242010-04-21T13:02:00.000-07:002010-04-21T13:06:35.160-07:007 Months to The Day!Holy matrimony, Batman! I just realized that in exactly 7 months, almost to the hour, D and I will be tying the knot. I thought maybe it was time to check in with my wedding time line because "November" and "7 MONTHS" have two completely different responses from me.<br /><br />November- Oh yeah, so much time!<br />7 Months- Holy crap. I am so behind on everything.<br /><br />It had been so long since I had been on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">theknot</span>.com that I had completely forgotten our password and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">username</span> (remember, we've been engaged over a year now.... and I'm pretty sure the last time I logged in was like three days post engaging).<br /><br />I had the lovely task of crossing things off, and the unlovely task of realizing how much needs to be done and quickly!<br /><br />So, first step is to reserve rooms. How many and where. I do not know. We have a place close to the venue, but the room rate is $169 a night, which seems steep for our small town.<br /><br />I am trying not to stress out, but I feel like I've suddenly been dropped into a giant bowl of jello with only a wee little spoon (I'm also hungry right now).<br /><br />Onward march (or may, rather!)M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-17424360267880815922010-03-02T08:49:00.000-08:002010-03-02T08:58:07.834-08:00La Vida LocaWell, my life went from 0 to 60mph in about a week. Deb and I are in the process of moving, our big competition piece for theatre has public performances and competitions coming up, and then on top of that I'm stage managing at a local community theatre.<br /><br />What happened?!<br /><br />This is just a tiny little post-- an amazing college student at Texas A&M has entered the Pepsi <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ReFresh</span> Project, which awards $50,000 to the top 10 ideas. The gal wants to start an LGBT Resource Center for Youth and Adults in Bryan/College Station (where A&M is). It is sorely needed, and if you have a few seconds to vote-- it would be awesome. Currently, I think the idea is #25. Voting ends March 31 and you can vote every day!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.refresheverything.com/bcsglbtcenter">You can vote by clicking here</a><br /><br />Also, don't forget that I'm also blogging over at <a href="www.soyoureengayged.com">So You're <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EnGAYged</span>! </a>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-78647031922594482422010-02-17T12:16:00.001-08:002010-02-17T12:20:46.791-08:00This. Is. AWESOME.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppbQG3jjF2YTv3jjGBw9ekQRxJ6Zjwfam087L-DDRPA9RwIF8TNwmu1tll3Nc7x3sjQIq7cFEugJ1_vQHn-M4FBsHO53jQScn9WEfyeFZvMGOgeNS3H_U3psSv9E3W33LsVkkBYqMfOA/s1600-h/SoYoureEngayged-Banner512px.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 76px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppbQG3jjF2YTv3jjGBw9ekQRxJ6Zjwfam087L-DDRPA9RwIF8TNwmu1tll3Nc7x3sjQIq7cFEugJ1_vQHn-M4FBsHO53jQScn9WEfyeFZvMGOgeNS3H_U3psSv9E3W33LsVkkBYqMfOA/s400/SoYoureEngayged-Banner512px.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439309040234182834" border="0" /></a>Guess who is a new blogger for <a href="http://www.soyoureengayged.com">So You're <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">EnGAYged</span>?</a><br /><br />ME!!!!!<br /><br />Who's that About Me bio on the front page right now?<br /><br />ME!!!<br /><br />Who is so totally stoked to be writing for the coolest, most awesome-st, best site for Same Sex and Allied Couples who are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gettin</span>' hitched?<br /><br />ME!!!!<br /><br />Seriously, I am so pumped! If you have never visited the site, you should, because it has loads of Allied and LGBT vendors, Real Same-Sex Weddings and a collection of really smart, funny and intelligent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bloggers</span> that I am so honored to be joining!<br /><br />But! Continue to keep checking back on this blog as I will be writing different content for each!<br /><br />I hope you guys are having an awesome possum week!M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-84824726649821619322010-02-15T08:33:00.001-08:002010-02-15T08:34:13.935-08:00Super Exciting!I have some crazy exciting news to share with you...<br /><br />Tomorrow!<br /><br />Lots of really great things are going on and I am super stoked!M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-33008640135605033012010-02-09T13:45:00.000-08:002010-02-09T14:09:23.329-08:00Paper FlowersDeb is a huge book person. I am also a book gal. I love reading, when I can find the time. D and I talked about somehow incorporating our love of books into our bouquets, so naturally I went to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.etsy.com"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">etsy</span></a> and went on a little journey:<br /><br />I discovered <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperlibrarian">Paper Librarian's Shop</a>, and this great brooch, which could easily be turned in to a boutonniere:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYddgsKRz7JVLdmCQE9Zh7DAUaNuMX0rb9yb-dnn3Lch6nkrMTeLXiwnxHIqQRUYcwE6G11F8I24GK5peENcOnCsNh0JcG7kDLU0yeIlaw1JVYLAX7JCIZFlsaWAfQFE1FrqCKmAwZ6G4/s1600-h/bookflower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYddgsKRz7JVLdmCQE9Zh7DAUaNuMX0rb9yb-dnn3Lch6nkrMTeLXiwnxHIqQRUYcwE6G11F8I24GK5peENcOnCsNh0JcG7kDLU0yeIlaw1JVYLAX7JCIZFlsaWAfQFE1FrqCKmAwZ6G4/s400/bookflower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436365183156347810" border="0" /></a>Then I found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SuzanneBWebb">Suzanne B Webb's shop</a>, which has sets of these guys for very cheap:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VxyGGVM004tmG3aklt389MaNnpUEyWI0mtCMfa1aWFIz58nkeKWlO-lktVqQZz222WYAaSEPYCEEl3t6wl41rQJ_Xhmepmi-23vOYxgpdrpKtOwxMNuxqFc6-dtp09UrdZvuAH5UKFc/s1600-h/bookflower2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VxyGGVM004tmG3aklt389MaNnpUEyWI0mtCMfa1aWFIz58nkeKWlO-lktVqQZz222WYAaSEPYCEEl3t6wl41rQJ_Xhmepmi-23vOYxgpdrpKtOwxMNuxqFc6-dtp09UrdZvuAH5UKFc/s400/bookflower2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436366101922475218" border="0" /></a>I totally bought some. And then I came across this fun, up cycled ring bearer pillow from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WeddingsByBeccaMari">Weddings By Becca Mari</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIsSYsspHWn9LVRccdTkKNl2ULW6nRN6VVuSHWTvCwskcGBU7LkThzOu8Fsto7GE0UKM65g9C0w3zyk4aSn034L-DgxWS0miGhxvUdD4U_mcDmYQg6aBsb1PbuEW1EPm4a5p9GwNK1yM/s1600-h/bookflower3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIsSYsspHWn9LVRccdTkKNl2ULW6nRN6VVuSHWTvCwskcGBU7LkThzOu8Fsto7GE0UKM65g9C0w3zyk4aSn034L-DgxWS0miGhxvUdD4U_mcDmYQg6aBsb1PbuEW1EPm4a5p9GwNK1yM/s400/bookflower3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436367464755464834" border="0" /></a>which lead me to this beautiful creation from the same store that has me seriously reconsidering real flowers for *<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">at least</span>* my bouquet:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaMgIMOJtZv9RWCz7xpL8kQ_yblaati1QGMiq5C-QRjCzqKmBvkWEYU7bvBuvyHXW6bFQZxcGaigK1k2uq5vLo-rSxn9h56iAshloYy5INff6laxnveMQXtdOKFdP1QjmoCZoPRu65M0/s1600-h/paperflower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaMgIMOJtZv9RWCz7xpL8kQ_yblaati1QGMiq5C-QRjCzqKmBvkWEYU7bvBuvyHXW6bFQZxcGaigK1k2uq5vLo-rSxn9h56iAshloYy5INff6laxnveMQXtdOKFdP1QjmoCZoPRu65M0/s400/paperflower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436367761028809922" border="0" /></a>Paper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ranunculus</span>. Gorgeous! And so well made. I would be interested to see if the book paper brooch idea would be something I could <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">DIY</span>, but for $5.00 for 9--- I don't know if it worth the stress, or self deprecation if I can't do it.M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-33154671926282470602010-02-08T09:16:00.000-08:002010-02-08T09:46:27.827-08:00From the Times, of courseA favorite Monday activity of mine is to go to the New York Times <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">web page</span> and view the "most popular" tab from the front page. I am always surprised by what America blogs about, emails their friends about or recommends to read. It is such a diverse little section, and I always enjoy taking an hour or so to do during lunch, or during some down time.<br /><br />For example, did you know one S<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/world/asia/07karaoke.html?em"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">inatra</span> Song Often Strikes a Deadly Chord</a> in the Philippines?<br /><br />But that is not what I am blogging today!<br /><br />I just finished a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/opinion/07rich.html?bl">really interesting op-ed piece by Frank Rich</a> (whom I love) about the blatant bigotry around Don't Ask Don't Tell, and a little bit about gay marriage too. I know it is an opinion article, but it is nice to read. <br /><br />Sometimes, I think since I am so involved in this topic, and am gay that maybe I'm a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">scoatch</span> biased. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yes, thank you captain obvious, of course I'm biased!</span> This is my life! But at the same time, it is nice to know that I am not crazy for thinking other people are crazy. I don't understand how people see letting gays and lesbians serve in the military can hurt "troop morale". I think they are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">f'ing</span> crazy. I think they are just homophobes and nothing else. I try to see both sides of every coin. So maybe these folks think that we are just homosexuals and nothing else. But, clearly, homophobes can openly serve in the military...... so then, after a few minutes of playing devil's advocate, I just start thinking they are close- <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">minded</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">f'ing</span> crazy idiots again. But it is nice to read an article like this affirming that I am NOT crazy, nor am I enacting some sort of weird reverse discrimination--- plain and simple-- these people calling for no repeal, are just loony. I hope that made sense. It is Monday and my brain is not fulling working.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/opinion/07rich.html?bl">On the the article!!! </a> If you don't want to read it, here are a few of my favorites:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">If gay Americans are to be granted full equality, the flimsy rhetorical camouflage must be stripped away to expose the prejudice that lies beneath.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">McCain aside, the most common last-ditch argument for preserving “don’t ask” heard last week, largely from Southern senators, is to protect “troop morale and cohesion.” Every known study says this argument is a canard, as do the real-life examples of the many armies with openly gay troops, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/100202/dont-ask-dont-tell" title="An article from GlobalPost about other countries experiences with the issue.">including those of Canada, Britain and Israel</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. But the argument does carry a telling historical pedigree. When Harry Truman ordered the racial integration of the American military in 1948, Congressional opponents (then mainly Southern Democrats) embraced an antediluvian Army prediction from 1940 </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0F1FFD3A5D177A93C3A8178DD85F448585F9&" title="A Times article from the archives about the integration of the military.">stating that such a change would threaten national defense</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> by producing “situations destructive to morale.” History will sweep this bogus argument away now as it did then.</span><br /><br />Happy reading!M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-91398924779259864372010-02-04T13:02:00.000-08:002010-02-04T13:11:21.245-08:00Oh No!I had my first wedding related stressy pants dream.<br /><br />Dreamed that the only thing in place was the venue-- no food, no photographer, no booze, no flowers, no veils (we aren't wearing veils!), and no make-up.... we ended up going to wal-mart and buying covergirl and some hippy dippy shop to buy tiaras... (gag).<br /><br />And then, no transportation, so we were escorted to the aisle in Jackie of All Trade's unwashed Scion XB.<br /><br />And it was raining.<br /><br />And we had to convince one of our guests to be the officiant last minute, and had them fill out and online officiant application from my iphone.<br /><br />Sad thing-- this dream happened TWICE IN ONE NIGHT. See, we postponed the wedding in dream ONE to give us more time to get food for people and a photographer and then I had a SECOND dream and we had the food and photog, but this time-- we forgot to send out invitations-- so no one showed up!<br /><br />So weird.M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-15861288046280766052010-01-29T12:12:00.001-08:002010-01-29T12:41:24.469-08:00Tune it Out<span style="font-size:100%;">I've been listening to some rocking Pandora music channels today, hoping to catch some new artists I like. I'm also secretly hoping to stumble upon some wedding songs.<br /><br />Deb and I have some terrible luck when it comes to songs. We seem to have problems finding and sticking to songs that we like without being tainted. Petty or no, it is a problem. People of the Jury, may I introduce the evidence:<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exhibit #1:</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWGqoCNbsvM">Bubbly by Colbie Caillat</a> was one of the first songs we connected with in the sappy ridiculousness of those first few months of dating. I adore this song and really love how it describes the feeling of being in love.... or so I thought. Apparently, this song is about orgasms. Or so a vast majority of the population (or just my friends) seem to think! Yes! Here I was all innocently thinking it was about love and how cute Deb looks when she crinkles her nose at me, but really the whole damn song is about sexy times. So now, thanks to that one little bird that mentioned this to us, I can't listen to the damn song without thinking "HOW MANY PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THIS BEFORE ME?!"</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exhibit #2:</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A">I'm Yours by Jason Mraz</a> was, by sheer coincidence, the song that was playing when I proposed. We have loved this song for a while and I have loved Jason Mraz before he became some big alt-pop star. But now, this song is freaking everywhere! So what was once just Mr. Mraz and his ukulele, from some demo CD he made that I downloaded from Napster or something is now some giant ass song that is crazy popular, digitally mastered with strings and crap and on some stupid preview for a movie about a serial killer in Haw</span><span style="font-size:100%;">aii. And I do not like that one bit.<br /><br />Though I still totally heart the song, it will be played at some point the wedding... I just don't know where.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exhibit #3:</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8">Lakme Flower Duet by Mozart</a> I could live with it when it was the "Virgin Airlines" theme song, and when it showed up on Godiva Chocolate commercials. Everyone loves chocolate. I could even get past that episode of the L Word. But now?! NOW</span><span style="font-size:100%;">?! This gorgeous piece of music is now being used for Animal Planet's "Animals: Untamed and Uncut". And when I hear those opening notes, all I can see in my head is the lion attacking a jeep in the middle of a safari.</span><br />It really isn't a pretty site.<br /><br />So what should I do? Try and block out the noise that surrounds these songs or continue searching? What if I can't tune it out and I'm walking down the aisle and see a lion attacking a jeep, and then the bull goring the bullfighter?!<br /><br />I know married friends say "You won't even hear the music," but I still can't help but worry about these silly things. I think it helps me procrastinate those Save the Dates I'm supposed to be working on.<br /><br />Speaking of music and save the dates-- check out these super awesome ones from Etsy Seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36259030&ref=cat3_gallery_1">EliminateUgly</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYS4hMEbEVkKmYiK-owgTaPSVflFfDLaS-QVilXC2GkRI8CkihFlI_nUCdPy6s5lZxhAdRYr4gRMwzzhqiiaG7_OATcIzwTl21M-RN-o70YI78kPXn1RNoScu_8reyXPdX6wnRUQMEuZg/s1600-h/il_430xN.108396803.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYS4hMEbEVkKmYiK-owgTaPSVflFfDLaS-QVilXC2GkRI8CkihFlI_nUCdPy6s5lZxhAdRYr4gRMwzzhqiiaG7_OATcIzwTl21M-RN-o70YI78kPXn1RNoScu_8reyXPdX6wnRUQMEuZg/s400/il_430xN.108396803.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432264005778562258" border="0" /></a><br />The octopus is the company watermark-- wouldn't actually be on the invites..... you probably could have figured that out for yourself, but it is the end of the week and I thought I'd help you out a bit.<br /><br />Happy Friday, y'all!M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-89194309524572493352010-01-20T12:30:00.000-08:002010-01-20T12:38:11.876-08:00This is Pretty Cool.This couple is donate 1/4 of their wedding budget to help fund relief in Haiti. I think that is spectacular!<br /><br /><object width="416" height="374" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="ep"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="movie" value="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=us/2010/01/19/dnt.wedding.funds.to.haiti.kare"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><embed src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_416x234_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=us/2010/01/19/dnt.wedding.funds.to.haiti.kare" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="416" wmode="transparent" height="374"></embed></object><br /><br />I'm sure you are inundated with calls to help this country. But, if you are looking for specific LGBT organizations to donate to, the <a href="http://www.olivia.com/">Olivia Organization</a> (of cruiseline fame) will be matching up to $7,500 in funds donated to the Red Cross.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.olivia.com/connect/Press/OliviaPress/2010/ReliefinHaiti.pdf">Click Here</a> to read the press release<br /><br /><a href="http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=corp_evergreen&s_company=lgbt-pub&s_companycontent=lgbt-pub&s_active=1&s_dis1=0&s_dis2=0&s_dis3=1&s_genops=0&s_national=0&s_military=0&s_international=0&s_local=0&s_match=0&s_src=FZZWGW00&s_subsrc=lgbt-pub">You can donate here.</a>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-80030237173177226612010-01-18T18:37:00.000-08:002010-01-18T18:53:26.497-08:00Rich Bride, Poor Bride<div style="text-align: left;">There is this new show on the TV (Women's Entertainment) called Rich Bride, Poor Bride. Maybe it isn't new, but it is new to me. And it is terrible. And amazing. And I sort of throw up a little bit when I watch it. But. I. Just. Can't. Look. Away.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just watch these brides talk about how the day is all about them. and they are the princess. and their lactose intolerant grooms should shell out the bucks to rent an ice cream truck. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was up till 4am last night watching this show (and Platinum Weddings-- which is pretty much the problem with America right now in 30 minutes). And I just kept getting mad! At the show! At me for watching the show and judging these brides extravagant decisions. I mean, if I had $400,000 dollars I would buy a house, but maybe they really really do care about the 700 guests, and it is money well spent.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here was the biggest problem of all-- I was feeling 'wedding inferiority', aka my wedding isn't 'chic' enough, or cool enough, or whatever enough. And then I was feeling 'wedding superiority', aka my wedding is much more meaningful, or just plain better. And then! I felt bad for both.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We try to hard not to judge people! But there I was! Sitting and judging. And, to be honest-- I sort of liked it, in one of those twisted snarky ways. But like most things that are bad for you, I'm going to have to cut back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I will say though, some of these weddings were gorgeous and gave me some fun ideas! I just need to remove a few zeros of the cost. </div><div><br /></div><div>For instance-- One bride had the guests throw rose petals as the couple exited the aisle. I love this! I think it is fun and sweet and will make for a pretty awesome moment. Check this photo out:</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lB438WhNMX02GbBNLjmQmRH7x8DzSd21orpDkaJ0CLU-gXSGutvnPKB_K38dDogNgs32o4n-oH8VpOreOxTVFKkLDr4g41Z-7IS-rLJf9omfeEXhJeCd4hfqynMp1nxJnEu4zSwqRB4/s400/just-married1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428278308878700082" /><div><br /></div><div>See? Isn't that pretty?! Main difference between our wedding and the one I saw on TV? The roses won't be imported from Holland and placed in 24karat bowls. SAMs club and some pails should do just fine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-14571069948817435322010-01-13T12:28:00.000-08:002010-01-13T12:54:19.218-08:00Trial TrackingSo, the Prop 8 Trial is underway and I am trying to keep my distance and not check my twitter and email every <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">freakin</span>' second for updates. I just keep getting that terrible feeling of dread and hope in my stomach. This trial is a HUGE deal. We are talking federal court, may actually reverse state amendments huge. <br /><br />If you are looking for more information about the trial itself (as of now, defense has filed appeals to keep it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">un</span>-televised) check out the Courage Campaign's<a href="http://prop8trialtracker.com/"> Prop 8 Trial Tracker.</a> The main contributors will be long-time <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bloggers</span> Robert <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cruickshank</span>, Public Policy Director and Julia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Rosen</span>, Online Political Director. They are pretty much live blogging the whole thing and even though it may seem difficult to follow at times, it is loads of coverage.<br /><br />My favorite gem of a quote from today: "you all have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Brokeback</span> Mountain, and it even got awards. Gay discrimination is over"-- from Defense attorney cross-examining Professor Chauncey (a LGBT history professor at Yale). From @<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bestlesbianweek</span><br /><br />If you are on twitter, I'd suggest following @<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">bestlesbianweek</span> and @<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">theadvocatemag</span> for their pretty constant coverage on the trial, plus many other cool things.<br /><br />In other news, Deb and I, along with Jackie of All Trades, traveled down to H-Town for the Bridal Extravaganza. It was a bit of bust (no cake tasting), but I think we found our music peeps, which is good. They are a cellist and guitar duo, and the singer has a great folksy voice that we both really like. Plus, they are super gay friendly and have performed at gay weddings before, so that is plus for us!<br /><br />I do have a question though-- They are asking around $1000 for ceremony music, one hour post ceremony (cocktails/greeting) and then DJ services after (5 hours). This seems like a really good deal, but I've never booked any sort of music act before. Thoughts?M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-31966259021325312472010-01-08T12:37:00.001-08:002010-01-08T12:47:30.061-08:00Resolutions, pt. 1I sort of hate that we only resolve to do things on January 1st, but I also like the fact that a new year can bring fresh new ideas.<br /><br />Deborah and I talked about our goals for the following year and I tried to keep it from sounding like a high school project. See, I had envisioned this great time where we sat and thought and wrote out our goals and then shared them together, maybe over a cup of earl gray tea, but Deborah has serious aversions to these types of things thanks to years of "Kingdom Education" aka Baptist Christian High School. Apparently, they were big on discussing goals and resolutions...<br /><br />So, I adapted, and the reality was much nicer than my 'assignment'. A simple conversation while waiting for our order at Sonic. <br /><br />Our last order from Sonic (sadly). <br /><br />So, My biggest ( a pun on many levels, really) resolution is to lose 30lbs before the wedding. <br /><br />I know I am supposed to love my plus-sized self, and that my body is a wonderland and I am gorgeous and all of that crap. But to be honest, I don't love myself at my current weight and I often look in the mirror and say "what happened?", and I don't want to be saying that at my wedding. More so, I don't want to say "wow, our photographer did a good job making me look good!" I just want to look good. No camera tricks... I just want to look smokin' hot, and<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> feel</span> smokin' hot too.<br /><br />To me, 30lbs seems like a reasonable goal in 11 months. It means no more fast food (my weakness), and watching what I actually eat. I did a good job this summer after the diabetes scare, but then I got lazy. I always get lazy.<br /><br />I can't be lazy anymore!!!<br /><br />So, to hold myself more accountable, I've joined a Biggest Loser sort of group at my work, and whoever loses the largest % of body fat by march wins 200 bucks. Seems like nice extra motivation to me!<br /><br />Here's hoping I'm not too hungry all the time.... hungry + wedding planning = terrible.M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-24821572144596532162010-01-06T08:22:00.000-08:002010-01-06T08:49:19.336-08:00Save the Dates, round 2!I'm a procrastinator. For example, our Christmas/New Year's (aka Happy Holidays) cards we ordered? They are addressed, but not stamped... and have not been sent out. Folks will probably get them in February.<br /><br />Sometimes, I'm pretty terrible at the follow-through.<br /><br />Which is why I realized that I needed to get the ball rolling on these Save the Date cards. Even though the wedding is 11 months (!!!!!) away! Some etiquette sites and etiquette guru friends of mine have stated that weddings that take place around holidays (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IE</span>: 4 days before Thanksgiving), should send Save The Dates out 8-12 months before the wedding.<br /><br />So, in an effort to hit the 8 month mark, I'm starting on these little things early. Once ordered, I'll have two full months to gather addresses, actually address them, and then add some postage and send the suckers off.<br /><br />I've also changed the design. After a change in colors, and <a href="http://toeacherown.blogspot.com/2009/10/photoshop-phun.html">looking at the old design too long</a>... I decided it was too busy and I didn't like it. Besides, in 'theory', Save the Dates are supposed to set the tone of your wedding. I feel the way we are going is laid back, fun, with a nice hint of vintage-y goodness thrown in.<br /><br />So, for your consideration, the final Save The Date (minus some tweaking):<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfah7_4em3KoU48fCcg_7FB9z4fFZ3w1WWbopcEOe4br1JpSShpUCpQLpsPG5r0OfhQ3bF6UvsifAz7-q7yzqS0FZqllVneLQWuu-UfiQ7nrTnhNUFeY7m15sbSjstKoYEGiRMsC-jpTs/s1600-h/stdbingo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfah7_4em3KoU48fCcg_7FB9z4fFZ3w1WWbopcEOe4br1JpSShpUCpQLpsPG5r0OfhQ3bF6UvsifAz7-q7yzqS0FZqllVneLQWuu-UfiQ7nrTnhNUFeY7m15sbSjstKoYEGiRMsC-jpTs/s400/stdbingo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423666279851936514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The reverse side will have our names, the date (again) and the location, along with our wedding website. We don't currently have a wedding website, so once I get *that* done then I can get the dang things printed and start on this marvelous journey!<br /><br />Side note: Did you know <a href="http://www.vistaprint.com"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">vistaprint</span></a> lets you upload your design AND you can <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span>-pay for postage? Do you know how awesome that is for procrastinators like me?! That means all I have to do is drop them off at the post office once they are addressed! You can send it first class, or regular! It AMAZING!<br /><br /></div></div>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-46637817739039696522010-01-04T16:31:00.000-08:002010-01-04T18:26:16.806-08:00Taking the Extra Step<div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, I feel there are so many extra random things LGBT couples have to think about.<br /></div><br />First of all, there is the wording on our invites, which I haven't even begun to figure out! My parental units are helping out LOADS, emotionally and financially, but D's parents aren't even attending the wedding. At the same time, we are paying for *some* of the wedding, and trying to create the proper wording on our invitations is migraine inducing...<br /><br />but that's another post, entirely.<br /><br />Today, I went perusing some local stores to find "THE STORE(s)" we will be registering at for the wedding. We don't want to register at more than two stores, and we'd like to find two stores that:<br />1. Have the things we need/would need to register for 2. is an LGBT friendly store<br /><br />I mean, we don't want our friends and family (and ultimately us) giving a store any sort of monetary gain if they do not support gay marriage.<br /><br />Thankfully, the Human Rights Campaign (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HRC</span>) sent me this nifty<a href="http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide2010/index.htm"> Buyer's Guide</a> around the holidays. And since then-- it has become my go to for many things.<br /><br />Did you know that Macy's and Target both received a rating of 100? But Dillard's and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wal</span>-Mart didn't even make the list? Makes you think where you are going for that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fiestaware</span>.<br /><br />One of our 2010 resolutions is to be more conscious of where our money is going. I know it is going to be difficult at times, and we will probably have to forgo convenience (ex: our closest/regular grocery store gave a significantly large sum to the Yes on 8 campaign, so now we will be driving those extra miles to another store).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">And I'm sure we will be doing even more research, other than this one guide. But by supporting companies that support us, I feel much better spending all that money.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide2010/index.htm"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 55px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YlA4MWBN1xu1-bsHowdC5MdP1nKOEIQe0-5BeILPLsB8NNbbswQcLlRahyphenhyphen7WjEt9Iex5ftayfbeBwJAjC8jdW97Zu9dGQtqxhK3-i4SVmIZpN4pXpfHry9TR7olbUQZJgjf98_SB9i6g/s320/banner.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423076042006536034" border="0" /></a><br /></div>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-77178197760742802932010-01-01T21:49:00.000-08:002010-01-01T21:57:03.903-08:00A Big Year!Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful New Year's Eve and spent it with loved ones and friends! 2010 is such a big year for us! By the end of this year, we will be married! <div><br /></div><div>Now, when someone asks me "when are you getting married?", I can reply "this November".</div><div>Usually I have to qualify that with 2010, but not anymore! It is so exciting! </div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow, D and I are setting down to discuss our goals for 2010. We are going to try and cover a plethora of goals, anything we can think of--financial, business, personal, education, familial, and of course, as a couple.</div><div><br /></div><div>I encourage everyone to do this! This will be the first year we do something like this, but I look forward to making it a yearly tradition to re-evaluate the year that passed and planned for the future.</div>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-29675097489579120722009-12-28T22:26:00.000-08:002009-12-28T22:45:34.461-08:00Sloth is A Terrible ThingAnd my new year's resolution is going to try and post on a regular basis, because sometimes I just plain forget.<br /><br />But as promised... The awesome thanksgiving place settings. These things are so cool! Great for any kind of party!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukVzZBcS1nsU4wsgOdWV8qZi9ClzLWhpmaTKqB0OHQo6bm4PhuDMCCUgVJZEDAnaGbPRj8-Q8m3fEx1etVAI_HagzVhyOd8LH5QCDhyphenhyphenVGXiUGkXZKjG5CoIiopsQijgdcu0yGq4YTvQA/s1600-h/thanksgivingwine.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukVzZBcS1nsU4wsgOdWV8qZi9ClzLWhpmaTKqB0OHQo6bm4PhuDMCCUgVJZEDAnaGbPRj8-Q8m3fEx1etVAI_HagzVhyOd8LH5QCDhyphenhyphenVGXiUGkXZKjG5CoIiopsQijgdcu0yGq4YTvQA/s400/thanksgivingwine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420541564541559954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bridesmate</span>, Kathryn,made these fancy little things! And here is the rundown:<br /><br /><ul><li>Chunk/Sliver crayons. I believe it is easier to do one color, and then start on the next while the first is drying.</li><li>Heat/Melt the crayon bits in silicone baking cups... this makes clean up MUCH easier.</li><li>Turn wine cups upside down on newspaper and then drizzle the melted crayon on with a spoon! Then twirl the cup! ... if you'd like<br /></li><li>Let them dry!</li></ul>You can even do it on plates!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tVwof_3IWLvUVmJvvolDJ_x8PJINeCQWRc5ZbDStr4w3lm8B3joqwEht0wRe9V_jvGSZ_lGxbh99dHl1f7SkYesM1Tt-I2ytpsRCLIQtFZGWZnAju6ucXLNEPX-O5FGFniEgMvR43tc/s1600-h/thanksgivingwine2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tVwof_3IWLvUVmJvvolDJ_x8PJINeCQWRc5ZbDStr4w3lm8B3joqwEht0wRe9V_jvGSZ_lGxbh99dHl1f7SkYesM1Tt-I2ytpsRCLIQtFZGWZnAju6ucXLNEPX-O5FGFniEgMvR43tc/s400/thanksgivingwine2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420543294156781058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love this! And Kathryn did such a great job. She turned plain old clear plastic cups and plates into lovely pieces that enhanced the atmosphere... and I'm pretty sure she only used a few boxes of crayons... and the off brand kind! So it couldn't have cost more than $10.00 for the supplies (minus the plates and stemware, of course)<br /><br />Photos by my lovely friend, Katelyn!<br /></div></div></div></div>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-14347620030616038142009-12-10T09:21:00.000-08:002009-12-10T09:40:46.209-08:00Glenn Beck can Suck It, Part 1 (most likely)I'm a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pissypants</span> over this "Keep Christ is Christmas" biz. Glenn Beck is spitting and spewing and crying (he cries a lot!) over the phrase "Happy Holidays". Saying that America is losing values by trying to be politically correct.<br /><br />Hold the phone, Glenn. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mayhaps</span> your are jumping to a sensationalized conclusion, eh? I have always felt that Happy Holidays was an all encompassing wish to have a pleasant Christmas and New Years (for the Christians) or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Channukah</span> and New Years (for the Jewish folks) and so on and so on.<br /><br />Shoot, if you start saying it in November, it can even include Thanksgiving. What's the big deal, Glenn? What is wrong with trying to encompass multiple holidays in one? I won't even get started on the fact that the ACTUAL Christmas Day wasn't a holiday in the US until 1870 or so... or that the Church of England (Cromwell, to be exact) tried to outlaw Christmas because it WASN'T the day of Jesus' birth then... it was still pretty much a pagan holiday...<br /><br />But that is some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">figgy</span> pudding I'm not going to touch today.<br /><br />I've been gone for a while, huh? We had Thanksgiving up in NYC with 22 of our closest friends in a 2 bedroom apartment and it was glorious. Speaking of glorious.... on the morning of Thanksgiving, Deborah ran a 5 mile Turkey Trot with some of our friends and our team name?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Inglorious Basters. </span><br /><br />Oh yes. It even had a turkey with an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">eye patch</span> on it. And on the back?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We suspect fowl play.</span><br /><br />It was pretty great. Soon (hopefully tomorrow!) I will post the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">DIY</span> dinner place settings my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bridesmate</span> Kathryn made! Here is a sneak peak:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/toeacherown/668baae8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 350px;" src="http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/toeacherown/668baae8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-726336060726524862009-11-12T15:38:00.001-08:002009-11-12T16:15:47.215-08:00Full Speed Ahead!The holidays are fast approaching, and D and I are gearing up for our epic mini-vacation to New York City for the Thanksgiving break. I love this time of year! But I feel like it goes by too fast. First you leisurely waltz into Halloween, then you have a nice month of fall and then Thanksgiving but then <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BAM</span></span>, just like my parents 180lb St. Bernard, Christmas knocks you over and says <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I'M HERE! I'M HERE! </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7WsBUa0gCmNSaXcBkf1A1MqN-APC660-oIMugYDXeZIMzLAcDklqyxW-cCeqS_ZytVjMHRFB1nTfsgxp40XFDJO0tBOgmWiCmGEfB0YMhhh1Vgwz96Hb-nHcF8oEMfUxP0iHdot30fI/s1600-h/suki.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7WsBUa0gCmNSaXcBkf1A1MqN-APC660-oIMugYDXeZIMzLAcDklqyxW-cCeqS_ZytVjMHRFB1nTfsgxp40XFDJO0tBOgmWiCmGEfB0YMhhh1Vgwz96Hb-nHcF8oEMfUxP0iHdot30fI/s400/suki.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403371244392935906" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">That St. Bernard in question is Suki. And that Basset is Lily. Imagine THESE GALS running full speed to greet you!<br />Now, imagine it with a SANTA hat.<br /></span></div><br />Epic planners (and budget conscious folk too) we are starting to plan out what to buy family and how much to spend, etc. And the question of multiple gifts keeps popping up. As in, do we buy each person a gift separately? Or one together? This question is particularly difficult when it pertains to gifts for D's family.<br /><br />Oh, yes. We will be visiting them over the holidays. We will be going there for a day or two to celebrate with her family. And D has made it very clear that we go together or don't got at all. And gifts will be bought, and Christmas will be had. But do we buy one gift? two? one each?<br /><br />Do I seem like I'm trying too hard if I buy them one, separately, as well? Will they read it as a ploy to get them to accept our relationship/like me as a person/not see me as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">scaaaaaaaary</span> lesbian that took their precious daughter away? Or me being that nice friendly girl they once thought as a "part of their family" (exact quote!)<br /><br />I think it is rude for me NOT to get them a gift, they are after all my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fiancee's</span> parents. Especially if I am going to be spending part of the holidays with them. But I also think putting our both our names on a gift may be seen as cheap?<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bridesmate</span> Jackie of All Trades believes that once rings are on hands, gifts are given as a couple. But I'm just not so sure.<br /><br />Thoughts?M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-67266893613658728172009-11-06T12:21:00.000-08:002009-11-06T15:48:01.514-08:00Moving On, Moving UpWe are still pretty bummed about Maine. All in all Wednesday was pretty crappy. I accidentally kept crying when my students or co-workers asked about it... Thankfully I also have bad allergies right now so I could turn my from blithering idiot and into a fake sneeze or two. No need for students to see me semi-defeated for a day.<br /><br />Most heartwarming were former students of mine who had nice little "f@!* you, Maine" facebook statuses, it is nice to know that they support marriage equality! And all of the great comments that I got on the blog made me smile in my heart.<br /><br />If you didn't hear, <a href="http://blogs.chron.com/houstonpolitics/2009/11/houston_mayoral_runoff_a_view_1.html">Houston is in a run-off for mayor</a> and <a href="http://www.anniseparker.com/">Annise Parke</a>r could be the first openly gay woman to be governor in <span style="font-weight: bold;">HOUSTON FREAKING TEXAS.</span><br /><br />This is more than big. <span style="font-size:130%;">This is huge.<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;">And this is even huge-r for Texas. </span><br />Huger isn't even a word, folks..... that is how HUGE this thing is.<br /><br />My new friend, Meghan and her wife Lindsay, (who also happen to be founders of <a href="http://impacthouston.wetpaint.com/">Impact Houston)</a> are trying to fund-raise for Annise and have created their own fundraising page.I know after Maine's defeat, I wanted to throw my support behind SOMETHING (that wasn't HRC this time around). And I'm definitely planning on donating to her campaign to help her win the race.<br /><br /><a href="http://parker.helpmycampaign.com/MeghanBaker/myfundraising">You can donate here!</a><br /><br />Also, <a href="http://biweddingdiaries.blogspot.com/">Erica over at Bi-Wedding Diaries</a>, had a great post about her feelings on Maine and a link to an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlaineJewelry">Etsy shop that is donating profits to No H8</a>. You should check out her blog first, and then the etsy shop next.<br /><br />Hope everyone has plans for a happy weekend!M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-35747026816099038272009-11-04T07:25:00.000-08:002009-11-04T08:00:45.344-08:00No Crumbs...I have been dreaming about my wedding since I was 5. When I was in high school and college and had a bad day, I would go buy a bridal magazine. True story. I would peruse through those glossy pages and bookmark or tear out things I liked. Then, like any good theatre designer, I'd put them in an image book... to keep safe.<br /><br />Just because I never thought or planned about a having a groom doesn't mean I'm not entitled to standing in front of friends and family and saying vows to the one I love. And it doesn't now. But, apparently 53% of Maine and my home state and half of bloody America think my 'commitment ceremony' (i loathe that phrase) is just fine and dandy as long as I don't want the rights and privileges of straight couples.<br /><br />Well, I'm pissed. I'm glaring a lot. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Just the fact that we have to go outside of the state we were raised in to get married is insulting enough.</span> And now, with Prop 1 passing....<br /><br />Last year, I was devastated. When Prop 8 passed, Deb and I couldn't talk about it. She went out and ate an entire thing of cookie dough. I smoked a lot of cigarettes. It wasn't pleasant by any means. I can't believe it has already been a year. <br /><br />I have a lot of mixed emotions. Part of me doesn't want to make a big deal out of this. Part of me just wants to get married like the rest of the population. I just want to celebrate and then be a wife and not HAVE to be a part of this. Another part (the more prominent) knows that just by having a blessing in Texas we are making some sort of stand. We are drawing attention to ourselves (blog or no blog) and creating conversations and hopefully changing people's minds with every vendor, every person we talk to. <br /><br />D and Me? We're the same as you. We want the same things in our life. We wanted to get married.<br /><br />A saw this on twitter (I know, lame), but it made me laugh in a way that I feel like sums everything up:<br /><br />"I don't want crumbs anymore, I want the whole damn wedding cake."<br /><br />I will raise a toast to that.M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-22274379686717101502009-11-02T12:32:00.000-08:002009-11-02T13:15:12.577-08:00Falling in love with fall colors (awwww)Trying my hand at inspiration boards.... now that I have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">photoshop</span> on my computer! I'm slowly falling more and more in love with these colors, and I know how much easier (read: cheaper) they will be since they will be in season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95x1QEmEc9-rMP8NniJ4KjfdU_EsDC6Lk0nBu7jV_IL86TeaLrs8QhVYFyPqG38cXdVA4eJN5o73oV4djUQCksfrmsKDcQJd2HCTK1RsVCWOLhUU7Klmck7a2ebch8NKYDIb-RBJBnYA/s1600-h/FallIinspiration.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95x1QEmEc9-rMP8NniJ4KjfdU_EsDC6Lk0nBu7jV_IL86TeaLrs8QhVYFyPqG38cXdVA4eJN5o73oV4djUQCksfrmsKDcQJd2HCTK1RsVCWOLhUU7Klmck7a2ebch8NKYDIb-RBJBnYA/s400/FallIinspiration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399617435911785794" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />And do you love those invitations?</span> Because we do, and we decided about 3 months ago to splurge and make them <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">OURS!</span> We were going to change the color, but if we go fall-- we won't have to... and I love that orange and cream! The best part about the shop owners, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/goldenrectanglepress">Golden Rectangle Press</a> is that they ACTUALLY HAVE A SAME SEX INVITE on their page. Which I appreciate more than anything. I think it is one thing to support same sex marriage, but another thing entirely to put examples up on your site. So, Thanks for that one, awesome shop owner!<br /><br />The Facts and Links:<br />Brilliant letterpress invites from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Etsy</span> shop owner, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/goldenrectanglepress">Golden Rectangle Press</a>.<br />Gorgeous Cottage Photo From <a href="http://www.evrimgallery.com/Portland-Wedding-Blog/category/portland-wedding-venues/mcmenamins-cornelius-pass-roadhouse/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Evrim</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Icoz</span> Photography</a> in Portland.<br />Pretty Orchid Centerpiece from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bridesmate</span> Harmonious-- who found it on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">theknot</span>.com<br />The rest-- google image search: fall weddingM.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-38651733020222081582009-10-29T08:31:00.000-07:002009-10-29T08:37:40.307-07:00Things I Love Right Now....1. The fact that I am finally coming out of a two 70+ hour work weeks and can start thinking about things other than theatre again!<br /><br />2. The Sugar-Free Red Bulls that got me through these two weeks.<br /><br />3. Celebrating engage-a-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">versaries</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">monthaversaries</span>, and now our *official* two year anniversary.<br /><br />4. The fancy invitations we fell in love with.<br /><br />5. Our Halloween costumes (we are going as "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Infomercials</span>" with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Snuggies</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">TurbieTowels</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Shakeweights</span> and other fun things we can think of!)<br /><br />6. Fall Bouquets. Cue color crisis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t41_FWf7HWIBv5mFOH1EeULEAGAqq8U6f4QXatwVIOehYLwkKpBNXCZtwdxIRSekAz89rwohDsBuy1T1dkFxgrsrkmhZk9Wy8_eOxR7T8yJT19uDp-DtzHJFWSjBcY600F20Imw1Qq0/s1600-h/fall1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t41_FWf7HWIBv5mFOH1EeULEAGAqq8U6f4QXatwVIOehYLwkKpBNXCZtwdxIRSekAz89rwohDsBuy1T1dkFxgrsrkmhZk9Wy8_eOxR7T8yJT19uDp-DtzHJFWSjBcY600F20Imw1Qq0/s320/fall1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398045529103372994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00mt8MnBafqAjkQGY6SNzTe__GvGSKksmIh8FAYRaLYJh8NqGQ5EZLCYtYCcCBNAS_H6JJfNE6vDO4ZcKfn5wt2mPChf9EghtrQ9nI9aK8SW_eP4fcG3TJql3ulXrvrHwqKd3DXYO6Sg/s1600-h/fall2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00mt8MnBafqAjkQGY6SNzTe__GvGSKksmIh8FAYRaLYJh8NqGQ5EZLCYtYCcCBNAS_H6JJfNE6vDO4ZcKfn5wt2mPChf9EghtrQ9nI9aK8SW_eP4fcG3TJql3ulXrvrHwqKd3DXYO6Sg/s320/fall2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398045641850578738" border="0" /></a><br />Aren't they just so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">purty</span>?M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-8181777563252350482009-10-12T13:00:00.000-07:002009-10-12T13:06:32.327-07:00Photoshop Fiends!Thank you for all the suggestions! I am going to try and working on the suggestions today or tomorrow, and then repost.<br /><br />This may seem like a silly question, but I actually couldn't think of a decent answer for it.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How the heck do you send magnet save the dates?</span></span><br /></div><br />Do you put them in an envelope? That seems a little odd. And rude-- just a magnet, no explanation. I don't like that idea at all. Maybe a postcard with a magnet attached?<br /><br /> What if we did massive postcard sized save the dates ala <a href="www.vistprint.com">VistaPrint</a> (thanks for that bit of advice, DangerJane!) How much would postage cost? I don't even want to think about it.<br /><br />I would just say screw it all together, EXCEPT for the fact that our wedding is so close to Thanksgiving-- I want folks to be able to plan accordingly!<br /><br />What did you do?M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-64723120525280585342009-10-09T13:56:00.001-07:002009-10-09T13:58:42.576-07:00Photoshop PhunSpent around 35 minutes messing around on the photoshop, and this is what I came up with.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj9lPr8_bRO6zs12jJVimswbeQaZiqBY69T0JJt5_cT6lpZmfazhomzuR3oFJ8Ssn1qkahz2w4n5gglVywfiDAz64r8MHJOTIQkif03nVpY8CupTyMakjyFcxPBahNEBux2r-e0d4O3A/s1600-h/savethedate+copy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj9lPr8_bRO6zs12jJVimswbeQaZiqBY69T0JJt5_cT6lpZmfazhomzuR3oFJ8Ssn1qkahz2w4n5gglVywfiDAz64r8MHJOTIQkif03nVpY8CupTyMakjyFcxPBahNEBux2r-e0d4O3A/s400/savethedate+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390707311736353650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I think it is maybe a little bit too busy. But it got my creative ideas flowing. Thoughts?<br /></div></div>M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5070542011830353854.post-5132219766049960752009-10-07T12:07:00.000-07:002009-10-07T12:24:09.271-07:00Coulda been a contenderWe've been going back and forth on to send Save the Dates, or not. To make save the dates, or not. To just call people, or send out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">facebook</span> invites (which we deemed not okay).<br /><br />A large majority of our guests are out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">towners</span>, so it is important that they know and know early about when the wedding is, and how long they should plan on being in town and such things... and so maybe we will just send out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">STDs</span>....<br /><br />wait a minute--- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">STDs</span>? That sounds terrible. "Sending out some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">STDs</span> today"<br /><br />So wrong.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Anywho</span>-- so maybe we will send out <span style="font-style: italic;">Save the Dates</span> only to our out of town folks..... But what to send?<br /><br /> a postcard.<br /><br /> a magnet.<br /><br />Then we thought magnet postcard? But that seemed silly. And giant.<br /><br />And option 3.4 -- D's brother is a pretty <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">highfalutin</span> web comic, and he offered to draw our save the dates, which would be awesome! Except that he has a pretty morose sense of humor, which is awesome and hilarious, and it may not be appropriate for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pre</span>-wedding invite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">thingamagig</span>.<br /><br />And then we found these on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24694497"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">etsy</span></a>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNYjgm4toxmFg6UP0yybrMQv1PlgRJ-ue1EzccdhHvP8YQN0rrYw6ETUqjFlhxgs-MnUb-KUpH70-XlAcQr5jjgnJYYlht1w4Gzn76bmPM7qim1BPPNeJfbqhjkHHo04-Qns8d2FRO5M/s1600-h/savethedate.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNYjgm4toxmFg6UP0yybrMQv1PlgRJ-ue1EzccdhHvP8YQN0rrYw6ETUqjFlhxgs-MnUb-KUpH70-XlAcQr5jjgnJYYlht1w4Gzn76bmPM7qim1BPPNeJfbqhjkHHo04-Qns8d2FRO5M/s320/savethedate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389939927230173474" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />And I LOVE these! They are so fun! But-- can we make these? Should we try? I smell an adventure with stamps and pretty paper....<br /><br />P.S.-- The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Etsy</span> store is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5406753">Beth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Blinebury</span></a> and she has really really great party invites and adorable save the dates!M.G.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06970630999337971029noreply@blogger.com4