Written on e-parchment.

Here starts the vegas recap, muhahaaaaa.

Work is crazy.  Still not caught up.  Did some writing this afternoon on Survivor, the first since I got back from vacay.  Haven't been feeling so hot for the past few days.  I think it's the fibro.  :(

Okay, let the recap begin!


Day 1- Sunday

Spent most of the night flying.  Weeeeeee.  Had a layover in Houston.  Arrived in Vegas around midnight.  Got off the plane, did the whole let's-find-our-luggage thing, and got the rental car.  Got a free upgrade to a minivan due to them being out of Yaruses.  Nice car, lemme tell you.

By the time we got to our hotel room, it was 1am Vegas time -- almost 4am Michigan time!  We literally collapsed.

The Strip looked REALLY cool.  We were sitting next to a native Vegas girl who gave us good information and advice.  Found out, eerily enough, that she's in college studying English/Journalism AND is interested in photography (the very same things I studied, except for the
English part).  Was pretty cool.

(oh, skipped a day!)

Tuesday

Tuesday was our day to take the Hoover Dam Tour.  We had a kick-butt breakfast at this small cafe in the hotel.  It was SO GOOD!

Went to Hoover Dam, which was about 45 mins away from Vegas.  Saw some beautiful scenery on the way.  It was sooooo hot though, about 120 DEG (I am not exaggerating -- that was the official temperature) and even though it was "dry heat," it was still REALLY REALLY uncomfortable and unpleasant.  I was concerned about heatstroke, actually, for a bit.

The Hoover Dam ROCKS.  Before the tour, we were given this plastic hard hats to show that we were going on the tour (this will be important later).  Soooooo we're in the line and someone asked the tour guide if we can take pictures.  The tour guide says, "Take all the dam pictures of the dam you want!"  Sooooo funny.

So we went into the ventilation ducts and the inside.  The inside was awesome.  We were on an upper level and could see everything, the generators and the different parts (I understand the concept, but missed the explanation due to my faulty hearing and the tour guide had a strong accent of some sort...).  What was really cool was the Native American symbols in the floor.  Apparently they had something to do with water.  I got a few pictures of that.

There was one tube that was soooo tight and claustrophobic, but it led to louvers where you could see the water outside.  Very cool.

There were markings on the ducts in pencil.  Apparently the workers did alot of calculating and measuring.

There was a TALL stairway dubbed "The Stairway to Heaven" because it was so high up.  And there was a corresponding one going down.  Freaky but cool.

We somehow got left behind.  They had two groups going at once, and we thought we were in the right group.  We were on the elevator and the tour guide saw our hats and told us that we weren't in the right place.  Luckily, our group waited for us.  We literally ran to where they were -- quite a distance -- and they applauded when we got there.  I bowed, lol.

Um...what else?  The outside was pretty darned cool, too.  Took massive amounts of pictures.  There were electrical towers everywhere, and one was leaning to the side quite a bit. Apparently, it's supposed to be like that.

96 on site deaths (of those recorded...some weren't) while the dam was being built.  Apparently it took 4 years and it was rushed through BUT it is totally safe.  Made of concrete blocks. 

1 on site death so far for the bridge they are building now -- which looks really cool.

Like I said, it was HOT.  And it was far worse going back to the hotel.  We got Jack in the Box and the hubby found a freight yard (trains) to take pictures of. I could have too but I was miserable.

And true to form, I got sicky. 

But, it didn't ruin the vacation b/c that was it on being sick.  We lost one night.  Wanted to see some Improv, but didn't feel up to it.

I got better.

And that completes Tuesday.

To be continued.

Right now, Jeff and I are catching up on The Office season 2 while I do the laundry.  Tomorrow we're going to the inlaws for a cookout.  Should be fun.

PB

Omg, the wedding and honeymoon were AMAZING.  We've been home since the 3rd, but it's all been a jetlagged blur.  We did spend some time with both sides of the family, and that was nice.

We both had today off work.  I'm not looking forward to the mess that awaits me tomorrow.  I just hope it's not bad.  A bit bad is okay, but not full-blown bad. 

Okay, here's part 1 of my wedding recap!  My mom put pictures up on Facebook, but I will be posting pics at some point for those of you who aren't on there.

Wedding day recap

Okay, first of all, it was really weird sleeping in my own bed the night before the wedding.  I had some trouble sleeping (no kidding!) but finally got to sleep.  Six-thirty came too soon, though.

Sister and I went and got McDonald's for breakfast (pancakes yummmm!) and then headed out to the salon for hair and makeup.  My SIL was already there (although later--waaaaay later) I found out that she got lost.  Jeff had called me in a panic, and my phone was off b/c I was saving the battery.  Oh, well.  She apparently figured it out.  Anyhoo, we're sitting there waiting for our appointment and it dawned on me -- I'D FORGOTTEN MY VEIL AND TIARA!  :tear:   I couldn't believe it, but remember, I am a zombie in the morning.  I never get up that early! 

So my sister, bless her heart, volunteered to go get them, and we got started.

I have to say that this place was very efficient -- they had us in and out within something like an hour and a half, and that was with curling my hair for about an hour.

It was fun watching the transformation -- for me as well as sister and SIL -- and omg, they did a beautiful job on everyone.  I barely recognized myself!  I was SO pretty.  And bridal.  And so perfect.

So we came back and worked on getting me into my dress.  Fun.  First, I got the key to sister's house (next door) and set the key on the coffee table, as I always do.  This is important to note.  So I started gathering everything together (bra, slip. dress)n while sister and Mom got dressed.  Then it was my turn.  It took awhile but we managed.  I came out and my sister's ex boyfriend (who's now practically family...long story) was there, and thank God because I needed help after getting the dress on.

We decided to take two cars.  My dad's car was bigger to accomodate my dress.  It was getting late, and we needed to be at the chapel at 11.  Well around quarter to we discovered that my sister's key was MIA.  Couldn't find it anywhere, and time was ticking.....we almost left it unlocked b/c if we locked it, we couldn't get back in (no spare...not cool) but apparently they found it.  Dad and I left and we got there JUST ON TIME.  Naturally, I was panicking.  I didn't want to be late.  That was like, my biggest fear.

But we were okay.

Photographer -- M -- started taking pictures almost immediately, so I had a ood distraction from my nerves.  I was very impressed with him.  We had a second photographer and an apprentice as well.  I told M that I was into photography (and my mom was bragging to the other about my polaroid transfers, which apparently was a hit with him) and he said that if I wanted to get into wedding photography to CALL HIM.  :faint:  So, of course, as soon as I get settled I'm calling him!

So that went on, and then my coordinator came in and briefed me on what's happening.  I got to watch Jeff walk down the aisle (in a mirror) and I almost started crying right then.  I was sooooo nervous but also excited.  No urges to flee.  ;)  So then it was time to meet my dad and walk down the aisle.  We went slow.  I looked at Jeff, and I focused on just him.  I was sooooo happy.

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful.  The minister was wonderful.  He was serious but also made us laugh and put everyone at ease.  I almost started crying during the vows but was able to keep from crying (makeup).  We went to light the unity candle and it wouldn't light, which I found funny and a bit worrisome, but it worked.  Oh, and I had trouble getting Jeff's ring on him.  His finger was a bit swollen.

When his sister gave him my ring, she whispered, "I love you" which touched everyone.

Okay so then we did a presentation to the parents -- these lovely cards thanking them for being there for us -- and to my utter surprise, MIL embraced me.  She made the first move.  That was really cool. 

And then we were pronounced husband and wife, and we walked out, and then did the bubble thing which was SO COOL.  The weather was really perfect, sunny, no rain, just great.

And then we bustled me (which was tricky) and it was time to ride in the limo.

And that's it for now.

More to come!

PB/CA/VW

Felt like doing a meme.  Ganked from firedancer.  On the Seven Deadly Sins.

WRATH
Who did you last get angry with?
Fiance, for reasons I won't get into.  We're fine, though.  :D
What is your weapon of choice?
Words, baby words. 
Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?
If I got so angry that violence was necessary (and I'm not, as a general rule, a violent person nor a person who gets mad easily but...) absolutely.  Especially if it was my boss.
How about the same sex?
Probably, if one anatagonized me enough.
Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
My mother, I believe.
What is your pet peeve?
I have alot, but the one that springs to mind is silly questions. 
Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?
I let them go, but I never forget.

SLOTH
What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't?
Get out of bed on time. 
What is the latest you've ever woken up? 
Eh...on a work day? 10 minutes before I'm supposed to leave.  Weekends? About 1pm.
Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't?
Many.  But one I'm thinking of right now is my writing partner, C.
What is the last lame excuse that you made?
But the vendor's phone number was disconnected!  (Lame b/c once I got ahold of them, and found out they were doing business under a different name, there's no reason on God's green earth that I couldn't order samples.  I'd just hadn't thought of it.)
Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through?
Nope.  I HATE infomercials with a passion.  Passion, I tell you.
How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock this morning?
3, I think. 

GLUTTONY
What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice? 
Don't really have one, unless you count the hot chocolate at my favorite coffeehouse.
Are you a meat eater?
Hell yeah baby!
What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event?
Roughly 2 glasses of Bailey's Irish Cream, which was 2 glasses too many.  Straight up.
Are you comfortable with your drinking and eating habits?
Hell, no.  I'm in a minor health-food crisis at the moment (prolly b/c I found --and bought--my wedding dress a year early, and am concerned about the alterations.)
Do you enjoy candy and sweets?
Oh, God, yes.  Too much.
Which do you prefer: sweets, salty foods or spicy foods?
SWEETS.
Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "lunch"?
Nope.

GREED
How many credit cards do you own?
2.  And one is emergencies-last-resort only.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Buy myself a house with an office.  On the lake. 
Would you rather be rich or famous? 
Rich.  Famous is overrated.
Would you accept a boring job if it meant that you would make megabucks? 
Absolutely.  Since I work in a boring job for peanuts, I figure if I'm gonna be bored, I might as well make decent money doing it.

PRIDE
What's one thing that you have done that you're most proud of?
Graduated (read: made it through and didn't give up) college.  And, finished 2 novels.  And 1 massive rewrite.
What's one thing you have done that your parents are most proud of?
No clue on that one, but if I were to guess, leaving my abusive ex-spouse would prolly be one thing.
What thing would you like to accomplish late in your life?
I'd like to have accomplished some--if not all--my goals by then.
Do you get annoyed by coming in second place?
Hell, yeah.  I'm naturally competitive.
Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors?
No, can't say that I have.
Have you ever cheated to get a better score?
Never.  Except that one time in Math class.....
What did you do today that you're proud of? 
Did not go off on the customers who placed same day orders AFTER I sent them a memo about the holiday specifically to PREVENT that from happening.

LUST
How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies, family, strippers, locker rooms)?
Crap.  I have no idea.  2, I think.
How many people have seen you naked (not counting physicians, doctors, family, locker rooms, or when you were a young child)?
2.
Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a person of your chosen sex during a normal conversation?
Negative.
What is your favorite body part of a person of your gender choice?
Chest.
Have you ever had sexual encounters (including kissing/making out) with multiple persons?
Big Fat Negative.
Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?
Negative. 

ENVY
What item of your friends would you most want to have for your own?
I can't think of anything at the moment.
Who would you want to go on "Trading Spaces" with? 
My sister.  She should have been an interior designer....if I actually had a house.  *le sigh*
If you could be anyone who existed in the world, who would you be?
Myself.  I am Myself.  (kudos to anyone that gets that reference)
Have you ever been cheated on?
Too many times to count.
Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?
Yep.  I wish I were a bit thinner.  Not really thin, just a bit.  Oh, and jaw bones that weren't misaligned (TMJ) so I wouldn't have had to have jaw surgery at 15.  Although, that surgery really shaped my life so.....
What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself?
Sense of humor.  I am not funny, not naturally anyways.

WHAT DEADLY SIN....
Do you do the most often?
Wrath.  I've been spending too much time angry.
Do you do the least often?
Greed.  I am not a greedy person.
Is your favourite to act on?
Gluttony - hence my crisis.  

Your turn!

I promised a friend I'd return the favor on a meme she'd tagged me on, so here it goeth:

Comment on this post and I'll:

1. Tell you why I friended you.
2. Associate you with something - fandom, a song, a color, a photo, a word etc.
3. Tell you something I like about you.
4. Tell you a memory I have of you.
5. Ask something I've always wanted to know about you.
6. Tell you my favorite user pic of yours.
7. In return, you must post this in your LJ.