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

It's been a long time since I've been here.  Since then, I've edited and rewritten most of Pirouette, devised a series out of it, have stopped some projects (hello, Kalu) and started on others (hello, Requiem in Blue).  Been really busy.  My left wrist has been alternately good and bad all year, and I started voice recognition again.  Probably for good.

I'm using the latest and greatest Dragon Naturally Speaking 9.0.  It's a dream.  Much better than 6.0.  It just flies.  Which is really good, b/c alot of my hesitation was due to the slogginess of it.

I'm also getting over a nasty flu bug.

*waves to my Chatters buds*

This journal will prolly be mostly personal, but will have writing stuffs thrown in.  

It's good to be back.