Lesson 4: It's the little things

It has truly been what I should probably view as a crappy week, but I'm in surprisingly good spirits. Why? Why indeed. I should think it was a crappy week because the car got broken into by some crackhead on Polk street, who took a few CDs and yet caused $3000 worth of damage. I should think it is a crappy week because I then had to drive to Sacramento with a broken window so that I could get to a compliance conference on time. I should think it is a crappy week because Byron lost his wallet last night.

I don't think it is a crappy week because someone found and returned Byron's wallet with everything still intact. It somewhat restored my faith in humanity. I also turned 33 this week, which in my eyes is a good thing. I feel somehow in control and ready to conquer this task of planning a wedding without killing anyone. That's a major step forward.

I'm also in a good mood because next weekend we are going to the Mendocino coast to look at places to get married. I've finally confirmed a handful of places and fingers crossed we move into May having narrowed down where we will be getting married. I suppose narrowed down isn't the appropriate word choice. We have nothing to narrow it down from.

All in all I am looking forward to actually looking at places. In fact, I was feeling so good this week that I bought a new wedding planner book. Oh yes...nothing like organization to get me excited.

Here's hoping the good mood continues and that after next weekend we are one step closer to setting the date.

Lesson 3: Friends and a dress make everything better

I did it, I found the dress. I could go on and on about the dress. It makes me feel so incredible and gorgeous all at the same time, but what I'd rather go on about is the experience. 


I love having girlfriends, I have several women in my life who I know will be there for me always, and I feel so very lucky to be able to say that. I have to say that when you are feeling overwhelmed by it all sometimes the only thing that can pull you out of it are your best girlfriends. It helps when they are all married and can actually understand the stress you are possibly just putting yourself through. 


So, armed with my favorite women I ventured out for my first dress shopping experience. We started in Alameda. Why Alameda? The woman that owns the store also makes dresses, so I figured if all else fails...I couldn't have been happier with the experience. I tried on dress after dress; from the fairy princess dress (thanks girlfriends for making me look like a giant puff of tulle) to sexy dresses and then I found it. As I walked out of the dressing room to look in the big mirror I saw the look on my friends' faces and then I turned and looked in the mirror and everyone else disappeared. I cried. I actually cried over a dress. Who knew? 


The place, Janene's Bridal, was fabulous. Not only did they have a large selection of dresses, but they were so very welcoming and accommodating. They let my friends get me in and out of the dresses, but were there to help when I needed them. They offered their opinions and encouragement, yet didn't try to sell me anything and they didn't constantly ask me my price range. I didn't realize how wonderful this experience was until I went to the second shop in the city. 


I chose the second shop because the shop owner assured me they carried dresses that came in red. 

I made my appointment for Paris Connection a month in advance. When I called I told Marie that I wanted something that came in red and she assured me that she carried gowns that came in various colors. So, as you can imagine I was one very excited bride-to-be.

A few days before my appointment she called to ask me what time it was at. This should have been my first sign. I confirmed the time with her and thought all was good in the world. Still a happy bride-to-be.

A few hours before my appointment she left me a message asking if I could come in 2 hours earlier. Another sign I should have listened to. I couldn't help but wonder why she didn't ask me this when I spoke with her two days earlier. As luck would have it I couldn't come early, I had an appointment elsewhere.

So, I show up on time and lo and behold she'd changed locations. She didn't even bother to tell me on either occasion I spoke with her. Fortunately the security guard at her previous location pointed me in the right direction.

When we finally found it I was shocked. The selection of dresses was ridiculous, the dressing room appeared to be a storage closet, and there were already a handful of people in the very cramped space. I wasn't even greeted when I first walked in the door. When someone finally did greet me and I asked about the colored dresses I was told they had coffee colored dresses. NOT what I had asked for.

Needless to say I tried on a handful of dresses and while I found one that I somewhat liked I would in no way buy it there. They were so utterly disorganized that I would fear the dress would not get ordered.

So, Paris Connection was a no go, but it solidified how fabulous the first place was and how much I loved the dress. I can't wait to go back with my mom and show her.