Showboat

I enjoying watching Showboat again.
It stars Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, and Howard Keel.
I had not seen the movie in a long while.
And of things it had to do with New Year's.
At one point the father goes to see daughter in big city.
It apparently is on New Year's Eve and he gets drunk.
And at the end of the movie it also says "Happy New Year".
But I think that had more to do with romance rekindled.

Zoom and Bells of St Mary

This morning we watched Zoom.
It is classic slapstick with Tim Allen and Chevy Chase.
As well as Courtney Cox and the young super heroes.

We just finished watching Bells of St. Mary.
It's a true classic starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman.
It's one of my favorites especially this time of year.

Movies and Ice Cream

This morning we watched The Polar Express (2004).
That was the last of the Christmas movies.
This evening we watched Going My Way (1944) with Bing Crosby.
Midway thru the movie we stoppped for an ice cream break.
Okay it was for make it yourself sundaes.
Vanilla ice cream, caramel and chocolate toppings,
whipped cream and cherries and crushed honey nut cheerios.

Three Hymns

One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.

After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.

And there sat our Rosie all the way in the back shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns.

Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, "I'll take him and him and him!"

(Considered H of HUMORE)

Saturday HUMORE

HUMORE stands for HUMOR and MORE.
This will be our Saturday feature of the blog.
Saturdays we will post something HUMORE ...
H = Humor/Laughter
U = Unique/Interesting
M = Maine and New England
O = Odd or Fun Facts
R = Really Cool Links (more cool links)
E = Educational/Entertaining/Edifying
We expect some of the posts to be a combination...
Maybe Maine humor or something interesting about Maine.
We know there are family/friends from "away" that may visit.
This is also a way to get to know us even better by what amuses us.
Have created new category called "humore" so will be easy to find.

Update as of April 2008: renamed category to "Saturday"

Unaccompanied Scrooge

Four Christmas movies this time ...
Unaccompanied Minors (2006) - I was pleasantly surprised at this one. Thumbs UP!!!
Chasing Christmas (2005 tv) - I was NOT impressed at all. The daughter is the only good thing.
The Night They Saved Christmas (1984 tv) - On the unbelievable side with some family charm.
Scrooged (1988) - Bill Murray plays the scrooge character which is a cynically selfish tv executive. This one I like. I have seen it before.

Wedding Packages

We continue to get wedding packages. Thanks so much. With the $25 Amazon gift certificate we purchased and received 2 medium and 4 mini loaf pans. Thanks again Rue Home Group. Also (from them) received Oneida 24 piece flatware set, service for 4 in the Emma design. My parents also purchased for us a service for 8 which included some serving pieces. Thanks everyone. From Ann and Dawn (from Xenos office) we received a card and scrapbook album. They are both very lovely. Thanks ladies.

Miracle Box

Another three more Christmas movies were watched:
The Christmas Box (1995 tv) - very nice story
Mr. St. Nick (2002 tv) - I like it - it's fun and different
- love the romance between the cook and Mr St Nick
Miracle On 34th Street (1947) - It's truly a Classic!!!

Angel in the Clouds

Three more Christmas movies were watched:

The Angel Doll (2002) - A little slow to start, has a sad factor, but ends on an inspiring note.

Christmas in the Clouds (2001)- "A classic comedy of mistaken identity and romance set during the holiday season at a ski resort..." Excellent reviews if you look it up in imdb especially the one titled "enjoyable perfection" which I agree with.

The Nativity Story (2006) - I liked it. It stays pretty true to the facts we know in the Bible.

Merry Christmas

It was our first Christmas married.
My parents came over for dinner.
I made lasagna - a nice simple meal.
Mom brought roast beef and cranberry salad.

We also watched three movies today.
Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.
Deck the Halls with Danny Devito and Matthew Broderick.

Cranberry Salad

1 pkg raspberry jello
1 c hot water
½ c cold water
1 small orange - peeled & sliced
½ c crushed pineapple (drained)
1 lb can whole cranberry sauce
¼ c chopped nuts (optional)

Variation: do not add orange or nuts.

Babes in Toyland

We watched Babes in Toyland this afternoon.
It is a favorite of mine - not sure why.
There are some great actors in it including Drew Barrymore,
Richard Mulligan, Eileen Brennan, Keanu Reeves, and Pat Morita.
This version was made for television in 1986.

Original concept was from an operetta.
It has been used many of times since then.
Babes in Toyland (1934) with Laurel and Hardy
Babes in Toyland (1961) with Ray Bolger and Annette Funicello
Babes in Toyland (1997) animated version with famous voices

Lasagne

1 pound ground beef
3/4 c chopped onion
2 T salad or olive oil

In large pan, lightly brown beef and onion in oil.

1 can (1 lb) tomatoes
2 cans ( 6 oz each) tomato paste
2 cups water
1 T chopped parsley
2 t salt
1 t sugar
1 t garlic powder
½ t pepper
½ t oregano leaves

Add tomatoes (put thru blender), paste, water,
parsley, salt, sugar, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano
- simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile cook lasagne (½ package/8 ounces) as directed.

1 pound ricotta cheese
8 oz Mozz cheese, shredded
1 cup grated Parmesian cheese

In 13x9x2 baking pan, spread about 1 cup sauce.

Then alternate layers ...
lasagne, sauce, ricotta, Mozzarella and Parmesian,
lasagne, sauce, ricotta, Mozzarella and Parmesian,

ending with ...
lasagne, sauce, Mozzarella cheese and Parmesian.

That's 15 layers - same as a Spaghetti Warehouse!!!

At this point you can wait till next day to actually bake.



Bake at 350 for 40 to 50 minutes until lightly browned and bubbling.
Allow to stand for 15 minutes, cut into squares.
Makes 8 servings.

The Twelve Days Of Christmas (Cathy style) part 4

On the tenth day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), #100 on the AFI Top 100

On the eleventh day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), #45 on the AFI Top 100

On the twelfth day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Fantasia (1940), #58 on the AFI Top 100

Have I mentioned that I love my wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leaving Comments

We've heard from a few people having trouble leaving comments.
We have it set up so you have to be registered at Blogger/Google.
And it requires a "word verification" so spammers beware!!!

Hopefully these are simple to follow instructions:
1) click on "comment"
2) leave actual message in text box
3) enter "word verification"
4) identify yourself ... (this may be the problem area)

You must have a Google/Blogger account.
To get one click Create Google Account.

Moody's Diner Pies

Randy loves banana creme pie and coconut creme pie.
I've always been told how good pies at Moody's Diner are.
So for Christmas I got someone to pick up one of each.

The pies are heavy and so is the cream packaged separately.
We are currently working on eating the banana creme pie.
Expect to get to the coconut creme pie by Christmas day.

Moody's Diner is located in Waldoboro, a small town here in Maine.

ChefMoz says "Best Pie in Maine" "tasty, inexpensive food"
"a must" "a tradition" "good food at reasonable prices"

Diner Down East: Old-fashioned Food and Frugality says
"Desserts are made every day on-site by two pastry chefs who arrive between 3 and 4 a.m. and work in a separate pastry kitchen at the back of the diner. Every week during the summer, the pastry kitchen goes through 450 dozen eggs; every day, it produces 60 pies, 10 dozen muffins, eight dozen doughnuts, and 50 dozen biscuits and rolls. All pies are prepared with a handmade lard crust and topped with real whipped cream."

Ham Salad

1 4 ½ oz can deviled ham
1 3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 ½ t horsradish
1 t lemon juice

I've made this twice and always double the recipe.
Because of the "twang" from the horseradish ...
it is not something I make very often.

Last year I made it for a Holiday gathering.
And this year for company who I knew liked it.
Randy tried it but not something he'll ask for.

I am partly an old school cook.
Instead of measuring out the horseradish ...
I just gave the squeeze bottle 3-4 squirts.

Christmas Food Gifts

Growing up parents loved getting handmade gifts.
I still enjoy giving gifts I have personally made.
I enjoy baking especially cookies and sweet bread.
I made 5 types of cookies and 2 types of the breads.
There was Cranberry Fruit Bread and Banana Bread

This year's cookie repertoire included the following:
Orange Oatmeal Chews (biggest) - rolled oats/orange juice
Spicy Crinkles (smallest) - rum flavor/coconut/allspice/cinnamon
Chocolate Shadows (darkest) - chocc chips/peppermint/peanut butter
Snickerdoodles (lightest) - cream of tartar/rolled in cinnamon
Macaroonies (chippy) - flaked coconut/chocolate chips

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Cathy style) part 3

On the seventh day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939), #29 on the AFI Top 100

On the eighth day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) Oscar Best Picture Winner

On the ninth day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Vertigo (1958), #61 on the AFI Top 100

Have I mentioned that I love my wife!!!!!!!!!

Coding html

Cathy showed me how to do some coding for some of our website pages. I entered a bunch of data (3 movie lists - AFI Top 100 (1998 Original), AFI Top 100 (2007 Updated) and Best Picture Oscars) and manuevered some of her coding to set it up.

It was pretty cool.

Christmas cards arrived

Got a Christmas card from my dad today. It also included a check for $50! Thanks dad!

(For those of you who don't know, I only reestablished contact with him a few days ago after at least 5 years! And it was probably at least 15 years before that time.)

Also got a Christmas card from my best man and his wife and a Christmas card from her Uncle Arthur & Aunt Barbara.

Tired Now

I did the last of my Christmas baking today.
That included Macaroonies and Banana Bread.

Mom and dad stopped by for a little bit.
They had been at Kohl's for our wedding gift registry.
What they purchased thus far was 2 muffin pans,
9 inch square baking dish and 13x9 casserole.
Some items were temporary out of stock.

For supper I made Chicken Casserole.
And for dessert Chocolate Pudding.

My throat has been sore since yesterday.
Think I will take it easy tomorrow.

Cookies to and from our neighbor

I finally got to meet the upstairs neighbor. And her oldest child.

We exchanged presents (cookies that we each had made). Cathy gave a variety of the ones she made plus a mini loaf of Banana Bread and our neighbor sent us a tin of frosted cookie wreaths.

They were so good that we're wondering if it's bad manners to put the empty tin outside her door with a note that pleads "Please refill!!!" Anyone know?

Chocolate Bread Pudding

5 or 6 slices bread, crumbled up
1 cup milk
1 t vanilla
1 egg
3 T cocoa
1 c sugar (can do 1/2 to 3/4)
salt nuts (optional)

Add butter to top.

Bake at 375 for 30 min (check sooner).

Another one mom made growing up for us.

Chicken Casserole

Combine in baking dish:
1 5 oz can boned chicken
2 10 ½ oz can cream of chicken soup
1 can green beans
1 med onion, chopped

Boil 1 c macaroni until done - add to chicken mixture.
Cover top with thin slices of cheese (can do last 5 minutes).

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or so.

I think mom also got this from Casserole Cookbook.

Banana Bread

2 t baking powder
1 3/4 c flour
¼ t baking soda
½ t salt
1/3 c shortening
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 c mashed bananas (about 4-5)

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Not sure where I got this one from.

Macaroonies

Beat:
2 eggs
1/8 t salt
3/4 c sugar

Fold in:
½ c flour
1 T butter, melted

Stir in:
2 c flaked coconut
1 c (6 oz) chocolate chips
1 t grated lemon or orange rind (I use lemon extract)
1 t vanilla

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls

Bake at 325 for 12-15 minutes.
Makes 2½ - 3 dozen.

From “Pillsbury Bakeoff” cookbook.

Christmas at LifeTime

Today I watched a couple movies on LifeTime:
His and Her Christmas - Two journalists write
a Christmas column for rival newspapers in the same city.
Crazy for Christmas - A limo driver tries to help
a wealthy man find his long-lost daughter on Christmas Eve.
LifeTime seems to be having Christmas movies ...
at noon and 2 PM and later 9 PM.

Today I also made Chocolate Shadows.

More wedding gifts received!!!

The mail brought us a $25 gift certificate from Barnes & Noble (Thank you to Mac & Jayne Ann) and a $25 gift certificate to Amazon (from the Rue Home Group - Thank you)!

Chocolate Shadows

Melt:
½ c chocolate chips
¼ t peppermint extract - let cool

Creme:
½ sugar
½ brown sugar
½ shortening
½ peanut butter

Add 1 unbeaten egg
Blend with 1¼ c flour and 3/4 t baking soda

Roll into balls.
Flatten with sugar coated glass bottom.

Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
Makes 3 dozen.

From “Pillsbury Bakeoff” cookbook.

Changing Name

As the wife I now have to change my name everywhere.
Last week I made a bunch of calls to start the process.
Starting to see the end result from those calls.
Got a replacement credit card with new name.
Got a new AAA card and picked one up for hubby.
The town office gave me social security paperwork.

Contacts made thus far:
Banks and credit cards
Memberships like AAA
Work /retirement benefits
Insurances and Investments
As well as doctor and dentist

Things still to do:
Social Security Card
Driver's License
Car registration
Titles and Deeds
(Living) Will

The Twelve Days Of Christmas (Cathy style) part 2

On the fourth day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Doctor Zhivago (1965), #39 on the AFI Top 100

On the fifth day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Rear Window (1954), #42 on the AFI Top 100

On the sixth day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Double Indemnity (1944), #38 on the AFI Top 100

Have I mentioned that I love my wife!!!!!!

Attitude of Gratitude

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

This was in our couple's devotional last night.
While we are to praise and give thanks to God ...
we should also have an atittude of gratitude to our spouse.
I want him to know I do notice and appreciate his acts of kindness.
I want to publicly give some big kudos to my dear husband.

He is so totally awesome. Always looking to serve me.
He gave me a backrub last night. That felt so good.
Was outside yesterday digging out from a snow storm.
Has no problem helping out including clearing the table.
When I asked him to get laundry the other day ...
he went the extra step of folding it for me.

Dinner is Served

Tonight we watched the movie Ratatouille.
It's an animated tale about inheritance and friendship and food.
For the curious (like me) ratatouille is a poor farmer's dish.
It is made in summer with vegetables in season like zucchini,
tomatoes, green aad red peppers,onion and garlic.

Today I was busy baking Snickerdoodles and Spicy Crinkles.
I have been putting cookies in freezer in snack bags.
Two for pastor Frank, three for upstairs neighbor,
three for cousin's family, and four for dad.
And 6 per bag for us for later.

Spicy Crinkles

Creme:
½ c sugar
¼ c brown sugar
½ c shortening

Blend in:
1 unbeaten egg
2 t rum flavor

Add:
½ c coconut
1¼ c flour
1 t baking soda
1 t allspice
2½ t cinnamon

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
Makes 2½ dozen.

From “Pillsbury Bakeoff” cookbook.

Snickerdoodles

Mix:
½ c shortening
3/4 c sugar
1 egg

Add:
1 1/3 c flour
1 t cream of tartar *
½ t baking soda
1/8 t salt

Roll into balls. (original says the size of walnuts)
Roll in mixture of 1 T sugar and 1 t cinnamon.

Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes.
Makes 2½ dozen.

* First time I accidently used tartar sauce and it was fine.
From “Dinner for Two” cookbook.

Leslie Nielsen Christmas

We watched two movies with Leslie Nielen playing Santa.
The first was Santa Who? where Santa has amnesia.
Then we viewed All I Want for Christmas.

The latter also starred many others I recognized ...
Jamey Sheridan (father) from Law and Order: Criminal Intent
Harley Jane Kozak (mother) from Parenthood
Thora Birch (daughter) from Hocus Pocus
And Lauren Bacall

I also finally started my Holiday baking today.
I made Cranberry Fruit Bread and Orange Oatmeal Chews.

Orange Oatmeal Chews

Toast 1 c rolled oats at 350 for 10 min. Cool

Sift:
3/4 c flour
½ t salt
½ t baking powder
½ t baking soda

Add:
½ c sugar
½ c firmly packed brown sugar
½ c shortening creamed well

Blend:
1 unbeaten egg
1 t vanilla
2 T orange rind (I use juice)

Stir dry ingredients with oats.
Drop by teaspoonsfuls at least 2 inches apart.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
Makes 2½ dozen.

From “Pillsbury Bakeoff” cookbook.

Cranberry Fruit Bread

Sift:
2¼ c flour
1 c sugar
2¼ t baking powder
1 t salt
½ t cinnamon
¼ t nutmeg

Stir in:
1 c Wheat Chex crushed to ½ c
1/3 c raisins

Combine:
1 eggs, slightly beaten
2 T oil
1/3 c orange juice
1 c drained whole cranberry sauce
Add to dry ingredients.

Bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes.

Variation: I use whole can of cranberry sauce.
From “Chex: The Natural Way to Good Cooking”.

All Nighters

We have both pulled all nighters lately.
Thursday into Friday ...
I was working on layout for newsletter.
Friday into Saturday ...
Randy was working on printing and writing notes.

We will know better next time how long it takes.
We were pushing to get some of the letters in the mail.
We indeed did get a number of batches sent out Saturday AM.
Some are headed to Xenos Christian school
- and we knew they will go on vacation midweek.

The Twelve Days Of Christmas (Cathy style) part 1

On the first day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Psycho (1960) , #18 on the AFI Top 100

On the second day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD Forbidden Planet (1956), a sci-fi classic

On the third day of Christmas my dear wife gave to me:
The DVD A Place In The Sun (1951), #92 on the AFI Top 100

I'm looking forward to the rest of the days!

Have I mentioned that I love my wife!!!

Christmas Projects

This morning I finished the ornaments I was making.
They are out of plastic canvas and yarn.
I made three and a half dozen.

On one side is tree with snow I designed ...
and on the other side is cat image I redesigned.
Did not post image till January so they were surprise.


Today we also finishing up the newsletter.
Just have the printing and stuffing of them to go.
And Randy is working on leaving personal notes on many.

A license or two

Went out before the snow storm to the department of motor vehicles to change my license. It cost me $40! But I don't have to do it again until 2013. I'll receive the picture license in about 30 days. (I didn't have to wait long in line either!)

Also picked up our marriage license (and a few copies). Got to see the new building they moved to - much more space.

And lastly, did a little bit of shopping to get us through the rest of the week or so.

Slow Cooker

We just received Rival 3 1/2 quart Slow Cooker.
Thank you Rue Home Group from Xenos.
This was on our Amazon Bridal Wish List.

Also wanted to send out "thanks" to the Benners.
When we were reviewing cards we realized ...
we forgot to thank you guys for monetary gift.

Christmas Letter

Started to finalize our Christmas Letter. Decided to do one especially for Randy's church family he just left back in Ohio. It includes an introduction, Christmas message about hope, short article by each of us and will include pictures from December 1st wedding and information about our website.

We are also trying to find all the addresses of people we want to send the letter and cards too. I have most of my list complete. Then again I have a much smaller list than Randy. He has asked some others to help him get them all. Thanks to those that can help him.

We didn't do it!!!

There was an earthquake at 5:02 am just a few miles away from us in the next town over. Though it was only a 2.2, Cathy said it sounded like a boom and then some rumbling. It even woke the upstairs neighbor.

Of course, I slept through it.

Harriet the Spy

After lunch we watched Harriet the Spy.
I remember it was heavily promoted as a Rosie O'Donnell movie.
Since I did not care for her I was not too keen on watching it.
Luckily she was only in it for a bit at the beginning ...
and a short reappearance towards the end.
I like mystery so interested in it because of "spy" in the title.
It was moreso about how cruel childen can be to one another.
Randy has begged me to never ask to watch it again. No worry!

Sponge Bath

The one week of seclusion for honeymoon is over.
But we certainly do NOT want the romance to end.
This evening I lit a candle while we had dinner.
After dinner I had Randy bring a basin of hot water.
I proceeded to give him a partial sponge bath.
With a wash cloth I cleaned his back, chest and feet.
In return he washed my back and lower legs and feet.
A little later Randy pulled out a musical red rose ...
and a box of chocolates. (Need to stop the chocolate for new year)

Early Christmas Present

Randy and I are both bad at waiting to give gifts.
He was not able to fall asleep so was looking thru boxes.
He happened upon some books he had planned ...
to give me for Christmas but I got them early!!!
They are all Bible studies by Cynthia Heald.
Becoming A Woman of Excellence (Phil 1:10)
Becoming A Woman of Freedom (Hebrews 12:1)
Becoming A Woman of Purpose (Romans 8:28)
Becoming A Woman of Prayer (Jeremiah 33:3)
Becoming A Woman of Grace (Isaiah 30:18)
Becoming A Woman of Faith (Hebrews 12:2)

Christmas and Friends

This morning we worked on Christmas lists.
We needed to know how many cards to purchase.
And a list of people to receive handmade ornaments.

Randy recently moved 900 miles from his church family.
The lists mainly compromise of Randy's friends.
He wants to be sure to keep in contact.

This afternoon we logged onto Christian website we met at.
We have some really wonderful friends there as well.
They were happy to see us return to posting.

Dinner and a Movie #2

We watched The Thing Called Love with River Phoenix,
Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney and Sandra Bullock.
It's about young country western writers trying to make it in Nashville.
I love country western songs so liked that aspect of the movie.
Guest appearances by Pam Tillis and Trisha Yearwood as themselves.
I really enjoyed the movie although it was 2 hours long.
We put the Hamburger Casserole in the oven at the beginning...
then paused half way thru the movie to have dinner.
Then later that night we played the games Phase 10 and Wordsters.

Hamburger Casserole

1½ C crushed potato chips
1 pound ground beef
1 sm minced onion (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
1 can chicken noodle soup
1 can water

Place 1 C crushed chips in bottom of casserole.
Brown ground beef with onion. Season.
Add chicken noodle soup and water. Mix well.
Pour over chips; sprinkle top with rest of chips.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour

Mom got this recipe from a Casserole Cookbook.

The Ultimate Gift

This is the first time we turned on the phone or tv all week.
We ordered delivery from Pizza Hut.
We had finished up the Sicilian Meat Roll at lunch.
Then we figured a movie would go good with the pizza.
Randy picked The Ultimate Gift with Abigail Breslin.
It was a great movie. Brought us to tears a few times.

The movie was about a grandfather dying and what he left.
In order to get the inheritance Jason had to complete twelve tasks.
In turn these tasks were teaching him life lessons thru self discovery.
The "ultimate" gift was really 12 in 1:
the gift of work, money, friends, learning, problems, family,
laughter, dreams, giving, gratitude, a day, and love.

Husband

Husband, you are amazing

H is for honorable
... you are a standup guy that always tries to do your best

U is for unwavering
... you have consistently shared your time and love
with me since you started pursuing me

S is for sincere
... you have been honest and open about your past
and expectations of our future

B is for brave
... you allowed yourself to start a long distance relationship
and then moved 900 miles from home

A is for awesome
... your love and understanding of me awe me

N is for nice
... you are truly a nice shy guy that I have the honor of calling mine

D is for devoted
... your desire to love, serve and please me
is so romantic and endearing

Randy, my darling husband,
I thank God for finding you.
And being allowed to be your wife!!!!
I look forward to loving, serving and pleasing you.

I wrote the above poem for Randy about a month ago.
I shared it with him right away ...
but waited till we wed to share with others.

Honeymoon Blogging

We are NOT blogging everyday. We ARE honeymooning!!!!
I am writing down noteworthy items to blog about daily.
Yesterday we both sat down and wrote up our ...
wedding day viewpoints: Groom's and Bride's.
In addition I added the Wedding Day Facts.
This morning I added photo entry posts of
Our Wedding Cake, Us with Attendants and Our Wedding Rings.
Also this morning I added entries for Sunday thru Tuesday ...
Praise God, Love Poems, While Sleeping and Snow Message.

Snow Message

Randy noticed the large expanse of fresh snow out our window.
He went outside and left me a message saying "I love Cathy!".
He is very romantic and creative. I think I'll keep him around.

Due to getting snow Randy had to go outside and shovel the walkway.
He finally wore the LL Bean jacket I had given him and he loves it.

He was surprised that a jacket so thin(sulate) kept him so warm.

While Sleeping

While I, Cathy, was sleeping ...
Randy was in the kitchen at 2:30 AM doing dishes.

He wanted to surprise me and that he certainly did.

We had a deal: he had to wash dishes if I cooked breakfast.

I had made scrambled eggs, left over potatoes and pan fried ham.

I really was not going to hold him to that was just waiting to do them.

He eventually came back to bed and while Randy was sleeping ...
I took our uploaded wedding pics and created a wedding photo site.

Some of those images can be seen by clicking on category wedding.

Love Poems

Randy is very romantic and read some love poems to me.
To My Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet
My First Love by F. Scott Fitzgerald
My Love by ee cummings
Note: I had mentioned I am related to Anne Bradstreet

Did it snow???

Looks like it did.

It was our first substantial snowfall.

Praise God

This is our first full day as husband and wife.
We started the day by listening to some praise songs on CD.
Randy also read to me from Song of Solomon.

Our Wedding Rings

They are white gold. Randy's is 4mm while Cathy's is 2mm.
Our hands are on a white bride's Bible held instead of flowers.
Our sincere desire is to keep God at the center of our marriage.

Us with Attendants

Our Wedding Cake

Wedding Day Viewpoint of Groom

I arrived at her parents for my final night of stay around 12:20 am (after leaving Cathy's at 11:59 pm, so I wouldn't see her on the "wedding day"). My bed was in a different room since my previous room went to John & Sarah, but it was easy to find since the light was left on.

I woke up the first time at 4:11 am. I think her mom was stirring but since it was too early for me, I went back to sleep.

I woke up the second time at 5:55 am. Actually got up and watched the news with her parents. But eventually went back to bed.

Third time's a charm. Around 8ish I called Cathy from my cell phone to say good morning. Right after I got off the phone, her mom opened up the door saying they needed to move me to their room. That bed disappeared within 5 minutes of my leaving it!

I managed to stay up! John and her dad had left to get the food, the flowers and the cake sometime around 9ish and got it back fairly quickly. It didn't take long to get it all set up.

I called Mike around 10ish to see how they were doing (good). Cathy called soon after 10 to say that she was going to take a nap and to wake her at 10:30. She called back about a minute later to suggest that I take a few pictures of them setting up. (Looks like I snapped around 15 on the disposable camera I had.)

I finally got into the shower around 10:20ish and dressed in her parent's room. The phone rang while I was dressing and when I got out into the other room, heard her mom say that we forgot about Cathy (it was nearly 11). [OOPS!]

Her dad finally left to get my bride just before 12. Cathy called sometime after that for them to get the curling iron hot. Seemed like 15 minutes later someone remembered to plug in the curling iron! Then they started to watch for the car - at which point her mom reminded me that I'll have to go to the back room so I don't see my bride too early.

"There they are!" and "Go!" were said shortly after. I disappeared to the back room. Mike came back there to keep me company and we made small talk while waiting. Finally, Pastor Frank arrived and we started making the last minute preparations of the witnesses signatures on the form and with the rings (making sure the best man and the matron of honor had the opposite rings to give to us).

Finally, after everyone except her dad and my bride were in the room, the time had arrived! I knew she was at the door when everyone stood up. And then she came through! She sat next to me!! She looked lovely!!!

Pastor Frank started with the little boys joke about how many wives we're allowed (16! - fo(u)r better, fo(u)r worse, fo(u)r richer, fo(u)r poorer - go ahead and groan, you know you want to!). Then he asked who gives her away and her dad replied "Her mother and I". And he gave a good presentation of the gospel and the love that Christ has for His bride and charged me to have that same love for Cathy!

The big moment - I said "I most certainly do!". Cathy said "I certainly do!" for her big moment. Then he asked us to hold hands and noticed that we already were. We each repeated the vows after him, to which afterwards he got to say his big words "By the powers invested..., I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your wife."

Our photographer got a few pictures with the parents, the attendants and we think with John & Sarah but we're not sure - we'll see when we get the pictures back.

FOOD time! (It took her mom a while to think about clinking glasses (they were plastic though!) but we had already snuck a few kisses while nobody noticed. Sherry finally clinked on her coffee cup to get us to kiss.)

Then cake cutting time. We sliced off a piece and fed each other together nicely. Sherry cut the rest and served it to the rest of the party. A little while later, the best man gave a wonderful toast!

We left a little while later.

The rest is between us!!!

Wedding Day Viewpoint of Bride

Randy left the apartment last night right at 11:59 PM.
I slept okay though I never sleep thru the night.
Last night I also changed which dress I was going to wear.
So this morning I looked thru jewelry to see what might work.
I selected silver and pearl options in necklaces and bracelets.
I placed them in a case to take with me to wedding to decide later.

At ten o'clock I called mom at the house ...
to ask them to be sure to call me back at 10:30.
I wanted to take a catnap before taking my shower.
Close to eleven o'clock I realized they hadn't call me back.
I called the house and said "Forget the bride?"
And then I jumped into the shower.

I was ready when dad came to pick me up.
We got to the house probably around 12:30 PM.
Wedding was to be at 1 PM in the afternoon.
I got scooted off to mom and dad's room.
I had yet to dress and finish hair.

Sherry and Sarah helped me with the jewelry.
I moved my silver engagement ring to right hand.
Added a silver tennis bracelet to that wrist.
Put three stretch pearl bracelets on left wrist.
Also wore a pearl necklace at my neckline.

At 1 PM I headed to the sunroom where Randy was waiting.
Randy and I sat on benches since I can not stand too long.
We faced the guests while Pastor Frank was off to side.
We exchanged our marriage vows and wedding rings.

We then moved to the living room for the reception.
There was a nice floral arrangement on the table.
The food was self served by walking around kitchen table.
There were sandwiches, sweets, chips, pickles and punch.

The wedding cake was on table in the living room.
We cut the first slice of the wedding cake together.
We very nicely fed it to one another at the same time.
We periodically kissed as others chatted oblivious to us.

We waited till guests started leaving before making our departure.
We had to wait for some car shuffling before we could get out.
When we got to the apartment we shut off the phones ...
Since are honeymooning in the apartment.

Wedding Day Facts

The wedding was at my parent's home where I grew up.
Due to weather we could not exchange vows in gazebo.

Wedding participants:
Randy the groom and Cathy the bride
The bride's parents, Ron and Connie
The bride's brother John and wife Sarah
Mike the best man - Randy's former boss from Ohio
Sherry the matron of honor - Cathy's cousin's wife
Florence, family friend and amateur photographer
Pastor Frank, wife Laura and adult daughter Pam
Randy and Cathy's friend JD also from Ohio

Gifts received at wedding:
Wedding photo scrapbook from Florence
Bed, Bath and Beyond gift certificate from Pam

Company times 2 by 2

Mid afternoon we heard that JD and Mike had arrived.
JD is the guy that helped Randy move here.
Mike is the best man and Randy's former boss.
After they had lunch they stopped by our apartment.

Randy went with them to my parents to see wedding site.
They then returned for dinner and visiting with us.
Dinner was pork loin roast, green beans and mashed potatoes.
Dessert was vitamin pie (coffee cake with fruit cocktail).

Later in the evening John and Sarah stopped in too.
They had made up a card with Nicholas, my old cat.
They used a program to put him in a tuxedo top.
They also gave us a generous monetary gift. THANKS!!!

Vitamin Pie

1 c sugar
1 t baking powder
½ t cinnamon
1 beaten egg
1 c flour
½ t salt
½ t nutmeg
1 c drained fruit cocktail (10.5 oz can)

Mix all ingredients together.
Sprinkle top with 3 T brown sugar.

Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 min

Got this recipe from mom.
I consider it a coffee cake with fruit instead.
Also good with Cool Whip on top.

More Gifts

As an older couple we were not really expecting gifts.
We wish to thank everyone that has sent cards and gifts.
Yesterday we found out Pastor Frank was not charging us.
And the lady making the cake is doing it as a gift as well.

Today we received two gifts in the mail.
A LL Bean gift certificate from Pastor Frank.
And a monetary gift from my Aunt Barbara.
WOW - thanks again to everyone.

Today was a very busy day working around the apartment.
Randy moved some of my things over to the storage unit.
Randy sorted and unpacked his boxes in the bedroom.
We also caught up on each of our individual laundry.

Number 8 is a charm(er)

We found the replacement best man! He's my former boss and discipler. I'm guessing that God kept shutting the other doors because Mike was the intended guy for the job.

Though we did have to call him back a little while ago to tell him that our wedding is casual. (Cathy said to have him wear shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Mike of course replied to that about his top hat and tails were at the cleaners. He can have a quick wit!)

I guess we'll be seeing him tomorrow.

Note to self: God is a BIG God!

When God Made You

We met with Pastor Frank this afternoon.
It was at my parent's home which is wedding location.
He went over some marriage material with us.
He also asked if there was any additions to ceremony.
We want to incorporate Newsong's lyrics When God Made You.
We still have to decide exactly how to do that.

The lady making our cake also stopped by.
She was checking out the wedding cake topper.
She also tried to talk us into real flowers on the cake.
But we did in the end insist on sugar/frosting flowers.

Errands

Filing fee for the Intention to marry - $30
Haircuts for both of us & Shampoo for Cathy - $42
Wedding bands - $136
Upcoming years of wedded bliss - Priceless!

We also got the matching bureau from her parents house and took her extra bookcase and her "office flooring" back to her parents for storage.

Picture Frame and Ornament

A very sweet teenager we know gave us these.
The picture frame is gold with a heart in lower right corner.
The ornament is very precious as well.
On the back of the bride it says "Just".
On the back of the groom it says "Married".
On the bottom of the bride's dress it says "The Newlyweds".
Both are very special to us. Thank you, Jo.
And thanks to the rest of the family ...
which gave us a $25 gift certificate to LL Bean.

Adjustment to wedding

I got a call this morning from my best man saying that he can't make it due to a family emergency. So I've been going down my list of other potential best man choices. Number 2 said he couldn't do it. Number 3 also couldn't do it. We're waiting on number 4 to get back with us. He was going to talk with his wife and let us know Tuesday night.

I know this adjustment didn't take God by surprise but I'm not sure who He's guiding to be the replacement? Though I may try one other that I figured would be impossible. Since God is the master of the impossible, I'll write him an e-mail next, explain the situation with waiting on number 4 and asking if number 4 can't, if he can.

I know that God has already seen our big event. He already knows who is there. We're the ones in the process of discovery!

Rearranging Furniture

We decided it was time to rearrange apartment.
The bedroom is large and I had a big office area.
We moved everything out of that space.
Then only moved back the necessary items.
Even placing the desk in a different position.
Doing this gave us more room for actual "bedroom".

Lover's Lane

We decided to go out riding.
We wanted to be a little more familiar with area.
Found a road named Lover's Lane.
Randy went out and got a snapshot.

We also went to Freeport - home of LL Bean.
Lots of people were walking in the quaint downtown
spotted with outlet stores such as Ralph Lauren,
Crabtree & Evelyn, and Harry and David.

To see full list of Freeport outlets ...
check out Experience Freeport Shop List.

Movies watched today:
Because of Winn-Dixie - I enjoyed it.
I rewatched it because had fallen asleep other day.
Knocked Up with Katherine Heigl was okay.
It was surprising the lady even got involved
with baby's father because they seemed so different.

Dinner And A Movie cookbooks

Before I left Columbus, I was given 2 cookbooks by Stephanie E. who came over to buy some of my videos. I finally got to look through them today and they're pretty nice! So here's my thanks to Stephanie, who noticed that I was a movie lover!

Dinner and a Movie

This afternoon we watched Because I Said So.
It had Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore in it.

We had a candlelight dinner celebrating our ...
10th month anniversary of courting.

Black Friday shopping

There were a couple of items from Best Buy that caught my eye - Smallville season 6 and House season 3 for only $14.98 each (regularly nearly $50 each). So Cathy called me just before 5 am to get me up so I could get going. I probably got to Best Buy about 5:25 and was surprised by all the cars there. (Not quite like Columbus but still a pretty decent number.) And they still had both sets available! I also added Knocked Up for $6.99 (which is probably the price I'd find it used anyway).

After Best Buy, I went to Bed, Bath & Beyond hoping to get some rugs and a curtain for the front door. It only took a little while for me to realize that I really was out of my element. (Mainly because they didn't have anything near any of the sizes we were hoping for.) So I didn't get anything from there. Or at Target either.

So the only other place I needed to stop was Tim Horton's to grab chocolate glazed donut holes. (And she let me eat most of those!)

Thanksgiving

Made a somewhat big breakfast of ...
scrambed eggs, ham and hash browns.
It was more the brunch time frame ...
knowing there would be a big dinner as well.

For the Thanksgiving meal it was just the two of us.
I made cajun injected turkey breast, potato casserole and corn.

We started to watch the Thin Man series I had given Randy.
And we watched The Devil Wears Prada with Meryl Streep.

Errands

Since it snowed yesterday errands got postponed to today.
Went out and purchased a new matress set and had it delivered.
Since I can not go out and about too much at one time ...
Randy went out the second time by himself to Walmart.

First snowfall

We had our first snowfall here today.
Randy had already seen snow in Ohio.
It snowed when he was out and about.
I gave him a "first snowfall" gift of ice grippers.
He had left my parents and headed over here.
We had a bunch of errands to run but opted not to.
We ended up staying in and watched Shrek the Third.

Bed, Bath & Beyond Gift Certificate

I need to shout out a big thank you to Dave E., formally the Saturday night soundman for XCF!

Thanks Dave for the $50 gift certificate to Bed, Bath & Beyond! We have our eye on some rugs. (We may spend it the day after Thanksgiving as the Black Friday special is 20% off everything. That way we could make it worth an extra $10!!!)

Waiting on Car

Randy and dad took car to the garage this morning.
I'd made the appointment a few weeks ago.
Dad took Randy back to their house to await call.
Randy is still battling a cold so he can rest some more.
Mainly at this point it is a sore throat.

I woke up this morning with red eye.
So I've been resting myself this morning.
I still have to add blog entries for last two days.
Saturday's will be about unloading Randy's belongings.
Sunday's will be about dinner party and virtual bridal shower.

Party Day

At noon we had a dinner party here at apartment.
It was Randy and I, my parents, Pastor Frank and adult daughter.
Pastor Frank will be officiating at our wedding.
After dinner the three of us talked some about the plans.
For dinner I made Tangy Meatloaf with corn and tater tots.
Mom made and brought biscuits and jello salad.

Later in the afternoon we had an online bridal shower.
Since Randy and I met online that was very fitting.
Our friends on that Christian board are special to us.
We are very humbled by all the attention and well wishes.
We thank God for Christian friends from around the world.
God Bless you all.

Welcome to Maine present

I suppose I should tell you about a present I got. It was in a big box! I opened it and inside was another wrapped box. So I opened that and found another wrapped box. I opened that one to find another wrapped box! Mmmmmm. I opened that one and found another wrapped box!!! At least they couldn't get much smaller. So I opened that one and of course it was another wrapped box. Will this be the last one??? I opened it and it was a .....













wrapped box!!! But it looked like the next should be the last one. So I opened it with great anticipation.......













and it was













the house and car keys!!!

(Now I know why Cathy couldn't get the second keys and why the parents didn't give their extra key to me.)

I wonder if that's it for the initiation into the family. (I suspect not!)

Unloading Uhaul

We were there when the storage facility opened at 8 AM.
One person from the Christian school showed up to help.
My parents also showed up with the donuts.
Randy and my dad worked inside doing the storing of boxes.
JD and Jonathon worked outside unloading the boxes onto carts.

After awhile mom and I went to the apartment - just one mile away.
Mom wanted to sit down with me anyway and go over wedding prep.
There will be two sandwich platters with three sandwich types.
One platter: 1 tunafish, 1 egg salad and 1 chicken salad
Second platter: 1 tunafish, 1 ham salad and 1 seafood

En route

Midnight - Randy called from the road.
They had just turned onto 76 which leads to 80.
He'll shut off cell to save the battery.
I said that was fine so I can get some sleep.
They should be wicked tired so I hope they rest too.

4:45 AM - Randy checked in from Snow Shoe, Pennsylvania.
Have seen some snow along the way but just snow squalls.
That's 328 miles from Columbus and 539 miles to Portland.
That means Randy is 37% here to me. Woo Hoo.
They plan to pull over for four to five hours of sleep.

7 AM - I am keeping my eye on the weather.com website.
Looks like it will mostly be clear sailing from here on out.
No snow in the forecast for this morning only clouds and rain.
There is some possibility of snow in the afternoon for Portland.

10:30 AM - I called to see if the guys were awake.
They were already on the road and had been for about an hour.
Randy said he just saw sign for Jersey Shore exit.
Hard to hear him on cell thru the hills.
He will check in at next rest area.
In the meantime I am trying to line up unloaders.

11:30 AM - Randy called just south of Wilkes Barre (PA).
30 miles yet to go on 81 before connecting to 84.
Randy and JD, driving buddy, stopped for lunch.

Noon - Request for folks to help unload went out.
My dad volunteers at a Christian school (and camp).
They were going to ask staff and older students to help.
It is scheduled for Saturday 8 AM when storage facility opens.

3:30 PM - I called Randy to see where he was.
They had just crossed the Connecticut line.
They are 60 miles out of Hartford.
Hoping they realize they are coming up on rush hour.
Cell phone still breaks up so can't talk long.
He'll check in next time they stop.

** prayer request **
Randy continues to battle a cold.
He took meds and does not sound like himself.
Says one of his eyes is watering up badly.
Thankfully JD has been able to do all the driving.

7:30 PM - Randy called
They had just crossed over into New Hampshire.
Randy should be here within TWO HOURS!!!!!
They are going to leave the UHaul at storage facility.
The place has surveillance cameras so should be safe.
I'll have to go pick them up - just around the corner.
Since it is so late they'll camp out in my living room.
I suspect they will sleep really easily tonight.
Me too - I have not slept much in the last few days.

8:30 PM - I called to see where Randy was.
They stopped at Kennebunk rest area for fuel.
Just over an hour away before I see my honey.

10:00 PM - Randy is at the apartment.
We have Wendy's food to eat for supper.

Fix-It and Forget-It

I got our first wedding gift here at the apartment.
I know Randy got a blanket at his farewell party.
I called Randy to see if it was okay that I open it.
He thanked me for calling and giving him an energy boost.

The gift was the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook.
It's subtitle is Feasting with your Slow Cooker.
It was purchased from our Amazon gift registry.
Thank you Cousin Marilyn from Florida.

Moving Day

1 AM - Randy called to say he is getting ready to call it a night.
Still a few hours of work in the morning.
Asked for a 7 AM walk up call.

7 AM - The landline phone already disconnected.
Randy was a wake and moving. YEAH
He will check in with me later.

9:30 AM - I just called to see how things were going.
Seems they still have quite a bit to do.
Expecting to leave after lunch rush hour.

12:30 PM (not posted until 1:50 - sorry)
I called again to see where things stood.
Randy had a storage space at apartment.
It includes gobs of paperwork from last 20 years.
Attempted to sort thru it all before loading.
One good thing is he found the mini van's title.
So hoping to get it transferred before leaving.
He thinks it will be a couple more hours of packing/loading.
I was able to tell him there is snow expected ...
if they decide to still go the upper New York path.

2:10 PM - Got wedding gift delivered at apartment.
So called Randy to let him know I wanted to open it.
They are still in packing/loading mode.

Afternoon into evening - Packing rest of apartment.
The original packing focused on movies, CDs and books.
With that stuff out it made room for the mundane packing.
He certainly had more of that than he had thought!!!

7:30 PM - The mini van's title has been transferred.

8 PM - The Uhaul has finally been totally loaded.
Waiting for Mandy to pick up apartment keys.
That is the lady that is taking over Randy's lease.
They should be hitting the road shortly thereafter.
He will check in at their first stop on the road.
There is the possibility of snow on either route...
so they will be taking it nice and slow for safety.
May be switching to the across Pennsylvania route.

8:30 PM - Mandy is at the apartment. Woo Hoo!!!
The guys will head out VERY SHORTLY.
And they will take 80 across Pennsylvania.
JD slept some when Randy was packing ...
So he has the first shift of driving tonight.
Randy says he'll be some sore when this is done.

10:30 PM - After a few stops headed out of town.
Got supper at Wendy's and more water at Walmart.

Ohio to Maine

View Larger Map
Google map from Columbus, Ohio to Portland, Maine.
I am not really in Portland but close enough for online use.

Driving Buddy

Randy will not be driving alone.
JD will be assisting in the loading and driving.
JD helped me pack up my house a year ago before I sold.

JD is a college buddy of mine who lives in Columbus.
Randy and I first started courting in January.
I sent JD to check Randy out at his church, Xenos.

I attended DeVry Institute of Technology in Columbus.
I also connected Randy with my "Columbus mom and dad".
They all went out for dinner together and liked each other.

Loading Day

Getting the UHaul was delayed a couple of times.
First the plan was for 11 AM then 12:30 PM then 3 PM.
It's 11:30 PM and they are still loading but energy is winding down.
The apartment is on the third floor with no elevator so a lot of work.

Final Packing Push

Randy finalizing a number of things via phone and running around.
There was an issue with transferring the minivan title.
In the evening a friend helped him with the final packing push.

New packed box totals:
VHS: 72
DVD: 29
CDs: 4
Books: 18 (all new)

On a side note I received our wedding cake topper today.

Major Packing Day

Randy now is focusing on packing.
Although fighting a stuffy head.

New packing totals:
VHS - 70 boxes (2 or 3 more to go)
DVD - 28 boxes (1 more to go)
CDs - 4 boxes (couple more to go)
Books - yet to pack - probably 10-15

Last Work Day

Today is Randy's last day at work.
Randy stayed after to clean up his work email account.
He had hundreds of messages to go thru.
Those he wanted to keep he forwarded to yahoo.

Softball Party

Before work Randy was invited to a friend's house.
It ended up being another farewell party ...
from the church softball team.

Bean Jacket

I shared with Randy that I got him a LL Bean Jacket.

I wanted to wait till Christmas to give it to him.

But decided he'd need it sooner to stay warm.

Farewell Party

Randy's work gave him a Farewell Party at lunch.
He received a blanket and large card, 19 X 13.
About 56 folks signed the card with well wishes.

Also a bunch of people spoke tributes to Randy.
He was very touched by the whole event.
He didn't cry but he almost did. Very sentimental.

In the evening people stopped by his apartment.
He sold his microwave, tv, and DVD/VCR.
A couple of folks are interested in the minivan.

Total VHS boxes now packed is 40.

Packing the Cats

My turn to pack now to make room for Randy.
I packed up my cat figurines from curio cabinet.
I am thinking of moving cabinet to bedroom.
Will put the boom box on the top shelf.
Protected behind glass doors will be CDs.

Also packing up most of my books for the time being.
I have seven boxes ranging from poetry to Bible reference.
Will be keeping some books out like couples devotional.
Certainly keeping out the cookbooks - got a hubby to cook for.
Bookcases will house movies we wanted to see right away.

Packing Boxes

Randy finished packing with the boxes he had on hand.
Purchase 90 more boxes from Sam's Club to continue.

Total packed boxes:
28 VHS boxes
8 DVD boxes
4 CD boxes

Wedding Photographer

My mother's best friend since childhood enjoys taking pictures.
She has taken photographs at both my brother's weddings.
She has acceptance an invitation to our wedding.
And she will be more than happy to take photos for us.

My mother is French. Grew up in a French community.
Her best friend, Florence, is a proud French Acadian chanteuse.

Packing Update

Packed thus far ...
25 VHS boxes and 3 DVD boxes

Randy hopes to be posting himself ...
once he is here in Maine with his own PC.

Right now his only access is at work ...
but he does not have the time to do so.

GIft Registries

Spent the week considering these.
At first I had prepared an Amazon one.
Then decided to also do a Kohl's one.
I did not put the same things on both.

As older (in our forties) newlyweds ...
there is not much that we truly need.
Mainly replacing old things to call "ours".
Especially silverstone bakeware items.

On both registries added gift certificates.
Also decided to add LL Bean Gift Cards to list.
That way we can outfit Randy for Maine winters.
Family and friends should go to our wedding site.

Randy Packing Begun

Randy was not feeling good the last couple of days.
After work started to pack up his VHS collection.
Explanation: he has a HUGE collection of movies
5000 VHS he is planning to move with
2000 DVDs he is planning to move with
Packed up 11 boxes of VHS

Cake Topper ordered

Ordered the cake topper today from Bridal People.
Posted about it here: Cake Topper

Plan on getting cake at local grocery store.
Tiered would be nice with light blue and purple for accents.
My favorite color in purple and Randy's is blue.

Wedding Date set

On October 26th Randy called to let me know ...
The apartment complex has officially approved ...
Randy's friend's daughter taking over his lease.

We were waiting on the Lord to decide when we would be able to wed.
Since his lease went to July we thought it would be next year.
But the Lord decided we should be wed this year. Woo Hoo!

I called the pastor to see what dates were available.
He said he had the first three Saturdays in December open.
I then called my brother to see if any were problematic to him.

I also verified with my parents they were available.
Then I called the pastor back to confirm our desired date.
It's official - - - we will be wed Saturday, December 1st, 2007.

Why Men Act the Way They do

Hidden Reasons Men Act the Way They Do - "The fact is, he is a man, and many of the hurtful and calloused actions you have witnessed are simply the result of his nature as a man."

Mental/emotional differences:

"Women tend to be a more 'personal' than men. Women have a deeper interest in people and feelings, while men tend to be more preoccupied with practicalities that can be understood through logical deduction."

Physical differences:

"Men and women differ in every cell of their bodies. This difference in the chromosome combination is the basic cause of development into male or female as the case may be." Some of these physical differences: Women's basal metabolism is normally lower than men's. Women's thyroid gland is larger and more active. In brute strength, men are 50 percent above women.

Sexual differences:

"Women's sexual drive tend's to be related to their menstrual cycles, while men's drive is fairly constant. Women are stimulated more by touch and romantic words. They are far more attracted by a man's personality, while men are stimulated by sight."

Intuitive differences:

"What exactly is this 'woman's intuition'?" It's not something mystical; rather, it is an unconscious perception of minute details which are sometimes tangible, sometimes abstract in nature. Since it is usually an 'unconscious' process, many times a woman isn't able to give specific explanations for the way she feels. She simply perceives or 'feels' something about a situation or person, while a man tends to follow a logical analysis of circumstances or people."

Excerpts from chapter 3 of For Better or For Best: A Valuable Guide to Knowing, Understanding, and Loving Your Husband by Gary Smalley

Booknotes

I started a new category called Booknotes.

I will put excerpts from books I/we have read.

It is just information I/we think is good to remember.

Since we are just beginning our life together we are not experiencing any problems.
We just want to be as informed about marriage and the each other's gender as possible.

Marriage Books

In preparation for marriage I have been reading some books.
The first two are more practical books about s*e*x.

The latter two are to better understand your spouse.

The Act of Marriage: The Beauty of Sexual Love
by Tim and Beverly LaHaye

Intended for Pleasure: Sex Technique and Sexual Fulfillment
in Christian Marriage by Ed and Gaye Wheat

If Only He Knew: A Valuable Guide to Knowing, Understanding,
and Loving Your Wife by Gary Smalley with Steve Scott

For Better or For Best: A Valuable Guide to Knowing, Understanding,
and Loving Your Husband by Gary Smalley with Steve Scott

Will be posting booknotes later from these and other books.

Sicilian Meat Roll

Combine following ingredients:

2 beaten eggs
½ C tomato juice
½ t oregano
1 clove garlic
3/4 C soft bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons parsley
¼ t each salt & pepper
2 pounds ground beef (lean)

Spread on waxed paper.
Put on layer of ham (8 thin slices)
and 1 ½ C shredded cheese (6 oz).
Roll up so length remains.

And top with cheese slices (3 mozz).

Bake at 350 for 1 ¼ hours

Mom got this recipe from navy people

Tangy Meatloaf

Combine ½ c catsup
2 T brown sugar
½ t dry mustard
Remove 4 T of mix and set aside for topping.

To remaining add:
4 t Worcestershire sauce
¼ t garlic powder
1 ½ t onion powder
1 egg
Blend well.

Stir in 1 ½ c wheat chex crushed to ¾ c.
Add 1 ½ lbs ground beef.
Mix well.
Shape into loaf in shallow pan or loaf pan.

Bake at 350 for 65 minutes.
Remove from oven; add topping.
Bake another 15 minutes.
Makes about 6 servings.

From “Chex: The Natural Way to Good Cooking”.

Cake Topper

Our thought is for a small wedding and reception.
I was not really planning on a wedding topper.

But I was browsing Bridal People.com ...
and then saw the Circle of Love collection.

We both really like #691232 (shown above)

Sweets for my sweetheart

In addition to meals I prepared sweets for Randy.
I focused on things I expected he would enjoy.
Including CHOCOLATE, peanut butter, cherries and coconut.

I made the following cookies/bars:
Chocolate Shadows (chocolate and peanut butter)
Macaroonies (coconut and chocolate chips)
Orange Oatmeal Chews (healthy-ish)
Magic Cookie Bars (coconut and chocolate chips)

We would eat some the day I baked them.
Then I would freeze the rest for his trip home.

I like bread so made two types:
Cranberry Fruit bread (brought to reunion)
Banana bread (small loaf also sent home with him)

Couple other desserts:
Chocolate Bread Pudding topped with Cool Whip
- need to make different consistency next time,
Frozen Cherry Dessert
- very sweet and included cherry pie filling,
crushed pineapples, coconut and Cool Whip

Anybody really wonder why he gained about 10 pounds on vacation?

Dinner meals

When Randy was visiting I made sure he had home cooking.
Some of the meals gave us leftovers which I like.
But as a single man Randy was not use to leftovers.

Heaviest meals:
Lasagne - Randy's favorite
Tangy Meatloaf - made with wheat chex
Sicilian Meat Roll - my mom made for my birthday

Mid range meals:
Oven baked fried chicken - coated with corn chex
Ham steak, tater tots, peas, buttermilk biscuits
Regular steak, mashed potatoes and corn

Quick and simple meals:
Angel hair spaghetti
Hamburger casserole (chicken noodle soup and crushed chips)
Chicken casserole (cream of chicken, macaroni, green beans)

The two casseroles were favorites growing up.
My mother loaned me her Casserole Cookbook.

Telling My Church

At church today some asked where my guy was.
I told them he had gone back to Columbus ...
but he had stayed an extra day to propose.

I told Nicole from across the aisle,
Sue who sits in front of me,
Jane who first showed me the church,
and Pastor Fenton, the adult ministry pastor.

I am new to that church so do not know many people.
Did invite Pastor Fenton to come visit with his wife.

Vacation Day 15

12 midnight - Randy is in Ohio - 700 miles away from me
will rest a bit - took aspirin for headache
will call when he makes it home - maybe 4 or 5 ish

2:30 AM I was awake so called
left message - Randy had shut off phone to save charge

4 AM left another message "I love you"

5:15 AM left message - little concern because have not heard

5:30 AM Randy called having not heard messages
He is 125 miles north of Columbus
pulled off to rest and because there was heavy rain.
Still raining and dark - will restart a little later.

9:10 AM Randy just waking up

[I called my brother to tell him of engagement]

11 AM called Randy to ask him to pull over so we could talk
I had an appointment in the morning and wanted input.
Said he was one county up from Columbus.
Should be able to call within 15 minutes.

11:15 Randy called pulled over in Columbus
We had a short chat before I headed out.
I felt comfortable enough since Randy was almost home.

11:30 I headed to local church school where my dad volunteers.
Workers were preparing facilites for new school year.
I had been wanting to go down there to meet up with old friend.
Her dad is one of the cofounders of the church camp and school.

I got there just in time for lunch at noon.
Mom had sent a casserole for them.
I asked Frank if he would consider officiating at our wedding.
He said he would and said to call when it was closer.

Vacation Day 14

7:30 Randy heads home. Boo Hoo!!!

9:30 AM Randy checked in from Mass - in stop and go traffic

10:40 AM into 4th cookie baggie

[I called a few people to tell them of engagement -
got ahold of my Columbus mom and Columbus college friend]

1:15 PM Randy called from Lee - 10 miles from New York

2:50 PM past Albany - 1/3 away from me

4:50 PM 1/2 way home - Syracuse
will take couple hour nap ,110 miles to Buffalo
sprinkling there, will call for weather update

[finally got ahold of Sherry to tell her of engagement,
asked her to be my matron of honor]

7 PM Randy called to say he was headed to Buffalo
plan to stay there overnight.

9:20 PM Just outside Buffalo

[9:30 watched CBS' new sitcom, Rules of Engagement]

Vacation Day 13

Randy was planning to head home after church.
Randy could not bring himself to leave.
In the afternoon we watched Serenity.

Then we decided to look for an engagement ring.
I let Randy know what I like...
silver is fine with me, I also like filigree.

Having selected one Randy asked...
"Do you want to make it a lifetime?"
To which I said "YES".

We went over to mom and dad's to tell them.
But they were out at a cookout.
We asked them to call us.

On the way back to my apartment...
We stopped so Randy could pick up Sunday paper.
He picked up flowers to commemorate the day.

When they called we got on different phones.
And we told them we were engaged.
They were happy for us.

Vacation Day 12

We had to get up and move early.
Family reunion an hour away.
Wanted to get there for brunch at 10 AM.

We got there in time.
It was held at church campground I had attended growing up.
I had been both a waitress and a counselor there.

Randy seemed to enjoy himself.
Joined the other menfolk played horseshoes.
He and his partner won their game.
Randy got the bulk of the points.

On the way home we stopped for lobster roll.
It was where my mother had them growing up.
Neither Randy nor I cared for it.

I had been cooking and baking so much...
So decided to order pizza for supper.
Mom and dad stopped by for a bit.

Vacation Day 11

Had mom and dad over for lunch.
It was mom's birthday.
I made ham steak, peas, tater tots, buttermilk biscuits.
And macaroonies for dessert.
Randy sang mom his song Same Time.

After parents left...
Randy sang more of his songs to me.
We also had some quality cuddle time.

Then Randy held my face in his hands.
He told me he loved me.
Then he said we were unofficially engaged.
Wanted to have a ring before making it official.

Vacation Day 10

I shared my photo albums with Randy.
We found out a few interesting things...
We had missed each other in San Antonio by a year.
We had both lived in Columbus at the same time years ago.
He arrived in Columbus 6 months before I graduated from DeVry.

We went out to Big Lots to get a new card table.

We watched The Holiday.

Vacation Day 9

We watched Shopgirl.
I thought it would be funny having Steve Martin in it.

We drove to Portland Headlight to have a picnic.
Portland Headlight is a muchly photographed lighthouse.
We got a little lost but eventually got there.

We had a candlelight dinner.
It included steak, mashed potatoes and corn.
A first for both of us.

Later we watched Dream Girls.

Then we cuddled listening to some romantic tunes.

Vacation Day 8

Randy stayed at my parents a little longer than usual in the morning.
He had an appointment to play horseshoe with dad.
Randy's wish was to not get skunked and he did NOT.
Randy won 2 of 6!!! And my dad plays regularly.

In the meantime I watched by myself...
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

After Randy returned to my apartment we had a visitor.
Sherry came over. She is my friend and my cousin's wife.

After she left Randy and I played scrabble. I won.

We watched Bridge of Terabithia.

Later in the evening we watched on the Sci Fi channel Eureka.

Vacation Day 7

We watched The Notebook - we cuddled for the first time.
We set of the car alarm - keys were in Randy's pocket.

Later we watched The Last Mimzy.

For supper I served lasagne and frozen cherry dessert.
Lasagne is Randy's favorite. And he also likes cherries.

Vacation Day 6

Went to church together at Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Then took a road trip up to Augusta ...
so I could show him my old stomping grounds.
Showed him places I worked, lived, and attended church.

Stopped by Big Al's in Wiscasset, an odd lots type store.
Swung by mom and dad's and visited for a little bit.

We watched Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Continued to go thru book mentioned in previous post.

Vacation Day 5

We watched Shrek and Shrek 2.
I was pleasantly surprised that I liked them.

We started going thru the book
101 Questions to Ask Before Getting Engaged.

Vacation Day 4

Called Randy at 1 PM since I had not heard from him.
Found out he had not gotten to sleep till 6 AM.

We watched Nanny McPhee. I really enjoyed it.

Went to Fat Boy carhop on way to Orr's and Bailey's Islands
Took him down to Land's End to see the Atlantic Ocean

Went to the Dollar Store on the way home.
Our first shopping trip together.

We watched Moulin Rouge with Nicole Kidman.

Vacation Day 3

Today is my birthday which was reason Randy visited now.

While waiting for Randy in the morning I watched Tuck Everlasting.
Also I worked to cleanup my old laptop and save favorites.

Randy and I both like Sandra Bullock and her movies...
First we watched Premonition and in the evening Lake House.

Mom and dad came over for my birthday meal.
Mom made sicilian loaf and mixed up ceasar salad.

Randy gave me a great birthday card with heartfelt personal words.
Included was choruses of love song writing about us.
Before leaving for night asked if he could give me a birthday kiss.

Best birthday ever, due to special delivery from Columbus!!!

Vacation Day 2

1:20 AM - Randy called - 90% here

3 AM - called but could only leave message

3:10 AM - HERE in Maine with me

Definately looked exhausted.
Got hug - talked a bit.

4 AM - rolled out sleeping bag to get some rest.

11 AM - took him to my parent's house
That is where he will be staying.
Also to meet my folks.
Mom made us crepes for breakfast.

Came back to apt but took couple of trips to store...
... went to Best Buy for DVD adapter
... went back to buy DVD player (since mine was broken)

Randy set up both my DVD player and VHS player.
We watched Akeelah and the Bee and Talladega Nights.

Randy headed to mom and dad's just before midnight.
Called to check in that he made it there...
and wish me a Happy Birthday.

Vacation Day 1

Randy's two week vacation was to travel from Ohio to Maine
and visit with moi, then girlfriend and now fiance!!!

4 AM - I called once but got voicemail
second time I got a hold of him - he'd been in shower

4:35 AM - I called again to remind him off phone charger
He was loading vehicle to head out momentarily

6:15 AM Randy called from rest area
9% here - had seen West Salem sign

8:20 AM Just outside Ohio (in PA) thru Cleveland
22% here - 245 miles

10:15 AM 9 miles from Buffalo - 34 miles from Niagara Falls
34% here - 310 miles

11:10 AM - Randy called - 30 miles outside Buffalo
will take cat nap - asked me to call in 20 minutes

11:30 AM woke Randy so he could hit road

1:40 PM called Randy to check in
was pulled off trying to nap
48% - 435 miles
will call back at 2:00 to make sure he's awake

4 PM - 60 miles outside Albany - 60% here

5 PM - "RUSH HOUR" will rest until 7 - 593 miles

7 PM - we talked - mentioned sun would be down at 8 PM
knew he was tired - said he would stay overnight!!!

11 PM - Randy called - 100 miles closer in Ludlow
77% here

Blissful Days

The love of my life is Randy and my name is Cathy.
We met online at a Christian fellowship forum 2 years ago.
We became good friends right away because of similar interests.
January 2006 we admitted to having crushes on each other.
We started to get to know each other even better.
I went offline for awhile but we kept in contact thru email.
Eventually I returned online and reconnected with him.
January 23, 2007 we started seriously courting.
August 2007 Randy took his two week vacation to visit me.
He stayed an extra day to propose.!!!!!!!!!!!!
(back dated to be first post - plan to journal the visit)