If Madea Only Knew

Last month, my Dad came to visit for a long weekend. We had a blast! We were on the go constantly, yet made sure to introduce Dad to all things Atlanta. Some of those things included: Hot dogs at the Varsity, The Georgia Aquarium, and an introduction to Tyler Perry's films. We didn't have time to actually watch a movie, because we were generally running from one place to another to eat or better yet, have a cigar. However, Tad made mention to my dad about his love for Tyler Perry's films and lent him a couple for his trip home. Tonight, while checking in with my parents, my Dad had a ROARING laugh telling us about watching a Tyler Perry screen play. Apparently, a new fan has developed. I don't even think that he minds the fact that his air conditioner at home went kaput. All he needs is a little Madea and life is cool...........

Don't Just Stand There, Lets Get to It - STRIKE A POSE!

This weekend was incredibly productive with regard to the Petrick/Hutcheson wedding details. In addition to getting registered for gifts, we had engagement photos taken! Our dear friends Jared and Brandy Kirschner gave us a photo shoot with a friend of theirs as an engagement gift. I met with Erika, the photographer about a week ago and was instantly impressed. Not only were her photos amazing, she is a very cool person and PROMPT! Nothing impresses me more than someone who is on-time. We had our photo shoot scheduled for 530 pm and it was STILL 95 degrees outside. We had the best of intention to shoot some photos inside Tad's condo and then move down into Centennial Olympic Park for even more. We were lucky to get out on the balcony with the intense heat. She showed us what she had and we were blown away. Erika is AMAZING. After we were done, we rewarded ourselves (and her!) with a glass of wine and chatted. We felt like we had know her forever! We liked her so much we booked her to shoot the most important day of our lives. We are so excited! We are going to have the most beautiful wedding photos - provided she can photo shop 80 pounds off of me. Off to the gym!

THANK YOU JARED AND BRANDY and most importantly, THANK YOU ERIKA!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Its Off To Register We Go!

Tad and I (okay, I) had a fully planned weekend of wedding stuff. We had gone round and round about whether or not to register for gifts. Initially, we were both of the opinion not to, but after much convincing from both family and friends, we decided to lock ourselves in Lenox Mall to take a stab at it. First things first, we popped into PRIME and fueled for our adventures. Tad indulged in a cheeseburger, I had some raw fish and off we went.....

Recharged and ready to shop!


We decided that our first stop would be Macys. It is convenient for everyone and has LOTS in the line of STUFF. We headed to the registry department and were instructed on how to go about registering by a woman named Watrina. She armed us with a scanner and gave us a lovely gift - a tote bag filled with lots of heavy stuff. Since she thrust the bag at me, I felt obliged to carry it along with my over sized purse. We asked her to take a photo and that is where it all went awry. It all happened so quickly, it is really hard to say how it all truly went down, but I vaguely remember turning for a photo and hearing a thunderous crash.

Oh, no - did what I think happen - happen?!

My newly acquired tote bag took out some lovely Lenox stemware. Watrina was unfazed. She reassured us that they had "lots more" in the back and she would take care of it. Off we went, armed with a scanner and a clip-board.

Registering is surprisingly fun. Choosing stuff is an interesting study in interpersonal relationships. Really, the only in-depth conversation Tad and I had revolved around cookware. Why All Clad instead of Calphalon? Because I will likely be doing most of the cooking and I like it. After a lengthy discussion, we chose All Clad.

Registering is surprisingly exhausting. There is SO much to ask for. Kitchen ware, appliances, table top, stemware, silverware, linens, china, crystal, silver - the list goes on and on.

Tad rests after carefully choosing sheets.

Once we completed our registry at Macy's we decided to tackle Crate and Barrel. By that time, we may have been scanner happy. They have SO much cool stuff! Once it all gets posted on line (in the next 48 hours), we are going to have to go back and do some serious editing. But, not before we go to Neiman Marcus to scan our hearts out in the table linen department...........

The Honour of Your Presence is Requested

We have chosen our invitations! An easy task you might think, but quite an undertaking for the two of us! We have written our own invitation without the use of anything as a guide. Tad takes dictation well. I think that if he were to ever decide on a career change, he might be able to make a go of it with short hand, a skill that has gone by the way side in the Internet age. We are currently waiting for proofs to come back from the printer. Hopefully by then, we can decide what we want to refer to our parents as. Both of our mothers have "nick-names". My dad is easy, he is Big John. For the sake of formality, we are eliminating the use of "Big". We ARE using french spelling. Honour. Maybe we are Canadian. French Canadian? Whatever. Now comes the most difficult task of all, our guest list. Wow. 180 adds up fast. I don't envy anyone who has gone through this before me and am honored (honoured) to have been included in so many weddings in years past.

Most importantly, we have ordered our reply cards. Bride still wins! - BUT, the favor (favour) of a reply is still requested.

My Fair Maidens

This weekend, my Matron on Honor, Amanda was in town for another friends wedding. While she was still in wedding mode, I took full advantage. I made an appointment at David's Bridal for she and another brides-maid/dear friend Laura to go try on dresses. From the get-go, I decided that my gals would wear two piece dresses. I had the tops and bottoms chosen. My dad made a few changes. For instance, he insisted on the girls wearing long skirts. The tops passed. I gathered the gals and we made a pilgimage OTP (outside the perimeter for those of you not from the ATL). While driving, I had an epiphany. Maybe they should all just wear different tops. When I was trying on wedding gowns, I relized that what I thought would work best for me, didn't. Being good sports, they tried on every piece I asked. Then, I realized it. They look GREAT in everything. Normally, I would find this irritating. Maybe even obnoxious. Now, I am thrilled. My girls are going to steal the show!

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses!

I came home to California to shop for my gown with my mom. She has spent the last 6 weeks pouring over magazines, catalogs and the Internet looking for the perfect dress for me. She has driven the state, interviewed boutiques and made appointments for me so that once I arrived all of our ducks were in a row. One salon she didn't extensively interview had an impeccable reputation and fortunately had an opening for the day of my arrival. We made our way over, where we met with Michelle, our consultant. I don't think she knew what she was in for. Mom should have warned her about her fashion-challenged daughter who hasn't even looked at dresses before walking in to meet poor Michelle. Michelle listened to what I wanted - elegant, sophisticated and simple. She then disappeared and brought me 5 gowns. The first I immediately dismissed. Michelle insisted that I try it on. Since I wanted to be a good sport for Mom, I figured I would oblige. She got me in this gown and when I went out to the riser, I was blown away. I didn't recognize that girl in that gown who was looking back at me. Nothing else compared. Mom insisted that we go to two other salons, where she had made appointments because she didn't want me to have the "what if" factor. I never made it out of the dressing rooms. Many of them I wouldn't allow the consultant close. This morning, we went back to the first salon and Michelle. We took along my dad and a dear friend of the family, Mrs. Hillhouse who has been like an aunt to me my entire life. We tried on 2 gowns that grandma liked the first go-around and the very first one again. Dad wondered who that girl in the dress was. Mrs. Hillhouse cried. Mom started choosing accessories. Dad insisted on a veil. We bought the dress. It is beautiful. It is so much more than I could have ever hoped for. Most importantly, it doesn't make me look fat.