tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74130360404550271702024-03-05T00:28:04.457-08:00My 99 in 999This is a list of 99 goals I'd like to accomplish in the next 999 days, some big, most small. Two and a half years is a short amount of time, so this is not my complete bucketlist but it's a start! My first of these goals is to inspire my followers to make their next 999 days the most exciting and start a '99 in 999' of their own.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-27744701575369838282013-01-10T15:27:00.001-08:002014-04-14T16:01:00.995-07:00Visit me at my new home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.yogabarrechs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">yogabarrechs.blogspot.com</a><br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-64634185088688094382012-12-26T17:23:00.004-08:002012-12-26T17:26:06.229-08:00Hitched, y'all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As of December 1st.... I am Mrs. Feetham!</div>
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Photos from our talented photography duo, <a href="http://www.landonjacob.com/" target="_blank">Landon Jacob Productions</a></div>
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Can I just wear this dress every day?</div>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-71090568102205100412012-10-15T17:04:00.000-07:002012-12-26T17:16:52.317-08:00Southern Bride of the Month!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh my stars!!! It has been an unspoken goal of mine ever since I became an avid reader of <a href="http://www.iloveswmag.com/" target="_blank">Southern Weddings Magazine</a>'s blog, to be a Southern Bride of the Month. Each month, SW mag features an engaged "southern belle" and interviews on her trial, tribulations, joys, and fun tid-bits about being engaged and how the wedding planning process is coming along.</div>
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And wouldn't you know it...not a single gal had been featured from South Carolina. Craziness, right?! So when I became one of the <a href="http://iloveswmag.com/southern-bride-bloggers/" target="_blank">Southern Bride Bloggers</a>, I was under the radar of the editors. I sent some of my vendors names over to the magazine and lo and behold, this morning when I came into work, I saw I was featured as October's bride!! Sooo exciting!!</div>
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See my feature here: <a href="http://iloveswmag.com/2012/10/15/southern-bride-of-the-month-melissa/#go-to-commentbox" target="_blank">October Feature</a></div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-52913064276885324402012-09-28T18:37:00.000-07:002012-09-28T18:51:37.523-07:00My 999 day countdown has come to an end!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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And I did exactly what I set out to do...</div>
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made my 999 the most exciting days I have ever lived</div>
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Many life changing events happened since starting this blog.</div>
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I got accepted to grad school</div>
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I graduated grad school</div>
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I got engaged to the best man I know</div>
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I landed a GREAT job and started exactly 1 month from graduation day</div>
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I moved back to my hometown...well, Summerville anyway</div>
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And I'm planning the most important party I'll every throw</div>
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That is, until my daughter gets married</div>
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Life. is. <i>crazy</i>.</div>
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And it's amazing how much your life can change given only 999 days</div>
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<u>What I've completed</u>:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">1. Inspire someone to create a 99 in 999 list of their own (count is up to 8 people!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">6. Complete a sprint triathlon (I've done three!!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">8. Adopt a doberman</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">10. One word: ZUMBA!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">12. Don't watch TV for an entire week. This includes watching shows online! (7/7)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">13. Send out Christmas cards</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">15. Go white water rafting</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">19. Watch all 6 seasons of Lost (6/6)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">20. Go kayaking or canoeing</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">22. Try 50 new beers and find a new favorite (50/50)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">23. Try 20 new wines and find a red and white wine I actually like (20/20)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">25. Attend 6 friends' weddings (6/6)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">28. Play a full round of disc golf</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">35. Upgrade my road bike</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">37. Learn how to drive a stick shift</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">41. Learn a new sport (disc golf!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">42. Find my abs again!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">44. Learn how to play poker</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">45. Travel to IL to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and 2 nieces</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">46. Go ice skating</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">48. Complete 5 works of art (5/5)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">49. Attend 3 concerts. One must include Dave Matthews (3/3)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">50. Publish a book</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">51. Make the Dean's/President's list each semester of grad school (8/8)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">53. Front flip off a dock. For some reason, I am incredibly afraid to do this!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">54. Give up something for Lent</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">58. Replace my glasses</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">66. Find a church I enjoy in Columbia</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">68. Choose water over soda or sweet tea 50 times (50/50)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">69. Marinate and grill the perfect steak</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">70. Purchase a nice jewelry hanger for my earrings</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">72. Participate in Relay for Life and walk for Edna Grace</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">77. Decorate the house for Halloweek and Christmas one year (2/2)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">81. No alcohol for a month (28/28) - OK, so I picked a February month. Sober for Oct. was still a success!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">84. Make goodies one day and bring them to work "just because"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">87. Make 5 new delicious desserts (5/5)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">88. Wake up 30 minutes early to actually fix my hair/makeup before work\</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">89. No fast food for 1 month (30/30)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">90. Learn American Sign Language</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">93. Buy my first (and probably last) lottery ticket - entered a pool at the office, obvi we did not win!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">94. Comp</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">lime</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">nt a stranger</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">95. Participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run (three times with Stephen!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">96. Enter in a Halloween costume contest</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">97. Visit a new state</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">99. Begin a new "99 in 999" list by day 990</span></span><br />
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<u>What I'm still working on</u>:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">7. Read 30 books--school assigned reading does not count (26/30)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">9. Finish a 21 day Yoga Challenge (1/21)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">18. Make it to the gym regularly for 3 months- regularly being 3-4 times a week (2/3)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">33. Watch the complete Star Wars collection (1/6)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">34. Hike 5 waterfalls (4/5)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">56. Wash my car 5 times. For those of you who know me, you know how difficult this will actually be (2/5)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">61. Photograph 40 of my 99 events (22/40)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">64. Learn to make 5 cocktails and commit them to memory (3/5)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">86. Cook 10 new successful recipes for dinner (8/10)</span></div>
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<u>What I didn't even start!</u>:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2. Eat 14 organic meals (0/14)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><strike>3. Go sky diving or bungee jumping</strike> - OK so I had the chance to do this, and decided I have too much riding on my staying alive right now lol. Call it a cop out but I have to finish my masters in August and pay off my student loans, and I love my fiance more than I want to risk death</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">4. Go skiing or snowboarding</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">5. Travel outside the US. I would love to go to a small Caribbean island or anywhere in Europe!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">11. Go horseback riding</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">14. Bowl a turkey--decide if Wii bowling counts</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">16. Go wakeboarding out on the lake</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">17. Learn to speak conversational Spanish</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">21. Go camping. Sleeping in an RV does NOT count</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">24. Complete the P90X system</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">26. Run an 8 minute mile (9 minutes...soooo close)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">27. Swim a 500m free in under 10 minutes (although I never timed myself, I'm almost certain I can)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">29. Stay at a bed and breakfast</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">30. Renew my CPR certification</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">31. Stay at a beach house with friends</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">32. Create a quilt using my old ESA shirts</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">36. Participate in the Mud Run</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">38. Visit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"><strike>39. Donate blood-given I gain enough weight to donate!</strike> I am 100% sure I will not gain enough weight to donate blood by the end of my 999 days, so in place of this goal: Run a 5k in under 30 min.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">40. Visit the Biltmore House</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">43. Go somewhere new and exciting for New Years</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">47. Perform in a musical, doesn't have to be lead.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">52. Go to DC for the 4th of July to watch the fireworks</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">55. Go on a roadtrip with my cousins</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">57. Go rock wall climbing- Strom counts</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">59. Go snorkeling or scuba diving</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">60. Visit Six Flags or Carowinds and ride as many roller coasters as I can!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">62. Send Christmas or Thank You cards to soldiers overseas</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">63. Send a care package to Erik while he's in Iraq</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">65. Sing at a Karaoke bar</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">67. Learn to make sushi</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">71. Begin making home brew</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">73. Donate my hair to Locks for Love</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">74. Rent a mountain house with friends for the weekend</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">75. Visit a winery</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">76. Have a "mother-daughter" day complete with pampering and shopping</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">78. Complete the spicy tuna hand roll challenge at Bushido (0/10)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">79. Participate in a charity bike ride</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">80. See a Broadway show. I'd REALLY like to see Wicked!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">82. Compose a flute choir rendition of Canon or The Prayer and perform it at church</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">83. Re-learn how to play the cello</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">85. Take salsa dancing lessons</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">91. Drive to PCB over the summer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">92. Learn how to surf- SC beaches do not count!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">98. Spend a morning meditating on the beach</span></div>
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OK OK, so there's a bit more in yellow than pink</div>
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In my defense, the majority of these 999 days was spent in grad school, with no clear idea of what free time was, and 8 of the past 9 months have left my bank account dwindling down to nothing as I worked as an unpaid intern 40 miles away from home. So, as you can imagine, I didn't exactly have time, or especially the funds, to leave the country, go snorkeling, see a Broadway show, or stay at a mountain house. Per my "Golden Rule," to donate $1 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for every goal left incomplete, I will be signing a check of $45 to this charity that's always held a special place in my heart. </div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">**</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">ESA ladies, point me in the direction of a sister currently fundraising and I can split up the donation</span><span style="color: #f1c232;">**</span></div>
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There are a few, though, that will be crossed of this list by the end of this year!! Including:</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">5. Travel outside of the US</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">27. Swim a 500m free in under 10 minutes</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;">59. Go snorkeling</span></div>
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and in the first few months of 2013, Stephen and I will begin to cross one off as a couple in our new blog:</div>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">71. Begin making home brew</span></span></div>
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New blog? You must've missed the <a href="http://mels99.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-final-30-days.html" target="_blank">announcement</a>...</div>
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I'll continue to update this blog until the wedding</div>
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Which if you missed that announcement too, is on December 1st!! </div>
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Just a little over 2 months away :-D</div>
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After I become a Mrs., you can follow Stephen and I at our new home:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVv6MzjfnCnhhSLApGPU0iRMyOY6bkCgKnVxuC_di2909Rhbq3ArNo9yPBEtovkNHi4FX1b8tgou3GqvTYEdlJCrj_4nVESQsnJQQs0BOuHjqBBFWBxNI5_HIth59KpVdVknsiYmxbu4/s1600/500_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVv6MzjfnCnhhSLApGPU0iRMyOY6bkCgKnVxuC_di2909Rhbq3ArNo9yPBEtovkNHi4FX1b8tgou3GqvTYEdlJCrj_4nVESQsnJQQs0BOuHjqBBFWBxNI5_HIth59KpVdVknsiYmxbu4/s320/500_banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(coming soon!)</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-62563244368012551772012-08-27T19:11:00.002-07:002012-08-27T19:12:09.312-07:00The final 30 days!!<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't believe my 999 days is coming to an end!</div>
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I started this as a New Years resolution January 1st, 2010. A countdown to September 27, 2012 giving me 999 days to complete 99 goals. (<a href="http://mels99.blogspot.com/p/the-list.html" target="_blank">The List</a>). </div>
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There have been some wonderful memories created by crossing things off this list. Here's a few of my favorites:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">1. Inspire someone to create a 99 in 999 list of their own (count is up to 8 people!)</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">6. Complete a sprint triathlon (I've done three!!)</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">8. Adopt a doberman</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">15. Go white water rafting</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">19. Watch all 6 seasons of Lost (6/6)</span> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">50. Publish a book (my cookbook raised $1,200 for LLS!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">51. Make the Dean's/President's list each semester of grad school (8/8)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">90. Learn American Sign Language</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">95. Participate in the Cooper River Bridge Run (three times with Stephen!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I didn't realize it until now...but these 8 goals have actually changed my life in HUGE ways!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">It felt so <i>awesome </i>each time someone sent me a message saying they had been inspired and were in the process of creating a 99 list of their own. It's been especially exciting watching those of you who have kept up with it and update more than I do (*ahem* I'm talking to you <a href="http://edutts99.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Esther</a> and <a href="http://katies99in999.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Katie</a>)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Adopting a doberman was one of the best things I've ever done. Mika is the <i>best </i>dog!! Seriously, she is. She has so much personality, so quirky, and she's so well behaved. She learns boundaries really quickly and knows where she can and can't go within minutes of being in a new place, where alot of dogs would start running and just keep running! She has never..not even once..chewed on anything but her toys. I'm willing to bet, this time next year, she'll be able to be a "free range dobie" and walk without a leash to the park. (Not that we would..but she could do it!) </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">She is so so smart and learns very quickly - but that's something I knew about dobermans and one of the main reasons I've always wanted one. Besides the fact that they are </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">great </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">guard dogs. I'm convinced our house would've been broken into by now had she not been here with us. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Every day is better when she's around :-) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Speaking of things being better when someone's around...alot of these goals would not have been crossed off without Stephen. He's been my partner in all of this (and we got our start by watching all those seasons of Lost together)! He's participated in 10k's, 5k's, and triathlons with me. Things I'd never once done before he came into my life. He took me to Colorado, brought me hiking, white water rafting, canoeing, introduced me to a new sport (disc golf - of which I can say I'm not too terrible at). He helped me create my cookbook, which helped me raise $1,200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He motivates me, pushes me, and encourages me. He's amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">And that's why..after the 999 days is over in September and we get back from our honeymoon in December and the dust from holidays settles, our New Years resolution for 2013 will be to start another 99 list as a couple!! But because there were many things I didn't get to on my "bucketlist" because I am master of procrastination, shortening the amount of days we have to complete it sounded like a good idea. So instead of having almost 1,000 days to countdown, we're cutting that number in half. 500 days. That's it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">So here's where you come in! We've already started our list of 99 goals / things we'd like to do as a couple...but we need your help! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Give us your suggestions -- we're all ears :-)</span></div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-14211319375703657302012-08-23T19:34:00.001-07:002012-08-24T08:36:45.926-07:00The final 100 days<div style="text-align: center;">
We are down to the final 100 day countdown til I am Mrs. Feetham!!</div>
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Wedding planning has been SO. MUCH. FUN! Each part of it has made me say, "I should've gone into the wedding planning business" or "I wish I worked at a bridal store so I could help other girls find their dress!" or "I wish I were a graphic designer." Of course in reality, I wouldn't want to do any of those things for a living... but it certainly is fun doing them on the side!</div>
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I know I haven't updated on my wedding plans much, mostly because I still want the element of surprise on our wedding day. I don't want to spill too many details or post too many pictures, but I WILL offer my checklist (snagged from Megan at <a href="http://friedgreenpickles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fried Green Pickles</a>)...and give an idea of just how much thought we've put into our big day and how many things we've already checked off the to-do list:</div>
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<strike>Set a date</strike></div>
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<strike>Book venue</strike>
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<strike>Book Rehearsal Dinner venue</strike>
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<strike>Book photographer</strike>
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<strike>Reserve hotel room block</strike>
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<strike>Book musicians (ceremony & reception)</strike></div>
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<strike>Ask bridal party to be in the wedding</strike>
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<strike>Book caterer</strike>
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<strike>Create wedding website</strike> - www.wix.com/thefeethams/ourwedding</div>
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<strike>Register</strike>
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<strike>Book florist</strike>
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<strike>Shop for wedding dress</strike>
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<strike>Book officiant</strike>
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<strike>Wedding shoes!!!</strike>
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<strike>Take engagement pictures</strike>
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<strike>Design / Print / Send out save-the-dates</strike>
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<strike>Select & order bridesmaid dresses</strike>
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<strike>Select & order grooms(men) tuxes</strike><br />
Design layout for reception</div>
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<strike>Find veil</strike>
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<strike>Book cake baker</strike>
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<strike>Hire day-of-coordinator</strike>
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Find or purchase cake knife and server</div>
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Find or purchase toasting glasses for bride & groom</div>
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<strike>Order guest book</strike>
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<strike>Design / Order / Print invitations</strike>
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Find a calligrapher or send envelopes to Auntie Mimi!</div>
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Engagement announcement in Post & Courier and Goose Creek Gazette</div>
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<strike>Find MOB & MOG dress</strike>
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Choose wedding jewelry</div>
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<strike>Find a garter</strike> - thanks Morgan!!</div>
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<strike>Book makeup artist</strike>
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<strike>Book hair stylist</strike>
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Bridal portraits / Hair & Makeup trial run - scheduled for October 12</div>
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<strike>1st dress fitting - August 9</strike>
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2nd (and hopefully final) dress fitting - September 27</div>
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<strike>Make junior bridesmaid kissing ball</strike></div>
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<strike>Lingerie shower - August 17</strike></div>
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<strike>Make map flowers for cake</strike>
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<strike>Find the perfect cake topper</strike>
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<strike>Design & Construct indoor centerpieces</strike></div>
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<strike>Design & Construct outdoor centerpieces</strike></div>
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Choose flowers at Charleston Flower Market for BM,toss bouquet, & outdoor centerpieces</div>
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<strike>Flower girl dresses</strike>
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Flower girl baskets</div>
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Ring bearer suit</div>
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Monogram shower - September 22</div>
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Design & Construct cork installation (? may or may not do)</div>
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<strike>Order Bridesmaid gifts</strike>
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Order Groomsmen gifts</div>
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Buy flower vases for the cake table</div>
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Mail invitations - first of October</div>
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Buy rehearsal dinner dress</div>
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Suit for Stephen at rehearsal dinner</div>
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Bachelorette party!! - October 13</div>
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<strike>Purchase Stephen's wedding band</strike></div>
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My wedding band!</div>
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Couple's shower - tentative in November</div>
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Create wedding day timeline</div>
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Decide on Signature cocktails</div>
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DIY aisle markers<br />
DIY Groomsmen bouts with excess BM dress material</div>
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Design & Print Wedding programs</div>
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Get marriage license</div>
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Final music selections to DJ & ceremony musicians</div>
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<strike>Book honeymoon!!</strike>
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Book wedding day transportation</div>
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Final vendor payments (venue, caterer, photographer, DJ, officiant, D-o-C, and ceremony musicians)</div>
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Getaway dress?</div>
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Book wedding night hotel room</div>
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Order thank you notes</div>
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Wedding announcement in Post & Courier and Goose Creek Gazette</div>
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Walk down the aisle & say I do!</div>
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whew. Can we get married already?!?</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-6890921209445680872012-08-10T15:03:00.003-07:002012-08-16T07:04:55.955-07:00Wedding updates!<div style="text-align: center;">
1. <b>Bridesmaids dresses came in!!!</b></div>
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I am so excited about these dresses (almost as excited about my own dress. ...Ok not quite. But excitement level is through the roof)! I have always loved the look of silk chiffon BM dresses. And when I hear silk chiffon, 2 designers pop into my head. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amsale.com/bridesmaids/index.shtml" target="_blank">Amsale </a>and <a href="http://barijay.com/salon.php" target="_blank">Bari Jay</a>. </div>
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I did some online scouring trying to find a company that could sell these designers at a lower price than the local bridal boutiques. I found one, <a href="http://www.toastbridalonline.com/" target="_blank">Toast Bridal</a>, that didn't sound sketchy, didn't ship from China, and carried my beloved Bari Jay dresses for more than $50 less than local bridal stores. </div>
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The reviews were hit and miss, but many of the bad reviews came from those who'd shopped in store. I decided to have some faith, take the risk, and order all 5 dresses together (1. so they would all be cut from the same dye lot and 2. so we would only have to pay 1 shipping price)</div>
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<i>So</i> glad I went with Toast Bridal. The dresses are PERFECT!! And shipped 3 weeks before I expected.</div>
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No girl is the same shape (duh), and some styles look better on particular bodies, so each of my girls are in a different dress that accentuates their best features and compliments each gal so beautifully! My bridesmaids are all already so pretty ;-)</div>
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Y'all. I am going to have <i>the best</i> dressed bridal party. Ever.</div>
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2. <b>Bouts & Flowers</b></div>
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Very ready to tackle my next DIY project. The groomsmen bouts. </div>
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When thinking of the guys' flowers, I thought about how much I love the wedding color (google bari jay misty blue and you'll see what I mean) and knew I wanted to closely match this color with the boutonnieres. Then I thought...if I want to match the bridesmaids dresses, USE the bridesmaids dresses!</div>
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The extra material cut from the bottom of each of the bridesmaid dress will be cut and used to make fabric flowers for the groomsmen's bouts...kinda like this:</div>
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But with a few little added details like a "stem" and leaves,</div>
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(made with patterened scrapbook paper accenting the misty blue color)</div>
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And a little lace accents as well as french netting. </div>
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If I have any leftover material, mom and I will make shoe clips for my "something blue" - if not, I guess it'll be my garter!</div>
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<a href="http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/0615-6-most-comfortable-wedding-shoes-chromatic_we.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/0615-6-most-comfortable-wedding-shoes-chromatic_we.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Other flower plans: I have a florist to make my own bouquet as well as the mothers and grandmothers corsages. The plan is to get flowers from <a href="http://www.charlestonflowermarket.com/" target="_blank">Charleston Flower Market</a> and DIY the bridesmaids bouquets when everyone is together the day (or day before that) before the wedding. The junior bridesmaid flower will be a kissing ball: </div>
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<a href="http://emmalinebride.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/pomander-kissing-ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://emmalinebride.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/pomander-kissing-ball.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Currently in the process of making one with crepe paper flowers...almost done!</div>
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3. <b>Formal Invites</b></div>
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Design is complete!! As big as my love affair with cotton paper and letterpress invites with custom calligraphy are, I just <i>can't</i> justify spending over $400 on invitations. After months of designing, edits, and proofing, we've finalized the design and the paper/envelopes/pocketfolds/cardstock is all ordered and it's ready to go to the printers!</div>
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If only I could learn how to write with some sort of consistancy :-(</div>
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I've tried. I have to fold. </div>
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Calligraphy is just something I can not do. </div>
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Know anyone who doesn't write like a 10 year old? And won't mind addressing a few envelopes for me??Send them my way!</div>
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4. <b>1st Dress Fitting</b></div>
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Last but not least, I had my first dress fitting!!</div>
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I have gone through a roller coaster of emotion the past 36 hours.</div>
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Anxious, excited, nervous. Now very nervous.</div>
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So much has to be done to the dress, and the seamstress (bless her) traveled all the way from Yemassee to do a house call and come to mom's house yesterday for the 1st fitting. I'd not met her before but she was highly recommended, she is charging about half the price (<i>hello!!</i>) as the average seamstress for alterations, and she didn't charge for travel. Seems too good to be true, right? It broke my heart to watch her leave my house with my dress, and September 22nd CAN NOT come soon enough. I can't wait to see my dress again...and have it *hopefully* fit perfectly so it won't need to leave again before my Bridal portraits in October. Cross your fingers (and your toes, people)!!</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-25288768271813317112012-06-17T08:45:00.002-07:002012-06-17T08:45:14.363-07:00Love is a Father<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Somewhere between the adventure of boyhood and the responsibility of manhood,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>there exists an entity known as a father.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Fathers come in various sizes and exhibit assorted behaviors,</i></div>
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<i>but they all live by a similar doctrine.</i></div>
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<i>A father must be strong when he feels weak,</i></div>
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<i>he must maintain composure when he feels like crying,</i></div>
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<i>and he must steadfastly stand tall when he feels the world crumbling beneath him.</i></div>
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<i>His wife adores him,</i></div>
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<i>his friends admire him,</i></div>
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<i>his grandson looks up to him,</i></div>
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<i>and his daughter feels it all.</i></div>
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<i>A father is a magical being. You can ignore his tirades,</i></div>
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<i>but you can't ignore their causes.</i></div>
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<i>You can disregard his demands,</i></div>
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<i>but you can't resent his right to demand.</i></div>
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<i>He has been an integral part of your life,</i></div>
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<i>and you'll never forget the occasions when he built you up</i></div>
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<i>so high you thought you'd explode.</i></div>
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<i>You'll never forget the times you cried because you'd let him down,</i></div>
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<i>and you'll never forget the comfort you found in his words</i></div>
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<i>of consolation given when you needed to known someone really cared.</i></div>
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<i>You might as well face it. His role isn't easy, but his part is just.</i></div>
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<i>He can't be replaced or rejected,</i></div>
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<i>only partially reimbursed and his words recalled.</i></div>
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<i>But he is always remembered.</i></div>
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<i>Whatever you do,</i></div>
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<i>wherever you are,</i></div>
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<i>however old,</i></div>
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<i>whatever experience causes you to become,</i></div>
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<i>you'll always know that what it takes to make a father,</i></div>
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<i>makes you happy you have one.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Love is...having a father.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>-</i>Judith Apperson </div>
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Thank you, dad, for all you've done for me.</div>
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I'm a lucky daughter to have you,</div>
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And Stephen is a lucky man to gain you.</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-18063131652932094762012-06-12T17:50:00.002-07:002012-06-12T18:15:01.029-07:00IronGirl Atlanta<div style="text-align: center;">
As mentioned in a <a href="http://mels99.blogspot.com/2012/05/another-tri.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, my cousin Morgan and I traveled to Lake Lanier in Atlanta, GA to compete in the IronGirl triathlon. </div>
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<a href="http://www.tryonfire.net/images/lake-lanier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://www.tryonfire.net/images/lake-lanier.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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OK, OK, so it's not an Ironman distance. It's not even a 70.3. It's actually a sprint distance tri, about the same distance as my <a href="http://mels99.blogspot.com/2011/06/15-months-left.html" target="_blank">very first tri</a>. But it was hands down THE hilliest bike ride I have ever faced. </div>
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I had read the warnings from other gals who had participated in this race. Most of them were newbies (as if I'm not!) and said it had 3 very steep hills, many of which people had to walk their bikes up. Well, I have never had to get off my bike and walk up a hill, so I brushed the warnings off to the side and went on a total of 2 bike rides to "train" for this race lol</div>
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Big mistake.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan & I, in pure naive bliss before the race</td></tr>
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Before I start my re-cap, this race normally occurs in June. This year, it was in May, and the May weather had not exactly been warm (read, if you're from the north, the water is like bathwater, if you're from the south, it's downright frigid). The water temp was expected to be in the high 60's. And the races I'd been to in the past, if the water temp is not above 72, literally <i>everyone</i> is in a wetsuit. So...I decided I wanted to try and race with a wetsuit, never having an opportunity to get in some open water training in the wetsuit.</div>
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I ordered one from <a href="http://www.wetsuitrental.com/" target="_blank">wetsuitrental.com</a> (highly recommend) and I had it shipped to Morgan's house in CO since that's where I would be the week before the race. I was <b>ecstatic</b> pulling the rubber seal suit out of the box and ran upstairs to try it on.</div>
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It wouldn't come up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zCAu25ty1jkn4SwsMysVhbp9m764L-BUKQnfIl5D8wITLlIctu4D8fP4pawJ__sCtSi4tzAquc0bFM51rSmw87O5-MkPtaKffD4VZcVplZGzUzSW2gTnYotkYDiMlvThm7jF9ajfL5c/s1600/ross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zCAu25ty1jkn4SwsMysVhbp9m764L-BUKQnfIl5D8wITLlIctu4D8fP4pawJ__sCtSi4tzAquc0bFM51rSmw87O5-MkPtaKffD4VZcVplZGzUzSW2gTnYotkYDiMlvThm7jF9ajfL5c/s320/ross.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I looked, and felt, exactly like this. I couldn't pull the suit up my legs. I felt like a whale! The more I fought the tight black rubber, the more I began to sweat. The more I sweat, the more I realized my effort was futile. Instead of giving up, I called my cousins in to help me pull it up...going beyond their bridesmaid duty!</div>
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They couldn't pull it up either! In fact, Morgan struggled so much, that I heard an "uh oh" then saw the tan of my butt peering though a half dollar sized hole in the side of the suit. ..on both sides. Finally giving in, I plopped down on the bed and uttered the words no girl likes to admit. "I should go up a size." I called wetsuit rental and they shipped a NEW wetsuit out to me, overnight, at no extra charge!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It fit!! Don't look so surprised, Morgan</td></tr>
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I had the suit, I swam just fine in it at the local pool, and I was ready to go the morning of the tri.</div>
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Too bad there were probably only 10 people wearing wetsuits...</div>
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As the tables had quickly turned on me, I didn't want to look like the "newbie" in a wetsuit, so I ditched it and made my way to the starting line. I'm really glad I did though, because the water felt pretty warm!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just my wave! Over 140 women<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this was Morgan's puny wave. Just over 20 women<br />
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Obviously not as popular a sport from younger girls haha. I started in the very very back of my wave (I was actually running back and forth 30 seconds before the start trying to figure out which side looked less likely that I'd get kicked in the face or scratched). I squeezed in on the inside between the mob and the buoys, had a little struggles in the first minute, getting my breathing down and trying to get a breath in without the splashing water of other girls. I made my way out of the "washing machine" and got into a steady pace, passing as many people as I could. </div>
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The bike route was <i>gorgeous</i> when we were in the actual water park area. But once we exited that, it was the most grueling, hilly ride I've ever experienced. At one point, I began to actually worry, for the first time in any race, "I'm not going to have <i>anything</i> left for the bike."<br />
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Of course when adrenaline kicks in, it's a whole different story ;-) During the bike route, Morgan passed me, and eventually, I'd completely lost sight of her. During the run, she passed me on her way IN when I was on my way OUT! Seeing her gave me that extra push, and I was able to finish the race stronger than I ever had, and completed the 5k in a time I normally finish *just a 5k in! (I guess that means I could probably push myself harder in road races)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IronGirls!</td></tr>
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Morgan ended up finishing 11 minutes faster than me!<br />
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...there's always next year ;-)</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-90108444426989518982012-05-24T19:55:00.001-07:002012-06-12T18:15:27.095-07:00Southern Wedding Blogger!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qaM-EMF9U3VpI0IB3XzDQWqyDZxE9RfFinMebwetYCaIq_tGydQ1Md8gh4IbtwRLpJGUzPraFYi2uCO-YYcIyB3dBJad0MHVUQ417VrtCpq0qX2IjTbFxhfEN0on2iwaHuABa_HPp5w/s1600/SBBbutton300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qaM-EMF9U3VpI0IB3XzDQWqyDZxE9RfFinMebwetYCaIq_tGydQ1Md8gh4IbtwRLpJGUzPraFYi2uCO-YYcIyB3dBJad0MHVUQ417VrtCpq0qX2IjTbFxhfEN0on2iwaHuABa_HPp5w/s400/SBBbutton300x300.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
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My blog has been listed in I love Southern Weddings Magazine!!</div>
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View other southern brides' blogs <a href="http://iloveswmag.com/southern-bride-bloggers/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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I personally recommend my friend Stephanie's sister Megan @ <a href="http://friedgreenpickles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fried Green Pickles</a></div>
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Also love: <a href="http://stylemeswanky.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Style me swanky</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hellodallau.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Hello Dallau</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thesweeticedteasoiree.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Iced Tea Soiree</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.smallchichome.com/" target="_blank">Small Chic Home</a></div>
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<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-6560542738643889392012-05-21T17:11:00.000-07:002012-05-22T17:25:14.625-07:00Wedding VenueOhh Charleston, why do you have to be so beautiful? It's IMPOSSIBLE to pick a venue in this town that is more perfect than the next. Plantations, Antebellum and lawns, riverfront, farms and barns, beachfront...the possibilities are endless! There were 2 reception locations I'd leveled it down to, and Stephen pretty much gave me free reign with this decision:<br />
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1. Harborside East in Mt. Pleasant</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">helloooo view!</td></tr>
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Breathtaking place. Marble floors, wooden walls with antique paintings on the wall, chandeliers surrounded by leather sound barriers, dark green marble tables included inside, and tonnns of wrought iron tables and chairs outside, heat lamps included, covered patio with option to roll down sides, with fans and lights under it, stainless steel outdoor bar, movable cocktail bar, <i>amazing</i> bar area inside...and do I need to even MENTION the view?! This place would be <b>tough</b> to beat. Check out a 360 video view <a href="http://stepinsidecharleston.com/shoots/charleston_venues/harborside_east/harborside_east.html" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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2. I'on Creek Club</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUlhJ6_R3wFNTXlSRNSTcVixSHWiwJSuPWGQdOzlJVEsg0Yiinwx1jt_7x_97cw87bzeb2OBhCvjxIZSQLQ-yLBzNbi1HNjwHQEdQmWD9fR0fq3nSc_HtwdFzOJoHEJ-H_AuJ9PQWtzc/s1600/ioncreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUlhJ6_R3wFNTXlSRNSTcVixSHWiwJSuPWGQdOzlJVEsg0Yiinwx1jt_7x_97cw87bzeb2OBhCvjxIZSQLQ-yLBzNbi1HNjwHQEdQmWD9fR0fq3nSc_HtwdFzOJoHEJ-H_AuJ9PQWtzc/s400/ioncreek.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ahhh!</td></tr>
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This place is gorgeous. <a href="http://www.chiphotographyofcharleston.com/laura-ben-wedding-creek-club-at-ion" target="_blank">Chi photography</a> photographed a wedding here and I absolutely fell. in. love. It's also on the water, though a tad bit more inland on the Mt. Pleasant side of the Cooper River...so you get more marsh view which is so beautiful at sunset and just <i>screams </i>Charleston. There are tables and chairs included on the inside, however since we are having our ceremony in a church, we would only need the place for the reception. This is a b-e-a-utiful venue, but I think it's even more beautiful for a couple actually getting married outside here on the lawn. So for us, we wouldn't get the full use out of the space.</div>
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Harborside has an AWESOME view of the Cooper River Bridge- which means alot to both Stephen and I since we have ran the 10k over the bridge 3 times together. I knew I wanted to have a view of the water, so anywhere inside and inland Downtown were out.<br />
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A little history on the building: It used to be the site of the old Zinc restaurant- in fact, our caterer helped open the kitchen and get them on their feet. Their feet quickly sank though and the restaurant went under, becoming a site for weddings, receptions, dinners, and large meetings. A few years ago they closed it though, because it was sinking in the marsh. They have finally completed the necessary restoration and reconstruction (if you find old wedding reception pics of the place, you'll see that they've taken out a large square fountain outside, as well as a few landscaping details on the brick patio).<br />
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They re-opened in October for weddings, so this is actually the first "wedding season" they've been open to the public since 2009! So to make this venue even more special (was that even possible?!) was that is still seems <i>exclusive</i> and not too too many couples have been married/had receptions here. YAY!<br />
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It's just amazing on the inside and Lindy, the manager at Harborside was so nice and accommodating. I don't think we could have decided on a better location. We can't <i>wait!</i></div>
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<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-30956271094275459272012-05-09T20:10:00.003-07:002012-05-22T17:26:00.254-07:00aNOTHER tri?<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep, last year just wasn't enough; I'm getting ready for my third tri!</div>
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And my cousin/bridesmaid will be competing with me in her very first<br />
(and hopefully not last)</div>
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It might be hard figuring out who's who from the back haha</div>
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...but I'll be way ahead of her anyways OHHHH</div>
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I sadly haven't been training NEARLY as much as I did last year. I have run 3 races though...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbia's 'Get to the Green' 5k on St. Patrick's Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting during the 1 hr delay for the Cooper River Bridge run (10k) to begin</td></tr>
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<a href="http://mels99.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Last year</a>, I finished the bridge run 18 minutes quicker than the first year I ran it.</div>
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This year, my goal was to shave off another 15 minutes.</div>
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I came so close!! Finished 11 minutes quicker :-)</div>
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And a week after the bridge run, I did the Newberry 5k with my co-workers and their families</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We each placed in our age group!</td></tr>
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Chad is my supervisor in the sunglasses flanked by his 2 sons! Chad placed first in his age group</div>
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(he was the only male in his age group but that's our little secret!)</div>
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And his son placed 2nd in his age group</div>
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Next to me is our ATS's son, who placed 3rd in his age group</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEwy-pmnIu8hims-mMK4fz_G_abqcXpi7piu-BBjANkqKNKR9MiOO74erx0pIyM-G4mS3iSNwIfzgmdhtTLfXtL-Pye97MxgZNxthC6mIxfdaZqC9icfKCM63rCh8Pn9RrlOQYLuZOss/s1600/Resampled952012-04-079509-49-189520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEwy-pmnIu8hims-mMK4fz_G_abqcXpi7piu-BBjANkqKNKR9MiOO74erx0pIyM-G4mS3iSNwIfzgmdhtTLfXtL-Pye97MxgZNxthC6mIxfdaZqC9icfKCM63rCh8Pn9RrlOQYLuZOss/s320/Resampled952012-04-079509-49-189520.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then there's me, who placed 3rd in my AG</td></tr>
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The girl ahead of me beat me by 5 seconds, FIVE!!</div>
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..had I only known this during the race<br />
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I did beat my goal by 3 minutes though!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen placed 1st in his AG!!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-16618286039187967592012-05-04T22:18:00.003-07:002012-05-23T15:14:36.486-07:00Engagement Pics and VendorsBefore I even got engaged, there were 3 vendors I knew I'd HAVE to have when I got married.<br />
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1) <a href="http://landonjacob.com/blog/" target="_blank">Landon Jacob Productions</a> - photography<br />
When I moved to the Earlewood area of Columbia, I met my neighbors, Landon and Jordan Thompson, a husband and wife photography/genius/crafy duo. If you look through their blog, you'll quickly see why I wanted them to be our photographers. Their work is so amazing and has been featured in Charleston Weddings, Southern Living- Wedding, Style me pretty, Ruffled, Get Married, and Southern Wedding Magazine. To view our Engagement Pics, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100733737955177.2683603.12614865&type=3&l=95b5f2ec29" target="_blank">click here</a>!<br />
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2) <a href="http://www.cricketandkyle.com/" target="_blank">Cricket & Kyle</a> - catering<br />
Every April, Summerville holds the Flowertown Festival the same weekend as the Bridge Run. Stephen and I went with Erin in 2010 and stumbled upon one of the food stands serving made-to-order crab cakes. Shut the front. door. They were hands down THE best crab cakes I had ever had in my life. And that is a TAAAALL order to fill coming from a girl raised in Charleston and a boy raised on Maryland blue crabs. I took their business card and promised them, whenever the time came that I got married, I would most definitely be booking them...on their crabcakes alone. I've carried that business card with me for 2 years! Luckily for us, turns out all their food is AMAZING! The company is actually named after the owner (Keith's) children. Keith is the nicest person, and gave us a sampling of every single food item we wanted at our wedding, no charge. I can not <i>wait</i> to have everyone at the wedding discover just how awesome this family owned, local company is.<br />
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3) Sinclair Ray - DJ<br />
I have been to my fair share of weddings. No other DJ has been better than Sinclair Ray from Mandy and Robert's wedding back in October. He was so much fun and very professional. So as soon as I attended one of the Charleston Bridal expo's with my mom, aunt, and MOH, I made a BEE LINE to Sinclair to book him!<br />
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As far as all other vendors, I truly plan on doing most other things myself! I have the time to plan, I consider myself pretty crafty, and most of all, I know the little details will be most important to Stephen and I if we put our own thoughts and ideas into them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insert with bookmark attached</td></tr>
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The Save the Dates were printed and put together ourselves, (and we plan on doing the formal invitations as well).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the insert with bookmark flipped up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coming to a mailbox near you!</td></tr>
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I'm getting an old friend and awesome cake decorator to bake our cake (and decorate them with <a href="http://mels99.blogspot.com/2012/02/paper-flowers-diy.html" target="_blank">these</a>). The flowers, we will all be putting together from Charleston flower market ourselves. And the centerpieces will all be DIY as well! We've already nearly finished cutting all the wine bottles!<br />
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-32613901032371557992012-05-01T22:20:00.000-07:002012-05-04T22:21:01.182-07:00Our wedding websiteAfter many weeks of editing, our website is finally complete!!<div>
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To view the finished product, <a href="http://www.wix.com/thefeethams/ourwedding" target="_blank">click here</a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-62464821667553400992012-02-12T22:30:00.000-08:002012-05-04T22:31:36.743-07:00Paper Flowers DIYMany of you know that Stephen is a Geography major and you can find many maps hanging in frames around our house. We wanted to incorporate this somehow into the wedding decor, without creating a theme that revolved around maps/travel. I remembered my parents still had all of the road maps they used before the age of GPS and online turn by turn directions!<br />
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I found the maps, and got a little creative:<br />
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Not entirely sure what we'll do with them yet. Perhaps put them on the cake, or use some of the large wine bottles we have to put branches in and attach these flowers to the branches. Either way, I'll be sure to post the final product!</div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-74756405728516303202012-01-31T21:33:00.000-08:002012-05-10T08:37:26.122-07:00My BridesmaidsI chose 5 special ladies as bridesmaids, and the way I wanted to ask them needed to be just as special! A phone call would just not do it! So I started scouring wedding blogs to see what other girls had done for their bridesmaids, then I stumbled upon this at <a href="http://www.oncewed.com/25356/diy-wedding/diy-bridesmaid-cards/" target="_blank">Once Wed</a>. I did something really similar:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My army of bridesmaids!</td></tr>
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Each girl was designed to match their individual hair styles...it took about a month to finish them all and cut each tiny little updo! Pretty sure I have arthritis now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the final product<br />
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<i>And now for the girls:</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teresa Womersley</td></tr>
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Teresa has been my friend literally every day of my life. Our parents are long friends, our older brothers (both 7 years our senior) have been friends since they were kids, and so we were pretty much born to be friends! Growing up, she was at every single one of my birthday parties and she hasn't missed one yet..how many people can say that about a friend?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin Glenn</td></tr>
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This picture was taken just days after we met. As you can see...instant friends! Erin was my roommate when I met Stephen. She was there the first night Stephen and I had our first "unofficial" date...and our second, more official double date, and was one of the first to learn of our engagement!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashlyn Staples</td></tr>
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Ashlyn is one of my cousins, but she is more like a younger sister. We grew up very close with each other and I can not say enough good things about her. I've been blessed to be able to watch her become someone beautiful inside and out.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren Feetham</td></tr>
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Lauren is Stephen's sister--we met on my first trip to MD to "meet the parents" and to go on the family trip to Colorado. Every time we are all together, it is always alot of fun. She's made Stephen and I even HAPPIER to find out we will be sharing our special day with a baby nephew due in May! (woah that rhymes) We are really excited :-)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan Kniesche</td></tr>
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Morgan is one of my cousins from Colorado. She was able to spend a year in SC and we grew so much closer! Hopefully, Morgan will make Charleston her permanent home :-) We have gone on so many adventures together, hiking, taking a road trip to adopt my dog, Mika!, downtown adventures, and coming in May: we'll be competing in the <a href="http://www.irongirl.com/Events/Atlanta.htm#axzz1uTv2kFsW" target="_blank">Athleta IronGirl triathlon</a>!<br />
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A few more random pics of my bridal party:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen and I with Morgan, Lauren, and her fiance, Luis (groomsman)<br />
at Christian's (groomsman) regatta</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221856_10100199738229907_12614865_49314501_4221238_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/221856_10100199738229907_12614865_49314501_4221238_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen and I with Ashlyn, Morgan, and Christian</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/41143_1530276450875_1053632958_31538116_1579195_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/41143_1530276450875_1053632958_31538116_1579195_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashlyn, Morgan and I at Angel Oak</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/198_513488074076_45500110_31554253_1121_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/198_513488074076_45500110_31554253_1121_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin and I in the Bahamas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-63841398551268553882011-12-20T17:38:00.000-08:002012-05-10T08:39:01.408-07:00Said YES to the DRESS!!Yesterday was my birthday, and my one and only birthday wish was granted....wedding dress shopping in Charlotte!!<br />
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My mom and I went to a few of the boutiques in Charleston and saw so many dresses that we liked, but nothing too special. Every dress to try on was a 10 or 12 so of course each one had to be pinned to fit my tiny frame, and each dress just seemed to swallow me. I didn't really have the vision needed to imagine the dress in half the size and half the amount of extra material, so we went to David's Bridal, where I would at least be able to put on a dress that fit me and regain my confidence!<br />
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I knew I wanted a dress that was really special though, I didn't want a dress thousands of other brides across America were wearing! A friend of mine suggested a store she went to in Charlotte with another bride-to-be. She said the shop itself is STUNNING on the inside with beautifully hand-painted details on the wall throughout the store, it's so clean, dresses are very well taken care of, staff is nice, tons of changing rooms with white leather couches for your guests to judge your picks, gleaming marble floors, and tall mirrors with hanging sparkly chandeliers above them. I was sold!<br />
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<br />
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Mom, Auntie Melody, Ashlyn (bridesmaid) and Teresa (MOH) tagged along to <a href="http://nybride.com/charbrides.htm" target="_blank">NY bride & groom</a>. It was even more beautiful in person than what my friend had described! Before driving up, I had memorized all of their lines and just <i>knew</i> I'd find my dress here!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycayFdCUN4MJz29KVzccJi7oKB8CWesGLv_ElxOIma-7II1V6e2ZLXmfJJjgb8RzV-L1dXvKXpuBZr1J3wOez4VYtlIByxJwwCyqR80dNSzhOWPdrWDK02DNcKbKEgbRFi6yRcH8kxDs/s1600/notdress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycayFdCUN4MJz29KVzccJi7oKB8CWesGLv_ElxOIma-7II1V6e2ZLXmfJJjgb8RzV-L1dXvKXpuBZr1J3wOez4VYtlIByxJwwCyqR80dNSzhOWPdrWDK02DNcKbKEgbRFi6yRcH8kxDs/s320/notdress.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was ranked 4th of the 4 I loved</td></tr>
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It had pockets! But don't get any ideas...the dress I ended up choosing is not the same style at all!<br />
<br />
I tried on sooo many dresses and liked nearly every single one. It was a tough decision, but I found 4 dresses I LOVED, but only one made me truly feel like a bride. It's so pretty!! Best of all, this dress was made ESPECIALLY for this store...so for me that means the odds of someone else wearing it are extremely slim :-D It is truly one of a kind and I knew I would never find another dress I like more!<br />
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I can't *wait* til Stephen sees me in my dress!!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-37070355967745656612011-12-06T09:17:00.001-08:002012-05-04T18:20:11.482-07:00How it happened...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/383803_10100488659883597_12614865_51867131_1689249039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/383803_10100488659883597_12614865_51867131_1689249039_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Good stories have a great beginning, so I guess I'll start there!<br />
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Stephen and I met during his first year at USC as a grad student, and my last year as an undergrad. He was teaching a lab that I had begrudgingly signed up for in order to graduate. The first day of class, I immediately noticed him and was so glad I had signed up for Weather and Climate. You could definitely say I was "hot for teacher!!" I had a crush on him the entire semester and made a lame attempt to flirt but he didn't seem interested. My friend and fellow classmate, Leigh, and I used to joke during class not to look directly in his eyes cus you wouldn't be able to pay attention to a thing he was saying! Being a moral teacher, he paid me no special attention and I earned that "C" fair and square.<br />
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Once the semester was over, we continued to talk just about every week. I was dropping hints like crazy to let him know I liked him, but it took about a year for him to take a hint! Finally we set a time to hang out, and my best friend Erin and I went out to Flying Saucer to meet Stephen and some of his friends. Afterwards, my last lame attempt, "Hey, you wanna watch Season 1 of Lost together?" (..yea, don't laugh) it WORKED and we watched every single episode together. On St. Patrick's Day 2010, we had our first real date. <br />
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Since last Christmas, Stephen and I have kind of joked and flirted with the idea of getting engaged. One night during the summer, he mentioned that we should get a blender to make milkshakes. I told him, "Ya know...people put blenders on wedding registries..." Taking the hint, he never bought us a blender, not even a cheap one. We've joked about the blender since the summer and talk all the time about how much we wished we had a blender but instead, we've just made our milkshakes with a spoon!<br />
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This morning, Stephen woke me up with a peanut butter and banana milkshake. I looked inside the glass and thought, "This looks rather emulsified." I squinted my eyes and asked him, "How did you make this? ..not with a spoon.." And he said he'd bought a blender!!!!!! Then he got down on one knee and asked me if I would marry him!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378934_10100488606884807_12614865_51867006_431765002_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/378934_10100488606884807_12614865_51867006_431765002_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea why my hand looks red here!</td></tr>
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It was absolutely perfect. Being the morning, I didn't have my contacts in and couldn't see a darn thing! I could see a blurry box with a blurry shiny object in it and said YES! I'd hoped and wanted to be Stephen's girlfriend for so long... and our relationship has been more than I could have ever asked for. We've built a happy home full of love together, and have become part of each other's families in the 2 years we've been dating. Good things come to those who wait.....and I have been waiting my whole life for Stephen.<br />
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I love him more than myself.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-6228064601173617372011-11-30T20:43:00.000-08:002012-07-18T16:37:22.480-07:00#48. Complete 5 works of art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I realized I had not posted any pics of the 5 "works of art" I've done! These are some of the things I've painted:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc1/7016_739331791127_12614865_42330496_3616680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc1/7016_739331791127_12614865_42330496_3616680_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coastal Carolina / Clemson mascot for my cousin, Christian</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc1/7016_747380092267_12614865_42599276_8038980_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc1/7016_747380092267_12614865_42599276_8038980_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USC Halloween pumpkin for my parents<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/31102_823370257367_12614865_45063202_8325140_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/31102_823370257367_12614865_45063202_8325140_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gamecock painting sold at TNT auction: $50<br />
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<a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/36313_837191514457_12614865_45596843_6072361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/36313_837191514457_12614865_45596843_6072361_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/36313_837191529427_12614865_45596844_3724869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/36313_837191529427_12614865_45596844_3724869_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Wine glass- Alice in Wonderland caterpillar, for Erin<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gamecock painting to replace the one I sold</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-37888675346634131962011-11-09T15:42:00.001-08:002012-03-27T20:22:02.833-07:00Amazing Race knowledge bombshellI know I begin every post this way but DANG...so much has happened since my last post 2 months ago!<br />
<div><ul><li>I finished my first level sign language class and <b>loved </b>it. I picked up the language pretty quickly but won't get to continue classes until January. Hopefully I don't lose any of it between now and then.</li>
<li>Stephen accepted a job with Research Planning, Inc. and is currently in Louisiana on his second business trip!</li>
<li>My best friend had a baby and I am now a Godmother!</li>
<li>Sober for October wasn't a complete bust. I didn't drink for 28 days, and my goal was a month. ...and 28 days is a February month, so I'll take it!</li>
<li>I had my practicum/internship meeting with the faculty yesterday and it was a success! Success happens to those who "be the pig" (see <a href="http://mels99.blogspot.com/2011/08/be-pig.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>). I was approved to move on to practicum, so from January-roughly July, I'll be working some with Deaf Services and the rest with Insights, a program for young adults with severe and persistent mental illness! YAYYY</li>
<li>I still have not washed my car once since I started my 999 days. Sad.</li>
</ul><div><br />
</div></div><div>And since Stephen is gone for the next two weeks, I thought I might catch up on one of my favorite shows: THE AMAZING RACE! I love it, I haven't missed a season, and they're currently on season 19. Big fan. Big fan. </div><div><br />
</div><div>So this season, I have fallen in love with a team (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=bdEfZ2lbHHU" target="_blank">Andy & Tommy</a>).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indonesiamatters.com/wp-content/uploads/realitytv_amazing_race_andy_and_tommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.indonesiamatters.com/wp-content/uploads/realitytv_amazing_race_andy_and_tommy.jpg" /></a></div><br />
They are professional snowboarders (and basically are awesome with all boards..surf, long, wake, skate)- one was in the 02 Olympics, the other in 06. They've won 5 of 7 legs so far, and they always make it look so easy! Like oh, let me just climb this mountain, build this toy, restructure this coral reef and run across WATER...no big deal. They look like the <i>nicest </i>people and seems like of all the teams, <i>they</i> are enjoying themselves the most! They are competitive, but not in a deceitful way, they never argue with each other, they know how to work as a team- no matter how big or small a task is they allocate quickly and split up the duty without complaint, they appreciate each town they are in and embrace the culture with such optimism. They are Christians and they actually ACT like Christians!! They're considerate of others (giving the last place team the answers to a really difficult puzzle), and when they did win that leg- not without the help of the 2nd place team- they felt bad taking the first place prize and wanted to give it to the team who helped them! <i>HELLO</i>- I've never seen a team act so humble in the 19 seasons I've been watching this show. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I definitely think they'll make it to the top 3 and they have what it takes to come out on top. And I've got a theory as to why.</div><div><br />
</div><div><ol><li>They're physically capable because they're snowboarders. </li>
<li>They're mentally capable because they're hippies.</li>
</ol></div><div><br />
</div><div>Think about the qualities one might need to be one of the best snowboarders in the world: Drive, commitment- snowboarding, mountain climbing, wakeboarding, basically any x-treme sport, requires an extremely high level of commitment; you could really hurt yourself, you could DIE if you give up at halfway. Obviously bravery- it takes alot of mental stability (or maybe <i>instability</i>) to stand at the peak with nothing but fresh powder in sight! You've gotta be level headed and know exactly what "mind over matter" means. You must have a good sense of body-awareness (flipping through the air, you should probably know where your head is in relation to the ground) which comes in handy in doing anything requiring athleticism. You have to be extremely agile and have perfect control of your body movements. If you watch snowboarders or flyers in cheerleading, they look like their legs don't weigh anything...because they think UP. They're light on their feet and all of their muscles are controlled by the core. Bam! All those combined and you have yourself the perfect athlete.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now think about the qualities that make a hippie a hippie: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nXJe9i70DE&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL81672D65983CDCBB" target="_blank">ELE</a>. Everybody love everybody. These guys are always "stoked!" They're stoked about everything, and they're humble! Good positive attitude will get you through just about anything.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>So yes, I'll step off my soap box now while you go to Hulu and watch these guys in action.</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-56297561539270056032011-10-09T18:53:00.000-07:002012-05-04T18:54:38.749-07:00Burgett weddingMandy and Robert's wedding was so much fun! They were married on their 10 <b>year</b> anniversary and everyone was anticipating this day for a long time. I always cry profusely at weddings (esp for my brother's...the ugly cry was definitely happening), but I thought I'd suddenly become jaded because I haven't cried in the last two weddings. But the tears came back for the Burgett wedding! Just as they started their first dance, I thought of the year I they started dating...we were all so young in HS, it seems like forever ago and here they finally were getting married. It was very emotional :-)<br />
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Here are a few of my favorite shots:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/320152_10100416224040607_12600284_51469207_1154512864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/320152_10100416224040607_12600284_51469207_1154512864_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He got ICED!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/309871_10100416215053617_12600284_51469114_1951977962_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/309871_10100416215053617_12600284_51469114_1951977962_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a one-man flash mob<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303941_10100416223252187_12600284_51469200_1576408380_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303941_10100416223252187_12600284_51469200_1576408380_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't explain the personal drama that unfolds with each bouquet toss I partake in<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/44402_864711309567_12626864_46536237_2412375_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/44402_864711309567_12626864_46536237_2412375_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...oh...there's more.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320_584083405137_12614865_38035225_701_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320_584083405137_12614865_38035225_701_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...see.</td></tr>
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One day, I'll catch that thing.<br />
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-52124709295717704342011-09-30T18:20:00.000-07:002012-05-04T18:26:11.604-07:00Sober for October?I have just a little over a year left until my 99 in 999 days in over! I have been so busy this year and my posts are few and far between and I apologize for that. Grad school has taken over any and all free time, work is same ol' same ol' and working every other weekend for the past few months is rough. I will be lucky if I finish reading 7 more books by next September. I really had to skim through the last half of the most recent book: The Shack. Of all the books I have put on my reading list, this was the most, hmmm, annoying? book and hardest to get through. <i>Sorry</i>. I've finished three in the past month though, so maybe it is possible!<br />
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<b>Sober for October</b><br />
Yep, Oktoberfest will not be celebrated this year! After Mandy and Robert's wedding on the 1st, I'll be on my sober platform until Halloween. And this being the last Halloween, I HAVE to enter in a costume contest. My mom and I started sewing together what will be the best costume I've ever made....even better than this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGsxKbyBW0Jb5_VtB6zHGm-CL8S3losyA2XkJRMzbm6t71-QERSFayEh0I4A0CmV3f6ESF0ipxhw3gY5ZpYjgnvfKFCVhk3a5ruG78zPE1-nbC6EbvIqsWjv1vNiqrLUcu0z2bWSeX_U/s1600/incredible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGsxKbyBW0Jb5_VtB6zHGm-CL8S3losyA2XkJRMzbm6t71-QERSFayEh0I4A0CmV3f6ESF0ipxhw3gY5ZpYjgnvfKFCVhk3a5ruG78zPE1-nbC6EbvIqsWjv1vNiqrLUcu0z2bWSeX_U/s320/incredible.jpg" width="117" /></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-25545596215701857402011-09-08T15:13:00.001-07:002012-03-27T20:25:48.095-07:00Fall is quickly approaching!I have more than cool weather to be excited for!<br />
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</div><div><ul><li>I begin sign language classes in 4 days! I've been hoping for this opportunity since before I even started my 99 list :-) So excited that I've taught myself the pledge of allegience...though this is a CE class, not 1st grade so I probably will not use that piece of knowledge.</li>
<li>Football season is here and we started our season off with a W against ECU. I had forgotten how much I missed football</li>
<li>My college roommate and friends from HS are getting married ON their 10 year anniversary...it's been a long time coming and a day we've all been anticipating for quite a few years!</li>
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</div><ul><li>The SC state fair</li>
<li>"R" months = oysters!!!</li>
<li>Halloween! This is the last Halloween in my 999 days so I <i>have </i>to enter in a costume contest. Earlier this year, I fell in love with Aronofsky's film, Black Swan. The makeup and costume design were absolutely <b>genius </b>and I knew this would be so fun to dress up as!! The creative juices started flowing and mom and I started to recreate the tutu Natalie Portman wore. There are a few costumes I found online but they look no where near authentic! So I decided to make the whole thing myself. Being the first halloween after the movie, the tutorials to make the costume are few and far between so I studied multiple pictures and videos of the tutu, and watched traditional tutorials on how to make a pancake tutu. I sketched it out drew out the dimensions; I should've taken pictures of our 7 step process cus it would make a great DIY tutorial!* Not to toot my own horn, but it is already looking amazing. With all the work going into this reincarnation, I better win this damn contest.</li>
<li>Last but certainly not least: <b>SOBER for</b> <b>OCTOBER</b>! Yes, since I've made excuse after excuse since the very start of my 999 days, I am making a 3rd attempt to make it past 2 weeks of alcohol-free living...I'm goin for the big 30! I will start after Mandy and Robert's wedding (of course!) on the 1st and end my sobriety on Halloween. <i>Help me Jesus</i></li>
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</div><div>*For those truly interested in my process "How to make a DIY Black Swan costume," here ya go:</div><div>(Sorry I don't have a step-by-step picture process, but I'll post pictures within the next two weeks of each finished step)</div><div><br />
</div><div><u>What you'll need:</u></div><div>-3 different types of tulle (3 yd netting, 1 yd fine/pliable tulle, and 1 yd stiff tulle)</div><div>-1 yd black silk (use the cheapest, LIGHTEST material you can find)</div><div>-length of elastic that, once stretched, fits around your waste</div><div>-black cheerleading bloomers</div><div>-pack of Silver "sparkly" pipe cleaners (I think I only used 4 or 5). a pack of 25 was completely unnecessary unless one day I decide to make a bunch of crappy <a 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">Christmas ornaments</a></div><div>-black corset</div><div>-pack of black ostrich feathers</div><div>-crystal jewels (these must be FOR clothing...don't use sequin. Sequin isn't porous and therefore will not stick if glued to your bodice)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Phase I- <u>Skirt</u></div><div><ol><li>Cut 6 lengths of netting using a 4:1 waste ratio, decreasing each layer's width by 1.5 inches. If you think about the tutu like the layers of the Earth and you're the "inner core" (don't laugh, this will help), these 6 layers are the "mantle." I used a netting which, once starched, holds up the "pancake" shape very well. Widest (top) layer will be 16 inches and go down from there with the shortest layer being the one that'll be closest to your legs.</li>
<li>Pin the stacked 6 layers in place, lining them up along the top edge where you'll be sewing them together. Watch the YouTube video (yea, this is a step, again don't laugh) on how to pleat and sew tulle together. There's only one good one...you'll see it.</li>
<li>Once the 6 layers are pinned and pleated together, the loooong length you started with should perfectly wrap around your waste. Sew this onto a length of elastic that wraps perfectly around your waste when slightly stretched. Sew the ends together to form a skirt, leaving some space at the top for some snaps, buttons, whatever you wanna use to fit the skirt up your thighs and keep it around your waste! The tulle should "point" upwards so that when you flatten around and starch, it will be parallel to the floor. Call this the pancake.</li>
<li>Repeat Step 1 & 2 using the stiff tulle and a 3:1 waste ratio. The widest layer will be 8 inches, smallest being 1 inch. Once pleated and sewn together, sew onto bloomers and again, sew pointing up so once flattened, it will be parallel to the floor. (This might actually take two people...I stretched the bloomers while my mom sewed on the tulle.) Figuratively, this is the "outer core."</li>
</ol><div>Go have a beer. Hard part's over.</div></div><div><ol><li>Lay the silk over your pancake and cut a hole in the center where your waiste goes and around the edges of the skirt (Yea, I know that not supposed to be the way you sew, but I am a layman). Cut a slit to match up to the opening/closure of the skirt, and sew to the wasteband. Now you have your "crust." </li>
<li>Hot glue some of the crystals on the left corner, saving the rest for the bodice.</li>
<li>Use the fine/pliable tulle to gently lay across the skirt as sort of a fluffy, barely there layer.</li>
</ol><div>This is why I used the Earth as an example. Once your bloomers are on, the stiff tulle should stick out parallel to the floor without starch (outer core). Skirt/silk/soft tulle (mantle and crust) should fit right over the bloomers and stick out like a pancake.</div><div>And there's your skirt!</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>Phase II- <u>Bodice</u></div><div>I bought a very plain black corset and attached the ostrich feathers to the top right boob and a little along the wasteband of the skirt. Bejewel as you see fit, but I stayed as close as I could to the original!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Phase III- <u>Crown</u></div><div>Using the silver pipe cleaners, abstractly bend them in a way to look like a tiara. (I promise I'll post pictures since that was entirely too vague)</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-3766444028229450852011-08-21T21:13:00.000-07:002011-08-21T21:13:58.656-07:00Be the pig!Next month will mark the last 365 days of my 99 list, and there are some BIG TICKET items I've come to realize I just may not achieve. Such as: go sky diving or bungee jumping, donate blood (will probably [hopefully] not gain the 15 pounds needed to be eligible within the next year), rent a mountain house, or travel outside the US. But who knows, maybe I will decide I have little to lose and will jump out of a plane, realize how fragile life is and self-indulge til I'm 115 lb, and win the lottery with my one ticket that I buy (#93) and spend the money to travel outside of the US AND rent a mountain house with friends. Likely story!<br />
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I have marked off some from my list in the past month though: Stephen and I finished the Charleston sprint tri in record time (personal records that is), I've added a few new beers, learned how to play poker, and I'm currently working my way through 3 books. I finished my summer classes with good grades (but not without a price, and I'll get to that in a minute) and have just started my LAST semester of actual classes before I can start my practicum and internship! I'm super excited to start, and especially for next month when I start taking sign language classes! Not only will this mark another goal off of my list, but will open up the option of working with deaf services for my internship.<br />
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So my summer classes really opened my eyes as to the type of person I am. I've been feeling quite apathetic about school since January and haven't really been putting much effort into my classes. I've been getting A's by turning in sub-par work, and seeing little incentive to put forth much more effort than that. Even though I'm making A's in pretty much everything, I was just not "feelin' it" or enjoying the program. So it raised the question, "What type of person are you when no one's looking?" I was asked the question, "Why put effort in at work and not in school? When no one's watching at work, do I start to slack off?" And my answer was, "There's always <i>someone</i> watching."<br />
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Is there?<br />
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At 3am when no one's watching, are you the type to stand at an elevator door and push the down button once? Or are you pushing that button 10 times? Are you the type of person who has the self discipline to do the same thing while people are watching, when people aren't?<br />
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Well, if there's no one looking, I am that person that's jabbing the button til the elevator door opens! And apparently, I will only perform when there's people watching or when I see an obvious incentive. What happens to me when there's no one to keep after me? No one to jab me in the side to get to work? At this stage of the game, it's hard to see why I need all the classes I'm taking, therefore hard to see the incentive in absorbing information. I see now, after a lengthy conference with the faculty that there is a purpose and very good reason for each class I have. I may not see it now, but I will come next year.<br />
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My professors told me, "At breakfast, the chicken contributes but the pig commits." Made little sense then, but after mulling on it for a week, I realize that this is my last semester of classes, and I need to BE THE PIG!<br />
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7413036040455027170.post-69686048835770816382011-08-01T19:59:00.000-07:002012-06-13T20:10:51.294-07:00Charleston Sprint Triathlon<div style="text-align: center;">
Stephen and I competed in the Charleston Sprint triathlon this past weekend!</div>
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This was Stephen's first, and my second tri. Since Stephen had trained with me every step of the way for <a href="http://mels99.blogspot.com/2011/06/15-months-left.html" target="_blank">Tri Latta</a>, it only seemed right for him to show the fruits of his labor. I was in the transition area before Stephen's wave even began the swim, so I never saw Stephen again until I was finishing up the bike and he was just leaving. I'm glad I didn't see what happened to him during the swim...</div>
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Apparently, Stephen's goggles fogged up, and he lost his bearings in the water. Instead of following the colored caps of other people, he followed the buoys. But in doing so, I completely skipped a buoy and swam to the finish line! No one in a kayak stopped him or told him he was going the wrong way, so he made it all the way to the finish before someone told him he had to swim ALL the way back to the last buoy then <i>back </i>to the finish if he didn't want to be disqualified!</div>
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So he was dead last out of the water :-/ </div>
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Luckily, this gave him some anger motivation and he was able to pass one person on the bike, and several during the run. Turns out...his final time was <b>2 minutes</b> faster than mine!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my family makes signs for everything :-)</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00921692566083540590noreply@blogger.com0