Well, it's my lunch break during my first real day back at work following the festivities, and I figured I'd go ahead and do a post while the happy couple alternates sleeping and spending time with the out-of-towners, with whom I'm hoping to get to spend some time tonight before they all leave. Last night I had to stay home because (a) I was freaking exhausted and (b) my older pug Sam had no qualms about showing me in a variety of ways how disapproved of I was and how, if I left again, he would find a way to kill me in my sleep. He may be little, but he's pretty darned stubborn, so I did what I was told.

I had an amazing time this weekend. Friday's Girl's Night Out went really well, if I do say so myself. Everyone was ready to leave Volcano by the time we left (music was crazy-loud and bouncers were crazy-strict about IDs), and both the food and conversation at El Pueblito was plentiful and good. The Sky Bar had a great view - I strongly recommend it for anyone in town who hasn't yet been.

Saturday was hectic but again lots of fun. Manicures and pedicures in the morning (Lourdes, Conchita, and Cheryl we LOVE YOU for bringing coffee and bagels!!) were followed by the rehearsal. It was at this time that I discovered Mr. Mike likes to get people's attention by asking really, really quietly for them to listen, so everyone else discovered that I can talk REALLY loud when necessary :) All went well, and then it was back to errands and/or naps before the BBQ dinner, hosted by the parents (thank you!). I am considering starting a religion on the tenet that Mary's curried shrimp are actually a gift from God. More great conversation and lots of mingling was had by all.

Sunday was the big day! Mike had been kicked out of Bissy the night before, so I have no idea what exactly the boys all did. While Angelique and Lourdes were getting their hair done, I started to get myself ready and did a little room decorating for the to-be-married ones. Angelique, Janette, and I then got our makeup done professionally at the mall, and we looked mah-velous (yay, makeup!). Then it was off to Rockefeller, where we all got dressed and I ran around stressed out while Angelique remained as calm as ever. The ceremony was beautiful, but I have one suggestion - bridal party dress designers, please include small, hidden pockets for tissues! As I had admitted to all I would do, I cried. So sappy! Then the party went in full swing and everyone had good food, good conversation, and engaged in crazy dancing. Then back to Bissy.

Monday was the dim sum brunch. Lourdes and Joe were our kind hosts and had ordered enough food for several small countries' worth of people. We all did our best to eat as much as we could, but we had to surrender.

I want to take this opportunity (so formal I sound!) to thank the families, particularly Tom, Mary, Lourdes, and Joe. Without you four, not only would there be no Mike or Angelique, but there would not have been such a wonderful weekend. You all provided emotional, mental, and financial support to make this the best wedding weekend every. We love you!!

Sadly, I must now get back to reality. Sigh . . .

It was really wonderful to get to meet you all and spend time with you. I hope it happens again soon!

Angel's department was kind enough to throw us a little bridal shower thingy last week. Instead of their usual weekly team meeting they sacrificed their time to shower us! They pooled together and bought us a gift (Slow cooker... my guess is that it is to cook things slowly... looks cool though!) and had a feast of food there for us, including a Strawberry cake, that we (mainly I) have been snacking on ever since.

It was very nice and low key, kinda what you expect of a department of editors. Certainly I doubt I will be getting the same from HP given that the closest team member in my team is based in Dallas, but is currently in Mexico... and the rest are spread across the US and Canada.

It was very nice and certainly put a smile on both of our faces.

You want the whole story? Let's see how to 'splain this.

Mister Mike and I like the idea of a honeymoon, so we wanted to have a nice one. But now, we may have two nice ones.

1) We originally thought we'd have one honeymoon. We thought it best to separate the honeymoon from the wedding week so that we could enjoy hanging out with all you out-of-towners who are coming in (so lovely!) and all the in-towners who are taking a day or so off (so sweet!). A spacing-out would also give our vacation time reserves at our jobs, our energy, and our wallets some time to recover from all the excitement.

2) The Geehans of Crooms have been planning to organize a ski trip to Switzerland for 2008, because they used to enjoy going when they lived in France. All concerned thought it would be fabulous to let that trip and our honeymoon coincide. And while we were over there, we thought it would also be nice to visit Mister Mike's grandparents and other family in Ireland who wouldn't be coming to the wedding. To allow skiing (sweet!) and yet not visit Ireland in the middle of winter (lovely!), we thought March would be a good month. However, this trip has not yet been planned, and I think skiing is on hold indefinitely.

3) Ireland alone will probably become honeymoon two, and Mister Mike should have enough Continental miles to take us both there without spending piles of cash. Without having to worry about snow, we have much more flexible dates to choose from.

4) Hachey-Pachey makes all its employees deplete their vacation allowances while they are closed between Christmas and New Year. I successfully requested to take off on those days as well, because it was a very good deal: take 3 days of PTO, and get 11 consecutive days off. (My work was giving us Xmas MonWed [3 days] and New Year Day off [1 day], plus the weekend before xmas [2 days], the days I requested [3 days] and the weekend between xmas and new year's [2 days].) Mister Mike and I began to imagine how we could enjoy that time: a road trip? skiing in Durango while spending some time with the Durango Geehans? Or...

5) Friends of my family have been inviting them to spend some time with them in Mexico City, where they have a second home. My parents planned to accept that invitation this year, between Christmas and New Year. They invited BoB, who also accepted.

6) Mister Mike and I check his Mariott points and my frequent flyer miles in soon-to-expire accounts. We cash in what we can of mine for hotel credits, redeem his, and buy tickets to Mexico City. We will be there, staying at the JW Marriott, from Dec 12-31! Y aqui tenemos honeymoon uno! (Yes, yes, I know 'luna de miel' whatever.)

The parents will be going from Dec 26-29 and staying with their friends. BoB will stay with them but come camp out with Mike and me for the last two days/one night. Fun!

And we get to come back in time to drink champagne for a cheery 2008 while cuddling with our fuzzbag, currently being called Wackamoo.

BTW: Hello lurkers! (wave) I've been speaking to some of you by phone, and it's okay if you don't post. We are glad to have you. See you soon, too!

The wedding party and the out-of-towners are in for two special meals that the and MoG-FoG and MoB-FoB are hosting.

Saturday night, the rehearsal dinner will actually be a super-cazh barbecue at Bissy, catered from Goode Company, a huge local favorite. We hope the weather will hold up so that the gathering can spill into the garden.

Monday, the day after the wedding, we will trek (yes, by car) down to Houston's real (but not official) Chinatown for dim sum at Golden Palace, which is the same restaurant where I practiced using chopsticks by picking up ice cubes from my water to cool my tea. BoB was so little then that he used to nap while the adults yabbered away. He'd be curled up in his chair, pushed under the table so the tablecloths--one cloth, one vinyl, of course--would keep him in relative darkness and peace.

Anyway, that's my news for now!

At least where manis and pedis are concerned.

This is to happen at 9:30 in the morning, Saturday, across the street from Bissy.

MoH and I may be fighting over the same turquoise polish...

I've gotten some names and contact information from Bridey. Groomster, MoB, and MoG for people who would be interested in helping decorate the bridal suite (i.e. the Bissy house) on Nov. 11th and any other such silly/fun things that arise for the weekend, but I wanted to do an all call. We certainly have enough people to get everything done without a problem, but if you are interested, please let me know.

Thanks!

Anne aka Pug Momma aka MoH