On the Pontoon!!!

Roughly a month ago I was told to go to Ernesto's house on June 29th after work to celebrate my bachelorette party.  I was driving my friend Stephanie to the house but other than a VAGUE understanding of clothes to wear and that Karina, Ernesto and Stephanie would be there I had no idea what to expect.
    So packed with my fancy pants, Roderigo the cone and my cowboy hat I was off.  Well kind of.  Steph and I had a brief stop at CVS which led somehow to animal visors with matching water bottles.  On the way down Steph introduced me to some music that I was not familiar with, one being the song "Pontoon".  This song made me laugh and would become one of the anthems of the weekend. 
   When I arrived at Ernesto's (after a short trip to Target) the room was decorated with balloons (boobs) and streamers.  We had a calm night with a drink and a few stories from the past.  The next morning there was a brunch all home cooked food by Ernesto and Grant.  Friends started to arrive... Bryan and Michelle.  I was given the options of making shirts or wearing pink.  We made shirts and I had to come up with the names to go on them but couldn't know who they would be for...
Mine = Super Dyke (a name i have used to describe myself for many years)
Bryan = Double D's  (he was and has been many times our designated driver)
Michelle = Common Law Wife (Michelle and I lived together for multiple years and joked we were almost common law married)
Ernesto = Unicorn (this needs no explanation)
Stephanie = Mixologist (Steph mixed our morning drinks and has made some "mean" punches and beertinas through our relationship)
Amanda = Ellie's Bitch (I said this out loud and someone said...I know someone that requested that shirt)
Karina = Minion (I love the minions from Despicable ME and for the night I got to have one)
Christine = Love Slave (I guess you weren't gone...;-) inside joke here)
Roderigo = Roderigo (It's his name)
During this time other people arrived, i was given a boa, a cowgirl hat that lite up "BRIDE", plastic gun and sheriff pins.
Christine and Karina arrived and we jumped in the rented SUV car to the first stop...Thomas Hooker Brewery after a tour and maybe a sample or two... stop 2 where Amanda met up with us The Iron Horse here we enjoyed a dinner and front row seats to the Burlesque show ( :-) )and the last stop Divas. 
The night consisted of laughing, drinking, eating, dancing, laughing and bad singing...
The ride home was many great songs like Pontoon and Red Solo Cup.  There was some motor-boating mixed in there too and a lot of pictures.
Next morning another yummy brunch and said our "see ya laters"
It really was a great time and well organized.  I know we were a little slow moving and missed a possible spot or two.  I know that there were a few people that wished they could have been there. But it really was a lot of fun and kept with in my guidelines of my original requests.  It was great to introduce some of my closest friends to each other and it is overwhelming to be reminded that they were all there to celebrate me and my next step in life. 

Infographics are Cool

In light of my previous post, and because I find the WIC fascinating, I'm re-posting this infografic from Mint.com:

Provided by Mint.com <--click to see the full-size version

It's amazing what bridesmaids (not groomsmen mind you, only the women) are supposed to spend for the "priviledge" of being in someone's wedding!!!!! An ex of mine was in a wedding while we were together and it almost ruined her 10-year friendship with the Maid of Honor because no one took into consideration (like the infographic advises) the fact that she made significantly less money than the rest of them, and ignored her pleas to save money on things like the shower and gifts. A current friend is being told that the bachelorette party has to be a weekend cottage in VT, which is going to run upwards of $400/person. WHAT?!?!?! REALLY?!?!?!

I'm so happy that Ellie and I are on a similar page when it comes to the financial burden we're placing on our People of Honor. For me, it's because I'm cheap and can't spend that kind of money, no matter HOW much I love the person, and am putting that onto my friends. For Ellie, I think it's a combination of my reason and because she's been in more than her fair share of weddings, so is personally aware of the potentially daunting cost. Friends, family, don't go into debt because you love the couple. Make it work for your situation and SHOW UP!! That's where the real gift is.

More Casting

Ellie isn't the only one of us that has selected and asked her "people of honor." As far as I know, I have spoken directly to everyone that might have thought they would be asked, but if I haven't, please don't take offence at not being asked to be in the wedding party. I have never wanted a large wedding party, and have only personally seen bad shit go down when one is a bridesmaid, and I refuse to allow that to happen to my friends.

In total, the wedding party is 6 + one officiant, who is a personal friend. A little bigger than I wanted, but not nearly the number I was afraid of. Now to clothe them!!

The Cast of Characters --- Casted

Yikes 18 months until the big day. It is about time I ask the two people to stand next to me to do that. I put it off for a while debating and trying to figure out who should be the 2 next to me. Over the last few years I have become so close with so many friends and family and to have everyone up there would be a Macy's Parade. So Jessi and I decided that we would both have 2 people next to us. As I thought more about it, my main concern is as many of my friends and family can attend the ceremony and party. :-) I don't want a slew of people running around trying to get dresses, tux and worrying who will take the kids while they are next to us, the financial aspect, etc, etc etc. I hope no one is offended or hurt but I think I'm honest enough with my feelings that you all know how I feel about you. So without further ado I picked the homeless lady down the street and the mailman that delivers the wrong mail to us, we are close. ;-)