family

Nov142010

A Truly Happy Life? I Haven’t Found It Yet.

Steve asked me earlier what it would take to make me truly happy in my life. Obviously him, our pets, my family and friends make the cut, but he meant job-wise. So I started thinking… I love to knit and want to open a yarn store one day. I want to have kids and raise them to be amazing little people that value those around them. I want to live where there are 4 seasons and lots of snow. I want a happy home full of delicious baking smells. I want more animals, friends for Lola and Phoenix, and protectors for our future kids. I want to be a better and faster knitter. I want to make clothes – knitted and sewn – for our kids.

Do you notice a pattern here? Knitting, children, animals.

I think I’ve found a focus for the blog.. now I just need to sculpt it a bit more. And build my reader base. And write far more frequently than I do now. The blogs I read posted at least once a day, and that should be my goal too. Well, at least 4 times a week. I think that’s a bit more doable for me.

What are some of your favorite blogs and why do you read them? I had over 100 wedding blogs, but even though it was a relevant topic, I skimmed them all then just clicked “mark all as read” and I’m sure I’m not alone in that.

Here’s where I need your help, lovely readers… I’m looking for a new tagline to incorporate knitting and home into my new header. Right now I’ve gotten as far as “A Hand-Knit Home: k1p2 to..” and then I can’t figure out how I want to word the rest. Help?

I’m finally tackling redesigning my blog using the handful of tutorials I found online. Good thing I know how to code and use PHP… cuz it’s difficult figuring ou where everything goes, etc. Have any of y’all done a major edit overhaul on WordPress?

Oct262010

October 26 TMW Post

Hello hello! Did you miss me? I know, I know. 3 of us brides sorta dropped outta sight there for a few weeks between our weddings then honeymoons. Me? I have no excuse for last week. We were in Vegas until October 13^th, and I can’t wait to go back!

Tweet: Ok folks… Here we go! New twitter name time. It should automatically work, but i’ll be @rbfletcher in a few minutes. Bye bye @msrib

Tweet: it looks odd having a diff name! i’ve been Ms. RIB since i was born. on to bigger & better things as Mrs. Fletcher!

So yeah, I’m MARRIED! We had a truly truly amazing time in Vegas. I know it was one of the craziest, most hectic weekends of the year (and since 07-07-07) there, but it really wasn’t bad at ALL. Sure, there were tons of people and a crapload of brides, but isn’t there always? I mean, it’s Vegas Baybee!

Taken by my brother’s girlfriend

Hopefully by now, 2+ weeks later, you’ve seen my wedding day #OWT feed set up by @TweetMyWedding. Seriously, I can watch this over and over again and never tire of all the amazing folks I’ve met on Twitter over the years. So many well wishers!

Tweet: pro pics in hand, so it’s time to make my @inkubook that i won like a million years ago. saving 1 for our pics from @emericphoto

Our pictures are awesome! I look slightly pregnant, but well, I didn’t really do anything to lose weight before the wedding. I know, I’m a bad former bride. Watching all my friends struggle to lose weight and look even more gorgeous on their wedding days, I went the less stressful route and relaxed and spent time sitting on the couch instead of working out. Working out aggravates my horribly knee and ankle, so I decided not to do that. I swam a bit, but that’s about it.

Tweet: RT @emericphoto check out Becca & Steve’s Freemont St. Day-After Session on the blog! http://fb.me/A8MDnD3r

Tweet: We’re on the @LasVegasWed blog!! http://bit.ly/cEarxu #101010

My last few weeks have been filled with excitement over receiving our video, pictures, and putting together numerous photo books. I am also trying to get our pictures posted on as many blogs as I can. Seriously, how many people really take 6 months to hand knit their wedding veil?! I might not be gorgeous or skinny, but I still deserve to be posted other places, right? It’s been a great experience being on the TMW blog and I want to expand on that feeling before my fascination with our wedding fades and I switch into mommy blog mode. Hopefully that’ll be soon! Oh yes, I totally bought What to Expect Before You’re Expecting this weekend and we’ve been discussing kids quite a lot. Then again, we are 34 and 3 months shy of 40.

Tweet: This 2 part wedding thing is awesome! Last night our “party committee” started giving themselves assignments so we have to do nothing for it.

My aunt, brother’s girlfriend and her family have basically taken the reigns to plan our January reception. Hello dream come true! They started planning the desserts, meal, music, photography, and everything else. When I asked what they were talking about, they pretty much said don’t worry about it. I know there’s going to be a few surprises – though I did figure out the Mariachi band part already – and I can only say that I am thrilled about it! Sure sure, I’m sure they’ll ask me if there’s something really important and I do hope to find out anything major first. There’s definitely a handful of things that I’ve already started on for the party.

I’ll leave you with a few of our pro pictures… all below taken by Scenic Las Vegas Weddings

Sep072010

Sept 7 TMW Post

Tweet: i’m almost 95% sure that i’m wearing my mom’s pearls and earrings for my Something Old… & cuz she won’t be at my wedding

My parents will not be present when we exchange vows. Nor will his mother, our aunts or aunts, or any cousins or siblings. The only family present will be my younger brother. Sure, we will be surrounded by love from our friends, but is it really the same?

I have been trying to come up with ways for my grandparents to be present in the form of bouquet charms. It seems that I was overlooking the 2 most important people in my life: my parents. The people that raised me and made me who I am today. Um, duh? Yeah, so I decided to wear my mother’s pearls. She has 2 gorgeous sets of differing lengths. The longer ones were a gift when she graduating from high school, the shorter set was her college graduation gift. I am pretty sure I want to wear the shorter pair as they have a really cool clasp.

Tweet: bit the bullet & just reserved my wedding hair appointment for 11am in my room.

Tweet: now that i’ve booked a hair appt, i need to find inspiration, something that can withstand the weight of my knit veil http://bit.ly/a937z9

Y’all have seen this already since I posted it here a few days ago. Yes, I do recycle my blogs sometimes, but it’s rare.

After contacting several Vegas hair and make-up artists about a month ago, I realized that my time is ticking down quite rapidly. I finally booked Storybook Brides after checking their reviews on WeddingWire, Facebook, and even their web page. Yes, they were the cheapest and I’m hoping that doesn’t bite me in the butt. I’ve emailed the owner several times and she seems very nice and responds quickly. All her reviews on WW are really positive. For an updo, it is $80 and they’ll come to our hotel room. I’m doing my own make-up, which means I need to practice! It’s been a while since I’ve worn make-up and even longer (never) since I’ve put on photo-worthy make-up.

The problem now is that I really need some awesome pictures of updo’s that can hold my heavy-ish veil. This is where all y’all can help me. Thrilling, yes? My hair is a few inches below my shoulders. In October, in the middle of the afternoon, the temperature should be roughly 70 degrees. During October, temps fluctuate between the low 50s and the 80s. Holy gorgeous, Batman! What was I talking about? Right, hair. I tend to get very hot and always put my hair up. Add to that about 5-7 pounds of yarn. Basically, as beautiful as a half updo would be, I think it needs to be totally up. Sooooo, feel free to post me links or pictures of hair you’ve seen that you think might work. Thanks!

Sep042010

30 Days: Day 11 Your siblings

…See the whole list here…

it may be 4 years old, but it's the only one I have of the 3 of us together

I have two brothers, one older (B, right) and one younger (D, left). Our relationship has been rocky, at best. When we were younger, D and I would gang up and tattle on B. then they would gang up on me. Yeah, it was fun times. We all loved to cook together; making pancakes every weekend, cake, and muffins. We had one of those love hate relationships.

My brothers are the reason I have a split left ring finger, a scar a mere 1/4″ from my eye and several other scars I’ve had almost my whole life. The smiley face scar on my left forearm is a result of a drunken spring break debacle, though I’d love to blame it on them too. D got the corner of a hard plastic spatula to the back of his head (leaving a patch where no hair grows) for stabbing me in the hand with scissors. Yeah, double ouch.

In college, B and I lived together, in the house we purchased my sophomore year, for several years after he graduated. We got along decently, had friends in common, and partied together. It was great, until he met Dave. Dave got some weird stuff into his mind and that was the beginning of his downfall. He got mixed up in some weird crap and we haven’t had a real conversation in years. I have not spoken to B since we moved back to Miami 5 months ago. As much crap that he’s mixed up in and successfully alienated all of our mutual friends and most of our family, he is still my big brother that protected me (sometimes) growing up.

D and I never really had much in common other than being blood related. I lived in a different city for a lot of his younger life. I moved to Gainesville when he was 14 and for the brief time I was back in Miami before heading to Orlando, he was off with his new friends working on cars and acting like a teenage boy.

Fast forward to last April when we visited Miami and met D’s fantastic girlfriend. Sure, she and I were already Facebook and g-chat friends, but that’s OK. She’s made a huge difference on his life. [Mostly] gone are the days of the sullen boy with a major attitude and the kid that avoids the family in lieu of hanging with friends working on various vehicles. Now we have weekly dinner with her whole family and our whole family and any friends that want to join. It’s awesome. D is more grounded and actively involved in family affairs, even if just the weekly dinners. He comes over and helps dad with mowing the 8+ acres and other landscaping. He smiles and laughs and is actually coming to Vegas with us for our wedding. Yeah yeah, it’s their vacation too, but still. A few years ago, this never would’ve happened.

At least I still have one sibling left and an almost sibling-in-law. I totally think of D’s girlfriend as my sister already. Now they just need to admit that they’re in a relationship and get married so she’s officially my sister. Love you Cat! Oh, and you too D. =)

In the above picture, I think I was being pinched and tickled by both of them.

Aug272010

30 Days: Day 03 Your parents

…See the whole list here…

6/19/1971 - I'm using that cup at my wedding reception =D

My parents, Bob and Patti. They have one of those fairy tale stories most little girls dream of.

Mom was born in Toledo. Dad was born in Chicago. Mom and her family moved to Miami when she was a few years old. Dad and his father moved to Miami when he was very young after his mother passed away. Mom grew up in a wealthy household for that era with a doctor father, truly amazing mother, and 2 siblings. Dad grew up with a single father who eventually remarried and got 2 instant step-siblings.

Mom and dad met in junior college here in Miami. When she went off to college at USF, he stayed in Miami helping his father (my fab grandfather) running the business he would later inherit. Every weekend mom was in town, dad would be at her parent’s house before she arrived and stay the entire time she was in town. According to mom’s family, they had the perfect relationship. They had fun together and were very much in love.

Eventually they got engaged. And a month or so after she graduated from USF, they were married. June 19, 1971. That’s right… 39 years ago my parents tied the knot at the synagogue I grew up in – Temple Beth Am. They moved into a cute little apartment in Kendall, and eventually bought a house in Coral Gables where they had 3 kids. After my younger brother was born, they found a larger house in South Miami, where we all grew up, which was sold in 2003 when they moved down to Homestead.

They currently live on 8+ acres with 20-something dogs and about 150 birds. Needless to say, they’re animal lovers. And by “they” I mean my dad. Steve and I live on their property, in the cottage house about 150 yards behind their house.

While their relationship may not be perfect, it is still something to strive towards. They have been married for 39 years, 3 children, and a strong family bond.

Aug242010

August 24 TMW Post

Tweet: i’m having a major crisis of uniqueness.. my name goes from being 100% unique to utterly common in 50 days. 100s have my married name..

So, @celestialaxis and I were discussing this the other day. My name is currently 100% unique. I’ve checked. If you google my name, every result will be me. When I googled my married name, I found 38,100 results of hundreds of different people. Do you know how horrible that is? Yes, I am taking my fiancé’s last name. No, I do not want to hyphenate. Basically, I’m having a crisis of my identity. But no, not an identity crisis. I know who I am.. but, well, you know what I mean. I will become Mrs. Rebecca Maiden-name Married-name in a mere 47 days.

A big part of this crisis stemmed from my latest business plan. I am crafty (hello DIY bride!) and wanted to revamp my etsy storefront. Along with that revamping, I was creating new business cards for myself. Up until now, I never gave my personal brand a second thought. Since the moment I was born, I was MsRIB. My name has special meanings to me, not because I am the last of the line (I have 2 brothers) but because my father named me after himself. He signs his artwork MrRIB. MrsRBF doesn’t have the same ring to it. By the way, I’m not changing my twitter name.

Did you/ are you changing your name after marriage?

Jun222010

June 22 TMW Post

Tweet: Today is my parent’s 39th wedding anniversary.. in 39 years & 3.75 months, we’ll be celebrating ours too! 😉

There’s not a whole lot to say about this one. 39 years. That is a loooooong time! In those 39 years years they’ve owned 3 houses, raised 3 children, and owned hundreds of exotic birds and probably about a hundred dogs. Not to mention the odd creatures like goats, tortoises, koi, iguanas, and whatever else they’ve had. While we’re not going for the animal part, having 3 kids after 39 years is something I’d love to emulate. Even if there’s only 1 perfect kid – me, of course! 😉

Tweet: wedding ring mailed yesterday, remake payment just made… now to wait 8 horribly long weeks to get it back. going from 7.5 to 9 #justincase

My beautiful ring finally got mailed back. And what’s better, it was received 2 days later. Before I could even check the tracking, I got an email from the jeweler saying” it arrived, he’d use my old stone and crate the new one… and as a reminder, the current waiting time was 8 weeks.” Le sigh. 8 weeks until I have my precious back in my hands. The timing is pretty dead on since the wedding is just shy of 4 months away.

Tweet: The result of careful counting & lots of painful hot glue injuries: http://twitpic.com/1x510b

Tweet: All I need now are the pillars. #cupcaketower http://twitpic.com/1x6ag8

Tweet: Mini us! Now to hook to the base & varnish the whole thing #caketopper http://twitpic.com/1xannv

That’s right, I finally got some wedding DIY done… or at least seriously worked on. The cupcake bases are complete and I just need the towers. The cake topper is done and I just need to varnish them. We have normal varnish from the kitchen cabinets, but I’m thinking that it wayyyyy too thick. All the sites I was referring to used spray varnish. Too bad a bottle of spray varnish is about 10x what I need and costs like $8. Can’t they just sell a tiny bottle for me?

Tweet: Embossed envelopes… It’s a start! #wedding http://twitpic.com/1yki33

I am actually please with how these turned out. All the stamps I purchased and carefully planned and showed to people… they won’t work for embossing. I tried. All the text runs together. I guess that means everything else will just get stamped onto the envelopes. I did start that part… the stamping onto the envelopes. Our snazzy and complete fab return address stamp got stamped onto all 100 RSVP envelopes over the weekend. Only a handful were either too light, ink missing, or something else unusable. Not too shabby!

And I leave you with this, from Monday…
Tweet: 111 days until 101010! (cc @brokebride2be!)

May012010

A real update!

I know I do not post nearly as much as I should. But in all honesty, I do the majority of my wedding “planning” on twitter these days. I am also the featured bride on Tuesdays over on TweetMyWedding. The other brides are amazing and you should really go check us all out. 🙂

sneak peek of the design for all the “invites”

That little plug aside, I’ve finalized the design for our “invites” and just need the final head count to order them. I put it in quotes because it’s a whole package of Vegas wedding announcements, Miami reception invitation cards, Miami reception RSVP cards, and little cards for our photo dump website. Our what? You know… when you go to a wedding, take tons of pictures with your camera then eventually get around to putting them on Facebook. Well, I created a Shutterfly site specifically for people to be able to upload everything there so we can see what everyone has done. We, and anyone viewing the site, can create books, bags, or whatever else from those pictures.

My main reason for posting is that we have been working on the guest list in the last few days. We have a fairly comprehensive list of family and friends. The problem lies in my father’s family. To say they’re all estranged is probably too harsh of a word. I am good friends with one of my cousin’s, and facebook friends with her and 3 others. However, my father hasn’t uttered a word to his step-mother, step-brother or step-sister in years. We kinda like it that way. My dilemma is do we be the bigger people and invite the lot hoping the “adults” decline and the cousins I like accept, or just not invite anyone?

What do you think? I can give back story if you want via email.

Thanks!

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