Bring on the canned ravioli, we're coming to Santa Cruz for one last hurrah before we throw vows at each other!

Hi,
Dear wedding party members and friends of the greater bay area. We are coming to Santa Cruz!
I am flying into the bay area for work on Tuesday the 9th of june and staying up there until Thursday June 11th. I will need to sleep on someones floor in Santa Cruz on that Thursday night and then I will be working at my old Santa Cruz store on Friday the 12th. Michael will fly in on Friday afternoon and we will be all yours fri night, sat & sun. We fly home on Monday from San Jose around noon. So lets make plans to: fight, drink, eat, eat, lay down, fight, and once again, show Michael the underbelly our my home town! Please let me know of any ideas you guys have for activities. I definitely want to take him to Loch Lomond one day for fishing and a sun burn and also get him drunk as an H-peep at the beach one day. Lyd and Sarah may be planning some version of a bridal shower which will probably involve costumes and sword tricks. We should also go to the flea market and shop for more wedding accoutrement. I CANT WAIT!!!
IT IS ON!
-Melissa cent

Whats new pussy cat....

1. We had a pork chop with Scooter & Leann and Michael showed them everything in our house.

2. I am working on ANOTHER wedding site for the out of town guests because I think this one will be tough to navigate. This one is our little wedding party exclusive for me to cuss and stuff. The other one is more "aunt/uncle oriented". It will just say like where to stay and where to eat pizza and where to go if you want to eat hot dogs. I will post it when we get it set up.

3. We are going to Santa Cruz in June!! There is rumor of a costume party which I am excited about.

4. Our wedding shower in Appleton is this weekend and I have no Idea what to wear. Michael and I talk about what were going to wear a lot. It is like we think we are models.

5. I am having a really hard time deciding on what to do with the centerpieces for the reception, it is kind of driving me out of my mind. Let me know if you have any ideas. I am somewhat leaning towards baby's breath and carnations.

Other than all that, things are still remarkably calm on the mid-western front. I will talk to you all soon,
Love
Melis

Ding Ding Ding, Alert!

Believe it or not, we have a wedding coming up! about 120 days until were all raising our glasses to glorious matrimony!
Things are going great for us, really busy as usual. Lydia and Mike bought their flights out for the wedding so we know for sure at least 2 people will be attending. Michael and i are looking forward to our wedding shower which Erin & Shannon and Mommy Hurley are planning for us at the end of may. Also, were excited about having din-din with Scooter and Leann this next weekend. This is starting to sound like a Christmas family report letter. Anyways, We are really getting pumped up for the wedding and hope you are all starting to plan your trip out. Rememeber to call the Hotel I blocked off and resererve yourselves some rooms. Also, I have bee mentioning to people that flights are really cheap on southwest right now if you are flying in. Hope you are all doing great, I will post something exciting soon!
Melissa

I need feedback!

Hey peeps,
I have a few questions:
1. Did you get our email about the hotel stuff?
2. Whatduyouthink? will you be booking a room, do you need me to pair you up with other rowdy wedding party folks? do you have questions? whats the word?
3. Michael and I will be staying at the Days Inn on Fri and Sat so we can be chummy with you all.

Hope you are all doing really good. Michael and I are damn good. Little old April is turning out to be a busy month. Besides the wedding planning going on we have friends from Germany wisitting our willage next week, I am going to cali for 3 days, Ma and Pa Hurley are coming to visit on easter...(any other Hurleys want to come with? we may go to Club Lucky) and of course we are working like mayan slaves.
Anyways, miss you all, talk to you soon!
MP

Ryan Hurley...come on down!!!

Ryan is now a contributor. Get ready. He is in college so get ready for some fancy scholar stuff...

Bridesmaids Unite!

Hello all,

I've highjacked the blog again, this time to make space for bridesmaid-related chatter. As you should know, Melissa sent out an email a few days ago with details about the ridiculously cute dress we get to buy. (I think we should have reunions every year and all wear the dresses, martini stains and all.) If you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to do so. I can say from experience that the picture doesn't come close to capturing its beauty. 

Jim Hjelm

Style # 5753

Color: Black

http://www.jlmcouture.com/Jim-Hjelm/Bridesmaid/Additional/Style-5753

In addition, we need to get gold shoes. I was pretty excited and couldn't wait. I found some really sweet dancin' shoes at shoesteal.com for $39.99. This is a little pricey but I'm planning on wearing them everyday. Take a look:

http://www.shoesteal.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC1072001&pg=5054729

Post here as you find yours!

xoxo,

Lydia

After several days of recovery, We are ready to report on the party.....

Every night since the engagement party, either Michael or I have looked at the other one and said: That was a really great party (I usually say "awesome" instead of great, but whatever)! We feel like we hit the jackpot of engagement parties. There were several components to the magic that made the night so spectacular but the most important was definitely the "cast and crew". The costumes were off the hook outrageous and the fact that people bought us food, booze, and gifts reinstated our faith in how classy our friends are. Not to mention the fact that 3 of them flew over 2000 miles for us, 4 drove all the way from Wisconsin and a bunch more stormed the border up from Indiana. It was especially heartwarming to see how almost immediately my best friends had their arms around Michael's best friends necks and were almost claiming ownership over his people, similarly Michael's best friends and family lovingly embraced the Cali crew and I overheard many Wisco-Cali heart-to-hearts happening. What can we say, it was a bit of a love fest.

Michael and I are a little solitary down here in Chicago, and being away from friends and family is rough. As you all have seen, Michael and I are excessively in love so we make due on one another's company but we both miss our friends and family a lot everyday. This party was the best illustration of the fact that nothing changes, friends remain ridiculously loyal no matter how far time or travel takes you from them. Jello shots helped too.

The glory of the engagement party also indicated something that Derick mentioned in a recent post: The wedding weekend is going to be better than any TV show you have ever seen. The wedding itself, the bachelor/ette activities on the Friday and everything in between should most likely be the best weekend any of us have had in a long time. I cant wait to be reunited with you all for more mayhem and glory.

Thanks again to all of you who made it to be with us, and for those of you who missed it, we missed you a lot but have to make you eat 8 jello shots and do an extra hard Karaoke song at the bachelor/ette party in September!! That way you can catch up on the "I don't remember doing that?" factor that you may have missed out on at the engagement party.

P.s. Giant pink panties for 4.99, what a rip off!!!

Love
Melissa & Michael

the ropers

bla bla bla

On October 16th 2008, Michael and I boarded a flight together to California. The flight was full so we were unable to sit together. Michael shouted as we boarded: "I will pay anyone twenty dollars to let me sit next to my girlfriend". No takers. So Michael went to the back of the plane and had a few drinks with the flight attendants. After an hour and a half I heard a mans voice come over the loud speaker: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard 374 to Oakland, California. I have a question to ask a very special lady..."As I realized it was Michaels voice I looked up and say out loud "oh, my god...something is happening!".. I peered behind my seat and down the isle as Michael appeared at the end of the plane. I was smiling and wide eyed as I stood up and stepped into the isle. Michael met me in the middle of the plane, got down on a knee and asked me to marry him. He put a little metal vodka bottle ring around my finger. I cried, all the passengers clapped. Luckily, we got to sit together after that. The flight attendants told us it happened somewhere over Salt Lake City, Utah and we got a bottle of champagne from the flight crew. It was the best day of my life.

Engagement Party!!!

Hi everyone!

This is Lydia, the maid of less honor than Sarah, and I thought I would make a cameo on the blog. So far its going well, thanks for asking. I haven't used even one fucking cuss word or told any of Melissa's secrets. (Two words: chicken tenders)

I just wanted to say that I can't wait to meet all of you that are coming to the engagement party I'm throwing this weekend at Melissa and Michael's house and I apologize in advance for all the offensive shit I'm sure to say. Sarah is also coming and we've got an activity planned that should be great. I also wanted to remind you that we are trying to put together the bachelorette party (looks like Michael's got the bachelor party handled). If you have any ideas I'd love to hear them!

See you soon, Chicago!!!

xoxo,

Lydia 

Manly Things

Fellas,

It's time to start preparing ourselves for my bachelor party. I have a couple of ideas to make it a unique experience. First off, let's sweat any alcohol out of pores from the night before and open them up for more abuse. Check out the following link for a true Russian/Turkish bath house...

http://www.chicagorussiansauna.com/

I checked it out to make sure it was not your typical young man's bath house and we're safe. This is full of Russian mafia men and they will not tolerate any of that horseplay.

Next we need to do what all men need to do...compete. Bumper cars mixed with hand scoops and wiffle balls is the sport known as WhirlyBall.

http://whirlyball.reachlocal.com/

This should be a great start to celebrate my happiness of marriage to Melissa with my homies. Let me know what you think and I'm sure my brother will appreciate any feedback.

Better start practicing your WhirlyBall...I will be picking teams so that I win. Please reply with your skill rating.

TURTLE POWER!!!

Today, Michael took me on a date. Here is what we did:
-We went to Ferrera Pan candy company and bought 250 Lemonheads for part of the wedding favors.
-We went to Blommer Chocolate and bought $30 worth of chocolate and old timey candy.
-We went to the lake and looked at the snow floating on the lake (weird).
-We drove through the ghetto (which didn't look that ghetto)
-We went to china town and MICHAEL bought me a pet TURTLE!!!!!!

He is the size of a silver dollar and very gentle and sweet. He didn't bite me when I transferred him into his luxurious new terrarium.
We don't know what to call him though.We are asking for help coming up with a name. Below are some ideas we cam up with... Let us know which one you like the best so the turtle doesn't have to go on feeling like a nameless orphan.

1. Floaty
2. T-Rod
3. Big Ern
4. Gator

Cast your votes!!!
Love,
Melissa, Michael, Oliver and the nameless turtle.

Two weeks and counting!!!

Michael and I are pretty damn stoked. To our great pleasure, A LOT of you will be attending the engagement party! My 2 best friends are going to come out from California..Lydia (AKA Inspector Gadget) and Sarah (AKA Cher). Derrick and Buck have confirmed that we will be enjoying their fine company. We got Shannon, Erin & Josh rolling in from Wisconsin and Santa Cruz and Rick is coming up from Naperville. That is 8 out of 14 bridesmaids and groomsmen, thats pretty good considering how far apart we all are. As mentioned in the evite, you are welcome to crash at our place for the party, but please bring a sleeping bag or some sort of blanky. If you are afraid of catching body lice or getting puked on at the slumber party, I can give you all some hotel options.
Question: If you are coming, please describe your costume.
If you are not coming, why? what is better than hanging with the Ropers?

Keep on Truckin'

Come and Knock on our door, weve been waiting for you....


We scored so hard. I love illinois. We got a whiskey barrel couch, bar, bar stools,barrel chairs, 2 end tables and a coffee table for 400 bucks. The couple we bought it from have been storing it. It belonged to her parents and as she mention "saw a lot of parties in the 70's". We have a few additions to add, including but not limited to: my wall lasso, johnny cash sketch, spuds lamp, grape lamp (sorry Erin & Shannon, keep me out of this family fued), and of course, afe of my vintage shot glasses. All we are missing is a room full of drunk people!!!


Mustard nawgahyde whiskey barrel chairs.. NOT available at Bed Bath and Beyond.



Oliver makes a mean screwdriver...who drinks sdrewdrivers anyways, I think just homeless people.




the nawgahyde leather eagles says "classy, all the way"

this couch weighs about 4.3 thousand pounds... according to Michael and the neighbor kid..I carried the stools up.

We apologize for the lack of posting lately.

Here are our excuses:

1. We are trying to plan a wedding.

2. We are trying to plan an engagement party (have you R.S.V.P'd yet bro?)

3. We bought a new bar. I will post pics.

4. I have been busy with work. One of my stores will be on the WCIU news on thursday! I am trying to decide if I will be our spokesperson, I have a terrible cold and germs are not fashionable.

5. Michael is working his butt off trying to sell gadgets and complete our bar.

6. It is cold outside (I use that excuse pretty much for everything.)

7. Hockey..?





.....But there have been some advancements in the wedding plans!



1. Tomorrow night we are going to Club Lucky to pick up the matches for the favor boxes and decidi on linens, how many tables, etc. AND...having a cocktail together of course.



2. We ordered the custom shot glasses for the party favor boxes.



and other boring details.....I thought it was worth writing about, but its making me fall asleep so I cant imagine how much this much suck for you...
Anyways,

For the groomsmen and bridesmaids: We will be posting important info in the next few weeks about lodging, tuxes and bridesmaids dresses and other stuff that we need to plan for SOON!

aghhhh, I need Nyquil.
stay tuned for more riveting blogging....
-MP & MH

Say CHEESE!!!

We have a photographer for our wedding!

It is official! I hope you are all ready to pose for the fantastic Renny Rhanor, our talented photographer. Thank you Lydia for hooking us up with Renny.. you win the bridesmaid of the month trophy for sure (don't worry ladies, there are 6 more months to take this prized position)! Renny was raised in Illinois but lives in California, so she represents the mid-west & Cali peeps! Renny is going to try to attend the bachelor/bachelorette party as well as a way to capture you all in a shameful state of beligerence.

Below: a few samples from Renny Rhanor Photography:

(you will recognize the red head- Lydia, and Mike -bridesmaid & groomsmen-below)

<---Renny, herself!!!!

see more at: http://flickr.com/photos/29932413@N06/sets/72157607735769966/

Klingon to this...

Sarah drives a pink valiant, she did hit a fire hydrant when she was a new driver at 16, she calls all liquids "juice" including booze! She DOES NOT have Melissa's favorite animal tattooed on her because she is a lousy best friend.

Ryan is addicted to Nick's Italian Ice and will drive 5 1/2 hours to get it. He actually does wear a size 15 shoe. He was a tmnt for halloween...I believe it was Leonardo. He never got into Barbies, just My Pretty Pony...JK :)

Lydia is polish royalty! She is getting her PHD right now and she was born in Louisiana! Yeehaw! She makes Mike Dye her hair red evey six weeks or so...Oh Marriage!!!

Buck was a BMX superstar, he drinks the shit out of Bells, he owns his own carpentry business. Buck hates spoons.

more trivia to come.....





P.s. New wedding theme idea that we are considering:

Done...and done.

We decided to stick to what we know: being old. This is our engagement party costumes. Get ready to bite your fist, hide the kitten in the shower and blame Larry, because the Ropers are coming!

additionally....

So many warnings here!

1. Just because the bride is tipsy, you may NOT suggest elaborate escape plans for the groom.

2. Just because the groom is tipsy (and incredibly good looking), you may not whisper sweet nothings in the grroms ear.

3. Michael: Just because the bride looks a little drunk and like a sorta slutty muppet, you may not plan an escape or be persuaded to take our hoopty vehicle on an all groomsmen escape to Mexico.

also,

I live in Chicago now, so dont expect to see me dabbling with a few hors d' ouerves.

und!

Groomsmen: Please know that even though there are 7 of you and 1 of me, I am mighty and my feet are large. Let's just say you better not wear pleat front pants..

annnnd...

We may hire a "chicken spy" to keep an eye on you guys. You can expect to see yellow feathers in your purses, underwear and in your drinks..all areas that the "fowl agent" is bound to be investigating.

And...

Bridesmaids: Please know that you may have to shave my armpits for me as I may be too wasted (moments before heading down the isle) on red wine to be trusted with a razor.

Things you will need to be prepared for:

1. Bridesmaids: You need to know how to tighten a bumper. The Saturn is getting old & Limo's are expensive, so who knows what kind of hoopty we will ride up to the ceremony in. Bring your wrenches.

Looky Looky: A leetle party is coming.

http://www.socializr.com/event/305187412

See you there Urkel or Alf or Mr. Belvedere or Dexter or who ever you might be...
Love Mr. and Mrs. Jetson

A passion for fashion!

These are the dresses i want to go try on soon. They are amazing. the belted one is my fav.
at the end of this list is another cute bridesmaid dress I found.

http://www.priscillaofboston.com/dress_detail.jsp?gid=1&sfid=50803&f=$$

http://www.priscillaofboston.com/dress_detail.jsp?gid=1&sfid=50816&f=$$

http://www.priscillaofboston.com/dress_detail.jsp?gid=550&sfid=50951&f

http://www.priscillaofboston.com/dress_detail.jsp?gid=2&sfid=51024&f=

New Surveys about YOU!

Every day this week we will be posting a quiz about each one of the wedding party members. There may be a test at the wedding so pay attention.
Love,
M & M
They are posted over there------------------------->

And the Survey Says......

We want to let you all know the truth. Thank you all for voting on the latest surveys. Some of you are smarter than others.
Answers:

Melissa's first job was at good old Mickey D's. Thats right, I was fifteen. What can I say, I have been a classy lady my whole life. My collueages didnt speak english so I got to work the register by default. What did I learn, you ask:
1. Senior citizens want their discount on their coffee and Mc Pancakes.
2. According to Sarah, I will never live down the teal visor and apron. (she took pics!! you will NEVER see them!!!)

Michael does NOT have a rose tattoo on his butt (not yet). I do have some hair and perhaps a mole or two, but no tattoo. All of the groomsmen are getting their bridesmaid counterpart's name tattooed on their butts as part of the bachelor party...I will be getting a portrait of Melissa in a McDonalds uniform.

Check it out ladies......

These first 2 are possibilities for the Bridesmaids, they could pick either style (pencil skirt or full skirt) in the Teal color...... B-maids: What do you think?

And this one is a possibility for ME! I like it a lot but it is a little more than I want to pay because its Semi-custom.

If you want to visit the website where I found all these beauties...

www.whirlingturban.com

Michael's Perspective

Ryan: Here I am waiting for girls to develop breasts in 5th grade when I get pulled out of school to go to the hospital. My mom's friend at the time brought me to the hospital and to the room that my mom was staying at. They dressed me in a gown, and brought me into the labor room. My mom was ready to give birth and I was standing behind the doctor and for the first time in my life I was excited to see a penis. My first and only brother was born that day....and who I am proud to call my best man. I made it my mission to teach him to be better than me at every possible game that we could play...And it worked. Thanks for be humble at winning, you punk.



Buck: Circa 1993; I started high school (sophmore for K-town Killas) and knew a kid named Chudly-C from another school who had a brother Buck that was a senior. I saw Buck in the commons sporting a rat tail, Charlotte Hornets pullover and a fat chain with an uzi on it...I knew that this was the guy I wanted to hang with. I introduced myself and we have been tight ever since. I lived with him, his brother, his other brother momentarily, and his dad, Herms.


Scooter: At the age of 18, I decide to get a real job and contacted a family member for a hookup (like most do), I showed up early on my first day (the only time I ever did) and heard a rumble down the street. I looked out the window and saw a bad ass biker roll in. I was intrigued. He was introduced to me as Scooter (Scott) and we worked side by side. After a few weeks, we decided to have cocktails after work. Scooter introduced me to a lot of great people, we drank, I smoked, and he taught me some lessons.




Derick: Speaking of great people that Scooter introduced me to...I can't forget Derick. The first time that I hung out with Derick I knew that he was going to be a long term friend. It wasnt long before Derick was working with us and we fell into a routine. We would wake up, ride to work on our bikes, work all day and go to the bar...and then do it all over again... for a year. Derick has always been there for me, hence the reason why I am glad to have him in our wedding.




Leann: She is the one of the most talented, funny, caring women I have ever met. She helped raise 2 boys (Max & Zach) who I often watched over and spoiled with candy and video games. Leann will tell you how it is and usually be right. She can also hook you up with a leather G-string.




Rick: I met Rick when he was peddling some electronic shit as a vendor of ours. I persuaded him to join the team at the company we currently work for. He invited me to a Rock Band party in Indiana; smoke machine and all. We smoked, drank Glenlivet and I made more friends. I was at his house when I had an 8 hour phone conversation with Melissa, from drunk to sober, from night to morning, and he then made me move his family's estate the entire next day...thats a true friend.




Shannon: I met Shannon when I was 0. She used me, abused me, and made me believe in things that didnt exist. She used to hold "Animal" (Muppet) over the staircase and make me watch as she threw him to his death... and laughed. AND she told me that if I swallowed a watermelon seed it would grow in my stomach. Shannon always had my back and is a great big sister.




Erin: I was just getting used to being the baby of the family when my Mom decided to get pregnant (again). Damn Catholics. Erin was born with a full head of hair that looked like my dad's wig. Picture Donald Trump with jet black hair. One day as the family was basking in my greatness, Erin cried from upstairs and I said " I'll get her". So I went upstairs, wrapped her in a blanket and proceded downstairs. I tripped and strategically fell on my back all the way down the stairs. Erin cried along side me. You are welcome Erin.




Sarah: Two words that I associate with Santa Cruz: Sarah's house. I heard of this place where alcohol flows, cigarettes burn and large amounts of food is digested. I thought Melissa was having an acid flashback when she described it, but it does exist. Outside of having a great husband, a cute daughter and a love for hot dogs, Sarah has helped my future wife become who she is today. Also, she is the only one who liked my potatoes.




Lydia: Lydia knew that I was coming to town as Melissa's boyfriend, but when I arrived I was introduced as her fiance... Lydia proceded to get hammered. The next morning, when she awoke from the bathroom/hallway she said to me " Hi, I am Lydia, do you have any cheeseburgers?". Just kidding, via telephone, Lydia has stopped me from puking on jewelers due to stress and vodka as I shopped for engagement rings.




Mike: What can I say, you had me at Jack & water. I will never hear the end of it from "The Punisher"... I would have seen it if it weren't for Axl's heroin addiction. Love the truck, love the bike, love the meatloaf.




Josh: I never liked any of the guys that my sister has dated, but there's something about Josh that...who am I kidding, they were alright. I forsee many great endeavors for us folks. Josh is a friend of Melissa and now a friend of mine. Keep the Atheist's strong.




Joan: This Chick is hot. Not only did Joan let us stay in her paradise pad, but when she met us the next day for drinks, she was something to look at. She is feisty, single and perfect for my brother Ryan. Melissa has told me so many stories about Joan "the bone" and I welcome her to the family.




Tiffany: I havent spent much time with the lady... but based on what I hear from Melissa, I think we will have some laughs for sure.

Bridesmaid accessory ideas from Tiffany

Tiff has great taste.....

Thank you for being a friend (think Golden Girls theme song)

I NEED HELP!

There are a few things I need help with:

1. Embarrasing photo's of Michael (pics of him as a kid, with some of you whom I havent met yet, random drunk ones,etc.) I want to add them to the slideshow.

2. Bridesmaids: I am posting another dress that I like, Lydia found it and I think it is perfect. tell me what you think (it is the style below, but in the teal,light blue combo):

http://www.watters.com/product.php?showid=978&coll=watters&style=4422

Sucking Face

Look. I am nervous about the 1st kiss. What if Michael comes in, I deke and we miss? What if I chip his tooth? What if I puke?
Some of you are already married while others are just Kissing bandits. That is why I pose this question to you: How do you recommend Michael and I kiss when we hear "kiss yer bride"....??
I know Lydia , Sarah and most everybody hate it when Michael and I so openly smash faces together, but c'mon guys, its our wedding! If you are already married, Please describe what worked and what could have been apporved on in your first married kiss. If you arent married, what do you suggest we do with our hands....cause thats always awkward.
Thanks pals, You are all so wonderful and I appreciate you heavy hitters always tackling the hot topics (obviously I listen to too much conservative talk radio).
Smooches,
Melissa "Hot Lips" Penny

A little background info....

I want to dedicate this portion of the blog to talking about "memories", fond recollections of days past. In other words I am going to give you my side of the story about the people in our wedding and how I met them. If I haven't met them, I will make up the events of our future meeting. There will be one installment of this by me, and Michael will blog his fuzzy memories tomorrow. It will be his blogging debut, so get ready.



1. Sarah:

I met Sarah when I was 8 and she was 9. It was at summer school (you will notice from my grammar and spelling errors: Summer school don't work) and we were on the tan bark by the monkey bars. It was just me and her. It was a little awkward. She had "hella hair" I remember thinking. A lot has happened for us since then. I lived with Sarah's family for many years in my teens, we lived in Germany together for 2 years, we lived together in the Santa Cruz ghetto and have partied with a lot of old weirdos. Sarah is married (sorry guys) to the fantastic Mr. Jason "goulet" Hackforth, whom will be our wedding officiant. ALSO, they have a baby named Audrey who happens to be the funniest baby in all the land. Sarah is a floral design teacher at one of the fine high schools we attended. She also does a mean Cher impersonation and loves to eat meat. She is of Slavic heritage.



2. Lydia: I met Lydia back in the day (like 3 years ago). She was coming to town to attend the university in Santa Cruz. She is still going there and working on her PHD. This makes her sound very fancy, but really she is just another drunk like you and me, hence the nickname "uncle Bernie". When I first met Lydia we would cook dinners together and drink wine. It only took a few of these "fancy nights" to figure out that what we really wanted to do together was dress up like Tanya Harding & Nancy Kerrigan and roller skate to the bar. We also share a love of crafts and party planning. Lydia just Married mike (groomsman). Lydia also likes to eat meat and is of Slavic ancestry.



3. Tiffany: Tiff, Tiff, Tiff. Lets just say Tiffany and I met in Junior High in PE class. I liked to tell her things like "its fine to smoke behind the bleachers instead of run laps, we wont get busted"..And we didn't, so HA! Tiff and I also share a love of fashion, Vodka, and Joking around. I was involved in introducing her to her fine husband Slim. Tiffany is really funny but insists on wearing fur and Chanel to every event....flea market, dive bar, grocery store, you name it she is dressed like a drag queen. She is such a whitey that when you take her picture her eyes turn red, but she looks glamorous otherwise.Tiffany likes to eat petite fours.



4. Mike: I met Mike when Lydia let him move to Santa Cruz. They were dating a long time and finally got married in July of last year. Mike is in charge of "the Data Base" which means he works on computers or something. I immediately knew I liked Mike because he will laugh at everything I say and because he is a really good BF/Husband to Lydia. Mike has a sweet motorcycle, a lot of tattoos and a pretty big face. He is also good at cooking and taught me to twirl a baton around my finger. He likes to drink Miller High Life and eat cheeseburgers in the morning when he is hung over.



5. Josh: I met Josh about 4 or 5 years ago. I met him when I started playing poker and he just vowed to never play again. Here's what we do have in common: Hockey. Josh gets hammered and likes to sing Karaoke. Josh will verbally harass anybody: Babies, Grandmas, Kittens-ANYONE. Whoever walks down the isle with Josh needs to know that he is a Little pigeon toed. He plays softball, volleyball and surfs. He also does a mean Harry Caray impersonation. Josh eats a lot of Taco and Burrito type foods.



6. Ryan: I met Ryan at a bar called St. James Place (along with the rest of the Hurley clan). Ryan is a "secret comedian", Which means you may think he is quiet and shy but really he saves his jokes for key moments. One might call him "sarcastic" or a "real smarty pants". Ryan is a guitar hero genius but helps me pick on Michael when I make our band fail songs. What a gent! Ryan doesn't like buffalo wings but will put down an Italian ice and a cheese pizza.



7. Shannon: I think Shannon should have her own game show or radio show. She is one of the funnier broads I have ever met. She is a lot like Michael in that she is creative, sarcastic and very considerate. I thank her for what ever she did as a big sister to help condition my fiance into being such a sweet, sarcastic and talented fellow. She also is a great mom to Kennan, Gabby & Addison and the married to a lucky guy named Child. Shannon and I have a lot in common. We both like to type things like this for hours because we think we are really funny. Shannon likes to drink hot buttered rum.



8. Erin: Erin is Michael's baby sister. She has a great sense of humor but more importantly is a cutie (I am very shallow). She is fun to dress (like a rare brunette barbie) and so I like shopping for clothes for her at my stores. Erin and I have a lot of hanging out to do, but haven't much so far because she lives and works way up yonder in Wisconsin. Erin is involved with this years Flukiest love story: Erin has become "involved" my old buddy Josh mentioned above. I assume they are preparing to race us down the isle in September. Erin likes to eat fettucini alfredo.



9. Derick: I met this guy at a bar. He gave us beer and shots so I knew I liked him right away. Derick also works as a water conditioning expert. He has shared a lot of funny stories with me about Michael's glory days (a long time ago). Derick and Tara (GF) have promised us a double date at the sturgeon spearing thing which sounds RAD. I am not sure what Derick likes to eat.



10. Scooter: I have not met this man yet, but I have heard the legends. I assume he helped invent the Michael we know and love today so therefore I love this guy. there is a rumor that he may wear assless chaps in the wedding.



11. Leann: Leann and Scooter are a couple and they own a leather tailor business. This gets me very excited because I think I am a cow girl. Leann was also pretty involved in Michael's early days and I cant wait to hear what stories she has to tell about the infamous "slip" a.k.a Michael.



12. Buck: I haven't met Buck yet, but from what I hear he once ruled Kenosha with My main man Michael. I also like the name buck a lot, so that's a great start for our relationship.



13. Rick: Rich "Satinderpal" Chadha is one of the first people I met when I moved to Illinois. He has a lovely wife named Kelly and is rumored to have 2 kids, but i haven't met them. Rick likes the same things as Michael: Heat trace, Whiskey & Guitar Hero. Rick also is a funny fellow. Rick likes to eat spicy Cajun food.



14. Joan: I met Joan when I was 18 and was hired to babysit her toddler son Mitchell. Joan turned out to become a best friend. Joan has many talents: Cooking, Organizing, Riding elephants (used to work at Marine world Africa USA!) and making people laugh their asses off! Joan likes to eat nothing that I have cooked. She used to be stunned at some of the strange foods I would prepare for her toddler son. Joan is single, so watch out...She is a man eater.

Just the Facts

Hi Everyone! I want to post a little info about "what we know so far"... about the wedding weekend.Obviously, we don't know much but were trying to figure it out ...

1. Timeline: We would like to have as much time with everyone as possible, so call when you make your travel arrangements so we can coordinate activities for the days leading up to the wedding weekend.

-Friday September 4th: Bachelor/Bachelorette party (spouses and any other guests from out of town should obviously partake in the debauchery.)

-Saturday September 5th: Recovery day, hamburgers and a movie, Go do tourist stuff, whatever. Girls, go get manicures?

-Sunday September 6th: WEDDING DAY!!! I will post the day-of time line as we get closer.

2. Outfits:

-I haven't found a dress yet...

-Michael wants to sport a white tux jacket, black pants, black bow tie and black cumber bun...James Bond/Humphrey Bogart style.

-The dudes will be in black tuxes, not sure if the ties will be teal or white? Maybe Ryan can come to chi town and try some on soon, model a little for us Ry!

-Bridesmaids----eh-hem, a few of them held a mutiny last night (I wont name names: Sarah, Lydia and Tiff:) and voted the teal pencil dress off the island. which is fine, I want them to like their duds....So I will announce new plans for the BM dresses as soon as I decide on one. It may be neon floral taffeta though if you keep it up girls.

3. Our Honeymoon: We hope to take off the Tuesday after the wedding. We are renting an RV and driving all the way to Wyoming. We plan to visit Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone...etc. In otherwords we are on the fast track to a senior citizen discount.

Crafts & booze: best friends forever

Michael and I are most excited about our wedding favor idea. Let me describe it to you:

A box from SuperDawg (a famous local hot dog shop) with a variety of Chicagoesque souvinirs inside, including but not limited to:

-first thing: a card with a map of chicago on one side and a sort of "table of contents", map guide on the back...with a little rivet and bow. on the table of contents will be a decription of the meaning of each item. This will be a little history lesson for our guests.

1. A tiny bottle of booze. (on the card we will talk a little about the Chicago Prohibition days and the fact that Club Lucky was a speak easy!)

2. A book of Matches (card will mention mrs. the great Chicago Fire)

3. Lemonheads, jawbreakers and tootsie rolls (all made in Chicago!)

4. Handmade (my specialty, unless sarah and lyd are "helping...glu glug glug") bottle cap magnets with pics of Chicago and maybe one of me and Michaels beautiful little faces.

we have a few more ideas for the favors, but those are the definites. any other ideas p-nut gallery?

P.s. Lydia: Do you think you could wear assless chaps? I know Scooter mentioned to Michael that he wanted to wear these as well.

The Bachelor/Bachelorette Party-athon

First thing is first.
Lydia has shared interest in getting started on planning the pre-nuptial debauchery fest known as the Bachelorette Party. Michael and I still have no takers for planning the testosterone vesion of this. Michael has merely stated that he wants there to be some Whirly Ball involved. You boys will have to look into this. HOWEVER, you will all have to work together because the last part of this party will be when we all meet up at a local Karaoke bar to have a drunken song-off together. So, get in touch with eachother if you want to stake claim in this party plannin glory.