Boo!

Happy Halloween!!!


I'm usually a major Halloween enthusiast, but not so much this year for some reason. I wore an orange shirt to work today, but that's about. I didn't even remember my Halloween socks! (Which is a shame- Lynn gave me a great pair a year or two ago!)

The one (partial) exception to my Halloween apathy is in regard to Jack O' Lanterns. I say partial because I carved four last year (yes, four- one for my parents, one for my grandparents, one for Mary and Carl and one for myself!) This year I only carved two: my parents' and Mary and Carl's.

So, last year I was on a carving frenzy and wanted to carve more pumpkins than I had front steps, so I spread the love. I carved sailboat silhouettes into a small pumpkin, which I took over to the Olsson's house. I put it on their back porch, lit it, rang the bell, and drove off just as Mary got to the door. The Boat O' Lantern was such a hit (once they figured out who left them a treat) that I decided to do another this year. Again, a hit.

The real work of art this year though was the one for my parents. I used Grandpa P.'s chisels and other random tools from his collection to truly carve (rather than cut out) a design. It took me about six hours from first lid cut to candle light, but it worked out really well! There are only a few very small places where the design is cut all the way through the pumpkin, resulting in a cool translucent effect. Chiseling the design also allowed design elements that regular carving doesn't, such as polka dots.


I guess the reason that I'm not enthused about Halloween (or the day after, for that matter) is that I've just been busy as anything lately. I haven't had time to arrange anything for Halloween or my birthday- it's been all wedding, all the time. Which isn't a bad thing, it just puts other things on standby.

So, I'm not dressing up tonight. Instead, Courtney, Josh and I are going to try for standing room tickets for Company, which is in previews at the Barrymore. We haven't seen a show together for a while, so it should be a fun night. Our client is going to be in the office tomorrow, and we have rehearsal at night, so post-Halloween celebrations will consist of drinks after choir. Festivities will continue for a while, though, so I'm not getting shafted. I'm having dinner with my parents on Friday, then Teresa is taking me to see A Chorus Line on the 8th with J.J. and Mom. My favorite birthday gift will arrive on the 10th- Greg is coming to visit for the first time since starting Nuke School. It will have been six weeks between visits, and I miss him like crazy, so that's what I'm looking forward to most.

Anyway, Happy Halloween to all, and to all a good night!

I Love Root Beer Jelly Beans

Yup. They're pretty much the best thing ever.

A few days ago TV Guide hosted an event at Dylan's Candy Bar on 60th and Third. Dear lord- that place is dangerous.

I've been good about not "powering through" my "Halloween candy"... except for the Root Beer jelly beans.

Yeah, so work has been ridiculous lately. We're working on a new business pitch which, incidentally, ISN'T WHAT I WORK ON. Grrr! I was here until 9:30 last night. Okay, so that's not the end of the world, but it's not like anyone ever actually asked me to stay late. Instead, I asked at, oh, 6:30ish if there was anything I could help with. I was told "um... nothing yet." Yeah- no "can you work late tonight?", no "do you mind?", no "do you have plans tonight?". See, I actually did have plans last night. I was supposed to meet Courtney and Josh in Times Square for dinner and then see a show with them. I knew that dinner was unlikely when we made the plans, but an 8:00 show shouldn't have been a problem. Well, the show didn't happen, and neither did the backup plan for dinner, then the backup plan to for Grey's Anatomy failed, too. By the time I finally left the office, Courtney and Josh had both gone home to bed. Oh- and did I mention that in all the time I stayed at the office, there was only about 20 minutes of work for me to do? Yeah- I played internet chess and chatted on the phone the whole time. I know it's just the way this industry works, but still! Grrr.

In other news, we booked a band for the wedding. Yippee! We didn't get the photographer that we wanted, but we have a strong option as a backup. I'm still freaking out about the difference between French Blue and Marine Blue lettering for the invitations, but hopefully that will be put to bed soon.

I had a long conversation with Greg's brother Paul last night. He lives in Virginia, so we don't see each other very often. In other cases, this might keep a girl from getting to know her brother-in-law-to-be, but not with Paul. We talk on the phone every couple of weeks for anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours! He's really funny, and we get along really well. I've always wanted a big brother, and now I have Paul! Hooray!

And finally, THANK YOU to all of the wonderful people who have already made donations for Habitat For Humanity's Walk For Homes! My sponsorship sheet has over $500 promised already- that's just amazing! Co-workers, college and high school friends, professors, family, choir and sailing friends have really stepped up to the plate. But if you haven't called or e-mailed me about helping out, it's not too late! The walk isn't until November 5th- there is still time to donate to this wonderful cause. Habitat has done amazing work on Mr. Pond's house, but there is still more to be done on his house and many others that they are working on. Don't forget- if making a monetary donation isn't possible right now, you can donate time! Ask your friends and colleagues to make a donation, come to the Walk in Larchmont, or come work on the house itself! There are so many ways to help! (I would say that's the end of my cheap plug, but there is nothing cheap about this cause!)

There is a Halloween party at Mr. Pond's on Sunday night. (The house isn't ready to have him move back in yet, but it wouldn't be Halloween in Larchmont Woods without Mr. Pond!) If you're local, I hope to see you there. I'll try to snap some pictures and post them next week. Have a lovely weekend!

Help Bring Mr. Pond Home For Thanksgiving!

On Sunday, November 5th, I will be walking in the Habitat For Humanity of Westchester’s Walk For Homes in Larchmont, NY, and I’m writing to ask you to sponsor me.

While this walk (which is being sponsored by St. Augustine’s Church) will benefit many families, it will help with one effort that has touched me personally.

Last month, Richard Pond’s house burned down in the middle of the night. Mr. Pond is 86 years old, and has been my neighbor for 25 years. He was born in that house, and lost everything in the fire. Fortunately, he escaped with only minor injuries.

Mr. Pond is an extraordinary human being. A retired teacher, he has been a friend to the children of our community for decades. In fact, an article in this Sunday’s New York Times rightfully compared him to George Bailey in “It’s A Wonderful Life.” See what the New York Times said about Mr. Pond and the effort to rebuild his home.

Habitat For Humanity of Westchester was on the scene within days. Hundreds of businesses, organizations and neighbors, including my father and sister, have volunteered time and resources to help the effort. Please help us raise the money needed to bring Mr. Pond home for Thanksgiving.

Please let me know if you’d be willing to sponsor me in the Walk For Homes. You can e-mail me at epadin@targetcast.com. Anything you can contribute will help rebuild a life.

Thanks so much!

I Once Had A Mole...

... And now I don't.

Okay, I still have lots, but I now have a bandage where the one on my neck used to be. I'm the last one in my immediate family to have something removed, so I guess I've been lucky so far, but being a sailor leads to all sorts of fun sun-related stuff.

In any case, I have one mole less than I did this time yesterday. (I ask you: who else do you know that goes and has surgery on her lunch break? How very Manhattan!) In any case, it was pretty amusing to have a numb right ear all afternoon yesterday. You wouldn't think something like a numb ear could be diverting, but then, of course, you would be wrong! Ah, the things that are funny when you live in a cubicle.

So the mole thing is the latest in a long string of doctors’ appointments this month. In fact, including the mole finding/ mole removal/ removal of mole stitches, I will be in a doctor's office six times in four weeks. Something about no longer needing forms for school has caused me to put off some things for a while, so I've been for a physical, a dental checkup, etc. I ought to get something in return for all these office visits. You know, like a medical degree.

With all these appointments, having the mole removed, and other key wedding players having lots of dental work, is it any surprise that I had a dream about my front tooth falling out days before the wedding?

Oodles of doctors appointments notwithstanding, I am healthy, and I'm happy about that. Unfortunately, Aunt Pecky has not been faring so well.

I mentioned my Dad’s maiden aunt several posts ago, (see entry titled "Gotta Love Lunch Dates," 8.24.06) saying that she was back in the hospital. Pecky's mental and physical health have both gone downhill in the past two months or so. She has moved into an assisted living facility in Tuckahoe, which has proven to be a very wise decision.

On the mental side, she has been diagnosed with dementia. She keeps a journal of her daily activities to remind herself of what pills she has taken, but now also needs to include who has visited her and who she has telephoned, because she simply doesn't remember having called 15 minutes earlier. In terms of long term memory, she remembers family members most of the time, (even if she does get old photographs confused,) but she didn't remember that I was engaged and that she had met my fiancé. What is particularly fascinating is that the older the memory, the greater the detail in which she remembers it. When I visited her a few weekends ago, she told me all about the table she was sitting next to: her father had purchased it when the family moved from Spain back to New York when she was seven years old and had used it to rest his cigars. She said this while sitting in a chair that she could not remember when or from where she had acquired it. The chair in question has "Mt. Holyoke" and the school's crest carved into the back rest: Pecky's alma mater. Pecky's mind has become quite a puzzle.

Pecky's physical health has also been an issue. After Grandpa died, Pecky (who had been obese her whole life) lost a lot of weight. She saw what diabetes did to her brother and decided to take action to help her own health. I don't know the exact number, but by dieting and exercising, she lost around 150 pounds. Unfortunately, that amount of weight loss can complicate one's health, especially at an older age. I'll spare you the unpleasant details, but Pecky has had two or three surgeries and multiple hospital visits to restore her health following complications related to her weight loss. She was finally happy and healthy in her new home… then my dad got a phone call at 4:30 this morning telling him that Pecky had fallen in the night and broken her thigh bone. She’ll have surgery tomorrow to put a pin in, and then will have all sorts of therapy to do.

It is difficult to see someone you care about having a difficult time. I was very lucky to have all four of my grandparents in my life until I was 19, and even more so to have close relationships with all of them. Both of my Mom’s parents are still here, and I love that they live in New Jersey, because I get to see them for holidays and random visits here and there.

In other news, I got the first pictures of my dress today! It needs some tweaking, but I’m really excited. Hopefully I’ll be able to have a fitting in a few weeks… which means this wedding diet thing might have to actually start working. I’ve been exercising here and there, but crunches could pop the stitches in my neck, right? So I shouldn’t do them, right? ;-)

My Head Is Spinning!

Oh the wedding plans!

Courtney made a very astute comment the other day (as she often does). She said that planning your child's wedding is like performing surgery on them: it shouldn't be allowed, and for the same reasons: it's painful for all involved, and it is absolutely impossible to be objective.

Fortunately, my Mom and I are not biting each other's heads off. In fact, we're actually enjoying the planning process... but boy, oh boy, is it ever a process!

So, we have the color for the bridesmaids dresses picked out: dye lot #5055. (French blue.) We're waiting on a J. Crew dress in the mail to see the cut, then we'll be able to finalize the style choice and get pricing estimates. Whew!

We've confirmed that my Dad's childhood-friend-turned-LYC-Fleet-Chaplain will be marrying us, which is a HUGE relief. I'm really not a fan of the monsignor at our church, so I'm very glad that he won't be performing the ceremony. Now I just need to call him and tell him we've found someone else. That's gonna be fun. Really.

I've got the church organist and a trumpeter signed up, and the church choir has let me know that they would really like to sing. (I've been singing with them on and off for four years.) I'm going to add either a flute or a violin, depending on the final music selection. So far, I've got two hymns on the list, as well as pieces by Handel and Vivaldi. (Lots of people have Schubert's Ave Maria sung at their wedding, but as I'm frequently the one to sing it, so I feel like it would be weird to have someone else sing it when I'm the one getting married.) The big issue is what I'm going to walk down the aisle to. I have a song in mind, and Courtney has been a doll to arrange it for the instruments we're going to use, but it's unconventional and I'm really not sure if it will do. We'll see.

Mom and I have met with two photographers, and are making appointments with one or two more. We're trying to get a balance between photos of us doing totally ridiculous things and super-uncomfortable posed shots. (Does any bride really run on a beach in the most expensive dress she's ever likely to own, and if she does, is it really on her own volition?)

We've ordered the invitations and should see a proof soon. Of course, we are still debating the font color (french blue vs. marine blue) and whether or not to include a motif, but at least we've made real progress on that one.

The florist we were supposed to see last weekend had to go to a wake, so we're seeing him next weekend. Our wedding is turning out to be pretty formal, and I love daffodils and daises, so we're dealing with a disconnect here. My grandmother is a floral genius, so I'm looking forward to picking her brain on this one.

And then there are bands. We need one. We're hearing one Saturday night, and hopefully we'll love them. All I know is that we're going to be very specific about the song list. No songs that will provoke line dancing, grinding, the forming of letters with arms, or anything along that line. (This is a personal quirk, but I've never been in a conga line that didn't make me feel like an ass, and I'm going to be the center of attention that day whether I like it or not, so we're not doing one.) I guess the bottom line is that (as much as I will always love American Pie) if they played it at either the LYC Jr. Race Week dance or at Hommicks Ice Rink "Teen Nights," we're not having it at our wedding. We're thinking a lot more American Songbook- Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, and the like.

Greg and I are working on selecting readings. We both like First Corinthians, but we've heard it. We're hoping to find something a bit more off the beaten path. I did a reading at Kate's wedding that I thought was the sweetest thing- it was from a children's book, and it was personal and special and just right. Unfortunately, our church won't let us use non-scriptural readings, but I'm hoping we'll be able to find something with the same sentiment as "love is patient, love is kind," without actually saying it.

Whew. Do I sound like Bridezilla yet? I swear, I'm really not. And if I've accidentally offended anyone who really was hoping for a fuchsia bridesmaids dress or loves "Achey Breaky Heart," please don't take it personally. They work really well for other people, just not for me.

Once things are rolling in the right direction and I'm confident that there will be no Village People, I'll be fine. (If I seem concerned for no reason, be aware that I was actually at a wedding last summer where the D.J. announced that everyone should get out on the dance floor; the next song would be a polka!! No, I'm not kidding.)

I don't think I'm that picky, I'm just interested in a very traditional day with lots of personal touches but free from anything cliche or (forgive me) tacky. (I hate that word and the snobbery it construes, but it really is what I mean.) I do know that everything will be fine, and I'm actually enjoying the planning process. I'm a lot less stressed than I sound, but there are SO MANY DETAILS!

I told Greg last night that when we have kids, we're having boys, so we can avoid this whole drill! Enter the conversation about "they will both be boys" versus "they will all be boys" and the putting of the cart before the horse. :-D The good news out of all of this is that Greg and I focus so much more on planning our marriage then we do on planning our wedding. He's interested in the details of the various appointments and is very supportive, but our conversations tend to be more about where we're going to live, our careers, our (eventual) family, and so forth. Greg calms me down like no one else can. The wedding will be perfect, but it will come and go in a flash. It's nice to know that once the happy day is over, the ensuing life together will be happy, too.

I Got An M&M!

I know, I know. I haven't posted in two weeks. Okay, fine, longer than that.

The day after my last post, I got two very nice surprises. The first was a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to my office; the second was the sender of those flowers calling to tell me he had an unexpected three-day weekend and that he was flying up to see me! Eee!

Greg and I spent a lot of time together this summer, but we were busy most of that time. Our unexpected weekend visit was exactly what we both needed before a crazy fall: quiet, relaxing time together.

Greg arrived Saturday morning around eleven. We got deli sandwiches from Gristedes to eat in Central Park. Grey clouds were looming overhead by the time we finished our lunch, so we headed back to my apartment. We spent the afternoon playing Monopoly in the living room, laughing with my roommate as she went nuts over a football game. We had dinner at a resturant called Fetch, which is just a block or two down Third. We took a walk after dinner, then curled up on the couch to watch "Love Actually."

We took a train to Larchmont the next morning and spent the day sailing on Morning Glory. It was probably the last time I will sail on that boat (and with Carl) for a very long time, so it made it even nicer that Greg was there.

After dinner with my parents, we headed back into the city for more movie time before he left the next morning.

It may have been just an M&M, but this visit was therepeutic for both of us. Low-stress, lots of together time, all-around ahhhh!