Hello world...

I know this may sound weird, heck even odd, but today is a beautiful
day. Its perfect, it's sunny, the birds are chirping and I married the
love of my life yesterday.

I have been disconnected from the world for the last week or so,
trying to tie up loose ends for the wedding. I can't wait to update
and add pictures and give you play by play of last night (wedding)

We leave for our honeymoon tomorrow. I'll be back- until then...

Signing off

~Mrs.Juju~

Sent from my iPhone

Peaceful Mornings

On Wednesday morning, after only sleeping 3 hrs, Cookie and I played
outside my house, my backyard football field matter of fact. The
morning was beautiful. The temperature was perfect.

In Juju's Court

Here is my little long list of crap i have to do- Updated the greyed out items mean they are complete. The pink are side notes on progress.

Can you believe i still have a list at this point in the wedding prep?

Monogram aisle runner (optional)
Design, Print & Assemble church programs
Design, Print & Assemble menu cards
DPA Thank you table cards
DPA Table #s
Go Nuts
Order apples for place cards We're no longer doing apples, but we did purchase the 'Plan B' stuff

Assamble, Fill and box up favors
Wrap up 6 Bouquets
Seating Chart- Half way done, i did our side and my coworkers
Load car with Vases/Candelabras
Get centerpieces to florist
Get copy of BC
Go nuts
Apply for Marriage License ( I cant seem to get this one crossed off =-( )
Give Paty girl's dresses & accessories
Give FR.Jose copy of confirmation Cert
Meet with Church decorator
Inform bridal party of rehearsal schedule
Meet with Cake Lady to finalize detail
Send final contract/payment to the Linen Lady
Pick up cake server & flute set
Gather and stuff BM gifts <-- Half way done =-)
PACK!!
Pick up food for rehearsal dinner I have to accredit my FMIL for gettin' this done. Thank you!

Juju assured me he would take care of all the stationery goods, i.e menus, place cards, etc. So i trust that he will get them done. I have done everything else a single person can do, well, not single, because i have had much help, but you know what I'm saying.

I have been so extremely busy at work, that i haven't had a chance to yet realize that i am getting married in about eh- 3 days. I am so stressed out at, due to all the things that need to be done before i leave, that i broke out into a hive type of rash. Its all gone now, but boy am i feeling the crunch.

I'm sure there's little things that i haven't thought about... and a few more Go Nuts in there

Monogrammed Aisle Runner

When Juju and i first got engaged, i wanted a wedding with personal touches that would set it apart from the rest. I came across the idea of a monogrammed aisle runner. I know many brides have used one, but the neat thing is that everyone's monogram is different from the next. In our case, we didn't use our names and date. Instead we used the monogram Juju created.

I have to admit, when i told people i was monogramming my own aisle runner, they looked at me a bit crazy. Even Juj had doubts. He suggested i get something screened on, or have a huge stencil created. But Lorena had faith. Once i found the swirly hearts -not flowered- fabric runner i was set to go. Note, you have to use a fabric runner or else it wont work. I only say this because i read about a bride who didn't notice she needed to get a fabric one until her paint was bubbling on top of the runner.

And here is my completed project with a few instructions-

In order to get the monogram in the right location, i double checked with our church to ensure the length of the aisle and to confirm which way they rolled the runner, altar to doors or doors to altar. I unrolled our runner to find the desired position for the monogram, 3/4 of the way down the aisle, coming away from the altar- so basically closer to the doors.

I had juju blow up the monogram to print on a 4 pages, so there was a 1/4 of the monogram on each page, sort of like a puzzle. I aligned all the pieces and taped it together to create one huge piece of paper.

I took white construction paper and placed it under wax paper. I read that many brides only use wax paper, but using the white paper underneath made it a bit easier to see the tracings. (you'll see)

(This is just the white paper with wax paper over it)

Here are pictures of the actual runner rolled out, with the monogram traced on it. I used a mechanical pencil because i found the thinner lead was easier to work with since you really cant erase on the runner without ruining the fabric. Once every detail was traced on the runner i worked my way from the center out. I first used a 1' flat brush to out line the double R's.

I have to admit, it was a bit nerve wrecking initially. I purchased 4 small bottles of paint, black, white, light & dark grey. I didn't want to make the R's black, but i wanted them to be dark. I mixed the black and dark grey to get a pewtery color for the R's and then i mixed the light grey, white and added a few drops of the dark grey. I was very nervous that i would run out of paint, and since i mixed it myself, getting the precise color again would be nearly impossible. So make extra paint! Better safe then sorry. I, thank goodness, didn't run out.

Here are the completed R's. Its hard to see its true color because of the lighting in the room and i used the flash on someone the pictures. I let the R's dry overnight. You don't really have to let it sit overnight, but i was actually on my way out, so i decided to finish it the next day.The 'filigree' on the monogrammed became challenging at times. I had to use a tiny detailing brush. Its important to remember that when you are 'painting' you have to brush with the 'grain' of the fabric. I tried to not 'paint', more so push a tiny glob of paint around. Again i worked my way from the center out. I did have a few ''Oh Crap" moments- but i was able to fix any problems (splatters) without much effort.

Here are 2 pictures of the final monogram.

This picture is a little slanted, but i was standing on top of one of my moms dinning room chairs, trying to focus the camera and not fall off all at once.

Here we are, without flash, a bit higher off the ground (birds eye view = hanging from the light fixture)

I am beyond please with the results, the pictures don't do it much justice, in fact it kinda looks like a snowflake. Not what i was going for, But i love it anyway.

I'd like to also thank Juju & Gaby for their attempt at helping me.

I'm only Kiddin'! I appreciate your guys help.

While in the Dells...

I finally had a moment to post about my second bachelorette party with my girls. I am SOOO glad we decided to go to the dells with them because i seriously had a blast. I had never laughed and had so much fun in my life!

After only 4 hours of sleep, shower and a meeting with the priest we all piled into Dulce and my car and headed up there. We had to make a few stops to get gas and McD's which made the leaving process take so much longer. As we were getting ready to get on the highway i remembered i forgot the beef, so i had no choice then to leave it behind and figure it out when we got there. Once we arrived, we settled into out condo and 'called dibs' on the beds. We planned to make burgers, go swimming, then come home for pizza & margaritas. The next day we wanted to make breakfast together and then hit the downtown area.


This is what really happened



We got into the condo, called dibs on our sleeping arrangements and then proceeded to jump on the king size bed in the master bedroom. I know, grown women jumping on the bed. But really? don't you remember how much fun it was to jump on the bed when you were little? Don't you remember that thrill of jumping as high as you could while holding onto that underlying fear that, at any moment, your mom could burst in through your bedroom door and bust you?



It was all fun and games until someone got hurt-Me.





Kidding. It was all staged, but at one point, as we were jumping Dezzy got her foot stuck in the covers and fell onto the bed while the rest of the girls continued to jump on the bed- We all tried to stop as fast as we could, you know we all had a good momentum going. After we stopped jumping on the bed, Gaby hopped in the shower and Dezzy, Maria, Sasha and I headed to the grocery store to buy beef and a couple of things we forgot at home. I am not one to litter, but apparently my back seat passengers decided to drop an empty bag of McDonalds on the floor at the grocery store parking lot before I took off, heading back to the condo. Once i parked, They opened their door and burst out laughing, i turned around and they were literally crying. She lifted up the empty McDonalds bag, it was dirty and torn. Apparently it got stuck on my door and i dragged it all the way back to the condo. That's right, i dragged it all downtown, all across the bridge over Lake Delton, all down the main (& busiest) driveway, into the condo's parking lot.



After we ate our delicious burgers we all got ready to go swimming and went on just about all the water slides at the 2 waterparks. We did the lazy river, the wave pool, even that big bucket that spills thousands and thousands of gallons of water to anyone standing underneath it.
We headed back to the condo to order pizza for dinner and hang out. Since we had an All Seasons room, we turned on the fire place, Gaby and Dezzy caught the last few minutes of the Celtic's game as Dulce, Pita, Sasha, Mari and I crammed into the hot tub. We all wanted to get the chlorine out of hair but there was only 2 bathrooms, one in the master bedroom one & one in the general living area. I wanted to use the one in the master bedroom because it had 2 shower heads. I hoped in, and to save time, Dulce jumped in with me too, just like when we were little.

Then pita jumped in and before we knew it 4 of us were in the 2 headed shower.

(I had to crop to minimize exposure, hence Mari's chin cut off)

What happens in the Dells, Ens up on my Blog.I was then presented with all my official Bachelorette gear, thanks candy!
We ordered pizza and made margaritas. We sat around just talking and hanging out until way past our bedtime.

The next morning i heard everyone scrambling around to mess with those who were still sleeping- ME! i was extremely tired, 1) friday i went out and got little sleep. 2) I was up by 8 to meet with the priest 3) i drove to the dells so i really wasn't having it. A few minutes later i woke up to the blaring sounds of the fire alarm. The Bacon was producing too much heat, we had an official fire alarm towel waiver. Thanks Pita! We enjoyed a delicious, yet dangerous, breakfast.

We lounged for a few minutes and then went out to take a walk over by the lake. Last year for Juju's birthday, we went to the Dells, and for those fellow Wisconsinites, you remember the horrendous rain we had last spring? Well it caused Lake Delton, which is a man made lake, to over flow and empty out into the Wisconsin River. And this year, although it is not filled and ready to be used to its full capacity until Memorial day weekend, it was filled, beautiful and sparkling as the sun reflected off of it. I was amazing since lest year i literally walked on the lake bed.


We headed back home after taking a few pictures outside with all the girls... see.It was hard getting a picture with all of us in it... this is the best we could do...I absolutely LOVE sasha in this picture, It looks like there is commotion all around her, yet she is so calm.

We packed our cars and headed downtown. We had ice-cream, ate popcorn and i was this [] close to getting a tattoo. ha! i was too chicken. I did leave there with a nifty rose and thorn temporary tattoo. Wild, i know.


Gaby, Dulce and Pita took off a little earlier then the rest of the girls, so we headed to taco bell for some Mexican food =-) and then we hit the Tanger Outlets. We made it home by about 7:30ish.


I am extremely glad I had a chance to spend this time with my BMs, even though not everyone was able to attend. I had such a great time and i feel that we definitely had a chance to get closer and get to know each other better in general. Plus i love that we know have secret insider info on each other. (see pic above, don't ask, i wont tell) We shall take these secrets to our graves girls!!! I wouldn't mind making this an annual type of thing. Any one agree?

What am i waiting for?!?

Here is my little long list of crap i have to do- Updated the greyed out items mean they are complete. The pink is side notes on progress.


Monogram aisle runner (optional)
Design, Print & Assemble church programs
Design, Print & Assemble menu cards
DPA Thank you table cards
DPA Table #s
Go Nuts
Order apples for place cards
Write & pin in name card onto apple
Assemble, Fill and box up favors
Wrap up 6 Bouquets
Seating Chart- Half way done, i did our side and my coworkers
Load car with Vases/Candelabras
Get centerpieces to florist
Get copy of BC
Go nuts
Apply for Marriage License ( I cant seem to get this one crossed off =-( )
Give Paty girl's dresses & accessories
Give FR.Jose copy of confirmation Cert
Meet with Church decorator
Inform bridal party of rehearsal schedule
Meet with Cake Lady to finalize detail
Send final contract/payment to the Linen Lady
Pick up cake server & flute set
Gather and stuff BM gifts <-- Half way done =-)
PACK!!
Pick up food for rehearsal dinner
I'm sure there's little things that i haven't thought about... and a few more Go Nuts in there

Still on my mind

Evelyn, Irma, juju, nati, y junito did all the favors the weekend i was gone at the dells with my girls. I am super lucky they are very helpful or else i would have a few more 'Go nuts' on my list

Here is my little long list of crap i have to do- Updated the greyed out items mean they are complete. The pink is side notes on progress.

Monogram aisle runner (optional) <-- no longer optional since i already started it. I am 3/4 of the way done with it. I should have it done in a day or two
Design, Print & Assemble church programs
Design, Print & Assemble menu cards I have designed the menu cards, but i have yet to format them onto Juju's mac
DPA Thank you table cards I have designed the Thank You table cards, but i have yet to format them onto Juju's mac
DPA Table #s Juju designed the table #, we just need to print and assemble, that's why only the D is in grey
Go Nuts
Order apples for place cards
Write & pin in name card onto apple
Assemble, Fill and box up favors
Wrap up 6 Bouquets
Seating Chart- Half way done, i did our side and my coworkers
Load car with Vases/Candelabras
Get centerpieces to florist
Get copy of BC
Go nuts
Apply for Marriage License ( I cant seem to get this one crossed off =-( )
Give Paty girl's dresses & accessories
Give FR.Jose copy of confirmation Cert
Go nuts
Pick up Marriage license
Meet with Church decorator
Inform bridal party of rehearsal schedule
Meet with Cake Lady to finalize detail
Send final contract/payment to the Linen Lady


I'm sure there is little things that i haven't thought about... and a few more Go Nuts in there

Bachelorette party #1

My first bachelorette party was May 1st. We made plans to go to Comedy Sportz and then stick to the 5/6th street vicinity. I wanted to have a casual meal, nothing fancy shmancy so i thought we could order burgers and fries while we watched comedy sportz, but since there wasn't a menu around, we decided to simple comply with the 2 drink per person rule.

I was apprehensive about going to comedy sportz since it stated it was an all ages show. Not that i wanted a 'dirty' show, i was just concerned with whether or not it would be funny enough. There was a midnight show that we could go to, but i was told it was not as funny as the all ages, since the midnight show was just a bunch of F-bombs.

This is supposed to be Gaby (pink dress) Me ( blue jacket) and Juju (teal jacket)

They pulled me up on stage, of course, and did a little skit that impersonated Juju, my sister Gaby & I. If you know me, you know that im not one for revealing clothes. I wear a shirt with my bikini, for crying out loud! So any how, i had bought a cute dress earlier that day at Express and although it was shorter then i am used to i gave it a whirl. I mean im only going to have a bachelorette party once?!? sorta. So there i was up on stage, with my short dress, with the lights blinding me and all i could think of was- did i put lotion on my knees?

After several good laughs we headed over to Botanas for dinner and margaritas. I was rooting for MickyDees but everyone agreed that the drive thru was too casual. Here are some pictures of us at Botanas.

From left to right- Leah, Jessica, Erica & Gaby

From left to righ- Daniela, Isolda, Daisy & Shelly

After Botana we went to tried and true tropical, though i was a little let down this time. First, they had a cover, 5 bucks, not a lot, but really?! Second it was DEAD. I mean dead. We weren't the first to arrive, there was a few people at the bar, but it was pretty empty.

Here is Gaby and our two sister in laws.

That didn't stop us from having a good time though. I had so much fun dancing with everyone and since i was wearing a veil no guys bothered me at all. At one point when we were walking off the dance floor i noticed something shiny on the floor. Lo and behold i found a quarter, then another and another. I found a total of 80 cents... and who says going out isn't productive?!?

Me and Sam


Awe, this picture is so cute, its Me and Erica, her big sister Jessica and my big sister Gaby. I've known Erica for practically my entire life. We met in kindergarden and have been good friends since. We also went to grade, middle and high school together.

Here is me and Nela (Daniela) I met Daniela through a 'mutual' friend in High school. We became good friends and kept in touch ever since.

I had an awesome time and i think this was one of the very few nights i didnt eat my after bar meal. Juju and i had to meet with the priest the next morning at 9. I was also leaving for the dells the next day. I was tucked in bed by 4. only to be up the next morning at 8. =-(

Chicken W/O a Head

This is how Lorena feels today.

I have a ton of things to post about, yet so little time... Therefore i will retro post things that have happened in the last couple of days. So even though this post clearly says May 11Th, I'm going back to the beginning of may. Join me, why don't you?