Then the search was on.
Here's where we started...with lists, spreadsheets, conversations, prices, calculators, books, and extended phone conversations. Yikes, we didn't realize that we got into the game behind. We found this out when I started making calls asking about venue details and dates were booking up. Suddenly a thought to start planning down the road brought us to an express path to start making some decisions.
1. Venue
We made a list and took a few personal tours. Because we aren't being traditional, we needed a ceremony spot as well as a reception spot. Matt and I also agreed that we wanted an outdoor ceremony.
So instead, let's change this.
1. 2 Venues
So after our tours we looked at what we liked and that eliminated 10-12 because the halls that we liked were only available on 9-21.
Or so we thought.
I called today to book the date, and over the past 5 days, someone had swooped in and stole our spot. Talk about a disappointing morning. And then my mother asked a little question. What if you change the date?
While we wanted the fall temps and the fall leaves, we wanted a specific venue and I also wanted to ensure that my mother would make it and enjoy our wedding despite the "outtage" happening at Great River Energy (she'll be working 8 weeks of 6 ten hour days and both 9-21 and 10-12 were in this 8 week period). By bumping up we were guaranteed two of things, and we'll cross our fingers on the weather.
So we have a date, SEPTEMBER 7th!
And this is how it's playing out. Ceremony at Hawktree Golf Course with reception to follow at Radisson in Bismarck!
"Okay, so with this deposit, you've reserved our Galleria room on September 7, 2013, for the Moser/Remynse Wedding." - Lisa, our rep at the Radisson.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Bells will be ringing...
And then we were engaged and it was the best secret of all.
It was exciting to have these waves of excitement hit. The fact that he’d asked, that I’d answered yes, that he had been ring shopping since June. That he’d spent hours poring over books to find one that he’d like that he thought fit me. That he’d gone through my jewelry box to ensure that he had the right size that it wouldn’t have to be resized. To realize that I was his one. To realize that he was part of my forever. To suddenly feel that everything was different yet better. To know that our future suddenly became a lot more closer. And to think, we sat there with all of these answers and questions together, just the two of us, for that little bit right after he’d ask.
It’s no wonder that we showed up to my parents’ house giggly and distracted. It was so nice to see my mother’s smile, my sister’s excitement and hear my father’s congratulations when we broke the news. There was similar more animated response from Michele and Randy, including tears of joy and fist pumps of pre-grandparent actualization.
We started sharing with our family and friends since our parents were in on the secret. It was fun to share the story and start the plans. We did get a bit overwhelmed at times but he was quick to tell me that we need to enjoy these initial moments. So we did, we lived it up and didn’t get too far into the details.
We did look at dates but had a few restrictions:
Feb, March, April = calving
May = A.I.ing, mud, and seeding,
June, July, August = too hot for Matt’s taste to be in a tux in the sun
November, December, January = too cold for my taste to be in a wedding dress in the snow
So that leaves September and October. Matt’s and mine birthday are in September, so those weekends are out and after October 19th we face a likelihood of cold and snow. So we narrowed it down to 9-21 and 10-12. It all depends on if we want to get married before I turn 30th or if we want to get married despite opening pheasant weekend. On our way out of town, we picked up a few books and got to talking about plans. He even had me pick out a magazine, which he opened before I did!
Best Meal: Randy’s celebratory Friday night pizza.
“I finally get to plan something and I won’t have to worry about government red tape and contracts”- Matthew
It was exciting to have these waves of excitement hit. The fact that he’d asked, that I’d answered yes, that he had been ring shopping since June. That he’d spent hours poring over books to find one that he’d like that he thought fit me. That he’d gone through my jewelry box to ensure that he had the right size that it wouldn’t have to be resized. To realize that I was his one. To realize that he was part of my forever. To suddenly feel that everything was different yet better. To know that our future suddenly became a lot more closer. And to think, we sat there with all of these answers and questions together, just the two of us, for that little bit right after he’d ask.
It’s no wonder that we showed up to my parents’ house giggly and distracted. It was so nice to see my mother’s smile, my sister’s excitement and hear my father’s congratulations when we broke the news. There was similar more animated response from Michele and Randy, including tears of joy and fist pumps of pre-grandparent actualization.
We started sharing with our family and friends since our parents were in on the secret. It was fun to share the story and start the plans. We did get a bit overwhelmed at times but he was quick to tell me that we need to enjoy these initial moments. So we did, we lived it up and didn’t get too far into the details.
We did look at dates but had a few restrictions:
Feb, March, April = calving
May = A.I.ing, mud, and seeding,
June, July, August = too hot for Matt’s taste to be in a tux in the sun
November, December, January = too cold for my taste to be in a wedding dress in the snow
So that leaves September and October. Matt’s and mine birthday are in September, so those weekends are out and after October 19th we face a likelihood of cold and snow. So we narrowed it down to 9-21 and 10-12. It all depends on if we want to get married before I turn 30th or if we want to get married despite opening pheasant weekend. On our way out of town, we picked up a few books and got to talking about plans. He even had me pick out a magazine, which he opened before I did!
Best Meal: Randy’s celebratory Friday night pizza.
“I finally get to plan something and I won’t have to worry about government red tape and contracts”- Matthew
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Big Questions, Easy Answers.
It’s funny how 4 words can change your life.
We met on a Friday but we got engaged on a Thursday. It’s true. I still look back on that moment and it still gives me stomach butterflies. We were baling for my dad and I blew a baring and the baler started smoking. We took it over to the neighbors with mom and dad to put it out. We decided that the bale from the field needed to be pulled, so Matt and I decided to head back over to point it out to Ray, who was pulling the bale with the loader tractor.
At this point, I need to mention that conversation that we had been having. We’d been talking about friends, relationships, and timelines. I made some comment about “if I get married but then corrected myself, WHEN I get married, because I will, I just don’t know who yet.” Well, Matthew James took this as a cue to ask about my timeline and what I had planned for in life. I told him that I wouldn’t play ball, he couldn’t know my timeline because that’s not how it’s done. He said, I think I’ll fit in your timeline and dropped the ring on the counsel in the middle of his truck in the middle of the “bucholtz”, “curve” field, surrounded by freshly baled oats bales that we had just made just across the fence from my father’s herd.
I won’t lie, I sat there stammering and stunned. I wasn’t expecting it and he said that he was going to wait to do it tomorrow but he was excited and this felt right. I did have to ask if he was serious and with a few tears, I said gave him the answer he wanted to hear and he shakingly slipped the ring on my finger.
“Yes.” –Amanda
We met on a Friday but we got engaged on a Thursday. It’s true. I still look back on that moment and it still gives me stomach butterflies. We were baling for my dad and I blew a baring and the baler started smoking. We took it over to the neighbors with mom and dad to put it out. We decided that the bale from the field needed to be pulled, so Matt and I decided to head back over to point it out to Ray, who was pulling the bale with the loader tractor.
At this point, I need to mention that conversation that we had been having. We’d been talking about friends, relationships, and timelines. I made some comment about “if I get married but then corrected myself, WHEN I get married, because I will, I just don’t know who yet.” Well, Matthew James took this as a cue to ask about my timeline and what I had planned for in life. I told him that I wouldn’t play ball, he couldn’t know my timeline because that’s not how it’s done. He said, I think I’ll fit in your timeline and dropped the ring on the counsel in the middle of his truck in the middle of the “bucholtz”, “curve” field, surrounded by freshly baled oats bales that we had just made just across the fence from my father’s herd.
I won’t lie, I sat there stammering and stunned. I wasn’t expecting it and he said that he was going to wait to do it tomorrow but he was excited and this felt right. I did have to ask if he was serious and with a few tears, I said gave him the answer he wanted to hear and he shakingly slipped the ring on my finger.
“Yes.” –Amanda
Friday, August 10, 2012
Hearts and Home
Another week and we are on the front side of the weekend. This weekend will be pretty slow though, I won’t be making it back to Dickinson and because Matt’s working, we are spending it apart. I hate those weekends, they are few and far between and for good reason, I hope to get a bit of things done in the meantime. I have some serious housecleaning to do. I’m 95% moved in, just need to organize and place. And as of today the condo is officially finished, the construction crew finished off the patio. Feels good to be finished!
A shadow on the week was Aunt Grace had a heart attack. I’m glad that she’s officially out of the hospital and that she went in when she did. These serious events remind me of what an amazing family I have and how wonderful it is to be so close in order to support each other. I’ll continue to worry about her and her family as they recuperate but I’m glad that it turned out better than it could have.
Best meal: Dinner out with a great friend, Shantelle, at Fiesta Villa.
“Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken.” -Albert Camus
A shadow on the week was Aunt Grace had a heart attack. I’m glad that she’s officially out of the hospital and that she went in when she did. These serious events remind me of what an amazing family I have and how wonderful it is to be so close in order to support each other. I’ll continue to worry about her and her family as they recuperate but I’m glad that it turned out better than it could have.
Best meal: Dinner out with a great friend, Shantelle, at Fiesta Villa.
“Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken.” -Albert Camus
Saturday, August 4, 2012
R&R and DRFD
A long weekend, finally. Not by holiday but by necessity. The past month at work has been super long and painful for myself and I also see the stress building up in Matt. Funny, even as I sit here, I am listening to Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long” from our neighbor who is working on his boat and it makes me grit my teeth, ha! I’ve determined working with some things so intently will ruin them for you. I never want to work at a Mexican restaurant, McDonald’s, or for Elton John.
It also seems that us sleeping in a camper is synonymous with rainfall. It’s hard to believe we have pre-drought conditions because the past couple times we’ve gotten out in the camper I’ve been awaken to the sound of rain on the tin, reminds me of a Judds song. I don’t look at this as awful, I’m glad that I don’t date a tenter. And until he awakens and becomes nervous from the storm, I don’t get myself worked up.
The other joys of camping include the people that we go with. We have our usual group of suspects. I did enjoy the fact that this time around they have become ultra-concerned with the fact that Matt and I aren’t engaged/planning a party, which they are looking forward to. The mention of new dresses and how good they look in tuxes also seem to be a huge advantage to our matrimony situation. It seems that laughs and stories don’t stray too far from the group. I couldn’t tell what they enjoyed more, the idea of a party or the squirming that Matt was doing from the whole conversation.
This camping trip had a purpose, it was dive weekend. The Dickinson Rural Fire Department’s dive team went out for training and simulations with their gear and with the new dive boat. I was officially the first female to jump off the roof of the dive boat. I don’t think I got style points for my jackknife but if I did, it was more points for that than my swim back to the boat.
Tonight will be our last night and we’ll head back Sunday morning. I hate the head back part. I hate the end of the weekend part because that means that we do that good-bye thing and I also do the drive back home thing, which leads to the back-to-work thing. Boo to being a grown up. Sure they make it sound good by having perks like drinking, bars, smoking, voting, R rated movies, tattoos/piercings, and personal consent but then they are quick to hide bills, work, and responsibility.
After cleaning the camper and talking about the coming week. I chose Matt's "outfit" for speaking on Monday in front of city commissioners.After this is worked out....
MJR: What do you think the fall season colors will be?
ALM: Bwahahahahaahahahahaha!
MJR: I don't understand why you are laughing.
Best Meal: Grilled porkchops and cucumbers with dressing after having a few cocktails.
"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." -Eleanor Roosevelt
It also seems that us sleeping in a camper is synonymous with rainfall. It’s hard to believe we have pre-drought conditions because the past couple times we’ve gotten out in the camper I’ve been awaken to the sound of rain on the tin, reminds me of a Judds song. I don’t look at this as awful, I’m glad that I don’t date a tenter. And until he awakens and becomes nervous from the storm, I don’t get myself worked up.
The other joys of camping include the people that we go with. We have our usual group of suspects. I did enjoy the fact that this time around they have become ultra-concerned with the fact that Matt and I aren’t engaged/planning a party, which they are looking forward to. The mention of new dresses and how good they look in tuxes also seem to be a huge advantage to our matrimony situation. It seems that laughs and stories don’t stray too far from the group. I couldn’t tell what they enjoyed more, the idea of a party or the squirming that Matt was doing from the whole conversation.
This camping trip had a purpose, it was dive weekend. The Dickinson Rural Fire Department’s dive team went out for training and simulations with their gear and with the new dive boat. I was officially the first female to jump off the roof of the dive boat. I don’t think I got style points for my jackknife but if I did, it was more points for that than my swim back to the boat.
Tonight will be our last night and we’ll head back Sunday morning. I hate the head back part. I hate the end of the weekend part because that means that we do that good-bye thing and I also do the drive back home thing, which leads to the back-to-work thing. Boo to being a grown up. Sure they make it sound good by having perks like drinking, bars, smoking, voting, R rated movies, tattoos/piercings, and personal consent but then they are quick to hide bills, work, and responsibility.
After cleaning the camper and talking about the coming week. I chose Matt's "outfit" for speaking on Monday in front of city commissioners.After this is worked out....
MJR: What do you think the fall season colors will be?
ALM: Bwahahahahaahahahahaha!
MJR: I don't understand why you are laughing.
Best Meal: Grilled porkchops and cucumbers with dressing after having a few cocktails.
"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility." -Eleanor Roosevelt
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Farewell July!
Beginning of August and I got to admit although some have complained about this summer's heat, the only complaint I have is when I see my energy bill. I'm loving the summer and the sun. I've even got some light tan lines, which isn't always easy for me.
With the start of August we say good-bye to the Fair in July. It was a record breaking year for attendance and concerts but it felt good to see everything come to completion. I did spend a day up there with a camera guy, a golf cart, and a pile of permission wavers. Being there did remind me of the good ol' days at the fair with a couple cows and a camper in the lower lot. What a great experience for my parents to give me and I look back with such a fond nostalgia. Aside from the memories, my other favorite fair thing is the food. We recorded a bunch of it made but I was a bit disappointed to not have enough time to sample my favorites. I also was excited to see a friendly face show up too! Aunt Grace and Aaron were up for the day and for the concert. I even saw Aaron while I was at the concert. I couldn't get him behind the stage with me but we could visit and I tried to get him a good pic.
Despite getting home late, we took off early the next morning to Fargo to spend some time with Jani and Jerry. It was so good to see them and catch up a bit. We even had a few drinks. Matt played bartender for Jani and him. Jani was very happy that they enjoy the same gin!
Only downfall of the week was the call that I got at 11:00 on Monday night. Matt's mom, Michele, took a fall from the attic. She shattered her scapula/shoulder blade and also did some damage to her neck. Talk about a scare, I know Matt was nervous and anxious to hear updates and good news and when things like this happen it's apparent that Dickinson may be too far away. She has some serious recovery time ahead of her and she and Randy are in our thoughts. I do have to admit getting/dragging info out of Matt can sometimes drive me crazy. We'll work on that!
I have an addition to last week's blog. Someone was very upset that I didn't include "his" cat in the "cat update". I hated to remind him that I update on the cats that I live with but I'll give him this one.
Nike: the bruiser. She is continuing to beat things up; the neighborhood box, her water fountain, the neighborhood cats, the rhubarb next door, and her self-cleaning litter box.
7-28
ALM: I met the sweetest guy who is headoverheels with his wife at the fair. He went on and on and on about her but what killed me is how he started it. "I met her on a Thursday and by Saturday I knew she was the one and that was 39 years ago."
MJR: I met you on a Friday.
ALM: That's because the city meeting was always held on a Friday.
MJR: But I remember that it was a Friday.
ALM: I don't think you get the point of the story.
MJR: I did, I met YOU on a Friday.
ALM: (sigh) (eyes rolling)
Best meal: Cannelloni at the Speak Easy, which is Jani's favorite place. I also enjoyed Matt's seafood pasta, which I was glad he shared. We also took in the martini menu and I had the dirty monkey martini!
"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." -Erma Bombeck
With the start of August we say good-bye to the Fair in July. It was a record breaking year for attendance and concerts but it felt good to see everything come to completion. I did spend a day up there with a camera guy, a golf cart, and a pile of permission wavers. Being there did remind me of the good ol' days at the fair with a couple cows and a camper in the lower lot. What a great experience for my parents to give me and I look back with such a fond nostalgia. Aside from the memories, my other favorite fair thing is the food. We recorded a bunch of it made but I was a bit disappointed to not have enough time to sample my favorites. I also was excited to see a friendly face show up too! Aunt Grace and Aaron were up for the day and for the concert. I even saw Aaron while I was at the concert. I couldn't get him behind the stage with me but we could visit and I tried to get him a good pic.
Despite getting home late, we took off early the next morning to Fargo to spend some time with Jani and Jerry. It was so good to see them and catch up a bit. We even had a few drinks. Matt played bartender for Jani and him. Jani was very happy that they enjoy the same gin!
Only downfall of the week was the call that I got at 11:00 on Monday night. Matt's mom, Michele, took a fall from the attic. She shattered her scapula/shoulder blade and also did some damage to her neck. Talk about a scare, I know Matt was nervous and anxious to hear updates and good news and when things like this happen it's apparent that Dickinson may be too far away. She has some serious recovery time ahead of her and she and Randy are in our thoughts. I do have to admit getting/dragging info out of Matt can sometimes drive me crazy. We'll work on that!
I have an addition to last week's blog. Someone was very upset that I didn't include "his" cat in the "cat update". I hated to remind him that I update on the cats that I live with but I'll give him this one.
Nike: the bruiser. She is continuing to beat things up; the neighborhood box, her water fountain, the neighborhood cats, the rhubarb next door, and her self-cleaning litter box.
7-28
ALM: I met the sweetest guy who is headoverheels with his wife at the fair. He went on and on and on about her but what killed me is how he started it. "I met her on a Thursday and by Saturday I knew she was the one and that was 39 years ago."
MJR: I met you on a Friday.
ALM: That's because the city meeting was always held on a Friday.
MJR: But I remember that it was a Friday.
ALM: I don't think you get the point of the story.
MJR: I did, I met YOU on a Friday.
ALM: (sigh) (eyes rolling)
Best meal: Cannelloni at the Speak Easy, which is Jani's favorite place. I also enjoyed Matt's seafood pasta, which I was glad he shared. We also took in the martini menu and I had the dirty monkey martini!
"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." -Erma Bombeck
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