Well, it's official

That's right people! I am now an official, card carrying (literally) Shellen. Last Monday I found my way to the Social Security Office which I think is actually one of the saddest places on earth, and had my name changed.

As excited I was to get married, this was a step I was not looking forward to talking. I never thought it would bother me until the reality of the whole thing hit me. Just like that I am not Heather Andersen anymore. But I like Heather Andersen. It makes me feel special when I say things like, "that's Andersen, with an sEn." Us "sen's" have had to fight for the correct spelling of our name since, well the beginning of time, or, well at least it feels like that. I guess I just was sad to give that up.

But, through compromise, I did it. I did not so much as change my name, rather I added to it. And I am happy with that decision. So I am offcially as "Mrs." now. And although I will never Miss again, I will always be an Andersen (Shellen).

The Wedding...

...was fantastic. Seriously, there were no hiccups. Everything went just according to plan. I had the best time and from what I am hearing so did everyone else. My bridal party did such a great job. I could not have asked for a better group of peeps. And best of all, I got to marry the man that I have been in love with since the 7th grade. How cool is that! Thank you all for being a part of our day. I will never forget it. I love you all!

Now...the honeymoon...

...was fantastic. Italy was amazing. Everyone should go if you have the chance. Rome was insane. It was huge, crazy and busy. Several times we were almost hit by cars and/or vespas. The ruins of the Roman forum and the Colosseum were unreal and the Vatican was one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in my life and the gelato was amazing.

Positano was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was beautiful, charming and quaint depite the 2 days of thunder and lightning storms. The houses and shops started at the beach and acended vertically up the hill side. The seafood was out of this world, the limoncello was fantastic and again, the gelato was amazing.

Although it was hard to leave, the last few days in Italy involved pretty hellish traveling and were were definitly ready to come home to our friends, family and our own bed.

One thing I did realize while on our honeymoon was that we have the best friends and family in the world. There were often times when we would see something so amazing and I would think, "I wish our friends were hear to see this too. They would love it." How cool do your friends have to be so that you actually miss them while on your honeymoon. Of course there were times when I was very glad you were not there but seriously, I love you guys.

Apparently, Brittaney missed me so much, that she took a little trip herself. Please find your way to her sight because I think she just might be the funniest person I know.

Woo.

My wedding is in 22 days. 22 DAYS PEOPLE!

Get excited.

“I’ll take Cosmo…and throw in a shooting while you are at it.”

Never in a million years did I think I would be spending about 2 minutes of my bachorlette party hiding under a table waiting to hear the sound of gun fire. Looking back on the ordeal I realize that the best case scenario happened in the worst case scenario and that is the most important thing to remember. But I am not going to lie; I have never been so scared in my life.

However, I refused to let it bring down the party, so the girls and I got the hell out of downtown Sac and went to Mandango’s (my old stomping ground) where I proceeded to have several more drinks purchased for me. Needless to say, was feeling good.

I delayed this post because I was trying to come up with the perfect way to re-tell the events of August 27, 2005. But, it looks like Toni and Brittaney beat me too it and I could not have said it better myself. Please see below:

Preconceived notions are a dangerous thing....we thought we'd dance on the table at the bar, instead we hid underneath one. –Toni

Thank you Mrs. Delp for teaching me, not only earthquake, but drive-by survivor skills as well. I would say we should do it again sometime but, let's face it, one shooting per lifetime is more than enough. –Brittaney.

Damn

I'm a day late. Happy Birthday Love!

Very Un-Bridal of Me

I am truly sorry. I Thought the past 10 months would have been posts about nothing but wedding info and news. Looking back I realize that I have failed you. I would like to say that I have not posted about my wedding plans because the actual planning part has taken over all of my free time. However, that too would be a lie. I fact, I have found the past 10 months to be fairly easy. Sure, there were slight hiccups along the way, the most recent one being a small bridesmaid dress fiasco, but other than that, everything seems to really be falling into place.

Maybe I haven't felt too stressed because I don't actually realize how soon the wedding is yet. I mean, it is only 7 weeks and 2 days away and we still need to make the programs, get the favors, finish up the last handful of invites that are missing pieces of addresses, get all the groomsmen and bridesmaids fitted, get gifts for our bridal party, pick out music for the ceremony, pick out the music for the reception, firm up honeymoon plans, count up the responses, assign seating, have my final fitting, get my hair cut, have my hair trial....Oh God. I have to go.

Conversations with Jessie

Me: I have not had a good "Conversations with Jessie" in a while.
Jessie: Uh-huh.
Me: Did you read my post about...
Jessie: Heather, I don't read your blog.

I'm ready...

...to not be at work today.
...to relax in a raft on the American River
...to hang out with some of my favorite people.
...to de-stress.
...to drink wine until I'm goofy.
...to not think about anything but having a good time for a few days.

Conversations with...

No, not Jessie. I know that my readers are always a fan of that feature. But today I will pay tribute to my best friend Brittaney, who does not have a blog but should because of hilarious gems like this one:

Scene: intermission at Jessie's musical

Brittaney: I need something to eat...and something to pee in.

Apparently she did not care if it was a toilet, just a bowl shaped receptical of some kind.

It has been a long time...

..but last night I got drunk dialed.

Thanks for making my night Josh, Toni, and Ryan. I love you guys.

I didn't get that memo.

I went to the dentist the other day and of course I have cavities. The dentist told me I had "a couple" cavities which I thought meant two. But no, I have four. FOUR! So then she asks me how often I floss my teeth and I say "a couple times a week." (which I admit is an slight exageration). And she tells me, "Well really you should be flossing twice a day."

Twice a day. Since when? Has anyone else heard of this because this is news to me. Oh well. The first filling will take place on June 1st. I say first because I have so many, I have to go back two times. At least I have a better dental plan.

Over the Rhine

I have been waiting for Grant to post something about the Over the Rhine show we went and saw the other night so I could simply post something like this:

"My thoughts exactly"

And then have a link to Grant's site so you could read his review. But since he hasn't, I guess I do have something to say.

What that performance made me realize was that everything really does happen for a reason. Just go with me.

When Grant let for Georgia to do the internship with Paste, I was less than thrilled if you can imagine. As crappy as it was to be away from him for 3 months, had he not gone, we probably never would have thought to listen to an Over the Rhine album. Seeing them perform was seriously one of the coolest expereinces of my life. Had Grant never gone, it would never have happened.

I know I may sound crazy and I may be reading way too much into this whole thing, but seriously, be thankful for all the expereinces you have in your life. I really think that there is a reason why they happen. And it is really, really cool when you figure that out.

Wedding nightmares.

I have had several of them. Last night I dreamed that it was not until after the ceromony was over that I realized the flowers had not been delivered. Then, it was not until after the reception was over that I realized that my future inlaws had not been there at all. When I asked Grant where they were, he told me that they had forgotten that they had already committed to going to a graduation party and just couldn't attend both. Next thing I know, Grant and I are at the graduation party and I confronted his parents about their decision. His mom's response was, "Well, we already RSVPed to this party and you know, he (the guy the graduation party was for) has always felt like a son to me."

Pretty funny. Luckily the only wedding nightmares I have experienced have been the ones that wake me up in the middle of the night.

Why the groom is not involved in picking out the flowers.

Me: What do you want on the boutonnieres?
Grant: Flowers.
Me: Okay, but...
Grant: Or...mice.

Lovely.

Why didn't I think of this before?

Last night I got 8 hours of sleep. 8 full hours. And can I just say that this morning, I feel fabulous. I can't wait to go to bed at a decent hour tonight.

Is it weird....

...that I am totally excited to have this:

"Hello, you have reached the desk of Heather Andersen etc, etc,"

I have a desk! It is inside a cubicle! And I like, decorated it, with pictures and stuff! And I get to wear clothes to work that are not riddled with tempura paint and "children stuff." I feel so grown-up!

Goodbye

It was my last day of work on Friday and it was full of sad goodbyes and more tears than I ever thought I would shed. But, life goes on. The kids will be fine, I will be fine, everything will be fine. However, the kids did leave me with one final gift to remember them by....the flu. Yay!

Conversations with Jessie

This afternoon...

Jessie: I need a drink. Oh wait...I can now!
Me: Nice.

Happy 21st birthday Jess.

Drop whatever it is that you are doing...

...and go buy The Kite Runner. Amazing is all I need to say.