Checking off the List

We've been busy, busy, busy checking things off our (very long) wedding planning list. The save the dates came in the mail. I won't show them here, that would spoil the surprise, but this is me opening the box!
The smaller white box next to me contains some of the bridesmaids' gifts. I'm so excited to give them and also excited that I can check this off my list, too!

And recently, my Mom and I took a trip to Statesboro, GA to visit Frills and Fancies in search for her mother of the bride dress. This is a huge store located in downtown Statesboro, which has four floors of dresses, jewelry, shoes, and other frills and fancies. The top floor is devoted to bridesmaid and mother of the bride dresses, hundreds of them. (The third floor is all wedding dresses...racks upon racks of them, and while we didn't go there to get my dress, I would definitely recommend it to anyone!) The bottom two floors are pageant dresses, suits, and swim wear as well as prom during that season. We headed to the top floor, via elevator, and met with one of the consultants who was very knowledgable in all the bridesmaids' and mothers' dresses. Mom was able to look at all of the dresses on the racks and pull any that she wanted to try. I sat on a comfy couch while she tried each dress...it felt like a total role reversal from the wedding dress hunt! She decided on a beautiful one that all three of us loved! Now we get to accessorize it!

Lastly, Cary and his parents have been busy organizing the hotel group block at the Holiday Inn Express in Cumming, GA. Now, whenever you book your room, use the code "MWW" (which stands for McKinney/West Wedding) to receive the group rate of $79/night. You can use it online or over the phone. We highly recommend this hotel. We personally visited several hotels in the area near the reception/church locations, and this is the best by far.

Here's one of the rooms. Suites are also available and of course, continental breakfast is included.

Half-way point in clinic

As of today, Kelly and I have completed the first 5 weeks of our 8-week clinical rotations. Last weekend, we met up at Kelly's parents' place in Thomson to spend time there and then go to the UGA-Carolina game. On the way there from Knoxville, I listened to Knoxville's The Sports Animal for about an hour before I could pick up The Clark Howard Show as I neared Atlanta. I'm a big fan of his radio show, as I agree with much of his money-saving advice. I heard a promo for a segment on weddings and my attention was had. Clark previewed it by talking about a recent article in the AJC talking about people charging for attending their wedding (Don't worry, Kelly and I are NOT doing that!). As I began to think about the article, which I had read and emailed to Kelly previously, I was thinking this may be something Clark and I actually disagree on. Well, it's turns out, he feels the same way as me...it's a bad idea. He even created a poll on his website to see what his listeners think, and after a week, there have been over 7000 votes with 42.5% choosing "It's offensive. Whatever happened to giving fine china and silverware?" and a close second with 34% choosing "Some things like a cash bar to cut down on expenses are acceptable. But that's about it!" Well, after his show was over, there was a little longer on I-20 before arriving at the McKinney's. It was good to see all the goats were still alive and well, and Kelly's dog Newt was still kicking (he just turned 17!).
On Saturday, we enjoyed our morning breakfast trip to Waffle House and then headed to Athens for the game. It's always enjoyable to get back to Athens for a gameday as we were able to run into many people we had not seen in a while.
Although UGA didn't look very impressive, they did win and for that, I'm grateful. Having Houston score 6 TDs and 250 more yards on the same OkSt team that Georgia managed to score 1 on didn't make us look very good either. According to an espn.com article, Rece Davis states "Georgia narrowly missed starting 0-2 for the first time in 13 years...Is Georgia careening toward a middle-of-the-pack season in the SEC?" Only time will tell as the college football season is just beginning.
I have 3 more weeks in Knoxville before returning back to Augusta for my clinical there. Kelly will be visiting for the UGA-Tenn game in Knoxville, and I'll provide another football update in a few weeks.

Wedding Etiquette and Traditions

We have 257 days to go until we say "I do." I'm staying busy with clinical but my mind is never too far from the wedding planning...surprise, surprise! My bridesmaids have asked me about showers and such, so I've been trying to brush up on my wedding etiquette for these such events. I found this great site that explains everything from wedding ceremony processional order to where the water, white wine, and red wine glasses go in a formal place setting (I kinda skipped that section...we aren't trying for a black tie wedding here).

I've always been one for tradition, maybe it comes from my Dad's love of history and my love of my Dad and his stories....not sure. For example, Cary and I rang the chapel bell at UGA after we got engaged. That tradition began as a way to call students to classes and chapel. Later, the tradition morphed into a celebration of sorts for football game victories. While that tradition still lives today (I've definitely stood in line to do that after beating the Vols or Techies!), it has become custom to ring the bell when anything good happens. As a form of celebration.

Hence, we rang the chapel bell after getting engaged.

Not sure if you can read this, but if not, click on it to enlarge:

Anyway, have you ever wondered why in the world wedding invitations are sent in two envelopes? According to Crane & Co. Wedding Etiquette,
Wedding invitations were once delivered by hand. If you were a bride back in those days, your footman delivered your invitations to your guests' homes. Their servants received the invitations and removed them from their mailing envelope, an envelope much too pedestrian for your guests to handle themselves. The servants, then, presented the invitation to your guests in its pristine inside envelope. Because the invitations were already at their destination, the inside envelopes had only the names of your guests written on them. The address was no longer needed. They just had to be directed to the appropriate members of the household.
Cool, huh?
And if you ever wondered why there's that random bit of tissue inside those envelopes read here. With all of this wedding etiquette and tradition, I've got a ton to read up on! I'm definitely thankful I'm not having to study for tests or write papers anymore!

Funny Wedding Video

Let Them Eat Cake!

So, Cary and I briefly looked into wedding cakes before we left for clinic. He's not a huge cake fan, so he could probably care less what we have at the reception. I want something that is beautiful but also delicious, that our guests will enjoy. And cakes today are simply pieces of art...and can be a bit over the top!!

Yep, that's all edible...can you imagine cutting it?
Or you could just have a life-sized model of yourself...don't worry, Cary, I'd include you, too, in this vain confection!
However, I think I prefer something a little more classic like this.

Anyway, we asked the married couples in our class about their cakes and got a wide range of prices (and they all had beautiful cakes). Cary's mom checked out a local bakery who quoted prices starting at $4 a slice, which for 200+ guests really adds up! We knew the cake would be expensive, but come on, it's only flour and sugar! So we've contemplated a smaller cake, fake tiers, or going to the local grocery store (which actually has a LOT of nice options).

This one is from Publix...cute, huh?

Anyway, while searching the internet for wedding cakes, I came across this HILARIOUS blog about cakes that somehow went terribly wrong. It includes all sorts of cakes and is the ultimate "lost in translation." Take a look and get a good laugh. And in the meantime, if you have any suggestions or want to try your hand at cake decorating, let me know!!

Updates from 450 miles apart

Cary:

Clinic is going well so far. I've spent my first week at NHC-Farragut, a wonderful skilled nursing facility west of Knoxville, TN. When people hear nursing home, they usually have thoughts of a rough place, but skilled nursing is a little different. The population is more selective, and most of the patients are those who have left the hospital planning to go home, but are just not quite ready. My job (as a future PT) is to learn the best and most efficient ways to achieve that goal of getting back home, while being independent. I am staying with the in-laws of a guy in my class and they've helped make the time here that much better. My original rotation in Augusta was canceled, but this facility is just under 1 mile from their house, so I couldn't have asked for a better fit. My days consist of an 8-4 day at the nursing home, followed by a little time to exercise, study, and eat. The family lives in Fox Den Country Club so sometimes I'll watch the golfers for entertainment as well. It took only 1 day for a patient to tell me that I would soon be "bleeding orange and white." I may go to a game or 2 while here in Knoxville, and I may even root on the SEC, but I highly doubt I'll be bleeding anything resembling orange or white. Although Kelly and I knew we would be distanced for 8 weeks, I don't think either of us realized how far it was. Google says it would take around 7 hours in the car or a little over 5 1/2 days of non-stop walking. But, only 7 more weeks and I'll be back in Augusta, 300 miles closer and much more feasible to visit. For now, we have most of our wedding planning done other than flowers (or at least that's what I think). We'll definitely try to finalize everything in December, as we have a full month off from school/clinic.

Kelly:
My clinic is going well, too. I am in Savannah, at Memorial University Medical Center doing an in-patient acute rotation. I have to admit it was interesting figuring out all the lines and tubes, and since I am on a post-op floor, I still get one every now and then that I have no clue what to call much less how to take it with us down the hall! Figuring things out as I go. I'm actually living with my aunt and uncle in Richmond Hill which is a suburb of Savannah...so I have a MUCH farther drive than Cary--about 40 minutes. So far it hasn't been bad, though. I was able to join the hospital's gym and I'm looking into a dance studio in Richmond Hill (no ballroom...I'm hoping for lyrical or modern or anything that sounds new and exciting). Like Cary said, it is an adjustment to not see each other every day, and when you compound that with bad cell phone reception (on my end) it makes it even more frustrating. I think we can manage 7 more weeks. Luckily, some of the wedding planning can be done via internet (such as finalizing save the dates and contacting florists). I expect December to be busy just like May was.

School Update and Sports Snipits

So, Kelly and I are officially done with finals FOREVER! Grades are in and we took our A's to the bank. We still have to take the national board exam next Summer, but that should be the only test left for us. We have one more wedding to attend (at Chateau Elan) this weekend, then we are off to clinic. Kelly will spend all of Fall in Savannah, and I will split time between Knoxville and Augusta.
Now for some sports snipits. Finally, with some time off, I've caught up on my sports. Braves are pedaling hard for the playoffs, scoring 11 runs in the last inning of the the last 3 games...Go Braves! Seriously though, Greg Norton? 58 ABs and 50 of those with no hit. Three starting pitchers have a higher batting average.
Did anyone else see the fake punt on Sunday night pre-season football? Wow, you should watch that.
And once again, SEC seems to be pretty good. Four teams in the top 10, none of which are UGA though. College football season is only 4 weeks away with some good top-10 matchups the first weekend. And I'll be in Knoxville for the Georgia-Tennessee game.
And just because I love deals: Anyone traveling US Airways in the next few months? Check this out. Free Elite status for 90 days.