STUFF!!

After 3 years and 3 moves Gordon and I (but mostly Gordon) were reunited with our long lost stuff. Most of our non-essential belongings were being stored in my mom's garage while we moved around the eastern sea board. Thanks to Boomer and Heidi (and Brakston) I now have my 11 series of Simpson figures and environments as well as my retro Incredible Hulk lunchbox back in my loving arms :P Gordon has his tiki's and paper products...lots and lots of paper products, just ask all of us that carried it down the street and up 3 flights of stairs!

But even more exciting than our hoarders dream come true, we got to spend Brakston's first birthday with him at Macaroni Grill. If our camera wasn't currently broken I would show you his delight in the free ice cream sundae and Dirt Worm Cupcake but I will leave that up to Heidi when she gets home...check out their blog for the visual...till next time

Break from the Thank You Cards

Been a pretty busy month so far. First a big cook out at our Navy friend's house. They are on deployment at the present. Last weekend was Gordon's last 30 something birthday. We had a get together over here with about 10-12 people. Gordon insisted on cooking for everyone and I believe everyone was grateful for it (I know I was)! Then we spent the next night with some good friends at the N'telos Pavilion across the water in Portsmouth. We got to see The Alarm, The Fixx and The English Beat (80s bands if you are wondering). The Alarm sounded awesome, the Fixx sounded as cheesy as I remember and the English Beat were a lot of fun. All in all a good show!! When we got home though it wasn't as enjoyable. I was up most of the night with what I am guessing was food poisoning. I am still not sure if it was from the Panaang Curry at dinner, The red velvet birthday cake I made Gordon or some other contaminant...but it sucked!! I have experienced food poisoning one other time in college...just FYI don't eat mayonnaise from IHOP at 230 am, especially if they have to go "out to the cooler" to get it.

But I digress... currently Gordon is in Greensboro flying the run to Wilmington and I am yet again filling in for our short staffed team at my job. Because as most of you know, Gordon and I have ample experience moving, I was designated the emergency packer for some clients yesterday. They are having major renovations done to their homes FOR FREE and have until Saturday to pack all of their belongings in boxes and check in to a hotel until the renovations are complete...I with their assistance was able to pack 98% of a two bedroom home up in a 6 hour shift and still have time to do documentation and drive to and from their house. Where's Guinness World Records when you need 'em!!

Also, when Gordon does the Greensboro line, we swap vehicles. Since I don't have my motorcycle endorsement (yet) I can't ride the Vespa, so I've gotten to putt around in the MG or what I have dubbed British Water Torture as I discovered all of the leaks in the 38 year old top yesterday during the deluge. How I was getting my left shin wet I still don't know, but I was assured new seals for the new top would be installed rapidly upon Gordon's return. Here are some pics of the car from our friends who borrowed it for their wedding, since I have yet to upload our own pics of it...

Buzz Buzz Buzz

Sorry for the lack of posts...both of us have been pretty busy. Gordon bought a 1970 MGB that he has been doing some mechanical work to with a friend who works in a body shop in exchange for his infamous steaks. He has also been working, hanging out and getting back in shape with our new YMCA membership.

I have been working like usual and carrying my teams emergency pager since my team lead was on a 2 week vacation. I also helped a client get his music together so he could DJ the Hope House Foundation's 30th annual dinner this past Thursday. It was quite an event with peons like myself, people we support and big wigs all in the mix. Over 400 people attended and it seemed to go well. I also have been making use of the new Y membership by using their indoor pool on a regular basis...I haven't forgotten that Gordon still owes me a 25 yard pool of my own, but that can wait for the time being.

The two of us have also been going to Busch Gardens since Virginia residents pay for a day and can go back all summer. If any of you live in the area or are planning to visit I highly recommend the Griffon!On another note, now that we have most of the pictures from the wedding we began piecing together a slideshow disc for everyone...so we haven't forgotten about you! You should expect those within the next 2 weeks (I hope). Pictures are to follow, really!

snorkeling pics

Still haven't gathered all of the wedding photos that we want but in the mean time here are some of the pics from our snorkeling adventure and our stop at South of the Border on the way down.

Couldn't pass up an opportunity to capture Gordon 'really' being henpecked!

Someone honestly had this on both rear windows in their SUV...I tried to get the shot with the Star Wars bumpersticker, but it was harder than I thought at 75 mph. Above: On the way out to the patch reef Below: A rare Erin fish

Great shot of a 2 1/2 foot long Parrot Fish...more photos to come I am sure

We're Baaaack!!

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to Key West! It was a blast...we hope it was as much fun and worthwhile as it was for us. A few of you had requested to have a copy of our vows so we thought this might be the easiest way to get them out there. If anyone duplicates them though...we want royalties!!! :P

Pictures will be to come... and if any of you have some that you would like to share with us, we would love to see them. Either copy them to disc and mail them or email them to byrd11duck@yahoo.com

Here is our whole wedding ceremony (all 5 minutes of it):

Gordon and Erin Wedding Vows

OPENING WORDS
My friends we have gathered today in the midst of verdant Spring, enveloped in new beginnings. As the lushness of the season flourishes, so does the affirmation of this persevering relationship.
This spring wedding should remind us that like the seasons and the tides, life moves in cycles. We recognize the abiding, shared hope that after every winter, spring will come again.
We are here to celebrate beginnings, and to acknowledge that love, as anything else, requires sustaining care and nurture. In making this declaration to their family and friends, Erin and Gordon express their eagerness to take up this life-long challenge by dedicating this commitment to one another.

VOWS
At this time Gordon, you may state your vows to Erin
(Gordon reads his vows)
What a journey we have taken together over the past few years and no small matter is it that we have ended up here, again, in paradise. And though we have come full circle, we have climbed many a hill and mountain, sidestepped pitfalls and hiccups in our path to reach this plateau. Through this passion and a culmination of our interests to seek knowledge and understanding, our path shall stay as one. As we are drawn by the warmth of the equator, we are drawn closer by each other’s warmth. As the wind moves us we will remain true. No peril of rain, gale, or cold, that we may face together, will separate the vigor or endurance of the dream we share. So as I humbly stand before you here, I wish to commit myself without hesitation, to your spirit, to your love, and to your beauty.
At this time Erin, you may state your vows to Gordon.
(Erin reads her vows)
I cannot possibly express what you mean to me in a few lines. There was a bond with you almost instantly that I have never had with anyone. Together we have experienced some amazing things. You are so much to me, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, arms to embrace, a hand to hold, eyes to guide me, but most importantly you are my best friend. I could never have imagined that I would be taking your hand in marriage back when you would make those long treks across Florida through rainstorms and flat tires to see me or when I peered at you over my mountain of nachos. Even when I broke your dishes or dropped your helmet you made me feel like the most important person in the world. I know I am not the easiest person to get along with and my sense of direction is not always the best, but it was certainly working when I found you. With you by my side I will never be lost. I love you and I always will.

RING EXCHANGE
The exchanging of rings symbolizes the sacred bond that exists between you. The circle is considered to be the most perfect form of all forms in nature. Just as the circle, your rings know no end, so may the love declared here today never end and forever be renewed.
Gordon, place the ring on Erin’s finger and repeat after me:
"I give you this ring in love and truth, for now and forever"
Erin, place the ring on Gordon’s finger and repeat after me:
"I give you this ring in love and truth, for now and forever."

FINAL WORDS
Because you Gordon and you Erin have consented together to be married,
And have given and pledged your loyalties to one another,
By the authority vested in me by the state of Florida,
Witnessed by your friends and family,
I have the pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.
"You may now seal your vows and commitment to each other with a kiss"
And now ladies and gentlemen,
I have the pleasure of presenting to you Mr. and Mrs. King.

Thanks again to everyone who expressed their congratulations in all forms we received...it means so much to us!! Check back for pics in the next week or so.

Anchors Away

We thar be in the homestretch! Gordon and me ll'be leaving Wednesday as soon as he breaks free from his duties. We ll'be stopping overnight and then come plunging into Key West on Thursday in the wee afternoon...if all goes as we be thinking. See most of you scallywags there!!

Mad Bess Flint
&
Bloody John Vane

Wrapping it up

Has not been much time, nor much to blog about recently, but now that we are in the homestretch of "DIY Wedding 101" I thought I would at least touch base.

Work has been work as usual...you know, cutting a pair of pants off of a client, planning trips to Disney World (my former place of enslavement, I mean employment), helping to skyrocket a clients local popularity with Dining out For Life by "raising money for AIDS" as she told everyone. In reality she is not a fan of AIDS but rather in favor of finding a cure in case there was any confusion. This is the same client that will ask anyone no matter how inappropriate the situation if they like car racing, then proceed to rattle off names of racers and her opinion of them ("you know like Jimmy Johnsuh and and and Juner (spelled as she says it), and that one guy, he dead, he died"...as if the Hasidic Jew coming from the Chabad house with his family is interested!...But I digress. We can't forget the client who calls the police all the time because his trouble maker "girlfriend" is always being kidnapped and finding herself in movie-like predicaments. According to our client she has already died of Cancer 3 times. This is the same client that also told an elderly couple in the podiatrist office that they had been following him because they were undercover cops and he knew it. The ladies response was "Hunny, I have 3 kids of my own and I don't keep up with them, so why on Earth would I be concerned about you!?!" All I was thinking when I heard that is YES! hahaha, I love this woman.

But looking to the future (i.e. next 12 days) I have a busy schedule...team meeting today, my weekend, bowling for a clients birthday on Sunday, filling 3 weeks of meds for client, working clients art booth at Stockley Gardens on the 18th, joint party for bachelorette/friend's b-day sometime that weekend, putting birdseed in the tossing bags, dropping the dawg off at daycare for the wedding, packing, cramming all of the junk into the car somehow and getting the heck out of Dodge!

We wanted to start spreading the word that anybody in Key West on Friday the 23rd is welcome to the rehearsal dinner. It will be very casual and kinda impromptu. We are planning on showing up at the Conch Republic Seafood Co. at 8pm and seeing if they can accommodate our party. If so great, if not we will break up into smaller parties. The place is an open air restaurant and is big enough that it should not be too much of an issue. So if you are up for it we would love to have you!...See you then