Sarah & Jay - July 7, 2007

Country Christmas

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:09:24 -0700

Well Jay and Miles, and I are off to the farm today! I'm a nervous "cat mother" because Miles hasn't ever travelled so far and we're taking him to a much bigger environment (The Farm) than he's used to (The Condo)!! Jay says he'll do fine and that I worry too much but I really hope he'll do okay! We'll be gone for 3 weeks and come back for Christmas Eve to Beaumont with my family. I'll make this short because we still have some packing to do!!

Merry Christmas!!

Cheers,
Sarah & Jay

Months go by.

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:09:05 -0700

Well, it's only been a few months! A busy few months at that. We've already been married for 5 months and I'm still trying to figure out how that happened! We've both been very busy. I've been working my buns off to save up money for the time that I am taking off in the new year (more on that later) and Jay is but one final and one more semester with 4 courses away from being done with university! Then the big plan is to put the condos up for sale in April-ish and move to the farm at the end of April/beginning of May into the farmhouse. Joy and Dan have bought their first home in Houston, Texas so we'll be taking over their nest in the spring.

So we're a mere 2 weeks away from Christmas and Jay and I will be leaving the city to go to the farm for Christmas in a week. We'll come back to Edmonton to spend Christmas Eve with my family, but I'll be working for 3 weeks back in Drumheller when we're down at the farm. Before Christmas we'll be heading to Jasper for our 2nd annual "Nurse Mafia" ski/snowboarding trip with our good friends Katie & Shane, Becky & Jeff, and Kathleen & Tom. I got all new snowboarding equipment this year (thanks to the wonderful Canadian dollar and good online sales in the States!) and can't wait to try it out.

More countdowns...it's only a month and 2 days before we head back to Maui! We'll be going with Jay's parents as well as Laura & Craig. It will be very nice to go back so soon and have some people to do things with when we're over there. It's also about 2 months away until I leave this continent for the first time and go on the orthopedic medical trip to Ecuador. Fundraising is going very well and I think I'll reach my goal of $2000.

I think that should do it for now. Looking very forward to seeing Lisa tomorrow as we're going to see Bon Jovi with her cousin Sarah and Keri.

Merry Christmas!
Sarah

To everything, turn, turn, turn...

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 09:32:22 -0700

Only some of the leaves may be falling, people might still be running around in shorts, skirts, and t-shirts, but it is now September and that concludes the end of summer, and the beginning of fall in my mind (even if the calendar doesn't agree with me). I hear "September" and I think "fall". Doesn't sound like a summer month to me. And then, there's harvest...

I spent the last week on the farm. It was nice to see Jay again. Harvest isn't quite in full-swing yet, but they're still pretty busy with it all. It was nice to work in Drum again with Laura, ti was incredibly busy there too. But, I'm back in Edmonton again and waiting for the arrival of my husband. I've finally forced myself to give him a whole shelf and a lot of closet space to move his clothes to. I've spent the last couple of days going to The Bay and completing some of our registry. We almost have all of our dishes, thanks to all of the gift cards that we got at our wedding! They're having a big sale today, so back again I go. We're also going to get memberships to the YMCA and plan to be having a more active and healthy lifestyle. I plan to do lots of swimming!

Anyways, lots of shopping to do!
Sarah

Don't worry, I'm still here!

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:38:04 -0700

Hey we're back up and running! When we moved Jay's stuff over to my condo in the spring before the wedding, I had it so nicely set up on my old computer that this site would remember my username and password automatically...unfortunately my brain did no such thing when I tried to login with Jay's computer!

So anyways, here I am in Edmonton while Jay's on a combine back home at the farm and we are 48 days married. The time has absolutely flown by and it hardly feels like we had a summer. Yes, we did have a beautiful honeymoon in Maui, but our "Canadian" summer just flew by and we only got out on the boat like 3 times!!

In that 48 days we spent 10 of them in Maui, and I lived on the farm with Jay for about 4 1/2 weeks. I had to come back to Edmonton to work some shifts in the OR and to the condo ready for the husband to move in. I had to make at least a liiiiiiiitle room in my big closet for him! A drawer thought?? I'm just not sure! My 4 1/2 weeks on the farm wasn't just me lazing around, I started working casually at Drumheller on acute care and also training in emergency. I absolutely loved it there and look very forward to working there more. Laura and Craig also got married on August 4th and it was a beautiful wedding.

I think that about brings us up to speed...thanks for stopping by!

Love,
Sarah Schultz!

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 19:31:48 -0700

Nurse marries farmer...

Time's a flyin'!

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:39:30 -0700

Well the RSVP's continue to slowly come in...there's still about 100 people yet to hear from though! I've been told they'll come in a mad rush before our deadline which is June 1st. I went down to the farm this last weekend and had a really great time. On Friday night I met Jay, Laura, and Craig in Calgary and the boys went to get Craig fitted for his tux for our wedding and Laura and I scammed Fabricland and got a great deal on tulle! Then we all went for supper and then a movie. Jay and I went to see The Invisible and we both highly recommend it!

As far as the wedding...we both can't believe that it's almost 2 months away! I had my hair and make-up trial with Jacci and Robyn and it went very well. We know what we're gonna do and we'll get together one more time before the wedding to do the whole thing again. We went out on Saturday night in Strathmore for a bit and then I got to spend the whole day with all of Jay's family and got to see Serena so that was really nice! But now I'm at home all alone. Adam moved out this weekend and the next time I'll get to see Jay is May long weekend. I'm sure time will fly!

Jay and I out on Saturday night.

Until next time,
Sarah

Bye bye, Jay!

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 19:23:25 -0700

Well I'm alone again. Well, not alone if you include Miles...and of course Adam! But Adam's only here probably for one more week before he goes back home and then goes to Germany. Jay has left for the summer for the third time in our relationship. But on the bright side - it's also the last time. This time next year we'll both be packing up all our things getting ready to move down to the farm. Another big up-side to this summer vs. the others is that we get to spend almost all of July together! Then there'll be one more month of summer left and before you know it, he'll be back here in Edmonton to finish up his last year of university. So to distract myself from Jay's absence, this afternoon I treated myself to a French manicure and pedicure! Lots of fun!

Not much new on the wedding plans front, other than the fact that last Thursday I got to try on my dress and it fit PERFECTLY!!! No alterations needed - just a bustle. When Keri comes back from Australia, I'll make a final fitting appointment so Keri can learn how to do up the back and the bustle. Mom and I went mother of the bride dress shopping yesterday with not much luck. We found a really great dress, just not in a really great color for the wedding. Mom showed me a picture of a suit that she'd like to try on, and the model in the picture is wearing a "Queen" style hat, and I told her she could wear the suit as long as she got the matching hat!! We just have to finish our little decorating projects and wait for the day!

All for now,
Sarah

Did you know?

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:25:55 -0700

~ Did you know that according to several recent surveys the average wedding cost in the U.S. is $27,000? Here is where most of the expenses went (prices in metropolitan areas are generally higher):

- One day of hair & makeup: $370

- Wedding invitations: $400

- Wedding dress: $800

- DJ: $500-$2000

- Wedding flowers: $1,000

- Wedding planner: $1,500 - $6,000

- Wedding photographs: $1,850

- Honeymoon: $3,500

- Food, drinks and venue rental: $7,500

- Wedding band: $1,350-$10,000

~ Did you know that 36% of all couples spend more than what they budgeted?

- 32% of brides and grooms pay for the entire wedding themselves.

~ Did you know that you can cut down the cost of letterpress by using one color ink? Each individual color requires a new plate.

~ Did you know that average number of guests invited to a wedding is 178?

~ Did you know that on average between 25% and 30% of a couple's guests decline their wedding invitation? However, be careful with over-inviting.

~ Did you know that the most popular wedding months are June, August and September with May, July, October and December following closely second?

~ Did you know that having your wedding around Valentine's Day or Mother's Day may nearly double your floral expense?

~ Did you know you will save a lot of money if you schedule your wedding on the Super Bowl, as most of the vendors will have lower prices. Just ask your football-fan guests to record the game with TiVo.

~ Did you know when someone toasts to you, stay seated and don't raise your glass or sip from it till your toaster is done. Just smile and say thank you when they are done.

~ Did you know that according to a recent poll the weddings were:

- 39% - Elegant

- 37% - Fun

- 6% - Chic

- 18% - Unique

~ Recent trends: Instead of a traditional wedding cake (which often costs $2.50 to $20 per serving), some brides are choosing to serve cupcakes. While other brides have chosen to have individual cakes for each of the reception tables. The guests have fun cutting and serving it themselves. Often, these cakes are decorated differently and have different flavors for each table.

~ Did you know that in the U.S. $1,015 is the average cost of wedding rings for the bride and groom?

~ Did you know that the most popular month for proposals is December, which accounts for 15% of all proposals?

~ Did you know that the two most popular wedding destinations in the U.S. are Las Vegas and Hawaii?

~ The average number of guests attending a destination wedding is 63, whereas traditional 165.

~ Did you know that the average honeymoon budget in the U.S. is $3,657?

I thought that was kind of fun! We won't be spending even HALF of that!!! Yowzah!!

Sarah

What a RELIEF!!!

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 11:19:41 -0700

I got home on Thursday afternoon from work, Jay was here, and I was flipping through my caller ID to see if I had missed any calls when all of a sudden I see that "BRIDAL DEBUT" has called! I immediately start screaming and doing my happy dance as I *98 to listen to what they have to say. Yes! My dress has come in! They want me to come try it on and have it altered as soon as possible! Woohoo! Not only was I ecstatic that my dress came in 3 months and 2 days after I ordered it (who's counting?) but it was a huge relief to not be waiting down to the wire for my dress to come in like I thought that I might have to. So Mom, Keri, and I are going to the bridal shop next Thursday to try it on and get fitted for my alterations!

The RSVP's have been rolling in...so far 21 people are joining in on the fun. And funny thing is...not one person from our bridal party has RSVP'ed. Hmmm........... I guess when you give 2 months, some people will take 2 months to decide!

Jay's done school now and is in Edmonton for only one more week. Then it's back to the farm and a lot of driving for visits for me! Last time we'll ever have to do this though, so that makes it all worth it.

All for now,
Sarah

Less than 3!!

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 21:16:17 -0700

I can't believe we're past the 3 month mark! March especially seemed to fly by. Now all that we are really waiting for is my dress to come in and to get more RSVP's. It's really exciting checking my email everyday to see if more people are coming to our wedding. So far the email RSVP has been working good and hasn't bitten me in the butt yet!

The bridesmaids dresses came in and so far, so good with that too. Laura will need to get hers altered a bit, it's a weird fit for her body, but Keri and Robyn's dresses fit them really well and they all seem to be very pleased with how the dresses are working out! We had a very nice Easter and got to see everyone so that was really nice.

Keri modelling the bridesmaids dress!

Thanks for keeping in touch!
Sarah

24

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:09:34 -0700

Today is a big day! Firstly, I turned 24!! Secondly, we sent out our invitations today! I'm so excited! So other than the fact that it's SNOWING on my birthday, today is pretty great. As far as wedding plans go, we went and registered some more at The Bay, but we found it a little frustrating. See, we won't have a home to call our own for another couple of years, because eventually we will build. So it's hard to know what colors we want in our future bedrooms and bathrooms. So we just picked random stuff. Our 3 month countdown is quickly approaching...I can't believe it.

Well, we're heading down to Calgary on Thursday, scooting over to the farm for dinner on Saturday, then Camrose Sunday, and back to Edmonton for another Easter meal on Monday! Good eatin' comin' our way!

Happy Easter!
Sarah

Getting closer!!

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 10:17:50 -0700

It's beginning to feel real! Keri and I finished putting together the invitations last week, I've collected all but 2 addresses and everything's pretty much ready to go! I can't believe we'll actually be inviting people to our wedding in a week and a half! I'm really excited to send them out and see who will be coming. Mom and Dad came down to the farm last weekend to go to the dinner theatre with us and Jay's parents. We all had a really good time and I'm very glad Mom and Dad came down before the wedding to see where we'll be getting married - and where I'll be moving to in a year. It seemed to me like they fell in love with it just as much as I have. We got to go see the hall and the church and we even were able to have a menu sample because Pat who caters the dinner theatre will be catering our wedding.

Keri and I busy making the invites

So other than the fact that we get to send out invitations in April, there's not much else going on. Mom and I will be decorating more and more...but nothing big is next on our list. Just waiting kind of patiently for the call that my dress has come in....

And just a quick little un-wedding related note that Erika and Emmett had their baby yesterday - a boy! 7 lbs 13 oz! How, Erika?!? How!!! Haha... all my best!

Love,
Sarah

2 down, 4 to go

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:44:56 -0700

Can you believe there's less than 4 months until we walk down the aisle and say I DO!!? It seems hard to believe we've been engaged for 2 months, it seems like much longer than that to me with all that we've done so far. We're about to reach a milestone coming up in April...we send out our invitations!! I've already started to put them together, and Keri is going to come over a couple of times to help me finish. Nothing much else has changed...other than the fact that I'm addicted to Facebook and I'm spending way too much time on there. It's been really cool to meet up with people that you haven't seen for years though.

Not much else is happening with the wedding. The jeweller called today to tell me that my wedding band is done, but I have to give up my engagement ring (grrrrrrr) again for 2 days so they can tweak it so it fits my ring perfectly. So other than that, my birthday is less than a month away and I'll be...24 years old...yikes! I'm not scared of getting older, I actually think 24 is quite a nice number.

Well, I work the weekend, get Monday and Tuesday off and then we're off to the farm for the weekend and we're all going out to the dinner theatre and to meet with the photographer.

Me excited to put together our invitations!

All for now,
Sarah

Fleurs and girls

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 16:36:32 -0700

It's been awhile, but we've both had the last week off and we've thoroughly enjoyed it. We went out to the farm last weekend and headed to Fernie on Monday and we stayed for 3 nights and got 2 amazing powder days at the hill! Jay and his dad skiied the last day but I decided I probably wouldn't be able to keep up to those boys so I headed back to the farm a little early and took a well needed nap.

As for wedding plans, I did finally get my ring back and it was so nice that it fit! It was all nice and sparkly for me, but I only got to enjoy it for two days and I had to give it to the jeweller on Friday before we left to have my wedding band made. I hope to have my ring back tomorrow again.

While we were in wedding country, I made an appointment to meet with the florist and Lisa and Robyn were able to join me...and thank God for that because I was definitely stumped a few times. The main flower at our wedding is going to be sorbonne lilies:

Then light pink and white roses to accent. I think it will be very beautiful. I also went and picked up my wedding earrings today and I just love them! I'm going to order a necklace to match, I think it will match the beading on my dress very nicely!

Next we go to the farm on St. Paddy's Day weekend and Mom & Dad are going to come so we can go to the dinner theatre, see the hall and the church and to meet with the photographer and hopefully caterer. I can't believe there's almost 4 months to go!

Bride to be,
Sarah

Still no ring

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:22:27 -0700

Well, Spence better give me a phone call today or by the lastest tomorrow because they said my ring would be back at the most in 10 days! I miss it so much and it'd be nice to have it for the rest of the week, because I have to give it up on Friday again to get the process of getting a custom band made. We're off to Fernie next week and I figure it'd be best to not wear it snowboarding anyway!

Not much to update as far as plans go. This past weekend I went and got some more decorating stuff for our centrepieces, but that's about it! Mom and I have a really good idea of what we're going to do, and we even started making our own pew bows. Next step is to start collecting the addresses of people we don't have and to start compiling our invitations once they are ready!

That's all for now...
Sarah