Weird CA foliage 

On the literal Golden Gate bridge.  

the mighty hilly scape of San Fran and mighty Mark 

San Fan Fisherman's Wharf... mighty crabs 

2 celeb sightings

in NYC
- English rocker Paul Weller
- Sopranos star 'Christafa', Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli)

honeymoon observations

• San Francisco is really pretty and unique but hard to define. (Tom you were right)
• Both Mark & I have discovered we can drink (and like!) vodka martinis
• New Zealand Sauvignon Blancis still the best, despite Sonoma's best efforts
• Santa Cruz is adorable and has too many cute shops (Sinead -- I bought green Danskos and pink Keens!)
• Carmel is not as snobby as the books say.
• Monterey is not as cute as the books say
• Driving an SUV is more fun than I feel comfortable admitting. (we got a rental Exterra in CA)
• 1 hour of cliff/mountain driving is enough. 4 is way too many
• People really do give you a better hotel room when you say it is your honeymoon
• Airlines do not
• You can watch Liverpool play at a south side bar in Milwaukee. Just eat first. Or the 6 Guinness will hit you. As will your new wife
• Cheap beef is the real taste of home
• I have lots of really nice relatives
• Mark keeps referring to me his girlfriend. I remind him that I am his ex-girlfriend.
• NY pizza is still the best
• Being married is just like not being married, but better
• And, sometimes you get to have a second wedding!

wedding coverage

FULL photo reporting from MK, our beloved photog...

We are having a blast in San Fran!!

JUST MARRIED!!!

Babs U, visiting professor K Quinn and moi, escaping the crush of international beauties as Aroma filled itself to the brim and we took to home at the reasonable hour of midnight. 

me n tum with kid radar at the proper place  

my bachelorette scotch 

my girlie girls and my fantastic shower 

Barb U and her secret talent of making a fake bouquet out of basically nothing 

bridal shower cupcakes with Mary J 

Ok,NOW I am (counting down that is)

Because Mark is HERE!

Hurrah- my sweet groom, with freshly cut hair and new clown Camper shoes has arrived to make this thing happen! He is tucked in nicely after a welcome home cheeseburger and 3 Chimays at neighborhood Open City.

2 weeks is a long time to be apart pre getting hitched.

Last (hopefully) dress fitting tomorrow and starting to do things like pick up cases of water, beer and wine and plan our hurrahs out with our respective gangs.

Feeling normal. The best version of normal that is. The kind when everything is really fantastic and you love your life. And you are about to announce to the world and god how much you love someone. It doesn't suck.

not even counting down

Been in DC one thin week. Saw gray haired guy, waved to Krishna through the window at Aroma, have eaten at Spices 3 time so far and California Tortilla once. Had my FANTASTIC bridal shower last night (wait for the photos) and been ticking things off the list. Even pulled a Star Jones and bought shoes at Payless.

People have been mentioning this "2 weeks" business. Why am I still calm? And wanting to see movies? It isn't like I have forgotten... I carry around my to-do list. I just don't feel compelled to jump on 'em. Maybe just that I am (could it be?) actually calm?

Watch this space for the change. Or see a calm bride on April 29. TBD.

in da house

Thanks to Tom, Tdawg.
My blog is WAY better this way...


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The final nightcap in Mark's favourite Hotel Russel Square. Leather chairs, muted tones, lovely service, very civilized. Champagne felt right.  

Not bad for a self portrait. The dangerous trio on the loose in London on Mum's Day Sunday. 

It had to happen. The red phone booths, the post drinks, the silliness. It beckoned.