Comments on: Making it Through That Year Almost Killed Me

By: Crystal

Crystal — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:05:40 +0000

Hi Joanna – I’m a bit behind on blog reading, but this post really spoke to me in regards to the wedding struggles.

My husband and I were engaged for 10 years (together for 5 years before that!). We knew we wanted to get married someday, hence the engagement, but couldn’t envision an actual wedding in the normal fashion. So we waited….and waited… until one day we were mentally and financially ready for it. Things just started coming together. It wasn’t forced and it was the best day of our lives.

We did a private ceremony (only about 15 people) and then did a 100 person reception of cocktails and appetizers at a restaurant (which didn’t need any further decoration). We picked our own flowers ($30 total!) and had a blast getting friends and family to help with making invites, favors, and seating cards.

So, what I’m saying is that I feel like I can relate to the uncertainty of how things are going to play out. But in the end, things will happen perfectly (or well, close to it!)

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:33:35 +0000

I love your idea of reading books to learn Spanish. I once bought the French version of Harry Potter 1 for that purpose, and I think it did help a little to improve my French reading skills. I’d love to learn more Spanish, too, so I might just go ahead and buy ‘la piedra filosofal’ as well!
Good luck with your goals! I hope you find a way to have a wedding that’s perfect for you.

By: chris

chris — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:50:48 +0000

Ohhh, you’re lucky actually that your backyard is empty — you have a blank slate there! I’ve been working for several years to get mine to that point, cutting down shrubs and removing unwanted landscaping. Just remember it’s a process, and enjoy the ride.

Once you get some stuff planted, hire a JP to come out and do a wedding at your house, and have a garden potluck. (I know, easier said than done, but I’m the Idea Girl here).

By: chris9

chris9 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:56:19 +0000

I hear you on the wedding thing. Phil and I struggled with it for 4 years for exactly the same reasons. I’m so glad we finally did it the way that worked best for us. It was a day I will always remember – fun and low stress! I recommend getting a friend to help drive the process in order to keep you motivated. it worked really well for us.

By: dsharp88

dsharp88 — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:41:46 +0000

Here’s my wedding suggestion: After being engaged awhile I made some calls, then called my wife-to-be and told her if we get our blood tests this afternoon (Friday), the results will be in Tuesday and we can get married Saturday – 8 days away. She said OK and we did just that having a Justice of the Peace come to our house in front of 50 or so friends and family who planned the little shindig that fast. You can do it!

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:06:00 +0000

Awesome goals for this year! For the running check out the Couch to 5k Plan, it really does work. Link below. It’s totally free and helped me start (and now restart after being lazy for a year) running and I was able to do a few 5ks after finishing it. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Good Luck!

By: erin

erin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:17:49 +0000

Ugh… I’m so sorry it’s been a tough year. 2008 was that way for me and it sucks.

Regarding the running – have you heard of John “the Penguin” Bingham? He’s a guy that is an adult-onset runner and talks about the virtues of running, especially for us slower “back of the pack” types. The book he and his wife Coach Jenny Hadfield coauthored – “Running for Mortals” – was really accessible, inspiring and had great tips/training plans. http://www.johnbingham.com/

As for Spanish class… you might try your public library (I’m sure you’re all over this.) I found out my local library had access to the Rosetta Stone series online. How cool is that!

Best of luck in all of your goals and happy new year!

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:06:23 +0000

#1 and #2 are also two of my goals! I’m taking a Spanish class (required for my degree, but I’m actually kind of excited!) so maybe we can learn together!

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:57:34 +0000

Yeah 2009 – year of the suck.
1. I can’t recommend the Couch to 5K enough! It really really works and you can be up to running 30 mins straight without stopping (however far that gets you) in 9 weeks. My first 5k took me about 40 minutes… but I ran the whole thing (well if you can call moving that slowly “running”) without a problem using that training program.
2. My goals: more quality girlfriend time with some new friends, buy nothing new/seriously consider purchases/cash only policy, figure out what my own family traditions around holidays will be, start researching what it would take to open a handmade gift/art/craft boutique.
3. I hope I get a chance to come to Portland this year. I have plenty of vacation and I realllly want to.

By: radioactivegan

radioactivegan — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:50:00 +0000

I don’t know if it’s really an option for you, but you might think about getting a courthouse wedding so that you’ll be married for the benefits, then you can have the actual “wedding” in your own time when everything is right (timing, cost, ideas, all of it!). That way you aren’t under a deadline that may make it less fun.