Up to the Cabin

Today Harry, Zita, Daisy and I packed up the jeep and headed up to Green Valley Lake, where my step dad Chuck has a small cabin. Harry and I wanted to take Zita up there as she love nature and we figured it would be nice to get away from all the craziness for a while.

Well things didn't go as planned. After a two hour drive we get to the base of the mountain and I get a phone call message from my Mom, she says "I heard you are going up to the cabin, well I just wanted to let you know that the locks have been changed." I immediately called her back but my phone reception is horrible up there. After several attempts they tell me they changed all the locks but there was a hidden key but hard to find. I decided we would take our chances and go up there since we were already 2/3'ds of the way up there.

We get to the cabin and search and search for this hidden key... it wasn't there. Harry and I were on our back in cobwebs and dirt trying to find it. Harry then noticed that my back tire was flat. So not only are we locked out of the cabin but we have a flat tire... could this day get any worse... yep it can.

I decide that will have to go through a window or something but guess what.. ever window in that place was shut tight and some had screws preventing them from being opened. I could not believe this was happening. We finally found a screwdriver in my car and went to the back kitchen window. It's one of those double windows that slide up and down. Anyway I was able to unscrew the security screws then pull the window down. I thought success I was able to get my arm in there to unlock the door.. but noooooo these new bolt locks had no knob on the inside.. they required a key so we couldn't get in. I was not going to be defeated. I climbed on to a trashcan with Harry's assistance I managed to pull, push, squeeze myself into the upper part of this window without breaking anything.

Once inside I went to the front door and low and behold the bolt lock was the same and had no knob to turn.. you needed a key. So I was locked inside the cabin and Harry and his mom were locked outside. I went to the front window and with my trusty screwdriver I unscrewed the safety screw and opened the front window, which was level with a bench in front of the house. So Zita, Daisy and Harry climbed through the window to get in. Once inside I wasn't feeling so hot, I was sweaty and sick to my stomach. I hadn't eaten all day and I think I over exerted myself trying to break into the cabin. I tried to eat some lunch hoping that would help.. but it didn't work. An hour after I started to feel bad Harry started to feel the same way. But after a few hours we were both feeling alot better.

I called my Mom and told her that I couldn't find the spare key, that we were using the front window as a door and that I would have to drive down tomorrow morning to pick up a key as I didn't like the idea of Zita climbing through a window to get in and out. So later in the day when I was feeling better Harry and I changed my tire with the spare, this was the first time using this spare and we hoped it would work... it did. So it's wasn't the most relaxing day ever.. but hopefully things would work out.

Another Relaxing Day

Today we finished cleaning up the house... whoo hooo. Harry's mom came over around 11:30am and we just hung out. We did a little grocery shopping as we are heading up to my Mom's cabin tomorrow for a few days. Other than that it was a nice relaxing day.

A Day to Relax

Today Bernd, Gerda and Leonhard left early this morning to go up to Northern California and continue their vacation. Harry's mom Zita decided to stay here with us and visit with her son for the next nine days until they get back.

We didn't do much. Harry and I continued to clean up the house after the wedding. Things are finally getting back to normal around here. Harry and his mom visited, we took her shopping and out to dinner (Sizzler), which she loved the salad bar because of some many options. All in all a much needed and quiet day.

Sea World

Today was our last family outing with Harry's family. We drove down to San Diego's Sea World. I had only been there once before many years ago so I was looking forward to this trip. The first thing we did was watch the Shamu show, which was alot of fun. We then walked around and saw Manarays which Bernd, Gerda and Leonhard feed. We watched Dolphins and whale show then Sea Lions and Sea Otter show. We did lunch after the shows then decided that we would split up. Bernd, Gerda and Leonhard would go one way and Zita, Harry and I would go another.

Our group did the Sky Tower, Wild Arctic, Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, Penguins and Manatees before needing a rest. After the break we watched one more show Pet's Rule, which was very cool.

After that we joined back up with the other group and Leonhard did one final kids ride before we headed back around 7:30pm. We stopped by Denny's for some dinner on our way home and got home around 10:30pm

It was a fun and exhausting day. But a great way to end Harry's family trips.. at least with us.

After that we joined back up with the other group and Leonhard did one final kids ride before we headed back around 7:30pm. We stopped by Denny's for some dinner on our way home and got home around 10:30pm

It was a fun and exhusting day. But a great way to end Harry's family trips.. at least with us.

The Day After / Mummy 3

Today Harry and I along with his family cleaned up and tried to put things back in order. Yesterday was a wonderful day. Even though things didn't go as planned it was a beautiful ceremony and everyone enjoyed themselves. Today the rental place picked up tables, chairs and all other rentals. We took down decorations and tents and tried to put the back yard back together again.

Later in the day Bernd, Gerda, Harry and I went to dinner and a movie. We wanted to show them an American movie theater. We took them to Burbank AMC 16. We wanted to see a movie in one of the largest theater and we were hoping it was The Dark Knight. But it seemed that it was pushed out by The Mummy III, which was cool because we also wanted to see that movie.

The Mummy III was what I expected. A fun action packed movie. The story was okay but what you see a Mummy movie for is the speical effects and this one has some great effects.

All in all a nice day after the big day day.

The Big Day

Today is the day. We have been planning this day for an entire year. All this hard word was about to pay off but first we still have quite of bit of stuff to do before 2pm. Both Harry and I got up early and finished up what we could around the house and waited for the rental place to drop off tables and such. He said he was going to be here between 8am and 10am. We pretty much finished everything we could do and had to wait.. seemed like forever but finally the guy showed up a little before 10am. He dropped off all the tables, chairs, table clothes and water pitchers. As soon as I saw the tables I had rented for the food and main table I knew we were in trouble. But as it was too late so Harry and I came up with a plan. Also we had ordered five black and four white table clothes but received nine black ones. He said he would exchange them but took about two hours to do so. We set up the tables with centerpieces, salt and pepper shakers, water pitchers, camera’s and chairs. At 11am Harry’s family showed up to help out with the preparations. We tried to set up some shade for the main and center table but after several failed attempts we gave up and instead pulled out an umbrella for the center table which gave it some shade. Around 11:30am my Dad, Brother and Sister-in-law Lora showed up to help with preparations. Also my replacement photographer showed up. His name is Alex and he was a lifesaver.

We placed the altar but it was so windy that it was about to fall over so we came up with a way of pushing it down into the ground and stabilizing it more. We put out cups, plates, spoons, knives, forks and napkins. The place looked fantastic and all we had left was putting up some sun blockers for the main tables and some starry plastic sheets on the patio ceiling.

Then the winds picked up again and spoons, plates, napkins, forks, knives and cups when flying. The tents almost blew over and everything was lying in the grass… we had an hour and a half till the wedding. We tried several times to put everything back in place but the wind kept fighting us and in the end we gave up and just placed everything in the center of the table which worked for the most part. Also the sun blockers that we put up kept blowing down so we gave up and figure we would have to sit in the hot sun.

As the time ticked away I had people putting up starry plastic on the ceiling of the patio. I had a co-worker running to the store to buy ice, toilet paper and beer. My bartender was MIA, he was suppose to be here at 1pm so we could go over things but so far he was missing and Harry and I were going over plans on where everyone was going to sit and how we were going to walk out.. it was craziness.

It was now 1:30pm and we had a half hour till the ceremony and people were starting to arrive and Harry and I were still setting up and haven’t taken showers or shaved. I made Harry get ready as I took care of a few more details. The food showed up around 1:45pm and there was a lot more then I had expected and of course the table was too small. We stacked the food up and hope it was make it until it was time to eat. It was now 2pm and I was still sweaty and not even close to being ready. People were arriving, my bartender was still MIA. And since people were coming from long distances they had to go to the bathroom and we have only one room so I couldn’t get in there to take a shower or shave. Finally at 2:15pm I was able to slip in and take a quick two-minute shower and shave. I went into the bedroom where both best men and Harry were getting dressed. I dressed as quickly as I could. While we were getting dressed my cake and cake maker was lost and was still a half-hour or so away. I couldn’t worry about that or anything else that didn’t get done. We finished getting dressed and headed to the kitchen to let them know we were ready.

We took a few pictures, a few deep breaths and began the ceremony. Bruce (Harry’s best man) and Christopher (My best man) walked out first. Then Harry and I walked out.

The ceremony went off without a hitch. Tom (our ordained minister) went above and beyond with a funny and sweet ceremony. I had written the words but Tom made them work.

After the ceremony we sat at our front table in the hot sun while the paparazzi took photos’.. at least that is what if felt like. Christopher and Bruce did their toast then Chuck (step dad) and Tom (friend/minister) did a few toasts. We announced lunch and prepared the table. Luckily Bruce, Christopher and Bernd helped out with setting up the food and also we forgot to put water in the pitchers which Christopher and Bruce took care of. They also handed out Champaign for the toasts.. so not only were they are Best men but waiters also.

After the toasts we did pictures with family and finally my missing bartender showed up. After pictures Harry and I changed out of our tuxes and put on shorts and our tux t-shirts and made our way to get some food. After we quickly ate we made our rounds to visit every table and thank every person who attended.

Once we did that it was time for cake. If you read my blog you know I had a hard time finding a cake maker. I had given my cake maker Tina an idea of what I wanted and when the cake was set up it was UNBELIAVLBE. Everyone got up and came over as they set up the cake and took pictures. I was blown away. Tina had gone above and beyond my expectations. She created Three Borg Ships and with the addition of my metal Enterprise they placed it in the middle of the battle. There were two chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and the other one was while cake with strawberry mousse filling. It was by far the best wedding cake I have ever seen. It was every Star Trek Fanatic’s dream cake. I have to admit it was so hard to actually cut the cake but once we did I couldn’t wait to taste it and it was not only the coolest cake but also the best tasting cake I had ever had. So we had cake and managed to save one entire Borg cube (which I’m going to try and preserve forever).

After cake we had planned dancing but with the weather being so hot folks pretty much just hung out under the tent and enjoyed ones company. We did dance a little to YMCA but other then that there wasn’t much dancing. Slow folks began to leave until it was just a core group of friends and family. And by the way our bartender disappeared. The final few people left around 9pm. Then Harry’s family and Harry and I cleaned up a bit as the rental person was coming in the morning to pick up the tables.

Even though things didn’t go as planned and there were a few issues we had to overcome I couldn’t have asked for a better ceremony.

Thanks to all those who helped with the entire process.

I would like to personally thank Christopher, not only did you honor me by being my best man but you made sure everything went smoothly even if it meant you were passing out water and champagne, you also managed to find me an awesome cake maker and photographer.

Bruce you honored Harry by being his best man and also stepped up by passing out water and champagne.

Maggie and Brian for helping out with decorations and running to the store.

Harry’s family (Gerda, Zita and Bernd) who helped with set up and clean up.

Alex for stepping in at the last minute and capturing some great moments.

Tina for making one of the best looking and tasting Star Trek cake that I have ever seen.

And of course Tom who went above and beyond as our ordained minister and turned our ceremony into a fun and sweet event.

Missing Photographer

Well after several emails my wedding photographer has disappeared. I have sent several emails the past few weeks and have yet to hear back from him. Luckily when I was talking to my friend Christopher (my Best man) and told him about my missing photographer he said he may have someone who is not a wedding photographer but had a good eye and enjoyed photography. I had nothing to lose so we called this guy and he was kind enough to say yes. Thanks Christopher for saving the day.

One Day To Go!!!!

Today, Harry’s family went to Santa Monica Beach. They had a really great time.

Harry and I couldn’t go as we had tons of wedding preparations to take care of...

We got up early as we had a lot to do today.. this was the last day to clean and decorate everything. We cleaned the house, cleaned the backyard, and set up the tents. At 10am when the Men’s Warehouse opened we picked up my tux. Luckily it fit great and I was able to take it home.

We came home and started to decorate. Our first idea was to wrap the altar in Starfleet colors (Blue, Red and Yellow). Well I did one side and it looked like a circus tent.. we were not happy with it so then we decided to so tulle but the while tulle and while alter didn’t really look that great so we headed back to Michael’s craft store to get some green ivy type plant to put all over the alter… well we found some that we liked but it was very expensive and we needed 14 strand’s which was going to cost way to much. We did find some red, golden and green ivy, which Harry and I both kind of liked but it was on sale so we bought it. We also picked up some more sunflowers (my favorite flower) as I felt we didn’t buy enough the first around.

We came home and started to decorate like crazy, it was getting late and we were both so tired from showing around Harry’s family the past week. We knew we had tons still to do but called it quits around 7:30pm. We did get a lot done. The alter was decorated in sunflowers, ivy and star trek figures, the patio was decorated in ivy and sunflowers, the tents were up, everyone was stored away that need to be stored away. We had to wait till tomorrow morning when the tables, table clothes and other rented material would arrive.

Harry’s family arrived from their day at the beach around 8 pm and Harry’s mom made some vegetarian food for herself, Gerda and Leonhard, while Bernd and I picked up some food for the rest of us... around 9 pm we all called in the day...

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!!!