Hmm… it’s been a while since the last post. If you’re reading this you’re probably wondering how to get to the wedding, or perhaps what to get for a wedding present. Well, good news, fellahs! I just went to Bass Pro and yes, gift certificates for that store would be awesome. (Product ideas available in the new updated registry – click on Bass Pro link) Of course, from what I can tell, there are a lot of lovely items available at the other stores we have registered at, too.
Tash has been feeling a bit sick lately.
I’m not sleeping much. I mostly lie in bed with this sort of nervous excitement that I can’t shake.
If you’re praying types… you may want to pray for the weather on July 18th. Just so we’re all on the same page I think we should use words like “warm” “nice” “sunny” “pleasant” or any other words that come to mind that describe something other than what it is right now. (No kidding… two people just walked by the house wearing hoodies!)
They have giant trout in a tank at Bass Pro. It reminds me that I would like to go fishing. This will be the second season I haven’t gone out and Tash hasn’t gone skiing. I guess we had other things on our mind.
Well, what can a guy say? I’ve just never seen that many boxes of tupperware in my life! A big thanks to all the ladies who were a part of the various showers that were thrown for tash. Tupperware, pampered chef, and, well, um, things I shouldn’t think about (for another 20 days) made the parties a real blast.
The to do list seems to be dwindling. This is largely due to the fact that everyone else is helping us out so much. I for one am mostly holding on and hoping I don’t get left behind. By gum, we’re even ready to give the caterer the official numbers. (Did you know that 10 – 15% of people who RSVP ‘Yes’ don’t even come to the dang wedding?)
On the topic of food. The guys are going out this weekend to build potato guns that will allow us to launch potatoes hundreds of feet in the air. This would be playing with food if it weren’t for the fact that we’re distributing the debris for wide range of thankful animals. (The girls are going to a remote location for a weekend away. Certainly not as interesting.)
For both of us, we look forward to seeing you all soon.
SB

Ha ha! This is NOT the potato gun we'll be building.
Two sleepy people sit looking at the screen wondering what to write in today’s blog. Nothing springs immediately to their mind. Steve wonders if there are any more ice cream sandwhiches in the freezer. Tash, who is reading this as it is being typed, assures him there is. Chocolate or Vanilla? There are probably 10 thousand things that we ‘ought to be’ doing (see description of this vile syndrome in my book btw.) but today we have decided that we will simply enjoy each others company. Tash just got back from Belize and Steve just got back from planet lonely so what the heck… why not just enjoy for a while.
Maps to come soon.
This is plenty enough adventure for tonight.

When I have trouble sleeping I just count sleeps. For instance, I know that in two sleeps Tash will be back from Belize. This makes me feel pretty happy. One, two, One, Two. And I nod off…
If that doesn’t put me to sleep I can count 29 sleeps. This is, of course, the number of sleeps till the wedding. One… honey moon in Croatia Two… no more wedding planning Three… Tash is pretty Four… better clean house before Tash gets home Five… I wonder when we’ll have kids Six… did I call all the guys about their suit fittings? Hmm, I’ll have to note that down somewhere. Seven…
Actually, I wouldn’t recommend this for sleeping. A lot of little ‘to do’s’ come up and it can make youf feel a bit anxious.
OK. Never mind. Sheep. SHEEP are what we should count.
-sb

Ok. Let’s be frank. I have more time than ever with Tash being in Belize and I’m completely lost as to what I should do with it! It turns out the meager part of my brain previously dedicated to organizing and planning (let’s say BT – Before Tash) has now wilted to a scrawny, emaciated and near death little critter.
Shoot, I don’t even know where we are in the countdown anymore!
Anyways, aside from that things are going well and Tash seems to be having a dandy time in Belize.
Things are going well here, too. In fact, Row and Lenore are shopping for the guy’s outfits tomorrow so that will be one more mega check mark complete.
Oh yes, a big thank you to everyone who went to Tash’s showers. It would seem we will have plenty of Tupperware and Pampered Chef stuff to survive any food organizing crisis our pantry will throw at us.

Tash is off to Belize on Thursday. (Day 37 of our countdown…) She’ll be helping out with a team from our church that are going for an 11 day short term mission. Really, she’s quite incredible when you think about it. I mean, she’s planning a wedding, going on / planning an international trip, and planning a honeymoon.
AND (yes, there’s more…) she figured out how to use he Vietnamese coffee press I brought home! Yes, it turns out that those little coffee makers you’ve probably had at your local VN restaurant are actually hard to use. I failed on my first 2 attempts to produce anything even remotely similar to that dark, rich coffee I so enjoy.
Hmm… I’m too tired to write up a good conclusion to this. Add a comment if you’d like to finish up the post for me.
thanks,
sb

VN Coffee Maker
I am now 30 years old and not entirely impressed to report that I have more than one grey hair. Along with this colorful intruder I have noticed a slight slip in my memory. SO… if you’ve RSVP’d with me any way other than sending a letter or on this website PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be aware that I have already forgotten that precious piece of information that is all that separates you from those who will have a name card and meal waiting for them on the 18th and those who will be left to eat at Wendy’s.
(While Tash has absolutely NO gray hairs she humbly makes the same request.)
(Please note the ‘all caps’ words in this post…)
Thanks.
Steve

In previous blog posts I alluded to the fact that I was intent on buying an apple green suit to match the apple on the wedding invites that no doubt directed your attention to this site.
It’s an easy enough task for a guy who was in Vietnam home of the most skilled craftsmen in the world.
Got a GQ magazine handy? Just cut out a picture and they can recreate it – and the price will be less than the page number of the magazine – or, at least, a lot less than Mr. Armani would have you pay. All I had to do was show them my post concerning the green suit.
I got a deal on my custom suit because “You Vietnamese size, you not use extra material like most Americans.”
The dilemma is should I show it to Tash? SHE didn’t let me see her wedding dress after all!
Now, I should tell you that I did NOT buy a green suit.
I should also tell you it’s not a dilemma. From the moment I moved to John and Rowena’s house Tash and I struck a deal: she could throw out my old clothes (including my favorite rugby sweater from the U of C) so long as I never had to pick out clothes to wear again.
So she has seen the suit and, thankfully(!), approves. (PHEW)
Maybe the real question is should I show you??

v. 3 “He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me.”
This was Tash’s prayer for ages when I was trying to win her heart, but it was all in vain for as the holy scripture continues :”God sends his love and faithfulness.”
he he…
The Bible is a great practical guide, hey? Why not join us in our Psalm countdown? Read the Psalm of the day with us as we prepare for the wedding and our marriage. (It will serve as a useful guide so you don’t forget the wedding, too.)

Absence ABSENCE makes the heart grow fonder.
I’m sure someone’s made that pun before, but I still think I’m quite clever.
About to commence 30 hours of travel time. I am thankful for the special greeting I am expecting when I come through the gates in Calgary. I am also hoping the wedding favors I bought don’t cause a stir at customs as that will delay said greeting.
sb

absynth... I mean abscence!