Today's playlist

Working in an office environment has been quite an interesting experience. Sure, I had tastes of it from time to time in college when I interned at various establishments around town, but I never really knew what it was like until I got my first job out of school, almost four years ago.


Another way to find peace: taking aggression out on the office printer.



I can remember the day I was offered the job like it was yesterday. I was so excited! A cube to decorate, office supplies to pick out and a newfound appreciation for the primetime show The Office all excitingly came hand in hand with the job. Not to mention the joy of choosing an “office chic” wardrobe…especially after four years of trudging around UK’s campus in sweats, tees and flip flops.

Like anything else, that elation has faded over time. Working 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Friday in a 5x5 cubicle certainly isn’t for everyone. And to be honest, I haven’t really decided if it’s for me or not. But, with the economy and the job market the way it is, I realize I am truly blessed to have a job. (No matter how often I plot my means of escape.)

So until I figure out how I want to spend my life…because let’s face it, working is a part of life…I will spend some more time in my cube, taking solace from my treasured Pandora stations.

On today’s playlist: Back Here Radio. Yes, created from that 2000 smash hit of the British boy band sensation, BBMak. Don’t you judge me.

A few songs that have brightened my day (listen to them and they might do the same for you):

•  1979 (Smashing Pumpkins)
•  Ordinary Day (Vanessa Carlton)
•  Sympathy (Goo Goo Dolls)

•  Breathe (Michelle Branch)

Happy Tuesday!

Building our Ceremony

For the last several weeks, it has been on my mind that we need to crack down and organize the content and flow of our ceremony. Other than the location of our ceremony at Southland Christian Church and choosing the minister to marry us (Todd Tyler), not much else has been planned.

That said, we have an open slate to build upon. A nice (but somewhat sobering) thought. Basic elements we need to determine in the next couple of weeks: choose ceremony musicians (anyone know a good mandolin player??); determine our readings (one is final...need to decide on one more); decide on wedding party formation on stage (16 attendants on the small chapel stage is no minor task); and meet up with Todd for lunch to tie it all together.

Other than those elements, we know that we want to incorporate a ceremonial element to the big day. While others choose unity candle lightings or sand ceremonies, I want something a little more original for the big day. Those are both nice touches to a wedding ceremony, but not what we are looking for. For a time, I was thinking about a rose (or in our case, lily) ceremony, but even that did not suit well.

Lately, my mind has been going back and forth on the element of a ring warming ceremony. Have you ever seen one of these? Neither have I, but the idea of it is quite intriguing. It is basically a time when the guests pass your wedding bands along, saying prayers and sending well wishes toward the couple. It might be done during a song or something. The officiant generally says a little something about it to kick the ceremony off and the rings are then passed along. If your crowd is small enough, you could have everyone pass the rings along. Or you could have the bride's ring passed among the bride's side and the groom's band passed along the groom's side. OR you could even have the bands passed among a select few guests (aka family members in the first two rows or something). The possibilities are endless!

Not gonna lie, this idea has been the most exciting to me. Now, if only I could convince Jacob!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

Today I am highlighting the song I hope to use during our "grand exit" from the reception, Going up the Country by Canned Heat, a '69 Woodstock classic. LOVE this song! And if you listen closely, the lyrics are pretty on base with us leaving...a perfect fit! One of my most favorite parts of the song:

Now baby, pack your leaving trunk, you know we've got to leave today
Just exactly where we're going I cannot say, but
We might even leave the USA

Since our honeymoon destination is a surprise to me, this is perfect! Click on the video above to listen to the song.

Rainy Day Memories

As our engagement photo session has been postponed today due to terrible weather (i.e. cold, windy, rain...), I thought I would share a taste of our wedding tunes with you today.

I'm going to start with one reception moment that often has the most cliche music selection...the father/daughter dance. Allow me to first preface by saying I am not a Butterfly Kisses kind of girl. Not at all. (And no offense to those who have and will use that song in the years to come...my lovely sister Katie included.) Instead, I thought about my Dad, and my relationship with him, to find the song that we would use.

It did not take long to think about The Beatles and their extensive song list. Some of my earliest music memories involve my Dad and his collection of Beatles albums. Whittling down the song options was the toughest part of this selection...but ultimately, I chose In My Life, from the Rubber Soul album. Dad is enthused with this idea. A win-win scenario in my book. Click on the video above to hear it!

MUSIC makes the people come together

The latest wedding conversations have revolved around the kind of music we are going to incorporate into the big day. Namely the songs used for reception entrance, father/daughter dance, first dance, cake cutting and so on...

I've always known that the traditional Wedding March and similar fanfare were not for me. When I was younger, I imagined the sounds of Frank Sinatra and Louie Armstrong. Most recently, I have adored the idea of fitting non-traditional wedding acts (such as my beloved Beatles and even Led Zeppelin or Van Morrison) into my wedding music.

Lucky for me, Jacob does not seem to mind too much. Which is great because we have very little in common when it comes to musical tastes (though he has been growing a keener ear toward my classic rock). But to infuse some of his musical taste into the event, we will be incorporating some rap/r&b music. Maybe even some Tupac. Haha! I told Jacob that if he can figure out a way to incorporate Tupac (or other rap act) into the wedding music, I will go with it. I am interested to see what he comes up with.

In fact, it has been kind of fun throwing out random song titles/musicians to each other and seeing how we could incorporate it. We do have a few songs picked out but I cannot share those so they will be surprises! But know, when you come to our wedding in September, you will hear a very eclectic mix...from the Beatles to Queen and everything in-between. Just you wait!

Ceremony
When it comes to ceremony music, we have a lot of those pieces picked out too, or at least in consideration. Again, non-traditional. They will be instrumental (so no popping a CD into the church's sound system and calling it a day).

In addition to a pianist, I am contemplating a mandolin player. Know anyone up for the job?

Party like it's 1999...or 2010!

The last major component of my wedding planning included hiring a DJ. And it can now be checked off my list! Yesterday, at the Kentucky Bride Bridal Show, I met and booked Bluegrass Beat. What is funny is that this business is owned by Evan Morris, who Debbie and Jerry initially recommended to Jacob and I.

I went into yesterday's event planning to book an entirely different DJ, but once I met the guys with Bluegrass Beat, my mind changed completely. Evan's youngest brother, Blake, will be our DJ in September.

With mine and Jacob's taste in music on completely different ends of the spectrum (he loves rap, country and R&B, and I am more into classic rock, oldies, etc.), we will definitely need to set up a meeting once the date gets a little closer to figure some things out. Also, I have big ideas for introduction music, cake cutting, exit music, etc. Those details will not be spilled though, you will just have to wait until September 18!