August 2005 Archives

This was originally part of a poster series, but I didn't like it quite as much as the others so I've been trying to figure out how to make it look better...I think the dolls are just too darn small.

Like these dolls, I'm ready to just plop down for a good, long rest. Did I mention that I found another dress? I never used to return merchandise once I bought them since I usually deliberate so hard before shelling out the money. But since this whole wedding thing, I've turned into a chronic buy-and-return girl. This one, though, it's a keeper. It's actually much more bride-like than any of my other dresses...I'm too embarrassed to say how many I've returned at this point. Let's just say that the last dress I purchased was a liittle too R-rated for a family gathering and the others made me look like I was ready to enter a ballroom dancing competition (which I realized only after I'd taken them home). My god, it's been exhausting. Now that I think about it, the whole dress hunt has been reminiscent of my dating history.

Somewhere in the background of my dress obsession, I heard The Honey mumbling something about wearing jeans. That helped me snap out of it. I remembered that we wanted a casual, low-key affair. And here I am going diva over a silly dress.

One more week. I'm so very excited and a touch nervous. I'm prepared to imbibe copious amounts of alcohol if need be. Sorry to be so corny but there's no denying it: life is good.

It makes me happy when the weather is like this - the sun is blazing down and warming up the usually temperate Seattle to upwards of 90 degrees. I can handle heat as long as it's not humid. There is flesh everywhere: tank tops and shorts, mini-skirts and bare torsos. I even saw a girl pumping gas in a bikini top at a local Shell station. It's like Miami beach...not really.

I'm pleased to report that I've gotten over the woe-is-me phase of all this wedding hoo-hah and am feeling rather zen about the whole thing.

Speaking of zen, today I ventured out to the Washington Park Arboretum Japanese Garden. It's one of those places I've been meaning to check out for a long time, especially since it's only a short, 15-minute bus ride from downtown. The garden is immaculately landscaped and absolutely gorgeous. Apparently it is one of the top 10 gardens outside of Japan. The other gardens are nestled in California, Boston, Canada and Australia, which isn't surprising. But did you know that there are Japanese gardens in Illinois and Missouri? The Washington garden has a quaint teahouse and winding paths around a large pond. There were a number of couples and surprisingly few tourists for a summer weekend.

I take crappy pictures, but here's a peek at the Washington Park Japanese Garden:

My favorite was a pretty leaf that looked like a butterfly:

I also loved the waterlilies and the koi fish added an authentic touch:

Lovely and so very peaceful.

Next month, we'll be exchanging vows and making it all official. My elation has been dampened somewhat by the stress of it all.

I don't know how I managed it, but within three days, I got everything booked. The venue, the officiant, the post-ceremony charming restaurant. The lovely and very untraditional dress (it's not white) is hanging in my closet, and I've reserved a fabulous honeymoon suite. But still there are many things on the list I have yet to cross off. Oh, it's been a series of things feeling insurmountable -- "if pigs could fly" days. A little lonely, a little frazzled, a little scared and a little freaked out. But as the kind reverend who would be officiating the ceremony said to me in his very thick Japanese accent, "Donto worree - everysing will be fine".

Where did July go?? One second I'm reading Harry Potter and the next instant it's August. Through the fog of Hogwarts and evil sorcerers, I remember The Honey's birthday (I baked a cake from scratch), the flush of exciting new illustration projects (more about this soon), and the inevitable launch of the wedding plans.

Too many things going on. Nerves are on edge. Butterflies going out of control in the tummy. Brain cells about to burst with excessive activity. The only thing NOT on overdrive is my physical fitness. Sadly, my body has been either glued to a computer or languidly splayed on the couch. It hasn't been pretty.

Once I'm done with my project, I'll be posting more illustrations and pictures.

For now, Daddy Dinner Night awaits. I'm starving.