The Day We Got Married

Here they are — the pictures from the wedding! Oh, but there are so many more where these came from too! Head over to my Flickr album to see the whole kit-and-caboodle. I apologize for the fact that they are out of order, but who cares! They're beautiful. Thank you so much, Austin.

I can't believe it's all over, and we've been married for a little over a month now. The planning was so much fun and I'm so glad we did things the way we did. After we were engaged, which lasted almost a year and a half, we immediately started preparing.

We bought, borrowed, and inherited various cake pedestals, table clothes, mason jars, napkins, and vintage plates. Everyone had their own little napkin, glass and plate, and that's what we really wanted: a special wedding that felt comfortable, home-cooked (which it was) and thoughtful. I couldn't have done it without my mom (who almost killed herself, worrying about every details), dad, sister, grandparents (who let us host the event on their farm in Lone Jack), friends and other just friendly people who participated in the day.

And what a day it was. First of all, it was hot as hell during the ceremony, which was held at 3 in the afternoon in direct sun. I figured, in late September, we were in the clear — but no.

Our good friend Rachel married us on that lovely heated day. And with exception of dinner, I got more compliments on the ceremony than anything else! Rachel was so amazing: she set aside time for our guests to meet other guests (because we were all one big "family" on that day), gave Sean and I an official moment to soak it all in, and spoke to everyone through the deep root that ties us all together — love. She is so wonderful.

The old-timey entertainment and dinner was fantastic. Composed of all kinds of family recipes, made by family members, with PBR, Old Overholt, tea and lemonade to wash it all down, there were zero left-overs. Everyone was enjoying their dining situation until it began to pour, lighting and thunder.

There was hesitation from the band to start playing because they we're originally supposed to play on the gazebo, but instead they moved to the front porch for a cozy and covered acoustic performance. Both my grandfathers tried to enjoy the music from a tree swing, but the wood rot got the best of them, and they were on the ground before they both knew it; They thought it was hilarious. The night's fiasco's finally ended with an explosion from the bonfire from God knows what. Then we all ran out of fuel and the night was finished with coffee and hot toddys.

I loved everything about this day. Despite all the unexpected hiccups, I was actually told "you guys are having my dream wedding." It was such a dream — I can't believe it's over now. I love Sean so much and I'm so happy everyone was there to witness it. Thanks again, everyone. You all mean so much to us.

Pie and Furry Foot, I Love You

Our landlords said it would only be a month (when we arrived here in Colorado), and God, I hope we're really only two weeks away from moving to our new quaint mountain town. We headed up the canyon for Sean's 26th birthday breakfast, because he had a hankerin' for the General Store's grub, but the secret motivation was to slip-in and see the progress on the cabin — which was none. Awesome.

Anyway, the trip was more than worth the drive regardless. Two reasons: pie and Furry Foot. So the "pie" part is pretty self explanatory. Pie is awesome and the General Store carries a fantastic variety of sweet and savory kinds. Maybe it's the fact that you can cover your pot-pie with green chili (which is like Colorado's ketchup, because it comes on everything) that makes it so good. Or maybe it's the giant wood-burning potbelly stove you sit next to eating it. Maybe the dusty saloon floor or hand-carved rockers... Dear god, who am I kidding. They're pie is just good.

Okay, but Furry Foot. Every time I go to town, I am always left mesmerized. After we ordered (our amazing pie meals), we then proceed to peruse the goods the General Store stocks for the locals and the passing-through. Past the can goods and hardware lies a basket of smudge sticks made of Sage and other dried flora. This is not surprising considering almost all grocers in Colorado stock similar products ("to cleanse the air, home, or spirit"). But what is interesting though is the small stack of paper next to the basket, describing the mix of sticks in hand-writing*:

"Sweetgass - Hierochloe Odorata: When burned, a good purifier, or burn twice a day as a thank you to everyone. Pearly Everlasting - Anaphalis Margaritacea: burning relieves headakes and is cleanser for everyone, also very good for warding off troublesome ghosts. Yarrow - Achillea Millefolium: burning will break up fevers. Red Buffalo Grass: decorative only."

That last description is priceless; After all that: "decorative only". So I'm moved — absolutely moved, and then at the bottom there's a personal note:

"I am the elder who lives in the foothills. In my garden I grow all the plants to heal everyone. Nobody sprays them with any bad poisen. I give thanks to the lives and spirit of each plant, and am grateful for my understanding. I love what I'm doing and I'm doing what I was born to do. Poet, gardener, artist – Furry Foot."

Yes — I am going to live in this town. If not for Sean's mountain-dream sake, I am going to live in this town to meet Furry Foot. Bucket list bullet added. Not to mention, the last picture here is of our new home... in 1893 when it was a gold mining community. Oh my god, I just want to move already.

*excuse Furry Foot's spelling

O You Youths, Western Youths

So we've moved away from our "bower" in Kansas City to embark on new and strange adventures in Colorado, which is nothing short of beautiful and bountiful — of white middle class! Kidding, but seriously: Boulder is a little white-washed. I'm pretty put-off by this… not to mention Boulder is a college town. I never really liked the crowd even when I was in college, and living in the thick-of-it (on "The Hill" a.k.a. Greek Town) as a young professional with a salary and bills and loans to pay, it's kind of annoying. Listen, I was annoying in college too; It has nothing to do with Colorado University's fine student body. It's just … culturally shocking.

I guess I lied a little just now; We don't actually "live" in Boulder—unless you consider sleeping on your coworker's floor "living." Sean and I are basically homeless, living out of a storage unit—but, at least we both have jobs! Right before we moved here, like the same week, a wildfire wiped out much of Boulder and Sunshine Canyon and burnt a corner of our new house. (We're lucky it didn't burn the whole town down, honestly.) Landlord's insurance is covering not only the said corner's repair, but also a full renovate. This is awesome because the last tenant had 3 dogs, a disability, and a filthy hoarding habit. What a blessing in disguise…

Don't let my ranting indicate otherwise; We are loving it here. I purchased Rocky Mountain National Park year-passes, bought an axe for Sean's rustic endeavors in the mountains, and am really enjoying the Southwestern food.