Engagement Pic?

I think I want to use this for our engagement announcement in our local paper. What do you think?

Great Gatsby's!

Well, we've decided where to hold our wedding reception! It will be at Gatsby's of Cresskill http://www.bergenbanquets.com/on April 13, 2007! I'm so excited! The place is really great. The food is fabulous - we went to a wedding there a few years ago and the filet mignon was like butter! You didn't even need a knife to cut it! We're going to have that and a couple of other choices.. We decided to go for a sit-down instead of a buffet.

What's so great about Gatsby's? Roses included on all the tables, valet parking, custom wedding cake - whatever you want!, ONE FUNCTION AT A TIME - this is huge, plenty of seating and FOOD during cocktail hour, choice of linens, and on and on and on. I have heard many fantastic reviews from people on www.theknot.com such as:

Ahh, Gatsby's...Bergen County's best kept secret.

It was fabulous! The food is honestly the best food I've ever had at a wedding...didn't seem mass produced. It was more like eating at a restaurant. Taz and Al were a joy to work with. Lefty, the part-owner and chef, is such a perfectionist and it shows. They handled every petty detail I brought their way with no problem. I don't have any complaints. The night was a dream come true and their price couldn't be beat (especially for the quality!). They had a gorgeous, GIANT centerpiece on the placecard table and flowers on each table in the cocktail hour room, which saved us some $$$...plus we went with the rose centerpieces included in the price per person, so we only had to pay for church flowers, bouquets and boutinnieres. Saved us a couple of thousand! I LOVED that there was enough seating for every person in the cocktail hour - big pet peeve of mine is going to a wedding and having to stand in a corner with my purse, camera, the card and my drink on the floor so I can stand and have a bite to eat. I HATE THAT! Lol. There is more than enough seating for each guest, so everyone can have a table seat and relax and enjoy their time there. I would definitely recommend them, in a heartbeat.

I LOVED Gatsby's! I am more than happy with my decision to have my wedding there. The food was amazing! And we absoultly loved the decor. It is hard to find a place that still does one wedding at a time and is as beautiful as gatsby's. Everyone there was so helpful and accomidating throughout our planning process. We couldnt have choose a better place to have our reception. It was perfect for us! another huge plus is the flowers that they include on each table in the ballroom and also fresh flowers all around the whole place. You cant beat that! We saved sooo much money by not having to use a florist for that, and the flowers were just as beautiful.

 

reception cocktail hour gazebo 

 

In front of MY house!

Diana (Jersey Girl in Nasvhille) took this picture of me in front of me and Jay's house waaaay back in October '05. Just thought I'd share because....well, because...why not? : )

New Year, New Painting

I just painted some new artwork for our eventual 1/2 bath. I already own a large framed Peter Max print of the Wizard of Oz and I created a piece to go with it. The bathroom will be white with this artwork and brightly colored towels and accessories bringing in the color. My inspiration for my painting was this: http://lyricfrommyart.com/indexnew.html I saw a small article about this artist and his work in a wedding magazine. I intend to paint a large one using our wedding song lyrics ('Steady as We Go' by Dave Matthews Band.) I think it will look really cool hanging over our bed in our eventual master bedroom! Peter Max: Mine: Together:

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Long Awaited Puppy Pics!

Here are some pictures of baby Sadie and some bonus pics as well!

 

"view larger!"

Year In Review - 2005

What a year this has been. On the bus ride home last night, I thought of all the wonderful things that happened in 2005. At this rate, 2006 and 2007 should prove magical as well.

I will note high points and low points of each month as I remember them.

JANUARY

My best friend Kristine and I went down to Nashville to visit my friend Diana

My dear friend and closest co-worker Matt was let go while I was away. I was devastated. Lunch is still not the same without him around.

 I attempted to lose weight for Kristine's wedding. I do pretty well cutting carbs  and watching what I eat.

FEBRUARY

I attended my first casting call. An experience. I didn't get a part, but I'm glad I went anyway.

I went to the gym 2-3 times a week and maintained my lower weight for a while.

I had Jay, Dave and his girlfriend Christine over to the apartment I cat-sit at for a fun weekend in the city.

I got up close and personal with the likes of Ben Stiller, Rosie Perez, and Halle Berry at a work (HBO) screening.

MARCH

I applied for new jobs constantly since I was miserable at work. I could've taken a job with Queer Eye for the Straight Guy but decided it might not be a wise decision.

My evil evil co-worker quit when I got to takes Matt's place in the office. I think she was jealous. Yeah, that was a good day.

APRIL

My grandpa wasn't doing so well and could no longer live alone. We decided that he should live at Sunrise Assisted Living. It is like a resort - such a beautiful place. He is happy and well-taken care of and that is all that matters.

I threw a fabulous fortune cookie themed bridal shower for my best friend Kristine! Everyone had a wonderful time and she got lots and lots of gifts! It was held at Steak & Ale where my brother is a manager.

I started getting hooked on Scott Peterson trial books.

MAY

We had Kristine's bachelorette part in CT because Brian Kirk was playing there. Although it was rainy, we had a blast!

Jay and I started house-hunting seriously.

JUNE (a happy month!)

Kristine and John got MARRIED!! A beautiful day, a beautiful celebration, and the most beautiful bride EVER! : )

My second cousin Jimmy celebrated his 25th year as a priest and we were there to celebrate with him : )

Jay had a birthday and his co-workers gave him a cake that read, "May the Force be with You" : )

Jay and I vacationed in Cape May, NJ  - exit 0 on the Garden State Parkway! : )

We put an offer on a house and it was accepted! : )

JULY

Jay's sister-in-law is pregnant after trying for a long time! Congrats!

A month full of home-buying stress.

Kristine and John moved into their house at the end of the month. A very nice, big beautiful home in Stamford, CT. I wish it wasn't so far away...

AUGUST

I was thisclose to working at a store called Tuesday Morning to earn some extra cash. I decided it wasn't a good idea right then because I knew I'd want weekend time to work on our house.

Six Feet Under had its series finale. So moving, so haunting, SO GOOD. It will be missed.

We closed on our first house on August 24, 2005! : )

By the end of the month, we were already tearing the place apart!

SEPTEMBER

Major hurricanes wiped out communities in New Orleans and other parts of the south. My heart went out to those people and to the helpless animals. I ordered bulk pet supplies online and sent them to the North Shore Animal League to help them out.

We knocked down walls at our house - a messy, dusty job. I think it kick-started my asthma.

I got a new shorter 'do!

I was offered a new job here and I accepted! I'm an assistant to and executive V.P! I have my own little office with a TV and make more $!

OCTOBER

More and more progress on the house.

WE GOT ENGAGED!!!! -on our 9th anniversary together (10-12-05.) We went out for a lovely dinner at a really nice italian restaurant. It was really sweet when we toasted - he made mention that we toast to our new life in our new home. Afterwards, Jay went into his room to get me a present and asked me to close my eyes. When I opened them, there he was holding open a ring box with my grandmother's ring inside. He said, "Lesley, will you marry me?" My jaw dropped, I was in shock and I just hugged him tight. He kept asking me what my answer was, lol. We then went upstairs and told the whole world.

At the end of this month, I had a scare with my dad. I thought he was dying; I had to call 911. I still have flashbacks and nightmares of this day

NOVEMBER

My brother turned 31.

My family got a sweet baby girl puppy named Sadie. She is half beagle, half dachshund. Absolutely adorable.

Told Brian Kirk that we want him and The Jirks to play at our wedding!

DECEMBER

I turned 27 and was sick as a dog for my birthday. We had to postpone the celebration to a week later.

My co-worker Alex had no home for her dalmatian Chip. Jay's family took him in. He is such a gentle soul. I'm so thankful he didn't have to be put down prematurely. God bless June for taking in yet another dog in their already full house.

Looking forward to exchanging gifts, my parents going to Jay's for Christmas Eve, and asking Jay's sister and sister-in-law to be my bridesmaids. Diana and Kristine already know they are a part of the wedding.