A Beautiful Bride

She was so nice, so organized, and best of all thorough. Which made it easy to design and produce wedding stationery for Julie and her fiancee Bradford with almost 2,000 miles between us. For awhile there I had her Phoenix, Arizona address memorized.

Lately I've been getting requests to do invites for people who aren't exactly local. Friends of friends who aren't ever going to be cruising through the sweet little town of New Bremen, Ohio. With phones, texts, and good old "snail mail" it can be done.

Here are a few photos of Julie and Bradford's day - April 18, 2009.

The photographers name is Stephanie Fay and she does beautiful work. http://www.stephaniefayblog.comThat is the menu I did for Julie.

Perspective - more than just a big word

Today was the first day I've been truly happy in about a week. My printer is fixed! Anyone who has spoken to me in the last couple weeks knows I've been scrambling to get things taken care of and I've been stressing out because I have deadlines and well, it's not my style to miss deadlines. Anyway, I'm thrilled today because the service techs fixed the machine. Probably they were even more happy than me, I don't know. They are super nice guys but when they are here it means there is trouble so we're all glad when they don't have to make the trip here to see me.

Anyway, while it's been distressing being behind in my work I like to remember that things could always be worse. That nagging pop up could have been a virus that would ruin my hard drive. On my emergency trip to Columbus I could have blown a tire. The list is endless. Now that I'm listening to the hum of my printer churning out some beautiful wedding invites I'm happy and full of the calm that comes with knowing everything is going to turn out after all.

We watched the movie "Pearl Harbor" last night. Not a real great movie to watch while you're trying to doze off. Watching a movie like that put things into perspective. As usual anything that has to do with WWII reminds me of Harry and Helen. I dug through "the letters" looking for something on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, which happened on December 7, 1941.

Still in the Woods, Dec. 7, 1943 (note: Harry's letter was written on nice Fort Bragg stationary)

Hello Honey,
Well, here it is 2 years from the day that the Japs started this mess and here I am in the woods learning how to get it over with. I haven't heard any news this week so I don't know much of what is going on. We fired for practice in rapid fire today. I didn't do so good . My gun jammed a couple of times & I didn't get to fire all my rounds. Today turned out to be swell, about 65 degrees.

Well, it is so dark I can't see to write outside anymore so I've lighted my candle. My steel helmet is my candlestick holder as well as my wash basin, bathtub, etc. I also wear it. It's heavy as heck.

Tomorrow we have a 4.5 mile speed march. HECK! We ride about everywhere we go around here. I am just beginning to see the mechanized part of the army.

I am sorry honey, but the advantages of having that pants presser would be almost nil here. Whenever our pants need pressing we can have them done for $.15 or $.20. I am glad to hear that Chet and Amabel was glad to get the letter. I am not writing much this week. I'll try and get a pass this evening and make an effort to get something for Xmas. I have to hurry, won't I?

We didn't wear blouses on guard. O.D. Pants and we had our field jackets cleaned. Guess we were pretty spiffy. We had a superior rating in personal appearances.

You should be here now. The moon is shining through the pine trees, it's really beautiful. As far as I am concerned thats about all that is pretty in this state. This is the official end of our basic training. We really do our specialized work in our last 9 weeks. It won't be long.

Well honey, the order just come to clean our guns so I'll have to tell you I love you so much and that you've been a swell sweetheart and girl friend and wife. A man couldn't ask for a better one. I'll close now. I can't send these air mail as I forgot to get stamps before we left. Lots of love and my unending devotion . . . Harry

It's Picture Day

Got a little camera happy today. The first picture is of the dogs. Okay, we have a terrible yard. It's a nice, large fenced in yard, but the ground inside the fence is absolute crap. The perimeter of our yard has a nice worn path from the dogs running up and down the fence line. There are little holes here and there where the dogs got a hankering to dig. The garden in the corner is usually a little too overgrown but whatever. Let's not even talk about the "land mines" dotting the surface.

We're like the people who have a terrible couch but don't see the point in buying a new one until the kids are older. As fussy as I am, when I see the daily abuse our lawn receives, I totally "get" that mentality.

Anyway, there is one particular spot in the yard where there used to be a stump. Adam had pulled it out and planted grass but nothing every seems to work so every year it ends up being a dead looking part of the yard. It's also the place the dogs love to relax. On sunny days they take turns laying in that spot (though Junior, the lazy one, seems to hog it the most). In this picture they are ALL enjoying the weather and catching some zzzz's. Pretty rare thing, really.

Next is a photo of the cool display stand that I scored at my church's garage sale for $.25

Pretty sweet huh? It's a nice brass base with some bendy arms.

Here are some close ups of the invites featured on the rack.

She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes . . .

Mountain of wedding invites that is. With businesses gearing up for spring and the grads graduation, printing and invites are flying out of Sara Paper day and night. Holy cow is it busy!

And speaking of Spring - where the heck is it? Adam is going to a Reds game on Sunday. I would be jealous except for the fact that it might be sunny and nice but who knows, it could be snowing.

I have to admit that we had great weather for the community garage sales last weekend. I made it out to a few of them. Found a nice display rack for invitations so I was happy.

Now a shout out to Administrative Professionals. Today is their day. I "celebrated" in traditional Sara Paper fashion and ate cake. It's not that I eat cake all the time. I really don't. It just seems that I happen to have cake on the days I decide to post here. Today I attended the "South Western Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon." Wow, say that three time fast. I had a booth with the newest designs and joy of joy, Susan Kreig of The Pie Shell was there with her CARROT CAKE - my favorite. Thanks Susan!

Yeah, ummmm, "Hi, how have you been?"

It's been awhile since my last post. Things have been craaaaazy. Just nuts. But in a good way. My apologies to anyone who had to wait for anything. I think I'm FINALLY caught up (opps, just jinxed myself, didn't I)

Because Easter is just a day away we'll revisit Easter Day, 1944 with Harry and Helen (you are welcome Chiara and Melanie - I know you've been waiting)

April 9, 1944 - Happy Easter Darling!

You probably didn't receive a letter from me yesterday, as I was pretty tired when I got home last night and felt it would be better if I didn't write when I was so tired - and rather provoked. More about that later.

I have to reconsider Saturday's happenings first. First of all, I had two swell letters from you, honey. One was one of the nicest I've ever received from you. It was the one where you reminisced about 1937 and of us in general. I've come to the conclusion that we are madly in love! And honey, when you come on that furlough, it will be just like getting married all over again. (note: GO, Helen! Yeeeeah) One, thing, I'll bet we'll have plenty of entertainment - if you get what I mean. (note: umm, yeah Helen, we get it.)
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Then Helen goes on at length about her friend Adeline is being a pain in the butt. (My words - not Helens) In my opinion, Helen has a tendency to be "high maintenance" but she seems justified in this particular tirade and I had to feel sorry for her. Helen is pretty depressed and juding from the sound of this letter - badly in need of a man. Anyway, I digress . . .
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Now for Sunday's activities. Got up at 7:30 this morning and washed then got a chicken dinner. I had sinus so went to bed at 2:00 and staryed until 5:15. I felt much better when I got up. The people here didn't get much of a chance to show off their Easter finery as it rained the whole day. Let's hope that next Easter we'll see the Resurrection of Peace over the world. With this hope in mind I look forward to Easter in 1945.
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Helen goes back to her laments about her girl friends before launching into her sentimental mode.
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Honey, speaking of Sept. 29, 1937 - how I was in hopes you'd kiss me!! Didn't we have a wonderful time though? Remember how I sat on your lap coming home and what a terrible time Carl had to fix the date? Honey, when you stop to think, doesn't fate deal funny hands? I hope you will always feel that I have been a good wife. My ambition is to be the one to you and to make you love me forever. I know that I shall love you unto Eternity.

You surely know by now that I love you very much, but I must keep on telling you so you never forget it. Darling, you are what I live for and believe me, I'm proud of the fact that it is you. Darling, I realize all the sacrifices you are making and know that the inconveniences I'm put to by the war couldn't possibly match those you have and the loneliness you experience. Sometimes I feel better than other times, but all the time I remember I have you to love and to love me. You make the world go round and make things worth doing.

Darling, I'm proud to be your wife and don't you ever forget it. Also, remember dear that the most important job at the present time is serving as a private in Uncle Sam's army. You know how you'd feel if you weren't in it.

Devotedly, Helen

And on that note: Happy Easter to all! Say a prayer for those who are currently serving our country and not able to be with their families. Pray also, for those who aren't able to pray freely. I know I'll be counting all my blessings on Sunday.

There's more to life than cake . . .

Spring is just a buzzing. Especially the last couple days which have been excellent weather days. Some days I feel like I want the world to just STOP for a couple hours so I can get a few extra things done. But times keeps rolling on and I'm not the only one who is a busy bee.

The First Communion Event at Emmy's Bridal was a lot of fun. The Family Fun Finder gals had lots of nice door prizes for the girls to sign up for. Plus they made little coupon packets and cards to hand out. The little girls looked so cute, and let's not forget Susan Krieg from The Pie Shell who came armed with yummy cake.

While at Emmy's we also got to watch girls model their choices for prom dresses. There are some amazing dresses out right now for prom. You wouldn't believe the selection at Emmy's. We all commented a few times, "wow, if you can't find a dress here . . ." Special thanks to the gal that probably tried on 20 dresses. She was a good sport and let us comment and vote on her choices.

Along with prom there is graduation, baby showers, Mother's Day and of course tons of weddings coming up. I hope everyone will give me a call and see what I can offer for these events. I don't think there is a job that is too big or small for me. It's not a problem if you only need something like 15 graduation invites. In this economy a small job is still a job and I'm a big fan of work.

Just when you thought the cake season was over . . .

After three bridal shows I was pretty sure I'd had my fill of cake for awhile. Since Thursday I had cake three times. (four times if you count the double helping I had on Sat. night - opps).

The Thursday cake was probably the best. Krafty Friend Kat and I decided to get lost in the antique shops of Wapak. First we had to have lunch though. The Cloud Nine Cafe in downtown Wapak was excellent. Kat enjoyed a light but filling quiche and I gobbled up an excellent ceasar salad. I couldn't resist the dessert of the day, homemade, Italian Cream Cake. Yumm-y! Even with me forcing Kat to eat part of it I couldn't finish it and took it home to enjoy later.

Saturday the New Bremen American Legion celebrated it's birthday and of course birthday cake was in order. After the dinner we carried over into the canteen and enjoyed karaoke. The leftover cake was sitting there calling my name. After my sister in law Abi decided to go for a second slice I folded like a stack of cards and followed suit. We had a good time listening to "Adam Cash" and watching "Munch" (my husbands brother) impress everyone with his awesome card tricks.

Then finally today was Adams nephews second birthday. The birthday boy requested a blue cake with green icing and his mom did that and one better and added sprinkles to the top.

It looks like cake is in the future as well. On Sunday, March 22 from 12-4 there will be a First Communion Feature at Emmy's Bridal in Minster. The little girls can try on dresses and there will be several vendors present as well. I will have a line of First Communion invites and thank you cards. Word is Susan Krieg of The Pie Shell will be there with her cake samples, which is always excellent. This event is being planned in conjunction with the Family Fun Finder.

Finally, I have some photos to share of my first brides of 2009.

The first bride and groom of the season is Tricia Brun and Eric Strausbaugh. Tricia and Eric married on February 7th, in the beautiful St. Augustine Church in Minster, Ohio. Poor Tricia! I don't know how she managed to look so beautiful and graceful on what must have been a FREEZING photo shoot!

Photography by Sara Zircher - Heirloom Images, Ft. Loramie, Ohio

My second couple of the season is Tessa Zircher (of Minster) and Matt McDermitt (of New Bremen). They married on February 21, 2009 in Minster, Ohio amidst snow and cold. Which must have been pretty hard for them as they've been living in Hawaii where Matt is stationed. Looks like they enjoy cake as much as I do. (though I don't normally smear it all over my face when I eat mine - I promise)

Photography by Todd B. Acker, Sidney, Ohio