Thursday, February 18, 2010

Experiment Bridal Bouquet

I received a custom order request using a flower I haven't used before. Rather than hydrangeas she asked me if I could use a kind of orchids. Who am I to say no? Of course I said I would try it out! and here is how it turned out ... what do you think?

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

!

Here is one of my button bouquets from the beginning through to the end.



The Supplies













The buttons









The buttons on wire stems













The workspace and tools










The beginning ...
I start in the middle and work in a circular
rotations around to the outside














Midway point








FINISHED!!






Sunday, February 14, 2010

What do I love?

Being Valentine's day ... it makes me stop and think about the things that I love most. My son, husband, family ... I want to live my life in a way that honors and expresses what is most important in my life. Having spent the recent half decade fighting for my life, I find it hard to not spend life doing something meaningful. I didn't fight this hard to do something that no one will remember in twenty years.

My Jaden will only be young once, I will never get these years back with him. I want to embrace where we are in life and make the most of it. Realistically, I know I might not be able to stay at home forever, but I want to when it means the most. I acknowledge that making the most money now will help in the long run, but what is money without memories?

I think about what makes me the happiest about my job, and truly I'm the most happy when I've helped someone ... and not just helped them within my job responsibilities, but when I was able to go above and beyond and do something special for someone. That really makes me happy. For some it's about self pride or accomplishment, or perhaps it's about making something beautiful. For me, it's about making a difference for someone. A smile, a thank you, a relief. I like to make people feel as special as they truly are, even if no one else sees it.

So, what would I do with all my time at home if I didn't work? Well, I would teach Jaden, have time for chores, try to sell more things on etsy, enroll Jaden in sports or even start him with music. Jaden and I could go for walks, to the library, the museum. I would have time to take him to the doctor without having to stay late at the office making up the time. My life would have meaning and I would have made a difference to someone if I were at home. Maybe one day....

Monday, September 21, 2009

Reflections of a Newlywed


So .... More than 24 hours ago I was at the salon getting my hair done, having a toast to my upcoming ceremony and thinking of what Doug was doing right then. Now are are in aother state getting ready to begin our honeymoon. I expected time to go fast and it was always on my mind the entire day and night ... but man time really did go fast!

I've never felt so much happiness in one day. I feel guilty saying that when I have Jaden, but his birthday was different....it came with exhaustion and nursing. Still one of the greatest days, just in a different way. Our wedding day had a lightness and honesty about it. Doug and I have pledge our lives together. To be there for one another and to be each other's constant support.

Over breakfast I asked Doug what his favorite memory was of the day ... he said it was dancing. I think my favorite part was how carefree everyone was....Doug was humorous and outgoing. I was roaming and soalizing. All the while, Doug and I had each other on our minds. We kissed at every chance we had and held hands most of the night. It is a memory that will serve as my reminder to always be there for him. To hold his hand through life and to kiss and make up.

I think one of my favorites, although it's hard to select just one ... was the limo ride. We had all of our closest friends and family there to celebrate us. Sherri brought good music and Rachael brough great drinks. It was a time to be silly and let loose. We could get obnoxious and just be goofy. We even were able to meet up with Katie for a mutual wedding photo opportunity. I can't put into words how wonderful it was to have my girls next to me ... both new girls and those that have always been there. The Rappis kids were so grown up and such a pleasure to have there. Syd wore her high tops the whole day ... they were rockin'!

Thank you to everyone who made it down or up to celebrate with us. We are so blessed to have friends and family like all of you! We will be thinking of you on our honeymoon and can't wait to remenise about the wedding with you when we get back!

Love, Mrs. Melissa Bissing

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Counting the Minutes


To say I'm not excited would be an utter lie. I can count the number of hours left til the weekend ... and how many hours left of work .. and how many minutes til I walk down the aisle. It's becoming more and more real each day. When we first got engaged it felt so far away ... like we had so much time to plan! And now I'm packing for our honeymoon and finalizing dinner orders. It's so exciting!

A special thank you to my mom and sister. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be as calm as I am now (although Doug would argue I'm not calm at all). They have been my rock and gone WAY over board for me! I've got the greatest support system! I love you both very much! I hope you know how much your efforts and love mean to me!

It's grandparents day today, First one ever with two sets of grandparents to honor! Jaden is so lucky to be loved by so many. I want to raise him to know how special family is. There is nothing that he can do to alter mine or Doug's love for him and I know his grandparents feel the same way. What a lucky little guy to have four AMAZING grandparents!

Love, Mel

Monday, September 7, 2009

Will this be the last time signing Melissa Medal?


The wedding planning is in full force, including several calls a day between Mom, Rachael and myself. I've got over 100 of the brownie pops baked. I ran out of eggs, so I have to go and get more. The attendant gifts are just about finished; waiting for a few things to come in the mail. The day's agenda has been created and just needs some tweaking. All of the confirmation phone calls need to be made over the next week and a half.

I only have 6 days left of work. I can't believe it's happening so fast. I almost wish it would slow down so I could enjoy every second just a little bit longer. I've loved all of the planning and details. Although I could have gone without some of the tiffs. But all is turning out well!

I had my final dress fitting last week. She made some alterations that made the WORLD of a difference! I felt like a movie star in it! When it was time to change back into my clothes, I was sad to take it off. I can't even imagine the excitement and what will be going through my head the next time I put the dress on. That will be the last time I wear the dress too .. .the entire day long. From the moment I put that dress on, the entire day is going to fly by. Pictures with the girls, walking down the aisle, saying our vows, riding the limo, toasts, dancing, kisses, family. I just don't want it to be over!

We will be officially married and an official family. I'll be a Bissing. I should start practicing making my "B"s Although it takes a few weeks to get all the paperwork in order before I'm officially a Bissing. I think I get a new Social Security number ... but I'm not sure. I remember when Doug and I were dating I'd sometimes sign my name Melissa Bissing when paying at the grocery store. It was our way of playing house. Made both of us smile at the fact that some day it would be real. I would truely be Melissa Bissing. Now each time I sign my name, I think "what if this is the last time I'm a Medal?" I've thought that everytime I've signed my name since we've gotten engaged. Now it's getting close the the last time is nearing. But how exciting to know that I'll be a Bissing in less that two weeks!

Darn it, Jaden is up again ... Mom duty calls!

Love, Mel

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Becky's Wedding


I had the honor of setting up and being the go to person for my friend Becky's weeding. I was so excited and nervous as I wanted her day to be perfect! The morning started off ahead of schedule with coffee from Caribou and a kickn’ wedding planner tool belt. I drove Becky to the War Memorial to go over last minute instructions. I felt pretty good!

When we arrived, her family was already unloading linens and her dress. Everyone was pitching in to help. The dining hall was set much faster than I anticipated and made me feel hopeful about the rest of the day. By the time the bride and her bridesmaids left at 11 am, the tables were dressed and set. We needed to still set the candy bar and blow up more balloons. The most stressful part was that there were so many people there to instruct and asking for direction. I hoped it would calm down once everyone left to get pretty for the wedding.

And it did calm down, but the time flew and the tasks look longer to complete. I was on the patio tying flowers to the chair and arch when all of a sudden I realized it was 2pm. The cake, caterer and florist were showing up any minute and I was only half way done with the ceremony setup. Not to mention I felt much more like a piece of bacon frying than a wedding planner at this point. Candace and Nikki helped rock it out and we finished the outside. I was loosing steam fast and made a huge push at the end to finish placing the lights around the banisters.

The three of us girls raced upstairs and took some birdie baths in the bathroom (thanks mom for teaching me that term…I love it now that I’m a mom too!) I dressed, applied my makeup and left to check on the bride and groom to see if they needed anything else last minute. I had a few seconds to breath while I stood in the back waiting to fluff the bride’s dress before she walked down the aisle.

Then it was cocktail hour….if I thought I was busy before, I had no idea what was ahead! I answered last minute questions from Saz’s, said hello to a few coworkers, gave last min instructions to the DJ and before I knew it we were in line waiting to be seated for dinner. I ate TONS as I hadn’t eaten all day long. Then before I knew it, everyone had left the hall and was back outside for dancing. I broke down all of the tables and packaged everything together to be sent home. There wasn’t enough room in Becky’s mom’s car, so I loaded the remaining items in my car and got to dance a little bit before the night was over.

The day was SO long but made me so excited for my own wedding! AND it made me realize that wedding planners are not paid enough for all that hard work. Becky didn’t stop smiling the entire day and she kept looking at me telling me that I was going to have so much fun. Her and Andy walked around holding hands and you could just tell how much they loved each other! I couldn’t be happier for them!

Only 46 more days until my own wedding … I don’t know that I’ll ever be as organized as Becky was, but I do know I’ll be as happy as she was!

Love, Mel