Thank You!

There will be a more complete account of the big day posted soon with more photos, but for now we just wanted to say thank you so much to all the family and friends who showed their love, support and dancing skills this weekend. We are so grateful to have had such an amazing group of people by our side as we tied the knot and will cherish all the memories from that fateful night for as long we are blessed to do so. Cheers once again to all those who made November 28, 2009 unforgettable!

It's the Final Countdown

I think I am supposed to follow that with a cheese theme from a Europe song of the 80's...but it might be lost on the majority of followers.
So we've got a Monday through Friday before the UK get's one more Mrs Coates, and the US sees another foreigner taking ownership of the best the country has to offer.
This past weekend has been interesting for a number of reasons, not the least of which because we realise that the final furlong is approaching and people are arriving.
It was fabulous to see Matt and Maria the other night. I ought to point out to followers of the blog, I know there are many of you, that Maria said this would happen. Whether she was reading the leaves, or flipping the Tarot, not sure. But when I played the part of Best Man at their wedding in 2006, before I left to head over to the US Maria wagged her finger and told me that I was going to meet a lovely Irish girl in Boston and it would be curtains for my bachelor lifestyle. I jokingly dismissed it, yet here I am over 3 years later, hugging her in Norwood asking her if she can predict the hair colour of my first born. Matt, Maria and I go back a long way and it is always wonderful being with them. I knew that Maria and Rin would hit it off and sure enough, after a little introducing they were gassing like college friends about anything you'd care to mention.

The rest of the weekend has put me in a little more tedious but dedicated frame of mind. After spending until 3am on Saturday night trying to figure out why the first three favours came out great and the subsequent 20 looked awful, I realised it must be time for bed and I'd think clearer in the morning. Let that be a lesson to all would be budding artists and graphic designers out there. Don't change paper in a printer half way through a job. There are only about 30 left to do so I feel quietly confident about waking on Monday morning with a weight lifted from these shoulders. - I won't at this point give the game away as to what the favour actually is, suffice to say they have been handmade in Boston. Incidentally Claire I don't think is intentionally giving me the bird in this image. Those of you who know her better may think otherwise.

Also saw a potential home for the newly weds today. Not the inside, but the outside was enticing to a would be DIY'er such as myself. The home restoration book I bought some time ago ought to come in handy as the sellers broker is adamant that there is over $200K required to make it habitable. We'll see.....as might some of you one day when we invite you over for a bite to eat or a prolonged stay.

OK, I'm going to sign off now, those favours are beckoning and I only checked email to see why the Hedges' were not responding.......or should that be Hedgi?

ciao for now brown cow

9 days

So, it is less than a week and half before the big day. We are heading out tonight to see Matt Hedges and his wife, Maria. Matt H. is Matt's best friend from college days gone by and they have not seen in each other in quite a long while. Over the next week all the guests from across the pond will be arriving and it is all becoming very real and very exciting. I am picking up my dress tomorrow and we are finishing up the majority of admin duties for the wedding this weekend. Well on our way folks! Polish your dancing shoes!

School is also coming close to the end. Last class of my MA is on December 9th, last day of student teaching is December 11th and then I am done with graduate school, for now. It feels like it has been awhile in the making as I was working full-time and doing school at night for over a year, but the end is now here and I cannot believe how much has happened in 2009. Matt and I said at the end of 2008 that we would make the most of this year and I think we have fulfilled that goal quite well. I cannot wait to see what 2010 will bring.

Also, I have included a picture from my Boston Bachelorette Party. There will be no explanations, no words ever really should be spoken outside certain company about that evening. Let us just say, it was one to remember, though I am not really sure I can...
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Seacoast Half Marathon

I started off my running career a little backwards. Most people start off with the 5 or 10k races and slowly work their way up to a marathon. Instead I did a couple 5Ks and then the next race I competed in was a marathon. Last month I decided I would start filling in the missing races and do my first official half marathon. I of course had run 13 miles and more during my marathon training, but I never ran an actual half marathon race. My friend, Laurie, was the one who mentioned the race and when she did I thought it would be a good way for me to get back into my running since I suffered a bit of a slump after the marathon. It was also probably a little crazy considering everything I have going on, but it is something I feel good when I accomplish so I thought, why not?

The race was in Portsmouth, NH along the coast and it was probably the most beautiful race I have done to date. The views through Wentworth by the Sea and of the islands off the coast were lovely. The people as well who both were organizing the race and participating in it were really great and there were quite a few people out along the route cheering people on. It was also a fairly kind course, the only really hilly bit was at the end. It was a lovely and welcome change to my training runs through Roslindale and West Roxbury which are pretty consistently hilly. Saying all that I highly recommend this for anyone looking to tackle a half marathon next November.

The best part though had to be the company. Laurie is one lovely lady and it is always a great treat spending time with her. Her aunt and uncle, Laura and Patrick, were kind enough to let us stay with them the night before as they live outside of Portsmouth. Laurie's uncle ran the race with us as well. Aunt Laura made us an amazing pasta dinner the night before to get us all carbo loaded for the big race and then proceeded to make us a great brunch to revive us after the race. Their generosity and kindness really made the whole weekend an amazing experience and I am very glad I decided to finish of this year with this race. Let the running continue.