If some of these entries some outdated or jumbled, I apologize. I've been adding new paragraphs as Lee and I make decisions regarding our big day. From here on out, I'll include an entry date . . . especially since our wedding is just less than three months away!

August 24 Lee's mother hosted a lovely engagement dinner at The Gypsy Grill which was attended by: Bobbi & Gene Berg, Phil Walker, Wendy & David Rosenfeld, Matt Sue & Colette Grubman, Barbara & Joel Robbins, Sonia & Bill Rosen, Barbara, Lee and myself. Barbara greeted us with handmade chocolate heart candy pops
and we finished off our delicious meal with a wedding cake tasting!

Now, Barbara is busily working on addressing the envelopes in her very own eloquent hand. Meanwhile, my mother, Sonia, has been getting my wedding accessories together . . . shoes, undergarments, veil, etc. etc.

Barbara Grubman, Grandma Rosa & Shelly

Now most of our free time is being taken up by wedding planning. This Friday afternoon, we take our engagement photos. Saturday afternoon we meet with Rabbi Donnell to discuss the ceremony, Saturday evening we have a tasting to pick out hors d'oeuvres and the main fare for our reception. Sunday, we get to take a break to celebrate Talia's birthday! Phew!!!

September 3 Lee and I had fun taking our engagement photos on the UCLA campus (of course). We'll post one here soon, if it's decent! Big discussion over the weekend regarding stamps for our invitations. Lee wanted Buggs Bunny and I wanted those lovey dovey swan stamps. This should be our BIGGEST problem!!!

September 15 It's very exciting to get RSVP cards back and we absolutely love all of the little notes we've received on them. It means a great deal to us to have our family and friends share in our special day.

September 18 Gosh, time is flying by! We're getting down to the nitty-gritty of wedding planning. This weekend, we're off to Palm Springs
for my first gown fitting, and some R & R!

September 22 Well, I had the opportunity to wear my gown for a whole 45 minutes (for a fitting), and I didn't want to take it off! It's really beautiful . . . and a shame that I'll only be able to wear it on our wedding day. I told Lee that the next time we go to Las Vegas, I may bring the gown to wear again . . . we always see women walking around in bridal gowns in Las Vegas casinos . . . and no one will have to know that we didn't just tie the knot!

September 28 Well, it's officially official. I am Jewish! My experience at the mikvah last Friday afternoon was wonderful. A mikvah is a body of water (very much like a jacuzzi, except without all of the bubbles). Interestingly, the water is not "drawn" through a pipe, but must come from a natural source . . . typically rainwater. The mikvah that I visited received its water from melting ice.

After learning some interesting history about the mikvah from Lillian the Mikvah Lady, I entered the waters while completely naked. Then, I said a blessing in Hebrew and submerged myself in the water. I did this three times. The water represents life, purity and renewel of spirit. Luckily, Lillian and Susan (our Cantor from Temple Judea) were present as my witnesses and helped to make sure that I was able to say the blessings properly. Lee and Rabbi Gore were behind a curtain so they were able to hear, but not able to see the ceremony. It was a fabulous experience.

Friday afternoon (after the Mikvah), we met with our caterer (Barry) to finalize the menu for our reception and we picked out linens. Lee and I took some more time to walk through the banquet room, and we were even more amazed at the beauty and architecture of the Ebell. We are SO excited!!!

We also met with our photographer and picked out engagement photos! Lee and I decided on the photograph that is on our homepage. Of course, it will be cropped a little differently - you'll be able to see it on display at the reception (probably).

I'm telling you - this was a busy, busy weekend! After meeting with the photographer, we went to the jeweler and selected our wedding bands. Lee's wedding band is a pattern of weaved gold. It is beautiful! My wedding band is platinum, to match my engagement ring. It it hand etched, and glitters as if there
were hundreds of tiny diamonds around it.

Later that night, I had the honor of reading a passage during Shabbat Services. And afterward, we had a private service during which I was able to hold the Torah and receive a Certificate of Conversion.

Saturday afternoon, Sheril and Cathy hosted a wonderful bridal shower at Sheril's home in Chino Hills. My cousins Sandra, Johanna, Mercy, Adrianna and Linda were there, as was Sue, Judy, Barbara and my Mother. The food was fabulous and the company superb! They really went all out!

Sunday morning, Cathy and I went shopping for flower girl dresses and had some time to chat. Later that afternoon, Lee and I met with Barbara Goldstone to finalize ideas for our Ketubah. We picked out the text and decided upon the artwork.

It really looks as if things are coming together!

October 2 Shanah Tovah! Happy New Year! Nothing much new to report on the wedding front. All RSVP's are due tomorrow, so if you have forgotten to send them in, please, please, please drop them in a mailbox.

October 6 Well, I went to Palm Springs for my final fitting over the weekend Taaadaaa! My gown is finished! Then, Dad and I went to inquire about Tuxedos. The tuxedo "guys" had him stripped and in a tux faster than you can say "How long in advance should I rent a tux??!!" Meanwhile, Mom has picked out another dress to wear to the wedding. Hey, it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. Right???

October 12 This weekend was Yom Kipper. Lee and I fasted and attended services. Now, only 3 more weekends until the big day! This weekend we picked up yarmulkes for the ceremony, placecards for the reception and we worked on writing a program which we will give to all of our guests before the wedding ceremony.

I made hair & make-up appointments for Mom and me so that we look absolutely stunning (hopefully!).

Lee and I looked for tux accessories and shoes. Does ANY Nordstrom have a black, size 15 pair of rockports?????? There has to be a pair SOMEWHERE - or my groom just might go barefoot!!!

October 17 Last night we got our marriage license! From what we were told, there are only two places in Southern California that issue marriage licenses - Norwalk and Catalina Island. Luckily we came across a woman named Rosalind, who makes house calls. She came by last night, we completed the paperwork, and it was all done. Piece of cake!

I've been sick all week long, and finally went to the doctor today. He issued me a prescription for a decongestant and cough medicine. The weather has been really wackly lately . . . hot, cold, then hot. A lot of folks are getting sick. I just pray that Lee doesn't catch it from me. That's all we need - to be sick on our wedding day.

October 21 Sunday afternoon, Barbara Grubman and Rose Ross hosted a lovely wedding shower in my honor. The shower was attended by: Florence, Bobbie, Mari, Auxie, Jean, Angel, Ruth, Cathy, Rochelle, Wendy, Sue, Barbara, Rita and my Mom. We had a delicious buffet luncheon that had items ranging from caviar to delicious homemade blintzes (and lots of goodies in between). The tables were decorated with beautiful roses in assorted colors. And, all of the guests took homemade soap and chocolate lollipops with them as gifts. It was a terrific afternoon!

Later that evening, Wendy & David helped us pick out the song for our first dance. What a relief! By the way, we have forgotten EVERYTHING we learned in those dance classes!!!

My Matron of Honor is now on dress #2. Cathy is four months pregnant! She tried on the dress that she had been planning to wear to the wedding and it was a little tight. So, she and her Mother went shopping for a new one. They found a very pretty pink dress - which doesn't surprise me at all - pink has ALWAYS been Cathy's favorite color!!!

The plans are starting to come together for Lee's Bachelor Party - dinner & mud-wrestling???

October 22 Today I placed an order with Chocolates a la Carte for our wedding favors. I'm very excited about them - but can't tell you more because it's a surprise!!

I also called and made a reservation for Nadia - our cat. She'll be taking a two week vacation of her own (poor dear) while Lee and I are honeymooning in Kauai.

October 30 Well . . . where are we??? Only nine days left until the big day!!! Last Saturday, Lee and his buddies went out for Lee's Bachelor party. I heard that he got "spanked" and he was sore for a few days. I'd prefer NOT to ask for any more details! Anyway, he and his friends had a good time.

That same Saturday, I had my hair "practice" done. Hair practice? Yes, I went to the salon so that Michelle could fool around with my hair & veil to see what it would look like on my wedding day. I was very impressed with the final result!

We've finalized our seating arrangements (that was an interesting experience), and have an appointment to meet with our photographer tonight (the last time before our wedding) to go over final, final details.

Since today is my birthday, (the big 3-2) I've taken the day off from work will try to get some other odds & ends done. Maybe, I'll tackle some more of those thank you notes!

October 31 Happy Halloween! The girls in my office threw a surprise pizza party/bridal shower for me a lunchtime. I got lots of sexy lingerie, massage oil and a sex book! Those ladies are WILD! They also gave us the most beautiful guest book to use at the wedding.

November 1 Today, Lee and I put the finishing touches on the text for our wedding program. Our friend David Rosenfeld is going to take the text and make it beautiful
(we couldn't figure out how to use microsoft publisher, so Dave will lay everything out for us).

Lee's Great Aunt Flo arrived from New York and we met her at the airport. While we were at LAX we had two celebrity sightings - Al Pacino and Richard Simmons! No, they were NOT together!

November 4 We finalized all details regarding our ceremony and reception with Billy Ray, our Maitre'd. I also called our Florist just to double-check that we had ordered the correct number of centerpieces. Tonight, I picked up the finished programs from Dave - they look fabulous! We have a confirmation for our hotel room for our wedding night, a gift from my Boss! . . . just one more day of work to go and Lee and I are free to enjoy our wedding and honeymoon!

November 6 We're finished working for two whole weeks (what a relief)! Today we ran around taking care of the very last details - printing the programs, finalizing some details with the band, packing up everything we'll need to take to the ceremony & reception, and a bunch of other stuff!

This will probably be our very last update before the wedding. Tomorrow Lee has plans to relax on the golf course with Matt and Joel. In the meantime, I've got an appointment for a mini day of beauty (manicure, pedicure, etc.).

Our rehearsal is called for four o'clock in the afternoon at the Ebell, and afterward we'll enjoy margaritas and mexican food at "El Cayote." After dinner, I'll be spending the night with my parents. Lee and Matt will spend the evening in our house.

We've been planning our wedding since February - and now it's here. It still hasn't sunken it yet. All I know is that I love Lee with all my heart, and I am looking forward to Saturday evening when we will finally become husband and wife.

THE END . . . for now!!!