Creative Juices

It's Words You Forget to Anniversary Songs

Yesterday was our anniversary. Steve and I have been married for 4 years.
I didnt think we'd be celebrating it. We talked about it earlier in the week, and decided that we didnt have the money to do what we normally would. In previous years, we've done something together, rather than buying gifts for each other. Whether it be a nice dinner out, a full day at the movies or a couple's massage. But this year it fell on a Thursday, right after Slava's wedding and with the house...

But when I got home from work yesterday, I was surprised. Waiting for me on the steps was a sweet cute card. When I got up to the main floor, the dining table was set for two, with a vase of beautiful flowers and candles. Steve told me that he had ordered Maggiano's (my favorite Italian place). I was very impressed that he did all of that on his own.
Later that evening I told him that it sucks for him. Now that I know he's capable of planning and implementing a nice evening, I'll be expecting it more often.
Really, it didnt take much. Just knowing that he was thinking of me earlier in the day... that he took the time to think of what I would like for dinner and make the effort to call it in. Not to mention buying flowers and taper candles and then coming home and finding where I hid the vases and candle holders.
It was a nice anniversary. And next year is the big 5. We've been toying (but starting to talk more seriously) with the idea of having a big reception. Since we eloped and I didnt have the opportunity to plan a wedding, I've always wanted to have a big fancy thing. So, stay tuned for that. After the weddings I've been to this summer, I've plenty of ideas brewing. Lets see if it all unfolds.

At Last

The weekend, as a whole, was great. The wedding was beautiful, and quite a new and interesting experience for me. The wedding was on Sunday. So, we woke up early and a few bridesmaids and myself met up with Slava to get our hair done. After getting our hair done, we rode into Manhattan. The photographer was kind enough to let us get dressed at her studio. Though, that meant she wanted to get pictures of us dressing. So, when Slava's proofs come back.. there may be some pictures of my bare ass floating around. Hopefully she wont get any copies made of those. Anyway... after I was dressed and pretty... I got to help Slava into her dress. Slava fit in her dress fine, it wasnt like I was struggling with the zipper or anything... it was her big poofy petticoat that I had trouble with. Luckily I had bridesmaids for back-up. As you can see, her dress was absolutely stunning. When I added her veil... I almost started crying right there.
Once we were dressed and all, we hopped in the limo to meet the guys at Central Park (5th Ave and 105th Street), to be exact. The photographer got a permit for us to go in the Conservatory, which was very nice. I had never been in that part of the park before. Very pretty. We took lots and lots of pictures. Then we hopped back into our limos and rode down to Bryant Park. Took some pictures at the fountain, by the carousel and then walked around to the front of the library and took some pictures with Patience and Fortitude (the lions).
Then it was time to drive back to Jersey for the ceremony.
The ceremony was beautiful, and pretty quick. Lucky for me it was in English. Cause once the reception started, I only understood about a third of what was going on. Still it was all very fun and enteraining.
The highlights were:
*Each table had its own bottle of red, bottle of white and bottle of Absolut. I wondered why my family never picked up on such a tradition. We even had cute little shot glasses next to our wine and champagne glasses. By the end of the night I had had three shots of vodka and one cosmo. I think thats the most I've ever had to drink. I really dont know if it affected me at all... if it did, it only made me more tyerd than I already was at that point. And a little crabby. Steve said he had a buzz, and a buzz makes him incredibly talkative. I just wanted him to shut up.
*As the picture from yesterday shows, Slava and Yura sang a song together. It was cute.
*The emcee had the bride and groom autograph a bottle of champagne and auctioned it off. I think they made 100 bucks.
*Gorka! I know I'm saying (and spelling) it wrong... but thats what they say at the end of a toast to get the couple to kiss. Russians, feel free to correct me. Gorka!

Well, here are the pictures. Have a click.
Lovely Bride
Walking through Bryant Park
Slava and her Dad walking down the aisle
Each person in the bridal party had a clear balloon with little red heart balloons inside. As the Bride and Groom entered the reception, we stabbed them with a rose that had a pin at the end and released the hearts.
The Circle Dance (I look confused)
The Circle Dance (I get it now)
Slava and Yura standing during a toast
Slava in Yura's arms
Me and Rachel, my American Comrade
The main reason people have a wedding: Money.
Pretty Slava


Black and Whites
The New York Public Library Steps
The Bridal Party Waiting on 5th Avenue
Sabrina Minus Purple
Modern Bride (my favorite shot)

And Life Is Like A Song

Sorry I didnt write at all last week. I dont know what was up, just didnt have much to say. Hopefully I'll make it up to you this week.
Over the weekend, I was up in NY for Slava's wedding. For this event, I was the MOH (Matron of Honor).
Steve and I rented a car (cause we're 25, yay!) and drove up to New Jersey.
I'll tell you more about the wedding later. But here are a couple of pictures to whet your appetite. My pics are being developed the old fashioned way, but I should have them up before the end of the week.

Here's a shot of the line up during the ceremony. I think I'm about to adjust Slava's train.
The Wedding

This was probably my favorite part of the night. Yura and Slava got up on stage and sang a Ukranian love song to each other. It was very cute. Kinda like Olivia Newton John and John Travolta singing "You're the One that I Want."
Yura and Slava Sing

Stay Tuned.

I Feel My Luck Could Change

I'm convinced that Fortune Cookie companies now write fortunes tailored to the "... in bed" game.
Last night, we went to dinner at PF Changs with Simpson and Christine. The meal was very good, though we were sitting in what had to be the coldest spot in the restaurant. Lucky for me, I had brought my jacket. Smart Sabrina.
After dinner, our waiter brought our fortune cookies. I quickly opened mine, read it to myself and said aloud "ohhh yeah." Then I shared it with Steve, who nodded and laughed in agreement. Simpson and Christine, however, were clueless about the "... in bed" game. So, we let them in.
My fortune was "You are imaginative in using your skills... in bed."
Steve's fortune, which went very well with mine, was "A sweet surprise awaits you... in bed."
Well done, Mr. Fortune Cookie Maker.

Where The Deer and The Antelope Play

Here are some pictures of the house. Picking up from where we left off in June. Like before, click on the thumbnail for the larger pic. Enjoy!



1. The Living Room, white walls, gray carpet, mantel we didnt pay for (shhh)
2. The Kitchen, white walls, white cabinets, black countertops
3. Me, in the mirror in our master bath... big ass shower behind me
4. The front of our house, and the three beside us. Stone front finished.


5. Jacques, the French Canadian Red Maple Tree
6. Us, signing our life away. The back of Mr. Clifton's head from Clifton and Singer
7. The Happy Faces of two new home owners and their key
8. Steve and the first stroke of purple paint in the living room

True Blue Baby I Love You

On day two of painting the bathroom (which was an impromptu decision, and I wasnt properly clothed) I spilled paint ALL over my favorite jeans (and my garden tub). I cleaned up the tub, but my very favorite jeans were not salvagable. They will forever be stained.
And so I mourn the loss of my jeans. They were a good pair of jeans. I suppose they served me well.
But, since a person cant not own a pair of jeans... I had to go out yesterday and shop. HAD TO. I stopped by Old Navy on my lunch break and tried on... oh, about 8 pairs of jeans. I hated most of them, but settled on a pair.
These will not be my new favorite jeans. Well, they could be... but being called favorite is something you earn... and wont be decided for many many washings.
What makes a favorite pair of jeans? For me... it is an equal combination of comfort and looking good-ness. Not only should my ass look good at all times... but I should be able to sit, walk (and maybe even run if being chased) without feeling like my button will bust.
When explaining this to The Husband this morning he said "Oh, well, you didnt look all that good in your favorite pair anyway.... Can I say that?" (Judging by the fact that I'd like to smack you...) "No. No you cant."
I'm still mourning. It's like breaking up with a guy and then all your friends are like 'he wasnt right for you anyway.' and all you can think is 'why didnt you tell me that when were were dating?' You just dont want to hear it after the fact. It only makes you feel like a big stupidhead.

But When I Get Home To You

You may have thought I was kidding, but I did wind up conning others into painting most of my house for me. One Wednesday night, a few friends came over and completed the majority of the purple painting on the main floor. I actually did not paint anything at all that day. On Thursday, I did paint the bathroom. It turned out to be ther prettiest blue. But Friday night, Steve and his friend Mike had finished up the bedroom, the living and dining room and the bathroom.
I spent Friday packing... which took a crazy amount of time. Really, I could not have more stuff. Well, I'm sure I could. And will. But you get my point.
Saturday morning was Moving Day. It went very well. We had a few friends show up to help out. One of them (who shall remain nameless) tracked mud on my floor and then Steve tried to hide it from me. Tonight I'll take some Resolve to the spots and all shall be well. But Mr. Nameless will be wearing booties next time he comes to visit.
The cats are doing exceptionally well. The hardest part was getting Belle in the carrier to take her over. She hissed and growled and acted very tigress like. It made my heart beat extra fast. We kept them in the bedroom so that they could get used to that space and they quickly found safety in the closet. But, by last night, they were already venturing downstairs (okay... maybe I lurred them with a mouse...) and exploring around. Belle still hisses at random things, and even hissed while purring. She's a silly girl.
If I can remember, I'll post some pictures of the house completed, but pre painting.

So Hard To Keep Her Satisfied

Painting?!?! Who's crazy idea was that? I've been "painting" for four days now, and there still isnt any color on the walls. AND, it's a lot of work! Had I known painting was so labour intensive.... well... I would have conned someone else into doing it for me. Tonight will be the night, though. We have a few friends that have volunteered to help paint and there will be color. And lots of it.

Cosette, It's Past Your Bedtime

Well, the house is closed. Now I understand why nobody could give me real information about closing on a house. Cause really, all you do is sign sign sign. (I had it in my head that there had to be more to it than that). The lawyer, Mr. Clifton of Clifton & Singer was very used to blah blah blahing his way through all those papers. Steve and I giggled a lot at the deed which stated "Steven A. and wife Sabrina A." Dunno why that was so funny. The best part of closing was that we were told to bring a certified check for mucho moneyo and when we got there, the figures were changed and we had to pay less than half of that. So, we got a nice fancy fridge with the leftover moneyo. It will be delivered on Tuesday.
We spent ALL of Saturday at Lowes. At least it felt like the entire day. But we got all the paint we should need (lets hope) and all the other supplies, and blindes and lots of other crap. Plus the fridge. The 10% off coupon came in handy, thats for sure. And Saturday was the day I spent more money at one store than I have ever spent before. I'm proud.
Sunday, I thought we would start painting... but, uh, taping off takes a loooong time. Why didnt anybody tell me what a tedious job that would be? I even got the new duck corners, but they werent very helpful at all. And the tape doesnt exactly stay where you tell it to. Somebody needs to work on those things a little more. We can do better, people.
We also met our new neighbors, Kimberly and Steven. (We already have one of those, my boss and her husband go by that...) But they seemed nice. They have a dog like one of Sharon Osbourne's. They said that once they were a bit more settled, they'd invite us over for dinner.
Today, I get to leave work early to wait for the Oven Man (not to be confused with the Muffin Man). Hopefully when the Oven Man brings the new oven, I will be able to open the diswasher all the way (how did Masha miss that one?). If not, we will have a problem. Houston, be prepared.