Reception Fun

What we really want out of our wedding reception is for everyone to have fun. Right now we're brainstoriming and would love some input. Since Burke Fire Hall is set up to be a bingo place on the weekends we thought we would just go along and have some bingo called by our band throughout the night.

We're also interested in intergenerational dance participation. To encourage this we've hired the Moonlighters, a DC based Motown/Oldies group. We're hoping young and old alike will get down to James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Aretha, The Four Tops and The Platters. We've also made a special request to hear "When Love Comes to Town" by u2, featuring BB King. Don't be surprised if I get up on stage to exhibit my vocal stylings on that one.

We are also looking for ways to get people talking. We're planning on putting a fact about each person on the backs of your name table place cards. Instead of numbered tables they will be labeled with the names of places important to me and Jacob. I also love something we did at my friend Jane's wedding: if you want to see the bride and groom kiss, you or a group of friends stands and sings a song with "love" in the lyrics.

That's what we've got so far. If you have any ideas or things you've seen get people energized at other weddings, send us a comment. We're pretty much up for anything. Pinatas? Jewish chair dance? Break-dance circle? Bobbing for apples? Let us know what you think would be fun.

overwhelmed (again) by decisions

yes, its true. As of last week we actually still had made no firm plans about our reception, catering, etc. The Knot keeps flashing 166 days left! 165 days left! 164 days left! prompting me further and further into the agony of indecision.

We have (we think) actually now made a plan about the locale for our Wedding At Cana themed reception: The Burke Firehall in, well, Burke! We're borrowing from our friends Jamie and Catherine on this one but we never had illusions of being original. So Burke it is. And we made Save the Dates so that's good.

I've reached the end of caring about anything else. Cheese plate or fruit? Salmon or trout? Accoutrements to accompany a chocolate fountain? Band playlist? First dance song, last dance song, father-daughter dance, monkeys performing at the wedding, wedding flowers, colors, fire-breathers, napkins, Cirque de Solei, china.... For crying out loud! We're about at the point where free reign will be given to the illustrious Robbin Bixler, mother of mine and most patient wedding muse.

So I hear the drums of apathy pounding in the distance, with every moment closing in on this wedding. At this point we just want to get married, get everybody feed and drinked, dance to a few tunes and call it a day. who's with me? anyone? anyone....?

It doesn't help that this has been such a busy time. I am now spending two days a week (my technical "weekend" from l'arche) at University of Portland and hanging with the folks the other five. Jacob is now a daylaborer/househusband. I am enjoying him as my helpmeet/driver/lunchmaker/ironer-of-work-clothes more than I ever would have imagined. We are indeed thinking the househusband thing may be an excellent career for him and are pursuing the possibility accordingly.

Nothing to despair about. Just a full time. We are blessed by the way the doors are opening and by feeling called ever deeper into life together. The new job is great, the transition out of l'Arche smooth. I continue to cultivate relationships with the folks in the house and to enjoy the community of our church. And did I mention that my mom is a rockstar? Wait. What was I complaining about....

oops!

Argh. I realized yesterday that our "comment setting" for the blog allows only registered "bloggers" to leave comments. We've fixed it so now anyone can respond. Just hit "comment" and leave your message.

Sorry about that.

That being said, we would love feedback on Bixler-Florer vs. Florer-Bixler.

Needing Input on Last Naming

A while ago my friend Ashley asked me what Jacob and I are planning to do about our last name. At the time the most natural course of action was for me to stay Bixler, him to stay Florer. I couldn't imagine a great reason to change my name to Florer and vice versa. We flirted with a bunch of ideas, the best one being making up a new word from some or most of the letters in our names (e.g. flixrer, rexflo, olexef, lixbore).

As time went on, in the course of our cooperative naming process it became clear that Jacob had one particular desire in this area. Mostly, he wanted our whole family to have the same last name. So we were left with hyphenating our names. We see this marriage not only as the conjoining of two people, but of two families, two communities, two distinct stories. We bring to our union our Bixler-ness and our Florer-ness.

Now we transition into aesthetics. They're not the prettiest combo (ah, how lucky you are Ardrey-Graves family and Hevelone-Harpers. Kielsmeier-Jones is a mouthful for sure) but it's what we've got.

Here's where we could use your help. Which do you think sounds better: Bixler-Florer or Florer-Bixler?

We were leaning strongly towards the former until my sister mentioned that "Bix" is such a dominating syllable that "lerflorer" becomes this slushy afterthought. Putting "bix" in the middle, she pointed out, is a wake up call in the middle of the soft sounds "florer" and "ler." It becomes two distinct words instead of one. In Jacob's words, "it makes me feel married."

Thoughts? opinions?

Casper the Friendly Volvo

Yeah! We have a new car! The Beast, our somewhat difficult, always loud F250 Diesel (the one in which we got engaged) has needed a replacement or at least a suplement for a while now. The Beast's little sister, our lovely new (1985) Volvo showed up today via Canby, OR. She's a turbo diesel with a rebuilt engine, came biodiesel ready and will be up for a veg oil conversion as soon as we can find the cash. It's a mommy-prep car, e.g. could handle three small people, a stroller, two car seats, a set of snowshoes, a hitchhiker, a bike and a CSA pick-up.

Here are some pictures with the folks who are equally excited about the new arrival (Erin announces "Jaba coming!" when he's in the truck still three blocks away because its so loud).

Everybody came out to see the new ride

Adam tests out the seat

Joni giving her approval

Leo in Blood Diamond

I read in Time magazine on the plane back from Boston that Leonardo DiCaprio will be starring in a new movie called The Blood Diamond, set in Sierra Leone. It's depicts how gem sales funded African civil wars in the 1990s.

"De Beers (the world's largest diamond distributor) says it will spend $15 million to counter publicity its execes say will hurt sales around the film's winter release."

Too bad they aren't spending that money to improve their laborers' camp conditions, provide adequate health care and ensure that their profits are no longer going towards brutal, fascists governments.

Just a reminder: Green Karat.

The Times They Are A Changin'

Over the weekend Jacob and I were up in Boston for the wedding of my good friend Carla. It was a great reunion with friends from Gordon, their spouses and offspring.

While we were there I got a call from the University of Portland offering me a job. Two weeks ago I was on-campus interviewing for the position of Assistant Director of the Office of Volunteer Services. UP is a Holy Cross school and as such their volunteerism is grounded in the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, not the run-of-the-mill secular humanism or resume building of a lot of mainstream universities. I am really excited about what they are doing (and by how much they are going to pay me).

It's a bittersweet transition but one we feel called to pursue. I will still be involved with l'Arche on the Financial Planning Committee and as an extended community member. In addition, UP's Volunteer Office has supported the community for over a decade, providing summer interns and work crews who come to the house once a month. They even host an on-campus worship service called REEX (Religious Experience for Exceptional People) which I will in-part oversee next year!

To make things more exciting, Jacob is finishing up at the farm early and he will be looking for a new job too! So, on our Thing to Do list we have find a new job, move into a new apartment, plan a wedding and buy a car. My goodness....

We are, however, incredibly thankful for the ways the Lord has opened and closed doors in the past few months. We've been praying hard for wisdom and guidance, that we can be faithful even in these slim times. We feel like there are some amazing things in store for us.

PS
I just have to share. On a completely unrelated note, yesterday at the airport I saw Long Duk Dong. Who the heck is that?, you might be wondering. That was the name of the character from the 80's movie, Sixteen Candles. He was the crazy foreign exchange student. I was convinced it was him but a little thrown off by the fact that he was sitting in my waiting area getting ready to take the jumpflight from Seattle to PDX. I mean, why is Long Duk Dong going from Sea-Tac to Portland anyway?

Well, I came back from getting some food and he was gone! I looked across the way and saw him boarding with First Class on a flight to Los Angeles. Confirmation. I think so.

article on birth control

Amy Laura Hall a theological ethicist from (surprise) Duke did this interview with The Other a while back. She shares about biomedical technologies and birth control practices.

"An Interview with Amy Laura Hall"