PigPog

Update by pigpogm: Some of the links in here – probably most of them, really – won’t work.  We’ve moved systems, and there’s a limit to how many posts we could set up redirects for.  There’s a search function that might help you find them, but they may not be all that interesting

The Honeymoon

Michael’s Blog Post

All about the Buxton trip. Including the trip to Somerfield to buy cat food and fly spray. Admit it, you envy us and our rock n’ roll lifestyle.

Sam’s Flickr Set

Starring a chilled out swan and a sexy leather-clad hubby.

Michael’s Flickr Set

Starring Paddington Bear, ironic litter and a funny looking bird (no, not me).

The Wedding

Wedding Pictures

Contains snogging, sobbing and The Plastic The Lovely Mr Hudson.

Sam’s Wedding Updates

Sam’s weekly blog posts from the date of the proposal to the week before the wedding.

The Proposal

In which Michael pours out his heart about the great things in our relationship, including yawning and dog poo. And I react by revealing rather embarrassing details about what I thought he was going to do for our anniversary. Hehe.

#1 – Setting the Date

The news is gradually sinking in now, although it still seems a bit bizarre. I was keen to get things moving before Michael had a chance to change his mind . So I got in touch with our local registry office, which is in West Bridgford, near where I used to work at County Hall. I didn’t know what to say – “Er, yeah… we’re getting married. What do we have to do?”.

#2 – Chips, Celery and Realising we’re a pair of old farts

Our first full week as an Engaged Couple With A Wedding To Plan kicked off with discussions on where best to hold post-ceremony celebrations. We thought about pubs and restaurants near the Registry Office, but didn’t find anything that appealed to either of us. Jokingly, I said, “How about Harry Ramsdens?”. For those who don’t know, Harry Ramsdens is a chain of fish & chips restaurants, offering the sort of food you normally get served in paper with little wooden forks, but in really nice surroundings and just about the best tea there is other than the magical brew Michael makes for me every morning. The more we thought about it, the more we realised it was a really good idea, and went off for lunch there just to check . Our ‘Celebration Lunch’ was booked a couple of days later.

#3 – Wedding Rooms, Blooms and Derbyshire Honeymoons

On Friday we visited West Bridgford Registry Office to give notice of our wedding. Had to wade through a little red tape, but nothing complicated. Once the formalities were out of the way, and we’d handed over our money, we were shown the room where the ceremony will take place. I was impressed. I didn’t know anything about how a civil ceremony works, but I had the feeling it would be a fairly nondescript occasion – “Do you? Do you? Sign here.” – that sort of thing.

#4 – Funds N’ Roses

I used to find it hard to believe that the average wedding could cost around £10,000 (approx $20,000), but once I got to browsing sites like Confetti I soon found out how easy it is for a bride and her money to be easily parted. Trying to watch the pennies while enjoying the wedding preparations have been bringing me down a bit, but I’m trying to look on it as another excuse to get creative.

#5 – Time to share some links

I think I’m going to write to Tesco, see if they fancy diversifying their most popular product line. I could become a consultant for “Tesco Value Bridal”.

#6 – The Crazy World of Cosmo Bride and other rantings

I bought a wedding magazine last week. Every bride to be has to buy at least one on the run up to her wedding, it’s the law. It’s not something I’d recommend any bride to be to do until they a) have got someone very wealthy funding their wedding or b) are prepared to take the whole thing with a pinch of salt and realise that the only thing necessary for the perfect wedding is the person you’re marrying. Since I’m nestling comfortably in column B, I figured it was time to dive in to Cosmo Bride and find out what Every Bride Should Have For Her Special Day (never mind the groom, he can just turn up and do as he’s told).

#7 – All Things Bride and Beautiful : More from the Crazy World of Cosmo Bride

What they mean by this, but they daren’t say it because in the Crazy World of Cosmo Bride it isn’t even an issue, is “Girl, do something about the beard”. Unfortunately it’s something that many of us have to deal with, and, unfortunately, it’s in my genes. So I’ve tried plucking, creams, *sanding, but the only thing that works is waxing. But, of course, the Cosmo Bride has not one imperfection nor beardy growth, so she’s just told to exfoliate regularly and slap on the sunscreen.*

[image:1540 size=original] Hairyness is in my DNA – as demonstrated here by my Aunty Doris

#8 – The Big Cake-Off (and The Groom does a Limecat)

[image:1594]

*As if I’d make him stand up in front of his parents, my mum, and our friends wearing a top hat, a long black curly wig and tight, black, leather trousers that are laced down the sides and at the fly. I mean, come on. Tight, black leather trousers would just look so silly, he’d be uncomfortable wearing trousers so tight, so shiny, so…

…er

…sorry. Got lost for a minute there.*

#9 – A General Round Up

Yoo-hoo! Guests! If you’re reading this and you still haven’t got back to me about what you want from the menu, please get back to me ASAP. Otherwise you’ll be getting fish and chips and will be fed so full of mushy peas you’ll be rocket powered for about a week afterwards. Woof.

10 – The Pressure is getting to the Bride. Please buy her a nice gift.

This week has mostly been spent in a state of anxiety. Y’see, time’s getting closer and the nearer it gets the more I panic about the person in the Wedding Party who will want the big day to be perfect, full of smiles, more exciting and special than she could ever imagine, and be left with lots of wonderful memories and pictures in which she looked more beautiful than she has ever done, ever. I can’t do anything to appease this bloody woman. Her demands are getting on my nerves, and if I could cross her name off the list, I would.

#11 – Squeeeee!

Egads! The man has so much hubba it’s as though he’s Slash and Kirk Hammett rolled into one (if Homer Simpson can be “Rex Harrison and Paul Anka rolled into one”, then my man can be Slash and Kirk Hammett rolled into one!). The jacket is now hanging up in the bedroom, and the whole room smells of leather. Dee-licious! I like leather!

#12 – Confessions of a Bachelorette

Hoo boy. I had my hen day and Bachelorette party night yesterday, and it was, all things considered ((c) S Hudson), a hoot.

#13 – Our Wedding’s Gonna Rawk! \m/

It’s one of the nicest pieces of music I have ever heard, and it was made for us, for our wedding day. I feel so honoured that we have this tune to mark the day. After the wedding we’ll try to upload “The Butterfly Meditations” for you all to download and enjoy.