As Promised – a Referral Program!

August 15^th will be the beginning of my fourth year owning and operating Country Charm Chapel. I am honored by all the referrals you are sending me – thank you! It really tells me that I made your wedding day wonderful – and that makes me happy! To show my appreciation, I have created "Chime In", a referral program where I can give back! Please click on the link (chirping bird on Home page) and find out how you can get your "Chime In" rewards!

Misty started her new job this month. I think the most difficult part for her is EXCEPTING the amount of time it takes to get to and from work. It is "the way it is" here in the DC area. I always say, "Why get stressed about it. You might as well use that time to your advantage!" For me, I love to listen to my favorite music. I’ve never been able to have other "noise" going on while I am trying to work, so it is the only time I can really enjoy it. My husband always wanted to learn the Harmonica, so every now and then he listens to a tape on how to play and practices as he goes on down the road! CD books could be a great way to fill the time as well! ...just some ideas to take the traffic-jam-blues away!

~Be Happy!~

July

Would you believe we are going on our second half of the year? Wow! Reminds me even more to enjoy something of every day!

Our home is in a "moving" state, so a lot of boxes need to be emptied, need to be packed, and furniture to be placed. We will be working steadily at that to get us all feeling more centered and balanced here. For me, my home needs to have everything in its place before I can really feel grounded and happy. I hate disarray!

Have a fun July!

The journey may not bring happiness, but happiness is what you bring to the journey ♥

I am honored by the referrals you are all sending me – a HUGE compliment. Thank You!!! There are a few of you that have recommended Country Charm Chapel more than once – and you know who you are!  :-)  So I have decided to come up with a reward program. If you are getting married here – or have been married here - check the website for details on August 15, 2008. I think it will be a wonderful way to start my fourth year of Country Charm Chapel! ♥

Please let me apologize for not remembering your names or the actual details of your ceremony after you get married here. I tend to mix you up with each other. It isn't because you aren't beautiful and wonderful people, but I am looking at the INTERNAL YOU. More at what your feelings are, and what your needs may be at every moment. I am focused on making EVERY ceremony wonderful and special for each of you. No couple is better or worse than another. I may have more details with bigger packages, but that is the only difference. You are ALL important to me!!! ♥

As far as my own family life, I have a lot going on. I will be gone from June 16^th through June 27^th this month. If you've ever moved, remember all the little details it takes?! It has been a few years, but we are reminded of it all again! After struggling to survive on her own from a split relationship, our daughter is moving from Seattle to our home here in Virginia. I am personally very excited. I know from my own experience, though, that it isn't necessarily so "exciting" for a son or daughter to move back home to Mom and Dad. Besides that issue, moving from a home you love can be pretty traumatic. We here in the Harrison family are all doing our best to work the many details and to make Misty's transition as smooth as possible. I will be on the road with my daughter on her 26^th birthday, so I plan to make every day of that "road trip" her birthday! Our son, Andy, will be 28 one week AFTER Misty's, so we will be celebrating that when we arrive!

Make all your journeys happy... ♥

May

May is my favorite month next to September! May is the month of my wedding anniversary to Larry! This May 28th will make it 21 years! It is amazing how fast the years go by. This month is also the beginning of many changes going on in our family and home. Andy is starting to organize for his move to San Francisco by going through his storage area - keep, toss, or sell! An overwhelming task unless you just focus on one box at a time! Misty, although in Seattle, is preparing for her move next month as well. Life is giving them both a new journey to expand their horizon!

With all this "moving" going on, I have also begun the process of redefining rooms. The chapel was first on the agenda and is now complete. Look for new pictures of the chapel by the end of this month! Other rooms may have an incomplete look if you come by and look around, but they too should be close to completion by June.

Changes and Beginnings – they can be scary, but they are always a step forward!

~Happiness!~

April showers bring May flowers...

...Isn't it so true. I love watching the trees burst out in bloom. The beautiful weather puts all kinds of landscaping ideas in my head - most of which won't happen, but it would be beautiful! I did make it out on our back deck to do a little "decorating." Now I need to place some potted plants here and there for the overall effect! I wish I could discover a secret to keeping the mosquitoes away though. They are so thick here in Virginia that our family can't even sit outside and enjoy the deck. I thought I might try turning on two facing fans to see if that keeps them blown out of the area. The back deck is a wonderful place. I throw bird seed out on the hillside behind the house as well, (actually all year long) which is so fun to see how many types of birds and critters come by for tasters. I haven't seen any deer stop by for over a year now though. Poor babies... My husband can BBQ the most delicious Salmon you've ever tasted! YUM! We try to get the Pacific Salmon most of the time. And since we are from Seattle, we prefer it to Atlantic Salmon! Have you ever seen or heard of Pike Place Market in Seattle where they throw the Salmon to the guy behind the counter to wrap? Well, that is where we are from! Okay, I'd better quit talking about it, I will just want to go HOME!!! (laugh)

IN like a LION, OUT like a LAMB!

Where is winter this year? Will the saying prove true this month? It sure doesn't seem like it at the moment! When I was little, we lived in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, and I remember every year having two or three feet of snow at a time that my sister and I had to shovel! But then, we also had fun digging out caverns and building "igloos", ice skating and sledding. At this age, I only love the beauty of snow falling, but I hate it sticking! Maybe if I had a "maintenance person" always making my place look beautiful (and clear of snow), then I wouldn't mind!!! ...I can always dream... :-)

♥ February is the month of LOVE. ♥

Hopefully, you have a wonderful partner who lets you know everyday that you are the best thing that has ever happened to them! But for those "not-so-romantic" individuals, THIS is the day we romantics really expect you to go our of your way to tell us! So, come on, make their day beautiful! It doesn't have to take any money, just love from your heart. Write a letter that says how you feel – how wonderful you think your Sweetheart is. Clip winter branches of trees or shrubs, put them in a vase, (drinking glass works too!) then tie or glue cut out paper hearts to them! (you make them, silly, out of writing paper if nothing else!) If you have some creativity, search through your cupboard and make a little picnic for you and your Sweetheart on the floor! It's all about YOU taking the TIME and EFFORT to say, I LOVE YOU. So, get those thinking caps on and SHOW IT!!!! Happy Valentine's Day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!

I always wonder, "What will this year bring?" Actually, I already have a glimpse of events coming – at least for my children, Andy and Misty. Misty has found "The One" so that makes me very happy for her. Of course, being a romantic, I hope the fairytale lasts her whole lifetime. Andy is looking for a job in San Francisco where all the computer geeks are. It may not be Google, his first choice, but I'm sure he will love being there and FINALLY getting to do what he loves - programming! As for me, I have plans for expanding Country Charm Chapel. I don't know where that will lead me, just as long as it is making more dreams come true!

A Magical Season

The Holidays are coming upon us. Whether you celebrate any one of them or none, it is hard not to feel the magic in the air! I love this season!! What a great time for a ceremony to express your love for each other. Consider making this season even more magical with a "One Enchanted Evening" ceremony. Mention this Blog and I will take $50.00 off – making it a package for only $350.00! Check my availability and schedule your ceremony today! ~Love & Happiness!~

Travel

Seems my traveling is not quite over. Recently, my husband's Dad of 93 years old crossed over to the peaceful and happy realm of another existence. Larry and I will be in Phoenix Arizona from October 16th through October 21. Andy and Misty will be answering phone messages and emails. Please don't hesitate to schedule your ceremony during my absence!

Hello!

Thank you for taking a look at my first post!

Most importantly I need to express my great concern about the parking here at my little wedding chapel. Please read the "Rules & Issues" on Parking!!! I've been officiating wedding ceremonies here for two years now and getting continually busier. It is wonderful to see so many of you appreciate it!

It was a busy travel month for me in September. I was in NYC for my secondary job, I flew out to Seattle to help Misty, my daughter, move into her new home, and then I met my husband in Phoenix who was visiting his 93 year old Dad. I was lucky enough to see two exciting shows during that time! Keith Urban in Seattle, (yep, I'm a country music fan), and Le Reve in Las Vegas! Both were GREAT!
I had fun, but I'm ready to get back to wedding business!