The First Weeks of Engagement

Getting Engaged - What to Expect During the First Weeks

Congratulations - you said yes, now what?

Unfortunately, for many newly engaged women, the euphoria of finding “the one” is slightly dampened by a dose of anxiety. Engagement is one of the most significant transitions in our lives. And let’s face it, most brides-to-be have never faced such a milestone and are unsure what to expect from those first few weeks. Here are the first three emotional milestones during the early stages of engagement.

Bask and Reflect

Long before the craziness of wedding planning ensues, you should take some personal time to reflect on the significance of this milestone and mentally prepare for what’s ahead. Now’s the time to bask in the glow of newly engaged bliss, and it’s also the time to ponder any emotional anxieties about getting engaged. You need to be prepared to shed your single self and embrace your new life as an engaged and eventually a married woman.

Prepare for the Onslaught of Questions

He just popped the question – and you’re still on “engagement high.” But the questions will start to trickle in, usually beginning with the moms. They’ll want to know dates, times, color schemes, seating charts…all while your tongue’s still tripping over the word “fiancé.”

Don’t let others stress you out just yet. When the questions begin, just let the inquiring know that you’re going to enjoy your engagement for awhile before you begin making plans. Take this time to adjust to your new status, and relish these last few weeks free from the pressures of wedding planning. You’ll know when the time is right to start planning. (just don’t wait too long - some venues book over a year in advance). Once you’re ready, you can dive into the wedding details.

Make it a Family Affair

If your parents haven’t met yet, they should meet or at least talk soon after the engagement. Tradition dictates that the groom’s family calls and introduces themselves to the bride’s family and arranges a meeting. If the groom’s parents do not make the first introduction, then the bride’s parents should. Nowadays, who makes the first call is irrelevant; all that really matters is that the parents meet. If meeting face to face is impossible, a letter or phone call will suffice.

Now’s also the time to address any potential family issues or concerns (i.e. your family doesn’t like him, his mother and step-mom can’t stand to be in the same room…). Handle any misgivings or bad blood early on, and avert potential planning – and relationship - disasters down the road.
Above all - enjoy the first few weeks of engagement, while mentally and emotionally preparing for the exciting, albeit a bit nervewracking, roller coaster that lies ahead.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Breckenridge, Colorado

The grinch is always on the roof of local ski tuning specialist, Pup's Glide Shop, which is pretty much in the middle of town, at the intersection of Ski Hill and Main Street.

A classic view in Breckenridge

There was a locals competition with snow sculptures, but the International Competition is in January. Those stay up for a few weeks and are amazing to watch the artists at work.

[ International Snow Sculptures ]

Main Street is just to the left of the new Theobold building on the far left.

The pipe being cut for the Dew Tour which had a stop in Breck last weekend.

The Legacy Forest campaign — a donation that keeps growing

With the pine beetle killing a lot of the trees in Summit County, locals are looking for ways to help replenish the forests. We know that we will never live to see the full regrowth of the forests, but know that this is a step in the right direction.

[ Legacy Forest - Bristlecone Foundation ]
[ town of breckenridge - pine beetle ]
[ breckenridge ski resort - pine beetle ]

According to this Summit Daily News Article, the Legacy Forest is a "Fundraiser to benefit Bristlecone Health Services will plant trees throughout the community."

SUMMIT COUNTY — Bristlecone Health Services recently kicked off its Legacy Forest campaign, a program to raise funds and reforest an area already decimated by the pine-beetle epidemic. Bristlecone Health Services provide in-home health care, counseling and end-of-life planning.

“We wanted a program that would benefit patient care and the community on a broader level — the environment,” said Asa Armstrong, development officer for Bristlecone Foundation. “For each donation made to the Legacy Forest campaign, we'll plant a seedling.”

Armstrong said the fundraiser will help local folks with limited or no insurance get needed health care. The Bristlecone Foundation aims to raise $140,000.

“It's certainly a win-win for Summit County,” said Claudia Wiley, a resource specialist with the Summit County Open Space and Trails Department. “It's a good fundraiser for them, and it's helping us in our reforestation efforts."

Seedlings can even be planted in honor of someone, Armstrong said.

The Bristlecone Foundation's tree-planting effort is being put on with help from the Summit County Open Space and Trails Department, the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District and individual towns. A tree-planting day will likely occur sometime in June, and seedlings will be native to Summit County.

“If you plant the tree in honor of your mom, we will send a notification to the person honored,” Armstrong added.

To donate, people can either purchase holiday cards for $6, or give $20 for a seedling. Cards can be purchased at all Alpine Bank locations (except for Copper Mountain), the Summit County Community and Senior Center, the Frisco Information Station, Summit Medical Center Health Foundation and the Bristlecone Foundation office.

With every card purchase, a seedling will be planted somewhere within the county, Armstrong said. For a $20 donation, one can request that a seedling be planted in a certain area of the county, or the seedling can be taken home and planted in one's yard.According to Wiley, the campaign is still working with towns to finalize where seedlings can be planted.

Peak 7 Opens in Breckenridge

Here's a pic I took while making a delivery to the Grand Lodge on Peak 7, a brand new family ski-in, ski-out location at the base of peak 7 and the Independence chair lift.
[ grand lodge on facebook ]
[ breckenridge on facebook ]

Inspiration from nature //

Ok, I just saw this on a tweet from Trend Tracker, and I had to share this amazing photography. Click here to see the full collection, which can be buggy at times, but is still a nice set of photos.