shellb

cuddles: FI (aka my hubby)

Thank you Jessica. It's seems darn near impossible to track down the GM for the resort. My TA was trying yesterday and got re-directed to everyone except the GM all day long. I am actaully thinking on emailing Sol Melia America's Head Office in Florida to see if there is a policy or lack there of even though the coordinator has gone back to the original agreement. I remember how the issue popped up again at Dreams and I don't want that to happen to us as well.

1) What great product(s) have you bought? None, first purchase did me in. 2) What horrible product(s) have you bought? Back in the 90's, the Ronco food dehydrater one night after getting back from the bars in university. Darn thing took like 2 days to make dried banana chips. And the so-called fruit roll-ups were awful. Lesson learned shipping to Canada sucks and don't watch infomercials while under the influence. 3) What product(s) are you tempted to buy, but just not sure it's worth it? BareMinerals, Cricut Machine and P90X workout dvd's.

Anyone having trouble getting in the holiday spirit? I just can't seem to get excited for the holiday. I usually have my lights up by now, present bought and about to put up my tree. I should be excited to have 2 weeks of vacation, the DIY projects for the wedding I have planned and the fact its a little over 4 months to the wedding. So folks what are you doing to get into the spirit of the season?

OMG, you poor thing. I hope you weren't too angry with him. I think in a situation like that all you can do is laugh. I hope the big guy is ok and that he didn't eat too much of it.

Got an email today saying that if you pay for a night for you photographer or guest passes for the day you are allowed to bring a photographer onto the resort. I hope this is the end of all this craziness.

I had permission as well and all we had to do was buy guest passes. Apparently the rules have changed. The latest I heard it is local vendors. It really shouldn't matter if you fly a photographer in or have a local, you are paying for them to be there and that is all that matters.

Quote: Originally Posted by MsShelley they aren't in the dollar section, I found them at several stores in the Martha Stewart aisle. I think they are $12.99 Wow, they are so much cheaper in the US. They are $21.95 at the local Michael's. I used a 50% off coupon to get it for around $12 with taxes in a few weeks ago. Canadian ladies, I'd wait for a coupon to get one.

Beautiful pictures, love the dress. Congratulations!

Beautiful pics, congratulations!

editing: movies

I am not even sure if it is just photographers. According to my email from PhotoSouvenir, it is outside vendors being forbidden...so I assume this includes dj's, videographers, flowers, etc. I just don't understand, because if all the people who got married in one day used the 1 resort photographer there would be no way for 1 person to shoot all the weddings and do it well. I know for my date there are at least 3 weddings. And the resort photgrapher also shoots both the Paradisius resorts because they fall under Sol Melia as well. I plan on escalating as well to corporate office in FL and to the rep her in Canada once I hear from the coordinator. A decision like this is so bad for business and I wouldn't have chosen Melia if I had known this was going to happen.

There is a bride there right now who is supposed to be using them for her wedding Thursday and has been told this week she has to use the resort photographer. If this is the case, it is so unfair. Pictures are so important to capture your day. I think I want to cry I am so upset. Ladies, who protested the Dreams decision, how did you go about finding who to write to complain?

I received an email today from PhotoSouvenir indicating the Melia is forbidding outside vendors much like Dreams had tried to do earlier this year. Ladies getting married at the Melia have you heard anything?

No question is a dumb or silly question. There's always someone else wondering the same thing. I am using them as a sort of favor to be placed on the chairs for guests to cool themselves with while they are sitting in the heat during the ceremony. I am wrapping the handle in ribbon matching my colors and possibly adding a flower and the ceremony program. Do a search on the forum for them and you should be able to see some of the beautiful ways the have been decorated and used.

I get a charge at the "Your Mother Doesn't Work Here" notes...I work with I'd say 95% guys and one of them actually broke the other week and posted a wonderful sarcastic your mother doesn't work here note on the microwave at work. Not that people actually started cleaning up their mess, but at least now I know I am not alone in my frustration of having to clean it each day before I use it to heat my lunch.

kids: expensive

December 2008 Miriam & Herman: December 5, 2008 - Bavaro Princess, Punta Cana Taude & Jay: December 10, 2008 - Iberostar Bavaro, Punta Cana Tracy & John: December 11, 2008 - Melia Caribe Tropical Kyle & Daina: December 12, 2008 - Dreams Punta Cana January 2009 Jelena and Bojan: January 3, 2009 - EdenH Arena Michael and Nicole: January 8, 2009 - EdenH Real Arena Heidi & Derek: January 10, 2009 - Colony Bay Resort Punta Cana Erin & Martin: January 13, 2009 - EdenH Real Arena Lindsay & Jamie : January 28, 2009 - Grande Palladium Bavaro Chantal & Sheldon: January 30, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana February 2009 Michele & Jo: February 18, 2009 - Edenh Real Arena Theresa & Stan: February 20, 2009 - Excellence Punta Cana March 2009 Marisa & Don: March 10, 2009 - EdenH Real Arena Nuc Med Bride & FI: March 19, 2009 - Gran Bahia Principe April 2009 Mamie & Joshua: April 2, 2009 - Bavaro Princess Kim & Chris: April 4, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana Raquel & Dominick: April 17, 2009 - Paradisus Punta Cana Jennifer & Eliu: April 18, 2009 - Paradisus Palma Real Nancy & Kenny: April 23, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Brittany and Jay: April 23, 2009 (I think) - Occidental Grand Michelle & Jeff: April 24, 2009 - Meliá Caribe Tropical DRBride2009: April 24, 2009 - Meliá Caribe Tropical Aliya & Joey: April 24, 2009 - Riu Palace, Punta Cana Shannon & Dave: April 30, 2009 - Melia Caribe Tropical Christi88 & FI: April 30, 2009 - Eden Real May 2009 Shawn & Jeremy: May 2009 - Punta Cana (Still deciding on resort) Yadira & Alexander: May 2, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana Eliu & Jennifer, MAY 3, 2009 - Paradisus Palma Real Velvet & James: May 8, 2009 - Riu Palace Punta Cana jhildebr: May 11, 2009 - Majestic Elegance Jennifer & Adam: May 11, 2009 - Paradisus Punta Cana Karen & Anthony: May 12 2009 - Ocean Sand Punta Cana Meagan & Jeff: May 15, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana Jessica & Omar: May 22, 2009 - Paradisus Punta Cana Kristen & Craig: May 22, 2009 - Paradisus Punta Cana Sam & Sarah: May 27, 2009 - Majestic Colonial June 2009 melnb & FI: June 2009 - Paradisius FYB87 & FI: June 2009 - Resort undecided Vanessa & Hugo: June 19, 2009 - Paradisus Palma Real Katy & Will: June 20, 2009 - Occidental Grand July 2009 Nadia & Julian: July 3, 2009 - Excellence Punta Cana Jenn & Chris: July 31, 2009 - Riu Palace, Punta Cana September 2009 Clare & Ross: September 7, 2009 - Ocean Blue (date to be confirmed) Chris & Martin: September 9, 2009 - Ocean Blue (date to be confirmed) Kenya & Eddie Sept. 12, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana Kristy & Vince: September 19, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana October 2009 Jeannie & Jorge: October 10, 2009 - Dreams Punta Cana Jen & Dave: October 10, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Angela & Jason: October 20, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Jenny & Matthew: October 27, 2009 - Melia Caribe Tropical November 2009 Veronica & Paul: November 5, 2009 - Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Leslie & Gerry: November 16, 2009- Majestic Colonial December 2009 Julie and Rob: December 4, 2009 - Grand Palladium Punta Cana January 2010 Nicole & Michael: January 23, 2010 - Bavaro Princess

What about at Bras, panties, lingerie, men's underwear, plus size bras at Bare Necessities Long Line ones: long line at BareNecessities.com One of my friends got a long line bra there for herself last spring.

Quote: Originally Posted by cutierosie Hi everyone, my wedding is April 11, 2009. I am currently 133 and want to lose 10-15 pounds prior to the wedding in order to fit into my dress. I was doing well, and had lost 5 pounds, but I gained them back because I got sick and wanted to eat to feel better. I am really happy to have found this thread! my current diet is the following: 1. eat 1 pc of toast and coffee in the morning 2. eat salad for lunch (.4 on the scale at the salad bar) 3. eat salad for dinner (and one truffle here and there) The salad thing can get boring, but I have different kinds of dressings, I switch from romaine to spinach, i add fruit sometimes, and i switch the protein (sometimes shrimp, sometimes chicken, sometimes steak, salmon etc).... The problem in during weekends when I am socializing more so now with holidays etc. I hope that I can eat less and work out more. Cutierosie, I couldn't do the salad lunch and dinner for more than two days in a row. For me, I try mixing things up for my lunch and dinner, remembering 1/2 of your plate should be veggies, 1/4 grains and starches and 1/4 meat/fish/proteins like what you are doing with salads but choosing different things like a baked chicken breast (deck of card size) with lemon and herb seasoning, 2-3 types of veggies and brown rice so I don't get bored. I also try to eat a big breakfast so my stomach is working throughout the day (e.g. 1/2 cup of oatmeal with a few almonds and a handful or two of blueberries, 1/2 grapefruit, a small glass of juice, and a tea for the drive in to work) . I also switched to green tea from coffee and increased my water consumption to help the wieght come off. I think the sugar I used to add to my coffee was part of my problem. For me, when I limit myself to strictly, I tend to fall off the wagon too much and eat the junk. Michelle

I think with a DW you aren't stuck with all the rules and traditions. It's easier to make it your own and do what you want. I am sure whatever color you go with it will be beautiful!

Wow, tons of stuff. It all looks great! Congrats and can't wait to see the wedding photos when you come back!

Ooooh, it's pretty! You are going to look great on your day!

Have you tried trip advisor, I see a review of someone who got married there. Maybe if you PM her: Cayo Levantado - Traveler Reviews - Wedding in Paradise - TripAdvisor Some resort reviews on Debbie's Dominican Forum: Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado resort reviews - Samana Peninsula - Debbie's Dominican Republic Pages - Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado Information Also, for us, our TA got all the wedding info from the resort for us, maybe you could ask him/her as well. I'd also see if you can find a corporate number on the Gran Bahia website to see if you can track wedding info that way. Hope this helps.

Can you open a word doc, then choose from the menu Insert -> Picture -> From File and then browse to the location of the .jpg file and select?