The week is here. On the date of this publication begins my wedding week. I have not been too overwhelmed or stressed until now. It’s been a long time since I had to tell myself to sit down and take deep breaths. Planning a wedding has to be crammed between small time slots of working, paying the bills, singing with my sister for various events, keeping the dog fed and decorating and redoing a home where Jacob and I will live. Today, for the first time in a long time, I had to tell myself to breath. I’m writing this column after the deadline I’m actually supposed to have the column in, I have a dress fitting in an hour and a half, and Lifestyles has to be edited after being put on the page – not to mention I think I just paid the wrong bill online. Deep breath. I think I’ll invent a wedding monastery – a place for soon-to-be brides to be alone and simply work on wedding stuff. No meditating, bald heads or robes – just the bride and her attendants, planning a wedding, and getting extra vacation pay?? A girl can dream. I’d like to find that place right now. My backyard by the pond would be sufficient. If this column cuts off short, you know where I went.

Daddy did finish all the benches. If anyone has been overworked, it’s been him. Now, they have to be white-washed. Signs have to be made, and if Jacob’s ring doesn’t come in on time, he’ll be sporting a bubble gum machine beauty…or may be a ring pop. He likes candy. Wedding favors have to be prettily packaged and I still have to write my vows. (Don’t tell Jacob.)

I may sound a bit frazzled, but I know everything is coming together. In fact, writing this column has given me some calm. Sometimes, you just gotta talk things out. Thanks for listening.

Mama has employed my uncle with installing all the stringed lights. This is the same uncle that made a firework go off in our yard for three days by putting a smoldering log under it…however, I have full confidence in his abilities – just gotta make sure he and my pyro fiancé don’t have any access to fire.

I do have to hand it to Jacob – he is quite the decorator. I walked in our future home one day and the living room looked like something from a magazine. I didn’t know my rugged, bow-wielding, oil field fiancé was capable of such interior design. His decorating abilities will definitely be utilized when we turn my parents’ yard into a cotton-adorned, sparkling southern plantation.

On a different note, I’m sure you have noticed the ad for Lifestyles editor in the newspaper. It’s true. I will be stepping down as Lifestyles editor, but I will still be writing my weekly column. You will still be subjected to my rantings about weddings and pants being too short. Just don’t call me to run your granddaughter’s engagement. I’ll be spending time with my husband and working on growing mine and my sister’s music.

It’s wedding week!! See you next time as Mrs. Boyd-Smith!

Lifestyles Editor Jessica Boyd can be reached at The Daily LEADER at 601-833-6961 ext. 134, by email at jessica.boyd@dailyleader.com or you can write to her at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602.