The Wonderful World of Michael & Mitzi

Bye Bye Summer!

2008-09-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to believe that today, we are married 4 months!!! So, where have we been? Down the shore, for the most part. It's been a wonderful Summer at the beach and we have tried our best to take advantage of every last morsel.

Also, Michael participated in a very special reunion....his drama teacher, Mr. Nation retired after 38 years teaching at his high school. So, what do people do to celebrate a drama teacher's retirement? Put on a show of course! Michael joined 84 other East grads in a 4 1/2 hour masterpiece....Michael sang an old favorite "Feed Me" from Little Shop of Horrors and appeared in several chorus numbers as well. It was a great way to catch up with some friends from his past and meet up with a whole new group of awesome people.

And, the big news is that we have planned our honeymoon! We are taking a Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, travelling into Italy, Greece, and Turkey. We are very excited for our international adventure. More details and pictures to come!!!

And speaking of photos, everyone looks fantastic in our wedding pictures and the video came out incredible. Watching the video felt like reliving the special day all over again.

Finally, we are now both on facebook, so if you are on, make sure you connect! We hope you enjoy a wonderful autumn and we look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Living, Loving and Working Hard!

2008-07-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm not a PR genius like my husband! Michael surely has done an amazing job at keeping the world in the know through our page and I have to admit, this blogging is fun! So, you will be happy to read that although the wedding is over, our life has just begun and there will be much more to share through "The Wonderful World of Mitzi and Michael"!

Stay tuned...more to follow! And,remember, if you are on facebook, you can invite me to be your friend and you will have access to lots of great pictures. Michael says I should be a papparazzi.

xxoo, mitzi

Has it really been a whole month?

2008-06-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that we have been husband and wife for over a month now! Where does the time go? For those of you who joined us for our special day, you know that we couldn't have asked for a lovelier ceremony, better food, a more exciting band or more beautiful weather. My gorgeous bride and I were truly blessed with "an affair to remember." We recuperated with a few days at the Borgata, in a beautiful suite overlooking the city courtesy of Dad. We dined at Wolfgang Puck's and Bobby Flay's, indulged in spa treatments, lounged by the pool, and even won a couple dollars. It was a wonderful excursion to tie us over until our real honeymoon, which will most likely be in November.

In the meantime, life has returned to normal slowly but surely. After watching Moe for a couple weeks while our folks travelled to Alaska, we are back at our house and settled in. We celebrated our one-month anniversary with an amazing steak dinner and invited our other newlywed friends Suzanne and Cory to join us. This past weekend, we headed down to Mitzi's old stomping grounds, Frederick, MD, where we enjoyed a fun-filled Saturday with The Cox Family. We are looking forward to getting back to Margate for our Summer weekends starting next week, and we have been spending a lot of time, planting and sodding and watering.

Our proofs came in and they are amazing. Many of our guests commented that our photographer, Baruch, did not sit down at all during the wedding and indeed he did not. The pictures illustrate that. We are going through all of them as we prepare our album. In the meantime, here are a few of our favorites that our friends sent us to tie you over. If you are on facebook, invite yourself to be Mitzi's friend and you can see a lot more.

That's it for now. Mr. & Mrs. Sacks signing off....

We'll "BEE" back soon with pics and details!

2008-05-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

A Poem From Uncle Brad

2008-05-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

The Big Winners
By Bradford Margulies

For years your heart and soul had rambled
You took your time and that was wise
Until the day you went and gambled
On winning that top level prize.

No doubt the moment was unsure
When time came for you to roll the dice
Somehow you knew what was in store
And listened to your own advice.

That little voice inside your head
Told you all the right things to do
"She is the one" is what it said
And then like lightning, bam you knew.

You went all in, laid down your hand
And asked for her to be your wife
She said "of course" just like you planned
And thus begins sharing your life.

You were so sure you could not lose
So as such, it was a safe bet
Made her an offer she could not refuse
That finest woman you ever met.....

So we are, in celebration
At this posh soiree so ritzy
With love, respect, and admiration
For Michael and his darling Mitzi.

So place your bets on red or black spot
Feed dollar bills to the machine
It matters not, you won the jackpot
The king of hearts has found his queen.

May your marriage remain free of strife
Good luck pour on you from heavens
And in the great slot machineof life
May every roll be triple sevens!!!!

It's almost here!!!!

2008-05-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

24 hours from now, we will taking wedding photos--where did the time go? Everyone is in from all around the Country. It's hard to beleive but all of our hard work is coming together and together with our amazing vendors, I am sure we will have a celebration to remember.

Last night, we celebrated our auf ruf. This is a Jewish tradition where Rabbi David blesses us prior to our wedding. And then to celebrate a sweet life together, our friend and family throw candy at us....and you know us, we made sure there was a lot of candy. The service ended with an oneg, which is traditionally a dessert buffet and they had these amazing heart-shaped cakes with our names on them.

Right now, Mitzi is out with her bridesmaids for brunch and manicures. Tonight is our rehearsal dinner....all I can say is "wow!" In less than 36 hours, we will be husband and wife.

Less than 2 weeks away.....

2008-04-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

The big day is almost here and frankly, we can't beleive it. The RSVPs are in and we are thrilled that we will be joined by 195 of the closest people in our lives!

Tonight, we met with the caterer to go over everything one last time. I'm telling you now...save your appetites for what surely will be a feast.

The band is set with their playlist. They are going to rock the house.

The tables have been put together with loving care. We are certain that everyone will love where they are seated. There promises to be a little party at every table.

The florist is getting all of her blooms in order.

We have the marriage license, the rings, the ketubah, the kiddish cup, the champagne flutes, the cake knife, the bathroom baskets...the list is endless. But I think we are covered!

Are you getting excited? We certainly are!

5 weeks & counting....wow!

2008-03-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hey there! Did you miss us? Sorry for the hiatus but we are approaching the home stretch before the big event and there is sooooo much going on. Mitzi is upstairs sleeping after losing her voice this weekend, so I thought I would take a few minutes to catch everyone up.

"Are you ready?" That's the question we keep hearing and the answer is "no." There still is so much to do. We have finalized everything with the florist, taken the test shots with the photographer, feasted during a sample dinner with the caterer, reviewed all the music and event details with the band, ordered the cake, picked out the colors of the cocktail napkins, and chosen the wine for the big day (to go with our martini bar). But, I am still sitting here with a two-page to do list that I could continue to add and add and add to.....everything from finishing the program, to writing our vows, putting together the favors, getting the baskets ready for our out-of-town guests, sending out evites for the rehearsal dinner, confirming the groomsmen ordered their tuxedos, picking up Mitzi's ring, ordering music for our pianist, arranging the shuttle schedule from the hotel....the list has a mind of its own. I could go on for hours!!!! Rather than doing that and boring you to smithereens, here are some highlights from what really was a whirlwind month:

**My bachelor party weekend was awesome, thanks in huge part to my friend and groomsmen Craig Tobin, party extraordinare who hooked us up with VIP everything. The man should start a business...Great food, Great cigars, great um...entertainment and great company...13 of the closest guys in my life came together to help me say goodbye to my single ways. We kicked the weekend off with a groomsmen poker night and my kind and super considerate cousin Ronnie turned out to be quite the card shark, much to everyone's chagrin and amazement. To all who showed up, I can't thank you enough. Also, I have to give thanks to my friends Dave and Richie who couldn't attend the shindig, but treated me to dinner and some gaming in AC this past weekend. Boy, I will tell you this grooms thing can really spoil a guy....

**And speaking of being spoiled, as if getting married to the love of my life is not enough of a gift, my bride presented me with my wedding gift this past weekend: A Cartier Santos Watch that fits my wrist parfectly. I don't know how she pulled it off, but she did. I will unveil my masterpiece on May 4th (although Mitzi is a little worried that I will be staring at the watch more than her.)

**Don't feel bad for Mitzi either. This month, she has been treated like royalty with two showers and two bachelorette parties! Her first weekend of debauchery took place in North Carolina, where her best friend and matron of honor Erin and her sister Nicole threw a big shower at a posh Italian bistro. Everyone was there, even Kristi Yamaguchi (alright, she wasn't really part of the shower, but she was in the restaurant.) Mom, Brittany, and our awesome friend Jill flew down with Mitzi to help celebrate. The weekend continued with a sushi dinner and a bachelorette bar crawl in a stretch limo, courtesy of another one of Mitzi's friends, Jennifer, who is returning to her bachelorette ways. No one will share the details, but I heard it was a night to remember. Many of Mitzi's friends from her days in Raleigh came out to help celebrate and she was in her glory.

**Last weekend, it was Fay and Nicole's turn to come up North for Mitzi's Margate shower, hosted by the amazing hostess with mostess Brittany. Our shore house was transformed into party central, over forty lovely ladies drinking mimosas, eating, laughing and having a great time.....and man, did they set Mitzi up with some incredible gifts and um...garments. The weekend continued with a bridesmaids dinner, followed by a night at the casino where they ate (even more), gambled, entertained the crowds, made a lot of friends who paid for their drinks, and even witnessed a bar fight! They recuperated the next day with massages at the Borgata Spa.

So, now we are winding down....five weeks to go.

A reminder to all of those who have not yet sent back your response cards: Please do so as soon as possible. April 15th is our deadline, but the quicker you can get them back to us, the better.

If you are interested, I am reading Torah April 18th and then we are having our Aufruf (a Jewish blessing ceremony) Friday, May 2 with a huge oneg (dessert buffet) courtesy of Fay and Ed.

Can't wait to see everyone. The day will be here before we know it.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!

2008-03-06T19:19:00.000-08:00

This week has been full of crazy wedding planning. First, Sunday, we met our florist Josie at the synagogue to finalize all the flowers and decorations. Then, Tuesday night, Michael, Mitzi, Pam and Danny headed to the caterer for a feast LITERALLY of all the amazing food being served on the big day. We left with big smiles and very full stomachs....Less than 2 months to go!

Mitzi's Found Her Dream Job

2008-03-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

After months of sending out resumes and travelling all over the map for interviews, Mitzi has found a great job right in our backyard, as a recruiter for Emerson Personnel Group in Cherry Hill. She starts next Tuesday and she can't wait to roll up her sleeves and get back to work! If you are looking for any type of job, or perhaps you are looking to hire, Mitzi will be able to help with all your staffing needs. No doubt Michael will be setting three alarm clocks to make sure Mitzi wakes up bright and early....Just kidding. Michael is VERY proud of Mitzi--she knew exactly what type of job she wanted and she wouldn't stop searching until she found the perfect opportunity!

Mitzi has also been fortunate enough to find some part-time work with Jewish Children's and Family Service, thanks to our friend Suzanne. It's provided her with a wonderful chance to return to her roots in mental health.

Punta Cana=Mucho Relaxiacione!

2008-02-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

I am not sure that relaxiacione is even a word, but Punta Cana certainly provided us with a much needed chance to recharge our batteries. Between the challenges that come with putting together our special day, Mitzi pounding the pavements looking for an exciting new job opportunity, and Michael screaming "Driving A Lemon? Call 1-800-LEMON-LAW" from the rooftops, we needed a vacation! Pam and Danny certainly sensed this and the Sacks clan of five(included a super-stressed out Brittany) boarded the plane for Punta Cana, where we ate (a lot), drank (quite a bit), and vegged out among a hot shining sun, a long sandy beach, and a crystal clear blue ocean. Our days included water aerobics, tennis, swimming, and very little else, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Here are some snapshots from our adventure...including Michael showing his hidden bowling prowess at the resort's bowling alley. He kicked everyone's butts with a score of 164, and even though they were available, he did not use the gutter bumpers!

Bands of gold...

2008-02-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

Or bands of platinum in Michael's case. We have found our wedding bands and they are perfect. We'd include pictures but that would spoil the surprise. One more item off the list!

Special Delivery!

2008-02-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

As we speak, our invitations are with the calligraher and we are ecstatic. They came out better than we could ever imagine. Special kudos to Mitzi, Pam and Fay, who went through every spelling and every address to make sure everything is perfect. If all goes well, the invites should me in the mail by the first week of March!

Seussical ends!

2008-02-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

In the end Seussical proved to be a lot of fun, giving Michael the chance to return to the stage and hang out with some old friends....Here's a pic of Michael as Mr. Mayor, along with two of his biggest fans (at least they say they are), Aaron and Sydney:

Four More Seuss-Filled Shows To Go!

2008-01-26T12:51:00.000-08:00

Seussical is here and the audiences are raving!
If it's laughter, music and fun that you are craving,
there are four chances to see Michael before the curtain will close.
So call 856-728-2120 or e-mail roadcompany@yahoo.com to reserve your seat for one of the last shows!

Mitzi and Michael are linked in! Are you?

2008-01-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

Are you linked in? LinkedIn.Com is the newest professional networking website. If you are hooked in, connect to Michael & Mitzi's networks!

Pics from our recent adventures

2008-01-25T11:56:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are some pics from our recent adventures. Hey...better late than never!

Here's our second guest star on the blog--From the Sopranos and Celebrity Fit Club: Joe Gannascoli!

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and more pics from our Sopranos tour:

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From Chinatown and Little Italy with Brittany:

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From our shopping excursion at the Woodbury outlets--Mitzi had her eye on a four legged friend!

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From our New Year's eve (with a surprise birthday cake from Adrienne and Richie):

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Celebrating Chanukah(late) with Mom and Dad (and Moe):

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Michael gets fitted for his tuxedo at Boyd's in Philadelphia (generously provided by mom and dad):

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Fay visits her daughter and takes over Atlantic City:

Long time, no talk!

2008-01-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

Hey there and happy 2008!

We are so sorry it has taken so long to update the blog. Life is running at a hectic pace and there are a lot of pictures to upload and stories to tell....when we can catch our breath. But, in the meantime, here is an update on our lives:

Mitzi surprised me on my birthday by taking me on the Sopranos bus tour throughout North Jersey and New York. We met Gay Vito, sat in the booth where they shot the last scene, and even visited the Bada Bing! We felt like we were "part of the family." We ended the day in Chinatown stuffing our face with dim sum, along with one of our favorite people, Brittany! PICTURES TO COME!

We kicked off the new year with good friends and more good Italian food (where are my TUMS?). Our friends, Jill, Craig, Adrienne, Richie, David and Meri broke bread with us at this awesome Italian hole in the wall, and then Adrienne and Richie hosted a party afterwards. It was a wonderful way to welcome what will be the best year of our life.

So far, the year has been a blur as we are moving forward with all of our wedding prep. WE PICKED OUT OUR CAKE----and were on a sugar high for most of the weekend! And today was very exciting as my folks bought me my tuxedo.....It's all coming together....May 4th here we come!

I promise we will post the pictures as soon as we can. In the meantime, Seussical opens next weekend and runs for three weekends at The Grand Theater in Williamstown, New Jersey. Michael plays the emotionally challenging, gut-wrenching role of "Mr. Mayor." For ticket information and showtimes, visit www.roadcompany.com .

Finally, a BIG BIRTHDAY HUG to Fay, the woman who brought a lot of "Joy" into Michael's life when she gave birth to the woman of his dreams.

Viva Las Vegas!

2007-12-25T18:33:00.000-08:00

The highlight of our month was Mitzi's inaugural trip to Las Vegas...we stayed at the Monte Carlo and our trip resolved around dining and the spa, truly a winning combination. Speaking of winning, weeeellll....unfortunately we didn't win, but we had a lot of fun. Mitzi had a body wrap, rode a mechanical bull, met Elvis, visited Madame Tussard's wax museum, discovered a love for Wolfgang Puck and much to her delight, saw Celine in her third to last show (despite Michael's initial chagrin, he turned out to also enjoy the concert. It was quite a spectacle with over 60 dancers and amazing special effects!) Here are some pics from our adventure:

Wow--did this month go fast!!!

2007-12-25T18:23:00.000-08:00

Between the holidays and our trip to Vegas, December has been flying. A ho ho ho to all who celebrated today and a dreidel, dreidel, dreidel to all our fellow Jews who were celebrating earlier in the month....I think it's the first time we have done anything early! Despite the fact that we do not celebrate the holiday, we enjoyed the warmth and comfort of family. Brittany came in yesterday, which is always a treat, and we enjoyed dinner tonight at our cousins' house.

In other news, Seussical will be here before we know it. Due to the timing, it has been a bit daunting (but Mitzi has been giving me all her usual love and support which has made things a bit easier.) The show runs January 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 and February 1 and 2 at the Grand Theater in Williamstown, New Jersey. For more info on the show and how to reserve seats, click here

Next week, we are headed back to the Big Apple to celebrate Michael's big 3-5!!! We are going on a tour of the Sopranos set and off for some retail therapy at Woodbury outlets...certainly something to look forward to.

Hot Off The Presses!

2007-11-29T21:23:00.001-08:00

Our engagement hit the Jewish Exponent this week! Read all about it by clicking here .

I'm Marrying Mrs. Clause!

2007-11-29T21:19:00.000-08:00

Our office is being taken over by gift wrap, ribbons, shiny bags, colorful bows, and presents, presents and more presents. This pic is just a small glimpse into what's going on in Mitzi's workshop.

We ordered our invites!

2007-11-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

In all the holiday hubbub, I almost forgot to mention that we ordered our invitations and they are magnificient! We could not be more excited. Of course, you will have to see them for yourselves. Another item off the list!

A great holiday weekend--some gobble gobbling and then off to the Big Apple!

2007-11-26T20:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Post-Thanksgiving. Hope your holiday went well.....we enjoyed a great dinner at our cousins Ronnie and Lisa's house, "gobbling" up quite a feast. More importantly, we were able to hang out with the family, including Michael's junior groomsman Aaron. And remember Mitzi's chocolate cake from the last post....well, it may not have looked spectacular, but it was a big hit with the choco-maniacs in the family, who were no doubt bouncing off the wall the next day from all the sugar!

Friday, we were off to our annual post-Thanksgiving pilgrimage to the Big Apple (Mitzi was working so she hopped a train and met us there.) Black Friday, Mom, Moe, Birttany and I pounded the pavements looking for bargains and Friday night, we laughed our butts off at Gotham Comedy Club. Much shopping and eating commenced throughout the rest of the weekend, including our annual seafood feast at El Quixote. I am still suffering a bit of indigestion, but we had an incredible time, as did Moe who always enjoys his trips to Manhattan. He is quite the metropolitan canine.

Hope your schedule is getting back to normal....it seems like our calendar is a whirlwind, and we are counting the days until our Las Vegas adventure!

It's Newvember...A New Car & A New Show

2007-11-15T18:48:00.000-08:00

I can't believe Thanksgiving is around the corner...less than six months until the big day and we are certainly excited. We'll be celebrating Turkey Day at our cousin Ronnie's house and Mitzi is excitedly prepping to bake a chocolate ganache cake for the dinner (of course, the ingredients cost more than three normal chocolate cakes, but I digress.) She is really getting into the holiday spirit...she is biting at the bit to get the latke recipes, chocolate gelt, dreidels and menorahs out, but I told her it was too soon. We did start our shopping this week and she has been wrapping up a storm, with all sorts of ribbons, bows and fancy gift wrap (which we bought last year at a post-holiday sale.) As I write this, she is curled up in a blanket next to me on the sofa, taking a well-deserved nap.

As the title says "It's Newvember," as we have a new car....an awesome hard top Volvo C-70 hard top convertible, which Mitzi has already named "Bloo" based on it's metallic blue hue (note the unusual spelling.) I fell hard for this car when I saw it pop up a billboard more than a year ago, and now I am driving it. It is spectacular, with every single feature you can think of. Now, you may be asking "Michael, you are saving for a wedding. Why would you splurge on a new car?" Well, after 58,000 miles and three and half years, Lexus bought back my SUV under the Lemon Law. Yes, you heard me right....they bought the car back because of repeated problems I had with the air conditioner, molding, and other minor components. Being that I practice what I preach, once I brought my car in for the same thing three times, I submitted all my paperwork and filed a claim! And I got the maximum recovery...how cool is that? Wait until you see my new ride...pics to come.

I am also in a new show...let's see
I am excited to play a new role
It's a musical with lots of heart and soul
I play the Mayor of Whoville in a show based on Seuss
The script is great; the music is a pain in the caboose.
When it came to creating some more rhymes, I certainly tried.
But it's 10pm on a Thursday and my brain is fried!

Big weekend coming up....our first wedding cake tasting, a birthday party for our friends' two year old, a production of Oliver and our synagogue's Chanukah Bazaar...I know we are going to have fun, but when did we get so old??? Hope whatever you do is lots of fun.

Trick or Treat!!!

2007-10-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

If this is the prelude, we can't wait for the real deal!

2007-10-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

When Michael's parents told us they wanted to throw a luncheon for some of our closest friends and family to celebrate our engagement, we were thrilled. After all, who doesn't love a party? But this proved to be more than a beautiful afternoon, it was an event which illustrated how lucky we are to have such awesome people in our lives.

It was an affair to remember....There were animated bears singing the song "Love & Marriage;" big bowls of M&Ms on every table, coupled with centerpieces created by our super-creative cousins Joy & Ron; overflowing glasses of wine and really amazing food (I could eat nothing but that cake for a month and be more than content.). Plus, we were able to have those closest to us meet each other. Many of our guests were meeting Mitzi's family for the first time.

Both moms spoke from the heart about what our marriage means to them; Michael and Fay showed off a comedy routine which seemed rehearsed but wasn't; our favorite Floridians Julie and Jeff provided some wonderful advice on sharing (Michael was taking notes); and our pals from North Carolina, Sammi, Jacob, and Jennifer reminded us that once we are married, it's time "to hurry up and have a baby;" (That left Michael with a perplexed look his face). To top it all off, Mom-Mom surprised us with one of her trademark poems which left us tearing up one minute and giggling the next:

I remember it was December and it was very cold
When the telephone call came with the best news over told.

Pam had delivered her first child; a bouncing baby boy.
Nothing else in all the world could create such joy.

He was named Michael Jarrett Sacks and he soon came to be
The greatest gift that G-d above could ever give to me.

He is not just my grandson, but also my best friend as well.
There was never anything in my life to him I could not tell.

And now my Michael has grown into a young successful man.
It seems that life for all of us has provided a new plan.

We got the word somehow that Michael met “the one”.
Although we found it hard to believe, in fact, we were all stunned.

But then we got to know Mitzi and soon understood why.
She won over Michael’s heart and brought a twinkle to his eye.

Mitzi is a truly remarkable and very special girl.
One in a million, or maybe a billion, the most precious pearl.

The two of them have so much in common I really must admit.
It’s as though they were for each other they’re such a perfect fit.

She will make a wonderful addition to our family tree.
And I know how happy it will make her to share Michael with ME!

I wish you two a lifetime of love and joy and harmony.
Another blessing G-d has given me.
The female copy of Michael---our magnificent Brittany (we love that Mom Mom wanted Brittany to know she could never forget her adorable granddaughter.)

We had an amazing time. Thanks so much Mom & Dad, and everyone who attended.

Sunday, Mom & Mitzi were off to florist with Mitzi's Aunt Barbara on the cell providing helpful advice and suggestions along the way. I could tell you what they are planning but I would be risking my life. :) You will just have to wait to see, but I am certain that the room will be almost as beautiful as my bride-to-be, and that is a tall feat.

Tomorrow, we are off to NYC to see Les Miserables with Brittany. Hope your week is going well.

New Hope and a New 2 Year Old....

2007-10-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's Monday already. Where did the time go? sigh....so much to do, so little time to do it. Mitzi just reminded me that we only 6 1/2 months away from what I am sure will be the best day of lives. (Brittany, stop gagging.)

Saturday was the first time in a while that Mitzi and I had the chance to take a romantic excursion...so I surprised her and we went off to New Hope, a quirky town full of fun restaurants, shoppes, art galleries and unique people.

Eating food that isn't good for us and spending as though we don't have to save for a wedding, we trekked through the town recklessly and happily. It was "Second Saturday" and we had the chance to meet up with several artists, including one who looked just like Jerry Garcia. The leaves were crisp, the air was brisk and the company was perfect.

Mitzi made a new friend:

and the mojitos at the Cuban restaurant put a smile on my face:

Sunday we spent the day at a birthday party for 2-year-old Ilana, daughter of David and Meredith. We are so happy to have our friends so close. They recently moved two blocks away after living way too far. The birthday girl looks like the spitting image of Strawberry Shortcake and most importantly to Mitzi, she knows Mitzi's name. If I heard "what's my name?" one more time, I thought I was going to scream!

I would have taken pictures if I was not busy eating birthday cake and chocolate covered pretzels.

Man, did this girl get a lot of toys...a bike, dolls, a huge easel, games...the list went on. Mitzi almost stole her new Tickle Me Elmo, but I convinced her not to. Maybe we should register for one....

And speaking of registry, I know it's tacky, but many people have asked to alert them when our items on our registry is on sale. Bargain-hunters rejoice! There is a big sale this week at Macys. (Mitzi is now screaming....."HUUUUUUUH----NEY! Take that off." I love her twang...I would call her my hee haw honey but she'd be pissed.)

Have a great week.

What a weekend!

2007-10-09T19:09:00.000-07:00

A big steak dinner at the Borgata, Kathy Griffin, a great shore day with fun people and to top it all off, Dr. Ruth! After spending most of our Summer weekends soaking up the Margate Sun, it was time to once again get out and about.

Both Mitzi and I are fans of Kathy Griffin...she's brash, trashes on everyone and has a lot of great Hollywood stories. The four of us (Mom, Dad, Mitzi and I) trekked to the Borgata for a fantastic, red-meat filled dinner at Old Homestead. Such extensive dining left us full and somewhat exhausted. But, Kathy's concert woke us up...from the rowdy audience who was ready for fun to the colorful anecdotes, we spent 90 minutes laughing non-stop. She insulted almost every celeb you could think of, but her imitations were by far my favorite part of the show, including her robotic Paula Abdul and her poised yet stammering Barbara Walters. We also liked the fact that she had no problem laughing at her own misfortunes, including a really class-less story about her work at a children's charity auction. You will have Mitzi about the "wah wah wah" story. We ended the evening winning $25 in multi-strike video poker (my favorite slot).

Saturday took us to Long Beach Island to visit our friends Jen and Patrick for their annual shore hang. This was Mitzi's first time in LBI and she convinced me to stop at a couple shops along the way....where she shopped until she dropped. There were some great sales, so thankfully we still left with a little cash in our pockets. We had an awesome time visiting old friends, and we were thrilled to see our pal Trish back on her feet following surgery earlier this Summer, and her pug Rosa.

Dinner was terific (Risotto and pasta!!!!--BRING ON THE TREADMILL) and we loved the conversation, covering everything from politics, to dieting, to funny commericials and most importantly to Mitzi, bridesmaid dresses. (The thought monopolizes her mind most days.)

And just when we thought the weekend couldn't be any more fun, we caught up with the one and only.......

DR. RUTH! Both Mitzi and I remember secretly watching this pint-sized dynamo with a very thick accent discuss the foreign topic of sex when we were kids. Her accent is still thick but man, is she funny. She covered everything...and we mean everything. She was speaking at the senior expo at our synagogue, so here we were, with my mom mom on one side of us, and my parents on the other, in the room we are getting married in. Many words and terms were thrown out with reckless abandon...I would include them, but this is a family-friendly blog. Needless to say, there was a bit of discomfort on my end. The best was when my fiancee asked my grandmother if she wanted Mitzi to buy her a "massager." You can just imagine the look on my grandmother's face. It was a scene right out of sitcom. I swear I heard a laugh track. Add to that, it was a senior expo, so we were the youngest in the room by a long shot, and the loud hum of a hearing aid went off somewhere in the middle of the speech. But, Dr. Ruth was very sweet and it was an experience we will always remember. And my mom-mom, like always, was a great sport. I think she enjoyed the talk (even though she told me later she didn't understand a word Dr. Ruth said...I told you she has a thick accent.)

Later that day, I visited my grandmother's new apartment. It is spectacular...huge, luxurious, comfortable and impeccably furnished. I am so thrilled for her. The neighbors were all introducing themselves. I know she will be very happy and we are so forutnate that she will be so close. We ended the weekend with more fantastic food when my grandmother treated us all to dinner at Redstone. (and everyone wonders why I do so many stomach crunches each night!)

I am tired just writing this! Hope your weekend went just as well and you are enjoying a productive week.

The Best Gift My Parents Gave Me....

2007-10-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my baby sister and Mitzi's maid of honor!
We hope your 31st year is the best one yet! xxxxoooo

Two years ago today....

2007-09-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Michael: I was on my one billionth j-date...or at least it felt that way. Every picture looked the same, one profile ran into another...Surfing the site became a wonderful cure for insomnia. But, there was something about this one that stood out....maybe it was her warm smile, or her sweet screenname "Joy in Philly," or the way she giggled during our two-hour phone conversation where we discussed our childhoods, our families, and most importantly our love of candy and ice cream. We must have spent twenty minutes talking all about "nutty buddies." I let her choose the restaurant....El Vez...overpriced food, but great mojitos. And we laughed and laughed and laughed. It was an evening that forever changed my life...and two years later, I am a better man. I indeed found my "Joy in Philly."

Mitzi: I can't say that I was nearly as experienced with the j-dates as Michael was (he has quite the stories!), but I did experience my own level of cynicism and doubt while hoping to eventually meet someone I could share my time with. Quite honestly, I just wasn't meeting people I felt as if I had much in common with, but I was still trying to give fate a chance while not getting too discouraged. Thank G-d I kept my membership going! I had seen Michael's profile before, so when I saw an email from him I was really excited....there was something "interesting" in his profile and picture. I immediately responded to the sweet introduction he threw out to me and was hopeful that we would connect. After a couple of days of emails, we ended up talking on the phone. It was truly the best conversation I've ever had with anyone.

I've heard people describe these types of situations as unique and so easy and familiar that it feels as if they had known the person before---and this was exactly what took place. It was a very special moment and during that call, I could hardly wait until our first date. It was then that it happened again....I can see it as clear as if it just happened....Michael walked around the corner with a bouquet of gorgeous sunflowers and it was if I already knew who he was. I'll never be able to fully understand or describe this.

Of course, we know it was a wonderful evening that made history in our lives. To sit here this evening in our beautiful home, as we plan our wedding and our future together----all I can think of it the amazing gift that G-d miraculously wove into my life that started with one email. You all know the amazing man Michael is. To become his wife is the most precious honor that I will ever hold. I love you, honey....

Michael: Look at this...I ask if she wants to write a few words and all of a sudden, there is this novel....It has been the best two years of my life...To the woman who rescued me from an amorous squirrel, battled the banana republic over the quality of my leather blazer, introduced me to the magic of meringues, cheers me on, consoles me, laughs with me, vents with me, debates with me, and coddles me....thank you. You are all I need to get by. ILY.

Introducing Sweet Bea....

2007-09-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

After much anticipation and suspense, here is the apple of Mitzi's eye (next to her lovable fiancee of course....) Her new car, aptly named "Sweet Bea."

New Year Wishes

2007-09-12T19:49:00.000-07:00

Tonight marks the beginning of the 10 holiest days in the Jewish religion. Starting with Rosh Hashanah, the "head of the Jewish year" we thank G-d for his many blessings, atone for indiscretions we have committed in the past year, and pray that we are inscribed in the Book of Life for another year. The 10-day period ends when the shofar is blown at the end of Yom Kippur (the day where we fast). The book is closed and our fates are sealed for the year ahead.

This year has been a wonderous one for us, full of new beginnings, love, laughter, and excitement. Having someone to come home to, to share thoughts, debates, dinners, conversations, hugs whenever wherever is the best gift I could have been given. Mitzi has touched my life in ways I can not even describe and at one of the darkest times in my life, the loss of my grandfather, she was there...not just for me, but for my parents, my sister, my uncle and my grandmother. And tonight, as we sat around the table for holiday dinner, it was obvious that she is no longer Michael's girlfriend, she is now a valued, trusted, and loved member of my family.

The year ahead promises to be even more exciting, spectacular, amazing, nail-biting, nerve wracking....putting a wedding together is quite a project, but we are working together to make this this milestone the best it can be and thankfully, our parents have proven to be both nurturing and tremendously supportive.

Mitzi and I wish all of you a L'Shana Tova Tikvatanu, sweet wishes for a wonderful new year. May you laugh more than you cry, celebrate, achieve, follow your goals and find your way. We hope all of us are inscribed in the Book of Life for a sweet, enlightening new year.

The Summer Sun Is Setting....

2007-09-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

Labor Day has come and gone....where did the Summer go? Time is flying at an incredibly fast pace and May will be here before we know it.

Mitzi spent Labor Day weekend in North Carolina with her family and she had a wonderful time. Every minute was accounted for, from taking her brother to the beach, to shopping with her mom, and gossiping with her sister Nicole. She was spoiled with steak dinners and crab imperial and most importantly, she spent quality time with her parents, who she misses very much. It was a lovely weekend....she said only one thing was missing....I wonder what that was.

I spent the weekend in Margate with my folks, Brittany, her boyfriend Danny and my friends Judy and Craig. We really lucked out with the weather, but sadly not at the casino. We'll be trying to get down the shore as much as possible in the weekends ahead, soaking every last drop of the beach.

Our tennis game is also really coming along. It has become quite addictive and a wonderful way to relieve steam. Between my forehand and Mitzi's amazing backhand, we are a force to be reckoned with. (Here's a fun fact--Did you know Mitzi was ranked fourth in the state in high school? She was a regular "Mitzi McEnroe.") Special thanks to my mom, who has made a fun opponent on the courts while Mitzi was away.

Random Ramblings

2007-08-14T21:47:00.000-07:00

Things are getting back to normal slowly but surely....While Mitzi is upstairs getting her beauty sleep, I thought I would take a few minutes to share some thoughts and updates.

**Words can't express how grateful I am to all who reached out after my grandfather's passing. The calls, cards, e-mails, donations, and visits have helped me and my family deal with one of the most difficult times in our lives. We are so blessed to surround ourselves with such incredible people. Thank you for being there. I will never forget it.

**To those who have been waiting in suspense for news about Mitzi's new ride, it's a beautiful snow-white BMW 328 sedan with beige leather interior--a beautiful car for a beautiful woman (and thankfully, we got a beautiful deal on it.) Pictures will be posted shortly of the new addition to our family, aptly named "Sweet Bea" by Mitzi "I am not Southern" Joy.

**We are finally finished our registry! I had no idea how labor intensive registering was. I am exhausted just thinking about it. The final touch was these awesome square everyday dishes which we are very excited about. Also, most of the items we registered for at Macy's are now on sale at great discounts. You can check out our registry by clicking on the link on the left. (I hope it's not super corny to mention a sale on the blog. Macy's suggests we e-mail everyone and I can assure you that will never happen.)

**Out of towners should have received information in the mail pertaining to hotel accomodations for the weekend of the wedding. We have secured a block of rooms at the Doubletree Guest Suites, right near our house in Mount Laurel. The hotel is offering us a special rate of $109 a night for 2 adults and 2 children, available May 2 through May 5, 2008. The rate includes free breakfast. If you need more information on reserving a room, please e-mail me at michaeljsacks@comcast.net.

**We hired a videographer to capture all the fun we will be having. The company, Core Productions, was recommended by our friends Jen and Jarod. Our videographer's name is Ash Habashi. Try saying that ten times fast.

He'll still be there...

2007-08-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

Growing up, my pop pop could do no wrong in my book. He was a superhero of sorts, always involved in many community organizations and events. He was a 33rd Degree Mason and President of his condominium in Margate for more than a decade. He brought me snowglobes from around the world, introduced me to the Phillie Phanatic, jumped the waves with me and Brittany, and made me laugh with his 10,000 jokes and yiddish sayings. He took me with him to visit family in Baltimore and Chicago, shared with me my first sour tomato, and showed me around the Italian Market, where we watched in amazement as the man behind the counter sliced a fish like a bagel and you could still see its working organs fully in tact (quite cool for a 12-year-old boy, or a 34-year-old for that matter.) I always looked forward to my time with him, whether it be sitting on my sofa as he let my dogs chew on his thumb, or praying next to him in temple during the high holidays. He had a grand laugh, a grand presence and a grand love for life. He was my pop pop, and I was so blessed to have him for as long as I did. In his presence, I always felt a warmth, a very special bond.

Today, we lost him, one month shy of his 87th birthday. And as I am writing this, the reality is hitting me very hard. One of my grandfather's wishes was to see that I was married....not just to anyone mind you, but to an incredible woman who would make my life complete. My grandfather had the chance to meet Mitzi on several occasions. They shared conversations and laughs. I could see a special relationship forming. I know how happy he was. And while we won't be able to hear his toast, pose with him for photos, or watch him walk down the aisle May 4, I know he will be there....and I will feel his warmth.

So long Pop Pop. Your tutila loves you and always will.

Our happy home....

2007-07-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

It's official! We are now living in sin. But in comfortable sin as you can see from our pictures....It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but we have combined our resources to make our home as amazing as possible. Visitors are always welcome....Just call first and bring something good to eat!

A Mess In The Name of Love!

2007-07-20T21:37:00.001-07:00

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." That's what Michael kept telling himself as he tore his beloved house apart to prepare for Mitzi's big move in....The closet builders came Tuesday, which means everything had to be taken out of the closets Monday night--and I mean everything!!!! Shoes in the bathtubs, suits hanging on shower rods, rooms stuffed to the gills with stuff.....It's a neat freak's nightmare, but Michael held his breath and trudged through...shirts piled on top of shirts piled on top of shirts..suitcases, boxes, pants and pants and more pants..where the heck did he get all these clothes? Like bunnies, they seemed to multiply. But in the end, Michael knew that all his hard work would pay off. For the first time since college, he pulled an all-nighter to put him home back in decent shape, and as you can see from these pics of Mitzi and Michael's closets, it was sooo worth it!

Zoom Zoom Zoom

2007-07-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

Mitzi's move-in is just weeks away, so it was imperative that we found her a car. Tonight, after numerous visits to various dealerships, searching automotive websites, spending hours on the phone with salesmen, and taking several test drives, we have found our Mitzimobile....Of course, we are very excited. Rather than give anything away, we will post pics when we pick our new ride up Saturday, 7/21!

Love is in the air in Huntingdon Valley

2007-06-28T22:36:00.001-07:00

They say there is a lid for every pot...I don't know who exactly came up with this corny phrase, but I heard it more than a few times during my dating career. "You never know when she is going to walk into your life," "It's when you least expect it..." "You can't plan love..." yada yada yada. After meeting Mitzi, I have to agree with all this mumbo jumbo. I never imagined that I would meet and fall for such an incredible woman who shares my dreams, loves me unconditionally, and tolerates my overly aggressive desire to be neat and organized. But even if I never met my Southern Belle (and my life was once again hollow g-d forbid), Sunday was proof that there is someone for everyone.

Richie is my cousin Ron's best friend and without a doubt, one of the sweetest people I know. A big laugh, a big hug, a bad joke....he always leaves you with a smile on your face. He has been through tremendous obstacles and yet always kept his sunny disposition, priding himself in being a good man and a good dad. I remember after his wife passed, we talked about the trials and tribulations of dating. I thought to myself "I hope this guy finds the woman he is looking for." Admittedly, I was not all that optimistic. Little did I know, that the woman he was looking for had been a dear friend of mine for over 10 years.

Much like Richie, Adrienne had her share of heartbreak, but it never squashed her determination to find the perfect mate. I remember going with her to one of those treacherous meat market type single events in the city....not exactly my cup of tea...but she greeted the event with exuberance and tenacity, meeting as many people as she could, leaving smiling faces in her path. Her warmth and caring demeanor are both illustrated in the tremendous number of friendships she has made over the years.....many of which have lasted decades.

Two people from two completely different places and then by chance, they found each other through Richie's cousin (I wish I could have taken credit, but truth be told, the thought never crossed my mind.) They have been inseparable ever since. Even while they sold one house, redecorated another and started to prepare for a bar mitzvah, they are still smiling. (I am exhausted just thinking about it.) Saturday, they made it official becoming husband and wife, and Sunday, they hosted two big parties at the home they now share....seriously, do these people ever sleep? And why are they so damn happy? I guess they are in love.

Mitzi likes to use the word "beshert" or chosen one when describing us. I think the same holds true here. I am glad that Richie has found a second beshert in his life and I am thrilled that Adrienne has found a man who will treat her with the love and respect she deserves. We are so happy for you. Mazel Tov!

Buzzed in the Big Apple

2007-06-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, our cousin Ron turned 49 (only 13 years to go for that AARP card!) and we all took a field trip to New York to celebrate along with Brittany. If you have never been to Sammy's Roumanian Steak House, you certainly want to check it out....it's like a bar mitzvah every night. Huge steaks, pitchers of smaltz on the table, latkes, kishka, and chocolate egg creams--the place is certainly responsible for keeping a few cardiologists in business. After a lot of food and quite a bit of vodka, we continued to hang out and act silly at a local pool hall/bar, especially Mitzi, who crashed a table tennis game. The eight of us (us, Anne, Mark, Joy, Ron, Brittany, and our adopted gentile sister, Christina) all had an awesome time that night and bit of a headache the morning after. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RON!

Time keeps on spinning...and Mitzi's ready to move in!

2007-06-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

We can't believe Summer starts tomorrow! It seems like we just got engaged yesterday, and yet it has been months. We enjoyed another wonderful weekend. Our dear friends Tootsie and Florence treated us to an awesome Chinese dinner at the Trop and wouldn't you know Tootsie walked into the casino and hit for $300 TWICE IN TEN MINUTES....The man takes his slots very seriously. He chooses his machines based on their number and he wins effortlessly; it was quite exciting to watch. Of course, Mitzi and I tried to follow suit the next day at the Borgata, choosing machine # 0504 (based on our wedding date.) It was a wheel of fortune machine and while we did get to spin the wheel a couple times, we walked away with empty pockets. But we had fun, and that's all that counts....at least that is what we keep telling ourselves.

Our weekend continued in grand style, celebrating Fathers Day with Michael's entire family on the beach. Lots of food, lots of laughs and lots of fun! Happy Fathers Day to all dads out there, especially our dads Danny and Ed.

In other news, it looks like August 1 is the big day when Mitzi moves to Mount Laurel and our life as one officially begins. We are a little nervous, but excited at the same time.....It seems like we will be under the chupah before we know it.

Ka-ching!

2007-06-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

The queen of garage sales has done it again! Mitzi made a nice little bundle selling her knick knacks last weekend. (Does that sound a little dirty?) Folks from throughout the city gathered to check out the goods at Mitzi's Rittenhouse Square Abode, as she prepares for her big move to Mount Laurel. And she had so much fun...she is doing it again July 14th--Alert your friends and family!

We celebrated Mitzi's success with dinner al fresco at The Little Tuna in Haddonfield (Thanks Judy!) After stuffing our face with the most amazing crabcakes and enough fried calamari to feed the army, we took a romantic stroll through town. With all the chaos going on in our lives right now, it was so nice to enjoy some Michael and Mitzi time. We drove down to the shore later that evening and the next day, we walked the beach from Margate all the way to Atlantic City....for those of who don't know, that is quite a distance...we ended up on the boardwalk, where we shared a diet coke and some french fries (again why exercise if you can't reap the rewards?). Everything was perfect.....the weather, the beach and the company.....alright, I know some of you are gagging right now, so we will stop.

We made another big decision. We hired our photographer--Baruch Schwartz. We clicked from the moment we met him--he was warm, endearing and it was obvious that he would complement our celebration and make everyone look spectacular. Check out his website; the man is extremely talented.

On The Road Again...

2007-06-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

We have been all across the region this past couple of days, working hard to make the wedding "picture perfect." Last night, we caught up with a wonderful photographer and tonight, we visited a videographer....decisions, decisions! The videographer even had a video featuring our band, Marquee. They sounded awesome and everyone was on the dance floor. We know we can count on all of you to keep our dance floor at maximum capacity.

It was a wet weekend, but we still enjoyed it down the shore.... Before we know it, the weekend will be back and Mitzi is eagerly awaiting having her second garage sale Saturday morning. She is quite the entreprenuer, posting up signs across the city. If you are in the neigborhood, stop by and BUY BUY BUY!

We're ready for our close up Mr. DeMille!

2007-05-31T22:10:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, Michael has the chance to step in front of the cameras! He recently appeared on the CBS affiliate in Harrisburg to provide tips on how to buy a used car without being taken for a ride. Click here to watch the video (just ignore the huge mic pack they attached to his waist!)

By the way, Michael's not the only one stepping into the limelight. Mitzi's dad has become a movie star! Ed is currently filming a movie about the early days of jazz, and while he loves the catered lunches, the wardrobe fittings, and the superstar treatment, he is still getting used to the early wake up calls. Next up for "Hollywood Ed" Joy: a role in a Richard Gere movie shooting in Wilmington, NC later this Summer!

Michael's computer has come home!!!

2007-05-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

After way too long, Michael's computer has returned and he is better than ever...new hard drive, new fan, more memory...FASTER, STRONGER, MEANER!!! And thankfully, the blog will once again be updated on a regular basis.

Here's where we left off:
**In our travels, we have come across some amazing people and John Deamicis is no exception. Those who have visited Michael (and soon to be Mitzi's house)on Oliphant Lane know that we are big fans of John's work. In fact, on the first anniversary of our first date, Mitzi surprised Michael with a huge Deamicis collage of all their many adventures together. The painting is on display in the foyer for all to see and enjoy. Well, John has come through again...big time. As a special gift to us, he provided us with this special illustration to use on our Save The Date cards for our out-of-town guests. We are having the cards printed next week. If you are interested, in finding out more about John's art or his new book, visit his website.

**Our confirmed menu came back from the caterer and we gained three pounds just reading it. We are warning you well in advance...wear loose clothing. We guarantee you will leave our wedding well-fed! Can't wait for the tasting.

**Michael is extremely busy getting ready for Mitzi's big move-in this Summer. We have picked out a beautiful china hutch for our first floor and we are getting the walk-in closets redesigned with all sorts of shelves, compartments, low hangs, high hangs, etc. Once the closets are done, it will feel like we have stepped into MTV cribs!

**We enjoyed a beautiful Memorial Day weekend at the Sacks shore house in Margate. Master chef Danny was back on the barbeque, and Mitzi joined Michael for six-mile walks on the beach two days in a row, and several long bike rides! Of course, we also found time to sneak away to Ocean City for some Mack and Manco pizza and Johnson's caramel popcorn. What good is exercise if you can't reap the rewards? We are looking forward a hazy, hot weekend coming up.

**Next week, we are meeting with a photographer and videographer. Both were referred by friends and family. If you have any suggestions, feel free to drop us a line.

**Allesandro the corkscrew arrived from our Bed, Bath & Beyond Registry, courtesy of our dear friend Lisa Graham, and he is even cooler in person!

**Huge congrats to our friends Barry & Erica Crell, who are expecting a special package from the stork come December. We know you will make perfect parents.

**Mitzi is selling off a lot of her furniture. Among the items still up for grabs: an awesome futon with wooden frame (that unfolds into a full bed) and her real full-sized bed. Both are being sold for very reasonable prices....If you have any interest, please drop a line to Mitzi at mitzicjoy@yahoo.com. And tell your friends and family!

**And finally, our thoughts are with Michael's sister Brittany as she gets her wisdom teeth taken out tomorrow. We intend to coddle her all weekend long, and no doubt she will look like a tremendously cute chipmunk. Michael wonders how she will get her two cents in if she can't talk, but he's sure she will find a way. We love you, Brittany.

So sorry for the delay!!!!

2007-05-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

Well, the e-mails are pouring in....
"Update your blog!"
"Where the heck are you guys?"
"How are we going to know what you ate for breakfast Thursday if you don't write about it?"
"I am not going to check your blog every day unless you start writing something interesting NOW!"

It has been one heck of a week, and Michael's computer crashed! But, the good news is now that we have a chance to breathe, we can finally share some highlights:

**Mother's Day was wonderful! While we were upset that Fay could not join in the festivities, we really enjoyed the holiday. We started the day, with our annual Mother's Day tradition, the Race for the Cure. We walked five miles for an important cause and then gorged ourselves on Wawa soft pretzels, sun chips, blueberry muffins and iced tea (G-d forbid, we should lose a pound or two.). We stocked up on free Burts Bees products and Stanley Steamer Carpet Cleaner (Michael thought he hit the mother load when we came upon that.) Following our walk, we treated Pam to some flowers at Trader Joe's and we headed back to Cherry Hill where Master Chef Danny was preparing a master feast with a couple surprise guests--Michael's Mom Mom and Pop Pop (and Uncle Brad too). Those who know Michael know it is a real feat for Michael's grandparents to get to the house and we really enjoyed ourselves. (We will post some pictures later on.) Of course, it had been a couple hours since our Wawa snacks, so we feasted on turkey sausage sandwiches, london broil, and bbq-ed chicken breast. Mom Mom and Pam loved their gifts, and it was truly a day to remember. Happy Mothers Day to all moms and moms-to-be.

**Michael then left for a couple days for Boston but Mitzi called him every 10 minutes or so just to remind him he was missed.

**Thursday night, we met up with Rabbi David. One of the most important decisions you can make is who is going to officiate your ceremony and we feel so blessed to have Rabbi David. He is warm, sincere and has a good sense of humor (an important trait when dealing with us.) We went over the ceremony and he asked us a few questions about how we met and what we think of each other.....He seems as excited as we are that he is part of our day.

**Another exciting moment also came this week when we received our first three sets of China courtesy of the Small and Sherman Families. The china is even more beautiful then we imagined and we are hard at work finding the ideal china hutch for our new home together. Michael was also thrilled to find that someone has purchased his beloved Alessandro corkscrew from our registry at Bed Bath & Beyond. He does not who it is, but they are guaranteed a big bear hug upon receipt.

**Saturday, we woke up real early for the community garage sale and Michael was keeping a firm eye on the weather, practically begging Mother Nature not to pour on us....thankfully, she waited until the end of the sale and we did very well, selling over $230 worth of our stuff...more than anyone else in the neighborhood and despite the fact that we ran into some "interesting people," (including a woman who kept coming back to offer us $1.00 for all of Mitzi's silverware and then $1.50 "but that was her final offer." Mitzi was going to slug her.), we did meet a lot of very nice neighbors and we are thrilled to have made off as well as we did. Michael sold his treasured plane made of coca cola cans to a young man, also by the name of Michael. Mitzi, however, was a little disappointed that no one expressed interest in Michael's prized fart extinguisher. We were so tired by the end of the day, that we slept through the rest of the afternoon, completely missing the Phillies game we were supposed to attend.

**Mitzi is going to finish up with a second garage sale in front of her house in Rittenhouse Square on June 9th...if you are interested in helping or buying, let her know....and we are thrilled to tell you that a lot of her furniture is going to several happy homes.

Today was a day of errands, errands, errands and we are off to Chinatown, but as soon as Michael gets his computer back this week, we will be updating more...so stay tuned.

Also, a very special birthday wish to a very special sister....Happy 34th Nicole. We love you, and yes we do know that we are NOT the only people getting married and a blog is not necessary. But we like it, and evidentally judging by your daily visits, you do too!!!!

Big day ahead!!!

2007-05-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday is here and Mitzi is ready to shop....BIG SURPRISE! On our way to look at china cabinets, towels for the registry, and hopefully our everyday dishes. Pics to come!!!

One Lucky Gal

2007-05-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I hope everyone was able to enjoy the gorgeous weather we had this weekend! This is actually Mitzi writing and now that Michael has introduced me to the blogging world, I wanted to take a minute to express a few things on my mind. One year from this weekend, Michael and I will be enjoying our first hours as a married couple! I cannot wait until the moment and want to thank each of you for sharing in these special times. Each day I thank Gd for Michael and the relationship we share. For those of you who know him, you understand the unique and special qualities that are wrapped up in his heart of gold. I truly consider myself one of the luckiest girls (actually THE luckiest) in the world because Michael has added a depth to my life that has allowed me to express love and feel love in a way that I have never been able to. So this post is in honor of my amazing fiancee Michael, who never ceases to amaze me through his wisdom, character, integrity, generosity, compassion, and love for me and all of you. Happy anniversary, sweetie. I love and adore you with all of my heart and soul.

Food glorious food....

2007-05-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

A big pow wow of utmost importance also took place Saturday, as Michael and Mitzi sat down with...the caterers. The event went surprisingly smooth and Ellsworth Scott threw out some delectable ideas which made our mouths water. In fact, as a result of just thinking about the food being served at the wedding, Michael has gained three pounds. All guests should make sure they wear loose clothing, trust us!

Mitzi Found A Dress!!!

2007-05-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

A major milestone took place Saturday morning!!!!Mitzi and Fay have found the wedding dress!!! Tears were shed by all, including the saleswoman. Michael has been kept completely in the dark so all questions, inquiries and request for details should be made directly to the blushing bride.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Mitzi's moving in!!!!

2007-05-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

It's official! You heard it here first. Mitzi will be moving in with Michael at the end of August. She turned in her lease termination letter tonight and has already begun to downsize (she's selling some great items, including a bed, a futon, a dresser and more. Write to Mitzi at mitzicjoy@yahoo.com if you have any interest.) Needless to say, Michael is in the middle of making his home as comfortable as can be for his beautiful fiancee. He's researching handymen and closet companies, so if you have any suggestions, drop a note in the comments section or send him an e-mail to michaeljsacks@comcast.net. He's looking forward to sharing the home he loves with the woman he loves. He is even thinking of unloading some of his own prized possessions, if you can beleive Michael would actually part with his happy meal toy collection.

By the way, now anyone can submit a comment to the blog! No google account needed!

And huge congrats to a very special couple who just told us they are expecting. We are not going to give away their names because they may not want everyone to know yet, but we are thrilled and we think they are going to make awesome parents! (Mazel tov also to the aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents of the baby to be. They couldn't be born into a better family.)xxxoooo M&M

This time next year....

2007-05-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

This time next year, we will start celebrating!!!! There is no doubt the year is going to go fast and while we have the band booked, the synagogue signed for and the florist picked, there is still a lot more to do. Saturday, we are going to meet with the caterer for the first time.....needless to say we are both excited! Joining us on our adventure will be Michael's cousin Joy (who has been such a remarkable help to us throughout this process) and Fay, who is flying into town later on today. We have our rough menu laid out and if everything falls into place, we strongly recommend that all guests wear loose clothing to the wedding because there will be some super duper dining going on!

Mitzi's dad Ed is also coming into town and we are going to celebrate his 81st birthday this weekend, before he heads off to the Poconos for a cigar dinner. (We hope we have as much vim and vigor when we are his age.)

Here's some other big news:

OUR WEDDING PARTY IS COMPLETE!
Matron of Honor: Mitzi's best friend, Erin Mason
Maid of Honor: Michael's sister, Brittany
Bridesmaids: Julie Mandel, Stephanie Sobel, Jill Tobin, & Mitzi's sister Nicole
Junior Bridesmaid: Sydney Sherman

Best Man: Michael's dad, Danny (the best man he knows)
Groomsmen: Phil Corradino, Craig Wille, Craig Tobin, Jeff Mandel, Jason Sobel & Ronnie Tolz
Junior Groomsman: Aaron Sherman

Also, it looks like one of Michael's favorite feature writers, Sally Friedman, will be writing about our wedding for Inside Magazine. This would be another huge honor for us.

Lastly, we are having our first meeting with Rabbi David in two weeks. This is all coming together.....the big day will be here before we know it!

Shopping is tiring.....

2007-04-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

Another fun day registering....and we are exhausted. Mitzi is currently resting her footsies after complaining about her shoes for most of the day. We were happy to run into some friendly faces along the way (Miriam, there is no escaping you ;) ) We also found a great hotel for our out-of-town guests...more info to come later.

As you know, Mitzi and I have always invested our time in community efforts. We found out today that weddingchannel.com will make a 3% donation to the charity of our choice whenever anyone purchases a gift through Macys online registry. We have decided to donate to the American Cancer Society in loving memory of our friends and family who we wish were here, and in honor of survivors who thankfully are.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend as much as we are. Tomorrow, we are taking our cousins to the circus. Mitzi is scared of clowns so this will be a real experience.

Home Sweet Home....

2007-04-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

We have figured out one major decision this past week...where we will be living. While Mitzi is busting to share the big news, Michael is going through the logistics just to make sure everything will run smoothly. We plan to have an announcement soon.

A Wonderful Wedding In The Sunshine State

2007-04-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

The sun was shining almost as brightly as Mitzi's smile as we headed to Fort Lauderdale for some much needed R&R! We were there for Michael's cousin's Nan's wedding, and being that we are in the middle of wedding plan hooplah, Nan and her husband Howard gave us some incredible ideas. Everyone had an awesome time, especially our "Dancing Divas" Brittany & Pam. And we must admit that both of us were a bit misty-eyed.....thinking of our own wonderful plans for the future.

Love Is.....Reuniting With Some Of Our Favorite People

2007-04-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Fort Lauderdale also provided us a chance to reunite with some of our favorite people, including one of Michael's oldest and dearest friends, Julie (known in Mrs. Tucker's second grade class as Juliet), her husband Jeff, and the two children Michael refers to as his "little marshmallows" Sophie and Ty. As the kids get older, Michael thinks that they are looking more and more like the "Love Is..." kids from the seventies (Michael's mom had the whole glass set.) Can you see the resemblance?

In addition, Michael had the chance to reunite with his Cousin Rozzie who he hasn't seen in more than 20 years! Rozzie and Michael were very close, until Roz moved to Florida. Always young at heart, she even played coke & pepsi with the kids at Michael's bar-mitzvah. It's obvious from the photo above that Florida has been great to her and g-d willing, we are looking forward to having her join us in May 2008!!!

Lastly, the trip gave us some time to hang out with our wonderful family, including Brittany, Pam, Danny, cousins Joy & Ron, Marc & Anne and one of the only people who can put Danny in his place, Aunt Norma (who has requested chocolate martinis for our wedding....we will see what we can do ;) )

Google-Eyed

2007-04-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

We were so excited when we heard that our dear family friend, Bob, wanted to comment on the blog. Alas, he didn't post his note because he did not want to open a google blogger account. Of course, we love to read comments, so if the blogger comment system leaves you a bit "google-eyed," e-mail your comments to michaeljsacks@comcast.net and we will be glad to share them. Here's Bob's note:

Congrats M&M:
You both sound thrilled, and I am very happy for you and
both your families. I like the narrative and pictures and can't
wait to see the wedding night photos. Have fun and see you in Fla.
Bob

Hopefully, Bob meant he can't wait to see the wedding reception photos. Knowing us, any photos of us taken afterwards will feature two very blissful thirty-somethings sound asleep...rather boring if you ask me :)

Lambchops and champagne--the perfect way to kick things off!

2007-04-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

We are so lucky to surround ourselves with amazing friends and family, and we can't wait to celebrate with all of you in the coming months. This past Sunday night, we were treated to a special lambchop dinner courtesy of our friends Jason and Stephanie. No one can make lamb like Stephanie (Mitzi is trying....but she is not there yet.) Not only did we partake in delicious food and enjoy great conversation, but we also had a chance to hang out with Jason and Stephanie's awesome son Avi....a treat in itself. This weekend, we are off to Florida to spend some time with our friends Julie and Jeff and "Michael's favorite marshmallows" Tyler & Sophie, and attend our cousin's wedding.

We are registered!

2007-04-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that we have been engaged almost three weeks....it's very exciting! In addition to all the pre-wedding prep, we set up two gift registries this weekend. Needless to say, we had a ball imagining all the wonderful things we will need for our future together, but the day left us positively exhausted. You can visit our registries on-line (check out the links to the left.) I do not think either of us realized what an extensive project this is turning out to be....china and bedding and pots and pans and oh so much more. Michael took a particular liking to Alessandro the very dapper corkscrew from Bed Bath & Beyond, while Mitzi has fallen for the plush bedding from Macys. You can also check out our unique octagon china pattern, which we both fell in love with. Keep visiting for updates! And if would like to buy us a gift, please remember to bring your coupons to both stores and be on the lookout for sales. After all, when you save more, you can buy more ;) xxxoooo, M&M

PS As we mentioned, we are constantly adding to the registries and we still have a long way to go...flatware, towels, glassware, etc. Plus, we are going to start up a registry on judaicgift.com as well. Do you have any suggestions on unique items we can register for? Perhaps, items that you registered for when you were getting married? If you do, send us a comment. Remember to keep it clean :) This is a family-friendly blog.

The Proposal in Michael's Words

2007-04-05T19:40:00.001-07:00

Sent out Sunday night:

I am sure by now, most of you have heard the exciting news of the weekend…Friday night,I proposed to Mitzi, the light of my life, and she gleefully said yes (even before looking at the ring I nervously placed on her finger.) It has been a whirlwind of a weekend and now that I have a moment, I thought I would quickly share what happened and my thoughts…

As many of you know, Mitzi has been waiting for this proposal for quite a while now. I traveled to North Carolina to ask for her parents’ blessings…we set a wedding date, put a deposit down on the synagogue, made an appointment to meet the caterer….etc…The big moment had to come sooner or later, but the big question was when….and I was intentionally driving Mitzi crazy….We spent endless hours looking at ring after ring, going into Bernie Robbins, Bailey Banks and Biddle and trekking Samson Street. I had perfected a glazed, confused “they are all looking the same” look as we entered into each store. I explained that I was perplexed, nervous to buy her a ring she would not like….when, all along, I had my plans perfectly carved out.

On Friday evening, Mitzi thought we were joining our good friends Jill and Craig at the Continental for dinner. (Little did Mitzi know that only hours before, my pal Craig was getting his gallbladder taken out so there was no way he would be up to swilling martinis and dining on lobster mashed potatoes. ) For quite a while, she has been requesting (ie nagging) me to return to the restaurant where we first met, El Vez, to have our photo taken in the restaurant’s photo booth. I suggested that since it was a lovely evening, we stop there on our way to dinner. She told me that she thought I was unusually happy this evening and she couldn’t figure out why. (Apparently, I am normally a bit grumpy after the work week….some of you are nodding right now). When we arrived at the photo booth, I had mentioned that this would be the ideal place to propose, although Mitzi didn’t think much about it, since I said that once before and she thought I was going to propose in the middle of the King of Prussia food court, and then I didn’t.

I then got on my knee and said look how perfect this looks….if only I had a ring….again, she had this smirk on her face…..and then I said “wait a minute” and I opened my jacket to pulled out the ring Mitzi always wanted…an oval diamond with pears on the side surrounded by pave, a ring that almost sparkles as much as she does. That’s when Mitzi lost it, and I must admit I teared up a bit too. Since we were in a photo booth, I thought it would be appropriate to tell Mitzi that she has made my life picture perfect and I asked her to be my wife. I think she said yes….I never heard it…all I remember is her screaming “we’re engaged” into her cell phone as we trekked down the streets of Old City. (And yes, we did take photos in the picture booth.) The evening continued with a surprise dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Buddakan, and ended at my parents’ house where my folks and my sister unveiled a beautiful cake, champagne….and one more big surprise for my soon-to-be blushing bride….her parents, who flew in from North Carolina to celebrate with us.

It was quite a special celebration, befit for a very special woman.

Those of you who have known me for a long time know that I had been quite jaded when it comes to dating. I never felt that I would be able to find a woman who complements me in every way….who deals with my overly aggressive neatness and my occasional cantankerous nature, while at the same time cheering me on, encouraging me, supporting me, teaching me and appreciating me. I certainly recognized that it was a daunting task. I felt as though I was fighting an uphill battle and many times, I felt defeated. I have been so blessed in my life….I have incredible parents, a sister who doubles as one of my dearest friends, a phenomenally loving family and friendships which have spanned decades…yet, I always felt that one piece was missing and truth be told, I was not sure I would ever find it.

Mitzi has captured my heart in a way that no one has….with a warmth, love, understanding and support that I have never experienced before in this way. She is the type of woman I know my parents have always wished for me, smart, funny, compassionate, caring to a fault…..and I know that just as she has touched my life, she has succeeded in touching many of yours as well, which makes me love and adore her even more. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law for my parents or a better sister-in-law for Brittany. She is the complete package, through and through.

I could continue, but I think you understand where I am coming from. To many of you, who have sent texts, voice mails and e-mails my and Mitzi’s way, I thank you. We are still getting through many of them…..To those of you who knew my plans, called to wish me luck, cheered me on and kept the secret, I thank you…To my parents, Brittany, Ed and Fay who helped to make this weekend so memorable, a million thanks to you….. And to the woman who truly lives up to her soon-to-be-former last name, “Mitzi Joy” I thank you….not just for saying yes, but for being the best thing that ever happened to me.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Love, Michael

The Proposal in Mitzi's Words

2007-04-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

Sent out Saturday 3/31 at 6:38 am:

Good morning friends and family!

It's pretty early for a Saturday, but I have been awake for around an hour and half and cannot go back to sleep after the best day of life. Michael proposed to me last night! As you can well imagine, I said YES!!! This response was so natural and meant to be....he truly is the most amazing man whom I respect, admire, appreciate, and love with all of my heart. We compliment each other in the way two are meant to be and we are so fortunate to have found this, which we both waited for a very long time for. We have found our Beshert...destined one.

Last night was magical with Michael's style throughout the evening. The plan (or so I thought) was that we were going to meet our wonderful friends, Jill and Craig, at the
Continental restaurant at 8. I had been wanting Michael and I to revisit the place of our first date (El Vez). Although the food isn't great, they have a cool photo booth and since it is so special to us I wanted to go back for a momento. Michael said he wanted to go ahead and stop by there, take our picture and have a mojito before we met Jill and Craig. I thought that was such a nice thing, seeing that he knew I really wanted to do it and we kept putting it off since our first anniversary.

The place was packed! We went into the booth, Michael pulled the four bucks our for the pics (remember when they were fifty cents!). It was a tight squeeze as most booths are, so Michael had me sit on the stool while he prepared for the pics. He looked at me and innocently commented that he realized how cool it would be if we were to get engaged there. I agreed, not wanting to make him feel bad b/c I thought we were still looking for rings, and then he opened his jacket button and pulled out a box! This is where I started freaking out. Michael got down on one knee and said the most beautiful words I've ever heard..."because you have made my life picture perfect...Mitzi Joy, will you marry me?" I won't ever fully be able to explain how I felt..I was laughing and crying and literally hyperventilating at the same time. I couldn't let go of Michael's neck for what seemed like forever and when I caught my breath, I said yes! I then looked down at the most amazing ring I've ever seen, yet it looked like the one that was always meant to be on my hand (more about that in a second). Michael was so nervous he forgot which finger to put it on! After we fumbled a little bit, he put it on my hand and we took our pictures which will soon be framed and sat there as long as we needed. Of course I was telling everyone we saw (strangers!) about the good news!

Afterwards, Michael took me to a fabulous dinner at one of our favorite restaurants Buddakan and we texted as many friends and family we could. It was so much fun. The one problem is that I couldn't reach my parents! Michael told me they knew it would happen this weekend, but didn't know the date. The evening went on and I had spoken to everyone but them because I couldn't get through to them! After we picked my bag up from my house, we decided to stop by Michael's parents in NJ to show them the ring. I was really disappointed b/c the only thing that would have mae the evening better was to speak with my mom and dad, but I had decided I wouldn't let it spoil the evening and that I would just have to talk to them the following day....my amazing aunts helped me to calm down in regards to this.

When we got to the house, we saw everyone and there was a cake and champagne for us that Brittany (Michael's sister who's home for Passover) had sweetly put out for us. Everyone was celebrating and Just as I was complaining about not speaking to my parents, I looked up and saw my wonderful father with my mother behind. I was again, speechless and overwhelmed beyond words. They had flown in earlier that evening! Michael had been planning this the entire time---organizing everything in the thoughtful manner he always does things. This wasn't an easy thing, to say the least. How he was able to keep everyone tight lipped is beyond me!

You can imagine the excitement and joy. It was a PERFECT evening! We stayed up laughing, talking and having a great time. My parents are in town for the entire weekend and we're going to spend the day in Philadelphia with them.

It's now day break and I'm so happy because I can't wait for everyone to wake up and start the day! Thank you for taking time to read this. I know it's long, but I wanted to share as much as I could with each of you. I can't wait to also show you the gorgeous ring Michael gave me. I will send a picture later, but it won't do it justice. It's a magnificent oval diamond with diamond pears on each side. Around all of this is pave diamonds that go into two bands. It's spectacular, just like my fiance.

Stay tuned for pictures. Thanks again for reading this and thank you for all of the well wishes, prayers, and support.

We love you!
Mitzi (to be Mitzi Sacks on May 4, 2008) and Michael

Welcome to our on-line home!

2007-04-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

It's the most exciting time of our lives....so we are told. Mitzi and I are getting married May 4, 2008 and since our family and friends mean so much to us, we have decided to take you along for the ride. You will have the chance to share our trials and tribulations as we prepare for the biggest day of our lives. So, welcome, bookmark this page, and be prepared to join us as we head toward the aisle.

Love, M&M