Day 298 and the only thing on my schedule is a mammogram late in the afternoon.

Wedding activity has slowed to a dull roar around our house lately. It's not that we're not anticipating the big event, it's more like the 800-pound elephant has taken the form of a layer of fog that hugs the floor around our ankles, creeping up the side of the bed in the middle of the night to wake us up from a sound sleep.

Omigod! It's only 10 months away!

What's the balance in the wedding fund?

Maybe we should take those part time jobs in the Christmas tree lot to add to the coffers.

I wonder if you can still sell your blood.

My husband talks about volunteering for an event. I narrowly miss his head with a swipe of my hand as I admonish him that we're only taking paying gigs until next summer.

I read a news story about "sponsored weddings" and fleetingly think that this could be a good thing, then I remember Star Jones and her stroll down the Payola Path. Better fewer canapes than "Golden Casino" plastered across their chests as they walk down the aisle.

BrideGirl even said something when we were out to lunch Sunday, standing in line at the sandwich shop.

"I'm feeling so much stress, maybe we should just go to Vegas and get married."

For the BRIEFEST moment, I looked hopeful. Then reality set in.

First of all, Vegas is really hot in June.

Second, I'd still end up throwing a big party.

Thirdly, while we might save money, there would always be the "what if."

Finally, it's just not what this princess wants. I say "this" princess because I have two of them. It blows my mind to see how different they are. Princess #1, aka Slave Of Honor and the one with simple tastes - said that Susan's wedding at the end of last season's "Desperate Housewives" was just what she had in mind.

Perfect! I can do trees, gauze and twinkling lights for four people.

Princess #2, aka BrideGirl, wants the country club, which she will get. At what expense - in dollars or family tension - is still to be determined.

The good thing is that she and AlmostASonInLaw are trying to make a dent in the finances, which is heartening. She's trying to cover the second half of the deejay's fee and other small expenses that are popping up, like the invitations that we have to decide upon pretty soon.

We've decided against a mass e-mail, or a blog, but there won't be any endangered species tissue papers falling out of the envelopes, either.

The most exciting thing has been hearing from friends with children, who say that the kids won't mind missing the formal occasion. We might send them In-N-Out gift cards as a thank you. Not that there is a price on every guest's head, but we are celebrating the fact that since BrideBrother has become the officiant, we've saved two dinners and a round of drinks that would have set us back about the cost of a good set of tires.

We're also enjoying a new circle of kindred spirits as more of our friends become future FOBs and MOBs. It's good to have a focus group and even better to realize that we're doing the best we can for all of our kids.