6 x 4 or 9 x 7 ???

37 degrees outside
27 windchill

Bride and Mom wander in the backyard, dreaming and scheming.
Center aisle here?
Chairs can go this far over and still have good view.
Bride and RMG face the people?

Hoopa size? (see title dimensions)
How many lights does it take to cover a (insert assorted items)

We NEED  more bricks.
How many strings of lights?
Will it even be dark enough for lights at 7pm.?

fyi....6 x 4

Delightful

Just like I thought, RMG's family is delightful.
We had a lovely time.
Even got some 'wedding-talk' done.

Thanks RMG's family for coming for lunch. Come again, anytime.

Today....

Miss Bride is a tad anticipatory today. Just a little nervous. 
Because.....
(drum roll sounding here)
We are getting together with RMG's parents for the first time. It's the 'family meeting' each other. 
(finish with a loud bang)

I'm looking forward to it. To be fair, so is Bride.


I get to meet the people who raised the man who is marrying our daughter. And since RMG is a really good man, seems to me he obviously comes from good stock! We like RMG, stands to reason we'll do just fine with his "people". 

Using the word people in the place of family makes me think of my father-in-law. Another grand man, and dearly missed since 1992. 

Relax Bride and RMG, it will be fine.  
Your "people" will behave. 
: )




 

JOY

Last evening we got Miss Bride. 

Delightful sister of the bride and I met up with her and RMG. 
After we ate most of his french fries, we whisked away his bride, and headed south while he went north. 

Of course we had to stop for a few necessary items;
long sleeved white top, bag of mint flavored M & M's, and tylenol. 

We also had supper together. 

How to describe what my heart felt? 
Cherishing this time with my girls, 
eating breakfast for supper, 
snatching food off each others plates, 
giggling, 
remembering adventures, 
planning for more ahead....

JOY. 

For this momma's pondering heart, that is the best word to describe it. 
Okay, thankful too.

Nix that option...

The dress I ordered for myself is a no go.
I liked the shape, but not the color.

just in case you were wondering.

 

The Girls

I have friends. 
Yes, I do.
Great ones in fact. 
And I have them in different states even. 

In September I got to spend time with these two girls who live too far away from me.

  We celebrated the middle one's 50th birthday. Much laughter and nonsense and shopping and eating, etc. I am blessed to know these girls. You would be too, if you knew them. 


Today my in-state girlfriends came for lunch. 
A 50th birthday was happening for her. 

These girls came to help celebrate

Don't be fooled by their calm serene faces....
in reality we looked more like this for most of the time!

As I think about what each one of these girls means to me, it reminds me of Miss Bride.

She too is blessed with many sweet wonderful friends. 
Several of those sweeties will be attendants at the wedding. 

I've always told her she can only have 3 attendants. 
She would sigh, roll her eyes, and then say.." I can't. 
I have to have more."


So, she will have 6 lovely girls in attendance with her. 

Girlfriends are the ones who help us make sense of the sometimes nonsense of life. 

I should know huh?

It's begun

I ordered a dress for myself today.
It has potential.
Also a few questionable things.

Not sure I'll like the sleeves, that aren't really sleeves.
And the color may not be intense enough.
My gray and white hair needs intensity.
But I gotta start somewhere...

EMOTIONAL MOMMA

Last evening I visited with a caterer for the wedding. Got some great ideas, etc. 
Later as I thought about that conversation, remembering what I said,  these words jolted me. .." my daughter is getting married in May."  

Those aren't small words. Those are BIG WORDS, that carry an even bigger impact currently. " my daughter is getting married in May." May! Do you know how close that is? 
I'm not even thinking of the endless list. More on the lines of the changes for our lives. 
Our darling baby girl is getting married. 

My heart is on a sentimental journey this week I guess. 

YIPPEE AND WHEW!

The replacement bridal gown arrived today! Yeah. Thanks J CREW for being prompt.

fyi, last Friday I finally got all the bulbs planted. Brown-eyed-handsome-hubby was hanging Christmas lights on the house, I was planting spring bulbs.

Seems a bit contradictory doncha think?

GENERATIONS OF LOVE

Bride visited her grandparents recently.
All were excited to see her.
All approved of the gown and groom choice!
All are anticipating with joy, May 29, 2011.

Bride and  Gram. 

 Grandma admiring the ring.

 

Comparing diamond sizes with Grandma! : )

Bride and Grandma.

Bride and Grandpa.
 

A GIFT FROM THE HEART

I am blessed to have an amazing sister. 
We've been good friends for many years.
Recently we had this conversation;

Let me set the scene, we are shopping in the city, just had mammograms, and have walked in to a very lovely gift store enthroned with holiday greens, reds and sparklys.

My sister seriously and a tad hesitantly said,
" I want to do something for you. " 

I look at her expectantly... waiting.


She goes on , " I want to buy your mother of the bride dress for you."


I gasp quite loudly and my eyes immediately fill with tears. 


Continuing on after we've wiped our eyes my tender sweet sister said," you did sooo much for my son's wedding, I want to do this."

To which I replied, " That's not necessary. I plan on getting you back this coming spring." 
She shakes her head, " No, I want to do this." 

fyi, for those who don't know,
I can afford the dress.
My sister knows this. 
That's not what this is about. 


It's love. Pure sisterly love. 

The little one is me.

When we were children she would ask me to do something for her and then say ,
" I'll love you forever and ever."

 She is.

OFF SHE GOES....

Bride is headed back to RMG today. 
Has been wonderful having her home.
Busy Bee's we've been.
We got her registered locally on Monday.
Picked the dress.
Worked on finalizing our part of guest list. 
Showed all the grandma's the gown options. 
They give their blessing on " the chosen one."
Took a 4 day trip with the family.

And Bride has managed to slip in visits to two cherished friends!
Spent time with RMG's family.
Saw the new Harry Potter movie...twice. Plus she made 3 pies, crusts and all, 
bierrocks twice, 
and slept in three different beds at home!!


whew.
I know she's missing her RMG.
and he is missing her.

that's the way it should be. 

fly safe darling daughter. 
love always and forever,
the momma

J CREW ROCKS!!!

As far as wedding gown shopping and buying go...
WOW!!!

They have been very accommodating from the get-go. Not only did we get to order the dresses with the option to send them back...

Now, they've delighted me again. 
The chosen dress has a very stuck zipper, and the bodice on the left side keeps turning under showing the lining. I was thinking I would have to get this fixed myself. 
Bride suggested sending the gown back.( as she pulled her suitcase out the door, leaving.) Later, I ran the concept past a good friend, and she helped me process my options. 

Ended up calling the company, told them the zipper problem, and you know what they said? 
"SEND IT BACK. WE'LL SEND YOU A NEW ONE!" 


thank you J CREW !!!!

 

SWEETLY CURIOUS

We know a darling little girl who is intrigued by the wedding. 

Her momma sent us some of the conversations being held in their home. 

 

I had to tell you that you (Bride) are the hot topic of our daily discussions here.

"Mommy, does the bride have a husband?"

"Why are they engaged?"

"Does she have a boyfriend?"

"Why?"

"What will they do when they get married?"

"Why are they getting married?"

etc.

I'm guessing we can add about a hundred questions to the list before we reach May 29th. 

 
She recognizes Bride from pictures, but yesterday wanted to see a picture of RMG So I showed her one on facebook, and left it on the computer screen so she could look at it while I was doing something else. A minute later she came to the kitchen and looked very unhappy:"    "Mommy, Bride's boyfriend disappeared. Please help!"     I had such a hard time keeping my face straight. 


 I love this. It goes in my treasuring-pondering-momma-mind. 

Tender hugs to this mom and daughter. Keep 'em coming!

JUST IN CASE...

....we forget what our wedding roles are.....

 Charming and delightful sister of the bride got us sashes!

This will very likely be the face I have the whole month of May!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss Bride has chosen the gown!
It's the one that was my favorite, 
now obviously hers too. 

I'll tell/show you when I have permission. 

: )

WAGONS WESTWARD

taking my family and going to the mountains.

a big surprise for you...

when we get back.

happy thanksgiving 
thanks God for life, good health, loving kids and community. 
my parents are both still living, and I have the bestest sister in the whole world. love you dearly Bird. 

MIDNIGHT DECISION

I went to sleep at 10. Woke up around 11:30, wondering why. Our bedroom door opens, a brown haired beauty sticks her head in whispering, 
" Mom? Mom? ....... I think I made my dress choice."
I can see enough of her to know which dress she has on. But I get up to see better. She's beaming, glowing in her room in front of the full length mirror.
Those chocolate brown eyes have gotten a bit dewy as she stands there and says, " I feel like a bride."
She looks like a bride. 
We get the necklace and it looks just a lovely as we remember. The dress fits great, just a little long.

She had already put the other dress on, but did again for me. It's nice too. Needs pressed and some alterations on the bodice though. 

Bride asks me which is my favorite. I keep quiet. Finally she realizes I"m not going to tell her. I am not wanting my preferences to influence what her heart says. 

Honestly, she is beautiful in either one. They both have their strong points, and for different reasons, but all good ones.

Here's the kicker, once she has the other dress on with the necklace, she's back to being undecided. 

...so no decision has been made...yet.

GOOD FUN DAY

Picked up the bride.
Met RMG's mom. She's a sweetie.
Did a bit of wedding necessities shopping w/Bride.
Planning a spring weekend for her to come home for bridal showers. 
Played and practiced on the dulcimer while...she is cleaning out some dresser drawers!!!
Triple yeah and yahoo!!!

fyi... it was 75 degrees outside at home and 35 degrees outside where I picked up Miss Bride. All in the same state. 
We are content to be back in the warmer area. 

And no...I didn't talk her in to trying on those bridal gowns yet. 
Well, she's been home for....only 4 hours. : )

WHAT TO WEAR

Hubby and I visited his sweet mom today. 
She asked an important question re: the wedding.
"What kind of dress should I wear? 
Will this be formal?
Do I need a long dress?"

I said "I'm not planning on wearing a long dress.
Not formal, more like nice church dress...
and...
you can wear slacks if you prefer."



"Oh good!" replied the relieved Gram.

HIGH FLYING BRIDE AND GROOM

The happy couple are ready for turkey time with their families. 
Very soon to be on that plane going east. 

Tomorrow I drive to RMG's family home to bring Miss Bride home. It's only 4 hrs...one way.
They won't be having turkey together.
I informed RMG I was not sharing the bride this holiday season. 
Guess he's having fun telling that story. 

Makes me smile. 


Oh!! I just got this text from Bride,
" on the plane sitting next to my sweet baboo, headed HOME!" 

Please Lord, keep them safe.
amen.







 

FROSTY and FRIENDSHIPS

I look out and see a backyard covered in sparkly white crystals. Nearly all the annuals have given in to Jack Frost.

However, the snapdragons carry on. 

Reminding me of the Bride's oldest friend. 
They met when they were almost 3yrs old. 
Have remained friends all these years.
Pledged to be in each others weddings. 
That promise was kept in 2006, and now again in May 2011.


They are 4 in this photo.

Back to the snapdragons. 

If I remember correctly, they are the favorite flower of this friend.
The phone call we got announcing her engagement also told about her fiancee giving her flowers with snapdragons in them, and " he didn't even know they are my favorite!"

I like the fact the snapdragons in the yard are sticking around, just like the friend in the heart. 

Decision Made

Miss Bride called to say she was purchasing the garlands. 
Yeah!
She chose bronze-y gold laurel leaf.
And...
Sparkly dew drops!
Can you figure those 2 out from the photos?

She also said to me, "in a week do you know where I will be?   HOME!!!!"
This coming Sunday, actually.
I know she'll be trying on the wedding gowns, and hoping to come to a conclusion. At this point she can't even second guess herself.

Charming Maid of Honor, who also is Sister of the Bride, saw them this past weekend, admired them, and wondered about the final decision. 
sigh....


 

Busy Bride ( photos)

Long distance wedding planning makes me thankful.
Thankful for technology.
Computers, digital cameras, cell phones.

Got these idea pics from Bride today. 
We're looking at decor type stuff. 
Assorted garland combos for the huppa.

Cute fabrics for a banner-thingy. 
Who else but Bride would want the french chickens? 

 

 Also a bit of container shopping..

 thrifty ...isn't she?

 

In between wedding planning,,she continues to feather her nest! 

Cute chair she refurbished.  

 

Look at those legs!!

oh my

The wedding date is coming fast. 
We have under 7 months!

Hey little Bride...how's the invitation design, choosing, etc. coming?

Hoping the weatherman is right and we get a killing frost. 
soooon....
I need the break from yard work.

Guess I better get-on-the-stick for a caterer. 
hop to it MOB!

TO WINTER ....OR NOT

the plants.


Not being a fan of clutter and congestion in our small home, I've become annoyed w/the plants hanging about. 
Literally hanging about.

And in a few weeks I'm fairly certain the kids don't want to share the shower.

 Last evening I wanted to toss them all out. 

Today I set them all outside. It's not gonna be freezing. 

Nice to have a little more time to determine what really is worth keeping. 

6 plus yr old Boston fern-out
spindly coral geranium- out
pink geranium-in
dark purple geranium-in

that's a start anyway.

HAPPY MONDAY

We currently have internet! yeah!
I am feeling almost human again! double yeah!!

Am thinking I've not done anything wedding-wise in several weeks. Might need to check the planner to see if we are on course even.

There are still those tulip bulbs to finish planting. Since it's gonna be in the 80's might happen today. 

Oh and the most exciting part, I saw teeny tiny blades of grass had sprouted up. Definitely on the agenda to water them today. That's wedding related right?

Am taking suggestions for a reasonably priced digital camera. Not too happy with my current one.

double acck!!

Being sick-a-bed is never fun.
Lovely little cold I've caught. 
blah

Still limited to trips to the public library for internet.
blah.

Still very thankful for public libraries.
double yeah

AAACCCKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've been having internet trouble for several days.

Not solved yet. 

Happy is not what I'm feeling. 
Currently at the local library, with my computer catching up on the internet world. 

WAITING

I am waiting:

1. For a killing frost, to clear out the annuals so the tulips can go in.
 On the other hand, not ready for that frost, still enjoying those flowers.

2. To determine if those tiny little sprouts are grass or what?

3. For the bride to come home and try on those 2 dresses, currently waiting for her. 

Look at my new plant stand. Whatcha think Bride?

Just because it's so pretty, a close up of the draping and swooshing in one of the bridal gowns. 

 Back to waiting. 
Anxiously waiting to see the bride in this. 
And the other contender too.
 

Under cover

The plants.
They will be going under cover,
SOON. 
Weatherman thinks it will freeze tonight.
I want to winter over plants for the wedding.

Some in stripes, some in flannel. Only the best for 'em. 

Like my new "plant stands"?




 

A PACKAGE

The wedding dresses have arrived!
In a few weeks so will the bride.

Chatting w/a cheetah!

Not really, just my two adorable daughters. I had a phone on each ear, because they called within 5 minutes of each other... but during the same time.
Bride is working on plane tickets home for Thanksgiving, so we worked out schedules. We might get to have her for a week! 
Seems like we talked some wedding stuff, and came to a conclusion on ....??? something. But..I cannot remember. 

So maybe we didn't. It's waaay past my bedtime.

My youngest daughter, the maid of honor, wanted her Gram's address. She bought Halloween cards to mail to her grandmas. Sweet huh. ( She's a college student I want to mention.  A very thoughtful one. )
 goodnight



 

A Never Ending......Joy

Yes, I shall call it a joy.... I shall... I will...I am.  
 So far.

I've decided a backyard wedding means more things on my to-do list. But I am doing things that need to be done.


For instance, re-seeding bare spots in the yard. This is large because we took out the dying lilac bush.

Why oh why won't this grass die, or move to the above spot? I do not want it in the rose garden!

Sun rise watering time due to busy week.

I did get help with a 1 inch rain. Thanks God. 

Now, about those seeds sprouting...

Checks and nonsense

Miss Bride has ordered the wedding gowns to come home. She will try them on over Thanksgiving holiday. yippee!!!
I tilled and planted grass seed today. yahoo!!!


I got a good reminder today. When you add more family members, it means you get more people to pray for. This is good. RMG has a test this week, causing him some concern. Add him to your prayer list woncha? thanks


And now for entertainment purposes.

The bride, dressed for halloween a few years ago, at work.

Bride, just being silly. 

Bride joined by cats in hats. 

Cat not in hat. 
Not in the yard either. She left us. :(









 

MONDAY, MONDAY

"Bah daaa, bah da daaa da daaa...."

Yesterday I went to see my momma and poppa. It had been too many weeks, but they were doing great. Also got to hear the pheasants cackle in the evening. 
My mom was happy to see the wedding gown photos, and ohhed and ahhed over them. Dad did his silent nod approval. Being the loving grandparents they are, they whole-heartedly agree the bride will be beautiful no matter what.

Yesterday FOB (father of the bride) got to see the reception site. He approved and was impressed with it.  yeah! Not that I was concerned, honestly.

Today, MOB, has got to get in the yard, plant some grass seed, decided on tulip placement, etc. One cannot be gone for 3 weeks without some sort of consequences. 

But first, it's on the bike for the 3 1/2 mile ride beside my brown-eyed-handsome-man as he's in training for a run, Oct. 31st. 


Bored? Come on over, we can solve that for ya.

Check and check

Checking off things on the TO-DO  list today.

1. Reception site reserved.
2. Father of the bride agrees to some important items, i.e. photos and food. Followed by this comment.." if this is what she wants, then okay." 


On the personal home front, that same man asked me a question 34 years ago on Oct. 14th. The answer he got was " yes". 
Here's a photo taken of us in Dec. 1976 when we were skinny and brunettes!

 Can you tell I'm still learning how to use the scanner??? 
 

Bridal gown shopping photos

Waiting for the first gown appointment and being amazed at the flowers....taller than the bride. 

 They are prepared for sentimental mom's and brides! We also were given a bottle of water to drink. Very thoughtful.

 The bride's choices to try on. The one on the right has been one she's been admiring for quite awhile, but it did not make the 'cut'. 
The two final candidates are below.

 Choice # 1

 Choice # 2
Remember these are not her correct sizes, so not the most complimentary. The necklace is what she's planning on wearing, hence the dress has to go with it. 


Now for a bit of merriment and nonsense I bring you some of the rejects.

And here we have the self proclaimed "snow beast." 

Lovely, but too much train and lace. "Felt like a tablecloth."

 Actually, I like this one, but aka Bride, too much train and ugly lace down the back.

Too much skirt fullness here. 

You might notice the last two gowns here, are very similar to her two contenders which caused me to think she might be considering either one. But as we walked out with the list of gowns, she mumbled to me " I am not getting ANY of the dresses here." 

okay then. 

HOME

And happy to be here. 

Also happy to report my brown-eyed-handsome-man did a great job with the plants and flowers. Everything is still alive. 

good night 

Tuesday then Monday

On Tuesday night I will be sleeping in my own bed.
I will be around my own things.
I will have spent almost 4 hours on airplanes to do so.
I will also hug the bride goodbye.
I will most likely get leaky eyes doing so.

It has been a good productive time together. We've accomplished several things....also have many more to go, but so far so good.

Today I got a sweet greeting..." hello, mother of the bride."  It made me smile big and feel ....special.
And now my sweet son-in-love to be is fixing me a cup of tea.
It makes me smile big and feel special.

We're gonna keep him.

the choices

JCREW bridal gowns Arabella and Goddess are the choses ones.
Check out the website. No sneak previews of the bride..sorry.

ON PINS AND NEEDLES

That's you.
You are wondering .." well did they find a dress?"

Yes and No

The two she thought she would really like at JCREW, she does. Really...really.  In fact only one of them " made me feel like I was a bride". 
We did keep the appointment with David's Bridal, she endured the foundation* garments for far too long, but none of those dresses spoke to her heart. Rightly so...they were not my daughter-bride. But trying on that assortment of tulle, taffeta and too much fabric helped solidify her heart,.... okay mine,.... on the preferred dress at JCREW.

Now we order the 2 contenders in her correct size, have them sent home by Christmas, if not before, and then she will choose. I think I know the winner....but you never know. It's the one she kept on the longest, twirled and sashayed about in, and those beautiful brown eyes sparkled. Plus it has the funnest hemline and skirt. Full enough to be fun and swishy-twirly, yet romantic, and the teeniest bit of  train. More like the hint of a train. 

And yes, I did get teary eyed, not necessarily at any certain dress, just more over the experience. It was a good day. We were exhausted, however accomplished a lot. 

And got out of the city, before Friday evening rush hour arrived...thanks God.

* in case you don't know, David's Bridal has all brides, regardless of size put on this long line bustier, and girdle-like slip....called the Foundation Garments ( I referred to the bride as "the iron maiden") 
Once she was in them the bride announced.." okay ..the foundation has been laid, bring on the dresses".      

Friday...today....

Guess who was a tad excited and didn't sleep a whole lot?

yuppers....Miss Bride.

I slept great, snored and talking in my sleep, aka Bride.

Wedding gown shopping....here we come.!!!!

and Jesus we ask for your safety as we navigate streets and city unknown, wisdom and joy.
thanks God, you're the best.

amen

tomorrow

The Bride is excited today.  Her brown eyes are dancing, there's a spring in her step, and she's ready to go wedding gown shopping. We leave at 4 today to drive 5 hrs to be where we need to be. The first appointment tomorrow is at 9:30, then another at 12:30.  Keep your fingers crossed we find a dress. She is hoping to do so. Me too.

I know I will get teary eyed. It's gonna happen, it's okay. Heck I might even start the water works early! Just thinking of that little pink baby,... then determined toddler,..... who grew up to be this independent beautiful woman. 

We're gonna have fun.
We always do.
I am blessed.
the end

I AM HERE

Right where I'm supposed to be....at the Brides! Thursday evening we drive across the state.  The first bridal appointment is Friday at 9:30 a.m.
Until then, I shall recoup from my adventures w/some great friends. We laughed and giggled until the tears rolled down!

Yesterday was a long day on the plane and stops in airports. My layovers were just long enough to do some mighty fast walking from the drop off to nearly the outer edges of Mongolia! My last flight had me on 3 different trams before getting to the right concourse.

Miss Bride and I looked at another magazine today, dog earring pages. She's decided on the cake! Yeah! One thing to cross off as completed.
Also showed me some very innovative, and so not traditional boutineer ideas. Looks like fun, with the little Lego men added in.
Yup, Lego men. You just have to see it, and know RMG.

Speaking of RMG, was grand to give him a hug last night. He's just as handsome as ever, and still making me feel blessed.

I'm sitting on the patio of their rental, trying to warm up in the sun. Kind of hard when it's not even 65 outside. But it sure is pretty, and the squirrels are entertaining.

On the road .....again.

Two days ago, I returned from an adventure to the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The changing leaves and colors were magnificent.
Maybe it should be a Fall wedding instead?