W-TOWN SHOWER

 

my gorgeous girls

 signs pointing the way

sweet, colorful tables

possibly the cutest cookies ever

lots of adorable creative cookies made by one of the hostesses

story telling bride

snack line!!

Hostesses with the mostest. More importantly, 

cherished friends of Bride.

curly, larry and moe

Tender Times

Today is bridal shower #1
 I enjoyed breakfast in the hotel lobby, listening to the little families feed their chicks..it all brought back memories. Lots of  sweet, fun, memories.

Miss Bride was just toddling around and exerting her independence. She wanted on the dining room table even though she was NOT supposed to be there. Regardless, she scoots her tiny self under the table, stretches those cute little legs up to a chair seat. Then because the chairs are pushed in all the way only her brown head is able to sneak out to see the table top. I hear this little voice.. " me do it!"

Another flash back;
In 1987 our family of 4 at the time, took a trip to the east coast. It was lots of driving at times and car seats weren't quite the necessity then as now. We had a mid-size station wagon. Little miss Bride hopped in the back to play. She was getting very restless so she puts her delicate hands on the middle seat, stretches out her pint sized body and runs. She has a grin from ear to ear, and her long brown puppy-dog-earred-hair bounces with each hop. Of course we have kid-type music cassette tapes playing so she's jogging for all she's worth to the music.  " I'm a hop hop hopping kangaroo..." She's 4 years old.

Now that Little Delight is excited and a bit nervous about today. More excited than nervous. I think also wondering if she's worthy of these gifts of love. My stars child...of course you are!

Plus.... we all know this dilema....how do you show a grateful and delighted expression when opening a gift....when all you really want to do is say.." you've got to be kidding! what were you thinking? what is this thing?"

Fortunately this child knows and shows grace. Besides the people all coming love her dearly, so she'll be fine.

The momma, on the other hand, needs a hanky. My eyes have begun to express how my heart is starting to feel.
Where did those years go?
 Did we love enough?
 Did we laugh enough?


Pray I won't be a blubbering buffoon the next 2 days.

I SHOULD be asleep

Today starts a busy weekend.
I need to be sleeping.
I leave in 8 hours for a 3 hour journey.
Gonna have lunch w/the bride and her flower girl!
Then do errands. 
Saturday a bridal shower hosted by good friends who are also bridal attendants.
Lots of lovely ladies invited. 
Good friends and their momma's and grand-momma's who've been pivotal people for Bride. Some I've been blessed to meet. 
Others I'll get to enjoy for the first time.
I'm thinking my car will be full with lots of love on the way home.


Then Sunday another bridal shower here at her home church.
Gonna be a sweet group of ladies.
Most of these have known Bride-y for many years. 
They too are women of love and support for us.

We got several wedding rsvp's yesterday.
Via mail and paperless post.
(Even though the zip code is wrong, we're still getting them.)
yeah God.
It's exciting to see who is coming.
Some of brides great aunts and uncles even.

I'm getting excited thinking of these events.


Enjoyed a delightful visit with my folks and favorite brother of the bride yesterday. Grandpa, who has a touch of dementia, was animated and having fun with that grandson. They worked on a jigsaw puzzle. We all did and finished it up even. 
Made my heart happy to see my sweet daddy's blue eyes sparkle and dance with oneriness and joy.


When we got home, I potted 2 plants, started the water on the big flower bed and went to zumba.
Worked hard there, came home, ate supper fixed by my tall handsome son, then out to yard work.
The weeds are making themselves known.
Have to get to those chores while it's warm and no wind. 


After a hot shower and good back rub from my brown eyed handsome man, I was sleeping good.


So why oh why am I awake now?

gifts arriving

We have 8 gifts here at the house for this weekend!!
Ohh they look like fun Miss Bride!!! Lots and lots of fun.
Pretty blue and green ribbons, white packages...
oh my oh my.

All for you and RMG!!!

this week's lists

things to do: 
check w/the wedding planning book to see if we're on task
get engagement announcement to papers
clean guest bathroom
clean off Brides bed
hide gifts she can't see yet (maybe I just ought to wrap them)
email shower hostess
determine what I'm wearing to which bridal shower 
figure weekend menu
sleep 7 hrs at one time
get shirt and tie for FOB
work in yard  
pack


places to go:
grocery store for hungry family coming home
registry places
shoe store
newspaper offices
W-town
garden center (s)
bridal shower #1
home
church
bridal shower #2


people to see:
store clerks 
fav bro. of bride
bride
brides friends
store clerks
sister of bride 
store clerks
family
good friends
caterer

sigh.......................

Oh...I tell ya..
It's going to be a lovely event.

reality reminder? naw...just party time

Good Monday morning!
Bride's wedding website said..." 62 days until until our wedding!"
okey-dokey

62 days until the rains needs to fall
62 days until the grass needs to be green
62 days until we get to have lots of fun!!!
Let's start the fun before that


This weekend Bride will be home for 2 showers.
One on Saturday, one on Sunday. 
Oh what fun those will bring.
I'll get to meet some more of her friends 
and get to hug some of those friends I already know and love. 
"hello to W-town daughters of my heart! 
Momma B is coming to town."

Sunday will bring a gathering of Grand Dame's.
Brides 2 g'mas will be here, along with one of RMG's!
Of course RMG's sweet momma and sister too.
Maybe we'll take a picture or two.

happy birthday to......

my brown-eyed-handsome-man...
FOB...
Here he is with his dad and older brother. 

 

Then a few years later with his mom and 2 younger brothers added.

This is my huge-haired-brown-eyed-handsome-man!

Taken on my 18th birthday. He gave me the Pooh-Bear. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

yippeee and hoorah

WE HAVE THE CATERER!!!!!

planning ahead might lead to disaster

or might not.
I purchased 2 lovely lush Boston Ferns this week.
The price was fantastic.
Yes I get to keep them going inside for awhile with
outside recesses for them as spring warms up our yard.
But..hey...I had one fern for..... 6-8 years. I can do this.

yes'm!!!!!!
maybe.

These glorious ferns enhanced our front porch yesterday.
I knew it was going to dip below freezing last night. 
No problem..I'll bring them in.

Guess who woke up this morning and remembered something?
Yup, me. 
Ferns, outside, freezing temps. 
hmmm...
I can see some signs of freezing on some of the fronds.
drat.
but hey....I still have 2 months to get them in shape right?

Besides...maybe I forgot about them because of a new caterer I learned about last evening. : )
He will let me know today if our event fits his agenda. 

the power of words

A blogging friend of mine had scones last weekend. 
she didn't post tons of pictures of them, 
just talked about them....once.

But each day when I saw that word...

SCONES

I felt the need to eat one. 


Today I followed through with her word power.
I made scones.

 I was lazy and even used Bisquick.
No whipping cream? no problem...
used milk and tossed in a tad bit of oil.
No apricots? No problem...
used up the last of the dried fruit mix.
It even had coconuts. 
(Recipes are just a guideline/suggestion anyway for me.)


Brown-eyed-handsome-hubby and I enjoyed them. 
There's even some left over for Charming Delightful Sister
who's home on college spring break. 


Now I can move on with my wedding planning because 
I have had SCONES!!!
thanks Happy Girl. 
Here's some word power for you..
You will complete the 40 day plan.
honest.
I know you will.
I do.
 


 

celebrating

In a town too far away from me a miracle has arrived.
Brides oldest friend gave birth to a girl today!!
(Bride and baby are sharing the same birthday month and initials.)
We are rejoicing all across the nation and even 
in few other countries. 


Fortunately this new delight will be at the wedding with her parents and we are excited!!!

"God we thank You for the safe arrival and healthy baby. Thanks for the rest and energy you'll be giving her momma and daddy. Blessings on them all as they begin this new chapter in their family."

calmer

Catering issue is not solved, but in the process. 
A good friend called offering support and listening ear.
yeah good friends.

Then after putting away the winter decorations.. "think snow" is past it's prime, and getting out the Easter bunnies, I bopped out to the wedding site.

Happy to see my teeny scraggly forsythia bush is blooming, the stinky pear trees are teasing me with bits of white blossoms, daffodils are blooming, I'm running the sprinkler, and ready for spring.

However, we NEED rain. 
The wind is fierce today and the dust is blowing. My mom keeps saying she hopes it's not a forecast of days to come.  ...the Dust Bowl days. 
Those were real folks. We would be happy to have you join us in praying for moisture.
thanks....


even though caterer issue isn't solved...
my life is better after playing in the dirt.

waffling and praying

okay... today I'm thinking..
YOU ARE CRAZY TIMES 10 IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE TIME AND ENERGY TO CATER THIS WEDDING.

I'm a florist. 
I have the flowers to take care of. 
I do not need the food to. 

Am working on another plan. 
please please God, let it work. 
amen

 

week old news

Just last Monday I learned the caterer we had chosen is no longer in business. hmmmm
Not the most relaxing news...
but...moving on. 
Have decided will probably,
almost assuredly 
go ahead and do what I really didn't want to do. .... 
enlist the help of family and friends 
and we shall make the hors d'oeuvres ourselves. 
( i had to look up the spelling )
Serve them ourselves, 
etc.them, ourselves. 

there are advantages to this I know.
possibly $$$ saving 
and...we can make sure there 
are some gluten free. 
Bride has several friends attending 
who are healthier due to a gluten free way of life. 


soo..if you have any delicious, easy, recipes
you wanna share, and maybe eat. send 'em on.

BIRTHDAY BRIDE

 these numbers are known in our family as "candle math"

can you guess the age?

On this date in 1983 we had a snowstorm. Probably 6-10 inches of snow. I watched FOB and Favorite Brother of the bride build a snowman while timing contractions and waiting to go to the hospital.

As you can see Fav. Bro. was delighted to have a new baby sister.

Here's brides first Christmas. Seems this is also her early rendition of 'fish face' she does often in pictures!!!

 Now Bride w/Brother and Suzannah the doll. 

 This outfit would be perfect for the winter she's had this year.

 

Most importantly her impeccable sense of fashion and love for boots started early on.

Happy birthday darling daughter, 

bride, wife-to-be and the future Ms. RMG!

dreeee--eee-ammmm, dream dream dream...

My dreams are strange. 
Never make sense and hop around to strange places and situations...lots.

We've been gone for a week, so that means a week away from wedding work . Which was lovely. 

Last night, my mind knew my body was headed home because I dreamed wedding.
It was stressful because I didn't have a dress for the wedding. Couldn't find one any where. 
Felt really bad too. 
Finally wake up, a tad anxious, then remember " yes I DO have a dress for the wedding. It's the cream colored one with the lines in it hanging in my closet." 
Okay I feel better.

BACK UP THE BUS!!! What cream colored dress? 

A few hours later my brain finally clicks in and I remember the sweet green dress that really is hanging in my closet. 
whew.

betcha didn't know I was pregnant did ya? 
aka my other dream last night....I was. HAHAHAHA
oh Lord help me

leaky eye syndrome

Mom of the bride 

and 

loving sister of  MOB

are pleased to announce...

(drum roll)

MOB has a dress for

 the wedding !!!!

We shopped up and down, in and out, all about. 

I changed clothes more times than a runway model. 

After the first day we drug our weary selves back to the motel..shimmied into swimsuits and slithered in to the hot tub. 

Then did laps in the pool.

Back to the hot tub.

Up to our motel room to shower off the chemicals 

and crawled in to bed.

Second day started out strong on the other end of the city.

First store, first dress we see,"hmm...this is nice.

But lets look at everything before hitting the dressing room. "

30 minutes later and I'm ready to try the options. 

I save the dress for last. 

Once I have it on loving sister gets pensive, positive.

I feel the same way. 

We're thinking this just might be it. 

It's better than the first day's options by far. 

I go to the 3-way mirror, the dress is looking better.

I'm thinking this just might work.

The very helpful saleslady gets some shawl-type things.

One we had already discovered and admired. 

I save it for last. 

Of course...it's the best one.

Loving Sister is taking photos w/her phone and sending them.

I look at myself in the mirror, dress and shawl on,

I think about where I could be wearing this dress,

and I get leaky eye-syndrome. 

After turning around to my sister I said

"I'm going to cry." 

Big tears roll down my cheeks. 

Loving Sister puts down the phone, gives me a big hug

and gets leaky eye-syndrome too.  

We wipe our faces, and agree

THIS IS THE ONE. 

It's looking shimmery, but it's not. Just a nice soft green with those wonderful layers that do a great job with my layers!

If I could figure out how to refer to a previous post, I would. But.. remember in December when loving sister said she wanted to buy my MOB dress for me? She did.

sigh....

seems i put the WRONG zip code on the envelopes for the paper rsvp's for the wedding. ( you know the little card u send back in to say yeah or nay to attending)
oh my. It's our home address, I do know the zip, just lost brain cells I guess.

I put my childhood zip, not my current one. 
It's been over 30 years since i lived at at that zip code. 

I'd say we're batting a thousand so far. The groom didn't catch the misspelling on the evites re; his name....
and now I've got the zip code wrong.

oh bother....

shopping....again

Now that my gorgeous girls are gowned for the gala. :)
(hey those g's just came out)

It's back to me.
I know what I want. 
Sad to say, it's probably not out there
But....I do remember how to sew..
so.... fabric stores and I will renew our acquaintance.
Even though I have to drive 3 hours to find one with apparel fabric. 

Onward and eastward!
 

85 DAYS

Bride's wedding website reminds me the wedding is in 85 days.
My internet security plan reminds me it expires in 85 days. 

Eighty-five days.
In 85 days the backyard will be green.

In 85 days we will be enjoying time with cherished friends who are family. I got to chat with one of those "framily" members recently. This young woman is a daughter to me. She called from Canada, where she lives and said, "I want to know how the mother of the bride is doing?" It was Tuesday evening, after two days of headaches. I was doing much better by then and told her so. She sweetly sympathized my angst, but more importantly supported my relief. 
And then she gave me joy. 
Pure laughable joy, surrounding me with her energy. 
As I listened to her, I could see her face.
I was watching her hand expressions.
It was fully and completly "A". 
And I got excited. 
In 85 days, less actually, I get to literally see this delight-in- my-life. I get to hug that body of delight. 
I get to see her whole family, momma, second dad, sister, brothers, nephew, and new baby niece!!
This, my friends is just what I needed. 
I needed that reminder to celebrate. 
Wedding planning is not all work and no fun. 


On top of these framily members coming my brown-eyed-handsome-hubbys brothers and families will all be here! We don't get to see each other very often. Once a year if we are lucky.  One thing I've always appreciated about them is their commitment to family. We don't miss high school graduations and weddings. Another reason to remember the times of planing and work are worth the fun ahead. 


Many more family and framily members coming. People we've walked the painful road of loss with, and laughed-until-we-cried with. 

Plus, there will be 'friends-to-be' coming... RMG's family and friends. 

WOW! 
All these people coming to help us celebrate and support the change coming in 85 days. 

Maybe we need to have a party! :)

"Lord, help me keep my focus on the joy, the celebration of this event. I need to remember the party, the people and the purpose. Help me to celebrate them all, not being so busy too miss the fun and the joy. "


Change is coming in 85 days. 
We will be blessed with framily, family & friends here.  
In 85 days we are having a party.
In 85 days we gain a son.
In 85 days we are having a BIG, FUN, PARTY!


WOO HOO!!!!

2 days 2 headaches

Monday and Tuesday I worked on wedding stuff.
Monday and Tuesday I had headaches. 
NO fun. 

I did the paper invitations, a multi-step process:
find name list and print
count, re-count to see if we have enough invitations
barely. 37 needed, had 40
whew
type addresses and save
learn how to make labels on computer (yeah me!)
cross fingers and print labels
yeah it worked
put mailing label and stamp on all rsvp cards
take 2 asprin
put invitation in decorative envelope
(was thankful for paperless invites by now)
then put those in mailing envelope
find brides registry list
double check spelling on it
find mistakes, correct'em
answer phone
turn a down lunch invitation
format and print registry card
get FOB to cut them up
put labels on mailing envelope
add rsvp and registry card
put return labels on 
(doubly thankful for paperless invites)
then stamps
double check EACH one and seal
MAIL THEM !!!
Did a happy dance.


Wednesday no headache!
shopping for wedding stuff. 
buy some candles and ribbon.

wish bride was closer to discuss other options.
wish bride would answer her phone to discuss other options
go ahead and purchase
figure bride will adjust if needed

get things for a trip not wedding related
buy bacon, FOB eats it daily


grandma of bride gets wedding invitation in the mail
pronounces it beautiful
I said " look at the stamp!"

It's the little things.

P.A.R.T.Y.!!!!!

Once the ceremony is done
it's party time!!!
We know of cute kiddos who will be there.
So... wanting them to have fun too,
(in case they get bored of dancing)
I bought some fun stuff. 

An over-view of fun stuff.

games for all ages

puzzles

things to color with NEW crayons

 all stored in this wedding colored tub!

Betcha wish you were coming too huh?
 

surrounded

by wedding to-do-stuff. 
lists
addresses
envelopes
stamps ( cute ones)
phone books
lists
thoughts
ideas
lists


CALGON....TAKE ME AWAY!!!!

One down...one to go!

Charming gorgeous sister of the bride and I went shopping today.
Guess who got a new dress?
Yes, of course it's for the wedding.

SISTER OF THE BRIDE!!!! 

She tried on several, but when this was on we "knew". 
This was it. 
Looks smashing on her. 
Fits just right in all the right places. 
Is fun and classy at the same time. 

She's happy. 
I'm happy.
Betting Bride will be happy (relieved) too.

oh caterer oh caterer.....

I hope you retuurnnn
my phone message.
Please don't delaaay...
I need to knooow 
If you will beeee
there for the 'show'.
Oh caterer oh caterer
please call me back
we want you. 

( sing to the tune of "oh tannebaum")

barbie cakes

Chatting on the cell phone w/Miss Bride yesterday was fun.
I was telling her about these really pretty garden stakes I found. 
Thinking they might be used for the wedding,  FOB and I bought them, without asking the Bride. ( chancy I know)
Our phone reception was sketchy. 
When I said garden stakes, she didn't hear me correctly. 
Knowing we were taking chances I was a bit anxious.


I'm waiting for her to comment. 
She's not.
I begin to describe them. 
She's still quiet.

Finally...
I get a response.
"oh you said GARDEN STAKES!
I heard barbie cakes
and thought you had completely lost your mind!!"


Below are the "barbie cakes"

sidewalk times 2?

Loving this springtime weather.

Feeling the need to be productive.

Adding more bricks, per Brides suggestion.

 

Plotting and planning on the best way.

Shoveling required.

 Warm enough to take off the jacket.

 

Finished product.

One more project completed! YES!!

MOB dress

Back to the drawing board for my dress for the wedding.
I've ordered 5 and they are all going back. 

Shopping trip ahead. 
Sure hope the stores have their spring line out!.

april showers

Parties are being planned. 
Flights are being made.
This little girl will be there;

Bride at 1 year

 She flys home for 2 bridal showers the first weekend in April. 
One at home,
the other given by sweet friends in W-town.
The end of April I fly to Bride for her local church shower. 


I'm often in awe at Bride's creativity.
She enhanced our valentine envelope.

Lots of thank you notes ahead.
Will they get the same?

flower wrangler

 FLOWER WRANGLING

The busiest days for a florist remind me of a rodeo sometimes. There isn’t competition per se, except to complete orders rapidly and beautifully.
But the interruption of phones, walk in customers,  temporary employees, add to the intensity of the event.

I have a stack of orders on my clipboard waiting to be done. Currently working on one or more arrangements. The phone rings, “ I need this by 12:30”. Hmmm, okaaaay,… sigh,….. we can do it. Then the man at the counter is on his lunch break, he has 5 minutes. “ I just need SOMEthing. I‘ll wait for it.”
The boss slinks back to my work station, sheepishly asking if I have time for this? Mostly I can say yes. Once the order is determined the time clock starts. Tick tick tick tick…. Get the container, add the water and or floral foam, get and insert greenery, being sure to snip off injured leaves. Next up, flowers. Get them de-leafed if needed, determine height, location, insert in arrangement-to-be. Next flower, same treatment. And so on, until the design is complete. Don’t forget the enclosure card and pic, flower food. Spray certain flowers w/an additional preservative. Lay down your tools and walk calmly and serenely back to your waiting customer…. or the boss.

Sometimes I just feel like that calf-roping cowboy in the ring. Yah know when he’s got that cow tied down and he tosses up his hands signaling completion? The timer sounds. The crowd cheers. He set a new record. Woo hoo! Look at that! He did it! Everyone is happy. (well maybe not the cow).

That’s me. I’m the flower wrangler in the three ring circus of a flower shop, competing against the clock…deadlines…interruptions…people…buckets of product….scraps of flowers on the floor….achy feet….woozy from the fumes of Leaf Shine….

But when I’ve met that deadline….. Wow…. I just feel the urge to toss my hands up like that cowboy.  Woo hoo! Look at that! She did it!

Valentine

I got these beautys last Thursday from my valentine.

 Even this florist likes to get flowers.

If the wedding were today

we would be serving coffee, tea, mittens, and blankets.

 Bride and RMG will be standing here in between these rose bushes.

 Some lucky guests will have this view, while standing on the patio. Wear your boots though, because it's about 6 inches deep still.

 Others will want to wear snowsuits and sun visors, too.

 But this spot, however, will not be used..because it's ....secret. : )


We would also be serving cake. 
Birthday cake for my dad.
He is 82 today. 
And still handsome. 

"the north wind doth blow

and we shall have snow.."

I've made it a 'do nothing' day.
It makes up for the way too busy day yesterday, 
which left me with a headache this morning.

whine whine whine,

I am however sighing and scheming over the lovely flower gardens from the stack of magazines.
and the birds outside my picture window are a joy. 
I've tossed out extra food even.


oh my!

okay I like the birds just fine until they think they can fly in to the house, via that lovely picture window. 
I think there's been 3 birds in the past hour. 
Now who has the headache?

2 hour phone call

Just got off the phone with Miss Bride. 
I am so thankful for good cell phone plans,
computer technology, and the father of the bride, my brown eyed handsome hubby, who works hard to pay for these innovations.

He's getting his money's worth!

Saturday adventures

I convinced the hubby to help me load and unload another round of bricks. Last weeks sidewalk is done. Maybe.
Started expanding another one. Silly ground is not cooperating. Crazy winter.

Okay, MOB dress update. The first 2 dresses have arrived.
and
and they will be going back. 
One too low neckline,
the other has gorgeous fabric...love it.
But the fit is wrong. Was made for midgets.
I'm not.

a variety of storms

WEATHER:

the wind is wicked
the wind is strong
the wind has blown
all night long


 WEDDING:
Working on guest list for local bridal shower. 
Cross referencing that with wedding guests list.
Trying not to cross my eyes ! 


WARDROBE:
Ordered 3 more dresses and one skirt for me to consider.
All 3 dresses are back ordered. sigh....
figured to get my name 'in the pot' asap. 
The wedding is more casual so
my options are too.


miss bride graciously told me.."you will be beautiful in whatever you wear mama. I just want you to have something fun." 
Soo...the skirt I ordered has some sparklys on it... just  a fun sprinkling of razzle.

 http://www.casuallivingusa.com/product/MISSES/SKIRTS-SKIRT-SETS/SKIRTS/Sequined-Border-Print-Skirt/64422/sc/7574/c/7577/pc/7340.uts

"making hay..

while the sun shines"

2 days of over 70 degrees...
wonderful.....so....
I worked on the yard.
Loaded 115 bricks
Unloaded 115 bricks
Placed 115 bricks,
equals 345 bricks moved.


guess who has sore hands today? 


but a sidewalk has doubled in size.

Finger print Friday

 

"WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG FOR

STATION IDENTIFICATION"

When stress runs rampant, I need the reminder that the One who created the beauty in these pictures, 
cat and bird tracks, 
tree glistening with ice crystals, 
is also the One who has given me this life. 

Each day I can go to Him....JUST AS I AM.

 whew....that is a relief. 

mother of the bride...that's me.
daughter of a King...that's also me. 


Each week Beki at therustedchain hosts Fingerprint Friday and uses a song by Steven Curtis Chapman as a springboard. Join in. It's a great way to be reminded of God's presence.

on the hunt

Delightful sister of the bride and I.
Hunting down those dresses to wear.
Bride has added a few suggestions to us both..
but...
we said  "no thank you"
and are still looking.

I have 2 on their way to me...
and need to order 2 more.

STRESSING x 2

Bride and mom think a like.
Not new news.
Yesterday, I realized January is almost gone...
that means one less month until the wedding.
One less month to get things done.
One month closer to intense yard work and final preparations.
Get a move-on woman!! 


Then I heard from  the little bride-y via email:

momma~

 here is the list we came up with @ thanksgiving. i think you can
figure out which ones we don't have e-mail addresses to. i've got all
of my people. no worries....

except i'm starting to freak out.
4 months....wow...

much love,
bride

Being separated by 1,700 miles does not stop us from thinking alike. 

Same time,

Same freak out,

sigh,

Good thing God is bigger than us. 

ps. welcome to those wandering in from her wedding page thingy.  

DRESS SHOPPING

( ps. Bride wedding gown pics found in Oct.)

No, Miss Bride hasn't changed her mind.
This momma needs a dress too.

Have spent 2 hrs this eve shopping online.
Nada.

Well there is one dress I really like...
Worn by Meryl Streep in the wedding scene in Mamma Mia!

I even found the designer...
it's not quite the same dress...
and not quite what I really want.
I think.
okay,
Not really for certain what I want, sigh...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BIRD!

Bird is my sister. 
She reads the blog once in a blue moon. 
But she doesn't need the blog to get wedding updates because I usually just tell her. : )


She has promised to be my right hand gal-Friday come this spring. Especially in May.
A wedding takes lots of bodies to accomplish things. 

In honor of my sister's big day..

a photo of 'famous sisters'.







 

WEDDING INVITATIONS

Bride is going to do e-vites to those she has email addresses for.
Okay.... I've adjusted to that.

However not everyone has email...i.e. grandparents. So there are paper invitations for the select few. 
I looked at them today knowing I need to get on that project. Bride bought blank ones to have printed. Good idea. 

Now putting that idea into reality is on my list. 
okay....I've adjusted to that. 
: )

 

CHANGING HATS

In the midst of wedding planning...life continues on its normal path. I took off my mother of the bride hat and put on my daughter hat.

My sweet parents are gifts in my life. Even though in their late 70's and early 80's, with cancer battles, and the challenges of Parkinsons, they are gifts in my life.

Today I got to experience time with them. Bittersweet a bit, Dad just needed to vent his frustration and some fears and worries. Mom was looking good and seeming good. But I think they both may have some "post holiday blues." Normal I realize.

But you know, when you are a child, or raising a family, etc. you don't think about the changes in your parents lives. Or how that will affect your own life.

I'm not complaining, just doing a bit of my own venting, processing.

I know I am blessed to still have both my parents living and able to still be in their own home. 
The roll reversal just sometimes ....causes me to ponder. It's my turn to help them. and that is a gift. yes. a gift. 

THANK YOU JCREW

You are people of your word. I like that.
Returned dress $$$$ is back where it belongs...
with us.
We didn't even have to wait 3 weeks.
 

Keeping fingers crossed

 A J CREW lady called yesterday.
Made my brown-eyed-handsome-man happy.
Said the $$$ has been put on the credit card!
Yeah.

funny funny JCREW

Yesterday's mail came with a catalog from JCREW. 
Guess they thought we might be redeeming that gift card!

Oh such funny thinking. 
I'm holding out for the $$$$ to be credited to the correct card.

A snafu

We've been waiting for JCrew to refund our $$$$$ for the returned bridal gowns. Today we got a lovely gift card from them. In the amount they owe us! ACK

Not acceptable. Quickly called them, explained the problem. Yes, they can see the problem. Said they would have that credited to our credit card,( where it should have gone in the first place!) Give it 3 weeks and if nothing, then call again. 

Oh you can bet I'll be calling again. Yes'm, if necessary.
Here's hoping and literally praying they do as they promised. 
 

THE SQUATTERS

They move in, bag and baggage taking over what once was a nice neat room. Quickly the clothes, glasses, dishes, clothes, computers, and clothes crowd out any hope of neatness.

They empty the fridge, fill the trash, and take over the living room. Drain the hot water heater, milk jugs, and fill the cupboards with chips, cookies and what have you.

And then, they think we'll have regular meals, unlimited food, and stay for days, weeks even.

In a few weeks, we'll go back to two people in the house, we each get a tv, comfy chair, and unlimited milk.
Until then, I hope to sleep all night, because if I get up at night to read, more than likely someone else has claimed the couch to sleep on, or read.

I would like to add they clean the kitchen, haul in the groceries and put them away. They do give hugs and thanks, and smiles, and do their own laundry, and cook a meal for everyone.

Even though it seems we are on top of one another at times, I guess we'll continue to claim our children, because they have certainly claimed a wonderful place in our hearts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The kids excited about 2011!