Thursday, November 28, 2013

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

There are days...

when we don't know whether to laugh or cry.


Like when a nurse 
asks a 4 yr old to get up against the wall at the end of the hall 
so she can check his eyes
and turns to find this

Oh no he didn't...
yes, sadly, he did.

There are too many days
when we laugh AND cry.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Monday, November 25, 2013

On the other hand...

I grew up in a house with a lot of 'holiday rules'... 
the primary one being 
that Christmas didn't 'come out' 
until the dishes from Thanksgiving
 had been dried and put away.

If the adults weren't too drunk,
busy playing poker 
or passed out from turkey overload on the couch,
the kids would whine, cajole and needle them
until at least the Christmas albums were brought out;
with Johnny Mathis, 
the Mormon Tabernacle choir 
and
Andy Williams 
giving us the promise of things to come! 
Maybe there weren't trees or the Nativity on Thanksgiving night
but the season always started then -
and, for years, I kept that tradition alive.

However,
If you're not cooking Thanksgiving dinner
or having guests on Turkey Day
but you ARE having guests the whole weekend after Thanksgiving 
AND the staff Christmas party the first week in December,
then this weekend was the designated one to decorate!

And, while the tree may be up,
the tinsel thrown,
the Santas in their places
and the stockings hung,
I'll concede to tradition - 
and not plug the twinkle lights in until next Friday!



Sunday, November 24, 2013

Next...

Wedding's done.
Fall feels over.


 Movin' on to Christmas.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Quiet reigns again

After the commotion of family and friends gathered for celebration,
the house, and I, are settling into our routines of
quiet,
reflection
and space to breathe.


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Mr and Mrs.

Now you will feel no rain, 
for each of you will be shelter to the other. 
Now you will feel no cold, 
for each of you will be warmth to the other. 
Now there is no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.

You are two persons, 
but there is only one life before you.
You will take each other’s hand
and you’ll turn together to look at the road you traveled 
to reach this hour of happiness. 
It stretches behind you and the future lies ahead. 
A long and winding road to be traveled together 
whose every turn reveals new discoveries, 
new laughter
renewed hopes and shared tears. 

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. 
May happiness be your companion and may your days together be good and long upon the earth. 



Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Main Event

It was lovely - 
and you'll have to take my word for it - 
because I have few pictures
of my own.

The venue was great!
and the bride and groom worked VERY hard to get everything ready.

All the centerpieces,
the 'candy bar',
the backdrop...
all their own creations.

I remember the service,
cutting the cake.
dancing 
and a photo booth.






I remember the mother/son dance,
laughing with friends, known for decades,
and, of course, family.


I think it was everything they'd hoped for...
it was wonderful.

It is indeed!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Wedding Day attire

Here's what I thought I'd wear!

Here was my next option - 
when I decided that only the bride 
should wear white and be sparkly.

Here's what I ended up wearing 
when the green made me feel drab
and like I was wearing camouflage.
Much better!
I LOVED the red silk jacket;
it made me feel festive!


Good thing this girl had choices!

Monday, November 18, 2013

An exception...

to the no photography edict!

I was asked - by the bride - to take pictures of the guys getting ready.
The 'real' photographer was needed over with the girls
and I was pressed into service.

The only problem?
They had NO desire to have their pictures taken 'getting ready'.
They got dressed in another room 
and only agreed to a few perfunctory shots!






I guess the important thing is, 
they cleaned up nicely!


Dear DIL,
I tried!





The 'tribe'

And I don't use the word that word lightly...
While I've had the pleasure of meeting her before, 
for some folks,
 this was the first chance they've had to meet Ari -
the newest member of the family!

 Truth to be told, however, 
she doesn't have eyes for anyone other than her Pa!
 

That's OK... 
there are a few kids who will teach her pretty quickly 
how much fun it is to be one of the pack!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Contrary to type

I did something that is becoming increasingly difficult in this world of social media, 
instant communication and the compulsion to chronicle 
every event in our personal lives. 
I decided to be in the moment - 
without documenting it.

I decided to spend several of the most important nights
in my sons life 
and be Mom -
not a photographer,
not an event coordinator,
not a spectator removed behind a camera lens.  

I decided to be present,
to talk to family and friends,
to enjoy my sons happiness 
and, in turn, I increased my own!

It also means however 
I have to rely on others for their pictures.

The rehearsal dinner couldn't have been better -

and I loved the decision to use only white flowers 
for the centerpieces and let the vases be the only color.



The food was fabulous,
conversations laughter filled
and the evening was deemed a huge success 
by members of both tribes!

Couldn't have asked for more!