They're Married...

Last night we finally went to my nephew's wedding... The weather cooperated, although I'm not sure how much the weather cooperates in the south in July... but at least we'd had rain for a few days so it was nice outside. Our minister did a wonderful job during the service - I think it was probably one of the better ceremonies I have been to in years! Everyone looked gorgeous. My grandmother, who is in her late 80s was there along with my two aunts. I made the comment that there probably aren't a lot of weddings where the great-grandmother and great aunts are in attendance.

Joseph looked handsome in his dress uniform. Danielle's gown was amazing! The mothers and grandmothers all looked beautiful. My sister, niece (who was a bridesmaid), The Bug, Mom and I all went and had our hair and makeup done beforehand. The Bug looked SO GROWN UP! Hubs looked handsome in his suit and tie. My Dad always looks so nice when we go to events like this - it was just a wonderful time! We got to do the Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide and even Thriller - so you know we had a great time. The Bug couldn't wait for the dancing to begin. My niece's boyfriend is so adorable... to get everyone started, we all got out there and did the cupid shuffle...Michael can really dance!

I just wish I had gone and gotten another camera as my digital went kapoot and I had to use those little disposable ones....

I Don't Know Where This Is Going...

You know, this has been a hard year. I know so many people who are struggling. Some by choice and some just by chance. Sometimes we head down roads or we cruise down paths with no idea where we are eventually going to end up. It's all a chance of faith or fate, depending on how you look at it. I thought about this after a conversation with my sister today. She's in Savannah visiting my nephew and her entire family, including the estranged BIL, is there. We were discussing how hard things are for so many people that we know. How people are struggling on so many different levels. And how we always ask those questions... "Why?" or "Why me?" or "Why now?" or my favorite " God, what am I supposed to learn?".

I look around me and I wonder how many people are truly happy with the life that's been dealt to them. Is it where you thought you'd be? How many people can honestly say that they are happy? That they are exactly where they thought they'd be? I guess what it really boils down to is how many people are really happy where they are on life's journey? How many people have gotten lost somewhere along the road and are having a hard time finding their way back? How many people wake up one day and think "How on earth did I get here?" How many try to find their way back to where they believe they should be - no matter the cost?

I know I've not mentioned it in depth, but my nephew recently suffered a heatstroke after a 4 mile jog that could have been fatal. This is my nephew who is getting married Friday night. His life has been permanently changed by this one event. I know that he has questions..what could he have done to prevent this? What if it happens again? What does this mean for his future? For Danielle's future? See, one minute life is moving along at an even speed and the next, the wind gets knocked out of your sail and you're setting course in a different direction. Why? What's to be learned from this event? It sort of makes you put a lot of things into perspective.

Before we were married, Hubs had an accident that could have been fatal. I told my friend "D" the other day that I didn't marry the man that I had fallen in love with. He was changed. Our relationship was changed. I worry about this for Joseph and Danielle. It's scary when you don't know what your future will bring your way. We were so close to getting married when he was hurt that we postponed our wedding from April to August... Here they are just days away from their wedding...

If you feel so inclined, please remember them in your prayers this week. Pray for God's healing and wisdom. Pray for those husbands and wives who are drifting along... pray for strength for those who are lonely and lost. Pray for those who are hurting. Those who are struggling. Pray for peace and calm for those who are lonely. Pray for healing for those who feel broken.

Wow - Where Have I Been???

I know, it's been a while. I think we've been spending so much time getting ready for the upcoming wedding that I've hardly been at home lately. I can't tell you the number of times I've taken my mother shopping - just to see if we can't find her something else to wear to the wedding. I've bought and bought and bought dresses. Today I took back 5 of them. I found a black chiffon dress at Dillard's that's apparently the keeper. I think it will be comfortable in the heat of the evening during the outdoor ceremony and comfortable enough while doing the Electric Slide and Cupid Shuffle with The Bug during the reception.

Hubs knee is healing wonderfully. When we went back for our follow up appointment we found out that they also shaved the area behind his knee cap as he has some problems there. That explains the longer recovery period but he's doing great. He went back to work this week - I think he secretly missed the guys at work and the horseplay.

I had an interview with State Monday about their education program. Let me just say I have never been asked the questions that I was asked in this meeting. Then I had to write an essay - that was hard as well. I usually have no problem when given a writing assignment but this one was a dozy! I should hear something by July 17th about whether or not I'm in. My grades are good enough to get me into the program without any problem, but I worry about Monday's interview. I might need to look into a few other schools as a backup plan. Fingers crossed.

The Bug is doing well. Enjoying the summer. Enjoying the pool. We went yesterday and got our hair cut - hers is so cute! Last summer when she donated her hair to Locks of Love the girl who cut it really did butcher it. So we have been trying to let all of that grow out. She had it layered a bit more into her face and also has side bangs. It's adorable! Mine is shorter with bangs as well...We both needed to be updated and I'm glad it's over with. It was a treat from my Mom for all of the driving around and shopping we've been doing!

The wedding is 9 days from today. Mom and I are hosting a Bridesmaids Tea next Thursday. The ceremony is Friday so we'll be crazy ladies getting our hair, nails, and makeup done. My Dad's family is coming into town that day and are going to spend the night at my parents' house. We are all worried about the heat. My nephew is having some health problems due to a heatstroke he had a few weeks ago and now I'm worried about him being out in the heat as well.

I know I'm all over the place. Hopefully things will calm down a bit and I'll get to post more random stuff in the future. :)

Medial Meniscus....mmmmmm

On Tuesday The Hubs had surgery to repair a tear to the medial meniscus of his knee. In other words, he had a tear in the cartilage of his left knee that will hopefully allow him to walk erect as God intended. Because the past few months it has been especially painful to watch him walk around the house with a bum leg.

I hate the feeling of watching them wheel away from you someone that you love so that they can put them under for any kind of surgery. There's a helplessness that comes from knowing that you are going to sit in a waiting room, surrounded by others who are doing the same thing, waiting on word that they're awake and in recovery. His procedure was supposed to take less than an hour - I finally got word they were finished about 2 hours later. Not sure what took so long. I was just relieved to get to see him laying there in the bed groggy as could be. I felt even better when we got home and I got him parked in the recliner in the den so that he could relax.

Today he can take his bandage off of his leg. I think he's removed some of the gauze but still hasn't looked at the few stitches he has as a souvenir. No showering till tomorrow - which is driving him crazy. No softball for a while. He can't even get in the pool for 2 weeks. Cancel that surprise idea of taking him to the beach for a few days. Why go to the beach if you cannot get in the water? So until next Thursday, we'll be sitting here at home . Watching a lot of tv apparently. Trying not to go stir crazy from the cabin fever.

On the plus side, The Bug is attending VBS at church this week and loving it. She played one of the major characters in the VBS drama on Sunday and I know she was glad that was over with. I'm impressed with how quickly these kids learned their lines. And it's been a good diversion for her not to be at home with us all morning. She was a little worried when her granddad picked her up for me yesterday but she was relieved once she got to come home and see her dad for herself.

I think that's all that's going on around here now. We are all just exhausted.

Ah, it is finished...

Ever have one of those projects coming at you like a load of bricks tumbling off an 18 wheeler as you drive around a curve? Yeah, me too. But it's done. Now on to the fun stuff.

We had the bridal shower to end all bridal showers on Sunday afternoon. I can say this because I truly cannot think of one more thing that we should have or could have done to make it more memorable. From creating our own special 'drink' for the occasion to decking out the table to finding the funniest games, doing the cutest goody bags.... you name it, we did it. And our feet can prove it because mine have been hurting ever since!

I wanted to post some pictures but I am having to reload my photo software on the computer. Hopefully I'll get them up later in the week. I ended up printing a 'booklet' like a program because we had so many games to be played. I found a great ice breaker that was like a scavenger hunt with the other guests. This made my sister and niece nervous because it would push them out of their 'comfort' zones but the ladies had so much fun...I had to wrangle them all in so that we could go on to our next event! Probably the highlight was a game called "You Don't Know J..." all about the groom. He came home Saturday and I met up with him and interviewed him with 30 questions. Then at the party, we gave Danielle a few minutes to answer the questions on paper, then she had to share her answers with her guests before I revealed that I have him on video answering the same questions. She got 24 of the 30 questions right!

Okay enough for now. This probably makes no sense as I have spent the past two days shopping for a cocktail dress for the wedding, the night at church and the evening cleaning the kitchen and chasing deer out of our garden....

Hope things are good in your little corner of the cyberuniverse :)

Wedding Attire .... ?

So now we are at the point in the game where we are talking about wedding attire. Now my sister and the grandmothers are talking about dresses since the Mother of the Bride has chosen her gown for the festivities. I am sort of helping Mom even though my sister says she is looking as well. Since the wedding is outdoors, in July, in the south.... we need something to help Momma stay cool. I thought maybe something like an organza pants set. Sheer sleeves and pants that sort of mock a skirt but breathe. The wedding colors are black and white with something like a hot pink that's sort of like fuchsia.

Daddy is easy - dark suit and conservative tie. But what about us? The Bug has a gorgeous dress that we found back around Easter... it's perfect for the outdoor wedding as well as the dancing that will follow the reception. The problem? Finding shoes to go with the dress. That's been a nightmare but we think maybe we've solved our problem there with a pair that we found at Penneys. What do I wear? Seven at night, outdoor service and indoor reception that consists of a meal and dancing? I am assuming it should be a little black dress. What type of hem? Shoes? Then there's Hubs. Does he need to wear a dark suit? Could he wear a summer-weight sports coat, slacks and dress shirt? What do you think? I'm seriously soliciting advice at this stage.

I think the Bug and I are going to get our hair done in updos that day and we are going to get our makeup done as well. I don't want to bother having to do it all. She doesn't normally wear makeup, but I told her for this special occasion we'll do it. I just hope it's a lot of fun and we pull everything together before the big day....

Okay, so fire away with your advice....

Caution: Blondielocks and the Pressure Washer

No, you've not come across a title of a bad western. It's me. AKA slacker mom having what I like to call a Blondielock moment. Today I went to my parents' house to do a little pressure washing. And I came home tonight with sunburned arms, feet and neck. Oh yes...I could revel that dude who wears the Apple costume in the Fruit of the Loom underwear commercials.

I am sitting here asking myself...why? After the sunburn I suffered from a month ago from planting azaleas around the house.... why didn't I think to put on sunscreen or even wear my big hat that my family intentionally bought me...that was in the back of my van? My only reason... I was channeling my inner blonde diva. The one who thought it was FUN to be out there in the water. Who didn't care that she was FILTHY from the yucky stuff on the driveway and sidewalk. Who enjoyed coming home, showering and covering herself with Solarcaine like icing on a pig red velvet cake.... FUN I say, FUN!

What about you? Any skin cancer horror tales to share? I am sure my dermotologist would be oh so unhappy with me right now!