The Pandemonium du Wedding Begins

My Dlilsis is getting married Friday evening. Everyone except my family and my parents live out of state. We've got people flying in by plane and by car. Mayhem is to be avoided, but pandemonium is a certainty.

My schedule through Sunday:

Thursday:

• Make Sat dinner reservations
• Order sheet cake for Sat dessert
• Go out w/ DB2, 16 yr old nephew, my DSs and possibly 2 yr old nephew. Tasks: get tuxes, buy khaki pants for the 16 yrolds.
• Do some cleaning - giggle. straightening and 2 yr old proofing MAY get done.
• Get DD to nail place; maybe DSIL will be going.
• Get ring, etc cleaned.
• Try to find my reading for wedding one last time.
• Figure out rehearsal attire, make sure wedding outfit fits.
• DH has to pick up suit - 3rd attempt. Turns out he can't wear double vented jackets so they're removig the vents tomorrow.
• Find time to visit with friend {lilsis' boss}
• Rehearsal is 6:30 IIRC.
• Dinner is 7:30.
• Set VCR for CSI!
• Come home whenever dinner is over.

Friday:

• Be at hair salon by 12:15 with DSILs for hair care.
  (Hopefully check out DD's marcel waves if our paths cross.)
• GET GAS at the cheapo place near the salon.
• Home ~2pm.
• Feed the gang: 7 of 8 grands, 3 moms, 1 DH.
• Get everyone dressed - DH gets to tie four ties!
• Put clips in boxwood girls' hair.
• Get moms moving; as DS1 said, we're the slow ones.
• Take photos of the three ushers and three boxwood girls and three moms - oh and one 2 yr old and one DH too.
• Leave by 3:45 for church; family photos.
• Wedding at 5pm.
• MORE photos - why?
• Reception until 11 pm.
• If someone wants to gather afterwards, it isn't going to be HERE.

Saturday:

• DD has dentist appt at 8:45am; she must have a really sore tooth!
• Brunch at my parents' starts at 10am. {MORE people than their 50th anniv party last year!}
• DD thought she had to dress nicely. I told her I was wearing jeans. she was aghast - until I told her the next agenda item:
• Wander a local downtown Autumn Day and make a scarecrow with the kids.
• Car show there and at a local airport.
• Find time to pick up cake.
• five of us - out to dinner for our anniv
• Everyone - immediate family, sibs, etc - at our house for cake, for anniversary.

Sunday:

• recover?!

TODAY was the day... 25 years and counting

On this day twenty-five years ago, I married my love in St Louis, MO. We've been blessed with a good life so far - and I pray that our good fortune continues.

What happened today?

• DH went to work,
• I don't know where the hours went.
• DD got sick at work, so she hopped an earlier train.
• I picked her up after scrambling to take a shower, get dressed, eat -- all after 2:30 pm. sigh.
• DH had filet mignon thawing for dinner.
• We decided to go to Ruby Tuesday/
• DS1 never likes sudden plans so he grumped.
• DH & I realized we didn't want to go out so we ordered Italian.
• They screwed up one item - shrimp with butter/garlic sauce instead of clams & shrimp with rosa cream sauce.
• I called, they sent the right thing.
• DH picked up his new suit for the wedding.
• NOT, he can't wear double side vent jackets so now they're removing the vents.
• We watched TV.
• He went to bed.
• I'm following.

Gifts??

• I got a 5 diamond 'journey' pendant on a gold chain.
• DH got a plaque with a folk art castle and the saying 'they lived happily ever after'; I bought it at MOA, MN in May.
• We got a Waterford votive holder and PF Chang gift card from my parents.
  

And there you have it, folks: Proof that life goes on just like usual when a big milestone is in the middle of the week, especially two days before a sibling's wedding.

Woohoo, aren't WE the exciting couple??
Wouldn't you like to know?

The Weekend

Saturday and Sunday were, well, Saturday and Sunday.

Nothing special, really.

Breakfast: French toast and sausage Saturday and pancakes and bacon Sunday.

Lunch? what's that?

Dinner: hot dog Saturday and meatloaf with noodles [ick; potatoes were rotten] Sunday.

more cookies than I'm willing to admit.

I never left the house on Saturday.

So Sunday I HAD to get out.

Ready to snooze?

I went to:

• Starbucks for a grande no-fat no-whip mocha and no lemon pound cake - go me
• Staples to get my corporate discount and Staple Rewards;
  the network was dead last Sunday when I bought things.
• Staples again {{I didn't even get to the car!}}
  for something to hold 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 paper pads upright
• Borders for "any magazine with an article about biology" for DS1.
  {{Luckily Scientific American has a special issue on cancer available.
  Science is NOT a popular magazine focus, let me tell ya.}}
  -- I also bought
  Arts & Crafts Homes, American Bungalow,
  {{and my favorite style of architecture and home decor is??}}
  Cloth, Paper, Scissors, and Artful Blogging
  {{and my favorite hobby is??}}
• JoAnn's to return an Ott lampbulb and a thread organizer.
  My light decided to work again, and the organizer just didn't organize my Adirondack alcohol ink
  -- and to buy keep-up-the-strapless-clothing tape,
  Scotchgard to protect the show dye,
  ten of those photo albums that hold 36 4 x 6 photos
  and more, but I sure can't remember what!
  {{Can I blame my forgetfulness on age yet??}}

Ok - WAKE UP.

I'm done.

Some Flotsam

Since it was amazingly gorgeous, I decided to walk from the physical therapist's office to Starbucks.

The intersection is really busy, so I actually waited for the 'walk' sign; {very odd of me}.

I stepped off the curb just before the sign changed to 'walk'.

One last SUV turned left on the yellow arrow.

The 20-something driver leaned towards me

and shouted through his open window

(what do you think he shouted?)

He shouted, "I'm sorry!"

I almost fainted. On the street. Immediately.

Did he just apologize for turning on a yellow light?

Yes, he did.

Smile!

When I entered Starbucks, a mother and two 7 - 8 yr old girls were in front of me.

{{Ever watch two little girls decide what to have?

I just knew I was in for a l-o-n-g wait.}}

They gazed at all the pastry options

- and rather quickly made their decisions. woo-hoo!

MOM took longer!

As she said, "I'm not familiar with ordering in Starbucks."

I was still smiling from my unexpected apology.

When my mocha was ready, so was the mom's misto.

I grabbed both and gave mom hers as I headed out the door.

She gave me a big smile!

Pass on the nice little acts of the day...

and smile even more.

Oops - as I sipped my mocha, I realized

THERE WAS NO CHOCOLATE in my mocha.

My mocha wasn't.

{{Have I mentioned I really dislike straight coffee?

It sends shivers down my spine.}}

Sigh. I went back inside -

only to find the mom at the pick up counter.

I asked her if her misto was really chocolatey.

"Yes! Do you have my misto?"

"Yes I do. I'm sorry. I must have mixed them up."

"Oh that's ok. I only took one sip. If you don't care, why don't we swap lids?"

{{OMG. Did I just hear the mom right?

Did she just suggest something sensible?

Something that avoided tossing two drinks down the drain?

Something that shows she's not a germophobe?}}

"That's fine with me."

We swapped lids, sipped, and smiled.

It was a two-fer day!

I'm still smiling as I type.

ah - nice

Today was absolutely gorgeous.

Bright sunshine, a brisk breeze, and cool temperatures.

It wasn't sweater weather yet, but the summer heat was gone.

Perfect day to eat in the park!

But I wanted company.

When you work FT, you don't know many stay at home people.

But my parents are retired!

Ah-Ha, I asked my parents to join me.

They agreed.

Mom even offered to drive since she needed gas.

I slogged through my shoulder exercises,

showered,

dressed, and

got downstairs just as they arrived.

I intended to grab a tablecloth

- a little formality for the casual setting

- something new for the park tables

But I forgot.

Imagine that.

WaWa for lunch - salads for the ladies, a hoagie for Dad.

Mom had packed soda, cups, ice, and a tablecloth!

You can imagine my surprise!

We've eaten in the park before.

Never thought about a tablecloth.

Yet,

today,

both of us had the same thought.

Of course, Mom remembered

and I didn't.

Go figure.

Lunch was great - soft breezes, nice conversation

Until

Mom and I talked about fastening bras behind your back

when your shoulder just won't cooperate.

That was the end as Dad protested the topic.

Like he doesn't know what we were talking about!

r-i-g-h-t.

You can try to claim innocence, Dad, but I'm on to you.

Gas, Flag Football, and Migraines

Sunday...
I planned to run a loop of errands
But the 94 F temperature and high humidity changed my mind.Monday...I planned to stop at the cheap gas place after physical therapy.
But I forgot, was in the wrong lane, and whizzed past.
Monday evening...

DH coaches and DSs play flag football; games are on Monday nights. Last week's game was a slaughter - our team won by some awfully lopsided score. I hoped they wouldn't repeat the same thing this week.

The phone rang about 30 mins into the game. [You didn't think *I* watched flag football, did you? You'd be mistaken.] It was DS2 asking me to pick him up; he was getting a migraine.

Strangely DH AKA Coach didn't have motrin with him. I swear the man ALWAYS has OTC drugs in his pocket...

Can you guess where this is headed?

I grabbed my keys, purse, motrin, water, and empty plastic bag and jumped in the Edge.

That would be the Edge I intended to fill with gas.

On Sunday.

On Monday.

Almost to the field, I realized the handy-dandy OMG display read "6 miles to E".

... where is the nearest gas station?

... will I make it from the field to the station?

... what will DS2 say when I announce our stop?

... why didn't I take the Mustang - the car with a full tank?

... now I'm going to have to switch vehicles. (Do you get migraines? The smell of gas is totally to be avoided. Trust me.)

DS2 was waiting at the parking lot.

DH? He was the width of four football fields away.

Coaching.

On the opposite side of the field.

DEAF.

He finally heard me.

Umm, dear, I need your keys. Here are my keys.

I could see the brain s-l-o-w-l-y move from football strategy to "keys??"

Yea, umm, I haven't gotten gas in the Edge.

It's oh, maybe 4 miles to empty.

Would you get some gas in it on your way home?

I'm taking DS2 home.

Bye!

Yea, that's how his seat unreclined, his rearview mirror moved - and the same happened to mine. That's a big annoyance in our marriage. Rather trivial to be big, huh?

If I still kept keys for every vehicle on my key ring, I wouldn't have had to speed-walk.

I would have simply called him and told him I tossed the Edge keys in the console and DS1 knows the lock combo.

But I put my purse on a diet.

So I got a bit of exercise.

The migraine child?

He took motrin, stayed downstairs until DH and DS1 came home, heard the score and went to his room when DH grabbed the TV remote. He must be ok; he went to school.

The game?

Slaughtered. Same lopsided score as last week. This time, our team lost.

The weather?

Changed.

Yesterday it was high 80s, humid, and oppressive.
Today, it's 67 F, dry, and light.
I should have known; DS2's migraines are turning into weather predictors, poor child.

The Edge?
Got $20 worth of gas.
Still needs more.
And gas has gone up ~$0.25/gal since the gauge hit E.

Procrastination.
Never pays.

My Role as a Villager

I was reminded 'it takes a village' today. I went for an xray appt. While I waited, a young 30s guy was told his appt was cancelled because he had his baby son. The worker was robotic as she told him that there had to be a responsible adult to watch the baby.

Do you want to reschedule for evening? - "I work nights", weekend? - "I work".

When are you going to reschedule this? gee - those listening knew he had no clue! I wanted to say I'd watch the baby, but I had an appt too. What were we going to do? Pass him between waiting patients? sigh.

Dejected, he left, pushing the stroller. I was next. Uh oh; my appt is for tomorrow, Friday; and she had no idea how long I'd wait if I just stayed. ICK.
I walked out quickly, debating with myself. Dad was just getting in the car. I offered to watch the baby, assuring him that I wouldn't mind. His smile was worth it!

I had so much fun watching this adorable 14 month old boy! He sat on my lap, just looking at everything that moved or made a sound. Dad was taken in right away for his xray; baby watched him go through the door. I thought "Oh no, here it comes. He's going to run for the door or cry." Nope.
Finally he got down, and looked at an old magazine, with Shiloh Jolie/Pitt on the cover. I asked him where the baby was, and he pointed at each photo. He figured out how to run a circle around the chairs, turned a trunk into a drum, and smiled at everyone. Thankfully, those waiting were older grandparents, and they smiled at his antics. There was plenty of space, which also helped.
When Dad returned, baby looked at him like "oh there you are!" Dad was so thankful, I don't think he believed me when I said I enjoyed it.

I guess I was supposed to be there this morning. I saw and heard the bells ring at Ground Zero to mark the first plane crash. The GMA show cut away and/or I stopped noticing. Seven years later, I spent that horrible first hour with living proof that the world will go on: a sweet innocent baby boy.
I am so glad I screwed up my xray appt date. I am grateful I was the helpful villager.

Shopping Bags - The Trash of Life

There are bags everywhere.
A LensCrafters bag sat by my nightstand.
The DSW bag was lurking under a chair.
Coldwater Creek and Target bags were perched on the ironing board.
I hadn't even left my bedroom!

Awhile ago, a friend gave me a 4" x 6" photo album that looks like a cute purse, handles and magnetic clasp included.

Smash! What about taking photos of every single store bag I found, and put the bags in the 'bag'?

Sounded good to me.
Off I went, gathering bags from nooks and crannies and the recycle stash.
All in all, I found twenty-one unique bags.
TWENTY-ONE different stores, advertising themselves in my home.
Sad thing was, I could think of quite a few more stores we patronize.

Once I took the photos, I decided to edit them.
Once I edited them, I decided to scrapbook them.
Since when is 'scrapbook' a verb?
Why can't I think of a better term?
Once I scrapped them, I decided to scan them.
Once I scanned them, I decided to upload them.
Here.

I'm hoping you get to see a cute slideshow.

If not, I'll be editing until
I succeed!
or
I quit.

Today was a day...

Just a day.

DD is at school, in her last college residence.
She lamented that she didn't want to go as the last bit of empty space in the Expedition was filled.
Ever notice how possessions increase to fill all available space? that's 'nuther topic..

Her last year.
Her last move from home to dorm.
Two more semesters.
Plenty of late nights, b-o-r-i-n-g classes, parties, chats, papers to write.
This is it.
Next September, there will only be two children dreading and anticipating the first day of school.
I didn't cry. I didn't sniff. Really.
But I think I'm going to cry now.

I will be the mother of a college graduate!
No way.
Oh I know I'm old enough. But...
there's something that sounds soooo old when I hear "I gave birth to a baby who is now a college graduate."

She called hours later to ask what to do with the widdle bubbles filled with liquid all over her back. oops. Her sunburn is getting icky.
oops. She really didn't want to peel.
But come on - no sunscreen and hours on the beach??
I told her to do nothing. At all.
But if she MUST touch, wash her hands with soap and water first.
The remnants of this burn could look really great - not - for the wedding, in under six weeks.


I spent almost two hours and over $100 in a small locally owned scrapbook store today. The ENTIRE store was 50% off Friday and Saturday {today}.
yes, that does mean I purchased over $200 worth of scrapbooking materials. OMG.
Bad - ok, not bad.
I found two more sets of Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink, so now I have 18 colors and 4 metallics.
I got some transparent 1/8" thick acrylic pieces.
Lots of paper. stickers. fiber.
I put everything away already! I swear.

I was feeling a bit guilty.
Then the mailman arrived with a heavy 8.5" x 11" x 6.5" box for DH.
Electronic Media postage rate.
DVDS!?
I refrained from opening it.
TWENTY-SIX DVD CASES would fit in that box.
yup, I did measure a DVD case {5.5" x 7.5" x 0.5", TYVM} and figure it out.
And at the ridiculously low price of $5 each, that would be $130.
Nope, I have no idea what the actual cost was; don't wanna know!
DH hasn't opened the box, but says there's about 10 DVDs. Sure, dear. Whatever you say.
Guilt? What guilt?? No guilt here.

Maybe I should do some scrapbooking.
Really.

~~ I dropped DS2 at work - he's a lifeguard, woohoo.
~~ I grabbed a #6 at Taco Bell {two beef chalupas, one hard beef taco, diet pepsi}.
Duh-me! I forgot "TB chalupas" aren't chalupas. Yea I ate them anyway.
Anyone interested in a soggy hard shell taco? Got one right here in the frig for ya!
~~ Called to reschedule my eye appt for an hour later.
~~ Got home, ate, showered, dressed, dilly dallied with the comics.

~~ Left the house about 10 mins AFTER I was expected at the eye doctor's office.
~~ Hey - it's Saturday, Labor Day weekend AKA "Let's go school shopping at the mall!"
The mall under major construction.
The mall with at least 1/3 less parking.
The mall with a multi-story parking garage under construction.
Yes, that would be the mall with nary an empty parking spot - until you realize the bus lot is now a car lot. sigh.

~~ Walked in to be greeted with "Ah, there she is!"
~~ When you've seen the same doctor for over 15 years, he knows you.
You're not a Lenscrafter customer walk-in any more.
OMG; I didn't realize it's been that long, but he pre-dates the birth of my sons.
Who will be 16 in about seven weeks. Nine days after lil sis' wedding and 11 days after our 25th anniversary. double and triple yikes!! !!!
My eyes - oh me eyes. I want crisp perfect vision.
But I've reached a "certain age". Curses!
~~ My prescription changed minutely. So I keep these glasses. sigh.
~~ I came home, played around, read and turned on the radio! NO TV. NO xBox 360. NObody home but me, me, me.~~ The movers arrived, hot and sweaty. Ready for food.
~~ DH ordered a pizza. Within minutes, DS2 called to get a ride home.
~~ I went to fetch kid and pizza while DH showered. (Thank God for small favors!)
~~ We've eaten. I've read the newspapers.
~~ And here I sit, typing away.

labor day weekend

Friday, August 29:

• Only six weeks until the wedding {DlilSis}.
• Six weeks minus two days to our 25th wedding anniversary.
  Saturday DD is moving into her on-campus apartment.
• DH and DS1 are the grunts. They will unload an Expedition-size load into the apt, then move all her summer stuff from the off-campus place to the new place.
• Lucky them. Shucks - I won't fit in the vehicle and someone needs to drive DS2 to/from work. [not really, but that's ok].
• DS2 is working from noon to 8pm.

That means I have the house to myself from noon to 8pm. Of course I have a 2pm eye doctor appt. But that still leaves hours!

DS2 is working 8 hrs/day through Monday, so we won't do anything special. alright, we wouldn't do anything special even if he wasn't working. Just sounds better having an excuse, kwim?

It's the first Dog-day Saturday

It's the first Dog-day Saturday, so what do I do? Spend hours tromping from store to store w/ DD. Now, I admit I was the reason for several stops. And we hit three in one mall. [blech! malls! the constant AC was welcome today.] We found dyeable strappy 1.5 - 2" heels she'll wear as one of my lil sis' bridesmaids. FIVE DOLLARS! Gotta love sidewalk sales, except by definition they're not air conditioned.

Heat + humidity + shopping = blah me. Wiped out. Glad I wasn't driving.
And that was before we arrived at the airport 30+ mins early to pick up DD's BFF.

Have you paid major airport parking fees lately? In May, I used the long-term priced as short-term parking - because *I* got lost going to the non-airport parking and time was sliding away. I forgot I was paying, not my employer. sigh. I thought the price was wrong - that was a tank of gas, not 3 days parking. Wasn't it? No.

So I directed DD to a nearby parking lot. There, we sat. Windows open, no breeze, black asphalt. For 43 minutes. We talked; no major revelations. It was HOT. Humid.

But it was NOT Houston-August-hot&humid. For that I am grateful.

We timed our arrival just right and BFF popped in the car. Silently, I applauded my decision to hang outside the airport. THE PARKING RATES WENT UP AUGUST 1! yikes. Note to self: avoid on-airport parking, enjoy gourmet dinner instead, still save money.


I'm too tired, hot, lethargic and b-o-r-e-d myself to distract anyone. I need to be nudged [ok, shoved] into action: to crank pc back in time to a restore point pre-trojan, to do my exercises for 3rd time [must do them 4x day!]


Would you tell DD & her BFF that they need to turn down the volume? there is no insulation between basement and 1st floor - or anywhere else for that matter. I told them - they vacated the basement for DD's bedroom. I guess there is some insulation - I can't hear the movie anymore.
Time to do the exercises.

It always happens!

The phone rarely rings. I sat down at the puter and the phone rang. DD is going to be at the train station at 4pm; could I pick her up? I'd rather not drive that far, and DH can get there w/out even leaving work early.

Hung up, pondered taking phone w/ me to PC. Didn't bother. Of course - it rang again.

This time it was DS1, done early w/ swim practice, wondering if I was going to pick up him [and bike] - I'd told him I might before he left. Sure, why not?

Yes I left the phone in its cradle again.

Will pick up DS1, go get gas and some lunch, then come home. Can you tell I'm having difficulty containing my enthusiasm??

I'm betting DH will leave work early so he can come home and change before picking up DD. ooooh - maybe not. He went to work in jeans and sneaks today!! {Like he's normally stuffed in a suit w/ tie - not. Casual pants, shirt w/ open collar, 'real' shoes.}
Just realized DD talks to me in the car. Did she want me to pick her up for a reason? sigh.

I'm going to run out of here before the phone rings again!

No pandemonium; just s-l-o-w

My blog isn't off to an auspicious start, is it?? Not one word for two entire days! I haven't accomplished much -- I suffered through almost two hours of physical torture {AKA therapy} on Wednesday, then talked to my BFF for over an hour.

OH - before PT, in 90 mins, I got a gift card Visa to thanks my chauffeurs {Mom & Dad} for six weeks of getting me from home to PT and back. I asked the magic money machine for money and it spit some $20s out. I bought a grande mocha frappucino light, no whipped cream, and a pumpkin loaf slice; breakfast at 12:20 pm. I slipped into the no-appt nail place and had my polish changed. I love the color but forgot to check the name! THEN no - I didn't go to PT. I toured JoAnn's; I left w/ Archival Mist, which neutralizes acid in paper; TWO issues of Cloth, Paper, Scissors, someday I want to be published in a mag; and some odds, no ends though. Everything was on sale or I had a coupon. I love it when I don't pay full price. Once I left JoAnn's, I zipped to PT.


I noticed about a week ago that ever since i started one-handed typing seven weeks ago, i mispell words with double letters - mispell ends up mispeel, letter is leeter. I double the letter before the real double. totally odd. One handed typing is not enjoyable.


I take three Rx meds each day after I brush my teeth. I tired of opening five bottles every single morning, day after day, with no end in sight. So years ago I bought a weekly pill keeper. I only have to open bottles once every eight days.

Today started w/ a quick toss on of clothes and dropping off my DSs at the pool for swim practice. I only had ~90 mins so I visited two craft stores - Michael's and AC Moore. I only spent about $30 and paid full price for nothing. Then I hung out in Barnes & Noble, consuming a bagel and mocha light, no whipped cream.

Once we got home, I did my PT exercises, showered, etc. After brushing my teeth, I opened the cabinet to get Thurs' pills. UH OH; Friday's stash is gone - in addition to the days that should be gone. I have no idea when I took them.

I checked the 3 Rx drugs on line. I OD'd on two. But I didn't take all three doses together - well, I don't think so. The recommended action in both cases is to watch. I slept for 2 hrs and feel much better. I'm just hoping that I didn't Ambien-sleep take a day's dose. [Ambien-sleep-eating is a documented side effect; I've never had any problems.


It is time for me to get some sleep. Tomorrow is another pain & torture day. I PAY for this!