wordless wednesday 11/03/2010

Planning to Celebrate

It takes a lot of work to prepare to celebrate. We have been planning and working on planning for four weeks. The cool thing, though, is that it is absolutely all going to come off beautifully!

Four weeks from idea to party - with invitations, music, dancing, programs, candles, dinner, champagne, cake, favors, decorations, gifts, candy, pictures, EVERYTHING!! Now, it could certainly have taken longer. Every decision could have been second guessed, every choice questioned - and sometimes that happened - or rather, sometimes I happened [egad]. (I have been trying to be a well behaved mother-in-law during all this planning, but sometimes, Mr. Bryant tells me that I have gotten out of hand. I have had to call up my dear daughter-in-law to apologize, and although she assures me that all is well, I am glad for Mr. Bryant's reminders. I do want to be a good help and not overbearing. I do want to be a good friend to my adult children, and not a demanding soul. I do want to maximize manners and civility, really I do.)

But since this all is SO NOT all about ME, let us get back to the subject - planning and celebrating!

Invitations have been made, printed, and sent - and now a few announcements are going out as well, for those dear friends and family not traveling. Favors and decorations are being worked on. Scheduling for limos and photographers and the like is complete. Color schemes and cake flavor decisions are done done done. Totally, totally fun. I am so very lucky, to be allowed to be a part of all this fun stuff. And so very lucky to have a family that loves me. I just can't tell you. Congratulations, Aaron and Stephanie, and thanks for letting me play!!!!

Remembering August

It has been non-stop busy around here since August. August was beach and multiple birthdays and back to school. September was getting into the routine and picking back up of work urgency, school urgency, and busy life - plus more birthdays. And tree house building. And yard work. And fence work. And somewhere in there, came WEDDING PLANNING! And now, it is already October and the wedding is here today (October 2) and I still find my pictures are a throw back to August. And we need to go there. Together.

I heard a radio piece reflecting on August. Years ago when I was young, school didn't start until after labor day. There was no football or basketball or baseball in August yet, no school or work deadlines to consider. The rush of vacation in June was over, and the holiday and picnics of July were past, and there was nothing at all to do. Just the long hot days of summer to be lazy in, to enjoy, to rest up and get ready for September's cooler rush.

The announcer lamented these lazy days of August, talking about how we have filled them up. With sports ending and starting, with practices and preparations, with school beginning in mid-month. He mentioned how very much we needed a whole month of nothing - and how we spent the whole year trying to compensate.

I do agree, August was a fine month of rest. I miss that long lazy rest that seemed to catapult us into the business and focus of fall. In this lovely month, Amanda, and Aaron, and Jay R., and Gregg all came into being. What an auspicious month of the year is August, dear ones! I love having the opportunity to remember how rich I am with all these wonderful family loves in my life - even if I don't get to catch my breath.

And so, with August warm in our hearts we planned multiple celebrations. First vacation and ARR. Lovely crab legs for family dinner and then the next night more - the traditional go out for Japanese. We laughed and ate and drank and laughed more, and thoroughly loved each other.

Then home and school shopping and birthday shopping and party planning - plans for a dinner out and the family bowling!!! Now this is sounding pretty good, yes? As the plans came together, we decided to gather at our house, have presents, and then head off to dinner and bowling.

Two days before the event, a knock at the door - MICHAEL 'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a wonderful surprise, what an excellent treat for those birthday guys, what fun to have a visit from our most favorite cousin/uncle/nephew/dear friend. Michael flew from CA to PA, then rented a car and drove down for the party. We were so excited! We spent the day before the party catching up, drinking great drinks, eating great food, relaxing and enjoying ourselves. Listening to music. Remembering our youth. Re-capturing some of those fun lazy days of August.

And then the party was a great opportunity for us all to get together. Seriously fun. Presents were excellent, cake was a smash. Bowling was a BLAST, we definitely plan to have that kind of fun family date again. We did agree that everyone should have bumpers in the gutters until we go a little more frequently! We laughed lots, and then went for dinner and ice cream and again, had nothing but fun and excellent conversation.

Indeed, a fabulous time was had by all, and the birthday event was one that we will remember for quite a long time. My only regret? I forgot the camera!!!!

Love you JRH, ADR, ARR, GC, Michael, and oh, all of y'all. My favorite people! You know who you are!

Congratulations are indeed in order!

Congratulations, loved ones, on your wedding day!