Miscellaneous Stuff

I was going to do a Going To The Chapel Bonus entry but I have a couple of other things that I wanted to chat about first.

My eldest son, Ryan (usually known to us as "BooBoo" or just plain "Boo") and his girlfriend arrived home from the wedding to find their kitty, Jax, was not well. Sara is a vet tech and they were able to get him seen right away but things are not looking good for Jax. Since I have such an unhealthy, codependent bond with my Little Kitty, I know how hard these things can be. If you would, send lots of love and good vibes to Jax that he will be all better very soon.

A postscript to Baby Oliver's shower... when we left the shower the party was still going strong but of course, we were supposed to go to a birthday party (that didn't quite work out, unfortunately) and then had to drive home so we left about three hours in. As we were leaving they set up to Facetime to a satellite shower that Marquee's family was holding in California with about as many people (which was a lot) as there was at the shower in Georgia! I wish I had known because I would have totally invited my California Blogger Babes to the shower! At any rate... Ollie's nursery is ready to go and we just have to wait for him to get here. I cannot wait to hold two grandbabies in my arms at the same time and if Ollie doesn't hurry up and get here I won't be able to keep Cosette still enough to hold two!

As for Cosette... she is doing great, nursing well, gaining weight, getting stronger... and I love her so much! I would have loved her no matter what but truly, she has been the motivation her dad needed to get his life in gear and I will always see her as the one who changed our lives for the better. I took Austin and Tasha out... let me rephrase that... Austin and Tasha took me out to celebrate their anniversary last night. I was there to provide the transportation and a little baby cuddling help since Cosette thinks if mommy is eating SHE should be eating but Austin paid for our dinner. I still really struggle with sitting in a restaurant and I've been totally wiped out today from it but it was good to get out and a free meal is a very good thing!

Now that I've updated you on all three kids... let's talk about me. I am still very addicted to Luigi's Real Italian Ice, Mango Flavor. The cost is usually around $4.18 a box but I always have dollar off coupons so around $3.18 a box which lasts for three days. I consider myself worthy of a dollar a day worth of treats, right? Well... this week they are on sale for $1.98 a box which means with my dollar off coupon they're $.98 a box! Which is why there are currently 9 boxes in my freezer.

Also... I have finally selected a new needlework project and I'm going with a totally new stitch / technique that has taken me a little extra effort to learn but I am loving it!

I had some cute pictures to share but blogger's photo upload is wonky so I'll just leave you with text for now and add photos later. Tomorrow. Soon. I've been up since 2am (another visit from the Pain Fairy) so I'm barely functional. Hope you're having a lovely weekend. Love and hugs, y'all!

Going To The Chapel - Day 6 - The Morning After

Jamie, Angie, Sarabeth

There's got to be a morning after....

I can't remember exactly what time I woke up on the day after the wedding but it was later than usual and earlier than I wanted. I very much wanted to just curl up with my laptop and edit photos from the day before but it was travel day and we had a brunch to go to.

I wish every Sunday included brunch at Tantummaheag under the big top but alas, I live in Georgia and the tent was only a temporary fixture. I should have taken a better picture of the buffet because YUM! Donuts driven up from New York, omelet station, fruit, amazing bagels with salmon... lots of great food with a side order of family. It was our last time to be in the bubble of magic that was Helen and Bryan's wedding. I was so tired but still running on adrenaline and although I had a great time, I was excited to be going home.

 

After we ate we just kind of lounged around and enjoyed each other's company until time for us to head to Hartford, Connecticut where we were catching a flight to Atlanta. It turned out that Uncle Bruce and Aunt Vicky, Grandma, Jim and Angie and the girls were all on the same flight as we were so we got extended bonding time hanging out at the airport together.

Have I mentioned that we flew first class both ways on our trip? It didn't cost too much more and it was hugely helpful to have the extra room. My seatmate on the trip home was Licky Ricky and his daddy. This little guy was so well behaved - never barked once - and even let me cuddle him for a little while when his dad had his snack. It made us all homesick for our furbabies and we couldn't wait to get home!

Once again Delta gets a zero for wheelchair assistance at the Atlanta airport. There was fortunately one waiting for Grandma out on the jet way (no way she could have walked all the way up the jet way) but the wheelchairs my mom and I requested at the gate weren't there. The Delta gate agent was super snappy and rude about it, saying that it wasn't Delta's responsibility, that it was the airport vendor who provided the wheelchairs. Pop said, "yes, but we bought our tickets through Delta". It just baffles me that it works seamlessly when we fly into LaGuardia but so far is 0 for 2 in Atlanta. We found a second wheelchair but no one to push it. They asked if Pop could push it and he said, "no" because why should he? He's in no shape to be pushing a wheelchair. Finally after a little wait we got the chariots and chariot drivers for our parade through the Atlanta Airport.

We had a little bit of confusion picking up bags because nobody remembered Grandma's walker. It wasn't on the baggage carousel because it was too big. Grandma's boarding pass had two baggage stickers on it so we knew there had to be something else but Grandma couldn't remember what that second thing was and we were all so exhausted that it didn't occur to us that it was the walker. We figured it out as we got off the shuttle bus in the parking lot so we had to drive back around the airport to the short term parking while Pop went in to retrieve the walker.

Just for the record... a Volkswagen Jetta does not have enough space for four humans, all their luggage and a walker. We had to have the walker in the backseat with me and mom and I had to turn sideways in the seat for it to fit. Riding sideways from the Atlanta Airport to Woodstock in traffic is no bueno. My back was screaming, I was having major hot flashes, my legs were so swollen that all of my joints were hot and hurting. I hung tough all week but that last little bit was absolutely the worst part of the journey. We took Grandma to her assisted living home and then made the hour plus drive home to Cleveland, Georgia.

Fortunately I had remembered to have Austin record the Tony Awards for me as we didn't make it home until after 9pm. I was too tired to watch the Tonys that night and ended up watching it on Thursday while Austin, Tasha and Cosette were over. Baby's First Tony Awards!

If you click this link you can see some bonus photos that the Wedding Planner took of the wedding weekend. She got much better shots than me! Just look for the #helenandbryan. In my next entry I will share some bonus photos and stuff I forgot from each day. Hope you enjoyed my recap.... now we can get ready for the next big thing: BABY OLIVER!

Love and hugs, y'all!

Going To The Chapel - Day 5 - The Rest of The Story

Mawmaw, Jamie, Sarabeth, Cory, Matthew, Pop

Let me just say that here in the South, at least among my peers, weddings take place in the sanctuary of the church and receptions take place in the fellowship hall. You have punch, cake and maybe a few snacky things like fruit and nuts. That's what we did at my first wedding. That's what most of my friends' weddings were like. I know that there are big weddings in the South that involve a different venue and menu but I'm accustomed to the cake and punch scenario. Except at Grandma's second wedding where the cake didn't make it to the reception. She has a pretty funny write up of that story that I ought to type up for you sometime. At any rate...

When we last left the story I had just hauled my chunky butt from the valet parking to in front of the carriage house at Tantummaheag. Tasha asked me today how to pronounce Tantummaheag and I can't do it justice. I think the emphasis is more on the second syllable but... yeah... I spent all last week saying it wrong. The important thing to remember at this juncture is that it is a vast property and the distance from the valet to the carriage house is more than I usually walk in the course of a week. Fortunately I crossed through the garden where the cocktail hour was being held and was able to grab a seltzer water with ice to refresh myself. Somehow... and I don't know how... the rest of the family was already there and photos were being taken. I handed my drink and sweater to one of Helen's brothers (Ian, who is very much like Austin) and found my spot. I shudder to think of how I am going to look in those photos because trust me, sweaty Heather is not cute Heather.

Pop, me, Michael, mom, Bryan, Jim

Also, on a TMI tangent, I have been having hot flashes for the past few weeks. I thought that it was either the new meds I was on or my hormones because I am of a certain age, you know. My primary care physician confirmed that it's the new meds (which are helping in a lot of ways that makes the hot flashes worth the trouble)  so I spent a good part of last week sweating even though the temperature was quite mild and sometimes downright chilly in Connecticut. There is a photo of me at Oliver's shower that looks like I literally just got out of the shower and I'm guessing the formal wedding photos will look similar. I hope not.

We didn't spend much time doing photos. I feel like Helen really struck a good balance between making memories and ... well, making memories. There were photos but not so many that it felt tedious or that you felt like you were missing out on things. I would say maybe ten minutes, max, and then we headed to the garden for cocktails. For the most part we Gants aren't big drinkers. It's not that we sit in judgement of those who consume adult beverages. Some of my brothers drink socially. For me personally I'm a lightweight when it comes to drinking. I'm sleepy after the first drink and throwing up after the second. So in my mind I was not really excited about the prospect of a cocktail hour. Honestly, in my head "cocktail hour" is a fancy way of saying, "dinner's not ready yet". Keep in mind that I'm used to weddings where the punch and cake is the whole of the post wedding celebration so... I confess that I was not crazy excited about having cocktails.

Except it was so much more than adult beverages! I think I could have asked for just about any beverage and gotten it. I had a really nice passionfruit juice. The food... oh my word!... I could have sustained myself for a week off of the hors de oeuvres! There was a seafood bar with lobster, shrimp and raw oysters. There was a dip station with all kinds of raw veggies (crudites, if you will) crackers and dips. There were passed hors de oevres that included just about any "party food" you could think of from pigs in blankets to mini crab cakes. Every time a waiter went by with a tray I had to check it out. My brother Michael was excellent at scouting out the good stuff. Every time I'd see him come back with a different gnosh I'd have to find out what he was eating. Color me a new fan of the cocktail hour.

Cory and Matthew, my nephews

Our immediate family sort of set up camp at a lovely stone bench where we took lots of photos and enjoyed each other's company in addition to chatting with other guests as they went by. For me it was a great time to catch up with Ryan and Sara and my nephews Cory and Matthew and of course, my nieces. It lasted just long enough for us to taste everything and catch our breath from the ceremony and the trip from the church. I was eager to check out the "big top" - the big tent where the reception was being held so Sarabeth, Jamie and myself walked on over.

Helen had told me that I would be at the same table as Sarabeth and Jamie (because I always sit at the kids' table at every family gathering). I was a little sad to not sit with Ryan and Sara but they ended up at a table with Helen's cousins who were about their age and I *think* they all had a pretty good time together. I know the girls and I had a great time! I was assigned to the seat right between Sarabeth and Jamie. Also at our table was Uncle Bruce (my dad's brother) and his wife Vicky, Grandma, Jim and Angie and my brother Michael. Michael's sons were at the same table as Ryan and Sara and my parents were seated at the table with the bride and groom.

    

I wish that I had words to truly set the stage for you in my recap. The band was sort of a retro creole jazz sort of zydeco vibe. There's a better description for them but it escapes me. The temperature was chilly but not cold. I gave Jamie my sweater because my lace jacket that went with my dress was warm enough (especially with the hot flashes. At one point I had goosebumps on my arms but was pouring sweat under my hair to the extent that I put my hair in a ponytail.) Despite being in circumstances that were a bit foreign to me (the formal dinner and all that) it was incredibly laid back and comfortable. I know the pictures make it look all Martha Stewart and all that but it was such a great vibe and the love that people felt for Helen and Bryan was palpable. It was a celebration in the purest sense of the word.

There were toasts made by the FOB and the FOG (father of bride/groom). There were toasts made by the Maid of Honor (Helen's sister) and the Best Man (my brother Jim). And then there were toasts made by Helen and Bryan.

A funny thing about the toast portion of the evening... the night before during the rehearsal at the church, Helen's mom's cellphone rang and there was a little bit of ... well, it just was frowned upon, rightfully so. OF course if you have folks setting up a circus tent on your front lawn, a random call can be expected. And then... fast forward to the reception... to an intimate little gathering of 250 folks who are maintaining the silence of a library while listening to my father give his toast... and.... my cellphone which is NEVER turned up much beyond the lowest level above vibrate... which NEVER rings because people know to email/text me rather than call... which Ryan had turned off for me before the ceremony because I don't know how to turn it off and on... RINGS during the toast. On the loudest setting. And I can't FIND IT IN MY PURSE! I was mortified! And Helen's mom who had been scolded the night before gave me a conspiratorial wink and a nod - sisters in cellphone shame. And get this... it was a WRONG NUMBER!

Jamie, Helen, Sarabeth

Anyways... I survived. The food was probably the best I've ever had... a salad with lobster, really good lobster!... Fillet of beef with gnocci and veggies in this amazing gravy (that Jamie got on my sweater, that washed out easily)... Lots of little sweets and seriously, the best cake I've ever had. I can't even describe it and I didn't take photos because I was loving this cake so very much. There was wine in abundance but we were lucky enough to have a sweet waiter who very thoughtfully asked what those of us who weren't wine drinkers might like. I asked for iced tea for the girls and then remembered that we were in the land of the unsweetened tea. But NO! There was sweet tea available and we rejoiced over it! It's the little things...

Mom and Bryan

There was a photo booth set up at the reception which served as great entertainment for most people. I'll post some of those photos in a separate post because this one is so very long already! Let me just wrap this up by saying the reception was absolutely perfect, we had a wonderful time and although I had some pain it was completely worth it! We went back to the rental house and crashed in the big bed in the master suite. Jamie and Sarabeth fell asleep watching me play sudoku and I fell asleep not long afterwards. It was such a magical night and I'm so grateful to have been included.

In my next blog entry I'll describe the post-wedding brunch and the trip home. Thanks for reading! Love and hugs, y'all!

 

 

Going To The Chapel - Day 5 - Reasons To Love Being A SOG

Again, I must give the disclaimer that I have slept more than once since these events occurred and therefore cannot vouch for the accuracy of my recount of the events on the day of my brother's wedding. Also, I must also say that being the SOG (sister of the groom) is a much easier role than just about any other character in the drama of a wedding. I consider this my compensation for living most of my life in a frat house both as a sister and a mom. I realize that I am now the grandmother of a girl child which means eventually, should the Lord leave me here on this earth long enough, I will eventually be the GOB (grandmother of the bride) but I am convinced that by that point people will have lowered their expectations of me such that I will be able to wear a lovely frock and be wheeled in and out without adopting any of the stress of the day.

I give you exhibit A of why it's great to be an SOG - our house on the day of the wedding:

 Pop opening a gift from Bryan - a pocket knife.

I would offer captions for each of these photos but honestly, I just sat in the same place in the living room and snapped photos of people as they drifted in and out of the room. Pop made cinnamon toast for breakfast which I bolstered with yogurt (orange creamsicle greek yogurt, just for the record) with a banana.

At Tantummaheag (the bride's family home) they had a printed out schedule for the day that began with water aerobics in the pool at 7:30am for the bride and her maids. There was a carefully organized schedule for each girls' hair and makeup. There was a buffet table spread with munchies, juice and champagne. There was a flurry of activity...

but back at the Home of the Naughty Mermaid we were just sittin'. I took a "before" photo of my brother when I first stumbled down the stairs that morning but he had a blanket covering his legs and his hands under the blanket and it looked pretty creepy and inappropriate so I took another "before" photo. 
After this photo was taken he went on a three hour bike ride with the FOB (father of the bride) and some other athletic, adventurous folks. Jim and Angie went for a walk. People drifted in and out and I tried to figure out my schedule for the day. I finally decided that I would just hang with Angie all day. She knew when and where we had to be so sticking with her absolved me of any stress on the day.

For comparison... things at Tantummaheag prior to the wedding:

 

The wedding was scheduled for 4:30 WHICH seemed like really late in the day when we first got up and while we were lounging around. At some point we had to take my mom and the girls to Tantummaheag for their glam sessions and so they could catch the bridesmaid shuttle to the church. Before we took them it seemed like we had a long time to go and somehow after we got back from dropping them off we really only had about thirty minutes before we had to leave for the ceremony.

Bryan's "after" picture:

The OGs ("of the Groom"s) were supposed to be at the church at 3:15 so we had a good hour plus to take photos and flitter about. Ok. Maybe I was the only one flittering. But you get the idea.... 

 


Me and Angie in our unintentionally matching dresses, Pop and Jim in their suits but minus their eyeglasses (just trying something new) and the lovely Lady Sara, girlfriend of my oldest child, standing in front of the pipes of the organ in the church.

People arrived. Bagpipes began playing. No, really... bagpipes. I gave my phone to my oldest son to figure out how to turn it off. (This is an important detail for later....) The pews filled up with people dressed in their wedding finery.

One funny detail from right before the ceremony... the wedding planner's assistant had put programs down on the designated pews for the extended family. I asked her why... and she said to save the space for the family. A few minutes before the wedding started I noticed that Helen's grandma and other family members were seated behind me on the groom's side. I asked her why... and she said that obviously someone was saving the space in the pew they were supposed to sit in... and I said, "no, it's being saved for you...really... I'm sure of it...". Around that time the wedding planner's assistant came back by and I pointed out to her that the OBs ("of the bride"s) were in the wrong place. It's one of those things that wasn't a big deal and wouldn't have changed the ceremony or anything but... yeah, that was something that happened.

Not long after they relocated the processional began... my parents... bride's mom... bridesmaids... and, of course, the bride. I kept the tears in check until I saw my nieces all dressed up and made up and looking beautiful and of course until I saw the mothers (both OB and OG) come down the aisle fighting tears. I was feeling all the feels. Something unique to this wedding (for me, anyways) was that instead of lining the attendants up across the front of the church they sat in pews at the front of the church. I thought this was special in that the focus was entirely on the bride and groom and not on the attendants. I think it also allowed the attendants to be more focused on the ceremony instead of worrying about how they looked in front of the crowd.

The bride's dress was gorgeous... I'll post a picture from the reception so you can see... I believe it was from Carolina Herrera. She wore a thirty foot long veil that has been worn by four generations of her family. Her grandmother gave her a lovely gift at the shower - a book with photos of all the brides who had worn that veil. Her sister was tasked with arranging the veil across the front of the church and it was both sweet and funny as she did it.

We had been asked not to take photos during the ceremony (and you know I just about had to sit on my hands to keep from doing it). On one hand I'd like to share every single detail of the ceremony with you and for posterity but on the other hand it was such a sweet, private, intimate event that it almost feels sacrilegious  to share. It was like we were all in a bubble, like we all were initiated into a select group of people who love Bryan and Helen and will support them throughout their married life. Just in brief summary I'll say that there were some selected readings. There were two congregational hymns. Bryan and Helen said private vows to each other that were whispered quietly between them while we waited. This was really sweet as a peaceful sense of agreement lingered in the air. Then there were the traditional public vows, exchange of rings and so forth. He did and she did too and they kissed and all of that.

We exited to the lawn in front of the church. Introductions were made and hugs were exchanged among the congregants. One of the ladies who hosted the bridal shower that I attended back in May had just found out before the wedding that she was going to be a grandmother and she was excited to share the news with me as she had been coveting my new title of "Nana" when we first met. Folks were determining their mode of transport to Tantummaheag for the reception. I had ridden to the church with Pop and we had parked on the side of the church in the handicapped parking. We were blocked in by one of the big shuttle buses so I made the executive decision (executive of me, myself and I) to ride to the reception with Ryan and Sara. I knew photos were going to happen during the cocktail hour and I had to hustle my bustle over there if I was going to participate. I never miss a photo op! Traffic backed up on the road to Tantummaheag and there was a long line at the Valet Parking waiting for the golf cart shuttle to the house. I elected to hoof it and made it breathlessly in time for photos.

And... I'll pick up there on my next blog entry because the next part is the longest and most fun part of the recap! Thanks for reading! Love and hugs, y'all!