Late August

Re-reading the Road Dahl collection--Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the 20th time. Currently: The BFG. I still find these books a little creepy and disturbing. But I howled with laughter at Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka.

New favorite quote

Last night during dinner, Abby's friend John, in response to my query as to why Abby didn't heat up the extra can of corn she opened for him, said, "That's alright, I'm content with sub-par-ism." Fabulous.

"Look around, Bob; what does everything you see here have in common?....vacation. Vacation, Bob."

Five days until Outer Banks, NC--can't wait!

My sister got married last Saturday. It was a wonderful day and a tremendous weekend. I think my most favorite highlight, though, was Friday afternoon when all the girls were treated by my cousin and aunt to manicures and pedicures--ahhh. We had a BLAST! Pink champagne and fruit and strawberry-flavored cream cheese. Have you ever done one of those spa treatments? Those massage chairs make it happen. Best waste of $22 I've ever enjoyed! And our toes also looked great for the wedding.

Friday evening as I was walking in to the church for the rehearsal, my flip flop caught on some uneven sidewalk and I wiped out. I also had an armful of bags, so the dynamic of hitting pavement with extra baggage increased the decibel level impressively. My knee gushed blood and I went through 3 bandaids as I tried to play cello while the moms and Jeremy and the groomsmen processed in. Hahaha. Unforgettable.

Saturday was unreal. One moment I was riding in the car with Rachel like old times, and the next she was standing next to Jeremy and pledging her troth. They both looked fabulous (and I mean that in a not gay way :) and happy. I almost fainted during the ceremony. According to the guests I wavered tremendously and my dad actually got up to ask me if I was OK. One must not lock one's knees when standing for a very long time. I was paranoid for the whole rest of the ceremony that I was going to fall. I tried as hard as I could to enjoy and take in what was going on, while simultaneously wishing that it would end. But crash I did not, and it was a fantastic ceremony. I was so proud of Rachel.

I'm in withdrawal from the whole event: recovering from the 13.5 hour drive, leaving my sister smack in the middle of the country with a guy named Jeremy (no offense, brother :), and the inevitable emotion of "the wedding's over." Whew, can I have a side of denial with that, please?

So I'm grunging in the basement a little bit thinking and computering. I'm supposed to be working on my mission report, but I've listened to Barry Phillips a lot lately on my laptop and think I've got a cello song in the makings in my head. I really want to record a wedding album--both with lyrics and not. I think that when it comes to music, wedding material errs a little on the weak side. I want to remain traditional sounding but lose the 56 measures of repetitive, redundant Canons in D.

Anyway, for something completely different, I just read that Dell is recalling their computers because of faulty and explosive batteries--I think I'm going to shut her down and keep her away from my vital organs for a while :) Please comment with any hilarious wedding stories!

Wedding Weekend

Awww!

Manicures and pedicures--woo hoo!

Mom and Aunt Missy soaking it up!

I think at one point we all fell asleep in these massage chairs

Thanks to Christa and Aunt Missy for treating all of the girls to a relaxing afternoon of pampering and pink champagne!

Aren't my cousins absolutely gorgeous?!

Uncle Mike's pseudo-personality, "Fred"

Dad and Rachel practicing to walk the gauntlet

My new sisters-in-law, Shannon and Carrie, toasting to Rachel and Jeremy

My BEAUTIFUL family--love them all so much

Two words: Maloooooone's and SHRAAAAAAANEY! ;)

Rachel with the moms' flowers

Christa and me!!! I love you, Shraen!
Our terrifying bartender: my brother was convinced he's part-demon
Nod back to FCS days, "Mr. Fulcher" and Jered stacking tables!

Rachel and I trying to be emo--it gives more the attempting to pick our nose effect, I think

Jesus and Moses presiding over the liquor cabinet--making sure we don't have too much fun

Preception party flowers: They overran the kitchen sink and counters--anywhere there was access to water!

Isn't Elisabeth's hair gawwwgeous??

Kelly, Rachel, Liz, Kathryn: Rachel's college friends--love you girls so much!

Gathering necessary wedding items at Costco

Rachel modeling her veil

Mom and Rachel minutes before the wedding, tear :)


Sorry I only have a picture of Jeremy's back--more to come

Catching up with consumerism

I'm looking to be in the market for an IPod or some other such monstrosity...and suggestions/recommendations as to brand/type, etc.?

Leavings

August 3rd=not a good time to shop for a bridesmaid dress. Today I got progressively more clipped with the cheerful salespeople who asked me if I found everything OK. "No, I did not!" In other words, "I'm mad because I decided to spend all of the good shopping months in Eastern Europe and have come back to your picked over remains." Yuck!