Fingernails and Broccoli Salad: My Youngest Son's Wedding

My baby got married on Saturday, February 21st, 2009. It was a small intimate affair with just family and a few close friends. It was at the home of the bride's (Flower Child) mother E and stepfather J. Their house is in a rural area in the desert southwest and truly was the perfect setting. The bride's stepfather is an ordained minister who officiated the ceremony and the bride's mother served as her matron of honor. The groom's older brother, LCpl Honda served as best man.

We all arrived caravan style at the home of the bride's mother E. Me and Corvette, LCpl Honda, Cinderella, Tango, Butterfly, LollyPop Kid, Grandma M and Grandpa Dingdon. We met E and J and they made us feel so comfortable. The house was decorated in pink and white rose petals and there was a beautiful altar in the Arizona room complete with candles and flowers.

Soon Corvette and I were seated in the front row with Grandma and Grandpa behind us followed by Cinderella and Tango. Hippy Guy's (the Groom) best friends from childhood and Butterfly filled in the other side.

The music started and we all waited in anticipation of the arrival of the bride. She soon emerged on the arm of her stepfather aka minister (dual role) and I could see the emotion on her face. I turned to look at my son and I saw the happiness in his eyes. The ceremony began and I had worried that would be a blubbering ninny but to my surprise, oh yes there were tears rolling out of both me and Corvette!

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, especially their personal vows. My son was so eloquent and my daughter-in-law was so incredible and funny. My heart took a picture!

After the ceremony we all hugged and just felt the love. The reception was fun. We danced and ate and drank a bit. I watched my son and his bride dance. We even had a Conga line led by Butterfly and with the big, bad Marine bringing up the rear! I saw Tango and Cinderella dancing a bit and I know I want to see more of that! LollyPop kid gorged on baby carrots. Hippie Guy's best friends from childhood told so many jokes that we were all in stitches. When the bride and groom were feeding each other cake, the bride's fingernail came off in the groom's mouth! It was so funny and yes we have pictures!

You are probably wondering what broccoli salad has to do with anything. Well, I was supposed to bring it to the wedding and guess what? Yep, I forgot it at my house. But, I do digress, there was a lot of people at my house and hey at least it wasn't the rings!

I feel very blessed. My baby got married. God bless you Hippie Guy and Flower Child!

XOXOXOXOXO

The morning of the wedding. Time to say, "See you soon my love!"

Ok. Yes this is my Marine. The night before dancing the Jig. OMG there is video too!

The great tie dilema. Thank God Tango finally saved the day!

Grandma M helping Big B with his shirt.

LollyPop Kid was done before we even started!

Grandma M, Butterfly & Grandpa DingDon

Grandpa DingDon & Butterfly

Me & Butterfly

The alter at the wedding site

Can you believe there is a spa behind that? Beautiful setting.

A view from behind, Grandma M, Grandpa DingDon, Cinderella & Tango

The paparazzi aka Hippie's best friends from childhood and Butterfly.

Waiting for the Bride. My Boys, Hippie Guy and his best man LCpl Honda

Ahh, the Bride and her stepfather also known as the Minister!
Let the Wedding Begin!

Reciting his vows. So eloquent! My son is a poet and I didn't know it!

Reciting her vows. So beautiful and funny! I have a new daughter!

More vows and exchanging of the rings.


Lighting the Unity Candle.

You may kiss the Bride!

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Hippie Guy!

The toast.

The Cake.

Oops, honey there is a fingernail in my mouth!



The Dance.

Let me just say that my son's wedding was a wonderful, intimate affair. Everyone was so happy and we all had a great time. This was a very special day for Corvette and I.

Our hearts took many pictures.

Wedding Bells and The Perfect Dress

I will be the Maid of Honor in my friend N's wedding on January 31st. This is her second marriage. She was married as a very young woman, divorced and then was in a long term relationship that went completely sour so I am glad that she has found the happiness that she deserves. The wedding is semi-formal but low-key with mainly family and close friends.

I have to admit at first I felt a little strange, I mean, afterall I have not been in a wedding since I was in my twenties. What they heck would a 50 year old bridesmaid look like? There is no way I am dressing up in puffy sleeves, big bows or worse yet something too revealing. I am an original California girl turned Arizonian so years of sun exposure have taken it's toll on my skin. Since I found out last summer I knew I at least had time to fine the Perfect Dress.

I started out online at David's Bridal and quickly added all kinds of internet bridal shops in my favorites. I knew right away that the traditional bridesmaid dresses were not going to work for me. I like to see a well-dressed woman but not one my age wearing a twenty-something outfit. One the other hand I am not quite ready for the polyester pants either. I looked at the mother of the bride dresses and they screamed mother of the bride!!! Just could not go there either.

So after months of searching I received a catalog from Coldwater Creek and after flipping through it I found it! The Perfect Dress. One problem though, it was more than I wanted to spend. I knew I probably would not wear it again but I really wanted it. So I still had some time and decided to think about and maybe talk myself into it. Well I am on Coldwater Creek's mailing list and I started receiving emails. First one 20% off. hmm. Good. Think some more. Second one 30% off. Oooh better. Still thinking though. Third one. 40% off. Ok do I hear 50%!!! Alas, the Stars are aligned! The birds are singing and flowers blooming. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! Fourth email, 50% off baby. Ok, no more thinking or talking to myself. I'm on it. The card is out and the dress was ordered. The picture is below. I love the front because it covers and the back gives just a hint of sexy. I could wear it somewhere else and not look like a bridemaid. Now I need to find a wrap and maybe blue shoes. I am not sure about the shoes, I might just wear black since I already have them. We'll see.

Oh by the way, guess what I got a few days later. 60% off email. Damn. Oh well, the dress had been shipped so I thanked the stars, birds, flowers & Santa and hit delete.