More on Christmas

Ah. Lazarus, the Christmas turkey. Generally Christmas Day is characterized by Bob and me getting up early to get started on the day -- which means getting started on Christmas dinner -- a repeat of Thanksgiving Dinner. If the Powers That Be were smart, they would schedule these two events at least 4 or 5 months apart so that we could enjoy our two yearly turkey dinners -- well -- notallinthesamemonth. But it is what it is, so in our new jammies, we trudged to the kitchen where I started the stuffing (that is to say, I put some water on to boil). We always buy a fresh turkey, and Lazarus had been purchased from the local grocery store about a week prior to the Big Event. Originally we were going to have 10 for C'mas dinner, but then Jill & Derrick had to go to Derrick's sister, so were only going to be with us for a short time, and Rick & Susan weren't going to be able to come down from Michigan, so that left us with our 17 pound bird for 5 of us. Not to worry. Leftovers are a good thing.

Except.

Bob pulled him out of the fridge. He got the scissors to open the packaging. One small snip.

EEWEWWEEW. What WAS that stink????

Bob opened the plastic surrounding Lazarus a little more. OH MY WORD! HE STINKETH!!!

And Lazarus did NOT rise from the dead.

He was confined to the great out of doors and a garbage can more than immediately.

We aren't sure what happened, and frankly, I don't care to know.

Bob raced to the grocery store. Surely the Jewel would be open for a least a few hours on Christmas Day... uh, no. Neither was Dominicks. Nor Cub Foods. Nobody.

I perused the freezer. "Thank you Jesus, that we have food to eat. There are many in this world that don't have any." OK, so what WAS I going to cook for C'mas dinner? There was a package with two small steaks. Nope, not enough for 5. There was a package of hamburger -- we could do spaghetti. That was an option. Ahhhh-- here's the package of mini quiches that was an overflow from the post wedding get together at our house that we didn't use. Hmmm. And -- oh -- we had gone to CostCo and got some really delicious sesame-ginger chicken wings. A big bag. That might do. And this white package? Oh -- some cooked shrimp Bob was saving for New Year's Eve. Nope -- that would be added to the 'meal.' Whoa -- here was a leftover bag of mini bagel dogs I hadn't used for the post wedding party. Why -- tradition be blitzed! We'd have a "Bears vs. Packers" party in the living room with a multitude of hors'doeurves (which I have spelled incorrectly all my life and will continue to do so -- but you get the picture).

And so we did. A bit of Dubliner cheese and some crackers added to the festivities -- we ate "dinner" in the living room in front of the TV -- it was relaxed -- it was fun -- and behold -- I think a new "tradition" has been born.

Of course, we had turkey with all the trimmings on Monday.

Uh -- and in case you didn't notice, the Bears won.

More about presents a bit later....

Christmas Musings

Currently I have a perpetual physical reminder of Christmas even though the day seems long gone -- is it really only the 28th? Was it really only 3 days ago? Anyhow, I was putting presents under the tree on C'mas Eve when I did something to my back -- hence the perpetual reminder. Sigh.

Despite the back, Christmas was wonderful. Torrey wanted Chris to experience all our Christmas traditions -- not a thing was to be changed. Except for my back, everything went off without a hitch on C'mas Eve. We had dinner, as usual, at Beijing, our favorite Chinese restaurant with the usual menu -- won ton soup, potstickers, orange beef, crispy shrimp, sesame chicken, and moo shoo pork with lots of hot jasmine tea. We've been doing that since Tim was 16 months old and Johnny and Bea (the owners) gave him a placemat with a little car in it. We don't get gifts any more, but we do get a warm welcome from Bea who hasn't aged one iota in the 20 years we've been going there. Bob and I haven't aged either, of course. Just the kids.

Next was filling the stockings and putting presents under the tree at which point the pocket doors are closed and no one can go in the living room until we are all ready on C'mas morning. Since there was some down time until church, Tim amused us all by squeezing the skin of the clementines and setting a match to them, making them sparkle. He assured us that was how they made napalm, and that in Spain, it was a punishable offense to take the oranges off the trees that grew in public places as they belonged to the military.... Hmmmm.....

Next was a game of Clue -- I lost roundly. Got the room and weapon right, and was just POSITIVE it was Mrs. White, but I was wrong. It was Professor Plum.

The sanctuary was packed for the candlelight C'mas Eve service. We sat in the balcony so we could really appreciate the candles we each lit starting with the Christ candle as we were singing Silent Night. Home for tea and to check and make sure the Elf delivered the annual jammies.

She did.

My children believed in the Elves far longer than they believed in Santa. The elf managed to get wrapped jammies on everyone's bed before the C'mas Eve service so they would be waiting when we got home from church. It took them years to notice that I was always the last one out to the car.....

More later on Lazarus, the Christmas turkey.....

I'm a Movie Star!!

Well, well, well.

Just took one (of thousands) of the personality tests that are on the web -- and here is what this one said:

"Your personality is actually determined by two personality sub-types - your primary, or dominant sub-type, and your secondary sub-type. You are a Movie Star which means you are a
Golden / Success Your primary sub-type is defined by "Golden" characteristics and your secondary sub-type is defined by "Success" characteristics. That means you're a bright ray of sunshine who secretly wonders why you're not famous yet. Chances are you don't get annoyed with people very easily, and you can handle stressful situations with grace. As if all that weren't enough, you're friendly, charming, and great with people."

Actually, I thought The Beamer was a bright Ray -- (see that post on July 22).

How did they know I always yearned to be the next Carol Burnett???

Thoughts on Videography....

We weren't going to have it. Videography, that is. I didn't have it (of course, I don't think it was invented back then....), and we didn't have it for Jill. It seemed to be just one more expense that we couldn't afford then, for sure, and didn't think we could afford this time.

But we bit the bullet -- and oh my!! Worth every penny, and then some (don't read this, Bob D...).

I didn't cry during the wedding itself -- calm, cool, collected, serene -- the epitome of MOB togetherness. But last night, when I watched the entire, yet to be edited, video through, I made up for my lack of tears in spades. There are so many things that you miss of the ceremony just because you are being the MOB and are busy thinking and doing other things. For example, Bob-the-V filmed people being escorted into the sanctuary -- "oh look! Tim is bringing Carlene in" (his first babysitter!). It was just fun watching people coming in from the front vantage point instead of the back....

Jill was Torrey's matron of honor.... she looked stunning in her red dress. How on earth did Bob and I get two such beautiful daughters -- and, I have to say it, such a handsome son??

Bob and I watched the part where Torrey's veil falls off a couple of times to see which one of us may have been the culprit. Truly, neither of us! It just sort of -- I don't know -- fell off, all on its own. Must have been the little man that wasn't there....

I loved watching the kiss again. One of the best wedding kisses I've ever seen.

When Rob and Tim came up the aisle after the attendants had done so, Rob looked straight at Bob-the-V and gave him the OK sign.

The video captured Torrey in her ice-princess cloak as they run through the narthex with streamers waving -- and then out to the car with the church bells pealing their joyous message that Torrey and Chris are now MARRIED! It was wonderful -- and a scene I completely missed as I was still inside.

I loved hearing the toasts again, and all the neat things people said to the MC that Bob-the-V captured on the video. I was able to watch the MCs first dance up close -- and then Torrey's dance with Bob -- the only time she (and he) cried. except for a couple of tears she shed during the duet during the ceremony. They danced to "Butterfly Kisses." So precious.

I think every married couple that has a video ought to be required to look at it again every anniversary -- it helps to see the young and enthusiastic, loving couple that was on the wedding day....not to mention reiterate the solemn vows made before God and man.

How I wish we had sprung for a video for Jill's wedding.

I would have hocked my first born child for it.

Oh. She IS my first born child.....

Thanks Bob, for a job beautifully done!

OK -- More....

Can't resist -- this is so much fun.

More pictures

Just a couple more. Well, MAYBE just a couple more....

The first one is of Chris after he walked down the aisle just before me and placed the roses on the unity candle table in loving memory of his parents.

Check out how nervous Torrey is as she sees her groom.....

Wedding pictures

Our friend Jim Whitmer is a photographer extraordinare. He, along with wife, Mary, also a most excellent photographer and creative consultant do photography for the likes of the Billy Graham Crusade, now for Franklin Graham, Shepherd's Purse, lots of Christian magazines, and their latest endeavor, worship photos. Do see www.worshipphotos.com or www.whitmers.com. Mary was my roommate in nursing school and at Wheaton College, though at the end of our junior year, she traded me in for Jim. Never figured out just why.

None the less, Jim and Mary were at the wedding, and Jim took some amazing pictures of the service -- despite the fact that he doesn't *do* wedding pictures. We will be forever grateful. Do enjoy!

Addendum

My dearly beloved, Bob, thinks the last blog was a bit negative. I tried to explain that I don't write most of them -- they totally and completely write themselves. (Write a blog, and I bet you'll come to the same conclusion. What you started to write is not nearly what you finish with).

So, a caveat: the last blog was not at all meant to be negative. It was meant (a) to be a slice of realism, (b) a bit funny and (c) not at all what I started out writing.

So there you have it.

Enjoy -- or not, as the case may be.

Wedding Reflections....

It's been just over a week, and y'know, I'm still doing little happy dances!

I've tried to think of what I would change, and -- well, let's see. It would have been nice if the people who decided to NOT come would have let us know before we put the final $$ down on the reception. Of course, there are always the unavoidable last minute complications, and that I understand. Illness -- snow -- sigh. Too bad we have to pay ahead... I wish I hadn't tried to get complicated and switch two tables around -- which the Manor didn't do, so we got confused. Small detail. It was fixed. I really did want to dance to "Unchained Melody" with Bob. My favorite secular/dancing melody. But....

When we got to the reception, I asked Chris if he had given his copy of the "A Look Back in Time" video to Rob, the DJ. For some unknown reason, he had other things on his mind (ya think????) -- and had forgotten. Told him it was a good thing his new MIL was covering his back -- I had mine w/ me -- along with a spare computer and a spare LCD projector, just in case. Y'think after all the hours I spent putting in on pulling that together -- and the time it took for Jenn's husband, Sean, to add the music and make it a video, and not a powerpoint lecture -- that I was NOT going to have a backup? No way!! The show MUST go on, even if the groom is a bit spacey over minor details like this....if I had been thinking right, I would have given it to the best man -- that's why the groom has one!

But that is why my three (only THREE) requested pieces of music weren't played -- the list was with the video which was -- geeze, I don't know WHERE it was.

That's OK. Some night when the living room is cleared of wedding debris and gift detritus, we'll make sure we have the fireplace going, and (maybe) the C'mas tree lights on, and -- hey -- I have several renditions of "Unchained Melody." Chris, you are off the hook.

I wish I had gotten around to every table and visited with everyone. As it was, I was way too excited to eat. I didn't have any hors d'oeuvres -- too busy. Did have three bites of salad and the black olives my friends all put on a plate and gave me. Managed two bites -- maybe three -- of the ham, one of the potatoes -- and I think there was a vegetable. My sister Rosie said she was able to echo my refrain -- "I can't eat -- I'm way too excited." But I didn't hit every table, and I am sorry for that. I so wanted to thank everyone for coming. It was like putting on an enormous party and not being able to greet all the guests.

I vaguely recall my brother asking my husband how he had put up with me all these years -- maybe it had something to do with my coming into the reception when all were introduced doing my best Miss America impression???? Love my brother and my husband and am SO glad they put up with me!!

Mmm....what else would I do differently?

I wish my camera flash had worked better so that my pictures would have turned out...so many of them were dark. This is why you hire a professional -- and I'm so glad we got the best! I can't wait to see what he has. We also had a wonderful videographer -- and I can't wait to see what he did as well. Rob, one of The Uncles, took a bunch of pics -- I'm hoping to pull everything together and make a nice pre/rehearsal/prewedding/wedding/reception/gift opening album for us all. Eventually. Maybe around Valentine's Day?

One of our special gifts was a framed pic of Torrey and Chris on the platform just as Rob was introducing them as Mr. & Mrs. (at 5:12 pm, not that anyone cares). Jim, our dear photographer friend (who was not THE photographer, but who is married to my nursing school/college roommate -- Marilou traded me in for HIM -- imagine that??) gave it to us at the reception -- he stopped off at home and got it done before dinner!! -- and then gave us a small album of pictures the next day. So we have some wonderful pictures. People at the hospital ask me about the wedding -- I'm like a new grandmother -- whip out the album -- thanks, Jim!! -- and they have to hear a blow by blow. But I'm getting more succinct. They are grateful, I'm sure.

The cake. Oh, the cake! First of all, it was amazingly delicious. I got part of the spice cake layer -- I had at least 4 bites of that. Oh, but it was good! [Side note: I have never, I don't think, had a really GOOD wedding cake. No more -- this one was IT!] Wish I had had more. Too excited, doncha know? I think the wedding dinner ought to be packaged up and saved for the day after the wedding. Who can eat and enjoy it? Offer a bunch of hors d'oeuvres and put everything else in styrofoam "to go" boxes at least for the bride & groom and the MOB. I think Bob ate. Anyway -- one of my BIG pet peeves is the whole "smashing" of the cake into the bride's/groom's face. I think it is sexist, hostile, and ugly. I've expressed my opinion on more than one occasion to the bride (and groom) to the point where Torrey would say, "Yes, I know how you feel." So -- not exactly sure what was going to happen, I approached the cake ceremony w/ a bit of trepidation.

Lovely cake cutting. Then Torrey took her piece, wound up, and zoomed in on Chris.

Then, very gently and lovingly, place a bit in his mouth. It was beautiful. Dear Amy and Dear Abby -- please take note. THIS cake ceremony -- as Chris did the same with Torrey, and then lovingly blotted her mouth with a napkin -- was one to bring tears to your eyes.

If you've read this far, God bless you. I'm still on a high (you might have noticed). There will be more. I'm contemplating whether or not I should write MY book -- which is what started all of this in the FIRST place!!

Quintessential Torrey Beth

She was calm -- serene -- and oh, so very happy! Chris got his first glimpse of Torrey in her wedding gown as she walked down the aisle toward him -- and him alone -- a couple of hours before the wedding, and before we started pictures. Jenn promised to beat everyone off with a stick that even TRIED to peek through the windows around the sanctuary....

Even seeing her ahead of time, I'm not sure it was any less amazing when she came down the aisle on her daddy's arm to Trumpet Voluntary. Eyes only for Chris, she literally radiated!

Chris had his turn walking down the aisle to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" just before I came down. He carried a vase of two perfect roses to place on the table by the unity candles in loving memory of his parents.

Bob and I both gave her away -- when she got to the front of the church, I stood with her and when Uncle Tim asked, "who gives this woman," in unison, we said "we do." Then when I kissed her and Christopher, somehow I knocked her veil off. "Just leave it" she said, so I put it in the pew with me.

The readings were great -- three scripture from Song of Songs, Ephesians, and I Corinthias 13, which were read by Bob, alternating with two readings (one by CS Lewis, and one by that most famous writer, Anonymous) done by her college friend, Karen.

The congregation sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness", and the duet when they lit the unity candle was "I Will Be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Rob's message was perfect -- he even worked in Chris' birthday!

As Rob was about to pronounce them husband and wife, you could see Torrey getting more excited -- she was doing her share of bouncing -- and when he said, "Chris, you may kiss your bride" -- Torrey pumped her arms, YES! -- threw her arms around Chris and gave him a most resounding kiss! Then turned to the congregation -- grinned -- and kissed him again.

Typical Torrey....

She was just a little excited.

Recessional was Mendelssohn's Wedding March -- so perfect for a recessional -- so joyful!

When they came back to dismiss us by rows and I turned to walk back up the aisle arm in arm with Bob -- she grabbed the veil from Bob and popped it on MY head! So I walked up the aisle to much laughter and applause for Torrey's spontaneity.

Quintessential Torrey Beth.

They left the sanctuary in her Snow Princess cloak amidst silk streamers and the pealing of the church bells --

The wedding was perfect. Every bit of it.

The Wedding

Ah -- the wedding.

Suffice it to say that it was quintessential Torrey Beth -- and it was perfect.

More anon....

THE Day!!! 9 hours to go....

It's hard to believe that after all the waiting and planning and dreaming -- that we are finally at THE day! Torrey is still asleep -- her two roommates from college spent the night here so they could have one last "sleep over." Chris is at the hotel bunking with a couple of his groomsmen, and Bob and I are puttering around, waiting for the world to awaken so we can get on with the day. There is a dusting of snow on the ground, and we are supposed to get from 2 to 4 inches later today. I hope it doesn't deter the Indiana or Michigan contingents from joining us this afternoon!

Torrey and Chris had a bit of a counseling session with "the uncles," going over the service itself and just sharing their hearts with Uncle Rob and Uncle Tim imparting their wisdom -- touched as always with humor.

The rehearsal went well last night and the rehearsal dinner was simply lovely. We had it in the fireside area of the church which is in the narthex; a cozy area perfectly suited to this sort of occasion. Nearly 50 people attended -- family and bridal party. I showed the video/slide show I have been working on for nearly 6 months. Sean, our wedding coordinator's husband, added music and special effects, turning it from a prosaic powerpoint presentation into a poetic feast for the eyes.

The highlight was a gift from my youngest sister, Lyn. Several months ago, she said, God gave her the words for a song which she wrote and sang for us last night as a surprise. David, my 15 year old nephew played the piano while Lyn sang "Torrey's Song." My feeble words here can't do it justice. The melody was beautiful, but the words were perfect. I'm hoping Lyn will record it for us and that somehow we will be able to add it to the video disk I did. The song spoke of God's grace in giving Chris to Torrey in answer to all our prayers -- how perfect he is for her, and she for him.

As we begin our special day, may God grant traveling mercies to all that are joining us late this afternoon, and may he impart a special grace to all of us this day....

33 1/2 hours....

We are really on the countdown now. We've picked up the wedding dress, Torrey is having her ring cleaned and the prongs for the stones tightened. Chris got home last night, my two sisters and their families arrived last night (at exactly the same time -- one driving 800 miles from eastern PA; the other driving 850 miles from Mississippi) to much tea and merriment and lots of stories for Tina -- Robbie's fiancee. (Sorry Robbie -- you will ALWAYS be Robbie to me, even if you are known as Rob, Jr.) We have a full house and it is so exciting! Debbie brought over a full pot of soup, cornbread and cookies so I don't have to cook -- or even apply heat to food for these next couple of days. Bless her!!

Tim and Reuben left at 6:30 this morning to get Liz Anne from O'Hare. They took two sets of directions and my new GPS system. Hopefully they'll get her OK. So far, no phone calls.

The downstairs toilet has plugged up. I'll leave that job to my longsuffering husband.....

The ladies at the bridal salon told us that Torrey and I were the most relaxed mother/bride combo they'd seen in a long time.

I hide it well.

Actually, as long as I have everything on a list, I'm OK. It's wondering if I have forgotten to add something to the list that makes me stressed.

I'll feel better when the kids actually have their marriage license in hand. That's on the to do list for today. Plus meeting with Uncle Rob and Uncle Tim to discuss the ceremony tomorrow. And getting everything over to the church tonight for the rehearsal and dinner....

Did I mention the e-mail that went out on Wednesday to the entire church family asking them to come help decorate the church for Christmas on Saturday from 12 - 4.

Didn't stress me out a bit when I read it.....ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!

No, not a bit.

Correction went out yesterday. I expect that next week this will be funny. Maybe once I see the church all decorated tonight it will be funny....

Now, of course, that we have given the guarantee to the reception hall and paid the final bill -- the "Oh gee, we are so sorry, but we'll be unable to make it...." calls and e-mails are coming in.

Oh well. We have the bride, groom, two ministers, and my complete family.

They can get married, even if no one else shows up.

And the important thing is NOT the wedding, NOT the reception, NOT the cake or the flowers or the music.

The important thing is the marriage.

And that will happen, regardless of anything else.

Torrey and Chris can't wait to BE married.

It's a beautiful thing.

Us and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day...

If any of you have read Judith Viorst's book for children, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day you will know whereof I speak. Now while our day may not have been quite as bad as Alexander's (we didn't have lima beans for dinner), the morning was close to qualifying. This was last Monday...5 days before the Big Event.

It actually started on Sunday when it was announced from the pulpit that folks were welcome to come help decorate the church for Christmas on...ta da!!! SATURDAY, from 12 -4 pm. Uh - duh - our wedding is at 4:30. This was enough to send the MOB into major panic mode.

Got that straightened out -- it's on FRIDAY from 12 - 4. Today, actually.

Then Monday.

No patients to see at the hospital, so I figured it was a good time to upgrade the security system on the software I have that processes credit cards. I'd been completely unable to do it on my own, and tech support had been so busy that I wasn't able to get through the first few weeks it was out. I got Hugo. He was helpful, but when we got to the part that would take 15 minutes, we hung up with instructions to call back after the salient part had downloaded, and anyone could take me the rest of the way.

I got Del the second time around, and the system promptly refused to go any further. Del helped me erase the entire setup and start again. When we got to the part where it takes 15 minutes to download, we hung up, and after it downloaded, I called back and got Donna. The system promptly refused to go any further.

Round 3. This time she said that what I had done with Del and Hugo was completely wrong, and we were going to start again. This time she hung up when I was downloading something that was to take 20 minutes. She'd call back at 10:05. It took 3 minutes to download, so I twiddled my thumbs until she finally called back at 10:30. We were humming along for about another 10 minutes when -- whammo! The electricity went out.

Torrey had a dress fitting at 1:00. It is now 11:30ish, and we realized we can't get the garage door open. We'd recently put in a new garage door, and while they are all supposed to have an override so that it can be opened in case of power failure, the new door didn't fit over the old fixture.

I called Bob who said he'd come home from work. Not sure what good that was going to do us since he had a meeting at 1:30 in a northern suburb, but it is always nice to have a man around to make tut tutting noises, even if he can't fix the problem.

10 minutes later the electricity came back on, and I called Bob to tell him not to come home after all while Torrey raced outside to get the garage door up before anything else nasty occurred.

I called tech support again, figuring I had time to finish up the project before we had to leave. I got Laticia. She was very nice -- we got through all the erasures and downloads and had just gotten to the same point that I got with Del, Hugo, and Donna and the software said it couldn't finish the download due to some strange error. Again. At this point we had to go, so I told Laticia goodbye and I'd try again -- hoping against hope I didn't have to process any credit cards.

Got into the car, and the key wouldn't fit into the ignition. The steering wheel froze. Then the key stuck. We pushed and pulled and prodded for several minutes -- I'm just a little stressed by now -- when Torrey finally said, "Do you have the right key?"

Uh, duh, well, now that I look, I'm trying to start the Lincoln with her Saturn key.....

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I'm not stressed. No, not a bit of it.

Got home and the computer froze. It wouldn't even turn off.

WHY didn't one of my children learn about computer technology?

No -- not stressed.

I was very glad when Monday ended.....and I made the decision to never mind about any software until AFTER The Wedding.

Tuesday was much improved.

Whew.