Ok I am officially old. Our youngest is turning 25 today - a quarter of a century. He was born on a Tuesday, a hot hot day for Chicago, via scheduled C-section. I had an epidural and felt everything. First thing he did was christen the doctor then his dad who helped deliver him. He was the first grandson on both sides thus became a wee bit spoiled. He had/has a temper and a stubborn streak he inherited from his father. He does things in his own time, in his own way. He is one brilliant kid and still manages to get his way long before either his father or I realize what he just did.
25 trivia things for either May 31st or 1983.
1. Pope John Paul II signed the Roman Catholic code incorporating changes brought about by the Second Vatican Council.
2. Benigno Aquino, Jr was assassinated in Manila.
3. South Korean Boeing 747 jetliner bound for Seoul apparently strays into Soviet airspace and is shot down by a Soviet SU-15 fighter. All 269 aboard were killed.
4. Terrorist explosion kills 237 US Marines in Beirut.
5. US invades Grenada.
6. In 1790 the first US Copyright Law was enacted protecting books, maps, and other materials.
7. Heavy rains caused the South Fork Dam to collapse sending 20 million tons of water into Johnstown, PA. Over 20,000 people were killed and the town was nearly destroyed.
8. In 1970, an earthquake in Peru left more than 50,000 dead.
9. Noise free compact discs were introduced, leading to a steep decline of vinyl records.
10. Karen Carpenter dies of complications from anorexia nervosa.
11. More than 125 million viewers tuned into the last episode of M*A*S*H*.
12. Cost of a 1st class stamp: $0.20, a gallon of gas cost $1.24, a gallon of milk cost $2.24, cost of a new home: $89,800.00, median household income: $20,885.00.
13. The Academy Award for best picture was Gandhi.
14. The Song of the Year was Always on My Mind.
15. "Crack" cocaine was developed in the Bahamas and soon appeared in the US.
16. The FCC authorized Motorola to begin testing cellular phone service in Chicago.
17. The El Nino phenomenon disrupts global weather patterns.
18. In 1859 Big Ben goes into operation in London.
19. Deep Throat is revealed in 2005.
20. Clint Eastwood was born in 1930.
21. In 1990 Seinfeld premieres.
22. Top 10 songs of 1983: Every Breath You Take by Police; Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, Flashdance...What a Feelin by Irene Cara, Down Under by Men at Work, Beat It by Michael Jackson, Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, Maneater by Daryl Hall and John Oates, Baby Come To Me by Patty Austin and James Ingram, Maniac by Michael Sembello, and Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Culture Club.
23. Top 10 shows of 1983: 60 Minutes, Dallas, M*A*S*H*, Magnum, PI, Dynasty, Three's Company, Simon & Simon, Falcon Crest, The Love Boat, The A-Team
24. Top Movies of 1983: Return of the Jedi, Terms of Endearment, Flashdance, Wargames, The Big Chill, Fanny & Alexander, The Right Stuff.
25. A blue eyed 8 pound, 12 ounce, 22 and 1/2 inch baby boy was born.
Happy 25th Birthday Son!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Malignant Narcissism
We all have a bit of narcissism in each and every one of us. It is one thing to have a healthy self-esteem but it is a lot different to have such an inflated sense of importance that other people's feelings, beliefs, and thoughts have no meaning.
But there is a narcissism that is malignant - the way narcissists malign others. They deliberately improve their own image at the expense of someone else. They use backward reactions to things especially shock tactics. They take you aback. They disarm you. They get away with it because you are stunned, feeling like you just got sucker punched.
Malignant narcissists invest so much energy in the false image of themselves that they possess a sense of personal entitlement. They expect others to cater to their every whim, to notice anything new about them, to anticipate their every single need, and respond according to how they want them to respond. They get so caught up in their own universe that they have no time for the feelings and wants of others. Others are seen only as objects and when they outgrow their use or refuse to bow to the narcissist's needs, they are discarded like garbage.
Do you know of anyone who meets these characteristics? I do. I try to avoid them.
But there is a narcissism that is malignant - the way narcissists malign others. They deliberately improve their own image at the expense of someone else. They use backward reactions to things especially shock tactics. They take you aback. They disarm you. They get away with it because you are stunned, feeling like you just got sucker punched.
Malignant narcissists invest so much energy in the false image of themselves that they possess a sense of personal entitlement. They expect others to cater to their every whim, to notice anything new about them, to anticipate their every single need, and respond according to how they want them to respond. They get so caught up in their own universe that they have no time for the feelings and wants of others. Others are seen only as objects and when they outgrow their use or refuse to bow to the narcissist's needs, they are discarded like garbage.
To be diagnosed with Malignant Narcissistic Personality Disorder, five or more of the following characteristics must be present:
1. An exaggerated sense of self-importance, with little actual achievements.
2. Fantasizes about unlimited power, success, intelligence, and beauty.
3. Believes that s/he is "special" and attempts to associate only with those who the sufferer perceives are "like" them or will "appreciate" their talent.
4. Needs excessive admiration.
5. Expects especially favorable treatment by others or automatic agreement by others.
6. Exploits other people for their own advancement.
7. Cannot empathize with others.
8. Is envious of others but also believes others are envious of them.
9. Exhibits arrogant behaviors.
Do you know of anyone who meets these characteristics? I do. I try to avoid them.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Groupie?????
I had something happen to me a wee over a month ago that was actually funny. I got 'called' a groupie. Here's the story:
My daughter took me shopping to pick up a few things I needed before her wedding. We walked into a mall that I rarely enter because it is just way too large, things are priced way too high, and busloads of people go to that mall making it full of people who clog it up and make it impossible to shop. I much prefer the smaller mall. You can get in, get what you want, and get out (my kind of shopping).
Back to the story: as soon as we walked into JC Penney's, we ran into someone who lives not a half mile away who has a blog that generates a lot of traffic. Now we have not actually met in person although I know of her. I had kept up with her blog because I thought she was a riot and her depiction of family life was kinda what I grew up in (large family and chaos all the time) and had actually posted a few times on her blog and had sent her foot health care tips when she had posted about problems she or one of her kids had although none of my posts every showed up.
So, daughter and I ran into her. She asked if we knew each other and I said well, I read your blog, live in your neighborhood, yada yada and introduced myself and my daughter. We small chit chatted and said we had to go because we were on a time schedule because daughter was getting married.
Well, I became a post on her blog. This is what she had to say:
Not a problem except how she handled the blog replies. I posted a reply on her blog reminding her who I was, etc. Her blog replies need approval before showing up. Mine never showed up. Instead all replies were all about her or me:
Just to set the record straight to the blog posters on her blog: "Meeting her did not make my day! I had a whole lot of other things in my life that were way more important than meeting her!"
"I did not call anyone to tell them guess who I met! Sorry to burst your bubble but I didn't call a single soul. Again, I had more important things on my plate a week before my daughter's wedding than thinking of her!"
So you might ask, if I was not bothered about it, why bring it up a month later? Well, I was going through my saved sites and ran across the link to her blog. I remembered how much it had pissed me off at the time. I found it still did after a month so I deleted the link. I will never read it again. I will never say anything to her again in public. I went through another author's narcissistic attitude and refuse to put up with another's. Thank goodness I do have author friends who are not like that (thanks cagers for reaffirming my belief and restoring my belief that authors are not narcissistic).
So am I groupie? Ah, nope....never!
My daughter took me shopping to pick up a few things I needed before her wedding. We walked into a mall that I rarely enter because it is just way too large, things are priced way too high, and busloads of people go to that mall making it full of people who clog it up and make it impossible to shop. I much prefer the smaller mall. You can get in, get what you want, and get out (my kind of shopping).
Back to the story: as soon as we walked into JC Penney's, we ran into someone who lives not a half mile away who has a blog that generates a lot of traffic. Now we have not actually met in person although I know of her. I had kept up with her blog because I thought she was a riot and her depiction of family life was kinda what I grew up in (large family and chaos all the time) and had actually posted a few times on her blog and had sent her foot health care tips when she had posted about problems she or one of her kids had although none of my posts every showed up.
So, daughter and I ran into her. She asked if we knew each other and I said well, I read your blog, live in your neighborhood, yada yada and introduced myself and my daughter. We small chit chatted and said we had to go because we were on a time schedule because daughter was getting married.
Well, I became a post on her blog. This is what she had to say:
This woman said, "I read your blog!"
Can you believe it? I was just recognized on the street (or in the young girls' clothing department at JCPenneys)! She introduced herself to me, but I'm such a dork and was so excited about being recognized that I forgot her name! Ugh, I could pick her out in a line-up, but I can't for the life of me remember her name. Anyway, she had her lovely daughter with her and told me that she was getting married next week. The daughter. Not her. I believe I said something profound like, "Are you excited?" Well DUH! Of course she's excited! Is anyone NOT excited a week before their wedding?
Not a problem except how she handled the blog replies. I posted a reply on her blog reminding her who I was, etc. Her blog replies need approval before showing up. Mine never showed up. Instead all replies were all about her or me:
But what an excitement to be recognized! You're really famous now. :)
you are FAMOUS now people everywhere will recognise you.Get used to it !! Just wait for the day when you are A GUEST on Oprah and not in the studio audience!!
Yay! you got recognized!
Congrats on being recognized! Get ready for it to happen again! Just make sure you walk by a mirror before leaving the house.
Congrats on being spotted. You are now an official celebrity!
How cool is it that you're recognizable on the street, or rather, at the mall.
Face it ***, you're FAMOUS!!
You know you are famous when people stop you like that, lol!
The fan recognizing you made YOUR day..........I bet it made HER day as well! She probably called all of her friends immediately "guess who I met ...."
Congratulations on being recognized!
I will be very worried the day someone recognises me from my blog!!!
You're a bona fide celebrity!
Cool that you were recognized.
Just to set the record straight to the blog posters on her blog: "Meeting her did not make my day! I had a whole lot of other things in my life that were way more important than meeting her!"
"I did not call anyone to tell them guess who I met! Sorry to burst your bubble but I didn't call a single soul. Again, I had more important things on my plate a week before my daughter's wedding than thinking of her!"
So you might ask, if I was not bothered about it, why bring it up a month later? Well, I was going through my saved sites and ran across the link to her blog. I remembered how much it had pissed me off at the time. I found it still did after a month so I deleted the link. I will never read it again. I will never say anything to her again in public. I went through another author's narcissistic attitude and refuse to put up with another's. Thank goodness I do have author friends who are not like that (thanks cagers for reaffirming my belief and restoring my belief that authors are not narcissistic).
So am I groupie? Ah, nope....never!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Happy Memorial Day!
I stand and salute you who have given me freedom but especially my father in law who was a part of Normandy Beach and marched with General Patton in World War II, my father who was in the Korean War, a lot of my high school classmates who were in the Vietnam War, a friend's son who was in Desert Storm, a lot of my daughter's and son's friends who are in our current war, and the 5 boys who are currently still stationed in Iran and who re-upped because they believe in what they are doing.
A heartfelt THANKS from the bottom of my heart! I wish you a safe return and another care package is on its way!
How did you find me?
It has always amazed me how many people visit my blog and how they got here. I put in a sitemeter which records who visits my blog and where they came from. I am sitting here looking at a stack of work to do (yes even on Memorial Day). You can see how interested in that stack I am.
Instead I am distracted by these interesting stats:
I have had 6404 visitors since I opened this blog with an average of 33 per day and visit length average of 57 seconds. I have had 234 this past week alone. Interestingly enough, out of those 6404 visitors I have had people look at 8393 pages with an average 1.2 minutes spent. (shudder...now I sound like a teacher)
Visits here are not limited to the good ole' US, but represent the United Kingdom, Canada, Thailand, Italy, Belgium, Pakistan, Netherlands, Austria, Africa, France, Germany, Switzerland, China, Japan, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Israel, Turkey, India, Mexico, and someplace my geography teacher never taught me where it was: 3% came from Unknown. (always nice to learn new places).
What I found more interesting was how they got here. A few are friends who come direct. But most come from a search engine. Now here's the interesting part.....the words they used to find me (no it wasn't always the word sex).
- exercise cartoon (relates to my Jan 8, 2008 post and yeah can you believe exercise and my name are attached although I am now in physical therapy 3 times a week)
- dirtiest place (relates to my posts on the top ten dirtiest places which no one liked but gets the 1st highest hits along with the restroom sign I used to start the posts. Those posts also pulled in every single unknown which is a riot or at least funny to me - dirtiest place = unknown). Ok I know I am weird.
- syndesmosis screw removal break (relates to my ankle sprain 8-15-07 thanks to Philly's sidewalks)
- do they put casts on high ankle sprains that won't heal? (um cuz they could heal and you wouldn't need surgery which messes up your life for months)
- christian prayer beads stores (thank goodness some part of my blog pulls in Christians)
- esterházy cake (which I have no idea what it tastes like but M pronounces it the best he ever had at Cafe Mozart, Vienna which makes me wonder if it is a cake).
- doodling and what it means (which interested me after I took that handwriting course and to date, everyone's handwriting I have analyzed has been right on! These posts had the 2nd highest hits).
- wheelchair life (which sucked a big one)
- and the funniest one? sex in a wheelchair. I actually could find no reference to where I said that. Might be an interesting position to submit to Kama Sutra or the Joy of Sex. Hmm....sounds better practicing that than working on this pile....
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Don't Mess with Karmic Law
Karmic law states that whatever one does returns thricefold. My grandmother warned my mother. My mother warned me. I warned my children. I don't think my sister warned her daughter. Her's my innocent angelic looking grand-niece.
According to her mom, she was sent to her room to take a nap because she had been throwing things. The road in front of their house was under construction. This innocent angel decided that she didn't want to be in her room but outside playing. So she started yelling out the window and garnered the attention of everyone outside. She had her face planted against her screen, yelling: "Workers.....Boys.....Men....help me! My mommy locked me in my room!" She would then start fake crying which according to my niece, she has perfected very well. My niece thought it was the most embarrassing thing that had ever happened. I say.....just wait because I can tell quite a few stories about you!
Yes, this is the same flowergirl who nose dived off the trampoline onto the concrete at my house. Here's a pic of her black eye and face.
According to her mom, she was sent to her room to take a nap because she had been throwing things. The road in front of their house was under construction. This innocent angel decided that she didn't want to be in her room but outside playing. So she started yelling out the window and garnered the attention of everyone outside. She had her face planted against her screen, yelling: "Workers.....Boys.....Men....help me! My mommy locked me in my room!" She would then start fake crying which according to my niece, she has perfected very well. My niece thought it was the most embarrassing thing that had ever happened. I say.....just wait because I can tell quite a few stories about you!
Yes, this is the same flowergirl who nose dived off the trampoline onto the concrete at my house. Here's a pic of her black eye and face.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
This post is dedicated to people who are not like me
...who definitely need these pills. I like who I am. I worked hard to become who I am. Besides, I never repeat the phrase "Ya think?!" I am more of a "Duh!" Besides, I am not sarcastic. I speak the truth. Can't help how others interpret it.
Disclaimer: I received this in email.
ps if you click on the image it enlarges so you can read it.
Disclaimer: I received this in email.
ps if you click on the image it enlarges so you can read it.
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Perfect? Setting
There are times in one's life where life accidently throws you a perfect setting.
Imagine this:
Electricity goes out.
Candles get lit.
No one home but you and your lover, your husband of almost 29 years.
It's almost bedtime.
The CD player (using batteries) begins playing soft Italian love songs.
So to a woman that is the perfect setting, one that the couple has had little of in the past few weeks.
Let's listen in on the conversation:
Man: "There is nothing to do".
Woman: "Well, there is no one home. Candles are lit. I hear romantic music. I can think of a lot of things to do".
Man: "I am missing the Boston Legal".
Woman: "You can't think of anything else to do?"
While woman is waiting for the answer, the next thing she hears is:
Nope, not the whisper of sweet nothings in her ear.
Nope, not the pitter of feet coming to softly envelope her and hold her and lead her to the bedroom.
She hears snoring.
Yep, snoring. And men wonder why women read romance books.
(yes true story)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Happy Hump Day
I don't know about any of you but I sure could take my coffee like that.
My week so far:
1. Had a long phone call with client yesterday. Nothing solved. Frustration levels at an all time high.
2. Worked
3. Picked up kids from airport coming in from their honeymoon. They were nicely tanned and burnt and tired of being rerouted around the storms we had here. I was tired of waiting on them. I knew I should never ever believe what the airlines tell you - that their plane is on time. I knew better. But I was there waiting on them.
4. As soon as we walked back into house, the power went out. Storms had passed but does that mean anything to this area? Nope. Power goes out for no reason. I called ComEd and the message was our power was due back on by 11PM. 11PM came and went so I called again. Trucks are being dispatched. There is no restoration time until the trucks determine the problem.' Ok...what were they doing from 8PM to 11PM? Twiddlin' their thumbs? Were they able to flush a toilet? Run water? I sure wasn't able to. ComEd wanted to know if I wanted a return call when power was restored. Now why would I want a phone call to tell me my power was back on when I could tell if it was? Totally worthless message that I had to push one to get in English. Power finally came back on this morning. We had to run the generator all night for the sump pump.
5. Contractors were due here at 9am. Now with #4 above, I was up and down most of the night (hubs thinks that if he has to get up we all have to get up). Contractors have their own clock. No clue what their time zone is but late. They just arrived and it's 11:30am. No apology. When questioned as to why they weren't on time, their response was they had an emergency call. Ok, did you not have a phone to call me? Again, common courtesy is not in the vocabulary of a contractor. At least he pulled up his pants today. There is nothing sexy about seeing pants below a huge belly and cracks showing, especially after very little sleep.
6. Just found out daughter and son-in-law sent me Harry & David's chocolate covered strawberries last Thursday for Mother's Day. Never got them. The UPS guy must have been hungry or he needed a present for his mother.
7. My granddoggies went back home with their parents. I miss them and their snot spraying snorts!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
I don't know about all of you, but I am planning a slow lazy day. I couldn't sleep in because we had the grand doggies - they are like kids - they eat and pee and poop on a schedule regardless of whether or not it is Mother's Day! Besides Bella had to get her medicine. She is doing better and not limping but we also have not allowed her to do much. She is lapping up the attention though and is getting a bit too used to us carrying her up and down the stairs. She waits now at either the top or bottom and barks until we carry her down. I think we might have to break her of that habit before Tues and the kids come home.
Other than that, hubs, son and I plan on meeting my one sister and her husband and their 3 boys and my parents for a late lunch/early dinner at a German restaurant we all love. They have the best Jagerschnitzel I have ever tasted. Jagerschnitzel is Wiener Schnitzel with this sensational mushroom sauce and spaetzle. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.
Wishing you have a nice and lazy Mother's Day!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Don't Break My Puppies
Ok last thing daughter and son-in-law said to me when I picked up my granddoggies Monday evening was: "Don't break my puppies!"
Well, I didn't exactly break them. I mean how can I help it if one of them always seems to have something go wrong after they have been here? Can I help it if they run around and play and tear their ACL (each one has) or get kidney stones or get diarrhea from pizza? Or they think it's fun to play with skunks?
So after a $250.00 vet bill today, Bella (the bottom one) has tendinitis of the left knee with a possible ACL tear. The vet suggested Rimadyl. I said are you kidding me? Drugs and this dog don't mix. She needs tranquilizers. She doesn't understand that she is a bulldog and isn't supposed to jump onto beds and furniture or catch frisbees in the air or rest for one minute. Now Brittany (the top one) needs the Rimadyl to wake up and move. I call her Pokey. It's an hour project to wake her up in the morning, get her downstairs, out the door to potty, eat breakfast, then poop. That pretty well tuckers her out for another 4-5 hours.
Oh did I mention that Bella and Brittany found a few baby skunks to play with the last time they were here? Eau de skunk is not aromatic. Bathing them in tomato juice is not fun, especially in cold weather using cold water. For that one, I claimed pain in my foot and got hubs to do them. I made him bathe in tomato juice after cuz he stunk too.
So here's hoping Bella isn't limping next Tuesday and the drugs work to keep her down otherwise I broke one of the puppies to the tune of $2000 for ACL surgery.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
4 days post wedding and certifiable
I really really thought my life would slow down with all the wedding stuff out of the way. Someone somewhere has something else in mind. It's been insane. My days are actually longer than during wedding prep. Work has been insane with almost every patient he sees wants surgery and yesterday. Everyone I think he talked to about surgery in the past 5 years and didn't before now, now wants it done.
On top of that, he is on ER call this week. We got our first call at noon. Lawnmower vs foot. Lawnmower won. He's in surgery with the illegal with no insurance as we speak. Patients moved so now we are working to 10 tonight again.
Oh and cooktop still not installed. Delayed to Friday now.
I really believe parents of the bride deserve a vacation after just like the bride and groom get a honeymoon.
I know I need one.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Wedding Day and Day After
OMG....I thought when hubs and I got married the day went like a blur....it was much the same for yesterday. The day started at 5am when daughter woke me up to see if I had any pads or tampons which of course I didn't since she had moved out 3 years ago, so I got up and ran to the grocery store for her. (This is a family tradition though. I think we all got our periods on our wedding day). Came back and her and I snuggled with the doggies for another hour. Then I got up and made coffee and breakfast for all while daughter got the bridesmaids up to get them all through the showers. So it was pretty chaotic until the limo arrived and took the girls for updos and makeup at the salon my daughter goes to. I loaded the dishwasher and cleaned up and made beds, then jumped in the shower myself. The makeup artist came to the hotel the wedding party stayed at and I had her do her magic on my tired droopy face and baggy sleep deprived eyes and had one of my sisters' makeup done too using the airbrush which was pretty amazing. The makeup does not run or rub off so one can cry or get hugged all they want and your makeup is as fresh as when she put it on. Then I drove home and did my own hair (I have never liked anyone else doing my hair), came downstairs and got lunch started for the bridesmaids and daughter then helped get daughter ready (I ordered Jimmy John sandwiches and put out the veggie tray and fruit tray and a cheese and cracker tray I made up yesterday).
The bridesmaids ate then it was a flurry of getting into their dresses since the photographers and videographers arrived. They started by taking pictures of the house. I got dressed and then we all went up to daughter's bedroom and maid of honor (honorary 2nd daughter who lived with us for a year) and I laced daughter into her dress (the entire back is all criss cross lacing). I think the photographer was there but honestly I was into the job at hand and zoned everything else out.
Photographs were finished. We couldn't do any outside ones because it had started drizzling. I had thought it was going to be a nice spring sunshine day since at 6am it was like that but alas, it didn't stay and soon clouded over. Typical Chicago weather! The wedding bus arrived and took the bridesmaids to the church. We soon followed with the stuff for the church. It was a flurry then of helping daughter go to the bathroom and change, getting the programs out, flowers on the groomsmen and groom and ushers and ring bearers, getting the flower girl baskets out and soon we were lining up to go in.
I had a pocket put on all the bridemaid flowers in the back for kleenexes so the maid of honor doled out neatly folded kleenexes for all. I only lost it a few times - first was when my daughter presented me with a 'mother's hankie' at the house, then watching her come down the aisle, then hearing her say her vows, then during the unity candle lighting when the soloist sang "The Wedding Song" which was played at hubs and my wedding, and the groom's parent's wedding. I had figured something special was going to happen because daughter wouldn't tell me the song they had picked out nor let me help put together the church programs (I just helped scrapbook the back 2 layers and she did the top with the actual program). Then the kids fake left through a bubble shower then came back in for formal pictures in the church.
The bridal party then loaded the now party bus (I loaded it with Banfi champagne) and left. My nieces and nephews and family helped me clean the church and gather things together and the altar flowers which we were using for the reception. We went home, pottied and fed all 4 doggies, exchanged the church box for the reception box and took off for the reception.
At the reception, we supervised what was going where then helped with the set up of the old fashioned photo booth. Instead of doing a regular guest book or taking so called table shots where there is always one or 2 tables left out or people missing, daughter decided to have a photo booth. We had things set up so that when people arrived, they hit the photo booth first, then the receiving line which only had parents and the bride and groom, then they were given a glass of Banfi champagne with a strawberry. They could then either look at the scrapbooks daughter put together or drink and/or mingle. The owners are personal friends of ours (gosh I think we have known them for at least 25 years) and were invited guests. Open bar was not to begin until 6:30p for the guests but the owner had taken the liberty of doing a few things for us - the bridal party including parents had their own personal bartender so we could start drinking at 5p, and instead of the 3 appetizers served butler style (Bruschetta, BBQ meatballs, and Parmesan Crusted Artichoke Hearts), they added fresh shrimp, prosciutto and melon skewer wraps, quiche lorraine, mini crab cakes, and beef wellington.
Once the receiving line was done, we lined up for the bridal party announcements. The parents and bridal party came in through the reception doors but daughter and son-in-law came down the staircase from the bridal suite which comes straight into the ballroom. They immediately went and cut the cake which was then removed for cutting and to be served with ice cream sundae later. The maid of honor gave her toast (another set of teary eyes for me), the best man gave his toast, hubs gave his toast (another teary eye moment), then my father did the grace and ended it with a traditional family ending: Who eats the fastest gets the mostest.....Let's party!
Let's see, the 1st course was cream of chicken rice soup, followed by an Italian mixed green salad. The next course was dramatic - all the waiters/waitresses coming to the center and lining up the length of the marble dance floor which was down the entire center of the rooms with silver tureens of the pasta course. Each table had their own tureen which was then ladled into pasta bowls for each person - we had penne pasta in a vodka creme sauce. Then dinner was served. Each plate had a 6 oz filet along with chicken vesuvio, vesuvio potatoes, and green beans. Of course we had an assortment of Italian breads along with olive oil, balsalmic vinger, and fresh grated parmesan chese on each table and butter. Dessert was ice cream topped with hot fudge and a slice of wedding cake.
That done, the dancing started with their first dance followed by the daddy/daughter dance ("I loved her first" by Heartland) which brought more tears. I was standing with the bridesmaids at that time so we all had tissues out and were waving to the music and seranading them. The groom and his mother then danced and they danced to "Have I told you lately I loved you" by Van Morrison. It was really a blur after that as hubs and I personally went to every table and thanked them for coming. We only had 2 major dramas happen - the first one was one of the bridesmaids was dumped by her boyfriend at the wedding because she hugged a friend who just became a father and BF went into a jealous rage and what's even stranger is this bridesmaid and this guy she hugged never dated or anything so she was pretty teary. The other drama came when my son happened to find out the other wedding reception next to us was people we knew, so he came and asked me if they could come over and I said sure. Most of the kids were his age (24/25) so all legal to drink and son even took them all up to see daughter and groom who also knew them. The best man and one of groom's sisters kicked the kids out which with alcohol was not a good thing. I saw the whole thing erupt and went over and gave both kids a dressing down with hands on my hips and then when the groom's sister tried to say more, I flat out told her to shut the 'insert you know the word' up and either behave or she would have to leave, that this was not her wedding nor was she paying for it and therefore I was the hostess of the party and had full rights to say who stayed and who went and if she didn't like it she could leave. She shut up and went over and pouted. The kids stayed and had a great time.
Reception was over at 12:30am then it took a few of us another 30 or more to gather things and load the car. I think I got to bed around 2'ish and was back up at 7 to make breakfast. Most of my family stayed at the hotel so they all were supposed to come over to see the house remodeling we had done and have lunch. I didn't hear the doorbell since I was in the backyard so totally missed seeing them. It's pretty quiet now. Everyone is gone. House is back to order. Kids leave Tuesday for their honeymoon.
Here are a few pictures I got or my brother took with my camera:
Daughter at house in our living room:
Mother of groom and I lighting our family candles for the kids to use to light their unity candle.
The ring bearers who actually made it down the aisle today:
The flower girls - the one in front is yelling for Mimi (my sister) - she couldn't see her. The others dropped petals all the way down then the littlest grandniece got to the front and dumped the rest of the petals out of her basket at the front - she is the one who dived headfirst off the trampoline.
Daughter and hubs:
The happy couple leaving and married:
The stairway they came down in the reception:
The cake cutting:
The head table during setup:
Each table setup decor (of course all 4 voltive candles were lit during the reception). Each napkin had 2 Andres mints on them wrapped with a saying: Mint to Be - 'daughter and son's names' 5-3-08.
Daddy/daughter dance (you can see the laceup back here):
I actually have no other pics. I was so busy visiting that my camera stayed at my table and I didn't pick it up the rest of the night. I had not one drink the entire night nor one pain pill although I was on anti-inflammatory and had to change to my tie shoes at the reception. Hubs and son however were bombed so I at least got them to load the car. I drove home and got them to unload the stuff then sent them to bed. I know the bartender was kept busy making drinks called 'Mind Eraser' and Kamikazes' or something similar. We had already arranged hotel shuttles for any drinker.
I was asked what was the most fun part of the day.....that's a hard one. Probably just that it is over and I have a newly redecorated gorgeous house which is very clean right now and very very very quiet.
The bridesmaids ate then it was a flurry of getting into their dresses since the photographers and videographers arrived. They started by taking pictures of the house. I got dressed and then we all went up to daughter's bedroom and maid of honor (honorary 2nd daughter who lived with us for a year) and I laced daughter into her dress (the entire back is all criss cross lacing). I think the photographer was there but honestly I was into the job at hand and zoned everything else out.
Photographs were finished. We couldn't do any outside ones because it had started drizzling. I had thought it was going to be a nice spring sunshine day since at 6am it was like that but alas, it didn't stay and soon clouded over. Typical Chicago weather! The wedding bus arrived and took the bridesmaids to the church. We soon followed with the stuff for the church. It was a flurry then of helping daughter go to the bathroom and change, getting the programs out, flowers on the groomsmen and groom and ushers and ring bearers, getting the flower girl baskets out and soon we were lining up to go in.
I had a pocket put on all the bridemaid flowers in the back for kleenexes so the maid of honor doled out neatly folded kleenexes for all. I only lost it a few times - first was when my daughter presented me with a 'mother's hankie' at the house, then watching her come down the aisle, then hearing her say her vows, then during the unity candle lighting when the soloist sang "The Wedding Song" which was played at hubs and my wedding, and the groom's parent's wedding. I had figured something special was going to happen because daughter wouldn't tell me the song they had picked out nor let me help put together the church programs (I just helped scrapbook the back 2 layers and she did the top with the actual program). Then the kids fake left through a bubble shower then came back in for formal pictures in the church.
The bridal party then loaded the now party bus (I loaded it with Banfi champagne) and left. My nieces and nephews and family helped me clean the church and gather things together and the altar flowers which we were using for the reception. We went home, pottied and fed all 4 doggies, exchanged the church box for the reception box and took off for the reception.
At the reception, we supervised what was going where then helped with the set up of the old fashioned photo booth. Instead of doing a regular guest book or taking so called table shots where there is always one or 2 tables left out or people missing, daughter decided to have a photo booth. We had things set up so that when people arrived, they hit the photo booth first, then the receiving line which only had parents and the bride and groom, then they were given a glass of Banfi champagne with a strawberry. They could then either look at the scrapbooks daughter put together or drink and/or mingle. The owners are personal friends of ours (gosh I think we have known them for at least 25 years) and were invited guests. Open bar was not to begin until 6:30p for the guests but the owner had taken the liberty of doing a few things for us - the bridal party including parents had their own personal bartender so we could start drinking at 5p, and instead of the 3 appetizers served butler style (Bruschetta, BBQ meatballs, and Parmesan Crusted Artichoke Hearts), they added fresh shrimp, prosciutto and melon skewer wraps, quiche lorraine, mini crab cakes, and beef wellington.
Once the receiving line was done, we lined up for the bridal party announcements. The parents and bridal party came in through the reception doors but daughter and son-in-law came down the staircase from the bridal suite which comes straight into the ballroom. They immediately went and cut the cake which was then removed for cutting and to be served with ice cream sundae later. The maid of honor gave her toast (another set of teary eyes for me), the best man gave his toast, hubs gave his toast (another teary eye moment), then my father did the grace and ended it with a traditional family ending: Who eats the fastest gets the mostest.....Let's party!
Let's see, the 1st course was cream of chicken rice soup, followed by an Italian mixed green salad. The next course was dramatic - all the waiters/waitresses coming to the center and lining up the length of the marble dance floor which was down the entire center of the rooms with silver tureens of the pasta course. Each table had their own tureen which was then ladled into pasta bowls for each person - we had penne pasta in a vodka creme sauce. Then dinner was served. Each plate had a 6 oz filet along with chicken vesuvio, vesuvio potatoes, and green beans. Of course we had an assortment of Italian breads along with olive oil, balsalmic vinger, and fresh grated parmesan chese on each table and butter. Dessert was ice cream topped with hot fudge and a slice of wedding cake.
That done, the dancing started with their first dance followed by the daddy/daughter dance ("I loved her first" by Heartland) which brought more tears. I was standing with the bridesmaids at that time so we all had tissues out and were waving to the music and seranading them. The groom and his mother then danced and they danced to "Have I told you lately I loved you" by Van Morrison. It was really a blur after that as hubs and I personally went to every table and thanked them for coming. We only had 2 major dramas happen - the first one was one of the bridesmaids was dumped by her boyfriend at the wedding because she hugged a friend who just became a father and BF went into a jealous rage and what's even stranger is this bridesmaid and this guy she hugged never dated or anything so she was pretty teary. The other drama came when my son happened to find out the other wedding reception next to us was people we knew, so he came and asked me if they could come over and I said sure. Most of the kids were his age (24/25) so all legal to drink and son even took them all up to see daughter and groom who also knew them. The best man and one of groom's sisters kicked the kids out which with alcohol was not a good thing. I saw the whole thing erupt and went over and gave both kids a dressing down with hands on my hips and then when the groom's sister tried to say more, I flat out told her to shut the 'insert you know the word' up and either behave or she would have to leave, that this was not her wedding nor was she paying for it and therefore I was the hostess of the party and had full rights to say who stayed and who went and if she didn't like it she could leave. She shut up and went over and pouted. The kids stayed and had a great time.
Reception was over at 12:30am then it took a few of us another 30 or more to gather things and load the car. I think I got to bed around 2'ish and was back up at 7 to make breakfast. Most of my family stayed at the hotel so they all were supposed to come over to see the house remodeling we had done and have lunch. I didn't hear the doorbell since I was in the backyard so totally missed seeing them. It's pretty quiet now. Everyone is gone. House is back to order. Kids leave Tuesday for their honeymoon.
Here are a few pictures I got or my brother took with my camera:
Daughter at house in our living room:
Mother of groom and I lighting our family candles for the kids to use to light their unity candle.
The ring bearers who actually made it down the aisle today:
The flower girls - the one in front is yelling for Mimi (my sister) - she couldn't see her. The others dropped petals all the way down then the littlest grandniece got to the front and dumped the rest of the petals out of her basket at the front - she is the one who dived headfirst off the trampoline.
Daughter and hubs:
The happy couple leaving and married:
The stairway they came down in the reception:
The cake cutting:
The head table during setup:
Each table setup decor (of course all 4 voltive candles were lit during the reception). Each napkin had 2 Andres mints on them wrapped with a saying: Mint to Be - 'daughter and son's names' 5-3-08.
Daddy/daughter dance (you can see the laceup back here):
I actually have no other pics. I was so busy visiting that my camera stayed at my table and I didn't pick it up the rest of the night. I had not one drink the entire night nor one pain pill although I was on anti-inflammatory and had to change to my tie shoes at the reception. Hubs and son however were bombed so I at least got them to load the car. I drove home and got them to unload the stuff then sent them to bed. I know the bartender was kept busy making drinks called 'Mind Eraser' and Kamikazes' or something similar. We had already arranged hotel shuttles for any drinker.
I was asked what was the most fun part of the day.....that's a hard one. Probably just that it is over and I have a newly redecorated gorgeous house which is very clean right now and very very very quiet.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Countdown - 1 day - Certifiable Insane
I have not had time to post at all. My days start at 6am and end around 2am.
The granite counter tops were installed on Monday. They came back Wednesday and installed the back splashes during the time I had my doctor appointment for my foot and yes, another dentist appointment. They were pretty well done by the time I had gotten back home. So I signed off on things and shipped them off. The house cleaner had come and I had her do the upstairs first since I had to wait for the contractor to come and install the 2 sinks and cook top on Thursday.
I had little respect for a contractor and I have to say I have even less now. What is so danged difficult about calling someone and letting them know that instead of being there at 8am as promised, they wouldn't arrive until 1pm? Simple courtesy I would think. Nope! Not much faith in the granite guys either who took all the parts to my new sink with them. I can't even begin to count the number of times we have been to Home Depot.
So contractor finally arrives at 1pm today. He had 3 things to do: install the new faucet to the kitchen sink, install the faucet to the bathroom sink, and install the cook top. He gave me an estimate completely being told the parts and looking at the job and said he would be done under 4 hours. I said fine and scheduled him. He left at 5pm sharp with only the kitchen sink done. I threw a hissy fit a few times over plus and he agreed to come back tomorrow at 8am SHARP to put the bathroom faucet in. I really give 2 cents **insert other s word** that the cook top gets installed before next Wednesday but I need water in sinks especially a bathroom. Priority there.
So house cleaner did the upstairs and all rooms downstairs between Wednesday and Thursday except the kitchen, breakfast room (where all the kitchen stuff is), the laundry room, and the downstairs bathroom. She will finish tomorrow am.
Dresses picked up (daughter's and mine) and son's and hubs' tux picked up. Reception things dropped off along with final payment. Florist final payment dropped off. Wedding flowers had just come in and were absolutely gorgeous. We ended up with the hydrangeas from South Africa and the peonies from Holland.
People started arriving today. Now mind you I still have my breakfast room filled with things from under the kitchen sink and cook top and everything that goes on the counter tops, along with all the kitchen drawers. Folded towels and sheets and blankets and comforters and curtains were on the chairs. In other words, not company ready. First was my oldest niece who came with one of the flower girls (S who will be 3 in June) and her 6 month old son, L. She was a huge help and helped my daughter make the beds. After they finished, they decided to take S and L outside to play a bit and potty the dogs. S decided to jump on the trampoline and knew how to get on a big one. We had put said trampoline on the concrete patio when the landscapers had come to mow the grass and do the spring cleanup this week. We had yet to move it back. Well, S started jumping and I had been hanging curtains and saw no one around watching her and then as I got to the french door that goes to the patio to holler at the girls and S to get down from the trampoline, S jumped off the trampoline and dived head first onto the concrete. Niece spent the next 4 hours at the ER. No broken bones, no blood, and she never passed out and could say her abc's and talk normally after but she will be sporting a shiner and black and blue side of her face. Daughter who is also pms'ing lost it and started hysterically crying. I checked S out while niece held L and daughter, then I said we better take her to the ER just in case although I don't think she broke anything and her neurological signs were all ok.
Husband, on the other hand, had one of our favorite patients (she better be reading this when she gets out of the hospital) admitted to the hospital. He ended up taking her to surgery at 6pm tonight. He missed all the commotion. He came home and asked how things were coming. I said fine...just peachy.
I think I could drink. Hope daughter left me some Valium. And she says she is never giving me grandchildren.
The granite counter tops were installed on Monday. They came back Wednesday and installed the back splashes during the time I had my doctor appointment for my foot and yes, another dentist appointment. They were pretty well done by the time I had gotten back home. So I signed off on things and shipped them off. The house cleaner had come and I had her do the upstairs first since I had to wait for the contractor to come and install the 2 sinks and cook top on Thursday.
I had little respect for a contractor and I have to say I have even less now. What is so danged difficult about calling someone and letting them know that instead of being there at 8am as promised, they wouldn't arrive until 1pm? Simple courtesy I would think. Nope! Not much faith in the granite guys either who took all the parts to my new sink with them. I can't even begin to count the number of times we have been to Home Depot.
So contractor finally arrives at 1pm today. He had 3 things to do: install the new faucet to the kitchen sink, install the faucet to the bathroom sink, and install the cook top. He gave me an estimate completely being told the parts and looking at the job and said he would be done under 4 hours. I said fine and scheduled him. He left at 5pm sharp with only the kitchen sink done. I threw a hissy fit a few times over plus and he agreed to come back tomorrow at 8am SHARP to put the bathroom faucet in. I really give 2 cents **insert other s word** that the cook top gets installed before next Wednesday but I need water in sinks especially a bathroom. Priority there.
So house cleaner did the upstairs and all rooms downstairs between Wednesday and Thursday except the kitchen, breakfast room (where all the kitchen stuff is), the laundry room, and the downstairs bathroom. She will finish tomorrow am.
Dresses picked up (daughter's and mine) and son's and hubs' tux picked up. Reception things dropped off along with final payment. Florist final payment dropped off. Wedding flowers had just come in and were absolutely gorgeous. We ended up with the hydrangeas from South Africa and the peonies from Holland.
People started arriving today. Now mind you I still have my breakfast room filled with things from under the kitchen sink and cook top and everything that goes on the counter tops, along with all the kitchen drawers. Folded towels and sheets and blankets and comforters and curtains were on the chairs. In other words, not company ready. First was my oldest niece who came with one of the flower girls (S who will be 3 in June) and her 6 month old son, L. She was a huge help and helped my daughter make the beds. After they finished, they decided to take S and L outside to play a bit and potty the dogs. S decided to jump on the trampoline and knew how to get on a big one. We had put said trampoline on the concrete patio when the landscapers had come to mow the grass and do the spring cleanup this week. We had yet to move it back. Well, S started jumping and I had been hanging curtains and saw no one around watching her and then as I got to the french door that goes to the patio to holler at the girls and S to get down from the trampoline, S jumped off the trampoline and dived head first onto the concrete. Niece spent the next 4 hours at the ER. No broken bones, no blood, and she never passed out and could say her abc's and talk normally after but she will be sporting a shiner and black and blue side of her face. Daughter who is also pms'ing lost it and started hysterically crying. I checked S out while niece held L and daughter, then I said we better take her to the ER just in case although I don't think she broke anything and her neurological signs were all ok.
Husband, on the other hand, had one of our favorite patients (she better be reading this when she gets out of the hospital) admitted to the hospital. He ended up taking her to surgery at 6pm tonight. He missed all the commotion. He came home and asked how things were coming. I said fine...just peachy.
I think I could drink. Hope daughter left me some Valium. And she says she is never giving me grandchildren.
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