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.

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.

Countdown - 4 days and now snow

Yep, this morning it started to snow. SNOW....I know this is Chicago. I know it has snowed all the way to June. But come on now....give me a break here. There's a wedding on Saturday!

So the landscapers couldn't finish their job. At least my other tulips and jonquils and spring bulbs haven't bloomed yet although I don't know if they will now. There is a freeze warning in effect (low 30's by evening). It is currently 36 and snowing. It isn't supposed to stick but will someone please tell me what that white stuff is on my tulips?

Update on the craziness: Counter tops installed this morning. They had their sealant put on so no touching for 24 hours. We are still living in our utility sink and the upstairs master bathroom which is the only place where there is a sink, toilet, and working shower. Hubs is still 'working' on the upstairs bathroom. The toilet tank is still in the middle of the backyard and the toilet is in the bathtub. The new sink and counter top is in my breakfast room along with the new faucet and new lighting fixture. He finally finished son's room and I hung those drapes last night. Then I hung the sheers I had made for my office and the living room windows. I think they might be a bit too sheer but I am so not starting over now. They will do.

So counter top installer went to leave and when departing says, "Missus, see you viernes" and left. I stood there wracking my brain trying to remember my high school Spanish lessons.....when is viernes? Then panic.....it's Friday....OMG no......not Friday! So I race (now remember my racing is akin to a turtle) to the front door thinking I could still catch them before they left.....they were standing on the other side of the door along with my husband and all were laughing. Seems my husband had taken a call while I was at the dentist (I know I just had to add to the stress and schedule another thing to do this week) and they said they were rescheduling the back splashes to be installed Wed am now instead of Tues pm. If something was close, I would not have been responsible. "Judge...your honor sir...in my defense these men teased me and thought it was funny and I was trying to get things ready for a wedding and it's not nice to tease the mother of the bride". I bet I would have gotten off if it was a woman judge!

So right now, carpet cleaners are here. So we take a tour of the carpets to be cleaned with him asking me what each stain was. Ok now who here marks down on a floor print what you or someone else in your house spills? I was like, white and clueless. Treat it for anything and everything and one of them will be right. But next time I will keep that blueprint for you...wait...I am installing hardwood floors within a year. And no, I am not waiting for another wedding or any other occasion to do it. I am just going to do it! Won't you and I be shocked??!!

Countdown - 6 days and regained my sanity

Well, I decided to take it a bit slow today. I started off the day by rearranging the built in bookcases that flank either side of the fireplace. Then went down to the end tables and threw out magazines that were older than 2 months. Then I got ready for daughter's appointment for her final dress fitting. The maid of honor met us there and they both tried on their dresses. Pictures were taken but I am not going to show daughter until after the wedding just in case groom sees this blog.

That done, we set a pickup date of Thursday on both their dresses and mine. We then went to lunch at a favorite soup and salad place. After we finished daughter and I headed to Nordstrom to see if I could find a pair of shoes that not only fit but ones this bum foot could wear. We did find a couple of pairs but settled on this one (nothing much but to someone who has worn oxford tie shoes or sported a cast, it was amazing and on the road to being normal....well ok partly normal at least in shoes).


Daughter took me home then and I wrapped godson's confirmation present then I retrieved my grandfather's rosary and we took off for the service. Godson carried grandpa's rosary and my father was his sponsor so there were 3 generations with him along with his godparents, parents, one brother (other is away at college and couldn't come home), a couple of aunts and cousins. We then all went out to eat.

Got home 2 hours ago and son and hubs are moving son back into his room. My foot was throbbing (another storm coming in, this time with snow) and so I was ordered to sit. I am but I did the quarterly reports so they can be mailed Monday, and played a few games of Word Whomp.

So a nice decompressing day. Only 2 dramas to deal with today and one of all things, about who was saying grace at the reception. I needed today. I think I regained my sanity although not if you ask hubs.

Countdown - 7 days and losing my sanity

I come home from the grocery store this morning only to find hubs beat me home. His first comment to me was: "Honey, you don't have to pick up Gizmo, I brought her home". Me: "What did you just say"? Hubs: "You heard me. She's on the mantle". So I look to the mantle over the fireplace and what do I see but a cat. So I am now thinking what the h did the man do? Get her stuffed?


Then I go for a closer look and the cat opens her eyes and stares at me. I screamed. Yep, one of those blood curdling screams I am sure the whole neighborhood heard.


Turns out it is the last cat we still have, Tigger, who decided it was a nice spot to sleep in to get away from the granddoggies. I calmed down but not for long.

The granite installers came. They wouldn't install until we unhooked the electric cook top and the sink and the garbage disposal. I looked at them like they were nuts...like I know how to do this stuff. So I think they felt sorry for me because I went for the How to do Anything in your House book for Dummies and they unhooked everything for me. I am thinking ok....here we go. Right? That's what a normal person would think, right? But we all know I am not normal.

We built this house in 1986. It still has the original floor, and original cabinets. I paid a hefty price back then to have stuff installed. You would think they would have done it right, correct? No yet again (remember this is me here). I have a 1/2 inch difference in heights of the cabinets. Installers shake their heads and say in broken English, "Sorry, miss, no install. Crooked". Ok here I am thinking you took counter tops off, right? They were on crooked cabinets. What's the big deal?

Well, a big one. One of the guys went to my book and showed me what was wrong then called his boss. I picked up a few words but basically they were saying they were leaving. I said hell no you aren't leaving. I have a wedding. Ok crazed woman went into high gear. I called the granite people and found out I had to now hire a carpenter and until I got the cabinets leveled, I was not getting the counter tops installed. What I said can't be repeated here but suffice to say, installers stuck around and installed the bathroom and short cabinet in the kitchen. They rescheduled me for Monday.

I got on the phone to now find a carpenter. Luckily I opened up the phone book and saw a name I recognized I had patients from and called them. I was crying at this time. I think they felt sorry for me but they had 2 carpenters out here within the hour. They leveled my cabinets. I am now missing a few tiles but was planning on putting in hardwood floors anyway within a year or 2 or 3. Besides, what's a few tiles missing vs missing counter tops?

Hubs came back home. Son had been here throughout the whole afternoon. Hubs asked where the new counter tops were. Son said, "Man, I wouldn't talk to her without giving either her or yourself some Valium. It just isn't safe".

So here's the kitchen. That's hubs' rear in the pic - collecting things that had fallen back behind the old counter tops. Actually he saw a golf ball back there. I wasn't going to find out how it got back there. I didn't want to ask. I didn't want to know.


I also am not going to talk about how a county inspector who comes from downtown Chicago manages to find out we have a huge dumpster in our parkway and walks into my house without knocking and scares the pants off me.

A sane person would be drinking by now. 7 more days to get through. Somehow the song, "They're coming to take you away, haha" is playing in my head.

Countdown - 8 days - starting to ramble

The bride and groom outfit I ordered for dogs came in. They are too little so re-ordered new ones. Hopefully they come in on time. Both dogs are girls but one is larger than the other so she is going to be the boy and wear the tux.

Today we got the final bill so have to get a cashier's check for that but it came in under what we had thought so there is leftover money now for a new laptop for me before Vista is the only OS you can get. I don't want to invest in all new programs yet.

I had payroll to do and it was on the list and did it, but sending it in wasn't on the list. Thankfully it was only the one girl who only works at the one office. She is leaving anyway to visit her grandkids so she said to just bring it in on Monday. Put a reminder on tomorrow's list to send it in for the other girls.

Client office called and are sending a check finally (they are 4 months behind). I started tacking on rebilling charges and sent them a certified letter warning them of work stoppage as of 4-30 unless they catch up. I will believe it when I see the check.

Yesterday had my first dress fitting. It was an interesting. First, they ordered a petite size and yet somehow there was still 4 inches to cut off the hem. I swear they ordered it totally larger than what I needed to make money in the alterations. Oh....and alterations are CASH only! When I met with the alteration people, I understood the cash part. No one spoke English. Cash is under the table. I demanded a receipt. Next fitting next Tuesday.

So since I forgot the payroll, I checked the family calendar and found out I have to add godchild's confirmation to Saturday's schedule. Thank goodness I picked up an extra shirt when daughter and I went shopping (it was a 2 shirts for one sale) so now I will wear one Saturday with the pants, then wear the other for the rehearsal.
My head is still attached but at times feel it is on my ass instead.

Foot still becomes thigh by the end of day but I am getting better walking without looking like I am drunk or limping or looking at the floor. I also started driving either yesterday or a few days ago. Can't remember. I steer clear of rush hour. Please steer clear of me.

One of son's friends fell playing basketball last night and can't walk today. He's at the office right now. But he was supposed to help son and I tomorrow carry things to basement....should say I was to direct them on what is to go down 2 flights of stairs. Trying to get a replacement now. Decided to do a total rearrangement of the furniture in the house.

Painted the futon today on the grass - glossy black. Dogs tried to help and brushed up against it a few times so shall see what daughter has to say about her black striped dogs when she comes to pick them up after work.

Dinner ready to throw on grill (made kabobs). Easy cleanup.

Think one of the dogs is sick. Her farts are killing me and when she gets that bad she has an intestional infection. I am sure daughter is not going to be happy when she comes to pick them up but I am tempting her with leftover stuffed shells I made last night. She might get distracted.

Gave myself a B12 shot. I needed the energy boost.

Countdown - 9 days - Countertops to Bras

I took off work this week and next....well not entirely off. I am not going into the office but I am still doing things at home. And I still have my client work to do.

Yesterday the counter top/back splash measurers came. Not too much drama there...but you all know me and my luck lately....yep no drama until the guy told me that the counter tops will be installed Friday but the back splashes won't be installed until next week, PLUS I will not be able to use my kitchen sink or new cook top until 2 days after the back splashes are installed. So I 'calmly' called the place we are having this done by and 'calmly' informed them where to go. I was so not told about the delay with the installation process. I had planned on having these installed a month ago. They are already over schedule and now adding 4 additional days onto said schedule isn't exactly on my calm list. Now I can be flexible but people, we are running out of time here. You think it's not nice to piss off the bride? Well, try to also not piss off the major coordinator and payor either, especially one whose tolerance levels are slowly disappearing and there isn't a strong enough drug to knock me out or calm me down once I get going....just a word of warning!

So now I had to rearranged meals to either the grill or the oven plus washing dishes in the utility sink were added to the list until I can use my kitchen again....oh and the downstairs bathroom vanity too since I got it to match the counter tops. **sigh**

After the measurers left, daughter and I left and went shopping. I picked up sheers and curtain rods for the living room, office, and upstairs hallway, and room darkening curtains for son's room. Then we stopped at another fav store and picked up something for both of us to wear for the rehearsal and dinner, dress for her and pants and top for me. I continue to be amazed at the sizes I am able to fit into. Size 2 here I come!

From there we went to Target and picked up 2 new wastebaskets for the upstairs bathroom and the downstairs bathroom, 2 kitchen size garbage cans to put the dog food in (each of the dogs has their own food), 2 twin sheet sets in a solid color (all I had for the bunk beds were either pound puppies or hello kitty sheets), and a foam topping for the bunk beds (grownups don't need to sleep on plastic mattresses) and I have 8 bridesmaids staying here the night before the wedding, plus my one sister, my 3 grandnieces, the granddoggies, my one niece's wiener dog, and other niece's yellow lab. Yeah I am nuts!

Our last store was bittersweet. We went for a rite of passage every young girl goes through when they are large enough.... we both got measured for new bras. I remember our 1st trip - daughter was so embarrassed and gosh forbid if anyone touched her or her mother saw her (I had to turn my back yet she didn't realize there were mirrors and could see anyway). We both needed different sizes since we both had lost weight and I wanted my puppies to come back to the area from where they once were. We both had fun and were laughing hysterically by the time we were done. I have always gone for what daughter calls utility style undergarments for everyday life. This time I let her talk me into getting a few lacy thangs and in another color but white or tan. I even got a black and brown lacy one. Maybe I will wear it when I want to get lucky. What was even funnier though was showing hubs what I had gotten when we got home. He took my bra and said holy moly....it's a hat and promptly put it on top of his head. Yes he has a big head. Yes it actually fit said head. Yes he got 'the look' and no he didn't get anything else.