Several weeks ago, the subject of our Sunday Service was the above title. I have struggled with this almost my entire life off and on. I don't often quote bible verses but two really hit home for me. Hebrews 13:2,3 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unaware", "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body".
It doesn't matter if you are 2 or 52, fitting in at any given situation is an important part of life and growing. When I was young many people would call me a "wallflower", Always sitting on the sidelines, observing and waiting for just the right time to get in a conversation. I still seem to put myself in that situation. Never feeling completely comfortable until I try to get to know someone fully. I also tend to keep certain people at arms length so as not to get "hurt". Most of the time my opinions seems to not fit in with the people I am around.
I was taught early on to be my own person something I think only child naturally do anyway. Who else are we going to depend on or be like? To some these may only be excuses but when you are only you have an awful lot of time to reflect on your life accomplishments, expectations and misses in life.
For the past several years I have tried to make-up for not feeling welcome. I have tried new things, made people who have been in the same boat feel that they fit in and important to me. That list is short, unfortunately. By my own choosing? Probably a negative on my part. I have tried many things with a few successes. Is geography part of the problem? Yes, I think so.
I guess some of my point to why I wrote this is, Should I change who I am to make other's happy and fit in? If the cost is not believing I should do that, then NO I have a feeling I may never fit in. Sometimes even the best intentions are not enough. Aiming to please just to fit into the mold others want to have you in probably isn't worth the price I have to pay.
Prison might be the bars we put up to protect ourselves from being hurt and judged accordingly. Fitting in isn't always easy.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Tooth Fairy No Longer Leaves Spare Change--Say It Isn't So
I had a conversation recently with someone who had mentioned that their grandchild had there first experience with the Tooth Fairy. We both brought up stories of our experiences as kids. Both stories were pretty similar.
Mine was unfortunately by accident while playing on the bars at school. The accident didn't knock it out but did loosen it a bit and I ended up going on a trip to the dentist who took it out the rest of the way. That night I remember putting it under my pillow and the next morning I was happy to receive fifty cents. My friends story was similar but her tooth feel out on its own but she also received fifty cents.
Times they have definitely changed. Not long after this conversation, I read an article in our local paper
entitled, "The Price of Tooth Nearing $4, Tooth Fairy No Longer Leaves Spare Change". My first thought was I know the economy and inflation go hand in hand, but really? The first sentence in the article stated, "Days of finding a quarter under your pillow are long gone". Wow, do they really have to be? According to the article kids today are averaging $3.70 per lost tooth, up 23% from 2012. This was according to a survey by Visa, Inc. Ok my first thought was really, Visa the credit card company! Next you will tell me because change is becoming obsolete parents are giving Visa debt cards as payment.
Of course they also have an Tooth Fairy Calculator app that can give parents an idea by age group, income bracket and education level to determine what to give. Really, has it become that hard to decide? I really don't believe our parents spent that much time thinking about the situation. I am sure that they basically saw what small token they could provide. It wasn't necessary back in the day to break the bank and at the age you usually lose teeth I am sure the big topic of conversation of the day wasn't how much we got.
One good point in the article was that this is a good time to bring up if you do decide to rob Ft. Knox for the Tooth Fairy make it an opportunity to discuss smart money habits (save a little spend a little).
Demographics also comes into play with the Tooth Fairy according to the Visa study, Kids in the Northwest average $4.10 per tooth, West and South get $3.70, Midwest kids received $3.30. But, thank goodness there were a third of parents surveyed who said the Tooth Fairy left a dollar or less.
Really good parents also included a kids toothbrush and tooth paste with the money.
I guess what I took away and also shared with my daughter since it will be in her near future to deal with this is: Don't try and keep up with the" Jones" and keep it fun. Don't let the times and inflation make a memorable experience into a big deal.
The other funny thing about this was that someone on my Facebook page posted a cartoon that said something to the effect of what would happen if an elderly person put there dentures underneath their pillow? I'm glad to say I am not in that category, so if someone wants to try this idea, let me know if the Tooth Fairy came and what she left YOU
Mine was unfortunately by accident while playing on the bars at school. The accident didn't knock it out but did loosen it a bit and I ended up going on a trip to the dentist who took it out the rest of the way. That night I remember putting it under my pillow and the next morning I was happy to receive fifty cents. My friends story was similar but her tooth feel out on its own but she also received fifty cents.
Times they have definitely changed. Not long after this conversation, I read an article in our local paper
Of course they also have an Tooth Fairy Calculator app that can give parents an idea by age group, income bracket and education level to determine what to give. Really, has it become that hard to decide? I really don't believe our parents spent that much time thinking about the situation. I am sure that they basically saw what small token they could provide. It wasn't necessary back in the day to break the bank and at the age you usually lose teeth I am sure the big topic of conversation of the day wasn't how much we got.
One good point in the article was that this is a good time to bring up if you do decide to rob Ft. Knox for the Tooth Fairy make it an opportunity to discuss smart money habits (save a little spend a little).
Demographics also comes into play with the Tooth Fairy according to the Visa study, Kids in the Northwest average $4.10 per tooth, West and South get $3.70, Midwest kids received $3.30. But, thank goodness there were a third of parents surveyed who said the Tooth Fairy left a dollar or less.
Really good parents also included a kids toothbrush and tooth paste with the money.
I guess what I took away and also shared with my daughter since it will be in her near future to deal with this is: Don't try and keep up with the" Jones" and keep it fun. Don't let the times and inflation make a memorable experience into a big deal.
The other funny thing about this was that someone on my Facebook page posted a cartoon that said something to the effect of what would happen if an elderly person put there dentures underneath their pillow? I'm glad to say I am not in that category, so if someone wants to try this idea, let me know if the Tooth Fairy came and what she left YOU
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Did You Lose Your Pencil? or The How to Art of Pencil Sharpening
While watching a Sunday Morning program this stormy September morning, (pretty amazing since we had extremely hot weather this past week), my attention to a story about Cartoonist turned Artisanal Manual Pencil Sharpening Expert, David Rees made me think about the days when instead of typing on a computer you had a flat sheet of lined paper and usually a yellow or blue, long hopefully sharpened pencil with attached eraser on top to enter and explore the world of writing. Some well known writer's still prefer a yellow tablet and writing with the graphite instrument.
I remember I always had a very easy time of telling which pencil was mine at home and at school because I suppose due to nervousness my entire pencil would have teeth marks around it. I wasn't concerned about getting lead poisoning I guess (actually pencils are not made of lead but graphite) but who needed personalized with your name pencils when teeth marks would do.
A #2 pencil was part of most school kids arsenal of school supplies for many years. Now top at the list is an IPad and way down the list is probably a pencil or two--graphite or mechanical.
In David Rees book "How to Sharpen Pencils: A Practical and Theoretical Treatise of the Artisanal Art of Pencil Sharpening" (say that three times fast) he covers the steps of sharpening pencils and the devices to use. For a fee you can send him your pencil and he will sharpen it to perfection, with the shavings encased, and covered back to you with or without a copy of the book.
Ironically, Dixon Ticonderoga once had a factory in Versailles, MO which isn't that far from where I live. It closed in 2005.
Another interesting fact about pencils today is that if the graphite is not exactly in the middle of the wooden casing that makes the pencil you probably will have a hard time sharpening or keeping the point sharp. How many brand new pencils have you ground and ground either by hand or by an electric sharpener (yes I still have one of those too, along with my typewriter) you can basically grind until you basically have a "stubby" short pencil.
A former co-worker I had at my first job for the State of California would use a pencil until it was probably just big enough for her hand to be able to hold it. It was always her "point" to get as much use as possible out of government supplies.
Why all this nostalgia? Well it was a breath of fresh air that this story was so interesting to me that someone in today's economic challenges can forge a business and or love out of pencils. I am sure Mr. Rees partakes in technology, but his love of the pencil and keeping it a part of daily life is to be commended.
"Did you lose your pencil?" "Oh, you can borrow one of mine" I'm not sure exactly whether many people carry them around but cheaper to lend out than a technology device.
I remember I always had a very easy time of telling which pencil was mine at home and at school because I suppose due to nervousness my entire pencil would have teeth marks around it. I wasn't concerned about getting lead poisoning I guess (actually pencils are not made of lead but graphite) but who needed personalized with your name pencils when teeth marks would do.
A #2 pencil was part of most school kids arsenal of school supplies for many years. Now top at the list is an IPad and way down the list is probably a pencil or two--graphite or mechanical.
In David Rees book "How to Sharpen Pencils: A Practical and Theoretical Treatise of the Artisanal Art of Pencil Sharpening" (say that three times fast) he covers the steps of sharpening pencils and the devices to use. For a fee you can send him your pencil and he will sharpen it to perfection, with the shavings encased, and covered back to you with or without a copy of the book.
Ironically, Dixon Ticonderoga once had a factory in Versailles, MO which isn't that far from where I live. It closed in 2005.
Another interesting fact about pencils today is that if the graphite is not exactly in the middle of the wooden casing that makes the pencil you probably will have a hard time sharpening or keeping the point sharp. How many brand new pencils have you ground and ground either by hand or by an electric sharpener (yes I still have one of those too, along with my typewriter) you can basically grind until you basically have a "stubby" short pencil.
A former co-worker I had at my first job for the State of California would use a pencil until it was probably just big enough for her hand to be able to hold it. It was always her "point" to get as much use as possible out of government supplies.
Why all this nostalgia? Well it was a breath of fresh air that this story was so interesting to me that someone in today's economic challenges can forge a business and or love out of pencils. I am sure Mr. Rees partakes in technology, but his love of the pencil and keeping it a part of daily life is to be commended.
"Did you lose your pencil?" "Oh, you can borrow one of mine" I'm not sure exactly whether many people carry them around but cheaper to lend out than a technology device.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Birds of a Feather, Flock Together--Not Always
Today was one of those days where I got an inspirational writing topic while walking the outdoor track near the college. The weather the last few days has been unseasonably nice (no humidity and not hot as hell) Even while wearing my IPod to listen to music I could definitely hear very loud squawking from the many birds in the outlying trees.
Growing up near the ocean my list of frequently viewed birds was a pretty short list. Sparrows, black birds and poop birds or seagulls by their true name. Since moving to the Midwest the list of birds has definitely changed, cardinals, sparrows, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, and probably many more that a am not sure the name of but one bird in particular definitely has made an impression.
The Blue Jay. This bird stands out in front of all the rest. Why you might ask? Well they are at the head of the class in just about everything they come in contact with. They are loud, annoying, egomaniacs, I could think of several other things but also I notice that when they are around every other bird usually gets out of Dodge. If one Blue Jay flies into a tree, all the other birds seem to fly off somewhere else. They are very territorial in that if anyone or anything gets into its way, watch out you will more than likely be dive bombed.
I know when our dogs were just little puppies and would go out into the yard it was like a blue jay would come into the yard, squawking and terrorizing them until they had enough and wanted back into the house. Then the Blue Jay would sit proudly on a tree branch or the fence with that "guess I took care of them" attitude. To me they are probably one of the most beautiful birds. And they no it too. Maybe that is why they have the forward attitude that they do. Even during the fall and winter months when all the other birds seem to disappear, you can always find a single blue jay in the trees yelling, hey I am here!!Do you hear me!! Well fall will be here before we know it and the leaves will be falling from the trees, but I am sure a Mr or Mrs. Blue Jay will be paying a call somewhere. Come fine feathered friend, I'm listening.
Growing up near the ocean my list of frequently viewed birds was a pretty short list. Sparrows, black birds and poop birds or seagulls by their true name. Since moving to the Midwest the list of birds has definitely changed, cardinals, sparrows, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, and probably many more that a am not sure the name of but one bird in particular definitely has made an impression.
The Blue Jay. This bird stands out in front of all the rest. Why you might ask? Well they are at the head of the class in just about everything they come in contact with. They are loud, annoying, egomaniacs, I could think of several other things but also I notice that when they are around every other bird usually gets out of Dodge. If one Blue Jay flies into a tree, all the other birds seem to fly off somewhere else. They are very territorial in that if anyone or anything gets into its way, watch out you will more than likely be dive bombed.
I know when our dogs were just little puppies and would go out into the yard it was like a blue jay would come into the yard, squawking and terrorizing them until they had enough and wanted back into the house. Then the Blue Jay would sit proudly on a tree branch or the fence with that "guess I took care of them" attitude. To me they are probably one of the most beautiful birds. And they no it too. Maybe that is why they have the forward attitude that they do. Even during the fall and winter months when all the other birds seem to disappear, you can always find a single blue jay in the trees yelling, hey I am here!!Do you hear me!! Well fall will be here before we know it and the leaves will be falling from the trees, but I am sure a Mr or Mrs. Blue Jay will be paying a call somewhere. Come fine feathered friend, I'm listening.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
A 29 Year Trip into a 3 Day Weekend
These days I find myself just wanting to get away from everyday life. I envy those who get to have summer, winter or any vacations. When you really have to stop and think how long its been since you have been anywhere, its definitely time to get out of town. This year has been both a challenge and a blessing in many ways. Recently I told David I really thought we should get away for our anniversary. Even though I planned the weekend, I wanted to make sure that we both got to do something fun and not break the bank. It had been several anniversaries ago that we went to a B&B. David really wasn't to jazzed about it but I thought maybe I would try it again. I really sold the idea (its a very large estate, history etc). I didn't want it to be too far (3 hours) and figured I would throw a little history into the mix.
Hannibal, MO is on the Mississippi River and was birthplace to Mark Twain, Molly Brown and the River. I knew that we would be able to find some interesting things to get into. Also in researching I also found out that a Corvette show would be in town on Saturday (another plus on David's side). So we packed up the car (Corvette) and got an early start out of Sedalia.
Unfortunately, the car didn't apparently feel like making the trip this time and we turned around and had to get the other vehicle. (of course when we took it in they couldn't find anything wrong with it) Not a good way to start a trip we thought but only an hour behind, we forged on. I packed my book to read and David tuned into talk radio and on we drove. The scenery is as usual corn field, soybean field for miles but the good weather was ahead and the clouds and possible rain we left behind us.
Our first stop was the Rockcliffe Mansion. The neighborhood had a sprinkling of historical homes and homes turned into apartments but high on the quarry stone hill was the Mansion. As we drove up the massive driveway the first thing I thought was "I'm not sure the Vet would have made it up the drive without bottoming out. The mansion was started in 1898 and finished two years later by J. J. Cruikshank for his wife and four daughters. The classic Greek Revival cost $125,000 to build. (more facts go to RockcliffeMansion.com.
We stayed in one of the daughter's bedroom known now as the Magnolia Room. The east facing room provided no need for an alarm clock due to the early sunrise. Now the first thing I noticed as I walked in was the beautiful antique furniture and the detailed windows, David on the other hand look complete around the room and the first words out of his mouth, "No TV"? Actually this we both found later wasn't a necessity since we walked around all day and were really too tired to even watch TV during the trip. Sitting in the room looking out to the Mississippi River going back in time to no, technology, just the thought of conversation, reading, and writing as some of the only form of entertainment made me appreciate the history and where we are today. Our first day consisted of walking the Corvette Show and wishing our car would have been able to make the trip, but they did have a good turn out at the show. Apparently, it was the biggest they had since it started.
We hiked up half the stairs to the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse (244 total) it was hot and steep so we drove the other half. (Normally I pride myself in walking but this was vacation and cheated a little).The downtown area, like many small towns is going through revitalization both to bring in tourists but also due to river flooding an storm damages over the course of the last several years.
David suggested a Dinner Cruise on the Mississippi River. The Mark Twain Riverboats' 2 hour cruise was a relaxing end too our first day.
Juan Ruiz the owner of Rockcliffe provided a wonderful breakfast and conversation/history about the house. We were the only guests the first night so morning questions about the house were many. He purchased the home three years ago to retire and refurbish. He turned it into a B&B/Museum. He is from Miami, FL so definitely a culture shock for him. But, he enjoys the work and the people who come to visit. Also his friend and tour guide Mary had a wealth of information about the house since she had previously, with her husband acted as caretaker for the home for over 10 years prior to Juan purchasing the home. Her knowledge and details of the family and the house made for a terrific guided tour. I hope someday it will be back completely to its grandeur of the days of the past.
The remainder of the day consisted of tours of everything Mark Twain, the Molly Brown (from Titanic fame) Birthplace and Museum. We ended our last night at a wonderful French Bistro LaBinnah Bistro, a converted house. Every restaurant should provide as they did reading glasses for those who forget to bring (David).
Our last day was to be spent in St. Louis at the casino. It had been a while since we had been there and again it made me long for the old time one-armed bandits, and the simplicity of casinos. Today its even more lights and bells with very little money clanging into the winning slot. Although, David did much better than I did we both had to admit casinos like everything else just isn't what it used to be.
It made me think back to 29 years of marriage, all that we have been through together, and what is ahead. Many things on our weekend with Mark Twain and his profound words in his writings but one stood out the most to me on a plaque in the garden of his museum.
Mark Twain started with the raw material of his own experiences to make stories that still amuse and challenge us today. Some of the stories we tell about our own childhoods have special meaning: they help us to explain why we have turned out to be the people we are. When Twain created stories based on his past, he did more than explain himself. He explained something about all of us, some true about human beings. As you walk through the rooms of his boyhood home and think about the stories he told, what stories do you remember from childhood?
Corvette Show-Hannibal
Mark Twain Home/Tom Sawyer Fence
Magnolia Room-Rockcliffe Mansion
The Mighty Mississippi River
Hannibal, MO is on the Mississippi River and was birthplace to Mark Twain, Molly Brown and the River. I knew that we would be able to find some interesting things to get into. Also in researching I also found out that a Corvette show would be in town on Saturday (another plus on David's side). So we packed up the car (Corvette) and got an early start out of Sedalia.
Unfortunately, the car didn't apparently feel like making the trip this time and we turned around and had to get the other vehicle. (of course when we took it in they couldn't find anything wrong with it) Not a good way to start a trip we thought but only an hour behind, we forged on. I packed my book to read and David tuned into talk radio and on we drove. The scenery is as usual corn field, soybean field for miles but the good weather was ahead and the clouds and possible rain we left behind us.
Our first stop was the Rockcliffe Mansion. The neighborhood had a sprinkling of historical homes and homes turned into apartments but high on the quarry stone hill was the Mansion. As we drove up the massive driveway the first thing I thought was "I'm not sure the Vet would have made it up the drive without bottoming out. The mansion was started in 1898 and finished two years later by J. J. Cruikshank for his wife and four daughters. The classic Greek Revival cost $125,000 to build. (more facts go to RockcliffeMansion.com.
We stayed in one of the daughter's bedroom known now as the Magnolia Room. The east facing room provided no need for an alarm clock due to the early sunrise. Now the first thing I noticed as I walked in was the beautiful antique furniture and the detailed windows, David on the other hand look complete around the room and the first words out of his mouth, "No TV"? Actually this we both found later wasn't a necessity since we walked around all day and were really too tired to even watch TV during the trip. Sitting in the room looking out to the Mississippi River going back in time to no, technology, just the thought of conversation, reading, and writing as some of the only form of entertainment made me appreciate the history and where we are today. Our first day consisted of walking the Corvette Show and wishing our car would have been able to make the trip, but they did have a good turn out at the show. Apparently, it was the biggest they had since it started.
We hiked up half the stairs to the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse (244 total) it was hot and steep so we drove the other half. (Normally I pride myself in walking but this was vacation and cheated a little).The downtown area, like many small towns is going through revitalization both to bring in tourists but also due to river flooding an storm damages over the course of the last several years.
David suggested a Dinner Cruise on the Mississippi River. The Mark Twain Riverboats' 2 hour cruise was a relaxing end too our first day.
Juan Ruiz the owner of Rockcliffe provided a wonderful breakfast and conversation/history about the house. We were the only guests the first night so morning questions about the house were many. He purchased the home three years ago to retire and refurbish. He turned it into a B&B/Museum. He is from Miami, FL so definitely a culture shock for him. But, he enjoys the work and the people who come to visit. Also his friend and tour guide Mary had a wealth of information about the house since she had previously, with her husband acted as caretaker for the home for over 10 years prior to Juan purchasing the home. Her knowledge and details of the family and the house made for a terrific guided tour. I hope someday it will be back completely to its grandeur of the days of the past.
The remainder of the day consisted of tours of everything Mark Twain, the Molly Brown (from Titanic fame) Birthplace and Museum. We ended our last night at a wonderful French Bistro LaBinnah Bistro, a converted house. Every restaurant should provide as they did reading glasses for those who forget to bring (David).
Our last day was to be spent in St. Louis at the casino. It had been a while since we had been there and again it made me long for the old time one-armed bandits, and the simplicity of casinos. Today its even more lights and bells with very little money clanging into the winning slot. Although, David did much better than I did we both had to admit casinos like everything else just isn't what it used to be.
It made me think back to 29 years of marriage, all that we have been through together, and what is ahead. Many things on our weekend with Mark Twain and his profound words in his writings but one stood out the most to me on a plaque in the garden of his museum.
Mark Twain started with the raw material of his own experiences to make stories that still amuse and challenge us today. Some of the stories we tell about our own childhoods have special meaning: they help us to explain why we have turned out to be the people we are. When Twain created stories based on his past, he did more than explain himself. He explained something about all of us, some true about human beings. As you walk through the rooms of his boyhood home and think about the stories he told, what stories do you remember from childhood?
Corvette Show-Hannibal
Mark Twain Home/Tom Sawyer Fence
Magnolia Room-Rockcliffe Mansion
The Mighty Mississippi RiverThursday, July 4, 2013
Red, White and Blue
The flag red, white and blue. Most people of a certain age remember starting each day at school standing up and saying the Pledge of Allegiance each day. At every competition I was in or watched there was always someone who skated out onto the ice and the Star Spangled Banner played while they proudly held the flag.
The flag has evolved over the past 237 years. It started with the 13 colonies and was sewn by Betsy Ross in Philadelphia. Back in her time she would have been considered a small business owner since she had a small shop where she did upholstery work on furniture. I am sure back then she would not have imagined that her work sewing a small flag to fly over a new America that our country would have not only made the strides it has over the years but also some of the trials and tribulations we have and are currently going through.
The flag means many things to many people. Its symbolism hope, freedom, liberty, opportunity, our forefathers and many others over the 237 years have given their lives for the country we live in.
My grandfather and many others have had a ceremony when they pass away that signifies that they were in the military where a folding ceremony is performed.
When my brother was a Scout he participated in many flag ceremonies. How you treat the flag as an American is extremely important.
Most of the time people don't realize how important the flag really is to them. Several years ago at a Fourth of July celebration at a small church a lesson was learned about how to treat a flag. Several boys were walking up the aisle with the flags and they kept dragging them on the floor. It was then that I explained to them something apparently they did not realize that you are not suppose to do this that in reality if it happens you are suppose to burn them. They looked at me like I was crazy.
For some its just a day off work, picnic and fireworks time. To others it is a day to reflect on what this country means to each of us.
The flag has evolved over the past 237 years. It started with the 13 colonies and was sewn by Betsy Ross in Philadelphia. Back in her time she would have been considered a small business owner since she had a small shop where she did upholstery work on furniture. I am sure back then she would not have imagined that her work sewing a small flag to fly over a new America that our country would have not only made the strides it has over the years but also some of the trials and tribulations we have and are currently going through.
The flag means many things to many people. Its symbolism hope, freedom, liberty, opportunity, our forefathers and many others over the 237 years have given their lives for the country we live in.
When my brother was a Scout he participated in many flag ceremonies. How you treat the flag as an American is extremely important.
Most of the time people don't realize how important the flag really is to them. Several years ago at a Fourth of July celebration at a small church a lesson was learned about how to treat a flag. Several boys were walking up the aisle with the flags and they kept dragging them on the floor. It was then that I explained to them something apparently they did not realize that you are not suppose to do this that in reality if it happens you are suppose to burn them. They looked at me like I was crazy.
For some its just a day off work, picnic and fireworks time. To others it is a day to reflect on what this country means to each of us.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Wedding Memories and other Stories-- The Strange Similarities
A year in the planning, I am going back down memories two lane highway again and try and relive the last highlights of a wedding in the making. Each time something we get ticked off the to do list it was an accomplishment for us. I sometimes had my doubts on whether it was going to be accomplished with all the wrenches that were thrown into the plans especially on the financial end of it. We had a major repair to the truck which caused a headache and moments of panic the end of last year but once the words of wisdom from David came that "it always gets taken care of" we were back on the right path and with less than six months left before Jennifer and Scott's big day I just wanted to see the day through.
Jennifer and I did the "wedding planning" with just a little help from a few. Flash back to my day almost 29 years ago, David and I had a small (only 50) at our wedding. We planned and paid for every little detail. I remember my dress was only $150, although it wasn't the first one I tried on (Jennifer fell in love with the first dress she tried on) my dress fit just right and only needed a few pink flowers removed from the front. Flash to the food we kept our budget small and only had finger foods while Jennifer's was a down-home catered full meal. I am now on the "no eat diet". Both of our cakes were to die for and beautiful, I remember we had a glass blow cake topper that couldn't seem to get to the cake maker without getting broke and then a second time before we even had our cake made, then once again in an earthquake several years later, not sure if it was bad luck but I wouldn't recommend glass blown cake toppers to couples.
We spent Friday evening, and Saturday morning decorating Jennifer's venue. She chose artificial and fresh flower mixtures and a local woman did decorating with lights and fabric. It definitely turned a fairgrounds room into a beautiful setting. David and I had paper bells and paper garlands. Another similarity was that our colors were purple/lavender and grey, Jennifer's was deep purple and green's. Interesting on how purple has crossed 5 generations of females in our family.. Hummmm great minds think alike maybe.
The ceremony was religious yet fitting in similar ways but the one beautiful moment in Jennifer's was at one point the pastor made a comment to the fact that for those who couldn't be with us they were there in spirit and with those words a sudden light breeze came through the Highway Gardens as if like a sign from the heaven's above: Grandparents, friends, and other's who would have loved to be there in body I know. Another similarity was that our original preachers that we met with had to back out at the last minute due to conflicts and preacher number two's stepped in.
We planned things down to the very end but yet both of us had a forgotten item. Our wedding I spent hours making birdseed bags to have the guests throw at us after the ceremony. Those days are frowned upon now due to birdseed not only being a mess but many other reasons. I had recommended bubbles be blown (we brought them but forgot to put them out) and we didn't put the guestbook our at the ceremony. Oh well you can't remember everything.
I know for sure that the pictures the photographer took will all be beautiful. Catherine Rhodes was a fellow alumni from the same school Jennifer went to photography school with (Hallmark). My small book of photos was taken by a friend of my maid of honor, took me months to get and never got any copies of the pictures just had all the originals. Oh well at least I am fortunate to have those still.
Life is full of similarities, some on purpose others by fate..God has his plan, ours has been blessed for almost 29 years, I hope Jennifer's is blessed that long if not longer as well. Marriage is a union each must put in 100%. You will argue and you will make up. I will always believe that marriage is the right highway to go down.
We spent Friday evening, and Saturday morning decorating Jennifer's venue. She chose artificial and fresh flower mixtures and a local woman did decorating with lights and fabric. It definitely turned a fairgrounds room into a beautiful setting. David and I had paper bells and paper garlands. Another similarity was that our colors were purple/lavender and grey, Jennifer's was deep purple and green's. Interesting on how purple has crossed 5 generations of females in our family.. Hummmm great minds think alike maybe.
The ceremony was religious yet fitting in similar ways but the one beautiful moment in Jennifer's was at one point the pastor made a comment to the fact that for those who couldn't be with us they were there in spirit and with those words a sudden light breeze came through the Highway Gardens as if like a sign from the heaven's above: Grandparents, friends, and other's who would have loved to be there in body I know. Another similarity was that our original preachers that we met with had to back out at the last minute due to conflicts and preacher number two's stepped in.
We planned things down to the very end but yet both of us had a forgotten item. Our wedding I spent hours making birdseed bags to have the guests throw at us after the ceremony. Those days are frowned upon now due to birdseed not only being a mess but many other reasons. I had recommended bubbles be blown (we brought them but forgot to put them out) and we didn't put the guestbook our at the ceremony. Oh well you can't remember everything.
I know for sure that the pictures the photographer took will all be beautiful. Catherine Rhodes was a fellow alumni from the same school Jennifer went to photography school with (Hallmark). My small book of photos was taken by a friend of my maid of honor, took me months to get and never got any copies of the pictures just had all the originals. Oh well at least I am fortunate to have those still.
Life is full of similarities, some on purpose others by fate..God has his plan, ours has been blessed for almost 29 years, I hope Jennifer's is blessed that long if not longer as well. Marriage is a union each must put in 100%. You will argue and you will make up. I will always believe that marriage is the right highway to go down.
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