The Wedding

Wedding day arrived...

and wouldn't you know it.... here's comes a thunderstorm about 2 p.m. and soaks the lawn where the ceremony was to take place. Terrace furniture was stowed elsewhere and quickly replaced with chairs for the guests. Flowers were arranged to form an altar and then the music starts and here she comes down the aisle. 

I loved the brides dress... it was sooooo her. 

The vows they wrote for each other were so personal and meaningful. 

            Just look at that grin on my grandson's face!!

The ceremony was beautiful even if we were all crammed together on the terrace. And, too soon it was over and the couple were walking back down the aisle.... Mr. and Mrs. Murray... my new granddaughter-in-law. I couldn't be happier for I feel they are a true match for each other. She's been around for 8 years so I think they've stood the test of time already. 

The groom loved his granddad dearly and looked up to him and revered him. So, before the ceremony I drew him aside and told him that his  granddad was there with us... and then I pinned his granddad's wedding ring (75 years ago) into the breast pocket of his suit to have it close to his heart during the ceremony. It was truly emotional for us both. 

After the ceremony we had a lovely, delicious meal on the lawn (under a tent) 

And, then we danced the night away.

Youngest grandson with his girlfriend

The groom's Mom (my daughter Susan) dancing with her son, Owen

Shirley dancing with her nephew

Two of my granddaughters. 

Sea Island, Georgia

 What a dad-gum tooting fun-loving week!! Oh my.. such fun, such love, such tiredness! This old body protested greatly but I just kept going 'til it was all done and I was home again. Here I am... dragging luggage and myself into my front door yesterday late in the day, ready for some quiet time!

I arrived at the house where the wedding would take place last Monday a week and a half ago and enjoyed days with the bride and groom as well as my daughter (the groom's mom). This post is about the house (a summer home of a friend of the groom's parents) in Sea Island, Georgia. Just had to share some of the beauty of the place with you all before I get more into the wedding. 

The front entrance staircase

Looking down on the fountain at the front entrance

The terrace outside the kitchen

Me enjoying my lunch on that terrace

The pool. I did not go in the pool but I did relax poolside reading a good book. 

My reflection in the mirror of one of the downstairs bathrooms.

I love a terracotta roof. This on is tiled with Palm Beach Mission tile. 

the view from my bed where I lay for hours watching that big ole moon shine on the ocean. 

Yes, it was quite an exciting week... and I have lots more to share with you in a day or two. 

A Run For The Roses

 About 40 of us gathered in the common room for a party of epic style yesterday afternoon. Churchill Downs did not have a thing on us!

                            We had colorful fascinators, 

                                horses, 

      southern food,   

      

                         yummy mint juleps, 

  and betting on what we hoped to be the winning horse. 

I thought I had it won but Golden Tempo passed me by and my horse came in second. But, that was ok. I only lost a dollar!! And, wasn't it cool that two brothers finished in first and second place! We were cheering our jockeys on and just having a blast. 

My daughter has headed up the Kentucky Derby party here at Centerbrooke for the past 3 years and we always have such a good time. She made cheese straws which surpassed store bought one and her bourbon meatballs were out of this world. Lois made the mint juleps and they were divine. The staff furnished the potato salad, deviled eggs, ham sliders and pasta salad. 

There were some new residents attending and it was great seeing them having such a good time. 

     I just wish you all could come join us next year. 

Packing up, Flying Out

 I just wanted to post a quick note. I will try to have time to post about the Kentucky Derby Party tomorrow but I am in the midst of a very busy and exciting time. My grandson is getting married on May 9th to a lovely, sweet woman named Kelsey. 

At least two weeks ago I set my luggage on my spare bed and started gathering what I would need to take with me to Sea Island, Georgia where the wedding will take place. I mean,  at this age, you sort of worry that you'll forget something important... so, I started that 'gathering' early on. Lucky I had that spare bed!! 

I am being organized, I think, but you just watch..... I'll forget something. I have already packed my underwear and gowns, 3 pair of hose  in case one runs!! Yes, I wear hose when I need to. All  you 'young'ens go barelegged now but I'm old school. 

I've even packed some thread and a needle (just in case the bride or someone else splits a seam or loses one of 900 kazillions buttons she has down the back of her gown). 

I have a bag of candy that I just love so I am taking that for us all to snack on.... you have no idea how many times over the past week I have been tempted to rip open that bag and dive in! But, I've been a good girl. Gee it was hard, though. 

The wedding is taking place at a friend of the groom's summer home. And, we will be staying at the house. Geez, I  bet they might have needle and thread... nah, people don't sew anymore so I am safe by taking my own. 

The bride and groom along with his mom, fly from NY down to Ga on Monday. I will leave Virginia that same day and the four of us will have the rest of the week to 'pull our hair out' before the ceremony begins. Weddings are so stressful. But, what a beautiful event it will be. I can't wait!! 

To the Moon and Back

 Remember when Artemis 11 went around the moon and back to earth? I bet you didn't know that I was aboard that flight? 

Well, not my physical body but my name was onboard and it made the journey of a lifetime. 

My son-in-law is all into this space stuff and my dau finally told me the other day that I went around the moon. I wish I'd known it at the time of the flight!

Of course, I bet there are times she'd like to send me to the moon (as would, I to her) hehe. 

I have the boarding pass to prove it, too. This has been a ton of fun.... I went to the moon!! 

On a more earthly thought....

some of us residents met the other day in the common room to make hats for our Kentucky Derby party which will be Saturday. 

I still have my hat from last year so I just watched the others at work. 

I don't think the party will be as much fun this year. Only about 1/2 the number signed up to attend but there is something about the weather that keeps people in their apartments. And, it's gonna be rainy and in the 60s. But, those of us who will be there will enjoy ourselves and eat all that good food. I hope I pick the winning horse!

Nuts About My Computer

 I painted yesterday. Never could get the background like I wanted it but I finally just quit. Sometimes that's the best thing to do... if it isn't working, just quit. But, I'll share my effort with you anyway. 

I often find that people are amazed that I do as much as I do on the computer. I tell them it's like how I drive a car! I can drive that thing but just don't put me under the hood to fix something. That's what tech guy (son-in-law) is for!

It must have been 1989 when I got introduced to a computer. I was heavy into doing genealogy and decided I needed a way to keep it besides the tons of info I had on pieces of paper. 

So, I walked into Radio Shack (remember those?) and told the guy I needed something. I'd never even seen a computer but he showed me once and convinced me it was what I needed. I walked out of there with it under my arm. 

Got home and I managed to plug into the electrical outlet but now, what? So, a call to my son and he walked me through turning it on.....

And, the rest is history. 

I wrote my first book that was published on it. I cussed it alot during that time, too. I got on Myspace and later on Facebook. Just lately I was talked into getting on Instagram but I'm not nuts about it. For a few years I had a YouTube channel but I've not kept that up. I do enjoy some of what's offered on YouTube. 

And, I've been blogging since 2008. I do love my computer! And the friends I make on there.

But, as I said, don't ask me to fix any problems. It's just fun and I'm no technician. 

How long have y'all been blogging?