THE SHOWER

I posted some pictures on another blog page because I haven't figured out how to successfully mix text and photos, so read this and then enjoy the pictures.

It was a beautiful day for a shower...not too hot, no rain. The shower was at the Rose Cafe in Lorain, so we had a great view of the Lake and beach. Unfortunately, there was a volley ball tournament going on so parking was an absolute mess, but we all got through it and had a great time.

Marie's bridal party did a fantastic job of decorating and having all kinds of special details. The printed menu's had little sea shells on them and the entire shower kept to a beach get away theme.

We met Marie's entire family. I especially enjoyed meeting her brother, John. He was very nice and came over to talk to Tony (Sr) about sports and "guy stuff" in the midst of all of this "girly" stuff. Everyone was "Aunt" somebody and I teased Marie later about her gigantic family.

The cake turned out well. I carried it on my lap from Lakewood to Lorain. It had a sand castle on it with two flags--one said Swegle the other said Phillips. In front of the castle was a beach with sea shells (made of chocolate) and then water with a dolphin swimming by. The "cake lady" even drew a heart in the sand.

People were very generous and Tony and Marie got some great gifts.

The mothers were asked to speak. I was asked to give the opening toast. I have to say, most times I can come up with a theme or know exactly what I want to say. This time, I had trouble. Maybe because I wanted it to be nice, but as I approached the group, with Tony (Sr) at my side, I have to say, I had nothing. There are so many things you CAN say about Tony and Marie, I was lost in a million thoughts. But I got through it. I started talking about the cookbook and life lessons that Tony and I made the kids a few years ago. I referenced the lesson about when you get married, you don't just marry your spouse, you marry their entire family. I went on to talk about the qualities you hope your children find in their life partners and from there, it's a blank! But, I think I did OK. Tony (Sr) also did a wonderful toast, by adding "ditto" after I finished. Ha ha. Imagine how everyone laughed when all of the gifts were opened and Marie and Tony (Jr) stood up to thank everyone. Marie gave a wonderful speech about how they loved everyone and appreciated their support. She turned to Tony (Jr) so he could also add his thanks, and he said, "ditto" and later thanked Tony (Sr) for helping him with his speech!!

But I think the best toast came from Mona, Marie's mother. She read a bible verse and told Tony and Marie that she loved them. Then she told us that she tried to "talk Marie" out of it. We all laughed because what she meant was she tried to talk Marie out of moving to Charlotte, but was happy that Marie met Tony there.

I was pleased to see how well Tony fit in with Marie's family. He honored "the four most important women in his life" with beautiful flowers, so Marie's grandmother, mother, me and Marie were very surprised and touched. He gave me mine first, which made me cry.

And so, another milestone has passed and we are that much closer to the wedding. I can't wait.

THE SHOWER!! Photos Only

Our very own Prince William and Princess Cate!!

My flowers!!! Beautiful roses from my son, the groom and a mother's wrist corsage!!

The cake!! Sandcastles on the beach in Hawaii...check out the neat dolphin

The invitation

The happy couple in hula skirts!!

Tony and his women!! My sister, Fritz, my niece, Sarah and my sister, Lynn.

What a great time we had.

A Sunday Showing

Our house has been on the market for two weeks now. We've had a lot of "traffic" through the house, but no offers yet. Today was the first Open House our realtor has had so we headed for Hermes Vineyard, one of our favorite places. The wine was more "minerally" than we are used to, but it was good to get in the car and drive and see the country side. We took a side trip to the restaurant where Marie's shower will be and were very impressed by the view and location.

But now we're back. It seems odd to know that people were walking through your house and commening on your decorating and things about the house that are no longer an issue for you. We know people were on the upper deck outside of the master bedroom and that they were in the "kids" bathroom. We could see footprints on the carpeting, so we know we had "foot traffic" we just don't know how the house went over. But, it's still funny to me to know that strangers were in our house when we weren't. Oh, I know when our kids were growing up, there were probably alot of strangers in our house when Tony and I were out of town...but somehow that's different. We smelled cigarettes after the last visit and I was very offended that "guests" to whatever degree might think it was OK to smoke in our house. Wrong. It is not. But, the house is on the market now, so I guess some of this comes with the territory

I went to "Sister Lunch" yesterday with Fritz and Lynn and Sarah joined us. We had fun poking fun at Lynn this time. We are all going to Marie's shower next week. I can't wait. I hope Jenna can come and bring Ellie.

We have more showing scheduled and I know that at some point, this one will be THE ONE. I have ragged on this house for 22 years, but the thought of leaving it is harder to take than I thought it would be. So much new stuff and so much unknown.

Must be a sign of age....change is getting harder for me. Even good change.

She Was Ours Before the Gavel Sounded

Today was a wonderful day. We were invited to go to Columbus to be present at the adoption hearing that would make Ellie ours for good. But, to Tony and I, Ellie was our grandchild well before the gavel sounded. The judge, who was wonderful, went through the proper proceedings, he read all of the appropriate material and let the court appointed attorney do her questioning. He let all of the "parties of interest" give their testimony and then, after some laughing and pre-celebration, pronounced with the banging of his gavel that Ellie was Elizabeth Purdum, our grandchild. Except, from the moment she was born, Ellie was ours. Ellie was a Purdum, through and through. She has two brothers that love her unconditionally and two parents who do the same. She has aunts and uncles and grandparents who would literally fight anyone who said she is not part of our family. Ellie has always been part of our family. And so today, the court system said she is too. And maybe we needed that...maybe for tax purposes or other legal things. But, from the heart, Ellie has always been ours. We didn't need a gavel to tell us that.

Once again, Miss Elizabeth Rae Purdum, welcome to your family. The people who will love you all the days of your life.