Happy First Month!

The Newlyweds celebrate their one month anniversary

We Are Family

I vaguely remember leading a conga line, however, there are no pictures to prove it.........hmmmm

We Are Family

Another tradition in our family began at one of my weddings....yes there were 2 and I hear the third time will be a charm :)... is my Dad and his tie. We all start the wedding well dressed, in nice dresses and suits, tuxes and shiny shoes, but by the end of the night, its shorts and flipflops. The reception is officially over when Dad ties his tie around his head. Thats our sign.
He drove home that way from my wedding complete with a balloon bouquet tied to the back of his car streaming in the wind.

Chelsea surprised Allan at the reception by belting out one of his favorite songs, "Black Velvet" .

There's one song, that cannot be played at any event without our ENTIRE family getting up and dancing. When that song starts, it doesn't matter where you are....in the bar, in the bathroom, across the room or in a parking lot. When they play OUR song, we hit the floor.

Turn it up some, grab your family and dance!

Sisterhood

Hey Sister, Go Sister, Soul Sister, Flow Sister

Meet my sistas, between us, we total 186 years in age. Yikes....and someone is hitting the half century mark here soon...not me, been there done that, now it's someone else's turn!

It's rare we are ever in the same place at the same time, but thanks to Carly's wedding, it happened. So let me introduce you.

On the left is Joanne, fitting as she is a "leftie"

Next is Gina, also known as "Bean"

me, the Matriarch

and then Teri Ann, the baby, also known as Baba.

I am the oldest, so I blazed the trails for the youngins'.

Gina and Joanne are only 23 months apart

while Teri and I share a 16 year age difference.

Three of us were cheerleaders.

Two of us are divorced.

One of us married her high school sweetheart.

One of us had a set of boy/girl twins

and between us we brought 7 grandchildren into the family.

We all live in sunny California.

One of us lives in a log house.

Two of us drive American cars.

One of us was born in England.

Three of us are blind as bats.

Three of us had braces.

One of us never ever had blond hair.

One is a hair stylist, one is a travel agent

and one has retired from the Air Force.

Four of us however, shared someone really special,

our mum.

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.

Carly and Allen

They say a picture paints a thousand words. Out of 1704 pictures, this has to be that one.

Carly and Allen's wedding took place up in the beautiful Santa Ynez mountains. It was a gorgeous summer afternoon, nestled among a canopy of oak trees they exchanged their vows. Carly arrived in a blue and white 1956 Chevy Bel Air, which revved it's engine wildly as she exited the car onto the arm of her father, Bob.

Friends and family were seated on hay bales under the oaks, while two oak wine barrels served as their altar, adorned with two bouquets of long stemmed red roses.

Simple, yet elegant ~ that was their theme.

The minister shared the story of how they met in high school and then parted ways only to meet again many years later by chance at a friend's bbq.

He then told us how he asked both of them separately, prior to the wedding, to share with him what it was about each other that they loved the most.

It was during their vows, that he then shared with each of them what the other had said. They were unaware what the other had said until now. It was absolutely beautiful and heartwarming. So personal and touching. And then a gentle breeze came thru the trees. That's when I felt someone put his hand on mine and that's when the tears began to fall......for everyone.

Even Mr. Moto.

So much joy and love that day,
I will share all the lovely moments with you in snippets

like chapters in a romance novel.

Until then, enjoy the song that Carly walked down the aisle to, covered in red rose petals with her Daddy on her arm.

The Meeting

Funny, the questions I receive on this blog. Last week, someone inquired "where did you meet Mr. Moto"?

Now that's a good story. I dropped in unexpectedly at a peep's home. I ran in thru her back door and into the kitchen which was filled with people. She began to introduce me to everyone. I shook his hand. We exchanged a few words. There was something about his eyes....

I continued meeting the rest of the guests and when I glanced back at him for another look, I caught his eyes doing the same thing....busted dude!

I said my goodbyes and ran out. I remember him yelling goodbye. He then quizzed my peep Patty, about me, who I have known for over 30 years. She has known him 22 years, but amazingly our paths had never crossed at her home until that day in the kitchen. I call that serendipity. He asked her for my number and being the good peep that she is, she called to check with me first for permission. And then he called. That's how it all began, but I knew he would. Sometimes you just know :)

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Hello Darlings,

Yes, I know I have fallen off the blogisphere. But I have my reasons. So now that the planets have realigned, thank heavens for small favors, we can pick up where we left off.

This is a sunflower that is growing thru a tiny crack in the asphalt in a busy Solvang parking lot near my office. When I saw this, I stopped dead in my tracks. How could this be possible in cement? It was leaning toward the sun, swaying gently in the breeze. It stood strong and happy, unnerved by the chaos and noise around it. Where it was growing was not the best of situations, but it did not waiver. It stood proud and happy. It made the best of what it had and it bloomed.

It made me smile, both inside and out. I just stood there and marveled at its determination....how it fought and pushed up thru that cement and grew. And then it hit me.... I am that sunflower and I too am beginning to bloom again.

Remember, we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. Bloom where you are planted my lovlies. I've missed you and will catch you up on the last month, pinky swear soon.

Now if you will excuse me....I have over 1600 wedding photos to sort thru so that I may bring you the highlights on Carla and Allen's awesome wedding....