"Well, it's no wonder....

...what with all this weddin' nonsense."


Have I mentioned that we're planning a wedding? Mandy and Aaron are getting married June 23rd. I haven't posted about it for a while, almost since they got engaged six months ago, because not much has really happened from my standpoint.

Mandy and Aaron have been busy though. They've booked the site, caterer, photographer, dj and their date is confirmed. I can't tell you how nice it is that my soon-to-be son-in-law is a go-getter who wants to be involved in the process.

Mandy's not one to get in a big hurry about things so I've followed her lead. But it's coming down to the wire now and I'm beginning to get involved.

Tomorrow I'll be making their save-the-date cards. Those are going out next week which means, of course, the guest list has to be finalized. The kids brought me the materials for the cards last weekend. I'd love to show them to you after they're done but I won't be able to because last names will be on them and all. I can tell you, however, that they'll be magnetic business-card size so people can stick them on the fridge. And they're white with intertwined hearts and very pretty.

I probably haven't mentioned that David's Bridal opened a store here in Grand Junction recently. Krissy, the matron-of-honor, booked Mandy's first visit for Saturday, February 12th. That's when the fun officially begins and I promise, you'll see some photos from that trip!

Mandy and Aaron are having an outdoor wedding at Enterprise Hall which is perfect. Enterprise Hall is in a beautiful location kind of out in the woods and the main facility is an old, old schoolhouse that's been converted into a very nice events center. I believe it's owned by a couple of old hippies who are down-to-earth enough that they've even got a playground to keep the younger guests busy. With Mandy being a third grade teacher, this site just tickles her fancy. It's my understanding that the guest book will be on the front porch, sitting on an antique school desk.

They decided on an afternoon wedding with a reception that will probably go into the wee hours and only really start to be fun after all us old fogies depart the scene.

They also decided to do a barbecue buffet. There's a rib place here that makes barbecue brisket and ribs to die for and it's quite popular so the food's going to be messy and delicious.

Except for Mandy's gown and the tuxes, this is going to be semi-formal affair. She and Krissy are leaning toward cocktail dresses for the girls in the wedding party. They're hoping the dresses might actually get some use after the wedding instead of ending up where most bridesmaids' dresses end up - in the very darkest reaches of the closet. I believe that Aaron's Mom and I will also wear knee length whatever. Dresses, suits, haven't decided yet but I'm pretty sure at least my wedding outfit is headed for the back of the closet after the event because unless I can find mine at Old Navy, I doubt it'll see the light of day again. Sharon Stone got away with a Gap tee shirt at the academy awards a few years ago. Hmmmmm.

Anyway, things are starting to happen now and it's all starting to seem real.

I also don't know if I've mentioned that Aaron is applying for graduate school on the eastern slope right now, too. He's a practicing psychologist. He works with paranoid schitzophrenics so he gets along with this family quite well, thankyouverymuch. :-) His goal is to teach psychology at the college level so it's off to graduate school for him. What this means, of course, is that shortly after the wedding, Mandy and Aaron will be moving away and she'll be landing a teaching position in an elementary school "over there."

It made me sad at first, but the reality is I believe it's good for a newlywed couple to start their marriage not living too close to either family. It's not like they're moving to Siberia but we certainly won't see them nearly as often as we do now. That's OK as long as they live here again before their first baby arrives. *lol*

So non-wedding related news would be, uh, nada. There's nothing exciting at all going on around here right now. Cameron's been here playing with Papa for three days but he'll be missing in action for the rest of the week. Papa will have to entertain himself now. Speaking of Papa, he's chipper as can be now that he's getting some sleep. He still can't do much but he's in a much better frame of mind about it.

I have a big pot of navy bean soup on the stove today. So all I have to do is whip up some cornbread tonight and plop myself down in front of American Idol with a glass of wine. I'm thinking a white zinfandel with navy bean soup. *snort* (I've been DYING for a reason to type *snort* in a post.)

You may have noticed I'm not posting as much as I have before. I was getting really frustrated with feeling behind all the time so I've decided that I'll give myself some time to catch up with everyone in between the posts I do. Based on this one, you're probably thinking, "Whew. Glad to hear that, Barb, because there's obviously not a lot going on out there in western Colorado right now!"

*big smile*