TWTW - entering into August

Friday It was a hellfire day like olden times where I was out of the house by 7 and in my office by 8:15 to have a full printer issue up against a hard copy deliverable deadline. FedEx Office saved the day, I made the deadline, and managed to fit in an acupuncture appointment I was sorely in need of. I did miss my homebound train by three minutes and since they're only running on the hour, I waited an hour and got home after 7. I pan fried some salmon to go with leftover potatoes and cauliflower and put some of the stuff in the house to right before falling into a dead sleep around 11. 

Saturday I was up by 7, MFD was out of the house with all dogs by 9:15 to do shore turnover, and I did some cleaning and putting away, laundry, vacuuming, nail painting, etc. I even cleared the dining room table. My parents arrived to stay for a few days, and I left for Melissa's. Kim was down with Libby visiting her parents and her and set up a date with Melissa and Zo. The timing was perfect, the weather was perfect, and it was so nice to sit around and do nothing but talk and laugh and eat Melissa's delicious food and drink beer slower than her grandmother (LOLOLOL). I went to bed around 11:30. 

Sunday I stayed in bed until close to 9 and it was freaking amazing to get a deep solid sleep with no dogs and no time to get up. We had coffee and bagels and watched Libby's programs before I headed down to the shore. I stopped at the produce store and the library before heading to my house. It was a weird weather day, so we sat on the porch and took a few walks, I read a book, tomato sandwiches for dinner, and the remaining episodes of Dr. Death at night.

This week is free from external deadlines for the first time in I am not sure how long, and I plan to be balanced as a motherfucker with work and personal life. 

Happy happy birthday to Evan today! Anyone needing photography for corporate ( in studio or on location, headshots/web photo updates, events, openings, announcements, project documentation, product shots, catalogs, etc), wedding, engagement, kid pics, family photos, you name it, Evan does it via Evan Leslie Images, primarily in PA, NJ, and DE. 

Closed today on account of marriage

These two are getting married today. My brother Stephen and his long-time girlfriend Aubrey.

I love Aubrey. Which, as we all know, is not a given when someone marries into our framilies. I can't even make any schmaltzy now we're family statements. They've been together for 12 years, same as me and MFD. Aubrey and I have been family. I'm excited to stand up as a bridesmaid today when they make it official. She will be a stunning bride who will light up the room.

The four of us over 12 years ago in July 2002. 

The four of us a week ago today, Nov 7 2014

This little boy, six years younger than me, nemesis and intruder on my only child status in his early years, tormenter and source of gross boy smell in his adolescent years, lifeline in some hard times (his, mine, and ours), and one of the people I love the most in life...he's getting married today. Cue sentimental me. I expect to have some tears.

It is a wedding, after all.

I love wedding days. The beauty, the details, the hoopla, the show, the attire, the music, the food, the dancing, and the happy. All the happy.

I send a million good thoughts to the couple and hope a lot of hopes for them.

I hope day of hopes, like I hope they look around and really appreciate this wedding day that will fly by, that they take a few minutes to themselves to be all oh shit we're married!, that they always feel the support of the people who were here to witness them saying their vows, that they don't feel too rushed, that their pictures turn out awesome, and that they really enjoy this day.

Then I hope lifelong hopes, like I hope they know that a bad day personally or as a couple doesn't mean a bad life, that they know commitment will carry them through when the love and even the like isn't there, that they recognize their job as their partner's support and encouragement system is now the most important job in their life.

Then I take a zillion photos, have some apps, and go to the bar and get some free drinks. Today is my 11th and final appearance as a bridesmaid. This old broad is retired. I'm going out with a bang.

Cheers to love, cheers to weddings, and cheers to two people who I love very much on their wedding day.

Cheers to my dear friend Melissa on her birthday. Thanks for being real, always speaking the truth, listening when I need someone to listen, always supporting me, and being a lot of fun. 

Cheers to Friday, and cheers to you.