This is the closest I can be to a "brief synopsis" of the wedding.  Verbose as I am, brief is definitely relative.

Most comical but not-great-thing, that gives us all something to talk about for years to come:  I've said how we had those different cakes set up on a silver and glass graduated tier server to take the place of the hideous wedding cake (which everyone was calling the Corpse Bride's cake).  WELL, just before the toasts, as people were still eating and  the upcoming cake-cutting was still in the future, an old man came from across the room and approached the cake table.  He went right up to it, grabbed the fancy knife and server and SLICE - cut himself a HUGE chunk of the shaved chocolate torte which served as the top tier.  After he did that,before someone could rush over to guard the cake, a woman then came - from the same table as the man - and approached the cake table.  She was about to slice a different cake when the bride and groom quietly yelled (you know, polite loud voice), "Please, don't!!!  That's the wedding cake!"  She turned to them and glared and said, "Well, I'm allergic to vanilla and I want some of that chocolate cake."  There was a stand off of stares and she left.  However, she wasn't done....I had gone to the kitchen to help uncork the wine.  She came to the door way, looked us all over and zoomed in on me.  "I WANT SOME OF THAT CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!!!  I am allergic to vanilla cake.  I want THAT."  Now, mind you, dessert hadn't even been announced yet.  I politely told her that the bride and groom had to do the cake cutting ceremony first and then I'd be happy to make sure that she got a piece of that cake.  She huffed a bit and left.  (BTW, most chocolate cake recipes have vanilla extract in them anyhow).  The photographer turned the top tier around so that the chunk missing would be hidden if he took the pictures from a slightly lower angle.  The woman then made sure to get there as quickly as she could.  In fact, everyone from that table ignored their cake (instructions were given for that) and ate from those wedding cakes.

Moment that made me cry:  We slaved for hours decorating -- and we were also responsible for the clean up. We wanted the room to be clean/neat for a Sunday School class that meets in the back half and for a shower that is being held today.  We were paying the janitor to help out, but there was a lot to do. (A hundred dishes and tableware with them, etc).  Several people pitched in - but the roads were icy (We were having a horrible sleet storm) so we encouraged them to hurry home.  At 11pm, into the church came Paul & Kim who live only 1/4 mile from the church.  They said, "We couldn't come to the wedding because it was the senior partner's annual Christmas party... but we came to see if you needed help cleaning!"  Now that is walking the walk.  My daughter cried when I told her.

Another meltdown and solution:  Right before we left for our hair appointment, my youngest daughter began freaking out because she "hates her arms" and her dress is strapless.  Although this should have been something she said weeks ago, I can't bear the thought of anyone enduring dozens of pictures being taken of them and a hundred eyes upon them, feeling like they look ugly or whatever.  SO...fried as I was, I dropped them off at the hair appointment and drove to the nearest Macy's.  It was about 10 miles away...10 miles fraught with traffic lights and I hit every one.  My body began having a panic attack, without my mind/emotions being evolved, if you can imagine that.  First I could feel all my muscles tense up, then I started shaking all over, got dizzy, etc.  I just kept telling myself to breathe deep.  I stopped at, of all places, McDonald's and got a Sprite off the dollar menu because I felt maybe I was having low sugar or something.  I got into Macy's on trembling legs, looking white as a ghost I'm sure. Feeling "out of body" the whole time, too.   Fortunately, I found the perfect (albeit ridiculously priced) silver shawl.  Crisis averted, self-esteem saved.

Hair Scare:  By the time I got back to the hair salon, Erin's hair was done and it was gorgeous.  Rhianna's was being worked on and ended up looking great.  Jenna had needed time to decide and look at more pictures.  She finally found something she liked and Christine began working on it.  It was really pretty.  At one point, Jenna was completely satisfied and said it was perfect. AND THEN for some bizarre reason Christine said she wasn't done yet.  She proceeded to do something to the front and top of Jenna's hair that made it really tall.  Her husband is short.  Anyhow, protesting politely, Jenna tried to get her to get it back the way it was.  She couldn't or wouldn't.  It ended up "modified."  Jenna went out to the van, called Josiah to come get her and went home...and took it out and when I got home I had to help her fix it.  It did end up looking beautiful but...  Anyhow, my hair came out great - but I was so busy feeling spaced out, screwed up and like I just might pass out for the first half, I don't know how she did what I wanted. 

Last minute glitches:  Erin forgot to bring her pantyhose, so the groom rushed out to buy her a pair.  The woman who normally coordinates the weddings is having a family crisis so... they were having couples communion and nothing was prepared.  The pastor ran out and grabbed one of the croissants from the buffet and they filled the cup with moments to spare. 

Also, the runner was tacked down near the top.  As Jenna was walking up the stairs, a tack came out and went into her shoe and stuck her foot.  She tried to discreetly kick the tack out of her shoe, but the shoe went with it.  She couldn't neatly get it back on, so she took off the other shoe. The shoes dragged, unseen, under her skirt throughout the ceremony UNTIL they arose from the kneeler and turned to face the congregation for the traditional glass-breaking (her husband is of Jewish ancestry).  The pastor helped lift her train and swirl it gracefully outward and when she stepped forward again - there were the shoes about 6 feet away from her.

That's anything but brief, I suppose.  The best part though - the service was absolutely wonderful.  My daughter looked stunning and radiant, in spite of all near-disasters.  She and Josiah had a glorious time.  Everyone raved about the food.  The ugly cake game was a big hit.  Our friend who MCed the event did an awesome job. 

AND I'm thanking God that it is all over!!!!!

When I recover (I feel like garbage), I will be by to visit everyone's pages.

The decorators at the Giant Eagle bakery department in my town are AWESOME, WONDERFUL and TRULY AMAZING.  We thought we would be going from bakery to bakery finding whatever would "do" for the occasion.  When they asked what we needed so many cakes for, we explained the problem.  And they said, "NO PROBLEM!  We can help you!"  As I speak, a dozen 8" round cakes are being made, decorated just the way we need them and ready to pick up by noon. WOW.  Also, we had an idea for the bridal cake that will look elegant.  We bought a beautiful silver and glass 3-tier cake stand.  To be put on the stand, we purchased a 6" shaved chocolate torte, an 8" chocolate very fancy fondant-iced cake (which had a red rose on the top, they are changing it out to blue), and a 12" very big, chocolate almond cheesecake.  Those will serve as the bridal cake and serve the head table.

The kids came up with a great way to get rid of the hideous cakes - they are going to call everyone to attention and tell them to look under their chairs.  If there is a candy cane under their seat, they must come before the head table.  When everyone is assembled, they will tell a brief version of the cake tale and "Life handed us some lemons, so we're handing out cake!"  Everyone candy-cane holder will get an ugly cake to take home. :)

They will keep the top layer of the ugly cake and freeze it for their anniversary (and look back at it and laugh, hopefully).  The rest of the cake we are going to donate to the local "free hot meals" place.  For some reason the name for it escapes me, probably because my brain is fried.  So "free hot meals place" was the best I could come up with.

We usually get birthday cakes at Giant Eagle.  The only reason we didn't order the cakes from them to begin with was that the decorators all leave at 2:30pm and my daughter works until 3pm.  We could never seem to coordinate getting there at the right times, even on the weekends, because we have had so many events going on.

I'm actually getting a moment to sip my decaf in peace.  Then it is off to pick up the bouquet and then for hair.  The guys are going to pick up the cakes and bring them to the church.  

It will be okay.  Disaster averted.  Bride and groom appeased.  Come Monday, we are writing a letter of appreciation to the bakery and giving it to the store manager.

  The more I complete on my "to do" list, the more there seems to attach itself.  I have been running myself ragged since the pain from the infection site stopped.  Wedding stuff.  Lots of wedding stuff.

The girls and I spent eternity tying little silver twine & poem cards on scores of little celebration bells (you ring them for the bride & groom to kiss and also to send them off instead of messing with rice/bird seed).  After that was tied on, little blue ribbons had to go on. 

We also stuffed scores of navy blue organza favor bags with silver and blue M&Ms.  Here's the amazing part -- we didn't eat any!  You have to either have remarkable willpower OR be stressed to the gills to resist 25 lbs of M&Ms.

The reception is going to be in our church's fellowship hall.  Yesterday, we had to go to decorate the sanctuary and the hall.  We were there for about 5 hours...and I have to go back and finish this morning...after I make a Wal-mart run for two more strands of icicle lights.  The tables alternate between silver-grey tablecloths with navy napkins and navy tablecloths with silver napkins.  Blue & silver snowflake confetti and wedding bell confetti are on each table, which we already set with silverware.  The buffet tables, finger food and drink tables, are all covered and skirted with the silver-grey.  The head table is opalescent white skirting and cloth with a lace-look overlay.  Each table with have a 7" cake (decorated like the wedding cake) in the center - with two candles in brandy sifters, one on each side.  Those are tied with silver-grey organza bows. 

The room will be lit only by candlelight and twinkle light (it looks awesome). We had to remove all of the swags (boy, were they dusty).  Encircling the entire room are twisted blue and white twinkle lights, with icicle lights above the head table and food tables.  Also behind the head table is an arched trellis woven with white chiffon and flowers. I plan on running twinkle lights through that this morning.

The snack table will have cheese/cracker trays, with little pepperonis and other mini-meats, fresh fruit and a chocolate fountain with a variety of dipping items.  The main buffet consists of salad, au gratin potatoes, green beans something-or-other, and chicken cordon bleu.  We will be serving Sutter Home Fre White Zinfandel (dealcoholized, it *is* wine), along with coffee, tea and soft drinks.  This is, after all, a dry wedding....we're a Baptist church. :)

The sanctuary is already decorated for Christmas, huge trees, twinkle lights, garland, poinsettias.  All we had to do was put out the candelabras and put bows on all of the pews.

Today, I have to rush through decorating, be home to meet my sister by noon, then go to pick up the center-piece cakes.   The rehearsal is at 6pm, so we're going to have to be at the church by 5:30pm.  After that, the rehearsal dinner will be at a very nice Italian restaurant.

Tomorrow we have to pick up the bouquet and boutonniere.  I was clueless that it was the groom's family's responsibility to pay for these.  Good grief.  All they are paying for are the tuxedo, the photographer and rehearsal dinner.

The dreaded hair-appointment I was too much of a wimp to cancel for good is also tomorrow.  I don't even have a clue what I want done with my hair, all I was thinking about was the bride.  As for my other girls, one knows what she wants and the other doesn't.  I guess the clueless should go last, meaning Erin and me.

Wednesday I almost fainted in the afternoon.  I got very dizzy and light-headed, my mouth went all dry.  I had felt exhausted and sat on the sofa when I got a phone call.  We were talking away when I needed to get up and write something down.  I got up, whooshed into another room and WHAM! It hit.  It scared me, which sent my heart racing.  I feared I was going to go into a panic attack.  A half-banana and 15 minutes or so and it hit me:  because of the queasy way antibiotic makes me feel, I had forgotten to eat since my morning workout when I'd come home and had a mini-yogurt.  It was about 6 - 7 hours since then.

Yesterday, I tried to remember to eat small things frequently, but it didn't work.  I had my protein shake, got carried away running hither and yon, had a quick light omelet and then...nothing.  I tried to save myself with some dark chocolate and drinking lots of water, I was really dehydrated.  It worked - I was tense, but I wasn't going to pass out from low blood sugar and stress.

The likelihood of getting in a workout today is non-existent.  I didn't workout yesterday, but I was climbing up and down ladders, carrying boxes, moving tables, etc.  Tomorrow, I think I'll head to the gym first thing in the morning.  If for some reason I can't, it's no big deal.  Bill Philips, Lee Lebrada, Tom Venuto - they all recommend taking a few days off in a clump a couple of times a year.  I should do it, but I'm addicted to my own adrenalin and it's hard.

My decaf must be done brewing by now, I thought I heard the beep the pot makes when it's done.  Time to start this day's insanity!

~o~

A prayer of blessing by one of my favorite poets, Robert Burns:

O thou who kindly dost provide
For every creature's want!
We bless Thee, God of Nature wide,
For all Thy goodness lent:
And if it please Thee, Heavenly Guide,
May never worse be sent;
But, whether granted, or denied,
Lord, bless us with content. Amen!

Robert Burns life reminds me so much of Romans 7 - doing the things you know you shouldn't do, not doing the things you know you should.  His works show that he understood the nature of human failure and divine redemption.  When Jean Amour became pregant, he went before the congregation for forgiveness, without coercion.  In spite of that humiliation, he worshipped at that Kirk for all his life.  Anyhow, I love his works and while some may bash him as a reprobate, I see his humanity and his struggle. From Cotter's Saturday Night:

The priest-like Father reads the sacred page...
Perhaps the Christian Volume is the theme,
How gultless blood for guilty man was shed;
How He, who bore in heaven the second name,
Had not on Earth whereon to lay his head:
How his first followers and servants sped;
- - - - - - - - - -
Then kneeling down to Heaven's Eternal King
The Saint, the Father, and the Husband prays
Hope 'springs exulting on triumphant win

I am not a person who loves to shop.  I know what I like, I want to find it and be done.  
Browsing around is not thrilling to me. Getting my hair screwed up going in and out of fitting
rooms is also no great joy.  With that in mind, I was very happy today when - waiting until only
two weeks before the wedding - I found a dress to wear.  

Back in another blog, months ago, I had put up two pictures of dresses from David's Bridal which I was going to choose between for Jenna's wedding.  When I went to order at the end of September, it turns out that the sales clerk mistakenly told me that the one I liked came in the right color when it really didn't.  My daughter didn't like the second choice - thought it was too long.  (A requirement was that I not look all maternal & frumpy in some beaded or jacketed monstrosity which they love to stick mothers in for weddings). With David's Bridal failing to fulfill our expectations,  I figured I'd have to look elsewhere for a dress.  I didn't...for the past two months I've completely ignored the fact that I needed to get my dress.

So today, feeling full of purpose, I went to the mall.  Walked right into the "special occasion"  dress department, saw three dresses that were the right color and were suitable for the occasion (and not hideous, there were definitely some hideous dresses - also many dresses for the breastless, which I am not), took them to the dressing room and ... that was that.  I found the PERFECT dress in less than 15 minutes.  Oh, it's not the exact perfect color - but my daughter doesn't care, I'm not a bridesmaid, I'm mother of the bride.  It is far from frumpy.  It is not "mother of the bride" sedate and serious.  In fact, it is very Marilyn Monroe-ish. You could just imagine stepping over a windy grate with the skirt blowing up in it.  My daughters love it.  (The card reader is broken, so I could only take the crappy cell phone pictures below).  It was the same price as the one I liked at David's Bridal - but it was on sale, plus I had a coupon for $20 off any single purchase over $100.

Now, after trying on that beautiful dress and thinking, "WOW! I love this!" I had to find shoes.  
Amazingly, I walked over to the shoe department and there on the display were the most excellent shoes ever - in the perfect smoky silver color.  Turns out that the size 7s on display were the only 7s left, so they were mine.  I also found my 11 yo perfect smoky silver shoes to go with her dress.  I realized I forgot to get a shawl - went back to special occasion-wear and found the absolute perfect, sheer smoky silver wrap (navy blue & silver are Jenna's wedding colors).  Matched the shoes perfectly.  AND it was the only one in that color left.  The rest on the rack were goldish beige and rosy bronze.  When I went upstairs to get a plunging strapless bra, the girl who rang me up told me that she had hung that silvery wrap on the rack herself last night - it had gotten put in the wrong department and she had been restocking.  She almost left it in the back but then someone told her where it went.  If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have had that thing.

Now I need the right color hose to go with the whole ensemble.  I already have the right earrings.

Shopping may not be my favorite activity, but it most definitely feels great when everything
comes together without any hassle - and feeling like you have a killer ensemble is definitely a
high.

I'm thinking that I might go have my hair colored a bit redder.  My hair used to be much more
auburn than it is right now.  I think it would look perfect with the dress if my hair were a
shade or two on the deep auburn side. My eyes are hazel - green & yellow.  I think that if I went a little redder, it would pick up the green more.    

Things are coming together.  Hopefully, the next two weeks - with Thanksgiving and all - won't be total insane chaos.  The cakes are ordered, I have a cases of Fre White Zinfandel, I have millions of twinkle lights, organza ribbons, etc. I have a gazillion pounds of silver and navy blue M&MS to put in little organza favor bags.

On Monday evening, I have to take my aged father to get a new suit,  Probably not something I should've put off until now.  It will be an ordeal which is why I've procrastinated.  There comes
a time when procrastination must end... this is it.

Unfortunately - a grainy picture that doesn't do this amazing dress justice.  The top is very like the famous dress that Monroe is on the grate in, with a similar waistband.  The skirt isn't as full (and it's not pleated or anything).  It sort of clingingly swings down over the tummy & hips then out.... if you twirl in it, it goes way out. (Wearing the dress & excellent shoes, I was overcome by the urge to twirl).

The Most Excellent Shoes

~o~

Yesterday, I wound up with a sinus headache so I opted out of cardio & hanging upside down doing yoga and irritating my sinuses.  I was due for a rest day anyway.  The nearest place that "Love in the Time of Cholera" was playing would be a pain due to Friday night traffic.  So, I stayed home, took aspirin and watched "Amazing Grace" and Tivo'd Men in Trees and watched in afterward.  

~o~

Today's workout.  Off I went to the gym for 60 minutes of HIIT on the Octane & the Cybex.  I
normally don't do weights on Saturdays but for some reason I felt like it.  So I did a quickie 25
minutes - mostly cable stuff.  This evening, 25 minutes of yoga.

barbell squat 12/95/2
barbell lunge 16/95/2
Terry pull 10/50/2
woodchopper 20/90/2
cable fly 12/100/2
tricep pressdown 12/110/2
cable adduction 12/50
cable kickback 12/70 (the ankle cuff was NOT staying shut, it was a pain in the neck, so I could only do one set of each of these or else lose my sanity)
side lunge 20/50/2
spiderman pushups 10/2
pike crunch w/stability ball 20/2