The wedding is just over two weeks away, and I have a to-do list a mile long. As is my tendency, I have put off everything until the last minute, and here it is, staring me in the face. Remember when I said I would buy my mother-of-the-bride dress no less than one month before the wedding?
HA!
Shopping for a dress, exactly the same size as I could have bought last month, (!) is but one of the many items on my list for tomorrow.
But I did take care of quite a few things by phone. Instead of making a two-plus hour trip tomorrow to pay for the cake, I was able to pay by phone. And instead of trekking to Clarksville to put in the final order for the linens, I took care of that over the phone, too.
We have decided we have as final a head count as we are likely to get. Cousin Pearl still hasn't decided whether she'll be bringing a guest, and there are a few people who didn't respond at all, even though we feel fairly certain they'll be there. My mother has come down with a terrible case of shingles, and is hoping to be well by the wedding date. Youngest sister Carolyn has a brand spanking new boyfriend and has moved in with him, so I have no idea if A) she's still coming, or B) she'll be bringing Brand Spanking New Boyfriend. Elly May responded that she would be bringing FOUR guests, for Heaven's sake, but I do have good news on that: Granny called tonight to report that Elly had gotten fed up with Sonny AGAIN and kicked him out today. Went to the police department and took out a restraining order against him. Which means he'll probably be back in jail by the wedding.
I...will resist commentary on that for just now.
(Pay no attention to the faint sounds of applause and hallelujahs you hear coming from your computer.)
I began a major project, which led to a second major project. I emailed Eric's mother and asked her for some photos of Eric through the years, which she sent. (Thank you so much, Wendy!) I then purchased quite a few frames in various sizes and styles and have put together a display of both Eric and Ariel, for the gift table. Major project number one. Number two came about as I was searching for pictures of Ariel, and realized my photos needing organizing. Eleven albums, two photo file boxes, plenty of Walmart envelopes full of photos, and lots of loose ones. What a mess! I worked on both projects simultaneously for two weeks, photos jumbled and sorted on the dining room table. Fred was not happy about having to eat supper in the living room every night. Finally, I decided this was just not the time to take on such a massive task, and I just shoved everything back in the closet. I got a lot of photos framed, but all those albums are gonna have to wait.
I have cried many a nostalgic tear while going through all those old photos. My babies are babies no more. I will never again see their pink cherubic cheeks through my camera lens, never again catch them in a moment of "playing house," never again smile at their laughing faces as they ride atop Fred's shoulders. So many memories: Ariel gingerly sticking her toes in the ocean for the first time; Charming, on top of the world, riding without his training wheels; the two of them asleep in my bed together. Baby Ariel asleep on Fred's chest, Baby Charming asleep in his high chair. Ariel, age six months, in her first Mickey Mouse ears, and Charming, age four, debonair but visibly impatient to get outside and hunt Easter eggs. School pictures, Disneyworld pictures, birthday parties, swimming pools, Christmas mornings.
I have no more words just now, only the sound of my heartstrings ripping through my breast. I invite you to share in a few of my memories.
My little Prince Charming
Darling Ariel
Oh! My babies!
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