Here Comes the Bride! (And It's Not Me!)

An event more than a year in the making! Last weekend we celebrated Kevin and Molly's wedding!
 

You'll have to bear with me, because I just have to share, partly because it was fun, partly because I'm so happy for Kevin and partly because we now have a daughter!

 Like all weddings, ours started with the rehearsal -- and then the following morning, we were all out decorating the Grand Ledge Opera House, the wedding's venue. (More on that in a Pink Saturday post, coming soon!) Then came the big day!

We were so excited to see family again -- many of whom we hadn't seen since the last wedding! Rick's gang is spread out all over the country, so it was good to connect.

Before the wedding, the photographer took photos of the wedding party. I was pretty far away, using my zoom -- but when I saw Molly standing on this ledge which was only about a foot wide -- above a deep river (on a windy afternoon), my heart jumped into
my throat!

Fortunately, she's an athlete with great balance and apparently no vertigo! I was awfully glad when she came down!

The photos with the guys (again, shot from far away) were a little more casual!

The ceremony was performed by a family friend. It was warm and personal.

 The wedding music was performed by a former teacher that Kevin had known since middle school.
You'll hear more about him in a bit!

It was fun to see both Kevin and Greg dressed to the nines...

And fun for Rick and me to get dressed that way, too! (And yes, I did find shoes.)

Of course there were the family photos. We don't often get one of Rick's dad, mom and all the brothers, since both his parents are now married to other people, so this was nice.

 Then came the party! The opera house ballroom filled up with people for dinner...
 

And then came the dancing -- a little more sedate at first....

 
Then lots of music I'd mostly heard in my spinning class! Only even louder! All of us above a certain age will get junk mail from hearing aid companies -- and if we get one, I'm convinced the wedding will have been one of the reasons why! (That and too many rock concerts when we were in our 20s!)

DJ/violinist Rodney added to that fun by playing along with some of the pieces. Everyone there kept talking about what a fabulous DJ he was (and we agreed!). Anyone planning a wedding in Michigan -- talk to me!

And as it began with Kevin and Molly's dance, it ended that way, too, surrounded by a circle of friends.

And then, it seemed as soon as it began -- although it was really six hours later, off they went, through an archway of loving arms!

I came into Kevin's life when he was seven and I've seen him through Harry Potter and football, high school proms, graduations and jobs so far away it made our heart ache. We'll always be a notch down the 'food chain' now that he has his Molly.

 And that's just the way it should be.

Furball Update

A number of you have asked me in emails "How's Charlie B. doing?," "How's the puppy?" and "How's Gypsy doing?"

So I thought it was time for a furball update.

Charlie B. first -- as you can see, he's much improved!

This isn't the best photo, but it sure describes the action he picked up after his Parvo treatment. He's a whirling dervish and I learned I need the flash to stop the motion!

He's picked up weight -- all muscle and very stocky!

He's definitely Kevin's dog -- he's learned to come, sit and (usually) shake hands.

But Molly is his gal-pal...

...and his Grandperson Rick is smitten, too!

We're glad he likes us, because we all have a financial share in his wellness! (Or will, after payday!)

Gypsy continues to do well with his kidney treatments. He still gets his subcutaneous 20-minute fluid dump every Tuesday. Juicy Tuesday -- the day I load him with electrolytes.

He's hungry all the time, which I understand many cats with kidney disease are.

He'll beg for treats like a crazy boy...

...and if that doesn't work, he plots a devious strategy to help himself!

First, he'll eyeball it, check to see if anyone looks like they'll stop him and then make the reach...

Mission accomplished! The tin tips, the gluttony begins.

(Let me add here that when unattended, we hide his tin. And, we don't give him regular treats -- we give him his dry catfood, which he doesn't digest so well as a meal, in exercise treats, tossing them down the hall or across the room.) I was pretty worried that when the tree came down, we'd find some in the quilt I use as a tree skirt. I should have known better!

The tree is down. Finally. It came down a week ago, with regret.

That said, my Winter Wonderland tree remains and will until close to the solstice. I love the light.

And finally, a comment on my most wonderful winter evening so far. Rick made pasta, Kevin, Molly and Charlie B. came over and they spent the evening. I even won at Scrabble (and that rarely happens -- Rick and Molly are killer Scrabblers!) I didn't want it to ever end. A moment I will freeze in time.

Soon, I'll share my Valentine tree with you! And with any luck, some Valentines!