Weddings - from another universe

First - I am way behind in my blogs - that darn thing called life (work, kids, field trips, etc...) keeps getting in the way. I have a bunch of stuff in my head as well as some pictures in the camera for blogs, so hope to get to it in the next couple of days. I am now going to post about the wedding from the beginning of October.  (Since only about 5 people read this blog, and 2 of them were with me - I guess it was easy to procrastinate!!!) 

The wedding was in Marco Island, Florida at the Marriott Beach Resort - yes it really does look like this - including no one in the pool. Why doesn't anyone swim in the pool? I travelled to Florida meeting up with my mom and my big sis L in Chicago for the final leg of the flight.  Mom was invited to her godson's wedding - L and I were crashing the wedding under the guise of being mom's guests and "helping" her.  We arrived on Friday, saw a last glimpse of the sunset as we were on our way to the hotel.  Saturday was a nice day - spent time at the beach, I swam, and after I got out of the water I watched 3 dolphins swim right where I had just been swimming!  Pretty amazing.  Then the clouds moved in and it began to pour rain - I mean major tropical storm!! We stood under a Chickee Hut until it stopped (about 15 minutes) and then sat on the beach for awhile longer.  We then went to the "welcome dinner" for the wedding guests.  This was supposed to be on the Sunset Terrace, but it was raining too hard, so it was moved inside.   Nice fancy little affair.  It was at this dinner that I realized we were now in another universe - one with tons of money and skinny people.  The groom works for Deutsch bank and the bride is a lawyer in NYC.  They live in a nice little place off of Park Avenue. A portion of the guest list seemed to be heavily weighted with financial sorts!!! The stock market had just taken a dive and these people have so much $$$ no one cared.  These were not my people!!! That said, in spite of the money most everyone was very nice, they just view the world a little different than I do.  Nonetheless, we got to see everyone from the "U" family, see the "kids" all grown up and meet their spouses and little babies and kids. The last I saw the boys was when I was at UMASS 20 years ago. And I hadn't seen Katie since my K was 1 year old.  We also met the bride as we had not yet met her. Here are some pictures of Mom, L, and I - 

On Sunday - it was again overcast and rainy - and very humid.  We hung out at the pool side - they bring you cool cloths freshened with floral citrus to cool you down. Before we knew it - time to get ready for the evening wedding.  This was supposed to be on the Lawn Terrace.  I say supposed to be because as it neared the time for the wedding, the clouds moved in and it began to pour rain.  The wedding planner had it on radar that the storm would blow over soon - so we waited and I actually remembered to take some pictures (unlike Saturday night).

The rain did not stop, so the wedding ceremony was moved inside.  Nice short ceremony and then on to the dinner reception in the grand ballroom.  Here is mom with her godson (the groom) -

The only shots I have of the bride and groom that turned out are these:

The reception was nice - lots of dancing.  How I wish I could dance. The groom played football for Dartmouth - so some of his old football buddies were there - nice guys.  Hilarious listening to them relive that final game against Princeton in the snow, sleet, .... they finished each others sentences about the game.  The father of the groom made a very heartwarming toast to the bride and groom. The bride and groom lit up whenever they saw each other.  It is soooo cool when you can actually see the love in someone's eyes as they look at their partner.  This is how it was at this wedding.  All in all a very nice wedding with a very nice family.  

While I am on the subject of weddings from another universe - I would like to mention one of my favorite TV shows that I highly recommend - My Big Redneck Wedding.  Appropriately it is on CMT. Now before you label me as the redneck -  T discovered it one Saturday afternoon last year.  Thank goodness for Dish Network as then we can set it up in the DVR and we never miss a new episode.  At any rate - the show is about rednecks having weddings (just like the title). Quite different ideas than the above wedding. Usually involves some sort of camo outfit or beer cans.  Nonetheless - the bride and groom most often have that loving look in their eyes - the look of true undying love.  Love knows no economic boundary!!!  Check it out sometime.

Pink Bikini Espresso and What Not to Wear

Recently A has realized 2 career options. This is both good news and bad news. Good news because she realizes she cannot live with us forever and needs to obtain employment. Bad news because – well you decide-
Career Choice #1 was discovered while we were driving home one night recently. We passed an espresso stand – “Pink Bikini Espresso”. Pink Bikini Espresso you ask? Some background- in the NW there is an espresso stand on every corner. In an effort to lure customers there has been a trend for some of the drive-thru espresso stands to require baristas to wear scantily clad bikinis. (Only the female baristas. ) There is, of course, controversy regarding these espresso stands- some groups feel they should be illegal. Although I feel this is exploiting women - I also feel this is America, if there are women who want to apply as baristas and wear a bikini serving hot coffee- well then, so be it. There are plenty of barista jobs which do not require bikini uniforms. Back to A - she saw the pink bikini on the sign for the espresso stand and exclaimed – “Wow – I bet you GET to wear a pink bikini if you work there. Wouldn’t that be cool mom? And it is close to our house, so you can see me every morning on your way to work! I would probably even give you free coffee”. Gee thanks A. Although free coffee sounds quite nice – obviously seeing my daughter in a bikini, in an espresso bar each morning does not!!
Career Choice #2 was discovered while the girls and I were watching “What Not to Wear”. This is the show where hosts Clinton and Stacy surprise an unsuspecting, poorly, dressed person and denounce everything about their wardrobe, hair, make up and in this case lifestyle. The victim in this episode was an erotic dancer. The first 3 or times they stated “erotic dancer”, I was wondering if the girls knew what that meant. Then finally instead of erotic dancer – Stacy stated, “Just because your career is a stripper, and you take your clothes off for a living, doesn’t mean you can’t dress nice when not working!” Well let me tell you – A was lying on the floor – she sat up, looked at me, and said “What does she do?” K said “She takes her clothes off for people” A then lights up and says – “You can do that and they pay you to do it? I want to do that!!!” OHHH MYYY!!! Please be aware – A hates clothes. Even when she was a baby, she hated clothes, pajamas, and blankets. The minute we get home she is out of her clothes. We are constantly asking her to put some clothes back on. “Please even a T-shirt” Although I explained it is not morally correct to take your clothes off in front of strangers and why it would not be a good career choice – A still seems a bit doubtful as to why it would be bad to be paid to take your clothes off. A pivotal moment was when she decided she could be a bikini barista in the day and then in the afternoon or evening, she could be a stripper – she would not have to take much off – only the bikini.
I keep telling myself she is only 7, she WILL change her mind. Until then, we will continue to try to teach her morals, values, right from wrong, and some modesty!!!