Whirlwind Weekend

My husband and I had a wonderful weekend away at a wedding in Fallbrook, California. The wedding was officiated by the bride's grandfather who received a mail order ordination specifically to perform the ceremony. Every time I hear the marriage vows recited, it reminds me to renew and refresh my vows and that marriage is a work in progress. I think Kevin and I are doing great after almost 16 years together, we still make each other laugh and are there for each other.

It was a beautiful wedding with a stunning bride, handsome groom, and spectacular setting. The food and music were delightful and the only "downer" was watching the bridal party and their friends get really drunk and perform simulated sex acts fully clothed under the guise of dancing. Believe me, I am so not a prude. I mean I grew up during the 60's and 70's, worked Emergency Room at a big hospital in Ft.Lauderdale, in other words, I am not easy to shock. I just think there is a time and place for everything, including lap dances, (like a strip club), not a wedding.

I hope you enjoy the pictures, the weather is even better than it looks. (Sorry if you are freezing your buns off, I would trade you some degrees if I could.)




The bride was ferried across the lake before and after the vows on a pontoon boat.

It was a lovely day and Kevin and I were happy to share in our friend's joy at his daughter's marriage.

Wedding in Fallbrook

Hello and I wish you a wonderful weekend. My husband and I are off to Fallbrook in the middle of Nowhere in San Diego County. We are attending the wedding of the daughter of one of my husband's partners. I realized I am now old enough to be attending the weddings of children of my peers, that's kind of cool. I haven't been to a wedding or away with only my husband for a long time, so this should be a treat. Especially since the weather is absolutely gorgeous here, sunny, warm, and gee, it's enough to make the folks freezing their buns off want to come and visit! I have a great dress to wear that does not require the wearing of uncomfortable undergarments. Also, I am delighted I don't need to shop for anything for my outfit. Life is good when you get to wear a comfortable bra and shoes and still look Hot for your honey!

Here's to your comfort and hotness always,

Martha

I.pod Anxiety

I am experiencing a little I.pod anxiety. You know, that sinking feeling when you are without your favorite electronic gadget? I love my I.pod nano even though it's three years old (I am very loyal that way, it works perfectly, who needs anything else?) Well, apparently I do, because for the holidays, my hubby got me an I.touch. This is one cool gadget, it's the I.phone without the phone (which I hear is kind of a pain.) The I.touch can play music, (of course), watch videos, surf the web, send Emails, click on a map photo of your friend's house at the beach, really cool stuff. I was love, love, loving my new toy. Until I found out it was the First generation, not their most recent generation, which contains a Built In Speaker and double the battery life. So, off to the internet vendor it goes to be exchanged for the Newest I.touch. I will keep it for a long time, so I might as well get the most recent configuration, right? I sure do miss my new gadget and hope to get the replacement soon. I am worried about recopying my library (Again!!) and all the potential data download headaches. I used to joke about people dependent on their Black.berries, but I get it now.

Disclaimer: This is Not a Paid Endorsement. Gee, I wish, I need to tell Apple Corp. if Bono isn't available, I will be delighted.

Comings and Goings

Charley the dog and the smallest Pack Leader, Abigail.

This past week marked two anniversaries that impacted my life greatly.

Last weekend was the 4 year anniversary of bringing our cat, Abigail, home from her foster home. She was a rescue kitty left with her sister in a box at a pet store about 50 miles away in southern Los Angeles. She was fostered by Cats At The Studios, a cat rescue organization organized by people who care and find homes for the strays that live on the grounds of the Studios. Abigail is a Tuxedo Manx; very sweet, smart, and affectionate to her family and her dog, Charley. It takes her awhile to warm up to new people, but she is very friendly when she does. She is my best bud, and I feel so lucky she has come into my life. Our oldest son named Abigail after a cute and sassy girl character from the Cartoon, "Kids Next Door". It suits her. To own and care for pets is a necessity for me and my well being. Especially a cat, a Manx cat named Abigail.

A few days ago was the 11th anniversary of my Grandma Rose's death. She was 95 years young and one of my best friends. She was sharp and funny until the day she passed and I celebrate and try to emulate her in the way she conducted her life. She was and continues to be a source of unconditional love. She showed me what it is to struggle, overcome, and succeed with her journey as a divorced mom, career woman, and a true and abiding friend to not only me, but to her son, my Dad. Thank you, dear Grandma Rose for all your love and gifts, they have not gone unbidden.

So, by the circumstance of the calendar, I celebrate the flow of unconditional love in my life, both human and feline. I'm a lucky woman indeed.

Lost in Austen and Never Coming Back

I have been enjoying watching the "Lost in Austen" series on TV these last two nights. Elliot Cowan was very haute (smoking hot!!) as Mr.Darcy in this miniseries, a most worthy successor to Colin Firth. I don't watch much TV (yeah, right), but the TV I most enjoy is from the UK. In addition to this wonderful mix up of the Austen novels, another guilty pleasure of mine is the BBC show, "Hotel Babylon". This show is so addictive it should come with a warning label.

The Lost In Austen show reminded me of how much I love Jane Austen. To me there are three kinds of people in the world; those who adore Jane and all her work, people who live in remote tribes yet to be discovered by Western civilization, and the unenlightened.

My wonderful husband indulges my passion for All Things Austen including getting me this Jane Austen Action figure last year for Christmas. I mean, doesn't every forty-something female want her own literature hero action figure?



My Darling hubby again, exceeded all expectations with this year's lovely gift of my very own "I<3 Mr.Darcy"!! What a guy!!


Thank you for sharing in my Austenmania and my best to you for a little indulgence of your fancies and whims, especially if they include Mr.Darcy, Oh My!!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!! House all to myself!

The Hallelujahs and collective sigh of relief are heard and felt not only in my fine, suburban tract home, but all across the Santa Clarita Valley as the Winter Holiday break of 3 weeks is Finally over and the KIDS ARE Back in School!
It was nice to let them sleep in and not nag them about homework, but it will also be nice not to nag them about hanging around the house and playing with electronic gadgets nonstop. The quiet is blissful, even the dog who adores his boys, seems relieved for some downtime.

Please stop by Weebles Webblog for more Perfect Moments this Monday, thank you.

Eat, Pray, Be a Man

I was talking on the phone with my Uncle Bud who is almost 83 years old. He is my only Uncle and holds a very special place in my heart. He always makes me laugh and think at the same time, my favorite kind of person. I don't get to see him as often as I would like, but I do enjoy our phone chats.
His parents and grandparents came to the United States from Eastern Europe one hundred years ago to escape the pogroms of the Russian Tsar. My great grandparents spoke Yiddish and my Uncle was conversant in this language as a teen. My uncle is not religious, but he is spiritual in a way forever touched by his World War II service in an infantry tank who liberated the death camps of Dachau and Treblinka in Europe.
My dear Uncle was telling me about a conversation with his grandfather (namesake of our youngest son) where he was describing what the term "Ess, bench, sei a mensch" ("Eat, Pray, Be a Man" in Yiddish) meant for him. Greatgrandfather said that with the uncertainty of never knowing when your home was going to be raided, or never knowing when you might eat, or pray again, or be able to practice a kindness, that you must fully take of these moments and savor them.
I found so much power and a gift in this simple, humble phrase because of this shared context. I appreciate my Uncle Bud for telling me this story and I will make sure to give this gift to my children and family. I am reminded how blessed I am, we all are, to be able to provide for our families, worship (or not) as we choose, walk down the street unaccosted, and be able to find some peace on our path.
I am also reminded of the power of language and how wisdom and love can reach across generations and time.