I'm glad it's my off Monday and I don't have anything pressing to do beyond putting in the garden (already 1/2 done) and general housecleaning. We've been pushing so hard getting the house ready for the party last weekend - which I totally FAILED to take pictures of and then this weekend we had another event we had to attend. Yes, I said had to because I think that's how we all felt. Except for Big Bit, who was anticipating a train wreck of family dysfunction in epic proportions. He didn't get it though, everyone was very well behaved.
Let me back up a little bit. I had mentioned a while back that there was something I wasn't too thrilled about and that my opinion might come out on Facebook. That thing was my father in law's pending nuptials. He doesn't read this blog, well, none of TH's family does and that's the way I like it for now. Not that I talk about them, until now anyway.
My mother in law died while we lived in hell, I mean Utah, right before I started this blog. I loved her. She was the BEST mother in law you could ask for (and trust me, the first one I had was the WORST one, so I know what I'm talking about). She was patient, supportive and a great mother and wife and a terrific grandmother. She had opinions, and could voice them with a little biting wit on occasion but usually she just kept her opinion to herself. Actually, she reminded me of my grandmother. I hope they've met by now, they'd get along famously.
So, anyhow, a few months later, TH's dad's best friend died. I loved him. He was a physician, witty, charming, and boy could he flirt! Not in a bad way, but in that fun way when you're talking with someone who really appreciates women and has a great sense of humor. His family was Old Idaho, like mine (only with a lot more money!), in fact his first cousin was the late Senator Frank Church. He was quite a bit older than TH's dad and his health hadn't been good for a while. I'm sure he's charming all the women in heaven now.
As often happens, the widow and widower got together and that, honestly, wouldn't be a problem - except I've never, ever liked her. I just didn't. She was okay, I could deal with her, but if it hadn't been for how much I liked her husband, I would have avoided her as much as possible. I knew TH wasn't thrilled, and he's known her since he was, oh, around 10 years old but I figured that was natural, while my reaction was odd. Surely, I thought, I was the only one that felt this way. Then I had some back and forth with my niece on Facebook wherein she indicated she, too, was not happy. In fact, she conveniently had a reason not to come to the wedding. Hm...
The ceremony took place. TH had to BUY a suit, the first one in his life, for this event. That smacked of fancy, and fancy isn't something that TH is, though he can pull it off, as you'll see. Pretty soon, the more that we heard, fancy started smacking of pretentious. Pretentious isn't something either one of us do well at ALL. It's the reason I will never rise higher in my career than my current level. And I'm okay with that. I'm also okay with the fact I successfully avoided the bachelorette party with lingerie and other things that I won't mention since my aunt reads this blog and she'd wash my mouth out with soap. It's kind of like going to a bachelor/ette party for your parents. Ew.
I did take the opportunity to get a family picture. Everybody looks good, I have to say Big Bit is getting to be a fine looking man. Wah.
My mom had been around TH's parents a lot, and has had a good relationship with his Dad, so she of course had been invited. She wasn't thrilled either, though I think she says she couldn't remember having met the fiancee until last weekend (did I mention the bride to be wore a GOLD JACKET AND TIGHT PANTS TO OUR PARTY? I HAVE WITNESSES). I guess she's heard me complain enough. Thanks Mom.
So, off we went to the ceremony and while I knew TH was distracted, I had no idea how bad he was until we came down the hill into Horsehoe Bend...which was NOT where the wedding was. It was in Emmett. He forgot how to get there. Please note, the physician I spoke of was TH's doctor, who lived in Emmett, and he used to go there anytime something was up that required a doctor visit, not to mention the fact they used him as informal tech support for their office. I've been there approximately twice since my freshman year of college when I had a friend who lived there. So I didn't really think about where we were going. Thankfully, there is a road from Horsehoe Bend to Emmett that isn't too long. We got to the site about 15 minutes before the wedding was to start instead of an hour, as planned. Oh well.
TH and his brother in law were best man and groomsman, respectively. We hadn't seen him and TH's sister in over two years. Things got very disjointed and weird once Mama Sue wasn't around. TH and his sister aren't close, mostly because they have very different interests in life but they do love each other. I was surprised at how happy I was to see them. That is a good sign. It was also a good sign when she pointed at the punch bowl and told me, "I have the non-alcoholic drinks" and burst out laughing (unusual for her) when I responded "Today, I HAVE to drink" as I headed for the wine. I think she would have been drinking, if she ever had done so. Hm. Maybe I'm not the only one, I thought.
As I said, TH can pull off fancy. He looked awesome. Thankfully Big Bit was around to tie his necktie for him, because I sure don't know how and obviously neither does he!
TH's grandfather and aunt had come out from Arkansas for the wedding. They are his mom's side of the family, so I was thinking this must mark a sign of approval from them. Based on the conversation TH had with his aunt yesterday - not so much. More proof I'm not alone. Unfortunately, we didn't get pictures of them at the wedding (Big Bit was distracted too) but they're coming over to the house before they head back so I will get some. They are just the nicest people ever.
I will not comment on the following photos. You, dear reader, certainly can though if you wish. I won't repeat what friend Allen said on Facebook. Let me just note it was faboo. Steve muttered something unprintable. Actually it was printable because he said "bleep" instead of the bad word, but I forget exactly what his utterance was.
TH's cousins and their spouses also came and though I've only met them a few times, it was nice to visit with them too, although sadly, they told us that TH's uncle (his Dad's older brother) is nearing the end of his battle with pancreatic cancer. Uncle Al is a great guy, his birthday is a few days before Little Bit's in December and he gave us great advice on how to deal with a birthday so close to Christmas when I was pregnant. He's also fun to golf with. They live in Arizona now, so we haven't seen him or Aunt Gloria for a while but I think of them often.
So, anyway, it all went down, it's over, and now we can go back to being ignored by the happy couple, which, as it turns out from all of the family feedback (we'd never asked before because we were sure we were the only ones who weren't happy) is pretty much what's happening to all of us. It's too damn bad for Grandpa, but there you are. His problem, not ours. Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
