It was perfect…

Today #5 became Mrs. J.

The day started off on a tight schedule, no matter how much prep work is done prior to a wedding, somethings just have to wait until the very last minute. I was worried there for a minute. While picking up the party platters at Costco… I decided that buying kleenex (a case) would be a good idea, I cried putting the kleenex into the cart…

Everything came together though, almost like it was planned. #5 was walked down the aisle by both her Dad and her Father. A quick reception followed with tons of pictures, I’ll leave you with these:

Mr. & Mrs. J

A kiss for the Bride

A bite to eat afterwards

Husb, Addict, Mrs. J, #2, #1

#4, #5, #1, #2 (#3 Lives in Hawaii and we didn’t really give her enough time to get here )

And they’re outta here!

All the best, Mr. and Mrs. J!

After everyone had left, the lights were turned down and the last of the cleaning was complete. The only thing left to do was to pack up the music (still playing) and lock the doors. Husb took me to the center of the hall and we danced… and cried a little more. Both of us.

I got nothing tonight…

The wedding is tomorrow… I might not have anything then either.  Busy, busy, busy.

I thought I’d jump in a play along…

Since I’m not really a tagger, if you haven’t done it yet… feel free to grab it!

1. FIRST NAME?
Emily.
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
The “Emmy awards” or so I’ve heard

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Yesterday, good tears though.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Pastrami.

6. KIDS?
5 (4 daughters and a son ages 27-20), one grandson and a few blog-kids.

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I’d like to think so…

8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
This is it, baby.

9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Who me??? *bats eyes* NooOOoooo!

10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Nope.
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Not even for large sums of money.

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Honey Bunches of Oats.
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Most of my shoes don’t have laces… even if they do, um… no.

14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I think, I think I’m stronger than I really am. Physically and mentally.

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Lactose free vanilla bean with carmel AND hot fudge topping…

16. SHOE SIZE?
9 (or 41…) They have grown a full size since I stopped wearing cheap shoes… now they’re fat and happy.

17. RED OR PINK?
Red.

18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Physically? My front teeth… I need to get those fixed but I’m a dentist-a-phobe.

19. WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Not much really… I think overall, I’ve been blessed beyond what I deserve.

20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Anyone who want’s to.

21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Denim shorts, no shoes.

22. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Cinnibon cinnamon roll.

23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
David Letterman.

24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Black. Not because it’s dark, because in tattooing, it’s the outline. The outline is often overlooked, but it defines the beautiful colors beside it.

25. FAVORITE SMELL?
Fresh. Fresh baked bread, freshly mown lawn, fresh ocean air…. you get it!

26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Daughter #2.

27. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?
The eyes… windows to the soul and all…

28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I stole it… I like the blog-person I stole it from…

29. FAVORITE DRINK?
Water… Oh, flavored? Diet/caffine free cola.

30. FAVORITE SPORT?
Shopping… it should be in the olympics.

31. HAIR COLOR?
Almost black with honey brown peek-a-boo streaks (according to my hair-dresser).

32. EYE COLOR?
Brown w/ green flecks.

33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No.

34. FAVORITE FOOD?
Pasta.

35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING?
Happy endings.

36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Grrr…. it was *just* last week, it was really good, I cried. I can’t remember the damn name, but there was a girl in it, and maybe some cars… You’ve really got to see it!
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Grey.

38. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer (fall really, but that wasn’t part of the question)

39. HUGS OR KISSES?
Depends on who.

40. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Cream Brulee.
41. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
? anyone who want’s to.

42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
?Those who don’t want to.

43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Jentz.

44. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
No mouse, no pad.

45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
Court TV, forensic files… ??? some other stuff, usually it’s just background noise.

46. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
Laughter.

47. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Ooh, that’s tough, it depends on my mood.

49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
*blushing* so I’ve been told

50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Spokane Washington, May 3, 1962, 1972

Joining the family…

It’s kind of like college hazing.

The wedding is Thursday, pictures to follow.

A few weeks ago, #2 and I informed future son-in-law that he was required to ask for my daughter’s (#5) hand in marriage. Now you have to realize that my husband is a big man. He stands 6′ 4″ plus, and is very, very quiet. Generally speaking if one of the daughters brings a boy home, attempts at conversation with husband are discouraged. I can always tell that husb is warming up to the guy when husb gets the guns out and cleans them in full view of the young male guest. When properly dropped, the slide of a Ruger 9mm makes a very distinctive sound, and yet, occasionally a young man will continue attempts to whoo a daughter.

Early one Sunday evening, the happy couple comes by to talk to the Dad. Bear in mind husb recently began therapy for various issues, some regarding anger management. So anyway… on their first attempt the mission was aborted because the husbands mood was, um, a little off, for issues of such importance. Later in the evening, the kids were called back for a second attempt. After the first failed attempt, future son-in-law was getting a little edgy. I had given husband a heads up earlier, just so he was prepared. He totally knew why the kids were coming back by, but future son-in-law had no idea that husb had been forwarned.

We are eating dinner in the living room, watching television. The kids are sitting on the edge of the sofa. Future son-in-law is sheet white. Husband is on the love seat, his attention directed away from the kids, towards the TV. Future son-in-law makes several attempts to gain husbands attention to no avail. Several uncomfortable minutes pass. Finally future son-in-law excuses himself to the rest room, where I can only assume he is having a little trouble holding down his own dinner. Daughter is on the sofa, by now laughing her ass off as I tell husband to just make eye contact with the poor boy when he comes out of the rest room, which eventually happens.

With much relief, the event ended on a happy note. Future son-in-law proved his bravery and did a beautiful job of making his humble request.
One daughter down, three to go.
(son, #4 has already been married off, if you’re keeping track of the kid #’s)

Two years in a row

For the last two years a popular arts and entertainment publication does a poll for the “Best of Salem”. Both years we were voted the Salem’s Best Tattoo/Piercing Studio!

They came in today to let us know and to take some photos. Had I known they were voting, I’d have voted (and tried to con others to do the same to tip the scales) but we took it anyway

I’ll post the link to the list when it’s available on-line (in a few days).
It’s true… I’m a press whore.

So do we fall in love with ourselves?

This is soley based on my observations as a ‘people watcher’.

I think that more often than not, when people find themselves physically attracted to another, that as a couple they share more physical attributes than not.

I find this particularly interesting as usually one or both people find a specific charactistic that they have to be unattractive, and yet they find nearly the same attribute to be charming in their partner. An example would be a woman who is self concious about a crooked smile, and yet it may be her mates quirky smile that first drew her attention.

By and large, while walking through a populated area, I have noticed brunettes with brunettes, blonds with blonds, similar smiles, eyes and skin tones (of course there are millions of exceptions, but this seems to be the majority). I’m just talking about physical attraction, that initial spark that happens when couples first meet.

I think there are two reasons this seems to occur more often than not: I think that when two people first make eye contact, because they are physically similar, there is a trace of recognition so they feel more at ease with one another on first glance. The second and perhaps most important is that we really do love ourselves and we find how we ‘look’ attractive but have been trained that the idea of finding ourselves attractive is vain. Perhaps when looking at someone we find physically attractive, we are looking at something we can appreciate in another that we have not yet been able to embrace about ourselves…. It’s a thought.

I’m dead…

Or just getting old…

Day before yesterday I was to help son and daughter in law move from Corvallis to Portland. I told work, daughters, everyone, I would be busy all day. I didn't want any phone calls, I couldn't babysit, shop, play, help, listen, complain, et al… I was busy. As it turns out the plans were postponed until Friday so I had Thursday completely to myself.

It was a beautiful day, so I went for a 4 hour bike ride! Four.Hours.

It ended up being just me and the kids for moving day. Bright and early I picked up the U-haul, drove it to their place (50 miles), helped load it, and drove it to Portland (another 100 miles) and helped unload it.

They have a beautiful 'new' place that was built in the 1920's, on the second floor with a very narrow two tier stair case that turns. It is located at the very end of a very long hall (it literally could not be farther from the twisty stairs).

Have I mentioned how many books college students acquire (and shouldn't they be smart enough to put one book in each box rather than many books in one box)? Or just how much stuff will fit into a one bedroom apartment? How about the solid oak (self-folding) futon they have? Seriously, it was easier to give birth to him than help with their 3-ton television.

The last two days have thoroughly kicked my ass… I'm too old for this and I advised son to call his father when they decide to move next time, he's stronger and needs the exercise more (I have a bike…)

You know I like these…

The Picto-Personality Test You are a person who is very ambitious, and constantly thinking of ways to further your own goals. When alone, you appreciate being able to do nothing if you want to, and setting your own pace for things. You are laid back. Anything goes, with you. In the future you will be happy and live richly.

Take this Test at QuizGalaxy.com

Weather Report

From the news:

"We are getting into our summer weather!"

On average, in Salem Oregon, we get:

6 Sunny-clear days in June

12 Sunny-clear days in July

12 Sunny-clear days in August

Conversations that shouldn’t happen…

Daughter wants to borrow my new bike and take it for a ride (Guess what? I got a new bike!).
She is wearing a skirt…

Her: Hey Mom, can I borrow some pants from you too?

Me: Are you wearing underpants? (I'm kidding when I ask this).

Her: *blushing* You don't wear them either!

Me: They're ~MY~ pants!!!