This Time
Last
Year | After a red-eye flight, I met my mom at the
airport and went back to her house to sleep a bit before driving the 3
hours down to Jasper (for the rehearsal dinner). I woke up around 1
covered in cats. Let's see, Jenny, Gray Lady, Cymba, Pippin, Portia and
Charmin were either on or next to me when I awoke. It's a very comforting
feeling (even though my cat, Gryffyn, gets too jealous to seek attention
with the other, pushy cats), and I didn't even mind the cat hair *too*
much. I just wish I could have a cat in CA. | |
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| The drive to southern Indiana (I
told Mom's plumber I needed to head down to the "South Bay" twice before I
realized what I was saying and said "Southern Indiana" instead) was hella
cool. There were gusting winds, and the first hour of the drive was tricky
(especially since I was trying to eat). It was neat, though, as the trees
up in Indy had only the barest buds on them, so as I drove south I got to
see spring "bloom". The redbud trees were the prettiest, all
violet-purple/pink, peeking out along the edges of the pale green woods.
Southern Indiana has hills, and more trees than farmland. It was a very
refreshing drive. | |
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| I found the bridal shop with little trouble.
Nay, the trouble was waiting for me inside! I told the nice girl who
greeted me, "I'm bringing in my gown for the Buchta wedding tomorrow" and
proceeded to pull it out of my bag. Her mother gave me the most horrified
look and said, "You've got it in a duffle bag?!! Oh my
GOD!". Shall I pray for forgiveness now or later? I then decided to
buy a strapless bra for the dress. The first one the lady gave me to try
on was a "long-line" (which I told her would show, but she wouldn't
listen, so I had to try it on to prove it) that came far down over my hips
(already girdled to improve the line of this straight dress). It was so
heavily boned that the dress would not even come close to zipping. The
mother happened by right then (I think she was picking on me on purpose)
and hollered, "What are you going to DO, girl? That dress doesnt' fit you
at all and the wedding is tomorrow!" I calmly (amazing, I was calm) told
her, "Look. You can either leave me alone or I can cry right now. I'd
rather you left." I found out later she was the shop's owner. | |
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| I checked into the Holiday Inn, where I was
CARDED! I guess there was a prom there that weekend, and she told me that
I looked 10 years younger than I am! Hrmph. Even if I *look* 16 (which I
doubt), I certainly don't ACT that age! | |
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| I dressed up for the rehearsal dinner, which
turned out to be a good thing (Kellie's mom, Terry, was forcing her
10-year-old, Darren, into a tie as I walked in). It was kinda dreary,
walking through the thing, especially with the mother-in-laws trying to
direct the thing. Kellie was a Theatre MAJOR, for crissakes. Brian was
active in theater throughout college. I think they can stage manage their
own damn wedding. I think the main stress (which really wasn't all that
much) came from this fight for control. Kellie and Brian gave me a
buttercream chemise for my wedding party gift. Buttercream is a
long-standing in-joke between the three of us. | |
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| Later that night, Christina ('nother
bridesmaid), Kevin (her husband) and I went to the hotel bar. Hoosier
country. Big hair. Pool tables and a disco floor. And smoke. I'm so
spoiled. You can't smoke in bars in California anymore. We then went to
the room Brian's dad, Ed, was staying in. He had wine, beer,
vodka....and munchies! All for free. It was awkward at first, hangin'
with Brian's father and aunts and uncles, but they're such cool, laid-back
folk that it was really a nice time for all. I see where Brian gets his
friendly nature.
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