Wedding Whirlwind

I love that the 4th of the month

has become 

Magical Mystical Day.

A few friends of mine and I light a candle

and make a wish for magic 

(and maybe a little mayhem)

in the upcoming month.

Join us!

Before all the activities began for a family

wedding at the end of the month

I had time to do a jigsaw puzzle that was a gift

from the bride and groom to be.

It had a Chicago foods theme.

Really tasty fun!

I wrote some letters.

I received some letters.

I stayed warm inside 

drinking tea and awaiting the whirlwind to come.

I ate some good food.

I listened to some great literature.

Fiction and nonfiction.

I saw some movies.

I listened to some tunes. 

I did brave the chilly temps and take the train 

down to meet some friends for lunch and 

to see the Bob Goff exhibit at the Art Institute. 

It's full of bright colors!

I don't remember loaning them my shirts.

(Hee hee.)

I took care of a cute pup.

I saw a pretty sunrise and enjoyed a beach fireside chat.

I attended a creativity salon.

And then mid-month the frenzy began.

Let the search begin for flower girl petal and card gift holders. 

Frozen ferns thankfully fluffed out.

The final product 

for the dress rehearsal

and reception were gorgeous!

But I am jumping ahead...

First the grandkiddos arrived.

I had to get the important papers and provisions.

TP and paper towels!

Fruit and yogurt!

We had three days of lounging about,

reading, building sheet forts 

and playing in a HUGE playpen as we waited 

for the youngest to start walking...so close!

Then it was multiple trips to O'Hare to NOT

pick up someone because of 

delays, delays, delays.

I did feel so city savvy taking the CTA.

Ta da.

A lot of people drove in from Ohio.

Braving the cccccold and anticipating difficulties

with snow after the events.

(Lots of folks went back to Level 3 storms

and some took two days to get home!)

Having a family pass for the Art Institute 

let me take friends over there for "free" 

both Friday and Sunday. What a treat!

Starting Friday the boxes and bags 

started rolling into the downtown venue. 

Lots of teamwork unloaded

vases, candlesticks, and more.

Saturday morning starting at 8 am...

hair and makeup!

"Granny's Sippy Cup" was ordered to be shipped overnight.

My husband has a sense of humor.

Here I am being tortured in a 

MACARA-cre.

I really, really, really

dislike make up.

But I did it to look 

"pretty" for photos.

Ugh.

The things we do for our children.

Luckily I had a childhood buddy 

there to keep me from kicking

the make up artist.

(And hold my hand!)

But there was no way I was paying 

for my hair to be put up.

I was blessed by a 

HAIR-ipist,

my friend who has sisters and

brought French clips to scar my scalp. 

She made me look like a 

wood nymph beauty.

I absolutely LOVED it.

I wore some special jewelry so my

friends in the "Peanuts" gallery 

would know they were missed. 

Most important,

the bride looked stunning,

the groom looked dashing,

the attendants were all smiles and 

the officiant brought it all together

in a circle of love.

I was given the honor of giving a 

prayer for the marriage.

I used music lyrics to 

sing the praises 

of the couple

and to serenade them

as the embark on a

marital journey that is sure

to have both calm and stormy waters.

The reception was a basher. 

There were toasts.

There were delicacies served in porcelain.

There was dancing!

And sooooo many photos!

Huzzah!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next day as we tried to relax

and just enjoy each other's company over some 

overfilled plates and board games, 

the world outside invaded our safe bubble.

We could hear protestors down on the street.

And the televised news reported of another death by ICE.

As a new bride, for not even for 24 hours,

my daughter said she needed to join the event.

We put on warm clothes and her new father in-law

escorted his new daughter and me out into the masses.

I'm so proud to have a child who wants to support 

PEACE.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Back at the homestead I "hopped"

into giving away that giant playpen.

Houdini the bunny now has a BIG hutch.

A friend published another book and I am 

enjoying the weekly book group discussions

with multi-generations. 

It's good to question things.

Here's the photo the hairdresser asked me to take 

before showing up for my "hair botox" as it's called.

My maturity level remains stuck at about 

13 years old...

Tomorrow night I'll be doing a Stand Up set 

telling tales about the wedding 

and sporting a multicolored new do.

Life is a costume party y'all!

I promise to post an update with my photo.

Let me get used to it first...

Oh, and I've got tixs to see Barry in March.

It's always nice to have something to look forward to!

Peace be with you!

Get out there and make peace.

With love for you all,

Jen Pen