Posted on 03/01/2004 4:21:37 AM PST by Chairman_December_19th_Society
America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country!
Good morning!!
Do not let the victims of the attacks on New York and Washington, nor the brave members of our Nation's military who have given their lives to protect our freedom, die in vain!!
In the Criminal Party debates, Senator Kerry let loose this gem in response to a question "Is God on America's side [in the war on terror]": Well, God will -- look, I think -- I believe in God, but I don't believe, the way President Bush does, in invoking it all the time in that way. I think it is -- we pray that God is on our side, and we pray hard. And God has been on our side through most of our existence.
Senator Kerry is NOT sure whether God is on our side?
Aristide has fled Haiti, and rebel troops are positing themselves to move into the Capital. The head of the country's Supreme Court has taken over as President, as called for by Haiti's Constitution. The rebel leader has said that he acknowledges Alexandre as the head of the government.
A deal has been struck with Paksitan that would allow United States troops to operate in a part of that country where The Evil One is believed to be hiding.
The Return of the King wins 11 awards at the oscar, including Best Picture and Best Director.
For AMERICA - The Right Way, I remain yours in the Cause, the Chairman.
With Hubby's cousin and perhaps your Mom's steps, I think we have to look at it as though we are enabling them to steal. I don't think He meant for that to happen and He would want us to stand up and correct that.
Over the weekend THE Raven posted a picture of himself which was drop-dead gorgeous. Neets also felt that way and we told him so. I've forgiven him for saying that since I drink diet coke, I must be ugly. Anyone that gorgeous has to have at least one flaw somewhere and that is his.
Anyway, toward the end of the weekend thread, Neets and I were engaging in some light-hearted banter. When our gracious Chairman started this thread, I invited RAVEN to come over and continue in this same vein.
However, I had not noticed the subtle difference in the screen names of RAVEN and THE Raven. Hence, when I intended to ping THE Raven, RAVEN received my innocent little suggestion.
Yes, our minister spoke of The Passion putting things....ordinary things...into perspective.
His comments reminded me of my reaction to 9/11.
First of all, we had a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 60's. No rain or snow to cause difficulties.
We arrived at the church at 2:30. The florist had already been there and left. The altar area was decorated with two candleabra with 9 candles each. The florist had decorated each with huge bouquets of spring flowers and greenery. The unity candle on the altar was also decorated with a lavish spray of the same flowers.
The church is very old with beautiful stained glass windows., except for one large window which has been removed and replaced with clear glass. The missing window is in the Indianapolis Art Museum, because it is a Tiffany.
The church also has beautiful old woodwork banked seating, as was common in some churches in this area at the turn of the century. Original pews in dark wood with burgundy upholstery.
Everyone arrived on time and the girls only had to change into their dresses as they had done hair and makeup at home. We brought a cooler with bottles of water and some snacks so people wouldn't get too hungry.
The photographer (who works at the museum) arrived at 3:30 and we started pictures for everyone except the bride and groom together, which we did AFTER the wedding.
At this point we came close to disaster as my granddaughter was dancing around twirling her beautiful dress and she bumped into one of the candleabra (which had nine GLASS hurricanes on it). It teetered but did not fall, thankfully!
Anyway, about this time my mother arrived in a van from her nursing home, accompanied by an aide. We managed to work the very old chair lift to get her up the stairs and into the sanctuary. She was so excited!
Then the harpist arrived. She was VERY good. Since Jenny didin't specify music for anything but her walk, the harpist said...OK...I will play some baroquish type stuff for the girls to walk down the aisle. She ended up playing "Canticle" which was what my son and his wife used at THEIR wedding.
(At this point my mother leaned over and said to my sister "All we need is spinach dip!" (A family recipe which she loves.) LOL!
The girl who came from Utah and was to do the guest book got lost and didn't make it until right before the ceremony. One sister and one nephew filled in and directed people to their seats and made sure they had maps to the reception.
Finally, it was time. My son seated me and the bridesmaids started down the aisle. My granddaughter (the flower girl) froze when she saw all the people, so The Coopster very sweetly went down and got her and walked with her.
Then here came Mr. Marple with our daughter, who looked beautiful. I was very proud of him and he did not cry, which he was afraid he would do. I got a little weepy thinking of when she was born and all the things we shared through childhood. But she looked so happy and is so much in love that I couldn't stay weepy very long.
The soloist sang while they lit the unity candle ("Be Thou My Vision") and her voice was a clear and beautiful soprano. In addition, her accompanist was able to add an improvised bridge between the verses so that it flowed very nicely.
The ceremony ended and we left for the reception while a few more pictures were being taken.
The reception was at the Allison Mansion at Marian College. It is an absolutely beautiful place with intricate panelled woodwork, views of the river, and a marble floored aviary with a stained glass ceiling.
I was very nervous that everything had been completed and I was more than overwhelmed at that a beautiful job the staff and the florist had done. The dining tables were in the Overlook room, with each table set with silverware, carafes of lemonade and iced tea, and a centerpiece of a large, straight sided glass bowl with floating candles and rosepetals already lit. With twilight upon us and the glass windows and the silver, the effect was really beautiful.
The buffet table had a HUGE arrangement in the center in an urn. Sprays of snapdragons, lilies, asters, delphiniium, and tulips mixed with ferns, ivies, and magnolia leaves. The table was also presented excellently...rather than having the food all in a row, some dishes were elevated. And the chafing dishes themselves were elegant! They had Queen Anne legs with shell motif on each leg anad were not shiny, but rather a matte finish.
The food I had selected was also done well. (I didn't have high hopes since I have been to a lot of catered things and hadn't had the time to schedule a tasting.) I had chosen two entrees, teriaki chicken and a ham (with carver) and both were excellent, along with the vegetables and salads. I made sure there were several salads and vegetables because we had some vegetarians in the crowd. Everyone commented on how good the food was, which made me very happy.
The dj was also good, he announced my daughter and her husband as they entered down the very elaborate stairway in the entrance hall. Everyone applauded and then seated themselves. My husband got up to welcome everyone, and then, dear man, he choked up and managed to say to our daughter "We are so proud of you," and then started crying. I looked over at The Coopster was choked up, as well. Anyway, toasts, and then dining, then dancing. The cash bar was a good idea as it kept the younger crew from overindulging. The bartender was very personable and made my grandchildren kiddie cocktails, whicih they thought were hot stuff! My grandson amazed us all with his dancing ability, and my granddaughter FINALLY got to twirl in her fancy dress.
A very good friend of mine and her escort helped us pack up all the gifts, flowers, and centerpiece items which have to be returned to the florist today. We got home close to midnight, stopping by Steak and Shake to get cheesburgers and fries! LOL!
At any rate, it is pouring rain today, which shows how very lucky we were with the weather. I am still a bit wound up, but NOTHING like yesterday. I am staying in until the rain stops and am cleaning, something I have sorely neglected the last month or so. I am pinging Iowa Granny because she will be gone today, and also Jemian in case she has gone to bed.
Cousin also had mil write a bunch of checks for his redecortating and three of them bounced. After writing the check I told them that money had to be taken from savings to checking. Cousin said funds were sufficient. They weren't.
Time to see a lawyer. Power of attorney is much overdue.
I feel so bad. Mil is not aware she is being scammed by her own nephew. He's not making a profit in a dollar sense, but in a control sense he is.
He will be confronted though......SOON!!
Relax, Jane...you did well.
The only explanation I have for this is that I had two young people thank me profusely and tell me they had NEVER been to a wedding reception like this. Apparently their experience has been in legion halls and such and they didn't know.
One of my friends said she went to another evening wedding where the same thing happened. I don't think you can tell your guests what to wear, but it does seem a bit odd.
I'm throwing out dead flowers mil received on Valentines's day and I feel gulity about not asking her first. Sheesh!! What a difference.
Here's a picture where he has his dog smile. I thought for the first few hours of the trip and Sam was just going to stand on all fours all the way to FL. LOL! He eventually figured out it was OK to sit and then to lay down to ride.
He has a little cubby in a cabinet space that is available and he's decided that it's a good space for him to get out of the way. He likes going out for walks and thinks it's a huge adventure.
We are still getting set up with some things but we have our computers fired up on high speed, Mr. Prairie has live quotes being projected onto a wall screen, cell phones are at hand and we are ready for the markets to open.
Prairie
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.