Wedding

Well, it turned out to be a wonderful wedding and a fabulous day.
I was taken aback to get a call in the morning from a real estate person, asking if it was okay to have the house seen at noon. Yoicks, here I was, all dressed in my finery--black with silver sparkles--rushing to get makeup on, but naturally, I said, "oh, yes, of course, come ahead."
Quickly vacuumed and straightened up, then jumped in the car and drove the hour and ten to my friend's.
I walked in as the groom was galloping down the stairs in his underwear, fresh from the shower in the only bathroom, holding his tux (he and all four boys had stayed overnight, the bride staying at her parent's) and my friend was trying to get ride herd over the boys getting dressed, then dressing herself. Her husband was jockeying cars up and down the driveway, the best man and his family arrived in the middle of everything--"come on, come on, we're going to be late!" and the groom drove off with the two older boys, leaving the 8-year-olds for us to take.
It was great fun.
We arrived about 45 minutes ahead and were presented with wrist corsages--mine a small orchid, surrounded by other flowers and very pretty--then generally milled around until time to be escorted down the aisle by one of the said angelic boys. The priest--the jovial type--greeting everyone, then the grand entrances commenced. My great-grandson walked arm in arm with one of the bridesmaids, who happens to be his mother and was once married to the groom. Yes, that's right and so what? The groom's parents were there with their respective spouses, the father being married to the mother of the maid of honor, who calls the groom her brother, although they're not blood-related.
But there were plenty of blood-related ones there, too, including the groom's three half-brothers, half-sister, and step--I think--siblings and the bride's five half-brothers, three from her father, two from her mother. "Blended" was the operative word for the day.
The bride came last down the aisle, of course, escorted by her father. She looked stunning in a long, elaborate white gown, trimmed with rich dark red, close to maroon, and a long train. The attendants all wore the same color red--the dresses were just beautiful--and carried bouquets of yellow cornflowers, baby's breath, and dark red roses. The two adorable little flower girls, one the two-year-old of the Best Man--wore white rucked (look it up)gowns with sashes in the same red.
I had thought there was going to be a mass, but communion wasn't offered, so I guess it was simply a service. There was a organist/singer and the music was quite beautiful. Little T. brought up the rings for the Best Man to hand over. I was touched when the priest, as requested by the couple, prayed for their grandmothers by name. I'm one of them folks; none of the others were there, as they're all in the chapel in the sky.
The church is in Howell, and the reception was a half hour drive away in Freehold at the Radisson Hotel. It was beautifully--and lavishly--done, I must say, with a cocktail hour first, including hot and cold appetizers on steam trays, a pasta station, circulating wait staff with more tidbits, and an open bar. After that, we repaired to the "Crystal Ballroom," where elegantly decorated tables for ten (I counted 15 of them)were set up and numbered. A full-course dinner was served, with a choice of chicken or prime rib, which I had. I like it rare; it was and was deliciously tender. There was dancing throughout the evening, with a disc jockey/singer/emcee, and an incredible cake, fittingly topped with a couple on a red motorcycle; the groom has one. Anyway, it was a terrific occasion--unconventional, maybe, but who cares? We all had a ball and didn't leave until the newlyweds did, about 9:30.
My friend and hubby took me back to their house and I immediately left for home. That was the only not-so-enjoyable part of the day, as it started to rain and it was, of course, pitch black by then. I made it fine though, and got in at just about 11:00. Didn't bother with anything else, but just went straight to bed after a great day at my darling older grandson's wedding.
More excitement: Walter has a client who would like to see the house tomorrow or Wednesday and I got a call from anther agent, who asked if her people could come in today. Hey, come ahead, one and all--I'm on a roll!
WOWEE! Just after I finished the above, the woman from Prudential Zack called and asked if yet another person could see the house--today. Now I'm getting a tad confused as to who's who and if they're overlapping. I'm not complaining, though--the more the merrier.