Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching so I've been cruising pinterest. I think my Dracula gord might have been a miss, but the ghosts are nailed. Next year I'm trying the floating dresses out of chicken wire that look like ghosts. I honestly haven't decided if I'm dressing up for work this year. I work with a bunch of people that may or may not get into the spirit, but they have no problem scarfing down 3 dozen popcorn balls at 2 am. That's right good old popcorn balls made with corn syrup and sugar. Messy as all get out to make but oh so good. Another tradition-burning my fingers on the syrup trying to get the balls formed before the syrup hardens-nailed it again. Don't know why I've stocked up on toilet paper. 48 may be a little old to go rolling (may be). Have fun and hand out the good candy.

The Wedding

I can honestly say it's been a really long time since I've enjoyed a wedding this much. Beth started to hyperventilate before the bride's maids walked down the aisle and I know Jody had lost all of his color. She kept saying she had a surprise in store and I never could quite figure it out until I heard the first few strands of  "Ave Maria"-it has always been one of my favorites-and a favorite of my mother-in-law's too. I had it played for her at my wedding-and Beth had it sang at hers-maybe her daughter could have it played too? I hope so and I hope it ruins Beth's mascara too. I loved watching Beth and Jody dance together-that and the sparklers and the wonderful red velvet and all of the family around. I don't think it could have gotten any better-

A letter to the Bride (given to her the day of the Wedding)

My dearest Beth,




You know as I addressed this letter, it occurred to me that this will probably be the very last time I address something to Beth Schuller. That makes me smile and I remember when I walked down that aisle. I remember too my dad telling me all the way down the aisle “that it’s not too late. We can still make a run for it”. I won’t be walking you down the aisle, but I can still make the same offer. Seriously, if you change your mind-just scratch your nose and we’ll head for the hills. All the way up until the time that you say you do-we can still make a run for it. I’ve always loved you, but in the past few years I’ve come to love Jody too. He’s a very fine man that loves you as much as any man can love a woman. He deserves the very best. 100% of the very best-so if you’re not 100% sure-just scratch that nose. I want you to be as sure as the nose on your face that you want to do this.

Marriage isn’t always easy and it’s not always fun (no matter what there will always be whiskers in the sink) and good luck getting him to put the toilet seat down, but there’s no better feeling in the whole world than going to sleep with your best friend. Don’t take this love for granted. Not everyone finds someone that special. Just because you’re young doesn’t guarantee that there will be lots of tomorrows. Show him every day that you love him. Don’t just say the words-live them. Make him proud of you. He already thinks you’re the greatest thing since video games-let him keep thinking that and believing it.

Hold hands every chance you get. You can’t ever kiss him enough-and make each kiss count. Don’t ever go to bed angry (you won’t sleep anyway) and don’t argue about stupid things. It’s much more fun to cuddle and kiss than worry about whose turn it is to take out the garbage. Marriage is about being happy.

I wish you both all the happiness in the world. And my offer still stands-if you can’t promise him forever-just scratch. I’ll take it from there.

I love you and I know you will make the right decision because you’ve been taught well.

Toast

I'm writing this down so I can practice ahead of time-and try not to cry and not speak too fast and try to speak clearly. This is what is supposed to come out of my mouth tonight:

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for taking time out of their busy lives to help Beth and Jody start theirs. Your presence and time is precious to them.
Secondly, I 'd like to thank the Carsons for an outstanding rehearsal dinner and an even more perfect groom. You've raised him well. He has excellent taste.
I'd also like to thank Mike Schuller. It wasn't easy raising a daughter to be this wonderful-I couldn't have done it without him. A special thanks to Patty and Dwight-for being the  step parents that they didn't have to be.
When Beth first asked me to be her matron of honor-after I finished crying-I thought about the beautiful young women that would stand beside her today. To all of the single men, I'm sorry but they're already spoken for.  So young and beautiful. I asked her to reconsider and she told me that there's no one else she'd have as her matron of honor-besides I wouldn't be the oldest one up there.But I am. You see there's a reason Jody has 2 boutoneier's on his lapel. His dad and his best man is watching from heaven.
I think it's really wonderful that Jody's dad has a special place in his heart and I have the same space in Beth's. I'm so glad that they have something in common other than their love of books, starbucks, and Zombies. Jody-please don't let her become a crazy cat lady-the vegetarian thing is bad enough.
This comes from an unknown author but "It is wriiten when Children find true love, parents find true joy. (Raise glass) Beth and Jody-"Here's to your love and our joy from this day forward" Congratulations.....!!!!!!!

Deer Season 2013 Day One

Yesterday was the very first day of Modern gun for doe in our zone which I believe is Zone 2. This means nothing to me except I know I need to read the book before I shoot. Apparently, different deer are legal at different times and the time also dictates what gun you can use. I'm at an extreme disadvantage because the hubster won't let me climb a stand with his bow-that AND  he has to pull it back for me. That and it's his bow. So this weekend, it's on. I can use my very own gun and shoot doe aka females and no horns. Walking to the stand, about a mile away, we scared one up. I didn't see it but it sounded like an elephant tearing through the brush. How in the devil it can make that much noise and not be seen is one of life's mysteries. I made it to my stand (the hubster even calls it MY stand) and climbed the 16 ft ladder to get inside. Where the bugs decided to feast on me for the next three hours. I swear the squirrels were making fun of me. The leaves and brush are still very full up here so it's hard to see anything moving through the brush. After staring at every twitching leaf for two hours, I finally saw a twitch of white tail and moved to put my gun into position. Unfortunately, the deer saw me at the same time-so deer 1 Kate 0.
But today, the sun doesn't come up for 2 more hours. I've had a good breakfast with lots of coffee. Packing the thermocell today (it's a device that repells bugs with no scent). Remembering to spray myself with the scent repellent.

Made it

So it's finally my Friday. Finally

and in other news. I would like to take the bike through Italy for purely religious reasons....

it seems Pope Francis will bless Harleys!