Saturday could not have been more perfect! 

Weddings are not that easy. I have asked several people about wedding plans, parties, and the days leading up to the main event.  Many say it was fun but would not want to to do it all over again.  There have been those who thought it was easy and could do it for a living (sounds like someone needs to see a marriage counselor).  

What is going through a bride’s mind?  As usual two extremes popped into my head.  First, Oh! my goodness, I am getting married to my best friend and one true love of my life.  I am so lucky to be getting married to such a wonderful guy. Sigh, blink blink.   The second, Oh shit what am I doing?  I think the second is the true thought process and the first is what all brides tell their friends, mother’s friends, and jealous roommates from college.  

Bridal responsibilities have changed quite a bit.  With planners assisting and mother and future mother in laws, everyone has an opinion and wants to be heard.  Moms battle for attention. Since you marrying into a new family new traditions are introduced to you.  The bride’s opinion is not the true final say so on any subject.  Some brides have just taken a back seat and let their dream wedding be the parents party.  I have heard the comments from wedding receptions stating that was the best party in town which is considered a Southern success (even if the bride did not have any say).

As the day approaches the gifts are rolling in.  The everyday pattern is complete.  The fine china pattern is almost there but a few pieces remain. Trade ins and upgrades are imminent as Aunt Betty gave you a Waterford crystal lamp.  With one more return, you and your future spouse can purchase that flat screen you have been eyeing.  Admittedly that has to be the coolest part of getting married you as you get to pick the gifts that you receive.  There will always be those people who stray from the list to be a little creative, sometimes appreciated but often not.  But those are the people that think that everyone loves their style and uniqueness.  Stick to the list people.

Closer, tensions flare; dieting is the center of all conversation.  Stress is kicking into overdrive as mom is stress cleaning the house for the out of town guests that start to arrive today.  Family members that you have not seen in 5 or 10 years that are coming to just judge.  I am being completely honest.  They will be judging you, your house and your wedding.  The cousins are the culprits of the judgments and will be the first to sling some comments around the rest of the family.  Don’t worry they are just jealous, no really.  Remember cousin is just jealous as she did not finish college and married her high school boyfriend who just loves to hunt.  At 40 that is not so cute especially since they have out grown the double wide and he has yet to find a job that he can commit to.  However, the duck blind is like a man cave.  I am sure Junior is having behavioral problems at school if not he is now.

We all have ways of dealing with stress.  I stress clean.  Luckily I am not a stress eater, I tend not to eat when I am stressed and too bad that I do not get stressed out that often.  Stress would be the best diet for me.  I was on the phone last night with Libba.  Alexandra’s wedding is Saturday (very excited as it will be beautiful and perfect).  Libba was making a pot of coffee preparing to clean the house once again.  The steam cleaners had been there earlier and the new upholstered furniture did not steam well.  Alexandra’s diet is up and down.  Roy is stress lighting the front and backyard with strands of light bulbs.  You can never have too many twinkle lights.  Libba thinks that you can see her house from the air.

Todd van Flemming ran into Libba yesterday as he was fleeing from his stressful environment.  Fleeing is not an option Todd.  You had to go back. Libba empathized with your  situation as she did not like the urine pads either however for the time being you must stay put.  Those days are numbered as your roommate and his pet poodle are not in the best shape.  Todd you were a needed break from the stress of the event however hang in there buddy, we all are! 

Saturday is the end off all this chaos.  Sunday will be a hungover sigh of relief and next week’s new project? Finish those damn thank you notes!

Cheers to Bell!

(We may have had a hobo sighting)

While dining at Walkers last night we (Libba and I realized) the importance of a server.  Sigh.  Our immediate and first impression of “Guinevere” was instantly negative.  I do not know her real name nor did we ask.  She did not tell us she nor did she offer anymore information.  The special request of diet tonic obviously made her angry.  She did not know if they had any and the request was offsetting.  After her drive to Gluckstadt we received our Vodka Tonics (sadly were watered down from the melted ice it was chilly last night).   “Guinevere” next time don’t put ice in it until you are almost at the door. 

Don’t let the name fool you as  “Guinevere” was not interesting as Libba’s name made her.  The question of the night was, “If you had a parrot what is a word or phrase that you would want it to repeat over and over?”  Her response was Yellow Submarine.  That is just plain stupid.  Libba and I thought of positive affirmations however she stated that she would not want something annoying.  I think that if it is the song Yellow Submarine or just the phrase…either way both are horribly annoying. I admit and I am coming out of the closet with this one…I am not a Beatles fan. It was after her answer we realized  “Guinevere” is not creative and/or interesting.  We tried to make her interesting but we failed.  

Dinner at Walkers was fabulous.  The food was delicious! It is amazing how they can put everything but the kitchen sink into one dish.  As “Guinevere” described the specials I lost interest a couple of times as I was confused by her culinary words. I did get a couple of the specials crossed as I did not know where one stopped and the other began.  Though Libba did not get her brussels sprouts “Guinevere” was not too apologetic she brushed it off as if it was an inconvenience, again.  Oddly “Guinevere” was more apologetic to me not getting my water.  

What is always more interesting is the company and conversation (especially ours).  Looking around the packed dining area we see a few people we recognize and a few people who we do not want to recognize us. Oh there is the gay couple that expects everyone to come speak to them but will not come to your table to say hello. Yes, I made a game to see if they would come to us…right it did not happen.  Oh there is the patron of the restaurant who approaches with her repetitive story of how she fell.  Luckily Libba had heard it in the doctors office.  The table behind was not so lucky.  Is there a polite way to ask someone to quit talking to you? Go away!  There was a birthday party where the honoree was wearing a corsage.  I assumed it was a birthday party since there was a gift in tow. Libba thought of retirement or initiation. 

Our conversation took a turn as we talked about the character Maxine and that persona style as we saw a friend who has had several face lifts and injections.  She reminded me of the Madam (Wayland Flowers) with a hint of Maude. I doubt I would enjoy hanging out with Maxine, the madam, or Maude.The biting tongue and negativity.  Libba agreed and added that she is a smoker(now realizing all three are) and wore a morning coat (Maxine) in the afternoon.  I guess that point is moot as it maybe morning time on the greeting card but you can receive the card at anytime of the day?  That question can only be answered with flux capacitor. Now we are all confused.

Walker’s rating 2 Cheers!

“Guinevere” rating Clank

After dinner we took a stroll down the street to window shop.  Peeking into the windows eyeing objects and discussing options.  Our main spark of interest was the  barbershop across the street.  The painted glass intrigued us as we flashed back to the 1960’s we were brought back to reality as a couple were staring into the car.  Agnes and Donny had been inside as we dined.  Reprimanded by the dread locked couple that we should not have left them in the car (even though it was comfortable temperature and they did not seem to mind). They made assumptions about us as we did to them.  Dismissed we headed home.

Summer is approaching and one of my favorite summer drinks is beer.  Hot, humid days filled with sunshine.  The asphalt seems to be melting underneath your feet.  You can see the heat waves rising as you sit in traffic. The lights dim as the air conditioner draws into action, slow but steady.  Relief approaches as dusk falls upon Jackson. No matter if you work indoors or outdoors one of the greatest pleasures is drinking a cold one out of the freezer after a long summer day. 

A law signed by Governor Phil Bryant, effective July 1, 2012 allows the professional brewing and sale of beer with alcohol content of up to 8 percent by weight.  What does this exactly mean?  We get more variety of beer and higher alcohol content.  

Phil Bryant signing the new law rating 3 Cheers! 

Seems like we are in for a fun summer. Gourmet flavors and robust cheers will be filling the sticky air. The variety that we are able to taste as new beers will surface in Mississippi excite me.  For now I am drinking my champagne of beers, Miller High Life out of the freezer iced enough to cool me off on these sizzling days Cheers everyone!