The Wedding -- Finally

The big day came and went and is pretty much a blur for me. The Tuxedo and bridal gown looked great -- owing more to the fact that the bride and groom are quite handsome than to my sewing skills.  It was a low-key event in our backyard and it was very much indicative of their style --

Not only that but it was truly a family affair.  The food was provided by the bride's family and was a mixture of southern and Albanian specialties.

Sarah, Taylor and I made and decorated the cake.  The cake topper is a family piece that has been used for two generations now.  Sarah and my cousin Cheryl provided professional-level  photography services.  Taylor played piano for the ceremony.

The bourbon and cigar station on the front porch featured a hound dog to add to the ambiance.   The reception was by the pool.

 

Was it a lot of work?  Yes.  Was it worth it to have an event that so captured the spirit of our family?  Definitely.  

 

You Get What You Need

The youngest left for college almost two years ago.  Am I a bad parent to admit that I haven't really "suffered" from the empty nest syndrome?  In fact, I have found it liberating in so many ways.  Mostly because I am relieved not to have to constantly review the long list of things having a child in the house makes you worry about:  are we out of milk again?  when was the last time their sheets were washed? where are all of the spoons?  (Answer:  in a child's room).  There is also significant relief in finding out that in spite of my not-so-great parenting they turned out okay -- really they did.  

Anyway, we took up yoga and generally enjoyed not having to clean up after/worry about/or otherwise spend our time tending to another person.  In spite of our daughter's urging we definitely did not want one of her hound dog puppies. Actually, I wasn't opposed to having one of the puppies but Kent was adamant that he didn't want a dog and I did not want to embark on dog ownership without his support.  So, no puppy for us even though as you can see below, they were criminally cute.  

Long story short, Johnny Cash (puppy on the left) was adopted by another family in Safety Harbor and when things didn't work out, we ended up fostering him for a few weeks until Sarah could come get him. And, no I did not get too attached to him to give him back.  Kent did.  

Somehow, out of the blue, this puppy wiggled and wagged his way into Kent's heart and our lives.  After just a couple of weeks, it was obvious to me that they should not be separated.  While I am the person that was initially open to getting a dog, I am certainly not Johnny's owner.  I am the person that he tolerates if Kent isn't available to dole out affection and treats.   I am the person that cleans the floors a couple of times a day to try to stay on top of the dirt and dog hair that seems to float off him with every breath.  I am also the person that enjoys seeing their faces light up for each other.  

We didn't want a dog but it turns out we needed one and sometimes you get what you need