Renee' Margot Robichau & Matthew Murphey's Wedding

What fun I had these past few days. My niece - daughter of my oldest brother Frank, married in St. Louis Friday evening to a precious young man she has dated for a while. Mother and I flew up on Thursday, early enough for mother to go to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at Matt's parent's house. Renee and Matt were to be married at Randall Gallery - a chic little gallery in downtown St. Louis. Due to a conflict in scheduling, the rehearsal was to take place at Matt's parent's house. After the dinner and rehearsal, several out-of-town family and friends were invited to their house to meet the family for a little meet and greet and mingle. I went out, visited, caught up with Marie, Renee's mom and her husband Charles; Justin (Renee's brother), his wife Marissa & their eight year old son, Jayden. I also met Matt's family and all their friends who would be in the wedding. We had a great time, played games and really enjoyed the evening. After we got back to the hotel, mother went to bed and I went down to the pool and visited longer with Marie, Charles, Justin & Marissa while we watched sweet Jayden swim his heart out until the pool closed at 11:00 pm. My, that child has ENERGY! He's so adorable!

The next day, mother and I slept late, relaxed in the morning and went to lunch at a very "eclectic" little bistro on Washington Avenue, just next door to the salon where Renee' and all the wedding party would spend the afternoon prepping for the wedding. The "chef", this hilarious black, we think gay, guy visited with us about the "group" he was seeing going into the salon next door. It was a "wedding group", he said. He LOVED watching these groups from the windows of the bistro. When we told him who we were and that we were "family" of the group, it made his day! We had so much fun with him after that. I thought he would join us for lunch. He even brought us free desert. What a fun lunch!

After lunch, we stepped next door with the wedding party and visited for a couple of hours. We took pictures, laughed and even waved as the "chef" from next door walked in front of the salon window and waved at us! What a hoot!

We went back to the hotel, rested and got ready for the wedding. The wedding wasn't far from the hotel. The gallery was a small three story building, very eclectic, with wood flooring, white walls and nice art work. It is rented a lot for events. It fit Renee' and Matt perfectly.

The wedding was officiated by a friend of Renee's she was very close with. The toast from the best man was hysterical and Frank's toast to the couple was sweat and precious. I have to admit, it brought tears to my eyes. Course, all weddings bring joyful tears to me. I do love weddings!

There was a sit-down dinner (very good too), open bar, great cake, dancing and their friends were adorable. I really loved them all. I do love young people. They are so funny and cute....I could be around young adults and families forever.

The next day, Tommy and Linda (my "NU" other brother and BFF sister-in-law) picked mother and I up and toured us around St. Louis. Linda is from St. Louis and T lived near there when he was based at Scott Air force Base. Tom's daughter, Brittney, lives just outside St. Louis and joined us for lunch in "The HiLL", a famous area of St. Louis. It is were Joe Garagiola, Yogi Berra and other famous Italian people are from. The restaurant were we ate has a table that boasts Al Capone was caught there - whatever! Anyway, Britt brought her precious two year old, Fallon. Huge dimples and the funniest little tike you have ever seen. Sooooo adorable! Britt is expecting another in 4-6 weeks - a little boy who will be named Hanley. Can't wait to see this little guy! PawPaw ("NU" "Other" brother Tommy) is not toooo proud.

Tommy and Linda gave us a little more touring before delivering us back to the hotel. We then packed up and took off to the airport. One big problem...there were some blocked streets due to a free Sheryl Crow concert under the Gateway Arch. The concert was given to raise money for cancer, I believe. But the other mass of people were due to the Baseball Hall of Fame which was in town that weekend. Also, set up across the street from our hotel in the convention center were huge exhibits selling baseball stuff from teams and etc. People were everywhere. Little kids with teams, with their families...EVERYONE in red Cardinal shirts. Masses of people in red turning out to purchase baseball stuff. Amazing to me since I HATE baseball! Just don't understand the sport where all men do is chew tobacco, spit, scratch, maybe hit a ball and run around a circle and take steroids. Amazing! Anyway, the city was a madhouse and many streets were blocked and full. We got messed up and turned around, got off a little late, but finally got to the airport and in plenty of time. I think Mimi was a little worried though...even I was a little concerned. I hate being lost in a unfamiliar town.

All in all - we had a GREAT time and the wedding was beautiful. I loved that Mimi was able to go and I was able to share in Renee's joyful time. Glad to be home - hope everyone enjoys the pics!

Huston's Bed

I went to pick up Huston on Friday for a few hours. I hadn't had my "buddy fix" for quite a while and missed him terribly. We ran a couple of errands together before coming back home. One errand was to Bed Bath and Beyond to pick up a bed spread and pillow shams for the new bed in our guest bedroom. I told Huston when we were shopping that I needed a white bedspread for the new bed in "his" room at my house. He said "look Lovey, here's one!" The one he chose, just happened to be the one we ended up buying. His mother taught him well. After we got back to our house, I ran up stairs to make the bed to see how the bedspread would look. Huston was downstairs when Jimmy walked in. Jimmy didn't say anything at first, so Huston said, "Jim...I'm here." Jimmy chuckled, greeted him and asked where I was. Huston responded, "Lovey's upstairs making 'my' bed." What a guy!!!!! Jimmy later said to me..."Great...It's Lovey's house and Huston's room...I guess nothing here is mine (ha!)." Pretty smart man!

As you can see in the pic, I still have to make two chocolate pillow shams and will also put a 20" blue and white throw pillow in the center of the bed. I plan to cover the foot stools at the end of the bed. All in good time of course. I sort of have to let things grow on me as I "create" a room. Let each addition sink in as create the next thing.

I will be gone to my niece's wedding at the end of this week so I won't get much done. my sister, Judy, comes to visit next week and will be the first to sleep in "Huston's" bed. We will see how it "sleeps." Till then, hope to hear from you all.

Jellin with my Juju

When I arrived on Tuesday afternoon, Juju had already had a Stampin Up class that morning and was set up to have another that night. I was so excited because I was so wanting to do some stamping. It had been so long and I loved the projects Juju designed. I used to take her 10-10 classes and loved them. This was going to be so much fun and she had told me about this fun group of women that were coming for the evening class. I couldn't wait. They were fun and we made some really cute cards. I got to see the new catalog just coming out July 1st, and it really got me into a stampin mood! Just not enough time in the day for me. Juju even helped me get together 9 thank you cards for this next year's BSF. I like to put the church contribution inside a handmade card before giving it to the accounting department. It just adds a little something special - that says "thank you...you are so special to us."

My second night there was Bunco night at the Christensen house. Several of Juju's neighbors and some of her recent "stampin" friends started a bunco group. It was Juju's month to have the group at her house. That day, we made appetizers and I made cupcakes for the event. Her friends are sooooooo fun! Of course, in my usual flair, I was the big LOOSER!!!! I'm such a LOOSER, I had to SHARE the looser position with someone else! How bad is that! The winner was this teenager who came as a sub with her mom for the first time. How RUDE!!! Don't teens know NEVER to win over adults - especially your FIRST time subbing....she will probably never be invited back. (HA!) Course...me either...LOOSER!

On Friday, we lay around the pool for several hours that morning. I didn't think I got that much sun... but after I got home...well, that's another story. Their pool and back yard is really lovely. Very comfy and relaxing. Juju and Terry have done such a wonderful job of making everything not only beautiful, but also warm and inviting both inside and out.

Not only is Juju and Terry so hospitable, but what a treat to stay in such warm and comfortable surroundings. As you can see, their guest bedroom leaves one never wanting to go home!

My last night at their house, we met Stephen, Juju's son, who lives in Houston for dinner. We had a GREAT time visiting and hearing all about Stephen's fun adventures. We also drilled Stephen, asking him to teach Juju and me various techniques on the use of our Iphones. Yes, we are a little technically challenged compared to some of these young people. Stephen caught us up to date on the new Iphone that is coming out and even how to "re-boot" the one we have. Oh...how nice to have smart children! And so nice to help their "old" parents. He was so patient with us. Or was he laughing at us?? Couldn't tell???!!! Stephen is so cute and fun and funny, I told Juju this was one of those times when I wish I had a daughter!

Well, I did have to come home. I was glad to see "Jim". Getting lots of rest and ready to see my babies. So Juju...your time is next. The Guadalupe River and the Segways are awaiting!!!

Almost Completed

The painting is complete, the curtains are hung, the bed arrived and the fabric for the 20" pillow and the foot stools has been chosen. Now, the mattress must be bought and bedding must be purchased. All is going well in my very special room. I can't wait for it to be completed for all our friends to come and stay. I hope it will be warm and comfy and inviting. Jimmy and I plan to purchase the mattress before I leave town next week. After that, I plan to shop for bedding and then purchase the fabric for the pillow and foot stools. I can't wait!

Off to the Coast

On their way out of town, Huston and Emery dropped by the house to leave Arnold (Huston's blue fish) and Edwina (Ems' pink fish) in my care until their return. Huston also had to give me instructions on just how much to feed the little buggers. "Only this much, Lovey," he said! He's such a bossy thing - like I don't know how to feed fish? (In reality...I don't!) It has been so long since Jimmy and I had FISH, I was very nervous about taking care of their prize possessions. What if I killed them? What if I overfed them? What if they went down the drain by accident when I changed the water? What if I put too many drops in their water when I changed it? What if...what if...what if.............................? Am I being a little paranoid here? Alix said I could just buy another if something happened...but I know Huston would know the difference! He KNOWS things! He's like an ELEPHANT in the room! I can't get a thing around him. He was very nervous leaving them with me. He was afraid he wouldn't get them back when he returned. (I think he remembered never getting Chula or Bell-Bell or Bailey back). The fish are one thing the kids are not allergic to. Oh my...what is a grandmother to do but PRAY they stay alive! Heaven help me!

Ems' 2nd Birthday!

Our little Emery is now "2"! Can you believe it? We are so proud of our little angel. Clark and Alix had Jimmy and I, along with Kristi and Bob LaMontagne over for family cake and icecream to celebrate little Ems' birthday. Though she will have her joint party with Huston's on July 9th (Huston's birthday is July 23rd & they usually have a joint party), Alix wanted to at least acknowledge her special day with the family. Ems got an "American Girl Doll" from mommy and daddy & Huston that looked just like her - dark hair in pig tails. Alix picked her up at the American Girl store on our trip to Chicago. Lovey and Jim got her an American Girl doll tutu and ballet outfit along with a matching tutu for Ems to wear when her dolly was wearing hers. Ems LOVED her dolly. Bob and Kristi bought her two adorable dresses. Ems is a true girl and LOVES to dress up and have jewelry and LOTS of shoes. She's so adorable!

First Coat of Enamel

I know this may not look different, but the first coat of enamel has gone on and one more to go. After this, the painting will be finished and ready for furniture. I will call today to see when the bed should be in and ready for delivery. I'm really getting excited now. I can just feel it all coming together. Hopefully this weekend I can talk "Big Jim" into shopping for drapes, hardware and bedding! Soooo exciting!

Primer Completed

Whew! The Kilz primer is completed on the panelling and is now ready to be painted with enamel. You can get an idea of what it will look like with just the primer on. The white enamel paint with not be quite as bright white but a little creamer as seen on the doors. I've decided on a Ralph Lauren white quilt for the bed with a blue and white throw pillow from his Palm Harbor collection as an accent color. Things are looking up. I can't wait till the bed comes in.