Once in a lifetime...

To our delight, our daughter, Chelsey, has announced her engagement to a wonderful, handsome, fun, responsible, mature, hard-working, home-town boy, Dan Schenevar!!!  We couldn't be happier.  Not only will she be marrying a partner who will love and support her, but we have been FLUNG into a frenzy of wedding planning! And it is FUN! 

I wasn't terribly picky about my wedding details.  I don't remember the sheer enormity of decisions, and I know plans were much simpler back then- especially for a "flower-child" of the 70's.  I wore a long, white dress snagged off the Sale rack from a department store- $62.14!  Our wedding was held outside in a meadow with metal chairs borrowed from the local church.  My father grew the flowers used to decorate, and my parents lashed together two saplings to form the cross under which we recited the vows we'd written ourselves. It was beautiful, and it's lasted 33 yrs. so far!

 

But our daughter's wedding will be different.  It will be hers and Dan's- and that's exactly how it should be.  And it's exactly how I want it to be... because NOW, I'm able to do some things with my daughter, that I missed out on doing with my Mom.  

Like- wedding dress shopping!

Last week, Bruce and I flew to Birmingham, AL, where Chelsey and Dan are living, to celebrate Chelsey's birthday, see where they live, see all their favorite places and things, AND go shopping for Chelsey's bridal gown!  

A once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, as I only have one daughter. 

Chelsey's cousin, lovingly offered to loan Tess (our nickname for Chelsey- long story) her GORGEOUS wedding gown, so we got to start the process soon after we arrived in Birmingham!

The dress was amazing, all lace and beading and tiny rhinestones.  Chelsey looked and felt like a Princess.

  As far as I was concerned, that was IT- But, we decided to keep our appt. at Alfred Angelo's, just for the fun of the experience.  (Secretly, I was pretty sure if Tess went to the bridal store, she'd find her OWN gown.  I've watched enough of those bridal shows to deduce that plus, Chelsey kept saying, "What if someone spills something on Emily's dress? What if someone tears it?" etc.  I knew Emily would be understanding, but Tess would feel TERRIBLE).

The next morning, three of Chelsey's bridesmaids met us at the store.  Only two of them KNEW they were bridesmaids. Although Chelsey had listed Donna, Lauren and Kate as being bridesmaids on her wedding website, the only person she HADN'T told (or asked) was Kate!

Kate was SO cute when Chelsey asked!  AND she said yes!

So, we all dived in to shopping!

We spent a short amount of time, looking through color swatches for the bridesmaids, but soon we got down to the business of trying on dresses.  Chelsey's friends were invaluable. They gave constructive pointers, and suggestions, but their main concern was what Chelsey thought about each dress.  They were NOTHING like so many of those people you see on those bridal shows!  They made the experience so much FUN!

Dress 1 was pretty, but heavy, and not really Chelsey's style.

We all liked the belt, though.

Dress 2 was AMAZING!  We didn't think we were going to like it when it was on the hanger, but it was truly stunning when she tried it on.

Once again, though, it was heavy, with a long train that made movement difficult.

Dress 3 looked a bit like Chelsey's cousin's dress- only no where near as pretty.  

She disqualified that one pretty quickly.

So- on to dress 4

Personally, I LOVED dress 4.

The bodice was beaded, and I thought it draped so prettily. 

She kept this dress out as one of the contenders.

Dress 5 became another contender.

We were all big fans of the ruching on the dress, and the lovely roses on the bottom of the skirt.

It wasn't too heavy, and the train was manageable.  Definitely, another contender.

She tried on a few more dresses....

and then...

she found it.

(here's the SPOILER ALERT!!!  

If you are DAN! or you don't want to see the dress until the big day, here is where you need to exit the post!)

The last dress hanging in the dressing room was left for last for a reason.  Tess didn't think she'd like it. It was very different from the others, But, since Chelsey LOVES different, she decided to give it a try.

It was a different material than the others- but it was soft and flowy.

It had the ruching she liked so well, as well as a beautiful drape in the back.  The train wasn't too long, it was light, and she felt like she could move....

And

She looked like a Goddess!

This is it! THE one!

(we'll have to tape the one sleeve in place! :)  

And just like that- it was over. 

Now, we'll move on to the other preparations, but I'm so grateful to have been a part of this experience.

Egg Bound

Here's a new experience for me- You know how much I love my animals.  Each one has it's own beautiful personality, right down to the chickens, so when one of the hens started walking like a penguin, I knew what was wrong.  I, also, knew that saving her would be virtually impossible- but of course, I have to try.

So, here is Donna (short for Madonna) taking a hot chicken bath.  Donna is egg bound, and her prognosis isn't great.  There's all sorts of advice on the internet.... dealing with KY jelly (I'll let you imagine) complete with DIRE warnings of what happens if you happen to break the egg inside the chicken ("infection leading to a horrible death"- and that's a direct quote).

Setting the hen in a hot water bath for 20 min at a time, seemed the easiest route, AND the chicken seemed to enjoy the entire experience.  She even closed her eyes, once she settled in the water.

Of course, I had help.

Hobbes monitored the proceedings.

So, now we wait.  I'm hoping she'll pass the egg on her own.  The internet says to give her a couple of hours, and then, try the hot bath again.

So far, it hasn't worked.

But the cats are keeping me posted.

Take a second and send this sweet hen your healing thoughts. She deserves it. She's one of my sweeties.

MOST fun EVER!

We've never been an extravagant family.  We've always lived on a shoestring, saving up for the big items, making due without "extras".  Gifts are ONLY given on holidays and birthdays, with no money for frivolities inbetween.  I, actually, credit some of our children's success to this fact.  They've always had their priorities straight, and always knew the value of a dollar, because they'd worked hard to earn it!  And we've ALWAYS had what we needed, AND we've ALWAYS been happy!

BUT when I received some money from my father's estate, I got an idea.  I knew all three kids were coming home to be with each other for a week.  After that, Cass was starting a new job in Hawaii!  Chelsey was starting her last year at UAB, and Cade was starting his last year in graduate school.  Keeping in touch with each other is paramount in our family, and ANYTHING that furthers that goal is important, sooooooooo, I decided to take some of Dad's money, and buy each child a brand-new, iPad3!

I figured we could play games together- Draw Something, Words with Friends, etc.  And of course, we could use Facetime to stay in touch, too.  Cade could even use his to present his designs to clients- very "cutting edge". 

I was so excited! so the night before Bruce was to make a trip to Kalispell, then, Helena, then on to Missoula (don't ask!), I tried ordering the iPads online from the Missoula Best Buy.  I quickly found out that you could only order one iPad at a time.... some ridiculous rule that Apple enforces.  I got around that by going to the site three separate times, and pretty soon, had three tablets ordered.  YAY!  Then, suddenly, I realized that I'd forgotten to designate Bruce as the person to pick up the purchase on the first order!  Oh NO!  I called customer service, and they said I'd have to cancel the order, and re-order it.  So, that's exactly what I did.  I canceled the first order, and went to re-order it, when the website told me, Missoula was OUT of iPads.  Grrrrrrrrrr!!! 

Ok... I got to thinking.  I'd just have to order one of the iPads from Kalispell.  And that's what I did.  I got three order confirmations from Best Buy saying the orders were pending approval from my credit card.  I got to thinking my credit card was going to be upset.... THREE iPads? and from 2 different stores???  Sounds pretty fishy- So, I called customer service.... and after pressing 1 for English, and 4 for some other option I didn't need, I found out there was NO number to press for my problem, and no way to get hold of a human.  Grrrrrrrrrrrr! 

So, I listened to my card balance, and the charge for the iPads was on it, so I figured I was good to go!  Not so fast.  When I checked my email so I could run off the forms Bruce would need to pick up the tablets, I found Best Buy had CANCELLED ALL 3 ORDERS!  GRRRRRRRRR!!!!

I called customer service AGAIN, and told the man my problem.  He was sympathetic, and assured me that HE could order the three iPads, BUT first, he'd have to get his supervisor to help him with the order.  Could I please hold?  Sure, I could.... and did.... for a long time, before I realized he'd hung up on me.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Well, Bruce and I figured Bruce could just go to the stores in Kalispell, and Missoula, and buy 3 iPads.  It was my last hope, and I was scared to death they wouldn't have 3 between them- but I couldn't figure out any alternative.  The next morning, Bruce left our house at 6:30 am.  After I'd fed all the animals, I came upstairs to check my email, and lo and behold!  There's an email from Missoula Best Buy confirming my iPad!  ONE.  And Bruce had already left, and it was too late to give him the forms he'd need to pick it up!  GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

I called Best Buy customer service AGAIN, and was put on hold.  After waiting about 15 min., I looked out the window, and saw Itty with something in his mouth.  I ran out of the house screaming like a banshee- Itty went one way, the chipmunk went the other, the two Shelties threw themselves at the window screen, barking manically, sending the screen flying through the air to land in the front lawn, and that's when I hear the phone ring- ring?  It's Best Buy... but it turns out they can't hear me, and they hang up!  although, in retrospect, maybe they COULD hear me, but were shocked at what I was saying at that moment!  Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Long story, shortened- Kalispell had 3 black iPads, and Bruce bought them, and brought them home.  It was only days before the kids would be arriving, but I could hardly STAND the wait!!!  I envisioned us having a nice dinner, and afterwards, sitting around the table talking and sipping coffee, when I'd excuse myself, and get the BIG surprise!  It's all I could do from BLURTING out the secret the second they walked through the door! 

Cass drove the U-Haul home on Weds. but Cade couldn't pick up Chelsey until midnight Sat. morning.  They went back to Cade's house and slept for a couple of hours, before driving home, but by 10 am, they were HERE!  I'd made two trays of homemade orange rolls, and scrambled eggs, and we sat in the gazebo to eat our breakfast.  All together.  :)  and afterwards, we were sitting around the table, talking and laughing, and sipping coffee, when it dawned on me that THIS WAS IT!  The right time... and I suddenly couldn't wait a minute longer!

I excused myself from the table, and got the big bag.  I took it out to the gazebo, and told everyone I had something to show them, and to close their eyes... and then, I put a brand new, shiny, wonderful iPad3 in front of each one and said, 'Ok! Open'!  OH!!!  It was SO WONDERFUL!  They couldn't believe it!  They just kept saying... What IS this?  Mom?  Someone said it was just like Christmas! and Chelsey couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that one of those iPads was hers!!!  Then, they were unwrapping the boxes, and pulling out their tablets.  I'd gotten them colored protectors- Cass got blue, Chelsey, purple, and Cade's was clear.  Our server had a difficult time trying to keep up with all the Apps being downloaded. 

Like I said, our little family has never been extravagant- but SOMETIMES, sometimes... you just have to be!  And it's the most incredible feeling in the world. 

It's tough to be the first one done

Every morning, the Shelties and I have a routine.  I give Piper his glucosamine pills in peanut butter (Selkie gets a bit of peanut butter just so things are fair),

and then,

much to their pleasure,

they each get a tiny rawhide bone!

They both love their bones, but there is NO doubt that Selkie loves her more, and lately, that's become a problem... because she DEVOURS hers so quickly!

and then, all she can do is WATCH while Piper finishes his.

It's almost unbearable....

BUT

sometimes- if she's diligent enough, and keeps watching, and biding her time,

SOMETIMES, Piper drops his bone and let's Selkie have it.

At least, that's what Selkie hopes might someday happen. 

:)

Bruce, the celebrity! :)

Trail Cam 3!

Bruce and Cade headed back on July 8th, to pick up the camera. Yeah. Not even a week later! And this time it had a TON of photos on it!

The first photos are always of Bruce and Cade setting up the camera.

You know... making sure it's pointing in the right direction, not too high or too low, etc.

and then, walking away.

More deer photos

 Don't worry, I won't post them ALL!  :)

This poor buck is in rough shape. :(

But then....

ANOTHER surprise!!!

ANOTHER bear! This one a lovely, BLACK black bear!

We had NO idea we had TWO bears hanging around! We've never seen him. Neither of the bears have caused ANY trouble. They haven't gotten into the chicken coop, or feed. What wonderfully good bears they've been!

This guy hung around all day and night, apparently. And we would have had NO idea, if we hadn't had the trail camera!  This is SO exciting! I cannot wait to see what we find next!

Trail cam 2

So- we DIDN'T wait a whole week this time! :)

When Cade came home for the 4th of July, we trudged out to the new place we'd tethered the camera, to bring it back to the house. To our astonishment, we found the camera on the ground.

and the tether clasp broken.

We hoped the photos would give us a clue to what had been going on out there in the woods.

More deer photos, of course.  I don't mind. I never get tired of our deer.

and something new! A BUNNY! Who knew we had wild bunnies around!

BUT

Then! we got a thrill!!!

Our BEAR! Our blonde bear (that I named Cinnamon). She's still hanging around, although we haven't seen her in weeks! No wonder Journey is nervous down in that corner of the property! 

The next series of photos explains WHY we found the camera on the ground.

Bears are notoriously disdainful of trail cameras... which is why they are usually sold with bear-proof cases.  Apparently, Cinnamon didn't like the flash going off when she walked by. She turned around and investigated.

We think this is where she was tearing the camera off the tree.

And this is where it ended up on the ground, face up.

But she wasn't done yet.  The next photo....

she must have turned the camera over.  That's how we found it, face down... no more photos.

The camera is perfectly fine, and Bruce and Cade jerry-rigged the tether.

And immediately set out the camera in yet a different spot!

To Be Continued!....