Those of you who know me, know how much I LOVE Hallowe'en!
The lights, the smells, the sounds, the colors, the memories....
they all make me happy- nostalgic, but happy.
Hallowe'en is coming!
Monday, October 21, 2013
Foggy morning
Montana Autumn mornings typically have a lot of fog. Eventually, the sun will come out, and burn the mist away, but until that happens...
walking down to the barn is a mystical adventure!
Every blade of grass is a work of art.
Bejeweled spider webs are everywhere.
and I'm positive, if I could look closely enough, I could see entire worlds within the drops of dew.
But then, the sun DOES start to melt through the thick blanket of fog,
the world brightens.
and the horses nicker impatiently, reminding me of the purpose of my visit! (which initially, was NOT to take a bunch of photos!)
By the time I finish feeding, and start back to the house, the fog is nearly gone.
and another beautiful Fall day is about to begin.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Beginning to get some color
It seemed to me that Fall was NEVER going to come to NW Montana! We got a TON of rain in Sept. and early October, and then, the trees seemed to be staying green, or turning a muddy brown. But as I drove to and from work this week, I could see signs of change- and today? Today, the sun came out, and the drive was GORGEOUS!
Lovely reds, oranges and yellows- and beige-browns.
Luckily, there were no cars behind me as I crawled down the road, almost driving into the ditches because I was staring out the windows- trying to soak up the beauty of the season.
At home, our magnificent Maple tree was in her glory! This tree is such a fiery, BRILLIANT red- I don't think I've ever seen the like.
Just when I thought the view couldn't get any better....
a lovely, little buck stepped out of the woods...
and posed for me.
Thank you.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
A Really good horse
I lost one of my best friends today- a 27 yr. old 3/4 Arab, 1/4 Quarter Horse red roan mare. She'd been with me for 19 yrs.- purchased one year after my mother died- in an effort to bond with my 9 yr. old daughter (who was still having a difficult time losing HER best friend- her grandmother).
Dakota Skye, who's registered name was Tazmara, was a lovely mare- the perfect size at 14.2 hands. She was pressure trained, with a rocking horse canter- so willing, and gentle that I rode her with a hackamore but, I could make her prance, and show off when I wanted to impress people. She always made me look good. On trails, we called her the sightseer, because she'd constantly swing her head from side to side, so she could take in everything! Dakota loved her grain, and she would actually tip the pan with one hoof, and lick the bowl until she'd gotten every last drop.
When I found her, yesterday, laying down... I wasn't immediately concerned. Dakota would OFTEN lie down like that, scaring me to death when she wouldn't rouse herself when I called to her. But it soon became evident that something was drastically wrong this time. Although she was breathing, each breath was raspy, her lips were drawn back over her teeth, her heart and respiratory rate was too fast. She looked like she was dying. When I implored her to stand up, she did! but her back legs were wobbly, and she was disoriented. She almost walked into the barn wall, turned and walked into the chicken coop wall.... then, she was down again. This happened over and over throughout the day, a roller coaster of intense emotion- except that each time she got up, she seemed a bit stronger, and stayed up a bit longer. But then she would lie down, and we were certain, once again, that she was taking her last breaths. At one point, Wynter came to her, nudging her, and Journey put her nostril to Dakota's nostril and blew softly- allowing Dakota to catch her scent- telling her she was with her. Bruce drove like a maniac to pick up some Banamine (pain killer for horses) from a good friend. Later, Chelsey and I drove in to pick up more. The Vet was unavailable until this morning, so we were on our own. I was positive it was a stroke, and that she was coming out of it. The most worrisome part was that she would not eat or drink, but I was certain, that given another day, she would. When Chelsey and I went down to check on her around midnight, she recognized my voice and nickered to me. And when I woke at 7 am, and she was still on her feet in the stall, I was optimistic, relieved, happy. But then, an hour and a half later, she was down again, and although she struggled to her feet for me, she was weak, trembling, and unsteady on her feet. I began to dread the Vet's visit but still thought if he could just give her an appetite stimulant to get her eating, things would be ok.
When Mike pulled up, he was prepared to save her from her stroke with fluids, medicines, etc. but when he looked at her, he began to suspect she wasn't suffering from a neurological problem. After various tests, each one giving us bad to worse news, he would explain what he was afraid had happened. She suffered from a blockage high up in her intestines, either from an embolism, or twisted gut. This caused her intestines to rupture, and she was dying from peritonitis. She would not survive a surgery that would take her from her home and family because she was in too poor a condition for anesthesia.... and the surgery had only a 20% chance of being able to cure her in the best situation. He waited for my decision. I could leave her in pain, until she died on her own, or I could have the Vet ease her passing.
There was no decision, really. I could not save her, no matter how hard I tried, but I could allow her one last wish. At one time, when she'd collapsed in the hot sun, and strained to breathe, Chelsey and I sponged her with cool water. Bruce came up with the idea of creating some shade for her. He retrieved an old tarp, and was going to string it up, when she got on her feet, and let me lead her into her cool stall. Ever since she'd been in the stall, however, she'd been wanting back out. I kept her inside, because I wanted her shaded, protected without our other two mares bothering her- but now, I decided to let her out. The Vet agreed to wait.
I opened the gate, and Dakota started walking, a bit unsteadily, to all her favorite places- the water trough where she would stare up at the house, and wait for me to come feed her, along the fence to her favorite grazing areas, into the trees where she'd spend hot summer days, or wait out storms. She checked in with her buddy, Journey, and mouthed some grass without really eating it. She just walked, while we watched, for at least 15 min. and then, she turned, and walked straight back to me. I hugged her, and stroked her, and told her how much I loved her, and after standing for a minute or two, she slowly sank to her knees and laid down. It was time. Chelsey and I held her, thanked her, told her again that we loved her. I blew into her nostrils, and and kept my hands on her so she knew I was with her. When she left us, I looked up and through my tears saw Journey and Wynter standing in a line. Journey came up to Dakota first, while Wynter waited her turn. She touched her nose, her neck, and her stomach before turning away. Then, Wynter stepped forward and touched her, too- finally just resting her muzzle against Dakota's side.
A few more things need to be noted here. Every day I receive an email affirmation from Deepak Chopra. I hate to admit that I never read them- in fact, I usually delete them without even opening them because they are usually something that I don't understand, or don't really believe- (this in spite of the fact that I love Deepak Chopra... It's just the things they choose to send out... *shrugs* weird stuff). After I came back up to the house, I opened up my email, and the message from Deepak Chopra opened. Today I read it.... and it said "Freedom is letting go." I am taking that as my sign that Dakota (our Kota Bear) is free, running without pain with her buddy Koosa. It was the last gift I could give her.
Later this evening, we had an excavator come out and dig a grave in our pasture. I locked Journey and Wynter in the round pen to keep them out of the way. When it was over, I released them from the corral, and Wynter darted out- a horse on a mission. She very deliberately strode over to the stall and peeked inside. This was the time of day when Dakota got her grain, and Wynter was definitely looking for her. When she wasn't there, she walked over to where the excavator had been, and not finding her friend, she turned to watch the large truck driving down the driveway. Wynter whinnied to the truck, obviously thinking it had taken her friend, before going back to stand where she'd last seen Dakota's body. Journey, also, checked out the stall, and not finding her buddy, walked slowly, nose down sniffing, at the place where Dakota had lain. She paced the length where the body had been, sniffing loudly, then, she lifted her head to follow the excavator as it drove away. She went back to sniffing, like a blood hound, following the drag marks where Dakota had been taken away. Then, the two remaining mares, touched noses, and stood together. You'll never make me believe that animals don't grieve, or feel emotion.
Dakota Skye, who's registered name was Tazmara, was a lovely mare- the perfect size at 14.2 hands. She was pressure trained, with a rocking horse canter- so willing, and gentle that I rode her with a hackamore but, I could make her prance, and show off when I wanted to impress people. She always made me look good. On trails, we called her the sightseer, because she'd constantly swing her head from side to side, so she could take in everything! Dakota loved her grain, and she would actually tip the pan with one hoof, and lick the bowl until she'd gotten every last drop.
When Mike pulled up, he was prepared to save her from her stroke with fluids, medicines, etc. but when he looked at her, he began to suspect she wasn't suffering from a neurological problem. After various tests, each one giving us bad to worse news, he would explain what he was afraid had happened. She suffered from a blockage high up in her intestines, either from an embolism, or twisted gut. This caused her intestines to rupture, and she was dying from peritonitis. She would not survive a surgery that would take her from her home and family because she was in too poor a condition for anesthesia.... and the surgery had only a 20% chance of being able to cure her in the best situation. He waited for my decision. I could leave her in pain, until she died on her own, or I could have the Vet ease her passing.
There was no decision, really. I could not save her, no matter how hard I tried, but I could allow her one last wish. At one time, when she'd collapsed in the hot sun, and strained to breathe, Chelsey and I sponged her with cool water. Bruce came up with the idea of creating some shade for her. He retrieved an old tarp, and was going to string it up, when she got on her feet, and let me lead her into her cool stall. Ever since she'd been in the stall, however, she'd been wanting back out. I kept her inside, because I wanted her shaded, protected without our other two mares bothering her- but now, I decided to let her out. The Vet agreed to wait.
I opened the gate, and Dakota started walking, a bit unsteadily, to all her favorite places- the water trough where she would stare up at the house, and wait for me to come feed her, along the fence to her favorite grazing areas, into the trees where she'd spend hot summer days, or wait out storms. She checked in with her buddy, Journey, and mouthed some grass without really eating it. She just walked, while we watched, for at least 15 min. and then, she turned, and walked straight back to me. I hugged her, and stroked her, and told her how much I loved her, and after standing for a minute or two, she slowly sank to her knees and laid down. It was time. Chelsey and I held her, thanked her, told her again that we loved her. I blew into her nostrils, and and kept my hands on her so she knew I was with her. When she left us, I looked up and through my tears saw Journey and Wynter standing in a line. Journey came up to Dakota first, while Wynter waited her turn. She touched her nose, her neck, and her stomach before turning away. Then, Wynter stepped forward and touched her, too- finally just resting her muzzle against Dakota's side.
A few more things need to be noted here. Every day I receive an email affirmation from Deepak Chopra. I hate to admit that I never read them- in fact, I usually delete them without even opening them because they are usually something that I don't understand, or don't really believe- (this in spite of the fact that I love Deepak Chopra... It's just the things they choose to send out... *shrugs* weird stuff). After I came back up to the house, I opened up my email, and the message from Deepak Chopra opened. Today I read it.... and it said "Freedom is letting go." I am taking that as my sign that Dakota (our Kota Bear) is free, running without pain with her buddy Koosa. It was the last gift I could give her.
Later this evening, we had an excavator come out and dig a grave in our pasture. I locked Journey and Wynter in the round pen to keep them out of the way. When it was over, I released them from the corral, and Wynter darted out- a horse on a mission. She very deliberately strode over to the stall and peeked inside. This was the time of day when Dakota got her grain, and Wynter was definitely looking for her. When she wasn't there, she walked over to where the excavator had been, and not finding her friend, she turned to watch the large truck driving down the driveway. Wynter whinnied to the truck, obviously thinking it had taken her friend, before going back to stand where she'd last seen Dakota's body. Journey, also, checked out the stall, and not finding her buddy, walked slowly, nose down sniffing, at the place where Dakota had lain. She paced the length where the body had been, sniffing loudly, then, she lifted her head to follow the excavator as it drove away. She went back to sniffing, like a blood hound, following the drag marks where Dakota had been taken away. Then, the two remaining mares, touched noses, and stood together. You'll never make me believe that animals don't grieve, or feel emotion.
We love you, Kota Bear.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your life with us.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Lock down!
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, our little school in Trout Creek, MT. decided to upgrade their security system. One morning, I arrived at the preschool, and there was a large speaker attached to the wall, with numerous wires threaded along the ceiling, etc. I was told that once everything was in place, the school would run surprise Lock Down drills! and even the preschoolers would be expected to participate.
I worried and mulled this over. My problem was what to convey to the children that wouldn't leave them traumatized, but would make them comply. We're talking 3-5 yrs. olds here. I was expected to herd them all into a completely dark closet and have them be silent until the drill was over. I was told the drills could last as long as 20 min. and that a person would come knocking on the door, trying to get in, and it would all be part of the drill. Teachers were not to release the children until we heard the special code over the loudspeaker. I'm not positive the school was prepared for how literal I am, nor how relentless I can be about following the rules.
I decided to tell the children about this wonderful, fun, new game the entire school would be playing, called Lock Down! We wouldn't know when the game would start, but all the grades would play, and WE wanted to be the winners! (they were completely on board for this! They are WINNERS!) The rules of the game were that we had to all stand or sit QUIETLY in the dark closet- SO QUIETLY that if someone came into the preschool, they would think we were not there! EVEN if someone banged on the door, and called to us to come out. Could we do it????? YAY! of COURSE we could! One of the preschool Dads came up with the BRILLIANT idea of storing glow sticks in the closet.... so, when we practiced, each child got a glow stick, and the whole thing was super fun because we only stood in the closet for about 3 min. The preschoolers assured me they were READY! for whenever the entire school would play the game.
So... fast forward to last Thursday. We're doing circle time, and talking about what season and month it is, when a cold, dispassionate, LOUD voice came over the loudspeaker. "This is a Lock Down! This is NOT a drill! The school is in Lock Down!" The kids all looked up at me, eyes huge, and I said, " YAY!!! We all get to play the Lock Down game! Line up now!" And bless their hearts! They immediately lined up! EVERY single child! I ran to lock both doors, and switched off all the lights, and shepherded my little class into the dark closet. I grabbed the light sticks before closing the door completely, and handed them out. NOT a single child squabbled over the color of their light stick! Once they all had their sticks, I closed the closet door, and stood with my back pressed against it.
And time went by. The phone started ringing, but.... we were in lock down, so I would not leave to answer it. The children sat down. They were whispering quietly, and I would make occasional shushing noises, but all in all, they were very calm and muted. And time went by. We were making letters with our light sticks (they are the long, thin, bracelet kind), and watching how they reflected on the water heater, when suddenly, I heard someone trying to get into the preschool. The children heard, too, and went SILENT. Someone came in the door, and started walking around our classroom. The man called out, "Hello? Anyone here?" and the children were completely still and noiseless. "You can come out now! It's safe!" The children looked up at me, I shook my head, and they stayed perfectly still. "Ms. Meredith? It's Rick! the maintenance man! Come on out!" We could hear him opening other doors and closets.
I kept waiting for the official code to release us. I kept thinking, it MUST REALLY be alright! right? I mean... this isn't REALLY happening, right? But why had there been no code on the loudspeaker? Why wasn't this man using the code? It's a TRICK! and WE'RE not going to fall for it!!! We're going to WIN! so, the children and I stayed quiet. Then, suddenly, Rick was pressing on the closet door! I braced my back against it, and pushed back. It DID run through my mind, that IF this was real, now is the time he just pulls out a gun and shoots me through the door. Finally, he said, "Ok. I'm going to leave now." And we heard the front door close.
Sooooooooooo...... here's the dilemma. IF this is real.... then, he's just pretended to leave- waiting for us to come out. BUT IF it was real, he'd already have shot us, right? Soooooo- I told the kids to stay in the closet, and I sneaked out the door, and called the school. They said, 'OH! Meredith! We didn't know how to inform you! The alarm was set off by mistake, because there's a glitch in the system. It wouldn't give the special all clear code, so we sent Rick over to tell you, but you wouldn't come out!' Apparently, Rick was supposed to give the special code, but he'd forgotten. After I'd laughed at myself a bit, I said, "There's only one thing we need to know..... Did the preschoolers win?" And the Principal gave and emphatic YES!!!
As I gave the children the GREAT news that they were absolutely THE BEST at this Lock Down game (I think we were in the closet almost 30 min!) they jumped up and down, high fiving each other. One of the girls said, "Miss Meredith? I was not expecting that to happen!" and I told her... that's the way the game is played! No one knows when it will start! Another child wanted to know just exactly WHO we'd beaten! And I told her, "The Kindergarten! 1st grade! 2nd grade! all the way through the big 8th graders!!!" They were so proud of themselves! I did tell them, that IF we ever had to play this game again, that the Kindergarteners were REALLY going to try harder! So, we'd have to step up our game a bit! They all nodded knowingly... THEY know how Kindergarteners are.
Before we were done for the day, Trout Creek school sent over awards for all the preschoolers to take home, explaining how they'd been the BEST class! how they'd won the game! and beaten out all the other grades. They all got a BIG A+. The children went home proud, and secure, without any concept of "bad guys" or "bad things" happening. But, I have had a difficult time shaking the experience.
For one thing, as the time dragged on in the closet, I actually started wondering.... is this real? And if this is real, and someone DOES come here, HOW am I going to save these children? These little souls that I truly do love... all these little faces turned towards me so trustingly. What can I do for them, other than to give up my life, and buy them some time? I heard about the ladies doing Yoga class in our gym. When the alarm went off, they'd locked the doors, and called 911, but one of them was a preschool Mom. She said, it was all she could do not to unlock the doors and run to her child in preschool. I told her, "I wouldn't have let you in" with a sad smile, and she said, "Oh! I KNOW! and I know I would have been endangering everyone- " but that IS a mother's first instinct. It's how I would have felt.
And finally, I thought about Sandy Hook and how it WAS real. How they had been unbelieving at first... incredulous. How? Why? They had to be terrified, and they did their best. I will forever be bound to those teachers due to my profession- tied to those parents, due to my children. Once again, I renew my fervor to never forget those precious souls. I think I have gotten a brief glimpse into their what their life was like that December day. God help us all.
I worried and mulled this over. My problem was what to convey to the children that wouldn't leave them traumatized, but would make them comply. We're talking 3-5 yrs. olds here. I was expected to herd them all into a completely dark closet and have them be silent until the drill was over. I was told the drills could last as long as 20 min. and that a person would come knocking on the door, trying to get in, and it would all be part of the drill. Teachers were not to release the children until we heard the special code over the loudspeaker. I'm not positive the school was prepared for how literal I am, nor how relentless I can be about following the rules.
I decided to tell the children about this wonderful, fun, new game the entire school would be playing, called Lock Down! We wouldn't know when the game would start, but all the grades would play, and WE wanted to be the winners! (they were completely on board for this! They are WINNERS!) The rules of the game were that we had to all stand or sit QUIETLY in the dark closet- SO QUIETLY that if someone came into the preschool, they would think we were not there! EVEN if someone banged on the door, and called to us to come out. Could we do it????? YAY! of COURSE we could! One of the preschool Dads came up with the BRILLIANT idea of storing glow sticks in the closet.... so, when we practiced, each child got a glow stick, and the whole thing was super fun because we only stood in the closet for about 3 min. The preschoolers assured me they were READY! for whenever the entire school would play the game.
So... fast forward to last Thursday. We're doing circle time, and talking about what season and month it is, when a cold, dispassionate, LOUD voice came over the loudspeaker. "This is a Lock Down! This is NOT a drill! The school is in Lock Down!" The kids all looked up at me, eyes huge, and I said, " YAY!!! We all get to play the Lock Down game! Line up now!" And bless their hearts! They immediately lined up! EVERY single child! I ran to lock both doors, and switched off all the lights, and shepherded my little class into the dark closet. I grabbed the light sticks before closing the door completely, and handed them out. NOT a single child squabbled over the color of their light stick! Once they all had their sticks, I closed the closet door, and stood with my back pressed against it.
And time went by. The phone started ringing, but.... we were in lock down, so I would not leave to answer it. The children sat down. They were whispering quietly, and I would make occasional shushing noises, but all in all, they were very calm and muted. And time went by. We were making letters with our light sticks (they are the long, thin, bracelet kind), and watching how they reflected on the water heater, when suddenly, I heard someone trying to get into the preschool. The children heard, too, and went SILENT. Someone came in the door, and started walking around our classroom. The man called out, "Hello? Anyone here?" and the children were completely still and noiseless. "You can come out now! It's safe!" The children looked up at me, I shook my head, and they stayed perfectly still. "Ms. Meredith? It's Rick! the maintenance man! Come on out!" We could hear him opening other doors and closets.
I kept waiting for the official code to release us. I kept thinking, it MUST REALLY be alright! right? I mean... this isn't REALLY happening, right? But why had there been no code on the loudspeaker? Why wasn't this man using the code? It's a TRICK! and WE'RE not going to fall for it!!! We're going to WIN! so, the children and I stayed quiet. Then, suddenly, Rick was pressing on the closet door! I braced my back against it, and pushed back. It DID run through my mind, that IF this was real, now is the time he just pulls out a gun and shoots me through the door. Finally, he said, "Ok. I'm going to leave now." And we heard the front door close.
Sooooooooooo...... here's the dilemma. IF this is real.... then, he's just pretended to leave- waiting for us to come out. BUT IF it was real, he'd already have shot us, right? Soooooo- I told the kids to stay in the closet, and I sneaked out the door, and called the school. They said, 'OH! Meredith! We didn't know how to inform you! The alarm was set off by mistake, because there's a glitch in the system. It wouldn't give the special all clear code, so we sent Rick over to tell you, but you wouldn't come out!' Apparently, Rick was supposed to give the special code, but he'd forgotten. After I'd laughed at myself a bit, I said, "There's only one thing we need to know..... Did the preschoolers win?" And the Principal gave and emphatic YES!!!
As I gave the children the GREAT news that they were absolutely THE BEST at this Lock Down game (I think we were in the closet almost 30 min!) they jumped up and down, high fiving each other. One of the girls said, "Miss Meredith? I was not expecting that to happen!" and I told her... that's the way the game is played! No one knows when it will start! Another child wanted to know just exactly WHO we'd beaten! And I told her, "The Kindergarten! 1st grade! 2nd grade! all the way through the big 8th graders!!!" They were so proud of themselves! I did tell them, that IF we ever had to play this game again, that the Kindergarteners were REALLY going to try harder! So, we'd have to step up our game a bit! They all nodded knowingly... THEY know how Kindergarteners are.
Before we were done for the day, Trout Creek school sent over awards for all the preschoolers to take home, explaining how they'd been the BEST class! how they'd won the game! and beaten out all the other grades. They all got a BIG A+. The children went home proud, and secure, without any concept of "bad guys" or "bad things" happening. But, I have had a difficult time shaking the experience.
For one thing, as the time dragged on in the closet, I actually started wondering.... is this real? And if this is real, and someone DOES come here, HOW am I going to save these children? These little souls that I truly do love... all these little faces turned towards me so trustingly. What can I do for them, other than to give up my life, and buy them some time? I heard about the ladies doing Yoga class in our gym. When the alarm went off, they'd locked the doors, and called 911, but one of them was a preschool Mom. She said, it was all she could do not to unlock the doors and run to her child in preschool. I told her, "I wouldn't have let you in" with a sad smile, and she said, "Oh! I KNOW! and I know I would have been endangering everyone- " but that IS a mother's first instinct. It's how I would have felt.
And finally, I thought about Sandy Hook and how it WAS real. How they had been unbelieving at first... incredulous. How? Why? They had to be terrified, and they did their best. I will forever be bound to those teachers due to my profession- tied to those parents, due to my children. Once again, I renew my fervor to never forget those precious souls. I think I have gotten a brief glimpse into their what their life was like that December day. God help us all.
Friday, April 5, 2013
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!
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.
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.
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