WE HAVE LOST OUR EDGE.

Marty and I have bought and sold many homes in the last 43 years. We haved lived in at least 10 places around the country. We have bought and sold 6 houses.  We know how to get ready for the sale.  We know how to run through the house and make it perfect when a Realtor is on the way.  Yes, we know.  But things don't always work out the way we know how to do.

When it gets dark, we pull out stuff that the buyers/Realtors shouldn't see: paper towel racks, waste baskets, soap dishes, shampoo bottles, scatter rugs, pillows and blankets on the easy chairs, hampers, etc.  We wrap up in the blankets, we live as if we still live in this house.  Not a good thing.  We no longer live here, we are caretakers.

This morning I got a call from an agent who missed the Broker's Tour and wanted to come by " in a few minutes".  You can never tell an agent no.  I said come on by.  And then I realized I had a lot to do.  I had so much stuff to put in closets, under shelves, in drawers.  How the hell did so much stuff get out of the closets over night?

I was flying around putting stuff back in the closets, in the pantry, turning on lights, opening drapes.  I wasn't going to make it.  And thank goodness, Marty came home before leaving for a closing in San Francisco.  He walked in the door and I yelled at him, " I need help, agent on the way, take the upstairs!"  Poor Baby did not even get a hello kiss.  He dropped his briefcase, and took off.  We put everything in its hiding place.  And the house looked lovely when the agent arrived.

We learned our lesson.  Tonight when we finished watching TV in the living room, pillows and blankets went back into the closet.  Tomorrow the hamper and other extra things in our bedroom will be in the closet by 9:00.  Kitchen items will be hidden as soon as breakfast is over.  We will be ready.

The hardest part of having the house on the market?  Being up and dressed by 9:00a.m.  I am always up, but I may not be dressed until 11:00 or 12:00.  I see no point in being dressed early and then cleaning house, doing laundry, whatever.  Get the work done, then clean yourself up.  No more.  I will be ready to receive buyers by 9:00. 

I hate having a house on the market.

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Why I didn't volunteer for a couple of weeks.

I told you all a couple of weeks ago that Marty and I were really really busy.  So I wasn't volunteering or doing much blogging.  Well now it can be told.  Our house is on the market and we were getting it ready to sell.  We are downsizing.

Selling a house is nothing like it was 40 years ago.  Then you took down the pictures from the "I love me wall", cleaned the windows and carpet, and boom you were ready.  Today it is a major project.  We have depersonalized the house.  No personal pictures allowed, most books packed up, art collections packed up, Marty's inventory of blown glass pieces off the shelves, furniture moved into the garage, nothing on the kitchen counters, anything that will fit in a pocket or purse packed up. 

You have to lock up TV remotes, medicine, jewelry, laptops, anything valuable.  I used to push things into the back of a drawer and cover it up.  No more.  People go through the drawers, steal everything not nailed down. So we have bicycle locks on an armoire and another chest.  Also we have a locking desk, a locking file cabinet, and a safe. Times have changed.

We have packed up everything we do not absolutely have to have. Well, I guess I don't really need 5 sets of dishes in the cabinets.  But I was good, I packed up 4 sets of china and all my silver.  Do you see my weakness here?   We have also cleaned out and donated  a huge amount of household items and a couple of hundred cookbooks.

Marty and I have packed up at least 60 boxes. Many of those we had great help from Cecelia, Kirsten, and our Realtor, Michael. We have moved half the furniture into the garage.  And thanks to son Erik and our friend Hubert for their strong young backs.  They moved furniture and boxes all one Sunday morning.

Friend Paul had the hardest job  of packing.  He packed up our art glass collection.  He is a packing machine.

Marty has painted, cleaned the outside windows (I don't do ladders), power washed the house, and put in 8 new windows.  Our house is over 70 years old.  And to sell we had to replace windows.  So Marty and our lovely contractor friend, Karl, did those 8 windows.  I have steamed cleaned carpet, cleaned cabinets, sealed and polished the granite, washed windows.  We have done a million other little things.

Marty and I have worked so hard and are so tired.  I keep looking for those packers that showed up when we were corporate gypsies. Why don't they show up anymore? 

If you know someone who is looking for a lovely home, send them our way.  The listing is here.

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School Daze

After missing a last week, today I was back working with the first graders.  These are lovely sweet children.  But as I said before, they are not as advanced as students we've had before.  The pencils are held wrong; many don't know their letters/sounds or numbers; many tune out all directions.  We have some big time work ahead of us this year.

I worked with them on math.  They were to color in blocks to show an equation.  For example, they were to color 4 blocks red, then 2 blocks green.  And the equation would be 4 + 2 = 6. Then you switched the addends and had 2 + 4 = 6.   Well, that was our dream.  We had  3+3 = 6, 4+3=9 and it was downhill from there. Some became so wrapped up in coloring that the equations never were filled in. 

One thing I do with the children is listen to them read.  Good, bad, indifferent readers, all children need the chance to read to an adult.  They like to have the one on one attention.  This went better than the math did.

My favorite thing to do with the children is to read a story to them.  Ms. H picks the storybook to go with the time of year, units they are doing, or just plain fun reads.  Today I read Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. (I would link Carpenter, but I can't find a good website for her.)  This story is based on fact, and is funny.  A pioneer family brings fruit tree seedlings to Oregon, we have all the trials and tribulations of keeping the plants alive.  I do all the voices and explain words they might not understand (prairie schooner, Gravenstein). 

This volunteer job is very tiring physcially.  Lots of bending over very short desks, lots of walking from student to student, even sitting in the very low chairs is a challenge at my age.  But I do it and I love it.  First Graders are the best.

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WEDDINGS?

Today I was finally back to the marriage factory after nearly 2 weeks off. (that will be a blog later this week) The clerks were thrilled I was there to take up the duties of the marriage commissioner so the staff could do their real work.  I arrived early because I had missed doing wedding ceremonies.

And I sat for 3 1/2 hours.  No one was even buying licenses let alone getting married today. At 3:55 the lobby was suddenly full.  People wanted to buy marriage licenses.  But did they want to get married today?  I waited another 20 minutes as they worked through the customers. 

Nope, no one wanted to marry today.  So I gathered all my belongings and came home.  And this must be the most boring blog I have written.

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Garbage truck update

Yesterday I ended the blog with, One more truck to go.  That was the recycling truck. I had given the office info over the phone Monday.  She promised they would start the yard service the next day. This was the can we really have trouble getting up to the street.  We had so much stuff to pick up.  I was worried.  We had so much it would be awful if they skipped us. We had 200 pounds in the can, and beside it, 8 grocery bags full, tied up cardboard strips, and lots of other stuff. 

The truck came up the hill.  I was ready to run out and flag him down. No need to.  The truck stopped, the driver came down the steps, and carried everything up the steps.  The system worked the first time.

Stayed tuned for next week.  Will the 2 trucks I flagged down stop next Tuesday?

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DID YOU EVER CHASE DOWN THE GARBAGE TRUCKS?

Today is garbage day. And I have a long tale to tell. 

I decided to take advantage of the senior/medical disability service of our garbage companies. We live in the Oakland Hills and are downhill from the street. Even young people have trouble getting cans to the street.  The first flat spot to store our cans is down 12 steps from the street.  That would be 12 steps to drag the cans up when the cans are full.  We are the king and queen of recycling.  That can is huge and always weighs at least 150 -200 pounds. Poor Marty is killing himself dragging that up to the street.  And then there is the green waste can and the "what won't go in the others" can.

I called for info and they told me to fill out the form, get the doctor to sign it, and fax it in. They would even set up things with the recycling company which is a separate company.  I questioned that and she said it  would be taken care of.  Sounds easy doesn't it? 

There are no forms online, so they mailed it nearly a week later.  I had emailed my doctor about the problem of getting older and some things just get harder to do.  In less than 24 hours I had picked up his letter.  Man, I love Kaiser!  When we finally got the form, I filled it out and Marty faxed it to the garbage company.  Nearly a week later no news on when the service starts.  I called Friday, they hadn't received the fax.  We sent it again, requesting they call us when received.   No call. 

On Monday they called, fax received.  The service would start Tuesday (today).  I made a remark about how heavy the recycling is and she said, "You have to contact them.  We have nothing to do with recycling."  I threw a hissy fit.  The one can we had real trouble getting up the hill, and I have to start over.  They lost the first fax, they didn't contact me about service starting, they gave me the wrong info, and now no service for the recycling this week.  The clerk was rude, nothing was their fault and tried to hang up on me.  I out yelled her and got the information on who to contact at the other company.

I called the recycling company, no problem.  She took the info over the phone and said if  I faxed the form and doctor's letter; they would pick up on our day this week.  That would be today.

I couldn't sleep because of the heat, so I was up early for me.  I heard the garbage trucks coming up the hill.  They picked up next door, skipped me (no cans on the street), and picked up the next house.  Damn, all cans are full and with the heat the green waste is really stinky and has ants. 

I went out to talk to the drivers.  I was a vision of loveliness:  bed head, no makeup, my 12 year old dress length T shirt, and flip flops.  I didn't get there in time.  So I waited, they turn around at the corner and come downhill.  I waved at the first driver, he got in the truck and started driving, I stood there.  He stopped, I explained they were to pull the cans up.  He hadn't received word, no problem.  He would do it now.  The next driver, same thing.  YAY.

At 7:45 the garbage company called.  How was my second week of yard service going? Second week?  She had received the first fax and set everything up.  I told her I had to chase down the trucks, and all the stuff vented above.  She will take care of it.  We will see. 

One more truck to go.

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FYI

I am insanely busy right now.  Because of that, the wedding gig and the working with first graders has been put on hold.  I plan to skip the volunteering for one more week.  Then I hope things will settle down and be normal, whatever that will be.

If I have time this week, I might comment on some TV programs. Marty and I collapse each night in front of the TV with our Bourbon.  The new season has started, maybe something out there is worth watching.

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We caved

Marty and I were not, repeat, were not going to watch Dancing With The Stars this season.  The people on it are just ridiculous.  Some of the stars are Bristol Palin, The Situation, David Hasselhoff, Audrina Patridge, Florence Henderson.  These are not stars, maybe Mrs. Brady was and sort of still is.  But this is a C-  list of stars, and then Bristol Palin.  Please, Bristol is famous for being an unwed mother.  A lot of the people we had never heard of including the sports stars. ( The only sports we do is college basketball, our nephew, Kiel Turpin.).  BUT the DVR recorded 3 hours because it was set up from last season.

Tonight we decided to watch the Monday and Tuesday shows.   We quickly went through the dancing and the result shows.  (We watched three hours of this show in one hour.  No commercials, no filler, no background.)  We thought after tonight we would delete the setting because it was going to be just awful.  We watched the dancing/judging, no rehearsals, no fluff, no background stories.  We were surprised. Damn, some of these people were good.  And if not really good they showed potential and were highly entertaining.

We will watch next week. 

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WEDDINGS

Monday was one of my days at the County Building to perform marriage ceremonies. (I know that my friends wonder why I always write as if no one knows I do weddings.  Marty says since I ever now and then get a new reader, they need to know clearly what I do. )  Back to the story.  It was really slow in all departments.  You could have fired off a shotgun and not hit a person. 

After about an hour finally a marriage license was brought to me.  It was a confidential marriage.  That means they need no witness, and no one can get info about the marriage.  It takes a court order to get information on this type of marriage, and it is rarely given.  People who are in the public eye or police are a couple of types of couples who get a confidential license.

The couple was dressed very casually. She had on Capri pants and a T shirt.  He had on a sport shirt and dockers.  Just looking at them, I was betting he's an undercover cop. He had an air of authority, somewhat military in bearing, and long beautiful black hair.  It hung to the middle of his back.  I am not a huge fan of men with long hair, but for this guy I make an exception.  They told me this ceremony was strictly a judicial thing(a cop word).  Well, it may have been judicial, but it became very emotional.  When they say vows and hear the vows, lots of couples get real serious.

The other couple was from India.  It was a traditional arranged marriage.  They had done the cultural wedding and I was to do the legal ceremony.  The bride had on the lovely sari and gold and diamond bracelets to both elbows.  Every time I asked the couple a question, her mother would answer.  They even looked to her to give them an answer.  I stopped that.  I nicely explained the couple was marrying, it was their wedding, and they should make the decisions.

And that is my Monday afternoon.  Very very slow.  But one good thing, with so few weddings I had time to get a book finished for my mystery book group.

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School and marriages

Last week I went back to school, first grade.  Yes, I am back volunteering at Kaiser School in Oakland.  This class is not as mature ( don't you just love talking about how mature 6 and 7 year olds are) as classes from the past.  They don't seem as developed as other classes. They seem to be a calmer class.  We don't seem to have any serious discipline problems as in the past. Thank you very much. Only one diva has put up her head, hand, loud voice, opinion. This class feels as if they will need much more one on one help.  Many can't hold pencils correctly and holding scissors is just not happening with them. And lots of them have the attention span of a gnat. They seem more like kindergartners than first grader.  That is OK.  That is why I am there, to help.

And then to the weddings. When I arrived today, I was talking to Vera the volunteer who does Wednesday mornings.  She handed me a piece of paper and told me to read it.  It was a yelp review written by someone she had married.  To read that review (you should read them all) scroll down to August 25, 2010.

I had 2 couples who I found out needed a commissioner who spoke Spanish.  Those I took upstairs to a translator.

Another couple was fun.  They were in their mid 40s.  He had been married once.  She hadn't ever been married.  The bride was as giddy as a teenager. Their witnesses were their childless neighbors who made them their pretend children. 

The witnesses were an excellent example of marriage for them.  They had been married 64 years.  They were a very frail looking couple.  Well, they were not frail.  Their voices were strong.  He took the pictures and was all over the room.  And she was walking with him  A fun, loving wedding

Another couple was Hispanic. They had twin girls around 5, a son about 10 or 11, another son and maybe a  baby.  I couldn't figure out quite who all the children in the room belonged to.  The bride's sister had at least one child.  I was confused and only worried about the older son, our photographer, and twins who were the ring bearers.  This was close to chaos.  So many children wandering around.  But I talked to them about using their inside voices and paying close attention for show and tell tomorrow.  The children listened and were great during the ceremony.  I got goose bumps doing this ceremony.  The couple had been together 11years and didn't seem real interested in what we did.  But then they got serious and a little weepy.  Trust me there was love in the room.

The last couple I took upstairs nearly gave me heart failure.  I was checking the license, the groom was born in 1992.  He was just old enough to marry; you must be 18 to marry.  Then I looked at the bride's birth date . . .  1998.  I'll wait, do the math.  What did you come up with?  The correct answer is 12.   I went out and said I could not do the wedding.  Would one of the clerks check this out.  She called the couple back to her desk.  And asked for the bride's ID.  It showed she was born in 1989.  They had transposed the numbers.. The couple had entered the numbers into the computer.  And the couple should have checked it over as told to by the clerk.  And the clerk should have read it over also.  Oh well, it is fixed now.

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Testing Boston Cream Pie

We have another recipe to test for Cook's Illustrated, Boston Cream Pie.  This is not a dessert we have ever made before.  And not one that is high on my list of cravings.  I just hadn't eaten it that often.  Marty loves it.  Who knew? 

Lots of eggs used, some in the cream filling.  And several in the cake itself.  Also lots of butter, cream, whole milk, and half and half.  Just a little bit rich.

Marty starting the cream filling.  It must be stirred constantly for 10 minutes while it thickens.

The master separating eggs.  Only Marty would do this with only two bowls.  I use one to put the whites in, one for the yolk, and separate over a third.  That way if you mess up and get yolk in the whites, you only lose one egg. 

Guess who got to whisk the cream filling for 10 minutes.  See I do help sometimes.

While I am whisking and having hand cramps, Marty is stirring the cake batter with the big KitchenAid. Doesn't he look like he is really working hard?  Bless his heart.

The recipe calls for the cream filling to be strained.  It gives it a really smooth texture.

Weighing out the bitter sweet chocolate for the topping.

Placing the second layer on top of the first cake layer.  The cream filling is between the layers.

Smoothing the cream filling.  Selfish Marty did not share licking the off set spatula.

Chocolate topping being poured over the cake, aka Boston Cream Pie.

This is delicious!  No way is it healthy, nor low cal.  I don't care.  YUM!

Marty cutting a piece for our dinner guest to take home.  Our guest was celebrating his birthday.  We had no idea that Boston Cream Pie is his absolutely favorite dessert.  We lucked out and became the perfect hosts.

I am sure we will be making this again.  It is now much higher on my list of rich food I want.  It is a little labor intensive, but well worth the time and trouble.

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A United Nations of couples to marry

Wednesday afternoon I performed 6 marriage ceremonies.  It was a United Nations group of couples. I had a Turkish groom and his bride from the Czech Republic; the next couple were Korean; next up were the couple who were from El Salvador, a couple from Tracy CA;  a groom from Oakland and his bride from Paris, France; and the last couple were Mexican.  And everyone was strong in English except the Korean couple.

The Turkish groom was really concerned because his bride's visa was running out in a month. (This was a love match for sure, not an immigration wedding.)  They kept asking me legal questions about whom to contact, what steps to take, who do they notify that she is now married to an American citizen, how do they speed up the process.  Even if I knew the answers, I legally can not give legal advice.  I told them to call immigration and to get an attorney.  Really hope that all works out.

The Korean couple spoke some English and understand most I said.  We have no Korean translator, so it was just me and the witness.  I can not use a witness for the legal parts of the ceremony.  So I interviewed the couple and made the witness stay quiet.  The couple answered my questions.  The main question was, "Why are you here?"  They both told me to get married.  After talking with them for several minutes, I agreed to marry them.  I could have done the three legal sentences wedding.  I could have had them struggle through the vows in English, which they could have done.  But the bride was beautifully dressed and had a bouquet. She had come for a nice wedding.  I wanted her to have an event, not a short stressful ceremony.  I had the witness translate the fluff, they did vows in Korean, and I did the legal part in English.   They were most appreciative of my solution.

The couple from France and California were cute and funny.  First off the groom had on pink nail polish.  In the elevator he asked me, "Do you say by the power vested in me. . .?"  I said yes.  He then said, "I have waited a loooong time to hear that".  During the ring ceremony part of what I say is " . . . as a token of your love" . . .  He took out a huge pink "dimestore" ring  and said, "definitely a token".

Let us finish with a little humor.  The couple were Hispanic.  He had on the stereotypical baggy falling down pants, which he kept hitching up.  After the ceremony he took his infant son from the stroller and his pants started falling down.  His bride stuck her hands in his pockets and pulled the pants up, as if she had done it a thousand times.

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Marty creates in the kitchen

Tonight Marty made Dim Sum.  I know, that is a Chinese lunch thing.  But we love it anytime we can get it.  I did some of the prep.  Of course, no pictures of me to prove I help.  And then Marty took over.

Flower Dumplings, two types, filled with shrimp and chicken.  They also have chopped carrots. minced ginger, lots of ginger, chopped green onions, sesame oil, soy, rice wine, and meat of choice.  Then they are wrapped in a won ton and cooked in a bamboo steamer.

Our chopper dopper.  I love whacking this thing and everything being chopped to perfection.  It also helps with feelings of aggression.

Marty dumping the chopped meat into a bowl. 

The first dumpling filled and ready to be folded.  We can't find our little scoop to fill the dumpling.  So we used a butter press.  It worked just fine.

Marty very very carefully doing the four folds on the dumpling.  I truly can't do this.  I just don't have the patience.

The first steamer is ready to cook.  The dumplings are on parchment paper. One more steamer to go.

Voila!  Dinner is ready.  Marty has soy, hot mustard, sweet and sour sauce ready to go.  This is the shrimp.

They smell like heaven.  This is the chicken layer.

Chef Show Off using his chop sticks.  I can't use them.  I have tried since 1977.  It is not going to happen.  I have a fork and knife.  This was a lovely meal.  And it was pretty close to being healthy.

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Tell my son . . .

I only went to the marriage factory on Monday.  Wednesday my back was giving me fits so I stayed home and iced.  Monday was very slow, only three weddings to perform.

One wedding the couple was very sweet and very quiet.  The bride looked really nervous.  I was a little worried she might hit the floor.  So I was watching them closely throughout the ceremony.  And I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.  The groom kept winking at the bride, over and over.  She relaxed and starting enjoying her wedding. 

I did the marriage ceremony for an Asian couple.  I checked the license and a red flag went up.  The bride's first and last names were the same.  I asked her to be sure there was no error.  No error, her name was "Zheng Zheng".  OK. She taught me how to correctly pronounce her name and the groom's name.  And upstairs we went.  As I started the ceremony, she said, "Could you call me Jane?"  I could do that, then the groom wanted to be called Tim.  Hey, that made my job easier.

The favorite wedding couple had been together 15 years.  He was 57 she was 40. They were so in love, and so emotional.  After the ceremony the groom grabbed his phone and stepped out of the room.  When we caught up with him he was talking away.  He handed me the phone and said, "Tell my son what we just did."  I said, "Hello, this is Janet.  I just married your father."  Dead silence.  And then I thought no, no, no, that doesn't sound right.  I quickly added, "I married him and Betty."  The son yelled,"That's wonderful!" 

This was a first for me.  No one of the hundreds and hundreds of wedding ceremonies I have done has asked me to tell someone that they just were married.  If this should ever come up again, I now know how not to word it,

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN, PART 2

Today I drove up to Davis to visit with my sister in law, Dr. MOM, and the beautiful children.  I know it sounds like bragging, but oh my word, my family makes beautiful babies.  It is a fact, people.  You saw the pictures of just one little branch this week.

Anyway, I drove up today to have lunch with my SIL, Dr. MOM, Annabella, and baby Ava.  My drive up did not start well. My 5 minute drive to the tunnel took over 20 minutes.  HWY 24, HWY 13, and 2 frontage roads were stopped. Not just slow, but stopped. There are three tunnels, depending on the time of day two bores are open one way and only one going the other way.  In the morning two bores are open west, and going east (the way I was going) only one bore is open. Part of the slow traffic is everyone looking at the drilling of the fourth bore. Once I was out of the tunnel I flew to Davis.  NO, I do not drive the speed limit.  I go with the flow.  On I 80, everyone thinks that is the speed limit, not the Interstate number.  You drive slower then 80, you will get run over.

Big sister Annabella was in rare form this morning. She was wound up.  Baby Ava was cranky.  It was not a great beginning.  But things went well.  We went to lunch, Annabella colored, played in the fountain, and did manage to eat a huge amount of calamari.  She is three and eats calamari and satay. They are raising a gourmet.  Ava slept through lunch and allowed the adults to talk. We had a great Thai lunch.  And then home for Bella to take a nap.  SIL Ann and I went to pick up big brother Hall from school.  And then I had to leave the fun and drive back to Rockridge.

Guess what.  The tunnel was backed up going West this time.  A 5 minute drive was 25 minutes this time.  I hope I live to see the fourth bore finished.

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On the road again. . .

Yesterday Marty and I drove up to Davis to see our two week old great niece.  She is the daughter of my nephew Lt. Colonel  Daddy and his wife Dr. Mom.  My sister in law is here to help for a couple of weeks.  My brother was to fly into Sacramento on Wednesday for business and then go to Davis for the weekend.  But corporate life doesn't always work out.  The trip was canceled. So Little Brother missed yesterday's party.  We did call him at midnight his time (house and cell)  so he could join the party.  He didn't answer and missed our fun.

And fun was had.  Marty and I brought champagne and pate to celebrate the birth of Ava and her Daddy's promotion to Lt. Colonel.  They had jalapeno poppers, guacamole, and lots of wine.  We also brought wine. As I said, a fun party.  Of course we had to stay very late so Marty could legally drive.

           On the Benica Bridge on the way to Davis, which is just across the causeway from Sacramento.

Looking at the Mothball Fleet.

Marty is so good with babies.  He stood and rocked the beautiful Ava for at least 30 minutes. She wasn't crying.  She just likes to be held.  And who could resist this child?

            More of Ava. She leans into you as you hold her. She wants your warmth and keeps getting closer.

           Is that not a little face to love?  She looks so tiny, yet is 8 pounds.  A big baby for 2 weeks old.

       She grabbed my finger and held on.  Loved it.  This is such a feel good moment.  Babies, wow!

         On the left Grandmother Ann.  On the right, Dr. Mom, Casey.

                                         Dr. Mom has just fed little Ava.

I just realized I have no pictures of  the Colonel.  I took pictures all afternnon.  Nearly all are of Ava and of whomever is holding her.  I know Tres held her.  I guess I was just admiring Ava and didn't take pictures.  Next time Tres, next time.

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THIS WEEK AT THE MARRIAGE FACTORY

It was slow this week in all areas of the County Clerk-Recorder's Building.  Monday I did 5 wedding ceremonies and Wednesday only 3.

The first bride on Monday was almost Beatnik looking.  She had on jeans, a tee shirt, and a baby in a sling.  On her head she had a tulle cap with lots of silk flowers, some very tiny, some the size of a teacup. In her back pocket she had a white hanky which had rows of tatting.  When we got to the wedding room, she put a linen and lace christening gown on her baby.  The bride then told me that the cap and the christening gown had been passed down through her family for over 100 years. The two items had been made by Queen Victoria's persoal seamstress.  The bride said for her somthing new, something borrowed, something blue:  the cap was old, the hanky is borrowed,  her jeans are blue, and the baby is new.  My beatnik was also a traditionalist.

One wedding the groom was military and being shipped out.  He did not wear his uniform, just black slacks and a black shirt.  She wore a patterned pink baby doll dress.  She carried a bouquet of pink and white roses that had a wired tulle double ring around them.  They looked so young and acted so young, yet they were both 30 years old.  Her father kept trying to give make decisions on the ceremony, tried to take the souvenir license before I gave it to the couple, tried to get the certified copies.  You know I didn't allow any of that.  If they are the ones marrying, they are the ones to answer my questions, and the ones legal papers are handed to. 

The next groom was 68, the bride was 50.  They had been together 15 years. She was very stoned faced and matter of fact about the wedding, this was no big deal.  He was dancing a jitterbug. Really, he was dancing.  Funny cute man.  I started the ceremony and he started dancing again.  Suddenly the bride's body relaxed and she started smiling.  What a smile it was, gorgeous.  The groom danced throughout the ceremony.  After I pronounced them married, he gave her a quick little kiss and then they just held each other and smiled. Goosebumps.

Only one traditional wedding dress this week.  The dress was long white satin, loosely form fitting, with a small train.  It had a Grecian bodice halter type front. The back had rhinestone straps that crisscrossed to just below the waist.  Well, maybe not that traditional of a dress.  But it was a true wedding dress. 

Another goosebumps' wedding.  The bride and groom were in their early 30's, he had a teenage son to witness, she had a teenage daughter to witness.  Neither had been married.  Throughout the wedding they held each other.  When I pronounced them married, he said, "WOW!" over and over and over.

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Erik is right

My son, Erik, has chastised me for not mentioning the name of the Southern restaurant owned by a couple I married.  And he is right, I should have done that.  Late hours and a little wine makes one forgetful.

Eboraya's Soul Food & Catering.    
6326 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland CA 94508.   
Phone  510-601-1690   
They are open Tuesday-Saturday  12PM -10PM             Sunday 12 PM- 7PM  
Free delivery 12PM-5PM (except Sunday) minimum order $25 They deliver to a huge area, so ask if they will come to your house. 

Some web sites list them in Emeryville, the menu I have says Oakland.  They do not have a website.  They have good reviews on Yelp and a couple of other sites I checked.

A few items from their menu:  I don't know if the prices are right.  She was carrying the menu in her purse and making notes on it.  But you will have a general idea of the costs.

Pork ribs small $11.99 one side       large  $14.00 2 sides
BBQ chicken $9.99 sm     $11.99 large    same deal on sides.
Half chicken fried w/fries and drink   $9.99
They have fish, burgers, veggie burgers

Nearly all the sides are $3                                     Desserts run $3.50
Yams
Collard Greens
Cajun Rice
String beans
and lots more

It is a small place and sometimes has a wait.  The owners are Conya (I think pronounced like con man) and Charles. The restaurant is probably named after their daugher. If any of you (Erik) get there before us, let me know how it is.  Better yet, Erik take MOM and Dad out to dinner.  :)

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A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Last night Marty and I joined a dear friend, X for dinner.  She was hosting a dinner for seven of us, whose main link is our love for her. We are her family, her support group.  We have all done most of the following:  gone with her to doctor appointments, sat in the waiting room during procedures or surgeries, driven her to radiation treatments, been there for her to talk, been there to help her when she came home from a procedure or surgery.  We love her and want to help in any way we can.

X has had many cancers.  She has had several surgeries for skin cancer, she has had lung cancer, and she has had breast cancer. Notice I said HAD.  She has beat all of these terrible diseases.

Last night was the 5 year celebration for X beating lung cancer.  We had champagne and dined royally at her favorite Chinese restaurant.  We laughed, we toasted her good health, because she has good health. It was a room of love for a strong woman who does not give up when a terrible disease strikes.  She researches doctors and the disease.  She learns how to fight the diseases and is smart enough to use the strength of her friends.  She is not afraid to ask for help.  And she lets us help her. 

Marty and I celebrate her life.  And look forward to the party in 2 1/2 years for her 5 years free of breast cancer.

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You came to Oakland to get married? Why?

Couples come to the Clerk Recorder's building to buy a marriage license and are surprised to learn they can marry right then. The clerk asks, "Do you have a witness?"  And the couple says,"No."  Many think we will provide a witness but we don't.  So they are sent through the lobby looking for a nice person to be a witness.  We also send them to our little cafe. The funds from this cafe support a program for teenagers who have turned 18 and can no longer be in the foster care program.  The teenagers work in the cafe to get a certificate for food services. 

My first bride and groom were in their 50s.  They had no witness so I sent them to the cafe. C agreed to witness and went up with us.  After the wedding they gave C some $10 bills.  That was huge to him.  And I am thankful for couples like this one.

The next couple managed to tick me off before I met them.  I called their names over and over in both lobbies.  No answer.  I yelled last call and said the names again.  I started back to my desk and the couple sauntered up and said here we are.  I had stood next to them a couple of times calling their names.  What is wrong with people?

Couple three was very interesting to me.  The bride was from Argentina by way of San Jose.  The groom was from Pikeville, KY.  This town is way up in the mountains from Corbin where I grew up.  Way up there.  It was nice to talk to some one who sounds just like I do. 

SIDEBAR:  And speaking of Kentucky, there are foods Marty and I miss from there.  California has wonderful food.  But sometimes you just need Southern cooking and you don't wanna do it yourself.

The next couple was from the South also, Mississippi and Louisiana.  I jokingly said, "We need to talk food. You just can't find good ribs, pulled pork, string beans . . ."  And the bride said, "You need to come to our restaurant."  She gave me a menu, said they deliver free, even in the Oakland Hills where we live. When she told me that, I hugged her and told her I loved her. Hardly any one delivers up here.  I am so excited.  I plan to call some afternoon and order ribs, and beans, and potato salad, some barbecued chicken and then we will pig out.  Of course we have our fingers crossed that the food is good.  It does have good reviews on Yelp.  Oh, I did marry the two of them.

The clerk brought me the last license.  The bride lived in Paris, France.  The groom lived in Paris, France.  The witness lived in Paris, France.  Interesting.  When we got in the elevator I said, "There has to be a story here.  If you live in Paris the most romantic place in the world, why are you marrying in Oakland?"  The groom said, " Too many relatives in France."  They thought San Francisco was a romantic city, so they wanted to be married there.  They planned the trip, went to City Hall in San Francisco to marry, and got shot down.  You have to make an appointment to be married there, weeks and weeks ahead.  Alameda County is the only place in the 9 county area that doesn't require appointments.  So this lovely couple ended up in Oakland, CA to be married by me.  

Wednesday was a fun day.  Interesting couples.  A lead to Southern food.  I think I'll go back and do it all over again on Monday.

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WEDDINGS YES FOR SOME, BUT WEDDINGS NOT FOR OTHERS

Monday when I arrived at the County Recorder's Building, I went straight to one of the supervisors.  I needed to find out our game plan on doing same sex marriages.  Would we begin on Wednesday at 5:01 when the stay was lifted or on Thursday morning?  I told them I could do either day.  The powers upstairs decided to begin on Thursday.  Little did I know that the stay would not be lifted.  We are now waiting until the appeals are heard in December and they hope to rule sometime in January.

I did several weddings Monday.  One couple had been together for nearly 20 years.  Their two sons were the witnesses.  The bride was surprised at how emotional she and the groom were.

One couple were in their 60s.  Both Iranian. Both very striking looking.  They had lots of friends and family with them.  And there was major jewelery in the room. All the women had big honking diamond rings, pearl necklaces, gold bracelets.  But two stood out:  The bride wore a gorgeous white pant suit. Her necklace was pearls that were huge.  Her earrings were pearl drops, lots of gold and the pearls were as large as the end of my thumb.  But those were nothing compared to her friend's earrings: again huge pearls that had three rows of baguette diamonds. Can you say covet, covet, covet?

Another couple was fun and a little different.  He was in a black silk shirt, black vest, and black slacks.  She had on a very plain white strapless dress, street length. At the waist she had a yellow sash. She carried a nosegay of roses and the rings were tied up in the ribbons.  Oh, and on her feet, red Converse shoes.  I loved it.

There were other weddings.  But the last I will tell you about.  There is a saying, "No good deed goes unpunished", attributed to Clare Boothe Luce.  That is so true.  To be married the day you get your license, a couple must be punched in by 4:00.  I am scheduled to work until 4:00.  Usually if couples are at the desk I will wait and see if they are going to be married then. 

Monday there were several couples in the queue, and I said I would wait to see if they needed me to marry anyone.  The last couple wanted to be married.  I get the license at 4:15, I checked the license, go out to get them, and the bride and the witness are gone.  They had gone to feed the parking meter. If you are going to buy a license and get married wouldn't you put the full 2 hours in the meter?  We are efficient but there are lots of people in line.  Anyway, the groom is calling her to tell her to hurry back.  No answer.  Then it is 4:30 and the Deputy locks the building.  My bride and witness are locked out.  I asked him to let them in when she came back and he did. The wedding does happen. The couple is one of those that radiated love and caring.  It was a goose bump wedding.  So I forgave them in my heart for making me wait on them.

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UP THE NORTHERN COAST AGAIN

This is our month for visiting the North Coast of California.  Last weekend we went to Sea Ranch.  Today we drove up to Bodega Bay.  We had lunch with friends at their lovely home, which has a killer view. Pictures to follow. It was a lovely afternoon with our hosts and another couple.  The food and wine was great.  Conversation was interesting.  We discussed families, books, mutual friends, dogs, problems with our AT&T cell coverage, even a little bit of gossip. 

Appetizers were guacamole, incredible bread, and lots of cheeses with champagne.  Lunch was salmon and steak; salad with blueberries, walnut, blue cheese; new potatoes; and apple pie.  Yummy, yummy

On the way to Bodega Bay, this is Valley Ford.  A wide spot in the road. You can see not much traffic on a Sunday morning. 

View from our hosts' living room.  The fog comes and goes.

More from their living room.  Fog coming in a little more.

Right before we left, most of the fog is gone and we have a sparkling view.

Close to home on I 80.  Lots of cars.  We are back in civilization.

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Welcome to Eneha

I have an new follower.  I tried to send an email to welcome her, but for some reason Goggle will not let me.  I would love to know just how Eneha (I hope this is the correct English spelling) found me.  I am excited to have another out of the USA follower. 

I pulled up Eneha's blogs, but only some of the titles are in English.  So I can't read them.  If any of you out there read Greek, ( I think that is what it is) please let me know about Eneha. Click on her picture and that will take you to her blogs and info.

And Eneha, I would love to hear from you also.  Leave a comment and let me know about you.  I am pleased to have you as a follower.

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Thank goodness the clerk warned me.

Wednesday was slowly paced and I only did four weddings.

One couple had had a cultural wedding and were surprised when they saw how nice our wedding room was.  They both said they wished they had worn their wedding clothes for the civil ceremony.

Couple two were something else.  He was a tall Marine in his dress uniform. He was just back from his second tour in Iraq.   She was in a long white heavy satin strapless dress.  It had a gold beaded bodice, lacing up the back, a deep side ruffle and the whole dress was trimimed in gold. The bride had tattoos down one arm and across and down a breast.  I guess I am growing more used to heavily tattooed women.  Hers were beautiful.  They were colorful large flowers.

Her sister was to bring up the rings.  I told her to take them out of the boxes which makes less to drop for the couple.  As the couple started their vows, I saw a ring roll across the floor and under the bride's dress.  Her friend sheepishly walked up, lifted the dress, and picked up the ring.

Couple three just wanted the basic three sentences (they are about half way down that blog) because they were having a real wedding in February.  Then they changed their mind and wanted the long term wedding ceremony.  And the bride just fell apart during the vows.  He was teary while saying his vows, but she cried and cried and shook with emotion.  He held her until she calmed down and we finished the ceremony.  I've told you before, when I do a ceremony the couple knows it is an important event.

And the last couple.  Clerk R warned me this was a sad wedding.  The groom was dying, and did not have a lot of time left.  The couple had spent all week signing legal papers to protect the bride after his death.  They have been together 30 years and never felt the need to marry.  Now the legalities were staring them in the face. I never tell names, but this time I need the groom's real name.

As soon as they came up to me, Malcolm started telling me everything he had said to R.  And he became more and more upset.  The bride worked to calm him down, while letting him tell it all again.  In the wedding room I asked what type of ceremony and they wanted the long term relationship ceremony.  I looked at it and knew I had to edit as I read.  No in sickness or health, no for as long as I live, no use of the word future.  This couple has no future.  After the ceremony they stood and clung to each other.  The witness and I were a little teary eyed too.  Then they asked me to take pictures of the three of them.  So I did.  Malcolm put his bride on his left, put his friend on the right, and said, "I am Malcolm in the Middle."

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8-9-10

Today I arrived at the County Recorder's Building right at 1:00.  There were people all over the place. Brides in long white dresses, short white dresses;  little boys in suits, little boys in fancy vests; men in suits; and everyone had flowers.  Where did all these people come from?  We don't get busy until 3:00. What is going on?  I literally had to fight my way through hordes of people to get to the door to the area where my desk is.

One of the clerks said to me, " It's 8-9-10 today."  Oh, people like fun sequences of numbers.  On 08-08-08 and on 09-09-09,  we had people lined up down the street.  Other dates have brought in lots of couples to be married.  By the time I got there today they had already done a lot of weddings, with no volunteer to help.  So they were thrilled when I arrived.

One wedding was very upsetting for me.  The couple had had a big "wedding".  Except their friend had not done the paper work to be a one day marriage commissioner.  So they really had a party.  They wanted the down and dirty ceremony from me. I hate those.  But I did it: three legal sentences are all it takes.  Do you take_________ as your wife?  Do you take ________ as your husband?  By the power vested in me by the state of CA, I now pronounce you husband and wife.  Isn't that sad?  But that is what they wanted.

One bride was in a long puffy strapless dress.  Every time I saw her in the lobby, she was tugging on the dress to pull it up.  During the ceremony she was still tugging.  She also was very teary and shaky, I thought she might pass out.  I stopped at one point for her to breathe (yes, people forget to do that).

The best wedding today was very small.  We had the groom, the bride, and his son E as the witness.  E was 7 years old.  He wore a blazer, an oxford cloth button down shirt, a tie, and dockers. he was a mini Daddy. He had one accessory, a very fancy pen.  E told me he had been practicing writing his name all week and this was the pen he was going to use.  I never let anyone use their own  pen.  I have to be sure the pen is black ink or a dark blue.  Oh dear what if his pen is purple or green or pink ink?  He is 7, I can't disappoint him.  But we have laws on the color of the ink.  We tested the pen, yay it is blue.  He can use it.

The couple asked me if I would take pictures after the ceremony.  I said let E take them during the ceremony.  They weren't sure, but we all know electronics and 7 years are perfect together.  E was like a pro, he was on his knees shooting up at them.  He turned the camera, he walked around the room getting every angle. Daddy looked at the pictures after the wedding, he was amazed how great the shots were.  E kept saying, "I did a good job, didn't I Daddy?"

Then we signed the license.  E did the souvenir license first, perfectly printed out first and last name.  Then we did the real license.  Where he had to sign was not as wide as my little finger and not very long.  Adults mess it up all the time.  Not E, perfect again.  This was a very proud little boy and rightfully so.



I always try to make my couples and their guests comfortable.  But the above wedding I really worked to make that child comfortable.  Signing as a witness for your father's and stepmother's wedding is huge.  And I was rewarded.  The father told me he was so glad they got me as their commissioner.  He thanked me for being so nice and so kind to their son.  And that is another reason I volunteer.

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THAT'S A LOT OF BULL!

Yesterday we drove to The Sea Ranch for a birthday party.  Our friends have a lovely home there and hosted a great lunch at the lodge.  Getting there was an adventure.  FromOakland it was 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours.  Most of the trip is on a 2 lane highway which hangs over the Pacific Ocean.  Great views, terrible driving conditions: fog, wind, narrow blind curves, and flat lander tourists who are scared to death.  There are turnouts for the nervous tourists to pull over so the faster people can go by.  Unfortunately the tourists are too stupid to know they are driving slow.

We left at 8:00 in the morning to make a 12:00 lunch.  We built in the tourists, fog, and breakfast.  At Bodega Bay about half way there we stopped for fuel and food.  We were just going to have toast, but a great view and good smells caused us to order eggs and the works.

One of the views at Bodega Bay.  Notice the heavy grey fog. 

Part of the drive we were in the clouds and had to use our windshield wipers.  As we continued to climb, the road become curvier, narrower and more interesting.  Even with the fog the views were awesome.  And I really hate the use of awesome.  But this time, the only word that works.  We began to cross over cattle guards, (you city folks click here.)  Why would a highway on the side of cliffs have cattle guards?   This is why.  A Charolais bull was coming down the middle of the road.  And he was headed toward our side.  Look at the picture.  They stand close to 6 feet tall and weigh as much as 3000 pounds!  It was like a Hummer crossing into our lane.  We wanted to stop and take a picture but were afraid he would either charge our SUV or try to mate with it. So Marty car drove very carefully by him.  Others at the party also shared the road with the bull. He completely owned that highway.

I mentioned the turnouts the tourists should use and don't.  Marty taught many of them how to use the turnouts.  Marty must be the first on the road.  He must set the pace for everyone.  And if they don't understand that, well he drives up their tailpipes until they get off his road.   I do agree with him on this item.  If you are scared of the curves, scared of the narrow road, and scared of no guardrails, OK then drive slowly.  But pull over at the turnouts and let the people who can drive, fly on by. 

The party was lovely.  Lots of fun, lots of wine and champagne, lots of love in the room.  As the day wore on the fog finally burned off.  Below are three pictures from the deck of Hank's and Thom's home.

Looking left

Looking right

Looking head on           

I posted one of these pictures on face book yesterday.  Noemi commented that she needed richer friends.  Yes, it is good to have friends who share their toys.

As I said, a lovely day.

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Thoughts on some of the weddings

WARNING, spell check not working today.  And you all know, I can't spell.

The Recorder's Office has been crazy for the last month.  People out the door waiting to buy marriage licenses and many of them wanting us to do the ceremony.  Most couples seem to arrive around 3:00 and we are slammed trying to get everyone handled by the 4:00 cut off. 

This week was different.  Monday there were 6 wedding ceremonies.  It was a nicely paced day.  Wednesday, when I walked in at 12:45, the lobbies were packed. Marriage licenses, death certificates, birth certificates, business licenses, every counter was busy. I was doing my first marriage ceremony by 12:50. By 3:00 I had done 7 ceremonies.  Now that isn't a lot, but 90% of the licenses had errors. That takes more time. They had to be corrected, reprinted, and re signed.  Everyone was making mistakes.  Even the clerks who are always perfect.  Strange day.  And then by 3:15 there was no one in the lobby. We kept waiting for the 3:00 rush.  Never happened.

Some of the things I remember about this week.:

The nursing mother with the huge blue veined boobs falling out of her dress. The dress was definitely bought before the baby's birth. 
 
One groom was so nervous I was afraid he would pass out.  He was very wobbly.  After the wedding I told him that he had worried me.  And he said, "This was scarier than taking the Bar."

There was the annoying couple.  I walked through both lobbies calling their names.  After the 5th time I yelled last call for ........  Nothing.  I walk to the clerk and ask if she sees them.  Yes, they were standing behind me, never once saying here we are.  They just wandered around the lobby.  They had 10 or so guests who never shut up during the wedding.  Rude, rude, rude.

One couple looked a little rough. The bride had on tight jeans, a camisole with bra straps showing, and lots of tattoos.  But on her feet, lilac high heel sandals.  Those shoes had to have cost $400.  They were magnificent!  This couple was so not what they looked like.  They were so moved by the ceremony, they adored each other.  Very tender moment.

Then there was the bride in the long creamy wedding dress. The dress had ruching front and back. There was also lacing up the back.  The dress was stunning. The groom was in a suit.  They had 20 guests all dressed up and even had a professional photographer.  On the bride's upper arm was a tattoo she had tried to cover with makeup.  The tattoo was two initials.  And they were not the groom's.

And the last one is a lesson in life.  Always read all of the documents.  This was a confidential marriage.  The couple was divorced less than a month ago.  They had been surprised to get the final divorce decree.  They had made up and thought they had stopped the divorce procedings.  Some where they missed sending in some papers.  Consequently, they were in my wedding room.

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Prop 8, gone!

Today the judge ruled that Prop 8 is unconstitutional!  I am thrilled, I am happy.  I am also waiting for the next trial.  The supporters of Prop 8 have already filed an appeal.  That was expected.  We are sure this issue will go to the US Supreme Court. 

The Supreme Court is a good thing. When this goes to the US Supreme Court it will make the decision a federal ruling for all 50 states.  And we feel that will be a ruling that same sex couples may marry. 

We also are waiting for the judge to rule whether CA can sell licenses for same sex couples to marry.  A hearing will be held on August 6.  Then we will wait for a decision.

Keep your fingers crossed.  Please God, may we get to again do same sex marriages.

 

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PROP 8

Those that know me, know I am not political.  But I do have one issue that sets me off.  Same sex marriage.  I am for it.  I hate that Prop 8 passed.  This is the proposition that took away the right for same sex couples to marry. I cried on that election night, and still cry thinking about the hate that brought about the proposition.

Wednesday between 1:00 and 3:00 the judge will rule on Prop 8, is it constitutional or not. No matter what the ruling is, we know the law suits will continue.

I pray that the judge will give back to same sex couples the same rights heterosexuals have.

And that said, damn you, you bigots.

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SO MANY WEDDINGS

Monday was very very busy. Between 1:00 and 4:45, I performed 11 ceremonies and took up 4 to be done in Spanish.  That's a lot of people to marry and to make feel as if they are the only customers that day.  I think we did a good job. 

One couple were dressed very casually.  But their three year old daughter was dressed to the teeth.  She had on a white satin dress.  It was embroidered with silver thread and the pattern had cut outs around the bottom of the dress. The little dress had an attached cape matching the dress.  Oh and it had sparkles on it.

I looked at one license and saw the couple lived on the street from one of our old neighborhoods.  They moved in about the time we moved out. I told them I used to live close to where they do now.  And  I promised I would not tell anyone about them marrying.  You may think you know the neighborhood.  Remember we have moved at least 10 times. 

Another couple was dressed up for the ceremony.  She had on a white strapless satin dress that had beading on the bodice.  Her hair was up, in large, sprayed within an inch of their life, curls.  He had on a dark suit.  A large group was with them, maybe 20 people.  And it was strange.  No joy in the room.  No feeling of attraction between the bride and groom.  When I pronounced them married, dead silence in the room.  They didn't kiss, let alone hug.  This was not a happy event.

The next wedding there was joy and happiness.  The couple was from Florida and here for a conference.  They found a witness in the lobby and we did the ceremony.  They were so in love, so happy, and they made up for the wedding before them.

Wednesday was a little slower.  I only married 6 couples.  It was a nicely paced afternoon.

One couple had been together 7 years.  They were "just marrying for the legal rights".  They were sure there would be no difference in their lives.  Well, he started crying, and she flat out lost it.  She couldn't talk, she was so moved. I had to wait for her to pull it together so she could do her vows,  Afterwards they both commented on how surprised they were to be so emotional. 

One couple was in their 40's.  This was the fourth marriage for each of them.  They were all dressed up.  She is a yellow chiffon print with yellow heels.  He had on a dark suit with a yellow shirt and tie to match her.  As we are walking to the elevator the bride exclaimed, "She has on tennis shoes!"  Guilty.  But in my defense they were cute and in a purple tone to match my silk jacket.  Then they kept asking me when I was going to put on my robe.  I had to disappoint them and tell them I don't wear a robe. 

The last couple this week was interesting.  He was 66, she was 41.   They were divorced from each other 3 years ago and were remarrying.  He kept telling everyone in the lobby that they were remarrying.  They were a very happy couple.  And the children were happy too.   I left them at the marriage desk to get their certified copy of the license.  I headed to the elevator.  The groom came rushing out to me and had a fist full of 20s.  He wanted to give them to me for doing the ceremony.  It was a lot of money, but I turned it down.  We are not allowed to take money.  DAMMIT! 

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LARRY, lookiing for the chili from the Fad, contact me again.

I had a note from google that someone commented on one of my older blogs.  Larry left the note on July 28, 2010.  I glanced at it, saw the name Larry and something about chili from the Fad.  I clicked on it to accept it.  It is gone.  I have no idea which post it was attached to.  I have checked comments for the last year, I think, and can't find it.

So Larry, contact me again and leave your email, please. I think you left your email, but as I said, it is gone. I will give you the info on pool hall chili that I have.

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LAST WEEK'S WEDDINGS

As promised I will do a quick summary of last week's weddings.  Monday I only had 3 ceremonies to perform.  Wednesday I had 7 couples to marry.  Most were fairly normal.  But one wedding stands out for all the wrong reasons.

I had one couple who were having "a real wedding in October".  The bride refused to let her witness take pictures.  No need, "this isn't our real wedding."  If what I am doing isn't real, why the hell bother to do it?

The majority of the couples were sweet, very in love, and easy to work with.  And then we had the snippy bride and her wandering father.

There was a large group with the couple.  They were all from India.  The women were in lovely saris.  And some of the men wore turbans.  It was a striking looking group.  Their license was on the back counter with a note on it:  waiting for a witness.  The couple was told to come to the desk and notify the clerk when the witness arrived.  Then I would be given the license.  The license sat there for over an hour.  It is close to 4:00 when we technically quit doing weddings.  I said I would go out and see if they have heard from the witness.  Yes the witness is there, why haven't they been called.  UH, you didn't tell us.  I say we can go upstairs now and do the ceremony.  And the bride says we have to wait.  Her father isn't there.  Where is he?  And the snippy rich bride talking to the hired help, says,"He's outside, just wait."  So I said how long before he can get back in here?  If everyone isn't here, then I take the next couple.  And she really got snippy and said, "I can see him across the street, you just wait until he comes in, he won't be long."  I said no. Others are ready and waiting.   As I walked off, they ran to get him and called me back.  So we went upstairs, two elevators full.

We arrived  in the wedding room and I realize the father is not with us.  I was ready to start the ceremony, and the Bride said you have to wait. I said no waiting again for him. Other couples are waiting and he isn't one of the legal witnesses.  We are doing it now or it isn't happening.  About half way through the father wandered in.

If the bride had not been such a uppity bitch, I would have waited to start the ceremony.  But she was so rude I just wanted them out of the building.

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SUCH A BUSY WEEK, and THEN A BUSIER WEEKEND

Yes, I know, no wedding information this week.  I did 9 weddings, I kept notes.  Maybe Monday or Tuesday I can write up some of them.  I have not posted since Thursday. I have been a busy girl. I gave you all a hint of what was to come this weekend with my post about baking cookies.

Friday: laundry, a late lunch, grocery shopping and then some cooking, a Look at my pictures of Africa party.  Part of the cooking part, we were to bring appetizers.  I also was cooking food for Saturday.

Saturday:  No sleeping late, we loaded the cooler with the food going to Davis; then a late morning hair appointment.  Marty hit the grocery again for a few items for Saturday appetizers  We then drove north to Davis to take dinner to our nephew Tres, wife Casey, son Hall, and daughter Bella, who have just moved here.  Tres had just been transferred to Travis Air Force Base.. Marty helped Tres put together furniture.  I gave moral support for the cross country move they just endured. For dinner we brought appetizers, then a lovely supper:  salad; applesauce with nutmeg; fresh green beans with potatoes, sliced tomatoes, green onions; and an unbelievably wonderful tri tip. Then there were the wonderful chocolate chip cookies I had baked.

Sunday we had church and then our church group, Wine and Dine, met at a restaurant for lunch.  We then went home and I called home and talked to family.  Marty worked in the yard.  Then it was finally nap time.

Yes, a full weekend.  We are tired.  It was a lovely weekend.  But why do we always have everything on one weekend?  And then we sit home for several weekends with nothing fun to do?

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