After getting Jeff's stuff moved in on Saturday, the real fun began. Where were we going to put all that stuff? It's not like I had any lack of belongings already. Every room seemed to be packed with items of every description. Remodeling the guest room had meant sorting through all of Max's childhood. Talk about a walk down memory lane. But besides that, the room was packed. Same with "Ruben's" room. Packed with stuff. Where was it all going to go??? Well, little by little, Jeff went through boxes, I went through closets, desks, cupboards and drawers. We took loads to goodwill, put boxes of stuff in the shop, combined, stacked, hung and organized as best we could in a short amount of time. Everything we didn't have time to deal with got shoved into Max's first bedroom, the one we lovingly called the "armory" (for the obvious reasons). Now we can call it the "storeroom".
By Tuesday, things were starting to come into focus. The guest room was ready for guests. I went and got Jen and she scoured all the bathrooms. Jeff and I could actually walk through our bedroom and see the bathroom counter. All the clothes were put away. We hung pictures and decorated. The upstairs was clean, but the downstairs was, well, let's just call it untidy.
On Wednesday we were so tired of working inside, that we decided to work outside. So I trimmed and mowed and pulled weeds. Thankfully the weather was cool and cloudy. Max was finishing the mowing with the big tractor. He had saved a strip
for Jeff to mow so he could learn how to use the tractor. Jeff got on,
Max gave instructions and Jeff began to mow. He was really getting the
hang of it. Everything seemed to be going so well. I breathed a sigh
of relief, but too soon.....too soon.
I was working in the garden when I heard the tractor stop. Then I heard
Jeff shouting. I ran to the garden where he had been mowing and
couldn't believe my eyes. The tractor was stuck in a huge hole and
leaning against the pump house. There was no way I could see to get it
unstuck. I had mentioned that if he decided to mow the garden, to stay away from the edges because it was very uneven. Well, he just went a little too close to the edge. Max, Jeff and I stared at the tractor in disbelief. After much discussion, we decided to leave it for the night.
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| The tractor sitting at an angle |
Just a word from me....Gee, there I am, sun on my face, wind through my hair, riding and taming the beast. Wading through 4 foot weeds like it was butter. If only my Mom could see me now. Us Jews are natural born farmers. I'm getting cocky singing "....I'm out behind the barn, I'm chewing on a piece of hay, I'm up to my knee's in cow shit, I'm shoveling my blues awayyyyyy!! Yup, I'm feeling good, got my long distance squint going on, yee hah!!! And then, I'm down to my final swath of weeds and I can almost feel that sweet, ice cold diet Pepsi quenching my man sized thirst when disaster strikes - the world takes on a 45 degree slant and the tractor comes to an abrupt stop. I'm trying to figure out how to hide a 3 ton tractor when Kathy and Max come out to check out what all the ruckus was all about. If only I could find a way to hide in the hole the tractor is currently residing in.
On Thursday, despite my efforts to stay calm, levelheaded and relaxed,
bridezilla was beginning to appear. The tractor was still in the hole
and the list of chores to do seemed endless. Emily saved the day. She
took me to town for a mani/pedi and the half hour with my feet in hot
water was a perfect antidote to stress. Then Emily Phredd, Max and
Ruben helped Jeff and I with all the many last minute chores that needed
to be done. By Thursday afternoon, everything was going according to
plan. Kinda. The tractor issue was still unresolved.
At 3 pm, in rode the cavalry in the form of Neil in his 4 wheel drive pickup. Again, he came to our rescue, we hoped! Soon Neil is jockeying around his truck, dragging out chains, come alongs and various tools for pushing and pulling. He hooked a chain to the tractor and we made progress, inch by inch. Finally, Neil employed every horse that Dodge had provided and the pump house popped up a foot and a half and Max rode the tractor to freedom, sweet freedom. I'm yelling and fist pumping like I just won the Rose Bowl on a 99 yard run. The joy lasted approximately 3 seconds before Emily was screaming "Water, water, shut off the pump!! A pipe had broken and the pump house had moved 9 inches off it's foundation. Oh joy! Everyone is hot and sweaty, no water, a wedding scheduled for 48 hours, 15 minutes from then and how are we going to get anyone out here at 4:45 P.M. to bail my sorry butt out of this mess? Kathy jumped to the phone and caught Jim from Rainbow Pump just as he was clocking out. He was on the way as Neil strapped the pump house to the Dodge and pulled it back to it's old resting place. Jim showed up and made everything all right and didn't even give me a side long glance. In fact no one, (other then me) called me any demeaning names which I really appreciated! Disaster was averted! Definitely a good omen for the wedding
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| The big tipover |
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| Neil prepares to pull |
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| Neil and Jeff scope out the problem |
On Friday morning, Shannon came to clean. Thank goodness. Emily and Phredd washed walls and Ruben washed windows. Before we knew it, Dennis and Laurie were pulling into our driveway. What a joyful reunion. It was wonderful to be able to show them how we live here on the farmette. We decided to get sandwiches and enjoy a picnic on the boat.
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| Fun on the boat |
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| Dorena Lake while on the move |
We all went to bed early in anticipation of the next day. The big day! Our wedding day!
We got up early and I made breakfast and headed to the lake with Freddy. I wanted a nice quiet long and cool swim before the crazy activity of the day began. On the way back I was waylaid at Walmart while they figured out how to fill balloons with helium. The rest of the day rushed by in a blur. Emily put up signs and went and got the flowers and pizza for lunch. Max went for ice and beer. Jeff, Phredd and Den ran around making sure the party area by the shop was ready and Laurie and I arranged flowers and balloons. Even Ruben joined in and filled bowls with peanuts and mints. Finally Jeff and I got dressed, and the guests began to arrive.
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| The bride awaits |
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| Nick, Max, Haley and Tara wait and swing |
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| The party scene |
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| Betsy and Robert meet Dave, the officiant |
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| Happy reunion |
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| Dad, Doris and Lavona |
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| Doing the paperwork to make this all legal |
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| Waiting for the ceremony to begin |
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| I'm happy and he's being just too cool |
Jeff and I hadn't had time to get nerves before the wedding, but while standing and waiting for the music to begin, I felt definite butterflies. We waited while Neil and Den tried to get Shelley on Skype, but we couldn't connect (turns out there was severe weather in NC that took out her internet). Anyway, Emily started the song "True Companion" and out we walked.
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| Ready to go |
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| The ceremony begins | | | |
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| A toast to friends and family |
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| A twirl |
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| Ruben brings the rings |
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| Sealed with a kiss |
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| Mazol Tov |
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| Newlyweds |
The theme of our ceremony was thankfulness. For health, for love and especially for the support of our friends and families. We found each other, which was a miracle, but our loved ones held us close with love and care and that made all the difference. Now we will take each day and live it to the fullest.
