2001-01-02 - 17:25:26
Disaster averted! Wedding a beautiful success!

My diary has 2 sections today, the real diary part, where I get to ramble on about whatever I choose, and then commentary on items about me in others' diaries. *grin*

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Here, the part of the diary meant for my own entertainment:

Hurray! The new millenium is officially here. Not that things look much different ... but hey.

Go Beavs!!! The OSU Beavers officially slaughtered Notre Dame's Fighting Irish last night in the Fiesta Bowl ... and for the first time in decades, the Beavers are a force to be respected. 41-9, yeah baby.

(By the way, what's with the endorsement in the bowl titles now? Have I just never noticed them before? We've got the AT&T Rose Bowl, the Nokia Sugar Bowl, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, and several other corporately named events. Bizarre).

Saturday's wedding went swimmingly ... after a few almost-disasters.

The navy bridesmaids' dresses arrived just in time for the rehearsal last Friday; unfortunately, none of them quite fit. Apparently the dresses ran a little smaller in the bodice than the size would seem to indicate. I only lost one button, and it was easy to sew back on. One of the others needed all the buttons cut off and moved to the edge of the fabric; the third needed the seams completely split at the sides, and extra satin panels sewn in.

We were supposed to have an hour or more for the rehearsal, but due to late arrivals and room reservations we ended up having only 40 minutes to work with. That left us with three hurried run-throughs, and three different versions of the procession. (Fortunately, we all remembered the correct one the next day).

MMmmm, the rehearsal dinner was delicious. Well, I suppose it should be; we ate in the hotel's own restaurant, and it cost something like $24 per person. I was so stuffed when it was done, I couldn't even finish the dessert, and I adore cheesecake. The timing interfered with the Holiday Bowl, but that was OK; there was a sports bar next door, and the guys at our table kept running back and forth to get the score. The U of O Ducks beat Texas 35-30. (When was the last time both Oregon teams went to Bowl games ... and both won? Anybody know?)

Ugh, it was a long drive back that night, and not enough sleep for the next day. I had to wake up before 9 on a Saturday (!!!) to shower, pack my makeup, dress, camera, and accessories, then leave to pick up the two burgundy bridesmaids. I dashed out the door at 10:15, already worried that we wouldn't make my noon hair appointment at the hotel. Arrived at the first house in Sherwood at 10:35; stashed her stuff in the car; folded her dress on top of the mess; suddenly realized, MY DRESS IS STILL AT HOME!

Absolute panic. Zooooom back to town, run into the house, grab the dress, run back out, leap in the car, check the watch ... 10:55. Damn! Going to be late!

Called the other bridesmaid to be picked up, told her we'd be late; cell beeped Low Battery. Gave her the hotel number, told her to call them. Headed south for the nearest I-5 freeway onramp.

Got on I-5 north, south of the I-205 exit. Missed the exit. (!!??!!) Verbally abused self for repeated stupidity. Sped into Portland, took I-84 west, prayed, took exit onto I-205 from there. Picked up second bridesmaid; she announced hotel phone was never answered.

Checked watch: 11:45. *blinkblink* Might make it by noon after all! Hit the gas, headed for the hotel, raced into the lobby ... 12:01. *phew*

Went to the hairdresser ... Oops. Only 4 appointments for 5 bridesmaids, all hair must be done by 3:30, three of the bridesmaids have hair at least a yard long. Good grief! Bride's grandmother and bride took turns giving orders, then retreated to take care of various details.

Rushrushrush. My hair was done first; ran to room to dress and apply makeup, then helped bride do same. Other bridesmaids came and went; all six women finally finished around 3:35. The men, of course, were waiting, looking smug in their tuxes and comfortable shoes.

We posed for photos in the ballroom for the next hour and more, then we all headed down to the wedding room about fifteen minutes before the ceremony. Uhhh, Bride, perhaps you'd better give me the groom's ring? Juggled bouquets, got in the proper order, waited for all to be seated, then watched the best man and the groom walk up. Glanced at the pianist; the music began.

Struggled to walk slowly and reach the correct spot without imploding from sheer nervous energy. (You'd think, since it was the third time, that I'd have been calmer). Locked knees (stupid), nearly passed out. Waited through the short ceremony. Managed to take the bride's heavy bouquet without dropping it; passed mine to the next maid when the time came and handed the ring to the bride, then took mine back, all without incident; gave hers back at the end with no other problem than a brief hiss at her not to leave me with it.

Walking out; of course, the best man was the shortest groomsman, and I the tallest bridesmaid, even without the heels. We must have looked funny. Then, now that our feet were already killing us, we had to stand in a receiving line for another twenty minutes or so.

Finally, the reception, back in the ballroom. Beautiful people, beautiful room, beautiful view, beautiful food. I could have done without the obligatory wedding-party dance, since I didn't know how and neither did my short partner, but we managed all right. I could also have done without the incessant 1-2-3-ing from A Certain Mad Individual, but it was good for a few laughs. *grin*

Ah, I think this has gone long enough already, so I'll cut the rest of the description short: It was the most beautiful, and most interesting, not to mention longest, reception I'd ever attended.

The bouquet-toss was fixed for the flower-girl, but that's okay ... I've already caught 2. Perhaps they cancel out two of the 1-2-3? Then I've still got 2 to go before I'm over the limit. Good thing ... my last unmarried best friend is now dating (!!!) so I might get called upon again before my own marriage.

Enough, I'm starving, and it's lunchtime. More later. (I still have the New Puppy to describe!!)

I hope your New Year will be a happy one!
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To argyle-socks, who has kindly lent me his paper to demolish: *grin* Just kidding. Thanks for your patience, I should have it back to you today.

To she who hath named me Bitch: Thank you for the superfluous information, I already knew he wanted his videos back, and I told him weeks ago I'd return them. Forgive me for being busy, but holidays and weddings have delayed that a bit. Why don't you let him ask his own questions?

To he who hath declared he never knew me: You did ... once. Since then, I have gone from naive-mode to survivor-mode. It seems to be a maxim that the majority of survivors don't associate well unless their association is based on ,or springs from, past or present hardships. Since I'm currently in a calm spot and trying to reach for the sunlight, and you're currently stuck in the middle of a new batch of frustrating events (not your fault), that throws a bit of a wrench in the works. I apologize, once again ... and I hope this time my apology and my regret are received instead of rejected.
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