The Wedding!

As I mentioned in the previous post, last week we were in southern California for Ron's daughter Kelli's wedding to Sean. I don't know if I've ever seen two people who are so perfect for each other. They are both so special and Ron and I are so happy for them.

But first, a shot of the ubiquitous (there's a 25 cent word) ice plant, seen everywhere in coastal southern California, especially in intersections. They sure are pretty, although I hear not everyone is happy with them since they're non-native.


And a couple of trains for my father.


They were going about a billion miles an hour, so a little blurriness can be forgiven.


On to the wedding.


Here's Kelli having her hair done. If you look closely, you can see she's munching on a 'wedding cookie' - how appropriate.


Flower girl Shannon took her duties very seriously. Ring attendant Adam was very supportive and took good care of the rings.


That rehearsal paid off as father-of-the-bride Ron walked his baby Kelli down the aisle.


The ceremony was held on a deck overlooking the ocean and the weather couldn't have been better. However it did make it challenging to take pictures into the sun.


Later the official photographer took some posed pictures which I (again shamelessly) piggybacked onto. His will be much better, I'm sure. Here's Ron with his new son-in-law and all three of his children (although they're hardly children.)


And we wouldn't want to ignore his 'old' son-in-law Tom so here he is with his family.


Ron and I posed in front of the sun setting over the ocean, which you can't see.
It was a lovely day and a wonderful beginning of Kelli and Sean's future together.

Funny story - While the bridesmaids were dressing, I received a phone call that there had been a 'wardrobe malfunction.' With pins and a pocket sewing kit, I rushed to help, thinking a seam repair or something similar. Well, it wasn't that simple. The zipper on Amy's dress had come apart with the zipper tab at the top of the zipper. We tried holding it together and unzipping it to try to get the teeth to reconnect, but it wasn't budging. What to do. The only thing I could think was to sew the zipper closed, thereby sewing poor Amy into her dress. Amy, who was unbelievably calm throughout this catastrophe, said, "Go ahead." So I did. I think I was more nervous about it holding than she was. The last time I saw her that evening, she was dancing with lots of enthusiasm. I did feel good that I was able to contribute to the wedding - everybody likes to feel needed.

Quick Trip

This past Friday, we had a very happy occasion. No, it wasn't the wedding in England, but a wedding that was nearer and dearer to our hearts. Kelli, Ron's daughter, married Sean at a very nice resort overlooking the beach in Del Mar, CA.

Here is the lovely bride on the day before the big event . . .


And matron-of-honor Kim, flower girl Shannon, and ring attendant Adam.


I was totally wowed by our room in the hotel/resort. I'm a simple girl, you know.


I could live in this room. It even has little homey touches like books and knickknacks, but no microwave.


And the only refrigerator is stocked with very pricey goodies.


Check out the prices.
Are they serious? $8 for Jelly Bellies?

They even had a picture of Ron and me on the nightstand. (Don't I wish?)


I took a walk down to the beach - what a gorgeous day!


Then it was time for the wedding rehearsal. Ron was a natural at his father-of-the-bride bit.


Kelli looks a little doubtful here.


The attendants look ready for anything.


Sean's such a good sport. How many guys would be caught holding that girly ribbon bouquet?

Next posting - THE WEDDING!

It's Getting Warm

(Second Try - last night I posted this and only the pictures and the first two words showed up on the blog - Grrrr)

Anyway, about a month ago, before it got too hot, I took a nice hike with Diana, Phil, and Joanne. Although most of you already saw it on Diana's blog, I'm going to post it anyway.

We drove east out of Apache Junction on AZ88 to just past Lost Dutchman's SP and followed a dirt road to a very popular trailhead. From there we were able to hike part of the Dutchman's Trail.


It was a level and very pretty hike among the interesting rock formations. (This is not Diana or Joanne, and certainly not Phil.)


Since I neglected to take a picture of our group, I shamelessly stole this one of Joanne and me from Diana's blog.


We even had to cross a bit of water - always an exciting sight in the desert.


I really liked the color on this bush, although I'm not sure if it's the flowers or the seeds or maybe both.


Here's one more shot of the colorful scenery.


Back at the house (and jumping forward to late April), my tomatoes are still surviving the heat although I don't know if they will ever ripen.


The saguaro down the street is blooming. This one seems to be on an earlier schedule than most since it was in bloom the first week in April. The birds love the little bugs that are attracted to the blooms.


But I was really impressed by this gazania which grew unaided in an empty lot. What tenacity!

You gotta laugh!

Although I am very neglectful of Facebook (I probably should take myself out of it), I read my Facebook messages tonight. I thought this was so funny, I just had to share. This guy obviously believes in throwing out a lot of bait to see who bites. Here's his message:


Hi,how do you feel today Beautiful woman ?? I am Mark by name , I'm astonished by your unbeaten beauty Pics and you lovely profile on Facebook,You're so beautiful that everyman would want to hold hands with you someday. Looking into your pictures alone, shows me a beautiful world.And i guess I'll a be the luckiest man getting to talk to you. If i were to present your picture in heaven, most of the Angels would hide their faces in shame. i just checked your profile on facebook and i found it very interesting cuss In short words i would say I'm very interested in knowing you better as much.. I like fishing,camping,reading,going to the movies,hanging around with friends,cracking jokes,listening to music,dancing, and also spending time with someone interesting.. I am looking for friends and possibly more that may lead to long term relationship.. I have plans and goals and looking for someone to share them with. I will love to know you more better. You can email me more things about yourself to my personal email address as ( m.hedrick50@yahoo.com ) or add me to your Instant Messenger List as ( m.hedrick50) and i will get back to you with more things about me.. I hope to hear from you soon.

Caring Mark.

This is a new one on me in the scam department. This one rates a ROTFL - at least I think that means 'rolling on the floor laughing.'

Say What ?!?

Long, long ago (well, a couple months anyway), two of my stocking-painting friends and I went to a 'High Tea' and fashion show at a neighboring community center. While there, Carol suggested we should hold a 'what not to wear' fashion show. I added the suggestion for a 'Low Tea'. As for when to hold it, we all agreed - April Fools Day! Well, Carol is a born leader and was off and running. She and Ferne helped with a church rummage sale and acquired clothes and accessories that were too ugly to sell. It was really fun going through all the 'treasures' and picking our outfits. We served punch, bag lunches, and cookies on tables decorated with newspaper runners and centerpieces in baked bean cans.

But the fun was dressing up. I think as we age we are more easily entertained. Ferne's red dress had a bull's eye on the back. She tied a dart to it and when she spun around, the audience howled.


Storm went for the movie star look.


Susan and Jim depicted the well-dressed tourist couple.


I subscribed to the theory that 'more is more' with my cross between country girl and can-can dancer.


Even some of the audience came dressed in their finery. This is Grace. My favorite part of her outfit was the earring hanging off the nose piece of her glasses.

Back in AZ

After my whirlwind trip back east, I'm settled back in our winter house in Mesa. (I keep stressing that it's only a winter place hoping all will go well and we'll be on the road in April like we are planning.) I thought I'd share a few recent pictures.

Although I'm a little embarrassed to post a bird shot that can't compare with the beauties that Sondra posts, here goes. This little guy (or girl) is a verdin that comes to the hummingbird feeder on occasion. You can barely see his chestnut shoulder patches, but the yellow face is obvious.

Ron just loves to snap pictures of me in full leaf-blowing gear. Here he caught me out the kitchen window.


While Ron's brother Mike and sister-in-law Mary were here, we went to see Elvis! In this case, Elvis's real name is Gene Styles and he is simply amazing! He certainly has the looks.To hear a sample of his talent, click here for his website. Listen to his 'Are you Lonesome Tonight' and you will swear Elvis has returned.

He was nice enough to pose with Mary and me, but I meant to ask him to do the 'lip thing' which I call a sneer. He did it during the performance and everybody loved it. He doesn't look as much like Elvis when he smiles.


And I know I'm the last of the bloggers in this area to post pictures of the snow that fell on the Superstition Mountains late last month, but here goes. Here we are hurrying to get closer before it all melts. This is one of my 'through the windshield' shots.


There were a lot of people with the same idea and this was a popular spot.


But what I really wanted was some poppies blooming in the foreground like these in my neighbor's yard.


Now if I was really clever like my sister, I could cut them out and add them to the shot. How's this, Diana? LOL! (I know everybody says that, but I actually do 'laugh out loud.')


Or maybe a whole field of poppies ?!?
By this time the snow was pretty much gone, but it was fun while it lasted.

More PA

I still have a few pictures from our trip to Pennsylvania that I'd like to share.

When Diana and I arrived, we enjoyed two days of 70 degree weather. The snowdrops were just making an appearance. I thought I would get a better picture another day, but then they were buried in the snow.

On a walk up the road, we got a chuckle out of this decorated tree.


Being city girls, we had no idea what the heck this was referring to.


Laura was determined to find one of these special cattle.

One morning I opened the curtain to this wondrous sight.


And here comes perfect neighbor Steve who plows my father's driveway every time it snows. What a guy!


I love the snow (as long as I don't have to go anyplace.)


Diana and I worked hard cleaning off the rental car.


My father gave me a note I had written when I was young. Read how adorable I was.
However don't be too impressed. My mother had written the date on this precious note and I was 9 1/2 years old!!! Just how stupid was I ?!?!