Wedding Day Rewind.

July of 2008 held one of the most unique and fun weekends of my life. Over three days, some of my closest friends and I got to be part of, and celebrate the wedding of David and Deepa. The joining of cultures of these two families was such a rare pairing, that it's even featured in the movie, "27 Dresses" as an example of a far out wedding. Dancing behind Indian horses, and standing alongside a Jewish chuppah, I was a part of my first, and perhaps only ever, Hin-Jew wedding (that's the actual name lovingly labeled by bride and groom).


In the midst of so much excitement, and details, and fun, a minor detail slipped through the cracks for the bride and groom... outdoor wedding pictures. For months, the B&G made comments about how it was the one thing they wished could have been different, and for months, I thought, "we should just do something about it!" A year and some odd change later, we did. It may have been traditional; bride and groom only, white dress - black tux, local park... but it happened.


The Sunday of Labor Day weekend, I got to expand on one of my passions, photography, with two willing photo subjects! We had a beautiful day filled with sunshine and white clouds on a blue sky! exactly what Labor day weekend is supposed to look like in my book :) Enjoy some pics of the lovely couple, a year later, and happy as ever to have each other!

same person. same place.

Often, the hardest part of the day for me is getting out the door by 8:20am.  Chances are if you read this blog, you know that me and mornings don't mix.  With that being said, the good news is that for the most part, things get easier after that.  I have a short commute.... approximately ten minutes +/- 2ish depending on how the traffic gods are working with me on any given morning.   I take the same route every day, but a different one to than from.    The thing I like best about the drive to work, is that more often then not, I see one of the most interesting couples i've ever seen.  When I first noticed the pattern of our continually aligned paths, I was struck by the fact that this guy is faithful to the same walk, every morning.  This guy is older, I'd say in his 60's... or at least weathered to the point of looking 60.  He's got a bald head, but the hair that grows from his chin more than makes up for it.  My guess is that his gray beard has grown to somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-12 inches.  When the weather is nice, he wears faded jeans and a black t-shirt, with what I'm sure must be one of his favorite band or a great deal he picked up at sal-val.  His shirt fits on top, but hugs his mid section too tight.  See, part of the reason he's so curious to me is that he's one of those men that has a tight pot belly.  Odd, I know.  But seriously, it's is, and I'm not sure how else to explain it.  You'll notice next time you see one, and you'll understand.  Anyway, it looks like he jumped off a motorcycle in 1985, never changed his clothes, and just to add a unique twist, decided to just walk from there on out.  This guy is NEVER in a hurry to go anywhere... he kind of operates in a stomping like stroll.  One that is at such a sedated pace that it's sometimes hard to believe he's even moving at all... until you see his buddy.  His buddy is a tiny dog.  Again, another addition to the scene that forces a double take.  With a guy like this, you expect to see a german shepherd, or a big bull dog... but not this.  This dog is small. and fat.  I thought for a while she was pregnant.  but that was more than a year ago, and as little as i know about the gestation period of dogs, I'm guessing that she's just plain fat.  It's always interesting for me to watch that as slllllow as this man walks, he's always still pulling the dog! I don't get it.  I can't imagine they walk far.  My guess would be around the block.... maybe a few.  But just enough to say they went on a "walk", but not really enough to do much of anything.  In any case, I like them. I like the peculiar duo that they are, and am glad that as hard as it is to get out the door by 8:20, I know that my punctual timing has the possibility to be rewarded by one of my favorite morning observations. 

Maybe next time i'll tell you about the barefoot lady I see on the drive home. 

youch.

I got an email from my friend kristen this morning.  

word for word as follows:

"Youch....  hope you laughed, is it time to go on vacation yet?"

So much in so little.  three reasons the shortest email received today was in fact the best.

1. we returned from vacation less than 12 hours earlier.

2.  kristen is one of those people that really gets my humor.

3. it's all about a little youtube video, that kept us laughing way longer than in should have.  it's awesome. chances are you've seen it... and even better chances that you won't think it's AS funny as we did... but no doubt, worth your time.  

I hope you enjoy! and take note of around 1:13... youch.

The Grape Lady

 

three digit goodbye.

I would argue that most goodbyes are hard.   Let's be honest.  The only ones that are okay, are the ones that for one reason or another, alleviate stress, or are the first step in taking you back to a place you've missed more.

Last week Audry and I said a goodbye to the most recent of our loved and fondly reflected upon, 3 digit houses.  If we kept record, 3 digits are all we would need for some of our favorite addresses.  Sure, there was 275, 309, and 240... all numbers that I will look back on lovingly in the 517 area code... The two latter of which, will never make me look at that time on a clock, the same way again. In fact, it's guaranteed that if i find myself in the presence of any former roommate, and that time chimes (3:09, 2:40), an honorary announcement, and acknowledgement will be made.  It's a bond we share. and we love it. 

Well, last weekend, 644 joined those rankings... From here on out, you'll find it in the chapter of "Friends 3 digits we miss".  And so here is her goodbye... a tribute to a classic.

today we say goodbye to the lovely miss 644 Union.  As our great friends leave her, she will be left behind with the good, the bad, and the ugly... as all of us are.  We will all be a little better off to part ways with that d@mn side door,  that freezing living room at night, and the bathroom with no fan and the window that doesn't open (ick).   As all good friends are though, her strengths always surpassed her weaknesses.   We will miss the confidentiality of her walls, and the way that we could defy physics, and (almost) always surpass the weight limit on the pullout couch in her living room.  Let's also not fail to remember one of my favorites, the summer day where we sat on her awesome porch, ate chocolate chip pancakes, and took the time to take in the surroundings.  We will miss all the primping that went on there... whether it was for New Years, dinner, or a trip downtown. But no less will we miss the days of sleeping too late, and laughing out loud, but never too loud.  I will miss the artwork on her walls, and the sounds that lived there.  A little 50, mixed with classic rock and some over the rhine... see, it's hard to imagine how such a mix could be so good! but trust me, it always was :)   We will miss the tv watching that went on there... the discovery channel specials on anything from the rain forests to odd cults (yes, sometimes intriguing)... and the movies watched on that couch (honorable mention to blue crush for the perfectly lazy day it blended so well on a DWYWW - and P.S I love you, which was always intended to be watched there, but never was).  She will not be left in bad company.  With this next move, she joins the likings of 711 Hawthorne and 588 Notre Dame. both classics in themselves. 

So today I leave you with a glimpse into the welcoming arms of a house that was lived in, in an unparalleled way to most of her neighbors on any given Saturday throughout the year. 

xoxo 644.  we'll miss you. 

Sunny with a high of 75

I'll be the first to say that one of the top reasons I love living in Michigan is because of the four seasons... no, not as in Frankie Valli and his boys... although ever since I saw the movie Heart and Souls, I will forever love with the song "Walk Like a Man" :)  It was one of the first movies to ever stir emotion in my heart... I think I was ten, maybe twelve when I first saw it. 

Anyway, back on track... I love the seasons.  I love the gifts that each one brings, and honestly, feel bad for people who don't get to experience all of them in their glory! I still look forward to the first snow every year.  My heart is refreshed with joy when I see the first little flower poke its way through the soil (and am thankful that God continues to be faithful in bringing Spring again!). I love driving with the windows down, and sometimes air on too, because life is too short to not experience something so close to perfect! And I will always look forward to crunchy leaves, and hearing the weatherman prep his viewing area on when colors will be at their peak! See... I really do love them all :) 

Although, today, when I was looking at some old pics on my dads computer, I couldn't help but get excited for Summer to get here...  I'll post the pictures and explain why. 

This picture is one of my favorite summer pictures. For an obvious given, it's one of my favorite people :) But I love so many things about summer in this picture. 

                                                                  

 

* I love that you can tell it's the end 

of the day by the shadows that are being cast... and that it doesn't matter, because it's still beautiful enough to be outside. 

* I love the green... all the shades of beautiful green!

*Short sleeves and rosy cheeks!

* I love that it makes perfect sense to drink coca cola out of  a yellow, plastic goblet. 

* I love how Hannah's hair tells the story of how much playing was done that day. 

* and most of all, I love thinking back to the conversations that were had between Audry and our little Han.  Oh yeah... and the other pictures we took, that I guarantee will be duplicated her senior year of high school (I know... I would )

This is another great summer shot.  It's from our trip out to Krista's family cottage in Canada.  It's perfect because...

*we all were able to clear our busy schedules to spend a few days together.

*it was perfect weather for popsicles or cold beer.

* our (un)scheduled event was to watch God's glorious sunset...He never messes those up.

           

                                                                   

I love this shot.  It's not frame worthy, but it captures family summer parties.  And one more set of reminders on why summer is welcome back with open arms.

*you can sit on the back porch, and be entertained by all the outdoor activity.

*bare feet. 

* Dasha being tired from running her little heart out in the backyard... but still willing to take a stroll with her buddy :)

* First base not quite being tagged, but I think that's okay when the other team is all facing the opposite direction.

*slip n' slide.... need I say more?!?

how great is it that we get to experience it all!?!  I'm sure i'll eventually be back with my Winter, Spring, and Fall highlights too :) but until then... tell me why you're looking forward to welcoming back summer?!?!

come on with the rain.

"into each life some rain must fall"  - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

It's been raining here for 4 days straight.  On my way to meet a friend for dinner, I saw an entire front yard underwater, an orange sign advising of potential street flooding, and a jogger with proper reflective gear, but no umbrella.  Yes, I understand that an umbrella hinders full workout potential... but as I drove by, I thought, "man, he is SO wet"... and all that on a ten minute drive.   I guess I should back up, and say that last Friday was gorgeous.  Around here, we tend to have a good understanding of what "in like a lion, out like a lamb" really means for March.  Friday was the exception.  Friday was the tease that people will cling to, and remark in a wishful fashion, "I hope this weather sticks around!"  inevitably, it doesn't.  And so, like i said above, the rain came... and hasn't stopped.   Instead, people are answering greetings like "how are you?" with, "oh man, wet!" and saying goodbye with statements like, "stay dry!"

Since the rain, I've missed a block party, used the word "hibernate" to describe my saturday activities, and avoided wearing my new shoes for fear that they would be prematurely ruined by the rain/dirt combination... blah.  My granny called twice yesterday... both times, worried about the potential of the pooling water in her backyard finding it's way into her garage.  Which in turn, lead her train of thought to the basement... and what company should she call to get all that (hypothetical) water out?!?! It's soggy.  There are puddles. And maybe, blow drying your hair this morning was borderline pointless.  People are moving a little faster... scurrying from house to car. car to building. hoping that by running into the rain, you get less wet then the rain falling onto you. After all, rain can't touch what rain can't catch... can it??? 

Everybody's talking about it, and everybody is experiencing it.  But I can't help but think, that everybody (myself included) isn't appreciating it.  

"Snow not enough to help western NV with drought"

"California could suffer Australia-like drought"

"Drought conditions worry farmers"

All are titles of articles that were in today's news. 

Thankfully, I have a dad that's good at reminding me of all the gifts we should be thankful for.  When I made some inessential comment about the weather, he said, "Em, you know there are people in this world that would fall to their knees in thankfulness for this rain? rain is good." And that was it. It wasn't meant to make me feel bad, but rather to put the puddles into perspective.  We are a blessed people. 

So today, when the biller stopped by our office, and responded to "how are things with you?" with a "good, but it could stop raining!" I kept my thoughts to myself, but gained appreciation of my new perspective on the weather.  

Yes, I know... too much rain can be bad too... but you won't find me singing, "rain, rain, go away..."  anytime soon.  Plus, the good 'ol weatherman says that tomorrow will be party cloudy, which also equates to mostly sunny... and until then, i'll just wear my rain boots and follow Gene Kelly's lead :)