Bride worthy of great present (6/13/05)

We are running out of time to finish the present we are making for our niece’s upcoming wedding. I tried to shop in town for the materials I needed for this project. It took four days of unanswered phone calls, two stops when the shop was closed and one trip when the place was actually open to determine that the stock that was on hand was the wrong size. It only took one phone call to an out-of-state supplier to get the stuff I wanted. They guarantee me a delivery time of three days or fewer plus Melanie went out to the stockroom and measured the material to make sure it was the correct size. I offered to adopt her for being so kind but she just laughed.

I suppose I shouldn’t have waited so long but the project is mostly completed and only needs a few finishing touches. A half hour with the correct material and it will be ready to wrap in wedding paper to present to the happy couple.

If it were anyone else we could have simply stopped at the mall and picked up a suitable present. However, the bride-to-be is so artistic that she hand-made all her wedding invitations. We felt we should give a hand-made gift in return.

Granted, Jane is an art teacher by profession, and the invitations were beautiful but that is way too efficient for me. Most brides have enough trouble getting everything done before the big day and this girl is making invitations? I wish I had that much energy.

In addition to finishing up her present, I also need to go shopping. I don’t think my gardening clothes will be suitable to the brunch we are invited to the day after the wedding. This is the “rich” side of the family and grass-stained jeans just aren’t appropriate for such a gathering.

I wish there was someplace I could go to rent a nice dress or some dressy clothes whenever I have a wedding or whatever to go to. I attend so few of these functions that whatever I have purchased for the last one is either out of style or has somehow shrunk in the closet. I hate buying something nice that will be worn only once before taking up space in the wardrobe until I get tired of looking at it and donate it to charity. Is anybody listening?

Shoes are a little easier. I never shop for shoes until mine have more holes than a colander. Luckily for me I have been able to borrow dressy shoes from friends to wear for a couple of hours. Maybe I should cultivate more friends who are the same dress size instead of only ones who are the same shoe size. It is something to think about.

Someone has suggested that I wait for the shoe elves to make some footwear for me. Believe me, I’ve been waiting a long time for that and besides they can’t seem to make shoes anymore that actually fit my feet. The elves seem to be heavily into making toe-torture devices rather than shoes. I’m better off wearing borrowed shoes.

It will be good to see that side of the family again. I love the enthusiasm that the bride and her sisters have for life. I am looking forward to hearing about Jane’s art students and Sara’s experiences in the exotic land of Hollywood. Margaret is sure to make us smile with tales of her museum life.

All that youthful energy and sheer beauty is bound to make the upcoming shopping trips worth all the hassle. I’m sure the bride will look beautiful with her handsome groom by her side. We will go and have a good time and two young souls will vow to love each other for all time. That celebration of young love is really what it’s all about.[[In-content Ad]]