Reunions @ MindSay 
family
Damien and Jenn's wedding was killer. Nothing went wrong. Lots of stupid happened, but mostly it was all joy. I just got off the bus and have just finished an Arby's sandwich. After sitting on my ass for a full five hours with a sore neck and shoulders from dancing all night long on Saturday (something I haven't done in years) and after eating so much rich soul food, I am content to keep it simple and lounge. I don't know where to begin in recalling this endless weekend. This trip I took was so awesome, and I'm so happy, I'm practically bursting with giggles and sighs. I took so many photos, I nearly went broke. I'll post them sometime later this week, promise!
Good Gods, I have to travel to Milwaukee more often. There's a lot I've missed out on. Like being Auntie Val to Damien's kids, Levon and lil' Dexter. I so wanted to take them all home with me. At least in the future Damien's band will play at Mission Coffee House! So.... hmmmm.... about that beginning...
Friday: How I got There
Two annoying things happened at the Appleton bus stop. When we pulled up to the parking lot beside the station, I saw a young man who was the spitting image of my old friend, Andrew, crossing the street to get on the bus to Minneapolis. My heart skipped a beat and I felt like throwing up. I dared to look back in his direction, but he disappeared. I sighed, burped, and it earned me a weird look from my brother Mark. Mark dropped me off, reluctantly, forcing me into an awkward hug before letting me get on the bus. He kept worrying all morning long that I was going to get kidnapped, or mugged, or would go missing. And he was pissy in general, but I realized he was like that out of love, so I didn't let it bug me for long. Silly Mark, I'm no dummy and can take care of myself in the city, but he don't know that, do he?
The bus ride to Milwaukee was kinda depressing. I sat next to a guy who was travelling to Oklahoma after he just got through boot camp. He was off to see his folks before leaving for Iraq. He decided to take a bus across country to get a full eye full of the States. We talked about ghosts, Paris Hilton, and did a whole lot of Bush bashing. I wish him well. He was very nice and probably the closest thing to a gentleman I've met in a long while. Refreshing.
It took a very long while to actually get to the Greyhound bus station in Milwaukee. There's massive new road and bridge construction going on downtown. The Amtrak station was covered with scaffolding. Dirt and dust everywhere. The station was packed with Labor Day weekend travellers. No, make that station an angry bee's nest of bored, weary, and frustrated passengers anxiously waiting in line. I was blasted in the face with their angst the moment we pulled in. Outside the station wasn't much better. I was hit with clouds of cigarette smoke and hounded by the usual Taxi cab drivers waiting to be hailed.
Just as I was anxious to light my own cigarette, Jenn and her brother, Brad, pull up to pick me up. An immediate sense of comfort filled me with relief.
I was home.
Friday night: Let's see how long Val can go without eating!
For the first time, in like, hardly ever, I was openly welcomed by so many hugs and cheers, my jaw and cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing. Jenn's family were all excited because, not only did they miss me, they also love getting free Tarot readings from me and just generally enjoy my company. They're like my other family. I was also an extra helping hand and photographer, so besides going through the whole wedding ceremony rehearsal on an empty stomach, there were the constant trips back and forth from various stores to get last minute supplies and keeping the kids from getting too bored. I went from one angry bee's nest to one very busy bee's nest, 'cept the second one was a lot more fun.
By the time 11pm rolled around, we were all getting dizzy and thirsty. Someone went to Hardee's for refreshments, and the poor Bride and Groom were left out of the feeding frenzy. Somehow we managed to get through the day without anyone losing any limbs. Too wired to sleep, and with too much time to catch up with, Jenn and I didn't actually get to bed until 3am! I still think it was the posters of Nascar and Green Bay Packers that haunted us as we tried to rest our heads in her sister's basement. Besides that, Jenn still hadn't settled on what marriage vows she was going to say to Damien, so we drew Tarot cards and I-Ching sticks. We were besides ourselves when she drew The Devil card first! "I just kept thinking how hot he was this afternoon," Jenn giggled, "Oh, my God, Val, that's all I can think of." Yep, Damien is a handsome devil for sure. The other two cards were the Heirophant and the Magician, representing the present and future of their relationship. Meanings? Jenn and Damien were hot for each other at first, their relationship matured into traditional roles, and will become more focused and powerful as time moves on.
Saturday: The Longest Day of the Weekend
I took so many pictures this day, I should just post them all for you to see and not say a word. I danced all night long. Seriously. The ceremony itself was the most beautiful I've been honored to be a part of. And to think it all almost didn't happen. I'll remember this wedding for the rest of my life because it was the time of my life. I am so happy Damien and Jenn wanted me to be a part of this. I love them so much!
I should take a moment to say that I'm so glad these two got hitched. From the moment I met them, I considered them married already. There were a few times I wasn't sure it would last, probably because they weren't sure themselves. But the longer they were together, the more I saw them go through some tough shit and still managed to come out loving each other no matter what. Furthermore, I totally underestimated how much I mean to them! They really made a lifelong dream of mine to come true: to be a bridesmaid at a close friend's wedding. I hate to say it, but gotta, I really hoped it would've been Andrew's wedding I would've stood up at, but we know how that went. I got robbed. Damien and Jenn healed my heart. By including me in the ceremony, they made me feel truly appreciated and loved. And for once I wasn't afraid of losing touch with my beloved friends when they married. Previously, all of my closest friends have moved away or flat out ignored me as soon as they got married -- I'd be at the reception feeling really left out of the circle and wondered why I was invited in the first place. Not in this case. Damien and Jenn made damn sure I'd have the best fun of my life. The dancing was infectious. The music, seduction. Damien and Jenn really know how to throw a party. Absolutely nothing went wrong.
I didn't want it to end, but by the time it did, midnight felt like dawn!
Sunday: Gifts and Photos and Gossip
Basically a day for sharing. Woke up stiff and throbbing with pain. Last time I felt like that was the last time I had sex! My neck and shoulders screamed at me. Damien's mom, Vicky, accidently let us sleep in late. I was going to try to catch a bus home, but decided to stay longer. The invitation to see Jenn and Damien open their gifts was too much of a temptation. It was overwhelming because I almost forgot that I had moved away to Stevens Point in the first place. I felt like all I had to do later was go back home to the apartment building I used to live in with Andrew, but then that memory soured. I wept. Got hugs from Vicky. She told me that she missed him, too.
I basically got to see everyone I've missed with the exception of a few folks who were in other states or had jobs to do elsewhere. The focus was still on Damien and Jenn and their respective families. I spent a lot of money, too much infact that I was in danger of not getting home, after we printed the all the photos Jenn's Auntie Dawn and I took during the rehearsal and reception.
Jenn and I still didn't get to sleep until 3 or 4am. This weekend felt like a week went by.
Monday: Labor Day is for Bar-B-Q
Party time hits Damien and Jenn's house. There's nothing like a house party on the east side of Milwaukee. The entire block gets in on it. You can't escape the distinct scent of barbeque everything cooking up a cloud that can probably be seen from all across every edge of Lake Michigan. I've met so many people, talked to a lot of cute guys, read a lot of Tarot cards, and ate so much food, I felt like a glutton for both pleasure and punishment as my bowels growled at me throughout the night. It was all worth it, tho!
Tuesay: The Trip back is almost better than getting there
My journey back to my other home went better than expected. I thought my bus would leave much earlier in the day, but ended up leaving at 2:30pm instead. This allowed me to spend more quality time with my friends. However, since each night of the weekend we'd been up over 3am, I re-crashed at 8am after Jenn dropped off Levon to school. When I woke back up at 11am, I found the house was quiet. Damien had gotten into a shouting match with his mother. I can't believe I slept through all that! Jenn wakes me up and asks, "did you hear all that?" I was like, "hear what?" Normally I sleep lightly. I guess I really was exhausted! Jenn and Damient apologised anyway for the family drama, but I'm so used to that crap, it was no big deal. Families fight. It's what keeps them together sometimes! I managed to be totally neutral.
I really hated leaving, but it was necessary. I wanted things to go back to normal and so did they. We slowly eased back into that normalcy like sliding our feet into old socks with holes in them but we put them on again anyway because it's the first pair we grabbed out of the laundry and don't feel like searching for a better pair, besides... some old socks are better to wear because even though they are worn out, they're familiar, comfy, just plain ol' what we used to.
There was less of a crowd in the bus station. Like the first week after Christmas. Everyone's already home and the only ones left in the crowd are those of us who were reluctant to go home OR left later to avoid the crowds from the days previous. I liked eavesdropping on everyone's conversations about what they did for the weekend. Just about everyone there had a story to tell that was interesting.
To make things even more strange, a small handfull of friends from Stevens Point that I hadn't seen in nearly ten years were also on the bus. So there's this mini-reunion going on. In fact one friend is hanging out with my brother right now. They've been gone since 7pm. Yes, this has been one of those endless weekends where everyone's hooking up with each other before the Autumn begins.
I'm missing summer waaaaaaaaaay before it's gone.
A young lady that we fostered years ago.. um.. probably 12 yrs ago now, just found me on myspace and sent me a message that made me tear up:
Quote:
o my god it is so good to see you...I have thought alot about you two......I miss you so And would love to see you one day...I now live in Fl in a town called cocoa...I have a 5 yr old son and my daughter is now 12 yrs.. I have so much to tell you o my god......LOL i'm all grown up and hell on wheels...
LOve you so much and miss you to death... my phone number is XXX XXX XXXX call whenever you want......
your long lost child Amber
End Quote.
your long lost child. I can't wait to talk with her and hear about her journey. She was such a hoot back then. We loved her.
We still haven't heard back from Dept. Social Services about the next class for fostering... I hope we can do the next class. We are traveling to NY over labor day, so I hope they don't schedule the class that weekend. You would think not, but the yahoos scheduled the last one over Memorial day w/e... DOH.
How's it going gang?
Yesterday, I was enraged. That is still with me. Life is so hard for everyone, & I don't feel I suffer any more than anyone else, but do need to say, my mind has truly been in a tail spin for awhile now, & I am still faithful to my writings, because it's important that I get these feelings out, so they don't eat me alive. I solved my own problem last night, in my mind. My close friend had many ideas, but I am an impatient soul, & when I need out, i need a plan, so I've decided to go to the church I'm baptised to, & ask for a loan. They have helped me before, even though I am not a church goer (too many man made rules for me, & I just think there's more to the story than the scibes could write), but it is a good church, that takes care of their own, & is very family oriented, so I'm going to ask them not for a hand out, but for a loan. I'll make calls tomorrow, & hopefully, be in the middle of nowhere, where I long to be, away from judging eyes, away from people that make fun of you for having problems. Enough of that, today I have to deal with today, & today is probably my last family reunion, depending on how long dad is around. If there are more, I'll have to fly out to them. After the things said by my father & husband have said to & about me, it will be lovely to live in a cabin in the woods, which I've wanted all my life. It should go smoothly, dad wants peacefulness around him, he's always been that way, & if he doesn't tell hub I plan on leaving, all should go well. I picked up a $35 platter to take, layered chili verde, cheese, rice, beans, & tortillas (in caserole form), & oh, how hard it's been not to just take a little bite!! It will be a good time, & one I'll hold close, for fear it is the last. Now, something I've never made clear, is religion. I do not consider myself religious, although I do believe in Jesus as my Saviour, I am also one who reads of many beliefs, & I find truths in all of them, so my best friend isn't Christian (nor do I consider myself to be Christ like), & many other friends are pagan, & wiccan, & some believe in nothing at all. I love them all. I love all of you for coming here, reading my blogs, commenting (I answer any comments) & vote if you think I deserve it, & don't forget, you can always write me at KelleyAgain@aol.com should you want to ask me any questions, or just to write. And please, let me know if you want to be added to my buddy list. It will be done. Blessed be on this beautiful Sunday morning,my friends. Enjoy every moment, for who is to know when it all ends? I'll probably blog tomorrow before we go to the reunion, so I'll be writing for you then. Again, thank you for all of your support, & love, & believe me when I say it is returned. Bye for now, QuellyQ
His parents' anniversary. His birthday (and thus, my half-birthday). His older sister's birthday. I'm honestly not sure about the birthdays of his other two siblings, but it wouldn't surprise me.
There's some rather large to-do over the birthday of my Aunt. Dale is very cool. She's a professional masseuse, and rather New-Agey, as I recall. She has four daughters, almost half of the total count of my cousins. They're all rather cool, too. The middle two look most like me - particularly the one who's Tony's age. Except, incredibly, breathtakingly gorgeous, every minute of the day. I have no idea how they do it. It is not a gene that ran my way.
Hmmm...there's a thought. That naturally gorgeous thing appears in my sisters as well. Maybe it is genetic. And, as my cousin Caresse is the throwback to the rest of the family, being blonde, I am the throwback on this one. Interesting...
Anyway! So, Dad's apparently planning on attending this celebration for his sister. And thinking about taking the munchkins. No Blue Shutters this time, sigh. That inn is so pretty, I could honeymoon there. Be a bit of a haul, though. And I may be going as well, which would be lovely.
Ocean-time, even if it's too cold to go in it. Gloucester is kind of protected by the Cape from any warm currents that might consider traveling up the coast. But, I think I should be able to explore by myself this time, which will be rather interesting. I seem to recall that one can rollerblade along the walkway leading to the Old Man at the Wheel. And that one of the best ice cream shops EVER is in the next town. That could be just my imagination painting my memory, though.
Getting to see family again will be nice. I fully expect another round of, "Oh, look how big you're all getting!" I'll have you know that neither my sister nor I have put on an inch of height in a year. The kid may have - she's so far down there that it's hard to tell. :P I get reprimanded for remarks like that, as I should.
Dad'll most likely stay with his parents. Not sure yet where I'll be, but I'm not terribly concerned about it. I'm just excited to get to go. We were talking about driving, but according to Dad, even with the three of us rotating, it'll be about thirty hours. Probably not going to happen.
Flying east is interesting. I could care less about state boundaries - my home is the land of blue water. And don't tell me all water reflects blue. You get within range of the Appalachians (instead of, say, the Rockies or the Mississippi), and the water is all brown. It's very depressing. But it feels so good to see blue again when you come back home.
But, the plans are still in the baby stages, so you can't really say anything for certain.
Today was the Cook family reunion....
The gathering together of 80year old british people who like to Eat, Drink, Smoke Pipes, and Argue....Oh yes..Tis a lovely time indeed...
Not that I hate my family reunions....*lie* It's just you know the old saying "You come for the food, but you stay for the entertainment"? Well....once you get an 78 year old british man drunk enough...the entertainment just won't stop.....My uncle Robert just doesn't shut up...and that's that...:D Oh and not to mention how everyone is either drinking beer or smoking from those old fashion pipe things....yes even the women smoke it up....My great uncle Robert and great Aunt Beth are really nice people...I always remember going to their house when I was little and she would give me candy...:)
But now that they are uber old....they just seem so cranky and OLD....
Then of course they start the croquet game....which is kinda fun once you start playing...and then it's pretty much awesome!! :D So after all the games have been played and the food is gone...that's when the entertainment begins....
all the old people start to reminisce about the good old days of London and what not....then as their beers start to kick in...the arguments start....Today's specialty was the upset of how England did not win the world cup...*an hour of arguing*....then it progressed to politics....
To be honest it's really quite funny because if you've ever heard someone with a british accent curse...it only get's better once their drunk and things slur together with their accent....That actually kept me laughing for quite a while....
and that was my day....
Tschuess!
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