October 16, 2000

One year ago: I get back from Disney. I can't believe that was a year ago. I never did get around to writing the "detailed trip recap". Sorry about that.

Hey, I'm back! So sorry that it's been two whole weeks without an update. Between bridal showers, weddings and recapping four shows for MBTV, I've been pretty busy. And I know how annoying it is when people complain in their journals about how busy they are, so that's the last you'll hear about that.

I thought I should go back and talk about what I did last weekend first, and save more recent events for later this week. So cast your minds back to Friday, October 6th. Jim and I were invited to a wedding for one of his friends. He kind of surprised me by wanting to go, but I'm not one to turn down a free meal, so we went. The ceremony itself was at 3:45 on a Friday, which seemed kind of weird, but whatever. It was in this gigantic church downtown, and Jim and I got there just in time -- the bridal party was assembling in the back of the church as we arrived. We sat next to Jim's parents. I didn't know a soul there, but that can be fun too, sometimes, because you can people watch without feeling like you have to interact with people. So, the ceremony happened -- it was your typical Catholic wedding, I guess. I mean, it didn't have that much meaning for me since I didn't know the people. They seemed very happy.

Then, we went to the reception. It was funny because Jim knew the family, but none of them recognized him, because they haven't seen him since he cut all his hair off about a year ago. When we went through the receiving line, there was much, "Jimmy Durr! Where's all the hair?" As we walked away, Jim lamented that he's twenty-seven years old and people still call him "Jimmy". Even his nieces and nephews call him "Uncle Jimmy" half the time. That's family for you. Anyway, we didn't know any of the people we were seated with, and they were all brothers and sisters with spouses, but it was interesting just to listen to their conversation. We danced one dance and then left, because I had forgotten to set the VCR to tape Freakylinks (which I am recapping), so we had to be home by 9 PM. Which we were. It was the first wedding we have gone to that wasn't for one of my friends, and I was happy to have the chance to pay Jim back for all the weddings of my friends that he has "suffered" through.

The next morning, I had to get up early to go to Molly's house. She was driving us to Rochester, for my friend Brenda's bridal shower. The picture at the top of the page is Molly, Brenda and me. Molly and I have the same sweater on, in different colors, and we did not plan it. How embarrassing. Especially since we walked in together. It was nice to have the car ride to talk with Molly. Even though we talk on the phone a few times a week, it's nice to be able to spend time in person. Anyway, the shower was fun. It was really good to see Brenda. Her wedding is in November. She sure got a LOT of gifts. Like, a lot. I'm excited for her wedding. I'm not in it, but I'm doing a reading, so I get to go to the rehearsal dinner and everything without having to buy the dress, etc. I am always happy to be included in the wedding party, but I just did it this past weekend with Mary (my fifth time being a bridesmaid!) and I don't know if I would want to do it again so soon. So it all worked out for the best.

Another feature of this shower -- a lot of the women brought their babies. That makes me feel old. I mean, I like babies and all, but I don't consider myself parental in any way, shape, or form. And then I see these girls with whom I went to high school, who are younger than me, bouncing infants on their knees. It's kind of scary. One of our friends, Kate, who is going to be thirty in a week or so, was joking that once she turns thirty, she's done with the whole wedding shower/baby shower/bachelorette party thing. She'll feel like she's too old. She's like me, in that she's not married, or a mom, but she does have a significant other. So i can relate. Every time I go to one of these things, I just feel the eyes on me thinking, "So, when are you going to...?" My one consolation is that Brenda and her husband have been dating since we were in high school, eleven years, so I can always say that Jim and I have a few years to go before we catch up with them. I know I could just say that it's not anybody's business, but I am as guilty as anyone of such speculation, so I can't really work up any righteous indignation about it. Anyway, after next month, all the wedding stuff will be over for a while, and it will be a non-issue once again.

In the next entry -- all about Mr. and Mrs. Terry Clifton.