Time Gone By

Started out as a celebration ringing in the New Year with seeing a movie (Tron the Legacy), crashing Teacher Daughters get together, skyping Cali girl and talking to all the children at the stroke of Midnight. We are now in a New Year and January is closing to an end,along with many things left unresolved. I have yet to finish the posting of our wedding celebration, which I still plan on doing and hopefully you as my reader will still want to read about it, Christmas still adorns my home and needs to be taken down. Life has gotten in the way, such as work overload, Soldier son being home for a month, Cali Girl and new Husband visiting, and the passing away of two closely connected to me, and another one very ill preparing to join our Dear Lord sometime this year. Two Cousins and a Father in law have not faired well in this New Year 2011. My cousin 33 years young past away on January 21. 2011.  On the day he was laid to rest my Father in Law passes away January 26 2011 which happened to be the 21st birthday of Soldier Son. We were truly shocked, for we had gone for a visit on Christmas, this would be the last time everyone would be together for a visit at Grandpa’s minus three Grandchildren who were unable to join us.The beginning of the year was joyous the end of January not so much, for it is filled with sadness. On February 5th the day before my birthday Reno P. Casassa will be laid to rest. We will be together once again in celebration of the life he lived. This is how I see passing on to another life

Do you believe the beginning of the year tells the story of the rest of your year and how it will be played out? Does the New Year purge the tragedies that might befall us right away in order to move along without them for a successful year? I say let us get these hardships over with from the beginning and then the rest of the year will be ours to take on with rewards of success.

I look forward to a business venture I have taken on to prosper greatly, I look forward to my Cali Girls new venture to become everything she dreamed of. Cali girl has found her creative side along with marketing and seeking out those who may help her with her sweet product for the hair and more.Cali Girl is building a website Chateau Le Chic and currently has a shop online Street chic boutique  http://etsy.com she has found her passion once again in photography starting with taking photos of friends and sharing them with other professional photographers.She has an eye. Her hair accessories will also adorn the runway on models for Fashion Week in California. I look forward to Teacher Daughters success at her current job and possibly landing at least substitute teaching positions so she can get in the door of the career she has chosen. I look forward to Soldier Son seeing his future soon with one more year behind him in the army and only one left to go so he can seek out his passion to become a gaming programmer. I look forward to the first born being as happy as she can be as a Mother, Wife, Daughter and teaching her children everything they need to grow. I look forward to the 25th year anniversary of being married to The Man and growing old with him on this so called journey of life. We truly love each other and give each other strength in the most trying of times with support and kindness.

The year 2011 bring it on! How can it get any worse than it has started out?

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

God Bless my Aunt Barbara and help her cope with the illness of her oldest Daughter, easing her pain. We love you and pray for you daily.

Preparing for a Ceremony

What not to do before a big event: Take a spray tan when you are from the midwest, and it is winter and your skin has not been exfoliated. I found when I awoke the morning of the big day splotchy skin due to a spray tan the bride was so kind to provide the night before. My upper body wasn’t too bad, but the legs I had planned not to wear pantyhose on, not so good. I took myself down to the lobby and asked where the nearest pharmacy in Malibu might be located. Sally Hansen has a great product for spray on hose, I had planned on originally using this product but now I found I needed a shade darker just to even the new tone of my skin out. I wasn’t the only one needing help, my daughters, except the bride nocked on my door early in the same pigment state. A mad dash to the pharmacy for time is a wasting, we needed to be at the venue within the half hour. I had enough time to throw together the essentials I would need to prepare for the event, although hair stylist and makeup artist would be provided I packed up what I might need in case something went array with their vision of the way I should look. Upon arrival at the ranch we were met by a team of the production crew in the parking area so they could escort us to the cabin set up for the pampering session. It seemed to be a hike down a curving pathway steep at times. Wow, what a treck back into the woods we headed. I was so excited to be with the bride for the mornings readiness of the event, the moment a Mother waits to be part of, helping her child look her best on one of the most important days of her life. The producer immediately pulls me aside setting the stage for shooting and informs me what my duty would be (as if I didn’t already know.) “Your job” she says “is to stay by her side through out keeping her engaged and calm, see to her every need.” My beautiful daughter is already being prepped with makeup and each chair is host to a bridesmaid. Stage set cameras are rolling. Drinks are needed while I sit with my beauty, for pure organized chaos fills the room. Wine is shared while we talk about the day and the task still needing attention too.I truly forgot about my look for the day, it slipped my mind that filming would be happening. What the heck was I thinking, for once I look like a Mom/Grandma. (Oh boy.) I can’t remember how many times I traveled up and down the loft stairs that morning fetching whatever was needed, like, find the Father we will need him soon to present his gift, find the groom the bride desperately needs something he has of hers. My head was spinning at times, all the while I probably drove the sound crew crazy with my giddiness as I continued to sing many times an oldie but goodie Going to the Chapel of Love. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMfrLFirGWc Happiness filled me. The bride began to feel her nerves escalate and asked for a shot to calm them, vanilla vodka tossed back with a diet coke chaser settled them. Constant cameras following your every move, being pulled away many times and your big day thrown in for good measure would get the best of the calmest person. While the girls were held up in the beauty house the groomsmen were playing football, a shoot set with Dean who is a big part of the function with Tori. After a game of football I had a chance to see my future son in law cool off like any other sportsman having a beerHe appeared relaxed, how many beers helped him into this state of mind? Time is closing in, flowers for the wedding are delivered, (the bride doesn’t know what they will look like)First born carries her bouquet to her with giddiness as the cameras roll. Can you see them in the background? This is a Storybook Wedding, not a fairytale story. Shortly after this surprise who appears? Tori, she has brought to present to the bride her shoes to wear, (her something blue) and the gift the bride will give to the groom. Pictures of a photo shoot Tori put together for Cali girl. Amazement overwhelms me at this point. PhotosArtsy GEORGEOUS! stunning, shoes hand dyed with pearls attached by Tori herself.The chairs are now empty in the nick of time for the hour draws near to the start of the ceremony. Last to primp the Mother’s. I hope they have enough time for us.Even our darling Lola (flower girl) was pampered never releasing her hold on her pacifier.Bridesmaids dresses are tied upwhile the Maid of honor works on her speech in all her glory. I have a moment helping the bride into her gown and don my look for the event and down the path we head toward the ceremony. Soon, a Husband takes a Wife and vice a versa 

Two Thumbs Up it is time to get Hitched!

A touch on the highlights, so much happened in such a short time.Next post Ceremony

Malibu here we Come

We rise to a beautiful day, the sky was clear and the sun was shining. Lola and I were rip raring to go. After breakfast there were a few minor details to rap up in Studio City with Cali girl and bridesmaids. Like mani pedi’s for everyone. Even the toes and hands need to look their best on such an occasion. To our surprise even with an appointment set the salon was packed to the brim. Cali girl was a little nervous about the manicures getting done in a timely manner, low and behold the mission was accomplished.

Time to head off to finish Cali girls errands with little time to spare, back to the house and ready for the rehearsal dinner. Before we leave we take a moment to calm our nerves with a much deserved stress relieving shot to toast the day. One for the road. Our stay in Malibu would be spent at the Hampton Inn, once again a Thank you to Ashley. The rooms just as nice as the Hilton. I quickly change into my evening attire. Off to the Calamigos Ranch we head. We find the wedding party gathered around a pond with a waterfall flowing. All are happy and excited.The bride and groom are beginning to feel less pressure, for one more day and they will be husband and wife. This night there will not be any cameras following them or setting the stage for shooting opts to tell their story. The wedding couple has had a not stop schedule of filming with Tori and Dean for The Storybook Wedding show that will air on Oxygen sometime soon. This venue and all the accoutremants needed to make a wedding special with a theme has been provided by vendors selected by Tori for the shabby chic wedding Cali girl desires. I can’t wait to see what they plan for this location, for now it looks a little rough.  As we drove onto the grounds we see a Carousel that no longer works and a Ferris wheel. The area chosen has a bridge we will cross for the ceremony, at this point I am not sure where the reception will be held. On with the rehearsal, it is simple, to the point, cut and dry. We head up to the restaurant area for cocktails and mingling of the families. This is our moment to get to know one and other and throw a few back.The food chosen was simple but delicious, for example, the lobster salad sandwich with fries was to die for. The wedding will also have the same simplicity of food for the guest. Cali girl did not want a sit down dinner, too impersonal, the food theme will be comfort food, such as all the carb foods we all love and want to eat, along with fried chicken, and hand cut roast beef. The evening is going so well where there isn’t any dancing but the Man and I seem to make our own with a little two step. Anyone care to join in?Time for my toast. While listening to Reba Mcentires new cd one song rang true (All the Women I am)http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAzSpIFkDzQ about the type of Man every woman needs for a strong relationship. We as women are very complicated and show our emotions externally, most times unable to contain our feelings and desires.Most days we can conquer the world needing no ones help at all, other days we are curled up in a ball for pressures become overwhelming and drama of life and friends become too much, we may take these emotions unintentionally out on the ones who love us the deepest. We look for a man who can and should love all the Women we are, the child, the comedian, the housekeeper, the lover, the dreamer, the Mother of lost causes. We rarely are the same from day to day. I know I found this the day the Man came into my life, loving me whole heartedly not wanting to change a thing about me. Cali girl too has found this Man. He shows her his total acceptance and supports her every desire and emotion. Trying his best always to shoulder and comfort her when life becomes to much and she wants to crumble to the ground. Because of this I cheer and praise him, a second Son in our Family. He does and will love All the Women cali girl can be. Before the night ends two Fathers toast each other, a semblance of two Families joining with a shot of Petron, it was a perfect binding.

Parents of Children in love embrace each moment and will show support where ever and when ever needed hopefully never to be intrusive or over stepping the boundaries of their married Children

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Bring on tomorrow and let the show begin. A Storybook Wedding in the making.

Wedding Story Continues

The Plane lands at LAX right on time. #1 Daughter is patiently waiting with her Husband and first born (flower girl) for us in at the baggage claim. We meet up and off to the car rental we head. No time to spare, everyone is waiting for us to be there by now. A shoot is planned at 1:00, while in the mean time Cali Girl and husband to be is busy taking a dance lesson from an instructor of Dancing with the Stars (Karina Smirnoff). How cool is that? We arrive at Cali girls house with little time to spare. I quickly freshen up, change my clothes have a quick drink and a hello is presented to everyone while Cali girl arrives but will not leave her car for I am not allowed to view her before the shoot. You see, the network gave her a mini make over complete with veneers. She is a beauty in her own right without the makeover but the veneers brings her smile to life. We arrive at the shoot in time to miked, a nock and the door of a quaint house opens. There she is, my Cali Girl and Tori Spelling. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. Cameras? What cameras. I didn’t care. She cries and I cry as I unveil her gown and all its’ glory.This isn’t a picture of the finished dress but the only one I have, for time got away from me and photos weren’t possible.The simple bridesmaid dresses were tried on by her sisters as Tori and I discussed the many options for tying the dresses provided by Such a cool dress, one dress with many looks with tying each dress differently.Tori Spelling was very gracious and treated us as if she had known us forever. The bond she seemed to have formed with Cali Girl was evident. Will it continue? Probably not for she is a celebrity with little time for socializing and little room for new friends. Kindness in the moment was presented, we were released and the rest of the evening was ours to be had. Back to Cali girls’ home and dinner. We gather around the corner at a fun restaurant in Hollywood called Micelli’s. The waiters sing while you dine, an Italian pizzaria.The whole gang. The waitress sang a song just for the bride to be it was fun. If you are visiting L.A. be sure to stop in for a good time with good eats. Only two nights left before the bride and groom take their vows. The following night we will have the rehearsal dinner at the venue. Calamigos Ranch. Off to the hotel, we had a room at the Hilton, a friends rate provided by a good friend and bridesmaid Ashley. Thank You Ashley. Lola had a good time and was such a trooper going with the flow even when naps were not available for the taking. Tomorrow here we come. Watch out Malibu, the Casassa and Scarbury gang are in town. More fun to be had by all.