On the road again

The invitations are a big success! RSVPs are rolling in, but my first job of the day is laundry. I'll be leaving tomorrow for the Bridal Shower, driving the ten hours to Nashville where I'll meet up with the Maid of Honor, and my Mother-in-Law, and the Bride's future MIL, plus another friend to host a bridal brunch at a small French bistro called Marche on the East side of town. Now, had I known that this would also be the Country Music Awards weekend, we may have chosen a different date. Remember my son's band, The Parlor Mob, is pretty pure rock and roll. Not that I don't like country music, I just don't listen to it...unless it's the Dixie Chicks. So late in the game I found some hotel rooms in Brentwood, outside of Nashvegas; because between the flood and the CMAs, there was not a room to be had in the Music City.

Now I've been pre-warned, by the Maid of Honor, that my daughter would throttle me should I try to play any games at this shower. There will no wrapping up of guests, mummy-like, in toilet paper; in other words, no fun. So I have to admit, I've been a reluctant guest at bridal and baby showers over the years. I drank the punch and munched on the sandwiches. I think of them as an archaic ritual, designed to keep us women giddy and in our place, with ridiculous looking ribbon and bow hats to boot. At worst, a shameless plea for gifts, at best, some harmless fun. But granted, these were cousins once removed, and friends' showers that were caught in a 1950's time warp. Once internet shopping happened, I became a happy shopper. I would not have to travel hundreds of miles for a shower, with the click of a button I could send a gift that the bride and groom had listed on the Knot or some other such spot, and voila. Happiness all around.

When my daughter was young, I went all out on her birthdays. She is a September baby, right after school started, so perfect timing for parties. They were always held at home, I devised games for the kids, including making a huge strawberry shortcake bean bag toss. Clowns would come to visit with balloons, or stuffed pandas. I cooked, but I bought the theme birthday cake. There would be no MacDonald birthday parties for us! Her bat mitzvah was unique, we celebrated on a boat in the shipping lanes of NY harbor. When she graduated from high school, I made all her favorite foods and we celebrated at her best friend's house (aka Maid of Honor) on the Navesink River. When she graduated from Duke, a tent went up in our backyard, and we had a clambake. I scattered lots of framed school pictures of her around the tables. People raved, they swooned. So now, of course, the pressure is on for the Bridal Shower, a prelude for The Big Day!

Strawberry mimosas will be served and flowers have been ordered for the table. This will mostly be a party for the residents who may not be able to come to the wedding because of their schedules. And right after I finish the laundry and packing, I'm going to run back up to my writing tower and devise a "How well do you know the bride and groom game." I'll ask questions like, "What type of uniform strikes fear in the bride's heart?" or "What is the groom's favorite dessert?" It will be multiple choice. I won't order the "Make your own action figure dolls" on that'smyface.com; I was thinking 2 doctors, one with long blond hair and the guy in glasses. I'll leave the toilet paper at home. I still might order some angel wings from Mother Pluckers. This bride should be counting her blessings!