A Goodbye, and a Welcome Home

Many of you know that GP's dad has been in declining health for some time. Saturday night (almost two weeks exactly since we were married) he passed from his earthly home to his one in Heaven. He was a sweet and jovial man and will be missed dearly by his many friends and family. I was blessed to be a part of his life for the last few years and so happy that he was able to be a pary of our wedding day. Love you Poppy


Joe's unit was already scheduled to return from Iraq this week but were to be in de-briefing for two more weeks in Texas. They were able to intercept him in Kuwait and divert him home to be with his family. We joined his plane in Greensboro this morning. Its gives us all a peace to have him home.

Summertime Treats

I can't decide which I like better, a homegrown tomato or a juicy fresh peach. We had some of both this week. GP's Dad wouldn't eat all day yesterday, but he couldn't resist this peach pie I pulled out of his oven last night. My garden has succombed to all the deer/groundhogs/rabbits for the season but thankfully we have friends who have plenty and are sharing!

Before the Big Moment

We had thirty minutes of music before the wedding, and we all stayed back in parlor until it was time to walk around to the front of the church for our big entrances. The kids found a jigsaw puzzle in one of the Sunday School classrooms to work on while we were waiting. Cuteness!!

Images from Charleston

We had a lovely three nights in Charleston. GP and I had never been, and what a treat. We stayed at the corner of Market and Meeting so we walked everywhere. The meals were outstanding, the crepe myrtles were blooming and it was more humid there than any place I have ever been on Earth (maybe the butterfly garden in Singapore was close) We will definitely go back as there is still lots to see and enjoy over and over.

Last Day, strolling around Battery Park and up Rainbow Row

The Circular church. One of the oldest continually meeting congregations in Charleston. We went to an African Spiritual Singing one night....they caught me yawning and made me come up and sing with them.....

The beautiful gates and iron work were fun to see, some of the ornate fencing was probably worth more than my whole home.

I got to go to People, Places and Quilts. I bought a pattern for "Stars over Ft Sumter" It was a Bonnie Blue pattern, but more special since we had just visited the Fort.

So GP went to the quilt shop....yes the ladies thought it was funny he was in there on his honeymoon (and speculated that it wouldn't happen after a few years of marriage) But we trade off, I go to car shows...and to this: The Charleston Post Office. They had a small museum of old postal uniforms, stamps and tools that he enjoyed seeing.

This fountain down at the waterfront was made for wading...so we jumped right in. We were lucky to catch the pretty sky just as the sun was setting.


We also went through three house museums, took a carriage tour, and drove accross the big suspension bridge. I think our entire family should go back sometime and stay at the beach....and let some of us come back in for side trips to enjoy all the sights.

Ring Bearer Pillows

I mentioned at Black Mt...how nice it would be to have ring bearer pillows that you could actually use again. I have a great group of friends.....they took the idea and ran with it. Based on the google image I posted on my blog to announce our engagement, this is what I recieved. The fabrics are from the Garden Party line and will match all the signature blocks that were signed at the reception. KB and Gina did an awesome job...they are even hand quilted. Thank You!!!!

A Perfect Day

It didn't rain, the kids all did their jobs perfectly, I had all my closest friends and family with me. Week one of being Mrs GP has been a little bit of a roller coaster due to external situations, but we are moving things around in the cabin and he is making sure it feels like "ours". Thanks to everyone who helped make this day exactly what I had wanted.....More to come!

On our trip home yesterday we learned the terrible news that my cousin Chantelle had had an accident while floating the North Platte River in Casper, Wy with her husband and friends. Josh lost his wife, Uncle Fred lost his daughter and I lost a first cousin. This is my Dad dancing with her at her wedding last September.

Words can't express how sad I fell for her family and husband. Uncle Fred, Aunt Nancy and her little brother Tanner were at my wedding last weekend, and still not home. They were in Ohio and my Aunt and cousin are helping them drive home.

Though I didn't know her very well as an adult.....she was a delight to be around every time I did see her.

Chantelle was....24
Beautiful Inside and Out, with a strong resemblence to our Grandmother

A Nurse, a vocation fitting for her caring spirit

A Christian, and I hope her family's faith can get them through this terrible loss.

Countdown

Go Postal's Dad will not get to move home until next week now (it was suppose to be today), I caught a cold, and my pianist is having her first Grandbaby in WV! But all in all wedding plans are falling into place and in two days I will be Mrs GP so all is well. We are staying a few nights at the Planters Inn in Charleston and it looks very nice. We even found a postal museum to visit while we are down there. Wonder if there are any good quilt shops to check out? Family starts to roll in tonight, pedicures this afternoon....let the fun begin!

Heart felt Reccomendation

I don't use a travel agent much. With today's internet sites I usually do my own travel planning. But for a big trip like Hawaii we decided to consult a professional. It saved me a lot of time...but I had no idea at the time how much more it would really save us. With GP's Dad's condition we decided to postpone our trip. No we didn't buy insurance, and technically we could have lost the entire cost. Gretchen explained our situation and re-booked our trip for early October. All we have to pay is the airline ticket change fee. What a blessing.

If you all are in need of a great travel agent, one that goes above and beyond....please seee Gretchen at the AAA on Stratford Road.