Thirty-six years ago today, I walked down the aisle in a long white dress, said "I do" and married my sweetheart. I didn't know what awaited us in this new life of ours...I only knew I wanted to do it with Don beside me! It was the smartest thing I ever did. Choosing him. Choosing marriage. Choosing to start a family. Our 1st son was born a year and a half later, son #2 was born two and a half years after that, and our baby girl came along five years later.
I'm not an expert on marriage. I only know it takes two people who love each other and are committed to building a life and a family. You have to have fun together.
And you have to be on the same team. I'm on his side. And he is on mine.
I've been having a love affair with a chandelier for 2 years now. I would go to the website, put it in my cart and then think...oh forget it, our kitchen needs major work, I'm not putting this up...someday, with a nicer kitchen/dining room. And so my thought process went. This is the object of my affection:
And then I bought a new Howard Miller clock for the dining room wall (love it too!). This one:When Don hung the clock on the wall, I said...whoa, stop the presses, this will not do! This gorgeous clock cannot live on that wall...so I started ripping off the country wallpaper. We worked for a few days, even rented a steamer...finally we called experts and had things fixed. Nothing big, new paint and trim, etc. It's not the end of the kitchen work, we have major projects ahead, new cabs etc. But I wondered, what if I die without having lived with the chandelier I love? So now it is here. And up. The chandelier is mine! (Ballard Designs) Lesson learned. I can't fix everything perfectly but I can do this.
This isn't my house but I love this picture anyway.
This afternoon was the 71st annual performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus and Orchestra. And I was in it! We may be smaller in numbers than in years past, and the long rehearsal schedule has now shortened to a sing-along performance...but my section rocks. We dubbed ourselves the Mighty Mighty Altos. :)
Seriously, this day is so important to many of the participants. One elderly gentleman (at least 90 yrs) was wheeled in to sing. Of course his voice is gone, but he still remembers all his parts by heart.
This day was important to me too. It stirs up a mixture of emotions...love for the glorious music by Handel, the chance to be part of a long standing tradition, being with such good and talented people, and the spirit of Christmas. And of course, performing at McNeese State University brings back childhood memories of school chorus competitions on that very stage.
For a fun rendition, here is the Food Court Flash Mob. I thought everyone had seen this video...it's gone around the world and back again, but if you haven't, it's just cool:
When Don hung the clock on the wall, I said...whoa, stop the presses, this will not do! This gorgeous clock cannot live on that wall...so I started ripping off the country wallpaper. We worked for a few days, even rented a steamer...finally we called experts and had things fixed. Nothing big, new paint and trim, etc. It's not the end of the kitchen work, we have major projects ahead, new cabs etc. But I wondered, what if I die without having lived with the chandelier I love? So now it is here. And up. The chandelier is mine! (Ballard Designs) Lesson learned. I can't fix everything perfectly but I can do this. 
