A Girlie Weekend

What a whirl of a weekend it was... a girlie weekend to be sure. After weeks of planning and preparing, the big day of Erica's wedding shower arrived. My sister flew and niece flew in from FL on Wednesday, and we got to get together for lunch on Thursday. Didn't I feel like a big deal tooling them around in my little car Red Wing (a year is a long time to go without a car). On Friday there were the shopping trips for outfits, accessories, gifts, and cards. There were trips to the hair and nail salons (truly a rare treat in this economy) and the family dinners both at home and at the local pub, where all the "cousins" could catch up. The shower included a luncheon at Chimney Rock, a place known for its exceptional thin crust pizza. Although our kids are blended as the product of two divorces, you would never have guessed that there was ever any hint of animosity in the laughing and lively conversation at the table. Erica's real mom and I shared jokes, laughs, and our best self deprecating antics. Pictures were taken of Erica and her bridesmaids and you would have thought that Hollywood was auditioning for the red carpet as they all looked so beautiful in their pretty dresses. The guests shared one long table that were soon laden with all of the "Rock's" best appetizers: buffalo wings, egg rolls, antipasto salad, apple and blue cheese over baby greens, fried calamari with marinara sauce, and one made especially for Erica... french fries smothered in cheese and bacon! Then once the little dishes were cleared out came about 10 different pizzas that stood on pedestals down the length of the table. For dessert, there was a tier of brownies made to look like a cake and decorated with chocolate candy coating of good wishes and fresh strawberries. One thing is certain in this family... food is very important and a hearty appetite is a thing of joy for even the thinest of our family members. The girls gathered around the bride to be, as she opened box upon box of what us old timers in the room remarked as glamorous household items... no clothespins and dishtowels here... there were crystal goblets, food processors, ice-cream makers and of course the usual assortment of lingerie which got ooohs and ahhhs from even the oldest of the attendees. Erica couldn't have been more gracious, stating to all the guests several times, "You are all an awesome group of women, thank you so much for being here." None of us would have missed it for the world! When the shower was over the girls delivered the gifts to Erica's home and then got into a chauffeured van for their bachelorette overnight trip to Atlantic city for drinking, dancing, and general mayhem. (I could only guess what ensued as we didn't do that ritual back in my day, but the van was my gift towards the festivities... one less thing for me to worry about). Afterwards, I got to visit with my sister as Gerry prepared a a fabulous dinner of

shrimp and asparagus in a dill butter sauce over tagliatelle... you know, something light after that big lunch. So much food, so many laughs, so many wonderful memories!