Marry Barry

One year ago today I was in Alabama at my sister's wedding (post here and here).

One year ago today my sister married her childhood crush and they started their Happily Ever After.

Happy Anniversary, Mr & Mrs Barry!

Backyard Wedding

My cousin Eileen and her long time boyfriend, Frank were married in a small ceremony at my home this past weekend.
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I made these arrangements last minute, a little frantically. :) The bride was getting her self all spiffed up for her wedding and it dawned on me we had flowers to put together. I threw together five arrangements in 30 minutes. Whooo! It was tight.

Eileen is having a big reception in October, so the ceremony was small and intimate. I was her maid of honor and my sister-in-law Sonia was her bridesmaid.

We had little cones on the back of each chair with rose petals to throw once the ceremony was done and earlier that day we hung up white lights from the trees to brighten it up a bit. By the time I had crawled up and down that ladder a zillion times I was done. Once I realized that I had strung the wrong end and we had no plug to plug in... the tears almost came and then the frantic "What are we going to do now?!" Oh boy. I ended up crawling up and down that ladder again and re-hanging the lights... in addition... this past week was the hottest week in SoCal. Sweaty hot mess. lol

The beautiful bride is five months pregnant and finding a dress was a little difficult... but she ended finding one that my mom altered for her and looked gorgeous!

The wedding party got to wear whatever they wanted, good thing it blended pretty good.

My brother Peter and his wife, Sonia

My cousin and her son, Cristian

Cutting a scrumptious red velvet cake.

They were supposed to be in Cabo today for their honeymoon but the hurricane messed all those plans up. Instead they went into work today... and are planning on booking another honeymoon soon here. Nature's way of throwing a wrench in!

Cabo Shower

(My aunt and cousin, Eileen)

Two weeks ago I threw a shower with family and friends for my cousin, Eileen at my home. She got married this weekend and honeymooning in Cabo. The theme was a honeymoon shower since she didn't want lingerie or home goods. I was racking my brain for an idea to add some Mexican flair and my mom suggested peppers in the centerpieces... what a great idea! I went to a local Mexican food store and bought serano chili's and habeneros and added them to the floral arrangements. I did cupcakes instead of a cake. I like the look better and they are easier! I made the butter cream late Thursday night and nearly left it there unfinished, but pressed on and finally finished it.

Each guest went home with a "love notes" pad and a little box with my peanut butter balls. It was a beautiful night with good food and laughs!

Wedding to be posted soon...

Another Wedding

I've been busy planning another Bridal Shower and helping with wedding preparations, again. Two weeks after we got back from my sister's wedding, my cousin,who I've mentioned on here several times, started planning her wedding ceremony. Her and her long time boyfriend were planning on getting married by themselves on a tropical island resort, but have decided to have a small home ceremony.

I for one am happy, since I'll be able to see and participate in her special day. My sister was to be her maid of honor but since she just got back from her honeymoon and is already planning on being out here for my cousin's large reception, she can't make the ceremony. I was more than happy to step in as the maid of honor instead of bridesmaid. I am so excited to be apart of her wedding planning and all the things that come with the days approaching her big day.

Today we went to do some cake tasting... that was hard. Who wants to taste pastries and fillings and butter creams? Someone has to do it... :)

So, yet another thing to keep me from blogging... but I'll do my best to not let it get in the way too much!

Southern Wedding - Part Two

My sister and I are very close; it's been a big adjustment not having her around all the time. Even talking on the phone is different since it's always the important things that have to be talked about and not just the basic day to day things. The couple of days I had with her were rushed and full of wedding stress. I didn't expect to have my sister back for a couple of days, I really did expect all conversation to be "wedding talk", as it should be. But deep down I wished for my sister back, the one that would listen to all the things that were bothering me and put it all in perspective. The one that would laugh with me and carrying on as only sisters can do. Sometimes changes in life are no fun. This being one of them for me.

Day of the wedding, we had lunch at a little Shrimp Shack with our Pastor and his family. Tons of fried food! So yummy... but you can only take so much! I could hear Weight Watchers calling my name after every bite.

(Fried pickles and a fried shrimp poboy)

After lunch we rushed to the house to get ready. NINE people with one bathroom. Bad news. Lots of arguing about who's going to get in next. Wasn't pretty.

I drove the bridesmaids and my aunt and nephew to the wedding site... we were already about 30 minutes late and I couldn't get into the parking lot and passed the location and drove about 3 miles with all screaming, "Turn here!" "I can't turn!" "Hurry!!!" "Make sure we don't get there before Cath!!"

Oh boy.

As we got ready to walk down the "aisle", things got harry again. By the time I scowled my way down, kicking sand as I went, all I could think of was, why did I wear shoes? and this dress is making me look pregnant...

It was all forgotten, almost, as my sister walked down... then the tears came. This was really it... she was getting married.

My incredible Pastor and his wife.

Dad smiling, mom crying

The wedding party... the bridesmaids didn't get the "sunglasses" memo

My big sis and I

My nephew Cristian... miserable and ready to "Goo hoooome"

Mr. & Mrs.
After being friends as kids, and having a secret crush on each other, 20 years later they found each other on Face*book and here they are...

After the reception, which I don't have any good pictures of since I was running around buying more cups in a hectic tourist town, my Pastor took us to Lamberts, "home of the thrown rolls". What an experience, I loved it!

We got caught in a rain storm. I'd never seen rain like this. It looked like rain from all over the world was being dumped out on this one area. I felt like a kid again and wanted to run and jump in the puddles. My first warm rain experience.



Here is my sister-in-law, soaked through. Lamberts is such a fun restaurant. I remember seeing it on Food* Network* and wishing I could visit. Wish came true and it is just as good as they described. Hot rolls being tossed around and so much food you don't know what to eat first!


I ordered the famous chicken fried steak... and got a whole cow! ha-ha
I barely made a dent in this thing... but it was so very good.
If I could bring the Southern food here, I'd be one happy camper... of course if they included a free visit to the plastic surgeon for some liposuction, that would help too! Who can eat like this every day?

My sister and her new husband are on their honeymoon in Costa Rica! Starting a new life together...

This Southern wedding was a good experience and best of all, family time. I love them and spending time with them is not something I dread, it's something I look forward to!

Southern Wedding - Part one

Coming back from the South has made me appreciate my California. I love my state. I love the west. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the south, but the lifestyle is so different and the weather... don't get me started on the weather. I have California in my blood and I admit I'm spoiled by our weather and our mountains, beaches and deserts. The people may be not as "southern sweet" but I still love it. I'm sure a Southerner would say they the same about their South! :)

Getting to Alabama was an ordeal. I mentioned before that I hate flying... this was the worst! We flew on a red-eye from LA to Houston on Monday night (Tuesday morning) and while in the air we were in the middle of a lightning storm. Me and lightning... no good. I am scared of the one in maybe a year storm we get here. I'd never seen lightning like this... and I had to be in a plane. Oh vey. Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought and we landed.

Stepping out of the plane the noise was overwhelming... rain. Serious rain. Again, in California we get rain, lots of rain, but I'd never seen anything like it. All flights were delayed and there was no where to sit after we trudged our way through the most confusing airport. By the time we were allowed on the plain I was hungry, tired and grouchy.

We settled in and were told that we'd be there for about 20 or so minutes since the storm needed to lessen before we could take off. Fine with me since I was already nervous as it was. TWO and a HALF hours later we got in a line of 22 planes to take off. OVER TWO HOURS. I was so ready to get in the air and landed. I didn't care how bad the storm was at this point.
Once we were above the clouds it was beautiful and clear... who knew.

We landed in Gulfport, MS and drove to Orange Beach, AL where we had a beach cottage waiting for us. At this point I had only slept approx 2 hrs on the plane. Tired, hungry and grouchy.
I was so excited to see my sister! After 6 weeks! We quickly changed and went on our way to the rehearsal. We didn't actually have a rehearsal since some people were late and we were all hungry. We headed to a restaurant that overlooked the bay, Colbalt. Good food and beautiful views!

Top - Orange Beach, AL

Bottom - view from the penthouse deck

We went back to our cottage where all our family was staying and put together the last minute things such as favors, hair accessories, dress fittings... by the time I got to bed I'd been up for 32 hrs on 2 hrs of sleep. Okay, so I am twenty-six but I felt like I was sixty!

L to R - Cousin Eileen, Bride to be, Me, sis-n-law Sonia
We woke up early the next morning and went to setup at the penthouse where the reception would be held. I had several arrangements to be made for lunch and last minute details. Also dealing with a stressed Bride among other things about did me in. I prayed and prayed and prayed. You may think that I was overreacting from lack of sleep, but so much was going on I just needed my Jesus and I needed Him now! But all I seemed to get was silence.

I was sitting in Wal-mart waiting for my sister to get her eyebrows done, yes Wal-mart. Another something I'd never seen before. Sitting, waiting, and feeling overwhelmed. I didn't even want to discuss it with the man up stairs. I just fretted until I was panicked... next thing I knew a big burly man stood in front of me and smiled, "Everything is going to be all right, Okay?" he smiled and walked out of the store... not waiting for a word from me. Did that just happen? So He was listening. I felt so much better! :)

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Psalms 18:6

Part 2 to come...

Life in General

Life since I lasted posted has been full...

I bought my ticket for my sisters wedding which cost almost as much as my weekly paycheck. ouch. And I am only staying two nights instead of seven nights. BIG difference and so sad since I won't be able to spend quality time with my sister. I miss her and wish her back home, but that's just whining on my part and something that won't happen.

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My brother's girlfriend graduated from high school this past weekend. She is a beautiful girl, quiet and sweet and I hope someday she'll be a permanent part of our family. ;)

Sonia, Steph and I

Congratulations, Steph!

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I have been reading and reading and reading. I love books. I collect them and can't part with a book even if I didn't like it! I read The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter and fell in love with her writing! I loved it so much, I bought a copy and mailed it to my sister. Denise Hunter has an incredible pen and her stories are right out of my head and onto paper. So good and a must read. Not only was it romantic, but the story had a double meaning that touched me so much. How great is the love of God...

Another one I am now reading and probably will be done by the time I post this, A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. This book has been out for over ten years and I'm barely getting to it. So brutal and a little to real at times. The way our world can relate to the days when Rome was at it's worst is mind boggling. Where have we gone? How could we let so much slip through our moral strainer? Pure junk. Thank the Lord this life is just the dressing room for a greater life to come. Whew... that book really stirred me up. Not only is it true to history but it's has a romantic story that pulls at your heart strings.
*Update: I did finish the book before I posted and I cried. I really cried. Heart wrenching ending that brought to life the brutal history. I picked up the second book in the series, Echo in the Darkness, which my sister in law got for me at a thrift story (best place to buy books) and went to bed WAY too late last night. I'll write about that one when I finish it. Again, this book is incredible and a must read for all Christian Fiction lovers. Stirs the soul and awakens the spirit.

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Lastly, My brother and sister-in-law got a fur ball. Her name is Lola and she is a feisty Maltipoo. This is her official introduction on the Daily Bee. She is not Tiffany, not like I was comparing, but she is a good distraction and addition to the family. We love her already.


How cute is that face?

Fabulous Friday and Then Some...

Fabulous Summer TV Shows!

If you want to join, click the above button and leave a comment.

I haven't been following very many TV shows recently, just don't have the time. But I did start watching...

Little People*, Just Married* on TLC*

I love the interaction between the two and the fact that she's a doctor! Just blows my mind.

Wipeout* on ABC*
This show aired on Tuesday nights last summer, our Weight* Watcher* meeting night. All of us that did Weight Watchers would gather around and watch this and just die laughing. It was a good distraction from snacking and what not.

The Baby Borrowers* on NBC*

I thought this was going to be a corny show, teens trying to be parents... It turned out to be very interesting. Some teens made it, some didn't. Goes to show you that teens now days aren't always fit to be parents.

Jon* & Kate Plus* 8 on TLC*

I will always love this show. No matter the mess that is surrounding it. I even own it on DVD! Yes, I do. I told someone that last night and they laughed and said, "Are you serious?". I would DVR it every Monday at 6PM. Come home from work, get some dinner together and watch it. This show was my Monday evening relaxer. I hope they work things out...

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My sister's bridal shower was May 15th, the theme was Costa Rican since this is where she is going on her honeymoon. The bridesmaids and our church ladies joined in the efforts and let me just say it got wild. But so much fun!

I got her this... of course the full picture wouldn't be on here... ;)



The following night we had a girls night. Just the Bride and Bridesmaids. We went to the Spaghetti Factory in Newport since we are all on a budget with having to pay for the party the night before AND our tickets to the wedding. The food was delish and I didn't take pictures with my good camera, so nothing to show for it if you don't count the extra pound hanging around my behind.

We went back home and had another spread. Another spread. My cousin made virgin margaritas since most of us don't drink. So yummy!
All in all it was a crazyfun night with some wild stunts and extra crazy gifts for the bride-to-be.

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Memorial weekend was a busy one. Emotional and tiring, but Memorial Day turned out to be oh so nice! We went to our local fair for some good food, BBQ'd shish kabobs and corn and swam. The day had to be the most perfect weather of the year.

I did take one little thing to bed with me that night...

This is me and my sunburn. Darn thing.