What's next?

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 My daughter's open house is over! Wedding prep that has lasted over a year for the three weddings is finally over! My sister got engaged last August. As her maid of honor-type person, we did a lot of talking about how and what to do for her wedding. As she was nearing 48, and her first wedding, we wanted to make sure that we properly celebrated. We decided on a Hallow-wedding! She loves Halloween and has skeletons hanging, not in her closet, but in her garage. So between August and October it was a race as we picked a color scheme. We designed wedding invites. We planned. Mature brides have different priorities than young ones. No attendants. So that was nice. She paid for a large chunk of the party herself. And she had a huge invite list. Her bridal shower as a "mourning the death of her single life," including an obituary and macabre decor. Perfect for October. Her reception was a costume party with prizes and dress up. I was a German barmaid with my daughter. MCed the thing. It looked like a carnival--ball pits, cotton candy, candy bar (lots of giant glass skulls filled with different types of candy), popcorn favors, and nachos. It was a blast.

My mom was the second one to get married. While my sister was planning her nuptials, my mom started dating after being widowed for over a year. As an even more mature bride than my sister, her dating and engagement were even quicker. They started dating in September. Engaged in November and married in January. Again, I helped decorate and be an emotional support. I made little flower corsages and boutonnieres for all the kids--all 13 of them on both sides and spouses!

In the middle of all this, my daughter got engaged with a May wedding date. So around my sister and my mom's wedding, I planned my daughter's wedding. Not because I'm a busy-body mom. My daughter doesn't like planning activities and didn't care what we did. Which meant it was super low-key. As the last of the weddings within 7 months (and spanning three generations), I was a little pooped out. But since she's an avid reader, we did a book-themed wedding. I bought tons of hardbacks from the thrift store and wrapped them in bundles with crocheted ribbon and baby's breath. I also secured books from my author friends and wrapped them in a tulip wrap (that's what I call the booktok book wrap) and we did "blind date with a book" as the favor. I ordered bookmarks the groom designed. In one week, we (I attended a conference for two of those days), got the dress, ordered the cake, found a photographer, secured the venue, and bought the dress. It was a busy time. 


I am wedding-ed out! But the last was here. This last weekend, we hosted a small open house for local people to come and visit and meet the groom (the wedding was out of state). I sent out save-the-dates in Feb. so not surprised that people forgot and only a few of my friends came.  But it was perfect. I had a perfect amount of food, drink and snacks. Our house never got too crowded and the people who came had a great time. It is humbling to see how gracious people are. I am grateful that we still celebrate and commend marriage. That we still want to support those young kids just starting out. It's hard. It's a sacrifice. I'm so grateful to my good friends who supported my daughter and her new husband.


But man...I need to sit and stare at the wall for a bit and relax. But I can't. I've got my Backerkit launch next week. I have the Seasons ofSugar Creek--Summer book to revise! First draft is done! Despite the crazy, being sick, people in town, going out of town and wedding stuff, stories must be told!


What do you do in times of stress to take care of yourself? I read.

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