Home Alone
Sep. 14th, 2004 09:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lathanyTales of a wedding, a playgroup and a Jewish godmother.
Much has been already been said on the subject of Ralph and Liz's wedding, but that isn't going to deter me from adding in my comments.
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bateleur and I arrived early (about quarter to two, just after the first minibus), as planned, because we knew we would have to leave early for our babysitters to be able to train back to Cambridge. We arrived in a slightly unhappy state due to the car making dubious noises. However a roll of duct tape (courtesy of Jez, who is fast becoming my knight in shining armour) solved the little problem (a loose mudguard) and quickly ended the only misery of the day.
It was colder than it had been all week (possibly it wasn't, because I'm comparing London to Wantage here), but still warm enough for thin cotton sleeves and for wandering around on the square green bit. Being exceptionally early, the venue weren't actually completely ready for us; however there was plenty of space to stand and chat in and plenty of nice people to talk to. Plus the side entertainment of watching TheHattedOne menace small children with bubbles.
About ten minutes after we had arrived (and before the official 2pm start time), the doors opened and we were allowed in to sample scones with cream and jam. I can thoroughly recommend chocolate chip scones and regarded them as the high point of the food.leathellin did an excellent job whilst my sympathies go to hearthfire for the double yuck of both being ill and having to miss the wedding because of it.
The next hour was spent wandering around with a plateful of scone, talking to people whom I either never see any more or only meet on LJ. In particular, Jez (of course!), Tim H (with Fran and Stella),wimble, narenek, unknownid (more on this subject later), TheHattedOne, quantumboo, plus secretrebel, of course, (who I unintentionally threatened with jam "not until after the ceremony!"). I also got to chat to a few people that I do occasionally see; in particular ealuscerwen, venta and ao_lai.
Promptly for three we were summoned into the main hall for the ceremony itself. Now, sad woman that I am, I often find myself comparing weddings back to my own (which, for those we weren't present, was a very cheap, casual occasion involving a heavy friends presence, fancy dress and a battle re-enactment). I really enjoyed my wedding, but there are things in other people's that I envy. In Ralph and Liz's case this definitely applied to the fairy lights decorating the barn (and later the restaurant room). The ceremony was short and moving.secretrebel's poem was a good choice (particularly the line about mess!), the harp playing was superb (another thing for the envy list) and the singing was unexpectedly good (OK, I can't sing, and I'm always amazed when other people can).
After the ceremony there was more chat, photographs (during which I accidentally headbutted TheHattedOne :-( ) and Pimms (all weddings should have Pimms - although, no envy here 'cos we did). During this lull, Jez helped fix the car, Tim H raved about the beer and I took coupley pictures ofsecretrebel and ao_lai ( :-) ). Then at five (on schedule) we were called into dinner by onebyone. Then, five minutes later, we were actually allowed into the dining room.
I sat with (clockwise)bateleur, unknownid, ealuscerwen, onebyone, killalla, frax and cardinalsin. This was possibly a mistake as onebyone and cardinalsin started to say "Scheme!" to each other in an excited fashion (a BaCon reference see here), but frax managed to calm them down eventually.
There were short, good speeches (althoughsmiorgan's was, due to the long list of helpers, starting to sound a little like the Oscars) and then food began. Or, rather, tables being called out for food began (note to self : sit closer to High Table next time). However there was champagne, nice white wine and good company (plus that chocolate scone back at 2pm); so the wait wasn't too terrible.
After dinner I finally caught up with Martin-the-LJless (ie. Martin L) and we talked birthdays (we share one), life and the sad state of American politics (<looks meaningfully at>condign). But then my happy day came to an end as bateleur informed me that our time was up (7:30pm).
All-in-all an excellent wedding. Plus (finally!) Congratulations To Ralph And Liz!
I arrived fifteen minutes early. And waited, and waited. Ryan and Bea were excited. I was terrified.
"What if they take one look and send the twins home?"
"What if Ryan bursts into tears?"
"What if I burst into tears?"
"Why the hell do they need an emergency number anyway?! (I'd already given them my home one)"
We were finally let in. I queued up to talk to the staff whilst Bea and Ryan made a bee-line for the paints and the water ("Mess, Mummy!"). I think it was fairly obvious to the staff which of the three of us was getting the jitters.
I filled in a form detailing their medical history (ie. their immunisations and the fact they had chicken pox), religion (huh? they're two!) and drink preferences (milk vs squash rather than anything exciting). I then wobbled in a corner for a bit before coming home.
And the good news? I've not been rung up yet - so it looks like they get to stay.
The visa situation sucks (something I'm sure thatverlaine would agree with). It meant that bateleur and I still haven't been able to meet Elizabeth. On the plus side, however, it resulted in unknownid staying with us instead of in a hotel in Marble Arch.
I bought crumpets, triple chocolate cookies and bread. Thenunknownid arrived and reminded me she had wheat intolerance (is that the right description?). Ooops. Never mind. We fed her risotto, curry and spaghetti carbonara (using a non-wheat pasta) along with finest custard, chocolate crispies and Ben and Jerry's. We also munched Icelandic chocolates and drank Icelandic dessert wine (guess where her flight change happened?).
We pootled around and talked, walked the kids, talked, shopped (in our exciting Tesco store!), talked and watched Alias (season one).unknownid took various little problems in her stride (the twins rising at 8:30am, and semi-skimmed milk instead of half and half in her coffee ;-) ) and made for a comfortable house guest.
And the twins thought she was great.
Much has been already been said on the subject of Ralph and Liz's wedding, but that isn't going to deter me from adding in my comments.
bateleur and I arrived early (about quarter to two, just after the first minibus), as planned, because we knew we would have to leave early for our babysitters to be able to train back to Cambridge. We arrived in a slightly unhappy state due to the car making dubious noises. However a roll of duct tape (courtesy of Jez, who is fast becoming my knight in shining armour) solved the little problem (a loose mudguard) and quickly ended the only misery of the day.It was colder than it had been all week (possibly it wasn't, because I'm comparing London to Wantage here), but still warm enough for thin cotton sleeves and for wandering around on the square green bit. Being exceptionally early, the venue weren't actually completely ready for us; however there was plenty of space to stand and chat in and plenty of nice people to talk to. Plus the side entertainment of watching TheHattedOne menace small children with bubbles.
About ten minutes after we had arrived (and before the official 2pm start time), the doors opened and we were allowed in to sample scones with cream and jam. I can thoroughly recommend chocolate chip scones and regarded them as the high point of the food.
leathellin did an excellent job whilst my sympathies go to hearthfire for the double yuck of both being ill and having to miss the wedding because of it.The next hour was spent wandering around with a plateful of scone, talking to people whom I either never see any more or only meet on LJ. In particular, Jez (of course!), Tim H (with Fran and Stella),
wimble, narenek, unknownid (more on this subject later), TheHattedOne, quantumboo, plus secretrebel, of course, (who I unintentionally threatened with jam "not until after the ceremony!"). I also got to chat to a few people that I do occasionally see; in particular ealuscerwen, venta and ao_lai.Promptly for three we were summoned into the main hall for the ceremony itself. Now, sad woman that I am, I often find myself comparing weddings back to my own (which, for those we weren't present, was a very cheap, casual occasion involving a heavy friends presence, fancy dress and a battle re-enactment). I really enjoyed my wedding, but there are things in other people's that I envy. In Ralph and Liz's case this definitely applied to the fairy lights decorating the barn (and later the restaurant room). The ceremony was short and moving.
secretrebel's poem was a good choice (particularly the line about mess!), the harp playing was superb (another thing for the envy list) and the singing was unexpectedly good (OK, I can't sing, and I'm always amazed when other people can).After the ceremony there was more chat, photographs (during which I accidentally headbutted TheHattedOne :-( ) and Pimms (all weddings should have Pimms - although, no envy here 'cos we did). During this lull, Jez helped fix the car, Tim H raved about the beer and I took coupley pictures of
secretrebel and ao_lai ( :-) ). Then at five (on schedule) we were called into dinner by onebyone. Then, five minutes later, we were actually allowed into the dining room.I sat with (clockwise)
bateleur, unknownid, ealuscerwen, onebyone, killalla, frax and cardinalsin. This was possibly a mistake as onebyone and cardinalsin started to say "Scheme!" to each other in an excited fashion (a BaCon reference see here), but frax managed to calm them down eventually.There were short, good speeches (although
smiorgan's was, due to the long list of helpers, starting to sound a little like the Oscars) and then food began. Or, rather, tables being called out for food began (note to self : sit closer to High Table next time). However there was champagne, nice white wine and good company (plus that chocolate scone back at 2pm); so the wait wasn't too terrible.After dinner I finally caught up with Martin-the-LJless (ie. Martin L) and we talked birthdays (we share one), life and the sad state of American politics (<looks meaningfully at>
condign). But then my happy day came to an end as bateleur informed me that our time was up (7:30pm).All-in-all an excellent wedding. Plus (finally!) Congratulations To Ralph And Liz!
I arrived fifteen minutes early. And waited, and waited. Ryan and Bea were excited. I was terrified.
"What if they take one look and send the twins home?"
"What if Ryan bursts into tears?"
"What if I burst into tears?"
"Why the hell do they need an emergency number anyway?! (I'd already given them my home one)"
We were finally let in. I queued up to talk to the staff whilst Bea and Ryan made a bee-line for the paints and the water ("Mess, Mummy!"). I think it was fairly obvious to the staff which of the three of us was getting the jitters.
I filled in a form detailing their medical history (ie. their immunisations and the fact they had chicken pox), religion (huh? they're two!) and drink preferences (milk vs squash rather than anything exciting). I then wobbled in a corner for a bit before coming home.
And the good news? I've not been rung up yet - so it looks like they get to stay.
The visa situation sucks (something I'm sure that
verlaine would agree with). It meant that bateleur and I still haven't been able to meet Elizabeth. On the plus side, however, it resulted in unknownid staying with us instead of in a hotel in Marble Arch.I bought crumpets, triple chocolate cookies and bread. Then
unknownid arrived and reminded me she had wheat intolerance (is that the right description?). Ooops. Never mind. We fed her risotto, curry and spaghetti carbonara (using a non-wheat pasta) along with finest custard, chocolate crispies and Ben and Jerry's. We also munched Icelandic chocolates and drank Icelandic dessert wine (guess where her flight change happened?).We pootled around and talked, walked the kids, talked, shopped (in our exciting Tesco store!), talked and watched Alias (season one).
unknownid took various little problems in her stride (the twins rising at 8:30am, and semi-skimmed milk instead of half and half in her coffee ;-) ) and made for a comfortable house guest.And the twins thought she was great.
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no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 11:24 am (UTC)Jess is Tim's sister - I think you mean Stella (his daughter).
Jez, who is fast becoming my knight in shining armour
Good choice given that he actually owns a suit of armour !
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 12:16 pm (UTC)Good point. I'll change that.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 11:32 am (UTC)Presumably they want to know whether you have a religion which you regard as hereditary :)
Could be relevant if ever the twins needed medical treatment, or indeed if the playgroup suddenly felt like dishing out bacon sarnies.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 12:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 12:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 12:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 01:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 02:16 pm (UTC)I'm most amused by that ! This must be where chruches get all those bizarre stats that appear on the news and prove they still have members.
In fact, that must mean Beatrice was converted at some point, since she was an atheist back when Winchester SCBU wanted to know.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 04:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-14 04:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-15 08:33 pm (UTC)someday i'll be his eccentric american auntie who totally lets him away with stuff and buys him an antisocial-looking leather jacket (although not the motorcycle to go with).
no subject
Date: 2004-09-15 08:24 pm (UTC)i would like to mention that i am, on the whole, very tolerant of wheat, just not in my food. and, you know, where i can see it, because why can't people do stuff like eat wheat in the privacy of their own homes? why do they need to FLAUNT it all the time?
i loved going to Tesco's. major highlight of trip. and the coffee was excellent, despite lack of butterfat, and the entertainment was as always top-notch.
And the twins thought she was great.
the feeling was mutual, i'm sure! often kids make me somewhat nervous, but B&R graciously put me at my ease immediately. actually, i wonder if it's not the *parents* i'm usually nervous about...
congratulations on making it through the first day of playgroup with few tears (on your part, that is...)