WITHDRAWAL

It seems like all summer I have been running at full tilt planning showers,weddings, dances, and then helping three kids pack up and move out. After months of having a full house and cooking for a crowd, I now find myself an empty-nester. Hmm ... now what do I do with myself? I've read a few books, cleaned and organized a few rooms. I bought a label maker and labeled things. (Ange, you would be proud) I even impressed my husband by removing channels we didn't get from the guide. I admit I was starting to get a bit bored but I didn't realize I was addicted to party planning until last night when I received an email from a friend who is helping her friend plan a wedding for January. She asked where I got my paper lanterns from and I immediately started to form ideas in my head as to how they could decorate and then went on the internet to garner even more ideas. This is not a good sign. I have nothing to do with this reception. My name is Fionna and I am a party planning addict. Please help!

TOTAL AWESOMENESS

As if I haven't had enough to do this summer, I decided to hold a mini dessert reception and dance for Daniel and Olivia last night. Out came the candles, tulle, and paper lanterns again. Fireworks were also purchased for the occasion. Awesome!

The boys were put in charge of setting them off. Red, green, and yellow stars lit the sky and we were all enjoying the show when all of a sudden an explosion lit up the bush behind the guys. At this point I am thinking "uh oh, I hope it doesn't catch fire" when the next thing I know, another bolt of explosives heads straight for a group of guests watching at what we thought was a safe distance. The group of girls I was standing with all started laughing at this turn of events , that is until a streak of white headed in our direction. Three girls took off in all directions, screaming at the top of their lungs, while I was left doubled over unable to move an inch in fear of laughing so hard I would wet my pants completely. Total awesomeness!!!!!!

WHAT FUN

I had no idea that decorating a tent for a wedding was so much work or so much fun. The joy in it came from working together as a family to create something beautiful for our only daughter/sister. It took us the better part of an afternoon to set up tables and chairs and hang lanterns but the end result was well worth the effort.

The most amusing part of the day was the phone call I received from my dear husband as he tried to purchase more fabric for the tables. I had decided early on that I would prefer one long piece of cloth to cover a row of tables rather than smaller tablecloths for each table. It ended up being much cheaper than buying tablecloths and the effect was nicer. I am now the proud owner of 25 meters of white material. At $2.50 a meter it was a fraction of the cost of the cheapest tablecloths I could find at $14. I would have needed 12 so that was a saving of over $100 dollars. Then there was the added benefit of talking my husband through the ordeal of having to go to a fabric store and finding/purchasing the appropriate material. With the help of an attentive employee at the store, he passed with flying colours and arrived home quite pleased with himself. There is hope for the man after all.