Sabbath, March 16, 2013

Annapolis, Maryland -- last weekend.

Karissa arrived about 6 pm...so good to have her home.   She came so I could go to be with family for our niece's wedding in Annapolis, Maryland.  Had a short evening together...

Indonesian Salad by Weny and Lily

Friday 1:30 am...up cause I could not sleep, dressed, packed, and left home for St. Louis by 2:30.  My plane departed near 6 am, stopped and changed planes in Pittsburg.  Reagan National Airport was warm and sunny and I walked on the sidewalk for 20 minutes or so until Juli and Wolfi picked me up.   My sister, Juli, has a temporary assignment at Jenelia Farms to the east of DC, so it was on their way to Annapolis to pick me up.  We headed right over to our Hampton Inn where my brother, Jonathan, and his family had an Indonesian lunch all ready for us in their suite.  Weny and her mom are both great oriental cooks and it was wonderful to share their home-cooked meal.  Before long, Jon's other girls arrived;  Kristen, the bride and the eldest, who lives and works near DC; Kimberly and her boyfriend, David, she is the youngest; and Kathryn, married and pregnant; both the younger girls live in Lafayette, Louisianna.

Sisters Heidi, Juli, Weny, her mom Lily and nephew Matthew

We just enjoyed being together and talking with everyone.  When they had to leave and get ready for the rehearsal dinner, then Heidi and I, and Juli and Wolfi got settled in our room next door.  Because of all the history in Annapolis, we drove downtown and walked all around the US Naval Academy.  Later on that evening, we ate at a Viet-Thai restaurant and had more lovely oriental food and great fellowship. 

Thomas Point with Wolfi, Juli and Heidi

Sabbath, it warmed up considerably.  We all ate breakfast at the hotel and while they all started getting ready for the wedding, the four of us adventured nearby.  Annapolis is right on Chesepeake Bay so in all directions is water and creeks and rivers and that glorious huge bay.  We found Thomas Point, a wildlife management area out on a neck of land where we could walk out onto the Point.  We parked our car and then walked, some along the rocky shore, and some on the path, even some on the dirt road.  At the point, we could easily see over to the other side of the bay to the east.  To the north was the Bay Bridge, with bumper to bumper traffic going over to the scenic areas.  Our plans to venture over were nixxed seeing that traffic!  We watched lots of various kinds of ducks out in the water, saw the light house out in the Bay, and just sat on the bench and enjoyed the view and being together.  Even walking along the road with beautiful beach homes on either side was a pleasure.  

Here comes the BRIDE!

Kristen and Hil's wedding was in a favorite area of theirs, in a beautiful catholic church.  It was a full mass and there were about sixty guests there.  Her sisters were her bridesmaids.  Both being quite shy, Kristen and Hil were reserved, but also excited.  The priest was funny and there was much laughter. 

Our nephew, Matthew, Jon and Weny's only son, is 5 years old and is used to going to mass with his mom.  When it was time for communion, he wanted some, too, and proceeded into the line with his mom.  She told him no, not till he was older, and instead of going back to his seat, he got in the back of the line and again waited his turn.  He just could not understand why he couldn't have some too.  We all laughed.  He was holding his apache helicopter and would rarely let it go. 

The reception was held just down the street at the Maryland Inn, a lovely old vintage place, excellent for weddings, and came complete with bridal and guests suites upstairs.  The first hour was a reception time with wonderful appetizers.  After family pictures in the church, they had some outdoor photos taken as well.  About six of us walked down to the wharf because it was not quite time for the reception.  Lovely shops and restaurants line the cobblestone streets, and the wharf has lots of pretty boats.  Because the day was so sunny and warm, people were out in swarms enjoying the bayfront.

My brother, Jon, and his family

 

After the reception/visitation time, we had a sit down meal.  Kristen and Hil were at their own little table.  Hil was so shy of kissing Kristen in front of everyone, so one time, instead of kissing her, he shook her hand.  Another time, they "hi-fived" each other and we all just roared.  They were really sweet together.  In their first dance, they did a swing, sort-of salsa dance.  It was lovely.  Afterward he said, "I'm just the frame; she is the artwork."  That was precious! 

Jon doesn't dance much but he did a lovely slow dance with Kristen and showed himself to be a very proud Dad.  

Juli, Heidi, me, Jon, and cousin Kathleen

For dinner, there were several different choices.  I had the vegetarian plate after a delicious salad and roll.  Several of us were anxious for the CAKE and finally, very late, they served it, and it was just wonderful AND served with chocolate covered strawberries....ummm, good!  We left when it was nearly 9 pm after a totally awesome day.

Sunday morning, there was a 10 am brunch with more than 20 of us family gathered.  Our cousin, Kathleen, came over with her daughter, Janelle, from Silver Springs, Maryland.  She had not seen Jon in many years.  She's in the picture to the left. 

Juli and I on our woodsy walk before flying home

                                                                          We were already checked out of our hotel and ready to leave for the airport.  Wolfi, Juli and I just had time to take a great walk in the woods nearby and got in some more visiting and good exercise.  My flight home was uneventful.  But the drive home was driving, pouring rain with poor visibility for part of the time and that was miserable.  Was so glad to get home just about 10 pm.  Karissa and Dad had done well together. Each time I talked to them on the phone, John said how delighted he was to have Karissa and how good she was to him!  So sweet.

We hit the ground running on Monday morning since John and I had three medical appointments back at Barnes.  Karissa left early to go back to school and we left near 8:30 in order to get there in time.  I made the foolish mistake (not thinking quite clearly, obviously) of putting my laptop in a bag with a water bottle.  Struggled with it all day and now of course it won't boot up.  I've felt "heavy" all week with the burden of all my stuff on there with no access...trying to get it in to have it worked on. 

In my next blog, I'll tell you about our medical appointments and our progress.  Thanks for reading!