My letter from the house at 212

The other day I was looking through some pictures and came across this scanned photo of a letter I wrote to my aunt Mollie when I was 9 years old. It still makes me laugh every time I read it. Just in case you can't make it out due to my awesome 9 year old penmanship, I retyped it below. So scroll down, read and then I'll break it down in today's vernacular.

Dear Mollie and Everybody,
I am getting this off a little late, But I hope everybody is fine. I had a nice time. Joe got here about 3:30 and left Monday. I don't have much to say because I have to get to sleep. But Becky is talking on the phone and Frank is in the Bathroom. I guess I better get to sleep. From all of us, Love Lisa


First of all, why did I feel the need to insult my aunt Nina and my uncle Jay by calling them everybody? Could I not write out their names at the lazy age of 9? The sentence about Joe coming to town was regarding my teenaged cousin coming for a short visit. The one thing I did notice....and am pretty proud of....is my spelling was A+ but my use of capitalization needed some work. And more importantly, why did I feel the need to tell them about Frank's bodily functions and Becky's phone conversation? I must've been stretching the letter due to lack of interesting content. I'm pretty sure the talk about my need for sleep was a way to keep the letter short and sweet. And don't even get me started on the stationary with scary freak clown playing with the lovable lion. That's just weird.

I'd bet they laughed out loud when they read it. I know I would've. But what really gets me is, they kept my silly letter. I didn't know it until they'd passed away and we were cleaning out the house. That's when I found it. All of us found stuff we'd sent them over the years, carefully tucked away in the little closet under the stairs. And what a grand place that little closet was. Full of puzzles and letters and keepsakes and cashmere coats, as well as the wonderful scent that helped make it what it was. Filled with the love of a family, in a house called 212.

Reception fun

On the ride to the reception, this was our lovely view.


This Marine wasn't directing traffic, and who doesn't love a man in uniform?


Some of the Louisiana Walkers arriving. This building was in the middle and was surrounded by quaint little antique stores and cafes. It was so cute.


The west Texas Walkers.


Kelly patiently waiting to be announced with her new hubby.


And here they are.


They look happy and relaxed. The wedding planning can be fun, but there comes a time when it's better when it's over! And I love the guy standing against the wall. Meditating I'm sure.


First dance.


Look at Jon's purple headed silhouette. Interesting.




Mom enjoying the moment.






Love the cutting of the cake with the sword.


Something ain't right.


Smile Randy, you've got food.


Mollie's always camera ready.


Looking good Swander peeps.


Everyone cleans up quite nicely.




Keith and Joe.


Emma was trying to steal William from me. It didn't happen.


Heads melded together.


Carrie and the boys.


My hair's a little wonky.


The O and the M.


When I first saw this I thought, "Holy smokes, why didn't someone tell me how bad my hair was?" Then I realized it was the shadow of my hair on the wall, and I was relieved and amused. William could care less.


He's moved on to others.


Olivia's getting an idea from William.


Whitney and the marines again.


People grouping up for a girlie picture. Olivia looks delighted with her closeness to Mollie.


A few more peeps showed up to join them.


Looks like Carlie's stirring up trouble. Typical.


I took this picture holding my camera up over my head. This is what I get for doing it that way. And Carlie says, "Woop woop, party in the house!"


Same thing here.


And again.


Four generations represented here.


And Melanie took this lovely picture through the sunroof in her car. This was the building where the reception was. It's enchanting.


And so ended another fun filled Texas wedding weekend. As weddings go, this one was aces. I'm sort of sad I don't have anymore on the books, so if you know anyone getting married in Texas, tell them to call me.

For Kelly and John I hope for the best of everything above all that you've dreamed. Health and happiness, with no worries or struggles. I'm glad this wedding will always be in my bank of fond memories. Congratulations to the new Walkers. I'm so jealous you got to keep your name, but the DMV is gonna freak when you try to explain it.

Godspeed.

It's picture time at the church

I know all people who read this blog have been sitting on pins and needles waiting to find out if we made it to the church on time, or early. Actually, that couldn't be farther from the truth since almost all of my blog followers were the same ones trying to make it on time! The simple answer is, yes we made it with much time to spare. The wedding of Kelly and Jon took place in a huge Catholic church in Texas, and most people who know me know quite well the issues I've had with many things Catholic scaring the begeezez out of me. Because, don't ever forget, nuns are some of the scariest people on earth. At least the ones I knew. And I don't care if you personally knew a nice nun, I never did. And it wasn't bad behavior on my part, so just keep that comment to yourself. They were frightening and somewhat pissed off at the world. And even though I saw no visible nuns in the church, I have no doubt they were lurking somewhere, ever at the ready to rap someone across the knuckles for something they didn't like. So, imagine my lack of surprise when I saw this sign in the church. There were multi of these all over the place.

I'm telling you these people mean business. So if you find yourself in a service at this place, prepare to "hold it" til it's over, cause I have no doubt one of those lurking nuns will tackle you to the ground to win the day. I'm just telling you the truth. And I pretty much feel the same way about priests as well. The priests I knew were meanies, with one telling me my third grade drawing of Jesus was, "not at all what Jesus would look like." Come to think of it, how the heck did he know anyway? WHAT. A. JERK. I remember going to church with Mollie and Nina when I was little and we went down to the altar for communion and when I didn't say amen loud enough the priest man yelled....or stated very loudly, "SAY AMEN!" Hello angry priest man! I was trying to avoid you even noticing me in case you were hungry and wanted to eat a small child! And that's just one of the reasons for the begeezez being scared out of me by those people. That story is true and non-fabricated.

But on this day in this place, I made sure my behavior was impeccable and remained as still and quiet as a mouse. Besides, I was sitting next to Becky, and she's just one step down from nuns on the scary scale! OK that's not really true, but it is a little. Anyway, the priest declared no photography during the ceremony so, there was none. Once the ceremony was over, we stepped in and took quite a few photos. Well, let me tell the real truth, Melanie took many photos. I took just a few because you can't keep your eye on a priest and in the camera at the same time. Melanie got the good ones. Have a look.

The lovely newly married couple.


Scary man in the background. Take cover.


They look so cute.


Some of the family attendees, Randy, Kelly, Keith and Becky.


Dale and Willie D, who behaved perfectly. I'm talking about Willie, not Dale.


Lovely girls.


Oldest and youngest of my kiddoes.


Carrie and another great picture with her nieces. It's been a good year for pictures of Carrie with her nieces.


The older generation. The bro in law, the husband, and the cousin.


Such a cutie pie baby boy.


Another great picture.


As well as this one of my cousin and her husband.


The proud parents of the bride.


Love love love the dresses AND the shoes.


Heather with her four adorable kids. So cute!


Owen and the Gmaw looking mighty fine.


People waiting as pictures were taken. Also, in this photo are two signs yelling at people not to leave early!


This is a great of Connie, Cyndi and Tori.


The groom and his groomsmen.


The lovely bride.


Love her beautiful dress.


Mom with her lovely daughter and son-in-law.


I especially love this picture.


Well done Melanie on the photo taking. And when the photographing was finished, it was off to the reception at the most charming venue in McKinney Texas. Come back and see for yourself another day. Hopefully soon.