Bedding Wells
Aj and I just got back into town from Kansas City - Jim's wedding was this weekend. It was really nice - but the whole thing sort of wore me out!
On a physical level - Aj and I had volunteered months ago to bartend the reception - which was outdoors - so, we spent the morning setting up the tent with tables, chairs, decorations, beer, soda, wine, food, etc - for about 75 people. Because it was over 90 that day - and humid - we hauled about 300 lbs of ice in during the reception - (it kept melting). We had to siphon water out of the beer tubs all day to keep them from overflowing with ice-melt. Beyond that - we just kept people refreshed. Afterward - we broke everything down and cleaned up until midnight or so.
On an emotional level - I realized kinda late in the game (during the wedding!) that I was in sort of an awkward position as the daughter of Jim's previous (deceased) wife. Even though I consider Jim "dad" - I am an ex-"step" daughter in most people's eyes - and so it was just strange. I think some people (who are not close to the family) were really confused as to what in the heck I was doing there. My Mom's Mom (Grandma Ruby) was there as well and at one point, Jim's new wife's Mom came over and asked who we were. My Grandma said, "well - I'm Ruby, I used to be Jim's Mother-in-law" and her response was, "well - it's good that you can stay friendly" - as if maybe she thought Jim was divorced, and not widowed. I guess I just was not expecting people to be wondering who I was. Strange!
Then there was the whole realization that in essence, Phyllis is now "step-mom" and her two children are now step brother and sister to myself and my two step-siblings (Jim's kids). Aaack. My family tree continues to mutate. There were other emotionally draining moments of course - a lot of emotions I was not expecting - but I won't get into that here.
A funny: When my grandma arrived at Jim's wedding, I asked her right away how she'd been feeling, because she told me on the phone that she'd been feeling really worn out lately. Here is how the conversation went:
Me: "Hi Grandma! How are you feeling? 'Ya pooped?"
Grandma: (thinking..) "No ...but I am tired!"
On a physical level - Aj and I had volunteered months ago to bartend the reception - which was outdoors - so, we spent the morning setting up the tent with tables, chairs, decorations, beer, soda, wine, food, etc - for about 75 people. Because it was over 90 that day - and humid - we hauled about 300 lbs of ice in during the reception - (it kept melting). We had to siphon water out of the beer tubs all day to keep them from overflowing with ice-melt. Beyond that - we just kept people refreshed. Afterward - we broke everything down and cleaned up until midnight or so.
On an emotional level - I realized kinda late in the game (during the wedding!) that I was in sort of an awkward position as the daughter of Jim's previous (deceased) wife. Even though I consider Jim "dad" - I am an ex-"step" daughter in most people's eyes - and so it was just strange. I think some people (who are not close to the family) were really confused as to what in the heck I was doing there. My Mom's Mom (Grandma Ruby) was there as well and at one point, Jim's new wife's Mom came over and asked who we were. My Grandma said, "well - I'm Ruby, I used to be Jim's Mother-in-law" and her response was, "well - it's good that you can stay friendly" - as if maybe she thought Jim was divorced, and not widowed. I guess I just was not expecting people to be wondering who I was. Strange!
Then there was the whole realization that in essence, Phyllis is now "step-mom" and her two children are now step brother and sister to myself and my two step-siblings (Jim's kids). Aaack. My family tree continues to mutate. There were other emotionally draining moments of course - a lot of emotions I was not expecting - but I won't get into that here.
A funny: When my grandma arrived at Jim's wedding, I asked her right away how she'd been feeling, because she told me on the phone that she'd been feeling really worn out lately. Here is how the conversation went:
Me: "Hi Grandma! How are you feeling? 'Ya pooped?"
Grandma: (thinking..) "No ...but I am tired!"
posted by Bo | 8/02/2004 04:04:00 PM
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