About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

C is for CHOICES

In Round 13, I wrote that C is for Courage and as I was pondering this round, it suddenly occurred to me that I've had to have a lot of courage lately to make some CHOICES in my life.  First of all, Lorne and I have set the date for our wedding, which will celebrate not only the love we have for each other, but also our commitment to each other no matter what lies ahead.

When I started planning the wedding, I thought that because we had both been married before, we should have a small ceremony with only family and close friends.  I should wear a nice dress but not a bridal gown.  We would just have a cocktail party and keep it really simple.  I was a bit concerned that people would look askance at us, especially if I wore a bridal gown.  But then when I told one of my best friends we'd set the date, she jumped at helping me out by being my bridal consultant (she has arranged many weddings in the past along with her own 3 daughters' weddings) and my professional photographer. 

So after booking the venue, off we went in search of a dress.  Note that I was thinking of "a" dress.  We ended up at David's Bridal and Wendy and the store's consultant went off to pull dresses for me while I waited in the dressing room.  The rack outside the room quickly filled up with none other than bridal gowns!  Long ones, short ones, tea length ones...and some coloured ones.  The second dress I tried on gave me chills until I looked at the price tag!  I said to Wendy that I loved it, but (gulp!) it was rather dear.

So I kept on trying all the dresses that they brought for me.  I kept insisting that I didn't want to look like a ridiculous "old" bride trying to look young.  Sigh!  Finally, I was getting tired but I couldn't get the thought of that second dress out of my mind.  Wendy said to me, "Listen, after all you and Lorne have been through in your lives, you deserve this!  Aren't you worth at least as much as what you paid for your daughter's dress?"  So I tried the dress on again, and this time considered it more seriously.  We agreed that it was suitable for my age (tea length and basically fully covered up) and for the venue, which is a heritage home not far from where we live.  And I thought to myself as I teared up, "I look good!  I look young! Lorne will weep when he sees me in this dress!"

And I said "Yes to the dress!"

Two choices down - the venue and the dress - and more choices coming up.  We are in the process of choosing the food that the caterer will provide and a dress for my attendant (Cathy was my best friend that I travelled to England with in 2012).  We chose to have a noon wedding with a high tea sort of reception where everyone can mingle at the heritage home near the beach that we've booked. And one more major choice is the wedding cake.  It doesn't need to be large, but it does need to be special.

The wedding will be May 1st - only about 3 months from now, so stay tuned! 

And NO you can't see the dress yet.  But here are some shots of the venue - Cammidge House, built in 1914.  The municipality is celebrating its 100th anniversary this spring, too.  Weather permitting, we'll say our vows outside on the porch (which will be decorated with ivy, kissing balls, and flowers) but if weather does not cooperate, we'll say the vows in front of the old fireplace in the living room.

Now before you exit, be sure to think of the comely Denise, the founder of ABCW, and our administrator Roger, who manages to stay calm when people don't follow the rules and regulations of the site.   So a little reminder to those who are new here (and a HUGE WELCOME, by the way) that it is important to read the little section on the homepage about linking to the ABCW site and keeping your post to something relating to the letter of the week.

Ciao!

36 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

I'm very happy for you, dear Leslie. BTW, my sister Leslie has a new beau.

When you used "dear" as expensive, it DID remind me of my maternal grandmother; maybe she was Canadian!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

All so exciting and yes , courage is a great word for you two. Choices too. I cannot wait to see what you are wearing , and how great to have a "consultant".. It is going to happen at last.. love is in the air xx

Reader Wil said...

Congratulations with your courageous choices. I wish you both an excellent day, and I am curious what the dress looks like!
Wil, ABCW Team

Chris said...

What wonderful news, congratulations to you and Lorne.. and yes you need a dress you really love, that makes you feel good and makes you feel young, what ever the price!
Love Chris xxx

Trubes said...

I almost 'Cried when I read this you both are 'Courageous in taking this step, the right step, if I may say so...
Love 'Conquers all in the en1
I wish you both lots of Cwtch's, 'Cuddles, 'Companionshipand most of all,
Complete joy...
love Di..xxxx

P.S. one of these days I will fathom out how to join ABC Wednesdays..xx

Trubes said...

Oops! Should read! 'in the end'

Shailaja V said...

MANY many congratulations to you two! That sounds like a lovely dress and a warm, intimate ceremony:) May you carry cheer, care and cozy memories of the grand occasion.

Carver said...

Congratulations and I loved this post. One of my sisters recently got married for the second time and she's in her 60s. I have to say it was one of the best weddings I've been to. When we got married (me and both of my sisters) ranging from the early 1970s to 1980 for the youngest (me), it was more of our parents thing. I guess by that I mean they arranged and paid for everything and many of the guests were parent friends. Same with my brother except it was his wife's parents' production so to speak. Those were fine and fun weddings but there is something extra special about wedding with people who are older because they tend to do it all their way. That was certainly the case with my sister and I loved it. I know your wedding will be special.

Dina said...

How exciting! Mazal tov, Leslie!!

Richard Lawry said...

C is for Congratulations! Cammidge House looks lovely. An Arkie's Musings

Indrani said...

All the best for the journey ahead!

Hildred said...

Happy for you Leslie, - your plans sound wonderful and my 'dearest' congratulations to you both. I too, noticed the word 'dear' in connection with your wedding dress, and knew immediately what you meant, being Canadian. But it was a word my English mother used too....be happy and spoil yourself and Lorne - you both deserve it.

photowannabe said...

My eyes are very blurry now!
Leslie, I am so thrilled you have made this commitment and have finally set the date.
You deserve the happiness and joy I can hear in your writing this post.
I can't wait to hear about all the plans and to see your dress.

Ann said...

Well you know we are all looking forward to seeing pictures of you in the dress at the ceremony. It looks like a wonderful venue for the celebration. What a special time for you and Loren--enjoy every minute.
Ann

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Congratulations! I've only known you via ABC Wednesday for a few months, but I definitely agree with your friend that you and Lorne deserve a wedding celebration. Blessings!

Powell River Books said...

Sounds like some really good (and fun) choices. For my second wedding, we borrowed my Mom and Dad's minister and were married on Christmas Eve in front of the tree. We are a very small family, so only had my uncle join us (he was there for the holidays anyway). But it was a memorable event for Wayne and I, and it is hard to forget our anniversary. - Margy

magiceye said...

Sounds so exciting!! And the venue is classic and apt for the occasion too!!!
Best wishes!!

Beverley Baird said...

Congratulations! I too married for a second time and decided I had to have my fiary tale wedding that I didn't have first time round. I had a gorgeous wedding dress (very expensive - but I felt like a queen!), and we went all out, but not that expensively as we were catered by out UCW. It was a glorious day - for us two 50 year olds and we have been married almost 12 years! Enjoy your special day!

Rajesh said...

Great choices.

ellen b. said...

What a wonderful post filled with C's. Sounds like you have made some great choices for your 2nd marriage. Hope the weather cooperates on your day. Congratulations on all your choices!!

Hazel said...

So happy for you Leslie! Now I look forward to W week!

Anonymous said...

A beautiful historic Farmhouse for a beautiful Bride (and Groom), congratulations to you both grab all the happy days you can!
I also can't wait to see the dress!

Obsessivemom said...

O my god Leslie.. This sounds so exciting. What fun making all those choices. The venue is beautiful. Can't wait for May. Best wishes to you and Lorne.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Oh Leslie, this is so exciting!! Lovely venue, but I can't wait to celebrate with you. And even more, while I am eager to see you in your glorious gown/dress, what I really look forward to seeing is the celebration - the joy you two so rightly deserve to savor and share.

Congratulations...Can't wait for more!

Snapperoni :: Photography said...

That is wonderful news! Congratulations to you both :)

Nydia said...

Awwww... such a lovely post! Thank you for sharing your pre-wedding experiences... Can't wait to see you in your dress! :)

Lisa said...

Oh, Congratulations on your Commitment and upcoming Ceremony!! The venue looks wonderful and I'm sure it will be lovely once decorated for the big day. It'll be your day to shine.

Nabanita said...

C is for Congrats from me to you :) and yes I wish I can see the dress !

Tanya Breese said...

i'm packing up and moving into the cammidge house! it's beautiful!

Joy said...

It looks the perfect wedding venue and I wish you a sunny day. I love a porch on a house and it looks an ideal place for drinking champagne.

Gattina said...

That's wonderful and yes as it should be a very special day I think you deserve this dress !

Unknown said...

Congratulations Leslie, I can clearly see you are making all the right choices. All my very best wishes

Gerald (SK14) said...

looks like you have companions who will help you make good choices - all the best.

Leovi said...

Yes, really excellent photos, beautiful home! Greetings!

AmitAag said...

Congrats Leslie:) and best wishes!
http://amitaag.blogspot.in/2014/01/jamini-roy-art.html

Liz Hinds said...

Aw, fabulous news! If I lived closer I would make a cake for you!