THE Dress
Our mission was to find the perfect wedding dress. Priscilla of Boston (http://www.priscillaofboston.com/index.jsp) was having a “Sample Sale” and she desperately hoped one of the two dresses she had been eyeing for over a year now was going to be on sale. GPS let us directly to Priscilla with little incident. We parked in a crowded city parking garage across the street. As we entered the small salon on the 2nd floor, I was a bit disappointed. There were too few dresses and sales reps in my opinion and I saw the frustration on my sweet daughter’s face as she searched through the racks desperately looking for her dream dress. Neither of them was there. We finally decided we’d take a couple that were “nice” and head to a dressing room around the corner.
I was still amazed that no one seemed to notice that we were around. Kelley looked fabulous as usual. I started to wonder if perhaps I didn’t dress appropriately in my “dress down Friday” attire of shirt-sleeved top, Khakis and loafers. I started feeling really out of place…but soon I told myself that it wasn’t about me and I busied myself pulling other dresses out and asking Kelley if she wanted to try them on. She first tried on a lovely jacquered print dress with platinum beading with svorsky chrystals. It was stunning on her. She tried on 4-5 others that were nice but none caught her eye and flattered her like the first one. A sales woman finally noticed us and asked if she could be of assistance. We told her what we were looking for. Kelley came armed with a list of model numbers that she had admired. The woman looked them up while we tried on another dress and told us that none of them were part of the sale and the two she had her heart set on the most were $9,000 and $8,000. She gulped hard. We pointed to another in the dressing area that was really pretty and we were told it was $15,000. Ouch! Kelley quickly turned her attention back to the dresses she had tried on. With the help of the now-interested sales girl, Kelley put the first dress on again and she glowed in it. It was originally ticketed for $4,950 but since this was a clearance sale, we were able to get it for a small fraction of that price. She was happy that they offered an additional 10% off if she purchased accessories and so decided to buy the veil that matched the gown perfectly. She was so excited and we were so pleased that she found the perfect dress…another important detail has been completed. We’re so happy for Kelley!
Add comment November 10, 2008
onestar6162
Covered Bridge House
Friday I left at 11:00 to go to Boston with my eldest daughter, Kelley, and one of her bridesmaids. Mission accomplished (look for post under Fabulous Family Fun.
We then flew back to Concord where I met up with my sweet husband, DJ, who had his KIA Sorrento loaded for a romantic weekend in the North Country. He said it was to celebrate our 6-month anniversary (Awwww!) Traffic was heavier than we expected at first but soon we were tooting alone and made it to the Inn at 8:00 p.m.
We spent two days in Glen, NH at the lovely Covered Bridge House. Neither of us had ever stayed there before so it was a pleasant surprise for us. Take a look at their website at http://www.coveredbridgehouse.com/ When we entered, we spied a jigsaw puzzle of a country general store about ¼ started on an antique table in the living room. We asked if we could work on it some and were told we could even finish it. So we settled in our room (we got to choose from 3 since we were the only patrons that weekend) and we chose one with lots of cats in the decorations and a feather mattress (a first for me). DJ’s grandmother had one and he remembered sleeping on it as a kid.
We poured a cup of hot tea and got busy on the puzzle. Soon the front door was getting locked for the evening and dining room lights were being turned off. I had read in the welcome package that this would take place at 10:00. We talked along as we looked for pieces to place and in what seemed like only about 30 minutes DJ said “I wonder what time it is”. So I looked at the time on my cell phone and it was 1:36 a.m. We were shocked that 3 hours had passed so quickly. We went to bed and slept soundly.
The following morning we rose to the sound of my cell phone alarm I had set for 7:30. Breakfast would be at 8:00 so we needed to come alive before then. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast of almond cinnamon French Toast, 1/2 grapefruit, homemade maple walnut muffins and orange juice. Soon we were on our way to find the Conway Seventh-day Adventist Church. We stopped at a bank along the way to make change for the children…it is usually collected by the children before their special story just before the sermon. We arrived in time to enjoy the entire service. When we arrived we noticed some casserole dishes and bowls on the counter in the fellowship hall downstairs. Once in the santuary I looked around and was delighted to see a few familiar faces. Pastor Sears shared slides on his missionary stay in Africa. His experiences were inspiring. We spent time during the lunch to catch up with old friends (who are now new friends for DJ) and returned to the Inn around 2:30. We went back to the puzzle and finished it. After the closing of the Sabbath hours, we took a little trip into North Conway and looked around 3-4 shops and also getting some dinner at a Mexican restaurant. It was ok, not great.
All in all our Inn experience was very pleasant and we will definitely go back again when time and funds permit. We accomplished what we had set out to do: relax and recharge our batteries for the busy holiday season ahead.
Add comment November 10, 2008
onestar6162
Progress on the house
As for the house, we are scheduled to close on Thursday, May 28. We have taken care of all the required minor repairs that the VA’s appraiser picked out of the report. We have had drywall holes repaired, painted and a door installed. We have remedied the dampness in the basement. It’s been sealed and painted. Our realtor says the appraiser did reinspect the house on the 18th and found it acceptable. He will file his report with the VA and then we should be good to go to closing.
We still want/need to excavate the outside of the foundation to seal it also. I think our friend, Brian Milano knows someone who can do that for us at a savings. We’re quickly running out of money so it’ll have to be a bargain. We’re still looking for a suitable refrigerator. I’ve looked on Craig’s list but most of them are really old (freezer on top or side-by-side) or the newer ones (freezer on bottom) but they are asking close to what we can buy new.
We’ve been going to the house almost every day to clean and do minor repairs. We need to buy a used mower too because the grass is getting tall. I’ve been weeding around the driveway’s rock wall to keep it from getting overrun. After a year of apartment living, I had forgotten how much work a yard can be.
So as far as that goes, looks like we’ll be moving on Friday the 29th and Sunday the 31st. Any help would be appreciated of course but everyone we know is so busy with other responsibilities. I pray that we don’t totally lose it before then.
Add comment May 19, 2009
onestar6162
Missing my Mom
I miss my mom. It’s a very strange feeling knowing that I can’t just stop in and chat with her now and then. My daughters are having a difficult time too. They were very, very close to their Nanny. Knowing Nanny won’t be at Kelley’s wedding next month brings tears every time it’s mentioned. Kelley will recognize her Nanny at the wedding ceremony by laying flowers by her photo. That will be hard to watch.
Bekah loved the simple things about her Nanny…stopping by for a glass of soda and to watch a program just for the sake of giving Nanny some company. My mom used to save all her pocket change in a jar and whenever Bekah stopped by, she’d give it to her for gas or whatever her need was that week. Bekah kept the change jar to remember Nanny by. Mom would give Bekah’s dog, Guinness, a piece of cheese or some crackers. Bekah gave up training Nanny not to spoil Guinness that way. It was something she came to allow only from Nanny.
We’ve finished cleaning out mom’s apartment and have finished all the legal paperwork. It was much easier than I had imagined. Everyone we spoke with at the different state departments was very sympathetic and helpful. We only had one person treat us in an unkind way and that was the guy at the funeral home. Since my mother received “Old Age Assistance” from the state, they paid for her cremation. The deal the state has with funeral homes is that they will pay $750 and that takes care of transportation from hospital to funeral home, the cremation and registering with the state. Had mom not been a recipient of the assistance, the fee would have been $1,650. Since we opted for the state to pay for it, the funeral home person informed us that they took a $900 loss so we could no longer purchase other services or packages from them. Even when I offered to purchase the guest book and prayer cards at their full [exorbitant] price, I was told that if I could afford to buy that package, I can afford to pay full price for the cremation. I felt insulted. My boss told me to write a letter to the Editor of the Concord Monitor…maybe I will…
Add comment May 19, 2009
onestar6162
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving eve we were busy making pies and cutting up veggies for our share of the big meal. We finally went to bed about midnight-ish. Morning came early with the sounding of my alarm. I hadn’t turned it off for the two-day holiday from work. So, 6:00 we were wide awake. We got up and started the salads. We didn’t bother with breakfast because we knew the lunch would be huge. DJ reminded me that we had to pick up Joshua so that put us into a more hurrieder mood. We took showers and flew out the door about 11:20. DJ was having a coffee attack so we had to swing into Dunks for a fill-up. Joshua was waiting outside his Webster residence and shook his head to demonstrate his disapproval of us being 11 minutes late. He simply stated something like ”it’s a Johnson thing to be late”. I admitted that it was my fault this time and I blamed it on the blow dryer.
Kelley, Bekah and Zachary had plans to spend the day with their S/O’s families. Thomas and Melissa had to work but we fully expected to see all of the kids later on.
When we arrived, Dad Johnson greeted us warmly and helped us carry in all the goodies. Uncle Gene and Grammie Newbegin were the first to arrive so along with Mom Johnson we had a very nice welcome. They had set up quite a banquet table. It was in the shape of a cello or guitar due to there being one large round table, one wide rectangle between it and and one narrower rectangle table that formed the “neck”. It was cool. Grammie greeted us with her customary big smile and robust ”How do!” as she huged us. Stacey and Enie had gone to fetch Issac and Jen. Lynn and Blu soon arrived with their large crockpot of butternut squash. We were all very hungry and nibbled on anything that became uncovered and exposed. It was fair game as far as we were concerned. Blu had invited his friend Brannon. Evidently it was his first New England Thanksgiving since he had recently been transplanted from Texas.
When Stacey and the family arrived Enie went to work on his ham. Mom had already started the glaze for him. The last items to go in the oven were the dinner rolls. Mostly the men stayed in the living room talking…much safer for them that way. 
Staying out of the way
The conversations flowed and fond memories were recalled. Some brought smiles and some brought frowns. Everyone seemed eager to savor all that had been provided. Anticipation mounted and soon it was time to choose seats and sit down. Dad had asked Dirk to offer the blessing so we held hands and bowed our heads. We had so much to be truly thankful for. It was a special moment. Amen!
We all took turns passing bowls and platters until all had made its way around the table at least once. Soon the room became much quieter as folks sat savoring some old favorites and trying some new ones. What delicious food. Well done everyone!!! Hard to tell what was enjoyed more, the food, the company or the conversation. We’re so truly blessed to be part of such a loving family.
After the meal the kids went to the living room to play Lynn’s Wii. Dad and Dirk took a walk and Stacey and I tried to follow them but they went to the right before we saw them so we went to the left around the block. When we came back we helped to get out the desserts. There were so many to choose from…yummy.
Dessert time
Grammie tried to bowl on Lynn’s Wii and she did very well.
Grammie bowls the Wii
Add comment November 29, 2008
onestar6162
Hello world!
I am excited to be entering the world of blogging. I’m scared that I’ll start yet another well-intentioned project only to get side-tracked and not keep it up. Here goes…feel free to prod me now and then to keep it updated…
Add comment November 10, 2008
onestar6162
