Finally Got My White Tent Wedding

For years, I have wanted a wedding reception with a big white tent. I have always been drawn to them. I would watch Father of the Bride and wish that my wedding reception would be just like Annie's. I remember asking my dad if I could have my reception in a tent. He barely thought about it. We live in Ohio. The weather is pretty unpredictable. There would be rain. It would be hot. We'd have to bring in everything. Tables. Chairs. Dance floor. How would food be prepared? How much would this cost? Bathrooms? Back to the weather. It would rain. Then what would we do? OK dad. You know better. I'm only 25. What do I know? I know that I have no money to help pay for this event. Sure Dad. Whatever you say. No tent. No biggie. Maybe I'll have a girl someday.

Finally, 10 years almost to the day. I went to my first wedding with a beautiful white tent. It was gorgeous. We were on the lake. There was a beautiful sunset. We sat by a fire and watched the sun set while a band played in the background in my tent. The bride even had fireworks. Can you believe that? Real. Loooooong. Fireworks. Who does that in real life? A girl with a big white tent or a daddy who will pay for both.

Guess what I learned during the fireworks? I swear I had a moment. It all doesn't matter. The tent doesn't matter. The fireworks do not matter. None of it does. It is all fluff. The money is spent and when it is all over, we have nice memories. But that's it. It has nothing at all to do with the marriage and the love. My dad was right. Let's keep it simple and classy. Let's not get too crazy, Indy. No white tent. You were right Dad. Let's have everyone there we love. Let's have it down the street from our country church. Let's make it fun. It was. Ten years later, I realize that it is more fun to attend a reception in a white tent that to plan one. Thank you, Dad.

Proving the Experts Wrong

As I get older, I am realizing how important it is to use sunscreen. In Ohio, we have many dark days with little sunshine. "Experts" always say to wear sunscreen every day. They must have never been to Ohio. We are lucky to catch any rays here. So, I defy the experts and save the sunscreen for days when I was actually see a minute of sun. I always buy foundation that has sunscreen in it for some protection on our cloudy, normal days. Once again "experts" have said that there is not enough sunscreen in the foundation to protect you. I have often wondered but now I have proof that they are wrong!

I was in a wedding on Saturday. The bride and the weather was gorgeous. I was not. We wore strapless dresses and I am so broken out. When I am not on birth control, my skin really breaks out. So to cover up the pimples, I dabbed make-up over my pimples. Looked pretty good, no problems.

When I arrived at the hotel for pre-wedding photos, it was just beautiful outside. I sat in the sun and watched the men take their photos. I was outside no longer than 20 minutes. I was enjoying the warm weather.

Hours later at the reception, people kept coming up to me. "What happened to your skin?" "Did you try to tan before the wedding" "Did you get bit by a mosquito?"

Yes, the foundation worked. I had white spots where there used to be pimples and sunburned skin all around it. Unbelievable. I have photos to prove that the sunscreen does work in foundation. The experts are wrong!

Shoe Shopping Should be Fun

My sister-in-law is getting married next Saturday. We are ready. Sorta. Tuxes rented. Check. My bridesmaid dress altered. Check. My shoes ordered. Check. My little boy's shoes. Ugh.


My son has wide feet. This doesn't seem like a big deal. But, he cannot wear the shoes that come with the tux. I thought, no problem. I will just buy some shoes that look like the shoes from the tuxedo shop. I started to hit the mall and websites. They make shoes in wide. Yes, for kids who wear tennis shoes they do. I have learned in the last month that wide dress shoes for children are nearly impossible to track down.


I have looked high and low. Nordstrom to Walmart. Target to Dillards. Stride Rite to Famous Footwear. Websites are sold out in my little boys size!

Nearly a month ago, I was so proud of myself. I ordered a pair from Stride Rite. Pricey but at least I found them. Days and days passed. They didn't arrive. I emailed Stride Rite yesterday and they said that there was a problem with my credit card. Thanks for telling me A MONTH LATER. I didn't receive any contact from them. Nothing. So now I am scrambling.


Today I bought a pair of shoes that are not even wide width. The saleslady at Nordstrom did a great job on selling me on their flexibility. They might work. But, I nearly fell over at the price. Almost $80 for a pair of shoes that my boy will wear once. My shoes for the wedding did not cost that amount.


I am going to check on one more store on Sunday. I won't even let my little guy see the shoes. I don't want him to fall in love if I can find something cheaper.