this, that, and the other thing

We went to their wedding last night.   She is an old friend who grew up with my girls, all those scrappy wild days.  Her family lived next door to us for years. He's a cute person with a generous, gentle, kind heart.  (I think she's going to be very happy, and he too.  They're both the real deal.)  It was a beautiful wedding, the perfect combination of sweetness and fun.

Love is love.

This is our other neighbor, goofing around with Jay at the reception. We're big time Democrats. They're serious Republicans.  Even in an election year?   We mutually agree to leave all that crap alone because we love each other.   

Better neighbors could not be found.  Their daughters are wonderful too.  He's offered to perform valet parking at our house for family parties, as he watches the congested driveway awkwardly fill and empty. Over the last twenty-five years we have lived side by side there has not been one cranky moment, and that's not because I am such a sweetheart.

It's because they're patient and kind.  (Thank you guys.)

Sherry and Don, fun company always.

 Here are Kirsten, Heidi, Jenny, and Liz, demonstrating props for the photo booth.

 Mine own girls.

 The dance, so fun.

 Joe and Liz.

 Oh, and today--today we raked leaves, lots and lots of leaves.  There are about 30 paper bags inside the garage too.  I have to call Monday to find out if there's a pick up limit.   The kids bitched a little about this job, but they were amazing help.

 And then we moved on to this.   That is our unfortunate dining room ceiling, damaged by a leaky air conditioner dripping into the wall upstairs.

 We had damage like this underneath windows in four rooms.    We patched the plaster over the last few days, and today sanded and repainted.  I told Alicia we have to do this because with an old house, if you don't, pretty soon your house starts to look like a crapshack.  It was looking a bit crappy around here.

 But now?  Look at this perfect dining room wall, all repaired and painted.

Aaaahhh.   Even the bathroom has a fresh coat of paint, very nice.

 Here are funny pictures from the photo booth last night.

We had such a good time.

And even though I do miss being at the lake, it's good to be here in town, to go to a beautiful, sweet wedding and get some work done around our own house.

Onward to Sunday.    love for always, Val