The week before the wedding we were all excited. Anxiously awaiting the big day. There were a lot of things to be done. Ray helped Deb and Butch set up tents and lights for the ‘after party’ at their house. On Friday a crew of us went to the Elks pavilion to get things ready for Saturday. Heather, Julie, Debbie, Vicki, Donna, Ray, Jay, Kenny and me were the crew. Julie and Heather had flowers and things to pick up, so they left before us. Ray and Jay packed up the Subaru and the Pilot and Ray’s trailer with tents, warming trays, tools, etc., etc. The plan was to be there for noon.
Ray, Jay, Kenny and I never left here until after 12. We were riding down Route 2, just before Exit 6, Griswold St. when Ray say’s ‘there’s something wrong with my tire’. I look out the sideview mirror and see rubber flapping around. He pulls over. Jay and Kenny were following and they pulled over also. All three men got out to inspect the damage. They took the tire off. I told Ray where he was and their best bet was to go to Tire City on Silver Lane. So off Jay and Ray went. Kenny and I sat in the Pilot with the car and AC running on the side of Route 2. We had a nice visit and I learned alot about Ken’s new job. Meanwhile the girls had stopped by the house before heading to Glastonbury to say they had a problem with getting the flowers at Aldi’s. Something about a ‘misunderstanding’. While Ken and I were in the Pilot I called to Julie to let her know what was going on with us and she informed me that the flower shipment had arrived at Aldi’s and Donna was going to pick them up! YEAH! It took about an hour between the flat tire and getting a new one before we were on the road again. When we got to the Elks, the ladies were doing what they could without the stuff that was in the Pilot and Subaru and the flowers–Deb and Vicki were decorating the arbor with flowers from their Mom’s house. Donna arrived with the flowers shortly after we arrived and the production line began. Meanwhile the guys were taking down the vollyball net and putting up tents. We took a small break to have lunch and went back to work. Before we knew it, it was almost 5 o’clock. The wedding party was arriving at 5:30 for the rehearsal.
Ray and I left around 6 and went home and changed and headed to the Marco for the last minute rehearsal dinner. We had pizza and salad and good time with everyone. Mom George and Donna came and spent some time with us.
Finally Saturday was here! I felt pretty good and decided I would join the ladies at Heather’s Aunt Vicki’s house. The guys were going out to breakfast and leaving from Butch & Deb’s house.
Heather had a nice spread of pasteries, fruit and mimosas for everyone. Vicki and Danielle put together the girls bouquets. The hairdresser arrived and did all the girls hair except for Jazmin who did her own. I took a nap around noon. We got to the Elks just before 2 pm. My wonderful niece Alisha bought me to Vicki’s and to the Elks. She helped out wherever she was needed – a real help with the music for the ceremony.