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Hi Friend(s), How are you doing? I hope summer 2019 has been safe, spectacular and not too speedy for you. I struggled to find a blog topic this week. Which is odd because there’s a ton going on in my life right now. Perhaps too much! Analogy: Imagine trying ever so carefully to take a few sips of water from a full-force fire hose. Water surges in your face splashing and landing everywhere, but only a few scant drops make it down your throat. That’s me searching for a topic. There’re so many possibilities my brain can’t hone just one. A girlfriend sent me this article yesterday: airplane-romance  It’s a great story about how a young couple met on an airplane and it inspired me. If you didn’t already know that I met my husband, Jeff, on an airplane now you do. Sure enough, we first looked into each other’s eyes on a Delta L101l bound for Salt Lake City, Utah from Atlanta, Georgia. It was an 8:30 a.m. brisk December morning. Do you remember L1011s? They were ginormous! I was the last person to board the aircraft that fateful morning due to being out late with friends the night before. As I walked down the never-ending aisle I kept my eyes intent on the numbers below the overhead bins, searching for my future 4-hour home. Ahh, at last, there it is…oh my…I do believe it’s a tight, little number right there by [gasp] the toilet room…the last seat in the entire fuselage? Why, yes, that surely is my seat in the furthest back corner of the plane. I apologetically squeezed in by a tall, handsome young man who was already securely seated and buckled in for departure. Thus began my and Jeff Sweeney’s first Delta journey together and first day of the rest of our lives together. I was travelling to my parent’s home in Richfield, Utah for Christmas. Jeff was travelling with a friend’s family for a Christmas ski trip in Park City. His First Move (so to speak): Dick Tracy was the featured movie. I wanted to see Madonna and Warren Beatty in action. Headphones cost $3. I asked the flight attendant if I could write a check because I didn’t have cash. I’m not sure what her answer was, but I am sure that I heard my future husband chime in that a check wouldn’t be necessary. The only problem was…I had trouble watching the film. Jeff wanted to talk from time to time resulting in me missing portions of the flick. Admittedly, I wanted to talk with him also and the movie wasn’t very good. We discovered we were scheduled to fly back to Atlanta on the same flight as well! Shortly after we met When we arrived home in Atlanta several days later, Jeff approached me in baggage claim and said, “We should get together sometime.” I told him I was “in the book” and spelled my last name for him. Two nights later on December 28 we had our first date. Travelling has been a big part of our lives ever since that first encounter. Our favorite destination is the United Kingdom and Ireland. On our latest UK flight, after dinner, while stretching out and slipping to sleep I felt the aircraft gently rocking. We were soaring through the sky, yet comfortable, content and blessed. Jeff was seated behind me. I pictured our first meeting on the L1011. We were currently seated directly diagonal from where we first sat, precise opposite corners, but similar Delta jets. Though I had travelled extensively before we met, Jeff had yet to leave the country. He’s now a Delta Million Miler, Platinum Medallion, Sky Club Member ~ yadda yadda ~. Suffice it to say we no longer fly in the last seat by the toilet room. We remain loyal to Delta – and each other! ALL glory belongs to God. Many years ago, if I hadn’t met my soul mate aboard a Delta aircraft I may have enrolled in a ballroom dancing class. If you’re young and looking to meet someone, try ballroom dancing…and, of course, flying Delta! Thank you for reading, Love, Shelley United Kingdom 2019 Highlights Below: London with Taryn and Bailey Trump Turnberry, a morning walk Headed to stunning Northern Ireland Couldn’t resist a pic along the roadside Cows roaming a beach, Ireland Giants Causeway Giants Causeway with a precious man I met on a Delta L1011 jet That same man at Giants Causeway Back home with our daughters and son-in-law after a wonderful Summer vacay 2019 / UK Fiction is in the works. Snippets coming soon!

Hi Friends and Family, I hope when you read this blog you’re enjoying a wonderful day without sorrow, anxiety, or regret about anything. If given a choice (which we are) who wouldn’t choose joy, calm, and happy after a big event such as a wedding? I would!  But, there’s no denying that negative nuances such as sorrow, anxiety and regret weave among us like annoying gnats.  No matter how hard we try to avoid them. Savanna’s wedding has come and gone. The build up was intense; the celebrations vibrant beyond expectations. Prayers were answered…and then some.  It’s time for reflection. What the heck just happened? Like everything in life, there were highlights and lowlights orbiting Joey and Savanna’s marriage. However, it’s humbling to say that the highlights far exceed the lowlights. I was a mere part in what took place during Joey and Savanna’s wedding weekend. There were dozens of us that had blood, sweat, and tears in the mix. My dream would be to have this blog be excerpts of other’s stories. But, since that would take eons to execute here are a few thoughts from the mother-of-the-bride’s [emotional] perspective: Sorrow? A little.  Not in the “grief” sense.  A tad in the “teary” sense. Church of the Apostles is a majestic sanctuary full of beautiful people and biblical truths. Though I knew full well that Jeff would be walking Savanna down the same aisle that our family has taken many strolls down, the site of them stunned me. Savanna is and always has been a Mommy’s girl. To see her holding Jeff’s arm and looking Princess Perfect welled tears that fell from my eyes. Phew, I gathered myself hearing her whisper, “it’s okay,” as she passed me. Oh Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you – Psalm 38:9 Anxiety? I don’t savor speaking in small groups let alone holding a microphone to address over a 100 people.  Sharing thoughts and gratitude with an audience is a foreign language to me. But I was determined to publically thank God, the organizers, and everyone else.  A couple things didn’t go as expected:  our planner Sean, whom I aimed to personally thank wasn’t in the room, and the DJ introduced Joey’s grandmother and Diana — both of which were woven into my repertoire. Here’s what I intended: Hi Everyone, Thank you for being here to celebrate Joey and Savanna’s wedding with us. I want to take a moment to thank a few key people who helped pull this off. The first would be: GOD, with a very close second being Sean O’keefe and Rebecca Dey, our wedding planners; also Denise and the entire Ansley staff; and, of course Greg and Mary Ellen Garde and Scott and Sarah Ellyson. I would now like to introduce Joey’s grandmother, Joy, and Savanna’s sister, Diana. They will say a few words and raise a toast and here is mine to all of you! So ya, it went well and swell until the introduction part of Joy and Diana. My heart was full throttle pounding while my hands competed with it by shaking madly.   There was no Plan B.   Up went my glassless hand in the air to toast because champagne would have flown all over the place from all the jiration.  My delivery wasn’t as perfect as I hoped, but I did get my thank you out to God and everyone there and I was grateful to receive heart-felt feedback. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul” – Psalm 94:19 Regret? Not really, but maybe a little. Jeff, Savanna, Diana and I received humbling comments from many people. Several said it was “the best wedding they’d ever attended,” “so much fun,” and even “perfect.” Nothing could make us happier! The food, drink, DJ, flowers, décor, photo booth, cake, weather, bar, colorful sunset off the veranda, silly boas and plastic glasses, amazing wedding designer, dancing with friends and friends of friends and friends of my girls, a fancy golf club, acquiring new family and friends, and on and on and on were as close to perfection as we could ask for.   …But… With all those frilly tidbits being said, there are regrettable instances — a couple big ones, flesh form.  It’s all good though because, in the end it’s clear that those unfortunate instances were for the greater good (thank you!). Everything really does happen for a reason, even bad and sad things. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour – Peter 5:8. At times the planning was intense. Over the past month or so I’ve big-time bribed Diana to elope. But the joy, happiness and aftermath calm that has finally started to settle on our lives has me…surprisingly…ready to give it another go! Guess we better start fattening that piggy bank back up. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley An intimate ceremony at The Church of the Apostles This is the one I’m begging to elope…but not really… P.S.  Pictures on the way but here’s a link to a few preliminary photos Facebook Here’s Diana’s take with a less dramatic slant than moi’s: SAVANNA IS MARRIED

Dearest Friends and Family, How are you doing? That intro reminds me of years ago when I’d handwrite letters to friends and ask the same question: How are you? The difference is, back then, people would actually write back with an answer. I really do wonder how you are; I’m not just typing that for form and effect. I hope you’re calm, confident, and uncluttered. I’m none of those things. This week I asked God to jump through so many hoops and for so many favors that at 4:01 a.m. yesterday morning he told me he was fed up…You need to back off, start figuring things out on your own, stop asking for so much, suck it up, I help those who help themselves…remember…?” It’s true; I’ve been a burden to God over this final week of wedding mayhem. My stress-meter needle is haywire and my prayers cry out ludicrously: Please Lord no rain on the 29th, if you can’t make that happen, a sprinkle or two is fine? Lord, please make the meat fork-cut tender? Oh, and if everyone’s shoes could be super comfortable that’d be great too… There haven’t been too many planning surprises: dress selection, invitations, cake tasting, hiring a photographer, musicians, DJ, church details, menu planning, etc., — pretty much par for the course. The shockers have been intangibles: Fear Depression Friendlessness Marrying off a daughter is more daunting than I imagined. I wanted little girls ever since I can remember and I’m thrilled Savanna is getting married. But I’m also down that Savanna is getting married. My biggest dream for Sav was to find a wonderful man to love and be loved by. She found that man. And here I sit typing: I’m scared. A friend of mine told me, “When stress strikes depression might too.” The Sweeney/Garde “holding pattern” these final days arrived on the scene with first-class cabin pressure. We’re ready to land this baby and we recognize we’re blessed with the best but last-minute stress has snuck on board, and boy oh boy, do we want to touch down. Pray, pray, pray, every single day! Have you ever felt friendless even though you know you have friends because you just had lunch with one? There’ve been rough roads over the years in cliquey Atlanta for me. At times I’ve been positive that not a single person here, or anywhere else, liked me. Some how an increase in last minute planning pressure brought back my buddy-less-blues days when I didn’t have a single friend for as long as the earth is wide.  Or, so I thought. If you’ve read a few of my blogs, you know I refer to God and bible quotes a lot. I love God and believe in his Word and promises with the whole of my heart. Without God as a near and dear friend, and my human friends too, I probably would have over-dosed on kale and coconut water or something. God has been so good to me and my family that it’s humbling in and of itself. But, ya, most of the time he tells me to figure things out on my own. He’s there for [us] but that doesn’t mean we should sit idly by expecting him to do all the work. Cheers to God by our sides if we seek him. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you ~ Deuteronomy 31:6. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world ~ John 16:33 But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world ~ John 4:4 Oh how I wish they didn’t have to grow up. Savanna’s soft head smelled like heaven’s air.

Hi Friends and Family, How are you doing? I trust you’re feeling well and swell?  I hope you have the perfect amount of joy and sadness to keep you balanced? Unfortunately, I don’t have fiction tidbits to share this week. The real deal is the game name lately. No pretend drama here, only non-fiction. Last-minute wedding stuff continues to permeate. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind if we kept at it. Savanna and I have an impressive cadence, if I don’t say so myself, with energy to spare. There’s another reason I wouldn’t mind if the nuptial thing kept going: Grandparenthood. Yes, of course, I look forward to being a grandmother…but sometimes more than others. All in good time?? A couple of odd things happened to me this past week. Small children were involved.  [All in good time.] Odd Thing No. 1 Our Team met at Ansley where we went over particular after particular after particular, finalizing details. You’d a’thought we were planning a dignitary dinner. Pros sketched where, how, what, and when everything would transpire, everything. BAM!  When we finished, I slipped into a drained trance and bee-lined it for the ladies lounge, and ice water. Note: Children are not permitted in the ladies lounge. Three women sat near the soft drink counter as I clanked and dug for ice in the freezer, I heard faint voices (I was in a zone all my own.). “Is that your child???” one lady asked me, raising her voice. I looked up to find six eye darts of certainty shoot me with assumption that ~ unbeknownst to me ~ a distressed, runny-nosed, abandoned, whining, crying, toddler outside a glass door of the adults-only lounge we were in, belonged to me. “Excuse me? No, not mine,” I said. Moments later, the child’s mother showed up, claiming responsibility.  Do I look like I want or need small children?  Because I don’t…with all in good time respect and anticipation of course. Odd Thing No. 2 Our final meeting took place in a floral shop. Savanna, Diana and I met Sean to pick out flowers. As we wrapped up, a woman carrying a cumbersome baby carrier walked in. She locked eyes on me and asked if I’d watch her infant while she went inside the cooler to flower browse. “I could leave him in the car…but it’s hot out there,” she said, “and I don’t want to take him in the cooler either.” Presto! A stranger’s baby became my problem. …So ya, there’s a good amount of joy and sadness balancing life over this way. Grandchildren indeed sound heavenly, in good time. I look forward to loving and being there for them. And boy oh boy are we ever ready to welcome friends, family, business associates, new family members and especially JOEY to our family! ~ Father’s Day ~ Father’s Day weekend is coming up! God Bless all the good, Godly Dads. Mine certainly was good and Godly, and my husband most definitely is.  Savanna, Diana, and I are proud of who Jeff is and what he’s become: a kind, gentle, classy, generous, thoughtful, successful, Godly man. Along with Joey and Savanna, their Dad will also shine on June 29. My Daddy was a handsome, kind, gentle man. I always had his back and he had mine. (Florence, CO) Jeff is as good a Daddy as my own was. Here he is with Savanna at my Grandad’s (also a kind, gentle soul) 90th birthday party in Michigan. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley Do not be anxious about anything – Phillipians 4:16 I recognize this blog is ADHD-esque.  But hey, I gotta variety going on.  The kid incidents straight up scared me. Here’s Diana’s latest blog: The Bachelorette: Savanna

Hi Everyone, I hope you all are: Super-magnificent Free from body aches Awake before the alarm Not stressed or worry-ridden And, your energy stems from love Our family is all the above and living life in the extreme. Joey and Savanna will soon be married and jetting off into a heavenly, Italian sunset. As most of you know, wedding-planning hoopla has gone on for almost a year. There are only three weeks to go. Virtually nothing has gone wrong [fingers crossed, head bowed]. Our team of professionals is comprised of personable, genuine, beautiful, articulate, intelligent people – one of the many, many blessings we’re thankful for. This team is the sole reason we’ve enjoyed smooth sailing. Along side the crew, Savanna and I have kept meticulous track of everything (food, music, DJ, cake pops, photo booth, mail, and other surprises). As the event nears fruition, I can’t help remembering the very first thing our wedding-designer friend, Sean, said during the initial consultation. Savanna, Sean and I were seated at a round, oak table in his studio. Sean looked right in Savanna’s eyes and said, “You need to know…this is about you…BUT…it’s really not about you!” Everything “wedding-party” jolted into perspective for me. This once-in-a-lifetime bash that Jeff and I are preparing to throw is about YOU, our guests! All the planning, preparing, fussing, and serving are for YOU. Not us! And thank God for that. Doing for others is just so much cooler than doing a bunch of junk for the flesh, IMHO. (As our beloved pastor, Michael Youssef, says: It isn’t yours ‘til you give it away.) Thank you, Sean, for those memorable, true, words of wisdom during our initial meeting. Making it about our guests makes it so much more for us! We’re humbled and happy as we head down the final stretch before welcoming dear friends and family to Sav and Joey’s celebration of marriage on June 29 in AGC’s Ballroom and Terrace. God Bless you for reading this! Love, Shelley You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love – Galatians 5:13 She’s all grown up and about to say “I do” to one lucky dude. I just wanna add a comment about SEO critiquing.  My blogs almost always get a “green” SEO light.  This one did not.  I got a “red” light.  Meaning: it sucks and needs improvement.  The SEO police told me I used too much “passive” voice. #journaling

Hi Everyone, Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope you’re enjoying sunshine, food, friends, family, memories, and gratitude in honor of all who paid the ultimate price for our earthly freedom(s). Have you ever wondered what it was like during times of war before the Internet — waiting patiently for word of whether or not a family member would return home? In general, people were more patient during and around WWII. There was no: Social media Texting Emailing Snapping Tweeting Skyping Face-timing Etc… There was no choice but to be patient. WWII Wait & Ache story In a small New England town that I’ve never heard of, my friend Anna lived with her mom, Ruthie, during WWII. Ruthie was a single parent at the time. Her only son, Henry, was drafted for combat. He fought until the war ended, in 1945. Henry sent letters home. A final letter came with news he’d be coming home. While Henry was abroad, Ruthie slept each night with a small, framed photo of the two of them under her pillow. In the morning she’d move the frame to the kitchen. In the afternoon she slipped it in her purse. The photo of Ruthie standing in the snow, cupping Henry’s tiny, soft hands, neither of them smiling, outside of their home, was always with her. Sometimes Ruthie would misplace the frame. “Anna! Where’s Henry? Help…find Henry! Anna??” Ruthie snapped daily over harmless things…crumbs on the table, shoes not tidily stored, drawers not closed, dust, tardy mail delivery. There was no Internet to retreat to for answers, photos, knowledge, and hope! Ruthie and Anna found hope here: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging ~ Psalm 46:1-3. Henry never came home to the United States or to Ruthie. Rest in Peace all veterans and God Bless all Ruthies. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley #flashfiction #fictionwriting #motherdaughterblog Here’s Diana’s blog update: Volkswagen Internship: A Reflection

Hi Everyone, How was your week.  Did anything exciting happen to you? It seems every day is exciting at the Sweeney house lately. Wedding RSVPs arrive daily. We feel blessed with the best for all saying yes! And, of course we understand no too…you’ll all be very missed. Wedding anticipation was not the only exciting thing going on at our house last week though. A frightful occurrence took place Friday afternoon.  Our security cameras rolled as a portion of it unfolded. Preface – Do you use the “F” word from time to time?  I do.  Expletives aren’t becoming language, are they?  I explain to my girls that I only use “it” when I’m fearful. Yep, F only slips out of my mouth when I’m scared. It’s comforting, go figure. Here’s What Happened – Early Friday afternoon, I was alerted to an event on our front porch. It turned out to be D’Angelo, our dry cleaning delivery man. He was scared…really scared. As he got out of his truck at the bottom of our driveway, he saw a 6ft. black snake moseying its way toward his truck. He bolted to our porch. [Warning: if you’re offended by the “F” word or snakes, do not click the link.] See some of D’Angelo’s reaction here: I’m guessing D’Angelo felt better when F slipped out of his mouth, the way I sometimes to. Snakes are scary! Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley ALSO – We hope you’ll check in with our latest story writing of: The Room: Week 6 We’re conjuring up character back stories.  Please join in by emailing us your ideas: triangleparkatl@gmail.com.  Or email us to say hello and tell us what you’re up to with your blogging or art or life! A Note About Mother’s Day – Hopefully you enjoyed your Mother’s Day last Sunday!  Here are some pics from our day.  We enjoyed food, fun, the club and mostly just loving being together as a family! Savanna, Me, Diana – Ansley Golf Club Jeff, Mom, Me, Diana, Savanna, Joey – Ansley Golf Club Mother’s Day Flowers Mother’s Day rose from Joey Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you – Luke 10:19

I’m not a wedding-party expert. Though, I wish I were because I’d be rich. You may recall a previous blog here where I moaned about an envelope crisis costing $175 for four envelopes ($176.43 to be exact). [Extras are unusable because postage on square envelopes is $1.15 (smiley face)]. Would that irk you? I wasn’t raised during The Depression.  But, I was raised by someone who was raised during The Depression, which is probably worse! We chose not to line our invitation envelopes. Savanna and I aren’t fans of envelope liners. We wanted the invitation to “pop,” not the envelope flap. Plus, if you use a letter opener, the shiny flap is ignored.  Thank the Lord because liners would have made our casing crisis even more costly: $259 for four [sad face]. Check this out: This past week, we were relieved to receive the over-priced box envelopes.  But — darn-it-all — they’re the wrong size.  Too small. Boohiss! Throughout our invitation-design process, we worked with Paper Source in the Around Lenox Shopping Center Paper Source. They are pleasant and professional. This envelope mishap had nothing to do with the store.  The stationery vendor is the one with their tail tucked. Paper Source scrambled and found us the same size envelope at a nearby (competition!) store. They gave us eight and refunded $176.43. Good News All invitations went out in the anticipated time frame (personalized with old-fashioned script) ~ Hooray! No dizzying dollar amount was spent on four measley, un-lined envelopes ~ Hooray! We’re so happy with this outcome we plan to share the $$ with unassuming soul(s)…The Silver Lining. Proverbs 11:24-25 – Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Fiction Fun update: We’re diligently, albeit slowly, building on The Room’s three characters: Week 5 – Character Growth No hurry!  To hurry would likely result in boredom, frustration, and doom. The good stuff (conflicts!) is on the horizon.  Come along for art and fun!

Hi Everyone, I hope you had a good week!  My week?  meh.  I also hope life has been good to you ~ really good ~ not just this past week but always? Do you have a lot to be thankful for?  I find myself saying:  Why do I deserve all this?  I did nothing to deserve any of it! Downside There’s no denying life is not always goodie, goodie, marvelous-marvelous.  Is there anyone out there that doesn’t have at least one thing they hate and aren’t thankful for? Allow me to introduce the ugliest tree in Buckhead: Ugly tree Same ugly tree Neighborhood Landscape It’s not a secret that I love where we live. Springlake is a section of Atlanta that sits between north midtown and south Buckhead.  If you swing over to Ansley Park and wind around to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, you’ll never convince me that that precise geographic outline is not the Center of the Universe.  It is!!  Jeff and I have lived in this location of ATL for almost 30 years.  If history repeats itself a gurney will move me out.  Or, quite possibly agitation from the ugliest tree in Buckhead. Empathy Route Ok, so I don’t know the tree’s heart and inner world. Nor do I know what it sacrifices to nourish insects and protect wildlife. Or, the odds it beat to grow numerous, ghastly, brittle, branches with prickly pine needles and heavy, spikey bundles that torpedo south.  It’s unsightly, that I know. Upside In spite of the tree’s ugliness, Springlake continues to thrive. A new, awesome, amazing, beltline and recent Bobby Jones renovation has added appeal to the extreme. We’re also a stones throw away from stunning Peachtree Battle. Take a drive down Peachtree Battle the next time your in ATL. You won’t find a tree like above anywhere.  NO where!  Why Springlake then? Resolution What’s a tree-hate digging girl to do?  Stop digging, said my husband.  So, I did.  I didn’t stop just like that though. Nor, did I ponder good qualities the tree had and write them on yellow stickys and place them about.  But I did accept that the tree is who it is and that I’m not better than it, or prettier.  Ugh, but I still struggle to accept that it’s brother and sister trees aren’t around the corner on Peachtree Battle, thriving. Fiction Fun (The Room) Onto fun-loving stuff!  If you want to tackle a writing project try paraphrasing what it’s about in 20 or less words.  Do it for characters too. That’s what TPA did this past week with all three personalities in The Room.  And we did all of them in exactly 19 words.  Challenge yourself with a word limit.  Check ours out here: Week 4 Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” P.S. Reception invitations went out yesterday. Please pray! Loads of love for this smart, beautiful, soon-to-be-home-for-the-summer, blogging girl. Like mother, like daughter, silly inside…

Hi Friends, I hope you’re feeling relaxed and blessed! Triangle Park is feeling very blessed. Relaxed? Umm, sometimes yes, sometimes no. I mean, if this blog morphed into an Angst and Aggravation column we’d have tons to be unrelaxed about. Like what happened this past week as Savanna and I sifted through dozens of stamped, sealed, ready-to-mail wedding invitations. Some of them just don’t feel right, Savanna said. Ugh, not all recipients receive the same things. The wedding ceremony itself is tiny.  I’m dizzied with worry that some envelopes mistakenly contain ceremony invites (immediate family only) and vice versa. What it boils down to: I suck at assembly-line paper work. The Envelope Stuffing Drill went something like this: Everyone gets a reception invite Everyone gets an rsvp card/envelope Not everyone gets a ceremony invite You mustn’t forget the stamp on the small return envelope You must put the whole shebang in a medium envelope before inserting into a large outer envelope a large tissue must rest upon the reception invite a small tissue must rest upon the ceremony invite don’t seal the medium inner envelope do seal the large outer envelope put a flower stamp on the small inside envelope put a succulent stamp on the outer envelope nothing goes on the inner medium envelope don’t do in above order If this had been a real job I’d’ve been fired before I began. To the rescue, my awesome and amazing husband who never fails to help me/us through conundrums. Jeff suggested weighing each and every envelope with this handy little gram scale that I otherwise use to measure hair care products with.  Check it out: And sure enough four envelopes had weight discrepancies, notably the initial one that Savanna said “didn’t feel right.  All invites are scheduled to go out this Friday but the certainty of that is contingent upon the arrival of four new envelopes. Yep, this past week was filled with an aggravating, angst-inducing, $175, bump-in-the-wedding-planning road. True, in a perfect world, I’d prefer to pay less than $175 for four envelopes. But, in this case they’re worth every penny! A giant hug to my husband for once again saving the day. I love you! Speaking of pennies, here’s our latest emerging character in The Room Click Here. Thank you for stopping by! Love, Shelley Also, I’m happy to report that Mom is feeling much better, as you can see in these photos.  She spent a good part of yesterday at our home and we treated her to dinner at the golf club.  I might add that Savanna personally picked out a dress for Gam to wear to the wedding and she delivered it to her home.  The dress looks beautiful on Diane. Thank you Savanna. Of course we’re all still aching in my dear, kind, loving, handsome father’s absence.  Albeit I feel his presence in and around me always. It’s all good. Mom, Jeff, Me – Ansley Golf Club Mom kicking back in our house on a stunning, sunny Georgia day. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Hi Everyone, How are you? How was your Easter? Between Good Friday and Easter Sunday the weather was haunting in ATL — in a way that I envision the original resurrection weekend weather to be like. Friday evening, severe storms passed through after an otherwise beautiful week. Flooding, downed trees and a variety of other suffering was left behind. On Saturday wind, cold, and energy-zapping pressure hung annoyingly overhead. BUT, when Sunday arrived…blue sky, bright sunshine and Hope eternal was available for all to claim. Suffice it to say, Easter 2019 was my favorite Easter ever! Jeff and I were delighted to have S and D’s men join us at church, home, and brunch. Our cup(s) runneth over indeed with Love, Hope, Joy, and Buffet Food. Oink. Atlanta is utterly spectacular this time of year. Flowers of every kind and color spread far and wide with a green-burst backdrop like no other. Think: Jackson Pollack returns from the grave and heaves buckets of the greenest green paint all over the city. The art of it all is so very welcome after months of bland earth tones and long, rainy days — no snow or ice to speak of – but enough rain to drown everyone in madness. Here are some pics of our family’s beautiful Easter together. I know a few of you will miss seeing a photo of Mom (Diane, Gam, Grandma, Nana, Aunt Diane) or however you address her. Sadly, Mom took a fall last week and wasn’t able to make it to our celebration. She’s doing much better now, but not quite there yet. On Easter afternoon I took her a basket of fruit and vegetables and we ended up going out for a delicious Italian dinner in Dunwoody.  The memory of it all is tucked deep inside our hearts. And, here’s a short link to TPA’s Fantasy Fiction this week:  Week 2 – Prudence We’re inching along and invite any and all of our dear friends to join in the story-telling process via email or comment. Imagination is deep in our souls. Why suppress it, let it be free! Thank you for reading and have a wonderful, blessed week! Love, Shelley

Wedding whirls are whizzing about Itches and aches are joining ranks Like it or not, there’s thrill and angst When Savanna and I first met with our wedding planner, Sean, he warned us that when contractors hear the word “wedding,” dollar signs would shroud their eyes. “Remember Scrooge McDuck” he said, “that’s what will happen.” Sean was right. But, oddly, last week we experienced polar opposites of Scrooge McDuck. The contractor at hand is the most crucial hire to our event, the…PHOTOGRAPHER…! We had a dream pic snapper all booked — until last week.  When we first contemplated who would shoot Joey and Savanna’s wedding, this person came to mind immediately. Her images tell a unique and deep story to anyone who views them.  They’re cryptic and uncoventional.  I’m a fan of that aura.  However, from the gitgo her price befuddled us: $500. And that included image editing. We scratched our scalps and double-checked. Yep, $500 it was. …Until last week. Low and behold, a museum will feature her work the week of our nuptial, thus she cancelled us. (If it sounds, feels, and looks too good to be true, it’s too good to be true. Duh.) The good news was she recommended someone. We contacted her proposed photographer.  He was wonderfully pleasant and experienced.  Two days later I asked him for costs.  He didn’t send a formal scope, however, he jotted down that his services would set us back between $8k – $12k.  What thaaaa? Scrooge McDuck has gone Syyyycoo McMaddo… Sav and I twitched We jolted and bitched. Whirling and whizzing Itching and hissing Photos are major Treasures to savor We thought it was sealed As a major big deal Now we are kneeling Praying for real! Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley Savanna & Gus / Jekyll Island – Photographer: Shelley Sweeney Sun rise / Jekyll Island, GA Photographer: Shelley Sweeney Beans – Photographer: Shelley Sweeney Diana / Navarre Beach – Photographer: Shelley Sweeney That’s me (and Diana), the Photographer. Ansley (rip) – Photographer: Shelley Sweeney Jeff, Me, Dan and Sav – St. Andrews Scotland Photographer: Shelley Sweeney (Perhaps I will get in the photographing business) #weddingplanning #motherdaughterblog #familyblog #weddings #photographers #loveGod ©copyright All Rights Reserved