Road Trip and Wedding 10-1-21

 

On the road by 9:30.  

The cats are fed and watered and medicated.  Liz will handle tonight, tomorrow and Sunday morning.  This will be the first weekend away in two years (not counting Easter 2020).

For the last week I have been mulling over when was the best time to leave by using the google maps and scheduling and it gave a pretty good indication when I arrive if I leave before ten. My hope is to take the normal route I usually take to visit PA.  That includes the Merritt to 278 over the Cuomo Bridge (formerly Tappan Zee).  Then 78 to where my hostess is.  I took a brief stop there to see what it looked like then headed to Jim’s.  I was really early.  

Admittedly I was concerned that Google was going to insist that I go to GW Bridge but it didn’t and took me over the route I remember over the years and once I was on on 287 I was fine.  I was surprised to find an additional electronic toll booth had been built and wasn’t expecting to be paying anymore  on the way down.  I do expect a couple of Toll by mail invoices arriving over the next few weeks.

I headed to Jim’s and was greeted by my soon SIL.  Who I didn’t recognize!  Really???  I was really embarrassed.  We hugged, chatted and from there got ready for the wedding.  I showered after Jim got my stuff out of the car.  The others got ready and visited with Jim.  I also got to see at least one of the kitties.

We left for the courthouse around 3.  We parked down the street in one of the many parking garages in the city.  I already regretted the shoes and stockings I chose for the outfit.  I learned that was also the location of Janis’s new Job.   She didn't’ give us a tour of the place but it's on the first floor.

We had to wait outside the courtroom and many more of their friends and family came out.  I got to see James R (my nephew).    We were brought inside and waited for a bit.  My niece emily arrived a little later and was standing in for her father while Janis’s daughter (who could have been Emily’s twin) stood for her.  It was a short ceremony and I only took a few pictures and asked the kids to send me some.

The weather: Beautiful and sunny.  Chilly at first and maintained it for most of the day. It was mostly in the sixties and sunshine.  It got a bit chillier as the sun dropped though.

After the ceremony we headed over to their friend Shawn’s home for the reception.  It was a beautiful home on W Tilghman and it was an oasis from the busy street out front.   It was light fare.  Sushi, pinwheel sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, shrimp tortellini, fruit and a home made cake.

We were there until 8 when I had received word it was time for me to check in.  My hostess was to go to a meeting (I realized later it was work) by 9:30.  I felt so much pressure and a little resentment for pushing it but looking back it was my own fault.  When I arrived the keys were outside where she said they would be.  It turned out she waited for me.  She helped me take my stuff to the room where I would be spending the next three days.  IT was quite simple.  A dresser, a wardrobe made of cloth.  A bed (the bed frame was exactly the same one I have in my bedroom.)

Once I got my stuff in and moved the car towards the front of the house Elan left for a meeting/work.  I got unpacked and got ready for bed. Elena’s kitty cat came and slept with me for the night.  It felt like I was home.