Reward: Ten Years Good Luck

The jewel in the necklace Wendy wore for the wedding is still missing. I'm afraid to mow. Last seen on her when she was singing on stage. It is of particular significance since Lynn wore it on her wedding day as well. Any information leading to its whereabouts and recovery will result in ten years of good luck (and probably some big hugs).

Bride of the Tiltawhirl

Bride of the Tiltawhirl
Posted by: wendylewis.

Lola found this crazy thing in her neighborhood (NoCal).

But... I'm a bit confounded so I'm gonna work it out here, with all my peeps. We know Bride of Frankenstein & Bride of Chuckie ... (the list goes on) but who is this Bride of the Tiltawhirl? What's her deal? How did it happen, these two, falling in love? My initial venture is.... it's all about "the ride", but I bet she's stationary while Tiltawhirl spins. Mmmmm.... the balance. We all know that shit, right? Scout spins while Navigator maps the maniacal twirling swirling dirvish. Everyone gets what they want and what they need.

And THAT'S my F**ing point!!! And that is precisely why I married (we all married???) this Dude.... who abides. Brent is the Bride of the Tiltawhirl. Enough said.

Such a Pretty Mess

Such a Pretty Mess
Posted by: wendylewis.

Me & Daddio

Me & Daddio
Posted by: wendylewis.

The love you shared with Mom put me on this planet. She's weaving in and around us all, every day. That's the way Big Love works and she hasn't missed a thing.

The Flower Duet

The Flower Duet
Posted by: wendylewis.

Well.... flowers dueting indeed.

With our graceful Reverend looking on, can we say enough about those lovely voices floating around the guests, through the yard and mingling with the prairie grasses by the river? I think the birds stopped singing and listened.

Hannah & Kitty.... you were truly awesome. We love love you so.

Enjoy a Kafka like Guy & Lola Do!

Enjoy a Kafka like Guy & Lola Do!
Posted by: wendylewis.

Lola's Concoction

Lola's Concoction
Posted by: wendylewis.

note: I think the 1/2 t of sugar is optional if you use tonic. Enjoy & Remember!

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Posted by: wendylewis.

Wedding Eve Candle Dance

Wedding Eve Candle Dance
Posted by: wendylewis.

Boat O' Babes

Boat O' Babes
Posted by: wendylewis.

Guy, Byrdie and Dr. Chair

Guy, Byrdie and Dr. Chair
Posted by: wendylewis.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

No Caption .... Check Back for Edit

Buggy's gal and my Best Gal .... what? Who? When?

Chaos. That's all, just chaos ....

Captain Gary "Super Sig" Sigmeth

This is what happens to my dear ol' Dad when he has more than 2 alcoholic beverages - my mother makes him wear a helmet!

It Had Been Quite a Long Time Since I'd Rocked and Rolled!!!

Scott Bowman snapped this magical shot of me navigating my way through Led Zepplin's "Rock & Roll". Scary stuff. Probably a good thing no one was recording any audio, though they tell me that I gave it my all ... couldn't have done it without the support of G.R. "Iffy" Anderson Jr., though ...

Honeymoon Blaze

Honeymoon Blaze
Posted by: wendylewis.

Inspired by this bonfire last night, the Navigator and I began plotting the Honeymoon. More later.....

Isabel's Birthday Masterpiece

Isabel's Birthday Masterpiece
Posted by: wendylewis.

Buzzy's Blaze

Buzzy's Blaze
Posted by: wendylewis.

SO glad we got to have a B-Day party for Buzzy. Great job on the cake Isabel!!!

xo

Cannon Falls Bomber Buggy #15

This was taken in 1989 by Scott "Fatguy" Bowman before the Halloween beer slam-dunk contest. Later, Buggy was seen dribbling down Johnson St.

Have at 'em ...

the Friday Riders

the Friday Riders
Posted by: wendylewis.

Yeah. That's what I'm talkin' about (Esse es que yo hablo!).... with celestial fireworks & all....

The Bug Pack???

Where was I when Morty and Hal showed up at the Groom's dinner? Does Buggy's blazer have an attracting quality? I can't believe I missed them!! Did they go for a 4-wheeler ride? Bowman, I bet it was a gas hangin' with those crazy cats! Do tell ...

Post-Wedding Pile

30 trash bags. Wendy phoned Dale Gibson of Gibson Sanitation to inform him that we had a wedding and that there's a lot of garbage. He said, "Yeah, I heard about that wedding ... no problem." The real question is: Did he hear me and G.R. Anderson (aka "Ace, Jr." or "Downtown Legs" Anderson) singing Led Zepplin at 1am?

Anyway, I think this is the winner pile so far....

R.I.P. Carlos the Pinata

Sunday after the wedding bash carried with it a gruesome scene: the crushing of Carlos (after he had been punted twice by the reverend and used as a practice dummy for the RoboRaptor gift from Jason Nagel). Boyce's reaction, when questioned about the scene was, "It was a massacre! Pools of candy everywhere!".

We'll miss you, Carlos! Below: a wailing Lola grieves.

Best Dude Buggy @ Groom's Dinner

Sorry, Buggy ... had to make sure that folks who hadn't witnessed your classy show at the Groom's dinner had a chance to see what you were going to wear for the wedding. I'm working like crazy now and it pains me because all I want to do is sit here and reminisce while posting to the 'blog and responding to comments (AAAAHHHHHH!!!).

Love you all. Still recovering.

Mr. and Mrs. Scout & Navigator!

Wow. That was Saturday. Today is Wednesday. So much processing. Stories to follow; just wanted to post something.

The 'blog remains open! Can't even BEGIN to attempt to thank everyone for everything, so I'll just wait. Too much love to express. Wow. No, wait ... WOW-WOW-WOW.

The Reverse is Pertinent

One thing to say here -- for all these years I have felt like this man in this woodcut. Now, I have to learn how to be out there and peek back in for reversed enlightenment. That's the power of true love, I suppose. I'm believing it. It was quite an adventure sticking my head outside the realm of where we all are and taking a look around, but you can't do that alone forever now, can you? Wendy ..... mmmmmmmm ... sweet Wendy. Keep thrilling me on earth and I'll just be here with the tools to sustain our chore of enchantment. Deal? Deal ...

"Tut, tut.... looks like rain!"

"Tut, tut.... looks like rain!"
Posted by: wendylewis.

Here's the B-Rent post-parking-lot-mow-down. Our awesome neighbors Natalie and Kent offered us their lots for wedding bash parking, since they have yet to put their house up. Without them, I think we might have gotten the attention of the local police.... cars parked from our house to town. The head count is beyond 450 at this point.

Anyway, he was covered in grass & dirt and very sweaty. It was really hot & humid today. Pretty cute, I have to say. At the risk of sounding really stupid and too precious and embarrassing myself, he's just cuter 'n shit ALL THE TIME. That's what love does, I guess.... turns you into a driveling moron.... and hopefully for the rest of your lives together. (But, for those of you who know him well, I'm certain you have to agree.... true?)

OK. Enough Brent gushing. Kitty & I off to pick up Lola & Guy from NoCal at the airport. Tomorrow, my sister Cee in the AM and in the early afternoon, Sugar Q Super Dog & familia. Trisha Cornona on Thursday .... and then freakin' showdown. But there will be more to come.... stay tuned.

T Minus 4 days and counting.....

The Ring

The Ring
Posted by: wendylewis.

OK. Ignore the tomboy hands if you will .... proof I've never been a diamond kinda girl. In any case, you need to know that this is Brent's maternal grandmother's ring, who died at 62 years of age when he was five. She had taken care of Brent from the time he was a wee baby.

When Helen, Brent's mom, was growing up in West St. Paul, her family didn't have much money but says that even though she and eight siblings were crammed into two bedrooms, they were always taking in foster kids and never felt "poor". Her dad, who was 4'8", resulting from polio as a child and a motorcycle accident, ran a gas station called Shorty's while her mom tended to the crowded, buzzing & happy house. Helen's parents had a wonderful relationship and were very much in love. Her dad gave this ring to her before he died (after wearing it himself for the ten years after her death), intending it for Brent, should he marry.

I'm honored to wear this family heirloom, especially one that represents the depth of love, generosity and integrity of heart which is Brent's legacy. I assure you -- I have been the grateful recipient of that legacy as it plays out through Brent & his family every day for the last two years.... and it rocks!

T Minus 5 days & Counting

T Minus 5 days & Counting
Posted by: wendylewis.

Prizes for the cake contest, prizes for the best bloggers, gifts for the wedding party. Homemade shit is goin' on around here. It's gonna get a lot messier before it gets cleaner.

For the record, Miss Kitty has been a cleaning fool the last couple days and her attitude has been exemplary. Getting rooms ready, vacuuming, sorting, tossing. She even came home from working all day today, fed the dogs and then mopped the kitchen floor. She's been raised well, I'm thinking.....

Meanwhile, I left my sewing machine and we went to the city. We got more paper products at Litin after a long & roundabout search for where the store had been relocated. Then, Brent got shoes, belt & socks for his suit and I got some facial waxing done.... it was my virgin experience. I have to admit.... it felt sorta good when she pulled the ripcord. I don't know why. I'll think about it and get back to you.... should anyone care.

Now we're back home, a bit restless, at our laptops on the porch, catching up on things. The weather reports are hilariously contrary... rain, no rain, rain, no rain for the 13th. We're wondering if we should put another tent on hold just in case. And we're also wondering who will wuss out and not show up if it rains. Most Minnesotans pride themselves in bearing out the weather in any season .... we're the ones who came up with things like scuba diving at local lakes in January so I have high hopes, especially where the campers are concerned.

Maybe that hardy, nothing can stop me Minnesota attitude has something to do with enjoying getting unwanted hair ripped out by the roots.

Whee!

Whee!
Posted by: wendylewis.

Trisha Cornona mentioned something about a ferris wheel in the yard.... will this do? foto credit: b humphrey

8/6/05 Navigator Draws a Map (T minus 6 days)

Navigator Draws a Map
Posted by: wendylewis.

B is drawing a yard map.... to aid Team Chuck & Team Hannah in their Friday 8/12 Wedding Eve Day set up endeavors. His mom told me yesterday when we went shopping for paper products that when he was the littlest teeny kid he had the uncanny ability to draw the straighest lines she'd ever seen.

That's my Navigator Dude!

8/4/05 - Aerial View of Sign Production Site

8/4/05 - Aerial View of Sign Production Site
Posted by: wendylewis.

8/4/05 - T Minus 9 Days

8/4/05 - T Minus 9 Days
Posted by: wendylewis.

Work is goin' on 'round here, see? Navigator shows how to whittle sticks with an ax for wedding signage. He's the guy who knows how to point who where, see?

Parting Shot

Parting Shot
Posted by: wendylewis.

.... and then, Brent & Scott put on the same goodbye outfit Wednesday morning. The Dudes abide and preside..... inside and outside.

The Great Escape!

The Great Escape!
Posted by: wendylewis.

OK. So, here's the full story accompanying the last posts. Things were getting a bit tense between summer heat, B's allergies, my PMS and wedding party production obsession beyond what was necessary. Suddenly we're throwing things into the car and speeding north. 'Round midnight on Sunday we were 30 miles south of the Canadian border. Lynn and Scott already had the bonfire going and held up a beacon from shore to guide us down with our cocktails. The moon rose, then -- the sun -- lavender over an impossibly glassy Lake Superior and we slid the canoe onto the water before finally sleeping for awhile until more adventures ensued over the next couple days on our L&S Outward Bound for the Bride & Groom tour.

It was all shooting from the hip but it worked and the four of us like it that way .... the clock stopped ticking, the weather was perfect, wood for bonfires plentiful. We survived a Kadunce River gorge hike up river & over sheer, mossy, slippery verticals with only a few bruises and a delicious dip in a waterfall pool at the end. (Note: if you ever want to try death-defying tricks, take Scott the Zen Master Calm Dude Abiding with you.... you won't die.) More hiking for Scott & Scout while Lynn & Navigator traveled the film footage from Brent's bachelor party -- dangerous stuff.

The cocktails flowed at all hours of the day or night (or dead of night), lounging was essential, dancing broke out at will, food was conjured when necessary (sleep was not), and it seemed as if we were gone for weeks. We even managed to make a stop at the famous Ben Franklin store in Grand Marais, where Scott was pressured to purchase his original, in the package 1960's porn/psychologist/ski instructor vest shirt pictured below. (I won that match.) Lynn managed to roll into a casket sized (!) crevice at the lake's edge on our last night after "we could see clearly now", proudly displaying her impressive bruise the next morning. If you beg, we'll post it. I don't think she'll mind.

Lynn & Scott... thanks for saving us from ourselves. We love you. We can see clearly now.

Scott "Vest-Shirt" Andre!

Who all thinks Scott should wear this get-up while he reads at the ceremony? Huh?

"Downtown Teeth" Sigmeth and His Beverage

Scout Makes a Statement ...

Groom's Next Best Gal, Lynn ...