Weekend Stuff

We attended the Golden Retriever Rescue's wine-tasting fundraiser at the Wine Artist on Saturday. The Wine Artist is owned by Carole Cappellino, who also happens to be one of the Rescue's greatest directors/volunteers/foster mommies/etc... She was busy making sure everyone was having a good time, but she made time to get a picture with us.

This woman is responsible for approving our adoption of our beloved Nick, and also for approving our adoption of Achilles and Milo. Achilles is near and dear to her heart because he reminds her of her Brady boy. She's an incredible woman, one of those people who never wastes a minute of a day. She's constantly in motion.
It was terrific having some time to see my tiny friend, Laura, and her hubby, Tom. Laura, ever the life of any party, made sure this nice gentleman felt welcome...
Ed and I were rock stars for a brief moment. There was a slide show that showed available Goldens and past Golden adoptions...guess who is featured in the photo on the right?!.... :-)
Laura and I lovin' all over da man in the cute red bow-tie....
Ed and I won a book in the raffle contest, "Merle's Door", but Tom and Laura made out like bank robbers in the auction!!! Tom, the sweet husband that he is, made sure Laura got the cute summer purse package.

Adorable couple. (Sorry, my flash didn't go off....)
Saturday was Katie's prom. I blew out her hair in the morning before leaving for pre-Cana, and then styled it and did her make-up later in the afternoon. She looked absolutely amazing! Her dress was a very classy and elegant, in a gorgeous cobalt blue. She had a wonderful time at prom and danced the night away. What wonderful memories to have forever. I'm so happy that everything was perfect for her. Her proud papa emailed me pictures of his baby girl all decked out, but I don't have Katie's permission to post. Just think Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly...that was Katie!

Saturday we also had the last of the pre-Cana classes. We are having unusually warm weather in San Diego (a.k.a. HOTNESS!!!), so we sat in the church auditorium roasting away. For lunch Ed and I decided to escape to the waterfront for some seafood. The walk down was gorgeous. Loooooved the jacarandas, putting on their show for me again....

Star of India, now a California landmark. What a beautiful ship.
Along the Embarcadero the City of San Diego has art displayed as part of the Urban Trees project. They're spaced evenly all up and down the Embarcadero. The pieces are so interesting and lovely. This is the "Family Tree by the Sea". I love the multi-colored glass.
In the forefront you see two urban trees (check out the giant red ant attempting to climb the rubber tree), but in the background you see a little red dot and some yellow flags....
...it is the "Four Seasons Tree" by none other than.....
....FAMOS AMOS!!!! How freaking cool is that? Some fucking idiot vandalized his art piece. You can see that little white dot on the red circle. It's a sticker that some buffoon decided to stick on the art. Some people are such idiots. I swear. *sigh*

Anyway, there is something just so cool about knowing someone whose art work is displayed for thousands to view. I felt like telling all the pedestrians, "Hey, I know that guy!" I figure by default that makes me famous and important too. (I'm sure this is how people who know celebrities feel.)
We had lunch at a fish grotto on the waterfront. You can see Cabrillo National Monument in the distance there, pretty much dead center.
I wanted to jump on their boat so I wouldn't have to return to class! No such luck though. We had to literally WALK-RUN and all out RUN back to the church because we dawdled at lunch. We had to be back by 12:30. The run was uphill and just a little over a mile. I snapped a video of Belov-Ed hoofing it up to the church with his sexy legs churning out flexed muscle power. However, I was warned to ALWAYS pre-approve any videos of him before posting. (He didn't approve.) We were SOAKED in sweat by the time we landed in our seats at 12:36.
We didn't want to miss a minute of all the fun. Not even one exciting second. After all, the best was yet to come. What's a religious lecture on sex and marriage without a poster of a penis and a vagina? I mean, come on. It just wouldn't be right. Is it me, or do they always make the woman parts look like a bull head and horn? Weird.

I insisted on wearing my Foxy Lady t-shirt to class. Ed tried to get me to change, but I stood my ground. It is a strip club in Providence, Rhode Island. I have another t-shirt from the Foxy Lady with naked lady silhouettes. He's lucky I didn't insist on wearing THAT t-shirt. As for my collection of t-shirts, don't ask. Long story. Maybe over margaritas sometime....
I forgot to post pictures of Father Bill Ortmann. A very wise, very funny, and very sweet man, who also happens to be a priest. He's from the midwest. He conducted our engaged encounter weekend, and he's the one who was looking for "volunteers" to sing at mass. As you may remember, Ed graciously volunteered himself. :-)

Anyway, Father Bill made me feel very welcome and at home. He was at our pre-Cana class as well. He took the time to discuss with us the challenges we may face as an inter-faith couple. When it came time for blessings for our marriage, he hugged us both and said a beautiful prayer over our heads. As a Muslim, it was very meaningful for me to receive his prayers. It must not have been easy for him to set aside his religious convictions, but he did so in the hopes that our marriage will be good, happy, and lasting, no matter what faith we were bringing to our marriage.

Of all the people we encountered throughout this process, he had the most meaningful and profound impact upon us. Thanks Father Bill....