Brokeback Toe!

• Looking back on my “fall” last week, it probably really did look funny to my two onlookers ( thankfully t’was only hubby and baby)…There I was on the floor, slumped to the side, with my little toe hooked at an awkward angle into my husband’s work boots. Yes, a sprained little toe, as a result of trying to rescue a sprinting toddler, heading pell-mell for an open front door and the great, wide (dangerous) world beyond.
  
  So toddler saved and mommy down.
  
  Hubby standing, watching in a mix of suspended animation and mild horror –asking, “You ok?”
  
  Once I assured him I was…his sense of humour went into high gear and so for the last week I’ve been cheerfully called “Brokeback Toe” around the house. (Hmmph…This from a guy who swears he will never watch Brokeback Mountain. As for me, I thought it was highly over-rated and utterly boring. Just my opinion, please don’t send me any hate mail for this)
  
  Anyway, because of this one little toe, I’ve been hobbling around and doing my best to keep up with all and sundry. I can’t wear heels and so I have to schlep around in flip flops all the time (which reminds me that I am still on my search for the perfect black, peep-toe ballet flats. If you know where I can find one that is not gonna cost me US$50, let me know).
  
  Today, my whole leg is in pain from the weird way I’ve taken to walking over the past week. Who knew a little toe could be so important?
  
  Which naturally brings me to my point about weddings. Most people think that it’s the big-budget things that count at weddings, you know? Like the fancy way the fabric was draped on the reception hall ceiling, the uber-expensive designer gown, centrepieces that cost TT$300+ or the fancy schmancy stretch limo.
  
  Of course, these things add ambience and are beautiful in their own right but after some years in the wedding business I tend to think that it’s the small things that really count ( I’ll call it my “little toe theory”).
  
  The best weddings I’ve been to actually have been the mid-range budget ones, not the high-end ones. When I look back on what I thought was great, it was stuff like:
• Hearing the heartfelt sentiments of the bridal party during their toasts to the bride and groom (always tears me up!)
• Seeing the bride and groom have fun on the dance floor (even if they have no rhythm whatsoever, what the hey? It’s their day and nobody cares!)
• Having a seat reserved for me and not have to walk around like a nomad asking complete strangers “ Umm, excuse me, is this seat taken?”
• Warm food from the buffet (I’m not a fan of hot food that’s served cold)
• Sitting at a table with old friends who I haven’t seen in months or meeting new people I’d met just before the wedding, at the bridal shower.
• Actually having a glass of wine/champagne poured for me before the toasts begin, so I don’t have to limply hold a glass of water, to toast a lovely couple. That’s just wrong…
  
  Anyway, I really hope this toe starts to feel better soon. There’s only so much Dolobene gel I can put on it!
  
  

Eclectic tunes

Any song by Mary J. Blige, Isaac Blackman’s “To the Ceiling”, loud tassa at Hindu weddings, Machel Montano’s Jumbie and the K9 Advantix Ad on cable (i.e. cute puppy singing: “there ain’t no bugs on me, there may be bugs on some ah you mugs but there ain’t no bugs on me!”).

What does this odd collection of artistes/songs have to do with me? Well, if my baby Zara had an iPod, I bet you those tunes would be on it. Yes, a far cry from Baa Baa Black Sheep and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star…

Little Zara as my friend J. aptly put it, is quite the “soul baby.” Her “dancing” started a few months ago, perhaps when she was about 10 months old or so. It started off as a quirky, jerky up-and-down movement. Now, at the ripe old age of 13 months she has progressed to twirling hand movements, hands up in the air and off-balance little spins, which more or less end up with her falling down on her tush, giggling. It’s so cute (but of course, I’m grossly biased). At first I thought this was something all babies did but then my friend K. assured me that her “baby” (now a thriving 3 year old) never had any inclination whatsoever to boogie.

But…I’ve been digressing, back to weddings right? Zara’s choice of music is a far cry from what I listen to. I’d rather kick back (after a crazy day with a toddler, running a business and dealing with household stuff!), to Fleetwood Mac, Gypsy Kings, U2, Nora Jones, Dido and Sarah McLachlan to name a few. When hubby and I got married, we were both crazy about the beautiful “When you say nothing at all” - the Allison Kraus version (The Ronan Keating version, on the Notting Hill soundtrack is also very cool), so it was an obvious choice for our first dance. At this link, you can get a sneak preview about what other brides are pondering for their own first dance songs: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=490&PN=1&TPN=1

Why eclairs are better than some wedding guests

So, Hubby and I were having dinner recently with annoying couple M. and K. Now, you may ask, if they’re annoying why did we go out with them?

But perhaps I should re-phrase, we went to a wedding and they happened to be seated at our table. All through the soup and way into the main meal, we were regaled with tales from M. about how successful he is, how he started his business, where he limes on a weekend, why we should all go together soon (ick...), how his kids were at the best schools - yadda yadda yadda. Did I mention he had awful table manners as well? (but…I’ll spare you the gory details!)

How I wished I could escape…

But as they say, you gotta be careful what you wish for. Just like that - while ready to dig into the chocolate éclair on my plate, I got afflicted with the worst tummy pain you could imagine. I could feel my face turning green, so I made a fast get-away to the ladies’ room. As I sat glumly (and alone) in the hotel bathroom, missing Mr. Éclair… I couldn’t help but think that at every wedding, there’s a guest like “M” to be found.

You know? The person so insecure about himself, he ends up boasting and telling his whole life story to a bunch of strangers who would just rather he’d shut up so they can have that last bite in peace. Oh well…we can’t escape the “M’s” out there, so the best we can do is to enjoy the dessert along the way!

Wardrobe Philosophies

OK…so I’m a “minimalist”.

In this crazy world full of over-consumption, I’ve somehow managed to speak that word out loud! I believe in a few great shoes, a couple fabulous handbags and well-chosen jewellery. My sister laughs at me because I’ve been wearing the same watch for about 6 years now, with no qualms whatsoever. This wardrobe minimalism is the very reason I was so appalled at myself for ending up with 2 pairs of shoes for my wedding. The thought of it, goes against the very grain of my wardrobe philosophy! Anyway, to find out how I did indeed end up with these 2 pairs, check out the latest article to TW, on Shoe Selection: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/shoe_selection.asp

Not to mention, having a baby recently, sent my need for undergarments to newer and weirder heights. When I first had my baby, my friend C. (of the ridiculously-flat-stomach-post-2-babies) swore up and down “get thee a girdle!” So, I did and a year later, I am also now hanging up my nursing undergarments for good (well…until the next baby!). Thankfully, brides nowadays have much better choices than us new moms out there. Check out our article on Undergear for more! http://www.trinidadweddings.com/undergear.asp