Hey there! This week’s Tuesday Topic is: Summer Solstice: what are you looking forward to this season?
Well. Have I mentioned that my son is getting married? Ha ha, of course I have. The wedding is now just over a month away, July 25th. I have my dress and shoes (PHEW), we have our plane tickets and the Airbnb reservation. I just keep feeling like there’s something else I should be doing, but I don’t know what that would be.
I’ve asked Paul and Isabel, several times, if there’s anything I can do, and they tell me that everything is under control. I’ve asked Isabel’s mom, and she made vague allusions to things that would need to be done in the days leading up to the wedding, which is why I’m flying up five days early.
I don’t know… if your son is getting married in a month, should you be doing SOMETHING other than going about your regular life??? I’m getting really antsy, and as it happens, I can’t call my son right now to talk about it because he’s in the middle of a very intense, two week trumpet workshop. But you better believe when that’s over- next weekend- I’ll be calling him to talk all things wedding.
In the meantime… On Sunday I went to a used bookstore! Normally paperbacks are $3 and hardcovers are $4, but this weekend everything was 50% off. Interestingly, this seemed to attract a lot of serious readers. People were examining the shelves intently, and saying things like “Sue, have you read this one? I remember I gave it four stars.” I mean… regular people don’t talk like that, do they?
Here’s what I got:
The Anna Quindlen was 50 cents, and the others were $1.50 each. Pretty good haul for less than $7! Now I have LOTS of reading to do- luckily I have plenty of peace and quiet this week while my daughter is gone.
Link Up With Tuesday Topics
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Have you read any of these books??? – I may have read the Kate Atkinson and the Margery Allingham, but if so, it was so long ago that I don’t remember them.
31 Responses
I’ve read the Woman in Cabin 10 ( 4/5 stars from me – great choice) but not the others. I’m in a reading funk right now- I put aside Riders of the Purple Sage ( DNF, just not my thing) and skimmed a couple of modern mysteries. Time to reread an old favorite.
It sounds like you’re supposed to go to the wedding and enjoy the party- I hope you can relax these next few weeks!
Oh good- I’ve never read any Ruth Ware but I think I’ll enjoy it. Rereading an old favorite is definitely the way to get out of a reading funk!
I am so excited about the upcoming wedding. I think just knowing you’re available to help as things are needed is honestly the only thing you need to be doing at this point! Just enjoy the experience and I’m sure you’ll be “put to work” in helpful ways. So much can’t get done until the very last minute for weddings.
Hooray for all books at such a great price. I rarely buy books, but I just put a big stack on hold for myself back at my home library. We fly back to Canada tomorrow and while I have LOVED having an e-reader, I am excited to hold a paper book in my hand for a change 🙂
You’re flying back to Canada TOMORROW!!! Wow, your epic adventure is coming to a close. Yes, an e-reader was necessary for this trip.
I read woman in cabin 10 too.
My stepson and his bride did everything. Lucky me.
Great haul at the bookstore. Where do you keep all your books or do you give them away?
I end up giving most of them away. Right now I have a bunch that I’ve read and have to decide what to do with. Maybe I’ll bring them for my sister when I go up for the wedding
Nice haul! I’ve read (and enjoyed) Woman in Cabin 10. Those should keep you busy until the trumpet workshop is over!
Wow, it seems like I’m the only one who HASN’T read Cabin 10! Good thing I got it.
Oh, what a fun time in the bookstore! Which store is that? We don’t have many (any?) near me and I would love a good ramble through one. I haven’t read any of those, but I hope you enjoy them.
Come visit me! I have two near me. This one is called something like “Friends of the Library” and is actually in the lobby of one of the public libraries. I mean it’s a separate room, but in the library. It’s small-ish, but has good books in great condition. My other used bookstore is big, with books piled all over the place. Lots more to choose from, but they aren’t laid out as attractively. I like both stores!
I will let you know when I next head to the east coast!
I should go to used bookstores more BUT do I need more books on my shelves? (yes)
Not to lean into gender stereotypes and expectations, but it feels like the bride and her mom have things under control. I remember when I got married, that was definitely the case! I don’t think Rob’s mom did much – she did make the wedding favours (chocolates and wine) (she didn’t make the wine but the wine came from the family winery) (it’s not a family winery anymore) (why can’t I put this all in a normal sentence). ANYWAY. There just wasn’t much to do and she was in a different province, so it was similar to your situation.
Yes, I know typically it’s the bride’s family making arrangements. Maybe I should just calm down and enjoy this month! I think I tend to want to plan too much.
Where do you stand on the rehearsal dinner? We hosted that for both of our sons’ weddings. We worked with our future daughter-n-laws’ parents to get childhood pictures and my husband made fantastic videos for both to show at their rehearsal dinners and just outside the reception hall during the receptions. We also made table place cards with pictures of the couple – for example table one had a picture of each of them when they were one year old, table two when they were two years old, etc. And finally, the son’s parents typically pick up the bar tab for the reception so ask about that.
We have a used book store like the one you referred to, but it’s almost an hour away so I’ve never been there. One of my clients goes regularly, though!
Yes, we’re doing the rehearsal dinner- we offered for them to choose a restaurant, but they’ve opted instead to have it in her parent’s backyard, and get this- this was NOT our idea- they want it catered from Chipotle. Soooooo….. a little less fancy than the one you did!
Oh my goodness, I cannot believe you are just a month out from the wedding! How exciting! I would be feeling antsy also but it sounds like everything is under control. I love that you were flying out early. That sounds like it will be super helpful for dealing with last minute issues that pop-up. And you have yourself all set!
I love your book haul! I get so overwhelmed in most bookstores and I feel like used bookstores are especially chaotic. A lot of people love that kind of chaos but I panic! lol! Which book are you going to start with?
I’m starting the Kate Atkinson today! I’m excited because I’ve been wanting to read this series, but just couldn’t remember whether or not I’d read the first one. I want to read them in order, so I just never started (because I couldn’t figure out if I should start with book 1 or 2?) Finally I decided I’m being ridiculous, and I’m reading the first book. So far I don’t remember it AT ALL.
I can imagine you feel uneasy about the wedding, but I can’t think of anything in particular unless you would have decided already who would be doing what to prepare for the wedding. How exciting though!
Bookstores are LOVELY. And with used books you can find so much fun stuff. I read the good news this week that the book shop that was supposed to close down in our town has been acquired by some locals!! I have high hopes, even if I make myself not buy physical books (I don’t have space for them), I love having a real bookshop in town. It’s like a sign there’s still hope for humanity somehow.
I think you should make an exception to your rule, and patronize this bookstore! You can always give the books away or donate them when you’re done.
The wedding is getting close! My MIL did not really do anything for the wedding aside from pay for the rehearsal dinner. And that is how I wanted it as the bride. My mom also did not do much either and again, that is what I wanted. We paid for the vast majority of the wedding but that meant we had complete control (oh who am I kidding – I had complete control. If it was up to Phil we would have had a backyard BBQ with a water slide.) over all decisions. I was a super organized bride which probably does not surprise you. But we were 36 years old and worked in well-compensated jobs so we were in a different position from Paul and Isabel. I think making yourself available to help in the days before the wedding makes sense. Depending on how much they need to do at the venue the day of, you could be very helpful on the day of if they have to set things up/decorate. We hired a wedding coordinator to set up the reception decorations so I wouldn’t have to stress about finding someone to do that job. There are always little nagging tasks in those final days so I bet you can help out since you’ll be there early.
That bookstore looks great! I spy The Nine lives of Rose Napalitano which is a book I loved – it’s about the decision of having children and how your life would look different depending on that choice! I like browsing bookstores but I typically will only buy books for the kids. The picture books get re-read and the chapter books might as well. Plus I am very against Paul reading on a device, even though that’s my preferred method of reading!
Hee hee. A backyard BBQ and a waterslide. Yes, Paul and Isabel are in a different stage of life than you guys were when you got married. They definitely won’t have a wedding coordinator, so I have a feeling setting up the reception decorations will be a job I can do when I get there.
Now I’m wishing I’d gotten that book- it sounds really good!
Oooh, The Wedding! If you have your dress, shoes, and other accoutrement already, don’t sweat it. If you were the bride’s mom, and if the couple were only in their teens/early twenties, then yes, you’d have more to do. I find that the groom’s moms have it easier, and that older kids are much more realistic and relaxed about Wedding Stuff. (Not sure how old your son is, so maybe I’m assuming too much here.)
What an awesome haul for cheap! Our used bookstore has been gone for ages, and I mourn it often. They’d even take back their own books and give you store credit! Sigh. The Good Old Days.
Well, Paul and Isabel ARE in their early 20s- they’re both 23. But they’ve definitely taken on most of the planning for this wedding. I’m not even sure how much her mom is helping. I get the feeling that Isabel likes to be self-sufficient. I’m sure there will be something for me to do soon. Or, eventually.
Wow the big wedding day is getting close! I’d be paranoid, also, wondering what all needs to be done. It would be tough when you’re not the one doing all the planning (as they typically falls on the bride, usually by choice). Have fun with all that reading as you prepare for the big day!
Thank you Kim! Yes, at least I have lots of reading to do to distract me. I think Isabel really wanted to do most of the planning herself. I’m probably just being an over-planner, and I have to give up the notion that I have control here.
I have not read any of those books, so you’ll have to vet them for me. I feel like I’ve tried Kate Atkinson before (her name is the name of my town!) and I don’t get her? Like she’s too smart for me? Let me know.
Ekes! The wedding is SO SOON!! Are you going to get your hair/nails/makeup done? Do you have appointments for those? I mean, I don’t know what else you could be doing. Is your family hosting a rehearsal dinner? I think my husband’s family cut us a check and paid for the rehearsal dinner and that’s all they really did.
As someone who has just had a son get married, I did what I was told and paid the bills when they were sent to me. Also made sure the RSVPs on our side were all in. We helped with a few things in the last few days that we were asked to help with. They knew we were available if needed.
Oooffffff so much anxious energy!!!!! I can relate since I get like that before travel. But- all will be well and I cannot wait to read the wedding recap.
I haven’t read any of those books but some authors’ names do sound familiar… Anna Quindlen, Ruth Ware…
Summer solstice… I want to have a summer filled with adventure and relaxation. Those are mutually exclusive but I’ll try.
So exciting that the wedding is so close now. It feels like yesterday that you announced that your son was getting married and now it’s almost here. I think it’s totally normal to feel antsy and to think there must be something that you should be doing… but just trust Paul that everything is under control and enjoy the anticipatory joy! 😉
My son and his wife handled almost everything but then had me running around to make “signs” to put out on the (country road) so people could find the venue. That was harder to figure out than I expected!
Your son’s wedding is in a MONTH! AHHH. It snuck right up! I’m sure there will be plenty to do once you get there. Probably harder since you’re far away right now.
I… am the person in the bookstore asking people if they’ve read XYZ book and giving them my rating so I would fit right in with that crowd. HA. That’s basically all I do at bookstores if I’m with someone.