What Not To Wear

If there is one thing I talk about on my blog as much as appliances, it is fashion, don't you think? A while back I gave you my fall fashion preview and I really hope that you have embraced your inner diva and are workin' the Dances With Wolves Outfit. Speaking of that particular look I donned this neon headpiece at Montrose Day a couple of weekends ago and had several people tell me I looked like an Indian princess. Please feel free to now call me Princess MoonPie. :)

Anyway, these past few months have just been full of fashion opportunities. I actually had quite the experience with my class reunion. I ended up buying 3 dresses because I couldn't decide on one. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Not only did I buy 3 dresses, but I also managed to go off and leave ALL 3 dresses at home, six hours away from the reunion location. Yes, I really did. So, in all actuality, I ended up with 4 reunion dresses. I planned to take 2 of the dresses back, but I had already decided one that I wanted to keep for an upcoming wedding. That is where this blog comes in.

Months ago one of Josh's friends had asked him to perform his wedding ceremony. I have to say here that many times people who are in ministry will tell you how hard it is and bemoan the trials and situations you encounter. I've done it plenty myself. But truly, I consider it one of the greatest privileges of my life that people trust Josh and I to be a part of their lives. Whether it is praying with them through sickness, counseling through marital problems or ministering during the loss of a loved one, it means the world to me that people allow Josh and I to be a part of that time in their life. And, this being Josh's second wedding I realized that it is really exciting to be a part of this experience in someone's life. That being said, what I'm trying to say is that we were really looking forward to this! Josh had sent Mike an e-mail discussing different ceremonies and such like that. Of course he also had to ask the all important question-"What should I wear?" Really, is there a more important question? :) Mike sent this response. (It may or may not be illegal for me to reprint an e-mail that doesn't belong to me. My uncontrollable urge to include this e-mail in my blog is over ruling any sense I have. I'm claiming spousal privilege.) Here is his response:

"Josh ceremony #1 is the one.Also wear what ever you would like,were not pickey heck one guy I work with lost a bet and is wearing overalls and straw hat. I'm wearing a tux with a camo vest and tie and the guys are wearing white fishing shirts and khaki pants with deck shoes.So I gess what i'm trying to say is it is a informal wedding.Thanks again Josh and if you need anything call."

Surely you understand that since Josh received that e-mail a month ago it has been killing me to tell you about it!!! Really, it made me laugh everyday for a good six or seven days. And you would have to know this groom. I love him. I can't hear a Kenny Chesney song and not think of him. He really is just that laid back. I immediately started reconsidering my dress and wishing I still had my BONGO overalls from 7th grade. (Because I would SO fit in my clothes from 7th grade. NOT!!!) With our reunion the restaurant had called their dress code "resort casual". I named the dress code for this special occasion "camo formal". I really could not wait for this event.

We got to the rehearsal a good hour before everybody else. I still can't believe it. I will say that Josh is good about being on time for weddings. I think he got to ours like 5 hours early. :) Luckily, there was an arcade in the hotel lobby.

I would like to do a little plug for my hubby here. This is Rev. Joshua "Scooter" Fidler. He is available to perform weddings, especially ones at beautiful beach locations. He accepts arcade tokens and 20 oz. Pepsi's as compensation. :)

We were way early and the bride and groom were a tad bit late. For a while I knew no one there and hung out at a picnic table updating my Facebook on Josh's phone. I was totally THAT person. Eventually the wedding party got there and it turned out that one of the groomsman was married to a girl I used to take dance with. We got to catch up during the rehearsal and that was fun. I also later found out that her husband lived across the street from me during my middle and high school years. Wow. I was apparently the worst neighbor ever. He said he used to see me and I know Josh and I both shared the same concern that what he meant was that he used to see us smoochin' in the driveway. Not that we did such things... :)

Soon it was time for us to go eat and I was very ready! We learned that somehow one of the groomsmen had made his way to Winn-Dixie and needed a ride from there to the dinner. I am still at a total loss at how he made it to that store in the time he did. Anyway, I mistakenly heard him say he was getting bail money for his roomate when we picked him up. He really said he was getting "bill money" but I did not know that until the next day so I spent the whole time wondering if we would eventually be making a run to the county jail or something. All I could think was that only Josh and I would be driving the wedding party around to post bail for somebody. :)

They had the dinner outside at a park on the Navy base. It was amazing. I have a picture of the food, but I'm a dork and didn't upload it in the right place. Anyway, I ate shrimp with the heads still on and gator tail. I don't think Josh has ever been so proud of me. He had to tell his friend how far I've come. Can I just tell you there is no ladylike way to eat gator tail. That is the chewiest stuff. I finally just had to pick it up and gnaw on it. For real. They also had grouper grilled in bacon and I think Josh told every living soul we saw for the next 3 days about it. It was really that good. After dinner we visited and then I left the boys to talk. It was completely rude and anti-social of me, but there was a swing overlooking the water and I just couldn't pass it up. The sun had just set and there was a breeze blowing. I could have sat there for hours. The groom had already gotten his wedding gift by mistake. It was a lifetime hunting and fishing license. So, he went ahead and gave the bride hers. He told us it was something she had wanted for a long time. I started mentally examing the box. It was big. There are always 4 things you can't go wrong with for me. 1. Clothes 2. Purses 3. Perfume 4. Furniture. Well, it was a bow. To hunt with. I had to smile. Mike really found his soul mate. So sweet!

I couldn't wait for the wedding to see everybody dressed up and to find out if the overalls and fishing shirts were for real. Josh wanted me to wear my dress from the reunion, but I couldn't for two reasons. 1. I had just worn it and had pictures in it a month ago and 2. I still had 2 other new dresses to wear!! Well, you will not believe this. The bridesmaid dresses looked almost exactly like my reunion dress!!! Here is a pic from the reunion with my friend's Beth and Pao. I have known them since elementary school and I was missing them this weekend as Mike and Josh shared stories about their friendship that started in 4th grade. There is just something about the friends who rode bikes and took spelling tests with you. I hate that I did not get a pic of one of the bridesmaids to show you, but I did not know any of them and I didn't think it would be appropriate to approach them and say "Can I take your pic for my blog?"

Man I'm glad I didn't wear that dress!! How embarrassing would that have been? I had been asking Josh to find out what the colors were, but he kept forgetting. He was always more concerned with stuff like the marriage license and the ceremony they wanted to use. Silly preacher boy!! :)
Josh and I in my non-bridesmaid matching dress.

Here is the food from the rehearsal dinner.

Josh and Mike in his camo vest and tie. It looked really sharp. Josh really does have a face I am just photographically challenged and do not know how to take pics when the sun is facing me.

The bride and groom had let Josh know that they wanted the ceremony short and sweet. It was. They played the Adam Sandler song "Grow Old with You" during the pouring of the unity sand. I had never seen that done before it was really cool. Instead of a candle they poured two different colors of sand into a jar. The dj also played "I Feel Good" right after Mike and Heather walked down the aisle. So cute! It was definitely a fun wedding. And in case you were wondering....

There really was a guy who lost a bet and came in overalls.

And, although I wouldn't do it with the bridesmaids I totally went up to him and asked to take his picture. I started by introducing myself as the preacher's wife and he was probably concerned I was going to give him a full gospel presentation or lecture him on the seriousness of marital vows. Probably if I were a good preacher's wife I would have. But not me. I asked to take his picture. It cracked me up! Oh yea, did I also tell you he brought a portable TV to watch the Alabama game. I know some of my blogging buddies will appreciate that. :)

So what can we learn from this blog today? Probably not much. What did I learn from this experience? It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it! I love people who are okay just being themselves. Camo vest, fishing shirts, overalls and all.

Two Weeks I'll Never Forget...If I Can Remember Them!

Well, we left for Panama City and it was June. We came back and it was July 7th! Where in the world does the time go? Since I don't have the greatest memory it is a good thing that I do have a million and a half pictures! I'm only sharing half a million with you. :)

After a week full of dance rehearsals and Vacation Bible School, my parents arrived for the much anticipated dance recital. They also came bearing gifts! My parents and brother gave Josh and I a new microwave for our anniversary and brought me an early birthday present...a new camera!!! I am just spoiled rotten!

Sarah did beautifully at her dance recital and made me so proud! She really is a natural, her dance teacher told me so. :) I quickly realized seeing all the faces of the other audience members that not too many other people share my love of dance recitals. Oh well, me and Sarah had fun!

Do you remember the blog when I mentioned how much I've missed the aqua net days of dance recitals? Kate decided to help me make the most of this time. When we got home from the recital I was "powdering my nose" in the bathroom when Kate decided she would try out her potty. She sat on it for a while. Then, she stood up and pooped on the floor. I really had forgotten how much fun potty training is. :) I went to get the wipes and when I came back she was standing on the toilet seat peeing ON TOP of the seat and spraying hair spray EVERYWHERE!! Fun times were had by all....

Sarah with her trophy.


I just had to share this picture. She insisted on sitting on the gas tank. I think that officially makes us country folks now. You might be a redneck....

We finished our VBS the day of the dance recital and had our parent's night the next day. I had sooo much fun teaching this year. The lessons about Peter were great and the kids were so attentive and asked the best questions. I know what Jesus was talking about when he talked about child like faith, because kids really get it!

After the service we had a eatin' time (of course!) complete with all the chips, dip, sweets, and homemade ice cream you could eat. It was fabulous! I've finally accepted that weight loss living in Montrose is a lost cause. If God blesses us with caramel pies and homemade ice cream, who am I to turn away those blessings? :)

Once everyone had left Josh and his friend Matt went to rewire the sound system. My mom and I decided to take the kids and Daisy for a walk. (Because Daisy needed a walk, not because I had the energy to go for a walk!) We got halfway down the road and we saw the neighborhood dogs coming. Daisy started growling and I started pulling her leash. Before I knew what had happened she had gotten out of her collar and was running down the road after a pack of 4 or 5 dogs who were all twice her size. I took off in my skirt and wedge heeled sandals for a half a mile jog after her. Man I'm out of shape!! I thought I was never going to catch her. I finally did and thankfully my dad had brought the car to drive us back home. It had been a long day before that ever happened! As we pulled up and Josh and Matt came out I looked in the side mirror and realized I had put Kate's headband on when we left for the walk so I wouldn't lose it. I was looking so cute! :)


We left the next morning for Panama City and for what I termed "Wedding Week!!" Josh and I immediately abandoned my parents to go on a date to celebrate our anniversary. Oh yea, did I mention that we had our 8th anniversary in the midst of all of this? We went to eat at Red Robin and I had the best Chicken Tortilla soup ever. Then we went to a movie. We are very predictable. It was so nice though. We realized that except for our vacation a few months ago, we had not been on a date since last summer!!!

Then on Tuesday the festivities started. Well, I think they did. I honestly cannot remember what in the world we did on Tuesday. Okay, so on to Wednesday. We were in Panama City for Josh's sister's wedding and Leah and Brad had planned a day for the families to all meet. We went for a day of swimming at Frank Brown Park. They had the best kiddie pool and we had so much fun! Kate LOVED the water and would probably still be there if I would let her.

This is us before we went into the park. This was as far as my camera went. It got NOWHERE NEAR the water or me in a bathing suit. :)

Friday night was the big rehearsal and the Fidler 5 came complete with matching outfits. I promise it is genetic. My mom ALWAYS dressed us in matching outfits for special occassions and I just can't help myself!

The rehearsal went great and then we had a great supper at Black Angus. I think my kids used 25 packets of sweet 'n low and sugar a piece, but they had the time of their life eating at a fancy restaurant.

I wasn't going to put this picture on here because I didn't want to cause any jealousy, but....ha! The day of the wedding we all went to "get our hair did" and Josh's Uncle Jimmy was there to take pictures. He laughed hysterically every time he looked at me, so I thought if nothing else maybe I could provide a good laugh for you!!!

I don't want to steal any of Leah's thunder by posting pictures of her, but I just HAD to put at least one so you could see the beautiful bride and her handsome groom. And us. :)

The wedding was perfect and I was so proud of Josh. It was his first wedding to officiate and he did awesome! I will admit that I was a nervous wreck the whole time. Before it started I was so scared I was going to trip going up the steps. (I've stepped on my dress in every wedding I've been in, including my own.) Once I made it up the steps I was relieved and then I started worrying that the kids would get scared and not do their part. But they did their parts great! Eli yawned through most of the ceremony and Leah said that when they were on the kneeling bench they could hear Eli saying "Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Can I sit down now?" Once we were all in place, it hit me. Josh is preaching! So, then I had to pray the whole time he wouldn't mess up somebody's name. He didn't. Finally, I made it DOWN the steps without tripping and all was well in the world. Sarah got chocolate all over her dress, but it was AFTER the wedding so it was all good! :)


The "King of the Rings" and the Flower Girl

Me and my sharp dressed man. :)




All I asked for was a family picture of us all dressed up. Eli was thrilled, can't you tell?

The day before the wedding my sister had called and said that she and her husband Dillon were coming to P.C. to have my nephew Luke's 1st birthday party at one of the parks on base. My heart was so full I thought it might burst!!! Anyone who has family in the military knows what a rare and special treat it is to see all of your family in one weekend. It is even harder with us being in ministry because we hardly ever get weekends off. Anyway, I was way excited!!

Luke had a blast with his cake. To start with he mostly just liked playing in it. Finally, he realized he could eat it too. I was very glad I was the aunt and not the mama! He was some kind of a mess!!


Here is me with my gorgeous sister Jenny and the birthday boy. I was trying to take off my sunglasses, not strike a pose!

It is amazing how much life can happen in two weeks!!! Dance recitals, VBS, weddings, anniversaries, and 1st birthdays. How exciting that we got to share them all with our friends and families! Now...back to potty training. :)