It was so good to see everyone. The very short 36 hours that we were in town just wasn't long enough. I want to spend more time with all of you.

We are always ready to host, and we have a guest room, and a hot tub, and an amazing deck that we can all fit on and just enjoy enjoy enjoy. Oh, and I have a very well stocked whiskey collection.

Yay impulse buys! Boo losing phone. Yay having a bf who can help you (and who can also roll with the buffista-crazy and be appropriately dressed to boot!)

I am home and back to work. Thank goodness this coming weekend is a long weekend!

And I 100% need to get down to LA.

Cereal: anyone have any interest in going to Colombia in September? Ostensible reason would be to go to the women’s under-20 World Cup but really just to have fun going somewhere.

I am just whiny and sad for me as I attempt to rebuild an impulse local hang network and keep failing at it!

I understand this well. Moving to Ft. Lauderdale has meant visits are now inconvenient. I did organize a book club for my condo which has resulted in meeting a few fun women and now being in text/email chains with them they invite to other social events. Of course, now I will go away for 5 months, but we are supposed to continue the book meetings over summer remotely. Baby steps.

Our niece's wedding events start Thursday, so we old folks are trying to save up our energy in the early part of this week. My stomach should be okay for Indian food by the end of this week.

The top half of my outfit for the Hindu ceremony is 100% What If Mrs. Roper Was Indian. It's a very long tunic, cut and sewn (such as it is) like a caftan — just a big ol' rectangle with sleeves that are really just arm holes. It's hot pink, with white detailing and small bling-y sparkly fake jewels. I freaking love it. Caftan lyfe 4evah! The pants are a lighter pink, like a rose color, with white detailing at the cuffs. And I have big silver earrings and less-big silver bracelets and a silver claw clip to put my hair up (because, let's be real, I will die from the heat if my hair is down).

The only thing left is to get the steamer out for the ginormous silver dupatta (scarf) that I think I drape over one shoulder. (My SiL told me that any of the numerous Indian aunties who will be at the wedding will be happy to help me sort out how to drape the dupatta.) Also I need to go get a silver pedicure later this week.

Tim's tunic is royal blue with gold detailing and looks so good on him. The pants are a plain cream color, so nothing fancy. Tim's brother (father of the bride) told him that he bought socks for Tim and Oldest Brother. I have no idea what that's about, or even if the socks are for the Hindu ceremony. Maybe they're to go with his suit for the Lutheran ceremony? I have zero idea. Oh, wait -- I think we take our shoes off in the Hindu temple, so maybe that's it.

That all sounds fabulous!

I picked up erin's phone, and it will be winging its way back to her tomorrow.

Today is the first time I've been able to sit down and view the post-livestream, and apparently it's not at the link where it formerly was. Is it still up anywhere I can access it? Pretty please?

Bev, here you go: [link]

Thanks so much, Teppy. Apparently my laptop is aged and inept and unable to play the vid. But I appreciate the linkage.

I also am very grateful for the photos and the conversations. I miss my tribe, y'all. But it heartens me to know we're all out there, and to touch base by photo and commentary.