Niagara Falls

The plan today was to drop The Nancy's off at their hotel in Niagara Falls, then explore the area separately. They would stay for a night or two and we would head back to the chalet tonight for a short honeymoon.

We ended up touring a little with them, then finding the hotel and going our separate ways. However, we kept running into them. It was too funny. The weather was strange. Sunny and hot, then windy, wet and cool. Weird weather day. Again...we were SOOOO lucky with our wedding day weather.

Here is a link to photos from our visit to Niagara Falls.

Wedding - Niagara Falls

We stopped at the Coffee Connection. on our way back to the chalet to finally check our email with their Free WIFI. I have to admit, I really didn't mind not having to check email or cell phones for a few days, then I missed not updating folks on the wedding, so it was nice to at least send out a photo to folks back in Maine. Oh, and I tried one of their chocolate croissants. WOW, was that good!!!

When we got back to the chalet, I took our sound system down to the patio/hot tub area so we could listen to our wedding/reception music and we took down some Drambuie to sip on and hopped in the hot tub for almost two hours. FELT GREAT! The temps had cooled off considerably so the heat of the hot tub was very nice.

The Day After

Needless to say, after drinking an entire bottle of Rosé wine myself yesterday, I wasn't feeling that great this morning. Dave was already up, cleaning things up and the Nancy's got up a short time later to make us breakfast.

Roger had an early flight to catch and I'm told he was in pretty bad shape too. Poor guy. He did make his flight back to Maine though. Dave made sure he was up to catch his flight, then proceeded to pickup the entire chalet. He did an amazing job. I was shocked!

After a rough couple of hours, I was able to eat the fantastic breakfast The Nancy's fixed for us again. We had a LOT of leftover food from the wedding and a lot of leftover fruit. I mean a LOT of leftover fruit. It was still muggy out today and the sun was poking through the clouds heating it up even more.

Today we had invited all of our guests back to join us for a cookout and just relax and unwind. To my surprise, almost everyone came back today. Hot dogs, hamburgers and leftovers were the meal for the day. Keeping it as simple for everyone as possible. We sat outside down stairs on the covered patio. There was a nice breeze, but it only cooled us off when it blew.

We had a lot of fun telling tales from yesterday and reliving moments. The only real unfortunate moment was when Gwen's husband Dan tripped and fell on the steps going down to the deck. They were very difficult to see and several other people almost fell until Patti put down band-aids and paper towels under clear shipping tape to outline the edge of the steps. Gwen said he may have broken a rib. We felt horrible.

Rhonda had brought her guitar back and Dori left hers, so they sang their song again and i joined in this time. Just too hot to boogie, but I enjoyed singing with them. I think if it had been cooler and we had more energy, we may have done more.

People started filtering out just as it started to rain heavily and thunder pretty good. Mom, Dori & Ian were the last two leave.

The Nancy's, Dave and I ate a light supper to a soundtrack of crashing thunder. It DID cool things off though, so it was very welcome. Nancy and Nancy need to pack for this trip to Niagara Falls tomorrow and Dave and I were off to bed early, but not before checking out our wedding vidoe that Roger took for us. Other than my fatness and large arms, I was pleased.

The Big Wedding Day! - Part II

Dave made his entrance with Jim from the lower level up the steps to the ceremony deck. The kilt fit him great and he looked VERY handsome. Mom and I made our way down the deck from the front door without a hitch, although a little late with the music. No problems.

Dave and I kept looking at one another and smiling. He winking on occasion and mouthed the words "you look beautiful" or "the dress is beautiful".

I only glanced a few times at the "audience". Other than my Aunt Connie and Dave's niece Kim not being there, everyone I wanted at my wedding was there. THIS is how I wanted it to be and I was so glad we were able to do it.

Dave and I had "written" our own ceremony. We loved it and Jim did a pretty good job only missing one item, but we caught back up.

THEN....THEN!! The biggest surprise I have been unable to blog about until now occurred finally. I had been trying for months and months to get a bag piper to perform at our wedding as a surprise for Dave. I initially hired someone who worked with my sister, but she had to back out. After more searching, I was able to locate two other pipers, but once my sister Dori spoke with John Findley from Jamestown, and he was available and willing to do this on short notice, the deed was done.

What I did NOT know was whether he was actually AT the chalet for the time of his entrance. As Jim announced I had a special gift for Dave, I heard the pipes from around the corner and jumped up and down like a four-year old! Dave's face was in shocked, pleasure, pride, and love...all at the same time. PERFECT! Not only was John a good piper, but he turned out to actually be FROM Scotland and very personable and fun. He stayed most of the rest of the afternoon and played several more tunes and entertained my family with stories.

Ian held onto our ring box and brought it up and held it without incident for the ring exchange and Gwen helped us with the handfasting ceremony. Dave had made the handfasting cord and we brought my Celtic cross from my garden in Maine to NY for the ceremony to hold it.

I'll post the script for our ceremony shortly so people can read how we did this. Very special.

We had asked my sister and niece to perform the song "The Water is Wide"" at our ceremony. I had a quivering chin and a lump in my throat from the sound of their first harmony. Dori and Rhonda played guitar and sang and Jenny sang two solo verses. I knew it would be beautiful and it was! Thank you!

Dave and I were pronounced husband and wife without incident or rain and walked out hand-in-hand to the sounds of "Scotland The Brave" played by John the piper. Perfect!!

We felt a few more sprinkles through the rest of the day, but it held off. We were sooo lucky. It was still humid and muggy out, but if the sun had come out, it would have been much worse. It was a perfect day for photography too with it being overcast.

We took a group photo of everyone who attended down by the Adirondack chairs that we had set out in the slopping lawn. I hope that turns out..it took awhile to get it set up.

As we were setting up for the group shot, Dave divulged what THIS particular Scotsman wore under his kilt for our wedding: a pair of white boxer shorts with Xmas lights on them. It was a tribute to his late niece Kim, who shared a long-running joke/tradition with him exchanging gifts with Xmas lights. I loved it. When Nancy saw it, she was shocked, saddened and laughing all at the same time. I think it was a fitting tribute between the two of them and certainly made for some interesting photos that I have yet to see! LOL

The meal that Chef B prepared couldn't have been better. Everyone commented on how it was the best wedding food they have ever had and I completely agree. The only real unfortunate thing was that the freezer wasn't working up to snuff and the sorbets she had made for dessert turned into mush and only one flavor was served with the brownies.

Roger made a fitting toast that he worked long and hard on, complete with a sailing story and Dori gave a very heart-felt and emotional toast as well. I had two glasses of champagne with dinner, then after dinner and dessert, I switch to Rosé wine.....and continued to drink that the rest of the night. In fact I drank an entire bottle myself. Ugh!

It had cooled down, turned dark and a few people had left, so I felt it was now time to hit the hot tub. I found my suit and Jenny grabbed Chad's swim trunks from their car. Dori borrowed a t-shirt and shorts from me and we hit it probably around 11:00 or so. Felt SOOOO good after the stress of the last several weeks. Then Jenny was able to talk Rhonda into coming in as well. First time she had ever been in a hot tub. Once she got in, she found out what she had been missing! Dave joined us as well. It was well after mid-night when we got out and everyone went home.

The day was filled with dancing, laughing, talking, singing, crying and hugging. Pefect! Couldn't have been better. So far, I'm loving being Mrs. McCausland. I'm a very lucky woman.

The Big Wedding Day! - Part I

No rest for the weary! We were all up quite early this morning. Nancy & Nancy's gift to us was to make breakfast this morning and they outdid themselves. We had eggs, amazing bacon, toast, and fruit. They also did all of the clean-up.

The weather had been iffy the last couple of days and today's was no exception, but after seeing the forecast this morning, we made the commitment to have the wedding outside. We did have a Plan B (for rain), but the radar indicated the heavy rain would be well north of us.

However, as we were decorating the deck, some sprinkles popped up here and there. Just enough to make me nervous, but not enough to make us switch to Plan B.

Dave seemed tense, but not overly so. I was amazingly calm. I think it was because everything was falling into place and realizing the "visions" we had planned over a year for were actually going to work once we got to the chalet, made me feel so much better. It's been tough doing this all long distance.

We finished decorating as much as we could, then Patti (wedding planner/realtor) arrived with her assistant Becky and they finished up for us. Dori's husband Jon has bought all of our wine and champagne so that was all set up and chilled. I went over the music selections and volume levels with Becky.

Then the florist arrived. When I walked out (hair already in curlers) to see Annette and saw the flowers, they caught my breath. Really, really beautiful. Exactly what i wanted. She did an amazing job. I was thrilled.

Then we met with James Halterman, our Justice Of The Peace, who filled in for our other JOP on short notice. He had a commanding, but not overpowering, presence and we had a quick run through of the ceremony with him out on the deck. It was then I realized the time was almost here!

Coni, the photographer arrived next, then Chef B, the caterer with her trays and trays of food. I was hoping the kitchen would be big enough and we tried our best to make sure she had everything she needed.

My niece Jenny had given my a set of barrettes that had purple flowers on them. I wasn't sure I could use them because my hair is so thin, but they absolutely saved the day with my hair! They held perfectly and that enabled me to wear my veil. Something I was certain I wouldn't be able to do. I was thrilled! The photographer was taking my photo while standing in the bathtub. LOL

Dori, Ian and Mom arrived around 1:30. I invited them in to the master bedroom to sit and assist. Mom looked more nervous than I was at that moment. LOL Dori gave me my grandmother's mother-of-pearl ring to wear on my other ring finger as something old and borrowed. It belongs to my niece. I started to cry, but held it together.

I had also planned a special surprise for Dave prior to the ceremony and the photographer graciously agreed to deliver the gift to him as he was getting dressed in his kilt on the lower level! It was a framed set of four photos of my holding up cards that read: First one said: I can't. Second one said: Wait to. Third one said: Marry. And the Fourth one simply said: You!. Dave teared up and Coni took photos.

It was then that I realized it was 1:45. I had 15 minutes to get my undergarments on, do my makeup & jewelery AND put my wedding dress on! THEN I was nervous. VERY nervous. I was afraid I was going to be late, but with Dori's help, Mom and I made our entrance.

See next Blog entry for Part II.

Wedding - Day Three - 6/25/10

Dave was supposed to go pick up his sister and friend at the airport this morning, but because our friend Roger's fight have been delayed getting into Buffalo (from Africa), he graciously agreed to pick them up and bring them down to the chalet for us. Really sweet of him to do that and save Dave the trip up and back to the airport.

So, while I was at the spa with my friend Gwen this morning, Dave arranged the bar area, set up several other areas around the chalet and did a great job organizing. As usual. We discovered shortly after our arrival at the chalet that there was no phone service, no cell reception and no Internet. Talk about being out of touch!!

Gwen picked me up around 9:00 for our manicure/pedicure appointment at 9:30. I showed her around the chalet then we set out. It turned out I knew the woman giving me my mani/pedi. She's the sister of my best friend from childhood. We did a lot of catching up which was fun but I can't say our experience there was worth it. The manicures weren't that good and my pedicure was actually quite painful. I don't think either one of us would go back there. Unfortunately, Gwen had to because they screwed up her thumbnail so bad, it had begun to bubble after we had lunch. A real shame.

But the next two items on Gwen's schedule were more relaxing. She took me to an oxygen bar. I had never been to one and didn't even know this existed in Ellicottville. It was interesting and actually did help relieve my headache.

Then we had lunch at Dina's Restaurant where I had the best tuna fish sandwich I have ever eaten. Thank you Gwen for sharing this time with me and treating me. It was great to just sit and chat with you again. I really miss that.

Shortly after we arrived back at the chalet, Roger and The Nancy's arrived without incident. It was exciting to show them around and I know Nancy was very excited about the big event tomorrow. I was so thrilled they all made the trip to NY to be with us and share this.

They too, were thrilled with the chalet. The Nancy's shared a room upstairs and Roger set up home on the lower level. It was still pretty muggy out again today so he had the cooler area with its ceramic tile floor.

As they settled in, Dave and I figured out how to arrange our sound system and practiced our entrances to the music. It worked out great. I brought my laptop setup with 4 or 5 separate playlists. I also brought my stereo computer speakers, which we setup outside above everyone's heads. We checked and wrote down sound levels, took advantage of Roger being there to clear off the deck and setup the rental chairs for the ceremony.

Our next order of fun was our family dinner at The Coach Inn outside Little Valley. I had learned the day before from my mom that Coachman's (as it used to be called) was the place where she first met my dad. I never knew that. So it was kind of fitting Dave and I were having our wedding dinner there.

It was also a chance for Dave's sister Nancy to meet my family. She had met Dori once before, but not under the best circumstances...when I was in the hospital. I was excited for her to meet my mom, sister Rhonda and niece Jenny as I knew they'd all adore her and vice versa. It appeared that's the case. Nancy's friend Nancy Stultz, also fit in well and we had a lot of laughs and good stories told along with a very touching toast by Dave. Nancy paid for dinner.

I hadn't really had a chance to ENJOY the large deck since we arrived at the chalet, so tonight when we got back from dinner and it was cooler out, we all sat outside on the deck and enjoy some tea and coffee for a bit. Then as it grew darker, we saw the full moon peaking out from atop the trees in the distant valley. Stunning!

The fire flies were all over the place creating a backdrop off the deck and I don't recall hearing so many birds as I have the last few days here in the mountain. Beautiful. Tomorrow is a BUSY, but exciting day.

Suprise Shower

Much to my surprise, when we arrived at Gwen's, there was a surprise bridal shower/dinner waiting for me. I walked in completely oblivious, then saw the beautifully set table, complete with mini white roses in tea pots, then turned around to discover my sisters, niece and friend Deb sitting in the dark waiting for me. What a wonderful surprise!

I was really tickled they did this. We toasted with champagne, ate a fabulous meal and laughed. I really needed that with my "girls". The meal consisted of an asparagus soup starter, served in tea cups. (LOVED that!) Then an arugula salad with goat cheese and strawberries and pork loin with a cream sauce and more asparagus and rice. VERY good. Then Deb served a massive fresh fruit platter with a home made peach schnapps dipping sauce and lemon bars. I was a good girl and had only one glass of champagne and one glass of wine, sticking to water with lemon the rest of the evening.

They also brought gifts, although I said we didn't need ANYTHING! One surprise was some wooden signs I had requested, but had forgotten about had been built and painted. Deb's husband Darrell, built the signs and Dori and Deb painted them. They were perfect!

This was the perfect kind of shower for me. Small, intimate and fun. I'm not the type for bar parties, and Gwen, Deb, and Dori knew that. The did good!

It was a late evening, but well worth it to spend some quality time with my sisters, niece and best friends. THANK YOU!!
When I arrived home, Dave had more things setup and placed and he had picked up groceries for the next few days and done a darn good job of it.