Ack. It has been so hella-busy up in my neck of the woods. I’m so behind at this point that I think I’m just going to fling captioned photos at you to make sure it’s documented and then I have GOT to do my laundry or I will soon be re-enacting “Lady Godiva’s Ride” the next time I go to the corner gas station to get my Diet Coke fix. *YES* that would be a bad thing.
Memorial Day was, well…Memorial Day. 
I don’t really know what to say about it because the holiday has sort of changed for me since Matthew died. It just isn’t all about grilling and frisbee and having a long weekend anymore, you know? Let’s just say it’s getting easier. It helped that my family had a big gathering for my parent’s wedding anniversary and so I had everyone around and a lot going on as a distraction. 
After a ton of changes on time, day and location, we ended up having lunch on Saturday at…Golden Corral.
I hate Buffet’s. HATE THEM. Everything about them makes me slightly queasy and makes me want to spray myself down with Lysol every few minutes. That whole strategy about designing the atmosphere to get people OUT of the restaurant? IT WORKS.
BUT!
I LOVED IT. Know why? Because 1: It is my Dad’s favorite place to eat, so therefore he was happy and 2: It meant that there was NO KARAOKE, OR LINE DANCING!!!!! Therefore, I heart Golden Coral. I probably would have married it if it had asked me that day. (And just think of the interesting News Blurb THAT would have made. As if Utah wasn’t already weird enough in that respect.)
Although there was no line dancing or Karaoke, we did have to listen to musical selections by my twin sister. Still, it wasn’t too bad seeing her. (We have a touchy relationship. Nuff said.) 
Everyone but Brad, who lives in St.Paul, was able to come. Except for my mom freaking out and getting huffy over seating arrangements it was a pretty ok day.
Tuesday was my parent’s actual anniversary. May 29, 1957. 
They were married in Nauvoo, Illinois in The John Taylor Home. Actually, if you are up on your Mormon history, they were the first LDS couple to be married in Nauvoo since the exodus (You’ll have to just look it up, people). At least, that is what the officiator told them. Who knows? Nice story, though.
In addition to the family gathering on Saturday, my parents had an open house with a buffet for family and friends at their house on Tuesday. My parents coped with the planning fairly amicably and it eased even more when we found out that their crazy dog would be kenneled for the week. YAY.
They have been planning this for a long time and really got every little detail exactly how they wanted it. They even had their buffet table, china and serving dishes laid out weeks before. Then they had little slips of paper with what was going to be served out of them written down and placed in each dish.
HOW THE FREAK DID I COME FROM THESE PEOPLE AND WHY DIDN’T I GET THOSE GENES?!!! Seriously, my parents are highly organized and “Just so”. You could say I am not.
Ehem. As my mother told me when I bitched about being so random and chaotic, “You were always this way, even as a tiny child. You would go to get a washcloth from the linen closet and there would be a nicely folded stack of them and you would take one you wanted, regardless of where it was placed. You’d just pull it out from the middle, half the stack would fall over and you’d just leave them there and merrily go hop in the tub. I don’t understand behavior like that.”
Sucks.
Back on topic!
My brother, Rhett came up to help out and participate.
So did my sister, Melanie. Poor Melly. She had her hands full keeping me and Rhett (Aka “The strangest person on the planet”) in line.
My wonderful friend, “M.E.” came and helped slug it out in the trenches, too. We spent a lot of time in my parent’s laundry room which served as an awesome butler’s pantry. We called it “Servants Quarters”. 
She’s such a great sport and really helped out with great advice and hard work. She was also willing to take home loads of leftovers so that me and my siblings weren’t all drowning in them, too. It all went well. In fact, I think the only real ‘Mishap’ is that my mom thought I used too much filling in my lemon bars (Whatever).
Lots of people came and had a great time. 
My awesome aunt, Leotha, made the trip even though she has been in really bad health the last several years.
I was happy some of my friends were there, too. Brian J. and his family came by as well. This photo sucks. Blame Jonathan. :)
My parent’s cut their wedding cake while there were still people around and actually made lip contact. 
I’m just glad my mother is still speaking to me when I proclaimed that I finally had film documentation that we were not all left by the stork. (Hey, it was funny!).
Over all, it was a much nicer, and more pleasant day than I thought that it would be. Everyone had a great time, the food was awesome and my no one bickered even once. They had a REALLY good time and after 50 freaking years, I think it was not only very deserved, but a very nice memory for everyone. 
You are the Wind Beneath My Wings Lor…
Just so you know.
50 freaking years is a LONG time. Congrats on having parents that have stuck together that long. What a great example they are.
Fifty years IS a long time. Did your sister really sing at the Golden Corral? Did you escape singing?
Bridgy-I’m mainly just glad/surprised that everyone has survived. :)
Glitter-Ug. That would be due to trying to write a post while multi-tasking too much. Nope, we went to my sister’s house AFTER Golden Corral and she sang there.
YES I ESCAPED! I only sing under duress, I’m afraid. It’s like pulling teeth to get me to warble places. Mainly, because I grew up with her wanting to sing everywhere and I saw the eyeball rolling that occurred. People get sick of the same people singing all the time, yo. :)
It really was a lovely evening. I think everyone had a fabulous time. I did and I was not family until yesterday. Your Mom said I was, that makes it official.
Again….sorry about any fallout you may get dur to a wet front seat. I still contend that since it was Rhett’s drink, it is his fault.
That is sweet. I’m glad you were able to help them celebrate.
I’m glad it was good and that as a result all will be well with your family!
I also love the lip lock picture and find it highly amusing that made the imacculate conception comment.
I also dislike buffets… and every time I visit my grandparents in SLC they take us to Golden Corral!
That was a great recap though. I love the pic of you with your aunt.
It sounds like it was a fun weekend – best case scenario in every respect!
Just a side note on the history of the Persian Peacock. When I was in elementary school my friend’s mom owned it. Back then it was a fashion boutique with a little longerie. I don’t remember her name, but my friend’s mom was originally from Iran and was the most beautiful and exotic woman I had even seen. She wore deep jewel tones, lots of eye liner and had long black hair. She imported scarves and jewelry from the Middle East to sell in the store. Their home was colorful and smelled like incense. I loved going over there. They had an amazing rose garden too.
The Persian Peacock has changed locations and owners a few times since then. I think the original had more allure than the current version.
What a lovely celebration. The pictures are beautiful However… you and your sister don’t even look like twins! You are much more beautiful!!!
Golden Corral…My husband tells me stories of a place very similiar called “Furr’s cafeteria”. About how his family used to eat there after church and my FIL used to instruct as many of the children as he could that they were under the age of 12.
I don’t care for them much either. It looks like you all had a very nice weekend!
congrats to your parents! 50 years is, well…. a long damn time.
i wonder if i’ll make it 50 years with the paulster..we’ll be 80!!
i have a strong suspicion that in 50 years, 80 won’t really be that old.
what a scary thought.
xoxo
I’m glad it went so well. That food looks yummy.
I’ve always thought that Loraina and I look more like siblings than twins. This isn’t the most flattering photo, though and she’s had a rough few years. She can look pretty awesome when she’s feeling better. I’ll have to post some of her opera portraits.
I always feel like crap after saying anything negative about my twin. I’m an ass. She has had a really rough life and SO much of it isn’t her fault. I guess it’s just hard when so much overflow impacted my life so severely as well. Not much of an excuse, though.
yay for 50! these days, 5 is a record for anyone. golden corral? we don’t have those here. although, there are barnhill’s everywhere, which i’m thinking is the same thing.
while your sister and you resemble each other, i had to take a closer look. i thought it was you photoshoping yourself.
Wow 50 years, that really is impressive. Great photo journaling. Looks like it all turned out okay and glad that you survived.