On Friday morning Felici did laundry at Matty’s and then we all went to eat breakfast at a diner in Rural Retreat. The décor was slightly trendy with antiques and a lot of red. There were original paintings on the wall of churches and a framed baptismal gown too. The food was great, at least my omelet was, even if Matty describes it as “sketch.” After lunch Matt eventually went to work, and Felici went to see his fiance, Jess, so I hit the road too.
As it turns out I left my sleeping bag in Morgantown. I’d borrowed one of Pastor Jonathan’s sleeping bags while in RR but decided I should get one before I go any further. Using my Blackberry (God bless the crackberry!!!) I found an awesome outdoor sporting goods shop, Highlands Ski and Outdoor Center in Abingdon, VA. I got a Northface bag on sale 30% off. Its not blue and gray like the rest of my gear (Yes, I’m a girl and like stuff to coordinate), but it will do. It’s a three season bag so I’m excited to try it in the heat and cold to see how well it works.
I made it to Chattanooga around 8pm. I was in the lobby of the Sheraton Read House when I first saw Jon Pavlis – Mike’s little brother. He looked right past me..Ok, so its been a long time since we’ve seen each other, but geez, have I reallly changed that much? Yes, I guess I have. My constant hair changes do keep people on their toes.
The Pavlis family – Jon, his wife Sarah, his Aunt Frieda, mom Carol, and dad Jeff were having dinner at Porter’s in the hotel. I joined them and ate a fabulous vegetarian spaghetti and a goat cheese-eggplant appetizer courtesy of Mr. Pavlis. It was a great time to catch up with the Pavs. It was the first time meeting Jon’s wife too, and although we’ve been friends on facebook since they married it was great getting to really know her.
Saturday morning the phone in my room rang. And I ignored it. Then my cell phone rang. It was Mike’s mom Carol, “Did you know that rehearsal is at 10am.” “Uh,...no.” “I didn’t think so. Call Michael. At this rate it’ll be 11.”
She didn’t know, I didn’t know…really, I’m not sure who did know beyond Mike and Elizabeth. Now its OK if the parents didn’t know, but I’m sort of mission critical for this wedding. Mike called me in the spring and asked if I could perform his marriage ceremony. Of course I said yes. He said quickly that it was his mom’s idea. Should I be grateful to Mike or Mrs Carol for being able to be a part of Mike’s special day?? Sure he's my ex-boyfriend,
I was out of bed, in and out of the shower, dressed and to my car within 30 minutes. Speaking of my car, the hotel has valet service so every time I wanted my car I had to call the valet…and every time I did it I was asked if I was checking out. I was only there three days and it was getting annoying. I can’t imagine if I was staying for the week just how annoying those kid's questions would get. I felt bad for them though - my car is a fully packed disaster. They’re used to nice cars rolling through and they had to drive my dirty overflowing v-dub over and over and over.
I made my way to Lookout Mountain, just over the state line into Georgia. The venue was called The Grandview. It was a breathtakingly beautiful location. Rehearsal itself took less time than the drive up there, or the subsequent tour of the facility. Elizabeth did an amazing job at picking that place!
Immediately after the rehearsal was the ladies tea downtown. I wasn’t originally invited but Elizabeth asked if I was and quickly exctended the invitation. It was a cute little place. The other patrons were probably annoyed at all of our picture taking but we didn’t care. I was amused by the bathroom – there were keys to get in to each stall, and they hung in the main dining area – “Loo Keys,” the sign said. Silly Brits.
After the tea Mrs. Carol, Aunt Frieda, Sarah, Elizabeth’s mom and I walked down to the restaurant we’d be going to later that night for the rehearsal dinner. Mrs. Carol had a Mrs. Carol, Sarah and a few of the girls were going to the salon to meet with the hairstylist. I had a football game to watch so I headed back to the hotel.
While trying desperately to find the WVU v. Coastal Carolina football game on TV or at a local bar I was trying to figure out what to wear to the wedding. I wasn’t to wear an alb, formal church stuff, but I didn’t want to wear a pattern either. Black was also eliminated as a possibility because I didn’t want Mike and I to merge into this black blob up there at the beautiful flowered archway. The bridesmaids were in a deep red wine color and the groomsmen had on black suits and green paisley ties. I picked my green jacket and brown pants, with the skirt to match that I decided I would change into for the reception. Of course this all depended on what Elizabeth thought so I was sure to take a basic brown dress as a back-up.
In the middle of my wardrobe changes I received a message on facebook. Its from a new friend, and the news she shared with me put me in a great mood. It changed my perspective about the de-friending on facebook that I mentioned in my last post. It was freeing. I am liberated.
I had just finished trying on my potential outfits, and had put my WVU jersey and shorts back on, when my hotel room door flung open. I jumped quickly to the door to find a little kid with a keycard and the rest of his family behind him, staring at me in shock. No, sorry folks, not your room.
I lost the fight to find the game and ended up having to follow it on ESPNgamecast. Lame.
So I had an outfit picked out for the wedding but no shoes to match. I knew that there were plenty of shoe boutiques nearby, and although I likely couldn't afford a single shoe much less a pair, I really wanted to check them out.
I headed to Warehouse Row, a building filled with high dollar boutiques and trendy shops. I went to Embellish. I picked up a cute pair of heels just inside the door. The price? $265. Hmm. Not going to find shoes here.
I made a quick sweep of the place, hoping the sales woman wouldn't try to talk me into buying something. As I walked past her sales counter I glanced inside what I thought was the stock room. There was a baby in there, decked out in U of Georgia garb. And a young woman was in there too and she was trying on shoes.
I realized it wasn't a stock room, but a clearance room. I giggled. I walked in but figured even at clearance prices I couldn't afford $300 shoes. I was in search of something off-white, and comfortable because the wedding venue has a ground of stone pavers, and I'd be standing most of the time.
I was just about to give up. There were a few pairs that would have worked but they didn't have my size. I finally found a pair - tan leather sandal platforms. Comfy, the right color, and only $40!!! I'm so proud of my shopping skills.
Since I found shoes so quickly I had time to just drive around Chattanooga. I wanted to see more than just the touristy areas, and with the help of my Blackberry navigation I'd be able to find my way back.
I crossed the Tennessee river twice on two different bridges. Pictures while driving across them didn't turn out the best. :)
I stopped at a gas station to get gas. I was thirsty and needed some vitamins in me so I went in to buy my favorite Naked juice.
I had already noticed an old Camry in the parking lot. It had Ga Bulldogs flags flying high out of both windows. And the driver and passenger were both, well, trailer trash material. Now I'm not one to judge people based on their clothes, or car, but the female proved me right. Her skin tight black jeans, and tank top two sizes too small supported my opinion.
I walked into the convenience store behind her. She was behind the male she arrived with and was talking to him about 3 levels too loud. They yelled to each other across the store but eventually the male left.
I was at the check out behind her too. The young cashier was very friendly with her, and I'm amazed he kept a straight face through the conversation. She looked at the little displays on the counter and read one, "Night Bullet. Rock Hard for Three Days." Her laughter was hysterical, "If you last three days you've got a problem..three days..hahaha...Night Bullet." She just kept going. And sooo loud. I was embarrassed just to be standing next to her. She finally left and the cashier turns to me, "She is noooot right." "No, no she's not," I said.
On my way back to the hotel I found myself in a poorer area of the city. I was happy to see the real life there. I hate to feel like a tourist when I go somewhere. I want to see how real people...most people..experience life there. I had to stop in the middle of the road as someone crossed the street. It was a street person, clad in miss-matched clothes, and the tops of his or her shoes were flopping with every hobbled step. Over the shoulder was a large bag.
Within two blocks the neighborhood changed drastically. I saw a worn down high rise on the left and then a trendy coffee shop with outdoor seating on the right, just before the alternating brick crosswalk, and city street-scaping.
When I’d dressed for the rehearsal dinner and was headed out the door I realized my keycard would no longer work since they’d of cleared old cards to program this mystery family’s cards. ( I was really surprised by their entrance considering its only a king size bed, and it was a family of four) I went to the guest services desk and just for my troubles I received a free breakfast pass. . . One that I’d sadly never get to use.
I arrived at the rehearsal dinner 5 minutes late. I’d rushed to get ready and wasn’t fully prepared. I hadn’t wrapped their gift yet, and wasn’t pleased with my hair or make-up. Not that any of this mattered. I was only the 5th person to arrive. Almost none of the bridal party was there yet! I should have spent more time getting ready. :-/
The rehearsal dinner was great. Drinks were a bit pricey but the food buffet was great. Niko's Southside Grill is a greek restaurant and if their full menu is anything like what the Pavlis’ chose for our menu Saturday night its sure to be good. We were served sauteed squash and zucchini, Greek chicken, beef, and potatoes. The desert was a choice of strawberry cake or crème brule. Jon asked if it tastes better than pudding. Yeah, Jon. Such discriminating taste, you have.
I left the rehearsal thinking that I really needed to work on the wedding service. I still hadn’t written a sermon. I also was thinking about how it was my first night in Chattanooga, and likely the only night I’d be able to go out. Well I chickened out. I didn’t want to wander the city alone and although Mike had tried to play matchmaker between myself and his buddy Niels, we hadn’t met yet so I stayed in my room for the night.
I wrote the sermon…finally. I’d struggled to find relavant scripture so I couldn’t figure out where and how to start. I ended up starting with just that – I explained how I couldn’t find the right verses and why. I kept it light and hoped that Mike and Elizabeth would both be amused and pleased with the result.
Around 3am, before I even made it to bed, the fire alarm in the hotel sounded. Ever had that happen? I felt like I was back in Summit Hall at WVU, though the alarm wasn’t nearly as annoying. Outside 5 fire vehicles arrived a few trucks and a few engines. Ask Sarah for details, her dad’s a firefighter. ☺
I wandered around and found the Pavlis’ on the other side of the building. When we made it back inside there were half a dozen firefighters posing for pictures... I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Rumor was that a kid pulled the alarm. Turns out it was some drunk woman. We should all get a free night’s stay on her tab.
I made it back to the room and headed to bed. The wedding was scheduled to start at 4:30 the following afternoon. I still had to tweak the sermon but figured fresh eyes on Sunday would be best.
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