Random header image... Refresh for more!

338th Friday Blog Roundup

As you read this, I am watching the royal wedding.  Not only did I keep the kids out of school for this, but the reason I gave for their absence was “watching the royal wedding” because I have no shame.  We are eating tea sandwiches and scones and speaking in terrible British accents. (The ChickieNob has been practicing for days!)  I am not wearing a hat even though that was part of the original plan because I have two more things I need to go to today and I don’t want hat hair.

I shaved my legs for this.

We’re watching it with my mother because I watched Diana’s wedding with my mother.  And we are dressed up because this is a party, damnit.

Silly, yes, but 10 years from now, I suspect the twins will remember how their mother let them stay home from school to watch this wedding.  They’ll remember the scones and how the ChickieNob and I both wore tiaras.  What they would have never remembered was a random day of kindergarten.

So I am watching it.  Without shame.  And I’ll cry when they kiss.  Just because I’m like that.

Are you watching?  What is your favourite moment thus far (or, if you’re reading this after the wedding, what was your favourite moment overall)?

*******

ComOnNaPro (Comment on NaBloPoMo Prompt): Talk about the best wedding you ever attended.

*******

There have been so many fantastic myth-busting posts this week for NIAW.  I chose one for the Roundup, but wanted to give people a chance to list their NIAW post so people could read ones they missed.  Feel free to add your blog post below.  Please use the permalink url for the post and not the main url for your blog.  I will be deleting the entries that simply go to a main url for a blog since they’re meaningless for people searching for NIAW posts in the future.  This linky list will close next Friday.

 

Now go bust some myths.

*******

And now, the blogs…

Forever Reaching explains that not every person without children is that way by choice.  She explains what led them to resolve their infertility by living child-free after going through a long, emotional journey through treatments.  She explains, “We want children, we really do. But we wanted our lives, our selves, our marriage back from the black hole infertility brought them to.”  Infertility changed them and by default, changed their relationship.  I love this post because it points out the far-reaching effects of infertility.  It’s not just about a uterus; it’s about your heart.

The Other End of the Speculum has a post about taking a break from Facebook.  She has been posting information for NIAW online.  She writes, “Apparently, my blogs and postings have begun to ‘annoy’ some people on my friends list. They have commented and messaged me about my incessant infertility posts.”  And she asks an excellent question: “I don’t understand, if women are allowed to post status updates about their ‘baby bumps’ and ‘pregnancy woes’, why am I not allowed to post informative blogs and articles regarding infertility?”  The post continues on to explain how infertility has changed her.  Great opportunity for discussion.

Lastly, Serenity Now has a post about knowing that she’s done, but balancing that with reactions on the Internet.  This is one of the most brilliant insights I’ve read in a while: “Part of my responsibility of being a blogger, I think, is really grasping the idea that my readers have a lot of different mind-views when they read what I’ve written. Understanding that the comments I receive on my posts are infused with other mind-view. Which is sort of like going on a journey in someone else’s viewpoint. Except that right now, I’m in a place in my life where I want to really understand MYSELF.”  Go over and read the whole post.

*******

The roundup to the Roundup: I’m watching the royal wedding, are you?  Answer ComOnNaPro (best wedding you ever attended).  Add your NIAW post to the linky feature or visit some blogs.  And lots of great blog posts to read.

43 comments

1 BigP's Heather { 04.29.11 at 9:13 am }

I loved the dress and the TWO kisses!

2 BigP's Heather { 04.29.11 at 9:14 am }

I’m going to write a post right now about my favorite part though…

3 April { 04.29.11 at 9:32 am }

I was up watching it as well. I loved the dress, the ceremony, everything. I also DVRed it to watch later tonight.

4 HereWeGoAJen { 04.29.11 at 9:34 am }

I watched all the important parts, but I used fast forward for all the standing around waiting parts. (Also, because I did not wake up early enough to watch it live from the start.)

My favorite part was when they both grinned at each other during their vows during the richer and poorer part. I would suspect that they have a personal joke about that.

The best wedding I ever attended was my own. I rocked my wedding. Fun for everyone and the best corn chowder I have ever eaten.

5 loribeth { 04.29.11 at 9:35 am }

I not only got up early but took the day off work so I could watch the wedding live. ; ) I felt a bit silly doing it, but I have watched every big royal wedding live since Princess Anne’s when I was 12, with my mom & sister, & I wasn’t going to break with tradition now. : )

And when I woke up this morning & was lying in bed in the dark, the thought flashed through my mind that Katie would 12 right now & watching with me (I would have let her skip school too), & that made me cry. 🙁

My favourite part(s)? The dress, of course. : ) All the shots inside the Abbey — gave me goosebumps. And while the kisses (plural)n were fun, I loved seeing Kate go, “Oh wow!” as she stepped out onto the balcony. I’m just so glad everything went so well.

I’ve been to some lovely weddings. One of dh’s cousin’s weddings was probably the prettiest I’ve ever been to, all white & lilac & silver colour scheme. But another of his cousin’s weddings was probably the most fun. She was 32, which seemed “old” at the time (late 1980s), & had waited a long time to find the right guy & tie the knot. She had a lovely dress, the bridesmaids wore pink, & she was just such a happy bride, & everyone had such a good time.

6 Meredith { 04.29.11 at 9:56 am }

I think it’s so cool that you and the twins and your mom watched together! They will remember this fun day forever!

7 Lacie { 04.29.11 at 10:08 am }

Just linked up!

I think it’s awesome that you are doing this for your kids! They will NEVER forget it! How fun that your mom is there too! Very cool.

8 Jendeis { 04.29.11 at 10:25 am }

R was very cooperative this morning and woke at 5:30 so that I’d be able to watch the wedding while nursing. We had to miss the kiss though, in order to get to daycare. 🙁

9 Kathy { 04.29.11 at 10:34 am }

There are so many things I love about this post (and you)!

I think it is awesome that you kept your kids home from school to watch and gave that reason to their teacher. I still remember watching coverage of the last really big Royal Wedding and hope that my son will remember this too. I had him watch a bit before he left for school this morning. He said he didn’t “get it,” but I am still glad he got to see some and I will likely show him more later and try to explain it better.

Fun that your mom is there too! My parents are actually coming to visit today and part of why we chose today this week (they come one day every week) was because it was the big wedding day!

So yes, I am/was watching the Royal Wedding this morning! I didn’t get up super early, but watched highlights on DVR and got to see the kiss(es) live on the balcony! I LOVED when Kate said “Wow!” after coming out with Will on the balcony! I really like her dress, not at all what I expected (timeless)! I have more reactions and tidbits, but may do a blog post later, so will save some for that… I also got a kick out of Tweeting and Facebooking about the big event! Since my husband had left for work and son for school not long after I started watching and my daughter was still sleeping much of the time, it made me feel like I wasn’t watching it by myself! 🙂

I agree that there are so many wonderful NIAW Myth-Busting posts out there this week. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to post links here too, as the list over at Resolve is a bit overwhelming (with 200+ links). I wish it could have been/could still be categorized in some way…

ComOnNaPro Prompt: I agree with Jen. The best wedding I ever attended was my own! It was such an amazing day, to be surrounded by most of my very favorite people in the world and getting to marry the love of my life! Though it rained (and everyone told us it was “good luck”) it was still one of the most beautiful days of my life. The ceremony was close to perfect with the readings, music and special moments with my man. Not to mention so much fun dancing at the reception. Okay, now you have me all nostalgic about my wedding day… If I had more time today/this weekend I might actually try to do a blog entry on this prompt, but too much going on. I will have to keep it in mind for the future…

Anyway, I hope that you, your mum and your prince and princess have an absolutely fabulous day! Cheers! 🙂

10 Searching for Serenity { 04.29.11 at 10:53 am }

Your kids will definitely remember this day. I love that you’ve made a big deal of it. It’s a positive historical event.

I watched the whole thing and my favorite part was that both William and Kate exuded so much grace and happiness. It was obvious that they were very comfortable depite the magnitude of coverage. If showed that they are a true team. A couple who has been together and there was no hesitation for this next step. They glowed.

11 Jonelle { 04.29.11 at 11:12 am }

I haven’t watched it yet. I’m on the west coast and I have to work this morning so I’m sure I’ll be able to watch it online somewhere. I really hope this marriage lasts. They really do look so much in love and you can see the respect they have for each other.

Hmm best wedding I ever attended…It seems biased but I have to say my own.

12 PaleMother { 04.29.11 at 11:20 am }

My favorite moment was … sitting curled up on the couch with my 11 year old daughter while everyone else was still asleep … and having her ask me why the Queen wasn’t singing along to the British national anthem … and replying, “What? What would she sing? (in a fake-ey British Upper Class Old Lady accent) ‘God Save Me? God Save Old, Noble Me?’ She laughed so loudly that she woke her father up … and then kept on thinking of it after the moment passed and she would laugh all over again.

I am still trying to figure out if I imparted the proper amount of disdain and cynicism to her for the toxic culture of the “fairy tale princess”/princess wedding culture. HA. Cynicism, indeed. Was it my inner cynic that got me out of bed at 4am? I think not.

For me, it was all about the eye candy and the dress reveal, although royal dresses are always a bit of a design let down (to me)?

13 a { 04.29.11 at 11:24 am }

I watched the wedding – my favorite parts were every time I said to myself “What on earth does she have on her head???” But it was very beautiful…

14 PaleMother { 04.29.11 at 11:25 am }

My daughter, following in my hard-waking, not exactly morning-person footsteps … absorbed a few minutes of the coverage and then turned to me with a hung-over kind of look and asked, “Why do they have to talk SO much?” (meaning the commentators)

Dude, blood IS thicker than water.

15 loribeth { 04.29.11 at 11:31 am }

@Palemother: I recall reading a story that when the Queen’s father became king (think Colin Firth in The King’s Speech!), her sister, Princess Margaret, asked him, “Papa, will you now be singing God Save My Gracious Me?” ; )

16 PaleMother { 04.29.11 at 11:39 am }

@loribeth

“Papa, will you now be singing God Save My Gracious Me?” ; )

Too funny. 🙂 Right on.

PS. Colin Firth. Booyah!

17 Hope { 04.29.11 at 11:50 am }

I didn’t watch the royal wedding–I slept. The best wedding I’ve ever attended (besides my own) was my Aunts’ wedding. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I modeled my own after it. 🙂 The best part was that the reception was short and buffet-style. I hate huge, long, gala events!

18 Esperanza { 04.29.11 at 11:53 am }

I’m not so into the royal wedding. It’s not that I think negatively about it, I just don’t think about it at all. I never got married and have been to very few weddings. I just don’t really love them that much.

I have friends from London, they say everyone is leaving town for the holiday. They say that tourists love the royal family way more than locals. I wonder if that’s true or it’s just my random sampling of friends.

Anyway, I think it’s awesome that you are watching with your kiddos. They really will remember this and it will be a special memory indeed. Definitely worth missing a day of Kindergarten.

Enjoy!

19 Baby Hopes { 04.29.11 at 12:40 pm }

Just linked up! I heard on the radio on the way back from the RE that at least 1 in 3 watched the wedding today. I guess I’m one of the other two. 😉

20 Erica { 04.29.11 at 12:46 pm }

I didn’t watch. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the coverage later today, but when it gets down to it, I’m anti-monarchy. Which doesn’t mean I don’t hope the couple will be happy or bear any of the royal family any ill will; I just can’t conjure up any reverence for privilege and bloodlines, and I worry (especially when thinking of my daughter) about how much people love the idea of a princess when there are so many other amazing things women can do and be.

21 Sonja { 04.29.11 at 1:26 pm }

I liked up! Love your blog 🙂

22 mijk { 04.29.11 at 1:47 pm }

My favourite part was definetely my daughter soaking up the real princesses. And by far her cutest comment. Are all princess weddings doine by saint Nicholas? You probably have to be dutch to appreciate it. My daughter is 6 exactly the age i was when watching charles and Diana wed. I still remember the magic of that wedding (longer then he did!)

23 lostintranslation { 04.29.11 at 2:29 pm }

I like it that you kept the kids home to watch the royal wedding. Reminds me of when the Dutch crown prince got married and my SIL was scotched in front of the TV and her daughters were complaining that they didn’t get any lunch. 😉

Linked up my NIAW post too.

24 Megan { 04.29.11 at 2:58 pm }

I just linked up a NIAW post. I was debating writing one but finally decided that I had it in me.

I slept through the wedding. Oops! Never actually figured out what time it would be so I was a little disoriented when I got online this morning and saw “Just Married!” all over the place. Well, dern. At least we live in an age of YouTube 🙂

25 Betty M { 04.29.11 at 3:05 pm }

This Londoner went with the family to a local school for a party and communal watching on a big screen. We sang along with the hymns, cried at the soppy bits, cringed at some of the hats and ate scones and drank sparkling wine. In fact whilst there was a lot of talk about going away and cursing of tourists most people I know have not escaped London at all and have stayed put and watched either in town or at events like the one I went to.

26 tash { 04.29.11 at 3:49 pm }

I kinda got sucked in Di’s wedding by a friend who had me stay the night. I got sucked into going to see Di when she visited the city where I lived for a bit by a friend who was a Royalty Junky. I have photos of Di about 5 feet away from me which I’ve whipped out to show Bella what a “real” princess looks like — in a snappy mint suit, not in pink tulle. I really thought I’d blow this off but after being invited to two viewing parties (thrown by stateside Brits) I told Bella I’d tape some of it for her.

Wouldn’t you know, baby slept in, I barely got up in time to hit record and catch Kate leaving the hotel for the church. Phew.

Anyway, my surprisingly favorite part: William and Harry walked in, took the corner, and they did a close up. William was looking down where he was walking, but then his eyes looked up to the side, he blushed slightly and got this subtle coy half smile. And in that split second, he looked just. like. his. mother. And I burst into tears. Emotional lightweight.

27 Justine { 04.29.11 at 3:50 pm }

Best wedding ever: my friend and her partner in MA. Two of the happiest women I’ve ever seen, knowing just how blessed they were to be there that day. 🙂

I want tea and scones, too!!

28 Kathy { 04.29.11 at 3:54 pm }

P.S. I meant to mention that it was bittersweet for me to read this from Loribeth:

“And when I woke up this morning & was lying in bed in the dark, the thought flashed through my mind that Katie would 12 right now & watching with me (I would have let her skip school too), & that made me cry.”

Loribeth, I don’t know if you will come back and check/read this, but I want you to know that I got choked up reading your words about your daughter and appreciate how hard it must be for you to imagine watching it with a twelve year old version of your Katie today. I wish your princess could have been with you at home watching all of the festivities this morning, but I do like believe that she is/was with you in some way today. Holding you close in my thoughts and prayers at moments like this on your journey and always. (((HUGS)))

29 marilyn { 04.29.11 at 6:13 pm }

Yes..I watched it too. I cried when they were saying their vows. One because it is so beautiful and magical, and well… It also made me sad that williams mom was not there. I was sad for the boys that they couldn’t have Princess Diane there to share such a magical moment

30 MommyOdyssey { 04.29.11 at 6:14 pm }

Just linked up too!
I have to say this – if I was directing the camera for the ceremony – I totally would have stuck to close ups up the hats. OH THE HATS!

31 Rebecca { 04.29.11 at 6:46 pm }

So sick of the damn wedding. My tax paid for this crap! Sorry. But. Really. I will be glad when it’s tomorrow and no one cares anymore.

32 Kaitake { 04.29.11 at 6:57 pm }

I watched it with the boys! Here in New Zealand it started at 6pm so the timing for us was perfect 🙂 my husband and 2 step-sons watched it (although whenever they wrangled the remote off me the channel changed to Broken Arrow!) and it was touching to see the youngest Mr 10 really want to stay up an extra hour to see “the kiss” 🙂

33 A.M.S. { 04.29.11 at 10:37 pm }

I recorded the wedding on the dvr and have been watching it in fits and starts as Olivia Moonpie (and Shannon) will permit. So far, I’m up to William and Harry’s arrival at the Abbey. I’m getting the biggest kick out of spotting things I remember seeing when I was there years ago. I did allow myself the spoiler of looking at photos of the dress earlier today.

My favorite wedding, by far, was my own. We got married on the lawn of my parents’ lake house with Shannon’s 5 year old son as the best man. About halfway through the ceremony, a hurricane that had been lingering on the coast moved inland. In the video of the wedding I’m struggling to hold my veil down and the bridesmaids are fighting with their dresses. Just as we had our first kiss the rain started and we all made it inside just in time for the downpour to start. Our caterers braved it out under a tent in the yard and later on, half the guests had to help push their van out of the mud. We had the greatest time and people still bring it up as one of the best parties ever.

34 Kristin { 04.29.11 at 11:18 pm }

I’m actually watching it right now. I dvr’d all 6 hours of BBC-America coverage and am watching it all. Due to a deep and abiding desire for sleep and then the gawd awful battle with teaching algebra to my eldest, I didn’t sit down until this evening to watch it. I AM LOVING IT!

35 Kristin { 04.29.11 at 11:19 pm }

I’m just a little sad I don’t have a daughter to share it with.

36 Emily (Apron Strings) { 04.29.11 at 11:28 pm }

Watched it. LOVED it. Wish I could go back to being a kid and watch it with child’s eyes once more.

37 JesT { 04.30.11 at 1:03 am }

I will never forget today… I remember when Princess Di got married and now to have seen this, wow, I feel so fortunate.

My favorite moments were all the shots of the Brits cheering. It was a beautiful display of societal patriotism. I love the hymns they sang… pure elegance! Lastly, when Harry looked over his shoulder to get a glimpse of his sister-in-law walkign down the aisle, I thought it was precious – he looks out for his older brother in an innocent way.

38 Sushigirl { 04.30.11 at 4:32 am }

I didn’t watch. I busy sharpening my guillotine…

39 coffeegrl { 04.30.11 at 7:41 am }

Best wedding I ever attended: one of best friends from high school got married just about 2 weeks after her father suddenly passed away from a heart attack (he was in his 50’s and this was a total surprise – no known health issues). For a lot of reasons, the couple decided to go ahead with the wedding and her extended family and all her friends rallied in an amazing way. Her uncles had made homemade wine for the wedding toast that was amazing – and they all stood in for her father that day in some way. Her friends were amazing and I met lots of people and it was one of those rare occasions on which everyone comes together and has a great time despite the fact that we were strangers at first…it didn’t feel awkward at all and everyone was lovely. It was one of the most amazing weddings ever; almost a total 180 from what I expected (sad, melancholy) and it was a total blast.

Watched the wedding. I’m mostly just glad that no one could tell me how to manage my wedding and I got exactly what I wanted at my wedding.

40 Queenie { 04.30.11 at 8:50 am }

I was SO not into the wedding, but felt like it was a cultural event that I should witness. So I watched. My favorite moment was when Beatrice and Eugenie showed up (those are their names, right? Sarah Ferguson’s girls?) Anyway, I thought their hats and outfits were just awful, but sort of in a hilarious, emperor’s-new-clothes, train-wreck, look-at-me sort of way that made me laugh. Did someone really tell one of them that the horrid brown hat was stylish? And the blue outfit? REALLY? It just cracked me up that they left the house looking like that. Maybe Bjork was their stylist?

41 mrs spock { 04.30.11 at 9:47 am }

Back in the 80s, my babysitter kept her daughter home from preschool and moved up our nap time so we could all watch Luke and laura’s wedding on General Hospital. Your kids will probably remember this fondly.

42 Willow { 04.30.11 at 1:04 pm }

Last year I started but never finished a Project IF post, so I’m very proud to have my NIAW post up now!

I didn’t watch the wedding–I figured I’d catch plenty of coverage later. I do think it’s cool to have watched it live though.

My favorite wedding was definitely my own. I crafted the ceremony to incorporate lots of traditions from both my husband’s background and mine. It was so great having all of our family and friends gathered together, and of course to get to marry my man! I was just at a cousin’s wedding and didn’t feel that “magic” that I expect from a wedding. I was left wondering if it’s because I’ve been to so many weddings now, or because this one in particular was just so-so. I am happy for my cousin though 🙂

43 Leah { 04.30.11 at 4:02 pm }

I loved my own wedding but I’ve been to two weddings that we’re off the charts. One was a super posh Chicago wedding last fall. It was at the Cathedral and then at the University Club… Can we say open bar?
And the other was last month. A two week trip to India for 6 days of wedding events in Mumbai and New Dehli for a traditional Hindu wedding. Amazing!

(c) 2006 Melissa S. Ford
The contents of this website are protected by applicable copyright laws. All rights are reserved by the author