Wedding Words

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Gigi in Weddings Comments Off

jumping the broom

A few weekends ago we trekked to northern California for our nephew’s wedding. We decided to make it a road trip, typically we never drive anywhere more than 2 hours. We arrived to Livermore, a little quaint town in the wine country, after 6 hours on the road, to an activity filled weekend, celebrating a birth, a nuptial and a bridal shower, btw all these were for different family members.

I love weddings, I love everything about them, the flowers, invitations, the gowns, rings, decor, themes, colors- I love all of it! Not enough to be a wedding photographer, I’m content at being the guest with a camera.

My anniversary is around the corner, we will be celebrating 27 years on July 23- so after witnessing the exchange of vows of this young couple I could not help but to reflect about my own marriage and all of our experiences.

Like most modern wedding ceremonies, the couple wrote their own heartfelt vows, expressing their love for one another. I thought about my own marriage and my commitment regardless of the challenges we encountered over the years. When we got married we did not write our vows nor did we have a traditional wedding with all the trimmings, we eloped to Hawaii and had a simple ceremony. Being the romantic I am if/when I decide to renew our vows with a ceremony I have a few poems files away for that special day hmmmm perhaps our 30th since we missed the 25th.

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

“Our Union” by Hafiz

Our union is like this: You feel cold, so I reach for a blanket to cover our shivering feet./

A hunger comes into your body, so I run to my garden and start digging potatoes./

You asked for a few words of comfort and guidance, and I quickly kneel by your side offering you a whole book as a gift./

You ache with loneliness one night so much you weep, and I say here is a rope, tie it around me, I will be your companion for life.

A & A wedding

The Journey by Nikki Giovanni

It’s a journey…that I propose…I am not the guide…nor technical assistant…I will be your fellow passenger…

Though the rail has been ridden…winter clouds cover…autumn’s exuberant quilt…we must provide our own guide-posts…

I have heard…from previous visitors…the road washes out sometimes…and passengers are compelled…to continue groping…or turn back…I am not afraid…I am not afraid…of rough spots…or lonely times…I don’t fear…the success of this endeavor…I am Ra…in a space…not to be discovered…but invented…I promise you nothing…I accept your promise…of the same we are simply riding…a wave…that may carry…or crash…

It’s a journey…and I want…to go…

the dance

He’s no perfect, by Bob Marley

He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, He’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect for more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.

Love this man

Did you have a “reading” at your wedding?

Happy Monday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

Maryland 48 Hours Turn Around

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Gigi in Travel, Weekend Observations 1 Comment

Gigi & Reggie

48 hour turn around trips, are my favorite. If you stay with friends or family it is just enough time to not wear out your welcome, the perfect amount of time when I am hosting a houseguest as well. We stayed in Maryland with Reggie’s sister and her family in their new home, they recently moved there via Huntsville Alabama. First thing I noticed about the subdivision was the amount of land, each home was on an acre, and deer were everywhere.

sister-n-laws “brick house”

Gigi & sister-n-laws

The cost of real estate is so much more reasonable here than in southern Cal, we went to a few open houses, and I was amazed at what $600,000 gets in Maryland, 4500 plus square feet, an acre, finished basement and enough storage to put all the storage facilities in LA out of business.

Maryland Real Estate

Finished Basement

Love this finished basement space…I could work with this.

stalking model homes

For a moment we did the math and figured out if we sold our home, and the business, we could move to Maryland, buy a really nice home for cash, Reggie could work part time or teach, I could do photography and we would have plenty of time to travel-you never know what is in the future for you infinite possibilities.

We had great meals, my sister-n-law is a vegetarian and her husband is raw vegan, they prepared a delicious spread for us, the raw vegan pizza was to die for!

Vegan Spread

The primary reason for our trip was to attend our friends Buni and Mal daughter’s wedding. Buni is from D.C. and her daughter decided it was important to have the east coast family present even though they live in LA. It was a lovely eclectic event so “Courtney”, the wedding took place at the American Visionary Art Museum, the reception was a lounge setting that was warm and inviting. I love the shift of all the older adult children of my friends getting married now.

Gigi & Buni

lovely couple

Gigi’s tips for 48 hour getaways

Jet Blue

1. Red eye flights are not the best, but if you must try and arrange for an early check in, or better yet stay with a family so you can go right to bed.

2. If you don’t have a way to upgrade your flight, opt for the “more” leg room seats, especially on the cross country flights, so worth it…

3. Take a nice tote filled with a big pashmina, slippers, your electronic devices, coconut oil, a few magazines and a nice small handbag as well.

4. If you want to go to any “hotspot” resataurants or shows make reservations ahead of time and get tickets to shows etc. do your research so you can take advantage of your 48 hours.

5. Rent a car! Do not have peeps pick you up and chauffer you around.

6. Send a thank you and a little gift to your host…I love ordering something online that is personal and unique.

7. Be a gracious guest.

8. Pack carefully, make sure everything you take has more than one purpose. I took my faux animal fur coat and threw it over everything.

9. Cherish the moments, with family and friends and don’t forget to laugh.

Next short trip Nawlins in November

gigi & reggie

Xoxo,

Gigi

THE WEEKEND…

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Gigi in Weekend Comments Off

The White House

With Friday evening plans of a red eye flight to Washington DC, catching up on my book club selection, Men We Reaped, by Jesmyn Ward, recapping the weeks events, the weekend then becomes a whirlwind visiting Reggie’s family and attending a dear friend of mine, daughter’s wedding. And while the weekend will zoom by, my photographer hat will be worn as I capture special moments from the weekend. Of course I have waited to the last minute to pack, having no clue what I will wear to the wedding. So today will be spent running around putting everything together.

I’m at the age where lots of my friends children are getting married, this is the fifth one this year. I have always loved weddings and am looking forward to seeing all the details come together. This past week my friend Denise’s beautiful daughter got married at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, I met Monica when she was in elementary school, time really does fly by.

Monica’s Wedding

But before all the fun of the weekend begins here is a cute video of what not to do at a wedding, btw I can really appreciate this…

Thank you again readers for stopping by GGM.

Have a wonderful weekend, and until Monday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

24TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Gigi in My Life, Thoughts 10 Comments

Last week I celebrated my 24th wedding anniversary, unfortunately it was the same day of my brother-n-law Jimmy’s untimely passing. We flew up to Stanford Medical Center to join family in spending our last moments together, showering Jimmy with prayers and song. It was a sad day, one I will never forget, and I pray I never have to experience my own child dying before my eyes.

Wedding Day july 23, 1989

We eloped to the island of Kauai and had a simple ceremony witnessed by my dear friend Blaine and her then husband Bob. The small chapel was filled with strangers that Reggie recruited from the hotel. I was worried that no one was going to be there, so this was his solution, run around the hotel inviting everyone to come to our wedding unbeknown to me of course. This was Reggie’s second marriage and at the time we felt it was best to have a low key ceremony, of course the inner bride is alive and well inside of me and is jones-ing for a 25th wedding vow renewal next year with all the trimmings.

Reggie & Gigi

Fast forward 24 years; we have been blessed with a daughter and a son, we have both lost siblings, survived bankruptcy, abuse from the IRS, stroke, acquired a new office 100 miles away, fishetarian, vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, a kitchen remodel, plus or minus 15 pounds, reading glasses, interesting family dynamics, marathons, triathlons, the end of the long silky perm era, and oh I can’t forget menopause and we are STILL TOGETHER!

Reggie & Gigi

Our marriage is very similar to training for a triathlon. Swimming, biking, and running are the events you have to somewhat master in order to complete the triathlon, in marriage you also have to participate in all the parts, you can’t pick and choose , and expect to finish the race. There will be some parts you like and some you will loathe. You may at times get discouraged and want to quit, but you know just like that early morning ocean swim, once you get wet you are fine. When your training is consistent, you become stronger, just like in marriage when you are slacking in a few areas you have to work harder or else before you know it you will just settle for mediocracy accepting “whatever” as your norm.

Malibu Tri 2011

Crossing the triathlon finish line, you are overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment, the excitement trickles through your entire body, you quickly forget about the hours you put in, the setbacks and injuries. In marriage you have to keep “training” for those peaks, and remember the “dating” phase and DO what you DID then, that made you want to close the deal. The “training” is a lifelong commitment that can be truly rewarding, so if you have been a little lack, dust off those running shoes and go for a spin around the track.

Reggie & Gigi

XOXO,

GIGI

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