Hello folks, how are you all? It’s been a long time between drinks, as we Aussies might say!
My apologies for the radio silence. I’ve been writing this blog for over ten years, and there’s so much content here now that I really only have the urge to put virtual pen to paper when I have something new to share.
Life though, has been grand.
Very hectic, to the point of frantic, but happy. And we do have exciting news…Big Boy and Monkey Girl are engaged!
They’ve been together now for nearly eight years – since the start of university – and we’re all incredibly excited for them! Here’s my very favourite photo of the young couple, taken three years ago…
Ok, so when I say “we’re all incredibly excited for them”, I really do mean the women in my family. Men, we’ve decided, are boring. They’re all very happy for Big Boy and Monkey Girl, of course, but they haven’t really lost their minds like we have.
I got so excited that I pulled out my wedding dress from 30 years ago to reminisce. It..um..doesn’t fit anymore. That didn’t stop me trying it on and taking a photo and sending it to the kids…
When I opened the box, after 30 years of careful storage in archive safe blue paper, expecting the silk to have faded to a gentle sepia, I suddenly realised that it wasn’t silk at all. I’d picked it up off a bargain rack in 1988 and it was 100% polyester. It shone with the brilliance of John Travolta’s white suit in Saturday Night Fever. I laughed and laughed until I had to sit down on the floor.
Pete, bless his heart, was impressed that I could get the dress on at all, but couldn’t resist teasing…
Pete: “Babe, I don’t think it’s Monkey Girl’s style…”
Me: “No, I think it’s more Muriel’s style. Ha! Maybe it’s a reflection of our marriage – I’ve thought all these years that I was married in silk, but it was actually polyester..”
Pete: “I think what you mean … is that it’s eternal and will never lose its shine and that our relationship will always be as fresh as the day we were married…”
Gotta love the man. He may not be as excited as I am, but he’s still as charming as ever!
The veil was very simple as well. I’m threatening to cut it up for vegetable bags. Waste not, want not, right? (Don’t worry, I’m only half serious)
It’s promising to be an interesting year! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Congratulations for the kids. Your hubby sounds a romantic at heart.
Congratulations to the newly engaged couple.
I am with you on the ‘veil to veggie bags’ scenario; that’s the sort of thing I would do. LOL
Congratulations on the exciting news – thrilled for you all. xxx
That Pete thinks fast on his feet! Wonderful news; always a special day when a child launches his own family and household.
Well I saw the picture of you in your wedding dress and laughed as it is not so long since I tried my wedding dress on too. Seems I had an annoyingly small waist. I wasn’t so game to take a photo but Im pathetic like that. Ha ha mine was a Dutchess satin purple tuille lined short number that is still shiny too. Never looked good in white and sticking to that mantra forever.
That’s exciting news! Congratulations!
Congratulations to Big Boy and Monkey Girl. I love reading about you and your gorgeous family. Happy Easter. x
Celia … I am so so happy for you … whilst I don’t know you personally, I feel that I have come to know you through your blog and posts and I just love you and your family … I know already you are going to have such a wonderful time leading up to the wedding, and can’t wait to see the amazing pics of the process as we go along … enjoy the moment my dear xo Gina
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! so so happy for all of you, they make a gorgeous couple, and exploding in joy!
Oh Celia, you are such delight! I love the way you share intimate details of your life in such a fun, light-hearted way. I can’t believe Big Boy is such a grown man..and so handsome! I remember when you talked about him years ago when we chatted. Of course, Pete is quite the charmer! Sending wishes for much love and happiness to all.
A lovely post full of happiness and delight…Quick of the mark your hubby with his lovely comment such a romantic…Lots to look forward to…I wasn’t a white bride either blue was my colour both times, different dress…haha…
Big Boy and Monkey Girl…..what great references. How wonderful to be adding someone you are quite fond of to your family.
That is just wonderful!! congratulations to them. Your veil into vegetable bags? Why not LOL
Blessings to Big Boy and Monkey Girl and all the very very best wishes for the future.
ps Celia this almost makes you and Pete Grampies (has to throw that in as a girlie observation) but hey it’s True!
💜💜💜
Celia, that IS exciting news! So happy for you and them! Loved your “silk” story, too, and subsequent conversation. xo
What a lovely couple Celia. They’ll make beautiful grandbabies!
Very exciting to have a wedding to look forward to.
Congratulations – wonderful news. And why not make produce bags out of your veil – there is a charity where people donate their old wedding dresses to make clothes for stillborn babies which I think is just wonderful. When my sister had my mother’s wedding dressing redesigned for her deb I was sad but now I can see it was lovely to have it used again rather my grandmother’s wedding dress that was stored for years and when it was taken out it had rusted as it had metal decorations!. Love your pic in your dress – at first I had thought you were in your bridesmaid dress :-)
Wishing them a lifetime of happiness and love together. <3 MAz
Such wonderful news for you all! I love Pete’s interpretation of thebsilk/polyester…what a man 😀
Congratulations to Big Boy and Monkey Girl! Happy Easter, everyone! :)
Congrats, congrats! Joyous news!
What wonderful and exciting news. Congratulations to you all.
Love and hugs from SA.
:-) Mandy xo
Looking forward to your environmentally sound solution to the confetti question……
You never know, someday you may have a grand daughter who would live to wear your dress! My two daughters both wore my veil. Weddings are exciting and fun and oh, so much work…..enjoy the process! Congratulations to all….
Mo
Happy day for all in your family. Best wishes to the newly engaged couple, I am sure we will have many months of wedding prep tidbits from you.
What a wonderful idea for your veil, I would start making bags right now if my husband was not sleeping…he would not be happy with me rummaging in the closet.
I’ve been wondering where you’d got to, so lovely to break your silence with such good news! Congratulations to the happy couple.
Congratulations to the lovely couple & family too.
Congratulations Celia, and it is good to hear from you. Glad life is grand.
Congratulations! I remember reading about Monkey Girl a long time back and thinking she sounded like such a sweetheart. So happy for both of them! <3 <3
how wonderful !!! Congratulations! I wish them all many happy blessings and a beautiful future to come!
Congratulations. Lovely photo of the young couple.
CONGRATULATIONS. I am new to your site. Its really amazing to see our children grow. one day they are ready to start their own family.
So glad you shared this Celia – I feel we are part of your celebrations. And oh the analogy with your dress from Pete brought a lump to my throat – and your reference to Muriel a chuckle. Congratulations to big boy – and Monkey girl couldn’t wish for a better MIL.
Wonderful news. Even if the dress doesn’t quite fit, you still look lovely in it.
That’s such happy news Celia!! Congratulations xx
Many many congratulations both of you
Its awesome to feel how much love is in your family just by reading this post
This is very cute. WIsh them luck from me!!! god bless your family
Congratulations to the young couple. Will be watching for your related posts in anticipation.
What wonderful news – the whole tone of your writing has a bounce of excitement which is gorgeous. Congratulations to you all.
That’s HUGE news, darling. So very happy for all of you. xoxox
I managed to miss this exciting news. Congratulations to all. Have I missed the wedding too? Pete is completely charming and so are you in your sort of silk wedding dress.