Relief Society 'T'Party 2023- Damascus Ward

Heard the saying, 'Come full circle.'

It can refer to interior design and fashion. Yes, fashion for me in the 80's and mom jeans! All back in fashion eek lol But, how about activities?

The last time I did this activity for my church was back when we lived in WI. 8 years and 6 days later, I organized the same theme for our RS birthday social again. This social is a yearly event in which we celebrate and commemorate the Relief Society's 181st anniversary on March 17, 2023.

This time round though, I had a little more $$ of my own to spend on it - all of which I'll keep for future parties and activities.

Overall the night was wonderful. I do wish more women came but hey-ho can't have it all lol 

Anyways, below are pictures from the evening. It took me about 2 and 1/2 hours to decorate *all by myself* :/ but with music as my company it wasn't so bad. I have to give a shout-out to Quincy Christianson and the guys who kindly got all the tables and chairs after their basketball game the night before. Thank you. :)

I think you'd agree though the wisteria did a good job of hiding the basketball hoop lol

For 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes I made up some simple * with help from Lindsay Haley - cute little gifts that consisted of donated teacups and saucers from Alice Truscott and myself, cookie cutters in the shapes of teacups and teapots, shortbread biscuits, bookmarks, chocolate and mini clip-on Fascinators and lavender sachets.

Table settings: I picked up the cutest napkins from T-J Maxx which I used for the teacup napkin and the cut-off parts to tie around the plastic ware. The reusable clear teacups I got from Tablecloth factory - I love this online site! I even got the wedding arch drapery fabric & table runners and square sheer overlays and wisteria in cream and pink. I did, however, find more wisteria at my local thrift store Hardwood House! Like what are the chances! Slim. They had bundles of 5 stems of wisteria for $2.50! I bought all of them lol 

                                    Don't you just love the teacup napkin through the handle!

The cookie cutters, disposable teacups and saucers, and the teapot centerpiece from Amazon.

All of the bookmarks I made. I did buy the digital copies from Etsy: Alice in Wonderland #1 & Alice in Wonderland #2 and the wildflower. I did, however, laminate and add bookmark tassels to them.

I did make all the mini teapots and teacups, cupcake toppers, and hanging displays and banners using my Cricut and Laminator. And i made the Army guards from Alice in Wonderland from foam posterboard. I made pin wheels and crepe paper flowers too :)

I had asked some sisters to decorate the table centers and they did a wonderful job- shout out to Amy Taye, Camille Fredrickson, Jessica Davies & Annika Niven :) Thank you, ladies.

The evening went as follows: Welcome everyone, followed by a light dinner that consisted of cucumber, egg, and cress sandwiches, chicken salad croissants, cheese, veggie platters, fresh fruit, hummus, brownies, ice cream,

and treats brought by some of the ladies, 2 Victoria sandwich cakes made by Sarah & Kate Christianson - Yum :) and I made the cupcakes.

We had a musical number by Shuana & Audry Bastion - they sang Peace in Christ.

Sarah Christianson gave us the spiritual thought, titled, 'Making time for the Lord each day.'

And we had the announcement of the best-decorated hat. So, all in all, I think the night was a 'T' party success :) And was worn out afterward lol ESP as we've been doing renovations at home - new flooring :/ which I'll post soon. 

Denny Stewart won 1st prize

Connie Price won 2nd

Heather Hurren won 3rd

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Dad

How do you ever get over losing a parent or loved one?

I don't think you ever do. 

The quiet and the unexpected times are when it catches up with you. Right? I know without a doubt the tears will fall as I write this post. I also predict that this week when the children are back in school and Jason is back at work - then is when I think the grieving will happen. Not that I haven't grieved - I have. 

Yet, with everything that happened, time went by in a haze, as I walked in circles like a zombie, booked my flight and car for my trip back to Wales and I decorated for Christmas in one week! It normally takes me one whole week just to do the inside. Outside didn't happen this year. But that is okay. I needed to go home. Home to Wales. Home to say goodbye to my dad.

December 5th at 5.40am. 

My heart broke.

It broke once before on Jan 5th, 2010 when my mam passed, and it broke again on December 5th, 2022 again when my dad passed away.

I am thankful for one thing - technology. I was able to Skype with my sisters and Aunt Linda and be there in the room with them as my dad passed. The heartache and pain I know we all felt were tremendous. Something I will never forget or want to. The following week was each morning on Skype with all my sisters as we figured out everything. 

The week I was in Wales went by in a manic rush of doing and organizing. Judith and I were the ones driving around to the Solicitors, the county council, and my best friend Lisa, who owns her own flower shop to choose the flowers, the funeral home, shopping for items for my dad's wake. Even the night before the funeral, adapting two tablecloths into scarves to wear. LOL This is one heck of a story to tell. 

Judith and I went to see dad when he was brought to the funeral home. I needed to see my dad in person. To hold his hand and say goodbye. Judith came with me. We cried hard, giggled, and chatted with our dad. Even though he'd passed, he was there. 

I miss you, dad. I am missing you still.

I see you every day - you sit on the left of my writing desk - the picture at Dan-y-Ogaf caves - where mam told you to look frightened with the T-Rex behind you. Also, to my right, is the picture of us all at Carreg Cennen.  

The funeral.

How is it this is the only time you get to see extended family? It was lovely, even through a sad time to see everyone. The service was what all of us sisters planned. I will at some point post my dad's Eulogy.  My daughter Jodi, as well as Judith, and myself, read a poem, the one I read is below. 

Poem Jodi read - Come with me.

Poem Judith read - The Star

We sang Calon Lan, Ar Hyd yr Nos, and Abide with me.

I Miss you daddy xx

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