Second Post of the Day: Tsao's Daughter's Wedding

Saturday I attended the wedding of my friend Tsao's daughter. It was a black tie affair, very formal, and it began at 3:30 and ended at 11:00. It was a long day, but a lovely one.

Tsao and I have been friends for seventeen years and she has no family here aside from her husband and two adult daughters. Her mother in Vietnam died four years ago and Tsao has since told me that I am her mother in America. That is a huge honor.

Tsao's mother (left) was included in a memory display of loved ones who were gone.

The weather was sunny so the wedding was moved outside. That surprised me and I only had a sweater with me, but it was okay.

I didn't get any pictures of the bride and groom, but you can see her seated under those high windows. (Guests had been asked to "be in the moment" and were told that the families would share photos later.)

Tsao may not have any family in the United States, but she has a lot of friends among the Vietnamese community in Indiana. I was seated among them along with four other of Tsao's American friends. I really enjoyed learning more about Tsao's culture.

Because the wedding was an hour's drive away and out in the countryside, I did not stay for the dancing afterward. I don't like driving in the dark, so I slipped out after dinner, thanking Tsao as I left and explaining why I was leaving early.

It was a lovely day, and even better, wonderful to celebrate such a momentous day with a very dear friend.

"Brighty" Spots

Even when things don't seem to be going well, I believe that you can always find a bright spot or two in life. I've done a little looking at my own challenges and was able to find some bright spots among mine. Here they are:

Bright Spot 1 - Craig

Craig is feeling better and was able to eat a bit yesterday. He is no longer dizzy and can stand and walk around without pausing to catch his equilibrium. He even took Pepper for a walk around the block last night!

Bright Spot 2 - Tsao's Kindness

Because Craig was so much improved, I felt comfortable keeping an appointment I had with my friend, Tsao, for a pedicure. She and I have been friends since 2006 when I first walked into her nail salon. Tsao had spent the last month visiting family in Vietnam and had brought me back a gift, a red swan pin. Of course, I put it on and we had to take a selfie together. (Bright Spot 2A. LOL)

When she finished my toes, she went back into the storeroom for a moment, then came out and held up a small bottle, asking if she could massage that knot on my shin. She wanted to see if she could get the swelling down. (Bright Spot 2B.) Tsao was gentle, but it hurt, and so she stopped. (I have an appointment later this morning to have that lump checked.)

Bright Spot 3 - a New Iron!

My new iron arrived and I was able to get back to the sewing table. 

I was very pleased with how the new iron worked and in being able to finish this order for a customer.

Bright Spot 4 - Heath's Availability

As of this morning, Heath is still available. The Othello mold is one of Breyer's most popular, and the fact that he is not yet sold out means that Breyer has increased production numbers so that more people can add him to their collections. I love that. 

Bright Spot 5 - Brighty!

Aside from the 2021 Vintage Collectors Club Nugget, I have never had a Brighty in my collection. That changed when I went antiquing last week. Not only did I find the HR cat, Quan Yen, and some Nancy Drew books for Lisa, but I found my first Brighty.

He sat there on the shelf like he was saying, "You're not going to leave me behind, are you?" (Those ears! Those eyes!)

He wasn't chalky; he was just a plain old regular little Brighty.

And I kinda fell in love with him. For the first time ever, I could see why collectors love him so.

Besides, he reminded me a bit of the donkey I took care of from 7th grade until I graduated from high school.

Jose was a stinker, but he was a cute stinker, especially when he cantered around braying.

Bright Spot 6 - Finishing the Give Away

The Give Away will end tonight (Thursday, February 8) at 11:59 PM Eastern.

You can enter by posting a comment on each blog post since (and including) Friday, February 2 when the Give Away was first announced. You can comment on just one blog post or on them all, the choice is yours.

I will draw tomorrow or Saturday and post the results that day.

Some of these bright spots may seem odd to you, but they truly were things that lifted my spirits or made me smile. If you are down or blue, I hope you can find some of your own "Brighty" spots, too.