Diana's Boy to Wed

Wow, one week from today Diana's little boy will stand at the High Alter in Westminster Abbey watching his bride, the beautiful Catherine, enter the through the Great West Door and make the long walk down the marble aisle to join him.

And where will the Fortuitous Housewife be that morning?

Unfortunately, my invitation to the nuptials seems to have been delayed in the trans-Atlantic mail, but I will definitely be curled up on my couch, sipping English Breakfast Tea & nibbling scones, watching every priceless moment on the tellie!

Why, you ask, would I drag myself from a cozy bed and miss an hour of much needed sleep? They'll be playing the highlights for days, weeks, months to come.

And the answer is simply because that is just what I did that morning back in July 1981!

I still remember the tingles & goosebumps as my teenage self (Yep, I'm dating myself a bit, but she was a few years older then me!) watched the lovely 20-year-old Lady Diana emerge from the carriage, walk up that aisle, and marry her prince.

Generally I'm not one for the trashy tabs, but I was always drawn to the latest news or photos of Diana. Whether dancing with John Travolta at the White House, or surviving the frumpiest of maternities (remember this was back in the dark days before maternity and style were introduced!), or forging ahead as a the world's most stylish single mum, I was always rooting for her.

Then there are those shocking moments in history, the details of which are seared into our memory. 

For me, one such moment was that August night in 1997.

I had just returned home from dinner with friends, turned on the tube in my bedroom, and went in the bathroom to brush my teeth. Over the running water & power toothbrush, I heard snippets of CNN...Princess Diana...Paris...car crash...rushed to hospital. Toothbrush still in mouth, I walked back into my bedroom, turned up the volume and stood there, frozen to the spot, as the reporter recounted the evening's events.

A few days later I woke once again on London time to bear witness, say a prayer and say my personal farewell to a lady, a princess, a peer, a friend I never met, a role model of grace, compassion, and style. There I sat, crying into my cup of tea, as the Windsors, the Spencers, the English people, the world, said goodbye to our Princess.

I will never forget William and Harry walking behind the casket carrying their mother, or the note perched atop the white rose bouquet, simply addressed "Mummy".

Just typing these paragraphs brings tears to my eyes.

Fast forward 14 years...the fairytale resumes! 

I was so pleased (and proud, actually) to see that iconic sapphire & diamond ring resting on Miss Middleton's ring finger. 

So next Friday I will be up before the sun rises on Boston to watch her first born wed. Diana can't be there, so I feel as though it is somehow my duty to be there (as part of the worldwide audience of billions) on her behalf.

And just like some doting Auntie, I'm sure I will shed a tear or two for the Mother that must watch this moment from a seat in heaven, and for the little boy who has grown to manhood, always remembering the woman who loved him first.

You are cordially invited -- Friday, April 29th, 5am EST -- to join me for a spot of tea, some fresh-baked scones, cream & jam, and a sip (or two, or three) of bubbly to toast Diana's little boy & his bride, the future King & Queen of England.

Tortoise or Hare

I just read a wonderful post by my bloggin' pal at Everyday Treats -- On Being a Small Blog and the Boston Marathon -- two seemingly disparate topics that she skillfully weaves together, creating a wonderful web of wisdom.

Now, as you dear & cherished groupies know, I am a newbie to the blogosphere. Despite oh-so-flattering entreaties over the years from associates, friends and new cocktail-party acquaintances,  I was reluctant to venture out into the dark & mysterious world of blogging. 

Writing for nothin' and probably no one -- what a waste of time! Or so I thought! 

What has developed is a stimulating & liberating new outlet for whatever captures my ADD-limited attention long enough to be contemplated and put into words, or a concept or conundrum that has been percolating in my brain.

If Everyday Treats is a small blog, then this place of musings is microscopic. I sheepishly admit relishing checking my blog stats, pathetic though they maybe compared to the majority of blogs out there, I love each digit nonetheless.

I am so pleased (and sheeplishly proud) when a pal on the playground, or an acquaintance strolling through CVS says they enjoyed a post.

And what a thrill last week when a total stranger found one of my posts, my words held his interest long enough to carry him to the end, and left him inspired to leave a comment! THRILL!

So, am I racing to win or just trying to reach the finish? Hmm... I'd like to think there is potential for both, but I'll be happy with just staying in the race.

I'm glad I finally got started...better late than never!

What race or challenge do you dream of starting? It's never too late!

Fortuitous, Again?

Wondering if I fell off the blogosphere? Maybe I've been off tip-toeing through the spring tulips?

Nope!

The Fortuitous Housewife tripped (sorta) a few months back and has been hobbling along ever since.

Life takes another fortuitous turn, though not so much a lucky one.

Many people think of "fortuitous" as synonymous with "lucky", but I prefer the broader, more etymologically correct meaning --"by accident or chance rather than design". Sometimes accidents are indeed good fortune, other times, well, we must patiently wait for the silver lining to reveal itself.

So what has this housewife been up?

How's "getting a busted ACL reconstructed" for a non-blogging excuse?

There's a litany of excuses actually -- pre-op prep (stock piling runs to Trader Joe's, Target and BJ's, arranging a multitude of pick ups, drop offs & play dates), post-op recovery, painkiller haze, range of motion exercises, and lots of icing & elevating.

The Fortuitous Housewife & her VBB (very best brace).

Another new pal, Uncle Cryo-cuff,

& the hobbling assistants, Mr. & Mrs. Crutch.

As a Mom, I often fantasize about discovering hidden expanses of unfettered time to write, read, relax, paint my nails, nap, do whatever. But alas, the novelty quickly wanes!

As I lay on my sofa, right leg elevated on pillows, watching hours of inane television and reading vapid magazine, because that's all my painkiller addled brain can handle, the luxury quickly turns to frustration. Then frustration morphs into a growing sense of imprisonment, which is exacerbated by the spring sunshine gleaming through my prison, I mean, living room window!

Hello Spring!

In the grand scheme of things, this is just a minor blip on the timeline of my life, but it is frustrating nonetheless.

So, the silver lining? Is there one? SURE!

Here is yet another opportunity to be thankful...thankful for family and friends, "the village", that's always there supporting us.  The generosity of people always amazes and humbles me.

From carpools and play dates, to home-cooked dinners, sweet treats and groceries delivered to my door -- my most sincere Thank You!