The Texas Baseball Wedding

After the pre-travel freakout, I came home, finished packing, and headed out to the airport. I arrived in Austin, TX at 7pm, got my rental car, got acquainted with my in-car GPS system, who I named Belinda, and arrived at my hotel in Round Rock at 8pm. Then, I headed to Killeen to see my Dougiepie. I helped his soon-to-be wife glue some things for the centerpieces and met D's friend Frank and cousin/bestman Moshe while we waited for Mr. D to come home.

Once D arrived, Frank, Moshe, D and I went out for D's bachelor party. yes, that's right. I was invited to the bachelor party! :) I nominated myself designated driver, and we headed out to a local bar. I had SO much fun! The bar was a pretty cool place and had 3 stand-up comedians perform followed by a band that was AMAZING and played for a really long time. Moshe had cigars, and as girl who will take calculated risks and who felt very honored to be at a bachelor party, I, too, smoked a cigar. I can hear my sister Linz now "You WHAT?!" and yes, I know about the dangers and health risks of smoking, so no lecture, please. This was a one-time Jennie-gone-not-so-wild moment. :)

We hung out at the bar for many hours, and I got back to my hotel after 2am, and was so wired (cigarbuzz?) that I didn't go to bed until after 3am.

Sunday was the DougnSusie Baseball Wedding. Oh, yes, Baseball Wedding. Doug and Susie got married in a short, but tear-inducing ceremony at home plate at the Dell Diamond (the home field for the Round Rock Express, the AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros). The Baseball Wedding was one of the most simple, beautiful, easygoing, and fun weddings I've attended. It was so wonderful to be able to share the day with two people who I absolutely adore. They are such a wonderful couple and such a good match! Being recently divorced, it is hard to believe in 'happily ever after', but if anyone can do it, it will be those two. :) After the wedding and reception (burgers and hotdogs and a baseball cake!) we watched the game. I can hear my sisters saying "YOU watched a baseball game?!" Yes, me. And I had a lovely time. :)

After the game, I dropped of new friends Frank and Joan, went to my hotel to change, and drove back up to Killeen to have dinner with the new Mr.n.Mrs. Eventhough we were all tired, and somewhat sunburned, we had a nice dinner together, and D and I and his friend Dave had a several mini geekfest where we discussed the latest Highlander movie, Battle Star Galactica, and some other shows. Ah, the geekfest, no visit with Doug would be complete without it. :) I awoke this morning at 5:15 to shower and eat before heading to Austin to catch my flight. This was a crazyfun, sleepdeprived couple of days! :)