Summer Explosion by Celia Jade

There's the long hibernation of winter in most Canadian cities, mine being one of them. Then before you know it, spring and summer are upon you. Most of us were still walking around in a silly daze the other day when it hit 29 C in Montreal, like we didn't know what to do with ourselves, lol. Along with these seasons comes the almost continuous trail of social obligations and I've got a few I must meet.

First off are a handful of showers--baby showers and bridal showers. They're generally fun, unless you have a hard time finding the right gift, although in many cases money is acceptable. There's always the issue of what to wear and I find myself staring into my closet with a frown thinking: I've worn this before and this one too...how come I don't have anything to wear? So now I have to find a nice new outfit--or maybe two so that I'm not caught wearing the same thing to different occasions.

Besides this, the responsibility of hosting my sister's bridal shower landed on my lap unexpectedly. It's her second marriage and we weren't planning on having a shower for her since she's got everything for a new home, but her mother-in-law wanted to have one. As the sister of the bride, I have to take care of most of the planning. So in between attending other showers and family events, I'm now retrieving mailing addresses, writing up the invitations, making arrangements with the catering hall, the decorations, favors and so on. You'd think it's simple--I mean, it's just a party for fifty--but surprisingly, there's a lot involved. And of course, much of this in consultation with both mother in law and my mother.

The wedding's in September and I'm already anxious about getting a formal dress. Don't you hate forced shopping? I find the best purchases happen when they are unplanned. And I'm thinking--praying--please let this be her last wedding. Please, God, make it last for her. These are lovely occasions of course, but they are emotionally demanding. Meeting the new family, hoping your folks will get along, hoping the wedding plans go smoothly. I'll add about two more weddings before summer's end to that list. And they're pricey too...an average of about $100-150 per person in an envelope. Tradition in our family is money, not physical gifts. And that number climbs the closer the relation. Oh, and weddings of the past often mean christenings are on the way...now that I think of it, there's a handful of friends who've recently had babies...so they'll be christening them some time next year--hopefully before summer!

There are birthdays too--friends, acquaintances, family members...and many of these are formally celebrated now, like in some restaurant or something. I used to have quiet get togethers in my late twenties and thirties...and the older I get the more 'quiet' I like them, lol.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining. This is light-hearted venting. :-)

It's just that this season seems to burst with sudden life like a thrilling and crazy whirlwind for a short duration. I kinda wish there were more winter weddings to break the dull routine the rest of the year...never been to one of those. So right now, I've got this really long list of things to do stuck on my wall in front of my computer so I can see it. Of the twenty things, three have been ticked off as done. Hmn, I owe two stories to my publishers--one especially because it's part of a series--hope I don't forget to write those, lol. Maybe I should add them to the list.

What else? I'm excited about my upcoming series: Greek Playboys. It debuts with The Greek Bachelor on May 1st. Now this is a nice escape, lol.

Cheers to all and enjoy your social events!