Get me to the Gritz on time!

March 30, 2016

12  comments

Puttin' on the Gritz, Leslie Anne Tarabella

Last year’s Puttin’ on the Gritz party.

So much has been going on, I don’t know if I’ll be up and ready to attend the 2nd annual Puttin’ on the Gritz! It’s this Saturday, April 2nd at the Fairhope Civic Center, but danged if I don’t feel plum give-out!

c570702d0bdd7a37484332ec88f33988

I’m running a low fever and have a virus in my lungs that feels like a tractor’s parked on top of me when I try to breath! The doctor gave me the prettiest little pink pills to take, and told me to drink lots of fluids, so I’m propped up in bed with a pitcher of Bloody Marys trying to recuperate and not miss the best party of the year! (just kidding there, doc)! Click HERE to see photos from last year’s party.

 

IMG_1616

I’m rarely sick, but overextending myself always makes me feel puny. It all started last week when my college guy came home for Easter. I won’t expose the guilty party, but someone forgot he was home and backed into his car in the driveway, and TOTALED IT! It wasn’t a fast or hard hit, but it was an exact hit that destroyed the light, bumper, hood and side fender. It would cost more to repair than it was worth so . . . we had to go car shopping. Just what we didn’t plan on doing = stress.

 

Puttin' on the Gritz Truck - Leslie Anne Tarabella

This is what we got him. Ha-ha! Just kidding! It’s the official Puttin’ on the Gritz Truck!

I reminded my husband that having boys has cost us very little all these years, and unless I get my wish and they marry orphans so I can be in charge of their weddings, we really won’t have too much to spend there . . . so in the grand scheme of things, a used car isn’t too bad . . . is it? My son earned the money for his first car and we surprised him with a little upgrade when he went to college, so this wasn’t in the plan. We’ll sell the old car, “as is,” so we hope to be (almost) even in the end.

 

In addition, he’s a really good kid who is making good grades and behaving himself in college. Unlike his raunchy mother who makes jokes about drinking Bloody Marys in bed. 

 

Jeep - Leslie Anne Tarabella

Ahh. That’s more like it.

Then I helped with our church’s flower cross. In the rain. For four hours. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing things like that and I had great fun, but it probably wasn’t the best thing for me since I had started feeling sick that morning. Thank goodness I had my dear friend Jana Rae there to keep me laughing. She’s a doll and a really hard worker!

 

Leslie Anne Tarabella

I returned home to prepare the next day’s Easter feast and decided I was tired of pork. We’d had BBQ pork and a big tenderloin the week before so I couldn’t face cooking a big ham. Being the brazen rebel that I am, I broke with tradition and served . . . gasp . . . fish! (Jesus was a fisherman, so I think it’s allowed).

 

Puff Pastry SalmonWe love salmon, so I made this baked salmon in puff pastry with all the other Easter trimmings and it was delicious. But once again, all I really wanted from the Easter Bunny was a nap.

 

IMG_1742And speaking of the Easter Bunny, the cake bunny’s head fell off. Yeah, the week just kept getting better and better.

 

Leslie Anne Tarabella

This is how we looked at church that morning. You’d never know everything at home was crazy. The photo is so dark because it was pouring rain behind us and we couldn’t stand in the light. I was wearing navy and ivory, but looks black here.

 

And then, the water in the dishwasher and sink backed up. And we couldn’t use the kitchen all day. On Easter. No freaking kidding. N-O- W-A-T-E-R.

 

IMG_1754

And did I mention I dropped an unopened bottle of champagne? In case you’re wondering, it makes a terrific noise when it explodes. No Mimosas for Mama. But the flower cross turned out so pretty.

 

6fcac3845b59abc8de33dd7d3ca89609So . . . cross your fingers and say a prayer my week improves and I make a strong recovery to attend Puttin’ on the Gritz, because no matter what else happens, I can’t miss this party! Proceeds benefit our dear Eastern Shore Art Center, and this year’s theme is Bacon, Bourbon and Boots and the incredible decor that will blow your mind (poof!) is by Joe Comer of Espalier Landscape Design, the featured designer at this year’s Festival of Flowers.

Espalier - Joe Comer

If you are in the Fairhope area, please come join us. It will be so much fun with ELVIS making an appearance and all the delicious Southern delicacies you can imagine. The silent auction has VERY interesting items, including two Jimmy Buffett tickets that are good at any of his concerts except Las Vegas and NY, and all the details can be found HERE or just call 251-928-2228.

Hope to see you there!

 

Leave a Reply

    1. Thanks Katie. I thought the caricature was wonderful because JD didn’t add any wrinkles at all!

    1. It was a great idea with lots of little surprises. I didn’t even get a good photo of Elvis because I was trembling so much!

  1. HI Little Bitty Pretty One! Oh, you and your hubby are a beautiful looking couple. This sounds like a marvelous event! Love all of the costumes and your tutu skirt is precious and those boots! You are something else.
    so much fun.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  2. Looks like a great time was had by all! Very clever fundraising theme for an oh-so-worthy organization. The Eastern Shore Art Center was the location for last year’s Alabama Art Education Association Conference and it was grand! Nancy Raia and Dr. Paige Vitulli from USA were conference chairs and did a fabulous job planning for the participants to see Fairhope’s art offerings.

    Now I’m thinking about your wardrobe for next year too! What about those cute overalls with a glitzy tube top???

  3. I know that was a fun evening, love seeing all the dress code interpretations! Your portrait is dahling! I love that old truck out in front of the art center!

    1. Isn’t that truck great? It’s owned and loaned to us by Cecil Christenberry who owns the Old Tyme Feed Store on Greeno Road. He also let us use it in the Christmas Parade, and we had to tow it on a flatbed truck!

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
%d bloggers like this: