Sunday, April 27, 2008

Brace Yourselves!!

I am about to tell you a story that is going to outrage a lot of you(hopefully, because everyone should be). I am not going to get into the gory details of the events of last night, but as you all know(if you have been reading my blog daily) my cousin in law Brandi got married this weekend. Since about 4pm on Thursday, I have spent every waking minute with the bride to be, and her family decorating, preparing, making flowers, rehearsing, you name it!! It was a gorgeous wedding(and that is why I have been gone so long, btw), and everything from the dress to the dessert was amazing. All day long I could feel a bad headache(what I call a migraine) coming on, and by the end of the toast(and my first glass of champagne), I couldn't hold out any longer. I finally got so sick, and my head hurt so bad that I had to leave the reception(crying about not wanting to leave the whole way to the car which does WONDERS for a headache-NOT!!)and go home and go to bed and I told Travis to stay at the reception. When he got home, finally, he woke me up and told me a story that had me sick to my stomach. During the reception, one of the guests found an opened wedding card on the floor in the lobby, from there, it went very wrong. To make a VERY long story short, one of the guests(and YES we do know who it was) got into the card box(mine I had loaned Brandi from my wedding) and stole the cash out of the cards. She was taking them to the bathroom, opening them, taking out the money, leaving checks and gift cards behind, and then putting them in the trash with paper towels over them. To top it all off, when confronted, she accused someone else, and they ended up questioning him(and a couple of others she pointed fingers at). Eventually, she finally gave in and gave back some of the cards she hadn't opened and all(or at least what she said was all) the cash she had stolen. Now yesterday and today, which should have been joyous days, have been completely overshadowed by one sick persons actions. I can't for one minute begin to imagine the kind of person it would take to do something like this nor do I want to. What's worse is the fact that today the bride and her parents had to spend the day calling around to people trying to find out how much money was in their cards so that they will know what to report(and what to get back from her). Honestly, I don't believe we will ever know how much she stole, and it's not even about the money. It's about the fact that she did this, and now it is like a black cloud over the whole day. Believe it or not, she WAS a close family friend, and someone that in the past, when she needed help, had come to the brides parents for it. In the process of her stealing all of these, she broke the church that my Mom had made for my wedding. I have kept it out in my house as a decoration since the day I moved in because it was gorgeous, and it really meant a lot to me. I cried when I had to tell my Mom what had happened, and she offered to fix it, but I refused, somehow it's not the same anymore. I had planned on keeping that forever, to use at my children(when I have them) and my nieces weddings and now I can't. If I know my mom, she will make a new one, but it will never be the same.
Sorry for that, but if you can't tell, I am still really upset. I stamped this morning as therapy, and I am getting ready to stamp some more. I made this card to give to Brandi today and for the the first challenge posted in the new Paper Pretties challenge forum by Danielle. She challenged us to make a trifold card, so I made one using this tutorial on SCS. I started with a Basic Black base and then layered it with Purely Pomegranate and some DP from the DCWV All Dressed Up stack. The main image is Cuddle Me from Paper Pretties. Her name is Sophia, and if you can't tell, I just love her. She is colored with markers and the dress and bow are covered with a Sakura glitter pen. I will be back later with whatever else I can come up with, I need some therapy!!
stamps-Cuddle Me and All Holidays
paper-Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, and DCWV DP
ink- Black Stazon
tools- oval punches, black organdy, pomegranate satin, white brads, corner rounder, SU markers, aquapainter, glitter pen

16 comments:

  1. OMW...Jessie...I am so incredibly sorry for what happened, both for you not feeling well and for the horrible events that unfolded at the wedding. Unfortunately, it is becoming more common than you might imagine. 2 months ago someone robbed money from a widow and her small chidren at her husband's funeral. He was a 32 y/o constuction worker who died while working on one of the monster projects here. It is really horrific when people have to make their way in this world doing thing like that. I wish I could give you a big ol hug.

    Laura

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  2. Jessie! I just cannot even fathom that someone would do such a heinous thing...and a close family friend no less! What a horror! I sincerely hope that Brandi and her family will press charges against this person. And you are right, it is not so much about the money, it is that such a thing could even happen! Big hugs coming your way!! Feel better soon my friend...

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  3. I just came and check on your blog 'cause it's not like U Not to 'show' up on your fun TPBM thread...I knew U were busy and I was hoping it was because U had too much fun at the wedding...
    Instead I'm reading of an
    UNbelievable and outrageous happenings!!
    I feel so sorry for the newlyweds
    and all their close relations that a horrible thing like this has to happen on one of the best days in their life...
    I sure hope that the so called 'LADY'will be fully delt with and that she will be charge for what she did....
    and to think that she was a FRIEND of the family!!!How awful...shame, shame, shame on her!!
    Jessie don't waste energy on that person...stay close to your family and let your Mom fix what she can...
    I would like to hear about the church that she made for U...when things settle down and U feel better...
    Meanwhile, I wish I could give U a big hug,a real one...
    U know I'm thinking of U!

    Paola
    (SCS=Sama)

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  4. I'm speechless! Your poor cousin!!
    Perhaps you can pray over your church that God will erase the negative vibes left by her and that it will remind you not only of your happy wedding day, but of God's enduring love.

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  5. Oh gosh Jessie! I really have never heard of such an awful thing at someone's wedding from a close friend??! Oh gosh yeah.....I'd be spittin' mad for quite some TIME!!! All I can do is send you some hugs and hope that you all can find some happy photos to remember the good parts!! Take whatever time and therapy you need!! And know that all your stampin' buddies care and send you tons of good wishes!! Your tri-fold card is just so adorable and what a sweet thing for your cousin!! I definitely will have to try that tutorial!! Get some good rest my friend!!!

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  6. I surely hope that the newlyweds are filing a complaint and that this person is in the 'pokie'; how selfish of her to ruin what should have been a joyous occasion. Keep up the stamping therapy and you should be good as new in about 15-20 cards!

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  7. OMG, that is so sad, it made me cry to think that someone could be so dreadful! My heart goes out to you and your family. There is not much I can do from Australia, but I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and your family and sending you warm thoughts.
    Kristie

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  8. I am sorry to hear that you had such a terrible migraine (tell me about it, I had one on Saturday) but for a close family friend to steal at her supposed to be best friends wedding, come on, I am not a hateful person, but she needs to pay back every dime that she stole (she couldn't have had much in her own pocket if any at all, if she does something like this) plus she needs to be arrested for it. It sounds harsh, but she needs a wake-up-call. A wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of your life and not the saddest day.
    Hugs all the way from Okinawa, Sabrina

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  9. WOW, Jessie ... that is some story ... unbelievable that someone would do something so low. It is just madenning when one is victimized like that, especially on what is supposed to be an unforgettable day. Big hugs to you, the bride & groom, and the entire family.

    Your Pretties tri-fold card is so very cute!

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  10. I am sorry about what happened. It is a sad world when anyone feels the need to do something like this, especially a close family friend. What a way to remember your wedding. I am so sorry.

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  11. OMG how awful!!! And it's odd, just last week I got a card in the mail addressed to me by my maiden name. It was a wedding card with a $500 gift card in it! Turns out there is another couple with our names getting married this year and they got our registry from 2006 on accident. I sent the card back in the mail with a note. Obviously had your family friend gotten it she would have spent it and never thought twice. Just rest in the knowledge that Karma does exist! I hope you feel better, all around. :) xoxo

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  12. Wow -- that is shocking! I can't feature that ever happening! It's just beyond comprehension. At least she was caught, however -- it would have been even worse if she'd have gotten away with it. Your cousin would have thought several people didn't give her a gift, and they would think she was rude because she didn't send a thank you... Probably could have caused some hard feelings that never would come to light. So, while it stinks that it happened, your cousin can make some lemonade out of it -- people will be rooting for her even more thanks to the crappy behavior of one former friend. And the wrong-doer? Man, talk about being a pariah...

    Hope your headache has gone away. Are you still coming to Arlington this weekend?! I hope so!!!

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  13. I can't believe someone would do that! I am so sorry that you got sick and most of all that a family friend would do this to your cousin. I have friends who had a number of gifts stolen at their wedding and they didn't even know until months later when they were questioned by someone for never receiving a 'thank you' card. They thought a lot of people just didn't give them gifts and it turns out they were stolen! Sorry that your cousin and your family has to deal with this :-(

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  14. Oh Jessie, I don't even know what to say! I am so sorry for everything that happened. I hope you are feeling better physically -- I know that the loss of your special keepsake probably sickens you to think about it. :(
    I am glad that the money was returned -- what an awful thing to do! I can't even fathom that, but I am sure it's more common than I would think. Sending lots of {{{{{hugs}}}}}} to you!

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  15. Now I don't comment much on your blog (even though I LOVE your cards), but this story is just horrific! I can't believe a 'friend' would do that to someone at their wedding! I am totally shocked and what a terribly sad end to a beautiful day. I am so, so sorry for your broken church and can understand how you feel - let your Mum fix it, it may not be the same, but at least you'll still have it. My thoughts are with you and your family --- sending a hug all the way from Australia.

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  16. OH Jessie - I can't believe it either!!! This world is full of evil people....but what goes around comes around and it finally bit her in the you know what!!! Hope your cousin is firm and reports this with the police....

    Hope your cousin and her new husband find the strenght to move on and are able to enjoy their honeymoon!!!

    For you my sweet friend - hope that stampin is helping you to move on too!!! I'm also sending you a big hug!!!

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