Where to Start??

**Livingston** · 31st December 06, 10:35 AM

The last month or so has been extreamly busy for me and unfortunatly except for one evening un-kilted. Started with a trip to Iowa for Thanksgiving to visit my daughter with her 2 children, my son and his wife, my Aunt while my parents were visiting her and my Father-in-law.

My daughter's BF gave her an engagement ring while we were there (more later about that!).

My daughter-in-law did NOT deliver my newest grandson while we were there.

Great visit with Livingston the Elder and family.

Still concerned about my FIL and his growing inability to remember where he is and what is going on. He still thinks it was recent-2 weeks- that he lost his wife (last July), is 87 and is very irate about loosing his drivers license etc. Time will tell on this situation.

The following week was in DC all week for a planning team planning session/training and got the phone call the first day that Livingston the Youngest decided it was time to show up

The next week was in Orlando for most of the week for the I/ITSEC show which is a military training/simulation show for all of the vendors etc that work with the US military. Went to a Scottish night put on by BEA with loads of Scotch and a mini-Burns night. The one kilted part of the month.

Dad's 80th was the 18th so was up in Estes Park for 5 days, back to work for 2 days...wait a minute. The blizzard came thru the first day so only did 4 hours then 2 days of getting rid of snow. Back to Estes for Christmas and then back here for more snow shoveling.

Ok, back to my daughter. She is getting married next spring and is thinking very seriously about a Scottish theme for the wedding. She really likes the Scottish wedding dresses she has looked at on line. I've been told to make sure my kilt is ready and that I have all the accessories needed. Oh, FYI, she is also 1/4 Creek Indian so not sure what her mother (my ex who is also a Ross) thinks. She would like for me to find a piper in the Des Moines, IA, area she can talk to and find out if she would like the pipes during the wedding.

So, if there are any pipers in central Iowa out there, could you PM me to discuss?

Can't WAIT to get back to work next week so I can relax.

**GMan** · 31st December 06, 05:57 PM

Sounds like someone has had a busy few days (HAHA).

Congratulations on getting a new son-in-law and also a wedding that will be Kilted. I am sure that it will be a grand affair.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 31st December 06, 06:17 PM

Busy busy indeed!

**Warlock** · 31st December 06, 06:20 PM

Congrats, man!

**McMurdo** · 1st January 07, 06:04 AM

Congratulations, and at least there was the one night that allowed for kilt wearing.

I hope things work out for your FIL.

If you need ideas on formal kilt wear you might want to check out the show us your pictures page I know there is a tread there with shots of various xmarkers in thier best finery. Below is the link:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=22433

Also you might want to go to your local tartan shop, if you have one and enquire about renting the whole P.C. outfit.
I did a gooogle search but I could not come up with a kilt shop in Colorado Springs, but you would know better than I.

**Warlock** · 1st January 07, 07:59 AM

Happy New Year, to you and yours!

**Livingston** · 1st January 07, 09:32 AM

Thanks to all of you. Yes, been a wee bit busy. At this point, I have everything I need to be kilted properly but just need to wait and see if Jessica wants to actually have the Scottish theme.

McMurdo, there are 2 here in the Springs and there is a kilt rental mail order business also. So, have pleanty of local support. The main problem is that my daughter and everyone else lives in the Des Moines, IA area so I need to do the research for there. Of course, if the kilts are rented we can do it all from my local rental group.

Going to be a busy year. Just found out last night that one of my nieces is going to get married in late October in SE Kansas.

**H. Hastings** · 1st January 07, 10:52 AM

Livingston,

It was a pleasure meeting you and your lovely wife in Estes. I enjoyed our chat and look forward to being able to attend the Highland Festival there someday.

**Frank McGrath** · 1st January 07, 11:28 AM

The last time I was in Estes Park was 1988. The town rolled up the sidewalks on Memorial weekend. The only thing open when we left was a country bar in town. The beer was cold and the guy owner had no intention of closing the doors. Have things changed? Would love to get back to see the town. This time with my 2nd wife.

**Livingston** · 1st January 07, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by H. Hastings

Livingston,

It was a pleasure meeting you and your lovely wife in Estes. I enjoyed our chat and look forward to being able to attend the Highland Festival there someday.

We enjoyed meeting you and your daughter there also. Hope your shopping went well and you had the chance to find the Kilted Santas

The games there have been going on for 30 years and will continue for who knows how long! We're friends of Dr. Durwood who is one of the prime movers and original organizers of the games. I'm lucky enough to get to work assisting in the pipe competition each year.

Frank, most of the stores there have closed between 5 & 7 since I can remember. Just the bars or resturants open after that. We (my parents and sisters) have been vacationing there for almost 40 years and my parents finally bought a house there about 15 years ago. Haven't missed a Festival since then.