HOUSE BLESSING DAY 25 NOV 2022
I woke up early to greet the day we had been eagerly awaiting. Had butterflies in my stomach. So much to do - picking up flowers from Mapusa market in the morning (on a Friday!), getting a haircut and sweep n mop time in the afternoon.
It had finally arrived!
THE DAY OF OUR HOUSE BLESSING.
By 7 am, I was at the church for daily Mass, then went to Café Niharika to order some breakfast. Told them we would come by 9 am. The boys were in Sleepyland when I returned home and reluctant to get up to go.
By 9.30 am, we were happily hogging kappas and bhajias and sipping sweet milk tea, our first restaurant experience at G5.
Then, Glenn came to take me to CS7 since I had to check on the painting going on in preparation to keep a tenant. Some plumbing issues to tackle and then we can show people the place.
I washed my hair under the passage sink tap to get rid of any grease before I headed for my haircut at Neha parlour, a stone's throw from home.
Haircut done and eyebrows plucked, I headed next to Bhagyator for some groceries, swiped my card to pay for them and then waited for hubby dear to pick me up.
Suddenly I remembered the flowers. So Glenn had to drop me off closest to the market and wait at Gandhi circle. Being a Friday, all homegrown Goans know how crowded the Mapusa bazaar is.
After choosing the garland for the altar, petals to decorate the porch and a five-metred string of mogras, I headed towards the florist shops for my favourite flowers - carnations. I decided to buy five red carnations and one yellow carnation encircled with some greens. Told the guy that I wanted it to be a Ra 200/ one. (I had a basket at home so I saved on that).
Back home, I rushed into the bathroom for a cooling bath. Ah, heaven! I had a quick meal, then went for a nap before the frenzy of work descended.
By 3 pm, everyone was on their feet, sweeping, mopping, tidying, hiding, screaming! Last activity, me, of course! Lol!
Around 3.30 pm, our carpenter brought the cabinet that I had him make to replace the old one that was looking shabby in the kitchen. Such a darling! He kept his promise.
By 3.30 pm, the caterer also brought our order - chicken mayo sandwiches, vegetable samosas and chocochips cake. Appy Fizz bottles were chilling out in the fridge and freezer. We were ready to MEET, GREET and EAT.
I gave Kirsten my selection of music. If you know me well, you can probably guess. And you'd be right. Marian hymns, gospel instrumentals. But I did add a Konkani classics album to the mix.
By 5.15 pm, the first guests arrived - Lily from Bastora and her son Nigel and Deanne. Then Fr Jose and Ashwin came, with Fr Richard on their heels. We decided not to wait since Fr Jose had to go back for their Gratitude Day Mass at 6.30 pm. We all assembled outside the flat in the compound. Ashwin struck the chord for 'We Are Together Again' and then we carried the picture of Ven Mamma Margaret into the house and placed it reverently below the altar.
Fr Jose made the salutory prayers, I read from the Gospel of Luke (24:28-32), then sang 'Thank You Lord'. Then Fr went into every room, sprinkling holy water and we ended with Ave Maria.
Cecil, Moses, Diego came at the end of the prayer service and Valyana a little later. We served the refreshments, had a general round of introduction but most of them knew each other anyway. Glenn narrated how Moses was instrumental in getting his purse back to him.
After they had left, we ate some of the leftovers for dinner and I crashed out by 11 pm.
Thus ended a beautiful day, a milestone event. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much I enjoyed writing it.
Till the next post then, its, (you got that right):
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| Deanne |
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| Veronica |
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| Annie |
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