Holiday Ball
The one interior shot I got before the camera went dead.
LCDR & Mrs. De For in the front parlorLast night was the Naval War College's Holiday Ball, which was held at the "beautiful Rosecliff mansion" here in Newport. Check out Rosecliff at www.newportmansions.com.
Wow, I think I just made a link. I never figured out how to do that on MSN. Cool!
Anyway, I've been to Rosecliff a few times, so it wasn't like my jaw was dropping or anything, but it's still kind of a nice house. You know? Rosecliff boasts the largest ballroom in Newport. Last night, it was filled with uniforms from all branches of the service, including foreign officers. Just looking at the uniforms was entertaining. I'm used to Navy uniforms, which are fairly simple and straightforward. There were some uniforms last there that were pretty flamboyant. Not like Zouave or anything, just...red, orange and green satiny lapels, lots of big around-the-neck type medals, spurs. Wow. Lots of flair.
Lots of lovely ladies, as well. I wore my full-length, black, beaded gown that I picked up at Macy's a couple of years ago. It was a total impulse buy. I was at the mall in San Diego with some fellow ship's spouses, planning the great Japan move of 2005. We decided to stop by Macy's and ended up trying on formal gowns just for the fun of it. I tried on a couple of ho-hum dresses, but when I put the black beaded one on, it just fit in that way...you know ladies? Va-va-voom. Like it was custom made for Rachel. It was a little pricey, but I bought it anyway, just because I couldn't bear to put it back after I had seen myself in it...took it home fully expecting Hans to say "Take that back...you don't need it". But when I tried it on for him, he may actually have drooled a little. He said (and I quote), "You are NOT taking that dress back!"
So, I finally got the opportunity to wear it last night. It was fun to get all dolled up and go hang out with a bunch of other dolled up people in this totally beautiful mansion. We strolled around, drinking cosmopolitans (well, ME anyway) and admiring the wainscotting and chandeliers, trying to look as though it was all so everyday for us...lalala. "We are so accustomed to this level of opulence, ho-hum".
Comments
I would have to agree with Hans, I'm glad that you didn't take that dress back. Rachel, you are one of those women that just get better looking with age. Do you remember that I put Lion batteries in my camera in San Deigo in September? I am still using that pair of AA lithium ion batteries today. Have you tried them? I think that that must be one of Murphys' newest laws, your digital camera batteries will fail just when you need them the most. Say hi to your gassy son, cute daughter and dashing husband and we will see you all in a couple of weeks.
Love Dad
Can't wait to see you all SOON.