From Us To You

 



Half-Done Holiday

The last time I checked, it was June.
Christmas is coming whether I'm ready or not.  I prefer to be ready, but that feeling of being a little "behind" on things has been taken over by a feeling of "I am a Christmas loser."

I am not lying when I tell you I know folks who've already finished all their shopping.  Their Christmas ham is probably in the oven.

I have friends who own those pesky "Elf on a Shelf," and they've been up to their elf shenanigans for weeks now.

I received 3 Christmas cards on November 30.  Yep... November.

I just thought about ordering our Christmas cards this week.

We are the most "festive" people on our street, and we usually have lights up outside, but right now, our front porch is coldly dark.  The neighbors must think we've died.

I found the garland I like to put on the mantle, but the lights aren't working. 
You'd think I could grab a strand of lights at the store.  Have you tried to buy Christmas lights lately?  There's LED, non-LED, warm LED, cold LED, 60 light strands, 100 light strands, 50 light strands, and lights that hang themselves.  Just kidding.  If there were lights that hang themselves, my mantle would be lit.

Our tree is up, but the topper is missing.  Now that I think about it, the angel quit last year.  Quit "working," as in, stopped lighting up.  She didn't quit her job.  Maybe she did.  Maybe she went to live with a family who has their Christmas act together.

There's a song by Amy Grant called "I Need a Silent Night."
I.  Love.  It.
I'm going to change the words to "I need a silent month."

I understand the song is about the rush and bustle of the holidays; the "chaos and the noise."  But, today - as I was listening to it - I realized (for me) it's also about peace within.  Peace inside my mind.  The ability to stay quiet and calm in my heart... despite what my own voices in my head are saying. 
I not only fall victim to comparing myself to others, I fall short of my own ridiculously high standards.  Why would I do that to myself when life is stressful enough?

So if you drop by our house, the tree may be barren up top.  But this song will be on replay:

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night.

This Is Your Last Day To Be Thankful

I'm kidding, of course.  It is the last day of November, but I hope we are all thankful every day.  I know it's an area where I could improve.

The last half of our thankful wall included:

16. Noah  (the world's most adorable nephew)
17. friends
18. drinks  (This one was the boy's, and it makes him seem like an alcoholic.  I think he meant drinks like Root Beer and iced tea.  I hope.)
19. freedom
20. God
21. love
22. Subway  (Our cat, not the restaurant... although I do love a spicy Italian sub.)
23. pj's
24. friends  (Yes, it's on the list twice.  Obviously someone wasn't paying attention.)
25. funny things
26. Jesus
27. The Holy Spirit  (We got all religious-y here at the end, didn't we?)
28. Autumn  (Dan/Daddy wrote this one, and I assume he meant he was thankful for me, not the season.)
29. Elijah  (OK... who didn't read Day #4?  Come on, people.)
30. April & Daniel  (I have the best brother and sis-in-law ever.)

In honor of being thankful, we traversed across the Southeast to eat a ridiculous amount of food and to spend time with all these folks we are thankful for.

In Alabama, we gathered with Dan/Daddy's family...

 

 

There were 20 of us there, but somehow I only have pictures of football and grandmothers.  How does this happen?

 

In South Carolina, there was more football, more food, and another grandmother...

 

Apparently, in this family, we love food, football, and grandmothers.  I think I need to get more aggressive with the picture taking.
I pray your Thanksgiving was full of people and things to be thankful for.

Reign In The Elves, I'm Trying To Be Thankful

Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us.
I was in a store last week, and the Christmas carols were blaring. I am a lover of all things Christmas, and I never feel like it gets here too fast. But OHMYWORD. Can we just put the brakes on a little?
One of my neighbors has a tree up and lights on her house. Meanwhile, at our porch, there's a drippy pumpkin.

I've been enjoying reading all the Facebook posts and blogs about what people are thankful for.
We have a chalkboard wall in the kitchen, and every November, we list our 30 Day of Thankful.

We all take turns writing, and it's fun to look down the wall and see who's thankful for what.
So far, we are thankful for:
1. food

2. grace

3. churchy answers... This is the boy's.  He wrote it in response to me telling him to stop giving me "churchy answers" when I ask him what he studied in Sunday School or Youth Group.  I say,
"What did y'all talk about?" 
He says,
"God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit."
He's a bit of a smarty pants, and I have no idea where he gets it from.

4. Elijah... That's mine.  I had to remind myself to be thankful for the smarty pants.

5. soccer

6. Democracy

7. technology

8. Jack Bauer... We're still deep in the throes of "24," and the world needs a Jack Bauer.  Or two.

9. lacrosse

10. family

11. Baba & Papa

12. Nana & Pops

13. Alabama football... Despite that sad sad loss to Texas A&M.

14. Krispy Kreme... Amen.

15.

I don't even know where to start on this.  On my turn - the next day - I added

16.

I'm going to need lots of it, apparently.

The November Post Where I Force You To Look At Beach Pictures

Fall is zooming on by.  I read a blog earlier today, and the blogger said she hates the word "busy."  I agree.  Everyone is busy, so I don't feel like it's fair to complain about it. 
My new word is "chaotic."  Life - for us - in the last 4 weeks has been "chaotic."  Full to the brim with running here and there and doing this and that. 
I have to scroll through my camera to actually remember what's happened.


We went to the beach with Dan/Daddy's parents for the boy's Fall Break.  The weather couldn't have been more beautiful.
The boy and I were photo-bombed...

I stepped on this...

 And I took lots of pictures of this face.  Even if it bugged him.

We took a weekend trip to see my brother, sis-in-law, and nephew... who treated us to the most exciting 4 year-old soccer game I have ever seen.
In the words of my nephew, he was "on FIRE."

 

 

In our "spare time," the boy finished a huge research project for one of his classes...

 

He presented his project wearing a swimsuit, goggles, and flippers.  Good thing we hadn't packed up the swimwear and accessories yet.

 

 

I would like to think life is going to slow down a little, but I realize I'm only lying to myself.  In case you haven't noticed, it's almost the middle of November. 

Happy Veteran's Day... and Football

Our favorite veteran is home today, and he has the day off.
I haven't seen him or the boy in a few hours... they headed out to play some soccer and football, so it's nice and quiet around the house.
Speaking of football, we spent most of the weekend in mourning over the Alabama football game.  College football is my favorite, and Saturday's game was no exception.  Except I wish Alabama had played better.
Congrats to Texas A&M... you guys were great.

Are you part of a big football rivalry?  What's your opinion of the "trash-talking" that goes on?
I grew up in a "football town," and my family has always been fans of a team that's part of a big rivalry. Is it just me, or do some people take it waaaaaay too seriously?  I love my favorite teams, but I do not love the nastiness.  On any side.

What happened to the love for the game?  When did it turn into
"I'm only happy when ________ loses!"

I have a friend who posted this to her Facebook page:

"Support what you love; don't bash what you don't."

Amen, sister. She's a fan of a rival team, by the way.  As a matter of fact, some of my favorite people are fans of the "other" teams. 

I'll get down from my soapbox, now.
Happy Veteran's Day to all those who have served bravely.  I am honored to call some of you my friends.
I hope your team won this weekend, and I hope you have a day off, too.

Decision Day Doughnuts and Bully Scientists

A day of no school makes me so happy.
Sadly, my bladder woke up at the normal time of 5:45 am, but I crawled right back under the covers and thanked Mitt and Obama for the extra sleep.

I tried to bribe the boy into going with me to vote by offering to stop for doughnuts.  It didn't work.  He was lounging around in his pjs and finishing up a big research project for school.

He's been working on this project for a while, and the scientist he's studying is Robert Ballard.  Mr. Ballard discovered the wreck of the Titanic in 1985.  He's a very accomplished man.  His awards and discoveries are plentiful, and this morning, the boy was listing them.  That's when I heard him yell,

"AGH!  Robert Ballard discovered EVERYTHING!  He is a bully scientist.  Hi... My name is Robert Ballard and I left nothing for anyone else to discover!"

I'm glad this project is due tomorrow. If Robert Ballard were running for President, the boy would probably not vote for him.  He's fascinated by his work, but he thinks Mr. Ballard is a genius bully.

So get out there and vote today, friends.





 

 

I did, and I noticed the stickers were very tiny.  Downright dinky. Whoever runs in 2016 needs to campaign for bigger stickers. 

I also ended up stopping for doughnuts anyway.  I may or may not have eaten 2 on the way home.



Welcome November

Halloween 2012 is in the history books, and as soon as the calendar hits November 1, I start stressing about the Christmas shopping I haven't done.
We are waking up from our sugar coma, and I am also stressing about the lack of chocolate in the boy's loot from last night.  I count on that chocolate to get me through to the New Year.  I blame the tight economy on all those Sweet Tarts.

The boy went as Tony Stark... a.k.a. "Iron Man."
"I am Iron Man."

 

 

In the Avengers movie, Tony describes himself as a "genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist."  All good things... minus the "playboy" part.  I am - after all - still Iron Man's momma.

I told the boy he should consider a real goatee one day when that facial hair hormone starts working correctly.  If an eyeliner beard and moustache look that good, imagine what real hair can do.

 

Go pick up the jack-o-lanterns and fake spiderwebs, friends.  Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and you haven't finished Christmas shopping.

Happy November!



Missing My Little Punkin'

We went to the Pumpkin Patch this weekend with our Youth Group from church.
I am the mom of a teenager, and that harsh reality really hits home at the pumpkin patch.
Small children are everywhere, and they are so stinking cute carrying those pumpkins around.
My friend, C, said
"I'm really missing my boys being little this year."
Ouch... I know exactly what she means.
Every year since the boy was a toddler, we've hit up the patch to pick a pumpkin.
I have pictures of him knee deep in bright orange pumpkins, riding in a hay wagon, and petting goats.
I knew it wouldn't last forever.

Little boys turn into big teenage boys.

Instead of climbing through pumpkin vines, the boy ran through the corn maze with his big teenage friends.
Instead of taking pictures, he zoomed all over the farm... acting like the goofy 13 year-old he is.
And instead of walking home with a pumpkin, he limped to the car.

He limped to the car because he was injured, and he was injured because he went with me through the "haunted woods."
You see... teenagers don't come to the Pumpkin Patch to sip cider; they come to go through "Scream Creek" in all its gory glory.
So because I am a  brave chaperone and a crazy woman, I went along.

The "Scream Creek" haunted woods were dark and scary on their own, and then all sorts of creepy things started happening.  We ran from werewolves, psychos with chainsaws, meat butchers, zombies, and a few clowns.  We tripped over roots, pushed through dark sheds with hanging body parts, and slid down a 75-foot slide.
I did it all... all while holding a death grip on the back of the boy's jacket.
He kept yelling,
"I can't breathe!  You're choking me!"
When I let go of his jacket, I held onto his arm until he wrenched it away and yelled,
"You're cutting off my circulation!!"

The worst part of the whole "trail" was a section winding through a corn field.  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a dark figure chasing us. 
Being the sane, calm person I am... I whispered to the boy (who was in front of me),
"There's something in the corn."
When he didn't panic to my standards or speed up, I screamed,
"THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE CORN!!"
Then I tried to run.
Being the graceful, agile person I am... I fell.  I took the boy down with me.
One of the other chaperones behind us tried to help, but he couldn't stop laughing.
We rolled around for a second until my adrenaline kicked in.  I stood up and grabbed the back of the boy's jacket, lifting him onto his feet with superhuman strength.
I suppose we looked like prey, because the black thing in the corn burst out of the corn right at us.
Let's just say I'm glad I went to the bathroom before we got there.
Let's also say my son may never forgive me.

No matter how many times I told myself, "It's not real," I couldn't stop jumping and screaming.

The rest of the trail is kind of a blur to me.  I let go of my wounded child, and I clutched the arm of my friend, C, for the remainder of our trip through Scream Creek.
I may or may not have pulled her into a wall at some point.

When we finished the trail, everyone had a great laugh at my expense... including the boy.
As much as he fussed and complained, I know he thought it was hysterical.
It was a blast.
Except for the bruises all down the left side of my body.

I do miss the boy being little.  It seems like I miss it more every day.  He has such a fun personality, and I have enjoyed all his "stages" of growing up.
He may be a teenager, but he let this momma hang onto him all through the haunted woods.  He laughed with me and at me, and he says I wasn't even embarrassing.
He's been telling people I was the scariest thing in the woods.
As much as I miss my little punkin', I wouldn't trade these bruises for the world.

Sick Days With The CTU

I think I may be about 11 years behind the curve with this post.
Thanks to back-to-back illnesses and streaming Netflix, the boy and I are hooked on "24" and Jack Bauer. 
It all started when he had strep throat.  The boy... not Jack Bauer. 
We were stuck at home and decided to do something useful with our PS3 besides play hours of violent video games. 
We decided to watch hours of a violent TV drama. 
Now we've been sucked into the world of counter-terrorism.
I vaguely recall watching the first season way back in the day, and I remember enjoying it.  I don't know exactly why I stopped watching.  Maybe it was the toddler claiming all my time, energy, and freedom to watch adult television?
Now that toddler is a teen and we are well into Season 2.  Thanks to the stomach virus, we knocked out the rest of Season 1 in a day.

Living in Jack Bauer's world for hours at a time does have its negative effects.
The line between reality and "24" has blurred on more than a few occasions.

In the first Presidential Debate, I was surprised when President Palmer didn't walk out on stage.

The boy has started showering with the curtain partly open. He told me terrorists are known for walking in on people while they're showering.

We got excited when the pouring rain cancelled soccer practice. It meant we had time for a few episodes.

I was kissing the boy good night last week and he asked me to "un-tuck" his covers from the sides of the bed.  In case he had to make a quick get-away.

Last night, Dan/Daddy worked late, so the boy and I ate dinner in front of the TV and burned through 2 episodes.  There was a scene where Jack kills a federal witness and hints at the fact he's going to cut off the dude's head.  He said,
"I'm gonna need a hacksaw."

The boy and I both cheered and high-fived.  I think we might need counseling.

What Does A Bear Know Anyway?

We are 5 days into my most favorite month of the year.
I am dragging out the spooky decor this afternoon.  We've had cooler weather, and we've had a few pots of soup. 
We've also had strep and a stomach virus.  So far, only the boy has been sick.  I am praying like a saint that Dan/Daddy and I stay puke-free.
But I still love October.

One of my favorite Fall things is a fire... fire pits, Halloween cookouts, s'mores, and warm cozy fires in the fireplace.  I even enjoy grilling out more when it's cool outside.
Apparently, the love of a good fire is genetic.
It's passed down from one generation to the next like blue eyes or dimples.

I was picking up some clutter last week, and I reached to put a ruler back into the junk drawer.
That's when I saw it.

Look very closely.  You may have to click on the picture to see it best.

It's a freebie ruler... It's a little beat up and colored on.  It probably came from a preschool visit to the fire department.

It says, "Smokey's Friends Don't Play With Matches."
It's what's penciled in underneath that makes me worry.  Can you see it?

"Then I am not Smokey's friend."

I'm not sure when my little pyromaniac wrote it.  The handwriting looks a little shaky.  He probably wrote it a few years ago. 
He may have written it the day the firemen gave it to him.

I am so proud.
Happy October and happy fire building, friends.

Old Married Minds Think Alike

Dan/Daddy and I celebrated our anniversary a few weekends ago.  I am a slacking blogger, so the updates are old.  Like us.
We've been married for 19 years.  If you would like to assume we were 13 and 16 years old when we got hitched, then who am I to stop you?

Dan's grandmother (Nonie) sent us an anniversary card with a photo in it.  Nonie has a uncanny ability to do 3 things:
1.  Take an unflattering photo of me.  Like in my pjs with no makeup and a pimple.
2.  Carry around an unflattering photo of me and show it to all her friends and family.
or
3.  Resurrect an old photo to remind me of skinny days gone by.

Here is the picture she found.  Dan/Daddy and me... 1991ish?

 

 

1.  Yes... I am skinny. 

2.  Yes... Dan/Daddy has hair.  Loads of it. 

3.  After we got married, I threw away all the tank tops.  You're welcome.
Yes... We look 13 and 16.

I think he's got that death grip on my arm to keep me from blowing away.  I hope my mother-in-law got rid of that cinnamon broom.

 

So for our 19th anniversary, we got a good laugh from the old picture.  Then we got fancy and went out to eat.  (I know why I'm not as skinny anymore.)

 

 

 

 

 

We ended up buying each other the EXACT same anniversary card.  Either the card choices in our stores are pretty pathetic, or we really are old married people.



Halloween Logic

Here in our town, a sure sign of Fall is not the cooler weather nor the changing leaves.
It's the gigantic inflatable costume shop that looks like a 2-story pumpkin sunk into the ground.
I'm not sure why the costume people don't rent a building or a store.  I plan on asking them when we go in.  When we go in.

The boy and I drove past the ginormo pumpkin a few days ago, and we had this conversation:

Me:  "Are you dressing up for Halloween this year or not?"

The Boy:  "Ummm... candy."

Me:  "Very true."

The Boy:  "All these people think Halloween is for babies.  They think they're too cool to dress up."

Me:  "You aren't worried about that?"

The Boy:  "You know what I think is cool?  Coming home with a sack full of candy."


That's my boy.

3 Weeks And 1 Day And Sad Hearts

If I had a nickel for every time I started a blog post in my head, I would have a lot of nickles.
Sometimes it feels like nothing is happening and sometimes everything happens at once.

It also feels like Summer will never die.
If Labor Day is the unofficial end of Summer, then old man Heat didn't get the memo.  Neither did his friend, Humidity.  It's so hot I can't even complain about the heat.  The weather chic promises a "weekend cooldown."  Unless it snows, I will not cool off.

In the last 3 weeks and 1 day since a blog posting, here's some of what has happened:

1.  I've noticed a man that lives in our neighborhood is always on his porch.  In a creepy way.  Every time I drive down the street, I see him... staring.  Any time of day or night,  he's there.  Now I tell myself, "Don't look, don't look."  But, I do.  And he's looking back.  It's starting to give me the heebie jeebies.

2. We went to my parents' over the holiday weekend so the men folk could hunt doves. The women folk hunted bargains.  It was boiling hot, so Dan/Daddy whacked off the boy's long pants into the shortest pair of camo short shorts I have ever seen.  The boy said the doves flew away because they were blinded by the whiteness of his legs.  Remind me to never let Dan/Daddy alter my clothes.

3.  I started a new walking regimen.  I walked for "health" before, but I have a new partner.  She's a retired Marine.  Yeah... I don't know what I was thinking.  She said she wanted to walk for her health, but I suspect she's taken me on as a project.
On Day 3 of our walking, she suggested we add crunches.  I suggested she was smoking something.
I gave her permission to ditch me, but she hasn't.  I may not live till Halloween.

4.  My email was hacked.  More than once.  A few of my friends were receiving links to something that I obviously did not send.  The name was mine, but the email belonged to Benito Somebody.  Really, Benito?  You have nothing better to do?

5. The boy developed (another) mystery rash.  (Way before the hunting trip.)  This one started on his hands and arms and spread to his feet. 
I took him to the doctor, sent pics of his arm to an ER Nurse friend, chased down a PA and another nurse at church, and made Dan/Daddy ask a surgeon friend of ours.  I have no shame.
The diagnosis?  No one knows what it is.  Something he touched or brushed against caused a reaction.  The doc prescribed steroid cream, and now everyone we know in the medical field is avoiding me.

6.  College football has returned and all feels right with the world again.  Turn up the TV, and bring out the food.  Something containing cheese, please?

7.  On a very very very very sad note... Our puppy was killed.  I have been avoiding blogging about it partly because my heart is still breaking.  I can't go into details without crying into the keyboard, but it was a traumatic accident.  Dan/Daddy and the boy were there, but she didn't make it to the vet.
We have muddled through the last week, and we try to remember the sweet times with her.
If you don't mind, say a prayer for my little man... he's taking it in great stride, but I know it was hard to see and even harder to get over.
So sorry to end on a sad note.
I hope and pray wherever you are... you have a blessed weekend.
If it's cooler wherever you are... get ready.  I am moving in.

School Daze

Well. We are back in my least favorite routine. The routine that involves setting an alarm, putting on something besides pjs, and making a ham sandwich... All before 6:00 am.
Blah.
I would like to have the cool weather, the pumpkin patch, the yummy soups, and the football games without the school, please.

The boy started 7th grade a few days ago, and I have been a little bit weepy. He also went to his first big "Youth Group" event with the kids at church. Sniff, sniff. He's having a blast, but I just wonder where the pudgy-faced baby went.
If you want to avert your eyes from my teary trip down memory lane, now is your chance.
I warned you.

Here are the last 8 "First Days of School." They have zoomed by entirely too fast...

I put this last picture on Facebook, and a few of my friends commented on the boy's apparent lack of self-confidence.
He is fearless. That is one trait he did not get from me.

I said maybe if I had a backpack you can see from space, I would have better self-esteem, too.

Hug your babies tight as they head out the door for school this year.

Pretty soon you will be hugging one who is taller than you who insists on the Day-Glow accessories.



In A Bubble

I may have mentioned we are glued to the TV.  The Games of the XXX Olympiad (I love saying that) have sucked us in. 
We all sit on the sofa and scream and cheer for the runners and the swimmers and the gymnasts, even though we saw the headline on MSN 4 hours earlier that told us who won. 
We are easy to please.
Our dog got in on the Olympic action a few days ago, too.  She ran 6 laps through the dining room, kitchen, and living room.  She even hurdled the magazine rack.  I think she was hoping someone would get up and play with her, but then she was pooped out from her blast of energy. 

I have noticed, however, that life on the outside is rolling on.  While we eat Chex Mix and dream of swimming 200 meters without lifeguard assistance.

Things that have happened since the Olympics started:

1.  The price of gas tripled.  Again.  OK, I noticed this when it happened because I am "one of those people" who will drive to the other side of town to spend .19 less.  Yes, I know I spent $3.23 getting there, but it's a mind game with me.

2.  The start of school is less than 3 days away.  Boo and hiss.

3.  Our grass started growing again after 873 days of 100+ degree weather.  Now that grass needs to be cut.  Boo and hiss.

4.  It is still entirely too hot outside.  I prefer to not go out there.  Where is Fall?  I've resorted to looking at pumpkin crafts and soup recipes on Pinterest just to keep hope alive.

5.  The boy grew another 5 inches.  Actually, I noticed this one, too.  He passed me in height about a month ago.
His back-to-school physical confirmed it.  Even the doctor looked at his chart and said,
"Has he really grown that much in one year?"
If the people that measure him for a living are surprised, then what is this world coming to?

So on this hot Monday morning, we are watching more Olympics, and I am making a grocery list.
The living creatures in this house keep eating, and we keep running out of food.

Dan/Daddy left the empty dog food bag on the kitchen counter this morning.  I'm not sure if it was a hint.
He couldn't muster the strength to write "dog food" on the grocery list so he put the empty bag on the island. 
He's apparently weak from lack of nourishment, bless him.
He also doesn't know the dog will eat Chex Mix, too.

Gold Medal In Nothing

Around here, we are all about the Olympics.  The TV is on 24/7 and the Games are holding our attention.
I have been amazed at every single event I've watched.
Maybe it's my complete lack of athletic ability combined with my zero amount of motivation, but I am A M A Z E D.
Most of these competitors are just kids, too.
Amazing, y'all.  Amazing.

I've decided my only gold medal would be in procrastination.  Or overeating.  Or not running marathons.

Anywho... with only one week left in this blur of a summer, here are some pics of our fast and furious visit to see our families.

First we headed to sunny Florida to see Dan/Daddy's family.  We went from the beach to the pool to the restaurants, and then we did it all over again.
PS... At some point in the last few months, my 13 year-old passed me in height.  What is happening here?

From Florida we drove up to South Carolina to spend a few days with my family.

The schedule at my parents' included fishing, napping, shopping, some delayed 4th of July fireworks, and a rowdy soccer game.

Since we've been home, we've:

1.  had a mini house guest (more on that later),

2.  survived Vacation Bible School, and

3.  started to get ready for 7th grade.

Phew.

I'm off to watch some swimming.

Go USA.

California Cousins

When we lived in the High Desert of California, one of the first friends I made was a gal whose Southern accent caught my ear from across the playground.
We immediately bonded over a shared love of sweet tea, polite strangers, and "Steel Magnolias."
When you live where the Army sends you, you look for ways to connect with people.  Sarah and I definitely connected.  Our kids connected, and our husbands even became friends.

One weekend when Dan/Daddy's parents were visiting,  Sarah mentioned her hometown in Florida.
Once we all started playing the "Do You Know So-And-So Game," things took a crazy turn.

You see, it turns out Dan/Daddy and my friend, Sarah,  were actually related.
Distantly... but it was enough for Sarah and me.
Sarah's grandfather and Dan/Daddy's great-grandfather were brothers.
"It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all..."
(You're welcome.)
I may have the relationship mixed up.  I may have it totally wrong.  In truth, Sarah and I don't really care how she and Dan/Daddy are kin.  I think we both totally forget that it's him she's really related to... and not me.

In 2008, we left California for North Carolina, and Sarah and her family moved to Australia.  Then they moved to Maryland, and we headed to Tennessee.
Ahhh.... Army life.
A few weeks ago, Sarah called me to tell me they were moving to Georgia, and asked if they could stop and see us along the way.
We had ourselves a reunion.  We had 4 years to catch up on, and we made the most of our time.
We laughed and talked and laughed and laughed.  And then laughed a little more.  Our kids had the chance to get to know each other all over again.  They also endured the grown-ups keeping them up way too late.

The boy with his "cousins"

Dan/Daddy and Nate...

"Cousin Sarah" and me...

When I am being honest, I have to admit how much I hated that hot hot desert of California.  I was convinced that we'd been sent to hell on earth.  Once I got my head out of the sand, I found some amazing people. Those years gave me great friendships and wonderful memories.  I even found a long-lost relative I never knew I had.

The 4th Of July We All Melted

There is no good reason to complain about the heat.  But who needs a good reason?  I just need the thermometer to rise above 80 degrees... Let the griping commence.
The vast majority of our nation is broiling, and I am hugely grateful I have my AC.
I am thankful to have my power on.
I am also thankful there's no wildfire knocking on my door.

Can I complain about it being 108 and still be grateful?

We are planning a little get-together with some friends for the holiday today.
We've had no rain since 1883, and it's 3 million degrees.
Our town has a ban on fireworks... so no sparklers or bottle rockets.
There's a restriction on water... so no slip-n-slide or sprinkler for the kids.
There's also a ban on burning that includes charcoal grills... so we'll be cooking our hot dogs in the oven.

It will definitely be a 4th to remember.
I am celebrating the freedom to grumble about this ridiculously hot weather.
I hope and pray you are all safe and well and in some shade.
Happy Independence Day!

Fancy

One of Dan/Daddy's duties as a Chaplain is performing weddings.  He had one recently in Nashville, so the boy and I went along.

We are not known for turning down yummy food, dancing, and a chance to hit Music City.

As much as they fuss and complain, I do enjoy seeing my guys all dressed up.  "Fancy," as the boy likes to call it. 
This was the boy's first time "officially" wearing a tie...
Unless a Harry Potter Gryffindor tie at Halloween counts as wearing a tie.
It was also his first time to dance with his mom... 
Unless me beating him at Just Dance on the Wii counts as dancing with your mom.

We are definitely "casual" folks, but a little bit of "fancy" never hurts.