Fun things about Memorial Weekend...

yeah, yeah, yeah - I know it's Thursday & we're on the cusp of the next weekend...but what can I say, except Mama's mentally already on our much anticipated vacation :)

Since I'm still here in body, if not spirit - thought I'd throw in a "fun things" before we bid adieu...better late than never :) beggars can't be choosers and quitters never win...I know, I'm digressing, but all those sayings are irritating so figured I'd heap them on while I'm at it...

At any rate - here's the fun things :)

Look who's taking a big girl bath w.brother these days :)



My Ellas ~ heart be still



Golfing greatness ~ ALMOST hole in ones :)
**confirmed: there's no putt-putt like prize awarded for those in real golf**



Grilled meat :)



Trampoline fun w.Pop Pop & Corben :)



NC Wine Festival :)



Cheers!



Mistaken identities :)
**this one's for Shannon**



Sisters ~ sigh



The Mayor :) taking a lil' time to be w.us common folks, ha



Puttin' on my "cry face" w.Ken Knox ~ whew that was emotional
**thanks Shannon for capturing the moment**



Nana ~ the bomb-diggity if there ever was one...how she puts up w.me and my shenanigans, I'll never know :)



Pappaws on the porch :)



Big smiles ~ him, b/c he's holding a sweet pea...her, b/c she probably got a fistful of that chest hair she likes to yank on :)



Banagrams :) this is fun most of the time, ha



Wading pool fun :)

There were A LOT of things not pictured this past weekend ~ it's not all sunshine & smiles, ya know. Sure - as always, there was plenty of fun & laughter, but there were also some bittersweet tears shed. As my sister and I ambled (b/c that's how over-served people travel) across that familiar grass between my parent's house & my granny's we were greeted by a

heavy scene of reality - the nightly routine for our granny & pappaw. I don't need to divulge all the details, but I can say that through our tear-filled glances at each other a connection & an understanding was felt. No words were needed...

The love for "our people" is what defines us at our very core. Our love for each other, my sister and I, although we're not rocket scientists when it comes to always showing it...it's there & it permeates deeper than we can even begin to know. I am so glad to have shared that time w.her & I'm so glad that my "do I need to apologize to anyone" post-drinking creed on Sunday was met by my granny w.just a laugh & "you don't owe me an apology for anything!" I'm glad she didn't shoo us away :) she's known for not always welcoming company (don't let the smile fool you). I think we needed that moment w.her, my pappaw - and mostly, w.each other.

It's good for the soul to be reminded where you come from. In our case, if we're blessed, I hope it's a reflection of where we're headed. Where we're in it for the long haul, where we'll fumble & fall - but we'll get up, dust ourselves off & do better next time. We'll love with our whole hearts, even when it hurts. We'll forgive and life will go on. We'll laugh at each other, at ourselves but mostly at other people - they're all crazy but us, anyways :)

And Shannon, I sincerely hope you didn't embarrass the mayor at the gospel sangin' on saturday night. If you did, find solace in knowing Jesus did turn the water into wine - he apparently thought there should be enough for everyone to enjoy. And in the famous words of DL Hughley, recounting what Jesus probably said as he was performing this miracle, "Now normally, I don't do this, but, uh... go on head, keep the party goin." :)

Happy 1st of June everyone! Hope you're surviving the heat!

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A Story People to commemorate Seth's "almost hole in one" ~ love you darlin' :)

The first time I played golf, I had the most fun throwing bread to the goldfish in the pro shop. It made as much sense as anything else.