America

Love her.

Warts and all.

Happy Fourth. Almost.

Labels: America, Family, Friends, Summer, Riverside

Every Picture Tells a Story, Don't It

It seems we were just leaving NYC yesterday, yet it's already been over three weeks. It scares me sometimes how fast time flies. Ok, I'm gonna give it a try to catch up here.

We met my SIL, Mary Jane, at Riverside. She had a full two days of complete freedom by herself. Well,  except for Frankie, Dave and Bella. It was just what the doctor had ordered, little did we know. She was completely relaxed by the time we got back. Yay! Of course we had to take the "Riley" to McGuire's Irish Pub in Pensacola. Kooky place, good pub fare.

 We got in some board games while she was here.

And we had my FIRST gator sighting anywhere other than the swamps of Louisiana! Here we are off of Mobile Bay (Mobile to the top-right corner and the USS Alabama on the top left). K, I know. I know they're there, but I have never seen one. Seriously. And you know I'm all paranoid about gators at Riverside now. UGH!

It's enough to make one break out the little umbrellas and mermaids. Am I right? So we did.

When it's this easy, why not. (Except the fact that it's ALL sugar, and I mean ALL. Ew.) First MJ and I found them at the liquor store and then I found them on a jaunt to the Dollar Store (looking for graham crackers, of all things. They had 'em too!) Anyhoo, they're made in New Orleans, so that has to count for something. Yup, picked me up a couple more for the freezer. 

Let's see, I think there was an UNO tournament between MJ and the kid that lasted at least five days. The hub and I even jumped in for a few novice rounds.

 Beautiful hydrangeas filled our table for over a week from the front yard.

 Father's Day at Dean and Darlene's.

And Bella has been as relaxed as I've ever seen her. Well, for the most part, anyway.

Let's hear it for the first few weeks of summer!

Yay.

Labels: Cats, NYC, Darlene, MJ, Riverside, Summer

Happy Father's Day

This is my favorite picture of all of us. We were in New York City for the 1964 World's Fair. 

I was three, Jim was five and Johnny was seven.

Dad was 50.

Labels:  Dad, Brother John, Brother Jim, NYC

In Residence

The queen flies her flag, I wear my RS chain.

*Please note the newly added gator.

Labels: Riverside, Summer

Rain, Rain and More Rain

Rain tends to slow things down. Just what the doctor ordered. 

What do you do when it rains?

Photo shoots?

 Nap in the hammock?

 Let the animals entertain you?

Or keep an eye out for gators?

(Yes, this "little" feller was spotted across the river. Joy.)

Now I'm scurred to swim in the river.

How about all of the above for three days?

We loved it.

Labels: Riverside, Cats

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him

We lost my father-in-law on the 29th of April. He was surrounded by family as he passed; and for that, we are all thankful.

Everyone rallied; and all of the siblings put together several days of wonderful memories and memorials in his honor. He would have been so proud of you all. 

To Mom, Ann, Bob, Tom, Steve and Jim : I wish you peace as you mourn your loss. May you soon be able to smile with memories of him. 

Love. 

Labels:  Inlaws, Family