Here, There and Everywhere

There are places I remember . . . .  

Oooofy, seems I've been gone since forever! I had work to do back "home" and have spent the past two weeks gettn'er done. TCB. Checking it off the list. One day, as I always say, I'm going home and having nothing on my agenda other than visiting friends and family. Period. As usual, I had little time to see anyone.

Made a ten-hour dash to DC so I could drop off the rest of the teenager's belongings. Then it was off to Northern Jersey the next day to help with  some family stuff there. I got to see my SIL MJ and have dinner with my brother and his family in DC. By the time I made it further north, I could definitely feel some autumn in the air--just not enough to ward off my hot flashes! Awkward. See what you have to look forward to Mz. C!

While I missed my niece's Sweet 16 party, I was there for her actual birthday. I haven't been with any  of my niece's for their birthday for a very long time. Too long. And I have, soon-to-be, NINE nieces! That's not right. And thus why we are planning to move back to the NE at some point. We have been too far from family for way too long. I know, I know, it keeps changing! ha!! So, this week, it's New England! It was nice spending time with my teenage nieces and hearing about their lives. Where has the time gone? It boggles the mind.

Then it was back to DC (are you tired yet? I WAS!!!). My brother, Jim, surprised me with a glass of home-made sangria (not allergic, go figure), apples and cheese, and dinner outside waiting for me upon my arrival from NY.  We sat by the fire pit all night--ending with s'mores. I even had a little time with my girl, Jacq which was wonderful. Really missed seeing her this summer. 

Ok, moving along to the teenager's new flat. It definitely needed a mother's/woman's touch--aka a good cleaning. Sorted, cleaned and "detailed" the place as best I could. He loves it. A big ol' thank you to my brother, Jim! Hat's off to him also because he is the one who found all of these kooky and wonderful things for the place. I played with each and every piece!

Even stayed in the old hood in S. Arlington, VA. The area has turned into a rather busy little city. Such changes every time I go back. Truth is, I don't believe I could live around that many people again. ha. Little ol' Nashvul has spoiled us. I think the hustle and bustle of city life are behind the hub and I. If we were younger? In a heartbeat! But, who knows?

One afternoon, I met my brother at the Capitol  before he had a photo shoot; and we were able to walk through the U.S.  Botanical Gardens for a bit. I hadn't been in there for many, many years. I think my brothers and I practically grew up in here when we went to work with our father. He'd be shooting photographs and we would wander over to the Botanical Gardens and walk around (my brothers would sleep in there--pre-planking!). Once I wandered into the Capitol and got lost down in the bowels of the building until I finally came upon a security guard who directed me out. I was a wee little thing! I don't think my father ever missed me! lol I'm sure things have changed, just a tad, these days. No wanderers allowed!

I was able to meet up with my girlies, Kelly and Amy--on different nights. I wish we could have all gotten together at the same time. Oy. Thankful to have been able to see them, period. My only wish is to be able to see all my friends when I visit. Impossible. I have never been able to do it!  There's always stuff to do that keeps me from seeing everyone. No matter how much I try and plan. Drives me kooky.

Kell had gone to see the Dweez and got us a cd signed! Thanks, Kell! Great CD! Wow, yep, Dweezil has channeled his father, somehow.

And, before I knew it, it's time to head back. Two weeks, come and gone. And all I could think of was getting back home to my hubby and animules. Loved driving through those Blue Ridge Mountains, both coming and going.

Bye bye ol' Virginny. See ya next time! And hopefully, more friends.

Labels: Amy, Arlington, Brother Jim, DC, Family, Jacq, Kell, Maryland, Music, NJ, Virginia, Zappa

The Colors of Fall

The weather has been cooling down a bit here in the mid-south. I can never wait patiently for autumn to arrive; It can never come fast enough for me. To bide my time, I've been working on some papier mache pine cones that I picked up way back when we were in Berkeley. 

I was finally satisfied with a few of them after six or seven layers (I kid you not) of various mediums. I'm driving myself crazy--must be the ENS kicking in (Empty Nest Syndrome). Ugh.

C'mon autumn.

C'mon autumn.

C'mon autumn.

Labels:  Autumn, Berkeley

i Heart

 A very sweet thank-you surprise, indeed.

Our nephew visited a few weeks' back; and we received the sweeetest thank you notes and drawings and chocolates and ivy and love and . . . .

He simply makes my heart swell.

I've just about lost my boys as they begin to fly the coop. Sniffle.

But they're never far. The teenager is here for a long weekend visit from DC. Needless to say, we've been figuring out ways to get ALL that yummy chocolate into our growing bellies.

It's been wonderful having him home with us. 

I have to admit, I miss the sound of rambunctious boys tearing through the house.

Miss ya, Big D. All the dinosaurs have been MIA since you left. It's too quiet. 

Labels: Ann, Daniel, Teenager

L O V E

Yay! The kid was home from university for the long weekend. So proud of that kid. He's adjusting so well to college life. Hmmmm, it's always the ones you worry about that surprise you the most. Am I right?

I've been delving into old photographs, organizing and trying to get the boys' baby books together. I have all of the teenager's photos sorted and ready to journal. I am obsessed with getting everything perfect in their books which hinders my progress, of course. A tad OCD, perhaps?

Let it go, Ro. 

Hop to it, gurl, and giterdone.

Labels: Kid, Teenager