Genes

This is one of the oldest pictures we have of our mom. Isn't she precious? 

I've been absent from here, I know--same ol' song and dance. I have been, however, absolutely enthralled in our family genealogies since the New Year. We took a trip in the early spring to Atlanta; and we ended up going to my mom's home town, not too far west of Atlanta. I was on a mission to find some family members in the old town cemetery. (We found only a few. ugh.) And now, I'm totally hooked. I've found a lot of new information since I first began this journey. It was 1985. No computers. Only libraries. Can you imagine? Of course, I wasn't able to find a whole lot way back then.  I did, amazingly, have enough sense to ask my Aunt Mary to write down all she knew of the Bailey family. And she did. Her papers have given us endless clues.

This is the kid, probably about the same age my mom was in her photo. He was so much like her. Look at that face. Same sweet grin. Sniffle. Now he's grown. But he's doing great away at college!

And then we move to the hub's family. His mom is Italian and second-generation American. His father is Ukrainian and first-generation American. I can't tell you how much information I have found online for both sides. Finding a lot of the ship manifests when they migrated to New York has been absolutely amazing. Then, I began going through old family photos on the hub's side. I had brought this picture back from NY last fall after helping the SIL go through the parents' things. No one knew who it was. I think it looks more of the Italian side. But there are a few who could also pass as Ukies. 

And, speaking of Ukies, the hub and teenager are in New York to celebrate Ukrainian Easter this weekend. I gave the hub a copy of this photo so he can ask his mom if she knows who it is. I know she will. She is sharp as a tack!

I have always so LOVED old studio shots. No one ever looks happy. Notice the three back drops? Poor feller on the right is too tall for two of them! Awkward. I think those two boys on the ends are WAY too tall to be Ukies. But "momma" in the back, she don't look too happy. Perhaps the first son did not marry first. That is what happened at the hub's mother and father's wedding. The Ukrainian momma wasn't too happy about the whole thing since he was the youngest son--the oldest had not married yet. And it is told that she let it be known she was none-too-happy. Now those, my friend, are some strong, old-world customs. Kinda harsh, don't you think?

Oh well. Now I'm wishing I were in New York with the family. But, then again, I am kinda enjoying the peacefulness of the house.

Будьмо

Labels: Aunt Mary, Family, Georgia, Hub, Kid, Mom, Teenager, Ukrainian Easter

Tybee, Miley and Ghosties

Take a look at what we found on Tybee Island. I had to yell out the window "Nice bike!" thus the smile. How fun is this? Our friends and neighbors (the actor and family) are at Tybee Island shooting Miley's new movie with Greg Kinear and Kelly Preston. It was coincidental that we all were going to be there at the same time. While I see the "actor" (the kid's best friend) all the time when he comes back to Nashville, the parents I don't get to see as much. So it was quite a treat when we found out we would all be able to get together. With the cuz (at 13) being a huge Miley fan, I asked if they could sneak her on set to meet and greet. Not a prob. So, when we arrived, of course, the three days we were there, it was a closed set. Wonder who was naked? lol

Anyway, actor's dad took us around all the different sets that were being used which was a lot of fun. This church was BUILT and burned on corner lot on the island. How crazy is that???? We drove by the house the closed set was being filmed in and Mr. R said we may be able to catch Miley outside, but no luck. A closed set is a closed set and we completely understand.

He was sweet enough to run in and get a photo for the cuz though. How nice. The cuz was so pleased with herself! As she should be.

We decided to have dinner at The Pink House. Right from our arrival we were treated like dirt by the waitress. She was throwing stuff around, leaving and not coming back, it was horrible. While the food was ok, the waitress totally ruined the evening. I wish I would have written down her name to complain. I will never go back there. You pay this much to get abused? I don't think so. What was strange was how she just poured over all her other customers. We couldn't figure it out. Perhaps it was because there were seven of us??? Dunno. Not on my recommendation list, to say the least. I will definitely have to leave a comment somewhere.

After the horrible dinner, we strolled up for our ghost tour. Most of it was a walking tour of town which was fascinating.

But afterwards we ended up at the Weed-Sorrell House, supposedly one of the most haunted houses in Savannah. Ghost Hunters actually filmed an episode here catching several things. We didn't. But I enjoyed seeing the interior just the same! You know me. tehe.

Our only "experience" was when a guy's EMF (electromagnetic field reader) was going off in the maid's room, Molly, who had hung herself in her room. Ewwwww. He said he had it on the entire night and this was the only time it went off. Mind you, this is in total darkness!! Mwahahahaaaaa.

It was a wonderful evening (except for dinner). It was so nice seeing our friends and being able to spend some time with them outside of Nashville. We were all exhausted and we got back to the hotel way after 2 a.m.

As soon as our heads hit the pillows, we were all out! The cuz is just too cute. I just love her to death. What a joy it is having her with us.

xo
ro

Savannah--Shopping & Eating (Day 2)

When we finally awoke from our slumber, we (I) decided today would be a good day for shopping. We were going to meet up with our friends out on Tybee Island a little later so we only had a couple of hours to get it all in. I decided to take the car into town so we could see more of the sweet city. Oooooof! When we walked outside, we were all glad for that decision! The humidity was out in full force! How fortunate to have one day of dry heat anyway.

We parked on Broughton Street W. and started walking. First we found a little hippie shop which we enjoyed strolling through.

Nourish was a soap store. Mmmmm. The cuz and I got some delightful salt rubs.

I was so excited to come upon the Savannah Bee Company.

I have seen their products around Fairhope, but finding the actual store was a bonus!

Their displays were beautiful. And they even had a testing "bar." Of course, I partook in that. I loved the Tupelo and Sourwood the most.

Then we strolled on and hit The Paris Market and Brocante, as everyone suggested. Oh my. I was like a kid in a candy shop! Literally!

As you can see, the displays were gorgeous. I loved everything, could afford none. Ka-ching!

Of all the thousands of pieces, I had my eye on this extra large framed print. (I call myself LuLu at times in private). I didn't even dare to look at the price.

And this little black bird tray? Oh, I fell in love with it, but I walked away. A plastic tray $175? Walk away LuLu. I did.

We walked out the door and took a wrong turn right into Lady & Sons restaurant. How strange is that? I had not planned on eating here, was going to high-tale it on up to Soho South. But the kids were hungry so we walked up and got a table right away. What are the odds?

They start you out with a cheese biscuit and a ho cake. I was quite happy with that.

The iced tea was served with lemon and a sprig of mint. Fa fa fa.

I ordered the meatloaf samich. Mmmmmm. It was perfect in every way.

The cuz ordered the grilled cheese.

And the kid got the crabcake.

We ended the delightful meal with a piece of chocolate pie that was buttery rich. Soooooo good! Honestly, I was quite pleased with the place. Since we hadn't planned on eating here and there was no wait, it was good. Would I wait in line? Nope. I don't do lines, thank you very much.

After lunch, we went back down Broughton and hit @home. Another suggestion. There was a sale going on here which I admit to taking advantage of.

It made me think of so many of you out there in blogland. I know the ones who are squelling right now. I can hear you!

Evening 2 to be continued later!

xo
ro