Alive and Kicking Back

Again, apologies.

Family and friends have filled our summer with so much fun and joy; and it's almost coming to an end.

Will catch up soon.

Promise.

Labels: Riverside, Summer

When the Living's Easy

First, allow me to apologize for the span of my absence. When you're surrounded by such beauty, the last thing you want to be doing is sitting at the computer. Am I right?

We have been celebrating life and enjoying one another, friends and family alike. It has now quieted down for a bit until our next wave; so the hub and I are practicing as "empty nesters" for the first time. We're playing house once more.

The teenager was able to come down south for July 4th after his big move back to Washington, DC just after graduation. Such an exciting time for him. You remember getting out of school and looking for your "real" first job, your first apartment? I think back to that time as one of my favorite memories "growing up." Roughing it--apartment poor--for that first year or so. I wouldn't change a thing. Anyhoo, we're as proud as punch. He has a place on Capitol Hill and is actually looking into an internship up there. Well, it's up to his generation to get the ball rolling with some positive changes in this country. More power to him. I'm so proud. And then he goes and finds a job as a waiter on weekends at a restaurant around the corner from his apartment. Whaaa? The kid has never worked in a restaurant in all his short years. So proud. Did I say that already? He's hanging a lot with my brother Jim, which gives me great joy and also turns me green with ENVY! Miss my brutha. But he and Jacq are coming down soon. Yay!!! Love my Jacq--and my brother! Cannot wait.

 

The kid is SO enjoying being out of high school. Again, I remember that feeling SO well, as if it were yesterday. FREEDOM! He's been back and forth to Riverside, all adult like. My baby is growing up. Sniffle. Well good for him. Much like me, he doesn't open up to many people. All of a sudden, he has a great group of friends. That brings a smile to my face.

The hub is in heaven. His "office" is a great spot under the house where he conducts his business and does his studies most of the day. Can it get any better? He deserves it. He's worked hard during his career. Now, he is getting the respect he has always deserved. My hero. So proud of all my men.

Riverside is as lovely as ever. Such a happy house.  It exudes happiness and love. She has given a lot wonderful memories to so many folks over the years, especially our little unit. 

We have been enjoying friends visiting and spending time with our riversorry friends and neighbors who are here all year round. It doesn't take me long to get into riversorry mode, believe me.

Dean and Darlene took us for an early-morning "breakfast" cruise out to Weeks Bay Sunday. It was absolutely breathtaking. Besides having breakfast, we were on a mission to see dolphin. And we did! There was a pod of at least four very large adults and three or more youngins. The little ones would stick their tails straight out of the water and then spiral downwards. It was precious to watch--until a group of about five or six kayaks and canoes tried to get right up on them. Poor boo's.

Ahhhhhh summertime. Hope some wonderful summer memories are being made in your neck of the woods. 

Cheers!

Labels:  Alabama, Brother Jim, Darlene, Hub, Jacq, Kid, Riverside, Weeks Bay

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

Proud as Punch

The kid. 

Labels: Kid

Summertime

Ahhhhhh, those hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer are almost upon us. In fact, for some, they're already here! Today was the kid's last exam and thus the last day of high school for him. Yay! Can you remember that feeling?  I sure can. How exciting for him. We have his commencement exercises coming up this weekend. Wow.

The teenager has been lying low this past week getting in some well-deserved rest and play. He graduated cum laude (magna cum laude in his major!); and we couldn't be prouder. It's been wonderful having him home for a bit before he leaves us to begin a new life as an adult. Again, wow.

I am so excited for both boys as they enter into great new phases of their lives. I'm just giddy with pride.

Happy Summer!

Labels: Flowers, Kid, Summer, Teenager

Mr. Jack White

(Photo by Dipti Vaidya / The Tennessean)

Jack, at the Ryman. Does it get any better?

Now you know Jack does not allow any photographs or video to be taken at his shows. Back at the Memphis show, they were hard ass and actually kicked people out. In sweet Nashville, the security would just tap you on the shoulder and shake their head, no no no. Bless their hearts.

With Memphis fresh in the mind, I left my camera at home. But after seeing people being only reprimanded for photo taking, I joined in. I don't mind a tap on the shoulder, but just don't kick me out!

 My friends and I just giggled as we shot some off from our cell phones.

 Not the best, I assure you. But it's still Jack.

Yummy. 

Great show, great friends, great venue. Only to be repeated tonight! Last night was the boy band. Tonight? Bring the girl band on and rock it again for us, Jack!

Labels:  Music, Nashville

The Proudest

 We are so proud, I'm speechless.

Labels:  Knoxville, Tennessee, Teenager, UT

Nashville--After Dark

The hub flew in Friday night; so the kid and I picked him up at the airport and we headed into town to have a nice dinner together. We ended up in SoBro (new for South of Broadway--ain't Nashvul growin'!). (These photos were all taken with my phone--forgot the camera, again.)

After dinner, we strolled across the pedestrian bridge for a bit. None of us had ever even been on it since it opened several years ago. Pffft.

So much change everywhere. Nashville, the kid, the teenager and even the HUB! (Did I tell you that he's working on his Masters as we speak???) We're very fortunate, it's absolutely GOOD change for each of us. But, it's change just the same. I'm taking it all in, one day at a time. Even slowly absorbing the realization that we probably won't be in Nashville for too many more years. We've spent more time here than anywhere else as a family. It simply boggles the mind. Where in the world does the time go?

Labels: Nashville, Kid, Teenager, Hub

A Busy Bee

That's just what I have been, let me tell you. But, it's a good busy. 

Buzzz buzz buzz (for Raphi in South Beach, baby)!

The teenager graduates from UTK next week! Wha???? Can you believe it?

And then, two weeks after that, the kid graduates from high school!!!! Wait. Whattt????

And then we all head in different directions come June.

I'm getting a little "scurred." 

Labels:  Flowers, Graduation, Kid, Spring, Teenager