Labor Day Week-End

Where I come from, Labor Day signals the end of white pant wearing, Fall is just around the corner (along with cooler air) and Alabama football becomes the religion of the South.
I don't live in Alabama any longer but reside in Florida, where folks wear white pants (and white belts and white shoes if over age 70) year-round, there is no real Fall and I hate watching football.
My Labor Day week-end will consist of visiting with my daughter, son-in-law and precious grandson, who phoned me on Tuesday at work to say ,"Nanny, I just pooped on the potty- Yeah!" and having brunch on Sunday with 2 of my former Museum co-workers whom I adore. One has moved to Tifton, GA but will be in town. The other is still the Curator at said Museum. The 3 of us had wonderful times when we worked together. They are 2 of the brightest women that I have ever known. It will be nice to catch up.
I think that I will clean out my desk on Sunday as it is stuffed with old bills, papers and the like. It drives my spouse crazy so that would be a nice gift to him.
We are both going to Mayo for check-ups on Friday before visiting with our daughter and her family. I hope that we both leave with clean bills of health.
Be safe and have a lovely Labor Day week-end with your friends and/or family.

The Pretty Scenery That is My Home

I often take for granted just how pretty it is where I live, especially during the oppressive summer heat.
This morning, however, I actually LOOKED at my surroundings while driving. I am typically in an early morning funk while on my ten mile commute. I pass over the Indian River ,which is the river only a few hundred yards from my home. I then pass over Sykes Creek and then the Banana River. On this particular day, the sun was hitting the water just right and it made me feel happy.
I went outside on Sunday just as the sun was going down. We have a hammock hanging out there that my son brought back from Costa Rica a few years ago. I decided to lay there and just relax. I looked around at my lovely, manicured, green yard, (thank you, sons)
my tomato plants and the gorgeous plants that my husband worked so hard putting into the ground this past spring. We have a large piece of property that is very quiet and off of the beaten path. It gave me cause to stop and be thankful. We've been very lucky to live in this spot for nearly 23 years. I often get itchy feet and think that I am ready for a change--after the past few days of reflection, I have decided that I'd like to stay in my little paradise just a while longer.

The Circle of Life

Found out last night that my husband and I are going to be grandparents again! I am very excited!! My daughter tried to tell me in a cute way by sending me a photo of my grandson in a tee-shirt that said "I am the big brother." I read it before bed last night but didn't catch on to the hint that she was sending. I assumed someone had bought him a shirt without paying attention to what was written on it.
Upon waking at 6 am this morning, something went "ding" in my head and I realized what message she had been trying to send.
My daughter is an early riser so I called her- she answered the phone by saying "It's about time you caught on."
I am thrilled for her as this is a good age for her to have a baby . My grandson will turn 3 years old when the new little one arrives.
I may have to change my blog to Gian's and _____________ (fill in the blank) Nanny.
Life is good.

Back to High School -One Night Only

I attended my 30 year high school reunion on July 26th. I wasn't quite sure what to expect as I had never been to one in the past. When the 10th reunion came around, I was pregnant with my youngest child. When the 20th arrived, my husband was ill with cancer so I couldn't attend. The week-end of the 25th reunion was the same week-end in which my daughter was getting married.I figured I'd at least try and go to one as I was curious.
I know that I've gained weight and that my hair is turning gray. I am also aware of the clothing that is taboo for my age, weight, etc. I was thinking that I'd look worse than most of the other women there. Boy, was I wrong!
The venue was one of our local hotels that has a good reputation. I decided to go with an old friend and his wife. I picked them up and we headed over at the appointed time.
We were some of the first to arrive. We donned our name tags and proceeded inside. As the other classmates arrived, I strained to see their name tags as I didn't recognize anyone.
They had the usual prizes for the ones with the most grandchildren, the one who traveled the farthest, ones who had been married the longest, etc. The food was good, the entertainment was mediocre. The REAL show was looking at people behave as if they were still 17 years of age. Some didn't leave the bar all evening- others were sneaking outside to smoke pot. The clothing on some is fodder for an entire blog! Fat arms jiggling in sundresses, breasts popping out where they shouldn't have been and lots and lots of bleached blonde hair! Most of the men had pretty good sized guts, balding heads and bad comb-overs. At one point, a bunch of the old football team sort of huddled together for a picture- I don't think any of them could've run out of the hotel had it been on fire much less pass a football!
Apparently, there had been a "bus" party the night before. Some of them looked like they had been hit by a bus!
I looked at the reunion web page after the reunion as there were photos, etc. posted by various class members. The party apparently moved from the ballroom to the hotel pool late on Saturday evening where many stayed until sunrise. There was mention of the local Sheriff's Dept. being called in....I guess a lot of folks took it as far as they could. I had a good time just visiting with old friends and enjoying a good meal. Pictured is myself (left) and my friend's wife.