Boys' trip

I had an interesting weekend Thirty some years ago I would have called this one of my favorite weekends of the year, but this one was different. Nick headed off for a golf weekend with his friends. As much as I love my husband, I always loved his weekend away. Thirty or more years ago as soon as he picked the weekend I made plans for the kids. I’d quickly farm them out to friends or family so I could have the weekend all to myself. I always loved it.

This was his weekend away. They took off Thursday and got home Sunday afternoon. I was fine, I got a little writing done. But it’s different now. In the old days when I had two kids to look after, when I was responsible for teaching a classroom full of eleven-year-old’s, back when I actually cook dinner every night, and helped look after my parents… well, a weekend alone was wonderful! Now not so much. Now it was just kind of lonely. Not bad, but a little lonely. I was mighty glad to see him Sunday afternoon.

I wondered if Mollie was still seeing ‘that guy.’ Because I knew she didn’t see him Thursday, Friday or Saturday night. But Sunday she texted to tell me she was going hiking. She usually hikes with some girlfriends, but she didn’t mention them. When she called later, I asked if she took the dogs with her and she said yes. Then I asked if she went with the girls or if she went  with ‘that guy’ and she answered brightly, “That guy.” I think she’s enjoying tormenting me.

I’m still working on my questions for October.

 

A mother's questions

Okay, I couldn’t take it anymore. I broke down and sent Mollie an email. Trust me I didn’t ask all the questions that I wanted to, but I asked some. Here’s what I send. 

 

Hey baby,

 

I’ve decided that as a really good mother (in my own opinion) that I should be allowed to ask two question a month about ‘that guy.’ I realize you night disagree and if so you can complete ignore this email and I will not bring it up in person.

 

But if you’re willing to play along here are my two questions for September.

 

1)How did you meet? Give as much information as you’re comfortable with. Something along the lines of…

 

An online dating service?

Mutual friends?

A bar?

He’s a Nigerian prince who asked for your help?

 

A little more elaborations would be appreciated.

 

 

2) What does he do for a living?

 

Veterinary? (Considering the costs of vet care, this would be a really good idea)

Teacher ?

Drug dealer?

Professional snake wrangler?

 

Come on, I’m your mom and I have a right to be curious. But seriously if you ignore this I will too. And remember even if you answer I can’t ask any more about him until October – though stray bits of information will be welcome anytime.

 

Mom

 

Next I waited and waited… for four days. Then Saturday night I got the following answer. My girl is just a fountain of information. Here’s her answer.

 

Met on a dating app, works in (a nearby town) manages the deli bakery section of Harris Teeter. 

 

I responded,

 

Thanks baby. A vet would be more useful, but I like anything associated with a bakery.

 

Well, there you go. I know so much more now. But bless her heart, she did answer – very brief answers, but she answered. I’ll take suggestion for my two questions for next month. 

Mollie’s dating

 

I have no idea for how long, what his name is, how old he is or what he does for a living. I know that she has gone out with ‘that guy’ several times. So now you all know as much as I do. It’s frustrating as hell, but she chooses not to discuss it with me I’ve now switched from wondering if she will ever find someone to date to wondering if he’s good enough for her.

 

As usual around here there is very little interesting to report. I’m happy to say that my health is doing well these days. My sugar is well controlled on the Ozempic. My A1C was 5.6 on my last visit and I was thrilled. I’m still losing weight, not fast, but it’s in the right direction. It’s hard to find Ozempic these days. It seems everyone has it on back order. But I live in a small town and am close friends with everyone who works at my private owned drugstore, so they always seem to find me some when I need it. My blood pressure is doing well too.

 

I had a wonderful lunch with friends this past Friday. It was with the vet I used to work for forty years ago. He and his wife were there as well as we three vet tech that used to work there. We had such a great visit. We told funny stories of things that happened at the hospital back then as well as some sad and tragic times. Doc’s oldest son was hit and killed by a drunk driver a month after he was married. I remember he was buried on Christmas Eve – one of the coldest days in my memory. Then just a few years ago Doc’s grandson, from his second son, committed suicide. One of the vet techs lost her twenty-year-old son to a drug overdose (she had married Nick’s brother, so this was my nephew. He and LJ were the same age.) But strangely enough we were all able to talk about these extremely sad times mixed in with the funny happy times. We’ve all known and trusted one another for so long discussing our lives with one another just seemed safe.

 

Today is the first day for students at Mollie’s school. She took a quick trip to Disneyworld last week while we watched the dogs. I know she told me that they walked fifteen miles one day. I don’t think I could keep up with them. This begins her nineth year teaching and I see such changed from her first few years. Mostly I see her confidence as a teacher grow by leaps and bounds. She’s good and I’m so proud of her.

 

Mollie has also presented me with a new furry grandchild. Her friends saw the kitten thrown from a car and rescued it. But since both of them are extremely allergic to cats they asked her to keep it overnight so that they could search for it a home. I didn’t buy that plan for a minute and when Mollie sent me a picture of the kitten curled up on Mollie’s cheek, I knew for sure. Here is her newest baby, Betty.

I hope ‘that guy’ isn’t allergic and like cats and dogs.

Fantastic reunion!

I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a reunion anymore. Everything was perfect. The accommodations, the food and mostly the people could not have been better. I’ve written about my cousin’s house many times and posted pictures before, but the house is so wonderful. I got my favorite room again.

Eight cousins were there. There were thirteen of us with the spouses that came. It was one of those rare gathering where it really didn’t matter who you happen to sit beside you were happy. I enjoyed talking and visiting with everyone there.

 

The food was really amazing this time. The past few visits different cousins fixed the meals on different night, and it seemed to me they were trying to ‘out healthy’ each other and to be honest, their food tasted like crap! The owner of the house is an excellent cook, and this year took back the role, thank goodness. She assigned different couples to the kitchen as helpers and clean-up crew, and it seemed to work well.

 

One night we had London broil, twice baked potatoes, asparagus and salad. The next we had shrimp, wild rice, Caprese salad and grilled pineapple. 

The next night was her home-made lasagna with salad and garlic bread. Trust me no one went hungry. But in addition to all this, there was ‘the Wall of Sugar.’ Everyone brought some type of dessert, so much that she cleared off some shelves by the fireplace and we put them all there – cakes, pies, brownies, Danish, bags of cookies. It was truly a sugar lover’s dream.

 

In between eating we went out in the boat every afternoon, Nick rode the jet ski and I read and napped in the hammock. It just couldn’t have been a better weekend.

But in spite of all this opulence, they all said they would like to come here again next year. Several said that their children wanted to come back to see everyone. These kids are grown with kids of their own and I guess the memories stuck. The lake house is large but still limited in space so everyone couldn’t be included. At my house we’re out on the carport and anyone and everyone can come. I was flattered and I’m happy to have it here again – I really do need a reason for a complete cleaning.

I've been here a while

It’s good to be here. I’ve been busy lately. I missed my blogiversary. Last weekend marked seventeen years I’ve been her. Not so much lately, I admit, but I still like to wander by. Blogging was really a hoot in its heyday, and I’ve met so many wonderful people out here. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

 

Once I got my husband back on the ground, I left him. Not for long though. But I took my few days in the mountains for some writing time. I was able to get a real start on the last Cassie book. The next to last book is ready to be published, as soon as I can get my publisher to speak to me again. That mess is still going on. I got some of my pay (I have no idea if the money they sent was for one month, one quarter or for the whole nine months they have been ignoring me. They sent no statement with it. This is all very frustrating. But for those of you who have read my books please know that two more are coming – I have NO idea when, but they are coming!!

My time in the mountains was wonderful! I stayed at the same little Inn and it’s so pretty. It’s been sold and the flowers weren’t as specular as normal, but they were pretty and I’m sure it will take the new owners a while to get themselves up to speed. The whole little town is as pretty as can be and It’s fun walking around. Here was the view out my bedroom window and then the sights around the Inn and around town.

Next weekend we are having the cousin’s reunion. Not here this year, we’re having it at my cousin’s lake house. I’ve written about being there several time and for me it’s just a magical place. There will be thirteen of us and I can’t wait for us all to get together. 

This is the place we will all gather! It doesn't get much better than this.

Glad that's over!

He did it! He jumped! And I’m thankful to say he landed gently back on earth. Arriving at the jump site did not inspire me with tons of confidence. There was one tiny building and then several tents set up for shade – it was HOT! The people running the place, you know the ones who would have my husband’s life in their hands were a bunch of scraggy, bearded, tattooed kids. Really, I’m not opposed to scraggy, beards, tattoos, or even kids but … like I said. They did not inspire confidence.

Gratefully there was nothing to worry about. After minimal instructions they were off on a bus to head to the plane. Thirty minutes later the jumpers were making their soft landing and as Nick floated down, he seemed very happy. I took him to lunch and his birthday was officially celebrated. But I really hope he plans to stay on the Earth’s surface on his next birthday.

 

We’re back to living the peaceful life. Dog sitting as Mollie heads to the beach. Much more my speed and next week I’m heading to my spot in the mountains to try to begin on the last Cassie book. We shall see if I can get back in the groove.

 

Thank you to all who held a good thoughts for Nick.

Nick's Birthday Plans

Nick and I had a great week last week and I pray it continues into this week. We had our annual family picnic in the mountains last Tuesday. There were twenty of us ranging from nine months to mid-70’s. We always go up and fix breakfast, the kids play in the creek and we all sit around visiting.

 

When we left there, we headed up the Parkway to a wonderful inn in the Pisgah National Forest. It has the best views, the most amazing breezes and the best food ever! We’ve stayed there before and when the friends we often travel with said there were two rooms available for the fourth, we all grabbed them. Here’s the view from our balcony and from the dinning room.

We came home and Friday Nick went golfing – shot a 70! So, he was happy. Now let’s just hope his luck is as good this coming Wednesday. Two years ago, Nick had my heart racing when he decided to go hang gliding.

This year, in order to give my heart another good work out he’s decided to go skydiving. Yes, Ronnie guessed right – but then, she’s known us the longest. That is the plan for Wednesday – weather permitting. I’m going along, not sure why. I’m not exactly moral support since I’m against it, but support or not I’ll be there. This isn’t Nick’s first time, he jumped several times back in his college days and now jumps are all tandem jumps so I’m not too worried, but I still feel the only reason to jump out of a plane in flight is that it’s about to crash or it’s on fire.

 

I hope you all will cross your fingers, squeeze your rabbits foot or better yet say a prayer that Nick lands safely and the my heart can take watching.