Friends, Family, and Fun!

This weekend was a busy one which is unusual for me. Typically I am at home cleaning house, grocery shopping, doing laundry, watching old movies on TV, and the like, and that suits me fine. But every now and then several events fall into the same weekend making it seem like I actually have a social existence. Unfortunately, Dave had to work so he wasn't able to attend the events with me. Everyone missed him, especially me.

Saturday morning I went and visited with Miss Sandra, Melissa, and Olivia (a.k.a. Pumpkin). We were all invited to a wedding shower for mine and Melissa's childhood/high school friend Jennifer. I had a great time visiting with Olivia. Thankfully she's still not crying when she sees me or when I hold her which I understand is what happens to some other unlucky folks these days. In fact, she seemed quite enthralled with me. I was the first person she saw after waking up from her nap, and she laughed and smiled! We had a great time bonding.

Jennifer's shower was really nice. We haven't seen her in such a long, long time. Though we didn't get to spend a lot of time together we did get a chance to catch up some. Jennifer got to meet sweet Olivia for the first time and we all got to meet Jennifer's intended, Lawton. Olivia had a great time entertaining all the ladies who agreed with me that she was the most adorable thing!

After the shower I visited with the girls a bit longer, but then I had to head to Mom's house to meet up for a special trip to Mom's home town. Mom and I had a good time talking on the 2-hour drive there. There was a fundraiser in the form of an auction going on at the private school where all 3 of my uncle's children graduated and where my aunt teaches and one of my cousin's attends. The reason we went to such an event was that my cousin, Laurin, who is a singer and choreographer, was performing. My uncle also sings and is well-known around those parts as is Laurin, and the local folks always consider it a treat to hear them sing. Two of Laurin's friends from the Alabama Theater had the night off and were able to come to dance and sing with her. They were a cute couple named Brandi and Beetle.

It was an interesting evening. The live auction was very exciting and several items went for what we thought were obscene amounts of money! For example, my cousin Laurin is engaged to a man named Joey who plays guitar for Toby Keith; well, Joey was able to get an Epiphone guitar signed by both Toby and all three members of the band Rascal Flatts. That guitar ended up selling for $5,800! We were all shocked! In the end they raised over $50,000 for the private school exceeding their goal by more than 100%.

Mom and I spent the night at my cousin Debbie's. She, her husband, and daughter bought and live in my grandparent's old house. It's always neat to be back in that house because I have so many memories. It's a neat, old Victorian-style house built around 1899 with screened porches that wrap all the way around the house, vaulted ceilings, big rooms, etc. On Sunday morning we all gathered at my uncle's house across the street for a big, tasty breakfast. We had a great time recounting episodes of our favorite TV shows, agreeing on the magic that is TiVo (or in my case DVR), and going over plans for Laurin's wedding in April (We are all heading to Nashville for the big event!).

We had a good time seeing and visiting with the family. I was also happy to be back home with Dave and the animals, though. So until next time, which will be in 6 weeks for Jennifer's wedding in Atlanta....You know where to find me!