weekly wrap up

my early morning view of the world

John went to breakfast early in the week...knowing me as he does he called me first...to see if I was interested in joining him. I am willing to venture out to some places in the morning...with a hat, no make-up, etc...but usually not to go sit somewhere for breakfast. I asked him to bring me something home instead. I got my usual breakfast omelet, grits and muffin from the Blueberry Muffin....it was great And I loved my little note inside!

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful...not bad...but nothing too exciting. Saturday, however we attended a Celebration for our friend Pat Tanner. Instead of a funeral...everyone was invited to attend a party to celebrate her life. Her daughter made these cranes for everyone to take home.

 While Pat was sick...some friends of hers from high school paid her a visit and  delivered a gift of 1000 cranes. Chuck had this acrylic case made so they could put them all on display. It is perfect...so colorful and wonderful to know the thoughts and well wishes that they represent.

 The weather did not look promising yesterday afternoon...but they had a big tent in the back yard...and for the most part the storms stayed away. It certainly did not keep all the friends, family, co-workers, neighbors from coming to say good-bye to a wonderful person. We will miss Pat and that great smile she had......but she has left a big impression on all of us.

 A few people shared some thoughts about Pat...and we all cried a little, laughed a little and just enjoyed the afternoon together. It was a wonderful tribute to her...and a nice alternative to a funeral. It hasn't really sunk in for me yet... because I did not see Pat all the time. We enjoyed some trips with Pat and her family...she included me in her "Girl's Night Out" get- togethers that she had when Chuck was away. It was always a treat to get the email inviting me to come over for some fun. She enjoyed a lot parties at our house over the years and taught us how to roll sushi when we had fresh tuna.
 It's hard to lose special people in life...we'll remember her of course...but it won't be quite the same without her...but as she told her sister..."Harriet, I'm going to be alright!" and she is. I'm sure we will all be okay too....because that's the way she would want it.

Nice sunset this evening. It was a beautiful day. I got off to kind of a slow start...but took a bike ride and enjoyed the almost cloudless blue skies, all the greenery and flowers...and just relaxed. Tonight there were storms off to the west of us...one brief shower.

After the shower I enjoyed watching the sunset.

The next day....

 We had a cook-out last night. I've been thinking about it and just decided to plan one. We called a few friends and they called a few friends...but that's always good and had a little get together. I got off work at 5:15 (not 5pm...the 15 minutes is important!...sorry it's an inside joke) and came home to get ready. Chicken to cube, fruit to cut up, etc. By 6:30/7pm we were ready to go. During the "party" I only took a couple of pictures...so I took some of the day after...haha

or...in this case right before I started cleaning up.

Say Chocolate! My Mom read somewhere that you should tell people to say chocolate instead of cheese...for a more natural looking  smile

they did have a lot of chocolate though...haha

 Julia informed me that "You need two of those!" I told her it was John's fault...I buy fun noodles, etc...he always throws them away...hah It's true...he gets grouchy when there's too much stuff lying around...so he pitches it.

 when kids come over I get to get my toys out...when they dry off...I hide them from John...haha

we had Chicken shish-kabobs....a recipe my sister Elizabeth gave me years ago...it's always good!

I love my solar charged lantern from Target...I might have to go get a couple more...it charges all day and looks like it has a candle flickering  inside at night

the cooler is a little empty today...but the guys went fishing...so you never know...if they catch fish we might be doing it all again tonight!

on the other hand.... the refrigerator is full of leftovers...I don't usually have this much stuff in there!

What can I say... pictures of the people

Jeff-Megan-Jeni

Megan's new sister-in-law-Catie

                                        Tom, Catie, Laura, Marcus, Megan, Avery, Bob and Andy

Megan and Marcus with Anne and Tom 

Brenna, Aunt Sandy, Anne

Anne (Mom), Aunt Ellen, Brenna, Megan, Meredith, Aunt Liz, Aunt Martha

                     Ellen and Martha were two of my "Motivational Dancers" haha...Liz is still recovering from knee surgery...so she had limited time on the dance floor

Aunt Sandy & Uncle Ken,Anne & John, Marcus & Megan, Brenna, Aunt Kathie & Uncle Bill, Joe & Marilyn K

Cousin Ryan, Uncle Tony, Cousin Ian, Uncle Paul

Uncle David

The Burton Family...just like the old days...haha

Martha, Ellen, Elizabeth, Jen & Mom, Anne, David & Mark

DJ-Dave in background, John, Dan, Marcus, Megan, Brian Hogg (& Ellen)

Uncle Tony & Uncle Mark

bouquet toss...note Art in the group...hahah...sorry Brenna...you were just out of range

Sparklers on the front steps

I had a stressful afternoon...we had a program and when it ended all of the sudden there were Moms and Dads, Grandmas, babysitters and lots of kids...add to the mix the phone ringing, and other unluckypatrons who just happened to be in at that time. I don't mind the kids really...but I had several people who wanted library cards for their children...they had old cards, old fines, new addresses and assorted other out of the ordinary issues involved.When I have to work on  two or three of those in a row  my mind needs a minute or two to clear itself. d&%$ that magician who told them all to get cards!  Not really...it's a good thing...but  after two especially difficult transactions...I did threaten to hide from the next parent wanting to get a card for their kid(s). Haha..There's just a lot of information to process all at the same time...and at the end of the day...I don't feel at the top of my game if you know what I mean. I think I got everything sorted out....and got every one's cards and fines straightened out ...the good thing is Susan will double check them all...(and I'm sure I'll hear it if I screwed something up.) 
So...that's when I decided...what the heck...I'll enjoy looking at the pictures and showing them to everyone. I feel better already...hah
ha

I Could Have Danced all Night...oh wait...I did...

 John and Megan dancing to "Ballerina Out of Control" by  The Ocean Blue. when Megan was little they used to dance around to this song...Megan on John's feet...Everyone kept telling them this wasn't really a dance song...and they almost changed to something else...but then both of them said (at different times...to me) "You know what...I don't care...I like that song." and so they went with it. This was one of the times during the day that I almost cried...it made me teary eyed watching them...because they looked like they were having fun and I like the song too!

 This might have been the start of the dancing..."Let's Dance"  David Bowie.

 Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"...maybe...that was up next...I figured everyone knew that one! Brenna and I got a laugh when a friend of hers saw this photo and wondered if we were doing the Chicken Dance. hahahaha no...just Jeni doing some fancy footwork...haha

 Then we just had some fun...one of my sisters-in-law commented at one point that she didn't recognize any of the songs...she said"I've never even heard any of those songs...but apparently everyone else has...because not only are they dancing...they're singing all the words too!" (I believe she might have been talking about the song "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People)...although we were all out there singing along to a lot of the songs...that's just the way it is....haha

                                 My goal was to get everyone out on the dance floor at least once!...

Tony getting into the 80's spirit

                         Things were slowing down a little...when Art jumped in and started his dance!

 Can't remember which song......................................................................................................................

                     David was dancing in his chair....... to "Lisztomania" by  Phoenix

 And then "Train in Vain" by The Clash came on and everyone was dancing...we turned it into a 3 song set by The Clash. The last hour...started with " "Should I Stay or Should I Go"...looks like we were definitely all staying! After that the play list went rogue...haha...we added a few songs people wanted to hear...like "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. We also played "Brown-Eyed Girl" by Jimmy Buffett( always a good one) and "Gettin Jiggy With It" by Will Smith(never before heard on one of my play lists...haha Once people were dancing...we just wanted to keep it going...

Bill was happy...he finally heard a song he knew! haha

The last song of the night was "Love and Luck" by Jimmy Buffett. At Gayle M's suggestion Megan and Marcus got in the middle and we all made a circle around them...of course we all had to sing and clap along! The funniest thing was Gayle made the suggestion...but when the song started she was not in the circle...I had to go round her up! haha  It was great fun! "With a little love and luck we will get by........................................"