Remembering a Wonderful Day...

Nine years ago today Matt married his best friend. I cannot be sad today. I remember nothing but happiness on this special day. It was the day they dreamed of and their dreams all came true on that wonderful afternoon. They had such perfect plans for their life together and it makes me so happy that the time they spent together was the life they imagined. Matt and Kim filled three months with happiness. They did not postpone anything. They found joy in every day. God gave them a limited amount of time but in that time they created memories.

Yes, it has been nine years but it does not take away the pain. I want my son, his wife and kids to be a part of our growing family. I wish Brooklynn had a Shubzda cousin. It is hard...but today I will remember good things because there are many wonderful things to remember.

Memories are the things that fill the empty space.

Family Reunion.....

This Family Reunion was a different kind of family....it was a family of friends! It was friends who have spent a lifetime of raising children together...children who now have their own children. What a blessing! This weekend we traveled to a special place to reunite everyone and spend the day letting the grandkids play like our children did about 30 years ago. It was a very special weekend. Nine kids under the age of five in matching swimsuits who played together like they had been friends forever too.

James and Sharon have always been the perfect host and hostess. Their beautiful lakehouse has been the sight of numerous gatherings but we have never included an additional 22 people before.

There was really no way to know in advance whether this would really be a good idea or not but the kids were all game so the Hails assembled all the toys and prayed for the best.

And the BEST is exactly what it was!!!!

Water, sunshine, food, conversation, and laughter. Babies with no naps and no meltdowns by anyone. You simply could not have scripted a better reunion.

Brooklynn is becoming the ultimate "LAKE RAT". Water in her face and wind in her hair and an endless smile. She is truly in her element when she puts on a life jacket and a swimsuit.

Precious little ones that remind me so much of our kids at that age. They got along...maybe they formed bonds. Hopefully they will grow up know that nothing can replace those friends who are a constant.

You really cannot put a price on the things that matter when you get older. Just watching kids and grandkids, sharing "remember when" stories and cataloging all of these things for a day on down the road when maybe gathering together is not as easy as it is now...those things are priceless.

Tonight I am so very grateful for a weekend that was special and friends that matter more than anything. We are truly blessed.

Nursery School....

Today Brooklynn and Sara and I decided to think out of the box a little and make a trip to the local nursery for a few lessons on flowers. We had been picking the ones out of the pots on my front porch but maybe we should go explore where all of these pretty plants come from....so we headed out to survey what was in stock at the local garden center.
What we found out was the the selection was slim. I guess if you do not garden before the end of June you are just out of luck. Nothing in stock but the heat loving periwinkles in all shades of pink...a good opportunity to point out the there were different hues in the pink catagory besides the one she was wearing.
An educator knows you never pass up that "teachable moment"
Brooklynn really took the whole thing seriously. She was quite the master at operating the cart we chose...the one with the flat tire! The owner pointed that out after we had driven it through the entire garden.
And when the novelty wore off she became the passenger....carefully guarding the plants we had chosen.
What I learned today at nursery school was that my grandchild cannot stand anything on her hands. My sundress became her towel where she carefully cleaned her hands after each plant she placed on the cart!!
She never ceases to amaze me whith her curiousity and her ability to grasp things so quickly. And I never mind lending my clothing to wipe those pudgy little fingers.

Fourth Annual.....

Shubzda Family Olympics!!!!!
Nothing like gathering the whole family together in 101 degree heat to indulge in some friendly competition. For four years we have headed to Cedar Creek lake ....food and air mattresses in tow to celebrate summertime and family.
Coming up with some creative challenges always starts early in the year. It is more about long lasting belly laughs than actually scoring points. Everyone is always game for being the brunt of some personal jokes...all done in the spirit of the event.

Brooklynn is in training early for her shot at the coveted trophy...just a few years away from being competitive!

Lack of water in the lake did not deter anyone from getting wet. A garden hose, a blow up pool and a can of beer is perfect for cooling off...provided you can put up with having Uncle Bergy in such close proximity!!!

Just cannot even put a price on the fun we have when we all make the trip to hang out. Wall to wall beds, too much food, temperatures near heatstroke level, and more sunshine than a person really needs are the things that memories are made of. The kids will grow up remembering the times we all gathered...just like my kids remember the summers in Padre Island. And even if you are a "loser"...and that would be three of us this year...there is always next year to get your name on the Olympic prize....

Way to go Judy...the 2011 CHAMP!!!!!!

World Champs...

I would be totally remiss if I failed to note the success of the Mavericks in their quest be be the NBA Basketball Champs. I am not a fan of basketball. I find the stories about the attitudes and egos of the overpaid players to spoil the enthusiasm I have for sports in general. Too many guys that think their prowess on the court allows them to be total jerks off the court. But, I got caught up in the playoffs. When it is a hometown team you buy into the hype. It was a dream series! I watched it all and I am glad I did. I am a fan now...but only a fan of the Mavericks.
They won with class. They did not let their egos get in the way of winning on the court. Even Mark Cuban managed to redeem himself. By offering the trophy to Don and Linda Carter...the founders of the organization, he raised his stock in the eyes of fans.
Dirk is a true star. He does not do endorsements. He does not have an agent. He just plays for the love of the game. What a unique concept. Take note LeBron. Sometime the good guys do win...this year they did!

Time To Attack....

It has been a world wide joke for centuries....what kind of science projects does your refrigerator hold? Could Salk develop penicillin from that left over green bean casserole? How long has it been since you checked the expiration dates on the items in your refrigerator door? Well, apparently I am the brunt of all of those jokes. My refrigerator is a nightmare. It is a disgrace and I am to blame...for just having better things to do than monitor salad dressing. However, it has become a must. In trying to find a usable dressing for a salad the other night we found no less that ten bottles of expired dressing...the only one that was current was the Ranch (which of course is kind of like catsup). We use that on everything. The others....the unopened, never used others? Well, the report is not good. I could be jailed for putting my family in extreme danger. Some of them dated back to the period of time when Ronald Reagan was president. I actually must have moved some of them from our former home..so I could throw them away here. I am sure that makes sense. I have along way to go. It can not be done in a day but I am on a mission. I will have a refrigerator with up to date products...and we will use them before they expire. After all I am retired. What else do I have to do?

Friday Is For Raspberry Sangria.....

It is the end of my first week of retirement. Since it is summer and I would have off anyway it does not seems much different but I celebrated each day anyway. I know it is the beginning of a permanent part of my life. It was a great week...honestly incredible! I am so looking forward to an adventure each week from here on out. I have time. I have no commitments. Wow!

So...to wrap up a perfect week I am ending with some Sangria....the raspberry kind. Homemade and enjoyed in the hot tub tonight when it gets a bit cooler. I deserve it. It has been taxing deciding how to spend all of this free time!

Thursday is for Books and Bon Bons......

I want you to know it is not true...the old theory that ladies of leisure sit around on the couch all day watching TV and eating Bon Bons. I have been away from the work force for four days now and I would never succumb to trivial TV soap operas and crummy candy. I am above that. I am on the couch reading "The Five Languages of Love" in an effort to discover how to get through the next years with my husband when he retires. Twenty four hours a day of togetherness will be a BIG challenge so I am preparing in advance of the fact that within a year he may be home interrupting my free time. And I would never eat a Bon Bon. Only the finest quality "Limited Edition Godiva Truffles" for me. I am not the ordinary lady of leisure!

Wednesday Is For Ladies Who Lunch.....

And so we did...lunch that is! That is what ladies do and even if it is Whataburger the friendship and laughter is just the same. Maybe we belong at a common hamburger joint. We are a little loud sometimes. No one to offend when you are dining here. Wednesday can also be for ladies who dine out in the evening. We upped our game this evening and went to a classier place. The conversation just picked up where we left off at lunch and two hours later there were still matters to discuss and problems to solve. Yes, Wednesday is a good day to dine with friends...all day long. Retirement is a good thing.

Tuesday Is Time Out For Tea.......

Time for tea and reading a cookbook. No need to rush. Nothing on my schedule for the rest of my life now but what I want to do! This could be fun!

Monday Is For Baking With Brooklynn......

A little spilt milk and a lot of dirty bowls but I say it was a great way to spend the first day of
retirement!!!!!!