The Unofficial End to Summer 2012

Labor Day was this past Monday - as if you didn't already know that - and I don't know about the rest of you, but I, for one, enjoyed having the day off. I had planned to wake up early and go for a walk, but laziness prevailed and I ended up just doing some things around the house instead. Then I put Lord of the Rings in the Blu-Ray player and ended up sleeping for the next two hours. Yes, I do love to sleep. After I woke from my nap, I restarted the disc and watched it without falling asleep.

My parents were hosting a cook-out, as they often do on holidays, and I had made some coleslaw early that morning. I assumed it would be the typical crowd of about 15 or so people. Imagine my surprise then, when at 3:00 (the start time of the cookout) no one was there but my parents, my granddad and me. Turns out my parents had invited only one couple and they should up a few minutes after three. I didn't eat much because I had another event to attend at 5:30 and I wanted to make sure I was still hungry for that dinner. I visited with my parents and our friends and then a few minutes before 5:30 I headed over to Jackie's parents' place for dinner because not only was Monday Labor Day, but it was Jackie's birthday as well. That lucky gal got to celebrate with a day off from work!

Jan prepared pork chops, green beans, black-eyed peas, rolls, salad, and sweet potatoes for dinner and there was a cookie cake for dessert. The dinner was excellent but the fellowship was even better. In addition to Jackie's parents and kids, there were also her cousins Scott and Little Mickey and her aunt and uncle and also another couple, Christa and Jason with whom we are all friends. Little Mickey being there was a surprise to not only me, but also Jackie. We were so glad to see him as he is always the life of the party. At one point he asked me, "Does your dad still the Keebler man?" I said, "No, he is a preacher now." To which Little Mickey responded, "Does he yell?" Oh, how that cracked me up. That was not the only hilarious moment of the night, but probably my favorite.

Jackie got lots of good loot for her birthday, including cash, a necklace from Ashlyn and an Alabama pillow with arms (I don't know what the technical term for those are) from Troy, a Hobby Lobby gift card, an elephant hat and season tickets to Fantasy Playhouse for her and the kids. I think she had a good time and definitely got some good presents! Surprisingly, we didn't end up playing any card games as is usually the case when we get together for dinner at her parents' house. It was, however, a school night, and we did spend a lot of time chatting and eating!

I made it home in time to watch the new episode of Grimm, which was great! Sadly, it's the last new episode until September 28 when Grimm returns to Friday nights - the death slot for network television. Seriously, what show besides Dateline NBC has ever survived on Friday Nights - none that I know of. Oh well, I shall watch it until it is cancelled, which will be sooner rather than later if NBC leaves it on Friday nights.

Anyway, it was a nice way to unofficially end the summer - if only we could unofficially end something every Monday, or in other words - if only we could have every Monday off. Hope you all had a nice Labor Day as well.