Cancelled in the Park

The 2015 season of Concerts in the Park kicked off at the beginning of June with a really great group called Unknown Lyric. I had big plans to go but all my friends backed out on me and I didn't want to look like a loser sitting by myself so I didn't go. That particular night it rained and the concert got pushed back by 30 minuted because of a quick rain shower that passed through. 

The next week I had other plans which got cancelled because of rain and was going to head down to the park instead, but the concert got cancelled too...and it never rained downtown. The third week I was in Boston, in a coat in the middle of June and that was just fine by me. 

Finally, this past Monday, I made it to the park for the concert. This particular night was the one I was looking forward to the most because it was military night and the US Army Materiel Command Band was playing and there were going to be fireworks after the concert. I met my dad at the park, we set up our chairs and went and got some dinner from the food trucks. 

As soon as we got our food, and sat down in our chairs, a lady from the Arts Council came onto the stage and said that the National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm warning and that it was supposed to rain at the park in the next 15 minutes and so everyone needed to pack up and head home in the interest of safety. Y'all, I was so disappointed!

Instead of leaving, my dad and I just sat in our seats and ate our dinner and talked about this, that and the other. We actually ended up sitting there talking until about 8:30 p.m. That's right folks, we sat under a tree, in the park, in the nice cool summer night and not one drop of rain fell in the park. The concert was cancelled for no reason at all, but at least I got in some good conversation and quality time with my daddy. 

Around 8:30 p.m. we parted ways and about 15 minutes after I got home as I was cleaning up yet another mess made by Pippa, the doorbell rang. It was my dad and he had lost his phone and wanted to know if it was in the chair he had been sitting in. It wasn't. So, we headed back to the park with my big lantern in tow to look for the phone. Thankfully, I spotted it right away, without the help of the lantern I might add. Just call me eagle eye! 

Concerts in the Park supposedly continues on Monday nights through July and August. Maybe one day this summer I'll make it to the park and the show won't get cancelled. 

The Last Summer Wedding for 2014

I woke up Saturday morning about 6:00 a.m. and basically moved from the bed to the couch. I spent the rest of the morning napping on and off and watching shows from the DVR and then golf. I did manage to at least leave my house for about 30 minutes to fill the car up with gas and get a pizza for lunch. 

About 2:30 I dragged myself off the couch and got ready for my friend Jay's wedding. It was the fourth and final summer of 2014 wedding I would attend. Jay and I used to work together until he moved on to greener pastures almost a year ago. Well, it may have been over a year ago at this point. I seriously lose track of time. Jay and I have stayed in touch since he left and I was so glad to get his wedding invitation in the mail. He and Krislyn had dated for about four years and we used to tease him quite often about popping the big question. 

A while back, I had asked Nevin if he would go with me to the wedding. I knew that I would not know a whole lot of people other than the handful of work friends that would be going and so he graciously agreed to go with me. Nevin came by a little before 3:30 p.m. and we were soon on our way for the 4:00 p.m. wedding which was held at a church downtown close to my house.  The church was small and quaint, quite a contrast from the other weddings I've attended recently.

The ceremony was supposed to start at 4:00 p.m., but didn't actually get started until almost 4:30 p.m. Jay looked handsome and Krislyn looked beautiful, as it should be. The ceremony was short and sweet, lasting all of about 15 minutes. The most interesting part of it all was when Jay and Krislyn jumped the broom. Beforehand, the minister told the history behind it - how slaves were not afforded the privilege of a legal marriage and so they jumped over a broom to indicate a commitment to each other. The grandmothers swept away the floor (indicating a sweeping away of the past), then placed the broom on the floor and Jay and Krislyn took the big jump. It was a nice way to end a lovely service. 

The reception was across the street at the Roundhouse Depot. The room was decorated beautifully. There were appetizers and drinks for everyone to snack on while the wedding party was taking photos. Soon after the couple arrived, the entire wedding party was announced and the first dances took place. Jay and his mother really cut a rug during their dance. It was such fun to watch. The dinner was finally brought out and I loved that Krislyn's dad said a prayer to bless the food before dinner. We had greens, shrimp and grits, steamed veggies, wild rive, chicken and cornbread. Everything was really good. 

Not long after dinner, Jay and Krislyn cut the cake. I had a piece of the bride's cake which looked beautiful and tasted good. Nevin and I as well as my co-workers all left soon after. We had all been at the reception for a couple of hours and the dancing hadn't even started. I think we were all tired and ready to hit the road. 

It was a fun night with friends celebrating the love and union of two lovely people. Here's to wishing Jay and Krislyn all the best!

The Summer Heat Has Arrived

I don't know about where the rest of you live, but here in Alabama, summer has definitely arrived. It was a scorcher this past weekend. I don't know what the high was each day, but it was definitely high 90s and felt close to 100. Thankfully, I did not have to mow the lawn this past weekend since we have had no rain and therefore the grass is not growing. Soon enough it will burn up completely I think. When I went to take the trash to the road last night I noticed all the flowers on the side of the house (hydrangeas, day lilies, etc.) were exceptionally droopy. I had been meaning to water them but this past week had not given it much thought. So, I drug the hose pie all the way around the house to help prevent them from dying. They all looked rejuvenated this morning, thank goodness.

Friday night I went to see Troy and Ashlyn perform in Blue Plate Broadway. Blue Plate Broadway is basically a week long drama camp and at the end of the week the students and counselors put on singing and dancing production. It's put on my While We Wait Productions out of New York City and headed up by Stephen Tyler Davis, whom I have known since he was in diapers. That's kind of weird. I've got to say for these kids to just have had one week to practice, they all did a really great job. Troy and Ashlyn each had a small line to say in the show and they both did a great job. The show was really enjoyable and lasted about two hours. I'm happy to report that although I did cough during the show it was not a constant cough and hopefully did not distract others from enjoying the show. The kids had two performances on Saturday as well, although I didn't go to those since it was the same show all three times. With any luck, this will inspire the kids to try out for some local plays because I think they would both be really great at it!

Saturday morning, The Tide and I headed out early to the dog wash. I had scheduled an 8:00 a.m. bath time for her so that I could get that out of the way before doing anything else. she is shedding her winter coat right now and my word I have never seen so much hair. I mean, I am beginning to winder if she is importing it in from other dogs just to make me a little crazy. The girl at the shop cut The Tide's nails, a job I hate doing myself, and then I gave her a good scrubbing and was able to rid her of a good chunk of loose hair. It was her first bath in three months so she was overdue.

When we got back home, I was overcome with the cleaning bug and decided to clean the baseboards and windows in my bedroom. I managed to get all the baseboards done as well as the door that leads outside. I started on the window behind my bed; I have the kind that pop out so they are supposed to be easy to clean. The bottom window didn't just pop over and out, it came completely out which freaked me out a wee bit as I thought I might now ever get it back in. After much consternation, I managed to get it back in place and decided I would put the window washing on hold until I could come up with a better plan - one that most likely will involve a ladder and cooler weather.

I cleaned the rest of the house and for the first time in I don't know how long completed every bit of laundry with the exception of what I was wearing, including many linens and blankets. It probably goes without saying that I napped and then made my weekly trip to Publix. Why is it when you don't seem to have much on your list is when you spend the most money. That makes no sense to me. It probably didn't help that I didn't really want to go to the store, which is odd, but I needed something other than canned foods to eat. That evening I finished watching the Showtime series Homeland. If you have not seen this show, please, I beg of you, do everything in your power to see it. Oh my word, is it good!

Sunday was nothing to write about, unless you count that I cooked five pounds of hamburger meat for taco salads for our church ladies' night out event for this evening. I almost forgot to mention that on Friday at the Blue Plate Broadway event on Friday I ran into a friend who had some Loretta Spencer signs in her car and so I snagged a couple from her and I braved the heat long enough to put one up in my yard on Saturday. Y'all know I love Loretta!

So, now we have arrived at Monday again and it's back to the grind. I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to having a day off from work, even if it is in the middle of the week. I don't have any plans for the Fourth and as of this moment am planning on being a lazy bum, that is, unless I decide to attempt some more window cleaning.

Fun at the Lake

This past Saturday, I was invited by Jackie’s Aunt Nina and Uncle Mickey to join the family for some fun at the lake. Nina and Mickey have a lake house on Wheeler Lake in Rogersville and it’s been four years since I last was able to go out for a visit. I was thrilled when Nina emailed me and asked me to come out on Saturday. In addition to Nina and Mickey, Jackie, Troy and Ashlyn and Jackie’s mom and stepdad (Jan and Tim) along with Jackie’s cousin Scott were also there.

Jackie and the kids came by and picked me up around 11:30 or so and we headed out to Rogersville. We arrived at the lake house around 1:00 or so, after stopping to pick up a quick bit from Wendy’s on the way, which was completely unnecessary because Aunt Nina had prepared all sorts of goodies to munch on.

Troy headed to the water immediately but was back inside the house soon after because he had been stung on the cheek by a wasp. After a few minutes of crying and a Benadryl and Fudgesicle later, all was well and he headed back to the water once again along with all the rest of us.

A Fudgesicle makes it all better!

Uncle Mickey pulled Troy and Ashlyn on the water raft to start off the day of fun. Then the two of them started swinging on the rope and into the water, only Ashlyn would just hold on to it and drop right it. It was kind of pointless for her to even use the rope, but it gave us all a good laugh.

Riding the Water Raft...

...pulled by Uncle Mickey

An hour or so after we arrived, Tim and Jan showed up to join in on the fun. Tim got in the water right away and Jackie then took the kids and then me out on the Jet Ski. I, of course, screamed about three times while getting on because I’m always afraid my big ole booty is going to make that thing tip over.

Jackie and Troy

Jackie and Ashlyn

After riding on the Jet Ski, I got in the water for an hour or so with the kids. I held on to a floating noodle and kept old tennis shoes on my feet because this city girl does not like the feel of the bottom of the lake on her feet. Ashlyn and I both wanted a snack and so we headed up to the house to chow down on some seven layer dip and salsa and, of course, brownies. Soon everyone else joined us and after we were all sufficiently stuffed, we headed back outside.

Round two in the water didn’t last long. I didn’t get back in and the kids only stayed in for an hour or so. I headed back up to the house to shower and change and not long after we all sat down to dinner. We had BBQ, salad, green beans, peas, a casserole that Uncle Mickey had made, rolls, slaw, mashed potatoes, fruit, the list goes on and on. Basically, I ate so much I ended up with a pain in my side. It’s been a long time since I put away that much food. It was well worth it though because Aunt Nina is a great cook.

After dinner, Aunt Nina, Uncle Mickey, Jan, Jackie, Troy and I headed out in the boat to see if we could find the lake house of some other folks that we know. We think we found it but no one was milling about to be sure. I really enjoyed the boat ride, I think it was one of my favorite parts of the day.

We had a really great Saturday at the lake. On the way home Ashlyn said that “sometimes it feels like Matasha is part of our family,” it was the best compliment. I told her I was an honorary member of their family and when I have kids one day they can call her Aunt Ashlyn. It was a great Saturday of fun with my other family; I hope we can do it again next year!

Ashlyn swinging off the rope

Troy - he got to be really good at it.

Ashlyn ready to jump off

Scott took this photo. I clearly had no idea.

Apparently me looking confused in photos is a recurring theme.

Me, Jackie and Aunt Nina

Me and Ashlyn

Me, Jackie and Scott

Tim, Troy, Ashlyn and Me

I am chilling in the back of the boat as we are about to head out,

clearly Aunt Nina did not want to have her photo taken.

Saturday's Purchases

This weekend I made a couple of big purchases. They were very much needed and I’m pretty excited about both of them.

The first was a new mattress. Every morning when I get up, my back is hurting and I am aching like an old lady (no comments from the peanut gallery here, please). While I was on vacation, my back did not hurt once when I got up in the morning. It’s sad when a hotel bed treats your body better than your bed at home. I’ve been sleeping on the same mattress since I was 16. In other words, for 18 years I’ve been sleeping on that mattress. I found a tag on the box springs this weekend which listed the date as 1985 – that’s 26 years! I was obviously way overdue for a new mattress.

I got the new one at Mattress King in Hampton Cove. The sales lady there was really nice and I had a good experience there. My dad went with me and he also thought the lady was nice so I would recommend that location to any of you in the hunt for a new mattress. My new set will be arriving at my home on Saturday. So, if you don’t hear from me in a couple of days it’s probably because I’m in a land of luxurious sleep.

After the mattress purchase, we headed to Home Depot. We had struck out at Lowe’s and Wal-Mart as far as the lawnmower was concerned and decided to give Home Depot a try. I ended up buying a Toro that was a reconditioned mower. In other words, someone brought it back for whatever reason, and it was repaired and available for purchase. The price was a lot better than the new ones and it still came with the manufacturer’s warranty. I bought the Home Depot warranty on top of that and so it is under warranty for four years. Not bad.

I haven’t used it yet, but we did crank it up and Lowe’s and it cranked after two pulls and it had been sitting idle for two weeks. Nice! I suppose I’ll bring it out this weekend and give it a go. Believe it or not, I’m actually excited about getting it out and using it. Besides the sweltering heat, the main reason I always dreaded lawn mowing was because my mower was a pain in the behind. This new mower should make yard work much more enjoyable.

I put the old mower out at the road and knew someone would pick it up. I was right; 13 minutes after placing the old mower at the road, someone loaded it in their pick up and took it home. Hopefully he knows how to work on mowers because that one needs a lot of work. At least it had a full tank of gas – lucky for him.

My old mower sitting at the street

Thirteen minutes later, it would be snatched up.

I forgot to take a photo of the new mower -

I'll put one up later in the week.