A new chapter : 2023

Saturday, December 30

Youthfulness

“To succeed in life, you need three things:

a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.”

– Reba McEntire

Friday, December 29

November, Etiquette-wise, it's almost time to deck the halls.

Thanksgiving

Salem

2023

Ahhhhhhh, the traditional smoked turkey.

Dad up with the moon, manning the Smoker, in the chilly (more like freezing) pre-dawn air.

(Look at that golden yumminess.)

In the pic above is Grandson, the relief Carver, now...Carver.

(Experienced Carver still at the helm, in his traditional 20+ year attire.)

The kitchen smells like orange peels and rosemary.

Around the table and after the meal everyone continues to stay put for:

some kind of family game with a wee bit of competition,

lottery ticket scratching, and

snuffing candles.

Fast forward to the next night.

Birthday Festivities for Dad with an Italy theme

Pin the Hand on David

And that’s another trip around the sun.

"If you want to get technical: According to a survey conducted by YouGov, "Almost one half of holiday decorators get started between Thanksgiving and the end of November. Around one in six (16%) will wait until early December, but only 5% get started on decorating in mid-December or later.""

So, a majority of people believe that Christmas décor is the earlier the better... after Thanksgiving dinner has been cleared away and a certain birthday has been celebrated, of course.

Tuesday, December 26

Eras and Vitamin Sea

The Eras Tour Concert Film

The girls had the whole movie theater to themselves. LOTS of dancing and singing.

Side note: Feet were scrubbed before bed.

Shrimp and Grits Festival

JI GA

2023

“Everybody’s got to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another beer.” — Unknown

Sunny skies, delectable dishes, and there is no place like seaside with friends.

Monday, December 25

Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Strenuous

Fall Break Backpacking Trip

Oct 2023

Paris Mountain State Park

North Lake

Site #2

For a hike-in site to have a p-i-c-n-i-c table.

What??!!

Ahhhhhhh- slice of luxury.

Needlepoint with a view....

Journaling and a nap in the sunshine to follow...

And what every backpacker crosses their fingers for...

waking up to sunshine, as to not have a heavy wet tent to carry.

So the trails we hiked on were identified as easy, moderate, difficult and strenuous.

On the way TO the campsite...no issues...definitely not "strenuous".

Whew!

On the way BACK.

Another story.

Strenuous.

Hard candy treats.

Singing...while huffing and puffing.

Playing twenty questions.

One foot after the other.

LDC, "Mom, let me get your picture. Why don't you sit on the tree?".

Me, "If I sit down, your mother will not be able to get up.".

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” – Beverly Sills

Monday, October 9

moments

August

A new season of swim is here...and a new team.

(Lane 2-behind the starting block.)

It's been going swimmingly.

September

Labor Day Weekend

My camping birthday get-away to North Carolina.

wood whittling

Smokemont Campground

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Laugh s’more, worry less

September

LDC's 13th Birthday

Charleston, SC

Seafood

Sunset(s)

Shopping

and Sweet(s).

LDC,

No one on earth can make my heart smile the way you do. Simply hearing your voice brings me peace. Thank you for being the absolute best daughter I could ever have. Happy 13th. Love, Mama

Thursday, July 27

seashells are love letters in the sand

Good News: We escaped for one last summer trip (rather spontaneous but when I only have five summers left with LDC...Let's pack, hit the beach and not waste a second.).

Bad News: I'm already back in the classroom teaching with our new year-round school schedule. What, what??

A hysterical and fun highlight-- taking a catamaran to snorkel on a nearby island.

Why hysterical? Some what of a booze cruise for some vacationers...at 10AM.

Good ole' Panama City Beach.

Evening after evening after evening of gorgeous sunsets.

Plenty of fishing

and releasing.

"You only get 18 delicious summers with your kids.

This is one of your 18.

If that's not perspective, I don't know what is."

J.S.

LDC,

The 2023 summer went too fast for me but as always you made it carefree, filled with popsicles, constant laughter and we sure did live in the sunshine.

THE hand stand expert in the pool,

Momma