Sunday ramblings.

Yesterday ended up being just a great mellow day, after all. I swam out my "pity party" attitude at the pool. It was just the ticket. Came home. Got dry. Took a nap.

Mr. Macho took me on a date last evening. We ate at Oby's in Starkvegas. Then we went to view the movie, "Free State of Jones". I did not have high expectations. Yet. I kind of enjoyed the movie. If you wish to see it, do not expect a rousing dramatic ending. The main character doesn't ride off heroically into the sunset. What the movie has done is whet my appetite to learn more about the main character and my own home state. I drive right through that very county every time I go to the coast to visit family. I even stop at a gas station right there in Ellisville.

My nasty little cough keeps on hanging on. I have been through the round of antibiotics. Finished the prescribed cough medicine. And still I have that deep rattle in the chest. I will resort to Robitusin.

This morning we slept late. Ahh. Took a long walk before breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast, and our very own tomatoes out the garden in our backyard. It was so good. We went to late mass then helped stuff bags to hand out at the local soup kitchen.

Mr. Macho is sitting with his dad in the nursing home this afternoon. I will go up for a visit in a little bit. Then do a small run to the grocery store. Gotta cut up the obligatory watermelon this afternoon. Gonna pick up some corn on the cob. Already thawing the leg quarters for the bbq tomorrow.

My only little sister has a birthday today. (57, but who is counting?)

I hear fire crackers going off in the neighborhood. It is mighty dry. I hope the parent's of those whippersnappers are keeping watch.

Happy 4th of July, y'all.
Namaste.

Hello July.

New month. New attitude. Well. Not really new. Just trying to improve the old. And. Hold on to peaceful thoughts. 

Mr. Macho had the alarm set for 5:30 this morning. It is Saturday. I know. Bummer. He needed to get to his dad's house early so he could get the yard work done before the blazing heat was upon us. He got away from here pretty early and I joined him after I got a few things done. 

It was hot work. It got done. We both took breaks. Drank water. And sweated. A lot. We came home for some lunch. After we digest that for a while we are going to jump in the YMCA pool for a few minutes. 

Hoping to go to a movie tonight. This is a low key 4th of July. I kinda miss all the hoopla that used to go on around our house when I was growing up. It seemed like there were always cousins around for the  4th of July. Always a cook out. Always beach going activity. Always fireworks. Always. 

And now. Nothing. No salt water. No fishing rodeo. No crowded house. No fireworks. Land bound. That's what this is. I am waxing nostalgic for a coastline. 

I guess I can put on some Jimmy Buffet. That might help. I do have a swim suit on as I type this. That's something. 

Be sweet. 

Swim, dammit.

Only my children will get the

 title reference.

20+ laps at the YMCA this morning. I usually have the pool all to myself. Only my faithful lifeguard, Haley, to witness. These last two mornings the water has been tepid. It makes getting in easy. Today was cloudy. The laps got easier the more I did. I lost count at least twice. I know it was 20. Probably 22. The legs may be jelly by the end of the day. And. That is okay.

***

Father-in-law is back in the nursing home swing bed. Hoping for continued improvement. 

*****

My friend, Barbara, has found out she has a brain tumor. Right now she is very, "I am going to keep working. OhbythewayIhaveatumor." She sees a specialist in Birmingham on Thursday. I am concerned. She is, too. She hides it well.

Lunch with most of my girls today. One of us is in Florida at her summer home. Two of us bickered via text last night as to where we would lunch. Whew. 

Just goes to show you, Beevus, it's always something. 

*

Namaste.

Hot birthdays!

The weekend is a continuation of the sweltering that has been happening all week. Yesterday we left town and drove south to celebrate Out-of-Town-Son's birthday. And. The first birthday of his daughter, Cecilia. It was jus right with plenty of aunts, uncles, and even more cousins to make it a special occasion. Water fun, hamburgers, and cake were enjoyed by the crowd. 

Sweet Cc sported a fancy hair bow to match her tutu. And a cake goatee. 

She had much fun "opening" the presents. Paper. Bags. Cards. Who needed toys? Not this girl. Though she was pretty fascinated with a monkey on wheels that lit up and rolled itself if you pressed the button on it's head.

It is hard to believe that she is one year old today. The time has flown. And she is eating some regular foods and will be walking any minute now. She is still a most happy baby girl. And loves being around her cousins. 

Constant motion. Immeasurable joy.

***

Father-in-law has been in hospital since Monday. Some very slight improvement. Numbers are better. Appetite a tiny bit better. 

*****

Just waiting for a break in the weather this week. Hoping for relief. 

Namaste. 

Winding it down.

Arceneaux Reunion 2016.

This is how the week started...

Sipping cool beverages on the balcony of Triple Tails in The Bay. Waiting on another is sister to arrive. Enjoying the breeze. Shooting the breeze. Getting fired up about seeing so much family.

Finding fun shops. Tucker didn't want to, but ended up being a good sport and spotting some cool old stuff. 

Had to try on the bling hats with Daughter. We did buy one necessity in this shop. A wine opener for a buck and a half. 

Most excellent fun running into aunt and two cousins in Bay St. Louis. 

Elder statesmen of the family. Aunt Bobbye, Mom, Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Johnny, Aunt Jean and Uncle Andre, and Aunt Patti. The love that this generation has for each other and all the love that they have passed on to my generation is immeasurable and astounding. 

First cousins that were present in chronological order. Three first cousins are deceased. (Andre, Harvey, Jeanette) Five could not be with us.  (Keenie, Meg, Donelle, Guy, and Jim) Those present, in order, Stephanie, Lynn, Paulette, P.G., John Harry, Denise, Michael, Mary Pat, Butch, Katie, Marsha, Robert, Rick, Mimi, Jolie, Nancy,

Jamie, Bianca, Alice, Jay, Amanda, Vivian, Angelique, Peter, Ellen, John, Andre, Judy, Jeff, Nanette, and Sean.

 

Four generations: Mom, me, my children and two of my grandchildren.

Mr. Macho on a long beach bike ride. Every day we walked and/or biked, and swam.

This is what beach vacation looks like. 

Last shopping day and Merritt was dazzled by the sparkly things. She so wanted to buy her cousins some presents!

And so. We wind down with more visits with the local relatives and most of the out-of-towners have reached their homes. Texts are coming in as they pull into their drive ways. 

Mr. Macho and I are going to put our toes in the sand this evening and walk to a local watering hole for some beverage and a light supper. The lights will get turned off early tonight. 

The week has had ups ad downs. Mostly ups. And the memory will become sweet in the telling.

Peace. 

Things to be happy about.

1. Being on vacation.
2. Having an awesome vacation house.
3. Having grandchildren around with you on vacation.
4. Whiskey.
5. Having a pool right out your back door.
6. Whiskey.
7. Having a daughter that will totally get this post.

Day 1 - swim laps.

I aimed for 12 laps. Said I would be happy with 10. (Set the bar low and see what happens.) I swam 13. It. Felt. Great. I love lap swim. Just so you know.

Been going strong this week. Tuesday we celebrated (late) Nina's birthday. My girls took a day trip to Oxford. Day trippin'. (Like the way that sounds.) Ate lunch at City Grocery. Ran into my old caterer at the bookstore on the square. Ibby suggested a book and I bought it, "Dispatches From Pluto" by Richard Grant. She guaranteed laughs. I also purchased "Watermark" by a boy from myveryown hometown, Michael Hewes. (Mr. Macho always pronounces it 'hee-wees' but it is actually 'hughes'.) Anyways. I am set for good vacation reading. Soon as I finish this book I bought while visiting Mom..."The Burden of Proof" by Scott Turow. I am enjoying not reading any classics. Glad I am off that band wagon.

Visited with father-in-law for a little while yesterday. He was awake. He had been to PT and ate a very small amount of lunch. He didn't fall directly to sleep when they finally got him in the bed. I hope it is a good sign that he is more wakeful.

Ramping up for the family reunion/vacation next week. Sunscreen. Big bottles of wine. What else do I need?

If your flip flop falls off, don't stop to pick it up.
You know what I'm talking about. You coasties.
Beach life.
Peace.