Watch out for those little ghosts and goblins and don’t forget to “fall back” this weekend! I hope you’ll have a chance to do something fun with the hour we gain. 😀
See ya back here on Monday for a brand new giveaway and new questions!
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Category Archives: Circle of Life
We had a very blustery kind of rainstorm here, late last week.
On Saturday morning, I was a little dismayed to wake up and find so many of our beautifully colored leaves had been swept away. The trees are looking very bare.
Last year my daughter was able to get some of the most beautiful foliage photos I’ve ever seen. I think you’ll agree that they’re gorgeous – and well worth a second peek!
To see them, click here for my “Ode to Autumn” post! 😀
Ahhhh, school days – a time when the smallest of infractions could take on legendary proportions!
As I promised yesterday, here are my daughter’s and my own answers for this week’s giveaway question which was . . .
“When was the first time you were in trouble at school? What did you do and what was your punishment?”
My daughter’s story:
In 1st grade: “The Straw-Blowing Incident”
Somehow the lunch lady got the impression (unfounded) that I was going to blow milk through my straw at another student (OK, so maybe I had just playfully blown the straw wrapper off). As a result, I was banned from using a straw for the rest of the year. This was torture enough (have you ever put your lips on those soggy little cartons?), but the killer was how when I was made to stand in the hallway to receive my punishment, the lunch monitor lady asked for my name; and when I said it, she shook her head so sorrowfully and replied, “What a shame, I’ve heard such nice things about you.”
My own tale of woe:
I was in 5th grade and one day a new boy joined the class. He was placed in the seat beside me and he quickly began to wear out his welcome. Every time our teacher, Sister Mary Julia, left the room or looked in another direction, he threw his big rubber eraser at me. It didn’t hurt, but you can imagine how annoying it was! After several days of this, I had finally had it, and one afternoon as soon as the eraser whacked me – I took a deep breath, picked it up and threw it back with gusto. However, this time – the teacher saw it happen!!! She exclaimed how she never in her life would have expected ME – of ALL people – to misbehave in class! She said she was shocked and so VERY disappointed!!! Needless to say, I couldn’t believe my luck! The pain-in-the-neck boy had been pelting me for days, always totally unseen, and the one time I step out of character to bounce the eraser back – I get caught! It taught me a good lesson though…. Life ain’t fair! 😉
Sir Beads-a-Lot and I have an occasion-filled few weeks between the end of July and the end of August. First it’s his birthday, then it’s my birthday, and then it’s our wedding anniversary – all within a four-week span of time!
He’s a very thoughtful guy and I’ve received some wonderful gifts in the 38 years that we’ve been married, but none of them meant more to me than what he came up with for my birthday last month . . .
It’s been a very busy summer this year, and when all of a sudden it seemed as if my birthday was only a few days away, I told him not to fuss – that I didn’t need a gift this time.
He took me at my word – sort of. When he came home from work on my birthday, he put this on the table.
I protested that I didn’t need a gift this year. He answered that it was “just something small”. So I admired it unopened as we ate dinner, and then suddenly a card and a 2-person birthday cake appeared!
The card shows Mickey and Minnie (who have always been our favorites!!!). They’re looking at the stars, arm in arm, and the verse is: ”I thank my lucky stars each night . . .” Well of course I loved that!
If you read this blog, you know that I also love ornaments (See the story here). I was delighted to open the gift and find not only a new ornament but also to discover that it was Mickey and Minnie!
Seeing it immediately brought me back to 1971 – our first Christmas as a married couple and the year we bought our first special glass ornament together. It was a little Mickey Mouse that we found during the Christmastime bustle at a department store in downtown Boston. Ever since then, we carefully put it on the tree each year, and then carefully pack it away after the holidays – it means a lot to us.
So I must give Sir Beads much credit for tying some of my favorite things together with some of our most treasured memories, and creating such a nice surprise for my birthday!
You can probably guess what’s coming next . . .
I just can’t resist! 😉
Birthday Card – a few dollars
Cake – 5 dollars
Hallmark ornament – 16 dollars
Choosing the perfect array of thoughtful birthday gifts for your wife –
Priceless!!!
Sir Beads, if you are reading this, I thank my lucky stars each night, too! 😀
Remember the wedding I mentioned last week?
Well, the photos are in, and you are cordially invited to the marriage of my sweet nephew and his beautiful new bride.
The Happily Ever After begins . . .
The ceremony was lovely.
Even though Tropical Storm “Danny” sent a generous dose of wind and rain to the east coast that weekend, he was not able to dampen spirits. I present the following photo as evidence.
The Groom with his Sisters
The Parents pose with the Wedding Party
The reception was a joyous fun-filled celebration, where the soft glow of lanterns set a romantic mood . . .
We Are Family . . .
There were flowers everywhere and they were absolutely breath-taking. I wish I had taken more pictures of them, especially the huge arrangement in the hallway! It was amazing.
For your dining pleasure . . .
The new “Mr. and Mrs.” glided across the dance floor and somehow inspired the most dancing by guests that I’ve ever seen at a wedding – or at any large gathering for that matter! It was heart-warming to see all ages and generations dancing continuously. Why even Sir Beads and Lady Crystal shook a tail feather or two! 😉
Can I have this dance for the rest of my life?
In the wee hours of the morning, the bride and groom were off on their honeymoon trip. Both are doctors and would need to be back at the hospital on Labor Day!
Leaving on a jet plane . . .
All in all, it was a weekend our entire family will always cherish. We spent quality time together, we realized how lucky we are, and we truly appreciated this special opportunity to shower our love on both the new couple and each other. 😀
May there be a wedding in your future!!