Weekend Happenings, Blog Linkage, Quotable Quotes

Good Friday morning!

RANDOMNESS #1 - Josh moved into his apartment near campus this past Monday. I was under the false impression it would be easier the "second time around."

Not so much.


Roxie had a hard few days. Saying good-bye to Taylor Saturday morning and Josh two days later... Well, let's just say The Chick has had better weekends.

Much better.


I'm going to do BEFORE pics this week, and I'll show you AFTER pics when everything is in place.

Josh is in a small, one-bedroom unit. He loves it, and it is just big enough for him and a couple of guests.

His kitchen has everything except a tiny microwave (it's on my Yard Sale list), and he's been cooking a good bit this week. (Scrambled eggs, chicken fingers, oatmeal, etc.) He's breaking out the crock pot the first of next week and trying a small (very small) roast, carrots, potatoes with gravy meal.

Josh learned to cook many, many things at 12, 13 and 14 years of age. He's also becoming quite a good "grill master." It gives me some comfort knowing he will not starve.


You can't take a good picture of the living room area from this corner without getting the entire kitchen in the pic. Again, it's a SMALL, one-bedroom unit.

His cable will not be turned on until Tuesday of next week, but he has a movie collection, X-Box game collection and three books he hasn't started reading yet.

He hasn't missed his cable connection too, too much.


This is the movie/game collection I spoke of above.


Austin enjoyed Granddaddy's recliner for three of his four years in Jacksonville. When Josh asked Austin if he could use the chair this year, I was surprised when he said, "Sure," with absolutely no hesitation.

Not only is it a very comfortable chair, but it was (and is) Granddaddy's chair.

The sales price for this chair is listed as "priceless," and only Harold's six grandchildren will have the option of owning it as time goes by.

I will say, Austin kept the chair in pristine condition. There is nary a spot/stain/pick/hole in this chair.

Josh has been schooled on the importance of keeping the chair in "like new" condition.

Hopefully, he will be up for the task.

As far as how "The Helicopter Mom" in me is doing, the answer is not as good as I would have hoped.

He has to talk to and/or text someone in the house once a day to give us an "I'm Alive" report.

He's coming home Saturday and Sunday to get a few more things and spend some time with us before school starts.

And I am very, very sad.

Not unlike all the other moms out there doing the exact same thing, and feeling the exact same way.

I could just kick myself for not having one or two more kids.

Or Mikie.

I could definitely kick Mikie!

RANDOMNESS #2 - Roxie's new Back-to-School Tradition worked out well.

I surprised her with a little trip to Cahaba Heights, and we shopped at several new stores.

There were only two rules.

I would buy one item from each store for her. (She could buy more with her money if she chose.)

Each item bought had to be something she could use for back-to-school.

That's it.

The only rules.


Serendipity was our first stop. It is one of the nicest stores I've ever visited, and they had some very unique and pretty things to choose from.


I bought the really pretty mossy green sweater, and Roxie purchased the mustard-striped scarf.

Please bear in mind, these are not clothing items she will wear at the same time.


After making those purchases, we walked next door to Fleet Feet, and we were delighted to find a great sale on Nike tennis shoes...

We were over-the-moon when they had the exact shoe she has been wanting...

And then we were beyond devastated when we discovered her foot had grown, and she needed a half size larger... and they didn't have them in that size.

Heavy, heavy sigh.

However, there were Nike shorts on sale and she picked out a great pair of those.


I had thought she might pick out a candle or room accessory at this store, and that is the direction she was heading when she came upon the softest, lightest pajama pants in the world.


Pretty cute, huh?

Please bear in mind, these are not clothing items she will wear at the same time.


We stopped at O'Carrs for lunch, and while I thoroughly enjoyed my FAMOUS Chicken Salad and Fruit Plate (pics will be available Monday), Roxie didn't order very well, and her lunch wasn't quite as spectacular as mine.

Don't worry. She's ready for the "next time."


This is Roxie in all of her back-to-school glory.

Please bear in mind, these are not clothing items she will wear at the same time.

NOTE - We also stopped at Mountain Outfitters (beside Whole Foods) on the way home. She purchased a yellow Southern Marsh t-shirt which is not shown in the above pic.

We didn't think it would add anything to the ensemble!

Quotable Quotes - I love me some Mark Twain.

"Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience." Mark Twain

Blog Linkage - Go to www.kellehampton.com and read yesterday's post entitled "Down Syndrome: Where We Are Now." Nella has Down's Syndrome, and she is three years-old now. Kelle's post is wonderful. She is such a good advocate for this special community, and I wanted to make sure to share her story with y'all today.

Weekend Happenings

1. Mikie and I will be alone tonight. Austin is working. Roxie will be with friends. And Josh... Well, Josh moved away this past week.

But Mikie and I are going to do something fun. I'm not sure what, but I'll figure it out.

2. Saturday evening, we will be taking Austin, Melia, Roxie, Josh and Grandmother out for our annual Back-to-School dinner.

We usually like to try a different restaurant, but I think the general consensus this year is P. F. Chang's.

It's a good choice, I think.

3. After church and Sunday lunch, Roxie and I will be heading out in search of the perfect jean. (Wish me luck!)

Josh will head back to Hanceville late afternoon to get ready for his first day of his Sophomore year at Wallace State.

Roxie will prepare her Monday morning outfit for her first day as a Junior in High School.

And so another fun-filled school year will begin.

I'll have a Summer re-cap on Monday. It was a different Summer, but it was also a good one, too.

Mike's hoping I'll cook something this weekend, so maybe I'll have a new recipe to share Monday morning, also.

Have a lovely weekend. I don't know if the Fall-like temps are going to stay around for awhile, but enjoy them while you can. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your friends. Enjoy worship. In other words, have a really great two days!

Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda