Big Leather Couch

Hey y'all..hope you had a great weekend...mine certainly was.

Mom and dad arrived mid-afternoon on Thursday and we had a wonderful visit that evening along with pasta and wine. This pot of gravy really turned out well...and the meatballs were outstanding.

Friday morning after I got back from the gym, we hopped in the car and after a stop at COSCO for two beautiful london broils, we headed for Nancy's. Introductions were made and After I got the london broil's into a marinade and some small talk exchanged we got back in the car and headed for the The Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, a wonderful facility where, in addition to other things, they band hummingbirds that come their way while making their migration to Central America and Mexico.

We watched as they measured, recorded and banded the birds and listened to the volunteers discuss the birds and their migration patterns. It really was interesting and I got a few pictures which I will be sharing over the next few days.

COUCH NOTE: On Saturday I left my camera and Nancy's at her house and we did not get together Sunday, so I am going tonight to pick them up.

We skipped the snake and bat exhibits. We were going to take a ride through the facility on the wagons they have but the skies were dark and foreboding and we were all getting hungry, so we got back in the car and Nancy called Uncle Lou's and pre-ordered a whole chicken for us.

Unfortunately, pictures of that visit are not available. I had forgotten a second roll of film and Nancy's digital camera had run out of juice (YES, I know we have to plan better next time!).

When we arrived we were greeted and ordered up our sides - fried okra, french fries, onion rings and corn niblets (similar to corn fritters, but little nugget bites). As I was paying the lady said "Oh yeah, I recognize the pretty lady you are with from when you were here last time." My response "What, you don't remember me too?!?!" LOL

Our food came and we dug in. There was silence for while due to our enjoying the meal. We checked their map on the wall and saw there was already a push-pin showing visitors from Boynton Beach (where Mom and Dad live) had visited, so it was not necessary to add another.

When we were done, we all knew we would not be eating any dinner later that evening...we were totally satisfied and there was nary a bite left of the food.

We then headed back to my apartment where Nancy got to view the video my sister, brother and I put together for Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary four years ago and also the video from my brother and SIL's 25th Anniversary. She really enjoyed it - seeing all the family members and hearing stories of them all.

Nancy's youngest son is the manager for the varsity football team (and back-up quarterback for the freshman team) and her oldest plays French Horn in the band. There was a game that night and we talked about going, but Mom and Dad opted out. I drove Nancy back to her place and she sent me back to be with mom and dad.

On Saturday afternoon Mom, Dad and I drove down to Nancy's where Mom and Dad got to meet both of the boys.

We sat outside and had some cocktails as it was a glorious day. Ole Miss was on the TV and dad began to root for them along with Nancy's boys and was truly disappointed when they lost on a last second field goal. The younger son Peter was funny when dad asked why he did not seem so disappointed and he responded "I am used to it after the last three years."

I cranked up the grill and put the steaks on along with roasting bags loaded with sliced potatoes with fresh rosemary out of Nancy's garden.

When all was ready we sat down to a great meal that also included corn on the cob, baby portobello mushrooms with garlic and a coating of bread crumbs (one of Mom's specialties) and roasted garlic artisan bread. The talk never lingered and mom and dad truly enjoyed the company of both boys.

Dessert was banana pudding and strawberry shortcakes that we had bought at Lou's the day before. When we were done we did a cleanup and then Mom, Dad and I headed out arriving home sometime around 8:00pm, just as I received a test message from the wonderful Turnbaby" asking if I was home. I dialed her number and she and Brad were just leaving the Kentucky game and were looking for an update on the Florida State game! LOL..

Then it was time for some sleep. Yesterday morning at about 6:45am, Mom and Dad pulled away from Casa Marini - Memphis for the last two days on the road, heading home. We had watched the track of Ike all weekend and had made plans for them to stay if he had headed up the coast of Florida.

Once they left I fell back to sleep for a while and then began doing the sheets and towels and other laundry that had accumulated over the weekend. With ym mini washer and dryer it took most of the day!

I also spent yesterday watching some football and tracking my three fantasy teams. All three are still up for grabs as I write this, but two of my three teams in my Survivor Pool made it through which is great - Denver is the third team for this week, so hoping they also make it through.

It was an incredibly wonderful visit with Mom and Dad, but way too short. In the end, they now know why Nancy has won my heart and is such an important part of my life and it was wonderful to watch them hug and kiss as we left Nancy's on Saturday.

Thanks again for your votes in the music poll on Friday.

I received this lovely away from Kimmie over at Pretty Amazing Grace. She is a lovely woman from Buffalo who must be very happy after her Bills won yesterday. THANK YOU KIMMIE!

Closed my eyes and picked this one out for today...New Riders Of the Purple Sage at the Fillmore East April 26, 1971 with a wonderful song originally done by The Band