Let's Get Creative

This is a re-post of the 'Name SonInLawToBe' because we need more suggestions!



With GRADUATION under our belts, it's time to focus on a wedding!

Most of you know that these two became engaged a couple of weeks ago on May 3.

Most of you also know that Breezy is already married and her hubby's nickname is BestSonInLawEVER. Which, as hindsight often goes, was probably not the best thinking on my part. You know, having four daughters and all.

So now, I find myself faced with coming up with SonInLawToBe's nickname. Easy? Maybe.

In other families. But not ours.

In all honesty, the lovelies call the relationship between the two 'boys' a bromance.

That being said, BestSonInLawEVER does not want any future sons-in-law to have a name that one-ups his.

SonInLawToBe wants to one-up BestSonInLawEVER.

Don't worry. It's ok, as it really is all in good fun. HOWEVER, the nickname for the new son-in-law has to be good. Clever. Just right.

So, I put it up to y'all, my most delightfully creative, funny, clever bloggy buddies.

Your assignment, should you decide to accept it, is to come up with a nickname for the son-in-law to be.

Their newest 'thing' is photo bombing---here's BestSonInLawEVER who wants to pick the winner.

Here's SonInLawToBe, who wants to pick the winner.

I'm thinking the lovelies and I will pick the winner.

After all, the winds of hormonal stasis remains in the direction of the feminine.

There will be a prize for the winner to be disclosed at a later date!

I'm thinking I'll run this for at least one week.

Just leave your idea(s) (Yep, you can have more than one!) in the comment section!

[Facebook followers can leave their ideas on Facebook!]

No Pressure- It's the Hodge Podge!

Wednesday. They sure seem to come along quickly. But that's ok because today, I'm not at school!

That's right! I took the day off to spend with DoodleBug since she leaves for a three week trip to Europe tomorrow morning! Which is really THIS morning since I'm a day late posting this.

I just decided to spend the day totally focused on DoodleBug and not on the computer--so, I had this ready, I just didn't get it posted. It was a good decision! She's off to Stuttgart right now as I type this!

1. May is National Blood Pressure Month...what sends yours soaring, either literally or figuratively? What calms you down? When did you last have your bp checked? The husband is usually the culprit when my pressure soars. Music and a wonderful friend and the lovelies and Tucker can always calm me right down. It's been a while since I had it checked but it was just right.

2. You just found $1-what do you spend it on? How about 10$ 100? $1 would go into the change box at home or my top desk drawer at school. And it would just sit there with the rest of them. $10 would probably just be handed over to DoodleBug since she's living at home again and never seems to have any money. $100--hmmmm...hand that over to DoodleBug too. So she would have enough to bring me back my Christmas ornaments from the 4 countries she will be visiting. :)

3. Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food has been proposed, but not enacted in the US. How much attention do you give food labels before you buy? Are you in favor of labeling if it means an increase in food prices? Is this an issue you've been following and feel strongly about, or is this the first you've heard of the controversy? I know about it. And I have a very strong opinion about it. I won't get on my soapbox here but- I don't care about the cost--foods should be labeled! And, as far as those big corporations that genetically modify our food? To the gallows with the lot of them.

4. May 15th marks the birthdate of Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz. At this point in time, are you more in need of brains, courage, heart, or a trip back home? Explain. Courage. I think. Yep, probably courage.

5. "There's no place like home" is an oft repeated line from Baum's book. When was the last time you felt the truth of that statement? I don't know about the last time but, I always feel that way after I've been riding in the car from visiting those who live 3-5 hours away. I can't imagine how it's going to be going to DC this summer. Nine hours in the car! At least it's with Bestie and not the husband. LOL

6.  Steak...yes please or no thank you? What cut do you prefer and how do you like yours cooked? Sauce or no sauce? Besides your own kitchen, where's a place you like to go to get a great steak? Rarely, if ever, do I eat steak. If I do, it has to be from grass fed beef and no sauce. I don't like to eat out because I'm never quite sure where they get the food they serve.

7. When was the last time you were in a genuine hurry? Yesterday morning on the way to school. Because I was just sitting there chatting with DoodleBug and totally forgot that I have car duty on Tuesdays! Yikes!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.Don't forget to go right here and give me your ideas for SonInLawToBe's new nickname!

What's In A Name?

With GRADUATION under our belts, it's time to focus on a wedding!

Most of you know that these two became engaged a couple of weeks ago on May 3.

Most of you also know that Breezy is already married and her hubby's nickname is BestSonInLawEVER. Which, as hindsight often goes, was probably not the best thinking on my part. You know, having four daughters and all.

So now, I find myself faced with coming up with SonInLawToBe's nickname. Easy? Maybe.

In other families. But not ours.

In all honesty, the lovelies call the relationship between the two 'boys' a bromance.

That being said, BestSonInLawEVER does not want any future sons-in-law to have a name that one-ups his.

SonInLawToBe wants to one-up BestSonInLawEVER.

Don't worry. It's ok, as it really is all in good fun. HOWEVER, the nickname for the new son-in-law has to be good. Clever. Just right.

So, I put it up to y'all, my most delightfully creative, funny, clever bloggy buddies.

Your assignment, should you decide to accept it, is to come up with a nickname for the son-in-law to be.

Their newest 'thing' is photo bombing---here's BestSonInLawEVER who wants to pick the winner.

Here's SonInLawToBe, who wants to pick the winner.

I'm thinking the lovelies and I will pick the winner.

After all, the winds of hormonal stasis remains in the direction of the feminine.

There will be a prize for the winner to be disclosed at a later date!

I'm thinking I'll run this for at least one week.

Just leave your idea(s) (Yep, you can have more than one!) in the comment section!

[Facebook followers can leave their ideas on Facebook!]

The Graduation

It came. And it went.

And the littlest bit is a college graduate!

The pre-graduation festivities included a recognition ceremony followed by a reception.

With favorite professors---

And besties--- the young lady on the left, Jesse, and DoodleBug have been together since they were two years old. They've gone all the way through school together and both graduated with degrees in Early Childhood Education. And Jesse? During those early, preschool years, she battled cancer.

Just look at her now!

And grandparents---

The day of started with some standing in line.

Followed by some more standing in line---

Followed by a little more standing in line---

Until we finally arrived at the entrance to the Cistern---

The standing in line took about 35 minutes and, when we got inside and secured seats, there was slightly less than an hour before the pomp and circumstance was to begin.

So, I looked around. And, because it's Charleston, I saw hats---

Bermuda shorts and bow ties---

Seersucker suits--though I've never seen a woman in Charleston wear one...she must be a lawyer. Or just not from around here.

And blue jeans---she's probably not from around here either.

Here's DoodleBug's banner---

And DoodleBug entering the Cistern--the girls wear white dresses and carry red roses. The guys wear tuxes with white jackets and red rose boutineers. This is a tradition passed down from YEARS ago. As is walking across the Cistern. No one dare walks across until graduation.

The Cistern was originally military barracks that were made into rooms for the college soon after it's founding. The Cistern Yard was fenced in about 40-50 years after it's founding and remains the core of the campus to this day.

And, to graduating seniors, it's like stepping on sacred ground.

And graduating---

WooHoo!

Afterwards, we took pictures. Shocker, right?

Two sisters couldn't be with us this weekend (you know, jobs and all that) but Birdie and almost-son-in-law were there. Being silly. As usual.

Happy Mother's Day to ME!

Friends since high school---

 Friends through college--

Some of you might remember DoodleBug's friend who took her own life nearly two years ago. You can read about it HERE.

Her parents had a plaque made in her memory and her friends asked that it be placed in front of her favorite tree on campus---

A few of those closest to her wanted a picture there. On this most special day. That would have included her.

And no. They weren't sad, really. It was more bittersweet.

They just wanted to make her a part of it the best way they knew how.

I love those kids.

Of course, no special day is complete without family humor--- and DoodleBug stepped up to the plate--

And that was our day downtown. In the Holy City---

Happy Mother's Day, y'all!

Just Give Me Some Hodge Podge

Today is my Thursday! Tomorrow is my Friday!


And, on Saturday, my baby graduates from college. Wow! How did THAT happen?


Good thing I have the Hodge Podge to keep me grounded!

1. When the children of today grow up, what do you think they'll say about this period in time? What do you most hope they remember? I'm not sure what they'll remember but it'll probably be related to technology. I hope they remember everything they learned about recycling from the tiniest to the largest. And I hope they realize that that sense of entitlement they walked around with is, in actuality, nonexistent. 

2. National Teacher's Day is celebrated in the US of A on the first Tuesday in May, this year May 7th...share how a particular teacher positively impacted you. I really only remember one teacher who had a positive impact. She was my high school sociology teacher. She might be the reason I double majored in college with sociology and psychology. Who knows? That was sooooo long ago.

3. What's a dish your mama made, that if set in front of you today would whisk you right back to childhood? Several things BUT I'm going with her twice baked potatoes. Lordie but I LOVED those things! I still do, I just don't eat potatoes now. We had them every Sunday lunch after church with a roast and veggies and homemade bread and sweet tea and...I'm so hungry now.                                                                      
4. Mother May I was a game we played when I was growing up...no pieces, parts, or plugs required. What games from childhood do you remember loving that were also pieces, parts, and plug-free? FREEZE TAG was my favorite. We also played football, softball, pickle (loved that one too), Tarzan--which means we swung from the trees on vines which was crazy but a lot of fun. 

5. Besides your own mother, tell us about a woman who influenced you as a child? Aunt Betty. You can read about her here.

6. Mamma Mia! What's the best play or musical you've ever seen? Oh, girl. I do NOT do musicals. Or plays. They bore me to tears. The only ones I've ever gone to after the first one were the ones that Birdie had parts in---of those, it's probably "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Musicals? I like a few that I watch on TCM. But I can always walk away from the parts I don't like.

7. What are three smells that make you feel nostalgic? Fresh cut grass in the summer; summer rain; fresh baked bread.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.The only thoughts going through my head right now are ones of helping plan Birdie's wedding and watching DoodleBug graduate Saturday! And DoodleBug's trip to Europe next week! There's just not room for thoughts of anything else right now-- LOL

Have a great rest of the week and a Happy Mother's Day weekend!