Tuesday, October 21, 2014
BLOG CATCH-UP SINCE WE'VE BEEN BACK "HOME"!!
OCT 22 - THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES TOOK PLACE THIS PAST SUMMER AFTER WE LEFT FLORIDA. THEY ARE POSTED IN THE ORDER THEY OCCURRED, BEGINNING WITH MY GRANDSON MICHAEL'S GRADUATION AND ENDING WITH MY GRANDSON JASON'S MARRIAGE TO JENNY!!
GRANDSON MICHAEL GRADUATES FROM UNC!! HURRAH!!!
Back to Sat. May 10 - After going to the big Fernandina Beach Shrimp Festival in Florida, but before the Ken and Faye Ewbank Pickleball Court dedication on Labor Day weekend, we stayed in Raleigh for several days for the big occasion of my Grandson Michael's graduation!!! Michael aspires to be an 8th Grade Math Teacher -- one of the best. Upon graduation from high school, Michael received a Teaching Fellows Scholarship from UNC and had four marvelous years of education and fun at that University.
On Saturday, May 10, 2014, he graduated from The University of North Carolina, and the whole family was there!!
Michael receiving his degree. Although we were sitting in great seats, we were not sitting in the best seats for taking pictures. Some of the graduates stood further forward and that would have been great, but Michael stood back a little and I almost missed him!! CONGRATULATIONS, MICHAEL upon receiving your degree, !!
He's so proud!! We are all so proud!!
More family: Uncle, my son Barry; Grandfather Don, my Ex; Michael; and Aunt Diane, Don's sister.
And - Here we are with the Graduate!!
After the graduation we all gathered at Jason and his fiancee Jenny's townhouse for a cookout and party. Here Jenny and Jason surprise me with a Grandmother's day card! Jason is the tattoo artist who gave me my green butterfly tattoo! You might notice the young couple's tattoos!
In the backyard there were games of Corn Hole!! The two young guys won that game and son Barry challenged the winners with me as his partner!! That was really a challenge!! The Young Guns were leading, then Barry with his skill was able to catch up. At the end of the game, it was I who threw the corn bag right into the hole!! Three points!! We won!!! Unbelievable!!!
The girls showing off our painted toe nails!!! (I need Mark with his special programs to airbrush my cellulite!!)
Michael received graduation gifts -- from his Dad and Mom!!
A "Pot of Gold" (Gold Dollar Pieces) from his Grandmother and Ken!
A gift from his Uncle Barry!
And from Jenny and Jason!
A touching moment at the end of the evening.
We are all sooooo proud of you Michael!! Congratulations!!
On Saturday, May 10, 2014, he graduated from The University of North Carolina, and the whole family was there!!
Michael receiving his degree. Although we were sitting in great seats, we were not sitting in the best seats for taking pictures. Some of the graduates stood further forward and that would have been great, but Michael stood back a little and I almost missed him!! CONGRATULATIONS, MICHAEL upon receiving your degree, !!
He's so proud!! We are all so proud!!
Family picture: Dad Gene, Michael, Mother my daughter Stasia, and Brother Jason!
More family: Uncle, my son Barry; Grandfather Don, my Ex; Michael; and Aunt Diane, Don's sister.
And - Here we are with the Graduate!!
After the graduation we all gathered at Jason and his fiancee Jenny's townhouse for a cookout and party. Here Jenny and Jason surprise me with a Grandmother's day card! Jason is the tattoo artist who gave me my green butterfly tattoo! You might notice the young couple's tattoos!
In the backyard there were games of Corn Hole!! The two young guys won that game and son Barry challenged the winners with me as his partner!! That was really a challenge!! The Young Guns were leading, then Barry with his skill was able to catch up. At the end of the game, it was I who threw the corn bag right into the hole!! Three points!! We won!!! Unbelievable!!!
The girls showing off our painted toe nails!!! (I need Mark with his special programs to airbrush my cellulite!!)
Michael received graduation gifts -- from his Dad and Mom!!
A "Pot of Gold" (Gold Dollar Pieces) from his Grandmother and Ken!
A gift from his Uncle Barry!
And from Jenny and Jason!
A touching moment at the end of the evening.
We are all sooooo proud of you Michael!! Congratulations!!
VISIT TO RALEIGH, NC -- MICHAEL'S GRADUATION PLUS!!
Sun, May 11 - While we were in Raleigh, the main event, of course, was my grandson Michael's graduation from UNC on Saturday. But, we had a lot of time for other family events!!
Sunday was Mother's Day!! My family treated Ken and me to a wonderful brunch on Sunday morning!!
Ken, Mother of the Day, Barry, Stasia, and Gene.
Modeling the beautiful scarf that Stasia gave me on the occasion!
I also had an opportunity to observe Grandson Thomas during his Equestrian lessons!
The riding lessons were quickly followed by Thomas' orchestra concert at his school (no pictures), after which we enjoyed Gelato at a local Parlour (my first).
On Monday, our last day in Raleigh, Barry joined us for a movie at the nearby Cinema ($2.25/pp), after which we picked Thomas up and went out for delicious Mexican!!
It was a great time in Raleigh!! Loved spending time with the family again!!
Sunday was Mother's Day!! My family treated Ken and me to a wonderful brunch on Sunday morning!!
Ken, Mother of the Day, Barry, Stasia, and Gene.
Modeling the beautiful scarf that Stasia gave me on the occasion!
I also had an opportunity to observe Grandson Thomas during his Equestrian lessons!
The riding lessons were quickly followed by Thomas' orchestra concert at his school (no pictures), after which we enjoyed Gelato at a local Parlour (my first).
On Monday, our last day in Raleigh, Barry joined us for a movie at the nearby Cinema ($2.25/pp), after which we picked Thomas up and went out for delicious Mexican!!
It was a great time in Raleigh!! Loved spending time with the family again!!
FAMILY FUN AT DEBBIE AND JEFF'S PLACE AT THE RIVAH!!
July 7 - 9 - My daughter Stasia had made plans to come and visit us while we were at Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay. She mentioned that she would like for us to go and visit her cousin (my niece) Debbie who has a home on Lancaster Creek off the Rappahannock River. Sounded like a great idea to me. So, we made plans to spend a couple of days with Debbie and her husband Jeff. When my son Barry found out that we were going to the Rivah, he wanted to join us, too!!
Sidebar: When my children were growing up, my aunt GG and her husband Slick owned a home on Lancaster Creek off the Rappahannock. Frequently during the summer, I would pile the kids into the car and we would take off to spend the weekend on the Rivah at their home. In fact, my whole family -- mother, father, brothers, sisters -- would all crash at GG's place. Anyway, Stasia and Barry had many fond memories of our times at the river -- swimming, sailing, games we played, foods we ate, etc. In her elder years, my aunt sold her place and we have not been back in the area for years. As it turned out, a few years ago, my niece Debbie and her husband bought a home just down the road from GG's place. So, my kids were anxious to visit them to recapture some of the old memories!
We spent one morning canoeing the creek. Not the same as sailing, but it was a lot of fun!! Ended up capsized!!
Had lots of fun playing in the creek again! No Stinging Nettles yet!!
My brother and sisters also came to visit while we were there! Back Row: Debbie, Stasia, Faye, Sister Jean. Front Row: Barry, Sister Beryle (Debbie's Mother), Brother Chip. Fun family time again!
Enjoying lunch!
Martha has nothing on Debbie who has been putting our names on Solo Cups for years!!!
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Thanks Debbie and Jeff for your great southern hospitality!!!
Sidebar: When my children were growing up, my aunt GG and her husband Slick owned a home on Lancaster Creek off the Rappahannock. Frequently during the summer, I would pile the kids into the car and we would take off to spend the weekend on the Rivah at their home. In fact, my whole family -- mother, father, brothers, sisters -- would all crash at GG's place. Anyway, Stasia and Barry had many fond memories of our times at the river -- swimming, sailing, games we played, foods we ate, etc. In her elder years, my aunt sold her place and we have not been back in the area for years. As it turned out, a few years ago, my niece Debbie and her husband bought a home just down the road from GG's place. So, my kids were anxious to visit them to recapture some of the old memories!
We spent one morning canoeing the creek. Not the same as sailing, but it was a lot of fun!! Ended up capsized!!
Had lots of fun playing in the creek again! No Stinging Nettles yet!!
My brother and sisters also came to visit while we were there! Back Row: Debbie, Stasia, Faye, Sister Jean. Front Row: Barry, Sister Beryle (Debbie's Mother), Brother Chip. Fun family time again!
Enjoying lunch!
There is always plenty to eat and drink at Debbie's!! After I returned home, I noticed this article in Martha Stewart Magazine. A great idea to print or tape the names of guests on their cups!!
Martha has nothing on Debbie who has been putting our names on Solo Cups for years!!!
Thanks Debbie and Jeff for your great southern hospitality!!!
THE HOUSE I GREW UP IN!!
Fri, Jul 25 - Speaking of old memories, Ken and I recently drove by the house I grew up in on Warwick Road, Richmond, VA. I could hardly recognize the place. The old homestead used to be on a small country road with a good sized front yard all around and a big persimmon tree near the road. Now it sits right up on a wide two-lane road with median. Took up a lot of the front yard and the persimmon tree to make room for the roadway.
We were pleased to see that the place seems to be well taken care of. It must be about 100 years old now!!! HA HA!!
We were pleased to see that the place seems to be well taken care of. It must be about 100 years old now!!! HA HA!!
ASHLAND STREET PARTY!
Sat, Aug 16 - My kids Stasia and Barry were coming up from North Carolina to Richmond to visit their father Don for the weekend. He plays in a band that was performing at the Ashland Street Party on Saturday night. We were staying at the Elk's Lodge in the Richmond area. I asked Ken's daughter Stacey if she would like to drive me over to the party. Even though that was not her kind of thing, she was good enough to say"Yes".
The group performing: Kind Edward and the BD's. Don is on Sax, second from the right.
The beautiful people in front of the crowd are my family!! Stasia's husband Gene, Stasia, Me, Barry, Stacey and Don's son Cable. We all had a great time!(Note Kenny Rogers is in the crowd. His head just above my hat!) The blonde (far right) later came over and asked Barry to dance!
I messed up all of our dancing pictures, and I don't know how this happened, but Barry and I made the Ashland News as a result of being at the Street Party. Check out this website. http://issuu.com/mechlocal/docs/201410910rsma You will have to arrow through a few pages to get to our picture on Page 16. "Ashland Rocks Out With Kind Edward and The BDs". Sometimes the website is a little slow to respond.
Had a great time at the Ashland Street Party!!
The group performing: Kind Edward and the BD's. Don is on Sax, second from the right.
The beautiful people in front of the crowd are my family!! Stasia's husband Gene, Stasia, Me, Barry, Stacey and Don's son Cable. We all had a great time!(Note Kenny Rogers is in the crowd. His head just above my hat!) The blonde (far right) later came over and asked Barry to dance!
I messed up all of our dancing pictures, and I don't know how this happened, but Barry and I made the Ashland News as a result of being at the Street Party. Check out this website. http://issuu.com/mechlocal/docs/201410910rsma You will have to arrow through a few pages to get to our picture on Page 16. "Ashland Rocks Out With Kind Edward and The BDs". Sometimes the website is a little slow to respond.
Had a great time at the Ashland Street Party!!
FUN ON THE RIVER WITH KAREN AND DENNIS, LOIS AND GENE
Wed-Thur - Aug 27-28 - We spent a couple of fun days with our friends Karen and Dennis at their beautiful home on a creek off the Great Wicomico River. Other friends Gene and Lois were there too. All of us used to play tennis together years and years and years ago!! It's always fun to spend time with this group. Being on the Rivah is a bonus!!
Dennis took us on a boat ride down the river to historic Reedville.
Gene, Karen and Ken ride in the stern.
Lois and I helped Dennis pilot the boat! HA HA
We passed a Menhaden boat heading to harbor. "Reedville is home to the fishing industry for Atlantic menhaden, a small oily fish found in great abundance in Mid-Atlantic coastal waters. By some accounts, it is second only to Dutch Harbor, Alaska for the annual quantity of fish brought to port in the United States.[1]
Old smoke stack being renovated.
We passed by Fair Port Marina (now Leadbelly's) where we have enjoyed many delicious soft shelled crab sandwiches.
Lois and Ken enjoy lunch on the screened porch overlooking the creek.
Karen helping me prepare chicken stuffed mini peppers. Note new glasses for Faye. This is the first time you have seen me in glasses since my cataract surgery.
Dennis took us on a boat ride down the river to historic Reedville.
Gene, Karen and Ken ride in the stern.
Lois and I helped Dennis pilot the boat! HA HA
We passed a Menhaden boat heading to harbor. "Reedville is home to the fishing industry for Atlantic menhaden, a small oily fish found in great abundance in Mid-Atlantic coastal waters. By some accounts, it is second only to Dutch Harbor, Alaska for the annual quantity of fish brought to port in the United States.[1]
Old smoke stack being renovated.
Lois and Ken enjoy lunch on the screened porch overlooking the creek.
Karen helping me prepare chicken stuffed mini peppers. Note new glasses for Faye. This is the first time you have seen me in glasses since my cataract surgery.
After lunch we had a competitive game of Ladder Golf. Champions holding the winning strings!!
And then a game of Bocce Ball!!
FUN, FUN, FUN!! Thanks Karen and Dennis for a great time!!
THE BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES AT NC STATE FAIRGROUNDS, RALEIGH
Sep 12 - Once again we are at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh for a few days to go to my grandson Jason's wedding on Saturday . The fairground has a great campground for RVs with several hundred sites. This week they are having a horse show in a different area but this morning the Budweiser Clydesdales were out exercising and walked right through the campground!
Barry and I went down to the stables where the horses were being put through their paces.
Then we stopped by the wash station.
We tried to help wash the horses until the handlers told us we could not stand so close to the horses.
Horse chariots!!
GRANDSON THOMAS - THE EQUESTIAN
On Sunday afternoon while we were in Raleigh, I went with Barry and Thomas out to a beautiful farm where Thomas has Equestian lessons. He is in the Jumper class and is doing very well in the competitions.
Thomas and his horse Willy.
The Instructor, Thomas and Barry with Willy.
And Willy patiently poses with me and Thomas.
Wow!! Great job Thomas!!
Thomas and his horse Willy.
The Instructor, Thomas and Barry with Willy.
And Willy patiently poses with me and Thomas.
GRANDSON JASON AND JENNY'S WEDDING
Sat, Sept 13 - Today my grandson Jason and Jenny were married. We got all dressed up for the occasion.
Faye, Michael, Barry, Stasia and Gene in the church vestibule.
Entering the church sanctuary.
The handsome groom and beautiful bride.
During the ceremony.
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Fields.
It was a wonderful day!! Congratulations Jason and Jenny! #jjallday
Faye, Michael, Barry, Stasia and Gene in the church vestibule.
Entering the church sanctuary.
The handsome groom and beautiful bride.
During the ceremony.
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Fields.
It was a wonderful day!! Congratulations Jason and Jenny! #jjallday
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