Decoration Day~~

Decoration Day---anyone else remember it being called that? My grandmother always called it that--I guess cause it's the day to "decorate" graves.

It's raining here--wouldn't be Memorial Day if there was no rain! For years upon years, we spent Memorial Day at the lake (hey, we built boats!), and it always, ALWAYS rained. Which brought on the Memorial Day Card Game Marathons. Always played the same game---Liverpool Rummy. I still like that game. And you can not imagine how competitive my family of in-laws are about this game. Especially the more they imbibbed!!! We always had a good time, and lots and lots and lots to eat!!!

So today, we are not going to the lake---no more boats you know!! But we are having the whole fam-damily over for a cookout. Rain or no rain. We're going to grill everything but the cobbler and potatoes! We'll have pork roast, salmon, hot dogs, hamburgers, asparagus, zucchini, onion, corn on the cob--all cooked on the grill! As there will be limited room (!), the baked potatoes (idaho & sweet) will go in the oven. As well as the fresh blueberry cobbler!!! Oh, and the cornbread!!! Come on over---there will be plenty!!!

I haven't been to the cemetery. I really, really DO NOT like to go. But this year I may. I have already made reference to my brother & hubby's brother who were the same age---and they are both there, at the same cemetery. Along with grandparents, uncles, etc. All at the same cemetery--did I mention we have lived in the same town all our lives? And so did my parents, and grandparents. Big Daddy's family lived only a few miles up the road in a little community that is now almost deserted. So, we don't have far to go. I really don't like to go. Mainly cause I think we should honor those we love while they are living--hence the family affair today. I know, I know, there are graves to be decorated, and honored, but it seems so "after the fact". I prefer my family spend that extra few minutes with me NOW, not when I'm not there to enjoy their company!!!

On a lighter note---hmmmm, what can I say that will change the mood? Oh, I know!! I finished the Sunday crossword puzzle yesterday without cheating!!! Wow --- I love doing this! Makes me feel soooo smart!!! It's written that working crossword puzzles stimulates the brain, and keeps your neurons snapping! So, I'm practicing for old age!! ha ha ha ha

And on an even lighter note---I have taken this week off from work!!!!~ I had a vacation day, and 3 personal days left, so I'm putting them to good use--for my own selfish intentions!!! If there is one thing I have learned later in life, it is that there is never enough time devoted to self. Days, weeks, months are filled with obligations of work (which must be had to pay the bills--you thought I LIKED working?????), services for others and betterment of mankind, and not enough time for self!!! So, one of my mid-year (Memorial Day) resolutions is---play a little, sleep a little more, do what one wants to do a little more. I don't think, lying on my transition to heaven bed, I'll be thinking---gee, I really should have gone into work and left all the good times of self service undone; wish I had written one more grant, cleaned the desk one more time, spent extra time at the office one more day!!! Nope, I'm going to remember putting my feet up, splashing in puddles with Hank, and just wasting time! I'm feeling a "channeling" of Jimmy Buffet!

Wouldn't you like to be a Jimmy Buffet song? Wastin away in Margaritaville!!! I am ready to be a gypsy---a free spirit----a hippie revisited----

But for now, I'm going to fix lunch and clean the bathrooms!!! Wastin away in Pinesolville!!!

All of you have a great day--take a nap for me! And waste some time. Memorialze play!