A couple of weeks ago, we went out to eat for Steve’s 69th birthday. I love it when you walk into a restaurant lobby, and it looks like nothing has changed for 70 years–because it hasn’t.
And I always love interesting decor.
Here’s the cheery birthday guy with one of his favorite desserts–tiramisu.
Steve and Nate took on the job of rebuilding a toilet a couple of weeks ago. I am so sad I wasn’t invited; it sounds like something I would love to do and be so good at. I’m not clear as to why the guys keep excluding me.
At any rate, even without my assistance, they were successful in their endeavors and said toilet is now working fabulously. Good teamwork! (Nathan has on his tough face to show the toilet is not the boss of him.)
And speaking of helping, Noah was at our house last week and assisted Steve in fixing the brakes on his Miata. Love the generations working together.
THING THREE
For Mother’s Day, Steve was so thoughtful and bought a corsage for me. Which is good, right?
The not-so-good thing is that he had left for church before I did and I needed to pin the corsage on myself, which I’ve never done. I watched a couple of YouTube videos and tried to follow the instructions, but I was unsuccessful, as this photo will illustrate. (Unless corsages are now worn under one’s arm.)
Here’s another permutation. Try to keep your snorts and giggles to yourself.
When we lived in Manteo, I would have just asked someone at church to help me, but in our present church, I don’t know people as well; however, there was no other solution available. I explained my corsage conundrum to the greeter at the door, and she said breezily, “Oh, of course. Anyone can help you with that!” That seemed a bit optimistic to me, but I went with it.
I selected a capable-looking woman, explained the situation, and asked if she could help. She said she’d never pinned on a corsage, but could probably figure it out. Another woman joined us and said she was just there to say “ouch” in case I got stuck. And yet another woman joined our circle to offer moral support.
Nothing like an introvert who doesn’t like attention being attention-ized in the middle of the lobby.
When the somewhat lengthy process was complete, I thanked the women for their help and vamoosed to a seat as quickly as I could. It was only then that I glanced down and saw that my helper had pinned the corsage upside down. The stem was sticking up toward my face. And then, toward the end of the service, one of the pins let go, and the corsage suddenly flopped forward and started dangling off my chest.
It was time to call an end to it. I removed the last pin and took off the corsage. It had done its best, but it wasn’t meant to be. When the service ended, I walked back to an elderly woman sitting alone and said, “Would you like my flower?” Her face lit up, and she said, “For me?” She stood up and hugged me, and I left the building knowing my corsage had found a good home and brightened a good heart.
Are you like me when it comes to boxes? If I see an empty box that is well built and sturdy, I immediately think that I should keep it because I will definitely need it one day. It truly pains my heart to get rid of a good box.
I had just been thinking about that when I saw this cartoon and had to share.
Noah and Nathan went fishing at a friend’s house recently. Noah is a huge fan of fishing, so he was thrilled.
Love that son of mine!
If these kids get any bigger, I don’t know what I will do!
Sleeping in formation.
Gotta love ‘er!
I was talking to Meagan on the phone recently and telling her what a hassle it can be to deal with shrubs. And she replied, “Oh yes, shrubs can be so waukey-jawed.”
I said, “What did you say?” She repeated it, and I said, “I have never heard that word.” Turns out she had grown up hearing it and thought it was a word everyone would know.
Of course, I couldn’t rest until I looked it up and discovered it truly is a real word. Let us know in the comments if you have ever heard of it.
Here are Steve’s guitars, packed up and ready to head out the door. He is still teaching at a Music Academy once a week and then plays in the church band. He said he has been finding such joy and healing in music over the past year or two. I am thrilled to see how much he is loving it.
This is a photo from our church Facebook page. He does a great job up there!
I love the little angel that Vernie left behind. She always looks so calm and full of important thoughts.
Here she is from a wider view, gazing upon a late southern springtime at the Smith home.
My angel and I are wishing you a happy first day of June and joy in the week to come.
What about you?
Have you heard the word waukey-jawed?
Do you collect boxes and/or find it difficult to get rid of them?
Do you enjoy fishing? If so, do you bait the hook and deal with your own fish, or do you delegate that to someone else?
If someone asked you to pin on a corsage, could you do it? Do you have any funny stories on the subject?
We save some boxes for shipping items we’ve sold online. I love boxes. And bowls (I must have not had a bowl in a previous life, or something).
Your yard looks so lovely and lush!
We say “whomper-jawed” around here. 🙂
Those are some nice bass that the boys caught. Were they big enough to keep? They are good eating. I used to enjoy fishing, but usually delegated the baiting to someone else.
I have not heard of waukey-jawed, but on looking it up I see it is related to catty-wampus which I have heard of.
I have saved a few boxes, but usually they get tossed in the garage and smashed for the trashcan when we have extra room.
I have pinned on a corsage, but it never stays put for long. I think I would tie it on my wrist instead.
I remember my dad often got my mom an orchid corsage and she would keep it in the fridge for a couple of weeks and rewear it.
Funny thing , I too like boxes. (Arn wonders why)
I wonder if mom did?
I have none around at the moment…but you never knew when a good one may pop up! Ruth