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?
I’ve never heard waukey-jawed. Seems like most in here haven’t either so I guess I’m not missing out too much! I do say wonkey.
I’m certain you made the right decision with the corsage! I bet it made that ladies’ whole day!
It’s so neat how much Noah looks like Nathan now. I always thought he did but now he looks even more like him. Maybe it’s because he’s closer to the age Nathan was when I started following you?
Lizz,
Isn’t that amazing that you’ve been reading so long Noah was close to Nathan’s age? Boggles my mind!
It’s definitely interesting how different words crop up in different parts of the country–or even in different parts of a state. That’s one of the reasons I love the English language– it morphs!
Jabber-waaky I have heard before, but this one is new. oooo, that dessert, I’ll have one too please. Hope Nathan and Steve were able to figure out that stool – other than it is heavy. It has been a long time since I have had a corsage, but yeah, it does take steady hands I think and yes, the stem goes down. Those two furry guys are sooooo cute and fluffy along with the furry. Steve does a great job on the guitar. Does he also play bass? Have seen some really weird ones, you would never think any music would come out! Beautiful picture of your deck and that dear angel.
”
Sharyn,
Steve plays bass guitar and rhythm guitar–but mostly bass. You’re right; different instruments can come in so many unusual shapes. It’s fun to see them all.
Jabber-waaky is a new one to me. It’s very whimsical.
I have never heard of waukey-jawed! That’s a new one on me. Must be a southern thing maybe?
I do not collect boxes. As soon as we get them, we break them down, flatten them and put them in the recycling. ONCE in a great while I might save one if it is getting close to Christmas and I know I’ll need one for a gift. Otherwise, no.
We aren’t into fishing either but have talked about going. There is a lake very close by. We could ride our side-by-side there and try our hand at it. We used to fish a lot back when our kids were young and we had access to a boat and a large lake. I always enjoyed it. 🙂
Yes, I think I could pin my own corsage on. I’ve pinned many on over the years. My daughter and her friends would always get ready for prom and homecoming at our house. The boys would show up with corsages and most of them didn’t know how to pin them on. Enter me. Same for the girls with the boutonnieres. After a couple of years the corsages became the ones that slipped on the girls’ wrists. SO much easier. Yay!
LeeAnne,
Well, I sure do wish you had been attending our church on Mother’s Day. My corsage was the very definition of waukey-jawed! 🙂
I know you must have made some great memories fishing with your kids. You should relive those old memories and go with your husband! (Better you than me.)
When did Noah stop looking like a child and start looking like a young man??! I swear I can’t wrap my head around how fast children grow up! (Including my own!)
Ellen,
I know, right? His voice has dropped an octave and he is taller than I am.
Those little years don’t last very long, do they?
Here we say woppy-jawed. It’s probably not used as much as it used to be, but when things are crazy or messed up, I like to say they are woppyjawed and cattywampus.
Kristen,
Woppy-jawed. An other word I’ve never heard of. I do know cattywampus, so that’s something, at least. 🙂
Happy 1st day of June! I’ve never heard the term waukey-jawed before, but I like it….I too like holding on to “good” boxes – you never know when you might need one.,,, When I lived in NC I enjoyed surf and pier fishing when I could use shrimp for bait. I don’t do worms, etc. and don’t take the fish off either, so it definately has to be a partner activity… I could probably get a coursage pinned on, but there might be a couple of “ouches” involed. I hope all the Smith clan have a wonderful week!
Sue Ellen,
Oooh, you were a big-time fisherman to do it from a surf and a pier! I don’t want to put anything on a hook, whether it be shrimp or worms.
Yay! Another “good box” person. 🙂
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. 🙂
Stefanie,
Boxes and bowls. An interesting combo of things you like to hold on to. 🙂
Whomper-jawed. Isn’t that interesting how things change from region to region?
Thanks for the yard compliment. We’ve been in a severe drought so are grateful to have had some recent ran.
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.
Patti,
I’m not sure if they kept the fish, or not. Fishing is too icky for me.
I’m amazed your mom re-wore her corsage because that means it would have to be re-pinned each time. Too much stress for me. But what a lovely tradition your parents had.
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
Ruth,
Oh yes, a good box brings me great joy. Be sure to hold on to the next one that pops up.