"Don't act like I never told ya ..."

I've been telling myself to get in here and write some stuff, and then I remind myself that I don't have anything to say.

When has that ever stopped me before, you ask?

Smartass.

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One week from this very moment, we will be hitting the road. Long-overdue family vacation, here we come. It's been since the year after my Dad died since we all gathered at the ocean for playtime together. How different will this time be? Last time, Adam was about to turn 15, Emilie was 12, Josh was 13, and Beth was 9! Now they're 27, 24, 25, and 21. Ay yi yi, I'm elderly.

Not to mention, we're adding our daughter-in-law, plus Emilie's sweetheart to the mix. All adults, unless you count the precious one in Brandy's tummy. It will be different, to say the least.

I'm planning to attempt to slow the passage of time, once we actually arrive at the beach house ... in an effort to make the one week feel like about six weeks instead.


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Even though it's not really fall yet, my head is on its way there already. I took a load of stuff to the consignment store yesterday, and ended up buying more Halloween stuff for the house. I love October with all my heart.

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Allie the Dog left our care this morning, as Jud arrived on the Red Eye from Vegas. (We kept Allie with us while Jud attended a "conference" (likely story!) in Las Vegas all week.) The pup was overjoyed to see her Dad, and was in the car with Em and Jud headed to Clemson, grinning from ear to ear, before I had a chance to tell her how much I enjoyed having someone to talk to and hang out with every day this week. Having her here with me opened my eyes about how much muscle mass I have lost, especially in my arms. (Not that I didn't already know ... I can barely get my shirt off at night, when I have to pull it over my head.) But having Allie's strength on the other end of the leash really showed me how weak my upper body is. She's a strong girl!


Maggie the Cat is glad to be "large and in charge" again. Can't you tell?