Williamsburg, VA

Last summer we took a vacation to Williamsburg, VA.  Shall I bore you with a history lesson?  
Williamsburg is a town that has kept the colonial time period alive.  It is great place to go if you want to learn and see more about our American ancestors during the this time period.

Town Church

Shoe Maker.

You can purchase colonial hats.  The women's straw hats were made in the village.

Here yee, here yee!

This was a judge during a court room performace.

We had the pleasure of watching a parade.

It was fun interacting with the re-in-actors.

This gentleman was warning us that the British were nearby.

Wig maker.

Town folk taking a walk.

A preserved colonial home.

This woman was making the mud for bricks. 

Home spun yarn. Vegetables were used for the dye colors.

I loved watching how yarn was spun.

Homemade buckets.

How do I look?  My goofy son is in the background.

Visting Nanny

Last weekend Brandon and I took a trip to South Carolina to see my Nanny.  I do not know how much longer my she has with us.  I wanted to give her a few more memories and make some lasting ones for me.

The drive to SC from PA was a long one.  We left late Thursday night, hoping to drive through the night.  We were delayed for two hours, due to construction, when we hit Fredericksburg, VA.  We only moved 4 miles.  To make matters worse, an accident in Petersburg, VA delayed our trip another hour without moving and inch.

We arrived Friday morning. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was when I saw how depressed and weary Nanny was.  She can barely move around, even with the walker, without getting out of breath.  Her health is deteriorating from congestive heart failure.

For a change of scenery we took Nanny to the mall one day and the Charleston Aquarium another. Each time we returned Nanny was so tired she slept the rest of the afternoon and evening away.

I am not used to taking a wheelchair along.  It's heavier and more complicated than a baby stroller!  Looking for a handicap parking spot or finding places that are wheelchair accessible shouldn't be so hard.

Nanny's spirits picked up while Brandon and I were there.  I will never forget the sadness in her eyes when I said we had to go home.

The trip wasn't all tears.  I also visited with my Dad.   I haven't seen my Dad in a long time.  The 13 hour driving distance makes it difficult for both of us.  

This was the first time I visited his sports bar in a town called Goose Creek, SC.

I teased Brandon that this was the first bar he ever entered… and he couldn't have a drink… 

Praying for Nanny

Nanny and Brandon (July 1998) ((Brandon was 1 yr old))

My Nanny has been in and out of the hospital in the last month.  Last weekend my sisters went to visit her.  They told me Nanny didn't look well. She was tired a lot and has lost the will to fight anymore.  Nanny has congestive heart failure, her blood pressure is drastically up and down and she complains about being tired all the time.  I fear her heart is giving out on her.  I do not know how much longer she has with us.  I am going to visit her this weekend.  In fact, I am leaving tonight.  It's about a 12 hour drive.    My youngest son is taking the trip with me.

Todd and Nanny (Nov 1997)

Several years ago Nanny could not take care of herself anymore and had to move to my father's house.  From PA to SC.

Although Brandon hasn't seen Nanny is a long time.  It fact, it's been about seven years.  However, he still remembers the visits we would take to her house.  His words "Isn't she the Nanny who would give us the lollipops".  Yep!  My Nanny always gave the boys lollipops every time she saw them.

I can't wait to see my Nanny.  Brandon thought it would be a good idea to bring her a lollipop!

TGIF

My youngest son had a dentist appointment to fill two cavities.  He was numb on the right side of his face for a few hours.  He kept poking at it, amazed at the non existent feeling.  I told him to watch out for the drool. :)

We went shoe shopping afterwards. Not for me, for him. He finally picked out sneakers that were not a neon color. These are black and gray.  Is this a sign he is growing up?

We went to a place called Zoup for dinner.  It's sort of like a Panera Bread, but focused more on soups. Brandon choose a chicken potpie soup.  I ordered a tomato, spinach and wild rice soup.  It is really good!

My middle son stayed home from school today.  He has a sore throat and headache.  I've been giving him allergy medication for two days with no change.  In fact, it's been getting worse.  I made a doctor appointment just in case it isn't allergies.  I hate seeing my boys sick.

Youngest son has two hockey games this weekend.  They are both away and I am not looking forward to the traveling.  Last weekend we didn't have any games to attend. It was nice to have a weekend to ourselves.  That is not normal during hockey season.

Have a wonderful weekend folks!

Ring Bling

My son gave his girlfriend a ring for her 16th birthday.

He told me "It's her 16th birthday and I want to do something special for her".

How sweet was that!

 He has a job. Saved up his own money.  Paid for the ring by himself.

I don't know a lot of boys who would spend the amount of money on a girl like my son did.

** Pat on the back Mom **

Such a gentleman that I am raising!

And if one ring wasn't enough….

My sister got engaged!!!

This is her new ring she is showing off.

Dear Hubby, 

If you are reading this blog… your wife would like some new bling of her own!

90 and looking good!

Ninety! 

My Mommom turned 90 years old!

She is a feisty woman who loves to do the polka, have an occasional beer and flirt with the young me!

Yep, that's right… 90 years old and still kissing the guys.  :)

She may be slowing down and use a walker, but her spirit is strong and her sense of humor is still funny as ever.

Mommom and her daughters.  Nancy (my Mom) and Shirley (my Aunt).

 Mommom and two of her grandchildren. Tami (me) and Tiffani (my sister).

 Mommom and two of her great-grandchildren. Zachary and Brandon (my children).

Hosts of the party: Kent and Shirley (my uncle and aunt).

There were a lot of family to surprise my Mommom. I don't know how surprised my Mommom really was. She is a sharp lady and I am sure she suspected we were doing something special for her.

 I wish my Poppop could have been there to see this happy milestone.

  With todays busy schedule it is hard to keep in touch with such a large family.  It was nice to gather everyone together and catch up with them all.

TGIF

*I saw on Good Morning America that a paparazzi took topless photos of Princess Kate from a secluded home in France. They used a high power long lens to obtain the photos. Seriously? Have they not learned from their obsession of Princess Diana and how that tragically ended.  Do they have no morals?  It sickens me! 

* My son and his girlfriend attended a Renaissance Fair.  For some unknown reason to me, they purchased pirate costumes.  When I asked him 'why'? His reply was very serious: "The chain-mail was too expensive." Mind boggling to me.

* The sun is shinning. It feels great to be outdoors, the sun warming you all over.

* Happy Friday and have a great weekend!!