Successful Unity

Never a dull moment is the phrase that comes to mind this morning. The past weekend was full to the brim. The reunion was FINE. People were happy to have been invited and offered much appreciation for the effort. Even brothers and sisters were delighted to see each other. I had asked by invitation that each couple bring a salad or dessert. We had so much wonderful food. Ken grilled pork chops which are always a hit for any guests we have. He has a certain way of seasoning and then grilling them that people enjoy. I don't eat pork so I have to trust the comments of others. He had several cousins wanting to know where we bought them and how he did them. He doesn't like to give his secrets away but my sister pressed him yesterday and he gave it all up to her. She told him she lives over a thousand miles away and wouldn't be serving the same guests as he does.

I had decided that I fretted over this reunion so long and so hard (all unnecessarily of course) that it would be the one and only I had. I was surprised when one of my cousins said, "This is so nice we need to do it again. I'll have it next year on the same weekend." Then she turned to me and said, "You give me the addresses and I'll get those invitations out early to those that couldn't make it this year."

The picture of my dad with the lit candle is a bit naughty. One of the cousins from the side of the family from which no one came told me she was sorry none of her sibs were going to come and that we should light a candle for them. When everyone was dispersing my dad said, "Hey we haven't lit a candle for Cheryl yet. Go and get a candle." So I ran into the house and got a candle and we lit it for the absent arm of the family. He is a bit of a stinker.

Yesterday was our daughter, Scarlen's birthday. Scarlen and her son Isaiah are those that live in our home. So before church yesterday morning I baked a chocolate cake with pink frosting. I didn't have any red food coloring to make the frosting pink so I added some marshino cherry juice. Worked like a charm and gave the frosting a cherry flavor. Scarlen loved her cake so it made the effort worth it. Lauri and Elton and their kids came to celebrate with us. They stayed to watch the football game. In between plays, Elton helped me organize my pictures on this computer. He showed me amazing things this machine can do. I feel so clean and together this morning as I peck away at the screen.

My sister went to church with me but then asked if she could spend the rest of the day with our dad and Mary. I went to get her last evening and together we went to our niece, Stacy's, house so that Jann could meet the newest family member. Gabrielle is three weeks old now. We enjoyed a short visit with the Dieners.

All this brings me to this morning. I got Isaiah up and he is getting ready for school. Everyone else is still on their ear and it's okay with me if they stay there awhile. I could use the quiet and solitude this morning. I've got another big week ahead of me and need to get my "poop in a group" as my daughter says.