Family Reunion

We attended the Baker, Rogers, Stapleton Reunion in Jonesville this afternoon. There was a nice crowd, but not as many as normal. The get together went well. Mom had put together a DVD of old family reunion photos that she had playing on a television that she brought up from Mamaw Stapleton's house. The DVD was very popular.

I did some catching up with Jack Rogers on the family genealogy. He's gotten some 'new' old photos that I'll be looking forward to seeing in the mail or in the email in the coming weeks.

I didn't do any photographing while I was there, but I did snag this picture of Walter, Mom & I from Debbie (we were posing for Aunt Mossie).

While we were at the reunion, Miss Carla stayed at Mamaw Stapleton's house on the deck. Once we back on the road, we received a call checking in with us from Mom. It seems that Sandi had been keeping an eye on Carla and was alarmed when she went missing. We had picked her up without knowing that they were watching out for her, so she and her family had been out looking for Carla and fretting over her 'getting away'. I appreciate so much the concern, and would have called if I had thought that they were watching out so well for her. Thanks Sandi, Leon, and kids - we appreciate all your efforts. BIG HUG!

On the way home, we called up Danielle to see about dropping by to visit on our way passed Lynchburg, but they weren't home. They were in Chester. Walter tried to get them to come out for dinner when we got in but they declined. Maybe another time.

This was the view in our rear view mirror as we were on the final leg of our journey home. This was taken on Hull Street Road, just west of Woodlake. Walter and I got back home right at 9 p.m. Plenty of time to get in and settled back in before starting the week off again in the morning.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Spend some happy moments this weekend pickin' ticks off the ones you love.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

by Erma Bombeck

(written after she found out she was dying from cancer)

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's" More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it. live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what . Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.