Want some Haggis?

This weekend, the entire family headed to the local Scottish Festival in town. It was fun, but hot and rainy (yes, both hot and rainy!). The bagpipers were great and I wish I could have heard more. We watched some of the Highland games, particularly men trying to throw a 56 pound block over a bar about 10' high in the air... all in their kilts.

We do have some Scottish in our background... through the Dunns & McKevitts that we have been able to trace, but we are mostly English and Welsh.

I head home tomorrow, so this is the last day with my nieces (nephews have already headed back to South Carolina). It's been fun, but I am ready to trade the couch I am sleeping on for my warm comfortable bed.

Hot Hot Hot

Well, I made it to Atlanta and it is HOT here. Ugh! I forgot how hot is got down south here in the summer. Way to hot for me.

Brother and nieces arrived after noon and we headed for a late lunch and then went to the pool. I am keeping mom and me honest with our workouts. I had sweet tea for the first time in months, but I was good and only had one glass then switched to water.

We spent the afternoon doign origami, which was quite fun and quite challenging following the instructions.

We are off to dinner. Other bro and nephews arrive tommorrow.

Hot Lanta

As this posts, I should be hurling through the air headed towards Georgia. That is assuming Delta can make an on time departure. It is family reunion weekend at momma's house. This is something that ends up happening every year around spring or summer as everyone kinda decides to head to momma's house. The past few years it was due to the Tour deGeorgia bike race coming through my mom's town and this year its due to the Scottish Festival. Since I don't get much opportunity to see my brothers or nieces or nephews, I buy the expensive airplane ticket to ATL. I am packing light to avoid all the new checked baggage charges and I am bringing along a muffin for food.

In other news... the diet is back on track. I finally broke the 35 pounds lost barrier yesterday after being stalled between 30-35 pounds lost for about 2 months. Lets hope the abundance of sweet tea and good southern cookin' this weekend doesn't ruin the progress I made this week.

Wish me luck and talk to you when I get back.

Christmas Plans

My work party on Saturday (that I hosted) went very well. The weather could have been a heck of lot less windy, but we all had tons of food and drink and laughter. However, spilling your drink on your boss not once, but twice, probably isn't the best career growth move. :-) I was mentally and physically exhausted on Sunday and more than realized I am not 25 anymore where I can party all night and stay up until 2am. My body just won't allow that anymore.

Things are still end-of-the-year busy with tons of work stuff and parties and xmas gift shopping. ACK! I finally got the presents off to UPS and YIKES!, that was expensive to ship. I haven't had any time to even think about our upcoming family trip to Red River, NM. I'm looking forward to hanging with my nieces and nephews, doing a bit of snowmobiling, and just relaxing for the week. Next year is sure to be busy, so the break now is needed to re-energize.

Visiting Mom

I took off work on Thursday and flew across the country to Georgia and mom's house. I know this is a long way to go for a long weekend, but both my brothers and their families were going to mom's house as well and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to see my nieces and nephews (oh yeah... and my brothers). :-)

Man, kids grow up fast. My oldest niece, who is 14, has all the sudden turned into a young woman; makeup and curling irons...... and when did she get breasts? Wasn't it yesterday she was this tiny little girl who came up to my waist. Now she is eyeball to eyeball with me. Holy smokes!

I will get back to Africa photos and posts soon. Have a great weekend everyone!