Another Memory-filled Memorial Weekend

This week's prompt from Carole is very easy.  My husband's family have been gathering on Memorial Weekend for a loooong time-close to 20 years-maybe?!  In the beginning all the grandkids were pretty small, toddler through elementary aged.  Now we've got all adult kids and a wee one who was with us for his first Memorial Weekend get together.  For the first few years we stayed at Calloway Gardens and then we began staying at the chalet's at Dillard-both in Georgia.  This year we were at a new place Big Canoe (Jasper, GA).  Everyone as able to attend even the 2 nieces who live out of state.  While the location has changed the great times together have not.  Here's some what we did -

10.  Wine and and special cocktails were drunk along with eating some fabulous food.
  9.  Knitting-lots!  Of course, I brought way more than I'd every hope to finish.

8.  Celebrated a special birthday-Steve's Big 50!

7.  Play time with Charlie-you can just see his head near the table.  Such a sweet boy.

6.  There was some pool AND ping pong

5.  Time spent with the folks-although there isn't an individual group photo there were plenty taken, and I think if all share them everyone will be represented. 

4.  Reading-I started Get Shorty, but didn't make as much progress as I've had liked.
3.  Played games-I mostly stuck to the easy dice games like Zilch and Yahtzee so I could knit and not think too much.
2.  Big Canoe Bingo which my Sister in law created for us.  I got at least 1 Bingo and had I done a little yoga I would have had more!
1.  Talked and laughed-ALOT.

This weekend is always a special time for us, and we hope it continues for a very, very long time.

As you travel down the road before you

Carole's prompt is timely since my oldest graduated from Georgia Southern 2 weeks ago (wow doesn't seem like it!).  The commencement speaker was an student at GS 20+ years ago, and he gave a very good speech.  Short and to the point, but full of good advice.

10.  Well done-in 4 years PJ earned 2 Bachelor degrees in International Trade and French.
  9.  Never give up
  8.  Life's road will have speed bumps and detours; keep both hands on the steering wheel and don't get distracted.
  7.  Do what makes you happy and brings you joy.
  6.  Be a person of integrity.
  5.  Your first job doesn't have to be your career.
  4. Take care of yourself-mind, body and soul.
  3.  Take advise from people who are successful.
  2.  Take responsibility for your own actions and choices.
  1.  Always be willing to learn

I wish someone had given me some advise like this when I got out of high school.  I might have gone to college a lot sooner!

Thanks Carole for a timely and reflective prompt.

Reality is setting in

now that the landscaping is in place, 60 bales of pine straw yet to be delivered, our downsizing plans are taking shape.  There is LOTS to do before the first phase of moving takes place on 5/29.  When Steve told me we'd received our welcome letter from the complex and that he'd scheduled utilities to be turned on-it was like whoa we're really doing this!

The tags are my first real step in getting the inside organized tagging/boxing/packing.  I've done some of this in my head already.  Fortunately we don't have to empty the house on the 29th, just get the essentials to the apartment which will be our primary residence, so the work inside the house can be completed more easily before the for sale sign goes in the yard.  

This whole process seems a bit surreal and exciting at the same time.  What I'm looking forward to the most is having my commute distance cut by more than half whoot!  I'm hoping that will mean more knitting time-we shall see.  Hopefully I'll do a better job of documenting this journey -more to come . . . .

Putting it off.

I don't typically procrastinate.  I like to get things done, and delight in having a "to do" list that has everything ticked off.  I missed Carole's last 2 prompts even though I did have stuff to contribute.  I'll blame Instagram!

10.  Blogging-there's been traveling, boot buying, good food, and lots of knitting.
  9.  Packing up stuff in our house that we won't need for a while
  8.  Tagging items throughout the house that either will be moved, stored, or left until the house sells.
  7.  Washing and storing all my winter-y hand knits-I see the pile and think "next year"!
  6.  Game plan for the Books on the Nightstand Read Harder Challenge.  I'm making great headway with the reading, just not on the final list of books.
  5.  Cleaning off the back deck
  4.  Cleaning out the planters that will either be tossed or planted with flowers for curb appeal
  3.  Bike tune ups-can't go for a ride til this is done.
  2.  Car emissions-can't wait much longer for that though!
  1.  Finishing some sewing projects-I hate being inside when the weather is nice-I'd rather been on the desk with wine, tunes and knitting.

We can get in the habit of rushing to get things done, and we might miss out on the small moments that make big memories.  I try to have a balance, and just have a steady flow of things that are getting done-how do you approach those "to do" lists?