Catch up

Alright, I'm way behind... my life is filling up with important things. After Ohio I went to Virginia and spent a couple perfect days with my parents. I didn't get in the ocean for more than a couple minutes because the first day I went there were jellyfish EVERYWHERE! I counted 15 in the first 5 minutes. Mainly just hung out, which is why I went there in the first place. My cousin Tyler came by and my Griffin family reunion was complete. Chip's still sober. Started work at Homestead. He likes the job, but doesn't like the shift. It's just one year. I can't fix it, I have to focus on me. I'm just hoping he will go to some meetings, because they are there to tell him how to fix it. Friday Aug 16 came way too fast and I am no longer a TAP Employee. It has only been a couple days, so I don't really feel different yet. I'm used to driving to Oak Ridge for class. Started Orientation yesterday. The day starts early. I'm nervous. I love it. I'm tired but I'm sure I will adjust. Kyla just left to take her bed to Shannon's. She will be moved out by the end of the week. So many changes so fast. No time for my summer projects I had planned. Maybe next year.

Again with my family

Alright, my son is not here so I can get back to my family post. When I first got there it was just my aunt Suzy, her husband John and my grandma Noonie. When I was little and Suzy lived at home I followed her around as often as she would let me. She was just the coolest. And of course, I always loved going to Grandma's. She had a pool, a cool basement, a scary cat and all kinds of "gag" stuff. In a few minutes, my uncle Curt and his wife Mary get there. We sat around in the living room and told a few stories. Suzy told about thinking she was cool when my dad let her hang around with him and his friends. She said that really they just had her run to the fridge for them and stuff but she was so excited to be hanging out with them she didn't mind. My grandma talked about my uncle Curt calling from the Navy asking her to get him out because he was in love and just wanted to come home. They all talked about dad and his friends talking to the dead with a candle. Apparently, Noonie could hear them and answered in a "ghostly voice" through the vent and offended one of dad's friends. John had started cooking while we were talking and soon lunch was served. Delicious... all of it. My cousin Erin came in with her husband Shane and kids Hunter & Caden while we were eating. Her kids are so sweet and adorable. Shane had a rocky start in the family and I don't really know him that well but this visit he was very engaging and funny. My cousin Jenn gets there with her mom Cheryl and boyfriend after we ate. Suzy was just showing me her wildflower garden when they pulled in. Cheryl came with us. Suzy has all these neat paths mowed through this wildflower field and some benches and things. When you get to the top it sort of overlooks the house and you can see all the cornfields around it. Just lovely. Then we come back to Jenn & boyfriend. When I was little and lived in Ohio, Jenn was my best friend/cousin/sister. She's closest to me in age and we spent a lot of time together. I missed her the most when I moved. She complains about me constantly and acts like I bullied her but she loves me. At the end of our visit her boyfriend said, "Jennifer talks about you a lot. She really loves you and considers you her best friend." Wow. Just wow. That made me happy. Later in the evening my cousin Jodi shows up with her family. Her kids are hilarious! We all tell stories that most families wouldn't tell if they saw each other every day. My family busts it all out even though it's been years. I LOVE that. We just laughed all day. When we were letting the sky lanterns go, Kyla says "is it ready?" Chloe says "I'll tell you when to do it." Then runs up to Kyla and whispers "Don't trust me." Maddie told Erin she was too old to shimmy and broke Erin's heart a little. Erin said "I'm not that old. I love to shimmy!" It was just a day of random awesomeness.