Filed under: Mama n'em
This weekend we’re having our family reunion in Memphis. I’m gonna be soooo bored, I already know. So, anyway, the major event is that my parents and family are coming to Tim’s house for lunch, or maybe dinner — but I think lunch. This will be the first time that they’ve been to Tim’s. There’s a picnic on Friday, so I don’t wanna do a barbeque on Saturday. That might be barbeque overload.
My question to you, Fab 14, is what should I make? I’m planning Saturday lunch. Gimme whatcha got, hurry up, I don’t have a lotta time left!
Oh, and once you’ve met my demands, have a great weekend!
Filed under: Mama n'em
That seemed like an appropriate title, because my brother and my sister and law are from Georgia. On Sunday, they’ll be leavin’ to return home from Mississippi — minus one. There is the drama.
Next week, my adorable nephew will be spending the week with his Grannies and Paw Paws for the first time ever. His parents will be 5 hours away in Atlanta. While this may not give you any pause, my sister-in-law has great trepidation. I understand how she feels, really, I do.
I remember the first time that I had to leave Aidan. I moved to Jackson to take this job, and daycare wasn’t set up yet. Aidan had to spend two weeks back home with Granny and Paw Paw. He was only 7 months old. And they had the sheer NERVE to take him to North Carolina to a family reunion. Can you imagine me about to have a nervous breakdown every time they didn’t answer the phone?
Well, needless to say, that was a while ago and now Aidan’s favorite place to be is with the grandparents. Really, where else can a kid go to have it their way for days on end?
I say to my sister-in-law this: It’s gonna be okay. He is going to have the greatest time ever, and he will thank you in the end. Everybody there knows how to take care of a child — we all turned out okay. I know it’s going to be difficult, but this is the first of maaaany trips to Granny and Paw Paws. In these 4 years, I’ve learned to look forward to when they come to scoop up Aidan and whisk him away. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
You guys, go ahead and tell my sister-in-law that everything is gonna be alright. She’ll believe you. Leave her some encouraging words, any tips you have, and some things to do while her baby is gone.
This weekend the 3 Wilson families traveled from Jackson, Atlanta, and The Gulf Coast and met in Birmingham. Why? So that these two:
Could go here:
And see this (or, should I say him):
We all had a great time riding Thomas the Train, who remarkably pushed us backwards about 10 miles into the woods, then brought us back to the station. In 30 minutes. For $140. But I digress…As you can see, we had a lovely ride:
And a good time:
We stayed at a fabulous hotel, we had a fine dining experience (everyone except for Aidan, which is a post for another day), and my sister-in-law and I shopped until the stores closed (about an hour). But, really, none of us had nearly as much fun as these four:
Good times, man. Can’t wait to do it again. Soon.
Filed under: Mama n'em
On the way to Granny and Paw Paws this weekend, Aidan paused to give thanks:
Aidan: Ma, I’m glad Granny is gone out of the town.
Me: Why?? This is a bad thing to say about Granny!
Aidan: But ma, she says mean things to me!
Me: What? What mean things does Granny say to you?
Aidan: She tells me things like “Go to bed” and “Take a bath”. And that’s just mean stuff, mama!
Words I never heard from Paw Paw this weekend: “Take a bath”. “Go to bed”.
Go figure.
I know you all were wondering how Aidan’s room was coming along. Weren’t? Hm, you shoulda been. So, here’s how the bed situation ended:
Me: Hey, Daddy. I’m about to take this racecar bed back and get another one. Do you think it was just that one bed that was defective or will all of them be the same way?
Daddy: It was probably just that one. Why are you getting him a toddler bed, anyway?
Me: Cause he’s always asked for a racecar bed, so I’m just getting him one for now and maybe he’ll stay in his own bed at night.
Daddy: I’m saying. Your mama told you that when you got his room together, me and her were going to get him that bunk bed. You know he needs a big bed, and he said he wants a bunk bed so just get him one.
Me: Mama never told me that.
Daddy: Sue! Did you tell this girl about that bed? She said you ain’t never told her about us getting Pooky Poo a bed.
Mama: (in the background) Yes.I.Did. She don’t never listen, I told her that when she got his room all together that me and you were going to buy him a bunk bed. I dunno why she trying to go get that boy that little racecar mess. He wants a big boy bed, he don’t want no racecar bed!
Daddy: Just go to the furniture store and pick him out a bunk bed and call us when he sees the one he wants. Stop being so hard headed and get that boy a bunk bed.
Mama: (still background) And tell her to get a big one! I ain’t spending my money on no little bitty bed. That boy needs a big bed.
Me: Daddy! I wasn’t being hard headed, I just didn’t know ya’ll wanted to buy him a bed. Why are ya’ll buying him a bed anyway? We can buy the bed…I just didn’t.
Daddy: I know you didn’t know, we only said it about a hundred times. We’re buying the bed cause we wanna buy him a bed. Now call us when you find one and stop worrying about it. Okay?
Me: I wasn’t worried about..okay. Thanks.
And this is now in Aidan’s room:
Granny and Paw Paw to the rescue….Mission Aidan’s room checked off as accomplished.
Filed under: Mama n'em
…..one city at a time.
So, the Wilson Family Reunion has selected a reunion planner for our July reunion — and I am she! It has been officially decided that the Wilson family will hold our very first destination reunion in the big city of Atlanta. Here’s where you guys come in…
While we are a family of religious folk and heathen, we are mostly overrun by children who are now in their teens. Who have parents in the 30s and 40s. We need something to do!!! Among the suggestions have been a trip to the aquarium and a trip to the world of Coke. Of course, there’s the obligatory family picnic, too. Which is better? Have any of you ever been to a family reunion in the ATL? What did you do? Does anyone here live in the ATL? Who caters picnics?
I guess this post should have been entitled “Help!” cause that’s what I need.
Oh, and be prepared for the posts where I go off on various members of my family who I don’t think read the blog. Thanks in advance for allowing me to unload on you what can not be said to my elders.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, this one sums up our weekend. Granny and PawPaw stopped by for a visit. Aidan had some things to talk to his PawPaw about man to man, as you can see from the photo. I was just glad that my dad is finally well enough to be able to make the trip and he is doing just fine. Whew. God is good. All the time.
Filed under: Mama n'em
Thank you to everybody who called, emailed, left comments, came to the hospital, sent text messages, and otherwise showed concern. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
I think my dad set the record for number of bypasses performed in a single surgery, as it was finally determined that he had to have FIVE. WTH??? Thankfully, they didn’t tell us about the extra two they threw in until after they were complete. All things considered, he is doing well now. So, I think it’s safe to say: Major crisis averted. We can all breathe a little easier now, especially my dad. 
Filed under: Mama n'em
Seems yesterday’s post regarding positive thinking foreshadowed an event. Long story short, my dad has to have heart surgery tomorrow. A triple bypass. Of course, this comes as a shock to us all. But, I’m thinking positively. My daddy is going to be just fine (the jury is still out on mom), and I’ll be back in Blogland crackin’ jokes before you know it. In the meanwhile, I’m gone to Mom & Dad’s to sit in the waiting room and drink coffee and I’ll holla back at ya’ll on Friday unless I can fit in an update every now and then. Take care you guys, and send up a couple prayers for me and the fam.
