The Boys Are Back In Town

It was an exciting weekend here in Leland as the 3 Men and A Bond Golf Tournament took place on Sunday.  Tiger and Phil both backed out.  They said they couldn't take the heat...but was it the heat or the competition?  The weather was brutal, but has been all over and everyone seemed used to it.   Prior to the tournament, I analyzed each golfer and their chance at taking the trophy.

First up, Tony Jr., he has youth on his side and is in great shape, except for some occasional back pain.  He is a born competitor and sportsman.  Add on to that, he is hungry for a win.  He hasn't had the trophy for a while and getting his butt kicked by a senior golfer has got to an ego bust.  On the downside, he hasn't played any golf in a while and his personal life is a wild party--that could hurt him.  Watch out for this guy, though, he will start off slow and all of a sudden will be in striking distance before you know what hit you. 

Next, David.  While significantly younger than the senior on the tour,   middle age is on his horizon.  That could slow him down.   His physical condition is good due to regular indoor foot races and gymnastics with his future caddy, Alex. His mental status is geared to win.    This is the guy who wants it bad and that could trump the other two on the tour.  He hasn't played much golf, but when he's on his game, look out.  He's calculating, analytical and can really get distance on the ball.  He could be the wild card in this match. 

Finally, Tony Sr., he is the current keeper of the trophy and is holding on tight.  He likes the look of it in his house and is proud to tell people the history.  He will not go out without a fight.   He is the senior on the tour, but his condition is good.  He works at the golf course, plays once a week and this is his home course, so he has a significant advantage.  His real advantage, however, is his mind game.  He comes across as a nice, unassuming guy just looking to have fun.    Look out, his fun could land you in sand traps and water.   He is a strong competitor and will finish in the top two. 

Take a look at our golfers:

Before taking the first tee, Tony, Tony and David with the 

coveted trophy in front of them

Here's what it's all about

David, Tony, the current Champion with the trophy and Tony at the turn

SO, WHO WON?????

Was it the young,  upcoming golf giant, Tony Jr, hungry no more

OR, WAS IT.....

Was it David, the wild card? 

OR, IS THE WINNER......

Tony, the Senior!!!!

YES!!!, The senior pulled it off again and beat the cubs!  He beat Tony Jr by a small margin  with David just a few strokes behind.  The trophy comes home....the trophy comes home.  People in Leland are dancing in the streets!

This was a tournament.  This one will go into the books as a great one.

Stay tuned to the golf channel for highlights on this exciting match!!!

SISTA, SISTA'S

When Sarah and Steven got married, I was asked to be a reader at the ceremony. 

I was given a passage from Corinthians that started...."Brothers and Sisters....."  I did the reading, I looked down at Sarah and Steven and I saw hope and promise.

At the end of the service, my sister, Lynn said, "how come we were raised in the same house, by the same parents, but you pronounce the word, "sister," as "sista" and I don't.  

Hmmm.   

This week, my "sista," Fritz came down to see us with her son, Joe.  What a good time we had.  We haven't seen Joe in a while, but, we truly enjoyed the time we spent together. 

Fritz and I visited a mansion, had lunch, watched our favorite TV shows, played cards and talked liked we haven't done in years.  

Fritz and I have a fun sister  relationship.  We spent most of our young years sharing a bedroom, that included sharing secrets, sharing parental frustrations, sharing school challenges in learning and sharing "the stuff"  that comes with youth.  

Years later, when Bill died, Fritz stepped up to the plate and told my parents that she was going to live with Jenna and I to help us get through the tough times.   She had a great job and I was struggling with money issues as I waited for the Texas State Board of Insurance to rule on my application for benefits.   Fritz took care of us.  For that period of my life, she was the big "sista."  She was my hero.

I was her maid of honor and Jenna was like a daughter to her.  We share memories of "Elton Jenna," wearing big sun glasses in the front seat of the car and "The Divine Miss M," the 3 year old redhead singing with an attitude.  

And so, my sista and I had fun.  Tony and Joe spent some quality time together at the beach.  Fritz and Joe cooked a meal for Tony and I and we all played "Cards Against Humanity," and laughed so hard at the silly answers we came up with.   We looked at model homes here in Compass Pointe and told the real estate agents that Fritz was thinking of moving down here.  There we were walking through houses worth $600K, like we could afford that!!  What fun. 

We took a river cruise, Fritz, Joe and Tony maneuvered the Lazy River and we just got back to basics.  We ate and ate and ate, not to mention, we drank  It was a nice visit. 

Sharing cooking secrets

Saying hello to her cooking fan base!

The serious chef!!

Tony on the Lazy River

Hot, hot, hot on the river cruise....just look at my hair!

Cruising the Cape Fear River, Joe, Tony, Fritz and Me

"Little Joe" and Fritz

Fritz telling us she is deaf.  Joe telling us she is goofy!

Me, Joe and my drippy hair

Joe, Fritz and Tony, on the river

Heading back to Leland to play cards and goof off

When Sarah And Steven Came To Town

Over the years, I have attended weddings of family and friends and I've wondered if the clergy performing the ceremony has any way of determining if this particular wedding is the one.  The one that lasts and lasts.  The one where the bride and groom are so good together that having them not marry would be a terrible thing.  

Or, as the officiant looks down at the couple before him/her, is there something that passes between the couple that silently shouts to the clergy and God,  "this marriage won't last six months."

When Sarah and Steven came to town, we got to see the first kind of marriage.  This is the one.  This is the one that will last.  They are so happy together.  And for as young as they are, they are truly grounded with a life plan.  They make each other happy, which in turn, makes them happy.  

And, what a fun time we had!  We went to the Cloud 9 bar, on the rooftop of an Embassy Suites in downtown Wilmington.  We went back to the aquarium, saw huge fish and took another group photo.  We went on a river cruise, had lunches and dinners at nice restaurants, had great pizza at a trendy place, went to the Cape Fear Winery and checked out the crazy artwork they have hanging all over.  We even went to a museum of strange stuff.  For $3.00 admission, we didn't expect much, but we saw fingers in jars, two headed stuffed animals and creepy things.  Money well spent?  Well, maybe not!

The "kids" spent some time at the beach and at our pool and lazy river.   The four of us spent some real quality time on our lanai in the morning, talking about all kinds of things over morning coffee.  

The little girl I took shopping, so many years ago, has grown up.  She has grown into a beautiful woman who found her soul mate in the form of a good looking, funny, warm and thoughtful man.  

When Sarah and Steven came to town, we had a great visit.  I can't wait to see them again.  

Mr. and Mrs. White on the river cruise

Sarah and her beautiful smile

On to the winery!

Who hosts painting frogs...

...Crazy artwork...

Pretty Fish 

Smiling Llamas

Tiny horses...

A strutting peacock

And Family

At the aquarium

Yuck, he's ugly

Sharks

Jellyfish

Spotted Jellyfish

Underwater

Nose to nose!