Back To The Routine

Well, Tony Sr., won the golf trophy again, so it still resides in Leland.  He only won by one stroke, but the time he spent with David and Tony Jr., meant more than keeping the trophy.  They always have a great time together and now that they have their own families, that time is getting less and less frequent, so they have learned to enjoy every minute they have together. 

Donna and Bob will be leaving on Monday to go back to snowy, blowy Cleveland.  Their 2 months here are over.  The male Cardinal that was attacking their windows at 7:00 a.m., finally gets his wish--he can peck at the windows all day without being interrupted.  Bob is bringing a BB gun next year just in case the bird comes back to be their alarm clock again. 

The news has been driving me crazy of late; Weinstein, especially.  As the guilty verdict was read, he was "shocked," and kept repeating, "I didn't rape anybody."  And now, he is in the hospital.  Get it over with, already.  Sentence him to life with Horny Bubba and let's get on with our lives. 

And Trump....what can you say about Trump that comedians, heads of state and half of the world haven't?  He's an idiot.  Oh wait, that's already been said.  

And the beer virus.  Trump says it will "disappear."  Well, like I said above, he's an idiot.  

On a lighter note, I am having coffee on Tuesday with a lady named Karin.  We met at the nail place where I go for my manicures.  She is just moving in and we hit it off right away.  She and her husband are retired and are from Connecticut.  They just went back up to continue to try and sell their house.  I don't miss that exercise.  Karin seems like a very nice lady and I look forward to getting to know her.   

We are headed back to Charlotte to "kid assist" on Friday.  Marie will be traveling for several days and Tony Jr., needs us to assist in dropping off/picking up from school and in general keeping the kids busy while he is at work.  As always, that will be fun, yet very tiring.  When we come back home after a mission such as this, we tend to just sit on the lanai for a few minutes in total silence, just to rest our ear drums. 

Tony got lots of cards and good wishes for his birthday and a call from the Purdum kids--minus Ben.  Ben is playing a part in "The Sound of Music," and was at rehearsal.  He is getting his own room at home, as the classroom is being moved to the basement.  He will be 14 in August.  How did that happen? 

So, we are back to our routine--Tony working at the golf course on Thursday's and driving for the DAV on Monday's.  I continue to look for a part time job.  We will have my sister, Fritz and her son, Joe down in May, as well as Coleton's first communion.  In June we are in Hilton Head, in August and October, back to Cleveland and in November, David, Brenda and Alex may be here for Thanksgiving.   Dixie will love the travel and the company as she still thinks we do it all for her.

I look forward to some quiet days and better weather for all. 

Chasing the Trophy!

David and Tony, Jr., are in town for a "3 Men and a Bond" golf game--which means that the trophy is on the line and maybe moving out of Wilmington. 

They played yesterday in a 2 day trophy event.  So far, David is in the lead, but they are playing at Compass Pointe, Tony Sr., home course so anything can happen today. 

It's good to have them "home" again.  They both look tired and with their kids, jobs, schedules and everything else they have to do, it's no wonder.  But, we did it when we were their age and I have every confidence that they will too. 

As always, I enjoy watching the three of them interact.  The "boys" manage to keep Tony on his toes with zings and banter and I laugh when he is the butt of their jokes.  It's all in fun (well, maybe not for him!) and Tony is always a good sport.  

I'm glad David and Tony Jr., were able to get away and thank Brenda and Marie for sharing them with us.  

Here's the golf guys: 

Tony Jr., Tony, David and Bob

I'm Cold!!!!

I am cold.  It has been raining and blowing all day and into the evening.  Dixie had to go out.  Well, let's examine that, she wanted to go bunny hunting and stood at the front door, barking.  It's hard to tell if that's the, "OMG, I have to poop," bark or if it's the "Hey, I want to see how many bunnies are invading my property," bark.   So, to error on the safe side, we take her out.  

I went out in my pajamas and Tony's open toed yard shoes and walked her all over the place.  We went out back--no results.  We went around our property--no results.  We went to the circle that usually gives us successful results--not today.  We went to  Uncle Stu's and Aunt Jan's and for whatever reason, on this night, it wasn't enough.  We walked around the other circle close to our house, only to have her sniff and pass.  I took her to the bridge, with icky water running under it and she finally pooped.  Good, I said to her, except, she pooped in an area far from street lights.  I was going to leave it and accept whatever nasty comments appeared on the owner's blog about not picking up your dog's poop when a car came around the corner.  The headlights hit me square in the PJ's so I made a big effort to make it seem like I was ripping off a doggie poop bag and picking up her contribution to the environment.  I don't think I got anything but grass and dirt, but I know when I am standing at the gallows of the dog waste final stop, someone will step forward and say, "wait, don't execute her, I saw her pick up the tootsie roll remains of her small, Shiz Tsu, let her go free."  At least, I hope that's how it goes!!

Tony was coming out to look for us as Dixie and I went in.  I was a frozen TV dinner by that time and Dixie was barely aware.  All she wanted was her poop treat--which she got in short order.  Gee, how I wish we would have house potty trained her.

Dixie is an odd duck when you compare her to Jack, which we try not to do.  But, she is such a social butterfly.  Such a girly, girl.  She wants everyone to love her and her puppy kisses know no bounds.  Jack was a guy.  A real man's man.  He liked to sleep in his cage and there were two pair of blue jeans that I wore that really turned him on.  No matter what I was doing or who was in the house, when he sniffed those blue jeans, he went nuts.  He would hang on my leg and "pulse," across the room.  Jenna was mortified, the boys just laughed.  We used to say that his "lip stick" was hanging out.  He would get short of breath and just collapse on the floor, slowly withdrawing his "lip stick."     Dixie is a lover.  She kisses, she nudges her way into your hip and she gives you a look of utter softness and light.  She kisses your hand and bats her eyelashes at you, as she climbs into your lap.  She has you at "hello."  

I have had 3 dogs in my life.  Willie, who I don't even want to think about, for fear he ended up not having a good life.  Jack, who was blind and deaf, but still my love and Dixie--who is Tony's dog.  I do maintenance on Dixie, but her loyalty and allegiance are to Tony.  He feeds her, takes her out, takes her to the groomer, gives her meds to keep her safe, he walks her, drives her around when he does the community poop bag refill, gives her meds to save her from the storms, he holds her in his lap when she is afraid and loves her unconditionally.   She is our 4th child, our furry one, and we love her so much.  

Oh yeah, that's me...the love child...!

Can you keep it down, I'm napping!

"I'm sorry, what was that you said about not getting on the couch?"

Daddy, Aunt Jan and Uncle Stu...I am loved!

"OK, can you shut this thing down?  I'd like to nap now!"

Voting and Valentines

Yesterday, Tony and I went to the Leland Arts Center to participate in early voting.  We know that Elizabeth Warren's numbers are down, but continue to hope that she will rebound.  As Trump's escapades continue to dominate the news, I think we are approaching the, "if not Elizabeth, any Democrat will do," stage--at least I am.  Before, I was thinking, "Bernie is too old and the Butt guy (no pun intended) is too young."  Now, I'm open to any Democratic candidate!

After voting, we went to Bridgewater Wines for a Valentine's Day lunch.  We had a good time chatting with Lillian, one of our favorite servers and picking out some new wines to try. 

We are getting ready for David and Tony Jr to come into town to play golf with Tony and Bob.  It will be nice to have them back home but odd because Brenda, Alex, Marie and the boys aren't coming.  I've gotten used to them being a package deal!  

Our next big event is Tony's birthday on the 24th.  After that it's getting our taxes done (ugh), saying goodbye to Donna and Bob and hello to our parade of guests who will be visiting soon.  

Same as last year, we're just a year older!

Good looking couple!!

The Most Special

Some people say that the last child you have is the most special.  I don't know--I think all kids are special.  But, for Tony and Marie, they certainly have a special little boy in Owen.  

Owen is sweet, funny, inquisitive and still loves food--any kind of food.  He wants to run "with the big dawgs," (his brothers) and hasn't figured out yet that they let him win some of the games that he plays with them.  Silly things make him laugh and he is a dancing machine.

Owen will turn 2 years old on February 10, but we are unable to go to his party, so we went to see him this past weekend.  I wrote him a book called, "Owen Makes A Wish," and Tony did the illustrations.  He seemed to like it and we had a blast doing it. 

Going to the Charlotte Swegle's is always an adventure!  I learned how to play "UNO," and to give Tony a rest break, I took his turn and was the "Monkey In The Middle."  That's a game where one person stands in the middle of two others and the two on the ends throw a ball to each other.  The  middle person tries to catch it and get out of the middle.  Guess what?  I suck at "Monkey In The Middle" and spent quite a bit of time there.  

Coleton, Anthony and I played "Concentration" and "Find the Hidden Treasure," on my phone and tablet.  They are very proficient at games already and very competitive--and loud.  Really, Really loud!

We saw Tony and Marie's new lanai and furniture.  It's beautiful and will give them a great place to hang out when the boys are in bed. Both Tony and Marie are doing well in their careers.  Tony has taken on a more strategic role with Discovery and Marie was recently promoted at GMR Marketing.  It's nice to know that their talents are being recognized and cultivated by their employers. 

While we were in Charlotte, it snowed.  It was kind of nice to see, but cold.  We managed to talk Tony Jr., into coming to Leland in a few weeks for another "3 Men and a Bond," golf tournament as David is coming from Florida to golf with Tony and Bob.  It will be a special time and a good 4-some and I'm sure they will all enjoy themselves.  After that, hopefully, the Swegle men will have some downtown Wilmington drinking/bonding time!  They are all such party animals, I expect that they will be back home by 8:30!  I'm hoping we can "triple portal" and have all of the Swegle households on the big screen TV at one time while "the guys" are here.  

Other than our Charlotte trip, not much is going on.  Donna and Bob will be going back to Cleveland in just 3 weeks.  Boy, did their stay fly by.   I am still looking for a part time job and writing seminars in the area.  Tony will be 73 on February 24 and is still driving for the Disabled Vets and working at the golf course.  I don't know where he gets the energy.  

Since I've jumped into Facebook (in conjunction with Lynn's Grandpad), I am finding that it takes a good bit of time.  I have 22 official "friends" and someone is always posting something that I can comment about.  I have reconnected with many people from previous jobs and am enjoying all of the catching up we are doing. 

It was a nice drive back from Charlotte.  The moon started to rise and we saw it as a big, yellow ball that looked like it was at the end of the highway.  We watched it rise high up in the sky and I got a few interesting pictures of it.  Certainly nothing that could match the beauty of the colors and glow when we first saw it. 

I have attached some pictures of our visit to enjoy. 

No, not a swamp, the moon coming up

And then hiding in the trees

See the funny glow

With rings around it!

Owen hanging out with the big guys

Papa and Owen

Anthony watches mom make a dunk shot in the play room 

Here he is with his Uni-brow!

Papa teaches Coleton about the planets

And far away stars

Mommy flips Owen!

Owen opens his wish book 

And Papa reads it to him 

Owen talks to Papa about the book!

Tony put a ball down the back of Owen's shirt...Owen couldn't find it...

...until Tony moved it to the front of his shirt!!

Ha!  He found it!!

And decides he likes it there!

And as all 8 of the grandchildren have....Owen rides on Papa!

Extremes

Last weekend we were in Lakeland, Florida watching a documentary about empowering women.  This week, we were in Sunset Beach, NC., watching the Super Bowl and the half time show.  

What an exercise in extremes.  Last weekend the message to young women was, "be strong, be independent, be your best and be proud."  The Super Bowl half time message was, "twerk your ass, be lewd with your tongue, show your butt cheeks and climb a stripper pole (with  no hands.)  And if you do all of that, you'll make a lot of money."  

No wonder young girls get confused about careers.  

I enjoyed the Super Bowl.  At last a game that wasn't a close call or slow moving.  I also enjoyed a small part of the half time show.  I loved the beat of the music, the fireworks, J Lo's daughter singing (although, at 11, should she have been on stage with her mother when her mother was showing her ass,) and I enjoyed all of the energy put forth by the dancers.  You have to be in great shape to keep up the pace that they did.   I just didn't think the movements and dress were very classy.  It was trashy.  

I'm afraid I'm starting to sound like all of our mothers used to when they lectured us on appropriate behavior.  I love to dance and in years gone by, I could shake my "bootie" with the best of them--but I can't remember a time when just my ass rotated up, down, left and right to the sound and metric of a drum at high speed while the skimpy fringe of my skirt jumped up and down.  OK, I'm old and I admit it. 

We stayed in Sunset Beach with Donna and Bob to watch the game and the next day went to the beach.  It was such a pretty day.  The temperature was in the mid-60's, but by the water was a bit colder.  The sound of the ocean waves hitting the beach was like a lullaby of white noise and the sky had wispy clouds that changed shapes when the wind blew.  I saw a cloud go from a human skull to a pirate's sword and then onto thin ribbons.  

Bob loves to tease the sea gulls so he brought bread with him.  At one point, we had more than 50 birds waiting for him to throw some food.   Was it just an accident that he kept throwing the food up in the air in the direction that Donna was sitting?  As the birds hovered in the air, we could see their clean white bodies and their webbed feet tucked up against their tails.  We were all on "bird poop watch," but lucked out and came away clean.  

Tomorrow is golf for the guys and a trip downtown for the women, after we get our pedicures!  We always have such fun with Donna and Bob.  

Check out our bird adventure: Incoming!!