The Next Generation On The Links

This weekend we went to Charlotte to celebrate Coleton's 7th birthday.  

If there is any doubt that time passes quickly by, look at grandchildren.  They go from newborn to real kids in a heartbeat. I can clearly remember looking into Coleton's crib and commenting on how small he was.  He was all eyes with this funny, tilted little nose.  He would watch you like there was a question on his tiny lips that he wanted to ask you.  His first time parents measured each ounce of food, each poop and each burp.  

Fast forward 7 years.  Now Coleton can accurately quote sports statistics, and uses words like, "literally" in his sentences.  He wears glasses and hates to lose at board or card games.  

He showed an interest in golf, probably because his father, grandfather and uncle play, so he got a small plastic starter set a year or so ago.  This year for his birthday, we went in with David and Brenda and got him a real, child's golf set, complete with the bag, the driver and all of the other  clubs.  Tony and Marie bought him a left handed "driver tool" to get him used to the grip.   He loved everything and spent a lot of our visit swinging at golf balls in the backyard.  Very often, he got more loft and distance than I do on the course.  

Just when I was thinking of how grown up he was getting, he came in from the backyard and announced that he had to go to the bathroom and it wasn't just to pee.  TMI, his mother reminded him, as he went into the bathroom near the kitchen.  

As Marie and I continued to talk at the kitchen table, we heard a distinctive "bathroom" noise coming from Coleton.  "Coleton," Marie yelled,"shut the bathroom door."  Coleton responded, "But, I want to be part of the conversation."   After that, he was the conversation. 

We had a nice time in Charlotte.  Tony Jr., made pork chops for dinner--one of Coleton's favorites, and then we had birthday cake.  

Anthony and Owen were lots of fun.  We played Uno and "guess the animal," where we had to act like an animal and have everyone guess what we were.  I tried to hop like a bunny and heard the crunch of cartilage in my knee, so I gave up.   Tony put a small, wooden hammer on top of his head and gave the clue as, "da-dumb, da-dumb, da-dumb."  The kids didn't get that he was a hammer head shark.  I guess "Jaws," isn't a good bedtime movie.  

We hope that this is the start of a new generation of 3 Men and a Bond.  Tony Jr., Coleton and Anthony or Coleton, Anthony and Owen, all golfing together and remembering how they got started.  

We didn't bring Dixie with us, in part, because they just put Tyson down and we didn't think it would be a good idea to have a dog running around.  Instead, she spent the day with her Godparents, Jan and Stu.  She actually went to a birthday party for Jan and Stu's twin grandchildren.  They love Dixie and she was certainly a hit.  Jan sent us a picture of Dixie sitting on the furniture like she owned the place.   Jan and Stu's daughter, Amy, sent a big chicken leg back home for Dixie to have later--she had one while she was there, so of course she needed another one.  This was the first time that Dixie met the children's other grandmother, so she spent a lot of time being cute and getting loved--Dixie, not the grandmother!

And so, we are on to Cleveland next and then David, Brenda and Alex are coming to Leland around Labor Day.  

It's been a busy and fun summer so far.  We can't wait to see the "kids," and everyone in Cleveland. 

Memories from Charlotte and Other Places

Coleton and his golf clubs and bag (not sure why this isn't centered)

Anthony can't wait to get his clubs and be like his brother

Here he is, the newest Swegle golfer on the links!

A good grip...keep your head down....

Owen trying to decide if he should golf....

...but decided that he is happy riding around for now

Anthony being goofy!

Our Charlotte boys

Dixie hanging out at her Godparent's Daughter's House

Celebrating being home

Catching up with Mommy and Daddy 

Being as Goofy as Anthony

Being Cute

  

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!

Animals

As you approach Leland, there are signs that indicate that Leland is a "bird sanctuary."  That's why I feel like Tony and I fit right in--our house is a bird sanctuary!  Our 3 baby cardinals have left the nest and are out on their own, but now, we have a mother Wren who made her nest in Tony's plant on the front porch.  We have to put water in the plant holder base so it will absorb upward.  Then, we water from a very small area in front so we don't flood the nest.  

But birds aren't the only thing that find sanctuary in Leland.  A few nights ago, Tony went to one of our neighbor's house to help him get rid of a copperhead snake in his yard.  I wasn't really happy with that decision, because Tony was wearing shorts and flip flops.  I worked in Novant Hospital's Emergency Room for years and have seen dozens of snake bites, most at ankle height and most on men who wanted to relocate snakes.  

Luckily, the snake was not very social and left as it became outnumbered.   

In addition to the animal population, we have the usual summer wasp nests, huge spider webs and this year, we think that Dixie got stung by fire ants.  She licked her paw and limped around for a day or two and had Tony at her beck and call!

Our company parade is starting today, with Sarah and Steven, who arrive late this evening.  And, of course, our dryer took this opportunity to break.  It will be fixed next week, but that meant we had to go to a laundromat to dry our clothes and towels.  OMG!  I haven't been to a laundromat since Jenna was a baby.  And, once we were there, I remembered why.  Only strange people hang out at a laundromat.

I'm pretty sure we were the only two people in there reading current issues of Time Magazine (come to think of it, we must have looked like the strange ones!)  On a positive note, I was wearing more diamonds that any of the women there.  No one was paying attention though because there was a young lady who was wearing jeans that were so tight, you could count the quarters in her back pocket.

We saw women in "dew rags" and "moo-moo's" and men wearing socks and sandals.  Overall, it wasn't one of our black tie and gala gown events or venues.  

All I can say is Thank God for dryer repair people!

Dixie's foot hurts!  Damn Ants!

Daddy took good care of her and she's all better

The Wren's Nest

Excited to see Steven and Sarah