If You're Scared, Look Towards the Light

I took a day off of work yesterday; well, my paying job that is. I still worked.

I got up and dropped my oldest at summer school. Then I went BACK.TO.BED. until 9:30. It was heaven.

Next, I ran errands, like Costco, the grocery store, etc. I also trimmed my out-of-control rose bush so it would stop assaulting me every time I walked past. Got groceries put away, cleaned my house from top to bottom and even managed to get 4 loads of laundry done AND listened to an online lecture for school.

I tried a new Taco Salad Recipe (Thanks Linda & Jen!) and got my grill on for dinner. The sister who lives close by came over with her hubby & kids. And, my aunt from Tennessee (the one that sent me treats @ Christmas) and her daughter and her grandson came to visit too! They made the road trip because my Aunt and cousin are dropping my cousin's son off to college and he is starting Summer Term. We ate. We laughed. We got the fire pit going and the kids made s'mores and "roasted" Starbursts.

Even after the out-of-towners headed back to the hotel to sleep, my sister & BIL & I hung out until MIDNIGHT and chatted and laughed and wheezed and almost peed our pants. Guess we lost track of time... oops.

The little ones wanted a sleepover. We obliged. It took them about 30 minutes or so to wind down. I kept hearing whispers and giggles. And the littlest one must have gotten scared at some points, cuz then I'd hear PrettyPrettyPrincess say, "If you get scared, just look towards the light." She was referring to the light from the bathroom, bleeding into the hallway and shining in her room. Nevertheless, it made me smile.

Here's a pic of the cousin sleepover in progress.

After-Party clean up was a breeze, thanks to paper products. I know I need to go to work tomorrow (which is now today). But it's productive and fun days like this that makes me wish I didn't have to :)

Memorial Day

Where I grew up Memorial Day was a big event. It would start off with our town's Memorial Day Parade; always a biggie. Then we'd head off to the church picnic. Then, AFTER the picnic, we'd usually talk our parents (well, my mom anyway) into letting us have friends over for movies or board games. But one thing we always had on Memorial Day was grilled meat. Sometimes, hotdogs, sometimes hamburgers, and once in a while my dad would do chicken. My dad traveled a lot back then and therefore the grill didn't get used so much. However, to me throwing a little sumin'-sumin' on the grill is a must for this holiday.

One year, my oldest (who was then about 6) asked me what Memorial Day was. I explained how it was to remember those who fought for our freedom, and more specifically those who died for it. Then when I started up the grill he exclaimed, "We get to eat like they did back then too? On a fire????" Yes dear. On a fire. Tee hee.

So whether you are out camping, having a picnic or backyard BBQ, or stopping by your favorite local diner for some fall-of-the-bone ribs, I hope you all enjoy a little "fire-cooked" dinner yourself!

Oh - and for your viewing pleasure... here's how some people do it --

This last one I giggled and giggled like a naughty Catholic School girl! Go {{HERE}} to see the latest in true "that's what she said" fashion Grilling tools! I can just hear my mother now -- "Aye-eye! For shame!" I know... I is thorry...