Weekend ReQap

Day 17 in the April A-Z Blog Challenge and we've landed on letter Q. Since we had a fun weekend away I'm going to do a little recap here today. Which has nothing to do with my challenge theme focused on grandparenting, but I knew from the get-go there would be a few random entries sprinkled throughout. 

Hey, it wouldn't be my blog if you always knew what was coming, right? 

Q is for Quite The Weekend

Friends who go way way back hosted a wedding in Nashville this past weekend and we were so happy to be included in the celebration. It's been a long time since I've been in Nashville and the city has really grown up and out since Daughter2 and I made a campus visit to Vanderbilt in 2007. 

Let's not even mention she was a seventeen year old high school senior then because how can that be???

Anyhoo, Nashville. I love it. It could use a power wash, but it's a great city with loads of things to do. Music, sports, history, fun. It's a busy busy place and I'm pretty sure every bride-to-be in the continental United States has a hen party there now. The number of bachelorette groups we saw was ka-razy! You knew immediately that's what they were...boas round their necks and fluorescent pink, green, and purple wigs on their heads. 

I don't get the wigs. I sound old, but did y'all have a bachelorette party when you got married? That wasn't a thing when I got married. A night out sure, but not a whole weekend away with air travel and expensive hotel rooms. Times change and customs too and it seems like most brides now have a bachelorette shindig. 

We had a little side trip on the way to town which I'll for sure talk about one day soon, but for now let's stick to the wedding weekend.  

Nashville is a great mix of old and new. They have fully embraced the music scene and I'm here for it. The CMA's were happening on Sunday evening, but we didn't realize that until someone told us Blake Shelton had been in his bar the night before. If you watched the CMA's on tv they had about 10 people in the audience due to Covid restrictions. I'm here to tell you the streets were teeming with people and the bars were full to overflowing. It's such a mishmash of rules and no-rules that nobody really knows what's what. 

The groom is the son of one of our bestest college buds so most of our weekend revolved around wedding people and activities. We stayed at The Graduate which is a cute, funky hotel. There are several around the country but the Nashville hotel has a Dolly Parton theme and there are nods to her everywhere. The location is great and we'd definitely go back. 

Friday night we met up for dinner with more college friends and had the most enjoyable, leisurely meal at Husk, starting with an oyster topped with lemon sorbet and a splash of Sotol. 

After dinner we headed back to the hotel and met up with the the groom's parents, a couple of their neighbors also in town for the wedding, and the bride and groom. We gabbed and caught up and then called it a night. 

Saturday morning we went to breakfast at Midtown Cafe with our friends. So good! We girls had our hair done then met back up with the guys and headed over to Broadway to see what we could see. Which was a little bit of everything and has to be one of the world's best spots for people watching. We listened to music floating out of the various venues and decided to grab a seat in one, Kid Rocks Honky Tonk. It was so much fun, and we met people at the neighboring tables, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Country music can do that. 

It can also make you cry, but today was all about the happy. 

Which brings me to the wedding. The event was held outside the city limits but the couple had a shuttle for guests so we didn't have to drive. The ceremony and reception were in a pretty venue called The Front Porch, a farm like setting in the serene Tennessee countryside. There was a cocktail hour beside the pool, followed by the reception in a beautifully decorated new barn. 

The bride and groom married beneath an enormous old tree and the vows were something special y'all. I'm not going to tell their story because it's not mine to tell, but you needed more than one kleenex to make it through. 

We had a delicious supper and danced a lot because that's what we like to do. Eat and dance. Hubs, the groom's dad, and our Friday night dinner friend were all fraternity brothers some 40 years ago, and they can still impress the 'kids' with their moves. 

These two men standing with with hubs and the groom were in our wedding once upon a time and the long and lasting bonds of love and friendship we still share make these life markers feel extra special. 

Cheers to the adorable newlyweds and a lifetime of happiness! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 416

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. See you there! And if you're here for the A-Z blog challenge today's post will be up shortly. 

1. Find a penny. Look at the date and tell us something about your life or what you were doing that year? 

2. Were you given an allowance as a child? Did you have to earn it in some way? Did you learn to save money when you were a child or is that something you figured out as an adult? 

3. April 23rd is National Take A Chance Day...what's a chance you need or want to take?

4. What's some outdated slang you seem to use a little too often? 

5. It's National Poetry month and I always like to make us work our brains a little...

Roses are red
Violets are blue
....you fill in the rest with something original...

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

His Favorite People Call Him Pawpaw

True to form here I'm running a wee bit behind in posting today's entry in the A-Z Blog Challenge. In my defense we were out of town this past weekend, and I did not blog. Or think about blogging. Or say the alphabet. 

Since the day is already half over and hubs and I literally pulled in the driveway an hour ago, unloaded the car, unpacked suitcases, sorted mail, started laundry, and figured out what in the world I could put together for tonite's dinner I'm keeping it simple and going with the obvious. 

P is for Pawpaw

Dear Grandboys,

You have the world's best pawpaw. He is super fun which I know you've already discovered. As you grow you'll learn that Pawpaw is someone who grabs you by the hand and pulls you into the fun, even when you're unsure as to whether or not something will actually be fun.  

It's almost always fun, and you can trust Nana on that. She speaks from experience.  

Pawpaw loves to show you things... his pinewood derby cars, the fish he caught, the snakeskin he found in the yard, baby birds in the birdhouse, his pocket knife, his compass, his many wristwatches, various and assorted trinkets which you love to inspect while asking a million trillion questions as to their origin and use. 

He juggles.

He will ask you every time he sees you 'What time is it?' and the correct response is always 'Football time in Tennessee...go Big Orange!!' said loudly and with gusto. We love our Tigers too, but PawPaw is a Tennessee boy at heart. 

He was an eagle scout and has the skills to prove it...fire making skills, campfire cooking skills, knot tying skills, map reading skills...and he loves to share these skills with you. 

Pawpaw is always up for a spontaneous road trip, a spontaneous boat ride, or a spontaneous walk in the woods. Actually, spontaneous fun in general. 

He makes people laugh. 

He's never met a stranger. 

He knows a lot of random facts about a lot of random topics including but not limited to military aircraft, snakes, automobiles, sharks, the Civil War, outer space, Belgian beer, and the stars overhead. He can name a tune in just one note, is our resident DJ, and dancer extraordinaire. 

Pawpaw has seen the world, or a fair amount of it anyway, and if you name a city he will tell you where to go for dinner. 

He's a water rat and is never happier than when he's in the water, on the water, or beside the water. He can hold his breath a ridiculously long time, pop up on a slalom ski like he's still fifteen, and dock a boat with only a little bit of shouting at the first mate. 

Nana can't wait until you boys replace her as first mate. 

Your pawpaw was born to be a girl dad, and pawpaw to mighty little men. You are the light of his life and he can't wait to teach you things, learn new things, and see new things with you. 

The very best thing about your Pawpaw is that he feels things deeply and loves completely. He shows you and he tells you. 

Tuck that love inside your heart, and when the world is cold let it warm you from the inside out. 

Alphabet Blessings

It's Saturday which means it's time for another list of small things I find are actually pretty grand. The only rule is the list must tie in someway with the letter of the day in this month's A-Z Blog Challenge. It's a fun exercise and I invite you to make a list of your own. Here we go-

O is for An Ongoing List

ordinary days

our omnipotent God

an organized pantry

old friends

college football teams whose colors are orange and white

hubs famous omelettes
toes in the ocean

overcoming a hurdle

olives of all kind and color

openhearted people

overnight guests

a fiery orange sunset
a plate of fried okra

objective reporting

special occasions

opportunities seized
obedient dogs
outdoor dining

not overthinking

Happy weekend everyone! 

N is for Guess Who

We've crossed the halfway point in the A-Z Blog Challenge and today have landed on letter N...

N is for Nana

When you know you're going to be a grandparent there are many things to consider. One of the first is settling on what name you'd like to be called. Or maybe your children decide for you? I know quite a few grandparents who let the grandchild come up with a name, but that can be risky teehee. 

Growing up we called both sets of my own grandparents Grandma and Grandpa. We'd often add their surname so everyone was clear on which grandmother or grandfather we were referencing. When my niece was born she called my mom Mema and my Dad Poppie, so when my daughters were born this is how they were introduced. 

My sister had a son some sixteen years after my youngest was born and he likes to call my mom Mimi. I think she prefers this name, but my girls have a lot to say about it-ha! He's the only grandson though, so I think it's okay. 

My girls called hubs parents Grandma and Grandpa so there was never any confusion over which side of the family we were discussing. One of my grandmothers lived to spend many years knowing my girls, her great granddaughters, and she went from being called Grandma to the new name GiGi, for great-grandma. 

Also, she was so special and I miss her. 

When my turn rolled around my daughter asked both sets of grandparents what they would like to be called and we all weighed in. Her mother-in-law chose a nickname she used to call a favorite aunt who was very dear to her and her father-in-law wanted to be called by his first name. They put the kibosh on that though, so he added Papa in front of his first name and that's what he's called. 

Hubs wanted to go by the same name as his own grandpa so he's Pawpaw. I'm here to tell you it sounds super precious when spoken aloud by little boys. 

So what about me? When we lived in the UK the girl who cut our hair would come to our house, and we became friends. She was about the age my daughters are now and we looked forward to her visits. Quite often she would talk about her grandparents, specifically her Nan. It was so completely endearing that I decided way back then I would someday be Nana. 

And now I am. 

For a while it was NeNe which was also the mancub's word for banana. Since nothing gets by him I imagine his brain was working hard trying to piece together how the two were connected, but he’s got it now. 

There is nothing quite so sweet as hearing your name on the lips of tiny humans who you love more than words can say. 

Are you a grandparent? What are you called by the ones you love? What did you call your own grands?

A Love Like No Other

Continuing with the April A-Z Blog Challenge and the letter of the day-

 M is for Marvelous Magical Momma

Hey little grandboys...it's Nana...and I want to talk about something sweet with you on this sunny Thursday morning. 

Your momma is something special. I mean all mommas are special but yours is completely extra. And do you know what? She has been since the day she was born. 

She has always had a gentle quiet spirit. 

 

She is funny, creative, musical.

She is beautiful and that shines from within. 

She is small but mighty. Even though you'll likely tower over her in the not too distant future, don't  ever underestimate her might. 

She is tender-hearted and compassionate. Even when she was a little girl she always had a sense about people and how they were feeling, what they need, how to respond. She has it still. 

She is smart and she loves words. You might have to ask your Dr. Dad to help you with math, but if it's words you need to know-find-understand then she's your girl. 

She has a spirit of adventure. Which seems kind of funny to us now because when she was a tiny tot she was a bit fraidy scared of change or anything new and unfamiliar. 

She got over it though and discovered there's a great big world out there waiting to be explored. She loves new languages, new peoples, new customs, and new places and she will make you love them too. 

She is patient. I absolutely marvel at the way she responds to your endless questions, your cries for attention, your needs both physical and emotional. 

Jesus loves her this she knows. And she is teaching you to know Him too. 

She is slow to anger and likes to give others the benefit of the doubt. She brings light and sunshine to a messy, tangled-up world. 

She loves your Daddy. 

And she sure loves you. 

That love will be with you solid and unfailing for always.

A gift even Nana can't put  into words. 

A Hodgepodge Legacy

Welcome to another edition of the weekly Hodgepodge. For anyone visiting from the A-Z Blog Challenge today, I host a weekly random Q and A here every Wednesday. Feel free to play along, but please add Hodgepodge links only to this hop. Thanks! Scroll down to question six for my letter L entry. 

If you're here to Hodgepodge and you've answered today's questions, add your link at the bottom of my post. Then leave a comment for the blogger before you because that's what good neighbors do. Here we go-

   

1. What is something you currently find 'taxing'? 

I'd like to never mention this word on my blog again but! in a word Corona and all it's many tentacles...the way we don't have any idea what's true, what's exaggerated, what's real, and what's imagined. The mask shaming, vaccine shaming. All of it. Taxing is a good word. 

2. I've seen this question asked in various forms on several social media sites...you can only keep three-

coffee, jewelry, tacos, wine, books, dogs, chocolate, Netflix, make-up, leggings, cheese, cats

Which three do you keep and how easy or hard was it for you to decide? 

Hmmm...harder than it first appeared. The first is easy, because of all the things listed I for sure would miss my morning coffee the most. I'm allergic to cats so that one lands at the bottom of the list. In fact, besides cats I think the bottom half of my list would include jewelry, wine, Netflix, make-up, and leggings, not necessarily in that order. 

Dogs are living things while most of these other items are not, so dogs would have to make my list. And since I can't imagine a world without books I guess my top three are coffee, books and dogs. 

But I will really really miss my cheese and chocolate. 

3. Tell us something you know or have learned about forgiveness? 

It's hard to keep forgiving someone whose behavior doesn't really change. When I stop and think about it more deeply I realize God could say the same thing about me. But He doesn't. I'm forgiven and need to extend forgiveness to others. It's not always easy, but it is truly freeing. I love the Matthew West song called Forgiveness (linked here). The lyrics are wonderful and so true. 

4. What's something you'd recommend that is often overlooked and under appreciated?

The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of a walk in the woods, a nap, and a long hot soak in the tub. 

5. Give us a favorite word that starts with letter K and tell us why this is the one you chose. 

I don't know if it's a favorite but I seem to use the expression 'kit and caboodle' fairly often. Don't ask me why. I guess it's just the way my brain works, and it's often the right sort of phrase for the point I'm trying to make. Plus it's fun to say.

6. Insert your own random thought here-

Day 12 in the A-Z Blog Challenge...

L is for legacy

Do you ever think about what sort of legacy you're leaving for those who come after you? Are you intentional in living up to what you want that legacy to be? How we're remembered will mostly be based on how we lived. 

Not many people have the financial means to name a building or build a school or the like, but we all have people we hope our lives impact and perhaps continue to impact after we're gone. 

How do I want my children and grandchildren to remember me?

Not going to complicate it...

She loved well. 

She used her words for good.

She pointed to Jesus.