As My Father Says, It Doesn’t Take Much to Make Me Happy

My parents made the trip from Mayberry this weekend to watch the Man-Cub play baseball and to spend some quality time with the rest of us and, we made that time just as quality as possible.

The Cub did really well at the game, getting a chance to pitch for the first time which, really excited him (and, you know, his grandfather). I have to admit, I wasn’t convinced that he was ready but, he did ok; he only hit one kid and he managed to strike out three others. Of course, he knew all along that he could do it and I am a terrible mother for lacking faith in his abilities-he is an awesome pitcher.

And, yes, I'm sure the mother of the kid he hit, might disagree.

After the game, we headed home to watch movies but mostly, we were all really tired and just wanted to sleep, after all, we had a lot planned for the next day.

And, Saturday did not disappoint in as far as the plans we had made; we shopped, we visited, we watched Marley and Me which my parents had never seen and; for which they now understand the reason I have been telling them that the Man-Cub cries every time he watches it, even though he has seen it four meelion times. My mom was tremendously moved by the film and my dad, well, he is a manly man so, if I tell you that he needed his hanky there at the very end, you have to promise to keep that between us.

One of the things that my mom and I went shopping for was a selection of flowers for my porch planters. I picked up a couple of flats of purple and red petunias which, in hind-sight, was about a flat too many but; I now have six planters, a large pot, my late grandfather's ancient wheelbarrow, and an extra-large galvanized tin washtub overflowing with purple and red flowers. Also, since there were more than a few flowers left over, I planted a row down the fence line of the vegetable garden (which recently sprouted radishes and the very first shoots of sunflowers, yay! Things are growing! The curse, it may be broken!) and they are sure to be lovely there as well.

Another thing that I shopped for was a wicker set for the front porch; I have wanted one since before the porch was built and, after saving my pennies for the past six months, could finally afford the set that I wanted. Hugh and I picked up the furniture while my parents stayed with the Cub (The Teenager spent a large part of the weekend at a sleep-over, you know, as teenagers do) and, upon our return; my Mom and I arranged the new seating area on the porch and then spent the remainder of the day relaxing there. We even ate dinner on the porch, incidentally creating the first Porch Night of the season.

Long live Porch Night.

And, lazy afternoons on the porch with a good book, a glass of iced tea and a bowl of cherries.

Oh, and mornings on the porch with a cup of hot coffee and the crossword puzzle from the newspaper.

Insert contented sigh here______.

Unfortunately, my parents had to head back to Mayberry on Sunday morning. Hugh worked for the Police Department so the children and I hung out on the porch, reading, chatting, and catching up with each other. Both kids are looking forward to this week’s school activities as well as to Thursday and Friday, which are their last days-Thursday for the Cub and Friday for the Teenager.

I’m looking forward to not having to play the part of Cruise Director every morning; the kids can organize their own schedules as long as chores get done and the house does not burn to the ground. Fortunately, my job at the store allows me the freedom to come and go as needed and to spend more time with the kids during the vacation and; we are looking forward to several outings with Jana and the kids during this time as well.

Speaking of outings, Hugh brought the boat home this weekend and we are planning her christening voyage for Memorial Day. There will be cheap champagne for Hugh and me, sparkling grape juice for the kids and bologna sandwiches all around and we are going to love every minute of it, we are redneck, hear us roar.

And no, Dad; it really doesn’t take much to make me happy; you totally raised me right.