The first of many fun weekends

This weekend was our first weekend together and it could not have been more beautiful. Friday night we went to a Baysox baseball game in Bowie with Doug's parents. (One of the few minor league teams in the area.) I was thrilled to see they were doing fireworks that night too. It got a little chilly when the sun went down but it was a great game so it was worth it.

Saturday we could not decide what we wanted to do. We had thought about going to Baltimore or DC but we had appointments to get our hair cut and did not want to rush to get back. Since it was such a nice day we decided on lunch at a rooftop restaurant (Cadillac Ranch in Annapolis), a nice drive to enjoy the sun, and some frozen yogurt. I wish I would have taken a picture of my salad. I got the BBQ chicken salad. It was sooo good! I ate way too much because I could not stop. Good thing it was nice out so I could walk it off. :)

I love how country (wooded/untouched) some parts of the state are. 

Hair blowing all over the place with the windows down. 

Getting our eat on. 

Mom's retirement party

I have finally gotten some time to sit down and upload a few pictures from Mom's retirement party. It was a really nice party and I was so happy to be there to celebrate with her. I didn't remember half of the people I saw but they all seemed to remember me. It was great to see everyone show up to celebrate my Mom and her 36 years of dedication.

We had quite the spread. I chowed down on the cheese straws. Hadn't had those since the wedding. And the chocolate covered cupcakes, lets just say I had to fight Dad and Doug for one. Tasty!

They made Mom a picture book of her through the 36 years. There were pens next to it so everyone could sign the book with well wishes. My camera couldn't get a good picture of the pages. :(

Here is the one and only page that came out good. Gotta love those glasses. :)

Insider note: the bank has it's employees wear certain color bank shirts each day. This day was red. We stood out in the crowd. 

Mom and my Dad's dad. We call him Pops!

They are so much alike except one is an introvert and one is an extrovert. Those who know them know they are completely opposite in that aspect.

Mom got tons of cards and gifts. We decided to open the gifts there and do the cards at home. Took her hours that night. 

One of her favorite gifts. 

My favorite gift. :) Maybe she will let me borrow it! I had to explain to her how nice the large Vera Bradley tote was. I said, "This did not come from Wal-Mart." Ha!

One last roll - videos

Here is my video I took while downtown Saturday

Found this on YouTube, thought it was pretty good

Forever Rooted

Then...

Now...

What's to come...

 

 Gone for now but never forgotten.
Thank you for the memories.
Until we meet again,
War Damn Eagle

Changes

As those of you who know me or have read my blog know, since we have lived in Maryland Doug has been stuck working those god awful retail hours. The schedule stinks and has left us with very little time together. I will admit I enjoy my lazy weekends and total control over the TV at night but I would much rather have Doug home than not. Especially the nights he closes. Auburn will not lay down and sleep until he is in the bed. She will sit at the edge and bark at every little noise she hears thinking it is Doug coming home. Of course this keeps me up because it makes me paranoid. And the beautiful weekends I have wasted sitting on the couch because I had no one to do anything with is just a darn shame.
Well, words cannot express how thrilled I am to say that is all about to change. Doug applied and was given a new management position at Best Buy. He will be over inventory (receiving) and lost prevention. Starting next Sunday his new work hours will be Sunday - Thursday, 6 am - 2:30 pm! I tear up just thinking about it. He will have every night off and we will have every Saturday off together. Yall, I am so happy! I just can't wait to see my husband every single day. We have not had that since we lived in GA. That is almost two years!! I changed my schedule at work to 7-3:30 so I could have an extra hour with him. I have already planned our first two Saturdays. There has been so much we have wanted to do and now, finally, we have the time to do it. I am ecstatic!

Second news...
As most of yall know, I am heading home this weekend to roll Toomer's corner one last time. Well, that is not entirely true. This Friday I will be attending my Mom's retirement party from Charter Bank. She has worked for them for around 35 years (not sure on the exact number) and is currently the longest employee the company has (even longer than the President of the bank!).  (And please note I did not say oldest. She is still a young lady! Not even a Grandma! :) )She has mixed emotions about it but I hope she is happy. I think she is scared about the decrease in income (her and Dad are big penny savers) and all the extra time. Ha! She is so use to running around doing so much that I think the "nowhere to be" thing is a little frightening. I am sure she will find plenty to do to take up her time but it will still be a huge adjustment.
I am very proud of her and I wish her the best. I hope she gets to relax and take care of herself. She has never had much "me time" so I hope this opportunity gives her the time needed for that. So for those of you that know her, give her a call or send her a card to congratulate her on a hard earned and well deserved retirement. (A few ideas of things to do during the day would not hurt either...) Love you Mom! Can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend!

Videos from concert