Hayes' First Week

It still seems surreal that I'm a grandmother. But here's living proof.
Addison *Hayes* Eason is precious. He's already had hundreds of photos made, but he's been pretty patient about it all. He's currently enjoying *one and only* star status right now.

The dilemma is what is he going to call Wayne and me? Hmmm... I don't see Grandmother and Grandfather. No Meemaw and Peepaw. I'm not going to be Big Mamma to Big Daddy. Nope. Do we decide, or do we use the generic grandmother/granddaddy terms and let Hayes decide? Scary thought or democratic process? Could be a lot of pressure on a little guy.

Addison Hayes Eason

Baby Hayes waited on both sets of grandparents to get to the hospital before he made his grand entrance. He is precious! And so alert, he looks like he's trying to say something very important.

But since I'm operating on about three hours' sleep and have to be up and ready to teach an 8 o'clock class in the morning, I'll save my witty repartee for another post. 'Night all.

Beth flew in late Friday night for the wedding, and Saturday morning played beauty shop with Emily and Tatum while Sandra and I checked off the items on our "to-do" lists. This was Jackson's last weekend at home before leaving for school in San Antonio.

Everything was beautiful--a few minor glitches throughout the day just made things interesting and will be the tales told for years to come. But the potential teary moment for the bride and the mothers soon gave way to laughter when the 1937 car wouldn't crank. Uncle Wayne, Uncle Woody, and Greg Rhoden (father of the groom) came to the rescue.

Steel Magnolias

The big day started out as a Steel Magnolias kind of day complete with a morning at the beauty shop. Cast of characters for the day: Shelby (Brittney); M'Lynn (Sharon--not usually, but for the day); Clairee (Sandra); Ouiser (Libba--'cause I get to choose); Annelle (Emily); Truvy (Natalie); and a cast of special extras.

Truvy: What are your colors, Shelby?
Shelby: My colors are "blush" and "bashful."
M'Lynn: Her colors are "pink" and pink."
Shelby: My colors are "blush" and "bashful" Mama!
M'Lynn: How pretentious is this weddin' gonna get, I ask you?



Annelle: Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair.

Truvy: I don't like her. I don't trust anyone who does their own hair. I don't think it's natural.


Shelby: Truvy, you know what you need in here? You need a radio, takes the pressure off of everyone feeling they have to talk so much.
Truvy: I had one once, but I threw it up against the wall when I couldn't figure out where the batteries went. I know now I was suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome.



Shelby: [to Annelle] Relax! You can't screw up her hair. Just tease it and make it look like a brown football helmet.



M'Lynn: Oh my God Shelby was right, [her] hair *does* look like a brown football helmet!



Truvy: Smile! It increases your face value.

Clairee Belcher: Well, you know what they say: if you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me!

Miles of Piles

I just cleared off the counter and kitchen table, and they need it again. Where do the piles come from? Piles of newspapers, piles of mail, piles of school papers, piles of bills to pay, piles of books to read, piles of to-do lists, piles of catalogs and magazines.

Oh well. Got to go make a pile of piles to file.

This week in T-Town

1. Hayes' arrival could be any day now.
2. Brittney's getting married Saturday. Final "to-do" lists have been passed out. Seems like everything's in apple pie order.
3. Barkley finally recovered from her "walk-about." *Yuk* That took several days.
4. Beth's flying in Friday night for Britt's wedding and to drive back with Jackson.
5. Jackson will be packing and getting ready for UIW and San Antonio.
5. Looks like Wayne will be back in Heflin next week.
6. Classes start at UA next week.

Although we've all been looking forward to Brittney & Ryan's wedding and Hayes' arrival, summer has been short. Not so much short as devoid of much vacation and relaxation. Time really does seem to go by faster the older I get. It'll soon be a blur.

Barkley's Walk-About

Yesterday was a special day. Barkley wanted to be outside with me as I weeded, trying to get ahead of the mowing crew (i.e., Jackson and Dakota). I was talking to her and keeping her close, but she disappeared around a corner and was gone.

We call it "walk-about." Well, she went on an extended "walk-about." To the point that I called and whistled for her and drove around our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods looking for her, and then Jackson did the same.

Well, a good five or more hours after her departure, Jackson finds her "visiting" with friends at a nearby apartment complex. They told him that he should come there first should she go "walk-about" again, because she's been there before. They put out water for her and who knows what else.

The "who knows what else" is the problem. Most likely Barkley's "friends" didn't give her what she "shared" with us later. Multiple times. Shared with each of us. Wayne first, then me, and, finally, Jackson had his turn. And he almost "shared" as a result.

Barkley is apparently an indiscriminate forager. In other words.... No, I can't do that to y'all. Just use your imagination. Needless to say, I was worried she wouldn't come home, and, after last night and this morning and even this afternoon, I'm almost sorry she came home so soon. (Read full body shudder and fully functioning gag reflex.)

Sorry, but I had to share.

Blue skies ahead

It's been a rough year so far. Yeah, I know. Thank you, Captain Obvious. But, other than not knowing when I can have all my children together, in the same place at the same time, things may be looking up. [ALL means ALL! You marry into this family, you have to own it!]

Hayes' arrival, if on schedule, is under four weeks--due August 28. Hard to believe. Seems like last week Audra and Joey announced they were expecting.
We're all ready to get our hands on him. I say that, trying to be kind. But, really, me first.

Brittney and Ryan's wedding date is just around the corner, too.
We had lots of fun kicking off wedding festivities with a Couples Shower. Now countdown is under two weeks. Everything seems to be rolling smoothly toward 2:00 o'clock on August 15.

Jackson is enjoying a couple of weeks off after playing ball in Georgia this summer. He's visiting with family and catching up with friends. Red letter day for him will be August 11 when he gets his braces off. Hopefully, this second time around--after 2-1/2 years--will prevent future jaw surgery.

Beth is flying in for Brittney's wedding. We'll have a whirlwind weekend, then Beth, Jackson, AND Barkley will head west for Austin and San Antonio. Jackson will be living in a house that is dog friendly and close to UIW's campus.








So, Jackson's home. Then Beth comes home. Brittney and Ryan will have a fabulous wedding day. Jackson heads west for his own grand adventure--
D-II baseball, new city, new friends. Everyone arrives at their destinations safely. School starts. Then Hayes arrives, and we head toward Richmond. Yep, blue skies ahead.

What makes Saturday mornings great

1. Coffee (Well, that goes for every morning.)
2. Wayne makes breakfast.
3. A good book and plenty of time to read.