4th of July

My 4th of July was wonderful. The entire family got together and cooked out. We played badminton and horseshoes. Many of us played like our lives depended on it and talked a whole lot of mess to our opponents. Even my grandmother played (she's almost 80 yrs. old). The outcome - We were all TIRED!

This Weekend

I've been trying to finish reading this novel, Eden, Ohio. I am not crazy about the author's writing style and I'll be glad when I finish it. I feel like I'm wasting my time. I've put some of my research on hold in order to read a few novels and so far, no good.

I haven't made any solid plans for the weekend. I have a few offers, but I haven't decided on what I'm going to do. I know this much is true - I will have myself a few ice cold Heinekens.

I've Been Busy

For the past week, I've been wrapping up the last minute details of the Crab & Shrimp Feast. My committee always offers our guests refreshments and a 50/50 drawing on all of our bus ride fundraisers and yesterday was no different. We fed everyone cold cut sandwiches (w/out all of the stinky stuff like onions, oil, & vinegar), chips, soda, and bottled water. This was to hold them over until we reached the banquet facility were the Crab & Shrimp Feast was held.

Once we arrived, it was on. Everyone was peeling shrimp and busting crabs open all night mixed with dancing, drinking (premium open bar), picture taking, and gambling at the wheel (like the ones they have in casinos). It was great.

Now you know I got my groove on. I had the fellas requesting to dance with me all night. Yes, they were watching my moves - you just can't mess with me on the dance floor. I danced until I was tired and then some. I had a really good time.

The tickets were more expensive this year, but it was well worth the money. My committee does a fabulous job with our fundraisers. Kudoos to my committee.

After Dinner . . .

It's been a few days since I've posted so here goes... Lately, it seems that all I talk about is food. Anyway, last night we took my cousin to dinner for his birthday. As I recap, I can't believe how many crab legs I devoured - I was out of control. I mean, I really went to town on those things. And to make it so bad, when he finished his meal, I was still cracking crab legs open. I think the summertime has an influence on my seafood binges.

On to something else - Last night, my state committee had a conference call (after all of those crab legs, you know I didn't feel like participating). We designated our new coordinators for the year 2008. Why did it take so long for us to cover our agenda? Sometimes the committee takes way too much time to accomplish the simplest tasks. Finding a medium between the older and younger members sure is difficult - the older members are very much set in their ways. It's similar to trying twist the lid off of a jar that is so tight that after you tap it, bang it, and hit the bottom of it, it still won't open. All the while, you get so annoyed that you leave it alone until later . . . and then when you twist it, the lid comes right off. Well that's exactly what it's like with me being the youngest member on the committee. Sometimes, it just beats me up mentally. The one thing that keeps me going is our purpose, keeping my family tradition alive is worth more than letting the old timers wear me out.

Birthdays

Today happens to be my cousin's Birthday. He doesn't seem to be all excited about it though. A few of us will take him out for a Birthday dinner on Sunday. This is customary in my family - Birthdays are a big deal.

I'm not going to write much today because I'm in the process of finishing up some research. I called myself taking a break right now - so until tomorrow I'm signing off.

Crab & Shrimp Feast

Yesterday it didn't cross my mind that before I take my trip to Virginia, I will be going to the Crab & Shrimp Feast in Maryland with my reunion state committee. So now there are two trips that I am excited about. Let me tell you, I am going to eat, eat, & eat. I hope that I'm not portraying myself as a glutton because I am only 125 lbs and I have maintained this weight since I was 21.

Back to the Crab & Shrimp Feast - I'm going to dance my tail off - yes, I am pretty smooth on the dance floor. Last year while I was there, a little girl and her friends came up to me and asked if they could dance with me. The one little girl just clung to me like I was her mother or something. She grabbed me by the hand and introduced me to her whole family. Wouldn't you know that for the entire evening these kids wouldn't let me dance with anyone else. When a guy wanted to dance with me, these little kids would make their way over and interupt my dance. I was like darn, I can't socialize now that these kids have put me in protective custody. It was OK though, maybe they just liked something about me, not to mention they tried to steal all of my dance moves : )

I'm Planning My Next Genealogy Trip

Soon I'll be taking a trip back to my roots in good ole Virginia. I'm quite sure there will be more than enough information waiting there for me. Actually, it's going to take me more than one trip to accomplish everything. I'm in the early planning stages now - mapping out my course of action. This trip is going to be a doosey, but I'm built for this. There is one perk that I'm looking forward to and that is eating some of that great Maryland seafood. Ummm, Ummm, Ummm I can't wait. And if it's nice, I'll have to do it twice - which means I'll get some more seafood during the trip back home :)