STOMP!

Yesterday we went to New York and as we got to the NY skyline I had such pleasant flashbacks to when the Girls got together for the first time ( next time, Leane, you WILL be there). We had such fun and I can't wait til we do it again.
We went in to do something special. Murray gave us tickets to see STOMP at the Orpheum theater in Greenage Village. Hundreds of people, some of which you question if human, milling around the streets. All the little shops. They will put a store in the smallest of spaces. We ate at a Greek restaurant and the food was good.
If you haven't seen STOMP on TV, look for it...it is awesome. We had orchestra seats...which I normally don't like because it is too close. But the theater is small although it holds 350 . This time though it was great because you got to see the expressions on the performers faces. You could tell they loved what they were doing and it was funny also. STOMP is about these people taking all kinds of everyday items like brooms, garbage cans, rubber hoses, etc. and makes rythm...loud rythm... with them. The whole theater , walls, ceiling was covered with junk from a junk yard. It was great!!!!! Thank you, my Murray!
Speaking of my Murray...you remember he is getting married in a non-conventional way. I asked him if he was getting Mary a ring and he said not necessarily. I told him about two rings that I had if he would be interested...one was mine that Frank gave me when Gregg was about 2, so that was about 35 years ago. Actually it was the first ring he gave me. I haven't worn it in years. The second was from Frank's great-aunt Daisy. It was too small for me. Aunt Daisy was the renegade in her family...I always felt I could relate to her. :-) I think I might have met her once. Anyway, when she died, all her rings went to Frank's Mom and she passed them around and I ended with this one. I took the rings out and looked at them and decided I couldn't part with the ring Frank gave me :-) so I really pushed Aunt Daisy's ring. He loved it, partly because it is a pretty little ring , actually a real engagement ring. And partly because it is old and from the family. My boys are really traditional in family ways.
So I kept my ring...I wonder if Gregg will want it and if I will be able to give it up then? I really love the idea of keeping it in the family. I can't wait til Murray gives it to Mary....
Oh, did I tell you it is 4:00 in the morning? Can you tell by how long this blog is? :-)
Sometimes I wake up and can't go back to sleep...thanks for listening... Uh, reading this AP

marriage proposal

We were sitting in Charlie Browns restaurant (my favorite) a few days before christmas. It was Me, Frank, Murray and Mary. In the middle of our meal, Murray blurts out...."Next year me and Mary are getting married and I am moving into her house." We just sat there, looking at Murray for what seemed like minutes when it probably was seconds, with our mouths open and the fork suspended in midair. Mary later said she almost choked on her salad.
When we were able to speak, we probably said something stupid like..."Oh, yeah?" Then Murray went on to say that they weren't having a big wedding but were going to Costa Rica or Hawaii, possibly in Feb. Mary said that she had never dreamed of a big wedding. I told Frank later that she was probably just relieved that Murray decided to make that committment, which has been a big problem with Murray. In the past, the girls would push and he would run...fast and far. So maybe this means that it is the real thing...hope so!
Sorry, Leanne about the postage...forgot the rates went up. :-) AP

nostalgia big time!

We are finally putting away the christmas tree and decorations. ( I said we had 2-3 weeks grace after the new year) We listened to christmas music as we were taking off the ornaments. Frank went to do something and "Christmas in Dixie" came on. Tears ran down my cheeks and even now as I type this. I love my heritage...I am southern inside and out and no matter where I live I will be southern. I figured out today that I don't miss the ground of the south but all that the south is to me. ..Family ,no matter where they are, and memories of days gone by. I was ok with it until I stood in the yard and looked at the bare tree laying on it's side with the bare wreath on top of it, waiting to go to the chipper or wherever discarded trees go. I felt sad....not so much for the tree but for the wonderful memories put away for another year and for new changes showing up.
Murray is getting married and I wonder how our relationship will change. Right now, I am the most important woman in his life ( he told me so :-) ) Maybe some bad experiences has me a little scared. Our christmases will be different too. Will we go to California for christmas or Montana?? ( Kim, be patient with Brett's Mom)
Soon we will be retiring and all the major changes that will bring is alittle daunting to think of.
I am not worried or even scared, just a little emotional. I know God will direct and take care of us...not doubt about that. Praise the Lord for His grace and goodness!
Now I have to go finish putting things away...thanks for listening, I feel better...AP