Good Times!

I really have to share some of the good times that I have had lately. Last Friday, Elise (my future DIL) and I had a girls day out together and decided to go to the Erie Peninsula for the day and then grab a bite to eat. Dogs and camera's came along also (more about the dogs will be posted on Thursday). It was absolutely gorgeous that day with temps around 83* it almost felt like summer!

We got some fantastic shots, some of which was posted in my previous post. But here are a few more...

Beautiful wild swans swimming the inlet.

A wonderful view of Lake Erie.

Elise modeling in front of the Erie Lighthouse.

Lovely view of the Erie Lighthouse.

As Elise and I were taking the above pictures, we noticed a couple taking turns taking pictures of each other at various points. They had left where we were a short while before us. As we started to make our way back to the car, we rounded a bend and came upon the couple in a secluded spot. The young man was down on one knee and had evidently just proposed, because in the next instance, he stood, and the young lady threw herself into his arms. Elise and I looked at each other and at the same time said, "aaaAAAWWwwwwww!"

**sigh** It was just so romantic! We tried to stay as invisible as possible so as not to interupt "their" moment but I really wanted to go over and offer our congratulations!

We topped it off our outing with a wonderful late and lengthy lunch at the Olive Garden where we were truly entertained by our waiter who was from Peru. What a terrific waiter he was, but he was an even better story teller who between hand gestures and heavily accented and at times broken English he regailed us with stories of his homeland. Even pulled up a chair and sat down beside us for a spell! Elise and I really enjoyed his company. He even provide me with this link to view a pictoral slide show that showed the diversness of this country. He missed seeing the views there and the food but likes being here too. Please take a moment to check it out. He was so courteous and hospitable even offering a bottle of water for the dogs (who were resting in the car, parked under a shade tree, with the windows open and a strong lake breeze blowing plus a water dish!)

A day like that is tough to top right?

Well Saturday night, Sunday and Monday may not have topped Friday, but it sure has ranked right up there with it! Saturday night I got a call from my mom at 10 PM, who asked what my plans were for the next few days. This wasn't our usual mode of conversation so I knew something was up as Mom lives in the south so I only get to see her once a year if that. She asked if I would like some company for a two to three weeks. Boy would I!

It just so happened that one of Mom's cousins stopped by Mom's house on Saturday (cousin K lives in Colorado) , on her way to PA to visit her husbands mother. After a 15 min discussion, it was arranged that mom would hitch a ride along with them to come and visit us! Mom said she never packed so fast! We arranged a rendezvous point on Sunday evening and brought mom home!

Today, we went to my sisters Gwen's place of work to suprise her. I called ahead and told her that I was in the area and would it be possbile for me to drop in for a visit. She said of course stop on over! Gwen came out when we pulled up, saw that someone was in the car with me, but couldn't see who it was. Now Gwen has not been able to travel down south to visit Mom , and Mom of course having a large farm, was not able to come up here either. So Gwen had not seen her in four years although they talk on the phone regularly.

I really wished I had had my camera out and ready to capture the look on my sis's face when she realized it was Mom! The suprise and disbelief combined with pure joy was a beauty to behold. Then of course she burst into tears and just sobbed holding onto Mom for dear life.

I have to admit, I had tears running down my cheek too, cause I know how pleased and how much having Mom in her arms meant to her.

Of course later she said she would have to kill me if I ever pulled a stunt like that on her again...awwww sisterly love!

Later in the day, my Aunt Rose came over to visit (she is Mom's sister) so I made a special dish for the occasion, Chicken Marsala, and oh boy did it turn out well!

Mom and I have all sorts of plans for the time that she is here! I just hope we have enough energy to fit them all in! One of the most important things on the list is that we, meaning Mom, my sis Gwen, her husband Rick and I are going to visit my sis Rachel, her husband and their children, on Wednesday in another part of the state.

I am loving this time off being able to spend time with family and friends!