My summer swimming took a hit this past week/weekend only because of a whirlwind weekend and lots of fun summer serendipity! I'll take it since this season is my favorite, and I can't seem to get enough of the sunshine and living outdoors (or driving 850 miles in 36 hours to visit family/friends).
The outdoor Commanders Field Stadium concert on Friday night, hosting the country singer giant Luke Combs, was the kickoff and a top hit, thanks to Ryan and his strategic ways to snag a few outstanding seats in the vast bowl! I've heard his songs for several years, but I never could figure out why my son Ryan was a super fan until I saw what Mr. Luke could do to a crowd - mesmerize! He's got another lifelong fan from the crowd of thousands - me! Not every artist can sell out large stadiums, and this guy did it for two nights in a row this past weekend! That's star power, for sure!
Leaving the concert on a high note (pun intended) helped me finish packing for an early morning alarm to get out and drive to Cleveland, Ohio, for a family bridal shower. In fact, with two quick pee stops under my belt, I made the trip safely with 40 minutes to spare at my nephew's future in-laws' home. Upon my arrival, the vast backyard canopy was a welcoming site, and the shower went on without a hitch, starting promptly at 2:00 pm. It was so fun to see many gifts for the blushing bride, Taylor, and her handsome groom, my nephew Nathan, and hang out with family and friends on a beautiful summer day! Kudos to my sister, Kimberly, mother of the groom, and Tracy O., mother of the bride, for hosting a summer soiree to celebrate this beautiful couple. We can't wait for the wedding!
A few hours later, I was driving to meet up with a friend and her husband I had not seen in over 30 years! We were meeting so I could give her a quilt I made for her upcoming event: The 3rd Annual Heart to Heart Fundraiser in memory of her granddaughter, Savannah Rose, who sadly passed away at 18 months old of heart failure.
I need to digress for a minute. It was the beginning of July, and after a serendipity FB search on someone else who we are both friends with and who had just retired, I saw Charmaine's little square on his page. I clicked on her name because I had not seen her posts on my feed in a long while. Isn't it true that those FB algorithms certainly have a life of their own?
And there it was: an announcement of Chamaine's fundraiser. I couldn't get past the cute picture of her granddaughter, Savannah, and knew in an instant I wanted to help by donating a quilt, and a special one at that! I knew I had heart blocks in my sewing room, and I really wanted to find them to keep with the theme and complete the quilt for this worthwhile cause. NOTE: if in Cleveland, Ohio, and interested in attending, the QR code below works, and tickets can be purchased easily.
A text and then a call between Charmaine and me culminated in reacquainting our friendship and saying a prayer together to St. Anthony, patron saint of lost items (the heart blocks were lost in my sewing room for a spell but then found). Maybe they were found because I tend to lose so much stuff in the house that I am on a first-name basis with him and only use the nickname, Tony. I love that I can make the quilt donation to the fundraiser. I wish I could "find" other items I've lost now that those blocks were found!
Anyhoo, Charmaine, her husband, Chuck, and I met at a local restaurant to hand off the quilt and catch up on our lives. In the years since that first and only formal reunion, we didn't miss a beat (Charmaine and I were on our 10th High School reunion committee). I hope that we will continue to remain in touch from now on.
On Sunday morning, my sister Kimberly and hubby Jerry went to a delicious local brunch near their home and then played an hour of pickleball under the hot sun on brand-new courts. It was a joyful morning for all.
By early afternoon, I started heading East with one more stop in Hiram, Ohio, the home of my Franek Friends (two families). Not only did I stop by to say hello to Tom and Rosalie and pick up a bag full of T-shirts for a NeedleOnFull project for one of their loved ones, but there was a party with folks I hadn't seen in several years! The new pristine home of Josh, Kristina, baby Flora, and Kristina's family filled the backdrop with fun and laughter that good friends can do. I left their beautiful forever home in the woods feeling light and happy and ready to tackle the almost (5) hour drive back home. Singing along to songs on the radio (Froggy Stations through PA) helped the time traversing the turnpike and mountain areas with skinny lanes and big fat 18-wheeler (weaving) trucks (even on a Sunday evening).
That time flew by (I love to drive!). I thankfully pulled into my driveway at nine bells, safe and sound, the sun already set behind me.
bSoleille!
Terri
Photos: 1) Bride Taylor and Groom Nathan, 2) Kimberly & Nathan, 3) the Aunties: me, Kim (MOG), Annette and Michelle Hennis, 4) Summer of Brides with Shana (marrying my nephew Brandon - same family), Taylor and Kimberly, 5) me and Charmaine, 6) Heart Quilt in memory of Savannah & Heart to Heart fundraiser, 7) Pickleball with Jerry and Kimberly, 8) Tom, Rosalie, Mark, me, Jackie, Vickie & George, 9) Josh, Kristina and baby Flora!
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