I love do-nothing-summer-days.

They are my favorite. I've done some things in the past few days but the things don't really count as actually doing something. They include shopping, eating, walking, talking, and things of the sort.

Last night we ate dinner at Red Lobster with Granddaddy and his "lady-friend," Wanda (aka Mamaw).  Well, they were so cute together and he was so alert, it was so fun! I asked him what he was going to ask for for his birthday Sunday, but he replied with, "Well, [long pause] I don't know. What would a man my age ask for? A car? " (He doesn't drive).

Granddaddy is awesome all around. We all love spending time with him, and he has lots of good things to say. He makes us laugh lots, and I'm going to tell you what I've been laughing about today.

Granddaddy's birthday is this coming Sunday. And today is Friday, which is his daughter, Ang's birthday and his granddaughter, LA's birthday. (Our family has so many birthdays right now). Anyways, Ang and LA went to visit Granddaddy this morning, and Anne (the woman who takes care of G-dad) put two cards on his lap and told him, "These are for Ang and LA for their birthdays today."

He didn't look at the cards for a long time and just talked, but a few minutes later, he looked down and said, "Oh, look-a-there! I got some birthday cards." He opened one card and looked at it excitedly, and then LA (who is 3 today) asked him to open the other one. He let her open it, and a check came out. Mind you, both of these cards are actually from him and to Ang and LA. He was excited about the check.

Then Mamaw called him, and he told her that they were celebrating his birthday, and she said, "Doug, you're birthday isn't for two more days."

He told her, "Well, we're just celebrating it a little bit early."

He got off the phone and Ang was trying not to bust out laughing because she didn't want to ruin his exciting "birthday."

He went back to the envelope said, "Woah, look at that check!!! $2,000! Oh my! Who is that from?"

Ang said, "Oh no, Daddy, it's just $200."

He was still excited about the $200, and then he looked at the front of the envelope which said "Ang" and he said, "Oh, it's from Ang! Well thanks Ang!"

...like Ang would give him a check for his birthday... He wouldn't know what to do with it because he doesn't have a clue as to what he would want for his birthday. We always get him real presents.

And so, that was Ang's birthday present this morning, a big laugh from G-dad. I hope she ended up taking the card and check with her. He probably won't remember it, plus we're having a big 78th birthday party for him Sunday. That'll make up for his lost card.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day...

Waking up early.

Laying around.

Opening presents.

Blog reading.

Laughing.

Lots of text messaging.

Scrambling eggs.

Country ham cooking in Coca-Cola.

Drinking Coca-Cola before breakfast.

Eating chocolate before breakfast.

Playing with little cousins.

Orange juicing.

Laughing.

Wearing clothes with tags on it.

Being uncomfortable because of too much tag-wearing.

Setting the table.

Trying out clothes.

Smelling Mom's feast.

Interesting discussions.

Enjoying Padre's fire.

Relishing in oranges.

Chopping.

Feasting.

Reminiscing.

Watching home videos.

Laughing.

Shooting pictures.

Driving tractors.

Sharing stories.

Laughing.

A long list of things we did.

Ultimately, we did nothing. That's what Christmas Day is about.

He's Just Fun!

As Thanksgiving break is draws to an end, I would like to tell you that I am thankful for my Granddaddy. I'm at his house right now, and let me tell you--he makes me laugh.

Today he reminded me that, whether he is telling me that I better get busy or I'll be an old maid, or if he is cluelessly about to sit on Darby the dog and Mal barely saves the dog's life, he is just always funny.

I stayed with him for a few months this summer to keep him organized and keep him company, and I had many great moments.

The first week I was there, he took us to J. Alexander's. As he was ordering, he said that he'd like the Fresh Fish and Seafood. That was not an option, it was like saying I'd like Entrees or Appetizers, like the heading of the menu. The waitress kept trying to ask him which kind of fresh fish or seafood he wanted, and he just said, 'I'd like all of it.' So, flustered, I just chose shrimp for him as I was trying not to either a.) be embarrassed or b.) bust out laughing. I learned to ask him what he wants before the waitress gets there so we would have it settled from then on.

And what about when we sat through the entire three hours of AUSTRALIA and when it was done, he said, "Boy, I never knew there was so much racism in Hawaii!" And I said smile/laughing, "In Hawaii?" And he said, "Haha, yeah, you didn't know it either, did you?"

We had another movie night one night at his house and had friends up and he watched the movie with us. About halfway through the movie, he got up to get a drink and came back and stood right in front of the tv, about 6 inches away from the screen. No one could see the tv. And I couldn't stop laughing. He had no idea that he was hindering anyone's vision.

I love that Granddaddy comes to our new church sometimes with my family. My old church, where he still goes, is Presbyterian, old, beautiful, stain-glass windows, and very traditional. Our new church, well it's a little more contemporary-- loud music, raising of the hands, a dark sanctuary. So a while back, he came with my family and during the singing time, people started raising their hands. So Granddaddy raised his hands too for a while, which he has never done. Then he looked around and saw that we weren't raising our hands so he took his down. You might have to know my Granddad, but I can't stop laughing when I think about this.

At Thanksgiving lunch, he got his plate and then walked into my aunt's bedroom because he told us that Ang told him that was where the table was.

But anyways, today, I was staying up here at his house again. It brought back mostly sweet memories from this summer. I spent hours going through their stuff, going through Nanny's closets and computer room, writing thank you notes, hanging pictures of Nanny, making dinners, cooking for other people, taking Granddaddy to lunch, having 'cousin nights' just about every night at Granddad's, just plenty of fun memories.

We had some funny moments of course. But really I just enjoyed being up there at that house and hanging out with Granddad.

So even though Granddaddy is sick, I love to still laugh (instead of cry), keep him company (even though he might not remember), and listen to stories from a lonnng time ago (because he does remember). He's just fun!

It's really bright out here.

In Charlotte at Mary Ann's we decided to take a picture on the last day. We hadn't seen the sun all weekend, and we thought a picture on the patio would be nice.

But surprise surprise, the sun peeks around as soon as we go out there!

Didn't realize how bright it was out here... Cute squinty eyes.

This isn't working out so well.

Ouch.

This isn't worth it... Let's go inside.

Finally... we got smart and moved to the sofa.

And we added Mol!

Missed you this weekend Mary Ann!