Refreshing Weekend

This weekend has been so refreshing and relaxing, I sure needed it. School has been crazy lately! I've basically collapsed every evening after I get home, some days in extremely BAD moods. Alan has been very patient, giving me some space, yet listening while I vent, cry or mope around. Enough of that depressing mess.
The big event this weekend was celebrating my father-in-law's 80th birthday! He's a wonderful man and we are all so fortunate to have him in our lives (even though he thrives on teasing me!) I wouldn't have it any other way though. I had planned to have everyone here for supper Sat. night, but Friday night I got feeling really sick and feverish, so we opted for Cracker Barrel (YUM).
Since we were going out for supper, I had a little more free time Sat. (didn't have to clean & cook). Thankfully I felt good Saturday morning. I raked some pine straw & played with our collie, Major; anything to be outside and enjoy that weather!! After lunch I went to my parents' house for couple hours. They live at my mama's homeplace, beside her sister on the family farm. The farm is my most favorite place in the whole world. My roots are extremely deep in that dirt! I spent my earlist years living beside my grandparents on that farm, and then Alan & I lived in the same spot for 7 years after we were married. We have always loved rambling in the woods or just walking on the farm. Whenever family members would come home for a visit, a major part would be walk, or drive the old farm truck, around the farm or in the woods -to reconnect with the land. Yesterday my parents & I walked around the edge of the woods, although the area we walked isn't much woods right now. It was logged several years ago and the pines are just a little taller than I am now, but there are a few hardwood trees in that area. The little kid in me came out and I had to explore/follow some of the deer trails through the underbrush. I got caught on a few briars, but not too bad. As a child, I spent many hours following my granddaddy everywhere on the farm. He taught me so much about nature and wildlife. It was just so freeing.

I left there to go home to get ready to go out. But I stopped on the way at a cousin's house. I had to rescue her from weedeating :) It's been too long since we just talked and spent time together. Then one of our other cousins came up, and the three of us had such a nice relaxing time just hanging out for a few minutes. Unfortunately, it seems we only get together when someone dies. Anyway, it was one of the highlights of my weekend!

Then we went out to celebrate JP's birthday with Alan's parents, sister Shari, her hubby Colin and our nephew Corey. We had a great time, as we always do when we get together. We couldn't talk as well as if we had been at home, but no one had to wash dishes afterwards. I thank them for agreeding to going out! I'll cook for us another day.

Today after church, we went to lunch at Alan's parents, as usual, except Shari wasn't there. She was working at Corey's school for a couple hours. I did cheat on WW just a tad- I had a itty bitty piece of homemade carrot cake, JP's birthday cake! It was divine!! Then we went to look at the newest collie puppies. They are so precious! I had to love on the cats too. Can't shun any of the critters! We stopped briefly to check on my parents, then home for NAPTIME! I had taken some medicine for vertigo before lunch-got feeling a bit woosy during church. By the time we got home I was a walking zombie. After a nap, we went outside to play with Major for awhile enjoying that extra daylight!!

Now it's almost time to go back to school. :( Hope everyone has a good week!