Jon's Visit Winding Down

Okay, this picture is a little old (year 2000) but is a good idea of the type of trouble the three of us used to get into. This photo was taken in the French Quarter in New Orleans on a visit to Jon. The three of us are soaking wet (it was pouring that evening) and half lit....and I am pretty sure I "earned" some of those beads that David & I are wearing.

Nine years later, our visits sort of put an exclamation point on the fact that each of us is getting older. Okay, so some might say, "Good, you're 'growing up'" and that might very well be the case. Yet, it is also a reminder of youth past. Let's just say that although our visits together are still very enjoyable, they are more uneventful and quieter than in previous years.

Saturday, Jon's mom stopped over for a visit and we were finally able to do our Christmas gift exchange. (For many years we affectionately called Jon's mom (Shirley) David's "Buffalo Mom". So naturally when Madeline came home Shirley became Madeline's "Buffalo Grandma"). In the afternoon we went to a memorial party (Jon kept referring to it as a "death party"...nice) for Jon's late uncle. I thought Madeline was about to bust a gut on all the olives she ate there. In the evening, David and I got a babysitter and David, Jon and I went to the Buffalo Sabres hockey game (great seats ( see photo) and the Sabres won 3-1). But when you are a paying for a babysitter, the night tends to end early.......of course, getting tired earlier than we used to has something to do with it as well.

Today, we had a leisurely morning at home. After church, Jon tagged along to see some open houses (yes, we are still toying with the idea of moving). Thank God Jon was there because he wrangled Madeline (yeah....Madeline wasn't exactly an angel today) as David and I spoke to realtors. The late afternoon was filled with playoff football for the guys. Mama-Dirtyfoot fed Madeline dinner, gave her a tubbie-time, and put her in for nite-nite. Our "excitement" for today was a grown-up late-night meal. Yet, it was nice to have uninterrupted conversations. *sigh*....Uninterrupted conversations are now considered an indulgent guilty pleasure. Oh....so funny how times have changed.