A Weekend of Family Time

Hello friends and Hivians. I hope you all are doing great. I'm good despite a few set backs that happened this weekend. I would still not trade the experience I had this weekend because of those.

It all started Friday as my son and I got in my car and headed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We left at a bit after 2:00 p.m. and arrived at my mother's house shortly before 5:00 p.m. The original plan was to leave sooner but teenage boys are not always prepared, haha.

Well my sister, Kathy was putting on a small dinner for us at 6:00 p.m. In attendance was her boyfriend, my other sister, my mother, my son, and Kathy's friend including her father. Kathy recently added to her fur family. Here's Gracey a chocolate lab that doesnt have a jumping filter yet, hehe. She joins company with Maggie (white lab) and Allie (black lab).

I wonder if Gracey was in the kitchen area thinking she was going to get that first piece of Lasagne on the stove,haha. Well the Lasagne was so good paired with some garlic knot bread to go along with it. Above is my first plate, I did have a second because I didn't want to see it go to waste, ok?

After dinner we all found an area to chill at. Conversations were had, games of cribbage were played, electronic devices were out, and someone did the dishes. Yes the dishes were done by me. Now it was an easy job as I just rinsed them off and placed them in a dish washer. Maybe Allie and Maggie found humor in that. Hey feed me and I will be helpful 😃

Sometime later some frozen treats were offered. There were choices between ice cream cones,ice cream sandwiches and chocolate covered ice cream bars. Many chose the cones as I did too. Now when it was time to leave someone grabbed an ice cream sandwich to go. I won't mention who but they they felt it was a form of payment for helping out after dinner.

Saturday was welcomed by a breakfast I made. Just had two others to serve, my mother and son. My mother offered but I didn't let her because it's her 80th Birthday this day. A simple breakfast just two over easy eggs, toast and some sausage links.

Now what happened after breakfast was a little frustrating. I went to my car to head out to get my mom a birthday card and some local scratch lottery tickets. I got in my car and tried to turn it over and it wouldn't do anything. At this time my mother and sisters were already gone at a hotel to set up a meeting room for the birthday party. My sister's boyfriend brought over a trickle charger and we hooked it up on my car's battery. Jumper cables were in my sisters car so he gave me ride to the party.

We arrived shortly before 11:00 and quite a few of the invited guests were already there. Well the good thing is all the invited guests ended up showing up. A small celebration of about 20 people. Most were friends and former co-workers of my mother.

The food was really good and the menu was chosen by my mother. My sisters and I had the food catered. A lot of left over food as well because the minimal amount that could be purchased was for 50 people. It was offered to guests to take home if they wanted. Some took us up on that but there was still plenty left so I took some home as well.

It didn't take long for everyone to load there plates. What was served was roast beef,corn and mashed potatoes with gravy.There was water and Hawaiian punch available to drink. A good meal indeed.

Once everyone was finished with lunch we all sang Happy Birthday to my mother. Than it was cupcakes for dessert while my mother opened all her gifts. Once gift opening was done it was picture time with 80th Birthday celebrant. Picture was taken by sister's boyfriend with my phone.

After clean up we headed back to my mom's place. First thing I did was check out my car. I took charger off and it started right up. The last two days my car has been acting pocessed. Theres some weird things happening and I have to bring it in to have it diagnosed.

I headed to a store to get a birthday card and some stratch lottery tickets. I brought son with me and he sat in car as I went in. I just didn't want to shut car off and take a chance that it might not start. I bought $20 of scratch tickets and later my mom would win $122 off of them 😃

Saturday was a busy day and I also had one other happening. I did find some time to Hive a little bit but I forgot to power up ending my streak of HPUM at four. Oh well birthdays are only once a year and to have 80 of them is remarkable. I feel there might not be many more so I didn't let this or my car problems ruin the fun I had with my mom and others on her birthday.

Sunday was kind of a lazy go feel day. Before I left to go home I headed to my sister's house. Most of us were tired and that included the dogs as well. I spent about an hour there and didn't stay longer because I wasn't going to fall into the sleepy trap. I said my good byes until the next time which I hope is really soon.

I had a great time this weekend spending time with family and others. It was definitely worth the drive up and it was one of those times I wish I could have stayed for much longer.

Take care, stay safe and enjoy the rest of the week. Until next time!