throwback Thursday

Me with my baby brother, Kevin.

Probably 28 years ago.

(pardon me, but aren't we adorable little kiddos?)  =)

I've been missing him lately.

I haven't seen him since Christmastime.

And I hope to remedy that come April.
As much as we argued as teenagers, and still sometimes do, I love me some baby brother!

a little birthday love

Although, my brother probably doesn't read here. 

It's January 2nd - his day!

And isn't he so good-looking??  :) 
 

On this day, 29 years ago, I received the best gift of 1984 ... a little baby brother! 

He is the best and I love him so! ♥

 

Happy Birthday, Kevin - enjoy the last year of your 20's. 

(And take it from your big sister ... 30's are not so bad) :) 

LOVE YOU!!!

brother's visit

 Because of Hurricane Sandy's mess in NYC, Kevin's office was closed last week for renovations.

So since he would be working from home anyway, Kevin flew in Tuesday morning and worked from mom's last week.

Mom, Chris, I picked him up in Charlotte.  (due to rain, Chris had the day off)

As always, Kevin wants to eat all his favorite meals of mom's and other "southern" spots, so our first stop was lunch at Zaxby's.  We also stopped in Gaffney briefly for a little shopping.

After arriving home, Chris and I went to vote - waited in line an hour!

Then we headed to mom's for another favorite meal - spaghetti and sweet potato pies.

Kevin's dog, Ava, who currently resides with mom was so happy to have Kevin there.

[sorry for the poor quality photos - I used my phone all weekend)

 

Wednesday we all had to work.  Kevin did come have lunch at my office with me and Heather.

Then there was church and supper at Los Amigos.

We love to tease mom that she only eats there when Kevin is in town.  (Mexican is not her favorite)

 

Thursday and Friday, Kevin spent time with friends in Clemson for Homecoming.

 

Saturday night, we ordered pizza and hung out at mom's ... but all ended crashing early after a long day.  Oh, and it should be noted this day, that my mom is now an owner of a smart phone - an Iphone!  It's quite entertaining to watch her learn the ropes.

 

Sunday was church.  My cousin, Leigh, and her family joined us for lunch at mom's.  Leigh's girls, L and A, absolutely love Kevin --- when he is in town, it's all about him.  They want to sit with him during church,  they want to ride in the car with him, and they fight over who gets to sit beside him.  I take the backseat when he is around.  LOL

For lunch, had a "Thanksgiving menu" (since Kevin will not be home Thanksgiving):  turkey, dressing, gravy, pintos, macaroni & cheese, yams, deviled eggs, rolls, fruit salad, tin roof brownies, sweet potato cobbler, and orange dreamsicle cake.  After lunch, we were all quite stuffed - it was scrumptious.  Sunday night, after church, we all came back for leftover turkey sandwiches and more laughs and fun.  And then it was time to say "Goodbye."  However, Christmas will soon be here!  YAY!  And then, of course, June will be a mandatory visit as well.  ;)

my brother

"A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams."

Over the past few weeks, my brother, has been beyond amazing.

I'm thankful that as brother and sister, we are friends,
facing whatever life sends, joy and laughter, tears and strife,
holding tightly to one another, being there for each other in life.

happy 27th birthday, Kev!

Don't you wish you were in South Carolina

so we could have another party?Like this one.
You could enjoy all this fun - again! :)We miss you already.And today, Jan. 2nd, your birthday,
I wish for you a happy, happy day
filled with smiles and fun, all just for YOU!I LOVE YOU ... TONS!
(and so does Laurel ... and all of us)

two sad goodbyes

"so long, Kev!
much love.
hurry back soon."

As Mom and I turn our heads
and burst into tears.

Yea, we're sappy, emotional like that.

And also, this weekend,
Chris said "goodbye" to his resophonic guitar.
Yea, it's sad as well.
I cried. And it wasn't even my guitar
But, it's his choice.
And there's another one he's got his eye on.

a first: swimming in the middle of the lake

When we left for the lake,

I had absolutely no intention of swimming,
for the following reasons:
#1 - I prefer swimming in water where I can see the bottom.
# 2 - I'm not the world's best swimmer.
#3 - I don't know what is in the water with me.
BUT, it was very hot on the middle of the lake.
So my brother jumped in.
And of course, he encouraged me to jump in.
So, to oblige him and others ... I got in.
For the most part, I sat on a wacky noodle.
And was out in less than fifteen minutes.
So, I can write it down.
I swam in the middle of the lake.
And I still don't like the idea.

on the lake

Saturday, my mom, my brother and I headed to the lake.
To relax. Catch some sun. And be together.
Chris had previously obligated himself to work,
so we missed him.
But, the lake is a beautiful place.Mom enjoyed it (for the most part)
She's not keen on waves, fast boats, etc.
She has a slight fear of water since she can't swim.My crazy, fun brother dancing to his music.After boarding, we picked up a couple of cousins at the landing.
Here, cousin W, is taking it all in.
We tried to determine different landmarks on the lake.Me and Kev in our sun-spectacles.Can we say "windblown?"On the way back to the marina. :(Why do fun-filled days always end quickly?

incredibly awesome

and totally wonderful weekend,

with sad occasions, happy times,
and laughing hysterically moments,
filled with family, friends, food,
sunshine (and rain), the lake, and church.Now it is Monday. And I'm wiped out.
I've not been out of bed for very long. And I'm yawning now.
I didn't feel very well last night. Not sure of the cause.
Probably my food and caffeine intake for the weekend
exceeded my normal level. :)
Or maybe I need more of this ---My house is a disaster.
Busy weekend = messy, cluttered house.
And I'm sad.
I miss my brother ... again.I don't have much energy or emotion to blog.
So, these few pictures will do.
Maybe tonight I will blog details and more pictures. Happy Monday -- hope you're week is great.
Ours is not (too) busy.
I hope to accomplish two major tasks.
We shall see??!?!?

happy birthday to my brother

today my brother is 26 years old.
the 2nd day of the 1st month of a new year, 1984 at 12:07 PM.

(yep, almost a New Year's babe - missed it by 6 hrs. 8 min.)

he's my only sibling, my rotten little brother.
only 2 years, 5 months, and 19 days between us.
i've always teased that Dad & Mom got the best first.
but, of course, he argues they saved the best for last.
but there's never any doubt, i'm his favorite sister.

this adorable little fellow

is now a tall, handsome young man.

as kids, we had our silly squabbles and spats
but all siblings do that, right?

otherwise, we got along well.

and in spite of everything,
we've loved each other
and now we love more.

i'm proud of his accomplishments.
he's got a college degree.
and a great reputable job.

however, i do not like the miles between us.
and i hope that one day he will live closer home.

this Christmas,
it was wonderful spending a few days together.
with all the holiday hustle & bustle and running to and fro,
i didn't spend as much time with him as i'd like.
but, i enjoyed every chance i got.
i love him so much, my one and only brother.
and i miss him so much
(like a fat lady on a diet misses chocolate cake!)

especially today on his birthday.
i wish i could be with him - and give him a birthday hug.
but i'll send a card, still it's that's not the same.
(and of course, it will be late - surprise, surprise!)

"happy birthday, Kev!
i love and miss you!
and hurry back soon already.
'cause i'm bored with road trips.
and i don't do flying"

(Thanks, Miranda, for the last 3 pictures)