What does a diploma, a roller derby and a fire all have in common?

weekend (noun) Any two-day period given regularly as a weekly rest period from one's work.

RIGHT! It can be a whole lot of work to get that rest thing. And then there is the whole self-imposed stress thing, too. But sometimes, it is so worth it.

Hub's flight back from Georgia the night before was really delayed due to bad weather. He didn't get home after 1 a.m. This meant that we had to go back to the airport Friday morning to pick up the mini-van we rented. We all started out tired and ended up not leaving until after noon. It rained all the way. We went through two significant hail storms and at one point we were under tornado warnings. One problem; weather warnings are issued by counties. Who knows counties in a different state? I'm just learning the county names for the ones around us. We blindly kept going; praying all the way. Ignorance can be bliss, I say. We passed through all kinds of flooding due to the Mississippi River, etc. We told our family that we literally came through "hail and high water" to get there.

Love, love, love being with this family. Lots to celebrate. Much loved niece graduating from college; another niece received her master's degree; two engagements; one adorable grand-niece to meet and love on, our military hero nephew home for a visit after three years. Good stuff. Plus this is a really fun group. Our weekend at the lake was cold, with rain or drizzle the whole weekend. We still had a blast.

I can now say that I now have been to a roller derby. If you have never been, it is a total hoot. Our niece's league has bouts to raise money for charity. This week was for Susan G. Comen. My sweet, gorgeous niece becomes an animal on the track. Her team (Buxom Babes) beat the other team (Tiny Tatas) and she was awarded the MVP award. Greatness! These girls are tough. Wow! What a fun time. Never knew that could be so much fun.

As always, my klutz-side was present and reared its ugly head. We were leaving for the roller derby and I had my reading glasses on trying to run an update on my phone. (Stupid!!!) I "thought" that I knew where I was and that the sidewalk made a right angle. Forgot that there was also a significant step down. I did a nose dive out of my slide sandals onto the sidewalk. I finally sat up and had to stay there as I was seeing stars. I was hurt; was mad at myself, and was dirty and wet. My elbow had a big strawberry and was already bruising and swelling. My ribs are bruised and everything hurts. Don't think that I broke anything, but I certainly did feel like a fossil. I'm still stiff and sore, so I have the constant pain to remind me. My family has had a field day with the jokes.

"The Girlfriend" has been on best, well maybe better, behavior lately. That was totally all over this weekend. Not sure if she is on a perpetual, permanent, painful period or what. She was snippy, snappy, snoopy, and sour. (Brought to you by the letters "P" and "S".) Maybe she is actually going to move out on June 1 so she figures she can let it all hang out. She still is swaddling up to Hub a little. Doesn't want to break it off with "sugar daddy" just yet. Hub and I had a talk about it and how inappropriate it was. He actually seemed to have finally noticed and said that he understood my feelings. He is ready for a "BUH-BYE" as well. #2 caught her discussing me with new-niece-in-law-to-be. Before we got in the car to come back, I tried to take her aside to have a private conversation. It was just like talking to a little child who knows that they are in trouble. Me: "Can we talk?" Girl: "Why-y-y-y-y? I don't wa-a-a-ant to-o-o-o." Seriously? She finally came out and I asked her what was up. She said that she didn't want to talk but that changes would have to be made. I'm all over that! Anyway, since she wasn't going to talk, I just told her that she needed to treat us all a little nicer and that badmouthing to members of our family was not cool. Anyway, she was pissy to everyone in the car all the way home including #1 and said that she was sick and throwing up. I made the same pit stops and didn't see anything like that. She did run in when we stopped for fast food and ordered herself chicken, fries and a chocolate shake. Then last night, we stopped at Subway and she had a foot-long sandwich! Still playing the sick card. Stick a fork in me. I'm DONE!

Any who, don't want to leave this as a complete bitch-fest. We did have a good time. Sunday night we had a bonfire by the lake with all the limbs that had come off in the storm. Haven't done that in a very long time. Some made s'mores. I just like to burn some marshmallows. Sat around and talked by the fire until late. Told funny GrandMa and GrandDad stories; kids stories and a few war stories from Afghanistan.

It is so good being with this group. Their dad, my brother-in-law, died a few years ago due to brain cancer. The kids seem to look to Hub as their father figure now. I'm so proud of him for the way he takes that very seriously and tries to be there for them. I know his brother would have done the same if the roles had been different. He was so proud of his family and with good cause. They are doing well; starting families of their own, and life goes on in a beautiful fashion. Well done, Dad.

Later.