Welcome back to SOLO at SIXTY!
Can you do less than nothing? According to my Grandmother Isabelle, yes, you can. And basically, I did exactly that this past rainy, gloomy, chilly, stay indoors Saturday. Well, except for watching Carolina football WIN and finishing a project that took me over a week to complete. What project? Organizing and sorting all of my photographs that have been stored in large storage bins for YEARS, just waiting to be placed into photo albums. MANY large bins. And they will never see the inside of a photo album! Any of y’all have photos that never made it into photo albums even though you had good intentions? Thankfully, my million and one photos are now organized into those same bins but separated by each of my 3 children, family pictures, extended family, friends, and Leslie’s special pics. Yep that’s 7 bins people! Almost rivals my Christmas decorations! Of course I had a huge impetus to accomplish this major feat – I needed photographs of my son’s life for a special slide show that will run during the rehearsal dinner and the Meet & Greet at his WEDDING NEXT WEEKEND!
“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future. – Sally Mann
That’s right! Wedding is just 10 days away y’all! I cannot wait! What seemed to be so far in the future is now right around the corner. And due to the pandemic, the number of guests attending the wedding is smaller than originally planned, which actually works out for social distancing and the limitations on the number of people allowed in the venues for the wedding and the celebrations that follow. Luckily, many events will be outside, making for even safer gatherings. And I am so excited that we’ll be “Dancing in the Moonlight,” as the band and dancefloor are being set up outside. It is going to be such a fun and beautiful wedding! I’ll share pictures next month. (more pictures to sort!)
“The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” – The Book of Tea
Well here we are, 7 months into our new COVID way of life. Seems we are settling into a routine of mask-wearing and social distancing. It is now second nature to put that mask on. And to keep a safe distance from others. Even for me, a big hugger, sadly, hugging is no longer my first response. Learned behavior. Might as well accept that we’ll still be wearing these lovely masks into 2021. This time last year, who would have thought we’d be in the midst of a pandemic in October? Even this past March, we were so thankful that the wedding was not until October – I mean, surely this pandemic would be over by October! Nope… still here. And who would have thought that we’d be missing college football games (though my kids randomly got tickets last Saturday) and tailgating? Not me! This time last year I was tailgating with my kids in Chapel Hill before a football game, then headed to Kiawah Island with my sisters to begin the rehearsal dinner planning for my son’s wedding. Now, a year later, all plans for the rehearsal dinner have been finalized. Menu, table seating, decorations, and slide show photos! I cannot wait to welcome my new daughter-in-law into our family formally. I could not have picked a more perfect girl for my son if I picked her myself. I am one blessed momma!
“A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one can take.” – Cardinal Mermillod
Speaking of mommas…. I FINALLY get to see my sweet momma in person tomorrow. I can’t hug her and we will have to wear a mask, but I get to see her in person. I cannot wait. Part of organizing my photographs included separating out all the pictures of my momma – those of her alone, with my sisters and me, and with all of her grandchildren. Brought back so many memories and made me miss her even more. Same for my sisters when I texted pictures to them. We are so lucky and thankful to still have our sweet mother with us.
I stopped to reminisce about so many happy times throughout the whole process of organizing my photos. Actually took pictures of photos on my phone and texted them to my kids and sisters. Ask any of them and they will tell you that I flat out take A LOT of pictures. I always tell them that one day they will thank me, and after going through these pictures, they truly will thank me. It was a long, arduous, emotional, but very fun project. And the photos I pulled of my sweet son? Priceless! Only problem I had was paring down the number of photos of him from 1000 to 950! Next project? What to do with all the pictures on my phone!
“I love those random memories that make me smile no matter what is going on in my life right now.”
It’s Fall Y’all… just like my front porch pillow states. I have finally accepted this fact (like I had a choice). Got my annual pumpkins – one grey ghost and one bumpy, my mums, and my fall wreath, but I am still lamenting the end of summer. All in all, it was a really good summer for me. Even spent a late September weekend with my older daughter and son-in-law at the beach, where I am heading tomorrow to quarantine until the wedding. Hoping for some summerlike days over these next 2 weeks. The call of the beach is very real for me!
“Notice how the trees do not cling to their leaves. Fall is about releasing the old to make room for the new.”
Cannot end without reminding all y’all to vote. I voted early and in person. Piece of cake. Ten minutes from the time I parked my car until I got back into my car. I don’t care who you vote for (well….) but if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain about anything. This is the most important election of my voting life and I am proud to have my “I VOTED” sticker! Make yourself proud too.
“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful, non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” – John Lewis
Next month I’ll have so much to share with you, especially the details of my son’s wedding! And pictures of us “Dancin’ in the moonlight…Everybody’s feeling warm and bright…It is such a fine and natural sight…Everybody’s dancin’ in the moonlight.” I plan to totally stay in the moment these next 2 weeks, be thankful for all the blessings in my life, cast my worries aside (hardest one for me!), and enjoy every experience and all the time spent with those I love. I hope you too are able to stay in the moment these days and enjoy all the little (and big) things life presents to you daily, because as we all know, none of us is promised tomorrow.
“Keep Calm! I’m the Mother of the Groom!”
Best,
Leslie
PS… Did you know that today, October 14th, is National DESSERT Day? No joke! No excuse needed today to have dessert before your meal. And by the way, tomorrow, October 15th is Global Handwashing Day – how appropriate is that?!?
SOLO at SIXTY 
Wonderful post Leslie! We Will definitely be with you, Michael and your family in spirit next weekend. Can’t wait to see the pictures!!! 💕
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So happy for you! My daughter Mollie got engaged this week! We have to appreciate these special moments, especially when times are hard! Many blessings to your kids!
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