VACATION

I've been on vacation for the last week. Before I left Many, I went to dinner last Friday at Archie and Regina's. I was driving down the road and got invited to eat dinner, so I did. I had a great time visiting with them and Archie's sister, and the food was outstanding. On Saturday I spent the day washing clothes and cleaning the house in anticipation for being away for a week. I hadn't been to Pride since the beginning of March, and I was ready to get out of Many for a little while. After Mass Saturday I went over to Bob's and had steak with he and Ted. Their wives were out of town on a girls' trip, and we just hung out. Sunday morning I woke up and packed. After Robert got out of church we went and put the barge in the water so he could get the trailer fixed. We finished all that by about noon, and Tippe and I got on the road heading south.

Our first stop was Jacob's house in Galvez. Once we got there, I couldn't wait any longer to get JP's tractor set up so he would be able to ride it. Mom and Dad and I headed back to Pride with Little Boy in tow so that Charmin could get some work done around the house. We had a fun evening. On Memorial Day, Mom and I went to run some errands with JP. We ended up at the mall to meet Dad for lunch. After hanging out at the playground, JP went racing down the concourse in whichever direction he decided. As I followed, he darted across the way, right up to a store window exclaiming "Thomas!" Stride Rite had put up a display of Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise, including boots, a raincoat, and an umbrella. Of course, our next stop was finding the Stride Rite store. He found the boots in the store and quickly asked his Maw-Maw to take off his sandals. He spent the remainder of the next two days in the Thomas boots. He likes him some Thomas. That evening we went out to Jacob's again. This time the tractor was charged up and ready to go, and he got to ride it. It took him no time to fill the trailer with footballs and Disney characters. He's got some work to do to learn to steer better, but he picked up the basics quickly.

Tuesday morning Robert called for me to go pick up some stuff at Tony's Seafood and deliver to Brian, who was on the other side of town moving Sara out of her house. I did, and then went to the bookstore at Perkins Rowe to pick up The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, which Bob had recommended. I then went to the movie theater and watched Angels and Demons. It was a bad adaptation of a decent novel. After the movie I drove back to Pride for some rest.

Wednesday I was tasked with cooking dinner, so I decided to make tacos. I went to the grocery in the morning for supplies. When I got home I prepared for the UEFA Champion's League Final between Barcelona and Manchester United, by which I mean I sat on the recliner and turned on the TV. Barca won, and I fell asleep in the second half. I cooked dinner, which was well-received.

Thursday I headed out to Galvez and picked up Brandon and his friend Eric for a trip to the movies. We got there early, so we went to the mall and ate Cane's and walked around a bit. Twelve year olds have the capacity to be more than a little annoying. They were never badly behaved, just annoying. We watched Night at the Museum 2, which I didn't think was as good as the first movie. It took too long to set up the story, and the climax was rushed and predictable. We had a good time anyway. I dropped the boys off and then headed back to Pride for dinner at Bobby and Kate's house. We had a great visit on the porch, and the shrimp and pasta Ms. Kate fixed was very good.

Friday I thought I might wake up and head to Many for the Chamber of Commerce banquet, but I got invited to the LSU-Southern baseball game. So I met Nanny and Uncle Be and we went to campus. The weather was beautiful, the game was close for six and a half innings, and the park was pretty neat. LSU won, and we went to the Pasttime Lounge for beer and poboys. I enjoyed spending the afternoon with them. I went to Galvez after that to watch JP while Jacob got some work done around the yard. We hung out and had a good time.

I also watched him Saturday morning while Jacob went to the store. We quickly decided to go play outside in the yard in the pool. We spent most of the day out there, in the pool and on the tractor and on the trampoline. Dr. Dan showed up in the afternoon, and Mom and Dad came over later in the evening. We had a very nice day, and it was a great way to celebrate JP's second birthday.

Sunday morning we woke up early and Mom and Dad and I went to Mass at St. Mark's in Gonzales. The music was very contemporary, and not to my liking, but the homily was good, and not too long. When we got back to the house, it was crazy time. Charmin and Jacob were running to and fro trying to get ready for the party. My job was mostly to stay out of the way, but Dan and I did set up the water slide for the kids. There were at least 75 folks at this bash. After all day in the sun Saturday and two nights on the couch, I decided I would sneak out early, before cake and presents. I figure that Cara and I already got him the coolest present, so I didn't need to see the also-rans. Plus, all those people and children were more than my senses could stand anymore. I got home and unloaded the car. Mom and Dad weren't far behind. We got all the work we had to do done before the LSU baseball game at 6. The Tigers won and advanced to the Super Regionals.

It is now noon on Monday, and I am going to pack up for the trip to Many. I am ready to be home!