Our Weekend in Southport

We had a wonderful time in Southport over the weekend. Charlie picked the kids up from school early on Friday (but late enough to be counted present) and we were on our way a little after 2:00. After a couple stops (including an early supper at Applebee's in Garner) and a detour due to stopped traffic on the interstate, we made it to Southport after 7:00 PM and checked into the Hampton Inn.

After bringing our bags up to our room, we went to Frosty's on Oak Island for ice cream and then went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. It's not as good as the other three Pirates movies, but it was entertaining and there were some funny moments. My favorite storyline in the movie involved a mermaid named Syrena and a missionary. It wasn't clear to me exactly how their story ended, but an internet search reminded me of something Blackbeard's crew had said earlier in the film and explained what probably happened.

I was up by a little after 7:30 Saturday morning and after getting ready, I got the family up to get ready. We went to PJ's for breakfast, where we go for breakfast every time we're in Southport, and then Charlie and Sean went fishing on the Southport pier while Kelly and I browsed the antique and gift shops. Charlie and Sean caught several fish and threw them back. I bought Kelly a small stuffed black cat, but I walked away empty-handed. That's okay though. I enjoyed the time with my daughter and the beauty of Southport.

Sitting outside PJ's after breakfast.

The kids were wanting to go swimming in the hotel pool that afternoon, so while Charlie and Sean were fishing, Kelly and I went to Wal-Mart to get her a swim shirt (she already had shorts) and goggles. However Wal-Mart didn't have any swim shirts for bigger girls, so we went to one of those beach shops (Pacific) where we had much better luck. There were lots of shirts to choose from. We also made a side stop to Cato where I got her a jean skirt.

After getting Charlie and Sean, we went back to the hotel and let the kids swim for a couple hours. There were a few other people there at first, but less than an hour later they were gone and the kids had the pool to themselves.

Cannonball!

I made the kids get out at 4:00, dry off and get dressed and then we headed to Ship's Chandler for supper on the waterfront. There's nothing like seafood on the coast. Kelly and I thoroughly enjoyed our fried flounder and clam strips. Sean had chicken nuggets (what he eats anywhere we go *sigh), fries and clam strips. Charlie, who can't eat seafood because it makes him sick, had steak.

Ship's Chandler.

We enjoyed the view from the restaurant for a bit and then went to Caswell Beach to look at the ocean, get our feet in the sand and waves and pick up shells.



Then it was time for ice cream and putt-putt. Charlie won, I was second, Sean was third and Kelly was last. We had fun. Charlie got 2 or 3 holes in one, I got one, Sean may have gotten one also.

We made a stop at Wal-Mart for drinks (water, Pepsi, Yoohoo) and candy before going back to our hotel room. The kids got their showers and we just hung out watching TV for an hour or two before going to sleep.

I was up by 7:00 yesterday morning (though I could've slept another couple hours), got the family up before 9:00 after I was ready, we were checked out by a little after 10:00, packed up the car and then went to PJ's for breakfast.

We took the ferry from Southport to Ft. Fisher and then headed home.


Southport is such a beautiful place. If my church here in Greensboro wasn't so great I'd be mighty tempted to move back to Southport. When we were in Caswell Beach on Saturday I said to Charlie, "I wonder if the people who live in Southport and Oak Island realize how beautiful this place is and how blessed they are to live here."

I don't expect to get to visit Southport again this year, but I hope we can. I miss it already. Though at the same time it's good to be home. I missed my furry babies while we were gone and it is nice to be in your own place and your own bed rather than in a hotel.

Surprising Ancestry and a Weekend in Southport

I've been busy lately doing the wife and mom thing, as well as doing a little more research into my mom's side of the family tree. I finally got somewhere with her dad's side. I made it back to the 1200s and discovered that we have royal Spanish and Portuguese ancestry (never saw that coming) way, way back. Among them are the first king and queen of Portugal and El Cid.

Among my wifely duties, I've been helping Charlie with gardening. Well, he did the ripping out of the old non-flowering bushes and he's been doing the planting, but I picked out the new bushes and flowers (purple dahlias, white azaleas, light pink azaleas and jasmine). :-D He wants to get some more orange lilies as well.

I'm really looking forward to the weekend. We're going to Southport. It's been over 2 years since we were last there. I've really missed it.

Mother's Day Gifts

I had a very nice Mother's Day. My mom, the kids and I went to church. I really enjoyed the service. I wish Charlie would've been there.

After service, Charlie, Mom, the kids and I went out to eat. Nearly every place was packed. We ended up at Tripp's, which only had a 15-minute wait. I had the filet mignon - quite tasty.

Charlie and Sean washed my car on Saturday, then waxed it on Mother's Day. My mom gave me a card and flowers. The kids gave me a book I've been wanting (The Help) and they each gave me a card. Charlie gave me a Dillard's gift card. I went shopping yesterday and bought a skirt and a pair of shoes I've been wanting for weeks:

Gold belt not included.

I'd like to get a navy top and red sandals to go with the skirt. (They didn't have any red sandals I liked at Dillard's.) I also need a new straw purse.

I still have some money left on the gift card. I need some new black heels for church, so I'll try to find some the next time I go shopping. Probably on Friday.

Happy Mother's Day!

"The career of motherhood and homemaking is beyond value and needs no justification. Its importance is incalculable." -- Katherine Shor

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." -- Agatha Christie

"I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me 'mommy.' " -- Author Unknown

"I'd rather be a mother than anyone on earth
Bringing up a child or two of unpretentious birth...
I'd rather tuck a little child all safe and sound in bed
than twine a chain of diamonds about my carefree head.
I'd rather wash a smudgy face with round, bright, baby eyes
Than paint the pageantry of fame or walk among the wise."
-- Meredith Gray

"Motherhood is not for the faint-hearted. Frogs, skinned knees, and the insults of teenage girls are not meant for the wimpy." -- Danielle Steel

"One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters." -- George Herbert

"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." -- Sophia Loren

“By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class.” -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?" -- Milton Berle

"I've carried a child within my body. I've slept with a baby on my chest. I have kissed boo boos, mended broken hearts, been puked and peed on, and spent sleepless nights in a rocking chair. But I wouldn't have it any other way. My body isn't magazine perfect, but when I look in the mirror I see a Mom, and there is no greater blessing."

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Kelly's Glasses

Kelly and I picked up her new glasses today after school. She looks really cute in them. :-)


Charlie's been doing a lot of things around the house lately. He replaced the busted light fixture in the kitchen with a ceiling fan that I picked out. I get really hot when I'm cooking when it's warm out and have been wanting a ceiling fan in the kitchen for a while now. I've had to use it a few times already.

He's also been doing some yard work. Including removing bushes from the front of the house. He wants to plant something else there. I told him I'd like azaleas or rose bushes, but we're going to do some research first before deciding.