memories...

weekend happenings...

i had been wanting to get my feet tattooed with the last names of my grandparents for a bit now, and on friday our friend chris just happened to have a cancellation and was able to get me in. i had a rough idea of what i wanted on each foot and he did such a good job balancing them out and making them cohesive.

the cards are for my mom's parents, who taught me how to play cards at about age 4, as well as the value of a truly good poker face. my grandmother was never without a roll of pennies in her purse just in case the chance to gamble with the grand kids might arise. so many of my younger memories are of spending days at their house. taking walks to the pool, making cookies, playing with my grandma's jewelry, and lots and lots of crossword puzzles. the most valuable life lesson though was from my grandfather who said, "always walk with your head down, 'cause you never know when you might find some money." thanks for that gem grandpa!

the cardinal is for my fathers parents. my grandfather just loved cardinals and i think that after he passed away the love transferred to the rest of my family. cardinals are all over the place here in nc, they're actually the state bird, and every single time one swoops in front of me i can't help but feel like it's my grandfather giving me a little hello. when i think of them it's all about big family gatherings with a pot of sauce cooking on the stove all day, golf lessons in the backyard, watching pretty woman for the first time ever in their guest room, and being the only girl to go crabbing with the boys.

they are missed...

in addition to new tattoos, we also got a new little something for our home. yesterday was our one year anniversary! i can not believe just how quickly one year of marriage flew by. my parents drove up from atlanta to hang out with us for the weekend, and while they were here they purchased us probably the greatest anniversary gift ever... a hammock! i had been wanting one since we moved into our house, and was set on having one for the summer. we have two perfectly spaced trees in the backyard that were just calling for a hammock, and i thought it a shame for them to not fulfill their destiny. thanks again mom and dad, i can already see many a summer evening spent swinging and relaxing here.

perhaps i'll go kick up my still swollen feet right now, hang out in the hammock for a bit, and think about just how lucky i am to have the greatest family anyone could ask for...