Wedding Shower and Party

Sean & Taylor are getting married in June so a wedding shower for the family was scheduled for 1:30pm and that made it imperative that we leave Rocky Mt and make the 220 mile drive back early.  Whew!

The ladies went to the shower and the guys managed to entertain themselves.  Larry Jr, Grant and I went geocaching and managed to find two of them before it was time to go to the graduation party for Jared & Stephanie.  We got there on time and the party began.

First, we created a pool for the Kentucky Derby and my horse came in second.  Gerry made Mint Juleps for all those who wanted them and we cheered on our horses.  It was a good race and everyone got into cheering for their horse.

The two proud graduates had a nice cake that they shared with all of us.  They both worked really hard and did very well in school and we are very proud of them.  Aren't they the cutest people you have ever seen?  Congratulations you two.

The party continues into the night and everyone had a great time.  The Nascar race from Darlington was on tv and another pool was formed.  I wasn't even close with my driver.  Sandy, Henry's sister, won the Nascar pool.

Once again we left around midnight and the youngins continued partying in the morning.  You have to know your limits.

Jared's Graduation - East Carolina University

We got home late from Stephanie's pinning and managed to catch some sleep before we had to get ready for the drive from Concord, NC to Rocky Mt, NC.  We had a motel room there and left our luggage in the room and kept on driving to Greenville, NC for the Friday night graduation.

We stopped by the home Jared rents with his roommates and had a quick beer before going to dinner.  There were 12 people for dinner and the waitress took everyone's order without writing it down.  She had everything correct except she gave my salad to Sandy.  I quickly recovered it and enjoyed the salad very much.  We ate in record time and then headed for the graduation site.

The family photos with the graduate were taken outside while the sun was still shining and we entered the basketball arena for the actual ceremony.  450 graduates filed into the arena and the ordeal began.  Each name was called out and many had little stories attached to them.  That wasn't the ordeal though, the seats were the smallest seats I have ever seen in an arena and there wasn't enough room for our legs.  Everyone was cramped in the seats for over two hours and moaning and groaning.  It was worth it to see Jared graduate.  He threw his graduation cap into the air like everyone else and he was the only graduate who didn't recover his cap.  It sat there by itself among the sea of empty seats.

The photo to the right is:  Sean, Henry, Jared, Barbara and Stephanie.  Ryan was unable to get off work for the graduation.

After the ceremony we drove back to Rocky Mt and left the youngins to celebrate at the party in Jared's home.  We got some needed sleep and they partied all night.  I was whipped.

Pinning Ceremony

We didn't do much on Wednesday other than visit with the family.  Thursday we went to Barbara & Henry's home for a light dinner and then drove out to where grand daughter Stephanie was getting "pinned" after her graduation from nursing school.  She worked a full time job and attended school in between work schedules to get her degree.  It was a long, tough road but she hung in there and graduated.  Now she has to take her "board exams" to get her RN certificate.  Just a few more months to go for her.

Concord, NC Glenwood Acres CG

We left Walterboro, SC this morning and had an uneventful day until we got to Columbia, SC.  We were behind a very small car at a safe distance on I-20 when the woman driver decided to come to an almost complete stop to allow a dump truck on the entrance ramp get in front of her.  All she had to do was continue at the speed she was driving and both of us could have cleared the ramp with a lot of room to spare.  I hit the brakes and locked up the car brakes ( Thank God for our Brake Buddy ) and the motorhome brakes slowed us down in time to come to an almost complete stop from 60mph.  If we would have rear ended her, she would never have survived the crash.  Why do they allow stupid drivers like her on the highway?

Then we stopped for gas at the FlyingJ.  We had to prepay for it even though the gas pumps had a place to swipe your credit card.  Gerry went in to get the receipt and was talking to me to get the correct amount when a redneck shrimp behind her told her to get off the phone and take care of business.  If you know Gerry, this didn't go over too well with her.  She had a few choice words for the guy and then they had further conversation that I could hear.  I was ready to go into the station and defend her from this idiot when she started walking out.  She said she could have whipped him with no problem.  I believe her!

The rest of the trip to Concord was quiet and peaceful.  That is our story and we are sticking to it.  

We are now waiting for Barbara and Henry to drop by for a drink and possibly Larry Jr, Jane and Grant.  Doubtful that Jr and family will make it but we will see them on Wednesday. 

I have a cold beer waiting so have to take care of important things first.  See ya!

Walterboro, SC

We are slowly working our way to Concord and should be there on Monday or Tuesday afternoon.  Today was a short drive of 265 miles, however we are now on the infamous I-95 section of the trip.  The traffic was heavy as usual and at the northern end of Georgia there was an accident involving a pickup truck and travel trailer.  They were upside down on the guard rail in the outside lane.  I am not sure if anyone was injured, but TT sure looked like it was totaled.  We worked our way up to the accident in about 40 minutes of stop and go when a trucker announced I-95 was closed.  I jumped on the shoulder and went up to the exit ramp and then got back on and bypassed the actual stoppage.

That was our excitement for the day.  It was also the first time we spent over $200 for fuel in one fillup.  Doesn't take long when gas is $3.80/gallon.  I take Paypal, Cash and Checks in case anyone is interested.  Yeah, fat chance. 

Thank God we are close to home.