We are finally home!! and it was a LONG trip!!!!
we left at 6:30 am Thursday morning and headed to Pinehurst, NC - my kids were
in the car and we were able to arrive at our hotel around 4:30.
We walked around a bit and then went to the managers reception and ordered pizza for dinner. My aunt and two of her kids were there along with my sister (Not Nancy) and my parents best friends. My dad really did not want them to come but I think it was really good for him to have someone to drink and chat with!!!!
The funeral was Friday morning. It started with a private viewing of my grandmother at the funeral home. and then we headed to the church for a closed casket visitation - and then we had a funeral mass
The best moment of the service for me was at the very beginning - my grandfather was a train engineer in new york and my grandmother lived across from a train track as we were grwoing up - we used to go collect the spikes that had come loose and put pennies on the track so we could have flat pennies - so trains have always reminded me of both of my grandparents
so as the service began a train passed by the church - the track went right by the church and blew its whistle - and I couldn't help to smile and know that grandma and grandpa were on their way in the train!!!
Nancy and I are quite sure the grandma rolled over in her coffin as the 9 Great grandchildren were a little loud during the service - but by the looks the priest sent our way each one of them let out a little squeal - we are sure that he had channeled her!!!!!! But as he told my aunt very matter of factly that there were to be no other reflections than the two planned when she invited others up to the alter - we knew she had possessed him!!!!
We then had a lunch at the country club where we had had her 70th birthday party - 20 years ago next month - it was very nice.
The we headed over to pinehurt country club - b.c the 2005 US open merchandise was 65% off and my dad, BIL and Nephew (Nancy's DH and DS) had been to the open this year so they wanted to go check it out
as you walk down the halls of pinehurst - they have pictures of tournaments and what they call their hall of fame - as Brian walked by the pictures of this year's tournament - he said - Look PAPA - there I am!!!! there was a picture of the final hole of the tournament and Brian had found his dad and him in the picture - he and my dad were so excited - my dad later told Brian that had made his day - it was nice that had happened and he could have a great memory from that day!!
then 20 of us drove 1 1/2 hours to Nancy's- she was a very gracious host - that night 17 people spent the night at her house!!!!
The next morning we went to Brian's Basketball game - they won and he had a great game!!! Nick was so cute cheering - go Bian - and cheering when Brian would score!!!
then we went back to Nancy's and the real fun began - my dad proceeded to start throwing up - followed by Nick - then we went out to dinner leaving the sick ones at home and Julia got sick at the restaurant - so we left to come home - this morning Nancy's DH and two of her kids are also sick - I guess we picked something up somewhere
we drove the 9 1/2 hours home - thankfully Dad was better and J&N each only got sick once!!!
I am exhausted and hopefully won't get the flu!!!!!
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home, Kate. I hope that you don't get the stomach bug that is plaguing the East Coast too. Many of my students and their families have it. As Tammi said. it is only about 24 hours, but debilitating. Take care...
One of the best looking on the team in my opinion.
, Elin. I wish the best outcome for your mom and family, whatever that turns out to be. Enjoy your time with her this weekend.
