Homecomings

My sister and I went through the Christmas decorations yesterday. No blood was shed. In fact, we didn't even have to arm wrestle. We were in unison on several items as we turned to my mother and said, "You have to keep this." I took a few things. Like I really need more decorations.

Then I started getting antsy. I wanted to shout, "It's time to go to the neighborhood party!" I did not want to miss a minute.

Everyone should have an occasional day that includes hours and hours of laugh-out-loud fun. I think I've filled my quota for the year. Even my mother stayed until the bitter end. She must have been enjoying our antics and I know she enjoyed the stories. I liked it best when she would say, "Sheri, do you remember so and so?" With complete disrespect, I said, "No Mom, I only went to grade school, middle school and high school with this person. Why don't you introduce us?"

Then the photos started circulating. The stories got a lot more interesting. (That's the great thing about this age --what are they going to do, ground us?)

The neighborhood is right behind a naval plant. Well, I don't know what they make there now but when I was growing up (Cold War Years,) it was all very hush-hush. As far as I know, none of us are radioactive. The military underestimated a group of kids who ran along that strip. As we sat behind my friends' homes last night, the fence (with barbed wire) is still there. Many of us said, "I've scaled that fence." One said, "I could still do it." Thankfully, level heads prevailed.

We danced. We sang. We ate well. We told stories that no parent should ever have to hear.

I could write forever about this. Trust me, there's more to come. But I have another homecoming. The husband comes back today. He missed a great party.

Dancing Queen

Dancing is part of my soul. I'm not good at it but I don't care. It brings me great joy. I dance at parties. I danced in ballet and theater groups. I dance on counters. My favorite times with the husband are when we dance on the patio.

I rarely give opinions about recent movies because I rarely go the movie theater. This has been a banner summer -- I've been twice.

While at the lake, a gaggle of girlfriends and acquaintances (11 of us!) traded in a gray and drizzly day for dinner and a movie. The vote was unanimous, Mamma Mia. Mixed reviews had come from all sides, the media, people I know who had seen it, etc. I knew I would love the music and I was happy for the theater experience. They could just put Pierce Brosnan on the screen for two hours and I would eat popcorn and be a happy lady. I'm also a big fan of Meryl Streep and Colin Firth.

See it. Better yet, see it with some girlfriends. Sing along. The movie is great but for extra fun, the song routines during the credits had eleven women singing at the screen and waving our arms.

There is a little part of me that is a "Dancing Queen."