If you live anywhere on the East Coast, I know you are keeping a close eye on Dorian and his travels. Since we’re still a few days out, we don’t know to what extent we will be affected but we know we are going to get something. We’ll keep you posted. (And in the meantime, our prayers and hearts are with the people of the Bahamas who have just experienced Dorian’s fury.)
I just had to share this picture of Grayson eating an apple. Is he not the cutest thing?
And of course we have to have a photo of the brand newest Smith treasure, Andrew Ryder. (By the way, Andrew is Nathan’s middle name.)
I am actually going to see the Florida Smiths toward the end of September. I’ll spend a few days with them and then fly to Wisconsin to see my mom and siblings. It’s been over two years since I’ve been home so I’m definitely due. I think that since my recent diagnosis of obliterative bronchiolitis, I feel even an stronger pull toward my tribe and my home.
Last Wednesday, Sarah got into her little Mazda and headed out to Edenton, NC. (She’ll be living in Edenton but the church she interns at is in Ahoskie, about an hour away.)
I left about 30 minutes after she did; she wanted to leave a little early to explore the town.
I got her settled in at her new digs, which is the second floor of the pastor and his wife’s home. They live on a river so she gets to sit on the back porch and enjoy the amazing views.
I said my goodbyes to her . . .
and as I pulled out, took nostalgic note of the fact that the little gray car has found a new driveway to call home. (sniff)
The night before she left, we planned a British Baking Show evening. That’s the only TV show we watch together and it’s always a favorite time for the two of us to snuggle in with the dog and enjoy mama/daughter quietude
Here’s the graphic the church posted on Facebook. Our daughter’s first position!
We talked with her last night and she seems to be happy and settling in well. As we were talking, she was driving to Virginia Beach for another get together with her college crowd.
And this is a random thing I did to a picture of her; just thought it was fun.
Steve and I went out to a movie last week, a fairly rare occurrence. However, when the tickets are just $7 each, it’s a little more doable.
I love the vintage decor in this hundred- year old movie theater
We saw some church friends at the theater; they have three children with the oldest in college. They were telling us that the two of them used to go on dates in that theater back when they were teenagers and now they were bringing their own kids. What a cool history.
So anyway, back to the present day date of the parson and his wife. Steve decided in his infinite wisdom that wimpy bags of popcorn just wouldn’t do for his movie-viewing experience. He decided he was going to bring along The Big Bowl, the one that Nathan and Meagan had given him for Father’s Day last year.
I wasn’t quite so sure about the plan. I mean, no one else was carrying in gargantuan, personalized bowls made of bamboo. So I lollygagged behind so no one would know I was with him. (And also to take pictures.)
He insisted that a friend had told him that if you bring in your own container, they will fill it up for you and he was right! For just $6, he got it topped off. A bag of popcorn is $2 and he probably got the equivalent of 5 or 6 bags, so he did alright.
A couple of people in our vicinity commented on the bowl so Steve gave them all a description of its many fine qualities and in the process, made a whole set of new friends. Several of them said they weren’t aware of the Big Bowl rule and were going to bring their own containers the next time.
One woman in our row had bought a bag of popcorn but ended up eating it all before the movie even started. Steve graciously passed his big bowl down the row and provided her with a refill.
And just to close out the story, when we were in line (in the teeny lobby) to purchase our popcorn, the manager came through and cheerily got everyone to line up a little differently so that more people could squeeze in. He said, “You all stand close. We’re all popcorn friends, here!”
Gotta love it.
I’ll close with a photo of my own personal popcorn pal parson, practicing a song for Sunday morning.
What about you? When you go to a movie do you get the full complement of snacks or are you a simpler snacker?
And more importantly, do you live on the East Coast?
What is the forecast where you are?
Are you evacuating?
I love movie theater popcorn! I hardly ever go to the movie anymore. I do stop once in awhile and just buy some popcorn and take it home. Yum!
I pray that Sarah does great at her new job and loves where she lives.
How exciting to be able to see the Florida Smith’s and your family. I hope you all have a good visit!
We are up in ND, so no Dorian effects here.
Stay safe!
Krista,
That’s a good idea to stop and take some home! That way you can watch a DVD on your couch and feel like you’re at the movies.
Being out of reach of Dorian is a very good thing, indeed! We’re going to get hit in the next 24-hours.
On the rare occasion I go to a movie theater, I get a large popcorn with extra butter! Not expecting anything severe from Dorian on the Southeastern CT coast…maybe some wind, rain, and higher surf, but not to a damaging degree. Will have to shell hunt after! Stay safe Smiths!
Guerrina,
If you don’t go all that often then a large popcorn/extra butter is not all that bad to indulge in. Now if you were doing it every weekend? Not so much!
Here’s hoping you find some beautiful shells in the aftermath of what comes to visit us.
We don’t go to movies and in the rare instance that we do, we do not do snacks or popcorn. (We are movie illiterate. 😀 )
We live in the heart of the country….Nebraska. So no hurricane worries here. However, I do have a cousin who lives on St. Simon Island, Georgia so I always worry about him.
Those grandsons are just too cute!
Best of luck to Sarah in her new endeavors!!
LeeAnne,
Yeah, I think Georgia is probably feeling the effects pretty strongly right now. Fortunately, Dorian has picked up speed since the Bahamas; I can NOT imagine a hurricane sitting over my house for 36-hours. Unspeakable.
As always, know that you have friends in Burlington, so if you need to evacuate, you are welcome… and your sweet little summer too 🙂 Hoping Dorian stays off the beach of all the states… and goes out to sea!! Congrats on your newest grand baby… he is precious! Take care, and enjoy your trip to Florida and Wisconsin in case I don’t talk to you!!
Tiffany,
You are so sweet to offer; it’s always reassuring to know we have a stopping point across the state!
Yes, Dorian taking a cruise out to sea would certainly be a wonderful scenario!
Great pictures of the grandbabies. Sadly I can not go to the movie theatre anymore. The minute the lights go down, my eyes go closed and I have been know to sleep through Batman!! Paying upwards of $20 to sleep in uncomfortable theatre seats did not logically make sense to my “accountant” brain. 🙂
Living in Canada, all we can do to pray for everyone in the hurricane path. We usually get a couple of rainy days in Southern Ontario when the hurricane comes up the East coast but other than that, we are unaffected for the most part. I was watching Dorian and was concerned for the Smith/Hawley families and then when she turned I was relieved for a moment and then I became concerned for the other Smith family. Have a great week and stay safe.
Mel,
Yeah, there is more than one Smith family in Dorian’s paths.
Had to laugh about your comment about paying $20 for an uncomfortable theater nap! I have been known to fall asleep during a home movie but never in the theater. Guess I am determined to get my money’s worth!
What precious little Smith pictures! Your son and daughter-in-love produce beautiful children!! I’m so happy to hear Sarah is settling in well – I love her photo on her welcome post! What a quaint little theater – it definitely has that Elizabethan vibe going on. I need to check with our theater and see if they offer a BYOB policy for popcorn bowls.It’s so hard to justify spending $7 – $10 for popcorn. That’s probably one of the main reasons I seldom go to the movies. I hope you have a wonderful trip later this month; I can imagine how excited you must be to hold the newest Smith and also to hug your precious mama!
Sue Ellen,
Mamas and babies–definitely two good reasons to get on a plane.
And those grandbabies of mine are definitely the epitome of preciousness. (I think that phrase was bigger than the kids!)
I too am watching Dorian, We have family and friends along the coast, Yikes! our grandbabies are Absolutley adorable. So glad you get to go get your baby snuggles and love on them soon and then to go and see your mother and family in Wisconsin. That is so special and important.
So glad Sarah is settled in so well. Does she have a little kitchenette or does she cook and eat with the family? Our theatre will refill for no charge if you buy a large popcorn. Who can eat a large and get a refill though? I eat very little popcorn unless its flooded with butter and who can do that? I am a rebel though and eat on my mints or tic tac’s I always have in my purse. Praying for safety as this storm moves forward.
Wendy,
Sarah eats and cooks with the family; it’s just the parents at home. She has the whole upstairs to herself; 2 bedrooms, bathroom, and a living room that overlooks the Chowan River. Lovely digs for a lovely gal.
I agree about the craziness of refilling a large popcorn; I can usually get through a small but that is my absolute limit. That’s quite a rebellious act, eating tic tacs in the movie. I promise not to turn you in. 🙂
We live in eastern NC but not on the coast. Watching Dorian, too, as we have family in Florida, SC and Virginia coastal areas. We have not been to the movies since seeing War Room. Jim always likes popcorn and drink. I sometimes get water. Andrew is precious. So happy for all and glad you are getting to visit both areas. Prayers.
Ann,
Wow, you have a lot of coastal people to keep track of!
Hope you can still keep your Wednesday appointment.
When I go to the movie, I usually get milk duds. I will occasionally get popcorn but not that often as I’m not a big popcorn fan.
I do not live on the east coast; however, I have good friends in both Ormond Beach (Daytona metro) and Jacksonville, FL. So I am watching the forecast closely. My friend in Ormond is not evacuating although if it were up to her, she would. Her mother and handicapped sister live with her and her husband and mom says no to evacuating.
Our forecast here in Kansas is high 80s/low 90s for today and tomorrow, then high 70s for Wednesday. No rain forecast until the weekend.
Phyllis,
I love milk duds but am not allowed to eat them because I have crowns. You will have to eat one in my honor!
From what I’ve heard, Florida is not looking as bad as they were once saying so hopefully you can lay your worries to rest about your friends!
With temps in the 90s in Kansas, I know you must be looking forward to fall!
Another fine entry dear. There are two minor issues, first Sarah drives a Mazda. Second, where’s the pix of moi practicing?
The Popcorn Parson
Steve,
Oops. Changed it to Mazda. I think I knew that and it was just a momentary slip. 🙂
The picture of you practicing is THERE!