Lock Down, Lock In, Lock Out...

Unraveling, like a blanket, when a string is pulled, and pulled, and pulled. This person wants this. That person wants that, and I'm needed for this and then needed for that. I feel like I've been pulled until there might be nothing but a shred left. Finally, together, Keith and I said, "Enough." It seems like lately it has been one event after another. Every weekday is spoken for, of course. But the calendar is showing every weekend being gobbled up like some hungry bear fresh out of hibernation seeking his first spring meal. So, we decided to pull things back a little. After all, where does the family fall, when schedules are so go, go, go and there is no downtime?

Yesterday, was, in my mind, "Stolen Family Moments Day". It was lock down, lock in and lock out. It was nice, really nice. Keith and I started out the day just the two of us. In this house, that is a rarity. By afternoon, hunger ruled the day and the ribs we had marinating were destined to find their way to the grill. That in itself became a memory haha. I got the bright idea to heat the charcoal the hard way, and took the pioneer woman route. I spent the next hour and a half feeding kindling to the charcoal warmer...it was slow go and not my best of moves lol, but finally it was hot enough to grill on. Wouldn't you know it? Just as soon as the charcoal was finally ready, the skies turned loose and raindrops as big as quarters began pounding on our heads. Keith was yelling "Close the grill! We'll cook after it's over!" I, on the other hand, had nursed that charcoal and wasn't giving up. No sir, no way. So, in the middle of the rain, the lightening and the hail(Keith declared it was hailing), I pretty much refused to budge until those ribs were all inside Smokey Joe and on their way to becoming a meal! Now, how's that for romance? Aha...grilling together in the rain..with one spouse convinced the other had a death wish...In my defense, those ribs were the best we've ever grilled, hands down!

The day was a good one, each idea of fun lead to another. We went fishing down at the creek, walked in the woods, and decided on next weekend's project. That project is a result of male ego gone awry...It seems my Dad's creek bank looks better than ours...so Keith has to compete and play catch up lol. I'm sorry but if you'd been there, you'd be laughing too :) In his defense...we do have to get it done or the snakes will lurk and chomp on our ankles come summer!

I'm not sure how exactly but I fell asleep and woke up to the smell of chocolate cake baking. Taylor and her daddy pulled that one off...and even the mess they left was worth it, because that cake was like, the ultimate in chocolate! That of course, was to prep Mom for the whooping I was fixing to take in Monopoly. I spent a good long while, rotting in jail, unable to purchase anything and continually forfeiting passing "GO" and earning my much needed 2 mil. But oh well, it was for a good cause :) The day finally ended with an onslaught of xBox wars..."Guitar Hero". You'd have to know us to know that is what we sometimes call fun around here...

It's not often the family pulls it all back and just spends that good ole quality time together. For yesterday, I am thankful! And I'm very thankful our kids didn't even buck at the idea. Yes, they are great kids indeed! Now, for next Saturday? I'll be getting the Icy Hot ready because Keith has plans for us to be up early and cleaning out the woods most of the day. Hard work, necessary, but fun too! Hopefully we'll end it with a HUGE bonfire and weenie roast to reward our efforts! And if I'm lucky, maybe somebody will go canoeing with me!