Weekend Fun

The weekend was fantastic.  We scooted off on Thursday because we can...RETIRED!  Most of our hang-with-group weren't attendance for various reasons.  One is on a cruise in Alaska, others just didn't want to deal with the heat.  As you know I love summer so it wasn't a problem.  Even The Hubby sat on the porch with me most of the weekend not complaining.  Honestly it wasn't too bad with the fans on.  

We took golf cart rides all three evenings and got to visit with others as they passed on their golf carts.  I was able to get some fantastic photos on the ride out and about.  We drove around on the backside of the lake/dam which I haven't done in years.  It's been pretty inaccessible for a few years due to seasonal flooding and the "horse bridge" being under water.  The water in the creek is the lowest I've seen it in the 23 years we've been there and boy does it stink and look green.  They say it's because of the chicken poop pollution from upstream.

On this backside is the original entrance from the 1920's.  The road went right over the dam.  

Parts of the roads back in there were so overgrown you could hardly see the path.  Plus it is a bit creepy.  Back off in the corner is a huge gate that was built about 10 years ago with a combination lock on it.  The fence attached is hardly a fence being broken and pushed down in so many places.  I have heard that the "locals" come in that way and we've had some issues with trespassers.  That is scary for a girl who likes to go up by herself and stay.  

Around us the cabin across the road is in full construction swing.  It has an older part, the original cabin, and it was added on to.  Unfortunately, it has had water in it many times since it sits on the waters edge.  The owner had the cabins split again and moved the old part out, raising it and building a new middle.  It is going to be spectacular but has taken a few years and a whole lot of money, at least $500,000.  That makes our property go up in value, and property taxes! The cabin next door to us was torn down a few years ago and finally the lot sold.  I wished we had purchased it but he just couldn't dive off on that idea, it was his in the first place.  The new owner started building his cabin this weekend and it's going to be a 2 story, obstructing my view of the sunset.  Not very happy about that but it is what it is.  He's a nice guy and will live there full time which I'm okay with that.  

I almost forgot that Saturday I co-hosted a ladies brunch at our cabin.  We met on the porch and it was fantastic.  I did an easy scrambled egg casserole, bacon, bagels and cream cheese.  Sarah brought fruit and a mimosa bar.  It was such a nice day and the temperatures stayed perfect with our fans.  A nap later in the day and my weekend was perfect.  

Woke up this morning to a text of a video.  It was our sweet Max taking his first steps.  He is 19 months old today and finally taking his first steps.  It was the best news ever.  The video was precious.  He is doing so good and is the happiest boy ever.  

School is getting ready to start for the grands.  Min will start Pre-K and she is so excited.  Snicklefritz starts 6th grade.  Where does the time go.  She is growing like a weed and is little lady now, all grown up.  

 

Join or Not to Join

 The past weekend was wonderful and relaxing, but...an issue arose Saturday evening while our group gathered for dinner and celebrate three birthdays.  We were at J&S's cabin and there were seven women and eight men in attendance.  The men typically all hang around the fire pit outside, weather permitting, while the ladies are inside around the fireplace.  My question is, "is it me."  

Here's the story:  

While we were all inside chatting I was sitting in the living room in the ring around the coffee table and fireplace in a chair while on the couch two ladies sat chatting.  Then across from me in two chairs sat two other ladies and to the right of me sitting alongside the fireplace sat two more.  These three groups of two all sat chatting away while I sat in my chair absolutely NOT included in any of the talk.  I sat quietly, with my wine glass in hand and just looked around the room catching bits and pieces of each conversation.  It was honestly uncomfortable to be left out of three different conversations.  In fact at one time the lady on the couch closet to me physically turned her back to talk to the other lady on the couch.  Do any of the ladies not see that not including me was weird.  Maybe I'm just being odd myself by feeling this way but the whole thing lasted about 30 minutes of me sitting and sipping listening to the different conversations, not including me.  I felt odd man out in a way.  Then I told The Hubby about it last night and he actually said, "well you kind of don't mingle well."  WTF!  I do too but the way the room was set up I was left out, by no fault of mine actually.  This is not the first time something like this has happened here with these people by the way.  I think it just kind of happens by the way the room is set up, but my problem is do I just step into one of the conversations and join.  I've actually done that on occasion but I feel awkward doing that.  Am I just feeling weird where there is no weird?  In situations like this sometimes I jump in with a story that totally doesn't mix and feel even more awkward as they stare at me.  I'm just trying to fit in somewhere where a lot of these ladies have a lot in common where I do not.  Oh maybe it's just a pity party that no one needs to join.  

Should I feel weird about this?