Friday

I have had a helluva work week.
I am happy it is Friday.

I have a cousin, Betsy, coming in for work and she is stopping by this weekend.
I will be discussing this with her tonight after work. She is the 3rd child (out of 5) of my Uncle Angelo. I have mentioned him here many many times. He was such a big part of my life, almost as much as my Dad. They were both joined at the hips anyway.

She flies in on Saturday so not sure of the times and if she wants to come out on Sat or Sun or both. I am happy with both. Low maintenance family with giggles and stories and love. I can't wait. People who eat what I eat and won't flip out on something spicy. Someone you have a shorthand with when you talk. It's all like a blanket of comfort.

Here is a photo of us at the age of 14 and 13. I was 14.
I still can not believe my new mom let me put tape on the wall to hang my peace poster. So unlike her. But then again she was new to our home and she was probably picking her battles then. (she got over that quickly.)  I remember that shirt because it was a bit too large but I insisted on buying that size so no one could see my boobs. I was a funny dorky thing.

This below is us at the kid's table on any given Sunday. 

This was at my home where I grew up. 

This was my Dad's one brother's kids and one sister's kids and his own. 

Dad is the youngest of 8.

The youngest one in this photo is now 54.  One was killed in an auto accident and one has Parkinson's. We are all scattered across the globe now but back in the day we spent all our time together. We spent every Sunday together growing up and when you came home to visit on weekends from college you knew on Sunday we would all be together.  You never left to go back to school before mealtime. Hey none of us were going to pass up a good meal. 

Betsy is the blonde on the bottom far left not smiling. 

The older cousins got to sit at the adult table and at this time I was considered an adult which is humorous since that smiley boy on the left is only 2 yrs younger than me. (Frankie always looks like this - even today - always a smile!!) I can't say his name without smiling. Put him and Rick together and you will laugh for hours. I love these goofy people. 

I was supposed to be purging this weekend for upcoming rug installations. I have a couple of big walk-in closets in guest rooms that need to be purged. 

I use these closets as storage not having a basement or attic. 

I normally purge my home at each move when I was moving every 3 years for a while there. So I did not gather a lot of things. 

But I've lived here now 20 yrs. January 15th of this year was 20 yrs. 

I have never lived this long anywhere. 

I moved out of my parent's home at 19. Although I did live in my hometown a bit longer, but not by much. 

It's time to move again so with the rugs happening it's a good time to get motivated. Abby was so good at her purging but she won't come help.

I asked her you see, I even tried guilt. 

Abby is strong!

Last time Betsy was here her daughter took this selfie of us.

I am closing my eyes due to the sun. 

She made me take off my sunglasses.

And something you didn't probably know about me, I am highly sensitive to sunlight. So I am squinting here. Betsy on the left, her daughter in the middle and squinty eyes on the right. (The older one with the gray hair in the front. I'm always the old one in the photo)

So it looks like I won't be doing as much purging as I thought.

More like fun with Betsy.

Good trade-off if you ask me.