It's a love thing

TG got me this huge balloon at the Irmo Kroger

Needles to say (yes, I on purpose put needles; I am making fun of the term needless to say, which I find unbearable because if it doesn't need to be said, why say it?), I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted.

TG and I took a trip but we've been back for ten days. 

So I guess it's time I told you about it.

We left on a Thursday and made our way to East Tennessee -- Maryville, to be exact, which is basically Knoxville -- where we spent the night with Andrew, Brittany, and Ember.

The next morning, we made our way up I-75 to Northwest Ohio, taking our time and arriving just as darkness settled over the region.

After supper and a good night's sleep, we woke up to a sunny, windy day in the forties, with a bright blue cloudless sky.

We went shopping, taking our time because the reason for our presence there was to attend a party with a start time in the late afternoon.

The occasion was the fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration for TG's only brother, Ron, and his wife, Marcia.

The Ron Weber Family: L to R Todd, Angie, Marcia, Ron, David, Dan

They were married on February 16, 1973.

Their four children were responsible for putting on the party, which was held in the event room of a beautiful library in Temperance, Michigan (a stone's throw from Toledo, Ohio) and included a dinner catered by Olive Garden.

Ron and Marcia were one hundred percent surprised, having been told by their daughter that they were going on a scavenger hunt which would begin at the library and end at a restaurant.

We did the whole darkened room and yelling SURPRISE! thing in thunderous unison, and it was sweet to watch their reaction.

After a delicious meal, Ron and Marcia's daughter, followed by each of their three sons, got up and said a few words in tribute to their parents' long marriage.

Then Ron said a few words, and then TG spoke for about ten minutes.

Then there was a flurry of picture-taking and lots of laughter and catching up with everyone, before the party concluded.

Afterwards a bunch of us went to Ron and Marcia's house, where we sat around talking for a few more hours.

The picture of Ron and Marcia was not taken at their wedding but rather at a high school prom

The next morning we headed back to East Tennessee, where once again we spent the night with Andrew and Brittany, to break the long journey home.

I can't remember if I told you, but Andrew and Brittany are expecting a little sister or brother for Ember at the end of this summer.

The next day we made our way back to Columbia, where Dagny had been pretty sick with a stomach flu that was making its way around our church's child population.

She was wretched all of Sunday night and into Monday, and even missed school on Tuesday -- Valentine's Day -- because by that morning, she had not been able to keep food down yet.

But she improved quickly as the day went on, and at lunchtime she ate half of a bowl of jasmine rice. She and Audrey were at my house, but I had to leave for a two o'clock doctor appointment.

I promised Dagny that when I got home from the doctor, we would go shopping for valentines and a few snacks to have with the pizza we planned to order that night, and enjoy together.

So it was that at about three thirty, Dagny (who was feeling great by that time) and I set out for the Dollar General store a scant two miles from my house.

I told her that if they did not have Tostitos Hint of Lime at the DG, we would have to go another half-mile down St. Andrews Boulevard to the Kroger, to get some.

TG appears pugilistic but he was just making a point

When we walked into the Dollar General, the wall of chips was right there. I looked and looked but did not see the Tostitos Hint of Lime.

Well Dagny, I said. We are going to have to go to Kroger so let's pick out our valentines here and then we'll do that.

Meanwhile she had found a small bouquet of fresh flowers for her mother, so we grabbed those, then went to the greeting card aisle and located our valentines -- one for Audrey from Dagny, and one for TG from me.

I'd already bought him a small gift but I needed the card to go with it.

Then we went back around to the snack section because I wanted to get Dagny a treat, and she was looking for a small bag of Nacho Doritos.

It was on that pass down the chip aisle that I saw the Tostitos Hint of Lime, and marveled that I had not seen them before. They were big as life, right there. If they'd been a snake it would have bit me.

Shaking my head at my own absentmindedness, I directed Dagny to the checkout counter, where our purchases were rung up by an exceptionally kind and courteous young man.

By then it was almost four o'clock, and we were happy to be able to go straight home without going to the Kroger which would have been a madhouse at that hour on Valentine's Day.

Our beautiful and beloved niece Angie greets a guest

I already had an unopened jar of salsa at home, and we'd be ordering our pizza from Hungry Howie's.

We were all set.

The rest of the day was enjoyable as we hung out and eventually enjoyed our pizza, and watched several episodes of The Nanny from 1993.

It wasn't until three days later (we don't watch local news or get a newspaper), when it hit the national news, that we learned of the shooting in the parking lot of "our" Kroger at four o'clock in the afternoon on Valentine's Day.

Maybe you've heard or read about it.

I was trying to fall asleep on the night of the day I heard about this horrible crime, when I realized that Dagny and I had come within five minutes and a bag of Tostitos Hint of Lime of being in the Kroger parking lot when the shooting occurred.

Not that we would necessarily have witnessed it or been in harm's way -- it being a largish parking lot -- but still, I would not want Dagny to have seen any of the drama surrounding something so unthinkable happening at the store where she and her mother regularly shop.

TG and I drop in at the Irmo Kroger at least once a week, and often more than once. In fact he was there on Valentine's Day less than two hours before the shooting, to get my balloon.

(TG is in the habit of saying, when describing to someone the general location of our house, that we live in Irmo. We do NOT live in Irmo, I will instantly say if I overhear him. Irmo has its own Zip Code: Two Nine Six Oh Three. We live in Columbia. Two Nine Two Twelve.

Reading to Ember in the Three Seven Eight Oh Three

While it's true that if, when you make up your mind to come and see me, you decide to mix things up by skydiving, and you parachute into the geographic center of Irmo, you could more or less walk to my house. But you'd better be wearing comfy shoes, because it's a few miles and you'll likely have at least one suitcase. Let's save time by agreeing that I'll drive the five minutes to pick you up.)

But in this case? Close enough to be scary.

I don't mean to make light of a serious matter; I have spent days being appalled by what happened at the Kroger on Valentine's Day, and grieving for the young mom whose life was lost in a manner so senseless that it boggles the mind.

I've told my girls many times: When out and about, no matter who does what, no matter what is said or done, no matter who's in the right and who's in the wrong, do not react. Do not engage. If there's friction, just say I'm sorry. Smile and move on. That goes for whether you're on foot or driving an automobile.

Or as Audrey counsels: Keep your head down and your mouth shut.

Shame it's come to that, but whatever the issue, it's not worth getting into an argument with anyone and potentially being the subject of someone's angry target practice. I think we can all agree on that basic premise.

But wouldn't it be nice if everyone would just settle down and be kind to one another?

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. It really is a love thing.

Meanwhile I hope you had a happy Valentine's Day and that you're enjoying what's left of February.

Still a few more days for Valentine decorations. The TY note is from Ron and Marcia.

It's summer here; in Columbia and in Irmo. Our high today was eighty-one degrees.

Flowering trees are blooming all over town; daffodils are up by the hundreds, nodding happily in the warm breeze. Next will come the thick coat of yellow pollen.

And we still have fickle March to get through! This should be interesting.

Tomorrow we will have a big birthday party for our grandson Andrew, who turned eleven yesterday.

I'll be sure to tell you about it next week, complete with pictures.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Thursday

Comments

[Jeanette]

That is so sad about that young mother in the Kroger parking lot. I agree with you that you can't argue with people in public anymore! Things are too crazy these days. Sounds like a nice V- day and I'm glad Dagney is feeling better. Congratulations on your upcoming new grandbaby!

[Carla TePaske]

Hello Jenny,
Congratulations to your son and family. Exciting, exciting, exciting! :-)
Also what a wonderful 50th surprise, I enjoy GOOD stories and we need more of them.
And so that bring us to the shooting. I know, I actually say your Audrey's "Keep your head down and your mouth shut." too. I have to remind my dear husband of that counsel.
Carla

[Mari]

Jenny! That is a scary situation. I think the good Lord put those Tostitos there to protect you, whether from harm or just the trauma of seeing a situation like that, I am thankful you are safe.
Looks like a good trip to Michigan, and seeing Andrew, Brittany and Ember was an added blessing
Ember is really growing and she will be a good big sister.
The party looks like fun and I'm glad they pulled off the surprise.
Nice balloon!

[Jennifer]

@Jeanette ... Girl it's beginning to feel like the Wild West just going to get bread and milk! I was just so shocked because although we hear of awful things like this happening, we never think it will happen anywhere near us. We did live within five miles of the St. John, Indiana, Kmart where there was a mass shooting in May of 1985. But since I never shopped there, I don't remember feeling the same way about it as this. God help us. Yes we had a nice Valentine's Day and we sure are excited about the new baby! xoxo

@Carla ... Thank you and yes, good stories are needed these days for sure! And head down, mouth shut is just good all-around advice! I tell myself to calm down all the time, haaahaha xoxo

@Mari ... girl I KNOW! I truly believe and will always believe that it was the Lord's provision that we were not in that parking lot at four o'clock. I can't look at it any other way. I know that lots of people were there and they had to see it, and I'm so sorry about that, but I would be devastated if Dagny had witnessed anything like that. So I am so thankful. Yes it was a great trip and extra-nice seeing Andrew and Brittany in their new house, and of course precious Ember!!! xoxo

[Donna]

Happy 50th to Marcia and Ron!
So sorry Dagny was so ill...glad you found her chips!lol... I always buy my cards at DG or DT. You can't beat the dollar pricing!
Yes, I read about that senseless shooting! Horrible! Two families lives, shattered! Glad you and Dagny weren't there!
Also, Happy Birthday to little Andrew! Time is flying by these days...
And yes, pollen is on it's way! Ours will be green.
Stay safe sweet friend!
hugs
Donna

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... ditto to all, my friend! Good to see you even through the haze of pollen, haahaa xoxo

[Lori]

Hello my friend!! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Girl, God was watching over you that day for sure. It must be a strange feeling to have something like that happen in a store that you go to. So many people are just so angry and hateful, and I don't understand it. Life is too precious to live like that but here we are. Congratulations on a new grand baby. I'm sure you're all so excited. Have a great weekend.

[Sally]

So, so thankful y'all didn't have to go to grocery store. How very sad, and more of this type of thing happening so often. Yes, keep the head down and move along if possible.

Happy to hear a new grandbaby on the way! Always good news. Prayers for healthy and happy baby and parents AND little sister.

My granddaughter had her 4th baby Dec 30, another girl. Her name is Dallas. :)

Happy Birthday to Andrew. Man, yours, mine growing up too fast..
xoxo

[Jennifer]

@Lori ... YES He certainly was watching over us that day and I am so very grateful. We are not special (except in the sense that everyone is special to Him) and I know that some did have to witness that tragedy, but I am so glad that there was no chance of Dagny seeing it. We have not been back to that store yet! We just feel like avoiding it for a while. Good to see you! xoxo

@Sally ... Hello my friend! Yes I think I saw on Insta that the new grandbaby was expected! How wonderful! I hope baby and mama are both doing fine. Yes our babies are grown and yet we will still always think of them as our babies, won't we? It's amazing how God gives us the capacity to crowd our hearts with so many precious ones. It's a great privilege. Good to hear from you! xoxo

[Bijoux]

That is so scary when a shooting happens so close to home. It seems as though everyone has had a similar instance where they or someone they love has been in the vicinity. Our niece was in the middle school next door to the Chardon High School shooting of 2012. We were sick with worry when the news broke, as my husband and I couldn't remember if she was in 8th grade or 9th grade. I'm so glad you found those Hint of Lime Tostitos where you were (and yes, they are tasty!)

I do use, 'needless to say' as a segue when writing, but at least I don't say 'segway' LOL! That's the sort of thing that drives me bananas! Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

[Carla TePaske]

Hi Jenny,
We did get the HUGE snow. 16 inches and 5 more inches to bring in March roaring like a lion. :-)
Happy March!
Carla

[Jennifer]

@Bijoux ... Segway ... haaaaaahahahaha! Needless to say, needless to say drives me up the wall, haha xoxo

@Carla ... YAY! That sounds so exciting! Love it xoxo

[Gayla]

Oh my goodness! The shooting in such a personal, vulnerable place! I'm so sorry!

The way we're sisters! Hint of Lime. Are you serious? That's my jam. Salsa! Or salsa on cream cheese? Just scrape a little off at a time? Not sure my lack of teeth will allow such a thing? But it's on my list.

Loved your post and the description of your trip. We're hinting of spring here, too... mostly mud!

[Tony Funderburk]

Great stuff, as always. And I saw the February 16th anniversary date and smiled. Because that's mine, too.

Happy Birthday, by the way. Hopefully, I've got that correct.
Hope it's the awesome, blessed day you prefer and deserve.

Your brother,
Tony

[Jennifer]

@Gayla ... I can't be trusted with a bag of Hint of Lime in the house! And wow I can put salsa away too. My current obsession though is with Mission strips and Pace chunky mild salsa. It's like, where did half that bag go? It was here five minutes ago ... haaahahaha! xoxo

@Tony ... Thank you for the birthday greeting and yes, you have that right! Sorry I didn't see your comment earlier. And I hope you and your wife had a lovely anniversary together. xoxo