CNotes

Cousins

I have great cousins ... some I see more often than others, but particularly the cousins on the Burgess side of the family (Mom's) are the ones I'm closest to.  There are 10 of us in this generation, evenly split between boys & girls and an age range of early 30s-early 50s.  Not surprising when Mom is one of six, three boys and three girls. 

I love that I love being around my cousins. And, thanks to Facebook, we are able to keep in touch in different ways, share photos and learn more about mundane life than previously. We were home (read: Orlando) for Christmas this year and I was able to see 5 of my cousins. We spent the first couple of days of the week with my cousins from Lousiana. My aunt had three boys and we've always been close. They don't have a sister and I don't have any brothers. I've always felt like they are closest thing to brothers I have and I love them dearly.  As a great bonus, their wives are super-fantastic, too. All three of these boys (ok, they're not boys since they are 9, 11 and 13 years older than me, but you get my drift) are super smart and darn funny.

Darling Mike, the patriarch of the Burgess cousins, ... we're so proud.

I grew up with my cousins who lived near my grandparents. I have two cousins (girls) very close in age and we spent a good bit of time together throughout our childhood and through high school. I spent many a weekend over on the beach with them and have such fond, fond memories of our times together.   Lots of fun & sun at the beach.

I think my grandparents would be proud of all of us.  Most of us are happily married - there are a couple of singles in our number.  My cousins are all insanely smart - it's hard to view myself in that light - but, I can hold my own most of the time, unless Pat starts talking engineering, or something.  (he did invent the digidrink, in his spare time when he was single.)

I always remember one thing Grandma B (yes, we were quite original in my household on identifying grandparents. We had Grandma & Grandpa B, Grandma & Grandpa O, and Grandma & Grandpa G) saying about the relationship her kids have/had with each other. She told me that she might have made mistakes as a parent, but she was most proud that her children all love each other. And, they do. No crazy family feuds here. And, we're thrilled that Uncle RC & Aunt Mary Ellen (Mom's oldest brother) is moving back to Florida. 

I think she'd be proud of the ten of grandkids and check out the cuties our generation has produced!  (Most, but not all, of us have kids, too.)

 
We missed Ann, Bobby, Steve & Melissa this year.  Hopefully in two years, everyone can make it. I'm glad to be in this family.  And, here's your crazy trivia fact for this family ... there's a wacky & strong recessive left hand gene.  Of Mom & her siblings with kids (total = 4) ... each of them has a left-handed child. Ann, Pat, Melissa & Me.  Yay for the lefties! 

p.s. We also like to play cards & games & gamblea bit. just a bit.

College Colors

Today is Garnet & Gold day. Well, it's College Colors Day, so, for me, that's Garnet & Gold. I had fully intended to wear my Football Goddess tshirt, but my denim jacket was in the wash, so garnet & gold jewelry it is. (stained glass butterfly necklace & garnet earrings.)

The Florida State University. I didn't apply anywhere else. You see, I remember when FSU stunk in the 70s. And I had season tickets in middle school and high school.  Ultimately, I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else.  Everything I know about tailgating, I learned at FSU (mostly as a kid with friends of parents - the same group has been tailgating together for more than 30 years) ... champagne when we win ... stays corked when we lose.  Arrive early, leave late.  Never leave the game. Ever.

Growing up in Gator Country didn't make it easy .. it seems only one or two other people in my class were FSU fans.  I remember Duncan Jones as a fan, and I'm sure there were more, but there were SO many more Gators. 

It's finally fall and finally college football season. While living in Oklahoma I'm not surrounded by 'Noles, but I do work with a couple - one here at Sonic and one is my counterpart at our agency.  So, now we commiserate together and hope against hope that this year will be one where we turn the corner.  But, I've been there before with this school, begging my parents to let me shake their keys when Larry Keys was a player ... when I bought my "Big Bad Ron" 45 ... when my mother actually went up to Jesse Hester and said, "You don't look like you're 6"3" (or whatever the program stated his height.) While the crowds aren't as raucus now, I still get an excited & anxious feeling when I sit in the stands and watch the Marching Chiefs take the field!)

I'm a Nole fan forever. The late 80s - 90s Dynasty was incredible and I hope we reach those highs again.  But come hell or high water ... Go Noles! (please beat the Tar out of Miami on Monday)