Wrappin' Up Georgia

Trip to Georgia - Days #4 - 6

The last three days with Chris and her family were basically uneventful.  Monday morning Mathew (the youngest) had an orthodontist appointment in Augusta, so we all piled into the Expedition for the hour long drive into town.  Once Mat's braces were checked, it was off to the Augusta Mall (aka the Butterfly Mall) for a little shopping, as I had given Chris and Beth gift cards from Bath and Body Works.

Now, I've always known my two nephews are like night and day, but as we milled around the store the differences emerged like never before.  James is 16, Mathew is 13.

James: Why do women spend so much time here?  They're just wasting their husband's money.

Mathew:  Do girls really like this stuff?  So, if I brought a girl to this store, would she like that?

Reply to James:  Because we like it and men like us to be soft and smell good.  Besides, some of us have our own money (big mistake...this just opened up the floodgates for a debate).

Reply to Mathew:  Yes. If you bring a girl to this store, she will love it!  Take notes young man!

I think we can all see who the charmer in this family is...

More later.  Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go!

After surviving almost an hour in B&BW, the boys are relieved when the girls finally make their purchases and we depart from the dreaded warehouse of feminine wiles.  A quick bite to eat, a stop at Wal-Mart and we return to the house to find Chris' hibiscus has bloomed.

Seeing this hibiscus brought back childhood memories of lazy summer days in Southern California, where a massive hibiscus shrub flourished in our front yard.  My older sister and I spent many a day picking the blooms and savoring the tiny drops of honey like nectar within; it was like having a candy shop in the front yard, and the candy was free.

Speaking of sweet, every now and then, we all get to experience karma at work, in the form of paybacks.  Paybacks we have waited many, long years for...and oh, they are so very sweet!  Yeah, you know what I'm talking about.  I'm still laughing over this one.

Chris and Mathew are in the midst of a mother-son talk at the dining table, the topic of which escapes me right now but the gist of it has Mathew developing his negotiation skills.  My sister has just presented her case to her youngest son and is briefly enjoying the momentary victory of silence as her words sink in.

Suddenly, Mathew leans across the table toward his mother and blurts out, "But, dude!  Can't I just--."

My sister's back stiffens.  "You did NOT just call me dude!"

"Yeah, I did," he replies, somewhat innocently.

My hand goes to my mouth to prevent a sudden outburst of laughter from escaping.

"Mathew!"  Mom is not amused.

Seeing my reaction, Mathew proceeds with a shrug.  "Okay, then...what should I call you, dudette?"

Okay, now I'm wetting myself.   My younger sister is shooting me a look to wilt any flower, and I am so enjoying this.  All those years when she was young, and I swore, someday...

That day has arrived, but I have to remove myself to the front porch, lest I really sink myself deep into my sister's bad side.  Parked on a chair, there I sit, snickering at the memory of a few moments ago. 

Sweet!

The remaining two days were spent just relaxing and enjoying the simple pleasure of doing absolutely nothing.  Wednesday came and it was time for me to catch the noon flight out of Augusta.  Just before I disappeared into the security area where only passengers are allowed, Chris got a photo of me and the kids.

 
L-R: Me, James, Beth, Mathew.

I'm feeling very short right now...and I'm 5' 6".  Am I shrinking...or are kids today just getting taller?