Back from the East!

The husband and I have just returned from a week-long trip to the East Coast. It was unplanned and unexpected, and it was fun despite the somber nature of the trip. You see, we were called back to celebrate the life of a true matriarch. A wonderful woman, with three sons, my husband's best friends, who unassumedly took on the motherly and grandmotherly roles for us and our children after both of our mom's had passed. There is no comparison to this woman or the positive impact she had on everyone around her. She was loved by us and will be missed greatly.

In the true spirit of this wonderful woman and her wish that we celebrate her life, not mourn her death, I've prepared the top ten list of my trip back East:

1.) The food! Can you say cheeseburg and meatball grinders? Dunkin' Donuts, medium regular please. Thinly-sliced deli meats for the perfect sandwich. Stuffed cabbage, homemade. The Colchester Bakery and the perfect pumpernickel rye.
2.) Quality time with family - my sister and her fam; my father-in-law and even my Dad!
3.) Meeting up with old friends not seen for 20+ years.
4.) Spending time with old friends that are more like family than friends, and seeing how their kids have grown.
5.) Celebrating my nephew's birthday in person for once!
6.) Picking out presents for the kids left home.
7.) Four, yes FOUR, rounds of golf!
8.) Central air (hot and humid are not my friends).
9.) The wondrous nature of bug repellent - you NEED it!
10.) The luck to get the heck outta there before the heat wave set in.