AmigoNet: 80 Grams

Milestones are important.

And we have a couple of em back-to-back on the Smith side. First, a 60th wedding anniversary (WOW!), and now this...

! ! ! H A P P Y 8 0 T H G R A M M I E ! ! !

Our norm is to meet for dinner on these occasions. No big deal. Just a chance to catch up and celebrate someone's new high score. Always an easy good time.

Dickey's BBQ, always a hit

But when that score rolls into a new decade, we had to take it up a notch. Everyone wants to be a part! Locals in person, farther aways Zooming in...

SIDE NOTE: Hey look, hair! I don't see the back of my head often. Good to know it's still hangin on.

And therein came the real surprise, delivered by good ol' Aunt D (Adrienne, my Mom's sister): "Maureen, we're going on a trip!"

Not a drug trip. (that we know of, unless it's one of the many prescriptions people take at that age)

Nope, it's a road trip, long talked about by my Mom and her sister, and now finally organized by my organized sister Suzi. The three of em are off on a weeklong nostalgic tour of all their memorable spots in Texas. Being a nostalgia lover myself, I know it'll be fun, especially the sisters being able to bounce memories off each other. HUGE HUGE HUGE props to Suzi for doing the driving.

Here we go!

McKinney: Birthday party kickoff with Suzi and Adrienne

Fort Worth: First house (1946)

Fort Worth: Sitting on the front steps of that first house. (1947)

Center, TX: Home of Mom & Adrienne's grandparents, Little Mama & Papa.
I've heard stories about this place my whole life, but never been there.

Center, TX: Sharing a Coke with Little Mama & Papa (their grandparents) at Antioch Cemetery.

Houston: St. Christopher Catholic School, where Mom was allowed to start a year early when her Dad sent her to school on the first day with a whole cooked ham!