Memorial Day (Cheesily) Remembered

After getting my parenting panties in the proverbial wad (and alliteration vortex, apparently) last week, I was in serious need of distraction. Sometimes a girl needs to escape her own head for a second, be it by leaving town, national holiday, or a glass of wine on the patio with her favorite armed services member.

As a believer in "Everything in moderation, including moderation" - stitch *that* on a pillow, Martha - I up and did all three, trotting off with the Pretty Family to San Antonio to see friends and family, then returning here to Austin to spend Memorial Day with my visiting bachelor brother (a handsome Naval aviator, for any single ladies out there). I wined, I dined, I slept in while the truly wonderful Anonymous Husband got up early with Master P. Yes.

Sometimes a day that isn't about you gives you exactly what you need. As my brother & I sat on the patio, ignoring the sweltering death Hell Texas heat & mosquitoes, we got to reminiscing about our late grandparents & appreciating their World War II service, amongst other things:

 
I only felt a smidge sorry for myself as I watched Master P toddle around & remembered once again that my grandparents aren't here to meet him. 

And, yes, then the inevitable Hallmark Moment du Fromage came when I happily recalled the important things they taught me that I get to pass along to my little guy. Frank Sinatra. The importance of family, even when family's not fun. The importance of Good Shoes (Grandmother, never "Grandma"); the importance of saving up to properly afford Good Shoes (Grandpa). School. Service.

Of course my grandparents weren't perfect, but yesterday today isn't the day to harp on that. Besides, I perfected my ability to icily ignore any problem on their watch, so in their honor my brother & I raised our glasses (spiked with a splash of Pink Elephant) anyways.

Fear not, dolls - we'll get back to the business of being Prettier Than Everyone Else tomorrow, complete with Our Lady of Perpetual Girl Crush, HRH Grace. Pinky swear. But for yesterday today, I simply remember.