TheOneCubed

So as a family there are at least three birthdays in July, my cousin who is now 20, my dad - age 54, and myself who will be 23 on Tuesday. In order to consolidate it all - we always do one big family birthday event. Since it’s the summer time this usually means cookout and that means tons of people to my parents’ house, a stressed out mom trying to be the ultimate hostess, and as always some great food. Now each of the things I’ve mentioned can be good and bad. People can get on your nerves but can be a lot of fun, a stressed out mom can drive you crazy but always leads to a great event, and the good food well it’s usually “good” because of its unhealthy nature. I won’t make you jealous by listing the incredible spread my family put together but it did include some things like roast chicken and homemade ice cream (two flavors).

Todd & Dad working on making the ice cream

The evening also brought along some other cool things. I got to see my brother and his girlfriend, Lindsy, again - haven’t seen them in what seems like months. My good friend and basically lil’ sis’ Carolyn was able to join my family for the evening - which I’m sure was a bit ummm . . . overwhelming. Also, for the first time my brother let me take his 2003 Z06 Corvette (now has new rims) out for a spin. Oh my goodness!!!! The power of that car and the control you have at all times is ridiculous! I mean even in 5th gear you can punch it and it’ll take off! Now you must understand, I drive a 1995 Explorer - it has a bit of get up and go but nothing like the ‘vette. Still, I could never drive a Corvette all the time - too small for me.

Now what would birthdays be without cards and gifts? Well funny thing is that between my cousin, my brother, and myself we always try to out do each other with funny cards. These cards vary in approach - either making fun of someone and their “old” age, calling them ugly (in a nice way of course), or some various other oddity that the writers for Hallmark seem to be able to dream up. Now funny thing is, my cousin started all this several years ago by giving my brother a birthday card and since that time the warfare has continued. This year marked a few things however. For one, both my cousin and I got hit with cards commenting on our age (note we are not “old” by any means - even my father isn’t “old”). Two, my brother took it up a notch and got my cousin the “Old Age Combat Hat”.

Thad sporting the hat

So this weekend I’ve traveled to Denver, NC where the parents live for Father’s Day. We decided to have a cookout this evening to celebrate this holiday. The usual - hamburgers, hot-dogs, homemade ice cream . . . oh yeah that’s right. If you’ve never been fortunate enough to have homemade ice cream - you are really missing out.

On another note - my grandparents are hilarious! I heard the same story three different times and something kept changing. On top of it all my grandpa wants me to make a business card for his bluegrass band. I ask him what he’d like on it and he gives me the name of the band, phone number, etc. Then he ask me to put images of instruments on there. I grimaced a little at this - but was like “whatever”. Then he gives me a bible verse. Ok - cool. Then he gives me another, and another, and gives me his personal motto. Starts spitting out several other phone numbers of other band members. AHHHHH!!!!

It was at this point I stopped him and said I’d use my “designer” judgement and make him a few variants and mail them to him. He responded with “OK - but you’ll print them out and send them right? I don’t have one of them there computer contraptions you’re using.” Some of you are saying “Ok - my grandparents don’t have a computer either” - but do your grandparents pronounce the word computer as “COM-pooter”?

Well today is my brother’s birthday and we’re all getting ready to head out to dinner at a local Fish Camp. For those of you who know not of what I speak - then I feel really sorry for you. Todd turns 28 today and I feel a little sorry for his girlfriend Lindsay - as today will be the first time she meets our grandparents. Don’t get me wrong - grandparents are great but they always seem to have tons of questions.