Even though every weekend seems to end up being Epic, I tried to make this past weekend a slightly more chill, slower speed. I was able to take Awesome Girlfriend Megan up to Boston and see my family. Talk about just what the doctor ordered! Seeing my parents, sister and Uncles and Aunts is so therapeutic. Not to oversimplify, but it's almost like we just enjoy yummy food and beverages, bust on each other and laugh the whole time we're there. Not a bad long weekend vacation back home at all, right? We need more laughs!
Awesome Girlfriend Megan had me drive us up there Friday night. From my place in Vernon, New Jersey to my parents place in Mansfield, Massachusetts it's a four hour drive door to door if there's no traffic. With traffic sometimes it can take six to seven hours, so timing is very important for these commutes. For six and a half years I've done this commute, usually preferring to wake up very early mornings, and end up in Mansfield by 9-11am or so. Awesome Girlfriend Megan and my sister aren't early birds like I am, they both prefer a late Friday night drive. Happy Fiance, Happy Life. We left my place by 6:15pm and arrived at 10:15pm like clockwork. Yes, I was admittedly cranky because I can't see as well driving at night. Overall success though, we made it back home safely. Getting to see my family is the ultimate light at the end of any tunnel.
Saturday morning, Awesome Girlfriend Megan let me take her to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. It's only a twelve minute drive from home when there's no traffic, even though if it's after a game or concert it takes us 3 hours just like everyone else. Love home sweet home, but god bless they have the worst infrastructure I have ever seen. It's a New England thing to be used to it.
After our Gillette fun stop, we then went to nearby TJ Maxx in Plainville / Wrentham. This is where I had one of my more efficient, but not finer moments.
We walk in and see a relatively sizable line at checkout. Awesome Girlfriend Megan needed to get a pair of leggings. She also had to use the ladies room. I immediately battle planned and said "okay, you find the leggings, give them to me, then hit the ladies room, and I'll grab us a place in line." In my defense, I wanted us to be on time for my Wicked Awesome Sistawh Suzanne's house appointment. It's tough for her big brother to not be able to make these house appointments being four hours away, so I definitely didn't want to miss this.
Awesome Girlfriend Megan was less than thrilled with my schedule.
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Awesome Girlfriend Megan informed me that I take the fun out of shopping. She says I hate shopping, which isn't true. I'm just simply mission oriented. I want to go in, see if I like something or if I see something that's been on my mind, get it, and get out. Awesome Girlfriend Megan likes to peruse, sift through clearance sections for those hidden gems. I go stir crazy within seconds.
Since her trip to the store with me wasn't fun, Madre and Suzanne took her out for retail therapy the next day. This way they could relax and have fun being out all afternoon shopping, and I could hang out with Padre. Padre and I enjoyed Bog Iron Brewery for a nice weekend trip.
Saturday night we were able to get dinner at nearby Jake & Joe's for a terrific meal. We were able to do indoor dining which was terrific. We made our reservations ahead of time so we could reserve both tables we needed to fit table limits with our party. I joked that we had the kids table, and my parents, Uncle JDawg, Uncle Paul, Aunty Donna were all enjoying the adult table. GREAT time. All of us were just laughing all night together. Success.
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Sunday was more chill and less Epic. Meg went out for an afternoon of retail therapy with Madre and Suzanne. Padre and I went back to Bog Iron Brewery, enjoying yummy craft beers again. I need to diet this week after our vacation weekend!
After Bog Iron, Padre and I hung out relaxing in the area we call "The Fort." A little over a year ago my parents added a four season addition. We were enjoying it despite the constant rain, fortunately were able to still have screen doors letting fresh air in. One of my favorite birds are hummingbirds. My family has several hummingbird feeders, and we were enjoying them fly around at a zillion miles per hour all afternoon up close. They have some of the hummingbird feeders right up against the slider doors, so it's always an entertaining show. If it wasn't for the Bears I would soooooooo have a hummingbird feeder on my deck. Then again, you could say I get the best of both worlds, enjoying hummingbird sights up in Mansfield and bears in Vernon.
Tuesday afternoon, I enjoyed burning a vacation day in the warm sun at Minerals Sports Club. Relaxing poolside is one of my favorite things to do all summer. It's tough for me to relax and sit still, but I try for sure.
Overall, the weekend may not have been Epic, but it was spectacular. Great time with my loved ones. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Epic Weekend In Pictures. Time to start planning next weekend!