Something tragic happened in my family this week. I lost a cousin. As all Greek families do, they named there kids like all the rest of the cousins. So my cousin Georgia lost her life on Sunday. She was 36. I cannot explain to you the overwhelming sorrow that I feel for thier family and our extended family. Georgia will leave an enormous hole in all our lives. Although I have 50 first cousins, she was the first to go. I can explain her life best by quoting from the priest at her service "Georgia was what Christ wanted all of us to be." I don't bring up religion very often, but I cannot explain it any other way. She exemplified what a life should be. She lived her life like it was her last day. She glowed when she greeted you (everytime). She had a 'money is no object' attitude and always remembered to take care of her nieces and nephews.
So how does God take someone so wonderful and bright and real? I will ask myself that everyday. Her death has made death more real. Although people her age and younger die everyday, it hasn't hit home for me until now. I have walked away from her tragic death with a new perspective on life. I have to remember that if I want to take a random trip ,anywhere, not to be lazy about it. I have to remember to have fun, alot, and deal with everything else later. And I have to remember to love everyone like it will be the last time I see them. Georgia left her mark on many, many people. Mostly because she always walked into a room with a smile and always left the room and the people in it alittle happier. Thats amazing to me- yet effortless for her.
So remember people= life is short, enjoy everything and everyone like it will be the last.

Yes I know I am a slacker...it's been a long time since I have done a blog

and I am sorry. This blog is about Farmville and family. We went to Farmville not too long ago, and I have to tell you- I love my in-laws. I'm not just saying that in hopes of them reading this some day. But I really think they are great. Don't get me wrong, I love my own family too- but my mother once told me that....your own family knows that you love them- but your in laws you always need to show them- so they remember you love them. Something that is not hard for me to do. My own parents are very opinionated and always want to know whats going on, in a loud, sometimes frustrating way. And they will tell you whether you want to hear it or not. My inlaws however, seeing as they don't have the loud Greek thing- keep very much to themselves- and also keep thier opinions to themselves-unless asked to give an opinion. But even then- they are careful how they respond- whereas, my family could care less- they will call you a dumbass to your face until it sinks in your brain that you truly are a dumbass for whatever stupid choice you just made.....so now that I have Willie= and Logan is nearing his teens- I often sit back and take it all in..the things Logan and Will get to learn from both families. Hopefully they will grow up to appreciate family- and everything that comes along with it: love, fighting, screaming, hate, forgiveness, and friendship. Now that my mother is gone- I realized I didn't appreciate her as much as I should have until she was gone- but she really was great- and as I got older- she was a friend too. I am lucky though- My family is large and crazy and everything that I said above. I am also lucky to have two sets of parents who are great. There is nothing better than being able to go to Farmville and enjoy a lunch out with my mother in law. I hope that at some point my sister in law....will realize how great it is to have two great sets of parents and bring herself and Ella out the next time we go there for a visit.

P.S. I didn't mention my friends much...but thats because they also fall into the family category(you all know who you are).

THE NEW WEAVERS

Well ,I know its been a while since my last blog, but there has been alot going on. We met the new Weaver's...and thankfully, they are dutifully filling in the empty void that the old Weaver's left behind (and if you believe that, I have some land to sell you in California , right next to the real Weaver's.)
No , but seriously, I, as always, did my duty of knocking on the door to introduce myself and welcome them to T. ESTES acres. Now , I know that the first couple of times I knocked that the wife was home, but I got no response. So, right off the bat, they are in bad shape. Petree said all he saw was a short guy standing in front of the door, and he wanted nothing to do with it (I did have to remind him that EVERYONE is short next to him). In any case, he was not on board. I was a trooper and kept on trying. I ran into the Murtha's knocking on their door too, and again, the wife's car was there, and again...no answer. At this point, I was just calling her a bitch and wanted nothing to do with her. So as the days passed, I finally got the husband home and chatted with him a bit. He sells time share, is 36, has a 2 year old girl. The wife was a local girl and is 32. Although I was sitting out on the porch, for a while, she never came out. (the points just keep getting lower). And I was bummed I didn't get invited in (can't just barge in anymore). Anyways, my initial impression of the guy, as much as I wanted to hate him, was pretty good. I mean, o.k. he's no Kurt, but we have to get past that.
So, flash forward a day or two, and Todd, Will and I are walking with Samson, and run into the Bowling's( new Weaver's last name). The wife was out there, so we stopped to chat. She apologized many times for not opening the door when I knocked (back in my good graces), I told them to come to the Vandeusen's and she said that they knew that they had big shoes to fill and that she was going to bring her 'A 'game. Long story short, she did, and alcohol too. They are not , however, the Weaver's, but they have the potential to be good friends.
So the house right across from us has not been sold yet, but the good news is, the house directly across from us (white house on corner of Old Field and Whistle Walk), is for sale! yahoo! I am happy to see them go! hhhmmm...maybe we are the assholes, everyone around us is moving..okay, thats enough for now...Farmville and family is next...and Petree's new friend..

Okay, so its been awhile since I have sat down to blog, however, there is a reason for it. We had such a great trip, and so much fun for everyone (including Willie wang and Johnny Chang), it was very hard to leave. As you scroll through the pictures you will get just a glimpse of how fantastic it was. Liz covered most of what we did on our trip, so I wont repeat it. I do have a few things to add. When we got ready to leave, I think thats when it hit me that the Weaver's weren't coming back with us. We would be stuck with the 'new Weaver's" who we all know cannot possibly compare to the original.So as we got into the car to leave 9this of course is after I finished crying), we got all packed up and started to drive and I turned to the back seat to ask Logan how his trip was. At that point he was just staring out the window not saying a thing, nor was he answering me. So I ask him again, how his trip was...and he looked at me and proceeded to burst into tears. So my point to all of this, is that, we (the adults) were so consumed by how hard it was going to be for us to break up a perfectly happy family, we forget sometimes about how the kids are doing too. It was then that I realized that Logan had just lost four of his best friends. Although he is considerably younger than us all, I have to say that everyone was very gracious in making sure that he was always included...and he loved it.

So now...all you assholes have moved on to your California life, with new friends and other family, and we will become a distant memory. While we have had to come back to the same neighborhood, with the not-so-friendly remaining neighbors, while you all have your stinkin fun in the sun. I hope you're enjoying it. Anyways, my next blog will be sooner than the last. I will let you know about the new Weaver's and my thoughts on our recent trip to Farmville and the family. Until then I will leave you with a word from Logan....

HI YOU ARE LOSER FOR MOVING HAVING FUN YOU ARE GOING TO GET BEAT IN HOCKEY I AM SAVING FOR A WEB CAM FOR THE XBOX360 BYE TALK TO U LATER ...Logan

Before I go..I want you to know we are getting Willie ready for football season...He's only been able to get through the first quarter....GO STEELERS!!