Gulley grew up in Bryan/College Station which is the home of Texas A&M University, so once she and I became friends in college I was pretty much adopted into her family. They are a true cast of characters and I love all of them dearly. I can’t tell you how many nights we spent at her Mom’s house doing laundry, baking cookies, and “studying”. Her family is the definition of steadfast and loyal. We have laughed about how quickly they can mobilize the “family emergency unit” to respond to any crisis.
The matriarch of this family is Nena. Nena is the quintessential southern belle and she is quick to tell you “I suscribe to Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar to keep up with all the latest fashions.” I promise she wore a poncho and embroidered jeans to Gulley’s son’s birthday party last year. She looked so good that Grandaddy (her husband of over 50 years who is suffering from a little bit of memory loss) introduced himself to her at the party.
One of my favorite Nena memories is the Thanksgiving she invited my boyfriend and me to dinner. When I was in school, A&M and UT (t.u.) always played on Thanksgiving day so everyone stayed in town instead of going home.
We showed up with the requested relish tray (I wasn’t even sure what that was) and she immediately told my boyfriend “Oh I just love your sweater, if you ever decide to sell that in a garage sale you let me know!” Gulley was mortified and I was hysterical. Later on, Nena told us she didn’t know what to say because “that boy was so good looking if he had asked me to run away with him, I would’ve said ‘hold on let me get my purse!’” Thanks heavens she would have remembered what was important.
Every Saturday morning, Nena and her friends load up in her Caddy and go peruse all the local garage sales (must be looking for that sweater). Her dining room table is always covered with the multitudes of riches that she has found. Once she really likes you, she’ll pick out a few things that you may like. Not only will she pick them out, she’ll make suggestions as to their use. “Now I found this gingham skirt and thought you could wear it to a picnic or maybe a square dance” You know…for all the picnics and square dances you might decide to attend.
The Thanksgiving that Gulley brought her future husband home to meet the whole clan, her Uncle Johnny was in the middle of carving the turkey when he stopped and read the inscription on the knife he was using “Kelly and Randy 1980″. There is no one in the family named Kelly or Randy. Nena admitted, under much duress, that the knife was a garage sale find and Johnny dryly remarked “well I guess we can assume that Kelly and Randy didn’t make it.”
She is the epitome of southern grace and style. She will write you the nicest note for any occasion, in fact the note she wrote me after I had a miscarriage four years ago was one of the most heartfelt things I have ever received. She’ll listen to you tell a story about someone and say “Oh no, how awful. I don’t want to hear any more!” and then say “now tell me what happened next…”
A few years back she sent a picture of herself to Gulley and let us know she had also sent one to an old boyfriend (old being the key word since she’s been married over 50 years) because “this picture flatters me to no end”.
She is a true character and just too entertaining not to share. Nena, I wish you luck tomorrow as you hit the local garage sales.
Nena is HILARIOUS!
Yes, I’m reading 2007….and who knows if you even get these comments, but it’s a Friday night, my kids are in bed, my husband isn’t back from his business trip yet…so what’s a girl to do?
Reading Bigmama, drinking a Diet Coke and cracking up at Nena!
I love Nena. She is too funny.
Like Darla said before yep I sure am reading 2007′s post.
I enjoy reading your blogs. I get my laughter for the day most times. Thank you that.