I've always taped my childrens art pictures on the refrigerator now the next generation is filling Grammie's refrigerator. "Bug" knows her pictures and she tells anyone those are hers and the other is "Big Girls". Naturally she says their real names. She likes to tape her own pictures. After a while I take those down, add them to an album and they add new ones. As you can tell, the refrigerator is full.

There's 5 years difference between our son and daughter and when she was little like Bug, she taped her drawings and he made fun of them. Well, I looked in the folder, brought hers and his out from earlier years and he realized his began the same way. Now he's a talented artist, doesn't paint or draw much anymore but can when he chooses.

The top has magnets and two coke bottle top hot pads, you know, the grapes that everyone was crocheting years ago. My mom made 2 for me and I've had them so long they aren't purple anymore. She is so creative and can do all kinds of sewing and knitting.

Earth Day 2010

I just had to share these photos, my parents live in an apartment at a retirement complex and were honored with a white crape myrtle for all their volunteer work that they do around there and also in the community. As you can see, they were surprised -- I later asked Mom "didn't you wonder why the family was here?" "No" "didn't you wonder why I had my camera?" "No"........

They are an exceptional couple, with their love for the Lord, their zeal for life and all the activites they do. She's 82 and he will be 92 in September. God has blessed us with them for such a long time. Three years ago while he was at the doctor's office for surgery pre-op, she had a heart attack. The doctor brought her around, EMS transferred her to the hospital, there she died twice more, they brought her around and finally transported her to a hospital 35 miles away, they did surgery and gave her a pace maker. It's hard to imagine that someday either one of them might be gone, I get choked up just thinking about it, so I try not to think about it. She's such a blessing to our family and even though he's my step-dad we love him just like he has always been ours.

Just wanted to share, I love that picture --- it's hard to surprise them with anything!!!

Bugs ponytails

Do you remember your children ever saying, "when I have children I won;'t say that!" or "when I have children I won't do that!" well, I had to laugh when our "Bug" came out of her house with ponytails.... you know, that's one of those things her mom said she wouldn't do to her child....yeah right, famous last words (oh now I hear my mom's voice)

Memories, children

In August 2000 we disbaned, shut-down, or quit trucking. The family had a trucking company and the economy and other factors helped us make the decision to close shop and bring the trucks home. Anyway, we moved from a LARGE older home and had to put alot of my household goods in storage. With my daughter's help, we got in the storage van last Sat, took out lots of boxes and I went through a lot of items, trying to find places for all of my "treasures" in a much smaller house. There were items from my mom, my grandma, MIL, aunts and even an antique plate from an uncle.

As I opened some of the boxes, the tears started flowing - I can't decide why - maybe because I can finally have some of my treasures or the memories from the past. There were books given to my children, who are now 41 and 34 and toys from the small grandkids who are now 24 - 18, and even some that belonged to our lil' angel who now lives in heaven with God.

I don't know what I'd do without her help. She's supportive in anything I want to try and, bless her heart, she's a good person and mother. My son is also helpful but doesn't live right next door to me so he's not called upon as often but he stil loves me. As I look back on their childhood, I now feel like there were times when I should have done things differently but neither one of them seem to hold anything against me - God, I hope not and I'm thankful for their love and devotion.

It seems like most of my posts are about my family, but honestly, I do a lot of sewing, quilting and a little gardening. I need to show ya'll some of my sewing projects, maybe tomorrow.