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.

Haunted house, party, & grandchild

I just love old houses. My family teases me that I would live in a "spook" house and enjoy all the creaks and noises. We did live in a haunted house a few years back. My freind, a physic - she actually helps the police find missing persons and evidence - came to view the house and she saw some of the same things I did, without me telling her. My DD wouldn't stay in the house by herself and preferred to leave before sundown. The "spooks" weren't harmful, they were just misplaced and confused where they should be.

Our oldest granddaughter is marrying in June and she had one of her bridal

showers at this old house. She looks like an angel coming through the yard. She's the singer of the family and has won several awards, both money and trophies. I wish she would sing more in church, everyone just loves her voice and she's just as pretty on the inside - that's the important part of her personality.
I LOVE gingerbread look on the house and could easily live there.

Gratitudes:

1. Family - that are there to help as needed.

2. God - who sustains me and gives me forgiveness and grace.

3. Friends - although we don't talk alot, I know who I can counnt on.

Family racing

The family sure had a busy weekend!! My oldest grandson, "The Racer", drove in his first race Sat night. I asked him if he was nervous, he said "No" but I guess the rest of us were anxious enough for him. He chose to start at the back of the pack and before long he had passed five of the other cars. The above photo shows him climbing into the car, ready for his first line up. He got bumped one time by another car, now the car has a scuffed paint job on the lower left hand side but other than that it looks like it did when he left his yard - it's always good when the car isn't scrapped down the side, either by another car or the wall.........

Our family has raced for many, many, many years; my DH and I were talking Sat about how the "torch" has been passed to the third generation - our children grew up at the local track, brought their children and now the grandchildren. Our family is close and, forthunately, we get along with each other.

Veggie garden

Time just seesm to slide by,,,it's always so long between posts. I never think of my life being that busy, but with job, DH, parents, children, grandchildren and church the days seem to pass by, but I wouldn't change any of my days.. the above piccie of daffodils isn't my yard but isn't it lovely??

Anyway -- my DD and GD #5, the 2 yo tu-tu dancer, and I planted a small garden this past Saturday. We know where the potatoes and corn are but when the lil' girl started opening the packages -- well, now we have vegetable soup in the ground and we'll just have to see where & what plants come up !!! She had a good time and that's really what counts. Who knows, maybe she'll be the one with a green thumb; that would be nice - her mom and I don't have them. My mom had beautifil productive gardens and reaped a lot of veggies. We should have planted Good Friday and the potatoes should have been planted by the end of February, at least that's how it is where we live. This year we tried somehting new to us -- we built a box 8' X 16', filled it with peat moss, compost, and some top soil. That's called "box gardening" (I read it in a book) and we thought it would be easier than tilling up the ground and fighting grass and weeds all summer. We live in the country so maybe the bunnies and deer won't eat too many veggies. We'll see...

Bunny Swap

I received my Bunny Swap package and was so very pleased. I've only participated in 2 swaps but have been happy with both packages. Anyway, let me show you some piccies... the first is all the loot sent by my swap buddy; there was fabric, candy, buttons, a dish cloth and a beautiful purple brooch. The second is a paper/cardboard egg from Germany. I was so surprised with this - I remember having one when my dad was stationed in Germany, I was 4-6 yo. (Ancient times). My package came from AZ and the one I sent went to WA state. That's part of the fun, not knowing exactly where your package is coming from but your partner able to choose items especially for you.. Thanks again, swap buddy, I'm enjoying all my goodies...