Moms Are People Too!

Hooking Up With Outdoor Wednesday

2012-01-25T07:46:00.002-05:00

These snowy pictures is what it has looked like here at our house last winter, but

the fourth picture is what it looks like around here this winter. No snow at all and

going to be 61 degrees today. I think the daffodils will bloom early this year.

They are already coming up on the road to the church where they bloom

about the 3rd week in February. The last picture is of the daffodils blooming

last year.

Roxie was a puppy last year. So cute!

Chickadees love their winter seeds.

Branches down the driveway laden with snow.

No snow at all this year. Such a mild winter.

I am not complaining.

Daffodils blooming on the road to church last year.

Usually happens the 3rd week in February. Might come

early this year.

A Southern Day Dreamer Outdoor Wednesday

One Thousand Gifts

2011-12-30T20:59:00.002-05:00

Being grateful is suppose to be a way of life. I fear that for me the everday things that are required of me get in the way of truly seeing the good things that God has blessed me with each day. Therefore, giving thanks sometimes gets pushed behind the other thoughts that take over my mind as the day goes by. I am hoping that by participating in "One Thousand Gifts" that I will become more proficient in seeing my blessings and giving thanks to a loving Heavenly Father that bestows those blessings upon me and my family. Today I begin to see my blessings and give thanks more abundantly for them.

1. A wonderful Christmas week with the presence of many of our family members.
Some who traveled from far away to be with us.
2. The sweet faithfulness of a beautiful daughter who is bearing a great disappointment with faith and grace.
3. The awakening of another daughter to what she needs to do to take her life from dispair and disappointment to a higher ground. Always holding on to faith when she felt like giving up.

Wedding On The Beach

2011-10-21T17:57:00.003-04:00

Bryan and Rachel

Last Saturday we headed down to Topsail Beach for a wedding. Our grandson, Bryan is in the Marines near Jacksonville, NC and he fell in love with a sweet girl, Rachel. It was a beautiful weekend and Poppy, Kelly, Gabriel, Gatlin and I drove down on Friday and attended the lovely beach wedding the next day. Gatlin and Gabriel had a good time and were good travelers. The weather was wonderful at the beach and all weekend. Fall at it's best in North Carolina. Wishing the bride and groom and happy and blessed life together.

Now For Family and Friends

Bryan and Uncle Rob and Aunt Deanna

Rachel, Josselyn and Gabriel

Bryan and Poppy

Family

Bryan and Grammy

Our Family

Gabriel and Bryan-Cousins

Beach Fun

Our Traveling Pictures

Gatlin on the porch of the Super 8

Doing some traveling stuff.

Yeah! Asleep

On Saturday night we spent a nice evening with Rob and Cecilia. Gatlin met some special

canine friends, their dogs, Cody, Cady and Charger. I must say that Gatlin was a good traveler and behaved really well on the whole trip.

Halloween In A Jiffy!

2011-10-11T11:44:00.001-04:00

Blog hopping today and ran across some Halloween decorating posts using primitive items from around the house. So my mind started thinking. What can I do for my table with the two pumpkins and gourds I bought and just left in the middle of the table?

The other day we pulled my dads old Nissan truck up from the field to take to the junk yard. In it was an old lunchbox that belonged to my dad, who passed away quite a few years ago. My mind started thinking and came up with the idea of cleaning it up and using it for a center piece with my pumpkins and gourds.

I got out my garage sale Halloween tablecloth and presto...a cute little rustic Halloween center piece.

Beach Room Finished

2011-10-04T09:57:00.000-04:00

It is Gabriel's room, but I call it the "Beach Room". Maybe it is my nostologia coming through for our home town in Florida. I feel that a lot now since my mom passed away last year. And that is where she lived and I spent my teen years and many years as a young mom before moving to North Carolina. Maybe it is the cute room ideas I got from my "old" bedroom at my mom's home in Florida which my sister redecorated since acquring the home after my mom's passing. At any rate, I decided to kick out the big boys that inhabited it and redecorate it in a beach theme. I think it turned out pretty nice. And, since the big boys have left and it is Gabe's room plus a tv room for the little kids, it is much more pleasing to enter and enjoy!

BEFORE PICTURES

Wall with beadboard wallpaper and newly painted above.

AFTER

My mom's old Lazy Boy sofa bed with a new denim slipcover.

I love how the grass window shades turned out. The wicker table I

bought at a discount for 40.00 and added a thrift store lamp with a

shade which I covered with fabric. The border was already in the room and seem to fit the beach theme so I just kept it. Less work too. Pulling off borders is not fun.

In the corner is a little shelf that already was in the room with our light house

figures we collected when at the beach in NC.

The thing I love most about this room and how it looks is the beadboard wallpaper I got from Home Depot. It looks just like the real thing without the cost and without the hard work of cutting wood. I tried to do the upper room in a very light aqua. It tured out nice but was a little darker than I thought I wanted. I used Olympic paint/primer from Lowes and it works really good for one coat. I hate to do two coats of paint on the same wall and this paint does the trick in one coat. I love it.

Olympic One Satin Paint/Primer

My "on sale" L.L. Bean table with thrift store and Family Dollar knick knacks. Plus some shell
purchases Chloe and I made in Florida.

I bought the TV stand at Roses for 40.00. I loved the 50's/60's look.

The antique wash stand is from my mom's home in Florida.

I hate to be a cheapy, ( acturally I like to be cheapy) but the pictures around it are from Family Dollar's

summer collection. Oh, I see a half eaten sucker under the washstand.

I ordered the nautical towels from "The Outer Banks Trading Company". http://www.obxtradingroup.com/index.php?p=home

Painting is one done by my Aunt Alice who has passed away but was

a wonderful artist. Framed picture on stand is Kristen and Me on Ormond Beach, circa 1966.

This is Gabe's computer. I have had my mom's computer desk for quite a few years. It was a brown woodlike finish. I took a chance and primed and painted it white. It did turn out very nice and looks like it will hold it's paint.

I bought the computer chair from Target.

The two pillows on the couch were old pillows I was going to give away, but then decided to buy some nautical fabric and recover them.

The L.L. Bean plant stand is so cute. I love the quote on the wall above, but it did not show up too well with the white letters. It says, "May you always have sand in your shoes and a

shell in your pocket." Might reorder it in another color so it will stand out. The pictures above it are of my sweet grandkids and son at the beach.

The painting is by my Uncle Tom who is Aunt Alice's brother. He is in Heaven now too. The two pictures on the side are another collection that Family Dollar had. Gabe loves music so I thought them appropriate.

I got the rug from a local furniture store. I think it set the room off just right and is indoor/outdoor so should be sturdy with all the kid stuff going on in our home.

So that is the finishsed room. I can go in there and feel good now and Gabriel has a room to sleep in.

I love the cottage/beach look and I think this room has that feel.

Just Thinking

2011-10-03T23:03:00.001-04:00

I love the look of this house in a small town near us. Maybe it is time for a change. Maybe we should move. Just maybe.

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Gatlin Starts Preschool-Chloe Rides "Friday" Saturday?

2011-09-26T00:21:00.003-04:00

Here is Gatlin brushing his teeth before his first day of school. Looks pretty happy, huh?

Gatlin started Head Start today. He will be five in December so we felt it would be a good thing for him to go to preschool for a while before starting kindergarten. So he did get accepted into Head Start. He has been interested in going to "school" for quite some time, but as the moment arrived for him to enter into the school, he seemed a little on the reserved side. He has gone for a week now and seems to be "pretty" ok with it, but not so enthused as I had anticipated.

But, I am sure he will get into the groove of it as the weeks pass and it will be a good thing for him to learn the way it works at "school". I hope so. For him to be happy and learn is what matters the most. I tired to get him to smile for these "first day of school" pictures but he wouldn't. He is smiling more now when we pick him up. School is an adjustment and he is just beginning his 14 year trek to the big day of graduation and going out into the world. My prayer for him is that his journey through school will be happy, fun, full of learning and a smooth ride.

And speaking of a smooth ride. Chloe got on "Friday" for a while this Saturday and rode around. With Poppy's help, of course. A big step for her.

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Our Stick Family- As it looks today

2011-09-25T23:34:00.003-04:00

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.comYou can create a stick family for your family from TiddlyTinks.com. Our family is ever changing in the people dynamics but at the present this is about it. Minus Jon and Clay.

Horsein' Around

2011-09-17T23:37:00.000-04:00

It has been a long time since Lindsay got on her horse Friday. The last time he took off like a flash and she ended up on the ground with him trying to jump the fence. All ended well though. Only a broken saddle, not bones. It happened because Poppy said to take him down to the other pasture and it was new to him when he got there so he just took off like a flash out of excitement. Unfortunately, Lindsay was in the saddle and had to take off with him.

But, today Lindsay just decided to saddle him up and see what would happen to this otherwise tame and pretty docile animal. Pretty soon she had him all saddled. Poppy came out to hold him while she got on. He is a very tall horse. He led them around a bit to make sure and then let her go on her own. They both did fine. She decided that she would saddle him up every few days and keep him use to being ridden and get more experience herself. That is what you have to do they say. "Get right back up in the saddle again."

Poppy is letting Gatlin pet Friday. Bella is our small sweet horse.

Peanut Butter Cookies In Your Underwear? Priceless!

2011-09-06T21:28:00.002-04:00

Gatlin wanted to make peanut butter cookies the other day so we got busy and mixed some up. He was wearing his "gymboree" cowboy underwear so these pictures will be doubly "priceless". He got a big kick out of mixing and licking and baking. I don't particularly like peanut butter cookies or even peanut butter for that matter. But, it was a fun activity for Grammy and Gatlin to share.

Mix it up good.

Yummy!


He knew from somewhere that you had to do this fork thing on	peanut butter cookies.

Waiting for them to bake.

The finished product. Want one?

Busy Mommy Day For a Grammy

2011-09-01T21:59:00.001-04:00

Up early today and off to Morganton to the dentist. It was Gatlin's first visit. He kept saying he did not want to go to the dentist, but he did so good. No trouble at all. Then a quick stop at my Dr. Was in order. By the time we left there we were so hungry that we could not just pass by Mickey D's. We had to stop for a Happy Meal. The Computer Hospital is fixing one of our computers so we stopped to see if it was ready. Not so yet. Trish and Adam live close by our way home so we stopped for a quick visit. Back at our town we stopped at the furniture store to check on sofa swatches. Of course you can't go to town without stopping at Wally World so that was where we got some food, an ink cartridge, a decorating magazine ( I don't usually buy them), but this one looked so good," Flea Market Style", and some paper towels. It rang up to be only 100.00! What a Wally World bargain. Must have been those pink slippers I threw in at the last minute! Oh, did I say we had to run next door to Food Lion for a book of stamps? Finally, we headed home. Hopefully to curl up on the couch with that expensive decorating magazine. ( pizza,and fix it yourself night) just in case you were wondering what the troops were getting for supper. Just as I was settling in for the night with my expensive magazine I heard Chloe say, "Grandma, we have to go to the school for a meeting about my field trip to "Disney World" right now." Get up, put your clothes back on and head put the door. Might as well not complain. This is my life, it's crazy, but it's my life!

Closet to Scrapbook "Room"

2011-08-27T02:50:00.000-04:00

I found an artilce in the Country Living Magazine about turning a closet into an office. So, I got the idea that I would use this idea in the kids room or Gabe's room. The secret is that I am going to use it as a scrapbook nook. The wallpaper is up and the counter is in, all we have left to do is put up a few shelves. These pictures show the closet as it is and the Country Living closet/office. When ours is all finished I will post a picture of it.

Working On the" Beach Room", Gabe's Room

2011-08-27T02:41:00.001-04:00

Before Pictures

The past few weeks I have been working on redoing the bedroom that has been the "boys room". Moving Johnathon out to a little cottage on our property has freed up the bedroom to become Gabe's room and tv room for the kids, or as I call it the "beach room". I decided that I had to do something about the unkept nature of the room that all the boys and their friends gathered in. Time for a redo. Time to move older kids out. Time to gain control! Moving Jon out was the beginning. For about 4 months I have been collecting little decorating items at garage sales and other places. I have a "beachy" vision for this room and Gabe doesn't seem to care so I am going ahead with my plan. It has been fun ordering little things like bamboo blinds and L.L. Bean tables in turquoise with the idea that they would go good with the room. So, I have painted the ceiling and walls and wallpapered the lower part of the wall with beadboard wallpaper that looks just like the real thing. Today I painted Gabe's computer desk with primer and will put a coat of white semi-gloss on it tomorrow. I have wallpapered the closet and my handy, dandy husband put a formica counter to in it to make a desk. He also installed a nice white bamboo look ceiling fan a few weeks ago.I plan to pare down my scrapbooking supplies and use the new desk area in the closet for a scrapbooking "room". Things are shapping up pretty nicely now that the major jobs have been finished. Tomorrow the couch goes in and I have purchased a denim slip cover for it. Maybe I can get my handy, dandy husband to put up the bamboo shades tomorrow too. We shall see.

New paint and beadboard wallpaper

I Love Blogging!

2011-08-23T00:28:00.000-04:00

I really do! But I have been so busy lately and have not had time to do any recording here of our family's life. The last post was this spring. Now summer is almost over and school starts this week. I will be glad although I do love all the kiddies that live in this home with Grammy and Poppy. Gatlin will be going to school this year. He will be going to "More At Four", a preschool class at our elementary school. I am excited for him and know it will help him a lot. He is so eager to learn and needs the structure that this class will give him. So, this will be a busy week with Gabe, Chloe and Gatlin getting ready for school. But, I just hope he does not make this face too often to his classmates and his teacher.
PS. Lindsay already started school at Early College last week.

End Of Winter On Rockhouse Road

2011-03-01T15:24:00.002-05:00

Winter may be over on Rockhouse Road. I hope so. But my son Rob, who is a meteorologist, says we may have a cold blast before Spring comes for good. In the meantime I am enjoying what little hint of Spring we are given, before it comes in all it's glory. But,as a tribute to winter and the "different" kind of beauty that it does display, I add these pics I took the other day.

Our New Horse

2011-02-20T17:52:00.002-05:00

Bella needs a friend since the four cows are gone. We found just the right fellow. His name is Friday. His owner says he is a sweetie. Tomorrow he will come to his new home. We hope he likes us. Gatlin sure did like riding Friday when we went to see him. Maybe we will make a horse lover out of him.

Kitchen Aid to Bosch

2011-02-10T16:37:00.003-05:00

Many years ago when I was a younger mom, I use to bake whole wheat bread pretty much on a regular basis. In our kitchen we had a Kitchen Aid for a while which I like very much. Later we had Bosch mixer. I really liked it too but probably ran it to death because when we moved to the country it did not come with us and it disappeared from my memory.

Lately we have been trying to work harder on our supply of food storage and my thoughts have turned to wheat and other basic types of food storage items. Around Christmas-time I got a super deal on Gold Medal flour and bought up a pretty good amount while it was available. For some reason I began to think of how I needed to use this flour in rotation. My mind began to be focused upon baking bread again and using the white flour with our wheat. Along with that thought came the thought to buy a mixer that would be handy in mixing bread. Having had a Kitchen Aid in the past and knowing that Paula Deen and other famous food stars usually use a Kitchen Aid, I did some research and found a beautiful aqua Kitchen Aid on the Macy's website. The decorating "queen" in me took over and the beautiful aqua color coordinated so well with my new kitchen that I ordered it pronto. It was a beautiful machine.

I used it a few times. But, several design changes from the old style bothered me and I found out it could not do but two loaves of bread comfortably. That is when my memory kicked in and I remembered we did have a Bosch mixer years ago too. Why didn't I remember that? A Bosch will do many loaves of bread and hold 15 pounds of dough comfortably! I immediately did my homework and found that it got best reviews all over the internet along with lots of complimentary You-tube videos. I was hooked and found the best site on the internet to order one. It is Pleasant Hill Grain. I sent back the Kitchen Aid to Macy's. They were gracious enough to accept my return and refund my money.

For the first time today I used my new Bosch Universal Plus and love it. It mixed my four loaves of whole wheat bread just fine and kneads it too. I love the large capacity bowl. It has a blender attachment that is suppose to blend with super speed. This thing should last me the rest of my life.

Time Marches On-Anticipating Daffodils

2011-01-25T08:44:00.001-05:00

Can't believe it is already 2011, and almost to the end of this first month of January too. Today the first day of the second semester of school starts for all the kids in our family. Lindsay is in 9th and Chris moved back from Indiana and is a senior, if you can believe it? We have lots of projects to finish around here and can't seem to get going on them. It has been snowing a lot since Christmas so that keeps us kind of "locked in". But February is almost here and toward the end of February the daffodils begin to bloom so in about 4 short weeks we have that to look forward to.

I am posting a picture here of my favorite flower and the flower of my birth month. I can't wait to see them blooming on the road to our church as they do anywhere from the 3rd week of February on. They kind of represent HOPE to me, as they are the promise that God is going to send springtime and warmer weather to brighten our days, just as he promises us eternal life through the sacrifice of his Son.

Hey, I learned to spell daffodil by writing this post today. lol

Cat Likes New Window

2010-10-29T07:48:00.004-04:00

The Lowes installer came last night to install our new window over the kitchen sink. The window we had was ok, but was a double window which restricted some of the view to the outside. The molding was old and original to the house and did not look too good anymore. This new window is a slider and easier to open. It is amazing what a new window can do to a room. It has opened up the view and makes the kitchen look bigger. You can see that the cat, who normally does not sit in the kitchen window, is enjoying it already. The installer is coming this morning to finish the molding, etc. and tonight Adam is going to help me with the tile back splash. Thanks Adam! After that, I think this whole kitchen redo will be done. As you can see by the last picture, Briggs was busy at work putting in the new kitchen faucet. I consider this new makeover a blessing and of course anything new you do to your home lifts your spirits.

What is Pumpkin Moonshine Anyway?

2010-10-26T12:38:00.003-04:00

When I said I was naming the new kitty Pumpkin Moonshine, all the kids laughed. They thought it had to do with liquor moonshine. That is not the case though. Pumpkin Moonshine is a book by Tasha Tudor, a famous children's book author from New England. I have loved her books and lifestyle for many years. Ask my older kids and they will know who she is. Pumpkin Moonshine is a book about a little girl named Sylvie Ann who goes to her grandparents house and finds the best pumpkin in the patch to carve. Her Grandpawp helps her carve it after her adventure of the day finding the pumpkin with her dog Wiggie.
"Sylvie and Grandpawp put the Pumpkin Moonshine on the front gate post, then they hid in the bushes to watch how terrified the passers by would be at the sight of this fierce Pumpkin Moonshine. They had a wonderful time."

Tasha Tudor, a children’s illustrator whose pastel watercolors and delicately penciled lines depicted an idyllic, old-fashioned vision of the 19th-century way of life she famously pursued — including weaving, spinning, gathering eggs and milking goats — died at 92, in Marlboro, Vt.
Here is a link to her website. http://tashatudorandfamily.com/
It is worth a look and wonderful books to read to children.

Counter Tops At Last

2010-10-26T11:13:00.001-04:00

Our counter tops have been a long time coming. The man said 2-3 weeks and it is a month now, but today is the day. I am excited because we have been living with makeshift particleboard pieces covered with an old plastic table cloth. I can't complain though and am blessed to have what we have. It has all worked out as well as if we had the most expensive counters in the world. But....in an hour or so he will be here and install our jade green quartz counters and new composite granite sink. I have purchased some really pretty glass tile that is a light green/blue with black checkerboard pattern for the backsplash. Adam is going to help me get going on putting that up in a day or so. Tomorrow the nice, efficient cabinet man from Lowes will install the new window over the kitchen sink. We are getting a slider window instead of double hung. It will be easier to open and shut. Briggs is putting up the molding along the top of the ceiling today. He does work hard at doing the things I ask him to do. Tomorrow afternoon it will be backer board for the tile. It is nice to have a husband that is willing to chip in and do his part. I have to admit to feeling a little guilty getting this "new" kitchen, but I think every woman should have a nice "new" kitchen once in her life. It is a blessing I am grateful for.

A New Puppy and Kitty

2010-10-24T20:59:00.005-04:00

Yesterday we got a new puppy. She is a cutie. The man I bought her from says she is 1/2 lab and 1/2 Great Pyrenees. So far she is getting really spoiled by all the kids who carry her around and hold her all the time. I think she likes it. We are keeping her inside for a while, but she is destined to be an outside dog, especially if she rises to the size that Wikipedia says that Great Pyrenees get.

A few weeks ago we got a free kitten from a friend. He is a fluffy orange kitty, as I call him. I named him Pumpkin Moonshine from the book by Tasha Tudor. He has adapted famously to our home and has figured everything out. I have noticed the last few days he is trying to sneak outside more. That is ok though, because I do want to get him to give up the litter box. I do not like litter boxes.

I am posting here, a picture of a grown up great Pyrenees and also one of a puppy that does look like our little Roxie. I have named her Roxie in honor of my best childhood dog, Roxie that lived with us for 14 1/2 years. This picture is my sister Joanne and I with Roxie when we lived in Michigan in the 1950's.

Much Has Happened-Beautiful Mom

2010-10-11T20:55:00.002-04:00

So much has happened since I wrote on this blog in April and posted Chloe's birthday Smilebox. Spring has passed and also summer. Now we are into fall and the year is almost ready to draw to a close. On my birthday, March 31, our (my sister Joanne and me) "mommy" Marian Louise Meader, passed away from a massive stroke. The Sunday before, I got the call at church that Mommy had fallen and Joanne had taken her to the hospital. It is, of course, the call no one wants to get and my intestines immediately began to roll and a sickness came over me as I hurried to the car and then to the house and on to Florida. I got to the hospital in Daytona Beach about midnight and immediately went to my mother's room and found her there on a breathing machine and not really awake at all. I sat by her bed all night and for the next few days holding her hand and praying and talking to her. All the fears and feelings that you imagine at a time like this were mine, and Joanne's in those few days, but we found solace in the Lord and prayer. He was with us and helped us get through that time with peace and comfort. I stopped at the hospital chapel a few times to kneel in prayer and I know my prayers were answered. Mommy never responded, but I knew she could feel my presence and love for her. I only went to her house once or twice to shower and then back to her side. By Wednesday Joanne and I knew she would not get well so gave the ok to remove the breathing tube. With Joanne, Heather and Kristen with me, we held Mommy's hand until she took her last breath. We told her to go home, to Grandma Jennie and Daddy. In a short time she did just that.

Although it was my birthday, March 31, I felt it an honor to see her go home to the Lord on the very day 65 years earlier that I left the Lord to come to her. In the next few days, most of my kids came down to help and attend the funeral. We had a lovely family time, remembering Gram and all the wonderful things she did for us. I miss her so much. each day. Several times a day, I am reminded by something, about her and some memory of her life. I love you so much, Mommy, and look forward to the day we will run into each others arms and say, "I love you", face to face again.

Chloe's 9th bday

2010-04-24T08:53:00.000-04:00

Personalize a scrapbook design

Loving Arizona or Missing the Snow?

2010-02-07T15:15:00.004-05:00

Guess what? I am missing the snow. Briggs and the kids are still "snowed in"-ice and snow this weekend. But, I am in sunny Arizona. Katie and her family and I went to Disneyland and now we are home in Arizona. I am enjoying the cute little girls, Emma and Ellie. They are the cutest little girls and really good too. This week should be fun, going to the park and shopping with "the girls."
On Saturday I fly home to North Carolina. I am wondering if another storm will come when I get there. I don't really care if it does. I enjoy the beauty of the snow and being snowed in forces one to slow down and be with family. PS. This snow pic is from last winter. I am writing this from my laptop and my new snow pics are on my pc at home in NC.

I Have Been Thinking...

2010-01-25T18:44:00.000-05:00

I have been thinking about the Haiti earthquake everyday since it happened. My heart has been especially touched by the images of the orphan children who have been so innocently affected by this terrible and unimaginable act of nature. There was already 300,000 orphans in Haiti before the earthquake and now there is no way to know how many more innocent little children have been put into a position of not having any family to live with because they are gone. They need our prayers and monetary assistance. They need the people around the world to focus on them and daily keep them in their hearts, mind and prayers.
I read where the UN wanted to make sure that adoption of these orphans was a "last resort". UNICEF, which is the children's arm of the UN has come out for this idea. It seems to me that if there was already 300,000 orphans and who knows how many more that a supposedly child oriented organization would want to fine safe and happy homes for these children no matter where it was. I believe that this is an achievable cause, and that there are plenty of loving families that want to give good homes to these children who in the best of times had a second rate existence. The concern for the life and soul of the children should come first. Not global politics or political correctness. I pray for the children and the good families that are willing to adopt them. If I had a chance, I would be glad myself to give a home to anyone of them.
On another related note, as I have been tempted to complain about the little inconveniences in life these last few weeks, my mind has quickly recalled the images of the poor people of Haiti, especially the women and children. It reminds me that I have nothing at all to complain about. I quickly feel ashamed and say a little prayer for them.

Internet Troubles-Again!

2010-01-24T07:07:00.001-05:00

What a time I had this last week trying to get our internet to work. I know some of our family and friends thought we fell off the face of the earth, but for some reason it stopped working one morning. After checking everything out and trying to fix it myself, I called Verizon. I went the rounds with the tech man and he finally said he would send me another modem. We waited for about 3 days for that to come and then hooked it up. No internet! Again I called Verizon and went the rounds again and the tech man said that the new modem must be bad so I will send you another. We waited again. When it came, I hooked it all up and to no avail. So, on the phone with another tech man again. After he ran through everything with me again, he decided that my ethernet cable might be bad. So off to Radio Shack the next morning. They wanted 38.00 for a new cable so I ran over to Walmart and got one for 30.00. Quite a lot of money for a cable, but we did need a 50 foot cable.

When I came home I decided to have a prayer before I hooked it up. I cautiously proceeded to hook it up and when I tested it it did work. So, it was the cable which we only had for 5 months. With a little more tweaking with the router, I was able to get things into full swing again. Everyone is happy now. One week without internet is hard these days, although I think we all got along pretty well. Now we can keep up with family and friends on a daily basis again and Briggs can do his genealogy. I can pay the bills and look up "important" things. It is interesting how we have become dependent upon the modern technical things we have these days. But if it all went away, we would still be ok. I canceled our cell phone a year or so ago and we have gotten along just fine. In the meantime, it is nice to have the internet back again!

2010 Begins

2010-01-14T18:58:00.005-05:00

The kids are back in school and things are back to normal now. It has been so cold, but looks like it is going to warm up some now. We still have lots of snow around our yard, but if it stays warm enough for a few days, I suppose it will melt away. Will we get another snow? Your guess is as good as mine. The new semester of school will start next week and we will be on the count down to warmer weather and the end of school again. It seems that the days, weeks and months pass so quickly. Where does the time go? I will be going to visit Katie's family in Arizona on February 3 and then when I get back Spring will be ready to be "sprung". At the end of February the little yellow daffodils begin to bloom. That is something I look forward to because they are the flower of my month, March, and my favorite.

Facebook or Blogging

2010-01-07T12:26:00.002-05:00

I have not blogged much lately because I have been visiting Facebook quite a lot. Facebook is good to keep up with your friends on a minute by minute basis, but for creativity-there is none. I consider myself somewhat creative, so now that the new year has come, I think I will do more blogging. I like the creativity of it and it gives more opportunity to expound on thoughts and feelings. So Happy New Year to all my family and friends and expect to find more posts on my blogs. I will list new posts on Facebook. Perhaps no one is interested, but for me it is a way to keep alive the memories, thoughts and feelings of this old granny! xxoo

Cracker Barrell, Coming and Going

2009-10-21T13:55:00.001-04:00

With no Florida scenes to take pics of left that catch my imagination, I was at a loss of things to take pics of down here. But, I got an idea to make a scrapbook page of Kelly at the Cracker Barrell. We go there on our trip up and down, each time so when I saw the big fireplace behind him on our way down, I decided to do a scrapbook page of Kelly at the Cracker Barrell. He even has his Genral Lee shirt and Confederate hat on. He is cheap to feed there, as he always gets biscuits and gravey and a root beer. So here are the pics I took to celebrate our Cracker Barrell memories.

A Young Girl's Dreams....

2009-09-08T19:53:00.002-04:00

Today I was fixing a picture frame on my computer desk that had a picture of me in it when I was about 13 1/2 years old. I remember the day I had the picture taken many years ago in Michigan. My mom took me to a photographer, probably Olan Mills. I remember the color of my dress, although the picture is in black and white. The dress was tan and I think I had just had a permanent. My skin was fairly tanned so it must have been at the end of summer about the time school started. It was the beginning of my 8th grade year in 1958.
Since the picture is on my desk, I often have a chance to look at the face of the "little girl" in the picture. As I gaze at her face, I see her eyes full of innocence and wonder. What must she have been thinking? Was she thinking about the school year about to begin? I think I see in her eyes the thoughts of the future. "I want to be happy and have a little house with flowers and sunshine all around. I want to have a handsome husband and lots of babies to take care of. Happiness, love, hope, a family- that is all that I want." If I went back in time to that very day, my hopes and desires for my future would still be the same as they were back then.

From North Carolina to Arizona in Three Days

2009-09-05T22:42:00.002-04:00

Ellie was having her third birthday and I wanted to get her gift in the mail one day this week. Gatlin was with me so I boxed it up, got my internet postage added and he and I took it to the mailbox. I took the cutest picture of him putting the box in the mail. A few days later, Katie sent me an email with pictures of Ellie getting her box all the way in Arizona. I thought it was a neat thing to share these pics with each of the little ones. I plan to do a scrapbook page soon with the pictures we took.

A History Lesson-Moroni and The Title of Liberty

2009-09-03T19:21:00.006-04:00

I got this summary of Moroni and the Title of Liberty from the website: http://www.latterdaybanners.com/

A History Lesson For Our Day?

Moroni was just twenty-five years old when he was appointed chief captain over all the Nephite armies. He was a strong and mighty man with a firm faith in Jesus Christ. Moroni rejoiced in the liberty and freedom of his country. He did not delight in bloodshed, but had sworn an oath to defend his people and their freedom, even to the loss of his own blood..There was in the land another man by the name of Amalickiah who wanted to be king of the Nephites. Strong and large in stature, Amalickiah above all wanted honor and power over other people. Already he was the leader of a group of Nephites who had become proud because of their riches. They would no longer listen to the words of their church leaders nor would they obey Heavenly Father’s commandments. Under Amalickiah’s wicked influence, they had grown to hate the Church and even wanted to kill some of its members.Through lying and deceit, Amalickiah convinced his followers that the Nephite form of government was wrong. He told the people they would be happier if they were ruled by a king instead of a chief judge. He promised that if they would appoint him their king, he would give each of them important positions of honor. Amalickiah soon had great support for his wicked plan to take over the Nephite government.Moroni knew that a king would destroy the precious freedoms for which the Nephite people had fought so long, especially if the government were lost to a selfish, evil king. Then the righteous would no longer be able to worship God as they desired. He also knew that their wives, their children, and their homes would be in grave danger.Moroni determined to do something about Amalickiah. Finally he removed his coat, tore off a piece, and on it he wrote a message: “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” Then he fastened it to the end of a pole and called it the “title of liberty.”Girding himself in his armor and carrying the title of liberty, Moroni “bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should [be] a band of Christians … to possess the land.”After he had poured out his heart in prayer, Moroni went forth among the people, waving the banner high in the air so that everyone could see the message written on it. While waving it, he cried in a loud voice, “Whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them.”The message was sent forth throughout the land, and from every direction people gathered themselves together, put on their armor, and were ready to fight for the cause of freedom.When Amalickiah saw that most of the Nephites had chosen to join Moroni to preserve the government, he became frightened. He knew his cause was unjust and that he would be defeated if he went to battle against Moroni and his people. In desperation he took what followers he could and fled to the land of the Lamanites.Moroni’s title of liberty had awakened in the hearts of the Nephite people a renewed love for their country. As a reminder of their great blessings, Moroni caused “the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower … which was possessed by the Nephites.”

My Mom's Shadow

2009-08-19T19:38:00.005-04:00

I have an account on Facebook and chose for my profile picture the one here from when I was the Bud Princess for Pier School in Coloma, Michigan in 1951. Berrien County has a big Blossom Festival every spring in celebration of the "heart of the fruit belt" theme for that area. Each elementary school chooses a Bud Prince and Princess and each High School chooses a Blossom Queen and one queen is chosen to preside over the festivities and parade.

I am sure my mom was so excited and honored that her little girl, Carol Jean, was chosen to represent Pier School as the princess. Darrell Fikes was the prince. We rode in the Kiddie Parade and the big Blossom Parade.

This picture shows me in front of our home near Lake Michigan. I thought it was a cute picture to have for my profile picture on Facebook. One thing about the picture that was "photography" incorrect is the shadow of the person taking the picture being over the subject, me. It kind of bothered me and the other day I thought that I would take the shadow out with my picture editing software program. As I started to do it, a thought came over me, "that is my mommy so proudly taking that picture of her little girl." My mom is the most special of all mothers on the earth so after I thought a moment I decided that I could not take that shadow out. She is 86 years old now and I know that she was so proud of me back then that to take her shadow out after all these years would make me sad. So I left it in to be a memorial of the love that a mom has for her child. The love she has for me and I have for her.

Another Trip With Grankids No.2-Carolina Hemlock

2009-08-05T20:54:00.003-04:00

Adding to the post below I have pictures of the boys having fun at Carolina Hemlock.

Another Day Trip With Grandkids

2009-08-05T19:44:00.007-04:00

It seems that this summer I just can"t get enough of summer day trips with grandchildren. Last week I took the girls this week I took the boys. Gabriel, Josh, Caleb, and I hopped into the car this morning and picked up Ian in town and then headed for Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. I decided they needed to get away from video games and learn something about the beautiful area that we live in. They were cooperative and cheerfully ready to go with good old "Grammy". It is a really winding road up Highway 81 to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the next 16 miles to the Mt. Mitchell Park. The boys really were interested in the museum and walk up to the top of the trail where there is a nicely reconstructed look-out post where you can see a 360 degree view of the mountains. The boys had a fun time climbing and jumping over rocks. The air was so cool and pleasant and the mountain views so beautiful that it makes you want to spend a little more time there, but soon we were off to Carolina Hemlock.

Not a long distance, about 23 miles, is our family's favorite campground, Carolina Hemlock. The Toe River runs through the campground and I thought it would be fun for the boys to spend a little time climbing on the rocks and playing in the cool mountain water. They had a lot of fun on the river rocks, climbing, sliding and jumping into the river. I hated to make them leave, but a storm came up and since the water pump there got hit by lightening last week, I decided we had to leave.

By then they were all hungry, so on the way home we stopped at MacDonalds for a bite to eat. All the boys said thanks and that they had a great time. That was all I needed to hear to make this a special time for me.

Trip to Valle Crucis

2009-07-30T08:05:00.003-04:00

I love to travel an hour or so up the mountain from our home to enjoy the beautiful NC mountains. On Tuedsay I decided to take grandaughters, Rahlee, Chloe, Michaela and son Kelly, for a little day trip. We stopped first at the cabin of my daughter Kristen and her husband Billy who were up from Florida. It is so good to have them owning their own place near us so we can feel close to them all the time.

Next we stopped at Banner Elk to eat our lunch at the McDonalds right on the highway. Banner Elk is famous for its two ski slopes, Beach and Sugar mountain. In the summertime it is full of tourists enjoying the cooler weather in the mountains. We filled our tummies and so.....

....On to Valle Crucis, a tiny town near Boone, NC. It has a very old general store "The Mast Store" that has been turned into a tourist attraction. They have kept it just as it use to be but now sell all kinds of old fashioned items just like the old folks bought at the store over a hundred years ago. I bought a set of retro dish towels for my kitchen and a nostalgic-like sigh to put on our new back porch. I will make a post to show you my purchases later. It even has a working post office that is unchanged from the past. The little girls loved our other stop in VC, at the Candy Barrel where you can go from to barrel with a basket and fill it up with your favorite candy. Of course there is a price to pay at the cash register. Kelly's candy added up to $11.00. I was glad he was paying for his own. I told the girls that they could choose 10 candies each. It is surprising how long it takes kids to make their choices when there is so much to choose from. I just started Weight Watchers, so it was very hard for me to pass up the dark chocolate malt balls. I did settle on one "Ice Cube" and one "Reece's Piece". Need I say that it was not very satisfying, but I stuck to my diet anyway.

We went on to Boone, a nice college town (Appalachian State University) with lots of things going on at any given moment. If you get a chance to visit Boone, be sure you go to the older section where you can visit lots of shops and enjoy the unusual (at least for me) sights of people and aura of an old college town. The Boone Drug Store is a good place to grab an old fashioned hamburger and coke.

On to Blowing Rock and the park that is on the main street across from all the little shops that each sell different items. The girls, Chloe and Rahlee had a fun time doing the kids "zip line" and climbing rock.

We were all finally worn out from all the "fun", so headed home which was about fifty miles away. A summer day well spent in the beautiful NC mountains!

A Walk With Gatlin

2009-07-11T21:05:00.004-04:00

I got an opportunity to be with Gatlin for about an hour last night so we decided to take a little walk down to the river. We sat on the bench and enjoyed watching another family on a dock fishing. He saw a boat, a tiny frog, a motorcycle and lots of other things that little ones notice with their eager to learn eyes. Gatlin is really smart and is talking very well now. I missed him a lot while I have been gone so it was so good to be able to spend a little time with him.

Being With My Mom

2009-07-06T06:47:00.006-04:00

Being here in Florida with my mom for two weeks has been a little bitter-sweet. When a parent begins to fail in health it elicits all sorts of emotional ups and downs. You begin to realize that time is short and every minute spent with them is precious. You are especially cognizant of every physical variation from the norm for them. For my mom, one day will be good and my emotions are high then she might have a little physical problem and down my emotions go. With all of that you are constantly thinking about the little memories of their past and wanting to hold on to time and make it stop. "Just keep her where she is right now and don't let her fail anymore, Dear Lord". Tears come often. But you fight them back and try to put on a happy countenance and have faith that God is in control and knows best. I realize that everyone has to go through this time with their mom and dad and someday my kids will experience this with me, but it is still hard. So, I get up each morning and try to do all the things I can do for her that make her comfortable and happy. I try to bring up little stories of that past that we can laugh about and ask her questions about things so she can enjoy her memories too. I am blessed to have many good memories to enjoy with my mommy, Marian-the best mom that a girl could possibly have.

A Little Beach Time

2009-06-27T10:08:00.005-04:00

Making memories is what life is about. And with Gabe and Chloe here in Florida with their other gramdma and poppy, Jane and Mike, it is nice to be able to go to the beach with them. We had a good time watching Gabe and Chloe play in the waves of Daytona Beach. I hope Gabe and Chloe will remember these good times.

Ellie and Her Cakes

2009-06-22T14:57:00.004-04:00

Ellie loves cake. We found that out when she was visiting us two weeks ago. (Is it already two weeks that they have been gone? Miss you little girls.) She kept wanting a piece of Chloe's baptism cake that I got at Ingles. It was a big cake and we did not use much of it before I threw it out because we did not like it too much. Several other times she asked for cake and we began to laugh about it. So here is a picture of her with a Father's Day cake she helped her mommy, Katie make for her Dad this weekend. I especially like the look on her face so wanted to post it for all to see.

What's Happened Since May-Pictures

2009-06-12T19:29:00.007-04:00

Here are a few more pictures of our family fun this last month. You can read about it in my post below. Don't you think Adam and Trish's family looks special in this picture? My first grandchildren are graduated from high school, twins, Caitlyn and Bryan. Bryan awaits his entry into the Marines and Caitlyn is anxiously waiting to see if the Army will take her inspite of a tiny health problem. The next picture is of my mom's yard in Florida. They had 26 inches of rain in a few days. More flooding than any hurricane there and in the 49 years she has lived in this house.

What's Happened Since May

2009-06-12T18:39:00.008-04:00

A lot has happened since I last blogged on Mother's Day. We went to Florida and Caitlyn and Bryan's graduation. The rain there was atrocious and my mom's yard was flooded. Adam and Trish got married. Chloe got baptized. Katie and her family came to visit. We took some of our family to Carowinds. School got out. We finished our big remodel project. At least it was big to us. Now we are looking forward to a pleasant and happy summer here in the mountains of western North Carolina. Last summer was a bummer so I look forward to a nice and peaceful season this year. When I think of my childhood, I think most often in terms of the summertime. No big things happened, but just the usual memories of a 1950's summertime in Michigan. That is what I want this year for myself. Peace, happiness, pleasant days, and some little memories of family. I hope the Lord will bless me and all of you with these things. I am posting some pictures of the activities I mentioned.

My Mom

2009-05-10T23:47:00.003-04:00

I have the best "Mommy" in the whole world. My sister, Joanne, and I have always called her Mommy. It sounds kind of funny coming from two 60 something girls, but that is who she will always be to us. Her name is Marion and she is 86 now and not in the best of health. But, she still lives alone across the street from my sister in Florida. I miss not getting to be with her more but I call her two times a day to see how she is. She is the kindest, sweetest and most loving woman. I do not think that I could have been born to a better mom than her. She has led an exemplary life to me. I know that her mom, my Grandma Jennie was also a wonderful woman and my Mommy must have gotten her goodness from her. My mom and grandma are 100% Swedish descent and that makes me 50% Swedish, a badge I proudly wear. If there is anything at all of goodness in me, it is because of my "Mommy". Happy Mother's Day and I love you!

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T22:30:00.005-04:00

Today was Mother's Day 2009. It was a beautiful day weatherwise and lovely in other ways too. Church was uplifting and homey with all those that we know and love as our church family. Lindsay gave a nice talk today on "How I can prepare now,
as a young woman, to be a mother someday". She did a good job. We got a nice visit from Adam and Trish and the kids and phone visits with Jennie and Kristen. Sometimes it is exasperating to be mother, but today is was a good feeling. I have some of the sweetest sons and daughters in the world and I am proud of all of them. I would not change the fact that I am a mother to twelve for anything. May God bless all of you who make my life what it is. The picture I have on this post is of our family many years ago in Ormond Beach, Florida. We were young and with faith in the Lord we started our big family. I know that it was the right thing to do and we have had the Lord's blessings in our endeavor all these years. Trials and goodtimes, mixed with everyday living, but all of it was worth it. Seventeen grandchildren later we would not change our decision to have a big family for any other lifestyle. I know we have fulfilled God's plan for us, and with his blessing too.

Back Blogging Again

2009-04-29T23:24:00.005-04:00

For a month now I have been unable to satisfactorily blog. I missed it too. Facebook is nice to keep up with friends and family, but blogging is more creative and lasting. We have satellite internet and because I uploaded too much when I signed up for a file storing website the satellite company zapped us for a month. When they do that, they slow your internet speed down to almost nothing.
It is very frustrating and disappointing, when you want to do anything on the computer. Now I can upload (sparingly) and download (sparingly), and keep up with being a creative blogger. I hope that my family and friends will be visitng my blogs again. I see that there is a way to print your blogs in scrapbook fashion so you can save them with a hard copy. That would be nice and I might look into it. I am including on this post a scrapbook page I did that is an old picture of Briggs and I with Jonell and Arlo, Mac and Hazel and Wally and Kristen. I was pregnant with "Little Briggs" so it is in 1967. Such sweet memories of the past! I will also be able to check out all of your blogs that I have not been able to see for a while.

Our Trials

2009-03-24T17:47:00.004-04:00

"A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle. Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective. Likewise, problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine. Otherwise they can easily overtake our vision, absorb our energy, and deprive us of the joy and beauty the Lord intends us to receive here on earth."

--Richard G. Scott, "Finding Joy in Life", Ensign May 1996

Chloe's St. Patrick's Day Program

2009-03-18T22:20:00.004-04:00

On Tuesday night, Chloe's second grade class had their St. Patrick's Day program at the PTO. She goes to Glenwood School, a beautiful elementary school, nestled in the rolling countryside of North Carolina. I love the location and the view from the school. With an old country store across the street and farms and nice homes along the roads, you could not ask for a pretty place for a school. We are blessed to have this area of the country to live in. I made a scrapbook page for her with the pictures we took at the program.

This I Believe

2009-02-28T13:14:00.003-05:00

We Love Chocolate and Malt

2009-02-26T21:40:00.007-05:00

Our family, at least the girls, love chocolate malt. I learned to love malts when I was a young girl in Michigan in the 1950's. Of course, back then malts were still very popular at the soda fountain. My love of malt balls is the result of the fact that my mommy would buy them as a treat from time to time when we went out to town, either St. Joseph or Benton Harbor, Michigan. Many years later, in the 70's, I would take all my little kiddies to the Volusia Mall in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sears and Roebuck had a candy counter and I would buy ask for "a $'s worth of malt balls, please." Then as I strolled my several babies and a few more tag -alongs around the store, we would eat our malt balls.
Through the years the girls and I have made it a habit to buy them for treats when we would be near a candy store or bring a bag home to someone as a treat. Malted milks are very good too, and our family has them sometimes for Family Home Evening. Hardees has a malted milk that rivals the ones from the old soda fountains of the past. As a matter of fact, I think I put on a few pounds a couple of years ago eating them. It is so easy to slide right into the drive-through and order one up. They even put a dollop of real whipped cream on the top along with a bright red cherry. Oh boy, what a treat! Try it someday. I was in the tire store today, having my wheels aligned and had time to kill in the waiting area. I am sooo ashamed to say, I tore out a few delicious recipes from back issues of magazines they had there. This recipe looked really good to me and I want to try it soon. As soon as I get off my low carb diet. Thanks, Martha Stewart!

Lindsay's Thirteenth Birthday

2009-02-24T13:46:00.003-05:00

Lindsay turned 13 on Monday the 23 of February. She is such a happy and delightful young woman. We are so glad to have her as part of our family. Grammy and Poppy took her out to eat and #1 China and then we came back home to a happy party with Allison, Briggs and all the kids.
Allison made the beautiful birthday cake. She got some nice gifts and had a good day.

"Step Out In Faith"

2009-02-18T08:34:00.001-05:00

This is from my Scrapgirls newsletter this morning. Nice advice.

Clammy, shocks, clenching....

Shocks of clamminess clenched my stomach as I looked out my bedroom window over the valley. I didn’t know what to do and the decision I must make was causing me to experience mild panic attacks at night. After a few days, I began to dread the attacks and soon I found myself watching television late into the night because I knew that when I turned off the television the attacks would come.

This morning, I awoke with two thoughts drumming in my brain. “You know what to do. Step forward with faith.”

Immediately, I realized that a decision I was trying to make was the source of my distress. I was pushing down my true feelings. I was forcing myself to choose something that I didn’t like because it seemed more responsible. My internal critic was responding to potential criticism – real and imagined.

Instantly, I knew what to do. I decided what to do. I stepped off the curb with faith. I’ll find out in time l if I made the correct decision, but, no matter what happens, I'm glad I listened to my heart.

- Ro

P.S. I find it interesting how often my problems solve themselves during the first few groggy moments of the day. This is why I keep a notebook on my nightstand. I want to write the impressions down before I miss them. I recommend that you try it, too!

By Ro from http//www.scrapgirls.com

The Greatest Love of All

2009-02-14T00:43:00.004-05:00

"The knowledge that Heavenly Father loves us and that we are His children gives us strength, comfort, and hope to live this mortal life. Allowing the Savior to atone for our sins is the greatest expression of our Heavenly Father's love for each of us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

--Dean R. Burgess, "Do You Know Who You Are?",

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-12T08:24:00.000-05:00

Birthdays Again?

2009-02-11T15:37:00.003-05:00

Yes, we had another birthday party for the month of February. Poppy and Caleb had their birthdays on February 7th and 8th. So, on Sunday afternoon we gathered as a family to celebrate.
Poppy was getting a unique gift. Hopefully a surprise. Briggs III had cooked a delicious bbq dinner and we were all hungry. We waited and waited and Poppy did not come. After a call to the church we found out he was only just leaving. Grammy was upset of course, but eventually he came.
We all ate the delicious meal, sang Happy Birthday and gave Caleb and Poppy their gifts. It is still unknown as to whether Poppy was truly excited about his gift from Grammy- a potty in a box and a sink too. The gift was much needed indeed and now he has to find the time to put them in. Soon, as possible we hope!

Snow Day!!!!!!!!!??????????

2009-02-04T06:30:00.003-05:00

Ringggggggggg...early this morning. It was our seminary teacher, Debbie, letting us know that there was no school today. Then soon after, ringgggg...again. This time Dr. Trollinger called with his recording to let us know it was a snow day. All of this before 6:00 am. Now, Chloe usually sleeps until almost 7 because she does not have to get up so early as the teenagers, but this morning she is
up and going. I WANT TO SLEEP! IT'S A SNOW DAY! NO SCHOOL KIDS! But Gabe and Chloe are so excited about no school they could not sleep. I am kind of glad, because Gabe was questioning me last night on wheather we would have school since we had a little snow come down yesterday evening. I am glad he is not disappointed. Now, if they will only be quiet and happy all day. Then I think I will enjoy this snow day! Oh, the pictures are of the snow that fell in great big flakes late yesterday afternoon.

February- Birthday Month

2009-02-02T15:27:00.010-05:00

Ian, Caleb, Poppy, Aunt Joanne, Cousin Wally, Uncle Arlo, Lindsay, Old Great Grandpa Mac (deceased) Let me know if I missed one!!!!! Yes, Billy Too!LOL And Ashley.

Ian's 12th Birthday!

2009-02-02T15:07:00.005-05:00

Today is Ground Hog Day, February 2. Twelve years ago today, Ian Briggs Gilliam, our grandson was born. He has grown up to be a great kid. Smart, sweet and happy. He is the oldest son of our son Adam. On Saturday we all met at the skating rink for a birthday party. I brought a car load of cousins and he had some school buddies there. Everyone had fun skating and celebrating! His cousins, Joshua, Chris, Lindsay, Gabriel and Chloe were there. We brought Seth Bradley, a friend of Gabriel"s and his sister Jade had fun with Chloe. Uncle Kelly and Aunt Aimee were there too, along with the rest of Ian's family. We look forward to watching Ian continue to grow into a good young man. I can't believe he is almost in junior high. It seems like yesterday that Kelly and I were at the hospital waiting for him to be born. Time goes by fast!

Chris' Fifteeth Birthday- Oh No!

2009-01-29T07:06:00.004-05:00

Yes, our grandson Chris, Jennie's son, turned fifteen on January 22. We celebrated by going out to eat at Nara's Express. Delicious! Jamie his friend came along and afterwards we had a little party waiting for him at home. The family was there and he enjoyed his cake and ice cream, not to mention his new Lego set and hoodie. You can see his lego creation from a set he got at Christmas. He is very talented in putting these things together. His grandma Jennifer sent him 150.00 for his birthday and he plans on getting an Xbox 360 with it. We are looking for one on ebay.

2009-01-29T06:59:00.004-05:00

We had a little snow about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I am slow to post, but here are some pictures of how it looked at our house. One picture is down our driveway and the other shows a freezing flamingo in the front yard. We did get more snow than the rest of McDowell County that day. It was beautiful as it came down in the night. We will probably get a few more snows before the winter is up. The kids hope so, because they love to play, slide and just enjoy the snow, not to mention missing school for a "snow day".

Christmas-Late

2009-01-27T12:50:00.004-05:00

We had a nice Christmas this year and with being sick and redoing my bedroom I am just behind in being on the computer at all. So here I am posting a few pics of our Christmas. We had Allison and the kids plus Chris, Lindsay and Jennie and Jon and Kelly all opening gifts of Christmas morning. Jennie came down from Indiana to be with us. Briggs III was there too. It was the first Christmas that little Gatlin could remember and he was excited. Chloe got a bike and Gameboy DS. Gabe got a Gameboy DS Lite. Chris got legos and Linday got lots of boots. Must be because Santa like boots! You can see Kelly with his Swedish flag. We are part Swedish so it was something he wanted, to express his Swedish heritage. Santa was good to all, even during these troubled times and we give thanks for that.
We had Christmas dinner and Adam and Trish and Aimee and their kids came too. Our little baby in the manger is Aiden who fell asleep and was laid in a clothes basket. It is good to share these times with our family and we love them all.

A Haircut At Last!

2009-01-08T20:16:00.007-05:00

Well, our little Gatlin finally got his first haircut. And he looks soooo cute! Allison, Gabe and I went to Jerry's Barbershop, and Gabe and Gatlin both got haircuts. Gatlin was a good as he could be getting his haircut. Not a fuss or cry out of him. The barber, Jerry, had a Christmas train set up and gave him a remote so he could make it go round and round the tracks. He even was able to make a snowman wiggle and move. As you can see in these pictures the haircut was well worth the wait. He is such and handsome little boy with big brown eyes. Sometimes he gives a funny little grimace like the one in one of these pictures. Gabe got a good trim, much to his chagrin, but later on he admitted that it was not too bad.

Happiness

2009-01-08T20:08:00.002-05:00

"Though we cannot understand “the meaning of all things,” we do “know that God loveth his children” because He has said, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Heavenly Father is able to accomplish these two great goals—the immortality and eternal life of man—because He is a God of creation and compassion. Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate."
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage", Ensign, Nov 2008, 117–20

Sick For the Last Time-I Hope!

2009-01-07T21:34:00.007-05:00

I am not really a hypochrondriac. At least I do not think so. But I have not been able to shake this illness that has plagued me since Christmas. I thought I was better Monday, but Tuesday night I came down with flu symptoms again. I just went to bed and Briggs took care of the kids and got them off to school this morning. This afternoon I laid down at 1:30 and did not get up until 6:10. I could not believe it. I think (I hope) that I am feeling better tonight and maybe by tomorrow will be getting back to normal. There is a lot I want to do and I feel like I have just been lazy the last two weeks. Briggs has helped a lot and I am thankful for that. I guess I am just getting old and my body is not able to shake these kinds of things as easily. My promise is that you will not hear about my sickness again. Maybe some blogging can get done again. There are a lot of things to add to the blog since my last entry and I am anxious to do that and be more in contact with my family and friends.

Back to Blogging-Chloe's Sleepover

2008-12-30T02:05:00.005-05:00

After a busy week of Christmas and being sick for the last few days I am up and ready to fill everyone in on the family activities of the last week and a half or so. Chloe's sleepover was the fun activity for the week before Christmas. She planned her sleepover for a month, made invitations, planned the food, and made all sorts of signs and tags for the girls. Including Chloe, there were seven little girls here-Chloe, Rahlee, Jade, Madison, Jenna, Ruby and Sydni. Cousin Lindsay helped to keep the party going too. Things went pretty well for the whole affair, except for a few little times that Chloe got frustrated. All and all I think the kids all had fun both in the evening and the next day. The pictures show the girls sitting in their assigned spots (by Chloe) listening to her read a special story. Not all of them were thrilled to sit still and listen, but we coaxed them into making it through. I gave Rahlee, Jade and Chloe their Christmas present from me-Hanna Montanna or High School Musical, pjs and that is what you see them wearing in these pictures. The next day was very warm and they all had a good time playing outside. Now, Grammy was glad when they all began to leave, but it was fun and a special thing for Chloe to do and remember.

A Cool Christmas Gift

2008-12-19T05:52:00.005-05:00

Michael's mother Kathy and Katie, got together and made this really cute Christmas gift for our family. All seventeen grandkids are hanging here in a row along the fireplace mantel. You cannot see the little snowmen wreaths very well, but their faces are little frames with a grandchild's picture in it. It adds a cheerful spark of color to our blue Christmas theme. It was so thoughtful and sweet of them to think of such a great idea and put it all together.
Thanks to both of you!

Gabe Gives A Primary Talk

2008-12-15T16:07:00.010-05:00

On Sunday Gabriel gave a talk in Primary. He is quite a unique, funny and very expressive boy. He did some ad libbing and took a kind of ordinary talk and dressed it up a bit-Grammy and Poppy were amused and proud of their smart and unusual grandson. Below is the text of his talk on Christmas, minus the ad libbing. Go Gabe!

Christmas is an exciting time of the year for kids. We get excited when we see the decorations downtown come up in November, we are excited to see our family put up the Christmas tree, or our mom asks us to make a list of things we might want for presents. Families usually have Christmas activities to go to in December and we like to help make cookies or other fun treats that are our family’s tradition. I like to sit by our fireplace in the light of the Christmas tree and read a book. All of these things are an important part of Christmas for us. But when we are thinking of of all of these special things about Christmas, we sometimes forget that Christmas represents the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

We have a nativity scene in our living room that my grandma had when she was a little girl. It sits in front of the window and has lights around it, so that they give a special glow to the figures of Mary and Joseph and little Jesus in the manger. I can look at this and it helps me remember that Heavenly Father sent Jesus to the earth as a little baby to live and die for all of us, and what I can do to show I am thankful.

The First Presidency of the Church message, in the Friend this month says:

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”.

The Wise men followed the light of a star to find and worship the Savior. We worship Him by following the light of His example. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is perfectly obedient, merciful and kind. He spent His time on earth in service, and He gave His life so we could repent and live eternally. Because he came to earth, we know who we are: beloved children of Heavenly Father.

This Christmas, may we sing with joy, pray in gratitude, and carry out kind deeds. As we strive to become more like the Savior, we will have joy and happiness during this wonderful season and peace each day of the year.

President Thomas S. Monson

Prsident Henry B. Eyring

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Gatlin Celebrates His Birthday

2008-12-11T08:11:00.007-05:00

On Sunday, Gatlin celebrated his second birthday with his family all around. We had a spaghetti dinner and of course, ice cream and cake. He is such an expressive little boy with big brown eyes and always a funny grin for the camera. These pictures are just a few of his silly faces. We love you Gatlin!

Christmas Concert-Chris

2008-12-10T07:15:00.008-05:00

Christian plays the clarinet for the East Jr. High band. Last night he had his Christmas concert. Mr. Miller has done a great job with his students since he came last year as the band teacher. 7th, 8th and 9th grade students play separately at the concerts. These pictures show Chris and his 9th grade band group. You cannot see Chris in one of the pictures, but he is behind the girl with the clarinet in the front. They played some Christmas songs and other pieces. We all enjoyed the show until we went out to the van and it did not start-again. Chloe had a teacher from last year that she was having fun with and when she heard about our problem she volunteered to take us home. She even left her kids and parents at the school to run us all the way home. Talk about Christmas Angels!

Blue Tree?

2008-12-01T21:56:00.004-05:00

Yes, this year we have a blue Christmas tree. Way back in the 1970's, when we lived at 66 S.Capri in Ormond Beach, Florida, blue was in for Christmas. We had blue lights all across the house and blue inside too. Since then we have never gone for blue, but now our living room is yellow with some blue willow dishes and some aqua blue trim so Mom thought that the usual pink Victorian theme might need a change. Lindsay, Kelly and Mom went out Saturday in search of a narrow tree that would not take up too much room in the corner of the room. We found one and brought it home. After the decorating with blue lights and balls and a trip to K-Mart today for some Martha Stewart blue bows, it has turned out pretty nice. We like it anyway and hope Santa will too.

Busy Holiday! Sleepy Girl!

2008-11-30T21:57:00.004-05:00

Chloe started out Thanksgiving Day, helping Grammy cook some delicious dishes for our meal.
During the day she followed Uncle Briggs around and involved him all sorts of her activities. Later she kind of took to Uncle Robbie. It was nice to see her be able to interact with her uncles that she does not see too often. It was a busy day and by nighttime she was sound asleep as you can see in the picture here.

Thanksgiving Day Walk in the Woods

2008-11-28T21:54:00.009-05:00

When we think of our blessings, one of them we are so grateful for is the property that we own here in North Carolina. It is twenty four acres with a pond and woods, besides the nice big yard and house we live in. Our goal for this blessing is that it be a place of safety and production to provide for all of our great big family, now and in the future. We kind of have a Thanksgiving tradition- a walk through the woods around the property. Briggs and Robbie shared this walk with Mom and Dad and all the cousins. Chloe really took to her Uncle Briggs and walked beside him all the way.

We Give Thanks

2008-11-28T20:38:00.017-05:00

Thanksgiving is a time for the gathering of families together to give thanks to Heavenly Father for their blessings. We remember the sacrifice of the Pilgrims and the divine intervention of the Lord to provide for them Indian friends, Squanto and Samoset, who helped the Pilgrims though the difficulties of their first attempt to live in their new found land- a land that was being prepared to bring forth the Gospel. Thanksgiving is a time for the children to have fun with their cousins and mom and dad to have a good visit with their children. It is a day to give thanks for the blessings of family, food, shelter and a country where we are free. Our Thanksgiving Day was mostly full of kids having fun as you can see in these pictures. Robbie, Briggs, Allison and Kendra were with us and we enjoyed the nice time and good food.

Making Grandma Jennie's Fruitcake-Christmas Begins

2008-11-24T18:34:00.013-05:00

It is getting close to Christmas and it is funny how one begins to be nostalgic and think back to their childhood. I remember my mother making fruitcake from her mom's recipe. When I was young, I probably was like most of my kids and did not like fruitcake too much, but in later years I began to acquire a taste for it. I liked her fruitcake because it was a dark and spicy one with just the right amount of fruit. Not too much and not too little. "Claxton Fruitcake" is good but too much fruit. My Uncle Leonard started making it in his later years and sending it to family members. He did a good job too. Soooo.... I got the idea that it would be nice to pass this tradition on to Lindsay. I bought and gathered up the ingredients and on Saturday, we took on the task. I just had to document it for postserity as you can see in these pictures. I do not know how it turned out yet because it is better to wrap it up tightly and store it for a few weeks so the flavors mingle before you eat it. I have them stored away now and closer to Christmas will let everyone know how they turned out. Today, I even bought more ingredients for another batch I hope to bake in a few days. In these pictures you can see that I had Grandma Jennie sitting nearby as her grandaughter and great-great-grandaughter baked her special recipe.

My Grandma Meader

2008-11-21T18:57:00.006-05:00

I found this picture of Grandma Gwendolyn Meader (1953), that I wanted to share. See the photo album? I have it now. Aunt Alice gave it to me a few years ago. She thought this Norman Rockwell painting reminded her of her family, ten kids and Grandma and Grandpa Meader. They might not have had all the fixings this picture shows, as they were really poor, but the family gathering is what she was thinking of. Layout kit is Harvest Spice by http://www.shabbyprincess.com

Happy Birthday Kendra, Jon and Matt

2008-11-21T05:30:00.009-05:00

We celebrated Kendra, Jon and Matt's birthday last night at the #1 China. Dad, Mom, Kelly, Allison, Gatlin and the three birthday kids all had a delicious buffet to celebrate their special day. Jon and Matt were born on the same date, one year apart, the 20th of November and Kendra's birthday is the 21st. Jon is 17, Matt 16, and Kendra is 21 now. Hard to believe! Happy birthday kids! Layout Kit by Simple Girls
from Digi Scraps website.

Fooling Around

2008-11-19T18:56:00.007-05:00

I was just web surfing today and came upon a new website, http://www.scrapblog.com. You can design all sorts of scrapbook albums on it. There are different ways. This is just one of their templates I was fooling around with. It is only one page. You can add more and have a slide show. It is cute of Emma in her bath.
Check it out.

A Scrapblog Creation of Emma

2008-11-19T18:54:00.001-05:00

Ellie and Emma

2008-11-16T06:48:00.008-05:00

We have two little grandaughters that live in Arizona, Ellie and Emma. The have had a lot of fall experiences this year too. This is Ellie's third Halloween. See her two previous Halloween pictures here. And it is Emma's first. As you can see by these pictures they had a good time on Halloween night. Grammy misses you, Ellie and Emma!

Birthday Twins!

2008-11-13T06:33:00.008-05:00

Well, our little twin grandson's, Andrew and Aiden, turned one year old this week. I think of them as our family's little miracles. Although all babies are miracles, they had a pretty hard beginning to their life and tested the strength of their mom and dad, Adam and Trish. Poppy and I worried and prayed for them a lot too and the Lord has answered our prayers because they are now healthy and strong and growing bigger every day. You can tell by their picture that was taken at their birthday party on Sunday afternoon. The whole family showed up to celebrate and they were so cute as they partook of the twin birthday cakes that their cousin Angela made for them. (She works at Food Lion bakery). Thank you Heavenly Father, for family and for Aiden and Andrew turning 1!

Annual Fall Trip

2008-11-10T15:38:00.012-05:00

Every year, Kelly and I (and anyone else that is handy) go on an fall trip up the mountain to Boone and Blowing Rock. We take 221 north through Avery County tree farm country to Watauga County, where the towns of Boone and Blowing Rock are. We love to see the fall foliage on the mountains and feel the crisp air of autumn. This year we took Gatlin with us. He was a good little traveler and seemed to enjoy the day too. We stopped at Boone Walmart to get a few things and as we were leaving the parking lot we came upon the campaign bus of Elizabeth Dole. She was there with Richard Burr campaigning. That was exciting as it was just before the election. We were then to Blowing Rock, about 8 miles away. It was a beautiful fall day there. Such a quaint town with lots of shops and places to eat. We ate at the Knights Cafe. They have really good food and we usually eat there when we visit. Then we took Gatlin to the city park in the center of Blowing Rock. This park has been a traditional place for us to visit since Kelly, himself, was a little boy. Many of our little ones have had fun in this park through the years. Gatlin had fun on the slides, but was a bit reluctant on the swings. He also saw his first snow while we were there. We got in our car and traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway to Linville and then onto 221 to Marion. It was a lovely and fun day for all three of us.

Goody's Powders

2008-11-06T09:12:00.004-05:00

Well, I finally accomplished stopping my use of Goody's Powders. About a month ago, I decided to go cold turkey and by some miracle of life, was able to switch my use of Goody's to Tylenol. I know this is probably not too interesting to anyone else, but for me it is a great thing, because I am feeling much better all the way around.

"Happy Halloween"

2008-11-04T11:15:00.005-05:00

Our spooks: Lindsay, Caleb, Gatlin, Chloe, Gabe and Joshua. See our cute Spidey Man.

Trick or Treat

2008-11-04T10:53:00.004-05:00

"Trick or Treating" is a much anticipated night for all the kids in our house. This year it seems that the trick was on the Gilliams though. The evening leading up to the time we would leave for our fun night, was quite frustrating and wild, to say the least. Not only for the Briggs Gilliam home, but for the Adam Gilliam home too. All calmed down by 6:00pm though and Allison and I were off to our church's "Trunk or Treat" with a car load of kids and a baby. But since it was was getting late and dark, we decided to skip "Trunk or Treat" and head on down to State Street in Marion. Gabe was sick but he insisted on going and made a heroic effort to keep up with all of us. Gatlin caught on quickly to the ways of begging folks for candy and looked so cute in his little Spider Suit. The evening started out wild, but ended quietly and another successful Gilliam Halloween was over.

Pumpkin Results

2008-11-04T07:46:00.001-05:00

Pumpkin Carving 2008

2008-11-04T05:51:00.011-05:00

Of course the American ritual of pumpkin carving has to have yearly attention if kids are around. This year I bought Lindsay some giant pumpkin seeds. We never got around to planting them until
the summer had worn on a bit. I anxiously awaited the seeds to sprout and grow and only one vine appeared. It did grow and in the end produced only one pumpkin. It never got to the giant stage, but was big enough for a pumpkin carving the night before Halloween. Lindsay, Gabe, Chloe and Gatlin had a busy time in these pictures, carving away. Clipart by Lisa's Original
Country Clip Art

Celebrate Kristen!

2008-10-28T15:46:00.004-04:00

On October 22, 1965, our first child was born. Kristen Louise. Of course my biggest dream in all the world was to have baby, so her birth was a fulfillment of that dream. We are proud of how she has turned out and how sweet and loving she is to her mom and dad. For her birthday last week, Gram and I met her for lunch. We ate at a little hometown restaurant at the end of Gram's street, called "Gregs." The food was very good and Gram, Kristen and I enjoyed being together. Since Gram does not get out too much, it was so good to have her with us. I had a wonderful week with Gram. We got out about 4 times to various places including the mall. I regret a lot that I do not live closer to her, but our week was sweet and I will go back again after the first of the year.

Tom and Jerry "ZZZZZZZ"

2008-10-28T14:51:00.003-04:00

Gatlin has gotten to where he likes to watch cartoons some. I have to admit it does help a little when I am busy. Today he got one of Chloe's baby dolls and went into the bedroom, climbed up on the chair and was watching "Tom and Jerry". Before long I looked in and found him sound asleep in the chair with the dolly in his lap. I moved him over to the bed and he had a good long nap. "Tom and Jerry" is an old cartoon, but compared to some of the kids stuff today, it seems to me to be more entertaining. At least it was for Gatlin today!

Out of the Wild Blue!

2008-09-30T15:36:00.008-04:00

Ok, everyone knows my sob story about how awful my slooooow dial-up internet is. Verizon has decided to stop it's DSL lines at my friends house and she only lives 1.7 miles down the road from me. They cannot give any time frame for coming further so "out of the blue" the other night, I was surfing around and came across the website for Wild Blue, a satellite internet service much like Hughes Net. After reading all about the company, I talked to Briggs and we decided to go ahead and sign up. I found out you have to have a two year contract with verizon if you sign up for DSL anyway and so this sounded pretty good. They claim to have a more up to date system than Hughes Net and also 24 hour technical help that is not outsourced to another country, if you know what I mean. They are now offering a leasing agreement for 149.00 for equipment. I will cancel my second phone line that I pay 30.00 a month for and MSN which is 22.00 and it should be just about enough to cover the monthly fee. We are hoping it will work well way out here in the country with all the trees and hills. It should-as we have Direct TV and it works really well.

"A clear view of the Southern sky" is all we need to be online at a speed that we have been waiting for. I am soooo looking forward to having a lot more fun on the internet and saving loads of time that I can use in other ways. I am almost ashamed to tell you that I offered up a little prayer once in a while, that we would soon get faster internet. Well, I guess the answer to my prayer came "out of the blue" the Wild Blue!

Sunday Dinner

2008-09-30T15:06:00.008-04:00

I guess that "Sunday Dinner" has been a traditional activity for a lot of families throughout the years. Our family has not been the exception. Although we serve our meal in a casual way and the kids are starving when the get home from church, we do have the tradition of having a pretty nice meal on Sunday afternoon. This week I was reminded of this as I set the meal out on the counter Sunday after church. I was thinking how lucky my kids were to be having a full course meal instead of sandwiches. I usually get up on Sunday morning and put something good into the crock pot so it is done by the time we get home. I almost always make a cake or brownies for desert. I think that is a pretty lucky thing that my kids have to look forward to when they are so hungry after church. It reminded me of Grandma Gilliam.
She loved to cook of course, and when she was with us we always had a big meal right after church. She and I shared in the responsibility of preparing it. Her special thing was that she wanted the missionaries to eat with us on Sunday. Very, very often they did. I hope that each of my older kids and the younger ones now will recall those good meals and the family sharing that went on every Sunday afternoon because of the tradition of "Sunday Dinner."

Frantic Saturday Morning

2008-09-20T23:53:00.005-04:00

This morning I got up and had plans in my mind to make a scrapbook display of Chloe's swim team pics for her talent display at the church activity tonight, clean house, help Lindsay make a baked spaghetti casserole for the church cook off tonight, mow the lawn, paint the bench outside and maybe a few small other tasks. Well, I did not keep in mind that we have a little resident at our house that takes almost minute by minute supervision to keep him out of anything and everything around the house. This little boy is on the move! As my day started so did he. I no sooner got him his breakfast and he was on the prowl for whatever he could find to get into. I started on the scrapbook pages ( My first mistake was to procrastinate this job until this morning). It seemed that nothing went just right with my creative powers today. I ran into one problem after another with what I was trying to do. I finally settled on digital pages to speed the process. As I was working on the computer with that, Briggs was boiling up bushels of apples to make applesauce with. Between us both our little resident, who by the way is called Gatlin, was busy climbing on top of the counter, getting into the printer, pulling out pots and pans, crumbling bread on the floor and a whole lot more. I was beginning to have an anxiety attack because we wanted to leave at 1:30 so we could attend Ian's football game and then Lindsay's swim practice and on to the church talent show at 5:00. If everything was going right with my project, things would not have been so tense, but it seemed that today was not my day for creating something with smooth going. I finally had to let Adam know we were going to have to catch Ian's game another weekend. That helped to ease the tension all the while little Gatlin was still moving into anything he could see or do to occupy his curious little brain. Around 12:30 Briggs said he would take him into the bedroom and try to get him to sleep for a nap. Yippee! In a few minutes he was asleep as sound as can be. We were able to finish the applesauce, help Lindsay with her casserole for the cook off and get Chloe's Swim Talent posters finished. The house is not cleaned, the bench not painted or lawn mowed, but we survived another busy Saturday. But....you can't help love the face on this little fellow. You know? I think I like Mondays best.

Eat My Bubbles !

2008-08-08T14:42:00.008-04:00

This summer has been a big time for swimming on the swim team for our family. We have six grandchildren on the McDowell Mariners Swim Team. Caleb, Joshua, Rahlee ,Ian, Jade and Chloe. For two months parents, grandparents and children participate on a daily basis in practicing and going to swim meets- swim meets at home and swim meets in other towns in our Mountain Swim League. It takes effort and is a time consuming sport, but the benefits outweigh the work and time. All the kids have had a great time associating with other kids and sharing the experience with them. They have all improved in their swimming strokes and speed and have a sport that will always be theirs. Lasting relationships have been formed and sharing this sport with Mom and Dad, Poppy and Grammy will always be remembered.
A bonus this summer has been that Adam and Aimee, as sister and brother, have been the coaches for the team. It has been so nice to see them working together. Both of them were on the Mariners Swim Team many years ago and now their kids are part of the team.

Many years ago, Poppy and Grammy were participants as parents so it was just natural that we wanted to be part of our grandkids team again. All the kids have learned to be really good swimmers this summer and improve all their strokes and times. But this was Chloe's first year and she did not know how to swim at all when she came to the first practice. She struggled and worked so hard to learn the freestyle stroke. Before long, she was swimming with much more ease. She was so proud of herself and never gave up even though it was a struggle at times. She still has improvement to make, but by the end of the two months she was swimming all the strokes and jumping off the block instead of the side of the pool. I can't help but think that her self-esteem has been given a big boost by her accomplishment. We are proud of each of the grandkids- Caleb, Josh, Rahlee, Ian, Jade and Chloe. "Eat my bubbles"

Joy, Joy, Joy!

2008-08-05T06:56:00.006-04:00

I was reading an article by Anne Perry in the Meridian Magazine, early this morning. My writing today is a quote from that article.

" Life itself is one endless blessing that I have not really earned yet. I have one opportunity after another to do something good, make something, taste of what is beautiful, delicious, funny, wise, in all ways precious. I have simply to look out of the window to see the light on the water, countless flowers in the garden. I can listen to music, I can hear the wind in the grass, I can taste raspberries, crusty bread, I can smell clean linen, fresh rain, cut grass. Best of all, I can wake up tomorrow and start again, try harder, use this gift of time to do something good. I can be kinder, I can forgive and seek to be forgiven. I can manage pain or disappointment with more faith, and less self-centeredness.
Altogether I have another chance to make myself into what I really want to be, and that is to include helping others make themselves into what they want to be.
God holds a hand out to help us – not a foot out to trip us up. I think sometimes we forget that. There are no tricks in the fine print. Man is that he might have joy."

If I could only keep this in mind each and every day of my life. How much more happy and joyful would I be and how much more joyful would my family be. I have a decoration above my bathroom sink. It is really a Christmas decoration I bought at Christmastime. When I redecorated my bathroom I put it above the mirror because it does reflect what I want to be and what I want my home to be. "Joy, Joy, Joy". I need to look at it more often and remember this

quote by Anne Perry.

Ezekiel's Blessing

2008-08-03T15:24:00.008-04:00

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. " Ezekiel in the Old Testament
My grandson, Bryan, had this verse on his "My Space" page. I was struck by the application of it to how Briggs and I are feeling lately. We are in no way "righteous" but we do try to do good most of the time. Life has such great burdens to bear and it is sometimes those who are closest to you that cause you the trouble. That is what makes it so much harder. You love all your family and when one member becomes a serious worry in your life, you can in no way reject them or step away like you could if it was an acquaintance, friend or some stranger. You are tied to your family members for eternity and their welefare will always be a concern to you no matter what they might do. The verse says, "Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children." As we deal with the aftermath of our daughter's accident and all the situations leading up to it, along with nursing her back to health, we have to have the attitude that we are her keeper and the finder of her lost soul. Patience in this process is needed and necessary and that is what is so hard to have. If it were not for scriptures like these and the knowledge of the Gospel, I think that it would be so much harder.
In the meantime, we look forward to her recovery, and the blessing of some happy times ahead.
Maybe not immediately, but soon. I hope!

Continuing Life-Miracles

2008-07-27T18:41:00.006-04:00

It has been a long, long time since I started this blog and wrote here last. March, after Emma was born in Arizona, was the last post. I guess I was busy after getting home from Arizona and I was back to slow dial up internet again. It takes my desire to use the computer away. We still do not have DSL even though Verizon has brought it as close as 1.7 miles down the road. My friend Amy, that lives there has it. She must be on the very edge of the end of where it reaches. I just have to be very patient and one day it will be here, like a thief in the night. Like Walmart came here one day, and Lowes. They were almost deemed to be miracles. DSL for our family will be a miracle too. But, we have had many wonderful, REAL miracles in the last few months and so we have no need to complain. Our twins, Aiden and Andrew are growing big. They are 15 and 13 pounds now. What a miracle considering their very early birth and many complications. Another miracle is that Jennie and Takeshi have been able to move to Indiana, from Japan. A miralce of a job and easy transformation from Japan has brought them much happiness. Lindsay and Chris have been up there this summer, spending lots of time with their mom. Another miracle happened on Mother's Day when my sister and her husband and daughter were preserved in a very bad auto accident. The outcome could have been worse, but now they are continuing their recovery one day at at time and the outlook is good. Our most recent miracle happened the other day. On Monday, July 21, Allison was in a very bad auto accident here in Marion. She was not driving, but the driver lost control and they went off the road and hit a tree.

After being cut out of the car by EMS, she was flown to the hospital in Asheville and is now recuperating from her injuries. She has a rod in her leg, pins in her pelvis and a broken arm, along with other various stitches and bruises. But, she is alive and we are all thankful for that.

Briggs and I are taking care of the kids and taking them to see her in the hospital. Hopefully she will be out soon and knitting back together. So..... we do not have DSL yet but we have some things that are even better. Thanks and praise to the Lord for his blessings.

Not Forgetting Emma

2008-03-27T18:43:00.005-04:00

To keep current with writing my thoughts on the different things that are happening in our family, I want to write a little bit about our newest family member, Emma Elizabeth. Of course I went to Arizona early because we thought she would come early. Katie obeyed the requests of her doctor and stayed on bedrest, while I helped out with Ellie and the house work. The good thing about it all was I got to know Ellie very well. I hope she has not forgotten me since I left.

Katie came off bedrest and we started to go out more and enjoyed each other as mom and daughter. I was certain that Emma would come by the time that I changed my plane ticket which was 10 days later than my first return time. We waited and waited but as luck would have it, Katie's body was not ready to give birth yet. I had to leave and so I did. Two days after I came home, little Emma made her debut. I did not get to see her born or hold her in my arms or be a help to Ellie and Katie after the birth. I regret that very much. But, being with Ellie and Katie for the 7 weeks I was there was worth it all. We will see Emma when she comes in June and I look forward to that. Katie keeps us informed about Emma's progress and how Ellie is reacting to having a little sister. Now we have three new little babies in our family. Aiden, Andrew and Emma makes three.

The Journey is Worth Taking by Ro

2008-03-27T09:29:00.005-04:00

I am posting this because it is much like me and perhaps some of you too.

I have the annoying habit of wanting everything to be over with right now.
When I am washing the dishes, I am anxious to get the job finished so that I can move onto the next thing on my list. When I take my shower, I am thinking about what I will do at work that day. When I am standing at my closet, I wish I was already dressed. When I am drying my hair, I get slightly bothered that it isn’t drying fast enough. When I am shopping for purses, I become anxious that I have not located the perfect one yet as I move from store to store.
I am constantly looking further on. I fail to see where I am. I rarely stop and sink into the moment with an, “Ahhhhhh… this is life!”
I am pushing, pushing, pushing ahead. Where is the end of the path? Is it over that hill? No? Perhaps, the next one then… Not there, either? Maybe it will be past that clump of trees.
Occasionally, it occurs to me to stop and look around me. The spirit calls, “See the beauty around you? Recognize the love that you have? Do you get it? You are already blessed. You don’t need to have more or go further to feel blessed.”
I love those moments of clarity. They are the moments of sheer joy that sparkle in the sun like cut class in a window. When I remember them, I hold each one close and I try to recreate the moment again.
And then, I begin walking along my life’s path once more, realizing the journey that I am on is what it is all about and I will arrive at my destination far too soon.Challenge for today: Stop, look and find a moment of joy to shimmer in your window.
- Ro

Credit for this is to Ro Paxson http://www.scrapgirls.com/

Out of Hiding

2008-03-26T16:57:00.005-04:00

I've come out of blog hiding for a day or so. When I was at Katie's in Arizona, we had fast wireless internet. It was so nice to be able to do anything I wanted on the computer. I downloaded scrapbook kits, watched You-tube videos, created all my blogs and uploaded pictures to them. What fun it was. I was almost obsessed with it. But......when I came home I was faced again with the realization that if you live way out in the countryside of North Carolina, you have to put up with dial-up. That burst my blog bubble and I lost all interest in the computer altogether. You all have been the beneficiaries of the dial-up dillema that I am forced to live with. Your good luck is that I have not added any blogs to my blog and have not asked you to take a look. Until-today! I am in Indiana, at Jennie's and she is fortunate enough to have a wireless router with her cable and I can, for a few days, bless you with my wisdom and wit.
Ha, Ha!

An Argument For Mom's Time Alone

2008-03-02T02:56:00.005-05:00

M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E

An Island of Solitude By Debra Sansing Wood

As my husband arrived home from work this evening, I stumbled past him out the front door, grumbling that I needed to go for a walk. I told him I’d be back — later. The walk marked the end of a difficult day, the kind that feels like it will never end.
After a few minutes of walking alone, I was able to calm down and reflect on my day. Admittedly, the kids and I had some fun, and I accomplished some necessary tasks like paying bills, cleaning the bathrooms and taking care of an overdue oil chae for the car. Even so, I was beginning to feel terribly burned out. It didn’t help that I had begun the day without visiting what I call my island of solitude. In fact, I hadn’t been there all week, not even for a brief, soul-nourishing visit.
As a mother, I benefit from having some time to myself each day. I travel to my island of solitude by waking early, sometimes as early as five a.m., to have an hour or two alone before the house fills with the energetic activity of young children.
Waking early can require a lot of self-discipline or, in my case, a supportive husband. I often sleep through the alarm clock (despite the fact that the clock is on my side of the bed). When this happens, my husband gives me a gentle push and some encouragement by saying all I have to do is get out of bed, take a shower; then if I really want to, I can come back to bed and sleep until seven a.m. This tactic rarely fails. If I can just put my feet on the floor for more than fifteen seconds, I am on my way to an energizing retreat.
Once showered and dressed, my choice of an early morning activity is guided by the desire to nourish my spirit and limited only by my imagination. Most mornings, I will spend some time in focused scripture study and then in writing a journal entry, a letter to a friend, or an essay. In addition to scripture study and writing, I may enjoy a cup of warm cocoa or pore over a favorite magazine, reading an entire article without interruption. I often end my time alone with a walk, absorbing the tranquility and freshness of nature as the day unfolds.
Early morning solitude, regardless of one’s pursuits, seems to instill a deep sense of reverence for the gift of a new day. During my time alone, I make a commitment that this day will be special for my children, my husband, and me. Such a commitment, made each day, can add up to a lifetime lived in joy.
I smile when friends or acquaintances express disbelief that I would wake so early “just to have some time alone.” I suggest that before discarding the idea, they try some early morning solitude, doing something they love.
These sessions of solitude truly influence the quality of life for my entire family. When I return from an early morning walk just as my daughters are waking, they are quick to catch my calm, yet enthusiastic mood. This positive atmosphere seems to wrap us all in a wonderful sense of anticipation for the day ahead.
Of course not everyone can, or should, be an early riser. There might be opportunities to create solitude in the midst of a busy day, without giving up precious sleep. For example, ban housework during naptime. Assign bath duties to Dad, and take yourself for a walk at sunset. Limit one’s own television watching. Swap child care for a few hours a week with a friend. Sometimes just getting a shower before the kids wake up is sufficient!
Taking a walk this evening has reminded of how important solitude is to my well-being. I am ready to renew my commitment to taking time each day to gather wandering thoughts, regain perspective, and refresh my tired spirit. When I visit my island, however briefly, I wonder how I ever get along without it.
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"Just ...Looking, Little Brick Rancher"

2008-02-29T18:28:00.011-05:00

I was on the internet just looking at homes for sale in my area. I thought, "It would be fun to get another home, a change of scene, maybe closer to town". I spent several days "just looking." As I scanned the homes available in my town and my daughter's town nearby, I could not find one house that I liked better than mine. We have 24 acres. My husband has built a barn, a screened porch, a deck and put up a big above ground pool. Why would I want to trade down. I could not afford to trade up. Too expensive. Even with the gas we spend going and coming from activities in town, I see no advantage to giving up our beautiful country spot. We have made it home since 2000 and our roots are sinking deep into the North Carolina clay. I have been thinking about this a lot since I have been away from home these 7 weeks. When I get home I am going to share with my husband this little writing I found on a homekeeping blog yesterday. I think that it is very true. "Little brick rancher", when I get home I am going to try harder to make you comfortable, good and happy.

Little writing from Neighbor Jane- "The more comfortable you are in your home, the less desire you have to leave it. The more at ease you are in your surroundings the more others want to join you. Making your home feel good and happy is what homekeeping is all about.
In the old familiar Disney movie, “Song of the South”, Uncle Remus shared stories of Brer Rabbit in the briar patch. Brer Rabbit said everyone needs a laughing place–a happy place to escape. Our homes can be those laughing, happy places where we can gain the courage to conquer the briar patches.
Keeping a happy home is not a simple task, yet it receives little accolades from the working world. Perhaps homekeeping’s merits are not best counted in dollars and cents, but in peaceful and harmonious living. "

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