It's time to make lemonade.....

Good Afternoon!  I am here all alone watching The Rifleman.  I like these old Westerns that I remember watching as a child in black n white before color TV.  There was something simple about these old shows, and they always had a moral to teach you.  The good guys always won, and the bad guys lost, showing that it never pays to do bad things to others.

It's not very warm here, but it's not snowy, nor icy either, so that's good.  My heat is on and I'm toasty warm, have plenty of food to eat and my faucet isn't frozen so I have plenty of water to drink.  I feel blessed.

I'm not letting anything bother me anymore.  I'll take whatever life throws at me, and just learn to handle it or make something good come out of it.  Just like when someone says to you, that if you get lemons, make lemonade.  That's what I'm going to do with my life......make lemonade.

Grief

I'm feeling fine today, but I just wanted to share these words with you as to how I have felt since the death of my husband Jimmy.

Even tho I look outwardly happy, there is always a part of my heart that is missing. I don't think I'll ever recover, for there will never be another man like Jimmy.  I'm not just saying this because he died, but Jimmy was one of a kind.  I try not to think of him so much because it still makes me cry, but I can't completely forget him either.  His memory is embedded in what's left of my heart and in my mind forever.

Babysteps

I'm taking it easy this morning.  I cleaned the house yesterday, had lunch with my daughter Suzanne and then went to McDonald's and hung out with some new acquaintances that I just met, and some that I haven't been formerly introduced to yet.  I am not going to make it a habit of "hanging out" at McDonald's, but when I feel the need to talk to strangers, which I rarely do, I will go there.  I'm not a person who can walk into a place by myself and start up a conversation with just anyone,  that was Jimmy, he could do that without blinking an eye, and enjoyed it very much.  Everyone loved his smile.  For me it is a hard thing to do, but if I am going to get back out in this world, I need to start somewhere.

Sunny and Cold

Christmas Treats

Today we're all rested up from Christmas and it's time to get back to normal.  Sharon is off to take Megan to her first Obstetrics visit, I'll be picking up Brian and taking him to his doctor's appointment, and Jimmy has gone to get a haircut.  Jybow is taking a nap, Princess is begging to go outside, and the kitten is bouncing off the walls as usual.

Right now I'm here with what's left of all of the Christmas treats.  Jimmy & I finished off the pink frozen dessert and the rest of Brian's yummy cheese-ball last night and I need to think about what we're going to have for supper later...but thinking about supper is all I'm going to do for now until after Brian's appointment.

I really enjoyed Christmas Day with all of my children.  We played games and had a very relaxed and enjoyable Christmas.  We had a nice meal and snacked all afternoon and discussed drawing names with all of the adults for Christmas next year.  I personally would have loved to have been able to draw names this Christmas for next year so that I could have a whole year to hunt for that perfect gift for whoever's name I drew.  But the kids thought that we should wait until next Thanksgiving, when everyone is here, to draw names.  What do you think we should do?

Slip, slip, sliding away.....

That's how it was this morning on our way to a doctor's appointment at 9:00 a.m.  We slid over here and over there but always remaining on our side of the road.  It's been snowing here and we have snow covering the ground like a beautiful white blanket.  The snow is wet and perfect for making snowballs and snowmen but I haven't seen any children outside playing in it.

Just as soon as we got home I made a pot of homemade chili and even though Jimmy had just gotten finished with his usual biscuits n gravy, he still managed to eat two bowls of my chili.  That tells me that it must be good or at least look good because Jimmy can't taste anything.  But take it from me....IT IS GOOD!

If you're in the area, stop by and have a bowl.

Snow Flurries & The Cold

What a more fitting way to start December off than to see thousands of snowflakes falling from the sky.  It's December 1st and I've been watching snow flurries all morning and now at almost 10:00 a.m. they are beginning to stick on the evergreen shrub right outside my window.  We're not expected to get any accumulation as our day warms up, and even as I sit here and type the little clumps on the evergreen are melting away as new ones form.

It seems as though the common cold and sinus infections have struck most everyone around us and everyone is staying away.  Jimmy & I have escaped from the clutches of these virus' so far but like all virus' it's just a matter of time before they find their way into our home, or they find us while we're out shopping for groceries.
  
Today Jimmy has an appointment with a specialist to have his lungs evaluated.  About 3 months ago he had a lung infection and was referred to this doctor for further treatment and evaluation.  The infection has cleared up but we're still keeping the appointment to find out if there is anything wrong like an underlying problem that might have caused the infection.  Hopefully this doctor will find nothing wrong.  Jimmy shows no signs of slowing down and doesn't plan to either he says.

That's about all the news I have for today.  Stay warm and STAY SAFE wherever you are....especially if you are in Bagran, Afghanistan Michael.  We love you and think about you all the time.

Think and you shall see...

Was thinking of Ron all morning and as Jimmy & I passed by Subway I told Jimmy that I missed those flatbread breakfast subs that Ron & I used to get there.  Then I said to Jimmy that once we run into Ron at Walmart, then we'll know that he's really here to stay and guess who we ran into at Walmart?  You got it....Ron.

After Walmart Ron came back to the house and then I suggested we go have lunch together at Ryan's, so off we all went.  Of course once you eat at an All You Can Eat buffet you feel like you will never have to eat again.  Maybe not ever, but you won't have to eat another meal today anyway.  We had a nice visit as we usually do, and then he was off to take his doggies out for a much needed run.

Guess where I spent yesterday afternoon?  At the laundromat with Brian & Reva.  I had to give them a UPS shipping label for Brandon's x-box that I printed out for them and I stayed and visited while they washed and dried their clothes.  Thankfully this laundromat visit was only a one time deal for them.  Their dryer belt or something broke and one is on the way, but the dirty clothes couldn't wait any longer to be washed.  It was kind of nostalgic being in that particular laundromat because it's the one I used to visit at least once a week when it was new and I was young and single.  Now it's old with washers & dryers in disrepair with Out Of Order signs on half of them.  It's kind of sad to see such a big place get so rundown, but then we all grow old and get rundown eventually.  

The past few days in review...

The past several days have been filled with lots of family activities, some good and some not so good. We were unable to make our scheduled trip to visit Tomas & Motherkitty and to meet our new great-nephew Talon, and for that we are very sorry. An unexpected hospitalization in the family was to blame and in just this past week we have had two more family hospitalizations. Everyone is doing fine now and we are pleased to announce that our dear Aunt Ollie who was 104 years old in February is doing okay, although she still remains in the hospital. Lucy, my best friend and Jimmy's cousin was also put in the hospital on Sunday during our family reunion when her blood pressure unexpectedly dropped dangerously low.

Now for some good news....


Zac & Thalia stopped by for a visit today. I once said that Zac changes bikes as often as he changes clothes, so I wasn't surprised when he came riding in on this bike. The bike belongs to Jason Epperson who is currently one of the last remaining 5 contestants on the TV program, "On The Lot." Epps as they call him is Zac's mentor. Zac also does work for Eppic Films which is owned by Jason.

Thalia & Zac

Thalia asking Mr. Sycamore where Cucoo is.

Zac warned T (Thalia) to be careful...

not of Mr.Sycamore,

but of grandma

who might use the picture in her blog.

hehehe

Where's the helmet hair? When I take off my helmet I never look this good, hehehe.

I gave Dylan a new name when I saw him on Sunday...SPIKE. Now that he is 3 yrs. old he likes to style his own hair. Here he is with his Aunt Valerie another one of our beautiful granddaughters.

It's wonderful having a picture phone and these next 3 pictures were sent to my computer by my oldest daughter Sharon. She is on a bike trip with her husband Scott. Daily she sends me pictures using her phone and I almost feel like I'm on the trip with her.

I'm going to jump on a limb and say that this picture of Sharon is in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina where there are beautiful mountain streams. Most of her pictures come unlabeled...well all of her pictures come unlabeled, but I know that she is in that area.

Maybe Sharon is in Cherokee, North Carolina??? What a beautiful Indian Maiden! and I'm glad she loves to be in pictures. When others hide and run, Sharon is always willing to have her picture taken and I'm glad. I've often been asked why I have so many pictures of one child? Well I think you can guess why...she's the only one that didn't run from the camera. Don't you wish all of your family was as cooperative as Sharon?

This afternoon we found Brian busily buffing a new bowl that he is working on. Reva was gone with Brandon and he was there keeping himself busy. Brian was the first person hospitalized in our family last week and he is slowly beginning to bounce back. Suzanne is a frequent, almost daily visitor bringing him books & tapes to listen too during his recovery. He has been slow to get back out into his workshop, so it was nice to see him there when we arrived. He sat down and visited with Jimmy & I, and we showed him the magazines that we had brought him. The magazines are called, "Kentucky Ex*plorer" and are mostly historical with lots of stories and old timey black & white pictures. I bid on these at the family reunion.

The next 4 pictures were taken at the annual family reunion before the majority of people arrived. Once the crowd got there, the eating frenzie began along with the non-stop visiting. Relatives came from throughout the U.S. and it was wonderful seeing them all again. Aunt Ollie, as I mentioned above missed the reunion this year and she was dearly missed by all who attended. We are all responsible for bringing a home cooked dish or two, so you can imagine over 200 different home cooked dishes & favorite desserts being served. It was a feast to end all feasts.

Kyra with her grandpa Glenn & great-grandpa Jimmy

Brian, Sandie & Reva

and Brandon's nose.

We have been trying to figure out what was going on when I snapped this picture. Maybe someone special was arriving...or maybe Dylan did something naughty. hehehe

The limo with the guests from Las Vegas had already arrived, so I know it wasn't that. I sent the picture to Sandie and she didn't know, so maybe Reva will be able to shed some light on what was going on.

Rachel, Casey & Carla

I put this picture in here so that Zac can see Casey, one of his H.S. classmates. I have to admit that I forgot to tell Zac, Megan & Thalia about the reunion and I'm sorry they missed it. I'll be sure to remind them of the reunion next year. Sharon was out of town and I just was not thinking, as she usually attends the reunion.

Brandon loves to read and is reading the magazines.

In order to keep the family reunion going year after year, money must be raised & collected. For the last couple of years, some have been donating handmade items or items of sentimental value which might be very old or not so old for the auction, which takes place later in the day before everyone leaves. This year Jimmy's nephew donated 8x10 pictures of relatives in the late 1800's and early 1900's which were a big hit. Some were of distant cousins in Oregon and my personal favorite was a picture of all of Jimmy aunts & uncles when they were babies & young adults. Also everyone received an 8x10 picture of Jimmy's dad in kilts when he was about 2 years old. Someone also made a biplane out of used pepsi cans which was cute. I'm sure you've seen them before. There were also handmade wooden cutting boards and various other items.

I bid and won the stack of magazines which I mentioned earlier in my post. I got them for Brian, but Jimmy confiscated them as soon as we got home, so Brian only got half of them today and as soon as Jimmy is finished reading them, we told Brian we would bring them out.

The money collected pays for the annual shelter rental and for paper plates, cups, forks, spoons, drinks and a BIG BIG box of fried chicken. You know....just in case no one else brings meat.

We also went on a trip to Indian Fort Theater where the play, "Wilder*ness Road," used to be performed at. It is now almost abandoned and the grass is growing up through the rock seats. I used to bring my children here to see the outdoor drama when they were as young as Brandon, and to hike the mountain. We didn't hike the mountain on this day because we were there for Dylan's 3rd Birthday Party.

Brandon heading back to the party.

Some of the guests at Dylan's 3rd Birthday Party.
Dylan opening his presents with help from his daddy, Michael.

We've had the pleasure of Brandon spending several days & nights at our house lately. He loves my DSL and he likes to play Scrabble & Sorry with his grandma....and his grandma & grandpa Jimmy love having him around. We never got to take him on any rides with us because he kept forgetting to bring his helmet with him, but maybe next time he visits he won't forget it.

Yesterday, Reva, Brandon & I went shopping for school clothes for Brandon. School is right around the corner...not the actual school...I just meant that school is about ready to begin again. We really had a lot of fun shopping because Brandon is so easy to shop for. His mom would suggest something and he would say "okay"...at least most of the time. hehehe. We finished early and he didn't break the bank. I have to hand it to his mom...she knows how to shop for his clothes and where to get the real bargains.

We ate at Reva's favorite burger place named for a castle color where you can eat at least 4 little tiny burgers. I always thought this place was perfect for very small children and we used to take the kids there when they were very small simply because the burgers were so small. I wanted to take them to the movies, but Brian was home alone, so I didn't even bring it up...maybe next time. I found out later that Suzanne had gone out and spent the afternoon with her brother Brian. She's such a caring & considerate person that we all consider her an angel here on earth. I just wish she'd let me take her picture once in a while.