Look Who's TWO!!

Coen - sweet  innocent little whirlwind that is just too cute.

Jenny on her 2nd  birthday - I can see some mother/son resemblance - especially in the cheeks and that little smirk they both have.   (The others in the picture are Sherri, Grandpa & Grandma McCoy and me - You notice almost everyone else in the picture is trying to help her blow out the candle?) 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET COEN 

 Love you always!!

Are We Being 'Schnucked'?

Ok - I just want to know - what's the deal?  I know that I don't keep up with current events, politics and stuff like that - but am I only going to be able to get 'Schnucks' brand stuff at Schnucks soon?  I have noticed the increased amount of items that look like the brand I'm use to but are really Schnucks - (they thought they could fool me - ha) but now  they don't even offer me the other brand at all.  I'm sure a lot of this stuff is the same with just a different name - but I can tell by looking at those cookies that they are not going to taste as good - so I didn't buy any.  And my garbage bags are ok but they are not as thick as my old brand.  And I admit - once - just once - they did fool me and the Schnucks brand cheese just didn't make the grade with me.  Maybe I'll switch over to Shop and Save or make the trip all the way to Dierberg's - are they doing the same thing?  Oh - and I almost forgot the real kicker - once they eliminate the 'other' brand - the Schnuck price is the same as I was paying if not more!

Butter Tub Cereal Bowls??

    It seems most of the movies and books I've read lately have been about WWII - and how there were just regular people willing to help escapees just to stay alive.  Even amidst all that evil there were still many brave people who were willing to do what was right in spite of the threat to their own lives.  I have a theory that there are some (but too few) people who just almost always can be counted on to do the right thing.  There are many, many who are just in it for themselves.  But I think the majority of us are somewhere in between - we feel really bad for the one needing help and we just hope we have what it takes to step up to the task.

On a smaller scale,  I've always loved those commercials and the movie about "passing it on" - "it" being an act of kindness.  Last night at small group someone was talking about some 'random acts of kindness' they had witnessed lately at checkout counters because of the economy and loss of jobs.  It reminded me of stories my mom use to tell me about the Depression.  She said there were always men and sometimes families stopping at the back door seeking a little of whatever  could be spared.  Somehow, they were always able to scrape up some food or clothes to share.  That attitude always remained with my parents.  I particularly remember daddy and I taking bags of groceries down the street to an old german couple who could barely speak English.  But I know my parents were always willing to help out - even if it was just to send me next door to shovel the walks.  They were little things but  it was just what you were suppose to do.

I'll be the first one to tell you I don't understand the politics or the technicalities of our failing economy - and I have no idea if I should start saving my butter tubs (why exactly did people who went through the depression save these??) or worse - start saving catalogs for toilet paper.  But I really wonder if we'll be seeing more 'random acts of kindness' or if society has gotten so far gone that the thieves and violence are going to take over.  I thinking maybe we all need to step up and look for those opportunities to lend a hand when we can and then to tell them to "pass it on".

A Few Lessons I've Learned

These are just a few of the things I've learned through the years - sometimes I need to be reminded of them and maybe you  will find a nugget you wish you knew.

1- Even if it's only a Christmas card - never lose contact with old friends.

2-Things are seldom as bad as someone complains, get another opinion and give it time.

3-Take more pictures.

4-Write down everything.

5-Keep a journal of memories.

6-Never pass up a hug.

7-There's no excuse for being unkind. (from mama)

8-People who tell you a secret will tell your secrets. (from mama)

9-Those few pounds you gain every year eventually add up.

10-Learn to drive a stickshift.

11-Before your children leave home make them teach you the secrets to the tv remote, the answering machine, the computer, and your own cell phone.

12-Treat your children's spouses as your own children. (from mama)

13-Do your very best at any job you're given to do - no matter how menial.  (from daddy)

14-Laugh at yourself. (from Joe & Jimmy)

15-It's enough food until it's all gone and then it's just gone. (from Nancy)

16-Your heart holds more love than you can ever give away - no matter how many children or grandchildren - and they are ALL your favorite.

17-Teach the children Bible songs and Bible stories.

18-Kids are a lot tougher - physically and emotionally - that we give them credit for.

19-It's ok if he doesn't change poopy diapers as long as he cleans up "dead critters.'

20-There is no magic face cream.

Page Turners

 The last few weeks my free time has been filled with some books that have been real "page turners".   A lot of people would not enjoy these type novels but they were 'escape' type novels for me that I not only enjoyed but found hard to put down.  They may even be older books - 2 of them have been sitting on  my "to be read" shelf for a while.  

Timeline is by Michael Crichton and is about quantom time travel back to the middle ages.  Really enjoyed the bad guy's ending!

The Hades Factor by Robert Ludlum & Gayle Lynds is an international thriller about a deadly virus.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay is our book club book and although horribly sad because it was based on a real incident - (the roundup of Jewish families in Paris in 1942) - it was well written where you wanted to keep reading.  The ending was a little weak but most of the book was good.

I couldn't help thinking how all three of these books could easily be turned into a  good movie.  But read them first because you know what they say "Don't judge a book by it's movie."  If anyone wants to borrow them, let me know.

I guess I better start looking for my next book to read - so many books and so little time!

Spencer is 5 Today

I don't have a picture of Karl when he was 5 but here is Jenny on her 5th birthday.

And this is a picture I stole from Jen's blog on her now and Spencer at age 5.

I can see some of the mommy in Spencer but the curls are all Karl for sure.

He's has such good looking parents he can't help how cute he is!

The birthday party is tonight - HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPENCER!!

Love you always!

Jessie & Millie's Birthdays

Jessie's birthday is tomorrow and Millie's was last week so this past Saturday we were able to get together and do a combined celebration.  I didn't get very many good photos (I think I was too busy playing with the kids and cutting cake)  but I did manage to get this one of the two birthday girls!  

  Happy Birthday Jessie 

and Happy Belated Birthday Millie!

A Blog for Spencer

The last few times I've been over to see Spencer he has crawled up in my lap and asked me to tell him a story - his mom says he's been asking her for stories a lot lately and he has his favorites he likes to hear.  She and I usually tell him a true story about someone in the family but sometimes he makes up his own story that he wants you to tell - like the one where I catch an octopus.   

Jen likes to tell him about when she and Becky dressed up Stevie in a dress and I do actually have that picture but I wasn't sure if Stevie would appreciate that one being on the blog.  (I"ll show it to you when you come over though, Spencer)

Another favorite of his is when I was a little girl and I'd visit my grandparents on the farm.  Since they had outdoor plumbing you had to make a trip to the outhouse when the need arose.  Grandpa had a mean old rooster that would chase you across the yard and try to spur you and Grandpa would come out and chase the old rooster away. 

Above is a picture of my Grandpa and below is a picture of me at the farm.

Another favorite story is when daddy took me out in a boat at Reelfoot Lake to fish and I refused to bait my own hook or remove fish from said hook.   I was catching fish so fast that he never had a chance to do his own fishing - and that was my last trip out on a boat because he said I couldn't go again until I learned to do my own baiting - which I was never gonna do!!  

This is a picture of me with my catch that day.

He also likes to hear about my friend Roger - how we would not ring doorbells but I would stand outside and holler "O Roger!" at the top of my lungs.  I told Spencer about me trying to jump over the fire hydrant and splitting my head open.  I told him how Roger and I often played "Superman & Supergirl" or played with his huge train set that he had.   Below is a picture of us playing 'house' - although I was a tomboy Roger was fair in playing 'my' games too.

One more favorite of Spencer's - about our trip to the library on a hot day when the car windows were down and Jen saying in her very matter-of-fact way "Becky just threw her shoe out the window."  Below is a picture of about how old Mommy and Aunt Becky were at that time.

And the last two pictures are just some I thought Spencer might get a kick out of.  

This is your mom's collection of stuffed animals when she was about your age.  Some of them are probably Aunt Becky's too and most of them are curtesy of GG.

And I just thought Spencer would like this picture of Uncle Stevie and Popo since he is so big time into Superheroes.

I guess I'll have to start remembering some more stories - I can always use some help if anyone can think of any I could share with the grandkids.

Extinct in America

I recently got an email about 24 things about to become extinct in America.  Most of them were no surprise because we've seen them coming due to the internet and new technology.  

The Wild Horses and the Milkman kinda surprised me because I thought they were already extinct.  

I think the saddest one is #9 - but thanks to Stevie I still get a letter now and then - just because he's such a sweetie and he knows it brings me a smile and makes my day.  

Here's the list in case you weren't aware:

24 - Yellow Pages

23-Classified Ads

22-Movie Rental Stores

21-Dial-Up Internet access

20-Phone Landlines

19-Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs

18-VCR's

17-Ash Trees

16-Ham Radio

15-The Swimming Hole

14-Answering Machines

13-Cameras that use film

12-Incandescent Bulbs

11-Stand-Alone Bowling Alleys

10-The Milkman

9-Hand-Written Letters

8-Wild Horses

7-Personal Checks

6-Drive-In Theaters

5-Mumps  & Measles

4-Honey Bees

3-News Magazines and TV News

2-Analog  TV

1-The Family Farm

Happy New Year

The Five Best Reasons 2008 was so much fun:

Gracie, Ayden, Jackson, Spencer, & Coen

It's the New Year and time for resolutions and goal setting for some - but not for me.  Unlike Uncle Ed, Kathryn, and probably several others of you - I've never been very good at stating what I hope to accomplish within the next year.  I follow the Calvin & Hobbes philosophy - "I find my life a lot easier the lower I keep everyone's expectations."

But I don't mind looking back to see what I have or haven't accomplished.  For the last several years I've made it my goal to read through the Bible and have been successful each year in that endeavor.  I've never set a goal of how many books to read (but I do keep track - 34 in 2008) but I was determined to read Uncle Tom's Cabin which has been sitting on my shelf for a number of years.  Not only did I get it read but I truly enjoyed it.

We didn't  travel much  (partly because Steve hates 'road trips' and I hate flying) but we did make it to Disney World.

I tried to give up blogging but actually not only kept my blog updated a couple times a month but also joined Facebook.

I'm still walking  a few times a week but not as often as I should.  We're not even going to talk about the weight I continue to fail to shed.

I did learn a little Spanish and Sudoko but I still haven't figured out a lot of things on my Mac.

I only had one new grandchild (Jackson) this year - but I didn't really expect the kids to keep up the '3 a year' goal.  :)  But I have been blessed with time with all the grandkids and also with many of my friends.

In all, 2008 has been a good journey.  There have been many peaks and of course there have been valleys - but God is good and I'm thankful for every day I'm blessed with.  I pray the new year will bring us mostly blessings and any sorrows will make us stronger and draw us nearer to God.

Marching Forward

It is 10:50 AM on December 26 and you'd never know it had been Christmas here - except for some leftovers.  Of course, I still have to clean and put back all the un-Christmas stuff - but at least the tree and all the decorations are put away for another year.  We had a great Christmas and all the kids were able to be here - even though a couple of them were slightly under the weather.  I know some of you think I'm a Scrooge but I find it too depressing to have a Christmas tree without presents underneath anymore.  Time to start thinking about the New Year.  Happy Holidays to all!

Merry Christmas to All

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  

the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

Burton Hillis

I don't know why my kids call their children 'hams'  - I think they come by it naturally.  I may not have gotten many great photos but we had a lot of laughs.  I hope all who read this has a very Merry Christmas and

 makes a lot of happy memories again this year.

Use this picture to remember what a White Christmas  might look like.

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

                            Dr. Seuss

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

                            Charles Dickens

"May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through."

                           Author Unknown

"God bless us everyone."

                         Charles Dickens' Tiny Tim

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."

                          Clement C. Moore

They Call the Wind Mariah - and other random thoughts

Before I even got out of bed this morning I made myself promise to get on the treadmill today - my back and leg pain have been keeping me from it but I know I really needed to walk.  However, as I sat sipping my coffee and watching out the window - the wind kept calling my name.  I love walking out in the wind as long as it's not a sharp cold wind, so I wrapped up and enjoyed a lovely walk  - I really didn't even want to come back in.  Now I feel so much better - like some of the cobwebs have blown out of my head.

Just finished reading "The Hour I First Believed".   I can't decide what I really think of it.  It could easily have been about 4 novels because he covers so many subjects but it was basically about the effect Columbine had on it's surviving victims.

Last night we went to the Rep with Ed & Nancy and enjoyed a short (75 minutes) but very lively play - "It's A Wonderful Life".  It's a one man act and we weren't sure what to expect but it was delightful and we all gave it a thumbs up.  The actor throws in a lot of 'common sense' notes about the original play - like "why would a bank official come to check the books on Christmas Eve?"  I think it's showing until the 28th so if you have time you should go see it.

The play made me think about other Christmas movies that we all watch over and over again.  I still love watching the old "Christmas Carol" but I like the newer Scrooged too.  (I love it when the spirit of Christmas Present hits Bill Murray with a toaster).  I know my kids like Christmas Vacation, Elf, and The Christmas Story - but I can't stand watching the part where the kid gets his tongue stuck to the pole - ouch!

Actually some of my favorite not really Christmas movies are "While You Were Sleeping" and "Sleepless in Seattle".   Maybe you can remind me of some movies I need to watch this week - what movies are a must for you to watch during the Christmas holidays?  It's less than a week away - hope everyone is almost ready  - I need to get cleaning up around here - Merry Christmas!!!

Santa Claus visits - then and now

Christmas is a season that always brings memories of many sorts.  I am very lucky that all my memories have been happy ones - or at least not awful. 

Christmas flickers:  

-The song "Silver Bells" always transports me to Cherokee street where mama would take us on the bus to do our 'shopping' and the street always seemed so magical and 'Christmasy' with bells and holiday greetings type chatter.

-Talking to Jen about all the illnesses their family is going through right now reminded me of a Christmas when I was awful sick (maybe measles?) and I laid on the couch and stared at the Christmas lights and ornaments for hours at a time (did we not have a tv back then??)

-My grandkids visiting Santa - my own visit when I was old enough to remember.  Mama took us downtown to the Famous-Barr to visit Santa and we got to check out all the store windows that were always a main attraction with all the animations.

Because Steve is the 'Piano Man' for Breakfast with Santa we get to join in with the fun.  Gracie wasn't able to come but be sure to check out Becky's blog for her Santa picture - and I'm sure Jen with have better photos on hers as well.  

Spencer and Coen seemed quite comfortable on Jolly St. Nick's lap.

Jackson was spared all the trauma - his daddy is jolly enough.

(Who does he remind you of Jimmy??)

Ayden did not want to get near Santa -

 she much preferred sitting with her cousins and watching Popo do his stuff.

Now for some memories - 

Jen, Becky, & Stevie when they were old enough to like Santa.

Stevie wouldn't sit on his lap but Mrs. Claus could hold him.

This was a riot - Jenny is trying to hang on to Stevie while I'm trying to keep Becky from bolting -  the little ones were not too fond of Santa at this point.

Before siblings - Jenny posing just perfectly.

I guess she takes after her cousin Terri Ann

(Uncle Ed tells me that this picture which is marked "Ann" on my copy so I thought was me is actually his daughter - and he probably knows best since I wouldn't remember either way.)

Well, my shopping is all done and just a few presents left to wrap - I'm ready to just enjoy the holiday now.  Merry Christmas everyone - hope your holidays are great!!

Early Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday - even when I was a kid.  It's always been the time for cousins, aunts, uncles, etc to all get together and just visit and eat.  About 20 years ago I've hosted Thanksgivings with close to 50 people a few times but it was usually more like 25 - 30.  A few years ago it just got to be too much - the family just kept growing and growing and my old body just couldn't keep up that pace.  So the last few years it's been our kids' families and Steve's mom.  I was at a loss when I found out all the kids had other things going this year.  Karl's family is coming in for the holiday for the first time in 8 years so Jen is getting her first big Thanksgiving dinner together.   Stevie & Jessie are spending the holiday with her family.  Becky & Nate were willing to come to dinner at both families but that seemed kinda silly to make them do that - especially since Al & Angie so graciously invited us and GG to join them for the day.  But I still couldn't just not have Thanksgiving with my kids so we did it today.  Hope I didn't spoil the real deal for them but I'm thankful for my beautiful family and their willingness to let me get my Thanksgiving fix.  And as has always been our tradition - since today was Thanksgiving here - tomorrow the Christmas tree goes up - Happy Holidays everyone!!

Happy Birthday Gracie

Today is Gracie's birthday and she had a great party last night.  She was so cute in her little pink tutu.  We had Dewey's pizza & salad and then Kelly R. had made her cakes and they were delicious and so adorable.  I think she got enough presents to last her until Christmas at least - the toy vacuum that Grandma & Grandpa Kelley got her was the hit with her and all the cousins - I think they should just make real ones and let the kids really clean.   We all had a great time and I hope you have another fun day today on your real birthday.  Happy Birthday Gracie - love you always!!