Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Summer in the City


I already miss those nice cool 60's we had about a week or so ago. We had a nice holiday weekend though. Steve played golf with Karl, Stevie, & Jessie. I visited with Jen & Spencer (and Charlee) until they got home and we had a little cookout lunch. Becky & Nate were busy trying to get somewhat settled into their new home most of the day but they came by late last night and we got Becky and the cats (Miss Jonah & Samson) settled in for the night. Becky & the cats will stay here until they get some floors finished at their new home - and Nate can stay too if he could ever pull himself away from all the late night work at the house. This picture just reminded me of those good ole summer days when the kids were little and we could still contain them in a little kiddie pool. Parents of younguns - enjoy those days - they are so much fun! I can truly say I have enjoyed and loved every age my children have been but there are such special bonds and memories made during those very young years. I guess in some ways even my adult children will always be those little kids in the pool to me.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

W.W. & Mary McCoy

RD, RRean, Winnie, Grandpa, Thelma, Grandma, Jim, Horace
Bobbie, Betty, Grace, Rachel, Ray


W.W. & Mary McCoy's 50th Wedding Anniversary

Last night at Karl's birthday dinner I told the kids about a memory I had about my Grandma & Grandpa McCoy - which brought back a lot of other scattered memories. Nancy and maybe Joe could tell you lots of stories about our grandparents but my memories (and I suspect Jimmy's) are more bits & pieces.
The paticular memory I shared last night was about a mean old rooster that would chase you when you were out in the yard. I remember Grandpa chasing the rooster away from me and saying something about rooster stew. That old rooster really made it difficult to get to the outhouse - not that I really enjoyed going there anyway. The outhouse memories are mostly of an unpleasant odor, flies, and Sears catalogs for toilet paper. Their last house had indoor plumbing when they had to move for Highway 55.
I don't have a lot of memories of Grandpa - he liked to sit on the porch in a rocking chair and smoke - a pipe or chewing tobacco maybe? He had a dog they called Puppy and they say that when he knew we were coming for a visit he would go down to the road and look for us- or actually daddy, his oldest son. They also told me that he never went to a single one of his children's weddings because he wouldn't go in a church. The one memory I do have is him stopping me on the porch one time and asking me who's kid I was. But they did have 11 grown children, 27 grandkids and 8 great grandkids - plus he was old by then and he only saw me for a few hours maybe once a month - so I guess I shouldn't be so surprised. At least Grandma was there to answer for me - she knew who I belonged to.
I remember Grandma as a gentle kind woman. She was always busy cause when we came for Sunday lunch there were always a lot of the other family there - it was never just us and the grandparents. For years I thought they all lived there together and I was an adult before I knew who belonged to who. She always took a few minutes to make me feel welcomed though even though I was just a kid. She cooked a lot of good country food - but being finicky I usually just ate peanut butter & crackers unless she made her peach fried pies - they were the best! I remember there was a water pump outside where you got the water and to this day I can't smell Ivory soap without thinking of getting cleaned up for the trip home.
I remember playing out in the yard in the summer - the house I remember was up off the ground and the chickens and dogs would go under there. The men would all sit on the porch and smoke and laugh and tell stories and the women would be in the kitchen either cooking or cleaning the dishes and laugh and tell stories. In the winter we would sit in a circle around the potbelly stove and visit (instead of tv). Your face was red from the heat and your backside was freezing.
My grandparents didn't live in a fancy house or have a lot of 'things' - but the family always had a good time together and they had each other.
This picture is Grandma and Uncle RD - notice the house off the ground, the bare landscape, and how they parked right up to the porch.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Happy Birthday Karl

Monday is Karl's birthday. This picture is from last year so I guess you can guess how old he is going to be this year. Karl & Jenny haven't been getting much sleep lately because Spencer is going through a 'sleepless' stage right now. Don't worry Karl, by the time he hits his teens the problem will be getting him to quit sleeping so much. Hope you have a great birthday and that Spencer's gift to you is a good night's sleep. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Celebrations

Aunt Becky's birthday kiss

We had a good time last night celebrating Becky's birthday and
we had lunch today at PF Changs for Mother's Day.
It may be cold & dreary outside but we had a good weekend
with some heart-warming together time.
Thanks kids for thinking of me on Mother's Day
love you all!!

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Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Happy Birthday to Becky!!!



Sunday, May 14, is Becky's Birthday so once again her birthday has fallen on Mother's Day. Since Becky deserves a celebration of her own we will celebrate on the 13th (that's when I was in labor anyway - she was born at 12:18 am.) These are just a few pics of some of her past birthdays. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to BECKY, the best middle-child anyone could ever ask for.
I love you always!

Monday, May 08, 2006

Mother's Day


This Sunday will be Mother's Day and this picture always reminds me of that holiday. The bush I am standing in front of is a wild white rose bush and Mr. George Anderson (Neal's father) who lived across the alley from us, came and picked a white rose every Mother's Day to wear in his lapel in honor of his mother. Mama said you were suppose to wear a red rose if your mother is living and a white rose if she is deceased.
Mothers are not perfect but I'll never understand a mother who does not give a child all the love and caring they need. I don't really remember my mama telling me she loved me or even getting hugs and kisses, although I'm sure I did - but I always knew without a doubt that she loved me. She showed her love in so many other ways.
Tonight as I was hanging up the phone after speaking to one of my children, I said "I love you" as I do almost every time that I talk to them - and I heard a chuckle. It wasn't the first time I've wondered if my kids understand that even though I say "I love you" almost automatically and always offer at least a hug if not also a kiss when I'm with them that I really do love them more than I can ever say or express. I try to let you know I love to you in other ways as well but I never want there to be any doubt. I'm not perfect kids and maybe you think I say it too often or you get tired of my motherly affection - but get use to it - cause I can't stand the thought of you ever thinking for a minute that I don't love you. As you each have your own children you'll understand it better - right Jen?
love & hugs & kisses to my family who are all good sports and have never refused me a hug!

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Guess Whose Wedding -Part 1





Ok - so the last Guess Who was too easy - and this one probably is too. But just for fun and since it's almost Ed & Nancy's anniversary - tell me whose wedding it is and who is in the pictures. Don't look at 'comments' until you have your answer so I can see if you guys really know.

Guess Who's Wedding #2





Here are the final four - and I know it's a few days early, but-
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NANCY & ED!!

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Guessing Game





Several of you have been complaining that I need to update - I thought you would all be thrilled to be spared some of my 'sharing of great knowledge' - ha ha. Anyway - here is a little change for you - it's called 'Guess Who is in the picture' - they're pretty easy but it was a good chance to throw in some odd pictures I have. Can you get them all right?