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!