tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53785273292886416612024-03-13T20:25:42.349-07:00Snowball and MeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-74017483981090159522012-05-15T07:51:00.003-07:002012-05-15T07:51:51.872-07:00A Great Mother's DayI had a lovely Mother's Day. The family members that live nearby all came over and we played games for over 2 hours. We all enjoy this, but as everyone's families have grown, it is harder to be able to get together. I loved having everyone here. To top off the evening, Bryan called just as everyone else was leaving to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. I will be in Birmingham to see them later this week as a surprise for Noah.<br />
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The grandchildren are all so much fun. I love the smiles on their faces when they see me and call out Nana. They are so sweet and so full of energy. <br />
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I have been enjoying Caitlin's softball games. She has learned so much this season and seems to be having a lot of fun. I know I have been having fun watching her play. It makes me remember all the years of softball, baseball and football games and practices with my active bunch. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-62849366344965063482012-04-03T11:00:00.002-07:002012-04-03T11:09:56.701-07:00Spring 2012<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQArrvgDqfQ/T3s7gAtME8I/AAAAAAAAAUk/PZK2kvsYOuE/s1600/bradford%2Bpears.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQArrvgDqfQ/T3s7gAtME8I/AAAAAAAAAUk/PZK2kvsYOuE/s320/bradford%2Bpears.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727236772263105474" border="0" /></a><br />Looks pretty, doesn't it? It is nice to look at, but these trees and a million others in the area are killing us with pollen right now. It doesn't even have to have a bloom to drop a ton of pollen. We had a record warm March and now the pollen is just ridiculous! Oh, well, this will pass and then we will have tornados to worry about.<br /><br />Happy Spring everyone.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-46824538158031755382011-12-08T06:23:00.000-08:002011-12-08T07:03:23.632-08:00Merry Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXQRFXu_TM0/TuDREadxChI/AAAAAAAAAUM/UM2bowit0Y8/s1600/christmas%2Bat%2Bhome%2B001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXQRFXu_TM0/TuDREadxChI/AAAAAAAAAUM/UM2bowit0Y8/s320/christmas%2Bat%2Bhome%2B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683772603495418386" border="0" /></a><br />I guess I haven't felt like I had much to say since May. I was surprised to see it had been that long since I had posted.<br /><br />I spent a lovely Thanksgiving with Bryan's family in Birmingham. Other than Snowball briefly turning into psycho-dog over a bone, it was a great holiday. Thanks, Bryan, Lisa, Noah and Eli. I look forward to seeing you again later this month.<br /><br />I came back from Alabama to spend much of the next week decorating for Christmas. It is a bit of work, but it makes my busy Christmas holiday much happier to have a merry looking home. It looks nice while I am home and it greets me joyfully whenever I come home from being out.<br /><br />It has been a busy musical season. We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our performances of Handel's Messiah. I have been involved in all 25. So, there have been many rehearsals. We had one successful performance last weekend and have one more to go this weekend. Added to that we also did a separate Christmas concert last weekend and will be singing for Stake Conference this Sunday. "Busy" may have been a bit of an understatement. At any rate it is winding down, and soon there will be time to Christmas shop and wrap gifts.<br /><br />Merry Christmas from my house to yours.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-21742742417742904332011-05-20T15:49:00.001-07:002011-05-20T16:13:49.608-07:00Ten days in Pennsylvania<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdSMINhnbPk/TdbwksRadnI/AAAAAAAAAUA/rhgQWwEQQzA/s1600/Poconos%2BTrip%2B042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdSMINhnbPk/TdbwksRadnI/AAAAAAAAAUA/rhgQWwEQQzA/s320/Poconos%2BTrip%2B042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608934899086685810" border="0" /></a>I returned a few days ago from a ten day trip to Pennsylvania with my friends, Jim and Renee Richeson. Our base was their time-share condo in the Poconos. Each day we saw something different. Some days it was beautiful scenery (mountain views and waterfalls), and other days it was historical sites like Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Washington Crossing, and Gettysburg. In the picture above we were taking a carriage ride around Philadelphia. We also saw the beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch area in Lancaster County filled with Amish farms and the picturesque towns of Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. Also, not to be serious all the time, we went to Hershey World in Hershey, Pennsylvania. That was an experience!<br /><br />I had a great time and took lots of pictures. All of us were 65 or older, so we had to do things slowly and with a minimum of walking. Still, it was fun to see a different part of the country and celebrate some of our American history.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-83902023664028773452011-02-23T10:04:00.000-08:002011-02-23T10:13:32.385-08:00Spring???It's spring, no it's winter, no it's spring...<br /><br />And so we enter what could be called "severe storm season" here in Tennessee. The yoyo weather has begun, and with it will be all the variety of winds and rain, hopefully not tornadoes and floods like last year. It is starting pretty early this year. I hope we will all be safe for the next three months. Last May's floods were devastating and too many people still have not recovered.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-44967639528348205582011-01-10T11:31:00.000-08:002011-01-10T11:47:31.249-08:00Snow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TSthLdCI0nI/AAAAAAAAAT0/QZODjk59jJA/s1600/Winter%2B2010%2B001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TSthLdCI0nI/AAAAAAAAAT0/QZODjk59jJA/s320/Winter%2B2010%2B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560645014319059570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love to take pictures of snow, and it is even better when I don't have to get out and try to drive in it. These first two were taken on Christmas morning. The snow was thin, but there was enough to call it a White Christmas. Noah and Eli had a good time playing in it.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TStgRAsQUmI/AAAAAAAAATk/Zwz8CVc2BTs/s1600/Winter%2B2010%2B004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TStgRAsQUmI/AAAAAAAAATk/Zwz8CVc2BTs/s320/Winter%2B2010%2B004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560644010278670946" border="0" /></a>Then we had snow again on January 10. This time we got more than a dusting. I measured 3 1/2 to 4 inches. More is expected for the next two days.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TStfzwK5wUI/AAAAAAAAATc/h-Ic0hHlhVg/s1600/Winter%2B2010%2B009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TStfzwK5wUI/AAAAAAAAATc/h-Ic0hHlhVg/s320/Winter%2B2010%2B009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560643507627606338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TStfjKALFnI/AAAAAAAAATU/DDyC196O23M/s1600/Winter%2B2010%2B016.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TStfjKALFnI/AAAAAAAAATU/DDyC196O23M/s320/Winter%2B2010%2B016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560643222504150642" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-81241404026946087812010-10-27T10:33:00.000-07:002010-10-27T10:41:24.625-07:00Screened Porch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TMhjKvZNpzI/AAAAAAAAATI/ktnsszDnuEE/s1600/Screened+porch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TMhjKvZNpzI/AAAAAAAAATI/ktnsszDnuEE/s320/Screened+porch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532781178396714802" border="0" /></a>This is a work in progress, but when finished it should be a comfortable screened porch. Eventually there will be cushions and an outdoor rug. I want to move an electric outlet inside the screened area, too. It will be so nice to be able to be outside in good weather without all the bugs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-24617765521427489162010-09-09T19:48:00.000-07:002010-09-09T20:35:35.587-07:00Botanical Garden VisitOver Labor Day weekend I went to visit Bryan's family in Birmingham. On Saturday we went to a small botanical garden. It was a nice day with much cooler temperatures than we had been having. We had a lovely time just relaxing and watching the boys have a good time. Bryan pushed me around in a wheelchair, so I didn't have to try to walk it, and that made it much more pleasant for me.<br /><br />The gardens were at the end of summer, so not too much was in full bloom, but there were still some flowers. I remember cannas and black eyed Susans among others. This place should be beautiful in spring and after the leaves turn in the fall. There were some elderly men who were sailing remote control sailboats on the lake. Someone had set up a little girl's tea party, complete with tablecloths and full tea service. There were preparations being made for a wedding, too.<br /><br />It was a lovely, quiet, peaceful place right in the middle of a busy city. Loved it!<br /><br />Here are a few of the pictures I took:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImgBYt26BI/AAAAAAAAATA/2AHxsb-wMVQ/s1600/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImgBYt26BI/AAAAAAAAATA/2AHxsb-wMVQ/s320/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515115164366989330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImfqufj3ZI/AAAAAAAAAS4/khCrxkzRc4k/s1600/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImfqufj3ZI/AAAAAAAAAS4/khCrxkzRc4k/s320/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515114775075610002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImfYg0pJkI/AAAAAAAAASw/QCABb-CEK2A/s1600/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+012.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImfYg0pJkI/AAAAAAAAASw/QCABb-CEK2A/s320/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515114462168294978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImfHmoiA3I/AAAAAAAAASo/Kk8S1kNKw04/s1600/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImfHmoiA3I/AAAAAAAAASo/Kk8S1kNKw04/s320/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515114171670332274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImdYo7EzHI/AAAAAAAAASY/3dBopeRG7qE/s1600/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImdYo7EzHI/AAAAAAAAASY/3dBopeRG7qE/s320/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515112265319500914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImdAcDhAzI/AAAAAAAAASQ/BuLRfAVKCp0/s1600/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+016.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TImdAcDhAzI/AAAAAAAAASQ/BuLRfAVKCp0/s320/Botanical+Gardens+Sept+2010+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515111849548383026" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-67829215764739235412010-08-29T11:26:00.000-07:002010-08-29T11:37:10.662-07:00Could we please have an early Autumn???Here it is the end of August and I am looking back and reflecting over the last few months. It began badly with all the flooding in May - and then more flooding a few weeks ago. In addition we had one of the hottest summers ever! I am so ready for some cooler weather. We were teased with a couple of better days, but the heat is going up again. I will just say I am very grateful for air conditioning. I will date myself, but I can remember when the best we had was a fan at home and some air vents in the car. I'm also grateful to be in Tennessee. Louisiana is so much hotter and more humid!<br /><br />I am looking forward to the slight chill in the air, the smell of burning leaves. and the beautiful colors of autumn.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-58648190777034873962010-07-19T07:50:00.001-07:002010-07-19T08:08:01.545-07:00BIG WEEK part two: new one-year-old<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERnAZMSLvI/AAAAAAAAARg/8YAZf9AB5XY/s1600/DSCF0012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERnAZMSLvI/AAAAAAAAARg/8YAZf9AB5XY/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495630701758918386" border="0" /></a>Our summer is full of grandchildren's birthdays. This was Alli's first birthday party held at her Smith grandparent's lovely home out in the beautiful countryside of Winchester, TN.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERm1dqXz4I/AAAAAAAAARY/jgNW16KshLI/s1600/DSCF0017.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERm1dqXz4I/AAAAAAAAARY/jgNW16KshLI/s320/DSCF0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495630513980297090" border="0" /></a>Alli loved the curly bow on this present.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERms05JZSI/AAAAAAAAARQ/qEoSc_irCFM/s1600/DSCF0027.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERms05JZSI/AAAAAAAAARQ/qEoSc_irCFM/s320/DSCF0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495630365597459746" border="0" /></a>After all the gifts were open, we all went out to the pool. The weather even cooperated. No storms bothered us and the temperature was not too hot until about the time everyone was ready to get out of the water, anyway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERmi7XQdLI/AAAAAAAAARI/_1g-p5AAPvI/s1600/DSCF0028.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERmi7XQdLI/AAAAAAAAARI/_1g-p5AAPvI/s320/DSCF0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495630195535672498" border="0" /></a>This little sweetie is Alaina. She will be the next birthday (of the grandchildren), but not until December.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERmaJXm_kI/AAAAAAAAARA/f68l7EqoGSg/s1600/DSCF0034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERmaJXm_kI/AAAAAAAAARA/f68l7EqoGSg/s320/DSCF0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495630044676423234" border="0" /></a>We all enjoyed the day. Alli was surrounded by parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Even the babies loved the water.<br /><br />Thanks, Marilyn and Chris for letting us enjoy your beautiful home and pool. I especially loved the flower garden and the butterflies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-42530432576530349242010-07-19T07:36:00.001-07:002010-07-19T07:50:06.481-07:00BIG WEEK part one: new car<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERjSbqfFCI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/hr0PXLRAAHA/s1600/0716001431.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TERjSbqfFCI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/hr0PXLRAAHA/s320/0716001431.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495626613613597730" border="0" /></a>Finally, after weeks of trying to decide, I traded my car on a used (slightly used) van. It is so nice and so much more comfortable than any car I have ever had. In a couple of months I am going to have a hydraulic lift installed and I will be able to take my power chair anywhere I want to go. I'm looking forward to that.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-38790977477820722732010-07-01T08:40:00.001-07:002010-07-01T08:46:03.839-07:00Beautiful Alli<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCy3EBGSlVI/AAAAAAAAAQw/fQ-FNUrsYdE/s1600/Alli.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCy3EBGSlVI/AAAAAAAAAQw/fQ-FNUrsYdE/s320/Alli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488963325499970898" border="0" /></a>This is my beautiful granddaughter Alli. She was tired, but even though she didn't smile, I just love her eyes in this picture.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-39811863184165499712010-07-01T08:15:00.000-07:002010-07-01T08:39:55.391-07:00Another 6-year-old<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCy2gY8EoGI/AAAAAAAAAQo/AsDkYZZFRWU/s1600/slide+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCy2gY8EoGI/AAAAAAAAAQo/AsDkYZZFRWU/s320/slide+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488962713424273506" border="0" /></a><br />Caitlin turned six yesterday. She had a Bounce-U party. They have so many cute things that can be done now for a party. This place had all kinds of inflated things for them to climb, slide and bounce on. Need less to say, all the children were totally exhausted after an hour of doing that. They had a blast! I enjoyed watching.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCy1GP1fz1I/AAAAAAAAAQY/7tBEXb1LTrg/s1600/005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCy1GP1fz1I/AAAAAAAAAQY/7tBEXb1LTrg/s320/005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488961164792549202" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately I couldn't get a good picture of Caitlin. She was very animated and hard to get her still long enough to take a picture. But she was having such a good time.<br /><br />Happy Birthday, Caitlin.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-38000629392996194482010-06-27T20:52:00.001-07:002010-06-30T14:31:21.523-07:00Cutest Birthday Party Lately<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgewLYRQgI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/PWIQQiOCTTs/s1600/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgewLYRQgI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/PWIQQiOCTTs/s320/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487669958988087810" border="0" /></a>My oldest grandchild, Noah Love, recently had his sixth birthday. His very clever parents planned a terrific party.<br /><br />The theme for the party was Star Wars, hence Bryan is dressed as a Jedi Knight. Here he is talking to all the kids about the "power of the force" and administering the Jedi Oath to them. They all were dressed in Jedi robes.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgems0a5-I/AAAAAAAAAQI/1gjJ_khJWiw/s1600/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgems0a5-I/AAAAAAAAAQI/1gjJ_khJWiw/s320/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487669796165838818" border="0" /></a><br />Here the guests were doing some preparatory swings against an unarmed pinata that Bryan is holding up by a rope as Noah observes,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgeYhAu4CI/AAAAAAAAAQA/ZcS_w7l5itg/s1600/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgeYhAu4CI/AAAAAAAAAQA/ZcS_w7l5itg/s320/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487669552478085154" border="0" /></a>and then they progressed to light saber training as the Jedi Master instructs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgeFE9gsoI/AAAAAAAAAP4/h0jC_wct9-Y/s1600/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgeFE9gsoI/AAAAAAAAAP4/h0jC_wct9-Y/s320/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487669218530865794" border="0" /></a>On cue (Vader music) Darth Vader slipped in to their training session. (He's hard to see but is in the center at the back). Sorry about the two little girls who were scared of him. They wanted to see him out of costume to be sure he wasn't really Darth Vader.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgd6yRrWPI/AAAAAAAAAPw/I_UsgzHNoZY/s1600/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+016.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgd6yRrWPI/AAAAAAAAAPw/I_UsgzHNoZY/s320/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487669041716484338" border="0" /></a><br />After everyone got to try out their new skills, the young padawans eventually defeated Vader (who was about to burn up in the black costume) and they had refreshments - pizza and Yoda soda outside before the storm came up, then ice cream and cupcakes in the house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgdkhtW7PI/AAAAAAAAAPo/BGhq7M2Xb1g/s1600/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+024.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgdkhtW7PI/AAAAAAAAAPo/BGhq7M2Xb1g/s320/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487668659312061682" border="0" /></a>Fun was had by all, but a few light sabers didn't survive the battle. There were a few extra light sabers, so the entire class posed for a "graduation" picture and received a certificate of graduation from the Jedi Academy. Then Noah opened his gifts and the guests had to leave quickly before the huge thunderstorm hit.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgdVMhLE9I/AAAAAAAAAPg/Ge4vyt0pQ6I/s1600/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+026.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TCgdVMhLE9I/AAAAAAAAAPg/Ge4vyt0pQ6I/s320/Noah%27s+Jedi+Party+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487668395925771218" border="0" /></a>This is Noah and "Darth"Caitlin, my second oldest grandchild (who also turns six in a few days).<br /><br />We all had so much fun and the adults got as big a kick out of it as the children. The only way it could have been better would have been if the temperature was not hovering in the very high 90's.<br /><br />Happy Birthday Noah. Loved your party.<br /><br />Cast:<br />Jedi Master.............Bryan Love<br />Darth Vader............Ben Love<br />Padawans................Noah Love and friendsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-78041694478040059672010-06-24T20:05:00.000-07:002010-06-24T20:11:18.391-07:00My JunkThis week has been no fun! I have been cleaning out things for a yard sale I'm doing with my daughters. I have a car full of "junk" to try to sell tomorrow. I still have things to clean out, but this is a good start.<br /><br />I would much prefer to be posting about the cutest birthday party I have attended in a long time. That will have to be the next posting, after I get time to download the pictures. Happy Birthday again, Noah.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-21141042370112941322010-06-11T10:24:00.000-07:002010-06-11T10:41:47.005-07:00Tour of my yard<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TBJzF93L5RI/AAAAAAAAAPA/fe3u1CCkomI/s1600/DSCF0010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TBJzF93L5RI/AAAAAAAAAPA/fe3u1CCkomI/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481570242805884178" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some of the pretty things blooming right now in my yard. They make me happy. Ok, I realize the apples are not blooming, but they are in my yard. I have pears and plums, too. The plums didn't fare so well in the late frost, but there are a few on the tree. The birds seem to have enjoyed my blueberries. I think I got two ripe ones before the birds got them. I did get to pick strawberries several times. They were yummy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TBJy8NYqtfI/AAAAAAAAAO4/_NH6TckUtcQ/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TBJy8NYqtfI/AAAAAAAAAO4/_NH6TckUtcQ/s320/DSCF0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481570075174155762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TBJyXWbCGqI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ARWAQPJX8YQ/s1600/DSCF0007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TBJyXWbCGqI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ARWAQPJX8YQ/s320/DSCF0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481569441944836770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TBJx0sM1pZI/AAAAAAAAAOo/vI7vT1PnlAo/s1600/DSCF0005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/TBJx0sM1pZI/AAAAAAAAAOo/vI7vT1PnlAo/s320/DSCF0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481568846495458706" border="0" /></a>These Easter Lilies were a gift several years ago. I set them out in the yard to see what they would do, and now they are all bloomed out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-6420084975657317732010-05-13T08:39:00.000-07:002010-05-13T08:53:38.526-07:00My Garden is Growing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/S-wgVm0kDEI/AAAAAAAAAOg/snbRKIti4E8/s1600/0513001003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/S-wgVm0kDEI/AAAAAAAAAOg/snbRKIti4E8/s320/0513001003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470783202918665282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/S-wc-aFiUgI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Irz_NEij2jw/s1600/downsized_0513001001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/S-wc-aFiUgI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Irz_NEij2jw/s320/downsized_0513001001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470779505828319746" border="0" /></a>You can see how much my garden has grown since April 19 when I last posted a picture. I have eaten some of the Swiss Chard. Its different from "southern" greens, but I like it. I have also been eating strawberries for about a week. They are yummy. There are baby tomatoes and bell peppers that I am looking forward to.<br /><br />The big garden is also growing. We were lucky that it didn't wash away in the 14 inch record rains we had May 1-2. Last year we had a big rain in May (more like 6-8 inches if I remember right), and then we had almost no rain for two months. It did not make for a good garden last year. It was like the soil just choked the life out of the plants. My raised bed didn't even produce as much as it should have. At any rate, I am happy with the progress. I am really looking forward to some good home grown tomatoes.<br /><br />I didn't post about the floods at the first of May because so many others did, but it was a devastating flood that will take years in recovery. The damage here was minimal. I had a little water in the basement and some of the homes in the trailer park had pushed in under pinning. Compared to the total losses some people had, we were very blessed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-2660065635068783252010-04-28T16:05:00.000-07:002010-04-28T16:12:43.682-07:00I Was Robbed!Well, not really. I was at Walmart, riding in one of those electric carts. I went in the ladies room and left the cart, with 8-10 items in the basket, right outside the door. When I came back out, no cart! Most of my 8-10 items were stacked up on the floor where the cart had been parked. But the crazy thing is that they didn't leave my receipt book, a pair of pantyhose, and a package of wrapping paper. I have no idea why they rode off with part of my items and left the rest. I guess I looked pretty silly, standing there holding my meager few items that were left and laughing at the absurdity of it all. Classy people shop at Walmart.<br /><br />It isn't nice to steal from an old person. We are slow but cagey.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-53605073986732841612010-04-19T07:48:00.000-07:002010-04-19T08:06:16.924-07:00You might be a red neck if...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/S8xusB_E_SI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/CIfp_zKTmVw/s1600/downsized_0418001231.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/S8xusB_E_SI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/CIfp_zKTmVw/s320/downsized_0418001231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461862150819872034" border="0" /></a>....you plant a garden without sunscreen. (I have a little sunburn on my neck because it was so cool when we started that I didn't take any sunscreen or my ugly hat out to the garden with me.)<br /><br />Saturday I planted the big garden with Heather and Ben. They did most of the planting with me helping a little here and there. They are growing tomatoes, bell pepper and onions, and I put in some squash out there. On Friday I had planted part of my raised bed garden (in the picture above) and I finished it on Saturday. Now if the weather will be kind, maybe in a few weeks we will have some yummy vegetables to show for our effort.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-53505316521062354322010-03-22T10:19:00.000-07:002010-03-22T10:33:29.766-07:00I'm a HamWell, maybe in more ways than one!<br /><br />After several weeks of lessons and more studying than I thought it would take, I am a licensed amateur radio operator. Unfortunately I still don't fully know what I am doing, so the learning process will continue. I'm glad I did it, but I have a lot more to learn.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-65994757031845543092010-03-10T11:38:00.000-08:002010-03-10T11:39:17.261-08:00aggghhh!!!!Excuse the lack of posting on my part...I am immersed in HAM radio!!! I will be back to reality after Saturday. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-38275267726817589672009-12-21T07:11:00.000-08:002009-12-21T07:19:38.163-08:00AlainaI am so slow to post an update. This news has already been duly noted on Facebook, Twitter and Blogger, by other family members, but I want to add my welcome to the newest member of the family. Alaina Gail was born a week ago and is a perfectly beautiful little baby girl. I have seen and held her several times this week. Yesterday she finally woke up enough that I could see her pretty dark eyes for the first time. We are all anxious to have a little "baby time".<br /><br />This Christmas will be such a treat! In one year I've gone from two wonderful grandchildren to five. I think what fun it will be in a few years when they will all be running around my house, shaking presents and sneaking cookies.<br /><br />Merry Christmas to everyone. It is all about the Savior's birth and family. I love this time of year!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-9368950054634628092009-11-30T16:34:00.000-08:002009-11-30T16:51:53.807-08:00Happy ThanksgivingWe had a wonderful Thanksgiving with a good portion of the family here. Now I have started decorating for Christmas. It makes my little house look so happy with Christmas trees and lighted garland everywhere. I still have to set out my nativities and my little village, but for now they are waiting for me to finish the shopping online. I love the Christmas season: the decorations, the shopping - everything. I even love making fun of all those balloon decorations lying in a puddle in someone's yard. (Sorry if I stepped on any toes there). So I am looking forward to the next few weeks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-34254525284099791582009-07-31T06:22:00.000-07:002009-07-31T06:31:02.612-07:00Beautiful Alli<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/SnLw0g8dNhI/AAAAAAAAAOA/e1S2CTKxPmI/s1600-h/DSC_4289.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/SnLw0g8dNhI/AAAAAAAAAOA/e1S2CTKxPmI/s320/DSC_4289.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364614891139053074" border="0" /></a>My daughter Shannon is such a talented photographer. I just love these pictures of 5-day-old Alli. In just two and a half weeks she has already changed so much that I am glad we have these beautiful early pictures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/SnLxoHWkVfI/AAAAAAAAAOI/zDmNyH47OwY/s1600-h/DSC_4282.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/SnLxoHWkVfI/AAAAAAAAAOI/zDmNyH47OwY/s320/DSC_4282.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364615777622447602" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378527329288641661.post-24906455522571980282009-07-20T07:42:00.000-07:002009-07-20T08:03:24.399-07:00Alli Love Smith<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/SmSFJd0xdDI/AAAAAAAAANw/uusWMOv2Hkg/s1600-h/Alli%27s+birth+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/SmSFJd0xdDI/AAAAAAAAANw/uusWMOv2Hkg/s320/Alli%27s+birth+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360555854149022770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />My 4th grandchild Alli was born on July 14 at 7:37 PM. She made us all wait all day but it was well worth the wait. She is beautiful. She weighed 6 lbs 14 oz and was 19" long. She has long toes like her Grandpa, brown hair and maybe hazel eyes. We will have to wait and see how they turn out.<br /><br />Mom and Dad (Heather and Ben) are fine, but a little sleep deprived right now. We are all hoping Alli decides to sleep some at night pretty soon.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/SmSFUkQ1fZI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Jy4_xS-XDe0/s1600-h/Alli%27s+birth+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zth0y-sl3Y8/SmSFUkQ1fZI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Jy4_xS-XDe0/s320/Alli%27s+birth+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360556044855901586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">These pictures were taken when Alli was about one hour old. This one shows Heather, Ben Alli and Grandmama Smith - her first grandchild. The picture above shows Bryan holding Alli before he had to leave to go back to Birmingham. He planned a trip for work that would have him here on the day Alli was born. All of our family and Ben's parents were there at one time or another over that day and the next. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1