Bye 2008

Well it was not particularly a memoriable year. At least we didn't lose
several members of our family. A bad habit my husband and I have done every year since we were married. We only lost one member, my Great Aunt Loretta, the only
person in my mothers family that was older then me.
Had a few proud moments, saw the oldest grandson graduate high school, saw
the joy in my youngest daughters face when she proudly showed off her baby
bulge. Cann't wait until Grandbaby #8 comes. "Nugget" due to arrive the
begining of March 2009.Proudly watched the "stars" of the soccer fields
show off just how good they all were.With the Grandbabies saw some braces
go on and some come off.They are all growing up so fast. There are so many
special moments...When one could play the piano so beautifully...when one
could draw a beautiful picture at art class that amazed all...watching a
young gentleman learn to dance and do it well...hearing the excitement in
the youngest grandsons voice as he tells you about his first deer he shot..
watching a granddaughter pitch at a ball game that was really something.
TO ALL I LOVE AND AM SO PROUD OF I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY
NEW YEAR LET 2009 BE THE BEST YET.

Christmas once again

Well, everyone is busy with planning dinners and get togethers, and
of course shopping. At this time if I don't have it I usually don't want to go
shopping. Much to her dismay I will mail my youngest gifts the week after christmas
at least then I know they will not be lost. Then she will have another
day of christmas.
It is soooo cold here in Arkansas now, we have ice on nearly all bridges
in the central part of Arkansas. Time to build another huge fire in the
stove.
I usually miss those in my family who are not with me any more. But it is
so good to sit back and enjoy all the memories one can accumalate in 66 years.
It is fun to pull out the photos and see all the grandbabies when they were
little and christmas still held a wonder in their eyes. I can enjoy the
photos of my Dad the last christmas he spent with me before the nursing home
it was something they could have made a Hallmark movie over. Dad enjoyed the
lights and decorations with the delight of a child. My oldest grandson came
over and played christmas songs on his saxaphone. Dad even wanted to go to
Walmart and do some shopping. He bought his girl friend a christmas teddy
bear for her gift.When several of the Great Grandchildren came over Dad
enjoyed having his picture made with each one of them.
Good memories can always make the holidays great.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY MEMORIES TO ALL.

Thanksgiving

Well, here we go again. Its Thanksgiving and time I usually thank the Good Lord
for all the good things I have in my life. I wish I could change some things
but like its been said when your given lemons make lemonade.
I am most thankful for the wonderful man I married the second time around,
I found out one doesn't need roses every week to show how much some cares
for you.
I realize at the age of 66 that all my grandchildren do love me even tho they
are so grown up.Grandparents are something you have and love when your growing
up but they are not the main center of your life as they were when you were
little.
I am proud and so glad I have my four.. what they have done with their lives
so far would make any Mother or Dad so very proud.They have proved they are
all great parents, I know the youngest is still expecting but she will be a
great mom. She is one of those people who are just glowing.
I am so grateful I have many friends who I can laugh with and cry with
and pray with.
so to all of you who read this Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

Class Reunion

Well it was a blast but gee it doesn't seem like it has been 48 years since we all have graduated. All but one of the class of 13 was there and there was a lot of huggin and kissin. Funny how you can kiss everyone after 48 years and noone is jealous. We all brought something to eat so we all snacked all day. There was pictures of kids and grandbabies all over the place. A few tears were shed as we remembered many of the ones we attended school with that are no longer with us. But so much more laughter when we remember the times we got into trouble and times we did stuff noone knew about but us.One of my best friends and myself are still fussin (I know 48 years is a long time to still fuss) about the time we were suspended as an "EXAMPLE" to the other kids. We had gone swimming as it was a great time to do it, cut off our jeans and came back to school sopping wet. We were NOT suspended for that. Noone even missed us. We had borrowed my fiends car and went to the next town to pick up a friend who had missed her ride to school. We were about 10 minutes late for school for THAT we were suspended.We had a good laugh remembering the whole thing along with our senior trip to New Orleans....what happened in New Orleans will stay in New Orleans!!! We all parted with another round of hugs and kissin knowing that some of the group may not be here for the next reunion. But we have memories and a ton of photos to remember this year with.

Fall Wedding

What a nice day the family had for a wedding. My ex was wed for the third and hopefully last time. He assured me after the ceremony this was the last time. Had delightful guests, most of the family was present. Had great food, not to mention my Husband smoked all the meats......m-m-m good!!! The ceremony was short and sweet and a bunch of the family got roses. The bride even gave me one. She is a nice lady and proud to call her my friend. Some folks even at my church have a hard time grasping that fact, but to those narrow minded folks TS, not everyone thinks your way thank goodness.
The dancing after the ceremony and eats was a blast. All the grandma's joined in after one toooo many glasses of wine. Someone spiked the kids punch (thanks son) and all the grandchildren on both side were really wired!! I betcha they all slept like logs too.
All in all it was a great wedding and party. Hope you and Karen have a lot of happy years Pat.

Fall is a'coming

Well here I sit the last week of September and thinking of all that is to come the rest of this year.
Daughter # 1 is finally settling all the divorce stuff. Thank heavens for that.
Hope her new life will be a lot less stressful.
Daughter # 2 is like the ad on TV....school is starting here we go again. Her children never lack for stuff to do. Hope she takes time to smell the roses as she has just celebrated B-day #39.
Son is just slobbering at the mouth until hunting season starts. That man just loves the hunting time of the year and he is rearing his son to look forward to that time of the year also.
Daughter #3 is just planning for her new baby. We will find out what she is having and then the rest of the family can shop for a boy or a girl. Don't care what it is just as long as the baby is healthy.The thought of the baby being born so far away from me is depressing but I guess I should be grateful I was able to be close when all the other Grand-babies were born.
My husband and I are planning to get away from it all for a week in November and take the dogs and go camping. Should be fun.Altho having three dogs in the tent playing chase is really stretching it. Might tie one outside afterall!!
This coming weekend we all go to the wedding of my EX. I hope he and his new Mrs. will be happy. Third time is charm...they say!!

September 1st

For some reason I was thinking of a grand ole lady I once knew
all day yesterday. Mainly because two people I heard of from McGehee
had passed away suddenly.McGehee was her home town for many years.
The Grand Ole Lady was my mother in law for some 23+ years. She and I
got off to a rocky start but ended on the highest note possible. She
endured more in her life than I think many of us today could. She was
forced to raise two wild sons alone as she was widowed very young. I
would have personally strangled those two before their teens but this
woman had the patience of a saint. She was so proud of all her grandchildren
I know she would have loved the great grandchildren as much.
September 1st was this ladies birthday so Happy Birthday in Heaven
Catherine Irene Gard Bell.

Fall already???

I have been marking stuff on my calendar and it has dawned
on me that fall is just about here. Sunday school in our church
is about to begin, our county fair is just around the corner,
we have Timberfest in our town too. Whew!! Then we start with
many b-days in our family.I saw where a place not too far away
is picking apples, oh boy, know what I want to do this weekend!!
Fall also means that the oldest granddaughter will be returning
from active duty with the national guard. Be so good to see her
again seems like it has been ages!! Hope oldest grandson likes
college but we will find out when he comes home around labor-day.
Oh yes we have a wedding this summer too. My ex is getting married
for the third time. I hope he will be happy and this is the last
marriage for him. My mother-in-law will be 90 the end of October
so we will be planning something for that too. Looks like I will
not lack for something to do in the next few months. Hope all of
you will have as good a fall as I plan to have.If your in Little
Rock on Oct. 11th be sure and cheer on the gals in the Race For The
Cure. My middle daughter usually runs and does very well in the
placings. She also looks great makes the rest of the family want
to get up and run somewhere. Would love to but my knees would blow
out the first two blocks! So I will just hollar for her and say
"You go girl".

Baby Pix

In this age it is not uncommon for folks to have ultra sound
photo's of the coming baby. I know I am older but so help me I had a very
hard time telling its lil head from its lil butt the first photo's
altho I was proud to get them. Now the second set were a lot of
help I can tell the head from the butt now. I would have loved to
have such thing back in the days I was having my children. I cann't
wait for the next set of photo's. I have started an album for
lil"Nugget" already. The folks I go to church with already think
I am nuts and they are so amused by the photo's. My oldest grandson
took one look at the photo's and said "Thats a baby????". Smart-aleck
teenager!! My sister in Florida is delighted to get photo's of
the coming baby, she is almost as excited as I am. Hay its the Grandma
in me.

Good Riddance

Well today ended for intense and purpose my oldest daughters marriage.
I for one am very glad to get her ex-husband out of her life. If he wasn't so
young I would almost swear he invented the word sorry-a__!! He is indeed
a very sorry person and the odd thing is he is so dumb he doesn't realize
he has burned the bridges behind him that have to do with his children.
The whole family is better off without him. My daughter will have to sell
the house she has raised her children in and I can feel her pain on that.
Twenty years ago I was forced to sell the house I had brought all 4 of my
babies home to.When the house was all packed I went back inside and just
screamed for several minutes calling the judge and my ex every bad name
known to me. Didn't do a durn thing but I felt somewhat better. My daughter
will get on with her life and have a better one than before I am sure of it
she is determined enough. I have every faith in her. I love you my precious
Katherine and am very proud of you.

New Grandbaby

Funny how I mentioned about holding a baby when I was talking
about my youngest daughters B-day. We found out shortly after that
that she is expecting. We are all excited about it and wish her and
her husband all the best. Now, daughter dear some advice from your
ole Mom. Your life will not be your own for the next 18 3/4 years. You
will be worrying about where your child is or who they are with until
they are of age (18), that is when they will inform you they know more
than you do or ever did.But every sacrifice you make will come back to
you ten-fold as you will find out.Motherhood is the most rewarding, nerve
wracking,difficult, job you will ever love. You and your husband only need
one bit of advice from anyone, raise the child with love and common sence and all else will fall into place.
I only dislike the fact I will not be right there when the baby is born
as I have been able to do with the other Grandbabies but be for-warned I
will be there as soon as humanly possible after that.

Baby's B-day

It just iritates the heck out of my youngest daughter to be called the baby
but she is like it or not.Today the youngest of my beautiful daughters has a b-day
I cann't realize she is 37 already. Funny how mothers remember the first
time they held a certain child. My youngest daughter was so pretty when she was new-born
that everyone had to comment on it. The other two girls were cute but the youngest
had this head full of curls. The nurses in the maternity section just had
to get some bows to put in her hair. That was cute.
My youngest has a lot to be proud of in her life as I and her step-dad
and her father are proud of her. She seems to be happy with her life and I
hope that she is. I wish you years of love, years of happiness, my lovely
LEE ANJEANETTE. Your always proud Mom.

Old Friends

Just heard from one of my e-mail buddies about a couple more of
our classmates who have passed away. Bummer!! When your in your 50's and 60's
you kinda expect to lose your parents. Altho I would have prefered
not to lose my so close together, along with my only uncles in
a space of less than 16 months. This classmate who lost a younger
brother to a heart attack and a sister to cancer must seem so
alone.The rest of us from our tiny lil school will keep him
in our prayers. We have whole school reunions every few years
as the whole school from grades 9 to 12 were a total of less than
75.But at last head count I am pretty sure we are less than 45. It will
be good to see everyone this fall again.I am sure we will all have
a toast to all the ones we have lost this past two years. Gettin old
is the pits at times!!!

E-Mail

Don't ya just love E-mail?? I have relatives who think their arms would
fall off if they wrote a letter much less called you on the cell phone. But lo and behold
they will write e-mails till the cows come home. I have a sister who I try to call
every now and then but all I ever get is her answering machine, this goes on
for months and months, then once in a while I will send a joke I think she will
appreciate. Today she writes me on a return e-mail, "nice to hear from you
if only a joke". Try checking your answering machine Sister!!
I have been e-mailing the oldest Grandchild who is in the National Guard on
acitve duty and I just love hearing from her. Kinda keeps her closer.
I also have a cousin I have not seen in over 20 years but he e-mails me several
times a week, never anything nasty just neat stuff he comes across. I hope to get
to see him next year when we go to my next to youngest Sisters, now she is
always in touch. If I call her, she checks phone messages and I will get a call
and we get to visit a while........nice!!
My husband and I have friends who are quite funny, she sends sexy stuff
and he will send religious stuff. Guess they think they balance each other
out.
My favorite e-mail buddy is my youngest daughters mother in law. She is
a delightful person who can e-mail two full pages to answer your question
" How are things going Carol?". In the summer I know she is busy with
her garden and her neighbors garden but come fall I will be hearing again
from her. Its fun knowing her life in New York State.
Well, whatever and whoever comes your way happy E-mailing.

Dad's B-day

Well my husbands family got together yesterday to celebrate his dads
92nd B-day. To those who don't know my father in law has alzheimers
and has a hard time remembering some things but hay at 92 who wouldn't??
the conversation the morning of the party went like this:
Mrs. McD- we are having a Birthday party for you today
Mr. McD- Yes I know I will be 80 today
Mrs.McD-No you wil be older than that
Mr. McD- will I be 85??
Mrs. McD- no you will be a lot older than that
Mr. McD-how old will I be ???
Mrs. McD- you will be 92 years old
Mr. McD- Boy thats old.
Bless your sweet ole heart "Dad" McDonald... we all love you.

Elk Festival at Jasper

For weeks when we were planning this mini vacation I kept callin' it
the Moose Festival, but as everyone told me there is a big difference between
moose and elk.....really?? they are both ugly and smell and sound like
an elephant in hard labor to me when they are calling or what ever in
heavens name you call that racket. But the lil festival was pretty neat
in the town of Jasper, an ity bity town up north Arkansas. The rain almost
cancelled the whole thing but the sun came out and so did the dozens of
vendors. My husband and daughter and her friend all were delighted
to see the vendor who was selling fried alligator. Not me!!! That ranks
up there with fried snake in my book. They kept telling me how good
it was as all three of them munched down on the stick of fried meat.
A lot of the young men had these hose looking things slung over their
shoulders, I was informed that these were to call the elk. Now why in the
heck would you want to call one of those nasty things. Oh well, Grandma's
book of knowledge just got larger. But seriously do they really eat those
elk or just shoot them?? UGGGGG!!! Had a good weekend if you don't
count the few thousand chiggers who found my legs and back. Well I am off to
find a wire brush to help with the itchin'.

Lunch for Grandma

How many of you parents or grandparents remember the first time
a child of yours cooked something for you to eat. Besides the "mud" pies!!
I can remember some of mine cooking something but not all of mine
did, I had to wait until they were grown and then they or their spouse
cooked us (my husband and myself) or me something just wonderful.
But today my next to youngest granddaughter cooked me lunch. She
cooked an omlet. It was so amusing to watch. I had to as she is not allowed
near the stove unless an adult is present. She lined everything up on the
counter and things were going great until one of the eggs started to roll.
Her younger brother grabbed at it and caught it smashing it on the counter,
at this point I am about to laugh but know better as they are trying so
hard to get it right. Well, by the grace of goodness all the eggs made it into
the pan and then the granddaughter proceded to add the filling. Much to my
suprise and delight she flipped the omlet and then put it on a plate. She fixed
me something to drink and we set down to eat. It was good and I told her
so which seemed to tickle her pink, besides a lil egg shell never hurt anyone!!

Where we are not going and cann't do

Well, a bunch of folks I know are headed out west to see the Grand Canyon
and to see San Francisco and other points out west. We just cann't afford to drive
out of the state this year but have high hopes of going somewhere next
year. That is if gas prices start to level off at something less than $20.00 a gallon
at which case I am sure we will have plenty of company staying at the ole home
stead.
My oldest grandchild is heart broken as her boyfriend has left to go to Iraq.
So we are all keeping him and so many others over there in our prayers that
they will return soon and safe. One of her best friends also has a fella over there
as does someone in our lil church. I wish I could end the mess over there so
she would have stuff like thinking about college instead.
The newspapers are filled with ads of get your Dad this or that. Oh how I wish I
could but this is the third Fathers Day my Dad is in heaven. I still miss him
very much but know we will be together again some day. I love you Daddy.
The only father in law I have ever had is entering the third phase of Alzheimers
and I wish I could stop it but we cann't. He has been the sweetest person
you will ever meet. He always could find time to stop and talk to me when we
lived close bye years ago. His mind is going now but he remembers some of the
family. Last Christmas as he was leaving our house I gave him a kiss and he
grinned and said that was a nice present. God Bless You Dad.

FOR PAUL

Well Grandson, you have reached 18 at last. There were many times your ole grandma

had her doubts. I can still remember that huge baby on your mom's tummy. You were

the first grandson, how very proud Grandma Marty and I were of you. We still are and

admire how determined you have been to achieve your goals in life and I have no doubt

you will do great in Fayetteville. Your B-day gift is coming, grandma had been very busy

lately but I would never forget you. I will discuss your graduation gift when I see you next.

May God bless and keep you safe and give you the strength and courage to do all the

good things in life we know you can do.

Grandpa and I love you very much and wish you the best always.

Love always.........Grandma

Thankyou

I have been noticing how much the word "thankyou" means to people. As part of an
older generation I really appreciate being thanked for just about anything I do. A thankyou
note from someone is really uplifting to me. Recently my youngest granddaughter
sent me a thankyou note for her present we got for her first communion. It was
written by her and it is one of those things this grandma will treasure.
In our church today the priest thanked all the sunday school teachers for their work
this year and everyone in church applauded for us. I teach the 3 to 5 year olds.
All of the teachers enjoyed this it is a labor of love but we love being thanked
anyway. One of the lil angels I had in my class this year came up to me just before church
and gave me three beautiful yellow carnations and a cute card she had signed herself.
Nearly brought this ole grandma to tears.
I have tried to help other folks I know and all I ever expect is just a thankyou. At
Christmas this year our church helped out many families that were having a
hard time and the one I loved the best was this sweet older lady who just hugged
and hugged us as we brought in boxes of food. All she said with tears in her eyes was
thankyou, thankyou, thankyou God bless you. Needless to say we had the spirit
of Christmas the whole season.
Regardless of how minor the help is it never cost a cent to say thankyou. So next time
you are shown a kindness just say thankyou. I can assure you your lips will not
fall off.
Thanks for sharing a moment with me.

Mothers Day Joy

For all of you out there who had as good a Mothers Day as I did .....don't ya
really feel loved.
First because they didn't have to get you anything.
Second because they didn't have to deliver it in person.
Third because they didn't have to pay extra postage to be sure you got it before
Mothers Day.
Fourth because they went to all the trouble to get something you would really like.
Fifth because they didn't have to get a lovely card, saying things you'd appreciate.

So to my four..Kate....Robyn....Patrick...Lee... and Blake....Sam...Darlene..Lauren..Connor.
Casey...Benjamin...Caitlyn.........
my heartfelt thanks for making Mom's day so very special. I love and appreciate
you all more than mere words can express.

Scared Silly

I can rember when the thing to do to try and straighten youngsters out, was
have them in a program called scared straight. Well, folks I am here to tell you
that I know of one better.
Last friday when tornados ripped thru Arkansas again one came closer to me than I
ever wanted it to nor do I ever want it to again.
When your in your house and you see the wind pick up and get louder by the second
your heart will race I can guarantee you. Then when this loud sound which reminds
you of a train gets louder than the wind, I can assure you that you will be paralized
with fear like you have never been before, unless you have faced death before.
Now I am not made of stone and I was so scared I found it hard to move my feet
in any direction. It only lasted for a few moments but it seemed like it was a very long
time.
So many have lost so much in these storms, please keep them in your prayers as I will
and pray we will not have any more of these dreaded storms any time soon.

Natural Highs

Several of my friends and children have been sending a list of natural highs.
Most are pretty neat but as my oldest says your own are special so here goes mine:
1. Sleep late
2.Having my dog snuggle up to me when it is cool
3.Leaving the window open when it is still cool so you can snuggle up in blankets
4.Having flowers given to me for no reason ( would love to feel that experience)
5.Dancing to "once, twice, three times a lady"
6.Watching the sun set on a spring nite
7.Having "Donuts" for breakfast
8. Sharing a cup of coffee with someone you love
9.Sitting across from one of my siblings and just being able to have a conversation
10. Sharing a private moment with a Grandchild
11. A phone call from a Grandchild
12. Cards on my b-day and Mothers day.
13. Going out to lunch with any of my children
14. Singing Christmas songs with my husband as we drive down the road
15.Having a hug from a friend when times are rough
16.Having my dog excited to see me every time
17.Enjoying a joke on e-mail
18.Being able to help someone
I could go on and on but these will do for now. Have a great day enjoy the weekend!!

Spring and Peace

Well, the flowers are blooming aand the garden is coming up, birds are singing every
morning and things are green all over.
The nasty divorce is still going on but we will not dwell on it and enjoy the beauty
and peace sounds of spring.
The neighbors are starting up garden tractors and lawn mowers and planting of
everything has begun.
The oldest grandson will graduate high school in a few weeks, he has made the
family proud as he has had very good grades resulting in some scholarships for
college. The whole family will have a party for him as we did his older sister to
celebrate his graduation.
The youngest granddaughter will have her first communion this sunday and as cute
as she is will look like a little angel. I am looking forward to seeing that. Altho I will
remember her mothers first communion when someones veil caught on fire as
some nitwit at the church decided to use real candles in the midst of several dozen
little girls with flowing veils. Get the picture??
So spring for our family will be one of celebration and happiness and we will all pray the
divorce will be over soon and our oldest daughter can have peace in her life all the
time and not just brief moments when she can get away.
In case I have not told you often enough I am very proud of you Kate and love
you more than mere words can express. Hold your beautiful head up high as this
too will pass.

Divorce

I have come to the conclusion that one of the nastiest words on this earth
is divorce. My own divorce some 20 + years ago was the most degrading,
hateful, hurtful experience. This week I sat in the courtroom of this Red-neck
town of ours and saw my oldest daughter go thru part of hers. I will be the first to
admit that none of my children are perfect but there is a limit of what one
must suffer thru in a divorce. Her soon to be ex (and not a moment too soon for me) and his lawyer were sitting very close together as they held hands under the table and
she constantly winked at him. Gee have I been out of the courts so long that
this is proper lawyer-client behavior???? God alone must have held me in my
seat as I had the strongest urge to slap the Sh-- out of two people.
I am so glad to get this so-called man out of the family, my daughter deserves
a lot better. I don't care if she finds someone who doesn't have much money
just as long as she is treated well and she is happy as they are two things
that money cann't buy.
Oh well so much for the rantings of a very mad mother, but Mike Schuller
in my book you and your whore gal-friends and your pathetic so called laywer
deserve all the bed things coming your way!!!!

SPRING IS HERE

Much to my youngest daughters dismay I do type some in non-caps!! Oh happy
day it seems that spring has finally arrived. My little Humming birds are back at the feeder
my husband says I have the mixture too strong and they get drunk, oh well
they are happy and constantly come over to me when I am outside to tell
me so.
We have had so much rain in our neck of the woods it looks like a rain forest here,
mainly because it is damp and wet all over and the plants have plenty of water and
plant food to get them started so they are growing like crazy.
Fluffie bless her lil goofy pomerian heart has brought upon herself to teach the new
pup Oscar to go hop in the mud puddles and into several of the large holes
left by the MR. when he last had a bull dozier to play with. Thanks Fluffie, now I
can buy the jumbo size of dog shampoo as I will have two dogs to constantly
wash!!!! Oscar is in the chewing mod now, I have put up most everything I can
find but the lil joker just decided to start chewing on the door facings instead!!
He is finding out what the outside pen is for!! It is sunny today and the fresh air will
do him good. He seems to weigh about twice what the pomerian does but he is not
up to the shepard yet. Wonder how large he will end up??
Well, happy spring to all, enjoy the beauty around you.

Oscar Update

I know that I have not gone to Gulf Shores or to Branson or to Paris France
but we have had fun here too. Cann't afford those other places at this time.
Little Oscar is getting bigger. He is still about the same height as the pomerian
but feels like he is solid lead when you pick him up. He is getting smarter too,
has learned when Mom (me) says" no" drop it and run or she will smack your
behind with something. He loves to play chase with the pomerian and they run
till they both drop. When we let the other dogs out at nite, he races out with them too
finally catching on its a good time to do his business OUTSIDE!! What is cute
is at nite when he and the german shepard are about to go to sleep in the foyier.
We don't know what the shepard says to him in low grumbling tones but it is
comforting to the pup and he usually goes right to sleep. One can only guess
what is being said. We have discovered Oscar is indeed a chow hound. If it can
be eaten he will eat it. He thinks it is a crime to leave a crumb of dog food in the bowl
so he cleans it out regularly. Outside he has discovered that chewing on certain
pieces of wood tastes good. Needless to say we had a small brush pile in the
front yard the other day till he found one he liked. Oh the fun of a new pup!!

Getting Older

The main thing I dislike about getting older is losing loved ones who have
reached the end of their days. I lost one of the nicest people I have ever known
this weekend. She was my Great Aunt, my grandmothers baby sister. This
woman never had a bad word to say about anyone which in my family is
REALLY rare. This lovely lady had twins when she was in her forties. They
were a boy and a girl and as they grew up were beautiful children. She lost
her daughter in the girls teen years to Lukemia. The son battled cancer in his
thirties and finally lost the fight when he was almost forty. If this wasn't enough
to destroy her my Great Aunt then lost her husband to a very sudden death
a couple of years later. This great lady never lost faith and went to church as
much as she could. One would have to envy her the strength she had along with
the faith of the kind that moves mountains. She was a delight to all who knew
her and she will be missed. Rest in peace Aunt Loretta.

CELL-PHONES

The modern things we have now are just great. I wasn't sure about the cell
phones until I was able to call someone when I was traveling thru several states
and just was able to chat. But best of all is getting calls from the "grandchildren"!!
so far just 5 of the 7 have cell phones. The first time I got a call and this
wee lil voice says"hi Grandma, what are you doing?", it was just delightful.
Only other Grandparents out there will appreciate that. It was nice one night to
hear from the oldest grandchild( who is in the National Guard) when she was too tired
to write but just wanted to call and say hello. Then just the other nite one of
the grandson's called to say his basketball team had won a championship
game. It was so good to hear the excitement in his voice telling me about the
game and the trophy they had won. Letters are nice but to hear the squeel of
excitement in a childs voice is happiness beyond words. Many thanks to the folks who
put together cell phones they give new meaning to staying in touch with loved ones.
I have a sister who always calls on her cell phone as she is going down the road
to go shopping, etc. We get a lot said as she travels a lot where she lives. I also have
a brother who will talk to me on speaker phone as he drives a truck to Louisiana. So
this marvelous cell phone is good for the older crowd too!!

IRISH BACKGROUND

Well, here we are the weekend before St. Patricks day. There will be parades
in Arkansas believe it or not. We have a very large population of Irish here
in the state. I am part Irish and very proud of it. I am about to find out more
of my Great-grandfather who came from Ireland with his twin brother in the
1800's. One of his daughters said they called him a pirate. OH boy!! My only
aunt on my fathers side was from Ireland, she was the youngest of 17 children.
She was also my God-mother and a lady I always had a lot of fun times with
thru the years. I always sent her St. Patrick day cards while she was alive and
it always prompted a call from her to thank me. One year she was very depressed
as she had heard her last brother had died leaving her the last one of her family
alive. I remember so well she told me it was no fun being the last. God bless you
Aunt Gert, your still sorely missed. I will raise a glass of good Irish Brew to all
my relatives of Irish decent and to all other Irish. May you all land in Heaven an
hour before the devil knows your dead.

PUPPY NEWS

Ok so now I am getting like the youngest daughter of mine who loves dogs
and writes about them all the time. But, goodness they are so cuteeee!! My new
pup Oscar has about determined when the other dog or dogs go outside he is
to go with them. Me I am just proud he has learned to go poop and pee outside
instead of on the papers. What was cute was when we got the expected snow
and all the dogs raced outside when I opened the door. Well, the biggest one
slid down the steps and the pomerian just took a leap into the white stuff.
Well here comes Oscar and when he saw the white stuff it was too late to
put on the brakes so he bounced down the stairs. Kinda reminded me of a Walt
Disney movie. When he landed at the bottom the look of suprise on his face was
just priceless. With the temps in the 20's needless to say my three dogs were
back inside in seconds. Fastest wissers they are!!

SPRING.......WHATEVER!!!

Well, I was about to be deleriously happy when the temp turned out to be 65 one
nice sunny day. Raked some leaves up and started to get the flower beds ready. The
dogs were all outside and enjoying the sun. The very next morning we had snow
actual SNOW in Arkansas. We had up to 13 inches in some places in the state, my yard
had about 2 or 3 inches. As my sister from New York says its pretty, the snow that is and
one usually takes photo's of things all covered in snow. But come on, its March
isn't spring somewhere around the corner??? Now the weather man says we
will get another snow-storm in central Arkansas by the end of the week.
AWWWWWWWWWWWWW SHOOOOOOT!!!!

Great Friday

Well, here we are the end of the week. My flowers are starting to bud and
the new puppy thinks outside is more fun to play in. Mainly more things to
chew on. I am sure the laundry company that does my husbands shirts are
wondering where all the holes on his shirts are coming from. Bet they are
getting a really weird picture of the office he works at!! Oh well, Oscar is
having fun chewing all the flower pots and sticks he finds. His big sister still
keeps him in the front yard. Guess she figures the rest of the 5 acres are hers
and the german shepards. Did I mention that since we are in the "country" we
have deer that go thru our yard on a regular basis, the pomerian thinks they are
just big dogs as she chases each one she see's. I am sure we have had more than one deer
bust out laughing once they saw what was chasing them. I hope you have a
beautiful weekend where ever you are.

YEA YEA YEA

I know I am getting ahead of the game but I was so happy this morning,
as I let the two large dogs out for their early morning business, here trots out
Oscar. Well I figured a few minutes in the cold and he would come back in
to the warm house. Well, lo and behold he bounces down the steps and goes
to a pile of leaves and does not only #1 but #2,too!! Oh happy day lets hope this is
just the begining. Kinda like getting excited the first time your toddler
decided the pottie was not going to bite off their butt and they went in it!!!!

LIL OSCAR

Well, I have decided to name our new puppy Oscar. Mainly because he is short
and fat and floppy just like a weiner. He has managed the front steps of our house both up and down. His big sister for the time being anyway, keeps him in the front yard which I
think is cute. I wonder is she helping or just not wanting him to explore?? Next step
we explain to Oscar that the dogs go OUTSIDE to go pee and whatever not do it before
you go out the door. Oscar cann't keep up with me or my husband so when ever we come by
he bites our pants and hangs on. My husband thinks its cute to have the puppy
draggin' all over the floor attached to our pants. I just make sure I don't trip. At least the
little fella sleeps all nite!! After standing in the dog food bowl and eating till he is full
he just snuggles up to the German Sheppard and zonks off.

LOVE OF FAMILY

A former relative has given my entire family cause to reflect what we want
done should we have a near death experience or die. I for one do not want to be
creamated, I want my family with me at the end, all of my family. I always have
felt that blood is thicker than water and family is FOREVER. I for one love each and every
one of mine no matter what has gone under the bridge. I hope that all the grandchildren
and their parents know how much joy they have all given me. The grand-doggies are
so cute and I love their folks more than mere words could ever express. All of my
children and my Husband are the blessings I am most proud of. Yea even the ex, we
have made our peace and he will always be a part of my life.
I wish I could write the former relative and suggest she get the mental help she
apparently needs so desperatly. But I will not, only pray she will .

I am a sucker for cute lil puppies

Oh yea the guy at Wal-mart saw me coming today!! Had this cute sign "free puppies".
well now who couldn't take a peek. Sure enough there were 13 of the cutest fellas I have
seen in a long time. I knew I was hooked if I ever picked one up and much to my husbands
dismay I did. These pups had a Lab mother and what looked like a Charpea (cann't spell) dad
but the guy insisted he didn't see how that dog could get to her. Never seen a dog in
heat has he ???? Anyho we took one home to our white german shepherd and our beige
pomerian, figured he would fit right in. As soon as I told the large dog the new guy was a baby
he proceeded to do what he did when we got the pomerian, lick the new guy all over.Oh yuk yuk slime again. The pomerian is still trying to figure the new guy out. Ought to be a very
interesting nite.

SPRING IS COMING....I JUST KNOW IT.

There are dozens of flowers coming up all over my yard.
some where I planted them and some where I didn't, oh well
as long as they are flowers and are the start of spring. The weatherman
here in Arkansas cann't make up his mind if it is spring
yet!!! We have 60's one day and everyone is wearing shorts
then the next day we have 40's and we all freeze again. But
then again one of my sisters is in New York State and they
still have a ton of snow everywhere. One reason why I am
living in the south.

Wet and Windy and Cold

These are rapidly becoming bad works in my opinion. I saw a few
rays of sunshine today and got my hopes up we would have a nice day.
But as usual it turned off cold. Went with a few friends the other nite
to listen to some country and western music. We were all ready to have a
change of pace for a saturaday nite. This little group, whose name escapes
me was so good and sounded so good in spite of their looks. People were
toe tapping and hand clapping and having a great time. Good music goes
a long way in improving ones outlook on a gloomy saturaday nite.

Winter Blues

Spring oh spring where are thou?? I for one an sick of the cold wet icey
dismal winter weather. I am ready for cool nites and warm not hot days and
seeing flowers bloom. TV has gotten into reruns already and its way too cold
to start a garden. If I clean out one more closet and throw half of it away
my hubby will have a fit. He, bless his lil ole heart, is a hoarder so my cleaning
gets on his last nerve.

lovers day

Valentines Day brings back memories of glue covered tables and paper lace
hearts with names written in crayon. Red everywhere, from red covered
cupcakes to red balloons and of course red flowers. Who can forget the first
time a lil one wrote roses are red, violets are blue.........!! Everyone who has a love
I wish you much happiness today. Sigh just call me an old romantic!!