July 29, 2006
One Way to Do It
Coming home from the cemetery, we came upon these boys on this 4wheeler.. notice how the boy on the bike is resting his foot on the 4wheeler, bumming a ride.. lol.. smart kid, he didn't have to peddle!
My Eternal Companion
Yes.. I really have one.. compliments of Mallory. She came in from the Dollar Store day before yesterday with this little tin frog for me.. I gave her money for more water balloons, but instead she bought me this frog.. whom I've named (obviously) "Freddy".
With her eyes just shining she gave him to me and said...
I wanted to get you something to put into your grave with you, so you don't be lonely, so you keep this frog for all of your life and when you die, I'm going to put you in your grave with him.
How...thoughtful, Mallory honey I do so love Freddy the Frog and I will cherish him forever. Literally!
Beehives
I've not been to a cemetery in a long while, and Sarah found one in her travels that she wanted me to go see. It's been so hot, I just kept putting her off, but then today while we had Mallory out to the doctor, we drove on up to Hampton Cemetery. It was a quaint cemetery, but it's not been mowed in a long time. The newest grave in there is back from 1997. It bothered me somewhat that someone is using the old tombs as stands for their beehives. I don't know, but I just felt that was disrespectful, no matter how old the graves are. Looks like the beekeeper would put his bees someplace else.
Candles
The wedding's on again, and Bonnie had the girls help her to put glitter on the taper candles. They did a really nice job and Mallory took her responsibilty for them soooo seriously!
Old Oil Well...
I thought this was neat.. it's just 20 seconds, but take a peek, if you can!
July 25, 2006
Water Balloons!
What's more fun than whoppin' up on your Dippy on a muggy hot Summer evening with a basket full of water balloons?
Maegan's First Hershey Bar...
...all by herself.. the whole thing!
I truly think she approved wholeheartedly!
Our Pumpkins
Okay, they're the kid's pumpkins - they planted them. I'monna have them plant the tomatos next year!
Cake...
The girls picked out the cake - they just thought it was Beeeyoootiful. :) I whispered to Mom I bet the folks at the store was glad to see the girls coming or they'd have never sold that one. *laughs*
July 23, 2006
Mom...
I have something I want to say to you, so I thought, well, since you peek here every day, I may as well say it here, and then I'll know you've read it first thing in the morning.
First of all.. how the HELL have you managed to stay married for so long? I admire that you've been able to pull it off... I sit here with this puzzled expression trying to figure it out, but I admire you all the same. :) Congratulations, or should I say dearest Mom, 46 years - you have my sincerest sympathy.. *grins* Teasing, I am NOT a BIT sorry for you! *laughs*
I wonder - when you and Dad got hitched all those years ago, did you ever dream you'd have the things you have today? The family you have? All these great-grandkids?
Do you realize that you're at a time in your life when you should be lounging around, just taking it easy.. getting visits from time to time from your grandchildren, phone calls daily from your kids, but for the most part just pretty much enjoying your retirement, your golden years, the most strenuous thing in your life, going to the mailbox to get that social security check.. well, okay, most great grandparents do those things.. but not you, you married so young, you're the age most women are just being grandparents.. and that means there are many miles to go before you can hang up your hat. Thank God.
I don't know where I'd be, or what I'd do without you. I say it often, "Thank you", but I wonder do you hear me. You do so much for all of us, so on behalf of everyone, even Dad, Thank You.
Things this summer have been so nice on one hand, and then certain circumstances have made this one of the hardest summers of our lives. Still you plod on as if you're so sure everything is going to be just fine.. and so on I follow, cynical me, hoping you're right, but too, knowing you're always right. So in light of that, I don't worry about worry-some things as much as I could.
You have that special way of making things easier for me, for all of us... and I know how hard it gets for you sometimes, so Thanks...but you know, if you think about it.. it's all your fault. On this date back in 1960, YOU STARTED THIS! *laughs* What the HECK were you thinking?!
I love you Mom, have a wonderful day!
Shelly!!
THANK YOU!!!
I just LOVE my little frog windchime! He's adorable, thank you!!
*hugs you 'till your eyeballs bulge*
THANK YOU!!!!
Mom & Dad!!
Happy 46th Anniversary!!
....dang that's a looooooong time!! *faints*
July 22, 2006
My Girl
Have you ever seen the movie, "My Girl" with Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Ackroyd? It's a really touching movie, funny in parts, and Mikyla has watched it about 200 times. The part of Vada's best friend is played by Macaulay Caulkin, the character name is Thomas J. He has terrible allergies and in the movie he is attacked by bees while hunting for Vada's ring in the woods. He dies from the allergic reaction to the bee stings and that's the most awful scene. Mikyla sits and cries every time.
Last night.. Mikyla went "Thomas J." on me. It wasn't funny at the time, but this morning I've teased her hard, and now we're all calling her Thomas J, although the hypochondriacal character of Vada suits Mik too.
You see.. I opened a can of mixed nuts while we were watching television, and Mallory just had to get a handful..and they did smell good, and Mikyla had never been allowed to eat a nut because of her allergies.. but..she wanted one so bad.. she reached out and said "Mammy, can I just touch the can?" "Yeah you can touch the can." (she did) "Can I just smell 'em?" "Yeah you can just smell 'em" (she did) She's been taking her shots for almost 2 years now, and she eats reese cups all the time, so I knew she could handle a peanut if she wanted to try one.. "Would you like to just taste just one Mikyla?" "Yes!!" (she did - a small tentative bite of a peanut and she wrinkled her nose and spit it into my hand with a resounding "YUCK!") *laughs*
I put her nut into the ashtray and just kept nibbling from the can myself and about 20 minutes later Mikyla was distressed.
"Mammy, I'm allergic to nuts."
"Yes, I know you are."
"Mammy, if I die can you bring me back to life?"
"No, honey I can't, but you're not going to die on me are you?"
"I think so, my throat is all scratchy."
At which point I began to worry a little, ok, yes she's been eating things with peanuts, peanut oils all the time, cakes, cookies, candy - and they don't hurt her, but maybe a spit out bite of peanut was too much. So I got up and checked her (she was fine, not broken out, no raw looking throat, no swelling tongue, nothing) but I gave her a teaspoon of benedryl just to be on the safe side.
This was probably 30 minutes after biting the peanut.
The next thing I knew, all hell broke loose.. she was crying, begging me to take her to the emergency room, she was 'dying', she just was, her throat was scratchy and she was, she informed me, having a horrible allergic reaction to the nut.
"Call my Mommy! Call an Ambliance! (yes, am-blee-ance) I'm dying!!"
"Mikyla you didn't even eat it, you spit it out, you're not dying.."
"Yes, I'm dying, I think I'm going to pass out any time now, ohhh please get me to the hospital!"
"Mikyla, honest, if you were having a reaction, your throat would close and you couldn't breathe, let me hear you breathe.."
(She was breathing just fine.)
"Mikyla you're breathing just fine."
"If I am dead in the morning, it's all your fault! I am ALLERGIC TO NUTS!"
"Mikyla, you're not dying, you're just fine, just calm down and listen a minute.. do you honestly think I'd let you die of an allergic reaction and not take you to the hospital if you were really sick?"
"no..."
"Are you afraid you're going to die like Thomas J did in the movie?"
"yes...I'm allergic to nuts."
"honey you eat nuts in a lot of things, they don't hurt you, you have outgrown being allergic to them and you never were deathly allergic, just they broke you out, but they don't even do that anymore..."
"they don't?"
"no baby, they don't, look how smooth your skin is.."
"oh..."
"are you feeling better now?"
"I might have to puke."
(by now it's an hour since she tasted the nut)
"I think you're going to be just fine, but you just lay there and try to rest and I'll sit here and watch to be sure you are breathing fine, and if anything happens I'll pick you up and carry you to the hospital, deal?"
"ok.." (this said doubtfully)
A few more minutes and she was laying there snoring like a man, sleeping soundly, and I lay there, staring at her, making sure she was breathing alright, and I didn't sleep worth two hoots, kept waking up to make sure she was okay, because after all, she's allergic to nuts. (mildly) Lord that kid made me paranoid, and me KNOWING she was okay.
This morning, she woke up and smiled and I said, "I bet you're surprised to be alive today ain'tcha?"
She grinned sheepishly and nodded, "yeah, I am!"
"Do you feel alright?"
"Yep, I'm fine today.."
"Good, oh and Thomas J, would you like a peanut butter and jelly sammich for breakfast?"
*laughs* She threw a houseshoe at me!
July 21, 2006
Mallory's Neurologist Visit...
went wonderfully.. she's doing fine.. no problems and he doesn't foresee any.. thank God!
Sarah brought them back this evening at dark, and they wanted to go swimming, and so did Bonnie, so that's just what we did. Poor Mom.. even at 10:30 at night she's all maid-servicey.. "Do you want something to eat? Here's some cold pop.. Mallory would you like some crackers?" and off she goes to bring out snacks and beverages. She's something else. Thanks, Mom, that was FUN!
The kids are in bed now, Maegan is sleeping, and Mallory is zonked and Mikyla is almost zonked, so the house is quiet. Joel's gone home with Bonnie tonight - she's off, she goes back to work tomorrow.
G'nite, World!
July 18, 2006
Just Ew...
Mom calls these "Weapons of Mass Destruction"... I just call them NASTY!
*laughs*
Dad said, "He can't get in the pool, he'll tear the liner!"
This shot is going on my bizarr card section.. EW!
July 17, 2006
Have You Noticed...
...how the North Korean nuclear missile story has just faded to practically nothing in the news now that Israel and Lebanon are blowing each other up?
Funny that.
(Funny peculiar, not funny haha.)
Seth.. I miss you. We'd have ranted on this for hours. Dammit. I sure do miss you.
A Few School Clothes
We got their schoolclothes yesterday, so they're ready. They were going to put on a fashion show for us but we got company so they didn't get to, and we were too busy swimming today. Maybe we can do that tomorrow.
More Pics of the Kids..
Love her heart, she hates wearing her floatie, but since she has seizures, we insist she wears it, and she just can't understand what difference it makes since she swims like a fish without it. Still.. better safe than sorry.
Some Precious Family Photos
Still handsome, little head and all!
Brenda's head didn't shrink.. it must be a male trait in the family...
Shrunken Heads
Wow, I know this could make someone mad.. and I swear it's not my intention. Just.. this is in my mind and has to come out.. as you well know. So.. please, forgive me.
When I was a child.. my uncles were so big.. they were so big and strong and handsome, and time marched on, and when I saw them again the other day I didn't think about how I've aged, how I've changed.. no one does when it involves themselves... I know, but I looked, trying not to gawk, because I think someone shrunk their heads! They used to have pretty good sized heads but now, they got itty bitty heads! I didn't know that our heads shrink as we age! But they do!
I'm certain, just certain that Don and Lonnie's heads were bigger than they are now! WTF?! Aren't there some excercises that can build them back up? Do some brain-ups, squinch your ears 100x's a day!
Don, Lonnie, forgive me! I'm just having some fun out of you! Of course you don't look like giants anymore. I grew up. *laughs* And I love ya! Shrunk heads and all!
Seth, you'd have called me 'retarted' after having read this post.. and you'd have laughed your ass off. I have you strong on my mind tonight. Ah hell, g'nite world.. sleep well, and be safe.
July 15, 2006
A Really Wonderful Day
We've been spending so much time this summer at Mom's...and today was no different. Only she wasn't home - she was at my aunt Brenda's house. First things first...my grandfather (papaw) has been sick and in the hospital.. they let him out yesterday but he can't go back to his apartment.. he went instead to Brenda's house, so that's where Mom was. Her brothers, Lonnie and Don are in from Michigan and they all met there to see Papaw. I had all the kids so I couldn't go. I'm coming tomorrow, Shelly, I promise!
So there we were, making ourselves at home in Mom's pool, we'd gone and gotten Nick, and then we double buckled Mallory and Mikyla in the car so that Nick could fit to come home with us to have lunch. Soon, Bonnie and Kelly came with Joel.. wanting us to babysit so they could go to a movie and dinner, because Kelly leaves for training, he's joined the guards, and will be going to Georgia on the 17th. Keeping Joel for them though meant absolutely no room in my car at all, so.. I told Bonnie she'd have to trade me cars.. hers is a big old dinasaur from the 70's.. and will fit quite a few folks.
I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. We all got in and buckled.. 3 in front, 4 in back, again mallory had to sit on Mikyla's lap and buckle in. Illegal? I'm not sure, they were buckled. We got to the end of the driveway.. and realized that the air conditioning didn't work.. it was so hot.. so so hot, so we tried to roll down the windows, but they're electric and wouldn't go down. so we opened the little side windows and started towards Mom's. As we were going down our driveway, I told Stan, no, we can't take these kids out in this heat with just these two little side windows open it's too hot, all the while I'm beating on my window trying to get it to go down. I threw up my hands and said no we can't go.. Mik and Mal wilted.. "No! Mammy we have to swim at Grannys! Noo! Let's go!" Suddenly, on it's own accord, my window went down. The kids cracked up at my expression and off we went with a nice hot breeze blowing in my window.
We got to the turnoff, and lo and behold there was a car accident and the place was crawling with police. I glanced behind me and then muttered to Nick.. hey.. if they stop us I'm just gonna tell them, this isn't my car, these aren't my kids, I was thumbing a ride and these two guys picked me up. Nick laughed and laughed, he was wanting the police to stop us I think.. I really do.
We swam and enjoyed the pool, snacking on doughnuts and pop we'd taken.. until Mom and Dad finally pulled in this evening at dinner time. Lisa came in about that same time too and mercy it was so hot!
I keep the cooler there at Mom's full of pop, and we usually take the ice to fill it, and we take our own snacks, and most of our own dinner supplies if we're staying for dinner. Tonight, I told Lisa and Mom if one of them would go get it, I'd buy dinner from a restaurant. I didn't want to take Bonnie's tank. Lisa volunteered to get it and so we set off to Pizza Hut to get 2 large pizzas, 1 medium pizza, a family sized order of bread sticks, and 2 orders of spaghetti. I ordered all 3 pizzas "pan" style crusts.
When we got the food back home, the pizzas were thin crusts, the spaghetti was catitoni, ever how that's spelled, and I paid 50 bucks for it all. Lord was I angry. I called them back to complain, something I never do.. and I asked to speak with the manager.. and the lady said he was busy could she leave a message.. I said no, I want to talk with him about a 50 dollar order I just got from there, and I'm angry. So she put him on, and I told him the problem and he says.. *laughs* Well, we were out of spaghetti.. and we didn't have any pan pizza dough. I said well when I ordered it, why didn't they say so? I wasn't out a 50 dollar bill until now. He said he was sorry.. I said well I'm sorry too but this crap I didn't want costed me 50 bucks and I'm pretty angry. He asked my name, I gave him Mom's name and finished giving him down the road and he sighed and said Okay, you come back tomorrow and I'll give you the same meal you got tonight free.. so that worked out okay. He must think Mom's a bitch. :)
Well, anyway, here are some pictures from today.. we had a wonderful day, and it's supposed to be way hot again tomorrow! Yay!
You know, sometimes little ones have these expressions that you can take a photo of, and then another photo 30 years later and it's the exact same expression.. you can tell from the baby pic who the adult is.. I think these two of Maegan will look the same 30 years from now.. don't you?
I got a shot of some Buzzards flying around in the woods out there behind Mom's tonight too. The pic is pretty big so I didn't want to put it here but if you want to see it just click this link:
Okay.. let's see.. did I forget anything? Oh yeah, Mallory was bitten by a tick a couple of days ago.. we found it at bedtime, took her to the e.r. and they cleaned it, but didn't give her any antibiotics. I was hoping they would.. to prevent Lyme's Disease, but they just said to watch her for a rash, fever and stiff joints, none of which she's had, so she's fine. She played so hard today, she's just fine. They're all brown as biscuits from the sun. We use Water Babies lotion on them so they've not burned this summer, but mercy are they brown!
Okay, enough for tonight. I'm going to bed. Have a good night's sleep, and a wonderful tomorrow everyone! I love ya!
July 13, 2006
Playing in the Water
I tied the hose to the umbrella and made a 'shower' for the kids in the yard and boy did they have fun!
Isn't the Net Handy?
I found the graves of 2 boys who died back when I was a child living in Detroit. They were my best friend's brothers, and were killed in Tennessee in a car accident on a turnpike. I couldn't believe that I found their graveyard.
Roger & Roy's Grave Info
July 05, 2006
North Korea
I know you've all heard about the test missiles they've fired, and that they probably have 3 to 5 more that they're getting ready to fire.. now - my question is.. what's on Bush's mind? He sent our soldiers into Iraq because it was said that there were weapons of mass destruction, yet we found none. They weren't using any, they weren't testing any, it was just reported that they had them. Presently, North Korea is actually testing them.. thumbing their noses at retribution of any kind. Mr. Bush.. where's your cowboy hat now?
A Rainy Day
No swimming today - it just poured.. thunder, lightning... a good day for ducks!
We didn't do much today, but this evening the kids enjoyed some more watermelon.
July 04, 2006
Happy 4th! Have A Safe One!
We've practically lived at Mom's this weekend (poor Mom) ...that pool is just wonderful! I can't seem to get the girls out of it..and lately with this heat, I'm not too keen to get out either!
I didn't get too many pictures this weekend, but I did get a few.
*laughs* Yes, even at night.. again, poor Mom..
Rollin...
Rolling Down The Hill (822 KB's)
Rolling Down The Hill 2 (2.92MB's)
On a more sombre note, the memorial service for Harrell went well.. the family has all gone back to Ohio, and I am glad that's over.
The practical joke on Roy M was too perfect.. he fell apart by Saturday morning, because he couldn't find the 'urn' and Sarah had to tell him it wasn't the real thing. He was sure his buddy Ray had gotten it and was ready to open a can of whop ass on him, so Sarah finally let him off the hook after watching him fret and worry for almost a week. That was too funny, but ohhh aren't paybacks a bitch? I'll be watching over my shoulders now for the rest of my life!
Have a good one everyone and have a slice of Watermelon for me!!