September 30, 2007
Maegan...
...has this way of making a poopy diaper seem not so nasty. She'll say, "Mammy, I poop-poopy-doo'd!"
Dippy & Jacob's Ladder
by Mark Wells... He loves that song, had me give it a listen the other day. Every day since, he asked me, don't you just love that song? Yeah, it's a nice song, a really good song Dips..
Finally, he just asked once too often and I had to tell him how I really felt.
Dips, 20 years ago, I'd have loved it, I'm sure. However, after watching how most men treat women today, watching our 3 daughters have one hell of a time with them, I think that song sucks. I think that the asshole didn't just go get Jacob's daughter out of that window to defile her, use her, make her miserable and jaded for the rest of her life.. leave her with children to raise on her own, but he USED JACOB'S OWN DAMNED LADDER to get her out of Jacob's house without Jacob's knowledge or consent - which was DAMNED disrespectful if you ask me, so there! THAT's how I like "Jacob's Ladder."
*laughs*
He stopped asking how I like that song now. I wonder why? HA!
More Pics from the Farm
We got to look for gemstones in their little mining camp. THAT was too cool, I think they liked that most of all. I took my gems and put them in a frame and put on Dad's grave. He was fascinated by gems. He'd have had a ball there doing that. I sure did miss him being with us.
We went on a wagon ride, pretty cool that.. and ended up in a huge pumpkin patch. They let us get out and pick our own pumpkins! That really fascinated the kids.
Maegan and Joel kept climbing to the top of the slide, then would sit right there and block the way so that the other kids couldn't slide. We kept having to get them down so the others could play.
This was a little maze with what Dippy said was Sugar Cane. They loved it!
This was a maze of corn. Nick said if there hadn't been a trail he'd have never found his way out. The sugar cane was for the smaller kids, this one was for the big ones. Too cool!
At Bear Wallow Farm
On the road to the orchard we kept passing Octoberfest signs, so we followed them and they led us to this really neat farm.. they were having a fall festival, contests for the biggest melons, and pumpkins and they were literally placing them with forklifts.. HUGE pumpkins, it was so neat! We had to stay and I'm glad we did, it was so much more fun than the apple orchard! The kids had a blast!
Look closely at this next picture. That's a pumpkin flying up into the air. They kept launching them with that big pipe looking thing, and those pumpkins would fly so far we couldn't see them anymore! Every time they did it, Maegan would cover her ears. That was neat!
Look at the pure joy Maegan has on her face while she was feeding the goat... that was precious, she was having the best time. :)
The Apple Orchard...
...was a bust. We got there and saw that there weren't many apples on the trees. I counted 3 in the orchards we could see from the road. The freeze this spring got the blooms so they didn't have any for us to pick. That sucked, but we did get to buy some of their apple pies.. they were so good!
Staying All Night With Granny
We all stayed the night with Granny Friday night because we were going to the apple orchard early Saturday morning.. the kids had so much fun. Joel said the next day he didn't want to go home, he wanted to go back to Granny's to sleep on his Toddler bed. :)
September 27, 2007
Maegan
Is so funny! Every night we give them g'nite kisses and hugs, and we save Maegan for last - she always waits, watching us, then she pipes up, "Hey! What about ME!!"
Today I put Mamaw's teeth in her shadowbox. I put the box on the kitchen table to look for a tiny nail. I watched Maegan run to the table, and reach for the box.
"Maegan, no no! Don't touch!"
That didn't phase her, lightening fast she grabbed that box and held it up to see, and so seeing, her beautiful curious face twisted into a grimace and faster than she picked that box up she put it back on the table, stepped back and looked at me with the most disgusted look on her face. I don't think she expected that little box to smile at her quite like that. Boy that made me laugh, let me tell ya. I'm sick!
Dad's Been Gone 2 Months
Today was about the loneliest day I have ever had. It just seems like Dad was on my mind at every turn. I used to take pictures with my old Mavica, toss the disks into a shoebox and think that someday when I was old, I'd go through them again and see what was in there. Well.. I started going through them tonight.. naturally, looking for photos of Dad. I found quite a few.. I'll post some of them here tonight though you've probably seen them on other journal posts. He was a beautiful person, inside and out. God I miss him so very much.
Lisa and Mom are doing alright, they're getting by. I worry about both of them though, I guess I can't help but worry. Sometimes, like today, I'm not much good to anyone. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.
I dreamed about Dad last night.. a crazy dream, it had 4 folks in it who have died and gone on.. it's unusual to dream of one, but this one was pretty nice.
We were all at Mamaw's old place, I was out on the hill in back with Papaw, working in the garden. Two cars pulled up, service cars, like when someone is killed in the army they send those cars with people in them to tell you your loved one is dead..and I got scared. Because in the dream, my uncle Lonnie and Bon's husband Kelly were in the service..and since there were 2 cars, I thought they'd both been killed. Papaw did too, he tensed up and watched the women walk up the hill towards us with something in their hands.
The women smiled and said for us not to be afraid, that Lonnie and Kelly were alright, they were just there to give out quilts and plaques to families of soldiers.. so while they were giving those things to Papaw I went inside. There in the living room, Dad was sitting on the couch, watching television. He said, Hey Jute, got a minute? I said I sure do, just let me run to the bathroom, I'll be right back.
I left the living room, went into the kitchen and Mom and Mamaw were sitting at the kitchen table just talking up a storm. I don't recall what they were talking about, but it was just like old times. Mamaw called for me to sit and talk to them a while, so I did, then I must have forgotten all about Dad because I went out the front door and across the road. The house that's really there wasn't there in my dream.. it was a pond there, and a small trailor like house on the edge of it.
I walked up the steps and there was my Uncle Don sitting on the porch beside his ex wife Linda. She was so friendly.. she stood and smiled and reached for my hand and she said, you know, I never did get to show you all of my baby pictures of Kim.. do you have time to come in and see them now? I said Sure I do..and started to follow her inside. About that time, Mom came walking up and I woke up.
I sure do wish I'd gone back to talk to Dad.. Can't control a dream, but Damn I wish I'd just sat down and seen what it was he wanted to talk about. Still, it was wonderful in that I got to see them all again. That was an odd but sweet dream. Maybe that's why I had Dad on my mind all day today, and the hateful date had nothing to do with it.
We went to the cemetery today and I put a little ceramic angel on his grave. It tears me up to see his name on that tombstone. I dont think I'll ever really get used to that. People say it just takes time, but for the life of me I don't see how time, or anything else is going to take away this emptiness. If I could hold dispair in my hands, I'd drop it because it would be too heavy.
I've said before.. if you still have your Dad, (and your Mom) call and tell them you love them. Don't put it off. But then I got some feedback, Hey, Juel, you were lucky.. my Dad wasn't very good to me. I never had a Mom. I don't know my Parents they gave me away, so on and so forth.. they reminded me how blessed I was to have had Dad. I already knew that. Really I did. I just forget other folks aren't as lucky. I'm so sorry. :(
Anyway.. this pitiful-rambling-late-night-missing-my-Dad-post is done.
I love you all, good night and sleep sweet.
September 25, 2007
Lisa's 43rd Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Lisa!!!!!
Mom made dinner then took it to Lisa's - it was just what Lisa wanted, meatloaf, mashed 'taters (Dad's favorite, mom swore she'd never fix them again but then she decided to make them!! You go mom!! They were DELICIOUS!!) Green beans, dinner rolls.. turnip greens, baked beans, I think there was everything on that table, but then you can tell from the pics...
Nick got her the camera and memory card, we got her the printer and paper, pillows and potpourri, Mom.. woah mom got her the prettiest quilt you ever saw, and a set of 600 thread count sheets, (so nice!! I'm happy jealous!) She got a big basket of goodies from Shannon, all the things that make a gal feel pretty and a night gown, house shoes.. Lisa loved it all! :) That was so nice - I just wish Dad could have been with us.
Suckers
The girls made them to take to Lisa's tonight. They turned out pretty neat, didn't they!
Shew...
Booty Duty.. time for Maegan's 1000 mile check up.. Mom takes her duties seriously.
The Coolest Thing!
Mikyla had an assignment at school the other day. She had to write about her Hero, why this person was her hero, that sort of thing.
*gets all big headed*
She picked me.
How absolutely wonderfully neat is that? I'm a HEWO! I'm a HEWO!! Boy you talk about making me feel good but that sure did.
Thank you Mikyla, that made my whole year.. you're my hero too. I love you baby. :)
September 20, 2007
Shannon
It was good seeing you today - thanks for going with us. :) I can't believe you didn't see your birthday present while you were here - it was sitting right behind you.. if you'd turned it would have been staring you right in the eye!!!
Nick
broke the pinky finger on his right hand today playing basketball. Ouch! Phew he's gonna be needing a sufferin' toy now!
Nick, I'm sorry, that just sucks!
White Castles
Opened in London a while back. Lisa and Mom brought a bunch in tonight and we sat at the kitchen table glutting and talking and glutting some more. I think I ate 5 of those things. But then again we were talking, I didn't keep count, it was probably more like 15 of 'em.
A lot of people talk about how gassy they get when they eat those.. I know they can sure make your tummy rumble. However, I did notice later tonight that it wasn't my stomach that was hurting so much as my ovaries! OhhhhHhhhh!
Lisa said that her ovaries were hurting too. I'll have to ask Mom about hers..
*laughs*
Yeah, I'll just dial her up tomorrow.. say all non chalantly, "Hey! Mom, how's everything over there.. you good with your ovaries? No problems there?"
*groans* It's remarkable to me that a food can getcha right down deep in your ovaries, isn't it? Ohhhhh! Hep me, honey!
Sudden Ugly Thought: Reckon they get the guys right down in their testacles?
Gawd!
Mom...
... I think you should pack up, take that cruise. I'm serious. You've never had that opportunity before.. and I think it's high time that you get out of that house and enjoy what Dad made possible for you to enjoy.
From him, we learned that we just never know how much time we have left. You wouldn't be doing anything wrong to do something you've never done before, it would do you a world of good, I just know it would.
Think about it! *coughsandtakemewithyoucoughs* Please?
Hey! Stranger! Wash Your Dirty Ass!
They say only your best friend would tell you.. well I don't even know you but I'll sure as hell tell ya. I sat behind you at the courthouse today. You were the really hairy fella in the long sleeved sweat (good name for it because it smelled heavily of the stuff) shirt and cut off summer shorts. Why did I notice? Because I smelled something. Something so horrible I thought I was gonna throw up all over the back of your chair. Then it hit me what it was..and I stared at you with disbelief.
From all these little ones I'm with every day, I know what it smells like when they don't wipe well after they go potty. It was that nasty rotten smell but adult sized, not kid sized. My guess is you just smeared it around a little and called it "done". Good God man, I bet right about now you're feeling pretty raw aren't you. Nasty, nasty, nasty, you were every bit of 40 years old - way too old to be sitting in a courtroom smelling like that.
Please, the next time you do your business, WASH YOUR DIRTY ASS!
God-a-mighty.
September 17, 2007
Breakfast Yesterday
We all went to Lisa's for Sunday Breakfast again yesterday, as always, it was delicious! Thanks, Lisa!
The Grass
Is coming up at the cemetery.
Something's enjoying some corn on the cob on Dad's grave. I wonder if it's a deer...
Yesterday...
We took the kids to see a civil war reinactment. It was pretty cool. I got *coughsafewcoughs* some pictures...of course...
Randal Flagg?
Jana
If there's anything I can do, please let me know! I'm so sorry for your family's loss. My heart just breaks for his wife and children. God bless you all.
September 15, 2007
To Laugh Again,
feels funny - foreign and strange. Like somehow laughter doesn't belong, shouldn't be.. yet often I find it bubbling up from inside of me when the kids say or do their kid things. I'm greatful for it, but still, it doesn't seem right to laugh.
Jana cracked me up with her mail today, that felt so good, and then when I realized what I was laughing about, I just sat here amazed that I could laugh like that.
Life has a way of going on, doesn't it?
I sure wish Mom could learn to laugh again. I'm worried about her. She's so displaced, so.. lost and seems so empty. Lisa too. I wonder if she ever laughs anymore. I've not heard her. I've not heard Nick either.
We keep making plans to do things, but when it comes down to it, we end up not doing them, not going here or there, no one feels like it. To Mom's, to Lisa's, here and that's it. I wonder how long this can go on. This isn't living, we're in limbo. How strange it all feels. Like this isn't my life, but someone else's that I'm watching.
At Mom's I creep around like a shadow. I go in, pretty much at bedtime, go almost immediately to my 'bedroom' there and quietly watch television - thinking in my mind that I'm there, so she doesn't have to be afraid or lonely during the night. I'm sure thinking now, that she'd probably love to just sit and talk at the kitchen table, but I think I've been avoiding that because there I have to see Dad's empty chair. I'm sorry Mom. I'm so sorry. I'll do better, I promise. It's not so hard during the day when he wasn't home much anyway, but at night, it's pure hell to look at that chair. How much more hell that must be for you. I'm sorry. :(
I know one thing for sure, Dad would NOT want this. These somber eyes, these haggard faces, these stances of pure loss and hopelessness. He'd kick us all square in our asses and tell us to get a grip. Then he'd rare back and fart.
Mom, Lisa, Nick, if it's the last thing I ever do, I'm going to get you guys to laugh with me again. I promise.
Ouch!!
Shannon, I broke my foot on your present tonight. I was walking by it and somehow it reached right out and sat in my way without my seeing it! That hurrrt! hehe
September 14, 2007
Bubbles
The girls have been blue all day, missing their Mommy. Bubbles usually cure the blues and so...
They did manage to smile for me, sometimes downright cackling. Afterwards however the long faces were right back and we finally called Sarah and told her she's going to have to make this trip brief and get back home. She agreed, so now we just have to see how it goes.
Sarah come baaaaaaaaaack!!
September 12, 2007
I've Been...
...spending a lot of time at Mom's.. spending the nights over there with her - she just needs the company right now and I need to know she's alright. She said today that she was going to have one of her spare computers (she has three spares) put online for me to use while I'm over there at night. That'll be pretty cool. I miss the night net. :) But.. I have been watching a lot of television over there, last night I got to watch Wuthering Heights, again I sure do love that movie.
Tonight Mikyla's (she goes there with me, she can't be without Mammy and vice-versa) sick, she has the stomach virus that's gone through the house, so we're not going to go, but Lisa and Nick are going to stay with her so she's got company.
Sarah and Roy are going back in the morning, they say they're going to work for (Sarah says a couple of weeks, Roy says a few more months) a little while longer and get some money ahead then come back and find a place here, jobs here and leave the FEMA jobs to someone else. That'll be nice, we've sure enjoyed having them here with us since Labor Day. The girls have especially loved having them here, and I have to say they've sure had a good time together. *laughs* They've run Sarah's butt off, but they sure had fun.
There's so many things I felt and saw and heard, made mental notes to post them on here, but now that I have time to sit at the computer, damned if I can remember what any of them were. I guess they'll come back to me someday.
Mom and I had to go to the funeral home today to pick up Papaw's death certificate. Mercy it's hard to go up there.
This new computer is nice. It has these little slots for my camera card, 3 different sizes of camera cards, so I don't need to put that Kodak program in here. The monitor is so big that it makes the images distorted, I think I'm gonna trade it with the small one from the other computer. And it has a cool game called Purble Place on here! Cool for Mikyla and Mallory, but sheesh, since they found it, they spend more time on this thing than I do. No fair!
Poor Bonnie, she called while ago to tell me that she and Joel have this virus now. I'm so sorry Bonnie, I hate that for you both. I figure I'll come down with it tomorrow, I think that every day, but so far so good. I'm just fine for now. :) Thank goodness it doesn't last longer than 12 hours. Bleah!
I just can't think of anything else to write about. I guess I'll get off of here and see if I can't get Mikyla to drink some more juice. She sure is feeling icky. Poor baby.. I wish it were me and not her. G'nite world, be safe everyone!
Joel and Maegan
Sarah and Roy swiped a wagon they found up at Roy's Mom's house this afternoon, a two seater, and once Maegan and Joel set eyes on that thing, they made him pull him until it was dinner time. They loved it.. but I think he was sorry he swiped it by the time they were finished with him. :)
Chris!
Congratulations on the new baby! Tell Nikki I'm glad it's over for her and I hope they are alright and get to come home soon! Can't wait to see pics!
Shannon...
I bought your birthday present yesterday. Aren't I the precipitous one? I just love that it gives me almost a month to keep you guessing as to what it could be! It's bigger than a breadbox, smaller than a.. Huge breadbox! *laughs*
How old are ya gonna be this year, anyway? ;)
I Felt So Important...
Bonnie had to be at the doctor's office today around the time Joel got out of school, so for the first time, I got to go pick him up. Boy did I feel all important and full of myself doing this. When he saw me, he perked up, "MAMMY!" and he came running fast as his little legs would bring him, all the time telling his teacher, "Thisismymammythisismymammythisismymammy!!" (Repeatedly)
He's a doll.. when we got out to the truck he got in and told Sarah, "My name is Forest, Forest Gump." He cracks me up. :) Of course when we got back here, he had to have a snack. *laughs* He sure did like it, I'm thinking a grandmother's afterschool snack is a tad different from a Mom's afterschool snack.. would you agree?
Maegan had to have a snack too.. :)
My Inheiritance or...The Accidental Collection.
When someone I care for passes away, somehow, I'm the one who ends up having to "get rid" of, or "throw away" their personal affects. I just have the damnedest time doing that. Alright, for me, it's just downright impossible to just throw away something that was so closely used by those who've gone on.
When Mamaw died, Papaw asked me to throw her personal things away - I just put them all in a suitcase and then stored it. Including her false teeth. The same thing with my Mother-in-law. It just seemed wrong and disrespectful to just pitch them into the trash, so her personal things too went into a suitcase and up into the attic.
The family made a joke out of my having those things, so when Dad passed, yes, of course, a couple of my family members made sure that I got his teeth. The same thing with Papaw.
Now.. what do I do with these things? I figure hell, I might as well go with it. Lisa suggested a shadowbox and so...
Tada! Forever encased in glass, this legacy, to someday be handed down to.. well I'm not sure yet, but it's looking like Mallory is enjoying them most of all, so we'll see.
(And yes, I did get shadowboxes for Mamaw's and Charlottes, but I have to get into the attic to get them first, and it's HOT up there right now!)
Oh.. and yeah, I've already been told how sick I am, so you dont' have to bother emailing me to remind me. ;)
Oh.. and one more thing...in that photo of Dad in the shadowbox.. he IS shaking his false teeth at Mom.
September 09, 2007
Life...
just pretty much keeps happening. The kids are alright.. some kind of wicked stomach virus is going through the house. Mallory was sick last night with it, Maegan night before. Thankfully it just lasts a day..
I go stay the night with Mom at nights, Mikyla went with me night before last, and last night Joel and Mikyla went with me. Joel gets up early.. eye-yi-yi he was up by 7:30 and I know he didn't go to sleep till after 1.. he just kept talking, that child talks constantly. *laughs*
Shannon, thank you again for the Loin - that thing was Beautiful!!! Do you know how many ways there are to fix one of those!!! *g*
Thank you too for what you did for Bonnie. I know she appreciated that and I thought it was awfully sweet. You're something else. *hugs you tight* I love you.
We were supposed to go to the orchard today but no one's feeling up to it, so we just stayed home and are taking the day off. Sarah and Roy just left to get away for a while. She's soooo grouchy. *shivers* Mom! Maybe she can come visit you for a *coughsevercoughs* while! hehe
Okay, it's 11:30, everyone's up and at it.. I'm gonna go do some chores and then maybe play on this thing a while today to see how it works. I've had to download new versions of cute ftp and Paint Shop Pro.. I have to relearn EVERYthing again. Sheesh! Have a good day everyone!
Grandparent's Day
Mal's teacher had us come to her class Friday for Grandparent's appreciation, that is always such a treat.
Dinner At Mom's
I took stuff to make some ghoulash the other night, only took a couple of pics..
Dad
Lisa drives Dad's truck now, and the other day she picked me up to go to the cemetery. She keeps his pic there on the dash.
From Shannon
Looky here what Shannon brought me the other day!
I LOVE this!! THANKS SHAN!!!! Woo hoo!!
Sarah's Toolbox
Sarah spotted this pink toolbox and wanted it so Mom came in with it for her the other night. That was nice, thank you Mom!
Bad Luck
I hate it when they do this. Sarah moved it out of Mom's building for some reason, maybe to reach a bike, I don't know, but next thing I knew the kids were playing on it. I made them get off and put it away, I've always heard that's bad luck! Ick!!
September 08, 2007
New Computer
Okay...we've figured how to get the wireless router installed in this new computer, so it's online..now we just have to figure how to get the other 2 computers configured to this wireless deal. How cool is that? But... I can't find where to configure my email on this thing. Windows Vista. *laughs* Looks like it would be about the same as XP, but damned if I can find anything on the browser this opens, so if you've mailed me, hang in there, I'll figure this out soon. I hoooope!!
September 04, 2007
I hope...
..everyone had a wonderful Labor day! I hope you ate lots, played in some water, ate lots more.. went for walks.. played with the kids in your lives.. enjoyed your parents and grandparents if they're still living. I hope your summer was a good one filled with precious memories..and I hope this fall brings you only the best of everything. I love you all.
Bonnie touched the 'scooter' Sept. 2. Anyone know what this means? Aren't mysteries fun!?
Sarah and Roy came in from Oklahoma Friday for Labor day. They're still here, talking about staying, they're not sure yet. We'll see how it goes. :)
My cold is finally going away.. Sarah and Dippy both went to the dentist (yes they have the same dentist, the same appointment times) today, and both had a tooth pulled. The family that extracts together... stays together..
Jana is mysteriously quiet this weekend, I'm wondering if she finally made it to the Hall? Jana, come baaaack! I miss you!
My new 'puter should be here in a couple of days. A Dell made especially for photography. How cool is that? In anticipation of it getting here, Sarah and Roy went out and bought Mikyla all the Sim's games she loves and I installed them for her on this one. She's made her family.. the "Renea's" and is looking forward to playing on it tomorrow. She ran out of time this evening and had to go to bed for school. Mallory informed me that I shouldn't be on this one tonight that it isn't mine anymore. Pshh..
While Bon and I were at Mom's the other night we watched a movie she brought, "Ravenous" - set in the Spanish-American war era. It was a really neat, different take on vampirism/cannablism. Reckon that had anything to do with why she was so nervous that night? *laughs* If you get a chance, give it a watch, it was pretty good. Odd.. but not a bad movie.
I miss the hell out of my Dad. This truly sucks. A lot has happened this weekend that I'd just love to sit and tell him. This is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Live on a planet where he isn't. I see something and think, wow, Dad would LOVE that.. or I hear something and think, I can't wait to tell him about that. Or I go to Mom's and ... ah, you get what I mean. This just.. SUCKS. How on earth does anyone get over a loss like this? I don't think it's possible. I know, I know, it lessens in time. But good Lord, how on earth are we supposed to function while waiting for it to lessen? Please, please, if your folks are still alive, give them a call. Right now, pick up the phone and say, "Mom, Dad, I just wanted to call and say I love you." I promise you won't regret it.
And on that note, I'm going to get now and get some sleep. G'nite world. Be safe.
Nikki!!
Hang in there sweety, he'll be along when you're least expecting it!! Let us know when he gets here, and send me a picture!!
Love you!!
This Evening...
They all went to play basketball while Lisa and I went to water the grass seed at the cemetery. We drove by on the way and I got a few pictures..
Jumpah-Jumpah!
Maegan had Sarah out on this thing at 10 o'clock the other night. They're sure loving having her home like this and doing things with them. These girls are absolutely glowing. It's very very nice. :) I told her that we're going to have to find a way to keep her here and not let her go back to FEMA. I sure wish she'd just stay and not go back. What a difference in the world here right now!
Mallory Again
(I know I sure do post a lot of pics of the girls, and not too many of Joel - I just wanted to be sure everyone knows that I do take them of Joel.. but the little rascal covers his face, hides, turns, it takes an act of congress to be able to sneak up on him to get some good shots. He doesn't like having his picture taken unless he's in the mood for it!)
Joel
Joel is going to school now.. pre-school.. and today when Bonnie went to pick him up she said his teacher came and sat down beside her. She said she felt the teacher wanted to talk because she hadn't sat by any of the other parents, so she started a conversation.. said she asked the teacher if Joel's doing alright in school.
The teacher said, Oh yes, he does fine, but he has one problem we're working on now.. He has a hard time listening to us.. she told Bonnie that they have a "listening" chair that the children have to sit in when they're not listening to what they're supposed to be doing then she asked Bonnie if he listens good at home. Bonnie told her not too well.. that when she needs him to really listen she has to lean over and take her hand and hold it on his face and aim it at her own and tell him to 'listen', then he will. The teacher finished the conversation by telling Bonnie that "...Joel sits in the listening chair a lot."
They got up to leave, Bonnie took Joel by the hand and she said they got in the hall and she asked him... "Joel.. I hear you're having a hard time lis..."
Joel broke into her sentence nodding fast, replying before she could get out the word 'listening', "Yeah! I wanna go home and ride my car now!"
*laughs* He's a case!
Breakfast at Lisa's Sunday
She said she wants us all there every Sunday. YIPPEE! Thanks for the breakfast Lisa, it was delicious!
Bonnie and I...
...spent the night with Mom Sunday night. It was sort of comical... Bonnie is afraid of her own shadow... she's gone out with me on the ghost hunts in cemeteries at night, those supposedly haunted house jaunts, but she's as nervous as a bug in a hen house and we call her Shaggy.. because she's as brave as he is.
Mom pointed to the room where Papaw died, and said that was where we'd be sleeping. *laughs* Bonnie's eyes got big and she just stared at me. We just nodded and put our pajamas on and went to the living room to watch television. Bonnie nor I have ever slept in a room where someone passed away before... BUT we've often talked about how we'd love to go to Leap Castle in Ireland and staying overnight in one of the rooms there. I knew Bonnie would be jittery, but I didn't realize how jittery the thoughts of sleeping in Papaw's old room would make her. She had me cracking up with things she was whispering in there when we finally turned in after 3 that morning.
Why is it so bright in here, then it gets so dark, all of a sudden??!!
What was that noise??!!
What do you think made that security light come on???!!
Do you realize I'm sleeping almost exactly in the same spot he was in when he died?????!!
I'd ask you to change sides, but I don't know which is worse, you're over there by the closet....
Mom! I just know he's going to reach out and grab my foot!!!!!
Bonnie you're a hoot. We went to sleep and nothing in this world bothered us.
Bonnie
...came to Lisa's for breakfast Sunday with all the rest of us... she's big and pregnant and miserable in this heat. Sarah took all these shots of her, and we could only coax a faux smile out of her in one shot. Sarah got tickled at how grumpy Bonnie looks and suggested I post these to see if it makes Bonnie laugh. My guess is.. Bonnie will kill Sarah for the suggestion, and me for doing it. :) We'll see!
September 01, 2007
September 1 Already!
Have a safe and happy Labor Day, everyone! Love ya!!
The Graves
The dirt from having 2 graves dug was pretty much everywhere, and it was so full of rocks. We all went up there this evening with bags and bags of top soil, grass seed, rakes and shovels and a bale of straw and we went to work cleaning up the graves. Yes, that's Sarah and Roy helping too, they surprised us and came in for Labor Day weekend without calling to let us know they were coming.
So many hands got it done pretty quickly and it does look a lot better. We took away the flower bed at Mamaw's grave, those pebbles that were in there, and it looks much better.
Dad's Tombstone
They were there right on time this morning and Mom and I were there to watch them set it up. That was probably one of the most heart wrenching things I've ever seen. Dad's name carved in that stone. Anyway...they got it set quickly and said that we can put flowers in the vases tomorrow, today was too soon, the bond had to set or the vases might move. Mom, you picked out a really pretty stone. Here are some pics:
Click the images below to see the bigger images of the epitaph and details on the front and back of the gravestone.
What a Ride!
When we picked up Mikyla and Mallory from school today, look what was in the line to pick up a child. I thought that was neat. :)
Ashley's Candy
Ashley's been doing fundraising to get the money for her Senior trip to the Caymon Islands. Mom, Lisa, Nick and I made these peanut butter rolls for them to sell at the bake sale tomorrow. Don't they look good?
Good luck tomorrow, Ashley, we hope you sell every thing and make a bundle of money!!