77th Wedding Anniversary

This post probably won’t be of interest to anyone except family and close friends…but I wanted to pay tribute to my mom and dad.

Today would have been their 77^th wedding anniversary.  Seventy-seven years!  Can you believe it?  It’s such a rare occurrence in this society for a couple to actually make a life long commitment.  But despite the odds and the trials and tribulations of life, they managed to hang in there and raised a loving family.

My dad was 24 and mom was 16 when they eloped.  Mom tells it that it was a cold Monday morning on February 5, 1934 and they planned their getaway as precise as the attack on Pearl Harbor.  On the pretense of giving a speech at school, mom dressed in her Sunday best and rode the bus to school with her sister, Frances.  Just think…if there had been a snow storm in 1934 like what we’ve recently experience, the schools in rural Oklahoma would have been closed and mom would not have had an excuse to ditch school and get married.  But I’m sure love would have won out and they would have eloped at the first opportunity.

It just so happened that my grandpa had to go to Talihina that same day and since his business took longer, he spent the night in town.   So mom and dad had to keep one eye on the preacher and one eye on the whereabouts of grandpa.  The next day mom and dad were out and about enjoying being newly weds and decided to go into a department store.  They were at the back of the store when grandpa walked in.  Lord, help!  Well, dad ran out the back to hide in their hotel room.  Chicken.  LOL.  I can imagine his heart was probably pounding.  Mom…she hid in one of the ladies dressing rooms.   The sales lady helped mom disguise herself in a hat and coat.  Mom walked right by her dad and out the store and he didn’t recognize her.  From their hotel room window, they could see grandpa walking the main street of town.  Late that afternoon, grandpa started for home.  Dad climbed to the top of a box car and watched him ride out of sight.   As grandpa rode home, little did he know he had a new son-in-law.  Mom told me that she stood looking out the hotel window and wondered what life would bring.

They eventually smoothed things over with my grandparents and they came to look upon my dad as another son.  My dad was orphaned as a very young child and he quickly came to love my grandmother as his own mom.  I remember when my grandmother died; it was the first time I had ever seen my dad cry. 

This picture was taken in 1984 when we had a big blow out for their 50^th anniversary.

So…mom and dad thank you for all your sacrifices and the love and respect you taught your children.  We all will see you again in Heaven.

Have A Blessed Day

Juicy's Birthday

January 21st was a very special day.  The timing of this surprise birthday party went down as precise as the launch of the space shuttle.

Juicy was escorted in blind fold not knowing what was in store.

Juicy had made me promise not to do anything on her birthday but, of course, that eliminated her daughter and granddaughter.  Juicy was so overwhelmed she wanted to kill daughter.

After the police left and 9-1-1 called, her cardiologist anticipates a complete recovery.

Now on to the party.

Anytime we all get together, it involves food.

and gifts

Chena is running for daughter of the year with this beautiful piece for her fireplace mantel.

Juicy enjoyed birthday greetings, gift cards and cash.

LaDonna sets in the corner and all she can do is smile, nod her head and pray for Juicy.  The trials and tribulations that Sugg and Juicy put upon this sweet lady is legendary...but that's a different post.

LaDonna's main squeeze taking time out to text.  I wonder if he does that during church services?

Double cousins and the stories I could tell you about them.

And, of course, the grand kids...Faith and Cherokee.

Christian's dad will remain in the dog house for months for the awful hair cut that was imposed upon my baby grandson.  Shame on you, dad.

Some people think when you get to a certain age that the quality of life is on a downhill run and nothing will ever be the same again. 

I don’t necessary buy into that.  When a woman becomes a “certain” age, she is freer to be opinionated and express her feelings to everyone around her whether they want to hear it or not.

We have arrived at a time when we should be comfortable in our own skin and thumb our noses to anyone of the opposite view.  Granted, the days of weighing 12 pounds is over, string bikini may not be the wisest fashion choice but you can be happy with life and enjoy grand kids, friends and set back and watch the younger folks make a fool of themselves.

Every stage of life can be what you make it and I choose to be happy and enjoy making people around me laugh and live life to the fullest.  I so intend to be the most active 80 year old you’ve ever seen.

So, when you get depressed about not being 21 years old and no longer weighing 12 pounds, think of the alternative…any day above ground is a great day.

Keep these thoughts in mind, Juicy, so you can tell me on my next birthday.

Happy Birthday, Juicy - live life to the fullest.

Glenna and Keith's Wedding

I recently attended the wedding of some dear friends, Glenna and Keith

Specials ladies, LaDonna and Glenna

Her cool sister, Julie.  She took us on a wild ride in a bus while in Branson.  I believe the cops are still looking for her. (grin)

Hey, Glenna, who's that strange guy on your right...the Wedding Crasher????

I'm surprised we got through the wedding with these two guys around.

The wedding party was comprised of all children except for the bride and groom.  Amazingly, it all turned out great and was beautiful.

Neat way to display the wedding bouquet.

I can't ever take Juicy anywhere!!!!!!

 Finally got her to straighten up right.

Christmas 2010

Why don't you come on in by the fireplace and join me for a cup of hot chocolate.

I had the honor of being a part of the progressive dinner at my church this year and I so enjoyed my church family visiting.  We had such a good time visiting and going from one house to the next to eat different things.

Of course, I can't take credit for the food.  My BFF, Donna, a/k/a Martha Stewart fixed all the food.  Kati even came over to help.

George's horse was tied up at the front gate.

LaDonna and Patsy came by

I enjoyed decorating for the season.

Even the victorian bedroom had to have a tree.

I'm just a victorian lady at heart

The bathroom had to have some Christmas bling

I may have enjoyed the decorating but I am sooo glad it's over.  It can wear you smooth out. LOL.

Hope you enjoyed your visit and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Thanksgiving

Well, it’s about that time of year where I have to scrounge around and hunt for my can opener.  I sometimes wonder why I had a kitchen included when the house was built.  I suppose for resell value on the house for the kids after I have gone on to my great reward.  Since my name’s not Rachel or Martha, it’s a dissertation to cook for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  A few years ago, I got wise and decided to go out for Thanksgiving dinner.   While it was great to walk away and leave the clean up to others, it made for skinny helpings on the left overs during football games.  But, anyway, I try to make up for it at Christmas dinner.  If my kids knew about a Thanksgiving dinner episode in my younger years, they might decide that eating out isn’t so bad.  When I was 19 years old and a new bride, I thought it would be great to cook Thanksgiving dinner with ALL the “fixins.”  I mean, really, mom…what’s so hard about cooking 24 hours straight, eating for 30 minutes and cleaning up for 3 hours.  Really!  Anyway, my sister and her family came to visit me and I was all excited about displaying my new found culinary skills.  I was so proud that I remembered to take the turkey out of the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator for a few days…still had to soak it in hot water to thaw.  But things were rolling along pretty well for the seasoned cook.  I can’t remember all the details of that long ago feast but I’m sure my cornbread dressing was probably just above the level of crumbled up cornbread stuffed inside the turkey.  That was BEFORE Stove Top Stuffing was available at the local Wal-Mart and BEFORE my mother and sister revealed their delicious cornbread stuffing recipe.  Well, company arrived and we were having a high ole time and then…oh, yeah, aren’t I supposed to cook this bird for a few days?  I believe I put it in the oven the night before and cooked it for 12 hours or so but who’s counting.  We managed to pull it all together and I was sooo proud to set it all on my new dining room table.  Surprising to me, the turkey didn’t look half bad and with great anticipation, I craved the pumpkin…I mean the turkey.  This can’t be that hard, just slice and serve, right?  Wrong!  I need to tell you about one, small, minor detail.  At that point in my life I hated giblet gravy and it never occurred to me that the packed-in-paper giblets were inside the turkey.  Never gave it a thought…until, I carved into the paper and pulled out the giblets for all to see.  Well, husband number one fell on the floor laughing and my sister has never let me live it down.  Great entertainment but you can rest assured, NOW I ALWAYS CHECK THE INSIDE OF A TURKEY. 

Be safe and serve bone in ham!

Have A Blessed Day

Grand Children

A wise woman (my mother) once told me, “If I had known grandchildren were going to be this much fun, I’d had them first.”  Well…not knocking my own children, but I do know what you mean, mom.  I have three wonderful grandchildren, two girls and one and only grandson, the baby.  They are all the “cat’s meow” with me.  I don’t get to be with my oldest granddaughter very much but she is just as precious to me as the rest of the kids.  I don’t know if it’s the feeling of immortality but there’s nothing like holding a newborn grandchild.  I’d put it up there above chocolate cake, the smell of fresh mowed grass and the first feeling of puppy love.  There’s nothing like it.  There’s a closeness among your grandchildren that’s so different than with your children.  The pressures of meeting responsibilities, as when your own children were young, is not there and you’re free to let go and act just as young as the grandkids.  I mean…what’s greater than getting under the dining room table and playing tent or seeing who can cram more bubble gum in your mouth or see who can belch the latest.  Seriously, (LOL), there’s nothing greater than going back in time and being a child with a child. 

My precious Ashley

My Comedian Faith

And then there's Christian.  First birthday and full of it.  Has a way of wrapping his little finger around your heart.

Have a Blessed Day

Branson

I recently went on a road trip to Branson with a group of ladies from my church.  Now…let me tell you, these are fine upstanding Christian ladies; HOWEVER, when they go out of town, something happens to them.  All sense of propriety seems to evaporate like chocolate panties on a hot afternoon.   We have a wonderful, anointed pastor, but honestly…she has GOT to have the patience of Job to ramrod these trips.  There’s a couple of ladies in the group (I won’t mention their name), I’ll just call them Sug and Juicy.  Lord, help us all, Jesus!  Words can’t really explain their demented mind.  You’ll just have to see the picture below. 

The group went to the Presley’s show and thoroughly enjoyed their performance.  Evidently, Sug and Juicy did too.  I hope the Presley’s will allow us to return.

Now what in the world could she be drinking?

See the lady in front...she's still sleeping it off.  hahahaha.

Me and my BFF happened to be in one of Branson’s stores…you know the one…the store with all the pretties in it.  LOL.  Well, I was standing by Juicy when she spotted something she couldn’t live without.  She hiked out at a dead run down the narrow isle, knocked over a little old lady and her shopping cart, continued sprinting down the isle and with one bound, jumped over a row of hanging clothes and nosed-dived into a display of king size satin sheets.  Lord, help us all!  Haven’t seen “Sista Juicy” move that fast since the last time we had a Jericho March on a Sunday mornin’.  I learned a lesson…stay outta of Juicy’s way when satin sheets are in her sights. 

I think Juicy had a picture of our Pastor on her back.  My, my.

You really need to pray for this group.

Awesome group of ladies.