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.