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Showing posts from 2012

REMEMBERING '12 ....

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Jesus smiling.....for the most part.....that's how I will remember this year. Life has been a "mixed bag" of all emotions one can feel. Highlights are recorded in my FB timeline of events. So those things are definitely some of  the better happenings of this year. (although every good thing or others which caused stress, certainly aren't documented there!) Family, friends, even strangers have touched my life this year with both joy and sadness. In our world....it seems the devil is on one heck of a rampage!! Prayer is a most powerful tool.....I admit, I've done a lot MORE  of it this year. I will continue on into this new year, and as long as I'm allowed to breathe and live on this earth. There have been many "comings and goings" this year. Quite a few mental and physical "adjustments" for us. Hey, I got another year older....and happy to be here to celebrate that, too! Many happy times.....birth of some new "babes" for u

"Money Pit"

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This movie made an unexpected visit here Christmas Eve! Donnie, being the prankster he is!, and Pam decided to play a "funny" on Stacey & Marc. Some of you may know.....Stacey was able this yr. to purchase a house. We've all been so excited for them, and now their money goes NOT to rent, but into a home that will be theirs to grow the kids there. They moved into the house 'bout July. Within a couple of months.....they had to replace the air conditioning system AND dig up the septic....ugh. Now, unfortunately, there seems to be some damage to the roof. ugh. (piece of ceiling in kitchen "fell in"). It's been a tough time for repairs/replacements! So, Donnie went out, searched and found this movie.....gave it to Stacey & Marc as a "gift"......It really WAS quite funny (at the moment!) Notice the looks on Stacey & Marc's faces in these..... Now....it was like my sweet Daddy was present! Daddy had a talent for "pic

GOTCHA!! Elusive Catch.

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I'm not very patient....who knew! LOL It's been exasperating trying to "catch" my Redheaded Woodpecker. I hear him, get camera, go out.....line up, poof!, he's gone....even before I can click off 1 shot. grrrrrrrrr Today.....I went out, he went behind the tree, then off again on his merry way. :( So....I gently walked around. Aha. Spotted him. He was just hangin on the tree, taunting me....not moving or peckin for bugs. Aim, shoot, GOT him. Yes. Then he flew waaaay up high....sat there just sunnin himself. Stinker! So, aim, shoot, GOT him. It's been a successful shoot.....F I N A L L Y.  haha (don't ya just luv it when "a plan comes together"....LOL

Santa CRIES !!

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I was looking at: Santa Photos gone wrong on Yahoo. There were 61 pics of children CRYING, scared and trying to leave Santa & run to their parents....cute. However, I chose this one.....Don't think I've ever seen one where even Santa was crying.......HILAROUS. Poor Santa.....no joy here!! Hope his "pay" was worth some of the shots I saw!!

Ariel's BOYfriend......

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During Eric's arrival....one thing took center stage. ARIEL. While he was living here (off/on), she became very attached & bonded w/Eric. She would not leave him alone. We've called Eric (on his leavings and returns) her "boyfriend"......she's so loving his presence!  Gettin that chin sugar!! Below...all under the chin!! Look how she's "twisted" to get that sugar...LOL This was the goodbye "session" love feast..... Ariel will miss Eric, too.....

SUN from the SON........

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Yesterday and today I got my early Christmas present!! Eric was able to be here mid-afternoon Tues., spent the nite, and left 'bout 1:30 today. It was a short visit, but I so enjoyed getting my HUGS and chattin w/him. I think we made good use of our time together. It was Quality, even if not, quantity! You who know me toooo well......there were things I wanted done while he was here....lol   Eric always is willing to do what he can to "help" me. When the house was gettin it's new outer clothes (siding) and being painted.....I had to remove all my precious "things" to make way. I've truly missed these items. Somehow, the "new" wasn't comfortable! I love the siding and paint job. It's amazing. So, Eric went about returning "things" to their rightful places. Now.....my beautiful,  chimes are rehung. I've so missed their sweet tones in the winds! Eric hung up my new sunflower thermometer, the Mich. grandkids' clock

TRUE Love....

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This 'ol man has been my beloved husband almost 32yrs. now. Lamar is sweet, loving, caring and always supportive and generous to a fault! After all these years.....I love him more than the day we met! Lamar kinda "grows" on ya! I don't know how other people manage, but we have our own way of loving and coping w/life together. It's worked.... Lamar, even younger, was never much of a "romantic". Maybe more then than now, ofcourse. If I've learned one thing......it's that love grows and develops to a different level as we age. I honestly think it gets deeper and sweeter. This morning he let me know once again.....in his own "special" way how he loves me. I've been very painful w/a neck problem (started frm a crick, I think!) for all this week. Unable to even lie down to sleep in my own bed. ugh. Friday nite I was able to get back into bed. I made it from 5 a.m. to 'bout 9:15 or so. (other nights have been sitting upright in

Hunter SHOOTS Hoops...

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Hunter played basketball today while here. It takes a few "wild shots", but then he's dead-on the hoop!  Above is SLAM it in!!!  Love that "look" on his face.....going in. Love the action as he proceeds to dunk it.... It was a good day.....Love my GRANDS.

Duh...NO ball in sight !!

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Today my sweet GRANDkids visited us. They behaved beautifully and we so enjoyed having them here. They played ball outside. Hunter shoots hoops very well. Kammie is petite and goal is so high. We told her that she had to jump high when she threw the ball, then maybe she'd get some hoops. Well......she did. I was so "into" her throws, feet off the ground, hair swingin in the wind......NOT one shot shows the goal or the ball.  Lawd! Think the pics of her "actions" are still fun to see....Love the "looks" of expectation in this last shot! That hair a-flying!! Think she had fun.....GrandMa & GrandPa surely did.

WOODY...Whoot Whoot!!

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Have spent a few days attempting to "shoot" our Redheaded Woodpecker. That darn bird is sooooo quick and elusive, he hides behind limbs and I can't see him! Lamar heard him early this morning, and finally spotted him. I got camera and went "huntin". NO luck. I looked everywhere I heard him. grrrrrrrrrr Later, we heard him again. I went out the 2nd time. Kept following his pecking noise....Lamar spotted him. I waited.....got off 2 quick shots before he took off for better eats! 1st shot was with  surroundings clear, him completely "faded" out! Did get this one. He is our bigger woodpecker.....there are actually 3 who come and go.(small, medium, and this larger one) I looked north, south, east and west. He chose the north.....Happily, I got one shot! I've learned that photography and trying to "capture" my "subject" takes patience & many tries sometimes. So, after a few days, I'm happy to get this one shot...LOL

BONE Smarts !

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My sweet Ariel...... Sat. she & I laid down on the bed (in spare room) and watched tv. I was busy "catchin up" on my soaps, she just won't get too far away....anytime. If I go in and close the door.....she'll scratch on it till I let her in!! If I take a nap in our bed....it's the same scenario! This is Ariel's squeaky bone. It wound up in our "tv" room Sat.( I forgot to bring it back out.) This morning, first thing, Ariel began scratching on that room door. I popped out of my computer chair and let her see I was in our bedroom. She kept it up.....I opened the door to "pacify" her.....and there it was.....her Bone!!!!!!!! Now.....that's a pretty sharp memory! It had been there since early Sat. I'm soooooo proud of her.......I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast, or if I did....LOL

I HATE Change.........

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--google images-- I have no idea who this sad child is, or what might have driven him to tears.  His expression mirrors my feelings right now. Since 1981, when we were married, we have had professional dealings with ONE pharmacist. Nancy transferred several times, we always "followed" her to the new location. Nancy is the best pharmacist. Her personality was such that she became our "friend" thru the years. She knew our history, and we were always greeted by name. Today, I went in to pick up our prescriptions. Another sweet pharmacist took me aside and explained......Nancy was transferred to another Publix!! and will not be at ours any more. Well, girls, I LOST it.....I broke down & cried right there. :(((( They couldn't tell customers what location and suggested we let the Mgr. know how we felt. She said there were a LOT of customers who are upset over this change. (not just us.) Many customers don't even shop at Publix, but came for prescriptions

Uncle SID....my thoughts

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This is Uncle Sid, my Mama's baby brother. Sadly, he passed on up to heaven this past week. My prayers go out to his children, grands and the rest of his family. My personal memories have come flooding back....after reading Nancy's sweet words in tribute. My memory is a  BIG  one. After I graduated HS, Mama&Daddy somehow found a way to send me off to Atlanta for business school. I know my parents made major sacrifices to accomplish that feat. Uncle Sid and my parents agreed that I could "live" with him while I attended school. I was welcomed into Uncle Sid's home. Now you must know.....Uncle Sid had 2 young children at home. He already had a "full" plate! His home became mine. I was treated like his own, and given all the "perks" as if I was in my own home. I loved him and those 2 beautiful children. We all got along well.....at least I remember it that way!  Uncle Sid was a very loving, sweet, fun-to-be-around man. I don't hav

The DRAW of the BLADES...

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Men, boys....all ages. A good piece of today (Thanksgiving) was spent by our men gathered 'round the kitchen table. Handling, perusing, discussing, and generally mesmerized by a collection of knives !! An onset of "hobby" for Donnie is buying/selling knives! Pam says that she hopes it will soon be over...haha  (Donnie has had her "hawkin" them, too!  Apparently, Pam sells MORE than he does, and faster!) Now I must admit....there was one I liked! Lamar surprised me w/it when we got home..LOL  Now, what will I do w/a knife....except CUT myself. Oh my lawd!! Pam was overseeing the "sales"....hehehe  It was definitely a "new" joining of male minds!! (by the way....mine is one w/an Eagle head...yes.)

Terrific, WACKY TUESDAY

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Tuesday was a wack-a-doo day !! ERIC came for a visit....haven't seen him in a while. He finally arrived 12:15 or so. (I had been waiting since much earlier...haha) Grands are out of school, so I was to "sit" with them until Stacey got home. Needed to be there 'bout 2pm. So.....Eric went, too! He wanted to see the kids, Marc and Stacey. It was a wacky, yet wonderful visit! Not much one-on-one time at all. It was a great blessing to be able to get those  HUGS  I've been missin sooo much. I'm happy to have had the visit, especially right at Thanksgiving. When we started to leave to go to Marc's... Emma, Patty's daughter....decided she would ride w/me. I know now the "draw" was the Camero....hahaha  That's the first time I actually talked to Emma at length. It was a very pleasant experience. She's very smart and chatted away easily w/me. Emma has been a diabetic since she was a babe.....she's very in tune w/her diabetes. I wa

GOD's Grace....

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I keep this picture stored in my download files. It is such a beautiful, sweet, reassuring  picture. Don't you just LOVE that beautiful smile! It says to me, everything is going to be okay, my child. Today I traveled a most worrisome road. This was a "recheck" mammo.....for some "micro" thing they found in April. Stress doesn't cover my emotions....ever since they called Fri. to "remind" me of my appointment! I had managed, with all that's going on in our lives these days, to put this lil "trip" waaaaay back out of my mind. Didn't dwell on it, think about it, or talk about it! That's how I move along....LOL I was taking deep breaths, knots in my stomach as I walked into the building. Well, dang, it IS scary..... knowing our family history and all. Before I got out of the car, I prayed....again. I asked for strength to get thru whatever I might face. And, not at all ashamed, I asked for this "thing" to be gone!

the "REST OF THE STORY"......

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I did soooo Love Paul Harvey. His stories were always so interesting.....and, he researched to bring a story to an often unknown ending. The "rest of the story" always let ya know.....the circle was closed on that topic for him. In that fashion....I wanted to do this blog. I love photography. I'm quite a happy amateur! Now, with Pinterest I get to see unlimited talent. This picture was one that "drew me in"....After I pinned it.....there were like 30+ other people who loved it too! This picture received the most pins on my boards. Just look at it....Never did try to track down the photographer. Only went as far as where the pin originated. Browsing pinterest boards is a fun pastime. I enjoy "following" pictures/quotes and such as far as I dare. In browsing.....I "fell into" a site. The photographer is TIMOTHY WALKER. A very eclectic range of photos. Behold! There was this picture among them. I gasped! (He has several other photos

Photo OOPS!!!!!

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I'm a "point n shoot" girl. I LUV to do that....it's my relaxation and personal "fun" time. My subjects seem to always wind up as birds, flowers, trees, etc. I  LUV nature. Many times I have clicked, just as doing so....the bird flies  away. It happens toooo often. So, I just delete those and go forward! Today was a bit different. I was shooting the elusive redbirds. (Usually I only have them "tease" me @ dusk, when I can't get a shot---no light. At that time, they are out in force----6-8 or so. darn it!) I had taken a few shots and spotted a bird light on a limb. In the camera, I could see it well...only not to identify him. Took the shot, put it on computer.....found this. Believe it is a Titmouse.....Without his HEAD showing....LOL   A leaf fell @ the "click" and hid it's face.!!!!!!!! To me it's tooooooo funny.( Just one of the hazards of being surrounded by trees.) Pretty good shot, minus the leaf.....hahaha Oh

PT Prediction DONE!!!

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When David came to stay with us, he was like "liquid" falling out of the truck. It took Lamar + Eric to assist him out and into the house. Today, our PT instructor's prediction was realized!! Matt told David he had great potential to recover. Matt also asked when David's next Dr. appt. was.....it was 6 wks. Matt told him then.....I'll have you walking into that Dr.'s office by that time.  David walking into the Dr.'s office today....  David walking UP the ramp(at home) on his own today... This is our HAPPY proof...... We are so amazed and pleased w/the progress David has made......thru his hard PT work and w/the grace of God....David is well on his way to recovery. It is a verrrry HAPPY day to see this. David was determined to go down & up the ramp of his own accord....he DID it, too!! Since he went to the Dr. fasting for blood work....we also took him out to eat lunch. David did well at that, too. Sooooooooo much easier than a bundlesome,

David's GRADUATION day....

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This past week, our PT instructor told David he could begin using a walker!! Yeah. This is quite a huge leap in the direction of healing & regaining use of his left side. It was excellent news. God has blessed David so much.....the progress he's making is amazing. Today, we got him his own personal walker. It's just like the ones used at PT, only black and theirs are red. It will give David much more freedom. The wonderful side effect is......all the physical aspects of a wheelchair will be done! Thank You, Jesus. It's rough to move from the couch, into the wheelchair and out again for whatever....bed or bath. I also am verrrrry thankful.....lifting that sucker out/in the truck on arrival/departure from PT was reallly hard for me! The back knows....lol This is David's new ride!!! He can walk and sit down when/if he gets tired. All the glory to God above. With God's loving, healing arms wrapped around him......he is sure to continue toward the path for re

SHAKEN, but not broken....

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Lamar, this wonderfully sweet, loving, kind, gentle, loving man who has been in my life over 30 yrs..... This morning he fell!! Tripped, he says. I heard a loud noise, but was unable to get there as quickly as I wish that I had. By the time I reached him.....he was sitting at the table. .. literally, shaking from this experience. Thank God....no broken bones. He skinned his left arm a bit, but nothing else seems harmed. When Lamar is on the floor.....he has to get to a surface where he can "pull" up. Then he gets back onto his feet. I haven't been giving thanks like some on FB this month. However, today I AM.....I  truly  THANK GOD that Lamar didn't break anything!! This household could NOT proceed successfully w/o him. He takes tender, loving care of David (his brother) after his stroke. All the physical duties go to Lamar..... Lamar also helps me.....he washed their clothes this wk. while I went w/David to PT. He does soooooo much around here.Lamar often sur

CHICKEN Sunday....

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Sweet Vickie called and asked if we wanted to go out to Cracker Barrel for Sun. lunch. Talked to Lamar & David, it was a gooooooooo. It must be really hard for both of them to be so "housebound". Lamar has no "free" time, except for the hour or so David & I go for PT.(even w/ that being 3x a week--it leaves little time for him to relax.) Lamar does manage to "escape" to a Dr. or the trash "delivery" site.....that's 'bout it! Bummers!! I, however, being the "traveler",  get many more "outs".....groc. store, running errands, and a rare lunch out. I consider myself blessed. Today was enjoyed by all. Boneless fried chicken for Sun. @ Cracker Barrel is delish & more adjectives, too!! Ofcourse.....we met up @ 12:30----people  out of church, travelers on the road and anyone who likes their Sun. chicken was there!!!!!!!! To say it was CROWDED is quite an understatement. Even w/the crowds, people were very consi

Fun n FANTA

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After I picked up Maxine for her visit, we made a stop on the way to my house. I didn't tell her, so she was surprised.....and I think she enjoyed our road stop. This is a yearly event.....arts, crafts, food and such. I love "gadgets" and found this one at the festival! It may be "tacky" to some.....but I admire "handmade" items. PURPLE is my fav color.....so I bought it.  I really do think it's cute & fun..... Ofcourse, the blades turn w/wind.... I must admit that I have enjoyed a Fanta Grape or few in my younger days! Don't drink sugary drinks much any more....but I DO remember how goooood it tasted!! Lamar likes my "plane" and it's just a fun item. :))