Labor Day Weekend 2010

Over Labor Day weekend we went to the Bonner Bed and Breakfast Cottage.  It may have been the coldest Labor Day, but the girls still wanted to go tubing.  They had a great time and enjoyed the river.  I did not realize how wide the Maumee river is, I am used to seeing it from the Ft Wayne point of view.  I love the picture of Kennedy who looks like we just caught her stealing the boat, would not surprise me.  Jennifer told K to put her thumb up or down for fast or slow and as you can see up was the position she preferred.  The Bonner family is so nice we so appreciated their hospitality and all the food!

Tressa has become such a fashion girl, I call her the "fashionestta."  Her biggest influence is our neighbors Shannon and Lindsay.  They took her shopping the weekend before school and she came back with an arm full of clothes and some wisdom for life for example, "belts go with everything," "never date a guy who rides a moped," "don't drink till your 21 years old," of course...  Those ladies treat the girls so good and are great mentors for the kids.  When I was a kid I had the same type of older girl who taught me some lessons for life for example, "ice goes great with milk" "be active in school" and the best of all "The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniels) will become #1" , who knew...she did.  I recently learned that this wonderful girl died of Cancer which saddens me.  I should have written her a letter a long time ago to tell her how much she influenced me.  Never wait until it is too late another lesson in life.

I recently read the book Julie and Julia, my sister the other "L" in the family always says that the books are better then the movies as in Eat, Pray, Love, not true in this case, in my opinion.  Sometimes I had to turn a couple of pages to get back into the book.  I did some research on the Author Julie and read that after she published the book and it started taking off she had an affair on her husband, TERRIBLE!  In the book she explained how he helped her so many times and sacrificed so much for her, as it should be, in my opinion (j.k).  Anyway,  maybe she started getting an ego with the book doing well and slipped down the wrong path.  I am so thankful that I am not famous, they have such an ego problem.  Hey, I can get an ego sometimes on 900N, I start thinking I am the queen of the block, then my neighbor Shannon shoots me down because she can always do things better then me, she is the Martha Stewart of the block!  She always brings me back to reality.  Thanks Shannon!

I end this blog in memory of Dapper, thank you for the memories I hope that your soul will rest in peace, Amen.

Just a thought...

How can Charles Loughton go from being so mean in "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" to being the ghost in the "Canterville Ghost?"  I like that movie, one my age never knew how popular Robert Young was until you become a fan of TCM like I am.  A big shout out (as T-bird would say) to Uncle L, he is our biggest fan of the blog and always has funny comments to send me after reading them.  We miss ya and hope to see you soon!  Now go make it a GOOD DAY by watching a movie with Walter Pidgeon in it, he was always the best with Greer Garson.

Where has the summer gone?

It is Thursday afternoon and the count down is on for the first day of school which is Monday.  It is very hot outside so K and I have decided to rest in front of the television.  I would normally be watching TCM and the actress of the day is my favorite Norma Shearer, but the movie right now is "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," but Charles Luaghton is so mean as the father I can't stand to watch it.  I have opted for Raising Sextuplets.  T-bird is staying with a friend getting ready for the back to school bash tonight at the Middle School.  I can't believe the summer is almost over it always goes by so fast!  We had a great summer filled with good memories especially the recent vacation out to South Dakota.  My favorite spot was Devils Tower in Wyoming.  The girls loved swimming and Chris got to see the Badlands.   I recommend this spot to everyone, there is so much to do.  Pray for a good year at school!

Kennedy shows a cow!

Unfortunately, this website is not letting me download the video, but here are some pictures of the girl and her cow.  Mr. Hunt has the good shots, so I will update at a later time.  I also put in a picture of her showing in the Mini Pig Show.

County Fair

Tressa had a great day at the pig show.  We came away with Reserve Grand Crossbread Lightweight class, 2nd place with Chuck (Barrow), 1st place with Gilt and 5th with other Gilt.  Very proud of her hard work and also for the tremendous help we had from Andon and Pam.  The hard work paid off and we look forward to showmanship on Thursday.  More picutres to follow.

Nort and Megan get married...

What is this block coming to?  The security captin has gone off to the "west side" to get married.  What a beautiful day!  The reception was awesome and T-bird practiced shooting pictures, enjoy...

We updated the "block" photo since we have acquired new neighbors, who wouldn't want to live on our block?

Kennedy turns 9

She has been wanting a guitar and the look on her face was priceless, although I did not get a picture of it.  We enjoyed friends and family to help us celebrate her day.  Thank you Kennedy for all the smiles and hugs you give us each day.  Your such a sweet girl.

Happy Birthday Dad!

This post is not coming out like I would like it to, but I have other things to get done.  The above pictures are of Chris and the girls as they give him his gifts for his birthday.  I say "girls," but it appears in the right picture that T-bird will not wake up to say "Happy Birthday, Dad."  It was just too much work for her.  Dad enjoyed his CD's and Bill O'Reilly book. 

The next day we celebrated K's 9th birthday with a trip to Chuckie Cheese and Holiday Park. 

Gods Blessings...

I thought that I must report my recent blessing from God.  We are blessed every day, but recently it was an instant answer to prayer.  Here is the story...I recently lost a job that I usually get during the summer months and this money helps with the vacation fund. However, I knew when I lost the job God was going to give me something, I had to keep the FAITH.  Last week I was praying and telling God "I know you have something for me, I just know you do and it will be perfect for me."  Well, not 2 hours later I get a phone call from a Marketing/Research company who have called me over the years to ask questions to see if I would qualify for a study they are doing and I have done about 2 studys over 8 years.  When I answered I did not get an immediate response and almost hung up, but the lady came on and asked if I could answer some questions to see if I would qualify for a study.  I started answering the questions and she thought I might qualify for the study and would I have time for an 8 hour study next week?  I said, "How much does it pay?" She said "$175 plus meals and parking paid."  Of course I said "Yes!"  She apologized that she seemed unorganized, but she was working on a different study when her computer accidently dialed me for this study, "this was a freak accident."  I said no it wasn't it was an answer to prayer...

Kennedy Riding Her Bike

As promised here is a picture of Kennedy riding her bike, she is so proud.  She has been tearing up the County Road along with the Swindell drive. 

Kennedy Rides Her Bike

Although I do not have a picture of it we wanted to make a note that Kennedy was able to ride her bike yestereday without the training wheels.  She did a great job and took off on the first try.  Dad was very proud of her and he did a great job keeping up with her.  Big thanks to Wes and Shannon for letting us use their drive, cinnamon rolls coming your way...not!

Just enjoyed a weekend away with the Hunts to celebrate Chris's birthday.  Shawna and I got some great decorating ideas from a bar in Hillsboro, IN.  We ended the evening with a great steak at our favorite spot, The Moonglow in Danville, IL.  Love that place!!  I was the big winner of the day, picking Super Saver (Go Calvin!) to win the Kentucky Derby, YES!!!  Triple Crown all the way!

Speaking of Super Saver I have included a picture of some items I got FREE yesterday!  I have become coupon, bargin lady and I love it when it's FREE. 

Goin Home

I love classic movies, my favorite channel is TCM, Tressa will come home from school and say, "not another black and white movie!"  Yes, I should have grown up in the 1940's that is my favorite movie era.  If you are a true "Hoosier" you would know the Christmas classic "Remember the Night." 
I was channel surfing last night and came across the movie The Snake Pit, starring Olivia de Havilland, you know her better as Melanie in Gone With The Wind, but she won an Oscar for The Snake Pit as a woman who loses her mind and is confined to a mental institution.  Anyway, they sang this song Going Home and it has become another one of my favorites (Chris, remove "Small Town" and play this one at the funeral).  Below are the lyrics, but if you want to hear it go to the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ZVUlzFmJ0

Going home, going home

I'm just going home
Quiet light, some still day
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Going to fear no more
Mother's there expecting me
Father's waiting, too
Lots of folk gathered there
All the friends I knew
All the friends I knew
I'm going home
Nothing's lost, all's gain
No more fret nor pain
No more stumbling on the way
No more longing for the day
Going to roam no more
Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life begun
There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile
Going on and on
Going home, going home
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
I am going home
I'm just going home
Going home, going home

Patsy

This is a picture of what the scenery is in heaven today.  This is a picture of  my first "daughter" Patsy and she blessed our family for 17 years.  That is a long time and it makes me cry when I think of her.  When she first arrived with her brother Dwight who was a matching twin, Chris and I were engaged, a year later they went through a move to Carmel then followed up by another move to the farm in Zionsville.  They really enjoyed the woods and the birth of Tressa Ann.  We lost Dwight a month after "T" was born, but Patsy learned to adjust along with another move to Colfax, IL.  The above picture was taken at the house in Colfax and she loved to sit out at the pump and watch the cars go by.  I keep this by my bed stand because it is so peaceful.  Another year passed and we moved again, but this time back to Indiana.  After two more moves and another baby Patsy took it in stried.  Even though she was aging she let Kennedy constantly lock her in her room and play with the toys.  However, the 40th birthday present from Lisa, another black cat, Fancy may have taken it's toll, she just couldn't keep up with the young kid.  In January it was decided to put her sleep...after much heartache Chris and I loaded her up in the car and all I could think of was how it had come full circle, here we are just the three of us again me holding her on my lap, but without brother.  I still wait for her to jump up on my lap after the kids go to bed or lay at my feet when I go to bed, but it is not to be.  I look forward to seeing them once again, may God Bless you Patsy!

Aruba

The above pictures are from our trip to Aruba.  The island was beautiful, clean, warm but always windy!  We had a great time even though is was stressful trying to leave and come home because of the weather, but it was well worth it!  This was my favorite island so far, next to Dominican Republic.  The place we stayed in was gorgeous and scenic as you can see by the view from our balcony.  This was our 5th year going with the group and I thank God every year for the great blessing of these trips.  A big thank you to Chris for all of his hard work and his great customers!

No School, so what should we do?

Leave it Tressa to think up things to help Fancy be more comfortable! No school yesterday due to the ice on the roads. I really enjoy these days, because I can spend more time with the girls, they make me laugh. Shawna reminded me over the weekend that Tressa will graduate in 5 years!! What? Can't be true! It makes very sad and I want to adopt a child from Haiti now. Chris will probably put his foot down on that, but I still may ask. I just asked him and he said I should already know the answer to that...

Well, it is 12:00 and Chris has come in to make lunch and catch up on his Fox News. I am still in my PJ's and just finished 4 dozen of cookies for the EHMS dance tonight. Brownies will be made tomorrow for the Donkey Basketball. I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful husband who takes such great care of us, I pray the girls will marry someone just like their Dad. Better get a shower and act like up did something around here...

Winter of 2010

Thank you Kennedy for braving the cold weather to do a photo shoot for Mom. This one is my favorite of the bunch so I decided to show it off. Our first big snow of the season has already melted away, but before it did the girls took several evenings to enjoy it either by sledding behind the mule or down the hill at the cemetary. They have a wonderful Dad who enjoys being outside in the cold, not Mom.

Wedding of Mark and Lindsay January 9, 10

Mark and Lindsay were married over the weekend and it was beautiful. We had a great time and Tressa did a great job as the Guestbook Girl. Kennedy thought Lindsay looked beautiful and she did! What a wonderul couple and we are so lucky to have them as neighbors! Here are a couple of pictures.

Tressa takes a sleigh ride

First snowfall of the season and Dad went and bought some new sleds. Each daughter got a turn to take a ride out in the field, but I only got a video of T-bird taking a ride. It was a lot of fun for me as well as her. Thanks Dad for being so good to us!

Christmas with the Chicks

The chicks took their families downtown to see the lights and eat at the Spaghetti Factory. Another great night in Indy perfect weather to see the large tree on the circle and finish up at Starbucks. The kids and husbands were well behaved which is such a relief, you never know when the husbands will act up! Love these ladies and appreciate all of their prayers and support as I journey through motherhood.