Just a Dallas Girl, All Grown Up

Busy Busy Grandbaby week

2012-01-22T20:54:00.000-06:00

The first part of this week was pretty un-eventful. Just work and I really don't want to talk about that.

So on Thursday we head over to Trey, Neely and Bryan's to find out what our triplet grandbabies are going to be!

3 BABIES.... All at one time!

When we got over there we find out that grandgirl #1, Skylar is on the way to the hospital with a high fever. She had been running a fever for a little over a day but it was now over 105.

So after some great burgers made by Trey it's time to find out about these babies!
Neely brings out Big gift bags labled with Baby A, Baby B and Baby C....

Then, Bryan pulled out the tissue paper and a balloon floated up to tell us what that baby was. It was sooooo cute!

It's a Girl - Savannah Grace

It's a Boy - William Lee

It's a Girl - Ruby Elizabeth

All have family name elements and it is going to be an adventure.

Bryan loves balloons and he was so much fun to watch. He also loved playing with his Nonni's leg scooter! She broke her leg but is a speed demon on that thing.

Meanwhile, little Skylar has been admitted to Childrens Hospital at Medical City. It was finally determined that she had a urinary tract infection, which then created some bacteria travelling up into her kidney. Poor baby was very very sick.

They gave her IV antibiotics for two days and she is now on the mend. As she was feeling a little better, you can tell what her priorities are:

SHOES!

We kept our Emory all night Saturday night after a dinner out. Emory fell in love with the creme brulee my oldest brother was eating. If she didn't have a bite in her mouth, she gave him the evil eye. THEN she had a little sugar rush and was a hoot. After a diaper change, pj's, reading a book and rocking she went right off to bed and slept all night. She was raring to go this morning!

Dinner of pizza bread and attempts at a tomato, loving a lemon and marinara sauce.

and breakfast of eggs, graham crackers with peanut butter and a banana.....

(nope, don't like eggs)

I love to share my bites.

Someday?

2012-01-12T09:52:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:
'This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package.'
He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.
'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion.
Well, I guess this is it.
He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died.He turned to me and said:

'Never save something for a special occasion.

Every day in your life is a special occasion'.

I still think those words changed my life.
Now I read more and clean less.
I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.
I spend more time with

my family, and less at work.

I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through.
I no longer keep anything.I use crystal glasses every day...
I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it..

I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.

T he words 'Someday....' and ' One Day....' are fading away from my dictionary.
If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now....
I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell..

I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.
She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels.
I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food.
It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come..

Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.
Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one..

If you're too busy to send this out to other people and you say to yourself that you will send it'One of these days' , remember that 'One day' is far away... or might never come.....

Maiden voyage with Matilda the travel trailer

2012-01-09T21:10:00.000-06:00

Who goes camping in January? Somebody that buys a travel trailer and needs to test it out!!!!!

Ray and I bought our first travel trailer and headed up to Cedar Mills Resort on Lake Texoma to test her out. I've named her Matilda. The above is when we picked her up in Mt. Pleasant TX. This was also the first time Ray saw her! I negotiated and bought her while he was out of town. I'm the "buyer" in the family. He did look it over, blessed my purchase and off we went. The only thing we have found so far is she needs an new roll out awning.

So for the next week, we made lists of things we needed for Matilda to be our home away from home.
Linens, towels, cookware, utensils, etc... What I negotiated off the price... I have spent at Target and Walmart. Oh well I want it to be comfy.

We decided to head out this past weekend and test her out. Little did I know the first task was me backing the truck up to hook up to the trailer... I did it! But I have the most patient teacher for a husband ever! This was also the first trip/venture with our 70 pound beast, Rebel. hmmmmm, wonder how that is going to work out?

Ray did the driving up to the lake and we got all set up after dark on Friday night. Just got the electric going, had a sandwich, got my electric blanket on the bed, time to snooze.

On Saturday, we lazed around a bit, got the coffee going, I started my book and then got to work arranging our supplies. (it definitely is a one butt kitchen) Coffee is awesome when you are laying in bed, reading a book, looking out the birds, trees, foliage with no phone, no "to do" list. Soooo Relaxing. Our friends Shaun, Karen and Cody drove in from OK for a visit. It was so good to see them. Since it was cool and breezy, we built a fire and just sat around and visited then did dinner at The Pelican Restaurant at the marina. Pretty tasty burgers!

They had brought their puppy Taz with them and Rebel wasn't at all sure about this baby. We kept them apart all day and then when they were ready to head back home the dogs started playing!

Sunday was cloudy, chilly and yucky. I laid around and finished my book. Cedar Mills has a landing strip that our friend Paul loves to fly into so he and Tracy were going to head up for lunch but the weather was so crummy that didn't work out. :( bummer

So, we do our first pack up and leave about 11 on Sunday.

Ray tells me he wants me to drive it out.... ooookkkkkk. I back the truck up, hook up to the trailer and off we go. I have done this once before way out in west Texas headed to the deer lease with mom and dad. I was probably 26 or 27... I did it and know I could if I needed to.

We love it.

Christmas on the 26th

2011-12-27T22:45:00.000-06:00

It doesn't matter what day we get together, as long as we always do it at some time. With 3 more grandbabies coming late next spring, we may have to start doing Christmas in July and if that happens it will be ok!

We had excellent BBQ, fun watching all the little ones getting to know each other, some played dominoes (not me! no 42 for this girl) and everyone had a great time I think.

A few pics here opening presents, our girls getting to know each other, our cutie Bryan who actually said Pops for the first time. Ray doesn't like him one bit..... yea right!
and more pics to come.....

Thoughts

2011-12-25T20:05:00.000-06:00

After spending the day with Emmy, son Clay and daughter in law Amanda and her family we came home and opened our presents and stockings from each other and gave our beast his stocking.

He was one happy pup. Ray got a vice which he has needed for his workbench for some time now. No more using the tailgate of his truck. His stocking stuffers were a wallet, cologne and some funny boxers. I got a Oster electric water boiler pitcher thingy that I had been wanting, a cast iron dutch oven and assorted socks in my stocking. Our gift to each other is $$$ towards a travel trailer that we have been talking about getting for at least 3 years now.

Ray pulled his two briskets, two hams and two racks of ribs out to start smoking for our family Christmas tomorrow. We haven't had bbq in some time and all the kids love it. Can't wait for time with everyone tomorrow.

I used the afternoon to nap, watch a movie and relax. Tonight I was standing outside looking the the sky, talking to my Mom and Dad. I talk to them all the time, telling them how much I miss them. Ask them advice.... stuff like that. Tonight I was telling them how much I wish they could see Emmy, how I wish I could see them with her... but I realized they see everything she does. They see her more than I do. I take comfort there.

If you are with your loved ones, cherish every moment. If you are not I hope you have the comfort I do, knowing where they are and that they are with you every day.

First Christmas

2011-12-25T19:38:00.000-06:00

Today we got to go to Clay and Amanda's and watch Emmy enjoy her first Christmas. So sweet. She knew something was special with NiNi, Elmo, Pops and great grandparents Alice and Jerry were all there and she was eating chocolate chip cookie for breakfast snack.

The Reason for the Season

2011-12-18T15:28:00.003-06:00

The Real Story

http://youtu.be/mjdUMrMPLnI

and kids..... nuff said

http://youtu.be/0MLEDa1kCbo

http://youtu.be/YbkAbVLRSmo

Aging

2011-12-15T21:00:00.000-06:00

I hate this aging thing.
It is not my friend.
It is not fun.
It makes me mad.
I don't like the wrinkles, the dry skin, the whole icky neck thing.
I had lasik so I wouldn't need glasses now I have glasses all over the house, multiple glasses at work, a pair in my truck....

What's a Fleet Manager

2011-12-08T09:08:00.000-06:00

Many times I'm asked what I do... I was interviewed by Automotive Digest recently about the challenges of my job. This is a link to the video interview.

http://www.automotivedigest.com/newsletter/fmw/1693.html

It's just life

2011-12-06T22:29:00.000-06:00

My life may not be glamorous. I may be Just a Dallas Girl. I have fun. I love my family. But I love my life. But the absolute best thing is being Grandparents. The best thing ever.

Pre-Thanksgiving

2011-12-06T22:09:00.000-06:00

My sister-in-law Debbie always hosts the Kneggs family Thanksgiving every year on the Sunday before the holiday. About 30 Kneggs, Webbs, Nesmith's, Rader's, Siler's and lots of toddlers and babies were there this year and it was so much fun. With lots of food, family and laughter!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-06T22:00:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving and Easter are tough. I miss my Mom and Dad so much. Daddy passed away on Easter and Mom the day after Thanksgiving.... leaves a hole in my heart.

This year Thanksgiving Day we went to Clay and Amanda's for lunch. Clay was in charge of the food and it was a hit. Awesome turkey and dressing and homemade rolls. Along with the mac and cheese I brought, pies from Amanda's grandmother and it was a feast.

Emory had her first turkey and wasn't too sure about the texture. Love that girl.

This was my moms dish. I use it for two things and two things only. Frito Pie and Macaroni and Cheese. We have home movies from back in the 50's when mom got this dish for Christmas. I cherish it... even thought I'm sure it probably has lead paint in it!

Road Trip

2011-12-06T21:39:00.000-06:00

I decided back in the summer I wanted to go on a road trip with my girls. I don't have my own daughter but God gave me, the best step-daughters and daughter-in-law I could ask for . So we headed down to Gruene Market Days this past weekend. Then we headed to Neely's mom and dad's ranch to see their home. It was awesome! I think I put about 700 miles on my truck in two days but it was worth it.

Just to see them all in a different setting, just us girls.

this is definitely a different setting... Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas.

Laura, Leslie, Amanda, Neely and me

Just Sayin......

2011-11-01T20:54:00.001-05:00

Just Sayin.....

I can, in all honesty say that the past 14 months have been absolutely the most challenging in my life. Yep, I've been through tons of stuff up until now but starting in August 2010 things have gone a little, no, a lot nuts. The previous months brought us two new grandchildren and then.....

August 2010 - I get a call on a Sunday morning and they think my sister has had a heart attack. 6 stints later....
November 2010 - my mom has blood clots in her legs and we lose her Thanksgiving weekend
Christmas weekend 2010 - my daughter in law is 7 months pregnant and experiences an excrutiating headache. Her blood pressure is sky high and she goes on bedrest. A week later, she is in the hospital. A week after that she collapses, has an emergency C Section and delivers baby Emory 7 weeks early on January 7. Emory weighs 3lbs 8oz and is our blessing. Mommy has a terrible time including weeks of kidney dialysis.
August 2011 - my brother is diagnosed with Prostate cancer
October 2011 - hubby has a heart attack. WHAT!!!??? can't be happening but it does. Lifestyle changes, yea duh!

God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I know that in my heart but sometimes my head argues with my heart alot. There have been blessings through the year as well. The two oldest grandkids are getting so big and are so much fun now. The little ones are a joy to get to know. When the house is full, it's madness but it's a good kind of madness. Then, blessing times 3... there will be 3 more grandkids come June 2012. Triplets!

We also got to take a fun getaway trip to San Diego. A relaxing escape for Hubby and I.

Blah

2011-10-20T20:16:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know it's been a month since I posted. I've been busy.

Someday I'll have time to post again....

California Workin and Dreamin

2011-09-19T22:35:00.000-05:00

Last week I had a conference in San Diego. I was part of the planning committee so I knew all the good stuff that was in the works. I also got to plan all the menus so I knew the choice of foods was going to be pretty yummy. The conference went exceptionally well and to make it even better, hubby got to come out on Thursday and we got to make it a long weekend in southern California.

My room was awesome

Our beach dinner turned out great!

After the conference was over Hubby and I did some touristy stuff and hit the beach with some friends. Kaki and Steve with Fleet Response. All Kaki wanted to do was step in the Pacific Ocean.... (even though she lives in Tampa!) We ate some great seafood at The Poseidon in Del Mar, visited with a parrot on the drive back, saw a very cute kids birthday party at the Del Mar Beach Rescue station and watched some really fast boats practicing for the hydroplane races.

The next day we headed out bright and early and visited the Hotel Del Coronado for breakfast and a look around and a walk on the beach. A couple of the pics above are of a house with a beautiful front porch area that included an awesome fireplace. The sportscar was so cool. I had to take a picture, its a Honda. loved the house and the car!

That night we headed out to dinner on 5th Street in the Gaslamp District in San Diego. After a few enu reviews we had dinner at Asti Gourmet Seafood. That is hubby's lambchops, my shrimp, crab and vodka sauce. Dessert was a blueberry cheesecake and a chocolate volcano..... oh my goodness, it was heavenly and our waiter was the best.

Sunday we drove up to Temecula, had lunch at a mexican food place called The Bank and wine tasting at Tesora.

Burnout

2011-08-29T21:14:00.001-05:00

I know I'm not the only middle aged (oh God, did I just put that in print) woman out there who is easily burnt out. I love to cook, but only when I want to. I love to volunteer, but only when I want to. I love to work... well no that's a big ole lie. I love to plan and coordinate things, but only when I want to. I love to scrapbook.... you get the idea.

I wonder if it is that I'm still trying to find my way. Trying to find what I'm good at. Trying to find people/girlfriends who like to do what I like to do. Find a hobby that I won't quit at after 6 months. The longest I did something was volunteer for the North Texas SPCA. I did that for over 12 years. I loved it but I wasn't married, didn't have 4 kids, 4 kids-in-law, 5 grand-kids and a job that was 30 miles away.... oh yea, I was 20 years younger too. That actually was a lot of fun.

Right now my job has taken a HUGE turn. Same job, just more of it. Woo Hoo, just what I wanted more stuff. I know there has to be balance and trust me, I'm good at making sure the work stuff doesn't take over. I love my church family, I wouldn't have made it through the past 9 months without them but as with anything where there are lots of people thrown together there is drama. I'm blessed, I know that... but blessed doesn't always translate to bubbly happy. And trust me, I know bubbly happy isn't possible all the time.

I have one of the best husbands in the world. If I could rent him out, I know several who would take me up om that! We have a blast together. We love to travel, cook, eat, fish whatever it is, if we're together we're having fun. But he doesn't want to be my sole source of entertainment and I don't want to be his. You have to have other stuff going on to be balanced.

So, yep I have struggles in figuring out what to do. I have burnout when things don't meet my expectations... so then there are dreams..... (diner only serving breakfast and lunch in a small town somewhere out in the country).

What are your struggles? What is your burnout? What is your dream?

Grandboy weekend

2011-08-18T19:52:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we spent some time with the two oldest grandboys. Wow, energy plus!

We watched movies, made homemade ice cream, watered plants, played with Pops, played some Wii..... They are too much fun.

July Continued

2011-08-18T19:47:00.000-05:00

So now my house is back together for the most part. I've changed up some colors in the master bedroom but still need new window treatments... looks a little half done right now so I'm not doing pictures of that yet. So, here are my new tile floors. Carpeted rooms pictures on the way. New dining room set coming soon.....

October will bring us a new fence in the backyard... Rebel is very excited about that, can you tell....?

A calm, sedate, relaxing July 2011

2011-08-11T21:45:00.000-05:00

Boys hanging out having fun..... with the Snap Pops Elmo brought them. I rule!

Then we cooled off with some pool time

The Mains were enjoying themselves

Ray's always in the middle of the kids!

Then he had a blowout with his flip flops. Mr. El fixed him up with the yellow tape!

Somebody should have fixed El's hair!!!!

Then hubby and I headed north up to Lake Texoma for a weekend getaway. Love my birthday trip to the lake. Just hubby and I for 3 days. We loved it.

Hubby loved the fishing

I loved the relaxing till the snake showed up in those tires over there. I was done!

With all the relaxing over with.... what do we do now? We empty out rooms and have new flooring put in!!!! That's relaxing, right? NOT

These are the before pics....

Rebel was a little confused with all the emptying out and shuffling around.

All of the old nasty, badly laid and stretched old yucky carpet! All concrete. We did take Rebel to the kennel for this portion. There was dust EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!

This was how we ate for about a week

Then one day, I came home to this! love it!

With all the new floors.... hmmm, the trim looked a little pale, so before we moved furniture came back

we did a little painting.

and this is what my extra bedroom looked like....

Then, we had to prepare the rest of the house for new carpet. Which meant emptying out all the bedrooms...... All of Ray's clothes and my winter clothes from the extra bedroom we piled .... in the bathtub in the hall bathroom!

With our kitchen already tiled I had to find something that matched since it butted up against it... The kitchen has 13 inch tiles and I wanted 18 inch in the other rooms. This is the transition design I came up with and our fabulous tile master Frank did a great job.

The final finished product photos of the new carpeted bedrooms with all the furniture ..... coming up soon

Just wondering

2011-07-02T21:38:00.000-05:00

looking at old pictures of my son when he was a baby and his baby girl now. Let's see if there is a resemblance....The cheeks are the same for sure.

Lake Charles Louisiana

2011-06-27T21:48:00.001-05:00

This past weekend my friend Peggy and I headed to her home town down around Lake Charles Louisiana... We headed out Friday morning on our 6 hour adventure. Let me just say right now, I hate GPS systems. Follow them and you have no idea if they are right, wrong, screwing around with you whatever. We set ours on the "shortest route". Stupid thing took us through every business route through east Texas... The route was scenic and peaceful but that goofy thing would send us through the middle of every little town all the way to Lake Charles.

We were staying at Peg's friend Kim's home and pulled in about 3. Settled in to her lovely home, had some nice refreshments, relaxed a bit and then headed out for some mexican food and awesome swirl margaritas.

Back to the house for some preparation for the next mornings jewelry party. Off to bed and up early for more preparations.... you see when Kim throws a party she does it up right.

At the party I got to meet high school friends of Peggy's and loved hearing old stories, and got a huge kick out of the old pictures they pulled out.

After the party and their reunion planning, we piled up on the couches and took a well needed nap. Then it was off to the casino for dinner and gaming. We played some slots, gave away some money and then headed to dinner.... buffet time at the casino..... then home to hang in the hot tub and we didn't hit the sack till after 2am.

This is where it all went downhill.... Peggy and I were planning on heading back to Dallas about 10am... Sometime between 5 and 6 am my stomach began to turn. From 6am till about noon I was sick sick sick. So sick the girls and I decided I needed to go to the ER. So here it is noon and we heading to the hospital. Luckily Kim was a nurse at this hospital and we did get some special treatment. Still, we were on hospital time. I had xray's, 2 liters of fluid, anti nausea meds twice and a CT scan,.... Peggy kept Ray updated through the afternoon. The very long afternoon. We headed out of the hospital about 5, back to Kim's, pack up the car with "special" equipment in case I get sick again.

Poor Peggy, driving into the sun for half the trip with a non verbal passenger who keeps falling asleep. I tried to stay awake, really I did. Home safe and sound about midnight and straight to bed till 10 Monday morning.

It was an adventure. This was my position all day Monday.

Father's Day

2011-06-21T20:04:00.000-05:00

When Ray and I married 12 years ago, we were a family of 6... in that short time we have become a family of 15.... it doesn't seem possible. Ray is old enough to be a grandfather, but I cannot be a grandmother!!!!

Here is the Kneggs Clan, June 2011

Skylar turns One!

2011-06-21T19:59:00.000-05:00

Our little princess, Miss Skylar turned one on June 17th. She is a doll.

Country Music Fan Fest

2011-06-21T19:42:00.000-05:00

I was born in the wrong city.

I was fortunate enough to go to FanFest this year after visiting/meeting with a vendor. I clamped on a couple of extra days and saw some excellent concerts.
The first night we went to the old Rhyman Auditorium and saw a lot of old country acts but the best part was seeing and hearing Dolly Parton in person. She was awesome, looks great and is no bigger than a minute.
The camera I took wasn't worth diddly, so the next day I went and bought me a new one! I'll have to beg some Wednesday night pics off my friend Carla and post those later.

So the next day we went (walked a long way) to the Convention Center. Did you know Nashville has a lot of hills and is just as hot as Dallas? It is. I was glad I had Carla and Madeline with me to show me the ropes and Madeline is a great navigator!
You get in the convention center and go in the large trade show room downstairs. Its just like any other tradeshow with lots of booths set up. I do have some pics from this!

anybody remember Lynn Anderson? I Beg Your Pardon....

This is Laura Bell Bundy, I'm not real familiar with her but isn't she cute.

Rascal Flats.... nuff said.

ok, above pics. Me (terrible pic) and does anybody remember Tiffany from the 80's!!!? Whew! that was a blast from the past.
Then, Diamond Rio and the bottom pic is Sawyer Brown....

This handsome hunk above is Chris Young. He has just started out and has a couple of new songs on the charts now.

ok, here's another stumper for you. Do you know who this is? She has two sisters in the country music biz, they had a variety show many many years ago on tv.... She played the drums and now is an award winning sharp shooter.....

it's Erleen Mandrell.... do you remember that name?

Back in my single days I was known to go out and country dance a little.... a few times a week... ok, alot. Hey it kept me skinny! This guy was one of my favorites. He sang in the Acoustic Lounge and his voice hasn't changed a bit. T. Graham Brown had some awesome hits/dancing songs back in the late 80's and I loved him. He's come up on some health issues, mainly Belles Palsy but is fighting it.

I still love him and his voice.

After a full day in the convention center it was time to walk (again) over to LP field for the concerts. Here are some of the performances we got to see!

Dierks Bentley, Sugarland (they brought down the house)

Reba and Keith Urban!

The second day we headed back to the convention center for more up-close and personal time.

This guy has a famous daughter these days.... Achy Breaky Billy Ray Cyrus.

This is another closer up shot of Laura Bell Bundy

And another blast from the past, Lee Roy Parnell. He had hit singles back in the 80's as well and is more of a writer these days.

I did get the chance on the second day to meet Lynn Anderson.

Then the second night of concerts began. (after the long walk Again, back to LP field)

One of my favorites, Josh Turner.... he sounds a little like my hubby.... during his best song ever, "Your Man", he brought out American Idol winner Scotty Mcreery! it was awesome. Video to come later after I figure out how to download from my new camera.... arrrgggghhhh

We also got to see Little Big Town and then Clint Black (reincarnation of Roy Rogers) did a couple of his old songs acoustically. really nice.

Then came Martina McBride, like Josh Turner she shared the stage with the second place singer from American Idol.... Lauren Alaina. She was good but scared, I think America got the winner of American Idol right.

After that was Trace Adkins. This man is larger than life but just the weekend before he and his family had lost everything they owned when their home burned to the ground. Humbled and appreciative of all his fans.

Trace in his natural element with the hat back on.

At one point, Martina sang Independence Day and just nailed it. She received a standing ovation for over 3 minutes and she was moved to tears.

The last night for me was Saturday night. There was one more night of concerts but I had to get back home on Sunday. My host for the evening was the President of Comdata and he was escorting his grand-daughter, 9 year old Madison. She was adorable.

One of the best in country music, Rascall Flatts.

Now, for the best picture of the week.... let me explain. The first night of the concerts... there was a group of boys... rowdy boys behind us. I'd say they were all freshman in college. While rowdy yes... they were also extremely funny. I mean, had us in stitches the whole time. After the concert I commended them on their attitude, their humor and told them they made our night. They asked nicely, what my name was...I told them and they proceeded to chant.. LISA, LISA, LISA... I do have to say that never ever happened to me before.

The next night as I walked up... the chant began. Again, we were entertained the whole time.

My last night, here we are. I had to take a pic with my boys!

I LOVE NASHVILLE!

Jake blows into 5

2011-06-21T18:08:00.000-05:00

Grandboy Jake turned 5 in May! He's our oldest grandchild and is growing up too fast. We all enjoyed some time at the community park in Forney for his birthday. Complete with Volcano Cake, specially prepared by his aunt Laura, Dinosaur bones!, a water balloon fight, and a pinata! (Pinata's are dangerous, were you aware of that? Flying candy can be hazardous to your health!)

I do have pictures of this event but they are on another computer. Will have to add those tomorrow.

12 years.... it's not possible

2011-06-21T18:04:00.001-05:00

Ray and I celebrated our 12th anniversary on June 1st. I cannot believe it has been 12 years! To celebrate we went to dinner at Kenny's Wood Fire Grill in Addison.
http://www.kennyswoodfiredgrill.com/

This place is yummy. You wouldn't think any restaurant would be busy mid week.... think again. I'm so glad I called the week before and made reservations. They did ask if it was a special night and of course I told them it was! Now, I must say that Ray and I do know Kenny through mutual friends but I don't think any of our service was any different than anyone else's. The tables around us all seemed very pleased with their food and service.... and while this may not surprise anyone, I did strike up several conversations and no one was displeased.

We had one drink at the bar while catching up with the proprieter and then were shown to our table. I've put off blogging for too many days and I cannot for the life of me remember our waiters name (Jessie maybe...) but he was great. We started with the Tuna Nachos. Sounds weird I know but amazing! A crisy wonton, with Ahi tuna, some smooth wasabi and a sweet soy/hoison drizzle. A different take on a nacho but delectible. Another starter (since it was a special night and all) was the Brie Fondue. BRIE FONDUE!!! need I say more.

Kenny had told us that a group of business men had pre-ordered a prime rib. Not something normal at Kenny's but he was glad to do it.... Only one of them ordered the prime rib! Guess what I had? It was awesome, mouth watering greatness. Ray had a special Copper River Salmon. I had a bite and while not a huge salmon fan, this was very good. On the side he had a cucumber salad that worked very well with the fish. I can't remember what was with my prime rib, I was too busy with it! We did order a side of their signature Adult Mac n'cheese. Smoked gouda, ham and white truffle oil. Sinful.

After all that we couldn't eat another bite.... HA! There really isn't a set dessert menu... the options change. Ray ordered the Pecan Pie which he proclaimed best ever and I was set with Bread Pudding and a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Loved it all and they rolled us out the door.

Let the summertime begin....

2011-05-30T18:26:00.000-05:00

Enough Said......

Daddy Buck made 5/23/11 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-05-27T09:40:00.001-05:00

My daddy would have been 90 this past week.... miss him everyday

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mother's Day Continued

2011-05-08T09:24:00.000-05:00

A Tribute

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=cc08718f11205111502224&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-07T16:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there.

Let me start by saying this is the one of those "first" holidays that make me want to crawl in bed and just sleep. We sent my mom home to heaven just 5 short months ago and this being the first Mother's Day without her is so so emotional.

Mom was our glue. As my daughter in law has said, she was such a presence. So much fun to be around. Always up for learning new things. Ready to go and do whatever was going on. In the past 5 years, we took her to the horse races, got to enjoy her Texas Rangers live at the ballpark with her, played dominoes, taught her Texas Hold'em, watched her dance with her Blue Star Line Dancers from the Garland Senior Center.... She was up for just about anything. Except those damn blood clots.

When I was a little girl, Daddy always had a corsage for her on Mother's day. He would get one for her and his special "second mom" to wear to church on Mother's Day Sunday. Why don't we do that anymore? Let's start that tradition again. Corsages for all the mom's on Mothers day.

Little things I remember... when I would tell her that we were going to the lake for the day or the weekend... she would say "well have fun but don't go near the water".... If you were going on a trip... she would say, "take your time going but hurry back".

Hubby and I went out last night and there was a lady and obviously her mom with her... I watched them all through dinner. The mom was in a wheelchair and was, I bet about 90. I couldn't hear a word they were saying but they were having so much fun talking. The little mom would start telling a story and then start giggling so much she couldn't finish. It was so sweet to see.

I'm so glad so many of my friends got to know my mom... she was a character. One of our good friends was here one weekend and after playing poker for a few hours with mom, he commented....
"I always wondered why they call her Go-Granny, now I know".

We'll all be thinking about her tomorrow... well, we think about her everyday but tomorrow will remind us how special she was in our lives.

Cherish every moment with your mom. No matter how exasperated you may get... the time you have with her is limited. Never forget that.

Always up for a game of 42

part of the conga line!

cuttin a rug, she loved to dance. it kept her young

Go Granny and Clayton.

the Blue Star Line Dancers, 2005

Mom and the kids.

Under construction

2011-04-28T22:08:00.000-05:00

I am in the process of revamping my blog design. Please check back soon.

Chuckee Cheeeeese!!! and other random stuff.

2011-04-16T19:39:00.003-05:00

Grandboy Luke's 3rd birthday party was today at Chuckee Cheese. Now before you groan let me say this, it was at 9:30 am... now before you groan again...the very best time to go to CC on a Saturday is 9:30am! Seriously, we had the place to ourselves the whole party! It was great! the kids had all the games, rides, everything to play with on their own.

Ray and I got to see all the grandkids except Emmy, (she's still too little for CC and a roomful of germs) but I got to see her again all day Friday. They are all growing so fast!

I also just made plans to see our good friends Shannon and Chris down Houston way next weekend. We haven't seen them since we went to Costa Rica last year! Shannon came up for moms funeral but I got to hug her and that was about it. Then I got online and made our summer lake trip reservations so we (hubby) would be forced to take the time off. He hasn't had enough of that lately. 6 days a week, 12 hour days, on his feet is not a good thing.

A couple of weeks ago the older boys came over to spend the night with us. We had way too much fun.

I spent a weekend at Richland Chambers Lake with two girlfriends that I've known since 4th grade!

Then, shared a nite out with more long time friends.

Pops and Bryan.

This is Jake, he'll be 5 next month. Doesn't seem possible.

Birthday boy Luke hanging with Bob the Builder!

Son in Law Tony thinks I keep my house too cold.

Then, there's Luke with underwear on his head.... maybe he takes after Pops more than we think.

I'm a Versatile Blogger

2011-04-08T15:44:00.000-05:00

My first award. Wow!

I'd like to thank all the little people.... grandkids Luke, Jake, Skylar, Bryan and Emory.... then those not so little any more... Kolton, Keelan, Kirsten, Elliot, Clayton, Amanda, Trey, Neely, Leslie, Tony, Laura and Carl.... Kayla, Karli, Erica, etc... etc...

To accept this award I have to:
The requirements to accept this reward are:

1. Thank the person who gave you the reward

2. Tell 7 Things about yourself

3. Pass it on to 15 other bloggers

Thank you Lisa! @ Lisastuf.blogspot.com - check out her blog! she's way more crafty than me AND she sews (never ever wanted to learn to sew!)

7 Things about myself:
1. My favorite thing in the whole wide world is traveling with my husband.
2. We have 5 grandchildren, 3 came within 6 months of each other!
3. I want to move to the country!
4. I have another blog....http://favoriteats.blogspot.com/ i have neglected it for a while
5. I miss my mom and my dad, I'm not sure I'm done mourning....
6. I love food and I have no self discipline when it comes to controlling my diet!
7. I love to blog

Peace and Quiet

2011-04-05T16:36:00.000-05:00

In a normal day at my job I answer somewhere between 90-125 emails and 10-20 phone calls. Then there is the analysis, research, invoice review, invoice approvals, meetings, conference calls, copies to make, scanning to do, etc... etc... etc....

When I'm at home I like peace and quiet. I talk, think, answer questions, talk, answer stupid questions all day long. Sssssshhhhhhh, be very quiet. We're hunting relaxation. I don't want to think. I want to watch Dancing with the Stars, American Idol and things that require no effort. This has all been compounded exponentially over the past 5 years. This job is the most stressful I have been in. Ever.

When I go out of town, I like to read and enjoy some peace. Ask my husband, he gets it. I'm not talkative in the mornings either. I wake up thinking about the day ahead, getting ramped up for the day ahead of me.

So I like to sit back and think about clouds.

and sunsets

and my dog

and the California coast

and the ocean

and balloons

and ponies

Busier than necessary

2011-03-26T15:56:00.000-05:00

My life lately has been a whirlwind so I'm actually saying no to a few things these days. The past 3 years I have volunteered in various roles for the Dallas Independent Film Festival. I was really looking forward to this year. Went to orientation, was going to be a "driver" again, shuttling producers, directors and visiting actors from venue to venue... I decided this week that something had to come off the calendar so I notified the organizers. I need more family, husband and me time. Work as well, has been busier the past two months than I've experienced in 5 years. There have been fun moments too. More visits with the new baby. A little travel for work. The annual Womens Retreat. And more work.

this is what I look at all day every day.

Ray has been working from Garland to Palestine to

Cherokee TX.

Loads and loads of wire, hundreds of dollars worth made the trips to Cherokee.

We put Emory in Pops' cowboy hat for a precious picture.

I had the pleasure of meeting one of my favoite bloggers, Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman.

For Valentines, we had our annual Cousins Dinner. Lots of good food and fun.

then on a trip to Austin I got to have a little Lisa Fun.

I won something! I won something!

2011-03-20T10:57:00.000-05:00

http://theculinarycellar.blogspot.com/2011/03/cookbook-giveaway-for-saturday.html#comment-form

Fellow blogger, Debbie Vanni does a blog called The Culinary Cellar. All about cookbooks.. Very cool and I won a trio of cookbooks this weekend.

Check out her blog!

work, work, work

2011-03-05T13:22:00.000-06:00

This was pretty much all I saw this week. So very busy and really for no apparant reason. Not complaining, just happy to have a job
I also was interviewed for two different articles for a trade magazine; Automotive Fleet... articles to follow.http://www.automotive-fleet.com/Magazine/Issue/2011/02.aspx

Private DeLaCruz

2011-02-28T16:28:00.000-06:00

While flying to Las Vegas today there were a number of service men and women on my flight. I had the privilege of sitting next to Private DelaCruz. He was actually heading home to Vegas for 2 weeks R&R. Private DelaCruz is active infantry stationed in Tikrit Iraq. Infantry. Let that sink in for a second. This guy has walked through the streets of northern Tikrit every day for the past 7 months carrying a gun. Just walking....He told me he left Iraq on the 12th, we're flying to Vegas on the 15th but Iraq is nearly a day ahead of us, here in the states so he's been flying for 2 plus days. He is sleeping now, resting up for his homecoming.
I saw DelaCruz in the waiting area sitting beside a very pretty young woman, also in camo wear. I assumed a friend or girlfriend. Wrong, it was his SISTER. She has been in Afghanistan and they are both headed home. The best part of the story is their mom is expecting her daughter but has no clue her son is coming in as well or that today is the day. A friend is picking them up at the airport so when they walk in the house it will be amazing. What a great surprise! Mom’s birthday is also this week. I so wish I could see that homecoming. Can you imagine her face!!!???

Here is a pic of the Private. Polite, courteous, tired, brave and so very young. When he heads back out, he said they would be in Tikrit for a short time then will start pulling out and he will then be in Hawaii for a while. Not bad. I’m going to remember this young man, his sister and their momma in my prayers.

No words needed - February 19, 2011

2011-02-27T19:58:00.000-06:00

A retreat from the day to day

2011-02-27T19:55:00.001-06:00

For the past few months we have been planning our Meadows Baptist Church, Ladies Retreat. "We" is my buddy Peggy and me. Lots and lots of work to plan a day and a half, three meals, contact our speaker, coordinate rooming and activities for 85 women. Whew! My sister Sheila came as my gues and helped a ton.

I loved working with Ms. Peggy. We laughed alot. ALOT. I think it was a success. I choose to believe it was a success. And I'm the first to believe that you can't please all the people, all the time. Do I hear an Amen.

and then I came home and slept for 11 hours.

I hope to keep the month of March very, very low key.
Photos from the retreat!

We know how to eat

My Partner in crime!

Ms. Marna and our speaker Rachel

We are nothing if not Crazy

Rachel Norris, our speaker was awesome!

My girl

2011-02-11T18:11:00.000-06:00

My girl Amanda (aka son's wife) did it! She is off kidney dialysis (or as she called it Renal Rehab) as of today. We are thrilled!!!! She will get the port out of her chest (and out of her jugular) on Tuesday and get to be a normal... Well, she did marry Clay.... mommy with a beautiful baby girl.

can I get an Amen!!! Thanks again to all those praying for both our girls.

Thankful

2011-02-08T20:55:00.001-06:00

I do have so much to be thankful for. The past two months have been a huge test. Losing my mom, the premature birth of our little Emory. Her mommy Amanda being so so sick after the birth. I was laying in bed last night thinking about all the people that have been there for me, prayed for my family, prayed for the little bundle of joy we now have in our family, prayed for Amanda to pull through all the crap that was thrown at her.

It is so good to see our girl smile. I love her smile and her laugh.

Thank you so much to all of you;

My womens group at Meadows Baptist Church

The various age group of Sunday school classes at Meadows

My whole Meadows family.

Leslie and Tony's Sunday school class

My inlaws, Ray and Shirley's church family for their prayers

All of my husband's family for their prayers.

My new friends at the Fellowship of Professional Women

My Facebook friends and classmates.

The love and support I've felt has been incredible.

Holding this sweet baby is so wonderful.

I've got to learn how to feed her the right way. Little bitty ones drink their bottles a little differently.

She loves her swing but she is so tiny!

She is so beautiful

Emory and Pops.

Not hitting it so well

2011-01-27T22:12:00.000-06:00

I'm not doing good on the water.

I'm not doing good on my lunches.

Exercise is just about non existant.

that's all I got.

This week's goal

2011-01-25T21:10:00.001-06:00

My goal this week is water. Water, Water, Water. My fluid intake is terrible. I have 2 or 3 cups of coffee in the morning.

At lunch if I eat out I have a glass of tea. Then with dinner I have maybe a glass of water or a glass of wine. Seriously, I do not drink anything in between. I might have a diet Dr. Pepper about once a week. Again, I don't drink enough of anything during the day.

I bought some RainFresh water tonight on the recommendation of my friend Bec. I have had one bottle since 5pm and will take one to bed tonight and try to get half down before I go to sleep. The other half I'll drink during the night when I wake up.

http://rainfreshwater.com/

I know this will help my body, my skin, everything. However, I must say... after I turned 40 (and from years ago having a 9 pound baby) and a couple of surgeries, I have been afraid to drink much water at all. Women my age will understand the issue. All I have to do is say the words; Sneeze. Cough. Laugh. Exercise. and heaven forbid try and run or do jumping jacks... uh... yea. AFRAID.

But, I'm going to do it. So, if you are in the middle of a conversation with me and I sneeze or cough or laugh and cross my legs at the same time. Cut me some slack ok! It's all in the name of better health.

thank you.

OK! OK!

2011-01-24T21:32:00.000-06:00

I'm joining The 52 Club.... http://52-club.blogspot.com/

My long time friend Rebecca started her blog to journal her goal of losing 1 pound a week for 52 weeks. I'm starting a little late but better late than never, right?

I would like to get the body back I had from about age 25 - 30. I know I will never ever get to the body I had my senior year in high school... I weighed less than 100 pounds and that just AIN'T happening!

So, I'm looking for pictures from 1986,87, 88..... will have to search around. Those were my country western dancing days. I think that's how I stayed in shape.

These days, life gets in the way and I love, love, love to cook! I have to get the weight an blood sugar under control. Need Accountability.

pictures to follow.

Stress and Sugar levels

2011-01-23T12:47:00.001-06:00

Stress and sugar levels in the body do not mix... over the past 2 months my glucose levels have risen to their highest levels.

From Medicinenet: When you're stressed, your blood sugar levels rise. Stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol kick in since one of their major functions is to raise blood sugar to help boost energy when it's needed most. Think of the fight-or-flight response. You can't fight danger when your blood sugar is low, so it rises to help meet the challenge. Both physical and emotional stress can prompt an increase in these hormones, resulting in an increase in blood sugars.

This article tells me to keep my stress levels in check.... HA! how in the heck is that possible. Oh, I know one sure fire way is to exercise but normally when your are stressed you are so busy, you aren't eating right, sleeping right and you for sure done't have time to exercise.

So, one of my goals this week is to mellow out a little more, eat right and get to the gym more than once in this week.

The below is from TIME magazine:
Women need to keep weight gain to a minimum. For every one percent of her body weight a woman gains after high school, her risk for heart disease increases about five percent. For every same one percent gained, that womans risk of developing diabetes increases by 10 percent. In other words, if you've gained weight since high school (and thats probably pretty much everyone), your risk for heart disease and diabetes has increased.
Regular exercise is another critical defense against diabetes. Simply increasing your walking to 20 minutes each day can decrease your risk dramatically.
Finally, women need to make sure they're getting in five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. A healthy diet is key in preventing diabetes.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,108431,00.html#ixzz1Bsy3xxO1
So, a trip to Sprouts this afternoon may also be in order.

Stress... hard to control these days. My diet should be easier... shouldn't it?

What a week

2011-01-14T18:53:00.000-06:00

After our little Emory made her entrance last Friday it has been an eventful week.

Emory is strong as can be... her mommy has been through the ringer.... literally.

I spent most of last Saturday at the hospital with Amanda so that her mom could work and Clayton could get some rest. Amanda was very uncomfortable 99% of the day. Her blood pressure would not come down and her swelling kept increasing. Sunday was no better and the end result there was being transferred to ICU. Not fun. ICU is noisy, they check on you ever 10 minutes, there is no privacy and with the post partum hormones going crazy, having only see your baby for a few minutes since she was born.... well you get the picture.

Kidney dialysis was started for Amanda (the ringer analogy) but with not much understanding of what was going wrong, what was supposed to go right, what were the goals that needed to be seen, it was hard to relax, sleep, etc...

Finally, Amanda was moved to a regular room on Wednesday night and did get to spend quite some time with Emory. Sleep is still a struggle but she has a door she can shut, can take a shower and can go see emmy when she wants. Now to get up and around, get some strength back, get her body re-acclimated and in motion. Hoping to get her home in her body's good time but the most important thing is for her to get well so that she can go home and rest up before Emmy gets home.

We all know that sleep won't happen after that for a few years!!!!

Emory's Debut

2011-01-08T09:13:00.000-06:00

On Friday morning, January 7 I received a call from my daughter in law who was on bedrest at Centennial Medical Center waiting for the arrival of daughter Emory. Amanda sounded a little stressed and the first thing out of her mouth was... "Don't get freaked out or anything...." ok, this can't be good.

Amanda's blood pressure was extremely high and she was seeing spots and had blurry vision. Baby was all balled up and she was cramping. They were moving her to a labor and delivery room just in case. Soon after that my son texted me and said I better head that way. Left work at 10am and raced to the hospital. By the time I got there, the doctor had checked her out and her water had broken. This little one wanted to be born right then.

When I got there the anesthesiologist was explaining some things to mommy and daddy.... he was waiting on some labs to see if he could start an epidural. Amanda was on oxygen and was needless to say, a little frazzled. Her nurse, Lisa was awesome allll day!!! They needed to move Amanda over to a smaller delivery bed so I stepped out. The next thing I knew Lisa yanked the door open and hollered for another nurse to help and to call Dr. Harper. The placenta had ruptured and Amanda had passed out... things were going fast and wrong and very very scary.

When the doctor got back to the room it was decided that an emergency c-section was warranted and Amanda would have to go under general anesthesia, (completely out). This also meant that daddy could not go in.... so we all stood at the doors... waiting. Within minutes they came out and said our little Emory Elizabeth had delivered, crying wiggling squeaking. The wheeled her out in her little incubator. She was so tiny, but all pink and eyes open for a minute. Beautiful. Clay went with her to the NICU and Grandma's, great grandma Alice and aunt Sheila waited patiently for Amanda.

It took them over an hour to get Amanda all fixed up, awake and back to her room. She was shivering and hurting. With no epidural to block the pain, the c-section gave her pain all afternoon. Her eyes were still blurry and they called in an optomologist and retina specialist. Her fluid build up had gotten to the backside of her retinas. This could go away in 2 days or 2 weeks.

It was a long afternoon, special meds, two units of blood and lots of TLC by the nurse before Amanda felt some relief.

Baby Emory was doing well as of late Friday night. On a breathing tube to help her little lungs but the neo doctor felt like she was doing remarkably well for the trauma that she had gone through.

One of the scariest days but one filled with hope and joy.

Exciting New Years Eve

2011-01-06T19:08:00.000-06:00

The best thing about being a grandparant is that you have an excuse NOT to go out on New Years Eve. I've never been a fan of this holiday and the actions it requires. Everything is twice as busy, twice as expensive and the service terrible!

So what do grandparents do? They volunteer to baby sit. This year little Skylar came to visit for her first sleep over. What a snuggle bug she is. However, she did not want to sleep. Little cat naps and then "Hey, lets play some more"! But it was so fun getting to know her little personality. She loves loves loves her bouncy seat. She jumps so hard she gets some air under her occasionally. Then on Sunday we got to see the Trey Kneggs family. Little Bryan is growing so fast and just loves to lay on the floor and laugh!

My videos won't upload for some reason... gotta work on that. Here are some photos though.

Being a grandparent does have its perks. Can't wait for the next one and appears that our little Emory, who is due on March 1, may be here before February 1st.

Dear Mom,

2011-01-04T22:41:00.000-06:00

You wouldn't believe all the things that have happened in the past 5 weeks.

There were so many people that came to help us celebrate your life. Of course, you know that we felt both you and Daddy there. Fred was his typical self and told such funny stories about you and how you were such an influence in his life and you and Daddy Buck being so young! He even sang a song. Everyone loved him.

Clay and Amanda have decided on a middle name for Emory. She is now going to be Emory Elizabeth. After you. It was such a sweet thing for them to do.

We're trying to take care of things the way you would want. Sheila and Marilyn and I have started sorting through your things at home. Boy, did you have a lot of stuff. We have laughed and cried and laughed again. Of course Marilyn is the only one now that can fit into your clothes so she has a new wardrobe for her upcoming cruise. She was thrilled. And we laughed some more. We did find the blanket you were making for baby Emory. I knew you were doing that one. We also found a quilt you were working on. Didn't know you were doing that. Don't worry. We have Pat at Sheila's work finishing the blanket and Sharon, Jess's mom is finishing the blanket. She said she was proud to finish it for you.

A lot of people gave donations to Shriners Hospital. That will help a lot of kids! We know you would love that.

Christmas has come and gone. We got together with most of our kids and grandkids. Nick became fast friends with grandboy Luke and they both made us laugh too much. We (well not me), some of us played 42. Ray, Leslie, Tony, Steve, Chris and Debbie Kneggs all played a couple of games, I don't even think I heard Plung one time. But it wasn't the same without you. We did all eat too much. Soup and Sandwiches this year for our get together. There was Potato Soup, Beef Vegetable Barley and Broccoli Cheese. It was all great.

Ray and I kept Skylar new years eve and although she was up nearly all night, it was great. She is such a snuggler. Little Bryan is growing and growing. He loves to lay on the floor and laugh.

Looks like little Emory will be here well before her due date. Amanda is having some issues with high blood pressure and they have put her in the hospital. We'll have a baby by the end of January for sure. I wish so much She would have the chance to get to know you but we'll be sure and tell her all the stories.

We miss you so much but know you are where you want to be. I wish I could have seen your face when you saw Daddy.

Love you
L.

hmmm

2010-12-29T18:26:00.000-06:00

I keep wondering when the other shoe will drop. I force myself to get up and do the things I'm supposed to do everyday. Go the places I'm supposed to go. Take care of the obligations of life. All I really want to do is pull the covers up over my head and cry. Cry? hmmmm, can't seem to do that either. Waiting for that emotion to hit me.

the first few stages of grief,

Shock and Denial
Pain and Guilt
Anger and Bargaining
Depression/Reflection/Lonliness

I don't even know where I am in there....

Holidays 2010

2010-12-27T11:05:00.000-06:00

Ray and I have made it through these holidays thanks to some fabulous friends. This week was hard with lots of ups and downs But, the thing that makes it bearable is that we know my mom is happy. After 5 years of living without Daddy she is in her comfort place, right where she wanted to be. She had a great 5 years though actually.... Mom had been married to Daddy since she was 17! Up until the week she went in the hospital, she was living on her own, still driving, had her own group of friends, a church Sunday school class that loved her, hospital volunteer friends who thought she was a hoot and were with her till the end. She knew how lucky she was but something was missing. She found that.

We lost her but she gained so much.

Ray and I had a great time with his family the Saturday before Christmas. All the grandkids were there and were very entertaining. As usual Ray spent Christmas Eve shopping (and did very well if I do say so myself). We spent a relaxing Christmas Eve with each other and with a visit with cousin Cynde. Christmas morning was fabulous and Christmas Day with the Nelsons, the Smoots, the Mains and all their brood. Awesome food, a very cold football game, teaching the kids some Texas Holdem techniques, and putting together a 1000 piece puzzle!!!!

Sunday was family day here at our house for my side of the family. Soup and sandwich day. Broccoli cheese soup, potato soup, beef barley soup and sandwiches were so yummy! Some of the gang played forty-two for a bit and then we had Girls v/s Guys Wii Pictionary. what a blast! Going to buy that game for sure later this week.

Now..... getting ready for a colonoscopy... tied to the house all day today with the prep.

The 2010 Tree

Rebel and his new Christmas bone that he loved!!!

Fun day after Christmas

The grandboys and Elmo

playing Tic Tac Toe on the Iphone with Nick... quote from Luke "Dis will be Fun.... fun, fun, fun!"

Wii Party!

Football tradition... note the kid from Boston with no shoes!!!!

Below is the whole football crew!

Getting by

2010-12-21T21:30:00.000-06:00

So much to say but I don't have the words.

I'm still numb. I'm staying busy too keep from thinking... maybe. I don't know.

My husband, family, church friends, gal pals, grandkids are making it all bearable.

I'm losing things around the house. I'm forgetting stuff. I'm not motivated. I'm having to force myself not to go to bed and pull the covers up over my head. I wonder all the time who gets to do that.... I want to but I have stuff to do. Responsibility calls. I don't have time to get myself "through things". Things go on and when you are all grown up, you take care of what has to be done. I wish I could take a month and have a pity party. Not happening.

My grandboys and now little Skylar are a joy. I love spending time with them. New little girl Emory Elizabeth is on the way and that is so bitter sweet.

this is one of my last pictures of my Mom. Love that Skylar is looking at her. so sweet.

She'll never know

2010-12-05T22:17:00.000-06:00

She'll never know the woman she's named after.

She'll never know the funny things she said
or the funny things she did.
The way she tried to tell a story or a joke
or the crafts and items made with love.

God has a plan that we sometimes don't understand.
We question why. Why did he have to take her now?
Matriarch of the family. The glue that held us together.
We just have to trust in His wisdom.

There is a peace today.

A peace in knowing a mothers love.
A grandmothers care.

No she'll never know the woman who she's named after.
Unless we tell her.
And we will. Everyday.

One day at a time

2010-12-02T19:47:00.004-06:00

I can't remember a worse week since, oh about March of 2005. That was the week my daddy died. Easter 2005 to be exact. This week, Thanksgiving 2010 we lost my mom.

Mom's legs started hurting sometime the past few weeks. She had an extreme tolerance for pain and didn't think it was bad enough to mention. We found this out after she went in the hospital. I did find out she had mentioned it to her friend Louise at some point... but never to any of us kids.

On Friday November 19th my brother took her to the doctor and to have a sonogram on her legs. The results showed blood clots in both legs. A heavy dose of strong blood thinners were in order. By Sunday it was evident they weren't working enough so into surgery she went for a procedure on just the left leg which was in the worst condition. Three and a half hours later the outcome of that was a stint was inserted behind the knee. The worst place for a stint due to all the movement the knee goes through. Surgery went well and she felt much better.

Her appetite and spirits were good and on that Tuesday I went by on my way to work and just stayed all day. We talked, visited, napped and visited a little more.

The doctor thought she was doing well enough to leave and do Thanksgiving dinner at home with the family. She mentioned to my mother-in-law how much she loved dinner with the family, gathering in a circle (what we call "circling the wagons" and saying the blessing. But, by Wednesday evening she was very nervous and anxious about leaving the hospital. So, she stayed. My oldest brother, sister and I took a full plate and a dessert plate to her after dinner and she was all smiles and was eating from every plate in front of her. The plan then was that barring any complications procedures would be done on her right leg on the next Tuesday.

Since all was going so well, hubby and I left on Friday morning and drove about 2 hours west to Cisco Texas to help some friends at their land and planned on staying all weekend. My oldest brother was with mom all day on Friday until about 7:15pm and she was great. However, she called him about 8:45pm and was experiencing intense pain in the left leg. Wayne called my brother Steve and sister Sheila and they headed to the hospital. They started trying to contact me at the same time.

Ray and I were in two cars and my friend was not about to let me drive myself back to Dallas. During the drive back I talked to my pastor, Dr. Scott. I had been in touch with my church family all week and Scott was very familiar with the situation and prayed with me on the phone.

By the time they arrived at the hospital it was clear that there was something terribly wrong. They rushed her back into surgery. The original surgeons associate was pretty sure the stint was clotting. His words were, "he would attempt to use the medications to clear the clot. That would take about 3 hours. IF that didn't work the family would have to make a decision on the next step. An arterial bypass, which would add another 5 or so hours to the surgery or amputate the leg. WOW.

The family finally got in touch with hubby and I (a whole other blog) and we headed east back home. When we arrived at the hospital about midnight, the surgeon was just coming out of surgery. He was again pleased with what was happening. The drug was again clearing the clotting. They would take mom to her room, she would be out of it till morning. All was good again.

We headed to the house to get some sleep and crawled into bed about 1am. At 5am my brother Steve called and said the hospital called and we needed to come back. When we arrived they informed us that mom's blood pressure and heart rate had dropped at which point her heart had stopped. At that time they worked on her and got a heartbeat back. They were moving her to ICU from her room so we all moved to ICU waiting. Minutes later the head nurse came in to tell us her heart had stopped again. He asked us what we wanted to do.....

Mom and Dad both had DNR orders in their living wills. We said for them not to do anything.

and that was it. My momma was gone. Her heart just gave out. The procedures were just too much for her.

When my daddy had his head injury in 05, we had a week to adjust and wrap our heads around what was going on and what was going to happen. This was not, it just was not even a glimmer of a thought at that point in time. She lived through her own severe head injury with 4 weeks in intensive care. Then this.

My mom's favorite verse in the bible is Psalms 23. Written in her bible were the words, "do not fear the Shadow"... I'm sure meaning the shadow of death mentioned in this verse. I know my mom is happy. I'm sure that the first time her heart stopped, she caught a glimpse of Daddy Buck and that was that. She wanted to go back when they regained her heartbeat.

Its been 5 days now. The business of the planning for the funeral is over. The visitation, which was an amazing outpouring of love is done. The funeral service, an amazing tribute is past us.... now we go on with our lives?

So I go step by step, day by day; one foot in front of the other. Helping my family with the support of my friends.

Smile

2010-11-30T23:18:00.001-06:00

These make me smile. I love doing these videos. it's my therapy right now.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Go Granny Montage at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-11-29T22:23:00.001-06:00

Elizabeth Mae Moore
July 6, 1924 - November 27, 2010

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

ho,hum

2010-11-14T13:26:00.000-06:00

Last weekend was my no spend, relax weekend and it was great. Really trying to buckle down so that hubby and I have something to retire on. Added more to my 401k deductions recently but planning for both of us is a little challenging. I'm the retirement contributor here and it is so on my mind lately. Neither of us are getting any younger and hubby's job is 95% physical labor and the new 50+ is not the old 30! We did increase our insurance and have purchased some catastrophic plans... such pleasant things to think about huh?

So, back on subject I thought I would redo last weeks plan and set aside Saturday as another $0 spend relax day. About noon I started going stir crazy. You know if you leave the house you spend money so here I sat. I really didn't have any options though either... no calls from anyone with exciting, fun, outrageous (or otherwise) invitations to get out of the house. hmmmm. I got the beds made, kitchen cleaned... watched The Pursuit of Happyness, made soup, started a book and pretty much had no conversation until hubby got home after six.

You get out of the habit of being by yourself. I was single for 16 years and every other weekend the boy went to his dads and I was content 99% of the time to hang on the couch and read.... now I feel like I need to be doing something all the time. why is that? These days it seems that if I didn't plan it, I have nothing going on.

So, I'm rested, sitting in my chair and reading my book. Not picture worthy.

Therefore, no pictures.

Babies

2010-11-13T16:24:00.003-06:00

Babies can be the greatest mood enhancers for grandmothers!

Am I Lying?

Some of my favorite Veterans....

2010-11-11T22:17:00.001-06:00

I love these old photos. These are my Daddy (Daddy Buck) and my uncles.

L to R - Wayne (Buck) Moore, Fred Moore, Bill Moore

Fred Moore. He and Uncle Bill started the whole barbeque business.

Uncle Bo. (James) Moore. The baby of the family.

My Daddy and my oldest brother Wayne. This is about 65 years ago. Daddy was a cook in the Coast Guard and served in what they called the Hooligan Navy. They commandeered yachts at the NY Yacht Club and patrolled the east coast for enemy subs.

Daddy and Mom. They got married when she was 17 and he went off to the service.

Daddy and ?

Daddy Buck

Buck - Coast Guard, Fred - Navy

Uncle Fred and Aunt Louise

My mothers brother Harold (Uncle Shorty)

My Dad and his brothers

Bill Moore

My brother in law Carl (Bo, yes another one). Viet Nam veteran.

And my niece Jess, Navy veteran. I think, Desert Storm

THANKS TO THEM ALL

Highly unusual

2010-11-07T20:38:00.000-06:00

This has been a highly unusual weekend for both hubby and I. We attended 1/2 a high school football game Friday night to see my great nieces last night as a drum major for North Garland High School. Kayla is the 8th graduate from both he maternal and paternal side of her family. Pretty cool.

The NG band has a great trumpet section and every game starts with the Star Spangled Banner performed by them. It's great.

At halftime all the band seniors and families were recognized.

Kayla having some fun leading (?) Well, she says she doesn't dance so we know That's not what she's doing!

Now getting down to business.

So, after a chilly perfect football weather night I came home and got in my pj's, hit the bed about 10pm........ and woke up at 10am on Saturday morning!!!! I guess I was tired. Saturday night we played Wii Sport and both of us are sore... we are so out of shape.

I didn't get out of my pj's till Sunday morning to go to church.

I got some errands done, watched NASCAR, suffered through some Cowboy football and am pretty much done.

I needed this weekend of rest... so thankful for it. The holidays are knocking at the door and it might be the last opportunity like that for a while.

I did get a call from a friend wanting to have a jewelry party. I'm excited about that. It's in my neighborhood and probably 99% of the women I won't know! Wish me luck.

Happy Halloween

2010-11-01T12:53:00.001-05:00

Above is hubby getting meat ready to head over to the Halloween party. His best buddy is waiting for bits to drop. He loves this time of year, firing up the smoker and cooking. He's really good at it too!

We love doing fun stuff. Ray and I as Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

Fred and Diana as Carmen Miranda!

Carmen and her nephew Secret Service Agent Nelson.

Cousin its?

The Girls

The boys

My Man!

Getting the secret service agent ready for action.

We are worn out after the weekend but it was so much fun. We're lucky to have good friends, good fun, kids close by and gtrandkids to take care of.

Now this week will be a down time week to rest up!!! and the holidays will be here before we know it.

What fun!

2010-10-31T12:08:00.002-05:00

Friday at The Arboretum

Saturday fun with the Grandboys!

Spontaneity is a Wonderful Part of being Grown up.

2010-10-25T21:08:00.000-05:00

Spontaneity

We had so much fun and relaxed so much this past weekend. I have a friend that has a lakehouse at Richland Chambers lake just outside Corsicana, TX. They are there every weekend in the summer but after labor day don't use it much at all.

On the other hand, me - I'm not so much into sun and heat. I love, love being on a lake but hate the heat. So, long story short; Ray and I used the house this weekend to veg out. We got there Saturday and fished a few hours.... no nibbles, no bites but a lot of fun. Now this isn't a roughing it house. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths plus a bonus room over the garage... not so bad. I'm thinking we'll be seeing a lot of this place this year. An hour and 45 minutes south... not so bad.

Till...... Saturday about 4:30 the wind started, then the rain, then the tornado warnings.... holy cow... it was crazy. It got so bad, Ray came in from the sunroom with cushions off the couch.... that is not normal. We both love watching storms but this was a little crazy.

The video is after the worst past when Ray went out to check and see if he had any fishing poles left o the dock. If it doesn't load I'll keep working on it.

The next night an F2 hit just east of where we were and did quite a bit of damage.

Storm passed, we had some awesome steaks, played some scrabble and just relaxed. I love being empty nesters. Our kids are grown and can take care of themselves. Our dog is pretty much self sufficient. We can come and go as we please.

50 ain't so bad.

I love being spontaneous. I love that we can. I love being on a lake! I was meant to retire on the water. Not at the beach but on a lake. It's part of being a Moore. I'll move to the lake and open a diner.

sounds like a plan to me! I'm liking life these days.

It's Real - That's my boy up there... and now he's gonna be a dad!

2010-10-18T20:22:00.003-05:00

Today was the day. I joined son Clay and his wife Amanda (in the pic above) at the doctors office, along with Amanda's mom Debbie. We stepped right into the sonogram suite and away we went! Debbie and I both dug for our camaras only to be told, nope, can't take pics or video.. Dangit. Good pictures were showing up on the screen and the technician announced..... THIS IS A GIRL! won't have pics until Clay scans and sends to me.

How cool to be included in this appointment. I hoped for and seriously thought it was a little girl and was very happy. But, after I got to thinking about it, on my side of the family there is only one great grand boy! RJ. All the rest are girls! oh well. Little Emory will be a blessing early next March.

photos soon.

It was a boobie weekend

2010-10-17T18:42:00.000-05:00

With the Susan Komen walk yesterday and a wine tasting/benefit today it was a great weekend for Breast Cancer Awareness.

http://www.dorisdanielyoutreach.org/
The above is an organization named for a friend of mine's mom. Please go to the site and read how you can help. I did my part today at a jewelry/purse sale and silent auction.
Some of the ladies below have known me all my life. In the center is Carol. Her mom is Doris Daniely whom the organization is named after. We all casually gathered today at Times Ten Cellars for the Bags, Baubles and Bras benefit for this organization. There will be a Tea in February. Stay tuned.

Organizing

2010-10-17T14:03:00.000-05:00

Found an idea on DIY and ran with it.
My #1 son and daughter in law came over yesterday and Clay walked me through purchasing lumber, pegboard, paint, nails etc... to create a wall organizer for all my Premier Jewelry that I sell at home shows. (book a party!)
So we started with raw materials last night and painted the board today.

Hubby took over the teaching aspect and we got the finished product below. Came out just the way I wanted. Now all my sellable jewelry is organized instead of in a jumble on my extra room bed!!!

Then I pack it all up to take to a home show and it looks like this at the party.

Sweet Boy

2010-10-16T12:15:00.000-05:00

Got my first opportunity last night to get to know Bryan Ray Kneggs.

He is adorable! Not that I'm prejudice or anything.

Is that not the cutest little foot!?

Continuation

2010-10-16T11:56:00.000-05:00

.... so the Plan B portion of dinner with a broken crock pot was:
Use the griddle we always take camping, brown the hamburger and italian sausage with an onion we picked up at the grocery store (along with pound cake and buns). Heat the sauce over the fire, in a metal pan. Toast the buns and viola! Sloppy Joes. They were pretty darn tasty. My philosophy in life, Anything cooked outside tastes awesome. I could do a whole book on breakfast cooked outside.
Honey built us a fire, fixed us up some decaf coffee with a little Bailey's thrown in, sliced the Peach Praline Pound cake, heated that over the fire, watched the moon come up..... ahhhhhhhh.......

The next morning we got up, slapped some breakfast tortillas together, had a pot of coffee and just about the time we were relaxing it was time to pack up and head back home. Another full day ahead of us.

Meridian is just about 2 hours from home and we had to be close to downtown Dallas at 1:30 for a small reunion I had put together.

About 3 weeks earlier, I had gone to visit my old "home" church East Grand Baptist. I grew up here, went to vacation bible school here, was baptised, sang in the choir, married, attended other weddings, funerals etc... here. It was a pretty emotional visit since I hadn't been in the place since it was sold a few years back. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Dallas... I think. The stained glass is awesome.

So, after visiting with a couple of people that now use the church for their services, they agreed to let us come in one Sunday for a mini reunion. It was Awesome.

I expected about 24-25 people and we had 52 show up! Folks I hadn't seen in years!

My mom was a long time member here and she came with hubby and I. I think she really enjoyed herself. Here she is (left) with Maria Guanerro. Maria was married to Ossie and Ossie held memories for many of us youngsters as our forever driver of the little yellow bus. What memories. Marie was a very pleasant, unexpected surprise.

I was a teary eyed happy camper.

Telling a story I'm sure.

What an awesome Sunday. Folks told stories, pranks they had pulled as kids, trouble that they didn't get in but should have... Loved it and we will do it again.

Red Caboose, Meridian State Park, East Grand Baptist.....

2010-10-14T23:40:00.000-05:00

..... All in 48 hours. Another typical weekend with the Kneggs.

On Saturday October 9th, the Red Caboose Winery held a Grape Stomp. Ray and I traveled the two hours to attend, and I had made us reservations at Meridian State Park to camp overnight in one of their screen shelters.

Now if you have ever been to any outing with Ray and I you know we like to be prepared. Food, tools, gadgets, bedding, cookwear, rain panchos...etc.... You never know what we might pull out of the back of my pickup. So, we pack up Friday night after a quick trip to get groceries and off we go Saturday morning.

Plan: Get to the state park, secure the shelter, set up our bedding, get dinner in the crock pot, go to Stomp at noon.

Actuality: All is good till we come to the part about the crock pot. I was planning Crock Pot Lasagne to be all ready for dinner. Throw some good bread in some foil and heat it over the fire. Well, Crock Pot Cracked to smitherenes!

Plan B. We did bring our electric griddle which is our normal breakfast cooking aparatus. SO, I'm not worried, we'll figure out something. I was now ready for wine.

So, we head the 6-8 miles over to Red Caboose. Grab our wine glasses, grab our Tshirt, put on our paper bracelet to show we're good and grab our free tasting of wine.

This little pixie is the boss of Red Caboose winery. She rules the roost.

aging room

the lady standing is the lady in the painting above her head. She is the lady on the label of the Red Caboose Temperanillo.
After you get back to camp from stomping around in grapes you really need to check your ankle bracelet for grape skins.

as the evening grows later we relax by a nice fire. One thing we did find... it is getting harder to sit and do nothing these days. We're so used to running around having to be somewhere at a certain time, it's hard to change gears and slow down. It takes 24 hours to get to a point where you can just chill.

to be continued

Bar-B-Q

2010-09-27T17:18:00.000-05:00

I wrote the below in April of 2004 at the closing of the restaurant owned by my brother but that went way back to the early 1970's in the Garland Location. I just found the electronic version and thought I would repost. The essay was also read at Daddy's funeral in 1975.

The First Booth
It started way back when, with a cup of coffee as Daddy Buck took a little break & got ready for the day.
It’s the first booth on the right.

Same as any other booth in the House.
Occasional and many regular customers may just walk on by, not realizing what The First Booth has come to represent.
The world’s problems have been solved hundreds of times over from the seats of this Booth.

Some have learned a little Spanish (or Tex Mex) while sitting here.

Some received marital counseling.
All the time, Go Granny was trying to clean up the papers, magazines, cups, notes and miscellaneous stuff that seemed to gather here.
A few jokes were told from this booth, most of which cannot be repeated in mixed company
Steve makin deals -
Cars bought, sold, rebought and then sold again, welding arrangements with Scott, upholstery arrangements with the Blairs, medical advice given and taken with Dr. Hinshaw, a line of bull or 2 from Gene Files, discussing strategic hanginroundsmanship with James Crawford
Fishin stories, deer huntin stories, dune buggy adventures discussed, NASCAR arguments, Go Cart race analysis, , you get the point.
Marilyn with her ever-present coffee cup, swapping recipes
Family, Friends, Employees….
If you see Wayne sitting at the booth it may just be because he had a craving for a beef sandwich and drove all the way from Brownsville.
Sheila planning the next family event or gathering.
People from far away places were invited to this spot of honor, Art Ganchow from Canada. Kraft executives from around the world.
Many of Garlands Men in Blue have dined from this spot. They took the time to take that little extra glance when they drove by. Or, turned in through the parking lot late on Saturday night, just to be sure everything was in order. We appreciate them more than they know, .....
well except for that one time when they arrested Jose.
Fegreaus, Flanagan, Phillips, Hostrup, Latham, Bailey, Bunch, Carson,

Sederwall, Williams, Gentry… to name a few.
Some have grown up eating many a meal (and taking that good hickory smell with them) in The First Booth;

Lisa, Steven, Misti, Amy, Emily, Nick, Clayton, Kayla, Karlie
Some have gone on to other careers or moved away, but still come by to eat and sit a spell in the First Booth;
Hugh, Jan, Shirley, Red Head Debbie, Jackie, Tammy, Shelly, Ben, Tom, Lulu
Some were drafted to help during many a noon rush;

Coy, Ron Golden, Troy, Scott, Bob Wilson
Others have gone on to another “better” barbeque house and surely have their place of honor in another First Booth;
Chick Bullock, Bob Cole, Weaver, Jolly Grubb, Bill Reece Pappy Davis, Clarence Robinson,

Officers Walker, McDonald, Moore and Lerma
New names and faces have taken a spot at The First Booth

Bo, Ray, Steve Cook, Jessica

What started way back when, with a cup of coffee as Daddy Buck took a little break and got ready for the day became a tradition at 2613 Forest Lane. You all shared this with the Moore Family and we thank you.

It’s the first booth on the right

Same as any other booth in the House

NGHS weekend

2010-09-27T16:11:00.000-05:00

Friday night was homecoming for my alma mater, North Garland HS. Met up with some high school friends and went to the game and then dinner.

One other difference is the size of the mums. These are no longer real flowers like ours used to be... they are now the size of a king sized bed pillow!!! This is my mum from 1976 homecoming. Real flower AND we wore them on our beautiful dresses!!!!!

High school football in Texas was the thing during my high school years. Today, it's a little sad. There's is no one at the games.

It was also 8th grade band night and Kayla was in charge of getting the Jr. High group all settled.

now, granted, this was pregame for the homecoming stuff but there were still very few people. It really is sad.

Then there was getting all dressed up for the dance.

After the game us older ones headed to downtown Garland for some yummy mexican food. My diet is suffering.

Saturday night we met up with even OLDER NG friends. Ray's class had a get together to hear the band Remedy at Sullivans Steak house. Lots of fun visiting and dancing.

Ray's good high school (and junior high) friend Greg is on the right. Great guitar player.

another friend of Ray's for years and years, Kim.

These guys have known each other for a very long time

Ray being a dancin fool

more dancin

Again, too much fun

Stuff to say

2010-09-27T15:13:00.000-05:00

I always have something to say, really. Did you know that about me? Ok, I'm being sarcastic. But, writing a blog is not that easy. I know what I want to say but sitting down and doing it isn't that easy. So, to catch up;

I'm working from home on one of the first days of fall and it has turned cooler and actually feels like fall. Windows open, sitting at the kitchen table, no makeup, no shoes, just me and the beast.

We had a trip to the State Fair yesterday and I actually learned a few things. Did you know there are miniature cows just like there are miniature horses? There ARE! They are so cute. Mini herefords, mini brahmas....

He's full grown.

These babies were little bitty!

http://www.minicattle.com/index.cfm?select=breeding_groups
The above is a website that has more info and some pics of cows for sale. Amazing. good thing we live in the city or I would have some of these!!!
We tried some state fair fare but were extremely cautious this year. Last year I got so sick from stuffing my face with greasiness.

We went to a cooking demonstration and got some good ideas for fish tacos, walked around more and got ideas for the yard. Not that anything will happen with the ideas but....

Love the idea of hanging the baskets with a thin cable, they look like they are floating.

I need to find out what plant this is.

I so want this fountain in my back yard.

Next stop the Wine Garden. It is a respite of quiet in the middle of crowded chaos. Sitting, relaxing, enjoying the light jazz and breeze and watching the people. love it.

he was actually having a good time. There really is a smile in there.

Hubby learned about the history of Texas wines by this mural on the wall. He and I are headed to the Red Caboose Winery in a couple of weeks to their Grape Stomp. I'm very excited to get away with the Hubby even for just a night. Our road trips and outings together are favorite times for me. I also learned that Red Caboose Winery won some awards last weekend at Grapefest!

3rd in White Varietals with their Viognier, 2009

1st in Red Varietals for their Tempranillo, 2007

2nd in Red Proprietary for their Tempranillo, 2007

2nd in Red Proprietary blends with Lenoir/Tempranillo, 2008

We should have some great wines to taste!

of course there's a pic of my feet relaxing. Isn't there always?

We wandered over the The Dock which was last years winner of best taste in Fair Food with their Fried Peaches. We tried their Fried Club Sandwich this year and it was outstanding! I forgot to take a picture! Also met Jason Castro of American Idol fame and got a pic with him.

This lovely lady is my friend Johnna's 86 year old mom, Wanda. Johnna and I went to high school together and so did her mother and my mother!!!! Can you believe there is a connection there? (more sarcasm)

As we are leaving the fair we stopped by the Childrens Barnyard Petting Zoo. Baby animals are so darn cute and the grown ups were showing whose boss. Cracked us up.

not quite sure why the Alpaca are shaved like this... Poodle Alpaca maybe?

These sheep have 4 horns!!!

This baby wanted to eat and mom was having none of it.

Parking was crazy and we had to ride the tram from the truck and then back out to the parking lot. We got on the tram and there was the cutest little boy. Dylan. Dylan was wound up to say the least. The cotten candy was ramped up! He was non stop talking. Told me:

He was going to be 4 tomorrow
He was going home to bed and would get up tomorrow to play his John Madden football game again.
That his favorite football player was Tony Romo
That his favorite team was the Saints or the Cowboys
That he did like baseball, the Cardinals by the way

All of this pretty much in one breath. I asked him if he was a mess? Yes! I asked him if he was a charmer? Yes!

When we got off the tram I told him to be careful going home and he informed me he was NOT driving.

I laughed all the way home at him. He would have been great with Bill Cosby or Art Linkletter.

I'm a grandma named Elmo

2010-09-21T22:37:00.000-05:00

On June 16th of this year, we had two grandboys, Jake and Luke.

On June 17th of this year, we gained a grand-daughter Skylar.

On August 25th, along came grandboy #3, Bryan.

And now we wait. March 1, 2011 or there about, we will welcome our next family addition. Baby Grubb is a blessing. My baby will be having a baby. This one was a surprise that came out of the blue, announced on July 4th.

I love all my grandkids and cannot wait till October 18th when we find out what this one is. I don't care at all, I just cannot wait. Once we do know... let the shopping begin! But, little Skylar does need another little girl to play with... just sayin.

An Emotional Day

2010-09-21T22:17:00.000-05:00

So I've been trying to get over to my old "growing up" church for weeks now to see if they would let us get together there for a reunion. I finally made it over there today and it went like this.

East Grand Baptist Church is now in a not so great part of town. As I parked my (brand new) truck I was a little anxious which was weird in itself. I never ever felt unsafe or anxious there before, why now....

East Grand is no longer East Grand Baptist Church... until I got there today I wasn't quite sure what it was/is.

As I make my way down the concrete ramp under the breezeway... you remember....to a door that now has iron bars on it... and step into the area that used to be the nursery, I smell a smell... there was always a smell down here. The nursery smell... you remember.... well it's still there. The smell of the nursery. I wander down the hall a bit and go into an office area and meet Linda White in a room where I'm sure at some point in time someone changed my diaper.

Linda is with St. Lukes United Methodist Church. I start to explain who I am and why I'm wandering around the bowels of East Grand when the first wave of emotion hits me. Big ole tears are forcing their way out my eyes before I know what hits me. Linda says... "you're a former member right"? She was so sweet. Memories.... orange drink, crackers, snow cones, baptised, singing, growing up, married... parents, aunts, uncles, friends....

Linda explained that St. Lukes bought the property and leased the sanctuary to Victory Outreach. We talked a bit more about some history of the building and stuff. Linda said that when they took possession there were boxes and boxes of stuff left and that a lot of it may still be over in the office building that they don't use. I gave her ALL my contact info and she promised that if they found any hymnals, pictures, records that she would call me.

I was actually pleasantly surprised at the condition of the building. It's in pretty good shape.

She told me that the Victory Outreach offices were up on the second floor. For us old timers, that would be the main level. So, I go find the elevator (the stairs are gated off) and head up. I find their offices in the old choir room. I talked to a very young girl who called somebody and got us the ok to show up on Sunday October 10th for our alumni reunion. I asked her if anyone was in the sanctuary and she said it was probably locked but I could check... finally found an unlocked door and pushed into the sanctuary. Remember how big it was when we were growing up?... It's still that big. And, here come the tears again.

It's pretty. It's still pretty. One of the pretty places in Dallas. We grew up there. We should be proud of what our parents built. I took some pictures... I pulled myself together... I lost it again.... The old organ is there. These little chairs are there.

The windows. The windows were, are my favorite thing about this building. Wow, they're still pretty

I hope to see some old friends on October 10th.

Not much going on.... NOT!!!!!!!

2010-08-25T22:53:00.000-05:00

This week has been, well, eventful to say the least. I've started my new jewelry business and had a home show Saturday. It was an $1100 party and lets just say I got A LOT of jewelry to add to my samples. HUGE deal. I think I'll like it once I get my own parties going... I had about 16 women here for the show and light brunch. Church friends from my present church home, an old friend from my growing up church, family, friends... it was nice.

Then on Saturday night my friend Kim came and spent the night here. Kim lives in Greenville but her husband was in the hospital only about 7 miles from my house. Drive back to Greenville, was she crazy? Of course not. Silly girl. So Kim came over, and I delivered on my promise of a glass of wine and that I would make her laugh at least once. Mission accomplished. I have known Kim actually longer than I can remember. Our parents were friends from (again) the growing up church. East Grand Baptist.

It was a great growing up church and there are quite a few of us reconnecting on Facebook. Anyway, Kim's husband had a mild stroke last week and she needed a night off. Done!

This is East Grand today. It is one of the most beautiful church buildings in Dallas I believe. It was sold a few years back and we have learned that many of the old documents, pictures etc.... have been lost...

So, we get up Sunday morning and hubby fixes Kim and I a great breakfast. He is awesome! Kim goes back to the hospital and I get ready to go to present day church... the phone rings as I'm getting out of the shower. It's one of those calls you don't want to get. My niece is crying and telling me my sister has had a heart attack and is going to the hospital... 2 hours later, Sheila is out of the Cardiac Cath Lab with 6 stints in one artery that was 100% blocked. Scary. She is very very lucky. Paramedics, AWESOME. When she got to the hospital she was still having the attack and they rushed her up to the cath lab. Awesome!... 3 days in Baylor Garland and she is home recovering... Lifestyle, diet changes and exercise await.

I walked 2 miles with my friend Peggy that night...

I head to work on Monday to rest!

I walked nearly 3 miles with my friend Peggy on Monday night.

Tuesday I did more prep work for my present day church and the Ladies Ministry kickoff Bruch this Saturday. I'm in charge of the table decor...

It's hard to explain but the theme is "Get on Board" so each table is a different city. Here are Los Angeles and Ft. Worth. There is Seattle, New York, Charlotte, San Antonio, Honolulu and Dallas! It's a lot of work but will turn out good... I hope.

Today is Wednesday and the best day of the week. We met new grand-boy Bryan RAY Kneggs. He is adorable. Dad is Trey, Ray's oldest and his wife Neely are doing well. We so wanted a boy to carry on the Kneggs name and we got our wish. He is adorable! 6 pounds 15 ounces, 20 1/4 inches and of absolute adorablness. Skylar was there to meet her new cousin and she was just as sweet. Both of them are ADORABLE!!!! Here is Mr. Bryan RAY Kneggs. Isn't he ADORABLE. We stood at the window and watched as they poked and proded him and he would fuss, but as soon as they stopped he would relax, chill out and fall asleep. 10 fingers, 10 toes, ate like a champ.... all is good.

I walked 3 miles tonight with my friend Peggy and Ms. Barbara. We have lots of talking while we're walking. I had to go buy new pants today at lunch, mine were so big they were uncomfortable! YEA ME!

I think I'll call it a day and go to bed now.

Clouds

2010-08-15T13:28:00.000-05:00

I've looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow

It's cloud illusions I recall

I really don't know clouds at all

Why is it that sometimes in our lives there just seems to be clouds? I'm in a cloud mood now and can't shake it. I don't know why, if I did I would fix it. The bills are paid, there's some money in the bank, we have grandbabies on the way, everybody is healthy. All in all my brain should be telling my heart that everything is good. I need out of this funk... nobody can fix it for me. I went from positive happy a couple of weeks ago to blah. That's the best way to describe it. Blah.

I keep telling myself:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34)

It will get better. It always does.

Today's Wonderings and Randomness

2010-08-10T13:06:00.000-05:00

Why do I have no motivation or energy today? I have eaten my protein, I slept well I have plenty to do both at work and at home but am still bored. When I'm at work, I can think of a thousand things I need to do for home. When I'm home I have all kinds of ideas to get processed at work.... I can't seem to line up my work brain at work and my home brain at home. Everybody says my house is the "relax" house. I tend to agree, once I'm home I just want to snuggle down.

Today is Tuesday and hubby is out of town till Friday. The dog cannot understand this. Normally it's mom that's not home, not dad! Rebel wanders around, paces, wants out then wants in. He does not like change!

Have you ever been without a really close friend? I have lots and lots of good friends but with work, kids, work, school, work, kids schedules, different values, different situations, different finances, etc... it's hard to find someone to just hang with. Everybody needs that one person who they can go to just to hang.

I'm impatient about this jewelry business. I'm ready to get out there and sell to people I don't know. To get it done. So many people are turned off by homeshows and the pressure to buy something or have a party or get involved in the business. I really like the jewelry.

I just need to get past the initial party, book others and get with it. I also need to set up my office/guest room. (one of those home projects that has my brain on home not work).

I'm also wondering if the 4th grandchild will be here this week. Another event, another family member! Can't wait to see him/her. We don't know the gender and I love it!

Before we know it that baby #5 will be here. Yikes! So excited to have one close to home to spoil, make them say silly things when mom and dad come home (especially Clayton's kid!). Cannot wait.

Seeing as nothing earth shattering has happened since I started this... I'll just sit here and ponder a bit more.

This week..

2010-08-08T18:13:00.000-05:00

.... was very very busy as was the weekend. Up until today (Sunday) there has been multiple things going on that had to be taken care of. So today called for a two hour nap! Could have been the late night last night celebrating my friend Lisa B's birthday.

There was:

normal long days at work
Ray heading out of town to Palestine to work
Premier jewelry training
A Willow House (was Southern Living at home) at my friend Connie's
Shopping most of Saturday for our Meadows Baptist Ladies Ministry annual kick-off brunch
and then wine tasting and dinner after shopping

I don't think 50 year olds were meant to do so much, seriously.

Anyway, here are a few pics from the weekend.

This is two Premier necklaces. I love this look. Wearing the jewelry is our best form of advertising but it has now added about 10 minutes to my morning routine! Trying to decide what to wear and then add the jewelry to the mix. More Premier.

Girls out at Kenny's Woodfire Grill. AWESOMENESS.

before Kenny's we went to Veritas Wine Bar on Henderson. Really quaint, cool, dark... just like it should be. At Kenny's we all had excellant food. Filet, the best potatos ever, Salmon, Ahi Tuna salad and an appetizer of Ahi Tuna Nachos. Oh man they were good. Thanks Kenny for the hospitality, it was great to see you!

Then we headed a couple of doors down to the old stand by Shuck n' Jive. Lisa B is a huge Dallas Cowboy fan who has been displaced to Baton Rouge, the heart of Saints country. Well one of the Cowboy's best was in Shuck so Lisa's night was made.

Notice the large ring on Lisa's finger. Yep Drew let her wear the Super Bowl ring. I've known Drew for nearly 15 years and he is always cordial, graceous and a big ole Flirt!.

This week will be much calmer. It has to be.