Memorial Day

My father lived through his service to our country and was awarded his medal personally.  Many did not.  To the brave men and women who lost their lives defending our freedom, Thank You!

 

Pat and Pipper

I should know better than to try to read and comment, before doing a post!  You'd think I would have learned by now.  Before another day goes by, I would like to thank Pat Tillett @ Extremely Overdue, for the wonderful award!  This man continues to amaze me with his ability to write.  For someone who has endured the struggles of a childhood like his, to not be bitter and mad at the world, is a true testament to a good man.  When he writes, a reader can truly feel the words.  I feel honored and blessed to be a part of his world, through his posts.  (and his photography is awesome)

Thank you, Pat!

I would also like to wish a "Happy Birthday to Pipper" my granddaughter that is turning 8, today.  Granny and Pop Pop love you very much and hope you enjoy your camping trip!  See you soon!

This Could Take A While...

The wonderful Jimmy, over at Jimmy's Opinion, has graciously bestowed me with the Versatile Blogger Award.  He is one awesome guy and a gentleman, to boot.  I simply adore reading his stories!  If you haven't had the pleasure to meet him, please drop in and say hello. 

Following the rules of this award I have to give you seven tidbits about myself that you may not know.  Pass the award to 15 bloggers.   (I'm doing 8)

1.  I am the worlds biggest procrastinator.
2.  I have a loud voice.
3.  I am extremely sentimental.
4.  If someone writes a touching post, I will cry like a baby.
5.  I obsess about everything.
6.  I dislike riding in the car.
7.  I wish I had the brains and energy I had when I was younger.

Now I would like to pass this award to the following bloggers:

Stupid Girls

It Only Gets Better

Speaking From The Pew

Sophisticated Lunacy

Our Life And Times On PEI

The Musings Of Almybnenr

The Boogie Man Is My Friend

Life By Chocolate


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Amber Lynn at The Musings of Almybnenr has given me the One Lovely Blog Award.  This young gal can best be described as a VORACIOUS READER!  She's a student, with a thirst for books.  She even put up a follow button on Tumblr, because I asked her... how nice is that?  Thank you, Amber!

Now, for the rules!

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

And here are the three awesome blogs I’m going to pass the award to:

My Journey My Life

What's The Story Morning Glory


art = long, life = short, success = very far off

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Dawn, at what's the story morning glory, has given me the Oh My Blog Award.  She's a wife, mom, daughter, sister and student, homesick for Newfoundland!  Stop in and visit her and make her feel at home.  Thank you Dawn!
 

Now to uphold the rules of said award, I must.......

1. Get really excited that you got the coolest award EVER!   Whoot!

2. Choose ONE of the following options of accepting the OMB award:
(a) Get really drunk and blog for 15 minutes straight, or for as long as you can focus.
(b) Write about your most embarrassing moment.
(c) Write a “Soundtrack of your childhood” post.
(d) Make your next blog a ‘vlog’/video blog. Basically, you’re talking to the camera about whatever.
(e) Take a picture of yourself first thing in the morning, before you do anything else (hair, makeup, etc) and post it.  (anyone that knows anything about me, knows I hate pictures of myself.  In the interest of time, this is the one I'm choosing... here goes!)  Ha!

 

3. Pass this award onto at least 3 (or more) bloggers.  Don’t forget to tell them.

This one is going to:

Choleesas World

Fashion Plate

Bendigo's Rage

Hartwood Roses


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Momma Fargo at The Boogie Man Is My Friend, has given me the Super Comments Award.  Comments are a huge part of feeling like you are truly interacting in the blogosphere and not just being a wart on a pickle.  I love to comment to the blogs I follow and the fact that some of the busy ones, with a huge following, take the time to acknowledge their comments, is amazing.  When they take to time to drop in, read my drivel and leave me a comment... well, that is super special to me!  Momma Fargo is amazing!  She's a cop, a mom to "Bug", a fantastic blogger whether she's making me laugh with cop antics, or cry with a serious post.  She's great!  Thanks, Fargo!

The rules for this award are to answer the following questions:

1. Why do you blog?  I ask myself this all the time and the best reason I can come up with, is the interaction with some wonderful people.

2. What was your favorite age to be and why?  I'd say my 20's.  I was settled, married, having my kids and still had the energy and brains to keep up.

3. What's your favorite sport to play?  Is blogging a sport?  How 'bout babysitting?  I'm old, and don't play sports.

4. What's your favorite sport to watch, and who's your favorite team?  None!  Used to sit through them with hubby, when it netted me a back rub.  Not so much, anymore.

5. If you could pick your perfect career (and money doesn't matter / the kids are out of the house) what would it be?  If I had the brains and energy, I'd love to be an EMT or a paramedic.
 
6. Do you ever feel guilty for blogging?  All. the. time!

7. What is your favorite holiday?  Any holiday that involves my family and no drama.

8. What's your favorite kind of music?  I don't have favorite, it just depends on the day and the mood.

9. Do you consider yourself a good driver or bad driver?  I'm a very good driver.  I don't do it much, but when I do, I'm great.

10. What's the farthest away place you have visited?  I think maybe Windsor, Canada.


Now I shall pass it on to some of the ones who keep me going...

This Old House 2

Jenny Matlock 

The Chronicles of a Veteran Kindergarten Teacher

Bossy Betty

Our Journey Begins, as The Kings

Jimmy's Opinion

Fourth Grade Nothing


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Connie at Hartwood Roses and Karen at This Old House 2, have given me the I Love Your Blog award. 

Connie is a "Rose Wizard" and grows the most amazing antique roses.  Her photos are awesome!  She is much more than I can type out, without drooling on the keyboard and I hate when I drool!  Thank you, Connie!

Karen keeps me in the "sinnin' corner" with This Old House 2, because envy is a sin!  I love this gal.  She has stuck with me, through thick and thin.  I can't say enough nice things about her.  She made my rose header, after seeing a rose and thinking about me.  She recently started a new blog site and doesn't have the transformation of the "Old House" from the beginning, nor, all the fantastic photos she has taken of many, many things.  I can't wait for her to post more.  Karen, you are a very special lady to me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The rules for this one are to list 10 things I love.

 1.  I love my husband!  He is the kindest human being I know and  loves me, in spite of my faults and weaknesses. (and there are many)
 2.  I love my children! 
 3.  I love my grandchildren!
 4.  I love coffee.
 5.  I love mountains.
 6.  I love the beach.
 7.  I love naps.
 8.  I love an occasional margarita.
 9.  I love sweets, especially chocolate.
10. I love back rubs.

I love all the blogs I follow, but am only going to pass this to one.  Without her advice and encouragement, I would have stopped blogging a long time ago.  She is my very special Blog Whisperer.  This one is for Laura, at The Girl Next Door Grows Up.


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Last, but certainly not least... I've been crowned and certified a Crazy King, by Ashley at Our Journey Begins, as The Kings and Stupid Girls.  Ashley, I love ya and I'm keeping this one, for myself.  Call me crazy, call me selfish, call me whatever you want.  I consider this a huge honor and it makes me feel kinda special.  THANK YOU, SWEETIE!"  I will post it with pride and a smile. 

The End... Now go forth and multiply!

It's Been A Year!

Can't believe a year of blogging has come and gone.  It was just around this time last year, that I decided to give it a whirl.  Must admit it was me that got whirled on at least one occasion, but that's just the way the old mop flops.  Sorry, guess I had "mop" on the brain, since I just tried to mop my kitchen.  It's going to take much more than a mop to get the ground in crap up, possibly a jackhammer.  If anyone has a spare maid layin' around, send them my way.  Afraid I'm not very domestic anymore.  When the kids moved out of the house, I retired.  I do good to keep a path cleared from the coffeepot to the potty.  Besides, being a frequent commenter to my blog friends takes time and there isn't much left over to do something that will just need doing again, quicker than you can blink.  I'll stick with the more important stuff, thank you very much.  Thanks to everyone that has made this year special and especially the ones who have become more than just another blog to read. 

Along with the passing blog year, seems another birthday has crept up again for my youngest Son.  I keep telling my kids that their birthdays are making me old, but they just keep having them.  Slow down already!  Wasn't it just yesterday that I was giving birth to my little 9lb-3oz "Special Angel" baby?  Feels like it.  My body hasn't even recovered and here you are turning 31!  When you strike it rich, you can pay for the tummy tuck, mister. (have them suck out a few extra pounds while you're at it)  I'll allow you to coordinate with your siblings on the face lift, boob job and bladder suspension.  The butt lift can wait, I sit on it too often to consider stitches.

All joking aside... kinda... you are just as wonderful at 31, as you have always been.  Thank you for a blessed 31 years, and not one of those years, even in your teens, have you ever been ashamed to tell me you love me, kiss me hello and goodbye and provide the best hugs a mother could ever hope for.  Momma loves you very much!  Papa does too, but this ain't his blog and he doesn't even read it, so I get to say what I want.

Here's hoping your birthday is rain-free, the lasagna is filling (and I can remember how to make it) and the water is not too cold.  Please bring your own towel, Momma hates doing laundry.  

               "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I LOVE YOU!"

               Who could resist that sweet face?

                  Ready to go play on the beach
 

         You and little sister, Halloween at school

                                  "Killer"

                               With Honors 

                          Recent - Photo Booth

My Dad

On May 13, 1997, a little over 3 weeks after losing my Mom, I lost my Dad.  We had a tough couple of years after he was diagnosed with cancer.  He had always insisted on being the caregiver for Mom. 


Dad had a terrible childhood.  He lost his mother when he was 5.  His father was a decorated veteran of World War I, that became an alcoholic.  He and his younger sister were raised by his aunt and uncle, who had children of their own.  Times were hard and he didn't feel loved, or nurtured, mostly just a burden.

He dropped out of school at 16, lied about his age, joined the Army and shipped off to Europe.  While there, he was blown up by a mine and was listed as missing in action, presumed dead.  Ended up in hospital, wounded from the explosion and carried shrapnel and scars, but told amazing stories of how they put maggots on his wounds, to eat away the dead flesh.  He was awarded a Purple Heart.

After being discharged, he came home, finished school and went to business college.  He used to tell stories of having a pet groundhog and taking it all over town with him, even to the ice cream parlor where he met my Mom.  I seem to recall him saying the groundhog hibernated too close to a train track and when trying to rouse, was run over and killed.

When a group of friends heard about possible employment opportunities at the Paper Mill in Texas, he agreed to drive them, since he had a car.  During this time, he was hired to work, and my Mom was hired as well, based on her work reputation.  He swore he would never move back to North Carolina, and though he visited regularly, he left his troubled past behind, refused to look back and barely spoke of it.

There is so much I don't know about this intelligent man and now the opportunity is gone.  We truly believe he lasted long enough to see that his wife, my Mom, was taken care of, so he could leave nothing unfinished. 
                              far right... what a baby face

I miss you, Dad.  You would love your great granddaughters, they are something else! 

Empty Nest - Mother's Day

I gave you life
I watched you grow
How was I
To ever know
That when you left
You'd take my heart
It stays with you
When we're apart

It seems like an eternity
Between the times
You're here with me
I miss the days
When you were small
Now I hardly see you
Much at all

A treasured card
Sits in a frame
I've kept them all
They bear your name
The cards are special
You can see...

...But it's "YOU" that means
So much to me.