My Memories

Friday Photo Flashback: Christmas 2003

2009-12-04T08:00:00.004-05:00

[click on image to enlarge]

My brother and my children putting together mini puzzles after sorting through the contents of their stockings on Christmas morning.

{See more Friday Photo Flashbacks at More than Words!}

Thankful Bounty

2009-11-30T12:00:00.000-05:00

The above photo is the only photo I have from the long Thanksgiving holiday. My camera has been spotty at best lately and now I think it's finally bit the dust. Perhaps Santa will bring me a new one...

Thanksgiving dinner was held at my sister's house. No matter whose home we have a holiday dinner at, we all take items. I myself baked pumpkin muffins, two different sweet potato casseroles, a green bean casserole (my own personal recipe) and corn niblets. Items brought by others included the turkey, gravy, stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes, an original recipe green bean casserole (much arguing between myself and my brother over this), broccoli cheese casserole, yams, two different kinds of cranberry sauce, pumpkin gooey cake and pumpkin pies.

It may seem like a lot of food, but there were 16 people in attendance in we all brought our appetites! After dinner, we played Trivial Pursuit on the Wii, then convened around the bonfire once the sun went down. There were a few touchy moments because even though there is a "no talking politics" rule, someone always does. There are issues that not all of the members of the family agree on, so political conversations can get nasty. Thankfully, a blow-out was averted and everyone was able to enjoy themselves!

Friday Funny: Muppets Let Loose

2009-11-27T10:20:00.006-05:00

While watching this video, we were laughing so hard we had tears rolling down our faces!

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T07:00:00.005-05:00

Since my computer time will be very limited tomorrow, I just wanted to wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday!

I am thankful for my family and for being able to spend this time with them... not to mention the loads of food and all things made from pumpkins!

{Created using ScrapBlog on Photobucket}

Another First

2009-11-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

Now that we are down to only one working automobile, we knew the day might come when my husband's work schedule would put a kink in our plans.

Even though our son is now a Freshman in High School, this morning was the first time he's rode the bus to school. Since he entered kindergarten, both mine and my husband's schedules have permitted one of us to drive the kids to and from school. The children also prefer it because they have just a five minute ride either direction and therefore can leave home later in the morning and get home earlier in the afternoon.

Since our son is on special assignment to his high school (and not zoned for it), the closest bus stop is across a busy, four-lane street, then down the road and around the corner of the next street.

I walked with him, then watched him cross the busy road safely, and continued to watch as he disappeared from view. It was only 6:40 am and it was very foggy out. It was hard for me to turn and go back home. I waited until I saw a bus leave the street where the stop was, still anxious. I don't care that he's almost 15, he's still my little boy and I worry for his safety. * Sigh *

Sunday Reflection: A Fall Walk

2009-11-22T10:30:00.002-05:00

While at my sister's house yesterday, my brother-in-law, my husband and myself took a little walk around the neighborhood. The temperatures were in the high 70's/ low 80's, the sun was out and a gentle breeze could be felt. All-in-all, nice weather to walk in.

Along the way we spotted two Gopher Tortoises, right across the street from one another:

[click on picture to enlarge]

A tree still holding onto it's changing leaves:

[click on picture to enlarge]

Some Mourning Doves in a bare tree and a pile of dry leaves near the fence:

[click on picture to enlarge]

A windmill, aged by weather and time:

[click on picture to enlarge]

It was a really nice walk!

{pages made with the About A Boy kit by Karen Lewis}

Friday Photo Flashback: Thanksgiving 2005

2009-11-20T08:00:00.005-05:00

[my daughter and my son]

In 2005, we celebrated Thanksgiving at my brother's house. While the adults and older children sat outside and talked, my two went upstairs to play a game of Clue.

My brother is a master board game player, so I learned all I know about Clue, Monopoly, etc., from him. Every now and then, my children challenge me to a game of Clue - even though they have yet to beat me!

{See more Friday Photo Flashbacks at More than Words!}

Friday Photo Flashback: Thanksgiving 2004

2009-11-13T08:00:00.004-05:00

[left to right: my daughter, my niece, my son]

In 2004, we celebrated Thanksgiving at my sister's house. Although the temperature outside was still "shorts weather" here in Florida, the kids chose to play a game of Survive! indoors. This is the same board game, my brother, sister and I used to play when we were younger!

{See more Friday Photo Flashbacks at More than Words!}

Friday Photo Flashback: 1989

2009-11-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

From left to right is my mother, myself and my late grandmother.

After church one Sunday in 1989, we stopped to take this photo outside of a Tampa, Florida restaurant we had eaten at.

It was only twenty years ago, but I barely remember even taking this photo, let alone what else we did that day.

Time has a way of marching on and as it does, it tramples over past memories blurring them from our memories.

What I wouldn't give to hear my grandmother's voice or feel her arms wrap around me once again!

{See more Friday Photo Flashbacks at More than Words!}

Warm Hands, Warm Heart

2009-11-03T14:30:00.001-05:00

Saturday, we spent the day at my sister's house where she, I and our mother created paper craft items. My digital camera finally gave out on me, so you can see the lovely gifts my sister made for us over at her blog.

Also, a few weeks ago, on behalf of myself and my daughter, I put in a request to my mother. We wanted some fingerless gloves like I keep seeing all over web stores. I emailed her the instructions and she did all the rest. See how nice!

Yes, we live in Florida, but the minute the weather turns cooler, the backs of our hands get extremely dry - even cracking and bleeding in places, so a way to keep them warm is greatly appreciated. Thanks Mom!

Friday Photo Flashback: Halloween 2004

2009-10-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Not too scary, just a wizard and a doctor. It's funny looking back over Halloween photos, remembering all the different costumes and characters that they have been.

Look how little they both were just five years ago!

{See more Friday Photo Flashbacks at More than Words!}

[Halloween Treats Quickpage by Kris Mazy Fullmer of Scrapwarrior]

Being Thankful in the Midst of Change

2009-10-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

We held Joyce's memorial service last Saturday, at the home of her brother who passed earlier this year. My husband officiated the service - a task made easier by his mother's clear instructions along with a multitude of information found on the internet. We had programs printed at a local office supply store that included the Scripture verses she wanted read (1 Corinthians 13:1-8a, 1 Peter 1:24-25, John 14:1-3) and downloaded the hymns she wanted played or sung from an online music store (In the Garden, He Touched Me, The Old Rugged Cross, How Great Thou Art). Before my husband gave the closing prayer, my brother sang the first verse and chorus of Amazing Grace. It was all very beautiful.

There are so many changes we as a family are going through and so many changes yet to come. In the midst of all of these changes, I am reminded that in all things we are to give thanks.

I hate the fact that she will no longer be a physical part of my children's lives, but I am thankful that my children had the opportunity to know and love their grandmother.

I am thankful that she didn't need her cane when she ran into the arms of Jesus, that all of her sorrows and pains were eased in His embrace.

"When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Now she is home and one day we shall see her again. For this, I am eternally thankful.

In Loving Memory

2009-10-21T10:00:00.000-04:00

Dorothy Joyce Stewart
July 7, 1941 to October 20, 2009

We are deeply heartbroken as my husband's mother passed away yesterday morning. Although she had some life-long illnesses, her sudden departure took us by surprise.

She was the mother of three children and the grandmother of four. She loved music, dancing and spending time with her family.

We will all miss her dearly.

Fall Has Finally Arrived

2009-10-19T08:00:00.002-04:00

This past weekend, fall finally arrived here in Florida. After record breaking heat, we were blessed with some cooler temperatures. This weekend was also the first weekend out of the last five that one or both of the children were not sick. Although I had some sort of stomach issue/bug during the week, I was better by Saturday, so we loaded up the car and headed to my sister's house.

The leaves were scattered all over the yard and along with the cooler temperature and winds, it finally felt like fall to me!

The cooler temperatures also meant we could have our first bonfire of the season.

I'm am relishing these few days of comfort while they last!

{Scrap Pages Created Using: Fall Foliage Paper and Stitching by Amagination; Fall Vellum Leaves by Lori Musser of Page Frocks; Messy Edge Border by Donna Brown of Tootlebugz Designs.}

Friday Photo Flashback: 1974

2009-10-16T08:30:00.008-04:00

[click on image to enlarge]

This photo, taken at my Paternal grandparent's home includes (from left to right) my cousin, my brother, my sister and myself.

Two things stand out to me - One is the look on my face that I had been crying or was about to cry. The second is the painting of Paris above the couch. I always thought the painting was so cool because the street lights had real light bulbs! (you can see the cord discreetly ducking behind the curtains.)

Now that painting resides in my brother's den, a wonderful reminder of days gone by!

{See more Friday Photo Flashbacks at More than Words!}

Yoplait Yogurt Giveaway

2009-10-15T10:09:00.005-04:00

I am hosting a Yoplait Yogurt Giveaway over at My Personal Reviews, so please be sure to stop by check it out!

Happy Moments

2009-10-12T08:00:00.002-04:00

Wishing my sister and her husband a Very Happy 24th Wedding Anniversary!!

It seems like only yesterday you were getting married - my how time flies!

{page layout created using the Momitude Kit by Miss Mint from PeppermintCreative}

Friday Photo Flashback: 1963

2009-10-09T09:00:00.004-04:00

This is one of the very few photos I have of my paternal grandparents together - and it's from before I was even born.

My grandfather died in 1979 while my grandmother celebrated her 97th birthday in January of this year.

But now, she is slipping away from us. My sister spoke to her and my aunt the other day on the phone. My aunt said that grandma has dementia...the doctor isn't calling it Alzheimer's yet. That she's gotten mean, thinks everyone is stealing from her (she misplaces things), etc. That morning she even accused my aunt of stealing her black dress pants, then my aunt went and found them in my grandmother's closet for her.

This is a woman whom I have never heard yell at anyone, let alone raise her voice. She is stoic and mild tempered and the only time she was truly free with her emotions was when she laughed. We visited her in January and although she was a little forgetful, she was still her soft-spoken self. I am having a hard time reconciling the way she was to the way she now is.

She's lived a long and healthy life - it breaks my heart that now, so near the end, she does not remember it and that she is so altered.

{See more Friday Photo Flashbacks at More than Words!}

Friday Photo Flashback: 1977

2009-10-02T08:30:00.003-04:00

My father reading me a story during Christmas 1977 while at parent's home. It seems so long ago, but I still remember the moment well!

See more Friday Photo Flashbacks at More than Words!

A Month of Pink October 2009

2009-10-01T07:45:00.005-04:00

For the month of October, my blog will be going pink once again.

Here is a re-post from last year:

There are those who would tell you to not "buy into" the retail side of Breast Cancer awareness products - and I would have to agree UNLESS it is something you had planned on purchasing and are going with the awareness version of the same item OR If the majority of the proceeds go to funding/research. There are companies out there who contribute only the smallest fraction of the purchase price to research/funding, so try to avoid those - they are playing on your sympathies while trying to make a profit.

Other Ways to Help:
* Visit The Breast Cancer Site and click daily to help fund mammograms:
"With a simple, daily click of the pink button at The Breast Cancer Site, visitors help provide mammograms to those in need. Visitors pay nothing. Mammograms are paid for by the site's sponsors and distributed by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc."

* Become a National Breast Cancer Foundation Volunteer.

* Join in a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in your area.

* Spread the word - One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. We need to do all we can to help end breast cancer forever.

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Fun

2009-09-28T09:00:00.006-04:00

[Me, Sam, Cheryl]

I, along with my sister, brother-in-law and niece, went to my best friend Samantha's house on Saturday. We first met when I was 10 years old and she is the person I have known the longest who is not related to me. Even when we have not seen or spoken to each other for a long time, when we do, it's as if little time has passed.

Her husband Steve made an aewsome Boston butt! I admit, when she first told me what he was going to make, I didn't know what that was. Now I know that's where pulled pork comes from.

We all had a really good time! The only downside for me was that my husband and children could not join me as originally planned. Both children woke up with fevers, so my husband sent me on my way with the hopes that I would bring him home some yummy left-overs... which I did!

{Dream A Little Dream Kit by Doro of Digital Scrapbook Art}

Flash-Back Friday Photo: 1978

2009-09-25T09:00:00.004-04:00

[click on image to enlarge]

I suppose when you live on a farm, in a rural area of Michigan, riding a bicycle while wearing a bathing suit and no shoes is considered the norm... at least that's what I keep telling myself!

Flash-Back Friday Photo: 1970

2009-09-18T09:00:00.002-04:00

Wow, would some one please quiet that screaming baby?

You know, I bet I was quiet up until then - I still hate having my picture taken!

Wordful Wednesday: Lovely Loot

2009-09-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

I won these 2 books by Sharon Lathan from a recent giveaway at PopSyndicate. I had read a library copy of Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One back in July and have waited in anticipation for the second book, Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley, to be released. Both books had been added to my wishlist and I am so happy to have won them!

Woohoo!!

{You can read my review of Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy here.}

Sunday Reflection: Heaven is the Face

2009-09-13T09:45:00.004-04:00

For a powerful, heartfelt moment, I encourage you to read Mary Beth's post "The Whole Picture", and listen to Steven's new song "Heaven is the Face".