Valentine’s Day…

We actually did Valentine’s Day     with Carson’s Birthday yesterday…

We ate at his pick of restaurants… Golden Corral…

and it was really good…

 

although very crowded… we got seated… all 8 of us… with no problem…

Everyone got to choose from the abundant menu that was offered…. …

 

Carson had pizza and salad… his favorite!…

and then to indulge in the Chocolate Fountain… dipping marshmallows!…

 

The prime rib, salmon and the many offers of meats, vegetables, sides, salads, hot rolls, desserts were all tasty…

No cake needed here    … so many desserts!…

and I like how they are offering smaller pieces where you can try a few different kinds…

I only ate a bite of Lemon Pie … and then HAD to have a piece of Chocolate Fudge! …

MONEY and Gift Cards for the Birthday Boy…

and all three of the Grandkids loved their Heart Shaped Boxes of Candies

I brought them…

They are “MY SWEETHEARTS”!

I awoke to find a beautiful card from Bobby with a box of candy we could share…

JUST RIGHT!…

The words were perfect!… on the card…

 

 

We share a bond

that’s built to last.

We share a love

that’s unsurpassed.

 

We share a name

and happy home.

We share the places

that we roam.

 

We share our dreams

and funny stories.

We share defeats

as well as glories.

 

We share so many

things, it’s true…

I’m thrilled to share

my life with you!

 

and that says it all…

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

 

Happy Again…

I’ve spent the whole day in my pajamas!…

I’m not proud of it… but, it was just a lazy snowy day…

so why not!

Doug had spent his first night here since he moved…

Having his meds… I felt assured we would be fine… and it was!…

He was actually ready to go to his “home”… by afternoon…

He has made a few friends and lots of acquaintances since he arrived…

He seems to accept that… he is like our guest now…

We are fixing up part of the basement where he lived as a guest room…

Half has a living area with couch, chair, fireplace, tables, TV/DVD…

and the other half will be the sleeping area with a full bed… night stands… desk… chair… lamps…

It will be a process rearranging… but, I believe this is going to work…

We will store the rest of his things in the other part of the basement…

The room is not only for him… but, anyone who visits…

We had went out for my Granddaughter’s 21st Birthday last night… 

and knowing we would be late… we let him stay all night…

I received his meds… and felt assured things would be OK…

Taylor and family went to Aspen Creek to eat dinner…

My Pineapple Chicken was delicious!

 

then went back to house for a Cookie Cake/birthday wishes and gifts…

  

Carson made sure his big sister had 21 candles to blow out!…

 

  

Both Carson and sister… Kennedy… enjoyed the cookie also…

 

The young ones stayed home for a couple of hours while the rest of us took Taylor and her best friend to Horseshoe River Boat Casino…

This was her desire… to see what we talked about… when we mentioned “the boat”…

Yes, she had a fruity drink…  … played slots a little and wandered around checking the 4 floors out…

 

Her best friend since she was 5…

I imagine she felt “very grown up!”…

and she is getting there…

She made a comment how fast her money went… so, I imagine there won’t be too many trips to Indiana…

She works hard for her money and uses it wisely… Probably taking after her Daddy!…

I had her a lot when she was little… and she stays here with her Poppy and I while going to College (University of Louisville)… works two jobs… and has a boyfriend…

He is too young to go to the boat being that he won’t be 21 until June…

My dinner has been cooking… slow cooked cabbage, hot dogs and mac/cheese…

  

We will eat in a little while… Bobby enjoying his ball game and I talking to you all!…

Nice Sunday afternoon…

and I am happy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three of Life’s Events… In One Weekend!

Today seems like Sunday to me…

Not anything I HAVE to do…

but, Monday it is!…

I’ve encountered 3 phases of life in one weekend…

A Birthday… My oldest son turned 44…

“Doug”

 

He likes just our immediate family to celebrate with him…

His Dad, me, brother/sister-in-law and his two nieces and nephew…

Carson and Kennedy… nephew/niece

 

A cake was made by a nephew… who does this as his gift… to one’s he loves…

A huge Chocolate Homemade Cake… with Butter Cream Frosting…

One candle to blow out suffices…

I made dinner…

Fried chicken strips/ sauces

Mashed potatoes/ Gravy

Macaroni/Cheese

Slaw

Green Beans

Hot Rolls

Everyone enjoyed and ate hearty!…

Then… another event…

I attended a wedding of a great-nephew with his lovely bride…

The happiness of these sweet people was shown from beginning to end…

A beautiful bride… and a handsome groom…

Bride and Groom

 

but, their smiles said it all!…

Her colors were a dark plum color and Fall colors embedded in the flowers…

Beautiful Bouquet

 

The reception held outside and the weather was great for an October night…

The smell of wood burning in the huge fireplace outside penetrated the air…

Drinks/food in abundance…

A huge white tent with tables set with cloth tablecloths, napkins and handmade centerpieces… of the coordinating flowers that the bride carried…

The music was loud and dancing began…

next “Bride to be!”…

 

A photo booth with props for fun…

A wonderful tasting strawberry shortcake wedding cake + deep chocolate brownies and cupcakes…

Desserts!

 

It couldn’t have been better!…

and then they left for New York City to explore THE BIG APPLE… as it is called!

and they will explore…

They have that drive for fun, adventure and free spirit…

and finally…

My 3rd Event…

A very sad one…  A life event we never want to encounter…

but, a part of life even more than birth, weddings/life…

Death!

A tragic death of a young man … a son of a good friend… that I worked with so many years…

A young man not even 20 yet… 19 years old…

Well loved, meaningful happy life… good parents… a lovely sister… and many friends…

That temptation to try something we know… we hear about…that is so dangerous…

A substance that is killing our youth every day…

A heroin overdose…

Never doing drugs… before… but, evidently tempted to try “just once”…

but, then as this drug is so powerful in it’s effect.. have to try one more time…

Resulting in this young boy’s life being taken…

My heart aches so much as I went yesterday to the funeral home…

Hundreds of friends… family… in awe as myself… as to this loss…

The parents and sister enduring this pain which is beyond comprehending…

Brother and Sister

 

A very long day… his mother relating wanting to just crawl under the covers and die herself… from grief and exhaustion…

but, the funeral is today…

and she has to remain as strong as she can for her husband and daughter…

Her life has been shaken like nothing else can…

Her sweet boy is gone…

His achievements will not grow any more… His smile and sense of humor will not be heard except in memories…

What could anyone have done???

Nothing!…

The choice is an individual’s…

It is their call…

and what will change this direction…

is only the choice you make…

This tragedy is being witnessed everywhere…

and all I can do…

is relate how seriously devastating this affects families…

So life has many stages…

and what we have to do…

is make good solid choices that will enhance our lives…

instead of end it!

 

 

 

 

 

Best Wishes Carson… and Melanie!

As I’ve said, “Adding a part-time job… to my agenda… has made some slight changes in my life”…

Still figuring out my managing techniques in my changing world…

but, I still have time to fit in my family…

Yesterday… we celebrated my Grandson’s Birthday with lunch at his favorite

“Restaurant of the Moment”… The Golden Corral…

WHY?… is it his favorite right now!… Because it has 3 chocolate waterfall fountains…

to dip all kinds of goodies in…

plus, a cotton candy machine to make your own…

The girls(sisters) had fun at the cotton candy machine!

and the “food” bar is extraordinary with every kind of food possible…

I usually don’t like these “food troughs” as we have called them… but, the food here

is great!… 

Carson enjoying everything he likes!

He wanted his family… which consists of his two sisters, Mom & Dad, both sets of Grandparents… and his Uncle Doug…

They are so cute and funny!

“Our Little Family”… is what I call it…

Carson with his best friend… Dad!

It was my Daughter-in-law’s Birthday in the same week…. so we gifted her at this time… She has been busy working at the hospital where she is head nurse… and with our snowy… very cold weather… we hadn’t had time to connect…

Mom and her “baby” celebrating!

We caught up on the news of all… laughed… talked and wished our “little one”… actually 9 years old!… BEST WISHES!

First Day… New Job

I awoke to the alarm clock… Something I hadn’t done since I retired 3 years ago…

I did away with it… and never had a watch on my wrist… either…

Three years to just wake up when I wanted… go to bed when I chose… drink my coffee or hot tea… do my blogging… play with my cat… and be home with my husband…

I loved every minute! …

But, I have lately thought I would like to have a part-time job…

but, it had to fit my desire…

When the first of the year came… I applied for a job… and was hired…

https://babyjill7.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/new-job-planned-just-for-me/

So last night… I sat the alarm for 6:30am… because I had to be on time for my first day of work…

This first day of me going back to work happened to be my Birthday!…

Another milestone in itself! …

I arrived a little before 8:00am…

and was greeted warmly by the other staff members…

I was shown what a normal day would be like as I was introduced to the Senior/Adults arriving by bus and car for the Day Program…

Approximately 30+ people are enrolled…

Some come by the YMCA bus transportation… and others come with a spouse, grandson , daughter or son…

They all seemed so happy to be there…

proving to me this was a good… caring… place…

Breakfast was fixed by us… simple cereals… oatmeal with toppings… coffee, hot chocolate…

Some had already eaten…

As we waited for all to arrive… I mingled and talked… I met a most versatile group…

Alzheimers… mental disabilities… handicaps… old age…

They talked… seeing them reacting to people that have become their friends… Some quiet… some busy… some talkative…

A rich variety of personalities…

They looked at magazines… read the newspaper… watched TV…

Some had special things to show me… a book… a bracelet … handmade crafts… a sport’s shirt…

We exchanged names …

Me, promising to try to remember their name … but, that it might take me awhile…

I was showed around the area… a quick tour of signing in… fixing foods… bathrooms… clothes closet… supply room… etc. …

We then played BINGO … thoroughly enjoyed by many… winning small prizes…

College students came in … to mingle with the participants of the program… adding to their class assignments…

They loved the attention of the students…

My part of the day ended as lunch was beginning… and many asked if they would see me tomorrow… I reassured them I would be back and looked forward to seeing them too… Wasn’t that sweet!  …

It was a great day… and I enjoyed my Birthday very much…

“Just Do It!”

Saturday was a busy day!…

My son had signed up all three of the kids (my grandkids) in a 5K race…

I understand that’s about 3 miles…

He had seen a sign up at a church near their subdivision…

It was to be part of the Spring Festival   of the small town they had moved to recently…

They love the atmosphere of it…

He runs… but, hasn’t lately due to moving, etc. …

So, no doubt he was all up for it!

and they were all willing!…

Ages 8, 11 and 18… and a cousin that’s 20 wanted to run too…

They picked up their numbers… and were up bright and early…

It was a spur of the moment thing… That’s what I like about Brian… “Just Do It!‘… is his motto… like the NIKE commercial…

He ran with the youngest… my grandson…

Brian and Carson…

and the girls were not far behind…

Kennedy… coming in next after her Daddy…

Taylor after that…

and Raven, their cousin… seconds later…

Finishing was the objective…

A little running… a little walking…

And, “They Did It!”…

They were proud I could tell… as I talked to them… when we met later that evening… for Kennedy’s Birthday Party…

The oldest was truthful in saying, “I probably won’t do it again!”… but, with graduating  from High School and College on her mind… I can understand…

The other two… probably would be willing to go for it another time…

especially if Daddy says, “Let’s Do It!”

Kennedy’s Birthday was a success… many little girls… and a few boys…

Opening presents…

Pancake Mix for a joke…

she has always loved “cakes-cakes” since she was little bitty!

Her favorite Louisville Basketball Player (SIVA #3) depicted on her cake…

which was delicious!… GO CARDS!

Presents… and girlfriends spending the night…

I missed the whipped cream game   that Melanie had for the young guests… but, saw the remainder of it all over their faces!…

I caught a photo as we were leaving of the aluminum foil  dress designs being

made for a contest…

Brian informed me that the girls actually slept later… and were awesome…

He was pleased to get some shuteye… after a full day with the kids!

He’s a good Daddy!… and he “just does it! “…

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Celebrating a Loved One!… Happy Birthday JoNell

A spur of the moment Birthday Celebration brought joy to my heart this evening…

My niece called and says, “We are going over to the cemetery to celebrate Mom’s birthday…

do you want to go?”…

I immediately said, “Yes!”… I’ll meet you there”…

I quickly called my sister to ask if she was able to go…

Her husband is quite ill… so it’s hard for her to make sudden decisions…

He was having a good day… and she met me at my house in minutes…

I got together some silk flowers I had recently bought… and threw in a couple of chairs…

Now, you would have to know that our sister that passed 5 years ago would just love this!… This was to be her celebration… she would have been 80 years old…

Her two daughters, a granddaughter and her two little ones, her son-in-law, a girlfriend of her daughter’s son, one of my sons, my sister and myself…

Not bad for a short notice party …

We met at the cemetery where the pink dogwoods were blooming, the geese  were everywhere, the air was just a little cool and the sun was shining bright…

My niece had brought cupcakes that she knew her Mom would have loved… The sweeter the better… shades of pale green, pink and yellow…

We placed the flowers I had brought along with my nieces… in the holder on the wall… commenting how we think alike in the colors chosen…

Reading the dates on her marker seemed a little eery… Could it have been 5 years already?…

We sat and talked…  a few tears fell… but, mostly laughter… hugs and kisses…

We wandered around the beautiful landscaped lawns…

noticing the beautiful flowered trees…

My sister in blue… and two nieces…

 JoNell’s Great Grandchildren…

  Two loving little boys…

My heart broke as the oldest one went over to the plaque/flowers and kissed it…

not realizing we were watching… Pure love…

 My oldest son and nephew…

I took a few photos… and felt the love that was emanating from my sister’s family that loved her so much…

She seemed to be there listening to the memories and enjoying the small talk… We recalling her wonderful laugh… and quick wit to always have a joke or tale to tell…

With the sun going down…

we said our good bye’s and felt a peace… Love had been shown today… and it was good!

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It’s A Go!

I saw this idea on… Pillows A-La-Mode… It had been done by her daughter-in-law…

I just loved it!…

and immediately knew I would be making one for my daughter-in-law…

You see… my son and her have bought a new home… and I thought it would make a great house warming gift plus birthday present…

They moved in today and her Birthday is Sunday…

I looked for a star to make it with and was about to order one off of the internet when this metal one was found marked down at a dollar store… It was quite nice… the size I wanted… 14″ X 14″… also had a Welcome Sign ( 10″ long) at the bottom… hung with small chains…

This was going to work perfectly!

No matter what color or design on it… because it would be covered with lots of photos…

I went through all of my photos deciding on which ones would be good for this project…

I included of course the 3 kids… “Mom and Dad”… Uncle Doug… my daughter-in-law’s parents… Wickett, their puppy and both my husband and I…

This is who our “Little Family” consist of…

I printed out the photos on white paper…

It was to be a collage of photos of our family decoupaged with Mod Podge… a type of craft glue that adheres so well and also coats and makes the surface glisten…

After cutting and taping the 100+ photos to the star on all points… I glued them and coated them with the glue… Yes, it took a little time… but, oh so worth it!…

One point of the star designated for each Grandchild of mine… and the rest scattered photos of the rest of us…

This glue is some marvelous stuff… I hadn’t tried this technique for many years… but, my heads a spinnin‘ about other things to cover…

I love it!… and usually I’m my own worst critic…

Even, my other son and husband gave me kudos for this project… and if they give their approval… I usually say, “It’s a go!”

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It’s My Birthday!…and my son’s and my cousin’s…

Memory…

It’s 9:00 am in the morning…

and I have already received 10 messages…

wishing me a “Happy Birthday” …

Is that not the most wonderful feeling!…

I’ve actually had many messages… calls … etc. … this past week…

To be remembered is the best gift anyone could give me…

Presents are nice…

Cards are great…

but, heartfelt words… mean so much…

In a few minutes I will be calling my baby boy… 39 years old today also!…

What a present   he was… and a joy now!…

My cousin will be called later in the morning…

We share our birthday   also…

I think that has really made us have a special bond…

What does this day have in store?…

I really don’t know…

We’ve been out to eat already with my son/family…

So it might be just a stay at home day… Cold here in the Bluegrass State…

But, whatever comes… I will be grateful and feel blessed for another year!

Oh, my!…  My Bobby just surprised me with these beautiful flowers and a card… What a day!… and it’s only 9:44am…

and my son just called…

and my oldest Granddaughter texted me…We have a date for us to get a “little” tatoo together… it’s “our” thing!

What a wonderful day!

 

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My Birthday Lasts For Days!

Gift…

 My birthday is not until Tuesday… but, with others working … it’s better for us to get together on the weekend…

My son’s birthday is also mine… Yes, he was my birthday present 39 years ago… Oh my!…

I also have a cousin whose birthday is the same day… I’m 3 hours older than her and we were born in the same hospital … She lives out-of-town… so we will be phone calling each other a “Happy Birthday“…

My daughter-in-law’s mother’s  birthday was last weekend… They were sick… so we were celebrating all together last night…

My son’s…

chose “Rooster’s”… a sports bar restaurant … U of L and KY were playing … so it was quite crowded… Red and Blue T-shirts abounded…

By the time we were seated at a big corner table that held all 9 of us… Louisville had won and Kentucky had lost… Bitter-sweet for fans…

Same State… but, great rivals!…

My Grandson loves Hot Wings like his Dad… wonder why???… and Kennedy “No WAY!”…

just like her Mom…

 Rooster’s Specialty!

While waiting for our order… Some gifts were exchanged… I received a KOHL”S gift card and some Vera Wang Earrings… so pretty… silver bird design with aqua blue tiny chains dangling…

The gift card will be a treat for another “girl’s day out”…

Also received “a few dollars”… from my other son… and I told my husband I had ordered a new bathing suit… that I needed… so “his” gift to me was taken care of… ha, ha!…

and NO!… it looks nothing like that!…

We are going out to eat on my real Birthday up at Horseshoe Casino in Indiana…

My birthday seems to last for weeks… but, I think that’s super!…

Being with “my little family”… is all I would ever need… for my birthday…

and I did miss my oldest Granddaughter   … but, she had to work… and I quite understood…

So if you still read about my birthday in days to come… don’t be surprised!

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