A Work In Progress

I wanted to show everyone what I'm working on for my dad. My momma made the blocks, and I'm setting them for a wallhanging. I just need to applique the middle leaf down and add the backing and binding. I hope he likes it. If he doesn't, then I'll just keep it. ;) Oh, and the first picture is my "workspace."

Update of a sorts

I know I haven't been updating as much as I should or as much as some would like. I'm trying. I really am. Life has been crazy since we moved.

Sweet Pea is in a new school. She really loves it, so I'm hoping and praying that we don't have to move her again this year.

We are living with my best friend and her family. That's my friend, her two boys, her mom and her step-dad, not to mention two hamsters, plus me, Dale, Sweet Pea, and Lil Bit. It's a tight squeeze, but somehow, we're managing it.

Dale is still working on a contract job with a major phone company, and still sending out resumes. Hopefully a permanent position will be offered before too much longer.

We love our new church. The elders there really encourage reading God's word and looking for His truth, not just based on traditions. They are very loving and very glad to see us. It's wonderful to go to church.

We have sleet tonight. It's so thick that when you look outside, it seems like snow. Which we're also supposed to have tonight. I would love to take a picture, but all my camera stuff (except my camera) is in Louisiana. Which is annoying, because I also found a website where I can upload my pictures and/or artwork and sell it! Grrr.....

Anyway... we've moved, and we're relatively happy. Christmas is coming soon. Happy Holidays everyone! :D

Adjustment

Good morning. We've moved to Kansas City, MO. We're adjusting to life here. Thanksgiving wishes to all.

Hugs,
Melinda

Testing

I think I'm having trouble with pictures. This is a test. I think it's me. :'(

Happy Halloween

Okay, so I know I'm early. HOWEVER... tonight was "Trunk or Treat" at the church. So, in honor of the occassion, I'm posting a picture or three. :D

Paper piecing

I've been practicing my paper piecing. I was teaching my sister in laws all my "tricks" that make it alot easier. I have these two pieces. I'm thinking of making either a miniature quilt or a crusty (aka art quilt) or using them as labels. But it was fun. Oh, and just for reference, the little square underneath is 1" square.

Angels in the Outfield

I know my momma's not an angel, but I know she must have been watching the game tonight.

Bottom of the 9th
Bases loaded, 2 outs
Cards 3, Mets 1

The batter struck out!

GO CARDINALS! TAKE THE SERIES!

Photo Essay

I'm working on a new photo essay. I'm tentatively calling it "Despondency." Watch for pictures in upcoming posts. ;)

ETA: Ugh! The sun was WAY too bright. The mood is all wrong. Somebody pray for a gray rainy day!

What's a good synonymn for despondency? Despair? Degradation? Depression?

My Mother-In-Law

I have to tell ya.... I'm blessed. Somewhere in my youth, I was told, "you don't just marry one man, you marry his whole family." So when I met my DH's parents for the very first time, I was looking to see if I liked them as much as him.

My MIL is a gem of a lady. She has opened her home up and let us live here while Dale looks for a new job. She works incrediably hard to support herself and one of her other sons. And... she's a good friend. She's helped me deal with the loss of my mother in so many ways, just from the lonely feelings to dealing with Daddy's relationship search.

I've been feeling lonely this week since Dale is in KC. MIL works part time in Texarkana, making a trip up there about once every week and a half. She's going out again tomorrow. The hotel she stays at has an indoor pool. I kind of invited myself and the girls along for the ride, and then told her I was thinking about changing my mind..... My dear bossy MIL basically told me that I was going whether I wanted to or not. And now.... at 12:30 am, I'm actually looking forward to it. Guess I better go to bed soon. :D

Thank you dear God, for the blessing of my mother in law, and thank you for the wonderful son she raised. Thank you also for the teacher who told me that you marry a whole new family. Thank you for the blessings of my daughters. Please prepare them for marriage, and please prepare their future husbands. Please grant me the wisdom to be a good mother-in-law one day in the future. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Pictures of Sweet Pea

Can't forget my oldest. She doesn't stay still long enough these days for me to get a good picture of her. But I'm going to have to try. I'll make it "school picture day" soon, and get a good one. ;) But in the meantime, here's some older ones. Mostly of our recent trip to Kansas City. If ya'll want me to tell you the details, let me know. Otherwise, it's late, and I'm going to bed.

Time for pictures!

I realized I haven't posted any pictures in awhile. I'm going to try to do this, but my understanding is that our internet service is slower loading to the net than taking from it.

We went to a wedding in Austin, TX last weekend. One of Dale's cousins got married. If you know anything about me at all, you know I believe in God. This cousin and her family are about as religious as a stick. In other words, this was not a "Christian" wedding, but it was still pretty typical. It was the first wedding I've ever danced at, and probably the last as well.

This picture of Lil Bit was taken at a picnic area on the way home. We had to have a stretch break. What you can't tell is that she's really ready to cry. She doesn't like being in the tree. Sweet Pea would have loved it, but she was traveling with Nonnie (my MIL).
















This picture is of Sweet Pea and me on the dance floor. It was the "father-daughter" dance and everyone was invited. Sweet Pea was sad, because Dale had an errand to run and she didn't have anyone to dance with. So I danced with her. It was fun! It reminded me of when Amber and I would crank up the music and just boogey. The music was "Take me home" by John Denver.






















These next two are some of my favorite. Dale and I got our picture taken under the wedding arch. We were both feeling sorta romantic and sentimental. :)



















Then this picture of Lil Bit turned out really well. She is really growing up fast. She's climbing on everything and everyone. She loves the outdoors, cars, and her "baba" (baby). Lil Bit is really very smart. Takes after her daddy. ;)

Separations.....

Dale is leaving in the morning. He has a temporary "contract" job in Kansas City. I'm so very tired of being separated. And I'm frustrated. I almost wish that since we're going to be separated that he'd go ahead and go to Kuwait. That way, we'd get ahead financially. And I'm still willing to move there with him. I'm just tired of it all.

A big part of it is that I don't have "my stuff." "My stuff" is all packed away "in a box" somewhere in the city of Shreveport in storage. We're coming up on my very favorite time of the year, and I don't feel like I can enjoy it, because I don't have "my stuff" to decorate with, or even "my space" to decorate.

About the only benefit to Dale leaving is that I can stay up as late as I want quilting. Expect to see a quilt top sometime in the next two weeks.

Okay, Grumpy (me) is going to go to bed now. Sweet Pea has 3 tests tomorrow (yes, on Saturday). Night.....

Wow... Where have I been?

Apparently, I keep forgetting to post. Our life has been so crazy busy these days. I find most of my time spent in homeschooling Sweet Pea and keeping Lil Bit entertained with almost no time for quilting or reading. Of course, traveling all over creation doesn't help either. Since my last post, I've been to KC,MO, Branson, MO, and Austin, TX. I'm tired of traveling. I want to stay home for a while. Not that that is a problem, because I technically don't have a home of my own. We're still living with MIL.

Positive note: Dale has a "temporary" contract job with a major phone company in KC. He starts Monday. And while I'm not excited at the thought of being separated ... AGAIN ... it is income.

I am going to try to post more often. This may become more of a journal type thing that I do. Don't be surprised to find me rambling, as I so often do in my journals.

Okay... it's late, and I didn't sleep good last night. My (temporary) bed is calling me.... hard as it is. Night.....

My weekend

My MIL went to Austin, TX for a wedding shower this weekend, and decided that she needed to take all of her grandkids. That was so nice of her, because Dale and I got to be by ourselves the whole weekend. :D Saturday, we went to 2 different movies (not to mention sleeping in until almost 10).

We saw "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" which I thought was very funny. I'm waiting anxiously for the third one now. We also saw "The Illusionist." If you see one movie this year, make it this one. :O Oh my. It was an awesome movie. What I told Dale is that while "Pirates" is a special effects movie, the story line wasn't that strong. "Illusionist" while it has some special effects has an incredible story that was just excellent. It was a great movie that kept me guessing right until the end.

Sunday, we were really lazy and slept in and did some minor housework. Today... same story. I missed my girls, but it was nice to have some alone time as well.

Oh, I also watched "Signs" on Sunday. (BTW, I've really got to stop watching scary stories late at night by myself.) I thought it was funny that M. Night Shylaman was acting in his own movie. :)

We're heading to KC this next week sometime. It's coming up on the one year anniversary of our friend's death, and we (I) want to be with his wife at that time. I'm hoping to bring just a little joy to her life that weekend.

That's all for now. I'll check in again soon.

And we're back!

FINALLY. We have an internet connection again. :D Happy happy joy joy.

Things are working out well in LA (that's Louisiana for those from the West Coast). My MIL broke her foot last week, so that can be a pain, but... I'm being a good daughter in law and taking care of her, her house, and driving her around (if she wants).

Dale got here, and promptly overtook my brand new sewing table. That's okay. I've been busy getting in a routine with Sweet Pea that I haven't had time to really even unpack my machine. I HAVE unpacked most of the fabric that was here (I inherited my mom's stash).

I have been busy cleaning today. My daddy is coming to visit tomorrow. I'm excited. I need a daddy hug. Most people think it's funny that my dad and my MIL seem to "hit it off" and talk a lot. I'm just thankful that he's found a friend who can help him deal with his grief.

Well, I'm off to do my daily Bible reading. I'm a day behind so I have quite a bit of reading tonight. Who knew that Jeremiah and Ezekial could be so interesting? Toodle-loo!

Moving Day

We are going to be disconnected from the internet later today. The movers will arrive tomorrow. The girls and I are leaving on the 7th and Dale leaves on the 16th. I'm getting really excited. A bit of melancholy at leaving our home of three and a half years, but excited by the new start. I hope to be reconnected within the month, but until then...... ADIOS!

I fell for it too.

Take My Quiz - on - QuizYourFriends.com!

Moving Time is getting close!

Moving time is fast approaching and I am getting EXCITED! I'm cleaning and cleaning and tossing. I'm going to be really glad to be out of the Army. Well... I'll be glad when DALE is out of the Army. LOL I'll miss my house, but... I'll live.

I need to get some new pictures up soon. We're disconnecting Aug 1 until I can get our new "pad" hooked up.

Night!

Cat and Mouse

Don't look too closely at the mess, but I had to put up a picture of my cat's new napping place. I couldn't resist the irony of "Cat and Mouse." :D Doesn't he look comfy? Too bad I can't use my computer when he's there.

On Kuwait

Okay, I feel like I must make a correction. We are moving from Georgia to Louisiana. I am not moving to Kuwait in 3 weeks, and neither is Dale. He is thinking that he will accept this job offer, but he would not start until after Sept 20 or so. There are a lot of ifs, ands, or buts about this job. We have a pro/con list a mile long. I simply ask for prayers.

Look at it this way. I'll be on an adventure and I'll have a chance to explore new fabrics and new techniques. LOL

Flowers

I am a Lily What Flower Are You?

"Your artistic expression tends to show up in flamboyant bursts. When you are feeling creative, it consumes your every thought and action. But just as quickly as the muse shows up, it leaves you and you are back to your relatively normal self."

Heh heh... So true. I love Stargazer Lillies.
Hugs,
Melinda

update of a sorts

I haven't posted in so long. I had to make a quick trip to AR and LA. We're starting the cleaning process prior to the packing process. I still haven't finished Lil Bit's busy book. And Dale has a job "offer." It's with ITT Systems. It's in Kuwait. I don't know what to think or do. Prayers are highly coveted right now. We'll be moving in approximately 3 weeks. It's coming up fast.

Postcard tips

Okay, this one is called "Purple Flowers" because I couldn't come up with anything else. ROFLOL But I have been coming up with some tips for others out there. :D

Tip #1 -- Don't use muslin. It frays way too easily and if you use it as a backing fabric, you can see through it.

Tip #2 -- Don't sew over chenille stems (aka pipe cleaners). It's akin to sewing over pins and it will really eat through your needles.

Tip #3 -- Freezer Paper makes a great ironing board cover for this project. Make sure you put the shiny side down.

Tip #4 -- If you are using Peltex, you need to make sure you get Peltex 70. Somehow, I got Peltex 71, and it's making things sort of difficult.

Tip #5 -- and this is more personal than an actual tip... don't use Rayon thread on the edge. It doesn't act right to me.

I tried a new version after I finished this one. I'm thinking this is going to be how I make a busy book for Lil Bit. I'll post pictures of the "trial" later. Right now, we're going on a date. :D All in all, this is a very fun project, and I am so happy to be sewing again. And I know my Momma is looking down on me and smiling.

StarBright

I'm so excited. I just finished my very first fabric postcard. Thanks go to DebR for the instructions and everyone at QYW for the encouragement. :D I know the quilting is bad, but it was fun. I can see this as being a GREAT way to practice different techniques. Now.... who do I send it to? Hmmmm.......

Quilting bug

I am happy to report that I have again been bitten by the quilting bug. I don't have anything to post a picture of yet, but today, I actually cleaned my sewing room out and set up my machine again. Tomorrow, or later next week, I'm planning on trying to make a fabric postcard. I have my directions and all my supplies ready. I just have to get in there and do it. After I get the hang of the cards, I'm going to try to make a busy book for Lil Bit using the same technique. I'm so excited.

By the way, don't open the closet door. It's dangerous. Dale has a lot of Army junk that I just kinda piled in. LOL I told him.... "Open at your own risk. Consider yourself warned."

Friends

Friends are nice to have. I finally got to meet a good friend in person. Previously, we had only been computer buddies. This is my friend Laurie. I am thankful for my friends.

I miss my momma

Boy, I miss my momma. It's strange. I have days where I barely remember that she's gone. Then I have days that it hits me like a ton of bricks. Then I have moments in some days where I miss her so much it hurts. I'm having one of those moments right now. I can't even tell you why I started missing her so much all of a sudden. I just know that I do miss her, and I miss her alot. I want to cry and yet I don't. My heart is in a jumble just not knowing what to do with my emotions.

Sweet Pea is in Louisiana visiting my MIL. She's helping her with VBS, and playing hard with her cousins. Lil Bit is in bed asleep. I think she may be teething again, which is not fun, because it usually means an earache and cranky baby. Dale has Monday off and a pass for Tuesday, so we are going to go to Atlanta and try to have some "us" time. He's attending a job fair on Tuesday. (Everyone cross your fingers and pray REALLY hard that he'll get a job soon.)

We're at a pivotal point in our life/marriage. If we can make it through the rest of this year, then maybe, just maybe, we'll be okay and can make it through the rest of our life. But Daddy, if you happen to read this.... "I'm tired of the bumps already."

Inspiration

I was so inspired by the picture of Gail's Peonies that I had to offer some pictures of my hydrangea bush. I did not plant this bush and actually cut it a few times before I realized it wasn't a weed. LOL Last year, the neighborhood kids broke off some of the buds so I only got 4 really good blooms. This year, as you can see, I have 13! I love the coloring on it too. The pink and purple are just beautiful.

I also wanted to share some more Gracie pictures. She decided to try a new "food" tonight. That's NOT chocolate pudding on her face. You can see the "source" in the big orange pot. ROFLOL

Also, we had had the living room arranged to where she couldn't get around certain blockades. Only... she figured out that she could try to squeeze between the recliner and the trunk. She got stuck, but I couldn't resist a picture. LOL I've since rearranged the living room.

My children bring me such joy. Becca is so incredibly smart. Today, we started a second grade workbook for the summer. She doesn't like to do it, but I sat with her and we worked together, and that made it fun. I hope and I pray that I can be as good a mother to her as my mom was to me.

It's just a day

It's just a day like any other day. God made it, so I will rejoice in it.

New picture

I'm trying to get a picture posted in my profile. I haven't figured it out yet, so I guess I'll have to do it the long way. *blech* The only thing that would make Blogger better would be some smilies. :D

On Grieving

You know, I've been thinking (bad idea, I know). People all grieve in different ways. Many people would look at my sister's blog and then look at mine and think that I wasn't grieving. It's not true. I just have to process it in a different way than she does. I miss my mom. While she was alive, my sister was taking care of her. She was there every day. She had to deal with issues that I didn't. But..... I called my mom. Often. And she's not there anymore. She won't be on the other end of the line anymore. Amber sees that momma is not there. I hear it. I also don't sleep well or enough.

This weekend, it really hit me. The one person I have always counted on to always love me unconditionally is gone. I know there are others, but I have learned that. I always knew my mom was there.

I just want to offer the 5 stages of grief for others out there in "BlogLand." People do this in different ways in different time frames. But it is nice to have some measure of progress (for lack of a better word). I think the thing to remember is that you do need to go through grief, even if it is in your own way and in your own time. It helps the hurting wound in your heart start to heal.

5 stages of grief as presented by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her book "On Death and Dying:"
Denial (this isn't happening to me!)
Anger (why is this happening to me?)
Bargaining (I promise I'll be a better person if...)
Depression (I don't care anymore)
Acceptance (I'm ready for whatever comes)

ROFLOL -- Funny!

Your results:
You are Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker 70% R2-D2 67% Princess Leia 64% An Ewok 63% Padme 57% C-3PO 56% Chewbacca 56% Jar Jar Binks 55% Obi-Wan Kenobi 54% Yoda 52%

You value your friends and loved ones, but can sometimes act recklessly because of your emotions. Occasionally you resort to whining. You look ahead to great things for yourself.

(This list displays the top 10 results out of a possible 21 characters)
Click here to take the "Which Star Wars character am I?" quiz...





Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti

I miss my momma

I know it will take time, but I really miss my mama. I've wanted to pick up the phone and call her so many times this week. Which is CRAZY, because I was there when she died, and I was there when they closed the casket, and I was there when they buried her. Well, not her, but her body. And I know, I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is in Heaven and that she doesn't hurt any more. So why do I still want to call her?

And on top of it all, I still have to deal with the here and now. The past month was so surreal, like it wasn't happening to me, that it was a dream or a movie of someone else's life. But now, I'm home and I have to deal with my life here, and I really don't want to. I want to be asleep.

Oi. I guess I'm just rambling, and venting. I know it will take time. I just like control and I'm not in control right now. I guess I've never been in control. God has the ultimate control, always has and always will. It comes back to trust and faith again. Maybe one day I'll learn.

It's Wednesday

I guess it's time for a new post. I don't have a lot to say. I'm in the process of trying to clean up my house since I've been gone for a month. I know that Dale has been "sick" and working and taking care of Sweet Pea, but would it really hurt for him to use a trash can every once in awhile?

I'm tired. I guess it's all the stress of the past month. I would get up early with Lil Bit, I wouldn't get any sort of nap, and then I would be up late helping Daddy get Momma to bed. Don't get me wrong. I was glad to be able to help as much as I could. But my body is still trying to catch up.

Well, I'm going to try to find something for breakfast, then maybe I'll catch 40 winks while Lil Bit is taking her nap. LOL Have a good day everyone out there in blogland.

It's my birthday

Well, it will be my birthday in roughly an hour and a half. I will be 30 years old. At 12:00, I'm going to Dixie Cafe to have ice cream with friends. At 2:00, I'm going to the funeral home to see my mom for the first time since Sunday. At 6:00 is the visitation where everyone and their dog comes to say they are "so sorry for your loss."

I wish I could skip the next 2 weeks.

It's over

My mother passed away around 1:30 Sunday afternoon. It was such a peaceful passing. I keep expecting her to come out of her sewing room, or I think I hear her voice on the phone. She fought for so long and so hard. But she is in heaven now. She doesn't hurt anymore.

This is a long week. The funeral is Friday. A lot of people came over Sunday night, but it's Tuesday now. I have so much time to think, when I really don't want to. The good news is that Dale and Sweet Pea should be here later today. I've missed them both so much.

I miss you Momma. ILYB <3

Gospel Songs

We're looking for a particular song. My internet search led me to this article. It's sort of tounge in cheek, but it also kind of rings true.

***********************************************
Now available! REVISED GOSPEL HYMNS for today's generation of modern
churchgoers. The old favorites can now be sung without guilt, conviction, or
discomfort. Hundreds of your old favorites made comfortable. Some of the
titles include:
~ "Amazing Grace, How Interesting the Sound"
~ "Lord, Keep Us Loosely Connected to Your Word"
~ "Praise God from whom All Affirmations Flow"
~ "Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me"
~ "When Peace, Like a Trickle"
~ "We Give Thee but Still Think We Own"
~ "What an Acquaintance We Have in Jesus"
~ "We Are Milling Around in the Light of God"
~ "Blest Be the Tie that Doesn't Cramp My Style"
~ "I Surrender Some"
~ "Standing on the Premises"
~ "Sweet Minute of Prayer"
~ "Blessed Insurance"
~ "Come We That Like the Lord"
~ "Onward, Social Workers"
~ "Avoid the Good Fight"
~ "The Gold-Plated Cross"
~ "Some for Jesus"
~ "I Have My Own Way"
~ and the all-time children's favorite: "I Love Me"
© John Mark Ministries. Articles may be reproduced in any medium, without applying for permission(provided they are unedited, and retain the original author/copyright information - and perhaps a reference to this website :-)!

Heh heh heh....

So I'm going to make an admission here, but I don't want comments on the problem. I want comments on a step I made towards a solution.

I have a spending problem. I spend money (as well as eat) when I am stressed out. This wouldn't be a problem if I kept track of the bank account. But you can guess.... I have that problem too. The result is that over the past few months, our account has been seriously overdrawn this month.

So, I'm checking my e-mail tonight, when I found that my bank sent me an e-mail. Apparently they have an alert feature. So I hop on over to the site, and I have now set up an alert to where the bank will send me an e-mail alert if our bank account goes under $100! I'm so proud of myself for discovering this, because I REALLY don't like being in financial problems.

Well, anyway.... Dale and I are going to have a serious heart to heart about our finances when I get home. Hopefully, we'll get back on track fairly quickly.

Happy Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, I am posting a poem (story) that I first heard my dad read. It means alot to me. I hope one day, that I can be......

The Meanest Mother In The World

Copyright© 1967 by Bobbie Pingaro

I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you can guess, my supper was different than the other kids' also.

But at least, I wasn't alone in my sufferings. My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother as I did.

My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all times. You'd think we were on a chain gang. She had to know who our friends were and where we were going. She insisted if we said we'd be gone an hour, that we be gone one hour or less--not one hour and one minute. I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us. Not once, but each time we had a mind of our own and did as we pleased. That poor belt was used more on our seats than it was to hold up Daddy's pants. Can you imagine someone actually hitting a child just because he disobeyed? Now you can begin to see how mean she really was.

We had to wear clean clothes and take a bath. The other kids always wore their clothes for days. We reached the height of insults because she made our clothes herself, just to save money. Why, oh why, did we have to have a mother who made us feel different from our friends?

The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine each night and up at eight the next morning. We couldn't sleep till noon like our friends. So while they slept-my mother actually had the nerve to break the child-labor law. She made us work. We had to wash dishes, make beds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things. I believe she laid awake at night thinking up mean things to do to us.

She always insisted upon us telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us- and it nearly did.

By the time we were teen-agers, she was much wiser, and our life became even more unbearable. None of this tooting the horn of a car for us to come running. She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us. If I spent the night with a girlfriend, can you imagine she checked on me to see if I were really there. I never had the chance to elope to Mexico. That is if I'd had a boyfriend to elope with. I forgot to mention, while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 and 13, my old fashioned mother refused to let me date until the age of 15 and 16. Fifteen, that is, if you dated only to go to a school function. And that was maybe twice a year.

Through the years, things didn't improve a bit. We could not lie in bed, "sick" like our friends did, and miss school. If our friends had a toe ache, a hang nail or serious ailment, they could stay home from school. Our marks in school had to be up to par. Our friends' report cards had beautiful colors on them, black for passing, red for failing. My mother being as different as she was, would settle for nothing less than ugly black marks.

As the years rolled by, first one and then the other of us was put to shame. We were graduated from high school. With our mother behind us, talking, hitting and demanding respect, none of us was allowed the pleasure of being a drop-out.

My mother was a complete failure as a mother. Out of four children, a couple of us attained some higher education. None of us have ever been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate. Each of my brothers served his time in the service of this country. And whom do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You're right, our mean mother. Look at the things we missed. We never got to march in a protest parade, nor to take part in a riot, burn draft cards, and a million and one other things that our friends did. She forced us to grow up into God-fearing, educated, honest adults.

Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my three children. I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean. Because, you see, I thank God, He gave me the meanest mother in the whole world.

Written by Bobbie Pingaro ©1967

Finally...

Well, I finally remembered to get my password from Dale, so I can post again. :D

I've been in Arkansas since the last week of April. I miss my family in Georgia, but my parents needed me more right now. We're looking at the last days of my mom's life.

I'm adding pictures of Lil Bit's birthday "party" as well as a picture of my littlest cousin, who is 6 months old and about 5 pounds heavier than Lil Bit. LOL I'm also putting up a picture of Lil Bit on Grandma's lap before Grandma stopped communicating.

Welp, that's all for now. I'm glad I've got my password again.

Easter has come and gone.

So many wonderful pictures. We got a family picture taken Easter sunday. We have a picture of Daddy and his two girls. There's a picture of Gracie's first Easter egg hunt. She didn't quite get that you find the eggs, then put them in the basket. LOL My Momma made the little shamrock dress for Becca's first birthday. I was glad to see that Gracie could wear it. I also wanted to include a picture of Becca. Dale took that picture, and I think he did a very good job. I love that one. :)

more beach pictures

More Beach Pictures

I had a lot of fun, so I want to share more pictures.