Three Sixty Five

Day Twenty Seven 2012

2012-01-27T19:22:00.000-06:00

Happy Anniversary, daughter Holly and son in law Jerry Myers who were married 11 years ago, January 27, 2001. Your Ma and Pa wish you all the best of everything on your special day. You (and those two grand peeps) are a blessing to us. We love you!

Day Twenty Six 2012

2012-01-26T18:55:00.000-06:00

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Day Twenty Five 2012

2012-01-25T21:34:00.000-06:00

Happiness for Granny is being together with all three grandpeeps at the same time, in the same place. Wish it could happen more often!

Day Twenty Four 2012

2012-01-24T21:00:00.000-06:00

Grandpeep Knox came to visit his Granny and Grandpa this evening and brought along his mom and dad. Granny woke him up taking his picture. Sorry, kiddo, but how can I make a scrapbook for you unless I take a gazillion pictures of you? You'll understand....someday.

Day Twenty Three 2012

2012-01-23T19:43:00.000-06:00

Oh look! They really do still exist! Sunlight. Sunshine. Blue Sky. Woo Hoo! Not to be too greedy or anything, but may I have some more, please?

Day Twenty Two 2012

2012-01-22T23:18:00.000-06:00

Neil and I got to spend another Sunday afternoon with grandson/peep Knox, who is seven weeks old now. He grew a lot since we saw him last week--longer and heavier. He smiles often when he's not asleep, and he's interested in his surroundings, especially the big screen TV, the ceiling fan and of course his mommy's face. Neil and I enjoyed watching the football championship games with Kelly and Kerry. Thanks again for the pizza! It was delish. And congrats to son in law Kerry, whose NY Giants are going to the Super Bowl!

Day Twenty One 2012

2012-01-21T13:22:00.000-06:00

We've had such a mild winter so far here in middle Tennessee (and winter is only 4 weeks old) that the hyacinths and buttercups are sprouting everywhere in our yard. I say this is a case of Mother Nature fooling Mother Nature. I want to shout at them to go back inside; it's not your time yet. I'm afraid they'll all be goners if we ever get back down to subfreezing temps again in the weeks to come. I would miss their colors come spring time.

"In a way Winter is the real Spring - the time when the inner things happen, the resurgence of nature."
- Edna O'Brien

Day Twenty 2012

2012-01-20T19:52:00.000-06:00

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."

~~ Coco Chanel

Grand daughter Shelby is both classy and fabulous. Her Aunt Kelly gave her a gift certificate to a spa for Christmas, so she enjoyed a pedicure yesterday after school and showed it off for me this afternoon. Pretty little toes and happy feet! I love that grape-colored polish. And I love my totally fabulous (and classy) grand peep!

Day Nineteen 2012

2012-01-19T17:12:00.000-06:00

Dear beautiful Spring weather, I miss you. Was it something I said? ~"Skipper" Kim Corbin

Day Eighteen 2012

2012-01-18T20:25:00.000-06:00

The orange cat face staring at me through my front door window belongs to none other than Lily. She wants inside because it is freezing cold outside. I would let her inside if she was my cat. She belongs to our next door neighbor, but she hangs out on our front porch, all curled up on one of the wicker rocker cushions. I do feel sorry for her that she never gets to go inside a warm home. So I put a blanket in the chair she sleeps in all the time, thinking she'd be all over that. Instead, we found her curled up on the cushion on the other rocking chair that sits beside "her chair". Cats are so weird. I do admire their independent spirit. But I wouldn't turn down a warm blanket on a cold night.

Day Seventeen 2012

2012-01-17T19:35:00.000-06:00

My house looks like it's under water. We did get soaked today as a strong cold front pushed through here. Thankfully for us, there were no severe storms like some endured. I think the Farmer's Almanac predicted a mild, wet winter for the south. I'm loving the mild, but I can do without all this wet. The sun'll come out....tomorrow?

Day Sixteen 2012

2012-01-16T19:28:00.000-06:00

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination. ~Terri Guillemets

Day Fifteen 2012

2012-01-15T23:48:00.000-06:00

"The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child." ~ Joe Houldsworth

I stole a bunch of those this afternoon from six week old grandpeep Knox. His grandpa and I sure did enjoy our brief visit with him and daughter Kelly and son in law Kerry. He's a warm, soft little bundle and we are always reluctant to let go of him. Hope we didn't spoil him too much. Thanks for the kisses, Knox! Looking forward to stealing some more in the near future.

Day Fourteen 2012

2012-01-14T17:44:00.000-06:00

The snow has melted (mostly) and the temperature is twenty degrees warmer today than it was yesterday. Hubby Neil and I went for a walk around our neighborhood this afternoon, just before sunset. Beautiful day!

Day Thirteen 2012

2012-01-13T20:47:00.002-06:00

SNOW DAY! Grandpeeps Shelby and Elijah enjoyed playing in the inch or so of snow that fell in our town last night and this morning. They stayed outside for nearly an hour, even though it was 25 degrees. They finally came inside and thawed out by the fire, sipped some hot chocolate and colored a picture or two before lunch time rolled around. Neil made sure the birds had plenty of food. They were all over those feeders all day long, especially the peanut butter. I ventured outside as the sun was setting to clean the ice and snow off the car. Enjoyed the day with my peeps! No bad luck today. Happy TGIF-the Thirteenth!

Day Twelve 2012

2012-01-12T16:53:00.000-06:00

See that one box of GE soft white 100 watt light bulbs in my Wal-Mart shopping cart, nestled among the eggs and cheese slices and other boxes of light bulbs? That's it. That's all she wrote. The last box of 100 watt incandescent light bulbs at the Wal-Mart in my town is mine, all mine. All you fluorescent curly bulb lovers can shake your energy saving heads all you like, but at least I won't get headaches and go blind while I'm reading. And I read a lot. Shall I begin hoarding the 75 watt incandescents now? They are in the cross hairs of extinction, as will be the 60 watt bulbs. Sad day in America, IMHO. Okay. I'll get off my soapbox now.

And this is one of the reasons I was shopping at Wal-Mart this morning. As I said, the kids and teachers were praying for snow and this is the result of faith in the power of prayer. The snow started falling at the end of the school day this afternoon. It's okay. Because I already have my gallon of milk and loaf of bread. And my 100 watt light bulbs. Life is good.

Day Eleven 2012

2012-01-11T21:10:00.000-06:00

If I had kept on driving instead of turning the corner to go home at lunch time today, maybe I could have driven right out from under those clouds. Kids and teachers are praying for snow Thursday. There is power in prayer. Maybe I need to buy some milk and bread......

Day Ten 2012

2012-01-10T19:30:00.000-06:00

Slow picture day today, so I thought I'd show you something Santa Claus put in my Christmas stocking last month~~Sock Monkey Slippers! Woo hoo! No, really, it's like warm snugly happy faces on my feet.

Aren't they cute? I think so. Santa shopped at Target, in case you're wondering.

Day Nine 2012

2012-01-09T16:10:00.000-06:00

"Living without faith is like driving in a fog." ~ proverb

Day Eight 2012

2012-01-09T10:12:00.001-06:00

Neil and I visited five week old grand peep Knox, daughter Kelly and son in law Kerry Sunday afternoon--an impromptu day trip. We went to 'Toots' for supper when Kerry got off work. Somehow, Knox managed to fall asleep in the middle of this crazy-loud restaurant full of football fans watching Tebow pull off yet another one. He even slept through all the servers who clapped and sang a birthday song to somebody at the table right next to his car seat. Unbelievable.

Back at the house, he eventually woke up and became so upset that he was inconsolable. We thought giving him a bath would soothe him, and it did. For a while. His mommy finally swaddled him (as his daddy Kerry says, there is power in the swaddle! And for those of you who are not familiar with this, it is wrapping a baby snugly in a large cloth so he can't move his arms and legs). Not too long after that, he suddenly stopped crying and fell asleep. Almost like a switch being turned off. I do hope the three of you got some sleep/rest! Love you guys. Hope to see you again soon!

Day Seven 2012

2012-01-07T20:47:00.006-06:00

Hey, look at us, hubby Neil and I, eatin' fresh for lunch as they say at Subway. Low fat subs are a great way to lose some pounds around the middle. If I have a new year's resolution, it is that.

And I've got to say, I've never felt safer while having lunch in a restaurant than I did today. The National Guard dropped in for a bite, too. Pretty cool.

Day Six 2012

2012-01-06T16:36:00.000-06:00

This 60-plus degree weather couldn't be more welcome the first week in January (or on any winter day for that matter). The sun is out. The sky is blue. (I think that's a line from a Beatles song) It felt like spring time. The older I get, the more I appreciate mild winter weather. Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day Five 2012

2012-01-05T16:51:00.000-06:00

Sharing some yummy Mae Pearl's Frozen Yogurt with my grandpeeps, Elijah and Shelby, this afternoon was the highlight of my day. That, and finally getting my new car radio/CD player installed. I've missed listening to talk radio.

Day Four 2012

2012-01-04T19:59:00.000-06:00

First day back in school today after Christmas break and an unexpected 'snow day' yesterday. The grandpeeps had a good day and were glad to see their friends. Wish I could get back into the groove that easily.

Day Three 2012

2012-01-03T16:17:00.000-06:00

Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit

~Robert Louis Stevenson, Winter Time

Santa Claus brought me a new camera for Christmas--a Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, something small that I can carry around with me in a pocket or a purse. Among other neat things, it has a setting where you can choose one color to accent and the rest of the picture is black and white. It's new to me, so I've been experimenting with it and took this picture of the fire in my wood stove on this freezing winter's day, accenting the red/orange in the flames. I think it made for an interesting picture. And I think I'm going to have some fun with this little camera.

Day Two 2012

2012-01-02T23:48:00.000-06:00

Grandpeep Knox came to visit this evening. He is one month old today and quite content to sleep on his grandpa's shoulder.

Day One 2012

2012-01-01T19:39:00.000-06:00

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go. - Brooks Atkinson

Day Three Hundred Sixty Five 2011

2011-12-31T20:03:00.000-06:00

Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul. ~Dorothy Day

No matter what year is on my calendar, God has always blessed me with everything I need--physical blessings of food, clothing, shelter, family--and best of all, spiritual blessings of forgiveness and the hope of Heaven. Wishing you all a happy new year that is blessed with food for the body and food for the soul.

Day Three Hundred Sixty Four 2011

2011-12-30T21:24:00.001-06:00

Happiness is a trip to Cream City for a tasty ice cream cone and then climbing inside the trains at the depot on a TGIF. Life is good! Happy TGIF, everyone.

Day Three Hundred Sixty Three 2011

2011-12-29T19:55:00.008-06:00

Snack! A glass of boiled custard with a generous dollop (or two) of Cool Whip that I eat with a spoon. It's just better that way. I know I need to lose five (or six) pounds, but not today. That's what new year's resolutions are for, right?

Day Three Hundred Sixty Two 2011

2011-12-28T17:16:00.000-06:00

Lunch! Thai food at Ocha Deli today. Rice and spicy chicken. Can you say yummy?!

Day Three Hundred Sixty One 2011

2011-12-27T19:46:00.000-06:00

"All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I went for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day."- Mammas and Pappas, California Dreamin

Day Three Hundred Sixty 2011

2011-12-26T19:38:00.000-06:00

All good things must come to an end. I don't know who said that or why it "must" be, but it seems to be true. Our whirlwind Christmastime came to a close this evening with the departure of daughter Kelly, son in law Kerry and grandpeep Knox, as we shared some yummy drinks at Starbucks before they hit the road back home. Neil and I came home to a very quiet house. We miss the buzz but always feel blessed for the opportunity to spend the holidays with family. Thankfully, there is plenty to keep me busy this evening (laundry and the tree is coming down), so maybe I won't miss everybody so much. Yeah, right.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Nine 2011

2011-12-26T00:33:00.000-06:00

My family enjoyed our annual Christmas get-together this evening at my sister Ann's and her husband Terry's house. There were 21 peeps in attendance. We enjoyed a fabulous feast of turkey and ham with all the delicious trimmings. After dinner, we played a mean game of Dirty Santa which is always fun. And of course it's always a treat to get to visit with nieces and nephews we don't get to see very often. The picture here is of my 90 year old mother surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren (with three missing in action this year). Ann and Terry are always gracious hosts. They know how to deck the halls. Christmas is everywhere in their home. Thanks, Ann and Terry for hosting again! What a blessing it is to be able to be together with loved ones on Christmas Day! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Eight 2011

2011-12-25T00:46:00.000-06:00

We had ourselves a merry little Christmas. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, too! From the Ranft, Myers, and Kimbrough Families.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Seven 2011

2011-12-23T21:16:00.001-06:00

"Christmas is a time of little time.
How we get there is a mystery.
Racing madly mall-to-mall, we climb
Into fields of sunlit harmony.
Shopping, cooking, clearing walks and yards,
Trimming house and tree while working, too;
Making phone calls, wrapping, writing cards,
As all worn out we do what we must do
So that this day of joy might joy renew."
- Nicholas Gordon
(Hubby Neil and I braved Wal-Mart today for some last-minute shopping, as did the rest of the free world--and this picture is the view from our parking space, seemingly in a galaxy far far away from the store. I think we finally got it together. My feet hurt.)

Day Three Hundred Fifty Six 2011

2011-12-22T20:17:00.000-06:00

Grand daughter Shelby has been playing the Wii version of the video game ‘Zelda’ this week at my house. She’s been playing for quite some time. She also has the Nintendo DS version. This week, she’s been making huge leaps in the game, and when that happens, you just can’t quit. This is literally all she did Tuesday and again today, except for a break for lunch and the occasional bathroom break. And maybe once to eat a Nutty Buddy. Amazingly, her brother Elijah has been content to sit by her side and watch her play. He gets just as excited as she does when she finally conquers something. He has even helped her out at times when she couldn’t quite get it done. I can only hope that playing the quest game creates new brain cells (problem solving) and doesn’t destroy them. At any rate, these two are having great fun in the process.
PS~Looks like I jumped the gun yesterday on the shortest day of the year. Hubby Neil says it is today. So Happy Winter Solstice, y'all!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Five 2011

2011-12-21T22:39:00.001-06:00

"So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, fest, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!"
- Susan Cooper, The Shortest Day
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Wishing my brother in law, Terry Sissom, a very happy 55th birthday!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Four 2011

2011-12-20T19:04:00.001-06:00

The Christmas party at my mom's assisted living home was a blast tonight. We were serenaded with holiday tunes by the karaoke guy, enjoyed ham and biscuits, hash brown casserole, green beans and cobbler for dessert, and Santa Claus dropped by to hand out gifts for the kids and the residents, including snow globes which always bring happiness and joy (right, Jane?) as you can see by the look on grandson Elijah's face. We had a great time together visiting my mom, who is never ready for the party to end.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Three 2011

2011-12-19T20:48:00.000-06:00

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!"
~~Charles Dickens

Day Three Hundred Fifty Two 2011

2011-12-18T20:14:00.000-06:00

Grandson Knox travels well (so far). Hubby Neil, daughter Kelly and I went to our fave Mexican restaurant for supper this evening, and Knox didn't bat an eyelash. This is in sharp contrast to an hour or so earlier when he was having a gas attack and was not a happy camper. The life of a newborn...and some older people I know, too.

Day Three Hundred Fifty One 2011

2011-12-17T17:18:00.000-06:00

Granny's Christmas Peeps! The Sweetest Gifts Under The Tree!
Shelby~Elijah~Knox

Day Three Hundred Fifty 2011

2011-12-17T00:13:00.000-06:00

HAPPY 33RD BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!

Daughter Holly celebrated her 33rd birthday today. We enjoyed Thai food at Ocha Deli for her birthday dinner. Her birthday cake was her traditional favorite, a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake—chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate cake. She received lots of cool presents and cards. Can’t believe our almost-Christmas baby is 33. Happy Birthday, Holly! You are one of my sweetest blessings. I love you more than you can ever know.

Day Three Hundred Forty Nine 2011

2011-12-15T22:09:00.000-06:00

The Christmas tree finally got decorated last night. Our brief flirtation with LED Christmas lights ended in a parting of the ways. Back to the store they go and good riddance. Talk about a dim bulb! I’d rather be merry and bright. It is Christmas time after all. Today, my grandpeeps Shelby and Elijah donned their reindeer antlers for me and posed for a picture in front of the tree. Elijah helped me unpack the nutcrackers. He loves those things and got them all set up. Neil and I are beginning to check off items on the wish lists. So it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Day Three Hundred Forty Eight 2011

2011-12-14T17:30:00.000-06:00

"Everyday is a cause for celebration." Anonymous
(Today was a day to celebrate the December sunshine and 70 degree temperature!)

Day Three Hundred Forty Seven 2011

2011-12-13T19:30:00.000-06:00

Neil and I cut our Christmas tree today at the tree farm. Neil did the actual cutting. I stood there and watched. It’s an eight, maybe nine foot white pine, not too fat, not too skinny. We bought some new big white LED lights for the tree this year. I’m not a big fan of LED lights, but we thought we’d shake things up a bit. The tree now stands in our living room, waiting to be adorned. Neil is the official stringer of lights. He’d rather be doing anything else, like sticking sharp objects into his eyeballs, so stay tuned. This could take a while.

Day Three Hundred Forty Six 2011

2011-12-12T17:35:00.000-06:00

What happened to the forecast of sunshine today? It’s been overcast and cold all day, and then the rains came down after lunch time. The Cookeville Christmas parade—twice rescheduled because of rain the past two Mondays—will go on as planned for this evening in spite of the soggy conditions. It’s now or never. We’re running out of Mondays between now and Christmas. (And please don’t ask me why the town can’t have the parade on any other day of the week…..)

Day Three Hundred Forty Five 2011

2011-12-11T19:01:00.000-06:00

Our weekend with newest grandpeep, Knox, is about to come to an end. Seems like most of the pictures I’ve taken of him he’s sleeping, but I did catch him in a big yawn this evening. And the Kimbrough family posed for a snapshot just before son in law Kerry had to head off to work. Neil and I have had a blast helping to take care of him. We’ll miss him when we get home. I know our arms will feel empty without that sweet little bundle of love to hold.

Day Three Hundred Forty Four 2011

2011-12-10T20:35:00.000-06:00

Neil and I are enjoying spending time with grandson Knox this weekend. He’s had lots of visitors today, but being only eight days old, his main focus is a full tummy and plenty of shut eye. He got a bath this afternoon (screamed from start to finish) and his mom decked him out in his dinosaur camos and bunny slippers. Cute, yet secure in his manhood. Go, Knox!

Day Three Hundred Forty Three 2011

2011-12-09T21:11:00.000-06:00

Neil and I get to spend time with one week old grandson Knox this weekend. Son in law Kerry had to head back to work, and daughter Kelly was ready for some help/company. First time we’ve seen him since he was born last Friday. Neil and I are in grandparent heaven.

Day Three Hundred Forty Two 2011

2011-12-08T18:44:00.000-06:00

"That's no December sky!
Surely 'tis June
Holds now her state on high
Queen of the noon.
Only the tree-tops bare
Crowning the hill,
Clear-cut in perfect air,
Warn us that still
Winter, the aged chief,
Mighty in power,
Exiles the tender leaf,
Exiles the flower."
- Robert Fuller Murray (1863-1894), A December Day

Day Three Hundred Forty One 2011

2011-12-07T19:59:00.000-06:00

Here today. Gone today. Big huge fat flakes of wet snow came down hard at lunch time today, coating windshields and grass, which sent a panic through the county school system. Kids went home at one o’clock. The snow was gone about a half hour later. Best to err on the side of caution, of course. It was beautiful while it lasted.

Day Three Hundred Forty 2011

2011-12-06T19:54:00.000-06:00

"We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light." ~Mary Dunbar

(picture taken 11.17.11 cell phone camera)

Day Three Hundred Thirty Nine 2011

2011-12-05T20:48:00.000-06:00

A three-day-old Krispy Kreme doughnut and a glass of cold milk—comfort snack on a soggy Monday afternoon. Busy day winding down. Still raining. I may need some more comfort before this day ends.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Eight 2011

2011-12-04T20:15:00.000-06:00

Neil and I used to decorate the front of the house like this each Christmas. Then the bushes grew up and hid the porch rail, so we quit hanging the garland. Two summers ago, we finally got rid of all those huge bushes. Yesterday, Neil dug out the garland and bows (that date back to the eighties) from their exile in the far reaches of the attic and voila! Aren’t we festive.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Seven 2011

2011-12-03T20:44:00.000-06:00

My Aunt Joy Brown turns 97 on December 4. She celebrated this evening at the party her friend Jo has been throwing in her honor for many years now. It seems like half the town comes to celebrate with her, but her favorite guests by far are her two sons (and one of her grandsons this year), who come all the way from California and Texas. We have a great meal at Helen’s Restaurant, then Aunt Joy is regaled with songs and poems written just for her. Then she gets up and entertains us, belting out songs while she jams on the keyboard. And then she tap dances (while holding onto a chair for some support). You have to see it to believe it. I only hope I’m still alive at the age of 97. Happy Birthday, Aunt Joy! Like I always say, I want to be just like you when I grow up!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Six 2011

2011-12-02T11:50:00.000-06:00

Hello, Knox! Welcome to the world! He arrived at 4:08 A.M., and weighted 7 pounds and 15 ounces. He has lots of dark hair and the cutest dimples. In the first pictures, he’s wearing a Santa hat one of the OB nurses knitted. Mom and Dad and grandparents are thrilled to have this little guy in our lives. He’s cute as a bug and looks a lot like his mom when she was born. Mom and child are doing well. What a blessing!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Five 2011

2011-12-02T11:36:00.000-06:00

Daughter Kelly in the labor room, waiting for Knox, and feeling no pain. I’m so excited to meet my new grandpeep!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Four 2011

2011-11-30T20:01:00.000-06:00

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

Day Three Hundred Thirty Three 2011

2011-11-29T18:42:00.000-06:00

Grand daughter Shelby was working hard on homework after school this afternoon. She is learning about what a monopoly is in her fifth grade social studies class. She Googled it and found a list of examples of monopolies that she needed. She also found a ton of links for the board game, which she didn’t need. But come to think of it, what better way to learn about a monopoly than to play the game itself. Owning all the railroads and utilities—doesn’t get any better than that.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Two 2011

2011-11-28T16:44:00.000-06:00

Another rainy day with flooding in our yard. Some snow in the forecast, but no accumulation expected. We shall see. My one potted Geranium that I pulled up under the back porch to protect it from the frost a few weeks ago is still hanging in there, all pink and green in the dreary landscape of November. I guess it’s time to put away the Autumn decorations and pull out the Christmas things. How time flies!

Day Three Hundred Thirty One 2011

2011-11-27T21:24:00.000-06:00

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. ~Langston Hughes

Day Three Hundred Thirty 2011

2011-11-26T20:05:00.000-06:00

Grandson Elijah stayed with us this afternoon while his mom, dad, and sister went to see a movie. He played a new video game on the Wii, watched a few Pink Panther cartoons on Netflix, consumed some mini pancakes and a couple of Bomb Pops. And then he crashed. I guess the Thanksgiving holiday fun finally caught up to him.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Nine 2011

2011-11-25T20:49:00.000-06:00

Ah, the leftover turkey.....hubby Neil asked me if I wanted any turkey with my mayonnaise sandwich. It was delish! It was such a gorgeous day today that we decided to go to the tree farm and pick out a Christmas tree. Daughter Kelly and son in law Kerry came along and helped us find a great looking tree. That's the only shopping we did on this Black Friday. We also savored some decadent Mae Pearl's frozen yogurt and (later) some yummy Mexican food for supper. Sure did enjoy this laid back TGIF!

Day Three Hundred Twenty Eight 2011

2011-11-24T19:45:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Give me the end of the year an' its fun
When most of the plannin' an' toilin' is done;

Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,
Let me sit down with the ones I love best,
Hear the old voices still ringin' with song,
See the old faces unblemished by wrong,
See the old table with all of its chairs
An' I'll put soul in my Thanksgivin' prayers."

~~ Edgar A. Guest, Thanksgiving

Day Three Hundred Twenty Seven 2011

2011-11-23T21:01:00.000-06:00

My Street~So thankful to have a place to call home

Thank you, dear God,
for all you have
Given Me
for all you have
Taken Away From Me
for all you have
Left Me.
~~Anonymous

Day Three Hundred Twenty Six 2011

2011-11-22T17:35:00.002-06:00

T hanks for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather.
H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.
A for autumn's frosty art, and abundance in the heart.
N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember.
K for kitchen, kettles' croon, kith and kin expected soon.
S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that about.
That spells THANKS for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.
- Aileen Fisher, All in a Word

Day Three Hundred Twenty Five 2011

2011-11-21T17:13:00.000-06:00

"Ah! the year is slowly dying,
And the wind in tree-top sighing,
Chant his requiem.
Thick and fast the leaves are falling,
High in air wild birds are calling,
Nature's solemn hymn."
- Mary Weston Fordham, Passing of the Old Year

Day Three Hundred Twenty Four 2011

2011-11-20T19:55:00.000-06:00

Each November, Neil and I try to attend Santa’s Workshop, a fundraiser for the Cookeville Junior Woman’s Club. Lots of homemade arts, crafts and goodies on display and of course for sale. I was drawn to this primitive Santa with his crazy real wool beard and his cute little sheep. He followed me home, along with some rocky road fudge. Sweet.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Three 2011

2011-11-19T19:07:00.000-06:00

We enjoyed hanging out with grandson Elijah for a while this afternoon while his mom and sister attended a play and his dad worked. He slurped down a few Bomb Pops, batted a few balls in the back yard, found a nifty looking Poplar tree leaf that he took home, did a little squirrel watching (along with the neighbor cat Lily) and soaked up this beautiful windy November Saturday. That’s good stuff.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Two 2011

2011-11-18T17:05:00.000-06:00

"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.
The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."
~~Elizabeth Coatsworth

Day Three Hundred Twenty One 2011

2011-11-17T16:57:00.000-06:00

Grandson Elijah shows off the Native American head dress and beads he made in his kindergarten class today as they learn about Thanksgiving. His Native American name is ‘Elijah Run A Lot’. He’s also stylin in his Bombs Away Angry Birds shirt. He’s been carrying around his new stuffed dolphin the last day or so. He named it ‘Willy’.

Grand daughter Shelby rocks in her latest cute T shirt. It’s no secret that she loves cats. This one is wearing big glittery pink glasses. But I’m pretty sure ‘Super Cool’ isn’t referring to the cat. She also rocked the grades on her progress report today—4 A’s and 2 B’s. Way to go, girl! Now that is Super Cool.

Day Three Hundred Twenty 2011

2011-11-16T16:32:00.000-06:00

RANDOMNESS

Day Three Hundred Nineteen 2011

2011-11-15T20:00:00.001-06:00

I didn’t take any pictures today, so I’ll share this nifty collage I made using a program called Microsoft Research Auto Collage 2008. You can download it for free, but as you can see, with the trial version, it watermarks the collage with the product name, so I ended up spending the twenty bucks and bought the product, because making these collages is lots of fun and I don’t want that ugly logo on them. This collage is a flashback to our beach trip in 2010. On a dreary November day like today, it’s fun to get lost in those Emerald Coast memories. And I think I’ll redo this collage, print it out, and stick it on my fridge—something warm to look at during the coming winter months which will be upon us all too soon. (click on the picture to make it bigger--it looks so much better when you can see what it really looks like)

Day Three Hundred Eighteen 2011

2011-11-14T17:03:00.000-06:00

"The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year,
Of wailing winds, and naked woods, and meadows brown and sear."
- William Cullen Bryant

Day Three Hundred Seventeen 2011

2011-11-13T21:14:00.000-06:00

Have You Ever Wondered What The World Would Be Like If You’d Never Been Born?
Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?
You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?
~~George Bailey’s guardian angel, Clarence~~ ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’

This is the only picture I took today. I was on my way to see my two nieces, Sarah and Julia Foy, in the Cookeville Children’s Theater production of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’. Lots of rich life lessons in this classic story. The cast and crew did a great job with the play, and as always, kudos to Sarah and Julia. I always enjoy watching them perform.

Day Three Hundred Sixteen 2011

2011-11-12T20:27:00.000-06:00

HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY, KELLY!

My daughter, Kelly, celebrated her 35th birthday today. She’s a mom-to-be and her due date is near, so we traveled to her house this year to party instead of her having to drive here. Her dad Neil, hubby Kerry, sister Holly, niece Shelby, nephew Elijah and her mom (that would be moi), enjoyed her yummy pizza birthday lunch at the Mellow Mushroom. On the way back to her house, we stopped at Julia’s Bakery and picked up an array of most awesome cakes and cupcakes for the occasion. Elijah lead the Happy Birthday Song. Kelly enjoyed all her presents, both flat and not-so-flat (sister Holly always makes sure she’s got an actual package to open—and that Teddy bear for Knox was precious!). We got to see the baby’s room (so beautiful and sweet) and meet Kelly’s kitty cats, Smoky and Frankie. It was a fun afternoon. Happy Birthday, Kelly! Your dad and I love you more than you’ll ever know. You’ve been a blessing to us ever since you arrived on that snowy November night!

Day Three Hundred Fifteen 2011

2011-11-11T14:14:00.000-06:00

11.11.11

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium
Lt.Col John McCrae
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm

Saying “Thank You” never seems enough.

Day Three Hundred Fourteen 2011

2011-11-10T16:42:00.000-06:00

"The wind-blown leaves turn
Dancing the golden sunlight
across the tired floor."
- Matt Dimmic

Day Three Hundred Thirteen 2011

2011-11-09T19:49:00.000-06:00

"There is music in the meadows, in the air --
Autumn is here;
Skies are gray, but hearts are mellow,
Leaves are crimson, brown, and yellow;
Pines are soughing, birches stir,
And the Gipsy trail is fresh beneath the fir.
There is rhythm in the woods, and in the fields,
Nature yields:
And the harvest voices crying,
Blend with Autumn zephyrs sighing;
Tone and color, frost and fire,
Wings the nocturne Nature plays upon her lyre."
- William Stanley Braithwaite, Lyric of Autumn

Day Three Hundred Twelve 2011

2011-11-08T16:52:00.000-06:00

You never know when the city leaf sucker is going to come along and make this big pile of leaves disappear, so it’s best to go ahead and jump in while the jumping is here and now. Carpe diem! Seize the leaf pile! Grandson Elijah did just that….while mom Holly and sister Shelby wait patiently for him to get it out of his system so they can all go home.

"Yellow mellow, ripened days... Beauteous, golden Autumn days."

Author: Will Carleton

Day Three Hundred Eleven 2011

2011-11-07T19:20:00.000-06:00

Busy November Monday. My sister Ann and I took our 90 year old mom to the dentist (she’s in for some oral surgery in her near future), then off to Ocha (our favorite Thai deli) with hubby Neil, sister Ann, and daughters Kelly and Holly for a yummy rice and spicy chicken lunch, then off to Starbucks with Kelly around two for a salted caramel mocha (decaf!) and then home to continue laundry day and greet the grand peeps and niece peep as they came in after school. Kelly headed back home around four as did daughter Holly and grand peeps. House too quiet, all of a sudden. Finally made my wall calendar for November and continued with the laundry until hubby Neil came in from work around five thirty (dark already—he hates that), and off to Subway for a low cal supper and back home again to put laundry away and sit down here with this computer on my lap and realize this is the only picture I managed to take today (other than one of Kelly’s Starbuck’s tumbler full of iced mocha). This picture kind of captures the beautiful, perfect temperature, blue sky, puffy cloud, November day that it was. I thought I’d fill in the blanks of all the stuff the picture didn’t capture, in case you were wondering.

Day Three Hundred Ten 2011

2011-11-06T17:21:00.000-06:00

BABY SHOWER

Some very sweet ladies at our church congregation hosted a baby shower for daughter Kelly this afternoon in our fellowship center. Baby Knox received so many cute and useful things—from a baby camo outfit to embroidered/monogrammed gowns, hats and blankets. And diapers, of course. All very much needed and appreciated by the mom-to-be. Thanks to Angela, Laura, Whitney and Ashley who orchestrated everything so beautifully and to all those ladies who dropped by to leave a gift and enjoy one of those yummy cupcakes and a cup of fruit tea.

Day Three Hundred Nine 2011

2011-11-05T17:49:00.000-05:00

“And the days dwindle down To a precious few, September, November - And these few precious days I'd spend with you, These golden days I'd spend with you”
Maxwell Anderson (American Playwright, 1888-1959)

Day Three Hundred Eight 2011

2011-11-04T21:58:00.000-05:00

Happy TGIF!

"No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member -
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds -
November!"
- Thomas Hood, No!

Day Three Hundred Seven 2011

2011-11-03T16:59:00.000-05:00

This is Snuggles, also known as Persian, and also known as Butter. He is the resident cat at the assisted living home where my mom lives. My hubby Neil, sister Ann and I were having lunch with our mom today, and Snuggles was all comfy stretched out on one of the chairs by the table. I’m surprised he didn’t smell the Krystal burgers and come begging for a bite. He looks like he’s singing in this picture. When he first came to the residence, they wouldn’t even let him inside the door. Now he apparently owns the place. Isn’t that just like a cat?

Day Three Hundred Six 2011

2011-11-02T17:26:00.000-05:00

Hubby Neil has been working, off and on over the past several months, installing old-fashioned tin (actually aluminum) ceiling tiles in our living room. Today he placed the final tile. I told him he should sign it, so he did—our names, the date, and a smiley face for good measure.

The last one goes in place. Hooray! Now he has to install the cornice all the way around. Stay tuned.

This afternoon, grandson Elijah wanted to jump in the leaves. So Grandpa handed him a rake, and Elijah got to work, raking a pile of leaves to jump in.

His mom got in on the action, too, to make the work go faster.

Elijah takes a leap! All that hard work paid off in big time fun.

Grand daughter Shelby jumps in with a hot pink flourish. Jumping in a pile of November leaves is a rite of passage for any child who is blessed to have a pile of leaves. Today couldn’t have been a more perfect day for it.

Day Three Hundred Five 2011

2011-11-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

"If my heart can become pure and simple like that of a child, I think there probably can be no greater happiness than this." ~~ Kitaro Nishida

Day Three Hundred Four 2011

2011-10-31T23:08:00.002-05:00

Halloween Group Shot: from left~granddaughter Shelby is an angel, daughter Kelly is a pregnant nun (the pregnant part is real), niece Sarah is a ‘Pink Lady’ from ‘Grease’, son in law Jerry is a hippie but bears a striking resemblance to Jimi Hendrix, niece Julia is a jelly fish, daughter Holly is a clown (her makeup is awesome!), and those two guys in front with the mustaches are grandson Elijah as Mario and his good friend Anthony as Luigi. (Hubby Neil, sister Jane, son in law Kerry and I didn’t dress up but went along for the ride. Brother in law Don stayed at the house and fed the spooks and enjoyed some hockey and football games.)

My family LOVES Halloween! My kids, grand kids and nieces always dress up in the most awesome costumes. After a chili supper, they go trick or treating around the neighborhood. The adults have as much fun watching them collect candy. And it helps to have a cup of hot mulled apple cider to knock the chill off as we trek from house to house. Here are just a few trick or treating snapshots. I had a blast. This is my favorite time of the year, and I especially enjoy Halloween because it’s just plain fun! Goodbye, October. Once again, you flew by way too fast. I hate to see you go.

Day Three Hundred Three 2011

2011-10-30T19:32:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, JANE!
My baby sister, Jane Foy, celebrated her 50th birthday today. Lots of family on hand to help her party, including a surprise visit from our 90 year old mom, who doesn’t get out much these days (thanks to sister Ann and her husband Terry for bringing her to the celebration and getting her back home again). That red velvet cake was oh so very yummy, and so was the homemade punch. All those ‘flat presents’ (a.k.a. moolah) also made turning 50 a little sweeter, I hope. Still can’t believe my sweet baby sister has reached the half century mark (ouch!) because she still doesn’t look a day over seventeen. Love and Hugs on your special day, Jane! I’m so blessed to have you in my life.

Day Three Hundred Two 2011

2011-10-29T19:41:00.000-05:00

On such a day each road is planned To lead to some enchanted land; Each turning meets expectancy. The signs I read on every hand. I know by autumn's wizardry On such a day the world can be Only a great glad dream for me-- Only a great glad dream for me!

Eleanor Myers Jewett

Day Three Hundred One 2011

2011-10-28T20:02:00.000-05:00

Our deck is decked out with Autumn leaves. On wet days like today, it seems like most of them end up in the house. Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day Three Hundred 2011

2011-10-27T17:06:00.000-05:00

Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.
~~Carol Bishop Hipps

Day Two Hundred Ninety Nine 2011

2011-10-26T21:06:00.001-05:00

TRUNK OR TREAT! Jefferson Avenue church of Christ

Mario and Luigi, a.k.a. grandson Elijah and good friend Anthony. They left their mustaches at home tonight.

Send in the clown! Daughter Holly made her awesome costume. Grand daughter Holly dressed as an angel all in white. Check out her full costume as you scroll down.

Son in law Jerry was channeling Jimi Hendrix here and all along the watchtower tonight. Peace out.

Holly and Jerry did a great job decorating their trunk complete with spooky Halloween sounds.

Niece Sarah dressed as one of the “Pink Ladies” from ‘Grease’.

Holly’s pumpkin.

Elijah’s pumpkin.

Shelby’s pumpkin.

Jerry’s pumpkin.

Shelby made a beautiful angel.

Feeding the spooks.

Trunk or treating!

We couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather for this annual event. This was the first time the public was invited to participate, so there was a huge turnout. Holly and Jerry ran out of candy, so Shelby, Elijah and Anthony forfeited some of the candy they had collected to help feed the spooks. It was great fun seeing all the cool and spooky ways people decorated their trunks, and the costumes were awesome as always. I love this time of year!

Day Two Hundred Ninety Eight 2011

2011-10-25T22:15:00.000-05:00

Been feeling puny the past 24 hours with some kind of stomach bug (or maybe it was that burger I ate for lunch yesterday, who knows) so I haven’t been able to eat much. Hubby Neil brought me this DQ vanilla shake tonight. After all the Gator Aid and crackers, this tasted as yummy as it looks.