Summer Travels Part 3: The End

Well, all I can say is these young whipper-snappers who think a vacation is go-go-go and spend all your money on a cruise or disney world (or something similar) have never spent a week with my sister! We got to babysit (well, I was really just along for the ride) two of the cutest little misters you will ever meet -- Thomas and Charlie. They were more fun than a barrel of monkeys -- for real. I didn't even hear Charlie (around a year old) cry until the last day we kept him. And Thomas -- he was very entertaining! He kept us laughing the whole time. We wanted to go to the IKEA store down near Cinncinatti one day and about 10 miles down the road decided to do our "local" shopping since we had the boys with us and save IKEA for after mom and dad got home. Even though they had been really good and happy we figured that might be safer. And it was -- that was the day that Thomas decided to act like a two year old -- imagine that and he will be three this month. He didn't want to listen to gramma and had to ride in the cart for a while and was not a happy camper. Any way, he got over it and we had a fun shopping trip but got home in time for naps and lunch which would not have been the case if we'd gone to IKEA.

Maddie the year old Rotweiller kept us hopping too. She wanted Toby to play every time he came outside and Toby only plays with humans so there was a lot of hopping and leaping by the pup and alot of growling and snapping by the crotchity old Cocker Spaniel. Then she ate her water bucket -- a five gallon white pail, and chewed up several plant pots and even knocked a big heavy plant pot off the bench under the tree while chasing the cat. She lives an exciting life in between her time outs on a very short chain.

We tried out a couple of new recipes -- a beef brisket recipe from the Pioneer Woman's blog -- you need to check out her recipes -- they all look really good. I made the green beans for our potluck at church today and there weren't any left to bring home. I also made Paula Deen's (no-cal) banana pudding. You just think it has cream cheese, condensed milk, and coolwhip in it but it's just your imagination. Boy was it good!!

There were four grown Neely boys at the house one evening and honestly -- you couldn't tell the difference between them and the three year olds -- they are hilarious.

Sunday afternoon, Michael and Avery came by for a suprise visit -- they were visiting friends in Dayton for the weekend. Michael and Avery and I took a ride on Uncle Lundy's new GATOR. Avery was not happy at first and then all of a sudden she saw a cat and the tears stopped and she was having a great time and I got off and she rode with her dad by herself.

I learned a new four letter word for FUN -- it's IKEA. Beth and I went and spent about four and 1/2 hours there. They have a showroom with all kinds of rooms set up and you get all kinds of organization ideas from them. then they have the wharehouse and the other area that reminds me of a Walmart kind of with aisles of things that you saw in the showroom. It was a really fun adventure.

My ride home was uneventful -- I spent the night in Nashville and Thursday morning Jen and the girls and I went to a store called Rooster Tails -- full of hand made kind of rustic tables, kitchen islands, chests and other stuff. A really neat place. We at lunch with Michael and then I came the rest of the way home. I listened to two books while I was traveling -- Philip Margolin and James Patterson. Both books were very good, keep you awake while traveling stories which was good since Toby chose to snore the entire trip.

It was great to sleep in my own bed for a change but I have to say that I didn't want to leave. I guess as I get older I appreciate the old homeplace and family more every time I visit. Okay, before I get carried away, I'll end with two funny stories about Ella (even though I wasn't there when they occured. I called Beth yesterday and I heard a child's voice say "Hello" I said hello back and the voice said -- Aunt Vail, this is Ella. We talked a minute and then as I was going to hang up, she asked for my phone number. I told her that Gramma had my number already and she said no, I want it for me so I can call you from my house. I told her okay but she would have to be sure and have permission from Mom or Dad before calling. She said "okay". So I began 6 - 6 - 2 and about that time Ella said "How do you make a 6" My other story was told to me today by my sister (gramma). Apparently their calico cat had kittens in the last few days. So sometime yesterday (I think), Ella came in saying "Grampa, Grampa, the titty-tat had five titties!! --- Don't you just love it!!!

Here are some real pictures of the new kitchen and Mike, Avery and I riding the gator.

Summer Travels Part 2

The weather in PA and Ohio has been nothing short of fabulous. I have been enjoying myself soooooo much. There is nothing like a good dose of family to make you forget about whatever needs to be forgotten :) Beth and I had a very enjoyable trip to see mother. We helped her plant some flowers, walked the pony from Grandpa's barn to her barn, watched Freida ( her year old Doberman) run back and forth across the yard like a race horse, went to see our Auntie Lois and ate on the patio overlooking the bay, took Mother to eat at Olive Garden, ate sauerkraut and pork and homemade strawberry shortcake (YUMMMMMM), went to Frankie's garden stand and bought enough plants to fill her car to overflowing and watched two movies.

We've been back at her house since after lunch on Tuesday so she can babysit Thomas and Charlie while Matt and Amanda are on a mini vacation to NYC. She is the best grandma ever (of course!!!) and Thomas and Charlie are so much fun to babysit. So far we have been to the Old Time Pottery where I got a couple of pots to put some plants in and this morning I potted some Lavendar I bought and also a geranium with some verbena. They look good. I'm thinking about painting my thumb green to see if that will help me keep the plants alive. Last night we went to "Homerama" which is like an open house at some brand new homes that are furnished and everything. You can get lots of ideas for your house or your dream home. There were four houses -- the smallest was 5800 sq. feet. Ben and John and Allen went with us -- (none of their wives are in town.) We had a lot of fun. Even Charlie and Thomas enjoyed the trip. The boys folks will be back after lunch tomorrow and then it will be just Beth and I since Lundy is in Hungary til Wed. We are going to make a trip to the IKEA store on Monday. I passed it on the way up here. It is huge and Beth says it is full of all kinds of neat stuff. I'm planning on leaving here Wed. morning, spending that night in Nashville and going home on Thursday. I was going to leave earlier and spend a couple of days in Nashville but since Lundy is gone and I'll be coming back to Nashville for several days when Brian gets home, I'll be there for several days anyway, I selfishly decided to spend more time with my big sis.

Enjoy the pictures.



Here are Mother and Auntie Lois







I couldn't resist taking a picture of my old homestead bedroom. I still love that wall paper -- although I don't want it in my house -- it wouldn't have the same effect :)






Mother on our movie night -- even Frieda couldn't keep her awake during the movie :))






Happy Charlie is always smiling!








Thomas -- showing us his eybrow trick. He is keeping us all in stitches.







The fierce rotweiller guard dog Maddie staying behind the high barbwire fence --- it is disguised to look like cardboard.






Here are two sneakpeaks of Beth's new kitchen .



****

**** Just

Kidding :)

Summer Travels Part One

What fun I had in Longview! Therre were games of Hi Ho Cheerio, books to read, walks to go on, trips to the boardwalk (in Shreveport) and to the fabric store (sorry, I missed my fab-anon meeting) and lots of hugs and I love you's in between.

Billy and Stacey have a neat garden with peas, tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, squash and things I know I've left out. Strawberries -- I had a couple and they were delish! I also found out you can eat nastursiums (it's a flower). The leaves and blossoms are very tasty in salad. I tried a leaf -- it's spicy like pepper. I didn't try one of the blossoms.

Those kids are go - go- go all the time. I applaud Stacey and Billy too for being able to keep up with them :)

Sunday afternoon Billy aired up the pool for the kids. Once the pool had enough water we let the kids get in. Here they are in the pool.

There must have been something in the water though because Jack was drinking the water and

the next thing I knew .....

TOTALLY UNMOTIVATED& MY HYDRANGEA IS BLOOMING

Ever since I got out of school I've done very little other than lay around and read blogs and watch HGTV. I just can't seem to get in the mood to do anything. I mean I am doing things -- fixing meals -- going to church -- doing the church bulletin but I haven't picked up my sewing or even the pair of socks I started working on. What's wrong with me? It's hay making time. I need to get with it.

We had a major storm this afternoon -- all wind and no rain to speak of -- didn't even get the ground totally wet but the sky was sure dark and the wind was REALLY REALLY blowing. Anyway -- the picture on the right shows a limb on my river birch just hanging down. I guess I'll have to get one of my nice neighbors to finish breaking it off. I had two other branches break off of another tree. They were about 2" in diameter and 6' long. I put them out on the street after church tonight along with a big armful of much smaller branches that blew out of the trees.

While I was at it I took a picture of my one lone hydrangea -- it's starting to bloom. The flowers are really pretty. I wouldn't mind having more bushes. Toby was out there watching me "sort of work" so I got a picture of him too. He is enjoying his new yard but I think he sometimes wishes it was a little bigger.

It did cool off some after the wind storm. If it stays cooler, I'm going to do a little work around the patio tomorrow. And, I have about 1-2 hours of work left on a dress I started last year and I'm going to do my best to finish it before I head out to TX on Wed. I'm also going to go by VBS tomorrow and Tues in case they need an extra set of hands.

I'll be leaving Wed morning around 7 heading to Jackson for my 10:00 meeting with the retirement people and then I'll be off to Longview. From looking at the map, I will be close to Interstate 20 when I get to the PERS building so maybe I won't get lost trying to find my way out.

A FUN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

One thing I don't like about blogger.com is how you load pictures. You have to know the order you want them on the blog and load the last ones first or you spend a lot of time moving stuff around. Not fun!! Or maybe I just don't know what I'm doing -- that's a distinct possibility :))


Anyway, G'ma and I left Friday around 10 am and headed for Nashvegas. We got to Michael's around 4:00. It seemed to take forever -- I think because I was in a hurry to get there. We visited for a little while and then headed out for the evening. We met Jen and family and Robbie at an Italian restaurant called Corraba's (I think) and had a fun time visiting with Robbie and eating some good Italian fare.



After supper we stood around outside and the kids played in the grass while we visited some more.








Saturday, Michael, Avery, G'ma and I went to Crockett Park in Brentwood


























and then we went to the Loveless Cafe about a 30 minute drive. It has been written up in a lot of mags such as Southern Living and is considered one of the best places to go for good down home southern cooking. It was worth the drive and the wait. Michael and Avery let me make their picture while we were waiting.



Saturday night Jen and fam came over to Michael's and we ate some rotissiere chicken and veggies and played outside and then all the kids took a bath before it was timeto go home. We were tired!! :)











Sunday was a day for worship and relaxation and dinner at Pie In the Sky -- a pizza place. Then yesterday we had a cookout rainy weather and all at Jennifers. It was fun. Mario Cart, screaming kids and lots of visiting. Vail and Avery either love eachother or fight -- it's seldom in between and last night was fight night. We couldn't help but laugh at them. Katy is starting to take some steps. It was fun to be there to see that too.

GOOD NEWS -- VERY BAD NEWS

The good news is school is out for the year but sadly it is very much overshadowed by some really bad news that the son of a former youth minister was killed in a horrible and tragic accident early Wed morning and he would have been graduating from highschool tomorrow night. His name is John Robert Dobbs and his dad John was our youth minister when the kids were younger. Everybody loved John and his wife Maggie. John Robert was very young when they left here. They moved to Pascagoula where John was preaching until just recently when he accepted a job in the Monroe, LA area. He had been staying in Monroe while the rest of the fam was still in MS til the house sold and JR graduated. They went through hurricane Katrina which destroyed their home and the church building and have done so many great things to help in the rebuilding of their community. John Robert was very well liked and from what I've read was involved in church and community projects. I can't even imagine what they are going through right now. That picture was taken last weekend. JR with his grandparents who live here and worship with us. They had gone to visit with the fam down there since they wouldn't be going to graduation.

On a brighter note, G'ma and I are leaving in the morning to go spend Memorial Day with Michael and Avery and of course the Ensor clan. We are hoping to see Robbie while we are there too. Hopefully the weather will be pretty nice and we will be able to do some fun stuff while we are there.

We will come home Tuesday. Wednesday I will go to school to make up my missing tomorrow. Thursday I have to do a 2 hour workshop at one of the elementary schools and then my summer will officially begin -- why you might ask is that the official beginning -- because I DON'T PLAN ON THINKING ABOUT SCHOOL OR GOING TO SCHOOL AFTER THAT UNTIL AUGUST 4TH!! . I can't wait. But, I guess I'll have to. Probably Friday I'll keep my pajamas on all day -- maybe Sat. too :) After that I'll be plotting my trip west and then east on the map and calendar:)

Gotta pack so this is it for now.

We love you John and Margaret. We are praying for your family.

A GREAT MOTHER'S DAY :) (AND KNITTING)

I had such a nice Mother's Day weekend. I got to visit with Billy, Stacey and their three. What fun I had. Went to Suzannah's ballgame. She got a great hit and tagged sombody out -- Go "Q"!! Got taken out for lunch at a really cool and fabulous bed and breakfast. Got cards and/or calls from all my great kids and flowers from my mom and a really pretty basket made especially for knitting -- it has a hole for your yarn to come through so your knitting stays nice and neat. And last but not least -- an adjustable wrench!! Thanks Billy - you knew just what I needed for my tool box - thanks for the basket and corsage and super gerber daisy too :)

Here are a few pictures

On another note, I was looking at some knitting sites today (that's what getting a new basket will do for you) and I found a neat site that has videos showing you the basics of knitting. So, for those of you who might be interested in learning to knit, I've added it to my links over on the side. Try it -- I know you'll like it. Knitting is very relaxing, but whatever you do, don't try knitting socks -- it's very addictive and very very fun!!!

THE "FAMILY TREE" QUILT

Here are the pics of g'mas family tree quilt (although blurry or maybe my glasses just need cleaning :)

The first picture is what the quilt will look like - minus a border -- I'll add that. The second shows the fabric for the grass, tree and then three different leaf colors. They don't dshow up real well -- its a green and a yellow/gold and a red batik. The red doesn't look as pink as it does in the picture . It is just a light red. The third is the sky fabric that I'll be getting from the Internet.

The last is a machine applique/embroidery design I found for a dollar. It is the same leaf basically that comes with the quilt pattern and will make the applique part so much easier. Yea!!

I will have to use my software and see if I can group two or three leaves into a cluster for some of the leaves that are on the tree instead of all of them being single leaves. We shall see if I can do it.
Also, there won't be any pictures on any leaves -- just names and birthdays will be embroidered on them. I'm excited about getting started on it.

YES, I'M STILL SEWING -- I THINK :)

This is Jennifers rag quilt in the final stages. You can see the binding in the upper right if you click the picture and see the larger version. It is made from all the different colors and will look neat when it is all sewn down. It is attached but I haven't turned it to the other side and handsewn it. Then I will have to "rag" all those exposed seams by clipping them (probably 4-5 snips per inch). Then, I will wash it and dry it a couple of times to get it to ravel and look raggy. :)










This will be the dress on the left side of the pattern envelope when I finish the bodice and then attach the skirt. It is for Vail -- I bought the material and cut it out LAST summer. She'll be able to wear it this summer (assuming I actually finish it :)) and then can pass it on. My list will be a little shorter when I finish these -- actually just one item shorter because the rag quilt was an add on -- why do I keep doing that??


My next post I'll show pics of the material I got for g'ma's quilt and a picture of the pattern -- think I've posted one before but it will refresh the memory of any who are interested. Working on that quilt top and putting together the log cabin quilt top will be next on my list.

When I travel this summer I may just take my serger and the several pieces of xmas material I've collected the last couple of Christmases so I can make a bazillion Christmas napkins. That won't take a whole lot of brain power so maybe I can accomplish a fairly big job without having to think too hard. We'll see.

OK -- MY TAGGED LIST

What was happening in my life 10 years ago?


1. Well, I sure wasn't getting ready to graduate from highschool or college! (Guess that makes me old :))
2. Adjusting to life without Bob

3. Making lots of trips to Harding

4. Getting ready for Jen to graduate from CHS

5. Getting up at night to take my puppy outside



5 Things on my To Do List:

1. Read and Study the Bible more
2. Find out what this house is worth and maybe doing some mini-projects so it will sell quickly when the time comes
3. Finish all the projects on my sewing to do list
4. Learn to eat healthier
5. Write more letters



5 Snacks I enjoy:
1. Apples and grapefruit --believe it or not I really like them as snacks--I just don't think to fix them
2. chocolate
3. yogurt (especially peach or lime)
4. Fiber one bars -- carmel -- yummy
5. popcorn


5 Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Give to Harding and the church
2. Pay off any left over student loans of the kids and setup college funds for the grands
3. Set up a family insurance trust or what ever it would need to be to take care of medical needs instead of relying on regular insurance
4. Set up a permanent yard care fund so I would always have money to pay someone to take care of my yard
5. Retire early :)


5 Bad Habits:
1. I still bite my nails sometimes when I'm really worried or stressed out
2. Learn to stop worrying about my kids especially about things I can't control
3. I probably choose to stay home and sew more than I should -- but I can't help it-- it's relaxing to me
4. Not exercising enough
5. I probably complain too much


5 Places I have lived: I think these are all the places I've lived so far
1. Heidelburg Germany
2. Fort Benning Georgia
3. Fairview PA
4. Searcy Ark
5. Cleveland MS


5 Jobs I have had:

1. Waitress at Barnacle Bill's in Erie and also Howard Johnson's
2. Teacher in the 3-18 mos room of the DSU childcare center so I could get out of the house -- WHAT WAS I THINKING -- I had two preschoolers at home and two in lower elementary
3. Elementary Teacher
4. Elementary and Jr High Computer Applications Teacher
5. Online professional development classes for teachers through the RCU at MS State University

TAGGED AND OTHER STUFF

I've been tagged and I promise I'll write something in the next few days when things are a little less hectic. I talked to Michael for a good while tonight. I wish I was closer so I could help him more -- maybe next year.

Tomorrow is the aniversary of Stace's brother's death. I know she and her family are having a rough few days. I've been thinking about them all week. I didn't get to know him real well but he was an awfully nice young man. I know they miss him a lot.

Grandmother fell last sunday at the Wharehouse and both her knees are all bruised up. She is having to have physical therapy on the knee that is considered her good knee and her "bad" knee is now her "better" knee. Then today a bucket of icecream fell out of the freezer at Kroger and hit her in the leg and it bled "like a stuck pig" according to her. it was all bandaged up when I saw it. She told the therapist that she had been thinking about losing weight but had changed her mind because people who are "fluffy" don't break bones when they fall. The therapist said she was absolutely right :)) Smart therapist!

15 days of school counting tomorrow. I can't wait! That means that I have 202 school days left in my career (including tomorrow). Double Can't wait!! Don't have time to post pics -- don't know what pics I'd post if I had time right now.

I tyyped ad printed and made 50 copies of the bulletin for this week and then saw a big mistake -- and this after reading it. So, I had to fix the mistake and do it all over. That's why I wish I had someone to proof it for me. Oh well.

Toby has pushed the cushions off the couch and is now laying on them on the floor. Think I'll join him and watch ER.