Cowboys Aren't Sheepherders

Iceland volcano

2010-04-17T21:19:00.000-07:00

I received this picture today from South Dakota showing volcano and northern lights.

Spring Time again

2010-04-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

So this is how the other half lives
so many which to choose and which to share
finally a little brother who is now 6 ft 3 inches tall
had to find a really big hat for that hair.

love mom

my America is going down the drain

2010-03-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

I am watching a bunch of looney tunes tell the American people you have to wait 4 years to use this plan but we are going to tax the h... out of you and kill your jobs, lose the American credit rating , but most of all we lost a heck of a lot of good people over the last 300 years building this nation into what it was.

No more the congress , white house and the people we elected are turning us into one small do not care what you want or think country.

My generation is dying out and the new ones raised on Dr Spock the nutty child doctor, not the Vulcan.is taking over. Read history on the 60,s you will be surprised to see how the wild generations ideas are being enacted now.

I think I am going to go into a blue cloud and not come out till Nov and then vote, but by that time we will not have a vote. Just a check mark that the change guy has changed this country into a Kenyan province to be ruled by the mid eastern religion.

pictures/ Nick jr at one. Howard and Shorty shoot out. howard and family (most are gone now). Me tasting some weird fish dish. Eric at three

I am here

2010-02-27T02:20:00.000-08:00

I had to choose a whole new log in to reach this point, It is early morning and the day is cold , no snow. Full Moon and lots of signs the spring is about to spring.

My flowers that usually bloom have not even opened any buds yet.

Jonesy has begun to eat again and Rose looks awful, this morning I like to have never got her to wake up. she is old for a poodle, but it still scared me.

hope this thing works with adding pictures today .

New Year How was yours?

2010-02-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

so far I have had a year you can have.

Started out with me visiting England . Snowing for 3 weeks. Planes and roads messed up.

Anna and Eric were great, they put up with me. and showed me a great time.

We visited Brighton and The white cliffs of Dover. The river boat ride on the Thames, and shopping and seeing the Christmas lights and the Botany tour were all great.

Getting the munchies in the middle of the night and eating oranges was a total delight. I have not been able to be in the same room with citrus fruit for 20 years. Lost a filling of silver out of a tooth last year yep mercury fillings do cause the body to have bad reactions.

To Anna Mom thank you for the cookies they were great. Two oclock in the morning watching the snow covered world and eating them .

Just a few of what has happened since Dec 19 I lost a tooth cap to taffy candy.

I broke Anna lamp, poured a drink on her camera.

Ate them out of house and home, I did wash dishes, even tried to get out of washing stemware glasses but Eric waited me out and thank goodness none were broke.

Got home, computer got a virus that killed it. I dropped the phone and broke it, the doorbell was jammed and no longer works. Lost most of my pictures over the last 3 years.

Toyota was attacked by a problem that I feel is a hoax. I owe my life to the safety of their products. I will always buy that brand

My tag on the truck broke into 3 pieces when I tried to attach it. Has to be replace.

Nick loaned me phones that are better quality than I broke.

Eric ordered me an Apple computer and I am still trying to use it.

now i am going to try to attach a picture hope it works.

The life is given and blessings abound just keep believing.

D in Sue.s snuggie

Comcast Email

2009-10-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

For some reason I can not log in on my email account. What happened? Who knows . Comcast has a way of knocking me out of it everytime they update anything.

So if Anna or Eric read this would you like to let me know what to do.

Eric have you had you telephone installed yet?

love mom jj and rose

The Movie

2009-07-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

At 1115p last night I made my mind up that I could not wait to see the new Potter movie, so I made the 12 15 am show.

The audience was delightful. Some came as Potter fans in costume. The excitement had everyone stunned when the theater projecter went on the blink.

A theater employee was at the forefront asap. So we all watched the previews and the biggest Ahh came when the preview of the Twilight video came on with Edward in his red lipstick and his beautiful Bella.

Back to Potter. It was a very good movie. The book of course give more detail, but this was great with all the different ways of showing how they are maturing. Wish more of Jenny and Neville had been in it. Ron was great as the Q. goalie, especially in the tryout.

Rupert is a very good comedy actor.

Emma gets more beautiful with each passing day.

Daniel gets weirder , but adorable.

The special effects were wonderful. Dumbledore was so good you could believe he was a Merling living in todays world.

Jenny is something to be reckoned with being a 7th child in a wizard family.

Neville did some group shots but not much else. Love that character.

Snape still is Snape.

GO SEE THE MOVIE.

Pictures are courtesy of the comcast network copyright jkrowling and warner bros.

Summer at the Lake

2009-07-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

Rose and I took a little trip to the lake to see the sunset, tonight and these are what we saw.

They were so soothing I had to share them with you all .

So How was your weekend

2009-06-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

My was nothing to talk about. Just took a ride to the nearest casino.

The traffic on the other side of the express way was heavy. My side was very smooth. I go along listening to my audio book and trying to figure out why I am listening to a teen age heart throb book.

The weather was beautiful, not too hot and just sunny enough to enjoy everything and how green it was from all the rain this year.

Casino for about 30 minutes, I managed to loose my billfold and win $158.37 Just as I hit the jackpot my name was called over the loud speaker to report to security.

I checked for my keys, which I lost a set last time I went to North Carolina. In my pocket. Then I checked , no billfold.

Security had already found it and when I claimed it I left for home. No more chances of losing anything.

Today I slept and picked up Noah at scouts. David is off for the summer.

Both are going to camp in the next two weeks.

Their Dad is not going to make it. He is taking a few days off.

Eric is going to Germany for a few days. His birthday is coming up this month.

And now back to the retirement game. Love ya all

Anna's Birthday is Jun 19 Thank you for all you did for Dad

One for the few pictures of me and mom and dad and louise. of course i had to pose in the dress.

June 6 1944

2009-06-07T23:24:00.000-07:00

That day has been in the news a lot and it brought back a few memories of my Mom and one of her nephews, He never made it off the beach that day.

She told me in later years, before she passed away, that they had been close, he was the son she never had (her only son died at birth).

He among many others in the Howell, Shinall and Abernathy families went to war. Some came home and some did not.

Some died horribly later in life ,and some lived to a ripe old age.

Back to the story of DDay . Mom worked at Bell Bomber Plant in Marietta, home of the B29 that helped end the war.

She slept during the day, that day she had a visit from Paul, he was walking in a forest, so beautiful and was telling her, not to worry he was fine. He had not made it to Europe, and wanted her to know.

Mom never talked much about her visions and the blessed things like this that happened to her. Very seldom would she tell you how she knew what was going to happen or how she knew.

Needless to say she was Irish decent. Her grandmother came from the old country.

She was loved by many and died young. 58 years old .

I was expecting my 2nd child and she died in May and he was born early . June 24 . He was due around July 12th, so on that night I looked up to see her standing by the bed.

Like a nut case , I asked what she was doing here.

She was so beautiful, not all ravaged by the illness that had taken her in May. The light behind her was shining and she smiled the smile of angels.

She looked at the baby and smiled again, disappeared and I have never seen her since. Nice to know you have an angel in the family.

Know Thyself Kidd

2009-06-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

This has been a day when everything I touched or did turned to manure.

It started out quietly, and moved down from there.

When I got to the hospital to take my bloodtest, I think I was the 1st person this nice lady had signed in, every simple instruction had to be given by an instructor took 15 mins. This is usually a 5 min or less deal.

Took the test and ate breakfast, simple huh. It started raining and cool, and I am in my summer clothes. The food stuck in my throat. The coffee was the best and it was too hot to drink.

So far so good .

Shopping for something for E's birthday, I found nothing. Started home too collect my daily nap. This was at 930a this morning. Leaving the shopping center, I busted a front tire on the curb . So curb hopping is not a good idea , at least I did not hit the other car.

AAA came within 15 mins. Bless them, by this time the rain was beginning to get a little heavier.

The driver took me to the dealer in Canton about 20 miles from the incident, good news, busted tire no undercarriage damage. But the tires are radials, can not put different tires on same car, so I opted for a new set.

It would be 2pm or 230pm before car could be finished. So the car from the dealer took me to the close by shopping center. Meantime I was ready for another light lunch. Did some shopping and called the dealer for the pick up.. Guess what they put me on hold for 10 minutes.

By this time the sky looked bad. I gave up and began to walk toward the dealership. By the time I got there I was soaked, and looked like a drowned witch.

One of the employees came with an umbrella for the last 50 ft . The faces of the others only told me how bad I looked. Bless them they did not laugh to my face.

The mechanic had gone to lunch and the other guy, as a joke, had been the one to put me on hold. I was livid . I asked for and got a discount on the new tires. They apologized and behind my back had a great laugh.

What I learned was that I could walk a mile in the rain and survive. I did not hit and cuss out anyone. I tried to remember my angel was with me. 70ish and walking in the cool wet rain is not something your doctor would want.

But I survived.

The dog is a lot better , and Jj is bitching about the rain again.

Its June Already

2009-06-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Time for scout camp for both boys and a long hot summer. Noah had one of the best times of his life last year. He took a hike last weekend and made it fine, swims like a fish and this year hopes to learn a lot more stuff. The scouts have been one of the best things that every happened to him and David

This has been the worst year for my flowers since last year. I think my yard has a problem with underground warriors. Eat all roots and make old lady nuts.

The grandkids cut the grass yesterday and it sure looks a lot better. The birds are knocking on my kitchen window wanting to know when the food will be served. The squirrels are in hiding JJ is out hunting every night and sometimes he catches his own lunch.

Rained a lot this spring and the lake is full to the limit, after all the dry weather I am so glad to see it full. Boaters are out in full force. Hope they remember all the boulders hidden beneath the surface.

I saw a truck Monday with stickers of all the places I love best. Alaska, Wyoming, England and quite a few other places I had been.

Miss Rose had to go to the vet and I came out much poorer, but so far our little problems know as fleas are gone almost.

It was a new tablet that she can take and not break out from head to toe and chew her skin off, not a pretty site.

JJ is hiding his turn is next and he sure looks a lot younger than he is. So hoping he passes his vet visit.

Random thoughts for tonight.

April comes in with lots of Beauty

2009-04-01T23:45:00.000-07:00

This spring is really something else. It has rained and rained and been hot and then cool. Etc.

I have not really had any exciting news to write about, but would like to thank all of the people that have checked and kept up with the stories.

We have scout events and camping in the rain trips.

We have the ranch in South Dakota hit by one blizzard and then another this week end.

The cat and dog still rule the place. It is hard to believe one in 16 and the other is 11. Lots of energy. They have enjoyed the weather a little except for the poodle., her world is a papasan chair I found at a Good will store a couple of years ago.

My Easter package made it to England and added a little joy to Eric and Anna.

Nick has a cold but still trying to regain his skating skills to join the GAHa again.

He and Eric love the sport. They played Hockey when most people played football. They received less injuries than all the football players around.

I have spring fever I want to go on a cruise and just feel the sea breeze in my face and see the sea . Nothing like it to cure the blues.

Scouting with Noah

2009-01-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

This weekend Noah and Troop 7777 from Woodstock took a caving trip to Raccoon Mountain in North Georgia.

From the amount of mud and grime he had a very good time.

Scouting is something that he took to Like a duck to water.

He started last year and is now a 1st year scout. The Weblos were last year and his 1st year at scout camp, he already had his bag packed for this year.

Back to the pictures above. Pants that swam and slide through mud and water. Shoes caked with mud , and Noah's happy memories.

1st picture is the after 3 washings, 2nd is after the 1st washing, 3rd is the state of the shoes, and 4th the washer 2 rounds.

Not too bad for Georgia red clay.

Who is the most impressive Famous Person

2008-12-16T22:24:00.000-08:00

The other day as I was driving around, a radio show had a question " Who is the most Famous and Impressive Person you ever Met?"

I have had the fortune to met a lot of famous people. How, being in the right place at the right time.

It was a joy to meet most of them. Very few did not impress me as being super nice people.

I am a Star Trek Fan from the original series, through the years I have taken several cruises and gone to conventions and met a lot of the players in the series.

But when I got to thinking about all the people I have met, great memories and all the one who stood out the most was the Man who wrote the series.

He and his wife were on the 1st cruise I ever traveled on. A three day wonder. It was like a dream.

The next time I saw him was two years later and he was in a wheel chair and his skin was like paper. His male nurse was with him, and I knew the wonder man was reaching the end of his time.

But what a life. So much talent and so loved by millions. I was grateful for the few times we met and thank you .

He dreamed of a future with peace among all people. A space with wonderful dreams to be full filled.

Love you Gene Roddenberry

Vist to Elvis

2008-12-16T22:10:00.000-08:00

Like a lot of past trips to see the King, I took along a 1st time visitor.

Noah mostly listened to the radio and leaned back and enjoyed the time with gramme.

We stayed at Heartbreak Hotel across for Graceland. Visited Graceland, and saw the Mississippi.

He was not as impressed as I was in the changes that had been made to Graceland, a lot of what I remember is there no more. The great racquet hall court has been put to use as a storage hall. The impression it made in the past was the wonder of all he accomplished in such a short life. Now it holds more suits. The power and awe of the albums and glass statue is lost.

How could you not miss all his badges and guns. It is now changed to mostly all costumes from the 1970's. One after another. Sometimes 4 copies of the same outfit. All he had collected from different law enforcement offices gone.

I miss the home grown displays that were there in the 90's when I first visited it.

The name change was something I really wanted to prove, and I found one piece of proof. His draft card, shows Aron as the middle name not AAron.

It was in the Pvt Presly display down in the old strip shop.

Noah and I did enjoy seeing the wall with all the signatures and notes to him.

Promise Not Kept

2008-11-19T02:20:00.000-08:00

In October I promised myself I would try to write more of this so called blog.

Ian is home from his trip and the other two are happy to see him back.

It was a great election, not exactly a runaway as far as people voting. I have seen worse.

Too bad Sarah did not head the ticket, I think we would have had a female president.

The other is a 1st, would not want to inherit all he is going to deal with.

Never seen this much sadness in a long time. Time runs in cycles. Good, bad and ugly.

A thought of the day came to me from a friend the other day and amid all this nonsense would love to share it with you all.

LIFE IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU. THE WAY YOU LIVE IT IS YOUR GIFT TO GOD.

Lovely thought.

My life is closing down and so much I wanted to do I have done. Not enough to satisfy my want to but quite a lot when compared to a lot of my peers.

I have loved and lost. Traveled and saw a lot of the world. Children who turned out wonderful hard working and loving.

A few pictures.

Ian at Stonehenge, My angel , my family all gone now but me. A castle for dreams.

David goes to merit badge camp

2008-10-29T04:10:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend the youngest scout, ended up taking lessons to earnhis merit badges.

All look like they had a great time.

He has been in the scouts longer than Noah, and is the one who showed Noah how much fun scouting could be.

David is the youngest boy in the family and has come a long way in the last few years. Always outgoing and loving. A little weird sometime but thats the way you differ from one child to the other.

Six grandkids

Rose and JJ

2008-10-23T00:18:00.000-07:00

Rose and Jj are here sleeping as usual.

Rose in her chair and JJ, tonight on his ironing board.

It is hard to believe she has been with us for 4 and 1/2 years.

Jones or JJ has been with us since 95.

When see them and compare them to other animals, for their age they are amazing.

Poodles can read by the way and I knew it before I read the article. Rose knew when the rest stops were coming up because she started barking when she saw the blue sign rest stop 1 mile.

Ian goes to London

2008-10-23T00:11:00.000-07:00

Ian and Eric take a trip to London from North Camp , seeing all the sights that Ian had talked about and having a great weather day.

No bumper shoots. Just beautiful clear day to see the Queen, Big Ben and the great Ferris Wheel.

Noah was 12 today and Ian called him while we were celebrating and Noah never told us Ian had gone to London.

These pictures were on my email when I got home.

Enjoy and we miss you Ian love Gramme, Rose, JJ, Mom, David, Daddy, and Noah

Brighton and the Seven Sisters

2008-10-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

Ian's visit to England is getting a lot of traveling in the southern part of England.

He has visited so many places, but the last was one of the most beautiful ones.

A picture says more to describe what he is seeing than mere words can.

Ian in England

2008-10-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

This morning Ian, the oldest grandson, landed in England.

He has been planning this trip since Feb. The hardest part was getting his passport. It took us until May, and the government sent if in July.

He has worked hard for this trip and I hope he enjoys it as much as I do when I visit Eric and Anna.

They have major plans for him to see as much as he can in the three weeks, his mom let him go for.

I had enough frequent flyer miles to get him over there, with Eric living there room and board will be paid by washing dishes?.

We will miss him while he is gone, but Noah will miss him the most. His big brother is not in the house to talk to him when he is down. Going through a change of schools and growing up and your birthday next week needs your best friend around.

Sarah Palin from Pa

2008-10-04T19:57:00.001-07:00

Just got this email and it so touching I had to share it with you all.

I comes from Rush's radio call in and the pictures were sent to him.

This is why I can not vote for the other group. We need more true Americans who really care.

The little girl's name is Chloe. This happened in Pa. on the campaign trail and the Dad called Rush and sent him these pictures. I usually do not recommend a web site but to get the full story please check his site for these.

Paul Newman

2008-09-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

Husband, actor, racer and so much more. It with sadness we bid goodbye to one of the greatest actors of our time.

I know an actor once who worked with him and he was so awed by just being in the scene with him that he could not get his lines to come out.

Finally someone told him to just look at his feet and not at those wonderful blue eyes.

Another story was a lady who was buying an ice cream cone for her child and saw him at a table and trying to be cool. She took her ice cream and change and walked out.

Paul soon followed and when she looked down, she had her change in her hand and did not see her ice cream cone.

Old blue eyes said "You put it in your purse."

Just a few things to let you know he was a great guy and cared for people.

To his wife and family my heart felt wishes. Remember the man not the loss.

Fall in the Air

2008-09-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

The weather is so beautiful it takes your breath away. Skies so blue it makes the Sea in Aruba look like it has fled to the heavens.

I have been in no mood to do by blog, but wish to thank the person who kept looking to see if I had decided to write anything again.

Looking back over the pictures I think they liked them more than the writing.

Noah and David are doing fine. Changed schools and are adjusting fine.

To their Mom's surprise they have started reading the Harry Potter Novels. So far they are avid fans of the boy from Hogwarts. I love the books and am glad to see it.

To read is a treasure not to be believed. You can do or be anywhere or anything you want to. It is a beginning of a lifetime of adventure and so forth.

The election is really interesting this year. After years of Democratic votes I am switching to the Republicans. They should have cleaned up their act. American people are tired of both parties and when you get a couple of mavericks in the race you got to run with them.

Ian is on his way to England next month and if anyone every deserved a trip it is him. Hope he enjoys it.

The Swan and The Eagle

2008-07-28T02:08:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I received a group of pictures. When I first looked at them, my heart did a flip flop.

One of my favorite birds is the swan. In these pictures graphic attack by another of my favorite birds, the eagle.

Just to share with you the wonder of nature in its most terrible beauty.

Yep the swan got away and the eagle went on to other and smaller prey.

The Shirt

2008-07-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

As usual I watched the HP Order of the Phoenix again last week and came to a scene in the kitchen when Mr. Weasley comes home from the hospital.

Harry was standing alone and feeling like the teen without any friends and as I looked at him I thought boy does that shirt look familiar.

It has taken me 3 days to find the picture of Eric's Senior year photo 1988.

But check this out Harry is wearing almost a duplicate of it. Sorry could not find a still of him.

Not much else going on the airshow in Farnborough made quite a splash this month. Sorry Ian did not make it.

Summer Time Blues

2008-07-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

It has been so warm that my brain decided to take a vacation from any decent thoughts.

Eric and Anna are doing well. Her Grandmom passed away and she visited Sweden and Germany for a few days. Picture of Anna and Her Mom in Sweden.

Nick and Noah took a raft ride down the river in North Georgia, somewhere there are some pictures of this but I have not gotten any yet. Picture of Nick and Noah the day before the great raft ride. Looks like they needed it.

Noah's 1st major campout with the Scouts and he loved it. It was something else to try to get all the paper work put together. It was well worth it .

They canceled the 5 mile hike and he was truly disappointed. If you knew Noah this would surprise you. He is not much of the outdoor type, but took to scouting like a duck to water. They say he swims like a fish. Passed all of his tests in the water.

Jordan is home from college from the summer and visiting in Canada this week. Ian is working with his great uncle and getting a taste of the family business. Electrician in the making.

David is still David and next year he gets to wear the brown uniform of the scouts.

The picture of Eric checking the plants at they're door. The bug is huge and it sneaked up on him one evening and now he checks before leaving the house. Brave Warrior.

South Dakota Again Revisited

2008-06-19T00:56:00.000-07:00

This has been a wild year so far for the ranch in South Dakota.

The latest is a tornado going over. Clyde took some great pictures for those of you who have never seen a storm develop. He lives south of Rapid City.

I met them a long time ago and have enjoyed their company and emails and seeing a farm develop from a run down place.

Those two work at the place all the time and all that work really shows.

Friends Forever

2008-06-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Some times a picture reminds you of the best things in life. It is not gold and worldly goods, but the smile or letter or email in this age from a friend.

The South Dakota crew sent me a picture of their two cats, and how from basic dumped animals, they melded into their household.

They love animals especially cats.

Rose my little white, hairless at times, poodle barks at the cat Jonesy but let him be out past 230a and she is walking the floors and looking at the front door or the back door to see why he has not come in.

The neighborhood toughie was meowing one night and she started barking and the next thing I knew she was ready to defend her cat. She ran to the door and barked until Jonesy came running in when we opened the door.

Noah is a quiet computer playing kid. He comes up with some of the funniest things and then because everybody that hears him can not believe he is so funny. He loves being in the BSA and on a recent camping trip every body was telling us how funny he ad libbed in the skit.

Just a few of my favorite things.

Pat in New Jersey is a friend that I love to hear from. She sends some of the wildest emails. Loves Wayne and taught me how to play slots.

Now picture time

Computer ProblemsScotland Visit

2008-05-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

I do not know what is happening but my web page from comcast .net is down and says it is being rebuilt.

If anyone can explain what is happening let me know. Network Solutions is the name using the rebuilding system and every language in the world is coming up on it.

Hard to work on this stuff like paying bills, getting the latest on this wonderful stupid running for president campaign going on here.

Even the pictures from South Dakota and the farm are not available.

My son is off to work. Michelle is off to work and here I sit ar 113am edst and can not get my mail out of the computer.

This has been going on since the new road being built within a mile of the house. This is the 1st time my site has gone down to be rebuilt.

Been planting flowers this year to see if I have any luck. I love roses and have never been able to grow them. Now that I am retired I finally got around to planting one or two.

O f course they will never look like the pictures on the web. But old ladies can dream.

Eric and Anna sent me a few pictures of their trip to Scotland. Now I know where I want to visit next.

Toonigh Nearly Nowhere Anymore

2008-05-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Back in 1969 we moved to this place and it was never free of high winds and a few small storms.

This past week the weather really made up for all the near misses. It is lucky that no one still lives here. The family moved several years ago after the Dad passed away from cancer and the brother passed away from a brain tumor.

My youngest son played in front of this house when he was about 1 and the oldest was 3 years old.

We saw a small tree land on the little house. But wow look at it now.

The Ranch In Spring

2008-05-03T01:44:00.000-07:00

Clyde sent me a few pictures of the result of the snow peas he planted last week. Was he surprised they brought one of the biggest snow storms of the winter and this is spring to South Dakota.

He works on his ranch a lot and this is a good sign for the summer. They have had a drought for the last few years and everything was thirsty.

The turkeys came down out of the woods to eat. Did not download them in the snow yet. Will probably do it later.

We in Georgia are in the midst of spring and winter. Today 80 degrees and a few weeks ago all the flowers in my yard were killed by a late frost.

Blackberry winter is what my Dad always called it. They are really a lot of blooms on the plants. Looks like a huge blackberry season and I do not mean the handheld kind.

Even your worst enemy is a big warm buddy when you see this much of the white stuff.

Bush;s rebate

2008-04-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

Cherokee County will probably get most of the elderly folks rebate. They sent out a letter and notified us that we had to have a new installation on our water heaters in the next 30 days.

Guess Bush will be happy a very wealthy county will enjoy the surge for the economy.

Bless them.

After all the trouble I have had with plumbers and septic tank people over the years it makes the other letter sound good. Buy your house as is no questions asked.

I usually do not get politically involved in things around here but it sure ruined a good mood.

I will get it done and will pay no more than the rebate.

We love this weather, beautiful and cloudy and no rain yet. We have a full lake of water and the Atlanta one is still down 12 feet. God answers prayers. Now if people do not start praying for the rain and snow to stop we will have enough water to live with.

The corn and rice problems are something I could have told them about a few years ago. You do not use your food supply for fuel. It is like burning down the house to heat it. And the Great Depression of the 1930's began with a Wall Street failure and a drought. Look around you at the farm land and the trees that have disappeared.

Never read the bible and the story of Joseph I guess. Good luck Bush. Keep on printing that low dollar and see what happens.

Love to you all and keep the faith. We will be blessed if we keep the faith and remember who is in charge and I do not mean politicans.

Talk About Luck

2008-04-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

My gambling fever hits ever so often and for the last few months I have wondered how I would do playing Cash 3 using my old ID #. Well today it hit.

As the old joke goes "if you want to win you got to buy the ticket".

I could play that # for the rest of my days and it would never come up again. Then the # I had before keeps popping in my head. Any one care to use 009 as a cash 3 and let me know how it comes out.

This has been a beautiful day. I picked up Noah at his home school testing site and we had a great lunch.

He is excited about the campout this summer. A few of the activities they have planned for May.
If you do not know the indecision maker that he was, you would not believe the difference a year in scouting made.

Rose is doing fine after the scare we had about her. Sassy as ever. Mr JJ brought in a baby bird over the week end and as I told before it did not make it back to the nest.

My video games are gettin the best of me. I am now up to 1000 games and counting.

Noah in scout uniform.

Meet Lambert the greatest cat we ever were owned by.

Two turkeys greet spring time in South Dakota.

last it gets my goat I did not play the Cash 3

Long time no write

2008-04-18T01:43:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy few months and I did not have much to say.

Nick got his house and Eric gets a visit from 6 ft 3in nephew this year.

Noah has his first Boy Scout camp out this Saturday.

David gets to play soccer for beginners.

Me I get to nurse Jonesy's new gift to Rose a baby bird. Nasty temper too.

I am still engrossed in the Harry Potter characters. I enjoy the recorded books as much if not more than the printed copies.

It is springtime here. As usual the flowers are beautiful.

As I said a lot going on but not much to write about.

CruiseTrek 2007

2008-02-20T01:53:00.000-08:00

Well I received the pictures from my friend who took my dream vacation last year.

They were beautiful. Can not pass them on to you because I have no way of getting their premission. You could probably go on adobe and look up the site Romsbar well worth the trouble.

The weather is beautiful and spring is about to come into full beauty. I am getting restless to get the heck out of here and go somewhere.

After looking at those pictures I definitely want to see New Zealand. I have read so much about it. I have dreamed of taking that trip till I kick myself for spending money on trading cars and waiting until my grandsons get old enough to go with me.

I am a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings and remember Willow both shot in that glorius scenery.

It just goes to show you my priorities are not in order sometime. I worked for so many years and never traveled much until the late 80's I have seen a lot of the Western Hemisphere and Western and Southern Germany and a little of Southern England.

I have sailed the Sea to Rome Italy port C*** unsure of the spelling on that one.

Well enough of jealous envy. I am so glad she got to see it. She keeps great records from day to day. I used to travel a lot with her.

Ps the window to my tum has taken the bikini out. Will post update tomorrow.

love you and as cp says hugs

CruiseTrek 2007

2008-02-20T01:51:00.000-08:00

My Two Sons

2008-02-15T20:17:00.000-08:00

Today I received two sets of pictures.

One from the son here in the states who is in the process of buying his 1st new home. Very neat.

The son in England sent me a few of the shops over there. He was house hunting at one time and ended up in a very nice apartment. The view is a little weird but they tend to change it once a month.

The shop with the dresses? had a bridal party with of course the honeymoon already taken, but that lasted about 3 days and then it changed to business suits.

The cafe was a music box and I never saw the inside. Of course it looks like the rain was there also.

Hump day

2008-02-13T03:25:00.000-08:00

Well for some people half the week is now over and it is time to look to the week end. Unless you are retired and waste your life playing video games and sleeping and wondering why you do not have a job.

It has been a lovely month compared to last month. The disasters have mostly been accounted for and fixed.

We will see in May if I need new car insurance or not.

England was something else. We saw so much and still so much to see.

Eric is working a lot of overtime trying to get the India group back up since their cable or whatever got cut. Anna is in Germany, for a few days.

Nick and Angie are house hunting and hopefully they will find a good deal on one.

Today is the oldest Grandchild's birthday. Ian had his in January and the other boys were in Oct and Sept. The other two girls are in May and June.

At least mine has come and it was a beautiful family get together from all around.

My niece had a birthday the 11th and she was very excited about all the people who remembered it. She is someone who does so much for all of us. Love you.

Rain tonight and probably will get colder. So guess I will wear my housecoat a couple of hours longer today. What a life?

Valentines day tomorrow love you all.

Everybody has a double in life

2008-02-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

In looking at the news tonight on the computer. It was like looking in a mirror. The person standing to the right in the picture looks a heck of lot like me.

I looked and then did a double take to see if it was my other personality showing up or really a photo of someone else. Would love to know who it is?

Congress passed the bill for the rebates or economy push. Really just print some more money and we can all have a chicken in the pot and two cars in the drive.

Just a note to say I am trying to blog more often. The trip to England had 1000 fantastic pictures and of course JJ and Rose .

England 2008

2008-02-02T23:15:00.000-08:00

It rained most of the time, but was still a great trip.

I loved the places we saw that were in the Harry Potter Movies. I did not realize how many shots were shown of places we were in.

Surry was the next county up from Hampshire. The White Cliffs were in the background of the Tournment when they took the port key.

Winsor Castle was where they shot quite a few scenes. The broomstick in the 1st year. And a few times of going around the castle and through a couple of the gates. Amazing what you miss when you do not look and are freezing.

All in all I am ready to go back in warmer weather.

The costumes used in Becoming Jane about Jane Austin were located throughout her home. The actress must have been a size 0 and about 5 feet tall.

The church down from the house was beautiful.

Trips

2008-01-31T23:04:00.000-08:00

It seems like I have been home a month and my trip to England happened a long time ago.. It was a lot of fun and I still have a lot of pictures left that I have not posted.

It is getting close to income tax time in the states and I am trying to decide whether to file with the company that has done my taxes for over 20 years or try to do it myself.

I have slept for 3 days and still sleepy. I took a couple of sleeping pills and I think my body decided to catch up on all I have lost this month. It is raining in Ga tonight and boy do we need it.

The water supply is down so low the ground grabs every drop that falls.

Rose and Jonesy are both doing well. Rose has only pouted all this week. Guess my homecoming has worn off.

Clyde and Sue sent pictures of Fang and boy is he ever staying close to the warmth. It looks like a cold South Dakota. Would love to see the ranch in all seasons.

Not much to tell you about this week since as I said I have slept it away.

Honesty

2008-01-25T19:33:00.000-08:00

Just read a story about a returned camera. Wonder if anyone else would do the same. My heart goes out to the couple who made such an effort to find the owner of a camera left in a taxi in New York City on New years Eve.

I am beginning to get back in the real world. I have replaced my camera, taken a few pictures and I think I am really going to enjoy it.

It seems to be lighter than the other one that was lost. The battery is different. Can not wait to take a trip to take some shots.

I look at the trip photos Eric downloaded for me and thank him so much for taking care of his absent minded mom. I still believe I took the camera off the plane and lost it in the xray machine when I was stopped by a tsa agent.

Randy had his operation and looks like he is doing great. Hope he has fun when he goes to see his grandbaby before long.

My grand sons were so glad to get me back. My dog has most of her hair back and Jonesy thinks the world was made for his pleasure. Just normal.

My son in the states is working on getting a house and wants me to move. Now it seems like something that I would like to do and then I think I have lived here since 1984. who would want to buy this house and I sure do not want to give it away. It should all work out. Things will get better. Just a down time for everything.

Witch weather vane Farnborough, fern on the roof Jane Austin home, tradition shot me and the British Policemen, Lord Nelson statue huge, and the 7 sisters cliffs of Dover.

all were beautiful.

what a year

2008-01-17T20:47:00.000-08:00

Today is the 19th of the year 2008. It has been a merry go round since the 17th of December.

I left for England on that date. I had a great trip but oh my goodness what in the world is going on.

My clothes dryer overheated the week I left. During my trip a deer ran out in front of my car that my oldest son was driving and damaged the right side. My electric unit box nearly burned my house up.

The people looking after the house caught it. My dog lost most of the hair on her sides and looked like she had a mohawk haircut when I got home.

What a trip through the Gatwick Airport. Security was a nightmare. One bag had to stay in England. That was a surprise. I thought 1 carry on meant a bag but no its your pocketbook if you are a lady and a back pack otherwise or small suitcase but not both.

My camera was left on the plane or tsa in Atlanta has a very good camera. I was checked and rechecked. I did not think too much about it until I got in the car and checked for my camera. We filed a report but nothing as usual every happened about it.

Upset is not the word for it. The electric panel and the car are both fixed. Guess things happened for a reason. huh

I replaced the camera and now am ready for the snow we had this week and the bitter cold we are supposed to have this week end.

My trip was great. I saw a lot of places I had always wanted to see.

Stonehenge, Jane Austins place, Winsor Castle, and King Arthurs table. A lot more to be sure.

I did not make it to the white cliffs but my camera did. Together my son and Anna and I had nearly a 1000 photos of my trip. Which thankfully he had downloaded before the ill fated trip home. Look on the bright side. It was a smooth flight home.

Rose and Jj were well taken care of and were glad to see me I think. They were spoiled rotten by the ones who took care of them.

All the bills are caught up, tags bought. and I still have not got over jet lag.

enough of this .

Good old days

2007-12-11T22:28:00.000-08:00

A few pictures of when I was young some 60 years ago came over the line in this new letter form.

My friend collects old photos and I ended up in a bunch this time.

Some were taken in Tenn when I was about 2 years old at an amusement park.

Some were taken at my Dad's Mothers house during the ww2 years.

Some taken on the lake when it was new.

Some taken at my other grandmothers anniversey party.

Laugh at the good old days and thank goodness we have come a long way.

Here We go again

2007-12-05T23:05:00.000-08:00

Between the weather and my dead mouse I have not been posting. Thanks to all of you who checked the column quite often.

Noah and I took a short hike to the lake area and has it ever gone down. Not global warming but a long dry spell has hit the country.

I see all th water in the Northwest and its too bad some of it can not make it this far south.

Plans for Christmas are coming together. I am finally getting ready to take another trip. This time to a new part of the globe.

I spent 11 hours in England in 2000 and fell in love with the place. Of course I had read so many books and histories on the country I hope it turns into a great trip.

I had some computer problems and still do. The mouse died, guess it did not like being slammed into the desk when it got old and weak.

I am rambling and want to show all of you a few pictures of the family and places I have seen in the last few days.

Finally Back again

2007-11-17T01:06:00.000-08:00

It has been almost a month since I posted anything. Not much is happening in this part of my world.

Our hike to Red Top Mountain has been cancelled for tomorrow. Noah is a disappointed scout. He was looking forward to it more than I had thought.

My friend and I saw the powwow at Stone Mountain again this year very good. More dancers than usually were there to perform.

We finally had a small shower after the Governor decided to call a prayer service at the capital. I think he needs to call another. Worst dry spell in 50 years.

Never will a farm crop be reliable enough to be a source of fuel. Except for animal food and then sometimes the growers end up selling the herds because of lack of rain.

The fall is late and short but still one of my favorite times of the year. sorry not much to say so will show a few pictures.

Pumpkin Carving Time

2007-10-30T00:25:00.000-07:00

As usual my youngest son is excited at this time of the year. It is time to turn a lowly pumpkin into something amazing.

I wonder if Harry knows where pumpkin juice comes from? Potter of course.

Just to show you a few of his masterpieces look like. love mom

The Butterfly

2007-10-09T23:47:00.000-07:00

This is the picture taken at the butterfly museum in Toronto by Jon and Jordie. It is so beautiful I am making it its own story.

Enjoy the beauty of creation.

Time and Time again

2007-10-09T23:28:00.000-07:00

The days are passing so quickly these days. I need to get a life.

Last night I picked Jordie up at the airport after parking in the wrong lot. Walking on my bum ankle to see what time her plane would be in and then walking back to the car and paying to park closer so I would not lose the car.

She made it in on time. Had some great pictures of her trip. The butterfly is beautiful.

Her Dad had some great shots of the Falls. The Hockey Museum. etc

I drove her back to school after standing in line at the post office to get her passport application complete. Looks like Eric is going to have some competition for traveling while young.

It actually rained today and I was caught in the mess. A Wreck and road work had Atlanta and surrounding areas in a parking lot status most of the afternoon. Are you sure Los Angelos has the worst traffic. Personally I would nominate Atlanta for it.

I ended up going to the family reunion Sunday. It was a beautiful day for it. A few shots will show part of the Howell Clan. The last living member of Dad's brothers and sisters was there with 6 generations of his family.

Ian got to play football with the guys and had a wonderful time. Even if we had to roll the window down and run the new air conditioner . He ended up with a new shirt and other stuff from Henry.

Nick and Eric have not been to this reunion since my Dad was living.

It's been awhile

2007-10-06T00:23:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the long delay in posting but it has really been a weird month.

The poodle left a boney in the floor and I turned my ankle and pulled a tendon and have been hobbling with it. Trying for a few Ohs sorry I hurt you. No such luck. Just feed me.

Jonesy is still inviting the neighborhood cats for dinner. Now one we named Socks is taken up with us. The beautiful grey has disappeared found a new home I guess.

Eric is still in England and finally got his new passport. No other news except a short note saying he was very busy. and still loved us.

Then a 50000 picture download that wore my mouse out. Finally even though the viewer did not work well here's hoping the pictures downloaded that the couple wanted.

Then the battery died on my car and then the air conditioner died and when a few happy pills helped me get through that. My week was terribly boring.

Of course Mr Newton is dancing and I have slept through it all. Just saw the last part of the show.

One of his fans from SD is sick. She was one of the most energetic people I have ever known. She was in her 80's and drove all over just to see Wayne. I wish her well.

George T got a star named after him. Could not have happened to a nicer guy.

Grandkids have visited and kept me company. They are a great bunch. The oldest and her Dad are off to Buffalo NY to spend the week end. Meeting a friend of hers.

The family reunion is Sunday, my late sister always enjoyed going. Me I have not been since my Dad passed away. To see so many of the relatives there is more than I can handle.

Gary Allan has a new cd coming out this month. Always look forward to that.

Well hope you month was more interesting than mine. love ya

I am back

2007-09-13T18:24:00.001-07:00

It has been several weeks since I posted this page. I want to thank all of you that checked it to see what was going on.

My computer is giving me fits. My friends from SD left a folder of pictures on my computer and I deleted them before I found out his camera was not working properly. Well my computer went to the shop and retrieved almost 60ooo pictures for sorting out.

I wore the mouse out deleting stuff from the original owners. I had a cd and it did not play on my cd player and the burner did not want to work either. After trying to get the things downloaded I think I may have gotten most of them for the people.

In trying to check it out my cd player quit. Who knows ?

And while it was in the shop I discovered the magic of Harry Potter and now I am hooked. A friend and I saw the last movie at the IMAX it was fabulous.

Then I sent Eric and Anna their package of Peanut Butter. The nut case at the Post Office kept telling me I could not ship it. I told him ship it and send it back if the customs people did not let it go thru. It takes 4 weeks to send the same stuff to Germany but it was only 2 weeks to England.

Wonder what happened to the packing material it was shipped with. I ran out of bubble wrap and resorted to bath towels and toilet paper. Also a cd with Erics pictures when he was a little child. 3 books and of course Oreo cookies for Anna.

Oh yeah Eric broke his foot playing frisbee. Huh. Nick changed jobs and is now working for his uncle again. Jonesy is asking every cat in the neighborhood to dinner. Rose is broken out with hives. The grandchildren are back in school or home schooling.

So how was you month. love ya

Obit to a Hero

2007-08-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

While browsing through a paper the other day I came across the story of a 95 year old Chuck Knobler. It was like reading a novel, all the things he had been involved in. His daughter had tried to get him to record it, either on paper or on a recorder.

He never did so a great story was lost on the history of the 20th century.

The headline read he flew President Roosevelt to Yalta. Eye catcher if you every read War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk. As I read it I became more and more engrossed with his story.

He flew Madame Chiang Kai-shek and the time he landed in Haiti to pick up Prince Edward and Wallis. He was even in on the search for Amelia Earhart. Also according to the article he had met with Clark Gable, Wiley Post, pilot who died with Will Rogers, and even Wrong Way Corrigan .

just a few of the 30's and 40's biggest events a simple man from Georgia happened to be in the right place at the right time. To read more about this man go to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution/ajc.com. article was written by Holly Crenshaw hcrenshaw@ajc.com

Most of the people who knew him were amazed at his manner of passing his life off as just one of those things you do and do not talk about.

He was associated with many of the major airlines even the caa in Alaska. Check out this story you will be amazed.

Cruise Trek and Seatrek 3rd verse

2007-07-25T23:27:00.000-07:00

more pictures of people including the guy who got the cream in the pants the last morning.

Cruise Trek and Seatrek 2nd verse

2007-07-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

more pictures if they download. They failed last night.

Trek Trips Seatrek and Cruistrek

2007-07-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

After attempting to use my scanner after I lost the instructions I finally came up with about 1.100 of the pictures I have. I had forgotten some of the things that the pictures reminded me of.

This guy I am talking about appears in one picture I thought I had downloaded but apparently I lost it while trying to transfer. It will appear later. It is too good not to share with you all.
He and his wife had complained so much during the cruise that we decided to order a special drink. He thought he knew all of them, but every time he asked what the blue drink was we gave him a Trek Name for Romulan Ale. We never told him what it was. Even the waiters told him it was a secret drink and had been sworn not to give the ingredients out.

No one in the group would give him a clue. He and his wife complained to the end of the trip. They caused us to meet everybody but the Captain at our table. Yes that bad. Finally when you are on a cruise you do not have clothes to change in and the last morning out Linda turned over a pitcher of cream in his lap. She swore that it was an accident. Yeh.

In another of the pictures you will see a gentleman of the most high. Mark Leonard . He was truly one of the nicest people I ever met. He and his wife traveled on several of the cruises. i was sorry when he passed away . But I had a lot of good memories of him.

We saw Bermuda and some of the coast line was beautiful (the whole island was beautiful) I miss these trips.

Linda passed away in 1997 from cancer. Carolyn is retired living in NC and the guys Will was in NY in one of the Towers but survived. The other guy was from Scotland and he did not travel with us anymore. Marie lives in England. If any of you Trek Travelers know any of them tell them I wish we could all be on another trip together. Just a few of the people I would love to see again.

Mr Fang

2007-07-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

Late last night we got bad news about one our favorite cats. He lives in SD and must have gotten a dose of poison from something. He started having spells of shaking and no muscle control and ended up in the vets emergency room.

Today we found out he is doing better but they are trying to detox him, he has had a rough life and this is just another of the things he had in his life. Abanoned young and found my a very loving couple. He makes four cats the couple have.

They tamed him after he started showing up at their door. Now that takes a lot of patience and time. They fed him and enjoyed seeing the change in him.

He and the other cats found a great home. A farm in South Dakota. Roaming and wild, tame critters all around. Even being chased up a tree by one of his mates.

Get better Mr Fang we are anxious about you.

Livia

2007-07-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

Livia had her tonsils out yesterday and came through with flying colors. She got very irate about the sore throat she had m and was not in a very good mood at all. Today she called and was almost her old self. She was helping mom cook dinner. Eating ice cream and getting lots of loving from Mom and Dad.

She is the last of my grandchildren and I do not see her much, of course she is beautiful and very bright. She cleaned out all of my stuffed animals the time she came to see me. She actually missed a couple but her favorite is a bunny with black cloth shoes she got several years ago.

I try to trade back with her but she always tells me she will take care of them and give them back when she is through with them.. she l0ves them and is not ready to give them up.

She is a sweety and Gramme loves her.

Reminds me of the time I had my tonsils out. I was so hungry that I ate a small bit of bread, when my Mom found out what a lecture. Do you know you could have choked etc. The picture of me was taken about the time I had my tonsils taken out.

Any way glad you made it okay. Livia

Death of a Child

2007-07-11T23:40:00.000-07:00

Today Ian and I attended a funeral for a 22 month old child who drowned on Saturday. It was the 1st time he had ever been to a true old time southern funeral.

Now most these days are dignified, the family and friends silently weeping and maybe a few crying out loud. But not wailing to the high heavens. If you do not know the word it means yelling and crying at the same time. In the old days people were hired to do this, but times have changed.

The child was a beautiful little angel and deserved more than what she got. The music was beautiful. But 3 preachers and them trying to convert the group and some idiot yelling Amen. This was a childs, a precious childs, funeral.

When I was small most funerals I attended had this type of preachers who could not leave their Sunday sermons till the proper time. My mom never carried on like this group does at funerals. Knowing what the viewing would be like I pushed Ian out so he would not see the true disaster of the thing. It took the family 20 minutes of wailing and guilty feelings to complete the service.

When I go let me be given a graceful farewell. I attended a funeral for a very good friend in Maryland in 1997 and one of the people took me aside and made sure I knew the rules. It struck me that most people think we all act that way. No laying on the casket and making an ass of ones self. Southern or Yankee be polite and show some manners.

Guess I have made a few relatives mad if they hear or read about this. Again it may wake a few of the younger ones up. But when a grieving Mother will not let her living child ride with her in the funeral limo there is something wrong. A child is God's gift to you when the time comes and you have to let go it hurts more than you can describe.

My Mom lost 2 babies between my sister and I and she would always remember them with love.

Coleville Utah

2007-07-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I visited a town and took a few pictures of a house in Coleville. Tonight I was watching reruns of Designing Women and lo and behold the house they used in Atlanta looked familiar. It must have been the same architect that designed them.

My oldest son saw the picture and thought it was beautiful, but then most of the pictures I took out there made me fall in love with that part of the country. Now a lot of it is being destroyed by fire.

I saw a lot of dead trees in the area that is burning so this is natures way of renewing her world. Wait till next year and see all the new growth. Like Mt St Helens it has a way of the blue planet renewing itself.

The environment is becoming a disaster around here. Every old tree is being taken out and a new cement pad put in. Higher than normal tempatures in the near future. Save a tree and be a tree hugger like me.

Saturday 07 07 07

2007-07-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

So how was your luckiest day of the century. My was pretty good. No gambling, so did not know if I would have won 10000 pennies again.

I am looking forward to 09 09 09 that will probably be my luckiest day of the century. It seems a 9 is always around somewhere in my life. When I worked all my numbers seem to be a 9 or added up to a 9.. Guess thats why I am very glad I stayed with the company. It ended with a bang of great luck for me. A retirement I could never have imagined, thank you Lord.

My Saturday started out with no sleep for 24 hours. Long trip with my grandkids and best friend. In the limo it is very easy to travel with kids. One took over the back seat coming home and played his game in total comfort. The restless one wore headphones and watched videos all day when traveling. The other played games talked to us and just enjoyed being with no arguments all day.

We were in Cherokee NC for the Indian Powwow. The kids feed the bears at the show uptown. Waded the creek and threw the rocks . Zeni has those pictures of all 4 of us wading in the shallow water and when the others headed for the deeper water as all watchers do, you yell do not get wet. and then see how long it takes for them to accidently fall into the water.

We saw mallard ducks playing with a pet dog in the water. A few tiny fish and no big ones. Lots of people were floating down the river and creek all day. It sure looked like fun. The day was beautiful but warm and overcast at times but still a great day.

The restaurant we ate as was a disaster. Three cooks did not show up for work and what food we had we had to beg for it. Finally the hostess told us what was wrong. It would have been easier for us to understand the lousy service if our waitress had not passed the table and looked the other way and not offering our table refills. So I had the salad bar and began feeding the group what they would eat off of it. Finally the food came and it was really not worth the wait. Waffle house would have been a heck of lot better.

My new cell phone rang and it was Mom telling us that Ian's dog had gotten lost. He told them where to look and they found her. She had an allergy to a dog flea medicine. So all pet owners be careful of advantage x it can cause bad trouble with pets.

My cell rang again and more bad news. One of Dad's nephews daughter had drowned in a pool. No other info on it. she was 21 months old and apparently got away from the babysitter and fell in .

When we got home the dog had been found given a bath and was on the way to recovery. It was sprinkling rain. I was so tired I came home took a shower and slept till my son called and said He was on the way to visit us. A rare occasion, but enjoyable.

We saw one our favorite Indian dancer in Jasper for a few minutes and when we got to the powwow his picture was on the advertisement all over town. Could not believe it. It was such a crowded stage we left after a few of the dances. It seems on cement it is hard to perform traditional dances. Oh well it was neat to be in the Cherokee NC area.

I had visited it several times as a child and only once or twice as an adult. The magic grows with the more you learn about the native Americans. We visited a graveyard overlooking the town and it was dedicated to the ones who served the country. Quite a few of them.

Computer loses Mind

2007-07-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

Not really but it sure felt like it. Rose and I were playing on the computer Thursday night and had just logged off the internet. A thunder and lightning storm hit and one jarred my house and thanks to the surge protector it did not destroy me or the computer. It did knock out the modem and a card in the base.

With Eric off line, I was going nuts. The blog, emails and etc were offline and I could not figure how to clear it up. I picked up a new modem on Friday and on the way home I felt I needed a new phone, so when I picked it up, I failed to charge the batteries. My cell phone ran out of minutes months ago and since I rarely ever use it I gave it to David when his went missing.

So here I am Friday no internet, but telephones working fine. Then when my oldest son called me on Saturday, He asked what I was doing, when I told him sleeping the phone cuts off. So back to bed I go, he never calls back, He lives in an area with cells that run out if you know what I mean, but he always calls back.

Later talking to the repair center my phone kept going dead. Cutting off the poor lady at the center who was so nice. Then when I could not call out It hit me no internet. No telephone, no cell phone. So I go to the nearest store and purchase a cell with minutes instead of a contract. Now I have phone service the computer to play games on and what a quiet week it has been.

Today Michelle got the card replaced and it looks like I am back in business. Alls well that ends well.

Thank you all so much for your help and good thoughts to those whom I bugged to get back on line.

Love ya Happy Fourth of July

Birthday Baby Pictures of Rube

2007-06-27T23:42:00.000-07:00

We call him Eric and boy did I scanned a bunch of pictures today from his early years and am still not through. He was a beautiful baby

He is a nice looking man today.

Some of the pictures will not make any sense to someone who does not know him, so here goes. The one on the tricycle is one of his first wheels. Christmas was a big time for the two of them.

The second one is one of our many conversations. His first words were" good boy." when he was only a month or so old. Believe it or not.

The third is the lost bottle. It was very easy to give up the bottle and never asked for it again. He would go by the dishwasher and look at it and say The dishwasher ate my bottle. and walk off never cried and he threw his pacifier out of the bed and would not use it when he given it the first time. So we never had that problem.

The fourth is the bald head not growing hair very fast and his older brother who had a head of hair from day one. Mom laughing with them but Eric seems a little ill at ease. This was soon after Nick threw him out of the baby bed. He did not get hurt but he was leary of him for ages.

The last was taken Christmas still my baby. love mom

Eric the Rube Happy Birthday

2007-06-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is a little late but I just woke up. Hard day sorting stuff with Hope.

37 years ago he came into this world and we almost lost him. It was a week of touch and go as to whether he would live or die. My sis gave a pint of blood and it turned him around. He was the most beautiful baby and we were blessed to have him with us. Big brother Nick tried to throw him out of the bed more than once. After time passed they became great friends.

To this day they get along better than most siblings.

Love you and wish I could have spent the day with you. I ate a large lunch and toasted your day. love mom jj and rose

To Anna Happy Birthday June 19

2007-06-21T21:36:00.000-07:00

Mrs Anna was a neighbor of ours for many years. Her and Mom and Dad were all good friends. When her husband died my folks watched out for her. When Mom was dying she stayed with her at the hospital many times, including one night when they had put mom in a room with a cancer patient who was dying and the odor was so bad that they held sachets under their noses so they could breath.

Her sons were gospel singers and traveled a good deal from the time they were young. I lost track of them for many years after I left home. After mom passed Anna and Dad were married. He and mom had decided that he could not be alone after she was gone. She told me that she had told Daddy the same. She had chosen Anna because she knew she would take care of him.

My Dad was lucky in marriages he had two great wives. Being 65 he did not have much time left, so some people felt it was a rushed job. Not so they took care of each other. She stayed with him in the last year as much as she could and more. Her mother was also in bad health in Tennessee. For two weeks she never left his side at Emory when he had a pacemaker put in. He passed away the following November. The pacemaker was put in on Aug 16 1977 so you can imagine what a day that was pacemaker, my oldest sons birthday, and Elvis left the building.

One of her sons was killed in a plane crash in 1980. The other two are still living. Still preaching and singing I hear. They do not keep in touch with me.

She was responsible for me going back to work for BellSouth and being able to live the good life I do now in retirement. For that I am very grateful and will all love her for all she did for our family. She was a never tiring spirit and I miss her. Peace be with you and I know you and Mom are angels now.

She was Eric's stepgrandmother and she loved him. Her and Dad gave him this Easter Bunny.

Luxor Has Been Defeated

2007-06-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

The time is 1110pm edst . It took me 5 months to do it but never giving up and driving my family and friends insane I have won won won. LUXOR HAS BEEN DEFEATED.

I gave up playing for Lent because it had and is an obsession with me. Here I am retired and sit at a computer longer than I did when I worked.

I can not believe the quest is finished. I enjoyed most of it. I deleted the games that did not play out after about a hundred times and ended up with 4 sessions in the 13 level. tonight I made it.

Almost as much fun as winning 10,000 pennies.

Just a note to say never get into a game that you want to win and takes forever to do so. Not good to be obsessed with playing this or any other. It is like gambling fever.

Gary Allan and Sam's

2007-06-08T10:22:00.001-07:00

What a trip! 2 free nights and winnings covering all my expenses including the Gary Allan Fan Club Party.

That did not cover my gas bill but driving the limo is great. I was stuck in traffic coming home last night and to pass the time I put in a dvd of The Winds of War and Pug Henry saved my nerves.

The casino in Tunica has some of the nicest people I have met in a long time. The clerk told me she would give me another night free if I would like to stay. I asked her about using comp as they call it and she erased my credit card # and told me it was all on the house. Including $10 to play the games which I ran up to $127 dollars. Now when you go into a place like that always keep enough to get home on. I had Ian"s yard cutting money, which I never touched. I won and lost and had a great time with the slots. One of the floor people was a lady who was a great help. She was so nice and had traveled and lived everywhere. Her nephew had been injured in Iraq and if you want a little outrage think about our vets having to pay $50 dollars for the purple heart. Your butt of a president could change this if he was half of what he should be. Our Veterans are giving more of their time and lives than we can every thank them for. God Bless all of you.

Gary Allan's party was really different this year. None of his band was there and most of the ones I know were no longer with his band. He did have the writers of his most famous songs and told his fans, who were cheering like loved starved fans do. that he is working on a new album.

Without Jake Kelley it just does not seem like the same but that man has star quality all over him no matter who he plays with Gary Allan is one beautiful guy.

Thank you Sharon and all your group you do a great job every year. Looking forward to it next year.

Pix and Mr Fang

2007-06-02T21:55:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of two of my favorite cats. They belong to a couple of friends out in South Dakota. They both choose the couple knowing they would be well taken care of and loved.

Mr. Fang is an adventurer and Pix is the shy one. Dem is the one who chases everything including wild turkeys and cows. Even Mr Fang and then he rescues her.

Pix is just beginning to explore per the owner.

It has been such a boring week or so that I have not had much to do except play games on the computer it looks like I am going to have to get a life or new interest.

I am supposed to go to Nashville next week and see Gary Allan. I am thinking about an overnighter in Tennessee and see Chattanooga sights while I have a dog sitter.

Enclosed are a few pictures of different things. Hope you enjoy them. Peace be with you.

Miss Rose Dawson the poodle

2007-05-23T21:08:00.000-07:00

This has been one heck of a week, already. We had a chipmunk appear with the help of one of two cats, either Mr Jones or Greybaby the neighbor pet brought it in. I think it is still in my computer room or will turn up later with 4 feet in the air.

I heard the cats and dog chasing the poor thing around and I left. When I came back it was sitting on top of my curtain and that was the last time I actually saw it. I have found a little evidence that it had been here. but Jj is not interested and Greybaby left in a huff because I would not let her sit in the window.

Today Miss Rose had to go to the vet. They prodded and poked her till she had to rest all afternoon. She has doubled in size since I adopted her in 2004. Perfect health. As good a shape as she was in when I found her.

She has been mopping around because she has not seen the grandkids this week.

Weather is perfect. We need rain badly. The new car drives great, today I left in in forward and almost hit the house trying to back up. Next I almost hit a car. After that I wanted to cry. Of course my guardian angel was watching and Miss Rose and I made it home even though she tries to drive. I keep telling her, her license is for walking only.

The new tv works great. My Mom's day surprise from Nick and the grandkids.

Well the little madam is demanding attention, after all a lady has her days you know.

Peace be with you love ya

Cats and Dogs

2007-05-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

It seems like animals have some of the most unique ways of getting to everyone. Miss Rose is sitting in my lap trying to help me type this in. Guess she wants to make sure she is the star.

Mr Fang is chasing squirrels and helping the Power company out, but as Clyde says quite exhausted from all that work. The others are chasing turkeys, cows etc all free and easy condsidering most if not all of them are adopted and well loved now.

Mr Jonesy is asleep on the buffett in his own little world. He sleeps 99 % of the time I think. The 1 % he is trying to go either in the door or out the door. Rolling around on the patio to show how great the sunny weather is.

What a crew. My grand children love Rose and does she ever love the oldest grandson. She hears the voices of the others and runs thru the open door and barks like she has not seen him in forever. Then she follows him around most of the time he is here.

Jonesy has one habit of disappearing when anyone comes usually in some hidden place in the house. and strolls out when they leave. Sometime he plays the game of pet me if you want too but do not get used to it, cause I choose the petter.

He has not brought in any animals since last year so he must feel we did not appreciate the gifts he worked so hard to impress us with.

Happy Birthday Anna

2007-05-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

Never to late to sit down at the computer and remember something as important as your birthday and almost run out of time to type this in. Your time it is after 12am. Tried to call Rube to remind him to give you a big hug and wish you a Happy Birthday. But did not get an answer.

I had a key lime pie in you honor this year. The flowers in the store are beautiful and if mine had not gotten frozen I would still have a yard full.

When you come you will be welcome to ride shotgun in the limo. Fold down the seats and leave the back seats up its looks like a limo so nicknamed the car the limo.

The dvd player has not got the sound connected or something so the dealer is supposed to be repairing it.

Would love to have been there to celebrate with you. We had a perfect day for doing nothing except enjoying the day. Love you and hope you had a great birthday.

Sunday AM

2007-05-06T00:39:00.000-07:00

Another day wasted. I think I have been retired for four years and my brain thinks only of games. Luxor is the marble shooting faze of my life.

I love getting pictures of different and unusual things. I have really enjoyed the pictures of the farm in South Dakota. To see the hard work those two put in and their love of the wild life and their pets.

It has been a good retirement. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be blessed with this good life. I would have loved to thank My StepMother for her help in getting me to go back to work at the company. 37 1/2 years later here I am. My own computer, my pet cat and my pouting poodle.

I would love to take a few more trips before I get too old to enjoy them. I want to see New Zealand and Australia and of course England and Scotland.

Never would I have dreamed I would get to travel to all the places I have. When growing up my Dad used to say I had my bag packed to go somewhere while returning home from a trip. You know he was right.

All it takes is a little shove and off I go. My camera and bag can be packed in less than a hour. The only big deal is the animals and some of my best friends take care of them.

I want to go to Montana sometime later this year or maybe next year. Another trip out west. Love those states. The beauty of the Rockies has to be seen to be believed. Wyoming is my state of choice but the surrounding states come mighty close.

The plains are beautiful but I do not like the weather. Snow and ice can be handled but tornadoes are deadly. We have a few around here. I have seen and been thru a few but never been in a house or building that blew apart.

When working I was in Dunwoody Ga when the big one hit a couple of years ago and the power and trees in the area were hit. The company gave me and emergency kit. A flashlight with my name on it. Still have it in case I ever get in another one. Haha.

Life in General

2007-05-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

It is hot, dry and beautiful. Take your choice.

New or new to me anyway, car had to go in for the dvd player speakers. I have never seen the beat. Grown men see me and run the other way. What is the old girl going to complain about now.

The gas tank had this weird piece of foam around the outside. No one seemed to notice it but me. It was a tacky unseen deal, so one of the mechanics pulled it off . Grinned and said okay now. Uh huh.

David and Noah went to scout meeting Monday and volunteered me and their mom for everything they asked for. Now Noah is one of the children who never wants to make a decision and it was the 1st time I had ever seen a gleam of pleasure at something so out of character. He loved the thought of being a web master for BSA. Another mom took it though. Probably next year he will be a scout too.

We do not know what we ended up being volunteered for so their Mom is going to find out. A gutter regetta is scheduled sometime this month and for the 1st time Noah offered to help David.

Will wonders never cease.

Eric is in England with a passport so full no other stamps can be put in it. No apartment and No peanut butter. Anna is in Germany finishing up her schooling. Boy do things look up for those two.

Good things after all the last few years have brought to them.

England is one of my favorite countries. I spent a fabulous 11 hours there in 2000. I was on the way to a cruise. But the stop over became one of my favorite memories of the trip.

More to follow about that trip when the pictures are input into the computer. I think we took about 25 rolls of 35mm film. No wonderful digital at that time. That is one of the best inventions of modern photography.

Spring Time

2007-04-26T21:43:00.000-07:00

You used to hear the phrase April Showers bring May flowers. Must have been for the Northern part of the country. We started having flowers in late January. My yard always produces flowers planted by the former owner.

What a surprise we got the first year when all the tulips and hyacinth started coming up. The azeala bushes were so beautiful this year. They are now taller than my head. I am 5 ft 6 in.

The rain has not developed like it should so now we are in the midst of a drought. I look and see how many trees have been taken out in the name of progress and it does not surprise me very much. Many years ago Cobb County paved half the county with developments and their temperature went up several degrees.

Another thing that seems to bug me is the idea of taking the water from the ocean and desalting it. Seems that it would make another ecologist mess. Forgive me but I saw so much of Alaska's snow disappear in Glacier bay back in 93. It may look like it is not much, but think, the ice age is no more the warming trend started a long long time ago.

On my soap box and so you can quit shaking your head, the nut case may believe in trees, but at my age you see what destroying them does to the next generation.

Tuesday Night

2007-04-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Well another day of shaking my head and wondering why in the heck I traded cars again. I think I have a sickness. Does anyone have a cure? If the auto gives me trouble or even feels like it is wrong off I go to the car store.

Most people buy a car every 5 or 6 years. Me, as Eric says it must be new car season. The new one has enough buttons on it to drive you nuts.

Rose got in it Sunday and was bound and determined that she was going for a ride in her new car. Nick was cleaning off the roof and she sat in the car for at least 30 minutes and then I had to pull her out. She finally got to go for a ride when I took my grandson home.

Then Mr Button pusher had 2 more to join him in seeing how many different cup holders they could find the last count was 17. The seats heat up for winter comfort, so Mr push the button had the air conditioner on 61 degrees and his seat on warm,

Then he found some of the storage units and next I told him if he did not stop I was going to slap his hand like I did Eric when he was younger and still does only I am not the driver. So he finally settled down and tomorrow the rest of the crew gets to go for a ride in the new Gramme Wagon.

Peace be with you

Saturday

2007-04-21T23:04:00.000-07:00

Today I missed a call from my youngest son and I sure do wish I could see or talk to him. I do some of the stupidest things some time and he keeps my head on straight.

My middle grandson was with me today and boy did we trade up or down according to what we got. It is one year older than my Highlander but has more automatic stuff that I will spend the next year trying to figure all of it out. Leather seats, 6 disc stereo, doors that open and close with a 6 button key. Of course my other car was brand new when I got it, but I have never been happy with it or the deal I made on it. It remains to be seen how this one will turn out.

I am used to a front end in front of my windshield, but somehow it is designed where you see the road and looks from inside like it has no front in. Side airbags tires that are brand new. I had been looking for a Sienna Station Wagon for 2 years and when I saw this one and found a prayer penny it seems like a good deal. I will still be able to pay this one off at the same time the other one was to be paid off.

I drive a lot, but have cut down on the miles in the last year or so. Seats fold down and doors slide man is it ever cool. The white one is the one I traded. I had it for almost two years. Glad to see it gone.

Now why did I do it? I get the trading bug too often and too much. The last two times I made some bad trades this time it was not the best but I sure do like what I got. It was too late when we got home to make a picture but there will be one some time tomorrow.

Sunday Morning Time

2007-04-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today is a day I have never understood. When I worked it made it seem more worth while, then when I was off (worked a company that ran 24.7) It seemed it was a long day and really did not want to do or go anywhere.

With Zeni it was a lot of fun. We learned a lot about history and relatives who have passed away and just saw lots of things I would not have seen for myself. We have visited a lot of places in Tennessee, Alabama and North Georgia.

The trip to Columbus a few months ago was one I would never have thought I would enjoy so much. The beauty of the town and canyon was breath taking. The many Indian Festivals and of course going looking for graves for people, who have moved from the state, and want to find the graves of their relatives.

The old Cooper Plantation in Cartersville , when the water was down so far we could walk out and see what Sherman had left of it. Including the ravages of the Allatoona Dam Water .

In Tennessee we saw the graves of the group of men who were in the Great Locomotive Chase from Big Shanty also know as Kennesaw. It was amazing to visit Tunnel Hill Ga and see where they were stopped and that day I saw a reinactment of a battle from the War Between the States. Them Yankees and Rebels were fighting like it was still the 1860's.

One trip we took to Barnsley Gardens in Kingston Ga. Haunted Mansion that was Margaret Mitchell's inspired her Scarlett and Rhett or so the story goes. They had a lot of trouble at the place until one of the owners had an Indian remove the curse and now it is a thriving tourist attraction.

Just a few of the places we have seen. She loves Helen Ga and that area. We even visited Cleveland Ga where the famous Cabbage Patch babies are born. Amazing the things that inspire her to go nearly ever week end.

Least we forget the Oakland Cementary in Atlanta, Bobby Jones the golfer is buried there and golf balls seem to be tossed all over when the Masters players visit and leave him a couple.

Enough I have got to get ready for my Special Sunday Trip. Peace be with all of you and love to each of you.

Game Time

2007-04-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

This has been a long 40 days. I gave up my game of Luxor for the time and am trying to get over playing it so much.

Of course Eric did not think I would make it, but I did. Now if we can get his passport and move completed everything will fall into place.

Cub scouts on monday night with David and his brothers was pretty neat. It brought back some funny memories of a big company sending people to school to learn to tie knots. I spent a day in 1978 learning what the scouts were being taught last night. I actually passed the thing with flying colors. It was the blasted pole climbing with my frontage that gave me such a time. I had seen another person hug a pole on the way down and she was splintered horribly and I made up my mind I would get up and down and If I every took the leap off one it would be no way I would hug it.

Less than a year later I fell 15 to 17 ft and landed on my feet and rolled backwards, knocked the wind out of me and then some reporter stuck a mike in my face, while I was on my back,
saying she was filming women in unusual jobs and I made the 6 o clock news. Heaven help the kidding I took from the other techs. Who were always nice to me.

I left that career after a few months because my ankle was damaged in the fall, but no splinters.

Life goes on but memories are selective and never know when they will pop up. One of the pictures today is of Nick and Eric in World of Disney. They took at least 25 rolls of the sights and the girls there. Eric had a broken foot and was walking on a cast. Nick was taking pictures of him around the park trying to make a friend, He finally ended with a wooden indian. The one Nick took a picture of last year.

Flowers and Grandpa

2007-04-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

Today is the last sort of warm day left till Easter. Most people think it is just a freak time. All my life we called this the Easter cold spell. Next will be a freak time in May which we called blackberry winter.

You have to live among people who could tell the weather by the sky and not the Weather Channel. It was amazing how when the sky looked so beautiful my Dad would say storm coming.

Back to Grandpa and the granddaughter. Randy made it to England to see his 1st grandchild and the pictures are of one beautiful baby. He is one proud Grandpa.

I have six grandchildren and feel that way about all of them. From Jordan to David they are beautiful and smart and wonderful addition to my life. Could be one more one day from the Europe side of the pond. The one who said never caused me the shock of my life when he said someday might be possible. Who knows? Love you all Nick and Eric and families.

I took my trusty camera out in my neighborhood today and took a few pictures. This place is so beautiful, every time I hear a saw cutting down a tree I wonder why. So many houses on the market in the subdivision its scary. We could have an all new group when they sell.

Peace

Good Old Days

2007-03-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a friend sent me one of the messages that make the rounds of what the good old days were like. Some of them were not so good. My family lived in a poverty ruled time. The Depression of the 30's left a mark on them. Never wanted to be that way again and worked hard to stay above the bad times of that era.

Money was usually short, but Dad's family made great gardens. Hunted for wild animals, such as deer. So we never went hungry. But when television came along. My Dad discovered the movies he had loved so much when he was younger and the religion he chose forbade enjoying the evil theater.

He bought a television set as soon as he could save the money to get a small one. Many hours of watching westerns and the movies from the 1930's and 1940's. He lived to see color take over, but somehow the great shoot um up westerns remained his favorite.

Especially The kind where the good guy wore a white hat and the bad guy wore a black hat. He always wanted to try to out shoot Marshal Dillon.

The comedies were my favorite Our Miss Brooks was one I waited for each week. I love Lucy with the quick wit of the four main stars. Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca driving the car down the road while sitting in two chairs, left both of us laughing so hard we almost rolled in the floor. When she came to the sign about snakes in the road( curves ahead or winding road). One of my favorite scenes.

Wrestling was one of my Grandmother's favorites. Remember Gorgeous George with the bleached blond hair. Baron Leonne to name a few. She weighed less than a hundred pounds skinny and mean as a ***** . Dad and Mom took her to a real match one night and she shook her fist at a 200 + pound wrestler.

Just a few of my memories. Hope you like the pictures.

A Friend in Need

2007-03-26T00:52:00.000-07:00

Clyde sent me pictures of his and Susan's treasures. Cats. Adopted from the wild or just thrown out in the world. I have told of Mr Fang and Pix several times, but the pictures I got today were funny.

The other day I got pictures of Mr Fang up a tree, chased by Pix. He is sitting there looking like a scared rabbit. With Pix at the base of the tree.

In the next few days I got pictures of her chasing wild turkeys and then running from them. No Mr Fang to the rescue, but today she chased something bigger and more scarer than she is. Look in the lower right of the picture and you will see her running for her life. In the next Mr. Fang to the rescue.

They have several cats all well loved but these are the youngest or newest to the SD ranch. It is really in the woods and they have no worry about cars only predators.

Perfect Day

2007-03-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

It was about one of the nicest days I have seen in a long, long time. The sun was shining and the breeze was slightly blowing. Just enough to keep it a good even temperature.

My oldest grandson and I cut the grass and cleaned the yard out. It looks so much better. The yardman, who had worked on the yard for several years has not shown up since last August. I have no idea what happened to him, he was not in the best of health. Hope he is okay.

My two youngest grandsons had been fighting so much that their mom decided Gramme needed some company. We ended up eating pizza and buying video games. They were as good as gold.

Of course I think the Grandmother in The Legend of Billy Bob had something to do with it. When she put the grandkids out cleaning the road way. David slid down in his seat and has been an angel most of the time since when he is with me. No I did not know the content of the movie before I took them to see it, but it was funny. Language terrible.

I talked to Eric the other day and he said it was snowing in Germany and I told him he did not want to know what our weather was. 70 + Sunny etc.

Scenic Georgia

2007-03-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

Last fall I took a trip to the Columbus Georgia area and these are a few of the pictures.

The downtown area of Columbus has a waterfall and river park very beautiful.

Close by is Providence Canyon. Glorious colors and beautiful to see. All the different geological layers of Mother Earth.

Also The Little White House of FDR the president who had polio and found the Warm Springs Health spa area.

Lots of history around this small but bustling town. Now for a few pictures.

Meet Ansley Mae McArthur

2007-03-12T22:05:00.000-07:00

Born in England on March 9 2007. Her favorite Grampa will be the handsome one from Georgia.

Saturday I received pictures of the long anticipated event. Her Mom and Dad are in the Air Force. Her Grampa is retired from the same company I worked for.

She is beautiful and looks a lot like Eric when he was born. She weighed in at 8lbs and 2 ounces and tall 22 inches. Mom and Dad are doing fine. The glow of the first born is evident from the pictures.

It is always good to see a baby as a gift from God than a burden. It looks like she will be one well loved child.

Matthew and Breh not sure of the spelling of mom's name. Congratulations.

Moon Shots

2007-03-08T00:41:00.000-08:00

I received some great pictures of the recent moon eclipse taken in South Dakota. It was really a clear night and the shots are beautiful.

Just wanted to share them with you all. Clyde takes a lot of pictures. He and Susan share a few of them with me. They own the ranch in South Dakota with the log cabin and log barn and lots of cats.

One of them looks a lot like Jonesy. He was found and at first they thought he was a wild one, but he turned out to be another abandon sweetie.

They have two other kitties. Adorable from their pictures.

Monday Morning 2am est

2007-03-04T23:06:00.000-08:00

After sleeping all weekend now that its the beginning of the week I can't go to sleep. If it was not for this computer I would feel like a lost Gramme.

The grandsons have been sick most of the winter and I have not seen very much of them. David missed cub scouts last week due to an extended bout with a cold.

The weather and news have been so horrible this past month it gives me bad dreams. Even the dream catcher does not have the power to catch them.

I was watching the news the other morning, right after the bus left the ramp in Atlanta and I remember that intersection, the first morning I got off from work I got turned around and ended up getting on the express way north at the same place in an hov lane. It is the goofiest traffic pattern in and around the metro Atlanta area, that as a native Georgian I get lost.

The hov lanes are great but the getting on and off are horrible. You have to plan 2 exits back and really know where to get off and where to start coming from the middle of the expressway to reach your exit.

Are all cities that way?

Jonesy is trying to take over my chair so guess I better add a few pictures and bid you all a good morning and hope we have a better week.

The sunset for beauty in this world and the rainbow over the destroyed forest a promise it will get better.

Bless the people who got hit by the bad weather and lost loved ones. Bless the families of the team and driver of the bus.

Peace be with you.

Rose and Jonesy

2007-03-01T23:41:00.000-08:00

These two mutts have a lot in common. They were both adopted from people on the sidewalk.

Jonesy came from Walmarts in the 90's. He was so beautiful I had to go back and get him. We had 3 other cats here and boy they did not take to him. So when my niece moved I gave the gang of three to her. They are well loved and taken care of.

Eric saw him the day we got him and thanked me for his birthday present. I hate to tell him but I did not know what to get him and Jonesy happened along. The best present he ever had or so he said.

Well Eric ups and goes to Germany in 97 and here I am with Jonesy again. In march of 98 I took Jonesy to Germany via Zurich. The stinker slept all the way. If it had been after 9/11 he would never have made it. The rules and regulations are to strict.

In the airport when I took him to the bathroom with me I let him out of his cage and the first thing he did was use my winter coat for a potty. I wondered why until Eric told me he hated that coat and would be glad to get rid of it.

When Eric came back to the states in Oct 98 he had to come cargo and would have nothing to do with Eric for a week. So when Eric went back to Germany, I talked him into letting Jonesy stay here. I told them He was staying where he was. He was too old to fly.

Now Miss Rose came to us when the Dalton Humane Soc. had a giveaway or buy the shots. Some how she was the most expensive deal they had. Never been sick a day in her life. You should see the scars she has on her. Now she is really spoiled but smart as a little dog usually is. She reads rest stop signs when you travel and barks or whines 1 mile. She was a pain to travel with so last time she stayed home.

Rose and Jonesy are friends but you are not supposed to notice it. She makes sure He is in every night If he does not come in by 2am she starts sending him signals via brain power I think. He usually meets us at the back door.

He even brought her a squirrel one night. She must have really given him an earful, he has not tried that again.

Trek Fever SeaTrek CruiseTrelk

2007-02-26T16:52:00.000-08:00

In looking at some of the pictures I made on my voyages and cons with the Star Trek fandom I am amazed to see how much fun it was and wish I could capture all the good memories in my head. I find that in looking at the pictures I missed so much in memories now.

Thank goodness most of the best are in pictures. My "Where is Sylvia" was in one of my bunch of pictures albums. What a weird place to have pictures!

I am trying to get them organized so that I can put up some new posts. A friend of my grand daughters is a big trek fan and when he found out I had met Mr. Roddenberry my Gramme status went big time with him.

The picture of George and Mama walking down the street to catch the ferry back to the boat was pure elegant love of Son and Mother. I remember that day and we had already gotten on the ferry and when they made it the boat was full and before my friends and I could change places with them we had pulled away from the dock. It was raining and I have felt so bad about it.

George was one of the first stars I met and He was and is one of my favorites. Jimmy was in Atlanta after the 1st cruise and when he called me my son turned around and saw who it was and he looked like he was with a unknown person. Surely Scottie did not know his mom. Just an ordinary Star Trek fan.

The stars of that show are some of the nicest people you will ever hope to meet. They enjoyed or appeared to enjoy traveling as much as I did.

SeaTrek and Cruisetrek were the ones I traveled on. If you ever get a chance as I said before Go!

Ash Wednesday

2007-02-21T02:07:00.000-08:00

Well today I give up my one addiction for Luxor. It is a game that I play everyday and the one thing that I feel I will have the hardest time not doing.

Eric laughed when he heard what I was doing. He saw how much I missed playing computer games last year when I was over there.

I retired a couple of years ago and lead a rather selfish life. After 37+ years of working I retired with a good life I never expected to have.. Good health has been my blessing for many years, in fact most of my life.

Last year was a year when I was sickly and grouchy etc. So at the beginning of this year I made up my mind. Good Health and not to be so yucky.

My grandchildren are my joy now that my sons are grown and living their lives. I use my time to spend with them as much as possible. We go out to eat and shop and movies. Just bum around the house sometimes, like this weekend they discovered my attic. It is filled with leftover life stuff from the sons and myself. They had a blast.

I love my sons and Thank God for having two of the best.

So off to church for Ash Wednesday services and the beginning of the Lenten season. Peace be with all of you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jordan and Hope

2007-02-14T23:34:00.000-08:00

Thank you for being two of my favorite people. I have enjoyed having you for my Granddaughter and my Niece.

Some of the best trips have been taken with you all. It has been a hard month so this blog has not been too active in the last couple of months.

With the passing of my sister and the weather and whining about how bad I feel, I made up my mind this is going to be a better year.

Hope takes some of the best pictures I have every seen. She has been published in several books and magazines. She takes pictures of concerts, Indian powwows, and cementaries. She knows more history of our state and this country. She has a great eye for art and photos. When we go to a museum she will usually tell the keeper things even they do not know.

Jordan is in college at 17 just turned 18 and wants to be a doctor missionary. She is a great person to know. She looks after me when I am not feeling well and stayed with me during last years mess at the hospital. Hope was there too. Bless them both.

I could say a lot more but they might not want to feel I was buttering them up. Love both of you.

Louise Howell Williams

2007-02-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

On Sunday Louise passed away.. She had lived from March 11 1929 to Feb 4 2007, She had 7 children 3 girls and 4 boys. Her husband and one of her sons passed away this century.

She is survived by 3 girls and 3 sons. She had been sick for several years with heart and lung trouble. She had been a housewife for years and loved to shop and travel and watch tv.

She loved Ebay and all its ways. She traveled to San Francisco in January. A life long wish to see the city of her dreams.

Loved by many and cherished by her family, she was ready to pass over to the other side. A fond farewell l to a lady.

Ian Birthday Special

2007-01-13T23:47:00.000-08:00

Ian is the oldest of my grandsons. He is now the tallest in our family. When Eric was home in October He looked like he had been slammed when He saw his nephew towering over him.

Ian is a quiet and helpful youngster. When he was about three he wanted to go after the police when he thought they were going to get me for something. Holding him back I knew he was going to be a quiet " Hoss Cartwright" type. A gentle giant among men.

This summer we took several trips to the lake and to get haircuts, eat out and celebrate other birthdays. Thursday we celebrated mine and his. The cake was delicious and his mom had put a lot of work into it.

Ian broke his two front teeth thanksgiving day and when he sat down and got real quiet, I asked him what he was doing "praying" came back the answer. Most kids his age would have been weeping and wanting something to make it quit hurting.

When his dog Lucy got sick and we had to take her to the vet, he started crying when he thought he would lose the dog. The nurse looked at him and thought a big teen crying. When I told her he was only 13 years old she did a double take. He is very tall and good looking for his age and when the waitress wait on us, they flirt and he just says "thank you"

Happy Birthday Ian and many happy more. 6 ft 4 inches of grandson. love ya gramme

It Has been a Year

2007-01-08T03:26:00.000-08:00

Cowboys blog is celebrating a birthday of one whole year. It has been one of ups and downs. My tab key is messed up so no paragraphs sorry. My sister has finally made it to San Franscisco and Hopefully will make it back. She has dreamed of it for years. The weather was horrible when they left but she made her 1st flight fine.

My 6 grandkids had a great Christmas all got bikes. Now if they will just use them.

Ian broken teeth are repaired and look great. Broke them Thanksgiving Day.

The lake is so low and all the new housing starts are really going wild in North Georgia. Took a few pictures before Christmas and today the rain is falling so should be able to have a secure feeling of water.

My grandson asked about gas for the future. I told him to check water rights. With billions of people and them 99 % water the 1 % water will be drying up .and more precious than any fuel.

Both sons ended up with career changes in the last year. The oldest followed my footsteps and fell off a pole. Yep telephone pole. He loves the job and the youngest moves if nothing happens to England next month or March.

The dog and the cat are up and running all night. Sure messes up your sleep patterns. Love the love hate relationship between Mr Jones and Miss Rose.

Nick was taking pictures and my camera ran out before I got one of him and Angie.

Have a great year and maybe this year we can have more up to date pictures. Did you know the flowers are blooming a month early weird weather. Peace and Joy

Mr Fang

2006-12-12T00:10:00.001-08:00

This year my friends in South Dakota have acquired quite a few cats. They send me pictures of them. The other day I got one of Mr Fang the wild cat who turned into a pet ,loving and wanting to be the top cat.

He got a little overprotective of his family and gave the other girls a hard time by sneaking up and fighting and stealing their food and making it hard for them to relax and enjoy life.

So Clyde and Sue showed him what it was like if He could not learn to interact like a good boy and play with the girls better. They made him an outdoor cat till he learned it was a lot better to be an inside cat in the winter than and outside cat.

Since he was doing better He got back inside to the warmth and good graces of his family. When I saw these pictures, they reminded me of mug shots. So since he learned his lessons they were funny to me. Hope you get a giggle out of Mr Fang the prince charming.

Tuesday almost

2006-12-11T23:51:00.000-08:00

Today was beautiful and I actually got out of the house. Had the car washed, 2nd time since May. Yep it was pretty dirty. Its white and boy does this Georgia red clay show up well. Also got it serviced oil change etc.

Nice things happen sometime when least expected. My grand daughter sent me a picture of my favorite drink. Milkshake from Steak and Shake. Except she was drinking it. Guess tomorrow will be my day to get the shake. Love those things.

Got an email from my son in Germany He is leaving for England for a job interview If it be the right thing I wish him well. Say a prayer for him and me.

The other son is probably frozen and has not thawed out yet. Below average temp. and this is his 1st year as a telephone person. Nothing like hanging on a pole in 50 mile an hour wind. Love ya Been there and done it. 1978 79 1st female installer in Cobb Cty BellSouth. Hows that for following in Mom's footsteps.

Have not heard from a few other people who make my life feel that it is filled with lots of love and thoughts of good things.

This head cold has got me loopy and my mind has taken a vacation to the Bahamas. I do some of the nuttiest things sometime. Discount coupon and for some reason I can not figure out what the discount is supposed to be. Bet the guy at the dealership is wondering how I get from here to there. Thanks for not laughing in my face and being so nice. I did figure it out when I got in the car. Love ya guys for taking care of my car and truck.

Sunday Are You Sure?

2006-12-03T19:07:00.000-08:00

Wow what a day my first cold (as in Head Cold) and the weather is chilly. Snow and ice out west. Of course we do not have underground service wires like Germany does so when we get hit by storms , we end up with wires down and all that.

Had a great weekend before this mess hit. Had breakfast with my adopted brothers and sister. Saw what Charles had done to the house his family has lived in since the forties. You would not believe the changes. A lot of work and a really neat job,

David is learning how to use his computer and says he actually got pictures I sent him right before my other computer lost its power unit. Watch out David you will probably get quite a few of them if I ever get my scans in.

June was there but kinda down. She is a saint with her own halo. She took care of her mom and sister until the end. Almost 10 years with her life on hold. She also writes to people in prison and tries to bring religion into their lives and give them hope.

I got hungry for Chinese so took off late yesterday and ended up meeting a couple that had been at Allan's when the infamous teeth got broken. They were glad to hear that everything turned out well. They surprised me by paying for my dinner. I thank them and I really did enjoy meeting them and their family again.

So today I have stayed in my jammies. Jonesy tried to pet me by sitting in my lap. Funny thing he does not like it when I sneeze. Too bad Mr jj. Miss Rose has been looking at me like it was time to go somewhere. Right. With my head buzzing the police would want to know why I could not drive a straight line.

Cruise Trek 2007

2006-11-30T20:15:00.000-08:00

This is one trip I wish I could take. The Aussie and New Zealand tour. It is one I have dreamed of since seeing Willow many years ago. Eric and a friend took a back pack tour a few years ago and this is one of the high lights He always talks about.

Spiders are no longer a fear after seeing all the big ones in Australia. The scenery in New Zealand has always made me dream of the beauty of the Island North and South. The big iceberg that has been in the news lately seems an omen that if you want to see it go in the next few years.

Charlie is usually on top of the best places to go. I have seen quite a bit of the world with His group. So call or email Cruise Trek and get the info for a fantastic trip. No he is not paying me for this, but his web page was kind enough to link to mine and I would love to thank him and tell you all about the many trips and some of the pictures I have taken with him and the gang.

My best friends are usually a member of his group. Linda Sama whose birthday in 12 5 passed away a few years ago and I still miss her. The year when It seems everybody younger than me was taken with cancer. 1996/1997

Carolyn is still active with the group. Will and friends are heard from once in awhile. He survived the two bombs and crash of the World Trade center. Bless his heart. He named me Hugs because his 1st trip we met him in Glacier Bay. I was freezing and he looked warm. The tall Hawaiian was adorable. So many good people you will not have a bad time if you go.

To the lady I was assigned table to the 1st trip in 1993 I did not put salad in your pocket book. You all were the worst people I met in all the trips I took. Thank goodness I never had to deal with you all after that. Even the one that hit me in the back on a later cruise. Man she was so miserable she hated herself.

Carolyn, Linda, Maria, Will and all the rest Have a great year, and Linda I miss you.

So how was your November

2006-11-27T22:01:00.000-08:00

I will be so glad when this month is over. The reason the blog has not been updated in the last month is my computer power unit ended its long and much used life.

After my Nephew and Niece rounded me up a great new base my son and I have been working to teach me how to use it. It is so much more than my old one was. I was lucky the hard drive lived on so I did not lose my pictures and other personal stuff.

I would like to thank the friend of my Granddaughter for the review of my blog and it still surprises me to see how far reaching this blog has traveled. It was started Christmas a year ago and before long I will have to get a new picture posted with or without the beret.

Thanksgiving was great until my grandson knocked out or broke his two front teeth. It took until today to find a dentist open but boy do the teeth look great now.

My back decided to put me in the old age bracket last weekend and today it is so much better. The emergency room people lost my shoes and I had to spend an extra hour with them looking for the shoes. Two visits in the last month is more than I have been in years.
Boy do I feel my age.

The rains came and now the sun today it was in the high 60s degrees for you in Germany freezing. You two need to get me your Christmas list. The peanut butter will be mailed tomorrow.

This has been a weird year. After Germany in January I have not been anywhere except Tennessee and Mississippi.

Here are a few pictures taken in the last couple of months. The teeth are the repaired ones from Thanksgiving.

Hubbard Bay Alaska

2006-11-04T21:32:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I took my 2nd cruise to Alaska and came down from Seward Alaska to Vancover BC. It was as usual one of the most scenic states and trips in the world.

We had flown from Atlanta to Anchorage. We spent the night in a hotel that was being reenovated and for the 1st time I saw what was a mystery to me. How can it be daylight at 2am in the morning. Amazing as we watched the day turn into day.

Party time and a great time was had by all. The next day we hopped on a bus and headed south to catch the ship. When we had flown in the state seemed to be one frozen land but the more we traveled the diversity of the state is amazing.

Train and buses carried us to the port and one of the 1st stops was Hubbard Bay. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I am about to include 5000 words of beauty that can only be seen to stand in awe of the work of the Maker.

Each glacier is named after a university such as Brown ,Yale and so on. Enjoy and if ever offered a chance GO. Inside strait or south from Seward you have not seen anything yet.