Life

Didn't realize it had been so long since I last blogged. So what have we been up to? After Katisha's graduation party, I crashed for a couple weekends. Well, we did do lots of shopping to get new things for Joan and her kids to move into a new home. OK, I did do massive loads of laundry, while Joan purged her mobile home, after almost 12 years. Told her to bring all the laundry here, I would do it and keep it, until they moved. What wasn't going into the new home, gonna have a big garage sale. In their old home, they had 700+ square feet, for the 4 of them. June 26, the four of them moved into their new home. It is a manufactured home, 28'x60'. So they have more than twice the space. It had been totally repainted on the inside, and all new flooring. She and the kids are so thrilled, and so proud. They have two full bath, and everything is like brand new. We are so happy, also. So that took all that weekend, and some extra time, with all the little things that need to be done. Oh, and they have a pond in the back yard, so the kids love to go fishing. Very first morning, Teddy caught a 6-8" fish. He and Grace could spend every waking moment outside. It is such a wonderful thing for them.



While we were looking for furniture for Joan, I found the perfect chair and couch for me, lol. I have wanted denim furniture, since my friend Kristina, got hers several years ago. We were looking at a high end consignment shop, and there it was, the chair of my dreams. It just happened to also have a couch. I was in Heaven. Yes, we did find a beautiful leather sectional for Joan. So, once we got them all moved, and I got to looking at my new furniture, it just didn't go in the front room, so of course that meant painting. That also is where my scrapbook area is, so it did take a couple of weekends to get the job accomplished. We also replaced the trim around the ceiling. I still have to get my scrabook area decluttered. Sometime I am having a BIG garage sale, geesh, I have so much stuff to get rid of.



Last Saturday, Don and I took Tyree, our oldest grandson, on a road trip. Tyree will graduate next Spring, from High School, so decided to start taking some sr. pictures. We drove along the Old Lincoln Highway. As with all the old highways, the little towns have taken a hit. Lots of very interesting old buildings, just perfect for guy shots. It was a very relaxing drive, almost no traffic.


One of the really cool things was in Tama at the Lincoln Highway Bridge. I was taking some pictures and lo and behold, here comes this super old car. Had to take a couple pictures of it. They were a couple from CA. and then asked if I would take a couple of pictures of them sitting on the bridge, so I did.


Then we moved on to Belle Plaine. This was my destination. A friend had posted some really interesting photos on his Facebook, and I thought that it would be a perfect setting for some neat pictures of Tyree. We sure weren't disappointed. The old Preston's service station is quite an interesting place. The owner happened to be there, and so we got to go in the station, and in the garage on the same property. Anyone interested in old vitage "STUFF", should make the trek.

I do have more places I plan on going for pictures of Tyree. Look forward to spending more time with him exploring.

Started doing this the other day, guess I will post for now. My walls aren't bare in the front room any more, lol. Will post more pictures later. I am leaving Friday morning for a girlfriend weekend, with Rox. She happens to be one of my very favorite women in the world. OMG, the laughing will start the moment we see each other, and it won't stop until we get in our cars to head home. Later.........

Scrapbook layouts from Katisha's graduation.

So a week ago today, we had Katisha's graduation party. Will have to post those pictures later. I didn't take many, busy being a hostess. I did a story board of her graduation ceremony, so as I was taking it apart, decided I should just go ahead and scrapbook those pictures. These are the 10 pages that I did.

The sad part about having 380+ members of the class, it just didn't seem so personal. Therefore, didn't shed any tears. It was so wonderful to be able to see her get that diploma. In that sea of people, I can spot her, probably because she had her head turned towards us, instead of watching the speakers, LOL.

We were all so proud of her, Misty, Grandpa and I. OK, so Don doesn't look like it, I think it is hard for Grandpa to realize his little girl is actually an 18 year old, and a high school graduate. Hard for me to believe, also, I'll admit it.
I really love the pictures of Katisha and her brother, Mhikealy. They do love each other so much. Of course they do get on each other's nerves from time to time.

And then there were the friends. Love the picture of Jessie and Mhikealy, also. Makes me laugh, I know he loved it. He is a hug machine, that boy.

Graduation

SHE DID IT!!!!! I am so proud of Katisha!! I know a lot of people don't think of it as a big deal, for someone to complete their classes and graduate from high school. To me, this is one of the biggest accomplishments in a humans life.

It means taking classes we might not want to do, but doing it any way. We have no say so in the 13 years that it takes to reach this goal.

Here she is after the ceremony, with her mom. It is funny how she didn't think it was a big deal, until it was over. Then she seemed very proud of herself.
Here she is with her mom and I. Aren't we just gorgeous. I really don't know who was the proudest.

And then there is her brother. Mhikealy didn't know if he wanted to come to the ceremony or not, but in the end, he was very glad he attended. And, his sister did show him some major love.

And then the number one man in Katisha's life, GRANDPA!!! He may not look it, but he is so thrilled with her graduating. He also sees the little girl is now an adult. Don't think he is ready.

Now, can you find her? She is facing towards the camera. I can find her, give it a try, LOL.

Now to get ready for her party on Sunday, WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!

My crazy life lately

I have to laugh, it appears that I am very smitten by a certain little Jackson Gerrald Thompson. Just noticed several posts on that little doll. He has even replaced Gary Allan as my desktop background. Now, that says volumes, lol.

Our lives have been nothing short of HELL the last several weeks. I just do not understand why some humans get pleasure out of bullying others, especially their own children. If you bring a child into this world, love it, nurture it, support it, protect it. You really shouldn't have to work to protect your child from one of the people that should be most responsible for their safety. We should also live in a society that does all they can to protect our children, but folks, it doesn't work that way. The system is so full of flaws, and then they even screw that up. Then you send your precious one to a therapist for three years because she is so frightened of her father that she can't sleep and acts out. But all it takes is one visit from a womanizing, abusive bastard, and the therapist is swept off her feet. I don't get it and I never will, but I do know that there is one little girl that will be protected no matter what on earth has to be done.

My oldest grandson was diagnosed with a very rare from of infantile strep, AND mononucleosis. He has been a very sick kid, but is finally feeling some better. He did go to school today, and made it more than 1/2 way thru. It is just a slow going ordeal.

I did have a wonderful Mother's Day. Will have to take a picture of the funniest gift I got. OMG, Misty can really make me laugh. She really got me good. Joan did a great job also, gorgeous sweater that fit great, and a book I have been wanting for a while, "The Girls From Ames." Now for the time to read it.

Happy Easter

We had such a wonderful day with my family. Good Grief, we had a full house. There were 36 of us. What fun. Of course one of the main attractions was Jackson Gerrald. I can't believe how he has grown. And he slept most of the time, even though he was passed around like a platter of ham.
The man himself, Mr. Jackson Gerrald. Look at those chubby cheeks.

Jackson with his very handsome brother, Logan.

Jackson and me

Jackson and his not too proud, Pappa. Yes, this little man is so loved. We have been too long without a little baby in our family.



Speaking of ham, man did we have the food. I don't know when we have had such a luscious variety. My contributions were the ham, potato salad and a to die for Maytag Blue Cheese Dip, and potato chips. Who knew so many people liked Blue Cheese?

We were blessed with the entire family, and a few friends, which we always make room for. Just so thankful for such a special day.

My kitchen table & catchup

Jackson and Heather have been home for a few weeks. Both are doing fantastic. Heather is just not wanting to go back to work, and boy, I don't blame her. Will see them this Sunday for Easter dinner. Will have to take some new pictures. I will share a picture I stole from his uncle Scott, don't tell him.

My moms are both doing very well. Don's mom has a prosthetic leg, and can stand very well on it. That woman still amazes me, she will be 98, July 31. My mom is good. Going to cardiac therapy, and the heart is getting stronger. Thank God constantly for them both.

This is my kitchen/dining table. I have owned this table for 30+ years. I was wiping it off the other day, and thought I should take a picture of it. This table has served thousands of meals, has been the place for hours of homework, has been the surface for hundreds of board games, been the place of endless conversations, and also been the place of tons of craft projects. As you can see, there are marker, pen, water color, glue, glitter, and probably a few things I have no clue about, marks everywhere. Someone asked me a few years ago if I was going to sand it down and redo the surface when I was done with day care. My answer, NO!!!! I love looking at these marks, and feeling the bumps of dried glue. It means that little people sat and had a ton of fun. Every time I wipe it down, I smile, knowing that there were so many masterpieces created at this table.

There are also marks at the other end from the apple peeler/slicer. Many Fall days have been spent with the kids, grand as well as others, going to the orchards, and coming home and peeling and slicing juicy apples.

There have been many homemade pizza crusts rolled out on this table. Pumpkin guts cleaned out, and then pumpkins carved, right at this table. Oh, and birthday parties, yes, lots of cupcakes eaten here.

I will own this table, until I take my last breath. I am not a fancy dinner party person. Occasionally I do cover it with a table cloth. I love this table, and if I could preserve it the way it is, I would. I never want to lose these marks. It means that there has been love, laughter, memories and joy in my home. That is what every home should contain.

Joy

I remember on Oprah, several years ago, she talked about Joy. What I mostly remember is that we need to find Joy and purpose. At the time, she talked about how so seldom find true JOY!! I knew at the time, and I still do, that I do know Joy. I know happiness, as most people do. Millions of things make us happy, but what gives you true JOY?

I know that growing up very poor, I found true Joy, in a reversible purple/purple floral patterned spring coat that my mom bought me when she worked at Scudder's Dept. store. It wasn't that I didn't have nice clothes, because mom was, and still is a professional seamstress. If there was anything I needed, mom would make it, better than what could be bought in the stores. But getting something store bought, was such a joy, esp. a beautiful coat like the one I got. To this day, the thought of that coat, makes me beam.

I also know that when you are 9 years old, and you have gotten to see your grandmother, grandfather and your 10 year old aunt, every single day, and all of the sudden, you don't know when you will see them next, is the most devastating thing that can happen to you. I knew my parents were divorcing, which didn't happen in Roland, Iowa, in 1957. That was fine, because I knew mom and us kids would be safe, finally. I wasn't afraid or worried about that. But not seeing my grandparents and my best friend every day was horrid. I do remember the JOY I felt every time I got to see them, after that day we moved away. That joy was felt every time I saw my grandmother, until her death, in 1998.

Yes, I have known JOY, many times in my life. My wedding day, the births of both of my girls, the births of my 5 grandchildren, and I could go on.

Joy is truly what I felt this past weekend. Spending Sat. with Cindy, was pure joy. Cindy was engaged to my brother, Gerry, when he was killed in 1974, in an auto accident. I have always loved Cindy, but we had lost touch. We have gotten back in touch over the last month or two, thanks to the internet. She came home this past weekend, and what a joy to be with her. It has been around 18 years or so, since we have seen each other. It sure won't be that long again.

On Sunday, my daughter Joan, two of her kids and I, went to Muscatine. Joan's childhood best friend, had the ceremony to receive her Habitat for Humanity house. Val was always my other daughter, and still is. Her boyfriend and Joan had been communicating and pretty much set up the whole surprise. It was the most amazing secret/surprise I have ever been a part of. She was in total shock. Spending the day with her and her family was total JOY! Seeing her face when she realized it was us, was so priceless.

Yes, I know JOY!!! I thank God that I know it. There is so much in this universe to be thankful for, and joyfull for. It won't fall in our laps, we have to look for JOY, and we have to make JOY. When you do, nothing will ever be the same. You will never look at anything the same again.