THREE YEARS OF SADNESS

 I’m Back.  I completely forgot about my blog but now it’s time to get going again.  So much has happened since the last post on this blog.  I really don’t know where to begin but I will try.  Here goes:

My friend Pam, who was the only one who knew I was doing this blog,  and the only comment on it was from her, passed away.  She battled cancer for 10 years and on October 31 (Halloween) 2019 She passed away, and I miss her so much.  She and I loved to Kayak, and enjoy things like Cades Cove nature trails.  Since she passed I have not did any of those things.  I have no one that does it so sometimes I really miss her and our adventures. I got to spend a week with her the week before she passed to celebrate her last earthly birthday which was October 14th .  My point is that everyone should cherish their friends and family because we never know when their time or our time is up.  

I lost my first sibling on October 23, 2020.  My brother Wayne was a beautiful soul.  He really cared about his family.  Who worked hard all his life to raise a family and he did without himself just so they had what they needed.  I miss him every day.

I lost my next sibling on July 5, 2021.  I guess that was the hardest thing I went through.  David and I were very close.  We grew up making mud pies in a washtub.  Boy were they delicious.  Lol. He was my play buddy and we had a lot of plans to visit people and family that were never come to fruition.  That’s why we shouldn’t put things off.  One day can mean a lot when it comes to memories. 

My next heartbreak was losing my oldest brother.  He was a hard worker and the first in our family to go to work.  When he did he helped my Mom and Dad to get by sometimes.  He was born for business and was a very successful man.  He was more like a father figure to me most of my life.  He was my last Santa Claus.. He passed away November 26, 2022.  It’s hard losing a brother a year for 3 years straight.  

I have a lot more to say but I will do that another day.  Believe me, I’ll be back if God is willing.

Much Love to everyone that reads this.

BUSY TIME OF YEAR

IT SEEMS LIKE CHRISTMAS WAS JUST LAST WEEK, AND HERE IT IS UPON US AGAIN. THIS YEAR WE SHOULD HAVE A NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY. OUR GRANDDAUGHTER IS PREGNANT WITH OUR 2ND GREAT GRANDSON WHICH IS DUE ON DECEMBER 23RD. IT SEEM LIKE THE GRANDKIDS BIRTHDAYS ALL REVOLVE AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.
OUR GRANDDAUGHTER WAS BORN 7-3 SO SHE IS OUR JULY 4TH HOLIDAY. OUR GREAT GRANDSON AIDAN WAS BORN 11-28 THUS INCLUDING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. NOW THE NEW BABY, KELLAN GAGE ? WILL BE OUR CHRISTMAS BABY. WE HAVE ANOTHER GRANDDAUGHTER BORN FEB 8TH, SO I GUESS SHE COULD BE CONSIDERED THE VALENTINE CHILD. I LOVE THEM ALL AND CAN'T SEEM TO GET ENOUGH OF THEM.
IT IS GOING TO BE A BUSY AND EXCITING WAY TO END THE YEAR.

MY NEW TOY

I have finally come into the day of new technology. I recently purchased an iphone. I told myself that they were stupid and a waste of money when they first came out. What was I thinking? It is one of the most awesomest (quoting a grandchild here) purchases I have made in a long time. I absolutly love it. I will never be without one again. I actually have a mini computer with me at all times. Why didn't someone tell me that it did all this stuff.

Never again to be away from my msgs, friends, emails, contact list and I will never be lost again because it can give me direction.

I simply had to have the white one, even though it was more money. Why would I pay more money for a white one when I carry it in a black leather case? Does anyone see the logic in that? I think I actually chose it before I realized that I needed a case for it because it is a little slippery in your hands without one.

My husband and I have been listening to an audio book on it while driving to work each morning. Yes, it plays (with the adapter) right through the car speakers. It is wonderful.

It starts playing each time where you left off the day before. I have now become a huge fan of audio book

REMEMBERING WHERE WE BEGAN

WE THINK WE HAVE IT PRETTY HARD UNTIL WE LOOK BACK TO OUR HUMBLE BEGINNINGS. THIS IS MY LITTLE BROTHER AND I AT ABOUT 2 AND 5 YEAR OLD. I REMEMBER THIS AS A GOOD TIME. ONE OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WAS TO MAKE MUD PIES IN THE WASH TUB IN OUR BACK YARD. AS YOU CAN SEE IT WAS NOT A NICE GREEN GRASSY LAWN THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE TODAY BUT IT WAS OUR BACK YARD. THERE WAS LOTS OF LOVE OF FAMILY BACK THEN AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO ACTUALLY HAVE TOYS TO PLAY WITH. WE CREATED OUR PLAY THINGS WITH STICKS, MUD OR WHATEVER WAS AVAILABLE.



FAMILY WAS A BIG PART OF GROWING UP. WE ALWAYS HAD COUSINS, AUNTS AND UNCLES AROUND TO SHOW THEIR LOVE. FAMILYS TODAY DON'T SOCIALIZE WITH EACH OTHER LIKE THEY DID WHEN I WAS GROWING UP. THERE IS A LOT OF BICKERING AMONGST FAMILIES. I MISS THE GOOD OLE DAYS WHEN THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS. THIS PICTURE IS OF ME AND MY COUSIN JIMMY AND JAMES. JIMMY AND I GREW UP VERY CLOSE. WE WERE THE SAME AGE. I USED TO LOOK FORWARD TO GOING ON OUR SUMMER VACATION TO VIST THEM IN WEST TENNESSEE. WE SPENT A WEEK THERE EVERY SUMMER PICKING BLACKBERRIES AND HAVING FAMILY TIME. .

LITTLE THINGS

It is the little things in life that seem to make me happy. My son gets a big kick out of my thrill over small things. That is the main reason I decided to do this blog. He met my sister, Pam & I in Gatlinburg on one our girl's week-ends a few years
back. We went on a little (notice I used the word little) shopping spree. As we shopped, he was very amused at the thrill we got when coming across a mini canister set that matched the large one I had. As we continued to shop, I found some other small item. When he seen mine and my sisters reaction, he couldn't control him self. Every time since then, he smiles each time I pick up some tiny item. I think he is reflecting on that first trip that gave him such pleasure. I am very much drawn to small items. I have a mini book collection that I haven't read, but just think they are so cute. I also have a set of mini book ends to hold them up.

When I saw this mini harmonica, I just had to have it. It is called the Little Lady. As you can see, it only measures 1-1/2". It is a Hohner, just like my larger harmonicas. You can actually play songs on it. Of course it doesn't have the range that the other ones have, but who cares. It is so cute that
it doesn't have to play a wide variety. My son hasn't seen this yet but I know when he does, he is going to absolutely crack up. I don't think they make harmonica holders this small but that would really be a hoot.

These are only the material things that make me happy. There is much more to life than the material gains.
My appreciations go much deeper than that. I guess, all the other things stem from love. When I receive a special little note, card or email, it warms my heart. A comment or a "how are you doing today?" plays its role. I especially love a smile, or a hug, but a wink really touches my heart. That is just a little thing but it gives me great pleasure.

Don't ask me why. I think God must have created me that way because he knew I would
never have money to buy big or expensive things. That's okay though, because I have so
much in this world. I have a wonderful family and a few special friends. I have two beautiful granddaughters and a handsome little great grandson who is more precious to me than a barrel full of money. I hope I live to enjoy his little offspring some day. Well enough about me and my little things in life. The next time your discouraged and feel down- REMEMBER IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT MEAN THE MOST. READ MY OTHER BLOG POST AND TRY TO ESCAPE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU UNHAPPY.

TAKE TIME TO KICK BACK AND RELAX

I HAVE COME TO THINK THAT EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE KICK-BACK TIME TO SIP ON A BEVERAGE AND LOSE THEIR CARES IN A NICE MIXED DRINK. ON NEW YEARS EVE, MY FRIEND PAM WHO LIVES IN EAST TENNESSEE DID SHOT VIA LONG DISTANCE. WE SET A TIME AND GOT ON THE COMPUTERES AND TOASTED EACH OTHER AT THE SAME TIME. PRETTY CREATIVE, HUH? OF COURSE ONE WASN'T ENOUH SO WE HAD TO MAKE A TOAST TO SOMEONE ELSE. IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. I SAY ONCE A MONTH YOU SHOULD HAVE A DRINK WITH A FRIEND. THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM, JUST THE SAME UNIVERSE. HERES TO SETTING THE STAGE FOR A NEW TRADITON.

HEALTY 2009

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET GOING WITH A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER ME. IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY THE WAY WE GIVE OUR BODIES A ROLLER COASTER RIDE WITH THE WAY WE CONSTANTLY GO FROM DIET TO NON DIET AND EXERCISE TO NO EXERCISE. THIS YEAR I AM GETTING ON A MORE CONSTANT. EAT MORE VEGETABLES, LESS SWEETS AND TAKE MY VITAMINS AND MINERALS. ITS GONNA BE A GOOD YEAR. I AM ALSO GOING TO TRY TO LIMIT MY CAFFINE BUT CAFFINE IS MY WEAKNESS (THAT IS COFFEE) SO IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG CHALLENGE FOR ME. MAYBE BLOGGING WILL KEEP ME MOTIVATED.