JD & Jackie get married

Wednesday November 23, 2011 was the wedding day for JD & Jackie. JD was home on leave and they had their "window of opportunity". Mom and I had planned Thanksgiving at our new home and Patty & Mike and Mick and Vic were coming to Lillian for 2011 Thanksgiving. We would have Patty, Mike, Mick, Vic, Ron, Jill, Matt, Mom and me for Thanksgiving. We were getting all excited and got the word from JD about their wedding...so we changed our plans and we all headed for Kentucky to the wedding. I crocheted 2 pillowcases with lace trim for JD & Jackie and then made a lace handky for Jackie (just in case she needed one for happy tears at the wedding). Mom painted a cross for them. The wedding was great and reception too. Afterward, we headed back to Evansville, IN to the hotel and the C a S i N o!!!! What a fun place to stay. We gambled and played and ate! We even had Thanksgiving Turkey at the hotel...all of us were together for Thanksgiving Day (as originally planned). Mick and Vic headed for home and Patty and Mike and Mom and I headed for Den and Cheri's in Nashville. Grant, Teri and Kali, Ethan and Abby were visiting so we got a bonus seeing them too! We spent a couple hours visiting and then headed to Kathy and Ernies in Boaz. Kyle was home on leave and brought Mason over for the day. Kathy and Ernie had a full turkey dinner waiting for us when we got there! We spent 2 nights there and then headed for home Sunday morning. All in all it was a full 5 days. A wedding, visits with all siblings, and seeing nieces and nephews and their babies!!! Lots we saw and much we enjoyed! I am so thankful for my family and the support they gave to JD & Jackie and the good Thanksgiving we had with each other. Much love, Jeanne

This year has been the "Year of the Hats!" Hope you have enjoyed receiving or looking at them. I have had a blast creating them. Some I had patterns for, others I made up myself. Ron was here one day and saw some of the baby hats I had made for Brylee Mae. He jokingly said, "gee maybe you should make a shark hat with teeth". He motioned to the top of his head and said "with the big top fin on top: then he motioned to the back of his head and said "you could put the big tail back here"! Well, I did! Sometimes I surprise myself. I had fun all year making them and that's about all that needs to be said !!! Love, Jeanne

Chad...Your life is on its way ! ! !

Chad is my 2nd youngest grandson. Wow and he's 18. They all are growing up. Chad's just finished high school and has the everything in the world to look ahead to. Living in Texas makes me envious. I have such great memories from living there. I liked being a Texan too ! Sweat Pea, I know your decisions that you'll be making in the next few months will matter most in your life. I also know that you have all the love and support from family. Hopefully you are cruising in Texas SAFELY ! ! ! LOL When you get your first set of "wheels" its a big deal and I think your life is just starting to open up to you. Your dad has your best interests at heart and I hope you will allow him to open his arms to you for this next stage of your life! Love you so much Sweat Pea ! Grandmaw !

J.D. The Gentle Giant...

I had to put the pictures up that amazed me. When I see how much you have grown over the years, it really surprises me that

you are no longer the little JD but you are a fine young man!

Being part of my grand kid's lives has meant the world to me. J.D. is my youngest grandson. He's always been very sensitive to other's needs and is very caring. He has gotten taller and seems to just keep growing. He's a Senior in High School now and I am always amazed at his gentleness and maturity. He has such a good head on his shoulders. He remembers everything, and for him the small things mean so much...like his dad's jacket. I love you guy and you have certainly filled my life with some great memories. Love, Momo

Great-GrandMOMO here I come!

I decided to get on Internet and find some websites that had crocheting for new babies. My granddaughter Desire' is expecting in November and they just found out it was a boy! I will then be a great-grandmother! Whew! I have a blanket ready but just wanted to "douse" the little munchkin in yarn!!!! Seems like when I'm crocheting I'm comfortable. It doesn't take too much to make me happy any more. 1. A comfortable couch "nest". 2. Yarn and an interesting project. 3. Gardening...even moving plants around in the yard has become fun. The yard has been doing a lot of evolving this summer. 4. A good cup of coffee in the morning (with my crème brulée creamer)! 5. Latte' nearby. 6. Knowing the family and loved ones are at peace and their worlds will survive. 7. Feeling I have a purpose. No matter how small or insignificant it seems...life has shown me that everyone shares something phenomenal with someone!

Here are 3 hats I have made for Christian during his first year !










<<<<>

My Mom with Great-Grandson Bryce

I wanted to share a few things about my mom. She is one of the strongest women I know. She raised 7 children and for that I am in awe. I remember the house was always in order; there was always a "homey" feeling and dinner was always served on time. We didn't have a lot when I was real young but when she made do...she made do !

She made time to sew summer outfits for herself and me. I think I always looked pretty spiffy. We went to church every Sunday morning. Can you imagine trying to get 7 kids dressed and ready for church at the same time? Whew! Makes me tired thinking about it.

Did I tell you my mom paints? She paints; yep, my mom is an artist. She's been painting for more years than she wants to think about. I love the style of painting she does and I love her "loose manner" of painting. Other painters are amazed how she relaxes while she paints, is so creative and paints so quickly. Her nickname is Polaroid Vada. Many times she has commented on not being a good artist. She's right...she's not a good artist; she's a GREAT artist !

I like being around her, which is nice to know. When you finally grow up enough to realize that your mom is your friend too, now that's a gift. I once remember whining (as an adult) that I just couldn't get things done. I always had lists; I talked about how much I had to do. Not her. Mom DID her lists quietly and gracefully.

Oh, did I tell you that my mom is 85 years old and a knockout ! She still paints 3 days a week with 3 different art groups, then volunteers at the local library. She occasionally teaches at home. Most of the people that come to her home are her close friends and they all just enjoy painting together. Painting Buddies.

Well, I think I have the best mom in the world. She's beautiful, special, peaceful, active, loving and a teacher. I hope when I grow up I can be just like her !

In fact...I probably will be.

The Apple Don't Fall Far From The Tree ! ! !

Kathy You Have Courage ! ! !

Kathy is 15 years younger than me. DUH that makes her 48 years old. OOOOPPPPPSSSS Sorry Kat, I just let the Kat out of the bag ! ! ! Puny of me huh?

How many people would be willing to take on the task of being a mother to their grandkiddos ...Not me! Kathy yes. She's had more than a year with her three rambunctious grandmunchkins ! She is still sane !

She's kept alive the youthful spirit that all children need from their Grammys! She plays with them on the floor, takes them outside to swing, and even has the courage to know "its okay" to have water balloon fights. She amazes me with her youthful manner. I'm sure the grandmunchkins are tickled that someone loves playing so freely with them.

Kathy also has a handi-capped son, works full-time, is married to a great guy, Ernie and has a son in the Army readying for deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. After doing all she needs to, she's also a left-handed self-taught crocheter. Loves making afghans for the grandmunchkins, nieces and anyone else that she loves. She's a rock and I'm proud of her. I have a hunch she might not be quite the rock she acts like but as long as the kiddos have the stability they need, I guess Kat's ROCKing OK !!!

Patty You Are So Amazing

Late October 2008, my sister Patty was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through her chemo and radiation in November, December, January and February. Mom and I were able to be there with her during her initial surgery and her first 2 rounds of chemo. What a whirlwind and what a warrior she is. She sailed, as she always does, and made it through with her optimisim, her laughter, her gentle spirit but not her hair ! Its now September so she has been finished with her "medical part" for 1/2 a year ! She still has all her great personality and now is getting some hair. She is 18 years younger than I am and she is filled with such an accepting attitude. She once said in advising me of some of my frustrations with life, "Follow directions and just keep moving even if you don't like it." Patty's quote. It is that easy for her I guess. I'm glad she said those words to me. That quote has gotten me through many troubled times. She's a keeper!

LATTE' My Missing Friend

This is a sad post for me to write. It has taken almost a year to write. Last year Latte' started having seizures. She was hospitalized for 3 days to stablize the meds and then she was able to come back home. They had discovered she had a brain tumor. I had missed her so while she was hospitalized; I knew I wanted her here with me and I would give her the best life that was left. Within a week, she started constant seizures. She was in so much pain...her eyes looked like she just didn't know what was happening to her body. She looked frantic. I had to take her to the vet to be put down. She was only 8 years old and it is coming up on her 1 yr anniversary of her death, September 15, 2008. I miss her...I always will.

A Card from Desire' Touched My Heart

Desire' sent a card yesterday that said " I wish we lived closer to each other...It's hard to share a good hug over the phone." What a surprise and blessing. She's been feeling pretty good, said moody! Still due November 2nd...a boy!!! My first Great-Grandchild ! ! ! WOW

Since she told me in April, I have been non-stop crocheting and knitting! He has a new yellow afghan, blue sweater hoodie and pants, and a pair of black and white high-top tennis shoes (like the old fashioned basketball shoes). Crocheted with # 10 crochet thread. They are amazing! I am really having a blast! I went out today and bought $50 in yarn for another afghan! I'm going to try to design one that has a four-wheeler on it! Wish me luck! Its been a lot of years since there was a baby around here. JD is the youngest grandson and he is 15! I'm including a picture of the high-tops! Hope you all enjoy them!

Pill came for my Birthday ! ! !

Pill just left. We had a great time visiting downtown Pensacola and beyond!!! Here's a good one of us downtown with one of the locals!

The Fourth of July brings an extra bang for me !

Pill comes every year for my birthday on July 6th. She came on the 4th this year so we had a little extra time. We went to an old fashioned BBQ in Lillian and had BBQ beef, sausage, corn on the cob, baked beans, grilled onions/peppers. They could have rolled me out of the place and back into my car! Then we headed for the beach to watch fireworks after dark. They were better than last year ! We picked a different part of the beach and it was more fun and there were more fireworks. There were so many individuals that were shooting off their own and we ended up surrounded by noise and lights and colors !!! What a way to celebrate our country's independence. Pill said "It was spectacular"! We sat for two and a half hours and just watched in silence! What a fun way to start her visit. Rachel is in Alaska and said the fireworks start about midnight. Mandy is home with Rachel's puppy.

It's Sunday...Matthew just left

Matt stayed last night and we talked about his writing. He left early for home to start his newest novel! I'm excited. Matt has so many great ideas. He inspires me to be better. When he spends the night with me we talk about everything and nothing! Its funny how that happens. We love popping popcorn and watching movies. If its not a movie, we usually chat about his school or friends. It just is so easy with him; he feels comfortable and natural. I also realize how much I admire him. He listens to advice that he is given but takes the time to do his own research. Once he feels he has all the information he needs...then he makes his decision. Great kid, great memories and wonderful grandson. Oh, by the way, did I ever tell you that he gave me the special name MOMO for Grandma? What a joy!

Okay Family and Friends!

I got courageous enough to post my blog today around 4:00 PM. It's 11:51 PM. Someone write something back. Let me know what you think and how YOU feel!

Love, Jeanne

I AM BRAVE...Here is my bucket list !

1. Continue to spend lots of time w/ my "sunshine" MATTHEW! DOING !!
2. Drive Route 66 (except for the detours that make you drive off it).
3. Visit the northeast during Autumn. Would like to go this fall with Pill! Maybe we can do # 24 and some # 5 !!! ????
4. Revisit the Grand Canyon (I was there when I was 6 years old). Donkey ride to the base and camp.
5. Visit 100 lighthouses (I probably won't have to beg Pill to do this)
6. Revisit Sequoia Forest Reserve (since I was 6)
7. Go to Europe in sections: Britain, Ireland (kiss the Blarney Stone), Scotland; Amsterdam, Venice, Rome, France;Spend one year in Tuscany.
8. Go to the Holy Land one day when it feels safe.
9. See Stonehenge and Easter Island
10. Visit the Pyramids in Egypt.
11. See the pyramids in southern Mexico.
12. Learn Spanish. si, ole, gratias, (working)
13. Lose 15 pounds
14. Build an ICP house (with self-sustaining features).
15. Finish all my photobooks.
16. Stomp grapes for wine with my feet (Italy)?
17. Get all my VCR's converted to DVD - Did the most important ones, continuing
18. Make a collection of all my videos and compile for my children and family
19. Drive the USA in a camper and visit all my relatives while vacationing the whole trip.
20. Go to San Diego Zoo - visit the naval station there.
21. Go to the Smithsonian and the White House and the Pentagon
22. Go to DisneyLand
23. Have fun with Jill like we used to.
24. Drive to Pennsylvania and see where Doug died.
25. Find something really significant that I can do that will truly be life altering for someone. Matt told me about a gift I had given him while we talked one evening. It changed his perspective about God in a way that I had not even known. God, you gave me this one and for that I am grateful.
26. Take a cruise: Went thru Panama Canal, Cartegena, Costa Rica, Aruba & Jamaica. Loved every moment of it and want to spend more time in each country
27. Spend as much time as I want crocheting! I love it and can't get enough. Making hats has been my passion lately and I would love to make more and different ones! If you know what you would like, let me know!

The bucket list begins

Me, I spent the night watching movies with my grandson and talking about the future. Wishes and hopes that we both have. Then we discussed and laughed because we said it at the same time..."We need to make up a bucket list". Well, Matt followed through. He went home and made up a blank bucket list with 2 pages to fill in!!! I have been working on mine and its amazing the number of things you put off because "there will be tomorrow". I won't live my life like that ever again. Today is the day to live and enjoy all the excitement this world has to offer. Matt, we will have to go over our lists later on and see how many are the same. Maybe I'll even post mine...I'll see how brave I am. Hope you all have bucket lists and will share them with me!



Jeanne