Stormy day

Today started calm but before long it was windy and stormy, They was calling for tornados but we only got very strong winds. It did rain so hard.
We had a quiet day, only Maranda was here and Tony came and picked her up at about 12 to go to her other grandma's. We wnt and played dominoes,we played 2 games and then we all had to quit and get our hair washed for Sunday. We all have long hair , so it takes a long time to dry.

Coy and I were home for a quiet evening at home.

Sunday morning,got up and went to church,we decided we would get a group together and go to Dixie Cafe to eat, we had coupons for 2/12.99. That is a good price. I ask the pastor if we could take the van. there was 12 of us going. I called and told them how many and what time we would be there, but we still had to wait for about 30 minutes. The meal and the price was worth waiting for.
We got home about 4 and had to be back at church at 6, in which no time for a nap.
The weather was much nicer than Saturday.

Got word that they did unplug Charlene,She was a beautiful person inside and out.
The funeral is wednesday and Coy has a dr. appt. for his ears, that he has got to keep, trying to change it for today and that would solve a lot. We will go to the visitation and stay the night with Roy if we can change the appt. Just talked with him. Things can get so jumbled up and everything happen at the same time.

Have a great week and God Bless You All.

DAY AFTER

This has been a lazy day,dark dreary,rainy and foggy part of the day. We set and watched movies,some old some new. The girls slept until about 11:30 maybe later.
"We already had plenty cooked to eat so we did't have to cook.

Checked on Charlene today, Jim said she died at home and they brought her back and she was just laying there in the hospital knowing nothing.

Went and got Pam this afternoon, they gave her antibiotic and sent her home. I'm glad.

It is bedtime for me, I am so tired not enough sleep last night. So good night and may the Lord Bless you.

Last Hour of Christmas Day

Well another Christmas Day come and gone. Only a few more minutes. We have had a wonderful day.

It begin by Rochell inviting us to their house for breakfast. She had her Mom and Dad, some of Tony old friends there and us of course.

We had scrambled eggs,bacon,sausage,chocolate grave,brown gravy, mixed fresh fruit, jelly filled yeast bread roll, biscuits,hash browns , coffee,juice and milk. It was so good. I did't have to cook for one thing.
Hopefully we burned some old bridges today.

It was good to see one of our old friends,we have not seen for a long time.

We came back home and I finished my stuffing for my cream puffs, I stuffed them with ham and chicken salad. Coy and I got everything ready and set and relaxed for a while. We watched a movie and almost went to sleep, just enjoying the peace and quiet.

Coy took Pam to the hospital she has another hematoma in her buttock, they kept her, her white count was high so she has an infection. Put her back on IV antibiotic. I also got a call about one of our cousins Charlene Thomason who had a massive heart attack and is in real bad shape .She is a very sweet person and has been in bad health for a long time. Please pray for her. Briauna came in last night and hugged me and said mamaw this is the worst christmas ever. I told her it could be much worse and be thankful for that.


Well all the gang finally got here about 7PM. When they all got here with their food we had so much, every counter was full. We took some pictures of our setting, especially the raisin pie, Sue this is for you. I enjoyed the family all being here. We had lots of laughs and the kids had a ball together, that is what Christmas is all about. Maranda and Briauna is spending the night. It is midnight and we are going to bed, maybe they will sleep late tomorrow. Nancy was here first, she always is the first to arrive and the last to leave. Her and I always have the clean up and we always have the most food fixed. I don't know what I would do without her. She is so much help.

I talked with my brothers and sisters and wished them a Merry Christmas,except Sue which was on the road preparing for a joyous occassion. Picking up her family at the airport. Roy had a bad day today with the loss and his health is not too good.

We received an iron sign with our address on it, for our front yard and oh yes Sue I got my coffee grinder, I told Nancy my sister had a big mouth. HA and I knew where that come from.

HAVE A BLESSED NIGHT AND MANY TO COME

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Time to get up it is Christmas, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE

Maranda and I was trying to think of John Lennon song yesterday and find the words .So it is Christmas. Thank you Sue. I think it is beautiful.
Well I have got more things to fix for our meal tonight. I make little cream puffs and stuff them with chicken salas, tuna salad and ham salad. They are so good and a good finger food. Everyone will be eating other places today so I don't think there will be much eat here tonight. I baked a raisin pie,made a cherry cheese cake, seven bean dip, cheese ball and got everything ready for my cream puffs. It will be a busy day, but it is christmas.

Lots of happy kids waking up to new bicycles,skate boards,all kinds of electronic games and just about anything their hearts desire. Some will not get what they ask for because the economy is so bad, but I pray God will comfort their hearts and let them appreciate what they get.
Sue I know you are looking forward to your family being there and such a joyous time. Take care and not do too much, but I know you. We were raised to do everything so that is what we do. Go overboard sometimes don't we.

I got phone calls yesterday from our neighbors and they told me how much they appriciated our goodies and how they missed them last year. I was too sick to do that last year and that is the first year I had missed since we moved here.

LOVE TO ALL

THERE GOES SANTA

Well I finally got to baking, like you Sue I have not felt good lately and my nerves are shot. I guess I will get through the holidays, all the " racket " noise gets to me. It is a time for family so I will have to relax with help and enjoy it.

I baked all day today and my santa delivered my goodies next door. It was an enjoyable day after I got myself settled down. Maranda was changing her fish bowl in the bathroom and I told her to not drop the rocks back in, well guess what happen, she broke the bowl and I dont have anything to put the fish in now. Tomorrow I will have to find something. We will make do until then.

Well I got started, fixed breakfast and begin making cookies, breads,candy, it has been an all days job.
First I made pumpkin bread then mincemeat bread and got all that in the oven to bake. I made small loafs , muffins and regular loaves. Then I made a batch of skillet cookies and almond bark peanut butter candy. Got them finished one at a time then I made a batch of Amish cookies. something about them was not quite right but they was real good just not quite as crunchy. By that time my bread was ready to all be taken our of the oven. I had already removed the small loaves and had them cooling on the racks. Yesterday I made 2 batches of almond roaka. One batch was great the other one the butter seperated, I don't know why it was the same kind of butter. That batch looks different but taste real good. I bet it will be eat.

I begin to put my plates together for the assisted living home next door so my santa claus could make his delivery. I place some of the candy in baking cups to help keep them divided. I made 13 plates. I used a real pretty christmas paper plate

Coy put his santa suit on and here he went. He really looked good and I sure the elderly people really enjoyed it to see santa coming to their door. When he returned he needed 2 more plates so Maranda put them together for me. He wrote down the # of the apartment where no one was home. So he will try again tomorrow. I'm glad he will do things like that for me.

So glad I got that job over with, even though I enjoy it, it is very tiring and lots of work. Next year I will probable do loafs of bread. They appreciate it so much. It was so cold today, not above freezing so a good day to bake.

Good night everyone and have a blessed day tomorrow

CHRISTMAS STORIES

This is the story Maranda told me, We were talking about Santa Claus and she said Mamaw I don't believe in Santa anymore, I ask her why, she said I know it is your mother and daddy that gives you the gifts, I told her when she does not believe it is not as much fun. There needs to be a little make believe . She went on to say I do believe in the tooth fairy. I ask her why she believed in the tooth fairy and not Santa Claus. Her quote was I know my mother would not give me that much money just for one tooth so there has to be a tooth fairy.





She has mentioned to me several times about her dad telling her he loved her. On his birthday she was over here and she could not wait to tell him Happy Birthday. She got up and waited until she knew he was up and she called. "Happy Birthday" she said and "I love you". When she got off the phone she said "I dont' remember my dad telling me he loved me before. He must have told her he loved her too. She was so surprised and it broke my heart to know he does not tell her that. She needs to hear that everyday. Ever child needs to hear that every day and many times a day. Surely he has told her that before but this has made a big impression on her. She has mentioned that many times since then.

I always tell my children and grand children I LOVE THEM when they come and before they leave. I want them to know that and never forget that their Mamaw loves them very much.

Last year was a very hard christmas without the kids. It is such a difference when you don't have little ones around on christmas morning. The year Tony first came home he was here, then the next we was invited to their house at 4:30 in the morning to open presents and we had a big breakfast. Last year we could not do that for unknown reasons. We have friends to come over or we will go to their house. We are having our family christmas late evening on Christmas day. it will be fun I'm sure. Nancy's boys are fun especially Rocky.

BEAUTIFUL DAY

It has been a beautiful day, 66 degrees, after a week of freezing rain, rain, cold, windy and all kinds of weather. It is suppose to be in the 60's tomorrow. Maybe we can finish raking our leaves.
I ask Coy to clean around the back door and what did he do go blow a few leaves from the walkway that is all. So I got out there and blew all the leaves away from the yard and driveway, The computer is more important, He is so addicted to playing games that nothing is important.
He loves to play games and drink coffee.
When I start something he will finish it. He is so good about that, he just dont see anything to do.
So I give up if he hasnt learned in 50 years what needs to be done, I might as well give up.

I made a trip to Pine Blluff today, was suppose to have a Dr. appointment, for a stress test. but to my surprise it is the 29th. The Dr. office that set it up told me the wrong date. So I thought I would shop but the electricity was off at the mall and the whole east side of town. I do not know what was wrong so it was a wasted day. Didn't accomplish a thing in Pine Bluff. Had a few things I needed to pick up.

I got Maranda pillow finished it turned out good. Went and bought some poly fil and it was not bleached, just a gray dirty look. So that has been my day.

Tomorrow , going to bed I am tired tonight, can't think straight.

WEATHER IN ARKANSAS

The weather in Arkansas is so unpredictable and probably in Oklahoma also HUH Sherri.
From Little Rock north it is icy but in Sheridan it is all clear, drizzling rain but not icy. I have washed 3 loads of clothes this morning and have got 1 more load to fold, alittle ironing. I have been sewing in between. We are going to a luncheon in grapevine at 10:30. It is at the Wilson mill. The lady who owns it is in our aerobics class, so we are invited. They serve about 500 every year. It is so nice.

Yesterday was a full day, aerobics, picking up after the girls from the weekend. They change clothes about as ofter as they turn around, HA HA . They spent the night with Nancy friday night and back over here at noon saturday. Saturday night we had the kids christmas party at our church and they attended that. So I at least had a break.

Kiefer called last night and wanted us to take them to eat at Pizza Pro tonight. On tuesday they have kids night, free kids meals all you can eat with adults meal, which is a real good deal for us. We get ours for $3.99 each. so for 10 dollars 5 can eat. I do not know if we will go or not the weather might not co-operate.

Tomorrow Coy goes to the ear specialist in LR. Thursday we go eat at the Texas Roadhouse with Hope's Faithful group. Friday I have a stress test. So we have a very busy week.
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU

This Day 38 years ago

I will never forget that day when Tony and Sherri was born. It was a blessed day with 2 babies being born 18 minutes apart.

I started the day before when Sue went in the hospital, she was early. She called and ask me if I would keep Charles and Kenny, that the Dr. was putting her in the hospital because she was having problems and had had many times. My three, James Nancy and Pam was all in school and it would be no problem keeping them.

The next morning I knew I was going to have to go in the hospital and did'nt know quiet what to do. I got mine off to school. I had to make arrangements for Charles and Kenny. Thank the Lord for Bro. and Sis. Yarbrough who lived next door. I lefts for the hospital about 9:30 that was plenty of time.

Sue and I shared the same labor room and was next door from each other to have our babies. She had hers first and 18 minutes later I had mine. It was an easy birth. We could hear each other in the other room. We talked the whold way thru.

We shared the same room in the hospital, Coy and David worked at the same place , we had the same insurance and we also used the same Doctor, his name was Dr. Whitehead. The Dr. and nurses was amazed and we was the talk of the Hospital, two sisters,married two brothers and had their babies the same day.

Later when we were filling out the birth certificates we realized we were giving them the same middle name. Sherri Lynn and Tony Lynn. The nurses made the remark many times, they was glad we had different sex babies. Coy and David were brothers and the babies had the same last name also.

Later that day we called Mother, Sue spoke first and told her about Sherri and then she said someone else wants to talk and she handed the phone to me and I told her about Tony. There was a big write up in the headlight about Mother receiving 2 christmas gifts. The family that was renting our house worked for the paper and he was responsible for the write up.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONY AND SHERI

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a time of JOY but for many people it is a time of seeing who can out give everyone else. To me it is a time of sharing my talents God gave me. My baking, making candy,cookies,fudge and all kinds of goodies is my way of saying Merry Christmas.

The economy is so bad this year but as long as you have food to eat and a place to sleep that is all that counts. There is some who do not have that. It is so sad to me. Last year I gathered up some sheets, blankets,comforters and other things I had just laying around here and gave them to some mexicans so they could be warm. That is the one joy I have is giving.

I wonder how the christmas was when Jesus was a child and growing up. Was he like us and our children. What was it like.

There is so many memories of our childhood and christmas, for weeks we could smell the fruit in the attic (at that time we didn't know where it was) but we could smell it. It was a joy at christmas, we usually got a doll and a new pair of shoes. The boys got a truck. The last christmas Daddy was with us I received a Musical Jewelry Box. I still have it today. The music has just about stopped. It is 52 years old. I plan on taking it to a shop and see if I can get that fixed. There is a shop in Hot Springs. It still looks good and I cherish it.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

December 10,2008

Time is flying bye and so much to do, it takes me forever to get anything done. I use to work real fast but not anymore. But it is CHRISTMAS and I have got decoration to put up we finally got our porch done, snowman and raindeer out in the yard. We plan to decorate our spruce tree if we ever get the time. We spent all day today going here and there. We had to go talk to a lady about our insurance and some changes we want to do. We also picked Kiefer and Maranda at school and took them to get their flu shots at Pine Bluff, came back and took Kiefer to his two doctors here in town, went to eat and tonight was church night also.
Tomorrow Coy and I have Eye appointments. Friday I have the Class of 59 party to go to. It will be fun.
Pam got out of the Hospital yesterday, she looks awful, skin and bones and so pale. She looks like she is 90 years old.

Sue I have been quilting quite a bit, but I have had my machine adjusted, now I have got to take my singer in for adjustments and a good cleaning. Went and bought some more material for Maranda quilt today and started her pillow. Just wanted to make sure I would have enough material.

Coy goes to an ear specialist next week the 17. Will be glad to know what they are going to do about all the infection in there.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, DON't WANT TO EVER FORGET THAT.

50 YEARS AGO TODAY

December 8,1958



The next day Coy came and picked me up and we went back to Aunt Dovies where they would call when the Western Union came in. We set on the porch a lot and just talked. About 1:PM Mother called and told me to get home and not to come back the way I left. I did not know what she was talking about until I got home. Aunt Sylvia had come over and told her I was sitting in Coys lap (that was a no no in those days} when we left. I could not have been, he was driving. About 4 PM we got the message and his dad's conscent to get married. We were married by JP his name was AJ Speck and was on our way to California about 6:30 PM. I set in Coy's lap nearly all the way to California, there was no place else to sit. There was five (5) Kids and (4) Adults but kids at heart. That was a wonderful day to be with the man I loved and had for a long time. I thought it would never happen, he had so many girls after him, but it did. It was just ment to be.

When we got in Little Rock Jim (Coy's brother) drove under a low bridge and wiped everything off the top of the car. What a mess. They got all that put back up and we was on the road again. Later that night we stopped to rest, if you know what I mean, I was walking up toward the station and Coy was staying in the car I thought, but actually he sneaked up behind me and picked me up and thru me up in the air but when I came down he got a surprise, I slapped him so hard. He almost hit me with is fist. He said you better never do that again, well maybe once or twice. There I was far away from home which I had never been and in a foreign land "as far as I was concerned" He scared me so bad. He never did that again.

There is many stories I am going to tell about our first few months of marriage. It was a real trip, good times and bad.
24 hours after we was married we had a wreck in Amorilla Texas. NEXT BLOG

OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE

Saturday November 6,2008





It was the night of old fashion christmas on the square, as it has been since we were kids, Sue talked about it in her blog the other day in Memories. Well times has changed, lots more decorations, stores,more expensive stores like the latest fashions, Buffys which carries the most expensive formal ware, real elaborate decorated beauty shops 2 or 3 on every block, antique shops , resale shops, and a decorated court square like never before. They have improved the looks of the square. And Sue Santa Claus came this year in a VOLKSWAGON, can you believe that. He was standing up through the sunroof of a VW. The parade was pretty neat. They had an airplane that was made of wire and each wire was lined with lights, the propellers was twirling with lights and it was the size and look like a real airplane. They also had a train engine and car that was on wheels. That was so neat. I dont think Maranda got a picture of that but maybe it will be in the headlight. Each store opens and serves Hot chocolate (WHICH IS THE OLD FASHION KIND HOME MADE) Hot cider, cookies and all kilnds of snacks. They also have a booth that has Chili.


Saturday Maranda , Coy and I went through toys and carried them to the masonic lodge, Toys for Tots donation. They serve Soups and Chili with all the trimmings, including dessert. You donate toys and have lunch. Coy and I do that every year. Sheridan always has something going. I heard so many people commenting on that last night.. Our neighbors has the Old Sheridan Supply store fixed up with all kinds of Christmas trees, We are going to take a tour this year when we have our brother and sister get together. This will be after the first of the year. Probably will be the 3rd of January. They have my aluminum tree and some old things I gave them, wooden spools and old thread items. I also gave them some old christmas decorations. It is really unique the way they have the trees decorated. Cookie cutters, Hershey, sewing, outdoor, doughboy, and many more, they even have a old outhouse fixed up.





50 Years ago

Today fifty years ago Coy and I was waiting on a Western Union reply from Coy's dad with his permission to get married. We went shopping at Pine Bluff with Retha and David. On our way over there the hood of Coy's old car blew off, he just left it on the side of the road and we picked it up on the way back.

The rest of the day we spent at Aunt Dovies waiting. It did not come, they could not find his dad. He stayed drunk so much of the time and at his friends house.

Old Times

December 6,2008

Where did the time go to December is here and so much to do. I was doing my wash this morning and begin thinking about all the things we reminnice about when we were in California.

James crawled in a doghouse after church one sunday and we hunted him for a hour or more.
We just knew someone had kidnapped him and was about to call the police when he came crawling out of the dog house near our house. We lived next door to the church. It is a terifying moment to think one of your children was kidnapped. The church was in a slum of Redding and a lot of people lived past the church.

There was another incident with James while we lived there, with Gas. He drank some gas and could barely breath. Him and charles, we smelled the gas on their breath but James had acturally drank some, so we took him to the emergency room. Charles had only put it up to his mouth he was OK. That James he was a mess and would try anything. He was also very allergic to Poison Oak and anyone who burned it around us, in which they did often, we would have to take him and get a shot. His eyes would swell, his whole face turn red, his tongue swelled. At times his whole body would break out, He has outgrew that and I am glad because he stays in the woods, hunting, fishing, trapping. Him and his 3 boys are very active in those things.


Sue,David,Coy and I was very close during those times, what one did we did together, them was the good old days. We didn't have much money but we loved each other and had some good times together. It was so good to visit and talk about all these times.

When Coy and I first married, our pal around couple was Retha (coys sister) and her husband David which was a nut. We lived in San Fransisco for a few weeks with Jim and Modest and 5 kids. which was not bad. In January we moved to Red Bluff where Coy's dad lived, Coy could not find a job in San Francisco. So we moved in with his dad and I did the cooking for him. It was a big old house. He always had his friends in everyday so I spent a lot of time at Retha's. Coy got a job at the paper mill and we moved out in a very small house back behind another house. We had saved up 18 silver dollars from odd jobs he had. It was so cute, wish I had pictures but I didn't even own a camera. There might be some somewhere because Calvin (that is Modest brother )and his daughter came to visit us and he took some pictures. I do not remember the address. It was near the railroad tracks. I thought I would never get use to the trains, coming from the country where it was quiet. It was very country in Arkansas where I grew up.

I will tell you some of the stories of some of the crazy thing we use to do and had so much fun doing them. Have got to go and get busy , so much to do tree to put up, yards to sweep, I did some yesterday, so we will finish today. We decorate our porch, so I have got to get that done. We usually put lights on our house but it is dangerous for Coy to climb on top to do it and not worth taking a chance. So bye for now.

SUNDIAL BRIDGE

November 13,2008



When we returned to Redding and visited Shasta Dam we went back into Redding and visited the glass bridge. It was beautiful all lit up and across the river, Sue said there was trails to walk alll along tlhe river. I was surprised at so many family groups that was walking the bridge, they was pushing strolers, skate boarding, skates, and people just enjoying the view. It is a great place to just walk. There was lots of people our age strowling down holding hands. It is a beautiful park with lots of walkways. They have a monument like with information of time the sun will be right on that spot, I do not remember the date and time it said. Sue might can post it later. It is a wonder how individuals can figure out that, but we have some very intelligent people in this world. We just happen not to be one of them, or else we would be rich. wouldn't we.

Well we got thanksgiving out of the way. We had food galore and everywhere. Also family from wall to wall. It was so nice to see everyone together. I made a big pan of dressing, cinnamon rolls, rolls, mashed potatoes, raisin pie, pumpkin bread. snack crackers and my famous bean dip. Bruce spotted it and took the whole bowl. I forgot to put the chips out so he ate his with crackers. Later Rocky ask for the chips and Bruce spoke up and said I had to eat mine with crackers. Nancy made her sweet potato caserole and pecan pie. Rochelle made hash brown casserole and her green bean rolls. It was all so good. Rochell mother also came to eat with us. There was two missing, that was Buck, which was working in Georgia and Shawn , he was working at the Sonic. We missed them. It was a good day. The weather was very cold and rainy and felt like snow in the air.

50 years

The kids presented us with a Now and Then album of our 50 years. It was great. It had a lot of pictures I had forgot about. Nancy did a wonderful job. Thanks for all who contributed to it. Also she made a DVD of those pictures and more. We will be watching it again today and many days to come. Now she knows how to do it she can help me make Kiefer and Maranda's of Vanessa.

I have a party to go today with our group from aerobics. It will be nice, we will have it at Brew Haven a little diner on the main street of Sheridan. It is a lot of old dairy bars sheridan use tdo have put together. It has the bar stools and tables from the drug store soda shop. A lot of old pictures and signs of Years gone bye in it.

Lots of Busy times ahead and I do not feel like doing all I have to do. God will give me the strength to do it.

Sue I know you will be tired when you get back from Washington, look forward to your posting again. I have still got a lot to write about, just cant find the time. Have a blessed day.