Christmas Pictures and Mom's Birthday

Before school let out Tim and I entertained at Kennedy Powell.  The kids were amazed to see Mr. Lightfoot rockin' it out on his electric guitar.  

next.....a wonderful lunch with friends

On December 18th, My "Steel Magnolias" group got together.  We have been meeting since we were all separated from working at Jefferson in 1999.  Jez, Sue, Billie and Bev!   Love you so much.

Jez inspired me to get crafty so I copied her artistry and made gifts for the sweet nieces and nephews this year.  

That smile says it all!

The first stop on Christmas day was in Rosebud at Tim's Dad's house.   I didn't get  a lot of pictures.  We had a fun dinner and Chinese Gift Exchange with Joe and Patti, Trent and Jamie, Tracy, Paula, Kevin, Keith and Paula's Dad and Aunt.   

  

Pattie's new toy this Christmas was a MARSHMELLOW Gun!  She surprised us all.  

Erasten hugging her Scooby-Doo Color Book.  

Erasten kept finding more stuff in her bag!




Now onto our 2nd stop at Janice and Frankie's.

Brad and Bella enjoying her first Christmas.

A few days later we got to see Erasten again for a swap of dinner for haircuts by Trent and Pattie.

We can't forget that Sasha and Blossom got some special treats from furcuzzins Ruby and Baxter.

Mom turned 84 on January 12th.  Her niece, Debra flew in from Oregon for a special visit.  We hadn't seen her for almost 30 years.  She is mom's sister's daughter.  We had a great visit.  I think we need to plan a trip to Oregon!

Well Audrey didn't get to get to Texas for the official holidays but she will be here next weekend. 

I'm sure we will have some pictures to add then.

Smiles of Thanksgiving and more

Thanksgiving at Janice and Frankie's new house brought lots of smiles.   They were so gracious to open up their home in the midst of the the stress of a building a new home.  The house is surrounded by beautiful trees and needless to say there is no sonic booms coming from car stereos on the street.  I am so happy that they will have such a beautiful place to spend their retirement years....that is if they ever really retire!

 

 We were so happy to get to see Stephanie.  We also missed Crystal, Audrey, Emily and Josh, and Vern's family. Maybe next year!

I somehow didn't get many pictures of Brad and Amy.  Hopefully JoCarol and Janice did.

Here are some other pictures from the play-off game in Elgin.  We are all so proud of Brad and his team for having a great first year together.  

Back in September - Janice's 60th Birthday Party

Barbie, Belinda, and oh so many others!

Earlier today I had to fill out a form and the person that was taking the information had to ask my age.  I proudly told him 51.  You see I never mind sharing my age after seeing two of my friends die young. I have the blessing to still be here on this earth so telling my age is a joyful thing.  

Today would have been Barbie Vander Linden's 52nd birthday.  Barbie died in September of 2000. She turned 40 at MD Anderson while undergoing treatment for melanoma cancer.  

Belinda Berryman would have been 52 back on the 6th of October.  She died in the summer of 2004 from cancer.  

Obviously all the pink ribbons in October have brought much awareness to the breast cancer fight.  Of course this is great but let's remember throughout the year that all kinds of cancer take so many lives prematurely.  

Barbie was such a wonderful friend.  I still miss her so much. She could make me laugh and laugh. I remember one day after school was out she was going to take me home. She was driving her parents Plymouth.  Burr Hall was the hottest thing to her in his black Trans Am  Somehow we got into a "drag race"   going down Stone Road.  I remember closing my eyes when the speedometer went to 120 but the little plymouth sedan was no match Burr's fast sports car.  

Belinda and I lost touch with each other in our adult lives but as young girls we spent a lot of time together due to church activities, etc.  I remember one particular day not long after she had gotten her contacts.  We were in the bathroom forever trying to get them in. I decided then that I never wanted to wear contacts after seeing her work and cry and try so many times to get them in her eyes!  

The most recent loss to cancer was my beautiful Aunt Imogene.  She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last May and died the end of August.  She was a graceful woman that could have been the Proverbs 31 model.  

Still fighting cancer is Jim - Imogene's son-in-law, the wonderful husband to Jane, who also has had breast cancer and is now doing well.   I pray for him as he courageously battles his terminal condiation.

God Bless all of those who are battling cancer.  Maybe one day this terrible disease will be gone.