Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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








Tuesday, October 25, 2011

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.



Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Eleventh Day

The Eleventh Day
By Sharon Lightfoot

A day of hatred;
A day of pain;
A day of heroes
America:  never the same.

Four flights off-course;
Four fiery balls;
Two towers, one field;
The five-sided wall.

Many lives lost;
Many dreams destroyed;
Thousands of new soldiers
To the east are deployed.

 Ten years have passed.
The burnt field is now green.
The soldier’s wall is rebuilt.
One new tower can be seen.

Water flows endlessly
Around a large bronze frame.
Fingers stroke the letters
Of a dear one’s name.

The day still brings pain.
The enemy’s hatred lives on.
New heroes are made
In military uniform.

Another anniversary will come.
Four more bells will be rung.
Another prayer will be said;
But let a new song be sung.

Oh God of our fathers;
With your Almighty Hand;
Bring love to the hearts of terrorists;
Bring healing to our land.

Monday, August 15, 2011

pictures - old and newer


These are some pictures from Easter Sunday.

Mama Hen didn't get to gather all of her eggs in one nest that day but she at least got to see them in spurts!
jocarol, mom, mark before church

vern, mom, mark
vern, mom, carol


brad, mom, beau - after lunch at Janice's house




It's nice to see that Mark is still a kid!

Sadie on Frankie's "pillow"

Brooklyn is talking to the pinwheel:)

'
Ok....how many times do I have to say cheese?

Elijah at the computer  - "We're done with the eggs!"



These few pics are from July 24.  Audrey and Alex came for a visit and we drove down to Corpus to see Crystal.  
It was a great visit - but way too short.  I only ventured out late in the day since my body can't tolerate the heat.  

Alex took this beautiful picture.

Tim was making Audrey laugh as Alex snapped this one. Imagine that!


BACK IN TEMPLE
And of course Audrey got a chance to see Joe and Pattie
 and Mimi and Janice, too.





This past weekend we had a surprise visit from our cousin Dean and his girlfriend, Kathleen.  We had dinner at mom's.  



Finally
- you know how there are so many pictures of cats at the piano.  Well I have one of my own...picture that is.  The cat is not mine, but the neighbors' cat named Zero.  She always wants to come see me especially since it's been so hot.  We've had to end her adventures in our house since she slipped in while the dogs were in the house.  It was a close call!  We nearly had kitty stew.  


Thursday, June 16, 2011

reception - last show

Every night I have dreams about something to do with school.  The first night after I had officially turned in my keys and walked out the door I had a dream that I could see my bright red door of the music room closing and I was running up the ramp trying to catch it before I was locked out.  I didn't make it so I started banging on the door but no one would let me in.  I suppose my soul/psychic is trying to resolve my sadness that I have had to walk away from a job that I love.  I am going to keep on believing that this was the right thing to do.  Here are a few pictures from the last program and my reception.  At the reception one of my former students, Ben Clardy, sang to me.  He brought the whole place to tears with his performance of "You Raise Me Up".  
I thought I was going to be able to include the video of it that Tim recorded on his phone but somehow it got deleted....but it will never be deleted in my mind or my heart.