Emily's Birthday

Bryson put the candles on Emily's cake

Auntie Angela and Bryson

Sean and Bryson bring in Emily's birthday present from them

Emily asked us to fix an old favorite of hers that I made a lot when the girls were little. Hamburger with rice and gravey and green beans. We had spice cake that is suppose to look like a jack o lantern and ice cream.

I Am Proud Of MY Brother

WHAT IS ST BALDRICK'S?!?!St. Baldrick's is the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer. Rusty along with some other members of the Clayton Fire Department took part in this fundraiser. Unfortunately, I couldn't be there but I wanted to share this with everyone. I am so very proud of Rusty.

Angela's Birthday

Bryson helping mix the icing.

Emily frosting Angela's cake with Bryson's help.

Grandpa showing Bryson how to lick the beaters. He loved eating the icing.

Bryson was so cute putting candles on Angela's cake.

Sometimes he wanted to push the candles to far down. He told us he was making a circle.

He sure looks serious. :)

Almost finished

He is such a happy little boy. It's hard to believe we will be celebrating his 3rd birthday in less than a month.

The finishe product. I do believe I have never seen candles on a cake look so good :)

Angela blowing out her candles. Greg watching.

Angela's birthday was October 6th but we celebrated it yesterday. Gerald work 40 hours overtime this past week making robots for work ( his design). I told him he needs to get a Pattin but not sure what he will do. He fixed pepper steak, rice, salad, green beans and rolls. I fixed a homemade carrot cake with the help of Emily and Bryson. After supper we watched Charlotte's Web. Bryson watched some but then he wanted to go watch Barney in my bedroom. When he started to get sleepy he decided it was time to get up and go play some more. We all had a wonderful time.

Our Day with Thomas the Train

Bryson, Sean, Emily, Gerald and I went to Spencer, NC to see Thomas the Train. It was at the NC Transportation Museum and took us about two hours to get there. What a beautiful day we had!!! We saw Sir Topum Hat and Bob the Builder. We rode the train and walked around looking at all the small trains too. It was a Perfect Day!!

My Mother

I have been thinking a lot about my mom lately. Much more than usual. Then it hit me, that it's probably bringing out her china that is causing me to miss her so much more. She died in 1968. I was just a teenager. So many years ago and so much has happened since-----some good and some bad. Some people think that you will forget your loved one, some think that you will not, some think it gets better as time goes on and some don't. It is my feeling that it just depends on where you are in your life. I can honestly say that I haven't missed her this much in a very long time. Usually I miss my dad and think about him. I'm not really sure why I am writing this. Part of me thought that I would have something insightful to write. Part of me thought I could help those readers who have lost their moms ( maybe I am making it worse). Part of me thought that if you are reading this and do have a living mother, mom, mommy, momma, that by reading this it would help you to cherish every minute you have with her. Maybe by reading this you will see that the pain never goes away. For me the pain has been in stages depending on what has been going on my my life. I so wish that I could remember more about her. She was a wonderful person that everyone loved. I was very lucky to have her for the 15 years that I did, but oh how I wish that I had more years. Many many times I have asked why.

Emily's New Business

Check out Emily's new business. Just go to her website if you want to place an order. http://scentsy.com/emilywoody

My New Dining Room

This is a picture of my new china cabinet. Haven't finish decorating it yet. The walls in this picture look white but they are not. Not really sure how to describe the color. We got a table with 8 chairs, china cabinet, buffet and another table. I really love it.

China

This was from my Grandma Clawson. Valencia~Wyndham

This was from my mom. It is Royal Gadroon~Magnolia Pattern
Harker

I don't know any of the history behind either set. Maybe Aunt Barbara knows something about them. I am going to send pictures to Aunt Alta to see if she remembers anything.

A New Mirror

For as long as I can remember this beautiful mirror hung over my Uncle Joe and Aunt Alta's piano. I am honored to have it now in my new dining room. I am so thankful that Aunt Alta and Nick brought it to me this summer. This mirror was discarded by the road some where in Hollywood, California in the 1950's. My Grandpa Clawson found it filthy dirty laying there and thought that his daughter would love to have it. She loved and enjoyed it for many years and now has given it to me to enjoy. I am so very grateful!!

Gerald wanted me to add that while he was doing some minor repairs, he discovered that the scroll/ art work surrounding the mirror is all porcelain.

Our Little Cow Boy

Bryson put on Grandpa's lawn mowing hat and said "I'm a Cowboy". Sure wish my dad could have seen and heard that.

August 2009

Bryson

Gerald and his Aunt Bid

Gerald's cousin, Sherry and her husband

Gerald's Uncle Ed and Aunt Virginia's 50th Anniversary
Their 3 daughters decorated and prepared all the food with a little help from friends and family.

Alabama


Martin with Chase and Kallie

Gerald with his sister, Carolyn and her grandson, Chase, daughter, Missy and husband, Martin

Aunt Merita and Uncle Don

Uncle Ed, Teresa, Sherry, Carol and Aunt Virgina

Gerald (Grandpa)reading to Bryson

Greg with the staff of his Group Home

Gerald and Rusty at Greg's house

Raleigh, NC
Meredith and Greg

Colby and Rusty playing

Our niece Austin and her friends Audry and Kyle


Gerald and his mom and Johnny at The River

Play Date

Bryson and I had a great visit with my friend Judy and her grandson Tristan. After a rocky start which is so common with two year olds. I think the boys got along great. Next time we will be sure that there are Two Thomas Train Cars. We enjoyed our ride around in the golf cart seeing the cows, horses, goats, dogs and tractors.

Snack time on the front porch. Bryson had such a good time that he didn't want to leave.

Such Talent

Emily made these earrings for me as part of my birthday present. She has also made bracelets, necklaces and other earrings.

Bryson

Just thought I would post a few pictures of Bryson. He spent the night with us Saturday. We had a wonderful time with him.

Sean reading to Bryson at Gramme and Grandpa's house.

Fun With Friends

We had a wonderful evening at the Clems house. David,Gerald, Bryson, Austin,(their oldest grandson) and I played in the pool for awhile. Bryson had fun jumping to Grandpa and Gramme. Then we went inside and Bryson and David and Shelba's youngest grandson,Carson played downstairs in the play room and after pizza played in the sun room and then back down to the play room. They had a fun time playing all over. I think they played perfect together!! Brings back memories of Shelba and I when we would get together and Emily and her son Travis would play with each other. Shelba and David and Gerald and I have been friends since around 1968. Our oldest girls Angela and Kelly played together too.

We have tons and tons of wonderful memories that we have made with each other.