Happy 4th Birthday to My Grandson

The last 4 years have been truly wonderful with our grandson.  This year he celebrated his 4th birthday with some of his little friends.  We had an awesome time joining in on the fun!  A special thanks to Granny Mac (Maxine) for bringing Colby.

My Little Fireman

I had a wonderful time with my grandson Trick or Treating last night.  It was the first time he had gone door to door and after the first couple of houses he was a pro!!  Saying "I can go by myself"

Happy Birthday To My Daughter ~ Emily ~ October 30th

Emily just a few days old

First Easter

She was always into something! Still is!!

Ready for Santa!

Such a sweet smile

Little Cheerleader

Sister's ~ Such Love

So Beautiful!

Emily, her husband and son ~ my precious Bryson               

Happy Birthday to a wonderful daughter!!  I am so very very proud of you!! You are an Awesome Mother!  In fact you are the best mother that I know!! 

Look What I Got In The Mail ~ I Won!!

I won again!! Well, really I won this first but it just took it longer to get here because it was sent by the publisher or someone else, not sure who.  I had orginally only won one book but because they where out of that book, I was sent two books. How lucky am I!!! 

I want to Thank Lynette Again!!!   Thank you Lynette!!   Check her out at Lynette at Crazed Mind.  She is Awesome!!!   

NC State Fair ~ 2010

We have many fond memories of the NC State Fair. One of our first dates was to the fair. Gerald took his sisters to the state fair while I was home with a brand new baby girl, Angela. He took Angela to the fair when she was 5 because I felt it just wasn't a place I should or wanted to be 9 months pregnant with Emily. We took our girls when they were small, we've gone with friends and we have gone many times just with each other. This year we took our daughter Emily and grandson Bryson. We had a wonderful time!! Can't wait to go back again next year!!!



Bryson and Gramme

Bryson and his Mommy

                                              Bryson and Grandpa Won a Prize

                                              Bryson and Grandpa Fun on the Slide!

Fried Oreo...........Yummy!!

California ~

The place of my birth
My mom and dad
My brother, Greg
Grandma and Grandpa Clawson, Grandpa Abreu
Many Aunts and Uncles
Many more cousins
Friends
St. John of God Catholic School, uniforms, friends, nuns and priests, first through seventh grade
  Mass almost everyday
Riding my bike to school, the library
Walking to school, the pool and the liquor store
Lazy days laying on the grass in my front yard
Summer nights playing outside, tether ball and hiding go seek, my birthday parties
Fourth of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving get togethers
Spending the night with cousins and slumber parties with friends
Memories ~ so many
A place that will be in my heart forever!

I Won ~ Thank You

Lately I have been entering a few giveaways around the blogsphere!  Guess what ...... I won!!
When the package arrived I was so excited, I just tore open the bag to see my new book.  Books are one of my favorite things!  Well, much to my surprise I got more than just the book that I had won. Just look at everything I received ~

I received this wonderful package from Lynette at Crazed Mind Thank you so much Lynette!!

This is the first time I have ever used the hyper link and I did it all my by myself!!!!

Happy Birthday to My Daughter ~ Angela

In honor of my oldest daughter's birthday, I thought I would post a few pictures of her.



This is me when I was pregnant with her in 1972

Me and Gerald in front of our first home when I was pregnant with Angela

Gerald feeding Angela Very Late one night

My dad with Angela                  





                  My very favorite picture                                                   

Angela with her first birthday presents

 

Angela eating her very first birthday cake

I don't know how you all do this but it took me and my husband hours to do this with the new editor.  There has to be a faster way!!!

Angela is a ninth grade high school English teacher, is National Board Certified and working on her master degree which she will finish this spring.

What Would You Want To Know

I am going to visit my last living relative on my mother's side that really Knew my mom....my mom's sister ......so I thought I would ask my aunt some questions about my mom and their childhood. Would love to have any suggestions on what you would want to know if you were me.

New Technology

My 3 1/2 year old grandson using my computer!! Just seems like yesterday that I learn how!!

From a Son-in-Law’s Perspective

Posted on Gayle's blog by her husband, Gerald.

I certainly have heard lots and sure many others have told or heard stories of arguments, disagreements and just plain, I can’t stand my in-laws. I think this sentiment goes in both directions and for the life of me can’t understand why. Friendship or Relationships aren’t just thrown out at you; it is something that requires just a little work on both sides.

I was married in 1970 at 17 and early on, I think by my nature just automatically befriended my In-Laws.

Sure, no friendship will be with out an argument from time to time but a friendship like a marriage is what you make it. He treated me well and he deserved no less.

This is an attempt to honor a man that I liked, loved and admired like a real DAD. I am sure my father-in-law Gene Clawson was the type of man that everyone wants to have as an in-law and this speaks to his character and personality.

These are a few things that I remember about Gene.

First, he earned my respect and friendship early on and always treated me good.

He was enemy to no one and could strike up a conversation with any stranger.

He had a knack for telling stories especially those of his childhood. They were worthy of print.

I remember family reunion and other events where the kids were drawn to him like a magnet.

He was always willing to help me on a project I was working on.

He was not a rich man and would give you his last penny.

The times that really stand out, were that every Friday evening Gayle and I would go to his house and visit. This was a routine event and was never dreaded; in fact, it was one event that we looked forwarded to. It wasn’t a luxurious home but it had most all that he needed, even though it needed and required lots of maintenance. We sat around on his glassed in porch going over the things that took place that week and revisited old stories. later when it was time to eat we would go to one of several of his hang outs, normally McDonalds’ where he had many friends and knew everyone. Most nights we got our moneys worth drinking cup after cup of coffee while talking.

Going to his house was a fun and relaxing way to spend our Fridays nights but no more. For many months after his death on 3/22/ 1998 I could hear a truck coming down my road and immediately think Gene is here only moments later to realize that no he will never be back. This would stir up lots of emotions and sadness, knowing that those good times were gone forever.

Twelve years later, there are many times where Gayle and I will be sitting around and say “Gene sure would have liked this” or “sure wished he could have met our grandson”. These moments would more times than not get us reminiscing about those good times when we would get together with him, doing nothing more than simple talking and loving every minute.

He was a good guy, good Dad and good friend. Wow, we still miss him today!

September 11th ~ My Dad's Birthday

As we all remember the many lives that were lost on that terrible day ~ September 11th...........I am also remembering my dad's birthday. As I have said before, he was a wonderful man who was loved by all who met him ~ young and old. I so wish that he was here to see my daughters (his granddaughters) and all that they have accomplished.............his son,Rusty, my brother an awesome father now.......married to the most wonderful woman in the world.........there two kids ( his grandson and granddaughter) ..........my grandson ( his great grandson)......his son Greg ...........all the many things he has learned. I miss him so much!! We all do!!

Weekend at the Beach

We had a wonderful time at the beach this weekend with Shelba and David!!!

Shelba and I have been friends for 42 years and the guys maybe longer! They introduced me to my husband.

3 Years, 9 Months and 21 Days Later

Grandpa and Bryson in his toy closet.

Finally my husband made a Height Chart for our grandson!!! He had been thinking about it and planning it for a long time. It took him 3 days to make but like anything he makes it's Perfect!!!

Gone 42 years!!

My mom passed away in 1968 ~ 42 years ago!!

She died way too soon and way too young!! As long as it's been I still think about her almost daily!

May 15, 1930 ~ August 25, 1968

I will always ask ~ WHY???

Back to Work:((((

I am a TA ~ Teacher Assistant ~ which means I help the teacher, kids and anything else that I am asked to do.

My first day back was one LONG meeting!!

Second day back was more meetings and reading and signing papers ~ Employee Handbook, Bloodborne Pathogens, Sexual Harrasment, Diabetes Awarenss Review, Seclusion and Restraint and Email Acceptable Use. While all these are necessary ~ what I don't understand is why I have to read/watch them every year!! This took almost a half a day and the last one I just did at home. Finally got in the room to work after lunch.

Days three and four where ~ cleaning, arranging the furniture (which was stacked for the summer because that is what we are told to do), writing names on folders, running off papers,

rehanging posters, bulletins boards, door decorations, wall decorations, laminating, name tags, lunch table tags etc etc.

Plus this year I am being shared between Two teachers so I had to do most of this twice!

This will be a Very Hard Year!!

Good News!!!!!

My grandson's white blood count was up when he went back to Duke on Monday. It is still low so he has to go back for more blood tests next week. The Hematologist thinks it might have been a virus. I am just so happy that is wasn't anything serious!!! Still a little worried and will be until the doctors say for sure he is completely healthy!

Please Pray

Please Pray for My Grandson!!

He was running a fever all week so his pediatrician sent him to Duke University Children's Emergency room on Friday. They ran many blood tests,a urine test and a chest xray. His white blood count was very low. They gave him an IV antibiotic and sent him home. On Saturday his parents had to take him back for more blood tests and antibiotic. Tomorrow (Monday) they have to go back to the Duke Children's Hospital for more blood tests and meet with a Hematologist. His white blood count has gone up. We are praying that it will continue to go up and he is completely healthy.

This Is How I Feel About ~

going back to work on Tuesday!! I've been off for the summer and I dread going back to work!

You Might Be A Redneck If ~

you go to Lowes to get wood and use your John Boat to haul it home in. That's exactly what my son in law did. He has an eight foot truck bed and needed to haul sixteen foot long lumber so this was his solution. Pretty ingenuous!