Cracker barrel

I awoke this morning, not by choice but because our puppy Clay has been programmed to wake up at around 5:45 each day. This is a necessity during the week because I must be at work by 7 a.m. however, Saturday should not begin before daylight.

This morning Clay was his usual happy, peppy, energetic self and Rachael and I sat on the sofa like lumps on a log. We did not talk or even acknowledge the others presence. Then all of the sudden she said I want blackberry pancakes from Cracker barrel, I thinking pecan pancakes sounded pretty good myself, said, "sure". After a quick check on the net to see what time they open, 6 a.m. we were off!

The roads, were rather empty and things seemed quiet until you reached the cracker barrel parking lot. Surprisingly to us the lot is full of people who rise early to eat breakfast and socialize with other people. We parked the car and wandered into the restaurant and were greeted by a group of cheery faces all hollering "Good Morning"! We responded with a nod of the head, still awaiting our coffee, and headed to the hostess. She asked, "Two?", and both Racheal and myself with our quirky sense of humor turned looked around us and said, "guess so". Why do they ask such stupid questions so early in the morning.

We proceeded to a table and our waitress came, looking pretty tired herself, but efficient and before we knew it we had in front of us an order of blueberry pancakes and an order of pecan pancakes and a side of bacon to share. After gorging on our hearts desire, we returned home and it was not quite 8:15. It is not the Saturday morning I dreamed of last night but it sure makes the day interesting! Well with so much of the day ahead I better get busy and start cleaning and all the things that needed done.

Vanessa is our little bunny

A picture is worth a thousand words....

The babies are growing and doing well!

Well being the type person who likes a little excitement, I have chosen to bring home an new puppy at the same time my daughter was to give birth to my fourth grandchild. It has been fun if not somewhat tiring.

Clay and I went for a walk in the park tonight and he did really well. He was greeted warmly by everyone we passed. What is it about a puppy that draws people in? I thought that Clay was a big puppy but we met a Great Dane puppy that was three months old named Abraham and he was almost double the size of Clay. Clay made it around the entire 2.3 mile circle and I was glad I had brought a bottle of water when we returned to the car. He has come so far and even a police helicopter landing in the park did not frighten him. However we did avoid several very large and rather aggressive looking dogs.

Vanessa is doing so well. She had her first trip to the pediatritian and had regained 8 of the 10 ozs she lost. She is such a good baby and Grace is a very good Momma.
What a blessing to our family. She is just beautiful...what can I say I am her Goody!

Vanessa Lynn is Here!!!

6lbs 14ozs 19 1/2 inches long born at 1:28 p.m.! Grace looks amazing after a c-section.
Goody and Vanessa


She has lots of hair!
Vanessa with her Daddy and Grandparents

Vanessa with her Great Grandparents

A scheduled arrival!

Well our new baby is scheduled to arrive on September 21st at noon! Can't wait! Grace and Chris are ready too. Stay tuned for pictures of the new arrival!

Welcome Clay

We have a new member to our family! His name is Clay because he is the color of yellow clay; with just a touch of red on his back. We took quite a trip to get him. My soon to be son in law Chris has family that lives in Whitehouse just about 10 miles out I 10. We were there a few weeks ago for a baby shower for Grace and saw the most precious puppies. Rachael and I decided we would like to have one so after a week and a half of trying to work out the details we headed out to Whitehouse to meet our new puppy. Meghan; Chris's cousin said, "It will be a little drive out there about 15 minutes". After about a 45 minute drive to Lawtey Florida we arrived at a trailer with 6 of the most adorable puppies I have seen, 2 yellow and 4 black. The Yellow labs were both males and one was extremely large. His brother Clay was smaller and a little more docile. We spent about half an hour playing with all the puppies and watching them. Finally Rachael said she liked the same one I liked and we had our puppy. We had mauled over many names...Sandy (my favorite) Whiskey (Rachael's favorite) Beau but on the drive home Rachael said, "you know Mom he looks like yellow clay" I thought it fit and we named him Clay.

We went to the store on the way home and retrieved all the needed items and made it home after 9:30 p.m. We gave him a flea bath and some water and showed him his create. He walked right in and we gave him a pig's ear. He whined a minute but after I covered the top of the crate with a towel he did great! Rachael has set her alarm to get up with him in the middle of the night so that we can get started on housebreaking. I will take better pictures in the morning.

FAMILY

Family, if we are blessed we come from "good stock". We all have them parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, sons, daughters and other extended family. Our lives are either enriched or cursed by them. What is the importance of family and why did the Creator of the universe decide that we each needed to have one. Why not allow us to be born into a pack or herd or some other such group of humans. Why not just let us live independently, alone without the need for others.

I believe that God in his infinite wisdom knew that families were the very best places for people. Think about it, who else would love you if your family didn't? Who accepts us for who we are? I don't know about you but my girls are the only ones who would tell me not to wear something cause it makes me look fat! They love me enough to be honest.

Families are places we are born, places we are adopted or places where our common desires and beliefs bind us together. I have a church family. They are people who care for me unconditionally and will help me in any situation. I have friends who are as close as family. If I ever needed them, no matter what time of day they would be there. Family are people who you would lay down your life for. They are the people we love and who love us even on the bad days.

Several years ago I was watching one of those reality shows Fear Factor and it was one where the contestants were couples. Four couples to be exact, two were married and the other two were in committed relationships. They were given a task the female partner was placed in a cage and the door had a lock; they were then lowered into a tank of water where the male partner had to jump in the tank and retrieve a series of keys and attempt to unlock the tank to free their loved one. Of the four couples two continued the task until finished and "rescued" their mate. The other two gave up and swam for air. Wondering which ones stayed to the end? The married ones, they were the ones who were willing to commit to love, honor and protect. I don't know if the other two couples went on to marriage, it would be interesting to know.

My point is families give us a purpose and a place to feel connected. They are people we can depend on and who can depend on us. God knew what he was doing when he created families. After all it was the first institution, even before the church.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY GIRLS!

Today's the day we celebrate sweet Silvia and little Cait!

With wishes made, we did enjoy the frosting on our cupcakes!

Big brother Ethan, sat amazed at his little sister's and their messy ways!

Friends came from far, Tyler from Texas and near, Zander from westside, to enjoy the festivities!

Caitlyn was not amused by her sister's new shirt! The shame of blame! Although Mom (Ashley) and her sister Jessica enjoyed it.

Sharing Life

A distant love is what we have,
Will it always be?

Two who wish to be as one
Is that our destiny?

A second chance at love and life
Could we really hope?

Moments snatched from busy days
Is that what life's about?

Can there be a future?
Where happiness abounds?

Or will we find the years go by
and no one is around.

Longings of a lady in love

If I had wings....

If I had wings, I would fly
to places far beyond.

Away from turmoil's, cares and strife
to peaceful, quiet, calm.

And there I'd find a perfect place
to live and laugh and be.

With those I love and care for
to have them there with me.

We'd spend our days in carefree ways
to walk, to play, to rest.

I'd leave behind the world I find
for wings you know are best.

For PCL, Let's fly! ILY

My Heart

As I sit to write this I hear the word HONESTY ringing in my head. I have always valued honesty. I have always felt I am an honest person and expect others to be honest with me. I guess that is why I appreciate it when someone comes directly to me to discuss differences, or just ask for honest answers.

Recently that happened, a dear friend who has known me for a great many years asked me to come and talk. I was apprehensive when I sat down, but within a few short minutes I was feeling better. We talked about years past; the struggles we had been through. The encouragement each have given to the other over the years. We spoke of feelings of loss and abandonment, of learning how to protect ones self by keeping others at a distance. It was a time of clarity and also the reopening of painful memories. It always amazes me how much of our lives is shared with others, especially good friends.

I was reminded today of what it is to be responsible to others, not just ones self. What it is to feel called to a purpose and how one can lose sight of that. I struggled to explain my decisions. I know what I feel, I know to whom I have given my heart and I must now reconcile my life with that choice.

I will always struggle to do what is right, and follow my heart.

Anticipation

Sometimes it seems as though I have been waiting for this day for a very long time, in reality it has only been a short time. However the anticipation was short lived. I looked to this day as one with answers; one that would finally settle my mind and tell me what the future would hold. It did not.

Oh it was by far not a bad day, but still one without answers. You see yesterday was the end of an era and today was to be the beginning. Philip would finally know where he would go. He does have a sort of understanding if you will, but can't begin to make any plans as of yet. He did receive answers to many of his questions concerning his position with the new company, however we still do not know if he will be working out of my hometown. Well so much for anticipation and all that one hopes for.

I think if I was not experiencing my own work overload I would be much more stressed than I am. I have climbed on the back to school rollercoaster and I am now just holding on for dear life. We are up and running on a fast pace to have everything ready for the first day of school. We know that things will come together, they always do, but it is an exhausting experience. Anyway I feel somewhat deflated, but somehow I will continue to just play the game of wait and see. Until tomorrow.

Camp Goody Ends this weekend.

Caitlyn and Silvia have come to visit as well, and they are not yet ready for time alone at Camp Goody so they have brought Mom along for a stay. They are now quite the pair of entertainers and thanks to their dear sweet aunt, comics. They are giving their impression of a bad hair day. Give them a year or two and they will be ready for Camp Goody!




Ethan has not quite mastered the pool float, but he loves trying. He has enjoyed attending summer camp with Goody at school, but he is not yet ready for a full day. He loves arts and crafts and the playground is also a favorite. As camp comes to an end we have had a lot of fun and I have enjoyed getting to know my grandchildren a little better and they I. I did not get to see my Grandma B often but she was my favorite because she made life fun. I hope I have done that a little for my little ones. Until Camp Goody 2007 Adios!

Camp Goody

This is the second summer that my grandson Ethan has come to spend a week at Camp Goody. Camp Goody is named so because Ethan calls me his Goody. We try to fit in as much fun as possible and also give his sweet mama a break. Ethan is a busy boy much like his father was. Anyway yesterday was spent swimming in a friends neighborhood pool, but I left the camera at home. Today we traveled to the Jacksonville Zoo where Ethan explored the new children's area. There is much fun to be had by all and he had a ball. We then headed to look at his favorites the monkey's.


Ethan in the water park on the dolphin!

Ethan made friends with the Bonobo's.

Even the gorilla was out and about today.

California Baker's

Mom and Dad have returned from a nice visit to my brothers house out in California. While there they attended my niece's high school graduation and final dance recital. They had a wonderful time and brought back some wonderful pictures and memories of a great visit. I am amazed how fast time flies, it just seems like Brittney was four and visiting Florida for the first time, or for that matter Allen and Tammy were here for their first trip here in June of 1985!

The Fourth of July

What is it about the fouth of July that just brings out the kid in us? I love it; it is by far my favorite holiday aside from Christmas. As a child it meant we were out of school, usually camping or visiting my Grandma in Texas. It meant cookouts and watermelon. Picnics with family and friends, games of volleyball, or horseshoes. Swimming at the beach, or pool, or lake or even just a run through the sprinkler. The festivities come in all shapes and sizes, but provides fun for all.

I love the fireworks. The excitement as you jump from the boom as it resounds off the tall downtown buildings. The colors that light the night sky. I love to hear the oooohs and aaaaaaahs of the crowd as each new pyrotechnic display explodes overhead.
This may sound crazy but even the smell of sulfur is ok on the fourth; it seems to hang in the night air long after the display ends. I am sure that some find it silly for a grown woman to find the fourth a favorite holiday, but I don't intend to let that dampen my enthusiasm. God Bless America! and Happy Fourth!

Immigration in terms even I can understand....

A lady wrote the best letter I have seen in the Editorials in ages!! It explains things better than all the stuff you hear on TV.

"Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the U.S might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country, and once here to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.

Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house)."

According to the protesters not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan and provide other benefits to me and to my family. My husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, (except for that breaking in part).

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest .. Um, except for ... Well, you know.

And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being anti-housebreaker.

Did I miss anything? Does this sound reasonable to you? If it does, grab a sign and go picket something. If this sounds insane to you, call your senators and enlighten them, because they are stumbling in the darkness right now and really need your help.

Then and Now

This picture was taken in my Grandmother's house in 1960 of my Mom, Dad and older brother. Mom was expecting my sister...but I was not even a thought. I am amazed at how young they look, and happy too. My dad spent five years in the Air Force and when my sister was born he was in Korea.


This Picture was taken in April in the same spot, 46 years later. They still look happy don't they?

Happy Birthday to a dear friend. My friend Anne is a rare lady. She is truly happy and genuine. She drove from Atlanta to Jacksonville not too long ago, just because I needed a friend. I don't know of too many who would have done that; do you? She is a kind and giving person. She knows how to have fun and always makes sure all those around her are taken care of.

Life has not always been easy for Anne, she lost her Mom to breast cancer at age twelve and her father not all that long ago. But she makes the world a brighter place for those who know and love her. Thanks Anne and Happy Birthday.

The Great Smokey Mountains

This spectacular view is from the Highlands Condominiums above Gatlingburg Tennessee. I have just returned from a wonderful and relaxing vacation. I love the mountains, they bring back wonderful childhood memories and all the fun we had camping there. This was far from a camping trip with all the conviences of a full kitchen, cable TV and a jacuzzi, but all the same I took that trip down memory lane.

Our vacation began with a meandering trip through south and central Georgia up into Alabama and then into the Tennessee Mountains. I enjoyed meeting some of Philip's family and seeing the little town where Philip spent a great deal of his childhood. We had a nice visit with Patrick and saw the falls in Gadsden. I had a wonderful time at Biltmore House in Ashville as well. I think by far it was the quiet views from the balcony I enjoyed most and the beauty of God's creation.