MeMaw Barbies

It's the most WONDERFUL time of the year!

2010-12-08T23:06:00.009-06:00

One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is to take our matching p.j. pictures. We have been lucky for several years to be able to find matching p.j.s for all of us at Target. It takes quite a bit of effort to accomplish getting all of us ready and down there, but it is definantly worth it. We had a blast. This year my helper was my daughter in law Mamas. We had a great day today. What do you think?

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Then and Now...so fast

2010-12-02T20:37:00.006-06:00

Can't believe how fast these boys are growing. I am enjoying every minute of their childhood...and now we've added a girl.

Sharing the holidays

2010-11-30T19:13:00.001-06:00

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The Best of Life

2010-10-19T19:39:00.012-05:00

We had family from out of town this week. My aunt Marty and Uncle Earl were here from Minnesota. It was a beautiful week to be here, as the leaves were just beginning to show a little fall color. The temperatures were unbelievable.

We made the most of our time together. One of our favorite things to do this time of year is to travel to Bell Buckle Tennessee for the arts and craft festival. There are over 500 vendors there each year. It was REALLY crowded this year as the weather was GREAT to be outdoors. Thomas bunji jumped, there was a hay ride, and lots of fun. Of course there's lots of good food, funnel cakes....
and italian ice cream.

Sunday afternoon we travelled to Lynchburg to Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House for a wonderful lunch. We had fried chicken, meatloaf, fried okra, pinto beans, slaw, mac and cheese, baked apples and chess pie for dessert. We left there and went to Sewanee Tennessee to visit the University of the South. Along the way we stopped at a Natural Bridge formation. It was really pretty. You can't tell by this photo, but it is quite high. In fact I was the only one in our group that walked across it.

After that we went to the Templeton Library. It is built on the side of the mountain and the view is spectacular.

This is the cathedral at Sewanee, University of the South.

The walls are filled with stain glass and the sun was really beautiful thru them.

In the bottom right picture on the left side of the photo you can see the prisms that the sun was making on the arched walls.

It is worth the drive up there to see the trees, the campus and the cathedral.

My aunt Louise drove over from Memphis to visit with us. My mom has 4 siblings and they have all been here to visit with her. It is a blessing to be together...yes, the best of life is being with family.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Borrowed from a friend...

2010-09-20T12:47:00.003-05:00

Thought this was worth sharing. Enjoy

Never regret a day in your life,

Good days give you happiness,

Bad days give you experience,

Both are essential to life...

Keep going.

Happiness keeps you sweet,

Trials keep you strong,

Sorrows keep you human,

Failure keeps you humble,

Success keeps you glowing,

but only God keeps you going!

Make today a great day!

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Grand Ole Opry Date

2010-08-15T22:04:00.014-05:00

David and I had a night away and decided to go to Nashville. It's just a nice little drive to get there and you feel like you've been away. We'd never been to the Opry, so that's where we decided to go. It was a treat.

The Grand Ole Opry is the longest running live radio broadcast ever. They have broadcast over 4,000 radio shows. It has 4 segments each hosted by someone different. The first segment was hosted by Bill Anderson. (These photos are of Jim Ed Brown and Dailey & Vincent) Dailey & Vincent were awesome. They were David's favorite.

The Grand Ole Opry house is located out by Opryland Hotel.

Since the flood in Nashville earlier this year, the Opry has been held at the old Ryman Theater. I had never been to the Ryman so that was a treat. The radio broadcast began on November 28,1925. It was called the WSM Barn Dance and in 1927 was renamed the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry went through a number of home in several parts of Nashville before settling, in 1943 at the Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman Auditorium was a former religious meeting house built in 1892 by a riverboat shipping magnate Captain Thomas Ryman for traveling evangelist, Reverend Samuel Jones.
We were greeted outside by Minnie Pearl and Porter Wagner. (great imposters!)I couldn't convince David to have his photo made with Minnie! Imagine that.

Jimmy C. Newman and Amber Digby.

Mark Wills...

There were many awesome fiddlers. Mike Snider among some of them. He also played "Be Thou My Vision" on the harmonica. It was beautiful. I love the old country music that incorporates gospel within it. Great.

Crystal Gayle...her hair swept the floor! She sang "Don't it make my brown eyes blue".

The Opry Square Dancers were really good.

Vince Gill is one of the regular hosts...

He was very entertaining. I was showing Cooper these pictures and he thought they were Donny A. There is some resemblence! Donny can ya sing like Vince?

I think you can see her hair better in this photo.

We will definantly be visiting the Grand Ole Opry again in the near future. Our children and grandchildren would enjoy it I believe.

Blessings

Memaw Barbie

The Cake Boss

2010-07-27T21:44:00.007-05:00

Another good day with the grandkids. We cooked today. Thomas and Cooper have been watching the Cake Boss. We made a strawberry cake.These boys live to lick the beaters. Thomas is so patient, he lets the little boys have the beaters...
and he waits for the spatula...he knows there's more batter on the spatula.

He talked about making Fondant. We will have to do that the next time. I didn't have the ingredients that I needed.

He must have seen the cake boss use real flowers...he insisted on decorating with them.

It was really good. He had a good time anyway...

Blessings

Memaw Barbie

Tomatoes

2010-07-24T21:17:00.004-05:00

We have a new tomatoe harvester at our house. He wasn't so sure about the spiders that sometimes grow around the plants, but he persevered and filled our basket full. We have eaten tomatoe sandwiches almost everyday. I love them on toasted bread, with mayo and salt and pepper. Yummy!

I still have quite a few cans of diced tomatoes from last summer so I decided to try my hand at tomatoe juice. Dave loves tomatoe juice. So does my momma. I will make more hopefully tomorrow.
Blessings
Memaw Barbie

Grandmothers

2010-07-22T22:39:00.004-05:00

I have to say one of the greatest blessings I have experienced is being a grandmother. I can't begin to describe the feeling I get when one of my boys runs to me with open arms!! It is one of the best feelings in the world. I wish everyone could experience it. It's great to finally be popular!!!

I had one grandmother that I had a relationship with. My mom's mom. She was a tiny little wisp of a thing. She lived in Houston and we lived in Dallas, so it wasn't like we got to see her all the time, but when we did see her it was a real treat. Back in the 6o's when she would come to visit, she would come on the train. We would all load up in the station wagon and head for the train station. We couldn't wait to get home because she usually brought us each a gift. I don't remember what they were, but I do remember the excitement.

She raised 5 children pretty much on her own ( with the help of her mother ) and I'm sure she had a pretty difficult time when they were younger. I remember visiting her in Houston when we were pretty small. At one time she lived in a garage apartment. I think the outside was painted a blue sort of aqua color. I remember walking up the steps into her little apartment. It had a small den, bathroom, bedroom and I don't remember if it had a kitchen or not. We would make pallets on the floor to sleep, and love every minute of it. I remember she had a good friend named Leila. Granny would dig in her closets and drawers and find goodies for all of us. I remember a bar of soap that smelled like roses she gave me one time.

I love what my mother says about her mother in her autobiography....

"I think mom did pretty damn good for herself, considering her background and lack of opportunity. She had a lot of grit. I can't imagine having to raise five children by myself, or having to spend my entire life needy and with an uncertain future and, for the most part, alone. My greatest desire now is that she's with Jesus...at peace, loved beyond measure and in need of nothing...and that she knows how much I love her."

I didn't know my dad's mom as she died when he was a little boy. It is one of the reasons I hope we know one another when we die. I would like to know her. Her name was Emma Marie Randolph. One of my grandsons carries Randolph as his middle name. I love that.

One of my close friends gave me a sweet little book when I found out I was going to be a grandmother. I understand the little sayings in it now. Here are some of my favorites.

Grandmothers are the people who take delight in hearing babies breathing into the telephone.

Grandmothers are built to cuddle into, like a duvet.

Grandmothers eat anything you cook and say it is delicious-

even if it was a bit knobbly and sort of horribly greasy.

I think they have special stomachs.

Grandmas are good at sitting on the floor to play,

but they are terribly difficult to get upright again.

Grandmothers have bottomless handbags.

Gramdmas bring flowers when you pet dies. And sit and cry with you.

Grandmas are the best at keeping secrets.

Grandmothers come to call carrying shopping bags with Very Interesting Bulges

Grandmothers are about twenty inside...sometimes six.

Grandmas sing crooked but nice.

Grandmas are really truly interested in your dead frog.

Grandmas give you the cherry off the top.

A grandmother pretends you can give her a cup of tea down the telephone.

and my very favorite....

Gramdmas don't just say "that's nice"

-they reel back and roll their eyes

and throw up their hands and smile.

You get your money's worth out of grandmas.

Everyone needs a grandma

Blessings from this grandma

Memaw Barbie

2010-07-06T21:44:00.009-05:00

I spent a wonderful weekend with some of my favorite people in the whole world. My mom, both of my sisters and my two best friends and their mom and sisters. We spent a short weekend at the lake. Julie gave each of us a book, "Hugs for Friends", and this inspirational message is taken from that book.

The wonderful, miraculous thing about friendship is, anyone can participate. Each of us has the power to partner with another and, in so doing, change the world one heart at a time. You, as a friend, have that power. Your companionship can bring peace and joy to another.

Companionship does require an investment. It takes time to build. You'll have to share your pain and loss, even reveal your weaknesses. but the rewards are worth it, because companionship means not only bearing one another's burdens but also sharing in victories, in healing, in joy. And in a world fueled by greed, selfishness, and hatred, friendship-companionship-may be the only way to make a difference.

The Crye girls The Peete girls

The Ray girls

Thank you dear friends for taking the time to make a difference. I love each and everyone of you.

Blessings

Memaw Barbie

62 days...

2010-06-14T21:29:00.004-05:00

This is one of my favorite pictures. I am so glad my momma taught us to love memory making with photos! Thanks momma. This was taken March 2009. We were on our way to church together.

Micah 6:8

He has shown you old man what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

but to do justly,

to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God.

Another one of dad's favorite verses....

Ecclesiastes 9:11

The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong,

nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant

or favor to the learned,

but time and chance happen to them all.

I am thankful for the memory of my daddy and his bible.

He lived what he believed and taught us to do the same.

62 days since he went to be with the Lord.

Lord, help us remember he is with You.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Summertime Celebrations

2010-06-14T09:02:00.009-05:00

One of the things I most enjoy in the summer is being outside. With family...friends...and children. My mom has a new toy. The Golf Cart! We LOVE the golf cart. We like it more than the go-cart. We enjoy swimming. This was Baby Abby's first time to play in Memaw's backyard. She loved it.

Nanny, Poppy and Whitney were here to celebrate Lorie's birthday.

Ben and his family were here, and Laura and her children came as well.

We caught lightning bugs.

Mike and Nicholas celebrated with us.

We ate popsicles from the ice cream truck. Thank you Uncle Ben.

Best friends forever.

Chase, Ashley and Ryder were here as well. Ashley and her children came also. I think the pictures I took of them are on Ashley's camera. I will post them when I get them.
Blessings Memaw Barbie

Memorial Weekend 2010

2010-06-01T21:31:00.011-05:00

Brian loved the golf cart...Meme enjoying her coffee on the front porch.

All in all it was a good weekend. Super Sliding...swimming at the Watson's...

playing with the grandkids...

Tuesday at Memaw's... I believe they were watching Mickey Mouse.

Caramia likes her new little seat.

and she loves carrots...almost as much as the boys love swimming...

We started the day out painting on the windows...love that paint!

...had mini corndogs for lunch with pinwheel thingamajigs...

...and finished off with Blue Bell ice cream with chocolate syrup and sprinkles on top.

What a day!!

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Blessed Assurance

2010-05-13T22:07:00.002-05:00

I received a card with these words on them and it was a comfort to me...

WHEN A LOVED ONE GOES HOME

Once they saw through a glass darkly

now they see their risen Lord.

Once they fought through tests and trials,

now they stand in faith's reward.

Once they had but partial knowledge,

now they know as they are known.

Once they walked a pilgrim's hourney,

now their feet are safely home.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

2010-05-04T21:38:00.010-05:00

Yippee!! Botanical Gardens is open. We love it!

We visited most of the tree houses. This was the first one. Isn't it awesome!! Inside the flower pot there were ladders to the top of the pot. Of course the boys had to climb all the ladders. What fun!

If you double click on this photo you will see Thomas at the top of the tree house and Mamas, David and Cooper are swinging at the bottom of the tree house. This was Mamas's first time to the Gardens. She enjoyed it and wants to go back.

I love this fallen tree. They have hollowed some of it out and planted ferns in it.

Caramia enjoyed the gardens too.

This was Dorothy's house. If you look closely on the left side of the house you can see the wicked witches legs and red slippers. They boys really liked that.

A mama and her little birdies in their nest!

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Trying to find joy in each day...

2010-04-24T22:07:00.011-05:00

Thankful for the bond between my mother, my daughter and my granddaughter...The comforting feel of a baby...

The love between your children and their spouses...

cousins that share...

Godly friends that are always there...

the love between my girls...

longtime friends...

The fun of a shared birthday...

the sweet touch of your babies lips...

the joy that so easily comes...

by just being together.

2010-04-01T06:29:00.001-05:00

Hey Daddy, How was your day. Mine was amazing, fantastic, utterly awesome....I spent the day with Memaw and Meme.Blessings, Memaw Barbie

2010-03-01T20:00:00.005-06:00

Peete's Landing is almost complete. The landscape was finished today and the carpet installed. Appliances delivered, to be installed tomorrow. Heating and air, finish lighting and plumbing...then moving day! Laura and I washed windows on Sunday morning. What a blessing my sister is! I miss her encouragement when she is not here. She is so sensible, fair and kind. I love her dearly.

The little munchkins played in the cabinets.

We fed the geese. They were further back in the swamp to emerge later that day.

Bedtime for my parents...they are a blessing to behold.

The touch of human hands-

That is the boon we ask;

For groping, day by day,

Along the stony way,

We need the comrade heart

That understands,

And the warmth, the living warmth

Of human hands.

Day by day

2010-02-23T21:04:00.009-06:00

I really enjoyed the boys today. We are ready for warm weather. We want to play outside. We are tired of being indoors. This past weekend was wonderfully, beautiful. It was warm enough to play outside sunday after church. We got out the golf cart and the go-kart. Fun times. I bought these straw hats at Target in the dollar spot. We are going to have photos made this weekend and I thought they would be cute props. What do ya think?

The new big brother.

Is that love or what!!!

Monday evening my sunday school class provided supper for us. What a treat. It was great timing, as we had spent the day in the E. R. with my dad. He had fallen in the early morning hours (about midnight). He had a really nasty golf ball size knot on his forehead above his eye, he cut his nose and he was quite swollen. Dr. wanted to do a cat scan. All was well, but he really took a bad hit to his forehead. He is really bruised and sore. Mom and I were pretty tired by the time we got home ( about 5) when Cathy and Carol showed up with supper from the girls. It was wonderful.

We had strawberry pretzel salad, blackberry jam cake....
which someone tested before supper...guess who?

...some of the best vegetable-beef soup and hot cornbread muffins.

..and a homemade pound cake. We also had sourdough bread. We are truly blessed with a kind, caring, thoughtful ss class. Bless you girls, it was sooooo nice!

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Guess Who Came to Dinner Tonight?

2010-01-26T22:16:00.006-06:00

We had a visitor today!

Of course we took lots of photos...Mia in basket.

Mia in different lighting.

Mia with great grandmother Meme.

Cooper has to take her picture with his camera too. This little girl has these little boys wrapped around their fingers. Cooper kept saying "I love her".

The bottom left photo they were just watching her sleep. So sweet.

Big brother David was home with his Mama. He has been a little under the weather and we didn't want to get him out today.

Thank you Mamasita for sharing your little bundle with us today. What a blessing.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Today was a good day...

2010-01-24T21:03:00.007-06:00

Today we had a baby shower. We had planned a shower for Mamas for last weekend, but she had the baby a little early and we missed it.soooo we decided to have it today. Funny thing, when she was pregnant with little David the same thing happened. She was in the hospital about to give birth at the time of her shower. Laura and I were determined SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE A BABY SHOWER!!!! It was fun today especially because little Caramia was there.

Ashley made this beautiful cake. It was homemade white cake with chocolate frosting. It was delicious....best frosting I think I have ever had.

Cousins, Cooper and David

These boys are completly enamored by this little girl!!

My oldest grandchild and my youngest

Aren't I blessed.

A wonderful day ended with a prayer service at our house tonight.

Several of our closest friends along with our pastor met for prayer for my mom and dad. It is a humbling experience when you are prayed for. I am thankful for my close Christian friends. We are truly blessed.

Fifty six years of marriage with your best friend.

PRICELESS!

Blessings Memaw Barbie

2010-01-23T21:46:00.003-06:00

I copied this picture from a friend's page. This was taken this week as the bad weather passed thru out city. The building is First Baptist church Huntsville. Isn't that tornado amazing!!!

The tornado struck very close to our church, so there were several of our friends that live in that area that received damage to their homes. Thankfully there were no injuries. That was a blessing. We have had tornadoes that have left many dead, and injured. One of the most amazing things is the night before the bad weather hit us, it hit in my sisters hometown in Texas. They had a tornado touch down also. They didn't have any damage to their home, but there was damage in their city. Same storm, just travelled across the country.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

She's here at last!!

2010-01-18T21:36:00.008-06:00

Please welcome......

Caramia Louisa Loved by her Momma...
Her Memaw....

big brother David

Aunt Laura...

cousins Thomas and Cooper...

and her daddy Ben.

She came one hour and 24 minutes before my birthday!!! Her mother had to have an unplanned cesarean. Had she gone thru her full labor, she would have made my birthday. We are so glad to have her here safely. She weighed 5 lbs, 14 ounces, and is 19 inches long. What a blessed day.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

2010-01-01T21:18:00.008-06:00

Our baby could possibly be here anyday now. Mamas is not due until Jan 31, but she has been put on medication to keep her from going into labor. She has been on it about 4 weeks now. They have given her steroid injections also to help Caramia Louisa's lungs develop also. Mamas had those injections when she was carrying Little David too. Hopefully she will wait a few weeks to get here. We are anxiously anticipating our little girl! We have had family here this week. It has been great. I hated to see them go. As you can see we are a house divided (We have the TEXAS LONGHORNS represented here)....

and in this corner we have the TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS and the ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE ( who is currently the SEC CHAMPIONS ) Next Thursday night will be lively at my house. Laura, Jason and I will be for the LONGHORNS and my husband and son will be for ALABAMA. It will be an exciting game no doubt.

Christmas Eve was our family night. Little David got to open his presents first. Then Cooper, then Thomas and then the adults.

Thomas has lost his first 2 teeth. I pulled the first one and Meme Peete (my momma) pulled his second one. They look so different when their big boy teeth come in don't they.

They are coming right along with Mom and Dad's little cottage. You can follow the progress on her new blog...www.peeteslanding.blogspot.com

Blessings Memaw Barbie

They're here!!!

2009-12-20T20:18:00.003-06:00

THEY ARE FINALLY HERE...FOR GOOD....FOREVER...HALLELUJIAH!!!!
THEY MADE THE FLIGHT FINE. VERY TIRED, BUT WELL. THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS BLESSING

BLESSINGS MEMAW BARBIE

2009-12-19T21:29:00.003-06:00

I received this beautiful card today from a dear friend. It is one of my favorites and thought you might enjoy it as well.

The Meaning of the

Christmas Tree

Each part of the Christmas tree celebrates Christ's birth

and tells the story of how God sent His son to earth.

The wood reminds us of the manger where He lay

and of the rugged cross where He gave His life one day.

The evergreen shows the eternal life Christ gives-

anyone who believes in Him forever lives!

The decorations represent blessings from above

and inspire us to thank the Lord for His tender love.

The shining lights show us how we're to do the same,

as we share His grace and seek to glorify His name.

So may each beautiful tree bring honor to our King,

and may we celebrate Christ's love in everything!

Blessings Memaw Barbie

How do ya like my snowflakes on my blog!!!!

Lumber

2009-12-16T20:47:00.002-06:00

Lumber was delivered today for the new house. I will try to take pictures tomorrow. They will start framing in the morning I believe. It's coming right along. We've picked out appliances and go look at plumbing fixtures on Monday. Mom and Daddy will arrive on Sunday. We can't wait. What a glorious holiday for me!!!
Blessings Memaw Barbie

School days,school days...

2009-12-15T21:48:00.006-06:00

I spent Monday morning at school with Thomas. I had a good time. Several moms, and grandmothers helped the kids paint sweatshirts. We love to paint. I imagine it was the first time some of them had ever done this, so that really makes it enjoyable. The children are so excited for Christmas. Wish it could last longer....This is Meme. Her daughter-in-law is Thomas's teacher.

Meet George. I imagine we will get to know George a little better.

Thomas says George is HILARIOUS!! and his teacher agrees.

What cute little faces.

Laura and Cooper met us there for lunch. Cooper had a great time.

Looking forward to being there again.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

2009-12-13T21:34:00.007-06:00

These are a few of my favorite things.

Mom and Daddy, your room is ready!!!

Blessings Memaw Barbie

2009-12-12T22:28:00.002-06:00

Well, they have the block work completed. Doesn't really look like much, but it will when they are thru. The trusses will be delivered on Wednesday and the lumber probably Tuesday or Wednesday. Gonna be fun.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Christmas weekend...Peete's Landing

2009-12-07T22:33:00.009-06:00

We had a spectacular weekend in Nashville. We have seen the Rockettes several times, but everytime is very enjoyable. Our entire family spent the weekend in Nashville. Everyone in our family from the three year olds on up to us old folks enjoy it. One of my favorite things about the Rockette show is the live Nativity at the end of the program. It is spectacular!!! They even have live animals (donkeys, camels, sheep) and at the very end they play the Hallelujiah chorus. AWESOME!!!We had a great meal before the show.

After the show we gathered in one room for a visit. Of course the guys had to catch up on the Texas-Nebraska game and the Alabama-Florida game.
Looks like Texas will play Alabama in a bowl game.

The bathtub is always a good place to play isn't it!

It was a really nice weekend. The best part is being together.

Here are the most recent pictures of Peete's Landing. They poured the footing on Friday. The block was delivered today and will be set tomorrow (Tuesday). Mike says it will be framed and roofed in probably about 11 days. We're on our way. WooHoo!!!!

Come on Mom and Daddy!

Blessings Memaw Barbie

That was then...this is now...

2009-12-02T21:35:00.020-06:00

These are last years Christmas pictures. I love to take the boys to have our pictures made together. We have done it twice a year since they were born. They are really comfortable with the camera. They look forward to it. We always do Christmas pics, and birthday pics in March or April. We usually take our own props. Last year I took our little porceline Nativity set. I have always allowed them to have a set to play with. I keep a small set out year round. They are very familiar with the Christmas Story. Thomas likes for me to take fabric pieces and make him a shepherd costume. He hasn't asked this year, but I bet he will before the season's over.

Little David

Memaw and her boys

Cooper

I thought it would be fun to compare last years photos with this year.....so here are the pictures from this year. We went Tuesday afternoon. I checked Thomas out of school a little early to try and beat the crowds. It worked, there was no one ahead of us so we didn't have to wait. I love it when a plan comes together.

Cooper is holding our prop in the photo below. It is a snowman with lighted antlers. When you squeeze his hand he wiggles and sings let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

When I got our Christmas boxes out of the attic last week I was so excited when I found him. I called the boys and let them hear the snowman singing on the phone. Thomas and Cooper remembered him and squeeled. It was a moment to remember. Laura said "you're crazy momma" I texted her back, "you just now figuring that one out?"

It was funny.

There's our snowman again. They had to take turns holding him. He's missing an ear muff. No clue what happened to it.

Not the best picture here, but I loved it that all the boys laughed and had a good time. The photographer really had them giggling.

Thomas sure does love his brother and cousin. He calls Cooper "Bubby" and little David calls Cooper that too. Little David thinks they are his brothers!!! When we past by Thomas's school one day, Little David said" there's our Bubby's school!!" Such a blessing we live close together.

This one might be my favorite.

Thanks for visiting

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Fox in Sox

2009-11-30T21:55:00.004-06:00

Thomas is reading!!! I don't know when it happened, but he read a book to me today!!! It brought tears to my eyes. I remember the first time his mother read for me. Wasn't that just yesterday? It is so exciting. I love to read and I hope the boys will too.He sounds out his words very carefully.

...and he has a loose tooth!!! I still have all of Laura and Ben's teeth. Laura says that's weird, but I couldn't throw them away. I think I will wrap them up and give them to her for Christmas. She would die. Isn't that funny!!!

Laura was real funny about the tooth fairy. She made us put her teeth in the kitchen, on the counter, cause she didn't want any stranger in her bedroom. She's got issues!!! Blessings Memaw Barbie

2009-11-29T21:19:00.007-06:00

Wonderful breakfast casserole.

...a whole lot of fun...and work in between...

more work...

Alot of satisfaction.

We started at my house on Saturday morning...

and finished up at Lorie's on Sunday evening.

Lorie, Juju and I decorated each others houses. Juju had already done hers with her grandson, so we got Lorie's and mine completed. It was a great memory.

We started this tradition last year and I really enjoy it. It is much more enjoyable decorating with friends.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Another great family day...

2009-11-26T19:58:00.012-06:00

We enjoyed a wonderful meal with Ben and his family on Sunday evening. They went to Texas for the Thanksgiving holiday, so we celebrated a few days early with them. It was wonderful. Mamas cooked her first Thanksgiving meal. Her dressing was really good. It was quite a feast.

Today after our meal Jason and his cousin Jamie had a little target practice out back. They also poured over the sales ads for tomorrow. I think they might get up and go shopping EARLY!!

David, Sandy and I worked on lunch then. We had a small meal, just the three of us. It was quite nice.

Laura, Jason and their boys, Dave, Sandy and I, and Jason's cousin and his wife (they just got married last Saturday!) had breakfast with us. We had sausage, country ham, bacon, little smokies, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, biscuits, strawberries (that Dave and I had froze this past spring) milk gravy, and tomato gravy. It was delicious. It was the first time I have had tomato gravy. I will be making it very soon. Misty (Jamie's wife) taught me how.

Dave loves to cook.

We had fresh oranges and banana bread too.

...then we played outside. It was really windy and very cool.

This is the spot where your house will be mom and daddy.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

2009-11-21T16:05:00.007-06:00

Thought you might enjoy a look at some of our valued guests in our salon. This is called a coon-tail, and has been pretty popular. It looks pretty good when done underneath the round of the head. You just kind of get a peek of it from time to time as the hair moves. Pretty cool huh?She seems pretty pleased with her color and cut.

This is one of our most exciting, fun clients. Can you believe she's a librarian. She wears funky color extensions in her hair all the time. They change with the seasons and the holidays. Sure makes our work fun.

She was on her way to a halloween party.

Cathy looks alot like Paula Dean. Strangers stop her and want to take her picture. She is one of my closest friends. She is pretty inside and out.

She used to keep her hair red, but decided about ten years ago to go grey. I am partial to red-heads, and love to do red color, but I think she made a great decision. Her hair is beautiful.

Another fun day at A Gentle Touch Salon and Spa

Blessings Memaw Barbie

Let the work begin....

2009-11-19T07:13:00.003-06:00

Well, the work has begun. Kenneth Cardin came yesterday and cleared the spot for the house. He did a great job. Still waiting for the bluesprints so we can get the building permit. We should be able to get it on Monday and dig the footing on the following Monday which will be after Thanksgiving. We need a name for your house Mom. You and Daddy be thinking on it and let me know. We should call it something significant. What do ya think? Any suggestions.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

A Garden of Friends....

2009-11-17T20:54:00.011-06:00

I was blessed to have been invited by two close friends to join them on a road trip this weekend to Gatlinburgh. We actually stayed in a lovely cabin in Wears' Valley. It was a great weekend. The weather was ideal. It was really warm for the mountains this time of year. It was very pleasant outside.

We enjoyed our view from the back porch. Most of the trees had already lost their leaves, but there was still some beautiful color in the mountains.

Beth had brought 3 loaves of homemade bread, and Edith brought sausage balls. I had made homemade pimento cheese, and that made for a pretty good meal.

Peggy, Edith and Beth. Edith and Beth have been good friends for many years. Peggy and Beth became aquainted thru my salon. They have become good friends too.

Peg and Beth.

We shopped all day on Sunday. We decided we better come home as we couldn't fit another thing in Peg's vehicle.

See why they call them the smokies? There is a beautiful haze around the mountains all the time.

It was a very relaxing weekend. We ate, slept late, watched movies and shopped. Thanks for the good time ladies.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

2009-11-12T21:26:00.007-06:00

I love that my boys love to be together. Little David adores Laura's boys. I love the look on his face here, and he is petting little Cooper's hand. Isn't that the sweetest????We played outside all evening after the parade. It was a good day.

This is my sweet daughter-in-law Crystal. We call her Mamas (short for Mamasita).
She is expecting my 4th grandchild, and it is a little girl. We are very excited. Our little boys are excited too.

I have not felt her move yet. We were trying to wake her up.

This is really all new for Cooper. He doesn't really know what's going on.

If you enlarge this photo you can see little David in the background. Laura was teasing him. She said she was getting all of little girl's sugar. It was really cute. I am glad Laura and Mamas are good friends. It is really nice. We prayed for a good mate for Ben for a long time. God is good. He sent Ben exactly what he needed. She is one of us and he is crazy about her. They are a sweet family. I am blessed with both my childrens spouses. God has been good to us. I love them both.

2009-11-11T20:32:00.011-06:00

Today we celebrated veteran's day. I took my little guys to the veteran's day parade downtown. I believe this is the first veteran's day parade I have ever been to. It was very nice.

Our little guys love to sing. They can sing the National Anthem. All the way thru. Yeah, that's right. I love to hear it. They can also sing This land is your land, God bless America, and It's a Grand Ole Flag. We are patriotic. We love the fourth of July.We love America too. Our area of the country is heavily into defending America. We believe in it. God bless America. America bless God.

Thomas and Cooper had been to parades before, but this was little David's first parade. It lasted about an hour and a half. They loved every minute of it. There were lots of army guys (as my little guys call them).There were lots of bands.

Ole timey cars.

Lots of veterans with their families. The gentlemen in the bottom photo were sitting next to us. They are cousins. They both served in Viet Nam. The gentleman on the right was interviewed by the local tv station. He and his four brothers all served in Viet Nam. All returned alive.

I had a nice conversation with the one on the left. I told him my uncle Nicki served in Viet Nam. I recalled to him the day my uncle returned home from the war. I was only 5 or 6, but I remember it vividly. He was very young, probably 18 or 19. He was very thin and he had very dark circles under his eyes. I remember my momma just fell apart when she saw him. Oh happy day.

One very special veteran was sitting next to me also. Pa Ray. He is the father of one of my dearest, best friends, Juju.

There were lots of military vehicles there.

...and lots of military folks. They were all chanting different marching tunes. I love to listen to them.

More bands. I love the reflection of the crowd on his instrument.

It was an added blessing to have Pa Ray and Juju there. Pa Ray is a veteran. Next year I will be taking my daddy, also a veteran. You can read about my family of veterans on my momma's blog. It is www.surfergrandma.blogspot.comBlessings Memaw Barbie

God Bless America and all our veterans

Things Cherished...

2009-11-09T19:35:00.012-06:00

I love this old antique pie safe. I bought this when Laura was a young girl. Probably about 24 or 25 years ago. I used it in her bedroom when she was a little girl. It held her strawberry shortcake dolls, books, cabbage patch dolls, and also my sisters raggedy ann and raggedy andy books. I also used it in my salon to hold retail items. It held Aveda shampoos, conditioners and skin care products as well.

It now holds my scripture dinnerware. Each place setting has different scripture on it.

I love it in my dining room.

I bought this stained glass in Gatlinburgh, Tennessee. It was during a trip we took with some of our best friends, Kay and Eddie. It was a great weekend.

In fact, I absolutly love my whole dining room. It holds alot of special memories for me.

One of my favorite treasures is the table. It belonged to my mom and dad. We used it when I was growing up in family of 7. Before we got this table we all sat around a very small round formica top table. I think it only came with four chairs. My mom and dad knew how to improvise. I can imagine my mom and dad were very excited to move up to a table that would accomodate the entire family.
These pictures were taken at various times thru the years at this very table. The top picture is of my little brother Eddie and little sis Nicki. It was taken in 1966. I think we lived in Texas then. The second set of pictures on the bottom was when mom and dad lived in Chicago. That little girl is Laura (my daughter) probably about 1986. The last set of photos on the top was taken when mom and dad lived in Plano, Texas.
The very bottom picture was shortly after we moved into our current home, 2005.
We have certainly had some good times around this table.
My older brother always said this table was going to be his one day. He doesn't really have enough room at his house so he said I could have it. Thanks Herk.

Eddie and Nicki

Eddie and me only 3 years before I married!! 1972.

This is my dinnerware. It makes for a beautiful table. We sell it at our salon/gift shop. There are a total of 20 different place settings. Each one is a different subject. Faith, Salvation, Praise, Love, Grace, Peace.....

Each place setting has scripture based on its subject, so when you set your table each individual piece of china has a different scripture. Isn't that awesome. It's called "Feed on the Word" scripture dinnerware. You can find it online also.

It is a great way to spread God's word everyday.

One of my favorite things in the whole word is to cook and gather with loved ones to share a meal. I especially enjoy it on Sunday's after church.

Oh....the fellow is coming tomorrow to give us an estimate on taking some trees down to start mom and dad's house. The architect is finishing up the blueprints too. We're on our way.
Blessings Memaw Barbie

Moving forward with "A Soft Place to Land"

2009-11-08T12:13:00.008-06:00

That black spot in the picture is where the corner of the house will be. To the left of that black spot will be a back porch. To the right will be the gabled end of the house with all the windows for an amazing view.

We roped off the area that will have to be cleared. We will be working on that tomorrow. Several people will be coming to give estimates. I will meet with Alan tomorrow evening to finalize the drawings. It is really going to be nice. We are very excited.

We walked to the back of the lot. Isn't it pretty this time of year?

We have visitors. Can you guess what it is?

Going to be fun! I love building.

Blessings Memaw Barbie

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

2009-11-06T21:10:00.003-06:00

These words I could say of my parents. Kind, loving,Godly,selfless. Thank you mom and dad.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.