Desmon's Grandpa:

This little guy's grandpa, Brad had a heart attack on Monday of this week. He is doing better but his health in in jeopardy and he probably won't be able to work again. Brad is not only a neighbor but a good friend. If you need help with anything, Brad will be there. We went to school together and rode the same bus. Many hours of playing pitch on the way to and back from school. We had a rule that we didn't cheat. Brad loved to aggravate his sister, Pat (who was on my team) to no end. He would pretend to cheat just to make her mad. Lots of fun times on the bus and a good way to pass the time on the long ride. Brad is on the right in the picture below. To be honest, if I didn't know Brad, I would probably be scared of him. lol To look at him, he is a little scary looking. I've (and others) jokingly told him that and he thinks it's funny. I hope and pray for Brad's health to improve.


I am grateful for the friends in life.

Rainy Day:

Rainy weather makes me sleepy, especially today. Is anyone else having problems staying awake and being productive at work? I have been making myself finish each project today. As for starting new projects...........procrastination, it can always wait until tomorrow.

As for me, I could use a nap...... And at bedtime I will be wide awake.

Grateful for the rain, but ready for the sunshine.

Mark:

Today would have been my brother's birthday. I sometimes wonder what he would have been like, would we have been close, who would he look like, etc. But I don't dwell on it. I grew up knowing I had a brother with a heart condition and could not get better. A fact of life, sad but a knowledge that was the way it was, acceptance, because Mom and Dad accepted it. I have never heard any bitterness from Mom or Dad in the loss of Mark. I can't imagine the pain Mom and Dad went through caring for a baby knowing he would die. Two precious months they had with him, caring for him, feeding and cuddling him, all knowing there was nothing that could be done to heal him. A malformed heart in the year of 1953 was not fixable. What a long way medicine and technology has come since then.
I had a brother, he was loved. Along with his loss, I have learned how strong my parents are.
Happy Birthday, Mark, we love you.

Party Time:

Party Food!!

Friends enjoying the day:
Decision time with orders:
April opening gifts from Beth, housewarming and early birthday:
Beth must have said something pretty funny:

April hosted a Jordan Essentials Spa Party on Sunday afternoon. Mike's sister, Lisa was the consultant. Along with sampling the different lotions we were also pampered with soaking our feet in a Dead Sea Salt bath. It's surprising the amount of dead skin on your feet! (and mine definitely needed it!!)
My boss's wife, Sheila and I were the "oldies" there along with April's friends. The young and the old, I think we all had a good time.

I am grateful for a loving daughter that includes her old Momma at functions in her life.

Anniversary Flowers

Flowers sent by Dwayne:
Window Sill:
(Tried them in the window first, the sun seemed too bright there)

Dwayne always sends me flowers for our anniversary and most years it is roses. I told him a couple years ago that a cheaper bouquet would be just as nice. In the past the roses are almost always yellow. I love yellow roses but I'm not sure if it's because my Grandma liked yellow roses best or if they are my favorite. Dwayne has gotten me some apricot colored roses that were just as pretty if not more so than the yellow. But I hang on to the yellow as that's what Grandma liked.

We haven't gone out to eat for our anniversary yet. Saturday had too many other events going on. I think I hear Sybil's in St. James calling our names for a Friday night dinner................

Thank you Dwayne for the life you've provided and the opportunity to stay home with the kids while they were growing up.

Rod's Promotion:

My godson and nephew, Rod with me in front of the capitol:

Mom, Rod and Dad: (Very proud grandparents)

Dad standing along with all veterans being honored at ceremony:

Rod:

Rod and group:

Rod, Me, Mom and Dad:

Rod, Mom and Dad:

This picture of Mom leaning against Rod was special to her. She said it reminded her of all the times Rod sat on her lap and leaned against her as she rocked him when he was little.
Rod, Mom and Dad visiting while Dwayne went to get the truck:

Saturday, the 10th was mine and Dwayne's 34th Anniversary. We celebrated the day by taking Mom and Dad to Jefferson City for the graduation ceremony of my nephew, Rod. He was being promoted in the National Guard. The ceremony was held in the rotunda at the state capitol. I've never been to a military event before. It was very humbling and even more meaningful with the tribute to our country and military personnel being honored the day before the anniversary of 9/11.
There was also a classmate of April's, Nick Davis, graduating that day. We visited with him and his family. Another family from St. James was in the row ahead of us. Mom and Dad knew them. As they say, "it's a small world".
Mom and Dad loved getting to see Rod again. Marilyn and Eddie took us all out to eat at Ryan's. It was a great day of visiting and reminiscing.
I came home and took a looooooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggg nap. I think I slept too much, felt like I was in a coma the rest of the evening. lol
Saturday night, Dwayne went to the Masonic Lodge in Vichy. Todd, Dustin and Tim were joining. I think Todd wanted to join as it meant so much to Grandpa Andy. Times like these are bittersweet.

I am grateful for time spent with family and the anniversary of 34 years of marriage.

Welcome Back:

As I pulled into the parking lot this morning, I saw a sign on the building. I couldn't see too well what it said. So, I get out and look. What? Me, I get a front row close to the door parking spot!! Yay!!!!!!!

But my sense of elation soon evaporated as I am the ONLY bookkeeper!! lol It's kind of like Grandpa Andy always telling April she was his favorite granddaughter. She would, say, "Grandpa, I am the only granddaughter so I have to be the favorite!"
To which Grandpa would reply, "Well you could be the worst granddaughter". lol
So, I guess I could be either the best or worst, depends on the day or week. lol
Actually, we play pranks on each other at the work place quite often, but this is a prank done well. (To my way of thinking.....)

I had been out a couple days for some medical tests and it was a nice welcome back.

I am also going to try to be "welcomed back" on my blogging. Life and work has been very hectic the past month. As you can probably tell by my lack of posting. Once in the whole month of August!! Come on, Connie, you can do better than that!!

I have a lot of catching up to do and many family and friend activities to post. Hopefully, next week I can get back on schedule.

I am forever grateful for my family, friends and my co-workers.
Have a fun and safe weekend, everyone.