Grateful:

Dwayne has been working in Cape Girardeau for the past several months.  We were so disappointed after being told he would be working in Fort Leonard Wood, only about thirty-five miles from home to being so far away.  He has been staying in Cape during the week and coming home on weekends.
Yesterday, he was told he would be moved to Fort Leonard Wood!!!  What a joy!!  He hasn't got to work close to home in several years (10 or more).  The main benefit will be more sleep, less driving, etc.  But when you like to farm and work with cattle in your spare time, this will help him tremendously.
I'm not used to Dwayne getting home until around nine o'clock on Thursday evenings.  Zach and Nathan had come over to "hang out" as they termed getting to come over.  (I'm a fifty-six year old lady and the kids want to come hang out with me?  That's fine with me, I like company and great nieces and nephews are welcome anytime).
Dwayne surprised us by pulling in the driveway around five-thirty.  Then we got the good news of the job transfer and we were all excited.  Dwayne took us to Road Kill Grill to celebrate.  This is an out of the way to most people, but close to our house for living in the country barbecue place.  They have good food, clean atmosphere and animals to watch outside the window.  Zach had never been there before so he was pretty excited.

I am most grateful my prayers have been answered for Dwayne working closer to home.

Jeanne Cooper:

I watched the tribute on Jeanne Cooper, better known as Katherine Chancellor on Y & R last night.
Each tribute mentioned how special Jeanne made them feel and were all astonished that the other cast members felt the same way.  It so reminded me of my Grandma, as she made each grandchild feel as if they were the most important.  Listening to so many of Jeanne's attributes, the kindness, generosity, treating people with dignity-all could have also been said of Grandma. (minus the language they mentioned Jeanne used, my Grandma never cussed)
I found a poem I wrote a few years ago about my Grandma and Grandpa and thought I would share.

             In Loving Memory of Grandma and Grandpa Feeler
                                        Eliza Rebecca (Ballance) Feeler
                                        4/04/1894 - 1/21/1987
                                        Arch Feeler, Sr.                     
                                        1/24/1982 - 4/19/1974
                                                         (my birthday)

                                                    Grandma,
                                           a kind word, a smile
                                           a twinkle in her eye
                                         You always felt loved
                                       when Grandma was near-by.

                                                     Grandpa,
                                                 funny, clever
                                             mischievous ways
                                         always something to say.
                                                Give him a fiddle
                                         and a song he would sing
                                     the music and joy he put forth
                                         sure made the walls ring.
                                      
                                                   Together,
                                       they made quite a pair.

                                              Grandma and Grandpa,
                                             were definitely first rate
                                          That's why we called them
                                        Grandma and Grandpa Great.

I am grateful for the legacy of my grandparent's love.

Wordless Wednesday:

Weekend:

Friday:
Our summer schedule at work is every other Friday afternoon off.  My Fridays coincide with April's Friday afternoons off so we went to the lake shopping.  We had a great afternoon. I only bought one little shirt and one size 0 pair of baby boy shoes.  Pretty good, I think.  lol
After I left April's, I went on over to the lake where the guys were finishing setting everything up for the weekend.  Little Nathan was so glad to see me.  I told him I had missed him and he says, "I Know!"  Blake is getting older and a little more reserved at hugs, but he was the same way when he was younger.

Nathan

Saturday:
I took Mom and Dad to several cemeteries and then home to fix my covered dishes for the fish fry.
Ashlyne and Tess came over and they are such a big help on getting the car loaded.  Debbie brought Kadence and Desmon down to go over with us.

Dacoda & Phil

Graceson, Frankie's little boy

Chansyn

Braxten & Chansyn

Andy's little boy and girl

Sunday:
Busy morning of food preparation to take for the pig roast.  Debbie came and picked Kadence and Desmon up as they had plans for the day.  Once again, Ashlyne and Tess were real troopers at loading everything for me.
The pig roast turned out really great and we had a beautiful weekend for it.

Me, Nathan & Chansyn

Chansyn

Chad, Kenny, Zach, Todd, Dwayne

Zach, Todd, Dustin & Dwayne

About half of the kids that were there

I think the pig tasted better this year than it ever has, really good.  We all had a good time visiting, playing washers, the kids blowing bubble, egg races and just an overall great weekend.

I am grateful for my father-in-law leaving his lake to us and the opportunity to carry on the tradition of the annual pig roast.  Such fond memories throughout the years.

Pre-Pig Roast Weekend:

Phil & Dwayne

Zach and my goofy Todd

Tim and Zach             

Dwayne

Fishing for catfish

Kacie and Chad

Kacie

 

We have participated in the Tallahassee Pig Roast since 1976.  Unfortunately, most of the original crew has passed away.  The couple weeks leading up to the pig roast is spent cleaning and getting everything ready.  The weekend before the pig roast is spent trying to catch enough fish for the Saturday night annual fish fry.  Everyone has such a good time.

 

Yesterday was my father-in-law's birthday.  Miss him so much.  We had to move the pig roast from the creek in 2007.  Andy asked Dwayne what he thought about having the pig roast over at his lake.  Dwayne and the boys thought it was a good idea.  Sadly, Grandpa Andy didn't get to live long enough to see the First Elrod Lake Pig Roast, he passed away January 9th of 2007.  But, we're keeping the tradition alive and passing down the ritual of fish frying, hog killing and scalding, the Elrod way of wrapping the hog for the pig roast and then on Sunday, the much anticipated eating of the roasted hog.  So, so good!!

 

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing weekend of fun with good friends.

 

Trio of Workers:

Zach

Chad

Todd

Chad and Todd came over to mow the lawn for me last night.  With the two mowers going, they made a long tedious job go pretty fast.  Zach came over to put mulch around the flower beds.
Everything is so pretty and green this year versus last year's dry weather starting in April.
Fixing supper was a small price to pay for getting such good help.  And always a funny
story to be heard by Todd.  He always keeps us entertained.

I am grateful for my(our) sons and a terrific great nephew.

Wordless Wednesday: