Weekend Update:

Friday:
We ate at Apple Bees and had a really good meal.  Dwayne was really tired so we just headed home to watch TV.
Saturday:
Worked around the house.  My cousin, Paul Spencer was having a surprise birthday dinner that evening at St. James.  My brother, Russ came up from Walnut Grove and Dad went with him.  Joe and Judy were there also, Kate didn't make as they had out of town guests.
We had a good time visiting with everyone.  Dwayne, of course, was more interested in my cousin, David's triplets.  We haven't seen them since they were little so I'm not sure Dwayne could visualize them as adults.  They are now twenty-two.
After leaving the party, we decided to stop by Sput's and see if anyone we knew was there.  We saw our nephew, Andy and then in walked Todd, Michelle, Chad, Tim and Russell Harris.  It's always a treat to see your kids no matter how old they are.  A little later, Bubba and Becky came.  Bubba practically grew up at our house and is kind of like family.  We had fun visiting.  Todd and Michelle had bought a new (used) truck they were excited about and also a 4 wheeler.  Then in walked Kenny and Shelley.  We haven't seen them in a long time.  Was so nice to visit and catch up with Shelley.  Their boys, Blake and Nathan were in April's wedding.   A fun evening.
We came home and watched TV until midnight. (actually 11 p.m.)  Most nights we fall asleep watching TV or at least I do.  Dwayne goes to bed early as he gets up at 4 a.m. for work.  Drives a little over two hours to St. Louis and then the reverse in the evenings.  No wonder he's so tired.  I used to have insomnia really bad.  I guess with age, I  am now cured.  lol
Sunday:
We had planned on taking April's package over to her, but instead just stayed home.  It's a good thing we didn't go over.  Poor little Cash was sick and couldn't hold anything down, not even water.  I think April had a pretty miserable day with a sick little boy.
I took a loooong nap and when I woke up, Dwayne had supper ready.  Great guy, guess I'll keep him.  lol

I am so grateful for the fun times we had over the weekend.

Weekend Update:

Friday:

We ate at Sput's.  Ran into some neighbors while we were there.  Always nice to visit the Jones'.

Saturday:

Dwayne worked in the yard all day.  I froze strawberries that I got from April.  Saved out a bowl for Sunday supper.  Strawberry shortcake like Mom made.  It's my favorite.  Dwayne likes pie crust cut in pieces and layered with strawberries.  (yuck)  Mom always made shortcake, which for us meant a dough that resembles biscuit dough only not as stiff.  Tastes SO GOOD with strawberries over it.

Sunday:

Once again, I played lazy and didn't go to church.  I need to get out of this pattern.  Fixed fried chicken for supper and strawberry shortcake for dessert.  A big hit with everyone but not Dwayne, he ate his pie crust and strawberries.  Todd, Michelle, April (Mike was working with turkeys at his uncles and couldn't be there), Cash, Dad and me and Dwayne. Chad was on a buggy ride with one of his friends. We had a good time visiting.  Love these days when the kids are home.  I don't know how Mom used to have Sunday dinner almost every Sunday and how she came up with something different to eat each time.  She made some of the best fried chicken.  I only do every other week and have it at supper.  Mom, with the help of my brother, Russ fried chicken just last February, right before she broke her leg.  Miss all those times together.  Dad still seems to be doing good.  Cash loves Pa Great and looks forward to seeing him.

Dwayne loves to spoil Cash.  They spent part of the afternoon letting Cash drive the truck.  (steering but he thought he was driving)  I tell ya, Dwayne turns to mush when Cash is around.

Cash driving Pa's truck

Cash

Cash and Pa Great

The older you get, the more time you just want to relax and visit with family.  I cherish and am grateful for these get togethers.

Weekend Update:

Friday:
We went out to eat at a new restaurant in Vienna, Checos.  It's Mexican and has very good food.  The portions are quite large, you definetley get your money's worth.
Saturday:
I had to work til noon.  April and Cash were at the house when I got home.  Such fun times!  PaPa watched Cash and April and I went to Rolla.  We ate at Alex's Pizza.  April used to work across the street from them and we would meet sometimes.  After a good lunch, we went to good old Wal-Mart.  Talk about busy!!  I think the whole town was there.  We visited for quite awhile after we got home.
Dad came down for a visit and gave Cash a horsey ride.  Cash was so worn out from his truck driving and four wheeler ride he took a long nap.

Pa Great giving Cash a horsey ride. 

 Cash looks so excited.  

He'd been asking April all week to go see his Pa Great.

Sunday:
Chad came by for awhile.  Other than that, nothing much went on.  Just a relaxing day.

I'm grateful for the life we lead.

Family:

I most enjoy when we have family over.  Sunday evening was our family meal.  Chad, Todd, Michelle and Dad were there for lasagna.  April and Mike couldn't make it as they had a Nascar party to go to.  Sure missed them.
Lizzy was over one night this week for our TV shows.  Love this child but she is growing up.  I can't believe how tall she is.  She's always acted like a little grownup.  I think she was born talking.

Dwayne and I went to eat at Alex Pizza Saturday night.  I had the best chicken Alfredo I've ever had.  (not like I have ate it all my life, just the past few years.  I always ordered steak or hamburger everywhere I went).  If you happen to be in Rolla, try Alex Pizza.  Along with pizza, they have numerous items on their menu.

I am grateful for times like these.

Friday:

Evening of TV.  Fridays, Dwayne has been too tired to go out.

Saturday:

Katie, Dad and I went to Cuba to order a tombstone for Mom's grave.  It was bitterly cold out.  Dad showed us the parts he wanted and told me and Kate to pick out what we though best.  Dad then went to the warmth of the office.  We stuck it out though; but the warmth in the office sure did feel good.

Mom loved dogwoods and we ordered one with a dogwood engraved on the stone.  He showed us a sketch and it really looked good.  We ate at Country Bob's in St. James.  If you've never ate there, I highly recommend it.  You get very large portions.

On home to a lazy day of watching TV.  We tried to get a reservation at Sybil's but they were already booked solid even on Sunday.  Dwayne decided we'd eat breakfast out

Sunday:

We went to Tater Patch in Rolla for breakfast.  Another restaurant I highly recommend.  I've never had lunch or dinner there, only breakfast and it is very good.  I had snowed overnight and was freezing rain on our way to Rolla.  Thankfully, when we left it wasn't snowing or raining.

It was such a boring day at home Dwayne said, let's go to April's.  She had a few packages that had been delivered to our house so it was a good excuse.  Cash was so HAPPY to see his PaPa.  They are quite the pair.  We had a pleasant afternoon and then on home.  I almost forgot to mention Todd and Michelle left a very nice Valentine's card in the mailbox and a sweet text from Todd.  (Even though he has Michelle, he's still a Momma's boy.  lol)  I also received a nice text from Chad wishing us a Happy Valentine's Day.  So wonderful to hear from all three kids.

Grandma, Cash and PaPa

I am grateful for my family and our close bond.

Grief and the answering machine:

I've done pretty good since Momma died, better than I expected.  There are days it gets to you pretty bad.
I've had a message from Mom on my answering machine since last summer.  I'm always careful to not delete it.  It's nice to just press a button and hear Momma's voice.  Last night, I accidentally erased it.  I was so stunned it happened.  I cried like a baby and cried some more.  It was like my link to Mom and I had lost that.  I know we're linked through our Christian faith and heaven,(and God) but this was a tangible message.  Now I really feel lost and sad.  I know the grief will fade but I was a mess.
Dwayne is so understanding.  He is there anytime I need him.  This time I just needed to be alone and think of Mom.  Dwayne would check on me from time to time.
I am so grateful we got to have Momma with us as long as we did.  She suffered alot the past year and when she passed away, it was a relief not to see her suffer.  But I sure do miss  her.
Dad is doing good.  He gets out and goes somewhere about every day.  He calls me, Judy and Kate every evening to check on us.  I'm  thankful he's doing as well as he is.

I am grateful for my Mother and the close bond we shared.  I shall always miss her, some days more than others.  But I do feel God has given me an extra strength through Mom's death.  I have done really well and I know I'll continue with God's help.

Weekend Update:

Friday:
We stayed home and had leftovers.  We usually go out on Friday nights but Sput has a special on Saturday nights of steak and lobster for only $16.  We both love lobster.
Saturday:
I cleaned my cabinets and was surprised how much gunk was built up.  I know I'm guilty but Dwayne is also.  He never washes his hands when preparing food. (Don't worry, he washes them before he starts).  So needless to say, starchy potatoes leave gunk, ketchup, etc.  Even the microwave and refrigerator handles.  I shouldn't complain, he does help me in the kitchen. (but he could be less messy....)  After cleaning. I went up to visit Dad.
After making plans for Saturday night, Katie texts she's having Kensie's birthday party that night.  I took a card and money up for her.  Kate had the house decorated nice for the party.
We went to Sput's and had a great meal of steak and lobster.  Very good.  Then on home for TV.  That's our weekend excitement, a night out eating and then TV.
Sunday:
I went to church and then stopped to get the ingredients for the taco dip Dwayne wanted for Super Bowl.  Chad and Desmon came up early.  Chad said Desmon had been missing me.  He must have as spent at least two hours with me upstairs.  We think of him as our own family member, love that kid.
Dwayne had several show up for the annual Super Bowl Party and playing poker.  Todd and Michelle were there, but Michelle wasn't feeling well so they left early.
Lizzie and Nathan came over and we played Liverpool Rummy.  Lots of fun.

I am grateful for our close knit family.