New Shoes For All!

Just wanted to say I had fun shopping with my grandkids for new shoes. They are four of the most wonderful kids a gram could have. They are sweet and so appreciative. Not to mention I love spending time with them, when ever I can. We had lunch together and just a great time. These are the times when memories are made.

If you click on the links I have provided you can see the treasures we got.

First is Val and Emi's choices.

Second is Shelbie and Landon's choices.

Hugs

What is a hug?

What is it all about?

Is it a greeting?

Is it a form of affection?

Is it an empty gesture?

Do you hug because you have to?

Just what does a hug mean to you? Have you ever thought about it? I have, and so here are my thoughts on the matter.

Yesterday I had to run an errand, and it just happened that I needed to go to Target. I am in the middle of a project and needed a few things to finish it. I arrived, got out of the car, locked it and was on my way to the door. I heard my named called. I looked around, and finally fixed my eyes on a very old friend I use to work with. I was surprised and happy to see her, and my first reaction was to give her a hug. Now it wasn't one of those grab hold of you type of hugs, it was just a gesture. She reacted differently than I expected, but she accepted the hug, and gave me a pat on the back. We exchanged niceties, you know. How are you, what have you been doing, etc.

I thought isn't it funny how different people react. I guess some do not like their space invaded.

I enjoy being hugged. I was married to a hugger, and it is something that I miss. Hugs, make me feel like your glad to see me, you appreciate me, and that you love/like me. When that hug comes from someone you love back, it's a warm fuzzy that everyone needs. Human contact is what nurtures the soul, in my opinion of course. I am sure not everyone has the need to be hugged. I DO!! I love it when my children and grand children hug me, and hug me like they mean it. My oldest son gives bear hugs, you know you have been hugged when he gives you one. My youngest son gives soft hugs, those are good ones too. What kind of hug do you give? There are the around the waist, side to side; cheek to cheek; full frontal types; the bear hugs and of course the soft ones. What ever type you give.......give it like you mean it. You never know what the impact of that hug can do for the soul of that person at that particular time. It's almost like giving a smile to a stranger, that gesture may be just what they needed. So give hugs to those you love when ever you can, the time will come when you can't and then you will wish you could.

Birthday BBQ

Money, money, money! Just what he wanted

and STAR WARS, his favorite!!

What a good time was had by all that went to Landon's Birthday BBQ. Tim and Danelle out did themselves with good food. We dined on hamburgers, hot hot wings, and honey BBQ'd wings. Salads, watermelon, tea, lemonade and to top off the birthday bash, "make your own" ice cream sundae's. I think Landon's favorite was the whipped cream, he had a dab of ice cream and a whole lot of whipped cream. "that's my boy"!! He got MONEY, his favorite thing at this age. His Uncle Kracker and Aunt Cheese gave him his most favorite thing in the world, and that's Star War's Lego's. He just can't seem to get enough of those things. We were trying to think of a neat name for Val and Emily. Somebody mentioned "Milk and Cookies", I think that's cool, but I like "Cookies and Cream" better. So we would have Uncle Kracker, Aunt Cheese, Cookies and Cream. What fun.

The neighbor's next door came with another guest, and of course Bill and Carla. They are cousins once removed, but the kidlets call them Uncle Bill and Aunt Carla. Seems to fit I think. Landon and I were going shopping for his birthday, but he went to the Golf Warehouse, and found some kids golf clubs he wants. So another golfer has been born. His grandad would LIKE that.

Fun was had by all who got to attend. We missed those who couldn't.

She loves to RUN!!!

Thanks M & M, these are neat pictures of Val. She ran in a race on Saturday. I just wanted the pictures for ME!!

Notice: she's all geared up, a banana, her racing watch, neat T-shirt and best of all the band aid on her knee. I guess you would say it's a battle wound.

Congratulations Val, the medal looks really cool around your neck. Looking forward to the 5K. I am coming to watch.

My Favorite #1 Grand-daughter

I just love "stealing" these pictures from

my family.

Here is my oldest

what a knock out she is. Does anyone

out there think she takes after ME?

Okay, okay maybe not, but I like

to think so. She's high school bound

in just a few weeks. I say again,

where does the time go.

In Action

Shelbie in tournament play.

Great picture her Mom took of her. Notice

the dust on her foot, she was moving.

I love these type of pictures.

This moment in time was captured

for all to see and enjoy.

GO ALLSTARS

Could not resist "stealing" these pictures from Tim. The All Stars are on their way to Monett Mo to kick butt and take names later.

GOOD LUCK ALL STARS!!

My favorite Grandson, is now "10" years old!!!

This is my sweet Landon's 10th birthday. I don't know where the time has gone. These pictures were taken in September or October of 1998. So I guess you could say he was almost, just almost 6 months old. Isn't he just the cutest little guy you have ever seen. He always had a ready smile, and still does. A dimple to die for, and just an all around sweetheart.

He and I are going shopping for his birthday, and I can't wait. He told me that he wanted to go to Toys R Us, so I reckon that's what we will do. I am sure he has something he wants, and I am happy to indulge him. After all he is my 'favorite' grandson. Well, actually, as the three girls always remind me. He is my only grandson.

Happy Happy Birthday Landon. You finally made double digits, and aren't you proud. I love you my little prince!!

BASEBALL FANS

Just a few baseball fans today. Michelle & Emi

Valleri & Emily

Sisters, what a pair!

Brothers, discussing the semantics of the game, and the pitching. Wonder if they solved anything with this discussion. Looks like Mark is listening, or maybe talking. Tim has his hand on his hip, he was wondering why his fingers went to sleep...hum. Need a new stance son!

I was there too, just no pictures of the Gramcracker today.

NEWTON 25 LIONS KS 5

Shelbie with Valleri and Emily

Lions in the field, scoreboard

Good

Game!

A GOOD DAY FOR THE NEWTON ALL STARS!

I guess Kansas had a cold front go through today, cause folks it was like late October at the ball field. Everyone showed up in shorts, sandals etc. Before the game started we were trying to find any and everything you could wrap up in. The wind was howling from the north and it was darn chilly. Well for everyone except Michelle. She runs around in the dead of winter without a coat. Anyway, it was a good day for the ALL STARS of Newton. They won the game, and you can see the scoreboard in the first picture. That just about says it all. Because of the 10 run rule, they played only 4 innings. The girls from Lions, KS won the sportsmanship award. They took a real licking, and so they rightfully deserved it. This game put them out of the tournament. The Newton girls are playing, probably right now as I write this, hopefully they will win again and play again tomorrow. I hope I get to see them. If they win two more games, they will be one of the three teams to go to Missouri to play in the district tournament. GO ALL STARS!!

Game One

Game one of the tournament. The tourney is being played in RoseHill, which is not far from here. Shelbie's team played the very first game of the tourney, and unfortunately they lost to the RoseHill team. That puts them in the looser's bracket, and they played again on Saturday. Here are some pictures of Shelbie, first time at bat for the night, they walked her. Second picture, she is on third base waiting for her chance to score a run. **note, see Tim, coaching third base. It was a beautiful evening for baseball cool and not much breeze.

ALL BOY

This is my MAN Landon.

Landon is all boy, just in case you didn't know it. He played and played and played today at the ball park. Because of the rain, he was looking for frogs. He found a few little ones. But in his quest for the little critters, he was one big mud ball, head to toe. He had mud on his face, arms, legs, shoes, I mean everywhere.

He came home with us after the game, and his Daddy's last words to him were, Landon when you get to Grandma's, wash yourself up. I am telling you washing up was not going to get it. So I popped him into the shower to wash up, took his clothes to the washing machine, EVERYTHING from the skin out. So while they were washing he was stark naked. The only robe I had was my pink fluffy one, so this is a picture of him in it. I told him I was sorry, it was the only one I had. He told me it was okay. It was warm and soft. He is such a good sport, and now I have a picture of him that I can RE-USE someday for embarrassment purposes!! Love ya Buddy!!!

UNFINISHED, by MKYoung

This is the book, the title, the cover, the author of a book that you will be able to purchase on September 3, 2008. This manuscript will be available on-line at Barnes & Nobles.com; Amazon.com; and one other that I can't remember.

You might think that by the cover and the title, this is about gloom and doom, but it's not. It will be political, touch social issues and other thoughts he has. It has a way of getting your attention.

I had an interesting conversation with Mark last night about his poetry. I have been reading excerpts from the book on his web page, and I will tell you I have been completely confused and feeling a bit overwhelmed. Now, I am not a stupid person, but I could not get it and that's what I told him. So, he took one of them and explained it to me. The one in particular that he talked about was one he wrote about his Dad and his battle with cancer. It's entitled "A Bad Day". I encourage you to read it, especially if you are one of the persons who fought this battle with him. The poem begins with the day that he told his kids about the cancer, and all that ensued afterwords, right up to the time that he went to his peaceful refuge. I read the poem, and I didn't get it, that is, until he explained the symbolism of it. Now I get it, and it is clear as a sunny day. He explained to me, that everyone reads something different into his poems, and that is the beauty of it. All of the poetry is that way. Everyone gets something different from it. I give you another example. A poem entitled "Stress": This poem is about a tornado. And once you know that, it makes perfect sense, but when I read it the first and second time, I saw it as an interpretation of the Crucifixion. Your personal interpretations speak to where you are in this life. I find that an interesting concept.

About the book. The book will be available on line at the places I mentioned. He said that if there is enough activity with the book, Barnes and Nobles will put a few copies of it in their stores. So if you choose to purchase the book, do it from B & N (on line). The book, he said was about 100 pages, and will run in the neighborhood of about $8 - $10 plus shipping etc. The poetry is not your typical poetry, and you will find it hard to read, that's why you need to read and re read it and draw your own conclusions to what it brings to you. Who knows if it will make a best seller's list, but one thing I know for sure, IT WILL MAKE MINE!!

Sher~girl and me!

Well, here we are. Isn't this a great picture? Chris, Sher~girl's son in law took this picture at a baby shower that was given for my great niece Andra; Sher~girl's granddaughter. Yep, there is a new baby coming to our family. AND, that is gonna make her a "great-granny"! She looks pretty good to be a "great", don't cha think? That means I am going to be a "great-great auntie". Now that is a scary thought. I am shrinking in height. I don't remember being that much shorter than her, but wait, maybe she had shoes on with heels. Gadzooks, I hope so.

Nice picture Chris, your new camera did a pretty darn good job on these two "old broads".

INTRODUCING...........

My Cousin "Sunny"

This is my cousin "Sunny". Her actual name is Loretta Lee. She was named for my maternal Grandmother. Her mother, Virginia (Aunt Gin) was one of my mom's older sisters.

I haven't seen Sunny since 1992. We had lunch one day in Newton and that was the last time I saw her. Her children live in this area, and she and her husband, Bob were here for the Square Dance Convention that was held here. Now that the event is over, she was doing some re-connecting with some of her extended family.

We decided to get together for a visit, and that turned into a lunch with her oldest son Rick. I had not seen Rick since he was a wee one, so his size was a surprise. He looks the same as I remember, in the face. Sunny is married to Bob, what a really nice guy he is. He has a ready smile, and made me feel very welcome. He said he had looked forward to meeting me.

It was a nice visit, and I had the pleasure of seeing the motor home they travel in. It is really a nice one. If you look at the pictures you'll see what I mean.




Sunny has aged with grace. She reminds me a lot of her mother, my aunt. She lost her dad in the 1960's, so I don't remember what he looked like, but I am sure she has some similarities of his. They called my uncle Sunny, so it was fitting that they called her the same.

It was a nice visit, a lot of catching up. It is always good to spend time with family. They will be leaving to go back to southern Texas where they live. Why would anyone want to live in hurricane country? But they seem to love it, so I guess that is all that matters. She told me today that between her kids and Bob's kids they will soon have 40 grandchildren/great grandchildren. Now that's a passel of kids. I appreciated her gesture and enjoyed the visit.

Timothy

I decided that I would write a piece about my oldest son, Tim. I titled this post Timothy, just to get him going. I have a funny story about his name. When he was in the third grade, he and his classmates went to Bible School in a church across the street from school. Yep, they use to do that type of thing in the olden days. On with the story....when it came time to graduate from the Bible School, the teacher made out the little diplomas. I received a call from his teacher one afternoon wanting to know "Allen's" middle name. He decided to change his name when he went there. I always laughed about that, of course I told her, his name was Timothy Allen. I guess he just didn't like the name Timothy. It means Honored of God, and his Dad and I liked the name and it went well with Allen. Allen was his Dad's middle name and was a family name. One of the only person's who could call him "Timmy" was his Grandma, to everyone else it was off limits, or so I thought. A couple of weeks ago I went to one of Shelbie's games and the announcer was calling out the names of the players, and the coaches and over the loud speaker came the words Timmy. SHOCKED to say the least, was I!!

Tim, is a kind, caring, intelligent man. He also is a good father, good husband and wonderful son. I have been truly blessed.

Tim just received his Master's Degree in Specialized Ministries. Tim pastors a Methodist Church in Buhler Ks. His first post was in Walton Ks in a small Methodist Church there. He worked hard to bring about an increase in membership and to bring that church alive. He did a good job, and now has moved on to a new challenge. He serves as a pastor part time, and has a full time job with a company he has been with for several years. He holds a key position in that company and has worked very hard to get there.

Tim is married to the beautiful Danelle. They have two children; Shelbie and Landon. I am thrilled and proud of my "kids", they bring unbelievable joy to my heart. I give thanks to the Lord for all he has given to Tim and to us all.

Mark

It seems that I have written something about everyone on this blog, except my youngest son, Mark. Mark is intelligent, opinionated, loving, a good father, a good husband, a wonderful son. Oh, did I mention he was smart, oh yeah, I did....I said he was intelligent.

Mark made a life changing decision late last year. He made the decision to apply for membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, #271. Of course he was accepted. He had been working as an electrician for about 3 years, maybe a bit more. He came home to Kansas after traveling for most of that 3 years, took the Master's test and with out a doubt in my mind, passed it. FIRST TIME! I was so excited for him. He continued to work outside the union and once again was on the road. He was home most evenings, but the work took him away some of the time. When he began pondering this change, he had a lot of things to consider. One of them was to go full blown into the union, or consider going to the apprenticeship school to fine tune his skills. I am happy to say that he chose the school and he will start in the month of August. It will be a long four years of school, but the rewards will be great for him and his family. One I can think of right off the top of my head is "working in a safe environment". When your working in that business, you need to know exactly what you are doing, and so do those around you. I rest easier knowing this. For those who don't know, his dad was an electrician as well. He went through the program, and finished top in his class and was outstanding apprentice for the city of Wichita, and the state of Kansas. That was a long time ago, but there is a plaque hanging in the school that represents those facts. There has never been a father/son apprentice of the year. But I have this feeling that in four years there will be a plaque also hanging at the school with Mark's name on it. Mark's dad was always at the top of his game when it came to his job, those are big shoes and I know of only one person who can fill them, and surpass the accomplishments he had in his chosen field.

Mark is his own man with goals and dreams. He has the drive it takes to fulfill every goal and dream. I am proud of what he is doing and will do. He has my full support of this decision, and I can hardly wait for that one special day four years from now. Good luck Mark, I know you will do yourself proud. You bring joy to my heart.

One thing I failed to mention was his lovely wife Michelle, his daughters Valleri and Emily. We are going to be one loud crazy family in four years. We will be celebrating Mark's graduation and Valleri's as well. What a year that will be for everyone. Praise the Lord for all of the blessings he has given to Mark and to us all.