TEN YEARS LATER!

WOW! I happened to run across my blog I created so long ago and then apparently completely forgot about it due to my workload. Even though I retired in February of 2019 I never seemed to stumble upon the site until today (Saturday, December 20, 2025), quite by accident. I am SO glad I did. It was great looking back at the whopping 12 posts I made during that time; I just wish I had found the time to keep it up.
I missed keeping up with posts about my youngest grandson's (Tyler) scare with cancer and the relief to find out it was Lyme's Disease...while that wasn't pleasant, it was definitely better than having a cancer diagnosis.  
A lot has changed in the past 10 years...Justin's dad passed away on June 3rd of 2017, just a few days shy of his 61st birthday; I regret not being able to talk to him one last time before he died (Justin actually found his obituary online - that's how we found out about his death); my favorite cousin (FM) passed away on March 23, 2018; my oldest grandson (Dakota) graduated in 2018; I retired in 2019 and Justin (youngest son with Down syndrome) moved back home - his group-home staff SUCKED and I couldn't wait to get him out of there; COVID happened shortly thereafter and the entire world seemed to shut down overnight!; spent a couple of months after retiring to help my brother clean up parents house to sell; however, no one else seemed interested, so I quit; my youngest grandson graduated in 2020 and thanks to COVID he was not able to have a prom, or graduation events...it really just sucked for everyone, especially him; my cousin Ken was in and out of the hospital for his back issues and 1 quack started to perform surgery saying he could fix it without messing up his spina bifida, well, he couldn't, and just ended up sewing him right back up without doing diddly squat! He was released and sent home several times before the technician who did his MRI discovered what he thought was cancer along his spine; although they were treating him for an INFECTION at the hospital. He was eventually sent to a nursing home where they continued to treat him for the "infection" before the doctor pronounced that he had cancer that had metastasized; the nursing home couldn't give him his pain medication until Hospice stepped in and by then he couldn't be moved because he had already lost the use of his legs. Bless his heart though, he always kept up his sense of humor. Ken passed away at the age of 57 on March 29, 2024; his mom (Reba) passed away from cancer on September 10, 2021; shortly before Reba died we lost another cousin (Tex) on August 4, 2021, just shy of his 78th birthday; and yet another cousin (Robert/Robbie) passed away at the age of 55 on May 1, 2024 after a lengthy battle with brain tumors / cancer. 

On the plus, or less depressing side: My cousin Hailey had her first daughter (Chloee) on June 5, 2016; her 2nd daughter (Cora) on January 24, 2018; 3rd daughter (Camilla) on July 8, 2019; and her 4th and final daughter (Molly) on December 3, 2021.

Ken hosted his mom's 81st Birthday Party at the Clubhouse where they lived (Palm Cay Oasis) on July 10, 2021; that was lots of fun, but also sad because we all knew it would be her last...she was dying from cancer.
I threw a great Halloween Party on my 67th birthday - even had the food catered. I'll have to share that separately later on...the theme was Beetlejuice. It was THE BEST BIRTHDAY I've ever had!
My son and his wife celebrated their Silver Anniversary (25 years) on October 28, 2025! I would have loved to have thrown a party for them but their family trip to Scotland threw everything off and made it too difficult to plan. I don't know 35 years is or if I'll still be around, but maybe we can plan something then.

I know a LOT more has happened over the last 10 years, but these are the only things that come to mind right now and give me some kind of idea of things that I can make posts of as time allows, which may or may not happen. At any rate, I hope to do better in the near future to keep up.
In the meantime I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and I hope that everyone has a happy, healthy, prosperous, and safe New Year! Here's to 2026 being a MUCH better year for everyone.
Hoping Hailey gets married in 2026...Ashley gets her medical degree, and we have more get togethers in 2026!
Also want to give my oldest grandson a HUGE SHOUTOUT...so proud of him and his life changes for the better, as well as his recent promotion to Assistant Project Superintendent!! 💖💖

  

Feelings?

Do people (and by people I mean immediate family) think I have no feelings?
My grandson and I went shopping earlier today and then ran by Zazby's to grab something quick to eat. No sooner had we pulled in the driveway and started to unload the car when he gets a call. He needs to be home by 5 for cake and ice cream. It's 4:15 PM now. So, we both ate in a hurry (I didn't finish mine; I'll get to come back to COLD food) and I took him home. Apparently his mom's side of the family is coming over for cake and ice cream; since I didn't get a call I guess I wasn't invited.
As Dakota got out of the car he said, "I'll TRY to come over tomorrow, but I may have some homework to do". Guess that means I'll be getting up early to go out and clean the pool. He was supposed to come by early this morning to do it, but Jason decided to take them out on the boat instead. Which is okay, they need to enjoy their time as a family.
I, on the other hand, get invited to go out to dinner at a Japanese steakhouse - neither of which I like. I'll probably skip out on that, but that means I won't get to spend any time with my grandkids. Such is life.
Seriously though, it is hurtful. I don't care if they spend time with her family and don't invite me, but GEEZ, don't TELL ME!
Reminds me of last Christmas when they couldn't even bother to buy me or Justin a gift, much less a Christmas card. They NEVER buy me or Justin anything for OUR birthdays. Yet they can order (in advance mind you) her dad some cigars for HIS birthday. Tyler happened to let that slip out last year when I went to pick him up from school one day. He thought her dad would come pick him up since his cigars they ordered for his birthday had arrived.
Karma people, it will come back to bite you in the ass every time!

IT HIT ME TODAY!!

Wow! It hit me today.................December 11, 2013

I was at work just talking before the VAB meeting this morning with Jimmy Cowan (Property Appraiser's Office) and Tom Dobbins (VAB Attorney). Jimmy has something to do with the Youth Football League organization; anyway, we were talking about Dakota playing All-Star once again. When Jimmy asked what team he played for and I told him, "the Cowboys". He commented on them being a good team and that they'd be even better next year. I told him that this was Dakota's last year with the Youth Football League since he would be entering High School (OMG - HIGH SCHOOL) next year!! All of a sudden I felt REALLY - I mean REALLY OLD!! How in the world did this happen? HIGH SCHOOL already. Yes, my baby is growing up and will be fifteen (yep, 15) in September of 2014! That means RESTRICTED LICENSE...........I can see it now........in 2015, when he's 16 and has his license, he'll be wanting to drive his mom to work so he can have the car all day and pick her up after work! I'll never see him again, UNTIL he needs gas money! Funny what your mind thinks, isn't it?

(Photo of Dakota from All-Star Game - 11-23-13)

 

National Scrapbook Day

I love scrapbooking and all things related (i.e., art journaling, mixed media, found objects and photography, just to name a few). I enjoy writing the stories I want to share with future generations, as well as the artsy part.

For National Scrapbook Day last year I spent about $100 to participate in an event at a nearby scrapbook store, but was not able to attend due to awful migraines. Yes, I did call and let them know I would not be able to make it; however, I never received my money back or heard another word about this (I received absolutely NOTHING for my $$) even though I contacted the store several times afterward, but was never able to speak to a live person, only a machine. Plus there was the Tim thing, which I won't even go into here. Needless to say, I no longer go to that store.

So, this year I'm going to try an on-line event and best of all - it's free!! I'll let you know later how this goes.

I have my scrapbook room/office torn apart at the moment trying to better arrange things and get rid of stuff I know I'll never use. It's been a herculean task so far and I'm NO WHERE near ready for today's challenges, but I'm hopeful that I'll be able to learn something new today if nothing else.

I don't have many friends, well actually, none of my friends scrapbook, so I'm really looking forward to this afternoon's events at Big Picture Classes! Hope to meet some new friends while there.........

I also hope to join Kathy Orta @ Paper Phenomenon later tonight for her online class that starts at 8:00 my time!

 

Observing

While mowing the lawn this weekend I happened to notice a rainbow overhead so I ran inside and grabbed my camera and tried to get a good shot. Apparently, I was too close so all I could get were sections, no matter how far back I moved. Then I noticed that it wasn't just A rainbow, it was a DOUBLE rainbow. No, it wasn't raining in my neighborhood either, but it had sprinkled a little earlier. The second rainbow was more of a watermark and may be difficult to see in the photos, but neither of them lasted very long. The sun was also beginning to set and I was able to get some great shots that actually look very vintage, but I didn't photoshop anything. What you see is what I saw.
I just love taking these kinds of photos. Seriously, who am I kidding? I just love taking photos!
Hope you enjoy these........and while you're at it..........grab that camera (or even your cell phone) and go outside and take some pictures that will make you smile!

Double Rainbow

 

Telephone lines just add something to a great photo, don't they?

Yes, that's sarcasm.

 

Just LOVE these color

 

 

Love the way the sun was reflecting off the elephant ears (yes, I DO like my elephant ears!), they're huge, and if you look closely you can see the cluster of red roses - from the rose bush I brought back from GA from my cousin's (Betty Hall) house. 

 

Rainbows have already disappeared :(



BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!!

It all started on Friday, September 7th, 2012 about 7:00 a.m. I began to straighten and clean the house up somewhat while waiting for Misti to arrive and start setting up for Dakota's "blackout" party tonight. Dakota told her some time back that he wanted a night time neon party for both boys AND girls. Yep, it's official, he's now a TEENAGER!!

The hardest part was trying to figure out how to make the huge video screen work, but Misti was finally able to hook it up with the wii, which was a hit (Wii Dance) and thanks to their Aunt Michelle.

It was a really long day, but finally 7:00 p.m. arrived and his party was underway! You can't really tell it in these pic's, but everything is glow in the dark and glow sticks, bracelets, necklaces, blinky lights in the balloons, and all kinds of artwork done with glow sticks are hanging all over the place. Plus helium filled balloons. Oh yeah, the cake is even a Betty Cake.........how lucky are these kids?

Here's a couple of photos from that night that I know in years to come he will treasure. My favorite part of the evening was seeing how much fun everyone was having!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!! My wish for you is that you always keep this bond with your friends.

 

 

OMG!! I felt horrible for Tyler when Dakota opened his Google pad (Nexus 7 Tablet). He asked if Dakota got that because he was 13 and I told him yes. He replied, "He's already got a phone!" Now he's upset that Dakota has a phone, and now, a tablet! Tyler has been asking for an iPad ever since they came out. Does this make me a bad granny?

Tyler and his friend, Julian, spent the night and we woke up early so we could go to breakfast at McDonald's then to Jervey Gantt for Dakota's football game. Dakota's team (Cowboys) played against the Knights and whipped 'em - 30 to 6. They let the other team score at the very end of the game. I wasn't able to stay for the entire game since the team that was up before them was postponed midway due to the thunder and lightning show; followed by enough rain to wet everything good (like the seats)! Dakota's game was supposed to have started at 11:20 a.m., but it didn't start until well after noon. So, I brought Julian and Tyler back home with me around 1:00 p.m. so I could vacuum out the pool from last night. Here's a couple of photos from the game........so sorry I wasn't able to stay and watch Dakota play quarterback for part of the game. Check out these do's Tyler did!

 

 

 

Finished vacuuming out the pool just in time. Party starts at 2:00 and he's already got a guest, but I'm pretty much done, just have to skim the leaves off the top, courtesy of my neighbors sycamore and oak trees! I felt really bad because I was in SO much pain from Dakota's party that I could hardly stand up and take photos for Tyler's party (I promise, I'll make it up to him on another B-day). I spent most of Tyler's party in the house watching a movie; besides my feet and legs hurting so bad that I could hardly stand, it was unbearably hot!! They had a great time though and I did force myself to go out once in a while and take photos. Here's just a few of my favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did I redeem myself?

 

Oh yes!! He's a happy camper now!

Google is awesome! Tyler's tablet wouldn't charge so I called Google (on a Sunday no less) and they will be shipping him out a new one. All we have to do is put the one that won't charge in the box upon receipt and return it. How easy is that?!! This sold me on Google and I'm thinking Santa will bring me one for Christmas!

 

(This photo of Tyler is from May 27, 2012 since he no longer wears braces.)

 

God, I LOVE these kids and as the title of this blog goes..........while I wasn't watching, they were growing up, only I AM watching........I just can't stop it. I am able however, to take lots of photos so they won't be like I am. There's very few photos of me growing up and even fewer of my parents and grandparents. SO, if you're reading this, remember how short a time you really have and snap some photos for future generations, they'll be glad you did!!

I hope you guys had as much fun as I did watching you.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Love you both, bunches.

OH! Before I forget, I want to thank my brother for coming and helping out! Jeff, you did a great job on the yard........thank you!!

I hope Dakota and Tyler realize how much work Misti (their mom) put into their parties. What a great mom. Thanks to her, their parties were awesome successes!! Congratulations on a job well done!!

 

This probably should have been broken down into multiple posts, but I was just too tired.........sorry, it's so long!