Happy 7th Birthday, Jude!

Our Jude Boy is 7 today and he's excited about it. Of course, kids are always excited about birthdays. It's us older folks who think time is passing too quickly. Robin and I enjoyed our lunch and shopping trip with Jude. He's such a special guy. I don't know how many times he told us he was having so much fun and thanking us for taking him out. He's been taught some good manners. His Memaw and Papa enjoyed the time with him, too, and wonder at what age he might want to skip this tradition. Knowing Jude, he will always be loving.

Jude wore his Star Wars shirt and picked out Star Wars Legos. He was anxious to get home and put it all together. And he actually did a great job following the directions. Must be a boy thing. I remember when Ron would ask me to sit in the floor and play Legos with him and I was lost. I knew nothing about building something recognizable.

Jude and Papa put together a cardboard Mustang while we waited for lunch. Jude chose the blue one. We also treated him to a chocolate shake for his birthday. Yummy.

Jude, we wish you a very happy birthday as you continue celebrating with your family today. You are a true blessing from God and we are so happy to have you in our family. I love you so much.

Still Par-tay-ing

It was a full day for Jude as he celebrated his 7th birthday with friends and family. The fun began in his classroom where he was given a party hat and got to sit behind a birthday poster. The pizza was a surprise from their teacher for learning a very long memory verse. Good job!I think Baylee is actually hugging her brother, not choking him. Although, Jude's expression implies....

Look at the artwork on this cake! The bakery did an excellent job. Jude is really into sharks and this is just what he ordered for his party.

Jude posed with his class and poster to remember this fun day. Sisters Baylee and Sophia joined in. Many of these kids came to Jude's after school for lunch, birthday cake, ice cream, and play time. Another group showed up for dinner and fun, including Jude's cousin, Thomas.

Jude thinks the world of his sweet teacher. We are so happy she is the one teaching him this year.

The birthday boy with his Mom, who put on a fabulously delicious spread for all of us. She kind of looks proud of her boy, don't you think?

The celebrating is far from over. There's still the annual lunch and shopping trip with Memaw and Papa, and his actual birthday this Sunday with his beloved family. Stay tuned.

More Weekend Pictures

My sweet sister-in-law, Rita. She actually loves her mother-in-law!

Lounging on the porch after a full, exciting and emotional day. That's my Blondie!

My Aunt Dorothy and my sister, Donna.

Angela was a big hit with the kids when she offered them rides on a motorcycle that was a bit too small for her long legs. We will do anything for a laugh.

Of course, Baylee could always be found with either the donkeys or the dogs. Here, she is loving on Gene and Rita's dog, Lewis. The animals seem as drawn to her as she is to them.

The whole clan moved outside to admire Mother's new wheels.

I spent the day with Mother today since it would have been her 64th anniversary. She, Aunt Dorothy and I ran errands, went out to lunch, and had a wonderful visit. I was so happy to have these two women to myself today.

Mother is bound to get some looks in this pretty car.

The basement is a favorite gathering place for our family and holds our bunch very well.

Emotions ran a little high since it was our first family gathering since we lost Sugar, the head of our family. All the surprises got the tears flowing, too.

My baby sister and my baby brother. They call each other big and little dummy, but I suspect they really love one another.

Angela and our dear Aunt Dorothy. Two hot chicks!

Can you tell they are sisters? I'm so glad they have each other and thankful for Dorothy's frequent visits.

A Day Full of Surprises

It was decided that since we'd all be together at the farm for Ron's birthday that it would be the perfect time to spring a few surprises on our Mother. All five of us kids and our spouses had been looking into buying a car for her. Knowing she wanted a Camry made the shopping easier.

But before handing over the keys to her brand new car, we presented her with a card signed by her kids and grandkids, thanking her for all she does for us and letting her know we'd finished buying the new shades she wanted for her downstairs. When this gesture reduced her to tears, we knew the car would send her over the top. We weren't disappointed.

We had Mother to sit in the driver's seat while her kids gathered around for a picture. We regret that Donna's husband, James, was unable to attend to complete our picture.

I wrote the following poem that I read to her to let her know what her kids had done. As Dad told her a few weeks back, they have "the sorriest kids that ever lived".

We were having a little discussion
About whom you loved the most,
When it got out of hand
And all five began to boast.

Joe said it was surely him
Since he's the oldest boy.
Then Gene claimed all your love
Because he's brought you so much joy.

Peggy insisted it was her,
Your first baby girl.
While Dennis boldly stated
He's your favorite in the world.

Donna took the floor
And said without a doubt,
The baby of the family
Is what it's all about.

At last it was agreed
We're each your shining star.
For we five and our spouses
Bought you a brand new car.

We love you, Mother, and promised Dad we'd take good care of you!

More random pictures tomorrow of the fun we had.

Ron's Surprise Party

Well, we pulled it off without a hitch. Ron thought he was coming to the farm for a belated 40th birthday celebration with his Mom, Nanaw, and sister Allison. When he arrived, he found the whole family, including Angela, Ashton, and Aunt Dorothy who had traveled many miles to surprise him.And what a good sport he was! He wore the "40" beads and pin all day long. It worked out so well that even his shirt matched his accessories.

I'm so stinkin' proud of this kid that I will eagerly admit that I'm old enough to have a 40-year-old son. This is one of those years in every decade when I get to ask him, "how do you like being in your 40s with your Mom in her 50s?".

Ron had many cards and gifts from his family. He really hit the jackpot with gifts totally geared to him.

He requested Nanaw's famous chocolate cake, adorned, of course, with the "40" theme. Everyone pitched in on the meal, desserts, and drinks, making it all a success. Many of Ron's favorite dishes from childhood were there. Thank you to all the cooks and bakers!

Ron wasn't the only one surprised today. Check back tomorrow for...the rest of the story.

Caught! Red Light Camera

I didn't mean to do it. In fact, I didn't know I'd done anything wrong until I checked through a week's worth of mail and saw where Robin had written on an envelope, "Peggy!!! Bad Girl!"

Now for the record, Robin never opens my mail. This notice was addressed to him because my car is in his name. It was his car until he wanted a big, bad truck, then I took over his car. Still, the citation, the guilt, is in his name. He pulled out his calendar to see where he was the day the red light Road Monitor pulled a fast one. He was in Houston. Not here filling up my gas tank like a sweet husband. He was out of town. I'm the one who broke the law in his name.

But I don't think I deserve the citation. It was an innocent mistake. In the almost 35 years I have lived here, I have gone through that intersection thousands of times with no problem. When I noticed the date and time of the infraction, I remembered I was on my way to Patty's for lunch, shopping, and pedicures to get ready for our cruise like all normal women would. I have turned right on red numerous times at that intersection. I didn't know the rules had changed.

There are three pictures of my car on this notice. The first frame shows me in the right turning lane, even with the car that is going straight. That means I stopped, looked, listened, then turned. The second frame shows the car in the process of turning right. The final frame got real up close and personal with my license plate number. I couldn't believe I'd done anything wrong so I hopped in my car and drove to the intersection. There is a new sign there: "Crosswalk, stop on red". Shouldn't it say: "Crosswalk, no right on red"? I know to stop. I think I've known that since I was in pigtails. A red light means stop. I did. But I'm more familiar with 'no right on red' when the sign applies to the right lane.

I plan to let the city know that the sign is confusing, especially for those of us who have lived in this area forever. I will send that note with my $75. Yes, I know it won't do any good. The sign was probably deliberate to boost the city's economy during these bad times.

Robin told me to be sure and pay the fine well before the due date so it won't go on his record. This is my easy way out of paying the ticket. I'll just point to the name on the citation and ask Robin who is responsible. Hee hee.

Cruisin' the High Seas

Patty and I have returned from a glorious week at sea. We did very little but had a ball doing it.

This is one of the cuter towel animals we found in our cabin nightly. This bunny is all ready for bed. Robin asked me to get him the book that shows how to make them, so the grandchildren better get ready for some interesting towel critters.

M&Ms: don't leave home without them. Patty - being the good friend she is - packed a large bag of these babies for me. I reluctantly gave the rest to our cabin steward on the last day of our cruise.

This is how we spent most of our days, and always fit in a nap or two. We did a lot of reading, crossword puzzles, and more reading. We each completed three books and started on a fourth one. No shows. No pool or hot tub. No formal nights. We didn't even eat in our assigned dining room once! This trip wasn't about entertainment. It was purely relaxation and escape.

We stopped for a little refreshment after browsing the shops on Grand Cayman Island. We were surprised to see we had visitors. A few chickens and roosters pranced back and forth around us, and often blaring out a cock-a-doodle-do when we least expected it.

These pictures are for my high school friend Jan T. and her husband, Ronnie. They love Jimmy Buffitt and attend all his concerts. Well, not just attend. They go there in their beautiful RV and camp out in the parking lot. They set up their Jimmy Buffitt props and have their own little Margaritaville going on there. They have a fun time and are the life of the party.

This is the one in Grand Cayman. I bet Jan's mouth is watering and her ears are itching.

One of our rooster pals who has hearty lungs and a prissy walk.

We were happy to see this shop in Jamaica. Patty loves these Brazilian flip-flops. The price was more attractive than what we've seen online. We walked out of there with a few. After we paid for them, of course.

Another towel animal, this time a dog wearing Patty's sunglasses.

Our shopping treasures! Perfumes, purses, jewelry, and flip-flops. What else is there? This is Patty's bed and the shopping continued after this picture was taken.

This is my bed with my goodies. Dig that gorgeous Guess purse! Patty bought it for me in a Guess store in Cayman Islands. We actually fit in some shopping among all the room service and naps.

OK, the moment of truth. Cheryl, my BB, the cruise was a hoax. Patty and I actually went to Bandera for some R&R. You really believe that, don't you? Would I ever go there without you? I captured this sign in Huntsville on our way back. It's obvious why I had to take this picture. We can still look forward to planning a Bandera Paradise trip for October!

No, Patty doesn't look happy after packing her luggage to go home. Now, we have to make our own coffee! And cook! And clean our own house!

In port at Cozumel. The ship docked next to ours provided a little shade on our balcony.

Room service visited our cabin at least twice a day, but we did venture out to the buffet, snack bar, and pizzeria. Neither of us packed for the evening dinner in the dining room because we just didn't want to mess with it.

Thank you, Patty, for treating me to a trip I will never forget. It is a time in my life when I needed to escape, to rest, to let go. Being lazy never felt so good!

Happy 40th Birthday, Ron!

My firstborn has reached 40. This blows me away. Has it really been forty years since I first looked into those blue eyes? I just knew that had to be the prettiest baby I'd ever seen in my life. But he's no longer pretty. He's downright handsome!What do I love and admire about Ron? For one thing, he's loyal. If he cares for you, he is there for you. He will never turn his back on you. As the pictures here show, he loves his family very much. And there was never a time when he was too big or too old to hug his Mom, Nanaw, or his aunts.

I love his sense of humor. He has cracked me up on numerous occasions. He can imitate anyone's speech or walk, and get you rolling in the floor. Our big family is known for its sense of humor and Ron got a big dose of it himself.

These two women have always loved those tight hugs of his. He knows how to make us feel special.

I love Ron for all he has done to help me with the business. He can manufacture perfect parts. Give him a blueprint and he is on it. His Grandfather called him a genius. I'm inclined to agree. I thank him for sharing the daily grinds and struggles with me. Did I say he was loyal?

I love Ron for the three oldest grandchildren he has given to me. They are beautiful, sweet, and loving and he set the standard for the six that followed. I love him for being an active and involved father, and a loving uncle to his nieces and nephews. I love Ron because he is Ron, and he was the first one to ever call me Mom and I love being his Mom.

Happy birthday, Ron. When I return from my cruise, I will cook your favorite foods, and celebrate with you the 40 years I have been blessed to have you. Just know that my love and thoughts will be with you on your big day. I love you dearly.

Happy Birthday, Cheryl!

It's always a pleasure to honor Cheryl on her birthday. We continue to enjoy an amazing friendship that only deepens with time. She not only is one of the best friends anyone could have but she coined the word friend. What a privilege to live in her heart.I've always loved this picture of Cheryl, even though she's in Piggly Wiggly. It's a Bandera trip and you can see the pure, unadulterated joy in her face!

The reason for this big smile is that she just arrived at the airport for our annual Bandera trip. Those huge grins are impossible to control. How I wish it were today!

Allison is smiling because she is with her two moms. Cheryl adopted all my kids and enjoys her role as Mom II. She has such a big, welcoming heart.

These smiles are all about three friends about to hit the road for Bandera. Life is grand.

BB, I wish we were celebrating your special day in our special place, Bandera. We will get there, hopefully in October. But even though I'm not with you to treat you to lunch, or throw a few dice with birthday coffee, or laugh ourselves silly, you know you are in my thoughts and my wish for a super day is real. Happy birthday! I love you, friend!