Nana's Digressives

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The new Smokey C's (sign hasn't been changed yet) New Smokey C's dining area Another view of the dining area

DT's first day of kindergarten The new Smokey C's first customer His order is taking too long! Hey! Where's my order!? This is one of my all time favorite photos.

These were taken by Aunt Jen at Jake's 2nd birthday party. She takes such great shots! I love my boys!

Happy birthday, Auntie Green! I hope you have a wonderful day and many, many more. I love you bunches! May God continue to bless you and keep you!! Love always, Karen

My 7-month old grandson is now climbing stairs, pulling himself to a standing position and trying to walk while holding onto furniture and such. Yikes!! He's determined to be like his big brother in every way -- mobile and on the go!! The picture was taken by Shawn at Wal-mart yesterday while Meg and I were shopping. You can see that Deacon was having a blast . . . NOT. Poor little fella was soooo tired.

Dylan, Kaia, and Hannah Dylan and Madie Say "Cheese" A day in my life. If I thought our marriage could survive it, I'd have my husband give me lessons on uploading videos. I've kinda got the picture thing going, but I have problems with videos. I have several little snippets I'd like to share with you, but will have to wait until Gary edits them (another lesson I could stand to learn) and shortens them up a tad. Until then, I can share a couple stills with you. One is of Madie and Dylan. I told them to smile and, well, you'll see the results. Another is of a day in my life. I think you can figure out which one that is. I'll add them at the end of this little news letter. Nothing much new going on. Today we are experiencing some WONDERFUL July weather. It's 75 degrees at 11:59 a.m. with low humidity. A gentle breeze is blowing -- it's a perfect summer day. I just came in from mowing the front yard and trimming some bushes. Gary and I ma...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST SISTER-IN-LAW EVER!!! Hope you have a wonderful day, Peggy! We miss you bunches and love you more!

It's been a hard night's day! Mmmmmmmyummmm. Pool time on the 4th of July.

Happy birthday, Uncle Gary!! May you have many more! Happy birthday, Cousin Melissa!! May you, too, have many, many more!! Finally, Happy birthday, sweet baby Jesse, my firstborn son who would have been 28 years old today. You are loved and missed every day, my little son.

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y , A M E R I C A ! ! !

Silly brothers. Just resting. Nana's boys Don't mess with this guy! He can break a board with his foot!! That look's pretty scary, too! Dylan being Dylan. DT in his Karate Gi and his competition medal! Okay. So it's more than a couple. Whatcha gonna do 'bout it? :)

Deacon, DT and Blue! Sweet, sleeping boy. Getting ready to go! 98, 99 . . . Joey, Deacon, Blue Deacon and DT eating popsicles

Is it just me, or are commercials on TV becoming more and more R rated and even closer to becoming X rated?? I despise the Burger King and Hardees commercials. They are disgusting and I've let them know. I will not spend a dime at either place until they clean up their acts. I've also asked BK to get rid of that creepy king of theirs. Is it any wonder America is suffering from such moral decay? Sex has become so cheapened that the actual "intimacy" of it is worthless. There's nothing "special" about it anymore. It's just another "feel good" that people want -- at any cost. More and more children are being exposed to sex earlier and earlier in their little lifetimes. They no longer get to be children. If they themselves aren't exploited through child porn or sold for dope, they're shown the deviant side of something that should be private and beautiful on television commercials and shows. No one seems to care. Even their ...

Please check out this blog http://rainwaterandchickens.blogspot.com/ to see one of the cutest little videos I've ever seen. It was taken by Meg's sis-in-law (who is awesome at pics and videos). Of course, my baby grandson is the last little fella in the video and I smile (real big) every time I see it. Thanks again, Jen, for the day brightner!! It's the video titled "I know ... too much time on my hands".

I have finally managed to weed out a day when I don't HAVE to do too much and what I HAD to do, I've done. So, without further ado, I would like to update some unfinished business. I'm going to attached some photos of my niece, Alonna (with her permission, of course) that were taken after her accident. She has asked me to send her many thanks for all your prayers. She is painfully aware that things could have turned out much worse than she did. She has an amazing attitude and though she could be, she hasn't whined one bit about her discomfort and restrictions. She wants to go to the Middle School this Fall and share her story and the importance of wearing a seat belt. I'm very proud of her. Alonna before her accident And after

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE TERRIFIC DADS I KNOW (INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY THE FATHER OF MY CHILDREN)!! Stavros Flatley - Britains Got Talent - Watch more Funny Videos

I apologize for my lapse in memory. There's these blank spots on the carousel of my brain that circle around frequently causing me to forget some important matters. Luckily, some of the filled but fading spots do circle back around and remind me of things I'm supposed to do or have done. Anyhoo . . . My niece Alonna is home. She went home last Thursday (I believe). Her mouth is wired shut which means that as long as she can get it through a straw, she can eat anything. I'm sure she is very sore. They had to repair her eye socket with plates as well as other rebuilding procedures. Please keep her in your prayers. It does look like she's going to be fine, but it's going to be a long 6 weeks! As far as I know, her boyfriend is doing well, too. Thank you all for your prayers. They were heard and answered in a positive manner. This accident could have been so much worse. I'm a firm believer in the power of prayer and know that if I can't offer anythi...

Here are the latest photos of our grandsons. They're practicing to become Jedi Knights. Notice Dylan's spare sword in his pj's top? A good Jedi Knight is always prepared.

My beautiful niece was in a car accident last night along with her boyfriend. Both were badly hurt and are in need of your prayers. I just talked with Alonna. They are getting ready to take her into surgery to repair the damage done to her face. One side was pretty messed up. Sounds like she's in for some extensive surgery. I didn't ask her how her boyfriend is doing, but it sounds like he got hurt even worse than did she but is expected to be okay. Alonna is my baby brother's only child. Please pray for a speedy recovery for both kids. I'll let you know how they progress. Thank you so much.

Went and bought new phones Wednesday evening. Our trouble wasn't with our phones. It was the phone line. Called AT&T. Said the line would be fixed by Friday (today). They were true to their word. New phones are now working. I hate the telephone, but I also hate being without one. We all have cell phones, but they're pay-as-you-go and I just feel a bit more secure knowing that our government can listen in on our land lines, don't you? :) Anyway, I'm happy that problem can be checked off the list. We are having a beautiful day today -- temps in the 70's; low humidity. Skies are clearing after yesterday's rainy day. Grass is growing tall; weeds are out-growing the grass. It's Friday. Life is good. Got to visit with brother number 3 a couple days this week. He was in H'ville working and spent a couple nights with us. It was great to see him, as always. Our friend Ernie is home for a few days. She'll have to go back to Houston in abou...

What a relief it is to have our a/c back up and running. I knew I missed it; I just didn't realize just how much I missed it. It's nice to step out of the shower and still feel clean 8 hours later. It's nice not leaving damp spots on furniture when I stand up. It's wonderful being able to do a chore and leave puddles behind! How in the world did we ever do without it for so many years? I realize it's a luxury, but it's one I don't want to have to do without! I can now sympathize with folks who don't have a/c or can't afford it! We can hardly afford it ourselves and I don't look forward to the bills, but I get awfully cranky when I don't sleep well and I don't sleep well when I'm glistening puddles, know what I'm sayin'? I thank God everyday for Paul, Gail and Wesley. They're the friends who got us back up a running. Last night I actually slept under a sheet, blanket and quilt. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It was wonderful!...

We finally have a/c again!! Many, many, many thanks to our friends who put up with our calls of "urgency" every two to three years. Our unit has a tiny pinhole freon leak, so every two to three years it needs recharging. They are always so willing to come and help us out and only ask enough to cover the cost of the freon. God bless them!! I can't tell you how HAPPY I am to feel the cool again!! Our house is still 85 degrees, but it is slowly cooling down. It was 87, humid and sticky! At least now the air is dryer. The outdoor's temp today was 95! Last night was horrid, trying to sleep. The house had to have been around 87 degrees when we went to bed. We tried to sleep with three fans blowing on us, but there was little relief. Finally sleep came for me around 2:00 this morning. Tonight will be pure bliss! Now maybe I can get some things done that I've been needing and wanting to do! The kids should do better, too. Poor little things. I keep think...

I sometimes wish I had more hours in my day, but I'm afraid of where they'd fall and that they wouldn't be of much use, so I'll take what I get and use them as best I can. I just wish I could get back some of my writing time. One day . . . I'll get it one day. *** I want to share something that happened to Gary yesterday at the cemetery. Don't worry, I asked his permission. As we all know, yesterday was Memorial Day; a day set aside to honor and remember those who serve, have served, and who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy and too often take for granted. The cemetery where Gary works held a Memorial Day ceremony for which my son, a JROTC, volunteered to be a part. Gary told me it was a touching ceremony and that Ben did a great job. I had planned on attending, but Meg's birthday celebration had to be postponed because Gary had been sick during the weekend. Therefore, I had much to do to prepare for said celebration. But, I digress. After th...

If tomorrow all the things were gone . . I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again . . with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars . . to be livin' here today. Cause the flag still stands for freedom . . And they can't take that away. And I'm proud to be an American Where at least I know I'm free And I won't forget the men who died Who gave that right to me And I gladly stand up . . next to you and defend her still today Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA From the lakes of Minnesota ... To the hills of Tennessee ... Across the plains of Texas ... From sea to shining sea ... From Detroit down to Houston ... And New York to LA Well there's pride in every American heart And its time we stand and say.. That I'm proud to be an American Where at least I know I'm free And I won't forget the men who died Who gave that right to m...

Flashback: May 24, 1982 A child is born. A beautiful little, bald-headed girl, to be exact. Her name had already been chosen. She would be called Meggan Marie Mc****** -- Meggan was chosen to honor her Irish heritage; Marie was selected to honor her Grandmother and Great Grandmother; Mc****** -- her given name. She arrived late on a Monday afternoon, to tears of joy from both her Mother and Father. Little did they know that the joy they felt at the time of her birth would carry forward for many years to come. This child was born with a tender heart and gentle spirit. A lover of animals, she would be the caregiver of cats, dogs, a rabbit, hamsters, hermit crabs, fish, injured birds and she had a deep affection for seals. This child was/is the same with people. She loves deeply, cares genuinely, feels keenly and gives freely. Now a grown woman with a family of her own, she provides them with nuturing, caring, and unconditional love. I am very proud and honored to call this young ...

Here are a few pics of Pre-K graduation last night. It was a real tear jerker. At least for Mom and Nana. Cried like a baby.

I LOVE this photo. Of course, I'm crazy about its subject.