Nana's Digressives

Figured it was time I got back to my blogs. They've just been sitting idle, taking up cyberspace, so let's see if I can get them active again!  My mind today has been steered toward depression. Many of you know I suffer from clinical depression, aka major depressive disorder. Sadly, the stigma attached to clinical depression is still prevalent today. I'll address that later. First, I'd like to offer my opinion of clinical depression. I have suffered from this affliction since childhood, though I had no clue that I "suffered" from any such thing until my 40's. I had all the symptoms but assumed they were just normal. HA! For me, clinical depression is not a sign that I am "crazy", although those closest to me may disagree *chuckle*.  I see it the same as an autoimmune disease. It's a lifetime illness, controlled by medicine and perhaps therapy, and an understanding support system. While clinical depression is a symptom of bipolar depress...

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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.