birthdays, anniversaries and some family ramblings

A few ramblings: 

• birthday ~ Today is our granddaughter, Willow's fourth birthday. We've spent exactly one week in her little life together.  But, she's our California cutie.  How grateful I am for technology that, at least, allows me to see her picture on occasion. 
• recovery ~ Kelly is still struggling after this second surgery.  It hurts, but, she is on the mend. I think that she has definite second thoughts about the matter.  But, she looks very nice.  Is it worth it, is the question?
• sweet sounds ~ I always ask ZJ to call everyone to the table, "Kids, it's time for dinner."  It's the sweetest little song and lights Doug's eyes up everytime.  When I asked her to call the kids up for dinner Monday night, Zaylee raced over to the top of the stairs and called down, "Kiiiiiiiiids.  It time for dinner.  Dinner!  Dinnnnnner!"   The look on Doug's face was priceless.    Zaylee now calls Mojo, her little pomeranian puppy, "Mojorito" like Doritoes.  It's adorable.  He's a very tolerant pup. Oh, it's wonderful to be a grammie!
• cooking ~ I made eggs and grits for breakfast yesterday.  ZJ surprised me by not liking them.  She loves everything, even Doug's blender drinks.  EEWWW.  Quayd said that they were okay, Gracie liked them.  BTW, grits without the bacon grease are just not as good.   I made hushpuppies for dinner. (Thank you, Pam, for the new recipe!  I'll post it on the cooking blog today.)  Everyone, even Doug lovedthem.  During dinner, ZJ said, "I'm thankful that Mom has become a country girl again."  We all laughed out loud.  Liza and Buddy dropped by later and I made their share.  Liza's comment:  "If it weren't for Dad, I think we'd have eaten like this our whole lives."  She loved them and is very anxious for us to take that trip down south!
• hope ~ Dad has gone ahead with his plans and begins his first radiation treatment today. (Fifteen minutes every day for six weeks.)  Please keep him in your prayers.  Dad and I had a long conversation last night.  He is full of hope and now, is planning to beat this cancer!  It's amazing what we can do with a purpose.  Family is the greatest purpose of all!
• reconnect ~ Speaking of Dad, what a wonderful surprise yesterday my cousin, Sherrie, on my mom's side, called.  I've not seen Sherrie since 1980.  I had no idea that she reads my blog and she wanted to say how fun it was to see "Uncle Buddy" (my dad) in the photos last week.  Mom and Dad divorced in 1971, so Sherrie hadn't seen him since about 1970.  It was so fun to catch up!  Another great blessing that has come from my blog and from my trip!  We discussed the fact that we need to take a trip to West Virginia and find some of our moms' roots.  So much to do in life and so little time to do it.
• separation ~ I'm missing the Bs immensely.  With me gone for a week, and now they are away for spring break, it will be the longest we've ever been apart since Miki was born.  We'd tossed around going on this trip too.  My trip to NC made the decision for us.  So, it's been too long! I can't wait for their return!  I'm loving the pix that Stott has been sending by cellphone!
• photo ~ I was asked to post a photo of Dad when he was young.  So, here's Dad in 1975.  He'd have been about 20. I was about one.  Ironically, this photo was taken in the same place as the one of Dad sitting in the chair last week...50 years later.
• cookies ~ The cookie jar was empty when I got home from North Carolina.  Gracie informed me that this is just wrong.  "We can't have an empty cookie jar!  It's time to make cookies!"  Trip or no trip,  there's no slacking for this mom!  I love that my kiddos count on me for certain things that are of no import to the rest of the world but mean "home" to them.  Now, if I can just finish the catch-up on the laundry!
• Tomorrow is our 34th Wedding Anniversary!  Doug informed me last night that he's taken the day off and we are going to Salt Lake City.  The kids are on spring break and want to go with us. I've missed them enough to want to take them.  As of this minute, Doug's suggestinga trip to the top of the  LDS Church Office Building, an iMax show or a movie at the big SouthTowne theater complex.  We'll see what tomorrow brings, but it will be great to spend the day together.  I'm excited!  I heart my husband!


Anywhere is paradise; it's up to you. 

 

Comments

[Grace Kelley Deese]

OMG..Ive never seen a picture of Uncle Buddy as a young man!!! I love it!! Thanks for sharing this with us.

[Pamela K.]

You were a cutie-patootie! It looks like Zaylee in that picture. And don't tell my hubby, but your dad was one FINE lookin' dude! ;-) So glad you enjoyed your hushpuppies. I had to share that recipe so you could fix them when you got a hankerin' for them. :-)

[susan]

oh...and one more thing from OHIO...everything IS better with bacon grease!

[susan]

You ARE your dad! wow! good lookin...the 2 of you

[Debbie Rensing]

Happy Anniversary, Sophia and Doug!!

Praying for your dad and his fight against cancer.

[audra]

wow your dad looks like elvis

[JaYne]

Happy Anniversary!!!!
What a handsome man your daddy is! I always thought you looked like your mom, but, no, I see lots of your daddy!
Where in WV? My mom's family is from the Wheeling area, and I'm running in to walls trying to find info. Have a great day tomorrow!

[Nicole]

Keeping your father in my prayers. He looks so young on that picture, how old was he when you were born? He looks like a teenager and you were a real cute one year old. Love your curly hair! Happy wedding anniversary celebrations tomorrow, congratulations and have a wonderful day! These hush puppies look so yummy! Will have to check your recipe blog.

[Trish]

Happy Birthday Willow- Aunt Trish loves you baby girl! :)

Happy anniversary Sophia and Doug! Enjoy your time in SLC tomorrow!

That picture of you and your dad- I totally see Zaylee! Amazing how much she looks like you at that age!