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Another Angel

Last month I received shocking news that my sister in law, Dianna, passed away suddenly. Now I say she was more like a sister. Dianna & Mike started dating when they were in high school & I was 5 or 6. So, I really don't remember a time when she wasn't my sister. She was a special lady and we will miss her terribly. She was loving & caring, a great cook & a good friend I have so many of her recipes that I still use. Some of the ones I remember:

• Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Mexican Pizza
• Chulupa
• StuffedCupcakes and so many more.
  

Dianna kept an immaculate home, I don't remember anything out of place, it was welcoming for all. Dianna loved her children and when Grandchildren came along she just beamed. She loved being "Fufa"(I may not have spelled that right.) She visited every chance she & Mike could.

I remember being a terror at their house one day. Dianna did not like worms & I found a rubber one somewhere. I snuck into her apron pocket. Well, when she reached in her pocket & found it she screamed and the worm went flying. I got in trouble, but we laughed about it later.

This picture is of Dianna in September holding my new granddaughter, Karleigh Rose Gibson. I always knew I could call Dianna for anything! I called her right after Karleigh was born, she lived close to my son & daughter in law, and I asked her to visit & check on them, with us being far away in Tennessee. She would do anything for you.

Dianna has left a legacy of Love & Devotion to her family & friends. Dianna accepted the Lord not too many years ago and as Christians we know we will see her again.

So long, Sis

New Babies

Ok, on my way to work this morning I saw this cow that was laying on the ground in the field. It looked dead, then because it was cold I could see it's breath. Then I noticed a foot sticking out. (you get it, don't ya?) So I went to tell the rancher, thought she might be in distress. When I was back on my way to work ...this is what I saw. The calf was steaming, it was so new. This was a pretty cool. God is good!

Meet Karleigh Rose Gibson

Meet Karleigh Rose Gibson, our new Granddaughter. She was born yesterday (8/11) to our Son & Daughter in Law, Zach & Kristi. Karleigh was a little early and weighed 6lbs 12oz. We have not seen her in person yet, as she lives in CA & we live in TN. We hope to see her on the webcam soon!
We Love You Karleigh!

Wonderful Wedding...Wonderful Life

On a beautiful and perfect Saturday afternoon in Jonesborough, Tennessee...Rebecca & Cedric were married. The weather was perfect...not too Hot! The family & friends arrived and got to know each other, some from California, some from Mississippi, some from Louisiana, some from South Carolina, some from Florida. We had some cute kids and some equally cute adults!

Happy Birthday Patty!

Happy Birthday Sis!
Today is my sister's birthday. You'd never know it from this picture (she is a little older than she looks in this photo), but Patty has been blessed with a wonderful family. No, not me & my brothers (you'll hear more about them later), but her husband, Rick & three beautiful daughters, Heather, Holly & Amanda. Patty & Rick have 2 great son in laws, Jerry & Randy. And a boatload of grandkids, let me see if I get them all. Makena, Derek, Sam, Roman, Josiah & Izabella, I think that's it for now.

I am sure your family will make your birthday special & I wish I was there to celebrate with you!

I know that it will be your first birthday without Dad, just remember how MUCH he & Mom loved us. Their legacy to us was, to model Christ to our family & others. We are a close and tight knit family, because of their example. They lived a life of generosity, they loved giving, whether it was monetary, their time & talent or their love . They loved & cared for others, they did not sit idly by, they were involved in the lives of people. They were examples for all of us. We miss them so much!

Thank you for all the time and energy and love you & your family gave to Mom & Dad in thier last years. They loved you so much and were so grateful.

Have a great day.
I Love you!
Susan

My Dad & Valentine's Day

How appropriate that today is Valentine's Day. My dad loved Valentine's Day! He & my mom were married for 66 year before she died in 2007. He loved telling anyone who would listen how beautiful his Marge was. He ask you, "Isn't she beautiful?" She would always be kind of embarrassed, but I think she loved his sense of romance. He was a special man, my dad. Dad died a month ago today. He lasted 14 months without his bride and missed her everyday.
He never forgot his girls, all of us. He always got my mom the largest card he could find and there was always a gift or flowers or something special. He did special things for my sister, Patty and me too. Sometime he would find a vase and put flowers in them for us. One time he bought these vases at Pic n Save (now known as Big Lots). They were beautiful hand painted (probably in China) and the glass wasn't very thick. He started dropping those glass marbles in and the vases promptly broke in his hands. He was so frustrated, but he preserved and I got my flowers in that beautiful glass vase. I don't remember what the flowers were, but I remember the vase. Some years he gave us plants, sometimes See's Candy(my favorite), but always a card. That's what love is all about, remembering those you love here and the one's who have gone ahead. I miss them both very much.

Aprons & my Mom

My Mom, Marge made all us girls aprons for Christmas one year. This apron story really brought back great memories.

The History of Aprons

I don't think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Send this to those who would know, and love, the story about Grandma's aprons. Or it can be a good history lesson for those that have no idea how the apron played a part in our lives.

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron ..... but Love !!