on the boat at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel
This was taken in a bathroom at the hotel. I liked the look of the tile so I decided to get a pic. I'm pretty sure I got some strange looks from the other folks in the bathroom!
Cock of the Walk
Monday, December 27, 2010
The Rockettes, The Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Cock of the Walk, and ICE
Abby got Rockettes tickets from MeMe and Pops for her birthday, so Thanksgiving weekend we headed to Nashville. The show was spectacular! After the show we went to The Gaylord Opryland Hotel, and then to eat at Cock of the Walk. Many years ago there was a Cock of the Walk where Cypress Inn is now. The next morning we went to ICE. The kids and the adults all had a blast! Thanks MeMe for a great time in Nashville!
Monday, December 13, 2010
I have a lot on my mind
"I do not ask to walk smooth paths nor bear an easy load. I pray for strength and fortitude to climb the rock strewn road. Give me such courage and I can scale the hardest peaks alone, And transform every stumbling block into a stepping stone." ---Gale Brook Burket
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Story of Skip
A month or so ago my mom and dad took the kids to see some horses. Abby and John Brady loved the horses, but Emma fell IN LOVE with the horses. Watching Emma tenderly brush the coat of one of the horses melted my dad's heart. Within two weeks Dad found and bought Skip. The plan was to build a fence and then surprise the kids with the horse at Christmas. Well, Dad went to work on a fence and told the kids on Thanksgiving day! He couldn't hold it in any longer. After our big feast on Thanksgiving, Mom and Dad took us to meet Skip. Just as you would know. Skip was already just as spoiled as the grandkids. He came straight to us expecting his sweet feed.
I just hope they don't find out about the "cute" mole that Emma rescued last week. :)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Halloween 2010: a dancing queen, a skeleton, Rapunzel, and two very scary visitors
The kids decided on their Halloween costumes basically when the very first costume catalogs hit my mailbox. Late August maybe???
When I tried to order John Brady's skeleton glow in the dark pajamas, I couldn't find them in stock anywhere. I was able to snag a pair on ebay and pay less than any other website I had found.
The kids and I walked right into Target and over to the 2nd aisle of costumes and found Emma's dancing queen costume (aka disco girl). It was the last one Target had. All I needed was boots for her. I called mom to dig around my old closet at home for my old flag corp marching boots. Bingo! Emma got to wear my boots from 1988! And they actually fit her!
Ok. Rapunzel was kind of a doozy. If I purchased the one in the catalog, it was going to cost me around $180!! No way!! I decided I would make her cape and her hat. I ordered the hair from amazon.com about 6 weeks before Halloween, but sort of waited until the last minute to make the cape and hat. I bought some upholstery fabric and tulle and started it about 5 days before Halloween. The no-sew cape was super easy. Next was the hat. I covered some really thick poster board with the fabric and rolled it to make the cone and then I stuck the tulle into the hole at the top. I did have to make two hats because the first one wasn't big enough to fit around Abby's head. I bought the long sweater, but the dress and shoes were hers. I think my savings came to approximately $140!
When we arrived home from our church's trunk or treat, our doorbell rang. We thought it was some trick or treaters. We didn't see any cars and when John Brady and Abby peeped out the window they were speechless. These two creatures from out of nowhere appeared at our door. Looking out the door at our two visitors, John Brady said, "Nanny??"
When I tried to order John Brady's skeleton glow in the dark pajamas, I couldn't find them in stock anywhere. I was able to snag a pair on ebay and pay less than any other website I had found.
The kids and I walked right into Target and over to the 2nd aisle of costumes and found Emma's dancing queen costume (aka disco girl). It was the last one Target had. All I needed was boots for her. I called mom to dig around my old closet at home for my old flag corp marching boots. Bingo! Emma got to wear my boots from 1988! And they actually fit her!
Ok. Rapunzel was kind of a doozy. If I purchased the one in the catalog, it was going to cost me around $180!! No way!! I decided I would make her cape and her hat. I ordered the hair from amazon.com about 6 weeks before Halloween, but sort of waited until the last minute to make the cape and hat. I bought some upholstery fabric and tulle and started it about 5 days before Halloween. The no-sew cape was super easy. Next was the hat. I covered some really thick poster board with the fabric and rolled it to make the cone and then I stuck the tulle into the hole at the top. I did have to make two hats because the first one wasn't big enough to fit around Abby's head. I bought the long sweater, but the dress and shoes were hers. I think my savings came to approximately $140!
When we arrived home from our church's trunk or treat, our doorbell rang. We thought it was some trick or treaters. We didn't see any cars and when John Brady and Abby peeped out the window they were speechless. These two creatures from out of nowhere appeared at our door. Looking out the door at our two visitors, John Brady said, "Nanny??"
Friday, November 12, 2010
Hey Granny. It's me, Kim.
I've been thinking about all the wonderful times we had together. What memories!
Did you know that when I was a little girl I always wanted to run away to your house when I was upset with my mom and dad? What a grand life I would have if I lived with you! I'd eat homemade pancakes with Karo syrup everyday. Watch Country Boy Eddie every morning and sleep every night next to you with my head on your arm while you wore your silky night cap on your head resting it on your folded over pillow. I'd eat homemade banana pudding and coconut cake and watch soap operas all day with you. Me on the couch and you in your recliner. And when Charlotte would come for the weekend I'd play with her Barbies and paper dolls all day. And when my other cousins would arrive, we would play a game or two of kickball and softball in the front yard. The chimney was always first base. Afterwards would all play freeze tag. Brian and I would argue. Ok. Well, I got to do all of these things, BUT if I lived with you I could have done them so much more! This little girl had dreams!
I have fond memories from way back at the old house of staying with you while mom and dad were working. Me and my cousins loved to play in the trees out back while you hung clothes on the line. I can remember begging you to let me change Jaime's diaper and remember dipping a silver ladle into a big bucket of cold well water when I was thirsty. I remember your many perfume bottles, all shapes, sizes, and colors, lining the dresser. Vinyl record albums playing on the record player. Your Chinese checker set. Meal after meal with the whole family. Playing on the swing set out front under the trees. Wrigley's Spearmint gum in your purse at church. Playing in the rain. Hiding in the closet. Wonderful memories!
Granny, you were there the day I graduated from high school, the day I got engaged, and the day I got married. Did I ever tell you how I how I regret not naming Emma after you? I call her Emma Lou anyway. Granny, you've ALWAYS been there. I was in the emergency room parking lot when I got the call. I started to run. Mom was with you, but you were gone. You were wearing the necklace I gave you last Christmas and the personalized birthstone bands you had worn for over 40 years. I had to call your son and tell him. I listened as others were called and tears were shed over and over. One by one family members came to say their goodbyes. We comforted each other with stories of you. We all waited with you until the hearse came and then we watched him drive away with you. It didn't feel real. That evening I was numb as I completed paperwork for your visitation and funeral.
Granny, so many people came to your visitation and your funeral. You were loved by so many people. I didn't feel like talking much, but oh, how I wanted to introduce myself as your "baby's baby", as you always did. I couldn't though. How beautiful you looked in the first and only store bought dress you ever had. You looked just like you did on my wedding day. Your pretty nails were painted just like always. We made sure you had a few pink roses like you requested. There were eighty-four to be exact. Jaime had fixed your hair like you always liked it. Daryl, Brian, and Jeffrey gave beautiful tributes to you and your life. Anita sang all of your favorite songs. We respected your wishes as best we could, but I'm not sure if the pink casket would have been considered "fancy". And, yes, we were/are crying over you.
When I placed a note in your hand at your funeral, I held your hand one last time. Granny, I know you are in Heaven walking the streets of gold in a new, healthy, unscarred body. You never lost faith. Not once.
John 14:1-4
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
The day will come when I can hold your hand again and like always, I will call to you and say, "Hey Granny. It's me, Kim.
Did you know that when I was a little girl I always wanted to run away to your house when I was upset with my mom and dad? What a grand life I would have if I lived with you! I'd eat homemade pancakes with Karo syrup everyday. Watch Country Boy Eddie every morning and sleep every night next to you with my head on your arm while you wore your silky night cap on your head resting it on your folded over pillow. I'd eat homemade banana pudding and coconut cake and watch soap operas all day with you. Me on the couch and you in your recliner. And when Charlotte would come for the weekend I'd play with her Barbies and paper dolls all day. And when my other cousins would arrive, we would play a game or two of kickball and softball in the front yard. The chimney was always first base. Afterwards would all play freeze tag. Brian and I would argue. Ok. Well, I got to do all of these things, BUT if I lived with you I could have done them so much more! This little girl had dreams!
I have fond memories from way back at the old house of staying with you while mom and dad were working. Me and my cousins loved to play in the trees out back while you hung clothes on the line. I can remember begging you to let me change Jaime's diaper and remember dipping a silver ladle into a big bucket of cold well water when I was thirsty. I remember your many perfume bottles, all shapes, sizes, and colors, lining the dresser. Vinyl record albums playing on the record player. Your Chinese checker set. Meal after meal with the whole family. Playing on the swing set out front under the trees. Wrigley's Spearmint gum in your purse at church. Playing in the rain. Hiding in the closet. Wonderful memories!
Granny, you were there the day I graduated from high school, the day I got engaged, and the day I got married. Did I ever tell you how I how I regret not naming Emma after you? I call her Emma Lou anyway. Granny, you've ALWAYS been there. I was in the emergency room parking lot when I got the call. I started to run. Mom was with you, but you were gone. You were wearing the necklace I gave you last Christmas and the personalized birthstone bands you had worn for over 40 years. I had to call your son and tell him. I listened as others were called and tears were shed over and over. One by one family members came to say their goodbyes. We comforted each other with stories of you. We all waited with you until the hearse came and then we watched him drive away with you. It didn't feel real. That evening I was numb as I completed paperwork for your visitation and funeral.
Granny, so many people came to your visitation and your funeral. You were loved by so many people. I didn't feel like talking much, but oh, how I wanted to introduce myself as your "baby's baby", as you always did. I couldn't though. How beautiful you looked in the first and only store bought dress you ever had. You looked just like you did on my wedding day. Your pretty nails were painted just like always. We made sure you had a few pink roses like you requested. There were eighty-four to be exact. Jaime had fixed your hair like you always liked it. Daryl, Brian, and Jeffrey gave beautiful tributes to you and your life. Anita sang all of your favorite songs. We respected your wishes as best we could, but I'm not sure if the pink casket would have been considered "fancy". And, yes, we were/are crying over you.
When I placed a note in your hand at your funeral, I held your hand one last time. Granny, I know you are in Heaven walking the streets of gold in a new, healthy, unscarred body. You never lost faith. Not once.
John 14:1-4
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
The day will come when I can hold your hand again and like always, I will call to you and say, "Hey Granny. It's me, Kim.
Monday, November 8, 2010
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