Even In The Valley, God Is Good

It's late and I'm tired. I've already been to bed once, but I just had to thank the Lord tonight.

As most of you know, my sweet daddy is in the hospital. After running tests today, they have determined that his loss of vision is due to a stroke he had on the lower right side of his brain. When I heard that news today I didn't know what to think. There I was, stuck at home (remember my car is in the shop) feeling helpless and useless. I wanted so badly to be with both of my parents.

Mrs. Kim O' called me just as I was beginning to have my melt down and was so sweet to pray with me over the phone. God sent her at just the right time. Thank you, Mrs. Kim, for being there today. I appreciated that time of prayer.

Numerous men from our church have emailed asking if there was anything they could do. And I thank them for their concern and willingness to help and be a blessing. Thank you, Jonathan, for going to see daddy and standing in the gap for Pastor Goodman, your dad, and Brother RJ, when they couldn't be here. Thank you, Brother Randy and Brother John C, for taking the time to visit and give encouragement. And thank you to whoever else may have visited that I don't know about yet.

My mother showed up on my doorstep tonight just after 6:00. She was tired and hungry. I was able to fix her supper and eat with her. After we ate, Harrison and I packed our bags and came home with mom to spend the night. We meet with the Neurologist in the morning. Please pray he has a good prognosis for daddy's vision.

Mom was on her way to bed and I was going to run Harry some bath water. Just as he and I were headed to the bathroom, I heard my mother say, "There's no water. We have no water." Sure enough...no water! I felt so sorry for her as she leaned over the sink on the verge of tears. "What next?"

She made her way to the computer room and sat in her chair to look for a number of a plumber to call in the morning. Then she thought there was maybe someone in our church who could help. She called Mrs. Janet who assured her that everything would be all right and not to worry about the well.

Mom hung up the phone and began to cry. I said, "Mom, it just occurred to me that the devil is throwing these things at us to keep our minds off of the children's mission trip." Both of us were honest enough to admit that through the adversity of the day, neither of us had taken the time to pray for the young people and the staff in Puerto Rico. "God is bigger than these problems and He has gotten us through so much more than this." She went to her bed. I went to mine. We both began to pray. I'm not sure what she prayed, but I am pretty confidant that her prayer was similar to mine, praying for our young people to see the lost, praying that they will be a blessing to our missionary there in Puerto Rico. Praying for our staff, for Mrs. Debbie at church who faced cancer surgery today, knowing the outcome will most likely not be promising. Praying for Mrs. Tina's daddy who faces surgery tomorrow morning, and for Mrs. Coleen who is recovering from a very serious surgery. Praying for a family that is broken and trying to move on. Praying for a church member who will be leaving for Iraq soon, leaving behind his wife and three children. For all kinds of burdens on other brothers and sisters hearts. Eventually, we were both asleep.

And then at 9:45 the phone rang. It was Mrs. Janet calling to say that some men in the church were on their way over to make sure we had water in the morning. Thank you, Brother Larry H, Brother Mark H, and Brother Bowen, for coming out so late and working on the well. As I watched you from the kitchen window I thanked the Lord for each one of you, for coming out so late and getting the water running for my mom. You will never know what your kindness means. It was almost 11:30 when they finished. God will bless them, I know it!

I've asked that the parents who read this blog not say anything to your children if they are in Puerto Rico. I certainly do not want Justin and Hannah knowing. I would hate for this to ruin their trip and get their hearts on something they can not do anything about.

Daddy is in God's hands and just so you'll know, I have it on good authority that he is his jovial self. Making the nurses laugh and realize they have a character on their hands. Isn't that funny? I'm home crying and worrying and he's laying in a hospital bed, nearly blind, making people laugh.

God is good....all the time.

Well Now Ain't That The Pot...

...callin' the kettle black?

My mother, who just updated her blog since October, informed me that I needed to update mine because I hadn't updated since Wednesday. So here ya go, Mother, my updated blog. Love you. :)

Speaking of my dear Mum, I took her to the Ambulatory today and she received two more shots in her back. I hope these work for her this time. She may end up needing surgery and we certainly don't want that for her. So pray these shots take!

Please stop by her blog and wish her well. It's tough being stuck in bed all day.....yeah....tough.

After her shots, we went to Ihop for breakfast. While I enjoyed the chocolate chip pancake combo breakfast, mom was happy to sip her cup of coffee with the Colorado Omelette. Thanks, mom, it was delish!

Dinner, Shopping, and Planting

Testing is going pretty good so far. I have to say, I was a little worried about Harrison, this being his first year of testing and all, but he actually did very good today. I got worried this morning, though, because I haven't looked at the tests, except to make sure they sent me the correct ones, since they arrived a couple of weeks ago. I discovered this morning that they did not send me the examiner's manual for Harrison's test. So I had to call them and make sure they got that in the mail ASAP. We were able, however, to do a couple of tests without it. Lord willing, that manual will be here this week.

Justin went to a friend's house to play instruments for a few hours. He always has a good time doing that. While he was gone, Harrison, Hannah, and I met mom and dad at a little ice cream shop called Swoogers. They have a 50's theme there with 45's along the wall. Harrison said, "Look at all these discs on the wall!

Swoogers has a spaghetti meal on Tuesday nights that daddy likes to partake of. We were still full from a late lunch so while mom and dad ate supper, the kids and I snacked on ice cream and sodas.

When we left Swoogers, the kids and I stopped and found Hannah this cute top, white denim skirt, and necklace. She loves green and she loves polka dots, so she liked this one right off.

When we got home, Hannah started planting flowers in the flower bed. She planted some around the mailbox yesterday and tomorrow she'll be planting more somewhere else. I don't know where, but I'm sure they'll be lovely. Can't wait to see them "take off" for summer.

Shots, Snakes, Flowers, and Lunch

My mother needed a nerve blocking shot early Friday morning. Since daddy would be having dialysis during her procedure and she had to have someone there to drive her home, the kids and I spent the night so I could drive her home. As you can see, the sun was just beginning to rise. Mommy was not looking forward to this shot. It didn't take long, but it was going in her spine, so she was a little nervous about it.


She had to fill out her paper work and we noticed that by the marital status, there were these letters: M S D W X
Now, I know that M is for married, S is for single, D is for divorced, W is for widowed, but what is X? We've never seen that before. Anybody know?


They took her to a little room to prep her.....lovely cap, mom.


This was Rebecca, her nurse. She was so sweet. She had one of those soft voices that lets you know she's a gentle and nice person...


...just before she sticks ya! Eww and OW!


They took her away and the next time I saw her she was resting in the "loopy chair."


I got her home and settled with an ice pack on her back and she rested pretty good. Later in the afternoon she came walking down the hall without her cane. Which, if you know mom personally, you know she has to have it. She still had quite a limp, but she was smiling as she walked down the hall. So we're praying that was a good sign the shot was good.

Justin had gone outside to clean their carport and found this lovely dearie hiding in the water hose. He had started cleaning their carport a couple weeks ago and later that evening we ended up killing a baby snake. We thought maybe he had stirred up a nest while he was cleaning and didn't know it. Then he found this bigger one cleaning again yesterday. You know, looking at them doesn't scare me, but watching their tongue flick gives me the heebie-geebies. I do not like that. No one ever did kill it and when we finally got around to killing it, it was gone. We're pretty sure we know where he/she went, but don't know for sure. We'll just have to keep an eye out for it.


Hannah and Harrison planted flowers around daddy's flag pole while he supervised.


It was pretty hot outside and when I brought their drinks out, I was asking Hannah how the planting was going. She said it was going great. I asked her what Paw Paw was doing and she said, "Oh, well, he's just laying around." LOL


You know Bruce takes me out to lunch every Friday. But since he was gone on the fishing trip, my sweet son took me in his dad's place. We ate at the Mountain View Restaurant. It was so good and we had a great time laughing and talking together. Isn't he sweet?


When I got home, I was supposed to go scrapbook with some other ladies whose husbands were on the fishing trip, but I was too tired and wanted to stay home. Not to mention two of the ladies backed out. So Pam and her kids came over here. We ended up not scrapbooking. I just wanted to sit on my couch and do nothing. And that's exactly what I did. They ended up spending the night and this morning Pam took our kids to bus ministry. I thought my parents were going to need me today, but turns out they didn't. Daddy went out to breakfast with my brother John and his son, Michael. And mom was fine. So now I'm going to finish cleaning my house, run some personal errands, and get ready for my husband to return home and a youth meeting we'll be attending tonight.

Hope y'all have a great weekend.

What A Croc!

My mommy loves Crocs more than your mommy!

My mother works in a bank. With her bad knees and hips, she has come to find out that Crocs are the shoes for the working woman. She doesn't wear them just to work, however, she wears them everywhere. I've seen her wear them with her house dresses, her grocery shopping attire, her work clothes and, yes, even her EASTER dress!

Here we have her everyday walking Crocs. She wears these to work on Casual Friday. She also wears them shopping, running errands, etc.


These are her Maryjane Crocs. She wears these with some of her dressy/casual skirts.


Here we have the ultra conservative Croc. *snicker* She wears these with her nicer suits and dresses.


And last, but not least, we have her Croc sandals that are good for her spring and summer fashions.


She sunk some $$$ into plastic comfort. Some might say she's crazy, but she'll tell you, especially after a Friday at work, that it was worth every penny!


Daddy is fortunate to have one good pair of shoes that match. Here we see his dirty Hushpuppies and Nikes. Poor daddy.

Let Them Eat Cake!

Remember yesterday when I said it was pouring cats and dogs outside. It's still pouring cats and dogs. But that's wonderful!!! I say let it rain, rain, rain! We've needed it. No, I don't like stepping in water puddles and my feet getting wet. I don't like it when I curl my hair and five minutes outside I have hat head, having never once put on a hat. I don't like the chill on my shoulders that follow rain drops and a gust of wind. And I definitely do not enjoy driving in it. But I do love to see the ground soaking up what it has most desired for ever so long. I told Bruce I could just imagine how the ground must be rejoicing with each drop of rain that breaks apart on its dry region.

I dropped the kids at bus ministry today and then tonight we went to the rest home. I have never gone and not received a blessing.

This is Clint playing his banjo along with the piano music.

Bruce was there tonight so he and Justin played and I sang There's A Man In Here and Isaiah 41:10. The young men's bluegrass group was there tonight also. They sang, I think, three songs and did such a great job. Brother Mike has been working with them as a group and I think they sound terrific.

Then daddy preached. That's always a blessing. That's Brother Todd back there chuggin' down the water. LOL

Marie Antoinnette said, "Let them eat cake." I don't think so! And I'll tell you why...Hannah made this lovely butterfly cake for her Grandfather tonight. She's been saving her money for Puerto Rico and another youth trip coming up so daddy bought one of her cakes. This cake was fun to make for her and very simple too. She baked a one box recipe of lemon cake in a round springform pan. When it had completely cooled, she cut it in half and flipped them over so that their flat sides were on the outside. She used lemon icing to frost it. Three stacks of three Oreos were placed in the middle for the body and then she decorated the cake with miniature Oreos and gupdrops. Twizzlers were supposed to be used for the antennas but I forgot to purchase those for her. Anyway, this was the finished product. She was excited about delivering it to her Paw Paw tonight. And he was excited about receiving it.

Hannah loaded the cake into their car and accepted payment for her sugary, spring creation. This evening when the phone rang and we saw it was Paw Paw calling, we knew he and Maw Maw were probably enjoying a slice of their lemony, delicious dessert. But to our dismay, or rather theirs, somewhat of a calamity occurred upon climbing the steps to their front door. While the cats and dogs were dropping around them, daddy took a dizzy spell and spun around flinging the butterfly into its first flight, watching helplessly as it landed all over the steps, the yard, and the sidewalk. He was, however, able to save a couple of Oreos and a bit of lemon icing that seemed to find its way to the sleeve of his beautiful blazer. I suppose you could say he now owns a flavor savor blazer.

Needless to say, another order has been made for a lemon cake with lemon icing butterly. I wonder if this one will take flight or if we will stand around our parents table and say to each other, "Let them eat cake."

It's Mother's Day!

First of all, how adorable is this? Can't you just imagine doing homeschool in it? I passed it the other day and fell in love with it. Took a picture of it for Bruce to see. That was about the end of that. LOL Justin was with me when I saw it and said he wasn't doing school in it because it was just too cute and too girly. He said he would stay inside at the table. Hehehe But even the flagpole next to it just makes me want to ring a bell for the children to come in. Oh, one can dream, I guess. Maybe it just takes me back to when I was little and wanted a play house. You have to admit, it's adorable.

So you didn't know it was Mother's Day? We didn't either. But it was....for us that is. Bruce picked up his mother for lunch today and right after he left, I received a phone call from my mother asking if I would like to meet her for lunch at Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut? Oh yeah. We had a nice time together chit chatting and giggling at her shoes. Her shoes, you say? I'll tell you at another time. I have a special blog post for that.


Thanks for lunch, mom! It was delish!


This is a video of a new group in our church singing I Shall Return. They call themselves Voices of Faith.
ETA: CNA Momma let me know that I failed to mention Justin is playing the bass guitar for this new group and she also said I falied to mention how I thought they sounded.....THEY SOUNDED GREAT! What a blessing they were!
Happy now, CNA Momma? :)

License to Snow

Jeremy came by last night to show off his license. He was so happy! His mom told him the night before that they were going to take him to get them Feb. 25. He was bummed out at school all day yesterday. After all, he's been waiting since October 31st, which was his birthday. Yeah, he's a Halloween baby. Explains a lot about him, huh? hehehehe Just kidding, Jeremy!!! But the truth was, his step-dad, Chris, had planned all along to pick him up from school to take him. So he was a very happy camper.


And of course the boys posed by Jeremy's car before leaving for SIGMA. I think they were picking up Evan Anthony too. Congratulations, Jeremy. We're proud of ya!


I told you yesterday we were expecting snow. People go crazy here, wiping the store shelves of bread and milk for fear that they'll be snowed in the usual 24-48 hours. Seriously....two days max and that's if it's a really big storm. It's so funny.

My mom is one of those people. She loves to be snowed in. Where they live, you really can't get out if there's ice because they live on such a hill. But she loves lounging around in her jammers, sipping hot chocolate, eating homemade vegetable soup, and watchig TMC or Hallmark channel all day. As a matter of fact, she made it to church "just in time" last night because she had to go to the store and get all of the fixin's for her homemade vegetable soup.....plus the bread and milk. Before she went to bed last night she was praying for three feet of snow. But the Lord had other plans. We woke up to this.....


Yep, this is our big snow. It's already melting and so was mom's joy as she is probably reading this......at work. Sorry, mom. I know how much you were looking forward to being snowed in.

The children were busy in their school work when I came through to tell them they could play outside for a little bit before it was completely melted. The rains are coming this afternoon. Should be nice and sludgy out there later this evening. I don't like sludgy. Anyway, they're out there playing and trying to kill each other with whatever kind of snowball they can make from the little bit that's out there. Daddy says they're calling for possible flurries Saturday. That would be nice. But not for mom. She's off on Saturdays anyway.

Bruce and I went to a local pawn shop today that he likes to frequent. Mainly because he has a childhood friend that works there. Anyway, his friend's dad (Big John) was there and we stood around telling jokes for a bit.

Big John asked if I had heard the Love Story. I told him no and so he told it to me.

Once upon a time there was a man that asked his love to marry him.
She told him no.
He lived happily ever after.


Oh, come on ladies.....you thought it was funny too!

Daddy called this evening and asked me to join he and mom for supper at Swooger's, which is a local owned ice cream parlor. So we enjoyed a spaghetti dinner and of course a few laughs. Please don't ask me to tell you what we laughed about because my mother couldn't handle it again. Anyway, we had fun.

After we ate, daddy and I walked down to the Dollar General to look around while mother went home since her legs were tired from working all day....so we THOUGHT she went home.

After 15 or 20 minutes, daddy and I said our goodbyes and parted. I went one way, he went another. Just as daddy got home, his cell phone rang.

"Hello?"
"Larry? Where are you?"
"Well, I'm at home....where are you?"
"I'm still in the parking lot. I was going to follow you home."

Bless her heart. Mom was going to follow daddy home, but somehow missed seeing both of us pull out of the parking lot. I have no idea how she managed that.

They celebrated their forty-second anniversary yesterday. Isn't that wonderful? They say the divorce rate is going down, but that's because people aren't getting married. They're just playing house. I'm so thankful my parents have been true to their vows and true to each other all these years. The secret ingredient really isn't a secret. They'll be the first to tell you that only the Lord has kept them from killing each other. LOL Seriously though, Christ has helped them build their home and I'm so glad I've been a part of that home. I pray they will have many more happy years together.

When I got home, I changed clothes and headed to the funeral home. Sadly, some church members had a grandchild to pass away at just 12 days old. Little Jacob was born a fighter, weighing just barely over a pound. He fought a good fight, but just couldn't fight any more. Please pray for his heartbroken parents, the grandparents, and the extended family. They'll need a touch from Heaven in the days and weeks to come.

Mom in Recliner

The surgical waiting area where we waited during daddy's surgery had some recliners in each section. Mom had just a tad bit of trouble getting the recliner she was in to go back. But then John didn't make matters better for her either.

The day of daddy's surgery, John and I got tickled at mom's shoes squeaking down the hospital halls.....so we made sure to video tape it. She didn't realize what we were doing until you hear her start to giggle.

Mom said that dad will have a CAT in a couple of hours. He has to drink 20 ounces of something before they do it. They've also taken a specimen from his liver bile. We don't know why, except that maybe him being sick is coming from that. We'll know more, Lord willing, later this afternoon.

Taking A Necessary Break

OK, first of all, there is only two years between me and my brother John. Those of you that guessed four, seven, and ten, we will be friends for life. HA!

It seems as though I have taken a relapse and am sick again. I have an appointment for a recheck on the 21st, but made one yesterday for this Friday. I already know my ear infections are back and I'm almost positive the upper respiratory infection is back because I have a hard time catching my breath when I'm up doing things.

I've decided to take a break from everything, including blogging, for a few days. I know, ***GASP***!

I trust you all will have a wonderful week and please, say a prayer for me if you think about me. And also for my parents, who are suffering from this thing also.

Thanks!

ETA:
Uhhhh, I just realized I'm THREE years younger than John. Not two. For some reason or another I was thinking I was 37. Fortunately, the math didn't add up. HA!

Mother's Day Lunch and Last Night of Patch/SIGMA

Yesterday my mother called and invited me to lunch at the Cup and Saucer Tea Room, which is inside the Historic Harmon House. Mom was working so I went early to get a table. They're only open for a couple of hours for lunch and they fill up quickly. While I waited for mother to arrive, I was pleasantly surprised to see Mrs. Janet (church secretary) walk in. She was surprised to see me too. Mom had called us both and wanted to treat us to lunch for Mother's Day. Wasn't that nice?




Mom was glad to know they were serving her favorite, the spring special, which consists of their homemade chicken salad scooped into the center of a cantaloupe on a bed of lettuce with a side of pasta salad. Mrs. Janet and I ordered the Rhett's Chicken Wrap with broccoli and cheese soup. It was so good. Thanks, Mom. That was very sweet of you. We had a wonderful time.


Tonight was our last night of Patch the Pirate and SIGMA for the year. Harrison's Patch class, along with the Pee Wees got up to sing. L to R, Malachi, Celine, Blake, Kayson, and Julie. That's Mrs. Teresa in the back there.


Harrison, Mary Elizabeth, Hannah, and Laurel. That's Mrs. Brenda in the back. She's one of Harrison's Patch teachers.


The whole group here. The two other adults, L to R, is Mrs. Pam and Mrs. Wendy.


After Brother RJ preached to the youth group, we took them to the gym for some free time. The boys played basketball while the girls sat around and talked. Some of the kids played a game or two of pool.



Brother RJ read over some surveys he wanted us to fill out...


And Josh did what he does best....slept! For Christmas this year, I'm getting him a bottle of vitamins.

BLAAAGHK~

Well, it's Tuesday afternoon and I'm getting ready to pick my mother up and take her to her Secret Pal get-together, since technically she's not supposed to be driving yet.

We are all sick in our little home and feeling quite icky these days. But hopefully the Lord will touch our weary bodies soon and we'll be done with this for the year of 2006. Wouldn't that be nice?

I have to practice with the bluegrass group tonight while mom is at her party, but since I can't really sing right now because of having no voice, I might get to sneak down to the party and snag some pictures. :)

"See ya" later!

Boy! Am I Glad THAT'S Over!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. The day has nearly come to a close and I am now breathing a little easier.

My mother, whom I believe to be one of the best cooks in the south, was unable to cook this Thanksgiving because of her knee surgery which left it up to me this year. I have never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner for that many people before. As for mom, she is recuperating nicely with the exception of some swelling. I've had to fuss at her a little bit these last couple of days, but after her leg swelled terribly yesterday she promised to stay off of it and so she has. It is still slightly swollen, but looks so much better than yesterday. I'm thankful for that.

When I said I was glad THAT'S over, I was referring to the cooking. LOL I don't mind cooking, but my nerves have been shot the last couple of days worrying about everything turning out to each person's liking.

Mom and I started the day watching a Christmas movie together. Then daddy fixed the traditional Thanksgiving breakfast.........milkshakes. Yes, I know. A very unusual breakfast but it is a tradition. And one tradition my children look forward to as I did growing up.

We spent the better part of the day in the kitchen together while I prepared dinner, laughing and talking. It was fun. I had accomplished a great deal of preperation yesterday so there really wasn't too much to do today.

The menu? Let's see:
Turkey
dressing and stuffing
green beans
sweet potato casserole
veg-all casserole
mashed potatoes
corn on the cob
deviled eggs
crock pot mac and cheese
yeast rolls
gravy
My Brother brought:
smoked Boston Butt roast
congealed salad
dressing
banana bread muffins (which were the perfect size, btw if any of you do banana bread)
And daddy baked two pies, pumpkin and apple

Everything turned out very flavorful and I sure didn't hear any complaints.

Bruce was off today and it was so good to have him home. He has to work tomorrow, but will be off Saturday. So I'm looking forward to spending a complete day with just him and the kids as a family. He left mom's a little early to go see his mother and get me a newspaper for tomorrow. I'll go through the circulars mapping out my route for the morning. I'm one of those stupid people that get up at 3:00 AM to stand in the cold for two hours waiting for a door to open so I MIGHT get what I'm there for. And if I do get it, I'll be happy talking to strangers in a line of seventy-five people that won't move but every eight minutes or more. LOL Wow! I've almost talked myself out of it..............NAH! I'm there. I love the rush I get on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Do y'all go shopping that day too?

I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends. I did.

Mom Is Home

Mom got to come home today. She is so happy to be home. I'll be with her on the days that daddy has dialysis. She's doing very good, but they do not want her up without someone there with her.

Thank you to all who prayed for her! The prayers are working.

Last Night With Mom

I'm finally able to spend a little time posting some things that I have wanted to the last couple of days.

As you know, my mother had surgery yesterday and was having a very difficult time with pain. There was not a moment of rest for her all day yesterday and into the late hours of the night. I went to the hospital around 9:45 or so last night and she was still in pain. She prayed and begged the Lord for just one hour of sleep and he gave her six and a half with one interruption. She was able to eat a little breakfast and the physical therapist had her on her feet and walking a little bit this morning. She'll be doing more therapy at 2:00 this afternoon.

Thank you so much to those who are still praying for her, have prayed for her, came to see her, called, etc. It means so much.

Quick Update

Mom was out of surgery at 9:45 this morning. She is in terrible pain. She's having muscle spams around the incision. Some of them have been the size of my fist. Please pray for relief!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today is my Mother's birthday. Since she's 58 years old, I've thought of 58 things about her to share with you. Oh dear me. Here goes.....

1. She's a wonderful godly example in my life.
2. She is faithful to the Lord.
3. She is faithful to her family
4. She is faithful to her church
5. She is a kindergarten Sunday school teacher.
6. She plays the piano to give Sis Tammy a break on Wednesday nights.
7. She plays the organ when Sis Joy can't be there.
8. She's not afraid to stand with hands raised in praise to the Lord during a worship service.
9. She never lets a compliment go unsaid.
10. She can be brutally honest in a loving manner.
11. She is great at color coordinating her clothes and picking out outfits.
12. She loves simple things.
13. She LOVES her jewelry. LOL
14. She works for First Charter Bank.
15. She is a living testimony to her coworkers and customers.
16. She always has a smile to share even when she doesn't feel like smiling.
17. She looks GREAT in the color teal and earthy colors.
18. She has a daily prayer life.
19. She has a daily devotional life.
20. She is happy in the Lord and full of His joy.
21. She was born in West Virginia.
22. She was raised in West Virginia.
23. She was one of nine children.
24. She has a twin brother.
25. She has beautiful auburn hair thanks to Mrs. Clairol
26. She makes the BEST and most moist banana bread you will EVER put in your mouth, hands down!
27. She can make any flavor pound cake you desire that will curl your toes.
28. She was a hotel auditor traveling up and down the East Coast for years.
29. She was nicknamed The Hatchet Lady by the people she audited.
30. She was nicknamed The Bionic Belt Beater by her children. LOL
31. She has a wonderful sense of humor.
32. She has been married to my dad for 41 years.
33. She raised three children.
34. She was the bestest mom ever and still is.
35. She is a tower of strength when she leans on her Lord.
36. She turns to mush when her grandchildren walk into a room.
37. She loves to be spoiled.
38. She loves to spoil.
39. She collects teapots.
40. She has 33 teapots at this time.
41. She loves to play spider solitaire on the computer.
42. She has her own little Pac Man and Frogger game for her TV.
43. She likes to play UNO and Phase Ten.
44. She keeps a basket of really cool stuff next to her door for first time visitors to her home.
45. She loves old black and white movies.
46. She loves the "Tammy" movies.
47. She loves the Olive Garden.
48. She likes to shop.
49. She likes comfortable stylish shoes.
50. She loves Christmas.
51. She loves the Thanksgiving service at church.
52. She likes to light good smelling candles.
53. She likes to sit in the dark by the fireplace.
54. She likes to read Christian novels.
55. She likes it when she gets snowed in and can't get out to go anywhere. LOL
56. She taught herself how to play the piano.
57. She's traveled out of the country to see Bruce and me when Justin was born.
58. She is the greatest mommy ever and I love her very much.