Today we celebrate Memorial Day. A day to thank all of those in the Armed Forces who are now serving and have served in the past our country and the fight for our freedom. Something we take for granted.
I have several in my own family to thank for this freedom. My brother, Ronald, served 22 years. 2 in the Navy at Okinawa, and 20 in the Army. He served 3 terms in Vietnam. He did give his life for our country because all three times he went to Vietnam he flew by helicopter into the enemy area where they dropped agent orange. Agent orange causes liver cancer. Ronald died of liver cancer at the young age of 48. He was only home from the miltary for a few years.
My brother Larry served in the Marine Corp. He did not have the opportunity to serve for very long, but he did serve and was given a medical discharge. My family is very fortunate that he did come home as he was the lifeline of our family for many years and helped to take care of us at home.
My brother Mike, served 20 years in the Navy. He too was overseas and stationed in various parts of the world and the west and east coasts. He worked on helicopters. And I'm sure there were many other areas where he worked, but I'm not sure what they were. Michael passed away recently at the young age of 59. He had a few years longer to enjoy life as a civilian. But not long enough.
I also have a nephew, Eddie and his wife Kim who have served many years in the National Guard and they have spent many weeks and months away from their children to serve our country.
To all these I thank you and appreciate your sacrifices for my freendom. May God Bless you and your families.
**
The weekend was pretty hectic starting with Friday evening and our little Marissa's dance recital. She stole the show with her groups routine as she was the only one who kept dancing and never paused or looked like she didn't know what to do next! she wore a little blue tutu and even makeup. She was a doll! we were so proud of her. Then we went out to eat and her daddy ordered her own order of "pickles" just for the occassion. She loves pickles.
Saturday and Sunday I worked at Carillon. I called bingo for the residents, rewarded all who attended with some goodies. Then Sunday afternoon, Bruce and I invited the residents to an Ice Cream Social which they loved! They visited and talked with each other and it was a lot of fun!
Today Bruce and I spent a few hours working on the house; putting up new doors and then went shopping for plants. We purchased 2 rose bushes which we planted in the front yard, zinnas and a beautiful flower bowl to hang outside. We also planted lettuce, cucumbers, eggplant, squash and peppers. We like to have a few fresh veggies for the summer months.
we also tried our hand at Wii Tennis this weekend. It was a hoot! we had a good time and used a few muscles that we haven't used for a while...OUCH!
so that's my story and I'm sticking to it! I hope all my loved ones had a great long weekend!!!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mother's Day 2008
Today I will pay homage to my own mom, who passed away in 1979. Actually May 31, 1979.
She was a good mother; tried to raise us up right; used a switch or a belt whichever she thought would get her point across the best. But I never felt abused, just disciplined. I really didn't even know what "abused" was until I was grown and heard about parents not being able to discipline their children without being investigated! So much has changed since I was a child.
She worked in a sewing factory most of her life and I think she met my dad in a canning factory. I have some pics of her and she was a beautiful teenager.
But my mom died at 62 and I thought that was old! But now at 56 I realize that isn't old at all. It's quite young! She was very sickly most of her adult life, that I remember. She used to make me all sorts of clothes and one night she stayed up all night making an outfit for me to wear to school the next day! It was a brown button up jacket and pants to match. It was the style that the Beatles wore with the high collar. I was so proud of that outfit!. She made my two prom outfits and they were beautiful. Both had capes and long dresses made out of satin. The first one was green with a cape, and the second one was off white with gold trim and a cape with fur trim. She also started my wedding dress (when I married Steve) but my sister Donna had to finish it because Mama got sick. She was quiet and reserved most of the time. But she liked to sew, can and cook when she felt like it. We used to sit together on the couch and before you knew it, my head was in her lap. I was napping. It was so sweet. She loved for me to shampoo her hair in the kitchen sink and then roll it up for her, and when it would dry I would comb it out for her and style it. She wore shirt dresses and sandels and always had beautiful nails, even when she was sick. I used to paint her nails for her too. She always tried to be a lady and when she went out she wanted to look her best.
She loved her family. She was my friend. And I think that it is because of that love that I am able to look past all the bad things that happened in my childhood and love my family . I am so blessed to be a mother, a grandmother, a wife and sister to all those that I love. Thanks Mom..I love you and miss you much.
She was a good mother; tried to raise us up right; used a switch or a belt whichever she thought would get her point across the best. But I never felt abused, just disciplined. I really didn't even know what "abused" was until I was grown and heard about parents not being able to discipline their children without being investigated! So much has changed since I was a child.
She worked in a sewing factory most of her life and I think she met my dad in a canning factory. I have some pics of her and she was a beautiful teenager.
But my mom died at 62 and I thought that was old! But now at 56 I realize that isn't old at all. It's quite young! She was very sickly most of her adult life, that I remember. She used to make me all sorts of clothes and one night she stayed up all night making an outfit for me to wear to school the next day! It was a brown button up jacket and pants to match. It was the style that the Beatles wore with the high collar. I was so proud of that outfit!. She made my two prom outfits and they were beautiful. Both had capes and long dresses made out of satin. The first one was green with a cape, and the second one was off white with gold trim and a cape with fur trim. She also started my wedding dress (when I married Steve) but my sister Donna had to finish it because Mama got sick. She was quiet and reserved most of the time. But she liked to sew, can and cook when she felt like it. We used to sit together on the couch and before you knew it, my head was in her lap. I was napping. It was so sweet. She loved for me to shampoo her hair in the kitchen sink and then roll it up for her, and when it would dry I would comb it out for her and style it. She wore shirt dresses and sandels and always had beautiful nails, even when she was sick. I used to paint her nails for her too. She always tried to be a lady and when she went out she wanted to look her best.
She loved her family. She was my friend. And I think that it is because of that love that I am able to look past all the bad things that happened in my childhood and love my family . I am so blessed to be a mother, a grandmother, a wife and sister to all those that I love. Thanks Mom..I love you and miss you much.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
time...
boy, time sure passes fast these days! we've celebrated little Owen's 2nd birthday and that was a treat. I think he had a good time at his party. I can't believe he's already 2. It seems like it was just a couple of months ago that we were in the hospital waiting for him to arrive. But it was sure worth the wait!...
We also have found out that Mike and Tami will be introducing a new son late this fall. We are going to have a lot of fun with all these grandbabies running around!
Tomorrow I start my vacation. Not going anywhere but will do some major clean up around the house, cart off some more stuff to the Hospice store, the Rescue Mission and the Housing Authority which is also a good cause because they help the elderly...I should have a nice clean house by the end of my vacation!
Work has been good this week. Making some good changes and I can see some progress just the past few days!
well, time to call it a day and go home...
We also have found out that Mike and Tami will be introducing a new son late this fall. We are going to have a lot of fun with all these grandbabies running around!
Tomorrow I start my vacation. Not going anywhere but will do some major clean up around the house, cart off some more stuff to the Hospice store, the Rescue Mission and the Housing Authority which is also a good cause because they help the elderly...I should have a nice clean house by the end of my vacation!
Work has been good this week. Making some good changes and I can see some progress just the past few days!
well, time to call it a day and go home...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)