Tribute to PM

1912 - 2010

I first met PM and B in 1970 when I started dating Smitty. They were a fun couple and I looked forward to becoming a part of the family. B passed away just months before Smitty and I were married, so I never got to know him except through the stories that PM would share through the years. PM was a fixture in the family. Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays...you name it she was there. She loved her family, and she loved her church and so many different ministries that furthered the Kingdom's work. She loved children and loved people in general. She had a way of telling stories from her childhood and events that happened through the years like no other. I was always amazed at how she could remember so many details from the past when I couldn't recall what happened last week. People loved to be around her--old and young alike. She was a people person and people gravitated to her. I won't forget the Thanksgiving dinners.....12 noon on Thanksgiving day...bring a dish! We seemed to always eat using red Christmas plates and cups and she always washed the dishes by passing around the garbage bag. We cleared the tables and all gathered around her TV to watch the Cowboy game.

When Blake was a toddler (the youngest of the 4 cousins) and an extremely "picky" eater, she would make sure there was something on the Thanksgiving table for him. Planter's Cheese Balls served in a nice bowl. There was no chiding because he was so "picky"--just served him what he loved to eat. I could go on and on with so many stories--mostly comical and told only as PM could tell them.

There is no way of knowing this side of heaven how many lives were touched and changed because of her. She truly had a servant's heart. I just know that on Friday she was welcomed into His presence with a "Well, done my good and faithful servant".

We loved you P.......

Nothing Could be Finer.....

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina.....where the granddaughter (along with our daughter and son-in-law) reside. We were able to spend a few days over the Memorial Day Holiday with them. We celebrated my b'day and spent time working on projects and just getting to play and play and play. What a really neat treat!

Birthday Chocolate Chip Pie, Ice Cream and ONE candle....priceless!

LilE posing during our modeling photo session! Notice the Silly Bandz in her mouth? Another story for another time.

Pop and JD taking a breather after much digging and hauling pavers.

KLee and Mimi supervising the work....photo taken by LilE

LilE just after pitching the baseball....she does throw like a girl!

Lots of coloring, playing with puzzles and dressing the Groovy Girls all weekend!

Pop, LilE, and Mimi just before leaving for the airport!

Happy B'day To Me

Birthdays have always been special to me and for the last several years I have added a twist to my celebration. It is a real b'day treat for me to host a luncheon for those I work with rather than be taken out to eat. Typically, I like to invite a few into my home for a special treat, but that wasn't possible this year. So, the event was taken to the workplace. It was a special b'day for me to provide lunch for my new co-workers. Thanks, ladies, for helping me celebrate my special day in such a special way. The celebration concluded with B and Elle taking us out to dinner and then the traditional birthday cake and opening of gifts. It was a really special day!

Hidden Gardens Tour and Early Birthday Treat

Two very good friends and former co-workers treated me to a very special Sunday afternoon/early birthday treat. The Hidden Gardens of Fort Worth Tour featuring seven very lovely, private gardens in the historically-signigicant West Side neighborhoods of North Hi Mount and Crestiline were the afternoons activity. It was a nice look into some of the private gardens both large and small. D & L not only provided this wonderful tour, but also took me out for a late lunch and presented me with a potted planter to add to my own garden. What special friends I have. Thanks, girls!

The front yards were planted with lots of color.

This yard wasn't on the tour, but just in the neighborhood.

This is one of the terraces in the back yard of Ft. Worth's Martha Hyder.

Looking from the back of the house you would be overlooking Ft. Worth and part of the Trinity River.....unbelieveable vista.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today, Smitty and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. Beautiful roses arrived at my workplace early this morning and then I was treated to a wonderful, quiet dining experience at Saint Emilion, a country french restaurant in Ft. Worth. It was a relaxing evening with wonderful cuisine in a quaint little french cottage. We spent a wonderful 2 hours enjoying good food and good conversation. Thanks to our kids who called separately and wished us a happy anniversary. You make us proud!

Dinner for two $100+...good food and conversation with your best friend and husband of 38 years......PRICELESS!

Mother's Day

I am thankful that I have a husband who remembers that I am the mother of his children and always chooses the right card with just the right words to express it. I am thankful for a daughter who is creative in her gift giving and selects verses that come from the heart. I am thankful for a son who loves his mother and is not afraid to express it and who prepared a wonderful meal especially for me. And, add to that, they each married someone who I truly call "my children" as well. Of course, I can't forget LilE who brings such joy to my life. Thanks to you all for making Mother's Day so very special.

Smitty, my best friend for near 40 yrs.

All my children: Elle, B, Klee and JD

LilE...the face says it all!

May Flowers

It doesn't seem like I have a lot to blog about these days. Our lives are pretty routine and I don't have much to post that would be of much interest to many people. But, I do have some pretty spring flowers that I thought I would share with you. This clematis blooms early and is just stunning. I have it in the driveway to the garage and see it when I leave out each morning and return each evening. I also included one of the blooming azaleas this year. They were really pretty.