Family stubbornness

I have been asked to tell about my brother's stubborn streak. Truthfully, I have tried to remember an incident concerning this and the middle brother. There is nothing that comes to mind. He on the other hand could write a book about me. Greg and I were the closest of the 4 kids growing up. Mom always said a team of wild horses could not drag anything out of either of us about the other one. The other 2 brothers were a different story.

The only incident that just came to mind was one Christmas when Greg was living with Grandmama, Dad sent me to north Ala to get him and bring him home for the holidays. My then sister-in-law, Joan rode with me. We got to Grandmama's and for some reason (I don't remember why, except he was upset at Dad), Greg refused to come back with us. I called Mom and she talked to Grandmama and Greg and the end of it all was he stayed in North Al. with Grandmama. This is truthfully the only time I remember him being stubborn. Janice would be a better one to write about this.

One the way home from Grandmama's, it became very foggy and dark. There was a shortcut (one of Dad's - and that is another blog another day) that in the day I knew very well. In this very thick fog, I didn't have a clue. I started following a pair of tail lights - couldn't even see the car. Joan asked what I would do if the car turned into a driveway and stopped. I said I would get out and ask them to get me to Center Point. Fortunately for us by the time the car did turn, the fog had lifted a little and I recognized the area. See God does take care of fools.

Family Christmas

This past Saturday was our Christmas celebration w/family. We had a wonderful time. The girls (Tara and Teri) and their families came to the farm for Christmas. We had a non traditional dinner (chicken and dumplings,okra, creamed corn, slaw, pinto beans and mega desserts), opened gifts and visited. The girls got into some of the pictures from Mom's and had a great time. I had walked out of the room after telling them they could not take any of the pictures. When I came back, Teri said"Mom I took these, is that ok?" Tara said, "Teri, you weren't supposed to tell her." Teri replied, "Tara, you have to be honest when you steal." They took a lot of pictures of themselves when they were little and our little family way back when.

The little ones (Haley and Hannah) had a good time opening gifts. I should say "gift" for Hannah. She opened one gift, a tea set, and refused to open any more. She took her set and had a great time making "cokkee" (coffee) for us.

Later we went to Rex's to meet w/the brother's (minus Greg - missed you by the way) and their families. Had a wonderful time. We gathered around to pray before eating and Rex started the prayer and each one added something (if they wanted to) as it came your turn. I was praying (holding Hannah on my hip), I felt her bend over and she said,"Memama, your leaking, why you leaking?" Of course, that broke the group up. We later played dirty Santa w/ornament gifts. Hannah got a beautiful deer ornament that all the guys wanted. She threw a fit when anyone tried to take it, "MINE!" So, that was that, no one tried to take her gift until Pawpaw asked her if she would give it to him, to which she replies "OK." I made him give it back later, but it gave him great pleasure to show everyone else that he and he alone could get it from her.

For us, Christmas is over and I am ready to take the decorations down. I won't until next week when I get off my 7, because Mike wants to leave them up until at least Christmas day. So, the first two days of my week off will be cleaning up after Christmas.

The above picture is of the grandchildren. The little one is Hannah and the older sister is Haley. They are sitting on one of the saddles that are kept at the end of our hall (for the time being - which so far has been 10 years). These are not the most current pictures of the girls but I'm just learning how to do this so be patient w/me for a long while. I want to hopefully post pictures of the farm and the family as I learn how to do this stuff. I also forget how to do things on the computer if I don't do them often. Will be interesting to see what kind of goofs I do and how often I get yelled at by Mike.

Hope your Christmas's are as fun filled as ours has been. We are still having the babies Christmas on Sunday morning after Santa comes to see them. Will take pictures and hopefully get them on this site. I have got to learn how to do all this stuff instead of depending on Mike.

Setting the record straight

I have been requested to set the record straight. The mule in aforementioned blog is NOT - I repeat not- my brother, Greg. He doesn't live on our farm and no one owns him. Of course, the mule could be Mike, they are both pretty stubborn and hard headed (as evidenced when they literally butt heads). But, that isn't the case either. The Mule mentioned as one of the four legged animals we own is Ida Mae. Just wanted all of you to know, since I have been reprimanded for not clarifying that before now.

This will be short as I am in the process of cleaning the house, wrapping the last of the presents and preparing lists of last minute things to buy before Saturday. We are gathering w/the girls and families in the AM for our Christmas and then w/the other two brothers for the England get together in the PM (sure wish you and ours could be w/us, Greg. Will miss you!). So will write tomorrow, maybe something of interest.

Tis the season

Our house is an old farm house. Originally had three rooms and a dog-trot hall. Some years ago the previous owner closed in the dog-trot, added a closet (the only one in the house) at the end of the hall, turned the leanto kitchen into the bathroom and added two additional small bedrooms at the other end of the hall (he had two sets of twins). Therefore, at the change of seasons, I have to do the semi-annual swap of the clothes. Drag the heavy containers out of the attic, pull out what I can still wear set aside those I can't and refill the containers w/clothes being put back in the attic until the season changes for the next go round.

This is always a hassle and somewhat discouraging as some of my favorite clothes from the previous year never fit. So this morning before I trudge off to my last day of work for this 7 on, I'm am doing the dreaded swap out. Actually, this year it's not so bad since I've been about to freeze at work and here at home. I found my turtleneck shirts that I wear under my scrubs and my comfy flannel pj's. I will be warm tonight.

Hopefully, we will be able to add an addition to the house in the spring with a very large closet and this activity will cease to take place. Or I could simply get rid of the clothes at the end of each season and get new. Only problem w/that is I hate to shop for clothes for myself. Guess why!!!

Hopefully back on line for good

Sorry to have been gone so long. Actually, Mike had the computer back on line last week. It's my fault I've been neglegent in writing. I got our house decorated for Christmas (using a some of Mom's decorations) and then proceeded into a deep depression. I was not a very nice person and just didn't feel like talking w/anyone. Greg called the first of this week and helped me put some things into perspective. I'm feeling much better now but please keep all of us in your prayers this season. It was Mom's favorite time of year and we did most of our shopping together and I always found time to be w/her. She was not only my Mother but she was my best friend and there have been so many times these past weeks I wish I could have called her to talk. I know I will get through this but at times, it is really tough.

On to more cheerful things. I think I have the most loving granchildren in the world. I know Haley (the 7 year old) has the most tender heart. The school she attends (Victory Christian) had an arts/crafts show for the children to buy Christmas gifts. I went over to her school to help her shop last Monday (the kid had more money than I - mostly because I owed her almost $100 for past report cards. Yes, I pay my debts, it just takes me awhile). Anyway, she bought a few gifts and I asked her if she wanted to take the rest of her money and shop at Walmart or Dollar Tree (her two favorite stores). She agreed. Then she gets home and that night she took a $l to her mom and told her (with big tears in her eyes) that she wanted her to have this money for her Christmas because she was afraid she wouldn't be able to get her a gift. Tara told her she would be going shopping w/her Aunt T today. She got so excited. She and her Aunt T have made this an annual thing and Haley wasn't sure she was going to get to go this year. Wasn't that sweet.

Hannah has discovered Santa and is just fascinated to no end. Every time she sees a santa of any type she pats her chest and says, "Santa love me." This Christmas is going to be a good one (even of a little said). God always gives us what we need, when we need it. He has given me my children and grandchildren to help me through this (he also gave me Mike and my wonderful brothers).

Hope you day is sunny and bright - regardless of the weather.