Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Melanoma...a deadly cancer


Sandie's (on left) battle with melanoma ended in February 2010 as most of you already know.  Now one of her dear friends, Judi Gray, is losing her fight with this horrible disease also.  

Judi actually got melanoma before Sandie did.  There was a spot on her leg that kept bleeding and wouldn't heal so she went to the doctor and was told it was melanoma.  Like Sandie, she had surgery and was told they got it all, and all was well.  Later, Judi found a lump on her thigh while shaving and went to the doctor again.  Again they told her it was melanoma, but they got it all.  Over a period of several years this is how it went.  Then she started getting severe headaches, just like Sandie had, and her worst fear had happened.  The melanoma had spread to the brain.  They put her in the hospital and put a shunt in the brain to do chemo but then realized the cancer was in the spinal fluid.  At that point the doctors told Judi, her husband and two children there was nothing more they could do.

When Sandie had her surgery, Judi was there for moral support with that famous "Judi Smile".  Always encouraging her dear friend to fight.  And Sandie did fight.  All the way till the cancer attacked her brain.  Within two weeks of Sandie getting that prognosis they told us there was nothing more they could do for her and she would be going to Alive Hospice.  The very next day Our God took Sandie to be with him.

Now, Judi is in Alive Hospice but is hanging on every day and getting sicker and sicker.  It is such a difficult time for her family, watching over her and not being able to comfort her.  I pray for peace and comfort for Judi and strength for Les, Michael and Taylor.  I know now we had such a blessing with the Lord taking Sandie so quickly.  

For any young girls out there that may read this, please be aware of what the sun and tanning beds can do to your life.  It can end it.  Is a tan worth that?


Friday, June 1, 2012

Nail Art...




Okay, so our first attempt at nail art was from watching a You-tube video.  I thought the
converse shoes were so cute, but they were pretty hard to paint on such a small
little nail.  Lots of coats and a steady hand was needed.  We certainly didn't have
the right tools for the job either.  I thought they turned out alright though for a
first try.  Cassidy wasn't as pleased as I was though, so after about an hour
the nail polish remover came out and off they went.

Next, we decided on just painting half the nail and doing some polka dots.  Oh, so
much easier.  But the best part was that she loved them and they have lasted over
a week now.  Hurray for grandma's with patience.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Flags of Remembrance...



The Healing Field was an amazing sight.  Fifteen hundred flags put out in one place to honor and 
remember all those who have served in our military.  Past, present, or future, I thank you
for serving our country and keeping it the best place to live.  
Seeing all those flags was a very somber reminder of all the lives lost and changed over
the years to keep our United States of America free.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Soar Like an Eagle...




Wow, three grandkids graduating this year.  Cassidy and Jade will be heading 
off to middle school and Drew will be starting high school.  I am so proud of
 all three of them for the accomplishments they have each made.  My dream 
for each of them is to "soar like an eagle".  

The speaker at Cassidy's school told the story of an eagle egg that fell out of its nest.  It landed in a 
chicken coop and one of the hens raised it as a chicken after it hatched.  One day the "chicken" saw a bird flying overhead and asked the hen what it was.  She told the "chicken" that it was an eagle...the king of all birds.  The little "chicken" wanted to be an eagle, but it was too late.  It had been raised as a chicken 
and would always be a chicken.  So don't be like the chicken and be surrounded by those who don't appreciate you for who you are.  I pray each of you will be like the eagle and soar.  I pray you will 
each surround yourselves with positive people...don't waste your time on those who do not support 
and encourage you to be whatever you want to be.  Congratulations to all three of you.  
I love you all for the great young people you are and know you will all go far in life.  
Have fun as you enter middle and high school years and enjoy everything life has to offer you.

Seems not so long ago they were all just babes.  Where in the world does the time go?


Thursday, May 17, 2012

It's That Time Again...


It is so strange to me, but it happens every year.  As soon as we hang our hummingbird feeders, we start getting woodpeckers drinking from them.  This guy just tips the feeder and then gets the liquid as it drips down the side...pretty smart fellow.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Mother's Day Weekend...




What a wonderful Mother's Day weekend I had.  It all got started on Friday night with a delicious dinner with the hubby at Outback Steakhouse...yummy!  Then, on Saturday,  the entire family (both sides) was invited for a cookout and swim at Greg and Leslie's house.  The weather was a bit chilly but they had the pool heated to 87 degrees so the kids swam the entire day.

Greg loves to cook and once again he outdid himself in preparing food for everyone.  Leslie, of course, was still laid up with her broken leg so we all tried to take care of her as best as we could.

We almost had a tragedy during the day.  Leslie's brothers little grandson, 2 year old Chandler, was in the pool with the other kids and one of his swimmies came off.  He went under the water and his mom had to jump in to get him.  When she pulled him out, little Chandler was blue and unresponsive.  Thank God Leslie is a nurse...she knew exactly what to do.  We called 911 also and they responded with two police cars, an ambulance, a fire truck and the first responders.  They worked on him for a while and didn't leave until they were sure he was fine.  A huge thank you to the city of Nolensville for their quick response.

You just don't expect things like this to happen.  There were at least 15 adults right there by the side of the pool when Chandler went under.  It just goes to show how quickly something can happen and change everything.  It was very scary for everyone, but thankfully, we had a good end result.

On Sunday morning we had a beautiful church service in honor of all of our mothers.  So many of us have moms who have already gone to be with the Lord and Mother's Day can be hard for us.  It was for me, as my mom has been gone since December of 2000.  I miss her every day but am honored to have had her as my mother.  At the end of the church service, my husband, David, did the closing prayer.  In that prayer, he remembered my mom and what a special woman she was.  It was quite emotional.

After church Chris, Melodie and the kids took us to Cracker Barrel for lunch.  I love to go there on Sunday for their fried chicken...can't be beat.

Thank you to my wonderful family for making my Mother's Day
a very special one.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Down By The River...


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 David and I have worked really hard this year to get it looking good down by the river  and it paid off when I took Anna Grace down there to take some pictures.  It was easy to walk down to that part of the river  for the first time since we have lived here.


Friday, April 13, 2012

Plates, Screws & Surgery...oh my

Today was surgery day for Drew and Leslie.  His, this morning early and Leslie's in late morning.

 Everything went good during Drew's surgery but I was totally shocked when the doctor came out and showed us the pictures of what he had to put in Drew's arm to repair it.  I was expecting some little flat metal pieces with a couple screws holding it together.  Boy, was I wrong.  This is what is now in his arm.  I call him the "bionic" grandson now.





Recovery will be slow for Drew but he hasn't complained at all.  This is what he
 looked like right after his surgery.

Now on to Leslie...she also had to have a weird looking set of plates and screws.  
This is the  leg now of our "bionic" daughter-in-law.

All I can ask is that you keep our family in prayer as everyone recuperates
from their surgery.  I know God is the great healer and I pray
he will be with Drew and Leslie as they lay in the bed together to recuperate.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Surgery Scheduled...

Turns out that both Leslie and Drew will be having surgery on the same day, Friday the 13th, in different hospitals.  How in the world is that going to work?


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Ouch...

What a week it has been... last week Leslie fell and broke her leg and today Drew was in a 4-wheeler accident and broke his arm.

Leslie didn't just "break" her leg...she broke the large bone in the lower part of the leg.  It broke up and down instead of through the bone.  When she fell it also jammed up her knee cap and messed up her ACL.  All she was trying to do was feed the birds.  Of course, she knew better than to stand on a huge rock that was in the backyard.  One slip and down she went.  Looks like some major surgery for her to repair the leg.

Drew, on the other hand, was driving their 4-wheeler and turned so fast he tipped it over.  Luckily his passenger wasn't injured, but he broke his arm in a big way.  Usually an arm will heal itself, but not this time.  He will also have to have some major surgery to get his arm back in shape.  The doctor says a couple of plates and screws should do the job.


Monday, March 19, 2012

Just a Swingin'...

While in Florida I bought Anna Grace a swing and she LOVES it. When she is in the house all she wants to do is go outside so she can swing. Since she can't talk yet she just points to the outside where her swing is. When I head downstairs with her she just starts laughing and getting so excited.

It makes my heart happy to hear those squeals and giggles as you push her higher and higher.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Florida Family


My beautiful niece, Debbie (center) and her two gorgeous girls, Marissa and Hannah...
















Me, Debbie and my sister, Linda...
















My sister, Linda, brother, David and myself...



Friday, February 24, 2012

14 Already...


Our handsome 14 year old grandson, Drew. Where in the world does the time go?
Drew, I know your mom is looking down from heaven on you and must be so proud of the young man you have become. I pray you will always keep your positive outlook and continue to be your "unique self".

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Blessings...







Being baptized and committing your life to God is one of the most beautiful and biggest steps you take in life. Watching your grandchild be baptized is the biggest blessing you can receive as a grandparent.

We are so proud of you, Cassidy, for making this decision to follow your Lord and let him guide you in your steps for the future. You are a beautiful young lady, inside and out, and I know with God's blessing you will go far in your life. Gram and Pop both love you so very much and are so proud of you.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Time Flies...

Time goes by so quickly I can hardly keep up. Once I was retired I thought I would have all the time in the world to do the things I love but each day goes so quick and the next one is here and gone before I know it too.

Christmas was wonderful this past year. As I do every year, I said our Christmas was going to be lots smaller this year. BUT, just like every year, that didn't happen. With six grandchildren you just can't help it. Anyway, I just love to buy and give to others...it makes my heart happy. So I do it. Who cares anyway, I'm the one who has to pay for it.

This is a picture of four of the grandchildren this year. The other two happened to be at their other grandma's house when I took this.