Color makes me feel good!

Will add my country red kitchen here one day!

As some of you may already know, I love color and especially the color RED! Don't like it necessarily on me but in my house YES! It is just a color that makes me feel good. Its bright , cheers me up and I may just turn my kitchen back into red. I painted it a beautiful green sometime ago and love it, but the red I miss. I feel comfortable in my home, it just has a way of saying this is the right place for me. It kind of speaks to my mind . ha! I mean I have this vision of what its suppose to look like but of course it takes money! I have these ideas going around in my mind to what I want to do and hopfully over time I can get it all done. So go ahead , toss that bright red pillow on the bed , add a eye catcher to your room. Enjoy your home! It is the place that is your refuge from the everyday woes of life! Love it and remember your home is your castle here on earth and has to be the place you really enjoy going home to every day. Its not just the little things you do that makes it so special , its even more than that, its the people who dwell inside! they make it home, someplace where you want to be! mamashap

Dad

Dad is a very sentimental guy! although you might not think so. Some days I don't feel that way but for the most part , he is. I think he is probably the only one in his family that is alot this way. He takes after his mother. She was a very sentimental person as I remember. Never interfered in any of her children's lives and always when she spoke would put them in a good light. She was always willing to help others, even gave my sister Jean food from her grocery store to help her out when she was a single mom. I sure hope Jean payed her back but can't be so sure of that.
My sister Sarah who lived across the st. from her said there is not a sweeter lady than Joe's mother. I always remember that she told me that and know dad loved his mother very much!

Back to dad. He loves the History channel, War films, and Documentaries and listening to music that goes way back to the 1950 and 60's or there about. He also loves animals. Right now Maggie is his life! She sticks pretty close to him when he is busy in yard. And YES you might see a tear swell up in his eye when he is watching certain shows that have to do with children, animals, soldiers fighting for this country or this country at war or music that speaks of love and tenderness.
Here lately he has been listening to music from way back. A song called " When I grow to old to Dream" sung by Vera Lynn . This goes way back in war time, she sung for the troops. He will call me in to listen also. He REALLY does love music and must say has good taste in music except maybe Johnny Cash, ha. and some of that western stuff. ha! Going to write more of dad later. need a picture here. Oh, he also likes Joan or Jo Stafford. Will add more later of his favorite. mama

A Day in the life of Aidan and Lexi

Aidan loves his bathtime and playing with Lexi dog. What a great companion for this little guy! Aidan also is into cars big time right now. He has really grown up this pass year. I love these pictures, what a cutie!

DSC03008.JPG (4.8 MB), DSC03009.JPG (4.8 MB) Hope you can pull these pictures up. So adorable!!

Jacob, Lindsey, Marc and Kristen

Here is a picture of our four oldest grandchildren. Wow! where has the time gone.

Marc is thinking of joining the Air Force. Jacob worked for Albertsons for quite some time and they closed his store, he has moved on. Lindsey is in her last year of high school and Kristen is in middle school.

Time doesn't slow down, I wish them all happy years ahead in whatever they pursue. love you guys, grams

grams

Trip to Mexico

Well here is a group picture of the Gerbers and I in Mexico! I want to write more about the trip later when Angie sends me a dvd of all the pictures so I can share. Very beautiful there and sooo relaxing ! Mr. Sun is the only thing you really have to be concerned about. Well me anyway! I burn easily but it didn't keep me from enjoying myself and the wonderful relaxing vacation!

Neighbors / The Huge Oak Tree/ Century Oaks

Here on Douglas Drive in Eustis Fl. we have a huge Oak Tree right in the middle of the road. It adds charm to the neighborhood. We have met some really nice people on our block! Dad really wasn't into neighbors back in Orlando but since moving here four yrs. ago he has really been socializing with alot of them. Perhaps it could be because we have a puppy now named Maggie, our little cockapoo. Lots of our neighbors here have dogs as well. Dad will take Maggie outside when someone is walking by the house with their dog and they will chit chat and each talk about their dogs and other stuff. I am so pleased that he has found friends here. The one person he loves talking to is Frank across the street, he has no dog but they seem to get along great and relate for whatever reason. George is another neighbor, doesn't have a dog but had Bailey the cat who was quite old and been here for yrs. It sure was a sad day when George accidently backed over him. I would have kept him indoors myself. Bob is a another neighbor and his dog is Ferbie. Maggie loves Ferbie! She has to run outside to greet him when he comes by the house. Another friend of Maggies is Evie who looks a little like Maggie but Maggie is sweeter. ha. Its a great neighborhood! As I said we have a huge Oak Tree right here in the middle of the road near our home thats a century old and adds charm to our neighborhood, which in fact is why the subdivision is called Century Oaks!

Baskets

I love baskets! If I had a very very big home then I would have all kinds of pretty baskets! Since moving here to Eustis we have downsized to a smaller home so I have to limit myself to just a few. Going to garage sales is a pass time of mine that I love and often I go with my daughter in law Sherry . Its a fun way to spend a Sat. afternoon. If I happen to spot a lovely BIG basket I just have a hard time turning it down! Of course it has to be the right price also! Cheap! I now have more baskets than I need so I guess I am off to find another hidden treasure to add to my country home! wish me luck! mama

A Name for Our Home/The Red Rooster House

House naming started many years ago with the rich people naming their homes. It has caught on and now many people since have been giving their homes names. You especially see it on cottage's. Example: The Jays /Two Hoots, Squirrels Leap, The Nighingale Cottage , The Magpie's and of course The Red Rooster House. ha! If you could zoom in, you can read the sign on our lamp pole. "THE RED ROOSTER HOUSE!'

Todd and Heather

This past year has been a exciting one! Todd has taken a new bride, Heather is a darling and we couldn't be happier! Things are happening fast. Marriage in October of last year, now expecting an adorable baby in late Oct. or early Nov. and now they will soon have a new home. How exciting! Love you guys and looking forward to becoming a Grandma again!

Hip Hip Hooray! A baby is on the way.

Soren and Ander

Here is Soren and Ander, These little guys love playing together. While staying here at their grandma's house you could often find them enjoying each other just like in this photo.

i love you little guys and miss you both.
Grandma

Finn and Scout

Here is a picture of Finn & Scout. These little guys love the beach and most likely will grow up loving to surf just like their daddy. Watch out for that sun boys!

love you boys

grams

Reading

Here in the past year or so I have found myself reading quite alot. My friend Pam, daughter Angie and daughter in law Sherry have all given me books to read at one time or another that I have enjoyed. Actually I never really got into reading till a year or so ago.
For several years all I did was work puzzles. I always had a puzzle out on a cardtable and when things got slow you would find me there hunting for that one particular piece of the puzzle. I had stacks and stacks of puzzles . Don't get me wrong, I still love a good puzzle. Love finding that new link that pulls it all together. But for now, reading is my interest! here are a few books I have read in the past few years.


THE LAST LECTURE
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
THE WEDDING
THE BOOK OF MORMON
GRACE
THE NEW WOMAN
THE CHRISTMAS BOX
COTTAGE FOR SALE
TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD
FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN
EMBRACED BY THE LIGHT
A DAY NO PIGS WOULD DIE
THE SHACK
A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN
VARIABLE CLOUDS, OCCASSIONAL RAIN WITH A PROMISE OF SUNSHINE
LOST AND FOUND
ANN OF GREEN GABLES
I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK
BOY
LIFE AFTER LIFE
HELEN KELLER
LIFE'S GREATEST LESSONS
SHABBY CHIC HOME
THE SUNFLOWER
THE RICHEST CAVEMAN
ON THE FRONT PORCH
The Perfect Life
It's All About Him
There are more and will add them all as time goes by.
"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it!" by James Bryce

GRANDCHILDEN

I know being a grandparent is a special role! Living near grandchildren you often get a chance to help guide them through some of the pitfalls of life and help influence them in making some right decisions. A wish of mine would be that I were able to have all my grandchildren live near me.

Years ago I had grandparents myself and I remember going over every Sunday for dinner at my mother's family home. I loved my grandma Sullivan. She was a kind lady who would make the best meals you could ever eat. I would often spend the night and sleep on her feather bed upstairs and come morning you would always smell her homemade biscuits baking in the oven. It was a wonderful childhood memory and a fun place to go and you would be treated so special. It was the place we went every Sunday afternoon. Off we'd go to gramma's house!

I now have nine grandchildren of my own and another on its way. Things are certainly different today! Those were good times and Sundays were always get together days! Luckily everyone lived in same town. Times were slower back then, no one was rushing here or there. We would hang out at grandma's till near dark and the adults would set on the front porch and talk, then we'd head home. Times have changed!

Many grandparents today don't live anywhere near their children or grandchildren. Many are out of state and some even out of the country. But yes, life goes on and as I traveled this pass month I noticed many parents and children heading to different states to visit gramma's or other relatives. Off to see their loved ones so very far away. I know this time spent with family is precious!

From little child so very small, how and when did you get so tall?

Three words that sum up everything about life " It goes on" in a new generation!
"OUR GRANDCHILDREN"

My CHILDREN and in order of birth status and my grandchildren:

Val has Jacob & Lindsey,
Randy, has Marc & Kristen,
Angie has Finn & Scout,
Leslie has Soran & Ander,
Stacey has Aidan,
and along comes Todd, not too late! will make it #10 in late Oct. or early Nov.
Jen may join in one day but till then, she will forever be an awesome Auntie!!

Love you all, mamashap

How does your garden grow?

Like any flower, without proper care, it will wither and die. Without proper pampering they will not respond. Intense heat and they will need extra care. Just as the flower will grow into something beautiful so will a person season after season if well tended to. Enjoy the flowers and people in your life. Each will grow into a thing of beauty when well tended to. Flowers are like people, there are so many different kinds. enjoy them all and take care of your beautiful garden.

ALL WE NEED IS TIME!

Hi guys, well finally into the blogging. My thoughts today is on TIME! Is there ever enough of it? I been trying to get into this blogging thing for along time and finally here I am. Time is something even at my age I feel there is not enough of. It has such away of getting away from me. Time is what life is made up of and before we know it, its gone.
Found this article on Time:
Time is used in so much of our conversations: Daytime, springtime, leisure time, part-time, full-time, high time, where did the time go, take your time, have you got a minute?, I'll have it ready in no time, and What time is it and where did the time go?
Where did it go?? I ask that alot cause I am now older and I wonder and think WOW, where did it go? We cannot demand more, we can't insist on less. we cannot buy more time. We all receive the same amount of time everyday. Time is our life! there is a song called "Time flies on wings of lightning , we cannot call it back"
Is life too busy for you, are you tired ? weary, depleted, cross? Slow down!
Time cannot be recycled, when a moment has gone , it is really gone.
TIME is a gift, use it WISELY!
quote by Benjamin Franklin "Do not squander Time- for its the stuff that life is made of!"

Flown the coop

This is my first entry of my blog which is being put together with the help of my daughter Angie while we are here vacationing in Mexico. The kids thought mama needed a vacation and were kind enough to invite me along. It's beautiful here, lots of sun and palm trees. I tell the kids its like being in the movie South Pacific.

I have already made the first big mistake here by not wearing sunscreen on my legs and they got pretty burnt. I have learned to respect Mr. Sun big time while here! I am thinking this is exactly what the doctor would order and the kind of rest everyone needs once in a lifetime! I've been under a little stress lately. so this is a good place to be to forget the cares of the world.

For sure Finn and Scout are water babies and love it! Christopher is enjoying surfing and Angie is enjoying meeting new people and relaxing. She is certainly a social person. Well guess I will go put my feet into the pool and try to not get too much sun. Ouch!

Oh, here at the resort, pineapple smoothies are my favorite drink. ha.