Lantern's Garden

Lantern's Garden:

Camping

I need to post another entry to see if my layout straightens out. Not sure what I've done, but I changed the background to a "fall" theme, and when I went to save the changes, the background isn't there, the new or the old one. The word "vote" is strangely at the top of my last posting? Weird, and I put about as much energy in this thing as I want...more than I want.

After work on Friday, I ran to the grocery store, hooked us up with some hamburger, eggs, bacon, turkey, etc., and took off for Boonesborough Campground. We had a great site, very near the bathrooms. A must, if you have a popup without a potty. Clyde and I enjoyed a very relaxing Fri. night and Saturday was super. The kids came down on Sat. after Austin's baseball game. Amy, Caleb & Anna came with Becky & family. We all walked the campground, walked down to the river's edge, then Clyde and I left. They had the night then to grillout and the camper to themselves. The lights, sites, and great fall "smells" were a delight by all!

We went to Michelle & Freds to watch the infamous UK/Florida game. Thanks for hosting Waggoners!

My Boys

After a baseball game for Austin (Matthew played soccer yesterday morning), they came over to help pap. Austin picked up limbs (sticks).

Matthew is a whiz on the bike....we need to buy a helmet for nana's house. I warned him to go slower than normal!

For helping pick up sticks, Austin got to "drive" the mower.

I am so blessed to have these two little people in my life. I loved having a son, and still do. He was a momma's boy, and as much as I hate to say it, he still may be. I loved having a daughter, and will always be so blessed. I decided a long time ago she would always be special to me. Many daughters and moms are not close or they argue all the time. Rereading what I have written makes me think any one would think I only had two grandchildren, when you know I have three. I wouldn't take any amount of money for Maggie. She is the best thing ever, so fun, so funny, she makes us laugh as she copies everything the boys do/say. But this is about the boys. Today they came over for the afternoon to help pap, but when Jason was ready to go home, I wanted them to stay. They are so sweet. Yes, they are typical boys, but for the most part, they are just wonderful to me. Here are some pictures of a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Beautiful Wedding

The Girls!

Beautiful night, beautiful bride

Tricia & David

Lee & Kathy Beall

Patti, mother of the bride

Rachel, sister of the groom, Debbie, Jacob's mom & Seth, bro

Cheryl & Jack

Janet & Herman Mays

On Sat. our class celebrated another milestone for one of our children. It was Jacob Kelly's wedding with a fun reception at Keene Run Clubhouse. He married Kristen Hogue, a sweet and beautiful girl I met at Krogers. I work with her mom, Patti, at Clays Mill, and we all go to SCC together. Kristen was just a beautiful bride and Jacob was equally handsome. Here are a few photos of our CPA class friends.

Arboretum, Lantern's Garden, Grands

Becky's first handmade dress for Maggie! Her name is embroidered at the bottom.

Beautiful walk today at the UK Arboretum. Rose garden was fabulous.

We walked a short part of the Legacy Trail.

My three Amigos.....so cool!

Little fuzzy, but a beautiful butterfly on a lantana in my yard.

The Passing of Time

When you start to talk about death, illness, or anything that is sad, it's not a conversation most people want to share in. When Becky turned 30 this year, she said she realizes more and more that many girls that have much more energy, better shapes, etc., are younger than she. It hits her she is not 25 anymore. She is truly better than ever in my eyes, and I know she is living the life I would have only dreamed for her, she feels the years starting to creep up. Well, believe me, although my mom is 83 and has many years on me, I know time is creeping up on us and these are years we want to cherish. We love spending time with each other. I love that, after 37 years (almost 38), Clyde still tries to please me. He thinks of things I would like to do. All the time he is thinking of where I might enjoy driving to, where I might like to eat, what movie we haven't seen. He knows I like the Arboretum and we have visited there twice this month. He came home this evening, after spending time with Jason Allen today, and we got into the convertible (he said it was too pretty not to go for a drive) and took me to Parkette for a Po'Boy. We forgot that Parkette was closed on Sundays, so we drove on. He decided to take me to see dad's tombstone (with the date of death engraved) then drove across Parker's Mill to Waller Ave. for a burger at Backyard Burger. We came home and walked in the neighborhood. Little things, I know, but they mean a lot to me. We do this each weekend and many days of the week. We will soon celebrate 38, and I feel like a lucky girl (except I don't really believe in luck!)

I started this walk down memory lane, b/c after talking to mom today, I got a little teary eyed this evening thinking of her family. She mentioned that, on their way home from Florida, Bev. & Larry stopped off in Berea for mom to visit with her only living brother, Uncle Bob. It is his birthday, I know it's 91 or 92. The sad thing to me is that for years mom has driven to Richmond (they met half way!) to meet up with Uncle Bob & Aunt Louise for a shared birthday lunch celebration. Then in December, they'd come here to celebrate mom's birthday. Since out of 13 children, they are the only two survivors. The sad part is that mom & Uncle Bob are just not getting around all that well. Yes, my brother can certainly drive her, and I know they were on their way past Berea so they should stop, it's just that I know they realize these birthdays are winding down. Soon, maybe there will only be one left, then none. Bev. mentioned that mom had a hard time getting around in Florida. Any outing, she would go to bed very early, sleep later than normal in the morning, then stay in the next day.

In two days, dad will have been gone for two months. There has been a lot said of his death (from each of us, and comments from a lot of friends), so I don't want to keep bringing it up, but I sure miss dad. Today is grandparent's Day, and my children have wonderful grandparents.

I love my grandkids so much, and feel blessed everyday to have the sweetest ones in the world. They are loving and kind, and we just cherish them. Thinking of the future, when I will leave this world, I just want Austin, Matthew & Maggie to remember me as a nana that "had their back" that I loved them when they were "good & not so good", and that I was a Godly example for them to follow.

Sunset & flowers

Day is done, gone the sun....

Although Clyde wishes we lived on the other side of the street, where the sun sets in the front, I really do love the sun setting in the back. Not necessarily when we are sitting on the backporch and the sun is low (as it is now) and comes in the screen (we pull down shades, but they are just OK)....besides that I love the sunsets.

Both of these photos have beautiful butterflies on them. I was reading nearby and couldn't resist a couple of photos.
I just tried downloading photos on facebook, which never gives me trouble, and they got hung up several times. I am copying them from my desktop where I copied them to from my iphone. Wondering if that is a problem? I shouldn't think so, although I normally download straight from my phone (or camera card) and not from the desktop. Well, we will see if they download to the blog!
The caption I wrote for FB (that never got there) was "goodnight sun....thank you for a perfect day".....it was beautiful wasn't it? I saw many status updates saying the same. I took the photos with the phone (as mentioned already!) and not my camera; so I'm not sure if they will be focused or not. Have a restful Labor Day all!

Recap of week!

Just out of the shower, I wrote below of her perfect folding skills! Green words...

This week hasn't been very "fun" or anything to blog about; I have taken very few pictures here at the house. Garden is looking neglected, since I can only do about one major thing a day. Since Aug. 10th, that one thing is work:( So, weeds have taken over, and watering has been a shared chore between Clyde and I, with the heavy watering by him. Our pond has to be cleaned out (the filter) about every three days (another SAD face), and that hasn't happened. Clyde does clean it about twice a week, but I came home yesterday (Friday), looked out the window as I do every day and saw the fountain wasn't flowing. Ughhhhhhh (spelling?) Meaning, it was clogged up at some point and the water wasn't getting through, so it burned up the motor in the filter system. This amounts to about $270.00 or so. This has happened a couple of times already, and it is getting too expensive! Clyde is NOT happy, and I love the pond.....not like him. So, as I sit here watching the UK game (go Blue!), blog a little, with the screen door finally open....no sound.

We went to watch Austin's baseball game yesterday (Friday) at 5:30, then took the kids with us for the night. This is hard after working all week, but we do love them so much and love having them any time we can. This was more for Becky & Jason than it was for us. Becky has had a very tough week (several) with extra meetings. Then, there is Maggie to get to dance, Matthew to soccer, and Austin to baseball. I thought I could help with MJ, but she dances in Versailles. We have taken A to practice and taken him to a game when she couldn't get there in time. That's very little help. Two weekends ago, the guys all went to Carter Caves for the day, and last Sat. Clyde took Austin with him to Somerset. Every little bit helps, I hope. Jason is unusually busy at work; longer days than he hoped (I'm sure), and some Sat. mornings. Plus, as he's worked there, his work load has increased. Both of them get our prayers every day. They are getting a much needed break this weekend (Labor Day) by heading to London. They are treated very well there and feel as though they are on vacation. Jackie is a great cook, and Greene is very patient with the kids. The added bonus is Amy & the kids. They won't come until Sunday, but our kids love hers.

I will post a picture of Maggie that is so funny. Today, I was watching her because I noticed this last night. She folds everything perfectly. I mean a t-towel, a baby blanket, whatever...she is meticulous. I folded a towel, she refolded it much better. So, I'll post a picture of her, so I'll remember this:)

I didn't take any pics, but my good husband, even better pap (not really), always is trying to have fun, make memories with the grands. Last night, after eating supper at Fazoli's (this wasn't real easy) he came home, went out back leveled up the camper (best he could) and cranked it up. This takes time....plus, he got out their sleeping bags, his air mattress, all the while I was back & forth with sheets, pillows, etc. Whew, we were worn out. I got to come inside to sleep, he stayed out with the kids! Try to get two 5 year olds to sleep without laughing, touching, etc. However, it was Maggie last to get to sleep and first to arise (6:30 a.m.) We sure hope the kids love these times, and will make memories for them to last a lifetime. We love you buddy, Matthew & Maggie!