Mother

Well, mom is 85 and in good health for her age.  She has problems with her back (pain) and walks slowly these days.  She just ordered her first walker, dad had one but after he passed they didn't have it any longer.  So, she knew she was getting more wobbly and not wanting to fall, she got one.  I haven't seen her use it, and don't believe she has, but the time is coming quickly.  Her mind is sharp....she beat Kent and I in Rummy today:)  Her hearing is good, getting some vision problems, as far as reading is concerned, but still seems to see fairly well (at least at cards:)

Saying all that to say this....she has been giving "things" or her possessions away since daddy died (1 1/2 years ago).  Money, her precious books:), pictures, Precious Moments (she has given more than a few away), and today she told me to pick out a basket for myself and one for Becky.  There were many, most Martha has given her and a few she has bought at craft fairs (handwoven).  There were two really BIG ones......she had purchased these, so I opted for a couple Martha wove.  I will include a photo. 

She also gave me a print that we gave to her some years back.  It is a Doug Prather one that we have and Becky has, so this one she wanted Jason to have.  I wish she had waited until she passed, but she insisted I take it today.  She had Kent take it from the wall.....the wall looked blank, but she put up another picture in it's place....a smaller one. 

It's late tonight and my back is screaming, but I wanted to get these thoughts down.  Mom, we love you, thank you, and you are our example of love.

p.s.  I just checked out the pics Kent took with my iphone and they are blurry.  I will add a pic later of the baskets.

At this point, I will write about keeping the boys.  Becky is at a conference in Louisville, and Jason is working out of town all week.  So MJ is in London, boys here.  After school today, pap took them for haircuts, then met me at Shillitos.  Tricia called to ask if we wanted to meet she & Kelli (with boys) there.  We did and my boys played for a good hour or more.  They played tag with a friend from Matthew's class and a couple of girls from CME.  They had a BLAST.  They were so good to leave, although they wanted to stay.  So proud of them.

Came home and they had time to play bball with pap while I fixed supper.  They ate well, started spelling homework & reading.  Bathtime, teeth brush, & in bed with a book.  Love them so much.  Tomorrow is a field trip. 

Austin got a little teary when he talked to his mom (just like his mom does when she talks to us when she is away:) but he cleared up nicely.  Matthew said tonight "I am happy here"....funny!  So glad!

Sporting their new haircuts.

Looked cute when they were playing tag....loved this shot, but sun made it too bright. 

Big boy!

Sweet Cameron!  He is such a good boy.  What a doll.  I didn't get a photo of Colby.  Not easy getting these four boys in one spot at one time!

Snow Day Photos & a Trip Down Memory Lane

It is March 5, 2012, and our first of this year snow day!  It is beautiful outside and from all the pics on Facebook the kids are having a blast.  Getting to use those sleds for the first time.  Making snow angels, snowmen, so fun.  Hope their moms have lots of hot chocolate for them when they go in. 

As I see pictures from Becky of my grandbabies, I can't help but remember days long gone.  When I bundled up my two for a few hours of snow play.  We had a driveway that went down a slope (not too steep) and around to the grassy area of the backyard.  As young kids, they started in the back where the driveway was ending...a nice slope.  Then gradually they got braver (or I did) and they rode a little longer down the hill.  Many snow angels & snowmen.  I tried to warm towels or blankets for them and met them at the backdoor.  Off with all the wet clothes!  Warm chocolate to follow.  Yum!  Memories.

Then we moved on to a one story ranch, but they were older and able to go play with neighbors.  Also, many a time their dad (and me:) would take them to Stonewall hill.  We, also, went through the years taking them snowskiing at Paoli Peaks or a few times at General Butler when the slopes were opened there.  Not many trips, but enough we had our own skis and enjoyed it a lot.

Today, it is very quiet here and I love looking out back....going out to take a few photos and feed the birds.  Much different than then, but I love it still.  I remember a time I felt sorry for people who's children had grown up....I still love having them here.  But I do love this time of my life as well.  I'm sure later today, I will be bundling up to go to moms to play rummy!  I go on M, W, and F when I can and she would not like it if I missed today!

This was taken today (of course, there's snow!)

Snow is heavy on the branches, but so pretty.

Love using the backyard for playing, riding bikes, croquet, entertaining, but today it is nice untouched!

Good Weekend

This has been a productive, fun weekend. On Friday, we were let out of school early, teachers got home between 1 and 1:30. Without sounding morose, I actually teared up a bit putting my kids on the bus. I don't "dwell" on disasters or death, but I do think from time to time of "what ifs"....what if this is the last time I see my loved ones. What if a tornado touches down in Lexington and we lose our home/possessions. I think of daddy in Heaven. I think of those here that are not ready to meet Jesus and pray they have time to get back into a right relationship with Him. Again, these are not thoughts I "dwell" on, but from time to time. Whew, just meant to say that because of the pending bad, severe weather, we stayed in. I prepared the home as best I could. After the storm passed, we met up with our friends at Pucinni's. Good fellowship, good pizza!

Saturday, Clyde and Jason Allen worked together, so I took the kids to Fayette Mall. It was a celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday "Read Across America". They listened to readers, got pretzels, got a Cat in the Hat, hat, and enjoyed our time together. That evening, Clyde and I saw "Joyful Noise" at Lex. Green and liked it a lot. Cute movie, with lots of singing.

Sunday, very good service, good preaching, video & music. Larry W. taught ABF and it was, again, a great time in our new class. Loved the fellowship. Then out to Cheddars for BIG food, and BIG company. We ate with our regulars, Michelle & Fred, as well as Kathy & David C. We sat in the bar area where we watched the first half of the game. Now we are home, in front of a warm fire, finishing up the game....Ky. versus Florida, in Florida. This is our last season game, UK number one in the nation, no losses. Great season! It's been so fun being a CAT fan!

I would think MJ had heard Green Eggs and Ham, but she LOL at this man reading it each time he said "green eggs and ham".....

We saw Matthew's teacher, Mrs. Tipton, here and she said Matthew was cute as Thing One (or Two?) but he got embarrassed.  I asked him why and he said b/c he was in his red p.j.'s (they were one piece all red).

Matthew's 7th Birthday

Dear Matthew, Today you are turning 7!  We had a party for you yesterday at your house.  Guests included, Kimmie, Christopher, Daddy Daniel, Nana & Nanny (Kimmie's mom & grandma), Aunt Lori, Britni & James.  Then there was granny & granddaddy Keith, Aunt Amy & Aprile, cousins Anna & Caleb.  Me (Nana), pap, mamaw and grandpa (Kent).  Uncle Jason sent a gift (x-box game!)  Of course your mom, dad, Austin & Maggie were all there.  You got lots of neat things.  Your big gift from mom & dad, granny & granddad, nana & pap was an X-box 360, Kinect.  You have had a big time playing it already.  You got a skateboard from Kimmie (plus lots more).  Aunt Lori brought a filled pinata and lots of other things.  You got money from mamaw & grandpa (Kent).  Mamaw actually also brought you a Precious Moments from her personal collection.  It is one on the farm, because you like Uncle Jessie's farm.

On Friday night, you had two friends from school stay the night (one left late around 11:00), Caleb & Austin and you made five.  Mom said you all did well.  This was your first sleepover, other than cousins!  Here are some pictures for you to remember this birthday.

Mamaw with Matthew, Maggie & Austin (85, 7, 4, and 6)

This is Matthew's first Precious Moments from mamaw.  It is one of a little farm boy!

Caleb & Austin playing x-box

Granny Keith, Aunt Aprile, Anna and Aunt Amy

Thanks granny for making me an Angry Birds cake!

Opening presents!  Matthew read every card:)

Take your best swing Matthew!

Everyone got a baggie full!

President's Day

This is a random entry, nothing real "big" this week or last weekend.  Mainly, we are enjoying UK basketball now!  On Saturday we had a small group here for the game against Ole Miss.  It was a 4:00 game and Michelle brought barbecue.  I made a dip from Pintrest that had sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chopped ham, green onion, hot sauce and worcheshire sauce....all mixed up and put in an Italian loaf and baked for an hour. Everyone liked it and it was all eaten!  I also made dipped strawberries, and another Pintrest idea was to take Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough (roll), pat it in a wrought iron skillet (how do you spell that), bake till soft in middle.  It continued to cook after taking out.  This took on the taste of the skillet, it cut and served up very easy.  Although it was not home made, it was very good.  Susan Wiley brought the best fresh veggies and spinach dip.  Tricia came a little late, brought her daddy (which was the best surprise) and some CC cookies.

We enjoyed another good ABF (adult Bible Fellowship) class with our new group.  They are so welcoming and the teaching is straight from the Bible.  The members are very nice and really make us feel good to be there.  We took the red car after church, to Paris to eat at our favorite little Mexican Restaurant there.  Yummy.

Monday morning we took off early for the day in Louisville.  It was President's Day and Clyde worked late on Friday night.  Instead of getting the money, he decided to take the day off with me on Monday.  The day was very nice (for February)....warm & sunny.  We enjoyed the time together.  We went to the mall (St. Matthew's, I believe).  First off we stopped at the Pandora store.  I let the salesclerk, who was very helpful, take my bracelet, clean it, then take the beads all off.  She laid them out, added different ones I could buy, to make it better.  About my bracelet, Clyde bought it for me two Christmas' ago without my knowing it.  I don't want to say that I don't like it, because I do.  Who could not like it?  What I don't like is the cost.  I feel like, for what it is, it is just too much.  The charms are so expensive....most of the ones with gold are $70 upwards.  There are some around $50 or so, but for one little charm...whew.  I added three gold (plastic) beads on my which do help "round out" my bracelet. However, with tax....$127.00.....to me that is TOPS.....for three little plastic beads!  WHAT.  I know to anyone that has a bracelet, that is very little.  I'm sorry that I don't feel better about the cost.  There are just so many things I want/others need.  Oh well, I do appreciate it and am thankful he bought it for me.

It was sort of my day.  From there we ate at the Cheesecake Factory....yummy.  Then he bought me a green cover/keyboard for my ipad.  Also, while at the Zag kiosk, he had the boy put a sleeve (skin?) on my iphone with a protector for the front.  Not a cheap stop.

On the way home, we stopped in Shelbyville at Claudia Sanders which we found was closed on Mondays:(  So we drove on to Frankfort, Jim's Seafood.  Then home again to continue our week. 

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has come and gone.  The week before, I made Monster Cookies for each of the boys teacher's including their special area ones.  I did this early so I made sure to get them to them.  Austin's teacher wrote a nice note saying she loves baking and asked for the recipe.  It's a good one, and I got it to her. 

The picture below is the way Clyde ate his strawberries & monster cookies!

Valentine's week (the night before) I made more cookies, took a pan by mom's house and made a baggie for my bus driver & monitor, and a baggie for my co-worker, Viv.  For my other good buds, I bought a bag of Dove chocolates and gave them a little baggie.  For my two sweeties (Clyde & Jason Allen) I made sure they had plenty of cookies and dipped chocolate strawberries for them.

I gave Jason some suduko cards, gum & mints and for CB a UK sweatshirt.  Clyde and I went to Outback and enjoyed our meal a lot. 
After leaving OB, we took the kids over their VDay gifts.  Each got PJ's, Maggie got stickers and the boys each got two matchbox cars.  Then each one got a little baggie of candy.  It is Jason K's birthday so we took him a giftcard to Movie Tavern.

This was a very thoughtful gift.  Clyde mentioned getting me an ipad cover/keyboard, which I do need.  We have looked off and on since Christmas.  He has checked prices and quality everywhere.  I will get one, just not sure when.  However, he knows I have needed a jewelry box for a long time.  So, he went on line and checked them out at Dillards, JC Penney, etc., and wound up getting this one at Dillards.  I like it a lot and am currently filling it up....fast.  He also bought a pair of earrings to go inside!

Winter Garden Inside

This blog is named "Lantern's Garden" suggested by my hubs.  I LOVE being outback as soon as the weather warms up and plant any and everything I can.  However, during the winter I don't venture outside much.  So, here are a few pictures of my indoor flowers.  Again, the sun was coming through the front so the pics are dark. 

I have sure enjoyed this Christmas Cactus through the years.  It blooms periodically and is fixing to do so now.  There are many buds ready to burst.  Missed Christmas by a month or so, but will bloom near Valentine's Day!

This yellow flower is a rebloomer and just beginning another round of blooms.

This orchid is looking bare, but on close inspection.....there are a few buds ready to bloom.

Hard to tell, but this is a planter that was given by my ABF class when dad died 1 1/2 years ago.  It is full and doing well (with very little care by me).

My routine is to water once a week, usually on Sat. morning.  I add a few cubes of ice to the orchid while giving a good watering to the others.  I have to say I neglect these more than I give attention, but I do enjoy them when they are blooming!