Memory Lane...Revisited

Friday would have been my sweet Daddy's birthday.

  He would have been 60 years old.

5 years ago we celebrated his 55th birthday with a surprise party.

He passed away 2 short weeks later.

The next 3 weeks will hold a lot of memories....sweet, sad, cherished.

 

 

A few weeks ago, we visited some very dear friends for an evening.

Three short days later, a small tornado went through their property. 

Most of the damage was done to their outbuildings and sheds.

The saddest part (for me) is that their old house is now leaning and is being torn down this week.

We grew up visiting in that old house. 

Playing board games.

Playing cards.

Baking cookies.

Riding bikes.

Learning to drive.

Opening night of Deer Season Mexican dinner--every year.

The list goes on and on........

 

I vividly see all of us there.

Men playing cards at the table in the small crowded little kitchen.

Women in the living room visiting around all the kids playing  running through the house.

 

I will miss that old house--more than I can say.

Is it silly to miss a structure as much as a person?

Somehow it feels wrong.

I suppose it's not really the  house. 

 

We look for stability because of change, or at least I do.

I look for the things that are constant....things that I can count on.

That old house was a constant source of love and laughter while growing up.

It was comfortable.

It was my home away from home.

It was love.

 

I'm thankful that God is like that old house.

He is  constant, comforting and comfortable.

He is a sorce of love.

 

I am happy that He nudged me to visit on Labor Day weekend.

I've had a chance to see the little old house once more.

I've been lucky enough to have some closure.

Don't get me wrong...

I still do not like that it will not greet me when I pull into the drive. 

I AM thankful that I have the memories of it.

I have felt safety in its' walls.

I have heard laughter and joy,

and the memories are delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Life Happens

 

 

Life served us a BIG batch of lemons this week.

 

It has been a very long week, to say the least.

 

It's okay though.....

 

 

We made lemonade.

 

We are thankful for the opportunity to slow down and are thankful for the little things.

We are thankful that we have it all because we have each other.

 

When Life gives you lemons, go ahead and make the lemonade.

Drink it up.  Savor every sweet droplet.

Thank the Lord above that you've had the opportunity to grow a little.

Life, my friends, is delicious....even the days (or weeks) full of lemons.

 

Find the sweet lemonade in the midst of your darkest hour.

 

 

 

Lazy Weekend Love

Rain

Lots of rain.

Get up early to go to an early morning football game.

It's still raining.

Starbucks on the way home.

Nap time.

Watch a movie.

Nap time again.

Make a pot of Taco Soup for dinner.

Yes...you guessed it.  More napping.

Soccer game on TV

Yawn.

Time for bed. 

ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

Homemade breakfast...french toast and eggs with lots of coffee

A couple loads of laundry.

A little bit of work for school

Snuggling on the couch.

Playtime with puppies at the pet store.

(LOVE the giggles there!!!)

Grocery shopping as a family.

Lunches made for tomorrow.

Dinner on the grill.

The calendar double checked.

Homework completed and ready to turn in.

More movie time.

More snuggle time.

 

We did not get much accomplished. 

We did not go anywhere exciting.

I sure do love my sweet family time, though.

It truly is delicious.

Maybe next weekend we will have bigger plans.

 

(I sure hope not!)
I hope you enjoyed a well-deserved relaxing weekend too!



High School Soccer has begun!

Our High School and Jr. Varsity Soccer teams began their season last Monday night. 

The Varsity team won 2-1. 

The JV team tied 2-2. 

Both were very well-played games. 

It was a fantastic way to begin the season.

We are excited about this week's games.

Go Bulldogs!

 

 

Heavenly Hugs

I visited my Daddy's grave yesterday. 

Courtney and I took him a Coke. 

On our way, we shared stories, remembered, laughed, and shared tears. 

Once we were there, we talked to him and waited in silence as if to hear his sweet voice.

The sun was warm.

The cows in neighboring pastures moo-ed.

The crickets chirped.

We remembered more.

His dark headstone was warm from the sunshine.

It was warm enough to feel like a hug from the other side of Heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

The shade tree just south of his burial spot. 

It has grown so much.

 

The memories are simply delicious.

 

 

Memories of Labor Day

Labor Harvest Picnic. 

 

Three little words that everyone in Deepwater understands.  The Labor Harvest Picnic has been an annual tradition for over 100 years.  As a little girl, I got excited about the carnival rides and the spectacular parade. My sister and I were IN the parade as "Grandpa's Princesses" one year. 

We dressed in our best dresses, fixed our hair just so, spread a blanket on top of Grandpa's car, and he happily drove us in the parade.  It was so exciting.  We felt so important!  There were queen candidates, shriner cars, old cars and tractors, kids riding decorated bikes and Mommas pulling decorated wagons.  There was always a plethera of candy to be thrown out along the parade route. 

 

As a parent of young children, I loved taking our kids to the same events.  Both of the kids were part of the baby contests.  Courtney won the baby contest the year she entered.  (I think it was the naturally curly hair and BIG blue eyes, myself...not to mention her sweet, sweet smile and infectious giggle)  I remember telling my parents that they would be grandparents at the Labor Harvest Picnic. FOND memories, I tell you. 

 

My parents were on committees to plan the celebration for years.  When Daddy was going through chemotherapy treatments, he quit helping, but he continued to attend.  We took our BIG kids and made a "Papa's Pirates" float.  We dressed the kids as pirates, armed them with water guns and candy, and had a blast in the parade.  We won 2nd place that year, squirting spectators with a cool blast of water as we went. 

 

Five years ago was Daddy's last Labor Harvest Picnic.  We watched the parade together.  We ate grilled hamburgers and chips with a cool, very refreshing soda.  I can hear the bluegrass music being played by the band in the park.  We finished our day with a trip to the hospital for Daddy to get his blood checked.  His levels were low, and he needed a blood transfusion.  I knew we needed to get back on the road for our long drive home, but I really felt the necessity to stay and visit a while longer.  We stayed at the hospital while he got his transfusion.  We visited.  I made a hamburger run.  We visited some more.  Today I am so thankful that we did not rush back home to prepare for school the next day.  I am thankful that I had those extra hours to just visit (in the air conditioned hospital room).  I would not trade the tired day after for anything.    

 

Yesterday Courtney and I drove to Deepwater.  We stopped at my Granny's house where we sat and visited for a few hours.  When we knew it was time to go, we went down to the Picnic to get a burger.  Here is a quick look at some of the things we remember most.... 

 

 

Entertainment for this weekend

Canned fruits and vegetables.

I love seeing the projects that people bring in.

Yesterday we saw the most beautiful quilt made with black and white fabric.

There were splashes of red here and there. 

It was beautiful.

I should have taken a picture of it.

My Daddy's Senior Class.

He was the Class President.

(Mr. says he should have been the Class Prankster)

 

Yep.

Not your average school mascot, is it?

This trophy case is holding trophies from the old high school.

Deepwater doesn't have a school anymore. 

Daddy Graduated from Deepwater High School where he was a Demon. 

I went to Kindergarten as a Deepwater Demon.

Momma took this picture of me and my sweet girl at the Picnic yesterday.

My word! She has grown up since the day she won that baby contest.

Her Papa would be so proud of her and her brother.

 

This is the sunset at my Daddy's best friends house.

We stopped there for a quick visit on our way home.

It was terrific to see their family.

It was their 40th wedding anniversary.

I'm pretty sure that Daddy nudged me to call them as ask if we could stop to say hello.

This was certainly another visit that I will never regret having stayed out past my bedtime.

I'm pretty sure that today and all it's memories of days past were a little taste of Heaven.

 

We've moved on from the Labor Harvest Picnic.  We don't attend every year like we used to.  As a matter of fact, we rarely attend.  I have to say though...stopping by yesterday was delicious.  The visiting.  The walking.  Seeing old friends.  Yes, it was delicious, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have been part of one more Picnic. 

 

 

Oh! 

And that parade???? 

The parade route was 3 blocks long. 

 It really is the LITTLE things that become the big things. 

Isn't that delicious?

Have a blessed Labor Day my friends.

Make it a memorable one.