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Tomorrow is the last day!! Please, please vote!!
PLEASE CONTINUE TO VOTE EACH DAY. WE HAVE DROPPED TO #4 AND NEED YOUR VOTES TO PICK US BACK UP. YOU KNOW YOU WANT OUR KIDS TO GET THE GAMEROOM MAKEOVER!!
October 1, 2009 is the beginning of a brand new year for my sweet husband. I won't tell you how old he turned today but he and Herring Gas were born the same day and that was in 1946. He spent the morning at the store and the afternoon on a tractor fluffing hay for Ryan. Tonight we attended the first night of a Bible study. That's how birthdays go when you get this age. It's been a good day. He heard from all the children. We look forward to many more. Happy Birthday, Papa!
When we got home on Sunday night these were sitting on the cabinet. Didn't even remember it was Grandparent's Day [since not much fuss is made over it on TV] and they were such a lovely surprise. Mums always bring the message that Fall is right around the corner and we have much to look forward to with the seasons changing. Thanks to Ryan, Graham, Ben and Sam [with a little help from their Mom I'm sure] for the beautiful lavender mums!! My favorite!
Over the Labor Day weekend we had lots of company. During a "grocery run" with Libby we both bought "Pot Holder making kits". You know what I'm talking about--used to be red metal with a wire hook--now is plastic-with fabric loops for making pot holders! I've made many of them when I was young! Sam thought it was cool and wanted to make one. He picked out the colors and got right on it. With very little help, he did it.
He was very proud of it and wanted to give it to his Mom.
She loved it and I'm sure she uses it every day!
The only day we dove hunt is opening day. It turns into an event very quickly. It's usually family and a few close friends from out of town. Having nine grandchildren that love to hunt already makes a crowd! The week before opening day is like the day before Christmas! Everyone is hustling around getting shells, looking for just the right hunting clothes and making sure their guns are ready. I'm usually making trips to the grocery store and more trips to the grocery store and cooking for several days getting things ready for the big "dove cooking". I can only remember one year that I had to make a run to the grocery store for CHICKEN!!
After months of work the day is finally arriving--the 175th anniversary of our church--Meadville United Methodist. The committee has spent countless hours working and planning for this day. Although I wasn't on the committee, I got to work on a couple of projects for the event. I designed and sold tshirts. So far that has gone well. We've sold almost 100. I also got to put together four bulletin boards for the church--this let me put all my scrapbooking equipment to good use!!
I picked up a couple of fall wreaths for the doors and Beverly added the bows. It made the front look so inviting.
This board is in the front foyer. I wanted a border but couldn't find one I liked. My theory is "when in doubt-don't" so I left it plain. The emblem in the middle is on the back of the tshirt. The Military board has to be one of my favorites. It has the sons and friends of our members in the military on it that we are praying for. Be sure to check it out.
This is really a good one--and I can't take full credit for the idea. But--I did do it with my own creative additions. It's on the board going into the Fellowship Hall. Check it out! Downstairs in the Sunday School foyer is this board. I thought it turned out well.
Today when I carried my food to the church there were beautiful flowers everywhere and the video with pictures was tremendous. I know the music is going to be good and the sermon and other speakers should be wonderful as well. I hope I can take my camera tomorrow and get some shots of the day. This will be too good to miss. Muffins and coffee at 9:30 AM with church to begin at 10:30 AM. Come if you can. You won't be disappointed.
People kept asking me if I'd gotten my birthday present from the Cowart Gang last week. Every where I went--they would ask me! I sort of left for the beach in a hurry and Jennifer didn't know it. On Sunday night she, Shelly and the boys came over and gave me a great gift.
This is the back cover of a book of my photographs that I've taken over the last few years. The book is 12 x 12 and it's like a Little Golden Book. I can't describe it in a way that you can appreciate it but take my word for it--it's beautiful [not just because I took the pictures]! The other pictures she took are of me looking at the book and it shows "tmi" of me in the swimsuit! :) You'll just have to wait to see the book in person. I love it and I love the Cowart Gang!
I had a great birthday. I had lots of FB messages and calls and cards. All the kids called me and I talked to Ed first thing that morning. He woke me up and sang to me. What a wake up!! Thanks to everyone!
There are lots of things going on here--it all comes at one time. I want to blog it all but time prohibits and the subject matter gets old. Sunday was a special day at our church and for lots of families in our community (ours included). We had THREE christenings at our Sunday morning service--they were all cousins less than a year old and it was the sweetest thing ever. Brother David said he didn't remember ever having that happen since he's been in the ministry. It hasn't happened at our church. We had two one time and I think it was Graham and Sally Katherine (cousins again-even if distant!) Anyway---here are some pictures of the sweet babies and their parents.
I had to use this picture because little Ms Callie Rivers Sullivan was waving to her public. She is a doll! She is the daughter of Stephanie and Chris Sullivan. Charles Vern Sullivan or as Jennifer lovingly calls him "Charlie Bug" is the beautiful son of Vista (Sullivan) and Bret Herring. He was the calmest of the three--laid back like all the Herring's! :)
This handsome guy--Kale Sullivan Thomas-- is the son of Scott and Summer Thomas. Summer's mom was a Sullivan. This little guy was a chunk! He enjoyed every minute and tried to help Brother David with the water. Chris, Vista and Summer are all cousins.
This was the fun part--trying to get a picture with everyone "acting right". I can't wait to see Stephenie's pics. I'm sure she got some good ones.
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." I Samuel 27-28
I know that I have other pictures of Tiffany when she's all dressed up with makeup and looking beautiful. But there is no other time that she's as happy as she was on this afternoon. Besides being beautiful on the inside is what counts [and I think she looks pretty terrific here!]. Today's her birthday and I'm not saying which one. I just hope it's a great one!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIFFANY! LOVE, NANA, PAPA AND SADIE
Today was the grand opening of the Liberty Herring Gas Retail store. It seems that it went up quickly and was totally landscaped but I know that it has taken a while to get it finished. Ed and I rode down after lunch to look at it. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. I like that the new building has the same look as the new corporate office in Meadville only in a much smaller scale.
This is the beautiful bulk plant. I think it's the only one we have that's landscaped.
The landscaping out from is pretty. As it grows it will be even more beautiful.
The "large and in charge" group! Jody, President; Ed, Chairman of the Board, Bob, CEO, Tom, Operations Manager; Eddie, Vice President/Operations; Mike, Operations Manager; and John, Liberty Manager. The girls were running around serving and taking pictures and I didn't get pictures of them. Sue is Office Manager Trainer and Auditor; Eileen is the Bookkeeper and Janice is the Assistant Bookkeeper. They looked cute in their pink shirts. I hope they got a picture of themselves that they will share. If you get a chance go by the Liberty Herring Gas Company Store. It's a very nice place with LOTS of good stuff! Jody sold my fryer right out from under me!! :)
I guess things around here will never slow down. We keep waiting and it never happens. Someone asked me today if I ever stopped--I replied that if I stopped I guess I would mold. I am in constant motion-if not moving at least thinking of something to be doing. I was walking from the kitchen to the bedroom one day and saw something in the swing. I investigated and this is what I saw. That's Dufus with his feet propped up on the slats of the swing. Magic is the one in the far right. They never moved when I eased the blinds open and snapped the shot.
Bandit was curled up in his very own rocking chair. He very seldom lets us see him but lately he's been "out" more. Copper chased him yesterday so he may go back into seclusion. He's my favorite, you know!! :)
I guess they had sent Smoky out on his own and he was sleeping on the driveway. He didn't seem to mind.
Barney stays at his palace in the barn and Lana lives in the back barn. She comes down to visit when Josh comes home.
But--the point is--don't they look peaceful? No cares, no worries, no "busyness"!! Just lying there on the porch sleeping in MY "happy place"! I'm going to have to remember that last year I was the one in the happy place napping and go back out there. It was FUN!!!
A NOTE ABOUT YESTERDAY: Graham appears to have no broken bones. He is sore and very lucky that the horse didn't break his ankle or leg. He will be xrayed again on Monday. Jennifer's foot is still swollen and will be every color in the rainbow before it heals. She is walking on it but she probably won't be jumping any more fences any time soon. Thanks to everyone who called and checked on them.
Jennifer and Shelly's #1 son graduated last night--an honor graduate who's made us all proud. He's been my heart since the day he was born and will continue to be so until I am no longer here. I'll leave the details for Jennifer to blog but here are a few of my candid shots. Jeanne and Jennifer have much better ones I'm sure. They had the "big" cameras out.
As he was coming in to the Processional.
I never tire of seeing the flag flying and hearing the National Anthem.
It's official--diploma in hand!!
When I left them Ryan and Haleigh they were very happy and deciding where they were going. I pray for all of them a safe and happy life.
God bless and I love you.
Nana
It seems like only yesterday that Ryan was born. There are so many memories. I wish we'd written all those things down--like Jennifer and me riding him around at three in the morning to get him to sleep and our cell phone ringing--it was just some kind of phone check. Kindergarten programs, first bike rides, singing for the Cotton Branch cow sale when he was about five--and I could go on and on. We had a party for him and Haleigh last Sunday with mostly family. With our two families that ended up with quite a few people. And it was FUN!! Haleigh graduates on Thursday of this week--Ryan on Friday. And then they are off to new adventures.
Tim said he wouldn't be wearing an apron but I did get him to pose with it. He and Papa cooked our burgers. They were delicious. Handsome cooks, don't you think??
Haleigh and Ryan are really sweet about having their pictures taken. Both of them have mother's who are photographers. They are used to "posing"! Now, you know they are cute!
All four grandmothers were at the party. I'm glad Dona wanted to get this picture. It's special.
Part of the crowd before the blessing--they were ready for the burgers.
The pool was a popular place for all the children. Ella loved it. Come back soon, Ella!
Footnote: On Awards Night Ryan received Honor Cords, his Four Year Beta stole (in three years), an ACT scholarship, the Billy McGehee Scholarship, a Franklin Education Corporation scholarship and a Herring Gas Company scholarship. Haleigh had her Awards program on Friday and I know she received a Herring Gas Company scholarship. She didn't tell me anything else. They both had bacculaurete at their churches and schools today. Graduation for Haleigh is Thursday and Ryan's is Friday. Congratulations to you both.
Thirty five years ago today I woke up needing to go to the hospital. The story is a funny one but I'll spare you that. The story is also a sad one and I'll spare you that. Bittersweet things can often bring you big blessings. Thirty five years ago today Ed carried me to Jackson [in less than an hour] and left me with my parents [after passing my dad standing under "No Name" bridge in Byram] at the old Baptist Hospital. I gave birth to Jennifer before he had time to get back home to be with his mother. He and Carol Boteler Waid named her and she was born with a broken arm. Her whole life has been that kind of whirlwind. She is in constant motion all the time. She has a wonderful husband, four terrific boys and a good life. My prayer for her is that she can enjoy what she has now and always. Happy Birthday, dear daughter. I love you very much. Mom
We woke up this morning like any other Sunday, had breakfast and were getting ready for church. Tiffany called from town and said if we hadn't left yet--don't! The weather was awful and it was raining, hailing and a tree had fallen on the house we own next door to them. I told Ed and he said "change your clothes." Before we could leave Tiffany called back and said another tree had fallen and it was raining horribly and hailing at our house. Ed's sister's husband called and said a tree had fallen toward his house and barely missed his truck and tractor. Off we go in the rain. This is what we found.
The master bathroom and closet of "Maw's house" are destroyed. Ed and I bought the house after his brother died. We redid it and have it rented. This oak tree at the side of the driveway has stopped many skateboards and bicycles as the children rode down the hill. As it fell it took out a beautiful camellia and a pine tree.
This is the tree that barely missed Tommy's tractor! It also took out the electricity on that block!
As word spread the HGC family came running to help. Jody's friends came by and helped. Gary Jones called in a wrecker to help lift the tree and Ryan used the backhoe to move it. We had our own parade. Praise God there was no one home when this happened. No one was hurt that we know of and there were lots of homes damaged around the county. A house can be repaired.
It's just not time for Ryan to be a senior--literally and figuratively--but it's happening and we can't stop it. I realize he's not going far away just yet but I'm already missing him. Friends gave him a party this Sunday night and here are some candid shots.
Phillip, Katherine, Ryan and Haleigh--Katherine and Ryan were born just a few days apart. They've been in school together all these years.
Sam, Ben Abbey and Emily with the Strouds and Halfords in the background.
I think I interrupted Papa and W. H.'s supper. MiMi looked happy though. You can see the rest of the family in the background. Supper was delicious.
Anna and Lindsey had to pose. Cute girls, huh? Lindsey is Ryan's cousin.
And here's Ms Carmon Claire! She was calling Ryan on the cell phone. Can't believe he only has about three weeks left in school. He graduated on May 22; Haleigh graduates on May 21. Oh, the places they'll go!
Josh has told me several times that he doesn't want his life posted on my blog. The other day when he left with his "handbuilt modified racing fourwheeler" he told me that I could blog this one. I'm not too crazy about the idea of him racing anything that looks like this but I have seen him and he does wear protective headgear and a vest. What impresses me more than anything is that he has taken parts that have come in boxes by UPS and FedEx and built this vehicle piece by piece. His patience is amazing. It's been taken apart and put together more times than I can remember--or maybe other ones. This is the third or fourth one he's built. To quote Cagney who went to Louisiana this weekend to watch him race, "he's like a rock star in this circuit". This machine will go 300 feet in less than 3.4 seconds. It has to be a man thing because that scares the @#$% out of me!!
I think he said he about broke even this weekend! Congratulations, Josh!
I jumped ahead of myself with my posts but I thought Easter was a timing thing. On Saturday my brother and his family and I went to Sam and Hayden's ballgame. Sam plays on one team and Hayden on the other. That is something I definitely can't handle. I spend all my time yelling for both boys and people get confused. How can I not be for each child? They both played very well [except for the time Hayden got Sam out on first base!!]. I teased him about it on Sunday and he just grinned at me. They both can hit the ball and do well in their positions. At one point I told Jennifer that Sam "had left the building". He was getting tired right at the end. He's the youngest child on his team--he's playing with kids older than he is. Sam's team won but only by one run. The coaches are to be commended for the work they do with those children. They're patient and helpful--especially Ms Marla.
Sam was really into the game when it started--see his "eye glare tape"!! Hayden was ready too--watching over first base.
I think this was where Sam hit the ball and Hayden got him out at first! Oh, didn't like that!!
Hayden got a lick on this one and made it around to third. He had a huge smile on his face.
Bryden decided that he wasn't going to play this year. He's just as happy watching his brother and playing video games. And with a face like that, ya gotta love him too!!
This is what greeted us at church this morning--a beautiful fresh flower cross made by the Jolly Elders of our church--a beautiful sign that Jesus died on the cross for US!
The choir sang two very good specials that we'd been working on for a while.
I got to do the children's sermon--something I've just recently learned that I really like to do. I read the children The Parable of the Lily and they look like they enjoyed it.
The rustic wooden cross inside the church was decorated with beautiful fresh flowers. The church was alive with beauty this morning. A former member of our church sends flowers every holiday. There's a long story there and he's never forgotten us. We won't ever forget him either.
The flowers were beautiful and so much appreciated by our congregation.
After church it was home to lunch and the Easter Baskets. Lunch was delicious and we all enjoyed it-lots of family and some friends. Cagney baked
Then it was on to the egg hunt. Even though the kids said they didn't want to do it, after the eggs were hidden they all got really into it.
It was a totally great Easter Day!
How could it have been a year ago when I was standing on the porch with Ryan and Haleigh taking prom pictures? There were more tears than smiles--probably because of the circumstances--but there was more love than you could imagine. This year there were lots of laughs and "wise cracks". Kim, Cody and Haleigh got to the house before Ryan and Haleigh had on shorts, a guy's shirt and bling on her eyelids! Cute, huh?
Haleigh and Ryan did the traditional "putting on of flowers". Haleigh always knows exactly what she wants and Ryan does a good job of getting them! :)
I'm so blessed that the kids really want to come here to take pictures and to see us before they go somewhere important.
This is probably my favorite photo of the night. Ed looked at it and said "Howdy, Mam!" I agree totally. Aren't they just the cutest couple. God bless them and all the kids who are out tonight having their last senior prom.
Check out Jennifer's blog for more pictures and more of the story!
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