"Ocean Thunder"

What a wonderful surprise. Ocean, my grandson from Oklahoma, has been on a month long Alaskan vacation with his mother. They were headed home and drove through where I live 'cause Ocean "wanted to see Nana". I certainly wanted to see him.We've always been close and in the short time he was here, we did the things he wanted to do... we stayed up late and ate chocolate ice cream, watched movies and ate pop corn...laughed, teased played jokes on Paw Paw... just generally had a lot of fun.
Ocean is "big brother" to Ziola. They don't live together and it had been a while since he had seen her. We went over and spent some time with Ziola. At first, she was a little leery but soon warmed up to him as the pictures show. Sadly, we won't see him again until December or January...it's hard but we'll get through. I was bummed when he left, but know he needs to get back into his routine since school will start soon for him.

One more thing. Ocean has a very unique name. His first and middle names are "Ocean Thunder". Ocean, because of his parents love of the ocean and Thunder because he was born in a bad thunderstorm. At first it was hard to get use to, but now, he wouldn't be himself if he had been named anything different.

"Time With Nana and Paw Paw"

This weekend, we had "Sweet Pea" for Sunday afternoon. Even though her birthday was a few weeks ago, we wanted to have her "official" picture made in a little purple dress that Paw Paw picked out especially for her. We quickly changed her into the dress and took her down for the pics to be made. Of course, we couldn't let that happen without taking a few here at the house first. Isn't she a "Sweet Pea"? After the picture taking session, we went to the opening of our new Target store in the neighborhood. "Z" enjoyed the ride but had to tell Paw Paw to "slow down" a few times. There was a few times that the road got a little bumpy and Sweet Pea had to really put on the brakes. She'd look over towards me as to be saying "what's happening?" All in all, we had a very fun day before we had to take her home. Can't wait to see the "real" pictures when they arrive.

MONDAY MORNING:
I got all excited when I went to the mailbox... I had another package from my Sugar Pie Secret Sista...I could hardly wait to get into the house to open it. And mercy... what a nice surprise. She sent me a daily devotional book titled "Simply Refreshing" by Ellen Banks Elwell. The neatest thing was that I had just finished reading another devotional book and had gone shopping for a new one this weekend. My store had gone out of business, so I decide to wait. There was a reason and it's because the Lord knew this was in the mail. Isn't it wonderful how the Lord works in mysterious ways? She included the sweetest personal note. I sure hope I get to meet her one day and that we remain friends beyond the blog we chat on. I have a picture of my new treasures....

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday as I'm having...

Blessings,

Best Hamburger Joint...

Believe it or not...this is one of my favorite places to get a "good" hamburger. All the home people know about "Meers Burgers". This place is in the middle of nowhere yet people from all over the state and elsewhere, travel to indulge in this terrific sandwich. I know that it looks like a "dump" but it's not.

The burgers are served in pie pans because the meat patty is so large that it hangs out the edges of the bun. Comes with fries and all the trimmings.

Afterwards, you finish your meal with a slice of homemade pie..Ummmmmmmm yum. Wish I were close to Meers right now. Just another reason I miss "home".

"Chicken Buc Buc"

One of my favorite blogs is "Sugar Pie Farmhouse". Aunt Ruthie has some of the neatest ideas. One is a hen sitting in a pail of straw with baby chicks emerging from beneath. I love that idea, and since we use to have some hens, I decided to go on a quest of finding my own hen. Well... I think I have. She looks just like a hen we had named "Checkers". I have the perfect crock to set her in...I just need to find some baby chicks. I also wanted to share the cutest dish towel that I received from my "Secret Sista". On this same blog, we have secret sistas that we send cards, gifts or whatever to. We got started alittle late but that's okay. We'll carry this through until our reveal in December. It's so much fun. Should my secret sista read this... "THANK YOU" so much for a darling towel. It fits into my theme so well.

Ziola Pepper Rain didn't even know that it wasn't really her birthday...which was July 7th. We celebrated yesterday, July 11th. The day was fit for a Queen, but she's Nana and Paw Paw's Princess. She has the crown to prove it. No party would be complete without balloons and Paw Paw and Sweet Pea made sure of that. And naturally there HAS to be a cake. Isn't it pretty? It's good too. Just look at that precious face.

She got a lot of gifts and her favorite was a puppy that sang and spoke and barked. She quickly fell in love with it as the picture reveals.
All in all it was a wonderful FIRST Birthday party. What you can't see is that she's taken two steps on her own...has two teeth...and her hair is turning blond. Here's a few more pictures to end the day.
We had a wonderful day... Can't wait until next year's celebration...Love you "SWEET PEA"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY "SWEET PEA"

Today is our little "sweet pea" 1st Birthday. She came into this world smiling and hasn't quit. We don't see her as often as we'd like but she's still a cutie. Nana and Paw Paw love you bunches...

Check out this cute blog... "The Life and Times of June Cleaver". She is having an "apron giveaway" this week. Click on the button on the sidebar and follow the instructions by leaving a comment, etc. Ooooohhhh I hope I win one of the aprons.

For me, the 4th of July has another meaning. It's the day my Daddy went home to be with the Lord. It's been 30 years and there's not a day I don't think of him. It hurt so much to lose him when I did. Now,I only think of it as the day he truly gained his "Independence". Every daughter should be as lucky as I was to have the kind of father he was. He put everyone else first and never complained about anything....was the perfect example of how a parent should raise a child. I never heard any inappropriate language come from his mouth, he never talked about anyone else and dearly loved not only my brother and I, but cherished our Mother. Here's a cute analogy of our Fathers...the author is anonymous

4 years: My Daddy can do anything!
7 years: My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.
8 years: My father does not know quite everything.
12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.
14 years: Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.
21 years: Oh, that man-he is out of date!
25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.
30 years: I must find out what Dad thinks about it.
35 years: Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first.
50 years: What would Dad have thought about that?
60 years: My Dad knew literally everything!
65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.

I don't worry about him only mourn my loss...He's walking with The Master...how could anyone complain about that.... Love you Daddy, always will.

* Thank you Ellynanne from Apron Memories for finding this keeper.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY !!!

The holiday is upon us and we're all busy with plans. Some will have big family gatherings, others will celebrate on a much smaller scale and there are some where the day will go unnoticed.

Fourth of July is so important to American History... it's the day we got our Independence and became a nation of our own. There's been tough times throughout history. We've gone to war many time to defend our rights and privledges

And of course, no holiday would be complete without FIREWORKS!!!
We won't be firing off any fireworks but will enjoy those "light" shows done throughout the valley. None will never compare to those from our time in Tuttle, Oklahoma. For that to be such a small town, they put on one fantastic display. I truly think its the best I've ever seen and I've seen the one in Washington D.C. and Las Vegas.
Regardless of how the holiday will be spent, I know a few things. I'm so proud to be an American. There's not a day that goes by that I don't thank the Lord for allowing me to live in a country that's free. I praise the thousands of military servicemen that have gone and fought for my freedoms, especially those that gave their lives. I had a great grandfather that fought in the Civil War...a grandfather that fought in World War I...and uncle that lost his life in World War II and a brother that spent 26 months of his life in Viet Nam... I truly have a family history of heros.

Have a blessed and safe holiday and remember... America First!!