Pictures

This is Billy looking handsome and solemn on Christmas Eve:

Another picture of my handsome Billy:

Here is Shelly posing and looking pretty and showing off those pearly whites:

My son Doug and his wife Rose (I don't know what that face was about):

Here's my daughter Bambi and Shelly telling her all about her new shoes:

Shelly and Bambi posing for the camera:

Doug looking really tall:

Miscellaneous Stuff

Wow! 2 days since Christmas! Where did it go? It seems like we waited forever for it to get here and then before we knew it, it was gone. Oh well, we probably won't turn around hardly when it will be Christmas next year. We went to Doug's mom's house on Christmas Eve and opened gifts down there. It was great to see everyone having such a good time. 2 of my grandchildren, Billy and Shelly were there. Rebecca was with her dad and Nicholas was sick, so his dad kept him at home. I sure did miss them. Bambi was there and then so was "little" Doug (all 6 feet of him) and his wife Rose. Doug and Rose couldn't stay long because they had another party to go to. Bambi stayed and I really enjoyed her being there. Believe it or not, there was no trouble this year. Nearly every year an argument breaks out. After that we came home and watched tv and went to bed. The next morning I got up and started cooking. Had my mom and Doug's mom here for lunch. As soon as I got through eating, I excused myself and went upstairs and went to bed. I was hoping our census at work would be low and I would get to stay at home. But we had a full house and I had to work. I'm off today but tomorrow go back for 3 more 12 hours shifts. I'll be off a week after that. YEAH!!! I went to Walmart yesterday after work and spent $170! I couldn't believe it. Everything was 1/2 price and I went wild. I've never spent that much before. But I have alot of new stuff for Christmas next year. I bought Bambi a new tree for next year. I hope she likes it, if she doesn't I don't know what I'll do with 2 trees. But I had a good time spending money (I always love to spend money). Bambi got me and Doug a gift card to Ruby Tuesday's. I can't wait to use it. I love their food. I think their prices are outrageous, but hey, this one's gonna be free.
Oh well, I guess I'd better go to bed now. I could keep on talking forever this morning. I don't know what got me so wound up. I'll post some pictures of my grand babies and kids. Then maybe when I get up, I'll write some more. Who knows? Have a wonderful day! Can't wait til Friday when I go to Sandy's house and bring in the New Year with Doug, Mary, Bucky, Sandy and Robert. And Mary and Sandy's mom and dad if they're there. Okay, I'll shut up now.

Christmas Eve

Tomorrow is Christmas! Oh boy! Can't hardly wait to eat all that good food. Gifts that Doug and I give to each other don't get wrapped and are usually given before Christmas. Tonight we will be going to my mother in law's to open presents. Can't wait to see all the kids open their gifts. My oldest granddaughter won't be there because she is with her dad tonight. She will be coming home tomorrow and opening her gifts at home and the gifts from everyone else then. Iam scheduled to work tomorrow so I'll be sleeping the biggest part of the day. Hopefully alot of the patients will get to go home and I will be cancelled. But if I'm not, oh well, someone needs to take care of sick people. One day, it may be me needing someone to take care of me. Tomorrow we will be having honey baked ham, sweet potatoe casserole, green beans, rolls,cranberry sauce, and whatever else I decide to fix. Oh and of course, dressing. Yummy! Makes me want to cook it and eat it now. I'm finally getting a dvd burner for Christmas. I told Doug I wanted one, he didn't get it so I ordered it. Then I told him he had ordered my Christmas present. It was shipped yesterday. So it should be getting here in about a week. I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas. My love goes out to everyone I know. Let's all remember the true meaning of Christmas. And let's be especially thoughtful and send up an extra prayer for our soldiers over seas and their families. Pray especially for the families who have lost loved ones in this war. I know their Christmas will be empty without them.

Lost Lives

15 more lives lost in Iraq. What a senseless war! Why didn't we just kill Hussien and get out of there? I am all for helping them and helping them rebuild a government, but hey! Is it worth all the lives of the moms, dads, sons, and daughters that have been lost? I am just so thankful that my son came home safely. I hope he never has to go back. He's out of service but who knows when they'll call him back? My heart goes out to all the families of the soldiers whose lives have been snuffed out by these heartless thugs. Send one of the mothers over there. Let her have her way with the pigs that killed her child. That could change the situation. Just turn an angry mother lose on them. I think we should stay in Afghanastan because of what they did to us, and I know we should have taken out Hussein, but let's get Bin Laden now. Then bring him to me. I'd see that he got what he deserves. But then, Hell is going to be worse than anything I could ever do. But I sure would like to have my turn with him.

Christmas Is Almost Here

9 days til Christmas! I can't hardly wait!! To see the looks on my grandchildren's faces when they open their gifts will be great. Okay, so I won't actually see them on Christmas as they stay at their own homes on that day. Which is a good thing so they won't be taken away from their new things. But I do get to see them on Christmas Eve at the get together at my mother in law's. I have to work on Christmas day, but still plan to cook a HUGE meal. Me, Doug, my mom will be eating together that day. Doug's mom will also be invited. She doesn't drive much so Doug will probably be going to her house to pick her up and bring her here. I always invite my sister but I know she won't come. We're not in her "circle". Don't get me wrong, I love her and all, she just never comes around or calls. She has her own little world and her own little friends. If my name was Shirley, I'd see her alot more. But I will NOT let her put a damper on my excitement on Christmas. I will eat til I pop, I will sleep til I wake up to go to work, and I will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with the ones I love. I would love to have my kids here, but they have families of their own now. I have been invited to Sandy's house on New Years Eve. I have never been to a New Years Eve party. This will be quite exciting for me as well. My daughter will get mad because I'm not keeping her kids that night, but hey, I've got a life too. I just wish she wouldn't get mad so easy. Oh well, I'd better get in bed. It was a LONG night at work last night.

Happy Thankgiving

Today is Thanksgiving and I had a wonderful day with my mother and Doug and his family, my son and his family. We all ate til I thought I would pop. Then on the way home, we stopped at KMart to see what we could find. Not much, maybe tomorrow. My friend Bucky had been working on my laptop and he said to meet him there as he was taking Mary's grandparents home. It was good to see them. They are such nice people. Anyway, Bucky brought my laptop to me. I was going to watch a movie on it and I couldn't get the sound to work. Bucky was online and he told me how to un-mute everything. Meanwhile, I forgot I had turned the volume up all the way on everything. So I was sitting in the living room with headphones on so I could be with Doug and watch my movie while he watched football. When I pushed play on the movie, I about fell out of the chair. Doug thought I was having a heart attack because it scared me so bad I screamed. Bucky asked if I got a picture of it, I didn't. But I re-enacted the scene and Doug made a picture. So I will post it as soon as I get it downloaded. Right now I'm using my laptop having the time of my life. I haven't turned it off since I got it home. I think I'm gonna wear it out in one day. Anyway, the day is almost over and before we know it Christmas will be here. I can't wait, even though I'm supposed to work. I love this time of year. It's a time for family and friends to think about what Christmas is really all about. It's about the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I have been one of the most guilty of commercializing Christmas. But as I get older, I realize that we should focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I hope all who read this takes it to heart and thinks about it. Where would we be if Christ hadn't been born? What if He hadn't died for us? We would be hell-bound, that's for sure. Oh well, I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. To all my friends and family, I love you all. Part of Thanksgiving is being thankful for all the people we love. And I think I have better friends now than I ever have. "As for me and my house: We Will Serve The Lord." Happy Holidays Everybody!

Helen

Last night we had the services for our dear Helen Williams. Mrs McKinney got a pass to leave the hospital again and she attended the service. Helen had on a beautiful pink dress. Found out it was the dress she had bought when she was chosen as Woman Of the Year in Iowa. She worked as an RN for 40 years in a veterans hospital. She was and still is loved by all and we will miss her terribly. But she is happier now than she has ever been. Our tears are selfish ones because she is much better off than we are. The family is a very close knit family and we need to keep them in our prayers. Not just today but the days to come. When Mrs. McKinney goes home from the hospital, she will be going home to an empty house. That will be very hard for her. She will remain in my prayers as will the rest of her family. Helen, I know you don't know or care anything about this now, but we love you so much!

Update On Family Tragedy

Today I learned that Helen Williams, who was involved in the car wreck on Alcoa Hwy, also had sustained a broken collarbone, broken ribs, and the broken leg was broken in two places. The doctor said she would never walk again. Her sister, Mrs. McKinney, got a pass to leave the hospital to go see her. Along with her other two sisters, the decision was made to remove life support. Helen died within 5 minutes. She will be missed by many. She always sat in church when I had my grandchildren and smiled at them the whole time. They will be receiving friends on Tuesday and then her body will be taken to Iowa on Wednesday for burial beside her husband. Mrs. McKinney has to have some pretty extensive abdominal surgery and won't be able to attend the funeral. We will all be praying for her. The upside to this is that Helen is in a better place and can walk, doesn't have to have dialysis anymore, and is in perfect health. That wreck has now claimed the lives of two people. Even though the streets were wet and the other lady's car hydroplaned, we should all be aware of how dangerous wet streets can be. Everyone should be extra cautious when it's raining, and slow down. Me included. When God gets ready to take us, he will. But no use in making things rough for ourselves while we're here. Helen, I know you're in Heaven with our Lord and Saviour. We will all miss you and we will always love you.

My Friend Sandy

Okay, for some reason I couldn't get the pictures of Sandy and her husband Robert to show up on the other post. So I will dedicate a whole post to her. I met Sandy through her sister, Mary, who is a dear friend of mine. She is a loving person and is married to Robert, also a loving person. They make a great couple. Anyway, Sandy, Robert and Mary's daughter, Tori came to my house yesterday to pick up a puppy. She taught me how to put pictures on my blog and some other stuff too. She didn't know it at the time, but she has created a monster. My husband complains about my being on the computer all the time, now he won't be able to pry me away from it. So Sandy, don't be surprised if you get called up as a wittness in divorce court. LOL Anyway, here are the only two pictures I have of Sandy and Robert. Today is Sandy's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDY!!! I hope you have a wonderful day! I love you!!

IT'S SANDY'S BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday To You
Happyyyyy Birthdayyyyyy Tooooooo Youuuuuuuuu
Happy Birthday Dear Sandyyyyyyyyyy
HHHHaaaappppyyyy BBBBiiiirrrrtttthhhhddddaaaayyyyy TTTToooo YYYYoooouuuu!!!!
Hope you have a wonderful day. You're a very special person and I love you.

I Can Add Photos Now

These are my friends Mary and Bucky Carver. Today is Mary's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!!
These are the nutty people I work with. They are so much fun!
This is my good friend Clarence. He is a Respiratory therapist at the hospital. He is married to Penny on another floor.
This is my daughter, Bambi and son-in-law, Jeff. Bambi is the mother of 2 of my wonderful grandchildren, Rebecca and Nicholas.
This is my granddaughter Rebecca. She was my first grandchild and she'll always hold a special place in my heart. She can come live with me anytime.
This is my grandson, Nicholas. Ain't he cute? He is Rebecca's brother and also a Nana's boy.
This is my son, Doug and my daughter-in-law, Rose, on vacation in Chicago. They are the parents of my other 2 wonderful grandchildren, Billy and Shelly.
This is my grandson, Billy at Halloween, 2004. I guess he was a pirate. He'd be a good one. He's Papaw's boy.
This is my granddaughter, Shelly. She is Billy's sister and hopefully a MeMe's girl. Time will tell.
These are all my wonderful grandchildren together. It was a real job getting them all to sit still long enough to make this picture.
This my niece Kelli and her new husband, Jeremy. They are the proud parents of Justin. Kelli is the daughter of my sister, Gerry.
This is my great nephew Justin. He is the proud son of Kelli and Jeremy.
This is my sister, Gerry, at Kelli's wedding. She sure was proud.
This is me with my wonderful husband, Doug.Hard to believe we've been married almost 34 years.Wow! Long time. It hasn't all been a bed of roses, but I'm glad we stuck it out.

This is my wonderful mother, Rowena, aka: Granny. She has been my best friend for 50 years. She is the most important woman in the world to me and I don't know what I would have done without her all these years. Mama, words can't express how much I love you.

IT'S MARY'S BIRTHDAY

Happy birthday to youuuuuu
Happy birthday to youuuuuu
Happy birrrttttthhhhhday Dear Mmmmmaaaaarrrryyyy!
Happyyyyyyyyy Birthdayyyyyyyyy Toooooooooooo Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!
May this be the best birthday ever! I love you!

Family Tragedy

Today was tragic for a family that goes to my church. Two elderly sisters. Ms McKinney and Helen Williams live together. Ms. McKinney takes care of Helen, who is in poor health and is on dialysis. Today at the dialysis clinic, the Ms. McKinney started having some problems and was taken to St. Mary's Hospital. When it was time for Helen's dialysis to be over, two of Ms. McKinney's granddaughters left St. Mary's to take Helen home in Maryville. The timing just wasn't right. On Alcoa Hwy, a car crossed over and hit them head on. One girl suffered a broken ankle. The driver of the other car was killed instantly. Helen suffered a broken leg, ruptured spleen and is bleeding into her brain. No one knows if she will make it or not. Ms. McKinney only knows about the broken leg. Hopefully, we will hear more soon. The family is keeping the rest from her for the present. These two ladies are very dear to me and the whole church family. We pray for Helen, Ms. McKinney, and the family of the other driver. Our wonderful pastor was on his way to Kentucky to preach, but when he heard the news, he turned around and came back. He takes care of his flock. He is a true man of God and can always be counted on.
There was also a fatality on I 40 Eastbound this morning. The interstate was shut completely down going eastbound. I saw the tractor-trailer, and I don't see how anyone could've survived in that or being hit by it. We all need to remember the families of the people who have died. Pray for their strength and that this will somehow open their eyes and they will see the Truth if they haven't yet.
November 12, 2004

KNOX COUNTY (WATE) -- A crash in a construction zone on Alcoa Highway Friday left one person dead and two more injured.

The crash occurred in the southbound lanes of the highway near the Knox - Blount County line.

Crews had to close both southbound lanes and one northbound lane while they worked at the scene.

Officers detoured southbound traffic onto Gov. John Sevier Highway and Old Knoxville Highway.

Flu Season

Well, flu season is here and I've got a cold. I hope it doesn't turn into the flu. I didn't get a shot this year. I could have, but decided with the vaccine shortage, I'd forego mine to let someone in a higher risk category have it. I have friends coming up this weekend and I don't want to make them sick. I'm keeping a safe distance from my mother as she hasn't had a shot yet and I don't want to expose her. As far as my husband goes, well that's kinda hard to do, living in the same house and all. I worked last night and was miserable all night. I think most of it was because of the NyQuil I took yesterday morning before I went to bed. I was so sleepy all night that I kept seeing double. And that's not good when you're using needles and drawing blood, etc. I've got to work day shift tomorrow so I'll be going to bed early tonight. Like in a few minutes. To all who read this, take care of yourselves and your loved ones. I love you all and don't want you getting sick.

Love

It was very sad that a TSD student was in a wreck and killed the other day. Her name is Viola Wooten and she was only 16 years old. We don't think of things like that happening, especially on school functions, but they do and we all need to be aware of it and tell our children daily how much we love them. We never know when the last conversation could be. I talk to my grown children almost every day and I never fail to tell them I love them. They may think that it's just habit, but I really mean it. My mother lives next door to me, and I still see her every day and talk to her several times each day. I tell her I love her each time I see her or talk to her. My husband and I can't even count how many times a day we tell each other "I love you". Remember each day to tell the people you love how you feel. Not just family, but friends as well.

Picture Perfect World

This is a song by one of my favorite groups, Avalon. They are Contemporary Christian artists. The words are beautiful and make so much sense.

Picture Perfect World

We circle winter, spring and summer to fall
Spend a lifetime trying to make some sense of it all
Trip over questions raised by fallen men
As if there are solutions for the state we’re in

In a picture perfect world there would be no crime
In a picture perfect world we’d be free
In a picture perfect world we’d be color blind
But it’s all right I know we’ll be cared for
All right a place is prepared for
All right cause sooner or later we’ll be
In the picture perfect world

Another summer. autumn, winter and spring
We grow accustomed to the nature of things
Do we chase the questions we can’t figure out
And overlook what life is all about

In a picture perfect world there would be no pain
In a picture perfect world we’d believe
In a picture perfect world love is not in vain
But it’s all right I know we’ll be cared for
All right a place is prepared for
All right cause sooner or later we’ll be
In the picture perfect world.

We are here but a moment, then the moment’s gone
So why spend precious time we can’t afford
We have only one purpose before the curtain’s drawn
With all our lives, for the cause of Christ
We must glorify the Lord!

In the picture perfect world there would be no pain
In the picture perfect world we’ll be free
In the picture perfect world love is not in vain
But it’s all right I know we’ll be cared for
All right a place is prepared for
All right cause sooner or later we’ll be
In the picture perfect world.

SideKick

I got my SideKick pager today!! I'm so excited! It took it a long time to activate, but since I'm out of the coverage area, it said try again. So it's registering (again) now and I'll just leave it alone until I get up tomorrow. Notice I didn't say in the morning. I can't wait to use it. I'm meeting Mary tomorrow to pick up my Home Interior stuff and I hope it's working by then. Oh well, they say patience is a virtue, I guess I'll try to be virtuous.

Down In The River To Pray

Here's a song that I wanted my mom to learn to sing in church with me. But she says she's too hoarse to sing.

DOWN IN THE RIVER TO PRAY


As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear a starry crown
Good Lord show me the way.

Oh sisters let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Oh sisters let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord show me the way.

Oh brothers let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Come on brothers lets go down
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear a starry crown
Good Lord show me the way.

Oh fathers let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Oh fathers let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.



As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way.

Oh mothers let’s go down
Come on down, don’t you wanna come down?
Come on mothers let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way.

Oh sinners, let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Oh sinners let’s go down
Down in the river to pray.

As I went down in the river to pray
Studyin’ about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way.

For Fredy

Fredy was my first love. He was from Peru and visiting his brother who was going to UT. It broke my heart when he had to go back home to attend school there. We exchanged letters for awhile (that was the days before computers), but we eventually drifted apart. This song has always reminded me of him and I just wish he could see it. Just to know how much he meant to me.

DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE
by : The Mama's and Papa's

While I'm far away from you my baby
I know it's hard for you my baby
Because it's hard for me my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn

Each night before you go to bed my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
This is dedicated to the one I love
(love can never be exactly like we want it to be)

I could be satisfied knowing you love me
(and there's one thing I want you to do
especially for me)
And it's something that everybody needs

While I'm far away from you my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
Because it's hard for me my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn

If there's one thing I want you to do especially for me
Then it's something that everybody needs

Each night before you go to bed my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
This is dedicated to the one I love
This is dedicated to the one I love
This is dedicated to the one I love
This is dedicated to the one I love

May the Best Man Win!

I love the way my friend Mary always ends her comments on political issues. She always says "May the best man win". Even though we may have different polital preferences, we still respect each others views. And I encourage anyone to get out and vote regardless of who they vote for. Sometimes, there doesn't seem to be a best man to win. Heck, I voted for Ross Perot once because I didn't think there was anyone worth voting for. I just wish everybody could be treated equal and the poor people would be given a break. The sad thing is, this world is not going to get any better. It will only get worse until our Lord comes back. And then it will get alot worse for alot of people. But oh how I look forward to that day! I hope to take as many people to Heaven with me as I can. I can't save anybody but I sure do want to lead them to the Lord. I wonder how many people would vote for Jesus if he were running for president? I know that would be a time that Mary and I would both vote for the same candidate. Anyway, today is election day and even though Jesus isn't running, I did vote. If you don't vote, you can't have the fun of complaining about who's in office. You could, but you really wouldn't have a right to. Anyway, my viewpoint on voting. I don't know where the religious stuff came from. I just felt like putting it down. I've been thinking alot about that lately. I'm not in a hurry to leave the ones I love, But if He wanted to take me this minute, I wouldn't complain nor would I stop to tell people goodbye. Ain't God good????