Kite Festival

Sunday we went to the Kite Festival on South Padre. The crowd was light due to the Super Bowl. We understand it was packed the day before.

Under the weather

I have been a bit under the weather lately with a respiratory incident but I am getting better. I could say the posts would be more prolific but we are having friends from the Canyon Lake Texas area come to the park next week so if I have time you will see more posts. Gotta get those excuses in early...wink,wink.

Baby Ethan and his Uncle Mike

Kay's Birthday

We surprised our friend Kay Stilson with a birthday party. Kay was sick and in the hospital on the actual day-January 5th- so we had to delay it a bit.

Nina's Blanket

I finished Nina's blanket and it is on it's way to Georgia. Pink monk's cloth does not photograph well so I think it was much prettier than the photo suggests.

Nina Grace

Look at those bright little eyes taking in her world.

More Awwww!!!

Baby Ethan started out less than 5 pounds and he is now over 8! Proud Grandma Laura is getting some great photos of him too.

AAAAWWWW!!!!!

Beautiful Baby Delaney Jones

Proud Grandpa Jones with not one but two little grandbabies to enjoy. Delaney on the left and Hayden on the right.

Peaches and Hewy

My sister Myrla now has two dogs, Hewy and Peaches. I have posted pictures of them in the past. She also has a cat named Tippy and a many-times-beaten-up outdoor cat named Church. But this is about Peaches.
From Myrla: "When Hewy gets a big treat Peaches will go bark at the window until he comes & takes a look & then she runs & grabs his puppy treat !!

Making Snowmen

My friend Sherri who runs a daycare in Atlantic shared photos of the kids making a snowman. The result was absolutely kissable!

Jefferson Iowa Winter

Click on picture below

Leo's Pics

Pie, Pie, I like Pie

Marlene Brooker Kelley, pie baker extraordinaire, baked us a lemon meringue pie last Sunday. Her pies are always perfectly wonderful. I was half way through with the last piece when I had the thought that it was so perfect and pretty too that I should at least have a picture for posterity. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite! Thanks Marlene!!

Keeping History Alive

Patti Miller was a classmate of mine in Jefferson Iowa. I recently found a picture of her on the Des Moines Register website and in so doing she led me to her website.


Click on:Patti Millers Website

In the midst of a sweltering Mississippi summer, hundreds of passionate and intrepid young activists, many who were white Northern college students, made history by catapulting the Civil Rights movement into the national spotlight during what is now known as Freedom Summer.

Patti Miller, one of those participants in the Freedom Summer project of 1964, arrived in Meridian, Miss. just as the bodies of three civil rights workers were found, slain by members of the Ku Klux Klan a month earlier. After that life-changing summer and graduation from college, she went on to work with Dr. Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Chicago as part of the Project to End Slums.

Now Patti is Keeping History Alive with her dynamic, inspiring presentations of her unique and personal story. In an era when freedom and individual rights and opportunities are still unrealized for many, Patti's story is relevant to young and old alike. Her presentation challenges us all to take action today to create a more just and diversified society, while creating the history of tomorrow.

The busier I am

The busier I am the less posts you are going to see here. One thing is for sure it is very easy to give up television this time of year. There is nothing on worth watching. It is football or reruns neither of which hold an ounce of appeal.
So I am about to tear into the park directory. It is a labor of love but it does take up a fair amount of time....meanwhile that blanket for baby Nina is sitting there waiting to get finished. So if you see gaps in the blog you can safely chalk it up to the blanket or the directory.
The computer class is growing and since we had about 6 new arrivals in the park the past two days I expect to see some new faces in the morning.
If it has been a while since you have seen a new post you can give me a nudge. I do not mind and I can usually find something to put on the blog. It might be silly and nonsensical but a blog entry nonetheless.
Till next time!!...

Saved Back Photos

These are photos I had to hang onto until after Christmas. One is of Ethan in a Christmas stocking. And I had to hang onto it because Laura was giving it to Nicole as a Christmas gift.
The other is of the ring Jason gave Laura for Christmas. They are going to tie the knot!!

Our Santa

Leo Brooker of Jefferson Iowa equals Santa! Precious Picture

It's raining! It's pouring!...BABIES

From Good Friend Connie who was blessed with new grandson Hayden now has a NEW GRANDDAUGHTER!!!
Here is the stats from Connie: Well our newest one arrived Dec. 24th at 6:41 pm She weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz and was 20 " long. Her name is Delaney MaKenna. She was truly a miracle baby.
Baby Delaney is pictured with her big sister.

The Story of Rudolph's Secret Friends
By Amy Friedman

You all know the story of Rudolph's red nose
And the way that great reindeer led Santa through snows,
Through fog, sleet and cold on one dark Christmas night.
Oh, yes, Rudolph's nose gave off just enough light.

You know that the other deer taunted and teased
Poor Rudolph, who was not one tiny bit pleased.
You know that when Santa could not find his way,
It was Rudolph's red nose that saved the whole day!

You know that the reindeer were tangled and lost,
And that it was Santa who knew the great cost
Of losing his way in the fog and the cold,
And the story of Rudolph...oh that you've been told.

But you don't know the story of a dog so kind,
And of a swell chipmunk with a very quick mind.
Their names were Sweet Nell and Wonderful Godfrey.
And this is the story that they told to me.

See, none of the reindeer would play or converse
With our Rudolph, who thought he lived with a curse.
He cried, for he had not a single comrade.
Poor Rudolph, he was a sad lonely lad.

Then one day that chipmunk named Godfrey
Was scurrying along when he stopped at a tree.
He met up with Nell, with her wiggling tail,
And off those two trotted, when they spotted a trail.

They followed that trail – it was soaked with wet tears, And there was poor Rudolph alone with his fears.
"What's this?" Nell asked Godfrey.
"A sad deer at Christmas? We can't have this, Godfrey, We simply can't have this!"

"What's wrong?" Godfrey asked, tickling Rudolph's nose.
Nell wiggled her tail, then straightened Rudolph's bows.
"Don't cry little deer, for you know you will shine.
"It's Christmastime and you should feel fine!"

Well, Rudolph told those two the tale of his woes.
Blaming all of his troubles on his big bright red nose.
“I've no friends, no allies! I am far too weird.
"I've even tried growing a bushy red beard!

"Alas nothing works." Rudolph wept more and more tears, And Nell tried to comfort him, rubbing his ears..
Godfrey kept saying "There's nothing wrong here
“That two friends can't fix with a little good cheer."

"We'll be your friends, Rudolph. We love your red nose.
"We love your sweet eyes and your festive red bows.
"We love you because you are kind and you're smart. "You're just like a reindeer should be – you have heart!"

"I'm a strange kind of reindeer with a peculiar hue.
"Just look at my nose – it's so red that I'm blue!
"Yet you say you like me?" And to Rudolph's surprise
Nell took a hanky and wiped her friends eyes.

And beginning on that cold day in December
--Now you listen closely, for you must remember –-
Rudolph learned exactly what most of you know:
That friends are the best things to have, rain or snow.

When Christmas came that year, all dense with thick fog, There right beside Rudolph were the chipmunk and dog.
But Santa did not see those two friends on that night,
For Nell and Godfrey chose to stay out of sight.

They were cuddled up just under Rudolph's red bed
When they peeked out and all they could see
Was that red nose of Rudolph's as he flew up into the sky, And they only had time to call out. "Friend goodbye!"

"Go, Rudolph! You're brave and you're strong, they both cheered.
As they saw that it was dear Rudolph who steered
Santa's sleigh through the darkness, around every cloud. While the bells on the sleigh jingle-jangled aloud.

They waved and they called out and then fell asleep.
And then the next morning they were piled in a heap
When Santa and Rudolph returned after dawn.
"Wake up!" Rudolph said "It's now Christmas morn!"

Then those two awakened and smiled at the sight
Of Rudolph so happy! "Oh, what a delight!
"He's smiling," Nell cried. "Santa knows what we knew! "He's a reindeer with heart. He is good strong and true!"

Rudolph grinned and said,"Yes, yes, I guided the way!
"My nose was a beacon! I saved Christmas Day!
"And you, with your friendship, inspired me to do this. "So you Nell and Godfrey, helped Santa save Christmas!"

Now later that morning when you were awake. Busy opening your gifts, busy eating sweet cake.
Dear Santa was flying way up through the skies
With his three new friends , the three famous allies!

But up until now, Nell and Godfrey were a mystery.
Their friendship a secret in Christmastime history.
For both Nell and Godfrey are very shy creatures.
And never in pictures. Have you seen their features?

Except if you squint up at Santa's bright sleigh,
You'll see Nell and Godfrey calling, "Hip Hip Hooray!" Cheering on their friend Rudolph, while Santa brings toys
To all the good girls and to all the good boys!
And it's Rudolph the reindeer who knows that a friend
Is the best gift of all gifts – and that is the end!



In January 1939 Montgomery Ward & Co. asked young copywriter named Robert L. May to come up with some ideas for a special book to give to children during Christmas season. May finished his poem about Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer in late August. Montgomery Ward printed it and handed out more than 2 million copies that year. Children were instantly charmed by the story of Rudolph and his brilliant red nose.

During World War II, Rudolph went into hibernation, but in 1946, Montgomery Ward again published the book and in 1947 a small children's book publisher brought out an edition that sold 100,000copies in two years. May's friend Johnny Marks wrote the famous Rudolph song in 1949 and with Gene Autry's recording the song climbed to No.1 and sold 2 million copies during its first Christmas season. A filmed version of the story was made in 1964, and the story and song have now been translated into more then 25 different languages.

Babies Galore

Hayden Jones- New grandson of longtime good friend Connie and Frank Jones-Aaaaah!

Pine Cone Wreath

I made a pine cone wreath yesterday in Craft Class. It was fun except for the part where I burned my finger with the glue gun.

Baby Lukas

Good Friend Sherri Clark's grandson Lukas. Grandma's first Christmas as Grandma!!

My Christmas Time Message

These wonderful babies we now have in our life have given me some extra time. They send pictures and I post them and waalaw another post is made but as the season for celebration is upon us, I thought perhaps it was time to celebrate our own lives too and fill everyone in on us.
We are more than fine. We are great. We have never been more grateful for all we have been blessed with in our lives. Everyday is met with gratitude and the things to be grateful for keep piling up.
As for the every day happenings, they are also abundant. We are both very busy. Butch has golf and pool and frequent knocks on our door with electrical issues to keep his skills in that area honed. I have golf (Tuesdays only),photography and the computer class to keep my skills active and alert. I learn so much from doing the computer class. I come here all rusty and then someone will ask a question needing research and I am off and running doing what I love best.
The diabetes is well under control with diet and exercise. Butch and I walk 2 miles a day at least. One mile in the morning and another in the evening. I have made it a priority and now it is a habit.
We are very busy while at Magnolia Park but we love it for the five months we are here and we also love the other parts of the year in other places just as much.
Yesterday we went to Mexico with Bill and Jo and had lunch at Garcia's above the Canada Store. A cold front went through just before we left so we were dressed appropriately but many were not. We have been having these chilly days about one or two days a week. They are little windows of opportunity for me to get caught up on indoor things. I am plugging away at Nina's blanket and it will be beautiful when finished. I like the way it is going but it may be warm weather in Georgia before she gets to use it! Not really,I seem to really get a spur on when these cold days hit.
We will be celebrating Christmas here in the park. On Christmas Eve we have a program in Allen Hall. There will be finger foods. I plan to tell the story of Rudolph's Secret Friends. It is a story I have carried around since December of 1996 when I cut it out of the Des Moines Register to read at Senior Haven in Cumberland Iowa. The newsprint is a bit hard to read so I went online to try and find the story but to no avail. I did think about typing it out but typing is mot one of my skills. Hmmm....Maybe I can find a typist!
We so hope your life is as you want it to be. Count your blessings every day and watch even more come your way.

More of Ethan

From his mom -nicole
ethan is now a little over 5 weeks old and i just took some pics of him today in his vibrating chair that i think he is now addicted to! :) i attatched the pics for you all to see. last week he was 5 pounds 12 ounces so im assuming that he is over 6 pounds today.



Great gram Barb thinks he is sooooo sweet!

Jason & Baby Ethan

It looks like Jason enjoys Grandpa duties.

Santa Baby-Nina Grace

It seems

It seems we are getting one of these days about every week!! A very good time to work on Nina's blanket.

Nina and her Daddy

As long as they send pictures of Nina you will see them!!

It has been a long time since we have had any wee ones in our family and now there are two within a month. It's a pleasure.

An RV Tip

A nifty way to display photos in an RV or anywhere you have a small ledge.

Our son Gary

I have been meaning to get this photo on for awhile. It is our son Gary's "school" picture. One of Gary's multiple jobs is teaching the in-house detention kids at Ray-Pec middle school.
I do not get pictures of my "kids" as often as I would like.
Thanks to my friend Sharon Bryce I have a new way of displaying photos and will post that nifty idea soon.

Cold Front...and REAR

A cold front has made its way all the way down to sunny south Texas and I am about to freeze my hiney off!! They predicted a high of 57 today but it hasn't moved off 47 since I have been watching. I just hiked the furnace up a couple of degrees because I am a shiverin' big time!! We have one more cold day to get through and then it is supposed to be back in the 70's on Sunday.
Oh yes, it is also drizzly. grumble, grumble. I know I will get NO sympathy from the northern climes but hey!! You guys are accustomed to it.

Babies Everywhere!

Here is a new picture of Baby Ethan. Thanks Nicole and keep those pictures coming.

Stats on Nina

"Nina Grace was born to Ann Fetterman and Anthony Cortes on December 2 at 4:19pm. She weighed 5lbs and 8oz and was 19 inches long. Everyone is doing fine."

Hmmm...

We are warm and comfortable in sunny south Texas. We have a wind warning today. 30-40 mph so golf is probably out of the question. I have been playing on Tuesdays. Mediocre is the word for my game but it is more about the sociability anyway.
They say we have a cold front moving in tomorrow with highs in the 60's. A good time to get started on a baby afghan for new great granddaughter Nina. Mother Ann and baby Nina are pictured above.
For other posts click on the Magnolia News link.

Thanksgiving plans

We belong to the park association. It costs us each $2.00 for the season. The benefits are too great to mention but one of which is Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey,dressing,cranberry sauce,ham,potatoes and gravy are provided. The women of the park bring side dishes and desserts.
There is usually an abundance of sweet potatoes and scalloped corn. Thus I try to bring something a little different. I tend to stay away from the desserts because I may have to bring home some and that isn't good for me. So here is what I am bringing tomorrow. It is a dish made for warm weather. Hey, it's warm here!!
Recipe: CORN SALAD 11/26/2008
Category: Side dish
3 cans Mexicorn (whole kernel corn with red & green bell peppers),
drained
8 oz dairy sour cream
8 oz small curd cottage cheese
3 tbsp prepared mustard
Dash hot pepper sauce
3 green onions, sliced
large bag Fritos corn chips (regular curly size, NOT Scoops ; probably 6
or 7 oz bag)

Pour the corn into a large serving bowl. In a medium bowl, combine dairy
sour cream, cottage cheese, mustard and hot pepper sauce. Pour over corn
in large bowl and add green onion slices. Stir to blend well. Just
before serving, crush Fritos and add to salad, stirring to combine.
Makes a lot!
________________

Angel's Foot

A bit of trauma at our house...I had noticed a clicking noise when Angel walked across the floor and it kept reminding me that we needed to trim her nails. We finally got around to it last night. She is a really good girl about it but it does go much smoother if Butch holds her while I clip. It was going along nicely until I got to her front left foot, the equivalent of her ring finger. Her nail had grown around and embedded into her foot pad. Oooh, OUCH!! I couldn't get her nail clipper apparatus under it so we switched to small scissors to cut the nail then pull it out of her foot pad. She winced a bit when I pulled it out but that had to be a tremendous relief to her. Today she will not let me look at it. I am sure she is on the mend.

Mockingbird

I noticed this mockingbird a couple of weeks ago. It runs wherever it goes and on closer observation I noticed that its wing droops. It hangs around the pool area but I have seen it over on Aspen street too. There is nothing to do for this bird other than pray it can live out its life in relative comfort. I think about this bird alot and how it has adapted to a circumstance that arose in its life. It seems to be doing okay and okay is enough. Go bird!!!

Laura's Grandson

Nicole gave birth to Ethan on November 11th, 2008. He was 5 weeks early but looks quite healthy considering his early arrival.

Info from Google

A friend sent this to me and I just tried it out. It works neat as
anything. You may want it in your cell phone or your home phone even.
SLICK!

Just leave it up to Google to come up with something like this!!!

Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone
speed dial: 1-800-466-4411. This is an awesome service from Google,
and it's free -- great when you are on the road.

Don't waste your money on information calls and don't waste your time
manually dialing the number. I am driving along in my car and I need
to call the golf course and I don't know the number. I hit the speed
dial for information that I have programmed.

The voice at the other end says, "City & State." I say, "Garland,
Texas." He says, "Business, Name or Type of Service." I say,
Firewheel Golf Course." He says, "Connecting" and Firewheel answers
the phone. How great is that? This is nationwide and it is absolutely
free!

Click on the link below and watch the short clip for a quick demonstration.

Goog-411

Settled in

It was hot and humid yesterday and it is shaping up to be that way again today. As I was perspiring profusely I looked into my glass of iced tea and thought, "What a beautiful sight!"





We are settled in for the winter and this is where we are parked...and yes, that is the pool in the background.

How many of you?

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 24 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Pumpkin Dessert

Recipe: Pumpkin Dessert 11/9/2008
Category: Dessert
Author: Jean Cornish

1 Betty Crocker one step angel food cake mix
1 T. all-purpose flour
1 cup water
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice


Beat 30 seconds on low speed and 1 minute on medium speed
Bake at 350 degrees in an angel food cake pan, for 37-47 minutes.
Immediately turn upside down until cold on a glass bottle.

An easy fall dessert with a dollop of Cool Whip.

Pumpkin Dessert

Recipe: Pumpkin Dessert 11/9/2008
Category: Dessert
Author: Jean Cornish

1 Betty Crocker one step angel food cake mix
1 T. all-purpose flour
1 cup water
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice


Beat 30 seconds on low speed and 1 minute on medium speed
Bake at 350 degrees in an angel food cake pan, for 37-47 minutes.
Immediately turn upside down until cold on a glass bottle.

An easy fall dessert with a dollop of Cool Whip.