From Jaime to my e-mail

One of the volunteer's sent me this photo of me at work. The man in the picture is the man that is ill, and has to have 17 pints of blood each week. He's the one that sponsored this blood drive Thursday, and he's the one that bought us pizza after we were done since no one got a lunch. He's such a nice man. The lady that I'm taking blood from is a nurse at the hospital, and know's him. I don't remember his name my brain didn't retain that info for some reason, but he and his wife stayed and helped us with the blood drive. The man that took the picture sent it to me, and asked permission if he could post the picture on-line, and in the Cuyahoga Falls General's newsletter. Who knew I'm famous. HEE-HEE!!! it's 1:30 in the am. I'm a tad bit goofy right now. It's not a bad picture of me, even though it was almost the end of the day and I was tired had no makeup on, and wanted to scream, cause I was hungry, and needed a cigarette like a drowning victim needing a huge gulp of air. But any ways, this is me in action, working, and saving lives, one painful (for the donor, not me) stab at a time. Thought you might get a kick out of seeing what I look like while I'm working. I love you!!!
Your middle one!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
J-me

Happy 13th Birthday Allyson!!!

Ahhh, My dear sweet Allyson, What happy memories I have of taking your picture at the studio with my friend Lisa. We went through the store and found ribbons to match your dress. It's a very special dress that began with your cousin Tara. It was hers, then her momma, Teri, sent it to me for your momma, Jaime, then it became Aunt Denise's turn and then My Love, your turn. You did so many little poses for us and of course we had to do the full body pose just like Tara, Momma, and Aunt Denise. You loved posing and playing with us. Since then your little cousin Shayna and your little sister Kasey have modeled and posed in it.

How we wish you were here to teach them all your girlie ways. Momma and I still have your little table and chair vanity and the mirror still has your lipstick kiss on it. Kasey loves you very much for never having met you, but she has a spirit of you within her. You must have given it to her when God sent her to Momma. You both are alike in some ways, but you were always my "Little Bit" ; petite like your Momma. Kasey, well truthfully, she reminds me of me when I was little. I was "chubby" as Kasey says I am now. She can be quite a diplomat. You on the other hand just looked up at me from the refridgerator door and said " G'Ma , you're fat!" Well, Little Bit, I'm still fat.

Your best friend Ashley, had a 13th birthday party, but we had left for Arkansas and didn't attend this year. I see her and when I see your cousin Marissa, I see you growing up to. Mitchell would be telling you all his girlfriend secrets and you would be telling him what's what about his choices. Never fear, you two wouldn't be far apart. I tell you all this like you don't know. Angel Ally, I know you see it all from above.

Happy 13th Birthday in Heaven . I know everything is perfect for you there. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of you and many times things happen here, that we know you are thinking of us too.

Hugs and kisses I misses you, Little Bit, Love G'Ma Cate

Thursday Happenings

Oh what a day! Had everyone up and at it by 10:45 this morning. Mema, Kasey and I took off for the cemetery to meet with Carolyn and Breanna Smith. A very charming young lady all of 22 years old and working for a cemetery. A new company has taken over. Opening and closing cost of your grave site goes up each year and since we don't have insurance anymore I figure it best to purchase it before the price goes up in the fall. Let me tell you, life insurance policies are not for the living or dead, they leave you in limbo at the time of the funeral. A cemetery will not bury you unless all costs are paid for before you go in the ground. Funeral services are a little more lenient as long as the funeral home knows you have a valid policy that won't be in dispute. Heed my words, I'm beginning to like cremation more and more, get a cigar box and scatter your ashes somewhere or dig a hole. Cemeteries are being bought up and since we do die they can hold our remains hostage and our families in the grip of emotional turmoil will pay top dollar. That's great if you have the money to spend, but hey, you're dead, ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Our bodies weren't meant to be preserved. The living need to be taken care of. And I promise none of us need to be preserved like Snow White. No prince is coming to kiss you awake. You're dead, build a bridge and get over it!!
Sorry if I offended anyone, I just get so practical. I don't want to be shown and people pass by and say how good I look, if I looked that good, I'd still be alive! Okay off that soap box.
After our meeting, we went to B-K for rootbeers and footlongs with Carol , Vicki and Gracie.
Now Kasey and Gracie are cousins and a year apart in age, but Gracie is slightly taller than Kasey and they look like twins. at 5 & 6 they go to the bathroom in pairs already!! they stood holding hands and very politely asked the girl for the restroom key PLEASE. It was a hoot. Mostly because it was so unexpected.
We purchased gas for 3.87,,,sad to think that is a bargain, but most places are 3.92 and some 4.06.
Came home was completely exhausted and laid down on the couch.
Kasey went out to watch the neighbors have a deck delivered to their house.
Storm blew in at 5 and electric went out
Mom didn't know where she was tonight, confused and all mixed up. It seems to be getting worse. Walking is very slow and almost to a stop.

Wednesday

It's one of those days. Rainy looking, can't get motivated, and can't

get warm. It's been a week (?) since we got home from vacation in Texas and Arkansas and I just can't get warm. Must be 95% southern and only 5% Yankee. I can get heated here in a minute if Kasey keeps arguing with me. She is 6 and thinks she can pull things over on me. For me it's quiet time, I need my nap. I'm a true Granny at 53.



Tara sent me pictures yesterday and Gary today of when we were

there. It was such a whirlwind trip I don't feel like we spent much time with anyone. Jill called today, neither of us feel like we got much time in our visit either, but it's not the quanity, it's the quality and that was mighty good company we kept all the way around. Just never enough time and money. At least we got to visit, back in the old days once you moved away from the family all you got was a letter. No one got to go back and forth to visit.

Monday, Monday end of Sunday

It's Monday, and I'm ready for a coffee break. I can't believe it's 10 am already. The morning has gone fast. Well in fact the whole first half of the year has. Do you realize in 2 days it will be 6 months until Christmas? Let's not think about that eh? Although the first present is already bought.

I'm behind on my day. I decided to blog this morning, so much for staying on track, but that goes with my mind set. I do better on schedule, but I've never been able to stay on one. Sigh,,,mmm come to think of it I wanted to blog in maroon. Let's give it a try,,,ahhh there that's better, but I'm not retyping the first part.

I truly am waiting for my coffee and hope my break isn't over before Jaime gets home with my cappichino or however it's spilled err spelled.

Hi!! Glad you could join me. I'm looking for humor today. Mema and Kasey are still asleep. Want to meet them? I will do that as I blog about family and feelings, thoughts and idea. Dreams too. However it seems at the moment I cannot upload the pictures.

I have a twin sister Carolyn. This year her life turned topsy turvy too when her husband passed away in April. Makes me recognize my own grief has passed through the stages as I see her start crying out of the blue. I did that to with Dale until I came to the point that I take him everywhere in my heart these days. I get wistful when I want to share a particular moment with him and yes I do get misty eyed.

Guess what?! my coffee here!! TY Jaime. However I here Mema stirring and that means I gotta get going. Until Later,,,