Short Note August 26 2011

I just want to write a short note about the Hurricane Irene. I feel sorry for the people on the East coast as they await Irene. Not much they can do until afterwards. Let's pray there is not much damage. Hopefully FEMA will re-act faster than did for Katrina.  We will all be there to help in any way we can.

On another note, I see Billy and Julie Murray are in Lubbock signing their final papers for the adoption of their daughter Liane. A big congratulations to them. This has been a long and tedious venture. You are now proud parents...

August Just catching up...2011

My, but time has passed. It is hard to keep up on everything, especially since I have been back and forth to California. First, for Katie's birthday. Yes, she is three already. Then, I went back to sit with Aunt Dorothy while Bob and Monica took a well needed vacation. They took a wonderful trip to Canada and the glaciers .

I had a great time in California with my daughter and Katie. My sister, Carole and I went for a few days to Carmel in April. What beautiful weather we had. Carole and I have learned to travel well together. Everyone says it reminds them of Aunt Sis and Aunt Dorothy. Surprise surprise! Anyway, we had a good time exploring a few new places and restaurants. We stayed at a place recommended by our cousin, Nancy Hartley. They like to stay there when they go to Carmel. Except for size, it was really nice. And right on Ocean Avenue. Our trip to Carmel was very relaxing. I love to be near the Ocean.

Katie had her third birthday party with Winnie the pooh as the theme. Kristin worked really hard on it with a lot of pleasing things for the kids. They even rented one of those big jumpy houses. It was a big hit. Katie loved her party, with all her friends and parents. It was a big success...go Kristin!

When I returned in July, the weather was a bit cool. I don't know where the hot weather is? Aunt Dorothy and I accomplished a lot while I was there. The main thing she did was to donate her car to James and Sarah who are expecting a little one in November. They can't fit the car seat in their vehicles, so Dorothy let them have hers. She was wanting to be rid of it anyway. It runs like a dream even though it is a 1995. James can work on it and it will run for a good long time.

Once again, Carole and I went on an overnight getaway.  This time we went to Cache Creek Casino.  It is a pretty new place in the middle of nowhere. Up near Woodland and on Indian Territory of course. A beautiful place in the Indian motif. Rooms were very nice and we enjoyed our short stay. On the way up there we stopped at the Outlets in Vacaville. Carole wanted Jellybelley's for a baby shower we were giving Sarah the next weekend. It is always fun to stop there as it is a break and different from other shopping we like to do.
Carole won some money this time, but I was not so lucky. We had a fun time.

The shower for Sarah was a great time. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Sarah received a lot of nice things and I think she is well prepared for this baby. Now for three more showers, finishing her Cosmetology course, take the State test and then delivering baby Cooper after all the heat in Livermore and then settling down for the baby...wow, she has a lot to do before November, oh and decorating baby's room. Good luck Sarah!

Here I am home now getting ready for Hurricane Season and trying to keep cool in this ungodly heat. It just doesn't want to cool down. And then an earthquake comes along on the East coast! What next?  You will just have to wait and see.

March Madness 2011

May 2010

Another month, another time. We here in Mississippi are surrounded with OIL.Yes, an oil spill that has made world news. Maybe the biggest yet. And they can't find a way to cap it off. The biggest man made disaster yet. First, Katrina and now this spill. Wow, what is the Gulf Coast coming to? Well, we still have our gambling!

April was busy with Birthdays. Mainly, Katie turned 2. The kids grow so fast. I can't wait to see her in July. She looks like such an active and inquisitive young lady.
Her mother says she remembers everything that she is told(and things she shouldn't remember) Such a cutie.

Maleah quietly turned 9. She is growing up very fast. Her Dad rented a movie for her and a friend and they had a quiet evening at home while it tormented them with rain. The next day Nashville was flooded. Bobby just made it home to Portland with Maleah so she could have a family party. In the meantime it rained more and they almost closed all of Nashville while the rivers flooded the city.

This month we have Randy's birthday and a few other relatives...Bob, Monica, Mike C and more important...William Putnam Smith will be born at the end of the month. That's right, Randy will be a Grandpa again. Finally, a boy will appear. We hope that things go well with Becky. Not sure how Ella Grace will react to a baby, especially a brother.

Randy is just home from spending a couple weeks in Louin with family business. He was missed by me and his friendly birds. Glad to have you home Randy.

All for now, I will try to post a few more pics.

March 14, 2010 Louin

Yes, we spent another day in Louin and then went to Newton to see Mama and Daddy(Randy's parents). We finally got to see Ella Grace, Randy's Granddaughter.

It was a real nice day together. Brad and Becky brought Ella Grace to the house and we talked and entertained Ella Grace for a while. She kept herself entertained picking wild flowers and weed flowers. Then she went across the street to see the cows. She did want to pet them, but they we not the petting kind.

We stopped at Palestine Cemetery to take a few pictures for my Smith family tree.

On to Newton to visit Mama and Daddy. They were sleeping in a chair when we arrived. Ella Grace was a bit scared when we got there, but then she relaxed and put some puzzles together while we visited. They did recognize Brad, but not so much Becky.
We had a nice visit and Ella Grace was great. She even let Mama give her a kiss. Betty is her Great Grandmother.

2010 New Year New Surprises...

Wow, does time fly. I almost forgot I had this blog. As you can see, you would think nothing new has happened. Well, last year was really busy and a lot happened. I will come back to that...

We are only a month and a half into 2010 and it has brought us a few surprises already.
I hope most of you watched the Super Bowl. What a game it was. You would have to have believed in the Saints to think they would have won, but win they did, and big time.
We are still celebrating a week later! This was a proud moment for us down on the Coast. Geaux Saints.

I can't say the year started out great. On January 1, Randy and I and his sister, Cheryl and her husband Bill, moved Mama and Daddy from Florence, Mississippi to Newton, Mississippi. It is closer to where they did live and I think they feel a bit closer to home and in an area they know well. On our way home we got a call from Cheryl and a cousin, Kathy McCall had died that morning in Oshoner's, a New Orleans hospital. She was a couple years younger than me. Randy had been very close to her in his younger days. We attended her Memorial and she is at rest now. She had been waiting for a liver transplant and something went wrong and she passed away.Kathy was a really smart and talented person. We will miss her.

Now, we have snow days as it has been really cold, at least for the Coast, and they declared today a snow day. Schools and some businesses closed. Might as well close until next week, as it is also Mardi Gras. Another reason for celebrations and parades. Seems like it is never ending. If only it would warm up a little.

I did get a new computer and I am back working on my Family Tree. Trying to get use to this 23" screen and Windows 7. Then I had to get a printer to go with my computer. Just breaking it in and I am already out of ink!
Family Tree was bought out by Ancestory.com and I bought a new version. It is so different and so much more info now. I am trying to recreate what I lost in Katrina. Maybe this time I will print it out before I lose it again! Better get some more ink.

Before I forget, Randy is going to be a Grandpa again in May. There will be another Smith to carry on the name. This time Brad and Becky are expecting a boy. We can't wait to see this little guy...
I am going to post a few pictures, as our grandchildren are getting so big. Happy New Year everyone.