Our Christmas

 My daughter, Jacqueline, nephew Skylar, and my son, Lee

Roscoe 

My son's girlfriend, Angela, and my sweet granddaughter, Kayla

 Kayla and her older sister, Shaylin

 Skylar

Angela, my niece, Lauren, and Shawn

 My sister, Pam and her kids, Skylar and Lauren

 Skylar and my mom

My husband, Kenneth, and Shawn

 Mantel in livingroom that hubby built

Den

Mantel in den that hubby also built

 My Aunt Imogene

 My Uncle Ben

Hubby

Christmas is my favorite time of year and was especially wonderful this year because of Kayla, our little granddaughter. This Christmas we were able to spend time with hubby's family and most of mine so it made for almost the perfect holiday. However, after hosting 3 different gatherings, I must admit that I was exhausted by Christmas Day!  In fact, I still haven't recovered and this year for the first time in almost 34 years, I still have all my decorations up...I usually have them down the day after Christmas. However, I have a good excuse because I keep Kayla during the week and while I have her, she gets ALL of my attention. She will be 4 months old on the 31st and is such a joy to us...I love every second that I spend with her. She is growing and changing so much (has a chubby little face and 2 teeth) and I feel blessed that I am able to spend so much time with her. I have more to say but will post about it later. Thanks for stopping by and just in case I don't have time for another post before Sunday, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.



"It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother"

"It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that's why the world calls her grandmother. " ~Author Unknown

It has been difficult for me to get back to blogging on a regular basis. Despite enjoying it, it's hard to find the time to post when I use my "computer time" to read other blogs instead of posting on my own...but I am trying to do better. I started babysitting Kayla, my little granddaughter, on Wednesday and I have enjoyed it so much. It has been wonderful to just sit and hold her close and talk to her and make her smile...and what a beautiful smile she has. Yes, I am very proud of her. It's hard to believe she is over 6 weeks old now, and I am so happy and thankful to have the opportunity to spend time with her and watch her grow. My daughter is a wonderful mother and I am so proud of her and I know it has been hard on her to return to work and leave Kayla during the day but I'm sure she knows that Kayla is being well cared for and getting lots of love and attention from her Gammy (me) and Papa, when he gets home from work. I cannot begin to express how much I enjoy being a grandparent and look forward to SLOWLY watching all the changes Kayla will be going through...That's it for now but I plan on posting again tomorrow. I actually have several posts almost done showing some of my fall decorating and remodeling from last winter. I need to add a few more pictures and I'll be ready to post. Take care everyone and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

She's Here!!!!!

Hospital Pic of Kayla (1 day old)

Kayla (1 hour old)

 

Jacqueline and Kayla about 2 1/2 hours after birth

The proud daddy and Kayla 1 hour after birth

Kayla Elizabeth McKinney arrived on August 31st at 7:17 p.m., weighing 7 lb. 7 oz. and of course, we all think she is beautiful. Both mother and baby are doing fine. Jacqueline had to have a c-section after 12 hours of induced labor but she was very happy to have it. I think it will be a while before she wants another baby, she actually said never again but I told her she would change her mind after a while...at least I hope she does.  We are planning a quiet Labor day, it looks like tropical storm Lee is suppose to bring us lots of rain Monday and Tuesday so we have made no plans, we need rest or I do anyway. I hope all of you have a wonderful and safe weekend.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Lazy Sunday

Today has been a lazy day for me. I went on a short motorcycle ride with hubby and some friends of ours this morning. Actually it wasn't short enough for me, I think I would have cried if we had rode any longer...my bottom and back were killing me. I was hurting so bad that I was wiggling around trying to get comfortable which motivated my husband to ask if I was trying to lay an egg...but he got the message and quickly brought me back to my comfortable world where the seating is so much better.  It was actually funny that Cheryl, who was riding with her husband, got off complaining of the same aches as me. Hubby is going to have to get better seating for me or let me stay home, I cannot enjoy the ride if I am in PAIN.  Afterwards, hubby and his friend left to continue their ride and I curled up on the COMFORTABLE sofa and started reading my new book, "The Help" but kept getting interrupted by the phone so I decided to work some crossword puzzles instead. I actually ventured outside to lay in the porch swing to work a few of the crosswords. The weather was beautiful, not too hot for a change. Overall, I had a very relaxing weekend. Life is good. Have a great week everyone.

My Daughter, Jacqueline's, Baby Shower

I can hardly believe it has been so long since my last post but summer is swiftly passing by and it has been a busy one for me, lots of garden vegetables to put up for the winter, and a few health problems along the way...the worst being food poisoning. Of which, I was sick, sick, and sick, the same week that I was suppose to be having my daughter's shower at my home (had it at hubby's shop instead). I first got sick on Monday night and stayed sick through Thursday, felt better on Friday and managed to get every thing done in time for the shower at 1:00 Saturday. Speaking of Jacqueline, my daughter, she has had a good pregnancy with the exception of a little scare a week ago but after spending the night in the hospital and slowing down a little, everything seems to be going as it should. Our little Kayla Elizabeth should make her entrance in 2 weeks and we are all excited. Jacqueline has already gotten on to me for buying too much but this is our first grandchild and it is so hard to resist....can't spoil Kayla. I've missed blogging and have so much to say but not much time to say it. I'm hoping things will be slowing down soon with the garden about finished. We have really been blessed this year with a good growing season with just enough rain. I have managed to fill our freezer plus the freezer sections of 2 of our refrigerators...very thankful. One other thing I'd like to mention is that I have had to scale back my caring for Skylar to 1 day a week due to me having carpal tunnel in both hands and I plan to help my daughter out with Kayla when she needs a babysitter. Okay, I will get off here now, but I will be back very soon. Being gone so long, I don't even know if I have any friends left to read this but I am hopeful of getting them back and making new ones. Have a nice evening everyone.

I finally added a real profile pic that was made recently....

Wow!!!!

Wow. What a time we’ve had in the last week. As most of you probably know, Alabama was pummeled with tornadoes last Wednesday, April 27th. and many homes and lives surrounding us were lost. I feel so blessed and thankful that all of my family was unharmed and their property was not damaged. We were without power from Wednesday afternoon until Sunday morning, but that is nothing compared to what others in our area are having to endure...there are so many people in need. Throughout all of this, it has been amazing to see everyone pull together and help each other. Besides local volunteers, we have people from Michigan, South Carolina, and other states helping with food preparation and clean up of debris. Seeing all the devastation really makes you have a deeper appreciation for life. As for right now, we will pitch in and help with the clean up, then get back with our life. Speaking of getting back to our life, we will be sharing ours with a little GRANDDAUGHTER....she is due on September 4th. We are all so excited and while I have been praying for a healthy baby.....I was so hoping for a little girl. Now, I must get off here and get busy. I hope you have a wonderful week and please pray for all those affected from this horrible tragedy throughout the South!

Beautiful Weekend

Skylar, waving and Lee, my son when they were young.

We've had a beautiful weekend. The temperature has been in the 70's and very pleasant to get outside and do yard work. Yesterday, I worked outside early but came in when the sun started getting hot. I have plenty of work to do inside too. I'm trying to be careful about working in the sun, my skin is really showing the effects from working outside all these years...it looks terrible. My 68 year old neighbor who has always worn long sleeves and pants when working outside still has pretty skin, it's white but not wrinkled like mine. I have a natural dark complexion due to my Indian heritage but it has not aged well, my fault for not taking better care of it. I've been using lots of skin care products all winter trying to reverse some of the effects but have noticed little results. However, I intend to keep using them...I know it can't hurt. Now it's time to get off here and get back to work. I hope you've had a nice weekend as well. Thanks for stopping by.

Remodeling Almost Finished

I hope everyone is having a great week. With the exception of a few cabinet doors, we are finished with our remodeling. I will be posting before and after pictures soon. I still want to paint the main bathroom and give the bedrooms and office a good cleaning and I will be ready to begin working outside. What I really need is a few days of my own to do as I please...but that's not me. However, I will admit that I am exhausted. Now, I need to get off here and finish my new curtains for the livingroom and get to bed. Thanks for stopping by.

Going to be Grandparents

It has been such a long time since I have posted anything that I almost forgot how. I have missed all my blogging buddies and plan to be back regularly within a week or two. I also have some great news. We are going to be Grandparents. Our daughter, Jacqueline, is expecting a baby in September and we could not be more excited. Praying everything goes well for her and the baby. Our remodeling is almost finished... it has been a challenge to live here throughout it all. I will share more details soon. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to visit everyone soon.

More Snow

 Hubby and Rosco. Rosco's being shy.

Wow, we have 8-9 inches of snow on the ground and it should be here until later in the week. It was so pretty out this morning that I hated to see hubby mess it up with his 4-wheeler but he's had a lot of fun playing in it and who knows how long it may be before we get another one like this. Several years ago we bought several sleds and boards in hopes of using them if we EVER had enough snow and hubby finally got to use them today. In fact, many of our neighbors got to use them as well.  As for me, I have stayed inside except for the few minutes I went out to make pictures. Too cold for me. It is still beautiful out,  just not in our backyard. Lol. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a nice week.

My Town

Happy New Year everyone. No resolutions but I am looking forward to being a better "help mate" to my husband and taking better care of myself. It is my goal to eat healthier, exercise more and spend more time resting and reading in the upcoming year. And resting is about all I have done due to it raining all day. Hubby and I  watched "Bama" play Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl game (Roll Tide) and I ironed some of his work clothes but it has pretty much been a lazy day for both of us. I have been going through some of my "snow pics" and found a few of our town's old courthouse that I thought I would share with you. It has recently been renovated and we are proud of it.

"Somerville is a rural, close knit, family oriented community of about 500 residents."

Thanks for stopping by and may God bless you as this new year unfolds.