Remembering . . .

Today we remember a day that changed America.

We should never forget the sadness, fear, & disbelief

we experienced that day & the days that followed.

We found comfort in praying & gathering near

our family & friends.

We're showing our strength today by flying

Old Glory.

God Bless America!

Fly Your Flag . . .

Remember to fly your flag tomorrow

in memory of 9-11-01.

Picture Perfect . . .

Ethan had his first professional photo shoot

a few weeks ago.

So, as a proud Nana I'm going to show

two of his adorable pictures.

This smile melts my heart!

Even in black & white his blue eyes are beautiful!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

We Christians should stand

out like a sparkling

diamond against a rough and dark background.

We should be poised, cultured,

courteous, gracious, but

firm in the things we do or do not do.

We should laugh and be radiant;

But we should refuse to allow

the world to pull us down

to its level.

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

I Corinthians 4:2

Taken from: Unto the Hills by Billy Graham

Weekend Plans . . .

My weekend plans include. . .

* Relaxing *

* Watching college football *

(Go OSU, beat Georgia !)

* Family smoked meat fest *

* More relaxing *

* Enjoying time with family *

Have a wonderful 3 day weekend friends!

Memories Of Highland School . . .

I attended Highland Elementary School during 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th grades. Kindergarten was not offered in public school in our town, so I started 1st grade when I was 5 years old, I turned 6 in October. My school was located 2 short blocks from our house. It was a large two story brick building. I walked home for lunch everyday because the school didn't have a cafeteria. The principal (I can't remember his name) taught 5th grade on the second floor. A few times I was asked to take a note to the principal. Those stairs seemed so steep to me. There was no school office with a secretary, just a phone on a little desk in an empty classroom that hardly ever rang. If it did ring the principal answered it.


I have vivid memories of my years at Highland. I'd like to share a few of them with you!


This is how little girls dressed for school each day minus the gloves. If it was really cold I wore cordoury pants under my dress.

In 1st grade I learned to read from the Dick & Jane reading series. Mrs. Vaught was my teacher, she was a very calm lady. I remember doing phonics work pages & being a daffodil in our spring play.

Mrs. Aycock, my 2nd grade teacher, spoke with a thick southern accent, she was jolly & fun. She taught us to sing Silent Night for our Christmas play. She made sure we accented the 't' at end of the words that ended in 't'. I still have my phonics workbook with a swan on the cover.

Mrs. Young was a stern teacher with a twinkle in her eye. We walked to her house around the corner from the school to watch the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy on her black & white television.

4th grade was my last year at Highland School. The building was condemned because of its poor condition. My favorite teacher of all time was Mrs. Rose Jefferson. She had a beautiful smile. I think she was probably in her late 40s. She made sure we learned the books of the Bible. I had already memorized them in Sunday School so this was a breeze to me. We went down to the basement at least once a week to learn songs. I was amazed at how well Mrs. Jefferson played the piano. I think this is what influenced me to become an elementary music teacher. Mrs. Jefferson came to my wedding. She looked the same to me, smiling & beautiful!

I Can't Believe It ! ! !

My jaw dropped when I received an e-mail

from my son about this news.

Make way for more Duggars!

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of Tonitown, Ark., who have 18 children and one grandchild on the way, are expecting a new addition to their household – baby No. 19 will arrive in the spring. "We are so thrilled," says Michelle, 42. "We just couldn't believe it is happening." Jim Bob, 44, agrees: "This never gets old. We are so grateful for each child. We are looking forward to our first grand baby and our 19th child." Oldest son Joshua, 21 and his wife Anna, 21, are expecting daughter Mackynzie Renée next month, so she will be older than her new aunt or uncle. "I think it is going to be awesome, it is going to be great," says Josh about the news that his parents are expecting. "We have been looking forward to the arrival of my little girl and to now get to celebrate for my parents, it's a wonderful thing."

Wow!

I'm not sure what I think about this.

I can't even imagine having 19 children.

I guess if anyone can handle this it's the Duggars.

I'm worried about Michelle's health while

carrying & giving birth to #19.

She had complications during

delivery with #18 & had to have a c-section.

What do you think?

Goodbye Summer . . .

It's hard to believe that this is the last day of August!

Even though it will be several weeks before

we see beautiful Autumn scenery

here in Oklahoma we are already enjoying cooler days

and even cooler nights. When you step outside in

the evenings the breeze if refreshing and

has that feeling of Fall in the air.

No humidity!

Fall is my favorite season.

I love decorating the house inside and out.

Once everything is in place it stays out

until Christmas decorating begins

the day after Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your day!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Victory is yours. Claim it!

This doesn't mean the

Christian can never suffer

defeat or experience low

periods in life. But it does

mean that the Savior goes

with you no matter

the problems.

You Know You're Old When . . .

you start remembering things from your high school years

that you haven't thought of in decades.

Don't ask me why, but I started thinking about some of my

favorite songs from the late 60s & early 70s.

I loved tunes by The Association.

Their sound was 'groovy' & mellow.

Cheesy & perfect for teenage girls!

My three favorite songs by The Association were

Cherish

Never My Love

&

Windy

Way back then you had two ways to hear your favorite music, wait until it played on the radio, or buy the record. I didn't have spare money to buy records so I had to tune in to my favorite radio channel in Oklahoma City. It was fun making the drag with my friends & singing along when our favorites played. You do know what making the drag is don't you? After driving around for an hour or two in someone's car we would all chip in a quarter to fill up before we headed home. Believe it or not in 1969 gasoline was $0.35 a gallon!

Thanks for going down memory lane with me. If you want to you can turn up the volume & do some dusting or ironing!

Enjoy your Friday!

S~O~S . . .

Yesterday afternoon I made a trip to the 'mecca' of decorating & crafting . . .

Upon entering the door I was drawn to aisle after aisle of fabulous items for fall decorating! My heart started pounding! Oh my goodness, could I be experiencing

'Sensory Overload Syndrome'?

As I made my way down the aisles loaded with pumpkins, garlands, wreaths, pilgrims, jack-o-lanterns, scarecrows, & candles I knew I was indeed infected with

S.O.S.

Next I came upon the Christmas items. So many ornaments, Santa Claus figures, baskets, bows, wrapping paper, & pre~lit trees. I found the perfect 9 foot tree for our front room, too bad it was priced at $599.00 or I would have bought it on the spot!

After spending almost an hour walking all over the store I put my empty basket back where I found it & made my way to the car. It's always sad to leave Hobby Lobby empty handed, but that's what happens when I'm hit with

S.O.S.

'Sensory Overload Syndrome'

Maybe I'll go back when the tree is 1/2 off!

(Probably not!)

LOL

My Oh My, How Time Flies . . .

It's hard to believe that . . .

this precious little newborn. . .

is now 6 months old !

He's so happy & sweet.
It's a joy to see him learning so many new things!
Happy 1/2 year birthday Ethan!

Also . . .

Start the count down . . .

four months from today! ! !

Tackling Chores . . .

I'm in a

"Maxine State Of Mind"

today!

However, it's time to tackle our home office!

Things need to be sorted, filed, shredded,

thrown away, rearranged,

etc. etc. etc.!!

The closet, filing cabinet, desk, & shelves

are screaming & shouting

for attention & relief.

This monumental job may take all week.

Wish me luck!

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Isaiah 40:28-31

28) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.His understanding is unsearchable.

29) He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,

31) But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Father, help us to seek and find the power

that comes to those who

"wait upon the Lord."

Piano Man . . .

Ethan was given his first piano lesson Sunday.

Daddy is showing him how it's done.

Tickling the ivories.


A piano man in the making.

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Wishing you a restful Sunday. . .

Gather Ye Sunflowers . . .

While Ye May . . .

We had severe thunderstorms Monday

evening & throughout the night.

Several of our sunflowers were uprooted or broken off.

We propped them up Tuesday evening.

I cut a few from the broken plants.


They look pretty in this old enamelware pitcher.

Triple D . . .

We are big fans of the Food Network show

"Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives"

starring Guy Fieri.

Bobby & Kari gave this book to Bob for his birthday.

It's filled with interesting info about some of the

mom & pop cafes that guy has featured on his show.

Also, there are many recipes from the restaurants.

Can't wait to read & enjoy!

Happy Birthday Bob! ! !

Today is my hubby's Birthday!

Watch out for those inferno candles!

(excuse the glare on the picture)

Long ago a baby was born in a house located in Pawnee County Oklahoma.

He was the 6th of 7 children born to Verna & Dale.

Bob is truly a one of a kind man.

His newest role of Papaw to Ethan is a joy to him.


" Can you hear me now?"
Bob is always on the phone (notice the two phones) trying to
keep things at work running smoothly.


He's always busy around the house doing this & that.
I have to remind him all the time to take it easy.


This picture shows Bob at his best.
He's a very positive person.



Happy Birthday honey!
Thank you for being a wonderful husband!
I love you with all my heart!

It's That Time Again . . .

School bells will be ringing again next week

in most Oklahoma schools.

I'm sure the weather will be hot & steamy.

Seems to me school always started after Labor Day

when I was in school.

Just a reminder to watch out for school buses

& children walking to school.

To teachers & staff who work so faithfully to educate our children, I will be praying for you as a new school year begins.

You may never know what seeds of learning & love you are planting.
Someone in your classroom this year may be a future doctor,nurse, preacher, teacher, lawyer, construction worker, mom, dad, the list goes on and on.
Every year I taught I tried to remember that I was someone who could make a difference in a child's life. O yes, as you can imagine there were times that this was hard to remember.

It's tax free weekend here in Oklahoma.
Clothing items under $100.00 are not taxed, but
school supplies are not included in the tax free shopping.
I wish the legislature would reconsider this next year.
I know how expensive it can be to buy supplies for one child.
For families that have more than one child it's VERY expensive.



Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

"Okra"homa & Other Fresh Veggies . . .

I have discovered that oven roasted fresh garden veggies are delicious!

I few summers ago I started oven roasting fresh green beans.

They are so-o-o delicious! Very sweet & nutty flavored.

Basically I roast veggies on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with Pam.

Load your sheet with your vegetable of choice. Spray veggies with Pam or drizzle lightly with olive oil & season with salt & pepper.

Sometimes I add other seasonings such as garlic powder or Cajun.

Cook at 425 degrees for 25 or 30 minutes.

Okra is also very tasty roasted in the oven.

The finished product is very similar to fried, but of course much healthier!

Our garden is producing tons of okra so I'm busy freezing some for future use.

I had enough today to freeze a large bag &

also oven roast a batch for dinner tonight.

First cut up your okra in small pieces.

This 8 cup bowl will fill up a large zip-lock bag.

Add a little corn meal. . .

and a little flour.

Don't forget to add your seasonings of choice.

Now, into the freezer!

*Tonight's menu*

Oven roasted okra, yellow squash, & zucchini

Sliced tomatoes & cucumbers

Sunday Thoughts . . .

Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,
o Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 19:14

A Summer Cold . . .

I can't believe it! I have a cold!

I haven't had a cold in years!

Could I have possibly lost my strong

immune system after only being retired from

teaching one year?

I had forgotten how miserable a cold can be!
The Kleenex box & cold medicine are my best friends right now!

Hope you're having a cold free weekend!