Happy Birthday!

To what would of been Todd's 57th birthday.

Not sure why I want to put it out there.

I'm usually pretty quite about those things.

It's hard sometimes to think he's been gone now for a little over 9 years and then at other times feels like a life time ago.

I wonder how different life would of been if he was still here.

It's like a memory of all the things you've done and you look back on those memories but those things didn't happen but you know they would of.

I don't know...just weird to think of.

Just felt the need to acknowledge the day today.

My.... How Time Fly's

I can't believe it's been since last September since I wrote my last blog post.

To be honest it wasn't until this past February that I was reminded that I hadn't written a blog post in several months....and since that time, time has just gone by.

Funny how it has a way of doing that.

I debated how I was gonna start again...pick up where I let off and play catch up...start from today?

I decided I would give a quick update on highlights, if that is what we want to call them.

Last September I moved my Mom here to live with me. I was so happy that she finally agreed to leave Tampa and stay with me.

Mom had MS along with some other things but you would never know by looking at her she had a hard time except for the wheelchair. It was just getting harder for her to function on her own

and I was thrilled she was finally coming to stay where I could help keep an eye on her and to be around to help.

September found us getting some things done to help mom around the house and setting up new doctor appointments and such. Mom was also undergoing treatment for cancer.

It was nice having visits with mom...her being able to see my grandchildren, her great grandchildren.

We had Halloween together where she saw the kids in their costumes as they came to trick or treat here...Mom and I celebrated Thanksgiving alone and it was wonderful.

We also celebrated Mom's birthday with the kids and grandchildren.

I was really looking forward to Christmas with having Mom here...we hadn't spent a Christmas together since around 2006.

But Mom became ill mid December and was hospitalized. 

January 1st Mom was moved to a long term care hospital where she passed away February 17th.

She just couldn't recover from infections and her breathing.

I'm thankful that I was able to spend those last few months with my mom.

I wasn't with Mom when she passed but my brother was. Part of me feels bad and the other part of me was glad I wasn't there. I know at the end she didn't suffer, God took her home peacefully and for that I am forever thankful.

In February I had gone to New Orleans for Mardi with Fonda and her cousin Rita and my cousin Lonnie met us there as well...we had a good time and it was something I got to scratch off my bucket list. It was while I was there Mom went to be with the Lord. Fonda's dad was also not in good health and he also went to be with the Lord the next day.

I also had a little health scare in April which has required me to have a little lifestyle change but nothing that can't be managed...it has allowed me to loose 30 pounds in 2 months without trying to loose weight.

It's now summer time which means pool time and spending some fun time with the grandchildren.

Love them babies.

 

I do have some trips planned and excited about that....so I will start again writing a blog and keeping those of you interested in what's happening and with pictures of those things near and dear to my heart....like grand- babies, concerts and travels....some things just don't change

Until then....

It Is What It Is!

 

July Mini Vacation

During the month of July I took Hayden, Colton, Tayler and Tammy to San Antonio where we stayed at a cool hotel with a water park and we visited Sea World..

Needless to say...it's Texas...it's July...it's hot

next visit will be the spring or fall but it still didn't keep us from having a fun time.

 we saw a couple shows...one was Shamu...we sat in the splash zone...I think they need to rename it the soaked zone....the kids laughed so hard afterwards.

And we were soaked.

 Everyone loves a Merry Go Round

 above....Tammy and Colton on his first big people roller coaster...Hayden, Tayler and myself went to the Sesame Street water park playground

 It was a fun time getting away with the kids....hoping to do something over Christmas break before they go back to school if they don't already have plans.

Liam Graduates

Last night Liam graduated Pre-K

He looks so handsome in his suit and cap.

Liam is the clown...

while the principal started with a story that went

"When I was a little girl"

 Liam immediately covered his face with his cap and yes....

he got a few laughs

with his cookie bouquet that his mommy (Jenn) and I went in together and got for him.

So proud of you Liam!

Grandma Loves You!

Easter 2014

This year we celebrated Easter at my house but a week early.

I was leaving on a cruise that left Easter Sunday and I so love doing a egg hunt for the grand-babies that we just did it a week early.

Of course as for all egg hunts we had planned to do it outside but we had some rain move in and made everything nice and wet that we did it inside.

Wasn't my favorite choice but the kids didn't notice at all...they still enjoyed rounding up their eggs and filling their buckets to the top.

 First we had lunch and then we had our egg hunt and opened our Easter baskets.

It's hard keeping up with 5 children and getting their pictures and watch what they are doing.

For some reason this year I didn't get a lot of pictures and half weren't that good.

I will have to pay attention more next time or have someone else be the picture taker with my camera.

 Above Liam with his bucket of eggs and below Hayden and Liam having some Easter fun...

I love that picture

 My oldest grandson (and child) seeing what treasures awaits inside his eggs

 and my pretty princess Tayler looking for treasures as well

 Hayden with her Easter basket of goodies, another one of my princesses

 Noah finding treasure...he loved the eggs with money...when he got the dollars he would hold it up and yell dollar dollar

 I didn't know how many eggs had dollars in them as I  just filled them as I had dollars and surprisingly enough all grand-babies collected around the same amount of money within just a couple dollars...so that worked out nicely...this was the first year that I had money to the eggs and it was a hit.
I hadn't done it before cause I didn't think they really grasped the idea of the money but this year they all did...so money eggs it will be!

 Tayler above and Liam below opening up their Easter baskets

 Colton getting ready to open his basket but Muggy must take a picture first

 and Hayden opening hers as well...what goodies will they find?

Noah all done with his basket and now sitting in his ...they are a good size basket...nice and big and holds a lot as you can see by this 2 1/2 year old.

After a little visit it was time for everyone to leave and then the house became....

QUITE!

I love holidays with the grand-babies....I wanna soak up as much as I can...

Just love them!

A Quick Re-Cap

January

was a busy month...after family left from the holidays it was a busy time with inventory in the store.

Seemed liked unexpected things just popped up in January.

We had a unexpected death in our family...my Aunt (my favorite Aunt) passed away...Some of you know or have heard of me speak of my cousin Lonnie, it was her mom that passed.

I took some time off to be with family during this time.

My mom had some test that needed to be run so after the funeral I went to Jacksonville while she had some test done. She has since been diagnosed with Myeloma cancer. I went back to Jacksonville in February while see was being treated with radiation.

It is a treatable cancer but not a curable one. In April we will know if the radiation did any good or not. It was a small area so hoping it took care of that area.

I also celebrated ANOTHER birthday.

I can't believe I don't have any pictures to share with you...I don't think we took any.

I had a few of my favorite girl friends come over and we had a good ole' slumber party.

Lots of fun, games, stories and drinking all in a safe environment.

Also in February my brother in law Carl passed away... he was Todd's oldest brother and the last of his siblings to pass. Always sad when people loose their loved ones...hoping for good days for his family.

Now that I've caught up a little... my next post will focus on my annual

Grandma's Gone Wild

trip...which is always a blast!

Until then....

Happy New Year

Ring Out The Old

and Ring In The New....

 My brother John (above) came in for Christmas and stayed through New Years and my cousin Lonnie (below) came in after Christmas but for New Years.

We had a great visit while she was here...went to Galveston and saw The Originals Jersey Boys, which was so much fun and then just enjoyed visiting and relaxing...something we both desperately needed.

 So... for New Years we decided to stay home and celebrate in a safe place...

HOME

 Stacy and Albert came over and celebrated with us...we had a blast...we played the game

Heads Up

and it was so much fun and lots of laughs.

Though we are now 3 months in to the new year

I hope your off to a great start.

Happy New Year!

Let's Wrap Up 2013

It's been awhile since I've blogged...had issues with loading pictures to my computer and we know all good stories need some pictures...

and of course life, sometimes it just gets in the way.

So, I'm gonna try and remember and recap the end of 2013 so we can catch up with 2014.

First off...

I moved in October.

I down sized and bought a house with a pool...lots of summer fun on the menu this summer

 I will need to show you pictures of the front of the house now...below is what it looked like when I bought it but i have had things ripped out and replaced...a landscaping makeover.

But, I love this home...I feel at home here....the other house was just that...a house.

Haven't felt home anywhere since Todd's passing and now I do.

It's a nice feeling.

And then....I had some girl outings withe girls over the holidays and shopping.

Got caught up a little in it all but it was a nice feeling.

Josh graduate from school so he could become a mechanic with Ford.

 Tayler had a part in her Pre-School program

Then we had Christmas at my house...I so enjoyed it...I love when my family is all together...especially the grand-babies....I think it's very important they have that cousin bond.

 This year we had a system going on how to open your presents...it worked pretty good and everyone was able to watch without it being so cray and missing something.

They all sat patiently while each child got a gift to open and once they all had one we said go and they opened...then they showed their presents to their parents and got ready to open the next one.

Noah was so cute...when he was done with each one he would say...

More Please!

 Above going clockwise is Jenn and Paul...Tammy, Kyle Tayler and Colton...

My brother John and myself, I think this was the first Christmas we spent together since I moved away from home and he was still in school.

And then Josh with his girlfriend Christina.

I received 2 very special gifts...the first from Colton and Tayler...they made me  frame with the palm trees being Tayler's hands and the trunk being Colton's thimb print...they glued shells around the frame...the picture is of us when we went to Florida last summer and took pictures along the beach.

And then from Liam and Noah I received a plate that had their feet stamped on it turned in to butterflies with my saying I say .....

Love You More!

Such sweet gifts that both made me cry.

Happy Birthday To.....

HAYDEN

Happy Birthday sweet little girl.

Today 5 years ago I was blessed with my second grandchild and my first grand-daughter.

She is such a sweet blessing and I love her so! 

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Grams Loves You....More!

Boys of Summer.....Backstreet's Back...Alright!!!

Saturday August 31, 2013

Destination : Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

I took my daughter Tammy, her friend Ashley and my friend Kelley to see....

Ashley, Tammy, Me and Kelley

 The Backstreet Boys

 We started out early cause we had a 3:15 check in which ended up being a 4pm check in...

Our tickets allowed us to have front row center to Sound Check and Q&A

 It was really a cool thing to sit through and I found myself taking loads of pictures of this guy...the youngest (30 years old now) Nick Carter.

He is kinda cute!

 It was fun sitting through this with my daughter as her and her friend recounted their pre-teen days when they liked The Backstreet Boys and N'Sync.

As I know the feeling as I was a huge Donny Osmond (The Osmonds) fan back in the day and I still am....One thing you should know about me if you haven't already figured it out...I like all kinds of music and entertainers....if it's good...I like!

It's cool to be that close to someone you like or use to like and I'm just glad I got to share in the moment and one day a memory.

But our ticket just didn't allow us to a sound check...it allowed us a meet and greet as well.

 All the guys were very nice and very humbled...they are a good group of guys...and yes that young cutie pie is a little cocky like he's all that and a bag of chips...which he is...he is still a very nice guy.

Concert time....

The show opened up with Brian's son (one of the Backstreet Boys) opening the show, I think he's like 10...sounded like a 10year old Micheal Jackson or Donny Osmond...and then this group was next...

They are called "B-5"....very fitting for 5 Boys.

They sounded good and had some great dance moves...I expect we shall see them very soon in the music scene with the younger girls.

 Pauly D from The Jersey Shore was the next act to open...he did a DJ thing which was loud and very cool.

And then it was Backstreet Boys time....

 They put on a really good show....the place was packed...needless to say it was a sold out show...I don't think I have ever seen this venue so packed.

 One thing I don't have pictures of is we were also (because of our ticket) allowed to go on stage (there was about 30 of us) during 3 songs...we sat on risers behind the boys as they performed an acoustic set.

It was very cool...we had a different view and got to see where the boys go behind the curtain with all the equipment back there....not a lot of room...

It was a great time spent with my daughter and friends and listening to some good and fun music.

I know summer is technically over but I have 2 more shows next week... that to me will end my 

Boys of Summer...stay tuned for my recap.

Last Day of Our Clearwater Vacation

Today is Sunday July 28th

Tammy and family left in the middle of the night, Josh and Paul left that morning, my cousin Lonnie left with the guys and dropped them off at the airport for us.

It was just Jenn and I with Liam, Noah and Hayden.

We rested a little and started to pack a little and clean and then decided to go to Walmart to get some bins to pack the left over food in.

My cousin Lonnie came back to the house as she left all her credit cards at the house from when we had gone out....so since she came back she just stayed and went to Walmart with us and then we went out to lunch and got some last minute souvenir shopping in.

And while out I ran in to this old fart

 After back at the house my cousin left and the we changed and headed to the beach for shells

Below: Liam and Hayden walking to the beach, the house was just a 2 block walk from the beach...

and then Hayden enjoying some play time

 Jenn, Liam and Noah...looking for shells ...there were 3 different rows of shells (tons) all piled up on the beach.

 cousins at play

 Almost sunset

then it was time to head back to the house gets baths done and kids to bed and then we packed...

up until a little after midnight and up early to finish.

We left at 9am, a little later than we wanted too but it was all good.