Turkey Day Rewind

We accepted an invitation to have Thanksgiving with Kimmy's in-laws and headed over there for a big feast, some cards and assorted Thanksgiving fun.

Dennis spent some time showing James the "barn" and letting him ride on Dennis Sr.'s riding mower, or "tractor." James kept asking Dennis where the geese and the sheep were. CUTE!!!


Here is sleepy Ella with Mrs. Egan.


Danielle had fun playing with James, and showed him the proper way to wear a block box hat.


Stacker was a favorite of James' this Thanksgiving, and was obliged to give many hugs.


Of course, being my son, James had to entertain everyone with about 100 renditions of the ABCs. The best part? When James asked everybody, "Now sing it backwards!"



I had to keep my eye on Denise all day, as I was fairly sure she was going to steal my little girl. Hey, thanks so much Denise for watching Ella so her Mommy could play cards!


Finally getting a little sleepy?



Chris and I. Do I smile that big all the time? HOLY COW!



My sweetie pie, honey bunches, Ella.



Thanks to our hosts! It was great!

Licking the Beaters

My Mom was a baker. I don't mean an every-once-in-a-while whip up some cookies kind of a baker. Nearly every day she could (and still can) be found up to her elbows in flour making some fantastic treat. Pies, cookies, breads, and more--our house was always filled with the scent of something just about to come out of the oven.

Like most kids, my favorite part about having a mother who loved to bake was being able to lick the beaters!


I think James likes licking the beaters too!

Here's hoping your Thanksgiving Day is sweet!

4 Generations of Women

I've been thinking about my maternal grandmother, Betty Lou, a lot lately. I have been wishing that she was here to see her great-grandchildren.

Here she is in 1945. I often say that I was born at the wrong time. Even though this was a tough period for our country, I do sometimes feel as though this is the generation that I would have loved to be a part of.


Here is a picture of my mother, Judy. I believe this was taken in 1950.

Here is another, later photo of my mom. There isn't a date on it, but I am assuming it was around 1953.


My grandmother (we called her Meemaw), me and my mom. This is from January, 1974.

I think Ella looks a lot like me here.

Here is another picture that I love of my mom in 1980. That's my sister, Amy crawling on the floor.


Here is Amy on her first birthday. Is this where Ella gets her blue eyes? I know it is still early, but I am hoping that her eyes stay blue . . .


And here is Ella and I.


I love being a part of a line of strong, creative and compassionate women. I am sure that Meemaw can see Ella and James from wherever she is. I just hope that she knows that we think of her often!

Uh . . .

Glad YOU'RE COMFY, Henry!


And, I had to post this pic for my Mom.


My lunch.
Old-Fashioned Potato Soup with "Animal Crackers for my Soup" by Stauffers.
(It's no wonder that I can't get Shirley Temple out of my head!)

Good Monday Morning!

Traffic Jam

Chris is working in the Big Apple for a few days for work. He says that traffic is really heavy.


I've heard that about New York City.


I've also heard that many New Yorkers can't sleep at night if they don't hear the traffic noise they have become so accustomed to.


I myself am not a big fan of traffic. Especially when some guy in a huge Monster Truck pulls up to my racecar (which has been sponsored by Cheerios.)


If I was in NYC and I needed a cab, I would always be hopeful that the next cab I would be getting in to would be the Cash Cab.


I'm not sure why this school bus is stuck in the traffic--I thought most city kids walked to school.


I have been watching the traffic pile up at our house--and it makes me miss Chris.


Come home, babe.

I'm in Love . . .

. . . with my new hairdresser, Emilie!

Are you ever out somewhere and you see someone's hair and you think "DAMN! What a great cut and color! I wonder who does her hair?"

But you don't ask, because, you know you'll feel like a dork, especially when you haven't had a haircut in five months, you've been coloring it on your own, and you're roots are longer than your arm?

Well, I saw this complete stranger, a waitress at a local breakfast joint with tattooed sleeves, funky Converse sneakers and the most TO-DIE-FOR color I have ever seen. (I later found out her name was Katie.)

Yup. I asked her. She wrote down Emilie's name and number on the back of a wait slip and BOY AM I GLAD.


Thanks girl. YOU ROCK. And, you are making this sleep deprived Mama feel like she's bringin' SEXY back!

Leaves, Leaves, Leaves!!!!

Baby Sister Ella

Remember this picture? Here is Ella wearing a cute outfit from her Auntie Gini when she was just a week old.



Now it really fits! Here she is at 12 weeks!!!

Fall Family Photos

I have been meaning to post these photos for a while and have just not had a minute until now to do it. In case you are wondering where Baby Sister Ella was, she was inside snoozing. Enjoy!