Anandale- I had a gray kitty, I don't remember his name. One day my kitty just didn't come home. I was very sad, and looked for him for a long time, days, weeks...and then finally gave up. A lot of time passed, close to a year--I was walking home from school, and hear a mewing. I was talking with a friend and I heard it again. I thought it sounded like my old kitty, but how could it be? I looked around and sure enough it was him!!!!! Sweet reunion.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Another memory of Anandale, VA--
I think I must have been in the 2-3 grade in this home. I remember being a total pizza fiend, even then. My parents would wait for me to go to bed...wait a short time, hoping I was asleep, then, they would either order pizza, which was quite a treat in those days; or they would make pizza. The smell would kill me because I LOVED PIZZA. Sometimes I would go out of my room and beg for pizza and sometimes my folks would let me have a little, but for the most part they sent me back to bed. Sometimes they were strong and really did wait until I was asleep; then, I would have no choice but to dig in the trash to see if they had hidden their evilness. If there was anything left in the box I would snarf it up-such a treat. :-)
I think I must have been in the 2-3 grade in this home. I remember being a total pizza fiend, even then. My parents would wait for me to go to bed...wait a short time, hoping I was asleep, then, they would either order pizza, which was quite a treat in those days; or they would make pizza. The smell would kill me because I LOVED PIZZA. Sometimes I would go out of my room and beg for pizza and sometimes my folks would let me have a little, but for the most part they sent me back to bed. Sometimes they were strong and really did wait until I was asleep; then, I would have no choice but to dig in the trash to see if they had hidden their evilness. If there was anything left in the box I would snarf it up-such a treat. :-)
It's been a loooong time since I've written; I really meant to do it more often, but life happens and bang you are years down the road. So here is it now 2016, a new year has begun. In November 2014 I was diagnosed with cancer. Maybe more will come about this later; but for now I am here and living life, fighting the THIEF that would take me away and relying on God's gift of healing and my faith that treatment through alternative methods is the only way I could go. I believe I will beat this fully.
Meanwhile I've had many things change. I have 7 grandkids now. 5 Girls and 2 boys. Evelyn, 10, Sophia (7), Lucy, (7), Vera, (5), Kate, (5), Andrew, (2), and Ethan, 17 months! They are such a gift and I love them all as if they were my very own children. They light my days. I think that's it for now.
Meanwhile I've had many things change. I have 7 grandkids now. 5 Girls and 2 boys. Evelyn, 10, Sophia (7), Lucy, (7), Vera, (5), Kate, (5), Andrew, (2), and Ethan, 17 months! They are such a gift and I love them all as if they were my very own children. They light my days. I think that's it for now.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Teary Goodbyes
Evie started crying when I was leaving her house today...we'd spent several hours together, but in particular we'd gone into the Magic room and we laid on the bed and I played a little bit of princess with So and Ev. I tickled them and Ev pretended she was my kitty and I rubbed her back. When it was time to leave Ev ran out of the house in her panties and wanted to tell me bye. I hugged her and held her tight, kissed her and told her I loved her and that I would see her tomorrow, but she just broke down, tears streaming; so I hugged her more, kissed her more and tried to reassure her. She continued to cry until Rachael finally came and gently took her by the hand to take her back to the house. I love Ev so much, like she is mine, I wanted to scoop her up and carry her home to just curl up somewhere with her. I feel like she does sometimes; that it is hard to part ways, that I will miss her too much, that I need her. The joyful fullhearted love of a child is so special, and helps so much to ease the hurting parts of grown loved daughters being gone. Such a sweet little heart.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
My Parents
My parents, despite the troubles I learned they had when I got older, made me feel loved. They married young, at a mere 17, had me when mom was 19. Daddy was in the military when they met, stationed at Shepherd Air Force base. I don't know too much they never really told me about their love story; but I have a few letters given to me by a realative who has passed on, and my dad sounded very much crazy in love with my mom. He started going to church with my mother and was even baptized. I think there was no discipleship so he drifted away.
They had a rough time, apparently my dad even left my mom for while and went to his the places and people he'd grown up around as a boy, leaving my mother and me behind. Thank God my mother followed him and somehow they got back together.
My recollections of them as a young child are few and far between. I remember just feeling loved. I thought my dad was huge....
As I grew some things became more apparent to me...that my dad was more demonstrative than my mom in the areas of affection and encouragment. I remember my dad whistling alot and his deep voice.
He gave me great hugs. As a girl I helped my dad "do things" in the garage and around the yard and loved every minute of it.
My mother was hard working as most mothers are, and I did not fully appreciate the depth of her hard work until I was a mother myself. She worked full time at the same courthouse as my dad and they traveled to work together. Mom seemed to struggle with the load, telling me later that my dad helped her rarely. So I am sure she was so tired most of the time and longed for him to want to help her. Whatever the dynamics of their relationship, for the most part, I thought I had THE best parents and that I was very loved and so I guess they did a pretty good job with the important part of the job.
My parents were very different. My mother expressed her faith in regular church attendance and she took us from the time we were small. My father rarely attended, usually if something was happening that involved one of us kids. I don't really remember my folks having fights. Usually if they were having a disagreement mom would get quiet and sob.
My mom read me the annual Christmas story from the local paper,...it was one of my fondest memories. Mom would sit in the chair and I would sit on the arm of the chair, each night there was an installment; I loved it.
My folks worked hard, my dad sometimes worked 1 or 2 extra jobs. he played harmonica, was great working with wood and tools, whistled wonderfully, and took us camping. Sadly daddy smoked, from 16 till the day he died at the age of 40.
My mother was a talented seamstress and crafts person, there wasn't much she couldn't do and she was a fine cook. She made our lives orderly, loving and directed. She taught us about God and for that I am so grateful.
They had a rough time, apparently my dad even left my mom for while and went to his the places and people he'd grown up around as a boy, leaving my mother and me behind. Thank God my mother followed him and somehow they got back together.
My recollections of them as a young child are few and far between. I remember just feeling loved. I thought my dad was huge....
As I grew some things became more apparent to me...that my dad was more demonstrative than my mom in the areas of affection and encouragment. I remember my dad whistling alot and his deep voice.
He gave me great hugs. As a girl I helped my dad "do things" in the garage and around the yard and loved every minute of it.
My mother was hard working as most mothers are, and I did not fully appreciate the depth of her hard work until I was a mother myself. She worked full time at the same courthouse as my dad and they traveled to work together. Mom seemed to struggle with the load, telling me later that my dad helped her rarely. So I am sure she was so tired most of the time and longed for him to want to help her. Whatever the dynamics of their relationship, for the most part, I thought I had THE best parents and that I was very loved and so I guess they did a pretty good job with the important part of the job.
My parents were very different. My mother expressed her faith in regular church attendance and she took us from the time we were small. My father rarely attended, usually if something was happening that involved one of us kids. I don't really remember my folks having fights. Usually if they were having a disagreement mom would get quiet and sob.
My mom read me the annual Christmas story from the local paper,...it was one of my fondest memories. Mom would sit in the chair and I would sit on the arm of the chair, each night there was an installment; I loved it.
My folks worked hard, my dad sometimes worked 1 or 2 extra jobs. he played harmonica, was great working with wood and tools, whistled wonderfully, and took us camping. Sadly daddy smoked, from 16 till the day he died at the age of 40.
My mother was a talented seamstress and crafts person, there wasn't much she couldn't do and she was a fine cook. She made our lives orderly, loving and directed. She taught us about God and for that I am so grateful.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
My First Love, Michael
This captures the time and my heart.
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the end of the skies
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command my love
The first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time, my love.
The first time ever I saw your face
Your face
Your face
Your face
We met in 1973 several months after my father died at a mutual friends house...we didn't see each other again for some time. I became sick and Michael ran into one of my friends at the mall and asked about me; they told him I was sick; he showed up at my apartment with a friend, he sat with me and took care of me for a while.....and then left. After that we started seeing each other and our first date was to the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was so strong, so tender, so beautiful. I fell like a ton of bricks into his arms and love.
So intelligent, so loving, kind, hard working, self starting, motivated, sacrificing, makes me laugh, makes me smile, optimistic, wonderful provider, wonderful father, my friend, my love, my breath. Full of energy, willing to try new things. Deeply sensitive, warm, affectionate. Great kisser.
Enjoys golf, fishing, poker, swimming and MOVIES. He's an adoring father, who would do anything for his girls. He's a loving grandfather.
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the end of the skies
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command my love
The first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time, my love.
The first time ever I saw your face
Your face
Your face
Your face
We met in 1973 several months after my father died at a mutual friends house...we didn't see each other again for some time. I became sick and Michael ran into one of my friends at the mall and asked about me; they told him I was sick; he showed up at my apartment with a friend, he sat with me and took care of me for a while.....and then left. After that we started seeing each other and our first date was to the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was so strong, so tender, so beautiful. I fell like a ton of bricks into his arms and love.
So intelligent, so loving, kind, hard working, self starting, motivated, sacrificing, makes me laugh, makes me smile, optimistic, wonderful provider, wonderful father, my friend, my love, my breath. Full of energy, willing to try new things. Deeply sensitive, warm, affectionate. Great kisser.
Enjoys golf, fishing, poker, swimming and MOVIES. He's an adoring father, who would do anything for his girls. He's a loving grandfather.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
A 30 day meme....later girls you can read this
Two of my girls are are posting the 30 day meme on livejournal, so I thought it might be something to do; maybe something for them to read later. So here goes. # 1 Introduce yourself:
Day 01 - Introduce yourself
Day 02 – Your first love
Day 03 – Your parents
Day 04 – What you ate today
Day 05 – Your definition of love
Day 06 – Your day
Day 07 – Your best friend
Day 08 – A moment
Day 09 – Your beliefs
Day 10 – What you wore today
Day 11 – Your siblings
Day 12 – What's in your bag
Day 13 – This week
Day 14 – What you wanted to be when you grew up
Day 15 – Your dreams
Day 16 – Your first kiss
Day 17 – Your favourite memory
Day 18 – Your favourite birthday
Day 19 – Something you regret
Day 20 – This month
Day 21 – Another moment
Day 22 – Something that upsets you
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better
Day 24 – Something that makes you cry
Day 25 – A first
Day 26 – Your fears
Day 27 – Your favourite place
Day 28 – Something that you miss
Day 29 – Your aspirations
Day 30 – One last moment
Sometimes we are so busy living life that we never have to think about things...like how would I introduce myself? Oh my, I am not sure....hummmm. Well I will just give it a try.
I was born in Wichita Falls, TX to William James and Mary Frances Barry. I was premature and weighed 5lbs.7oz.-early, I wasn't due till July. I have 3 siblings, a sister 5 years younger, a brother 6 years younger, and a sister 9 years younger.
We lived in several places but most of my growing up life was in Virginia.
I remember feeling loved, loving animals and playing outside. Life was fairly simple and kids in my neighborhood played on the sidewalk and went to each others house without a thought.I rode my bike, played in the creek and generally ran all over the neighborhood.
I was raised Baptist by my mother, my father did not attend, but I found out later he was baptised after going to church with my mother before they married; so I hope to see him in heaven.
I went to public school, this was long before homeschooling. We had no cable, no cell phones, no computers, no satellite anything, no ipods, no video games. No video players, dvd's or itunes. There were no seatbelts. When I drove my car in high school it was 25 cents per gallon.
As I grew I was a part of Campfire girls, a school patrol officer in the 5th grade, winner of a citizenship award in Junior High. I played basketball and was part of the pep team.
I played flute in high school and was part of the All State band and the marching band.
I gave my life to Christ during Vacation Bible School before Junior High, but I don't remember what age exactly. At church I participated in GAs (a sort of religious girl scouts, with levels; you earned various things at various levels which were bestowed in a church ceremony) and attained the level of Queen with Scepter which was the highest you could go.
I finished high school uneventfully, and went to work. Worked from the time I was 16. Had lots of jobs.. my first was at Woolworth's where I worked behind the candy counter after school. I worked at another drug store (in high school) at the grill, (yes drug stores used to have little restaurants in them). I was a dental assistant, a bank teller, and dental crown maker, a dr.'s assistant, a retail clerk at Sears I worked at McDonalds, and a doughnut shop. I also worked as a collections agent for an health club.
A defining life moment was the death of my father when he was 40 from a massive heart attack. I was 19.
After that my mother sold our house, and packed up my siblings and moved to Texas. I did not want to leave the place where I'd spent most of my growing up life and stayed behind. It was a difficult time, without the benefit of modern communicative technology I was suddenly without all familiar connection.
I met the beat of my heart a few months after my family left, but we did not get together for many months more. We married in 75, I went to nursing school and graduated at the top of my class, and then worked as the head of the Physical Therapy Dept for several years; six years later we were blest with the first of 3 beautiful daughters and I was blessed by my beloved and became a stay at home mom.
We homeschooled our children and they have grown into beautiful godly young married women themselves.
My husband and my children have been a blessing beyond my dreams.
We've lived mostly in Texas, short term in Louisiana and most of that time in the Houston area. We moved to Houston so Michael could open an office for INS Investigations (fire investigations firm) and we could have a raise so I could be home. After years working hard for INS Michael wanted to try starting his own Fire Investigation Firm, so we launched Premier Claims Investigations, Inc. in 1994. From the very first day we had business.
We moved to Conroe, TX in 97 and after the kids were all done with school and left the nest I took over working part-time in the office.
I'm a grandmother now and I have so far 5 new daughters to love. 3 of them live nearby; and sadly the other two little beauties do not. "update" There are now two little boys, Ethan who will be 3 August 23,2018 the light of Meg and David's days; and Andrew, who just turned 4 December, 2017.
My days are largely portioned like this; up and usually to the office immediately, office work usually not lasting past noon.
I'm 57 and God has blest me incredibly with a life full of love. My husband has been so loving, so affectionate, so hard working, such a good father, my friend, my sweetheart. I have never feared for my safety or provision, his life has been one of integrity and godliness and I have felt cherished in his love.
I believe one of my gifts in life has been that of encourager, I tend to the neat-nik side, I'm a "why put off till tomorrow what you can do today" kind of gal. I am a very much a homebody and I'm sure too much so to my dear husband. I'm basically an introvert, but I have at various points in my life stepped up to extrovert status if it was needed. I don't generally enjoy gaggles of women doing "women things" like baby showers, home parties etc. I've tried to be a servant to my family and friends when I am aware and able and to be a positive, optimistic person. I'm sure I've failed to have an appropriate amount of gratitude to my God for my blessings in spite of my many failings.
I love being outdoors, although living in Houston has made that difficult a good part of each year (heat, humidity, bugs). After having children, I began to have trouble with my weight,.. and it has been the bain of my personal being ever since. I found I was hypo thyroid after years of struggle, but still have not found a doctor who cared enough to get me to the point of great weight and health again. I continue to try though. I enjoy computers, flowers, crafting, swinging (like a swing on the porch). I love Sedona, AZ; it may be my favorite place for beauty, lack of humidity lack of bugs. I like talking walks with Michael while we talk and hold hands.
I consider my failings to be lack of success with controlling my weight and the double-edged sword of my introvertedness.
I have no great bucket list...no pressing desire to travel, I AM content in the life we live and what I have seen and done in this life so far; to continue to be a wife and mother and grandmother are the epitomy of joy.
Day 01 - Introduce yourself
Day 02 – Your first love
Day 03 – Your parents
Day 04 – What you ate today
Day 05 – Your definition of love
Day 06 – Your day
Day 07 – Your best friend
Day 08 – A moment
Day 09 – Your beliefs
Day 10 – What you wore today
Day 11 – Your siblings
Day 12 – What's in your bag
Day 13 – This week
Day 14 – What you wanted to be when you grew up
Day 15 – Your dreams
Day 16 – Your first kiss
Day 17 – Your favourite memory
Day 18 – Your favourite birthday
Day 19 – Something you regret
Day 20 – This month
Day 21 – Another moment
Day 22 – Something that upsets you
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better
Day 24 – Something that makes you cry
Day 25 – A first
Day 26 – Your fears
Day 27 – Your favourite place
Day 28 – Something that you miss
Day 29 – Your aspirations
Day 30 – One last moment
Sometimes we are so busy living life that we never have to think about things...like how would I introduce myself? Oh my, I am not sure....hummmm. Well I will just give it a try.
I was born in Wichita Falls, TX to William James and Mary Frances Barry. I was premature and weighed 5lbs.7oz.-early, I wasn't due till July. I have 3 siblings, a sister 5 years younger, a brother 6 years younger, and a sister 9 years younger.
We lived in several places but most of my growing up life was in Virginia.
I remember feeling loved, loving animals and playing outside. Life was fairly simple and kids in my neighborhood played on the sidewalk and went to each others house without a thought.I rode my bike, played in the creek and generally ran all over the neighborhood.
I was raised Baptist by my mother, my father did not attend, but I found out later he was baptised after going to church with my mother before they married; so I hope to see him in heaven.
I went to public school, this was long before homeschooling. We had no cable, no cell phones, no computers, no satellite anything, no ipods, no video games. No video players, dvd's or itunes. There were no seatbelts. When I drove my car in high school it was 25 cents per gallon.
As I grew I was a part of Campfire girls, a school patrol officer in the 5th grade, winner of a citizenship award in Junior High. I played basketball and was part of the pep team.
I played flute in high school and was part of the All State band and the marching band.
I gave my life to Christ during Vacation Bible School before Junior High, but I don't remember what age exactly. At church I participated in GAs (a sort of religious girl scouts, with levels; you earned various things at various levels which were bestowed in a church ceremony) and attained the level of Queen with Scepter which was the highest you could go.
I finished high school uneventfully, and went to work. Worked from the time I was 16. Had lots of jobs.. my first was at Woolworth's where I worked behind the candy counter after school. I worked at another drug store (in high school) at the grill, (yes drug stores used to have little restaurants in them). I was a dental assistant, a bank teller, and dental crown maker, a dr.'s assistant, a retail clerk at Sears I worked at McDonalds, and a doughnut shop. I also worked as a collections agent for an health club.
A defining life moment was the death of my father when he was 40 from a massive heart attack. I was 19.
After that my mother sold our house, and packed up my siblings and moved to Texas. I did not want to leave the place where I'd spent most of my growing up life and stayed behind. It was a difficult time, without the benefit of modern communicative technology I was suddenly without all familiar connection.
I met the beat of my heart a few months after my family left, but we did not get together for many months more. We married in 75, I went to nursing school and graduated at the top of my class, and then worked as the head of the Physical Therapy Dept for several years; six years later we were blest with the first of 3 beautiful daughters and I was blessed by my beloved and became a stay at home mom.
We homeschooled our children and they have grown into beautiful godly young married women themselves.
My husband and my children have been a blessing beyond my dreams.
We've lived mostly in Texas, short term in Louisiana and most of that time in the Houston area. We moved to Houston so Michael could open an office for INS Investigations (fire investigations firm) and we could have a raise so I could be home. After years working hard for INS Michael wanted to try starting his own Fire Investigation Firm, so we launched Premier Claims Investigations, Inc. in 1994. From the very first day we had business.
We moved to Conroe, TX in 97 and after the kids were all done with school and left the nest I took over working part-time in the office.
I'm a grandmother now and I have so far 5 new daughters to love. 3 of them live nearby; and sadly the other two little beauties do not. "update" There are now two little boys, Ethan who will be 3 August 23,2018 the light of Meg and David's days; and Andrew, who just turned 4 December, 2017.
My days are largely portioned like this; up and usually to the office immediately, office work usually not lasting past noon.
I'm 57 and God has blest me incredibly with a life full of love. My husband has been so loving, so affectionate, so hard working, such a good father, my friend, my sweetheart. I have never feared for my safety or provision, his life has been one of integrity and godliness and I have felt cherished in his love.
I believe one of my gifts in life has been that of encourager, I tend to the neat-nik side, I'm a "why put off till tomorrow what you can do today" kind of gal. I am a very much a homebody and I'm sure too much so to my dear husband. I'm basically an introvert, but I have at various points in my life stepped up to extrovert status if it was needed. I don't generally enjoy gaggles of women doing "women things" like baby showers, home parties etc. I've tried to be a servant to my family and friends when I am aware and able and to be a positive, optimistic person. I'm sure I've failed to have an appropriate amount of gratitude to my God for my blessings in spite of my many failings.
I love being outdoors, although living in Houston has made that difficult a good part of each year (heat, humidity, bugs). After having children, I began to have trouble with my weight,.. and it has been the bain of my personal being ever since. I found I was hypo thyroid after years of struggle, but still have not found a doctor who cared enough to get me to the point of great weight and health again. I continue to try though. I enjoy computers, flowers, crafting, swinging (like a swing on the porch). I love Sedona, AZ; it may be my favorite place for beauty, lack of humidity lack of bugs. I like talking walks with Michael while we talk and hold hands.
I consider my failings to be lack of success with controlling my weight and the double-edged sword of my introvertedness.
I have no great bucket list...no pressing desire to travel, I AM content in the life we live and what I have seen and done in this life so far; to continue to be a wife and mother and grandmother are the epitomy of joy.
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