I hope you are all having a great weekend. I've been busy cleaning up a little around the house and getting ready for the grandsons to come to spend the night. My son-in-law is taking daughter Michelle out for her birthday. Since she is having surgery on the 19th, I offered to take the boys so they could spend some time together. We will have a great time. We're going to watch the new movie, Snow Buddies if things work out.

Today is my dear friend, Hootin' Anni's birthday. Please stop over to her blog and leave her a birthday message. Anni is such a dear and she always posts something of interest.

Happy Birthday, Anni. This little card is for you. Enjoy your day and eat all of the things that you love.

Not much else going on today. Don't forget to enter my Easter giveaway. Tell me your favorite Easter memory. I love walking down Memory Lane with my readers.

Take care, have a great weekend and stay safe. ~Blessings, Mary~

Show and Tell Friday

I know that Show and Tell Friday is supposed to be about something that is in your home, but I'm going to cheat a little this week and tell about something that was a big part of my life.

It was February 8, 1969 - thirty-nine years ago today. I was pregnant with our first baby. The night before friends had dropped in and stayed until the wee hours. I had sat on the couch in agony because I had indigestion so bad. I wished they would leave and of course they didn't. All night, I tossed and turned and got up and down. Finally, about 5 AM, I feel into a deep sleep.

I bolted upright. I'd dreamed I'd wet the bed. Yeap, I was in the early stages of labor. My hubby at the time (this is the one that passed away at 31 years old) wanted me to go to the hospital. I laughed at him. There was no way. I didn't want to lie there for hours waiting for my baby to be born and I got cantakerous and downright refused to go.

Grandma had told me that when I went into labor to rock in the rocking chair. She said it would help the labor move along more quickly and make an easier delivery. So I rocked... and rocked... and rocked...

At 12:30 PM I told my husband I wanted to go to the doctor's office. Yes, he was open Saturday mornings back then and all you had to do was walk-in. He was an old fashioned country doctor and the only day he ever took off was Sunday.

We got to the office and the doctor examined me. He told me to go to the hospital or I would have my baby in a snowbank. We had received a couple feet of snow the previous day and the snowbanks at the side of the roads were high.

So me and my husband started out, but when we got near the hospital I told him I wasn't going in until I went home and got my suitcase. Those were the days when they kept mother and baby in the hospital for at least five days. At 3 PM we arrived at the hospital and they took me to labor while my husband admitted me. They told me it would be a long time before I had that baby.

At 5 PM I asked for something to eat and a cup of tea. They brought me black tea and a little bowl of green jello. They rolled me out into the hall by the elevator to eat it. What a place to put a woman who was in labor. LOL That's when baby decided that labor would get a little more intense. My water broke and some poor elderly man who was walking in the hall almost had a heart attack. He went running for a nurse. You would have thought the devil himself was after the old guy.

The nurses whisked me back into the labor room. They examined me and told me that it would be hours before my baby was born. Ha! By 6 PM, I was in really HARD labor. They gave me a shot to ease the pain. At 6:30 PM they decided they needed to call the doctor. He was 15 miles away and it would take a while for him to get there.

The labor pains weren't too bad. I didn't find labor pains that hard to cope with. Of course I had that shot to take the edge off and it was like all of this was happening to someone else. I was spaced out!

At 7:15, they took me to the delivery room. I asked where the doctor was and they told me he was on his way. I asked them what was taking him so long. LOL He was definitely in no hurry to get there and I suspect they told him it would be a while before my baby arrived.

He walked into delivery at 7:32 and pulled on a hospital gown over his clothes. Michelle was born at 7:48.

So, in case you were wondering what I was doing 39 years ago, I was having a baby. Those were the days when you didn't know the sex of the baby until it was born. Surprise. William Joseph was not going to work for the baby's name. It took us the entire five days I was in the hospital to agree on a name.

That is one day that I will never forget. Now Michelle is grown and has two boys of her own. This afternoon after school, the boys and I went and bought Mom a birthday gift. We took it home and the boys hid it so she couldn't find it until tomorrow morning. Happy Birthday, Michelle. I wish you many more.

Show and Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home. If you'd like to participate, please follow the link to her site. It's fun and easy.

Being Creative, Wacky Weather, Apologies and Thankful Thursday

I've been feeling rather creative lately. Tonight I decided to make some Easter cards. I made Valentine cards a couple of weeks ago. So I thought I'd experiment with some for Easter.

I posted photos of my great-nephew, Griffyn a couple of days ago and so the first Easter card I made was for him.

This will be Griffyn's first Easter and I thought a card was in order. The inside of the cards says, Have a joyous Easter.

The card below is for a friend. Inside it says, Green in the treetops, tiny pink blooms, Fresh air and sunshine refreshing the rooms.. Warmhearted feelings and gratefulness too. It's all part of springtime and thinking of you.
Then I made one for my brother and his wife. I will send the same one to my sister and her husband. All of these cards will be personalized. The verse inside this cards says, Happy Easter to you two birds of a feather. So that is what I was doing today. I enjoyed being a little creative. I have more cards to make for Easter but decided I'd better give up for today.
Today we had more wacky weather. It's been icing most of the day. The schools were closed, which made all the kids happy. There has been a lot of snow days this year. Sometimes we don't get any and in the last two weeks there's been two. I wouldn't be surprised if the schools are all closed again tomorrow. It is still storming at almost 10 pm. The world looks pretty, but roads and sidewalks sure are slick.

My apologies to Brandy at Mommy's Quiet Spot. Brandy won my Valentine giveaway and yesterday I told all my readers that Brandy had delivered a beautiful baby. Well, the baby isn't Brandy's. It is her friend Emily's baby. My sincere apologies Brandy. I'm sorry for the confusion.

I haven't participated in Thankful Thursday for a while. I always seem to forget until my post is done. I am certainly thankful for many things in my life. Here are a few of them:

1. Thankful that I still have my mother with me. She is 80 years old and in fairly good health. She has been having some problems with congested lungs the last year, but she never lets it keep her down. I lost Dad in 1981 and will be lost when Mom goes to be with her Lord.

2. I am thankful that my oldest grandson is high functioning autistic. His disorder could have been much worse.

3. I'm thankful for a roof over my head, a paid gas bill so I can be warm and food in the cupboard and refrigerator. Some are not so lucky.

4. I'm thankful that I have talents that I can use to create pretty things and write stories about my life.

5. For friends both online, locally and abroad. Friends are a very important part of life. I've been blessed with many and have made so many more through my blog. May each of you be blessed.

6. Thankful that all my blogging friends and other friends who live in Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas are safe.

If you would like to participate in Thankful Thursday, please visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Not much other news from here. I'm staying in where it's warm and cozy. I do have to take Meeko out for his nightly walk, but will be very careful. If it's too bad, I will leave him for my husband to take. I don't want to be falling and injuring my knees again this year. Been there and done that last year.

Take care and please remember to do a kind deed today. Kindness brings hope. ~Blessings, Mary~

A Crafty Evening and Other Bits & Pieces

I'm not a real crafty person, but tonight I was just tired of writing. I decided that I'd make my mother a fan for Valentine's Day. I had seen the instructions for this somewhere and thought maybe this very illiterate crafter could do this. Well, I made a good attempt. I'm not 100% pleased with it, but I think for a first, it's not too bad. Mom will like it anyway.

This is how it was done. I used a template to cut the white pieces out of white gift boxes. Then I used an end of wallpaper left over from my living room to put the front piece (green piece) on. I didn't dip the wallpaper in water, but just dampened it. I used a soft cloth and ran it over the back of the wallpaper, then stuck it fast to the white stock paper.

When it was dry (it didn't take long, maybe 15 minutes) I added some letters at the top of the fan. I'm not sure if you can tell, but it spells "Mother." I had punched holes with a paper punch near the bottom of the fan and then slid a green ribbon through it and tied it. I added buttons on the two end fan pieces and a fairy sticker. When the fan is folded, the button and fairy will be on the front.

It looks nice, but I'm going to try doing others. This is something that the boys and I could do for their mother for Easter or Mother's Day. It was just a crafty night and practice makes perfect. I just had a desire to create.


In other news, my daughter, Michelle, was able to go into work today. She was working 3 pm to 9 pm, so I picked the boys up from school. Brandon is a bit upset that Mom will be having surgery the day his class trip begins. He's chosen not to go, but is really disappointed. The timing on this was not great, but there's a reason for everything. Please keep Brandon in your prayers. He's having a bit of a rough time right now. He will be with me the day his Mom has her surgery.

Not much other news here today. It rained off and on all day and is raining again now. We are to have ice and snow overnight. The wacky weather continues. By next Monday we are to be in a frigid spell again. Spring, oh Spring, where are you?

Do you remember that Brandy at Mommy's Quiet Spot won my Valentine Giveaway? Well Brandy received it and has posted photos. She's also had a baby since then. Please stop by and congratulate her and also find out what was in the mystery box.

Take care everyone and thanks to all my friends and readers for alway taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it more than you will ever know.

Do a kind deed today. Kindness brings hope. ~Blessings, Mary~

Wacky Weather and Other Bits & Pieces

We've certainy been having some wacky weather here lately. Last Wednesday we had hurricane force winds. Thursday was a beautiful day - much like spring. Friday morning at 3am, it started to snow and didn't quit until about 9pm that evening. We dug ourselves out Saturday and spent the day resting from our efforts. Sunday and Monday were both sunny and beautiful.

I didn't get to sleep until about 2am this morning and then was awakened by a noise. At first I couldn't figure out what was going on. Then I realized it was rain pounding on the roof. And it was pounding. Lightning flashed across the sky. Thunder rolled. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing. There was a thick fog that had settled over the land and I could only see about a block in the distance.

The thunder and lightning quit sometime after I had drifted back to sleep. When I got up this morning, it was still raining and continued to rain until just after noon. The fog had lifted but the day was overcast and gray and it still is.

Makes me wonder what we are in store for next. No one can predict what wacky weather is just over the horizon.
Prayers are needed for those of us online and at home who are struggling with health and other issues. Please pray for these people.

Deena at Can I Be Pretty in Pink? - Deena is battling breast cancer and has had her chemo delayed due to an infection. She has an appointment for this Friday. Let's pray that the infection is gone and she will start her chemo.

Nita at Red Tin Heart- I don't know Nita personally, but she does need our prayers. She lost her huband John on Sunday. Please stop by her blog and leave a comment. She needs our support.

Karen at Karen's Korner - Karen is having a difficult time. She's faced financial problems, her daughter has been sick and there are other issues in her life also. Please lift Karen up in prayer.

Denise at Shortybear's Place - Denise has ongoing health problems associated with diabetes, as well as other health issues.

Cynthia at Walking On - Cynthia is going through a very difficult time. Her children are losing their vision. What a burden for any mother. Cynthia has eight children. Please drop by and leave her a bit of love.

Carolyn at Talk to Grams - Carolyn is having trouble with her shoulder and arm. She and her family have also been dealing with the flu.

Denise at Samaritan Women - Denise is a prayer warrior. She is in need of our prayers as well.

Michele at Writing the Cyber Highway

All of these women need prayer for one reason or another. Please drop by their blogs and leave them a loving comment.

Update: Thank you all for your prayers for Griffyn and his Mom. They are still ill, but feeling much better. Griffyn's croup is gone and now he has a cold. I appreciate you taking time to pray for them.

Thanks also for the prayers for my daughter, Michelle. She was able to go to work on Saturday and again today. Your prayers are very much appreciated. She will have her surgery on the 19th.

Do a kind deed today. Kindness brings hope where there is no hope. ~Blessings, Mary~

Black History TV Programs and my Handsome Great-Nephew

Since February is Black History Month, I thought some of you might enjoy watching some TV programs that are airing on PBS.

Prince Among Slaves

The story of an African Prince who lived as a slave in Mississippi for 40 years. After gaining his freedom, he became one of the most famous men in America. This show airs tonight, February 4th at 10pm EST.

Banished

African Americans were forced out of towns in three counties 100 years ago. When their descendents returned to the area, the history they learned was shocking. This show airs February 19th at 10pm EST.

African Lives 2

A second delving into the triumphs and tragedies of African American family histories. Airs February 6th to 13th at 9pm EST.

PBS will celebrate Black History Month with kids each Friday throughout February. PBS Kids Go will air segments of interesting and informative facts about African Americans and their contributions to society.

Kids can also play interactive games to learn more about black history on African American World on the PBS website. There are also other activities and games based on black history on the website.

If you watch these shows or learn of any others, I would love hearing about them. I enjoy learning about black history and the triumphs and achievements of black Americans and Canadians.

My great-nephew, Griffyn, is just 7 months old but this boy is moving. He is trying very hard to crawl and is pulling himself up on the coffee table and other furnitue. He isn't going to let the grass grow under his feet, that's for sure. Here he is with his Dad.

Griffyn was sick with the croup and he has just cut two teeth. A lethal combination for Mom. Here he is just too tired to eat. If you notice, his cheeks are beet red.
Feeling much better now, but has a cold and so does Mom. At least he is entertaining himself for short periods. He loves any new adventure.
The photos below were taken at Christmas. He was almost 6 months old. Here he is eating a Christmas cookie.

Mom and Dad were so proud that he wasn't afraid of Santa. Wait until next year. He'll be a year and a half and will probably scream.

Hope you enjoyed these photos. I just got them tonight. I don't see Griffyn very often, as he lives out of town. Aren't babies just the most precious blessings in the world? I wish I could see him more often.

Take care and please do a kind deed for someone today. Kindness brings hope. ~Blessings, Mary~