SPENDING TIME THE GRANDKIDS

I arrived at the Jones' on May 2nd to spend 9 days with the munchkins, while mom and dad flew off to Paris. Scott and Samantha flew off on Monday morning to Paris for a long awaited vacation. They shopped Paris, visited castles, gambled in Monte Carlo, visited renisannce villages and, did I mention, Scott jumped out of the rental car without putting it in park and ran it into a gate. A fun visit with the French police followed when they could find one. Grandpa and Great Grandpa spent a couple of days before they headed back to Granbury. I spent the week going to the park, Sonic runs, a Target visit and sprinkler fun in the backyard. The kids headed off to bed at 7:15pm everynight. Its a good thing. I must be getting older they wore me out by than. Payton loves to climb on you and everything she can get up on. The boys are very sweet and loved having me read stories to them every night. It was fun to spend some time with them.

Of course, we stopped at McDonalds for some cinnamon buns and juice before we got to the park.

INTRODUCTION TO THE FRIENDLY SKIES

Scott and Samantha bought Jim an introduction to flying for Christmas this year. Scott came into town on business and they decided to go to the airfield so Jim could try it out. I'm not sure if Scott wanted to ride in the back when Jim was getting his lesson or if he was hoping to get some fly time of his own. At the last minute they persuaded me to go along. It was a beautiful day and we were able to see Dallas from the skies. We rode along as Scott spent some time coasting the friendly skies and much to my amazement we had a smooth landing and my feet hit terra firma safely. I wonder will this will take us. Do I see another lesson in the future?

END OF SUMMER SWIM

Carrie and Brad brought their friends, Becky and Mark and their 3 little girls out for Labor Day. The water in the lake is down so much the kids wanted to swim in the lake. They had never had the opportunity to be able to stand on sandy beach and swim. Sam didn't think it was for him, but the girls had a ball and Mark stood by as our lifeguard. Sam found something else to keep him busy. Is it a cowboy or a boxer? Mark and Melody and the kids joined us later in the day for some good barbeque and swim time.

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY KAM!

Its not often you turn 16 and getting to drive is just around the corner. Bryce and I drove up to McKinney to join Debbi and the kids for dinner for Kam's birthday. Kam has decided he'll wait until the weather cools a little to take some friends and go paintballing (He can count me out. I know that hurts) We went to BJ's in Lewisville for dinner and to open a few gifts. No one could be happier than Kam to see a $100 bill for his 16th birthday. I know its a special one, but got wondering whens my special one? Happy Birthday to a great guy and you are on for a couple of days of golf out at our house with gramps. He thinks he can still beat you?

A RETURN TO OUR ROOTS

Jim and I received an e-mail from some friends that we grew up with about a possible all year elementary school reunion. We were excited about going back to Midland (Michigan) and seeing friends that we haven't seen since high school (I won't say how many years ago that is-seems like yesterday). Seems like a good year to go north since its been over 100 degrees most of the summer. Diana and her family, also, decided to attend the reunion so that Diane could show her girls her old hometown. We drove out to the homes we grew up in. Here we are at 84 Baker Road, my old home. It still looks the same, but it seemed bigger when I grew up there. On Saturday we woke up to pouring rain, but we went out to Windover Elementary School on Homer Road. The principle of the school opened the school for the potluck, since we couldn't use the park. It was amazing. The school has not changed at all since the 1950's. Same lights, same bathrooms, same little coat hooks. Its now an alternative school for teens. When we went there it was K-5th grade. There were about 200 people that came. It was so much fun reconnecting with old neighbors, best friends growing up, and old teachers. I was surprised to see Sandi and Joe Smith (I babysit them when they were little) that lived next door to us. Lee, LeAnne, Sherri Walker were our best friends across the street and they all came. Their parents, Ann and Roy Walker, were my parents best friends. We toured the school, relived the past and reconnected.

LeAnne, Lee and Sheri Walker and Sandi Engle Davidson.

This picture were classmates that were 2 years younger than me. The other picture is of Jims class and the lady on the end is Bea Maples (a teacher and mother to Dennis Mapes in the green pants) These guys all lived in our neighborhood (Terry Cashin, Jim, Lee Walker, Dennis Mapes, and Lee Norling)

We had to take Diana and her girls to the house that was just down from Jim's childhood home. Jack Pratt and his mother lived here. He and a friends spent 1000's of hours using broken glass and dishes to create an art work on their house. It was turned over to an art group in the city of Midland. Its really quite amazing.

And of course what would a trip home be without a visit to the mausoleum and cemetary to do some geneology. Kylie looks quite amused by all of this. It was a fun reunion and we are looking forward to the next one. Thanks again for all the hours put into this, Sandi Davidson, Betty Spangler and Joe DuFort. See you next year (I hear the numbers coming are already growing).

CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST

And could I resist a stop at Frankenmuths Bronner's Christmas Village in Frankenmuth, Michigan on my way to Midland to pick up great-grandpa to take him back to Texas? For someone that loves Christmas as much as I do this is like sending a child into a candy store. I did use restraint and only a couple of things went home with me for this years Christmas.

Theres a tree for everyone including this basketball one.

I wonder if Santa visits here?

BEE 2009 RED WHITE AND YOU!

Here we are at the Longaberger Corporate office building. Can you imagine working in a basket?


Here we go! Off on girls week out to attend the 2009 Longaberger Basket Convention in Columbus, Ohio. I arrived in Chicago on the 30th to meet up with Connie. We spent the evening with her family and I got to meet her newest little grandbaby, Chloie.(Jeremey newest). Shes a little doll. The next day we set off on the drive to Ohio. We both look forward to this week out (I'm not sure if its about the convention or shopping or who knows what). But it sure is fun. We have a tendency to stop wherever the mood strikes us. This year just before we got to Ohio we came upon this giant set of candles. We'd never noticed them before as this is our 15th or so trip together. We couldn't resist and boy are we glad we didn't. This was a gift shop among gift shops. We did a little damage here and had lunch before we moved on.

We arrived in Ohio and headed straight for the Convention center to sign in and get our schedules and new gift totes. This year they handed out computer bags. What could be better. Connie just got her first laptop and of course I don't travel without mine. The fun begins. The Bee Boys greet the hundreds of basket ladies dressed to the hilt. Can you imagine having a job like this??

The next day we toured all the displays, attended the meetings and shopped at the company store. You can really get motivated to get selling at these meetings. I'm not sure why I haven't joined as a consultant yet since, I've probably attended more conventions than a lot of the ladies.

New this year is the giant beehive. Do you think the Bee Boys live there??

We were amused at the finally meeting when the Bee Boys came attired in Christmas attire to show the new holiday items that will be available this fall. Connie, its time to get out there and SELL, SELL, SELL. Wonder what awaits us next year?