MEMORIES ARE MANY THINGS

This is the famous or the infamaous Joe Johnson. This person was truely one of a kind. He was extreme in everything. If you ever get a chance to be around those that knew him well you can spend hours and hours listening to stories that to this day can make you laugh until you are in pain. Cousins, nephews, brothers and sister all have wonderful stories of the good and 'bad' side of him. All of these stories make you love him more.

Last night Dave and I went with Carol and Tony to Helen's to clear out some of her things to sell the condo. There were many memories of a woman who had a full life and a wonderful family but of all the things that we brought home with us, this picture and the experiences that I had with this little boy made me want to laugh, cry, and laugh some more.

He was loved and will always be in my heart.

OUR FAVORITE GRANDSON

Happy Birthday , Maison.

He is not only hansome, talented, great in sports, very smart and has very good manners, he is our FAVORITE GRANDSON. We love him very much. It was a very short 12 years ago that we met this little fellow and he took our hearts immediately and forever. You will always be a part of us, Maison and you are one of our greatest joys!
Granny and Gramps

(....he was not holding this gun on me while I typed either)

MAGGIE AND THE BOYS

For the first time since Granny Cecil this Johnson family has twins.

This is my favorite Christmas card this year and if you look closely you will see that they are 'all' smiling.

LIFESTYLE INTERIORS CHRISTMAS PARTY

THIS YEAR WE HAD OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY AT SANIBEL STEAK HOUSE AND IT WAS A DELICIOUS MEAL.

Do you notice that David's hair is turning gray? Not mine... :)

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAKING

This year was the 5th Annual Christmas Baking Day at Cheryl's. We made 12 different kinds of goodies, some new but mostly old favorites. I think we ended up with 13 regular platters and 2 extra large platters and I think they have all been passed out. It was a fun day.

KIDS

You just can't figure them out. You buy them every kind of Christmas present imaginable and a pair of wolf slippers and a fur hat is what this Florida guy remmebers. Check out http://yetispeak.typepad.com/

MY HOME COMPUTER HAS THE BLOGGER BLUES

My blogging problems are still giving me fits. I can't sign on at my home computer because after I put my password in my computer freezes up and I can only post tiny little photos from my computer at work.

Todd was kind enough to post a decent size photo of Anna for me after her party. The problem continues and I am still seeking a solution.

anna's 5th birthday

Here's a picture from Anna's surprise party...

CAN YOU BELIEVETHIS GUY IS WEARING A RED COAT AND PANTS?

COUSINS MADE CHRISTMAS MORE FUN

Tara was such a sweetie ...no Rochelle here

CHRISTMAS GOLFING

Sarah, Sarah...where are you?

THREE WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Keep your finger crossed I think that everything is operating properly again

MORE CHRISTMAS PHOTOS ...

I pulled out photo's to post everyday but Blogger has not been acting right lately so we had a delay....I got on but it doesn't give me the option to add my photo. Keep checking back. I thought that this beta thing would work better.

DRESSING FOR THE SEASON

Don't you think that getting dressed for the season always makes it more fun. I think that is one of the few things I miss about living in a climate where you don't put your summer clothes away in the fall and get you winter clothes out...the same old things seem new every year.

Dana and Baby are fine

I called Tara this morning. She said that Dana had a C section during the night and she and baby are fine. That's all I know at this time

DANA UPDATE

She went to the hospital last night and as of 7 this morning she is 6 cm. We should have a baby today!

CHRISTMAS 2003

This photo was taken while Todd and Christa lived in Washington. They were working hard to get to China, making lots of sacrifices and trusting God to show them what to do next.

They have been gone for 16 months now and I think that the newness of it all might be wearing off. Being a 'Home-body' myself I can really sympathize. I pray that God will encourage them reminding them of his never ending love and keep them warm this winter.

Todd and Christa I love you very much and am proud of how well you are adjusting.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

The house is decorated (until Nattie comes, anyway) and the weather has been a little cool so I am begining to feel like it is time for Christmas. Caroline, Tony and Tom will all be down for Christmas this year and Natalie is old enough to enjoy the "unwrapping part" so I think it will be a good time.

Thanksgiving weekend has been relaxing and very enjoyable. Rolf came over for his first Turkey Dinner spending Thanksgiving in the USA. Dave golfed Fri. and Sat. and we went downstairs to Bill's last night for Chili. Today we went to the gym and are off to church now. When we come home we plan to have Kentucky Hot Browns for lunch and take it easy. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

Watch the blog for some Christmas photos from the past.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Three years ago I was voted 'Employee of the Year' at Lifestyle Interiors. I was rewarded with a trip to New York City. The trip took place on Mother's Day weekend and it was one of the most fun things I have ever done. I was not blogging at the time so I dedcided that this was one of those favorite memories I wanted to recall and record.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH TEACHERS

Rob Johnson teaches in Texsas
I think that if all math teachers looked this good girls in the 6th 7th and 8th grade would take more math classes.

I had this guy's dad for study hall in high school but he wasn't this cute.

FRIENDS IN AND OUT AT THE HIDEAWAY

In the fall many of our friends come for a few weeks and then go back north for the holidays. Since we were in Kentucky later this year it seems like we didn't get to see them much while they were here and most of them will be leaving this week.

Rolf, from Germany and the Thompsons from Canada will be staying until the end of the year and then everyone else will be headed back for the season.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKING DAY

It is mid November and the calandar is filling up quickly. Every year Cheryl and I spend a Saturday making Christmas cookies for friends. The day has been set for December 9 this year. Even though most of you that read this won't be in town to join us I encourage you to make cookies that day. It has become a favorite tradition of mine.

FOURTH ANNUAL WEEKEND WITH FRIENDS

This year was like the others a trip to Stephen Libs fine chocolate store was a top priority

Trick or Treat in Virginia / Autumn Party in Xining

The kids in Virginia went Trick or Treating with friends.


I was talking to Todd today (tonight for him) and he told me that the kids had an Autumn Party. Sarah was very happy dancing around because she had a bag of candy

NO CHANGE IN 34 YEARS

This was taken on Friday, November 3, 1972. Isn't it amazing how time stands still?
WHAT? You think we have changed. No, ofcourse we haven't.

NOT SO LONG AGO

When I was going through papers at Mom's house I ran across some old photos.
These were taken before I was born but not that long before.

They reminded me of how much things have changed in 60 years.


My dad drove a water truck. This is him and Carol, my sister posing for the camera.

My cousin,Janet and my sister, Carol standing outside of my Grandmothers house

SWEETNESS IS...

a little girl all dressed up.

NEW LOOK

You might have noticed some changes on my blog. While I was on vacation Todd went on and added a few things for me. I appreciate his help and am happy to use my blog to advertise his book. Since everyone that reads my blog already has one, I don't think he will get many sales from it:)

I am back from vacation and will be posting again, soon.

Last Photos for 10 days...

I ONLY HAVE TO GET THROUGH TODAY

David, the creep, as he is referred to today decided to just take the day off and start vacation early. I do not have that option so thats why I gave him that name. While he is getting things together I will be working and watching the clock.

TRICK OR TREAT

This year I didn't even have to go out the treats came to my door last night.

MAD SCIENTIST or CRAZY AUTHOR?

It's so hard to tell when they all look alike.

FROM A PRINCESS TO A QUEEN

I really believe that 'dressing up' is an art. Anna has it in her blood and does it very well. She didn't have to be coaxed to do it she found joy in it. If you will notice in the photo on the right she also included Cokie in the fun.

Another example of knowing how to dress up is this next photo. These are not any of our family members but these guys do it so well that I just had to give them the credit due them.

GODZILLA

Halloween was always such a fun time for me. As a kid getting the chance to get all dressed up and go around the neighborhood getting candy was a real treat. We didn't have candy readily available all the time like our kids and grandkids. It was not only an excitng evening but it was fun deciding what to wear and planning your route so that you would always get more candy than the year before.

With my kids and grandkids you had to be more careful with the actual Trick or Treating part because of all the crazys you heard about putting things in the candy but I enjoyed creating costumes and seeing them dress up.

This brings me to the point of the actual costumes. You can definatly tell when the child starts using his/her own imagination and getting in to the fun of creating. That is when they choose what they are going to be. This photo is Maison's first real choice. He went from the cute little lion cub, which he had no say in; to a cute little dalmation(photo to come later), that he had little in the decision process but agreed to on to Godzilla. Yes, this was all his ideal!

ALOHA

When you love to swim and enjoy the sunshine you might want to dress like this when your this size...


or like this...

and like this when you grow up

FAMILY RESEMBLANCES

If you just look you can find a lot of family resemblances. Sarah and I share a birthday. Anna and Bryce do too. I always thought Anna was my only grandchild that looked like my baby pictures but when posting these costumes this month I realized that Hunter has my smile:)

THE TEA PARTY

My computer was off yesterday so I couldn't post my phots but I'm back on today. Yeah!


I was fortunate to have tea with these lovely ladies one afternoon. One of them was yesterday's Birthday Girl and the other is her sister Mrs. Nesbitt. The costumes were provided by the Tea Room, which I am sorry to report was taken out by one of our hurricanes a couple of years ago. We enjoyed tea, scones, muffins and tiny little sandwiches that were followed by tiny little deserts. There were also a few other charming ladies at the event but those photos may show up at another time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHLOE

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

I would enjoy baseball games if they had players that looked this cute. This was a recycled costume. Todd wore it in the 70's. Josh is wearing it here in the 80's and I really am not sure if it was ever worn again but doesn't he look cute in it.
Josh is all grown up now but if you are reading this blog post today please pray for Josh. He is a wonderful person and God has big plans for him!

Sometimes LARGER is better

I learn many things from trial and error and trial again. I just hope I remember how I did this.

Baby Bird Brycie

This wasn't really a baby bird costume and it only took a few seconds to remove the lid form a silly little box and set it on her head but it is a typical Bryce look that I love. She has been giving us that "all knowing look", especially when looking at the camera, for almost 6 years now. She is certain that everyone is put on this earth to make her life a better place. She knows she is loved and it shows.