I have a new #

I don't know if I put this in my last post or not, but I meant to if I didn't. My new cellphone number is XXX-XXX-XXXX. I switched over to Sprint because I get a cute camera phone and they had a deal that beat T-Mobile for me (which is what I had before). Anyway, I'll check out what you guys have posted lately now. I just wanted to drop by and give out the new number first. Hope everyone's having a GREAT Wednesday!!

Ang

Hi Angie:

I had to remove your telephone number from this post. Anyone can read this blog! Only people who are members can post and make comments but it is still an open blog.

I have a camera phone too. We need to exchange photos on them. I have had mine for several months and have not taken a single photo. LOL Tomorrow I may get the chance. A photo of the snow for the family in Florida!

Angie, is there a chance this storm will swing north and hit you guys up there? I hope not. It is in OK right now and slammed that state. It is supposed to slam the Carolinas starting at 7 am with up to five inches of snow and 1/2 of ice on top. I am so not happy about this. And my hips, knees and ankles are aching.

Love,

Aunt Nancy

Wintery Mix is Coming:

from the west! Dear family in Atlanta; please take good care of yourselves during this impending storm. Are they saying ya'll are going to get it? How can a storm this size miss Atlanta?

The weather reports here are 1 to 3 inches of snow with a half inch of ice on top of that. I have to go to the store for some eggs, some meat and I will be set. I have the ice melt out in the studio so I will have to haul that into the laundry room. I already have the coleman stove, lantern and little camper propane tanks in there as well. I am hoping it is not as bad as they are saying it is going to be.

I did two loads of wash yesterday and all the dishes are clean. All the blankets have been laundered and are ready. I have lots of candles in holders ready. I have two flashlights with fresh batteries. And a wamr throw in the truck. So I guess I am ready as I ever will be. Ugggggggg!

Oh I need the eggs to make a two layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting; good comfort food for this storm!

Dixie, are you all okay for this storm? Please be very careful. And don't go to work if you don't have to.

Please stay warm. If you get hit with this storm try not to go out if you don't have to. Drive very safely if you do have to get out in it. Please take good care of yourselves. And let us stay in touch via phone. Okay?

To the family in Florida, lucky bums! But love you! Beth I am sorry the trip to the doctors for the boys check up was such an ordeal. What was that nurse thinking of? All kids are terrified of shots for Pete's sake! Shame on her for not thinking. Hugs for the boys!


Nancy/Mom/Grandma Cookie

Morgan

Hey man,

You will be fine. I know you are probably a little nervous, all of us get that way when we have something like that done.

Your Auntie will buy you a special treat after your surgery.

I took Nick and Jimmy to the doctor yesterday for their 4 year old and 1 year old exams. What a nightmare 2 hours! I didn't know Nick needed shots and he asked the nurse about it and she told him that he did. He did not cooperate with the doctor during the whole exam because he was so worried about the shots. I think the nurse got in trouble for that one. He had to have 4 and Jimmy got 3. They are both doing good though. Nick was a little deficient with his iron but she said to throw some spinach leaves in his salad and give him some iron fortified vitamins. We don't eat a lot of red meat but he won't eat beans either.

Anyway, as you can see not much going on with us right now. I hope everyone is doing well.

Love,

Beth

Dear Family:

Morgan, I am sorry to hear that you have a ganglion cyst on your wrist. Those things can hurt a lot. Though yours doesn't hurt now most likely it will down the road. So you made the right decision to have it removed. Especially since you are taking guitar lessons; that cyst could make playing the guitar hard.

Like I said on the phone tonight; if you need to talk about your concerns about the surgery you can call anytime. And your mother is right; this surgery will be a breeze compared to when you had your tonsils taken out!

I will call you when you get home Friday. And hope the doctor does a terrific job. Your mom told me you like your doctor. That is very good.

My friend Gayle is doing pretty good. She got out of the hospital late Sunday afternoon after having a femoral popiteal graft done. She had some bockages in those arteries but the blot clot blocked them completely. Yesterday I drove her on her post op errands. Her kids live in Virginia. They came down on Thursday the day this happened and left not too long after she was discharged from the hospital. I am perplexed by that one. How did they think she was going to drive herself to the normal post-op doctor's visits and to the pharmacy? Well it is done and she is doing very well.

The weather in this area is terrible. Such a long standing cold spell; deep bone chilling aching weather. I am hybernating through it as much as possible. It hurts too much to be awake all the time. I wish I could move to a place like Costa Rica permanently.

They are predicting another "wintery mix" which can mean an ice storm on Thursday morning. That also means a run on the grocery stores for bread, milk, beer, etc.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Love,

Mom, Grandma Cookie, Nancy

Hello, sorry such a long time and no post

Hey Family,

It has been crazy around here. The whole Decker household has been off and on sick. Going back in forth to the doctors, gettting medicine, and taking care of everyone is keeping us running.

Morgan has to go see a specialist today for a large cyst he has on his arm. It is not cancer but it will need to be removed. He will have to be put under to have it done. I will let you all know when it is. It will be just a day surgery so he will not have to stay overnight or any thing.

How is everyone doing? Sorry didn't mean to make this a fussy e-mail.

Love you to all,

Barbara A.

Jimmy's Birthday

Hi everyone,

Mom, how is Gail doing? I hope she is okay.

Well, we celebrated Jimmys first birthday today. He was very good although not interested at all in the presents or paper. He was after one of the kids lollipops. He kept trying to pull it out of her mouth. He did not cry during the entire party. I remember Ava crying during the cake part. She didn't like to be sticky. Jimmy was very polite with his cake, picking up little pieces instead of mushing the whole thing on his head.

We had a nice time but missed you all who were not here.

Love,

Beth

Dear Bekka:

I know that you have so much artistic talent and I would love to see some of your work posted here. I sent your Mother instructions how to post photos. How about it? It seems this family has a lot of talent and we get this from our ancestors.

My great grandfather William Downing was an artist living in Boston. I remember being taken to his studio to visit when I was a small kid. I remember the scent of turpentine, the sight of many canvasses lining the walls; jars of brushes, lots of paint rags everywhere. My eyes grew so big and I was so impressed. I remember the dirt covered skylight in the ceiling. And looking out the window to see the St. Charles River in downtown Boston.

I do not remember who was with me when I got to go to Great Grandfather William's studio.

He was married to our great grandmother Anna Mariah Jordan who immigrated to this country in the very late 1800's and settled into Boston as an indentured servant. When her seven years servitude was up she married an English sailor/artist William. This was unheard of back then for someone from Ireland to marry and Englishman.

Anna and William Downing were the parents of Dorothy Downing Shaw; my mother's mother. They had several daughters and one son if I am remembering correctly. Brothers and Sisters help me if I am forgetting something. There was Majorie, Dorothy, Beatrice (she was the one married to Charles Kennedy of the Kennedys), another sister who married Fred and I forgot her name.

Okay I am rambling Bekka. How about let us see some of your excellent artwork; the anime!

Love you,

Aunt Nancy

Dear Ralph and Barbara:

Dear Baby Evan:

By now you are a few weeks old! Please tell your Mommy and Daddy to take a photo of you and post it here. I bet you have changed so much since your birthday photo. How do you like this world so far? I hope it makes you smile every day. I hope I get to meet you soon! And your big sister too.

Love,

Your Great Auntie Nancy

Happy Birthday Little Jimmy:

Dear Sweet Baby Boy:

It is so hard to believe that tomorrow you will be one year old! The time has passed so quickly. I have not seen you since Mother's Day last year. I bet you have grown so much. I miss you so very much and wish I could be there for your birthday party this Sat.

I talked to your Uncle Brian on the phone tonight and he said he is coming to your party. I asked him to hold you close; whisper in your ear that your Grandma Cookie loves you so much and misses you terribly. He is going to give you a kiss for me too.

I hope you have a lot of fun on Sat. And don't be scared with all the fuss. It happens on first birthdays. Just enjoy the day and eat lots of cake! And I hope your Mommy and Daddy take photos of your face with frosting all over it and post it here.

Love,

Grandma Cookie

Bad Weather and Feeling Bad:

Hi Angie:

I am so sorry to hear the winter is making your asthma so much worse. Winter can be such a lovely time of year, but for those of us with chronic conditions it makes life unbearable at times. I hope you remain healthy! And let us hope spring is right around the corner.

Thank you so much for posting two of your poems. Poetry lets us take a peek inside the souls of those that write it. We think we know a person but if they write; we can see a bit of the soul inside. They are beautiful and realistic. Wow!

I posted some instructions here on this blog about a week ago on how to upload photos. Check it out. I also wrote an email to your mother today with another set of instructions. Perhaps your Mom can forward that email. It is very easy once you do it a time or two. Not much difference than My Space. I have an account at My Space and was only allowed to upload 12 images. Here there seems to be no limit which is cool. And free!

I hate the winter too. For the past four days we have had stormy cold wet weather with low barometric pressure. And I spent most of these days since Friday in bed or the bathtub. I slept about 18 to 20 hours a day. I don't intentionally go to bed to sleep. I just lie down to get comfortable and wake up several house later stiff and in worse pain. So I care for the pets and feed me and take another pain pill and it is off to sleep again. I wake in the middle of the night with all the lights on in the bedroom including the overhead and can hardly move.

Today was a sudden change. I have been up since 7 am and only took a one hour nap. Amazing. For lack of a better word. We have a high pressure system sitting over us today.

Angie, thanks for posting and take good care of yourself. We love you! And we want you to stay healthy!

Love,

Aunt Nancy

A couple poems from Angie

I am back! It's getting to be the busy time of year for me, but I will post when I can. I'm having a pretty good week so far, even though I don't like the cold weather we've been having. I'm soooo ready for the summer. I have more asthma symptoms in the winter so that's another reason why I dislike this season. I recently saw Night at the Museum. If anyone hasn't seen this movie you should! It's so funny to me! I have a myspace account if anyone has one and wants to see it. I have a few art pieces in my "pics" that were done in photoshop. By the way, can anybody tell me how to put pics on here? I could also put up a little artwork if I knew how. Well, here are a couple poems, I hope you enjoy.

Expectations

Expectations are hard masters.
They crack the whip on the backs of humanity
Around the clock, with no letting up.
They don't sleep, they don't blink.
They don't allow a second of hesitation or second-guessing.
Where do they come from?
They were created by you and me.
Conjured up straight from the human mind,
These beasts are born and then immediately
Begin to concher the heartlands of humanity.
They are everywhere, they are inescapable.
It is inevitable my friend, there is no use to run.
You might as well surrender now.
Meet their demands and they may go away for a time.

The Time For Winter is But an Hour

Just when the season has reached its worst,
A beacon of heaven's light arrives
To warm the coldest climates.
The time for winter is but an hour
(but there is a place for it).
The night lasts only a breath.
One hand of cards deals misfortune
while the next brings the royal luck.
If you've turned the corner only to arrive
At a dark alley, keep going until
You reach the mansion on the next block.

Love,
Angie

Hello

Hi Family,

Sorry I have not blogged - went to Miami for the weekend.

1st - Allen and Valerie do not have the Internet at home and can't get on at work. Dad does not use the Internet even though he has it (won't come fully into the 21st century). Rima has to view things from her work and can't be on long and Eric does not Internet - this is why you have not seen them on it. I will send the information to Erica, James and Barbara J. I will also ask Barbara J to forward to Rita and I will ask Erica to my space the information to Thomas, Eric and Ashley as see chats with them on my space.

I went to Miami for Erica's Sweet Sixteen party - it was very nice and well put together. She is growing up to be such a beautiful lady. I enjoyed the party - but I enjoyed more spending time with Val and the kids. Got to spend some time with Francine, Troy and the kids.

Nancy - sorry I have not called you yet - I will call this week - just trying to get caught up at work and home from being gone for 4 days - plus catching up on sleep.

Love you all very much...

Susan/Suzie Q / Aunt Susan

Dear Family:

This blog is not just about Barb, Beth and I. Please help us to build this place. Jump in any time! We want to know what is going on in your life.

Love,

Nancy

About Those Eyes:

LOL I think I may have scarred you children for life! For those who don't know this story..............

Everytime one of my children were born, I was excited to see their eyes were blue. And then within a few days (while I was nursing them I could observe closely) each started with a few specks of green and brown but still a lot of blue. By one month, each of my babies had brown eyes. I was a little disappointed that not one of them had blue eyes like mine and Mommas. But not disappointed enough that I wanted to send them back. LOL

I was estatic when Morgan was born with those beautiful blue eyes; a definite throw back to Mom and I because Barb and Scott both have brown eyes.

I have nothing against brown eyes at all I just wanted one of my kids to look like me. LOL

Barbara, when she was about 8 or so asked me about this strange thing; my blue eyes. She was so serious! I told her that my eyes were not brown because I was not full of ka ka up to my eye brows like the rest of our family. You should have seen her face! I quickly let her know I was joking and then gave her a short talk about genetics and dominant/recessive genes. She was relieved!

I was a playful mother to my kids. We sure had some great times when they were small! I wish I could remember them all. I was too busy raising them to stop to take notes. :(

Love,

Nancy

Eyes

Barb,

you might be right about grandma but the last time I checked Brian has crap brown eyes like us, not blue.

Mom, who are they?

Love,

Beth

P.S. Are they your eyes when you were a baby mom?

Wonderful Sundays

Hi family!

I am so glad to be at home today. I usually work every other Sunday but I got this one off. It is nice to be able to hang out with both the Jimmys. The other kids are at their other parents so it is just us 3 today. We plan to visit our friendly neighborhood Wal Mart for groceries today. The joy never ends!

Mom, I love the guessing game. When do we get the answers?

Love to all!

Beth

A Guessing Game:

These are the eyes of three family members. Can you guess who they are? Just click on the image to see it larger. I know that one of them is going to be very easy to guess. More later.................

Life Lessons Art Journal

A drawing of baby seals; a present from my brother Allen almost 20 years ago.

a simple drawing of a candlestick in my bedroom.

1/23/07

1/21/07

A young girl from Somalia; I found the photo in a travel book in my library at home. I did not draw this crooked it scanned this way because the book is too big for the scanner.

1/17-18, 2007

One of the these suggested by professional artists is to keep an art journal; a bound art notebook to be kept close by at all times. A place to draw and paint things that are close by. I have done two pages so far. This one is a 3 lb exercise ball I use with my hands to stretch out the muscles in my arms and shoulders. I painted if because the color is awesome. Then there is the transmitter for the spinal cord stimulator; I place this over the battery under the skin on my right buttock. And last is a pepper shaker that I bought when I was in Colombia; it is ceramic and hand painted. I love these colors too.

Hi Barb:

That would be cool and okay with me to send off for the materials. I don't want to join anymore groups on line though. I am maxed out on the internet. Can't sit here like I used to do. :)

I am glad that you are feeling better! Hugs for you all!

LYMI,

Mom

This might be helpful Mom

Hey Mom,

I just saw this on T.V. and thought it might help. It is called www.mytimetoquit.com and it has different tips and support groups to help you quit smoking. If you want I will go online and have them send you some information to your house to look over. Let me know when you can.

Off to get a shower finally!!

LYMI

Barb

Icy Storm:

Dear Atlanta Family:

Is everyone okay over there? I heard ya'll had almost the exact same weather that we had here. The temp barely got over 32 degrees; it started off about 3am with sleet mixed with rain, then changed over to snow and then more sleet. The temp rose and fell around 32. At 3 pm there were icicles hanging off the roof of the porch. Now they are gone.

I thought about ya'll all day and hope everyone made it around just fine. Barb, I almost called you at 7 to see how you were doing, and if Morgan had school today (a lot of schools were closed today) and in general about how bad the weather was. There were so many accidents in the news this morning, bad accidents, a house fire, a police officer hit by a car; I was exhausted and fell asleep.

But I hope you are feeling better today.

I cooked today. I have not cooked a real meal in perhaps over a year. I made a beef soup hispanic style with some mexican corn bread. I put the leftovers in containers and there is enough for three more meals. The soup was awesome and so was the corn bread! I also made some apple cider. That's progress; a small step.

I changed the sheets on my bed; a big project with Midnight and Frankie getting under the bottom sheet and wrestling. They always do this. Ashely waits politely on the floor for a nice clean and warm bedding; someplace new to shed.

I am surprised at how well I feel today considering how crappy the weather is.

Ava, how are you liking the karate class? Are you kicking some behind? I am proud of you!

Well most days I feel like I am in a room alone and talking to myself on this blog. These things go slow at first. But I hope it gets busier other than me.

LYMI,

Nancy

Get Well Soon:

Sorry you have a bad cold Barb and it has kicked your butt. Have you taken the Airborne? I hope you feel better ASAP.

I got an email today from the assistant manager; the same little guy I talked to when I visited that hotel. He said on guests are allowed to use the pool. I can't really accept this decision.

So I am going to write a letter to corporate and find out who is the CEO. These is Choice Hotels which have Sleep Inn, Days Inn and a bunch of other well known hotels. So it is a big company. I will post the address, telephone number and the muckity mucks name here.

Take care and rest Barb!

I went to social services today to get some groceries, picked up a few more things at the grocery store. We are going to be having a ice storm coming in tonight. Then I came home and slept most of the day and woke up at 9:30.

Love,

Mom

I will get back with you on this

Hey Mom,

I will try working on this when I can. Right now I am sick with a bad cold and don't feel well enough to do much more than I need to. I am going to bed and hopefully I will feel better in the morning to help you with the things you need.

Just a thought would your Doctor be willing to send a letter to the hotel requesting you be allowed to use the pool? Just a thought.

LYMI to everyone,

Barbara

Sleep Inn:

It is pretty amazing that after two telephone calls from me and two emails that I have not heard one stinking thing from these people! I just sent another email tonight. And yesterday picked up the letter from my doctor.

I could sure use some assistance from some assertive family member (s).............

I am working my butt off trying to get better. But without being able to swim and exercise in an indoor heated pool; the odds are against me. Dr. Bullard is positive it will help get those trigger points either reduced or gone altogether. He also feels it will help with my back to strengthen the muscles in my back and stomach and that this is the only form of exercise that I should be doing right now. He feels my energy level will increase and the pain be reduced.

My life pretty much sucks! The only time I feel less pain and some comfort is in my bed or in the tub full of hot water. This is no way to live. And wouldn't you know it this is the only indoor heated pool for 25 miles in any direction.

I have had little rest today because of the pain in my back, knees and hips has been pretty bad. Cold front coming in. I can't stand winter because of this. It is always hard on me. Momma had arthritis in her hands (that is the only place I am aware she had it) and did not even imagine how much pain she suffered with it until I got it. Sorry kids, but there is a chance you may have it one day too. Beth, you already may have it in your knee from your own wreck! I hope not!

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Nancy

Handbags a health hazard, women warned

Handbags a health hazard, women warned
By Martin RobertsTue Jan 16, 6:55 PM ET
With big handbags becoming a key fashion accessory for working women, health experts are warning they can also become a key health concern.
Bags for women have become bigger and heavier as designers combine briefcases with handbags and straps have become longer but the extra leverage has many patients complaining of neck, shoulder and back problems.
"I see so many women with neck pains and headaches and what I usually do is look for their purse and pick it up," said Jane Sadler, a family practice physician on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center in Garland, Texas.
"We take it over to the scale and weigh it and usually they're anywhere from 7 to 10 pounds (3.1-4.5 kgs)...We're really going to see women with more and more problems later on if we continue the big purse craze."
William Case, a physical therapist in private practice in Houston, Texas, said an aggravated neck or shoulder can lead to upper back problems, meaning pain may then be felt while working at a computer or playing sports.
He urged designers "to place a cute, educational caution tag on all bags to inform of potential neck and shoulder dangers."
Above all, he recommended correct posture while carrying bulky purses, keeping the head and shoulders aligned upright. Patients should also frequently change the size and weight of purses carried.
"The extra-large purses are quite phenomenal. They look beautiful when the women wear them, but I don't know how aware they are of the potential problems," Case said.
"Massage, anti-inflammatories and rest are good to help alleviate the symptoms temporarily however the only real cure is patient education," case added in a written message to the American Physical Therapy Association.
Case said children were recommended to carry no more than 10-15 percent of their body weight in backpacks, which are effective at spreading loads carried, but fashion consultants say they just aren't cool any more.
"The trend is either very large or very small. People go to the gym, they have an extra pair of shoes, they have their make-up, so there's more stuff to carry around," said Ellen Campuzano, president of the Committee for Color and Trend, a fashion forecasting service.
"The backpack is really for a very casual customer, for a student with books, that is not a fashion customer."
Professor Alan Hedge, an ergonomics specialist at Cornell University in New York state, said similar health problems arose when laptops were first introduced.
Traditionally women adopted better postures for carrying loads, such as baskets on heads or strapping a papoose across the back, but placing objects on one shoulder was one of the least efficient ways of carrying a load.
"This causes a great imbalance. You only have to see people carrying bags in shopping centers, looking hunched up like Quasimodo," he said.
"If it (a big bag) is a fashion accessory, then occasional and symbolic use is fine. If not, then keep it light."

More Photos for Your Enjoyment:

Brian & Johannes 1988
Scott & Barb in Malaysia 12/04

Morgan in Malaysia 2004

Little Jimmy & Nick 2006

Grandma Cookie & Ava 2000

Barb, Matthew, Little Jimmy & Beth 2006

Beth & Nick 2006

Mother's Day & Scott's Birthday May 2006

Little Jimmy, Beth and Big Jimmy May 2006

Phyllis (Jimmy's Mom), Sarah, Becca, Little Jimmy, Beth and Big Jimmy May 2006

Grandma Cookie May 2006

Zoe wearing Uncle Jimmy's hat May 2006

Jan. 25, 2006 Sarah, Becca, Beth, Little Jimmy, Ava

Beth's baby shower at Barb's house Jan. 2006

Aunt Dixie at the shower Jan. 2006

Beth, Becca, Sarah, Ava and Elinore at the shower Jan. 2006

Same day same people Thanksgiving weekend at Allen's house 2005

Allen, Thomas, Aunt Nancy, Eric and Sandy Thanksgiving 2005

Ava and Zoe Cumberland Island 2006 ?

Zoe and Daddy being Cheeseheads winter 2003

Morgan and Ava watching Heidi in Grandma Cookie's featherbed Summer 2004

Auntie Beth & Zoe in 2004

Morgan I don't remember the year. Barb help me with this one.

Barbara's birthday party at my house 1988 with the first Johannes as a 3 month old puppy with his binkie

Zoe & Momma winter of 2003

Portrait of Zoe at just a few months old in 2003 I love this one!

These photos (all except Zoe with her dad as cheeseheads) are big enough to make copies. Just click on the thumbnail, a new window opens with a larger photo. Right click on the photo, hit Ctrl C then open your photo program and hit Ctrl V and then do a Save As. If you need any help let me know. If any of these dates are wrong let me know. I love posting these photos!

Love,

Nancy

Dixie:

Hi Sis:

The quiz you sent out a few days ago looks like a lot of fun. Could you post it on here so we could all take it? I liked the color scheme too!

LYMI,

Nancy

Susan:

Hi Sister:

Could you please give me a call on my cell sometime in the next few days?I have something for you and an apology to deliver as well. I am sorry that this has taken so long to get this to you. And you know what I mean. Thank you for your patience in this matter. Looking forward to hearing your voice again.

Love,

Nancy

A Gift For the Family:

This has been on my mind for years and years. My daughter Barbara has an old professional photograph of my mother; it is large perhaps 11x14 and in old sepia tones with some color. I think we all know which photo it is; it was taken when she was about 17 in a long gown. A very beautiful gown that was typical for the time period 1947.

Barbara, could you please make a copy of photo for me. You may have to take it to Office Depot or some place like this. And could you do it in the next few weeks or so? Thank you Barbara. And yes even if you have the original you can still have one. :)

I want to get started on this portrait right away.

When I am done I will take it somewhere to have copies made for anyone in the family who would like one. When it is done I will post it here. If you do want one; just send me an appropriate sizeed, self addressed and stamped mailing envelope. I have been saving up pieces of cardboard to put in these envelopes so the portrait won't get messed up during the mailing.

This is something that is very important to me and I am in love with the idea of painting Mom. What media I haven't decided yet. I am practicing now with some sketches of Mom from photos I have here at home. And will try out different medias. Most likely it will be graphites or just my good drawing pencils. I may even post WIPs (works in progress). The finished portrait will be done on some expensive paper I have here. The copies will be made on some paper that is not high gloss. That takes away from the effects of the drawing.

It is my gift of love for you all; a portrait of Momma at 17 when she was young and her heart full of dreams about us her future family.

Love,

Nancy, Mom, Auntie, Grandma Cookie

PS And yes even the kids can have one as they should.

Comments:

When I set up this blog I thought I only allowed US to post comments. Someone commented a few minutes ago; a Spammer nothing nasty. So I went back into the Settings and saw the mistake. I had chosen "Allow Registered users". It is now set to only Members of this blog. Sorry about that.

I asked in the beginning if this family wanted this blog private and did not get a response. If you wish this blog to be private I can change it. But this will mean family members who are not members of this blog won't be able to see it or post either.

I still need more email addresses to send out invites. Like Valerie's children. Allen's kids. Sandy's family. Etc.

Love,

Nancy

Today:

I got up about 10 and fixed coffee and checked email. Then I got ready to go to my doctor to pick up the prescriptions. I called first to make sure that they were open.

I drove the 25 miles to the doctor in a 55mph zone doing 42 mph four cars behind the van driving slow. Slow drivers need their butts kicked. It took almost 45 min on this country road.

When I came home I fed me and the pets. Laid down for a few minutes at 2:15 and woke at 6:30. My body hurts so bad! The middle of my back where the discs are bad is aching so much. All that and the tingling in my hands and feet, the ache and burn in both knees, the electrical shocks in the muscles and my hips hurt too. I am sweating profusely.

I have not done any cleaning. I have not taken a shower. I have done no work that is piling up. Thank you notes to write. Packages to mail. Mortgage will be late tomorrow and so I have to drop that off sometime tonight. I have no energy.

All this from driving 50 miles.............

More Family Photos:

Ava & ZoeBaby Zoe
Little Jimmy with Grandma's toys
Baby Zoe with Gandolf

1966

Little Jimmy with Grandma Cookie 4/2006

Angie and Bekka 12/06

Here are some photos that were sent to me today. And some I already had.

It is very easy to upload photos on this blog. Here is how:

• Go to Posting and choose Create Post then a text box shows up with the menu bar at the top. On the far right, there is a little icon of a mountain and sky.
• Click on this and another window will pop up.
• Click on Browse and another window will open up with the file folder for your pictures that is on your computer; choose the photo you want to appear and click on it.
• Then click Open.
• Scroll down to the bottom of this window and click on Upload Photo.
• Then wait for the photo to load then click on Done in the blue block.

Very important! Try to make your file not more than a few hundred Ks. When uploading photos from your camera or scanner; make sure when you do a Save that you choose to make that file smaller or compressed. If you Save it as it comes off the scanner or out of your camera it is one HUGE file! At least 1 MB each!

So how do I do that you may ask.

• When finished uploading from camera or scanner all your photos will appear in your photo program waiting for you to do something with them. They are not named or saved yet. And may appear like scan0001 or image001.
• You can either save one at a time and reduce the image or some programs will allow multiple images to be reduced and saved. I always do one at a time to make sure it is done right.

If you need any help; just call me and I can probably walk you through it. But if you call the cell for this kind of call; please call after 9pm. Because this make take awhile.

Once you upload photos from a camera or scanner and do a proper save a few times it is easy!

Family Reunion:

I don't know why we can't have the reunion up here in NC. It has never been here. All of the reunions have been held several hours driving away from us.

Yes Dee and I have health problems that makes it difficult. But it is also about finances too.

There is a really cool state park here Morrow Mtn which has campsites and cabins for rent. And it is very beautiful there.

Just an idea tossed out there.

Thanks,

Nancy

Hi I'm not an artist not can I write poetry!

Hey Family,

Sorry I can't draw or write peotry - I am more the craft type. I needle point, Knit, etc. which I learned from Mom. Which as we all know she had more talent in her little finger than most have in their whole body and each of us got a little of that talent.

Barb and Nan loved your poems.

Angie - great hearing from you.

Nice to have a new family member and as always each new generation gets better looking that the last - Again thanks to a very beautiful woman who started this wonderful family.

MOM THANKS AND WE MISS YOU!

Well it has not been mentioned yet, but we were talking over Christmas and want to plan a family gathering for October on Cumberland island, GA. Barbara and Scott will be handling most of the planning, since they know more about packing and planning a stay on the island. I hope everyone can be there....we will just hope and pray for everyone. I know it may be hard for Nan and Dixie - health wise - that is why I am praying for your health.

I love you all...Suzie "Q" - mind you NOT one but family calls me this nickname.

Today was beautiful outside:

I went to pick up a bookcase someone gave to me. They live way out in the country. I belong to this group called FreeCycle check it out.

It was a nice long drive in the country with some beautiful scenery. I saw a few places I would like to go to paint. Some nice creeks with lots of river rocks, beautiful hardwoods overhanging the banks. Good spots.

The bookcase is still in the truck. I will see if a neighbor can help me bring it into the house. I did not realize how big and heavy it is. I have to drive to my doctor's in Huntersville in the morning. I hope it is out of the truck by then. That would have been nothing for me to pick up years ago. Now impossible.

Still no answer from the management at Sleep Inn. I am really angry that not even a phone call was made to me. How rude! They have no idea how much good this would do for me. Tomorrow a telephone call to corporate. This IS the only heated pool for 25 miles around. Shame as no one ever uses that darned thing.

If someone in the family could call and say they use this hotel when they visit me but will not anymore if they don't let me ues the pool; that would be great. Barb? You said you would love to help me make assertive calls like this. How about it? Thanks.

The sun is going down now on a lovely day. It was actually a little too warm. But so nice. Tomorrow is supposed to be the same way. Then artic air is to come in Tuesday night and stay for a week. Barely getting above freezing during the day. I am so excited. Yeah. Those days make me ache so badly.

Mom

Ralph and Barbara's son:

Evan Bowers! Hello little one. Welcome to the world and this big family.:)

Barbara and Ralph; he is a pretty son with lots of hair and a beautiful complexion. Congrats for a job well done! Rima thank you for sending the photo and I hope you don't mind I uploaded it here.

Barbara, I remember your new born photo and I think Evan favors you!

Love,

Aunt Nancy

Weekend Drawing Event

Today I went into Charlotte all the way past the airport to meet a member of the art site I belong to who is disabled.

She is really a nice person. She lives in such a depressing area; a small house falling in and not heated properly. I really like her a lot and wish I could help her. I took her shopping today for food. She has no one in this area to help her. Social services do not help because she can only sit up for 30 minutes at a time. She had to lie down in the back of the truck in the extended cab.

Thankfully she has been accepted for public housing for the disabled and elderly! It was a long and very hard day for us. All the equipment to be loaded and unloaded in and out of my truck. But I feel good that I helped someone out and will do it again every month until she gets moved into the new place. When there there will be employees available to get her groceries for her.

If there is someway that each of us can reach out to help another person someone like Carol to "Pay it forward" like what Oprah does; this would be great! There are far too many people out there in the world living like this.

We want to plan a picnic and drawing sessions in a park when the weather warms up some. I feel sad for her.

Nancy

PS Thank you for posting your poetry Barb!

Okay Here are a few poems for you guys

I wrote this and gave it to Ayan when Zoe was a day old.

AYAN


When we look into her eyes we will….


See your heart and soul
Understand the difficult choice you made
Thank you for such a special gift
Never forget your trust in us
Tell her how much you love her
Look at her and see you
We will look into her eyes and see our connection is forever.


When we look into her eyes we will…


See your courage and strength
Understand what you saw in us
Thank you for giving of yourself for her
Never forget our promises to you
Tell her how we waited for you to find us
Look at her she will see our love for her and you
When we look into her eyes we will be forever thankful for you

*******************************************************

Sister

Sister we are, that is what we will be
Together bound by love you and me
Understanding each other with no words spoken
Our hearts and souls is our token
Watching our children learn and grow
Seeing them move into the world with friend and foe
Our destiny chosen from the Lord above
We're more than blood;the tide that binds us is love

For Beth aka cheese lots of love from the other cheese
*************************************************
A Special place in my heart for my Aunt Kay

I sit here and wonder where years have gone.
Happy that we are friends, it took too long.

It is the little things you do that make life so sweet.
Together we talk and laugh; now I feel complete.

The things that I do and say have made me the woman I have become.
I am a better person because of my Auntie’s advice and love.

So my birthday wish for you here today.
Know that you have a special place in my heart everyday.
********************************************************
Morgan, Our son we love

They say the day your parents you will be proud
That statement spoken was more than profound

We don’t know about all that will change
All will be different and so much to rearrange

You walk, talk, and learn so fast
The time has passed so quickly, we can’t grasp

We stand so proud of your kindness and heart
Lesson we teach, you’ll soon know your part

The world holds conflicts, sorrow, and fear
Steps to be a man, you’ll look back the years

You make us so proud of who you are and who you will be come.Always remember family’s arms open for you with love.

Okay there you go, these are just a few.

Let me know what you think.

Love,

Barbara

Talk about pressure guys!!! :)

Alright already!!! I will post some poems, just promise not to laugh. Mom I thought your work was awesome and it is helping you too is great. We should print out all these poems and art work and get it made into a book. Just a thought.

Beth glad to hear baby James is feeling better. I know it has been a rough couple of weeks for the Maddux crew.

Angie welcome to the family blog. So glad to hear all that is going on with you!! Keep posting please. I think in such a short time period the family has really started to reconnect with each other. That is a very cool thing!!

I will post some of my work today.

Love to all,

Barbara A.

The Baby:

Dear Beth and Jimmy:

I am so happy to hear the baby is feeling better!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor little guy has had a terrible week. And now teething too.

I can't wait to see and hold him and the rest of ya'll all of ya'll.

Finally on Monday, I will get to go to the post office and mail the paintings I did for all of ya'll. I hope. I may try to get them mailed at Wal Mart tomorrow. I tried to write a letter for each of you and did not get very far. I may just mail the paintings and do the letters on here. Saves time and postage. ;)

Love,

Mom/Grandma Cookie

PS Ava, you are an artist too. How about posting some of your stuff too.

Two New Paintings:

Julia Roberts

The glare from the scanner lightened some of the darks in this one.
A park in Canada
Both of these are 8x11 on heavy cardstock
Done in Derwent Graphic and Inktense watercolor pencils and wetted down with a brush.

Some Bad Poetry

These were written over a several week period; a few months ago. Angie? Barbara? Is this poetry?

Last Night I Was Thinking:

praying is more like it

one day a month

would asking for one day a month

be too much to ask

for just one day a month to

feel my body without

the noisy distraction of pain

I just can't remember

what that feels like anymore

to not feel pain

without all the numbing meds

in my life

to scratch an itch without it hurting

to rub my muscles and feel soreness

because I rode the exercise bike

instead of bumpy ropey bands

of wasted muscles

it is unpleasant to feel them

Just one day a month

without any pain at all

Is that too much to ask?

===================================================

Quiet Wanted

the last time I had a day

without pain

I remember it clearly

It was a tease

leaving the acupuncture treatment

standing outside and leaning against

the brick wall I felt

nothing

no pain

just a quiet

quiet sense of my body and

who I am without pain

Spring of 2001

two hours of beautiful silence

===================================================

Knowing I need to say sorry

to all the people in my life

who have hurt too

because I let them down

over and over again

with reasons

they saw it as excuses

who could blame them

no one knows

unless they feel and experience it too

I run the apologies over in my mind

day after day

night after night

but never seem to get around to it

but I will

one day

when it is quiet

and I feel better

hope it happens because

I have caused pain too

and I am sorry

====================================================

Narcotics

they numb me down

and I get forgetful too

yeah they cover that pain pretty good

so I can climb Mt. Everest

they are supposed to help me for eight hours

Six hours later

the pain comes back

they, the pills and my pain

make me forget to care about my kids

my friends

my responsibilities

they wrap me up in a tight little

cocoon so I don't feel much

of anything at all.

=================================================

People say to me

"you are so strong

I admire you and

don't know if I could be so strong"

it is better to let them believe

what they want

"you are so brave"

if only they knew the truth

they would say something else

or nothing at all

"you will get over this"

that is the biggest lie

of all

they need to believe this

to even look at my face

or hear my voice

or think of me at all

I am not mad

and I let them believe

what they have to believe

but I know better

and it is not okay

so I say nothing at all.

=====================================================

Tonight I was thinking

how much better I feel

because I reached out

to the ones that mean the most to me

to say I need you

I need more than you been giving

its my turn to ask for help

I love you

but you haven't been paying attention

and I am worth

some of your time

=====================================================

I Am Afraid

I was afraid five years ago

when nothing was known for sure

about what was the source of the pain

I was more afraid three years ago

when we knew what it was

that caused pain

I was afraid two years ago

when I could no longer work

it hurt too much

Last year I was afraid when I gave up

all thoughts of ever being able to work again

because of the pain

I am still afraid because

I look to the future

and see more pain

and not much else

And I am afraid no one

will ever want me

or find me attractive

because of how I feel pain

pain separates me from all the things

that I love, want and dream about

I am afraid nothing will change that

because I am too tired

========================================================

I just want to be left alone

not from the ones that I love

and care about so much

but from the takers

who have taken so much

leave me be

talked to me without a trace

of humanity

take all you want

there is nothing left for you

of value

just ole sad dusty sentimental things

nothing you could possibly want

take it

let me have my peace

I have done my part

the best way I can

the only way I can

go elsewhere to make another miserable

leave me to paint

to dream

to hope

to heal

and to rest

and to love

those that matter most