"So Cute It's Scary"

Wednesday - October 28, 2009

Few words today because I think the pictures say it all!!! We have the cutest precious baby girl in which we were able to spend some time with last week!!! Being a long distance grandparent is hard - Cora had to get use to us, but it didn't take her long - she is a doll!!!!!!! Enjoy the pics!

Don't you love her sweet, sweet smile????

Cora Wrote This Post!

Friday - October 23, 2009

Cora is going to write a note. She was sitting on Mammaw's lap and decided she wanted to type. The interpretation of what the note says will be left up to you! :):)

sgb uyyt jjk, imnunicxmkcmi xdzd bbusnfdxdregggxswff

(Love Cora)

She had to stop typing because it was time for her to eat!!!!!

My interpretation - "I love my Mammaw!" :):):):):):)

Cora Ann Getting to Know Grandad and Mammaw (Again)

Wednesday - October 21, 2009

It has been about two months since we have seen Cora Ann. We knew she would have to get use to us again, and hopefully she might remember who we were. She woke up from her nap to find two "strangers" in her house talking with her Daddy!!! Hmmm - she wasn't sure she liked that - this was her Mommy and Daddy's house. It didn't take us long to get reacquainted with our grand-daughter!

I have other postings I am working on (in my mind) but felt this one should take precedence over the others! After all - this one is about our gorgeous grand - baby - Cora Ann!

Hmmm, strangers in my house!

I'm okay, daddy's with me!

Hey, it's Granddad and Mammaw!

Now I can show them what I can do!

"I'm cute, I'm cute" :):)

I can even hold my bottle all by myself!

My best buddy is Molly - she's my protector!

:):) I'm glad to see my Granddad!!!

I got him in the floor and we played with my toys!

We had a great time!

BB King in Concert

Saturday - October 17, 2009

B.B. King’s concert at the Aronoff Center Friday night was one of the best concerts we have attended. At 84, the jazz musician still could play the guitar and sing the blues. We were fortunate to have gotten front row center seats! We felt we were right on stage with him! At times when he would look down at the audience, he was actually talking directly to us!!! He interacted with the audience throughout the entire concert. Those of us up front had a really great chance to see his facial expressions which made what he said and sang even better! There were some older ladies next to Bill who had apparently been BB King fans for a long time!! They had their 95 year old mother there who has not missed one of his concerts when he comes to Cincinnati. BB King was a true gentleman and gave this lady a special token of his appreciation for her being there! This little lady just smiled from ear to ear!

When BB came out on stage with the assistance of his closest friends, he was throwing something out into the audience. Of course being on the front row allowed us to see what it was. He was throwing out guitar pick with his name and picture on them as souvenirs. Bill caught one!! Wow, a pick given to us by BB King. Some think this is no big deal – maybe not, but it sure is a nice memento for the evening we spent listening to BB King!

It was nice that King has the motivation to stay on the road, especially for those who want the chance to see a living legend! If what he sings is to be believed, King doesn’t plan on slowing his pace. From what we could tell, he was having a blast, not only with the audience, but with his eight member band! Seated in a chair at the front of the stage for the duration of the performance, King played his guitar, Lucille, sang his songs, and told stories. We laughed till I cried with some of his stories. According to one of the reviews, BB King was a little absent minded and lost his train of thought when telling a story. This may have been true, but he is 84 years old!!! Bill and I both felt it was a great concert – guess the “real” music experts felt otherwise!

Some of the musical moments involved King going pop. There was a a section where U2’s “When Love Comes to Town” was sung and then it was followed by “You Are My Sunshine.” Those two songs typically appear in a B.B. King setlist, as did most of the rest, like “Let the Good Times Roll,” “Rock Me Baby,” “I Need You So” and his signature “The Thrill is Gone.” A notable addition was “See That My Grave is Kept Clean,” which he said the producer wouldn’t let him sing until he was 84!

If we can take the hint he gave us through song, BB King is nowhere close to quitting doing what he loves to do – tour and sing the blues! When he first took his chair center stage he sang, “I’m gonna roam this old highway till the break of day,” and he added a line with an ad lib, singing: “I guess I’m gonna do it till I die, folks.” He received a round of applause from a very appreciative crowd!

BB King performed for over two hours! At the end, his “helpers” and band member gave him something – he was throwing more souvenirs out to the audience! Being on the front row did have advantages! He threw out lapel pins which I was able to catch. He threw them right towards us!! Wow – two souvenirs now.

But wait, it gets even better. He was not finished with the souvenirs. I could see a gold chain (not real gold) with a pendant in his hand, and he was pointing toward the person he wanted to give one to!!! He had given out about ten when he pointed at me!!! YES, ME!!!! He tossed it to me and I caught it – this was a big “old have mercy” as Marty one of the Reds’ announcers would say! We now came away with memories of a great show, a few photos, and three souvenirs!!!!

BB King is not only a legend in the blues, but he was a true gentleman, and a great entertainer! Thanks BB for a great evening!

This is an example of the facial expressions we were able to see from our seat. He was very animated with his expression at time when telling stories, or interacting with the audience!

He loved playing "Lucille!"

Reacting to what one of the band members said!

BB leaving at the end of the show!

Some of our souvenirs!

. . .

The man on the left is BB's nephew!

At 84 and with "bad" legs, BB said he needed to sit through the show!!

He really got into the mood of the blues!

His way of showing appreciation and love for the audience!!!

The necklace thrown directly to me!!!

One more tidbit: the opening act was done by Willie Nelson's son, Lukas, and his band! Apparently BB king and Willie are great friends!!! The warm-up act was really great too!!!!

Treasures from Mammaw's Youth!

Saturday - October 10, 2009

Today was the day the "Whitman" cousins gathered together for a covered dish reunion. I have gone to several of these since they began about ten years ago. I remember that one year Mom, Dad, and the four Layne siblings (and some of our spouses) attended, and the fellowship hall was full of relatives. It was great to see the Whitman Aunts in attendance as well as some of their older cousins and family members. Sadly, as the years go by, we have some who were there one year, but no longer here to attend the next year. This year alone, I know of two aunts - Aunt Frankie and Aunt Olive - who have gone home to a much larger reunion! I'm sure there are others that I may have left off, but they are the two latest to pass away that I knew and loved!

I took Mom today, and she was so anxious to see her many nieces and nephews; her cousins; and her childhood friends! She has a wonderful time at these gathering - so many memories for her to relive with those still here. Today she was given a bag that had some of her things that had been kept at the home place. After Aunt Frankie's death, her son Scott went in to clean some of the "stuff" out and hopefully give things back to whom they belonged many years ago! Scott found many things he felt Mom would love to have back. They had been stored away in boxes or drawers for many, many years. We know that some paper items may eventually become food to silverfish and/or mice. As you look at the following pictures you will see that something had a meal out of the corner of a very special booklet!

This is a booklet that contain ration stamps that Mom used when living in Ypsilanti, MI during WWII. It has her name and the address of where she lived while there working at the Ford Bomber Plant. In order to purchase certain items - such as coffee - they had to use these stamps.

A page from the booklet showing the 48 stamps - minus the four eaten by a ???????

This is another page in the booklet with different types of stamps. It appears Mom used these more than the others. she doesn't remember which stamps were used for what items.

The back of the booklet had the instructions for the usage of the stamps! I found a date on this back page - check the lower right hand corner - the date in 1943!

Another item of interest included certificates Mom had received from the Logan County schools she attended. I always wondered why she was 20 when she graduated from high school. Apparently she didn't have to start as early as the kids do today, plus she said she was very sickly when younger! She was always have the croup or pneumonia. So if it looks as if she was a little older than kids in those grades today - she was. All due to her illness as a young girl!

Mom always loved sewing dresses for herself and me as well - now I know why!!! She was a member of the 4-H club with an interest in sewing!!

Notice the names of the subjects she passed with proficiency - this was the end of her eighth grade!

This certificate was given to her at the end of her ninth grade!

One of the most interesting finds for me was the following announcement which had been cut from the Logan Banner back in 1946. The announcement of my parents marriage!!! :):) This is priceless!!!!!!!

This is a picture we do not have of Mom - she's absolutely beautiful!!! My guess would be she is about 25, probably engaged at this time to Dad!!!! Maybe the reason for a beautiful smile!!! Guess I can be a romantic every now and then - even when it includes Mom and Dad.

Always look through those boxes and drawers because you may uncover a real treasure!!!!!!!!

Bobby - "The Little Dickens!"

Friday - October 9, 2009

Hmmmm - 'the "little dickens" hit the big 30 four days ago! He probably thought I had forgotten his birthday - not a chance. 30 years ago today you were finally home with you family. Your big brother Billy was there to greet you, as were your extended family! You were so cuddly and adorable. It was love at first sight - another Layne had entered this world in good health and was the apple of our eyes as were those who came before him!!!

Mammaw has always called him the "little dickens!" Why? Probably because he was so ornery! :):) He has a lot pf Pappaw in him - always trying to pull a good one on anyone he could. That lovable grin was always so sneaky. As he got older and in school, he would rely on the fact that his older brother was Bill Layne - just in case he needed some back up. But it wasn't long until he was the one who became the protector for those who needed it.

There are so many things I remember about Bob as he was growing up that I can't put them all down in one posting. Bobby was my third nephew within fifteen months. I loved these baby boys. I remember buying Oshkosh bibs and a flannel shirt for those boys for Christmas one year. My fourth nephew came along eight months later. Aunt Sue was about to start spoiling her boys!!! On Saturdays, it was the day that cousin Pat and I would gather the three boys up and take them to McDonald's to eat, and probably bought them a little toy of some kind!! It was always a pleasure to hear their laughter and know that they loved me as much as I loved them.

Bobby was always a little upset when people would say that Billy looked like his Dad, Dink; Todd looked like his dad, Mike; JD looked like his dad, John; but he looked like his Aunt Sue!!! Now that was not fair in his eyes. But, as time has passed, Bobby looks more like his dad, Dink, more today than ever. He is a big help to his Dad today!

I'm not sure who got the bright idea to take the boys to the rodeo that came to town, but that's what we did!! Pat, Dink Donetta (who took her daughter Jan), and I took four little ones to the rodeo. Bill and Bob absolutely loved it since they lived on the farm and had cows, horses, and goats. Actually, they wanted to get down in the ring and ride those horses just like the cowboys! There were four adults and four kids, so we took charge of one of the kids. Patti took Todd - the quiet one; Donetta took Jan; Dink took Billy; and yes, I ended up being in charge of Bobby, the youngest one whose attention span wasn't as long as the others!! :):) That was okay because the horses did keep his attention! Someone decided to buy the kids cotton candy (Dink), which was an experience. Bobby was on my lap and he dug into it with both hands!!! Boy, was that stuff good. I let Bobby eat away, and then promptly handed him off to Dink for the clean up! :):) I took over watching Billy!!!! It was a great evening and those kids had a great time!!!

Such sweet memories that we have held on to for the last 30 years. Yes, I remember when you were born Bobby. Billy was with us while your Mom and Dad were at the hospital!!! Then we got the call that Robert Allen had finally arrived. That seems like only yesterday!!!! You know I love you and pray for you always!!!!! Some of my favorite pictures of Bobby are below with a caption as to why they are my favorites!!!!

Sunday morning ready for church!!! Love the bow tie!

The three boys ready to spend the night - or are they suppose to be taking a nap????

Hmmm - have I been a good boy this year????

My four lovable nephews! Billy - the oldest; JD - the youngest; Bobby - # 3; and Todd #2 according to their ages!

The "little dickens" does love his Mammaw!

This is my favorite picture of Bobby. He was in my bedroom, sneaking a look out the window when I captured this pose. yep, I caught you Bob!!! I love you!!!

Thanks to the Internet - Cora Ann

Thursday - October 8, 2009

The Internet - Wow - what we are able to do because of it, and what did we do before we could access it??? I'm actually referring to how wonderful it is that through the use of the Internet we are able to see our precious Cora Ann through the different stages of her growth. It is heart wrenching that we aren't able to see her at least once a week, but we can through the pictures Jeni and David take and post. Thank you both for capturing these great pictures of Cora and sharing with us. It's not the same as being able to hold her, and to listen to her "jabbering" as she is swiftly growing, but it helps. We love the pictures and would like to share some of the ones Cora's Mommy and Daddy have taken and shared with us!

Cora all dressed up in a dress her Grandma Hardin bought. Oh so cute!!!!!

Hmmm -from the look on Cora's face, they may not be able to see the MU game in MI!!!!
Huh oh, looks like Daddy is showing her how to use the computer. Maybe she's trying to find pictures of us!!! :):)

Jeni has said that she is getting more curious and interested in things around her. Looks like she has enough to keep her interest with this baby toy! Hmmm - wonder how much noise it makes????? :):)

Another toy of interest - notice she is sitting up by herself!!!!!!!

A toy with all the shapes which have a certain hole for them to go through, but Cora seems to like the lid - she like to use what ever she can to her her with this teething issue she is going through - bless her heart!

Cora and her best buddy - Molly!! Molly keeps an eye Cora, making sure she is okay!

Molly apparently thought Cora needed cheering up - notice no smile in the previous picture, but now the corners of her mouth are starting the upward movement!!!

Now this is a smile, which seems to be hard to capture!!! Notice her shirt!! Granddad and Dad are trying to recruit her to become a Reds' fan!!!!

Last weekend Cora got her first solid food. Jeni made her own bay food. This is Cora with her first bite of carrots!!

Hmmmm - what is this stuff Mom????

. . . let's try another bite . . .

. . . hey Mom, this is pretty good . . .

. . . actually, I think it's real good!!!!!!

Hope you enjoy these latest pictures of Cora. We would not be able to share them with you were it not for Jeni, David, and the Internet!!!

I also love the fact I can program this site to post at a certain time!! The computer doesn't even need to be on, and I don't have to be home! It's like doing an assignment way ahead of the time it's due so you have free time. This blog is not homework; it is a way to let family and friends see what's going on with us "Beyond the Other Side" of our retirement! :):) Even though most of the posting have no comments, the counter indicates some one is reading what we write!!