Signing Off

December 31, 2009

It's time - time to take a break from the blog. Why???? My heart is not into writing, and when my heart is not into it, then I'm afraid all the blog would become is a means to air my heart ache and frustrations; to air all that is wrong with life, the world, politics, and any thing else that troubles me.

I know there a few who do follow the blog, and for those who do, not to worry, I will be back!!!! When? Sooner than later - I hope!

2009 was a year of ups and downs, as have all the years in the past. I have always tried to think of only the postitive, but too many times the circumstances of life have tried its best to tear down the optimistic atttitude I have tried to live by.

I know many love the pictures - especially those of old - and I may post pictures periodically.

Bill and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a Happy New Year, and pray that the year 2010 is your best year yet!

Precious Gifts from the Heart

Saturday - December 26. 2009



I only had one comment for my last post - thanks Jeni, and I have to agree with you, that would be a perfect gift! :):) . . . . especially after the holidays and all the cooking, cleaning, and all the hustle and bustle that tends to go along with family gathering and the holidays!!

I have never really asked for anything for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, etc. - oh sure, Bill and I love to check magazines indicating things we like in them, but to specifically ask for something - can't think of anything I specifically requested. Even when we talked with Santa, it was always what ever you want to give me!! I was too afraid to ask him because I never felt as if I had been good enough that year to get anything from him! :):)

This year's Christmas purchases was all about Cora - her first Christmas!!! She has still to receive the gifts from Granddad and me, so I can't tell what we got her! :):)

Bill and I celebrated Christmas quietly yesterday morning before leaving to spend the day with Mom. The gifts I received from Bill were unexpected and beautiful. He does have good taste when picking out special things for me. . . . . and I believe I surprised him this year as well!!!!

There was a gift I received that was unexpected and will always be very precious to me!!! Most of you know that my oldest brother had a stroke back in February. We are so thankful for the progress he has made. He knows his limitations, but is able to let us know what he wants to do. He told Rhonda he wanted her to shop for Mom, Opal (his mother-in-law), Rhonda, and the boys. He had seen a commercial on TV showing a necklace with a heart that contains bells. Every time the heart jingles you are to think about the person who gave you the necklace. Apparently I was on the list to also receive one of those special necklaces. Dink, every time I wear the necklace; every time I hear it jingle; and every time I see the box it came in - I WILL THINK OF YOU!!! Mom holds anything her oldest son picks out for her near to her heart - this will be at the top of the list for her too! You have always given me a hard time - just like John and Mike - deep down I always knew you all really liked me! :):) You all three got more delight out of giving me a hard time and ganging up on me!!!! That's what brothers are suppose to do! :)

I received another precious gift this year as well - one that made the connection of the Layne siblings go back in time. The sad thing was that there should have been one more gift; one that had the year 1969! That gift would have been for John. Bill located a site that sold sweatshirts and t-shirts with the logos of our high schools before they were consolidated!! He bought the three of us one with Huntington High Pony Express and the year we graduated. We loved it.
As you can tell, Mike and Dink were having a good time at my expense - great time with the family!!!!!



Bill also got Mom one with Logan Wildcats and the year 1940 - the year she graduated!!! She absolutely thought it was wonderful - especially when Bill pulled out one for him with Williamson Wolf Pack on it - Logan's arch enemy!!! Some may think these were trivial gifts, but they were gifts from the heart that brought all of us together not just in the present, but the past as well! Job well done Bill!!!!!

Even with these special gifts, we all know that the most special gift we received was the love we have for one another and the time we can spend time with the family. None of us expected to receive gifts, but we know that those we received were given with love.The greatest gift of all came when God sent his only Son to die for our sins. That gift is one we all are thankful for every day of our life. We know that with this gift, one day we will be able to be with all the loved one who have gone Home before us!!!We hope you all had a great day with family and friends

The Perfect Gift

Wednesday - December 23, 2009

Hmmmm - it would be interesting to see what all of you think would be the perfect gift. I am afraid there are way too many people who wait for that "perfect" gift year after year. The thing is, over two thousand years ago we received the most perfect gift imaginable - God sent his only son to earth to die for our sins so that we might have eternal life. We need to believe in God's word and follow what has been written!!!! We need to become a little more humble and remember that Christmas is not about us, but about the reason we celebrate Christmas!

I know that many of you DO realize this was the most amazing gift, but it would be interesting to see what you as the readers believe would be another perfect gift for you. I have so many ideas running through my head, but I won't share with you for a few days. :):) I guess the is one of my "writing prompts" I would use with my kids. I didn't give them examples because so many would use my examples as their idea! Thus, the absence of my thoughts for my "other" perfect gift idea!

I really would like to hear from you and your thoughts - besides it will give me an idea as to how many are still reading the blog!!! Yes, there is a counter, but a number of those numbers posted are coming from where we check on the blog! :)

So if you could just take a moment or two - let us know what you think your perfect gift would be!!!!! Write it soon enough and have that special person read your response, and who knows, you just might receive that perfect gift sooner than later!!!!

Christmas List

Monday - December 21, 2009

There are may of us who are stressing out about now. Christmas Day will be here in a little over three days. The weather has hampered many doing the shopping they intended to do; visit the loved one they had planned to spend a little extra time with; and even some procrastinated about sending out a special Christmas wish through the mail. Why do we do this to ourselves? Yes, we know the real meaning of Christmas, but there has been a tradition for us to bake something special, send out cards to those near and far, and to find that perfect gift for those close to us!

I am among those feeling the stress! Having been sick two weeks ago after a long month of trying to help Mom with the church rummage sale and church bazaar, as well as all the preparations for Thanksgiving, and then here came the snow!!!! Put all these things together and I feel like I am way behind with what I want to do for Christmas. I will do what I can for all I love and pray that they know it was done with love! The good thing about being part of a large family is that we pitch in and help when another needs it! Christmas has not been the same for me since we started losing close family members - our grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings!! Thus the wish to make each Christmas a little more special for those who are still with us, and the need to let them all know how special they are!

The poem I am including in this post was included in two separate Christmas cards. Mom received several in her cards too. So, to all those who may not have received a card or a gift from us this year, know that you are thought of with fond memories and have made a mark in our lives!

Christmas List

I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book

And every year at Christmas time I go and take a look

And that is when I realize that these names are a part

Not of the book they're written in, but of my very heart.

For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime,

And in that meeting they've become the Rhythm of the Rhyme.

And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim

I really feel I am composed of EACH remembered name.

And while you may not be aware of any special link

Just meeting you shaped my life more than you can think.

For once you've met somebody, the years can't erase

The memories of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.

So never think my Christmas greeting is just a mere routine

Of names upon a Christmas list forgotten in between.

For when I send a Christmas greeting that is addressed to you

It's because you're on that list of folks I am indebted to.

For I am but a total of the many folks I've met,

And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget,

And whether I have known you for many days or few,

In some way you had a part in shaping things I do.

And every year when Christmas comes, I realize anew

The BIGGEST Gift life can give is Meeting Folks like YOU!

And may the spirit of Christmas that forever and ever endures

Leave its richest blessings in the heart of You and Yours!

anonymous

(From our house to yours - Merry Christmas)

Heinz 57

Wednesday - December 16, 2009

Okay Bill, you knew I was going to write something - and I hadn't thought of a title until you reminded what you had given me when I turned 57 - a bottle of Heinz 57 Steak Sauce. So, I guess this will be your Heinz 57 gift!!!!

Yes, you are a year older but what a year it has been. One of the greatest gifts you could have ever received came in March - a little early for a birthday gift, but that's okay. I have seen the smile on your face, and the joy you received when holding your first grandchild. The thrill you must have felt when you held your son the first time must have been one of the most special days you will never forget. Then there came another day (night) that was also a gift to last forever! The first time you held your grand-daughter, Cora Ann!

The birthday gift I want to give to you is going to be a few of my favorite pictures of you holding your precious grand-daughter. These are moments I know you will hold dear to your heart forever. Happy Birthday and may your day be a happy one!!!!!!

Your first time holding Cora Ann

Three generations

Cora's first visit to one of your favorite places to eat - Chili Willi's

The love . . .



. . . the wonder . . .

. . . the joy . . .

. . . when you are holding . . .

. . . this precious baby girl!!!

. . . and this picture is priceless!!!

Happy Birthday to my Heinz 57!!!!!!!!!!

"Mary, Did You Know?"

Monday - December 14, 2009

For the last couple of week I have been a little out of sorts - both mentally and physically. Bill and I both had the dreaded virus which left us both weak. We are better, but I really could care less if any food is placed in front of me:( The virus hit hard and fast. I hope no one else come in contact with it. We more or less isolated ourselves away from others so as not to spread the virus.

Not feeling well and missing all those we have lost in the last few years had almost made me wish "The Season" would quickly go buy. I have always loved this time of the year! I love decorating for Christmas. At one time I had decorated every room in the house - even the bathrooms were in tune with the season! We decided that by the time we would get our things up, it would be time to take them down again. So, we opted not to put out any decorations. However, had there been a little girl coming to visit - decoration would have been up regardless of being sick! :)

But when I stop and think about it, "the season" is not about the decorations or the buying of gifts. We all need to stop and reflect about the sacrifice that was made when that little baby was born. Sure, I am down a little because of being tired, sick, and missing the loved ones no longer with us. I have stopped and looked around me and know how blessed I am to have a loving and caring family and friends; I am blessed that God loves me regardless of my many short comings. I really try, but sometimes I know I could do a lot better. I love my family, and I love God.

After going to The Gaither's Christmas Homecoming Concert, a song has embedded itself in my mind. When listening to the words of this song, I know how lucky I am. How would I have felt had I known the baby I had just given birth to was to die for all our sins. Mark Lowry wrote the lyrics to the song "Mary, Did You Know?" When hearing the song and reading the lyrics, I am so glad that I believe!!!!!

Mary, Did You Know
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

Songwriters: Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

Saying Good-bye

Tuesday - December 1, 2009

Sitting here at Mom's, listening to the sounds - the furnace kicking on and off, hearing the ice maker filling up with water and then dispensing the ice, the alarm system indicating which door is being opened - all were the same sounds we as a family were listening to four years ago tonight. But those sounds back then sounded as if a B24 Bomber was flying over the roof of the house! Each noise was so loud, but as I listen to them tonight, they really weren't as loud as we thought they were.

Four years ago tonight we knew that Dad was about to leave us and go to his heavenly home and be with God and all those who had gone before him. To let go was not easy, but when Dad said he was ready to go home, and seeing the strength that Mom had, told all four of us - Dink, John, Mike, and myself - it was time to say good-bye. I have never liked saying good-bye because it always sounded too final to me. I will say, "I'll see you later, or I love you," and I will try and steer away from saying good-bye. Occasionally, I will say "bye" which doesn't sound as final to me!

Not only were the four of us here, but so were Rhonda, Debbie, Billy, Todd. Bobby, Meghan, and Bill were coming and going. David even was able to come to the house before Dec 2 and spend the afernoon. Dad loved not only Mom, his four children, but he loved his in-laws, and oh those precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I know this will make some of you cry and wonder how I can write this. It's not easy by any means because not only does Mom miss Dad everyday, so do the rest of us. Everywhere I look, I see Dad. There is something he made or fixed; or it's the place he always sat; and it's the smell of the wood where he had been working in the wood shop. Dad may be gone from our presence, but his memory is with us always.

The one thing I really regret was that I was not here when Dad left. I was on my way to get some relief from a sciatica nerve problem which had caused me to be almost doubled over. For a week I had put off going because I wanted to spend all the time I could with Mom and the rest of the family as Dad was about to begin his journey Home. The pain took over, and I did leave. It was also the time Dad left for his heavenly home. Before going out the door that morning, I kissed my dad; told him I loved him; and told him good-bye. I think I knew in my heart that my daddy was going to a far better place before I returned back to the house.

I do feel comfort in that I know that my brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews were here with Mom as she said good-bye to Dad. They held his hands and assured him that we would take care of Mom - his one concern was always about Mom - he was her protector and provider for 59 years, and he didn't want her to worry about anything. Dad knew deep down that we would all be there for Mom. Mom told Dad it was okay and that she would be fine. A gentle peace seemed to go over Dad and he knew in his heart that all would be well - God was in control.

Much has happened in the past four years. Mom had a stroke/heart attack and recovered. Her eye-sight is getting worse, but she is still plugging along doing almost anything she wants. She will be turning 90 years old in February - so let's have a party!!!!! She is very active with the activities at church and loves every moment of it - even though she tires quicker now than she use to!

Dink suffered a stroke and heart attack back in February. He is progressing and we are so thankful for him and his progress. Rhonda has been support, cheer leader, and coach - and for that we love her that much more!!!!! Dink, I know Rhonda reads the blog to you, so I am telling you that your "favorite" sister LOVES YOU!!!!! and we are all so proud of you!!!!

We've had three weddings - David and Jeni; Bobby and Shanda; and Todd and Cassie. There have been two great grand-daughters born - Brooke Irene and Cora Ann; plus we have another baby on the way (Dawn) - due to be here in May.

With the many happy things that have happened, we have also had many more who we have had to say good-bye to which included many aunts and cousins; and then our precious brother John. I know that my twin was greeted by Dad and the rejoicing that has been going up there has brightened the heavens to the highest. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about both Dad and John. I would love to be able to pick up the phone and call each one of them and say one more time, "I love you." Dad would say, "I love you too;" while John would say, "Ditto, Sis!"

When leaving your family and close friends, don't just say "good-bye" - tell them you will see them soon and that you love them, because you never know if you'll get another chance to say that!

This post is for you Dad! We are trying our best to take care of Mom and watch over her. You would be so proud that she has been honored for being a Rosie the Riveter. I'm sure you hear her when she is talking about something you did years ago - many times it was something that could get you in trouble with her! :):) Her love for you has never wained, and she knows that you are waiting on her - it's just not time for us to say good-bye to her yet! We love you Dad and miss you so very much!