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!!

The Whistler

Tuesday - October 6, 2009

When thinking about "The Whistler," many of us may think about the famous painting - Whistler's Mother, which is an 1871 oil-on-canvas painting by American-born painter James McNeill Whistler. According to some historians, when a model fell ill and could not pose Whistler’s mother said she would pose for her son. She initially stood for the painting, but had to sit because of her frailty. It is also said that Whistler was conveying something of his mother's strong Protestant character in the sombre pose, expression and colouring.

Before I had to take the Art Education classes at MU, I always thought the lady in the chair was actually whistling! :):) Then I found out the name of the artist and the story behind the painting - and I was disappointed she wasn't whistling at all!

I was with Mom today and noticed this afternoon she was whistling up a storm. Then I got to thinking - how long has it been since she has done that?? It has been a while! We try to keep Mom as active as possible. At 89 she needs to be needed! She gets a little upset when she thinks about us leaving our homes and coming to stay with her. We try to assure her we are doing what we want to do!!! No, it's not always easy, but, we all made a promise to Dad - almost four years ago - that we would take care of Mom! He knew we would, but at that time, it was as if he was free to go Home without worrying about Mom. He was always her protector and the love of her life. He was the provider for the family in more ways than just earning a living by working every day until he was old enough to retire. He was the one we all looked up to and valued his words of wisdom.

Since Dad left December 2, 2005 - Mom has felt a little loss. She had always cared for Dad, especially after he had suffered numerous heart-attacks, heart surgery, and carotid surgery on his neck. Dad was a fighter, and worked until he no longer had the strength to pick up the hammer. Mom is a lot like Dad. She wants to work so badly, but realizes her eye-sight is hindering her from doing what she had done her entire life.

The church's "Ladies' Circle" is planning a Christmas Bazaar with a luncheon. They will be selling tickets for the luncheon and hope they have enough Christmas ornaments, decorations, cookies, cakes, and anything else the ladies can fix to sell to the public. Mom has always loved making things and giving them to family and friends. She so wants to make something for the bazaar. So, I have been racking my brain, scouring my craft books, and finally came up with some projects that she can do!!! When she realized that she will actually be able to make some of these items - it has been all smiles and whistling from her!!!! Such a sweet sound to hear and see that Mom is happy!!!!

We went scouring the craft stores today looking for small clothespins which she will stain, and then we both will string on ribbon to make a reindeer necklace. (Oh, the new Hobby Lobby is absolutely awesome!) I will do the intricate details, but she will be able to stain the wood. So Saturday, if all goes well, we will be staining the pins, putting eyes on them, and painting their noses red!! She will be making her necklaces for the bazaar!!! I plan on taking pictures to post at a later date!!!

She feels useful, wanted, and loved!!! That's the way we like it!

The following picture isn't exactly in the same manner as the "Whistlers' Mother!" This is just one a little more modern!!! We all love you Mom!!!!!!!

When The Shoe Is On The Other Foot

Tuesday - October 6, 2009

A phrase which has a meaning that is commonly understood by speakers of the language, but whose meaning is often different from the normal meaning of the words is called an idiom.
When teaching reading, this was one skill the students seemed to enjoy. They didn't realize they heard idioms being used every day, whether at school, home, or watching their favorite shows on television. The use of idioms is one way to express our thought even though it may be confusing to some who do not understand their meaning and why they are used!

As I taught the unit on idioms, the students soon became attach to one they thought of as their favorite. It was that favorite one they were given the opportunity to express using an illustration. They weren't given a grade for their artistic ability, but those who were artistically inclined really did shine on this part of the assignment. Hmm - maybe English is not all bad! :):)
One that seemed to be a favorite was "when the shoe is on the other foot." According to many of the "idiom" experts they say, "If the shoe is on the other foot, someone is experiencing what they used to make others experience, normally negative things." The students had to have two pictures - one was representing the literal meaning of the phrase, while the other drawing represented the actual meaning. I had some really great examples. Wish I had held on to some of them, but I passed them on to other Language Arts teachers to use as samples!

I don't usually watch the late night show mainly because I really don't like people making fun of or cutting others down just to get a laugh!!! They are making money off of someone else's hard times, stupidity, or in some case their handicaps. I'm at Mom's and didn't turn the television off soon enough when one of the late night shows came on with the host apologizing for his actions. He appeared to be sincere and stated that he had been blackmailed to keep his secret from going public. I had seen clips where this host had poked fun at others for having done the same thing. Now the shoe was definitely on his other foot and it's not near as funny!!!

We all have a different sense of humor, and their are some who have none! When things are cute with no one being hurt physically or emotionally and see the humor in what they did or said, then I will laugh with them - not at them. How many times during your life have you seen, heard, or been part of a negative experience towards someone else, and later down life's road the same thing has happened to you??? Hopefully none. I sincerely believe that humor does need to be a part of our life, but not at the expense of others.

So, I guess what I'd like to say is that remember what you say and do, because some day it may come right back and you will be the brunt of some one's jokes and laughter! Then will it be as funny?? I remember many times as a very young child that people - old and young - who made fun of Dad because he limped. This was very upsetting to me. Mom and Dad discovered what had upset me and told me that I had to learn to ignore remarks like that. It was hard to do (and still is), but we all have to learn to remember what God wants us to do!

Just in case you might like to look at some idioms, how they are used, and what they mean I have listed the URL to one of the idiom sites!

http://www.learn-english-today.com/idioms/idiom-categories/alphabetical-list.htm

Cooking Up a Storm - Whew!!!!!!

Saturday - October 3, 2009

Mom loves to tell the story of when I actually started to help her cook the meals!!! I came home form school as she was about to make "potato cakes" for supper. This is where we used left over mashed potato and fry them as you would a pancake. Mmmm - they are good!!! She allowed me to mix the flour and a little bit of milk in with the potatoes. She always made the "batter" thick enough where we would pat out a round "cake" and then fry it!! As the years have gone by, I have discovered that there are many versions of the "potato 'pan'cake" which seems to be an Appalachian dish. This was my first dish to fix all by myself under the supervision of Mom.

During junior high school, the girls were required to take Home Economics which was one semester of cooking and the other for sewing. The boys were to take woodworking and a mechanical drawing classes. That was back in the day when certain classes were just for the girls and others were for the boys. Personally I feel both the girls and boys need the Home EC. classes - especially cooking. It was in Home EC that my interest in cooking peaked. It was something I could do with Mom! From that point on I was in the kitchen to help fix the "simple" dishes!! With Mom's supervision I was learning "more" in our kitchen at home than the one at school. Of course when the boys found out who had fixed the potato cakes, cornbread, mashed potatoes, or gravy - they would act as if they had been poisoned!! I love my brothers!!!!!

The one thing about cooking with Mom, unless it was a cake or pie recipe, we did not measure ingredients for the dish we were fixing. Dishes that we fixed that we more or less fixed without the use of measuring cups and spoons included cornbread and spaghetti sauce. I've actually had to take the time to measure the ingredients as I made them so I could share with friends and family had to use the measuring utensils. I tries to be as accurate as possible, but I'm sure the spaghetti sauce got a little extra basil, oregano, or garlic from one batch to another.

Today, I tend to follow a dab of this and a pinch of this for many dishes I prepare with the exception being certain cakes and pies. New dishes will have me using the measuring utensils until I get comfortable with the taste of the dish. Sometimes I will add more or less of the spices to the recipe until I get the taste we like!! I watched not only Mom cook this way, but my grandmother and aunts as well. They were all great cooks.

Some of my fondest memories is of Mom and me in the kitchen during the holidays. We didn't have a lot of money to spare for gifts. One of the ways Mom and dad decided to give gifts would be by making them! These gifts went to the people Dad worked with and special friends of the family. We would make fudge, peanut butter balls, peanut brittle, orange marmalade danish rolls, and orange cakes. I had certain jobs I was in charge of when the cooking began. Dad did too. He was always the official taster - much to Mom chagrin!!!! He loved sneaking into the kitchen and slipping a bite of the candy and cakes we would make!!! It always aggravated Mom - much to Dad's delight!!! :):) The hardest part was the cleaning up - yuck, that fell under my job description. :(:(

When staying with Mom throughout the week, I am now trying to make these good memories come back for her. Due to her eyesight, she can't see to do what she use to be able to when cooking. She still cooks some, but we try to supervise her now!! When I say supervise, that simply means turning the oven on and off, or reading and measuring the ingredients for a new recipe she wants to try. She loves being in the kitchen and helping cook whatever we have decided to make for the day. This week we fixed dishes for her to warm up - and if the kids come by there will be enough for all to eat - as well as making and freezing some dishes!!! Mom is all smiles when in her kitchen! She may not be able to see as she did, but the feeling of being needed in the kitchen is still there, and it brings a smile to her face! All this cooking may wear me out, but her smile and and her knowing she is needed is worth it all!!!

Yes we are "Cooking Up a Storm" and loving it!!!! Following are some of the pictures taken during this week's "Cooking With Mammaw!"

Gathering of some of the ingredients!

Veggies and Chicken ready to prepare for Chicken Pot Pies!

Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom, and milk ready to be whisked together.

The oven is set at 450 - notice the blue circles on the controls - this is to help Mom see what to punch when turning the oven on and off!

Mixing of the veggies and sauteed chicken in with the soup mixture!
These were bakes and then once cooled, they were frozen!

This one was made for Bill to eat while I was with Mom!

I love the color of these veggies for the Chicken Alfred - we have onions, broccoli, red pepper, yellow pepper, orange pepper, and green pepper.

Another bowl of diced chicken ready to be sauteed!

Sauteing the veggies!

A big pan once the veggies and chicken are mixed with the Alfredo Sauce.

Boiling the tri-color bowtie pasta for the Chicken Alfredo.

. . . this added more color to the dish!

. . . and we ended up with a dish that lasted only two days once the grand kids stopped by to see Mammaw!

We also fixed something "sweet" for those that can eat sweets . . .

. . . so we made some Rice Krispie Treats!

. . . and this mixture will become . . .

. . . oops, the boxes in the background gives you a hint - Brownies . . .

. . . using the pan I ordered!!!!!

. . . hmmmmm - looks like a couple of pieces have disappeared before they were cooled!! Culprits were Billy and Mammaw!!!! :):)

Wednesday was chilly, soooo "chili" is in the makings . . .

. . . we like "chili beans" and "kidney beans" . . .

. . . along with using diced or crushed tomatoes (or whatever I may have in the cabinet) - this can happens to be organic . . .

. . . diced onions to add to the beef . . .

. . . plus a little extra Chili Powder and even some Mexican seasoning . . .

. . . and the finished pot for a "chili" day!!!