Three Show Weekend!

Thursday - April 8, 2010

Since our retirements, one of the things we love doing is going to concerts which are not too far from home. What do I mean too far? We love going to Charleston, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Lexington. We have even gone to Pittsburgh and Toledo. Bill browses the Internet to see who and where we might see in concert. We do not stay with one music genre. We have seen Elton John, Billy Joel, BB King, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, George Jones, Roy Clark, Celtic Thunder, and Celtic Woman to name a few! :) We have also been to see Cats, and most recently a ballet in Cincinnati!

Bill found that during the weekend of March 27-28 we could see three shows in Cincinnati at the Arnoff Center. Two show would be Celtic Woman performing "songs From the Heart," and one performance would be by the Cincinnati Ballet with the Xavier University Concert Choir accompanying them. They performed "Mozart's Requiem." Adam Hougland was the choreography. I really don't know a lot about dancing, but I do know that the performers did a wonderful job! The music was powerful with the dancers showing the adrenaline rushing through their bodies and into their performance. It was a captivating dance drama that kept the audience dazzled with what was happening.

According to the program we received before going to our seats, "Mozart's Requiem" is a non-narrative drama that depicts a journey from the darkness into light. Knowing this, you could understand what was taking place. The set was unbelievable helping us see the characters grappling with grief, loss, and the reality of their inevitable mortality. It is during the second act that we saw the characters process of acceptance of finding a hopeful path towards the light. They are letting go and finally accepting the ultimate unknown.

This photo was one they took when performing at on of the castles in Ireland. Now that would be a great place to see them perform!!!!

For the past four years I have grown to love listening to Celtic Woman more and more. I became acquainted with this group from Ireland when off from work with a bad back and right after Dad passed away. I could do nothing without being in pain. I would sit in my rocker and try and watch some TV. PBS had Celtic Woman on one of their fund raiser drives. I was mesmerized by their voices and how well they would blend together. At the time their was a sixteen year old who was part of the group and had the voice of an angel. I was hooked.

I ordered their DVD and CD. After I received them, this was all I would listen to and watch!! Bill knew how much I liked them and found a time and place for us to go see them. We actually got to see them here in Huntington. We were one of the first one's in line when the tickets went on sale. We got and our tickets for that first show and as they say the rest is history!! We have also seen them in Toledo, Columbus, Lexington, and Cincinnati. Some can't understand why we love to go see them again and again, but what is the difference in going to watch the same group when they are close to home than going to a ballgame - MU, Reds, or Bengals - it's because we like them. Yes we both like Celtic Woman!

March 28, 2010 was a date in which Celtic Woman did two performances at the Arnoff Center in Cincinnati. Bill managed to get tickets for both performances! We were on the second row for both shows. "Songs From the Heart" was a remarkable show. Three of the original members - Chloe, Lisa and Mairead - are still with the group. The two newest members - Alex and Lynn - have been welcomed with open arms by fans. Their voices blend so well with the others. The songs are definitely song "from the heart."

The composers and musical director has certainly managed to put together an awesome show that has captivated people from all over the world. Each has a personality that shines through the songs they sing. Mairead's playing of the fiddle is absolutely unbelievable. The talent she displays when playing has given her the name of "the Dancing Fairy."

Bill and I both thoroughly enjoyed both shows!!! Will we go and see them again?? Yes when the date and place is right!!!!

Cora's Birthday Party in WV

Monday - March 29, 2010

Two day ago our precious grand-daughter had her first birthday. Due to many things going on, she had a party with her grandparents in WV on Friday night at Gino's. She will have a "ladybug" party in Akron on Saturday for the rest of the family. Needless to say, she is still a little too young to really understand the concept of a birthday party, but as you look through the pictures, you will see she got into what the party was all about - her!!!! She had a great time eating pizza, playing with the wrapping, bows, tissue paper, and eating her birthday cupcake and ice cream! She even liked her presents, but I think her mother and father really liked them! :):)

"Okay, what's all the fuss about?"

Mmmmmm, good - pizza!!!
Okay, so I got a little sauce on my face - Mom will get it off!

I'm still cute - dirty face and all! :):)
Uhhh, Mom, there's a fire on my food!

We were singing Happy Birthday to Cora Ann
Waving at the employees of Gino's to come and join the party!!! She was a hit!!!

Hi Mammaw, want a bite of my cupcake????? It's goooooood! :)

An angelic face - Cora is so sweet and precious!!!

Not only does she have pizza on her face, but now you can add icing, cake, and ice cream!! I think she wears it well! Adorable!!!

Now for the serious stuff - modeling one of the bows from a present!

One of the many books she received - a first words book with buttons that says the word of the picture so Cora can repeat it!

Since her big party is going to have a ladybug theme - she received many presents with ladybugs on them - pajamas, dresses, and this ladybug toy!

Presents were all opened, so now it was time to walk on the table to Granddad!

We all love Cora Ann so much and are so thankful she is in our life!!!!!

Dear Cora Ann,

Saturday - March 20, 2010

Dear Cora Ann,

Granddad and I wanted to let you know how much we love you! Today is the first day of spring, and in a week you will be celebrating your first birthday!!! We waited with much anticipation for your arrival and were so happy and thankful when we were able to hold you for the first time! You are our first grandchild and grand-daughter. We were thrilled when you made your first trip to WV so we could let the rest of the family meet you. During 2009 you celebrated your first Easter, 4th of July celebration, and first Christmas. You also gave your Mommy and Daddy their first Mother and Father’s Day. You have experienced your first bite of many new and delicious foods – some of which you loved and others were okay. Your parents saw you first rolling over, pulling up, standing up, and taking a step. My, my – how many first you have experienced in your first year of life! Some of your "first" are not good memories - your first shot, ear infection, stuffy nose, and I'm sure there are others, but for the most part most created great excitement for all who love you!!

You will experience many more first as you begin your second year of life. We pray that as you get older you will recognize the love we have for you and are so proud and humbled to have you as our first grandchild to love and cherish!!! Someday I hope you will be able to look back at some of the post on this blog and read them for yourself knowing that they were written with love! The love we have for you can never be measured, but know it is given with all our being!

We have literally hundreds of pictures of you! I went through those pictures and chose some that show how you have grown this past year!!!! I have tried to put them in chronological order, but I'm sure I have some out of sequence!!! You are our precious baby girl and we love you bunches!!!! We hope you have a wonderful first birthday, and are so glad we will be able to help you celebrate it!!!

We love you Cora Ann!

Granddad and Mammaw

Sacrifices!

Saturday - March 13, 2010

Tired? No I'm not tired!!!

How many times have I heard my mother say "I'm not tired!" Hundreds of times she has said this, but I know she has had to have been tired. For well over 60 years she has taken care of her home and family! Sacrifices that she made could never be given a monetary value - the sacrifices she made was all with love!

While watching one of her shows with her the other morning, I got to thinking about her sacrifices she had made in order for her family to have what they "needed" and not necessarily what they "wanted!" The program had single parent mothers wanting the help from the fathers of their babies. In today's society, I thought the law was in place for the "dead beat" parent to pay support.

The love of a father - Dad with Dink

It really bothers me when they try to place all "fathers" in the category as being dead beat. I know several fathers who made sure their children had not only what they needed, but many times what they wanted! Some of these fathers were not there with the children 24/7, but the support was there 24/7 - financially, emotionally, and all with love. Some of these fathers have not been given credit for what they did do. Many of these father were the custodial parent and received no help from the mother! Each situation is different, and we as society tend to categorize all fathers in one group and all mothers in another.

Mom with the four of us -Dink, John, Sue, and Mike

These single mothers were wanting financial support -which you can't blame them! However, not only these single mothers made sacrifices, but the generations before them did as well. My mother and father's generation made many sacrifices. Dad was of the belief "he" was to be the bread winner, and Mom was to be the one to stay home and raise the family. Money was not at all plentiful. Mom has said they had to scour the house, check all pockets, look under the cushions of the chair just to find enough to buy medicine for us - this was the day before credit cards!!!

Sacrifices are made everyday by mothers, fathers, families, friends, neighbors, but are we conscious of what they have done to help someone other than themselves? Do we stop and look at what we have and who made the effort for us to have it? Thankfully, many do and they thank the person/persons responsible for what they have done.

Listening to the mothers on that show made me stop and thank God I had the parents I have! They put their children ahead of them, but at the same time they did not spoil us - well maybe the boys were a tad bit spoiled! :):) Just kidding guys! I noticed the "bling" these mothers were wearing and thinking - if you didn't have all that jewelry they would have had a little extra for their children. At the same time the fathers indicated they were not doimh without what they wanted either! Yes, the father should have been helping, but both should have been thinking more about the child than themselves!!! Selfishness and wanting what they want is not what a parent should be displaying! Shows like this show only a portion of some parents are like - thankfully I know a lot of parents who do make sacrifices for their child/children!

The Layne Family - "Buck," Irene, Dink, John, Sue, and Mike

The picture I started off shows my 90 year old mother - and yes she has the right to be tired! She has worked hard not only for her family, extended family, friends, neighbors, but also doing the Lord's work. No job was ever to large for her to attempt. She still works around the house, helps with all activities at church, and loves to go - go to the store, mall, visit her family, and anywhere the car may take her!

So Mom, if you want to take a nap during the day - you've earned it!!!!! You have worked hard your entire life, so take a nap whenever and wherever you feel like it!!!!!!

We all appreciate and love you for all you have done and are doing for us!!! We love you MOM!!!

Pictures From Mom's 90th Birthday

Monday - March 1, 2010

The following pictures were taken at Mom's surprise 90th birthday party!

Mom with her three surviving children

seated: Irene Layne, Dink Layne

standing: Sue Hardin, Mike Layne

Part of the crowd waiting for Mom's arrival

One of the picture displays. These were some of the

actual pictures used in the PowerPoint presentation!

The cake!

The first piece cut went to Mom!

She was a little overwhelmed with all the presents and cards!

Another shot of some of those who attended!

Mom talking with some who were there.

Mother and daughter!
Sue Hardin and Irene Layne

Laurie and Mom - so glad she came in for the surprise!

It was a wonderful day for Mom and all the others who were there. The fact we actually surprised her was great!!!!!!