Baseball Cheerleader

The boys started baseball about a month ago.  They are both very good.  Because of their age difference they are on different leagues.  When Austin would practice he would have the rest of us four all out on the side-lines yelling and cheering our hearts out for him.  Well, after about the fourth practice he caught me alone and said, "Mom, can you guys not holler things at me when I'm practicing?" 

I was kinda surprised because I thought that he liked the support.  "We are just trying to cheer you on and be supportive, Austin.  But we will stop if you don't like it." 

He replied, "Well, it's just kind of embarrassing and it gets me nervous and stuff." 

I assured him that we would stop and that I would break it to the rest of his fans (mainly Caleb and Caitlyn).  So I told Caleb and Caitlyn that from now on in practice we should just be quiet and watch big bubby silently.  They agreed that they would try.  Well, the very next day Austin had practice.  They were in the middle of their team warm-ups when Caitlyn came running up from the playground and noticed that Austin and his team-mates were doing jumping-jacks.   Before I had a chance to stop her she yelled very loudly, "Whoooooo, Austin!  Those sure are some good jumping-jacks.  Those will sure stop the ice-cream truck!" 

Austin turned around and cut his eyes right at Caitlyn and glared an "I'm gonna kill you!" look at her.  She quickly cupped her hands over her mouth.  Then she slowly looked up at me and said, "Oops!  I forgot what you telled me!"  Then she cupped her mouth again and giggled under her breath, "He's sure gonna killlllllll me!"

Amber

Mighty Cason At The Bat

Crystal sent me several photos of Cason's first baseball game.  I put them in this slideshow to share with everyone.

He looks pretty good to me.  It wouldn't surprise me to see him playing for the Mudville Nine someday.

Jumping Jacks for Ice-Cream

When we lived at the old house the ice-cream truck would come by our neighborhood every once in a while and let me tell you it was always a major event with kids.  They loved it!  So since we've been in the new place, it had been about two years since we had seen it.

Well, that all changed about a month ago when the kids were playing outside and they heard the faint sound of ice-cream truck music being blasted out over the huge PA on top of the truck.  It must have been miles away from the sound of it, but the kids screeched and squealed and ran around like a bunch of sugar starved Mayberrys as they turned my house inside out looking for change.

Caitlyn's screams were particularly amusing because it was almost as if she were sounding an alarm.  She would squeal as loud as she could for about 5 seconds , run out of breath, the squeal would deflate, she would then inhale for about 3 seconds and start again.  It sounded as if Minnie Mouse herself were sounding a fire alarm.  I just sat back and watched the chaos. 

By the time they all got to the drive way with their money, they were out of breath.  I watched out the window as they waited, and waited, and waited.  A couple of times I tried to coax them in, but with no success.  After about 45 min. they all shuffled in the house like a bunch of deflated balloons.  The ice-cream truck had gone by without stopping.  I dug through the deep freeze and found 3 ice-cream sandwiches and passed them out.  They all took them almost reluctantly.  They ate them as if it were a chore and finally Caleb said, "Thanks for the ice-cream , Mom.  But it just doesn't taste as good as the ice-cream truck ones."

The next day the kids were playing outside and as if the ice-cream truck lady were playing some sick joke, the whole scenario played out again.  Caitlyn sounded the alarm and they were off.  This time they sat in the drive-way for what seemed like an hour or more.  Sadly, once again the ice-cream truck didn't turn down our street.  I finally made them come in and I explained to them that next time I would walk them all down to the end of the block so the the ice-cream truck would be sure to see them.

Sure enough, the very next day while the kids were playing in the yard, I heard Caitlyn sound the alarm.  This time I sprang into action as well.  Out the door I ran like a flash and we all huffed it down to the end of the block.  When we got there we could just barely see the top of the now infamous truck coming over the hill.  At that instant, something very strange took place.  All of the sudden Caleb's body began to move and it flailed and twisted and jumped.  The other kids and I just stared at him in awe as we watched his contorted movements intensify.  It was as if his little body had become possessed.  Possessed by the ice-cream spirit.  As the truck neared his dance became refined into what can best be described as a jumping-jack on steroids gone wrong.

When the truck got closer I tried to get Caleb to calm down, but he was a kid on a mission.  He jumped so high and with such  hysteria.  It was quite a sight!  He jumped those jacks from one side of the road to the other and then back again.  His face as solemn and serious as I have ever seen it.  The truck slowed to a stop a few yards from us and the music stopped.  Caleb's movements stopped as well.  His shoulders slumped and he let out a long dramatic sigh of relief.  All was silent.  Then Austin and Caitlyn rushed to Caleb like he had hit the winning run at a baseball game.  Austin picked him up and twirled him around as he squealed, "You did it!  You did it, little buddy!  You stopped the truck!"  Caitlyn hugged him and laughed hysterically.   Caleb nodded his head modestly in agreement.  He was The Man!  They all bought their ice-cream from the lady.  They savored every last lick.  They even shared licks with each other.  But all afternoon all the talk was of Caleb's amazing (bordering on heroic) jumping jack dance.

Two days later, the kids were in the yard when I heard Caitlyn's deafening alarm sound off.  I watched this time as all three kids ran to the driveway.  All three frantically began to do the possessed version of jumping jacks.  The ice-cream truck lady came all the way to our house this time.  She was laughing when she handed them their ice-cream.  Austin and Caitlyn patted Caleb on the back as they walked to the front steps.

The ice-cream truck (needless to say) has now found out where the mother load is.  She hits our house almost everyday.  I am expecting her truck to upgrade to an Escalade or Hummer any day now.

You know, when I think about the persistence that those kids had to have to get that ice-cream, it makes me smile.  They never gave up.  Instead when times got tough...they danced.  A weird, possessed, jumping jack dance, but still a dance.  I can't help but think of that song  "I Hope You Dance."

Amber

No Bad Deed Goes Unpunished

Randy and I went snow skiing in February with Amber, Jevon, Austin and Caitlyn Jean. We had a blast! The boys were skiing like pros in just two days. We all agreed that the trip was one of our best ever.

While we were there a few good clan stories happened. This one was at the top of my list to write when I returned home. I laugh every time I think about it.

I know that all of us can relate to being a child and not wanting to get into trouble. Especially with our dads. I was terrified of my dad. If I had to lie to stay of trouble, so be it. The fear of dad’s anger was stronger that the guilt of telling a lie. Been there done that many times.

One morning Amber was sweet and fixed everyone breakfast.

Amber: What do you guys want for breakfast?

Me: I want two eggs and turkey bacon.

Jevon: Two eggs, turkey bacon and grits.

Randy: Cinnamon Buns. I know you have them. I bought them. They are in the fridge. Okay Okay. I’ll just have grits, eggs and bacon.

Austin: Two eggs over easy, bacon and grits.

Caleb: I don’t want anything. Okay just bacon. Okay. Eggs and grits too.

Caitlyn Jean: I want everything Mom.

Now needless to say Amber did a great job. But she had a little help and this is where the fun starts. She fixed my plate first and handed it to Austin, who headed to the living room where I was watching the news and weather. I was sitting behind a rather large coffee table when I watched Austin attempt to place my plate on it. All I saw was my plate go down. I could not see how it fell or if anything fell off.

I watched as Austin bent down to pick it up. In my mind I thought it took him more than just a second to get my plate up. I asked him. “Austin, did my food fall on the floor?”

“Oh no, Grandma! Just the plate,” he answered.

“Are you sure Austin?” I asked one more time.

“Grandma, would I do that to you?” came the answer from the sweetest lips on the mountain.

How could I have doubted such a sweet innocent child? I felt ashamed of myself I picked my plate up and headed for the kitchen table. Austin sat straight across from me. I looked down at my plate and the picture of it going down was still in my head. I started picking at it ever so gingerly. Trying not to be too obvious. Amber walks over and saw me looking at my food. “Mom, is that how you like your eggs?” She asked.

"Well honey," trying not to make a fuss, "I like my egg's yellow runny and my whites done, but this will be okay,” I replied. 

Out of heaven came the words that took all my worry away. Heaven was the only place that could have saved me at that moment, and I knew it. “Mom if you don’t like your eggs that way, give your plate to Austin and I will make you some more,” came the blessed words from my innocent daughter's lips.

My hands moved faster than my mind could relay the message. The plate was in front of Austin before he could say one word or make any gesture that might mean he did not approve of this trade. I could hardly contain myself as I watched him take his fork and move the food around. What was he looking for I wondered? Could it be DIRT from the floor? He still swore it had not hit the floor. Oh Yeah! After about two days, he fessed up and told me that all the food had hit the floor and he just scooped it up and put it back on the plate. Good is good all the time.

Jeff

Make A Joyful Racket

A lot of things have happened to me in the last few months and I feel so much better in so may ways. I will have to start this story by telling you all what has brought me to this very wonderful point in my life.

A few months ago things were happening that caused great worry and fear inside of me. I was worrying myself to death. My blood pressure was way too high. I could not sleep or eat. I was a real mess. A friend, Teia came by at work and ask me to come by and see her after work. I agreed and went by. We talked for a while about God and how good he is to us and the importance of prayer. (I of course thought I was already doing all I needed to do towards my spiritual walk with the Lord.) When I was ready to leave, we got down on our knees and she prayed the most beautiful prayer with me. Her prayer was so sweet and full of love that I could feel the love she had for God and me. I left not really feeling any different than I had felt when I had arrived.

The next morning I woke up with such joy that I could not explain how wonderful I felt. I was thrilled to have my joy back. I had not felt joy in such a long time that I had forgotten how good it felt. I just knew that I did not want to let it go.

I started reading my Bible again and praying. (I had been so busy worrying that I did not have time to pray or read. Not only was I busy worrying, I was so tired and I could hardly maintain the things I needed to keep my life in order. I was a mess!)

One of the first stories I read was the story of the lost son, Luke 15:11 -32. It tells about a man with two son. One son is obedient and the other wants to live in the world. He asked his dad to give him his inheritance and he leaves and goes out and waste it all. A great famine comes to the land and he is forced to feed the swine. He is about as low as a man can be at this point in his life. He is hungry and no one would give him anything to eat. He feared going home. He thought that his father would still be angry with him. Then he thought to himself. “How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger. I will arise and go to my father and will say to him. Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of you hired servants.”  He arose and went to his father’s house. His father was so thrilled to see him that he threw a big party and invited everyone to come.

Now I dwelled on this story for several days. I thought to myself, “This story is about my daughter. I just need to be patient and she will come home."  This seemed to give me peace.

After about three days, God spoke to me and this is what he said, “This story is not about your daughter.”

“It’s not?” I asked. “Then who is it about?”

“It is about you.” , came the answer I would never in a million years thought I would hear.

“How can this be about me?” I asked. “I love my parents.”

“You don’t trust me. You have been trying to fix you daughter for five years and you can’t. Your mind has been in the hog pen for five years. You don’t sing to me, read your bible or go to church the way you used to. You are too busy trying to fix her. Now you need to trust me and work your way back to me. I can take care of her. You can’t.” And just like that I was set free!

My life has not been the same since. I have given all my fears and worries to my Lord and he shows me everyday just how good he is. My faith has grown in such a way I sometimes just want to shout out to the whole world what he has done for me. Freedom from worry and fear is worth more than anything I have ever owned. I have more energy now and I love to get out and do things that used to just make me tired to think about. I love life and want to live it to the fullest.

---

Now to get to the funny part of this story. I know God has a really good sense of humor, because he gives me plenty to laugh about. And I now love to laugh and enjoy the humor in so many things. 

Since I was set free, I love to sing.  I have an old Baptist hymnal and I open it as often as I can and sing the songs I learned in church as a child.  I am so thankful Mom took us to church. What a blessing to have these old songs to sing. ( I looked at the top of the page and saw the names of the people that wrote these old songs and composed the music. They lived in the 1800's. And their songs still ring true today.)

Anyway, I love to sing. I will sing a song all day long. Or I might hum it. I love to hear myself sing. But I can’t say that everyone loves to hear me sing. This in a conversation Randy and I had on the way to one of the grandson’s ball games.

Me: “Randy would you mind if I sing a song on the way to the game?”

Randy: “Why no honey. I don’t mind.”

I open my song book and start to sing Whosoever Will. I had sung this song many times when I was by myself and really enjoyed it. I thought Randy would enjoy it too. I get out the first line and he reaches over and takes the song book out of my hand and starts moving his fingers as though he is at the piano. Then he preceded to sing the song the right way. I get through the chorus and start on the second verse. Again he reaches over and takes the book, and repeats the same finger movements and tries to get me back on the right tune. This is repeated each time I start the next verse of the song. Four times! After the fourth time, he hands me the book and I start turning the pages.

Randy: “What are you doing?”

Me: “Trying to find a song you don’t know." 

He is quiet for a few seconds.

Randy: "Well, I’ve got news for you. You won’t know it either."

Me: "Randy, when I am by myself, I love to sing a joyful song unto the Lord."

Randy: "You mean a joyful racket!"

We laughed all the way to the ball game. I now sing when he is not around and really enjoy it. I feel that I must apologize to the composers who I know are cringing when I sing. But no one will stop me from singing a joyful racket unto my Lord.

Jeff

WILKed by the Computer

I am at Crystal’s place today, taking care of Cason. He has been sick with a bad cough and needed to be out of school one more day.

When I arrived, I ask Crystal to run over all the ins and outs of working her computer. I told her that if I had time, I wanted to write up a few clan stories. She showed me her top of the line work computer and I just sat and watched her breeze through several different programs and things I can only imagine doing. It was awesome! She then proceeded to take me over to the home computer and show me how to do all the things I needed to know to write and send stories to Clyde. Seems easy enough. About the time she finished with her lesson, Cason woke up and walked into the room. He was excited to see me. Not as excited as he gets when he sees Granddad, but excited enough. After a very brief hug, he jumped into the seat I had been sitting in at the home computer. He asked, “Mom, can I play Toon’s Town now? Please Mom?”

She agreed and I watched as he maneuvered the mouse to just the right spot and clicked it to get started. He was a real pro. He had logged on and was playing his game within 15 seconds. As I watched all of this I realized that he would be on that computer all day. My Clan stories would just have to wait. Crystal must have read my mind and said, “Here Mom, you can use this computer.”

She took just a few seconds to show me what to do. I shook my head as though I understood everything she had just shown me. I would have been totally embarrassed to have her show me twice with Cason in the room. The shame would have been too great!

Crystal rushed to get ready for her appointments. As she hurried out the door she told me to make sure Cason ate breakfast and took his medicine. I went to work making Cason’s breakfast. Pancakes were the only thing on the menu. I, of course being the health conscious granny that I am, put more egg in that pancake than mix. When I was finished, I called Cason to come down stairs to eat his breakfast. He hollowed something back at me. I could not understand what he was saying. So I just keep calling him to come down. Finally, after about five screams to come down, I heard him scream back to me. “GRANDMA, I HAVE TO SIGN OFF OF TOONS TOWN. OKAY?”

How could I have not known that? Some things are just too important to leave for later. He may look like Crystal, but he is a lot like his Dad.

After breakfast, we played cards. Someone made up all the rules as we went. Looked at his card before lying it down and even slipping a few under the table when he thought I wasn’t looking. Never the less, I beat his butt. I was the winner! He was not happy about that at all. He had to race me everywhere we went. Of course he beat me. Stairs are not my best racing grounds. Crystal, if you are reading this part, for my sake, just think I was embellishing a little. Okay?

After being beat so many times, I asked Cason if he would like to play on his computer while I played on his mom’s. He agreed that that was a great idea. Up those stairs we went. Two happy computer nuts ready to play long and hard on their computers. He sat down and logged on and was playing his game within 10 seconds. I sat down at Crystal’s top of the line, two giant screened computer and hoped I would not mess anything up. I gently put my hand on the mouse and moved it to get the screen to come on.

It said in large print. THIS COMPUTER HAS BEEN LOCKED BY CRYSTAL MCINNIS.

AUGH!!!

WILKED BY MY OWN DAUGHTER!!!

I sat there for what seemed like 30 minutes just staring at the message. This cannot be happening. I had big stories to write. I looked over at the only computer that would allow me to write my stories. Cason was standing in his seat shouting to the top of his lungs. “I am going to kill you! You bad monster!”

He was not going to budge one bit. I was wilked and that was all there was to it. As I sat there looking at this LOCKED mega computer, I could only dream about how nice it must be to use. I looked down and saw that Crystal had left me a sticky note with her blackberry number on it. I thought. “How nice.” She had already told me that she would be turning off her phones while in her meetings. I would just have to wait for her to call. Then I looked a little harder. Under the yellow sticky was a blue sticky. All I could see was: User and PW. Could this really be what I thought it was? YES! YES! I now had the password and would be able to log on. It took Cason 10 seconds, Grandma 30 minutes. But I was now on my way. About this time, Crystal calls. She laughs about the situation and we hang up. I logon on and think I am now on my way. NOT! A very large message pops up on the very large screen.

YOU HAVE AN APPOINT MENT WITH SO AND SO. YOU ARE TWO HOURS LATE.

AUGH!  WILKED AGAIN BY A COMPUTER. WHEN WILL THIS ALL STOP?

I call Crystal’s cell phone. It goes straight to her voicemail. I leave a very frantic message about her being two hours late for something. She calls me back and tells me that her computer just lets her know when she has an appointment. Just click it off she says. No big deal.

By this time I am exhausted from being wilked too many times in a one hour period. And Cason is ready to do something else. Go figure.

Jeff

A Special Delivery

Luci brought Mom to town a couple of weeks ago for a doctors appointment, and to do a little shopping, of course. They stopped off at my house to kill some time. I had ran across this old photograph of Zeldon Ward in a book and showed it to Mom.

She ran her finger across the photo, naming each of them and when she got to the lady on the right she said, "Why that's Ginny! She delivered me. She was a midwife. She delivered a lot of babies on Road Creek."

It's been eighty four years now since that special delivery was made.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM !

Clyde

OVER TWELVE YEARS OF FRIDAYS

Would you believe every seven years of a person's life is either completely different, stayed the same, repeats itself from the past, change a little, or a lot.

Take Mother's life for example...

• Mother turned seven on March 20, 1932. She lived with her Mother, Dad, older brother and younger brother.
• Mother turned fourteen on March 20, 1939. She was still living with her Mother, Dad, older brother and younger brother. (no change)
• Mother turned twenty-one on March 20, 1946. She is living with her Mother, Dad, older brother and this time two younger brothers. (little change)
• Mother turned twenty-eight on March 20, 1953. She is now a married woman living with her husband, son and daughter. (completely different)
• Mother turned thirty-five on March 20, 1960. She is still a married woman living with her husband, son and this time three daughters. (changed some)
• Mother turned forty-two on March 20, 1967. She is still a married woman living with her husband, son and this time four daughters. (changed little)
• Mother turned forty-nine on March 20, 1974. She is still a married woman living with her husband, son and this time only three daughters at home. (repeat from the past)
• Mother turned fifty-six on March 20, 1981. She is still a married woman living with her husband, and only one daughter at home. (changed a lot)
• Mother turned sixty-three on March 20, 1988. She is still a married woman living with her husband, youngest daughter. (It stayed the same except two grandsons moved into the home).
• Mother turned seventy on March 1995. She is still a married woman living with her husband and two grandsons. (changed some)
• Mother turned seventy-seven on March 2002. She is still a married woman living with her husband and one grandson. (changed some)
• Mother turns eighty-four today, March 20, 2009. She is still a married woman for over sixty years. She lives with her husband and grandson. (no change)

Mother was born on a Friday and today is a Friday. She has lived over twelve years of Fridays.

 HAPPY 84th BIRHTDAY MOTHER

Sherry

Blueberries

Every week Amber and Caitlyn come out to pick Great Grandmother Phyllis up and go to town. They hit all the high spots... JC Penny's, Corky Bells, and then off to Walmart. They always have a good time.

Each week Great Grandmother picks out a special treat to send home for the kids. Sometimes it’s candy, sometimes it’s beef jerky, or maybe something to go in their lunch boxes the next day. She always sends something special home for them. Amber says they always look forward to seeing what she has sent. 

Yesterday, Phyllis asked Amber what she could get?  Amber told her that they are trying to eat more healthy foods and suggested some fresh blueberries.  They went and picked out two packs.

That afternoon when the boy’s got home, Amber fixed the blueberries for them. She put Caitlyn’s in a cup and handed them to her.  Caleb and Austin waited as she fixed theirs. 

Amber said Caitlyn was scarfing her berries down as fast as her little hands could move. Austin was watching her and commented on her haste to eat her berries so fast, “Caitlyn, I know what you are doing. You are going to eat all your berries and then want us to share our’s with you.”

“No, I’m not Austin!” she said, as she continued cramming the berries into her mouth.

Amber watched as Caitlyn finished off the last of her berries.  She slowly walked over to Austin with a confession,  “Austin, you were right.  Can I have a berry?  Please?”

Of course Austin reached down into his cup and gave her one.  That boy sure does know his sister.

Jeff

HAPPY 57th BIRTHDAY RIN TIN TIN

This day March 5th, 1952 a Germany Shepard gave birth to a litter of puppies. One of them would grow up to be Rin Tin Tin IV. Also on this day, a 26 year old lady gave birth to a baby girl who would grow up to be a retired Black Lung Office worker. I wonder, which one made the most money in their lifetime?

HAPPY 57TH BIRTHDAY LUCILLE

Sherry

Editors Note:  I love irony and I never would have thought of this if Sherry hadn't pointed it out.  That little puppy and baby girl both born on the same day.  One would grow up to be a mangy old mutt, lying around on the front porch, barking at Papaw, scratching and gnawing on a ham bone.  The other would be a famous movie star.  Ironic how it turned out, isn't it?