Mullins Family Reunion

PHOTO CAPTION CONTEST:

What is Dad saying to Ted in this Photo?

I can think of a few possibilities:

• "If you won't tell anyone..."
• "How many of those kids called you Daddy?"
• "I knew Clyde didn't know what he was talking about."
• "They don't seem to want us in the family photo, do they?"

Leave your captions as comments...

No More Genealogy

I know I have just started to put together our family tree but I think I am going to have to quit genealogy and find a new hobby. I knew going in that there might be a few 'skeletons in the closet' as people say, but it's getting too frightening too quick.

I've been identifying ancestors and putting their data into a family tree program I found. Every so often I take a look at the tree to see how it is filling out. A few days ago I noticed this section of the tree and it sent chills up my spine.

It would appear that Dad and Ted have common ancestors. They are both the Great-Great-Great-Grandsons of Sherwood Mullins and Mary Roberts. If I'm reading the Understanding Cousins chart correctly, that makes them FOURTH COUSINS! Not seventh cousins or fifth cousins twice removed but actual, honest to goodness, Fourth Cousins. I'm afraid this news might put Dad back into the hospital again or, more likely, make him mad enough to shoot the person who brought this information to light (Me).

For my own safety I think I need to change hobbies. No more genelogy for me! I'm thinking about getting into one of those competitive eating contests. I've had lots of practice. I could maybe turn Pro and go on the 'circuit'. I might even end up on ESPN someday. I could do the hotdogs and hamburgers real easy. The sushi would be a problem though.

Beautiful

Emily is almost four and loves to dress up and be pretty. She loves makeup, and fingernail polish, and all the frills that go with being a girl. Lately she has been asking me if she is beautiful. She will ask me when she wears a new dress, or combs her hair a different way, or she will smile real big and want to know if she is beautiful. Of course me being the proud Grandma that I am I always tell her she is absolutely beautiful and then some.

One morning we were on our way to work and preschool and she had on a different coat than she had been wearing. She asked me if I thought she was beautiful in her new coat. I answered the usual, "Oh, Yes Emily. You are so beautiful." She was pleased with herself.

A few minutes went by and I looked at her in my rear view mirror and asked, "Emily, am I beautiful?"

I was not at all ready for her answer, "No Grandma, but you are Wonderful and Special!"

Oh my! What was this. I was wonderful and special, but not beautiful. I felt like I had just come off a blind date that was to be my last date. A few days went by and I asked Emily what I needed to do to be beautiful? Again, I was not ready for her answer, "Grandma you just need to stop being bad to me and Blair when we are bad and then you can be beautiful too."

Go figure! All I have to do is let her and Blair be as bad as they want to be, and I can be beautiful. I guess I will just have to settle for being Wonderful and Special.



Posted by Jeff

Wildflower Weekend is Near

This coming weekend is Wildflower Weekend. I ran across this press release from the Kentucky Tourism folks today...

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After several cold days, the wildflowers at Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade are hanging on and continuing to progress towards the predicted peak bloom in late April. Some early wildflowers such as hepatica and bloodroot are beginning to fade. Wildflowers currently in or near peak bloom include rue anemone, yellow trout lily, miterwort, long-spurred violet, star chickweed, pennywort, large-flowered trillium, and red trillium. Those flowers that have buds or have just begun to bloom include: wild geranium, purple phacelia, foam flower, wild ginger, and columbine. The leaves/buds of stonecrop, Solomon s seal, wood betony, May apple, mandarin, and dwarf-crested iris are up and preparing for their spectacular displays. As for trees and shrubs in bloom, serviceberry and trailing arbutus are continuing to bloom on the sandstone ridge tops, while spicebush and redbuds continue to bloom in the valleys. Two of the best trails at Natural Bridge for observing spring wildflowers are the Rock Garden and Whittleton Trails.

The peak of wildflower blooming at Natural Bridge should closely coincide with our Wildflower Weekend event April 17-20. The beautiful area around Natural Bridge is home to hundreds of native plant species which can be enjoyed during this event with other botanists, gardeners, and nature lovers. Our fieldtrips are for all levels of participation, from beginner to advanced wildflower enthusiasts and from short easy walks to longer hikes at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge Geological Area! ...

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It's also Hillbilly Days in Pikeville so I don't know how much of Wildflower weekend Jennie and I will get to take part in, we hope to get to Natural Bridge for part of it anyway.

Double D Decision

A little bird told me that a certain member of the StalkerClan is considering having some cosmetic surgery done and is trying to decide just how much "enhancement" she needs. To protect her privacy we'll refer to our surgical candidate as simply 'Jessica'. Please review the photos below and participate in our poll to help poor 'Jessica' make her decision.

ENHANCEMENT OPTIONS: The Jessica Alba The Jessica Biel The Jessica Simpson or The Full Dolly Parton

Now, let 'Jessica' know what you think by voting in the poll below: