My Grandma

                                                          Grandma Inis & Aunt Eunice
                                                         



A year ago yesterday, my Grandma went to Heaven. She was 90 years old and would have been 91 if she could have made it 3 more days. I thought for sure that she would be like her mother and make it to 99.

A lot of times even now I find myself picking up the phone, getting ready to dial her number. Then I remember...she is gone... I always enjoyed being able to call her anytime I wanted. A lot of older people go to bed when the sun goes down (even if that is 5:00!) and wake up when the sun comes up. But not Grandma. She went to bed around 10 and usually didn't get up until about 8 the next morning. I used to call her every night before I went to bed and sometimes couldn't get ahold of her until 11 or so because the phone would be busy! I didn't worry because I knew that more than likely she was talking to her sister, Eunice. Aunt Eunice liked to talk and Grandma liked to listen. Grandma was a little quieter, which was something that I admired about her and wish I could be more like. When Freddie and I would take her places with us, Grandma would sit in the backseat and let us do the talking while she listened contently. Every now and then she would throw in her opinion, lol.

Grandma wasn't very hard to please. I always laugh about the times when I would ask her if she wanted to come out to my house and visit and she would say she didn't feel like it. Then a little while later if I called back and told her we were going to Walmart, she would be ready to go! She always enjoyed a trip to Walmart. When I was younger, Grandma, Aunt Eunice, Aunt Ira and me would load up and go. By the time I was old enough to drive, Grandma had stopped driving, so I would take her. When we would get there she would go in one direction and I would go another. Then it would take me at least an hour to find her because she was so short, lol.

I think about my Grandma a lot and often dream about her. She was so special to me. Adam got the chance to make memories with her that I hope he can hold onto them so that he can help me tell Evan about her and how much she loved us. I am so blessed to have had her in my life. I can't wait until I get to see her again.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure."

My New Years Resolution

For the past few years I stopped making New Year's resolutions because I thought it was pointless. I would never keep them anyway. But this year (a few days into the year) I decided to make one and to work hard at keeping it.
I resolved to start making out weekly menus for my family so there would be only one trip to the grocery store per week. I had gotten so bad about going into the grocery store needing one thing and coming out with at least $20 worth of stuff. When you do that at least 3 days out of the week, you spend at least $60 that you hadn't previously intended.
On Friday evenings, my husband and I sit down together and plan out at least five meals for the upcoming week. Our menu isn't strict as in "On Monday, meatloaf, Tuesday, spaghetti, etc..." We have five meals that we can choose from as each day arrives. Our son, Adam loves to be able to pick out what we are going to have. It makes him feel good that he has a part in it. It makes my life a little less stressful as well.

This is a recipe that one of my friends shared with me. It is a good soup that has everything you need in it! Great for when it is cold outside.

3-4 cans beef broth
2 cans mixed vegetables
1 can italian style diced tomatoes
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 pkg. egg noodles

Brown beef in a skillet. Drain grease. Boil together broth, mixed vegetables, tomatoes, and ground beef for about 30 minutes. Add egg noodles and boil for 15-20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Enjoy!

I always have A LOT to say. I am the world's worst to speak without thinking first!! Unfortunately, I passed that on to my son, Adam. He is SO much like me it isn't even funny!! Things that he does and gets in trouble for, I can totally see his point of view where others cannot. I guess it is a good thing that I can understand him but it is all Mom's fault. She cursed me!! "I can't wait until you have one of your own and it acts JUST LIKE YOU!" Well, she got her wish! Now Freddie and I say the same thing to Adam, only worse. "We can't wait until you have triplet boys that act just like you!!!!" I think Freddie is a little mad 'cause Mom never thought about how my future husband would have to deal with it too! I don't think Freddie was so much of an angel when he was younger. I've heard tales of how he used to lay down on the floor, screaming and kicking, to get what he wanted! I sure hope his mother didn't say the things mine did! Evan definantly has a mind of his own. He has one of the worst tempers I believe I have ever seen. Adam doesn't have a temper (THANK GOD!) When Adam gets in trouble, he forgets about it within five minutes. I used to stay mad for days. I am so thankful that God allowed me to be a mother. No one said it would be easy, and it's not, but it is so rewarding. It is my job to make sure that these two guys grow into Godly men and contributing members of society. Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow's society.