In Loving Memory of Mom

Today is the 1st anniversary of my mother's passing. She has and always will be greatly missed, but I have some wonderful memories to keep me going.

Mom and Dad (2008)

Elizabeth Ann Prather

June 4, 1936 - Jan. 1, 2010

When going thru some of mom's things when preparing for her memorial, I found this prayer among some of her things and meant to read it at the memorial, but decided on some other things instead, but would like to share it now. I thought it was fitting since she passed on Jan. 1st.

A New Year's Prayer for Peace

Dear Lord,

Let this be a year

that moves us

one step closer

to each other.

Let this be a year

that brings us

understanding in our hearts.

Let this be a year

that fills us

with a yearning

burning feeling

for peace with one another

and a oneness, Lord, with You!

© 1996 by Guideposts, Carmel, NY 10512

God Bless Everyone and May You All Have a Happy New Year!

Birthday Celebration!

I had a wonderful birthday today! This morning Harold and I picked up my friend Mary at the airport (this is what she wanted for her Christmas present - LOL!) and she treated us to lunch for my birthday since she could not join us this evening as she was packing to leave again in the morning). This evening we went to my favorite (well our favorite) Sakura's Japanese Steakhouse for dinner and Margarethe and Bobbie joined us.

I opened presents before the cooking started.

Flaming onion cup (this is new, they usually do a volcano and then pretend it is a choo- choo steaming for the kids). He made a huge mess later with the rice, but it was still delicious!

The gang!

My goodies! I really got some wonderful gifts!

Tigger decided he got some gifts as well - the tissue paper. He had fun attacking it and then sleeping on it - didn't have the heart to pick it up he was having such fun - will do that tomorrow.

Birthday Surprises in the Mail!

The day after Christmas, I received a package from my darling niece, Lindsey. She made me this lovely necklace and included a kit for me to make one of my own. She said she made her mom and MIL one with pictures of her little boy - Jay-Jay and I think that is what I will do, make mine with a picture of my new little grandson, Brexton. Look the box even has a dragonfly on it (you'd think I liked them or something - wouldn't you!). I also love dragons and any fantasy creature, so this pegasus is perfect for me and it even has some purple in it and I have a lot of purple things to wear it with! She is such a sweetie and I love this gift!


Today Harold, Jacob and I made a trip down to Richmond to go to Schlotzsky's (our favorite deli) and then to Chesapeake Mall for a look around (I stayed at the Barnes & Noble while they shopped) and then to Books-a-million. Before we left I had gotten a package of some bulk items I was waiting for via UPS (jars, wooden needle holders and small canvases), but when we returned, I had another package waiting for me from my cousin, Debbie. I love getting surprises from her, she gives such wonderful gifts. Inside the box was this:

A handmade box/bag which held a matching pillow box with a stamp inside it and a CD Flowers Calendar. I also got one of her lovely cards for my birthday. Surprises like these make getting a year older worth it - LOL!

Christmas 2010

Late as usual getting things posted. We had a wonderful Christmas this year, mostly because Jacob was home. Just wish George and his family could have come to visit as well, but hopefully in a few months they can. We slept in late and then got up and opened our presents , I even got shot (you will see what I mean in the pictures). Then we prepared dinner for the guests that were coming later. I didn't have to do as much cooking this year (as I did for Thanksgiving). Jacob bought a large had from Honey-baked Hams and we bought a roasted turkey breast from there. We served the ham at room temp. and I did heat up the turkey. I also made my cornbread dresssing (of course) and mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. All was yummy!

Our tree Christmas morning

Little Bit trying to look innocent, so she had to have gotten into something earlier - LOL! See the Santa on the mantel, I got that from our friends, The Hodaks, as well as one in all white and they gave us gift card for The Mexico Restaurant.

Harold with a glass that Jacob got him (Navy emblem on front)

Harold's stocking stuffers and some of his other gifts

Jacob's stocking stuffers and some of his gifts. The bowl of fruit and things are from our wonderful neighbor, Alice.

My stocking stuffers and gifts. The 2 Eeyore items are from Jacob's girlfriend, Karli and the cute dragon - Jacob got me. Aren't they adorable. I love Eeyore and dragons!

Santa brought this little item for Harold and Jacob

And just what do they do with it ...

THEY SHOT ME! And here is the proof!
They thought they were sooooo funny - they forget - I know where they sleep Hee! Hee!

and here are our guests ready to eat and wanting me to hurry up and get my picture!L-R: Jacob, Melodye, Chad, Harold, Andy, Margarethe, Bobbie

Karli & Jacob (she joined us after dinner)

This picture was actually taken earlier when they went out with friends to Sakura's.

Sad News

I received a call from my cousin Donna this morning advising that my Aunt Julia (mom's sister) had gone into the hospital yesterday with pneumonia and early this morning (later found out it was about 1am) that she had congestive heart failure and was now unresponsive and they did not think she would make it thru the day.

Sadly she passed away this evening. This was already going to be a rough Christmas, knowing that my mother was no longer here to talk to on Christmas Day and now I will not have Aunt Julia to talk to either. She always called to wish us a Merry Christmas! My heart goes out to my cousins as I know this holiday season will be a rough one and for years to come and I wish I could be with them, but will just have to settle for letting them know that my thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of mourning. They know I understand what they are going thru and why I can not be there with them. All my love to them and the rest of the family during this time of sorrow.

In Loving Memory

Julia Catherine Faulk Petry

November 7, 1933 - December 17, 2010

Scarlet Sophisticates Christmas Soiree

Saturday was The Scarlet Sopisticate's Annual Christmas Soiree and we had a blast. This year we had some red hat vendors as well as a few others and I even set up a table with some stocking stuffer-type items to sell. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of my table. We even had a band play this year and they were great!

We had two hat vendors:

Here are the jewelry, Miche bag and Avon vendors:

Joann Miller, Royal Jeweler of Purpeology

Miche bags (Avon at next table)

Here are a few shots from the party itself:

Karlene, Delores, Doris

We had a few of us that were brave enough to get up and dance. I even got up a couple of times, but can't dance as much as I would like to as my knees were bothering me a lot.

Charlotte, Kathi, Karen

I even got a friend to take a picture of me in my Christmas Red Hat finery. Ankles are a little swollen (think I danced more than I should have - LOL!) Since December is my birthday month I get to wear red with a purple hat. I love it!

Happy Squirrels!

We always enjoy watching the squirrels play in our yard. Mostly in the backyard, but occassionally acting up in the front yard. This year they decided they liked the pumkin I had on the front steps. They have never bothered the pumpkin before and I am glad they at least waited until after Halloween. I got this one from the Senior Center when I went to make cards last month. They had drawn faces on them and gave me one. Unfortunately, it was done with markers that were not permanent and the face wash away the first day as it was raining. Oh well! Anyway, starting last week we noticed something was eating the top of the pumpkin, but could not tell for sure if it was a bird or the squirrels, until one morning when Harold walked out and scared a poor squirrel half too death. Well, the day before Thanksgiving they finally broke thru to the inside and after that they made quick work of it...they discovered the yummy seeds inside and went crazy, everytime you looked out there was a squirrel eating. It was so funny to watch them practically climb inside it to get the goodies in it. They have eaten all of the insides now, so we haven't been seeing them any more. They have lost interest in the shell of the pumpkin now. These shots were taken Thanksgiving's Day.

Happy Thanksgiving's Day!

Had a nice Thanksgiving's Day this year. Jacob was able to come home to join us and we had my friends over again. I made the usual - tukey, ham, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes,green bean casserole and deviled eggs. Margarethe brought over a delicious Hershey Bar pie and a Apple-Cranberry Crumb pie and Bobbie brought over a great Pineapple Upside-down Cake (my favorite) and a homemade pumpkin pie. I had also bought a Sweet Potato pie and Harold had found a Sweet Potato Cake (someone had made one once and he liked it, but he said hers was definitely better - of course it was, it was homemade). Jacob also preferred Bobbie's pumpkin pie over his usual preference of sweet potato pie - again homemade wins over store bought - LOL!

More Treats and Cards

This year at our Scarlet Sophisticates' Christmas Party we are having vendors and they asked me if I wanted to set up a table, so I am making stocking stuffer items, cards for Christmas and red hat themed cards. Here are some of the items I have finished so far.

I have a lot more started and some more ideas floating around in my head. This week I will be busy getting more done.

Scarlet Sophisticates Turkey Dinner

Every year my Scarlet Sophisticates group goes to Bob Evans for an early Turkey Day Dinner. We have a great time. This year I made everyone some little treats - M&Ms in a 1x8 bag and a turkey nugget.

We're a Great-Aunt & Uncle Again!

Well, after a grueling 30+ hr. labor, Sky Blanc finally made his appearance. Bekah is doing well and she and Beau are now first time proud parents of a beautiful bouncing baby boy. Sky came into the world on 11/17 at 5:53pm and weighed in at 8 lbs. 14 ozs. and 19 inches long. (close to my Jacob who was 8 lbs. 15 ozs. and 20.5 inches when born over 20 years ago). I love this picture of Sky. Isn't he adorable!

Sky Blanc

Bekah, Beau, Sky & Grandma Becky

More Turkey Nuggets!

I made up another batch of turkey nuggets, this time with a waddle.

Sr. Ctr. Cards, Line Dancers and More Happy Mail!

Today I went to the Sr. Ctr. in Col. Beach to make cards again. We made a Thanksgiving's Day card and 2 Christmas Cards.

Afterwards the HeeHaw Line Dancers came in and put on a show for the seniors, so Bobbie and I stayed to watch and have a light lunch with them. We had a blast! They put on a great performance and at the end had some of us come up to do the Elecric Slide. I volunteered to go up as I love to line dance (when I know the routine), but rarely do it anymore, because of my knees. I made it thru the whole dance, but barely. My knees and shins were about to give out on me, but I made it thru. Wish I could do something like this all the time, but that won't happen until after I get a knee replacement and that may be awhile.

Here is Janie (in back in brown) the Activities Director at the center joining in as she use to be a part of this group, so they had her join them on the first 2 dances. They were very good.

Afterwards they put their hats on a couple of us for a photo opt. Yea - that is me in the front center.

When I got home I had a surprise waiting for me...a package from my cousin Deb again. I was expecting another check from her for another order, but was surprised to get a box which had these enclosed. I had seen them on her blog and LOVED them, so I was very exciting to be getting one of each. I love the penguin ... so cute! Isn't the card beautiful!

I had also gotten a package the day before from Alicia with the blog candy I had won. She was secretive about what it would be, so I was very happy to receive a pretty card from her along with a roll of Stampin' Up! Chantilly ribbon. Can't wait to use it!