The Life of Molly

McReunion 4-10-11

2011-04-11T21:18:00.000-05:00

Mary, Me, Martha & Carl Jr. (Cockie)

Larry, Clint, Shane, Trenton, Caleb, Thad, Gideon, Develon & Nathan

Constance, Destiny, Megan, Karen, Melody, Lisa, Isabella, Wendy & Natalie

2 Hospital Trips, Blessings &Talon

2011-04-11T21:11:00.000-05:00

The past 2 weeks saw my sister, Mary, and her husband, Roy, both in the hospital.
Roy had quad by-pass on the 25th is doing SO much better! He'd never been in the hospital and never had surgery.
Roy got out of the hospital on Wednesday the 31st....Mary was taken to the ER on Friday the 1st. She stayed in until Sunday, when they did a heart cath. NO BLOCKAGES!
How blessed our family has been this year! God is so good!

During both trips, I got to spend lots of time with their little grandson Talon. (He's Theron & Heather's.) That boy is a little stinker...just like I like!
I took him to McDonald's, a couple of times, and at one time he got into a little trouble with me. I told him "You don't want me to tell your Dad."
He told me "If you tell my Dad, Jesus will come down from the clouds and take him."

Good Eye, Jelly Fish & an Anomaly

2011-04-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

Had the "good eye" surgery last Wednesday. (Thanks to Melody and Martha who took me!)
It was quite an experience for me...having my eye completely covered. You never realize how often people say "look at that"!
I've never been a druggie...but, I discovered what it must feel like. I saw lots of BRIGHT colors, explosions, jelly fish...yes, jelly fish. It was quite entertaining.
When Webber and I went back for the post-op on Thursday, the Dr. was really encouraging and said it all looked good.
They took more pictures of my eyes and brought in another specialist. Dr. Herman said that there's no way that I've come this far to not get more out of the "bad" eye. So...on April 29th, I will see the next Dr. and see what he can figure out. They don't quite know what to call what's happened to my eye...Melody said I'm an anomaly.
The Dr. and his nurse finally saw my tattoo...quite a hilarious reaction from them!

Seriously?

2011-03-09T15:53:00.000-06:00

WOW! God was really looking out for me today!
I had JUST gotten out of my Jeep at lunch, come into the bank, and had not even put my purse up when one of the tellers came in and said that a huge limb had just fallen on top of my car.
Seriously?
~~3 LONG BLINKS~~
God is good....ALL THE TIME!

Do you ever feel this way?

2011-03-09T10:19:00.001-06:00

Good Monday Morning!

2011-03-07T10:13:00.003-06:00

Hope everyone is having a great day! I had the best weekend! My Larry came in, and you know that always makes me happy!

He and I went to breakfast together on Saturday morning. Went to Cooper to see my Mommy and to Miller's to get a milkshake and catch up with Mabel Wheat. I had NO idea that Mabel is going to be 90 in September! And still working everyday.

Saturday night, we met Clint, Carol, Shane, Karen, Clarence, Rita, Chris and Carissa Frisby at Jaxx's Burgers to eat and then went upstairs for the comedians to perform. We really had a good time, but, you know there always has to be some jerks in the crowd. Our jerks were sitting at the back, and their voices carried all the way to the front. One girl even got up and told them to be quite. Didn't work. WOW! You want to be rude and obnoxious? Stay at home and do it. Don't subject the rest of us to that! I honestly think you owe the rest of us, who were there to enjoy the show, our money back. Please and thank you!

Yesterday, Larry and I started working on the yard before 10am and didn't finish until 2pm. He made such a difference! It looks so good. I'm ready for Spring now.

Last night was the series premier of Army Wives and Coming Home. LOVED THEM BOTH!

Happy 90th Birthday Mommy!

2011-02-27T21:20:00.000-06:00

Today, my Mommy was 90 years old!

90? Seriously?

Even when we told her it was her birthday, She was surprised too!

This was the first time in 13 years that all 4 of us kids had been together in the same room.

Why so long?

It doesn't matter.

What matters is that we were all together for Mommy.

And we had fun. Lots of laughing. Lots of hugging.

Lots of love. That's the best part!

Because Mommy would want that.

Our Mommy is a survivor.

She's survived the depression, picking cotton, being a nurse, raising 4 kids, a son in Viet Nam, the death of a brother in Belgium, during WWII (and whose body is buried over there), the death of a brother to emphysema at 26, the death of her parents, breast cancer, the death of her husband (Pop)... and she has survived for 11 years with dementia and Alzheimer's.

When I was in 20, and went to see an eye specialist in Dallas, we were told "there's nothing that can be done for your eye".

Mommy's said "I'll give her one of my eyes."

Seriously? Yes. And she would have done this for me too.

I wish that Mommy knew about my miracle. But, she will.

Mommy is strong. Because she is a Mommy.

Do YOU Believe In Miracles?

2011-02-24T12:19:00.003-06:00

Definition of a Miracle:
Act of God: an event that appears to be contrary to the laws of nature and is regarded as an act of God;
Amazing event: an event or action that is amazing, extraordinary, or unexpected;
Marvelous example: something admired as a marvelous creation or example of a particular type of science or skill!!!!!!!

I can NOT believe it's been over a month since I last posted on here! There has been a LOT going on! So, I'm going to do a quick update...which will be of no interest to anyone except maybe my family and me...so I don't forget everything that happened!

Jan. 11: Saw Dr. Herman at Vision Quest. They did HOURS of tests on my eyes.... but more on the left (blind) eye than the right (good) one, which is the one we were worried about. He said that the pressure was down on the good eye. (They did 2 sonograms on the left eye.) BUT, he said that he felt certain that once they got the cataract, from the bad eye, which is big and dense, that I would have sight in my left eye! "WHAT....are you kidding me? SERIOUSLY? In the eye, that I haven't been able to see out of for 54 years?? SERIOUSLY?" That's all I could keep saying! They immediately got an appointment with Dr. Wang @ Texas Retina Associates; he thinks there’s something behind the cataract going on with the retina. Wrote 3 prescriptions for me to use 2 days prior to surgery and gave me a list of things to do/not to do. This day was such a blur for me. I cried and laughed....cried and laughed! I just couldn't believe it. MIRACLE!!!!!
January 14, 2011: Texas Retina Associates started with MORE tests and then I finally saw Dr. Wang. He says that I have Retinoschisis, which is an eye disease characterized by the abnormal splitting of the retina's neurosensory layers. He wants to see me after the cataract surgery. Before he walked out of the room, he said "I want you to understand, you won't have 20/20 in your left eye." I said "Are you kidding me....I don't have that in my good eye! Anything will be good!" MIRACLE!!!!!! This was also Larry's 30th birthday! He told me this was better than any birthday present he could receive!
Jan. 19, 2011: My sister Martha and her daughter Melody and I went up the night before and spent the night with her other daughter Wendy. We were at the Surgery Center at 6:30am. Dr. Herman took the cataract out of my left eye. Said that it was like a rock. Taped my eye down and put a shield over it. Kept it on for 4 hours. Got the first round of drops in. Back home.
Jan 20, 2011: Feels like I have gravel in my eye. Not a lot of bruising at all! Dr. Herman’s assistant called to see if I’d had any vision at all yet. Nope. At about 6pm I put my hand in front of the computer and saw the outline of my hand. NOW THERE IS A MIRACLE!!!!!!!
Jan 21, 2011: Webber took me to Greenville to the Vision Quest Office there. Saw Dr. Joan Abernathy. She said that I have lots of swelling in my cornea and the pressure is still high, and wants me to come back AFTER I see Dr. Wang.
Jan 25, 2011: Drove for the first time, by myself. Went Kroger ... had a really strange feeling. Couldn't quite figure out what it was. Once I got outside, I realized what it was .... I could see out of the side of my left eye. BONUS...ANOTHER MIRACLE!!!!!!! There's no way I can explain this feeling to anyone...I kept feeling like there was someone right there with me. AND there was! It was GOD!
At this point...we started getting the snow and ice, so appointments were cancelled.
Feb 5, 2011: Feeling a LOT pressure in my left eye. Feels like someone is poking their finger through my eye.
Feb 7, 2011: Talked to Martha in Dr. Wang’s office. Will work the schedule today and get back in touch with me.
Feb. 8, 2011: Called back to Dr. Wang’s office. Can’t get me in until NEXT Thursday (2/17).
Feb. 8, 2011: Still having the feeling of pressure in my eye. Talked with Monica in Dr. Herman’s office and told her about the pressure problem in my eye. She suggested I get with Dr. Thomas here in Paris. Called his office, can’t see me until Thursday morning at 10am. Told me to continue keeping the patch on my eye if it helps with the pressure.
Feb. 10, 2011: Saw Dr. Thomas at 10am. The cornea is still swollen, but the pressure is not dangerously high. He says that Dr. Herman needs to do the right eye really soon, because the angle is narrowing. He was amazed at how the left eye looked now and wanted to hear all about it.
Feb. 17, 2011: Saw Dr. Wang at the Sherman office of Texas Retina. Said that the cataract surgery that Dr. Herman did looked very good. BUT, I have a tractional detached retina. He wants to let my bad eye heal some more and then on March 3rd he will do a dye test to see if there is any leakage…if so, they will laser it to fix that part and then see about when to schedule the retina surgery.
Feb. 18, 2011: Saw Dr. Abernathy at Vision Quest. After hearing what Dr. Wang said, she wants to wait until April 6th to do cataract surgery on right eye. She did some simple tests on my left eye, I could count the fingers that she was holding up....as long as she'd hold her fingers down and really close. HEY...that's ok! It's more than I've EVER seen before! MIRACLE!!!!

The Difference

2011-01-07T16:13:00.001-06:00

Hunter Kelley is only 2. And he is now blind.
In 2010 he was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, which is a rare eye cancer, it has affected both of his eyes. He went blind in one eye, and at the end of December he had his other eye surgically removed.
He won't remember his Mommy and Daddy.
He won't know his colors.
He won't remember "things".
He's 2.

I'm 54. I'm blind in one eye.
I'm having surgery on my only good eye on Tuesday of this next week.
God has blessed me with sight for all these years. I have faith that all will go well. AND...I have many people praying for me.
IF something were to go wrong, I've seen everything I need to see.
I know what everyone looks like.
I will remember "things".

Hunter is only 2.

Christmas at Mommy's Nursing Home

2010-12-17T09:37:00.001-06:00

Mommy and her girls...

From the left: Mary, Martha, Molly & Mommy

This is the look that Mommy gives me when she says
"What have you done to your hair?"

My sweet Mommy will be 90 in February ... She is just happy all the time!
We are so blessed that she IS happy and that she still knows us.

Nightmare

2010-12-10T14:15:00.000-06:00

You know that nightmare that you have, when you're in your underwear, in front of a crowd of people...or the nightmare where you are running from someone? My nightmare has always been that I would have to have surgery on my "good eye".
And that nightmare has come true.
Yesterday I went for my yearly eye exam. The Dr. checked, put drops in my eyes, checked some more, more drops, more checking, more drops..... you get the idea.
Finally he said that not only do I have a cataract that has popped up over the last year...but, I have very HIGH pressure on my good eye. If it gets any higher, it could cause my eye to "have a stroke" and BLOW!
So, on January 11th, I will go to Dallas to an eye surgeon, for a consultation and find out when I have surgery. OR...if the pressure is any higher, they will send me on in to surgery THAT DAY.
To say that I'm scared, is an understatement. Terrified. Frightened. Petrified. Horrified. In Shock.
You know....all of the above.
These procedures are not that big of a deal...unless you only have one eye.
I know that it's in God's hands and that he will take care of me!
Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

I am a Cooper Bulldog

2010-10-21T15:19:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow night is the Cooper High School Homecoming! AND I'M GOING!

I haven't been to a game in ... I really don't know.

They have a new school, that I've been to, but I've not been to the new stadium!

I'm so EXCITED!

I've fb'd lots of my classmates from 1974 (& others too) and hope that they will come and visit and show them young whippersnappers how to sing the school song!

CAUTION: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE A QUEASY STOMACH!

2010-10-07T10:32:00.000-05:00

Ok...I understand designers wanting to "showcase" their new line of shoes. They are proud of their design and want the world to buy their shoes.

But, why on EARTH, would you use a "foot model" that has ugly feet?

Why would you put THAT foot in your new EXPENSIVE designer shoes, that you are advertising all over the internet?

Things to make you go HMMMMMMMMM!

Where Has The Time Gone???

2010-10-06T12:25:00.001-05:00

Abby is now 9 and cheerleading for her brother Sam's football team.

Sam is the quarterback and is amazing! (I didn't get close enough to him on Saturday to get pictures of him.)

All Things Candy Corn

2010-10-01T15:42:00.001-05:00

Last year I posted a blog about one of my favorite things!
(Click here to go to that blog.)

I LOVE Candy Corn.

LOVE LOVE LOVE CANDY CORN!

Did I tell you I LOVE CANDY CORN??

So, here's my 2010 installment of "All Things Candy Corn"!

Don't you think that if I got this costume, that I would like a

"Super Sized Candy Corn"?

Candy Corn Candles....wafting through the air!

Candy Corn Cookies

Candy Corn Vine....this is REAL!

PLEASE...feel free to send me this beautiful/edible flower arrangement!

Candy Corn Stockings

Candy Corn PIE????

Candy Corn Heels...to go with the stockings!

Candy Corn JELLO?

Candy Corn Lights

Candy Corn Earrings

Candy Corn Tie

Never noticed...

2010-09-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

I met an "older" lady the other day who was also named Molly. We talked about how you don't meet many grown Molly's, only little girl Molly's. Today I was on-line and saw Molly The Trolley, and it got me to thinking about Molly "stuff"...

Introducing....Miss Mia

2010-08-23T09:47:00.003-05:00

I'd like to introduce you to my new baby, Mia.
When my friend Sabrina told her Mom (Terri) about Lucy being killed, Terri gave me this precious little girl.

Mia is 1/2 Miniature Dachshund and 1/2 Yorkie. And if you put the 2 together, you get a Dorkie!

She is the tiniest little baby ... and has one ear up (Yorkie) and one ear down (Dachshund). Makes her look a little mischievious!

Thank you Terri & Sabrina for my new little ray of sunshine!

Lucy - 8/14/10

2010-08-16T15:35:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday I let Lucy out to go potty...a car came by and she took off after it. Normally, she would come right to me, if I heard a car and hollered at her. It just all happened so fast, and it was so quite, that I still can't believe it. She never moved or made a sound.
We took her to Cooper to bury her on the hill where I grew-up.

This is one of the things I will miss the most...her sitting in the window, watching for me to come home, or looking for someone that would have the nerve to come down HER street!
She was my Security Service!

Gnome or Not?

2010-08-02T12:55:00.000-05:00

I know this is a gnome.

But, isn't this a gnome too?

There is no way I can explain to you, how tall his hat was! This picture does NOT do it justice! He was just a friendly little man walking around...but always had on this hat!

Such a beautiful site to see...

2010-07-23T12:39:00.001-05:00

While we were out on a field trip around Paris last night we passed by this house and this was sitting in the front yard. If you will notice...it's duct tape...spray painted to "match" the van.
Pretty isn't it?

Things To Ponder

2010-07-13T15:24:00.001-05:00

I know I am WAAAYYYYY behind on my blog.
I'll catch up.
Maybe.
While looking through some websites today - I saw this one I thought I would copy it.

~~~~~~~~~~

Outside my window...It is HOT! No chance of rain. Even the rain we had this past weekend has already soaked in!

I am thinking...about cooler weather, leaves falling, no locusts, light cool breezes, geese flying overhead.

I am thankful for...air conditioning, shade trees, ice. (Can you tell I'm hot?)

From the kitchen...I hear nothing! (Maybe the faint sound of crickets.)

I am wearing...Capris, lite-weight shirt and sandles.

I am remembering...how much fun I had this past week with family and old friends.

I am going...to watch "America's Got Talent" tonight.

I am reading…Nothing at the moment! I know, I can't believe it either!

I am praying…for our troops, my Mommy, my son Larry and the leaders of our country.

On my mind…the devo for our new Ladies Ministry at church. H.A.L.O. (Helping Another, Loving Others)

I am hearing...the air conditioner and the phone ringing. (I'm still at work.)

Around the house...things are in order and Miss Lucy is still in charge.

Noticing that….It's getting closer to time to get off work.

Pondering these words…"To like many people spontaneously and without effort, is perhaps the greatest of all sources of personal happiness."

50 Years of Marriage

2010-06-22T13:26:00.000-05:00

My sister Martha and her husband William will celebrate their anniversary in a couple of weeks. (The article below was in The Paris News this past weekend.) There's not many people can say they've been married this long. But, they did it.
God blessed them with 3 kids, Melody, Todd & Wendy, and 2 grandchildren, Nathan & Natalie.
I'm so happy for them...married 50 years....retired....in good health AND they still love each other!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

William and Martha Holmes will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception on Sunday, July 11, 2010 at the McKinney House in Cooper, Texas from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
The couple was married on July 8, 1960 in Cooper, Texas at the Cooper Church of Christ. William is retired from the Dallas Fire Department and the Cooper Volunteer Fire Department, and he continues to operate his own business. Martha owned and operated Martha’s Flower Shop in Cooper for over 30 years, and she is now enjoying retirement.
All of William and Martha’s family and friends are invited to come be a part of this celebration being hosted by their children Melody and Jim Price, Todd Holmes, Wendy Holmes, grandchildren Nathan and Robyn Price, Natalie and Brady Hicks, and family friend Susan McCracken.

Remember our Veterans!

2010-05-28T16:19:00.000-05:00

Laugh...Laugh Out Loud....Just Laugh!

2010-05-21T16:30:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T19:40:00.009-05:00

Larry came to visit this weekend for Mother's Day. It was so good to have him here for a couple of days!

He took me to the Paris Art Fair, endured walking around and talking, looking at everything. Hearing me say "How cute!", "Isn't that neat?" and all those other phrases that probably drives him crazy. But, he did it for me.
He walked around the Flea Market with me, "That is the ugliest thing.", "Can you believe people walk out of the house lookin' like that?", "Those poor little chickens.". I know he was ready to leave, 'bout the time we got there. But, he did it for me.
He mowed the yard, washed the car, moved stuff around. He did it for me.

He went to church with me. He took me to lunch...where I wanted to go. He did it for me.

Mother's Day is just a day, some people say, but for me it's a declaration of love that a son has for his Mom. And he did it for me!

Thank you Larry...Mommy loves you!

The Polk Estates are beginning to take shape this Spring. Being outside and doing something productive, that has a beautiful end result, has really been good for me. You have to remember.... I've NEVER been a yard person... and it's been theraputic.

(Can you believe I just said that in my OUT LOUD VOICE?)

At night the lights shine on the stars...makes you wanna start singing a song.

"The stars at night...

are big and bright...

deep in the heart of Texas."

(Or, in the Polk Estates!)

This, my friends, is my deck. Sure, I know it's small... and it's not a "real" deck... but, I wanted a deck... now, I have one! (Thanks to my "Yankee Nephew" Elroy for the pallets/deck and the spool/table.)

Do you see what this is?
<-----
<-----
<-----
That is a BELL PEPPER.
A BELL PEPPER that is ALIVE!

"Shake Yo Groove Thang"

2010-04-23T16:43:00.001-05:00

Don't know if you ever listen to MIX 107.7, but I call in every Friday and request my very favorite song... "Shake Your Groove Thing". It just makes me happy. Perfect Friday song!

I even have a "Boogie Button", that plays SYGT, on my desk AND a mini disco ball!

And yes, I did have some shoes like this back in the 70's! But, mine had shiny confetti in it!

Start Your Mower With One Pull

2010-04-21T16:20:00.001-05:00

This is such a cool tip ... thought I'd share it with you. I got it from BROKEN SECRETS. Click on the link to see other secrets!

If your mower is hard to start or runs rough, this secret is for you.

The secret is pretty simple: use premium gasoline!

The benefits to your mower are as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1.Starts easier

2.Runs smoother

3.Lasts longer

The Polk Estates has flowers!

2010-04-19T21:33:00.002-05:00

3 Girls, Sonic, Bluebonnets & Gene Rader

2010-04-19T21:21:00.002-05:00

Abby & Laney were coming to visit one Sunday afternoon recently. While discussing what to do that afternoon one of the teenagers, Grace, from the Youth Group heard us talking. She said "I wish I was little again, so I could go to your house." I told her to go tell her Dad she was going with us!

We went to Sonic and to the park for a picnic and to play....Then to Springlake, Pine Tree & Legends Nursing Homes to visit with our sweet friends there.....OH....and a trip back to the Sonic for HAPPY HOUR!...Then to my house for nails & makeup!

I've told the little girls that I dread the day they don't want to come to my house...when they get older and discover boys. I was told VERY quickly that they would continue to come to my house...and come and get ME and take ME to the Sonic! WoooHOOOO!

Miss Abby

Miss Laney

Miss Grace

We went to Springlake to visit...can't go there without hunting down Gene Rader!

These girls just love Gene and LOVE to hear him talk about being in the movies!

Oh wait...we gotta have a goofy break! Check out that blue tongue!

This is my aunt Iva Lee. She's in the Memory Care unit at Springlake.

She loves to see visitors come. Especially a bunch of beautiful girls.

Me, Laney & Abby out on Hwy 19/24.

I love the Texas bluebonnets....always a good history lesson time too.

Have I told you lately how much I love these girls?

Laney's hair is so beautiful in the sunshine...

it just sparkles.

(Can hair sparkle?....oh well, you know what I mean!)

And finally, a picture of me and Grace.

She was such a joy to have this Sunday afternoon.

I hope she'll come back again with us soon!

Purple Haze?

2010-04-19T16:50:00.000-05:00

For some reason,

it's a PURPLE DAY for me.

Don't even ask why.

I just felt the need!

George Strait Has Made History

2010-04-13T12:30:00.006-05:00

George Strait has made HISTORY!

Yesterday he became the ONLY artist to have a Top 10 hit

on ANY chart for 30 years straight!

His first Top 10 hit was in 1981!

And not only that.....

he's so good-looking...

beautiful...AND

GORGEOUS!

It's FRIDAY....SMILE!

2010-04-09T09:14:00.001-05:00

Seriously?

2010-04-08T14:19:00.002-05:00

It's so easy for some people.

They tell you to not worry.

But, it's not them that is going through what you are going through.

They tell you it'll be ok.

But, RIGHT NOW it's not ok.

They tell you "get over it".
But, I say HOW?

I know...I need to turn it over to God...

but I'm human. I want to HELP in the process.

Worry is messing with my health,

Worry is messing with my sleep

Worry is speeding up my ugly old age process.

Just a thought...

2010-03-30T12:53:00.002-05:00

I'm tired of wearing the pants

AND

the panties!

NEVER MIND....B/S IS BACK UP AGAIN!

2010-03-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

Drum Roll PLEASE......

2010-03-25T14:50:00.003-05:00

My blood sugar FINALLY has gone down to 174!
The meds are kicking in!

Feel Free To Send To Politicians....so they can send it back to you!

2010-03-25T13:51:00.001-05:00

334

2010-03-22T21:36:00.003-05:00

Are you kidding me?

Seriously?

After 2 1/2 years of being diabetic with no meds AND no insulin...it's happened.

Over the past couple of months my blood sugar has gone from 90-135 to 202-334.

And now I have to take this little pill every morning.

I know, I know....at least I don't have to take shots.

But, this is a big deal to me. A REALLY big deal.

Have I Told You Lately.....

2010-03-22T14:02:00.002-05:00

I HATE GETTING OLD?

Sing with me...A B C D E F G....

2010-03-22T13:18:00.002-05:00

Age: 53
Bed: Twin
Chore You Hate: Dusting
Dogs Name: Lucy, Fred, Ethel & Oreo
Essential start of your day: Check Blood Sugar
Favorite Color(s): Red/White/Blue
Gold or Silver: Both please
Height: 5'7"
I am: A fat girl!
Job: Customer Service Rep.
Kids: 1 absolutely wonderful, awesome son! (Love you Larry!)
Living Arrangements: In Paris, TX with husband
Mom's Name: Mommy
Nick-Name: Mom, Menna, Menda, Moddy, Grand-Molly, Donkey
Overnight Hospital Stays: Birthing my sweet boy & a couple of minor surgeries (back in the day)
Pet Peeves: People that SMACK...gum or food! Condescending people...UGH!
Quote From A Movie: "Molly, you in trouble girl." (From GHOST)
Righty or Lefty: Right handed
Siblings: 3 - 2 sisters and 1 brother
Time You Wake Up: 7am
Unique Thing About My Car: No a/c
Vegetable You Hate: Almost everyone of them.
Yummy Food You Make: Hahahah! Nothing!
Zoo Favorite: Monkeys...I love watching them.

I may not look like her, but I like what she had to say...

2010-02-24T14:42:00.002-06:00

“I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.” ~~Marilyn Monroe

My "Sugar" .... Your "Sugar"

2010-02-19T15:43:00.004-06:00

The Haircut...

2010-02-17T12:16:00.003-06:00

So, I went in to get a "TRIM" yesterday!

I PROMISE I told her, just the tips off!

I'm here to tell you, this baby

gorilla has more hair than I do!

Rassin' frassin' frickin' frackin' !!

(Isn't this just the cutest little baby?)

I guess I don't laugh enough!

2010-02-12T16:00:00.001-06:00

What a difference 4 hours can make

2010-02-11T17:16:00.003-06:00

Around 9 this morning,

I took this picture out in

front of the bank......

Then about 1pm I took this picture

from the same position.

Think about this...

2010-02-10T13:36:00.003-06:00

“Never miss an opportunity
to make others happy,
even if you have to leave
them alone in order to do it.”

Since the first of the year...

2010-02-08T14:52:00.003-06:00

Since the first of the year...

It's rained.

My baby turned 29! Holy Cow Batman!

It's rained.

I went to a sleep over with eleven little
6 yr-old grandfriends.

It's rained.

We are down to one vehicle.

It's rained.

I no longer have Ricky the cat.

It's rained.

My sweet son came to see me
this past weekend.

It's rained.

Yeah, yeah - I know it's been a while...

2010-02-08T13:36:00.010-06:00

You know how it is...
you don't post for a few days...

then it turns to weeks...

then it's been over a month!
And you think...oh my, I'll never catch up!
I'm not even gonna try!

So, I'm just going to make this post a fun one!

This is just one of those random pictures
you find on the internet...
but I would love to have seen the
person's face that this cat scared!

Another random one....look at those eyes!
How cute is this?

This will be me one day!
Be sure to check out the m&m earring!

FINALLY....look what's coming out this year!
Why, why , why, why didn't I invent this?

You ain't even gonna believe this...It's soap!
I had a little boy at church tell me one time
that I smelled like choclate chip cookies.
(I was wearing Bath & Body
Warm Vanilla Sugar at the time.)

Now this is a strange one...t-shirts with hair imprinted on them!
Guess I could TRY this couldn't I?

My Christmas Gift To You!

2009-12-23T14:46:00.011-06:00

Know your Eyes

1. Eyes are the most complex organs you possess except for your brain.

2. Eyes are composed of more than two million working parts.

3. Eyes can process 36,000 bits of information every hour.

4. Under the right conditions, your eyes can discern the light of a candle at a distance of 14 miles.

5. Eyes contribute towards 85% of your total knowledge.

6. Eyes utilize 65% of all the pathways to the brain.

7. Eyes can instantaneously set in motion hundreds of muscles and organs in your body.

8. In a normal life-span, will bring you almost 24 million images of the world around you.

9. The external muscles that move the eyes are the strongest muscles in the human body for the job that they have to do. They are 100 times more powerful than they need to be.

10. The adult eyeball measures about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Of its total surface area only 1/6 is exposed -- the front portion.

11. The eye is the only part of the human body that can function at 100% ability at any moment, day or night, without rest. Your eyelids need rest, the external muscles of your eyes need rest, the lubrication of your eyes requires replenishment, but your eyes themselves "never" need rest. But please rest them!

12. Eyes are your most precious sense... Care for them properly!

Always thank God! There are many people who are living with out sight!

Stuff Posing As Potatoes (SPAP)

2009-12-17T22:20:00.003-06:00

Michelle was discussing the potatoes at Simple Supper the other night.

They were a "little" stiff.

Stiff as in FONDANT.....Stiff as in PLAY-DOH.
And, yes as a matter of fact, she was playing with her food!

Since it was kinda cold Wednesday night, she made a snowman, with green beans for arms!

Mommy's Christmas Party 12-17-09

2009-12-17T22:12:00.004-06:00

The annual Christmas party, at my Mommy's nursing home, was last night. They have all the residents come into the dining room and have all the tables decorated so cute. Lots of sandwiches and the families bring desserts.
Mommy was just happy...smiling most of the night.
She was so excited to see Santa...didn't know who he was...

but she was excited to see him.
She asked my niece Natalie...
"Do you know that man? What's his name?"

This is Me, Mary and Martha

and the Queen!

Jody was singing "What a Day" to me...and using her hands for every word.

What a day that will be,

When my Jesus I shall see,

And I look upon His face,

The One who saved me by His grace;

When He takes me by the hand,

And leads me through the Promised Land,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

Miss Maurice sat by us...they had her dressed so cute...Christmas sweater and a hat!

When Mommy opened one of her gifts, there was a big bow on it...Mary put it on my head and Miss Maurice just busted out laughing!

One...Two...Three - Merry Christmas

2009-12-10T20:54:00.007-06:00

My grand-dog Oreo had puppies 5 weeks ago.

Here's one...

Here's number two..... Then there were three!

These will make precious Christmas puppies

for a little boy or girl!

Can I put you down for one?

You Are What You Eat....

2009-12-10T20:48:00.004-06:00

Nope, this isn't what I ate tonight...

but one of my friends did!

As soon as they sat it down, I said

"Look at the cellulite!"

Once on the lips - forever on the hips!

OH WAIT.....What?

Just ONE More......

2009-12-09T21:53:00.002-06:00

Thanks SO much, to Neil Barnes, for taking this picture on Sunday night!

I think this is my new favorite picture!

KISS Alive 35 - Dec. 6, 2009

2009-12-08T21:22:00.004-06:00

This past weekend, Larry took me to see KISS! (Buck Cherry opened for them.) This is my 4th time to see them. (1977, 1996, 2003 & 2009) Thanks to my sweet guy for taking his Mom!

I just love this guy!

This group of guys definitely dressed the part!
And...how cool is it that they took a picture with the ol' fat chick?

So...out of the 12,000 seats at the American Airlines Center - we got 2 of 'em!

We missed some of the Buck Cherry set, because we were at the box office trying to get different seats. They moved us a section up...and we met some really cool people and had a great time!

And sitting 3 rows below us was Neil and Jan Barnes!

Larry AND Webber both used to work with him at the hospital in Paris.

Monty - 16 years old and this was his first concert EVER!

He knew EVERY single word to EVERY song!
I did ask him if he was ever told that he looked like Gene Simmon's son, Nick.

He said "Yes m'am - all the time!"

The 3 Rockin' Sisters . . .Karen, Barbara & Teri

These girls were sitting in front of us and had a BLAST!

Doyle & Amy...the TALL couple...that "stood" in front of us.

Billy & Carissa...he snuck in a bottle of Vodka and some joints.

Seriously! They didn't catch him smokin' - but they confiscated the Vodka after he drank almost the whole bottle!

Yes, I know I'm cheesin'....BIG TIME!

But I was having a great time...and I couldn't control it!

Gene Simmons just cracks me up!

He did the whole fire breathing...being hoisted up on the rafters...blood drippin'....tongue waggin' thing!

(Do you know that the "blood" is yogurt and syrup?)

This was the end of the show....Dallas showed them that we loved them too!

As we were leaving, we ran into a guy that Larry works with at Children's.

Gus & his wife Roxanne.

Chicken & Dumplin' Party 2009

2009-11-17T21:50:00.005-06:00

Each year my sister, Mary, has her annual "Chicken & Dumplin's Girl Party" while her husband Roy is gone deer hunting.

This is the pot o' dumplin's BEFORE we started eating!

This is the pot AFTER we finished!

My great-niece, Natalie, had worked the night before (she's an RN in the nursery of a hospital) and she'd been up for 25 hours. She got a full tummy and went sound to sleep!

This is my sister Martha.

This is my niece Melody.

This is LaRue Lawson (Mary's best friend).

Mary and our cousin Susan.

This was her first C&D party!

Susan brought this apron for Mary...anyone that knows us, knows that this is so true!

Me with Susan

Weekend at Wendy's - Nov 14

2009-11-15T21:42:00.006-06:00

Wendy (with Toby), Me and Larry

Before we left to go to the Rob Zombie concert.

It was so much FUN!

My sweet Larry!

We went out by the lake at Ray Hubbard on Saturday - it was such a beautiful day!

Music...Music...Music!

2009-11-08T21:08:00.003-06:00

On Friday - the 13th...Larry's taking me to see ROB ZOMBIE!!!!! WoooHOOOO! This will be my first time to see him! He's also taking my niece Wendy...she's a HUGE fan too!

On Dec 6th, he's taking me to see KISS! This will be my 4th time to see them and I am too excited!

Click here to see the CNN report about KISS and their work with the Wounded Soliders.

Clint's Halloween Party 2009

2009-11-01T18:21:00.003-06:00

Mr. Skeleton was at the table - daring someone to try the Ouija board!

This dude obviously waited TOO long for a pool partner.

If you can't read my shirt, it says "The Road WELL Traveled".

One set of trick or treaters brought their little Yorkie. Don't know if you realize it, but that's my "AWWWWWWWWW" face! He was just kissing me so sweet!

This was Larry's position for most of the night. He thought it was quite funny to SCARE the bejeebers out of kids before they got to the door!

This is me with my own personal Michael Myers......Larry!

The Gangsta's....Clint and Carol.

I'm not quite sure why I looked green here....

but you obviously can tell that I didn't have a sore throat!

This is the great nieces and nephews.

Back Row: Megan and her boyfriend Dillon

Front Row: Develon, Cayla & Trenton

Great-Niece Destiny Turns 12

2009-11-01T17:57:00.004-06:00

On Saturday my great niece, Destiny Theye, turned 12. There was a party at their house out in Roxton, complete with hotdogs, sandwiches, ice cream and cake! YUMMY!

Here's Miss Desi opening all her gifts.

This is Desi's parents....my niece Lisa and her "Yankee" husband Elroy.

This is her cake...vanilla on 1 side and chocolate on the other.

I can't believe she's getting so big!
it seems like yesterday........

"It's So Easy EVEN Molly Can Do It!"

2009-10-29T20:24:00.004-05:00

So...earlier this week, my friend Petra, posted pictures on her facebook page of "Candy Corn Bark". (You KNOW what a fan I am of C.C.) I called her (all the way in DeRidder, Louisiana) to see how she made it!
Simple instructions that included the phrase..."Molly, it's so easy, EVEN YOU can do it!" Remember that phrase.

Here is a site that you WILL not see often...me IN the kitchen!
I had 2 packages of almond bark, and 2 PRECIOUS packages of C.C. AND pretzles! I wanted to go for the sweet/salty taste.
I even have a smile on my face.
I have HOPE...I have BELIEF...I have FAITH!
I'm not even breaking a sweat!

This is my FIRST batch of Candy Corn Bark....yeah, I know, it looks like throw-up.

Then I went for the second batch!

It will NOT harden!

It's still just as soft and mushy as the first batch.

Could it be that I put TOO much C.C.?

Could it be that it's really humid?

Could it be that I had the air conditioner on?

Could it be because I was sweating bullets by this time?

Please, do NOT get excited...this is Petra's batch.

This is the picture that I SHOULD have looked at

before I made my BATCHES and wasted C.C.

Did I say WASTED C.C.?

OH NO....I can pick it out!

Don't Forget Saturday Night....

2009-10-28T22:10:00.001-05:00

You Know What Day It Is?

2009-10-28T13:58:00.003-05:00

It's HUMP DAY. And if someone would politely give me a little shove....I can make it!

Beautiful Site To See...

2009-10-28T13:32:00.000-05:00

I have an idea ! ! !

2009-10-27T12:21:00.004-05:00

I've figured out a way to make me think deeper...

If this little light bulb would pop up each time I had a good idea, I'd be sitting around contemplating EVERYTHING constantly! I found this over at one of my favorite blogs. Click here to read their entire blog.

Happy 3rd B'day to the Spencer Girls

2009-10-24T22:20:00.004-05:00

Avery & Roslyn Spencer celebrated their 3rd birthdays today!
They aren't twins...they're cousins!
Born on the same day a few hours apart.
Roslyn came first, born here in Paris.
Avery came next, born in Dallas.
Normally on Wednesday night Simple Suppers at church, I sing happy birthday, to whoever is celebrating, and bang pots and pans for them. Roslyn doesn't like the noise! So, a couple of weeks ago I asked her if I could sing to her when it was time for her birthday. She said "Sure, but you have to do it quite!"
These girls are so precious and, once again, I thank their parents for sharing these sweet girls with me!

Pumpkins, Lepreuchans & Grandfriends

2009-10-24T22:00:00.004-05:00

I was so lucky to be invited to our KFC (Kids For Christ) Fall Celebration tonight. Louie & Marolyn Woodall (no relation) graciously opened their ranch for all types of goblins, large and small, to come and eat and just have a good time.

Carrie Johnson and Robbie Padgett are trying to figure out how to get all the "stuffin" out of a pumpkin. I honestly think the adults had as much fun, as the kids did, with this project.
"Lepreuchan: In Irish folklore, usually taking the form of an old man, clad in a red or green coat, who enjoys partaking in mischief." This is Johnny Nabors...he's definitely not an old man, but he sure played the part tonight! I kept singing the "Lucky Charms" song everytime I was around him.

Dianna Welch (aka/Mimi) ..... this is proof that grandparents will do whatever the granddarlings tell them to do! Hahahha....Told you this was not attractive!

Payden Daniels was a racecar driver. He even had his name on the back of his racing outfit.

This is Mr Brody Kace Dyess....sleeping through his first Halloween party! He was born on Oct. 11 and is the son of Jason and Sheridie Dyess and the little brother of Gibson....never even got a picture of Cowboy Gibson tonight!

This is Miss Alexis Daniels...and she is celebrating her first Halloween as a Zebra! She feasted on formula, while we all had hotdogs.

I have a confession...

2009-10-23T13:17:00.015-05:00

I know you're probably going to say that this is a very deep blog...probably the deepest one I've ever written! But, I have to come clean....I have to confess.....

I AM

It's a problem...I know it is...

I see these funny shirts this time of year....
they make my addiction even worse!

But, as you know, I am diabetic! It's a HUGE issue....

On the back of the Candy Corn package,

it says that I can have 18 pieces of C.C.

and that will be 37 carbs! TOO MANY!

That's too many carbs for a snack.

So, I recount - divide it up and re-figure...

I can only have 9...NINE...

That makes it 18.5 carbs for a snack

I count them out....

eat them slow....

eat the white part first...

Doesn't seem worth it does it?

DUH...Yes it is!

Chigger Festival/Extravaganza 2009

2009-10-17T22:05:00.006-05:00

WoooHOOO! My sister Mary and I had an itchin' good time in Cooper today! We got up EARLY and at pancakes, prepared by the Lion's Club, then to the donut shop for dessert! We walked around the square, visited with folks and saw the sites. We took a break and went to the garage sale our older sister, Martha and her girls, were having today.
At the Civic Center, they were having a Health Fair. When we walked in, they gave us a big bag and said there would be "freebies" at each table. I told my sister that it was like "trick or treat for old folks". We got samples of arthritis cream, pill boxes, yard sticks, lotion, purse packs of tissues, candy, tape measures, pens....just fun stuff!
There was an elderly lady there today that had homemade jelly. Mary and I both got some Muscadine jelly. I can't wait to try it at breakfast!

I had told my facebook friends that I was contemplating competing for the Miss Chigger title. But, I didn't want to see those little girls cry...so I bowed out of the competition!

Then on to lunch at BIG JON'S BURGERS. I graduated with the owner, Jon Thomas, WAAAAYYY back in 1974. There's only 4 tables in there so you may have to share a meal with someone else....our lunch-mate was a man who came from Dallas, just to eat a Hamburger Steak! You better be hungry when you go there - you gets LOTS of food!

Then later in the afternoon, we were getting a little "weak and lifeless", so we went to Miller's Drug store for a treat!

This is Mabel Wheat. She's in her late 80's and is STILL a "soda jerk". She's been doing this for over 50 years. They make the ice cream there...you get chocolate or vanilla. If you order a Coke...it's made with Coke syrup and the "fizzy stuff". There's no automatic quick anything at Miller's! I had a choclate milkshake. Mary was good and had a Diet Cherry Lime-Aid.....and it was good.

The owner of Miller's asked her, while we were there, if she'd like to take a break and walk around the square. She declined, saying "Nope, anyone I want to see will come in here!"

Talon Andrew Gregory

2009-10-17T21:57:00.005-05:00

Isn't this the most precious smile?

This is Talon...he's my GREAT nephew. His "father", as he's calling him now, is my nephew Theron...Mary's baby boy.

Talon has such a GREAT personality a giggle that makes you want to laugh too!

When he came into his Pappy & Mammy's house, on Friday night, he came right to me and gave me the biggest hug! And you know how I love that!

HOLY COW . . . It's been Y E A R S!!!!!!

2009-10-17T21:49:00.004-05:00

Imagine my surprise when this lady walked up to me....I didn't have a clue who she was! (I blame it on sunglasses!) This is my friend, Vicky Helms! Vicky and I were running buddies back when we were in our "early" 20's! I have so many memories of trips to Dallas and Commerce! She even helped me decorate my first little apartment in Cooper.....well actually it was a window in my bathroom...but that's a story for another time! hahahah!

Now, for the small world part! Vicky's daughter Nicole is one of my Mommy's nurses! Nicole had told her Mom about meeting this lady named "Melinda" (which is what my family calls me). It finally dawned on Vicky that she was talking about Molly Melinda McMillan! Tah-Dah!

We exchanged phone numbers and hopefully, after all these years, we can reconnect and become close friends again!

What fun!

Mary & Fay

2009-10-17T21:39:00.005-05:00

This is my sister Mary and her friend Fay Lancaster. Fay is 87 and she is so cool! She is a computer and e-mailing fiend! (She sends out some of the funniest jokes!) To me, Fay looks younger now than she did years ago. She's just one of those eternally young people.

Life is short, you need to have lots of friends....friends of all ages!

Chattin' With My Mommy

2009-10-17T21:22:00.003-05:00

After all the festivities today, I went to visit with my Mommy!

When I opened the door, she was humming to herself...I have such good memories of hearing her hum when I was growing up! If she was cooking, washing dishes, or sewing, she'd hum whatever her "song of the day" would be. That made me smile as soon as I walked in.

THEN....when I sat on the bed, she looked at me and said

"Who the heck are you?"

"I'm Molly Melinda."

"Well...Melinda wouldn't be THAT fat!"

She just laughed...then said she was hungry! We had a little picnic with Diet Dr. Pepper and Chips Ahoy mini cookies.

She said she liked "whatever it is we're eating."

She has this thing about her fingernails being painted and right now I have my fingernails painted black with red undertones. She took my hand and said;

"I like your....whatever those are! I want that color!"

I had some polish with me so we settled on Maroon!

Mary and I saw one of her classmates on the square today...she said I looked just like Ease. Thank you Mary Reynolds...that is such a compliment!

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

2009-10-02T23:20:00.007-05:00

My sweet friend, Lindsay (Welch) McCarter is having a birthday on Saturday! I won't tell how old she is...but she's on the downhill side of a "3" number! hahaha!

I met Lindsay about 12 years ago, when we first moved to the area, and we hit it off IMMEDIATELY! (There may be a "few" years that are between us...but, it doesn't matter.)

She has shared LOTS of her exciting times with me! Moving to Mesquite after graduating from college, moving to Paris, parties with her friends, her engagement to Michael, planning the wedding, the beautiful wedding, the birth of her girls, their birthdays.....just LIFE!

Lindsay is so much fun and has a personality that will bring everyone to her.

She is a talented music teacher (Teacher of the Year for Justiss Elementary).

She became an instant Mom, when she and Michael married, to Kaitlyn. Then along comes Aubrie and Emma. They are the sweetest family! Those little girls are so sweet and have their Mom's personality!

Michael is such a wonderful man...he is loving, talented, hard-working, Christian man. God blessed Lindsay when he brought the 2 of them together.

The McCarter Girls:
Aubrie, Kaitlyn & Emma

I love you Lindsay Lou-Lee-Bell!!!! Thank you for being my friend and for letting me a part of your family! (And...just because I love you, I didn't even put the "labor" picture on here!)

Happy 5th Birthday Izzy!

2009-10-02T23:14:00.005-05:00

Tonight I went to Roxton to celebrate the 5th birthday of my great-niece, Isabella Theye! She had her sister Destiny, her cousins Megan, Develon, Cayla and Trenton, her best friend Maddie, and her "brother from another Mother" Alex.
Izzy is a John Deere tractor girl. She got caps, shirts and tractors with John Deere on it!
Happy Birthday little girl...Menna loves you!

Back Row: Destiny, Develon, Cayla, Megan, Alex, Trenton
Front Row: Maddie & Izzy

Bunco Halloween Party

2009-10-02T23:02:00.003-05:00

A group of 12 ladies, that I go to church with, meet once a month to play Bunco. It's not so much about playing Bunco as it is just getting together, eating, laughing, eating, talking, eating...oh, and we play Bunco too!
Kristi Garrett was our hostess this month...and we could NOT believe all the food she, with the help of Jessica Daniels, cooked up for us.

These are Bone Brownies with "bone" confetti!
How about these Mummies?

And Graveyard pizza

Melted Witches! (Almond bark, Oreos, pretzels, and Bugles!

OH MY STARS!!!!!!!

Ghostly Cookies

My DREAM Car

2009-10-02T22:59:00.000-05:00

Webber & his Dad

2009-10-02T22:53:00.002-05:00

Webber's Dad, Lavelle, is now in the Veterans Nursing Home.

He loves being there and it's so nice.

But, it breaks your heart to see so many young men.

Thank you to all service men and women!

These are a few of my favorite things.....

2009-10-02T22:41:00.005-05:00

A Sunday afternoon with the girls!

Laney, Abby & Kaitlyn!

And...did I mention, Sunday afternoons with the girls?

Abby, Chandler & Laney!

Peace, Love & LOTS of lipgloss!

Megan and Menna

2009-10-02T22:31:00.003-05:00

This is from a month or so ago...when my great-nieces spent this afternoon with me.

Megan is my nephew Shane's daughter. She is 15 and goes to Roxton High School. Megan is on the volleyball team and just THE coolest G.N.! I love you Girly!

And, in reference to the title of this post; all my nieces and nephews and most of their friends, call me Menna. The story behind the name is that my family calls me by my middle name Melinda. When my oldest niece (only 5 years younger than me), Melody, was learning to talk, she couldn't say Melinda....so it came out Menna - and the rest is history!

Abe & Abby

2009-10-02T22:27:00.002-05:00

I just love this picture...it's so colorful!

Abby & I were in Wally's one day, and there stood Abe...

I just didn't realize, until after I took the picture that it was SO colorful!

Abe's a little bland though isn't he?

Yes...this is EXACTLY what it looks like!

2009-10-02T22:19:00.005-05:00

So...I was on my way back to work after lunch one day...sitting at the light...here's what was sitting on the other side of the street! I ALWAYS wish I had my camera with me when I see things like this...and Tah-Dah - I pulled out my phone and clicked a picture,

as I was going through the light!

Must have been a REALLY good garage sale to have bought a couch and strapped it to the top of the car!

My Larry...

2009-10-02T22:16:00.004-05:00

I haven't posted anything about my sweet son lately....

so, here he is!

He's taking me to see KISS in December! WoooHOOO!

He knows how to make his Mommy happy doesn't he?

Happy 28th Becky D!

2009-10-01T09:39:00.005-05:00

Happy 28th Birthday to my co-worker and friend, Becky Davis! I've worked with her for the last 8 years and have literally watched her grow up. She is such a sweetheart and always so kind! She and I share a love of music and appreciate a good-looking man! (teehee!!!) Becky has the coolest laugh...you know she is really tickled when you hear it! We have lots of stories and LOTS of inside jokes! (Ride 'em cowboy!) This picture shows Becky D's personality...just cute and sweet!

And then there's this..................................

I know you wanna kill me for this one - but oh well, I couldn't resist!

These just makes me laugh....

2009-09-29T22:41:00.003-05:00

I was looking for ideas for a Halloween shirt today....and saw this:

That just makes me laugh!.....Pumpkin Pi

Now, for the Southern Halloween....

Grand-Friends & Friends at "The Lake"

2009-09-21T19:44:00.006-05:00

Three of my "grand-friends" (Abby, Laney & Kaitlyn) and I went to Springlake to visit some of our church members and friends that we've made there. (The girls call it "The Lake"!)
When we walk in the front door, there's a group that is always playing dominoes or bingo...they are a lively group of women! And they are always having a GREAT time!

This is Mary Jo Yeager...she is 92 years young! She even STILL drives!

In this picture, she's trying to show the little girls how to POSE! And, I think she did a great job!

You can NOT go to The Lake and not see Paris' most famous resident!

GENE RADER! He is a hit with these girls!

(Wish you could see his cap...the front is the head of a fish...the back is the tail of the fish!)

The first time I introduced the girls to Gene, I was explaining that he'd been in quite a few movies and had been on "The Tonight Show".

Abby said "You are a POP STAR!" Of course, Gene agreed with her!

This is Abby, Laney & Kaitlyn!

These girls are such posers! I LOVE it!

My Great-Nephew Trenton Turns 10

2009-09-21T19:29:00.003-05:00

My GREAT nephew, Trenton McMillan, turned 10 a couple of weeks ago and it was a great time to get to see 6 of my GREATS! It's so amazing to watch these "little" ones getting big!....it seems that their parents should still be this age! This is the second generation to call me MENNA! I love it!
From left to right: Megan (Shane & Karen's), Cayla (Caleb & Jamie's), Destiny & Isabella (Lisa & Elroy's), Trenton (Caleb & Jamie's) and Develon (Shane & Karen's).

My Grand-Friend Emma Turns 2

2009-09-17T20:55:00.009-05:00

This is Miss Emma Ryan McCarter.

Her Mommy is a precious friend of mine...AND she's such a good friend that I didn't even get a family picture of them....nor did I even get a picture of Emma with her Mommy.

Please forgive me Lindsay!

The theme of her party was Storybooks.

Miss Emma loves loves LOVES books!

This is Ridge Owens...he's another of my sweet little Grand-Friends.

This is his "toothbrush" smile!

Look at all the cupcakes...everyone had their own, with their own little storybook on top!

Emma's Mommy (Lindsay) had to be at a Leadership Lamar County retreat and so her Daddy (Michael) made the cupcakes....I must say, he did an EXCELLENT job!

Julia (Emma's cousin) & Aubrie (Emma's big sister)

I was THRILLED to be asked to read BIG books to the kids...I had so much fun!
This is "Silly Sally Upside Down & Backwards"!
The little boy next to me is Mason, check out his curls!

Emma stayed right at the front listening to me be VERY silly!
(I know....you're surprised!)

Then I read "BIG NEWS"!

Lindsay and Michael ... you are SO sweet to share all 3 of your girls with me.

My Grand-Friend Chloe Turns 1

2009-09-17T20:45:00.005-05:00

This is Miss Chloe Grace Gray....her Mommy is one of my sweetest friends, Carol Kay.
This princess cake was made by Aunt Carolyn Hiner.
I hope you can see all the details that she put into it!

The Gray's

Chloe, Corey, Cadie & Carol Kay

I love you all and hope you know how much I appreciate

you letting me be a part of your lives!

William Turns 70 !!

2009-09-17T20:35:00.005-05:00

My oldest sister Martha's husband, William, turned 70 the end of August. They planned a surprise party for him at the Fish Fry...and I honestly think he was surprised! (For once!)

This is Martha & William and their kids...Melody, Todd & Wendy.

These are their grandchildren (Melody & Jim's kids).

In the front is Natalie & her husband Brady...in the back is their son Nathan & his wife Robyn.

More importantly....these are MY GREATS!

This is my sister Mary and her husband Roy.

Abby & Laney - Aug 2009

2009-08-03T21:04:00.010-05:00

I know you can't recognize these 2...we're trying to fool the paparazzi!

(Laney & Molly)

Abby,Miss Mary Jo & Laney

(Mary Jo has known me all my life and she's now 92!)

Check out their nails....we put them on with Sticky-Tack! hahah!

My grand-friends Abby & Laney...these 2 just crack me up! They are such "divas"! They are all about makeup, jewelry, singing to videos, pretending EVERYTHING!

Welcome Miss Addy!

2009-07-09T20:25:00.006-05:00

Happy Birthday to my newest Grand-Friend....

Miss Addyson Grace Michael

July 9, 2009

7 lbs. 20 inches

Proud Parents: Zach & Cheryl Michael

Cheryl, Addy, Grandma Billie (in red shirt), Auntie Martha (in striped shirt)

Another Grand-Friend....Alexis Faye Daniels

2009-06-27T23:21:00.004-05:00

Josh and Jessica Daniels' were blessed with a BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY, GORGEOUS, little girl this week! She was born on Wednesday (6/24). Did I tell you she is beautiful?

This is my first look at Miss Alexis! Didn't know if I'd told you yet, but she is beautiful! She's the first grand-daughter for my friends Joe & Kathy Daniels. They have 2 little grandsons, Gibson and Payden. 2 of my favorite guys.

Here's the first official family portrait! Josh, Jessica & Alexis.

Happy Father's Day Pop!

2009-06-21T20:06:00.003-05:00

~~There are so many pictures that I'd love to post - but my scanner isn't working. mw

My Pop (Carl McMillan, Sr.) died November 30, 1997. All four of us kids (Martha, Carl Jr., Mary & Molly) stayed with him the night before (Saturday), and talked all night long. After we all went home that Sunday evening, Pop died. I feel that since that day, our family has forever changed. Pop held us all together...LITERALLY.
Pop was 45 years old when I was born, Mommy was 35. I was their little "accident"...or as Pop always called me "The Caboose". (Lots of my friends thought he was my grand-dad.)

Pop was a semi-pro basketball player. Isn't he so handsome...and that curly black hair! (After seeing this picture - you can tell where I get my thighs from! hahah!) Pop was also an incredible golfer. I didn't know about a lot of his golf stories until he got sick, and was in the hospital. One of his friends came to visit and started telling us stories. Back in the late 1920's and 30's, he would be at his job at Stovall Hardware, working on tractors, and men would ask his boss to let him go play golf "with" them. What they would do would be bet on him and make a lot of money. One of the stories this man told was that at a Country Club in Longview, Pop wouldn't just hit the ball to go around a "dog-leg", he would hit it OVER the trees.

This is Pop's team, The Loreco Lions. Check out those shoes and socks they wore...you can sure tell that times were hard.

Pop was the strongest man I knew...not only in the physical body - but spiritually also. He had a Bible that he carried to church.....but he didn't just carry it - he READ it. He led the singing at church.
Farmers and collectors would bring their tractors to Pop. If they couldn't bring them to him, he would go to them....wherever the tractor was, to work on it. A lady once told me that she remembers when I was a baby, Pop brought me with him to her farm to work on her tractor. He brought a diaper and a bottle and put me under a tree and went about his work.

He was called the "Tractor Doctor". He could work on any type of tractor - but his specialty was John Deere. He could take an old "Poppin' Johnny" and restore to where it looked like new. I've seen him take Q-Tips and paint little tiny parts, just perfect.

Pop had lost most of his hearing early in his life, from working on tractors. He ALWAYS wore a hearing aid. (If you've ever known anyone that wore an "old school" hearing aid, you would know that you could run your hand over a certain part of the ear and make it "whistle". That was one of the first things that the grandkids learned about Pop when they were babies...they'd make it whistle and then they'd just laugh and giggle.) When Pop whispered, he did it in his OUT LOUD voice. At night when he would pray, he would think he was saying it quietly, but we could all hear it....and stop what we were doing and listen to him pray his rote prayer... and then at the end of it he would pray for each of us kids.

When I was about 3, he dropped the manifold of a John Deere on his foot. He worked the rest of the morning, never even checked on his foot. Came home for lunch, took off his boot and it was full of blood and his big toe was almost severed. He ended up having to have it completely cut off.

Then, when he was in his 70's, still working on tractors, he got his right thumb popped off on a fly wheel of a tractor. He dipped it in coal-oil, wrapped it in one of those red grease rags, locked up the shop, went in the house and told Mommy he thought that he needed to go to the clinic! Can you believe that? He was just a strong ol' coot! haha!!

Pop wasn't a very vocal man...he wouldn't tell us, but we knew he loved us. But the older he got, he finally started TELLING us. We 3 girls would tease him about who was the favorite. I KNEW I was the favorite...and for some reason, Martha and Mary "thought" they were the favorites.

Pop called me "Baby Doll"....I've not heard those words in almost 12 years and I miss that. I've been told that it "gets easier after a while"....but it hasn't. I was Pop's "Baby Doll" and I'll never be anyone else's......

Birthday Weekend - Part 3

2009-06-17T14:16:00.009-05:00

On Monday, I went back out to Roxton to finish cleaning up/out the storage building. My niece Lisa and her 2 girls (Destiny & Isabella) were so precious and came to help me! Thank goodness, I couldn't have done it without them! (I have no pictures of this hot/sweaty/miserable endeavor...sorry there are none of the little girls!)

So, on Monday night, I called my boss...."Please can I have one more day off, so I can recover from my day off?" She graciously agreed.....WoooHOOO!

My next phone call was to my sister Mary. (She'd given me a "gift certificate" for Christmas that was good for a pot of chicken and dumplin's...and a batch of my favorite cookies.) I told her that I wanted to "cash in" on my certificate! I called my other sister Martha, and my niece Melody also to join us for a "girl party". Just to make it all EVEN more perfect, Tuesday (6/16) was Melody's 48th birthday! What a way to celebrate!

Here's Mary rollin' out the dumplin's:

She also made her "skillet" cornbread! HOLY COW it's good! She "plops" it out on a plate upside down, because almost everyone in my family likes the crunchy part of the cornbread.....not me - give me the middle where it's good and moist! (Any time I've EVER taken anything out of a pan - it NEVER looks like this - most of mine stays stuck to the pan! Which is another good reason that SHE cooks and I DON'T!)

Then.....there was THIS! This is the top of a sugar-free chocolate pie. Now you want to talk about something that will finish you off...this'll do it! YUMMMMMY!

Here's the birthday girl cutting into the pie!!!!

This is my sister Martha and her birthday girl, Melody. She officially turned 48 while we were eating lunch! Melody has given me 2 of my precious "greats"....Nathan and Natalie...who she has always shared with her aunty! (I think she's probably gonna beat me at grandbabies....think she'll share those too?)

Birthday Weekend - Part 2

2009-06-17T13:29:00.012-05:00

Sunday - FLAG DAY - was proof of my 53rd year of existence! Do NOT know how I got to this point....but TAH-DAH, here I am!

I went to church Sunday...on the way there and back home I was just blown away by the number of flags that businesses and homes had out. It makes you feel so proud. You KNOW I loved it!

Larry took me to Applebee's to eat lunch. We came home and tackled the yard.....he mowed for me, and even was sweet enough to mow the nice couple across the streets yard too! He also did some cleaning in the backyard from where we'd had storms lately! (Aren't I blessed with such a precious son?)

The Secret Sister Revealing Tea was next on the agenda for the day! It was a patriotic theme and the ladies had it decorated so cute! Jessica Daniels was my S.S. She gave me the coolest red, white & blue Texas table, a star bowl with sugar free candy and a SONIC card! WoooHOOOO!

I had my friend Loretta's name....I'd had her fooled this entire time.

My friend Kathy Daniels received a VERY special gift from her S.S., Kristi Garrett. Kathy's daughter-in-law, Jessica, is about to present her with her first GRANDAUGHTER! Miss Alexis is due at any moment! And we can't wait to see her!

Then....Me, Webber & Larry were off to Roxton to clean out the storage building. It only took two trips and about 3 hours! There's no way I can explain how much I appreciate Larry's help on that one!

Birthday Weekend - Part 1

2009-06-14T22:55:00.020-05:00

What a wonderful birthday weekend had!

Larry came in on Saturday...our first stop - BURGERLAND!

They may have new owners, but they still have the good ol' greasy hamburgers though.

The new menu has a QUADBURGER...

If you eat it, you get your name on the QUADBURGER Hall of Fame!

Larry ordered one...and consumed the whole thing!

So, he's now forever emblazened on the QHOF!

He then took me to see "Hangover"! I honestly don't know when I have laughed so much!

On Saturday night, my friend Loretta and I went to Katie Shields & Kyle Fonville's wedding & reception. It was the sweetest....most fun wedding I've EVER been too! (Wish I'd have taken my camera...but I forgot, so I "scammed" one from a facebook page.) They didn't have a wedding cake...they had wedding cupcakes...YUMMY! A sundae bar...a candy bar....root beer...creme soda....Parrott Ice...just to give you an idea of the different ideas they had! It was SO Katie! Many good wishes and love to the happy couple!

Polk Street Crime Watch

2009-05-26T20:36:00.007-05:00

Lucy (the dog) and Ricky (the cat) have become quite the detectives.

I love keeping the front door open, but Lucy sits at the door and barks at EVERYTHING ... people, cats, dogs, birds, bugs, blowing trees, grass, you get the idea!

So, I have to end up shutting the door to shut her up.

Ricky has always sat on the back of the couch and watched out the window...

Lucy never caught on till this weekend....yeah, I know, she's a little slow.

This is her "stance" when she's on the lookout.....

And this is her stance when SOMETHING needs to be barked at...

Ricky is SO lazy...he only gets up long enough to see what all the fuss is about,

then goes back and lays down.

So, things are being guarded on Polk Street...you need not worry!

Grand-Friends Abby, Kaitlyn & Sophia

2009-05-24T21:07:00.000-05:00

A few Sundays ago, Abby & Kaitlyn came home with me, after church. There was NON-STOP talking! It was awesome! (Yes, I let them talk too!)

We ate lunch, went to take bluebonnet pictures, made cards for the nursing home, went to Petco to look at everything, then to a baby shower for our soon to be newest friend Alexis Daniels! (Jessica is her Mommy).
We went to the nursing home here in Paris to visit with Mary Kay Glaspie (from Cooper). They sang songs, turned cartwheels, did sign language and recited poems for Mary Kay and all her friends at Heritage!

Kaitlyn, Mary Kay & Abby
You see the smile on Mary Kay's face? That is there ALL the time!

We also visited with Foy, who goes to church with us.

Sadly, we had our last visit with Miss Durline. But, sadly, Miss Durline passed away on Thursday of that week. (Abby's Daddy, Patrick, did her graveside service and it was so sweet!)
Then, we came back home and I was given the show of ALL shows! The girls performed and modeled for me...using the sidewalk as the stage/catwalk! I can't believe how they memorize songs AND the dances that go WITH the songs!

Kaitlyn McCarter & Abby Cannon
April 2009
Which is prettier....the bluebonnets or these girls?

A couple of weeks ago, Abby and Sophia came home with me after church. MORE TALKING! WooHOOOO!
We had lunch, watched some Zack & Cody...some Hannah...then to the makeup and nails! I asked if they wanted to do some hair stuff. DUH! Of course they did! They put on every piece of my jewelry they could push on their little fingers and wrists...the earrings...necklaces...the whole she-bang!
We then, while they were all dolled up, went to Legends to visit with our little friends, Mary Kay, Foy and our sweet Miss Durline's room-mate, who is SO very lonely now. Once again, the girls entertained by singing, sign language, cartwheels, and reciting poems! Those folks LOVE the little ones so much! (There's one little lady that was scooting her wheelchair along, to come to the front, and was singing very VERY loudly...every single word of all of the kids songs. The nurse told me that she is a "grump" and never has a nice thing to say to anyone...but she loved those girls!)

Sophia Johnson & Abby Cannon
These 2 have got it goin' on!

Then, today, Abby and I had some girl time...we had the USUAL McDonald's lunch....Then we went to the house and "bejeweled" some sandals for her, we accomplished some scrapbooking...then we had our nail and makeup time.

Abby, in the middle of the scrapping!

I was thinking this afternoon...."You People" who have girls, you are so blessed!
Boys will tell you what you need/want to know! (I love you Larry!)
But, those little girls....they will tell you who - what - when - where - why - wherefore...etc, etc. It is AMAZING to me how fast their little minds work!

I LOVE IT!

If I haven't told you lately...thank you to the Mommy's and Daddy's that give up their little girls on Sunday afternoons! I have so much fun and KNOW how blessed I am to have such GREAT little Grand-Friends!

All in One Day

2009-05-22T15:08:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I was about to go to lunch at 11. One of the girls I work with said I needed to wait just a minute...I thought that was kinda strange, because there was plenty of people to answer the phone.

In walks this lady, with these HUGE sunglasses and a even BIGGER hat, right up to me and said "I need to open a checking account".

I sat there...just STARED at her thinking....I KNOW THAT VOICE....I KNOW THAT VOICE!

I look right at her and it was my friend LAURA MILLER!

Laura (Red) and I worked together at KVIL in Dallas in the late 80's. The instant we met, we clicked! She's loud and boisterous...just like me! We both had boys about the same age. She and I went through divorces together...the empty nest syndrome...we e-mail and talk on the phone, but this was the first time we'd seen each other in about 8 years.
(Do you remember, a few years back, when Dallas had a mayor named Laura Miller? The Dallas News did a special on some of the women in the Dallas area that were name Laura Miller...and Red was one of them! It was so cute!)
She was on vacation this week and had conspired with my co-workers to surprise me. (And boy, did she ever!) We went to eat lunch and didn't even take a breath...we talked non-stop.
I know....I should have gotten a picture of her with her "costume" on!

Same day....my friend/hair magician, Lacy Nabors passed out at work, quit breathing, and had to have CPR performed on her. After an afternoon in the ER...and part of the night...they determine that they can't find anything wrong with her. But, the heart doctor is going to have her wear a heart monitor for a week and see if they can find anything amiss. She's home now. Thank you LORD!

Still the same day....my friend, Peggy Robinson's Dad, David Buster, passed away on Thursday night. He was 78 and had lived a long life. He will be missed by SO many! God bless you David/Pa.