... Raindrops Renee ...

. . . F I N A L post of the year . . .

2008-12-30T17:22:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics. Enjoy.

Grandad and the kids

Stair steps.

My man and me.

My sister-in-love.

Tennessee Fan.

Grandad. Smiling.

The grandkids at Winky's.

My husband. My love.

Smile. There's a John Deer tractor.

Barbie and a smile.

Love this pic. Opposites.

Big B.

Smile Winky.

Grandma...no...Chel.

"I'm chillin'."

"Let's color."

Well, it's been over a month since my last post. I've had alot going on at work...and in my family life. All good, but alot to juggle. Work has been alittle stressful because of the threat of losing my job because of budgets cuts, but it looks like I've missed this round of "cuts." A blessing..of course. And I really like working with the people and the benefits are great. And the family is growing . . . in size, not numbers of course.

Our son is 5'6" and the girl is 4'5". Big. Period. Our son has discovered girls, well he knew they were there, but they're looking back..texting...calling..wanting to "go out." Now we called that "going together." But we actually went somewhere, because we were 15-16 years old. But kids these days start alittle earlier and that's fine. A movie. Some "hanging out" time. We know our limit.

Our girl is continuing with the chorus. Maturing and looking cute as ever. Sweet. And still painting, and loving Barbies. So, she's secure for now. No boys in her sights. whew.

Christmas was fun and relaxing this year. No rushing around like crazy people. Running from house to house this year. My brother has a crazy job that had him work the day before and after Christmas. Strike crazy...replace with important. And so we had our side of the family's Christmas on the weekend after Christmas. The whole day at our mom's. And a laid back time over at my brother and sister-in-law's house. Fun. No stress.

Peace.

... have I mentioned ? ...

2008-11-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned I just LOVE Robert Downey, Jr. ?

Well... I do.
And so does Entertainment Weekly.
So much so that they named him Entertainer of the Year.

... FUN ...

2008-11-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

Something for when you're tried of the same ole crap on just a different day...ENJOY!

http://cdn1.ustream.tv/swf/4/viewer.45.swf?cid=317016

... something else to be mad about ...

2008-11-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/09/AR2008110902155.html?hpid=topnews

CROOKS!

... disgraceful ...

2008-11-11T06:45:00.001-08:00

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/nov/11/veterans-groups-sue-to-speed-claims/

CALL YOUR SENATOR.

.. funny ..

2008-11-11T06:06:00.000-08:00

A funny lady from CNN, Ms. Moos gives a funny review of the Obama's trip to visit the White House.

... CHORUS ... CHOIR .. it's all the same .. RIGHT?

2008-11-06T13:38:00.001-08:00

Today was a special day for the Edwards family. Sissy had her first official program in which she was a member of a group. The group, you ask? The Chorus! Yay.

She did a very good job . . . and so did all the other children of course . . . they are a group, I know. But she was front and center with her bright smile . . . and fidgeting . . . but no one noticed . . the fidgeting I mean . . . except her mother : ) ME.

They were accompanied by the Navy band from the base located in Millington, not far from our house. WOW.. they are amazing.

As I was watching her I was taking in this moment. Remembering when I was in the chorus (we called it the choir back then...we won big in Atlanta that year...1980 something) while attending high school. 9th grade...oh those were the days...oh where was I...

Singing has always been a passion of mine. Instilled in me by a couple of people. First and foremost my Uncle Doc. He would always sing at any gathering at my grandmother's house...when we went to church...in the bars...etc. Awesome voice. Bluesy, no matter what he's singing. Raspy. A true blessing. He was/is very poplar in Corinth...Tuscumbia...Aiken. So he inspired me and even encouraged me.

The second was my dad. Although I don't know for sure that he can sing, he does love music. All kinds. And we would listen in the car, on the TV (Hee Haw, Lawrence Welk, Barbara Mandrell and her prettier sisters, etc.) and now on YouTube. Yep. He's all the time telling me to look so and so up and listen to them. "So sweet" "It's great" he says. And he's very current on certain artists...some country and some not. Sugarland comes to mind. And he wasn't much impressed by the Mississippi Girl album by Faith Hill..."There aren't enough good ones." So he says.

And there were others...Chris, my husband for "hard rock." I had to know about it so I could sing along when we were dating. ... My brother, Bryan. Uh um, PRINCE. Only the greatest artist that every lived. Amen. ... Roxane (a friend from high school...who doesn't like me anymore.. I guess.. because since I told her I was voting for Obama, she hasn't emailed me since...which is fine with me) for introducing me to other groups that I've forgotten now, but thought they were cool then, Oh yeah GTR (some group with different members from old popular bands that weren't together anymore) ... and my Mom for telling me about a Blues group, whose name escapes me. But I always remember how much she loves to listen to them, when their name comes up .. Oh I just remembered, Booker T. and the MGees (spell check, please). And she loves Bluegrass music..as do I.

But ANYWAY ... my question is... I know that you shouldn't live your life through your child...right? But is it okay to want them to do what you did? I did encourage her to try out. I hope that she enjoys it ... I did.

It looks like she did, huh? I love the flag imitation.

... great photo ...

2008-11-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

Photo: Khalid Tanveer/Associated Press

Look at the sea of people on this train...can you even see the train... HOLY COW!

Great photo!

...Happy Halloween...

2008-11-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

my prisoner and princess.

the princess, taking a bow.

... sickening ... 14 Billion ...

2008-10-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/30/news/companies/exxon_earnings/index.htm?cnn=yes

In case you haven't heard, while people are struggling to pay their mortgage, keep their homes, feed their families, etc. These sorry bastards were setting a record.

And that's all I have to say about that...

... baby news ...

2008-10-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

It's going to be a GIRL for our nephew Blaine and his girlfriend, Jessica.

Congratulations!

The baby will arrive in March, 2009.

.. just one america ..

2008-10-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

.. something I learned at school .. earmarks

2008-10-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02222008/watch.html

.. check this out ..

2008-10-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

After looking at this and comparing basically everyone I know...this one is exactly what it says.
Astrology...I do love it.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/10/15/cb.astrology.career/index.html

2008-10-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

Joy is the best makeup.
— Anne Lamott

... inspiring ...

2008-10-21T07:17:00.001-07:00

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/oct/20/21webvote/

R.I.P.

2008-10-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

It's a sad day at the University of Memphis....TOM II passed away.

"TOM II was recently diagnosed with cancer during an annual medical examination,
and passed away on October 15, 2008, at the age of 17. He outlived all four of his siblings by a number of years, a testament to the level of care and love he received.
He also far exceeded the life expectancy of a male tiger. "

1991-2008

... tired ...

2008-10-08T07:23:00.001-07:00

Who's tired of hearing their candidate say the same ole shit, just on a different day? ME!

... judge for yourself ...

2008-10-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that the Presidential candidates will be debating

"town hall meeting" style.

These debates are important to our democratic process.

And you'll get to see Tom Brokaw, as mediator.

TONIGHT @ 8pm (central)

Any major network of your choice.

... wow ...

2008-10-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

Kevin Clark/The Register-Guard

Heidi, a yellow labrador retriever jumps for a toy near Oakridge, Ore. Oct. 1, 2008. Heidi and owner Hannah Gordon, 14, who are rated number one in the nation for junior handlers, will be heading to the 2008 DockDogs National Championships in Wisconsin next week. The event involves dogs running and jumping off a dock for distance.

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/229891//story.csp

The photo caught my eye. I included the link to the story. Enjoy.

... remember ...

2008-10-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

People ...

Just because you're registered ....

does NOT mean you voted!

When November 4th rolls around,

GO to your selected poll

and

VOTE for your candidate.

... catching up ...

2008-09-30T16:54:00.001-07:00

So...I've been away for awhile. But for good reasons. I've
really not had much to talk about. Of course this economy thing is a
pain. And the election. But I really could expand on it so I've remained quiet.

But the kids have been active. Samantha tried out for the chorus.
We're still awaiting the outcome of that...cross your fingers. She ran
for student council (with just one day's notice...long story) and got
some experience with the "political" system that is elementary school.
She didn't "win" but she tried. And isn't that what you want your kids to
do? I do.

And Jake applied to be put on the Mayor's teen council and was
appointed! Exciting. He had to write a paragraph about why he wanted
to be on the council and fill out an application. He was coerced
into it a bit by his mother but in the end, he was proud of himself...Yay!

And my honey went on yet another mission trip to Africa to help some kids at an orphanage. The team built shower areas and a pavilion for them to be out of the rain when they worshiped or ate. Some photos will be at the end.

And I'm attending a class on campus. Lots of reading! That's my
weakness, but I'm competing and learning, and that's all that counts,
right?

Here are the pics! Awesome. Who knew he was such the
photographer! He's so talented. I love him! My booboo!

The dorms.

The mission group prepared a meal fit for Christmas...the time when
one of the kids said, "The best memories are of Christmas... because we get to
eat until we are full." STEAK!
Everyone ate til they were full.

The showers. No hot water. But
privacy.
The little boy is drinking from a "spiket"
while a cow wanders around the cooking pots.
The school "house."
Half of the line to be served lunch.
The cook and the "kitchen." It's not blurry, that's
smoke.
Patterns for the man who makes everyone's uniform.
They are made of paper...except for the one in
blue.
The bones of the pavilion.
Look at those smiles. Especially the one in the
middle.

... kind words ...

2008-09-11T08:45:00.001-07:00

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.
— Blaise Pascal

.. September 11th ..

2008-09-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

Enough said.

.. how cool is this ..

2008-09-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

What you're looking at this of course the UofM Tiger's logo, but look closer...It's the new design for the corn maze out at the AgriCenter. They have one every year at the beginning (or close to it) of Fall. Take the kids or go experience it yourself and get LOST. :) Here's the link for more info: http://www.cornfieldmaze.com/sites.php?ID=&username=tnmemphis

Get out and do something!