Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Nanny, with her granddaughter Brianna, and great-granddaugher (I do mean great) Bailey. I stopped in unannounced and found Brianna and her girls enjoying a glass of tea with Nanny on the back porch. Ok, it just doesn't get any better than that for me. I so love living here close to Nanny, and when the grandkids come to visit and bring their precious children, well there is nothing more special as far as I'm concerned. I had a few little kids with me for a visit so we borrowed Bailey for a while and went to "town" to get snowcones. She made quick friends with my little friends and we had a blast. It was sort of hard to order snowcones for 4 little kids plus me, as I recall, we had 2 grape, 2 rootbeer and 1 vanilla. When I asked them what they wanted they looked at me and said, "What is there?". I looked up at that list of 1,000 flavors and said what any experienced aunt would say, cherry, strawberry and grape. Pick one. One of my friends can read very well so he tried to start down the list, but as soon as he requested root beer I said great, and made him go sit down. The snow cone shack has picnic tables and shade, plus a big fan, so we sat right there and ate them. They wanted to take them with us in the car, but fun aunt or not, that's where I draw the line! NO snowcones in my car!! Except mine, which I knocked over as soon as I got in, and it was the grape one......

Funny Kid Story

So last weekend, my young nephew was watching me sew on the sewing machine. After he observed for a few minutes he told me that Nanny sews too, except she uses her hand, not a machine. Now, we all know that Nanny is a great seamstress, however, I know that she hasn't sewn anything in quite a while, so I quizzed him a little bit. "What do you mean, she sews with her hand, did you see her sewing?" "Yes", he replied, "She was making a croissant". I thought for a minute and asked him, "Was it blue?", and he said yes. (Ok, I can't do the quotes things anymore and finish story today). Then I told him, that is not croissant, that is crochet and she is making a blue baby blanket for new baby Kelton. Oh, he said and walked away. So, you say croissant, I say crochet, no big deal, just don't try to serve me crochet with my meal!

Carryl and Tommy on Vacation

How cool is this? Carryl and Tommy are only on day two of vacation and I am already posting a picture of the condo where they are staying. That's because I went there already in early May. It was absolutely gorgeous. I hope they have good weather and get lots of time on the beach. The sand there is like powdered sugar, very white and soft. They are in Gulf Shores, AL staying at one of my "Spa Girl" friend's condo. I don't think she will have much computer access while there so probably no danger of finding out that I have posted about her vacation before she even gets home. Consider it like getting a postcard from her. Right, like that's going to happen!!

You Can Teach a Nanny New Tricks!

Ok, most people know that you shouldn't complain to me about not having something to do! I always have lots of suggestions. So, when Nanny was complaining about her gardening almost being over, I sat her down and handed her a crochet needle and a ball of yarn. She is currently working on what my crochet group has dubbed the "king kong chain". I told her that she has to chain for 2 weeks and then I will teach her a new stitch. Carryl wants her to move on after just one day of chaining, but I said, "No!" "She has to be able to chain in the dark without her contacts, and in her sleep if necessary". When she reaches that point, or until her chain reaches my house (3 miles) she just can keep chaining. Basically, I am trying to convince her that all crochet is, is chaining. Before you know it she should be cranking out the grandma dollies. (She probably should spend some time teaching me to spell). I have lots of yarn that I will donate and have already decided that most of her Christmas gifts can be scarfs and hats. So, if you are in the family, you might want to pray for really cold weather and possibly even snow, because if she crochets you a hat, you WILL be wearing it!!!

Look What Our Cousin Made

Look at Linda's tomato garden. She bought the green planters and made her own version with stuff she already had at home ( the clay pot looking one). The greens ones are the ones "as seen on tv". I am sure that the one she made will work just as well. Great design and also great idea to encourage us to "use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without!" Great lesson in making do, Linda and I bet you even had fun making it, so if you have any other money saving tips for us please pass this way. I believe Linda also makes some other good stuff, so I will post some pictures here as soon as I get some! Hint hint to whoever is listening/reading!

Lisa

Our Prayers are Being Answered

Micheal emailed his dad on Wednesday of this week to tell him that he was ok. Then he described what had happened that day. This picture shows the vehicle he was riding in when it ran over an IED, (which is a hidden explosive device). There were no fatalities, but concussions, and lots of bangs and bruises. Michael also hurt his back pretty badly, but has stated that he will recover. This happened while we were sleeping here, but God took care of Michael and continues to watch over him and his group. Keep praying everyday, many times a day for Michael. He is facing things that we will most likely never have to worry about. He is also willing to pay a price for our freedom and comfort and I for one am guilty of forgetting how precious this freedom is and also how costly it is. I believe that Michael was actually sitting directly above where the explosion occurred. Michael, you are our miracle and we are thankful for you and what you do for us each and every day. Please let your group know that the Poland family from Texas is praying for them and that we love them all. Especially you.

Here is the Newest Graduate

Here is our newest graduate. Jeff has graduated from high school and we are so proud. He is one of 60 graduates that received scholarships. That was out of over 700 students!!!! Did I mention we are proud? Mom, Carry, Steve and I were blessed to be able to travel to downtown Houston and meet Wesley, and his mother-in-law , sister and brother -in- law. We were sad that Jeff's grandfather was unable to attend the ceremony due to an unforeseen hospital stay. We are praying that he has a speedy recovery. Anyway, we watched the class of 2009 march in and struggled to identify our graduate. We took turns with the binoculars and then tried to point him out so that everyone in our group could see him. Who were we kidding, we could barely see him with the binoculars much less with the naked eye. You would have thought we were trying to get a look a famous rock star or something. It was as if we had never seen him before and we were so excited to finally spot him. (or some student that looked like him). Actually, from where I was sitting they all looked the same! I think his dad was just relieved that he really was in the line up and would get a chance to hear his name called and walk across the stage. Of course we yelled and screamed like lunatics when his name was called. The arena was so big he probably didn't even hear us! (The people around us did though!!!) We all met up afterward on the street outside and took turns hugging and taking pictures. I was amazed at how many people came up to Jeff and shook his hand. This guy has touched many people during his young life and apparantely made a very positive impact on many. We will wave goodbye to him this fall with sadness and pride as he goes off to fulfill his scholarship to Virginia Tech. So, here is one more of the Poland clan that has made it through high school. We have several more to follow with the youngest one just starting life 2 days ago. So, I guess we should just reserve the last weekend in May and first weekend in June from now on!!