Only in Alabama

A week or so ago Lisa came for a visit. She and I got breakfast at McDonald's drive through and then went on a little tour. We drove past our old houses and then out to Memory Gardens where Buck's parents are buried. After that we drove out to Midway to "visit" Jace Steadman and the various uncles and aunts and my Mamaw and Papaw Panter. Then we went to Tubbs to "visit" Mamaw and Papaw Brown. She snapped this photo of the flags flying there. Only in Alabama will you find a Confederate Flag flying at a church cemetery!

It's Fall?

Hello out there! I'm at the library so I can post today but can't upload any photos. It is fall ~ can you believe it? It was definitely HOT yesterday when I was out with the dogs. Hoping for some dry weather so I can get the grass mowed tomorrow. Looking forward to having phone service at the house AND internet connection. I can't even Google!
Kiss Kiss

Football and Ringpops

Topher had a blue ringpop

(can you tell?)
There's Jakob on the field
(blue jersey about the middle of the photo)

Jakob is playing football. Topher has opted for soccer (also known as football). Saturday Jakob had a game ~ during which a lot of the spectators were listening for the Alabama score. He plays for Carbon Hill. Kim remarked the other day she never thought she would be wearing a Carbon Hill tee shirt (she is a Walker graduate) Topher is at the ballgame but he isn't exactly a gung ho supporter ~ he enjoys the concession stand and playing in the dirt behind the stands or running with his friends. His soccer games will start soon ~ we'll see if Jakob feels the same way about watching him play.

Scattered

Topher FINALLY lost that tooth

that was barely hanging on.

Today's post is scattered. It covers different subjects in no particular order or timeline. It is Saturday and I just finished mowing half of our yard. The rest will wait until. . . .probably Monday. Tomorrow will be a scurry to church and home to relax and do laundry then back to church. Jakob and Topher are coming over to play games (I have a "Ratchet and Clank" they don't know about). Talked to Jennifer this week ~ sounds like Sarah is getting into the school groove ~ much to Jennifer's chagrin.

We had a slug on our garage door last week (Yuck)

Buck wanted me to send the photo to the girls and ask them if they were interested in joining him for some escargot. Kim and Jennifer like them ~ can't remember if Lisa has ever tried them but they've never eaten ANYTHING that looks like this. Escargot comes in butter and garlic sauce on a neat little plate NOT stretched out like this.

Sarah got false fingernails for her birthday

I think she wore them about 20 minutes after

Jennifer put them on for her.

Funny how you THINK you want something until you have it. Sarah wanted these tips (or so she thought) until she tried to play with them on. I tried one ~ totally unmanageable for me as well.

Mother uses this cane when her knee is bothering her.

Daddy would do well to use one also. Don't think anyone will be bothering her when she has that in hand. (She's also been known to pack heat ~ so watch it)

Speaking of Daddy ~ here he is in the hospital

getting ready for a test of some sort.

Claire enjoys "reading"

I will be traveling to Colorado next month for Claire's birthday. My plan was to be a "smaller" Magra the next time they see me ~ so far that isn't working out very well. Suggestions??

Sarah practicing her hop scotch skills.

Ever the girlie girl ~ with the hair swept up so she can see where she is going. Both girls like wearing dresses and going barefoot.

Playing in the freshly mowed grass

results in GREEN FEET.

That's all for today ~ gotta shower and get ready for a football game. Jakob is playing for Carbon Hill and we are traveling to Addison. . . .maybe I should find out where that is.

Kiss Kiss

Ramblings

When I watch my children with their children I am awed by them. They are wonderful mothers and sometimes I have to ask myself "How did these women become who they are?" I don't always remember myself as the greatest of moms but they turned out great. Both of our married daughters are hard working, loving, Christian women who care for their families with grace. Our unmarried daughter is still a work in progress but she is trying. She is hard working and loving to those she calls her friends. She is a new Christian finding her way. When she cares, sometimes she cares too quickly and that can come back to hurt her. We say she wears her "heart on her sleeve". I observe my husband working every day, coming home totally tired but still willing to go help me with a project at Daddy's house. He's been a good husband (most of the time) and I'm sure he would give you a list of my faults if you asked.
Lately I've watched my parents. Daddy is not doing well. He suffers from dementia and lately it has been getting worse. He gets confused and sometimes he is more than cranky. My mother suffers the brunt of his moods but she wouldn't have it any other way. They allow me to go to doctor appointments with them and occasionally I do a little project for them but for the most part they are taking care of themselves. Daddy gets upset when there is a job to be done around the house and he has to ask for help. Mother gets upset watching him struggle. They will celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary later this month. In the bible it says "the two shall become one" and they have. She is his voice and he has been her strength. They use to take turns caring for each other but now she is the caregiver 90% of the time. Yesterday I heard him tell her, out of the blue, "I love you". She answered "I love you too". It broke my heart.

We'll talk sisters some other time. ;-)

Oops! My bad!

Just got a call from Terrell.

Today IS NOT his birthday.

It was Friday.

SO SORRY!

Also. . . .

I failed to identify the people

in the photo on his birthday posting.

That is Dawg, Tee, and Tater

Roll Tide

Tee

Today is Terrell Bruce Panter's birthday. (the number doesn't matter) I am pleased to tell people we are related. For as long as I can remember, he was Terrell Bruce. We grew up and apart and when I moved back to Alabama. . .he was Tee. He is married to a lovely woman named Veronica (Vee) so together they are TeeVee!!!! But I digress. . . . He is the kind of person that would give you the shirt off his back and today is his birthday. He is a die HARD Alabama fan ~ proof of which can be seen in his tattoos.

Happy Birthday Terrell

Roll Tide

and as you would say

"I love you,man"

As the sun sets on you birthday

remember this photo of the beach and your boys.

Happy Birthday Skoot

Happy Birthday to our son-in-law Skoot. Most people know him by this name even though his REAL name is Charles Raymond Wilson. He is a good man and a great dad. He was born and grew up in Alabama. He went to Curry High School. He met Kim on a "blind date". They have been married for. . . .13? 14? years. (Hey I remember how long I've been married) He is an accountant. . .hunter. . .coach. . .football fan Roll Tide! We are blessed to have him as part of our family.

Happy Birthday!

Buck is a good Granddad

During Sarah's party Buck visited with Arie's Uncle Lenny

Claire took "refuge" in Buck's lap
Buck tried a new hairdo

And Claire thought it was cool enough to copy!

I have photos to share from our visit in Colorado and for one reason or another haven't been able to post them. I'll start with these few today. Sarah had a "water" party (photos later). Claire enjoys jumping in the pool and doing the 'slip and slide' but when the water guns and water balloons made their appearence, she ran for cover on Granddad's lap. Buck always enjoys visiting with Lenny. He is married to Arie's aunt Karen and they live in Denver ~ closer than any of the grandparents. They usually come up for the birthday parties and spoil the girls (which is okay with everyone).

On a side note ~ Daddy is doing as well as can be expected. His primary care doctor took him off of three medications last week. We are going to see Dr. Westerman next week for a report on his PET scan. Mother is handling his slow down quite well. If you are in the neighborhood ~ drop in on them. She'll welcome the visit. (He may sleep through it)

Also ~ keep Doris and Wayne in your prayers. He had surgery on his lung two weeks ago and can't lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for the next two months. If you know him, you know this is going to be HARD. Aunt Doris told him he will have to do what she says for a while. YOU GO GURL!