Category: General

Tonight while talking on the phone with my father, Isabel, who had been taking a nap beside me, began to wake up. I paused a moment to ask Isabel if she wanted to talk with Gmpa on the phone. She said no and I then continued my conversation with my father. A few minutes later, a more awake Isabel comes over to me and asks if she could sit on my lap. So again, I ask her if she wants to talk with Gmpa on the phone, and she says…”No, because my mouth is just waking up!”

Tonight as we sat down for dinner, I began to tell Isabel that if she ate all her dinner; she would get a very special treat (leftovers – from her birthday celebration). So after dinner, as I was getting the very special treat dished up, I ask Gino…

Me: Are you going to have a C-U-P (spelling) C-A-K-E?

Isabel: I want a C-R-P (spelling)!

Later, as we were eating our very special treat, Gino and Isabel share this conversation…

Gino: Does Lula like cupcakes?

Isabel: No, she doesn’t have any teeth!

Gino: So what does she eat?

Isabel: Grapes!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you, Kaylie!
Happy Birthday to you!

We love you! We have heard that your on the basketball team at school and that your really good! Keep up the great job! We will be seeing you in a few days! Maybe we’ll get to see a game…that would be so great! We have missed so much of your growing up…I miss that so much. We love you, Kaylie. You have grown into a beautiful young women. Always remember that God LOVES you and he is ALWAYS with you! Happy Birthday Kaylie! – Love, Uncle Gino, Aunt Carey and Isabel XXOX

 

… if I hadn’t seen it!

This picture was taken on Sunday, April 20th 2008, when Steven Curtis Chapman (the middle man) was inducted into the Music City Walk of fame along with 5 other inductees. Congratulations SCC!

Now, if I had never seen this picture I would never had believed it…2 of my favorite singers together in one good looking picture! Enjoy!

Left to right: Garth Brooks, Steven Curtis Chapman, and… some other guy
So does Garth listen to Steven or does Steven listen to Garth?
Makes ya think! Think? Think!

 

Snow in our neck of the world is a bit rare, let alone over a foot! We have been blanketed in the white stuff for over the past few weeks. Schools have been closesd since it started hitting the ground, which is unfortunate for the kids because they’ll be going to school until July! Luckily today, the temperature warmed up to start melting some of it. We are expected to get more again tonight and before the new year. Enjoy!

Our backyard looking south east.

Our backyard looking north east.

The main road to our house looking north.

The main road looking south.

Our house looking east from the main road.

Our street looking south.

My first real job, as most teen girls in high school, was babysitter. I watched several different kids throughout school and after high school as well. However, the beginning of my senior year, I was given the opportunity to watch a very special girl and her name was Karlee. I watched Karlee for just over a year. Then her family decided to move away, I was so sad to see her leave. I missed her and her family.

Throughout the years, I often wondered about Karlee and her parents. What was she like? What did she like to do? Was she happy? Was she ok? All normal questions to ask when someone leaves an impression in your heart and life…

1990
Karlee and I.

March 1991
She was even in my senior pictures.

1992
A few years after they moved, I got a few cards from her mom
and pictures of Karlee. Then we lost touch…

Then last year I joined a social website called “Facebook”. If you have no idea what that is, it’s a social networking site where you can connect with people you know. You can search for people you might know, too.

One night when I was online within Facebook, I decided that I would search for Karlee. I figured she has to be on there since it’s a site created for young people.  So I typed in her name and the first person listed was Karlee so-and-so, the name was different then what I knew but the face looked a little familiar to me. So I sent a message with some info that I knew about Karlee and she wrote me back! It was Karlee!

2007 – Junior year in high school.
She’s a gorgeous girl! Love her smile, reminds of her mother…

2008 – Summer before freshman year in college.
There’s that smile again!
She is going to school with a major in Nutritional Sciences;
with a minor of Allied Health.

Happy Birthday, Karlee!

God bless you on the road ahead. I have enjoyed reconnecting with you and getting to know you all over again. You were a special little girl to me and have grown into an amazing women. Keep in touch…

I noticed this on my cousins blog and decided to play along…something fun and different! Enjoy!

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
Carey: Hot chocolate.
Gino: Eggnog

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Carey: Wrap.
Gino: Or in the driveway.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Carey: Colored lights on the tree with white lights on the house and inside decor.
Gino: Mix it up. Whatever I’m in the mood for.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Carey: No. Used to when I was younger living with my parents.
Gino: No.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Carey: Christmas decor goes up the week of Thanksgiving.
Gino: (same as above)

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Carey: Turkey.
Gino: Yams with marshmallows.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child.
Carey: Spending holidays with family and extended family. The whole HUGE crowd!
Gino: Grandpa Eddie dressing up as Santa Claus.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Carey: I was 5 or 6. They also told me there was no Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy.
Gino: Don’t remember.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Carey: No.
Gino: We did as kids.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Carey: Lights, garland, ornaments, and then topper.
Gino: Top to bottom.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Carey: Dislike it! Dread it! Avoid it!
Gino: (same as above)

12. Can you ice skate?
Carey: No.
Gino: No.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Carey: Yes.
Gino:

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Carey: Jesus’ birth. Without him there would be no hope.
Gino:

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Carey: My sister-in-laws homemade holiday candy!
Gino:

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Carey: Spending time with family. It’s been years since we have had family around for the Christmas holiday.
Gino:

17. What tops your tree?
Carey: A mother of pearl Christmas star.
Gino: (same as above).

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Carey: Giving.
Gino:

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Carey: My all time favorite song is: “Heirlooms” written by Bob Farrell, Brown Bannister, and Amy Grant and sung by Amy Grant on her Christmas Album.  Otherwise, all the traditional ones…and a few new ones too.
Gino:

20. Candy Canes​!​ Yuck or Yum?
Carey: Yum.

21. What do you want for Christmas?
Carey:
Gino:

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party?
Carey: No.
Gino:

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs?
Carey: Pj’s! Unless of course I’m going out, then I dress up.
Gino:

24. Do you own a Santa hat?
Carey: I have 2 from when I worked @ Wal*Mart years ago.
Gino:

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
Carey: Jesus and my family.
Gino: