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Happy Birthday Elvis!

He is eight years old today…and has been with me since he was three months old.

Elvis is a rescue kitty.

It was December 12, 2009 and my plan was to give my oldest daughter Stephanie a kitten for Christmas.  LB and I went to the Humane Society and looked at all the adorable kitties that were living there.  Some of them were in crates; some of them were playing together in the Kitty Cabana.  As we walked into the Kitty Cabana I noticed one little black fur ball scurry behind a kitty play set. Of course I went after him.  Given the fact that he was so skittish, I was surprised that he let me pick him up.  Not only did he let me pick him up, he let me hold him close and snuggle.

I had found a winner!

We took him home.My plan was to keep him for about a week before Christmas and then take him to Stephanie on Christmas morning.

It was only a few days that he was with us and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to part with him.Exactly one week later, we went back and adopted Aymie.  She and Stephanie are inseparable.  Aymie is obviously a good sport.

She will also be 8 years old in October.

If you have a kitty in your life, you know just how special one can be.

Elvis has been on numerous trips and through several moves with me.  He tolerates no visitors and hides under the bed as soon as he is aware that company has arrived.  To most people, he seems very unsociable.
However, when he detects that his mama has arrived home, he comes running.  He then leads me to the living room for some hello-let’s-have-a-brush time.

Elvis sleeps on my bed at my feet. He is anxious for me to get up in the morning and has been known to sit by my head and pat my nose. His favorite time is when I’m sitting in my living room chair letting him sleep on my lap.  He is sleeping on my lap as I type this post.  He is just a precious little fur ball, and I’m so happy to have him in my life.

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Hurricane Hysteria

As I began this post

Hurricane Irma

was a Category 5 storm.  As info, a hurricane with winds of 157 mph or greater is a Category 5.  Hurricane Irma is currently ravaging the Caribbean Islands; LB and I are watching the Weather Channel for an update on the turn that she will take.  She is expected to turn toward Florida.

More storms hit Florida than any other U.S. state, and since 1851 only eighteen hurricane seasons passed without a hurricane impacting the state.  Approximately 488  hurricanes have affected the state of Florida.  This damage report includes a death toll of 10,272 people in Florida and $115 billion in other damage (primarily from Hurricane Andrew and thereafter (source)).

With the exception of the slight impact we felt from hurricane Matthew last year, I can’t remember having experienced a hurricane in Jacksonville.  Needless to say, everyone is a bit antsy about the uncertainty of what is to come.

Even Elvis is looking to me for answers.It is apparent to him that something isn’t quite right.

Since LB has to work on Monday, we are taking our necessities and heading to his office early on Sunday.  We will be spending the night and “hunkering down” here while Irma passes by.

This office has all the comforts of an office.

 

But we bring the party with us

 

During this time, my daughters are with their dad, my son and his little family are riding it out in their home, my Mama is at her house with my sister and her family.

We are in Jacksonville

keeping in touch via text:

 

 

Those are random, I know.

Welcome to My World.

My Mama is terrified (to say the least) of hurricanes, since her experience with Dora in 1964.  Thankfully, Jacksonville has not experienced such a storm in my lifetime.

Since we have no control over the weather, there is no reason for hysteria.  Several hours after beginning, as I continue this post, Hurricane Irma is headed our way, and expected to arrive in about nine hours.  That said, I know my Mama has been praying, because the storm has since downgraded to a Category 2 and the path has shifted away from the east coast of Florida.

God is in control, and in Him I place my trust.

August 1965

What was happening in August 1965?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was leading a civil rights march in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery.

The St. Louis, Missouri Gateway Arch was completed.   The Gateway Arch was created as a landmark to memorialize the symbolic gateway between the Eastern United States and the West.

Cool Whip was introduced by General Foods.

Diet Pepsi made its debut.

The Pillsbury Dough Boy, “popping fresh” came to be.

The New York Jets signed Joe Namath:

The Temptations’ “My Girl“, had hit number ONE.

The Academy Award for best best picture went to, “My Fair Lady.”

The “Sound of Music” movie was a smash success.

The “Green Acres” TV show made its debut [Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert].  Green Acres is the PLACE TO BE…

“Downtown” hits #1 in the US singles chart… Love me some Petula Clark!

The Mini Skirt appeared in London.  And as women’s skirts became shorter, men’s hair became fashionably longer.

The Beatles released 4 new albums that year, including “Help“.

“Charlie Brown Christmas” premiered on CBS.

More specifically, do you remember

August 28, 1965?

In addition to Lyndon B. Johnson serving as President of the United States and people in the US listening to “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher…

Mary Ellen Duckworth and

Richard Alton Reid

were planning a wedding.And they were married 52 years ago today.August 28, 1965 was a Saturday.

If my Daddy had lived, he and Mama would have been married 52 years today.  I have no question that they would still be together.  They loved each other dearly.

I asked Mama about her wedding vows because I thought she had written them herself.  She told me “actually they were the regular vows”.

The “Regular Vows” are

“I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.”

She then added “We just memorized them and said them to each other instead of repeating them after the pastor”.  I think that is very sweet.  What a lovely couple!

 

My Dear Mama

On this day that marks your anniversary, what would have been 52 years that you and Daddy had been married, I am thinking of you.  You have suffered a great loss, greater than I can imagine.  Of course you already know that everyone senses the void, the empty place that Daddy left.  Nevertheless, we all recognize that no one feels it more than you.  I appreciate the love that you still have for him, and that he is the love of your life, as you are his.

August 28, 1965 was a wonderful day and still is wonderful for the memories it offers.

Today I hope you can smile and remember your beautiful wedding day and the beautiful life you shared with him.

Love Kim

Show and Tell Tuesday

It has become one of my favorite posts…

This Tuesday’s

Show and Tell

features a piece of furniture that contains more history than I can share in one post.

To begin, this lovely Lane cedar chest (aka hope chest) was a gift from my parents when I turned eighteen and/or graduated from high school.  I’m not sure if it was a birthday gift or a graduation gift, but I still have this beautiful piece of furniture that I cherish.  Inside I have memories of my high school years, my three babies, and my twelve years with First Guaranty Bank.  There are Beanie Babies, a baton, a tiara, and cards that were given to me by loved ones.Recently I opened my cedar chest because I was looking for a giraffe that I seem to have misplaced.

(So I have a thing about giraffes.  Don’t judge.)

A few of the items I came across are worth sharing.

These are Church DirectoriesI began attending Faith Memorial Baptist church with my parents, before I was born.  I attended this church until 1997.  These directories contain pictures and information of the members of the church.  It is interesting to flip through and look at the people who were at one time a part of my life.

This poem

was written by my Mama while she dealt with the grief of losing her father.

This is what it says:

At set of sun in times long past, I see him coming home at last
We’d run to meet him one by one, happy that the day was done
A special word, a hug, a kiss, would let him know how he’d been missed
A crowded table with sumptuous fare, he never tired of being there.
(Did we realize what we had? That special place, a loving Dad.)
He’d settle back in his old chair, content to rest, to just be there.
We’d find a place upon his lap, maybe he would take a nap.
We learned of Jesus at his knee, of how he died upon a tree.
He told us of a home on high, how we could go there by and by.
Of our Father’s gracious love, bestowed on us from up above.

And now the sun has set once more, reflected on that golden shore.
The fluttering of angels wings, bear him heavenward as they sing.
His home awaits, the table set; joy replaces all regret.
Loved ones who’ve been waiting there, bid him welcome as they share
Hugs and kisses, special words,
And then his eyes behold the Lord.
Son, welcome home, the day is through. I’ve been waiting here for you.
…He’s settled now in heaven’s care, content to rest, to just be there…

 

It is a beautiful tribute and now has a place in my family scrapbook.

 

This is a big flower

from my baby boy.

He made this flower for his mama and placed his cute little picture in the center.  Obviously I love it as it has been with me for 20+ years.

This is a big message

from a little girl.

My firstborn DaughterShe is quite an imaginative little artist.  I especially appreciate the Jasmine inspired floating head.

Even today, Stephanie still has a fascination with all things Disney.

This Comic Book

was written by that same little boy in the above mentioned flower… Richard Starling.

It is a first volume publication by Marble Comics and is titled “The Nother World”

One day I will create a post dedicated to this comic book.

Both of my Memas

are gone now.

Mema Reid left us in 2007.  Mema Duck left us in 2010.

How lucky am I to have had a relationship with both of my grandmothers.  They loved me and I love them.

And I miss them both.

There is so much more… I may have to open that chest again next week.and I found that giraffe!

Gina

There is a special bond between sisters that is unlike any other.
This I know from personal experience because of my sister Gina.  I can’t imagine what my life would have been without her (thank you Mama).

Today is Gina’s birthday

and this is for her:

 

You are my little sister and my forever friend
You’ll always be a part of me, on that you can depend.We started out together, were besties from the start;
We’re similar in many ways, my younger counterpart. We share family, the same parents, several secrets and good looks,
fondness for little kitties, You’ve Got Mail and Disney books.We’ve shared each other’s happy times, we’ve also shared our dreams.
Our life is filled with memories of laughter (and it seems)

Although our times together are not as often as before,
meet with me at Mama’s, and we’re back in time once more.Time and space may separate, and though we’re oft apart
You’re never very far from me, you’re always in my heart.Other friends have come and gone, but heartstrings know no end,
Your sister will be here for you, on Me you can depend.You are my little sister,
I hope that you can see…How very precious that you are
and how you’ll always be.

Happy Birthday Gina!

National Middle Child Day

“Each year on August 12th, National Middle Child Day is observed across the United States. This day gives special recognition to the middle child in the family” (source).

Amanda

is My Middle Childand she is a delight!

I searched google to find a National Day for the Oldest Child/First-Born and Youngest Child and I could not.  It is possible that Middle Children are given a special day because they sometimes experience

Middle Child Syndrome

There was no middle child in my family when I was growing up, only myself and my sister Gina.  Being the first-born in my family, it is difficult for me to imagine a disorder associated with birth order.  Therefore I am puzzled by the Middle Child Syndrome being a reality that some children experience.  The first-born is many times considered to be the leader, while the youngest, or “baby of the family” has his own special place.  Does this leave the middle child without a special place or role?  I have three children and happen to know that the middle child does in fact have a special role.

But research indicates that this syndrome is very real.  These children may feel they are given scant attention and that their siblings are recognized more than they.

Amanda

in my opinion, is an exception to the rule!Amanda is special for so many reasons.

For example:

she is a natural born leader and adventurer.This picture was taken during a tour of the United States Capitol in 2007.  Amanda was the tour guide.  She took the initiative to go to Washington D.C. and serve as an intern for Senator Mel Martinez while she was “just a baby”.  And isn’t she lovely?She also gave me a tour of the city, and obediently posed with the flowers for this picture.

Amanda is very imaginative and a lot of fun to be with.

But she also has a serious sideand beautiful blue-green eyes.

She has a Master’s Degree; graduating from UNF with honors.

I am very proud of her and hope that she is only teasing when she calls herself “the forgotten child”.

At this point she must know that she is anything but forgotten.   Maybe we should start referring to them as the “Central” as opposed to the “Middle”.

Happy Central Child Day Amanda!

Note to Stephanie and Richard: Be forewarned.  Even though there is no National First-Born Day or National Youngest Child Day… I’m a Blogger, and I’ll embarrass you too.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday Everyone!

It’s my favorite day of the week and time for my favorite post…

Friday Favorites

Is it acceptable for a grown woman to like Marvel Comic movies?  I just can’t help myself.

Favorite # ONE

LB and I watched Guardians of the Galaxy early in the week and we both enjoyed it immensely.  This Sci-Fi  Superhero movie doesn’t disappoint!  The characters are an extraterrestrial team of misfits who each have their own agenda, but ban together to achieve a joint objective.  During the story, their appreciation for each other leads to a heartwarming friendship.  The interaction is amusing.  The plot is interesting.  The music is excellent!  I am looking forward to watching the sequel!

Click the links to watch the trailers

Favorite # TWO

Favorite # Two is a website… susanlucci.com

I’ve never watched the soap opera “All My Children”, but I KNOW who Susan Lucci is.  You know who she is too!

This woman is SEVENTY years old and drop dead gorgeous.  When I found her website, I discovered that she likes to do Pilates.  Well there you have it!  Pilates is the secret to lifelong beauty.

I searched online for her site after I happened to see her in an episode of The Kitchen.

Favorite # THREE

Speaking of the kitchen, I spent some time in My kitchen recently to prepare for the celebration of National Raspberry Cream Pie Day.  Obviously I don’t need much of a reason to celebrate.

Tuesday, August 1st was National Raspberry Cream Pie Day.

Because I am easily distractedI didn’t read the ‘Cream Pie’ part and assumed it was a raspberry cake that was the subject of celebration.  Sadly, instead of a Raspberry Cream Pie, I made a Raspberry Cake.

Happily, it was a GOOD cake!

If a cake hangs around too long in my house, it gets cut into slices, wrapped individually, and stored in the freezer.  Pop a frozen slice into the microwave for 30 seconds and enjoy a warm dessert that is almost as good as it was right out of the oven.

Favorite # FOUR

The Venus catalog that came in the mail this week

The Paisley Boho Dress on the cover caught my eye right away.  Isn’t it cute?  Must have.

Favorite # FIVE

Saving the BEST for last… this picture of my son and his sweet little girlLydia broke her toe recently and spent some time wearing this boot.

Richard has recently started blogging.  His style is very different from mine, but I like it.  You can find his blog here.   I am very proud of him and his desire to complete that which he was called to do.

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