Country Living Southern Style II

Our Christmas was wonderful! How about yours? Please leave me comments telling me what you did. On Christmas Eve, we went to my MIL's house. We baked cookies, made finger foods, sang Christmas carols and just had a good old-fashioned fellowship. I have two brother-in-laws and an uncle-in-law who are very talented when it comes to playing the guitars and banjo. My SIL brought her keyboard over and played with them while we sang Christmas carols. It was such a fun evening. On Christmas Day, my children, Hubby, and I just kind of took it easy until time to go to my cousin's house where we ate lots of great food and played Dirty Santa. Nobody really had any money to spend on gifts, so we bought our Dirty Santa gifts at Dollar Tree. I think we had more fun with those gifts than when we used to set the $15 dollar limit. After we left my cousin's, we came back home and watched Christmas movies/shows on TV. On the 26th, Hubby, Daughter, and I took off for Atlanta. We had to meet h...

If I took a picture of my Christmas tree from top to bottom, you most likely would notice that it is bare underneath the tree. With my Hubby having been laid off from his job in August, funds are currently quite scarce around here right now. I explained to my daughter, yet again, as it was the same situation last year, that there would be no presents underneath the tree this year. Her words were, and I quote, "That's okay, Mama, that isn't what Christmas is about." She may only be 17, but she has the wisdom of someone much older, as she definitely is wiser than any 17-year-old I have ever known. A few Christmases ago, my son sold his house. He has always wanted a laptop, but instead of buying himself one, he bought my daughter one with some of the proceeds from the sale of his house. He still doesn't have his laptop, but it doesn't matter. It made him very happy to do that for his sister. I have such selfless children, and I am so proud to call them mine. I kn...

I received a phone call today, which has left me in tears. Sobbing tears, but they are not tears of sadness. No! No! No! They are extreme tears of joy. Such a HUGE burden has been lifted off my shoulders. A wonderful Christmas present for sure. I'm good for at least 100 years now. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE! It is a wonderful time of year for miracles to happen. They do happen, I know because my family just received one. I can't say just yet what it is, except that it is HUGE! It is a time for family, a time for friends, a time for remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season, a time to be thankful, and a time to see what we can do for those who are less fortunate. From our house to yours: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! Susan and family

Hello to all my blogspot friends! Just poppin' in to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Mine was great. Spent the first part of the day with Hubby's family. Took lots of pics. Spent the latter part of the afternoon and evening with my side of the family. We had a great time. Hope yours was great also! Happy Blogging! Susan

I have been very neglectful of all of my friends here on Blogspot. I so apologize. I spend most of my time on Facebook now because I have found so many friends on there. I will try to get on here more and visit all of you more. I miss being caught up with everyone and knowing what is going on in your lives. Remember the stalker that stalked my journal on AOL? I have news. I got this letter in my MySpace inbox today. Don't know quite what to make of it. I think it could be David posing as this person. She says her name is Deborah Gibson. Debbie Gibson is a singer and has a video For Better or For Worse, which I happen to know is one of David Hammond's fav videos. A coincidence? I think not. He must think I am the stupidist person on the planet. Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Susan

Stopping in to wish my Hubby of 31 years a Happy Anniversary today! Happy Anniversary, Darlin'! I Love You Forever and Always!

We had a family reunion on Saturday. It was for my mother-in-law's family. It was loads of fun seeing everyone. When I was younger, my family lived in Baker's Trailer Park. There was a family that lived there part of the time that we became friends with, The Altman Family. At some point and time, they moved to Michigan. :( I have remained friends with them all these years. There were four children, Terri was the oldest, then Rick, Ken, and Kris, two boys and two girls just like my family. Anyway, Kris's son, Ryan is currently living in Florida. He plays football for a semi-pro team, the Falcons. Ryan came to visit us Saturday and stayed overnight with us. My daughter, Ryan, and I went to see Taking Woodstock. I have to say it was somewhat disappointing for me. I wanted to see the bands, even if they had gotten actors to dress up like the bands that played at Woodstock and lip sync to the music. All in all, though, it was a great visit. Carrie an...

Happy Birthday to my dumplin' today. I believe she is 22. She is the Mom of my great nephew Brice and my sister's daughter. I have called her Dumplin' since she was a wee one, lol, but you can call her April. :-) Blessings! Susan

Guess I have been very neglectful of my blog here on Blogger. I have just found so many more friends on Facebook, I spend most of my time there now. I don't really like the format of Blogger, it isn't as user friendly as AOL was. Anyway, to fill you all in, a lot has happened since my last post: I turned 50 on August 2nd. My sis turned 48 on August 3rd. My son turned 27 on August 6th (he thinks he is getting old, lol). My brother turned 46 on August 21st. My daughter just got her first car. Will attach photo. My niece turns 22 tomorrow (the 26th). My stepdad's birthday is the 27th. I think he turns 66. Now that he is retired, he has set up a woodworking shop. He builds the most incredible things. Guess that's about it for now! Blessings! Susan

I am one proud Mama! My daughter quit school back in January. She didn't like all the drama that goes along with being in high school. She didn't like the fact that jocks made up most of her music class and kept the class disrupted to the point the teacher couldn't even teach the class. A lot of the subjects she was having to take, she had already taken in Colorado and was quite bored. She convinced me, not easily I might add, to let her quit school and get her GED so she could go on to college. I did, but it was not without a lot of soul searching. My baby girl has always marched to the beat of her own drum. She is one of those artistic creative types. I have always tried very hard to encourage that in her. Anyway, to make a long story short, she took the GED on July 7th and passed with flying colors, excelling in English and History. We got the results today. She just got a job, is about to buy her own car, which she is paying for herself, and plans to start J...

I went to see my great nephew, Brice, a few days ago. I can't believe he is already 51/2 months old! He is such a happy little fella. My Mom and I are talking in the background. At the end of the video, he starts crying and I say, "Oh darn it! Somebody done pinched my baby!" But I cut myself off after darn it. I picked him up and started playing with him. He immediately stopped crying and started laughing again. He is such a good baby. I believe my niece, April, is suffering from postpartum depression. I would ask that you keep her in your prayers/good thoughts. My best friend also just called me and told me she has to have a bone biopsy tomorrow. Please keep Toni in your prayers as well. Thanks so much! Susan P.S. Hope you enjoy the video of Brice below!

Just wanted to take a moment to congratulate my niece, Marlena, and her Hubby, Tom, on the birth of their son, Peyton Thomas. He was born June 8th at 10:45 PM. He weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. I believe this makes me a great aunt 35 times now and we still have one on the way! Congrats Marlena and Tom! He's beautiful and he looks just like his handsome Daddy!

Today is my hubby and his twin brother's birthday. Happy Birthday Ronnie and Donnie (the dirty one on the end belongs to me, he had worked all day and had to go straight to Ronnie's)! We had a birthday bash at Ronnie's last night for my daughter, Allen, Ronnie, and Donnie. My daughter's was May 23rd, my nephew, Allen's was June 8th, and Ronnie and Donnie's is June 9th, so Happy Birthday to all!

Today is my nephew, Allen's 18th birthday. Just droppin' in to wish him a Happy Birthday, so Happy Birthday, Allen. I LOVE YOU! Did I mention he just graduated from high school? He has cystic fibrosis. Please keep him in your prayers. Have to hurry and upload the Six Flags pics and now I have pics from the OHS Class of 1977 50th Birthday bash from June 6th. It was so much fun. Most of my classmates and I turn 50 this year, so we threw ourselves a party to celebrate. it was so much fun! Can't wait to upload the pics. Hope everyone is doing well. Blessings!~ Susan

We had a great time at Six Flags for my daughter's 17th birthday. My hubby, my daughter, her BFF, and a friend of my daughter's went with me. The weather was overcast and cool. We only got rained on once the whole time. I took lots of pics. I have one now that they take of you when you first enter the park. On our way to my Mom's today for cake and ice cream. Stay tuned! More to come! Blessings!~ Susan

Just wanted to pop in and wish my baby girl a Happy 17th Birthday today! Her wish was to go to Six Flags. I need prayers for safe journey, that the weather holds out, and our decrepit vehicle holds out. Photos to come!~ Blessings!~ Susan

Pictured from L to R: My Hubby, Scottie, and me. You should be turning 33 today, Scottie Boy. Instead, next month we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of your death. I still miss you and love you. I always will. It still feels like a giant rock is sitting on my chest and won't get off. There still is a big black gaping hole than can never again be filled where you should be. I have never gone through the anger stage of grief like I have been told some people do. I have never felt angry with you for taking your life. I guess because I remember the pain and torture in your eyes. I know you are in a better place now and I will be with you one sweet day. That is what keeps me hanging on. I Corinthians 15:155 says, "O death, where is they sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" We can say that because we are children of God. When my time here on earth is done, I look forward to seeing your smiling face. Until then, I La-La!~ Always and forever your big sister, Susie

Can't think of anything to say, so decided to do a survey. :-) You've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with the ABC's of YOU. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. You have to tag me so really you just need 25 more people. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you - but not in a creepy stalker kind of way. Hee... A - Age: ... 49 for a few more months. B - Bed size: ...Queen C - Chore you hate:... cleaning the bathrooms! D - Dog's name: ... Mary Jane (we didn't name her) E - Essential start your day item: ..bathroom, ROFL. F - Favorite color: ...Green G - Gold or Silver or platinum:... Silver H - Height: ... 5'8" I - Instruments you play: ...Piano J - Job title: ....maid and cook K - Kid(s): ... Brandon, Carrie L - Living arrangements: ...mobile M - Mom's name: ... Mary N - Nicknames:.... Suse, Susie Q O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: ....Rather not say. P - Pet Peeve: ... Telemarketers Q - Quote from ...

Photo: My daughter in Easter Bunny costume. She had a job as the Easter Bunny at our local mall. She is holding my great nephew, Brice. This was the very first time she had held him. Sorry, I know it's belated, but my computer has been down. Hope all of you had a wonderful Easter. We went to my Mom's and had a wonderful dinner. No kids on my side anymore, so there was no egg hunt. Later, we went to my Mother-in-law's for a nice visit. My daughter expressed her sorrow later that we didn't color any eggs. She's 16! How did I know she wanted to color some? She needs to speak up! Her best friend's Mom did an Easter basket for her two daughters. I usually do one for my kids still, even though they are 26 and 16, but didn't have the money. :-( I did give her a few dollars to buy some pants she wanted that were on sale at Hot Topic. All in all, it was a very nice day and I am grateful I wasn't sick like on Thanksgiving when I wasn't even able to parti...

I've lost like 5 followers. ::sniff:: Guess it is because of my inactivity. ::sniff, sniff:: I am so sorry. I have spread myself too thin. I have profiles on Tagged, Facebook, MySpace, and Xanga as well. I do the most with Facebook and my two MySpaces. Lots of our friends here also have Facebook. If you don't have one, you need to get one! You can do journal entries there too! I like it better. Will try to pop in and see all of you real soon! I don't mean to be remiss, just have been very busy. Blessings!~ Susan

My niece cut my hair yesterday. I think she did a great job. My daughter got a job as the Easter Bunny at the mall. It pays really well. It's her first job. We took my niece's baby, Brice, to have his pic made with her. It is quite funny that it was the first time she had ever held him and she did so in her Easter Bunny garb. We had been in town all day. I was so tired. I think it shows in the photo. I have to scan the pic of Brice and the Easter Bunny aka, my daughter, CJ into the computer before I can post it. Hopefully, will do so soon! Happy Easter! Susan

I am sooooooooooooooooo happy Spring is finally here; however, I am very sad my camera died so I can't take any pictures of the beautiful Bartlett Pears blooming. ::sigh:: Maybe I can buy a battery for my daughter's camera before too long. Those things are like $30 bucks. Who has an extra $30 bucks lying around in this economy? Not me! Anyway, just wanted to pop in and wish all of you a Happy Spring and if you like to work outside like I do, Happy Planting as well! Blessings!~ Susan

Just stoppin' by to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day!~ The Real St. Patrick - by Julie Zimmerman This week we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick, the patron of Ireland and one of the best-loved saints in the Catholic Church. Sometimes it seems that Patrick can't be separated from the myths about him and the cultural trappings associated with his feast day: the snakes and shamrocks, the green beer, corned beef and cabbage. But the real story of St. Patrick is a fascinating one, full of adventure, faith and grace. Today we examine what we do know about this 5th-century bishop, myth and culture aside. Patrick was born Patricius somewhere in Roman Britain to a relatively wealthy family. He was not religious as a youth and, in fact, claims to have practically renounced the faith of his family. While in his teens, Patrick was kidnapped in a raid and transported to Ireland, where he was enslaved to a local warlord and worked as a shepherd until he escaped six years later. H...

We got snow yesterday. It snowed pretty much all day. We got about 4 inches. It was a nice treat since it rarely snows this far south. My kids were going to build a snowman, but somehow the snowman was forgotten and a fullblown snowball fight erupted between the two of them. You know I had to get in it too! It was so much fun. Afterwards, we made snow cream. We sent Hubby to Pizza Hut (Bubba's treat), so he had to brave the roads, but since he is from Colorado, he knows how to drive in the snow. All in all, it was a great day!~

I just got an emergency phone call that my brother-in-law, Tony, was taken in for emergency surgery. Hubby just called and said Tony was eating his supper. All of a sudden, he started shaking. His eyes rolled back into his head and he stopped breathing. They had to call Code Blue. They rushed him straight into surgery and have determined that they are going to have to remove his ruptured spleen. They will do other exploratory surgery while they have him open to make sure they didn't miss anything else. Please continue to pray for him. Here is a photo of my brother-in-law, Tony, and his wife, Mary. She is Hubby's youngest sister and the youngest of 9 children). Thanks so much!~ Susan

Just wanted to drop in and thank everyone for the prayers for Tony and for my family and I. I am so happy to report that Tony is going to make it. He is no longer in ICU. He and my sister-in-law are going through a divorce. Both Tony and Mary need our prayers. They have three grown children and three beautiful grandchildren with one on the way. We had severe weather come through our area last night so I am very glad to wake up alive. Both Birmingham and Montgomery had tornado warnings. Haven't heard yet if there were any fatalities, but I sure hope not. Have a blessed week! Hope to make it by to visit each of you very soon! Blessings!~ Susan

Tony and his son, Joshua. My brother-in-law, Tony, was in a bad motorcycle accident today. He has multiple injuries and is currently in ICU. Also, I may not be on much for a bit. Am having some health issues of my own. I would ask that you remember me and my family in your prayers as well. Sorry I have been so neglectful of you all lately. I hope to make it up ASAP. Lots of love!~ Susan

Comments - Graphics - Layouts - Photobucket Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!~ The following is to THE love of my life: You and I... We have been together for a very long time now, We have laughed and cried And seen each other through For better, for worse, For richer, for poorer, In sickness and in health, And everything in between. Still after 30+ years, Whenever I look at you I feel even more love Than I have ever felt before. You are my partner, my lover, and my best friend, And still, all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you. Happy Valentine's Day!~ Love you Forever and Always, Susan

Sorry I haven't been around in a couple of weeks. I have been in a very depressed state. I have prayed and prayed for God to help me forget someone who has caused me great pain. A few days ago, God revealed to me that I was praying the wrong prayer for this person. He has further revealed to me through a message that I got from said person on my MySpace that I am the one who has perpetuated this situation. It was a real eye opener for me. When I stopped praying to forget this person and started praying for him the way God wanted me to, my pain began to fade. Again, God answered my prayer, but not the way I prayed for Him to answer, proving to me yet again that being my Creator, He knows what is best for me better than I do. Today, so far, has been a very good day. It is the third day I have not felt any emotional pain in my heart. This is pain I have been dealing with for months and months. Over a year even. I know I am feeling better because I have taken steps to set my...

Just so you know, there are some big changes taking place in our household. My daughter has opted to drop out of high school. This is her junior year. She wants to go ahead and take the GED and start college in the Fall. I have had mixed feelings about her decision, but deep down I feel it is ultimately her life. In some ways, probably most ways, I feel this is a good decision for her. There are some very minor reasons I do not want her to even consider it, but they are mostly selfish reasons on my part. I learned a long time ago my baby girl is different from most, she kind of marches to the beat of her own drum. She is very smart, creative, and artistic, and I do not want to drown that in her because of my insecurities (I want pics of her in her cap and gown and to see her graduate with her class). I think for the most part she has it all figured out. She knows what she wants and she is going after it. I am really, really proud of her for that. I tend to second guess mysel...

Why silly, she made fondant and baked a cake! It took 7 hours, yes, you are reading right, 7 hours to bake this cake. Well actually, making the fondant is what took so long. It is made from marshmellows and powdered sugar from what I understand. I was thinking, "Hope she cleans up her mess." She was so sore she could hardly move. Especially her wrists from mixing up that fondant, but her legs and feet too from standing so long. You see what I have to put up with! She actually threatened me with fondant and I am totally innocent. I did nothing to deserve it. Really, I did not....no... really. Would I lie? ::susan grins evilly:: If she ever decides to make this again, I am going to be sure I am on vacation or something and you can come over and help her. She's actually considering culinary school. She loves that show, The Ace of Cakes, with Chef Duff. The finished product? It tasted wonderful!~ Brice is finally home safe and sound. Thanks so much for the pra...

Got this email from my Mom: HEY EVERYBODY, WELL, OUR SWEET BABY IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL.HIS FEVER HAS DROPPED TO ALMOST NORMAL,BUT HE HAS A RASH THAT CONCERNS THE DOCTOR.HE SAYS IT LOOKS LIKE SOME KIND OF BACTERIAL RASH.I THINK THEY SHOULD LIMIT WHO TOUCHES HIM TO HIS MOTHER AND DAD AND OF COURSE GRANDPAPENTS.WE WASH AND STERILIZE OUR HANDS,BUT APRIL HAS HAD A LOT OF HER FRIENDS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO VISIT AND OF COURSE THEY ALL WANT TO HOLD AND TOUCH HIM.PLEASE KEEP HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS.HE IS SO PRETTY AND SWEET. BLESSINGS TO ALL IN THE NEW YEAR,LOVE YOU, MARY So, once again, I am asking for prayers/good thoughts for my beautiful great nephew. Thanks in advance for being so faithful. Blessings!~ Susan