CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

My Grandparents: Carl and Ruby



This will be a very sentimental post on a subject that is very dear and close to my heart. I wasn't able to do anything on grandparents day because ....well.....I forgot. I have several sets of grandparents that are all deceased except for one....my grandmother Ruby V. I am going to share some pictures of Carl and Ruby now and maybe later when I can get some more together I will share some of my grandparents Roy and Lucille E. on my father's side.
Kayla and Kimberly always tell me " Liz you have the best memory". I do and treasure the memories I have of my childhood with my grandparents very much. My grandfather is what you would call a very simple man. Not simple in mind...no..no but in the way he lived his life. He was by far the most Godly and prayerful man I ever knew. I depended on his prayers very much and I am sure even when I didn't know he was praying, his prayers carried me through many a tough situation. He was a very humorous man. ( this post will not interest those of you who didn't know my family but oh well.....) His funny antics are one of the first things that people think of when they think of him. He was a very tender man. Although he could be very animated and boistrous he was very kind and gentle. Some of the things I remember about him....5 am devotions every morning, singing hymns in our church -- you could usually hear him above everyone else Ha!, his great knack and talent for gardening- he could get anything to grow, his tender heart-he would get emotional and cry at the drop of a hat, his helpfulness to my grandmother around the house-he would start cleaning the table before we were done eating a meal. I remember crying behind his shed one day. I was sobbing uncontrollably. He very quickly came to my side and started crying also(anxious as to why I was sobbing I assume) and asked what was wrong. I responded " Fluffy (our poodle) is sick and momma says we have to put her to sleep. He responded " oh pooh wee, I thought something was really wrong!" I will never forget that, for although he was a tenderhearted man, he thought this was something foolish to be sobbing over! ha! I've always thought this to be a funny memory of him. This only skims the surface of my great wealth of memories about him. In 1999, we were all devastated when he was diagnosed with lung cancer that came as a result of working in plants that had asbestos in them for many years of his life. He made a trip to see us in South Carolina in May of 2000. By the end of the month he was very ill and back at home. I was working at Doctor's office at the time and felt very helpless. I made a split decision to quit and go and help my grandmother to take care of him in June. Many people tell me how wonderful I was for doing so, but I tend to think I learned a lot from this experience and do not think I was wonderful at all. I don't deserve credit for doing this, because I am the one who was priveleged to have those last precious moments and days spent with him. It was a very hard and emotional time in my life, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I learned so much about life and faith from him during this trying time. We took care of him around the clock. After he died in July....I felt a huge void. I still miss him but I know he is in heaven...where he always wanted to go...REJOICING! I can almost hear him singing the hymn " When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder". I can honestly say that he was and still is one of the greatest influences in my life and without him and his earnest, consistent prayers...I don't know where I would be.My grandmother Ruby has also been a huge influence in my life. I did a memory book for her several years ago in which I asked many family members to give me a special memory they had of her and then I attached it with a picture of them in the book. I learned so much more than I had ever known before about her. When I think of her several things come to mind. Prayerful, frugal, faithful, devoted,and trustworthy. I am constantly asking her and talking to her about our rich family history. She has a wealth of knowledge and memories about our family that I love to listen to. She is the last of the "elders" of our family and I would like to know everything possible while I can. I am extremely interested and fascinated with the Vining family and how the brothers and sisters of my grandfather became christians and so forth. I have a very rich Christian heritage that I love to sit and discuss with her. I think that Kayla shares this fascination with me as well, and we often discuss it with each other. I also think of her great love for her husband. She was very devoted and in love with him until the end and even after his death 7 years later, she still is. My grandmothers prayers have followed me all the days of my life and I have always been able to count on them. My wish and prayer is that I am half the mother and prayer warrior that she has been.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Surprise Visitors from Home!

My mother got a call today from our cousin Nellie that they were about 20 minutes away from her house and were planning to stop by for a few minutes to visit. We were able to visit with them for a very short time as they didn't want to be getting to their hotel after dark. It was a great surprise for us to see Nellie, Cleo, Willard and Rachel. We enjoyed our time together and wish them safe and fun travels ahead! I wasn't able to get great photos with my camera phone, but was able to get a few! These pictures also include my mother Joy and brother Jon and myself!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Family Time

Phillip was off today and we do try to do some fun things with Katy when he is off. He works so much that he doesn't get to see her alot. We decided that we would go to Caeser's Head State park for a picnic and to walk on some nature trails. On the way up it started raining and we decided to go somewhere else. We went to Hendersonville, NC instead. It is a little closer and wasn't raining in that direction. We found a nice state park with nature trails and a picnic area with a playground. Katy was very excited! We had our picnic and then we went walking on the trails. Katy had a great time picking wildflowers and exploring. She and I decided we would do a flower pressing project with the ones that she picked. She was worn out by the time we all walked awhile. It was actually a big park with many trails. I know it wasn't a big, planned out exciting day for most but we had a nice time. Sometimes the simple things are the most fun and relaxing to do. After getting back to the car we went into the town of Hendersonville . We figured since we burned off so many calories while hiking that we would go to Krispy Kreme doughnuts! HA! Katy enjoyed watching the doughnuts being made through the window. We all enjoyed eating them! After leaving there...we went to a few stores and then home for a late supper of soup and hot sandwiches! A great time was had by all and our little one is worn completely out! (which means an uninterrupted night of sleep for me!) I guess this post is not that exciting...but we had a great day! I will try to post later about Grandparents day which was last Sunday and I forgot. I have and had awesome grandparents and I would like to at least post some neat pics I have of them. Bye for now............

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Pell City Memories

Okay girls...don't hate me but I thought these pics were priceless! Excuse my sloppy scanning. I am still learning to use our scanner. Most of these pics were taken at or on our way to Pell City or in surrounding areas. This is at McDonald's on the way to Youth Camp. I took this. L to R: Kayla M, Heather D, Kimberly NI am not really sure what we were thinking in this one. Does anyone remember these toys that were on the McD's playgrounds. I love my out fit! Not! Guess it must have been cool to hang off a hamburger at that time. L to R : Heather D, Kimberly N, Liz B (me), Kayla M

Again...sorry about the sloppy scanning. This is in the Pell City Bible Methodist Campground Dining Hall. L to R: Top-Cheryl V,Liz B(me), Esther R, Guy?, Martha S, bottom-Jane R, David V, Sonja V . I think the year was around '89 or '90, but not sure.


Out on the pavilion at the campground(Snack Shop now). L to R: Esther M, Kayla M, Kim N, Heather D, Martha S, Susan S, The last 2 girls I am not sure I think their names were Holly and Crystal. Martha may know. Crystal and I were actually friends but I lost track of her and I don't remember her last name. Martha do you know her? I think she was from Crandall.



Later years at the Pell City D.Q. during main camp. We got alot out of going to campmeeting as you can see. Nellie S, Kim N, Cleo S, Liz B
Kayla and I in Hobe Sound. Year? Maybe '97 or so?
Kimberly and I at main camp in Pell City. Love my BIG Bangs and what's up with the black crochet vest and pink blouse? I was stylin.......Hope you enjoy these pictures. I love old pictures. I actually love pictures period. My house is full of my favorite framed pictures(probably too many) and I enjoy them immensely. Tootles for now. Let me know what you think.
In our room at youth camp. Esther M, Kim N, Martha S, Heather D, Kayla M, and a little Christa S


Kayla in a hamburger. That is enough said about that. Ha!

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Prayers from the mouths of babes

I just thought I would share this quick bit of humor with everyone. I just did the normal getting ready for bed ritual with Katy which included praying. I asked her if she would like to pray and surprisingly she said yes. Usually she wants me to. So...she started out." Dear Jesus, thank you for this day, thank you for helping Daddy to go to work all by himself so he can get us peas and carrots, help me Lord, and Lord..... just help somebody. Amen." I was of course about to die laughing but didn't. I know these posts about my child's humorous antics may get old, but alas....tis is ma life! Thanks for tuning in and come back next week!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Summer Tidbits


These are a few pics of Phillips mother's family at a the family reunion we were able to attend this summer in Sumter, Sc. Phillip's family including :Allen &Kay and Family, Bruce and Cindy& Family, Carlos& Karen and family were all able to come. We had a blast. The others are miscellaneous pis of my birthday dinner and such. I had these posted on another post but didn't like the layout. I am very much family oriented and enjoyed myself thoroughly at the reunion. Most of you know that Phillip's mom died about 8 yrs ago...so I was never really able to get to know her family past meeting them a few times while we were dating. I got to sit and talk to several of her sisters(pictured) while there. We had a great time with Phillip's brother and sisters and their families also. Most of them stayed at our house, so we were able to spend some quality time. Phillip's father is very ill as you all may know with non- hodgkins lymphoma...a form of cancer. He is not able to really travel now but seems to be stable. I spoke with him about trying to come to our reunion but he wasn't able. Keep him in your prayers. Hopefully you enjoy the pics!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Dad's 54th Birthday!

SmileyCentral.com


Dad and Mom at restaurant!

Today is my dad's 54th birthday! Of course to celebrate we went out to his favorite Chinese restaurant. Why is it when we celebrate something we automatically think we need to eat somewhere or something really bad and fattening? I am asking my self this question more than anyone else. We had a nice lunch and I think a good time was had by all. Happy Birthday Dad!


Grandmother and Katy
And last but not least .......my daughter enjoying her icecream.....Bye for now!