My Grandparents

IMG_3329-2, originally uploaded by Ozziepuds.

Years from now, after I'm long gone, I hope that this blog will mean something to someone. There is very little I know about my great grandparents. I would have loved to know their hobbies, interests, hopes and dreams and daily life. I was fortunate in the fact that I had all of my grandparents until I was well into my twenties. In the same town, nonetheless. I loved my Papa and Papa Poole (my mother's parents) more than words. They never missed a ballgame, birthday, or milestone in my life. My grandmother didn't drive, interestingly enough. I remember us walking to McDonald's or Horne's BBQ from her house to have lunch. We would eat, then walk back. They accompanied our family on vacations. My grandfather was a very hard worker as a line foreman for Alabama Power. It's the only job I ever know he had, although I'm sure he had others when he was younger. My grandmother never worked. They took time with me to play dominoes and other board games when I spent the night with them, and I remember the beautiful pink roses that grew in their backyard. Or the farm and the horses my Papa bought us. And the fresh vegetables out of their garden. And Papa Poole's chocolate cake and chicken and dressing, which I still crave.

My father's parents and I were more disconnected, probably simply because I preferred spending all my time at the other set of Grandparents house. My grandfather was a TV repairman, and my grandmother held several retail jobs in ladies clothing shops and boutiques in Tuscaloosa. My grandfather was fun, and slicked back his hair with vaseline which turned it black (who knew?) He loved to play tennis and when he wasn't playing tennis he was usually watching it. My grandmother and granddaddy (the names I had for them) drank alcohol. Alot. Constantly. And while they were never physically abusive to me in any way, we just never really bonded. I didn't cry when they died. No unfond memories, but no fond ones either.

I want Payton to know all of this. So I blog. And Scrapbook. And I photograph ad nauseum. I want her to know so much about me, my family and our history. It's my gift to her.

At The Ballpark

Last Saturday I was feeling a bit better after two sinus shots on Friday, so I went to the ballpark to watch my niece, Allie, play softball. My mother and father were there, as well as Payton and Allie's sister, Sally. Here are some pics of a beautiful spring day at the ball yard:

This is Sally and Payton:

And Allie playing Ball (they won in a close game, 12-11)

Another shot of Allie in the dugout:

Birthday Bash Photos

Laughter + Good Friends = Great Birthday Bash. Tonight we celebrated Josh and BJ's birthdays at Judy and Pav's house. Although JM didn't show (someone remind me to cuss her out on Monday LOL) we had a fabulous time! I didn't want to put the pictures on facebook, but I will plaster them on my blog:
This is Jessica and Amy. Amy is my office mate and I don't even want to think about how much I'm going to miss her after she graduates next week. It's so sad that you can't be a grad assistant forever! Jess works in media relations and is awesome!


Meet Mr. Eli, possibly the cutest baby ever. He's going to grow up and marry Payton, the other cutest baby ever.

The Hubs and Judy

Singing Campfire songs (KUM BY YAH)......Now all we need is roasted weiners!

Oh wait. We have those.

Kevin was feeliing "very lucky" last night. Perhaps it's because he is "living the dream".

Fernooski, my traveling partner in crime and her hubs the Bobster also were in attendance.



This is BJ, or "Beej". He was a birthday boy!!!

And this is the baby mama, Deb. I love this picture - she is looking at Eli. You can actually sense how much she loves this baby through this pic. She is a pretty cool chick.

Pagoda, Pergola. Pagoda, Pergola. So what's the dif? None in my book.

Judy and Jonathan on the porch having a discussion about cats. Don't ask. I don't understand it either.

Pav chillaxin.

Sorry Trentster, little Katie, other birthday boy Josh, and Jonathan's wife. I took pics of you but they were all very blurry. I'm gonna blame it not on operator error but the pain pill.
Oh and one more pic of the cutest baby ever. It's an oxymoron - clearly he is everything BUT a smallfry.

Love you all, thanks for the invite!!!

Lord I'm Bored...............

This afternoon I was in the office all by myself. So, on my breaktime I went out behind the office and snapped a few pictures. Here they are!

SHE........................

1. .....is almost standing, and can crawl anywhere
2. ....is amazed by new things
3. ....loves her KK (that would be me)
4. ....is not crazy about green beans
5. ....has four teeth, two up top and two on the bottom
6. ....loves to explore
7. ....is starting to make word sounds, but mostly goes "ooooooohhhhhhhhh"
8. ....doesn't nap very well, and takes "snaps" (short naps) during the day
9. ....is the light of our lives
10. ....has a smile that is infectious

A Day With Payton

Yesterday I spent the day with Payton. She is so hard to keep up with - and into everything! She can pull up and drink from a sippy cup now, and her personality is definately shaping into a strong-willed girl!

Bobo and Payton

Yesterday Payton visited my daddy (her great grandfather) and I took the opportunity to take pictures of them. I don't know that alot of pictures have been shot of them, and I wanted both of them to remember her at 10 months old.

Nanny's Violet

About 5 years ago my dear, sweet friend Cindy gave me a clipping out of a violet plant. Her husband's grandmother, "Nanny", grew beautiful violets. Now I do NOT have a green thumb. In fact I think it's brown or black. EVERYTHING I grow dies. But, I put the violet on the kitchen counter and watered it. For 5 years. No blooms, but it stayed alive (miracle). Cindy came to visit a month ago and suggested it needed more light. So, I put the violet on my kitchen table. Next thing I knew, it had buds! Meanwhile, Cindy let me know that her violets from "Nanny" weren't doing so well. I am pleased to present my first "Nanny" violet bloom, and to give back a clipping to Cindy!

Good Times, Good Friends

Last night I went to a spend the night party. My friend, April Henley Proudfoot was in town from Maryland. She drove 800 miles on Sunday to spend the week in Tuscaloosa. I can't imagine driving 800 miles to anywhere, especially with 2 dogs in the car. But April did. She loves an adventure. My best friend in the world, Dohn Dye also came over from Birmingham and we caught up, drank some wine, and had a great time. Dohn, April and I go way back. Before husbands. Before pageants. Before real life. Before reality. They are two of the funniest people I know. And most importantly, they both love me for me. The real me. Cheers to April and Dohn -may everyone be so lucky to have friends like you!

The New Stroller

I can't believe it. Payton got a brand new push behind stroller from the Easter Bunny and she has taken off like a spider monkey! So yesterday I put it in the yard (it doesn't push so great in the yard) and snapped a few pics of her. I think she'll be walking before we know it!