Who is This?

I was texted this picture, and could NOT figure out who it was.
Any ideas??? I had to blow it up, then have it confirmed by the parent.

Amazon.com.........

I received a postcard in the mail telling me to link my Credit card with amazon.com, and I can pay with my points on my credit card. So, I tried it. And hey, I have $107.00 to spend in free points.
I hope some other credit cards jump on the band wagon. ~ I LOVE FREE ~

This is the Way to Travel

How cool it this? !  It is a map of an Interstate system that a Subway or those fast trains line in China could use. If you blow it up, you can see where you could get on the pink line in Wilmington, go straight through Memphis, Albuquerque, Flagstaff and then get on the blue line to Salt Lake City.
Or, you could get on the other blue line, and travel up and down the east coast. There is NOT a direct route to South Dakota though. But it is close if you go the pink line to Oklahoma City, up to Kansas City to Des Moines, then on up to some place called Albert Lea that is nearby to Sioux Falls. And then to Reno you take the red line from Salt Lake through Elko, and on to Reno.

I wish traveling could be that simple! ! !

Oh the Road Again

But wait..........
It's Kansas...........
Time for a long deserved BREAK! ! ! !

Ma, How much further ? ? ?  ? ? ? ?
Are we there yet?

Happy Birthday Mando!

Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday dear Mandy
Happy Birthday to YOU ! !!

Sorry no updated collage. I've just been too busy.
Have a good one.......wherever you are.
Jack sends his sloppy kisses.

Morning Errands

Ladies day.
Yes, Wednesday is ladies day at the oil change place, so I carried Bertha. I asked them what kind of oil are they supposed to use. They told me synthetic, or a synthetic blend. I had to call Sherrill. He didn't have an opinion, just wanted me to use whatever was the best. So Valvoline 10W30 synthetic it is. I put it here in case I forget. It's good for 6,000 miles!
Then we were of to have it washed and detailed. I stayed out and talked to them while they spray the bug stuff on it, but then I have to head inside when the vacuuming starts. So now Bertha is sparkling clean!
Next stop, the bank to feed it some money for Sherrill. Last on the list is Sam's. It's time to load up on that food before Christy gets here. Lots of food and snacks.
Just another sweet day in the neighborhood.
 Life is good!

Message From Kelli

Kelli reported in............

We are in Pennsylvania visiting Tyler's family for the weekend. Port royal to be exact. Look it up. There's like nobody in existence. The houses are old. His parents live in a house built in 1886 which also use to be the funeral home of the town. There are so many Amish people here. I mean true Amish! Tonight is court night for them so it ought to be interesting to see all the Amish riding by. The hills here make me sick. Car sick. It's warm, but cold to me. 75 here is 50 degrees back home it feels like. Oh and the train track is directly beside the house, and it runs 24/7!

Cameron and Olivia's Holiday Weekend

Just out for a ride!

The Legend of Giles Corey ........ Salem Witchcraft Trials

I received an email this morning saying a memorial page had been made on behalf of one of my ancestors. It gave the name of "Giles Corey", a name I was not familiar with. I went to the memorial page, and boy was I surprised! This is what I found......( Debbie, this is why Grandma Lessie was so stubborn. He was her like 8th great grand dad)

Giles Corey was a prosperous, uneducated, eighty-year-old  farmer and full member of the church. He and his wife Martha lived on a farm in the southwest corner of Salem village. 
In March of 1692, Martha Corey made the mistake of publicly questioning the sincerity of the accusations of the afflicted girls.  When the girls learned of her attacks, they quickly responded by accusing her of witchcraft.  During an examination before John Hathorne, the girls claimed to see a yellow bird suckling between Martha Corey's fingers.  They interrupted Hathorne's questioning with piercing screams and claims that Corey was biting, scratching, or strangling them.  Ann Putnam told Hathorne that she had one night seen Corey praying to the Devil outside the window of the Putnam home during a family dinner.  Based on the girls' testimony, Martha Corey was sent to the Salem jail to await trial.

Giles Corey, certain of his Martha's innocence, spoke out against the girls who sent his wife to jail.  Unsurprisingly, the girls countered with accusations of witchcraft against Giles in April 1692.  Ann Putnam claimed that on April 13 the specter of Giles Corey visited her and asked her to write in the Devil's book. Later, Putnam was to claim that a ghost appeared before her to announce that it had been murdered by Corey. Other girls were to describe Corey as "a dreadful wizard" and recount stories of assaults by his specter. 

Corey was examined by magistrates on April 18, then left to languish with his wife in prison for five months awaiting trial. When Corey's case finally went before the grand jury in September, nearly a dozen witnesses came forward with damning evidence such as testimony by Elizabeth and Alice Booth that Corey served bread and wine at a sacrament attended by over fifty witches. Both Ann Putnam and Mercy Lewis described Corey as "a dreadful wizard."  Corey knew he faced conviction and execution, so he chose to refuse to stand for trial. By avoiding conviction, it became more likely that his farm, which Corey recently deeded to his two sons-in-law, would not become property of the state upon his death. 

The penalty for refusing to stand for trial was death by pressing under heavy stones. It was a punishment never before seen--or ever again inflicted--in the colony of Massachusetts. On Monday, September 19, Corey was stripped naked, a board placed upon his chest, and then--while his neighbors watched--heavy stones and rocks were piled on the board. Corey pleaded to have more weight added, so that his death might come quickly. 

Samuel Sewall reported Corey's death: "About noon, at Salem, Giles Corey was press'd to death for standing mute."  Robert Calef, in his report of the event, added a gruesome detail: Giles's "tongue being prest out of his mouth, the Sheriff with his cane forced it in again, when he was dying." Judge Jonathan Corwin ordered Corey buried in an unmarked grave on Gallows Hill.

Corey is often seen as a martyr who "gave back fortitude and courage ratherthan spite and bewilderment." His very public death played a role in building public opposition to the witchcraft trials.

Daniel gets Married

Tristen, Daniel, Brittany, Brandon

My little nephew Daniel got married yesterday in St George, Utah. This is him and his siblings celebrating. Kathy and Christy were able to go to the reception. Kids will be kids!

Kelli, these are the ones that did the racing in the crazy cars. 

Get Ready Ladies.........

WARNING RATED PG-14

OK Ladies, You have three days.  It's time to get that grilling going on.
Make the best of it!

Whatcha Doing?

Friday night, the start of a three day weekend. So, whatcha doing?
Sherrill is in bed resting up for his trip to the beach tomorrow....... a work trip.
I'm watching a movie.
All is quiet.
Life is good.

Happy Birthday Randy

Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday dear Randy
Happy Birthday to YOU ! !

Come on over and we will have a p*a*r*t*y !

Murray Kids

Thanks Liv for sending me the picture.

I LOVE that picture frame.

Happy Birthday Cameron

Happy Birthday to YOU

Happy Birthday to YOU

Happy Birthday dear Cameron

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

We love you kiddo!

Todays Letter

Here is a copy of todays letter that I put in the "secret mailbox" this morning.
Christy, how many years off was I on the birthdays. I just can't remember how old they are. I know what month they were born in, just not the age.

I'll be doing one for your kids too Wendy. I don't know when we will be able to get together. I think Christy will be arriving on Sunday (May 31), and will be leaving on Saturday or Sunday. We will be out of town June 2-4. I'll keep you posted on what's going on. Perhaps I can track them down one day after school, or meet for dinner somewhere.

Mandy, you will have to keep us posted where your kids are when.

Aunt Debbie, we will HUNT you down wherever you are! ! ! ! Our choices will be going to moms on Monday June 1 if they are here and not too tired, or June 4 or 5 (Thur or Friday).


Meet Your Cousins

In a couple of weeks your Aunt Christy (your dad's sister) and her husband (Uncle Kurt)

will be coming to North Carolina to visit. I want you to see the pictures of your cousins so you will know who they are.

Meet Catherine. I think she is 7. She LOVES to read, and to do anything girly!

She is just learning how to wash dishes and load the dishwasher. She is a “daddy's girl”.

You will love talking to her, she is just so sweet, and a little shy at times.

                                           

Meet Jacob.

I call him “Big Mac”. Jacob is 5 years old, and LOVES everything to do with boys.

He likes to play outside, and takes his big trucks and pushes them all through the house at a speed of about 100 miles an hour, Well, not really that fast, but he tries. He is loud when he plays, but will share his toys. He starts kindergarten next year.

This is Luke (with the headphones on) and Kenny.

Luke is already 10, or will be turning 10 on his birthday in October…..I think! He loves video games, likes to read, and is generally quiet. He is smart like his dad, and loves to talk.

Next is Kenneth. He is 13, and likes to be by himself. He doesn't talk very much at all. He loves video games and spending time in his room. He does his school work at home on the computer. He talks to his teacher on the computer, and she tells him his assignments. He works on the farm helping to feed the animals.

So, that's your cousins.

They will be here soon.

You can write them a letter and put it in the mailbox when they get here. I am sure they would LOVE it! ! !

Wings Over Wayne Today

Wings over Wayne brings traffic from EVERYWHERE.
Traffic was backed up all the way down Berkley Blvd, the Berkley Blvd highway exit, all the way down the highway to Spence. I started recording past Spence on past Wayne Memorial, then all the way to William St. I stopped recording at William street thinking the traffic was over, but no. Over the bridge was more traffic backed up to the Raleigh Exit (Hwy 70), and on down Hwy 70.

Glad I was in town this morning by 9:00. The stores were empty, except of course Lowes!

Way to go Jacob

Hip ~ Hip ~ Hurray ~

Jacob graduated from preschool today.









Next year he will be off to kindergarten.
 He is trying to catch up with you Izzy!

Work girl Work!

Catherine's in charge of dishwashing.
She earned herself some money.
Look how tiny that child is!

Happy Birthday Grandma McKeel

Today would have been Matilda Mae Lane McKeel's 108th birthday!
Happy Birthday MaKeel.
We love you!

Family Vacation

I received an email earlier this week from Cindy asking about our next family vacation.

She might be able to hook us up with a house in Tampa, Fla. As you know Tampa is on the Gulf side, and only 35 miles from Uncle Joey's and 85 miles from Orlando.

So kids and grandkids.......when might you be up for a family vacation? Anyone interested? 

This year, next year. Any suggestions, comments?

McEwan News

Little Miss Catherine and her 2nd Place in the Science Fair

Little cat checking out the new little piggies.

Now who is the CRAZY ONE ? ? ?

I get a phone call this morning a little after 8am on my cell phone. Now as you all know, NO ONE
knows my cell number. I don't even give out that number.
Anyway, he goes on to say that he is from the Glidden store, and Sherrill had told him to call me to get a credit card number to pay for some paint. Are you kidding me? If "Fat boy" had needed a credit card number, why didn't HE call. Besides, he has his own credit cards in his back pocket.
Not to mention the part where he left at 6:00 AM BEFORE the paint store even opened.

I asked the man, "What are you going to do, put MY card on file so I can pay for ALL of his paint".
He told me NO, that he would just use it for this particular transaction. I told him I didn't feel comfortable with that, so he said I could just come in and pay for the paint.

I called Sherrill........"Have YOU LOST YOUR MIND"? I go on to tell him the story, and he said,
"You didn't give it to him did you?" I told him "NO", but he was foolish to even tell him to do it.
The story ends up, Sherrill is painting a barn for a man in Grantham. Sherrill ordered the paint to get it at contractors prices, and the other man was supposed to pay for it. Do you know how much paint it takes to paint a BARN? More than I want to pay.

Anyway, Sherrill had given my cell number instead of the other man's number. The old man has been a little forgetful lately, but this one really had me baffled!

And then there's the story of him going and painting the wrong church! Another story for another day.

Crazy or What?

Camille

These are two of my favorite bloggers. I never realized how much alike they look, hair, eyes, smile.
Am I crazy or what?

Master Blake

The dude with the chain saw..........
Watch out folks!

"Secret" Birdhouse

See my little birdhouse? The McKeel kids painted it for me.

Simple little house, but I covered up the hole at the top.  Why?

So birds won't fly in. So, why a birdhouse then?

It is a "top secret" mailbox.

Look below and see.

The doors open up, and there is the "secret" hiding place.

Look, I already have mail inside!

So, the next time you come to Grandma's, be sure to check out the mailbox.

You might just have some mail......or a toy.........or candy...........or whatever.

But Shhhh, It's a "Secret".

Happy Birthday Tristen

Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday dear Tristen
Happy Birthday to YOU ! ! !

We love you and your cute little self!           C*E*L*E*B*R*A*T*E !

Favorite Mother's Day Pics

Cindy and Tristen

Kelli and Brooke

Renee and Christa

Teresa and her Clan

Olivia Still Partying? ? ?

Wendy sent me more pictures of the girls "down" time.

These girls must dance hard, and play hard. 

I had to take a second look at that Coors light box! It's just filled with Ketchup, mustard, etc.

Liv, Grandma is going to have to start hanging out with you. You are ALWAYS on the go!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the most special of you moms.
Hug your kids a little tighter, and make the most of every minute of every day.
Don't let the little things get you down. Just remember, you will be old one day, and this stuff won't matter a bit. It is just memories to laugh about!
Love you all.

Little dancer

Here you go girl!
I will get the other ones on here later.
Just wanted you to see I was thinking about you.

Kitten Update

The McKeel kids are happy to report they have found the missing kittens.
They were found under a pile of siding between the two houses. They have discovered at least
two of them, one of them gray. We will keep you updated.
If you can catch them, you can have them.

Moving On UP ***Update***

Joe just couldn't stand it in the huge penthouse.
So, he invited a family with a disabled son to move in and stay in his place.
He moved on to a more suitable establishment for him.

Good job Joe!

Stove UPDATE

Stove has been repaired, so now I can cook.
Tonight's dinner, spaghetti.
I am such a slacker.

Moving on Up......

Where is Joe Roller?
In Las Vegas working and staying at the Trump Towers Penthouse.
It must be fun being a "High Roller".
The poor guy's other hotel was all booked up!

Jack Dog

I have told you all many times that this dog is "Possessed". At times he IS the devil himself.
I know photo's have "red eyes", but have you ever seen the "Green" eyes?

The two repairmen came yesterday, and one of them was Black. Jack went CRAZY. I couldn't even let them in the front door. Jack was doing his "getting ready to bite" growl. I had to put up the fence in the kitchen, to keep them safe. The Black man came to the gate, and Jack was ready to KILL!

This dog needs to learn some manners! ! ! !

Do you remember Eli being this small? That  was the playpen Jack stayed in until he was "trained".

Kelli

Baby girl got her hair cut for Locks of Love.
Go girl!

McEwan kids

One of the McEwan kids favorite places....... Applebees.

Stove Update .........

The repairmen came. Yes, it took two of them. They brought about 5 or 6 switches, but none would fit. So, they removed the burnt switch, and taped up the wires so I could use the stove.
I called Sherrill and told him I didn't want to cook his pork chops until he got home.  He sweetly replied that we could eat out tonight.
Man, I hope it takes a week to get the part in! ! ! !

If this all fails, a 5 burner gas stove will be coming my way!

Fixing the stove......easy?

NOT! ! !

After taking a million hidden screws out of the front of the stove, we removed the old switch. Then Sherrill decided he would put in the new one, matching up a series of 5 wires. After that we put the million screws back in, flipped the breaker, and turned that burner on.

What came next was a whole lotta sparks and a loud "SNAP". I thought the whole house was going to blow up for sure. I flipped the breaker off and told Sherrill to just hold off, and I would call the repairman. But NO, he was the man, and he was going to fix it.

So, I just went off to my room and watched a movie while he did his thing. Two and a half hours later, he had given up, and was sitting at the table eating fried chicken. So, now I can't even use the stove because of the loose wires.

Looks like everything will be cooked in the crockpot, or on the grill. I told him he had burnt up the switch, but he didn't believe me, and had to figure it out for himself.

Happy Birthday Kurt

Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday dear Kurt
Happy Birthday to YOU.

We love you, and thanks for taking good care of Christy for us. And for cooking, and baking, and babysitting, OH, and for building the barn! And of course for working, and working, and working.
Now, all she needs is some green grass to remind her of home!

What are Grandkids good for...........

Reminding us old folks when it is time to change the light bulb in the refrigerator!

Thanks Kelli.
That light bulb burned out about 5 years ago.