This is a test

I have added Athena, Doris K. and Doris Mc. to the list of those receiving the posts directly in their email, so I wanted to be sure it was working OK for everyone. We are going to be celebrating Wade's birthday this weekend so I will check the sight some time next week. I just added the picture of little Rambo to give you all something to look at. LaDonna

Answer For Athena

I have added Doris and Athena to the people who receive these messages directly in their email. Kathy, Laurie and I already receive them that way. If anyone else is interested in receiving directly, let me know, I would be happy to add you. We can have 12 email addresses on this blog. LaDonna

Attention Athena

If you get here find the post (along the right side) concerning Wade's birthday. It has information about the week you are coming that you might want to participate in if you have time.

I sent you the family blog address again so if you are reading this then you received it.

Doris

Pickle comment

That was me, by the way. I forgot to sign my name.
Kathy

PICKLES!

Just thought I would share with you how I spent my day. Every other year I make and can lime pickles. It is something that both Justin and I love and others enjoy too. This was a recipe that Aunt Ruth shared with me many many years ago. Now I remember why I don't do much canning---It is a lot of work and it makes your kitchen hot. I buy everything else at the store but they don't sell lime pickles, so---- In between getting the canner full and waiting for them to process, I had time to check out all of the great pictures on the blog. Thanks for sharing Patsy and Doris.LaDonna

Love the pictures!

Except for that engagement picture out of the paper - ouch! Doris, that picture of you in the boots is just adorable. I have one of me in cowboy boots too, but other than under panties and a cowboy hat I had nothing else on . . . and no, it was not recently -- what a sight that would be! LOL

Hope you get relief from that bursitis. That's what I had in my knee and I could hardly walk for a few months but I am finally back to normal. I had a flare up in my hip when we got back from TX over the holidays and I never had anything hurt so bad, kept me up all night in tears. It let up the next day but I know how it hurts, or I should say burns, so I feel for you!

I have been so busy this week but as you can tell, today things have slowed down today. Made up for the bad week I had last week. Business is so sporadic, but I am very thankful for what I have. These are sure tough times.

Well, better go do something constructive before the day is over. Norman is outside working on the pad for the stove but I have a feeling he will be back in soon because it is getting hot out there. We've had a week of absolutely wonderful weather, but last night we had to turn the air back on. We are still having pleasant evenings and cooler nights, so it could be a lot worse.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Love,
Kathy

Oh yes, there are more pictures to come.....

....but for now I am heading outside to enjoy the sunshine.

I have had strep throat all week and dealing with an inflamed bursea (three injections have helped it along). Today I am finally feeling halfway normal so I am going to enjoy being outside.

Hope you all enjoy the pictures. You can thank Patsy for most of them.

Doris

Me at my lowest weight...LOL

Tommy with Doris as a baby.

Prior To Patsy Giving the Knouse Bop....LOL

Looks Like A Young Peter Pan To Me

Frances McDowell and Mom

Ahhhhhhh

These boots were made for walking.....

...and that's just what they did......

Look Who Is Engaged....LOL

Joyce and Athena (1 week old)

Getting ready for winter

We decided to install an outside wood burning furnace. After looking around and coming to the conclusion that everyone claimed to have the best stoves, we settled on a Heat Master. We are very concerned about the rising cost of energy, especially with the energy bill this administration is pushing, and we are looking ahead to when we are on a fixed income. Missouri's cost for electricity is reasonable now but we know it is going to go up and we would prefer to be warm in our old age. They are coming this morning to dig the ditch for the pipe and Monday the guy will come out and do the installation. Norman is threatening to buy me a chain saw for Christmas. LOL We have lots of wood around here, not just on our property, but our neighbor said we can cut all we want on his land, plus you can buy it pretty cheap if we don't have time to cut. We hadn't planned on burning wood because of the work and mess that goes with it, but under the circumstances we think it's the way to go. Now, I hope our crazy government doesn't put a ban on burning wood!

Wade's Birthday/family get to gether

HI,
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW I WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE WADE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY, BECAUSE THE STORE OR MY BOSS, IS CATERING A BIG PARTY THAT DAY FOR 247 PEOPLE AND I'M DOING A TON OF BAKED GOODS FOR IT. PLUS I ALWAYS HELP AT THE STORE AND AT THE PARTY. DORIS IS HELPING WITH THE PARTY TOO THAT DAY IF ALL IS WELL WITH HER. ITS A REALLY BIG SHINDIG FOR A GROUP OF "ARTISTS" FROM NEW YORK. ITS VERY INTERESTING AND MONEY FOR THE HOST IS NO OBJECT....
AS FAR AS I KNOW THE FAMILY GATHERING AT JUSTIN'S WILL PROBABLY SUIT FINE...
JOPE TO SEE ALL SOON
LOVE AUNT P

reschedule maybe

Hi Laurie,

Not to confuse Wade's birthday celebration and family gathering with the other family gathering, I thought I should answer your question. We often have a difficult time finding a date that suits everyone but are considering perhaps the last weekend in September for a gathering at Justin's for a family/camp weekend. Doris is checking with her family and I am checking with mine. If anyone has any input into whether that will work for them please let us know. If we can't make that weekend work, we will probably need to wait until early summer next year.

I hope those that can will try to join us for Wade's birthday celebration at the campground. It sounds like a fun time. LaDonna

Family Get Together/Wade's Birthday

Wade's 'Over the Hill' birthday last year was fun and a great opportunity for a family get together, so why break tradition? We will be camping again this year, but this time we'll be at Michaux State Park. It's 20 minutes north of Gettysburg near Caledonia State Park and Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

The intersection for the park is Bendersville and Piney Mountain Ridge Road. We will be at the other end of the Piney Mountain parking lot, in the meadow on the left. Look for Wade' black Dodge truck and a fifth wheel or Ken and LaDonna's two tone Dodge truck and fifth wheel.

Please let us know if you can make it, August 1st, 5:00- ?


http://www.michauxrecreation.com/

GPS location info for Micheaux 40.01741,-77.298088

Piney Mountain Ridge Rd & Bendersville Rd, PA 17324Link: <http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Piney+Mountain+Ridge+Rd+%26+Bendersville+Rd,+Cumberland,+Pennsylvania+17324&sll=40.018373,-77.295647&sspn=0.010517,0.02178&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A>

Rescheduling of reunion?

Hi all,

I was wondering if there were any plans to have a (rescheduled) reunion this fall or if it will just be another time in the future?

Love,
Laurie

old pictures

I don't think I ever saw that one from the Christmas party at Patsy and Ken's. I remember it, but for some reason I don't think I have photos from that one. That was during my "curly perm" days. All the clothing and "dos" might look a little funny to us now but at the time we were stylin'. LOL Of course, Norman had to comment that I am the only one reaching for food on the picture taken at Kearn's. I think we have a picture of him in that tub, but not the other two. He was wondering if there was something wrong with his hand in the one where he looks to be around 10 or so -- he thought it looked like it was swollen in the picture. Patsy, any recollection of when that one was taken? One of these days I will go through the pictures we have here. Right now most of my non-working hours are spent outside, taking advantage of the long days and the cooler evenings. I'm working with our two year old mule and I think I am going to get on her tomorrow for the first time. I've been laying across her back but didn't want to actually swing up into the saddle until Norman was here with me . . . just in case. I think she will be fine as she is doing great with her ground work, but I sure don't want a rodeo! LOL Norman got home this evening and it's a beautiful evening here. Today was a gorgeous day and we are supposed to be in the mid 50's tonight and tomorrow night, with day time temps only in the 70's. Wish this weather would last through the rest of the summer -- it's just perfect!

Everyone have a good weekend!
Kathy

Christmas pictures

The first Christmas picture was taken at the Bowser house when Ken and I lived there....

Christmas pictures

Pictures

Patsy gave me a bunch of old pictures. I am slowly getting them scanned and will post them as I do. It's fun for me to look at some of these pictures. Being SO MUCH younger than the rest of my siblings I don't recall any of them looking "young"....LOL.

I especially love checking out the haircuts and "dos" we all had. Sometimes I wonder what we were thinking.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the pictures as I get them posted.

Doris

Norman

Norman and Mom

Norman

A Family Dinner (at the Kearn's place)

A Family Christmas Gathering

Heart Melter

Even on days when nothing seems to go right and the world news has you stressed, you can look into a face like this and all is right with the world. LaDonna

Mom Being Mom

Pictures, etc.

I'm so glad Norman had a chance to visit and I love the picture. I need a hat like Tommy's when I'm out mowing to shield me from the sun! And Doris, I just love your "hair." It looks so natural -- Norman even said you would never know it's a wig, and I love the cut. I think I'm going to let my hair grow out a little and try to go with that style. It's just so cute and very becoming on you. Of course I had to give Norman a hard time about being on "vacation" while I am here at home mowing the yard and working all day.

The picture of Dalton falling asleep with his cheese doodles is so cute. I'm sure he has some of his mother's features, but boy, does he look like his daddy when he was that age. I think I've seen all the girls when they were little fall asleep at some time while they were eating. I usually want to sleep after I eat. LOL

Speaking of my girls, maybe now that summer school is over Nicole will take some time to post. They have been pretty busy, with both Nicole and Ron teaching summer school, Scarlett's basketball and Ashley has been quite the traveler. She went to Orlando in June for Beta Club, and although she had a good time she didn't win at the National level. Then a few weeks after that she had youth camp for church. Scarlett celebrated her 11th birthday the end of June with a Hawaiian Luau . . . absent the pig! LOL The party was at their friends' house, who have a pool, so the girls got to swim. Here are a couple pictures Nicole shared with me.





We had storms here last night and got some much needed rain -- it doesn't take long to dry up around here in the summer -- and we have a chance of thunder storms again today and tonight. Wish it would just rain without the storms but they go with this hot humid weather we are having. The weather radio must have gone off a dozen times last night and it finally settled down around 11:00. We were under a tornado warning for a while but thankfully it missed us.

Well, guess I better head out for my walk. I am planning to go to Springfield today to do a little shopping. I hate the 70 mile drive but I need some things that I can't get at Walmart and we don't have any major retailers out here in the boonies. That's the price we pay for living the country life!

Kathy

Aidan Checking Out The BIG Truck

Aidan Driving Uncle Norman's Truck

Aidan and Mo

Norman, Doris, Tommy, Patsy July 11, 2009

Dalton, etc.

Those pictures of Dalton are just too cute. I was wondering if he was REALLY tired or should we be concerned about what is in a cheese doodle....LOL.

I am heading out to run errands this morning and then hopefully will get to see my little doodlebug who has finally returned from his camping trip. I understand he has a bear story to tell me so I can't wait to hear that.

Norman is unloading in York this morning at FritoLay. He will be here visiting for the next two days.

Michael left on a 2.5 week road trip with a bunch of Harley dudes. They are heading West. Hopefully by August I will be well enough to travel.

I have been working 7 and 8 hour days at school as a "girl Friday" and working on some projects for my boss. The days have been very long and tiring for me but the paycheck has been nice.

My first official day of the new school year is August 18th. I am hoping to return to work fulltime! I had a wonderful yearly review from my boss in spite of the fact that I wasn't at work from January through June. She appreciated the fact that I managed my responsibilites from home via the phone or computer and that I was able to complete some projects by working from home. I had been given added responsibilties this coming year because Administration "loved" what I did with planning an inservice program for all support staff. So I am in charge of those programs from now on. I don't mind because I love doing that kind of work and I am good at it. I finally feel like my Associates Degree is paying off.

Yesterday I had my PET scan. Monday I have the C-scan and then I get all of the results on Tuesday afternoon. The waiting is a bit unnerving to say the least.

I am feeling well other than the tiredness and a few other residual maladies from the chemo (raspy voice, low BP, stomach cramps).

At least my hair has started to grow back in. I have baby fuzz all over my head now. I can't tell what color it is for sure but it is looking suspiciously gray or white. IT WON'T STAY THAT COLOR FOR LONG!!!!!

I am also nursing an inflammation of the muscle that is under the sciatic nerve. This is week three. I finally had to go to the doctor on Monday and get on pain medication as I was not sleeping. Pain at rest REALLY does get your on your last nerve!!!!!!

Life is short so I just keep plugging along - doing what I can when I can. What doesn't get done doesn't really matter.

I have revised my "bucket list" and plan on doing the things on my list on a regular basis.

I need to scoot out of here. Have a great weekend everyone!

Doris

OH MY GOSH THAT IS SO PRECIOUS.
Aunt P

It's Hard to Be A Kid

Sometimes a guy just can't stay awake. Play hard at Grammy's and then have lunch. Cheese Doodles in hand, the old eyes just won't stay open. LaDonna

Happy Birthday To My Favorite Son-In-Law

Happy Birthday Joe!

We will celebrate when you get home!

Love,

Your FAVORITE Mother-In-Law

happy 4th

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY AND SAFE FOURTH OF JULY....

Its a beautiful morning here in Windsor, sun shining and no rain in site. Tucker and I are just chilling out. He's laying on my sofa like he was a King.....

Love to all,
Aunt P

Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!!!