Down In Nawlins'

Down in Nawlins

We took a little trip down to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. We took my Uncle and Aunt back home. It was a scheduled trip, and worked out just right, for their return to New Orleans. We had the enjoyment of being tourist this trip. This was our first trip with out Dad. We missed him not being there.

Our first slated stop was in Tunica, Mississippi at the Horseshoe. As you can see, Mother does not know a stranger.

We arrived in New Orleans Wednesday afternoon and got to the airport in plenty of time to pick up Jane. After a good nights rest, Thursday morning, we (Tom, Rob, Jane, Barbara and me) embarked on an excursion to the French Quarters. We always make it a point to visit the district when we are in New Orleans. It is a fascinating place !

Jackson Square is one of the most photographed areas in the French Quarters. We are just like other people. We visit the area too. Below is St. Louis Cathedral.

Another visitor to Jackson Square.

The French Market is also well known. Lots of shopping for those who wish to spend the time browsing or goofing around.

Notice the Mardi Gra beads on the railing

I had the feeling we had landed in Europe. This building reminded me of some we saw there.

Thursday evening we decided to saunter down to the the Riverwalk for a tasty meal. The Crazy Lobster provided us with a most tempting feast. You have to love that Cajun cooking.

Mother's favorite place of the whole trip was . . . (drum roll) . . .  Yep.... Harrah's

Friday evening we celebrated my Uncles Birthday with cake and ice cream.

 He was 89.

Saturday we traveled to Illinois to visit one of my Mothers friends. Mom grew up in Akin. We went to where she lived with her grandmother, her school (it had only one room), stopped by where her parents and brother and sisters are buried in Little Spring Cemetery. We also stopped by the church Mother attended when she was just a little girl. It is falling apart....literally. This is a side view. As you can see, the back half of the church has fallen down.

It took some doing, but I crawled through some barbed wire to get these photos. Much to my surprise, under part of the fallen roof I found these.

Pews !

It broke my heart to think this church had been abandoned and left to fall into disarray. After some more investigating, (once I thought I was going to fall into a pit) I saw the piano. Left alone, inside along with the pews. If I had had the time, I would have worked my way inside what was left of the building.

Now we are a very fun loving family. We love to laugh and poke fun at each other, at the other persons expense. Far be it from us to let a situation go by that we can't laugh at.

Well . . .  here is my sister Jane's new place of 'business'? I thought her rates were a little high, considering the location and limited activities in the area.

April 18th was Dad and Uncle Hod's birthday.

It was the first we celebrated without Dad.

It was Dad's first birthday celebration in Heaven.

I will celebrate with you some day.

Poppy's Hide'n Chase

Luke and Malia had an unexpected time for fun today at Grandma's and (as Malia calls him) Poppy.
Jennifer and Malia stopped by for a visit. Luke was coming over to stay while Amanda and Kyle went to Parents Conference. The two wild child's were to be in one spot at the same time. They are a joy to watch. Both of them have so much energy. Like other older people, I wish we could bottle their energy and put it in pill form. Malia loves to run at top speed and make a turn on a seconds notice. Luke enjoys rough and tumble fun. Mix the two together, and you have a game of Hide and Chase involving Grandpa. It was so hilarious to see them 'attempting' to hide and be quiet from Grandpa. Malia was not cooperating with Luke's idea of Shhhhh...
Of course Grandma had to run and get the camera for a photo op. *some of the pictures are a little blurry...I was laughing so hard it was difficult to keep the camera still.

Malia did survive the event. I hope her Mother and Dad allow her to come over again !

Resurrection

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Our Savior was crucified, buried and rose on the third day to fulfill the scriptures and the promise of God. How glorious to know that He will be returning again. God in His infinite wisdom accepted Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.

There has not been a single man that has affected this world more than Jesus. 2000 years ago a single man of 30 years of age began His ministry and at the age of 33 died a horrible death for mankind. He never traveled more than 200 miles from his home. He did not own anything, and died with only the clothes on his body.

The empty tomb, the resurrection of Jesus, is our promise from God that He conquered death.

Praise His Holy Name. May the message of Easter fill your hearts to over flowing and that you will come to know Jesus on a personal basis.

Sound Memories

This morning I woke to the sounds of doves.

     Isn't is facinating how sounds, pictures, taste and touch can generate memories. The dove songs of this morning brought back memories of visiting my Grandpa and Grandma in Illinois. The town of Akin is small. One stop sign, one grocery/postoffice, and two churches. Waking at Grandpa's was always a quiet occurence. The sound of the doves was all you heard. The soft cooing served as your alarm clock. A gentle gradual stir to start the day. You did not hear semi's traveling on a highway, no train whistles, very little traffic from the towns population heading off to work. Most of the people living in Akin are older folks. I remember Grandpa sitting on the old church pew located between two trees, to provide shade, waving to community residents as they passed by. Sometimes people would stop and sit and chat for a spell. No one is in a hurry. There is really no place to go. The town may have been a small community, but we always found lots to do, be it pounding on the piano, playing with Rita from across the street, or exploring the neighborhood. Memories spurred by the doves song.

     I often reminisce of Saturday's in 'the house across the road'. We would anxiously await Dad to come home from working until noon, we frequently had hot dogs, Fig Newtons, and chips for lunch, Sky King would be on the TV, and the sun would be shining in the open front door. It is the suns bright light that stirs my remembrance. We three girls had a very simple ideally innocent childhood. Laughter, sistership, pure childhood play filled our days. Saturday's, with the open front door and morning sunshine, will always bring a smile to my heart. We had no worries, we had parents that allowed us to be, and we were fiercely protected. I have a sad heart for todays children. They miss the innocence of childhood as I knew it. I am so thankful to have been born when I was and to have had parents that loved us so much to provide a home rich in love.   

2010 Olympics

WOW

We have really enjoyed watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics this year.

There have been some remarkable athletes participating. I can not imagine going down a hill at the speeds some of the skiers go. I for one have never been one to watch hockey. Gosh, I have been hooked on watching the US hockey team play...who would have known. Much to our amazement, we have been addicted to watching the Curling competition. I didn't know how to play before we started watching it on Television. It has become a favorite of most of our family.

Womens Olympic Curling Team

Mens Olympic Curling Team

Best of luck to our Olympic teams. You are all winners in our eyes.

God's Artwork

It is breathtaking to wake to the handiwork of God. Refreshing our spirits to remember He is the ultimate Artist.

The beauty and design cry out the handiwork of God.

Now. . . I know people love to fish, but in the cold ? ? ?

This was taken at a nearby reservoir

In Memory of my Dad

Darold F. Wagoner

 

April 18, 1921 ~ January 26, 2010

Rest in the Arms of the Lord, Daddy.

Your journey on earth is over, but your life will be eternal.

I love you.

HARD Wood Floors

One of my favorite movies is Funny Farm with Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith. It has one scene in it where Elizabeth (Madolyn Smith) and Andy (Chevy Chase) are waiting on their moving van to arrive at their new house. They end up spending the night on the floor. Elizabeth says the pioneers didn't call them hardwood floors...they were HARD wood floors.
We decided to remove the carpet and refinish the wood floors that have been under the carpet for over 37 years. We expected them to be in less than good condition, but to our surprise they were in very good shape. I am not much of a carpet lover. I like hardwood floors.
Below are photographs of the process.

Tom removing staples from the floor.

The carpet before. Notice how white it is. The sample didnt look so white...LOL

What we found under the white carpet

. . . another view

We had stuff relocated in the kitchen . . .

. . . across from the dining area

. . . in the family room

. . . in the garage

. . . in the bedrooms. Our house was a mess.

This is the MONSTER -it created all the dust and removed the old varnish

Tom with the MONSTER. It sure knows how to eat.

MONSTER . .looking at the container of sawdust.

The finished product. We are very happy with it.

. . . after the furniture was moved back in.

We now have only three more rooms to do. I wonder if Tom will be able to get them all done before golf season starts?

9 foot 2 with Eyes of Blue

Who is 9 foot 2 with eyes of blue?

If you wander over to Spencer's house, you will know as soon as you see the front yard. Spencer and Rick decided to make an eight foot snow man. He ended up a ---little taller. If you will look close you can see his visor with his head sticking through. They had to get on a ladder to measure him. Rick said the sun on New Years day helped in the 'lean' of Mr. Snowman. Tom and I had to laugh when we drove up and saw the leaning snowman.

Here is Spencer with Mr. Snowman. Spencer is 5' 8". As you can tell, Mr. Snowman is a bit taller than he is. It is such joy to see what our kids do as a family. I am sure Spencer and Rick had a good time as father and son making the snowman. It warms my heart to know they are creating memories. Jennifer and Malia watched as the snowman was being constructed. They made a trip outside to give their approval.

It will be interesting to see just how long, with the sun shining down on Mr. Snowman, he will be standing. Good Luck Mr. Snowman.