[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: The Merry Month of May is Here! Let's All Give a Great Big Cheer! #38526

Hi Ladies. This has been a busy day. Jerry had a drug store and grocery day with Mom, and I went in the opposite direction to drop off mail, get food for the puppies, and then came on back home and prepared dinner since Neal had called and asked if he could stop by IF I might be cooking tonight. Poor boy is trying and managing so many different things. And Sarah is really busy at work. He said her feet are beginning to swell; so I know she is beginning the “heavy” part of carrying the baby now. Some one hurt her feelings at work by asking her if she is having twins? That made her think she is getting too big, and I tried to tell her that they probably just was teasing and trying to make her laugh. That didn’t seem to work so I just let it pass. She has always had a very large chest and bottom. and I know she is sensitive about her weight; so I always tell her how nice she looks when they are dressed up to go out; because they do. She has continued to go to an exercise class during her pregnancy; so I know she is probably just going to have a big boy. But to me and Jerry; he will always be our “itty bitty” They are both really looking forward to their trip. Sorta wish I had something on the horizon myself; but when I think of packing and then unpacking; I am happy to just go outside and walk around a while, or go into town and get my hair done LOL
Our son from New Mexico called tonight too. He said that he will be coming in June right after he completes a certification in Oklahoma. His wife will be joining him here a few days later and then we will be having the baby shower at Sarah’s Moms house that weekend. My DIL;s sister is also pregnant and due in July so she has two babies due this summer. Her sister is expecting a little boy too. She said that she and I will be going shopping while she is here at the Navy base for the babies. I am excited about that. I have to get in touch with Sarah’s Mom to find out what I can do for the shower. I know this sounds petty; but it seems like Sarah’s Mom likes to “be in charge” and she doesn’t call and include me on any plans or anything (same as their wedding). Jerry tells me that I should just ignore everything, but I really don’t know what to do. What do you all think? I felt left out when it came to the wedding. I wasn’t even asked if there was anything about the wedding decorations or food or anything that Neal’s side of the family would like to include. Just gave me a funny feeling.
Well, since I am complaining; I need to go. By the way, Gail, would you believe that Jerry’s favorite book as a child was “The Boxcar Children” about a family of poor children who had lost their parents who ended up living inside a railroad boxcar. Do you think this was an omen? ha ha I should have listened more carefully when he told me that years before he bought his first railroad car. ha ha
Hope you all have a wonderful evening. Hope all the grands are doing well. I just have to ask, How is Aizen’s tree doing? He is going to be our horticulturist. Or mabey a Ranger in one of the national parks. And I can just see the baby in a crepe paper dress. They must line them and then sew the crepe paper to the lining. Is little Ellie cooing and gooing yet, Colleen? Don’t they just smell so good? I have to ask, what do you all think about the baby powder controversy? I used baby powder on all our boys. And yes, Gail, I remember the sugar cube with the polio vaccine on it. Before that came along, we had “shot day” at school, and we had to line up and they gave us a big shot of that polio vaccine. So I was over the moon happy when they came out with the sugar cube. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: The Merry Month of May is Here! Let's All Give a Great Big Cheer! #38498

Happy Sunday to All. It has been a very warm one here; in fact; Jerry had to put on the air conditioner. Boy, did I hate to see that coming; since our utility bills run so high with that thing on. But he just had to cool down; was having a male “hot flash” and when he gets like this it is much better to go ahead and let him get cooled down. He and I went over and picked up his Mom today, and we went to the drug store and then ended up eating dinner out. We really enjoyed ourselves. She seems to have such a good time when we are out together. And I am really glad to say that she is doing so much better. I am anxious to see how much weight she has gained when we go back for her check up.
Yes, Gail, I say “fixing to” as well. And then there is “gonna” and so many others that only people who take about an hour to say about 30 minutes worth of vernacular would understand. ha ha The first time I heard a recording of my voice when I was doing a presentation for one of the university nursing students; I was so embarrassed. My voice was like molasses in the winter time. One of my dear friends is from NY and she speaks very quickly and some people think she is sarcastic; but she isn’t; she just has a sharp wit and personality. It is funny how we have our own accents, and most of us can’t hide the area of the country we are coming from.
I am so ready for grilling out too. I would love something off the grill; with some great potato salad and a tart lemon ice box pie for dessert. It has been years since I make homemade ice cream. Boy, was that ever a special treat. Down here we have coke floats. It was such a special treat to have one when I was a child. We would go to a special soda fountain where you sat up at the counter and they were made in tall milkshake glasses. I remember how we used to go around to gather up soda bottles and turn them in at the grocery store. They would give us money for them, and that’s how we had extra spending money. It was a different day and time back then. Everyone in the neighborhood knew each other’s children, and they would not hesitate to tell your parents if you were up to no good. Ha ha
Better make this short. The man of the house is asking me if it isn’t about time for me to read to him? So I guess he must be getting sleepy. ha ha You all take care, and hope you all are doing good. Take care. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's April! Let's Celebrate Spring in All It's Glory. #38436

Hello to all! I am going to try to write to you all before this thing “kicks” me off; whichever comes first LOL I really miss you all when we don’t get a chance to chat. It is really cloudy here today; had one thunderstorm about 5 this morning. I know it was 5; because me and Auto Kitty were up roaming around the house. My shoulder was just killing me; I’m sure it was due to all this rain; and Jerry said his back was really bothering him; so he took some medicine during the night ( which he tries not to do unless it’s really hurting him more than usual)
Adele, I think I am tired because I am anemic, and my blood count is probably down again. We both go to the doctor this week for our checkups; so I am sure I will get some B12 then. We take Jerrys Mom for her check up next week. Sounds like all of us are just having a full schedule of doctors visits. Gail, how is Kendall doing? Am praying for a simple fix for whatever it is that is causing her all these problems. By the way, Adele, I have something you could say that I don’t think would make Tillie not want to go back. Here goes – hopefully the room will be full of people – “Bless you heart, you must be SO behind on your work to not even be able to take a moment to stop and help. Is there ANYTHING we could do to help you Dear?” Now, keep in mind that you will have to watch Steel Magnolias (the movie) so you can get your sarcasticly sweet Southern accent just right. When her face begins to turn beet red; just repeat “Bless your heart” and she will be seething on the inside and you will look like such a heroine trying to help HER out when obviously to everyone; good manners would dictate that SHE be the one helping you all.
By the way, we (down here) call Whoopie Pies Moon Pies. Same thing, but ours are just coated in chocolate and have the whipped marshmallow filling. I have been eating those since I was a little girl. You used to could buy one a nickle when I was little. And they were huge back then. They were kept in a big plastic jug at the end of the grocery check out and people just reached in and got one. Can you imagine? When I think of the things we did back then, and how much things have changed now. Boy, I am getting old.and grateful for every single year.
I was just thinking of a funny story that my dear BIL told us one day. He had polio back in the 1950’s, and had to live in the “crippled childrens” hospital from the age of 8 through 19. He actually went to school there and graduated high school from there. He was in an iron lung for the first few years, and Jerry has told me stories of how they couldn’t go inside to visit him because polio was so contagious then; so they would move his iron lung to a window and put a mirror in front of his face so he could see his brothers outside and they could see him. (is anyone crying? Such sad times) But he got a job after they fused his whole spine and he always had to wear a leg brace on one side, and his arm on the other side was just hanging. So in spite of all this; he did well and married and had three girls, and retired after 30 years at a company. Here comes the funny part (finally LOL) He and Paw Paw (who walked with a full sized crutch) and he walked with a crutch also; went in to have lunch at a local restaurant one day, and he said that it took him about 5 minutes to be able to get out of the booth, and then he had to try to help Paw Paw out which took at least another five minutes, and as he was passing a couple seated close to them, he overheard the young man say, “I don’t know what is wrong with those two, but I hope we don’t catch it” He said he couldn’t help but laugh, he had such a good sense of humor, and I think that is one thing that helped him through life. He told me one time that he knew that the minute he walked into a room that all people saw was a man crippled man who walked funny and half of him was shorter than the other side; so he knew he had to make a good impression to make them get past how he looked. And once he began to speak, people just loved him. We miss him terribly; he really was the glue for Jerrys side of the family. So when I think my hair is all sticking out; or I should be slimmer; I just think of Jimmy, and how he lived life to the fullest.
I have crock pot soup going today. Thought that would be good instead of our popcorn. Nothing special planned for today. Jerrys Mom was telling him that she was out pulling weeds out of her back yard earlier this morning. Jerry said Mom I will be there soon and we will get it done. Here I sit knowing I need to dust my ceiling fan blades, and also knowing it probably won’t get done. ha ha But I am going to make a trip to Big Lots. I know that is one of your favorite stores, Colleen. Did you say that you have gotten a mattress from them? I am looking for a mattress for our futon, and I saw where they have some. Guess what else I’m looking for? Some TV trays for me and Jerry. We have also developed the habit of eating in our recliners. Ha ha.
Do some of you ladies live above NY city? Have you all been there? I have always been fascinated by there, and think I would like to go, but can’t really imagine going that far away from home and if it is safe there, and things like that. But would love to see it around the holidays.
Better close for now before this things flys off somewhere. I am baking today. It is a strawberry cake that I saw Trisha Yearwood make on her Food Network show. Wish me luck, it is kind of hard; but not too bad. It will keep me busy, (not like dusting wouldn’t ha ha) Have a great day everyone. Hugs across the miles, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's April! Let's Celebrate Spring in All It's Glory. #38396

Girls, I just typed for a solid hour catching you all up on all the news, and poof, it just disappeared. I am so tired and can’t remember what all I was telling you all. This is just crappy. So I am not going to take the chance of this going away again; so am just going to say we are all okay. It has been really stormy here and supposed to be that way all weekend. Jerry and I had popcorn for supper. It doesn’t get much more exciting than that LOL I haven’t been able to get on here for days; so I should have known better than to have tried to catch you all up all at once. Will try more later; I am so tired and kind of put out with this thing right now. Hugs from grouchy Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's April! Let's Celebrate Spring in All It's Glory. #38063

Hi Quacky Girls – how is everyone on this Friday afternoon? It is really nice here today. The birds are just singing and the puppy dogs are sleeping away out in the soft grass. Jerry has gone over to his Mom’s and they are off on another adventure to the grocery store. She was over here twice this week. We just talked of old times, watched a movie, walked a little out to the pond and then had dinner. She is doing great. I know she really needs him now, and I am glad he can help her. I was telling him that I heard that the Queen of England is turning 90 too; and look at all she is still doing as well. Jerry’s Mom has always been busy doing something. I think that is one reason she is still going strong.
Colleen, I have TWO railroad cars that I know Jerry will be happy *not really* to give to Ron. Those blasted things are just sitting out in our pasture serving no purpose whatsoever. But to him, they are worth their weight in gold. I asked him one day; what is going to happen to them when we are gone? and he said “I really won’t care then” LOL Even I had to admit he had a good point. I know exactly the kind of chairs you are talking about. I bet they fixed up really nicely. My parents ate polk salad greens when I was little. I can remember us just stopping on old country roads and everyone piling out of the car in the burning heat and them picking those things. But something about the stems I think I remember is poison. I’m not sure. It tasted like grass to me. That is something that Ron and Jerry have the same name. Franklin is a family name and was Jerry’s Dad’s name and is also our sons Joey’s middle name. I was always glad of that when I saw how close Joey and Jerry’s Dad became as Joey grew up.
Gail, I cannot believe that you and I are on the same page with the holiday meals. I just went out and bought all the turkey and fixings for a Thanksgiving meal. I was planning on cooking it next weekend when all the kids are over. Neal came by and ate lasagna with us last night, and Joey picked up some on his way home from a meeting he had to go to at work. He called me later to say how much he enjoyed it. I can’t help it; but I am trying to put some weight back on him. He just hurts my heart to see him like he is, and so does Lisa hurt me. I so want them to be happy and be at peace.
Hope you all have a great weekend. This is my and Jerry’s first weekend “alone” without Neal and Sarah. Who knows, we may take an extra dose of Geritol tonic and chase each other around! What do you think the chances of that are? So far; my legs are aching and Jerry just told me his back is killing him LOL Take care everyone. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's April! Let's Celebrate Spring in All It's Glory. #37941

I have really enjoyed reading how your children, grands, and you all got your group of family names. It is so interesting. I absolutely love all the names. It dawned on me that I didn’t really say how we came about our names. So for me; I was named by my fraternal grandfather. He at first was insisting on the name Elma (so glad that lost out) and settled for Barbara and my middle name is Dianne (from the story I always heard being whispered) was one of my Dad’s girlfriends before he met my Mom. Jerry was his Mom’s favorite name and his Dad insisted on Wayne for his middle name. By the way, his name is actually spelled with a “G” but it is so confusing to everyone thinking he is a girl from his name, or pronounce it like Gary, that I always just spell it with a “J” to avoid confusion. She read his name in a book, and loved it. Our boys are Buddy, like I was talking about; named for my Dad and my oldest brother (William) and Daniel (my and Jerrys brothers). Then Joey came about because I had a really hard delivery, and the nurse came in while I was still unable to focus, and sort of out of it and she wrote down Joey on the birth certificate, instead of the Joel that Jerry and I had chosen. His middle name is Franklin for Jerrys Dad. We did not realize that Joey was named Joey until we got his birth certificate. But it just seems to fit him, and even though I used to worry as he was growing up that it might be a little childish for a grown man’s name, I just love it. Neal was named (here comes MY love of 70’s music) from Neil Diamond, and his middle name is Andrew, just because we both liked it. Poor little Neal was 3 days old before we named him. I had such flashbacks from Joeys naming that I wanted to make sure it was done correctly. ha ha So that is our family naming storybook. You take so many things into consideration when naming a child. After all; it is for eternity. I like simple but unusual names. But I know whatever they pick will be fine.
Are you all planning anything interesting for the summer months? I don’t thing we will be able to do anything but we may do a two day adventure that we love. I so hope to go somewhere in the Fall to see some leaves changing. That is my favorite time of year for some traveling. We have a city not too very far away called Mountain View, and the scenery is just beautiful in the Fall. Really gets hot in the summer there though. They have lots of natural springs coming up from the ground, and lots of places to swim and camp if that is what you like, but give me a clean hotel with plenty of air conditioning and clean sheets each night. And of course, a clean bathroom. No portable potties for me. I just can’t go back to times when we had to chose those kinds of things. I am too used to the modern conveniences of my home to “rough it”. We used to camp a lot when the boys were small, and I must admit I loved it, but those days are long gone. I hear so many people say they are going to be gone for months and I just can’t ever see that for us.
That is something that we were just talking about those fried green tomato sandwiches, and it comes on TV. Yes, Colleen, I do make fried okra, but our boys love it so much that I have to cut it up and bread it in several batches before I have enough for a meal. It comes in such small amounts and it pretty expensive when it is in season, that I have to do it that way. And they want to know if I am making it. You can bet they will arrange their schedule around it ha ha. I guess that is why I am the size I am. Even though I am not hungry for a lot of things I used to really enjoy, when I am hungry I make up for any I may not have eaten of something else. We ate our fried chicken legs and made a quick salad last night. Then book time, popcicle time, and bedtime for us. Do you all think we are in a slump?
By the way, Gail, I love your idea of the name Rhys. Very unique and pretty.
Better go for now. Laundry day here at the Smith house. I am sleepy, but got a good nights sleep; so not sure where that is coming from. Laundry may lose out to an afternoon nap. LOL Adele, do you have any goodies baking? Mabey a cup of tea and a warm goodie would wake me up. I know in the very least it would make me happy. Take care all. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's April! Let's Celebrate Spring in All It's Glory. #37898

I am still celebrating the good news that you got Colleen on your tests. Cartilage we can handle ha ha. I am so with Gail on the rather having an untrasound than some of those other things they can do for tests. I know they push hard and it is uncomfortable if not painful in some cases, but at least no needle pokes or running some long garden hose thing down your nose or up your hind end. All that horrible prep. I used to dread making someone drink that stuff. And yes, in some cases it was a full gallon of it. Anyone having rain today? We are, but not as bad as places like Houston where they are just having a terrible time.
Just out of curiosity, do you know why your children named your grands the names they were given? Neal won’t give us any hints on names they are considering (mainly because I really don’t think he has a clue) but Sarah has definitely said he would not carry Neal’s name; and that hurt Jerrys feelings more than mine. Her fathers name if David; so it wouldn’t surprise me if that is his name. Your grandchildren have such great names, I was just wondering how their names were chosen. Jerry has already said he will be calling the baby “Peanut”. Don’t ask me why ha ha. Our oldest sons name is William Daniel, but we have always called him Buddy. When my Dad first saw him in the hospital, he made the comment that “you will be my best little Buddy” and it just stuck. When he was in first grade, I got a call from his teacher, and she told me that he was “ignoring” her when she called on him, and I said that I just couldn’t imagine that since he came in everyday and told me what he had done at school. (This was when I had cancer and as soon as he got off the school bus he would come straight in to my bedroom, bring me and him a grape popcicle, and we would eat it together and talk about his day). She went on to say that she would call his name over and over and he would just look at her as though she was talking to someone else. Well, you know where this is going – she was calling him William, and he didn’t even think she was talking to him, he only was answering to Buddy at home. I asked her to please call him Buddy, and she didn’t want to do that, because she told me “that is NOT his name”. But she did finally give in (I think they talked to her about our health situation), and he started answering her with no problem.
Mabey I should go for a “jucier” book for our next one, but he and I need a little rest after all that we have been going through lately. ha ha And my Jerry is like Colleen’s Ron, they both keep up with the news and talk back to the TV if not in agreement; so I thought I would start with something historical that I would have some interest in too. So far; I am finding OReilly to be a good author. It is keeping my interest peaked, and I am enjoying our evening reading time too. Oh, I forgot to tell you all that we also have a frozen fruit bar to go along with our little ritual after I read. I buy them in the popcicle section of the froizen foods, but they are 100% made from fruit. Our favorite so far are the strawberry. No sugar added, and yummy.
This morning around 6 am I called Joey at his job and told him that we had plenty of bacon left over from last night if he would like to stop by and get some. He said yes, that he was going to pick him up some tomato and lettuce and make him some BLT’s when he got home. Lisa has already left for work when he gets in, and he has lost so much weight. I really feel in my heart it is due to the constant stress he is under. When Jerry asked him the other day, “son, why do you keep hanging on when you know you and Lisa don’t love each other any more?” and he said “Dad, I can’t stand to see her hurting so much and she begs me to stay, and even though I know its wrong to keep stringing this along, I give in” He said he feels like he is caught In a whirlpool and he just can’t get out no matter what he says or does. My heart just breaks to see them both like this. We don’t see much of Lisa anymore. I know in my heart that it hurts her to see Neal and Sarah going on with their lives, and she isn’t.
Jerry is still spending time with his Mom a lot. She is doing so good. We are still trying to talk her into moving in with us; but so far; so luck. She wants to stay in her own home, and I so understand that. So we are just taking one day at a time.
Better go for now. I am cooking some fried chicken legs today, and really have no idea what, if anything, I am going to add to it. Probably a salad since it is just the two of us. Hope you all are having a good day. Talk more later. Hugs across the miles to a very special group of friends. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's April! Let's Celebrate Spring in All It's Glory. #37859

Hello Ladies. It was just gorgeous here today. It was about 75 degrees and the sun was shining. I wish it would stay like this all summer; but I know it is only a brief glimpse of the gentle weather before the heat sets in. We have such hot, humid summers here. It is an oppressive kind of heat that feels like you have stepped into a sauna (literally) and you just cannot wait to get back indoors. I think that Colleen and I are close to having the same type of weather, but I would think that the Northern areas have much milder summers. Am I right? I have always dreamed of coming North in the Fall and seeing the beautiful Fall foliage. Mabey someday. Neal and Sarah are going to Destin Florida next month for their last couples trip before they become a threesome. I hope they realize how fortunate they are to be as financially well off as they are in this day and age. I know that Jerry and I have helped them along the way; mabey too much, but I think that he and I struggled when we were young so much that we just wanted it to be easier for them. But I can honestly say that unless, God forbid, an emergency of some kind comes along, that Jerry and I are stepping back and having them “take the reins” so to speak in their lives and be the good adults that we have tried so hard to raise them to be. Can you tell that I still miss their voices and hearing them laugh but it also feels really good to take in the “silence” of just Jerry and me. By the way, the book we are reading is Killing Reagan by Bill OReiily (yes, Colleen, he watches the news channels too like Ron) But it is really interesting with so much that we didn’t realize had happened. He is really seeming to enjoy our bed time reading sessions. I look forward to reading to the baby, too. I have already gotten a few books. I remember reading to our boys and how much we all looked forward to it each night. I remember how sweet they smelled as they would snuggle up close and listen. Such good memories.
I hope all went well today at the doctor, Colleen. I sure am praying for good results on all your tests. I know you must be really tired tonight.
So glad the marathon went well today. It is a real shame that we cannot participate in anything anymore and feel really safe. We live in such a dangerous world. And it always seems to be someone who looks just like everyone else; so you would not even know what to look out for anymore.
Gail, I am so sorry to hear about your leak. What a mess that must have been. But as Adele said now you really have a good reason to redo the room and make it how you would like it to be. Jerry came up with a disturbing thought today. Just out of the blue he says, “it is just a matter of time until the air conditioner goes out; so we better go ahead and see about getting another” like money just grows on trees and there isn’t anything else we might need. So now that he has said it I will just be waiting for it to happen LOL You know that is the one thing about owning a home, you are always just waiting for something to quit working and have to be replaced. Jerry is still on the “rent a goat” thing for eating the grass in the pasture. So we will see how that goes.
Your little grands so such cute things. They are all really growing. I think it is so cute when they go to dancing. Its’ like all babies are born with rhythm and can dance.
Well, it is getting late, so I better close for now. Hope you all have a good night. I am still waking up during the night and stay awake for an hour or two, and then try to go back to sleep if I can. The cat and I wander around getting us some juice for me and a snack for him. He makes every step Jerry or I make during the night. We have a flashlight that we both use when we are up and also these lights that come on if they sense motion and stay on for a while. You all probably have them too. Take care and good night everyone. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's April! Let's Celebrate Spring in All It's Glory. #37821

Just wanted to stop in and tell everyone that moving day has come and gone, and we made it without tears while I was with them. LOL There was so much for them to do that I felt for them; especially poor Neal, and not just because he is our son, but because he did almost all of the move himself. I know Sarah is pregnant; but about the heaviest thing she lifted was her make up bag. She was already talking about putting the baby is it’s crib right away because it is better for a baby to learn right away that he has his room and they have theirs. I so hope she will be a kind loving Mother. I know one thing for sure, Itty Bitty will get lots of love and attention over at the older Smith hacienda. Jerry and I were really tired last night; and we hadn’t done much of anything. Neal said they went to bed about 1 am and he said they really slept good last night. He said that he is taking tomorrow off; and I told him that they should just rest and ignore the little things that are left to be done; and just enjoy a day of rest in their new home.
Adele, you are very perceptive. I baked us some cinnamon rolls for breakfast today. The house smelled so good. We had a cup of coffee and sat out on the patio and watched the sun coming up. It was so peaceful. The doggies just sat around our feet after they got their morning treats, and seemed so happy to have us out on the patio with them. The birds were just singing. It was cool enough for me to have on my Quacker jacket, but Jerry was okay in just his shirt. You were right, Gail, in that we did enjoy our time together this morning.
Joey called earlier today to see if we had heard from Neal about needing his help for anything. That boy has a heart of gold. I think that is why it hurts me so much to see him and Lisa in such turmoil.
Dianne, your Ms. Jewell is very pretty. They really have a way of getting into our hearts, don’t they?
Thanks so much for explaining how to download a photo. I am going to try and see if I can figure this out. Wish me luck.
Oh, I have another project going now. I bought a book yesterday, and I am going to read a chapter a night to Jerry and me when we go to bed. We have a tendency to turn on the TV in the bedroom when we first go to bed, and I want to kind of stop that habit. We are in a slump. So we will see how this goes. I just love to read, and I used to read to Jerry years ago; and he just loved it. So we will try to renew this again.
Hope you all have had a good weekend. It has been beautiful here. Take care and hope everyone in the family is doing good too. Barbara

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