Happy 44th!

Today we celebrated Clint's 44th birthday!  We had a party with a nice turn out of guests, lots of food, boiled crawfish, a little alcohol, and a cake made by me of course.  We lucked out with the weather and it was a beautiful day to be outside. We kicked things off around 11am and had a house full of friends all day.  It was after 8pm when the last guest headed home.  To make up for the lack of a bounce house for Veronica's birthday, I rented one for today.  I kept it a secret so the girls were so surprised!  They had a great time with all the kids around to play with.  It was a great day!  Thanks to everyone who came!  It is tiring and a lot of work, but I really do enjoy hosting parties.  Next up:  our annual 4th of July event!!

Chocolate cake with half banana filling and half vanilla icing

Crawfish (ick if you ask me!!)

The birthday boy

Clint with his godchild, Val, and Roni

Silly Roni

Captain Clint with his birthday present - a boat!  

The Miss Valeroni - what else??

Bouncing girls

A first for me!

Sunday was a first for me.  I was in my first parade ever.  Y'all know parades are pretty BIG around here with that little holiday called Mardi Gras!!  My Zumba class at the gym decided it would be fun to dance in the Irish/Italian Parade.  This was a small parade and trial run for us since they are planning to hit the big Mardi Gras parades next year.  Walking nearly 3 miles is nothing.  I do more than that every day!  Dancing 3 miles in 80 degree heat with a slow moving parade however was a concern!  I have to admit, it wasn't that bad at all.  It was hot and I was tired afterwards.  No one quit and we all kept up as best as we could.  The breeze and occasional bit of shade helped a lot.  Will I do the 7 or 8 mile Mardi Gras parade?  I'll have to think on that.  

79

March 14, 2011

He would have been 79 years young today.  I say young because in comparison, 78 was young.  My Grandfather, Ernest Russell, was 104 years old when he passed.  My Grandmother, Annie, was weeks away from 98.  And their parents lived into their 90s as well.  My Dad always had in mind his life expectancy would follow suit.

78 was older than some, but too young for him.


Happy 79th birthday, Dad.  Hope you are celebrating somewhere with a lemon cake.  Sure wish I could have made it for you.

Pieces

Coincidence.  Irony.  Fate.  A message.  Or whatever you want to call it.

It's funny how random events find their way to fit together and make sense like missing pieces of a puzzle.

When we were cleaning out my Dad's vehicles, we found an old fireman's badge in one of them.  Most likely it was just something he picked up on the ground somewhere.  We just put it aside and didn't think much of it.  The truck sold right away, but the car took a while.  LOTS of inquiries and in the end, who bought it?  A fireman.  How funny is that?

***

One of the usual games my Dad played with the girls was count the money.  Basically they'd dump out a jar of change and sort it.  Sometimes in a coin sorter, sometimes not.  It was one of their most favorite things to do.  Well, guess what one of the gifts someone gave Veronica was for her birthday?  A coin sorter.  And some change to go with it.  Nothing could have been more perfect.

***

My grandparents' house has been empty for years.  I can remember my Mom telling me about the antique Singer sewing machine in there.  And she thought I should have it since my Dad paid the utilities, taxes, and did the yard work at the abandoned house.  Now I own 1/4 of the house, and we have gone a few times to dig around for treasures.  It has been empty for twelve years, and it is pretty much like the day my grandpa moved into the nursing home.  Medicine in the cabinet.  Clothes in the drawers. Soap and shaving cream in the bathroom.  Sugar in the canister.  Really.

Every time we went, we looked at the sewing machine.  Even though it's not in the best of shape, it truly is an awesome piece.  I have been thinking about it a lot, but had just about decided not to take it.

Tuesday, I saw a fellow blogger's post about her great-grandmother's Singer sewing machine.  And I thought how ironic, since there is one almost like that at my grandparents' house.

Wednesday, we saw a lawyer to open a succession.  One of my decisions is to donate my quarter of the old house to my cousin and having no more ties to the house.  (I have had my fill of old houses.)   That night as I was looking around on Facebook for sale group, what do I see but the same sewing machine for sale.

That is something you almost never see.  Yet, two days in a row I run across the machine in random places?  I think somebody was sending me a message.  So today, we brought the sewing machine home.

Totally random or connected...  you decide.

Here is the old house.  It's about 100 years old, along with everything inside of it.

And of course, here's the Singer.  It needs a little TLC, and then I will find a spot to show it off.  Notice the accessories and instruction book!  It still works - all it needs is a new belt.

March 5, 2007

No matter her age, to me, she will always be the baby... my youngest daughter.  I can't believe Veronica is five years old.  She is definitely my little firecracker.  Full of non stop energy and who needs sleep?! If something isn't just right, she will let you know!!  Headstrong and it's her way or no way.  But when she's in the right mood, she is such a sweetheart.  Roni isn't always easy, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet Veronica Leigh! We love you!!

Then: 

.

And now:

Party Day!

Today we celebrated Veronica's 5th birthday!  Despite a few bumps, I think she enjoyed her party.  Big sis Valerie was in a horrible mood all day and cried about everything.  I thought for sure it was going to rain all afternoon, but it ended up being irrelevant!  For some reason, the bounce house I reserved never showed up.  It also didn't help that the neighbors had a bounce house for their party today also and we didn't!!!  We called the owner and left a message, but still no bounce house or returned call.  I am thinking something must have happened because we have used this same company for years with out any issues at all, so for him to be a no-show something is wrong.  I am glad it was a small party because it would have been a disaster if we had a house full of little kids eager to jump.  And at least we do have the trampoline, although it's not quite the same.  I do feel bad for Roni because it seems things like this always happen to her!!

Thanks to all who came and for all the gifts!!  She definitely enjoyed that part!

Hello Kitty Cake.  Half strawberry, half pineapple.  

Hello BAD KITTY!!  (yes I re-washed all the bowls!)

My Birthday Girl!!! 

Sisters

I just <3 her

Make a Wish!

And presents!!

ETA 3/6:  No response from the bounce house rental owner.  I realize mistakes happen.  It seems he could have called and apologized or at least acknowledged I had a reservation. What kind of customer service is that??  You just can't run a business like that!!  So, I'm putting this out there for anyone in the Houma / Thibodaux / Lafourche / Terrebonne area looking for reviews or bounce house / waterslide rentals.  Just be leery if you chose A Kool Kidz Party Rentals in Bayou Blue, LA (his website has disappeared in the last week ... hmmm)  The owner's name is Marshall.  A confirmation doesn't mean much, so you're better off renting from someone else! 

The Civic

Finally, we can cross one more thing off the list.  After many calls and inquiries, Dad's car sold today.  I am glad since it was weighing heavily on my mind, but I'm still sad to see it go. When I cleaned it out, I found some stickers he had hidden in the trunk for the girls.  :sad:  I do feel it went to the right person, a seemingly kind and honest guy who drove two hours to look at it.  A NOLA fireman, who has a long drive to The City every day and wanted a small car with good gas mileage.  

I got a little less than I was asking, but at least it is being put to good use now.  Aside from a small dent in the trunk, it was in very, very good condition.  Six years old and only 27,600 miles.