Wedding Dress Conversion……
Over 40 years ago my mother made a beautiful wedding gown for my wedding. Mother was pregnant with my baby sister and struggling with morning sickness. But, she did not tell anyone about the baby until after the wedding! I cannot imagine making a wedding gown while pregnant at 42 years old...!
Now, 40 years later, I tackled the task of taking the gown apart to make a dedication gown for my grand daughter, Rylee Lyric Printy. Thankfully, I for sure am not pregnant!!!!
This was a huge undertaking for me since I have not been sewing for over 30 years. Remembering how to lay out the pattern (I combined three patterns) and knowing that I had to get it right the first time was a scary undertaking for me. These are pictures of the pattern layout/cutting day:
This is my 40 year old sewing machine. I had to get reacquainted with it.....
Finally, I was finishing the hemming and hand stitching....
And, here is our beautiful Rylee Lyric Printy in her vintage wedding dress turned dedication dress.
Inauguration Day
This has been a truly historic day that was long overdue. While I do not agree with several of President Obama's political views, I rejoice that our nation has finally ended the legacy of only white presidents. I can only imagine what millions of African Americans felt today when Mr. Obama raised his hand, recited the pledge that previously had only been made by white men and became the first African American president.
I have watched several presidents take the oath of office, but this is the first time that I stood when the crowd was instructed to do so. It was a small expression but I needed to do something.....
It snowed today in Wilmington. Our daughter came to our house with two of our grandchildren. Reagan is three and he asked so many questions about what was happening as we watched the inauguration. When the canons fired after the oath was taken, Reagan was so concerned. "Why are they doing that?" he asked. We explained that it was part of the celebration. He said, "bullets flying are not a celebration!"
Here are some pictures that Abbye took of the snow play.
Me and Reagan playing in the snow.
Reagan making a snow angel
Tasting the snow!
It is so fun to experience something through a child's eyes!
Maw Maw’s Cooking
We are in Panama City, FL, visiting with Ron's parents. Ron has taken his dad to get a haircut and visit the podiatrist. I am at their home smelling Maw Maw's cooking--butter beans, tomato dumplings, oven fried chicken and a made from scratch pie.
This is Helen's favorite thing to do...cooking for family, friends or for competition. She has won many 1st place ribbons at the Bay County Fair, several 1st place awards for the annual newspaper competition and many accolades from all of us!!!
Don't you wish you were here to enjoy this lunch with us?
Christmas Decorating
Helping Reagan decorate the tree.
Grandchildren have a unique way of decorating--a Bible next to the Santa suit!!
Our grandchildren help us decorate our tree every year. When our first grandchild, Gabriel, was two years old we started this tradition. Each grandchild joined the fun when they were about that age. Noah then Adam then Reagan and in a year or two Rylee will join us.
It is always so interesting to see where they put the ornaments. Sometimes they want to put all the bells together, sometimes all the angels together or all the red balls. And, they know if we move them!
I love family traditions. I love the wonder in a child's eyes as they see the tree become beautiful with the "special" ornaments. They remember year to year the ornaments and take care not to break them.
This year Papa and I have a present for each grandchild that is our way of "giving" to our community. I think they will really like our special gift. Maybe it will be a new tradition.
More later.......
Grandmother of a Teenager!
WOW--I have a grandson who is a teenager! I don't feel that old but the mirror says that I am...
Gabriel Drew McGee turned 13 on October 30th. He is an amazing young man who has brought so much joy into our life. This is our awesome teen grand......
Isn't he a handsome fellow?
Gabriel had a "Solve the Mystery" party with a house full of young people.
His parents dressed as the butler and the maid.
We gave Gabriel "13" gifts--including a bundle of 13 long switches. Papa gave him the traditional birthday paddling. That's probably the last one he'll get from Papa!!
We have so much fun as a family. Thank you God for letting our children live near us.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Nana’s Grands
It has been such a long time since I have posted a blog. So much has been happening in my life--many things that I could not bring myself to write about. But, thru all that has been happening my grandchildren have given me such joy. The four boys have been joined by a wonderful grand daughter-Rylee Lyric Printy.
Isn't she beautiful--even with the pacificer!!!!
I also had a birthday and celebrated with the family including my four grandsons. They helped me open my birthday presents. Gabriel is almost 13 (wow!), Noah is 10, Adam is 7 and Reagan is 3.
I love my grands!!!!!
So, I'll try to write more often. Maybe write about the past few months....
Life is good, hard, exciting, trying, rewarding, painful, demanding, fun, joyful, surprising....
........what did I leave out?
Kristy Is Amazing!
A few days ago we went to Jacksonville, Florida, to visit with my sister-in-law, Kristy, and my brother, Milton. Kristy was diagnosed with a serious brain tumor this past November and had surgery to remove some of the tumor the week of Thanksgiving. Several weeks later she underwent 30 radiation treatments to further shrink the tumor.
To see Kristy you would not know what has happened to her. She is a beautiful, poised, confident lady.
This is Kristy taking pictures of the family. She always looks great in the pictures taken of her. Kristy learned to stand just right so that the camera caught her "best side". Maybe I should try that....
Ready For Christmas!
I finished my shopping--along with a few things for myself...Now, I have a few more gifts to wrap and I'll be ready.
Today, I went with my daughter, daughter-in-law and my awesome grandsons to Myrtle Beach to see Polar Express at the IMAX. We had a blast! We all enjoyed watching the movie except little Reagan (2 yrs. old) who could not keep the glasses on. They kept falling off. So, he watched a very blurry movie. Even then he watched intently because he loves Polar Express and says the parts along with the actors!
Monday night our kids will be at our home for our annual Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange. When our kids were young, we started the tradition and look forward to a special dinner before opening gifts. Several years ago I served lamb chops and now every year this is what everyone wants. So, once again the chops are on the menu with chutney, asparagus spears, roasted potato wedges, yeast rolls and special desserts--maybe cheesecake, chocolate cake and pumpkin pie!
Christmas Day we will go to our children's homes to see the grandsons open gifts from their parents. Then, a wonderful meal at Bryan and Jen's where each of us will bring something for the feast.
So, now you can understand why I love this season. I enjoy finding the gifts, watching the Christmas movies, listening to carols on the radio, Peppermint Mocha Latte at Starbucks, lamb chops, adding a Caroler to my collection and many more holiday traditions. I also enjoy celebrating the birth of my Savior. Even though December 25th is not the exact day that Christ was born, it is the day that we celebrate and rejoice that He came to earth. I am so grateful that God so loved me that He sent His son.....
So, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful, Happy New Year!
Norma
I’m Home
We returned from Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday where we have been with my brother, Milton, and sister in law, Kristy. Kristy had surgery a week ago for a brain tumor which proved to be an aggressive cancer. Kristy is home now and will begin radiation treatments soon.
Kristy began a blog of this journey when the tumor was found and my brother has continued to write while she is recovering. Their writing is amazing--a glimpse into the struggles they are facing and the love they share even through the unbelievably hard times.
Please go to Kristy's site and join the thousands who are praying for her healing.
Kristy Needs Prayer
I flew to Jacksonville, FL, this Thursday to be with my brother, Milton, and sister-in-law, Kristy. Kristy was diagnosed this week with a large brain tumor. She is scheduled to have surgery next Thursday. The doctors have told her that this is very serious and suspect that the tumor is malignant. There are still many decisions to make and we are believing our Lord to give this family wisdom for each one.
Please pray with us for complete healing and for peace for our family as we walk thru this crisis.