I'm Ba-a-a-ck
Fall 2014

     I can't believe it has been two years since my last post. Of course, I initially started this blog as a way of dealing with Russell's death. As long as I was still writing about him and some of the things we did together, it was almost as though he was still here. And it  must have helped. I think, though, that part of the reason I haven't posted in a while is that now that I have completely retired, these grandkids keep me so busy. But I wouldn't have it any other way!

     They are all two years older since my last post, so let me update their progress. Anna, our special angel, turned 20 on July 9--hard to believe! Landon, Anna's brother, is now 16, driving his truck; Ryan, my son Craig's oldest turned 14 in August; Luke, Anna's youngest brother is 12, as is Kieran, Craig's second son; Elizabeth, Craig's oldest daughter, is 10; and my youngest grandchild, Megan, Craig's youngest, turned 5 this past June 26. I have been keeping Megan since she was 2 1/2 months old. And she started kindergarten this year. They don't stay babies long enough! I am posting all of their first-day-of-school pictures. Believe it or not, Landon and Luke are showing us their "happy faces."

Anna's 20th birthday

 



Ryan, Kieran, Elizabeth and Megan

Luke and Landon--with "happy faces"

      The last class I taught was this past fall semester, ending in December. I finally decided that it wasn't fun anymore. Besides, I really like being available for the grandkids. Sometimes, they get sick and need someone to check them out. It's sometimes hard for the parents to get off work to pick them up, or take them to doctor's appointments, or for haircuts. I think that's my job now.

     This summer was busy with baseball and soccer (Craig's kids), and we have been swimming almost every day. Megan did so well this summer.

She was all over the pool (with her  swimmies, of course). Now that school has started, the three younger boys are playing 7th and 8th grade football and are having an exceptional year, especially Ryan. I will post football pictures and stories next time!

     Megan has a new friend. Sheri's boyfriend's (Paul Barlow) daughter, Rivers, is 7; and she and Megan have become fast friends.



They just seem to click!

Sheri and Luke with Paul and Rivers at New Orleans Zoo

Sheri took them to Wal-Mart a couple of weeks ago and this is how they were clowning around in the Halloween aisle! Here is also a picture of Sheri and Paul.

     Craig and his family took a vacation to Disney World last month and had a wonderful time. I love this picture of them; they all look so happy, and Megan is still talking about it. A well-needed family break!

 

     I am also posting a couple of pictures of Landon. One is of him and a few of his friends in Rome. He was able to go on a 13-day trip to Europe this summer.

They went to London, Paris, Rome and Florence, somewhere in Switzerland. It was such a good opportunity for him. I managed to catch a picture of him at the airport on his return. He tried to hide from the picture taking, but I chased him down and actually caught him on camera smiling!

     Last October 3, 2013, was the 90th birthday of Russell's mom, Kathleen. Her 91st birthday is this next week-end, and we are planning to go to Gueydan again for this celebration.
Here is a picture of Sheri, Craig, and I with her at her 90th and also a picture of all of her granchildren and great grandchildren who were there. Love you, "Elmo."   

    

     This past July my family (the Bales family) had a reunion at Jellystone Park in Pelahatchie, MS. Overall, we had a ball; made lots of new memories, some of them not too pleasant. One of my younger brothers (there are 2 girls and 3 boys), Ron, and his wife Marcia were coming this year. This is a bit unusual as they have been unable to make most of these in the past. Ron has a motorcycle, and they decided to ride it from Houston, to the reunion. Great idea--not!

Oldest brother Joey, me, Gene (peaking around tree),
sister Barbara and, of course, Ron and wife Marcia in casts!

     They arrived at the campsite around 4 in the afternoon on Friday and called me to get directions to our cabin. After about 20 minutes, I got worried and called him. He said, "Well, we kinda had an accident." I said, "What? Where?" He said look straight ahead. I was standing outside our cabin and looked maybe 25 feet in front of me and I saw his motorcycle on the ground on top of both of them. They were trying to make a turn get to our cabin and there was a hole in the road covered with rocks that they did not see. Long story short, here is a picture of them the next day. My two other brothers took them both to an Emergency Room in Jackson where they were treated and released with "matching" ankle breaks! They broke the same ankle in the same place! And this is how they spent the rest of the reunion. We are all laughing now, but it wasn't so funny at the time. But I have to say they took it in their stride, we had a great time in spite of this incident, and are all looking forward to next year's reunion--somewhere near Houston! Love to you, Ron and Marcia!

  

    One final word. This past Thursday, September 25, was the sixth anniversary of Russell's passing. I posted a few words and a small album on Facebook in his honor and the response from my family and friends, some of whom never even met Russell, was so touching. Offers of prayers, hugs, kisses, and just good thoughts for me and my family were expressed and appreciated so much. We still miss him terribly, but he is always in our thoughts.

     I am going to continue writing this blog, even though I'm not sure when the next one will be posted. Depends on what happens within the next few weeks, but trust me something will definitely happen with so many active grandkids! Love them all so much!