days in the life of a
Previous POSTS
October 2010
click here to read older October 2010 posts....
October 26, 2010
GRUMP TO GRIN
Little Kaden does enjoy his mealtimes!
The child just flat-out loves to eat...like a few other Gray men I know!
He is not a patient eater.
"I want my food and I want it NOW!"
He even gets grumpy between bites, if the bites aren't coming quickly enough or especially if (heaven forbid!) Mommy gets up from the table for a moment.
But there's one thing Kaden may love as much as his food...
...and that is the camera!
The instant Kaden sees the camera pointed his way, he puts on a big sweet smile!!!
It turns a grump into a grin every time!!!
October 27, 2010
MAMA'S MEMORIES
Part 9: Baths, Lights, and GroceriesLife when Mama was growing up was difficult (to say the least!) by our standards, but for her family things just were the way they were and the family learned to make do. In today's video, she recalls their lack of indoor plumbing, the excitement of getting electricity, and trips to the grocery store.
part of the family in 1951...that's Mama in the middle back, with her mama and 5 of her 9 siblings
October 28, 2010
MASTER CARVERS
Ssshhhhhhhhhhhh.....artists at work!
Not that they would expect much QUIET around here these days...
What started out as a simple (as "simple" as anything can be with a 2-year-old and an 8-month-old...) pumpkin-carving experience with the boys turned into a marathon pumpkin-sculpting extravaganza for the adults.
Kristoffer used his Target pumpkin-carving supplies and created a flying bat pumpkin for Kaden.
(At this point, Kaden had long since lost interest and I believe was having his afternoon nap.)
Kyler was home from IU for the weekend and joined in the pumpkinfest.
Now he can add "master pumpkin carver" to his Kelley Business School resume... THAT should impress the interviewers!
Who wouldn't want an intern that can carve a mean monster pumpkin?!
Dana had already carved a simple pumpkin for Karter when she started in on her own intricate design...
...apparently requiring great concentration and carving intensity!
Success!!!
But I must say the CUTEST little "punkin" is in the center of the photo!
BOO-tiful!!!
October 29, 2010
MAMA'S MEMORIES
Part 10: The Hoosier MarineWhen Mama was in high school, in addition to working tobacco in the summertime she also got a job at a local diner. Many of their customers were young Marines who were stationed at nearby Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
It was working in this diner that Mama first met a handsome Marine from Indiana who would eventually become her husband (of 55 years and counting!).
In today's video, Mama reminisces about their first meeting and first date. Let's just say Dad didn't get off on the best foot with Mama...
This is the last of the "Mama's Memories" series, for now anyway. (I do have a couple more segments that I'm saving for later.) I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into Mama's life and my heritage these past few weeks.
October 30, 2010
THE WRONG TREE
This old elm tree is long dead.
It's needed to come down for years. Kim and the boys have tried over and over again to burn it, but still it stands. In fact, Kim was hoping to burn it again (hence the huge brush pile beneath it) this fall, but the dry weather and the "no burn advisory" that's in effect where we live have prevented that so far. After one previous fiasco when Kim tried to fell another dead tree on his own (yes, it fell...on top of our rec room roof...and I was terrified it was going to fall on my boys!), I made him promise me he would never play lumberjack again and leave the tree removal to professionals!
Anyway, this past Tuesday we had some horrific winds as some strong storms passed through central Indiana. We're talking 60-70 mph wind gusts...some mighty powerful winds! Watching the radar on TV and listening to the damage reports, I was just sure that the dead elm would not withstand the approaching storm. It would be a perfect time for the tree to fall...the crops are in, so there would be no damage to the adjoining field, and Kim would have time to get it cleaned up before winter set in.
PERFECT!!!
Since I had lost my previous photos of the dead tree (in my external drive calamity), I wanted to document the old tree before it fell so I ran outside to snap a couple of quick photos before the storm hit. I was watching Karter and Kaden that morning while Dana went to Indy, and Karter insisted on coming outside with me to photograph the tree. The wind was so strong and gusty that it nearly blew him over, and he clung to my leg and giggled hysterically while I took this photograph.
After the storm (VERY SCARY, I might add!) subsided, I looked outside to survey the damage. It had indeed destroyed a tree...
...the WRONG TREE!!!
But the big old dead elm still stands!
I can't believe it's still standing!!! And I'm afraid when it eventually does fall, the back lot is going to look awfully empty and I'm going to be kind of sad....
stubborn old dead elm! ---->
October 31, 2010
A HALLMARK HALLOWEEN
I've always been a Hallmark fan.
Even more so, now that my son Kamaron works at the corporate office. But I was a fan long before Kamaron was even born.
They just have the cutest cards and gifts...
...and especially since I've become a grandma I've become a sucker for cuteness.
I make regular Hallmark runs to see what's new in the store, and even though I'm not big on Halloween I loved this year's adorable Dancing Frankenstein doll. I just HAD to get one for my grandsons to enjoy!
Which they have, as you'll see in this short video where they do their own version of the Monster Mash. Even Papaw gets in on the action briefly...YIKES!!!
Happy Halloween!!!
