Saying goodbye...

My family lost a sweet lady last week, My brother-in-law's mother, Carnegia (Ca-Knee-g), passed away early Wednesday morning in Savannah. She had a stroke and was in Hospice for about two weeks. Sweet Mama and I got to see her there and spent a little time with her as did all of her friends and family. It was always said that Carnegia had a better social life than anyone! She had so many friends! I will miss her pound cakes and sweet potato cassorole (with colored marshmellows on top!).

It just won't be the same without her...

We will miss you!!

My Cousin Michael

Please take a minute, if you will, and say a little prayer for my cousin Michael. He is very ill. He, his wife and 3 year old son live in Birmingham, AL. They came to Georgia to visit his Mom and Dad and sister's family the weekend after Christmas. While there he became ill and was taken to the hospital. Long story short, he has been in the hospital almost a month now in ICU. He had low sodium levels, pneumonia and breathing problems. He was in and out of drug-induced comas, on ventilators and has had a tracheotomy. Yesterday he was diagnosed with Centre Pontine Myelinolysis, a rare neurological disorder...he will require 3-6 of intensive therapy in a Long Term Acute Care Rehabilitation Hospital. He and his family need your prayers!

My extended family has always been very close...all of us cousins are just a few years apart. We lived in the same town for some years and spent many vacations together! We moved, they stayed as did my grandparents. This is a picture of us before my brother was born...and yes, I am the unhappy one! My balloon popped just before the picture...we must have gone to Shoney's for lunch and got those stand-up Big Boy balloons. I'm betting money that Michael some how popped mine...but I can't remember... He has a smug look on his face. Red sure is holding on her her balloon tight! (Love my Grandmother's purse!)

Anyway the bonds are tight. He was there for me 2 years ago when I moved up to Birmingham for 7 mos. He is the kindest, sweetest man. It is just so sad. I am praying that he recovers and can return to the kind and thoughtful person he was before all this. Please keep him in your prayers!

The Road to Shellman

Sweet Mama and I went on a field trip yesterday to Shellman, Ga. For those of you who don't know where that is, it is in the southwestern part of the state...a tiny little farm town. We were on a journey to see Sweet Mama's grandparents. This was where they were born and are buried. It is a small rural church cemetery on the outskirts of Shellman. It was a nice drive down with her brother and sister-in-law. He likes to go the backroads so we took the road less travelled. He had been there before but not Sweet Mama! He is six years older than her, so he filled us in with family facts.

I took some pictures for Red. She is out of town visiting Precious in college. Red is doing some genealogy research, so I took some pictures of the plots for her. Sweet Mama's mother and father were the youngest of their siblings. Her father was born in1899. So by the time Sweet Mama was born in 1936, folks had begun to die. Her grandfather died in 1928..her grandmother, whom she did know, in 1954. As for the others in the plot...we don't know how they are related. Red has lots of work to do!

FYI....In southwest Ga...lots of gnats! I was trying to write down information while literally being swarmed with gnats! Tons of them. I looked at my arm at one point and it was covered! I hope I got all the info that was needed...but who knows. You would have though something was wrong with me the way I was swatting and hopping around. Quite a site! I guess we will be back in cooler weather..by then the gnats will be gone...hopefully!

The Graduate!

Precious graduated from High School today! Seems like only yesterday she was getting ready for pre-school. Now she is ready for the world! Where did the years go...

Sweet Mama and I did not attend the ceremony. She was concerned about all the people and becoming too tired. But there were lots of family members who did come in to town for the celebration! I went over to the house, tidied up and decorated the dining room while they were at the event. Sweet Mama's best friend can over while I was away and visited a spell. Today was a day of drop ins... family and friends!

Next step...college!