One of the major things I was afraid of happened today, Donald Trump defied his first court order. If our Executive Branch remains above the Judiciary, our country becomes a dictatorship.
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Annie's Room
After heading up to Annie's room to get her dirty dishes, I thought it would be a good time to document my beautiful artist and how her room looks. At the foot of her bed you can see the many pottery glasses that she has purchased with her own money to make her beautiful pieces of art. You can see her love for succulents with her plant shelves as well as all of the pottery clay smudges on her desk chair. Her love of cats is evidenced by her cat tree in the corner. This is Annie's safe space.
Friday, March 7, 2025
Annie Gets Nose Studs
Look at my beautiful Annie and the result of a decision she had been prepared to make for quite a while! She had been wanting this for a gift for almost a year. I think she had been considering it for even longer than that. She went back-and-forth between getting 2 nose studs or getting a septum piercing. And although she would have issues with infection & keloid (just like her mom), she made a beautiful choice.
This experience also comes with an interesting story. Annie felt strongly that she wanted to get her piercing at Diamond Theives in Asheville. And I feel honored that I was able to accompany her instead of her asking her friends. She was a little bit nervous and needed some encouragement, but she was definitely Sure of what she wanted to get.
The first thing that happened was there was a huge rainbow outside the studio when we got there! It was so amazing that I called to everyone in the studio who I didn't know so that they could experience it as well. It was a double rainbow with each rainbow having 2 sets of the colors! I wish I had gotten a picture, but it would not have done it Justice.
What I did not expect was Annie's reaction to the first piercing. She was calm enough, but she actually blacked out! She just suddenly got very quiet and limp. The technician and I just slowly laid her down on the table her arms flung out to the sides and I put them back near her torso. Annie's eyes never closed. But she couldn't remember what had happened. I am surprised how calm I remained through the whole thing, but the reason why I was calm is because I didn't realize what Actually happened. Because her eyes were open, I thought she might just be resting. Anyway, it wasn't long and Annie was sitting up again and soon we were out the door with her 2 new beautiful studs.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Monday, March 3, 2025
Annie & British Literature
Being a retired english teacher, I was waiting for 1 of my children to need help with British poetry. It finally happened today when Annie asked for help with her romantic poetry assignment in British literature! I got so excited to read some of Shelley's poems and show her the picture of Percy Bysshe Shelley that all of my students used to laugh at me for swooning over. Shelley with such a gorgeous man and wrote such romantic poetry! And I saw the smile Annie gave me that I've seen so many times from my students, they would smile and shake their heads not believing that this woman was so excited about romantic poetry. AN EXCITING DREAM COME TRUE FOR THIS MAMMA!
Friday, February 28, 2025
Emily & My Guitar
After the wedding, what Emily the flower girl really wanted to do was play my guitar. I was absolutely amazed that this child could strum and handle a simple cord the first time she sat down with the instrument. If she is given a guitar, Emily will be an expert player!
Oma's Wedding : The Reception at Binion's Roadhouse Grill
A fun time was had by all! The flowers made it to the reception just fine, and so did the gift and cake! Everyone enjoyed traditional, casual reception with the bride and groom! And exciting airloom was included, we used the cake server that has cut every single cake from the wedding cake in 1998 of Brian and Noelle, all the way through every single birthday of Annie and Leia. Afterwards, the happy bride and groom exited through a tunnel of bubbles into their decorated car.
Oma's Wedding : The Gift
Because the bride and groom had requested absolutely no gifts, I designed a way for everyone to Express their happiness and joy for the couple by sharing a memory and a well fish which I promptly turned into a formal framed card for them to read later, complete with everyone's signature that they included at the reception. The sentiments were beautiful and heart felt. They are included below along with the pictures that Joe's son, Joseph, included.
Remember our cottage on Loon lake; jet skiing, canoeing & boating!?! We all had a blast! Now we wish you a lifetime of love with Joe! Congratulations on your wedding!
Love, Terry & Rick Sindoni
Mom, how special that we have a family heirloom in your wedding! The basket Emily is carrying was my flower girl basket in Terry's wedding, Leia's & Annie's flower girl basket in April's wedding, & now Emily's flower girl basket at yours! How special! I truly believe that this blessing of love between you & Joe is a gift from God for being faithful Catholics all of your lives. May you cherish each other always. We love you!
Love, Noelle & Brian
We are SO happy for you, Claire! Congratulations on your wedding! Hugs & kisses to you both!
Love, Perri, Whitney & Paul Compare
Joe, you have always been a loving & kind brother to me. I could always count on you to listen & offer loving support when I was in trouble or just needed some advice.
I pray blessings over you & Claire with many joyous years to come as husband and wife!
Your little sister, Donna Bolus
Having recently met Joe & seen how lovingly Claire & Joe are with one another, we wish them a lasting warmth of each other’s caring love & affection. Best wishes for a long & happy life together.
Steve and Coletta Paffrath
Joe & Claire, congrats on your special day!!!!
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Charlene B.
Oma, Every time we went down to your house you wanted to show us something new you found down at the stream. Whether it was easter baskets on the "bunny trail", sunbleached cow bones, or a new crayfish living under a deep rock, you always showed them to us with excitement. It felt like a little adventure every time, & now I find myself finding those little adventures for myself with the person I love. I hope you & Joe can have little adventures like that together.
Love, Leia & Harvest
1 John 4:7– “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. And everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.”
I've known my brother, Joe, for 75 years and I have known Claire a little over 75 days! No matter the length of time, I know that these two people love God & they love each other. That's all that needs to be said. God bless you both!
Wanda Cagle (Joe's sister and Claire's new sister-in-law).
We are so happy you both found each other!! We love you! Joe+Oma = JOma
Love, Ben, William & April
The Wyles wish you all the best life has to offer … along with my hope that the two of you will have as much fun as Joe & I had playing in the coal yard. Of course, we were preteens & you have probably matured a bit since then, but why? Life is too short to grow up entirely! We had so many good things going - our own elevator in that beautiful sycamore grove. I guess it was only a long chain that we draped over a limb, but it gave a great rides down until the chain broke & landed on me. Then, there was the ditch that led to that big storm sewer we could walk in - all the way to Main Street where we watched feet go by through an inlet. That was cool. What about those pennies we use to put on the railroad track between our houses? They didn't spend as well after we got through with them, but it was still fun. And we always enjoyed singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall as the delivery truck resupplied the VFW post behind my house. I imagine you & Claire will find a few new things to do that will be just as much fun. As my old Navy captain use to say, “If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right." Enjoy every minute! We're so glad you found each other. Best wishes for a long and happy marriage!
John and Barbara Wyle
Our best wishes for you both!
Love, Carol & John Thompson
I remember going down to the stream, finding different creatures & treasures with you. Thank you for all of those wonderful memories. I hope you a happy and long marriage. I love you, & congratulations!
Love Annie
Joe and I meet through the Knights of Columbus. We became very good friends. I introduced Joe to my wife Lily. Joe has proven to be an awesome person and continues to be the same. Lily & I would like to wish Claire & Joe love, friendship, & lots of laughter as they join as one in the eyes of God. Many blessings upon you both today, tomorrow & every day.
Julio & Lily
I love you Joe and Oma! I'm so excited to be your flower girl!
Love, Emily
Jerry & I are so happy for Claire & Joe. I know they make a great couple. We wish them much happiness & lots of years together. We’ll stay in touch with Joe & hopefully we can meet Claire one of these days. I know the wedding will be special.
Sincerely, Gail & Jerry McLaurin
Groucho & Harpo at the Blankenship’s 2024 Halloween party. Blankenship Thanksgiving 2024.
Congratulations on your new found love! Wishing you many more fun, festive celebrations to come!
Love, Joseph & Tracy
Her gentle disposition, kind smile, beautiful personality & inviting demeanor are only a few of the beautiful assets that Tom & I can attribute to our dear friend, Claire.
I am reminded of a visit I made to Noelle's and Brian's home many moons ago to help plant flowers around a statue of the Virgin Mary. There were Leia & Annie enjoying the afternoon with a beautiful, long-haired, lovely lady. What a surprise to learn that this happy gracious lady was their Oma, Claire. We had much fun that day making the little grotto a place of beauty at the beginning of a dear friendship.
We look forward to the happy times celebrating Christmas together & joining her for special Masses. We wish her and Joe a beautiful marriage and many Wonderful times together.
Love, Elaine & Tom
I am so incredibly happy for both of you as you take this beautiful step together! Your love story is a testament to faith, resilience, & the joy of finding companionship at every stage of life. It’s truly inspiring to see how God has brought you together in His perfect timing.
May this new chapter be filled with laughter, deep conversations, & the peace that comes from knowing you’ve found someone to walk this path with. Wishing you both endless blessings, love, & happiness in the years ahead!
–Shana
Oma and Joe as Groucho and Harpo on Halloween 2024.
The Blankenship Thanksgiving in November 2024.
Oma's Wedding at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church
It was a beautiful celebration all around with a full catholic mass and everything! It was really sweet to see mom after we walked her down the aisle go immediately to Joe and kiss him. The vows were beautiful and went flawlessly! In addition there was a beautiful new tradition of wedding arras coins, Where the groom takes them in his hands and puts them in the bride's hands saying "everything I have is yours".
Joe and oma decided that it would be best if her daughters, April and I would walk her down the aisle, so for the first half of the walk I wanted to watch my mom's face. How often does a daughter get to witness the marriage of their mother!?!
And just like that I have a wonderful stepdad and a very happy mom!
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Friday, February 21, 2025
The Chosen Season 5 Trailer
The Chosen Season Five Is coming to theaters and the trailer came out today!! Not only am I in the trailer twice, but you can see me without even having to zoom in! It is wonderful to have an easy reference point which is right when Jesus accuses the pharisees of making his temple into a den of thieves!
The second is right after another altercation with the pharisees where the crowd is Following after Jesus and I am shouting "hosanna to the son of David!"
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Happy Birthday Elaine Cloer
With Tom's eyes costing 8k a shot every month, a meal like this at the fancy game restaurant Saskatoon is a birthday treat! And I was so happy to give the whole dinner as a gift! Elaine really wanted the Saskatoon specialty duck they serve. Happy birthday to Harvest's grandma, Elaine!
Monday, February 17, 2025
Oma's Wedding : Shopping with the Bride
Together Oma & I found the absolute perfect wedding dress for oma! It was completely covered with gold sequins, long-sleeved, and had a turtle neck! This was a size large and mom really needed a small soap we were able to go to Brevard and get the right size!!
The last thing we did was pick out a new fragrance for mom's new life. We smelled all of the perfumes at the fancy department store, but none of them suited mom. Then I took Her to bath and body works and we found the Disney Princess collection. She chose the tropical and floral Moana!
Here is the beautiful wedding invitation! I created it myself.
Both of them wanted the 3 tiered traditional wedding cake a particular style. Eventually it will read Claire and Joe on the top of it.
Saturday, February 15, 2025
A Farewell to Sarah at Walmart
Here are Tana, Sarah & I. Sarah has been my "work bestie" at Walmart since she arrived at Arden years ago. She moved to Hendersonville to stay with Cat & I, ... *sigh* And as soon as cat left, Sarah and her husband Donny look for somewhere to live in upstate South Carolina and found a used mobile home to rent. She transferred tothe Easley Walmart and now I would get to visit her many Wednesdays for lunch. Work is not the same without her!
I have never seen a bigger spread of sweets and treats for Sarah's departure!
Here was Sarah's gift to me that we bought at Cracker Barrel, where I took her for her farewell. I broke my personal printer by slamming it into the seatbelt in my car and she bought me a band-aid sticker that says fixed it. Now my work bestie is always represented when I work.
Here is a good representation of our little office in our OGP area on the left is the file cabinet where we keep our equipment and batteries come up wide open so people can steal them from other departments. :-D Behind me are the totes with returns for the day and then to the right are bags and labels we can restock our carts with. You can see me wearing my gloves that Walmart provides, a staple for me for the last 8 years!
Friday, February 14, 2025
Happy Valentines Day
My choice for Valentine's Day was to go out to dinner with both Brian and Annie. We went to Stone Bowl in Brevard and Brian brought us both flowers!
Here is Annie's gift: a representation of Annie's commitment these days! She is committed to wellness and therefore has been enjoying protein bars, so I got a couple of new ones for her to try. Annie also always loves the succulents so I got her these 2 that are shaped like hearts! And finally there is a lego Rose at the bottom that I personalized. Let me just tell you that this was so hard for me to do! It is not usually my art of choice, But it was worth it to give Annie something special for Valentine's Day.
And for Leia and Harvest, I sent them $60 so that they could go out to a beautiful dinner together.
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Shana's Singing Bowls
Shana has achieved her Dream job doing wellness work such as sound baths and reflexology and Yoga at butterfly wellness in Pickens! Here she is with her new set of singing bowls which he is an expert at playing!
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Annie's Christmas Gift Finally Arrives
Annie is a big fan of this particular artist online who makes prints. How little did I know that all of her Christmas stock would sell out fast! I wasn't able to get her a print for Christmas as a result, so I had her pick one and we waited until they came back in stock and they finally arrived!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)