Family

My Project For Today

May 6, 2011 Karen 9 Comments

When my sister saw the little bag I made for myself for Becky’s Wedding, she asked me to make one of her to wear to Stefanie’s wedding. She bought the fabric to match her mother of the bride dress. Today I made my sister’s bag for her.

evening bag handmade — My sister's evening bag

This bag is not very big at all–that is a 12 oz Coke sitting next to it. I put it in the pic to show how small this bag is. It will be big enough, though, to hold all the things my sister needs on the day of the wedding–some tissues, lipstick, extra batteries for her camera, her cellphone.

handmade evening bag — It has a magnetic closure so it will stay closed.

You can’t tell much by this pic, but the bag was made with three layers–one layer of rayon lining, one layer of a glitter sheer fabric, and one layer of lace. They are beautiful together, but they were a PITA to sew! Linda, I love you, but don’t ever ask me to make anything again that is made with slick fabric. I’m just sayin…..

handmade eveing bag clutch — Another view with a button

Here is another view with a glittery rhinestone button pinned on. Do you like it plain, or with the button?

Share9

Share1

9 Shares

Boots, Bras, and Barbecue

March 30, 2011 Karen 7 Comments

When we got to town yesterday, I had a shopping date with my daughter, Emily and my friend, Suzanne. We went to the mall so I could shop for boots and bras. Yeah, my two favorite things in the world to shop for. Not!

Last year, we went to a shoe store in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to buy our boots for the job. I bought Wolverines on the recommendation of someone who has worn them all their working life, and paid quite a bit for them. They were comfortable and fit the criteria of being brown polishable boots. But after only two months of wearing them on the job, they started coming apart at the seams. That left me to represent my employer in raveled, ugly boots.When I emailed Wolverine, they pretty much told me they were not going to do anything to help me, that I should expect some wear and tear on a pair of work boots. Well, yeah, but you would think that a pair of boots that cost over a hundred dollars would last more than two months. Even at the Grand Canyon. Especially since I am required to keep them polished and clean. So, sorry, Wolverine. You don’t get any more of my money.

men-craftsman-sport-boot-dark-brown_9767076_175 — Crafstman 6" Sport Boot

This year, I bought a pair of Craftsmen 6″ Sport Boots from Sears. They looked pretty good on me, were comfortable, and were on sale. I hope they last through the season. If they don’t, I hope that Sears will stand behind their product.

After spending half the day finding boots, it was time to shop for the dreaded undergarments. And you know what a hard time I have shopping for bras! I wanted to buy five new ones, but it seems that most of the women in this town wear the same size as me. With three of us searching, I could only find two bras in my size. Sad but true. At least I didn’t come away empty handed.

After the shopping trip, we all went to our favorite barbecue joint, Hudson’s. It was delicious as usual. I have to tell you about Suzanne. We met over 40 years ago when we were both working at Southern Bell. She was my first room mate when I moved out of my parents house. We kept in touch with each other for about 10 years but then lost each other as life went on. Then, a couple of years ago, we hooked up on Facebook. Yesterday was the first time we had seen each other in at least 30 years! It was really fun to see her again.

me and my first roomie — Suzanne, her husband, Bob, and me. She was my first room mate way back then.

My son in law Tommy and grandson, Spencer met us at the restaurant, too.

Spencer is like most other third graders I have known, and puts off doing his homework as long as possible. But because Emily is a teacher, she makes sure he does it. Here he is working on his homework while we waited to be served last night.

Happy Birthday to FabGrandpa

March 14, 2011 Karen 2 Comments

Becky came to visit for FabGrandpa’s birthday weekend. We took her out to Valley Grocery for fried catfish and home fries!

They make the best fried catfish in Alabama there. Rob and Belinda, the other camphost couple, came too! I didn’t get a pic of them though.

P3130007 — Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake

I had given Belinda a gluten free King Arthur Chocolate Cake Mix and some Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, and she took them to the store so the nice ladies there could bake it up. We surprised FabGrandpa with his birthday cake after lunch. He didn’t get it until he realized I was eating the cake, too. Then he asked, how in the world did you do this? He was so surprised! Everyone, including Becky and the people who work at the store, were in on the surprise!

moundville, alabama — Moundville, Alabama Indian Mounds

After lunch, we took Becky over to the Moundville Indian Mounds to take a look around. It was a gorgeous day!

The Black Warrior River runs along side the indian mounds location. It was way up due the heavy rains we had last week, but really was beautiful to see.

Yep, I was there, but still having a hard time getting around. It really sucks to not feel good. I DID put on a SPF 100 sunscreen on my face.

We really enjoyed Becky’s visit. She had to go home all too soon, though. And FabGrandpa loved having his little surprise birthday party.

31 Day Challenge: A Favorite Memory

March 8, 2011 Karen 2 Comments

Back in 2003 FabGrandpa and I went to the mountains of North Georgia for a vacation. After we made our plans, we sent out an email to the kids inviting them all to come and join us there. My son, who was stationed in England at the time, flew over with his two children to join us.

Michael and Sarah were into Spongebob Squarepants back then, and could recite their favorite cartoons word for word. They kept us entertained with that.

2003 08 01 michael sarah at r ranch — Sarah and Michael i 2003

We were staying at a cabin where there was a lake for fishing. Michael caught a stringer full of fish that was bigger than he was:

2003 08 01 michael with fish r ranch 01 — Michael with his big catch!

Sarah got a fishing lesson from Aunt Becca:

2003 08 01 rebecca and sarah fishing — Sarah and Becca fishing on the dock.

While Michael, his Dad, and FabGrandpa went out in the boat:

2003 08 01 seth michael jim fishing at r ranch 01 — Three men fishing!

Later, we went to the Atlanta Zoo, where Michael got intimate with the Willie B Gorilla statue:

2003 08 02 michael with gorilla at the zoo — Michael with the gorilla statue! Boys will be boys...

And Sarah posed as a giraffe:

2003 08 02 sarah as giraffe at zoo — Sarah the Giraffe

We had such a good time visiting with Michael and Sarah! We don’t get to see them very often, so it is such a treat when we do.

31 Day Challenge Day 4

March 4, 2011 Karen 8 Comments

The challenge for today is to post an experience that made me what I am today. Just like with anyone else, I have lots of life changing events I could share, and it is very hard to choose just one.

Having my children was one of the most life changing, and one of the biggest challenges I have ever had is being their mother. It isn’t easy knowing just the right thing to do or say, but I gave it my best shot from the beginning.

These three people have made me laugh, cry, love harder than any other people in my life. They have been a constant source of entertainment, pride, grief, tears, laughter, worry, and joy for more than 39 years. They will forever be “my babies”. They have made me who I am today more than anything else I could think of.

Because you asked, here they are today:

my kids today — Clockwise: Seth, Becca, Emily today.

To join in the fun of the 31 Day Challenge:

Sadness At The Fab Household

March 2, 2011 Karen 10 Comments

It has only been a couple of weeks since I announced that we would be grandparents again. My beautiful daughter, Emily told us after nine long years that she would be blessed with a new baby. She told me a few days ago that the baby is not to be. We both cried, and I wished like crazy I could be there to hold her in my arms and comfort her. I have been sad for her since then, and wanted to give her a few days to absorb her loss before I wrote about it. I know she will never forget that little life. Neither will I.

A New Month, A New Challenge

March 1, 2011 Karen 12 Comments

One of my blog friends, Whitney from It’s Gravy Baby, has issued a 31 Day Challenge. The challenge is to basically write a post each day from the list of prompts given, to let your readers get to know you better. While I think most of my readers know me pretty well, because, well, I tell you so much about ME all the time, I am going to take her up on this mostly because I think it will be fun. So, the prompt for today is to post a photo of myself with 10 facts about me.

karen 4 years old — Me about 4 years old

This is me at about 4 years old. I vaguely remember this dress and in my head, I had always thought it was brown. A couple of years ago, my mother told me it was burgundy. I guess that my little girl self had no word for burgundy so my brain stored the information as brown.

1997 11 26 Karen & siblings in mamas yard 03 — Me and my siblings in 1997

I have two older brothers, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. My youngest brother was killed in an accident in 1979. I still miss him.

karen young mother — Me in 1975 with my children

I have three children. My son will be 40 this year! In this photo, that is me on the left holding Becca. She was 17 months old. Seth, who was 3, is sitting on the car. My friend, Biba, holding Emily, who was 1 month old.

1993 01 Becky in the kitchen 02 — My stepdaughter-Becky

I also have a step-daughter, Becky. This is what she looked like when we first met. I love her just as much as I love my own children. She just got married last week and is so happy.

1983 11 01 karen in office bellsouth — Me at BellSouth

I worked for a large corporation for twenty years. I got dressed up and went to an office, and pushed paper around on a desk for much of that time. While it was a good job, had great benefits, and for the first seven years I could switch my schedule around so I could be with my children, I really hated that job. Being laid off, or SIPP”d as they called it, was the best thing that ever happened to me.

1986 04 girl scout troop 147 at govenors office — Me with my Girl Scout Troop at the Governor's Office in 1986

I was a Girl Scout leader for eight years when my girls were growing up. We did a lot of things, from camping four times a year; going on a 10 day trip on Amtrak to Washington, DC, Boston, and New York; to serving as pages at the Georgia State capitol. That’s me in the back row, far right next to the Georgia State Flag.

1984 02 15 2577 mountain brook court new house — The house I lived in for 16 years.

I bought a house in 1984. It was a good house, with room for me and the children to grow up in. It had a lovely fireplace, and almost an acre of yard. My husband and I sold it in 2000 and bought an RV to live in. I don’t miss that house.

jayco and for rig — This is where I live now

This is my home now. We have lived fulltime in an RV since August of 2000. We worked in resorts and privately owned campgrounds in Georgia, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kansas until 2008. That year, we were hired by the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon. To say I love my life would be such an understatement, but I really don’t know how else to say it.

I have five grandchildren. This photo was taken before Amelia was born, so she gets one photo all by herself. But just to set the record straight–I love them all equally. And I think they are ALL the cutest grandchildren, ever!

Here I am standing on top of the world at Cape Final on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It was a four mile round trip hike to get there. I am proud to say that I have hiked on every trail at the North Rim, although I only went to the first bend in the North Kaibab Trail. I know my limitations.

So, although the challenge was for 1 photo of myself, and I gave you, um, 11, that’s just how I roll. If you’d like to play along, you can click on the button to get to the linky:

Becky And Rafe Got Married

February 22, 2011 Karen 12 Comments

I know you have all been waiting for pictures, so here ya go! It was the most beautiful wedding and we had so much fun! On Friday night, we went over to the Cornelia Community Center to meet up with Rafe’s parents and their friends Evelyn and Gabe, and Rafe’s Aunt Ann to decorate the venue and set things up. It was hard work, setting up tables and chairs.

We put out all the linens–table covers, chair covers, sashes for the chairs. Candles. Lots of candles. and tyed some more bows.

wedding linens — We tied all those bow! I think there were 85 of them.

Cornelia Communtity Center — The fireplace decorated with greenery and candles

On Saturday night, we attended the Non-Rehearsal Rehearsal Dinner. We met so many people, and met up with our daughters there:

Left to right: Emily, Becca, Me, Becky, the bride.

Nacoochee Grill Helen Georgia — Me and my girls--I am in Mama heaven here.

I wish I had taken pictures of the food. Becky and Rafe made sure there was gluten free food at the rehearsal dinner and at the wedding. I felt so special just for that! At the rehearsal dinner, which was held at The Nacoochee Grill in Helen, Georgia, I had Shrimp and Grits with Grilled Asparagus. OMG was it ever good! FabGrandpa had Flank Steak, and it was so tender he could cut it with a fork.

Here I am with the mother of the groom, Nancy

FabGrandpa and I really hit it off with the parents of the groom. At the rehearsal dinner, Nancy and I both stood up and said our little piece, and we both got all choked up and cried. (and of course our husbands and children laughed at us!) We are both just so very happy for our children.

charmaine's Inc. Hair Salon — The primp party!

On Sunday morning, Jenna Carros from Charmaine’s Inc. came to do everyone’s hair and makeup. I went first. Jenna did a wonderful job and made me look stunning! She put my hair up in a loose bun in the back, and my makeup was not too much. I loved the finished look.

wedding attire for men — FabGrandma all dressed up!

When it was time for FabGrandpa to get all dressed up, his daughter told him “Dad, put on your black Converse sneakers and let me see how they look with your suit.” She deemed it appropriate, and said “That is so “Dad”.”

P2200199 — The Bride and her Grandparents

P2200212 — The Groom and his Parents: Buzz, Rafe, and Nancy

P2200186 — Fabgrandpa. The Bride, and me getting wedding photos taken

jim and becky — Becky and her Daddy walking down the aisle

becky and rafe 01 — Saying their "I Do's"

and then the party started! There are so many more photos, I may just post some more tomorrow.