Baby's climbing/running on couches

While talking to Billy on the phone, he got the willy's when Briar climbed up on the couch & was walking on the couch. It reminded me when Amy was a toddler after bath's she'd take off on the couch naked when trying to dress her. It was a game to her. I do have a picture of her like this. Thank me, Amy for not posting it

Who has a tendency to always be sick on Valentines?

Heidi's family being sick this year on Christmas brought back "The Thanksgiving that almost wasn't" memory but also reminded how Heidi, herself, missed a lot of Valentines Days at school cause she was sick. She, also, brought to my attention, that for some reason , I always made her favorite foods on that day. I think she mentioned this one time when I made strawberry shortcake & she didn't feel well enough to eat it

Sick on the Holidays

I remember one Thanksgiving when 1/2 of our family had the flu (both ends); I think dad was the last one for it to come up on. I didn't see how anyone would feel like eating a big turkey meal so I did plan on it. Just had light food for like when the flu is around. Then around 3 pm Heidi comes into the living room, "Mom where's our turkey dinner?" One of the other kids came in & chimed in with her . Now the whole family was on mom; what a mistake I made. So dad poured us all in the car looking for a dinner. All the restaurants on Gilbert St were closed to my amazement except a restaurant called Shoneys. It was a buffet & was serving turkey. Well, we didn't feel like we were up to a sit down in the public so we ordered hamburgers to take home. I dub this "The Thanksgiving that almost wasn't"

Christmas Tree Mistake
One year while attending the First Assembly, we were placed on their Christmas Help List. A tree was presented to us. I was a big beautiful blue spruce. Looking at it - its branches were so perfectly full. Your dad & I loved it. We wanted to get it up right away although dad noticed the truck was way too large for the stand so he decided to cut it at a point where it would fit. This did seem like a good idea. NOT!!! When it was removed, half of the tree went with it. We didn't realize how much of the tree was from the bottom trunk!!!

We were soooo disappointed that dad piled us all in the car to go Christmas tree shopping. But it was the last Sunday before Christmas (just a few days off). None could be found. So we went home and found the tree still didn't fit right so were propped the tree in the corner of the tipout & decorated it. It didn't look too bad but because we could not keep it watered the tree was taken down as soon as Christmas was over. I was scared of fire the whole time.

Christmas Tree Memories
I can remember trying to make the decorating of the Christmas Tree as a family event. In the Elm St days, Grandma Taylor gave us her old artificial tree when she bought a new one. I always liked the type of tree. Each branch had to be fit into the pole with each arm (leaf?) fitted to its spot. The branches at the bottom started large and got smaller as it went to the top. It was an eight foot tree.
We used the full tree a few times although it bent the tip on the ceiling so from then on I omitted the last section so that it didn't bend (couldn't put on the star). The problem was in doing this: the topper wouldn't sit straight because it wasn't placed in the right section. To correct this, I'd tie it to the curtain rod (tree was always by a window) with enough tension to make it stand up. It worked!!

Our tree decorations were consisted of a few from my tree when I was little & plastic icicles from dad's growing up. There were some bought from the store or flea markets or festival stands (which were my favorite type). A few times, we made Christmas tree decorations as a family activity. One was painting wooden decorations for the tree, also, we made a popcorn garland (green styrofoam) which lasted about 5 yrs before falling apart. I, also, treasured the ones my kids made from school/church/scouts.

Grandma Nixon always gave us a handful of icicles to put on the tree. I would always place them in evenly in spots on the tree (at least I thought so). So this icicle pattern has always stayed with me; this is how I gave them to you. One time when your dad was home while decorating, he got involved in putting icicles on - he threw them on!!! I was horrified but you kids really liked doing it that way.

School Programs
My memories are far & few. These seem to come where some event triggers a memory. They just don't come. So any more programs are gone for now. Heidi's programs that I can remember attending are those at the North Ridge Middle School. Billy at Liberty Elementary.
The thing I most remember about Heidi was she never would look over my way. She, finally, told me why; she said I always had the most funniest face at the programs. She'd crack up when she saw me. Kinda hurt my feelings; I told her it was my "proud momma" face. Then I saw a picture of myself in Amy's wedding pictures. I knew what Heidi was talking about then.

Christmas Programs
Amy, Rick & I went to Anthonys Christmas program. Anthony was aware on his 2nd class presentation that we were there. Boy, did he smile!! His program was at Cannon School which is one of the top 3 oldest schools in Danville. In first grade, Amy attended Lincoln School. Its stage was the same as Cannon. So when the lights went off & I saw the little ones squinting their eyes looking for familiar faces, my went to the first school program I ever attended. Bill, actually was with me, probably one of only a few. I'll never forget Amy's face response. She was in the top row, holding her hands over the eyes, and mouthing, "m-0-m-m-y". She was looking & coulding see squat. It was hilarious. I sympathized with her but it was funny!!!