Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving at Kathy and Rick's was a joy for my family. Our grandkids love Murphy the Dog, as the photos demonstrate. We had much discussion throughout the day about what Camacho family should get a little Murphy-type dog. I would do it if I could get one already potty trained. But I think that is part of the deal when you get a little puppy to grow with you.

The cooks, past and present. Both really know how to make a great and plentiful Thanksgiving meal :o) There were also some carry-in dishes that were a great addition. And not surprisingly, I have some leftovers in my fridge in Quincy. Carrie and gang will be over for lunch after Blake's soccer game today to finish them off.

Guess who Blake looks like in this photo? (I have a picture of Carrie at this age looking exactly like him!)

Hannah is just like Grandma.....loves to eat :o)

What is this??? Mario and Murphy making friends? You don't see a shot like this....ever!

Now on to Theresa and Stan's for cards and refreshments....

An hour or two into the evening at Theresa and Stan's....the big event...I am just being my usual photographer self, and Scott asks me if I can take one more picture. Sure, I say....

Then he takes out this little green box, and I get ready with my camera, only to find the words "battery dead" on the screen. This has never happened to me that I can remember....missing the Kodak moment with a dead battery. Well, Scott proceeded to "engage" Sarah, and we recreated the event after I loaded new batteries into my camera. How many times do you get to witness an engagement? I felt honored that Scott would want me, all of us, there to share in this.

One of the best parts of the story of this day is that Caleb was invited to go with Scott to purchase the ring, and then Caleb kept it a secret all day! Isn't that amazing! Scott and Caleb were the only two who knew.

We surrounded them with a lot of love and congratulations, and a toast to a happy future! Cheers!

Mario played his card tricks with Caleb, Dustin, Paige, Ricky, and Craig. He says nobody figured out his tricks.

Now how trusting must you be to let your sisters give you a haircut and style after an evening of merriment? Well, that's how the Thanksgiving Day ended for me....getting a trim.

Thanks, sistas.
And thanks to God for all my blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving

Looking forward to traveling to Springfield tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner at Kathy and Rick's house. Carrie's family is going also. The kids love Murphy the dog, so they will have fun with him. I am baking a ham this afternoon to take along.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Good News

Well the best news today is that Jan was released from the hospital. The results of the test on the mass are negative. Great news. However, the damage from the heart attack following the surgery has yet to be totally determined. She is weak, but coming home always makes a person stronger, sleeping in your own bed, etc. Please pray for Jan. She is one of the truly most godly women I have known.

Today was McDonald's day for Nolan and me. We met Judy and her granddaughter Katie and I also took Katie's favorite daycare pal, Carter. The three of them buddied up with two other kids and played for almost 2 hours, with a few fries and nuggets thrown in. Fun to watch them having such a great time.

Today I got through my Christmas clothes and took a few things to the thrift shop. They told me ,"That's it, no more winter stuff." Next they will take spring things on Feb. 1. Well, I am glad that I reached the end of clearing out the closet of the sizes I can't wear. I have a few things to give away to people I think would like them. I found Calvin Klein jeans for Carrie in her new size for $6. Look like new. I am having some fun with this.

One of the funniest things I've seen in awhile....
Go put your big girl panties on and deal with it.
Carrie and I saw this on a note card at the Holiday Gift Show this past weekend. We both had a good laugh.

Reposting of Kentucky Pics

I am posting the Kentucky pics again, because I inadvertantly deleted them when I was trying to do an edit of the post. If you are like me and you like to relive good memories through photos, here they are!

Had a great time with Carrie yesterday at the Holiday Gift Show. Bought her a cute winter hoodie and myself a couple of dessert mixes for upcoming parties. Our Why Catholic group is adopting a family for Christmas, and we are getting together Dec. 1 to plan our gift-giving. I am taking a fancy dessert. After my chocolate chip cookies and brownies, I don't have a lot of my own ideas!

Just finished "Big Russ and Me," Tim Russert's book about his life and his dad and son. A good read. I recommend it to all.

Time for the American Music Awards.

Brrr...baby it's cold outside!

Well all I can say is the cold of winter has arrived in Quincy. I have been in and out a couple times today and am still trying to get my hands warmed up. Time to find the gloves!

I have spent the last couple of days getting rested up from the travels and activities of the last 2 weeks. So many good memories. I am already thinking about a trip the end of February to Phoenix with a stop in Las Vegas. I want to see Donnie and Marie and Bette Midler before the Kingdom comes, and since one never knows when that will be, better make a plan now! And it helps that Chris just told me that I am welcome anytime to go to their house and take care of Makenna. :o) Just what Grandma needs to hear.

I am in the process of a teeth-whitening program. Mario purchased the rather expensive program for a very good price through QND's silent auction at their fall fundraiser. People tell me I have a nice smile, but my teeth have never been anything to brag about. So today I begin....

Looking forward to the weekend....the first of many Christmas activities, the Holiday Gift Show, is Saturday, and Carrie and I will go and mostly look at all the new ideas for decorating. You see everybody in about 2 hours of shoulder to shoulder browsing. It's a tradition.

Thinking about all I have to be thankful for as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. Very thankful to Mom for financially giving us the 3 days in Kentucky. We have a good thing going on with our Kentucky cousins.....and thankful that my bloodwork was once again "stable." Just got the report today. I am going to the oncologist every 3 months now. Dr. Ali agrees with me....I am a blessed girl. To find grade 3 cancer in my breast in 2 places, and it isn't showing up anywhere else is a wonderful blessing. My thoughts are now with Aunt Mary in California as she gets radiation treatment for a malignant brain tumor. Please pray for healing for her! ( I saw on the news that Ted Kennedy is back to work in the Senate. Cancer treatment has come so far.) Gotta be a fighter.

Praying for Jan, Leaving for Kentucky

I received a call from Carrie last night, who had received an email from Laura, Jan's daughter. The girls were called back to St. Louis late last night because Jan had a heart attack. She is in Barnes, so I know there is great care for her there. The worry after her surgery initially was stroke. The mass that was removed tested negative for malignancy in intitial lab work. The results that come back from the pathology test will tell the whole story. So in the meantime our friend Jan is fighting for her life, and we are all praying for her.

Today I will meet Carrie and her gang at McD's for a little playtime this morning. Then walk and have lunch with Judy. Come home and rest, then head to Jacksonville and meet up with the Kentucky travelers. We will leave early Friday morning for Elizabethtown....Eddie is coming with us and has not been there, so somebody has to show him where our famous Uncle Sam Haycraft is buried in that big cemetery! We will stay the night there, then drive to Owensboro for a dinner with our Kentucky cousins on Saturday afternoon. Uncles Jimmy and Bill and their wives will go also. On Sunday morning I believe the plan is to drive to McQuady for mass at the church where Mom's parents were married. Then home by Sunday evening. Paige is going with us. She is on a break from school. I am so glad a member of the next generation will see everything. It only takes one person in a family to keep the knowledge of family heritage going!!!

So I will be out of contact til next Monday or Tuesday. Then I get to slow myself down considerably :0)