Wednesday Ben Came back.. Things that tickle your fancy 7

 Picture of the day:

Oh yes, Ben let that beard GROW!

Now for today’s stuff:

Ben was doing great in the building industry in Utah; he and Corey worked closely for a few years. Corey moved to Oregon and started driving a truck.

Back in the height of my building I wanted Ben out here. He finally came out and settled down, but by that time I had retired. He has never owned his own place. He rented or lived in with his mother in Utah, but now, thanks to his dad he is buying his own place. I think he has it mostly paid off.

While in Utah Ben and Ashley created a beautiful daughter, they named her Elsie Mae. Like her grandmother Carol, Elsie has red hair.

She is a sweetheart of course and Ben loves her to pieces. Ashley left Utah and moved to Louisiana. Now 'Elle' travels there to visit. Elsie is now 18 years old, Out here she and her Grandpa Jack are near inseparable.

(I like this picture of Ben, WE are still delighted to have him out in our corner of the world.)

Ben is on his third job since being out here. This is a ‘stair building company’ owned by a cousin of Sherece (Sherece’s mother’s side of the family).

His other jobs paid very well, but at times driving 40-50 miles to a job. I think he will be satisfied and do well at this job. It is close by.  WE and his dad are very proud of his work ethic.

Oh yeah, one more of Ben and Sherece helping Grandma in the kitchen...

 I am gonna let Ben go now.  I have one more Grand.  I will talk about him tomorrow. He is the youngest, Luke Vegas.

Nite Shipslog

PS: These GRANDS are THE BEST things, yes they tickle my heart strings!

Tuesday... Ben Came along... Things that tickle your fancy 6

 Picture of the day:

                    SOME OF HIS FIRST STEPS
??  Yes the twins are very close still, They appear  as "The Darnell Brothers" for singing music gigs most weeks.  All our Grands are with in 25 mi of each other. in North Carolina.

Now for today’s stuff:

Corey came into our lives and not too much longer along came Benjamin Aaron. Ben was born to Carol & Jack Jr. at Walter Reed Hospital Bethesda, Maryland. He was born co-patients with presidents, ;-) so you know that dude is important. His mother was stationed at the Pentagon.

Before Ben came home, Corey and I went to McDonalds. He could not decide what he wanted so we just order everything on the menu (There was not a lot on the menu back then). So he got a kick out of the order. We just took home what we didn’t eat. He never forgot that.

Carol brought Ben home, WOW what a fine boy. I knew he would walk in my shoes a little when I saw this:

(I would have held him tighter had I known he would disappear in a few weeks.

I took him to work with me. I sat him in my pickup with all the necessities, including diapers, for the day and took off. Days were a pleasure with him. Like all the grands after him, he was the perfect child. Never a ‘fusser’, always pleasant.

There was a sad period of 2-3 years. In a well planned act, just after Jack Jr left their apartment for work; a moving van pulled up. Carol took furniture, Ben and Corey and departed for parts unknown. We did not HEAR from them for over a year, then did not see them for a couple years. Those times may not be exact, but it was a few years. Every day of that time I talked to Ben and Corey on my tape recorder.

Keeping the tapes, hoping I would see him soon. Later in life Benjamin (12) and I drove the RV from NC to Utah. He listened to the tapes as we traveled. He would say over and over, “I can’t believe you thought you would never see me again?” But after a few years of no contact you begin to wonder. Once, maybe twice after a year we got a letter post marked from different states. Saying Ben and Corey were doing fine.

Now for all the animosity between Carol and our family, I must say Joan and Dick ( the Grandparents in Utah) gave Corey some great basics in manners, etc. Carol did the same with Corey and Ben. But the mysterious departure and no contact was heart breaking.

This is the boys when we got to see them after 3 long years without them.

That was over and when Ben was about 6 Carol allowed Ben and Corey to fly out every summer for extended visits. WONDERFUL TIMES…

This is gonna take two Blog entries, Ben had four lives, 2 in NC and 2 in Utah. Stay turned for his latest life...

Nite Shipslog

PS: These GRANDS are THE BEST things, yes they tickle my heart strings!

Monday Twins (the rest of the story) Things that tickle your fancy 5

Picture of the day:

Josh, Megan, Rosie and Ollie (yep  are missing teeth!)

Now for today’s stuff:

I have found it hard to talk of our twins without including them both. You met the older guy, Stephen, now the other half of the story, This is Joshua Adam. You can tell he is not at old as his brother. ;-).

I wish me 'n Sherry could do that!

I would say this is Lake Louise (Canada) in the background but I just might be wrong

Both boys were very good in school. They were also talented actors and were in several high school plays.

Their talent for singing and song writing was becoming high profile in their late teens. Stephen who chose the guitar while Josh leaned toward the piano. Both very proficient.

They chose different life paths, Stephen into Business (Music) , Josh into the technical stuff, writing apps, business controls, and stuff that I can only dream of like into machine language. I kid a lot saying Joshua is smarter than the computers I repaired and operated.

Take note of his hair:

The story I got is: He had not planned to ever cut it, but as a courier he made a delivery to an outfit that created wigs for those who lose their hair in ways like Chemo Therapy, etc. Someone there said 'we would love to have that hair,' so he gave it to them. ;-O

I cannot go deep into all the grands lives, but they are well rounded. Josh met and married a sweet lady, Megan. She is a nurse. They have created a wonderful family. Oliver Jack and Rose Mary.

Now, Josh works in HIGH technology. He is a great musician and he and Megan love to travel. I envied the trip they took to Ireland. BUT on top of that, the dude has run in marathons, can you imagine running 26 miles? He has completed several. Friend you don’t have to win one of those races. Just completing it is more that millions of runners can do.

I am close to my word limit. With GRANDS (yours and mine) it is hard for us to come to make an end to a story. Just saying having twins in the family is fun.

Nite Shipslog

PS: These GRANDS are THE BEST things, yes they tickle my heart strings!

Sunday. Twins, Things that tickle your fancy 4

 Picture of the day:

I have used this pic before, but here it is again. I love it.

Now for today’s stuff:

Not everyone gets to enjoy ‘twins’. I sorta over looked the fact that twins mean twice the work in raising 2 babies vs just one. One is a job, most mamas know that for sure.

Anyway Jack Jr and wife Cindy enjoyed that pleasure of sharing twins. The oldest by 17 minutes, Stephen Andrew (I had never thought about that statistic before) has his own family now. Brother Joshua Adam the youngest twin also has a sweet family. More on them tomorrow.

Stephen about HS GRad time. (don't know where the red dot came from!)

Now as youngsters it is hard for me to say who is who on pictures.

Both boys have a natural ability with music. Stephen chose to pursue music in college, Attending MARS HILL College near Asheville, NC

He did famously until the last year when he slacked off, spending too much time with a band after school hours letting his school work fall. I think with the advice of a counselor he quit school rather than having a failure on his record. He did return to school getting a degree in business.

He did very well starting with a Music store, working up to manager in two stores. Topping all records in the Music chain’s stores.

Marrying his sweetheart Jennifer they now have two wonderful kids. Jude and Kennedy. They have a good family and are enjoying life. Steve still talks of pursuing a masters/doctorate and becoming a college professor. Presently his hobby is being a chef.

                Stephen and Jennefer,

He is a soloist and has appeared in the largest churches in Charlotte, inc the large Catholic Church. He is the guitar part of the ‘Darnell’s Brothers’ with a lot of gigs to entertain in the Charlotte area..

Jennifer is a nurse. She and Stephen are also active in City Church, Charlotte where Stephen is Music director.

They have two sweet kids (of course), Grandpa JJ is crazy about them, wonder why?

Kennedy and Jude playing around.

Kennedy is the winker… Jude the Dude goes along.

Nite Shipslog

PS: These GRANDS are THE BEST things, yes they tickle my heart strings!  Tomorrow the other half of the pair...

A quote from Stephen:

In High school a classmate asked Stephen, "What is it like being a twin?"

Reply, "What is it like not being a twin?"

Saturday Girls, Things that tickle your fancy 3 Picture of the day:

 Today's picture:

Sherece tired, waving, glad to finally be born

Of course we knew she would be beautiful!  her mother and grandmothers are. ;-) 

The mother that suffered many hours to give us this beautiful Granddaughter!

Now for today’s stuff:

This one tickled my Sherry’s fancy, a GRANDDAUGHTER. She never had a daughter of her own. When I read of you ladies who have a ‘special’ tie to your mama I think of Sherry. Sherry and her mother were very close. She looked for the day she and her daughter would have that relationship, but that was not to be.

So having a Granddaughter was the thrill of her life. Because then came Sherece. Corinne her mother had a tough time bringing her into the world, about two days of labor, 41 years ago, and finally delivered Cesarean.

Ahhh, what a beautiful tired mama and a beautiful daughter that survived that ordeal. Corrine and Mark brought the first girl into our Darnell family.

Sherece was a natural beautician, it was obvious:

Above is Sherece studying to be a beautician

Below is her daughter Stella, see, she learned well!

When I saw her daughter’s hairdo, I said, yep our beautician came thru, and is great. Just ask her Grandma…

Daddy Brandon McGee holding his Stella.

Sherece is the best beautician. BUT her mama Corinne, was deep into processing import/export data. Sherece followed in her mother’s footsteps. Mama has retired and Sherece has climbed the ladder in import/exports.

Her daughter Stella is now a teenager. She is a star in the sports in which she participates and that is a few. She loves fast pitch soft ball. She excels in several positions and is a great hitter.

                    Soft ball 

Basketball? WOW

She is looking into golf, it has her interest for sure.

Stella’s Dad, Brandon, Worked for me many times in Air conditioning and was a very good worker. Brandon left us by accidental over dose of ‘Freon’. What a shock for one so young.

Sherece and Stella have been inseparable since.

Nite Shipslog

PS: These GRANDS are THE BEST things that tickle my heart! Below is Stella dancing in the rain with her great GRandpa

                      

Friday… Things that tickle your fancy 2

 Picture of the day:

Now for today’s stuff:

Sherry doesn't have a ‘Home Place’ to remember. The ‘Mill Hills’ where Sherry was raised, are gone. One is now the home of several medical services, Sherry’s Doctor practices in one of the complexes.

The other is now an up scale community where the value of one home would have bought most, if not all the mill houses that existed there.

Of course my Great Grandpa Hilly kept his place near Toccoa GA until he passed, but that faded over the years.

But, there is a home place. Son Mark & Corrine bought a large track of land in Belmont. They raised their daughter and sons there. Eventually building a very nice home. Sadly they divorced and Mark sold the newer home. But held the rest of the property.

SOOO, the old home is still there. Mark’s oldest son and wife, Matthew and Kiersten are raising their family there.

            Maverick and Jack Wiley Now these boys and soon the daughter, Dillon, are                                 running the same trails their dad did in his youth.

Matthew and Kiersten, oh yes, Kiersten gave birth to Dillon in a tub of water at home. I had never heard of such! Unique to our family!

The kids are in the city and it is like being in the country.

                            Baby Dillon at one day old.

The latest Great grand is a sweet girl. She is a doll and her BIG BROTHERS love that little girl to pieces.

Nite Shipslog

PS: These are things that tickle my heart!

PS2   To family stuff:  WE sent Jack W a birthday card and gift he never got it. While doing this blog, I thought about that and sent Mr. Jack Wiley a letter. I think he will enjoy it...

Thursday… Things that tickle your fancy

 Picture of the day:

                Corey the first

Corey the man

Now for today’s stuff:

WE have circled and crossed this great country several times. Flew to Hawaii and drove thru the great country of Canada to Alaska. My heart still smiles when I see a classic car I remember from my youth or dad’s tales. I also smile when I pass or see a horse and buggy, we see that only in Amish country, but it is a joy to see.

This morning early in bed my girl's hand snuck over and took mine. Even in our 80s my heart smiled as we held each other, she is still beautiful at 88, and I tell her so, and mean every word of it. She tickled my fancy when I was 16, I proposed and married her at 17. AIN’T REGRETTED THAT TICKLE.

This is not about regrets, yes, we have had a few, but as a whole, life has been good to us. Divorce in our son’s lives hurt, BUT the grand children that came out of the unions are no less than wonderful. They are all productive, hardworking citizens. All of them have their own offspring (Our sweet great grands) who are also a thrill to our fancy.

Our first grand Corey Workman, was not ours, but became ours. He along with his brother Benjamin visited us every summer from Utah where they had settled. Corey was a cute dude with red hair and a great personality.

Above is Maddison, Chase and Bridger, Corey's kids followed by Allura Lyn below

Family was sweet but distant. We did not get to know them due to distance and divorce. WE did get to see some of them on our visits to Utah.

Below is Corey and Jack Jr. the last time we ever saw him, This was taken out in Oregon on our last trip around the  USA Corey was definitely a part of our family.

Yes some things just tickle your soul. All Grands do that for Old folk.

Nite Shipslog

PS: Corey drew this for me when he was a kid:

Wednesday Time to rejuvenate or something.

 Picture of the day:

I am just learning or trying to learn to down load a video from the phone.. This was my Happy Birthday from Maverick, Dillon. and Jack Wiley. Dillon sneezed to me.  LOL

Now for today’s stuff:

Ouch, it got down to freezing here in Orlando. I feel a little sorry for folks who came down and are spending hard earned money to enjoy warm weather and fun at the THINGS TO DO IN ORLANDO, mostly known for Disney, but much more to see and do as time goes on.

It doesn’t take long for an RV to require A/C in the Florida sun.

I remember once someone asked it someone wanted to make a movie or story of your life what genre would it be? My first thought was, ‘Comedy’. But now that I am older I am sure it would have been a ‘Mystery’. LOL It still is to me.

I was a little before my time. Today change in lives seems normal. Many people I have known continued most of their lives in the same direction they started at 17-19 years old.

Chatty was putting into words what we all think or know as we age. The closer the end is, the more our thoughts, desires and hopes change.

We want to see our grands happy and successful. WE pray they stay healthy and live long fruitful lives.

Still things shock us. Week before last the pastor was talking about Paul and prison. You know if you want a back seat in church you must get there early, right. So we were late so we sat on the second row. The pastor asked a boy about 10yrs old ‘What is prison?’ The kid answered quick, it is a place where the bad guys are locked up!’

This is GGrand Jude the Dude,  He is in school now 

He was sitting with his family, the dad was holding the little sister and smiled proudly, and the boy smiled big also when the pastor said, “You are correct Danny!”

I do not know these people, we are just visitors. But this Sunday the pastor mentioned his shock that week was deep, They buried the father of that family. What a shock.

Yes life is unpredictable and the older you get the more you know that. We just heard from back at our home church our friend Sonny died. I had no idea he was sick, he was always just full of himself.

Sorry, but hearing of two deaths of healthy looking people 20-30 years your junior, that were not expected, makes one think,

Just enjoy life, it is not forever…..

Nite Shipslog

PS: I think Florida is waking up and remembering it is supposed to be warm!