Daughters of the Confederacy

My daughter, Vikki, and I both belong to the "Virginia Clay Clopton" Chapter of the "Daughters of the Confederacy". Vikki has also enrolled her children so they are members of the group called "Children of the Confederacy". Vikki and I enjoy the luncheons with the "Southern Bells" at the Huntsville Country Club and recently we were able to participate in one of the many activities the chapter gets involved in. On Pearl Harbour Remembrance Day, December 7th, 2008, we were able to participate in a Grave Marking of two confederate soldiers that are not in the section of the unknown soldiers. As a matter of fact, my granddaughter, Mattie Grace, was asked to place the flags on the graves of the soldiers we were there to honor. And yes, of course that was a true honor for her to be a part of this ceremony. As my mother watched from the car, Vikki, Mattie and I walked with the group to the graves together. Four generations of "Daughters of the Confederacy". It was very cold yet heart warming at the same time to remember the soldiers that fought for our southern states.

We do not refer to the war as the "Civil War",

as there was nothing civil about it!

God Bless Our Soldiers/Sailors/Air Force/Marines & all others that Protect Our Country

The Great Smokey Mountains

Well, we did it again... Steve and I took Mother on a little vacation. I knew this was going to be a tough time of the year for me, so I can only imagine how she will get through her first holiday season with out her companion for 60 years. I thought I would take on a little tailspin through the Smokey Mountains. She loved it. We stopped at the first Cracker Barrel we came to! She had never been to one. It was a beautiful sunny day driving up there. We took her through Cherokee, NC, then over the mountain into Gatlinburg and then up another side of the mountains to our condo. We had a beautiful view and a wonderful time. Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was a very sad day to me, but we had a nice lunch at Mother's house and all the family was there. It felt like an "out of body" experience for me. Like going through the motions type of thing. Time will heal, I am sure. On the one year anniversary of daddy's death, Alabama beat Auburn and my family was so excited! He would have loved that! Thank you God for Nathan Bryant who spent the whole day with us and we had a great time! We are so blessed.

She liked this picture cause it make her look little!!!!

Our view from the condo

Mother and I were scared to both get out for fear that Steve was leave us there!

But we did let him drop us off to get some GREAT Fudge!!!

Thank you God for time well spent!!!!

Sanmann

The Grandkids are coming....

Tonight Matt and Vikki have her work Christmas Party at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse...yyyuuummm!!! Mattie and Nathan will be coming to Nana and Big "Dig" Daddy's house for the evening. I can only imagine what they will want to do. While at the grandparents house they will want to watch t.v, color, stamp, play toys, play keyboard, play drums, play dough, get all toys possible out and of course snack all night long. I know their parents will be thrilled about that, but that's what grandparents are supposed to do, right? I can't wait for tonight!

John Junior Gaught

How do you describe loosing the Greatest Hero of your life? Daddy would say to me, "Darling, I love you" and I would say, "I love you more" and he would say, "no way" I would come back and say, "Oh yes I do cause I have loved you my whole life". He would get tickled and say, "You got me on that one" God, I miss him so and one year ago TODAY, November 29, 2007 You took him on to be with You. Please understand, I am not angry with God, I just think this has been one terrible year. I don't know how to function without him here.

I am happy for him to be living in the Kingdom of God.

I love you Daddy,

Sandra Kay

Thank God For Our Grandkids!

Mom's Vacation

Well, let me tell ya, the pics below are my Mother's first vacation. She is 78 years old and she and my dad were married 60 years. He was a navy man for 7 years before they married and was done with travel at that point. She was terrified of water, so it worked out fine to just take a little trip to visit cousins and family and the local parks. Also with 4 kids, I am not sure I would have done much either. Never the less I want to share with you her first vacation. We lost my daddy in November 2007 after a LONG 3 year battle it dementia, so even tho he was not with us, it was still ALL ABOUT HIM!!!!!! I miss him so much it still hurts, but I am so thankful God has allowed Mother and I special times now. We toured the Battleship Alabama and also attended a Special Memorial Service for the families of the Landing Craft Infantry Shipmates that have passed on in 2008. It was emotional.

Please enjoy,

Shipmate LCI 343

My Beautiful Mother and Me on the Battleship Alabama
Mother's first time to see the ocean from the Pensacola Beach

That is as far as she would get out on the pier.

She was surprised to see the Florida State Line. She just thought we were going to Mobile AL!

We had a wonderful view of Mobile Bay and she watched every kind of boat, ships and barges. She had never stayed in a hotel at all and we stayed on the 21st floor.

The Rodeo

Steve and I took Mother, Vikki, Matt, Mattie and Nathan to the Rodeo!
We had a great time and Mattie and Nathan really enjoyed seeing the animals.

Mattie is my RODEO QUEEN!!!

Even Eleanor Can be a Cowgirl!!

I think Vikki wants to do the barrel racing now!
Nathan was just amazed!