Happy BIrthday, Ryon

Let me join in the celebration of wishing you a "Happy Birthday!!" I have several fond memories of you when you were growing up. You might have been the younger brother, but you weren't any smaller or less important. You always tried to keep up with the big boys!!

Ryon, the road you took to get to where you are now, isn't as important as just being where you are now, right where God has designed a place for you to be. It is true that God knew you before you were conceived and He has a unique plan just for you. I am so proud of you and I pray that you will continue to follow God in all you do. And His blessings will be more than you can imagine.

I love you Ryon,

Jan

Happy Birthday to my hansome cousin!

Ryon, I just wanted to take a moment to wish you a great day. You are an inspiration to me. I know you learned a lot of things the hard way, but you have come out the other side so beautifully. I'm so impressed with the life you have built for yourself and your family. Mavrik is a lucky little guy, to have a dad like you. And the same could be said for Jessica and Alexis. This is one of my favorite pictures from your wedding weekend. You both look so happy, but yet relaxed. And that only comes with pure love. Enjoy your day- Much Love - Darla

Happy Birthday, Ryon

Happy Birthday, Ryon!!!

Happy Birthday to a special grandson. I wish for you a great day, Ryon, and I am so thankful for the young man you have become. You are so blessed today with a loving and beautiful wife and the world's greatest little son. Also a very special and sweet daughter. I hope your day is everything you want it to be and that it will be the first day of a great year for you in every way. Count your blessings and remember I am praying for you.

I love you so much,

Grandmother

(If you were here, I would bake you a birthday cake!!)

Day of Rest!!

This is a day for rest on Holland Hill. Nothing except the essentials will get done. We deserve the rest after the two days we have spent in that kitchen. At the same time , I am throughly enjoying the final results. Can't believe the difference it has made. I just regret that it was such a difficult job when it all sounded so simple. You see, when we built this house and I planned the kitchen with a corner sink with the dishwasher next to the sink, I did not realize that when the dishwasher door is down, there is not enough room for feet!!! I have banged my leg against that door countless times during these 13 years and have complained an equal number of times. Well, the solution was to move the dishwasher over and put a stack of drawers next to the sink. Next time I will know!!!! Now I am happy!!!! And I do appreciate my helper. He was so patient with me and he had every right to say, "I told you so"!!!

Tonight we will go to mid-week prayer meeting then we will ...................., OK, we will play cards until...............!!!! We usually make it home the same day------just later in the day.

Love you,

Dortha

Day Two!!

HEADACHE OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!

Seems only fair that I would let you know I am still alive at the end of the second day of the kitchen renovation. I am not sure I deserve the 'pardon' but do appreciate my unnamed helper's attitude. He made 4 trips to the plumbing supply store before the damaged water line was repaired. We were unable to budge the 27' fridge so were forced to repair the line rather than replacing it which is what we would have perferred to do. At day's end, the dishwasher was working, the drawers were back in place and the room was livable once again. We still have some details for later but everything looks good and is such an improvement from the original arrangement.

I hope everyone has had a good day. Sherlyn is off to her classes again. Please say an extra prayer for her as she will be driving a lot of miles. She will need strength and safety and an open mind to obsorbe the lectures. She will have about 18 hours of classes.

That' all folks,

Love you,

Dortha

Thanks for the Comments

My oh my!!!! After those flattering remarks, how could I NOT post? I appreciate your kind words, Sherlyn and Jan and I appreciate the two of you so very much. You are very kind and it was very good to see your thoughts in print. See, it didn't take much of your time and it really brightened MY day.

Sherlyn, I am very proud of you and the effort you are making to prepare yourself with knowledge that will mean so much to you and open doors that will give you a great life. You mentioned the lessons are difficult and all the other students are poles ahead of you in the knowledge they already have. Some have some back- ground information that you do not have. My remark was that there was a time when they were where you are now--just beginning. You can do it-----I know you can and I admire your desire and effort.

Jan, I appreciate you and love you more than words can say. You are the epitome of a perfect daughter and mother. I couldn't ask for more.

Today has been a different day around here. I have needed and wanted to make some changes in my kitchen for some time but I needed help. Finally I got brave enough to ask a certain person--who will remain un-named at this time---if we might begin the task today. You see, I had envisioned it to be a very simple endeavor and explained how we would move "this" here and "that" over there. Sounded simple to me!!!! Welllllll, after a few hours, I had to admit that there were a few hurdles that I had not fore seen. I now have NO dishwasher I can use, all the drawers are stacked in the corner, the water line to the fridge got cut and a few other debokles (I don't know if that is a word---well, now it is!!). Two people are very tired but we won't give up. We will simply face the project head on tomorrow and hopefully things will fit together as I had hoped they would. If I escape with my life, I will let you know how it turned out. If you never hear from me again, you will know it was not a good idea!!!

That's all for tonight.

Love you,

Dortha

Bloggers Anonymous-2

Hi, My name is Jan and I'm a viewer. I have not blogged in weeks. But I just can't give it up. No news, no views, but I'll try again anyway.

I wonder how it would feel to be the ONE most of us depend on for the continuance of family news, reminders, inspirational thoughts, encouragements, family history, pictures, etc.?? I know she has big shoes and I don't know anyone who can fill them. Thanks alot, Mother, for taking up the slack for all of us. We love you!

Bloggers Anonymous

HI. My name is Sherlyn. I'm a viewer. Haven't posted in 6 weeks.
Kinda like AA but I guess it's BA -Bloggers Anonymous. :)
I'm sorry I haven't posted in quite a while. Time seems to just keep on running two steps faster than I can. I had a GREAT week going to a school to learn title work and oil and gas leasing. Very stimulating but I can tell that I haven't been in school in almost 20 years! I'm on overload!!! It's some very interesting stuff though. Probably more so to me than anyone else so I won't go in to details. I just wanted to drop a quick post so Grandmother won't feel so alone. You are never alone Grandmother. We Love You!
Well I've got to run to church. I will post again soon.
Sherlyn Parham

Sat. Night

Today is Saturday, that means tomorrow will be Sunday!!! We turn our thoughts to a day of worship and find our way to God's house. I encourage each of you to do the same. You will never regret the effort you make to serve God. You will be blessed.

Darla, I am so glad your finger got well so you could type a message for the blog. I share your sorrow in losing your beautiful trees. Our loss is not nearly as great as yours but it will be several years before ours will be pretty again. Thank you for posting the pictures even though they make us feel sad.

We still have clouds and light rain but are promised nicer days next week.

Have a wonderful week-end.

My love and prayers,

Dortha

Our Tangled Mess

Well I finally got a chance to transfer these pics from my camera! I really wanted to take a ride in that bucket, but they claimed insurance wouldn't allow it- but it certainly looked like fun! The tree that is in the second picture had to be taken down completely, it couldn't be saved. The others will hopefully spring back to life. Except of course for the Bradford Pears. We lost several of them, but I know we can grow more of those fairly quickly.
I realize you guys might be tired of hearing me whine about my trees. I guess because there is still so much work to do, and that is all the excitement we have around here! I don't' remember the last time we went out- if time and weather permits- we're outside working in the yard! As I've said before, "It's the gift that keeps on giving". And we should have enough firewood for ages!!!
The only other news I can think of: Kris had a flute competition this morning and made a 2. A 1 is the best, but a 2 is good- and that's all I can explain about the scoring. My friend in Missouri had her baby 7 weeks early. Both were in ICU for a few days. My friend has got to go home, but the baby will have to be in ICU longer, until lung function is better. So extra prayers are great. And I should have a new little niece, at least by March 4th- if not sooner! I can't wait for that!!! And last, but not least, I should have a guest tonight- my big sister should be staying over for the night. So hopefully that will supply some fun and good conversation!
Well that is all I know, except that I'm incredibly tired and still have a mountain of work in front of me. So I hope everyone is doing well, and love to all - Darla

To Post or Not to Post!!

An Unusual Flower From Thailand

I am wondering, "Should I post, or should I not!!" Today is Feb. 22 nd. There has been one "comment" and NO posting except what I have done since Feb. 13th. I don't want to bore anyone and I realize what I write is not very exciting. It would be good to hear from someone else.

I can report that our weather is much better today than yesterday. We still have clouds but our ice is melting some and most of our roads are safe. We are promised warmer temps tomorrow so we should have a great week-end. We did not lose power this time and for that we are very thankful. We have had a warm home, water and plenty food.

Life is good on Holland Hill and I wish the same for you.

Love to all,

Dortha

More Ice!!!!

I am wondering if it might help if we 'think' tropical or Spring-time!!! Anything to get our minds off this miserable weather that seems to hang around. Today the weather is living up to the forecast----freezing rain and sleet. Believe me, we have both. Nothing much is moving today and we are promised no relief until Saturday. I am glad I ventured to the grocery store yesterday and we have necessities and so far we have power and a warm house.

Not much to report today. Apparently I am just looking and hoping for sympathy. I envy those of you who are basking in the sunshine today.

That's all folks!!!

Dortha

Cute Mavrik

This is the same picture of Mavrik you see on the previous post after Anne "revised" it. You go to the head of the class with your talent, Anne. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Dortha

Mr. Sunshine, 13 Month Old

Mr. Mavrik, 13 months old

Are those pictures cute or what???? Thank you, Ryon and Jessica, for sharing the pictures of your little man. You have been so faithful to send them often. We can tell he has changed since we saw him in January.

We have had a good day. We have had sunshine and comfortable temperature. We are promised COLD days the rest of the week, however. I drove to Rolla this afternoon to pick up Jaron. We had good conversation during the 2 hour trip back home. It is good to see him after several weeks. It didn't take much "begging" to get him to eat dinner with us. He gets a little tired of the Dorm food. He will be home for Spring break soon and we will try to cater to him at that time.

Hope everyone has had a good day.

Love you,

Dortha

Monday Night 2-19-08

Birthday Treat for Merrel

Today was a special day for Merrel. I know it is a little past his birthday and a little past Valentine's Day but Ron, Vicky and Keith took Merrel and me out for a delicious steak dinner and special dessert as a belated birthday treat. They also gave him a card and nice gift so he can't complain about turning 83 years old. He went for his usual morning walk this morning and jogged up the last little hill. Not too bad, I say.

We also had a special day yesterday. Our church services were very good and it is always a blessing to spend time with our church friends. Devin has been visiting here this week and he and Carley helped Carley's mother prepare a wonderful noon meal for Carley's family and Devin's family. It was so very good to get acquainted with such a fine family and we felt so honored to be invited for a meal and visit. God is sooooo good!!!

Jaron hasn't been home since the Christmas Holidays so I am driving to Rolla tomorrow and bring him home for awhile. It will be good to see that young man. We miss him on Holland Hill.

All is well on the Hill and today our weather was quite nice. We had some sunshine and some clouds but no moisture. We won't need any more rain for awhile. We had a small flood Saturday night. No damage done but water, water everywhere--some places where it didn't need to be.

Good night to all and God Bless,

Dortha

Rainy Sat. Morning

Looks as if we are facing a rainy, stormy week end. So far we only have light rain. No severe storms, PLEASE!!!! At least we are snug and warm inside. We haven't lost power for 2 days now. There are a few homes in our area that are still without electricity. It is 33º right now with a promise of 40º for a high today. Tonight temp will drop to 30º and that means we will have ice tomorrow. I hope we will be able to get to church.

I wish a blessed week-end for each of you.

Love to all,

Dortha

Three Titles

No doubt the last 3 pictures need a little explaining. The collage is of Jan when she was 2 months old, 6 months old, senior in high school then while attending a Homecoming when Devin was a senior playing basket ball.

The second picture is of Jan when she was 6 months old and eating her very first piece of chocolate candy.

The third is of our "Tunnel of Trees" (Tripple M) on 2-15-08 during our ice storm.

Now you know!!!!!!
Dortha

Chocolate is Good!!