A WEEK OF ANNIVERSARIES

What a busy, hectic week of fun and excitement we have had! First off, was the planning and completion of the St. Patrick's parade float which was part of the 150th anniversary of Lagro Good Ole' Days on Saturday, June 27, 2009. The picture here is just as the float starts to pass St. Patrick's church and the bells started pealing as our float went past! The little gal in the red shorts riding the float is our granddaughter, Danielle. She is nearly eleven, and she and Sarah Driscoll and Megan Hurlock and her friend were kind enough to help out the Friends of St. Patrick's!




Our group, from yellow shirt left are: Mike Stephenson, Cindy Rich, Janet Poole. (2nd row) Megan Hurlock, Brenda Hurlock. Thom Cox sitting on buckboard, Danielle Wagoner and Sarah Driscoll and standing with red shirt is Yours Truly, Becki. Mom and I made the banners for the float (I don't know what I would do without mom's sewing ability); Tom Wagoner (otherwise known as my better half!) prepared the wagon, complete with spray-painting buckboard, and Ryan and Tom together retrieved the bell from the Fire Department.

The history of the bell at St. Patrick's is a wonderful tale, and one that we tried to recreate for the parade. In 1828, residents of Lagro, including Indian Chief LeGros , contributed money to the Catholics (only church in town) to buy a bell that would be rung morning, noon and evening....telling residents what time it was. After months of being gone with the sacred money gathered from the little town's residents, Pasque returned with a wonderful bell. All the men in town helped place the bell in the St. Patrick's belfrey. The bell has hung in three St. Patrick's churches, and 181 years later, the bell still calls Catholics to Mass, announces the departure of a Catholic for funeral services, and rings during the celebrations of the town that has loved it so!


The Log Cabin down by the Kerr Locks (from old Erie Canal) was bare until just one week ago. Then, Valerie and John Lawson and Lena Gray combined their many talents to decorate the little cabin in time for Lagro Days. This picture is of the dining area of the cabin. They hope to refurbish the two bedrooms upstairs before next year's parade. I hope they do something special during Christmas this year. This little cabin is every bit as wonderful as ones in Salem, Illinois and other historic tourist spots!

While Lagro Good Ole Days was going on, the Yankees Coaches Pitch team from Lagro was completing their ball season. Only defeated one time during the year, in the first game of the tourney, the Yankees came back to win the first game of the tourney and had to play a second for double-elimination rules. After nearly four hours of baseball in 90 degree temps, the kids lost by three runs. They look hot, tired and dejected in this picture, but I want them all to know what a wonderful and fun season they have given to all of us who watched them play! It was so much fun cheering the kids on, getting to know their parents (and grandparents) and having fellowship at the ball park. Is there anything more American???

Finally, my week ended with my MARY KAY OPENHOUSE! After years of buying MK from others, I decided that I needed another crack at a career! I am really excited about the future! I invited 50 friends and 50% of them showed up (and another 4 called during the MK Openhouse with reasons why they couldn't be here!) It was a wonderful day! The pic at left is of my aunt Velva Powell. She was my first of 30 faces (a MK requirement to learn the ropes of giving a facial class), she was my first sale, she was my first guest to arrive for the Openhouse, and she will host my first official party next Tuesday! Most importantly, Aunt Velva looks wonderful in this picture, and after four years of ups and downs with her health, it is absolutely wonderful to see her "back in the pink"! She has been my inspiration so many times. I only hope I can always have her positive outlook and love of life!

We have the 4th of July Fireworks at Conner's Prairie on Friday night, and I have a month of MK facials booked! The girls have six weeks left of summer vacation and Tom and Ryan are remodeling Ryan's kitchen in his house! Summer is moving quickly forward and so until next time I find a reason to Blog, God bless you each and every one and don't eat too much corn!!!

IT'S THE BIG 8-0......WHAT A WAY TO GO!!!

June 16 will be a landmark day for my mom. She will be 80 years young on that date.

(Pictured is Alison, Kitty, Becki and mom).

Born to Addie Mae (Joh) Powell and Orange Powell, mom was the youngest of twelve and was christened "Bessie Mae", after grandmother's favorite sister. This is a name my motherly dearly hated and has always been known as "Beck".

Mom married my dad, Harold, on August 2, 1947. Dad was a trucker and mother was responsible for raising two girls, keeping the home fires burning and fixing and repairing whatever broke during dad's absence. Dad died in October 2002 and mom's training as a "single parent" really paid off for her. She lives alone, mows eleven acres with her tractor and hand mower each week, keeps her own house and raises Hibiscus flowers as a hobby. She learned to knit at age 73 and is well-known for her abilities with a sewing machine. Each Wednesday she volunteers at the Wabash Food Pantry and is an active member of Dora Christian Church.

I'm not sure who is blowing those candles the hardest.....mom or

Gabrielle!!!

Alison gave grandma a new decorative flag to hang beside her house.

As usual, my mouth is open and my eyes half-closed in a picture! But, the rest of the group is looking good.

My son, ryan, his daughters Dani (in orange shirt), Gabi and Izi.

My daughter Kitty with Alison (age 2.5) and Mimi BeBe (as the kids call her). I don't think mom was taking a nap in this pic, but I won't swear to it! Ha

We have spent much of our life being the 3 Musketeers. Dad was home on weekends only. This is me, my sister Cindy and mother.

Mother only has one sibling still living and that is Uncle Guy. He is 20 months older than mom and they have been best buds for eighty years. When these two get together, you know stories will be flying and laughter will be plentiful!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND UNCLE GUY WITH MANY MORE !!!!

WE LOVE YA !!!

HUNGRY HIPPOS, PLAY DOUGH AND OODLES OF NOODLES

Summer....those precious three months of the year loved by kids and grandparents alike. Only then do we get to take the Grands to all the fun places we would need an excuse to go to otherwise! The zoo....Children's Museum....Water parks....playing in the hose in the backyard....catching lightning bugs after dark. Even though summer may not feel like it is here when you step outdoors and hurry back inside for a sweatshirt, at our house it is in full swing!

My mom, otherwise known as Mimi BB, watched the girls when I needed to go to the doctor. Gabi took charge of the camera. Not quite sure what is happening in this picture, and I don't think Izi is quite sure she wants her picture taken!!!

Gabi's dance class. They are such darling little girls and work so hard to please their teacher, Miss Donna (in black). One of the teens from older classes is the assistant (in bright pink-back).
Gabi is in the yellow shirt.


Memorial Day weekend and Kitty and Chris went to the race, an annual event for them.

This year, all four grandparents took Alison to the Indianapolis Zoo. We had such a nice time and it was a perfect day to be visiting the animals.

No zoo visit would be complete without a ride on the ponies. Alison chose "Ginger" to ride this time. Grandpa walked beside the pony to make sure Alison stayed on, but get a gander at the deathgrip on the saddle horn...don't think Alison was planning on going anywhere!

The funniest of all pictures could be appreciated more with "Smell-a-vision". This elephant smelled about as bad as anything still alive could!! Poor Grandpa Bobby and Alison! The look on their faces say it all!!!

Alison and I are on our way to the Indy Zoo in this pic. We played with the camera in the back of the car on the way there, and this picture pretty much tells how much fun we were having. See the bandage on my face. I had to have two basal cell cancer spots removed. One is healing beautifully and the other is still underoing treatment with Efudex, a topical acid creme designed to eradicate cancer cells under the skin. Let's hope it works....we only have one face!

Alison and Papaw on an "ellie" . Alison loves elephants and appropriately found this pachyderm to ride at the zoo!

Gabi has her dance recital this Friday, June 5. Her outfit is such a pretty color, but if we had waited another month, it would have been TOO SMALL! They measure for these outfits on week 2 of dance every year. Gabi has grown from a 6X to a 10 in one school year! Still my baby doll, though!!!

Izi reading to her babies. I think we must read 20 books a day when Izi is here. She loves to be read too! I only hope my love of reading as a child can be passed on to her. I love to read to the kids. They enjoy my acting antics. Adults just leave the house!

Mom watched the girls last week while I went back to the skin doctor. She really seems to be into the Hungry Hippo game. Probably trying to beat Gabi....who cheats if threatened with defeat!

Spring Has Sprung!!!!

What a very busy month we have had since Easter weekend! The day after, Tom started his cataract surgeries and opted to have the ReStore lenses put in place. He now doesn't have to wear glasses! He loves his new freedom from slipping glasses!


Mother's Day at Kitty's. Alison with all her grandmothers. Mimi Becki, Great Mimi BB and Grandma FiFi.
Great food and fellowship was had by all!!!


Becki and Kitty. Friends to the end!!!

Ryan brought his Dalmation, Lady, out to run and play one night last week. She was soon joined by our neighbor's dog, Alex. Together they had so much fun. Izi got in the act and put a treat in each hand and had them chase her round and round the yard. Those little silver slippers were flying!

April 15 was TEA (taxed enough already) Party Day at the Courthouse. Yes....I am a dangerous right-wing extremist and I participated in the TEA Party. It felt darn good to actually speak up for a change! I only hope more do so as time goes on, because I personally feel like this country is being sold out inch by inch, state by state and when we finally wake up, it may well be too late!!

This is a wonderful picture of Papaw and his "little buddy." The last picture we have of Tom with glasses! This was Easter Sunday morning.

The Saturday before Easter, we had our annual Egg Hunt at Poverty Nob. All the Grands were here. Pictured from left are:

Gabi, Dani (in white wig), Madison holding Alison, Queen Mum Kym (in princess hat) and Izi in the front. We had such a wonderful day hunting eggs and eating great food.

The Grands on the back steps.

Gabi, Madison with Alison, Dani with Izi.

Bunnies and Dyed Eggs and Vacation --- Oh Wow!!!

Easter week....the seven days eagerly awaited by all school kids as a time out, a respite, a break from the ho-hum of everyday life! Well, for this year at least, everyone I know took a STAYCATION, which means having fun in the same place, pretty much doing the same thing....just on a slower schedule!!!

The girls (Izi-age 3, Gabi-age 6 and Alex, age 6 in human years, 42 in Dog years) enjoyed decorating the shrubs outdoors for Easter. Hopefully, it will be a little warmer when we have our Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday!


We went to the Children's Museum in Indy on Tuesday, meeting up with Kitty and Alison.
Here, the girls are in the Marvel Comics section, having a ball driving down Times Square in NYC!!!




The Lego Land castle has a slide, which was the favorite of Izi and Alison.
Niece Madison is peeking her head around the corner!!!






Painting the Egg. Alison's first Easter to paint eggs and she had a great time!

Easter Egg hunt at Noblesville.

Alison was dressed for the occasion but totally missed out on the egg hunt! You can't be two seconds too late or it's all over until next year!

She had a great time looking for eggs and then getting a tattoo and riding the Carousel.

We wish you all a wonderful Easter! A time of rebirth, renewal of the spirit and soul! May you each be blessed with the gifts of both!!!

A Weekend Visit to Lincoln Country

Mom wanted to see Uncle Wyett
and so last Saturday morning we drove about 300 miles to Salem, IL. The little town is located in southern Illinois, in direct horizontal alignment to Vincennes, IN.

On Sunday morning, we awoke to a snowy, blizzardy day but Tom and I had planned to travel to Springfield, IL to visit the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

On our way, we stopped in Vandalia, IL, the old State Capitol. The courthouse was the Statehouse from 1836-1839, during the time of Lincoln's State Senate years. In the park across from the courthouse is Lincoln Park. This picture, with Lincoln setting outside the courthouse, is a replica of one I saw at the Presidential Museum.

The Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield was completed in 2004. It is a cross between a historic museum and the fertile minds of animators, such as those who work at Disney world.

Photos cannot be taken inside the museum, but as you enter the main corridor, the Lincoln family greets you outside the White House. Pics can be taken in this area only. In this pic are the Lincoln children, Tad, Willie and Robert and President and Mrs. Lincoln.

The tour of the museum is absolutely fantastic. It begins with the boyhood years in Indiana, and ends with the assassination of the President and his final tour cross-country back to Springfield, IL.


The artifacts on display are many and varied, from hand-written invitations to tea from Mrs. Lincoln to actual legal cases won by Lincoln when he was an attorney.

There are two presentations, one entitled "Lincoln's Eyes" and the other, "Ghosts of the Library". In "Lincoln's Eyes", we are asked to look at Lincoln as people saw him during his presidency. He didn't become an icon of history until after his assassination. During his White House years, he had many detractors, just like we have today. The presentation shows that Lincoln had the courage to do what he felt was right, even when it was hard on him, his family and the nation.
The "Ghosts of the Library" was my favorite part of the tour. It is a magical special effects presentation that uses Holavision to tell the story. What seems real can disappear in a puff of smoke. I still haven't decided whether the library curator was real or a figment of imagination. But it doesn't make any difference, the presentation was unforgettable.


We also toured the Lincoln home in Springfield and I wish we had had the time to tour Lincoln's neighborhood. Our trip ended with Tom going down what we thought was a one-way street and being in the lane for turning traffic. A nice and friendly Springfield policeman pulled us over and then gave us directions to get out of town free!!

We visited cousins and great-cousins I hadn't seen in years. Uncle Wyett and mother had a very nice visit. But for me, the coup de grace of the weekend was this....just like the MasterCard commercial.....

Two nights in the local hotel, $140......tickets to the Museum, $20......Clipping down the interstate with my 96 year-old uncle driving us in his new van....PRICELESS!!!!!

Thanks to all my Illinois family for a wonderful weekend!

Rites of Spring

Ahhh, Spring!
Ask a grown-up what signifies a perfect spring day.

You'll get answers like: 72 degree weather, flowers blooming, playing hooky from work to tee off at 9 a.m., top down on the convertible, windows open letting in a fresh breeze.

A two-year-old sees things differently.

Alison came to visit this weekend. To her, a perfect spring day is swinging, going so high that you feel upside down! (Thanks Uncle Bo for the avante garde pic!)





Spring is reconnecting with the dog next door. His name is Alex, so we have an Alison and an Alex on the front lawn. She loves him. He her.




He shows her that a perfect spring day means rolling around and scratching your back on the grass!
"Oh yeah....feels so good! I could do it all day long! Now you try, Alison !!! "











"Well, Alex, it't not quite as good as bare feet in the sand or going without your Pull-Ups at the Pool, but if this is what you like to do....then I'm gonna join ya !!! "









Playing peek-a-boo with the adults from the top of the gymn set is especially fun!





A perfect spring day to a two-year-old:

New Sunglasses

Hair in pigtails

No more heavy coats, gloves, boots, snow
pants and cold weather

Swinging to the Sky

A wonderful dog named Alex

Staying Awake until 3:00 p.m.

Kissing everyone goodbye, grabbing a glass of juice and sleeping all the way back to Noblesville!!