Wilson Family April 1990

 Memories for sure.

MARRIED 50 YEARS

On August 14th Steve and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary. This picture is in our home at 414 Vicki St., Keller, Texas.

FORTY-NINE YEARS AGO TODAY THIS FAMILY BEGAN

Forty-nine years ago today was a hot day in a little country church that had no air-conditioning! That was the day Steve and I got married in Avoca, Indiana and this crazy little family began. Through five states, the USAF, three children and seven grandchildren our life has been quite an adventure.

FUN DAY WITH FAMILY AND FRIEND

Yesterday I went to Painting With a Twist in Grapevine for a couple hours of fun. I have no artistic ability, can't even draw a stick man, but I thought a couple hours out with family and friends would be fun. We were joined by our friend Traci and we all had a great time. I had one of the worst paintings there but it was fun. I need to take Samantha and Steffinee sometime as I know they would love it.

Smiling before we attempted to paint.

Hard at work.

Myself, Lauren, Lindsay, Traci

My finished product. I sat next to Lauren but none of her talent rubbed off on me!

THE HARTS WITH GRANDPA THORNBURG

Lauren and Lindsay lost their Great-Grandpa Thornburg this morning, the day after his 90th birthday. They spent time with him in Tulsa last weekend for a big birthday celebration. I am so thankful they had that time with him and got these good pictures. He was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.

CHRISTY AND LINDA - OH MY!

Christy and myself acting goofy while spending the day with Janet and Stacy while they were here. My goodness Christy, you sure make me look old! ha!

RIDING THE TRAIN FROM GRAPEVINE TO FORT WORTH

Samantha and Steffinee at the depot before departure.

On Monday ten of us boarded the train in Grapevine and rode in the old-fashion first class car to The Fort Worth Stockyards. We all had a great day. It has been great having Janet and Stacy visiting. We are sorry to see them leave today.

Samantha, Lindsay, Linda, Steffinee (in hat), Lauren (behind Grandma), Janet, Steve, Cindy, Stacy, and Chad in the back.

SAMANTHA AND GRANDMA WITH SANTA

More Main Street Fun. Dustin refused to get his picture with Santa this year so Samantha insisted Grandma sit down. She told me I didn't sit close enough to Santa (his foot was in my way!) and that I had more of a frown than a smile.

Mid 80s at JCP Plano, Texas

I was not pleased when one of the people who worked for me called my name and I saw the camera in his hand! This was when I worked in Personnel at the JCPenney store in Plano, Texas before I went to NYC. This was a fun job as I went to work in the store when it was still a hard hat area. The offices were done but anytime we left the offices we had to wear hard hats. It was quite a job to hire and train approximately 300 people but it was fun.

GEORGE WILSON FAMILY June 1989

This is a picture of George and Ilene Wilson with their children, in-laws, and grandchildren that was taken in June of 1989. Cindy Wilson (Hart) is the only one not pictured. I can't remember why. Maybe she was back in Texas involved with a job or something at Baylor. Or perhaps Troy had stopped by and she left with him. Do you remember, Cindy?

Left to right (not by row) - Doug Hanner, Trina Ritter (Hanner), Janet Wilson (Ritter), Ron Ritter, Stacy Ritter, Christy Wilson (Bowman), Chad Wilson, Steve Wilson, Linda (Sowders) Wilson, Kristen Wilson, Becky Wilson (Barrett) holding her daughter Gina and arm around son Derrick, Eddie Barrett, Ilene (Watson) Wilson holding grandson Tyler, George Wilson, and Donald Wilson.

Note: You can enlarge picture by clicking on it.

JULY 2000

Since Lindsay is the birthday girl this month she is the lucky one with the old pictures! Yes, I am even willing to post this horrible picture of me all bloated up before some colon surgery just to put this cute picture of her on here. We were at DFW Airport at the overlook park watching the planes come in. She was quite fascinated to see the planes up close. Love this girl and can't believe she is a few days from being 16.

Me, Lindsay, Family Friend Mary Sicking, Mom or Mam-Mam to Lindsay.

July 2000

AT JFK'S GRAVE

My kids and grandkids are going to love this one. A high school classmate posted this picture of your Uncle Ronnie Ritter, your dad/papaw and me standing at John F Kennedy's grave. We were on our Senior Trip in 1965. Yes, we were young once - a long time ago!

One Month After Surgery

Surgery was one month ago today. I think ankle is doing well. Heading to doctor to see what she thinks. Hoping to be released.

48th Wedding Anniversary

Forty-eight years ago Steve and I were married in our little country church in Southern Indiana. We left a few days later to begin our married life in Clovis, New Mexico where he was to be stationed at Cannon Air Force Base. It was a perfect little town for two country bumpkins to begin military life. Over 48 years, life in 5 states, 3 children and 7 grandchildren our lives have been full. Below is a picture of our first home at 1208 Walnut St, Clovis, NM. I loved this little adobe house with its slate roof. That was quite unique to an Indiana girl.

PROGRESS!!!

Finally, after 18 days I got rid of my stitches! The hematoma is down and the ankle is looking good. Have lost the boot but still will do icing for a few days. I can live with that! Have to wear the compression sock for two weeks but that is okay. Thanks for all the prayers.

Ankle Surgery

I have avoided this topic on this blog but was reminded by Samantha it is part of our family history and needs to be on here. I had a tumor removed from my ankle on July 17 and Samantha and Dustin have been taking care of me. Lauren and Lindsay have taken me for hair repairs, etc and been very helpful, too. Had a follow-up appointment with doctor today. I was disappointed that I had to keep the stitches, boot, ice machine, etc until I go back next Monday. Samantha took the following picture of me in all the apparatus last week.

And this is what is inside the big boot. The tubes connect the the electric ice maching that recirculates ice water through the gray boot. Got another layer added today when the doctor added what she called a compression cast beneath the ace bandage type layer.

First surgery I ever had that I got flowers from my surgeon!

Beautiful Flowers

Thank you to my friends Chris and Brenda Arnett for bringing me this lovely bouquet of flowers. Imagine my surprise when they came up to me at church and surprised me with this special surprise. Love you guys!

What a Team!

Came across this picture this evening and had to smile. This is me with my cohorts Terry Dellis and Michael DeGroot. We were a buying team in the JCPenney corporate office in the 1980s, early 90s. I'm sure the men's pants and shorts selections at JCP were never better than when we were in charge!!

Hawkins Cousins

I love this picture of my maternal grandparents with all their grandkids at the time. I'm sure this was in the 1950s. This was taken at Grandpa and Grandma Hawkins' house. I have a lot of good memories at this house with my family!

Front row: Rebecca Sue (Becky) Sowders (now Hargis) and Patricia Elaine (Patty) Hawkins (now Eakle)
Middle row: Linda Carol Sowders (now Wilson), Grandpa Freddie Raymond Hawkins, Carolyn Sue Hawkins, Grandma Leatha (Leafy) Quillen Hawkins, and Johnny Hawkins
Back row: Joey Hawkins, Judy Kay Hawkins (Fagg), and Beverly June Clampitt (now Sutton)

Fallen Heros

I love America in spite of the mess she is in right now. I love being free to say what I please, worship when and where I want, come and go as I please, etc. But I try not to take those freedoms for granted. I grew up in the home of a veteran, married an active service member, and had a son serve six years in the Army. As a military wife I watched C-130s load up with men, some personal friends, heading off to war and I lived with a husband who kept a bag packed in case of 'the call'. I understand how families feel. Fortunately, all of my family served their time and came home. Not every family has been so fortunate. When I went to Pearl Harbor I looked up the name on the wall of a man my parents went to school with. My aunt lost a nephew in Vietnam, and I have seen young men from the community buried after losing their life in recent wars. I love holidays as much as the next person but I ask you when you are enjoying yourself this weekend, please take a moment to reflect on those who gave their lives that we might be free. And say a prayer for their families.