Happy Birthday Cindy

Happy 45th birthday Cindy.  You were the first so you gave us the titles of mommy and daddy.  Even though   those titles have been updated to mom and dad we still carry them proudly.  Life has been rough at times, it even started out that way - in a massive electrical storm.  I can honestly say you were worth days of fever over 105 and being paralyzed from the waist down.  You courageously fought your own serious health battles during your teen years as we watched, prayed, and encouraged from the sides lines.  We truly thank God for you, your life, and your family.  You are a true blessing.  We love you!

And this "firestorm" was quite a few years ago!

King's Island

Took this picture from a friends facebook page.  When I saw it I was reminded of all the vacations we took there in the 1970s and early 1980s.  My girls loved going there when we lived in Indiana.  Memories!

Passing The Time Country Style!

My Grandpa Hawkins in the 1960s sitting on the porch at the old country store my family operated in Guthrie, Indiana.  Such fun to be raised in an era when we had community gathering places and neighbors were friends as well.  Many a day saw the porch overflowing with friends and neighbors enjoying each other's company.  Happy Memories.

My NYC Apartment Building

This is a picture of my apartment building, The Carnegie Mews, when I lived in New York City.  I had an excellent location.  The Hard Rock Cafe was right behind me, Carnegie Hall was at the end of the block to the right, the Carnegie Deli to the left.  I was just a couple blocks from Lincoln Center and also from Central Park.  Our doorman was Guido; now how much more New York could one get!  Only thing in my life today is medical and that is not exciting so I am revisiting memories!

Mom's Salad Recipe In Her Handwriting

My mother was always taking every advantage to collect recipes (maybe that's where I got my love of recipes?) and wrote them down on whatever was handy at the time.  Today I came across this hand-written recipe on the bottom of a sheet of notebook paper.  I remember she was so proud when she made this salad.  Dad took one bite and said, "I really don't like it.  I hope you don't make it often."  She looked so deflated; she loved it.  To solve that problem she often took it to pitch-in meals where she enjoyed it and dad didn't touch it!

Guess Who Misses Dustin!

Tucker is not used to being here without Dustin.  Lauren is visiting UT today so Tucker is with us.  Last night I couldn't find him then located him in Dustin's room.  It is still his favorite spot this morning.  Dustin took his bedspread off the bed for me to wash and I hadn't done it yet.  Now why would Tucker sleep in his bed when he could sleep on Dustin's?

Baby Linda in Jasonville, Indiana

Yes, that's me sitting in the yard at my Uncle Kelsie's place in Jasonville, Indiana.  I loved going to visit Uncle Kelsie, Aunt Mary, and cousins Joey and Judy.  As I got older one of my favorite treats was riding on the church bus with Kelsie as he ran his route.  Sometimes I wonder if that had anything to do with my choosing to be a bus worker as an adult.

It is so hard to believe we have lost Kelsie, Mary, Joey, and Judy.  Thankful to be in contact with some of the family via facebook.