I hope

everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I have been busy searching for family members I haven't seen in quite some time.  I have been successful in locating several of them.  The last time I saw my grand-nephews was almost 10 years ago at my son's funeral.  They are both married and one of them now has a cutie patootie son.  One of my nephews was a baby.  I haven't actually spoken with him, but I have chatted with his half sister on Facebook.  I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! It's just so sad that families are torn apart by divorce.

Reunion

Last year on the first of December I posted the facility I worked at would be closing. This year on December 18th we had a reunion at the local Applebee's. There were about 75 of us. Some we weren't sure where they are currently working, so they didn't receive an invitation. Others were out of town and not able to make it. It was so good to see everyone smiling. You don't always get along with everyone you work with. But all ill feelings were buried in the past. There was no sadness for what no longer is. We reveled in each other's company. We have finally moved on.

"Speaking" of reunions, my Mom always loved to go to family reunions. She loved having family near. Whether it was close or distant relatives. Everybody loved "Aunt Bea and Uncle Jay." Whether it was "blood relatives" or "adopted relatives." They helped several young men when their own parents turned them out. Making sure they had food to eat, clothes to wear, and a place to stay. When I was a teenager all my friends called them "Mom and Dad". And all of my son's friends called them "Granma and Granddaddy." They were and are good people.

Walt and I went for a short drive to look at the Christmas lights. I really enjoy looking at the lights in yards and windows. It seems as though there weren't as many lights this year compared to years past. A couple of years ago, someone had their lights blinking in sync with music. I especially loved that house. You can see videos of this on youtube, but it isn't the same as seeing it in person. We didn't put outside lights up this year. We had to remove the awning from the front of the house, and that is where we put the lights. It would have taken a long time to put up hooks to drape the lights over. So, we'll be working on those throughout the year and be ready next year.

I also enjoy seeing pictures of snow that other bloggers post. I kind of, sort of, miss the snow. I'd love to visit Colorado and go skiing Christmas weekend, throw a few snowballs, make a few snow angels, and then come back home to sweater weather. LOL

It's been a long time

between posts.

I visited with my Dad. We ran a few errands. Mostly we just sat around the house. It was way too hot to do much of anything. I'm planning on going back in a month or so to drive him to FLA for a visit.

I had a very nice long visit with my cousin Reba. We went through Mom's old photos. She identified quite a few family members. Mom didn't write the date and names on the backs of her photos like I do my "hard copies".

Reba explained some things regarding my birth Mother Maggie Lou Russell. Maggie died in 1997. The last time I saw her was in 1964. Of course at the time I didn't understand who Maggie was. She and I share the same birth day, January 21. She had 4 sons. I'm going to try to contact her other family members to see if they could share a photo of her with me. My adoption was a little more complicated than most. (I have always known that I was adopted. I can't remember a time when I didn't know or understand what it meant to be adopted.) My birth grandmother and my adoptive Father’s Mother were sisters. My Dad is my cousin by birth.

When Maggie died, my son Michael went to the funeral home with my parents. They had explained to him who she was. Now, there is a very strong family resemblance between my son and me. No doubt who his MOTHER or FATHER is. Mike looked like Roger, his Dad, too. Mike’s comment was, “Mom, she looked like us.” LOL
Reba said that I look a lot like Maggie.

Things are finally getting back to normal here at home. I’ve thoroughly cleaned the house. I’m sending out resumes and studying for the CLA exam in Nov/Dec.

Now if I just had a job! I’m thinking I might have to go back as a nurse until I can find a paralegal position. Trying to keep a positive attitude. I can do this!!!!