Wow, I can't believe it is almost Christmas. I complain because they start on Christmas before the Thanksgiving turkey is carved. But if not , it seems the next 27 days sneak up on you.
When our kids were little I was never good at buying presents ahead of time like my friend who bought all year long and put them away for the big day. Nope, I was one of the last minute shoppers who sweated how I was gonna get what I wanted to get. It also seemed that by putting off till the last minute it was harder to buy cause there seemed to always be a money shortage. Merl Haggards song, "If we make to Dec" was one of my most sung songs. haha, Thanks Merl. But you know looking back now with the kids all grown and having families of their own. It showed that it wasn't the presents that were so important as the family love we had for each other. Sure there were times when I would have bought them everything they wanted but I don't think they would have turned out to be the wonderful adults they are. And I am most greatful for that.

There are times at the Holiday that you see people in need and then people seem to reach out more to help. Maybe that is GOD's plan to teach us to give to others. We search our hearts and feel for others. When I was a kid in New Orleans the time others gave because mom's tips were stolen and she had nothing,
There was a Christmas when our kids would have had nothing if it hadn't been for others. (Cowboys for Christ) In Nevada.

Our pastor talked about doing a good thing for others and in turn those people will do a good thing and so on and so forth. Like the movie "Pay it Forward. Gee isn't that kind of on the premise of "Do on to others, as you would have them do unto you?" If I remember right GOD came up with that concept.

It seems more relevant at the Holidays but should be all year round.
Jesus was our gift from GOD, so I give presents. Also Jesus is the light of the world and I like the lights at Christmas. Have a wonderful Holiday and remember to help others because you don't know when you will need it back. Merry Christmas.

We came from Gabbs in 1984 and stay'd with my dad for a couple of weeks looking for a job. Vern answered an add in the paper for someone to cut wood temporary. So we went to Shingletown and met Rosalee and her then partner Louis, who owned a 600 acre ranch. They lived in LA and had some people working here that left in a hurry after tearing things up and stealing. So when we came up they were leary of us and we were leary of them. But when they found out that Vern was a jack of all trades they put him to the test and if he could fix a piece of equiptment he would have the job as manager and caretaker. He did it and we got the job.

We started out with 3 kids and 2 adults in a single wide 1 and 1/2 bedr trailer. Mike slept on the couch and the girls doubled up in a single bed. Later Vern went to LA and picked up a Monkey and a 6 foot tall cage, and another cage and a cockatoo. So needless to say we were wall to wall for about a year. The monkey and cockatoo belonged to Rosalee. But I took care of them for about 8 years. The monkey is a story for another day. At that time there were cows and a couple of horses on the ranch. years down the road we even had ostriches and emus. Now all we have are two dogs and 12 hens and one rooster. We lived on the ranch for 14 years and because of money problems we left for 5 years and now we've been back for 7 yrs. But I'm getting ahead of my self. so I think I'll quit for now and go fix dinner.

We had just moved to Turlock at Christmas and had two kids. Mike 2 and Kathy 6 months, I didn't know anyone and Vern was gone alot on his job working for a dairy supply on 24 hour call. Close to summer people from differant churches would come by and knock on the door and ask if I was a Christian. Well I didn't know what a christian was exactly and I figured they were good people and I was a good person so I'd tell them yes. and they'd say great and leave and never come back. One older man," Mr Fred," came by several times and invited me to his church. I always said I'd go but didn't. One day I decided to try it and felt great about having people to talk to so I started to go. Even though I went for the wrong reasons I learned about GOD and Jesus and their love for me and found out that a Christian is someone who knows they are a sinner and needs to ask for forgiveness and except Jesus into their heart as their Saviour. So yes I was a good person but not yet a child of GOD.

We moved to Mae street in Turlock and was there for 6 years. By the time Kathy was 6 and Mike was 8 Vern's daughter Dee Dee came to live with us for a year and right after she came I found out we were going to have another baby. So we would have a full house.
We always had some kid living with us so that was nothing new. I was always trying to save the world and my house was open to any kid who needed a temporary safe-haven.

Dee was a good kid but at 14 had way too much responsiblities for her age. She took care of her 3 brothers at her mom's and helped with most of the house and horse chores.
When she came to our house we treated her like one of the kids and that was hard on her. She kind of enjoyed being a kid but felt like she had no purpose. After a year, she wanted to marry someone she met at church and we told her to wait till she was 18. She decided to go home to Oregon and her mom let her get married. They had two boys and eventually were divorced.
Meanwhile Vern's son Chris came to live with us for a year. He was a jokster and was always joking at school . we told him to watch how he said things but he said something to a kid one day that didn't think it was funny and he got busted in the mouth. He ate out of a straw for a while.
We were too strick on him and he eventually went home to his mom. He doesn't have anything to do with us but we have a good relationship with Dee.

When the kids were growing up I took everything personal. I thought if they did something wrong it was my fault, maybe I was a bad parent. Since I didn't work and parenting was the only job I had, then I had to be perfect at it. It took me years to find out that kids make mistakes and that's how they learn. Don't get me wrong, we had great kids, but kids will be kids.
When Sharon was 4 we moved to Gabbs Nev. and was there for 1 1/2. From there to Redding.
Next stop is Rosa-Lou ranch.

I talked to a fellow yesterday that I hadn't seen in a while , and he told me he lost his wife of 45 years back in May. We talked for a while and he was havning a hard time with the reason God took her even though they were in a ministry together and had served the Lord for years.

It caused me to think of others that I've recently been around and asking GOD why, this is what I came up with.

In Isaiah 57 : 1&2 it says,,,,, The righteous perishes and no man takes it to heart: Merceful men are taken away from evil, He shall enter into peace.

I believe we are on a journey and this earth is just a giant detour. also as I was thinking about it this morning GOD told me this and I wrote it down.

WE"VE BEEN INVITED

We've been invited to a pot-luck, a Great Banquet. We all leave in our individual cars and are headed out along the road. Some arrive earlier then others and some have small detours or are just a little slower and get there later.

The Banquet Table is ready and those that get there first are waiting for the rest of us.
It seems to take forever but it is just a twinkle in GOD's eye.

When we all arrive the feasting will be great, but until then we will all just have to wait.



So that's my Blog for the day and if it helps anyone then I'm greatful. We've all lost someone in our life and when it is fresh we just don't know how we're going to keep going. But that's part of the journey. Revelations 2-3 talks about enduring till the end. And that's what we need to do. And GOD does help to heal the hurt with time. Take care and GOD BLESS.

In Chesterland while I was in Jr high, I had a friend named Princess Mitchell. She had something wrong with her appearance that made her face look like a caveman. Her hands were always cold. But she had a heart of gold. Very sweet person. However as you can imagine the kids at school were relentless with their teasing. They called her the monkey and I was the monkey keeper because I was her friend. It didn't bother me but made me mad that they didn't even try to get to know her. I've often wondered what ever happened to her. we lost contact when I move away.

What makes people always put down those who are differant? Today Thank GOD it isn't as bad as it was . But there are still bullies in the schools that have to make themselves feel better then others by pushing them around. I went by a school on Cypress Ave last year, late for a doctor apt. and there were three boys surrounding one smaller boy and he was crying. It touched my heart. If I hadn't been late I would have stopped in the office and reported it. I thought about that kid for a long while. How many of these kids are going to have enough ,and one day take their own life or take a gun to school . The teachers have a lot to deal with today but they also need to bring up the topic of consequeces of being a bully.
Joyce Myers says that if you are bullied or controlled as a child it is natural for you to become a bully or a controlling person as an adult. It's a chain reaction. What a sad cycle it becomes.
gotta go for now. bye

After our accident in Bakersfield, We rented a two bedroom house in Ceres Ca. I had quit school in New Orleans and decided to go back so I enrolled in the high school around the corner. all the other kids were in school except Carl. Mom took care of him and dad all day and the house and when I got home I pitched in. Dad was serverly hurt in that accident and had major headaches for years. It caused him to be violent at times and there were alot of things that he doesn't remember that we do. Sad thing is there wasn't much he could do to control his temper.

He had an old underwood typwriter that he would drag out if anyone did anything wrong and it might take an hour or so but he'd type the whole incedent out and who all was standing there. Then he'd ask each one by name if they did whatever. That person would say no. He'd type no. Needless to say that was worst then just getting a punishment cause you knew it was coming. that was in 1969 and he still has that typewriter and it still works, 2009. wow I'd like to see a computer that worked that well. haha.

Anyway down the street there were some people whose name was Tubbs. I was friends with Georgia and her brother, I kid you not, Bubba. and were just friends. Nothing else. we'd go for walks to get out of the house or I'd go down there. One day Georgia was sitting on the couch watching tv and her brother was cleaning his shotgun in the bedroom and it went off. Knocked her off of the couch. She went to the hospital with lots of buckshot in her arm and leg but was ok.
Her other brother came home from Viet Nam around Christmas and brought a friend. His name was Vern. I met him and wasn't that impressed. He and Georgia and me and Bubba went to the drive in. still not impressed.
A few weeks went by and he came to the house wanting to kow if I knew were her brother was . We had had a fight and weren't speaking. I told him no. So he asked me if I want'ed to go get a soda and I said sure. So we kind of started dating and he kept saying, "we're getting married one of these days." and I thought to myself,"yeah right". anyway three months later things were strained at home and I had never been on my own and was scared so when he said that I told him,"lets' go" and we did. That was 40 years ago last april. I won't say it has all been easy because I had a lot of growing up to do and no example of what a good wife was. I knew what not to do. But I was 19 going on 12.

The first year we were married we lived on Hamburger Helpers cause I had never learned to cook. Now Vern won't let them in the house. And I tell him" But honey there are so many new types out there. and he gives me that look. Today I can cook fairly well. nothing to brag about but he hasn't starved. Still my favorite is, give me hamburger meat and I can fix a million dishes.
I also didn't know how to do laundry. There was some stuff called Mrs Stewetts bluing that you used instead of bleach. I figured if a little did a good job , a littlle more would do better. OOPS! at least it was all a nice even blue and not tie dyed.
ok more later. have a great day GOD BLESS. Till we meet again

I was in the car listening to a christian radio station , and they were talking about respect and the lack there of. It got me to thinking about growing up in New Orleans in the 50's and everything was " yes mam, no mam, please , thank you, may I? well you get the picture. We didn't dare call an adult by their first name. Then in 1960 we moved to Ohio and I actually got laughed at if I said "yes mam." So not wanting to be laughed at I went with the flow.( except at home!) The first thing a child should learn is respect for parents, then it follows to teachers, police, others in general. Somewhere along the line ,grown-ups decided they didn't want to feel old so they wanted to be called by their first name. Parents decided they wanted to be their kids friends instead of parents. and little by little respect just went down the drain. Use to be that when an elderly person came into a room or on a bus, a younger person would stand up and let them have their seat. Men opened the car door for a lady, Oh yeah and there was no cussing in front of a lady. Now the girls cuss as bad as the guys if not worse. I guess to make them look all grown-up and bad. Who knows. Nothing like walking down the street and have some kid bump into you and instead of saying "excuse me" they cuss you out instead.

Our society got to a place where both parents were worked and no one was home for the kids. That was the day of the " latchkey kids". Then as time went on some parents were too wasted or drunk to raise the kids. so that left outside influence like gangs. Don't get me wrong we still have some great kids out there. But it's the minority now.

If you don't respect yourself then you won't respect anyone else. Your parents, teachers, country. GOD. Arithea Franklin sang about it back in the 60's and. Where has it gone. who will teach the next generation?????

Morning! I just prove read my old blogs and found a bunch of spelling mistakes. let me explain. I am a good speller but not so great a typer. Sometimes my fingers try to keep up with my brain and then I get goofed-up. well you say try the prove read dork!! No I tried that once and after writing a big blog I hit the prove-read and it disappeared into happy blog heaven, never to be found again. So I publish it and then prove read. haha. I know that' s not the way to do it. maybe cause I am left handed, I do it backwards.

I will be bouncing back and forth on this "The Life Of Gail" as I remember things. so bare with me.

When we lived in Chesterland Ohio, I had a lot of friends on our street that we hung out together. Laura and her sister, Debbie Basel, Wendy, .The guys were Doug Cormack, David Taylor, Timmy and Tommy. David Kitchen .Most of the time we all got along great but one time I remember the guys decided to make an ice pond in the woods for skating, and they smoothed out a section and hauled water and worked on it and it froze. One day Debbie and I decided we would take our slede and play on the ice. We didn't know it would tear it up. but it did. and when the boys found it they came after us. They tore us up. not bad just enough to scare us. we never did it again.
On another occassion Deb and I were going down a small hill on the slede. she was laying on it and I was pushing and when I jumped on the back we hit gravel and came to an abrupt stop with her face on the gravel. ouch!

We had a rollar rink that we 'd go to on Saturday's. The owner loved kids and he and his wife had none. So he bought and old bus and had a different route on Saturday and Sunday. He'd pick us up and not charge anything for the gas. Then it was .75 to get in and .25 for skates. Every Saturday I'd try to go. Never got good at skating but it was fun. We lived on a horseshoe shaped road and you could look out the kitchen window and see the bus on the main road. That's when my step-dad would remind me that I had chores and did I do them or I couldn't go. So I'd run around like a crazy person trying to get them done. As an adult I could see he wasn't being mean but I had responsiblities. It's funny how when you become a parent you see things a lot different then when you were the kid.

We bought that house on Cherry Lane in 1960 for $ 17,500 on an acre of property. and eventually added a garage. I love that house and I loved the neighborhood. I went to West Geauga Jr High and I think that was the happiest I ever was in school. It was Back when girls couldn't wear pants to school and the skirts had to cover the knees. If there was snow we could wear them to school under ourr dresses and go into the bathroom to remove them before class. And then put them back on before getting onto the bus to go home. One thing we did everymorning was turn the radio on to see if it was a snow day. Boy we loved snow day.
This was when the girls were starting to wear the pointed toe shoes and Harry bought me black and white saddle oxfords. I hated those shoes and tried my best to tear them up so I could get some new ones. but try as I did I couldn't. I would use them to slide down the hill in front of our house. They just wouldn't wear out. Which says a lot for the type of shoe. My feet were froze when I went in but the shoes were in tact.

Harry bought a brand new Volkswagon and I never remember him putting chains on that car. The snow plow would come by early in the morning and he and I would have to go out to the end of the drive way and shovel the snow that had been put there by the plow.
He tried to teach me to drive that thing once and I was scared to death because it was stick shift and I couldn't seem to get it all right. One day we went up a hill and stopped at a stop-sign and it started rolling backwards and he was screaming at me and the more he screamed the worse I got. So when we stopped at the bottom of the hill I got out and walked home and that was the end of my driving lessons. To this day I can hardly drive a stick shift. I can still hear him yelling. ok this is long enough for today, see ya later I gotta go. Have a good day.

It was really strange being an only child for 17 years and then having 4 brothers and sisters. They were great kids. Dad lived in a small 2 bedroom house on lake Bld . I slept on the couch in the living room. The only heat it had was a wood stove. I had never been around wood het and had no clue how to start a fire. The rule was first up made the fire , so I would lay on the couch and pretend to be asleep until dad got up and did it. We used pine and he always cautioned me that if you put too much in the pitch would catch the house on fire. So I was scared to mess with it. Dad drove truck and eventually I had to learn how cause he was gone till late.

We got there almost the middle of Oct and no one had signed Mary up for school. She turned 5 in Oct. Before we came along they had babysitters..Mom was not very good with me when I was little but she loved those kids and was a lot better with them. They hardly ever got into trouble but when they did I was the one that had to discipline them and I hated it. Usually siblins fight and get each other into trouble but these kids actually stood up for each other. If someone did something wrong and the others knew who did it no one would tell. Not like the kids now huh?
We were only there till Jan and we went to Huntington Beach to visit my aunt Rita and on the way home25 miles south of Bakersfield a marine was going home to see his new born son and fell asleep at the wheel and hit us. The kids were laying down sleeping in the back of the station wagon and didn't get a scratch. dad was driving and got knocked out of the car and hit his head on the door frame. I woke up under the steering wheel with blood all down the front of my shirt. but it was a tiny cut to my chin. It justed looked bad. Mom had a crushed foot but was out flagging some one down to help. Remember this was before seatbelts and cell-phones. A trucker stopped and called for help. Dad was in a coma for about two weeks and had severe head tramma that took him years to get over. When he came to he didn't know us but eventually got his memory back. He had bad headaches for years after that .

Dad's mom and sisters took the kids to their house in Modesto since dad would be in the hospital for a long while and mom and I got a motel across the street from the hospital. There was a fast food place and we'd eat a bowl of chili everyday. My aunt paid for the motel and sent us money to eat on. This happened four months after my motorcycle wreck in New Orleans. So yes I do believe in Angels and Miracles. More at another time. bye

When I was a kid we traveled a lot. I think my mom was part gypsey. After moving from Missouri we went to New Orleans and then mom married Harry and we moved to Ohio, she and I went by train, Then twice we went from Ohio to Huntingbeach Ca and back with my uncle who drove truck for North American Van Lines. Then when I was 16 mom divorced Harry and we went back to New Orleans for a year, then back out to Huntingbeach to my aunts via the truck. It seemed that everytime we needed help my aunt Rita was there. She was a wonderful person. She had three kids were typical california beach lovers. I went to Marina High School for about a week.
When I was growing up in Ohio, that was the days with the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean and everyone dreamed of going to California and living on the beach. Well mainly cause we all thought the whole state was beach. duh!!!! was I surprised. Anyway back to Marina High, I was always a pudgy thing and the first day going into gym class and the showers,, I saw a couple of hundred Barbie Dolls and they looked nothing like the little hay-seed kids I was use to seeing. I think they were all getting ready to be movie stars. I didn't want to go back. It's funny how our imaginations work at times. I pictured California being this perfect place like the beach blanket bingo movies with Gidget. and when I got there it blew me away. Anyway about that time mom wanted to know if I wanted to meet my real dad that I hadn't seem since I was 4 1/2. Well I don't know considering all my life I heard nothing but bad things about the guy.

So from my aunts we got on a greyhound and went to Modesto where I met him and his 4 little kids from his second wife. He lived in Redding and came down to see me. It was kind of strange at first but he walked right up to me and gave me a big old bear hug. ( and still gives them after all these years.)
After mom left him he came back to Ca and eventually got another family but his second wife died in a car accident leaving him with the little ones. Albert was 9, Georgia was 8 mary was turnign 5 and carl was 3 . After visiting for a few hours Believe it or not mom and dad decided they wanted to go back together after all that time and we moved to redding. So there started another adventure in a new place. and more at another time good night and GOD Bless.