I have started a new Blog and for some reason whan I sent a link it isn't found in a browser so If anyone wants to see about MAMABAER HITS THE ROAD, just click the view  my complete profile under the picture on the left near the bottom and it will list all my blogs. All two of them so far. Not sure if MamaBaer's Musings will continue but one never knows.

So much has happened ...where do I start.

So much has happened ...where do I start.

The last blog was technically almost 5 years ago.  Even though it posted in 2017 as it sat for three years in draft status.

So here I am in April of 2019. Brief recap.

Phillip and I did fly home in September/October 2014. We landed in Boston and spent the night in Gloucester, Mass. Then drove through the small country towns of eastern Massachusetts and north toward Maine. We spent a day and night with my sister Anna and husband Skip in Palermo. The next day we headed toward Cape Cod Massachusetts and visited Plymouth and the Mayflower II. Then it was off to Little Rhody. Went by the old house in Portsmouth, stayed with sister Gretchen and Bob and played tourist in my hometown. It was a wonderful time away together and I will cherish it forever.

In February 2015, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I had surgery and everything so far has been good. No chemo needed. Praise the Lord. To God be all the Glory.

I made another trip home in May of 2016 for Skip and Anna's 40th wedding anniversary, a surprise party given by Allison and Edward, their kids. It was so great to go home again.

On New Year's Eve, 2016. Phil had a heart attack and had a stent placed in his coronary artery on New Year's Day. He recovered wonderfully. Who would have known what an eventful year 2017 would be.

In March of 2017 Chris married Whitney Fernandez, a girl he met while working at a Christian summer camp a few years prior. He had moved in 2015 to Plainview, where Whitney was living and working and going to school at Wayland Baptist University.

In June 2017, Phil and I went to my 45th High School reunion with my Bestie, Gail. We rented a cute little house in Portsmouth for a week. It was great to see Gail again and get to revisit old stomping grounds. Phillip was an awesome chauffeur. Gail spent a day with an old friend from school so Phil and I toured the Breakers mansion. Of course we got to visit with my siblings and some of their kids and grandkids. I was so glad that Phillip went home with me again. We even flew first class as a treat.

Right before we left for our trip I totaled my cute little blue paid for Hyundai. I loved that little car. So when it came time to get the new one we used the insurance money and took some from saving to pay cash. What an awesome feeling not having a car payment.

Next trip (in the new car) was September 2017. We went to Plainview to visit Chris and Whitney and the Nichole and her bunch in Amarillo. It was our last trip together.

We both took off work on our Anniversary October 19 and went to the State Fair together. Something I don't think we had ever done except maybe once when Chris was little. We had an awesome day. Then we went to grandson Caden's freshman football game. It was the only time Phil ever made it to a high school game.

A week later, October 26, I came home from Caden's game and Phillip wasn't home. I called and called. No answer. Cari came over to help me. We made a police report. I had talked to him about 6:30 when I was on my way to the game. He was headed home. He never made it. Something happened that made him realize he had better pull over. He parked in a parking lot of a tire center just prior to where he would have got on the highway. There he sat for several hours until someone noticed and called 911. Cari and I were on our way to look for him along the route I figured he would have been on. Finally a police officer answered Phillip's phone. He had been found unresponsive and they were taking him to Baylor Hospital.  A CT revealed a massive brain hemorrhage. The next evening we removed him from life support as the doctors said there was no chance of recovery.  We buried him 2 days shy of his 65th birthday on October 31 which sadly was also Nichole's birthday.

That's all for Today. Next entry... dealing with it all.

 Christmas 2014

Blog Revival 2014

Fall 2014

I have not blogged in quite a while. Okay like three years. I was watching Julie & Julia the other night and decided I should blog. But tonight I read a really awesome blog from a mother of three who was praying for the mother of her children's eventual spouses. (http://teachmetobraid.blogspot.com/ OMG...I started crying. So then I decided I am for sure going to revive my blog page. I don't think anyone else reads these but that's okay. Someday when I am famous they will come across these archives and say wow, I wish we had read these when she was still alive. LOL

There are so many things I want to talk about. I am getting excited to go home next month for a visit. My husband, Phillip is going, too. He has not been home with me since 1995, almost 20 years. I have been about seven times without him. He has never been keen on flying but he said he was okay with it. Once I bought the tickets I told him there was no backing out. I can't wait. It's been two years since my last visit. Fall is always my favorite time of year in New England.

The State Fair of Texas is on now and I really want to go to it. I may go to a meet up of Street Photographers who are meeting at the fair in about two weeks. It sounds like fun.
I got a new camera this year. I have taken a couple of classes. Street photography sounds like something I would like to pursue.

I have not painted a whole lot this year. I did one about three weeks ago, first time since March. I need to go more. It's just hard to find time. I find it so relaxing and fun.

I found a little dog a few months ago. She was walking down the ramp to get on the freeway. I-30. I was afraid she would get hit or cause an accident. I pulled over and had to wait for some cars to swerve around her. Then I picked her up and brought her home. I tried to find her owners but to no avail. So I finally took her to the vet for shots and a check up. Well she had heartworm. I had her treated which was expensive and scary. She made it through and so we kept her. Her name is Penny. She is a cute little Chihuahua which I never thought I would own. But she worked her way into our hearts and is part of our family now. Even Bailey and the cats get along with her, for the most part. Clyde likes to take a swipe at her once in a while.

That's all I have for tonight. More to come. Hopefully something interesting or thought provoking.

New Hobby

I have a new hobby, painting. I recently discovered a place called Painting with a Twist here in Garland. So far I have painted 5 pictures. It is so much fun and even though I am not very good, I am still very proud of my works. I tried to upload these in the order I did them but they ended up reversed, so the first one is called Tuscan Patio. I did that one today. Next is Blue Shutters. These two are part of a trilogy that I want to do. The artist who created them is one of the teachers at the studio so it is great to be taught by originator. Renata is a very sweet and crazy lady. She shows you step by step how to paint the pictures and makes it so much fun.

The next one I did at the Dallas studio with a group of friends from work plus Cari joined us. We had so much fun. It is called Moonlight Cherry Blossoms. I did this one the night before Blue Shuttere. Two nights in a row. I'd say I am addicted. I have met some really nice folks at these classes.

The next is Pumpkins which is a misnomer because it is only one pumpkin. I did this one with my friend Julia. We had a lot of fun. We were the only two in that class taught by Brian. He was very nice and funny. He is a high school art teacher. Oops I just realized that this is not the finished picture. I guess I picked the wrong one from my files. I'll stick the other one up here on the next blog.

And now we come to my very first painting. A Fleur de Lis. I didn't know a soul there. I just knew I wanted to try this place out after seeing their website and on facebook for several months so I signed up all by myself. The big group of people were having a birthday party so it made it fun. Renata also taught this one.

So there you have it. My first five paitings. Shortly after I did the first one I went out and bought paint and brushes, some canvases and an easel. I have yet to do anything with them. Too scared. But I am slowly learning more and more that I might attempt an original really soon.

Eagle Scout Court of Honor

On Sunday August 2, 2009, We had Chris's Court of Honor at Eastern Hills Baptist Church. Everything turned out great. It was over so fast. A lot of people came but most of them missed the guest book. I meant to bring it over from the sanctuary to the reception and forgot. Chris did a good job.

Will Pike was the master of ceremonies. He did a great job. Chris's friend James Prentis video taped the ceremony for me. He did an awesome job. These are all pictures that my daughter Cari took.

James Bonfoey, our youth pastor, David Lanman, Chris's teacher at Lakeview Law Magnet, and Lynn Gibson, Troop Comittee chairman each spoke.

Chris chose Mr Lanman to receive the mentor's pin. He really had a lot of influence on Chris over the last four years. He also sat on Chris'sEagle Board of Review. Mr. Lanman is an Eagle Scout as well.

I was so nervous. I had trouble getting the tie slde on. It took forever.

The cake was delicious. We got it at Casa Linda Bakery. They did a great job making the Eagle medal.

Mr Lanman gave Chris a Boy Scout stamp collection. It is very nice.

These are some of the patches Chris had collected over the years in scouting.

Here was our table with memorabilia from the cub and boy scout years.

The shadow box was supposed to be a key part of the table but I left it at home. I didn't even realize it til I got home and saw it sitting on the ottoman, right where I left it.

My Son the Eagle Scout.

Well, it's official. Chris passed his Eagle Board of Review and has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. We have set his Court of Honor for August 2. I have the invitations all printed and ready to mail. I made a slide show of pics from Tigers all the way through his Eagle Project. It was a lot of fun making it. I am so very proud of him. He proved me wrong as I thought he would not make it the way he procrastinates. He comes by it naturally from me. Oh well. It's done except the ceremony. Here is a look back.